Abstract:
A motorized fluid dispenser is disclosed that provides a reservoir for retaining fluid, a dispensing end of the reservoir that opens onto an applicator, and a motor which provides movement to the applicator while the fluid is dispensed. The motor does not power fluid dispensing but provides movement of the applicator which, depending on the intended use of the fluid dispensed, may move the surface upon which the fluid is dispensed or may move the applicator relative to the surface. A cap is provided that physically prevents fluid from being dispensed while the cap is in place. The reservoir is adapted to withstand variations in temperature to permit immersion of the reservoir in a heated or cooling atmosphere or bath, and to withstand fluids that may be exothermic or endothermic.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0001]    The inventors incorporate herein by reference any and all disclosure documents, U.S. patents, U.S. patent applications, and other documents, hard copy or electronic, cited or referred to in this application, including the disclosure document entitled VIBRATING MASSAGING DISPENSER APPLICATOR AND METHOD filed Jun. 16, 2006; U.S. Ser. No. 60/804,904 filed on Jun. 15, 2006 and entitled DISPENSER WITH MASSAGER AND METHOD; U.S. Ser. No. 11/155,015 filed Jun. 16, 2005 and entitled “TWIST-OPEN DISPENSER WITH APPLICATOR AND METHOD OF APPLYING SKIN CARE PRODUCTS &amp; METHOD OF MERCHANDISING PAINT;” and U.S. Ser. No. 11/408,266 filed Apr. 20, 2006 and entitled “DISPENSER CAP AND DISPENSER.” 
       BACKGROUND OF DEVICE AND METHOD OF THIS DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    Liquids with a viscosity higher than that of water may be referred to as creams, gels and lotions, or may be assigned functional names corresponding to their intended use, such as make-up, paint, degreaser, or arthritis relief cream. Such liquids are stored, contained and dispensed according to the volume of liquid needed and the nature of the surface treatment desired. For example, house paint may be dispensed both by pouring paint into a sprayer and then spraying it onto a surface, or by applying it with a roller, sponge or brush. As another example, skin care cream may be dispensed by pouring a small amount into a user&#39;s hand, onto an area of skin, or onto an applicator pad, and then manually massaging the cream into the user&#39;s skin. 
         [0003]    When liquid products are applied to a surface, it may provide an advantage to provide motorized movement to the applicator during application. For some, the surface will be sufficiently pliable to be moved by the motorized applicator, while for other surfaces, the motorized applicator will move relative to the surface. For example, when applying a skin care cream to skin, a user&#39;s skin is typically pliable and may be massaged by the motorized movement of the applicator, for example while applying arthritis cream. When applying silver polish to a tarnished silver surface, the motorized applicator disclosed herein will typically move relative to the surface and thereby polish the silver during motorized application of the liquid. 
       SUMMARY OF DEVICE AND METHOD OF THIS DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    This device and method of use provides, but is not limited to, a device and method for: applying a liquid to a surface while concurrently providing movement by a motor to the applicator; applying a skin care cream to the skin of a person and concurrently providing massaging movement of the applicator; providing a compact dispenser that vibrates including an applicator material that absorbs a viscous liquid as that liquid is being dispensed; and providing methods for dispensing different types of liquids containing active agents used for treatment, including but not limited to analgesics, exfoliating agents, dandruff treatments, muscle stimulating or relaxing agents, polishes, waxes, cleaners or other surface treatment products that are available in the form of a liquid. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0005]    Some embodiments are disclosed in the accompanying drawing which includes the following figures (Figs.), with like numerals indicating like parts: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the dispenser of this disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a partial exploded perspective view showing two components of the disclosed dispenser; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a partial exploded perspective view showing two components of the disclosed dispenser; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of three components of the disclosed dispenser; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a partial exploded perspective view showing two components of the disclosed dispenser; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a partial exploded perspective view showing two components of the disclosed dispenser; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a section view of one embodiment of the dispenser of this disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Referring to one embodiment of the device illustrated as  FIG. 1 , the fluid applicator  10  comprises a fluid reservoir  12  having a closed end  122 , a dispensing end  124 , and an opening  126  defined by the dispensing end  124 ; a housing  16  mounted onto the dispensing end  124  of the reservoir  12  onto which is attached a slideably mounted motor control member  14  and a detachably mounted enclosing cap  20 . Also included in  FIG. 1  are a micro-switch  15 , a battery  152 , a noise dampener  17 , a motor  182 , a holder  18 , and a liquid applicator material  19 . 
         [0014]    Referring to the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the motor control switch  14  comprises an annular ring with a reservoir end  140  and an applicator end  142 . One or more projections  144  are defined by the applicator end  142  which projections  144  are adapted to slideably mate with the housing  16 . The reservoir end  140  of the motor control switch  14  is adapted to slideably mate with the dispenser end  124  of the reservoir  12 . 
         [0015]    In another embodiment, not shown, the motor control switch is slideably adapted to conform to a flat surface. In yet other embodiments, not shown, the motor control switch comprises a button, a knob, a dial, or a pressure sensitive control switch, or any switch design of the art. One feature common to the embodiments of motor control switches of this disclosure is that each is aesthetically adapted to the shape of the fluid reservoir or to the shape of the housing, and that such switch is adapted to effectively control at least one motor. 
         [0016]    Referring now to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the housing  16  is adapted to slideably engage with the motor control switch  14  while the housing  16  remains fixedly engaged with the reservoir  12  during use. Such fixed engagement may be effected through a snug or snap fit between the reservoir opening  126  and an opening  166  defined by the housing  16 . A spirally configured ridge  128  defined by the reservoir&#39;s dispenser end  124  mates with a corresponding spirally configured indent defined in the motor control switch  148 . When the ridge  128  of the reservoir&#39;s dispenser end  124  is screwed into the motor control switch&#39;s indent  148 , a moisture seal is created, while still permitting the motor control switch  14  to slideably mate either both the reservoir  12  and the housing  16 . This seal serves as a barrier against liquids. 
         [0017]    In an alternate embodiment, not shown, the motor control member may be slideably engaged with the reservoir by one or more annular ridge defined by the reservoir&#39;s dispenser end with mates with a correspondingly configured at least one annular indent defined in the motor control switch. In yet another embodiment, the housing and reservoir may be manufactured as a single piece, and so be permanently affixed to one another. In yet another embodiment, the housing and reservoir my be manufactured as separate components and then permanently attached to one another by any means known in the art, for example by adhesion or fusion. One common feature to each embodiment is that a moisture seal exists or is created by effecting a fixed engagement, with seal services as a barrier to liquids. 
         [0018]    An enclosing cap  20  is provided having a sidewall  202  adapted to fit onto the dispensing end  126  of the reservoir  12 . The enclosing cap  20  is also configured with an internal pin element  204  to engage with the dispenser  126  so as to block or prevent flow of fluid from the reservoir  12  when the enclosing cap  20  is fitted onto the reservoir  12 . If there is a motor control switch  14  positioned between the housing  16  and reservoir  12 , the enclosing cap  20  is also adapted to enclose the motor control switch  14  without affecting or effecting motor function. The enclosing cap  20  may be fitted onto or retained by the dispensing end  124  of the reservoir  12  through any means known in the are, including but not limited to snap fitting or screw fitting. 
         [0019]    The fluid reservoir  12  is adapted to contain viscous fluid until the fluid is dispensed or applied. The reservoir  12  is also adapted to be deformed, squeezed, or to withstand applied pressure sufficiently well enough to enable such pressure to force fluid from the fluid reservoir member  12  out through the dispenser  126 . Suitable containers include, but are not limited to, bottles, tottles (inverted bottles), and flexible tubes. 
         [0020]    Further, the reservoir member  12  is adapted to withstand external temperature variations from about 0 degrees centigrade to about 100 degrees centigrade, and to transmit heat through its walls between fluid within the reservoir  12  and fluid in which the reservoir member  12  may be immersed. This permits fluid within the reservoir member  12  to be heated or cooled to a temperature that is appropriate for use of the fluid. 
         [0021]    Still further, the reservoir member  12  is adapted to withstand internal temperature variations from about 0 degrees centigrade to about 100 degrees centigrade, so that any fluid contained within said reservoir member may undergo either an exothermic or an endothermic reaction within the reservoir  12  prior to application onto a user&#39;s skin or onto a surface to be treated. 
         [0022]    Referring now to both  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the motor control switch  14  has a first end  140  adapted to slideably engage with the reservoir&#39;s dispensing end  124 , and a second end  142  adapted to engage with the housing  16 . In addition to the projections  144  described above, the second end  142  may also be adapted to provide one or more projections  146  adapted to engage a micro-switch  15 . Such engagement enables the motor control member  14  to control the motor function of the disclosed applicator  10 . The micro-switch may be a simple on/off switch or may vary the speed of the at least one motor  182  of the device  10 . 
         [0023]    In one embodiment, the reservoir  12  and enclosing cap  20  have a common diameter D 1 , while the motor control switch  14  and housing  16  each has a common diameter D 2  in which D 2  is less than D 1 . The difference in diameters between D 1  and D 2  vary depending upon the materials used for construction of the disclosed device, but are generally adapted to provide a snug fit of the enclosing cap  20  over the motor control switch  14  and housing  16 . 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the reservoir  12 , and enclosing cap  20  each has a cross section that defines a rectangle having an area A, a length L, a width W and a height H, while the motor control switch  14  and housing  16  each has a cross section that defines a circle with a diameter D 3  that is less than either the length L or the width W. 
         [0025]    Several embodiments are provided according to this disclosure, each of which provides that the external cross sectional dimensions of the reservoir  12  and enclosing cap  20  are approximately equal, and which provide that the external cross sectional dimensions of the motor control switch  12  and housing  16  are approximately equal, and that they are configured for enclosing cap by the enclosing cap  20 . 
         [0026]    Referring now to embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the housing  16  provides structural elements adapted to receive at least one motor  182 , at least one battery  152 , and at least one micro-switch  15 . In the illustrated embodiment, these structural elements comprise a battery mount  185  and a micro-switch mount  187 . There is additionally a motor cavity  183  defined by the housing  16  adapted to receive at least one motor  182 . 
         [0027]    The illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG. 4  also reveals a noise dampener  17 , in this embodiment a flattened ring, adapted to fit on noise dampener holders  161  spaced about the housing  16 . More than one noise dampener  17  may be used. The noise dampener  17  is made of any material capable of absorbing and dampening vibrations produced by the at least one motor  182 . In one embodiment, the noise dampener is comprised of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber, commonly known as “NBR.” However, the noise dampener may be comprised of any substance that effectively reduces the noise made by the motor of the device. 
         [0028]    Still in reference to the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , at least one channel  163  is defined by the housing  16  which at least one channel  163  mates with at least one holder flange  181  which projects from the holder  18 . The holder is adapted to fixedly retain at least one motor  182  while the motor  182  is turned on and is vibrating. 
         [0029]    One way of generating movement by the at least one motor  182  is to generate vibration. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor  182  comprises a rotatable drive shaft (not shown) upon which is mounted an eccentric weight  184 . The rotating eccentric weight  184  vibrates the holder  18 , but the vibrations to the housing and dampened by the noise dampener  17 . A user holding the vibrating applicator  10  will sense various types of vibrations depending on the orientation of the motor  182  to the holder  17 , the number of motors  182  used, and the manner in which vibration is effected by each motor used  182 . Other types of motors may provide other types of movement to the holder, for example a rotating or circular movement, a percussive movement, a wave-like movement or any other type of movement capable of being generated by at least one motor. 
         [0030]    The holder  17  is also adapted to hold a fluid applicator material  19 , for example sponge. Other fluid applicator materials include but are not limited to brushes, pads, fabric, loofah, pumice, rubber, or any composition used in connection with applying fluid to a user or with massaging a user. Further, each applicator material may itself be modified to include adaptations that improve dispersion of liquid over the surface to which liquid is applied. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment having as its reservoir a tube or other dispenser with a generally circular cross section, details are provided as follows. The motor control member  14  comprises an annular wall  162  with an exterior surface  164  adapted to be frictionally rotated by a user&#39;s fingers about an axis A. Housing engaging projections  144  are adapted to engage with motor control engagement slots  161  of the housing  16 . The motor control switch  14  is further adapted to rotate about its axis A in either clockwise or counter clockwise directions. 
         [0032]    When an engaging member  146  engages with the micro-switch  15  it powers the motor  180  by causing the member  146  to engage complete an electrical circuit, to break an electrical circuit or to change the resistance of an electrical circuit. The electrical circuit so affected comprises at least one battery  152 , at least one motor  182  and at least one micro-switch  15 , which components are connected as is common in the art. In the embodiment shown, the switch  178  is an on/off switch. In other embodiments, the switch  178  may comprise a speed control switch which enables a user to control the speed of the motor in addition to turning the motor off and on. Mechanisms for enabling the motor control switch  14  to rotate about its axis and effectuate the motor  180  are well known in the art, and any one of them may be applied to this disclosure yet remain within the scope of the disclosed device and method. 
         [0033]    This device also includes method of topically applying a fluid to the skin of a person or to another surface using the dispenser  12  of this device of this disclosure. According to the method of this device of this disclosure, the enclosing cap  20  is removed and the fluid flows into or onto the applicator element  19 , for example, by squeezing the reservoir  12 . The fluid is applied to the skin of the person or other surface upon contact with the applicator element  19 . Concurrently the motor  182  is actuated by the motor control member  14  as the fluid is being applied. Various types of fluid may be applied to the skin of the person or other surface using the method of this device of this disclosure, for example, a depilatory cream, a cream including an anti-arthritis agent, an exfoliating cream, an analgesic cream, a cream including an anti-cellulite agent, a cream including an agent to relieve muscle soreness, a deodorant cream, a polishing liquid, a cleaning liquid, a soap. 
         [0034]    One feature of the method of this device of this disclosure is the use of a fluid that is free of water and includes an ingredient that reacts with water to produce heat. An example of a suitable ingredient is an anhydrous salt such as, for example, magnesium sulfate. Immediately before applying a anhydrous liquid containing an ingredient that reacts exothermically with water, the absorbent applicator element  19  is dipped, or otherwise treated with water, so as the anhydrous liquid flows into the applicator element, heat is liberated as the dispenser  10  moves.