Fluid applicator for shoes and the like
First Claim
1. A fluid applicator comprising:
- a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap further having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and
an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a fluid-distributing substance;
at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture when a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and such aperture is disposed generally downwardly and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal of the predetermined force from the domed surface, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the domed surface is disposed generally upwardly;
at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A novel fluid applicator, together with a combination comprising the fluid applicator and a fluid container, are disclosed. The fluid applicator comprises a container cap having an external sidewall defining an exterior cavity. The fluid applicator further comprises an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall. The cap cavity insert comprises a fluid-distributing substance such as a foam pad or dauber. The cap has a resiliently-deformable domed surface, surrounded by the sidewall. A portion of the domed surface extends outwardly from the cap cavity. The domed surface defines at least two spaced-apart apertures or slits, at least one of which provides the domed surface with a valve means that opens in response to deformation of the domed surface, to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture or slit and to effect fluid communication from the fluid container to the fluid-distributing substance when a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture or slit is subjected to a predetermined, dome-deforming force. Upon removal of the predetermined force, the valve means closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner. At least a portion of the cap cavity insert is movable relative to the domed surface, for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface for opening and closing the valve means. The domed surface, moreover, is so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures or slits when the container is disposed in an upstanding position.
64 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fluid applicator comprising:
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a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap further having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a fluid-distributing substance; at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture when a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and such aperture is disposed generally downwardly and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal of the predetermined force from the domed surface, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the domed surface is disposed generally upwardly; at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In combination with a fluid container having an opening and being reversibly movable from an upstanding position whereby fluid is substantially contained by the container to an inverted position whereby fluid is able to flow through the fluid-container opening by a gravity, a fluid applicator comprising:
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a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap being removably engageable with the fluid container at the opening thereof, the cap being so configured as to provide the fluid container with a substantially fluid-tight seal along the opening thereof, the cap having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a fluid-distributing substance; at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture thereby effecting fluid communication from the container to the fluid-distributing substance when the container is disposed in the inverted position and a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal from the domed surface of the predetermined force, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the container is disposed in the upstanding position; at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means. - View Dependent Claims (10)
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11. In combination with a hand-held fluid container having an opening and being manually reversibly movable from an upstanding position whereby fluid is substantially contained by the container to an inverted position whereby fluid is able to flow through the fluid-container opening by gravity, a fluid applicator comprising:
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a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap being removably engageable with the fluid container at the opening thereof, the cap being so configured as to provide the fluid container with a substantially fluid-tight seal along the opening thereof, the cap having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a ring and a fluid-distributing substance affixed to the ring; at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture thereby effecting fluid communication from the container to the fluid-distributing substance when the container is disposed in the inverted position and a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal from the domed surface of the predetermined force, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the container is disposed in the upstanding position; at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification