Patent · US6508602B1 · B1 · US

Semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface

(11) Publication number

US6508602B1

(21) Application number

09/451,536

(22) Filing date

1999-12-01

(30) Priority date

1999-10-08

(43) Publication date

2003-01-21

(45) Date of grant

2003-01-21

(51) IPC

A01N 25/34; A45D 34/04; A45D 37/00; A45D 40/00; A46B 11/00; A46B 5/04; A47L 1/15; A47L 13/17; A47L 13/18; A47L 13/19; A61F 13/40; A61K 8/02; A61M 35/00; A61Q 11/00; A61Q 19/00; B05C 17/00; B65D 75/58; B65D 81/32; C11D 17/04

(52) CPC

A61Q Specific use of cosmetics or similar toiletry preparations: 19/00, 11/00
A01N Preservation of bodies of humans or animals or plants or parts thereof; biocides, e.g. as disinfectants, as pesticides or as herbicides; pest repellants or attractants; plant growth regulators: 25/34
A45D Hairdressing or shaving equipment; equipment for cosmetics or cosmetic treatments, e.g. for manicuring or pedicuring: 2200/1018, 2200/1045, 34/04, 37/00, 40/00
A46B Brushes: 11/0003, 2200/20, 5/04
A47L Domestic washing or cleaning; suction cleaners in general: 1/15, 13/17, 13/18, 13/19
A61K Preparations for medical, dental or toiletry purposes: 8/0208
A61M Devices for introducing media into, or onto, the body; devices for transducing body media or for taking media from the body; devices for producing or ending sleep or stupor {}: 2205/36, 35/003, 35/006
B05C Apparatus for applying fluent materials to surfaces, in general: 17/002
B65D Containers for storage or transport of articles or materials, e.g. bags, barrels, bottles, boxes, cans, cartons, crates, drums, jars, tanks, hoppers, forwarding containers; accessories, closures, or fittings therefor; packaging elements; packages: 75/5866, 81/3266
C11D Detergent compositions; use of single substances as detergents; soap or soap-making; resin soaps; recovery of glycerol: 17/041

(73) Assignee

Procter and Gamble Co

(72) Inventors

Dana Paul Gruenbacher; James Herbert Davis; Kevin Joe Fields

(54) Title

Semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface

(57) Abstract

A semi-enclosed applicator is provided for distributing a substance onto a target surface. The applicator has a first side, a second side, and an internal cavity between the first and second sides. The applicator further includes at least one opening, such that the internal cavity is externally accessible. The applicator further comprises: (a) a substantially non-absorbent material on one of the first and second sides; (b) a substantially absorbent material on the other of the first and second sides; and (c) a substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within the internal cavity adjacent the nonabsorbent layer. A semi-enclosed applicator is also provided for distributing a substance onto a target surface. This applicator has a first side, a second side, and an internal cavity between the first and second sides. The applicator further includes at least one opening, such that the internal cavity is externally accessible, and the applicator further comprises: (a) a substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within the internal cavity adjacent one of the sides; and (b) a rupturable fluid-containing reservoir located between the barrier layer and the side.

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Claims (39)

A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a product onto a target surface, said applicator having a first absorbent and outwardly facing side, a second non-absorbent and outwardly facing side opposed to said first side, and an internal cavity between said first and second sides, said applicator further having at least one opening such that said internal cavity is externally accessible, said applicator comprising: (a) at least one substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said internal cavity adjacent at least one of said sides; (b) a first rupturable, product-containing, laminate flexible film reservoir, said reservoir having at least one weak region located adjacent one of said sides; and wherein said product is released to said target surface through said weak region upon application of pressure to said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one of said first and second sides is differentially extensible.
The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a fluid pathway through which product is dispensed from said rupturable reservoir, said fluid pathway being normally closed except when product dispensing is desired.
The applicator of claim 1, wherein said second side comprises a first material selected to facilitate dispensing and application of said product from said rupturable reservoir, and said first side comprises a second material at least partially absorbent of said product from said rupturable reservoir to facilitate removal thereof from a surface.
The applicator of claim 1, wherein said first rupturable reservoir is provided with a frangible seal having a resistance to bursting.
The applicator of claim 5, further comprising at least one foldable portion located adjacent said frangible seal, and wherein said applicator has a folded condition in which said foldable portion is folded and the resistance to bursting forces of said frangible seal is significantly increased.
The applicator of claim 1, further comprising structure to temporarily increase the resistance to bursting of said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 1, further comprising two dispensing apertures in fluid communication with said rupturable reservoir, said two dispensing apertures being oriented away from each other.
The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a second product-containing reservoir in selective fluid communication with one of said first side, second side, first inside surface, and second inside surface.
The applicator of claim 9, wherein said first and second reservoirs are each configured to be rupturable at predetermined pressures, such that the first and second reservoirs can be selectively activated in predetermined sequence to allow at least one of simultaneous distribution, product dosing, mixing and sequential distribution of the respective products as needed.
The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a friction enhancing element located at least partially within said internal cavity during use.
The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a layer of wicking material located adjacent said second side, said wicking material including wicking properties with respect to the product in said first rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 1, wherein said applicator is provided in the form of a mitt to be used on at least a portion of the hand of a user.
The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a barrier layer which is substantially impervious to said product, said barrier layer being located at least partially between said first side and said internal cavity.
The applicator of claim 14, wherein said product comprises a glass cleaning formula, and said applicator is provided in the form of a mitt, said internal cavity being sized and configured to receive the hand of a user.
A method for forming the semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first web corresponding to one of the first and second sides; providing a second web corresponding to the other of said first and second sides; placing a first product-containing flexible film reservoir having at least one weak region in a predetermined location in relation to said first web and said second web; securing said reservoir relative to said first web and said second web and attaching said first web and said second web to one another in such a way as to form an externally accessible internal cavity therebetween; and, cutting the applicator in a desired outline shape from the balance of the respective webs to define the finished applicator.
The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a third web of at least partially extensible material and attaching the third web to at least one of said first and second webs in a tensioned condition.
The method of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said third web is stretched at least 30% when it is attached to the at least one other web.
The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of distribution apertures through which product may be dispensed from said first rupturable reservoir, said reservoir being disposed adjacent one of said sides.
The applicator of claim 1, further comprising at least two distribution apertures in communication with said rupturable reservoir, said at least two distribution apertures being oriented away from each other.
A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a product onto a target surface, said applicator having a first absorbent and outwardly facing side, a second non-absorbent and outwardly facing side opposed to said first side, and an internal cavity between said first and second sides, said applicator further having at least one opening such that said internal cavity is externally accessible, said applicator comprising: (a) at least one substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said internal cavity adjacent at least one of said sides; (b) a rupturable product-containing reservoir, said rupturable reservoir having at least one weak region having a comparatively low burst force, located adjacent one of said sides; and, wherein said rupturable reservoir is adapted to release said product upon application of pressure to said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of one of said first and second sides is differentially extensible.
The applicator of claim 21, further comprising a friction enhancing element located at least partially within said internal cavity during use.
The applicator of claim 21, wherein said first side comprises a first material at least partially absorbent of said product from said rupturable reservoir to facilitate removal thereof from a surface, and said second side comprises a second material selected to facilitate dispensing an application of said product from said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 21, wherein said first rupturable reservoir is provided with a frangible seal having a resistance to bursting.
The applicator of claim 25, further comprising at least one foldable portion located adjacent said frangible seal, and wherein said applicator has a folded condition in which said foldable portion is folded and the resistance to bursting forces of said frangible seal is significantly increased.
The applicator of claim 21, further comprising structure to temporarily increase the resistance to bursting of said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 21, further comprising a dispensing aperture spaced from said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 21, wherein said applicator is provided in the form of a mitt to be used on at least a portion of the hand of a user.
A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a product onto a target surface, said applicator having a first absorbent and outwardly facing side, a second non-absorbent and outwardly facing side opposed to said first side, and an internal cavity between said first and second sides, said applicator further having at least one opening such that said internal cavity is externally accessible, said applicator comprising: (a) at least one substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said internal cavity adjacent at least one of said sides; (b) a product-containing flexible film reservoir located adjacent one of said sides, said reservoir being formed with at least one permanent seal and at least one frangible seal; and, wherein said product is released from said reservoir to said target surface through said at least one frangible seal upon the application of pressure to said rupturable reservoir wherein said pressure ruptures said at least one frangible seal.
The applicator of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of one of said first and second sides is differentially extensible.
The applicator of claim 30, further comprising a fluid pathway through which product is dispensed from said rupturable product-containing reservoir, said fluid pathway being normally closed except when fluid dispensing is desired.
The applicator of claim 30, wherein said first side comprises a first material at least partially absorbent of said product from said rupturable reservoir to facilitate removal thereof from a surface, and said second side comprises a second material selected to facilitate dispensing an application of said product from said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 30, further comprising at least one foldable portion located adjacent said at least one frangible seal, and wherein said applicator has a folded condition in which said foldable portion is folded and the resistance to bursting forces of said frangible seal is significantly increased.
The applicator of claim 30, further comprising structure to temporarily increase the resistance to bursting of said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 30, further comprising a dispensing aperture spaced from said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 30, further comprising a friction enhancing element located at least partially within said internal cavity during use.
The applicator of claim 30, further comprising a layer of wicking material located adjacent at least one of said first and second sides, said wicking material including wicking properties with respect to the product in said rupturable reservoir.
The applicator of claim 30, wherein said applicator is provided in the form of a mitt to be used on at least a portion of the hand of a user.

Description

This is a Continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 09/415,866, filed Oct. 8, 1999.

The present invention relates to a semi-enclosed applicator useful for distributing substances onto target surfaces. The present invention also relates to such an applicator which also contains a substance for application to the surface of a target object. More particularly, the present invention relates to such applicators wherein the substance may be released from the applicator material and distributed upon the surface of the target object, then removed from the surface and absorbed by the applicator.

In the art of dispensing, articles have been developed which are coated or impregnated with useful substances intended to be utilized when the article is contacted with a target surface. While there are advantages with having the substance present on or near the surface of such articles, there is often the drawback that the useful substance is unprotected and is subject to inadvertent contact before intended use. Inadvertent contact may lead to contamination of the substance, loss of the substance onto surfaces other than the desired target surface, and/or contamination of such other surfaces with the substance. Moreover, the use of such articles to manually apply a substance to a surface of an object frequently results in exposure of a user's hands to the substance. At the very least such a scenario results in a waste of product and is undesirable from an aesthetic standpoint and, at worst, results in excessive exposure of the user to potentially harmful, toxic, or otherwise undesirable substances.

Citations (35)

US2279100A
US2790982A
US3053385A
US3768916A
US3870150A
US3929135A
US4081256A
US4342314A
US4430013A
US4324246A
US4349288A
US5454207A
US4670930A
DE3545926A1
US5090832A
EP0291284A2
EP0291284B1
EP0294189A2
US4878775A
US4891258A
US4902283A
US4928322A
US4959881A
US4953250A
US5658084A
EP0638277A1
US5473789A
US5616201A
US5738212A
US5867829A
FR2754744A1
US5829089A
US5806099A
US6305044B1
US20010036803A1

Record as JSON

{
  "publication_number": "US6508602B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface",
  "abstract": "A semi-enclosed applicator is provided for distributing a substance onto a target surface. The applicator has a first side, a second side, and an internal cavity between the first and second sides. The applicator further includes at least one opening, such that the internal cavity is externally accessible. The applicator further comprises: (a) a substantially non-absorbent material on one of the first and second sides; (b) a substantially absorbent material on the other of the first and second sides; and (c) a substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within the internal cavity adjacent the nonabsorbent layer. A semi-enclosed applicator is also provided for distributing a substance onto a target surface. This applicator has a first side, a second side, and an internal cavity between the first and second sides. The applicator further includes at least one opening, such that the internal cavity is externally accessible, and the applicator further comprises: (a) a substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within the internal cavity adjacent one of the sides; and (b) a rupturable fluid-containing reservoir located between the barrier layer and the side.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a product onto a target surface, said applicator having a first absorbent and outwardly facing side, a second non-absorbent and outwardly facing side opposed to said first side, and an internal cavity between said first and second sides, said applicator further having at least one opening such that said internal cavity is externally accessible, said applicator comprising: (a) at least one substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said internal cavity adjacent at least one of said sides; (b) a first rupturable, product-containing, laminate flexible film reservoir, said reservoir having at least one weak region located adjacent one of said sides; and wherein said product is released to said target surface through said weak region upon application of pressure to said rupturable reservoir.",
    "2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of one of said first and second sides is differentially extensible.",
    "3. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a fluid pathway through which product is dispensed from said rupturable reservoir, said fluid pathway being normally closed except when product dispensing is desired.",
    "4. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said second side comprises a first material selected to facilitate dispensing and application of said product from said rupturable reservoir, and said first side comprises a second material at least partially absorbent of said product from said rupturable reservoir to facilitate removal thereof from a surface.",
    "5. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said first rupturable reservoir is provided with a frangible seal having a resistance to bursting.",
    "6. The applicator of claim 5, further comprising at least one foldable portion located adjacent said frangible seal, and wherein said applicator has a folded condition in which said foldable portion is folded and the resistance to bursting forces of said frangible seal is significantly increased.",
    "7. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising structure to temporarily increase the resistance to bursting of said rupturable reservoir.",
    "8. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising two dispensing apertures in fluid communication with said rupturable reservoir, said two dispensing apertures being oriented away from each other.",
    "9. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a second product-containing reservoir in selective fluid communication with one of said first side, second side, first inside surface, and second inside surface.",
    "10. The applicator of claim 9, wherein said first and second reservoirs are each configured to be rupturable at predetermined pressures, such that the first and second reservoirs can be selectively activated in predetermined sequence to allow at least one of simultaneous distribution, product dosing, mixing and sequential distribution of the respective products as needed.",
    "11. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a friction enhancing element located at least partially within said internal cavity during use.",
    "12. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a layer of wicking material located adjacent said second side, said wicking material including wicking properties with respect to the product in said first rupturable reservoir.",
    "13. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said applicator is provided in the form of a mitt to be used on at least a portion of the hand of a user.",
    "14. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a barrier layer which is substantially impervious to said product, said barrier layer being located at least partially between said first side and said internal cavity.",
    "15. The applicator of claim 14, wherein said product comprises a glass cleaning formula, and said applicator is provided in the form of a mitt, said internal cavity being sized and configured to receive the hand of a user.",
    "16. A method for forming the semi-enclosed applicator of claim 1, said method comprising the steps of: providing a first web corresponding to one of the first and second sides; providing a second web corresponding to the other of said first and second sides; placing a first product-containing flexible film reservoir having at least one weak region in a predetermined location in relation to said first web and said second web; securing said reservoir relative to said first web and said second web and attaching said first web and said second web to one another in such a way as to form an externally accessible internal cavity therebetween; and, cutting the applicator in a desired outline shape from the balance of the respective webs to define the finished applicator.",
    "17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of providing a third web of at least partially extensible material and attaching the third web to at least one of said first and second webs in a tensioned condition.",
    "18. The method of claim 17, wherein at least a portion of said third web is stretched at least 30% when it is attached to the at least one other web.",
    "19. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of distribution apertures through which product may be dispensed from said first rupturable reservoir, said reservoir being disposed adjacent one of said sides.",
    "20. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising at least two distribution apertures in communication with said rupturable reservoir, said at least two distribution apertures being oriented away from each other.",
    "21. A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a product onto a target surface, said applicator having a first absorbent and outwardly facing side, a second non-absorbent and outwardly facing side opposed to said first side, and an internal cavity between said first and second sides, said applicator further having at least one opening such that said internal cavity is externally accessible, said applicator comprising: (a) at least one substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said internal cavity adjacent at least one of said sides; (b) a rupturable product-containing reservoir, said rupturable reservoir having at least one weak region having a comparatively low burst force, located adjacent one of said sides; and, wherein said rupturable reservoir is adapted to release said product upon application of pressure to said rupturable reservoir.",
    "22. The applicator of claim 21, wherein at least a portion of one of said first and second sides is differentially extensible.",
    "23. The applicator of claim 21, further comprising a friction enhancing element located at least partially within said internal cavity during use.",
    "24. The applicator of claim 21, wherein said first side comprises a first material at least partially absorbent of said product from said rupturable reservoir to facilitate removal thereof from a surface, and said second side comprises a second material selected to facilitate dispensing an application of said product from said rupturable reservoir.",
    "25. The applicator of claim 21, wherein said first rupturable reservoir is provided with a frangible seal having a resistance to bursting.",
    "26. The applicator of claim 25, further comprising at least one foldable portion located adjacent said frangible seal, and wherein said applicator has a folded condition in which said foldable portion is folded and the resistance to bursting forces of said frangible seal is significantly increased.",
    "27. The applicator of claim 21, further comprising structure to temporarily increase the resistance to bursting of said rupturable reservoir.",
    "28. The applicator of claim 21, further comprising a dispensing aperture spaced from said rupturable reservoir.",
    "29. The applicator of claim 21, wherein said applicator is provided in the form of a mitt to be used on at least a portion of the hand of a user.",
    "30. A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a product onto a target surface, said applicator having a first absorbent and outwardly facing side, a second non-absorbent and outwardly facing side opposed to said first side, and an internal cavity between said first and second sides, said applicator further having at least one opening such that said internal cavity is externally accessible, said applicator comprising: (a) at least one substantially fluid-impervious barrier layer within said internal cavity adjacent at least one of said sides; (b) a product-containing flexible film reservoir located adjacent one of said sides, said reservoir being formed with at least one permanent seal and at least one frangible seal; and, wherein said product is released from said reservoir to said target surface through said at least one frangible seal upon the application of pressure to said rupturable reservoir wherein said pressure ruptures said at least one frangible seal.",
    "31. The applicator of claim 30, wherein at least a portion of one of said first and second sides is differentially extensible.",
    "32. The applicator of claim 30, further comprising a fluid pathway through which product is dispensed from said rupturable product-containing reservoir, said fluid pathway being normally closed except when fluid dispensing is desired.",
    "33. The applicator of claim 30, wherein said first side comprises a first material at least partially absorbent of said product from said rupturable reservoir to facilitate removal thereof from a surface, and said second side comprises a second material selected to facilitate dispensing an application of said product from said rupturable reservoir.",
    "34. The applicator of claim 30, further comprising at least one foldable portion located adjacent said at least one frangible seal, and wherein said applicator has a folded condition in which said foldable portion is folded and the resistance to bursting forces of said frangible seal is significantly increased.",
    "35. The applicator of claim 30, further comprising structure to temporarily increase the resistance to bursting of said rupturable reservoir.",
    "36. The applicator of claim 30, further comprising a dispensing aperture spaced from said rupturable reservoir.",
    "37. The applicator of claim 30, further comprising a friction enhancing element located at least partially within said internal cavity during use.",
    "38. The applicator of claim 30, further comprising a layer of wicking material located adjacent at least one of said first and second sides, said wicking material including wicking properties with respect to the product in said rupturable reservoir.",
    "39. The applicator of claim 30, wherein said applicator is provided in the form of a mitt to be used on at least a portion of the hand of a user."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This is a Continuation-in-part of Application Ser. No. 09/415,866, filed Oct. 8, 1999.\n\nThe present invention relates to a semi-enclosed applicator useful for distributing substances onto target surfaces. The present invention also relates to such an applicator which also contains a substance for application to the surface of a target object. More particularly, the present invention relates to such applicators wherein the substance may be released from the applicator material and distributed upon the surface of the target object, then removed from the surface and absorbed by the applicator.\n\nIn the art of dispensing, articles have been developed which are coated or impregnated with useful substances intended to be utilized when the article is contacted with a target surface. While there are advantages with having the substance present on or near the surface of such articles, there is often the drawback that the useful substance is unprotected and is subject to inadvertent contact before intended use. Inadvertent contact may lead to contamination of the substance, loss of the substance onto surfaces other than the desired target surface, and/or contamination of such other surfaces with the substance. Moreover, the use of such articles to manually apply a substance to a surface of an object frequently results in exposure of a user's hands to the substance. At the very least such a scenario results in a waste of product and is undesirable from an aesthetic standpoint and, at worst, results in excessive exposure of the user to potentially harmful, toxic, or otherwise undesirable substances.",
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  "assignees": [
    "Procter and Gamble Co"
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  "inventors": [
    "Dana Paul Gruenbacher",
    "James Herbert Davis",
    "Kevin Joe Fields"
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  "filing_date": "1999-12-01",
  "publication_date": "2003-01-21",
  "grant_date": "2003-01-21",
  "priority_date": "1999-10-08",
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