Dispensing and applicating device and production of same

Abstract

An elongated tubular bag of plastics film material is heat sealed to form a hermetically sealed container portion for enclosing a predetermined volume of fluid. An elongated handle member of relatively rigid plastics material, extends longitudinally within the container portion and has one or more pointed tip portions. The bag is folded back against the container portion to form a tab portion, and the folded end portion of the bag and the pointed tip portion of the handle member are inserted within a slot formed within a resilient sponge-like swab or applicator. When the projecting tab portion is pulled, the handle member pierces one or more holes within the container portion of the bag so that the fluid may be dispensed into the center portion of the applicator in response to pressure applied to the bag.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In preparing a patient for surgery, it is common to apply an iodine base solution to the area where the incision will be made to provide for sterilizing the area. A similar solution is also used after the surgery is completed for cleaning and sterilizing the skin tissue around the area which has been stitched together. Sometimes, the sterilizing solution is poured into a cup, and a sponge-like swab or applicator, attached to one end of a rigid handle, is used for applying the solution. For example, one such type of applicator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,508,547. It has also been found desirable to combine the sponge-like applicator with a container for storing the solution to eliminate the separate handling of the solution and to provide for a more convenient application of the solution. U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,609 discloses such an applicator which provides for applying the solution into the applicating sponge or swab by puncturing holes within the container with prongs projecting from a U-shaped clip extending around the swab.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an improved device for dispensing a solution or fluid into a swab or applicator and which eliminates the need for touching or gripping the applicator when it is desired to dispense a fluid into the applicator. The device of the invention is also economical in construction and is adapted to be produced by substantially automatic machinery. Another feature of the device of the invention is that it provides for controlled dispensing of the fluid into the applicator during use of the device so that the person applying the solution has control over the rate of application. For purpose of the present invention, the term fluid is intended to include any material which flows, including liquids and granular and powder materials.

In accordance with the illustrated embodiment of the invention, an elongated extruded tube of plastics film material is heat sealed at longitudinally spaced intervals to define a container portion, and a predetermined volume of fluid is enclosed within the container along with an elongated handle member formed of a relatively rigid plastics material. The handle member has a pointed end portion, and the bag is folded back upon itself adjacent the pointed end portion of the handle member to form a tab portion. The folded end portion of the bag is coated with adhesive and is inserted into a slot formed within a swab or applicator consisting of a foam-like resilient material. When the projecting tab portion is pulled, the applicator sponge distorts, and the handle member punctures the bag within the applicator. When the tab portion is released, the punctured opening or openings within the bag provide for a flow of the fluid from the bag into the center portion of the applicator in response to the gripping pressure applied to the bag.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dispensing and applicating device constructed in accordance with the invention and with a portion broken away;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the components of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the bag with the handle member therein and with a center portion boken away;

FIG. 3 4 is a slightly enlarged section taken generally on the line 4--4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary section taken generally on the line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an elongated bag 10 of flexible thermoplastics film material such as a form of polyethylene, is preferably formed by cutting an extruded tube. The bag 10 has a set of longitudinally spaced heat seals 12 and 14 which define therebetween a container portion 15. The bag 10 also includes a flap or tab portion 16 which is defined between the heat seal 14 and the corresponding end of the bag. While the bag 10 is preferably extruded in the form of a tubular film in order to minimize heat sealed joints, it is to be understood that the bag may be formed by folding a single sheet and heat sealing the folded sheet along one longitudinal edge or by joining two separate film sheets with heat seals around the entire container portion of the bag. The wall thickness of the bag is within a range of 0.003 and 0.010 inch and preferably on the order of 0.004 inch, and the flexibility of the film enables the bag 10 to collapse from a generally circular cross-sectional configuration to a substantially flat configuration as shown in FIG. 2.

An elongated handle member 20 is formed of a thermoplastics material such as polypropylene and includes a set of longitudinally extending stiffening ribs 22 to provide the handle member 20 with substantial rigidity relative to the flexible film bag 10. One end of the handle member 20 has a rounded or convex surface 24 and the opposite end has a concaved surface 26 which forms a set of sharp pointed tip portions 28. Preferably, the radius of curvature of the surface 26 is the same as that of the surface 24 so that the handle member 20 may be formed by extruding a continuous plastics strip and then die cutting the strip at longitudinally spaced intervals according to the desired length of the handle member 20. The handle member 20 may also be formed by injection molding the plastics material within a corresponding die cavity.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the handle member 20 extends longitudinally within the elongated container portion 15 of the bag 10 so that the pointed tip portions 28 are spaced slightly inwardly from the laterally extending heat seal 14 (FIG. 3). After a predetermined quantity of fluid, for example, an iodine solution is inserted into the container portion 15, the container portion is closed by the heat seal 14 so that the handle member 20 and the fluid are confined within a hermetically sealed chamber defined by the container portion 15. In one sample embodiment of the invention, 10 cc of surgical preparatory solution was sealed within the container portion 15 of the bag 20.

After the container portion of the bag is closed by the heat seal 14, the bag is folded along a fold line 32 (FIG. 3) so that the tab portion 16 extends rearwardly or outwardly adjacent the container portion 15 of the bag 10. A coating of adhesive 34 (FIG. 4) is applied to the outer exposed surfaces of the folded end portion of the bag 20, and the folded end portion of the bag and the corresponding end portion of the handle member 20 are inserted into a slot 38 formed within one longitudinal side of a resilient sponge-like swab or applicator 40. As illustrated, the applicator 40 consists of a rectangularly shaped block or body of polyurethane sponge material. However, the applicator 40 may have other shapes and configurations and may be formed of other materials. As shown in FIG. 4, the slot 38 extends approximately three-quarters of the width of the applicator 40, and the adhesive 34 attaches the outer surface of the tab portion 16 to one side portion of the applicator 40 and the outer surface of the container portion 15 to the other side portion of the applicator 40.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tab portion 16 of the bag 20 is printed with an arrow 45 surrounding the words "PULL TO OPEN." When it is desired to dispense the fluid within the container portion 15 into the center portion of the swab or applicator 40, the return tab portion 16 is simply pulled with one hand in the direction of the arrow 45 while the container portion 15 and the enclosed handle member 20 are being gripped with the other hand. The pulling of the tab portion 16 causes the resilient applicator 40 to distort until the pointed tip portions 28 of the handle member 20 pierce corresponding holes 48 within the bag 20 adjacent the fold line 32. When the tab portion 16 is released, the distorted applicator 40 returns to its normal position shown in FIG. 4, and the pierced holes 48 within the bag 10 are separated from the pointed tip portions 28 of the handle member 20 so that the holes 48 are opened.

A continued pressure applied to the container portion 15 of the bag 10, as a result of the gripping action, is effective to collapse the container portion 15 and thereby displace the fluid through the holes 48 into the center portion of the applicator 40. As the fluid is forced into the applicator 40 while the device is being used with an oscillating painting-like motion, alternating pressures are applied to opposite sides of the container portion 15 of the bag 10 so that the fluid is effectively dispensed or pumped from the container portion 15 into the applicator 40.

From the drawing and the above description, it is apparent that a dispensing device constructed in accordance with the present invention provides desirable features and advantages. For example, the device employs low cost components which may be assembled automatically for high volume production. The handle member 20 not only serves as a stiffner for the flexible bag 10 but also functions to puncture the bag 10 in the unexposed portion within the center portion of the applicator 40. It is also apparent that the fluid within the container portion 15 may be quickly released into the applicator 40 without touching or gripping the applicator and without bringing the hands or fingers into contact with the fluid. Furthermore, the length of the container portion 15 of the bag 10 may be easily changed if it is desired to change substantially the volume of fluid within the container portion 15.

While the applicating device and the method of making the same herein described, constitute a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise method and form of device described, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:

1. A device adapted for dispensing a fluid into an applicator, comprising a flexible bag forming a container portion adapted to receive the fluid, a handle member extending within said container portion of said bag and providing said bag with increased rigidity, means for sealing said bag to confine the fluid and said handle member within said container portion, means for attaching said bag to said applicator, and said handle member including means for piercing at least one hole in said container portion of said bag adjacent said applicator in response to relative movement between said bag and said handle member to provide for dispensing the fluid from said container portion to said applicator.

2. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the applicator comprises a resilient body of sponge-like material, and means defining a slot within said body for receiving corresponding end portions of said bag and said handle member.

3. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bag includes a folded-over return tab portion extending adjacent said container portion, and said means for attaching said bag to said applicator comprise adhesive.

4. A device as defined in claim 3 wherein said applicator comprises a resilient body of sponge-like material, said adhesive attaches said container portion and said tab portion of said bag to said applicator, and said applicator is effective to be distorted in response to pulling said tab portion of said bag relative to said container portion of said bag.

5. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bag and said handle member are elongated, said sealing means comprise a seal extending laterally across the bag, said piercing means of said handle member include a pointed end portion disposed generally adjacent said seal, said bag includes a folded-over return tab portion extending adjacent said container portion, and said pointed end portion of said handle member is effective to pierce said container portion of said bag in response to pulling said tab portion of said bag relative to said container portion.

6. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bag is collapsible from an expanded condition to a generally flat condition in response to dispensing the fluid from said container portion of said bag by the application of manual pressure on said bag.

7. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said bag comprises a section of an extruded tube of plastics film material.

8. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein said piercing means of said handle member comprise at least one pointed tip portion on said handle member.

9. A device as defined in claim 8 wherein said handle member includes a plurality of pointed tip portions connected by a recessed end surface.

10. A device adapted for dispensing a fluid into a sponge-like applicator, comprising an elongated bag of flexible plastics film material and forming an elongated container portion adapted to receive the fluid, means for sealing said bag to confine the fluid within said container portion, an elongated handle member extending longitudinally within said container portion of said bag and providing said bag with increased rigidity, said bag and said handle member projecting into said applicator, and said handle member having means for piercing at least one hole in said container portion of said bag in communication with said applicator to provide for dispensing the fluid into said applicator.

11. A device as defined in claim 10 wherein said bag includes a folded-over return tab portion extending adjacent said container portion, said bag is folded along a laterally extending line disposed adjacent said piercing means of said handle member to effect piercing of said container portion when said tab portion is pulled, and means for attaching said bag to said applicator.

12. A device as defined in claim 11 wherein said attaching means comprise adhesive attaching both said container portion and said tab portion of said bag to said applicator, and said applicator is effective to be distorted in response to pulling said tab portion of said bag relative to said container portion of said bag.

13. A device adapted for dispensing a fluid, comprising a resilient sponge-like applicator, a flexible bag forming a container portion adapted to receive the fluid, means for sealing said bag to confine the fluid within said container portion, a handle member extending within said container portion of said bag and providing said bag with increased rigidity, said bag including a folded-over return tab portion extending adjacent said container portion, means defining a slot within said applicator, said bag and said handle member projecting into said slot, adhesive means for attaching said bag to said applicator within said slot, and said handle member having at least one pointed tip portion for piercing a hole within said container portion of said bag within said applicator in response to pulling said tab portion to provide for dispensing the fluid into said applicator in response to pressure applied to said bag.

14. A device as defined in claim 13 wherein said adhesive means attaches both said container portion and said tab portion of said bag to said applicator, and said applicator is effective to be resiliently distorted when said tab portion of said bag is pulled for releasing said tip portion from the hole when said tab portion is released.

15. A method of making a fluid dispensing and applicating device, comprising the steps of forming a bag of flexible plastics film material, forming a handle member including bag piercing means thereon, inserting said handle member into said bag, sealing said bag to form a container portion for enclosing said handle member and a predetermined volume of fluid, and attaching an applicator to said bag adjacent said piercing means on said handle member.

16. A method as defined in claim 15 including the steps of forming said bag to provide a tab portion extending from said container portion, folding said tab portion adjacent said piercing means of said handle member and over onto said container portion, and attaching the folded-over end portion of said bag to said applicator.

17. A method as defined in claim 16 wherein said applicator is formed from a resilient body of sponge-like material, forming a slot within said applicator, and said folded-over end portion of said bag is inserted into said slot.

18. A method as defined in claim 17 wherein said folded-over end portion of said bag is attached by adhesive to said resilient body within said slot.

19. A method as defined in claim 15 wherein said bag is formed by extruding a tube of said plastics film material, and cutting said tube at longitudinally spaced intervals.

20. A method of making a fluid dispensing and applicating device, comprising the steps of forming an elongated bag of flexible plastics film material to produce a container portion and a tab portion, forming an elongated handle member having a pointed end portion, inserting said handle member into said container portion of said bag, sealing said bag adjacent said container portion for enclosing said handle member and a predetermined volume of fluid, folding said tab portion over onto said container portion adjacent the pointed end portion of said handle member, and attaching an applicator to the folded-over end portion of said bag.

21. A method as defined in claim 20 wherein said applicator is formed from a resilient body of sponge-like material, forming a slot within said body, applying adhesive to said folded-over end portion of said bag, and inserting said folded-over end portion of said bag into said slot of said body.

22. A method as defined in claim 20 wherein said bag is formed by extruding a tube of said film material, and cutting said tube at longitudinally spaced intervals.

23. A method as defined in claim 20 wherein said handle member is formed with a plurality of pointed tip portions.

24. A method as defined in claim 20 including the step of printing predetermined indicia on said tab portion of said bag.