Patent Abstract:
A pantyhose or hosiery reinforcing tool. The tool reinforces the elastic fibers surrounding a tear within the hosiery. The reinforcing tool has a cylindrical containing tube which holds a specific amount of flexible binding solution. The flexible binding solution is in liquid form and is soaked into a porous elastomer material which has a thin wall cell structure to absorb the flexible binding solution. Projecting out of the top of the cylindrical containing tube is an application head which is either cylindrical in shape or hemispherical in shape. The application head is composed of the same porous elastomer material. A top fits over the application head and screws tightly in one form to the cylindrical tube during storage. In application, the application head of the reinforcing tool is pressed against the leading edge of the tear applying the flexible binding solution. The flexible binding dries quickly to reinforce the hosiery elastic fibers.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority benefit of U.S. Ser. No. 60/647,354 filed Jan. 25, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     a) Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present embodiment relates to the field of apparel, and or particularly to the class of apparel including panty hose nylon stockings and other items of hosiery. Also, it relates to a device and process for preserving the usable life of hosiery.  
         [0004]     b) Background Art  
         [0005]     A general description of the use of hosiery, stockings, or nylon type material will be briefly discussed. Stockings, hosiery, or tights, made of nylon and/or spandex, are coverings used by women to fit the body from the waist to the feet.  
         [0006]     Hosiery is worn by women for many reasons. The stockings can enhance the curve of the legs through the sheerness, making the legs look smoother. They can also outline shape of the leg through the use of dark colors. The stockings also can provide warmth in colder weather.  
         [0007]     Stockings come in a wide range of styles which generally relate to thickness and color. The thinner the stocking the shearer or finer the smoothness of the leg appearance.  
         [0008]     Congruent with the thinness, is the likelihood that the stocking will develop rips or tears because of the thin structure of the weave.  
         [0009]     The stocking weave is generally composed of nylon fibers and/or spandex fibers. The spandex provides the elasticity, while the nylon provides some elasticity as well as the thinness of the structure. The tearing or running of the stocking is most common with a higher content of nylon and a thinner structure.  
         [0010]     The nylon and spandex fibers as stated before have a certain amount of elasticity which corresponds to a certain linear distance the fiber can be stretched without leading to permanent deformation.  
         [0011]     When not in use, the nylon and spandex fibers of the hosiery are in a nonelastic state of use. When the user puts on the nylon stockings, the nylon and spandex fibers are stretched to fit the outer circumference of the user&#39;s leg. Although the nylon or spandex fibers are still within the elastic range, the cross-sectional area of the stretched fibers has decreased and is more susceptible to failure due to the transverse force as applied by a sharp object of some sort. This transverse force from a sharp object will likely cause a hole in the hosiery, which occurs where one or more of the nylon or spandex fibers has failed causing the elastic tension force within the failed nylon or spandex fibers to be transferred to the surrounding non-failed fibers.  
         [0012]     Even though the tear or hole may start in a number of different ways, once it has started it is difficult to prevent the tear from continuing further. To prevent this tearing, there have been a number of solutions provided. One is to use off the shelf nail polish when generally applied at the apex of the tear or at the point where the tear is about to continue will help stop the tear.  
         [0013]     The applicator itself may not be configured to apply a uniform and consistent amount of nail polish onto the tear. Also, nail polish takes time to dry. Much of the solution may not adhere to the material because the stocking itself is thin and not very absorbent.  
         [0014]     Consequently the application of the nail polish liquid needs to be uniform and consistent, reinforcing the surrounding fiber structures, and if possible, breaching the failed fiber members to provide a patch to enable supplemental transferring of the tension load across the breached portion and also providing additional reinforcement to the surrounding fiber members.  
         [0015]     The following patents are related to the problem of fixing or preventing hosiery tears.  
         [0016]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,338,784 is directed primarily to the particular composition which is used as the repair liquid. The composition contains nitrocellulose, resin, another ingredient, and also a solvent. In column three (3) beginning on line 7 and following, it states that it could be stored in a jar with a brush, a roll-on bottle, any type of bottle, etc.  
         [0017]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,127 describes a method of mending runs, snags, holes or the like in hosiery where there is “one-shot application container” containing the liquid adhesive ingredient. It also indicates that decorative material such as dyes, glitter, etc. could be used.  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,087,496, shows a self-adhesive device which is attached to the damaged hosiery by Velcro means.  
         [0019]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,322, discloses an adhesive patch that is placed on either side of the damaged area to prevent further damage.  
         [0020]     In addition, a search of the internet uncovered a site that calls itself “PANTYHOSE ENCYCLOPEDIA”, which contains the statement, “The Miracle Against Runs! Just put some nail polish around the run and your pantyhose is saved.” Also, there was uncovered a New York Times publication concerning the care of pantyhose and the five (5) pages of that article are provided in the prior art statement.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  is an overall environmental perspective view of the nylon hosiery with a tear;  
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of the hosiery;  
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of the hosiery and the woven fiber members with a tear;  
         [0024]      FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view of the nylon fiber members and the forces acting upon them during a tearing situation;  
         [0025]      FIG. 4B  is an enlarged plan view of the nylon fiber members with the forces normalized;  
         [0026]      FIG. 5A  is an enlarged plan view of the hosiery tear with a binding solution zone;  
         [0027]      FIG. 5B  is a cross-sectional view of the stressed fiber members reinforced by the binding composition;  
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a first embodiment;  
         [0029]      FIG. 6B  is an enlarged perspective view of the user holding a first embodiment and applying the solution to a predetermined circumferential solution zone;  
         [0030]      FIG. 6C  is an alternative embodiment of the present embodiment&#39;s solution application head;  
         [0031]      FIG. 6D  is an alternative embodiment of the solution applicator head;  
         [0032]      FIG. 7  is an alternative perspective view of the solution applicator with a disposable insert.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0033]     In discussing the detailed description of the current embodiment it is preferable to first provide a detailed description of the structure and function of the nylon fabric, thus providing a clear understanding of the current embodiment environment.  
         [0034]     With this in mind, a detailed description of the fabric structure and function will be provided, followed by a detailed description of the current embodiment of the hose run stopper method and apparatus which includes the apparatus container or applicator, its application elements, and the binding composition which when applied, reinforces the nylon fabric. Lastly, additional embodiments of the applicator elements will be provided.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the user may be wearing nylon fabric hosiery  14  on her leg  12 . Generally, the tear is caused by a snag from a sharp object, which brushes up against the user&#39;s leg  12 . Stopping a tear in the hosiery is difficult given the specific mechanics and structure of the typical nylon hosiery.  
         [0036]     Although the run or tear  16  caused by the snag on the object may be unnoticeable because of the relatively fine weave of the hosiery  14 , once the balanced structure has been disturbed, a tear  16  will quickly develop, and for reasons discussed below, the tear may irreparably harm the hosiery  14 , making it unusable.  
         [0037]     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the typical nylon stocking  14  is worn on the leg  12 , the leg having a longitudinal axis  24  and a circumferential axis  26 . The fibers of the nylon stocking  14  run in both the longitudinal axial direction  24  and the circumferential axial direction  26 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , a magnified version of the tear  16  is shown within the hosiery  14 , where the user is applying the current embodiment as discussed below.  
         [0038]     The weave of the stocking will now be discussed. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the nylon stocking fiber members are shown equally spaced along the longitudinal axis  24 , as well as the circumferential axis  26  of the user&#39;s leg. Further, the nylon stocking fibers are shown in tension, or in other words are shown after the user has put the hosiery stockings  14  on and have been stretched around the circumference of the user&#39;s leg. The nylon fabric has a series of longitudinal fiber members  36  as well as a series of generally perpendicular to the longitudinal plane, circumferential fiber members  30 . During normal wear, the circumferential fiber members are stretched around the outer surface area of the user&#39;s appendage or leg  12  a specific distance or circumferential stretch distance  34  which is dependent upon the user&#39;s leg size. Directly proportional to the circumferential stretch distance  34  is the amount of elastic tension force  32  applied to the individual circumferential fiber members  30 . The longitudinal fiber members  36  are also tensioned along the longitudinal length of the user&#39;s leg.  
         [0039]     After the snag has occurred, and still referring to  FIG. 3 , the nylon hosiery  14  will, develop a rip or tear  16 . Once the hole is created, the tensioned circumferential fiber members  30  act to pull the tear  16  further apart. This force creates the run. As mentioned before, the tear  16  is proportional in size to the circumferential stretch distance  34 . After the elastic circumferential tension force  32  has pulled the longitudinal fiber members  36  to the proximate circumferential stretch distance  34 , the circumferential fiber members  30 , are in an untensioned resting state or in other words are untensioned fiber members  44 .  
         [0040]     The tear  16  has parallel longitudinal border fiber members  49  as well as two apex points  47  at the beginning and end of the tear  16 . It is at the apex point  47  where the elastic tension force  32  residing in the circumferential fiber members  30  pulls the connected longitudinal fiber members  36  apart and continues the tear  16 .  
         [0041]     Now describing in particular the tearing or ripping action. As the longitudinal fiber members  36  are pulled away from their existing longitudinal location towards the parallel longitudinal border fiber members  49 , the circumferential fiber members  30  are transitioning from the tension state to the untensioned state and act on this longitudinal fiber member  36  to create a resultant angular tension member  42  pulling on the individual circumferential fiber members  30  at the apex point  47  of the tear  16 .  
         [0042]     Referring to  FIG. 4A , a simplified version of this action is shown with a single circumferential fiber member  30  having an existing elastic tension force  32  applied. Also on the upper longitudinal portion of the stocking, the longitudinal fiber members  36  are shown running longitudinally. At the lower longitudinal portion of the stocking below the circumferential fiber members  30  are two longitudinal fiber members  31  being pulled towards the longitudinal border fiber member position  49 . Along the axis of these transitioning longitudinal fiber members  31  is a resultant angular tension force  42 .  
         [0043]     This resultant tension force  42  has a longitudinal tension component  40  and circumferential tension component  38 . For calculation purposes, we will assume that the circumferential tension component  38  is one half of the tension force  32 , while the longitudinal tension component  40  is some other force amount which results in combination with the circumferential tension component  38  to produce the resultant angular tension force  42  as shown.  
         [0044]     The origin  33  of this resultant angular tension force  42  is the intersection, or connection of the longitudinal fiber members  36  and the circumferential fiber member  30 . Simplifying the force diagram, and referring to  FIG. 4B , the circumferential tension component  38  can be combined with the original circumferential tension force  32  in both the positive and negative axial circumferential directions to provide a total circumferential tension force  48 . This total circumferential tension force  48  acts to further stress the immediate circumferential fiber member  30 , reducing its cross-sectional area, and concurrently reducing its capacity to resist shear stresses. Combined with the two longitudinal tension component&#39;s  40  acting cross-sectionally at the origin  33 , the circumferential fiber member  30  tends to fail. Therefore the same resultant tension force  42  is applied to the next circumferential fiber member  30  in the longitudinal direction, creating a chain reaction of fiber member failures.  
         [0045]     This series of chain reaction failures of the fiber members can occur gradually or nearly instantaneously, depending on the size of the user&#39;s leg as well as the flexing of the user&#39;s muscle, thus increasing the circumferential distance and increasing the circumferential tension force, stressing the fibers beyond their elastic range.  
         [0046]     Therefore, it is desirable to have a solution or composition contained within an applicator, which when the solution is applied to the tear  16 , binds to the fiber members, reinforcing them at the weakened stress point, as well as drying or binding quickly to the fiber members.  
         [0047]     Also, it is highly likely that the user is wearing the hosiery to work or at a social function, and needs an applicator which can provide accuracy of the application of the binding solution to the tear, as well as convenience in use.  
         [0048]     Therefore the discussion of the current embodiment acting in the above described nylon hosiery environment will first describe the elements of the applicator, followed by the elements of a typical binding solution, and lastly, additional embodiments of the applicator will be discussed.  
         [0049]     The solution applicator  10 , as referred to in  FIG. 6 , is configured to provide ease of handling as well as portability. In this current embodiment, the solution applicator  10  is shown as a generally cylindrical tube with a top and bottom as well as an inner region and an application tip. The application tip is covered by a cap. Although this embodiment shows a cylindrical configuration, other ergonomically designed configurations to easily fit within the user&#39;s hand are could be used. These other ergonomically designed configurations can include an elliptical configuration, a rectangular configuration, or a series of configurations designed to fit within the palm of the hand. Such configurations could also include an oval type applicator with two parallel walls and a perimeter sidewall connecting the two parallel walls, but for current discussion purposes the cylindrical shell will be discussed.  
         [0050]     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , the solution applicator  10  is shown in this embodiment, with a cylindrical shell  50  holding the binding solution  58 . The cylindrical shell is arranged along a vertical axis  80  and a radial axis  82 . In the vertical direction, the cylindrical shell  50  has a height in the existing embodiment of 3 ½ inches; other lengths can be provided, such as a shell having a longer vertical length of 5 inches, and a lesser radial dimension. The cylindrical shell has an inner surface  51 , and an outer surface  49 . At the base of the cylindrical shell  50  is a bottom wall  52  which seals off the inner region  53  of the cylindrical shell  50 .  
         [0051]     At the top portion of the solution applicator  10  is an application head  60  which is fashioned in the current embodiment, from a porous or sponge like material. In the current embodiment, the sponge like material is a commercially available material with a porous cellular structure large enough to carry the solution and be sufficiently compressible to discharge the solution. This sponge like material is well-known in the art and is used commercially in many different applications. Use of the sponge like material allows the binding solution  58  contained within the solution applicator  10  to migrate up through the application head  60  and be absorbed into the cells of the material for application.  
         [0052]     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , various shapes of the application head  60  can be provided for accurate application of the binding solution  58  to the fiber material  14  as discussed in the alternative embodiments below. The application head  60  in the current embodiment is fashioned in a cylindrical shape having an outer cylindrical surface  62  as well as a top application surface  66  and a bottom absorbing surface  68 . The top application surface  66  is within the horizontal radial plane  82  of the solution applicator  10 . By having a flat top application surface  66 , the user can apply a uniform amount of binding solution  58  to the hosiery  14  within a predefined circumferential solution zone  61  as seen in FIG.  6 B. In this current embodiment the outer diameter of the cylindrical shell is approximately¼ of an inch, and the outer diameter of the application head is also approximately¼ of an inch. The application head has a vertical height of approximately⅜ of an inch, and has a general configuration of a cylindrical shape similar to that of the solution applicator.  
         [0053]     By using the flat top application surface  66 , the user a more uniform application which could compromise the effectiveness of the applicator. In contrast, a user could use an edge of the application head to be more specific in the application of the solution to the nylon tear.  
         [0054]     A sealed environment to keep the solution in the containing region from escaping is desirable. Referring back to  FIG. 6 , the outer diameter  64  of the application head  60  is at least the same size as the cylindrical shell inner diameter  56 . The bottom portion of the application head  60  is placed down into the top portion of the cylindrical shell  50 . This creates a tightly sealed environment where the binding solution  50  cannot escape the inner chamber region  53  of the solution applicator  10  without first passing through the porous elastomer material. The porous elastomer material of the application head  60  acts as a sponge to absorb a predetermined amount of binding solution  58 . This absorption occurs in one form by capillary action.  
         [0055]     For reasons discussed below, the binding solution has an alcohol-based content, and will readily evaporate. Therefore, to keep the absorbed binding solution  58  from evaporating and thus binding within the porous elastomer material  60 , a closure cap  62  is provided to create a hermetically sealed environment thus preventing the binding solution from evaporating out of the cylindrical shell inner region  53 .  
         [0056]     An additional embodiment of this solution applicator  10  is that the inner region  53  of the cylindrical shell  50  is nearly 100% hermetically sealed from the outside environment when the cap  61  is attached over the application head. When initially used, the inner region  53  is completely full of binding solution  58 . After a period of time, there becomes a void or air space within the inner region  53  due to the consumption or use of the solution.  
         [0057]     Thus, the binding solution  58  contained within the inner region  53  will not take up the entire volume of the inner region  53 , thus leaving a volume space for potential evaporation. A vapor volume region  61  will develop, and become filled with a combination of air and evaporating binding solution vapor. This combination of air and binding solution vapor will act to mitigate any hardening of the binding solution  58  on or in the cellular structure of the sponge like material as well as within the cylindrical shell  50  itself. Similarly, when the solution applicator cap  62  is on the solution applicator  10 , virtually no airspace is left between the cap top  65  and the top application surface  66 . What little airspace there is left will be filled with a mixture of oxygen and binding solution vapor, and the evaporation rate of the binding solution from the top application surface  66  will balance out to nearly zero, thus keeping the application head  60  moist with the binding solution  58 .  
         [0058]     In this particular embodiment, the cylindrical cap  62  has a height substantially great enough to cover the application head  60  and be secured to the outer wall of the cylindrical shell  49  through one of many securing means. One such securing means is a screw type cap with grooves fabricated into the cylindrical shell outer wall  49  and corresponding grooves inside the cylindrical cap  62 .  
         [0059]     A brief discussion of the application process of the binding solution  50  to the hosiery  14  will now be provided.  
         [0060]     Referring to  FIG. 6B , the solution applicator  10  holding the binding solution is shown in its pre-application state where the user has positioned the applicator head  60  just above a tear  16  in the hosiery  14 .  
         [0061]     Still referring to  FIG. 6B , the user presses the solution applicator  10  against the hosiery tear  48  and depending upon the amount of binding solution  58  desired to cover the rip zone  48  as well as the surrounding fiber members, the user will apply either a greater or lesser compression force downward on the solution applicator  10  thus creating a surface engagement between the top applicator surface  66  and the hosiery or nylon stockings  14 . The corresponding compression of the sponge application head  60  reduces the containing volume  70  and forces the binding solution  58  onto the hosiery  14 .  
         [0062]     After the application process has been performed, the binding solution  58  will harden around the individual fiber members adjacent to the tear zone and reinforce the fiber members within the path of the tearing chain reaction to resist the additional tension and shear forces.  
         [0063]     A detailed description of the fiber members as reinforced by the binding solution will now be provided.  
         [0064]     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , one embodiment of the binding solution zone  61  is shown. The binding solution  58  as applied to the nylon stocking  14  at the apex  47  of the tear  16  has a circumferential outer boundary line which is the outer limits of the applied binding solution  58 . After a period of time, the binding solution  58  evaporates to form a binding composition  90 . In a first form, the flexible binding composition only surrounds and reinforces the circumferential fiber members  30  and the longitudinal fiber members  36 . This binding composition  90  may in a second form fill the fiber cells  46  in addition to surrounding the circumferential fiber members  30  and the longitudinal fiber members  36 . In such a form, the binding composition  90  can also span between the parallel longitudinal border fiber members  49  of the tear  16 , thus reestablishing the circumferential tension capacity of the broken circumferential fiber members  30 .  
         [0065]     Referring to  FIG. 5B , the circumferential fiber members  30  as well as the longitudinal fiber members  36  are shown in cross-section with the binding composition  90  applied and surrounding the tensioned members  30  and  36 . Because of the additional tension, the fiber members  36  have a reduced cross-sectional area. The binding composition  90  surrounding the tensioned members  30  and  36 , adds additional tensile capacity to the individual circumferential fiber members  30 , as well as distributes the tension force to the surrounding circumferential fiber members  30  and longitudinal fiber members  36 . Further, the origin  33 ,  FIG. 5A , is also reinforced substantially in both the longitudinal and circumferential direction&#39;s by the binding solution  58 . Thus, when the resultant angular tension force  42 ,  FIG. 4A , is applied to the origin point  33 , the reinforced members adequately resist potential failure.  
         [0066]     By using a uniform top application surface  66  during application of the binding solution, the user can be assured a uniform amount of solution is applied to all of the surrounding fiber members, thus providing uniform reinforcement and distribution of the load around the apex  47  of the tear  16 .  
         [0067]     A detailed description of the binding solution  58  will now be provided. The binding solution  58  should have characteristics which include elasticity for stretching along with the nylon fiber members, binding properties to attach to the nylon fibers, and a high rate of evaporation so as to minimize wait time. The physical characteristics of the binding solution  58  can be composed of a natural resin which dries to a hard but flexible and durable compound after application. This compound can easily bind with the fibers in a nylon or spandex and nylon hosiery stocking.  
         [0068]     The current embodiment of the binding solution  58  is comprised of four parts of a commercially available nail polish compound and one part of a thinning solvent. In this embodiment, the four parts nail polish compound has the following chemical composition by percentage of weight.  
                                                   4 parts Nail Polish   Nail Polish Compound %           Compound   Composition by Weight                           Nitrocellulose   12.5%             Toluene-sulfonamide-   10%           formaldehyde resin           Camphor    3%           Dibutyl phthalate    5%           ethlyl acetate   25%           butyl acetate   23.5%             toluene   20%           titanium dioxide   0.5%            amaranth   0.5%            total   100%                       
 
         [0069]     Additionally, in this embodiment the one part thinning solvent has the following chemical composition by percentage of weight.  
                                                       Thinning Solvent % Composition           1 part Thining Solvent   by Weight                           Nitrocellulose   0%           Toluene-sulfonamide-   0%           formaldehyde resin           Camphor   0%           Dibutyl phthalate   0%           ethyl acetate   70.6%             butyl acetate   0%           toluene   0%           titanium dioxide   0%           amaranth   0%           ethyl alcohol   17.4%             water   12%            total   100%                       
 
         [0070]     Lastly, in combination the binding solution  58  from four parts Nail Polish compound, and one part thinning solvent, has the following chemical composition by percentage of weight.  
                                                   Flexible Bindinq Compound   % Composition by Weight                           Nitrocellulose    10%           Toluene-sulfonamide-     8%           formaldehyde resin           Camphor   2.4%           Dibutyl phthalate     4%           ethlyl acetate   34.12%            butyl acetate   18.8%            toluene    16%           titanium dioxide   0.4%           amaranth   0.4%           ethyl alcohol   3.48%            water   2.4%           total    100%                       
 
         [0071]     For reasons discussed above the application of this binding solution to the nylon stockings  14  around the tear  16  from the snag as shown in  FIG. 2  prevents the nylon stockings  14  from being ruined.  
         [0072]     A discussion of alternative embodiment of the application head  60  will now be provided in  FIGS. 6C and 6D  and a discussion of an alternative configuration of the solution applicator  10  will be discussed in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0073]     Referring to  FIG. 6C , in an alternative embodiment, the porous elastomer material application head  60  has a uniform angular application plane  166 , where the application plane  166  is cut at an angle  168  from the radial axis plane  82  to allow for customization of the application process of the application head  60  to the nylon stockings  14 . Depending on the desired configuration of the application head  60 , the uniform angular application plane  166  could be manufactured from an angle  168  ranging from 0° to 90° from the radial axis plane  82 .  
         [0074]     Additionally, in another alternative embodiment, referring to  FIG. 6D , the application head  60  is shown configured in a semi-spherical shape  170 . This semi spherical shape  170  enables the user to apply increasing amounts of binding solution  58  within ever-increasing amounts of application zones  172 , congruent with the amount of downward force being applied by the user to the solution applicator  10 . As the force increases, the elastomeric semi-spherical application head  60  is further depressed, thus covering a greater area and discharging more binding solution  58 .  
         [0075]     Thus, if the tear  16 ,  FIG. 6B , is relatively minor, the user may choose to apply a minimal amount of the binding solution  58  by dabbing the hosiery tear  16  with the semi-spherical application tip  174 . If the tear  48  is large or is under large tension stresses, the user may choose to apply a greater amount of the binding solution  58  by pressing the porous elastomer application head  60  firmly onto the hosiery  14 . Thus, the semi-spherical application shape  170  provides the user one option in applying varying amounts of the binding solution  58  the hosiery tear  48 .  
         [0076]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , in an alternative embodiment, the solution applicator  10  is provided with a disposable insert section  200  which allows the user to refill the solution applicator  10  with a new recharged binding solution section. The disposable insert section  200 , in the alternative embodiment, has the application head  60  as well as male threads  210  and contains the binding solution  58  within the solution containment region  212 . The solution containment region  212  is configured cylindrically to fit within the cylindrical shell  50  of the solution applicator  10 . The cylindrical shell  50  of the solution applicator  10  has female insert inner threads  216  which correspond to the male threads  210  of the disposable insert  200 . After the user disposes of the used insert, she can installed the recharged disposable binding solution insert  200  and then secure the cap  62  over the application head  60  to hermetically seal the solution applicator  10 . Additionally, the disposable insert  200  can have varying application head configurations, as discussed previously.

Technology Classification (CPC): 3