Abstract:
A fluid applicator system having a proximal end portion that has a male portion that can be connected to a female inner threaded hub that in turn is attached to a source of a fluid supply. The distal end terminates in a ball that is flocked with bristles that are adhered perpendicularly to the ball. The proximal end and the distal end is fluidly connected by a series of cylindrical tubes that are of decreasing outer diameter from the proximal end in the direction of the distal end.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Increasingly there is a need for tiny fluid applicators to distribute relatively small quantities of a fluid from a source to the site where it is needed. 
     Such small applicators have found ready acceptance in dentistry where small quantities of liquid medicament must be applied to the interstices of teeth. Such small applicators are also used by hobbyists to supply a liquid adhesive to parts that are assembled. Such small applicators are useful in applying small quantities of fluid lubricants to watch parts in the horology industry or small mechanical movements in the auto industry. The fluid applicators are also used for cosmetic purposes. 
     In all of such uses a small fluid containing source or reservoir is fluidly and operatively aligned with a small applicator usually of the disposable kind. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is concerned with a fluid applicator system having a proximal end portion that has a threaded male portion that can be fluidly connected to a female inner threaded hub that in turn is attached to a source of a fluid. The distal end terminates in a ball that has a conduit therethrough. The ball is flocked with bristles that are adhered perpendicularly to the surface of the ball. The proximal end and the distal end is fluidly connected by a series of cylindrical tubes that are stepped with decreasing outer diameter from the proximal end in the direction of the distal end. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective of the applicator of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 1 having a fluid containing syringe attached thereto; 
     FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 3 showing the syringe in an expelling condition forcing liquid from the applicator; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective of the applicator without the applicable flocked ball; 
     FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 5 with the applicator ball shown schematically; 
     FIG. 7 is a cross section view similar to FIG. 1 with female portion of the syringe exploded from the applicator; 
     FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7 but depicts a second embodiment wherein the applicator has a centrally located spike for penetration through a membrane of a container of fluid; 
     FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 depicting the spike of the applicator in fluid connection to the container of fluid; 
     FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the applicator of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is yet to another embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Attention is directed to FIGS. 1 and 2 for the general structure  10  of the fluid applicator of the present invention. FIG. 1 is in cross-section while FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the device. The proximal portion  11  has a short relatively large diameter internal bore  12  and has a screw threaded portion  13 . The threaded portion  13  terminates in an abutment flange  14  which extends outwardly radially. On the other side of the flange  14  is cylindrical first tubular portion  15 . A relatively smaller diameter bore  16  extends therethrough being fluidly connected at one end to the bore  12  of the proximal portion  11 . The cylindrical portion  15  has cylindrical second tubular extension  17  of lesser diameter than cylindrical portion  15 . The bore  16  continues through the cylindrical extension  17 . The cylindrical extension  17  terminates in still another third tubular extension  30  to which a flocked ball  20  may be attached at its distal end  21 . The bore  16  continues through the still another extension  30 . Any fluid charged through bore  16  emanates through the flocked ball  20  for dispensing. The confluence of cylindrical portion  15  and cylindrical extension  17  in one embodiment may have a weakened portion  22  which provides a fulcrum about which extension  17  may be angled. 
     In FIG. 3 one can see the applicator of the present invention which has mounted about the threaded portion  13  a syringe  23  shown in partial cross-section and fragmentary, which has therein a fluid content  24 . The syringe  23  has a piston  25  to which is attached a piston rod  26 . The syringe has conventional radially extending finger abutment  27  and the piston rod  26  terminates at its proximal end with conventional radially extending finger abutments  28 . 
     In FIG. 4 the syringe piston  25  has been driven whereby to drive the fluid  24  through bore  16  in the direction of the distally positioned flocked ball  20  for distribution therethrough. 
     In FIG. 5, the applicator  10  of the present invention terminates in a relatively small tube  30 . This arrangement is desirable when no flocked ball is necessary that is when fluid is dispensed in droplet form or is dispensed by direct contact for simple fluid flow. 
     In FIG. 6, the applicator of the present invention is depicted similarly as in FIG.  5 . However, note that tube  30  terminates in a ball  31  having a bore  32  therethrough. 
     FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 3 but is enlarged and gives a cross-sectional and fragmentary view of the distal end of the syringe and cross-sectional view of the applicator  10 . The ball  31  is shown as being flocked with bristles  32 . Note that the bore  12  terminates in a sloped or tapered portion  18  at its base. 
     The bristles are affixed by an adhesive which may be affixed by electrostatic assisted alignment as taught by a number of patents. 
     FIG. 8 is to another embodiment and is a modification of the embodiment shown in FIG.  7 . The bore  12  is provided with an outwardly directed tubular spike  34  which is concentric with bore  12  and is in fluid connection with bore  16 . The connecting distal female internally threaded member  35  has a tube  36  which connects with the main portion of the syringe  23  or fluid containing reservoir. The tube  36  terminates in a diaphram membrane  37  into which the bevelled point  38  may be penetrated. The resultant is illustrated in fragmentary cross-sectional view of FIG.  9 . The fluid contents in the syringe or the fluid containing reservoir is then ejected to flow through conduit  16  for egress from the flocked bristled ball  32 . When a spike arrangement is employed as in FIGS. 8 and 9 the spike and tube may be constructed of a metal. 
     FIG. 10 illustrates a further embodiment in partial cross-section and is detailed to show the present invention with a fluid containing reservoir  40  which has a threaded female hub  35  affixed to the reservoir  40  for attachment to the applicator. The embodiment shown by FIG. 10 illustrates an acute bend at the juncture of cylindrical extension  17  that is, at the weakened portion  22 . 
     In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the extension  17  and another extension  30  may be constructed of an elongated metal tube. 
     FIG. 11, depicts another utility of the liquid applicator of the present invention. Instead of a syringe or instead of fluid containing reservoir, the internally threaded hub  35  is fitted with a bulb  41  which may be employed to aspirate fluid from an appropriate source. In operation, the bulb  41  is manually squeezed to collapse it. The tip of the applicator is dipped into a quantity of liquid. The bulb  41  is freed whereby it resumes its normal configuration and thereby sucks liquid up into the applicator. The liquid may be then distributed in much in the manner of an eye dropper. 
     The bulb  41  and the hub  35  may be blow molded as an integral unit. On the other hand the bulb may be of rubber which is fitted to the hub  35 . 
     The hub  35  and the applicator have been illustrated as being connectable by male and female attachment means which is the preferred arrangement. Other means may be utilized such as a friction fit or a bayonet connection, however, these alternative arrangements may not be sufficiently liquid tight or may become disengaged during the application of fluid. 
     The materials of construction may be any of numerous thermosetting or thermoplastic resins concentrically available except in the alternative embodiment where metal conduits are utilized and displayed in FIGS. 8 and 9. In FIG. 11, for instance cylindrical  17  may be of metal as a blend is to be achieved, although not necessary if a resinous material is employed and there is a weakened portion  22  where a convenient bend may be achieved. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.