Dispenser with applicator tip

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11377263-B2
Application number	US-201816762007-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 1, 2018
Priority date	Nov 9, 2017
Publication date	Jul 5, 2022
Grant date	Jul 5, 2022

Abstract

A dispenser (1) for liquids includes a reservoir (100) defining a volume (V100) for housing a liquid (150); a delivery tube (200) with a first end (201) attached to the reservoir, and a second end (202) distal from the reservoir, the delivery tube including a passage (203) in fluid communication with the volume of the reservoir and extending away from the reservoir; an applicator element (300) including an applicator tip (320) and a base (310) attached to the second end of the delivery tube, the applicator tip having a plurality of fingers (322) extending away from the base to a distal end of the applicator element distal from the delivery tube; and a removable seal (340), wherein removal of the removable seal creates an opening in the passage at a location upstream of the applicator tip and a fluid distribution channel between the fingers.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser for liquids, the dispenser comprising:
a reservoir defining a volume for housing a liquid;
a delivery tube comprising a first end attached to the reservoir, and a second end distal from the reservoir, the delivery tube comprising a passage in fluid communication with the volume of the reservoir and extending away from the reservoir,
wherein the delivery tube is at an angle of about 30° to 60° relative to the reservoir;

an applicator element comprising an applicator tip and a base attached to the second end of the delivery tube, the applicator tip comprising a plurality of fingers extending away from the base to a distal end of the applicator element distal from the delivery tube; and
a removable seal, wherein removal of the removable seal creates an opening in the passage at a location upstream of the applicator tip and a fluid distribution channel between the fingers.

2. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the applicator element and the removable seal are integrally formed to the delivery tube.

3. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir, the delivery tube, the applicator, and the removable seal are integrally formed.

4. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is made of a resilient material.

5. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir comprises polyolefins, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene/propylene copolymer, polyester, polyamide, polyacrylate, polystyrene, or a combination thereof.

6. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is transparent or translucent.

7. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the reservoir is opaque.

8. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the delivery tube is tapered from a first cross-sectional area proximal to the reservoir to a second cross-sectional area distal to the reservoir.

9. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers is arranged in a plane.

10. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of fingers is arranged circumferentially about the fluid distribution channel.

11. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the removable seal comprises a removable tab disposed distally of the applicator.

12. The dispenser of claim 1 , wherein the removable seal comprises a breakable extension extending between the passage of the delivery tube and the removable tab.

13. The dispenser of claim 1 further comprising a liquid within the volume of the reservoir.

14. The dispenser of claim 13 , wherein the liquid comprises a viscosity from about 5 to about 300 Pas at a shear rate of 1.0/s, and wherein the opening has a size suitable for dispensing the liquid.

15. A method for making a dispenser of claim 1 for liquids, the method comprising:
blow molding a reservoir defining a volume for housing a liquid and a delivery tube attached to the reservoir, the delivery tube comprising a proximal end adjacent the reservoir, a distal end extending away from the reservoir, and a passage in fluid communication with the volume of the reservoir, the passage extending from the proximal end to the distal end;
adding liquid to the reservoir; and
deforming the distal end of the passage to create an applicator.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising sealing the distal end of the delivery tube.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein deforming the distal end comprises forming a removable seal, wherein removal of the removable seal creates an opening in the passage at a location upstream of the applicator.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising closing the passage with a closure.

Assignees

• 3M Innovative Properties Co

Inventors

• Gydesen Henry C
• Klaiber Paul R
• Wang Yizhong
• Broyles Bruce R

Classifications

• B05C17/00516

  Shape or geometry of the outlet orifice or the outlet element · CPC title

• B05C17/00583

  the container for the material to be dispensed being deformable · CPC title

• A61J1/067

  Flexible ampoules, the contents of which are expelled by squeezing · CPC title

• A61M35/003 Primary

  Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media (hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003) · CPC title

• A61J1/1412

  Containers with closing means, e.g. caps · CPC title