Applicator tool for treating surfaces
OwnerGeoffrey Robert Linzellinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This tool applies treatments to surfaces by rubbing. It employs a mildly abrasive body of compacted non-woven fibres to carry and release fluids onto a surface as it cleans and massages the surface. It comprises a spill proof rubbing applicator capable of dispensing chemical substances ranging from low viscosity liquids to fine dry particulate and includes slurries and gels. The tool is provided with means of removing dirty used fibres from its treatment face.
Claims16
An applicator tool for dispensing fluid material onto a surface while mildly abrading that surface, the tool comprising:
- a tightly compacted body of non-woven, mildly-abrasive, essentially non-compressible fibres between which can be stored the fluid to be dispensed, the body having a face from which that fluid can be dispensed by rubbing that face against a surface;
- a holder for the body, in or on which holder the body is mounted leaving that dispensing face exposed;
- and
- means enabling the removal of fibres from that dispensing face.
A tool as claimed in either of the preceding claims, wherein the abrasive is alumina or silicon carbide grit, or a metal silicate powder.
A tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the fibres are nylon.
A tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the fibres making up the compacted fibre body are crinkled, and form interlocks, thus resisting further compaction.
A tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the compacted fibre body takes the form of a series of layers of compacted fleece held by barbed ties that act as staples, or a roll of compacted fleece held by a surrounding tubular shaped container narrowing slightly towards its orifice.
A tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, to protect the fibre body from atmosphere, and to prevent evaporation, the body has a plastic cover.
A tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the fibre body is mounted in or on a holding device in the form of a simple handle that grips the sides of the body, or is mounted within a closed container or holder associated with extrusion means for pushing the body out therefrom, little by little, as it is used.
A tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the tool holder is made of a similar material to the fibre, or has a similar or slightly lower surface energy.
A tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, to provide the means enabling the removal of fibres from that dispensing face;
- a) the fibre body has a laminated construction, and the laminations run parallel to the rubbing area, allowing a used layer to be peeled of and discarded;
- or
- b) the fibre body is disposed within and projects from a capped tubular container, and the exposed end may be trimmed off using a blade or comb incorporated into the cap.
A tool as claimed in any of the preceding claims and substantially as described hereinbefore.
A method of applying fluid material onto a surface using an applicator tool as defined in any of the preceding claims and having the fluid material pre-loaded into the tool's fibre body, in which method the exposed dispensing face of the body is rubbed against the surface to transfer fluid thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.