Abstract:
A foldable lotion applicator for applying body, suntan and medicinal lotions, including creams, gels, ointments, oils and other preparations. The applicator is comprised of a beveled I-beam two-part folding shaft with a one-hand operable locking hinge and a ribbed non-slip grip handle with a removable, replaceable cosmetic foam applicator pad with a snap-on cover to protect the applicator pad from contamination and the unwanted distribution of lotions and the like, with the applicator shaft sufficiently long to reach otherwise inaccessible areas of the back and all other areas of the body.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates generally to lotion applicators and, in particular, to a lotion applicator that can be folded into a size convenient for carrying in a purse or pocket, yet long enough, when unfolded, to assist in spreading creams, liquids, gels, oils, medications or other substances (lotions) to the body and, in particular, areas of the body that are otherwise difficult to reach, such as a user&#39;s back.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     With the increased publicity about the potential health risks from exposure to the sun, there is a need for a convenient and effective lotion applicator. Because prior art lotion applicators are either inconvenient to carry and/or create a high potential for spreading lotion where it is unwanted and/or are not easy to use or clean, lotion is typically applied directly from the hands to the body. Given that certain areas of the back are difficult to reach, the drawback of not using an applicator is that certain parts of the body are frequently missed. Where the lotion being applied can stain the hands, the applicator of the present invention provides a means for applying the lotion without staining the hands or having to use gloves.  
         [0003]     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lotion applicator that folds into a size convenient to carry, but, at the same time, is able to reach all parts of the body.  
         [0004]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a lotion applicator that, when not in use, encloses the lotion-carrying head such that lotion is not spread to unwanted areas while the applicator is being carried or transported and, further, prevents dirt, sand or other contaminants from coming in contact with the pad&#39;s surface.  
         [0005]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lotion applicator that is formed by just three snap-together injection molded parts that are strong, lightweight, durable and can be sterilized without losing structural integrity.  
         [0006]     Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge mechanism which releases and comes apart when lateral force is exerted on either part, preventing breakage.  
         [0007]     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a hinge mechanism that can be easily snapped together by aligning parts of the handle and pressing them towards each other.  
         [0008]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a foldable lotion applicator that has a ribbed handle that has good gripping qualities, that resists slippage when hands are either wet or oily, and can be used as a back scratcher.  
         [0009]     These and other objects, aspects and features of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the appended drawing figures.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention provides a lotion applicator that can be folded into a convenient size that can be easily carried in a purse, bag or even a pocket. In addition, the applicator head that carries a lotion-applying absorbent pad has a cover that protects the pad and prevents any residue lotion on the pad from being spread to unintended areas or surfaces.  
         [0011]     In one embodiment, the invention is comprised of three injection-molded parts. The first part is a handle shaft having a handle at one end and a hinge member at the other end. A second part is an applicator head shaft having an applicator head at one end and a hinge member at its other end. When the two hinge members are joined, they create a snap-lock hinge which permits the shafts, when aligned, to be locked into and form an essentially unified shaft and, when released, allow the shafts to overlay each other to reduce the overall size of the applicator for storage and carrying. The third part is a cover for the applicator head which carries a lotion-applying pad. When the cover is in place, the pad is protected from any contamination and, at the same time, any residue on the pad is prevented from being accidentally applied to surfaces while the applicator is being stored or carried. The hinge has a quick-release which permits the shafts to easily rotate relative to each other to assume the compact position. When the shafts overlie each other, the handle extends over the applicator head and provides an extra layer of assurance that the cover does not get dislodged and expose the pad. The handle is formed from a plurality of spaced-apart ribs which provide for an excellent grip that resists slippage when hands are either wet or oily and also can be used as a back scratcher. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the lotion applicator of the present invention shown in its unfolded position;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing the applicator head, lotion pad and head cover of the applicator of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a lotion pad in the applicator head;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the applicator head with the head cover attached and covering the lotion pad;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the inside of the head cap;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the applicator of the invention in its folded position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the applicator of the invention in its folded position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the hinge ends of the applicator shafts prior to assembly;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the assembled hinge ends of the applicator shafts prior to being locked in the extended position; and  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the assembled hinge ends of the applicator shafts locked in the extended position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a lotion applicator  11  has an applicator head member  12  joined to a head shaft  13  which terminates in a head shaft hinge member  14 . A handle shaft  16  is joined to a ribbed handle  17  and terminates in a handle shaft hinge member  18 . The handle shaft hinge member  18  and the head shaft hinge member  14  rotatably join the handle shaft  16  to the head shaft  13 , allowing the shafts  13  and  16  to rotate relative to one another. In a first rotated position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the shafts  13  and  16  are aligned along a common axis  19  so the applicator  11  can be used to apply lotions to difficult-to-reach portions of a person&#39;s back.  
         [0023]     In the preferred embodiment, the handle shaft  16 , the handle  17  and the handle shaft hinge member  18  are a single injection-molded part of polypropylene, nylon, acetal polyoxymethylene (POM) resins, such as DuPont&#39;s Delrin®, and any other materials having similar characteristics. The head shaft  13 , the head member  12  and the head shaft hinge member  14  are a second single injection-molded part of polypropylene, nylon, Delrin or Acetel. Such materials provide strength and durability and can be easily cleaned and sterilized where needed. It is within the scope of the invention, however, for the parts to made by other methods and/or of other materials as may be available, cost-effective and functional to meet the objectives of the invention.  
         [0024]     To provide a sure grip that will be durable and can be molded, the handle  17  is advantageously formed by a plurality of spaced-apart ribs  17   a . The hard-ribbed grip handle  17  is waterproof and can be readily cleaned or scrubbed without causing any damage to the applicator. The ribbed handle  17  has all ribs and edges beveled sufficiently for optimal plastic injection-mold production removal from the die mold and yet retains right angle edges on the applicator handle  17  sufficiently to provide a comfortable yet non-slip grip for the lotion applicator user&#39;s hand. The parallel applicator handle ribs  17   a  are spaced far enough apart so that there are sufficient non-slip gripping characteristics, and yet close enough together so that the gripping area feels fairly continuous to the user so loosening one&#39;s grip and re-gripping the applicator does not require any particular attention to the orientation of hand placement on the grip. The rib structure also provides a surface that can be used for a satisfying back scratch.  
         [0025]     Shafts  13  and  16  are advantageously formed as I-beam structures, with shaft  13  having side members  13   a  and  13   b  joined by a web  13   c , forming an upper shaft channel  13   d  and a lower shaft channel  13   e  (see  FIG. 7 ). Similarly, handle shaft  16  has an I-beam structure formed by side members  16   a  and  16   b  joined by a web member  16   c , forming an upper shaft channel  16   d  and a lower shaft channel  16   e  (see  FIG. 6 ). The I-beam structures reduce the amount of injection-molding material required to achieve the desired stiffness and, at the same time, provide a lightweight lotion applicator.  
         [0026]     While the head member  12  is illustrated as generally rectangular in shape, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and others, that other shapes, including, without limitation, circular, oval and multi-sided shapes could also be used.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , head member  12  is formed by a head base  21  surrounded by a side wall  22 , forming a shallow pad compartment  23  having a depth  24 . The side wall  22  has a gap  26  where shaft  13  joins head  12  whereby compartment  23  is open to upper shaft channel  13   d  at gap  26 .  
         [0028]     Referring also to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a generally absorbent pad  31  sized and shaped to fit snugly within pad compartment  23  has a thickness  32  which is greater than the depth  24  of compartment  23  whereby when pad  31  is placed into compartment  23 , its upper surface  33  is above the side wall  22 . In the preferred embodiment, the pad  31  extends approximately one-quarter of an inch above side wall  22  when seated in pad compartment  23 . This assures that only the pad contacts the skin during the application of lotion. When pad  31  is placed in compartment  23 , a pad tab  34  extending from one end of pad  31  extends through gap  26  into the upper channel  13   d  of head shaft  13 . The undersurface of pad  31  (not shown) can be coated with a releasable adhesive material that secures the pad to the head base  21  so that the pad  31  stays securely within compartment  23 . The adhesive material extends to the pad tab  34 . Tab  34  can be conveniently grasped and pulled away from head  12  in order to remove pad  31  from pad compartment  23 .  
         [0029]     A generally V-shaped alignment tongue  36  extends from head side wall  22  into compartment  23 . A V-shaped notch  37  in pad  31  is sized and located to receive tongue  36  for easy alignment of pad  31  in compartment  23 .  
         [0030]     Referring also to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in order to protect pad  31  in compartment  23  and to prevent any residual lotion on pad  31  from being accidentally dispensed to unintended surfaces, an applicator head cover  41  is provided. Cover  41 , which is also advantageously injection-molded of the same materials as the other parts, snaps onto head member  12  along side wall  22  where it is held in place. When the cover  41  is snapped in place on head member  12 , a tab  42  extending from one end of cover  41  both covers the pad tab  34  and provides a purchase where force can be applied to release the cover  41  from the head member  12  in order to expose pad  31  for use.  
         [0031]     A plurality of spacers  44  are distributed at spaced-apart locations around the inner edge of the cover  41  against the cover&#39;s side wall  46  and extending from the cover inner surface  47 . The height of spacers  44  is slightly greater than the difference between the thickness  32  of pad  31  and the depth  24  of side wall  22  of head  12 . When the cover  41  is snapped into place over head member  12 , the spacers  44  engage the upper surface of side wall  22  of head  12  whereby the inner surface  47  of cover  41  is disposed above the upper surface  33  of pad  31  so that any lotion on the upper surface  33  is not transferred to the inner surface  47  of cover  41 . Cover  41  is sized to have a snug fit so that when the cover  41  is placed on head  12 , some force (preferably on tab  42 ) is required to remove the cover  41  from head  12 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 6, 7  and  8 , one of the outstanding features of the present invention is its ability to assume a compact size. The handle shaft  16  can be rotated about hinge members  14  and  18  from a position where the shafts  13  and  16  are aligned along axis  19  ( FIG. 1 ) when used to apply lotion, to a folded position, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , where handle shaft  16  lies over head shaft  13  when the applicator is to be stored or transported. In this folded position, the applicator  11  can be conveniently carried in a purse, beach bag or even a pocket.  
         [0033]     The combined length of handle shaft  16  and handle  17  is such that when the handle shaft  16  is folded onto head shaft  13  ( FIG. 6 ), handle  17  extends over the head member  12  and, when in place, cover  41 . By locating handle  17  over cover  41 , additional assurance is provided that cover  41  will not accidentally be dislodged and expose the applicator pad  31 .  
         [0034]     The applicator  11  will typically be stored in its folded condition with cover  41  in place, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . When applicator  11  is to be used to apply lotion, the handle  17  is rotated about the hinge members  14  and  18  until the shafts  13  and  16  are aligned along the common axis  19  and locked in that position (as shown in  FIG. 1  and described more fully below). The cover  41  is then removed by applying pressure to the head cover tab  42  to expose the applicator pad  31 . Lotion can then be applied to the pad  31  and then applied to the body by grasping the applicator at handle  17  and directing the head member  12  to those locations where it is desired to apply lotion. When the application of lotion has been completed, the cover  41  is replaced over the pad  31  and the shaft  16  rotated about hinge members  14  and  18  to overlay the handle  17  onto the covered head member  12  (FIGS.  6  and  7 ). At all times, the lotion on the pad  31  is either being applied or protected by cover  41  and, thus, is not distributed to unwanted or unintended surfaces.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIGS. 8, 9  and  10 , hinge member  14  at the end of head shaft  13  includes a pair of spaced-apart, depending bearing support members  51  and  52  having cylindrical post bearing holes  53  and  54 , respectively. Bearing support members  51  and  52  are constructed to elastically flex during assembly and disassembly when a force is applied that pushes the members apart.  
         [0036]     The hinge member  18  which extends from the end of shaft  16  includes a pair of depending post mount members  61  (only one of which is shown), each having a cylindrical post  62  attached to and extending outwardly therefrom (the posts  62  are most advantageously formed as an integral part of the mount members  61 ). The end surfaces  62   a  of posts  62  are not perpendicular to the post body, as in a right cylinder, but rather at an angle thereto. The post mount members  61  are dimensioned to be rigid so they do not flex during assembly of the hinge.  
         [0037]     Support member  51  has a ramped channel  51   a  extending from the distal end  51   b  of member  51  to bearing hole  53 . Likewise, support member  52  has a ramped channel  52   a  extending from the distal end  52   b  of member  52  to bearing hole  54 . The channels  51   a  and  52   a  are sized to receive posts  62  with the angled ends  62   a  engaging the ramped surfaces of channels  51   a  and  52   a . As the posts  62  are forced up the ramped channels  51   a  and  52   a , the bearing support members  51  and  52  are forced apart enough to allow posts  62  to enter post bearing holes  53  and  54 . Once the posts  62  are in the bearing holes  53  and  54 , there is no longer a force flexing the supports  51  and  52  apart and the members  51  and  52  return to their unflexed position in which posts  62  are securely held in bearing support members  51  and  52  and rotatable in bearing holes  53  and  54  whereby the hinge members  14  and  18  are rotatably connected and can rotate, one relative to the other, through approximately 180 degrees.  
         [0038]     The novel design of the hinge members as described above not only facilitates assembly of the hinge, but also has the unexpected advantage that excessive torque applied to the assembled hinge will result in the hinge members separating without any damage to any hinge part. The hinge can then be reassembled by inserting the posts  62  into channels  51   a  and  52   a  and pushing the posts toward the holes  53  and  54 .  
         [0039]     A latch keeper  56  is cantilevered from the end of head shaft  13  to between support members  51  and  52  and has a cam surface  57  that faces into the space between support members  51  and  52 . Pressure applied to the cam surface forces the keeper  56  away from the space between support members  51  and  52 , but returns to its original position when the pressure is released.  
         [0040]     A latch member  63  is supported on the upper surface of the hinge member  18  at a location slightly beyond the end of handle shaft  16 . Latch  63  has a cam follower surface  63   a  which terminates in a latch step  63   b.    
         [0041]     As best seen in  FIG. 9 , as the shafts  13  and  16  are rotated towards alignment, the latch surface  63   a  engages the latch cam surface  57  applying pressure thereto, causing the latch keeper  56  to flex away from the space between support members  51  and  52  until the step  63   b  engages the latch keeper step  58 , at which point, the pressure on latch keeper  56  is released and latch keeper  56  snaps back to its original location. When the latch keeper  56  and latch  63  are so engaged, rotation towards the folded position is prevented. At the same time that the steps of latch  63  and latch keeper  56  lock, the ends  13   f  of shaft  13  abut the ends  16   f  of shaft  16 , preventing any further rotation of the hinge members beyond the aligned position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 10 . Thus, when the hinge is latched, the shafts  13  and  16  form a unified structure which remains aligned, regardless of force that is applied to the head  12  until such time as the latch keeper  56  is released from the latch  63 .  
         [0042]     When it is desired to fold the applicator  11 , the latch keeper  56  is simply urged away from the latch  63  (most conveniently using the nail of the thumb of the hand holding the handle  17 ), which permits the weight of head member  12  to rotate the head shaft  13  to rotate away from handle shaft  16  and assume the folded position illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 .  
         [0043]     To unfold the applicator in order to place the shafts  13  and  16  in their locked, aligned position, it is only necessary to grasp the handle  17  and, in one motion, flip the head upwardly, causing the latch  63  to engage and catch the latch keeper  56 , at which point, the shafts become a unified structure. The head cap can then be removed and lotion applied to the pad for application to the body.  
         [0044]     Of course, various changes, modifications and alterations in the teachings of the present invention may be contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing from the intended spirit and scope thereof. As such, it is intended that the present invention only be limited by the terms of the appended claims.