Container with thumb button in a slot

Abstract

The container with thumb button in a slot is a small elongated container for liquids and viscous substances. The container with thumb button in a slot comprises an elongated tubular housing with a small opening at one end and a slot extending from the other end to approximately half the length of the elongated tubular housing. A piston is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing with the slot. The piston has a raised thumb button near the end that is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing. The raised thumb button is engaged to a ratchet mechanism to enable the piston to move back and forth in the elongated tubular housing in predetermined steps. A liquid or viscous substance is disposed in the elongated tubular housing between the small opening at one end of the elongated tubular housing and the piston wherein when the piston is urged toward the liquid or viscous substance in the elongated tubular housing, the liquid or viscous substance will be extracted from the elongated tubular housing through the small opening at the end of the elongated tubular housing.

Description

BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a small container for a liquid or viscous substance. More specifically, the present invention relates to a small elongated container for liquid or viscous substance with a sliding piston delivery system.

BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

Small containers in the general form of an elongated tube are commonly used to distribute small quantity of liquid and cream. Such containers are usually made as small as possible, particularly if it is used to distribute samples or if the contents are expensive and only a very small amount is necessary. However, due to the capillary action of the liquid or viscosity of the cream, there is a limitation to how small of a diameter of the container may be used and still allow the content to be dispensed from the container.

If the diameter of the container is too small, the content cannot be dispensed from the container due to the capillary action of the liquid or the viscosity of the cream. One method of resolving this difficulty is to use a soft compressible container to enable the compression of the container to force its contents out of the container. However, this type of container suffers the disadvantage that it can easily and accidentally be compressed thereby leaking its contents. Also, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to completely remove all of the contents in these type of containers. Furthermore, once the soft compressible container is compressed, it is very difficult, if not virtually impossible, to restore it to its original shape or to prevent entry of air due to the vacuum created after the compression force is removed and the soft compressible container attempts to return to its original shape.

There is a point where the diameter of the container is made as small as possible and yet still allows the liquid in the container to be dispensed with ease. Most small liquid sample containers are made with cross-sections at this minimum diameter. However, even at this minimum diameter, the container is still too large and not economical for dispensing expensive samples. Much more liquid or cream than necessary for a sample must still be filled in the container or the container will have a large void that appears to be left from evaporated liquid.

Although a smaller diameter container is desirable, it has not been possible due to the physical phenomenon of capillary action of the liquid and the viscosity of the cream that limits how small a diameter the container may have. The present invention is a simple yet effective means to allow a very small diameter container to be used for dispensing minute amount of liquid or cream samples efficiently and economically.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The container with thumb button in a slot is a small elongated container for liquids and viscous substances. The container with thumb button in a slot comprises an elongated tubular housing with a small opening at one end and a slot extending from the other end to approximately half the length of the elongated tubular housing. A piston is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing with the slot. The piston has a raised thumb button near the end that is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing. The raised thumb button is engaged to a ratchet mechanism to enable the piston to move back and forth in the elongated tubular housing in predetermined steps. A liquid or viscous substance is disposed in the elongated tubular housing between the small opening at one end of the elongated tubular housing and the piston wherein when the piston is urged toward the liquid or viscous substance in the elongated tubular housing, the liquid or viscous substance will be extracted from the elongated tubular housing through the small opening at the end of the elongated tubular housing.

In an alternate embodiment, the container with thumb button in a slot comprises an elongated tubular housing with two separate channels leading to two separate small openings at one end and a slot extending from the other end to approximately half the length of the elongated tubular housing. Two pistons that are affixed together at a common end are disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing with the slot. The common end of the pistons has a raised thumb button and is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing. The raised thumb button is engaged to a ratchet mechanism to enable the pistons to move back and forth in the two channels in predetermined steps. A liquid or viscous substance is disposed in each of the channels in the elongated tubular housing between the small opening at one end of the elongated tubular housing and the pistons wherein when the pistons are urged toward the liquid or viscous substance in the elongated tubular housing, the liquid or viscous substance will be extracted from the elongated tubular housing through the small openings at the end of the elongated tubular housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the preferred embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 4 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot with two channels.

FIG. 5 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot with two channels.

FIG. 6 shows an applicator tip for the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 7 shows another applicator tip for the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 8 shows another applicator tip for the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 9 shows another applicator tip for the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 10 shows another applicator tip for the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 11 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in an angled slot.

FIG. 12 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot in the initial position.

FIG. 13 shows the embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot shown in FIG. 12 in the operating position.

FIG. 14 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 15 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot.

FIG. 16 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot with a mixing means.

FIG. 17 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot with two channels and a mixing means.

FIG. 18 shows an alternate embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot with an opposing button.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description and figures are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting. Other embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of this description.

The container with thumb button in a slot is a small elongated container for liquids and viscous substances. As shown in FIG. 1, the container with thumb button in a slot comprises an elongated tubular housing 1 with a small opening 2 at one end and a slot 3 extending from the other end to approximately half the length of the elongated tubular housing 1. Alternatively, multiple openings may also be utilized at the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 as shown in FIG. 5. The slot 3 may be parallel to the axis of the elongated tubular housing 1 as shown in FIG. 1, or the slot 3 may be at an angle relative to the axis of the elongated tubular housing 1 as shown in FIG. 11. In the preferred embodiment, the elongated tubular housing 1 is made of a plastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene.

A piston 4 is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 with the slot 3. The piston 4 has a raised thumb button 5 near the end that is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing 1. The raised thumb button 5 is engaged in the slot 3 in the elongated tubular housing 1. The slot 3 preferably has sufficient length from the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 to enable the raised thumb button 5 to move the piston 4 all the way to the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 with the small opening 2. The raised thumb button 5 may be slightly below, above or sits flush with the exterior surface of the elongated tubular housing 1. The top surface of the raised thumb button 5 may also have raised patterns, such as cross-hatching or small ridges, to increase the surface friction with a person's finger. The raised thumb button 5 is preferably engaged to a ratchet mechanism 6 to enable the piston 4 to move back and forth in the elongated tubular housing 1 in predetermined steps. The ratchet mechanism 6 is well known in the prior art. Some designs for the ratchet mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 303,992, Des. 358,169, 3,577,637, 4,242,795, 4,586,256, and 6,000,136.

A liquid or viscous substance 7 is disposed in the elongated tubular housing 1 between the small opening 2 at one end of the elongated tubular housing 1 and the piston 4 wherein when the piston 4 is urged, by pushing on the raised thumb button 5, toward the liquid or viscous substance 7 in the elongated tubular housing 1, the liquid or viscous substance 7 will be extracted from the elongated tubular housing 1 through the small opening 2 at the end of the elongated tubular housing 1.

FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a viscous substance 8 is disposed in the small opening 2 at the end of the elongated tubular housing 1. The viscous substance 8 is preferably silicone but any other suitable viscous substance may be used. The viscous substance 8 is used to seal the small opening 2 and prevent evaporation and contamination of the content in the elongated tubular housing 1.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment, the container with thumb button in a slot comprises an elongated housing 9 with two separate channels 10, 11 leading to two separate small openings 12, 13 at one end and a slot 14 extending from the other end to approximately half the length of the elongated tubular housing 9. Two parallel pistons 15, 16 that are affixed together at a common end 17 are disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing 9 with the slot 14. The common end 17 of the pistons 15, 16 has a raised thumb button 18 and is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing 9. The raised thumb button 18 is engaged to a ratchet mechanism 19 to enable the pistons 15, 16 to move back and forth in the two channels 10, 11 in predetermined steps. The slot 14 preferably has sufficient length from the end of the elongated tubular housing 9 to enable the raised thumb button 18 to move the pistons 15, 16 all the way to the end of the elongated tubular housing 9 with the small openings 12, 13. A liquid or viscous substance 20, 21 is disposed in each of the channels 10, 11 in the elongated tubular housing 9 between the small openings 12, 13 at one end of the elongated tubular housing 9 and the pistons 15, 16 wherein when the pistons 15, 16 are urged toward the liquid or viscous substance 20, 21 in the elongated tubular housing 9, the liquid or viscous substance 20, 21 will be extracted from the elongated tubular housing 9 from the small openings 12, 13 at the end of the elongated tubular housing 9. The two liquids or viscous substances 20, 21 in the channels 10, 11 in the elongated tubular housing 9 may be the same or different substances.

FIG. 4 shows another variation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, a viscous substance 22, 23 is disposed in each of the small opening 12, 13 at the end of the elongated tubular housing 9. The viscous substance 22, 23 is preferably silicone but any other suitable viscous substance may be used. The viscous substances 22, 23 are used to seal the small openings 12, 13 and prevent evaporation and contamination of the contents in the elongated tubular housing 9.

FIG. 5 shows yet another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the container with thumb button in a slot comprises an elongated tubular housing 24 with one or more small openings 25 at one end and a slot 26 extending from the other end to approximately half the length of the elongated tubular housing 24. A piston 27 is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing 24 with the slot 26. The piston 27 may have a raised thumb button near the end that is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing 24. The raised thumb button is engaged in the slot 26 in the elongated tubular housing 24. The raised thumb button may be slightly below, above or sits flush with the exterior surface of the elongated tubular housing 24. The top surface of the raised thumb button may also have raised patterns, such as cross-hatching or small ridges to increase the surface friction with a person's finger. The raised thumb button may be engaged to a ratchet mechanism to enable the piston 27 to move back and forth in the elongated tubular housing 24 in predetermined steps. When the slot 26 is formed sufficiently wide such that a person's finger can easily push the end of the piston 27 towards the other end of the elongated tubular housing 24, the raised thumb button is unnecessary and the resulting container has a simpler and smoother appearance. A liquid or viscous substance 7 is disposed in the elongated tubular housing 24 between the one or more small openings 25 at one end of the elongated tubular housing 24 and the piston 27 wherein when the piston 27 is urged toward the liquid or viscous substance 7 in the elongated tubular housing 24, the liquid or viscous substance 7 will be extracted from the elongated tubular housing 24 through the one or more small openings 25 at the end of the elongated tubular housing 24.

FIGS. 6 through 10 show various applicator tips that may optionally be fitted to or formed at the end of the elongated tubular housing with the small openings. FIG. 6 shows the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 formed with a small cross-cut 28 on a thin-walled/flexible end that will remain closed normally but will be forced open when the piston 4 is urged and exerts pressure on the fluid 7 to force the fluid 7 in the elongated tubular housing 1 out through the cross-cut 28. Alternatively, the cross-cut 28 may be formed in a separate cap 29 that is affixed over the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 with the small opening 2. The cap 29 may be made of plastic or rubber.

FIG. 7 shows a cotton tipped applicator tip. The cotton tip 30 may be formed as part of the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 or it may be a separate cap that can be affixed to the end of the elongated tubular housing 1. The applicator tip has a hollow interior that defines a fluid flow path from the small opening 2 in the elongated tubular housing 1 to the cotton tip 30. The tip 30 may be made of any absorbent material such as cotton, foam, and sponge. The tip 30 may also be formed of soft silicone rubber.

FIG. 8 shows a brush/comb applicator tip. The applicator tip 31 is formed in the shape of a brush or comb and may be affixed to the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 or formed as part of the end of the elongated tubular housing 1. The brush/comb applicator tip 31 has a hollow interior defining one or more fluid flow path from the base of the applicator tip to the end of the applicator tip with the brush/comb. When the applicator tip 31 is used with the dual-channel elongated tubular housing 9 such as the one shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a mixing means 32 may be disposed between the base of the applicator tip 31 and the fluid 20, 21 in the elongated tubular housing 9 to mix the two fluid components 20, 21 in the two channels 10, 11 in the elongated tubular housing 9. The mixing means 32 may be an intermittent spiraling surface, similar to a screw with an intermittent thread, that will allow commingling and mixing of the two substances 20, 21 as they pass through the mixing means 32. The mixing means 32 may be used with any of the herein described applicators, particularly when there are two or more substances in the elongated tubular housing 9 that needs mixing prior to application. FIG. 16 shows the mixing means 32 used with the embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 17 shows the mixing means 32 used with the embodiment of the container with thumb button in a slot shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 9 shows an applicator tip with a foam or sponge pad 33 for application of the contents of the elongated tubular housing 1. The applicator tip has a hollow interior that defines a fluid flow path from the small opening 2 in the elongated tubular housing 1 to the foam or sponge pad 33. The applicator tip may be formed as part of the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 or it may be a separate cap that can be affixed to the end of the elongated tubular housing 1.

FIG. 10 shows an applicator tip in the form of a hollow needle 34. This applicator tip 34 may be used to precisely and accurately apply the contents of the elongated tubular housing 1 to desired locations. The hollow needle tip 34 may be formed as part of the end of the elongated tubular housing 1 or it may be a separate cap that can be affixed to the end of the elongated tubular housing 1.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the elongated tubular housing 35 has two separate inside diameters 36, 37. One end of the elongated tubular housing 35 has a larger inside diameter 36 than the other end of the elongated tubular housing 35. At the interface of the two inside diameters 36, 37 is a neck section 38 that gradually reduces the inside diameter from the larger inside diameter 36 to the smaller inside diameter 37. The piston 39 has a trapezoid shape with the profile of the neck section 38. The piston 39 is preferably disposed in the larger inside diameter section 36 and is slidable therein with a thumb button 40 engaged in a slot 41 in the elongated tubular housing 35. A fluid 42 is disposed in the smaller inside diameter section 37. An optional viscous substance 43 such as silicon may be disposed at the end of the elongated tubular housing 35 in the smaller inside diameter 37 to seal the fluid 42 in the elongated tubular housing 35. In the initial position, shown in FIG. 12, the piston 39 is disposed in the neck section 38 and toward the smaller inside diameter section 37 thereby separating the two sections 36, 37 of the elongated tubular housing 35 and retaining the fluid 42 in the smaller insider diameter section 37 in the elongated tubular housing 35 due to atmospheric pressure at the other open end 44. In its operating position, shown in FIG. 13, the piston 39 is urged away from the neck section 38 thereby providing an air passage for air to enter the larger inside diameter section 36 of the elongated tubular housing 35 into the smaller inside diameter section 37 of the elongated tubular housing 35 to equalize the air pressure thereby releasing the fluid 42 from the elongated tubular housing 35 through the open end 44 of the smaller inside diameter section 37 of the elongated tubular housing 35.

Alternatively, the location of the piston 39 may be reversed, with the piston 39 disposed in the smaller inside diameter section 37 of the elongated tubular housing 35 and is slidable therein. The piston 39 has a reversed trapezoid shape with the profile of the neck section 38. A fluid 42 is disposed in the larger inside diameter section 36. An optional viscous substance 43 such as silicon may be disposed at the end of the elongated tubular housing 35 in the larger inside diameter 36 to seal the fluid 42 in the elongated tubular housing 35. In the initial position, the piston 39 is disposed in the neck section 38 and toward the larger inside diameter section 36 thereby separating the two sections 36, 37 of the elongated tubular housing 35 and retaining the fluid 42 in the larger insider diameter section 36 in the elongated tubular housing 35 due to atmospheric pressure at the other open end. In its operating position, the piston 39 is urged away from the neck section 38 thereby providing an air passage for air to enter the smaller inside diameter section 37 of the elongated tubular housing 35 into the larger inside diameter section 36 of the elongated tubular housing 35 to equalize the air pressure thereby releasing the fluid 42 from the elongated tubular housing 35 through the open end of the larger inside diameter section 36 of the elongated tubular housing 35.

FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the container with thumb button in a slot comprises an elongated tubular housing 45 with a small opening 46 at one end and a slot 47 extending from the other end to approximately half the length of the elongated tubular housing 45. A piston 48 is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing 45 with the slot 47. The piston 48 has a raised thumb button 49 near the end that is disposed near the end of the elongated tubular housing 45. The raised thumb button 49 is engaged in the slot 47 in the elongated tubular housing 45. The raised thumb button 49 may be slightly below, above or sits flush with the exterior surface of the elongated tubular housing 45. The top surface of the raised thumb button 49 may also have raised patterns, such as cross-hatching or small ridges to increase the surface friction with a person's finger. The raised thumb button 49 is engaged to a ratchet mechanism 50 to enable the piston 48 to move back and forth in the elongated tubular housing 45 in predetermined steps. A slidable needle 51 with a piston base 52 is disposed in the elongated tubular housing 45 near the small opening 46. A close fitting cap 53 is removably affixed to the slidable needle's piston base 52 and enclosed the needle 51. A liquid or viscous substance 54 is disposed in the elongated tubular housing 45 between the slidable needle's piston base 52 and the piston 48 wherein when the piston 48 is urged, by pushing on the raised thumb button 49, toward the liquid or viscous substance 54 in the elongated tubular housing 45, the liquid or viscous substance 54 will transmit the fluid pressure to the sliding needle's piston base 52 and move the needle 51 with the close fitting cap 53 out of the elongated tubular housing 45. When the slidable needle's piston base 52 contacts the small opening 46, the slidable needle's 51 movement will be stopped by the small opening 46 at the end of the elongated tubular housing 45. At this position, the close fitting cap 53 over the slidable needle 51 can be removed to expose the needle 51. Further exertion of force from the piston 48 will extract the contents of the elongated tubular housing 45 through the needle 51, now exposed at the end of the elongated tubular housing 45.

FIG. 15 shows a variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14. In this variation, the opening 46 at the end of the elongated tubular housing 45 is covered with a thin puncturable film 461. The close fitting cap 53 over the slidable needle 51 is not necessary in this embodiment. The piston base 52 of the slidable needle 51 is sized such that the fluid pressure will cause the piston base 52 to move before the fluid 54 will exit through the slidable needle opening. As the slidable needle 51 is advanced towards the sealed opening 46, it will pierce the thin puncturable film 461 sealing the opening 46 and expose the slidable needle 51 outside of the elongated tubular housing 45. When the slidable needle's piston base 52 contacts the small opening 46, the slidable needle's 51 movement will be stopped by the small opening 46 at the end of the elongated tubular housing 45. Further exertion of force from the piston 48 will extract the contents of the elongated tubular housing 45 through the needle 51 exposed at the end of the elongated tubular housing 45.

FIG. 18 shows another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an opposing button 55 is affixed on the exterior of the elongated tubular housing 1 circumferentially opposite of the thumb button 5. The opposing button 55 enables easier operating of the thumb button 5 by providing a place for the exertion of opposing force when pushing against the thumb button 5. This opposing button 55 may be incorporated into any of the previous embodiments of the container with thumb button in a slot.

Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.

Claims

1. A container with thumb button in a slot comprising:

an elongated tubular housing with one ore more small opening at a first end and a slot extending from a second end of the elongated tubular housing;

a piston disposed in said elongated tubular housing; and

a fluid disposed in said elongated tubular housing between said first end of said elongated tubular housing and said piston;

wherein when said piston is urged to move from an initial position in said elongated tubular housing, said fluid will be extracted from said elongated tubular housing through said one or more small opening.

2. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 1, where said piston has a button near an end that is disposed near said second end of said elongated tubular housing wherein the button is engaged in said slot in said elongated tubular housing.

3. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 2, wherein a ratchet mechanism is affixed in said elongated tubular housing whereby said button is engaged to the ratchet mechanism.

4. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 2, wherein an opposing button is affixed on the exterior of said elongated tubular housing to enable easier operation of said button by providing a place for the exertion of opposing force when pushing against said button.

5. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 1 wherein said elongated tubular housing defines two channels with a piston in each of said channel.

6. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 1, wherein a viscous substance is disposed in said one or more small openings at said first end of said elongated tubular housing.

7. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 6, wherein said viscous substance is silicone.

8. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 1, wherein an applicator tip is affixed to said first end of said elongated tubular housing.

9. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 8, wherein said applicator tip has one or more cut that remains closed normally but is forced open in operation to release said fluid in said elongated tubular housing out through the one or more cut.

10. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 8, wherein said applicator tip has a cotton tip, a small comb or brush, a pad, or a needle.

11. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 1 or 8, wherein a mixing means is disposed near said one or more small opening in said elongated tubular housing.

12. A container with thumb button in a slot comprising:

an elongated tubular housing with a small opening at a first end and a slot extending from a second end of the elongated tubular housing;

a piston disposed in said elongated tubular housing;

a needle with a needle base disposed near said small opening; and

a fluid disposed in said elongated tubular housing between said needle and said piston;

wherein when said piston is urged to move from an initial position in said elongated tubular housing, said needle will move from an initial position to an operating position.

13. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 12, where said piston has a button near an end that is disposed near said second end of said elongated tubular housing wherein the button is engaged in said slot in said elongated tubular housing.

14. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 13, wherein a ratchet mechanism is affixed in said elongated tubular housing whereby said button is engaged to the ratchet mechanism.

15. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 12, wherein a close fitting cap is removably affixed to said needle.

16. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 12, wherein a thin puncturable film covers said small opening.

17. A container with thumb button in a slot comprising:

an elongated tubular housing with two different inside diameters that meet at a neck section and a slot extending from an end of the elongated tubular housing;

a piston disposed in said elongated tubular housing at said neck section; and

a fluid disposed in said elongated tubular housing between an end of said elongated tubular housing and said piston;

wherein when said piston is urged to move from an initial position in said elongated tubular housing, said fluid will be released from said elongated tubular housing.

18. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 17, where said piston has a button wherein the button is engaged in said slot in said elongated tubular housing.

19. A container with thumb button in a slot as in claim 18, wherein a ratchet mechanism is affixed in said elongated tubular housing whereby said button is engaged to the ratchet mechanism.