FLUID APPLICATOR REFILL SYSTEM

Abstract

The present invention provides devices, systems, and methods for refilling a refillable fluid applicator, such as but not limited to a refillable dry erase marker. The devices, systems, and methods of the present invention advantageously allow the fluid applicator to be refilled quickly, easily, and inexpensively, and provide the benefit of significantly reducing the quantity of solid plastic waste associated with conventional disposable dry erase markers and other fluid applicators.

Claims

1. A refillable fluid applicator, comprising: a fluid reservoir; a reservoir frame; and an applicator tip, wherein the fluid reservoir comprises one or more flexible films, the one or more flexible films consisting of at least one material that is substantially impermeable to a fluid contained in the fluid reservoir and surrounding and defining a fluid cavity having a variable volume, and wherein the fluid cavity occupies a selected portion of an interior space of the reservoir frame when the variable volume is maximized and flattens when the variable volume is minimized such that one of the following is true: (i) the fluid reservoir of the refillable fluid applicator comprises one flexible film, and two opposing sides of the one flexible film contact, or nearly contact each other; and (ii) the fluid reservoir of the refillable fluid applicator comprises at least two flexible films, and the at least two flexible films contact, or nearly contact, each other.

2. The refillable fluid applicator of claim 1, further comprising a valve disposed between the fluid reservoir and the applicator tip, wherein the fluid reservoir and the applicator tip are in fluid communication when the valve is open and not in fluid communication when the valve is closed.

3. The refillable fluid applicator of claim 2, further comprising an elastic element separate from the valve, wherein the elastic element is configured to open the valve when pressure is exerted on the applicator tip and to hold the valve closed otherwise.

4. The refillable fluid applicator of claim 2, further comprising an elastic element integrated with the valve, wherein the elastic element is configured to open the valve when pressure is exerted on the applicator tip and to hold the valve closed otherwise.

5. The refillable fluid applicator of claim 1, further comprising a magnetically attractive element, wherein the magnetically attractive element is configured to exert an attractive force on a corresponding magnetically attractive element of a refilling unit to align and securely interconnect the refillable fluid applicator with the refilling unit.

6. The refillable fluid applicator of claim 1, further comprising an applicator tip cap having a magnetically attractive element.

7. The refillable fluid applicator of claim 1, further comprising a porous element disposed between the fluid reservoir and the applicator tip.

8. The refillable fluid applicator of claim 1, further comprising at least one septum associated with the fluid reservoir, wherein the at least one septum is configured to be penetrated by a fluid communicating element of a refilling unit and allow flow of a fluid from the refilling unit into the fluid reservoir via the fluid communicating element, and to form a substantially fluid-tight seal of the fluid reservoir when not penetrated by the fluid communicating element.

9. A fluid applicator refill system, comprising: a refillable fluid applicator, comprising a first interface element, a fluid reservoir, and an applicator tip, wherein fluid in the fluid reservoir has a first pressure; and a refilling unit, comprising a primary fluid reservoir, at least one actuating member, a valve, a second interface element, and at least one fluid communicating element, wherein fluid in the primary fluid reservoir has a second pressure, wherein the second pressure is higher than both an ambient atmospheric pressure and the first pressure, wherein the first and second interface elements are configured to generate an interface force when placed in physical contact with, or close proximity to, each other, wherein the at least one actuating member is configured, when acted upon by the interface force, to open the valve and cause the at least one fluid communicating element to place the fluid reservoir of the refillable fluid applicator and the primary fluid reservoir in fluid communication, and wherein, when the valve is open, fluid contained in the primary fluid reservoir flows out of the primary fluid reservoir, through the valve and the at least one fluid communicating element, and into the fluid reservoir of the refillable fluid applicator.

10. The fluid applicator refill system of claim 9, wherein the refillable fluid applicator further comprises a valve disposed between the fluid reservoir and the applicator tip, wherein the fluid reservoir and the applicator tip are in fluid communication when the valve is open and not in fluid communication when the valve is closed.

11. The fluid applicator refill system of claim 10, wherein the refillable fluid applicator further comprises an elastic element separate from the valve, wherein the elastic element is configured to open the valve when pressure is exerted on the applicator tip and to hold the valve closed otherwise.

12. The fluid applicator refill system of claim 10, wherein the refillable fluid applicator further comprises an elastic element integrated with the valve, wherein the elastic element is configured to open the valve when pressure is exerted on the applicator tip and to hold the valve closed otherwise.

13. The fluid applicator refill system of claim 9, wherein the first and second interface elements are magnetically attractive and the interface force comprises a magnetic force, wherein the magnetic force aligns and securely interconnects the refillable fluid applicator with the refilling unit.

14. The fluid applicator refill system of claim 9, wherein the refillable fluid applicator further comprises a porous element disposed between the fluid reservoir and the applicator tip.

15. The fluid applicator refill system of claim 9, wherein the refillable fluid applicator is a writing instrument.

16. A fluid applicator refilling unit, comprising: a primary fluid reservoir; at least one actuating member; a valve; an interface element; and at least one fluid communicating element, wherein a pressure of fluid in the primary fluid reservoir is higher than an ambient atmospheric pressure, wherein the interface element is configured to generate an interface force when placed in physical contact with, or close proximity to, a corresponding element of a fluid applicator, wherein the at least one actuating member is configured, when acted upon by the interface force, to open the valve and cause the at least one fluid communicating element to place a fluid reservoir of the fluid applicator and the primary fluid reservoir in fluid communication, wherein, when the valve is open, fluid contained in the primary fluid reservoir flows out of the primary fluid reservoir and through the valve and the at least one fluid communicating element, and wherein the fluid applicator refilling unit is capable of being nested with, or interconnected, attached, affixed, or otherwise placed in close proximity to, at least one other fluid applicator refilling unit.

17. The fluid applicator refilling unit of claim 16, comprising a single valve and a single interface element, and capable of refilling a single fluid applicator at a time.

18. The fluid applicator refilling unit of claim 16, comprising at least two valves and at least two interface elements, and capable of refilling at least two fluid applicators at a time.

19. The fluid applicator refilling unit of claim 18, comprising at least two primary fluid reservoirs, each of the at least two primary fluid reservoirs being associated with a selected one of the at least two valves and a selected one of the at least two interface elements and configured to refill a selected one of the at least two fluid applicators.

20. The refillable fluid applicator of claim 19, wherein the at least two fluid applicators are writing instruments and the fluid is ink.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a refillable fluid applicator according to the present invention, showing a broad side of a collapsible fluid reservoir of the refillable fluid applicator.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a top view of a first magnetically attractive element of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a top view of a septum of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0030] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIG. 1, taken at the line marked A-A.

[0031] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the fluid reservoir illustrated in FIG. 1, sectioned between the lines marked B-B and C-C.

[0032] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIG. 1, sectioned at the line marked D-D and with perpendicular planes marked E-E, and opened to show the fluid reservoir geometry in a full position.

[0033] FIG. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a refilling unit according to the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the refilling unit illustrated in FIG. 7, taken at the line marked F-F.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIG. 1 attached to the refilling unit illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0036] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a multi-applicator refilling unit according to the present invention, mounted below a whiteboard.

[0037] FIG. 11 is an end view of the multi-applicator refilling unit illustrated in FIG. 10, with hidden lines illustrating a fluid reservoir and refilling mechanism.

[0038] FIG. 12 is a front view of the multi-applicator refilling unit illustrated in FIG. 10, with hidden lines illustrating the fluid reservoirs and refilling mechanisms for each respective refillable fluid applicator receptacle.

[0039] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a single-applicator refilling unit according to the present invention, mounted below a whiteboard.

[0040] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of multiple single-applicator refilling units as illustrated in FIG. 13, affixed to one another.

[0041] FIG. 15 is a front view of multiple single-applicator refilling units as illustrated in FIG. 13, affixed to one another, with hidden lines illustrating the fluid reservoirs and refilling mechanisms for each respective refillable fluid applicator receptacle.

[0042] FIG. 16A is a longitudinal cross-section of a portion of an embodiment of a refillable fluid applicator according to the present invention, showing a valve and related elements.

[0043] FIGS. 16B and 16C are detailed illustrations of the portion of FIG. 16A inside the dotted circle, showing alternative embodiments of a rounded feature associated with a valve rod.

[0044] FIG. 17A is a longitudinal cross-section of a portion of an embodiment of a refillable fluid applicator according to the present invention, showing a valve and related elements.

[0045] FIGS. 17B and 17C are detailed illustrations of the portion of FIG. 17A inside the dotted circle, showing alternative embodiments of a rounded feature associated with a valve rod.

[0046] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 17A, taken at the line marked F-F.

[0047] FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 17A, taken at the line marked G-G.

[0048] To provide further clarity to the Detailed Description provided herein and the associated drawings, the following list of components and associated reference numbers is provided as follows:

TABLE-US-00001 Reference No. Component 1 Fluid applicator assembly 2 Fluid applicator body 3 Retaining cap 4 Retaining cap rib 5 First magnetically attractive element 6 Septum 7 Reservoir frame 8 Fluid reservoir 9 Shaped union 10 Fluid-tight seal 11 Porous element 12 Applicator tip 13 Connecting leg 14 Vent 15 Fluid cavity 16 Refilling unit assembly 17 Refilling unit body 18 Primary fluid reservoir 19 Reservoir-to-valve fluid communicating element 20 Valve 21 Valve spring 22 Actuating member 23 Valve-to-applicator fluid communicating element 24 Third magnetically attractive element 25 Fluid 26 Applicator seat 27 Retaining cap ring 28 Fluid reservoir entrance 29 Mounting surface 30 Whiteboard 31 Receptacle of multi-applicator refilling unit 32 Replaceable fluid reservoir 33 Applicator tip cap 34 Second magnetically attractive element 35 Replaceable refilling unit assembly 36 Receptacle of single-applicator refilling unit 37 Replaceable fluid reservoir 38 Sealing surface 39 Valve rod 40 Separate elastic element 41 Applicator tip seat 42 Combined applicator tip seat/spring feature 43 Integrated elastic element 44 Rubber element

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] Referring now to FIGS. 1-6, a fluid applicator assembly 1 for a refillable fluid applicator according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a fluid applicator body 2, an applicator tip cap 33, and a retaining cap 3 held in place in the fluid applicator body 2. Although the fluid applicator body 2 of the embodiment of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIG. 1 is substantially cylindrical, it is to be expressly understood that in embodiments, the fluid applicator body 2 may have any suitable shape or cross-section, including but not limited to an ovular, triangular, or rectangular cross-section, and that such embodiments are within the scope of the invention. The retaining cap 3 holds a first magnetically attractive element 5 (illustrated in top view in FIG. 2) and one or more sealing septa 6 (illustrated in top view in FIG. 3) in place; although the embodiment of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises three septa, any number of septa, including one, two, three, or more than three, may be provided to ensure a complete seal of an interior of the fluid applicator assembly 1. The reservoir frame 7 is held in place on the retaining cap 3 and the fluid applicator body 2. Although the retaining cap 3 and reservoir frame 7 of the embodiment of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIG. 1 are held in place by retaining ribs 4, which are illustrated as annular but may take any suitable shape, it is to be expressly understood that in embodiments, the retaining cap 3 and reservoir frame 7 may be held in place by any other suitable means, and that such embodiments are within the scope of the invention. The reservoir frame 7 provides structure and sealing surfaces for a fluid reservoir 8, which is collapsible. Top and bottom sections of the reservoir frame 7 are connected via connecting legs 13. The fluid reservoir 8 comprises one or more, in this case two, flexible films or membranes, which are sealed together to form a fluid-tight seal 10, and are further sealed at each end with sealing surfaces of shaped unions 9a, 9b. Although the fluid reservoir 8 of the embodiment of the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises two flexible films, it is to be expressly understood that in embodiments, the fluid reservoir 8 may comprise any number of flexible films equal to or greater than one, and that such embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. Where the fluid reservoir 8 comprises a single flexible film, two opposing sides of the single flexible film may be sealed together, and/or crimped, folded, or hooped together, to form the fluid-tight seal 10. The two or more flexible films or membranes of the fluid reservoir 8 may be made of any suitable material(s) that is/are substantially impermeable to the fluid, including but not limited to a rubber, plastic materials, and/or metallic materials, such that the fluid does not leak or spill out of the fluid reservoir 8 and remains within a fluid cavity 15. The fluid reservoir 8 has a variable volumetric capacity, provided by the two or more flexible films or membranes and the geometry of shaped unions 9a and 9b. The fluid reservoir 8 is in an approximately fully expanded form when the fluid cavity 15 is at its maximum volume, as illustrated in FIG. 5, and is empty and fully collapsed when the flexible films (or, where there is a single flexible film, opposing sides of the flexible film) contact, or nearly contact, one another in the center section of the reservoir and the volume of the fluid cavity 15 is at its minimum. When the fluid reservoir 8 is filling or emptying fluid, the air within the fluid applicator body 2 is balanced with atmospheric air via vent 14. The fluid contents of the fluid reservoir are issued through the bottom section of the reservoir frame 7 into porous element 11, which communicates fluid to the applicator tip 12. The applicator tip cap 33 may, but need not, comprise a second magnetically attractive element 34.

[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 7-9, a refilling unit assembly 16 according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a refilling unit body 17, a primary fluid reservoir 18, fluid 25, a reservoir-to-valve fluid communicating element 19, a valve 20, a valve spring 21, one or more actuating members 22, a valve-to-applicator fluid communicating element 23, a third magnetically attractive element 24, and an applicator seat 26. The reservoir-to-valve communicating element 19 transports fluid 25 from the primary fluid reservoir 18 to the valve 20. When a refillable fluid applicator assembly 1 according to the present invention, such as that illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, is brought near the applicator seat 26, magnetic forces between the first magnetically attractive element 5 and the third magnetically attractive element 24, illustrated by the arrows labeled X in FIG. 7, automatically align the refillable fluid applicator assembly 1 with the applicator seat 26 and causes actuating member(s) 22 to open the valve 20. When the valve 20 is open, fluid 25 can travel through the valve 20 into the valve-to-applicator fluid communicating element 23, which in turn communicates the fluid through the one or more septa 6 of the refillable fluid applicator assembly 1, through the fluid reservoir entrance 28, and into the fluid cavity 15.

[0051] It is to be expressly understood that embodiments of the present invention need not comprise magnetically attractively elements 5, 24, and that the refillable fluid applicator and refilling unit of the present invention may be configured to interconnect by any suitable force including but not limited to a magnetic force. By way of non-limiting example, the force that causes the refillable fluid applicator assembly 1 to align with the applicator seat 26, and/or that causes actuating member(s) 22 to open the valve 20, may be as simple as the weight or pressure of the refillable fluid applicator assembly 1 in the refillable applicator seat 26, or another slot, receptacle, etc., of the refilling unit assembly 16. The aligning and actuating force(s) can thus comprise, by way of non-limiting example, a contact force or an electrical force in addition to or instead of a magnetic force.

[0052] It is to be further expressly understood that the applicator seat 26 of embodiments of the present invention may take any suitable form that securely holds the fluid applicator body 2 in place on the refilling unit body 17. By way of non-limiting example, the applicator seat 26 may be a magnetically attractive element that exerts a magnetic force on a corresponding magnetically attractive element of the fluid applicator assembly 1; a female connector that securely receives a male connector disposed on the fluid applicator body 2; a male connector that securely fits into a female connector disposed on the fluid applicator body 2; a slot or aperture that receives and/or forms a snug fit with the fluid applicator body 2, or a portion, e.g. a tapered portion, thereof; and any other suitable means.

[0053] Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, a first embodiment of a refilling unit according to the present invention is illustrated. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10-12 is a multi-applicator refilling unit that can refill a plurality of refillable fluid applicators, such as the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, via receptacles 31. As illustrated in FIGS. 10-12, the refilling unit is mounted on an at least substantially flat surface 29 near a whiteboard 30, as one non-limiting example of a mounting location. The multi-applicator refilling unit comprises a plurality of replaceable fluid reservoirs 32 and replaceable refilling assemblies 35. This embodiment allows a variety of fluid applicators, such as but not limited to dry erase markers in a variety of marking colors, in one refilling unit.

[0054] Referring now to FIGS. 13-15, a second embodiment of a refilling unit according to the present invention is illustrated. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 13-15 is a single-applicator refilling unit, which may, but need not, be nested with, or interconnected, attached, affixed, or otherwise placed in close proximity to, identical or similar refilling units. The refilling unit illustrated in FIGS. 13-15 can refill a refillable fluid applicator, such as but not limited to the refillable fluid applicator illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, when the refillable fluid applicator is inserted in a receptacle 36. As illustrated in FIGS. 13-15, the refilling unit is mounted on an at least substantially flat surface 29 near a whiteboard 30, as one non-limiting example of a mounting location. The single-applicator unit comprises a replaceable fluid reservoir 37 and a replaceable refilling assembly 35. This design allows a user to mix and match varieties of fluid applicator, such as but not limited to dry erase markers in a variety of marking colors, by combining two or more single-applicator refilling units.

[0055] Referring now to FIGS. 16-19, an embodiment of a refillable fluid applicator according to the present invention is provided with a valve, which is attached to or integrated with the shaped union 9b such that the valve prevents fluid from entering or exiting the fluid cavity 15. The valve is sealed by a sealing surface 38, which has been illustrated as annular but may take any suitable shape and is met by another concentric feature to provide a tight seal against the fluid. As illustrated in FIGS. 16B, 16C, 17B, and 17C, a rounded feature on the end of a valve rod 39 may be provided to press against the sealing surface 38; in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16B and 17B, this feature is spherical or ball-shaped. In FIGS. 16C and 17C, a rubber element 44 attached to the valve rod 39 presses against the sealing surface 38. The valve is held closed by either an integrated elastic element 43, as in FIG. 16A, or a separate elastic element 40, as in FIG. 17A. In FIG. 16A, the valve rod 39 is attached to an applicator tip seat 41, while in FIG. 17A the valve rod 39 is attached to a combined applicator tip seat/spring feature 42, which is of unitary construction with the integrated elastic element 43. Elastic elements 40, 43 are illustrated as springs, but may comprise any suitable elastic element for selectively opening and closing the valve. Cross-sections of this embodiment of the refillable fluid applicator at lines F-F and G-G are illustrated in FIGS. 18 and 19, respectively.

[0056] The valve illustrated in FIGS. 16A through 17C is opened with a force applied in the direction of the arrow marked Y, which may be exerted when a user presses down on the applicator tip 12 to apply fluid to a surface. The force applied to the applicator tip 12 translates through the applicator tip 12 to the applicator tip seat 41 and/or combined applicator tip seat/spring feature 42, such that elastic elements 40, 43 are flexed and the valve opens. With the valve open, fluid in the fluid cavity 15 can flow through gaps around the valve rod 39, elastic elements 40, 43, and applicator tip seat 41 and/or combined applicator tip seat/spring feature 42 to the porous feature 11 and applicator tip 12.

[0057] While the foregoing description and the drawings generally depict the refillable fluid applicator of the present invention as a dry erase marker or similar writing instrument, it is to be expressly understood that the invention may be suitable for many other applications, and that such applications are within the scope of the present invention. By way of non-limiting example, the refillable fluid applicator may be a writing instrument other than a dry erase marker, such as a permanent marker, a highlighter, a security marker, an election marker, or a porous point pen such as a draftsperson's pen. The fluid applicator may also, by way of non-limiting example, comprise a device suitable for uses other than writing, such as a paint pen, a laundry detergent applicator, a correction fluid applicator, or an applicator for a cleaning or polishing fluid such as dish soap, hand soap, floor cleaner, or furniture polish.