U.S. patent application number 09/440195 was filed with the patent office on 2001-12-20 for pump and liquid applicator apparatus for health and beauty products.
Invention is credited to BERKE, JOSEPH J., MICHAEL, CHARLES T..
Application Number | 20010053305 09/440195 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23747819 |
Filed Date | 2001-12-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010053305 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BERKE, JOSEPH J. ; et
al. |
December 20, 2001 |
PUMP AND LIQUID APPLICATOR APPARATUS FOR HEALTH AND BEAUTY
PRODUCTS
Abstract
A pump and liquid applicator apparatus for physically
disadvantaged persons, but beneficial to all persons in showers,
bathtubs and at the beach. The apparatus allows elderly and
handicapped persons to apply health and beauty products to
difficult and heretofore inaccessible body areas. It has a flexible
reservoir for storing and dispersing liquid health or beauty
products through an applicator. The applicator is attached to an
end portion of a slender elongated tubular member with a single or
plurality of ball and socket joints. In a first aspect of the
invention, when the reservoir is squeezed, a portion of a stored
liquid is dispersed through an open cell pad. In a second aspect,
when the reservoir is squeezed, a portion of a stored liquid is
dispersed through a plurality of small apertures. The elongated
tubular member and ball and socket joints allow a user to apply the
health and beauty products to difficult and heretofore inaccessible
body areas.
Inventors: |
BERKE, JOSEPH J.; (WEST
BLOOMFIELD, MI) ; MICHAEL, CHARLES T.; (TROY,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALEX RHODES
30100 TELEGRAPH ROAD
SUITE 460
BINGHAM FARMS
MI
48025
US
|
Family ID: |
23747819 |
Appl. No.: |
09/440195 |
Filed: |
November 15, 1999 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/6 ;
401/184 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/1018 20130101;
A45D 2200/1081 20130101; A45D 24/26 20130101; A45D 34/04
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/6 ;
401/184 |
International
Class: |
A46B 005/02 |
Claims
We claim:
1. An apparatus for storing and applying liquid health and beauty
products to selected areas of a person's body, comprising: a
flexible reservoir for storing and dispersing a portion of a liquid
health or beauty product; a slender, elongated tubular member
having one end portion operatively connected to an outlet end
portion of said reservoir and an opposite end portion operatively
connected to an applicator; an applicator for receiving and
applying said liquid health or beauty product to said selected
portion of said person's body.
2. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said applicator is
comprised of a frame and an open cell pad attached to one side of
said frame.
3. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a brush
attached to an opposite side of said frame.
4. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a loofah
attached to an opposite side of said frame.
5. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said applicator is
connected to said end portion of said slender elongated tubular
member with a single ball and socket joint.
6. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said applicator is
connected to said slender elongated tubular member with a plurality
of ball and socket joints.
7. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said cellular pad is
an open cell pad for dispersing said liquid health or beauty
product throughout said applicator.
8. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said applicator housing
has an upper portion, said upper portion having a plurality of
small apertures for dispersing said liquid health or beauty product
on to said selected body area.
9. The apparatus recited in claim 1 wherein said slender tubular
member is detachable from said outlet end portion of said flexible
reservoir.
10. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a valve in
a closed end portion, said valve having a closed condition when
said apparatus is not in use and also when said reservoir is
squeezed to discharge said liquid and an open condition after said
reservoir is squeezed in order to replace said discharged liquid
portion with air.
11. The apparatus recited in claim 1 further comprising a valve in
said outlet end portion, said valve having an open condition when
said reservoir is squeezed to discharge said liquid and a closed
position when said apparatus is not in use and also after said
reservoir is squeezed.
12. The apparatus recited in claim 11 wherein said valve is an
automatic operated valve.
13. The apparatus recited in claim 11 wherein said valve is a
manually operated valve.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said slender
elongated tubular member is extensible.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said applicator is
a generally rectangular shaped applicator.
16. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said applicator is
a generally elliptical shaped applicator.
17. The apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said applicator is
a generally circular shaped applicator.
18. An apparatus for storing and applying liquid health and beauty
products to various regions of a person's body, comprising: a
reservoir for storing and discharging a liquid health or beauty
product, said reservoir having a flexible generally cylindrical
body for storing said liquid health or beauty product, said
cylindrical body having a closed end portion and an opposite outlet
end portion for filling and emptying said reservoir, a valve
mounted in said closed end portion of said body which is closed
when said body is squeezed by a user to discharge a portion of a
health or beauty product through said outlet end portion and is
open to admit air after said body is squeezed; an elongated slender
tubular member having an end portion detachably connected to said
cylindrical body's outlet end portion; an applicator articularly
connected to an opposite end portion of said slender elongated
member, said applicator having a frame and an open cell pad mounted
in said frame; and a plurality of ball and socket joints for
connecting said applicator to said slender tubular member.
19. The applicator recited in claim 18 further comprising a flapper
valve in said outlet end portion of said reservoir's body, said
flapper valve having a closed condition when said apparatus is not
in use and an open condition when said flexible body is
squeezed.
20. The apparatus recited in claim 18 further comprising a
permeable membrane in covering relationship to an upper surface of
said open cell pad for distributing said liquid product throughout
said open cell pad.
21. A method for applying heath and beauty products to various
areas of a person's body comprising the steps of adding a liquid
health or beauty product to a flexible slender cylindrical
reservoir of an apparatus for applying said health or beauty
products; rotating about at least one axis an applicator which is
attached to an outlet end portion of a slender elongated tubular
member which is attached to said flexible slender elongated
cylindrical reservoir; dispersing said liquid health or beauty
product in said applicator by squeezing said flexible reservoir;
and spreading said liquid health or beauty product with said
applicator on a selected portion of said person's body.
22. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising the step
of elongating said slender tubular member prior to rotating said
applicator about said axis.
23. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising the steps
of rotating said applicator about two additional axes which are
mutually perpendicular to said other axis.
24. The method as recited in claim 18 further comprising an initial
step of attaching said applicator to said slender elongated tubular
member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a liquid storage and applicator
apparatus and more particularly to a pump and liquid applicator
apparatus for physically disadvantaged persons, but beneficial to
all persons in showers, bathtubs and at the beach.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many physically disadvantaged persons, such as elderly,
arthritics, amputees, paralytic and bedridden persons, are unable
to attend to their health and grooming needs. This situation arises
because some important body areas are inaccessible or difficult for
these individuals to reach. The health and beauty products involved
typically include sun screens, soaps, shampoos, body lotions and
medications. The usual methods of using the hands or gauze to apply
these products fail because of the muscular and joint limitations
of such persons. Another problem is that liquid health and beauty
products are often stored at remote locations or are stored in
containers that are difficult to open.
[0003] Consequently, many persons must rely on others, such as
hospital attendants, nurses, friends and family members, for
satisfying health and grooming needs. When assistance is not
immediately available, these needs are often unmet or such persons
are burdened with long delays. In some cases, these persons must be
confined in institutions, such as hospitals, nursing homes and
homes for the elderly.
[0004] Quite frequently persons who are not physically challenged
need to relieve or apply lotions and medications to certain
"itching" pruritic areas of their bodies which are remote or
difficult for them to reach. The upper and middle regions of the
back are exemplary of such areas. Other areas present problems of
access while scrubbing, for cleanliness, before or after swimming
or during bathing. The inability to apply sunscreen lotions or oils
to the entire back region may result in severe sunburn.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention overcomes all of the foregoing
deficiencies by providing a means for physically disadvantaged
persons for applying the products to body areas which have been
inaccessible or difficult to reach. A primary object of the
invention is to permit the physically disadvantaged persons to use
these products without assistance. The invention is particularly
applicable to bedridden persons in private homes, nursing
facilities and hospitals where a need exists for bedridden persons
to clean themselves or apply medications to irritated, itching and
infected body areas.
[0006] Another object is to eliminate the long delays of meeting
health and grooming needs which often occur in institutions such as
hospitals and nursing homes. A further object is to reduce the
amount of services to bedridden persons in hospitals and nursing
homes. A further object is to provide an improved applicator
apparatus which can be used by all persons in showers, bathtubs and
at the beach.
[0007] The invention resides in its ability to store and
efficiently apply liquid health and beauty products to various
regions of a person's body. The invention generally comprises a
combined reservoir and pump, an elongated handle, an applicator,
and a means for connecting the applicator to the handle which
permits the applicator to be rotated about three mutually
perpendicular axes. The applicator may be any of a variety of
devices, such as an open cell sponge, brush, or loofah.
[0008] In a first aspect of the invention, a liquid health or
beauty product is dispersed through an open cell sponge by
squeezing a flexible reservoir. In a second aspect of the
invention, a liquid health or beauty product is dispersed through a
series of small openings by squeezing the flexible reservoir.
[0009] The foregoing objects, features and benefits will be
apparent by reference to the drawings and ensuing detailed
description of a preferred embodiment which discloses the best mode
contemplated in carrying out the invention. The exclusive rights
which are claimed are set forth in the numbered claims following
the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.
[0010] In employing the teaching of the present invention, a
plurality of alternate constructions can be adopted to achieve the
desired results and capabilities. In this disclosure, only several
embodiments are discussed. However, these embodiments are intended
as examples and should not be considered as limiting the scope of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The invention will be better understood and further objects,
characterizing features, details and advantages thereof will appear
more clearly with reference to the diagrammatic drawings
illustrating specific embodiments of the invention by way of
non-limiting example only.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a pump and liquid applicator
apparatus according to the invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the pump and applicator
apparatus.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line
3-3 in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 4-4 in
FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the line
5-5 in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an enlarged end view of the pump and liquid
applicator apparatus.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a right side view showing an optional orientation
of the applicator.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a right side view of a second embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a plan view of a third embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the third alternate
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 11 is an optional configuration of the third
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a right side view of the fourth embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a right side view of a fifth embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 15 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 16 is a right side view of the sixth embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 17-17 in
FIG. 16.
[0029] FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the
line 18-18 in FIG. 16.
[0030] FIG. 19 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken on the
line 19-19 in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0031] Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals
designate like and corresponding parts throughout the several
views, a first aspect of a pump and applicator apparatus 20 is
shown in FIGS. 1 through 7, inclusive, which is exemplary of the
invention. As shown in FIG. 1 the apparatus 20 is comprised of a
slender cylindrical reservoir 21 for storing a liquid health and
beauty product, a detachable elongated tubular member 22 which is
connected with a threaded fitting 23 to an outlet end portion of
the reservoir 21 and an applicator 24 which is attached to an end
portion of the slender elongated tubular member 22. One advantage
of the threaded fitting 23 is that a pre-filled disposable
reservoir 21 may be used. Another advantage is that a variety of
reservoirs 21 and applicators 24 can be combined.
[0032] The reservoir 21 includes a body 25 made of a flexible
plastic material, such as polyethylene, whereby the reservoir can
serve as a pump to discharge a portion of a liquid health or beauty
product when the body 25 is held and squeezed, as shown in FIG. 2,
in the direction of arrows A-A.
[0033] With reference to FIG. 3, at a closed end portion of the
reservoir's body is a normally closed valve 26 for venting the
reservoir 21. The valve 26 automatically opens after the body 25 is
squeezed to replace the discharged portion of the liquid with air.
The valve 26 is comprised of a valve body 27 having a conical seat,
a ball 28, a spring 29 and retainer 30. Referring to FIG. 5, a
flapper type valve 31 at the reservoir outlet, made of a flexible
rubber material, automatically opens when the body 27 is squeezed
to discharge liquid and closes after the liquid is discharged to
prevent a further discharge of liquid.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. the generally
rectangular applicator 24 is attached to a distal end portion of
the elongated tubular member 22 with a hollow ball and socket joint
32. The applicator 24 is comprised of a housing 33 and an open cell
flexible pad 34 mounted to the housing 33. The top of the cellular
pad 34 is preferably covered with a permeable membrane 35 to
distribute the liquid health or beauty product throughout the pad
34. A thin cover 36 surrounds the lower portion of the pad 34 and
is removed when the apparatus 20 is used.
[0035] One important feature of the apparatus 20 is that the
applicator 24 can be rotated about three mutually perpendicular
axes. This allows the applicator 24 to be oriented as exemplified
in FIG. 7 to reach a variety of body areas. In FIG. 8, an
embodiment 37 is shown having a bent elongated tube 38.
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 9 through 11, inclusive, another
aspect 39 of the invention is depicted wherein a liquid health or
beauty product is also sprayed through a series of small apertures
55 which extend through a small cylindrical upper portion 56 of an
elliptical shaped applicator 40. The elliptical shaped applicator
40 is joined to a plurality of hollow ball and socket joints 42
which are joined to an extensible slender elongated tubular member
41 with a coupling 62. The ball and socket joints 42 are made of a
resilient plastic material, whereby their members can be forcibly
engaged to prevent leakage and provide sufficient joint friction
for maintaining the orientation of the applicator 40. One advantage
of this embodiment 39 is that the elongated tube 41 can be
lengthened to reach body areas and shortened for storing the
apparatus 39. Another advantage is that the elongated tubular
member 41 can be selectively bent as shown in FIG. 11 in addition
to rotating the applicator 40 about three mutually perpendicular
axes.
[0037] In FIGS. 12 and 13, the embodiment 39 of FIGS. 9 through 11
has been modified to provide a detachable rectangular applicator 49
having an open cell pad 45 and loofah 46. The detachable applicator
44 allows the reservoir 21 and tube 41 to be used with a variety of
applicators. The combined loofah and pad 47 is accomplished by
providing a cavity 48 in a generally rectangular applicator housing
50 which is in fluid communication with both the open cell pad 45
and loofah 46 through a series of small apertures 51. In FIG. 14 an
embodiment 52 is shown wherein a brush 53 is used in place of the
loofah 46 of FIGS. 12 and 13.
[0038] Another embodiment 54 of the invention is depicted in FIGS.
15 through 19, inclusive. In this aspect 54, a liquid health or
beauty product is also sprayed through a series of small apertures
55 which extend through a small cylindrical upper portion 56 of a
circular applicator housing 57. A cylindrical cellular pad 58 is
mounted in a lower portion of the housing 57. One distinguishing
feature of this embodiment is that a vented filler cap 59 is
provided in a closed end portion of a flexible reservoir 60. The
vented cap 59 is normally closed when the apparatus 54 is not in
use or the reservoir 60 is squeezed and is open after the reservoir
60 is squeezed to replace a discharged portion of a liquid health
or beauty product with air. Another feature is that a manual gate
valve 61 is provided in an outlet end portion of the reservoir 60
which is manually opened and closed by a user of the apparatus.
[0039] The preferred method of using the applicator apparatus shown
in FIGS. 1 through 7 is as follows. The reservoir 21 is filled with
a liquid health or beauty product. After being filled with the
liquid product, the reservoir 21 is connected by a user to the
slender elongated triangular member 22 with the threaded fitting
23. The applicator 24 is oriented with respect to the reservoir 21
by rotating the ball and socket joint 32 to suit the requirement of
a specific body area. After the user is satisfied with the
orientation of the applicator 24, the reservoir 21 is squeezed by
the user to disperse a portion of the liquid health or beauty
product within the cellular pad 34. The liquid product is then
applied to the selected body area with the cellular pad 34. The pad
34 is also used to scrub or cleanse the selected area.
[0040] The method of using the embodiment 40 of FIGS. 9 through 11
includes the additional steps of bending and elongating the
extensible tubular member 41. The method of using the embodiment of
FIGS. 15 through 19, inclusive, includes the additional step of
elongating the slender tubular member 41 and dispersing the liquid
health or beauty product on to the selected body area.
[0041] From the foregoing it will be appreciated that our invention
provides a novel apparatus and method which allows physically
disadvantaged as well as persons who are not physically
disadvantaged to efficiently apply liquid and beauty products to
selected areas of their bodies. It will also be appreciated that
our invention is particularly useful to elderly and physically
disadvantaged persons who heretofore have required the assistance
of others. It will be still further appreciated that our invention
can be used at a variety of places, such as beaches, showers,
bathtubs, hospitals and nursing homes.
[0042] Although only several embodiments have been illustrated and
described for purposes of disclosure and enabling persons to
practice the invention, it is not our intention to limit our
invention to these embodiments, since other embodiments can be
derived by obvious substitutions, changes in shape, elimination or
additions of parts, and changes in the arrangement of parts without
departing from the spirit thereof.
* * * * *