System and product for tinting caulking

Abstract

In a method for tinting caulking, a quantity of caulking is sealed within and toward one end of an elongate, pliable casing. The unfilled portion of the casing is then unsealed, and a quantity of tinting agent, such as paint, is introduced into the casing, which is then resealed. The caulking and tinting are then intermixed by manual kneading of the casing until the caulking has acquired a desired color. The sealed end of the filled portion of the casing is then unsealed, the casing is inserted into a caulking cartridge with the filled portion disposed toward the nozzle end of the cartridge, and a slidable plug is inserted into the cartridge. The cartridge may is then loaded in a conventional caulking gun, which upon actuation urges the plug against the casing so as to force the tinted caulking out of the unsealed casing and through the cartridge nozzle.

1 . A caulking product comprising:
 (a) an elongate cylindrical cartridge having a nozzle end, an open end, and an interior chamber with a cylindrical wall;   (b) a quantity of caulking sealingly enclosed in an elongate, pliable casing, at least a portion of said casing being transparent, wherein the caulking fills only part of the casing and is disposed toward one end thereof, thus dividing the casing into a filled portion and an unfilled portion, and said casing being disposed within the interior chamber of the cartridge;   (c) a plug member closing off the open end of the cartridge so as to retain the casing within the interior chamber of the cartridge.   
     
     
         2 . The caulking product of  claim 1  wherein the caulking is a latex-based caulking. 
     
     
         3 . The caulking product of  claim 1  wherein the casing is made of a plastic film. 
     
     
         4 . The caulking product of  claim 1  wherein the plug member has a circular perimeter edge, and said plug member is movable longitudinally within the interior chamber of the cartridge with said perimeter edge in sliding engagement with the cylindrical wall of the cartridge. 
     
     
         5 . The caulking product of  claim 1  wherein the plug member includes a gripping element to facilitate removal of the plug member from the cartridge. 
     
     
         6 . The caulking product of  claim 5  wherein the gripping element comprises a flexible loop. 
     
     
         7 . The caulking product of  claim 1 , further comprising means for introducing a tinting agent into the casing. 
     
     
         8 . The caulking product of  claim 7  wherein the means for introducing a tinting agent into the casing is a syringe. 
     
     
         9 . The caulking product of  claim 1  wherein the filled portion of the casing is disposed toward the nozzle end of the cartridge. 
     
     
         10 . A caulking product comprising a quantity of caulking sealingly enclosed in an elongate pliable casing, at least a portion of said casing being transparent, wherein the caulking fills only part of the casing and is disposed toward one end thereof, thus dividing the casing into a filled portion and an unfilled portion.