US1979218A - Flexible container and applier - Google Patents

Description

. 1934- K. H. BERGSTROM ET AL 1,979,213

FLEXIBLE CONTAIN ER AND APPLIER Filed Nov. 25, 1952 Inventors b 4 64 404. att mq Patented Oct. 30, 1934 UNITED STATES FLEXIBLE CONTAINER AND APPLIER Kenneth H. Bergstrom,

Lawrence, Melrose, Rubber Company,

An tion of Massachusetts Andover, and George L.

Mass., assignors to Tyer dover, Mass, at corpora- Application November 25, 1932, Serial No. 644,200

2 Claims.

Our present invention is a novel and improved combined flexible containing and applying or spreading device.

Our invention is primarily intended for use as a self-filling, holding, and spreading or applying device for liquids such as glue, mucilage, paste, ink, disinfectants, cosmetics, dental cream, or the like. We carry out our invention by providing a flexible bulb-like member, preferably of rubber, and with a neck formed in the contour of an applying or spreading surface. Thus, the device can be immersed with the neck applied into the liquid to be contained in the bulb, the bulb deflated, and thereupon released, and the resiliency of the flexible bulb will draw up a mass of liquid in the well-known self-filling manner. With the bulb thus filled, it may be rested or stood upright, and the small neck will normally keep the air from seriously deteriorating the contents, although a stopper or plug can be used, if desired.

Furthermore, with the form and contour of our novel and improved flexible container, same will be non-spilling and self-righting. In addition to the form including a circumferential rim and the contour of the bottom portion to effect the self-righting, the weight of the contents aids in this action. When it is desired to utilize the contents, the device is partially inverted, the spreading surface applied, and a drawing action will effect the spreading of the contents, a slight pressure on the bulb regulating the flow of the contents. Thus in applying and spreading mucilage, for example, a small or large amount can readily be applied by the pressure of the operator on the bulb. When in use for ink, such as employed in stencils, or the like, a considerable variation in the quantity desired for the stencil can be readily regulated, whether on a smooth or on a rough and wholly absorbent surface, pressure on the bulb instantly affecting the quantity being applied.

When in use for dental tooth paste, or similar facial applications or cosmetics, the device can remain standing upright and a slight pressure will extrude the desired quantity.

Preferably we make our device of vulcanized rubber, of any suitable color or finish desired.

Referring to the drawing illustrating a pre ferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of our device;

Fig. 2 is illustrative of the method of filling, and

Fig. 3 illustrates the positionwhen applying the contents to any surface.

As shown in the drawing, our flexible container 1 has a bulb portion 2, and a neck 3. Preferably, the bulb portion 2 is also formed with a bottom rim 4 on which the device may stand when in right-side-up position. Owing to the shape and contour and the fact that the contents are within the bulb near the base, the normal tendency of the filled device will be to seat itself upon the rim 4 even when tilted at either side, thus effecting a self-righting action.

A rim 5 normally formed in the process of manufacture of the rubber article may also be enlarged to afford a non-slipping hand-hold and a stop to prevent the bulb from rolling over too far if laid on its side. Preferably we form the neck 3 with a spreading or applying surface 10 in slanting position relatively with the vertical axis of the device, and the inner walls or surface 9 will open into the spreading surface 10 through a narrow neck 11. A plug or stopper 12 may be supplied if desired although the narrow neck 11 will normally protect the contents from evaporation or deterioration therethrough.

As shown in Fig. 2, the device can readily be filled by inverting the same and deflating the bulb, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, with the neck and opening 11 immersed in the fluid, liquid, paste, mucilage, or the like which it is desired shall be filled in the container. As herein shown, a standard type of inkwell 15 is illustrated containing a quantity of ink 16, which will be transferred to the device by first deflating the bulb, as shown, and then releasing the same, effecting a self-filling or sucking action by barometric pressure, as will be readily understood. The device is then stood on the rim 4 until it is desired to use the same, whereupon the bulb is partly inverted and the spreading surface 10 applied to the surface 18 to which the contents are to be transferred.

Our device is extremely simple and eflicient in construction and use, is readily applicable for many articles, in fact, almost any liquid or plastic compound is equally eflicient in the spreading or delivering action, irrespective of the quality of the contents, and is reusable indefinitely.

We claim:

1. A flexible self-filling, containing, and applying device comprising a flexible bulb-like portion, a tapered integral neck and a spreading surface, said neck having a tapered opening through said spreading surface, and the bulblike portion and neck being formed and weighted by the contents so as to effect a self-righting action if inclined.

2. A flexible self-filling, containing, and applying device comprising a flexible bulb-like portion, a tapered integral neck and a spreading surface, said neck having a tapered opening through said spreading surface, the bulb-like portion and neck being formed and weighted by the contents so as to eifect a self-righting action if inclined, and a circumferential rim on said bulb to act as a stop against upsetting.

KENNETH H. BERGSTROM. GEORGE L. LAWRENCE.

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