# US 2021/0330949 A1 · Applicator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0330949 A1 - Document ID: US20210330949A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/267,304 - Filed: 2019-08-19 - Published: 2021-10-28 - Earliest claimed: 2018-08-21 - Assignees: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Applicants: 3M Innovative Properties Company - Inventors: ALAN R. DOMBROWSKI; ROBERT A. ASMUS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210330949A1 ## CPC - A61M 35/003: {Portable hand-held applicators having means for dispensing or spreading integral media (hand-held massage devices with liquid delivery A61H7/003)} - A61M 35/006: {using sponges, foams, absorbent pads or swabs as spreading means} - B65D 1/0207: {characterised by material, e.g. composition, physical features} - B65D 1/0238: {Integral frangible closures} - B65D 1/095: {made of flexible material} - B65D 51/16: with means for venting air or gas - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract An applicator (100) comprising an elongated hollow body (120) comprising a distal portion (123), a proximal portion (124) having an open end, an exterior surface (127), an interior surface (126), and a filter (135). The interior surface of the applicator defines an internal chamber suitable for receiving an ampoule (160) formed of a frangible material located in the internal chamber proximal to the filter. A spacer (185) having a distal end and a proximal end is provided, and a cap (180) having a proximal portion, a distal portion, an exterior surface, and an interior surface is provided that attaches to the open end of the applicator and maintains the ampoule and spacer in their respective desired positions. The applicator comprises a head (140) including an absorbent component (110) that is capable of absorbing the contents of the frangible ampoule and facilitates applying the contents to the desired surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An applicator for applying a substance to a surface, the applicator comprising: a hollow body, wherein the hollow body includes a distal portion, a proximal portion, an exterior surface, an interior surface, an activation region, and a filter; a frangible ampoule, wherein the frangible ampoule contains the substance; a cap, wherein the cap includes a proximal portion, a distal portion, an exterior surface, and an interior surface, and; a spacer, wherein the spacer includes a distal end and a proximal end, wherein the frangible ampoule is located in the hollow body between the filter and the distal end of the spacer, wherein at least a portion of the frangible ampoule is located in the activation region, and wherein the spacer is located between the frangible ampoule and the cap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the hollow body includes a vent. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the hollow body has a frustoconical geometry and tapers along the longitudinal axis of the hollow body from the proximal portion to the distal portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the hollow body is formed of a polymer. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the frangible ampoule abuts the filter. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal length of the spacer and cap L1 is at least 50% of the longitudinal length of the frangible ampoule. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the spacer extends distally beyond the distal end of the cap by a length L2, wherein L2 is 50% to 500% of the longitudinal cap length L3. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal length of the spacer and cap L1 is 50% to 800% of the longitudinal length of frangible ampoule. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the cap and the hollow body are joined with an adhesive, a snap fit mechanism, a threaded mechanism, a heat seal, a spin weld, an ultrasonic weld, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the cap covers a portion of the vent. ### Claim 13 (canceled) ### Claim 14 (canceled) ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the spacer includes a channel. ### Claim 17 (canceled) ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the spacer abuts the frangible ampoule. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the spacer has convex curvature. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the spacer abuts the interior surface of the proximal portion of the cap. ### Claim 21 (canceled) ### Claim 22 (canceled) ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the spacer and the cap are combined. ### Claim 24 (canceled) ### Claim 25 (canceled) ### Claim 26 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the spacer includes a helical portion. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the activation region includes a rib, wherein the rib extends from the interior surface of the body. ### Claim 28 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the interior surface of the body further comprises an ampoule spacer. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the substance is selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a gel, a suspension, a paste, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 30 (canceled) ### Claim 31 (canceled) ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator further comprises an absorbent component.