Abstract:
A flexible mud pan or trough constructed from a structurally supporting material, within which is held a volume of a viscous and settable compound. Upon setting and drying of remnants of the compound not applied, the pan is collapsed or otherwise folded/twisted, causing the flaked remnants to be forcibly disengaged from the flexible surfaces of the pan, the pan subsequently returning to a pre-existing physical configuration reconditioned for future use.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/233,041 filed Sep. 18, 2008. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    A flexible mud pan, or trough, such as constructed from a natural or composite structurally supporting material, and which exhibits sufficient structural rigidity for holding a volume of a viscous and settable material. The flexible material construction permits, upon the setting and drying of remnants of the settable material which are not applied, the pan to be collapsed or otherwise twisted, thus resulting in the flaked remnants being forcibly disengaged from the flexible surfaces of the pan. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    The existence of mudding pans or troughs is well known in the prior art, these being tools of the trade used by individuals engaged in applying drywall mud or joint compound material, such as to seams associated with aligning drywall (i.e. wallboard) sheets. Such existing of mud pans typically exhibit a three dimensional and open interior trough configuration for holding a specified volume of a viscous/flowable mudding compound. 
         [0006]    Upon completion of a mudding application, care must be taken to quickly rinse and clean off the unused remnants, such as with water and a rag, and before the same has had an opportunity to set/dry. Failure to do so results in a dramatically greater effort which will then be required in removing the set and crusted compound. Alternatively, the pan may be ruined and must then be disposed of. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention discloses a flexible body (or trough), and such as which is constructed from a flexible yet structurally supporting natural or composite flexible material, such as further exhibiting memory characteristics for returning to an original molded shape and following the material being deflected or otherwise manipulated. The material further preferably exhibits a Durometer rating of typically less than 100. 
         [0008]    In another preferred variant, the flexible and structurally supporting material can further include such as a memory retaining material (such as including without limitation a polyurethane as well as neoprene or sanoprene), and which exhibits sufficient structural rigidity for holding a volume of a viscous and dryable/settable compound material, such as most typically a joint compound. The material construction is such that it permits a remnant (i.e. non-applied) portion of the joint compound to be allowed to set/dry upon the surfaces of the three dimensionally configured pan and, following that, the pan to be collapsed or otherwise folded or torsionally twisted, thus facilitating in the flaked remnants being forcibly disengaged from the flexible surfaces of the pan. 
         [0009]    Additional features associated with the present design include a plurality of removably secured and lengthwise/crosswise interconnecting extending supports, these being engaged underneath an upper perimeter edge defined lip in the tray and collectively defining a supported contact ledge associated with the upper and lip edge extending perimeter. In this fashion, the ledge provides an angled surface to the user and from which it is desirable to trim or otherwise reshape a portion of the mud/compound retrieved by the applying blade, this prior to applying to the wallboard surface or seam. 
         [0010]    Other features include the formation of notches in the overlapping lip edges at each corner and such that the flexible body is capable of being nested inside of a rigid pan (e.g. steel or durable plastic) in instances where additional support is desired. One or more magnets may also be applied, such as embossed, in length extending fashion such as along exterior facing and upper proximate edges of the body in order to attract and engage such as a flat blade edge of a drywall knife and in order to conveniently adhere the knife at a location which facilitates access and manipulation by the user. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the mud pan according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventions; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a rotated and underside perspective of the mud pan shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a lengthwise cutaway view of the mud pan shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective of the mud pan, such as shown in  FIG. 2 , and further illustrating the plurality of removably secured and lengthwise/crosswise interconnecting extending supports, these being engaged underneath and upper perimeter edge defined lip in the tray and collectively defining a supported contact ledge associated with the upper and lip edge extending perimeter; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged partial view of a selected lengthwise cutaway location of the upper lip edge, and within which is seated a cross wise configured and elongate extending support; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an environmental perspective showing the pan being collapsed, such as by folding or torsionally twisting, thus resulting in the flaked remnants being forcibly disengaged from the flexible surfaces of the pan; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a mud pan according to a further embodiment and in which first and second subsection pans are reconfigured for nesting engagement within a rigid outer pan; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an assembled view of the mud pan as shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a rotated perspective of an individual and collapsible mud pan, such as substantially constructed in  FIG. 7 , and which further incorporates an embossed or otherwise interiorly or exteriorly embedded or affixed magnet extending along a side of the pan body for adhering a blade edge of a conventional drywall knife; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  depicts an end cutaway view of the pan in  FIG. 9  and depicting one variant in which a magnet is embedded within a selected side proximate an upper lip edge and in order to adhere the drywall knife blade in an underside seated fashion relative to the lip edge. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a pair of upper and underside rotated perspective views are each shown at  10  of a mud pan according to one non-limiting preferred embodiment of the present inventions. While not limited to any one shape or configuration, the pan  10  (also known as a trough) is illustrated as an open three dimensional body including any plurality of sides, such as four interconnected sides at  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 . The interconnected sides are upwardly/outwardly angled in the illustrated embodiment extend from a bottom  20  to an upper most and perimeter extending and downwardly turned lip edge which is further collectively defined around its entire perimeter as lip  22 . Having illustrated the pan  10  in one desired configuration, it is also envisioned and understood that the shaping or configuration of the pan is entirely subject to change or modification, and can also include such as a rounded bottom, as well as other polygonal or multi-sided configurations, such as including pentangular, hexagonal, octagonal, round (this exhibiting an infinite number of sides). 
         [0023]    As previously described, the present invention discloses a flexible mud pan (or trough), and such as which is constructed from a flexible yet structurally supporting natural or composite material having memory retention properties and with a Durometer rating in one non-limiting variant of less than 100. In one non-limiting preferred application, the memory retaining material can include a durable foam (such as including without limitation any type of polymeric or polyurethane material, further including without limitation a neoprene or sanoprene) material, and which exhibits sufficient structural rigidity for holding a volume of a viscous and settable/curable material (e.g. such as a joint compound). 
         [0024]    The structurally supporting material construction permits a remnant of the viscous settable material/joint compound to be allowed to set/dry within the pan and, following that, the pan to be collapsed or otherwise folded or torsionally twisted, thus assisting in the flaked remnants being forcibly disengaged from the flexibly displacing surfaces of the pan. Removal of the flakes in this fashion can be accomplished both in combination and alternative to additional washing or scrubbing of the pan interior, in each instance in order to facilitate ease of cleaning of the pan for subsequent reuse. 
         [0025]    Durometer hardness, like many other hardness tests, measures the depth of an indentation in the material created by a given force on a standardized presser foot. This depth is dependent on the hardness of the material, its viscoelastic properties, the shape of the presser foot, and the duration of the test. ASTM D2240 durometers allows for a measurement of the initial hardness, or the indentation hardness after a given period of time. The basic test requires applying the force in a consistent manner, without shock measuring the hardness (depth of the indentation). If a timed hardness is desired, force is applied for the required time and then read. The material under test should be a minimum of 6.4 mm (0.25 inch) thick. The final value of the hardness depends on the depth of the indenter&#39;s penetration. If the indenter penetrates 2.5 mm or more into the material, the durometer is 0 for that scale. If it does not penetrate at all, then the durometer is 100 for that scale. It is for this reason that multiple scales exist. Durometer is a dimensionless quantity, and there is no simple relationship between a material&#39;s durometer in one scale, and its durometer in any other scale, or by any other hardness test. 
         [0026]    As is also known, candidate materials such as Neoprene or polychloroprene belong to a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polymerization of chloreprene. Such materials are known for use in a wide variety of other environments, such as in wetsuits, laptop sleeves, electrical insulation, and car fan belts. Neoprene is the DuPont Performance Elastomers trade name. Other memory/structurally retaining foam materials are further made from polyurethane with additional chemicals that increase its viscosity level, thereby increasing its density. It is envisioned and understood that the tray or pan construction according to the present inventions can be constructed from any of a plurality of different, or selectively intermixed, materials so as to exhibit the necessary properties of structural supporting stability, such as when filled with a volume of a joint compound, as well as the ability to be collapsed or otherwise forcibly displaced and subsequently returned to its original shape. 
         [0027]    Referring further to  FIG. 3 , a lengthwise cutaway view is shown of the mud pan  10  in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Also shown in  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective of the mud pan  10 , such as shown in  FIG. 2 , and further illustrating an optionally provided plurality of removably secured and lengthwise/crosswise end to end connecting supports, as shown at  24 ,  26 ,  28  and  30  in corresponding fashion to sides  12 ,  14 ,  16  and  18 . 
         [0028]    The supports each correspond in overall length to a given side or interconnecting end dimension such that, upon assembly, each are engaged underneath a fold  32  (see  FIG. 5 ) defined in the inside of the perimeter extending lip  22 . As illustrated, each of the supports can exhibit a flared or angled cross sectional profile, as again shown in  FIG. 5 , and in order to conform the fold configuration associated with the downward fold  32  of the lip  22 . Also shown in each of  FIGS. 4 and 5  are angled prongs  34 , these being arranged in spaced apart and downwardly directed fashion along the exterior surface associated with each of the supports and. Upon being inserted within the underside fold  32  of the lip  22 , each of the perimeter defining supports 24-30 are retained in place by the gripping action of the prongs  34  exerted against the inside face of the folded portion  32 . 
         [0029]    The supports 24-30 are further each constructed of a rigid material not limited to a durable aluminum, nylon, or other synthetic material and such that, in use, the supports are engaged underneath the fold  32  in the upper perimeter edge defined lip  22 . The supports are installed to collectively define a supported contact ledge associated with the upper and lip edge extending perimeter. In this fashion, the ledge provides an angled surface to the user and from which it is desirable to trim or otherwise reshape a portion of the mud/compound retrieved by the applying blade (not shape), this such as prior to applying the compound to the wallboard surface or seam. 
         [0030]      FIG. 6  is an environmental perspective is shown of the pan  10  being collapsed, such as by folding or torsionally twisting, thus resulting in flaked remnants  36  being forcibly disengaged from the various flexible surfaces of the pan  10 . Prior to forcible dislodgement of the dried compound remnants, the rigid lip edge supports 24-30 are removed. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , exploded and assembled views are depicted of a pair of identically configured mud pans, each at  38 , according to a further embodiment and in which the first and second subsection pans are reconfigured for nesting engagement within a rigid outer pan  40  of conventional construction such as including steel or rigid plastic. Each of the pans  38  exhibits a body construction substantially identical to that previously depicted in  FIG. 1 , such that a repetitive recitation of the bottom, interconnected sides and upper/outer perimeter extending lip edge is unnecessary. 
         [0032]    Differences associated with the variant of  FIG. 7  include the arrangement of corner notches or cutouts, three of which are evident by three sided notched or corner incised profile edges at each of corners  42 ,  44  and  46  for each of the pans  38 , with a fourth corner cutout associated with the upper lip edge of each pan  38  being hidden from view. The cutouts separate respective segmented lip portions  41 ,  43 ,  45 , and  47  for each pan  38 , this in comparison to continuous perimeter extending lip in the variant of  FIG. 1 . While the cutouts are further depicted as extending into both conjoining side and end locations of the lips proximate each corner, it is further understood that the cutout dimensions are not limited to what is shown and can alternatively be narrowed in other configurations such as for example to limit nesting within the perimeter edge of the rigid pan  40  in a lengthwise direction (as again further shown in  FIG. 8 ) and further such that both the rigid outer pan  40  and flexible/collapsible inner pan  38  exhibit similar widths. 
         [0033]    Also, and while a pair of flexible pans (also reservoir defining bodies)  38  are illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , it is again understood that any dimensioned flexible pan, this further including a single pan or even multiple pans of alternating dimensions, may be provided in a singular or tandem nesting arrangement within an overall rigid pan as shown. It is also envisioned that, given the supporting aspects of the downwardly turned and corner notched lip edges, the flexible pans or bodies  38  can be reconfigured such that its bottom exhibits a shallower depth as compared to the outer nesting rigid pan, with the understanding that the gripping/holding forces of the lip edges will retain the outer flexible pan in place. 
         [0034]      FIG. 9  is a rotated perspective of an individual and collapsible mud pan  48 , such as substantially constructed in  FIG. 7 , and which further incorporates an embossed or otherwise interiorly or exteriorly embedded or affixed magnet (see further at  50  in  FIG. 10 ) extending along a side of the pan body for adhering a blade edge of a conventional drywall knife  52 . In cooperation with  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 10  depicts an end cutaway view of the pan in one variant in which the magnet  50  is embedded within a selected side proximate an upper lip edge, and again in order to exert a minimal required exterior attractive force to cause the drywall knife blade  52  to adhere against the side of the body in an underside seated fashion relative to the outturned lip edge of the body (see at  53 ), further such that an edge  54  of the blade  52  tucks against an underside of the associated pan lip edge. 
         [0035]    It is noted that, while the magnet  50  is depicted as embedded within the body of the flexible pan in  FIG. 10 , it can also be embossed onto the exterior surface of the collapsible body or configured/arranged in any other desired fashion in order to facilitate gripping support of the drywall knife. This can further include minimizing the length or other dimensions of the embossed or embedded magnet such that the torsional twisting or bending of the pan as depicted in  FIG. 6  does not otherwise result in damage to the flexible pan construction. 
         [0036]    This can further envision repositioning the magnet to the end locations of the pan and/or providing magnets along either or both side and end locations of the flexible pan. The ability to carry such as a secondary or extra drywall knife at an easily accessible location is particularly useful given that many compound application techniques employ the use of two drywall knifes during mixing, shaping and applying of the joint compound. 
         [0037]    It is also understood that the mud pan or body according to any of the previously disclosed embodiments can operate without any rigid inserts or supports. In this fashion, novel mud pan design can be left after use to allow any remaining volume of unapplied joint compound to set and dry, following which the resultant flaked remnants can be quickly and effectively removed (either substantially or entirely) by torsion-ally twisting and/or bending the flexible pan body, and such as can occur both with or without the additional need of scraping and/or the use of water or other fluid based cleaning solutions. 
         [0038]    Additional to joint compound, the flexible pan design can be used in combination with floor patch, grout, concrete, mortar or other settable compounds such as which are desired to be effectively removed following setting and drying. It is also understood that the degree of structural rigidity associated with the memory foam structure can be manipulated or otherwise modified, based upon the load carrying requirements of the associated joint compound. 
         [0039]    Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.