Liquid applicator

Abstract

Disclosed are liquid applicators for dispensing liquid to a surface such as a bathroom wall, and working the liquid against the surface. The applicators may have a compressible reservoir for the cleaning liquid. Upon compressing the reservoir the liquid is driven to a scrubbing pad in a controlled fashion. A check valve prevents back flow to the reservoir from the pad. A blister pack can house the scrubbing pad even when the pad is attached to the reservoir. In another form the applicator can be tipped and rested on its side between uses.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not applicable.STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not applicable.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]The present invention relates to compact hand-held devices that both provide liquid and the capability of working the liquid against a surface to which the liquid is being applied. It also relates to display / storage packaging useful therewith.[0004]A variety of liquid applicators have been developed that have a reservoir to store a fluid to be applied and an applicator head / pad. See e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,820,234, 2,932,840, 3,135,990, 3,148,401, 3,565,294, 3,653,779, 4,183,684, 4,201,491, 4,553,871, 4,652,163, 4,961,661, 4,983,061, 5,114,255, 5,397,194, 5,454,659, 5,908,256, 6,036,391, 6,210,064, 6,425,701, 6,817,801, and 6,945,722. The disclosure of these patents, and of all other patents referred to herein, are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.[0005]Some of these prior devices use a trigg...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]The cost of producing these devices is low, notwithstanding that they can reliably meter desired amounts of liquid to the surface being treated, and then work the liquid against the surface. Further, in some embodiments they permit the nature of the product to be displayed to the consumer at the time of sale, while still protecting the pad from vandalism and minimizing the risk of leakage. In other embodiments the invention provides a convenient way of storing the applicator between uses, even after the pad has become partially dirtied.

Problems solved by technology

A disadvantage of many such devices is that they sometimes deliver too much liquid (e.g. creating a drool or waste problem), or deliver too little liquid (e.g. especially if the pad is susceptible to being clogged).

Further, some of these devices are complex to construct and thus unduly costly.

Some are also susceptible to vandalism when being displayed in a store.

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