MX2007010232A

MX2007010232A - A fluid applicator.

Info

Publication number: MX2007010232A
Application number: MX2007010232A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Olly Brown
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Uk Ltd
Priority date: 2005-02-22
Filing date: 2006-02-17
Publication date: 2007-11-07
Also published as: EP1853152B1; EP1853152A1; BRPI0607835A2; WO2006090121A1

Abstract

A fluid applicator (10) comprises a head section (12) and a handle section (34) , wherein the head section (12) incorporates an integral fluid store (18) , a fluid dispensing section (24) and a fluid dispersing section (28) , wherein the fluid dispensing section (24) is operable to release fluid into the fluid dispersing section (28) upon application of pressure.

Description

A FLUID APPLICATOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fluid applicator. The fluid applicator can be to apply a polish to a surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An existing method to apply polishing to a floor is using a polishing disc. Devices are also known through which a user carries a backpack with polishing product, said backpack has a feeding line to a polishing disc to allow the continuous supply of polishing product to the polishing disc. This arrangement is not convenient since the backpack is difficult to carry and store in a domestic setting. Also, the stuffing of the backpack is very messy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to correct the aforementioned disadvantages. According to a first aspect of this invention there is provided a fluid applicator comprising a head section and a handle section, wherein the head section incorporates an integral fluid storage, a fluid supply section and a fluid dispersion section, wherein the section fluid supply operates to release fluid in the fluid dispersion section at the time of applying pressure. Preferably, fluid storage extends substantially across a width and / or length of the head section. Preferably, the fluid extends over substantially the entire horizontal extent of the head section. The head section can be triangular in plan view, preferably with rounded corners. The handle section of preference is attached to the head section in an upper part of the head section, preferably substantially centrally in the upper part. The handle section may be attached to the head section by a ball joint, which is preferably centrally located in the head section, preferably on an upper side thereof, from which a socket extends towards the head section. fluid storage. The handle section may be attached to the head section by a hinge, which may be formed by a flexible mesh.

The fluid supply section preferably is located in a lower part of the fluid storage, preferably substantially centrally in said lower part. The fluid supply section preferably incorporates a fluid release valve biased to a closed position, which operates to be opened by a downward pressure on the head section. The fluid supply section preferably operates to release fluid in an opening in the fluid dispersion section. The opening, preferably in use, leads to a surface on which the fluid applicator is to be used. Preferably, the opening is a substantially central opening. The fluid dispersion section preferably includes a flexible dispersion element, which is preferably made of a foam material, or can be a sponge-like material. The dispersion element may be made of an open cell foam material, or a closed cell foam material, or a foam material comprising partially open and partially closed cells. The dispersion element preferably surrounds the opening in the fluid dispersion section. The dispersion element can incorporate at least one dispersion channel. The channel or each channel The dispersion preferably has an open lower part and preferably extends from the opening towards an edge of the dispersion element. Preferably, the channel, or each channel ends before reaching an edge of the dispersion element. Preferably, a dispersion channel extends towards each vertex of the head section. Preferably, fluid storage includes a filler neck, which may have a closure secured thereto. Preferably, the closure may or may not be removable if it is intended that the applicator be disposable, or removable and replaceable if it is intended that the applicator be refillable. Preferably, the fluid applicator is a floor treatment fluid applicator, more preferably a floor polishing product applicator. The fluid applicator can be a cleaning fluid applicator, a disinfectant fluid applicator, and / or a disinfection fluid applicator. A horizontal distance from an anterior edge or vertex of the head section to a joint with the handle section may be provided by X. A vertical distance from a base of the fluid dispersion section to an upper part of the fluid storage can be provided by Y. Preferably, the ratio X: Y is greater than about 1.25, more preferably greater than about 1.35, more preferably greater than about 1.45. The distance X can have a value that depends on whether the path is a forward path or a backward path. Therefore, a distance X to a front leading edge may be different from a distance X to a rear leading edge, as in the example of a triangular head section. The head section may include a cover section, operable to be placed on the dispersion section. The cover section preferably includes location tabs to assist in location relative to the dispersion element. The cover section may include a wall section adapted to abut the opening in the dispersion section. The wall may have a ring configuration. The wall may define a cavity in the cover section, whose cavity is preferably below the supply section and may be operable to receive any drips or leaks of fluid from the fluid supply section. The head section may have a triangular shape, and may have curved vertices instead of triangles. The curved vertices can reduce, in a Convenient, wear compared to angular vertices. All the features described here can be combined with the previous aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES For a better understanding of the invention, and to show the manner in which modalities thereof can be carried out, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic figures wherein: Figure 1 is a view in schematic perspective of a head section of a first mode of polishing product applicator for floor; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the head section of the floor polishing product applicator shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic view from below of the floor polishing product applicator with a cover section removed; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of the floor polishing product applicator; and A floor polishing product applicator 10 comprises a body or head section 12 and a cover section 14.

The body section 12 has a triangular shape in plan view with a filling point 16 for a reservoir 18 of the body section 12. Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of polishing product applicator for floor. Figure 6 is a bottom view of the floor polishing product applicator with the core section removed and with configured channels. Figure 7 is a schematic front view of the hinge component and connector in approach. Figure 8 is a schematic side view of the hinge component and connector in approach. Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view from above of the hinge component and connector in approach. Figure 10 is a schematic profile view seen from above of the hinge component and connector in approach.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A ball pivot joint 20 is located centrally on the upper surface of the body section 12. The pivot joint 20 incorporates a sleeve internally threaded 22, where a correspondingly threaded pole handle 34 (see figure 4) of the common type supplied with polishing discs, etc. is received. The reservoir 18 communicates with a supply section 24 of the body section 12. The delivery section 24 incorporates a valve 26 through which the polishing product or the like which is in the reservoir 18 is supplied as described in FIG. continuation. The valve 26 can be of a known type, which is deflected by a spring to a closed position and where the application of pressure to the valve 26 causes the opening thereof. A sponge section of the applicator 28 is located below the reservoir 18. The sponge section 28 surrounds the valve 26, where the valve 26 is in a central opening in the sponge section of the applicator 28. The sponge section of the applicator 28 incorporates channel sections 30a, b, c (see figure 3) which allow the propagation of polishing material from the valve 26 to the edges of the sponge section of the applicator 28. The channels extend from a central opening in the sponge section of the applicator towards the vertices of the triangular body section 12. The channel sections 30 a, b, c can have any convenient profile for the propagation of Polishing material. Figure 3 shows 3 rectangular profile channels. In a further embodiment, it has been found that the propagation of polishing material is further enhanced if the channels have a wider profile at the point closest to the central opening in the sponge of the applicator. Said profile has the added advantage of reducing the narrowing of the channels caused by the swelling of the foam distribution material in saturation with the polishing material. A particular example of this is shown in Figure 6, where the channels 30 a, b, c have a wider curved profile at the center of the applicator device, tapering (narrowing) a rectangular profile at the apices of the device. The cover section 14 is arranged to fit over the sponge section of the applicator 28 and to engage, by means of a press fit action, the body section 12. The cover section 14 engages the side walls of the reservoir 18. The cover section 14 also includes sections of flanges or dividing walls 32 a / b which allow the location of the cover section 14 relative to the sponge section of the applicator 28 and also provide a seal against the atmosphere so that the sponge section of the applicator 28 prevents drying and hardening of the floor polishing material maintained in the sponge of the applicator 28. A wall section 32a surrounds the central opening in the sponge section of the applicator 28 which provides space for a valve 26. The peripheral wall sections 32b are provided as tabs to provide means for locating the section of cover 14, as mentioned above. In a particular embodiment, the cover section 14 is coupled, by a snap-fit action, to the body section 12 by means of an inter-coupling mechanism located on the partition walls 32 a / b of the cover section. and inter-engages, by means of a pressure-adjusting action, matching protuberances in the applicator concentrically located with the valve 26. An advantage of this mechanism is that it retains the cover section 14 more efficiently while, at the same time. time, it protects the valve opening 27 against being activated during transportation or storage of the applicator device. The body section 12 measures approximately 220mm across each side of the triangular shape. Tank 18 has a height of approximately 30mm and has a volume that provides space for approximately 500ml of polishing material. The cover section has a height of approximately 25mm. Therefore, the height of the polishing product applicator for floor 10, with the cover removed, it is approximately 55mm. Because the floor polishing product applicator 10 has a generally triangular shape and because the pivot joint 20 is centrally located within the body section 12 of the distance from the pivot joint 20 to the middle part of the body. one side of the body section is approximately 80mm, that is, for a forward travel. The distance from the middle part to one of the vertices, that is, for a backward travel, is approximately 100mm. The area presented by the sponge section of the applicator 28 to a surface to be cleaned is approximately 250cm2. The floor polishing product applicator is provided to end users with the reservoir 18 filled with a polishing material. The filling point 16 is not removable but remains permanently fixed to the tank 18 after filling of the tank 18 during manufacture. In use, the user would remove the cover section 14 of the floor polishing product applicator 10 to expose the sponge section of the applicator 28. A user would then place the applicator sponge 28 on a surface to be polished holding the section of the handle 34 as described above. He The user applies pressure to the handle and, therefore, to the polishing product applicator for floor 10, said pressure causes the valve 26 to contact the surface and push a valve seat 27 to an open position against a force of a valve element. spring 29. The opening of the valve 26 allows the polishing material held within the reservoir 18 to come down to the surface on which the polishing product applicator for floor 10 is located. The central opening within the sponge section of the applicator 28 forms an enclosure where the polishing material is received. The sponge section 28 is usually compressed 10 mm when pressure is applied. A user then moves the applicator 10 around the surface to be cleaned or polished. This causes the floor polishing material to be spread across the surface by the sponge section of the applicator 28. The channels 30a, b, c allow the floor polishing product to spread more rapidly and effectively through of the sponge section 28 to achieve good spreading of the polishing material. The spreading of the material through the sponge section 28 allows most of the surface area of the sponge section 28 to be used to apply the polishing material to the surface. When the applicator 10 is moved through the On the surface, it has been discovered that friction may occur between the surface and the applicator 10, causing greater difficulty in pushing the polishing product applicator for floor 10 across the surface. It is an embodiment of the invention incorporated in the floor polishing product applicators described herein that the friction between the surface and the movement of the floor polishing product applicator creates a moment around the anterior edge or anterior vertex of the applicator. When the polishing product applicator 10 is pushed forward, there will be a tendency for the body section of the applicator 12 to rotate about the anterior edge or apex. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram indicating this trend. In Figure 4, the leading edge of the applicator 10 is marked A. The pivot joint 20 is marked at B. It is assumed that a handle 34 is pushed from right to left, as shown in Figure 4, there will be a tendency for the pivot joint at the point marked B to rotate along the line marked C around point A. As mentioned above, the moment is approximately point A, but it results from the force exerted along the peanut. to 34. It has been conveniently observed that, by increasing the horizontal separation between the points marked A and B in Figure 4 and / or by reducing the vertical separation between the points marked A and B, then the rolling or rocking effect previously analyzed can be reduced. This effect of horizontal separation and vertical separation of points A and B can be combined in the horizontal separation ratio (X) to vertical separation (Y) of points A and B. A reduced winding effect is observed as it increases the X / Y ratio. Therefore, it is considered that a ratio of 1 continues to provide a pronounced roll / roll effect. However, a ratio of X to Y of 2 has a conveniently reduced winding. The ratio in the modality shown in Figures 1 to 3 is approximately 2.75. Therefore, it is considered that a ratio of X over Y greater than about 1.75 has a beneficial reduced coiling effect. When a vertex is carried further forward as the head section is moved along the surface, the measurement of X should be taken from the vertex to the joint. The rolling / tilting effect is also observed in a retracement path, in which case the measurement X would be taken as the horizontal distance between points B and D in figure 4. In other aspects, the relationship and the oscillating effect apply as described above . The ball joint 20 can besuitably hollowed out in the body section 12 to reduce the value of Y, where Y is measured from the point at which the handle 34 exerts pressure on the body section 12 to the bottom of the sponge section 28. When a user has spread sufficient polishing material on the surface, then the cover section 14 is replaced to maintain the quality of the sponge section 28, which would otherwise dry and harden. The hardening is usually caused by the evaporation of polishing material elements, said evaporation is avoided or significantly reduced by the cover section 14 having a press fit closure with the body section 12. Figure 5 shows a second mode of the floor polish product applicator. This modality has many characteristics in common with the first modality and similar reference numbers have been used for similar parts. The second embodiment differs mainly in the construction of the seal for the handle 34 and the construction of the valve 26. The seal comprises a base section in the form of a flattened ring 60 from which a cone 62 extends upwards. The cone 62 has a linear upper edge 64 that provides a linear hinge 66 in the form of a network connected to an inverted cone 68 having a corresponding linear edge. The inverted cone 68 opens outward towards the internally threaded sleeve 22. The hinge 66 allows the flexure of the sleeve 22 and the handle 34 relative to the body section 12. Relative bending is allowed in a forward and backward direction, while bending sideways is prevented. This hinge 66 has the benefit of low manufacturing and production costs compared to the ball joint 20 of the first embodiment. Also, it has been found that the joint is durable enough to allow the deposit 18 to be exhausted before it fails. It is not intended to fill the reservoir 18. Normally, three normal-sized rooms could be treated with a polishing product before the reservoir 18 is exhausted. The base section 60, the sponge section 28 and the valve 26 are secured in position. with adhesive. In the second embodiment, the valve 26 has a cylindrical collar 70 which extends towards the reservoir 18 and has at least one side opening 72. The valve seat 27 and the spring element 29 are different from the first embodiment in that the valve seat 27 extends further down towards a floor to be cleaned, so that less pressure is required on the sponge section 28 to cause valve actuation. The valve seat 27 is approximately 8mm long, but it will be appreciated that the length should coincide with the thickness of the sponge section 28, so that the compression thereof causes activation of the valve seat 27. It has been found that the shape, size and composition of the material of the linear hinge 66 influences the performance of the device in use, in particular with respect to its tilting tendency and level and ease of maneuverability. In a lateral direction, the hinge 66 is formed at the junction of the core 62 (which extends from the base section 60) and the cone 68 which is connected to the handle 34. This is shown in detail in FIGS. to 10. Although in this embodiment, the hinge 66 as shown is substantially linear, it may also have a slight curvature. The width "a" of the hinge is preferably between 10 and 50mm, more preferably between 15 and 35mm. In a preferred embodiment, the width is between 25 and 30mm. In an additional mode, the width is between 15 and 20mm. The thickness "b" of the hinge is preferably between 0.5 and 2. Omm, more preferably between 0.9 and 1.5mm, especially between 1.0 and 1.4mm. Usually this thickness results from the thickness of the mold used to form the complete seal component 70. It has been found that an additional benefit is conferred if the component 70 is subjected to one or more flexures immediately after forming and before complete hardening of the component. The component 70, and particularly the hinge 66, are preferably formed of a resilient plastic material, preferably a polyolefin, especially polypropylene. Different grades and types of polypropylene can be used for component 70. Three primary types of polypropylene commonly used are: • Homopolymer (isotactic) which is made in a simple reactor with propylene and catalyst. • Random copolymer (homophasic copolymer) which is made in a single reactor with a small amount of ethylene (< 5%) added which interferes with the crystallinity of the polymer. • Impact copolymer (heterophasic copolymer) which is made in a system of two reactors where the homopolymer matrix is made in the first reactor and then transferred to the second, where ethylene and propylene are polymerized to create ethylene-propylene rubber (EPR) in the shape of microscopic nodes scattered in the matrix phase of the Homopolymer TABLE 1 The reservoir 18 in both modalities of preference is made by a molding process by blown. The reservoir 18 can be made of any suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene, in particular high density polyethylene. The valve 26 is conveniently made of any plastic material, such as polyethylene. The handle and / or hinge can be made of any suitable plastic material, preferably polyethylene or polypropylene. The floor polish formulations that can be used with the device include products for polishing floors in aqueous acrylic styrene emulsion, cleaning compositions, polishing compositions, liquid coatings for glossy finishes, all the above should be free flowing liquids. By virtue of the foregoing, the tendency to roll up the height of the tank 18 has been reduced to a minimum and its lateral extension has been raised to the maximum to provide a broad slender deposit that provides a beneficial X and Y ratio as defined above. The invention has been described in relation to floor polishing product applicators. The invention could also be applied to a cleaning fluid applicator, or a generally fluid applicator. The fluid applicator could apply other protective coats, such as a varnish or paint. The attention is directed to all the papers and documents that are being presented in conjunction with, or prior to, this specification in connection with the present application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and whose content is incorporated in the present invention by reference. All the features described in the present specification (including any appended claims, summary and figures) and / or all steps of any method or process described, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of those characteristics and / or steps are mutually exclusive. Each characteristic described in this specification (including any attached claims, summaries and figures) may be replaced with alternative features that serve an equal, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stipulated otherwise. Therefore, unless expressly stipulated otherwise, each characteristic described is an example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. The invention is not restricted to the details of the above modalities. The invention extends to any novel detail, or any novel combination, of the features described in this invention. specification (including any appended claims, summary and figures), or at any novel step, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or procedure so described.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and, therefore, the content of the following is claimed as a priority: CLAIMS

1. - A fluid applicator comprising a head section and a handle section, wherein the head section incorporates an integral fluid storage, a fluid supply section and a fluid dispersion section, wherein the supply section of fluid operates to release fluid in the fluid dispersion section at the time of applying pressure, wherein the fluid dispersion section includes a collapsible dispersion element, the latter incorporating at least one dispersion channel.

2. The fluid applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that each dispersion channel has an open lower part.

3. The fluid applicator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each dispersion channel extends towards an edge or vertex of the dispersion element and ends before reaching said edge or vertex of the scattering element.

4. The fluid applicator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the storage of fluid extends over substantially the entire horizontal extension of the head section.

5. The fluid applicator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the head section is triangular in plan view.

6. The fluid applicator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle section is attached to the head section on an upper surface of the head section.

7. The fluid applicator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid supply section is located on a lower surface of the fluid storage.

8. - The fluid applicator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid supply section incorporates a fluid release valve diverted to a closed position, which operates to be opened by a downward pressure in the section of head

9. - The fluid applicator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid supply section operates to release fluid in an opening in the fluid dispersion section.

10. The fluid applicator according to claim 9, characterized in that the opening, in use, leads to a surface on which the fluid applicator is to be used.

11. The fluid applicator according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the dispersion element surrounds the opening in the fluid dispersion section.

12. The fluid applicator according to any of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that the dispersion channel extends from the opening towards an edge of the dispersion element.

13. The fluid applicator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fluid applicator is a floor treatment fluid applicator.

14. The fluid applicator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a horizontal distance from an anterior edge or vertex of the head section to a along with the handle section is provided by X, a vertical distance from a base of the fluid dispersion section to a top surface of the fluid storage is provided by Y and the ratio X: Y is greater than about 1.25.

15. The fluid applicator according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the head section includes a cover section, operable to be placed on the dispersion section.

16. The fluid applicator according to claim 15, characterized in that the cover section includes a wall section adapted to abut the opening in the dispersion section, wherein the wall defines a cavity in the cover section that operates to receive drops or leaks of fluid from the fluid dispersion section.

17. A fluid applicator substantially as described in the present invention with reference to the appended figures.