US2422823A - Brush attachment for liquid applicators - Google Patents

Description

June 24, 1 47- A. R. CHRISTENSEN 2,422,823

BRUSH ATTACHMENT FOR LIQUID APPLICATORS Filed Jan. 29 1945 aka d .YI LNLENTOR.

ATTORNEYS" iatented June 24, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRUSH ATTACHMENT Fort LIQUID APPLICATORS Arthur R. Christensen, Lockport, N. Y; Application January 29, 1945, .Serial No. 575,166

9 Claims.

This invention relates to an applicator which is more particularly intended for use on the feed tube of an eye dropper into which the liquid to be applied or dispensed is drawn into the tube through the lower end thereof by the expansion of a flexible bulb communicating with the upper end of this tube, and this liquid being discharged from the lower end of this tube onto the surface adapted to receive the same by contracting or compressing this bulb; It is often necessary to distribute or spread the liquid discharged from a tube of this character, overthe surface to which it is applied. For example, when applying an ink eradicator to the writing'on a sheet of paper which requires changing or correction, this liquid after being depositedon the sheet must also be spread, distributed or rub-bed over the written part of the sheet in order to soften, loosen, dilute or mix the ink'with the eradicating liquid preparatory to removingthis mixture by means of a blotter or otherwise. 7

It is one of the objects of this invention to provide an applicator which may be readily mounted on a feed tube of this character in such manner that the distributing element of this applicator, such as a brush, may be moved laterally inward into a position across the lower end of. this tube for receiving liquid therefrom and also applying this liquid to the surface intended to receive the same; this applicator also permitting this distributing brush to be moved outwardly away from the lower end of said tube and upwardly lengthwise thereof into an inoperative position when the same is not in use.

A further object of this invention is to provide an applicator of this character which is very simple and inexpensive in construction and can be readily applied to and removed from the feed tubes of eye droppers, or other dispensers in which this tube is mounted at its upper end on a cap, closure or stopper which is detachably connected with the neck of a bottle containing liquid so that the lower end of the tube and the applicator mounted thereon may be stored within the bottle when th feed tube and the applicator are not in use. I

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation, partly in section, showing my invention appliedto the feed tube of an eye dropper or liquid dispenser which is inserted in the bottle containing a liquid which is to be distributed, the applicator embodying this invention being shown in its inoperative position on the feed tube.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, and on an enlarged scale, of the lower part of the liquid feed tube showing the applicator embodying the present invention applied to this tube and arranged in a position in which liquid is discharged from the tube to the applicator.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the applicator detached from the feed tube.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the applicator.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the applicator viewed from its upper end.

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of the applicator.

In the following description, similar characters of reference indicate like parts in the several views of the drawings:

Although this invention is capable of use on a liquid dispensing tube of any suitable character, the sam is shown in the drawings, as an example of one of its uses, in connection with a liquid dispensing outfit which is constructed as follows:

The numeral I0 represents the body of a bottle adapted to hold in storage, a quantity of liquid, such as an ink erasing solution, a medicated liquid for treating eyes or other ailments, or a colored liquid for use in painting or the like. The neck H at the upper end of the bottle is adapted to be closed by means of a cap, closure or stopper I2. Upon this closure is mounted the upper end of a liquid feed tube iii, the lower part of which projects from the closure downwardly into the liquid within the bottle. At its upper end the feed tube communicates with a flexible bulb M which, upon being expanded, will cause liquid to be drawn from the bottle into the tube through the lower end thereof and which upon being contracted or squeezed together will 1 cause the liquid to be expelled from this end.

In the preferred construction, the lower end of this tube is made of rounded or spherical form, as shown at l5, so that it will not injure the surface which it may engage and also permit of making the opening [6 at the lower end of the tube comparatively small.

The applicator which embodies my invention is adapted to be mounted on the feed tube so that it can be inserted with this tube into the bottle, as shown in Fig. 1, in order to permit of filling the tube with liquid and also enabling the whole outfit to be stored compactly when the same is not in use.

In its preferred form, the applicator embodying this invention is constructed as follows:

The numeral I! represents generally the entire 3 carrier or holder of the applicator and the numeral I8 represents the distributing member whereby the liquid received from the feed tube I3 is spread or distributed over the surface to which it is applied. The carrier or holder of the applicator is constructed from a single sheet of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic or other material having non-corrosive qualities and the distributing member preferably has the form of a brush which consists of a round bundle of bristles, the upper ends of which are secured to the carrier or holder while the lower ends are free or loose and can be used inthe manner of a paint brush.

The holder or carrier of the applicator comprises an upper large sliding sleeve I9 which is of substantially cylindrical form, a lower small socket sleeve which is also of substantially cylindrical form, and an intermediate longitudinal neck 2| which connects the upper and lower sleeves on one side thereof. The front side of the lower sleevev ZB-is provided with a slit 22.dia-. metrically opposite the neck ZI, or nearly so.

Thelower sleeve 20 forms a socket in which the upper end of the bunch or bundle of bristles of the brush is secured by closing the split tube 20 around these brush bristles so that the latter are tightly gripped and held in place relative to each other. At the upperedge of the socket sleeve 20, the same is providedopposite the neck 2!, with a teat which tapers upwardlyand is preferably composed of two sections or points 23 arranged on the socket sleeve on opposite side of the slit in this tube. The sections of this teat are adapted to. project upwardly through the opening H5 in the lower end of the feed tube l3 and withdraw a quantity of liquid therefrom and deliver it to. the upper. end. or butt, of thebrush from which this liquid is conducted, by capillary a t to th low r d. of th b ush br stles f r subsequent. transfertQthe surface intended to receive the same. The lower part 22 of the Slit in the socket sleeve 20 is preferably arranged atan oblique angle relative to. the axis of this sleeve so that this slit crosses the pp part of the, bristles of the brush instead. of being ar-. ranged parallel thereto, whereby these bristles are reliablyretained within the socket sleeve and prevented. o becom detached therefroih.-v Theupper part 24of-the-s1itin this socket sleeve is, however, arranged vertically between. the sec.- ions 2 of the liquid feedin teat in rd r to. ause. the latter to promptly withdraw liquid from they f d e I3 to. the. pperpart of the di tr butin brush.

T e p r s ev l9 of the. ca ier or hold r is adapted to s id lens hw se oh the fee ube .3.- ahd alsoook transv r e y h eto, hisb ing p rmitted by moyingthe carrierso that, t ose part n posi e s des f ts. ong tu nal, slit 25 mov a e y pa t th pposite Sides of the feed tub bet een them. h s. on di al slot .5. is aran ed on th upp r le e diam ca ly pp site the neck 2| which connects the lower. edg of the sliding sleeve IS; with the lower socket sleeve 21!.

he ppe s id n s eev I is. of se iromth ower b o din s ee 2 so hat the fro t pa t th l w r le e wh c i s the t at, sections is, nline. wi h. h axis f he pp sli ih 's e ve. 9. Thesliding sleeve :9, .of th carrier is provided on opposite sides of itsslit 25. with two jaws 21, the inner sides of which are of convexform, as shown at 2.8 in Fig. 6. and have:

theiraxes arrangedat an angl relative to, the

axes of the upper and lower sleeves I9, 20. The upper sleeve I9 is provided on opposite sides of its slit 25 with inwardly projecting detent ridges or humps 29 at the junction between the inner parts of the jaws 21 and the adjacent parts of this sleeve, as shown in Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 2, the carrier or holder of the applicator has its upper sleeve I9 in co-axial engagement with the liquid feed tube I3, the brush sleeve 20 projects inwardly across the lower end of the feed tube l3 and the teat sections 23 project upwardly into the Opening I6 of the liquid feed tube, whereby liquid is conducted from the interior of this tube to the brush preparatory to applying the same to the receiving surface.

When the applicator is not required, the carrier or holder is moved downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 2 a sufficient distance to disengage its teat sections 23 from the opening H5 in the liquid feed tube l3 and thereafter the low r part of the arrier or holder is turned ate a twa d s that the brush is arranged on ne sid of. th x s of the feed be and t en h o de sslipped upwar y n the f ed ho 1 and. t ush is s. evated on oneside thereof, as shown in Fig. 1. Inlihis last. men? ti p sit on, this r sh. s noperative andthc same mayremain attached' bythe. carrier or holder to the supply tube and storedwithin; the bottle ready for subsequent use.

As the holder or carrier is turnedfrom the liquid receiving position on the feed tube. I3; as shown in Fig. 2, to the inoperative or storage position, shown in Fig. l, thehumpsZB between the jaws 28.-and thev cylindrical sliding-tube I9 are spread by engagement with the wide diametrical part of the feed tube and thenthe jaws 28,. due to the resilience of the material of which the holder is constructed, sprin back into their closed position and cause the concave surfaces 28 of the jaws 21 to grasp. diametrically opposite sides of the liquid feed tube and retain the. holder. or carrier frictionally in. its elevated and also'in its laterally turned inoperative position on this. tube, as shown in Fig. 1,

Owing to the few parts which constitute this applicator, the same canbe manufactured and marketed at low cost and due toit simplicity of.

construction, the same can be very readily ap plied to and removed from the standard forms of eye droppers now in general use, as. well as devices of a simila type-requiring. the distribus. tion or spreading of. liquid.

I claim as my invention:

1. A liquid applicator for use on. a tube adapted to hold a liquid and provided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising a, brush, and a carrier which supports said brush and which is slidable with said brush lengthwise on: said tube on one side of thesame and also. movable transversely of said tube-for. placin said brush adjacent. to. said opening to. receive liquid therefrom.

2. Aliquid applicator for useon a. tube adapted to. hold a liquid and provided at itslower end with a liquid delivery opening; Comprising a. brush, and a carrier which supports said brush. and which is slidable with said brush lengthw se on said tubeon one sideofthesame and also movable. transversely of said. tube. for plac- 1 sfii i hfl il a e t S i p to. rec ve. liquid t e f m, a d r r inc u ng: an pper: sleeve ad p ed t e mount d on said tube. and. a lowersleeveon which-said brush is mounted...

3. A liquid applicator for use on atube adapts ed to hold a liquid and provided at its lowerend with a liquid delivery opening; comprising a brush, and a carrier which supports said brush and which is slidable with said brush lengthwise on said tube on one side of the same and also movable transversely of said tube for placing said brush adjacent to said opening to receive liquid therefrom, said carrier including an upper sleeve adapted to be mounted on said tube and a lower sleeve on which said brush is mounted, and said lower sleeve being provided with an upwardly projecting teat adapted to project into said opening.

4. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapted to hold a liquid and provided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising a brush, and a carrier which supports said brush and which is slidable with said brush lengthwise on said tube on one side of the same and also movable transversely of said tube for placing said brush adjacent to said opening to receive liquid therefrom, said carrier including an upper sleeve adapted to be mounted on said tube and a lower sleeve on which said brush is mounted, and said lower sleeve being split and provided with a split upwardly projecting teat which is adapted to enter said opening and conduct liquid from the tube to said brush.

5. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapted to hold a liquid and provided at its lower end with a, liquid delivery opening; comprising a brush, and a carrier which supports said brush and which is slidable with said brush lengthwise on said tube on one side of the same and also movable transversely of said tube for placing said brush adjacent to said opening to receive liquid therefrom, said carrier including an upper sleeve adapted to be mounted on said tube and a lower sleeve on which said brush is mounted, and said lower sleeve being split and provided with a split upwardly projecting teat which is adapted to enter said opening and conduct liquid from the tube to said brush, a part of said split being arranged at an angle relative to the axis of the brush.

6. A liquid applicator for use on atube adapted to hold a liquid and provided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising a brush adapted to move lengthwise of said tube and also transversely across the lower end thereof, and a carrier having a lower sleeve in which said brush is secured, an upper sleeve which is adapted to slide on said tube and also move crosswise thereof, and a reduced neck connecting said upper and lower sleeves.

7. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapted to hold a liquid and provided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising a brush movable lengthwise on said tube and also transversely across the lower end thereof, and a carrier having a lower sleeve in which said brush is secured, an upper split sleeve connected with the lower sleeve and which is slidable lengthwise on said tube and also movable transversely thereon, and clamping jaws arranged on said upper tube at opposite sides of the split therein and having curved face adapted to grasp opposite sides of said tube, and the axes of said upper sleeve and clamping jaws converging upwardly.

8. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapted to hold a supply of liquid and provided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising a brush, and a carrier which is provided with an upper sleeve adapted to slide lengthwise on said tube and also to move laterally relative thereto, and a lower sleeve supporting said brush and connected with said upper sleeve and arranged axially out of line therewith so that an edge portion of the lower sleeve will be arranged in line with said opening when the lower sleeve is moved across the lower end of the tube.

9. A liquid applicator for use on a tube adapt ed to hold a liquid and provided at its lower end with a liquid delivery opening; comprising a brush adapted to move lengthwise of said tube on one side thereof and also transversely across the lower end thereof into position for receiving liquid from said opening, and a carrier provided with a lower sleeve in which said brush is secured, an upper split sleeve which is connected with said lower sleeve and is adapted to slide lengthwise on said tube and also move transversely relative thereto, and two curved jaws projecting laterally from said upper sleeve on opposite side of the split thereof, and said carrier being provided between said upper sleeve and its jaws with humps which project toward each other and are normally spaced apart a distance less than the diameter of said tube whereby upon moving said carrier laterally in one direction relative to said tube the upper sleeve will be engaged with said tube and upon swinging the carrier transversely in the opposite direction said jaws will engage said tube, and said humps will be temporarily spread apart in passing over the widest part of said tube and thereby hold the carrier frictionally on said tube in either of said positions.

ARTHUR R. CHRISTENSEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,090,354 Massman Aug. 17, 1937 155,243 Landes Sept. 22, 1874 1,937,660 Luker Dec. 5, 1933 650,544 von Pallich May 29, 1900 1,661,599 Cynova Mar. 6, 1928 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 471,225 France July 4, 1914

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