Abstract:
A dispensing applicator for applying liquid to the skin, comprising a handle having an internal reservoir for containing a liquid, a head having an applicator portion, and a liquid delivery mechanism interconnecting the reservoir of the handle to the applicator portion of the head, and operative responsive to pivotal movement of the handle to deliver liquid from the reservoir to the applicator portion when the applicator portion is positioned against a user&#39;s skin.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of liquid applicators, and, more particularly to devices for dispensing and applying liquids, such as skin care lotions or oil, onto the back and other parts of the body that are ordinarily difficult to reach. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Recent years have seen the advent of a variety of oil, soap, and lotion applicators. In particular, a number of these devices have incorporated built-in or attached liquid reservoirs so that users can dispense and apply a liquid more conveniently. There have also been developed several applicators to assist a person in applying lotions and the like to areas of the body, such as the back, that are difficult to reach. 
     While long-handled brushes and applicators that are directed to dispensing and applying various types of liquids are known in the art, these prior art devices have several shortcomings that have negatively offset their utility. For example, most of these devices lack any effective means for regulating and stopping the flow of lotion or other liquid onto the brush or sponge applicator. As a result, excessive liquids are often dispensed which leads to undesirable leakage, often spoiling clothing or other items with which they are in contact. Still further, uncontrolled dispensing of the liquid can cause running of the liquid when the applicator is placed in contact with the skin, frustrating the user and wasting the liquid. 
     Another problem inherent in these prior art devices is the difficulty with which liquid is dispensed to the applicator. Most of the devices must be “squeezed” against the skin to dispense the liquid. For aged and handicapped users, these devices have proven extremely difficult, if not impossible, to use. One attempted solution to this problem has been to incorporate levers or buttons into the handles of these devices to force the liquid from the reservoir and onto the applicator sponge or head. Again, however, once activated, there is no way to stop the flow of liquid until the pressure in the reservoir diminishes. Also, because these devices require some degree of strength and dexterity, many aged and handicapped persons have not been able to use them. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a dispensing applicator for applying a liquid, such as lotion, to the skin and that overcomes the problems of the applicators and dispensers of the prior art. 
     In one embodiment, the dispensing applicator comprises a head, a handle, and a liquid delivery mechanism. The head includes a base portion and an applicator portion. As will be explained in greater detail below, the applicator portion is pivotally connected to one end of the base portion to facilitate ease of manipulation in dispensing liquid to the surface of the skin. As used herein, the applicator portion refers to that part of the head that is intended for contact with the user&#39;s skin. A fluid outlet is formed through the applicator portion so that the lotion, or other liquid, is easily dispensed directly to the user&#39;s skin. In one preferred embodiment, the applicator portion further includes a substantially planar applicator pad that is adapted for rubbing liquids onto the surface of the skin. One such pad is formed of a soft rubber that is not harmful to sensitive skin. 
     The handle of the dispensing applicator is substantially hollow and comprises a reservoir for containing the liquid to be dispensed. The handle includes a free end that is capped, and a fixed end that is interconnected to and in fluid communication with the base portion of the head. The handle is of sufficient length and shape to permit a user to grasp the free end and reach remote portions of the body, such as the back, with the applicator without undue exertion. The free end of the handle may optionally include a rubber, or other non-slip, grip. 
     In one embodiment, the handle comprises at least two hollow sections. One of the sections is substantially straight, while the other has an arcuate portion. Ergonomically, this permits the user to apply the applicator to the skin without having to bend or strain. In a second embodiment, one section of the handle is substantially straight and the other has an angled portion. The two sections of the handle are detachably connected via male and female threaded connections. This detachable connection serves two functions: (1) it provides a means for supplying lotion to the hollow reservoir, and (2) it permits the dispensing applicator to be “broken down” for compact storage when the user is traveling, or the like. A separate cap may be provided to allow the filled reservoir section to be transported without spilling. 
     The liquid delivery mechanism is disposed substantially within the head of the dispensing applicator and interconnects the reservoir of the handle to the applicator portion of the head. In one embodiment, the liquid delivery mechanism comprises a spring-actuated pump. One such pump is a conventional reciprocating piston pump. The spring of the pump functions to bias the pump in a closed position, whereby liquid is prevented from flowing to the applicator portion when the applicator is not in use. Further, the pump biases the base portion of the head away from the applicator portion. In use, when the applicator portion is positioned against a user&#39;s skin and pressure is exerted downward on the handle in the direction of the user&#39;s skin, the applicator portion pivots, depressing the spring-actuated pump, causing liquid to be dispensed by the pump from the reservoir to the applicator portion of the head. 
     These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following description of the preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings. It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the liquid applicator dispenser of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the dispenser of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of an alternative embodiment of the handle of the dispenser of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the head of the dispenser of the present invention is a relaxed position; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the head of the dispenser of the present invention in a depressed position; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged detailed view of one embodiment of a piston pump for dispensing liquid; and 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional exploded view of the pin and cylinder locking arrangement taken along Line  8 — 8  of  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the present invention is directed to a dispensing applicator for applying a liquid, such as lotion or oil, to the skin. Shown generally as  10 , the dispensing applicator, in its simplest construction, comprises an elongated handle  20 , a head  30 , and a liquid delivery mechanism  40 . 
     Referring also to  FIG. 3 , in one preferred embodiment the elongated handle  20  comprises two detachably connected sections, handle portion  23  and reservoir portion  24 . The handle portion  23 , which has a free end  23   a , serves as the gripping portion of the dispensing applicator  10 . The handle portion  23  is a substantially straight hollow tube that is constructed from a lightweight plastic. Although there are numerous suitable plastics, and composite materials that would provide a suitable durable construction, acetal-type plastics, or polycarbonate plastics are quite suitable and readily available commercially. Further, as one objective of the present invention is to provide an economical construction, tubing formed from these plastics is also relatively inexpensive. A cap  23   c  is affixed over the free end  23   a  of the handle portion  23  to seal the free end  23   a  so that liquid contained in the reservoir portion  24  will not pour out. Alternatively, other forms of seals or plugs may be placed within the hollow handle section  23  at some point along its length to prevent fluid loss. Optionally, a grip  23   d , such as a contoured rubber tube, is fitted over the handle section  23  toward the free end  23   a . The grip  23   d  may be either pressure fitted, or adhered to the handle section  23  with a commercially available waterproof epoxy. 
     At the opposite end of the handle portion  23  is a male threaded connector  23   b  formed in the tubing. This threaded connector  23   b  permits a user to easily thread the handle portion  23  into the threaded female connector  24   b  of the reservoir portion  24  of the handle  20 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate there is no significance as to which of the two portions, handle  23  or reservoir  24 , is male or female. Alternatively, instead of threaded connections, the handle  20  construction could comprise friction fit connections. Although the entire handle  20  could be used as a reservoir, only the reservoir portion  24  is needed to hold the liquid  28 , as it would not be practical to fill both portions  23 ,  24 , and risk spilling the lotion when assembling and disassembling the applicator  10 . Thus, the reservoir portion  24  is sized so that it will hold enough liquid for several applications. 
     The reservoir portion  24  of the handle  20  is desirably constructed of the same hollow plastic tubing as the handle portion  23 . From the threaded connector  24   b , the reservoir portion  24  comprises a short straight section  24   c  of hollow tubing, a downward turning arcuate section  24   d , and then another straight section  24   e  that extends downward to the end  24   a  of the reservoir. The two straight sections  24   c  and  24   e  form an obtuse angle with respect to one another. It has been found that an angle of between about 90 degrees and 140 degrees is optimal, with an angle of about 115 degrees being preferred. In relationship to the head  30 , the straight section  24   e  forms an acute angle with respect to the upper surface of the head  30 . It has been found that when the straight sections form such an obtuse angle, straight section  24   e  preferably forms an angle of between about 30 degrees and 70 degrees with the upper surface of the head  30 , and desirably about 55 degrees. Alternatively, and as shown in  FIG. 4 , another embodiment of the dispensing applicator  100  could be comprised of a substantially straight handle portion  230 , and a reservoir portion  240  having two substantially straight lengths in angled relation with one another. The angle designated as ‘x’ in  FIG. 4  will also be between about 90 degrees and 130 degrees, with an angle of about 115 degrees being preferred. 
     The open end  24   a  of the reservoir section  24  is joined to a short, vertical section  25  of tube of the same diameter. Thus, section  24   d  extends downward at an angle toward the head  30  and is joined with vertical section  25  which extends downward at substantially a right angle to the upper surface of the head  30 . End  24   a  and tube  25  are joined together with a commercially available waterproof epoxy. Alternatively, section  25  may be integrally formed with the reservoir portion  24 . Mounted within the upper portion of the vertical section is a durable plastic, disc-shaped insert  26 . Insert  26  functions as the bottom of the reservoir. This insert  26  is bonded to the inner walls of the tube  25  with waterproof epoxy. The orifice  26   a , sized to mate with the pump inlet, is formed through the insert  26 . The insert  26  and orifice  26   a  arrangement thus serves to seal the end of the reservoir and interconnects the liquid delivery mechanism  40 , described hereinbelow, to the head  30  of the dispensing applicator  10 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the diameter of the orifice, and hence, of the intake  40   a  of the liquid delivery mechanism  40 , will depend upon the type of fluid  28  anticipated for use in the dispensing applicator. 
     The head  30  of the dispensing applicator  10  comprises a base portion  33  and an applicator portion  37 . As best shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the base portion  33  comprises a substantially rectangular connector plate  33   a  that is connected to the bottom end  25   b  of the vertical tube section  25 . Again, end  25   b  and the connector plate  33   a  are joined with a commercially available waterproof epoxy, or alternatively, are integrally formed. Connector plate  33   a  is also constructed of a durable plastic. As will be understood hereinbelow, the connector plate is shorter and narrower than the applicator portion  37 . A horizontally oriented hollow plastic cylinder  34  is adhesively bonded to edge  33   b  of the connector plate  33 . At the opposed end of the connector plate is a vertical stop  33   c  which will function to maintain the head  30  in the relaxed position when the dispensing applicator is either not in use or when the user is simply rubbing the liquid  28  onto the skin. A circular orifice  33   d  is formed through the connector plate  33  and is dimensioned to approximate the diameter of the liquid delivery mechanism  40  to be mounted therein. 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , the applicator portion  37  of the head  30  is generally rectangular with sides and ends that define a box-like structure, with a partially open top  37   i . For comfort to a user, the opposed ends  37   a ,  37   b  of the applicator portion are slightly rounded so that a user will not be harmed when rubbing the applicator portion  37  against the skin. The applicator surface  37   c  is substantially planar and rectangular. An orifice  38  is formed through the applicator surface  37   c  to interconnect to the liquid delivery mechanism  40  to permit discharge of the liquid  28  from the liquid delivery mechanism  40  onto the surface the user&#39;s skin. Optionally, an applicator pad  38  is affixed to the applicator surface  37   c  to provide a soft rubbing surface for contact with the skin so that the dispensed liquid  28  can be rubbed into the skin. Desirably, the applicator pad  38  is formed as a sheet of non-absorbing and non-reactive rubber. One suitable rubber is USP Class XI EPDM rubber which is an FDA-approved rubber that is suitable for contact with sensitive skin. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the applicator pad may be fitted into a recess  37   e  formed in the application surface  37   c . Any epoxy that is compatible with both rubber and plastic may be used to adhere the pad  38  to the surface  37   c  of the applicator portion  37 . 
     The base portion  33  and the applicator portion  37  are connected together about a pivot point  35 . The base portion  33  is dimensioned to fit through the open top  37   i  of the applicator portion  37 . A pin  36 , or rod, is inserted through the slots  37   j ,  37   k  in walls  37   f  and  37   g  of the applicator portion  37  and extends through the length of the hollow plastic cylinder  34 . The pin  36  may be dimensioned with grooves formed around the circumference of the pin  36  at opposed ends to engage the walls  37   f  and  37   g  so that the rod remains in place. Alternatively, other fasteners, such as bolts or the like may be used to pivotally connect the portions  33 ,  37  together. 
     One preferable mechanism  40  for moving liquid  28  from the reservoir portion  24  and delivering it to the surface of the user&#39;s skin, is a commercially available reciprocating piston pump, shown in detail in  FIG. 7 . As those skilled in the art will appreciate, such a pump conventionally comprises two one-way valves  40   d ,  40   e  in the pumping system: one  40   d  between the reservoir portion  24  and the pump chamber and one  40   e  between the pump chamber and the nozzle, or discharge, end of the pump. For a vertically oriented design, a piston is disposed within the pump chamber in contact with the discharge end of the pump. When pressure is exerted on the spring-actuated discharge end, compressing the spring  40   c , the one-way valve  40   e  between the pump chamber and the discharge end is unseated and the piston is pushed into the chamber. As the piston is pushed into the chamber, the volume of the chamber decreases, forcing liquid around the displaced one-way valve and out of the nozzle. This inward pressure of the piston forces the other one-way valve  40   d  to remain seated. When pressure is removed from the spring-actuated discharge end, the spring forces the piston to retreat from the pump chamber and causes the one-way valve  40   e  to reseat, sealing the nozzle. The increase in volume in the pump chamber creates a vacuum which unseats the one-way valve  40   d  at the reservoir portion  24  and draws liquid into the pump chamber. This completes one pump cycle. 
     One suitable pump (1–2 ml volume) is available from Pfeiffer, GmbH. The intake stem  40   a  of the pump  40  is in liquid communication with the reservoir portion  24  through the restrictive flow orifice  26   a . The pump  40  is securely mounted in opening  33   d  in the connector plate  33 . When activated the pump  40  withdraws liquid  28  from the reservoir section  24  of the handle and dispenses it from the discharge stem  40   b , through orifice  37   d  in the applicator surface and onto the user&#39;s skin. As is conventional, this type of pump is comprised of a fluid inlet, a flow-limiting check valve, a plunger or piston, and a flexible fluid discharge stem. The discharge stem is flexible so that it can bend as the head of the device pivots. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  6 , the operation of the present invention is illustrated. With liquid  28  in the reservoir section  24 , the above described dispensing applicator  10  is ready for use. A user will grasp the handle portion  23  of the dispensing applicator by grip  23   d  and place the applicator surface  37   c  head  30  against the desired skin area. The user will then apply a pivotal pressure in the direction of Arrow ‘A’. This pivotal pressure causes the base portion  33  to pivot downward about pivot point  35 . In one preferred embodiment, at least one lifting lever  39  is attached to the inner surface  37   h  of the applicator portion  37 . The lifting levers  39  project upward to engage the bottom flange  40   d  of the pump  40 , thereby compressing the spring  40   c . This compression of the spring  40   c  causes the pump to dispense a fixed volume of liquid  28  to the applicator pad  38 . As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the discharge stem  40   b  of the pump  40  is desirably flexible to allow for between about 5 degrees and 10 degrees of tilt during compression of the spring  40   c , without altering the performance of the pump  40 . When the user relaxes the pressure on the handle  23 , the spring  40   c  will return to a relaxed position, as shown in  FIG. 5 , and a new volume of liquid is withdrawn from the reservoir  24  through the intake stem  40   a  of the pump  40 . When the pressure on the spring is relaxed, the base  33  and applicator  37  will return to their starting positions relative to one another (see Arrow ‘B’). The stop  33   e  will come to rest against the upper inner surface  37   k  of the applicator portion  37 . Once relaxed, additional liquid is prevented from flowing from the reservoir  24 , so that leakage and running are prevented. The user can then repeat the action to dispense additional liquid  28 , as desired, or can use lateral rubbing motions to apply the liquid  28  to the skin. 
     To facilitate storage, or for convenience during travel, the dispensing applicator  10  may be partially disassembled. The two handle portions  23  and  24  are easily uncoupled and a threaded cap (not shown) may be inserted into the threaded connection  24   b  of the reservoir portion  24  to seal any unused liquid  28  in the reservoir portion  24 . Optionally, longitudinal grooves  34   a  may be formed in the walls of the hollow cylinder  34  to match corresponding longitudinal grooves  36   a  formed in the surface of the pin  36 . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a fork-like insert  52  having tines  52   a  can then be inserted into the aligned grooves  34   a ,  36   a  to prevent pivotal movement of the base  33  and applicator  37  sections. 
     Although the present invention has been described with exemplary constructions, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.