Abstract:
A fluid applicator has a fluid-containing cask within which is a displaceable piston operable in response to operation of a piston controller to dispense fluid through a dispensing valve from the cask to an applicator. A handle is removably coupled to the cask to facilitate the application of fluid to a selected site. The handle may be separated from the cask without impairing the ability of the piston to displace fluid from the cask. The valve is manually adjustable to enable a selected quantity of fluid to be dispensed cask.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The fluid applicator has a refillable cask and applies various fluids with different viscosities to skin to treat skin conditions, block sun rays, repel insects, apply ointments, or apply cleansing agents. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Personal applicators have been used to dispense fluids such as medicated lotions, ointments, sun screen lotions and sun block lotions. Many of these fluids have a viscosity at normal room temperatures that is similar to the viscosity of water at the same temperature. A discharge valve is generally provided to control the flow of such fluids that run easily to an applicator. Fluid dispensers with discharge valves that control the flow of fluid to an applicator generally do not have a pump to force fluid into the applicator. When the fluid flows freely and the container can be inverted, a pump is not required. A discharge valve is generally provided to prevent the supply of excess freely flowing fluid to an applicator. 
     Fluid dispensers and fluid applicators for fluids that flow slowly or do not flow at normal room temperatures require a pump to force a fluid out of the fluid reservoir. Pistons that are advanced by a manually rotated screw have been used to force a fluid to the applicator. Other fluid dispensers have employed spring loaded pistons to force fluid from a reservoir. A discharge pump is employed in combination with some spring loaded pistons to control the rate of discharge and to increase the pressure of the discharged fluids. 
     Known fluid applicators are often designed to dispense one specific fluid. As a result these applicators are not capable of dispensing a fluid with a substantially different viscosity than the fluid they were designed to dispense. Some of the known fluid dispensers are filled with a fluid prior to purchase and are not intended to be refilled. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The fluid applicator, for applying fluids to skin, includes a tubular cask with an open handle end, an open dispensing end, and a cask inside surface. A fluid metering assembly includes a piston slideably mounted in the tubular cask and in sealing and sliding engagement with the cask inside surface. A piston controller connected to the piston and the cask is operable to advance the piston toward the open dispensing end of the cask. A discharge end cap is removably connected to the open dispensing end of the tubular cask. The discharge end cap includes a valve chamber, an applicator platform, and a fluid flow passage having a passage inlet in communication with the valve chamber. The fluid flow passage extends through the applicator platform. A valve is mounted in the valve chamber and is movable between an open position and a closed position. A fluid distribution pad is mounted on the applicator platform and is in communication with a discharge end of the fluid flow passage. 
     The piston controller includes an elongated screw, in engagement with a threaded bore in the piston, and a knob integral with the elongated screw. The knob is rotatable relative to the cask. The knob is also radially and axially fixed relative to the cask. A handle telescopically receives the handle end of the cask. The fluid applicator can be used with or without the handle. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fluid applicator; 
     FIG. 2 is a reduced top plan view of the fluid applicator; 
     FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the fluid applicator; 
     FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view with parts broken away; 
     FIG. 5 is an expanded perspective view of the lotion applicator; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the discharge end cap assembly and applicator assembly; and 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective sectional view of the handle assembly, the fluid metering and dispensing assembly with parts broken away. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The fluid applicator  10  has a tubular cask  12 , a handle assembly  14 , a fluid metering and dispensing assembly  16 , a discharge end cap assembly  18 , a discharge valve assembly  20 , and an applicator assembly  22 . The tubular cask has an elliptical cross-sectional shape as shown in drawing FIG.  5 . The cross-sectional shape can be varied somewhat if desired. However, the inside cross-sectional shape and size is uniform from one end to the other of the cask  12 . The cask  12  has an open handle end  24 , an open dispensing end  26 , an outside surface  28 , and a smooth interior surface  30 . A discharge end cap sealing surface  32  is provided on the outside of the cask  12  adjacent to the dispensing end  26 . Discharge end cap retainer flanges  34  are provided on the end cap sealing surface  32 . These retainer flanges  34  cannot extend into the portion of the end cap sealing surface  32  adjacent to a long axis X of the elliptical cross-sectional shape of the cask  12 . The open handle end  24  of the cask  12  has two handle alignment grooves  36  in the outside surface  28  that are parallel to a central axis of the cask, and the long axis X of the elliptical cross-sectional shape passes through both handle alignment grooves. Two piston controller knob notches  38  are provided in the cask  12  adjacent to the open handle end  24 . These notches  38  pass completely through the cask walls and are centered on the short axis Y of the elliptical cross-sectional shape. Controller retainer slots  40  also pass through the cask  12 . 
     The fluid metering and dispensing assembly  16  includes a piston  42 , a piston controller  44  and a controller retainer  46 . The piston  42  has a transverse plate  48  with a central threaded bore  50 . A flexible piston seal  52  is integral with the plate  48 , surrounds the plate  48 , and is in sealing contact with the interior surface  30  of the tubular cask  12 . Piston guide skirts  55  and  57  extend axially toward the open handle end  24  of the cask  12  from outboard ends of the transverse plate  48 . 
     The piston controller  44  includes an elongated shaft  54  with an integral rotatable knob  56  on one end. The elongated shaft  54  has a lead screw  58  extending substantially its entire length. The rotatable knob  56  has a cylindrical bore  60  in its end opposite the shaft  54 . A plurality of metering bars  62  extend radially outward from the knob  56 . 
     The controller retainer  46  has a central retainer plate  64  with a central bore  66 . Two retainer wing plates  68  and  70  are connected to the central retainer plate  64  by post members  72  and  74 . These post members  72  and  74  are generally parallel to the piston controller  44 . The wing plates  68  and  70  both have elliptical outer surfaces  76 . Controller retailer tabs  41 , that extend outward from the surface  76  on the wing plates  68  and  70 , are inserted into controller retainer slots  40  to axially position the controller retainer  46 . Slots  78  extend radially outward from the central bore  66  a short distance. 
     The elongated shaft  54  of the piston controller  44  extends through the central bore  66  of the retainer  46 . The slots  78  permit a circular flange  80  on the shaft  54  to be forced through the central bore  66 . In this position the controller retainer  46  is axially fixed relative to the piston controller  44 . The lead screw  58  of the piston controller  44  is screwed into the threaded bore  50  through the piston  42 . The piston  42  is gently pressed into the handle end  24  of the cask  12 . The post members  72  and  74  and the central retainer plate  64  provides sufficient flexibility to move the tabs  41  projecting outward from the elliptical outer surfaces  76  into the controller retainer slots  40  through the cask  12 . The controller retainer  46  is axially fixed when the tabs  41  on the retainer wing plates  68  and  70  are seated in the controller retaining slots  40  in the cask  12 . 
     The handle assembly  14  includes an elongated handle  82  with an integral cask holder base plate  84 . Three blade members  86  extend outward from the opposite side of the base plate  84  from the handle  82 . The three blade members  86  cooperate to form a rotatable knob support trunnion that supports the rotatable knob  56  and limits radial movement of the knob. A skirt  88  is integral with the base plate  84  and surrounds the base plate with the exception of two rectangular skirt notches  90  and  92 . The skirt notches  90  and  92  are centered on the minor axis Y of the elliptical skirt  88 , and expose the rotatable knob  56  and may be larger than the piston control knob notches  38 . The portions of the skirt  88  on each side of the skirt notch  90  and  92  telescopically receive the open handle end  24  of the tubular cask  12 . The inside surfaces of the two skirt portions  88  have the same elliptical shape as the ends of the elliptical tubular cask  12  that are centered on the long axis X of the ellipse. During attachment of the handle assembly  14  to the cask  12 , guide flanges  94  and  96 , shown in FIG. 5, on the skirt sections  88  slide into handle alignment grooves  36  in the cask. The guide flanges  94  and  96  have a slight taper so that they wedge against the sides of the slots  36 , when the handle end  24  of the cask  12  contacts the base plate  84 . Friction holds the cask  12  on the handle  14 . However, tabs that snap into grooves can be added, to retain the handle assembly  14  on the cask  12 , if needed. When the handle  14  is attached to the cask  12 , a long axis of the elongated handle  82  intersects a long axis  98  of the cask  12  at an angle between 10° and 15°. 
     The discharge end cap assembly  18  includes a discharge end plate  100 . A cask retainer skirt  102  that encircles the plate  100  and is shaped to telescopically receive the opened dispensing end  26  of the cask  12 . Discharge end cap grooves  104  and  106  in the inside of the cask retainer skirt  102  receive the discharge end cap retainer flanges  34  and releasably retain the cask  12  in the skirt. Sealing surfaces  108  on the discharge end of the cask  12  contact the inside skirt surface  110  of the cask retainer skirt  102  to form a liquid tight seal. Stops  112  limit movement of the cask  12  into the discharge end cap  18 . Pressure is applied to the ends of the skirt  102  to force the skirt ends toward each other and release the grooves  104  and  106  from the flanges  34  when removing the end cap assembly  18  from the cask  12 . 
     A discharge valve chamber  114  is formed in the discharge end plate  100 . A cylindrical boss  116 , that is integral with the end plate  100  extends from the end plate  100  on the opposite side from the retainer skirt  102 . The valve chamber  114  is cylindrical. A valve shank bore  118  extends from the valve chamber  114  and through the cylindrical boss  116 . The bore  118  has a smaller diameter than the valve chamber  114 . A seal surface  120  is formed at the junction between the chamber  114  and the bore  118 . 
     A rotatable cylindrical valve  122  is inserted into the valve chamber  114  from the side of the end plate  100  with the cask retainer skirt  102 . The large diameter portion  124  of the valve  122  is a cup shaped member with a fluid passage  126  through its wall. A valve shank  128  is integral with the cup bottom and co-axial with the large diameter portion  124 . A sealing surface  130  on the valve  122  cooperates with the seal surface  120  on the end wall of the valve chamber  114  to prevent leakage through the shank bore  118  and the boss  116 . A seal can be created by direct contact between the sealing surfaces  120  and  130  or a seal member such as an O-ring can be mounted between the two sealing surfaces. The valve shank  128  is journaled in the shank bore  118 . At least one shank slot  136  in the valve shank  128  is parallel to the axis of the valve. A valve actuator lever  138  is journaled on the cylindrical boss  116  and has an integral blade  140  that is received in the slot  136  so that rotation of the actuator lever rotates the valve  122 . A tit on one member is received in a recess (not shown) on the other member to lock the lever  138  to the shank  128 . 
     An applicator platform  142  is integral with the end plate  100  of the discharge end cap assembly  18 . The applicator platform  142  has a flat bottom surface  144  that faces away from the end plate  100 , an applicator latch engaging surface  146  and a second end  148  with a cradle  150 . The cradle  150  faces away from the bottom surface  144  and the applicator latch engaging end  146 . A fluid flow passage  154  extends from the discharge valve chamber  114  and through the applicator platform  142 . 
     The applicator assembly  22  includes an applicator deck or frame  156  with a flat top surface  158 , a bottom surface  160 , a pivot end  162  and a latch end  164 . A pivot bar  166  has its ends secured to end plates  168  on the deck  156 . The pivot bar  166  is above the pivot end  162  and spaced from the top surface  158  of the deck  156 . A latch  170  is integral with the latch end  164  of the deck  156 . An applicator fluid distributor pad  172  is secured to the bottom surface  160  of the deck  156 . Various pads  172  can be used. A sponge block or fiber pad would generally be acceptable for an applicator fluid distributor pad  172 . A swab would also be acceptable for a pad  172 . An adhesive can be used to secure a pad  172  to the deck bottom surface  160 . However, other systems could be used to secure an applicator pad  172 . The density of the applicator pad  172  can be selected to apply a given fluid at a desired rate. Passages can also be formed in the applicator pad  172  to further control the flow of fluid into and through an applicator pad. Some applicator pads  172  can be cleaned as required. Disposable applicator pads  172  may also be used. 
     The applicator assembly  22  is attached to the applicator platform  142  by first placing the pivot bar  166  on the cradle  150 . After the pivot bar  166  is seated on the cradle  150 , the deck  156  is pivoted about the axis of the pivot bar and toward the applicator platform  142 . As the deck  156  approaches the bottom surface  144  of the applicator platform  142 , the latch  170  is cammed away from the pivot bar  166  and moved across the latch end  146  of the applicator platform. The latch  170  then springs back toward the pivot bar  166 , engages a latch engaging surface  146  on the applicator platform  142  and latches the applicator assembly  22  to the applicator platform. The applicator deck  156  is preferably made from a resilient plastic material which permits the latch  170  to be unlatched and relatched. 
     The applicator assembly  22  including the deck  156  and fluid distributor pad  172  can be changed as a unit. It is also possible to change the pad  172  used on the deck  156  if the connection between the deck and the pad permits separation of the pad. 
     The applicator platform  142  has a flat bottom surface  144  that is in a plane that intersects the long axis of the cask  12  and the coaxial axis of the elongated shaft  54  of the piston controller  44  at an angle between 10° and 15°. This places the skin contact surface S of the pad  172 , which is parallel to the bottom surface  144 , in a plane that is generally parallel to the long axis of the elongated handle  82 . This arrangement moves the open handle end  24  of the cask  12  away from a surface to which fluid is being applied. The distance the open handle end  24  of the cask  12  is moved from the plane of the skin contact surface S is sufficient to permit the pad  172  to be generally parallel to the skin that is being treated. Positioning the long axis of the elongated handle  82  parallel to the skin contact surface S makes it easier to control contact between the pad  172  and skin areas. 
     To prepare the fluid applicator for use, the piston  42  is retracted toward the handle assembly  14  and the discharge end cap  18  is removed from the cask  12  by applying force manually to move the discharge end cap away from the cask. The cask  12  is then filled with the fluid that is to be applied. The discharge end cap  18  is then forced back into sealing contact with sealing surface  32  on the discharge end  26  of the cask  12 . Some air may need to be removed from the cask  12 . The rotatable valve  122  is rotated to a closed position by rotating the valve actuator lever  138 . An applicator assembly  22  with an appropriate applicator fluid distributor pad  172  for the fluid filling the cask  12  is attached to the applicator platform  142  as explained above. The fluid applicator  10  is then placed in the storage area until the fluid is needed. 
     To use the fluid applicator  10 , the rotatable valve  122  is rotated to an open position by moving the valve actuator lever  138  to an open position. The knob  56  is then rotated to advance the piston  42  and supply the desired quantity of fluid to the applicator assembly  22 . If the quantity of fluid applied to the applicator assembly is to be metered, the number of metering bars  62 , passing through one of the piston control knob notches  38 ,  90  or  92  are counted. A clicker that makes an audible sound upon the passage of each metering bar  62  can be added if desired. The metering bars  62  can also be numbered to assist in measuring movement of the piston  42 . The fluid distributor pad  172  is then rubbed on the area of the skin to be treated. If the fluid being applied flows easily, the valve  122  is rotated to a closed position before the applicator pad  172  is rubbed on the skin area to ensure that there is no leakage. Additional fluid is supplied to the applicator pad  172 , as required, by opening the valve  122  and rotating the knob  56  to advance the piston  42  and pump additional fluid into the applicator. 
     The controller retainer  46  positions the retainer and rotatable knob  56  and the elongated shaft  54  with the lead screw  58 . Employment of the controller retainer  46  makes it possible to use the fluid applicator  10  either with the handle assembly  14  or without the handle assembly. When the handle assembly  14  is removed, the cask  12  can sit on the handle end  24  in a vertical position for refilling the cask. The controller retainer  46  also makes it possible to remove the handle assembly  14  to reduce the total length of the fluid applicator  10  for storage and for packing in a suitcase for travel. The fluid applicator  10  can be used without the controller retainer  46  when the features described above are not required. During employment of the application  10  without the controller retainer  46 , the rotatable knob  56  is radially fixed by blade members  86  and is axially retained by the control knob notches  38  in the cask  12  and by the cask holder base plate  84  of the handle assembly  14 . 
     The cask  12  can be made from an acrylic resin or other suitable material. The other parts can be made from polypropylene or other suitable materials. 
     The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred form of the invention, but is intended to be illustrative rather than definitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.