# US 7,743,443 B2 · Liquid applicator and absorbent scrubbing means > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,743,443 B2 - Document ID: US7743443B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/767,251 - Filed: 2007-06-22 - Published: 2008-02-21 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2006-06-19 - Assignees: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. - Inventors: Roberta A. Wick; Jeanne A. O'Brien - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743443B2 ## CPC - A47L 25/08: Pads or the like for cleaning clothes {(using adhesive surfaces A47L25/005)} - C11D 17/041: {Compositions releasably affixed on a substrate or incorporated into a dispensing means} - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) - C11D: DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL ## Abstract A device for applying a functional formulation to a surface is disclosed. The device includes a reservoir with a valve assembly for dispensing an effective stain removal formulation directly to the stain, spot or mark. The device also includes a shell accommodating absorbent pads. In use, the functional formulation is delivered through the applicator tip to the surface. The applicator is then rotated and one of the absorbent pads is engaged with the formulation treated surface to dislodge soils and stains on the surface, distribute the functional formulation on the surface, absorb excess formulation from the surface, and/or to lessen visibility of the resulting moistened area as well as reduce the time needed for the moistened area to dry. Suitable functional formulations for use in association with the applicator are also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An applicator for applying a pre-treating formulation to fabric, comprising: a fluid reservoir in communication with a valve assembly, the fluid reservoir containing a pre-treating formulation; and a shell connected to the fluid reservoir for accommodating an absorbent material, the shell comprising an opening through which the absorbent material can extend, the absorbent material comprising a scrubbing surface disposed outside of the shell, and the valve assembly comprising an exit orifice, wherein the absorbent material comprises a ring with a plurality of outwardly extending pads, and wherein the ring may be rotated within the shell to expose at least one pad through the opening at a time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1 wherein the device further comprises an actuator connected to the ring for actuating the rotation of the ring within the shell. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The applicator of claim 2 wherein the actuator is a dial. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1 wherein the absorbent pads comprise mailed fibers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1 wherein the absorbent pads comprise polyester felt. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1 wherein the valve assembly further comprises a restrictive flow element providing communication between the reservoir and a throttle element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The applicator of claim 6 wherein relative movement between the restrictive flow element and throttle element establishes or prevents communication between the reservoir and the exit orifice. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The applicator of claim 6 wherein rotation of the throttle element with respect to the restrictive flow element establishes or prevents communication between the reservoir and the exit orifice. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The applicator of claim 6 wherein axial movement of the throttle element with respect to the restrictive flow element establishes or prevents communication between the reservoir and the exit orifice. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The applicator of claim 6 wherein the reservoir is disposed between the shell and the restrictive flow element and the restrictive flow element is disposed between the reservoir and the throttle element. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1 wherein the pre-treating formulation comprises an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of oxidants, bleaches, and caustic bases. ### Claim 12 A device for applying a functional formulation to a surface, comprising: a reservoir containing a functional formulation and disposed between and connected to both a valve assembly and a shell, the shell accommodating an absorbent material and an opening through which the absorbent material can extend, wherein the absorbent material optionally comprises a scrubbing surface disposed outside of the shell, the valve assembly comprising a restrictive flow element providing communication between the reservoir and a throttle element, the throttle element comprising an exit orifice, wherein relative movement between the restrictive flow element and throttle element establishes or prevents communication between the reservoir and the exit orifice. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein rotation of the throttle element with respect to the restrictive flow element establishes or prevents communication between the reservoir and the exit orifice. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein axial movement of the throttle element with respect to the restrictive flow element establishes or prevents communication between the reservoir and the exit orifice. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein the absorbent material comprises a ring with a plurality of pads extending outwardly, wherein the ring may be rotated within the shell to expose at least one pad through the opening at a time. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The device of claim 12 wherein the functional formulation is selected from the group consisting of insect control agents, upholstery cleaners, glass cleaners, electronic device cleaners, bathroom fixture cleaners, wood cleaners, wood scratch coverers, floor cleaners, and fragrances. ### Claim 17 A method for applying a functional formulation on a surface, the method comprising: providing an applicator, the applicator comprising a reservoir containing the functional formulation, a valve assembly connected to the reservoir and a shell comprising an opening, the shell accommodating a ring of absorbent pads connected to an actuator for rotating the ring of pads to move one of the pads into alignment with and extending through the opening of the shell; delivering the functional formulation to the surface through the valve assembly; rotating the device and engaging the surface and the delivered formulation with one of the pads that is in alignment with and extending through the opening in the shell; and wicking at least some of the formulation from the surface by the pad. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17 wherein the pad comprises a scrubbing surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method according to claim 17 wherein the functional formulation is selected from the group consisting of insect control agents, upholstery cleaners, glass cleaners, electronic device cleaners, bathroom fixture cleaners, wood cleaners, wood scratch coverers, floor cleaners, and fragrances.