GB2314088A - Applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

A applicator for applying a composition to prevent misting of spectacles, goggles and the like, comprises housing 10 with a helical groove 12 on its innerwall. A sleeve 16 has a slot 18 through which arm 22 protrudes. Rotation of end-piece 24 causes sleeve 16 to move towards endcap 26. The sleeve containing the composition thus causes the composition to protrude out of housing 10 for use. The composition contains a fatty acid ester such as an oleate or myristate and may comprise an alcohol, a filler, antistatic agents, anti-misting agents and perfume. Titanium dioxide may be present as a filler.

Description

APPLICATOR This invention relates to an applicator and particularly to a means of preventing misting of spectacles, goggles and the like by the application of a suitable antimisting composition.

It is well known that goggles and the lenses of spectacles mist up in particular conditions of temperature and humidity and this can be inconvenient and, in certain circumstances, dangerous. It can be particularly dangerous in work place situations.

It has been proposed to alleviate this problem by the application to the surface of the goggles or lenses of an anti-misting composition, usually in the form of a spray or a liquid which can be applied to a cloth and then rubbed onto the surface of the goggles or lens. However, such applications have not proved to be entirely satisfactory and, in particular, suffer from not being long-lasting in effect.

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved anti-mist coating, which coating is easy to apply and longer lasting.

In one aspect, therefore, the invention provides an applicator comprising a housing containing an anti-misting composition in solid wax-like form and means to progressively propel the composition from the housing whereby the composition can be applied as a transparent coating on a surface, e.g. spectacle lenses, wherein the composition comprises a fatty acid ester.

In another aspect the invention provides a solid wax-like anti-misting composition for use in the applicator described above.

The applicator is conveniently of cylindrical shape containing a tubular housing to be filled with the wax-like composition. The housing may have a base which can be moved upwardly by mechanical means whereby the composition is gradually expelled beyond the end of the housing so that it can be applied to the desired surface, e.g. somewhat in the manner of a lipstick or lip salve applicator.

Thus the mechanical means to move the wax-like composition upwardly may be an arm attached to the base of the housing and movable along the length of the housing in a slot in the housing wall. Alternatively the base of the housing may be constrained to travel along the length of the housing by means of a rotating screw action. Thus, for example, the housing may contain a tubular lining having a longitudinal slot into which the base of the housing is keyed. The inner wall of the housing in this embodiment carries a spiral groove extending between the ends of the housing and the base is also keyed into the groove through the slot in the lining. The lining is attached to a rotatable knob on the end of the housing and rotation causes the base to follow the spiral groove while moving along the slot.

Other known mechanical means for the same purpose may, of course, be employed.

The applicator will normally carry a push fit, snap-on cap or screw on cap to maintain the composition in an enclosed container when not in use.

The solid wax-like anti-misting composition is preferably of natural or synthetic vegetable fat basis. It may be based, for example, on a palminate, stearate, oleate, myristate ester or mixtures of one or more esters thereof. It may contain desired anti-misting and other additives, e.g. alcohols, fillers, antistatic agents and perfumes.

The properties of ingredients will, of course, vary widely with the specific active ingredients used and the specific wax-like base material but the skilled man will readily be able to formulate preparations for his particular ingredients. For example, the composition may contain from 25 to 75 per cent of fatty acid ester based on the weight of the composition.

As filler may be used titanium dioxide, for example.

As an alcohol may be used propan-l, 2-diol, for example.

Other ingredients e.g. maltodextrins, may be included.

The applicator provides a simple and convenient means of applying an antimisting composition. It can be applied to goggles or spectacle lenses, for example, prior to anticipated need and will remain effective for considerable periods of time, e.g. up to 12 hours or more before a further application is needed. Thus workers may prepare their goggles, for example, at the start of a work period so that they can then continue to work for useful periods of time without the risk of misting occurring. After application the composition may be spread as a smooth clear coating over the desired surface by means, e.g. of a handkerchief.

The solid, wax-like nature of the composition is very convenient and easy to apply and it is packaged in a convenient to carry, store and use applicator without the need for expensive sprays or for liquid preparations.

The volume of anti-misting composition contained in the applicator will, of course, depend on the desired application sizes but may be, for example, from a few cm3, e.g. 2 cm3 upwards.

One embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing which shows an exploded sectional view of the components of an applicator for use in the invention.

The applicator comprises a housing 10 in the form of a hollow cylindrical tube with a helical groove 12 along its inner wall 14. A sleeve 16 is a sliding fit inside housing 10. The sleeve 16 when positioned inside housing 10 can be filled with the solid wax-like anti-misting composition. Sleeve 16 has a longitudinallyextending slot 18.

A base 20 of the housing fits snugly as a sliding fit in the end of sleeve 16. Base 20 has an arm 22 which fits through slot 18 to engage in groove 12 of the housing. A rotatable end portion 24 is attached to base 20 and/or sleeve 16.

The other end of housing 10 is closed by a removable screw cap 26.

When the housing is filled with anti-misting composition, the base 20 lies at the opposite end of sleeve 16 to cap 26. After removal of the cap 26, end portion 24 is rotated causing rotation of base 20, which is constrained by arm 22 which can only move along groove 12. Sleeve 16 is simultaneously rotated by the turning of portion 24 so that arm 22 remains in slot 18 as both rotate but the arm moves along the slot. The base is thereby propelled along inside the housing and forces the anti-misting composition to emerge from the open end of the housing. It can then be applied to spectacle lenses etc. as required.

Rotation of end portion 26 in the opposite direction, then returns base 20 to its starting position and retracts any remaining exposed anti-misting composition back inside the housing. Fitting of cap 24 then ensures that the composition is not degraded or contaminated before its next application.

Claims (14)

1. An applicator comprising a housing containing an anti-misting composition in solid wax-like form and means to progressively propel the composition from the housing whereby the composition can be applied as a transparent coating on a surface, wherein the composition comprises a fatty acid ester.

2. An applicator according to Claim 1, in which the ester is a palminate, stearate, oleate or myristate or a mixture of two or more thereof.

3. An applicator according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the ester component of the composition is a mixture of an oleate and a myristate.

4. An applicator according to Claim 3, in which the composition contains butyl myristate and sorbitan oleate.

5. An applicator according to any preceding claim, in which the composition additionally includes one or more of an alcohol, a filler, antistatic agents, antimisting agents and perfume.

6. An applicator according to Claim 5, in which the alcohol is propan-1, 2diol.

7. An applicator according to any preceding claim, in which the ester component is present in an amount of from 25 to 75 per cent by weight of the composition.

8. An applicator according to any preceding claim, which contains titanium dioxide as filler.

9. A solid wax-like anti-misting composition comprising a fatty acid ester and one or more of an alcohol, filler, anti-static agents, anti-misting agents and perfume.

10. An anti-misting composition according to Claim 9, in which the ester is a palminate, stearate, oleate or myristate or a mixture of two or more thereof.

11. An anti-misting composition according to Claim 10, in which the composition contains butyl myristate and sorbitan oleate.

12. An anti-misting composition according to Claim 9, 10 or 11, which contains propan-l, 2-diol.

13. An anti-misting composition according to Claim 10, 11, or 12, which contains titanium dioxide.

14. An anti-misting composition according to any one of Claims 9 to 13, in which the ester component is present in an amount of from 25 to 75 per cent by weight of the composition.