Swab dispenser with fluid reservoir
OwnerJohn G. Naughtoninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A swab dispenser comprising a bin adapted to store swabs, a fluid reservoir, and optionally, a cover. The bin may be compartmentalized. The reservoir ceiling has a depression in its outer surface, an aperture at the low point of the depression, and is optionally removable for cleaning and filling. A membrane covers the aperture. The membrane has an opening that is at least two intersecting slits or a circular hole that allows a swab to be inserted into the reservoir by temporarily deforming the membrane. Preferably, the floor of the reservoir is concave with the low point directly below the aperture. Alternatively, the bin and reservoir are separable so one may be replaced without having to discard the other.
Claims18
A swab dispenser adapted for use with a plurality of swabs, each of said swabs having a relatively straight, rigid handle with an absorbent material attached at an end thereof, said dispenser comprising:
- (a) a bin adapted to store said swabs;
- (b) a fluid reservoir having a removable ceiling, said removable ceiling providing a seal with said fluid reservoir to substantially inhibit spillage and evaporation, said ceiling having an outer surface with a depression with a low point;
- (c) an aperture in said ceiling at said low point of said depression;
- and
- (d) a membrane covering said aperture, said membrane having an opening means adapted to allow said swab to be inserted through said membrane into said reservoir, said opening means substantially inhibiting spillage and evaporation when said swab is not inserted through said membrane.
A swab dispenser adapted for use with a plurality of swabs, each of said swabs having a relatively straight, rigid handle with an absorbent material attached at an end thereof, said dispenser comprising:
- (a) a bin having at least one compartment adapted to store said swabs, said bin having a receptacle;
- (b) a fluid reservoir in said receptacle and being removable from said receptacle;
- (c) said fluid reservoir having a ceiling, said ceiling having an outer surface with a depression with a low point;
- (d) an aperture in said ceiling at said low point of said depression;
- and
- (e) a membrane covering said aperture, said membrane having an opening means adapted to allow said swab to be inserted through said membrane into said reservoir, said opening means substantially inhibiting spillage and evaporation when said swab is not inserted through said membrane.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.