LUBRICANT DISPENSER

Abstract: An applicator device (10) is provided for a fluent coating composition, the device having walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for the fluent coating composition (16), preferably a lubricant composition, the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18), the device having a holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member, preferably a tampon, requiring to be coated with the fluent coating composition (16), the holder being fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the holder (20) being provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (16), to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder (20), the device having feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30) sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12), and a cup shaped closure end-cap (40) which is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the fluent coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) from the outside. By action of the plunger the coating composition is forced through the holes (22) into the holder thereby allowing coating of the elongate member by the composition.

Description: LUBRICANT DISPENSER Field of the invention This invention relates to disposable applicator device for a fluent coating composition. More particularly, the invention relates to lubricant dispensers for tampons, which may be a tampon intended for the absoφtion of menstrual flow, or an absorbent tampon intended for some other, for example, medical use. Background of the invention The tampons used are generally made of highly absorbent materials, such as sterilized cotton fiber, or other highly absorbent fibers. In medical use, tampons are mainly used for the post-operative or post-curettage absoφtion of blood and body fluids. However, tampons are most used for the absoφtion of normal menstrual discharge, in other words, as sanitary protection. It is an object of the present invention to provide a device allowing that lubricant may discretely be carried around in a purse or a handbag and can be applied to a tampon without soiling the hands of the user. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lubricant device allowing that a thin layer of lubricant may be evenly applied to the surface of the tampon. These objects are meet by the device described herein after. Summary of the invention The present invention encompasses an applicator device (10) having: - walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for a fluent coating composition (16), the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18), - a holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member requiring to be coated with the fluent coating composition (16), the holder being fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the holder (20) being provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (16), to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder (20), - feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30) provided inside the reservoir (14), the plunger being sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12) and, - a cup shaped closure end-cap (40) which is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the fluent coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) from the outside. Detailed description of the invention The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the following diagrammatic drawings, in which Figure 1 shows, in axial cross-section, a disposable applicator device, broadly in accordance with the invention; and Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the applicator device taken at 11-11 in Figure 1. In the drawing, reference numeral (10) generally indicates a disposable applicator device for a fluent coating composition, broadly in accordance with the invention. The applicator device (10) has walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for a fluent coating composition (16), preferably a coating composition, in the form of a petroleum jelly lubricant, the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18). A foraminous holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member, such as a tampon (25) (part of which is shown in the broken lines) requiring to be coated with fluent coating composition (16) such as a lubricant composition, is fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening ( 18) of the cylinder (14). Feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30), having drive means is provided inside the reservoir (14), the plunger (30) being sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12). The drive means is in the form of a screw threaded rotable shaft (32) connected to a knurled rotatable knob (34). The shaft (32) is screw threadedly engaged with the plunger (30), lipstick- dispenser fashion. The plunger (30) is displaceable within the cylinder by the rotation of the knob (34) and the shaft (32), thereby increasing and decreasing the volume (36) of the reservoir (14) between the plunger (30) and the holder (20) which is inserted into the reservoir (14). The holder (20) is provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (16), e.g., a lubricant composition, to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder (20). An annulus (42) is defined between the cylinder (14) and the holder (20). The coating composition (16), preferably a lubricant composition, is fed into the annulus (42) by the action of the plunger (30) being driven towards the holder (20) and increasing the composition pressure in the annulus (42), thereby forcing the composition through the holes (22) into the holder (20). In use, an elongate member (25), preferably a tampon, is inserted into the holder (20) through the opening (24). The knob (34) is rotated to displace the plunger (30) towards the holder (20). This effectively decreases the volume of the reservoir which causes the coating composition, preferably the lubricant composition, to flow through the openings (22) and onto the elongate member (25). In order to achieve an even distribution of the coating composition, typically a lubricant composition, on that portion of the elongate member (25), typically a tampon, positioned in the holder (20), the tampon is twisted relative to the applicator device (10). The tampon (25) can then be withdrawn from the applicator device and used in a conventional fashion. A cup shaped closure end-cap (10) is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the coating composition (16), typically the lubricant composition, in the applicator (10) from the outside. In one embodiment the applicator device is made of a plastic material such as PVC. The walls of the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) may be clipped or glued together or the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) may be of unitary construction.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. An applicator device (10) having: - walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for a fluent coating composition (16), the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18), - a holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member requiring to be coated with the fluent coating composition (16), the holder being fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the holder (20) being provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (1 ), to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder (20), - feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30) provided inside the leservoir (14), the plunger being sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12) and, - a cup shaped closure end-cap (40) which is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the fluent coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) from the outside. 2. An applicator device (10) according to claim 1 wherein the plunger has drive means typically in the form of a screw threaded rotatable shaft (32) connected to a knurled rotable knob (34), the shaft (32) being screw threadedly engaged with the plunger (30). 3. An applicator device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the elongate member is a tampon. 4. An applicator device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the coating composition is a lubricant composition. 5. An applicator device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the walls of the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) are clipped or glued together or the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) are of a unitary construction.

Inventors: VAN DER KLASHORST ANNEKE, VAN DER KLASHORST PHILLIPS LOD, VAN DER KLASHORST, ANNEKE, VAN DER KLASHORST, PHILLIPS, LODEWICKUS
Applicants: KLASHORST ANNEKE V D, KLASHORST PHILLIPS LODEWICKUS, PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY, VAN DER KLASHORST, ANNEKE, VAN DER KLASHORST, PHILLIPS, LODEWICKUS
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A61F13
IPC codes: A61F13