US2273495A - Swab wringing device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 17, 1942. J. A. NELSO 2,213,495

SWAB WRINGINGjDEVICE Filed Aug. 4, 1939 l l i Patented Feb. 17, 1942 s PATENT YOFFICE.

SWAB WRINGING DEVICE Julius A. Nelson, Atlanta, Ga. Application August 4, 1939, Serial No. 288,423

2 claims. (o1. y154257) This invention relates to a swab wringer in the nature of an attachment for bottles and other containers. Swabs of the type with which the invention is particularly concerned may be attached'to screw caps or similar closures for a bottle or other container and project into a liquid or uid within the container, the wringer serving to automatically remove excess liquid from the swab as the latter is removed .from the bottle. Devices of this type as heretofore proposed have been open to certain objections in that they have required specially constructed containers and have been difficult to position in a container or bottle at the most efficient position to effect the wringing or compressing function.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a wringer attachment of the type specified which will be eiiicient in operation at all times and which may be readily placed in a bottle or other container in the most effective wringing position, and when so placed will remain securely fixed in such position.

Another object is to provide a wringer device or attachment utilizing one or more rings, convolutions or coils through which a swab is drawn when removed from the bottle which may be readily adjusted to the desired size to effect the most satisfactory wringing operation.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent in View of the following description taken in conjunction with the y vas that illustrated in my Patent No. 1,681,810,

the bottle being provided with a screw cap 6. This bottle is adapted to contain a type cleaning uid and the cap is provided with a swab or analogous device l which projects downwardly into the fluid when the bottle is closed.

The wringer device or attachment preferably consists of a lengthof spring .wire of relatively small gauge, formed of a metal which will not be attacked by the fluid in the container, the wire having one or more convolutions or spirals 8 formed at the top thereof. two convolutions with the freel extremity 9 of the upper convolution serving as the anchoring coil or convolution for holding the device within the bottle below the neck of the latter.

To ensure proper positioning of the device within the container and to assist in maintaining the device in such position, a leg Ill is formed from the wire length and projects downwardly and terminates in a partial turn or ring providing a base or foot Il.

In applying the device to the container 5, it is only necessary to insert the same into the container and at the same time press inwardly on the free extremity 9 of the convolutions 8,

permitting the same to pass through the neck,

whereupon the said extremity springs outwardly, anchoring the wringing coil or coils against outward displacement. It is preferred to adjust the length or overall height of the device to a point such as will bring the wringer convolutions or coils just below the neck of the container as illustrated in Fig. 1. This may be done by bending the base or foot ll downwardly or upwardly as found expedient.

In use, the swab 1 is withdrawn through the wringer portion 8 of the device, the latter automatically wringing or squeezing excess fluid from the swab and leaving the latter charged with the proper amount, the excess fluid remaining in the bottle. It will be understood that the inside diameter of the wringer portion 8 is such as to provide the proper wringing or vsqueezing effect. It is preferred to turn the swab in the direction of the wringer convolutions as it is withdrawn therethrough, particularly where the diameter of wringer portion is such as to snugly engage the swab or sponge, to thereby ease the withdrawal of the swab.

If desired, the device may be made with the free extremity 9 of the wringer portion 8 in fixedl position at the time of manufacture or formation of the complete wire unit.

A device of this type may be used with practically any desired shape of container, it not being necessary to have the latter shaped in any particular manner.

Fig. 4 shows a wringer unit similar in all respects to that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, except that the leg Illa is coiled 0r bent for initial installation and may be straightened or extended to obtain vertical adjustment of the wringer coil 8a, such adjustment being in addition to that obtained by bending the foot por- In practice, I usev tion Ila. The free end of the wringer coil is indicated at 9a.

It will be understood that the improved wringer device embodies advantages other than those above noted, and also that certain limited changes in construction and design may be adopted without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Y

What is claimed is:

1. A swab wringing device in the nature of an attachment for bottles or analogous containers having a neck portion, comprising a length of spring wire having at one extremity thereof a wringing coil or convolution adapted to be positioned at the base of the neck of the bottle, said coil being of less diameter than the swab and terminating in a free extremity which is sprung outwardly into a convolution of greater diameter than the neck base and anchors the device against outward displacement beyond the base of the neck, the wire being turned downwardly substantially perpendicular to said wringing coil to provide a. leg which holds the coil in place against downward movement in the bottle, said leg terminating in a partial convolution providing a foot or base which rests on the bottom of the bottle and may be bent to adjust the height of the device.

2. In combination, a container or receptacle, a swab or applicator for the receptacle for use in removing substance from the container and for applying the same, means adapted to be located within the container for wringing surplus matter from the swab when the latter is withdrawn from the container, said means comprising a resilient supporting base adapted to rest on the bottoni of the bottle and a substantially annular wringing portion of less diameter than the swab and a connecting leg portion, said wringing portion being in the form of a resilient coil adjustable as to diameter to determine the amount of substance wrung from the swab and said base portion being bendable at an angle to the leg to determine the height of the wringing portion.

JULIUS A. NELSON.

Images