Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-06
2001-09-18
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
C401S007000, C401S127000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06290418
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to containers for dispensing viscous, solid and semi-solid agents and, more specifically, to an improved lid and method for dispensing such agents from a container.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A variety of containers are known in the art for dispensing viscous agents of various kinds. These agents include waxes, pastes, polishes, greases, and the like. For example, people who are concerned with the appearance of their shoes often wish to use a paste-type wax as opposed to liquid polishes. The paste-type polish or wax usually comes within a small can or bottle with a lid. Even if a polish cloth is used to dab the polish from the container and apply it to the shoe, the polish often contacts the user's hand and is difficult to remove and is messy.
Other types of containers are used to dispense, for example, grease such as is used to pack the wheel bearing of an automobile, “VASELINE”, or other medicinal agents which exist in the viscous or semi-solid state. In each case, it is generally necessary for the user to either use a glove, rag, or accessory brush with the end result being that the user's hand often contacts the composition, even if care is exercised.
A need exists for a container for dispensing viscous agents of the above type which eliminates the need for a rag, brush or other accessory for dispensing the agent.
A need also exists for such a container with an integral accessory which effectively isolates the user's hand from the agent being dispensed.
A need also exists for such a container accessory which is reusable for multiple dispensing operations.
A need also exists for such a container with a dispensing accessory which is incorporated within the lid itself.
A need exists for such an improved container which is simple in design and which is economical to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A container is shown for dispensing viscous agents which includes a container body for receiving the viscous agent. A lid is provided for the container body. The lid has an upper planar surface with an outer periphery, the outer periphery defining a peripheral lip for engaging the container body. The upper planar surface of the lid has at least one opening therein defined by a border of a size sufficient to receive a finger of a user. A prophylactic sheath depends from the lid. The sheath has an extendable body, a normally open interior and an end opening which defines a circumferential mouth region. The mouth region is affixed to the lid in proximity to the border of the lid opening, whereby the insertion of the finger of a user within the end opening will extend the sheath during use.
Preferably, the prophylactic sheath is formed of latex rubber and is bonded or otherwise securely affixed to the lid. The viscous agent can be selected from the group consisting of waxes, pastes, polishes, and greases.
In the method of the invention, the container with the previously described lid has a viscous agent present within the open interior. The lid is first removed from the container. The user then inserts a finger through the end opening of the prophylactic sheath to extend the body thereof. An exterior surface of the extended sheath is used to contact the viscous agent in the container body so that a desired amount of agent adheres to the sheath. The agent is applied to a work surface by rubbing the sheath across the surface. As the user withdraws the finger from the sheath end opening, the sheath is allowed to return from the extended position to a collapsed position and the lid can be replaced on the container.
In another form of the invention, the container is provided with a normal container lid. An insert is received within the container body when the lid is in place. The insert has an upper planar surface with an outer periphery, the outer periphery defining a peripheral lip and wherein the upper planar surface of the insert has at least one opening therein defined by a border of a size sufficient to receive a finger of a user. The prophylactic sheath depends from the opening provided in the insert in the same way as previously described with respect to the lid opening. The container can be provided with an internal shelf with the insert peripheral lip being received upon the shelf when in place within the container body.
Additional objects, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description which follows.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1608449 (1926-11-01), Wendel
patent: 2738537 (1956-03-01), Rotheraine
patent: 2790982 (1957-05-01), Schneider
patent: 2839774 (1958-06-01), Rand
patent: 3299464 (1967-01-01), O'Brien et al.
patent: 3558022 (1971-01-01), Zytke
patent: 4715496 (1987-12-01), Hackmann
patent: 5045073 (1991-09-01), Wagner
patent: 5255812 (1993-10-01), Hsu
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