Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
  • B65D83/28—Nozzles, nozzle fittings or accessories specially adapted therefor
  • B65D83/30—Nozzles, nozzle fittings or accessories specially adapted therefor for guiding the flow of spray, e.g. funnels, hoods
  • B65D83/303—Nozzles, nozzle fittings or accessories specially adapted therefor for guiding the flow of spray, e.g. funnels, hoods using extension tubes located in or at the outlet duct of the nozzle assembly
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B15/00—Details of spraying plant or spraying apparatus not otherwise provided for; Accessories
  • B05B15/60—Arrangements for mounting, supporting or holding spraying apparatus
  • B05B15/65—Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits
  • B05B15/652—Mounting arrangements for fluid connection of the spraying apparatus or its outlets to flow conduits whereby the jet can be oriented
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D83/00—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents
  • B65D83/14—Containers or packages with special means for dispensing contents for delivery of liquid or semi-liquid contents by internal gaseous pressure, i.e. aerosol containers comprising propellant for a product delivered by a propellant
  • B65D83/75—Aerosol containers not provided for in groups B65D83/16 - B65D83/74
  • B65D83/752—Aerosol containers not provided for in groups B65D83/16 - B65D83/74 characterised by the use of specific products or propellants

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to applicators for and methods for application of fluids and fluid-like materials, and more particularly to an improved applicator for such fluids that is flexible enough to be formed into various desirable dispensing configurations without detrimentally affecting the flow of the fluid therethrough and retains its particular dispensing configuration.
• the present invention possesses great utility in the dispensing of pressurized liquids and aerosol foams, particularly those formed from liquid polyurethane prepolymers or liquid latexes, it also has utility in the dispensing of other fluids and fluid-like materials, regardless of their chemistries and physical properties, such as adhesives, caulking compounds, cleaning compounds, lubricants, insecticides, solvents and the like.
• the present invention may also be utilized in the dispensing of food materials, such as pastry fillings, whipped creams and decorative icings.
• the aforementioned dispensing of liquid polyurethane prepolymers and latexes from pressurized containers is accomplished by way of a gas propellant or a blowing agent, that forces the liquid out of the container under pressure when a dispensing valve is actuated.
• the pressurized container includes a central dip tube that extends within and toward the bottom of the container, so that the propellant will push the liquid down to the bottom of the container, into the dip tube and out of the dispensing valve.
• the propellant pushes the liquid out of the container by way of the dip tube.
• the propellant will escape from the container through the dip tube and frustrate the user.
• the use of such products is therefore restricted to a certain orientation of the container, typically a substantially vertical or upright orientation, and thus increases the difficultly in depositing such liquids in hard to reach places.
• the aforementioned containers may utilize a rigid or semirigid straw attached to the dispensing valve through which the liquid is dispensed.
• the rigid dispensing straw facilitates the utilization of such containers by increasing the "reach" of the user.
• this rigid straw is not flexible and can only maintain a single, straight configuration. The user is still restricted in his application of these liquids by the need to maintain the dispensing container in its substantially upright orientation and is therefore limited in his ability to apply these liquids.
• a semi-rigid dispensing straw is known and is used with the aforementioned dispensable liquids.
• This dispensing straw is somewhat movable by the user, but it does not hold its shape when moved and the user must use two hands in dispensing the liquid: he must use one hand to hold the container and the other hand to hold the dispensing straw while dispensing the liquid.
• the dispensing container must still be maintained in its upright orientation and one-handed application of the liquid is impossible because the user must use his other hand to hold the dispensing straw to direct the liquid.
• one-handed application of such a liquid is not possible with this semi-rigid straw, and often two-handed application compromises the safety of the user, especially when the user is standing on a ladder.
• Another pressurized container for the dispensing of pressurized liquids may be provided with what is known as a Clayton or a tiltable valve.
• This type of valve extends a short distance from the top of the container above the container and protrudes a short distance into the interior of the container. It opens when deflected and permits the passage of liquid therethrough.
• the propellant in order to discharge pressurized liquids from such a container effectively, the propellant must be maintained above the level of the liquid and the valve.
• the container must always be used in a substantially upright and inverted fashion so that the propellant remains above the valve to force the liquid through the valve opening.
• this type container must be kept in its upright, inverted orientation, and the user- must use his two hands for certain applications of fluids. If the user moves the container while dispensing the liquid in order to reposition the dispensing straw, he may allow part or most of the propellant to escape, which will deprive the operator of the ability to dispense all of the liquid.
• rigid and semi-rigid applicator straws may increase some of the range of dispensing of liquids on such a pressurized container, they do not overcome all of the limitations and disadvantages inherent with the structure of their supply containers.
• a pressurized liquid container may be provided with an internal bag, or pouch, that is positioned within the container and which contains the dispensable liquid and which further communicates with the dispensing valve on the container.
• Propellant is provided in the container in the area around the pouch and the propellant acts on the bag to force the liquid out of the container through the dispensing valve.
• the internal bag effectively eliminates the loss of propellant problems referred to above, it still possess certain problems.
• One such problem is that such a container uses only the rigid and se i- rigid dispensing straws mentioned above, and accordingly, two- handed application is required to direct the application of the liquid.
• a container prohibits its user from one-handed application, even in hard to reach application instances.
• a second problem is that the internal bag structure is complex and requires increased labor to assemble, thus increasing the overall cost of the container and its dispensing assembly.
• the solvents and/or blowing agents used with such prepolymers are chemically aggressive and are prone to attack the integrity of the bag over time. Therefore, material compatibility with such containers must be taken into account and such containers have a greatly reduced shelf life.
• a pressurized liquid container is provided with an internal piston that effectively separates the container into two different compartments, one containing the liquid, and the other containing the propellant.
• this type of structure is also costly and care must be taken in the manufacture and assembly of the piston to ensure an effective seal between the piston and the container wall to prevent blow-by of the propellant into the liquid.
• This piston- type container is also expensive to manufacture as compared to the aforementioned dip-tube and Clayton or tiltable valve containers.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,004,128, issued April 2, 1991 describes a flexible nozzle for use on a sealant container in which a structure of the nozzle body is modified, by corrugating a portion of it so as to enable that portion of the nozzle to be manipulated.
• the interior corrugations of this type nozzle may affect the flow of the liquid through the nozzle by increasing the resistance to liquid flow, and such a nozzle will not hold its flexed shape under the pressure of the liquid being dispensed therethrough.
• the present invention is therefore directed to a flexible applicator, in the form of a hollow, flexible tube for use in the dispensing of pressurized fluids in which the applicator is capable of being manipulated into a variety of configurations and which holds its configuration so as to enable one-handed application of liquids with such an applicator, thereby facilitating the application of liquids into hard to reach places by the user and in such a manner not to affect the flow of the fluid through the applicator.
• FIG. IA is a schematic, sectional view of a known pressurized fluid container having a dispenser with a hollow application straw extending therefrom;
• FIG. IB is the same view as FIG. IA, but with the container and dispenser oriented horizontally, and illustrating the level of the fluid within the dispenser
• FIG. IC is the same view as FIG. IA, but with the container and dispenser oriented at a downward angle and illustrating the level of the fluid within the dispenser;
• FIG. ID is a diagrammatic view of a hard to reach area presenting obstructions to the placement of liquid using the container of FIG. IA and using two hands;
• FIG. 2A is a schematic, sectional view of a second known pressurized fluid container with a dispenser that discharges its fluid in an inverted orientation;
• FIG. 2B is the same view as FIG. 2A, but with the container and dispenser oriented horizontally and illustrating the level of fluid therein;
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section illustrating a third known pressurized fluid container with a dispenser
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a shapeable applicator constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, with the applicator being shaped in a particular configuration
• FIG. 5A is an elevational view of the shapeable applicator of FIG. 5 shaped into another dispensing configuration
• FIG. 5B is an elevational view of the shapeable applicator of FIG. 5 shaped into yet another dispensing configuration
• FIG 5C is an elevational view of the shapeable application of FIG. 5 shaped into a complex curve dispensing configuration
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the applicator of FIG. 4 taken along lines 6-6 thereof;
• FIG. 6A is a sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the applicator illustrating an alternate shaping element used in association therewith;
• FIG. 7 is a partial longitudinal sectional view of the applicator of FIG. 4 taken along lines 7-7 thereof;
• FIG. 8 is a partially exploded view of a dispensing assembly utilizing the applicator of FIG. 4;
• FIG. 8A is an exploded view of the dispensing-applicator assembly of FIG. 8;
• FIG. 8B is an enlarged detail view of an alternate dispenser nozzle construction
• FIG. 9 is an elevational view of an applicator of the present invention used with another type of fluid dispenser.
• FIG. 9A is an enlarged detail view of the dispensing nozzle of the fluid dispenser of FIG. 9;
• FIG. 10 is a view illustrating one-handed dispensing of a liquid utilizing the shapeable applicator of FIG. 4 in combination with a pressurized liquid supply container having a Clayton, or tiltable valve, to apply a liquid in a gap between two hard to reach surfaces close to the ground;
• FIG. 11 is a view illustrating one-handed dispensing of a liquid utilizing the shapeable applicator of FIG. 4 in combination with a dip tube-type pressurized liquid supply container to apply liquid in an elevated, hard to reach area;
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a shapable applicator constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and using two shaping elements;
• FIG. 12A is a view of another embodiment of a shapeable applicator of the present invention having multiple fluid passages extending therethrough;
• FIG. 12B is another view of an alternate embodiment of a shapeable applicator of the present invention having both multiple fluid passages and multiple shaping elements extending therethrough;
• FIG. 13 is a view illustrating one-handed use of the applicator of the present invention with a dispenser to apply a fluid in a tight area;
• FIG. 14 is a view illustrating one-handed use of the applicator of the present invention with a dispenser to applying fluid into a blind area; and, FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a combined dispensing applicator tube assembly constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• FIGS. 1A-1C illustrates a known pressurized liquid container 20 having a supply of liquid 22 contained therein, that is typically used in the art in order to dispense a foamable latex liquid compound for sealing, insulating and other purposes.
• the container also includes a propellant, or blowing agent 24, and may dispense its liquid as either a liquid or a foam, typically in the form of a bead by the user.
• the container 20 includes a dispenser assembly 26 mated to one end thereof which includes a dispensing nozzle 27 and an actuator 28 that opens and closes the dispensing nozzle 27.
• the dispensing assembly 26 of this container 20 includes an elongated tube 30, known as a "dip tube” in the art that extends from the dispensing assembly 26 to near the opposite end 31 of the container 20.
• the dip tube 30 has an opening 30a that is immersed beneath the level of the liquid 22 so that when the actuator 28 is moved, a valve in the dispensing assembly 26 opens and the propellant 24 will force the liquid 22 to enter the dip tube opening 30a.
• a rigid applicator straw 32 may be provided to extend the reach of the dispensing nozzle.
• the applicator straw used is a semi-rigid applicator straw 33 that may be bent by the operator to direct the dispensing of the liquid.
• Such semi- rigid applicator straws 33 do not retain their shape and must be held in one hand by the user in order to maintain their orientation, while the other hand of the user must hold the container 20 in place.
• the phantom lines in FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate the range of movement of the semi-rigid applicator straw 33 and illustrate the placement of the users hands to manipulate and hold the applicator straw 33 in place.
• FIG. IB illustrates the container 20 in a horizontal orientation wherein the opening 30a of the internal dip tube 30 is raised above the level of the propellant due to the orientation of the container 20.
• FIG. IC illustrates another, but angled, orientation of the container 20 wherein the dip tube opening 30a is raised above the level of the propellant 24.
• the user In this hard to reach area, the user is likely to move the container 20 into a more comfortable dispensing orientation such as a horizontal orientation as in FIG. IB. If he does this and activates the dispensing assembly 26, the propellant 24 will escape rather than the liquid 22 exiting the container 20.
• FIG. 2A another known container is illustrated generally at 40 and contains a liquid 42 and a propellant 43 that pressurizes the liquid 42.
• This type of container 40 has what is known in the art as a "Clayton" or a tiltable dispensing valve 44 that projects through one end 46 of the container 40.
• This dispensing valve 44 includes a short dispensing nozzle 47 and a pair of actuator arms 48 extending outwardly therefrom that may be manipulated by the user's fingers. Movement of the actuator arms 48 causes the dispensing valve 44 to tilt and open. Opening of the valve 44 permits the liquid 42 to enter the valve opening 44a under the pressure of the propellant 43.
• This type of container 40 has no dip tube, and hence it must be used in a substantially vertical dispensing orientation as illustrated in FIG. 2A so that the propellant 43 is always positioned above the liquid 42.
• a rigid applicator straw 49 or a semi-rigid applicator straw 50 that may be flexed and held in place by the user may be provided to extend the reach of the dispensing nozzle 47.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a third known pressurized fluid container 60 as described in U.S. Patent 5,441,181, issued
• This container 60 has a supply of dispensable liquid 61 contained therein and a propellant supply 62.
• the liquid 61 and propellant 62 are separated from each other by a piston 64 which may include an annular skirt 65 that extends around the edge 66 of the piston 64 into contact with the interior surface 68 of the container wall 69.
• a dispensing valve 70 shown in the form of a conventional spray head 72 is positioned at one end of the container 60 and communicates with the interior of the container 60.
• the container 60 may also be provided with a rigid applicator straw 73 or a semi-rigid applicator straw 74.
• the present invention provides a dispensing applicator that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages and limitations and increases the range of motion of liquid application significantly and at a greatly reduced cost.
• FIG. 4 a flexible and shapeable (or resiliently deformable) applicator constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is shown generally at 100.
• the applicator 100 is elongated and hollow, having a central fluid passage 101 that extends for the length of the applicator 100 and which is surrounded by a continuous sidewall 102.
• a shaping element 103 illustrated in the preferred embodiment as an elongated metal wire 104 is embedded in a portion of the applicator sidewall 102 and extends for the length of the applicator 100 in a generally parallel fashion to the internal fluid passage 101 of the applicator 100.
• the applicator 100 may be extruded from a flexible material such as plastic, and preferably from a flexible plastic such as polyvinylychloride (flexible PVC) that is easily extruded around the wire 104 to avoid the increased costs associated with molding of the applicator 100.
• a flexible material such as plastic
• a flexible plastic such as polyvinylychloride (flexible PVC)
• the presence of the wire as part of the applicator 100 permits the applicator 100 to be readily positioned by its user in whatever shape or configuration desired to apply a pressurized fluid and repositioned, if necessary, for a different, but subsequent application of fluid.
• the location of the shaping wire 104 within the sidewall 102 of the applicator 100 permits the fluid passage 101 to have a substantially uniform cross-section that promotes the flow of a fluid therethrough rather than inhibits the flow therethrough were the shaping wire to be located within the central passage 101 of the applicator 100.
• the shaping element 103 permits the applicator to be formed and re-formed into any desired configuration by the user to thereby increase the range of motion of the dispensing assembly of the pressurized container with which it is used.
• the shaping wire 104 also beneficially holds the positioned shape of the applicator 100 which permits the user to now operate the pressurized container with one hand and move the container along an intended dispensing surface in the preferred container orientation, such as the vertical orientation of the Clayton, or tiltable valve, container illustrated in FIG. 10, and the vertical orientation of the dip tube style container illustrated in FIG. 11.
• the preferred container orientation such as the vertical orientation of the Clayton, or tiltable valve, container illustrated in FIG. 10, and the vertical orientation of the dip tube style container illustrated in FIG. 11.
• the shaping wire 103 is integrated within the applicator 100 and the resultant applicator is of one-piece construction.
• Preferred results have been obtained using a shaping wire 103 having a diameter of about 0.040 inches and an applicator 100 having a diameter of about 0.250 inches and with an internal passage diameter of about 0.170 inches. It will be understood that these dimensions are merely exemplary and that the flexibility of the applicator 100 may be controlled by utilizing a shaping wire 103 having a greater diameter or by utilizing a second shaping wire 103a as illustrated in FIG. 12.
• the shaping element 103 used need not be a round wire 104. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, a wide strip-like shaping element 105, made from flat wire or the like may also be used.
• the shaping element may also utilize a high density, but pliable plastic material that has shape memory and retention characteristics.
• FIG. 5A illustrates another configuration into which the applicator 100 may be formed having two bends formed therein.
• FIG. 5B illustrates a more complex configuration utilizing three major bends and a minor bend toward the applicator exit at the right of the Figure.
• FIG. 5C illustrates an applicator 100 formed into a complex curve having multiple, curved bends formed therein.
• the ability to shape the applicator 100 permits the one- handed operation of the liquid containers as illustrated in FIG. 13 and, as illustrated in FIG. 14, where the applicator tip 109 is bent, the liquid may be distributed to areas through penetrations, such as in the open space 150 behind an electrical junction box 151 as illustrated.
• the user merely needs to shape the tip 109 into a desired configuration, insert it through a hole 152 and turn the container while dispensing to fill the open area 150 behind the junction box 151.
• the use of a single piece structure also affords a significant cost savings compared to the aforementioned two-to three-piece structures especially where the dispenser is intended for the ordinary consumer market.
• the shapeable applicator 100 is applied directly to the end 110 of the dispensing nozzle 112 of a dispensing assembly 113 that is applied to the pressurized container 115.
• the dispenser nozzle 112 may have a reduced diameter section that is equal to or slightly larger than the inner diameter D of the applicator 100 shown in FIG. 6, or as shown in FIG. 8, the outer diameter of the nozzle 112 may be slightly large than the inner diameter of the applicator 100 in order to provide a slight interference fit between the two components.
• the dispensing assembly 113 may include a hollow recess 117 that surrounds the dispensing nozzle 112 and which is formed within the head portion 118 of the dispensing assembly 113. This recess 117 receives one end 120 of the applicator 100 and the sides of the applicator 100 in this area fit against the walls of the dispensing assembly head portion 118.
• the dispensing assembly 113 includes a housing or head portion 118, that is adapted to fit on the top of a fluid container 115.
• the housing 118 contains a dispensing nozzle 112 that has a hollow horizontal portion 1 22 that communicates with a hollow vertical portion 123, the end 124 of which communicates directly with the valve on the fluid container 115.
• the nozzle 112 is supported within an actuator member 125 that has end clip portions 126 formed therewith which are engageable with an internal recess 127 of the dispenser housing 118. The engagement between the end clip portions 126 and the housing 118 permits the actuator member 125 to move, or rock up and down, around the end clip portions 126.
• a trigger 128 is formed on the actuator member 125 in position to be engaged by a user's fingers. Depressing the trigger 128 will move the actuator member 125 down which in turn will move the vertical tube portion 123 of the nozzle 112 into actuating contact with the container valve, thereby permitting the flow of fluid through the valve, the dispensing nozzle 112 and the applicator tube 100.
• FIG. 8B illustrates and alternate dispensing nozzle construction.
• the dispensing head 118' has a recess, or bore 117' formed therein and at the seat of the bore 117' is located the opening 116' of the dispensing nozzle 112'.
• the end 120' of the applicator 100' is fit into the bore 117' and engages it with an interference-type fit.
• the applicator 100 may be directly attached to the end of a dispensing nozzle 120 utilizing a Clayton-type valve arrangement.
• the inherent flexibility of the plastic sidewall 102 of the applicator 100 will permit it to be expanded slightly to fit onto the dispensing nozzle 112 with an interference fit.
• applicators 100 of the present invention may be used with other fluid dispensing devices, such as the hand-held dispensing wand 140 illustrated in FIG. 9.
• a dispensing wand 140 includes an elongated, hollow body portion 142, with an actuating lever 144, and a dispensing nozzle 146 attached to the end of the dispensing body 142. As shown in FIG.
• the dispensing nozzle 146 may be of machined construction, and include a plurality of circular ribs 148 formed thereon which provide a series of interference surfaces that engage the inner surface of the applicator sidewall 101.
• the shapeability of the applicator 100 of the present invention permits a user to rely upon one-handed dispensing of fluids in almost any hard to reach areas. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the applicator 100 is bent into a somewhat Z-shaped configuration and applied to a supply container 130 that contains a liquid, such as a latex sealing compound.
• the shapeable applicator 100 permits a user merely to hold the supply container in one hand and inject the liquid sealant into the gap 132 because the applicator may be bent into a shape where it passes around the obstruction 131 and the discharge end 138 reaches into the gap 132 for sealing.
• the applicator 100 holds its shape and therefore two-handed application is eliminated. Still further, although the present invention has been largely described in terms of a single passage applicator, other styles of applicators, such as those displayed in FIGS. 12A and 12B, may be used.
• FIG. 12A has two fluid passages, or lumens 161 that extend for the length of its body portion 162.
• One shaping element 163 is provided in the body portion between the two fluid passages 161.
• FIG. 12B illustrates an applicator 150 that demonstrates the use of multiple fluid passages 151 and multiple shaping elements 152 associated therewith.
• Such constructions would be suitable in application of two component materials where mixing of the components occurs at the end tips of the fluid passages or in instances where the fluid like material must be applied with two different colors, such as decorative cake icing.
• a multi-passage applicator tube 160 such as that illustrated in FIG.
• FIG. 15 illustrates yet another embodiment of an applicator assembly 165 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
• the applicator assembly 165 is a one-piece molded assembly with a hollow body portion 166 and applicator tube portion 172 integrated together.
• Such an applicator assembly may be particularly useful with fluid supply containers having a Clayton, or tiltable valve, such as that illustrated in FIG. 2A, but is also useful on other style of fluid containers.
• the hollow body portion includes a threaded interior portion 167 that mates with and is engageable with the stem portion 168 of a Clayton, or tiltable valve 169, of a fluid supply container 170.
• An elongated, flexible applicator tube portion 172 is integrally formed with the applicator assembly body portion 166.
• the applicator tube 172 has an internal fluid passage 173 that communicates with the interior portion 167 so that a continuous fluid passage is defined from the entry end 175 to the exit end 177.
• a manipulation pad, or member 179 may be positioned in proximity to the point where the applicator tube 172 transitions to be hollow body portion 166.
• a user may rest his finger or fingers on the manipulation pod 179 and exert pressure thereon to move the valve stem 168 by tipping it or bending it.
• the applicator tube portion 172 has, similar to the other embodiments, a shaping element 180 formed therein.
• the applicator tube portion 172 may be shaped and re-shaped into a variety of different dispensing configurations. Such a structure may be molded together as a one-piece, integral assembly that may be dropped into a packaging carton that holds the fluid supply container 170. Such a one-piece structure may also be used or other type of fluid supply containers.
• the applicators of the present invention may also be used with "squeeze-type" fluid supply containers wherein the user squeezes the containers in order to dispense the fluid from the container under pressure.
• the applicator tube may be shaped and reshaped by the user and then used to dispense the fluid in a one-handed manner where the one hand exerts the required pressure on the fluid supply container and the applicator retains its dispensing configuration under the dispensing pressure.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Nozzles (AREA)
• Coating Apparatus (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22463209

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (10)

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• 1999
  • 1999-08-06 CN CN99809516A patent/CN1354728A/zh active Pending
  • 1999-08-06 JP JP2000564895A patent/JP2003512976A/ja active Pending
  • 1999-08-06 AU AU56713/99A patent/AU5671399A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-08-06 KR KR1020017001903A patent/KR20010079645A/ko not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-08-06 MX MXPA01001670A patent/MXPA01001670A/es unknown
  • 1999-08-06 ID IDW20010596A patent/ID29073A/id unknown
  • 1999-08-06 BR BR9913634-1A patent/BR9913634A/pt not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1999-08-06 EP EP99943663A patent/EP1127028A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1999-08-06 CA CA002340423A patent/CA2340423A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-08-06 WO PCT/US1999/017968 patent/WO2000009438A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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