GB1570171A

GB1570171A - Eyedropper attachment

Info

Publication number: GB1570171A
Application number: GB14186/78A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: BOSSHOLD B
Current assignee: BOSSHOLD B
Priority date: 1978-04-11
Filing date: 1978-04-11
Publication date: 1980-06-25

Description

(54) EYEDROPPER ATTACHMENT (71) I, BARRY LYNN BOSSHOLD, a Citizen of the United States of America, of 1005 J Street 366, Davis, California, United States of America, do hereby declare the invention, for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement:- This invention relates to an attachment for an eyedropper bottle and which includes means for holding the eyelids open when the attachement is being used to apply drops to an eye.

Medication and cleansing fluids are commonly available in bottles, often of the squeeze type, with a small nozzle through which drops may be applied directly to the eye. As is well known, considerable difficulty is often experienced- in keeping the eye open and steadying the hand simultaneously for a period of time sufficient to ensure accurate placement of the drops. One attempt to overcome this difficulty was found in a spray attachment which ejects a liquid in the form of a mist sprayed from within a cup placed over the eye. However, such a spray could carry with it dust particles or other foreign materials which may have settled on the surface of the cup when not in use.

According to the invention there is provided an eyedropper attachment for a lightweight squeeze type eyedropper bottle comprising a supporting body including means for mounting the attachment on an eyedropper bottle, extension means extending from the body carrying a pair of pads thereon adapted to be placed against the outer surfaces of a user's eyelids in frictional engagement therewith, the extension means being fleixible to permit the pads to be forced closer together before being placed against the eyelids but having sufficient flexural strength when released to force the eyelids apart, the mounting of the extension means being such that they are alternatively positionable in use of the attachment on a bottle to extend either in an operative position beyond a nozzle outlet on the bottle or in an inoperative position back along the sides of the bottle.

Preferably the extension means comprise a pair of flexible arms which, in use, extend upwardly from the neck area of the eyedropper bottle. The arms have sufficient flexural strength to return to normal configuration after being flexed. Carried on the ends of the arms are pads or flat supports which may be lightly pressed against the eyelids without discomfort. Hence, the arms function as a support to locate the nozzle of the eyedropper bottle directly over the eye.

In addiction, the arms may function to open the eye and hold it open during use.

Specifically, the arms are squeezed toward each other by grasping them around their outer surfaces and the pads are pressed lightly against the closed or partially closed eyelids. Then, when released the flexural strength of the arms will force the eyelids apart, locating the nozzle the eyedropper bottle directly over the open eye. The arms provide a steadying support for the bottle while the drops are being applied. The arms may be carried on a collar supported around the neck of the bottle whereby when inverted, they will hang down alongside the bottle for convenience in storing and carrying. In addition, as so disposed they will not interfere with normal use of the eyedropper.

In another form of the attachment, the arms are formed by the opposite sides of the more or less oval cup. In this form, the other sides of the cup are deformed when the cup is squeezed and aid in restoring the cup to its normal configuration when released.

Thus in another aspect of the invention there is provided an attachment for a lightweight squeeze type eyedropper bottle comprising: a flexible cup; pads on opposite rims of said cup being spaced to engage against the outer surfaces of the eyelids for frictional engagement thereof; and means for securing said cup near the top of said eyedropper bottle to extend upwardly therefrom; the flexibility of said cup enabling said opposite rims to be grasped and forced closer together before being placed against the eyelids but asserting flexural strength around the cup to restore it to normal configuration and force the eyelids apart.

The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a side view of an eyedropper attachment according to the invention as positioned on a bottle when not in use; Figure 2 is a side view of the embodiment of Figure 1 in position for use; Figure 3 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side view, partly in section, of another embodiment of the invention in its non-operative position on a bottle; Figure 5 is a side view, partly in section, of the embodiment of Figure 4 in position for use; Figure 6 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a side view of a third embodiment of this invention in its non-operative position on a bottle; Figure 8 is a top view of the embodiment of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a side view of still another embodiment of this invention again shown in non-operative position on a bottle; and Figure 10 is a front view of the embodiment of Figure 9.

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a bottle 10 which may be of the plastics squeeze type adapted to contain a quantity of fluid medication or cleanser to be applied to the human eye by projection of the substance through a suitable nozzle 12 carried on the bottle top 14.

An eyedropper attachment 16 includes a pair of flexible arms or wings 18 carried on an integral collar 20 adapted to be carried, as shown, around the neck of the bottle 10.

When the attachment 16 is not in use, the collar 20 may be inverted to the position shown in Figure 1 and a cap 15 placed over the nozzle 12. With the collar 20 so inverted, the arms depend along the front and back sides of the bottle 10 to facilitate storage or carrying the bottle in one's purse or pocket.

As so positioned the arms will not impede conventional use of the eyedropper. When in use, the cap 14 may be removed and the collar reversed to the position shown in Figure 2 wherein the arms extend upward from the neck of the bottle 10. Carried on the ends of the arms are suitable pads 22 which are adapted to be placed against the eyelids to hold the eyelids apart and support the bottle 10 while the medicine or soothing agent is applied to the eye. If desired, the surfaces of the pads may, as shown, be gently ridged or knurled at 24 to aid in gripping the eyelids.

In operation, the arms 18 are placed in their upraised position of Figure 2 to be used as a support for the bottle as the drops are being placed. If desired, in fact, the arms may first be squeezed together slightly, and the pads 22 placed directly and gently against the closed eyelids. Then, the arms 18 may be released to allow the flexural strength of the arms 18 to restore them outward to their normal dispositions and force the eyelids apart prior to application of the eye drops. Continued light pressure of the pads 22 against the eyelids holds the eye open and steadies the bottle 10.

Referring now to Figures 4 to 6, an attachment 26 is shown in the form of a cup 28 having smoothly curved outer rims 30, the opposite portions of which function as the eyelid pads. In operation, the opposite sides 28 are squeezed together as in the configuration of Figure 1 whereby, when released, they would naturally spring apart to force the eyelids open. With the eyelids open the cup 28 performs the additional function of shielding the eye from light to which it may be sensitive. If desired, the short opposite sides may be formed with relatively thin outer lips 30a to facilitate bending thereof.

In any event the restoring forces of the material completely around the cup aid in restoring the opposite sides 28 to their relaxed position. With the cup 28 in the position shown in Figure 5, the nozzle 33 is disposed well below the level of the lips or pads 30, 30a to protect it against contamination. In addition, a cap 34 is made sufficiently tall that it may be grasped without touching the inner surfaces of the cup 26 or the nozzle tip 33. When not is use, the cup 26 may be inverted whereby it will surround the sides of the bottle 32 as shown in Figure 4. Whether inverted or upright for applicaton of drips, the cup 26 may be held in place by snap fit of an annular collar 35 thereon around an enlarged portion 36 surrounding the neck of the bottle.

The embodiment of Figures 7 and 8 is similar to that of Figures 1 to 3 except that the collar 20 is replaced by a U-shaped clamp 20a which engages around the neck of the bottle 10 whether inverted, as shown, or upraised for operation. The arms 18a and pads 22a are formed and function as do the corresponding components of Figure 1.

Figures 9 and 10 show an embodiment in which arms 40 are pivotally mounted at 42 on a supporting collar 44 carried on the neck of the bottle 10. Hence, the arms may be pivoted between the retracted position shown, to an upraised position with pads 46 extended for application of drops, without requiring removal qf the collar from the bottle 10.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: 1. An eyedropper attachment for a lightweight squeeze type eyedropper bottle comprising a supporting body including means for mounting the attachment on an eyedropper bottle, extension means extending from the body carrying a pair of pads thereon adapted to be placed against the outer surfaces of a user's eyelids in frictional engagement therewith, the extension means being flexible to permit the pads to be forced closer together before being placed against the eyelids but having sufficient flexural strength when released to force the eyelids apart, the mounting of the extension means being such that they are alternatively positionable in use of the attachment on a bottle to extend either in an operative position beyond a nozzle outlet on the bottle or in an inoperative position back along the sides of the bottle.

2. An attachment according to claim 1, wherein the extension means comprise a pair of arms extending from the body with the pads provided on the outer ends thereof.

3. An attachment according to claim 2, wherein the arms are secured to said body for pivotal movement thereof between said operative position and said inoperative position.

4. An attachment according to claim 1, wherein the extension means comprise opposite sides of a cup extending from said body.

5. An attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein said body comprises a reversible collar adapted to fit around the neck of the bottle and carrying the arms.

6. An attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein, said body comprises a clamp member adapted to engage around the neck of the bottle.

7. An attachment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said body is formed by a collar adapted to engage with a snap fit over and around an enlarged portion around the neck of the bottle.

8. An attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the surfaces of said pads are roughened for increased friction.

9. An attachment for a lightweight squeeze type eyedropper bottle comprising: a flexible cup; pads on opposite rims of said cup being spaced to engage against the outer surfaces of the eyelids for frictional engagement thereof; and means for securing said cup near the top of said eyedropper bottle to extend upwardly therefrom; the flexibility of said cup enabling said opposite rims to be grasped and forced closer together before being placed against the eyelids but asserting flexural strength around the cup to restore it to normal configuration and force the eyelids apart.

10. An attachment according to claim 9, for use with a bottle having an enlarged portion around the neck thereof and including a collar on the base of the cup; said collar being so engageable in a snap fit over and around said enlarged portion in use of the attachment as to enable said cup to be inverted closely to embrace the bottle.

11. An attachment for a lightweight squeeze type eyedropper bottle comprising: a pair of arms; pads on the ends of the arms adapted to be placed against the outer surfaces of a user's eyelids; frictional surfaces on the pads; means for supporting the arms around and near the top of the eyedropper bottle to extend upwardly therefrom with the pads on opposite sides of the nozzle thereof spaced normally to be accommodated within the eye socket so as to rest against the upper and lower eyelids when open; said arms being flexible so that same may be grasped and said pads moved closer together before being placed against the eyelids and having sufficient flexural strength when thereafter released to force the eyelids apart and enable movement of the fingers to the sides of the bottle for placement of drops; said supporting means enabling said arms to be inverted; said arms being so spaced relative to the size and shape of said eyedropper bottle that when inverted they depend closely along the sides of said eyedropper bottle.

12. An eyedropper attachment constructed and arranged substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, Figures 4 to 6, Figures 7 and 8 or Figures 9 and 10 of the accompanying drawings.

13. An eyedropper attachment according to any preceding claim in combination with a squeeze-type eyedropper bottle on which it is mountable.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. requiring removal qf the collar from the bottle 10. WHAT I CLAIM IS:

1. An eyedropper attachment for a lightweight squeeze type eyedropper bottle comprising a supporting body including means for mounting the attachment on an eyedropper bottle, extension means extending from the body carrying a pair of pads thereon adapted to be placed against the outer surfaces of a user's eyelids in frictional engagement therewith, the extension means being flexible to permit the pads to be forced closer together before being placed against the eyelids but having sufficient flexural strength when released to force the eyelids apart, the mounting of the extension means being such that they are alternatively positionable in use of the attachment on a bottle to extend either in an operative position beyond a nozzle outlet on the bottle or in an inoperative position back along the sides of the bottle.