Liquid applicator device

Claim 2

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid to an applicator surface, comprising in combination; a liquid container; an inner subassembly; an outer subassembly; said inner subassembly including a valve body, a valve element, a valve seal and bias means; means connecting said valve body to said valve seat with said bias means biasing said valve element into sealing engagement with said valve seal; said outer subassembly including a valve closure and a surface applicator; said valve closure having a first and a second end with an internal closure cavity extending therebetween; said surface applicator having a proximal end and a distal end with said surface applicator being disposed in said internal closure cavity of said valve closure; means connecting said valve closure to said valve body with said proximal end of said surface applicator engaging said valve element and with said distal end of said surface applicator extending ex- temal said second end of said valve closure for applying the applicator liquid to the applicator surface; means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container; and said surface applicator moving said valve element from said sealing position to an open position upon depression of said distal end of said surface applicator on the applicator surface enabling the flow of the applicator liquid from said container to said surface applicator.

Claim 3

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said surface applicator is substantially rigid.

Claim 4

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 2, wherein said surface applicator is a fiber tip.

Claim 5

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said surface applicator is a flexible applicator; and

Claim 6

a rigid valve actuator cooperating with said flexible applicator for moving said valve element from said sealing postion to said open position upon depression of said valve actuator on a surface.

Claim 7

a rigid valve actuator cooperating with said flexible applicator for moving said valve element from said sealing postion to said open position upon depression of said valve actuator on a surface.

Claim 8

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 4, wherein said flexible surface applicator is a brush applicator.

Claim 9

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means connecting said valve body to said valve seal includes a recess disposed in one of said valve body and said valve seal for receiving a projection extending from the other of said valve body and said valve seal.

Claim 10

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means connecting said valve closure to said valve body includes a recess disposed in one of said valve closure and said valve body for receiving a projection extending from the other of said valve closure and said valve body.

Claim 11

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said valve seal comprises an annular sealing surface; and said valve element comprises an annular shoulder for engaging with said annular sealing surface.

Claim 12

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container includes a press fit engagement.

Claim 13

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container includes a threaded engagement

Claim 14

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 1, and further including means located in said intemal closure cavity of said valve closure for directing the flow of applicator liquid from said liquid container to said surface applicator.

Claim 15

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 1, and further including aperture means located in said valve body for permitting the flow of applicator liquid from said liquid container to said surface applicator.

Claim 16

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid to a surface, comprising in combination: a liquid container; an applicator dispensing mechanism; said applicator dispensing mechanism including an inner subassembly having a valve being movable between a closed position and an open position to inhibit and to permit the flow of applicator liquid from the container; said applicator dispensing mechanism including an outer subassembly having a surface applicator and a valve closure frictionally supporting said surface applicator with a distal end of said surface applicator being exposed for applying the liquid to the surface and with a proximal end of said surface applicator communicating with a valve element enabling the movement of said distal end of said surface applicator to move said valve element from said closed position to said open position; means for joining said inner and outer subassemblies independently of said container; and means for securing the liquid dispensing mechanism to said container.

Claim 17

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid to a surface, comprising in combination: a liquid container; an applicator dispensing mechanism; said applicator dispensing mechanism including an inner subassembly having a valve being movable between a closed position and an open position to inhibit and to permit the flow of applicator liquid from the container; said applicator dispensing mechanism including an outer subassembly having a surface applicator and a valve closure frictionally supporting said surface applicator with a distal end of said surface applicator being exposed for applying the liquid to the surface and with a proximal end of said surface applicator communicating with a valve element enabling the movement of said distal end of said surface applicator to move said valve element from said closed position to said open position; means for joining said inner and outer subassemblies independently of said container; and means for securing the liquid dispensing mechanism to said container.

Claim 18

1 4. The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said surface applicator is substantially rigid.

Claim 19

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 14, wherein said surface applicator is a fiber tip.

Claim 20

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 13, wherein said surface applicator is flexible; and a rigid valve actuator cooperating with said flexible applicator for moving said valve element from said sealing position to said open position upon depression of said valve actuator on a surface.

Claim 21

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 16, wherein said flexible surface applicator comprises a brush.

Claim 24

The method of fabricating a liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 18, and further including the step of sliding a foam collar over the surface applicator; and inserting the foam collar into the internal closure cavity of the valve closure.

Claim 25

The method of fabricating a liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 18, and further including the step of inserting the surface applicator into a projecting wall of the valve seal.

Claim 26

An improved applicator device for applying an applicator liquid to a surface, comprising in combination: a container for containing the applicator liquid; a valve comprising a valve closure having a first and a second end and defining an internal valve closure cavity therein; means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said container for providing communication between the applicator liquid in said container and said internal valve closure cavity; said second end of said valve closure defining an applicator opening being in communication with said internal valve closure cavity; said valve including a valve element having a closed position for inhibiting the flow of applicator liquid from said container and having an open position for permitting the flow of applicator liquid from said container; means for biasing said valve element into said closed position for inhibiting the flow of applicator liquid from said container; a surface applicator extending through said applicator opening of said valve closure and having a proximal end being engagable with said valve element and having a distal end being disposed external said internal valve closure cavity for applying the applicator liquid to the surface; and said surface applicator displacing said valve element from said closed position to said open position for enabling the flow of the applicator liquid from said container to said surface applicator upon movement of said distal end of said surface applicator.

Claim 27

An improved applicator device for applying an applicator liquid to a surface, comprising in combination: a container for containing the applicator liquid; a valve comprising a valve closure having a first and a second end and defining an internal valve closure cavity therein; means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said container for providing communication between the applicator liquid in said container and said internal valve closure cavity; said second end of said valve closure defining an applicator opening being in communication with said internal valve closure cavity; said valve including a valve element having a closed position for inhibiting the flow of applicator liquid from said container and having an open position for permitting the flow of applicator liquid from said container; means for biasing said valve element into said closed position for inhibiting the flow of applicator liquid from said container; a surface applicator extending through said applicator opening of said valve closure and having a proximal end being engagable with said valve element and having a distal end being disposed external said internal valve closure cavity for applying the applicator liquid to the surface; and said surface applicator displacing said valve element from said closed position to said open position for enabling the flow of the applicator liquid from said container to said surface applicator upon movement of said distal end of said surface applicator.

Claim 28

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 21, wherein said container is substantially rigid.

Claim 29

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 21, wherein said container includes means for reducing the volume of said container to force the applicator liquid from said container through said applicator opening to said surface applicator when said valve element is in said open position.

Claim 30

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 23, wherein said means for reducing the volume of said container includes said container having a resilient flexible container wall.

Claim 31

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 21, wherein said means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said container includes said valve closure being press fitted into an open end of said container.

Claim 32

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 21, wherein said means for connecting said first end of said valve closure to said container includes thread means.

Claim 33

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 21, wherein said surface applicator is substantially flexible for dispersing the applicator liquid on the surface.

Claim 34

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 21, wherein said surface applicator is substantially rigid for dispersing the applicator liquid on the surface.

Claim 35

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 28, wherein said means for securing said valve body to said valve closure includes a projection means extending from one of said valve body and said valve closure for engaging recess means in the other of said valve body and said valve closure.

Claim 36

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 29, wherein said valve body includes valve body aperture means for enabling the flow of the applicator liquid from said container to said internal closure cavity of said valve closure.

Claim 37

An improved applicator device for applying an applicator liquid to a surface, comprising in combination: container means for containing the applicator liquid; a valve comprising a valve closure having a first and a second end and defining an internal valve closure cavity therein; means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said container for providing communication between the applicator liquid in said container means and said internal valve closure cavity; said second end of said valve closure defining an applicator opening being in communication with said internal valve closure cavity; a surface applicator for applying the applicator liquid to the surface; said surface applicator extending through said applicator opening of said valve closure and being in communication with said internal valve closure cavity; said valve including a valve element having a closed position for inhibiting the flow of applicator liquid from said container means to said surface applicator and having an open position for permitting the flow of applicator liquid from said container means to said surface applicator, means for biasing said valve element into said closed position for inhibiting the flow of applicator liquid from said container means to said surface applicator; a valve actuator having a proximal end and a distal end with said proximal end being disposed internal said internal valve closure cavity and with said distal end being disposed external said internal valve closure cavity; said proximal end of said valve actuator being engagable with said valve element for moving said valve element in accordance with the movement of said valve actuator; and said valve actuator enabling the movement of said distal end external said valve closure to move said proximal end of said valve actuator internal said valve closure for displacing said valve element from said closed position to said open position for enabling the flow of the applicator liquid from said container means to said surface applicator.

Claim 38

An improved applicator device for applying an applicator liquid to a surface, comprising in combination: container means for containing the applicator liquid; a valve comprising a valve closure having a first and a second end and defining an internal valve closure cavity therein; means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said container for providing communication between the applicator liquid in said container means and said internal valve closure cavity; said second end of said valve closure defining an applicator opening being in communication with said internal valve closure cavity; a surface applicator for applying the applicator liquid to the surface; said surface applicator extending through said applicator opening of said valve closure and being in communication with said internal valve closure cavity; said valve including a valve element having a closed position for inhibiting the flow of applicator liquid from said container means to said surface applicator and having an open position for permitting the flow of applicator liquid from said container means to said surface applicator, means for biasing said valve element into said closed position for inhibiting the flow of applicator liquid from said container means to said surface applicator; a valve actuator having a proximal end and a distal end with said proximal end being disposed internal said internal valve closure cavity and with said distal end being disposed external said internal valve closure cavity; said proximal end of said valve actuator being engagable with said valve element for moving said valve element in accordance with the movement of said valve actuator; and said valve actuator enabling the movement of said distal end external said valve closure to move said proximal end of said valve actuator internal said valve closure for displacing said valve element from said closed position to said open position for enabling the flow of the applicator liquid from said container means to said surface applicator.

Claim 39

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid from a liquid container to an applicator surface, comprising in combination; a valve having a valve element with said valve element being movable between an open position and a closed position; a valve closure having a first and a second end with an internal closure cavity Æ extending therebetween; a surface applicator having a proximal end and a distal end with said surface applicator being disposed in said internal closure cavity of said valve closure; means connecting said valve closure to said valve with said proximal end of said surface applicator being disposed proximate said valve element and with said distal end of said surface applicator extending external said second end of said valve closure; means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container for enabling the flow of the liquid from the liquid container to said surface applicator when said valve element is disposed in an open position; and a tubular portion slidably receiving said surface applicator for forming a liquid seal between said proximal end and said distal end of said surface applicator; and means for flexibly mounting said tubular portion within said internal closure cavity of said valve closure to maintain the liquid seal between said tubular portion and said surface applicator irrespective of any deformation of said surface applicator.

Claim 40

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid from a liquid container to an applicator surface, comprising in combination; a valve having a valve element with said valve element being movable between an open position and a closed position; a valve closure having a first and a second end with an internal closure cavity Æ extending therebetween; a surface applicator having a proximal end and a distal end with said surface applicator being disposed in said internal closure cavity of said valve closure; means connecting said valve closure to said valve with said proximal end of said surface applicator being disposed proximate said valve element and with said distal end of said surface applicator extending external said second end of said valve closure; means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container for enabling the flow of the liquid from the liquid container to said surface applicator when said valve element is disposed in an open position; and a tubular portion slidably receiving said surface applicator for forming a liquid seal between said proximal end and said distal end of said surface applicator; and means for flexibly mounting said tubular portion within said internal closure cavity of said valve closure to maintain the liquid seal between said tubular portion and said surface applicator irrespective of any deformation of said surface applicator.

Claim 41

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 32, wherein said surface applicator is substantially cylindrical; and

Claim 42

said tubular portion includes a cylindrical inner orifice for slidably receiving said substantially cylindrical surface applicator.

Claim 43

said tubular portion includes a cylindrical inner orifice for slidably receiving said substantially cylindrical surface applicator.

Claim 44

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 32, wherein said means for flexibly mounting said tubular portion within said internal closure cavity of said valve closure includes a resilient plastic extending portion secured to said valve seal.

Claim 45

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 34, wherein said means for flexibly mounting said tubular portion within said internal closure cavity of said valve closure includes a resilient plastic extending portion secured to said valve seal for pivoting said tubular portion; and

Claim 46

said extending portion being secured to a generally central area of said tubular portion.

Claim 47

said extending portion being secured to a generally central area of said tubular portion.

Claim 48

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 35, wherein said resilient plastic extending portion is integrally formed with said valve seal and said tubular portion.

Claim 49

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 32, wherein said surface applicator is substantially rigid.

Claim 50

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 37, wherein said surface applicator is a fiber tip.

Claim 51

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 32, wherein said surface applicator is a flexible applicator; and

Claim 52

a rigid valve actuator cooperating with said flexible applicator for moving said valve element from said sealing position to said open position upon depression of said valve actuator on a surface.

Claim 53

a rigid valve actuator cooperating with said flexible applicator for moving said valve element from said sealing position to said open position upon depression of said valve actuator on a surface.

Claim 54

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 39, wherein said flexible surface applicator is a brush applicator.

Claim 55

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 32, wherein said means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container includes a press fit engagement.

Claim 56

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 32, wherein said container is substantially rigid.

Claim 57

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 32, wherein said container includes means for reducing the volume of said container to force the applicator liquid from said container through said applicator opening to said surface applicator when said valve element is in said open position.

Claim 58

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 32, wherein said means for reducing the volume of said container includes said container having a resilient flexible container wall.

Claim 59

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 33, wherein said means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said container includes said valve closure being press fitted into an open end of said container.

Claim 60

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid from a liquid container to an applicator surface, comprising in combination; a valve comprising a valve body, a valve element, a valve seal and bias means; said valve element being movable between a closed an an open position with said bias means biasing said valve element into one of said positions; a valve closure having a first and a second end with an internal closure cavity extending therebetween; a surface applicator having a proximal end and a distal end with said surface applicator being disposed in said internal closure cavity of said valve closure; means connecting said valve closure to said valve with said proximal end of said surface applicator being disposed proximate said valve element and with said distal end of said surface applicator extending external said second end of said valve closure; means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container for enabling the flow of the liquid from the liquid container to said surface applicator upon said valve element being moved from said closed position to said open position; a tubular portion slidably receiving said surface applicator for forming a liquid seal between said proximal end and said distal end of said surface applicator; and means for flexibly mounting said tubular portion within said internal closure cavity of said valve closure to maintain the liquid seal between said tubular portion and said surface applicator irrespective of any deformation of said surface applicator.

Claim 61

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid from a liquid container to an applicator surface, comprising in combination; a valve comprising a valve body, a valve element, a valve seal and bias means; said valve element being movable between a closed an an open position with said bias means biasing said valve element into one of said positions; a valve closure having a first and a second end with an internal closure cavity extending therebetween; a surface applicator having a proximal end and a distal end with said surface applicator being disposed in said internal closure cavity of said valve closure; means connecting said valve closure to said valve with said proximal end of said surface applicator being disposed proximate said valve element and with said distal end of said surface applicator extending external said second end of said valve closure; means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container for enabling the flow of the liquid from the liquid container to said surface applicator upon said valve element being moved from said closed position to said open position; a tubular portion slidably receiving said surface applicator for forming a liquid seal between said proximal end and said distal end of said surface applicator; and means for flexibly mounting said tubular portion within said internal closure cavity of said valve closure to maintain the liquid seal between said tubular portion and said surface applicator irrespective of any deformation of said surface applicator.

Claim 62

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 46, wherein said means connecting said valve body to said valve seal includes a recess disposed in one of said valve body and said valve seal for receiving a projection extending from the other of said valve body and said valve seal.

Claim 63

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 46, wherein said means connecting said valve closure to said valve body includes a recess disposed in one of said valve closure and said valve body for receiving a projection extending from the other of said valve closure and said valve body.

Claim 64

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 46, wherein said valve seal comprises an annular sealing surface; and said valve element comprises an annular shoulder for engaging with said annular sealing surface.

Claim 65

The liquid applicator device as set forth in claim 46, and further including aperture means located in said valve body for permitting the flow of applicator liquid from said liquid container to said surface applicator.

Claim 66

An improved applicator device as set forth in claim 46, wherein said means for connecting said first end of said valve closure to said container includes thread means.

Claim 67

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid from a liquid container to an applicator surface, comprising in combination; a valve comprising a valve body, a valve element, a valve seal and bias means; a valve closure having a first and a second end with an internal closure cavity extending therebetween; a surface applicator having a proximal end and a distal end with said surface applicator being disposed in said internal closure cavity of said valve - closure; means connecting said valve closure to said valve with said proximal end of said surface applicator engaging said valve element and with said distal end of said surface applicator extending external said second end of said valve closure; said valve element being movable between a closed position and an open position for respectively inhibiting and permitting the flow of the applicator liquid from the liquid container to said surface applicator; said bias means biasing said valve element into said closed position with said valve element being in sealing engagement with said valve seal; said valve seal having an extending portion for supporting a substantially tubular portion; said tubular portion slidably receiving said surface applicator for forming a liquid seal therebetween; - means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container enabling said surface applicator to move said valve element from said sealing position to an open position upon depression of said distal end of said surface applicator on the applicator surface enabling the flow of the applicator liquid from said container to said surface applicator; and said extending portion of said valve seal flexibly supporting said tubular portion for maintaining the liquid seal between said tubular portion and said surface applicator irrespective of any deformation of said surface applicator.

Claim 68

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid from a liquid container to an applicator surface, comprising in combination; a valve comprising a valve body, a valve element, a valve seal and bias means; a valve closure having a first and a second end with an internal closure cavity extending therebetween; a surface applicator having a proximal end and a distal end with said surface applicator being disposed in said internal closure cavity of said valve - closure; means connecting said valve closure to said valve with said proximal end of said surface applicator engaging said valve element and with said distal end of said surface applicator extending external said second end of said valve closure; said valve element being movable between a closed position and an open position for respectively inhibiting and permitting the flow of the applicator liquid from the liquid container to said surface applicator; said bias means biasing said valve element into said closed position with said valve element being in sealing engagement with said valve seal; said valve seal having an extending portion for supporting a substantially tubular portion; said tubular portion slidably receiving said surface applicator for forming a liquid seal therebetween; - means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container enabling said surface applicator to move said valve element from said sealing position to an open position upon depression of said distal end of said surface applicator on the applicator surface enabling the flow of the applicator liquid from said container to said surface applicator; and said extending portion of said valve seal flexibly supporting said tubular portion for maintaining the liquid seal between said tubular portion and said surface applicator irrespective of any deformation of said surface applicator.

Claim 69

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid from a liquid container to an applicator surface, comprising in combination;

Claim 70

A liquid applicator device for applying an applicator liquid from a liquid container to an applicator surface, comprising in combination;

Claim 71

an inner subassembly including a valve body, a valve element, a valve seal and bias means: said valve element being movable between an open position and a closed position; an outer subassembly including a valve closure and a substantially cylindrical surface applicator; said valve closure having a first and a second end with an internal closure cavity extending therebetween; said surface applicator having a proximal end and a distal end with said surface applicator being disposed in said internal closure cavity of said valve closure; said outer subassembly including a tubular portion flexibly mounted to said valve closure for slidably receiving said surface applicator for forming a liquid seal between said proximal end and said distal end of said surface applicator and for maintaining the liquid seal irrespective of any deformation of said surface applicator; means for interconnecting said inner subassembly and said outer subassembly with said proximal end of said surface applicator being disposed proximate said valve element and with said distal end of said surface applicator extending external said second end of said valve closure; and means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container for enabling the flow of the liquid from the liquid container to said surface applicator when said valve element is disposed in said open position.

Claim 72

an inner subassembly including a valve body, a valve element, a valve seal and bias means: said valve element being movable between an open position and a closed position; an outer subassembly including a valve closure and a substantially cylindrical surface applicator; said valve closure having a first and a second end with an internal closure cavity extending therebetween; said surface applicator having a proximal end and a distal end with said surface applicator being disposed in said internal closure cavity of said valve closure; said outer subassembly including a tubular portion flexibly mounted to said valve closure for slidably receiving said surface applicator for forming a liquid seal between said proximal end and said distal end of said surface applicator and for maintaining the liquid seal irrespective of any deformation of said surface applicator; means for interconnecting said inner subassembly and said outer subassembly with said proximal end of said surface applicator being disposed proximate said valve element and with said distal end of said surface applicator extending external said second end of said valve closure; and means connecting said first end of said valve closure to said liquid container for enabling the flow of the liquid from the liquid container to said surface applicator when said valve element is disposed in said open position.