BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

This invention relates to fluid dispensers and applicators and is more particularly concerned with compact devices for storing and dispensing relatively volatile liquid compositions such as nail enamel and the like.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

Nail enamel dispensers hitherto available in the art have generally comprised a container for the enamel and a closure with attached applicator brush which latter is retained in the enamel when the dispenser is not in actual use. Similar devices have been employed for dispensing and applying other related fluids such as solvent adhesives, automotive touch-up paint and the like. Such dispensers exhibit a number of disadvantages. Thus contamination of the closure with fluid can give rise to difficulty in re-opening the container, particularly after prolonged storage. Further there is a potential for accidental spillage of fluid during actual use of the applicator brush. More particularly, the container, being open during application, allows volatiles to dissipate thereby gradually changing the composition of the container contents. In the case of nail enamels in particular

such a change can result in compositions which do not perform as desired, e.g., do not dry completely. Orifice reducers, applicator wipers and the like have been utilized to overcome this problem with only partial success.

Recently an improved nail enamel dispenser has been introduced which is constructed in a manner closely resembling a felt-tip pen. The device comprises a thin elongated fluid reservoir provided with a wick-type applicator and a closure cap. While the device represents a marked advance over the dispensers hitherto available, the wide applicator tends also to act as a filter and removes pigments and the like from enamels commonly employed in the art. Hence, special enamel formulations have to be devised for use in the newer dispenser. Further, the capacity of the reservoir is relatively low.

This invention is directed to an improved dispenser for nail enamel and like fluids which overcomes the various disadvantages of dispensers hitherto available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a fluid dispenser and applicator wherein the applicator is integrally housed in the fluid container and a direct flow of fluid from the container to the applicator is controlled by valve means. It is a further object of the invention to provide a fluid dispenser and applicator wherein residual fluid can remain on the applicator during storage without loss of solvent therefrom by evaporation or like means.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a fluid dispenser and applicator having means for uniformly mixing the fluid charge prior to dispensing.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fluid dispenser and applicator device having closure means which, upon removal, serves to initiate low of fluid to the applicator and, upon re-attachment to the device, interrupts said flow of fluid to the applicator.

These objects, and other objects which will become apparent to one skilled in the art from the description which follows, are achieved by the fluid dispenser and applicator of the invention. The latter, in its broadest aspect, comprises a container adapted to receive a charge of fluid and valve means associated therewith. The valve means comprises a housing and a stem slidably mounted therein, the stem having an applicator such as a pad or brush disposed on the end thereof which is remote from the interior of the container. The valve stem has at least one channel traversing the body thereof and providing communication between the interior of the container and the 'applicator when the valve is in the open position. The container is provided with a closure member which is adapted to enclose the applicator and associated valve stem. The closure member engages a flange on the valve stem and thereby holds the valve means in closed position when the closure member is affixed to the container. The closure member also serves to enter into an annular bead interference with said flange and thus to open the valve during removal of said closure member from the container. Interacting stop means are provided on said valve stem and said housing to limit the distance

through which the said stem travels between the open and shut portions of the valve means.

In a particular embodiment of the device of the invention the valve housing is integrally formed in one end of said container. In a further embodiment of the device of the invention for containers having relatively wide necks, the valve housing is separately formed and is held in fluid tight engagement with the open end of the container by use of appropriate plug means.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention all parts of the device of the invention are fabricated from material which is impermeable to the vapor of the solvent present in the fluid charged to the container or which has been treated to render it impermeable to said vapor. The dispenser/applicators of the invention can be employed to handle a variety of fluid materials such as solvent-based adhesives, automotive touch-up paint, nail enamel and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the longitudinal axis, of a device according to the invention in the valve closed position;

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the device illustrated in FIGURE 1 but in the valve open position;

FIGURE 2A is a cross-sectional view of the device illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 with the closure member separated from the container body;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the outer end of the valve stem assembly of the device illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3;

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FIGURE 3A is a cross-sectional view, taken along line A-A, of the valve stem assembly shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 3B is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line B-B, of the valve stem assembly shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the longitudinal axis, of a modification of the device shown in FIGURE 1; FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the outer end of a modification of the valve stem assembly shown in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a valve assembly in accordance with the invention; and

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the inner end of the valve assembly shown in FIGURE 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention will now be illustrated by reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the longitudinal axis of a dispenser/applicator shown generally as JL0_ in accordance with the invention. Cylindrical container _1__ is provided with neck portion 14 on which is integrally formed valve housing 16. Screw threads 1_8 formed on the exterior surface of valve housing lj5 interlock with corresponding female threads 20, on the interior of hollow closure member 2_2. Valve stem or body 2_4 has mounted therein by friction fit an inner member 6_0 which houses an applicator 26 in the

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form of a brush. The latter projects into the interior 28 of the closure member 22_. On its opposite end the valve body 24. ^{nas an} integrally formed cylindrical tip 30 provided with grooves _3_2 which traverse approximately half the length of the said tip. The cylindrical tip 30 forms an interference fit with the opening _3_4 in the narrowest portion of the neck 14- This interference fit provides the initial valve seal in the configuration shown in FIG. 1. In the valve open position shown in FIG. 2 fluid flows from container 12. through channels 3_2_.

The valve body 4, immediately adjacent the junction with tip 3_0, has a bevelled edge 3_6 shown in FIG, 2 which is adapted to engage correspondingly configured seat 3_8 i ^{n tne} valve housing 16. ^ ^{n tne} valve closed position shown in FIG. 1. A plurality of channels _40_ defined between the inner surface of the valve body 2_4 and applicator housing .60. traverse the length of valve body 2A_. The longitudinal axes of these channels parallel that of the said valve body but are each spaced therefrom at a distance greater than the radius of the cylindrical tip 3_0_. Thus, in the valve closed position shown in FIG. 1 the inner ends of said channels _40_ are sealed by the seat ^_8_ in valve housing 1_6 from communication with the interior of the container 12. In the valve open position shown in FIG. 2 the channels 3_2 and _4_0 provide communication between the interior of container 12 and the applicator 26.

In the valve closed position shown in FIG. 1 the bevelled edge 3j5 of valve body 2_4 is held in sealing engagement with the seat 3_8 of valve housing 16. by the clamping action of the base 4_2 of annular groove 4_6 in closure member 2L2_ on the edge of flange _4_4 on said valve

stem. The other wall of annular groove 4_6 forms bevelled annular projection 4_8. As the closure member 22 is unscrewed from the container 12 the said projection 43 engages the outer edge 5_0 of the underside of flange 4_4 on the valve body 2_4 and thereby acts to urge the valve into the valve open position shown in FIG. 2. The closure member 2_2 is fabricated from material such as resilient polymeric material so that, at the point at which the matching threads on the closure member 2_2 and the exterior of valve housing 16 become disengaged, the projection 4_8_ on the interior of the said closure member will slide over the outer edge 50 on the underside of flange _4_4 to allow complete removal of the closure member from the container. The said outer edge 5_0 is preferably bevelled as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to facilitate the removal of the closure member in this manner. The dispenser applicator with closure member completely removed is illustrated in FIG. 2A. The distance through which the valve body 2_4_ can be moved during the removal of the closure member 2_2. is limited by interaction between annular projections 5_2 and 5_4 on the valve body 2_ ^an< corresponding annular projections 5_6 and 5_8 on the interior of valve housing 16_.

Referring now to FIG. 3 there is shown in plan view the outer end (i.e. the end housing the applicator 26) of valve body 2_4 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 2A. In this particular embodiment the inner cylindrical member 6jD housing the base of the applicator 2_6 is friction fitted into cavity 2_5 of square cross-section in valve body 2_4_ the channels 4_0 being formed thereby as the passageways defined by the outer surface of the

cylindrical member 6_0 and the right angles of the square cross-section of cavity 2_5. FIGS. 3A and 3B which are cross-sectional views taken along the lines A-A and B-B respectively of FIG. 3 show two different views of the assembled valve body and applicator.

The particular embodiment of a valve stem illustrated in FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B represents a very convenient manner in which to fabricate the stem with traversing channels _40. It is to be understood, however, that other methods of fabrication can be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. Illustratively the valve body can be fabricated from a single block of material through which appropriate channels _4 are drilled _* The mode of operation of the dispenser/applicator of the invention will be readily apparent from a study of the above FIGS. 1, 2, 2A, 3, 3 and 3B. Fluid material such as nail enamel, is stored in container 12 and egress thereof from the container is prevented so long as the valve closed position shown in FIG. 1 is maintained. When the closure member 22_ is unscrewed and removed, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, fluid can flow, or can be made to flow by providing container V2_ with walls which can be flexed by ^• application of manual pressure, through grooves 32 _^ and thence through channels 4_0_ to the applicator brush 26. The rate at which such flow takes place can be controlled to any desired degree by appropriate choice of dimensions of grooves 3_2 and/or channels 0. The fluid which is thus supplied to the applicator brush can then be transferred to the desired substrate, e.g., fingernails and/or toenails where the fluid is a nail enamel.

When the application procedure is completed the closure member 22, is secured in place and the fluid remaining in the container is thereby sealed from the access to the channels 4_0 by the action of the closure member 2_2 on the valve flange 4_4 which forces the bevelled end 3_6 of valve housing 15 into sealing engagement with the seat 3_8 of valve housing 15. Any fluid remaining on the applicator brush 2_6 after the closure member is re-applied is preserved in liquid form in the air-tight compartment 2_3 formed within the closure member 2_2. Advantageously and preferably the latter is fabricated from material which is impermeable to, or has been rendered impermeable to, the vapor of solvent employed in the fluid material charged to the container. A particularly preferred material from which to fabricate the closure member where the device of the invention is to store and dispense nail enamel preparations is fluorinated polyethylene. This material is substantially impermeable to the vapor of the solvents commonly used in the formulation of nail enamels. The above material is also a preferred material for fabricating all the other components of the device of the invention since, in addition to solvent and solvent vapor impermeability, the material is also possessed of a desirable degree of resiliency.

FIG. 4 illustrates, in partial cross-section, a modified form of a dispenser/applicator in accordance with the invention. This modification permits the use of a container which has a wider mouth than that illustrated in the previous embodiment described and illustrated above. This is advantageous where it is desired to introduce means such as mixing balls into the fluid ' in the container in order that homogeneity of the

nail enamel and like compositions can be assured by vigorous shaking of the container prior to dispensing the contents thereof. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, in which the same numbering is retained for features illustrated in the previous embodiment, the container 12 _, is provided with a neck 6_2 having a mouth 64 _, of substantially wider diameter than that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The outer portion of the neck is provided on its exterior with screw threads 18.' which interlock with matching female threads 2O _, ' on the interior of the closure member 22 . Hollow plug 6_6 is retained in place in the mouth §4_ of the container 12 by means of flange 72 and undercut-annular groove 70 _, which receives annular projection 6J3 disposed on the inner lip of the container mouth 6_4. The plug 6_6_ is provided with an inwardly projecting frustoconical section 74 which allows for lead-in alignment during capping on high speed filling lines. Plug 6_6 serves as the valve housing which receives the valve body shown as 2_4_' . The inner surface 3_8' of the projection 7_4 forms the valve seat which enters into sealing engagement with the bevelled surface 36' on the valve body 2_4' . The mode of construction of the valve body 2_4' and attached applicator 26' corresponds to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and will not be elaborated further. Similarly the mode of opening and closing the valve of the modification of FIG. 4 by unscrewing, removing, and replacing the closure member 22' corresponds precisely to that shown and described in relation to FIGS. 1 and 2 and will not be elaborated further.

An alternative mode of construction of the valve housing and valve body with applicator incorporated shown in FIG. 4 is illustrated in

cross-section in FIG. 6. In the latter embodiment applicator 2_6" is mounted in housing 6_0' which is friction fitted sealingly into cavity 7_8 in valve body 24". Housing jfJ' is provided with channel 8_0 which traverses the length of said housing with applicator 26" mounted in the flared outer end of said channel. The inner enα of channel .80. is aligned with narrow end of frustoconical channel 8_2 in the inner end of valve body 24". In the closed position of the valve assembly channel 8_2 is in sealing engagement with mating plug 84. The latter is held in place in the center of end j3?5 of plug 6' by means of spokes J36_ as shown in FIG. 7 which is a plan view of end 8_8. In the open configuration of the valve assembly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 fluid passes from the container (not shown) via channels 8. and 8JD to the inner end of applicator 2j5"•

In the particular embodiment of the valve stem illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and more particularly in FIG. 3, four channels 4_0 are provided and are disposed substantially symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the valve stem. In such an embodiment the fluid reaching the applicator 2_5 in the valve open mode is distributed substantially evenly over the applicator. It is often desirable in practice, however, to distribute the fluid over a part only of the surface of the applicator to minimize potential drippage of the fluid from the applicator during transfer to the substrate to be coated. Such a partial distribution can be achieved by providing channels with exits in locations confined to one predetermined area of the base of the applicator 2j5. Such a modification is illustrated in FIG. 5 which is a plan view, corresponding to that shown in FIG. 3, of a modified

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form of valve stem. In this modification the core 60' has a modified cross-section which leaves only two channels _J " between the core and the walls of cavity 25 ^f in valve body 2A ' . The two channels are disposed asymmetrically with respect to the axis of the valve stem and serves to deliver fluid to only the upper surfaces of applicator 2_6' . In such a modification it is desirable to indicate to the user of the container in some appropriate manner, e.g., by appropriate marking on the exterior of the container, the particular configuration in which the device should be held during use in order to permit the fluid to be dispensed onto most appropriate area of the applicator.

The dispenser/applicator of the invention has been illustrated above by reference to certain specific embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative and non-limiting. Various modifications thereof, which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Illustratively, the applicator 2_6 which is shown above as taking the form of a brush could also take the form of a pad of felt or other material. Similarly the container 1_2 could assume other shapes such as sphere or a tube of square, rectangular or elliptical cross-section. Other such modifications will be readily apparent to one skilled In this particular art.