US3481678A - Combination applicator and squeeze container - Google Patents

Description

Dec. 2, 1969 SCHWARTZMAN COMBINATION APPLICATOR AND SQUEEZE CONTAINER Filed May 10, 19 8 ATTORNEY IIHIIHIIIIH United States Patent 3,481,678 COMBINATION APPLICATOR AND SQUEEZE CONTAINER Gilbert Schwartzman, 20 Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 Filed May 10, 1968, Ser. No; 728,197 Int. Cl. B43k 8/00 U.S. Cl. 401--206 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A fluid applicator comprising a container having a closed end and a tubular open upper end. A retainer ring is provided having a cylindrical projecting portion having an inner surface provided with rib means extending inwardly therefrom, said retaining ring having an opening therethrough and overlying said open end of said container, a valve assembly for controlling fluid flow through said opening disposed in said container and having a cylinder provided with a peripheral groove in the outer surface thereof, said valve assembly including a valve head and resilient helical spring members integrally interconnecting said valve head and said cylinder, said rib means extending into said groove holding said valve assembly and said retainer ring on said container.

This invention relates to an applicator and more particularly to a valve controlled arrangement for a squeeze tube or like container for convenient packaging and application of various types of fluids.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a package having associated therewith an applicator that can be completely assembled and shipped to a manufacturer or filler for filling with any suitable fluid product, after which the open end can be crimped or otherwise sealed.

A further object of the present invention resides in the provision of a fluid applicator that employs novel means for securing and holding a valve assembly and an applicator head in position, and in which the steps for assembly of the various parts are minimal in number.

In the past, various types of applicators had been devised which were inserted on or in the necks of containers which had already been filled with the fluid. The present invention has a concept of providing an assembly which includes the applicator as a part thereof and which thereafter can be filled and the open end crimped as in the manner of squeeze tubes or the like. The construction of the present invention features the use of a tube or like container in which a valve assembly is mounted inwardly thereof and a retaining ring mounted outwardly of the tube, there being provided complementary grooves and ribs respectively on the valve assembly and retaining ring which are force fitted so as to crimp a portion of the tube therebetween and hold the entire assembly in place.

Still further objects of this invention reside in the provision of a fluid applicator which is extremely light in weight, which can be hung from a rack for display purposes, wherein the squeeze tube serves as both a handle and a container, which can be made either of rigid or flexible plastic, and which can be made as a throw-away single use package of a relatively low cost especially adapted for medical or surgical purposes.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the present invention, which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this combination applicator and squeeze container, preferred embodiments of which are illustrated ice in the accompanying drawing, by way of example only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of a fluid applicator prior to assembly and before crimping of the lower end;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fluid applicator shown in an assembled state;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of a modified form of 'the applicator shown prior to initial use thereof;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the applicator after first use thereof;

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view taken along the plane of line 5-5 in FIG. 4; and,

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional detail view of a modified form of the invention.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, it will be noted that the fluid applicator 10 is formed of three main parts. There is provided a container 12 in the form of a tube or cylinder capable of being-made of rigid plastic but preferably made of flexible plastic or other like material capable of having its lower end crimped as at 14 for the sealing thereof. There is further provided a valve assembly 16 and a retaining ring 18.

The valve assembly 16 includes a valve head 20 which is preferably of a truncated conical shape and has integrally formed therewith a plurality of helical springs 22 which have their lower ends integrally formed with the lower end 24 of a cylinder 26. The cylinder is provided with a peripheral groove 28 in the outer surface thereof and is, of course, open at both ends.

The retaining ring 18 includes a projecting portion 30 adapted to seat over the tube 12 and includes a web 32 provided with a tapered opening 34 therethrough. A peripheral flange 36 is swaged as at 38 to hold a porous dauber head 40 in position overlying the web 32 and opening 34, and is preferably formed of a material such as porous polyurethane foam. The projecting portion 30 is provided on its inner surface thereof with a peripheral rib 42.

The fluid applicator is assembled by inserting the valve assembly 16 inside the tube 12. A small flange or shoulder 44 may be provided for base positioning the valve assembly 16 as can be best seen in FIG. 2. Then, the retaining ring 18 is positioned overlying the tube 12, all of the parts being heated so that they expand and can be inserted into their relative positions. Upon cooling and subsequent contraction of all the parts, the rib 42 will crimp the tube 12 and force it into the groove 28 so that a tight and positive force fit between parts is had in a simple and convenient manner.

In FIGS. 3 through 5 there is shown a modified form of the invention in which the tube 112 is received between the retaining ring 118 and the valve assembly 116. The valve assembly includes a web 120 provided with a bore 122 therethrough. The cylinder 126 is provided with a groove 128 therein. The retaining ring is provided with an enlarged opening 134 therethrough and has a rib 142 which is adapted to sit in the groove 128. The valve assembly further includes a valve head 146 having a lower part 148 which is of a larger size than the bore 122 and which is force fitted initially in the bore 122. The upper portion 150 of the valve head 146 is provided with a series of vertical grooves 152 therein forming fluting 154. The valve head has integrally formed therewith a plurality of springs 156 which interconnect the valve head with a ring 158 being held in place by the swaged lower end 160 of the cylinder 126.

In operation, with the valve head 146 in the initial position as shown in FIG. 3, fluid cannot pass through the opening. Depression of the valve head will permit fluid to pass through the plurality of grooves 152. Release of the valve will cause the lower part 148 to close the bore 122 in the position as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 6, wherein there is shown a modified form of the invention, valve assembly 216 having integrally formed therewith a plurality of helical springs 222 which have lower ends 224. Also provided is a peripheral groove 228, similar in function to peripheral groove 28 shown in the cylinder of FIGS. 1 and 2, which is open at both ends. The retaining ring 218 is adapted to seat over a tube 212 and includes a web 232 having a tapered opening (not shown) therethrough. Peripheral flange 236 is swaged as at 238 to hold porous dauber head 240 in position overlying the web 232. Retaining ring 218, adapted to seat over tube 212, is provided at the inner surface of its lower portion with peripheral rib 242. Thus constructed when tube 212 is seated in the retaining ring 218 and the rib 242 fused in groove 228 so that a fluid tight and positive force fit is had, the fusing is accomplished by application of a heated tool on the rib 242.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A fluid applicator comprising a container having a closed end and a tubular open upper end, a retainer ring having a cylindrical projecting portion having an inner surface provided with rib means extending inwardly therefrom, said retaining ring having an opening therethrough and overlying said open end of said container, a valve assembly for controlling fluid flow through said opening disposed in said container and having a cylinder provided with a peripheral groove in the outer surface thereof,

said valve assembly including a valve head and resilient helical spring members interconnecting said valve head and said cylinder, said rib means extending into said groove holding said valve assembly and said retainer ring on said container.

2. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein said retainer ring includes a Web provided with a said opening therein, a resilient porous head, and means securing said head overlying said web and said opening.

3. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein said valve assembly is provided with a web having a bore therethrough forming a valve seat, said valve head extending through said bore.

4. A fluid applicator according to claim 3, wherein said valve head includes a lower portion initially force fitted in said bore.

5. A fluid applicator according to claim 4, wherein said valve head further includes a fluted upper portion.

6. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein said spring members are integrally formed with said cylinder and said valve head.

7. A fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein said rib means are force fitted in said groove.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,143,712 1/ 1939 Rissman 401-207 2,764,772 10/ 1956 Staskowski 401-279 3,203,026 8/ 1965 Schwartzman l206 FOREIGN PATENTS 342,770 10/ 1921 Germany.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 401264, 265

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