WO2009144177A2

WO2009144177A2 - Flow through applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2009144177A2
Application number: PCT/EP2009/056255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Liam O'dwyer; Bob Lambert; Patrick Kealy
Original assignee: Loctite (R&D) Limited
Priority date: 2008-05-30
Filing date: 2009-05-22
Publication date: 2009-12-03
Also published as: WO2009144177A3

Abstract

A cap for applying a flowable product to a substrate. The cap includes an applicator having a reservoir for holding a flowable product. The cap can be manually actuated to dispense flowable product to a substrate. The cap is selectively engaged to a container holding flowable product.

Description

FLOW THROUGH APPLICATOR

Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an applicator for applying a flowable product to a substrate. More particularly the disclosure relates to a cap including an applicator that can be manually actuated to dispense flowable product to a substrate. Of particular interest are flowable products comprising cyanoacrylate (CA) materials. The disclosure also relates to a cap comprising an applicator and closure combination and container closed by that cap.

Brief Description of Related Technology

[0002] Many applicators are known. For example US Patent Publication No. 2003/0034322 (Doherty et al.) describes a number of applicators and containers for curable products.

[0003] One of the issues that arise, particularly with curable products, is the problem of contamination. Contamination generally occurs when the application requires use of more flowable product then the applicator element can hold at one time. In these applications the applicator will be "double" dipped, e.g. dipped into the flowable product container a number of times, each time to lift more product for successive applications of the flowable product to the desired substrate. The desired amount of flowable product is thus achieved by repeated applications. Each time the applicator is employed to apply the material to the substrate there is a chance of contamination, for example from dust, other particulate matter, and moisture or in the case of curable products, fully or partially cured material being returned into the container. Since the applicator is generally held immersed within the container the effect of the contamination can continue after the container is closed. While the amount of contamination may be relatively small, it may be sufficient to cure the contents of the container, thereby rendering the flowable product in the container unusable over time. For example, a contaminated curable product may slowly cure over a number of days or weeks. This has been a source of dissatisfaction by users for many years.

[0004] Furthermore, during repeated dipping the applicator can collect a build-up of material. The build-up can make it difficult to re-insert or withdraw the applicator from its container, for example from the neck of a bottle. Again this is undesirable from a user's perspective.

Summary

[0005] Briefly, in one embodiment the present disclosure relates to an applicator for a flowable product, the applicator having:

(a) a stem with an upper end and a lower end,

(b) an applicator element comprising a flow-through brush on the lower end,

(c) a compressible reservoir at the upper end, and

(d) a conduit defined in the stem for communication of flowable product between the applicator element and the reservoir.

The flowable product is dispensable through the applicator element for application to a substrate by the brush.

[0006] The applicator reservoir can hold substantially more flowable product than the applicator element alone. As the applicator element runs dry and further product is required it can be dispensed from the reservoir through the stem and onto the applicator element by the user as required. This is simply done by utilizing finger pressure on the reservoir. Thus, this applicator allows for repeated application of flowable product to a substrate by the applicator element without the necessity to repeatedly dip the brush back into a container holding flowable product. In this way, contamination of the container and its contents is less likely to occur and there is less likely to be premature curing of the flowable product. Accordingly, storage time of the flowable product is enhanced and reuse of the flowable material is possible even after a substantial period (e.g. days or weeks or months) between uses thereof.

[0007] The applicator may form part of a closure for a container for example it may be carried on a cap for the container. In this embodiment the cap/applicator may form an assembly which is removed from the container during use. The cap is used to hold the applicator while the applicator element is employed to dispense the product. In one variation the reservoir is substantially disposed within the closure for the container. The closure thus protects the reservoir. To allow for manual dispensing, for example by a user's finger pressure, the closure may be provided with a least one aperture which allows a user's fingers to exert pressure on the reservoir for siphoning up or dispensing of the product. A pressure applying element may optionally be provided within an aperture for applying pressure to the reservoir. In one variation the pressure-applying element is a pane of flexible material. This provides a simple construction, which allows the user to exert pressure on the reservoir through at least part of the aperture.

[0008] In an embodiment the closure is constructed so as to accommodate an already formed reservoir. For example, the already formed reservoir can be placed in an open closure that is than closed about the reservoir. This provides an applicator/closure assembly having a simple construction. In a variation the reservoir and the stem are integrally formed.

[0009] The applicator element may be formed with a brush head comprising an aperture and a plurality of spaced apart filaments. The aperture is in fluid communication with the conduit and can dispense product to a substrate.

[0010] Optionally the filaments are integrally formed with the brush head. Desirably the filaments are natural or synthetic materials.

[0011] In another aspect the disclosure relates to an assembly comprising:

(a) a container for a flowable product,

(b) flowable product held within the container; and

(c) an applicator for a flowable product, the applicator having: (i) a stem with an upper end and a lower end,

(ii) an applicator element fluidly connected to the lower end, (iii) a compressible reservoir fluidly connected to the upper end, and (iv) an internal conduit defined within the stem for communication of flowable product between the applicator element and the reservoir.

The flowable product is dispensable through the conduit for application by the applicator element

[0012] The present applicator has great utility in the field of flowable products. In particular the present applicator may be employed in the field of consumer flowable products such as adhesives. The present applicator is particularly suited to use with adhesives such as cyanoacrylates in particular 2-cyanoacrylates. [0013] In a further aspect the applicator as described above is fitted to a container where the stem extends into the container and the reservoir is substantially external to the container.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014] Fig. 1 shows a side sectional view of an embodiment of an applicator for a flowable product with a stem, an applicator element and a compressible reservoir.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a plan view of a hinged closure to which the applicator of Fig. 1 can be attached.

[0016] Fig. 3 is a side view of the applicator element of Fig. 1 within the hinged closure of Fig 2.

[0017] Fig. 4 is a side view, partly in phantom, of the applicator and closure assembly fitted to a container where the stem extends into the container body and the reservoir is disposed within the closure.

[0018] Fig. 5 is a view through section A-A of figure 1 showing the applicator element at the base of the stem.

Detailed Description

[0019] An embodiment of an applicator assembly will be described with reference to accompanying Figures 1 -5. These figures show an applicator 10 suitable for the application of a flowable product to a substrate. The applicator 10 may be used with any type of flowable product for example liquids or gels. In a preferred embodiment the applicator is used with a cyanoacrylate type adhesive material.

[0020] Fig.1 shows the applicator 10 comprises an elongated stem 12 having opposing upper 14 and lower 16 ends. It should be understood that the terms upper and lower are used for convenience and clarity only. An applicator element 18 is connected to the stem lower end 16. A reservoir 22 is connected to the upper end 14. An internal conduit 24 is defined within the stem 12 and fluidly connects the applicator element 18 to the reservoir 22 for the movement of flowable product between the applicator element 18 and the reservoir 22. [0021] As best shown in Figure 5 the applicator element 18 in this embodiment comprises a head 32 defining at least one aperture 34 through the head 32 and in fluid communication with the internal conduit 24. The aperture 34 enables flowable product to be dispensed onto the substrate. In advantageous variations the head 32 also comprises a plurality of filaments, each 36, extending outwardly therefrom. In other variations the head 32 can comprise additional apertures therethrough in fluid communication with the internal conduit 24 and/or a porous material such as foam extending outwardly therefrom and in fluid communication with the internal conduit 24. [0022] The reservoir 22 is advantageously made from a flexible material. When pressure is applied to the flexible material of the reservoir 22, for example by a user's fingers, the reservoir can dispense flowable product contained in the reservoir 22 down the conduit 24 in the stem 12 and through the aperture 34 in the head 32. When pressure on the reservoir 22 is released the reservoir 22 expands and can draw flowable product from a container 42 through the head aperture 34, up the conduit 24 and into the reservoir 22 therein.

[0023] In an embodiment the applicator 10 and a closure 44 form a cap 46 useful to seal a container 42. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the closure 44 comprises two sides 48, 50. Each side 48, 50 is a vertical section of a truncated cone. Naturally, other configurations can be used for the sides. Each side 48, 50 includes opposing edges 52, 54 and a base portion 56. Each base portion 56 includes engaging formations 58. One or both sides 48, 50 include shoulders 59. The closure 44 is typically stiff enough so that pressure from a user's fingers will not flex the closure 44 sufficiently to compress the reservoir 22.

[0024] The container 42 can have a neck 60, which forms a conduit from the bottle body 62 and through which the stem 12 of the applicator 10 may be inserted. A shoulder portion 64 can connect the neck 60 to the container body 62. The container includes engaging formations 65 for selectively and removably inter-engaging with cooperating engaging formations 58 on the cap 46. Advantageously the engaging formations 58, 65 are screw threads, although any other method of selectively and removably fastening or attaching the cap 46 to the container 42 can be used. [0025] The applicator 10, and in particular the reservoir 22, is disposable between the two sides 48, 50 as shown in Fig. 3. The sides 48, 50 are closed about the reservoir 22 forming the cap 46. The shoulders 59 limit movement of the applicator 10 within the cap. This allows an applicator 10 having a preformed reservoir 22 to be accommodated within the cap 46. The shown embodiment has a hinge 66 flexibly joining adjacent edges 54, 52 of the sides 48, 50. The free edges 52, 54 are fastened together, for example by a fastener 68, welding, bonding, etc. In other variations the sides 48, 50 are separated and each edge 52, 54 of one side 48 is fastened to each edge 54, 52 of the other side 50 to hold the sides 48, 50 together.

[0026] With reference to Figure 2 at least one side 48, 50 defines a window or aperture 70. If desired a membrane or pane of flexible material 72 [see figure 3] can be used to seal the window 70. Advantageous materials for the flexible pane 72 include polyethylene and polypropylene.

[0027] Fig. 4 shows an assembly comprising a container 42 for a flowable product 74 inter-engaged to a cap 46 formed from an applicator 10 and a closure 44. The flowable product 74 is held within the container 42, which can be filled to the fill level 76. [0028] This assembly has a stem 12 with an upper end 14 and a lower end 16. Connected to the upper end 14 is the compressible reservoir 22. Connected to the lower end 16 is an applicator element 18, which comprises a head 32 including filaments 36 and an aperture 34 therein. The head 32, stem 12 and internal conduit 24 extend into the container body 62 so that flowable product 74 can move between the container 42 or head 32 and the reservoir 22. The reservoir 22 is held within the fastened closure sides 48, 50. The closure 44 has at least one aperture 70 to allow a user to exert pressure on the reservoir 22 and draw product 74 into the reservoir 22 or dispense product 74 from the reservoir 22. The applicator 10 may form part of the cap 46 for the container 42. The applicator 10 may thus be carried on the cap in order that when the applicator 10 is removed from the container the cap can be used to hold the applicator while dispensing the product. The upper end 14 can be shaped to act as a stopper in the container conduit 42 to seal the product 74 in the container 42 from the external environment. [0029] The disclosed components can be manufactured from any material or combination of materials having desirable mechanical properties and resistance to the flowable product. Some advantageous materials include metal, glass, fluoropolymers, polyolefins such as polyethylene, for example HDPE (high-density polyethylene), MDPE (medium-density polyethylene), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), LLDPE (linear low- density polyethylene) and polypropylene, and nylon. Blends of polyolefin materials may also be used. Nylons generally and some grades of polypropylene may not be sufficiently chemically resistant to cyanoacrylate products and polyethylene, for example high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) or combinations thereof are desirable in cyanoacrylate contact applications. For products sensitive to atmospheric conditions, such as moisture sensitive flowable products, the material from which the components are formed must provide a sufficient barrier to atmospheric conditions passing through the container. The flexible membrane 72 may not be exposed directly to the flowable product so that chemical resistance of the membrane to the flowable material is less of a concern.

[0030] A user unscrews the cap 46 from container 42 and presses on membrane 72 to compress the reservoir 22 to expel any contents therein. When the user releases pressure on the membrane 72, the reservoir 22 expands and creates a vacuum in the reservoir 22 which draws flowable product 74 from the container 42 through the head aperture 34 and internal conduit 24 into the reservoir 22. After removal of the cap 46 from the container 42 the user can use the head 32 and filaments 36 to apply flowable product 74 to a substrate. As the flowable product 74 on the head 32 is used up a light pressure on the membrane 72 will slightly compress the reservoir 22 and force flowable product 74 therein through the conduit 24 and head aperture 34 to replenish the head 32. The large (as compared to head alone) capacity of flowable product in the reservoir 22 minimizes repeated dipping of the head 32 in the container 42 and chances for contamination of the product 74 in the container 42.

[0031] The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having/including" when used herein with reference to the present disclosure are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. [0032] It is appreciated that certain features of the disclosure, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosure, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Claims

1. An applicator for a flowable product, the applicator having: (i) an elongated stem with an upper end and a lower end,

(ii) an applicator element comprising a flow-through brush head on the lower end,

(iii) a compressible reservoir at the upper end, and

(iv) a conduit defined in the stem for communication of the flowable product between the brush and the reservoir, wherein the flowable product is selectively dispensable from the conduit through the flow-through brush for application by the brush.

2. An applicator according to Claim 1 wherein the applicator is permanently fastened to a closure for a container.

3. An applicator according to Claim 1 wherein the reservoir is substantially disposed within a cap for a container.

4. An applicator according to Claim 1 wherein the reservoir is substantially enclosed within a cap for a container and the cap defines at least one aperture which allows a user to exert manual pressure on the reservoir.

5. An applicator according to Claim 1 wherein the reservoir is substantially enclosed within a manually incompressible cap for a container, the cap defines at least one aperture sealed by a pressure applying element, the pressure applying element allowing a user to exert manual pressure on the reservoir.

6. An applicator according to Claim 5 wherein the pressure applying element is a pane of flexible material.

7. An applicator according to Claim 1 wherein the reservoir and the stem are integrally formed as a single part.

8. An applicator according to Claim 1 wherein the flow-through brush comprises a plurality of filaments extending therefrom and defines an aperture fluidly connected to the internal conduit.

9. The applicator according to claim 1 comprising at least one material selected from metal, glass, fluoropolymer, polyolefin and nylon.

10. An assembly for containing and dispensing a flowable product, comprising:

(a) a container defining an open end,

(b) flowable product held within the container; and

(c) a cap removably fastened to the container, the cap including an applicator for the flowable product, the applicator including: an elongated stem with an upper end and a lower end disposed in the flowable product, an applicator element comprising a head on the lower end, a compressible reservoir on the upper end, and a conduit defined in the stem for communication of the flowable product between the container and the reservoir, wherein the flowable product is selectively dispensable from the conduit through the head for application by the head.

11. An assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the stem upper end or the reservoir include a diametrically expanded portion engageable with the container open end to seal the container from the external environment.

12. An assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the cap comprises a closure formed of a plurality of inter-engaged sections.

13. An assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the cap comprises a closure formed of a plurality of hinged sections, at least one section defining an aperture therethrough.

14. An assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the reservoir is substantially enclosed within the cap and a side of the cap defines at least one aperture allowing a user to exert manual pressure on the reservoir.

15. An assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the cap is a truncated cone formed from a plurality of hinged sections and the reservoir is disposed within the cap.

16. An assembly according to Claim 10 wherein the head comprises a porous pad.

17. An applicator cap for a flowable product, comprising: an elongated stem with an upper end and a lower end, the stem defining an internal conduit extending between the upper and lower ends; an applicator element comprising a head connected to the stem adjacent the lower end, the head defining at least one aperture therethrough in fluid communication with the conduit; a manually compressible reservoir connected adjacent the upper end, the reservoir in fluid communication with the conduit; a manually incompressible closure substantially surrounding the reservoir, the closure defining an aperture adjacent the reservoir, the closure terminating at a base portion disposed intermediate the reservoir and the lower end, the base portion including an engagement formation inter-engageable with an engagement formation on a container to removably secure the cap to the container.

18. The applicator cap of Claim 17 wherein the reservoir defines a diametrically expanded portion for sealing engagement with a conduit in the container.

19. The applicator cap of Claim 17 comprising a flexible membrane sealing the closure aperture.

20. The applicator cap of Claim 17 wherein the closure comprises a plurality of fastened curved sections.