WO2012101417A1

WO2012101417A1 - Resilient masking strip or loop

Info

Publication number: WO2012101417A1
Application number: PCT/GB2012/000093
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Williams
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-01-28
Filing date: 2012-01-30
Publication date: 2012-08-02
Anticipated expiration: 2013-07-28
Also published as: GB2487587B; GB2487587A; GB201101537D0

Abstract

A painting and decorating aid for protecting items during painting and more particularly one which can be formed in a loop around a fitting (10, 110) and be of adjustable length.

Description

RESILIENT MASKING STRIP OR LOOP

The present invention relates generally to a painting and decorating aid and more particularly to a device for protecting items during painting.

A large proportion of the time involved in painting of walls and the like is spent on preparing the surfaces prior lo painting. Part of the preparation usually involves "masking" of fixtures and fitlings such as light switches, power sockets and door handles. It is known to use masking tape which is relatively weakly adhesive and can be torn into pieces and temporarily stuck to the outside of fittings so. During painting it is not then necessary to be absolutely accurate when painting around the edges of the fittings because any inaccuracies will result in paint being applied to the tape rather than the fitting. However, the process of securing tape around the periphery of all fixtures and fittings in a room is time consuming and in many cases is either not done or done incompletely so that the qualify of finish suffers.

The present invention seeks to address the problems with known masking systems. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a painting mask comprising a resilient member which can be stretched around at least the periphery of a fitting which requires protection during painting of an associated surface.

The member of the present invention therefore achieves the same protective function of masking tape but in a much simpler format which is therefore more likely to be used consistently.

The member may be elongate in shape. The member may comprise a band. The thickness of the band of material is such that when stretched around the periphery of a fitting it is so thin that paint can safely be applied in practical terms right up to the periphery of the fitting to ensure a good finish. The thickness of the member in its relaxed state is preferably less than 1 .5 mm more preferably less than 1 mm, more preferably less than 0.5 mm, more preferably less than 0.1 mm and even more preferably less than 0.05 mm. Even more preferably, the member thickness can be roughly 0.015 mm. The thickness of the member in its stretched state would vary according to various factors which include the nature of the material of the member and the degree of deforming strain placed on the member by placing it around the periphery of a fitting, but it will be smaller than the thickness in the relaxed state. The thickness of the member in its stretched state is preferably less than 0.5 mm, more preferably less than 0.1 mm, more preferably less fhan 0.05 mm and even more preferably less than 0.01 mm.

The member may comprise an unending loop. In other words, the member is a unitary structure which is formed as a complete annulus and its resilience is such that the included loop space can accommodate a variety of different sized and shaped peripheries.

Alternatively, the member may be formed as a strip which can be formed into a loop. This allows, for example, the size of the loop to be adjustable. For example, the member may be provided with releasable fastening means such as hook and loop fasteners (Velcro RTM) or low-tack adhesive which could allow the relative positions of the two strip ends to be varied.

The member may be formed from any suitable material including natural, synthetic or composite material. Rubber or rubberised compounds may, for example, be used. The member may be formed from Latex. Latex is especially advantageous as it can be formed into a particularly thin (for example 0.01 mm†o 1 .5mm thick) strip or band and has excellent resilient properties allowing it to be used in a variety of circumstances. The material from which the member is made may incorporate or be coated with a composition or material which is hydrophobic, oleophobic, or at least non-wettable by paint compositions whereby to resist any tendency for paint applied over the edge of the member to work its way underneath and detrimentally affect the efficacy of the member as a paint mask.

In some embodiments the member is formed from a washable material so that following use it can be washed clean ready for re-use. Alternatively, it is anticipated that disposable members could be formed to avoid issues with cleaning of paint substances.

The width of the band can be selected to suit the anticipated usage. For example, bands may be in the range of 1 mm to 50mm in width.

The present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a painting mask formed according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of a power socket shown equipped with the mask of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is a side view of the socket of Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a perspective view of a painting mask formed according to an alternative embodiment.

Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a painting mask 10 comprising an elongate band-like loop formed from resilient material and exceptionally deformable, which in this embodiment is latex.

Referring now also to Figures 2 and 3, the mask 10 in use can be stretched around the periphery of a fitting, which in this embodiment is a power socket 20.

Because the mask 10 is so resilient and thin, it conforms to the periphery of the socket 20 and forms a shield at the periphery of the socket so that during painting of the surface upon which the socket is located the painting implement can be used to apply paint right up to the periphery of the socket without risk of getting paint into the socket.

After use, the mask 10 can easily be stretched off the periphery of the socket and disposed of or re-used.

Referring now to Figure 4 there is shown an elongate mask 1 10 formed according to an alternative embodiment.

The mask 1 10 comprises a resilient strip having two ends 130, 140. The ends 130, 140 are not permanently joined and instead are provided with releasable fastening means which in this embodiment is in the form of a hook and loop arrangement such as Velcro. The end 140 can be secured to the end 130 at a variety of positions along its length to adjust the size of the loop formed by the strip.

Claims

1. A painting mask comprising resilient member which can be stretched around at least the periphery of a fitting which requires protection during painting of an associated surface.

2. A mask as claimed in Claim 1 , in which the member is a band.

3. A mask as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the member is an endless loop.

4. A mask as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, in which the member is an elongate strip having connector means at the ends thereof by means of which the strip can be formed into a loop.

5. A mask as claimed in Claim 4, in which the size of the loop is adjustable by adjusting the connector means .

6. A mask as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the thickness of the mask in its relaxed state is less than 1.5 mm.

7. A mask as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the member is formed from Latex.

8. A painting mask as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the material of the member incorporates or is coated with a hydrophobic, oleophobic or at least non- wettable material.

9. A mask as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8, in which the connector means comprise hook and loop fasteners.

10. A mask as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 8, in which the connector means comprise or include a low-tack adhesive.

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FIG. 4