IES66930B2 - Valve applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve applicator (10) comprising a substantially cylindrical body (11). The body houses an insert (18) movable from a closed state in which fluid is inhibited from flowing through the body to an open state where fluid may flow through the body. A pluralty of closely spaced peripheral ribs (16) are formed on the external surface of the body to enable said body to engage the internal surface of a bottle neck.

Description

The present invention relates to a valve applicator.

According to the present invention there is provided a valve applicator comprising a substantially cylindrical body housing an insert movable from a closed state in which fluid is inhibited from flowing through the body to an open state where fluid may flow through the body wherein a plurality of closely spaced peripheral ribs are formed on the external surface of the body to enable said body to engage the internal surface of a bottle neck.

Preferably, a peripheral flange is formed adjacent one end of the body and said ribs are disposed close to said flange.

Preferably, said ribs have a triangular cross-section.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial cross-section view of a valve applicator according to the invention; and Figure 2 is an elevation view of an insert for the valve applicator of Figure 1 of the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts, there is shown a valve applicator generally indicated at 10 according to the invention. The valve applicator 10 comprises a generally cylindrical body 11 formed of plastics material. The body 11 is closed at one end by a annular disk 12 having an aperture 14. The external diameter of the disc 12 is greater than that of the body 11 and forms a flange 13 around the periphery of the body 11. A lip 15 projecting into the body II is formed around the periphery of the aperture 14.

Three mutually parallel spaced apart peripheral ribs 16 are formed on the external surface of the body 11. Each rib 16 has a right angled triangular cross-section whose hypotenuse projects away from the flange 13. The ribs are used to secure the body within the neck of a bottle (not shown) through engagement of the ribs 16 with the internal surface of the neck. The flange 13 abuts the outer lip of the neck preventing the valve applicator from being pushed too far into the bottle.

In the present invention, the ribs are disposed close together and close to the flange 13 to that each rib 16 can engage the internal surface of a shortened neck of a bottle, thus reducing manufacturing costs of the bottle.

In use, a sponge 17 is affixed to the external surface of the disc 12 to retain liquid passing from the bottle through the aperture 14. An insert 18, Figure 2, is used to control the flow of liquid through the aperture 14. The insert 18 comprises a circular base 19 connected to a concentric pin 20 via three helical arms 21 disposed 120° apart from one another. The external surface of the base 19 is shaped to conform with the internal surface of the body 11, so that the insert 18 can be seated and retained within the body with the pin projecting through the aperture 14 and into the sponge 17. The base 22 of the pin has a larger diameter than the distal end of the pin and is urged by the arms into engagement with the lip 15 to seal the bottle.

In use, the bottle is held so that the sponge 17 is applied against a surface to which liquid is to be applied. As the bottle is pressed against the surface the sponge compresses and the top of the pin 20 is thus brought into contact with the surface. Further pressure causes the pin 20 to be driven towards the base 19, thus displacing the base 22 of the pin from the lip 15 and allowing liquid to pass from the bottle into the sponge. Thus, moistened the sponge can be used to apply liquid to the surface in a controlled maimer.

Claims (4)

1. A valve applicator comprising a substantially cylindrical body housing an insert movable from a closed state in which fluid is inhibited from flowing through the body to an open state where fluid may flow through the body wherein a plurality of closely spaced peripheral ribs are formed on the external surface of the body to enable said body to engage the internal surface of a bottle neck.

2. A valve applicator according to Claim 1 wherein a peripheral flange is formed adjacent one end of the body and said ribs are disposed close to said flange.

3. A valve applicator according to Claim 1 or 2 wherein, said ribs have a triangular cross-section.

4. A valve applicator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. F. R. KELLY & CO.