Cleanser dispensing sponge system

• US 4,886,388 A
• Filed: 07/28/1988
• Issued: 12/12/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stanley Gulker, Stuart P. Gulker
• Original Assignee: Stanley Gulker, Stuart P. Gulker
• Inventors: Gulker, Stuart P., Gulker, Stanley
• Primary Examiner(s): Bratlie, Steven A.
• Application Number:
  US07/225,640
• Time in Patent Office: 502 Days
• Field of Search: 401/148, 401/203, 401/204, 401/205, 401/206, 401/207, 401/184, 401/196, 401/202, 401/151, 15/244 R
• US Class Current: 401/148
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 7/028 having a rigid handle A47K7/026 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 7/03 containing soap or other cleaning ingredients, e.g. impregnated

Abstract

A cleanser dispensing sponge including a housing having a reservoir with an opening for receiving cleanser concentrate, a head, and a cleanser delivery system comprising a pumping canal having a first opening through an outer surface of the head, and a second opening being in fluid transmitting communication with the reservoir, the second opening including a metering constriction for controlling liquid flow between the system and the sponge, the first opening including a back flow constriction for controlling liquid flow between the system and resilient, fluid conducting sponge means mounted on the head. Support ribs on the head resist bending and rotation of the mounted sponge means. Sealing means for the reservoir opening includes a recess for enclosing air within the sealed reservoir.

Claims

1. A. cleanser dispensing sponge comprising:

a housing, including a first end, a second end, said first end comprising a head, said housing further including a reservoir located within the housing and occupying a substantial portion of the length of the housing between the head and the second end, with the back of the reservoir located at said second end, and the front toward said head,

said reservoir including a filler opening at said second end for loading cleanser into the cleanser dispensing sponge, and

rigid cap means at said second end for sealing said filler opening,

sponge means for mounting on said head, said sponge means including resilient and fluid conducting properties,

a cleanser delivery system located within the housing, said system comprising a pumping canal for receiving hydraulic pumping pressure from the sponge means, said canal being substantially straight, located along a line taken from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing, and including a first opening and a second opening, said second opening being in fluid transmitting communication with the reservoir, said first opening being at said first end through an outer surface of the head within the sponge means for receiving liquid from, and for delivering liquid to, said sponge means in response to said hydraulic pumping pressure, and

a metering constriction of a portion of the pumping canal, located at the second opening, for controlling liquid flow to and fro between said system and said reservoir in response to said hydraulic pumping pressure, said metering constriction defining an orifice for said second opening, said constriction being a molding with said head, and

said canal being longer than its diameter, and being a molding with said head.

2. The invention described in claim 1, further comprising:

a rigid back flow constriction of a portion of the pumping canal, located within the first opening, for controlling liquid flow to and fro between said system and said sponge, said back flow constriction defining an orifice for said first opening.

3. The invention described in claims 1 or 2, further comprising:

support ribs extending from the head, being stiff and extending uninterrupted in a direction parallel to said line taken from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing, so that they resist bending and rotation of the mounted sponge in response to external mechanical pressures against it, said sponge being mounted directly on, and glued to the head,

said orifice for said second opening being longer than the radial height of the constriction,

said orifice for said first opening being longer than the radial height of the constriction

said cap means having a single fluid sealing surface engaging said housing.

4. The invention as described in claim 3, further comprising:

said support ribs extending each, along a substantial portion of said head, substantially parallel and radial to said line taken from the first end of the housing to the second end of the housing, and

a retaining rib, substantially normal to said line, located on a support rib surface, and

a radial ridge, located on the housing, over said back flow constriction, for stopping a sponge from sliding beyond the support ribs, towards the housing'"'"'s second end,

said cap means including a recess for including air within the sealed reservoir.