Abstract:
A device for the application of a gel or solid substance to a human body surface is disclosed. The apparatus is comprised of an applicator portion to which gel or solid deodorant is secured and which is coupled to a handle portion. The applicator portion is sized to accommodate a single application of deodorant in a compact format while the handle portion is sized to be grasped between the fingers and thumb of the human hand. The handle portion comprises a moveable connecting point allowing the handle portion to traverse between a storage position and a gripping position during use.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The invention relates to apparatus and methods for the delivery of deodorant to the surface of the skin of a human user. 
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0002]    (Not applicable) 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0003]    (Not applicable) 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Today, people are exceedingly busy in attending to business matters and often have to rush between multiple appointments. Often, this does not leave much time for the luxury of returning home to freshen up. Accordingly, such products are of increasing importance. 
         [0005]    Additionally, a high-paced, mobile lifestyle, involving such things as airline flights, road trips and the like, does not lend itself well to carrying large hygiene product containers, such as a conventional deodorant product, which can open, and under certain circumstances, spill while they are inside bags and briefcases. Therefore, a need exists for a small, single use deodorant applicator which can be easily concealed, even in a small pocket, yet safe for transport due to an individually sealed, portable design. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with the invention, an apparatus for the delivery of deodorant to the surface of the human body is provided. It comprises an applicator portion to which is secured a gel or solid deodorant and which is coupled to a handle portion. The applicator portion is sized to accommodate a single application of deodorant in a compact format while the handle portion is sized to be grasped between the fingers and thumb of a human hand. The handle portion comprises a flexible connecting point allowing the handle portion to traverse between a storage position and a gripping position during use. 
         [0007]    The invention comprises an apparatus for the application of a gel or solid deodorant substance to the surface of a human body. In accordance with the invention, a base comprises an applicator portion. The applicator portion has a deodorant support side, a gripping portion, and a deodorant substance secured to the applicator portion of the base. The base and deodorant substance form the applicator and an enclosure defining a compartment houses the base and the deodorant substance. 
         [0008]    The applicator portion of the base comprises a matrix of recesses to which the deodorant substance is affixed. The matrix of recesses defines an array of narrow elongated contours at least some of which extend at least partially around one or more of others of the narrow elongated contours. Each of the narrow elongated contours defines a recess defined by facing sidewalls which extend at an angle with respect to the deodorant support side and face the sidewalls engaging the deodorant substance. The handle is coupled to the gripping portion of the base. The enclosure comprises a plastic film. The handle comprises a rigid grip dimensioned to be grasped between the fingers and thumb of a human hand. A mounting member coupled to the base and rotatably supporting the rigid grip enables the rigid grip to move between a storage position and a gripping position. The mounting member of the apparatus is mounted on the base by mounting pins allowing the flexible mounting member to rotate around the mounting pins in an arc. 
         [0009]    The handle of the apparatus may comprise a cloth member comprising a gripping end protruding from the gripping portion of the base and dimensioned to be grasped between the fingers and thumb of a human hand and a mounting end coupled to the gripping portion of the base. 
         [0010]    The handle may also comprise two gripping members protruding from the base. The gripping members define a finger hole passing through the gripping member. The hole is sized to allow a finger or thumb of a human hand to be inserted within the finger hole. The gripping members comprise a flexible mounting member coupled to the base which allow the gripping members to traverse between a storage position and a gripping position. The base and handle are made of plastic injection molded from a single piece of plastic. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The operation of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1   a  is a side view outlining the basic elements of the invention in which the applicator portion and handle portion may be understood; 
           [0013]      FIG. 1   b  is a cross-sectional view of the support base and supported deodorant material along lines  1   b - 1   b  of  FIG. 3  corresponding to a cross-sectional view defined by the intersection of a plane perpendicular to the plane roughly defined by the support and a plane perpendicular to and passing through the center of the support; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a rigid handle system embodiment of a handle portion of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a coupling system comprising a rigid handle system and the base of the applicator portion of the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of an alternate mounting method of a rigid handle system coupled to the base of the applicator portion of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a possible storage configuration for the invention in which a rigid handle system is stowed into a recess in the underside of the base of the applicator portion of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of an alternate mounting configuration for a handle portion of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a diagram of another alternate cloth handle portion of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates the use of the above mentioned alternate cloth handle portion of the invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a diagram of yet another alternate handle portion comprising a pair of loops; 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  shows the use of the above mentioned alternate handle portion comprising a pair of loops; 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a diagram of an array of indentions across the application surface of applicator portion of the invention; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a diagram of rings of deodorant anchored between an array of raised rings on the applicator surface of the applicator portion of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 1   a , an overview of a single-use deodorant applicator may be understood. The single-use deodorant applicator  2  comprises a circular base  4  composed of plastic in accordance with a preferred embodiment, or, alternatively, metal. Base  4  is rigid and functions as a foundation upon which the rest of the device is constructed. The top of circular base  4  comprises a series of raised rings  6  as well as corresponding circular channels  8 . Raised rings  6  and circular channels  8  are shaped and spaced in such a way that deodorant, in either gel or solid form, can be affixed to base  4  with the deodorant utilizing raised rings  6  and circular channels  8  as an adherence surface. A plastic or metal handle  10  is coupled to the underside of base  4  such that handle  10  can swivel out from a position lying flat against base  4  (as illustrated in phantom lines), to a position perpendicular or nearly perpendicular to the bottom surface of base  4  for use, or swivel in, parallel to the bottom surface of base  4  for storage. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1   b  illustrates the placement of deodorant material  52  in channels  8  in the form of rings of deodorant material. It will be understood from the figures that successive rings are positioned at different heights from the bottom of base  4 . The outermost rings of deodorant material  52  are relatively low and the central deposition of deodorant material  53  is in the highest position. Accordingly, together rings of deodorant material  52  and the central circular deposition of deodorant material  53  generally defined a convex or domed configuration. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the construction of handle  10 , and how handle  10  attaches to base  4 , may be better understood. Handle  10  is constructed in a semi-circular shape. Handle  10  made sized such that it can fold back against base  4  without protruding. Two mounting holes  12  pass completely through mounting arms  14 , which extend past base  4  on either side of the attaching end of handle  10 . The mounting arms  14  and handle  10  are formed in a single injection molded plastic member, adding strength and simplicity to the design. The mounting holes  12  allow the handle  10  to be attached to base  4  of the single-use deodorant applicator through the use of mounting pins  15  ( FIG. 1   b ), which will be described in greater detail below. 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a connection assembly attaching handle  10  to base  4  may be understood in greater detail. The handle  10  connects to base  4  such that handle  10  can be quickly snapped into place during component assembly. The component assembly process involves aligning mounting arms  14  of handle  10  perpendicular to the bottom of base  4  such that mounting holes  12  of mounting arms  14  are positioned just below a pair of mounting pins  15  protruding from base  4 . The mounting pins  16  protrude from base  4  such that they are always in line with holes  12  in mounting arms  14 , when properly mounted inside mounting holes  12 . The mounting pins  15  are positioned such that it is possible for handle  10  to traverse a semi-circular arc defined in the direction of arrows  18 , thus allowing the orientation of handle  10  to traverse such arc from a flat starting position against the bottom of base  4  to a finishing position which is perpendicular to the bottom of base  4 . Deodorant material  52  of conventional design is deposited in circular channels  8 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , an alternate mounting method for handle  110  may be understood. Once again, handle  10  is attached to base  4  through the connection of mounting pins  16  in mounting holes  12  which are located at the ends of mounting arms  14 . The handle  10  is mounted such that mounting arms  14  are always perpendicular to mounting pins  115 , thus allowing the orientation of handle  110  to traverse in an arc from a flat position against base  4  to an extended position which is perpendicular to base  4 . The mounting pins  115  are coupled to base  4  and are located inside a recess  20  on the bottom of base  4 , thus allowing handle  10  to fold inside base  4  for compact storage with minimal or no protrusion from base  4 . The recess  120  is shaped to match the shape of handle  10  such that handle  10  fits snugly inside recess  120  without sticking such that handle  10  may be easily extended along the arc defined by the movement of handle  10 , as it may be moved by the use of, for example, a human finger. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , it may be understood how handle  10  fits snugly inside recession  120  of base  4  when handle  10  is in a closed position. In this diagram, it is shown how handle  110  protrudes slightly from recess  20  in the bottom of base  4  such that a finger may make easier contact with handle  110 . The configuration diagramed in  FIG. 5  allows for a larger contact surface between handle  110  and a human finger while still providing a thin profile for compact storage. If no protrusion is desired, handle  10  they been made thinner. 
         [0031]    Also referring to  FIG. 5 , an optional storage packet may be used to contain the apparatus. Such storage packets may be a conventional form, for example, similar to those used to house condiments such as ketchup and mustard. In accordance with the invention, such a storage packet may be formed in a conventional manner, for example being formed by a pair of facing planar film members. More particularly, a container may be formed by a planar bottom layer  121  and a planar top layer  123 . Planar bottom layer  121  and planar top layer  123  may be made of a polymer, such as a simple plastic film as is used to house ketchup. Alternatively, metallized polymer layers may also be employed. In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that planar bottom layer  121  and planar top layer  123  would have a thickness in the range of 2-7 thousandths of an inch. 
         [0032]    In the case of a simple polymer layer of the type used to house ketchup in individual single servings, planar bottom layer  121  and a planar top layer  123  may be formed into a packet by being heat-sealed around their edges  125  ( FIG. 5   a ). As is apparent from the figures, planar bottom layer  121  and planar top layer  123  are substantially the same size and larger than the inventive applicator  110 . Accordingly, planar bottom layer  121  and planar top layer  123  extend beyond the edge of both the length and width of the applicator  110 . The peripheral portions of planar bottom layer  121  and a planar top layer  123  are fused together, for example, using heat around the edge of the apparatus to form an airtight, single-use container similar to a ketchup packet. The result is a sealed unit  125  containing applicator  110 . Sealed unit  125  includes serrations  127  in a manner typical of such packets. 
         [0033]    It is noted that while the use of such a package is illustrated only in  FIG. 5 , it may be understood this packet can be used to house any of the other variations of the inventive apparatus as illustrated in the figures herein. 
         [0034]    In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that a plurality of applicators  110  would be contained each in its own container  123 , perhaps packaged in a larger box containing a half-dozen or several dozen packaged applicators. When it is desired to use one of these devices to apply deodorant, the package is split between the serrations  127  using the fingernails, torn open and the deodorant applicator  110  is removed and used as described herein. 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , an alternate mounting configuration for handle  10  may be understood. A cylindrical mounting protrusion  222  extends from the bottom of base  4  such that it is possible to align mounting holes  12  of mounting arms  14  with mounting pin  224  of mounting protrusion  222 . The mounting pin  224  along the length of mounting protrusion  222 , perpendicular to the circular faces of the cylinder and, therefore, parallel to the bottom of the base  4 . When the mounting holes  12  of the mounting arms  14  are properly aligned with the mounting hole  14  of the mounting protrusion  222 , handle  10  rotates on pins  224  Thus, handle  10  may easily be snapped into place, similar to the process described with respect to  FIG. 3 , and may further rotate freely after being snapped into place. 
         [0036]    Also referring to  FIG. 6 , the circular ring system of ridges and channels involved in the mounting of gel or solid deodorant may be understood. The raised rings  6  and circular channels  8  are all formed from the same plastic member that comprises base  4  during the fabrication process of, for example, injection molding. Furthermore, the mounting protrusion  222  can be formed from the same plastic mold as well during the fabrication process with the mounting pin  224  B. As a result of the fabrication process, the raised circular rings  6  and circular channels  8  form a mounting surface for a gel or solid deodorant  52  such that the tops of the channels  8  are nearly slanted extending from but not quite perpendicular to the base  4 , thus providing sufficient friction to hold a gel or solid deodorant in place. Because the inner rings  6  and channels  8  protrude higher from the base  4  than the outer rings  6  and channels  8 , it is possible for the single-use deodorant applicator  202  to conform to various human body surfaces more easily. 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , an alternate handle system  334  may be understood. In this alternate handle system, a flexible or semi-rigid handle  34  is cut to shape from a sheet of cloth or plastic. The handle  334  comprises an attachment end  336  on one side and a gripping end  338  on the other side. The attachment end  336  is affixed along a joinder line  337  to the bottom of the single-use deodorant applicator  302  using some form of adhesive such as glue or tape. The gripping end  338  protrudes from the side of the single-use deodorant applicator  302  to a sufficient distance such that the gripping end  338  may be easily grasped by the fingers of a human hand. The handle  334  is sufficiently thin to allow for compact packaging. Accordingly handle  334  can be folded behind the single-use deodorant applicator  302  for compact packaging. 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the use of the alternate handle system  334  may be understood. As mentioned above, the gripping end  338  of the handle  334  protrudes from the side of the single-use deodorant applicator  302 . This allows the fingers of a human hand to easily grasp the handle  334  between them with thumb  340  pressing against the top side of handle  334  and finger  342  pressing against the bottom side of handle  334 . This method allows finger  342  to act as a guide for the single-use deodorant applicator  302  while deodorant is being applied to the human body by providing moderate pressure to rub the top surface of the single-use deodorant applicator  302  against the skin surface to which the user wishes to apply deodorant. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , an alternate handle system  444  may be understood. The handle system  444  comprises two plastic loops, loop  446  and loop  448 , which are made from the same plastic material of which the single-use deodorant applicator  402  is made. This means that no special attachment system is required. Instead, the handle system  444  is formed at the same time as the single-use deodorant applicator  402  in a single molding or stamping process. This eliminates the need for complicated manual assembly while allowing for many instances of the single-use deodorant applicator  402  to be created simultaneously, in accordance with the manufacturing process to be described below. Loop  446  and loop  448  are flexible enough to be bent backwards below the base of the single-use deodorant applicator  402  for gripping by the thumb and finger of a human hand during use. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , the use of the alternate handle system  444  may be understood. The single-use deodorant applicator  402  is gripped by folding loop  446  and loop  448  backwards below the base of the single-use deodorant applicator  402 . The thumb  440  is then inserted into the loop  446  while the finger  442  is inserted into the loop  448 . The thumb  440  and the finger  442  are then pinched together, thus creating enough tension and friction to hold the single-use deodorant applicator  402  in place and allow for controlled movement during deodorant application to a human body during use. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a method for securing deodorant in a gel or solid form may be understood. A series of indentations  550  are distributed over the surface area of the single-use deodorant applicator  502  in which deodorant  552  in a gel or solid form may be inserted. The indentations are deep enough to provide a sufficient anchor for the deodorant. 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the anchoring of a gel or solid deodorant  52  within an array of raised rings  6  may be understood. The deodorant  52  is applied between each of the raised rings  6  such that the deodorant  52  protrudes slightly above the upper surface of the raised rings  6 . During the application process, the deodorant  52  will transfer to a contacted human skin surface. Since the human skin surface is flexible, the skin can be pressed in between the raised rings  6 , during application, as the vertical height of the deodorant  52  is reduced during use. 
         [0043]    The manufacturing of the single-use deodorant applicator  2  is done by injecting plastic into a mold. Alternatively, the desired member may be made by blow performing and die cutting a sheet of plastic. Multiple members may be formed simultaneously across the width of a plastic sheet web in a continuous blow forming process, thus allowing for mass production. 
         [0044]    While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.