Patent Publication Number: US-5020182-A

Title: Single handle applicator

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to the art of applying lotions, medicines, and the like to the human body with a sanitary, clean, and inexpensive pad each time, without the aid of another person, and particularly deals with an injection-moulded plastic handle taking inserts which lock firmly in place for the duration of the application, but which can be easily removed and thrown away, so that a new and sanitary insert may be used for each application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Long handled scrubbers, back brushes, and applicators conventionally have the elongated handle fixed to the brush head, and are made to be used repeatedly. Such devices are unsanitary, an become rapidly unsuitable for the application of lotions, medications, and the like after as few as one application. It would thus be an improvement to the art to provide an applicator consisting of a handle and inexpensive, one-time use inserts which could be disposed of and replaced after each application. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to this invention, there is provided a hand operated applicator consisting of a handle made of rigid, injection-moulded plastic, and which has at one end an appropriately shaped handle for the human hand, and which has at the other end an appropriately designed slot with grooves to receive sanitary, disposable, one-time-use inserts, and locking slots to receive the locking studs which are moulded integrally with the plastic bases of the inserts and are on the flexing locking tabs. 
     This arrangement is designed to allow a person to apply medicines, lotions, and the like to his or her back or other part of the body without the aid of another person, and further, to allow the user to remove the used insert and replace it with a new, inexpensive, and sanitary insert with each application. The mechanical details of the insert end of the handle and of the inserts themselves, are such that wear is minimized to the handle, which is the more permanent and expensive part of the invention. 
     Another object of this invention is to provide the owner with the option of using the handle (with appropriately fashioned inserts) for functions other than it&#39;s primary function, that of sanitary application, without having to purchase other appliances specifically designed for that use (i.e. scrubbing, scratching, etc.). All appliances for use with the handle are to have a common semi-rigid plastic base to which are affixed the appropriate material for that particular function. 
    
    
     ON THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a horizontal view of the grasping handle of the apparatus, less the insert receptacle head, which is molded integrally with the handle, at the end opposite the grip. 
     FIG. 2 is a pictoral description of the receptacle end of the applicator. FIG. 3 is a pictoral description of a large size applicator insert. 
     FIG. 4 is a pictoral description of a massage insert. 
     FIG. 5 is a pictoral description of a small size applicator insert. 
     FIG. 6 is a pictoral description of a shower brush insert. 
     FIG. 7 is a pictoral description of the universal insert plastic base. 
    
    
     AS SHOWN ON THE DRAWINGS 
     The handle of this invention 1 (FIG. 1) has a grip of textured plastic on one end 2, and a receptacle end 3 (FIG. 1, detail: FIG. 2) with grooves 4 and locking recesses 5 on the other, into which the sanitary disposable inserts (FIG. 3, FIG. 5) and other appliances (FIG. 4, FIG. 6) may be fitted and retained. These inserts are retained by the expendient of the locking studs 6 on the locking tabs 7 both of which are moulded integrally with the plastic base 12 of the inserts. 
     The receptacle end 3 of the handle 1, is moulded with a solid top 8 and sides 9, and with the bottom of open construction 10, so that the sanitary disposable pads or other appliances may protrude from the opening. The locking recesses 5 are moulded integrally into the sides. The end into which the inserts are placed is left open 11 (FIG. 2). 
     The plastic base 12 to which the sanitary disposable applicator pads and other appliances are affixed is universal to all appliances, consisting of a one piece injection-moulded platform FIG. 7, the dimensions of which allow it to slide snugly into the open end of the receptacle-handle 11, with squeezable locking tabs 7 moulded integrally with the base; these tabs are to be angled at approximately 3 degrees to facilitate the locking of the insert into the receptacle-handle by means of the locking studs 6 on the inserts engaging the locking recesses 5 in the receptacle end of the handle 3, and being forcibly retained therein by the outward spring action of the plastic locking tabs 7. 
     The sanitary and disposable pads, FIG. 3, FIG. 5, as well as any other appliances used with the receptacle-handle portion of this invention are to be bonded with the universal plastic base with adhesive or the like. 
     In order to insert the disposable sanitary inserts, the user grasps the handle in one hand, and the insert in the other. Aligning the insert with the grooves in the receptacle end of the handle, the user then pushes the insert firmly in place until the locking tabs 7 spring outward, and the locking studs 6 snaps outward into the locking recesses 5. 
     In order to remove the disposable sanitary inserts, the user grasps the handle in one hand, and the locking tabs 7, of the universal plastic base with the index finger and thumb of the opposite hand and squeezes the locking tabs 7 inward until the locking studs 6 are clear of the locking recesses 5, and then pulls the disposable insert free of the handle. From the above description, it will be readily understood that this invention provides a hand manipulated applicator with which the user can readily and easily use and replace sanitary, one-time-use absorbant pads to apply medicines, lotions, or other substances to the back, or other part of the body without the assistance of another person.