GB2126999A

GB2126999A - Device for applying liquids

Info

Publication number: GB2126999A
Application number: GB08322685A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Tingley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-08-28
Filing date: 1983-08-24
Publication date: 1984-04-04
Also published as: GB8322685D0

Abstract

An applicator comprises a plastics moulding 14 having a recessed inner portion 15 with a screw thread 16 for engaging the thread 12 on the bottle neck 11, an aperture 17, and an applicator sponge 18 which is attached to the moulding 14 by adhesive. The applicator sponge 18 may be of sponge rubber or foamed plastics material and provides for seepage of liquid through the sponge 18 when the adapter 14 is screwed onto the bottle and the bottle is inverted. A removable cap 19 of moulded plastics material having an internal screw thread 20 engages an external screw thread 21 on the applicator 14. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for applying liquids This invention relates to a device for applying liquids from a container onto a surface.

According to the invention, the device comprises a container, an applicator sponge which fits over the neck of the container and a closure cap.

Preferably the container is formed from blown plastic and is of light weight so that it can be used as a throw-away container.

The container and cap are preferably blowmoulded and the sponge is formed separately and inserted in the container after the liquid has been added.

The device is particularly useful for equestrian purposes e.g. as a hoof oiler or for the application of Neatsfoot to saddles and other tack.

It may also be used for applying polish, dye or other materials to shoes, metal objects etc. e.g.

for silver polishing or whitening sports shoes.

From another aspect the invention relates to a hoof oil or Neatsfoot oil applicator that is to say a device for applying hoof oil to the hoofs of horses, ponies, and other animals.

Hoof oil is normally supplied in metal or plastic containers and the conventional way of applying it is to pour some of the oil into a cup and then to use a brush to apply the oil to the hoofs of the horse.

This is a messy and uneconomic way of using the oil and often results in spillage of oil and the oil being applied to the clothes of the user rather than to the hoofs of the horse.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple applicator which can be in the form of an adaptor which can be used with commercially available bottles, tins or plastic containers of hoof oil.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is an exploded view, partly in section of a hoof oil or Neatsfoot oil applicator in accordance with the invention together with the cap; and Fig. 2 is a drawing of a bottle or can with which the applicator and cap of Fig. 1 may be used.

The bottle 10 (Fig. 2) is a conventional bottle with a neck 11 which has an external screw thread 12 and a seal 1 3.

When the top of the bottle is removed the applicator according to this invention may be substituted for the top of the bottle.

The applicator comprises a plastic moulding 14 which has a recessed inner portion 1 5 with a screw thread 1 6 of suitable form to engage the thread 1 5 on the bottle neck 11.

An aperture 1 7 is provided in the moulding for flow of oil to an applicator sponge 1 8 which is attached to the moulding 14 by a suitable adhesive.

The applicator sponge 18 may be in the form of sponge rubber or foamed plastic material and provides for seepage of oil through the sponge 18 when the adaptor 14 is screwed onto the bottle and the bottle is inverted.

A cap 1 9 also of moulded plastic has an internal screw thread 20 which engages with an external screw thread 21 on the applicator 14, the cap being employed to enclose the applicator sponge 18 and to keep the oil within the applicator and bottle when not being used.

Although a conventional thread is shown on the bottle 10 and on the applicator an alternative is to use a simple quick-start thread or snap-on closure. The threads 1 6 and 21 may be modified to be of the quick-start single thread variety which forms a quick closing device.

Preferably the moulding 14 has hollow portions 22 for lightness. It may for example be moulded from PVC or polystyrene or any other suitable plastic.

Alternatively this adaptor 14 could be made of a very light aluminium casting or of a sheet metal fabrication.

In use the conventional screw cap is removed from the metal or plastic bottle 10, the adaptor 14 is screwed in place of the cap and the closure 1 9 screwed onto the adaptor. When required the closure 1 9 is removed the bottle inverted and the oil is applied by rubbing the hoof of the animal with the sponge portion 1 8. The oil seeps gently through this portion so as to apply an even coating of oil to the hoof.

When the applicator sponge wears out it is not necessary to throw the applicator away as the worn sponge can easily be replaced.

In an alternative form of the invention the bottle may be blow-moulded from a plastic material and may be formed as a single unit comprising the bottle 10 and moulding 14. The sponge 1 8 may be glued in place after the bottle has been filled with oil or other liquid and the cap 1 9 screwed on to close the assembly. By using a blow moulded plastic bottle and adaptor, formed as a single unit in, say, polythene, a cheap and lightweight applicator is produced.

Claims

1. A device for applying liquids from a container onto a surface, the device comprising a container, an applicator sponge which fits over the neck of the container and a closure cap.

2. A device according to claim 1 in which the container is formed from blown plastic and is of light weight so that it can be used as a throwaway container.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the container and cap are blow moulded and the sponge is formed separately and inserted in the container after the liquid has been added.

4. Hoof oil applicator in the form of an adaptor which screws on to the neck of a hoof oil container such as a tin or bottle, the applicator including an applicator sponge.

5. Hoof oil applicator according to claim 1 in the form of a hollow plastic moulding which has an internal screw thread by which it may be screwed onto the neck of the bottle or tin and an external thread adapted to receive the conventional closure of the bottle or tin.

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Device for applying liquids This invention relates to a device for applying liquids from a container onto a surface. According to the invention, the device comprises a container, an applicator sponge which fits over the neck of the container and a closure cap. Preferably the container is formed from blown plastic and is of light weight so that it can be used as a throw-away container. The container and cap are preferably blowmoulded and the sponge is formed separately and inserted in the container after the liquid has been added. The device is particularly useful for equestrian purposes e.g. as a hoof oiler or for the application of Neatsfoot to saddles and other tack. It may also be used for applying polish, dye or other materials to shoes, metal objects etc. e.g. for silver polishing or whitening sports shoes. From another aspect the invention relates to a hoof oil or Neatsfoot oil applicator that is to say a device for applying hoof oil to the hoofs of horses, ponies, and other animals. Hoof oil is normally supplied in metal or plastic containers and the conventional way of applying it is to pour some of the oil into a cup and then to use a brush to apply the oil to the hoofs of the horse. This is a messy and uneconomic way of using the oil and often results in spillage of oil and the oil being applied to the clothes of the user rather than to the hoofs of the horse. An object of the invention is to provide a simple applicator which can be in the form of an adaptor which can be used with commercially available bottles, tins or plastic containers of hoof oil. In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is an exploded view, partly in section of a hoof oil or Neatsfoot oil applicator in accordance with the invention together with the cap; and Fig. 2 is a drawing of a bottle or can with which the applicator and cap of Fig. 1 may be used. The bottle 10 (Fig. 2) is a conventional bottle with a neck 11 which has an external screw thread 12 and a seal 1 3. When the top of the bottle is removed the applicator according to this invention may be substituted for the top of the bottle. The applicator comprises a plastic moulding 14 which has a recessed inner portion 1 5 with a screw thread 1 6 of suitable form to engage the thread 1 5 on the bottle neck 11. An aperture 1 7 is provided in the moulding for flow of oil to an applicator sponge 1 8 which is attached to the moulding 14 by a suitable adhesive. The applicator sponge 18 may be in the form of sponge rubber or foamed plastic material and provides for seepage of oil through the sponge 18 when the adaptor 14 is screwed onto the bottle and the bottle is inverted. A cap 1 9 also of moulded plastic has an internal screw thread 20 which engages with an external screw thread 21 on the applicator 14, the cap being employed to enclose the applicator sponge 18 and to keep the oil within the applicator and bottle when not being used. Although a conventional thread is shown on the bottle 10 and on the applicator an alternative is to use a simple quick-start thread or snap-on closure. The threads 1 6 and 21 may be modified to be of the quick-start single thread variety which forms a quick closing device. Preferably the moulding 14 has hollow portions 22 for lightness. It may for example be moulded from PVC or polystyrene or any other suitable plastic. Alternatively this adaptor 14 could be made of a very light aluminium casting or of a sheet metal fabrication. In use the conventional screw cap is removed from the metal or plastic bottle 10, the adaptor 14 is screwed in place of the cap and the closure 1 9 screwed onto the adaptor. When required the closure 1 9 is removed the bottle inverted and the oil is applied by rubbing the hoof of the animal with the sponge portion 1 8. The oil seeps gently through this portion so as to apply an even coating of oil to the hoof. When the applicator sponge wears out it is not necessary to throw the applicator away as the worn sponge can easily be replaced. In an alternative form of the invention the bottle may be blow-moulded from a plastic material and may be formed as a single unit comprising the bottle 10 and moulding 14. The sponge 1 8 may be glued in place after the bottle has been filled with oil or other liquid and the cap 1 9 screwed on to close the assembly. By using a blow moulded plastic bottle and adaptor, formed as a single unit in, say, polythene, a cheap and lightweight applicator is produced. Claims

6. Hoof oil applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2 and in which the applicator sponge is made of sponge rubber or foamed plastic material and provides for seepage of oil through the sponge in use.

7. Hoof oil applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the adaptor is provided with a quick-start single thread by which it is screwed on to the neck of the container.

8. The combination of a hoof oil applicator according to any preceding claim with a container of hoof oil, the applicator being screwed onto the neck of the container and enclosed in the lid of the container.

9. Hoof oil applicator substantially as hereinbefore particularly described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.