Tire dressing applicator

Abstract

An applicator for applying a liquid to the surface of a vehicle tire side wall. The applicator includes an elongate container for holding a selected quantity of liquid and a housing connected thereto. The housing has a concave front face with an elongate open faced channel extending along a selected length portion thereof for distributing the liquid to a porous pad overlying the concave face. There is at least one vent hole through pad with an inlet thereto communicating with such open faced channel and an outlet in a free outer surface of the pad.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 11/230,835 filed on Sep. 20, 2005 and published as US 2006/0062629 on Mar. 23, 2006 claiming priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 10/990,209 filed on Nov. 16, 2004 and published as U.S. 2005/0135868 on Jun. 23, 2005 (now abandoned) claiming priority from U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,801 which issued on Nov. 16, 2004 from application Ser. No. 10/437,762 filed on May 14, 2003, claiming priority from U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,722 which issued on Sep. 20, 2005 from application Ser. No. 10/437,658 filed on May 14, 2003 and published as U.S. 2004/0228670 on Nov. 18, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

U.S. Pat. No. 6,945,722 is directed to an applicator for applying a liquid treatment to the side wall of a vehicle tire wherein the applicator includes a container connected to a housing that has a pad mounted on one face thereof. The container holds a supply of the liquid that passes through a passageway in the housing to the pad. There is a flow control device in the passageway and there are channels or the equivalent for spreading the liquid over the pad surface that interfaces with the housing. In one instance, the outer face of the pad is contoured to mate with the radial curvature of the tire sidewall curved surface while in another instance the pad is sufficiently resiliently as to conform to curvature of the surface by hand pressing the applicator pad against the sidewall and in a still further instance the pad is mounted on a curved face on the housing. The liquid is distributed to the pad as it is dispensed from the container when the container is squeezed.

The prior co-pending published application Ser. No. 11/230,835 is essentially the foregoing arrangement but wherein the container is flexible, wherein the bottom face of the housing has a concave outer periphery surrounding a chamber at the outlet end of the fluid flow passage. It was found that the improvements to the instant invention allowed distribution of the liquid more evenly along the pad.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Applicant has discovered that fluid flow from the container and distribution thereof to the pad is improved by having a few strategically positioned vent holes through the pad. These vent holes are located at a position spaced from where the liquid from the container enters a liquid distribution channel in the curved surface of the housing. As will be seen hereinafter open faced distribution channels are defined by spaced apart ribs projecting from the front curved face of the housing and the porous pad is attached to such ribs closing the open face of the channels. These ribs are surrounded by an outer peripheral wall (or further rib) that also projects somewhat from the curved face of the housing and the pad is also secured to the outer face of such peripheral wall by for example a suitable adhesive.

In keeping with the foregoing, there is particularly provided in accordance with the present invention an applicator for applying a liquid to the surface of a vehicle tire side wall. The applicator comprises an elongate container capable of holding a selected quantity of the liquid and having an open ended neck projecting from one end thereof. A housing has a generally rectangular plate-like portion with a concave front face on one side thereof and a rear face on the opposite side. The front face has first and second spaced apart ribs projecting therefrom providing an elongate open faced channel extending along a selected length portion of the housing. A third outwardly projecting rib surrounds the channel at a position in spaced relation therewith. A spigot projects from the rear face of the housing and has means associated therewith for coupling with the neck of the container and thereby interconnecting the housing and container. A fluid flow passage through the housing communicating with the liquid in the container and having an inlet in the spigot and an outlet discharging directly into the channel. A selectively porous applicator pad overlying the curved front face of the housing includes means attaching the pad the ribs and at least one vent hole through the pad with an inlet thereto communicating with the elongate channel and an outlet therefrom in a free outer surface of the pad.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings showing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an oblique view of applicants improved tire sidewall applicator;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the applicator shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 with is a rear view of the applicator sown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a hand side view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an oblique view of an upper top end portion of the container portion of the applicator;

FIG. 6 is an oblique view of the rear face portion of the housing that attaches to the container and together provide the applicator;

FIG. 7 is a view of the front concave face of the housing with the applicator pad removed therefrom; and

FIG. 8 is view showing the outer face of the applicator pad that mounts on in overlying relation the front concave face of the housing shown in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrated is applicants tire sidewall applicator 10 comprising an elongate container 20 having an applicator housing 30 detachably connected to one end thereof. The container 20 is capable of holding a selected quantity of a liquid to be applied to the surface of a vehicle tire sidewall by a porous applicator pad 40 mounted on a concave front face of the housing. An open faced elongate channel extends along a selected length portion of the concave face and is in fluid flow communication, via passage means through the housing, with liquid in the container.

In accordance with the present invention there is at least one, preferably three vent holes 41 extending through the applicator pad and with such vent hole(s) being in direct communication with the open face channel. The vent holes improve distribution of the liquid on the applicator pad as the liquid is being forced out of the container.

The container 20, transverse to it's longitudinal axis, is oval in cross-sectional shape and has respective front and rear walls 21, 22 that are interconnected by a spaced apart pair of edge walls 23,24. The container is closed at the bottom by a bottom end wall 25 and at the opposite end there is a top end wall 26 that has an externally threaded open ended neck 27. The applicator, when delivered to the user has a foil seal closing the open end of the neck. The container top end wall has a groove 28 extending around the outer periphery thereof. Each edge wall 23, 24 has an inwardly directed indentation or concave portion 29. The front and rear faces have a larger radius of curvature than the edge walls and therefor the latter are substantially stiffer than the former. Also the concave portions 29 have a further stiffening affect on the edge walls 23, 24 as does a crease at the juncture of the side walls with the front and rear walls resulting from the latter walls being stepped outwardly gradually in a direction toward the bottom of the container. The container serves as a handle during use of the applicator and these stiffer or more rigid edge walls 23, 24 allows one to grasp the handle with considerable force before causing liquid to be forced from the container. The concave portions 29 not only stiffen the edge walls but also provide an area that can be comfortably gripped. The liquid is readily dispensed from the container using relatively little force against at least one or both of the front and rear walls 21, 22.

With respect to applying a force against the walls of the container it has been observed that when hand squeezing a container, having a flexible foil diaphragm sealingly closing the open end of the neck, the force when applied to the relatively flexible front and/or rear wall caused the diaphragm to flex outwardly while on the other hand applying even considerably more force to the rigid end walls caused it to flex inwardly. This feature perhaps contributes to having the container successfully act as a handle for manipulating the applicator during use thereof while at the same time allowing the user to easily dispense liquid onto the applicator pad by shifting some of the force to the front and/or rear wall.

The housing 30 is generally in the form of a curved rectangular plate 31 having a concave front face 32 with a generally rectangular porous applicator pad 40 attached thereto and a rear face 33 disposed opposite the front face and having an internally threaded spigot 34 projecting therefrom. The spigot threadingly receives the externally threaded container neck 25 thereby detachably interconnecting the container and housing.

The housing curved plate 31 is generally rectangular in outline shape having respective front and rear generally parallel ends 35,36 that define the length of the plate and respective first and second generally parallel opposite side edges 37, 38 defining the width of the plate. The curvature of the front face conforms generally to the radial curvature of the automobile tire sidewall. In a commercial embodiment the curved plate measures approximately four inches in length and a major portion thereof measures 2.5 inches in width. The edges 35, 36 respectively are approximately 2 inch and 1.5 inch long.

An annular wall 39, oval in end view, projects from the rear face 33 of the housing. The wall 39 is disposed in axial alignment with the spigot 34 circumscribing the same and extends substantially across the width of the rear face 33. The outline size and shape of the wall 39 corresponds to that of the container top end wall and the free outer end of the wall projects into the peripheral groove 28 thereby further stabilizing the housing on the container.

With respect to groove 28 in the container care must be taken to ensure the container wall thereat is of sufficient thickness that it does not become a line of weakness that could rupture for example upon impact of the container if and when dropped onto a floor or the like.

A hole 50 through the curved plate at the bottom of the spigot 34 provides a fluid flow passage communicating at an inlet thereto with the liquid in the container via the container's open ended neck and at the other end terminates in an outlet discharging directly into an elongate channel 51 in the curved front face of the housing. The spigot 34 has an annular rib therein that provides an abutment ledge for an o-ring seal 52 positioned to compressively engage the free outer end of the container neck 25 and thereby provide a fluid tight seal. The o-ring seal, if desired, can also include a diaphragm portion 53 with crossed slits 54 to control fluid flow through the passage or alternatively a slitted domed diaphragm acting as a one way flow control valve.

The elongate channel 51 merges at opposite ends thereof into respective transversely disposed channel portions 55, 56. By way of example, in a commercial embodiment, these channels 55 and 56 measure ¼ inch wide by ¼ inch deep and 1.25 inch long, the elongate channel 51 ¼ inch×¼ inch×2 inch in length. The fluid flow passage discharge outlet is located approximately 1.75 inch from the rear edge 36 of the plate 31 and the transversely disposed channel portions are approximately 1 inch from the edge (36, 35) associated therewith. There is a rib 57 projecting upwardly from the bottom wall of the elongate channel 51 at a position proximate the transversely disposed channel 56. Each of the three spaced apart vent holes through the porous pad measured 3/32 inch in diameter with one directly overlying the open face of the elongate channel 51 and the other two directly overlying the transversely disposed channel portion 55.

The top end of the container has two lugs at the base of the neck that are spaced from one another circumferentially there around. Theses lugs fit between pairs of lugs projecting from the end of the spigot 34 thereby locking the housing onto the container. Further locking is provided by the free outer end of the wall 39 projecting into the groove 28 around the periphery of the top end wall of the container.

As previously mentioned the applicator is delivered to the end user with a foil disc sealingly closing the end of the container neck 27 (see FIG. 5). The end user twists off the housing, removes the seal and then replaces the housing on the container. While holding the applicator upright (position shown in FIG. 4) with the concave surface of the applicator pad facing away from the user, the user squeezes the container walls forcing sufficient liquid therefrom into the generally “I”-shaped liquid distribution channel to saturate the pad. The saturated pad is then brought into engagement with the tire sidewall and by a sweeping motion the liquid is spread evenly over the sidewall surface. During use the walls are squeezed as and when more liquid is needed. When finished excess liquid is wiped off to prevent dripping and the applicator is then stored in an upright position for reuse at later time.

The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom, for modification will become obvious to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made upon departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, this invention is not intended to be limited by the specific exemplifications presented herein above. Rather, what is intended to be covered is within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a liquid to the surface of a vehicle tire side wall, said applicator comprising:

an elongate container capable of holding a selected quantity of said liquid and having an open ended neck projecting from one end thereof,

a housing having a generally rectangular plate-like portion with a concave front face on one side thereof and a rear face on the opposite side, said front face having first and second spaced apart ribs projecting therefrom providing an elongate open faced channel extending along a selected length portion of the housing, a third rib projecting from said front face and surrounding said channel at a position in spaced relation therewith, a spigot projecting from said rear face and having means associated therewith for coupling with the neck of the container and thereby interconnect the housing and container, a fluid flow passage through said housing, said passage having an inlet thereto in said spigot communicating with liquid in the container and an outlet discharging directly into said elongate channel,

and a selectively porous applicator pad overlying said curved front face of the housing, means attaching said pad to free outer edges of said ribs and at least one vent hole through said pad with an inlet thereto communicating with said elongate channel and an outlet therefrom in a free outer surface of the pad.

2. An applicator as defined in claim 1 including means controlling fluid flow through said fluid flow passage.

3. An applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said container has opposed front and rear faces and a spaced apart pair of edges interconnecting the same and means rendering said end edges stiffer that said opposed faces.

4. An applicator as defined in claim 3 wherein said container is oval in cross-section.

5. An applicator as defined in claim 4 including a concave portion in at least one of said end edges.

6. An applicator as defined in claim 1 including a further channel portion at each of respective opposite ends of said elongate channel and disposed transversely with respect thereto and in fluid flow therewith.

7. An applicator as defined in claim 6 wherein each said first and second rib is continuous and provide said elongate and each of said further channels disposed transversely at respective opposite ends thereof.

8. An applicator as defined in claim 6 wherein a vent hole through said pad is disposed in direct communication with said elongate channel and at least one further vent hole is disposed in direct communication with a transversely disposed channel portion at one end of such elongate channel.

9. An applicator as defined in claim 8 wherein said fluid flow passage outlet is located in closer proximity to the transversely disposed channel at the end of said elongate channel opposite said one end.

10. An applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein said spigot and bottle neck have respective internal and external mating threads detachably interconnecting the container and housing.

11. An applicator as defined in claim 7 wherein said third rib extends around the outer periphery of said curved front face.

12. An applicator for applying a liquid to the surface of a vehicle tire side wall, said applicator comprising:

an elongate container capable of holding a selected quantity of said liquid and having an open ended neck projecting from one end thereof, said container having opposed front and rear walls with a spaced apart pair of side edges interconnecting the same and means rendering said side edges stiffer that said front and rear faces,

a housing having a generally rectangular plate-like portion with a concave front face on one side thereof and a rear face on the opposite side, said front face having first and second spaced apart ribs projecting therefrom providing an elongate open faced channel extending along a selected length portion of the housing, a third rib projecting from said front face and surrounding said channel at a position in spaced relation therewith, a spigot projecting from said rear face and having means associated therewith for coupling with the neck of the container and thereby interconnect the housing and container, a fluid flow passage through said housing, said passage having an inlet thereto in said spigot communicating with liquid in the container and an outlet discharging directly into said elongate channel,

and a selectively porous applicator pad overlying said curved front face of the housing, means attaching said pad to free outer edges of said ribs and at least one vent hole through said pad with an inlet thereto communicating with said elongate channel and an outlet therefrom in a free outer surface of the pad.

13. An applicator as defined in claim 12 wherein said container is oval in cross-section.

14. An applicator as defined in claim 13 including a concave portion in at least one of said container edges.

15. An applicator as defined in claim 12 including a further channel portion at each of respective opposite ends of said elongate channel and disposed transversely with respect thereto and in fluid flow therewith.

16. An applicator for applying a liquid to the surface of a vehicle tire side wall, said applicator comprising:

an elongate container capable of holding a selected quantity of said liquid and having an open ended neck projecting from one end thereof, said container having opposed front and rear walls with a spaced apart pair of side edges interconnecting the same, means rendering said side edges stiffer that said front and rear walls,

a housing having a generally rectangular plate-like portion with a concave front face on one side thereof and a rear face on the opposite side, said front face having first and second spaced apart ribs projecting therefrom providing an elongate open faced channel extending along a selected length portion of the housing, a third rib projecting from said front face and surrounding said elongate channel at a position in spaced relation therewith, each said first and second ribs being continuous and providing said elongate channel and each of said further channels disposed transversely at respective opposite ends thereof, a spigot projecting from said rear face and having means associated therewith for coupling with the neck of the container and thereby interconnect the housing and container, a fluid flow passage through said housing, said passage having an inlet thereto in said spigot communicating with liquid in the container and an outlet discharging directly into said elongate channel,

and a selectively porous applicator pad overlying said curved front face of the housing, means attaching said pad to free outer edges of said ribs, a vent hole through said pad disposed in direct communication with said elongate channel and at least one further vent hole through said pad and disposed in direct communication with a transversely disposed channel portion at one end of such elongate channel, each said vent hole terminating in a free outer face of said pad.

17. An applicator as defined in claim 16 wherein said spigot and bottle neck have respective internal and external mating threads detachably interconnecting the container and housing.

18. An applicator as defined in claim 16 wherein said third rib extends around the outer periphery of said curved front face.

19. An applicator as defined in claim 16 including a rib projecting into said elongate channel proximate one end thereof from a bottom wall of the channel providing a fluid flow dam with the container disposed in an upright position.