GB2460479A

GB2460479A - Applicator

Info

Publication number: GB2460479A
Application number: GB0813480A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Harrison Goddard Foote; Georgina Bottomley; Kay Morton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-24
Filing date: 2008-07-24
Publication date: 2009-12-02
Also published as: GB0813480D0

Abstract

An applicator 200 for applying a preparation to a surface, the applicator comprises resiliently deformable portion having a substantially non-absorbent surface. The non-absorbent surface comprises a bladder 210 defined by a membrane which is supported by gel material. A base portion 220 provide support to the bladder. The applicator further comprises handle 232, 234 which is pivotable between a plurality of indexed rotational positions relative to the resiliently deformable portion.

Description

APPLICATOR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to applicators. In particular but not exclusively the invention relates to applicators for applying a preparation such as a cream or lotion to a surface such as human or animal skin.

BACKGROUND

Applicators suitable for applying preparations such as sun cream to a surface are known. However, known applicators are provided with sponge or sponge-like absorbent pads to which the preparation is applied before or during a process of applying the preparation. Such applicators have the disadvantage that wastage of a portion of the preparation occurs due to absorption by the pad. Furthermore washing of the pad is required in order to remove residual preparation from the pad after use.

Such pads can become worn in the process of applying the preparation followed by washing. If a pad is not adequately washed it can become unusable at a later date.

Some known applicators allow replacement of the pad. However this can be inconvenient as well as expensive since a supply of fresh pads is required to be maintained.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an applicator for applying a preparation to a surface, the applicator comprising a resiliently deformable portion having a substantially non-absorbent surface.

Such an applicator has the advantage that the preparation may be applied to a surface such as skin of a body without loss of an amount of the preparation by absorption. Thus the invention has the advantage over known applicators such as sponge pads that wastage of the preparation is substantially reduced. Furthermore cleaning of the applicator following application of the preparation is either substantially reduced or not required.

Preferably the non-absorbent surface is supported by a gel or gel-like material.

Preferably the non-absorbent surface is provided by a membrane.

The gel or gel-like material may be provided in a bladder defined by the membrane.

The applicator may further comprising a grip portion arranged to allow a user to grip the applicator.

The grip portion may comprise a handle portion extending away from the resiliently deformable portion of the applicator.

Preferably the handle portion is pivotable with respect to the resiliently deformable portion.

More preferably the handle is pivotable between a plurality of indexed rotational positions relative to the resiliently deformable portion, the handle being operable to maintain a given rotational position when being used to apply a preparation to a surface.

The resiliently deformable portion may be coupled to a base portion, the base portion being arranged to provide a substantially rigid support for the resiliently deformable portion.

In a second aspect of the invention there is provided a use of an applicator according to the first aspect to apply a preparation to human or animal skin.

The preparation may be a cream or lotion.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of applying a preparation to a surface to be treated comprising the steps of: providing an applicator having a resiliently deformable portion having a substantially non-absorbent surface; providing an amount of the preparation; moving said substantially non-absorbent surface of the applicator over and in contact with the surface to be treated whereby the preparation is absorbed by the surface to be treated.

Preferably the surface to be treated is human or animal skin.

The non-absorbent surface may be provided by a membrane.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which: FIGURE 1 shows an applicator according to an embodiment of the invention having a fixed handle portion; and FIGURE 2 shows an embodiment of the invention having a pivotable handle portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment of the invention an applicator is provided having a resiliently deformable pad 110 attached to a backing member 120. The backing member 120 has a handle portion 130 connected thereto to facilitate application of a preparation to areas of skin otherwise difficult to reach.

The pad 110 is in the form of a bladder filled with a gel or gel-like material. The bladder is formed from a substantially non-absorbing material. In some embodiments the bladder is formed from a polymeric material such as polythene or any other suitable polymeric material. Other materials are also useful. Other forms of construction of the pad 110 are also useful.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment in which a handle portion 234 is pivotably coupled to a backing member 220 arranged to support a resiliently deformable pad 110. The pad and handle portion 234 may be fixed at a required orientation with respect to one another.

This embodiment has the advantage that the pad 110 may be set to a preferred orientation allowing a user to more conveniently apply a preparation to areas of skin otherwise difficult to reach.

Embodiments of the invention are useful for the application of preparations such as a skin cream or lotion to a body, for example sun cream. Embodiments of the invention are useful for the elderly or infirm who may have difficulty reaching areas of skin such as legs, feet, a back or any other difficult to reach area.

Embodiments of the invention have the advantage that wastage of preparation applied to skin by means of the applicator is reduced. This is at least in part because the applicator is arranged not to absorb preparation. Furthermore, because the applicator is resiliently deformable, in some circumstances a larger area of contact may be maintained between the applicator and skin than in the case of a non-deformable applicator. This has the advantage that it may further reduce wastage of preparation.

This feature also has the advantage that the number of times an applicator is required to be wiped over an area of skin before absorption of the preparation by the skin is complete may also be reduced. This is at least in part because in some embodiments the applicator is arranged to maintain contact between the surface of the applicator and skin by deforming in conformity with contours of the surface of the skin thereby allowing a user to continue to maintain contact between the skin and the pad 110, 210 throughout the process of wiping.

In some embodiments a massaging action is particularly effective in promoting absorption of the preparation by skin.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Features, integers, characteristics, compounds, chemical moieties or groups described in conjunction with a particular aspect, embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible therewith.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An applicator for applying a preparation to a surface, the applicator comprising a resiliently deformable portion having a substantially non-absorbent surface.
2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-absorbent surface is supported by a gel or gel-like material.
3. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-absorbent surface is provided by a membrane.
4. An applicator as claimed in claim 3 wherein the gel or gel-like material is provided in a bladder defined by the membrane.
5. An applicator as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising a grip portion arranged to allow a user to grip the applicator.
6. An applicator as claimed in claim 5 wherein the grip portion comprises a handle portion extending away from the resiliently deformable portion of the applicator.
7. An applicator as claimed in claim 6 wherein the handle portion is pivotable with respect to the resiliently deformable portion.
8. An applicator as claimed in claim 7 wherein the handle is pivotable between a plurality of indexed rotational positions relative to the resiliently deformable portion, the handle being operable to maintain a given rotational position when being used to apply a preparation to a surface.
9. An applicator as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the resiliently deformable portion is coupled to a base portion, the base portion being arranged to provide a substantially rigid support for the resiliently deformable portion.
10. Use of an applicator as claimed in any preceding claim to apply a preparation to human or animal skin.
11. The use as claimed in claim 10 wherein the preparation is a cream or lotion.
12. A method of applying a preparation to a surface to be treated comprising the steps of: providing an applicator having a resiliently deformable portion having a substantially non-absorbent surface; providing an amount of the preparation; moving said substantially non-absorbent surface of the applicator over and in contact with the surface to be treated whereby the preparation is absorbed by the surface to be treated.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12 wherein the surface to be treated is human or animal skin.
14. A method as claimed claim 12 or 13 wherein the non-absorbent surface is supported by a gel or gel-like material.
15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14 wherein the non-absorbent surface is provided by a membrane.
16. A method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15 wherein the gel or gel-like material is provided in a bladder defined by the membrane.
17. An applicator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. A use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
19. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.