US3945734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self capping liquid applicators
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-05-19
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Granted: 1976-03-23
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Expires: 1995-05-19
Abstract
Abstract An absorbent tipped liquid applicator apparatus is equipped with a mechanism for selectively capping and uncapping the tip in response to manual pressure. The applicator includes an absorbent tip and a body which normally contains a reservoir of fluid. A flexible sleeve is attached to the body at one end. A spring loaded sleeve retractor is connected to the other end of the sleeve and is flexibly attached to the body of the applicator also. In its capping mode, the sleeve is drawn over the absorbent tip and is clamped there by the retractor means. When the retractor means is squeezed, it opens up the end of the sleeve and withdraws it so as to effectively uncap the tip. Releasing the manual pressure on the retracting means causes the sleeve to return to its capping mode position. This technique can be applied to nylon tipped pens, felt tipped marking and highlighting pens, glue sticks, shoe polish applicators and the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard C. Woodbridge
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 10:09
CPC Classifications
B; B43; B43K; B43K8/00; B43K8/02; B43K8/028; A; A47; A47L; A47L23/00; A47L23/04; A47L23/05; B43K8/24; B65; B65D; B65D47/00; B65D47/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A capping apparatus for capping and uncapping a liquid applicatior having a wick-like tip and a liquid containing reservoir body, said apparatus comprising: a hollow, flexible, capping sleeve means attached at one end to said applicator body; and, a retracting means also connected to said sleeve and to said applicator body for selectively retracting and spreading said sleeve in response to manual pressure and for automatically returning said sleeve to a capping position in the absence of manual pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A capping apparatus for capping and uncapping a liquid applicatior having a wick-like tip and a liquid containing reservoir body, said apparatus comprising: a hollow, flexible, capping sleeve means attached at one end to said applicator body; and, a retracting means also connected to said sleeve and to said applicator body for selectively retracting and spreading said sleeve in response to manual pressure and for automatically returning said sleeve to a capping position in the absence of manual pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said retracting means comprises: a lever means; and, a moveable fulcrum means connected to said lever means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said lever means has a first end attached to said sleeve means, a second end adapted for engagement with said body, and an intermediate fulcrum section; and, wherein said sulcrum means is pivotally connected to the fulcrum section of said lever means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lever means comprises a plurality of levers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein that portion of the lever means lying between the fulcrum section and the second end of said lever means is further divided into at least two sub-sections, wherein the angle subtended between the two sub-sections is an angle greater than 0° but less than 90°.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein that section of the lever means lying between the fulcrum section and the second end is bent back upon itself.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said two sub-sections comprise two pieces of material attached together at one end thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said levers are constructed from a metal having spring-like qualities.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said levers are constructed from a plastic-like material having spring-like qualities.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the sleeve means is tapered towards the wick tip of the applicator when said sleeve is in position on the body of said applicator.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said applicator comprises a nylon tip pen.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said applicator comprises a felt tipped pen means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said applicator comprises a liquid shoe polish applicator.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said apparatus further includes anchor means for flexibly connecting the second end of said lever means to the body of said applicator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said anchor means comprises a ledge integral with the body of said applicator.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the anchor means comprises a means fastenable to the body of the applicator and against which the second end of said lever means is flexibly adaptable.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said anchor means is built into said lever means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR989253A
Cited
US2957452A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-03-23 | 1979-09-22 | 1980-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-03-23 | 1983-09-22 | 1984-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-03-23 | 1987-09-22 | 1988-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |