U.S. patent application number 13/623055 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-21 for topical applicator with exchangeable sponge head.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sona Stewart. Invention is credited to Sona Stewart.
Application Number | 20130071171 13/623055 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47880795 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130071171 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stewart; Sona |
March 21, 2013 |
Topical Applicator with Exchangeable Sponge Head
Abstract
A topical applicator that includes a foldable elongated handle
with an exchangeable application pad with two applicator surfaces.
The elongated handle includes a grip arm, a curved ring arm, and an
adjustable locking hinge. The grip arm and ring arm are configured
so that the grip arm and ring arm when pivoted rearward into a
folded nesting position. Attached to the distal end of the ring arm
is a ring with center opening. The ring and the center opening are
configured to at least partially encircle and receive a
complimentary shaped foam application pad with two opposite
applicator surfaces. In one embodiment, the application pad is
slightly larger than the ring and includes groove formed on along
the midline axis of the application pad's perimeter surface. The
center portion of the application pad is partially compressed
thereby forming an hour glass configuration that holds the
application pad in place.
Inventors: |
Stewart; Sona; (Issaquah,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Stewart; Sona |
Issaquah |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47880795 |
Appl. No.: |
13/623055 |
Filed: |
September 19, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61536139 |
Sep 19, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/261 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/1054 20130101;
A45D 2200/25 20130101; A45D 2200/1081 20130101; A45C 11/008
20130101; A45D 2200/1018 20130101; A45D 34/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
401/261 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26 |
Claims
1. A topical applicator for applying topical compositions to
difficult to reach skin areas, comprising: a. a foldable elongated
handle includes a curved grip arm, a curved ring arm connected
together by an adjustable locking hinge, said grip arm and said
ring arm are configured so that said ring arm when pivoted rearward
nests in a stacked, compact configuration over said grip arm, said
locking hinge allows said grip arm and said ring arm to be
selectively moved from a stacked closed position to an open
extended position and then locked in a temporarily set position,
said ring arm includes a longitudinally aligned ring with a center
opening; and, b. an exchangeable application pad with two opposite
flat applicator surfaces, said application pad being compatible in
shape and size so that said applicator pad may be inserted into
said center opening on said ring and temporarily to apply a cream
or lotion dispensed on one or both said applicator surface.
2. The topical applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein said
application pad is made of foam.
3. The topical applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein said
application pad is made of cotton.
4. The topical applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein said ring
is an enclosed circle.
5. The topical applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein said ring
is a split structure.
6. The topical applicator as recited in claim 1, wherein said
applicator is distributed as a kit that also includes at least two
applicator pads and a outer container.
Description
[0001] This utility patent application is based on and claims the
filing date of U.S. provisional patent application 61/536139, filed
on Sep. 19, 2011.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] Notice is hereby given that the following patent document
contains original material which is subject to copyright
protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile
or digital download reproduction of all or part of the patent
document, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention pertains to applicators used to manually
apply to the skin topical compositions, such as lotions, creams,
paste, gels.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Individuals afflicted with skin conditions or injuries
sometimes require topical application of one or two different
compositions to the skin. The skin areas to be treated are
sometimes located in hard-to-reach areas or the individual may have
a physical condition that limits their movement and reach.
[0007] An application with two applicator surface is desireable
because in some instances, two topical compositions must be applied
sequentially to the same immediately after each other. In other
instances, it is also desirable to exfoliate the skin with an
exfoliating surface and immediately apply a cream or lotion to the
exfoliated skin.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] At the heart of the invention is the discovery that many
individuals desire to apply one or two different topical
compositions to areas of the body that are beyond their reach and
that an applicator with an elongated handle with an easily
exchangeable application pad with two applicator surfaces would be
desirable.
[0009] Disclosed herein is a topical applicator that includes a
foldable, angularly adjustable elongated handle with a low profile
circular or U-shaped ring formed or attached on one end in which an
exchangeable foam application pad with two opposite applicator
surfaces is attached. The elongated handle includes a rigid grip
arm with an adjustable locking hinge formed on its distal end.
Connected to the adjustable locking hinge is a rigid ring arm.
Mounted on the distal end of the ring arm is a longitudinally
aligned ring. The grip and ring arms are configured so that when
the ring arm is pivoted rearward, they partially nest together for
compact storage in a medicine cabinet or a bathroom drawer.
[0010] The ring may be integrally or attached to the distal end of
the ring arm. The ring may be an enclosed circle, an enclosed
square, an enclosed triangular or an enclosed oval with a center
opening. The front section of the ring opposite the ring arm may be
removed thereby enabling the sponge to slide longitudinally onto
the ring. When the ring is a fully enclosing structure, the
application pad must be perpendicularly and coaxially aligned over
the ring in order to be inserted into the center opening.
[0011] The ring and the sponge are configured so that the sponge
must be slightly compressed in order to fit into the ring's center
opening. In one embodiment, the ring includes a smooth interior
surface that snap fits around the application pad's mid-line axis
located on the side wall. In another embodiment, a plurality of
inward projecting teeth or bumps are forced on the ring that press
against the application pad's sidewall to hold the application pad
in place.
[0012] The application pad is made of open cell foam with two
opposite applicator surfaces. The applicator surfaces may have the
same texture or and different textures for applying a cream or
lotion or exfoliating the skin. The elasticity of the foam is
sufficient so that the ring may press inward on the application
pad's side walls thereby compressing the application pad into an
hour glass configuration with two opposite, substantially parallel
applicator surfaces.
[0013] The adjustable locking hinge disposed between the grip arm
and the ring arm enables the user to rotate the grip arm and ring
arm in a 210 degrees around the hinge's center axis. The hinge
includes at plurality of locking lugs that enable the grip arm and
ring arm to be temporarily locked into a plurality of set positions
that enables the application pad's applicator surfaces to be
pressed against the skin with sufficient force.
[0014] During installation, the application pad is inserted into
the ring's center opening so that the ring engages the application
pad. Because the ring at least partially encircles the application
pad, the application pad is securely held when the handle is moved
back and forth and side to side over the skin. During use, one or
two topical compositions are applied to the one or both applicator
surfaces. The grip arm and the ring arm are then pivoted around the
hinge to the desired set temporarily locked positions. The
elongated handle is then moved back and forth and side to side over
the skin. If desired, the elongated handle may be rotated in the
hand and the grip arm and ring arm may be repositioned so that the
opposite applicator surface may be used against the skin.
[0015] The topical applicator may be sold as a kit that includes
the elongated handle, a plurality of exchangeable application pads
that are distributed in a single outer container.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the topical applicator
with a foam application pad attached to the ring arm and shown in
an extended position.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the topical applicator shown in
FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the topical applicator
showing the ring arm with a application pad attached to the ring
being moved between five positions.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the
topical applicator in an extended configuration showing the bottom
surface of the elongated handle with a smooth surface style ring
and with the application pad removed.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the adjustable locking
hinge.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
topical applicator with the elongated handle with two decorative
cover plates, a ring attached to the ring arm that includes inward
extending teeth sold formed on its inside surface and two
exchangeable application pads, and an outer bag container.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view similar to the view shown
in FIG. 3 showing the elongated handle with a application pad
attached to the ring being moved between extended and folded
positions.
[0023] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the topical applicator shown
in FIG. 7.
[0024] FIG. 9 is a top perspective of the topical applicator shown
in FIG. 7-8 with the application pad and the two cover plates
removed.
[0025] FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view showing the grip arm
and ring arm separated and selectively connected together or
dissembled.
[0026] FIG. 11 is a bottom perspective view of the distal end of
the grip arm and the proximal end of the ring arm with the lock
elements formed thereon.
[0027] FIG. 12 is a top perspective of the assembled locking
hinge.
[0028] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the ring with the front
section removed and showing a application pad being longitudinally
inserted into the ring.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the second embodiment of the
application pad showing to applicator surfaces with a layer of
cream or lotion applied to each applicator surface.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0030] Referring to the accompanying FIGS. 1-14, there is shown a
topical applicator 10 that includes a foldable elongated handle 12
with an exchangeable dual applicator surface application pad 50
that fits into a flat ring 30 mounted or formed on the distal end
of the elongated handle 12. The elongated handle 12 includes a
curved grip arm 15 and a complimentary shaped ring arm 25. Formed
between the distal end 17 of the grip arm 15 and the proximal end
26 of the ring arm 25 is a multiple position, adjustable locking
hinge 40. The grip arm 15 and ring arm 25 are configured so that
the curved ring arm 25 when pivoted rearward over the grip arm 15
is aligned in a folded stacked compact configuration as shown in
FIGS. 3 and 7.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 6, the grip arm 15 and the ring arm 25 may
include a decorative cover plate 80 and 82, respectively that snap
fit thereover.
[0032] Formed or attached to the distal end 28 of the ring arm 25
is a longitudinally aligned ring 30. In the embodiment show in the
Figs, the ring 30 is an enclosed circle (see FIGS. 4, 6, 9, and 10)
or it may be a split ring (see FIG. 13). It should be understood
however, that the ring 30 may be an enclosed or split square, an
enclosed or split triangular or an enclosed or split oval. All
rings 30 have an center opening 37 designed to receive a
complimentary shaped foam application pad 50. When the ring 30 is a
fully enclosed structure, the application pad 50 must be
perpendicularly and coaxially aligned over the ring 30 in order to
be inserted into the center opening. When the ring 30 is a split
structure, the application pad 50 may be longitudinally aligned and
moved longitudinally into the center opening 37.
[0033] The ring 30 and application pad 50 are complimentary in
shape. The ring 30 is slightly smaller than the application pad 50
so that the application pad 50 must be slightly compressed in order
to fit tightly fit into the ring's center opening 37. In one
embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the ring 30 includes a smooth interior
surface 32 that snap fits around the application pad's mid-line
axis located on the side wall 52. In another embodiment, shown in
FIGS. 6 9 and 10, the a plurality of inward projecting teeth or
bumps 38 are formed or attached to the inside surface of the ring
30 that press against the application pad's sidewall 52 to hold the
application pad 50 in place on the ring 30.
[0034] The adjustable locking hinge 40 is formed by complimentary
parts formed on the distal and proximal ends 17, 26 on the grip and
ring arms 15, 25, respectively. As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the grip
arm 15 includes two longitudinally aligned outer ears 18. Formed on
each ear 18 is an opening 19. Formed on the outside surface of the
grip arm 15 is a centrally aligned, extending lug 46. The ring arm
25 includes a rounded hub 27 formed on the ring arm's proximal end
26. The hub 27 is designed to fit into the space formed in between
the two outer ears 18. The hub 27 includes two pegs 42 that snap
fit into the two holes 19 formed on the two ears 18 to couple and
pivotally connect the grip arm 15 and the ring arm 25 together.
Formed on the outer surface of the hub 27 are recessed teeth 44
configured to engage the outer surface of the lug 46 when the arms
15 and 25 are connected together. The recessed teeth 44 are aligned
on the hub 27 so that the ring aim 25 may rotate in an approx. 210
arc over the distal end of the grip arm 15 and locked in at least
five set positions as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7.
[0035] The application pad 50 is preferable made of open cell foam,
similar to a sponge with two opposite applicator surfaces 55, 60.
It should be understood however, that the application pad may be a
cotton or nylon pad. The applicator surface 55 and 60 maybe flat,
slightly convex or slightly concave. The applicator surfaces 55, 60
may have the same texture or and different textures for applying a
cream or lotion or exfoliating the skin. The elasticity of the pad
50 must be sufficient so that the ring 30 may press inward on the
application pad's side wall 52. When the applicator pad 50 is an
elastic foam, the ring 30 compresses the application pad 50 into an
hour glass configuration as shown in FIG. 1 with two opposite,
substantially parallel applicator surfaces 55, 60.
[0036] During installation, the application pad 50 is inserted into
the ring's center opening 37 so that the ring 30 engages the side
wall 32 of application pad 50. Because the ring 30 at least
partially encircles the application pad 50, the application pad 50
is securely held when the elongated handle 12 is moved back and
forth and side to side over the skin. During use, one or two
topical compositions 100 or 102 are applied to the one or both
applicator surfaces 55, 60. The grip arm 12 and the ring arm 25 are
then pivoted around the locking hinge 40 to the desired set
temporarily locked positions. Using one hand on the hand grip area
on the elongated handle 12, the applicator 10 is then moved back
and forth and side to side over the skin. If desired, the elongated
handle 12 may be rotated in the hand and the grip arm 15 and ring
arm 25 may be repositioned so that the opposite applicator surface
may be used against the skin.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, topical applicator 10 may be distributed
and sold as a kit as that includes the elongated handle 12, a
plurality of exchangeable application pads 50, 50' that are
distributed in a single outer container 200. One or more
application pad 50, 50' may then be sold and distributed
separately.
[0038] In compliance with the statute, the invention described
herein has been described in language more or less specific as to
structural features. It should be understood however, that the
invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the
means and construction shown, is comprised only of the preferred
embodiments for putting the invention into effect. The invention is
therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the
legitimate and valid scope of the amended claims, appropriately
interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.
* * * * *