Grippable packet applicator

• US 7,806,877 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Issued: 10/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alan H.I. Kang
• Original Assignee: Alan H.I. Kang
• Inventors: Darby, George E., Kang, Alan H. I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zalukaeva; Tatyana
• Assistant Examiner(s): Craig; Paula L
• Application Number:
  US11/463,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20080039812A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,518 Days
• Field of Search: 604/3, 604/306, 604/308, 206/210
• US Class Current: 604/306
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/1018 comprising a pad, i.e. a cushion-like mass of soft material, with or without gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/0087 for samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 35/006 using sponges, foams, absorbent pads or swabs as spreading means

Abstract

The invention provides an easily gripped, single use or multiple use, packet applicator that contains, protects, dispenses and applies powders, solids, semi-solids, semi-liquids, and liquids. The packet contents, or “payload”, are selected from a wide variety of personal care, domestic, office, commercial, and industrial substances, such as: sunscreen, soap, cosmetics, cosmetics removers, and medicaments for application to epidermis and other body surfaces; detergents, waxes, cleansers, and polishes for application to household surfaces; and lubricants, paints, sensors, and sealants for application to commercial and industrial surfaces. Embodiments of the packet applicator can include a rotatable grip.

Claims

1. A packet applicator comprising:

at least one payload-containing, adsorbent pad;

a folded sheet of film, each of the at least one adsorbent pad being attached on one side to and sandwiched between the folded sheet of film, the folded sheet of film having a perimeter and a plurality of margins at the perimeter, wherein all but at least one of the plurality of margins at the perimeter of the folded sheet of film are peelably sealed, and wherein the at least one of the plurality of margins is wider than a remaining portion of the plurality of margins and non-peelably sealed, the at least one of the plurality of margins forming a grip for holding the packet applicator during use, the folded sheet of film having a reduced thickness along the base of the grip forming a hinge line along the base of the grip, the folded sheet of film including a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis when the packet applicator is opened, a portion of the folded sheet of film in the grip in the area along the hinge line being configured to be rotated from alignment with the lateral axis of the opened applicator to alignment with the longitudinal axis of the opened applicator; and

a rupturable bladder containing a payload, the rupturable bladder residing between the at least one adsorbent pad and a portion of the folded sheet of film to which the at least one adsorbent pad is attached.

2. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the folded sheet of film includes at least one of paper, plastic, metal, composite, plastic-coated paper, plastic-coated composite, or plastic coated metal.

3. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein an opposing margin of the plurality of margins opposite to the grip includes an edge, the edge being incompletely sealed, thereby forming an opening edge.

4. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of margins includes at least one of (1) waffling, (2) dimples and (3) coating with a sticky feeling elastomer.

5. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the all but one of the plurality of margins that are peelably sealed are resealable and include including at least one of a zip strip, adhesive, and tacky elastomer.

6. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one adsorbent pad includes a pore size and a pad material, the pore size and the pad material being adapted for a payload to be applied to an epidermis.

7. The packet applicator of claim 6 wherein the payload includes at least one of gels, ointments, salves, lotions, cosmetics, cosmetics removers, soap, anti-acne medicine, skin lotions, sun block, self-tanning lotion, hair dye, moisturizers, nail polish remover, facial cleanser, powders, cologne, perfume, insect repellant, eye black, ski wax, and hand cleaner.

8. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one adsorbent pad includes a pore size and a pad material, and the pore size and the pad material are adapted for payloads to be applied to household surfaces.

9. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one adsorbent pad includes a pore size and a pad material, and the pore size and the pad material are adapted for payloads to be applied to commercial and industrial surfaces.

10. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one adsorbent pad includes an additional payload adsorbed to the at least one adsorbent pad, the payload in the rupturable bladder being different from the additional payload.

11. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the folded sheet of film includes a lateral axis and a longitudinal axis when the packet applicator is opened, and wherein a portion of the folded sheet of film proximate to the grip in the area along the hinge line is distensible so that, after the packet applicator is opened the grip can be rotated from alignment with the lateral axis of the opened applicator to alignment with the longitudinal axis of the opened applicator.

12. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the film includes at least one layer of polymer selected from the group consisting of polyamides, polyolefins, polyesters, polyethylene vinyl alcohol, polyvinylidene chloride, anhydride-modified ethylene homopolymer, anhydride-modified ethylene copolymer, and combinations thereof.

13. The packet applicator of claim 1, wherein the at least one adsorbent pad comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of natural fiber, synthetic fiber, yarn, woven textile, non-woven textile, metal wool, composite, or foam.

14. The packet applicator of claim 1 wherein the grip is stiffer than the remaining portion of the plurality of margins.

15. The packet applicator of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the lateral axis.