Patent Document

This non-provisional utility patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 60/910,410, filed Apr. 5, 2007, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a fluid or gel delivery assembly, and more particularly to a system for delivering fluid or gel from a sealed container. As used herein, references to fluids should be understood to also refer to gels and gel like substances and liquids, whether or not they are technically fluids. 
     Applicators for delivering quantities of fluid are well known in the art. Numerous variations exist to account for different purposes. However, there is an unsolved need for a cost-effective, easy to use, and safe mechanism for delivering product with minimal exposure to the dispenser while allowing for maximum dispensing of the total reservoir volume, for example, a topical parasiticide to the coat and skin of an animal. 
     Biologically or chemically active fluid often requires a sealed container for storage. A bottle with a cap and an opening may allow some leakage, bacterial contamination or evaporation of the active fluid or permit some ambient air to enter the bottle. Thus, it is desirable to enclose such active ingredient in a sealed environment. 
     Furthermore, a typical reservoir of parasiticide or other fluid or gel may require the attachment of a separate applicator. When attaching an applicator to the reservoir of many known containers, the user must engage the applicator with the reservoir after opening the reservoir, either by uncapping the reservoir or piercing the reservoir. The opening of the reservoir and the subsequent manipulation of attaching the applicator forces pet owners to come into contact with the parasiticide, glue or other chemical or at least cause concerns about leakage, mess, or the application of maximum prescribed dose. 
     Additional concern arises when consumers store sensitive chemicals in opened containers. The chemical may lose effectiveness over time, evaporate or even transforms into harmful substance. Thus, it is desirable to provide a liquid delivery assembly that discourages user from retaining such chemicals in an opened container. 
     Another challenge for providers of sensitive chemicals such as a parasiticide is dosage. It may be difficult for some users to measure the right amount to dispense. Thus, it is desirable to provide a liquid delivery assembly that delivers a pre-determined amount of active chemicals corresponding to the size and weigh of the patient. 
     Another challenge for users of animal parasiticides is the ability to distribute the parasiticide through out the affected area of the animal. Thus, it is an advantage of the invention to provide a liquid delivery assembly capable of easily reaching beneath the fur and distributing the anti-parasite material, such as parasiticides, onto the skin. 
     Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved fluid or gel delivery system that overcomes drawbacks of existing systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, an applicator tip is provided for operating in conjunction with a pierceable fluid reservoir. Assemblies in accordance with the invention can lead to an exceptionally easy to use, safe, and convenient system and method of applying a fixed dosage of chemicals to which a user might wish to avoid contact, such as parasiticides. In the present invention, a fluid, such as a pesticide or parasiticide, glue, solvent, lubricant, medicament and the like is loaded into a fluid reservoir and the reservoir sealed. The reservoir can be attached to a cap-applicator structure which is in an inactive configuration. In the inactive configuration, a piercing tip remains poised over the reservoir in an inactive configuration without forming an opening in the reservoir. The cap-applicator can have a sharp internal piercing tip capable of piercing the reservoir when the assembly is converted into an active configuration. This will allow the user to dispense the liquid out of the reservoir through the applicator. The force needed to dispose the cap from the poised inactive condition to the active pierced condition can be a matter of design choice to prevent unintentional piercing and preferably involve providing positive feedback in the form of a jolt or click to let a user know the reservoir has been pierced. Assemblies in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention can provide easy to use devices for delivery of fluids or gels that minimizes undesirable contact, spill, waste or mess. A stable engagement between the cap and the reservoir advantageously ensures that no leakage will occur between the interface of the cap and the reservoir during activation and use. Structures are also desirable for keeping the applicator assembly in the active configuration. Projections can be provided, in the form of fins on a tube or a multi-prong structure with straight or curved projections. The tips of one or more projections can include dispensing ports or the ports can be recessed from the distal tip, such as in a notch, so as not to be obstructed if the distal tip of the cap is pressed against an animal to dispense the fluid. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the tip of the cap-applicator is in the shape of a comb (with multiple projections, which can be in a forked or rake-like configuration, one or more of which can have fluid delivery ports) or finned spreader, designed to part an animal&#39;s fur and more evenly spread the insecticide on the animal. 
     Thus, it is an advantage of the invention to provide a sealed, shelf-stable environment whereby the fluid may remain stable. 
     It is a further advantage of the invention to provide a cap with an applicator tip and the liquid reservoir already assembled and obviate any manipulation to attach a separate cap or applicator to an opened reservoir, which in turn remove the danger that and user may accidentally come into undesirable contacts with the liquid or gel. 
     It is an additional advantage of the invention to provide a pierceable liquid reservoir system that discourages the user from storing an open container and potentially unstable parasiticide for future use. 
     It is an additional advantage of the invention to provide a mechanism for dispensing a predetermined amount of parasiticide to a specific location at a precise dose in line with the recommended volume required for treatment. 
     Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for the purpose of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  are partial cross-sectional views of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in the pre-activation and post-activation conditions, respectively; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a dispensing cap component for a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an a embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a fluid reservoir component of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an a embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-sectional views of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in the pre-activation and post-activation conditions, respectively; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a dispensing cap component of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is partial perspective view of a fluid reservoir component of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of a dispensing cap component of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 7B ,  7 C, and  7 D are cut-away, perspective and top plan views, respectively, of the cap component of  FIG. 7A . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a fluid reservoir component of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 C are side plan, perspective and cut-away views, respectively, of the fluid delivery assembly for accordance with an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a dispensing cap component of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a fluid reservoir component of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are a cross-sectional view and a side view of a fluid reservoir component of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention in the post-activation condition. 
         FIGS. 14A and 14B  are perspective and cut-away views of a cap of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 15A and 15B  are perspective and cut-away views of a cap of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  are perspective and cut-away views of a cap of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The components of the liquid delivery assembly in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention can be manufactured via known methods of plastic molding and manufacture, the details of which will be apparent to those having skill in the art. The precise shapes and sizes of the components described herein are not necessarily essential to the invention, since the invention is described with reference to illustrative embodiments. 
     A preferred fluid delivery assembly in accordance with the invention comprises a dispensing cap having an applicator extension or tube, an interior piercing tip, a hollow channel extending throughout said piercing tip to the applicator tube and a base attachable to an external fluid reservoir. A sealed fluid reservoir having a region pierceable by said piercing tip on the cap is engaged to the cap. A multi-stage detent mechanism on said dispensing cap and fluid reservoir will allow said dispensing cap to captively engage said fluid reservoir in at least one inactive configuration where the fluid reservoir is not pierced and at least one active configuration where the fluid reservoir is pierced. Such multi-stage detent mechanism is also capable of preventing said piercing tip from piercing said reservoir until a user elects to convert said inactive configuration into said active configuration. 
     Fluid reservoirs in accordance with the invention should be substantively inactive to the fluid or gel stored therein, pliable enough to allow fluid to be squeezed out, but hard enough to engage the cap portion to keep the cap from detaching or prematurely shifting into the active configuration. A non-exhaustive list of acceptable materials for the reservoir includes propylene, etaylene, nylon, k-resin, polypropylene, and polyethylene in either homo or copolymer versions. 
     Dispensing caps in accordance with the invention should be substantively inactive to the fluid or gel therein and sufficiently rigid to allow the piercing tip to puncture the fluid reservoir. A non-exhaustive list of acceptable materials for the cap includes propylene, etaylene, nylon, k-resin, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyoxymethylene, polyacetal, and aliphatic polyketones (Carilon). 
     A non-limiting example of a fluid delivery assembly constructed in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention is shown generally as fluid delivery system  100  in  FIG. 1 . It will be appreciated that fluid delivery systems identified herein can also be used to deliver gels, with little or no modification. Delivery system  100  includes a hollow fluid reservoir  110  or another suitable fluid delivering tube or source engaged with a dispensing cap  120 . Reservoir  110  stores the fluid or gel therein. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, reservoir  110  stores a single dose of pesticide for a dog, cat, horse or other animal of appropriate size. 
     Dispensing cap  120  includes a short hollow cylindrical tube  130 , which terminates in a slanted piercing tip  140 . Tube  130  can be of uniform width and extends perpendicularly from within an interior  151  of a dome  150  of dispensing cap  120 . Tube  130  serves as a conduit from reservoir  110  to cap  120 . Cap  120  is designed to selectively form an opening in reservoir  110  and provide a tip to dispense the fluid or gel therein in a convenient manner. 
     Cap  120  also includes an extended applicator tube  160 , which can be unitary with and extend from the top of dome  150 . Applicator tube  160  terminates in a nozzle  170 . Tube  160  defines a channel  161 , which extends from piercing tip  140 , through short tube  130  to nozzle  170  and defines a liquid passageway capable of communicating fluid from piercing tip  140  to a nozzle end  171 . 
     It should be appreciated that extended applicator tube  160  and applicator nozzle  170  may adopt a variety of shapes and sizes consistent with different usage, other than what is depicted in  FIG. 1 . For example, the extended applicator tube may be longer or shorter and may contain a bend, a flare or a constriction. Applicator nozzle  170  may taper into a narrow tip or contain one or more fur-spreading fin structures for accessing difficult to reach areas or terminate in a rounded blunt bulge to avoid damaging the skin of the pet when applying a parasiticide. In one embodiment of the invention, extended tube  160 , channel  161  and nozzle  170  can be conical, so that trimming back the tip can increase the diameter of the opening at the tip of channel  161 . The present invention is not limited to the extended applicator tube and applicator nozzle presented herein. 
     It should be appreciated that the external surface of dome  150  may adopt a variety of features to facilitate usage. For example, an external surface top face  152  of dome  150  may contain a plurality of ridges capable of providing the user a firm grip during activation. 
     Fluid reservoir  110  includes a reservoir tip  115 . An upper end of tip  115  includes a pierceable region  190 , whereby the surface of the pierceable region  190  is proximal and perpendicular to cylindrical tube  130  when fluid reservoir  110  and dispensing cap  120  are engaged in an inactive position as shown in  FIG. 1A . Pierceable region  190  should be sufficiently wide to receive the outside diameter of cylindrical tube  130  when fluid reservoir  110  and dispensing cap  120  are engaged in an active configuration as shown in  FIG. 1B . The area of pierceable region  190  may be adjusted to balance the force required for piercing against the force feedback once piercing occurs. To further reduce the force of piercing, the thickness of the material in the pierceable region  190  may be adjusted so that the outer diameter of pierceable region  190  is thinner than at its center. 
     Generally, the fluid reservoir and the dispensing cap should be appropriately sized with respect to the space within the dome of the dispensing cap, allowing the fluid reservoir and the dispensing cap to move from the inactive configuration to active configuration. 
     Fluid delivery assemblies in accordance with the invention can contain a multi-stage detent mechanism to provide multi-stage engagement, while preventing unintended activation due to inadvertent piercing of the fluid reservoir. 
     A dispensing cap  200  in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown generally in  FIG. 2 . Cap  200  is configured to work with a reservoir tip  300  shown generally in  FIG. 3 . A multi-stage detent between cap  200  and tip  300  is provided as a ridge  310  on an external surface  301  of fluid reservoir tip  300  and two retaining grooves  211  and  212  on an internal wall surface  202  of dispensing cap  200 . 
     In an inactive configuration, ridge  310  engages retaining groove  211  and dispensing cap  200  is captively held on tip  300  of a fluid reservoir  350  during transport or storage without piercing a pierceable region  390  of fluid reservoir tip  300 . 
     In an active configuration, ridge  310  engages retaining groove  212  and dispensing cap  200  is captively held on tip  300  of fluid reservoir  350  while a piercing tip  240  penetrates piercing region  390 . This brings the fluid content in an interior  351  of reservoir  350  into communication with a channel  261  of dispensing cap  200 , allowing the contents of fluid reservoir  350  to enter and flow through hollow channel  261  from piercing tip  240  and exit through a tip  271  of an applicator nozzle  270 . 
     Internal wall  202  of dome  205  of dispensing cap  200  is provided with screw threads  213  about internal wall  202  thereof. Screw threads  213  are threadingly engageable with corresponding screw threads  314  on fluid reservoir  300 . The threading engagement between screw threads  213  and  314  ensures that piercing tip  240  will not breach fluid reservoir  300  at pierceable region  390  unless the user deliberately converts the inactive configuration into the active configuration by turning dispensing cap  200  in relation to fluid reservoir  300  to urge cap  200  and piercing tip  240  towards reservoir  300  and pierceable region  390  until ridge  310  of fluid reservoir  300  engages retaining groove  212  of dispensing cap  200 . Thus, after cap  200  is urged out of its retained state in the inactive position, it becomes retained in the active state. 
     It should be appreciated that other type of detent mechanism may be used instead of the mechanism shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . For example, the ridge may be present on the interior surface of the dispensing cap and two matching retaining grooves may be present on the fluid reservoir. Other multi-stage detent mechanisms are suitable as well. The present invention is not limited to the selection of the engaging mechanisms presented herein. 
     The features of another preferred embodiment of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  as assembly  400 . A dispensing cap  420  is configured to work with a reservoir tip  410 . Multi-stage detention between cap  420  and tip  410  is accomplished via use of a ridge  415  on an external surface  411  of fluid reservoir tip  410  and two retaining grooves  451  and  453  inside and unitary with a base  450  of dispensing cap  420 . 
     In an inactive configuration, ridge  415  engages retaining groove  453  and dispensing cap  420  is captively held on tip  410  of a fluid reservoir during transport or storage without piercing a pierceable region  490  of fluid reservoir tip  410 . 
     In an active configuration, ridge  415  engages retaining groove  451  and dispensing cap  420  is captively held on tip  410  of a fluid reservoir  401  while a piercing tip  440  penetrates a piercing region  490  on tip  410 . This brings the fluid content in interior of reservoir  401  into communication with a channel  461  of dispensing cap  420 , allowing the contents of fluid reservoir  401  to enter hollow channel  461  from piercing tip  440  and exit through cap  420 . 
     To prevent accidental activation, screw threading  455  inside base  450  of cap  420  is threadingly engageable with corresponding screw threading  415  on tip  410 . The threading mechanism ensures that piercing tip  440  will not breach pierceable region  490  unless the user deliberately converts the inactive configuration into the active configuration by turning dispensing cap  420  in relation to tip  410  until ridge  415  engages retaining groove  451  of dispensing cap  420 . 
     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, piercing tip  440  is designed with a slant (which can be symmetrical or asymmetrical) to avoid a potential problem that a flap of material left on a piercing region  490  may partially cover the opening of a hollow channel  461  at piercing tip  440  and impede fluid flow. The angle for piercing tip  440  is preferably from 55° to 120° and most preferably from 60° to 90°. 
     In another preferred embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , two regions of an internal wall  502  of a dome  550  of a dispensing cap  500  are raised to form a pair of tab breakers  515  that extends from an edge  503  of dome  550  to a first retaining groove  511 . A pair of breakaway tabs  617  extends from an external surface  610  of a fluid reservoir  600 . A pair of pre-activation rims  619  on fluid reservoir  600  extends from and are unitary with fluid reservoir  600 . The pre-activation rims  619  are generally on the same plane with and flank breakaway tabs  617  without being directly connected with breakaway tabs  617 . A pair of bump stops  621  are provided on one end of each pre-activation rims  619 . The breakaway tab mechanism ensures that piercing tip  540  will not breach pierceable region  690  unless the user deliberately rotates dispensing cap  500  with enough deliberate force until the side of tab breakers  515  rests against bump stops  621  (at which point tab breakers  515  are poised over and aligned with breakaway tabs  617 ), and push dispensing cap  500  onto fluid reservoir  600 , breaking breakaway tabs  517  from fluid reservoir  600 , and form the retained activated configuration. 
     Another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 . A dispensing cap  700 , in accordance with another embodiment of the invention is shown generally in  FIG. 7 . Cap  700  is configured to work with a fluid or gel reservoir  800  shown generally in  FIG. 8 . The engagement between cap  700  and fluid reservoir  800  is accomplished via the use of a raised structure  850  and a pre-activation ridge  801  of a head region  810  of fluid reservoir  800  and a locking groove  773  and a pair of slanted cam followers  771  about an internal surface  751  of dome  750  thereof. They are shown as, but are not limited to being 180° apart and unitary with dispensing cap  700 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , internal wall  751  of dome  750  of dispensing cap  700  extends perpendicularly from edge  753  of dome  750  to approximately halfway up dome  750  where a smaller inside diameter of dome defines a second edge  755  and an internal wall  757 . The lower junction of internal wall  757  is shaped into locking groove  773 . Two regions of internal wall  751  of dome  750  of dispensing cap  700  are raised to form slanted cam followers  771 . Slanted cam followers  771  are preferably positioned in the region between edges  753  of dome  750  to edge  755 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the top surface  815  of head region  810  includes a pierceable region  811 . A pair of pre-activation rims  850  on fluid reservoir  800  extend from and are unitary with fluid reservoir  800 . One end of each pre-activation rim  850  adopts a downward slanting region  851 , which further turns vertically downward to join a cap stabilizing ring  859 . A pair of lug locks  855  are notches provided on the lower edges  853  of each of slanting region  851 . 
     In an inactive configuration, a ridge  813  on head region  810  is engaged with a locking groove  759  to prevent accidental activation and dispensing cap  700  is captively held on head  810  of fluid reservoir  800  during transport or storage without piercing the pierceable region  819 . 
     To put a channel  761  of cap  700  in communication with fluid reservoir  800 , fluid reservoir  800  and dispensing cap  700  are pushed towards each other with sufficient force to urge ridge  813  on head region  810  out of locking groove  759  and rotated until slanted cam followers  771  advance through a pair of gaps  861  between and defined by pre-activation rims  850 . Once cam followers  771  drop into gaps  861  and make contact with the upper edge of downward slanting region  854 , dispensing cap  700  and fluid reservoir  800  may be turned so that slanted cam followers  771  move in spaces  863  between and defined by lower edge of pre-activation rims  850  and the upper edge of cap stabilizing ring  859  until cam followers  771  enter lug locks  855 . During rotation, a piercing tip  740  is gradually lowered to penetrate pierceable region  813 . In the activated condition, a top surface  815  of head region  810  contacts an inner ceiling  759  of dome  750 , thereby creating a seal to prevent fluid leakage during dispensing. 
     In another embodiment of the invention, shown in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B and  9 C, dispensing cap  900  has a base  950  and an applicator tube  980 . Dispensing cap  900  is configured to work with and dispense fluid from a fluid reservoir  910 . A top surface  951  of base  950  contains a plurality of ridges  953  capable of providing the user a firm grip during activation. Applicator tube  980  contains two opposing fin structures  982  constructed and arranged to be able to part the fur coat of the animal. A nozzle end  981  of applicator tube  980  has a notch  983 . When nozzle end  981  is in contact with the skin of the animal, the space formed between notch  983  and the skin permits the outflow of parasiticde. Fin structures  982  help part the animal&#39;s fur and the notch permits smooth fluid flow even if the tip is resting on the skin of the animal. It should be appreciated that the fur and insecticide spreading fins and the notch may adopt a wide variety of shapes and configurations. 
     Another preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 . A dispensing cap  1000  shown generally in  FIG. 10  is configured to work with a fluid reservoir  1100  shown generally in  FIG. 11 . It should be noted that the fluid reservoirs identified herein can also be gel reservoirs. The engagement between cap  1000  and fluid reservoir  1100  is accomplished via the use of a raised structure  1150  and a pre-activation ridge  1101  of a head region  1115  of fluid reservoir  1100  and a locking groove  1073  and a pair of slanted cam followers  1071  about an internal wall  1051  of dome  1050  thereof. These are shown as, but are not limited to, being 180° apart and unitary with dispensing cap  1000 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , internal wall  1051  of dome  1050  of dispensing cap  1000  extends perpendicularly from an edge  1053  of dome  1050  to approximately halfway up dome  1050  where a smaller inside diameter of dome defines an internal ledge  1055  and an internal wall  1057 . The lower junction of internal wall  1057  is shaped into locking groove  1073 . Two regions of internal wall  1051  of dome  1050  of dispensing cap  1000  are raised to form slanted cam followers  1071 . Slanted cam followers  1071  are generally positioned in the region between edge  1053  of dome  1050  and edge  1055 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , a top surface of head  1115  includes a pierceable region  1113 . A pair of pre-activation rims  1150  on fluid reservoir  1100  extend from and are unitary with fluid reservoir  1100 . One end of each pre-activation rim  1150  adopts a downward slanting region  1151 , which further turns vertically downward to join a cap stabilizing ring  1159 . A pair of notched lug locks  1155  are provided on lower edges  1153  of each of slanting region  1151 . 
     A fluid reservoir  1200  of another preferred embodiment of the invention are shown generally in  FIGS. 12A and 12B . A top surface  1215  of a head  1210  includes a pierceable region  1213 . A pair of pre-activation rims  1250  on fluid reservoir  1200  extend from and are unitary with fluid reservoir  1200 . One end of each pre-activation rim  1250  adopts a downward slanting region  1251 , which further turns vertically downward to join a cap stabilizing ring  1259 . A pair of notched lug locks  1255  are provided on a lower edge  1253  of each of slanting region  1251 . 
     The partial cross-sectional view of an activated configuration of a system in  1399  in accordance with still another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 13 . In the activated condition, a fluid channel  1361  of a cap  1300  pierces a pierceable region  1313  on a top surface  1315  of a head region  1310  of a fluid supply  1301  and is in fluid communication with fluid supply  1301 . Top surface  1315  of head region  1310  contacts an inner ceiling  1359  of a dome  1350 , thereby creating a seal to prevent fluid leakage during dispensing. A pair of cam followers  1371  on an inside wall  1351  of dome  1350  of cap  1300  travels in spaces  1363  between and defined by lower edge of a pre-activation rims  1311  and the upper edge of a cap stabilizing ring  1319  on head region  1310 . 
     In another embodiment of the invention, the applicator tip branches into a forked dispensing manifold having multiple, preferably 2 to 5, and most preferably 3, projections or tines. At least one projection has an opening at the distal end to dispense fluid from the fluid reservoir. 
       FIGS. 14A and 14B  show an applicator cap  1400  of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The distal portion of cap  1400  is connected to a forked dispensing manifold  1480  having a central projection tine  1481  and two side projection tines  1483 . The distal end of central tine  1481  has an opening  1482 . A channel  1461  extends from opening  1482  along the length of central tine  1481  through a base  1450  of applicator cap  1400 . Central tine  1481  and side tines  1483  can further adopt a elliptical or tapered circumference to aid the parting of hair. Other embodiments with four or more projections tines or dispensing ports at the end of each projection tines are acceptable. 
       FIGS. 15A and 15B  show an applicator cap  1500  of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The distal portion of cap  1500  is connected to a forked dispensing manifold  1580  having three projection tines  1581 . The distal portion of tines  1581  are further curved from the plane of manifold  1580  to form a claw-like bend. The distal ends of one or more of tines  1581  each have an opening  1582 . A branched channel  1561  extends from opening  1582  along the length of tines  1581  and dispensing manifold  1580  through a base  1550  of applicator cap  1500 . Tines  1581 , manifold  1580  and base  1550  may be constructed as an unitary piece or as separate pieces to be attached by the user over the end of a shorter tip. 
       FIGS. 16A and 16B  show an applicator cap  1600  of a fluid delivery assembly in accordance with the invention. The distal portion of cap  1600  is connected to a forked dispensing manifold  1680  having three projection tines  1681 . The distal portion of tines  1681  are tapered. The distal ends of tines  1691  each have an opening  1682 . A branched channel  1661  extends from opening  1682  along the length of tines  1681  and dispensing manifold  1680  through a base  1650  of applicator cap  1600 . Tines  1681 , manifold  1680  and base  1650  may be constructed as an unitary piece or as separate pieces to be attached by the user over a shorter tip structure. 
     The examples provided herein are merely exemplary, as a matter of application specific to design choice, and should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention in any way. 
     In one embodiment of the invention the tube for delivering the liquid or gel is about 15 to 25 mm long, preferably 18 to 20 mm long and has an internal diameter of about 1 to 4 mm, preferably 2 to 3 mm. 
     In an embodiment of the invention, the reservoir has a volume of about 0.01 to 100 ml. 
     Thus, while there have been shown and described and pointed out novel features of the present invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. 
     It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Technology Category: a