Applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface

a technology for applying a substance and a target surface, which is applied in the direction of cleaning equipment, carpet cleaners, window cleaners, etc., can solve the problems of not being able common approaches are not ideally suited for applying substances, and prior devices are inadequate to cover difficult to reach areas. , the effect of enhancing the reservoir shape and reducing the spa

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-07-15
REED DEBRA
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention is a disposable mitt that can be used to absorb liquids and has a unique construction. The mitt has a covering that reaches up to the user's forearm and is made of a combination of non-absorbent and absorbent fibers. The absorbent material has a moisture regain of at least 5%. The non-absorbent material has a moisture regain of less than 5%. The mit is constructed with an outer layer and an inner layer that are sewn together to form a cavity for the user's hand. The mit can be secured to the user's hand using elastic cuffs or other adhesives or mechanical fasteners. The mit is designed to be disposable and can be easily manufactured. The technical effects of the invention include improved absorbency, comfort, and a better fit for different users."

Problems solved by technology

However, the use of such articles to manually apply a substance to a surface of an object frequently results in exposure of the user's hands to potentially harmful, toxic, or otherwise undesirable substances.
These common approaches are also not ideally suited for applying substances to curved or discontinuous surfaces requiring protection of the user's hand.
In addition, the prior devices are inadequate to cover difficult to reach areas.
Moreover, these common approaches frequently require multiple devices to perform complementary tasks such as cleaning, polishing, drying, coloring, and / or buffing surfaces.
Such a combination of benefits is lacking in present day application systems.
However, use of this device does not provide multiple surfaces to dry or polish the surface after application of the substance.
Moreover, the relatively complex tube distribution system would make this device relatively expensive to produce.
This device also does not seem to protect a user's forearm and does not have an optimal shape for applying substances to a target surface.
However, the amount of substance this device can apply is limited to the absorption qualities of the pads.
This would be limiting when using substances such as very thick paint that is not easily absorbed.
This device also does not seem to protect a user's forearm and does not have an optimal shape for applying substances to a target surface.
However, the reservoir is limited to the substance contained in the “sealed, fully-enclosed reservoir” that ruptures upon application and the absorption qualities of the material used to construct the device.
This device also does not seem to protect a user's forearm and does not have an optimal shape for applying substances to a target surface.
However, the amount of substance this device can apply to a target surface is limited to the absorption qualities of the material used.
This device also does not seem to protect a user's forearm and does not have an optimal shape for applying substances to a target surface.
However, the amount of substance this device can apply to a target surface is limited to the absorption qualities of the material used.
This device also does not seem to protect a user's forearm and does not have an optimal shape for applying substances to a target surface.
However, the amount of substance this device can apply to a target surface is limited to the absorption qualities of the material used.
This device also does not seem to protect a user's forearm and does not have an optimal shape for applying substances to a target surface.

Method used

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  • Applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface
  • Applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface
  • Applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

example 2

[0060]Another example of an applicator made in accordance with the present invention is a mitt provided for cleaning, and shining liquids or gels onto a target surface such as applying polish and buffing a leather shoe. The application of liquids or gels for these purposes would be enhanced by reservoir 28 to enable the user's palm to scoop and apply variable amounts of gels or liquids. Outer most panel 37 may be comprised of a synthetic woven, synthetic knit, non-woven, apertured film, macroscopically expanded three-dimensional formed film, absorbent or fibrous absorbent material, foam, or laminates and / or combinations thereof. The non-wovens may be made by, but not limited to, one of the following methods: spunlace, spunbound, meltblown, carded, air-laid, and hydroentangled. One such material sufficient in durability and strength to provide a cleaning surface is a spunbound polypropylene non-woven such as from BBA Non-woven of Simpsonville, S.C. Other structures such as hydroentan...

example 3

[0066]Yet another example of an applicator made in accordance with the present invention is a mitt provided for a caregiver to provide medical care to a patient while being protected from potentially harmful substances like the patient's blood. The method may include the steps of: 1) the caregiver inserting one or both hands in the mitt; 2) applying a medication and / or gauze to the mitt using the reservoir; 3) placing the mitt on the patient; 4) the caregiver removing one hand while maintaining the mitt's contact with the patient with her other hand in the mitt; and 5) turning the mitt inside out to enclose the surface of the mitt that was in contact with the patient for safe disposal. A step that might also be included are inserting a second caregiver's hand or even the patient's hand into the mitt which releases the first caregiver to do other tasks while keeping the mitt in contact with the patient. Another step that may also be included is the first caregiver reinserting her han...

example 4

[0079]Another example of the applicator made in accordance with the present invention is a mitt with an elongated body and a radially shaped application surface. The elongated body is formed by using longer panels of material to form the mitt. In this embodiment, the elongated body provides protection for the user's arm up to at least the midpoint of the user's forearm. This will provide enhanced protection to the user, as it is likely that the substances being applied will drip or otherwise come in contact with the user's forearm. In addition the longer body helps the user in retaining the mitt. In other embodiments, the length of the panels can be varied to cover different portions of the user's hand, wrist, forearm or even upper arm.

[0080]Also included is a radially shaped application surface. This surface is roughly at the center of the reservoir. It is a circular surface which accommodates the user's hand when the user's fingers are spread out. This maximizes the amount of usea...

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Abstract

A mitt applicator, such as a mitt, for distributing a substance onto a target surface in the preferred form of a mitt. The mitt is composed of two panels, each panel consisting of at least one layer. The mitt's panels are in face-to-face contact with each other. At least one panel is configured to form an external pocket to be used as a product-dispensing reservoir. The inner layer of each panel can form the inside layer of the mitt and can be impervious to liquid or gel substances in order to protect the user's hand. The outer layer of the two panels can be made from materials with different properties. Also included, is a method for construction and method for using the above applicator. Additionally, a mitt with an optional reservoir is disclosed with a radial end shape and an elongated body to protect the user against substances applied to said mitt.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 827,844, entitled “APPLICATOR FOR DISTRIBUTING A SUBSTANCE ONTO A TARGET SURFACE,” filed Oct. 2, 2006.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]This invention relates generally to liquid or gel application equipment. More specifically, it relates to implements for applying a liquid or gel to a target surface.BACKGROUND ART[0003]In the art of distributing substances to target surfaces, hand held articles have been developed that apply substances such as paint directly to a target surface. These include articles such as brushes and rollers. These common approaches involve dispensing the substance from a bucket or other vessel onto the target surface, then utilizing a rag, sponge, towel, brush, or other implement to distribute the product on a target surface.[0004]However, the use of such articles to manually apply a substance to a surface of an object frequently results in exposure of...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & AuthorityApplications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A47L25/00
CPCA41D19/01A47L13/19A41D2600/20A41D19/015
InventorREED, DEBRA
OwnerREED DEBRA