Coating implements with material supply – Including rupturable means or sealed-cartridge receiver – Sealed-cartridge receiver with flow-establishing means
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-10
2003-03-25
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Including rupturable means or sealed-cartridge receiver
Sealed-cartridge receiver with flow-establishing means
C401S133000, C604S003000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06536975
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to liquid applicators. More specifically, the present invention relates to a hand-held liquid applicator having a flexible elongated hollow body within which a liquid-filled, glass ampule is received, and a mechanism for fracturing the ampule to release the liquid for dispensing.
Applicators for applying liquids such as medicaments or cleansing agents are known in the prior art. Conventional applicators typically provide a generally cylindrical body construction and include a glass ampule retained within the body; a sponge or tip secured to the body, at least one surface of which is exposed to the ampule; and a means for fracturing the ampule such that when the ampule is fractured, the liquid stored therein is dispensed to the sponge for application. In such applicators, the liquid-filled ampule is typically fractured by the user grasping the body wall and exerting a squeezing force directly thereon. Of course, the squeezing force necessary to fracture the ampule depends upon a number of factors such as the shape of the ampule, the material of which the body and ampule are formed, and the location at which the force is exerted.
Numerous problems are encountered with applicators of this type. For example, known applicators either include an unnecessarily large number of moving parts, which renders such devices expensive and complicated to construct as a disposable assembly, or require that a user employ both hands in breaking the ampule and dispensing the fluid.
In many situations, it is necessary for the user of a liquid dispenser of antiseptics or medicaments to use one hand to expose or position a portion of a patient's body which is to be treated with the liquid, while preparing the dispenser for use and applying the liquid with the other hand. For example, liquid applicators are often used to apply a pre-operative liquid, such as an isopropyl alcohol or iodine based solution, to an area of the body just prior to surgery. Thus, it is essential that the user be able to prepare and use the applicator with only one hand in order to enable the practical use thereof.
Another problem is that conventional applicators are often difficult to grasp and hold onto while exerting the squeezing pressure necessary to fracture the ampule or while applying the liquid to a surface. A further problem is that when the body wall is squeezed to fracture the ampule, nothing prevents the ampule from being pushed toward the open side of the hollow body after the ampule has been fractured. Accordingly, shards or pieces of the fractured ampule have a tendency to penetrate and poke into or through the sponge. In situations wherein the applicator is being used to apply a liquid to the skin of a patient, shards of glass protruding into or through the sponge obviously will be detrimental.
As such, there remains a need in the hand-held liquid applicator industry for a liquid applicator that is simple and inexpensive to construct relative to prior art applicators and which diminishes the risk of the user being injured by shards of the ampule penetrating the sponge or tip. Further, there is a need for a liquid applicator that has an improved gripping structure which provides the stability necessary to exert the squeezing pressure required and to apply the liquid to a surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, in one of its aspects, the present invention provides an improved hand-held liquid applicator of quality construction having a body which may be squeezed to fracture the ampule enclosed therein, releasing the liquid contained in the ampule so that the liquid may be applied by the sponge.
In another of its aspects, the present invention provides an applicator which permits the user to squeeze the body at a location remote from the body wall which defines the internal chamber.
In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides one or more members for gripping the applicator which enhance handling of the applicator while permitting the aforementioned remote squeezing.
In yet another of its aspects, the present invention provides a disposable liquid applicator which permits single-handed operation in order to free the second hand of the user for use in assisting the application of liquid to a desired area.
In a still further aspect, the present invention provides a liquid applicator that is simple to construct and assemble and therefore may be manufactured more economically than prior art applicators.
In accordance with these and other aspects evident from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the liquid applicator for applying a desired liquid to a surface includes an elongated closed ampule, a flexible elongated hollow body which defines an internal chamber adapted to receive the ampule, and a porous element adapted to be used as an applicator for the liquid sealed to the body. The ampule is formed of a frangible material and contains a volume of liquid to be dispensed. The body presents axially opposed open and closed ends and includes a pair of diametrically opposed gripping members projecting therefrom which are suitable to be actuated by a user's fingers. The gripping members are spaced from the body at a distal end thereof The body also includes a flange protruding from the open end thereof upon which the porous element is supported. The porous element is sealed to the flange thus closing off the open end of the body. The body also may include structure for fracturing the ampule, the structure being interposed between the body and the gripping members. The hollow body further may include a plurality of inwardly projecting ridges positioned on the inner circumference thereof which act to support the ampule in the body and aid in securing the ampule in place upon fracture.
In use, the gripping members are squeezed toward one another causing the fracturing structure to exert a force against the ampule. The force causes fracturing of the ampule such that when the porous element is placed against the surface to which the liquid is to be applied, the liquid flows through the porous element and onto the surface. Fragments of the broken ampule are held in place by the inwardly projecting ridges, thus preventing shards of glass from poking or protruding through the porous element when the liquid is applied to the desired surface.
The present invention further provides a liquid applicator adapted to receive a fracturable ampule containing a volume of liquid to be applied, the applicator comprising a flexible elongated hollow body shaped for receiving the ampule, a pair of elongated gripping members diametrically projecting from the body, and a porous element adapted to be used as an applicator for the liquid. The body presents axially opposed open and closed ends as well as a flange protruding from the open end thereof to which the porous element is secured. The body also may include structure for fracturing the ampule, the structure being interposed between the body and the gripping members. The body further may include a plurality of inwardly projecting ridges positioned on the inner circumference thereof which support the ampule in the body and secure the ampule in place upon fracture.
In use, the gripping members are squeezed toward one another causing the fracturing structure to exert a force against the ampule. The force causes fracturing of the ampule such that when the porous element is placed against the surface to which the liquid is to be applied the liquid flows through the porous element and onto the surface. Fragments of the broken ampule are held in place by the inwardly projecting ridges, thus preventing shards of glass from protruding through the porous element when the liquid is applied to the desired surface.
The present invention further provides a method of applying a liquid with a liquid applicator, the method comprising the ste
Mediflex Hospital Products, Inc.
Shook Hardy & Bacon L.L.P.
Walczak David J.
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