DIAPER CREAM APPLICATOR WITH LID

Abstract

This invention offers improvements over the diaper rash cream applicator that I described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,059. The earlier invention provided an applicator apparatus and lid to facilitate one-handed application of diaper rash cream or other therapeutic cream. The present invention comprises the same essential parts and provides three particular improvements. First, this version has two sets of female screw threads, which fit two common neck diameters for squeeze tubes. Second, the new version has an improved applicator apparatus with a nozzle and a soft, flexible tip with opening flap, providing smoother and more even application of cream than the previous embodiment. Third, the present invention adds a tongue to the lid's interior. When the tube is stored in the lid, the tongue presses the soft, flexible tip of the applicator apparatus firmly against the opening of the nozzle, creating a leakproof and airtight seal.

Claims

1. An improved cream applicator and lid apparatus, comprising: an applicator with a proximal end and a distal end, comprising a cylindrical rim at the proximal end, an indentation around the rim, larger female screw threads, smaller female screw threads positioned distally from the larger female screw threads, a hole positioned distally from the female screw threads, and cream application means secured distally to the hole; a lid with a proximal end and a distal end, comprising a cylindrical exterior, an open proximal end and a closed distal end, a lip at the open end fitted to the indentation of the applicator, a base at the closed end, and a suction cup secured distally to the base.

2. An improved cream applicator and lid apparatus, comprising: an applicator with a proximal end and a distal end, comprising a cylindrical rim at the proximal end, an indentation around the rim, female screw threads, a hole positioned distally from the female screw threads, a nozzle extending distally from the hole, a tip secured distally to the rim and making contact with the nozzle, and a flap in the tip where the tip makes contact with the nozzle; a lid with a proximal end and a distal end, comprising a cylindrical exterior, an open proximal end and a closed distal end, a lip at the open end fitted to the indentation of the applicator, a base at the closed end, and a suction cup secured distally to the base.

3. An improved cream applicator and lid apparatus, comprising: an applicator with a proximal end and a distal end, comprising a cylindrical rim at the proximal end, an indentation around the rim, female screw threads, a hole positioned distally from the female screw threads, and cream application means secured distally to the hole; a lid with a proximal end and a distal end, comprising a cylindrical exterior, an open proximal end and a closed distal end, a lip at the open end fitted to the indentation of the applicator, a base at the closed end, a suction cup secured distally to the base, and a tongue secured to the proximal surface of the base and extending proximally into the lid, such that, when the applicator is fastened to the lid, the tongue of the lid makes contact with the flap of the applicator.

4. The invention of claim 1, further comprising a nozzle extending distally from the hole, a tip secured distally to the rim and making contact with the nozzle, and a flap in the tip where the tip makes contact with the nozzle.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a tongue secured to the proximal surface of the base and extending proximally into the lid, such that, when the applicator is fastened to the lid, the tongue of the lid makes contact with the flap of the applicator.

6. The invention of claim 2, wherein the lid further comprises a tongue secured to the proximal surface of the base and extending proximally into the lid, such that, when the applicator is fastened to the lid, the tongue of the lid makes contact with the flap of the applicator.

7. The invention of claim 4, wherein the lid further comprises a tongue secured to the proximal surface of the base and extending proximally into the lid, such that, when the applicator is fastened to the lid, the tongue of the lid makes contact with the flap of the applicator.

Description

5. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of the applicator.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a second perspective view of the applicator.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a third perspective view of the applicator.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the applicator.

[0014] FIG. 5 is a proximal plan view of the applicator.

[0015] FIG. 6 is a distal plan view of the applicator.

[0016] FIG. 7 is a rear plan view of the applicator.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4.

[0018] FIG. 9 is a first perspective view of the lid.

[0019] FIG. 10 is a second perspective view of the lid.

[0020] FIG. 11 is a proximal plan view of the lid.

[0021] FIG. 12 is a distal plan view of the lid.

[0022] FIG. 13 is a front plan view of the applicator secured to the lid.

[0023] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13.

[0024] FIG. 15 is a front plan view of the lid.

[0025] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 15.

[0026] FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the applicator. The arrow indicates that the applicator enters the lid. A tube of cream, not part of the claimed invention, is shown in broken lines.

[0027] FIG. 18 is a first perspective view of the applicator secured to the lid. A tube of cream, not part of the claimed invention, is shown in broken lines.

[0028] FIG. 19 is a second perspective view of the applicator secured to the lid. A tube of cream, not part of the claimed invention, is shown in broken lines.

[0029] FIG. 20 is a front plan view of the applicator secured to the lid. A tube of cream, not part of the claimed invention, is shown in broken lines.

[0030] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 20. A tube of cream, not part of the claimed invention, is shown in broken lines. This tube of cream has a small neck.

[0031] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 20. A tube of cream, not part of the claimed invention, is shown in broken lines. This tube of cream has a large neck.

6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The invention is a cream applicator with lid. The applicator (not numbered) is shown alone in FIGS. 1-8. The lid (not numbered) is shown alone in FIGS. 9-12, 15, and 16. In its best mode, the applicator is secured to a tube of cream or ointment such as diaper rash cream, and it assists with the application of cream to human skin. For purposes of describing the invention, especially in the claims, the applicator has a proximal end, which faces the tube of cream, and a distal end, where it contacts the skin.

[0033] This invention is an improved version of the product described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,059 (Version 1), so its basic structure and usage is derived from Version 1. For instance, FIGS. 17-22 show the applicator screwed onto a tube of cream. Cream exits the tube through hole 7. FIGS. 13, 14, and 17-22 show the applicator secured to the lid. Indentation 2 on rim 1 snaps into place over lip 13 of lid exterior 9. The lid has a base 10 secured to suction cup 11, which secures it firmly to a table top. The lid can be described with a proximal end, which faces the applicator, and a distal end, which faces the table. These features are all in common with Version 1.

[0034] The first improved feature of Version 2 is the dual set of screw threads. Cream dispensing tubes are manufactured with two different standardized diameters for the neck and screw threads. The improved invention accommodates both sizes. Part 6 is a larger set of female screw threads, for tubes with a larger neck diameter. Part 5 is a smaller set of female screw threads, for tubes with a smaller neck diameter. See FIG. 21, which depicts a smaller tube 14 with a smaller neck 16 screwed into the applicator using smaller screw threads 5. Also see FIG. 22, which depicts a larger tube 15 with a larger neck 17 screwed into the applicator using larger screw threads 6. Note that the same applicator can be used with both tube sizes.

[0035] The second improved feature of Version 2 is a new applicator mechanism. The components of this new mechanism are a nozzle 8, a tip 3, and a flap 4. The flap is part of the tip but is also partly cut away so as to provide an opening in the tip. When cream is forced out of the tube, it first flows through hole 7 and is then forced into nozzle 8 (see FIG. 8). It then flows through the flap 4 and finally onto the exterior surface of the tip 3. The tip is the part that directly applies cream to the skin. It is preferably made of a soft flexible material such as a rubbery plastic.

[0036] The third improvement of Version 2 is the tongue in the lid. FIG. 16 shows the interior of the lid, including the tongue 12. When the tube with applicator is fitted into the lid, the tongue presses the tip 3, particularly the flap 4, against the opening of the nozzle 8 as shown in FIG. 14. The seal of the flap against the nozzle keeps the cream from drying out or leaking out of the applicator.