Applicator device for dispensing liquid or gel

An applicator device for applying a cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting liquid or gel to an external surface of a cover that extends over an elongate three-dimensional object of circular or oval cross-section, the cover including raised rifling lines that journal around the external surface of the cover along its length, the applicator device including:

• one or more sections that together form an annular shape configured to encircle the elongate object, wherein each or a combination of the one or more sections includes:
• a hollow reservoir body configured to hold said liquid or gel,
• one or more non-absorbent inserts forming an inner wall of the reservoir body and including one or more applicators that facilitate transfer of the liquid or gel from inside the reservoir body onto the external surface, wherein:
• each applicator is separated radially by an angle that substantially corresponds with an angle of radial separation between each rifling line, and
• the distance that each applicator extends inwardly from the one or more non-absorbent inserts substantially corresponds with a distance to which each rifling line extends outwardly from the external surface such that each rifling line acts as a guide for each corresponding applicator, and such that when the applicator device is moved longitudinally the applicator is substantially prevented from crossing over the corresponding rifling line which instead causes the applicator to move along the rifling line to impart a rotary motion to the applicator device;
• and
• wherein the one or more applicators comprise one or more spray-type applicators activated to impart a burst of air and liquid or gel onto the external surface, the one or more spray-type applicators configured such that application of the cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting liquid or gel onto said external surface occurs through the one or more spray-type applicators in response to the device being moved along the rifled cover.

A liquid/gel applicator assembly for a three-dimensional elongate object, the assembly including:

• a cover for the three-dimensional elongate object, the cover configured to extend over the object and including one or more raised rifling lines that journal around the external surface of the cover along its length;
• and
• an applicator device including one or more sections that together form a shape substantially corresponding with the cross-sectional shape of the cover, wherein each or a combination of the one or more sections includes:
• a hollow reservoir body configured to hold cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting liquid or gel,
• a non-absorptive insert disposed in the device and forming an internal wall and including one or more applicators;
• and
• wherein the one or more applicators are configured such that application of the cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting liquid or gel to the external surface occurs through the one or more applicators in response to the device being moved along the object or cover.

An applicator device for applying a cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting liquid or gel to an external surface of an elongate three-dimensional object, or a cover configured to extend over the three-dimensional object, the applicator device including:

• one or more sections that form a shape substantially contoured with a cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional object, or cover therefor, to enable the one or more sections to engage with the external surface, each or a combination of the one or more sections including:
• one or more hollow reservoir bodies configured to hold said liquid or gel;
• and
• a non-absorptive internal wall having associated therewith one or more applicators in operable communication with the one or more reservoir bodies to facilitate transfer of the liquid or gel from inside each reservoir body onto the external surface;
• wherein the one or more applicators are configured such that transfer of the liquid or gel from inside the one or more reservoir bodies onto the external surface occurs through the one or more applicators in response to the applicator device being moved along the elongate three-dimensional object or cover;
• wherein the one or more applicators include one or more roller ball applicators each having a substantially hollow housing including a first end that extends into the one or more reservoir bodies and a ball at an opposing end, wherein:
• the ball is positioned such that the ball makes rolling contact with the external surface when the applicator device is engaged with the external surface and is moved therealong, and
• when the applicator device is moved along the object or cover for applying cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting liquid or gel to said external surface, the ball rotates and thereby causes liquid or gel from inside the one or more reservoir bodies to be transferred into the hollow housing, around the ball, and onto the external surface.

An applicator device for applying a cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting liquid or gel to an external surface of an elongate three-dimensional object, or a cover configured to extend over the three-dimensional object, the applicator device including:

• one or more sections that form a shape substantially contoured with a cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional object, or cover therefor, to enable the one or more sections to engage with the external surface, each or a combination of the one or more sections including:
• one or more hollow reservoir bodies configured to hold said liquid or gel;
• and
• a non-absorptive internal wall having associated therewith one or more applicators in operable communication with the one or more reservoir bodies to facilitate transfer of the liquid or gel from inside each reservoir body onto the external surface;
• wherein the one or more applicators are configured such that transfer of the liquid or gel from inside each reservoir body onto the external surface occurs through the one or more applicators in response to the applicator device being moved along the elongate three-dimensional object or cover;
• wherein the one or more applicators include one or more pressure flap applicators each having a substantially hollow housing including a first end that extends into the one or more reservoir bodies and terminating in X-shaped flaps at an opposing end which in their normal state do not allow flow of liquid or gel therethrough, wherein:
• the X-shaped flaps are positioned such that when a sufficient pressure from liquid or gel that is caused to move from the one or more reservoir bodies into the hollow housing and towards the X-shaped flaps is applied, the flaps open and thereby allow liquid or gel from inside the one or more reservoir bodies to be transferred into the hollow housing, through the open flaps, and onto the external surface, and
• the X-shaped flaps return to their original state once application of said pressure ceases.

An applicator device for applying a cleaning, sanitizing and/or disinfecting liquid or gel to an external surface of an elongate three-dimensional object, or a cover configured to extend over the three-dimensional object, the applicator device including:

• one or more sections that form a shape substantially contoured with a cross-sectional shape of the three-dimensional object, or cover therefor, to enable the one or more sections to engage with the external surface, each or a combination of the one or more sections including:
• one or more hollow reservoir bodies configured to hold said liquid or gel;
• and
• a non-absorptive internal wall having associated therewith one or more applicators in operable communication with the one or more reservoir bodies to facilitate transfer of the liquid or gel from inside each reservoir body onto the external surface;
• wherein the one or more applicators are configured such that transfer of the liquid or gel from inside the one or more reservoir bodies onto the external surface occurs through the one or more applicators in response to the applicator device being moved along the elongate three-dimensional object or cover;
• wherein the one or more applicators include one or more tapered slit-type applicators each having a substantially hollow housing including a first end that extends into the one or more reservoir bodies and an opposing end terminating in a tapered surface having a slit which in its normal state does not allow flow of liquid or gel therethrough, wherein:
• the tapered surface and associated slit are configured such that the tapered surface makes contact with the external surface when the applicator device is engaged with the external surface and is caused to be moved therealong, and
• when the applicator device is moved along the object or cover for applying cleaning, sanitizing, and/or disinfecting liquid or gel onto said external surface, the contact between the tapered surface and the external surface causes liquid or gel from inside the one or more reservoir bodies to be transferred into the hollow housing, through the slit, and onto the external surface.