U.S. patent application number 10/625776 was filed with the patent office on 2005-01-27 for flocked foam lotion applicator.
Invention is credited to Harty, Erin D..
Application Number | 20050015911 10/625776 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34080272 |
Filed Date | 2005-01-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050015911 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harty, Erin D. |
January 27, 2005 |
Flocked foam lotion applicator
Abstract
Improved lotion applicator utilizing a polyester foam having
flocked fibers applied thereto. This flocked polyester foam is
attached to a latex or polyurethane foam that has a handle
extending there from.
Inventors: |
Harty, Erin D.; (Boise,
ID) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STEPHEN M. NIPPER
DYKAS, SHAVER & NIPPER, LLP
P.O. BOX 877
BOISE
ID
83701-0877
US
|
Family ID: |
34080272 |
Appl. No.: |
10/625776 |
Filed: |
July 22, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/244.3 ;
15/244.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B32B 27/12 20130101;
B32B 5/02 20130101; B32B 2266/0207 20130101; B32B 2266/0278
20130101; B32B 5/18 20130101; A47K 7/028 20130101; B32B 5/32
20130101; B32B 7/12 20130101; B32B 2262/0261 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/244.3 ;
015/244.1 |
International
Class: |
A47K 007/02 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A lotion applicator for applying lotions, said applicator
comprising: a head member, said head member configured for
attachment to a handle, said head member comprising a body member,
a padding member attaching to said body member, and a plurality of
flocked fibers attaching to said padding member.
2. The lotion applicator of claim 1, wherein said applicator
further comprises a handle member with a gripping section and a
head mounting section.
3. The lotion applicator of claim 2, wherein said handle member
attaches to said head member through the insertion of said head
mounting section into said body member.
4. The lotion applicator of claim 1, wherein said body member
comprises latex foam.
5. The lotion applicator of claim 1, wherein said body member
comprises polyurethane foam.
6. The lotion applicator of claim 1, wherein said body member has
an applicator side configured for attaching to said padding
member.
7. The lotion applicator of claim 6, wherein said padding member
attaches to said body member through use of an adhesive.
8. The lotion applicator of claim 1, wherein said padding member
comprises polyester foam.
9. The lotion applicator of claim 1, wherein said padding member
comprises an outer surface opposite an inner surface, said inner
surface attaching to said applicator side of said body member, said
padding member outer surface flocked by flock fibers which are
attached thereto through use of an adhesive.
10. The lotion applicator of claim 1, wherein said flock fibers
comprise polyamide fibers.
11. A lotion applicator for applying lotions, said applicator
comprising: a handle member with a gripping section and a head
mounting section; and a head member, said head member attaching to
said head mounting section, said head member comprising a foam body
member, a polyester foam padding member, and a plurality of
flocking fibers.
12. The lotion applicator of claim 11, wherein said foam body
member comprises latex foam.
13. The lotion applicator of claim 11, wherein said foam body
member comprises polyurethane foam.
14. The lotion applicator of claim 11, wherein said handle member
attaches to said head member through the insertion of said head
mounting section into said body member.
15. The lotion applicator of claim 11, wherein said body member has
an applicator side configured for attaching to said padding
member.
16. The lotion applicator of claim 15, wherein said padding member
attaches to said body member through use of an adhesive.
17. The lotion applicator of claim 11, wherein said padding member
comprises an outer surface opposite an inner surface, said inner
surface attaching to said applicator side of said body member, said
padding member outer surface flocked by flock fibers which are
attached thereto through use of an adhesive.
18. The lotion applicator of claim 11, wherein said flock fibers
comprise polyamide fibers.
19. A lotion applicator for applying lotions, said applicator
comprising: a handle member with a gripping section and a head
mounting section; and a head member, said head member attaching to
said head mounting section, said head member comprising a body
member, a padding member, and a plurality of fibers; said handle
member attaching to said head member through the insertion of said
head mounting section into said body member; said body member
comprising a piece of foam having an applicator side, wherein said
foam is latex or polyurethane, wherein attaching to this applicator
side through use of an adhesive is a padding member, this padding
member comprised of polyester foam, this padding member having an
outer surface opposite an inner surface, said inner surface
attaching to said applicator side of said body member, said padding
member outer surface flocked by polyamide flock fibers.
20. The lotion applicator of claim 19, wherein said padding member
outer surface is flocked by said polyamide flock fibers through use
of an adhesive.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to applicators for
lotions and more particularly to soft feeling applicators that are
not lotion absorbent.
[0003] 2. Background Information
[0004] Self application of lotion is a relatively easy thing to do
to readily accessible parts of a person's body. For instance,
applying lotion to one's hands is easy and convenient. However,
when one attempts to apply lotion to less accessible body areas,
for instance the middle of one's back, much difficulty can
arise.
[0005] The use of long handled sponges for self cleaning one's back
or self application of lotion is known in the prior art.
Applicant's prior two patents, U.S. Pat. Nos. D424,237 and D437,972
cover designs of handled back sponges for applying lotion to a
user's back.
[0006] The advantage of using a sponge-like material is that it is
relatively firm, yet soft, holding a shape and allowing for easy
manipulation and for directed application of lotion. However, a
disadvantage to utilizing a sponge-like material to apply lotion is
the fact that a sponge absorbs a quantity of the substance being
applied, thereby resulting in at least some waste. When the lotion
being applied is of a high quality and cost, it is desirable to be
more efficient in the application of the lotion.
[0007] What is needed is an improved lotion applicator for applying
lotions that overcomes the difficulties and inefficiencies of the
prior art. The present invention solves this need.
[0008] Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the
art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice
of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may
be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and
combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, the invented
applicator is configured for use in applying a lotion to a body
surface. This applicator embodiment comprising a head member, this
head member having a body member, a padding member, and a plurality
of fibers. It is preferred that the applicator further have a
handle member with a gripping section and a head mounting section,
this head mounting section attaching or configured for attaching to
the head member, preferably at the body member through insertion
into the body member.
[0010] The preferred body member comprises a shape cut or formed
out of foam, preferably latex or polyurethane. This body member
having an applicator side configured for attaching to said
resilient pad or "padding member." Preferably, this resilient pad
configured for attaching to said body member at said applicator
side through use of an adhesive. The preferred resilient pad
comprising polyester foam. The resilient pad having or defining an
outer surface opposite an inner surface. The inner surface
configured for attachment to said applicator side of said body
member. The resilient pad outer surface configured for flocking by
flock fibers. This flocking preferably attached to the resilient
pad through use of an adhesive. The preferred flock fibers
comprising polyamide fibers.
[0011] Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable
the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the public
generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and
practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal
terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory
inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of
the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the
invention of the application, which is measure by the claims, nor
is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in
any way.
[0012] Still other objects and advantages of the present invention
will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the
following detailed description wherein I have shown and described
only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of
illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my
invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of
modification in various obvious respects all without departing from
the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the
preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature,
and not as restrictive in nature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a partial, cross-section, side view of one
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications
and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments
thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below
in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no
intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed,
but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications,
alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.
[0015] The present invention is an improved lotion applicator for
applying lotions. While the present invention is discussed
particularly with respect to "lotion applicators," such discussion
is not intended to be a limitation. The present invention and the
teachings herein could likewise be used with other substances, and
these applications are likewise considered part of this
disclosure.
[0016] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown
in FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a lotion applicator 10 having a head member
20 configured for attachment to a handle member 90. While the
present invention is discussed with respect to the embodiment
shown, namely the embodiment utilizing a handle, it is also
expressly envisioned that embodiments of the present invention will
exist that do not include such a handle, but are configured for
hand manipulation and engagement.
[0017] The head member 20 of the present invention further
comprises a body member 30. This body member 30 is configured for
engaging the head mounting section 92 of the handle member 90. In
the embodiment shown, the head mounting section 92 is inserted into
or formed within the body member 30. It is preferred that the
handle be detachable so that the head member 20 can be washed
separately from the handle. In the preferred embodiment of the body
member 30, the body member comprises a foam. Examples of suitable
foam include, but are not limited to: latex, polyurethane, etc.
This foam utilized to present a dense, yet soft, support for the
padding member and fibers.
[0018] The body member 30 having an applicator side 32 configured
for attaching to at least one resilient pad or padding member 40.
It is preferred that the body member connects to the padding member
through the use of an adhesive 36.
[0019] The padding member itself having an inner surface 42 and an
outer surface 44. The inner surface 42 configured for attachment to
the applicator side 32 of the body member 30. The outer surface 44
of the padding member 40 configured for attachment to flocking
fibers 50 thereby resulting in a lotion applicator 10 having at
least a portion of a flocked outer surface.
[0020] These fibers 50 attaching to the padding member 40 through
the use of an adhesive layer 46 or other standard means of
flocking. For instance, the flocking layer can be applied using
flocking technology. A preferred means of attaching the flocking
includes orienting the flocking fibers 50 generally perpendicular
to the underlying padding member 40. Flocking allows for the
coating of a surface with a variety of materials and by a variety
of methods. Flocking fibers and materials which could be
successfully employed on the padding member 40 to provide a lotion
applying surface include fibers of either organic or synthetic
origin, such as cotton, wool, rayon, nylon, plastic, or other
materials. The preferred material is a polyamide fiber having a
titer of 1.7 dtex and a length of 0.75 mm. A viscose fiber is
another suitable material.
[0021] These flocking materials may be chopped, cut to random
lengths, or cut to precise lengths. The flocking material 50 may be
applied to a substrate and then attached to the padding member 40
which has been coated with an adhesive 46, preferably water based.
Another, more preferred, method is to sift the flocking materials
50 and then attract the flocking material 50 to an adhesively 46
coated padding member 40 using electrostatic charges.
[0022] In a typical electrostatic coating, the flocking fibers 50
are coated with a medium to make them electrically conductive or
charged. The padding member 40 would then be coated with an
adhesive 46. The adhesively coated padding member 40 would then be
passed through a static charged field and the flocked fibers 50
would be then electrically drawn to it, causing them to become
embedded in the padding member 40 adhesive surface 46. The static
electricity makes the fibers erect and stand straight on end,
orienting the fibers generally perpendicularly to the surface of
the padding member 40. It will be appreciated that electrostatic
flocking is known in the art and forms no part of this invention
per se.
[0023] The preferred padding member 40 comprising a
polyurethane-esterfoam (reticulated or unreticulated) having a
thickness of 3.0 mm to 8.5 mm, which in conjunction with the
flocking 50, comprises a soft surface to the touch of the user
using the invented lotion applicator. Other padding member
materials are also suitable, including but not limited to polyether
and polyester). This padding member 40 and flocking 50 preferably
being impermeable to lotion and therefore the application of lotion
to the flocking does not result in the lotion being absorbed into
the sponge-like material of the head member 20.
[0024] It is preferred that the padding member 40 be flocked before
application to the head member. The flocking can cover any portion
of the padding member. The padding member can cover any portion of
the head member.
[0025] While there is shown and described the present preferred
embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that
this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied
to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the
foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
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