US3393963A - Liquid dispensing applicator insert - Google Patents

Description

July 23, 1968 NADA] 3,393,963

LIQUID DISPENSING APPLICATOR INSERT Filed Feb. 7, 1966 INVENTOR: FJ 4' ALEXANDER NADN,

HIS ATTOENEX United States Patent masses LIQUID DHSPENSING APPLICATOR INSERT Alexander Nadai, 3215 Arlington Ave, Bronx, N.Y. 10463 Filed Feb. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 525,709 Claims. (Cl. 401207) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE An applicator insertfor a container has several superposed elements, all arranged to pass liquid from the container, and differ from each other in the number of holes per area unit, and a screen stretched over the outermost element compressing it thereby.

The present invention relates to improvements of liquid dispensing applicator inserts suitable to close the opening of a container or bottle containing a liquid to be applied and, upon the application of pressure, permitting the liquid to seep through the applicator to the outside and onto the surface to be treated.

The invention relates more particularly to improvements of applicators of the type disclosed in my Patents Nos. 2,853,727 and 2,853,728.

The applicators to which the invention relates have a structural body member adapted to be pushed into the opening of the neck of a container or slipped thereover for closing the opening. The body member has an aperture and clamping means for holding porous flexible dispenser means acting as a sponge adjacent said aperture and contacting the surface to be treated when the applicator is in use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure of the general type set forth above, parts of which are resilient though sufficiently rigid to spring back to the normal shape after use, and durable even under very trying operating conditions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an applicator of the type generally set forth above wherein the means contacting the surface to be treated is so constructed as to provide a minimum of sliding resistance and a maximum resistance to wear and to afford convenient rubbing of the liquid onto the surface to be treated.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of an applicator of the type generally described above wherein said means contacting the surface to be treated includes means for initially compressing the porous means and reducing the size of the pores thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an applicator generally set forth above wherein said means contacting the surface to be treated includes means acting as a filter.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said means contacting the surface to be treated forms a membranelike element over the outside of which a nylon weave is stretched which contacts the surface to be treated when the applicator is in use.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an applicator of the type described which lays down on the skin to which it is applied a film that is so thin that it dries instantly.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination of various devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof, certain embodiments of the same being illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the specification.

Patents Nos. 2,853,727 and 2,853,728 disclose dispenserapplicators having flexible porous means made of syn- 3,393,963 Patented July 23, 1968 thetic material known commercially under the trade name Neoprene. This material is not inert with respect to certain chemicals contained in liquids for the application of which the applicator is used, for example body deodorants. Foam made of neoprene, when in contact with commercial body deodorants, sometimes develops an undesired odor. No objectionable reactions have been observed when using materials known commercially under the trade names polyether and polyester. The pores of plastic foam made of polyether or polyester are of a size which is suitable for an insert element acting as a sponge inside the applicator and in direct contact with the liquid in the container closed by the applicator. The pores, however, may be too large if plastic foam made of polyether or polyester is used for a part of the porous flexible dispenser means which receives the liquid from said insert element and conveys the liquid to the outside and to the surface to be treated. In the applicator according to the present invention means are provided for initially compressing said part and thereby reducing the pore size thereof. In this way this part serves as a filter which permits only a controlled and limited rate of fllow of liquid to the outside.

The applicators disclosed in the aforesaid patents have sometimes been found to be too soft and too yielding to produce the desired limited wetting effect. The applicators according to the present invention overcome this deficiency of known applicators by providing a diaphragmlike reinforcement which resists the pressure exerted by the person using the applicator on the porous means contacting the surface to be treated and prevents excessive movement of the porous and flexible elements of the applicator. This reinforcement is preferably made of materials known commercially under the trade names polyethylene, polypropylene and vinyl. A diaphragm made of these materials can be bent a great number of times without cracking. The aforesaid materials do not chemically react with the liquids for which the applicators are used, for example body deodorants.

The use of foam, particularly as pointed out below in one of the modifications of two foams of different porosity, offers the advantage of providing the desideratum of large capillary action for easy flow of the liquid applied, while counteracting the attendant disadvantage of excess flow by means of compressing the foam thereby reducing at will the size of the foam cells releasably.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, and addi tional objects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of embodiments thereof when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a portion of a bottle containing an applicator insert according to the invention, the bottle being shown in inverted position;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the upper portion of a bottle containing the applicator and having a closure cap attached thereto, the closure cap being shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified applicator according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further modification of an applicator according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another modification of an applicator according to the invention.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the numeral 1 designates a body member having a depending portion 2 tightly fitting the neck of a bottle or container 20 for the liquid 21 to be: applied. The body member 1 has an inner holding or clamping means 3 retaining an inlay 4 which rests on top of a transverse wall 5 of the member 1 closing the top of the portion 2. The inlay 4 is preferably made of plastic foam, for example, of polyether or polyester. Neoprene is not desirable because of its chemical incompatibility, for example, with deodorant which may be dispensed through the applicator. The wall 5 has an aperture 5 through which liquid flows by capillary action and/or pumping into the pores of the inlay 4. The clamping means 3 is formed of an annular rib and provides an air-tight and liquid-tight seal around the circumference of the disc or inlay 4.

The member 1 has an outer holding or clamping means 6 acting on the marginal portion of means contacting the surface to be treated. The last mentioned means comprise a membrane element 7 preferably made of plastic foam, for example, of polyether or polyester and resting on a relatively stiff though resiliently yielding reinforcing diaphragm member or dome 8 provided with perforations 9 and preferably made of polyethylene, polypropylene or vinyl. Over the outside of the element 7 a screen it for example made of a nylon weave is stretched for pressing the element 7 against the dome 8 and initially compressing the element 7. The screen 10 protects the plastic foam element 7 against abrasion, acts as a filter and reduces the size of the pores of the plastic foam element 7 so that, when the applicator is at rest, no or very little liquid escapes therethrough.

The diaphragm 8 is rigid enough for normally pressing the membrane 7 outwardly, though weak enough to yield resiliently when the applicator is manually applied to the skin; so that there can take place a pumping action by the membrane 7 relative to the inlay 4, to force the liquid 21 out of the container 20 and through the inlay 4, the diaphragm 8, the membrane 7 and the screen 10 onto the skin to which the applicator is being applied. The rigid diaphragm-like dome 8 permits enough movement of the membrane element 7 to promote the dispensing action of the applicator, and yet prevents excessive inward movement.

The clamping means 6 is formed by an annular flange and forms a seal around the circumference of the disc or membrane 7. The annular marginal portions of the diaphragm-like element 8, of the screen 10, and of the plastic foam therebetween are all grasped by the clamping means 6 and swaged into an annular space formed between the clamping means 3 and 6. The insert body 1 is thus sealed against leakage of the liquid therethrough with the exception of the controlled liquid which will penetrate the porous bodies of the inlay or disc 4 and of the membrane or disc 7 for selective application of liquid to the surface to be treated.

The element 8 has a convex or dome-like configuration and causes the membrane-like element 7 to assume a convex shape, providing an air space 22 between the diaphragm s and the upper surface of the inlay 4.

The bottle 20 has a threaded neck 23 and is intended to hold a quantity of liquid 21 to be dispensed, for example a liquid deodorant, Cologne, shaving lotion, or the like. The depending tubular portion 2 of the insert body 1 is sized to be press-fit within the neck of the bottle 20, a projecting shoulder 24 overlying the mouth of the bottle. The lower end portion of the depending tubular insert portion 2 is molded with a downwardly-decreasing diameter and is made of lesser thickness than the remainder of the insert body so as to have an increased flexibility. This shaping and dimensioning of the lower portion facilitates the ready insertion of the tubular insert portion 2 within the bottle neck. The remainder of the tubular insert portion 2 has a suflicient diameter to fit tightly within the bottle neck, once inserted so that it may be only forcibly removed.

In the use of the applicator, the bottle 20 is initially tilted and the outer porous disc or membrane 7 pressed against the surface to which the liquid is to be applied. Such pressure of the membrane 7 against the surface causes the flexible membrane 7 and the diaphragm 8 to bend inwardly until the latter is pressed against the inlay 4. Liquid is thereby squeezed from the latter, which liquid is absorbed in, and passes through the disc 7 to the outer surface thereof, from whence it is applied to the surface to be treated. As the outer disc or membrane 7 is pressed against the surface, it is also drawn along the surface in a rubbing or wiping stroke, so that the liquid transferred to the membrane 7 is distributed in a fine film or layer.

In application of the liquid, the bottle 20 is normally held in an inclined or inverted position so that the liquid 21 therein is in contact with the transverse wall 5 and its opening 5'. In applying the wiping application strokes to the surface, the outer disc or membrane 7 alternately compresses the inner disc or membrane 4 and returns to its position spaced from the inlay 4, performing a pumping action, and drawing liquid through the opening 5 to maintain the inner disc or inlay 4 in a saturated or partially saturated condition. The liquid is thus distributed in an extremely controlled manner, since no more liquid can pass through the outer disc or membrane 7 than can be absorbed and held by the saturated inner disc or inlay 4.

The bottle 20 is provided with a closure cap 25, shown in FIG. 2, having internal threading 26 for attachment to the externally threaded bottle neck 23. The inner surface of the cap top wall is provided with a central concavity 27 bordered by a shoulder 28. When the cap 25 is screwed to its mounted position, the outer disc or membrane 7 and its covering 10 are contained within the concavity 27, while the shoulder 28 makes firm contact with the top surface of the insert forming the clamping means 6 and thereby provides an air-tight seal around the membrane 7. After use, the applicator may thus be tightly sealed by insertion of the cap 25, and the membrane 7 and inlay 4 will remain moist and ready for the next application.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, the dome 8 of FIG. 1 is replaced by a perforated diaphragm 11 held in place by the inner clamping means 3 and adjacent to the inlay 4'. The membrane element 7 of FIG. 3 is provided with a bulge 12 contacting the diaphragm 11.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the element 11 shown in FIG. 3 is omitted and the bulge 12" of the membrane 7" as compared to FIG. 3 is enlarged and makes contact with the top surface of an inlay 4" which surface has a concave configuration.

The inlay 4" in this modification, however, has different pore sizes than the membrane 7". In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the pores of the inlay 4" are of smaller size than the pores of the membrane 7". The reason for this difference in pore sizes assigned to the inlay 4" and the membrane 7", respectively, is to facilitate the flowing of the liquid. The selection of pore size relations between the inlay 4 and the membrane 7" will be made in accordance with the particular liquid employed, to accommodate for the different surface tension and viscosity of the various liquids used. For instance, for high surface tension liquids, the pores of the inlay 4" will need to be comparably small, while for liquids of lower surface tension the pores may be larger. The pores of the membrane 7" will be larger in both instances, because due to the aforesaid pumping action the cells of the foam will periodically be reduced by compression and subsequently be permitted to expand creating a suction action.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the inlay is omitted and the wall 5 shown in FIG. I is provided with a concave surface 13 whereon rests the membrane-like element 7" which is provided with a bulge 12".

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to be secured by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. An applicator insert, for use in applying a liquid to the skin, adapted to be connected to a container holding said liquid and having a neck, said insert comprising a body member including a depending portion fitting said neck, a plurality of apertured superposed elements supported from said body member and each being operable to pass said liquid, at least one of said elements being composed of plastic foam resilient to compression action and being vaulted outwardly, each of said elements differing from all of the other elements in the number of apertures per area unit, and a flexible screen stretched over said one element sufiiciently tightly for pressing said element inwardly thereby initially compressing said one element and reducing the :pore size thereof.

2. An applicator insert as defined in claim 1, wherein said one element has an inwardly directed bulge.

3. An applicator insert according to claim 2, wherein another of said elements forms a rigid transverse wall that has an outwardly concave surface facing, and receiving, said bulge.

4. An applicator insert as defined in claim 1, wherein another of said elements comprises an inlay of porous foam having an outwardly concave outside surface, said one element being made of porous plastic foam having a bulge received in the concavity formed by said concave outside surface, said elements differing from each other in pore size.

5. An applicator insert as defined in claim 1, wherein at least said one element is composed of plastic foam material of the group consisting of polyether and polyester.

6. An applicator insert according to claim 1, wherein said one element is the outermost of the superposed elements and has an outside surface, said screen being adjacent said outside surface.

7. An applicator insert as defined in claim 6, one of said elements comprising a perforated diaphragm-like reinforcement disposed inwardly of the outermost element and being operable for taking up the application pressure exerted between said outermost element and the skin.

8. An applicator insert according to claim 7, another of said elements comprising an inlay formed of plastic foam and being placed inwardly of said reinforcement.

9. An applicator insert according to claim 7, wherein said reinforcement element is made of a material taken from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, and vinyl.

10. An applicator insert according to claim 7, wherein the innermost of the superposed elements forms a rigid transverse wall, said outermost element having an outside surface and an opposite inside surface, said screen being adjacent said outside surface, said reinforcement being adjacent said inside surface, and another of said elements comprising an inlay formed of plastic foam and being disposed between said reinforcement and said wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,933,893 11/1933 Clark 15565 2,853,727 9/1958 Nadi 15--565 2,853,728 9/1958 Nadi 15565 3,133,309 5/1964 Miles 15565 3,266,079 8/1966 Schwartzman 15-569 FOREIGN PATENTS 974,444 12/ 1960 Germany.

996,846 6/ 1965 Great Britain.

213,755 3/ 1941 Switzerland.

EDWARD L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner.

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