Abstract:
A cosmetic device for applying skin-care substances to hard-to-reach areas of a human body, like the human back, is disclosed. The device includes a variable length shaft, a motorized applicator head adapted for user-selectable rotation, oscillation, and/or vibration, and a plurality of head covers comprising synthetic and/or natural materials.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to a powered hand-held device, more specifically, a cosmetic device for applying skin-care substances like lotions, ointments, creams, etc. to hard-to-reach areas of a human body, like the human back. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    It is generally very difficult for a person to apply substances like lotions, ointments, oils, sunscreen, creams, soap, etc. to his or her own back effectively or thoroughly, or reach certain areas of the back. Consequently, many devices exist to assist a person in scratching, scrubbing, moisturizing, or massaging the back without the assistance of another person. The art is replete with designs and devices for applying fluids, lotions, and the like to the human back. Many such designs and devices include an elongated handle to reach inaccessible areas of the back and an applicator head for applying the substance or massage. Such devices lack, however, means to rotate, oscillate, or vibrate the applicator head to simulate the rubbing and/or massaging action of a human hand. They also lack other useful features, like being rechargeable and having interchangeable applicator head covers for multiple cosmetic uses. 
         [0005]    Thus, there is a need for a cosmetic device that can mimic the rubbing and/or massaging action of a human hand, is rechargeable, and has interchangeable head covers for different types of applied substances and uses. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a cosmetic device comprising a variable length shaft further comprising a soft-grip handle and a housing adapted to include a motorized applicator head or base. The applicator is operably connected to an electrically powered motor. The electrical power source to the motor may include a direct electrical connection to an outside power source, like a conventional electrical outlet, and/or at least one rechargeable or disposable battery. The user may select or program the head to rotate, oscillate, vibrate, or combinations thereof. The applicator base is further adapted to accommodate a plurality of head covers, including covers made of synthetic and natural materials. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The invention can be better understood by reference to the following drawings, wherein: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an embodiment of the cosmetic device. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a further embodiment of the cosmetic device. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the cosmetic device. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments or examples. These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and structural, logical, and procedural changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0012]    In an embodiment of the cosmetic device  10  shown in  FIG. 1 , the variable length shaft  101  includes telescopic means  101   a  to allow the shaft to be elongated for use and retracted for storage or portability. The shaft further includes a soft-grip handle end  102  and a terminal end  103  proximate the housing  104 . The soft-grip handle  102  may comprise hand-compressible materials well known in the art as suitable for a comfortable gripping surface for a human hand, including naturally derived and synthetic materials like rubbers, foams, plastics, and like materials. 
         [0013]    As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the housing  104  includes the applicator head  105 , which is further adapted to rotate, oscillate, and/or vibrate under the driving force of the electrically-powered motor. The power source may include at least one replaceable or rechargeable battery, or electrical power direct from an electrical outlet, or combinations thereof. The motor may comprise a small, compact, electrically powered motor of the type well known in the art for powering hand-held devices. The connection between the applicator head  105  and motor is adapted to transfer the power of the motor to the applicator head  105  so the head may rotate, oscillate, and/or vibrate under the control of the user. Said connection may include electromagnetic, electromechanical, piezoelectric, or mechanical means. 
         [0014]    The applicator head  105  is further adapted to accommodate a plurality of skin-compatible applicator head covers  105   a . By way of non-limiting example only, the plurality of skin-compatible applicator head covers may include, a loofah cover, a sponge cover, a chamois cover or other cover derived from animal skin, a cloth cover or other cover derived from plant or synthetic material, like cotton, nylon, or polyester, non-porous or plastic covers, a textured or brush-like cover, or other covers suitable for contact with skin, including human skin. In some embodiments, it may be preferable that the skin-compatible applicator head cover is adapted to be generally non-absorbent so that any fluid, ointment, cream, lotion, suntan oil, soap, etc. applied to the head cover is substantially transferred to the area of interest and not absorbed by the head cover. A desirable feature of such a non-absorbent head cover is that it can be easily cleaned and is reusable. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment of the cosmetic device shown in  FIG. 2 , the variable length shaft  201  includes at least one hinge  201   a  to fold and unfold the shaft  201  along its length. In a preferred embodiment of the cosmetic device, the variable length shaft  201  is arched  203  to allow the user to effectively position the device to reach hard-to-reach areas without having to uncomfortably contort the arm and shoulder. The arched shaft  203 , in relation to the applicator base  204 , creates an acute angle  205  that further allows the user to apply a substantial area of the applicator base surface  206  to the area of interest—again without having to uncomfortably contort the arm and shoulder to reach the area. The device is further adapted to be lightweight and portable. Preferably, the device would weigh less than five pounds, more preferably, 1 to 3 pounds. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows an embodiment illustrating how the arched, elongated shaft  301   a  and the acute angle  302  formed between the terminal end of the shaft  303  and the applicator head  304  allows a user  30  of the cosmetic device  301  to apply a substantial area of the applicator base surface  105 ,  206  to a hard-to-reach area of a human back without having to uncomfortably contort the arm and shoulder to reach the area. 
         [0017]    It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments and variations may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.”