Patent ID: 7704003

Claim:
A liquid applicator comprising: a. a container for dispensable liquid, the container having at least one open end; b. a valve assembly including: i) a unitary, one piece closure inserted at an open end of the container and the closure having a passage extending therethrough and a partition with an opening, the partition dividing the passage into first and second communicating passage portions defining first and second reservoirs; ii) a valve element inserted at the partition opening and cooperating with the opening to provide a valve as the valve element moves in said opening, the closure including a substantially planar retainer at an inner end; iii) bias means disposed between the retainer and the valve element to bias the valve element against inward movement of the valve element; and c. a nib disposed in sliding relation in a first passage portion and being operatively engageable with the valve element whereby the valve element is movable by pressure of the nib against the bias of the bias means to open the valve and allow liquid to flow into the nib and allow the valve to close when pressure is released; and d. the retainer has a plurality of spokes and includes an open area to receive liquid therethrough sufficient to supply an ample flow of liquid therethrough said closure wall thickness adjacent the container in the vincinity of the second reservoir is in the range of 0.020-0.040 inches for a container having a body diameter of about 0.75 inches to provide for substantial differential in ambient temperature.