US4762433A — Fluid applicator for shoes and the like

Claim 1

Independent Claim 211 words

A fluid applicator comprising: a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap further having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a fluid-distributing substance; at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture when a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and such aperture is disposed generally downwardly and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal of the predetermined force from the domed surface, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the domed surface is disposed generally upwardly; at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 211 words

A fluid applicator comprising: a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap further having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a fluid-distributing substance; at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture when a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and such aperture is disposed generally downwardly and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal of the predetermined force from the domed surface, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the domed surface is disposed generally upwardly; at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 26 words

The fluid applicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the sidewall includes a radially-inwardly disposed, integral flange for removably retaining the insert in the cap cavity.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 15 words

The fluid applicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the fluid-distributing substance is reticulated polyurethane.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 39 words

The fluid applicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the domed surface defines three spaced-apart apertures, each such aperture being characterized as a radially disposed slit, any one slit being spaced substantially equally from its two nearest slit neighbors.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 126 words

The fluid applicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the cap is of a substantially resilient material, wherein the insert further comprises a ring to which the fluid-distributing substance is adhesively bonded, wherein the ring is of a substantially rigid material, wherein the resilient cap sidewall defines an inner circumferential slot of radial and longitudinal dimension sufficient to receive the ring and to allow the ring to be moved relative to the cap sidewall for opening and closing the valve means, and wherein the ring cross-sectional area is so dimensioned relative to the cross-sectional area of the resilient cap sidewall as to enable the ring not only to be removably disposable into the cap cavity but also engageable with the cap along the resilient sidewall thereof.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 70 words

The fluid applicator in accordance with claim 5 wherein the resilient cap further includes a plurality of peripherally spaced-apart exterior ribs, each such rib being integral not only with the cap sidewall but also with an exterior surface portion of the resilient cap, to provide the resilient cap sidewall with radial and longitudinal support for opposing substantial resilient cap sidewall deformation when the ring is disposed into the cap cavity.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 73 words

The fluid applicator in accordance with claim 5 wherein the insert ring defines a hole that surrounds the domed surface of the cap, the cross-sectional area of the ring hole being so dimensioned relative to the cross-sectional area of the domed surface as to allow a major portion of the domed surface to be disposed through the ring hold and brought into biasing engagement with the fluid-distributing substance for opening the valve means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 33 words

The fluid applicator in accordance with claim 1 wherein the domed surface of the cap further includes an exterior, integral protuberance, extending outwardly from the cap cavity and disposed toward the fluid-distributing substance.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 299 words

In combination with a fluid container having an opening and being reversibly movable from an upstanding position whereby fluid is substantially contained by the container to an inverted position whereby fluid is able to flow through the fluid-container opening by a gravity, a fluid applicator comprising: a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap being removably engageable with the fluid container at the opening thereof, the cap being so configured as to provide the fluid container with a substantially fluid-tight seal along the opening thereof, the cap having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a fluid-distributing substance; at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture thereby effecting fluid communication from the container to the fluid-distributing substance when the container is disposed in the inverted position and a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal from the domed surface of the predetermined force, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the container is disposed in the upstanding position; at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 299 words

In combination with a fluid container having an opening and being reversibly movable from an upstanding position whereby fluid is substantially contained by the container to an inverted position whereby fluid is able to flow through the fluid-container opening by a gravity, a fluid applicator comprising: a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap being removably engageable with the fluid container at the opening thereof, the cap being so configured as to provide the fluid container with a substantially fluid-tight seal along the opening thereof, the cap having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a fluid-distributing substance; at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture thereby effecting fluid communication from the container to the fluid-distributing substance when the container is disposed in the inverted position and a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal from the domed surface of the predetermined force, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the container is disposed in the upstanding position; at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 25 words

The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein the sidewall includes a radially-inwardly disposed, integral flange for removably retaining the insert in the cap cavity.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 307 words

In combination with a hand-held fluid container having an opening and being manually reversibly movable from an upstanding position whereby fluid is substantially contained by the container to an inverted position whereby fluid is able to flow through the fluid-container opening by gravity, a fluid applicator comprising: a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap being removably engageable with the fluid container at the opening thereof, the cap being so configured as to provide the fluid container with a substantially fluid-tight seal along the opening thereof, the cap having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a ring and a fluid-distributing substance affixed to the ring; at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture thereby effecting fluid communication from the container to the fluid-distributing substance when the container is disposed in the inverted position and a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal from the domed surface of the predetermined force, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the container is disposed in the upstanding position; at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 307 words

In combination with a hand-held fluid container having an opening and being manually reversibly movable from an upstanding position whereby fluid is substantially contained by the container to an inverted position whereby fluid is able to flow through the fluid-container opening by gravity, a fluid applicator comprising: a cap having a sidewall defining a cavity, the cap being removably engageable with the fluid container at the opening thereof, the cap being so configured as to provide the fluid container with a substantially fluid-tight seal along the opening thereof, the cap having a resiliently-deformable domed surface surrounded by the sidewall, a portion of the domed surface extending outwardly from the cap cavity, the domed surface defining at least two spaced-apart apertures; and an insert removably disposable into the cap cavity and engageable with the cap sidewall, the insert comprising a ring and a fluid-distributing substance affixed to the ring; at least one of the two spaced-apart apertures providing the domed surface with a valve means (1) which opens in response to deformation of the domed surface to allow fluid to flow by gravity through the one aperture thereby effecting fluid communication from the container to the fluid-distributing substance when the container is disposed in the inverted position and a portion of the domed surface in the vicinity of such aperture is subjected to a predetermined dome-deforming force and (2) which closes automatically in a substantially fluid-tight manner upon removal from the domed surface of the predetermined force, the domed surface being so configured as to enable fluid to flow by gravity generally away from each of the apertures when the container is disposed in the upstanding position; at least a portion of the insert being movable relative to the domed surface for removably applying the predetermined force to the domed surface, for opening and closing the valve means.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 48 words

The combination in accordance with claim 11 wherein the cap further includes an integral annular collar having a cross-sectional area dimensioned relative to the cross-sectional area of the fluid container opening, and configured, so as to provide the container with the substantially fluid-tight seal along the opening thereof.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 14 words

The combination in accordance with claim 11 wherein the fluid-distributing substance is reticulated polyurethane.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 38 words

The combination in accordance with claim 11 wherein the domed surface defines three spaced-apart apertures, each such aperture being characterized as a radially disposed slit, any one slit being spaced substantially equally from its two nearest slit neighbors.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 110 words

The combination in accordance with claim 11 wherein the cap is of a substantially resilient material, wherein the ring is of a substantially rigid material, wherein the resilient cap sidewall defines an inner circumferential slot of radial and longitudinal dimension sufficient to receive the ring and to allow the ring to be moved relative to the cap sidewall for opening and closing the valve means, and wherein the ring cross-sectional area is so dimensioned relative to the cross-sectional area of the resilient cap sidewall as to enable the ring not only to be removably disposable into the cap cavity but also engageable with the resilient cap along the sidewall thereof.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 67 words

The combination in accordance with claim 15 wherein the resilient cap further includes a plurality of peripherally spaced-apart exterior ribs, each such rib being integral not only with the cap sidewall but also with an exterior surface portion of the resilient cap, to provide the resilient cap sidewall with radial and longitudinal support for opposing substantial sidewall deformation when the ring is disposed into the cap cavity.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 72 words

The combination in accordance with claim 15 wherein the insert ring defines a hole that surrounds the domed surface of the cap, the cross-sectional area of the ring hole being so dimensioned relative to the cross-sectional area of the domed surface as to allow a major portion of the domed surface to be disposed throught the ring hole and brought into biasing engagement with the fluid-distributing substance for opening the valve means.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 32 words

The combination in accordance with claim 11 wherein the domed surface of the cap further includes an exterior, integral protuberance, extending outwardly from the cap cavity and disposed toward the fluid-distributing substance.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1991-08-09	1992-02-08	1992-08-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1995-08-09	1996-02-08	1996-08-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1999-08-09	2000-02-08	2000-08-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Fluid applicator for shoes and the like

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