Applicator wipe for inviscid fluids

• US 4,696,393 A
• Filed: 09/23/1985
• Issued: 09/29/1987
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/1981
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomas C. Laipply
• Original Assignee: Thomas C. Laipply
• Inventors: Laipply, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lowrance, George E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Ehrhardt, Brenda J.
• Application Number:
  US06/781,236
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 206/484, 206/438, 206/441, 206/530, 206/229, 206/210, 206/812, 15/104.93
• US Class Current: 206/210
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 10/16 Paper towels; Toilet paper; Holders therefor dispensers A47K10/32
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/205 Vaccinating by means of needles or other puncturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/00 Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups A61B1/00 - A61B50/00, e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges protective face masks A41D13/11; surgeon's or patient's gowns or dresses A41D13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/00 Auxiliary appliances for wound dressings; Dispensing containers for dressings or bandages packaging of absorbent articles such as diapers, feminine hygiene absorbing pads or tampons A61F13/551; packaging of wound dressings A61F13/00072
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 2013/00302 devices for handling dressings
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/006 using sponges, foams, absorbent pads or swabs as spreading means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 206/812 Packaged towel

Abstract

An integral alcohol preparation device (10) or like type of fluid applying device includes an absorbent material or pad (11) for containing alcohol or other fluid, a fluid impermeable material, for example of metal foil (20) lined with plastic (21), as a selectively openable fluid tight chamber for the pad and fluid contained therein, and the pad and fluid impermeable material being attached as a substantially integral assembly. Being so attached, a method of using such a fluid applying device, then, may include the steps of manipulating the fluid impermeable material to open the chamber and to expose the pad and fluid contained therein without breaching the integrity of the several parts individually or collectively, and applying the fluid from the pad to an external surface. Further, a method is disclosed for making an integral fluid applying device. In an alternate embodiment a one piece fluid applying device is formed of flexible material that is folded to form a chamber to contain a fluid. The flexible material is impermeable and unaffected by the fluid. A seal is formed about the chamber to maintain the fluid tight integrity thereof. Surface portions of the flexible material which form walls of the chamber also form surfaces for applying the fluid to another surface. For example, to the skin of a patient. Similar methods of use and manufacturing may be employed with both embodiments. In both embodiments the flexible fluid impermeable material may be a single piece or may be comprised of plural pieces fastened together, e.g., along an edge of the device, and intended to remain so fastened during use.

Claims

1. A combined fluid storage container and applicator device for relatively inviscid fluids, said device comprising a sheet-like fluid impermeable material having generally symmetrical halves positioned in generally flat parallel overlying relation to each other, a pair of respective edges of said material halves being securely joined along an effective fold line as an effectively single integral sheet of said material halves, temporary seal means sealing said halves to each other along a temporary seal line beginning and ending at said fold line forming a cavity and enclosing fluid between said halves and within said temporary seal line and said fold line, a fluid in said cavity, and separation means for simultaneously applying separating force substantially symmetrically to both said halves of said sheet and to said temporary seal means without tearing said sheet, said separation means including means for applying simultaneously in at least two opposing directions continuous separating force out of the plane and at an angle that is no greater than about a perpendicular to the generally planar extent of the device to open said temporary seal means along at least a portion of the length of said seal line to form a flat surface covered with the fluid while the integrity of said sheet is maintained.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said material halves are originally separate pieces of sheet material, and said secure joining thereof at said fold line comprises a secure fastened junction of said pieces.

3. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fluid retaining pad disposed in said cavity and adhered to said material.

4. A device of claim 3, wherein the peripheral border of said pad are spaced inwardly of said temporary seal line.

5. The device of claim 3, said fluid retaining pad covers approximately one-half the surface of said material enclosed by said temporary seal line when said material is unfolded whereby the other half of said material enclosed by said temporary seal line comprises a cover for said cavity.

6. A device of claim 1, wherein said temporary seal line comprises the inner border of a temporary seal zone and is spaced inward from the periphery of said sheet of metal.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said separation means includes means for facilitating applying force to said temporary seal means to breach the same and to open said chamber for access to the fluid therein, said means for facilitating comprising protruding opposite unsealed portions of said halves of said sheet of impermeable material.

8. A device of claim 1, wherein said temporary seal line is spaced inward from the periphery of said sheet of material to define between said periphery and said temporary seal line a seal zone as a manually graspable perimeter portion of the device outside said temporary seal line.

9. The device of claim 1, said fold line comprising a peripheral seal line at the borders of two equally flat halves of said material and along which a continuation of simultaneous separating forces separates such two halves of said material.

10. The device of claim 1, further comprising handle means for facilitating manual grasping of the device for use, said handle means comprising a crimp in said impermeable material.

11. The device of claim 10, said handle means comprising approximately a 90°

reverse fold in said sheet of impermeable material out of the major plane of said sheet material.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the fluid is sterile and comprises at least one of alcohol and iodine.

13. The device of claim 1, said material comprising foil having an inner plastic liner.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein said sheet-like fluid impermeable material comprises at least paper-like material lined by and structurally supporting a thin metallic material layer.

15. The device of claim 3, wherein said adherence is produced by a relatively inviscid fluid-like material.