Liquid applicator device

Abstract

A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid from an applicator liquid container. The liquid applicator device comprises a closure having an internal passageway for sealing with the applicator liquid container. A dispensing mechanism is disposed in the internal passageway of the closure. An applicator located in the passageway engaging with the valve element for enabling a depression of the applicator to displace the valve element from the sealing surface to enable the flow of the applicator liquid from the liquid container into the applicator. A capture extends from the valve element for grasping the applicator for inhibiting removal of the applicator from the passageway.

Claims

1. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid from an applicator liquid container; comprising; a closure having an internal passageway for sealing with the applicator liquid container; a valve body disposed in said internal passageway of said closure; a valve seal having a sealing surface secured to said valve body; a valve element disposed within said closure; a spring acting between said valve body and said valve element for biasing said valve element into sealing engagement with said sealing surface of said valve seal for inhibiting the flow of the applicator liquid from the applicator liquid container; an applicator located in said passageway engaging with said valve element for enabling a depression of said applicator to displace said valve element from said sealing surface to enable the flow of the applicator liquid from the liquid container into said applicator; and a capture comprising a plurality of resilient fingers extending from said valve element for resiliently grasping said applicator for inhibiting removal of said applicator from said passageway.

2. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealing surface is an annular sealing surface.

3. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, wherein said sealing surface comprises a generally tubular member defining an annular sealing surface at a termination of said generally tubular member.

4. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve element defines a first and a second end; and said valve element having a generally conical surface descending from said first end of said valve element toward said second end of said valve element for forming a sealing engagement with said sealing surface of said valve seal.

5. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid from an applicator liquid container; comprising; a closure having an internal passageway for sealing with the applicator liquid container; a valve body disposed in said internal passageway of said closure; a valve seal having a sealing surface secured to said valve body; a valve element disposed within said closure; a spring acting between said valve body and said valve element for biasing said valve element into sealing engagement with said sealing surface of said valve seal for inhibiting the flow of the applicator liquid from the applicator liquid container; an applicator located in said passageway engaging with said valve element for enabling a depression of said applicator to displace said valve element from said sealing surface to enable the flow of the applicator liquid from the liquid container into said applicator; a capture comprising a plurality of resilient fingers extending from said valve element; and hook disposed on each of said plurality of resilient fingers for resiliently grasping said applicator for inhibiting removal of said applicator from said passageway.

6. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve element defines a first and a second end; said first end of said valve element having a valve element projection for positioning said spring relative to said valve element; and said capture extending from said second end of said valve element for grasping said applicator to inhibit removal of said applicator.

7. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, wherein said applicator defines a first and a second end; and said first end of said applicator having a reduced cross-section; said capture resiliently grasping said reduced cross-section of said applicator for inhibiting removal of said applicator from said valve element.

8. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, wherein said applicator defines a first and a second end; said first end of said applicator tip having a reduced cross-section; a groove defined in said reduced cross-section of said first end of said applicator; and each of said resilient lingers having an inward protrusion for resiliently engaging with the groove to inhibit removal of the applicator from the valve element.

9. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, wherein said applicator defines a first and a second end; and said second end of said applicator having second reduced cross-section defining an applicator tip; and a ferrule for partially covering said second end of said applicator for providing mechanical strength to said applicator tip.

10. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator as set forth in claim 1, wherein said applicator defines a first and a second end; and said second end of said applicator having second reduced cross-section defining a defining an applicator tip; a ferrule for partially covering Said second end of said applicator tip including said second reduced cross-section for providing mechanical strength to said applicator tip; and said ferrule forming a sliding relationship with a terminal orifice of said closure.

11. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of resilient fingers resiliently engages a first reduced cross-section of said applicator.

12. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of resilient fingers has an inwardly projecting hook for resiliently engaging a first reduced cross-section of said applicator.

13. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid from an applicator liquid container; comprising; a closure having an internal passageway for sealing with the applicator liquid container; a valve body disposed in said internal passageway of said closure; a valve seal having a sealing surface secured to said valve body; a valve element disposed within said closure; a spring acting between said valve body and said valve element for biasing, said valve element into sealing engagement with said sealing surface of said valve seal for inhibiting the flow of the applicator liquid from the applicator liquid container; an applicator located in said passageway engaging with said valve element for enabling a depression of said applicator to displace said valve element from said sealing surface to enable the flow of the applicator liquid from the liquid container into said applicator; a groove defined in said applicator; and a capture including a plurality of resilient fingers with each of said plurality of resilient fingers having an inwardly protrusion for resiliently engaging said groove of said applicator for inhibiting removal of said applicator tip from said passageway of said closure.

14. A liquid applicator device for dispensing an applicator liquid as set forth in claim 1, including a container defining an annular recess supporting a container boss extending outwardly from said annular recess; said closure having an outer shoulder defining an undercut with a closure boss extending inwardly therefrom; and said closure being dimensioned for insertion into said container with said annular recess of said container being received within said undercut of said closure enabling said container boss and said closure boss to resiliently engage one another to lock said closure to said container.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a liquid applicator device of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the liquid applicator device of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of the liquid applicator device of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is an end view of the liquid applicator device of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 5;

(8) FIG. 7 is an enlarged isometric view of a dispensing mechanism of the liquid applicator device of FIG. 1;

(9) FIG. 8 is an enlarged exploded view of FIG. 7;

(10) FIG. 9 is a magnified side view of the dispensing mechanism of FIGS. 7 and 8;

(11) FIG. 10 is an end view of FIG. 9;

(12) FIG. 11 is a sectional view along line 11-11 in FIG. 10;

(13) FIG. 12 is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 11;

(14) FIG. 13 is a sectional view along line 13-13 in FIG. 12;

(15) FIG. 14 is a side view of a second embodiment of the dispensing mechanism of the liquid applicator device of FIG. 1;

(16) FIG. 15 is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 14;

(17) FIG. 16 is a side view of a third embodiment of the dispensing mechanism of the liquid applicator device of FIG. 1;

(18) FIG. 17 is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 16;

(19) FIG. 18 illustrates the liquid applicator device of the present invention positioned over a surface;

(20) FIG. 19 illustrates the liquid applicator device of the present invention applying an applicator liquid to the surface upon depression of the applicator tip;

(21) FIG. 20 is a sectional view illustrating the liquid applicator device in a closed position; and

(22) FIG. 21 is a sectional view illustrating the liquid applicator device in an open position.

(23) Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several Figures of the drawings.

DETAILED DISCUSSION

(24) FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a liquid applicator device 5 having a dispensing mechanism 10 for dispensing an applicator liquid 6 from a container 20 to an applicator 30. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate a protective overcap 8 for the liquid applicator device 5 to prevent accidental dispensing and provides a seal for the applicator liquid 6. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the applicator 30 is used to dispense the applicator liquid 6 from the container 20 onto the surface (not shown) upon the depression of the applicator tip 30 on the surface (not shown).

(25) The container 20 has a first end 21 and a second end 22 with a generally cylindrical sidewall 23. The first end 21 of the container 20 is closed by an end wall or a plug 24. The container 20 may be formed from a polymeric material, a metallic material or the like. The second end 22 of the container 20 defines an annular recess 26 about an opening 27 in the container 20. A container boss 28 extends outwardly from the annular recess 26. Preferably, the container 20 is formed from a polymeric material rendering a resiliency to the annular recess 26 and the container boss 28.

(26) As best shown in FIG. 8, the applicator 30 extends between an inner end 31 and an outer end 32. The applicator 30 is a generally cylindrically shaped member defining a cylindrical diameter 33 between the inner end 31 and the outer end 32. The outer end of the applicator 30 defines an applicator tip 35. An optional ferrule 37 is disposed on the outer end 32 of the applicator 30 for adding mechanical strength to the reduced size applicator tip 35. The applicator 30 may formed from a felt fiber, solid or a brush construction. The applicator tip 30 may be rigid or flexible.

(27) In this example of the invention, the applicator 30 is formed of a highly compacted fibrous material such as polyester or other similar material having analogous properties sufficient to hold the original shape when moistened with the applicator liquid 6 but adequate to pass the applicator liquid 6 from the inner end 31 to the outer end of the applicator tip 30 by capillary action. In the alternative, the applicator tip 30 may be a non-porous material with grooves extending longitudinally along an outer surface of the applicator tip 30.

(28) A closure 40 extends between an inner end 41 and an outer end 42. The closure 40 includes an outer shoulder 43 extending radially outward from an outer surface 44 of the closure 40 between the inner end 41 and the outer end 42. The inner end 41 of the closure 40 is dimensioned to be inserted into the second end 22 of the liquid container 20.

(29) FIG. 6 is a magnified view of a portion of FIG. 5. The outer shoulder 43 has an undercut 45 with a closure boss 46 extending inwardly from the undercut 45 toward the outer surface 44 of the closure 40. Preferably, the closure 40 is formed from a polymeric material rendering a resiliency to the outer shoulder 43 and the closure boss 46. When the inner end 41 of the closure 40 is inserted into the second end 22 of the liquid container 20, the annular recess 26 of the container 20 is received within the undercut 45 of the outer shoulder 43 of the closure 40. The container boss 28 and the closure boss 46 resiliently engage one another to lock the closure 40 to the container 20.

(30) The snap fitment of two separate, but cooperating container boss 28 and the closure boss 46 creates an enhanced seal and much higher interlock retention between the container 20 and the closure 40. The cooperating engagement of the container boss 28 and the closure boss 46 also relies on an internal interference of the outer wall of the closure 40 to the inner wall of the container 20. The internal interference of the outer wall of the closure 40 to the inner wall of the container 20 forces the container boss 28 to place a force against the closure boss 46. The container boss 28 becomes trapped by the outer shoulder 43 of the closure 40 and hoop forces are enhanced by displacement caused by interference of fitments to form an enhanced seal and interlocked assembly.

(31) The closure 40 defines an internal passageway 47 extending between the inner end 41 and the outer end 42. The inner end 41 of the closure 40 communicates with the liquid container 20. The outer end 42 of the closure 40 defines a terminal orifice 48 dimensioned to slidably receive the applicator 30. The dispensing mechanism 10 for dispensing an applicator liquid 6 from a container 20 to an applicator 30 is disposed within the internal passageway 47 of the closure 40.

(32) FIGS. 7-13 illustrate the dispensing mechanism 10 of the liquid applicator device 5. The dispensing mechanism 10 includes a valve body 50, a valve element 60, a valve seal 70, a spring 80 and a tubular seal 90. The valve body 50 extends between a valve body inner end 51 and a valve body outer end 52. The valve body inner end 51 comprises a face having vents whereas the valve body outer end 52 comprises an opening. A cylindrical sidewall 53 extends between the valve body inner end 51 and the valve body outer end 52. A valve body shoulder 54 is formed on the valve body outer end 52 of the valve body 50. The valve body shoulder 54 is used for affixing the valve body 50 to the closure 40. A valve body spring retainer 56 extends from an inside surface of the inner end 51 for maintaining the position of the spring 80. A valve body projection 57 extends from the valve body outer end 52 of the valve body 50. The valve body projection 57 is used for affixing the valve body 50 to the valve seal 70. The valve body 50 is provided with a hole 59 defined within the valve body inner end 51 of the valve body 50. The hole 59 and vents on the inner end 51 of the valve body 50 facilitates the flow of the applicator liquid 6 from the container 20 into the valve body 50.

(33) The valve element 60 extends between a valve element inner end 61 and a valve element outer end 62. The valve element 60 defines a circumferential sidewall 64. A valve element spring retainer 66 extends from the valve element inner end 61 of the valve element 60. The valve element spring retainer 66 receives a second end 82 of the spring 80.

(34) The circumferential sidewall 64 of the valve element 60 supports a flared peripheral shoulder 68. The outside diameter of the flared peripheral shoulder 68 is less than the inner diameter of the valve body 50 for enabling the valve element 60 to move within the valve body 50.

(35) The valve seal 70 includes a valve seal inner end 71 and a valve seal outer end 72 with a cylindrical sidewall 73 extending therebetween. The cylindrical sidewall 73 is provided with a valve seal shoulder 74. The valve seal shoulder 74 is shown as a circumferential shoulder having a diameter greater than the remainder of the cylindrical sidewall 73 of the valve seal 70. The valve seal shoulder 74 has a diameter substantially the same diameter as the diameter of the valve body shoulder 54 of the valve body 50. The valve seal 70 includes a valve seal annular bulge 76 extending about an outer surface of the cylindrical sidewall 73. The valve seal annular bulge 76 cooperates with the valve body hollow 56 of the valve body 50 for affixing the valve body 50 to the valve seal 70.

(36) The valve seal 70 is press fit into the valve body 50 with the valve element 60 and the spring 80 located therebetween. The valve seal shoulder 74 limits the depth of penetration of the valve seal 70 into the valve body 50. The valve body hollow 56 of the valve body 50 receives the valve seal annular bulge 76 of the valve seal 70 for interlocking the valve seal 70 within the valve body 50 to form the dispenser mechanism 10.

(37) The outside diameter of the flared peripheral shoulder 68 of the valve element 60 is less than the inner diameter of the valve body 50 enabling the valve element 60 to move within the valve body 50. The outside diameter of the flared peripheral shoulder 68 of the valve element 60 is greater than the inner diameter of the valve seal inner end 71 of the valve seal 70 for enabling valve element 60 to form a seal with the valve seal 70.

(38) The spring 80 biases the dispensing mechanism 10 in a closed condition as shown in FIG. 11. When the dispensing mechanism 10 in the closed condition, the flared peripheral shoulder 68 of the valve element 60 is biased by the spring 80 into engagement with the valve seal inner end 71 of the valve seal 70. The engagement of the flared peripheral shoulder 68 with the valve seal inner end 71 prevents the passage of the applicator liquid 6 from the container 20 to the applicator 30.

(39) A tubular seal 90 extends between a tubular seal inner end 91 and a tubular seal outer end 92 as a one-piece molding. A mounting 93 integrally secures the tubular seal 90 to the valve seal outer end 72 of the valve seal 70. The tubular seal 90 provides a sliding seal with the applicator 30. The inner end 31 of the applicator tip 30 is in direct engagement with the outer end 62 of the valve element 60. The cylindrical diameter 33 of the applicator 20 forms a sliding seal with the tubular seal 90. The ferrule 37 forming a sliding relationship with the terminal orifice 48 of the closure 40.

(40) FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an important aspect of the present invention. A capture 100 extends from the valve element 60 for grasping the applicator 30 for inhibiting removal of the applicator 30 from the passageway 47 of the closure 40. The capture comprises a plurality of resilient fingers 101-104 extending from the second end 62 of the valve element 60 for resiliently grasping the applicator 30. Preferably, the resilient fingers 101-104 are formed integrally with the valve element 60 from a polymeric material. In this embodiment, the first end 31 of the applicator 30 has a reduced cross-section 38. The plurality of resilient fingers 101-104 of the capture 100 resiliently grasps the reduced cross-section 38 of the applicator 30 for inhibiting removal of the applicator 30 from the valve element 60.

(41) FIGS. 14-15 illustrate enlarged views of a second embodiment of the capture 100 for the dispensing mechanism 10 of the liquid applicator device 5. In this second embodiment, the capture 100 comprises a plurality of resilient fingers 101-104 extending from the valve element 60 with each of the resilient fingers 101-104 having an inward extending hook 101H-104H for resiliently grasping the applicator 30 to inhibit removal of the applicator 30 from the valve element 60.

(42) FIGS. 16-17 illustrate enlarged views of a third embodiment of the capture 100 for the dispensing mechanism 10 of the liquid applicator device 5. In this third embodiment, a groove 39 is defined in the reduced cross-section 38 of the first end 31 of the applicator 30. The capture 100 comprises a plurality of resilient fingers 101-104 extending from the valve element 60 with each of the resilient fingers 101-104 having an inward protrusion 101P-104P for resiliently engaging with the groove 39 to inhibit removal of the applicator 30 from the valve element 60.

(43) The capture 100 may be incorporated into a single annular pocket, two resilient fingers 101-102 or any multitude of fingers. The use of the resilient fingers 101-104 separated by spaces enhances the flow of the applicator liquid 6 to the applicator 30.

(44) The dispensing mechanism 10 comprising the valve body 50 and the valve seal 70 is secured within the internal passageway 47 of the closure 40. The valve body shoulder 54 and the valve seal shoulder 74 are maintained in contact when the valve seal annular bulge 76 is received within the valve body hollow 56 to affix the valve body 50 to the valve seal 70. The valve body shoulder 54 and the valve seal shoulder 74 are held in place within the internal passageway 47 of the closure 40 between a closure inner shoulder 49 and an inward extending keeper 79.

(45) FIGS. 18 and 20 are views of the liquid applicator device 5 of the present invention shown in a closed position. The spring 80 urges the flared peripheral shoulder 68 of the valve element 60 into engagement with the valve seal inner end 71 to inhibit the passage of the applicator liquid 6 from the container 20 to the inner end 31 of the applicator 30.

(46) FIGS. 19 and 21 are views of the liquid applicator device 5 of the present invention shown in an open position. A depression of the applicator tip 30 against a surface 120 will compress the spring 80 and move the flared peripheral shoulder 68 of the valve element 60 from the valve seal inner end 71 for enabling the passage of the applicator liquid 6 from the container 20 to contact the inner end 31 of the applicator 30. The applicator liquid 6 moves from the inner end 31 to the outer end 32 of the applicator tip 35 by capillary action. The applicator liquid 6 at the applicator tip 35 may be transferred to a surface 120 by marking, dabbing or a brushing action.

(47) The engagement of the cooperating container boss 28 and the closure boss 46 creates an enhanced seal and much higher interlock retention between the container 20 and the closure 40. Mechanical benefits of this system include the enhanced seal, the stronger retention/interlock of the assembly, simplified mold tooling, and the elimination of much larger parts interfaces and/or threads to create such a strong interlock. Product benefits include greatly reduced accessibility to the package contents, longer product shelf life resulting from the increased seal, improved end user safety due to better package integrity, and a system that can be assembled more rapidly and lends itself to less complex automation versus threaded systems.

(48) The capture 100 allows improved retention of the applicator 30 and allows for full freedom of motion of the applicator device 5. Furthermore, the capture allows an end user to remove the applicator 30 and place a new applicator 30 into the capture without damage. The benefit of this improvement is to greatly reduce/eliminate the applicator 30 from easily falling out during production processes and product use. The capture 100 allows simplified quality control, better user experience, and faster production speeds/throughput with far fewer product failures.

(49) The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims as well as the foregoing description. Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.