This invention is a coating implement with material supply, specifically with a blade-like, pad-like, or apertured work-contacting end.
Conventionally, applying ointment from a tube requires two hands. This presents difficulties when applying ointment to a baby during a diaper change. The present invention relates to a device that facilitates one-handed cream application in a sanitary, mess-free manner.
This invention offers improvements over the Diaper Rash Cream Applicator, the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,059 (Kravchenko). For the purposes of this description, the device described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,059 will be referred to as “Version 1” and the present invention will be called “Version 2”.
In its preferred embodiment, the Version 1 structure comprises two parts: an applicator apparatus and a lid. The applicator apparatus has female screw threads. Before changing her baby's diaper, a mother purchases a tube of diaper rash cream, unscrews the cap, and replaces the cap with the applicator apparatus. The applicator apparatus has a hole. When the tube is squeezed, cream exits the hole of the applicator apparatus. The hole is surrounded by applicator means such as a brush or sponge. The mother wipes the brush or sponge over the baby's body.
After the cream is applied, the mother then fastens the tube/applicator apparatus into the lid. The lid is secured to a hard surface with means such as a suction cup. The applicator apparatus clicks securely into the lid and keeps the cream from drying out. Because the lid is secured to a surface, the mother can insert and remove the tube with only one hand.
Version 2 offers three innovations over Version 1: dual screw threads, improved cream applicator apparatus, and improved means for keeping the tube sealed while not in use.
Version 2 has two sets of female screw threads for two common neck tube diameters. Thus, a single applicator apparatus can now be fitted to squeeze tubes with “small” or “large” necks.
The improved applicator apparatus comprises a nozzle and a soft, flexible tip with opening flap. Cream emerges from the nozzle through the opening flap in the soft, flexible tip. Experimentation has shown that this construction offers smoother and more even application of cream than a brush or sponge.
To assist in keeping the tube sealed, the improved lid has a tongue, which protrudes upward from the base of the lid into the lid's interior. When the tube/applicator is inserted into the lid, the tongue presses the soft, flexible tip securely against the opening of the nozzle, creating a leakproof and airtight seal.
The invention is a cream applicator with lid. The applicator (not numbered) is shown alone in
This invention is an improved version of the product described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,920,059 (Version 1), so its basic structure and usage is derived from Version 1. For instance,
The first improved feature of Version 2 is the dual set of screw threads. Cream dispensing tubes are manufactured with two different standardized diameters for the neck and screw threads. The improved invention accommodates both sizes. Part 6 is a larger set of female screw threads, for tubes with a larger neck diameter. Part 5 is a smaller set of female screw threads, for tubes with a smaller neck diameter. See
The second improved feature of Version 2 is a new applicator mechanism. The components of this new mechanism are a nozzle 8, a tip 3, and a flap 4. The flap is part of the tip but is also partly cut away so as to provide an opening in the tip. When cream is forced out of the tube, it first flows through hole 7 and is then forced into nozzle 8 (see
As shown in
The third improvement of Version 2 is the tongue in the lid.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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3817426 | Fooks | Jun 1974 | A |
5263787 | Wilcox | Nov 1993 | A |
5348543 | Talley | Sep 1994 | A |
5879095 | Gueret | Mar 1999 | A |
6305864 | Nguyen | Oct 2001 | B1 |
7685766 | Amsellem | Mar 2010 | B2 |
8920059 | Kravchenko | Dec 2014 | B2 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20190104825 A1 | Apr 2019 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62658234 | Apr 2018 | US |