CA1082134A - Hard porous liquid applicator with vent and flow barrier - Google Patents
Hard porous liquid applicator with vent and flow barrierInfo
- Publication number
- CA1082134A CA1082134A CA281,529A CA281529A CA1082134A CA 1082134 A CA1082134 A CA 1082134A CA 281529 A CA281529 A CA 281529A CA 1082134 A CA1082134 A CA 1082134A
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- applicator
- container
- liquid
- shaped
- opening
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A liquid applicator suitable for use in the applica-tion of liquids to a surface of the human body includes a container having a container body adapted for storing a quantity of the liquid. The container has an opening at one end thereof which is provided with an upper margin.
Step means are spaced below the upper margin of the opening and extend inwardly from the walls of the opening. The step means are adapted to support a shaped applicator means. The shaped applicator means is secured and positioned in the opening and rests on the step means. The shaped applicator means comprise a non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered, porous synthetic plastic resin structure having both a controlled porosity and omni-directional interconnecting pores.
The applicator includes venting means for venting the interior of the container to the atmosphere and barrier means for restricting the flow of liquid from within the interior of the container body to the shaped applicator. The venting means comprises a continuous and unobstructed path extending from the atmosphere to the interior of said container.
A liquid applicator suitable for use in the applica-tion of liquids to a surface of the human body includes a container having a container body adapted for storing a quantity of the liquid. The container has an opening at one end thereof which is provided with an upper margin.
Step means are spaced below the upper margin of the opening and extend inwardly from the walls of the opening. The step means are adapted to support a shaped applicator means. The shaped applicator means is secured and positioned in the opening and rests on the step means. The shaped applicator means comprise a non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered, porous synthetic plastic resin structure having both a controlled porosity and omni-directional interconnecting pores.
The applicator includes venting means for venting the interior of the container to the atmosphere and barrier means for restricting the flow of liquid from within the interior of the container body to the shaped applicator. The venting means comprises a continuous and unobstructed path extending from the atmosphere to the interior of said container.
Description
108'~134 Thls inventlon relates to a llquid appllcator.
More particularly, i' concerns a liquid appllcator that iB
e~peclally adaptad to apply a llquid to the axill~ o~ hu~Qns.
The pres~nt invention ha~ particular utility in applylng 5. liqllld antiperspirant or deodorant products to the human axilla.
A large variety of liquid applicator3 have been disclo~ed in the prior art. Perhaps one o~ the moæt widely used applicators 1~ of the so-called ball roll on tgpe 10. applicator. These are exempli~led in U.S. Patent~ 2,749,566;
More particularly, i' concerns a liquid appllcator that iB
e~peclally adaptad to apply a llquid to the axill~ o~ hu~Qns.
The pres~nt invention ha~ particular utility in applylng 5. liqllld antiperspirant or deodorant products to the human axilla.
A large variety of liquid applicator3 have been disclo~ed in the prior art. Perhaps one o~ the moæt widely used applicators 1~ of the so-called ball roll on tgpe 10. applicator. These are exempli~led in U.S. Patent~ 2,749,566;
2,923,957 and 2,998S615 and rely on the fact that the b~ll rotatlng in the llquid contained in a bottle picks up the liquld as it dips lnto the contents of the container and applles it to the body area on whlch the ball is rolled.
15. Although the~e applic~tors h~ve enJoyed wide u~, they haYe prssented some problem~. Chie~ among these has been the ~act that the liquid ~roduct tends ~o accumulate on the ball and crystallize. This o~ten re3ults in unsightly deposits on the ball. Moreover, the ball often becomes "frozen"
20. 80 that lt will not readily rotate when applied to the body area.
It has al~o been ~ug6ested in the prior art to con-struct h quid applicators whlch comprl~e a container for holding the liquld to be dispensed and an ~ppllcator means positioned 25. on the open end of the container; the appllcator ~eans co~-prlsing a dlstortable porou~ or microporous member. These porous me~bers, ln gene~al, are ln communlcation wlth the l~quld content~ o~ the container and thçy permit the ?iquld ~aterlal to flow through its ~ore~ However, the~e devices 30. ordinarlly require that the applicator mean~ be mechanic~lly or otherwl~e squeezed to deli~-er the product. Ty~lcal devices _3_ ~
of th s character are descrioed in U.S. Fatents 3,179,972 ard 3,482,920. Devices o- these types have the disadvantage in that it is substantially impossible to deliver uniform doses of the liquid contents of the cor.tairer. This is so because the quantity of .~terial delivered to a su~startial extent is dependent upon the pressure that is applied when dispensing these .~terials. This pressure cannot readil~
be regulated from one applic~ion to another.
' In co-pending Canadian Patent Application No.
259,181 filed August 16, 1976 it was disclosed that the above difficulties may be avoided and a highly effect-ive and useful liquid applicator m~y be provided if the app31-cator means is constructed as a shaped form ~ade from a non-flexible, non-defor~able~ sintered porous synthe~ic pl~stic resin structure having a sontrolled porosi~y and having omni-directional interconnecting pores. It was also disclosed therein that some of the liquid overflow problems encountered in a liquid applicator of the aforesaid type can be avoided by providing a liquid collecting channel ad~cent ; 20 said snaped applicator means as described in more detail bel~.
It has now been further fo~nd that over extended periods of use of the applicators describea in th2 aforesaid Application No. 259,181 certain difficulties are encountered.
Thus, as the contents of the container become depleted through use, it becomes more and ~ore difficult to dispense the contenJs of the contair.er through the sintered porous .~ember. lhen an ef ort was ~ade to relieve this by prov ding an air ve-.t into tne i~terior of the con~ainer, i~ was found that the fi~J of liquid through the si~tered porous ~ember was too ra~id and ~ot conirollable. H~Jever~ if in col~biratior ~ h said vent, ~eans is also provided ~or restricting or i.~peding the flow frcm the interior of said container to the un.der~ide of said sintered porous .~e~ber t~t a very suitable disoe-ser is ~btained.
--- 108~134 It is ~ccordingly an oDjec~ of this invention ~o provide an imDroved liquld applicator wh~ch avoids some of the problems of the prior art devices of this charac~er.
It is also an ob~ect of this invention to provide an improved liquid applicator adapted to deliver said li~uid in convenient and e~ficient m~nner and in uniform doses.
It is a further ob~ect of this invention to provide a liquid applic~tor that e~ploys as the liquid applicator means shaped forms cons.ructed o~ a non-~lexible, non-deformable, sintered, porous`synthetic plastic resin having a controlled porosity~and.having o~ri-directional interconnecting pores.
It is stlll an additional ocje~t of' the present ir.vention to provide a li3uid ap~licator of the alores2id type having moans lor collecting the liquid overflow comir.g through the pores of the appiicator means.
The invention in one aspect provides a liquid applicator suitable for use in the application of liquids to a surface of the human body comprising - a container having a container body adapted for storing a quantity of said liquid, said container having an opening at one end thereof which is provided with an upper margin, step means spaced below said upper margin of said opening and extending in-wardly from the walls of said opening, said step means being adapted to support a shaped applicator means; said shaped applicator means being positioned in said opening and resting on said step means; said shaped applicator means comprising a non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered, porous synthetic plastic resin structure having a controlled porosity and having omni-directional interconnecting pores, said applicator including ~' '.
" ,. . ~ .
-- : ' ''~: ~
``` 108;:13~
venting means for venting the interior of said container to the atmosphere and barrier means for restricting the flow of liquid from within the interior of said container body to said shaped applicator, said venting means comprising a continuous and unobstructed path extending from the atmosphere to the interior of said container.
Other and more detailed objects of thi3 invention will be ~pparent from the ~ollowing description, claims and drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view ol a device encomp~ss2d : in this invention sh~ ng the cap in removed position;
.. Fig. 2 is an exploded a~d enlarged view partly in section of the upper portion ol the device shown in Fig. 1 and including an overcap;
' '~ . ; -'' ' ' . . .
. .
- 5a -. . .... . : , . : ..... . .. ~
. .
Fig. 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-sectiQnal view o~ the device shown irl Fig. 2 with the shaped applicator in positio~ ~nd with the screw cap partially screwed in~o position;
5. Fig. ~ is an enlarged view similar to tnat shown in Fig.- 3 w1~h t'ne screw cap screwed into sealing posi~ior., the container being inverted to show the relationship of t'ne liquid ~o the applicator means, F~g. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional 10. view-of the upper portion of another modification of this invention sh~wing venting means in the neck o~ the container and means below the applicator means for restricting the ~l~r of l~quid to the undersurface of the applicator mea~s~
~ig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional 15. view of the upper portion of still another modi~ication OL
this invention showing venting means cut into the applicator and means for restricting the flow of liquid to the under-sur~ace o~ the applicator means~ and Fig. 7 is a perspective view o~ the applicator means 20. shown in the applicator of Fig. 6 as it appears when it is removed from its position in the applicator.
Re~erring now to the drawings in which like numerals identiiy the same structure in the various views) a liquid ' applicator embodied in the present invention is shown at 1 25- in Fig. l. This comprises a container shown generally at 3 ; consisting of a container bod~ section 5 and a container neck section 7. i~ounted in neck 7 in a manner described in more detail below is applicator 4. A screw cap 9 is ?rovided which is adapted to er.gage neck 7 as hereinafter ,0, described.
In ~he embodi~ent illustrated~ container bady has an hour glass shape. This is fitted with a transparent 82~34 removable sleeve 2 that slips over body 5 from below. However, it i3 obvious that container body 5 may have various shapes without departing from this in~en ion.
~reck 7, on its external surface, is provided below 5. with external threads 11 and above with sealing ~lange I3.
On its internal surface, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3 neck 7 is provided with step 15 that serves to support ap~
cator 4. The internal surface of neck 7 that extends above step 15 for a short distance is generally at right angles 10. to step 15 and then flares outwardly at 17. As best ~een in Fig. 3, flare 17 serves to form collecting channel 19 when applicator 4 is seated in position on step 15. The internal diameter o~ neck 7, above and ad~acent step 15, is dimensioned to be slightly smaller than the diameter of hemispherical 15. applicator 4. In this fashion, applicator 4 can be releasably maintained in position in neck 7 by a friction ~it.
Screw cap 9 is provided on its inner surface below ; with internal threads 21 that are adapted to mesh with external threads 11 of neck 7. Above and on its internal 20~ surface, screw cap 9 has a sealing surface 23 that is designed to form a tight seal when the screw cap is screwed down so that surface 23 abuts against the upper sur~ace of flange 13.
In the modification of this invention illustrated in 25. ~ig. 5 the construction is the same as that shown in Fi~s.
1-4 with a few exceptions. Thus, in this modificat~on a verticall~ extending vent 31 is cut in the inner wall of neck 7.
This is a narr~w vertical channel that extends from the base of collecting channel 19 to a point below the undersurface 32 30. o~ applicator 4. This brings the space 33 underneath appli-cator 4 into communication with the atmosphere when screw cap 9 and overcap 8 are removsd.
Fitted into neck 7 is a fluid restricting means 3!,.
This takes the ~orm in the modi~icatlon shcwn in Fig. 5 of a cylindricall,y shaped basket open at the top having an annul r sha2ed wall 35 and a ~7 oor 36. Fluid restricting 5. means 34 is secured in neck 7 by means of a friction fit or by any other suitable means.
` To permit a restricted flow of liquid from the interior of the container to the underslde of applicator 4, one or~more openings are provided in ~loor 36. In the modi-10. fication shown in ~ig. 5 this takes the ~orm of a larger circular opening 37 located at about the geometric center o~ floor 36 and a smaller circular opening 38 located near the circumference of floor 3~.
The modification of this invention illustrated in 15. Figs. 6 and 7 is similar to that sh~wn in Fi3. 5 excepting for the venting means. In this case, a vertical venting channel 40 is cut into the surface of applicator 4 as best seen in Fig. 7. Applicator 4 is in all other respects the same as applicator 4. When applicator 4 is seated in 20. place on step 15', the inner end 41 of venting c'hannel 40 is positioned inwardly of the inner surface of ~lall 35.
Inner end 41 thus provides an openlng into the space - below applicator 4 which may communicate with the atmosphere ; "when screw cap 9 and overcap 8 are removed.
25. As mentioned above, the applicator element is shown at 4 or 4 in the various views of the drawings. In the embodiments illustrated applicators 4 and 4 take the form of a shaped hemispherical structure. This form of the applicator is especially suitable for the application o~ uids to the 30. axilla of humans.
The matarials used to fabricate the applicator 4 or 4 of this invention are highly important aspects thereof.
-8_ Thus, as pointed out above, the applicator -~ill be a shaped, non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered porous synthetic plastic resin having a controlled porosity and having omni-directional interconnecting pores. They are formed as 5. interconnected aggregates of united particles of said synthetic resin. Moreover, they CQnStitute a substantially uni~orm cohesive reticular structure which extends ~rom surface to sur~ace of the shaped applicator.
Through the use o~ such m~terials in making the 10. applicator element of 4 or-~ of the present invention, a uniform and controlled rate of flow of the liquids from the interior of the container is made possible. As a consequence, any undue wetting of the area to which the applicator is applied is avoided. This controlled flow of liquid is 1~. accomplished by the fact that the passage o~ the li~uid through the applicator is largely by means of the capillary a~tion of the pores that are present in the m~terials. This capillary action can be regulated by regulating the size of the pores.
20. Moreover, the use of these materials in constructing the applicatcr element of 4 or 4 m~kes it possible to tailor the applicator to the viscosity of the liquid to be dispensed from the container. By selecting the appropriate pore size relative to the viscosity of the liquid, a desired rate of 25. flow o~ product can be obtained.
A number of sintered synthetic plastic materials are known in the prior art which m~y be used in fabricating the applicator element 4 or ~ of the present invention.
Among these mention may be made of sintered resins of the 30. following type: high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinylidene fluoride resins (fluorocarbons).
_g_ ~082134 Severai of tnese materials are a~ilable commercially under 7Lr ~ Jc n~a ~ ~
t~e tl-~de designation "Porex" porous plastic. These m~terials are identified in the Table below together with some of their characteristics:
5. ~ySICAL PROPE~TIES OF POL~RS
Coefficient Density at Average Pore of Therm~l 40% Void Size in Polymer_Expansion Volume ~licrons Low Density10-20 x 10 5 .56 g/cc 70, 120 10. Polyethylene IN/I~T~'C
Up to 170F
High Density 11-13 x 10 5 .6 g/cc 10, 35, 7, Polyethylene IN/IN/C 120 Up to 200F
15. Ultra high13 x 10 5 .58 g~cc 10, 20 molecularIN~IN/C
weight Up to 200F
polyetnylene Polypropyl-5-10 x 10 5 .54 g/cc 125, 250, 300, 20. ene IN~IN/C 500 -( Up to 250F
Fluoro- 5 x 10 5 1.05 g~cc 25, 35, 49 carbon ~T~IN/C
(PVF2) Up to 300~F
25. (polyvinyl-idene fluoride) Similar m~terials are also disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,055J297 and 3,778,495.
30. The pore size of applicator 4 or 4 m~y vary som~what depending on the particular liquid that is to be dispensed.
Generally, the more viscous the product, the larger will be the pore size. Ordinarily, however, for the most usual appli-cations, this will be in the range o~ from about 10 to 500 35. microns and preferably from about 20 to 200 microns. For solutions, the pare size is advantageously of the order of from about 20 to 35 microns; whereas, for lotions, this will be in the range of from about 150 to 200 microns.
The patent to Gazzani 3,403,961 discloses a device - - -10_ for distribution of liauids which includes a pad made of porGus flexibly deformable m~terial tha~ is to serve as tne application means. As an aside and in very general and ambiguous term~, the patentee also suggests the applicator 5. means may be of a "porous and rigid nature". In furtner describing this, the patentee also states that the applica-tor mQy be "a cap of naturally porous material which is of material made porous by a plurality of small holes". The kind of m~terial the patentee has in mind is not specified 10. and is very vague. However, it is clear that this is no teaching of the use of the sintered porous resins used in this invention.
Any o~ a variety of materials m~y be used in fabricating the container 3 and screw cap 9 of the present 15. invention. Ordinarily, these will be m~de of res l~ent synthetic plastic resins such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
In use the container body 5 is filled with liquid and then the applicator 4 or 4 is pushed into place so that it rests on step 15. As pre~iously mentioned, the 20. diameter of the hemispheric applicator 4 or 4 is made slightly larger than the internal diameter of neck 7 ~ust ad~acent and above step 15. To apply the liquid m~terial~
the container is inverted as shown in Fig. 4. This brings the liquid in contact with the bottom surface of applicator 25. 4 or 4 . In this position, under the influen^e of the capil-lary action of the pores of applicator 4 or 4 , the liquid enters the applicator and fl~ws through it at an even and controlled rate. It reaches the surface relatively quickly and is applied to the part of the body in contact with the 30. appl~cator 4 or 4 .
After use the container is turned upright and stored. Ordinarily, the liauid will drain back into the 1~8Z13~
container through the pores. However, if an excess of liquid accumulates on the sur~ace of applicator 4 or 4 , it r~s down and collect,s in collecting channel 19. This prevents excess liquid from flowing dcwn the outside surface of neck 7.
5, When the applicator is stored after use, collecting channel 19 serves as temporary reservoir. The liquid contained in channel 19 will then drain back into container body 5 through the pores of applicator 4 or 4 .
: . As an optional feature, the present liquid dis-; 10. penser may also be provided with a flexible overcap 8. This may be slipped over screw cap 9 and held in position by engaging the lower m~rgin o:~ screw cap 9.
-12_
15. Although the~e applic~tors h~ve enJoyed wide u~, they haYe prssented some problem~. Chie~ among these has been the ~act that the liquid ~roduct tends ~o accumulate on the ball and crystallize. This o~ten re3ults in unsightly deposits on the ball. Moreover, the ball often becomes "frozen"
20. 80 that lt will not readily rotate when applied to the body area.
It has al~o been ~ug6ested in the prior art to con-struct h quid applicators whlch comprl~e a container for holding the liquld to be dispensed and an ~ppllcator means positioned 25. on the open end of the container; the appllcator ~eans co~-prlsing a dlstortable porou~ or microporous member. These porous me~bers, ln gene~al, are ln communlcation wlth the l~quld content~ o~ the container and thçy permit the ?iquld ~aterlal to flow through its ~ore~ However, the~e devices 30. ordinarlly require that the applicator mean~ be mechanic~lly or otherwl~e squeezed to deli~-er the product. Ty~lcal devices _3_ ~
of th s character are descrioed in U.S. Fatents 3,179,972 ard 3,482,920. Devices o- these types have the disadvantage in that it is substantially impossible to deliver uniform doses of the liquid contents of the cor.tairer. This is so because the quantity of .~terial delivered to a su~startial extent is dependent upon the pressure that is applied when dispensing these .~terials. This pressure cannot readil~
be regulated from one applic~ion to another.
' In co-pending Canadian Patent Application No.
259,181 filed August 16, 1976 it was disclosed that the above difficulties may be avoided and a highly effect-ive and useful liquid applicator m~y be provided if the app31-cator means is constructed as a shaped form ~ade from a non-flexible, non-defor~able~ sintered porous synthe~ic pl~stic resin structure having a sontrolled porosi~y and having omni-directional interconnecting pores. It was also disclosed therein that some of the liquid overflow problems encountered in a liquid applicator of the aforesaid type can be avoided by providing a liquid collecting channel ad~cent ; 20 said snaped applicator means as described in more detail bel~.
It has now been further fo~nd that over extended periods of use of the applicators describea in th2 aforesaid Application No. 259,181 certain difficulties are encountered.
Thus, as the contents of the container become depleted through use, it becomes more and ~ore difficult to dispense the contenJs of the contair.er through the sintered porous .~ember. lhen an ef ort was ~ade to relieve this by prov ding an air ve-.t into tne i~terior of the con~ainer, i~ was found that the fi~J of liquid through the si~tered porous ~ember was too ra~id and ~ot conirollable. H~Jever~ if in col~biratior ~ h said vent, ~eans is also provided ~or restricting or i.~peding the flow frcm the interior of said container to the un.der~ide of said sintered porous .~e~ber t~t a very suitable disoe-ser is ~btained.
--- 108~134 It is ~ccordingly an oDjec~ of this invention ~o provide an imDroved liquld applicator wh~ch avoids some of the problems of the prior art devices of this charac~er.
It is also an ob~ect of this invention to provide an improved liquid applicator adapted to deliver said li~uid in convenient and e~ficient m~nner and in uniform doses.
It is a further ob~ect of this invention to provide a liquid applic~tor that e~ploys as the liquid applicator means shaped forms cons.ructed o~ a non-~lexible, non-deformable, sintered, porous`synthetic plastic resin having a controlled porosity~and.having o~ri-directional interconnecting pores.
It is stlll an additional ocje~t of' the present ir.vention to provide a li3uid ap~licator of the alores2id type having moans lor collecting the liquid overflow comir.g through the pores of the appiicator means.
The invention in one aspect provides a liquid applicator suitable for use in the application of liquids to a surface of the human body comprising - a container having a container body adapted for storing a quantity of said liquid, said container having an opening at one end thereof which is provided with an upper margin, step means spaced below said upper margin of said opening and extending in-wardly from the walls of said opening, said step means being adapted to support a shaped applicator means; said shaped applicator means being positioned in said opening and resting on said step means; said shaped applicator means comprising a non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered, porous synthetic plastic resin structure having a controlled porosity and having omni-directional interconnecting pores, said applicator including ~' '.
" ,. . ~ .
-- : ' ''~: ~
``` 108;:13~
venting means for venting the interior of said container to the atmosphere and barrier means for restricting the flow of liquid from within the interior of said container body to said shaped applicator, said venting means comprising a continuous and unobstructed path extending from the atmosphere to the interior of said container.
Other and more detailed objects of thi3 invention will be ~pparent from the ~ollowing description, claims and drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view ol a device encomp~ss2d : in this invention sh~ ng the cap in removed position;
.. Fig. 2 is an exploded a~d enlarged view partly in section of the upper portion ol the device shown in Fig. 1 and including an overcap;
' '~ . ; -'' ' ' . . .
. .
- 5a -. . .... . : , . : ..... . .. ~
. .
Fig. 3 is an enlarged, longitudinal cross-sectiQnal view o~ the device shown irl Fig. 2 with the shaped applicator in positio~ ~nd with the screw cap partially screwed in~o position;
5. Fig. ~ is an enlarged view similar to tnat shown in Fig.- 3 w1~h t'ne screw cap screwed into sealing posi~ior., the container being inverted to show the relationship of t'ne liquid ~o the applicator means, F~g. 5 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional 10. view-of the upper portion of another modification of this invention sh~wing venting means in the neck o~ the container and means below the applicator means for restricting the ~l~r of l~quid to the undersurface of the applicator mea~s~
~ig. 6 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional 15. view of the upper portion of still another modi~ication OL
this invention showing venting means cut into the applicator and means for restricting the flow of liquid to the under-sur~ace o~ the applicator means~ and Fig. 7 is a perspective view o~ the applicator means 20. shown in the applicator of Fig. 6 as it appears when it is removed from its position in the applicator.
Re~erring now to the drawings in which like numerals identiiy the same structure in the various views) a liquid ' applicator embodied in the present invention is shown at 1 25- in Fig. l. This comprises a container shown generally at 3 ; consisting of a container bod~ section 5 and a container neck section 7. i~ounted in neck 7 in a manner described in more detail below is applicator 4. A screw cap 9 is ?rovided which is adapted to er.gage neck 7 as hereinafter ,0, described.
In ~he embodi~ent illustrated~ container bady has an hour glass shape. This is fitted with a transparent 82~34 removable sleeve 2 that slips over body 5 from below. However, it i3 obvious that container body 5 may have various shapes without departing from this in~en ion.
~reck 7, on its external surface, is provided below 5. with external threads 11 and above with sealing ~lange I3.
On its internal surface, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 3 neck 7 is provided with step 15 that serves to support ap~
cator 4. The internal surface of neck 7 that extends above step 15 for a short distance is generally at right angles 10. to step 15 and then flares outwardly at 17. As best ~een in Fig. 3, flare 17 serves to form collecting channel 19 when applicator 4 is seated in position on step 15. The internal diameter o~ neck 7, above and ad~acent step 15, is dimensioned to be slightly smaller than the diameter of hemispherical 15. applicator 4. In this fashion, applicator 4 can be releasably maintained in position in neck 7 by a friction ~it.
Screw cap 9 is provided on its inner surface below ; with internal threads 21 that are adapted to mesh with external threads 11 of neck 7. Above and on its internal 20~ surface, screw cap 9 has a sealing surface 23 that is designed to form a tight seal when the screw cap is screwed down so that surface 23 abuts against the upper sur~ace of flange 13.
In the modification of this invention illustrated in 25. ~ig. 5 the construction is the same as that shown in Fi~s.
1-4 with a few exceptions. Thus, in this modificat~on a verticall~ extending vent 31 is cut in the inner wall of neck 7.
This is a narr~w vertical channel that extends from the base of collecting channel 19 to a point below the undersurface 32 30. o~ applicator 4. This brings the space 33 underneath appli-cator 4 into communication with the atmosphere when screw cap 9 and overcap 8 are removsd.
Fitted into neck 7 is a fluid restricting means 3!,.
This takes the ~orm in the modi~icatlon shcwn in Fig. 5 of a cylindricall,y shaped basket open at the top having an annul r sha2ed wall 35 and a ~7 oor 36. Fluid restricting 5. means 34 is secured in neck 7 by means of a friction fit or by any other suitable means.
` To permit a restricted flow of liquid from the interior of the container to the underslde of applicator 4, one or~more openings are provided in ~loor 36. In the modi-10. fication shown in ~ig. 5 this takes the ~orm of a larger circular opening 37 located at about the geometric center o~ floor 36 and a smaller circular opening 38 located near the circumference of floor 3~.
The modification of this invention illustrated in 15. Figs. 6 and 7 is similar to that sh~wn in Fi3. 5 excepting for the venting means. In this case, a vertical venting channel 40 is cut into the surface of applicator 4 as best seen in Fig. 7. Applicator 4 is in all other respects the same as applicator 4. When applicator 4 is seated in 20. place on step 15', the inner end 41 of venting c'hannel 40 is positioned inwardly of the inner surface of ~lall 35.
Inner end 41 thus provides an openlng into the space - below applicator 4 which may communicate with the atmosphere ; "when screw cap 9 and overcap 8 are removed.
25. As mentioned above, the applicator element is shown at 4 or 4 in the various views of the drawings. In the embodiments illustrated applicators 4 and 4 take the form of a shaped hemispherical structure. This form of the applicator is especially suitable for the application o~ uids to the 30. axilla of humans.
The matarials used to fabricate the applicator 4 or 4 of this invention are highly important aspects thereof.
-8_ Thus, as pointed out above, the applicator -~ill be a shaped, non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered porous synthetic plastic resin having a controlled porosity and having omni-directional interconnecting pores. They are formed as 5. interconnected aggregates of united particles of said synthetic resin. Moreover, they CQnStitute a substantially uni~orm cohesive reticular structure which extends ~rom surface to sur~ace of the shaped applicator.
Through the use o~ such m~terials in making the 10. applicator element of 4 or-~ of the present invention, a uniform and controlled rate of flow of the liquids from the interior of the container is made possible. As a consequence, any undue wetting of the area to which the applicator is applied is avoided. This controlled flow of liquid is 1~. accomplished by the fact that the passage o~ the li~uid through the applicator is largely by means of the capillary a~tion of the pores that are present in the m~terials. This capillary action can be regulated by regulating the size of the pores.
20. Moreover, the use of these materials in constructing the applicatcr element of 4 or 4 m~kes it possible to tailor the applicator to the viscosity of the liquid to be dispensed from the container. By selecting the appropriate pore size relative to the viscosity of the liquid, a desired rate of 25. flow o~ product can be obtained.
A number of sintered synthetic plastic materials are known in the prior art which m~y be used in fabricating the applicator element 4 or ~ of the present invention.
Among these mention may be made of sintered resins of the 30. following type: high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene, polypropylene and polyvinylidene fluoride resins (fluorocarbons).
_g_ ~082134 Severai of tnese materials are a~ilable commercially under 7Lr ~ Jc n~a ~ ~
t~e tl-~de designation "Porex" porous plastic. These m~terials are identified in the Table below together with some of their characteristics:
5. ~ySICAL PROPE~TIES OF POL~RS
Coefficient Density at Average Pore of Therm~l 40% Void Size in Polymer_Expansion Volume ~licrons Low Density10-20 x 10 5 .56 g/cc 70, 120 10. Polyethylene IN/I~T~'C
Up to 170F
High Density 11-13 x 10 5 .6 g/cc 10, 35, 7, Polyethylene IN/IN/C 120 Up to 200F
15. Ultra high13 x 10 5 .58 g~cc 10, 20 molecularIN~IN/C
weight Up to 200F
polyetnylene Polypropyl-5-10 x 10 5 .54 g/cc 125, 250, 300, 20. ene IN~IN/C 500 -( Up to 250F
Fluoro- 5 x 10 5 1.05 g~cc 25, 35, 49 carbon ~T~IN/C
(PVF2) Up to 300~F
25. (polyvinyl-idene fluoride) Similar m~terials are also disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,055J297 and 3,778,495.
30. The pore size of applicator 4 or 4 m~y vary som~what depending on the particular liquid that is to be dispensed.
Generally, the more viscous the product, the larger will be the pore size. Ordinarily, however, for the most usual appli-cations, this will be in the range o~ from about 10 to 500 35. microns and preferably from about 20 to 200 microns. For solutions, the pare size is advantageously of the order of from about 20 to 35 microns; whereas, for lotions, this will be in the range of from about 150 to 200 microns.
The patent to Gazzani 3,403,961 discloses a device - - -10_ for distribution of liauids which includes a pad made of porGus flexibly deformable m~terial tha~ is to serve as tne application means. As an aside and in very general and ambiguous term~, the patentee also suggests the applicator 5. means may be of a "porous and rigid nature". In furtner describing this, the patentee also states that the applica-tor mQy be "a cap of naturally porous material which is of material made porous by a plurality of small holes". The kind of m~terial the patentee has in mind is not specified 10. and is very vague. However, it is clear that this is no teaching of the use of the sintered porous resins used in this invention.
Any o~ a variety of materials m~y be used in fabricating the container 3 and screw cap 9 of the present 15. invention. Ordinarily, these will be m~de of res l~ent synthetic plastic resins such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
In use the container body 5 is filled with liquid and then the applicator 4 or 4 is pushed into place so that it rests on step 15. As pre~iously mentioned, the 20. diameter of the hemispheric applicator 4 or 4 is made slightly larger than the internal diameter of neck 7 ~ust ad~acent and above step 15. To apply the liquid m~terial~
the container is inverted as shown in Fig. 4. This brings the liquid in contact with the bottom surface of applicator 25. 4 or 4 . In this position, under the influen^e of the capil-lary action of the pores of applicator 4 or 4 , the liquid enters the applicator and fl~ws through it at an even and controlled rate. It reaches the surface relatively quickly and is applied to the part of the body in contact with the 30. appl~cator 4 or 4 .
After use the container is turned upright and stored. Ordinarily, the liauid will drain back into the 1~8Z13~
container through the pores. However, if an excess of liquid accumulates on the sur~ace of applicator 4 or 4 , it r~s down and collect,s in collecting channel 19. This prevents excess liquid from flowing dcwn the outside surface of neck 7.
5, When the applicator is stored after use, collecting channel 19 serves as temporary reservoir. The liquid contained in channel 19 will then drain back into container body 5 through the pores of applicator 4 or 4 .
: . As an optional feature, the present liquid dis-; 10. penser may also be provided with a flexible overcap 8. This may be slipped over screw cap 9 and held in position by engaging the lower m~rgin o:~ screw cap 9.
-12_
Claims (10)
1. A liquid applicator suitable for use in the application of liquids to a surface of the human body comprising a container having a container body adapted for storing a quantity of said liquid, said container having an opening at one end thereof which is provided with an upper margin, step means spaced below said upper margin of said opening and extending in-wardly from the walls of said opening, said step means being adapted to support a shaped applicator means; said shaped applicator means being positioned in said opening and resting on said step means; said shaped applicator means comprising a non-flexible, non-deformable, sintered, porous synthetic plastic resin structure having a controlled porosity and having omni-directional interconnecting pores, said applicator including venting means for venting the interior of said container to the atmosphere and barrier means for restricting the flow of liquid from within the interior of said container body to said shaped applicator, said venting means comprising a continuous and unobstructed path extending from the atmosphere to the interior of said container.
2. A liquid applicator according to claim 1 in which said barrier means comprises a perforated barrier spaced below said shaped applicator, said perforated barrier defining a space below said shaped applicator which is separated from the space of the in-terior of said container body.
3. A liquid applicator according to claim 2 in which said venting means comprises at least one vertically extending channel cut in said shaped applicator.
4. A liquid applicator according to claim 2 in which said container is provided with a hollow neck extending upwardly from said container body and communicating with the in-terior thereof, said venting means comprising at least one vertically extending channel cut into the interior surface of said hollow neck.
5. A liquid applicator according to Claim 4 including a sealing flange extending outwardly on the external surface of said hollow neck; said applicator also being provided with a cap that fits over said hollow neck and engages said sealing flange in a sealing relationship.
6. A liquid applicator according to Claim 1 in which said applicator means is releasibly secured in said opening of said container.
7. A liquid applicator according to Claim 1 including a collecting channel disposed adjacent said applicator means adapted to collect overflow liquid coming through the pores of said shaped applicator and directing it back into said container.
8. A liquid applicator according to Claim 1 in which the pore size of said applicator means is in the range of from about 10 to 500 microns.
9. A lqiuid applicator according to Claim 1 in which the pore size of said applicator means is in the range of from about 20 to 200 microns.
10. A liquid applicator according to Claim 1 in which said shaped applicator means is in the form of a hemisphere and is adapted for application to the axilla of humans.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US05/758,984 US4111567A (en) | 1976-02-11 | 1977-01-13 | Liquid applicator |
| US758,984 | 1996-12-02 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1082134A true CA1082134A (en) | 1980-07-22 |
Family
ID=25053925
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA281,529A Expired CA1082134A (en) | 1977-01-13 | 1977-06-28 | Hard porous liquid applicator with vent and flow barrier |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1082134A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-06-28 CA CA281,529A patent/CA1082134A/en not_active Expired
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| MKEX | Expiry |