MXPA00002264A - Lubricant dispenser - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator device (10) is provided for a fluent coating composition, the device having walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for the fluent coating composition (16), preferably a lubricant composition, the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18), the device having a holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member, preferably a tampon, requiring to be coated with the fluent coating composition (16), the holder being fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the holder (20) being provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (16), to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder (20), the device having feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30) sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12), and a cup shaped closure end-cap (40) which is providedto snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the fluent coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) from the outside. By action of the plunger the coating composition is forced through the holes (22) into the holder thereby allowing coating of the elongate member by the composition.

Description

LUBRICANT DISPENSER FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a disposable applicator device for a fluid coating composition. More particularly, the invention relates to lubricant dispensers for tampons, which may be a tampon intended for the absorption of menstrual flow, or an absorbent tampon intended for some other medical use, for example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The tampons used are generally made of highly absorbent materials, such as sterilized cotton fiber, or other highly absorbent fibers. In medical use, tampons are mainly used for the absorption of blood and body fluids after the operation or after healing. However, tampons are widely used for the absorption of normal menstrual discharge, in other words, as sanitary protection. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device that allows the lubricant to be discreetly carried around a bag or pocket and can be applied to a tampon without fouling the user's hands. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lubricating device that allows a thin layer of lubricant to be applied uniformly to the surface of the tampon.

These objects are satisfied by the device described hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention encompasses an applicator device (10) having: - walls (12) defining a tank in the form of a cylinder (14) for a fluid coating composition (16), the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening ( 18), - a retainer, in the form of a cup (20) defining a chamber (23) which is formed and sized to receive at least part of an elongated member that requires it to be coated with the fluid coating composition ( 16), with the retainer tightly fitted in the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the retainer (20) being provided with a plurality of evenly spaced openings (22) to allow the coating composition (16) , is fed from the reservoir (14) towards the retainer (20), - feeding means in the form of a displaceable piston (20) provided inside the reservoir (14), the piston being calibrated and sized to fit closely with the internal surface of the s walls (12) and, - a cup-shaped closure end cap (40) which is provided to closely fit over a region of reduced diameter (13) of the walls (12), thus effectively sealing the fluid coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) of the exterior.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention is now described, by way of the non-limiting example, with reference to the following diagrammatic drawings, in which Figure 1 shows, in axial cross-section, a disposable applicator device, generally according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the applicator device taken at ll-ll in Figure 1. In the drawings, the reference number (10) generally indicates a disposable applicator device for a fluid coating composition, generally of according to the invention. The applying device (10) has walls (12) defining a cylinder-shaped reservoir (14) for a fluid coating composition (16), preferably a coating composition, in the form of a mineral oil jelly lubricant, the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18). A foraminous retainer, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) that is formed and sized to receive at least part of an elongate member, such as a tampon (25) (part of which is shown by dotted lines) that need to be coated with the fluid coating composition (16) such as a lubricant composition, is fitted snugly in the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14). The feeding means in the form of a displaceable piston (30), which has driving means is provided inside the tank (14), the piston (30) being calibrated and sized to fit snugly with the inner surface of the walls (12) The drive means is in the form of a threaded rotary shaft (32) connected to a knurled rotary knob (34). The shaft (32) is threadably coupled with the plunger (30), in the manner of the lipstick dispenser. The plunger (30) is able to move inside the cylinder by rotating the knob (34) and the shaft (32), thereby increasing and decreasing the volume (36) of the reservoir (14) between the plunger (30) and the retainer (20) which is inserted inside the tank (14). The retainer (20) is provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) to allow the coating composition (16), eg, a lubricant composition, to be fed from the reservoir (14) to the retainer (20). A ring (42) is defined between the cylinder (14) and the retainer (20). The coating composition (16), preferably a lubricating composition, is fed to the ring (42) by the action of the plunger (39) which is urged towards the retainer (20) and increases the pressure of the composition in the ring (42). ), thus forcing the composition through the holes (22) in the retainer (20). In use, an elongated member (25), preferably a tampon, is inserted into the retainer (20) through the opening (24). The knob (34) is rotated to move the plunger (30) towards the retainer (20). This effectively decreases the volume of the reservoir which causes the coating composition, preferably the lubricant composition, to flow through the openings (22) and over the elongated member (25). In order to achieve a uniform distribution of the coating composition, typically a lubricant composition, on that portion of the elongated member (25), typically a tampon, placed in the retainer (20), the tampon is twisted relative to the applicator device ( 10). The buffer (25) can then be removed from the applicator device and used in a conventional manner. A cup-shaped closure end cap (40) is provided to fit snugly over a region of reduced diameter (13) of the walls (12), thus effectively sealing the coating composition (16), typically the lubricant composition, in the applicator (10) from the outside. In one embodiment the applicator device is made of a plastic material such as PVC. The walls of the tank (14) and the retainer (20) can be gripped or glued together or the tank (14) and the retainer (20) can be of unitary construction.

Claims (5)

1. An applicator device (10) having: - walls (12) defining a tank in the form of a cylinder (14) for a fluid coating composition (16), the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18), - a retainer, in the form of a cup (20) defining a chamber (23) which is formed and sized to receive at least part of an elongate member which requires it to be coated with the fluid coating composition (16), the retainer tightly fitted in the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the retainer (20) being provided with a plurality of evenly spaced openings (22) to allow the coating composition (16) to be fed from the reservoir (14) towards the retainer (20), - feeding means in the form of a displaceable piston (20) provided inside the reservoir (14), the piston being calibrated and dimensioned to fit closely with the internal surface of the walls ( 12) and, - a lid of cup-shaped closure end (40) which is provided to closely fit over a region of reduced diameter (13) of the walls (12), thus effectively sealing the fluid coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) from the outside.

An applicator device (10) according to claim 1, wherein the plunger has a driving means typically in the form of a threaded rotating shaft (32) connected to a knurled rotary knob (34), the shaft being (32) threadably coupled with the plunger (30).

3. An applicator device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the elongate member is a tampon.

4. An applicator device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the coating composition is a lubricant composition. An applicator device (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the walls of the reservoir (14) and the retainer (20) are clamped or glued together or the reservoir (14) and the retainer (20) are of a unitary construction.