Implement and dispenser system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9986818-B2
Application number	US-201615221745-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 28, 2016
Priority date	Dec 23, 2009
Publication date	Jun 5, 2018
Grant date	Jun 5, 2018

Abstract

A system comprising an implement and dispenser containing a fluid detachably coupled to the implement. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a reservoir containing a fluid and an actuator for dispensing the fluid from the dispenser; and the dispenser is alterable between: (i) a storage state in which the dispenser is detachably coupled to the implement and a mechanical interference between a portion of the actuator and a portion of the implement prohibits actuation of the actuator; and (ii) an application state in which a user can actuate the actuator to dispense the fluid from the dispenser.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
an implement;
a dispenser comprising a reservoir containing a fluid and an actuator for dispensing the fluid from the dispenser; and
the dispenser alterable between: (i) a storage state such that a mechanical interference between a portion of the actuator and a portion of the implement prohibits actuation of the actuator relative to the implement; and (ii) an application state in which the mechanical interference is removed and the actuator can be actuated.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein the implement comprises a body having a handle member and a functional member.

3. The system according to claim 2 wherein the handle member comprises a cavity, and wherein a portion of the dispenser is located within the cavity in the storage state.

4. The system according to claim 3 wherein a majority of a length of the dispenser is located within the cavity in the storage state.

5. The system according to claim 3 wherein the actuator protrudes from the cavity of the handle member in the storage state.

6. The system according to claim 3 wherein the cavity extends along a longitudinal axis of the handle member and terminates at an opening at a proximal end of the handle member, the opening forming a passageway into the cavity through which the portion of the dispenser can be slid, the actuator forming a longitudinal extension of the handle member.

7. The system according to claim 6 wherein the actuator comprises a dome portion, the dome portion forming the longitudinal extension of the handle member.

8. The system according to claim 3 wherein the cavity extends along a longitudinal axis of the handle member and terminates at an opening defined by a proximal edge of the handle member, the actuator comprising a distal edge, and wherein when the dispenser is in the storage state, the distal edge of the actuator abuts the proximal edge of the handle member so as to create the mechanical interference that prevents actuation of the actuator, wherein the distal edge of the actuator and the proximal edge of the handle member undulate in a corresponding manner.

9. The system according to claim 3 wherein the dispenser further comprises a housing comprising the reservoir and an applicator located at a distal end of the housing, the actuator located at a proximal end of the housing, and wherein actuation of the actuator relative to the housing dispenses the fluid from the reservoir to the applicator; the cavity extending along a longitudinal axis of the handle member and terminating at an opening defined by a proximal edge of the handle member; and the housing of the dispenser located within the cavity of the handle member and the actuator protruding from the proximal edge of the handle member to form a longitudinal extension of the handle member in the storage state.

10. The system according to claim 3 wherein the dispenser is entirely removed from the cavity and separated from the implement in the application state.

11. The system according to claim 1 wherein the mechanical interference between the portion of the actuator and the portion of the implement is a keyed cooperation between the portion of the actuator and the portion of the implement.

12. The system according to claim 1 wherein one of the portion of the actuator or the portion of the implement comprises a recess while the other one of the portion of the actuator or the portion of the implement comprises a protuberance that mates with the recess when the dispenser is in the storage state.

13. The system according to claim 12 wherein the portion of the actuator comprises the protuberance and the portion of the implement comprises the recess, and wherein the protuberance of the actuator protrudes beyond an outer surface of the implement when the dispenser is in the storage state to form a ridge which the user can grip to slide the dispenser from the storage state to the application state.

14. The system according to claim 1 wherein the implement is a brush.

15. A system comprising:
an implement having a body comprising a cavity;
a dispenser comprising a reservoir containing a fluid and an actuator for dispensing the fluid from the dispenser; and
the dispenser alterable between: (i) a storage state in which at least a portion of the dispenser is located within the cavity of the body of the implement and a mechanical interference prohibits actuation of the actuator relative to the implement; and (ii) an application state in which a user can actuate the actuator to dispense the fluid from the dispenser.

16. The system according to claim 15 wherein the mechanical interference is between a portion of the dispenser and a portion of the body of the implement.

17. The system according to claim 16 wherein actuator comprises a dome portion and at least one member extending axially from the dome portion, the at least one member forming the portion of the dispenser.

18. The system according to claim 17 wherein the body of the implement extends along a longitudinal axis, and wherein the body of the implement comprises at least one recess extending from a proximal end of the body in a direction of the longitudinal axis, and wherein the at least one recess forms the portion of the body of the implement.

19. The system according to claim 15 wherein the dispenser is separated from the implement in the application state.

20. A kit comprising:
an implement having a handle member and a functional member, the handle member comprising a cavity; and
a dispenser comprising a reservoir containing a fluid and an actuator for dispensing the fluid from the dispenser;
wherein the dispenser is alterable between: (i) a storage state in which the dispenser is at least partially nested within the cavity of the handle member of the implement and actuation of the actuator relative to the implement is prohibited; and (ii) an application state in which a user can actuate the actuator to dispense the fluid from the dispenser.

Assignees

• Colgate Palmolive Co

Inventors

• Jimenez Eduardo
• Sorrentino Alan
• Moskovich Robert

Classifications

• Y10T29/49826

  Assembling or joining · CPC title

• A46B2200/1066

  Toothbrush for cleaning the teeth or dentures (A61C17/16 takes precedence; bristles arrangements for toothbrushes A46B9/04) · CPC title

• A46B11/0065

  Brushes where the reservoir is specifically intended for being replaced when empty · CPC title

• A46B11/0034

  Means comprising a rachet mechanism or equivalent for advancing the piston stepwise · CPC title

• A46B11/0027 Primary

  Lead-screw mechanisms · CPC title