Liquid applicator

Claim 2

A liquid applicator comprising: an elongated hollow body having opposed first and second open ends in fluid communication with one another through the body; a tip attached to the first open end of the body and including a porous material for permitting liquid within the body to be applied through the tip; a closed, frangible ampul supported within the second open end of the body and containing a liquid to be dispensed; a cap supported on the body at the second open end of the body, the cap being movable axially relative to the body between a storage position and a use position; a locking means for retaining the cap on the body and locking the cap against movement from either of the storage or use positions in a direction toward the second open end of the body, the locking means including a pair of axially spaced locking surfaces formed on the body adjacent the second open end, an engagement surface provided on the cap, and a biasing means for biasing the engagement surface toward the locking surfaces, the engagement surface being movable relative to the locking surfaces when the cap is moved toward the use position and engaging the locking surfaces to lock the cap against movement from either of the storage or use positions in a direction toward the second open end of the body; and a fracturing means for fracturing the ampul when the cap is moved from the storage position to the use position to permit the liquid in the ampul to flow through the body to the tip.

Claim 3

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein the body is tubular, and is tapered toward the first open end and enlarged adjacent the second open end.

Claim 4

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein the body is formed of a translucent material which permits inspection of the liquid within the body.

Claim 5

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein the porous material of the tip is attached directly to the first open end of the body.

Claim 6

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein the tip includes a support means for supporting the tip on the body, the support means having a passage for providing fluid communication between the first open end and the porous material of the tip.

Claim 7

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein the tip is tapered to a point for permitting accurate application of a small amount of liquid.

Claim 8

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein the ampul is formed of glass.

Claim 9

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein the cap includes an ampul receiving means for supporting the ampul within the body.

Claim 10

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 8, wherein the body includes an enlarged diameter section adjacent the second open end which defines an annular shelf facing the second open end, and the cap includes a circular end wall, a tubular side wall having a first end connected to the end wall and a second free end, and an annular flange intermediate the ends of the side wall, the annular flange being sized for receipt within the enlarged diameter section of the body.

Claim 11

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 9, further comprising sealing means for providing a seal between the cap and the body when the cap is in the use position.

Claim 12

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 10, wherein the sealing means includes an o-ring supported in the enlarged diameter section of the body adjacent the annular shelf so that, when the cap is moved to the use position, the o-ring is compressed between the annular flange of the cap and the annular shelf of the body to provide a liquid tight seal.

Claim 13

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 1, further comprising a porous wall means positioned between the ampul and the first open end of the body for retaining the fractured ampul within the body and for facilitating the flow of liquid to the tip.

Claim 14

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein the fracturing means includes a protuberance extending into the second open end of the body and being offset from the ampul by a distance less than the distance of travel of the cap when the cap is moved from the storage position to the use position so that movement of the cap brings the ampul and protuberance into engagement with one another fracturing the ampul.

Claim 15

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 9, wherein the fracturing means includes a protuberance provided on the body, the protuberance extending radially into the second open end of the body and being offset axially from the ampul by a distance less than the distance of travel of the cap when the cap is moved from the storage position to the use position so that movement of the cap to the use position brings the ampul against the protuberance fracturing the ampul.

Claim 16

A liquid applicator as recited in claim 13, wherein the fracturing means includes two protuberances, each of which are offset from one another by about 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the body.

Claim 17

A liquid applicator comprising: an elongated hollow body having opposed first and second open ends in fluid communication with one another through the body and a cylindrical region intermediate the ends; a tip attached to the first open end of the body and including a porous material for permitting liquid within the body to be applied through the tip; a closed, frangible ampul supported within the cylindrical region of the body and containing a liquid to be dispensed, the ampul having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter defined by the cylindrical region of the body; a hollow cap supported on the body at the second open end of the body, the cap being movable axially relative to the body between a storage position and a use position, and including a tubular side wall having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter defined by the cylindrical region of the body and an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the ampul, the side wall defining a receiving means for supporting the ampul within the cylindrical region of the body; a locking means for retaining the cap on the body and locking the cap against movement from either of the storage or use positions in a direction toward the second open end of the body, the locking means including a pair of axially spaced locking surfaces formed on the body adjacent the second open end, an engagement surface provided on the cap, and a biasing means for biasing the engagement surface toward the locking surfaces, the engagement surface being movable relative to the locking surfaces when the cap is moved toward the use position and engaging the locking surfaces to lock the cap against movement from either of the storage or use positions in a direction toward the second open end of the body; and a fracturing means for fracturing the ampul when the cap is moved from the storage position to the use position to permit the liquid in the ampul to flow through the body to the tip.

Claim 18

A liquid applicator comprising: an elongated hollow body having opposed first and second open ends in fluid communication with one another through the body and a cylindrical region intermediate the ends; a tip attached to the first open end of the body and including a porous material for permitting liquid within the body to be applied through the tip; a closed, frangible ampul supported within the cylindrical region of the body and containing a liquid to be dispensed, the ampul having an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter defined by the cylindrical region of the body; a hollow cap supported on the body at the second open end of the body, the cap being movable axially relative to the body between a storage position and a use position, and including a tubular side wall having an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter defined by the cylindrical region of the body and an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the ampul, the side wall defining a receiving means for supporting the ampul within the cylindrical region of the body; a locking means for retaining the cap on the body and locking the cap against movement from either of the storage or use positions in a direction toward the second open end of the body, the locking means including a pair of axially spaced locking surfaces formed on the body adjacent the second open end, an engagement surface provided on the cap, and a biasing means for biasing the engagement surface toward the locking surfaces, the engagement surface being movable relative to the locking surfaces when the cap is moved toward the use position and engaging the locking surfaces to lock the cap against movement from either of the storage or use positions in a direction toward the second open end of the body; and a fracturing means for fracturing the ampul when the cap is moved from the storage position to the use position to permit the liquid in the ampul to flow through the body to the tip.