US3768916A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sponge with encapsulated liquid
Assignee: MEDCON HOSPITAL PRODUCTS Inc BUILDING 23 SUITE 2390 CORPORATE WOODS OVERLAND PARK KANSAS 66210
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Filing: 1971-12-01
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-12-01
Abstract
Abstract A scrubbing unit includes a sponge with a frangible ampoule containing a liquid soap disposed within a slot in the sponge. A cap fits on the sponge over the slot and pinches in the sides of the sponge to compress a portion of the sponge across the ampoule and thereby close the slot. This prevents fragments of the broken ampoule from coming out of the sponge and helps to directionalize the flow of soap through the sponge by reducing the permeability of the sponge adjacent the cap.
Inventors
- 👤 C Avery
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 03:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61M; A61M35/00; A61M35/003; A61M35/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A scrubbing unit for use in cleansing the skin around a wound, said unit comprising a block-shaped sponge having a top surface and a bottom scrubbing surface, a slot formed in the upper portion of said sponge and opening upwardly out of said top surface, a frangible ampoule disposed within said slot, a liquid cleanser contained within the ampoule to permeate the sponge when the ampoule is broken, a rigid and non-permeable cap having a central web disposed across said top surface and said slot, and means integral with opposite margins of said web and compressing opposite sides of said sponge inwardly above said ampoule and compressing said sponge against said web thereby to clamp the sponge against the web, to close said slot, and to directionalize the flow of the liquid cleanser downwardly through the sponge and toward said scrubbing surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A scrubbing unit for use in cleansing the skin around a wound, said unit comprising a block-shaped sponge having a top surface and a bottom scrubbing surface, a slot formed in the upper portion of said sponge and opening upwardly out of said top surface, a frangible ampoule disposed within said slot, a liquid cleanser contained within the ampoule to permeate the sponge when the ampoule is broken, a rigid and non-permeable cap having a central web disposed across said top surface and said slot, and means integral with opposite margins of said web and compressing opposite sides of said sponge inwardly above said ampoule and compressing said sponge against said web thereby to clamp the sponge against the web, to close said slot, and to directionalize the flow of the liquid cleanser downwardly through the sponge and toward said scrubbing surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
198 words
A scrubbing unit for use in cleansing the skin around a wound, said unit comprising a block-shaped sponge having a top surface and a bottom scrubbing surface, a slot formed in the upper portion of the sponge and opening out of said top surface, a frangible ampoule disposed within said slot, a liquid cleanser contained within the ampoule to permeate the Sponge when the ampoule is broken, and a rigid and non-permeable cap having a central web disposed across said top surface and said slot, opposing flanges integrally joined with opposite margins of said web and inclined downwardly and inwardly therefrom into compressive engagement with opposite sides of the sponge, and an upwardly and inwardly inclined shoulder formed along the inner end of each flange and coacting with the latter and said web to compress the portion of the sponge above said ampoule thereby to hold the sponge against the web, to close said slot and prevent fragments of the broken ampoule from coming out of the sponge and to directionalize the flow of the liquid cleanser through the sponge and toward said scrubbing surface so as to avoid having to wet the sponge with water before usage.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
198 words
A scrubbing unit for use in cleansing the skin around a wound, said unit comprising a block-shaped sponge having a top surface and a bottom scrubbing surface, a slot formed in the upper portion of the sponge and opening out of said top surface, a frangible ampoule disposed within said slot, a liquid cleanser contained within the ampoule to permeate the Sponge when the ampoule is broken, and a rigid and non-permeable cap having a central web disposed across said top surface and said slot, opposing flanges integrally joined with opposite margins of said web and inclined downwardly and inwardly therefrom into compressive engagement with opposite sides of the sponge, and an upwardly and inwardly inclined shoulder formed along the inner end of each flange and coacting with the latter and said web to compress the portion of the sponge above said ampoule thereby to hold the sponge against the web, to close said slot and prevent fragments of the broken ampoule from coming out of the sponge and to directionalize the flow of the liquid cleanser through the sponge and toward said scrubbing surface so as to avoid having to wet the sponge with water before usage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |