Abstract:
Generally, this invention is an applicator that provides for easy and efficient application of liquid substances to skin and/or hair; preferably, to a person&#39;s body, hair or skin, or to a pet&#39;s body, hair or skin. The applicator includes a handle portion having an engagement portion, a liquid medicine dispenser that removably engages with the handle portion&#39;s engagement portion, the dispenser comprises a hollow interior space with a liquid substance, preferably medicinal and at least one opening for dispensing the liquid substance through hollow “teeth” connected to the handle portion. The teeth selectively distribute the liquid substance to the person or pet&#39;s hair by brushing. In another embodiment, the applicator is made of a material that is easily disposable or breakable so that it is safe for use with children or in potentially violent atmospheres such as prisons.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/762,254, filed Jan. 26, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally, to the field of devices for easily and efficiently applying liquid substances to skin and/or hair, specifically, to applicator systems for applying liquid products to a person&#39;s body, hair or skin, or to a pet&#39;s body, hair or skin. The present invention further relates to an applicator that includes a safety feature.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     It is often necessary to apply medicinal substances or other liquid substance to a person&#39;s body, hair, whether it is the person&#39;s scalp or body hair. As used herein, the term “liquid substance” or “medicinal substance” or “medicinal liquid” or “medicated liquid” refers to any liquid, gel, shampoo, salve, suspension, emulsion, or other vehicle for delivering pharmaceutical agents, medicine, antibiotics, nutraceuticals, supplements, vitamins, or similar substances, to the hair and/or skin of a person, or the coat and/or skin of a pet or other animal. As used herein, the term “pharmaceutical agent” refers to any drug. Liquid substances can be used for treating various ailments, such as body lice, dermatitis, dandruff, infections, and many other diseases of the hair, body and skin. Liquid substances can also be used for general hair or skin care, or health and beauty needs, such as for treating the appearance of the hair or skin.  
         [0004]     In some situations, such as with certain adults or children, it is difficult to entrust an applicator made of a hard material, such as a hard plastic or metal, to the individual. For example, an adult that has been incarcerated would not be entrusted with an applicator made of a hard material such as a hard plastic, which could be used as or fashioned into a weapon. Due to safety concerns, an alternate applicator would be preferable.  
         [0005]     Particularly in the field of pet care, it is often necessary to apply a liquid substance to a pet&#39;s coat or skin, for various reasons. Difficulties in applying a liquid substance to a pet&#39;s coat or skin include ensuring that the liquid substance spread uniformly over the pet&#39;s coat, or contact to the pet&#39;s skin. Often, liquid substances are supplied in bottles, tubes or jars, and are applied to the coat of a pet. Then, a brush or comb is used to spread the liquid substance throughout the pet&#39;s coat or skin. This is inefficient, and does not spread the liquid substance uniformly. Also, it may be necessary to use an applicator for applying a liquid substance to a child&#39;s hair and/or body, such as in the case of an outbreak of lice.  
         [0006]     Thus, there is the need for a device that will easily, efficiently, and generally uniformly spread liquid substances on and through a person&#39;s or pet&#39;s hair and/or skin.  
         [0007]     There is further the need for an applicator that is formed with safety in mind.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention is an applicator comprising: a handle portion having an engagement portion; a dispenser comprising: a hollow interior space for holding a liquid substance, a liquid substance held at least partially within the hollow interior space, at least one opening for dispensing the liquid substance, and, an engagement portion; the engagement portion of the dispenser removably engageable with the engagement portion of the handle portion. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a cross sectional side view of an applicator according to the present invention.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a close up cross sectional view of one dispenser tooth according to the present invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the applicator shown in  FIG. 1 , with the dispenser cartridge disengaged from the handle portion.  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a close up partial cross sectional view of a tooth of the dispenser of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a close up partial cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of a tooth of the dispenser of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of an applicator according to the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of an applicator according to the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of an applicator according to the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional side view of another embodiment of an applicator according to the present invention.  
         [0018]      FIG. 10  is a bottom view of another embodiment of an applicator according to the present invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a disposable and breakable applicator according to another embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of the disposable and breakable applicator of  FIG. 11  according to the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 13  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of the disposable and breakable applicator according to the present invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 14  is a cross sectional view of the disposable and breakable applicator of  FIG. 12  according to the present invention, including a cover.  
         [0023]      FIG. 15  is a cross sectional view of the disposable and breakable applicator of  FIG. 12  according to the present invention, including a plastic closure sheet.  
         [0024]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a disposable and breakable applicator according to the present invention, showing the applicator fragmented after force has been applied to the applicator.  
         [0025]      FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a disposable and breakable applicator according to the present invention.  
         [0026]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a disposable and breakable applicator according to the present invention, showing the applicator including fragmentation lines along which the applicator can easily break. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]      FIGS. 1-4  show one embodiment of an applicator  10  according to the present invention. The applicator  10  includes a handle portion  12  having at least one opening  14  for receiving a dispenser  16 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser  16  is pre-filled with, for example, a liquid substance for applying to a person&#39;s hair or skin, or a pet&#39;s coat or skin. In that preferred embodiment, the applicator is shaped as a hair brush or comb; however, other shapes may be used. The applicator may be formed with or without a handle portion, depending on preference.  
         [0028]     The dispenser  16  of the present invention may take several forms. In one embodiment, the dispenser  16  is formed as a cartridge  18 . The cartridge  18  is a single unit formed having an interior portion  20  (See  FIG. 7 ) which is at least partially hollow. A liquid substance including, for example, a drug in a liquid vehicle, is provided in the interior portion  20 . The drug may be any known drug, such as a pharmaceutical, a homeopathic drug, a vitamin, or nutraceutical drug, or any other substance for the treatment, mitigation, or cure of disease in man or other animals.  
         [0029]     The handle portion  12  is formed including an engagement portion  52  that is adapted to removably engage the cartridge  18 . The cartridge  18  may be formed having ridges, and the engagement portion  52  may be formed having corresponding flanges for engaging the ridges, so that the cartridge  18  may slide into place and attach to the handle portion. Alternately, the handle and cartridge  18  may be formed of plastic, whereby the cartridge  18  may be formed to snap-in and engage the engagement portion  52 . Other arrangements whereby the cartridge  18  may be selectively attached to and disengaged from the handle portion may be used without departing from the present invention.  
         [0030]     The cartridge  18  has a plurality of teeth  22  extending therefrom. At least one tooth  22  has a hollow interior portion or space  24  adapted to receive the medicinal liquid. As shown in  FIGS. 2, 4  and  5 , an opening  26  is provided at the application end  26  of each tooth  22  for allowing liquid to pass from the interior portion  24  to the coat of skin of a pet or human. The teeth may have multiple openings  26  for allowing the dispensing of the liquid, as shown in  FIG. 6 .  
         [0031]     The application end  26  of each tooth  22  may be formed in any manner whereby the liquid substance held within the interior portion  24  of the tooth  22  will be dispensed to and/or contact the coat or skin of a pet as needed when the applicator is in use. For example, the application end  26  may be formed having a permeable, semi-permeable, absorptive, or adsorptive plug  30  for controlling the passage of liquid, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The plug  30  may be formed from a material adapted to absorb or adsorb the liquid substance, such as a cloth material, felt, gauze, micropores, cotton, coated plastic, or other similar materials. The material forming the plug  30  may be selected so that the liquid substance is dispensed at a controlled and uniform rate. Those familiar with the art of liquid substance applicators, particularly in the field of pharmaceutical applicators, will be familiar with such materials.  
         [0032]     The plug  30  may be formed as a “rolling ball” arrangement, such as in a ballpoint ink pen, where the plug  30  rotates as the applicator  10  is passed over a person&#39;s hair or skin or pet&#39;s coat or skin. The plug  30  will roll or rotate during application, becoming coated with the liquid substance from a side facing the interior portion  24 , and applying the liquid substance to a person&#39;s hair or skin, or a pet&#39;s coat or skin, when it contacts the person&#39;s hair or skin or, the pet&#39;s coat or skin. This arrangement provides for a comfortable and uniform application method.  
         [0033]     The handle portion  12  may be formed having a means for selectively dispensing the liquid substance from the interior portions  20 ,  24 , and out of the openings in the teeth  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 . For example, a an actuator such as a button  32  may be provided and may be formed as a reservoir  34  in communication with the interior portion  20 . Depressing or squeezing the button  32  will contract the reservoir  34 , and provide a pressurized or mechanical force to urge the liquid substance out of the interior portion  24  and through the teeth  22 .  
         [0034]     Alternately, the actuator may be a push bar  36 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , may be provided extended from the back of the handle portion  12 . The push bar  36  is moveable, so that it can press against, for example, a bladder or reservoir  38  formed in the interior portion of the cartridge  18 . When a user presses on the push bar  36 , force is exerted on the bladder or reservoir  38 , forcing more liquid substance from the teeth  22 . It is appreciated that other arrangements for selectively increasing the amount of liquid substance dispensed, or the force with which the liquid substance is dispensed, may be employed without departing from the current invention.  
         [0035]     For ease of use and efficiency, the cartridge  18  is detachable from the handle portion  12 , and can be easily replaced with another cartridge  18 . Thus, the cartridge  18  may be sold separately from the handle portion  12 , and may be pre-filled with any liquid substance, or with a combination or plurality of liquid substances. A user may purchase the handle portion  12  adapted for use in connection with the present invention, and simply purchase replacement cartridges as needed. In addition, the cartridge  18  may be pre-filled with different liquid substances, such as combinations or different medicinal liquids (for pets, anti-flea, anti-tick, vitamins; for people, anti-bacterials, anti-fungus, anti-dandruff, etc.) in different teeth.  
         [0036]     In an alternate embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , rather than having an entire cartridge  18  as the dispenser  16 , a handle  40  may have engagement sections formed as openings  42  for receiving individual ampules  44 . The ampules  44  act as the teeth of a comb or brush. Ampules  44  are frictionally held within the openings  42 , and may be held by a snapping arrangement or a tongue-in-groove arrangement. Shown in  FIG. 10  is an alternate embodiment showing a brush handle  46  formed having openings  48  for receiving the ampules  44 . The ampules  44  may be formed having caps or other stopper elements to maintain the liquid substance within the ampules  44  prior to use. The ampules  44  may be formed having an opening, a plurality of openings, a plug as described above, or other similar arrangements for dispensing the liquid substance held within the ampule  44  when the cap is removed. The ampules  44  may include a peal-away plastic cover portion so that the liquid substance will not leak prior to use.  
         [0037]     According to this embodiment, it is possible for a user to selectively arrange different user-selected liquid substances in the handle  40  for applying to a person&#39;s hair or skin or, a pet&#39;s coat or skin. The ampules  44  may be provided pre-filled with different liquid substances. Thus, a combination of medications (ampules for psoriasis, ampules for dandruff, ampules with liquid vitamin E, etc.) may be applied at once, all based on a user&#39;s preference.  
         [0038]     As is apparent, the present invention provides a use with many options. Different liquid substances can be selected for use with the handle portions, and can be arranged as needed by the user. The applicator of the present invention is easy to use, and effective in dispersing a liquid substance on a person&#39;s hair or skin or pet&#39;s coat or skin. The dispenser provides for ease of use and easy clean-up. In addition, because the liquid substance is not stored in the handle, it can be stored safely and will not evaporate or otherwise spoil. The handle may be formed in different ergonomic shapes, or having extensions for applying liquid substance to different parts of a pet.  
         [0039]     A disposable and breakable applicator  100  is also disclosed herein, that is at least partially formed from a material that meets the following properties: the material should not be capable of being formed into a sharp or dangerous object; the material should be readily breakable, frangible and/or deformable when a sufficient force is applied to it, such as if an attempt is made to shape or sharpen it into a weapon or if the applicator is used in an attempt to hurt a person or animal; the material should be capable of being formed or molded into the shape of an applicator as described herein; the material should be strong and dense enough for packing, shipping and/or containing a liquid substance without breaking during normal shipping conditions and normal use. In a preferred embodiment, the entire applicator  100 , or a majority of the body of the applicator  100 , is formed from a suitable material meeting the previously listed criteria.  
         [0040]     Suitable materials for forming at least a portion of the applicator may include, but are not limited to: foam, styrofoam, polystyrene foams, polymethacrylimide foam (Rohacell 51), polyvinylchloride foam (Conticell), polyurethane foam, Styrofoam IB, polypropylene foam (EPP), Nomex Honeycomb, rigid urethane foam, polyethylene foam, ionomer foam, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, neoprene, polybutadiene rubbers, or equivalents or substitutes of any of these materials. Rubber or silicone may also be used. Combinations of any of the previously listed materials may also be used.  
         [0041]     One embodiment of the disposable and breakable applicator  100 , is formed from one or any combination of the listed suitable disposable and breakable materials, such as a Styrofoam. The applicator  100  may take the form of a brush  101  or comb, including a brush body  103  and handle  105 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , and having a plurality of teeth  102 . The brush  101  is formed having a cavity  104  for storing a liquid substance. In one embodiment, shown in  FIG. 13 , the cavity  104  is lined, coated or otherwise treated with a material, such as a plastic  107  or other coating, so that the liquid substance does not eat away or otherwise damage the inner walls of the applicator  100  forming the cavity  104 .  
         [0042]     At least one tooth  102  is formed having a reservoir  106  that may be in communication with the cavity  104 . A tooth  102  formed with such a reservoir  106  has an opening  108  at its end  110 , so that a liquid substance in the cavity  104  may flow through the reservoir  106 , and out of the opening  108  to treat, for example, a person&#39;s skin or hair, or a pet&#39;s skin or coat. A select number or all of the teeth  102  may be formed having such reservoirs  106  and openings  108 . The inner walls of the teeth  102  forming the reservoirs  106  may be treated with or coated with a material, such as a plastic, so that the liquid substance does not eat away or otherwise damage the inner walls of the teeth  102 .  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 14 , a cover  112  may be provided covering and sealing the openings  108  of the applicator  100  prior to use. A plastic peal-away film or sheet may also be provided which is pealed off before use. The cover  112  may be formed of the same material as the brush  101 , or any other safe material. The cover  112  may removably attach to the brush body  103  such as through a tongue and groove arrangement, by an adhesive, by hook and loop fasteners, snapping engagement, or any other acceptable attachment means. Alternately, as shown in  FIG. 15 , a plastic film or sheet  114  may be provided sealing the openings  108  of the applicator  100  prior to use. The sheet  114  may be attached adjacent the opening  108  such as by an adhesive. When ready for use, the sheet  114  is pealed away and disposed of, and any liquid substance stored in the cavity  104  may pass through the reservoirs  106  and out of the openings  108 .  
         [0044]     In use, the cover  112  or sheet  114  is removed from the applicator  100 , and the applicator  100  is used to supply the liquid substance until the treatment is complete, or the liquid substance runs out. The present invention provides a discrete amount of liquid substance (such as an amount that is non-lethal or non-toxic even if ingested), and a disposable applicator  100 .  
         [0045]     If, for example, an inmate at a prison attempts to fashion the applicator  100  into a make-shift weapon, because of the properties of the material(s) from which the applicator  100  is made, the applicator  100  will simply break or crumble into pieces, as shown in  FIG. 16 .  
         [0046]     In an alternate embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 17 , a plastic liner or pouch  114  positioned within the cavity  104  and reservoir  106  is pre-filled with a liquid substance  118 . The plastic liner  114  may be formed as a pouch or puncturable plastic bag, with extensions  116  that extend into the reservoirs  106 . In this embodiment, the teeth  102  may not have openings in their ends. Prior to use, the ends  110  of the teeth  102  are cut or snipped with a scissors or any type of shears or cutting instrument prior to use. Cutting adjacent the end  110  of a tooth  102  will simultaneously cut the portion of the extension  116  lining the reservoir  106  of that tooth  102 , so that the liquid substance  18  will flow from the liner  114 , and the applicator  100  may be used.  
         [0047]     As shown in  FIG. 18 , to increase the breakability, the applicator  100  may further be formed with serrations, notches, cuts or fracture lines  113 , along which the applicator  100  will break if sufficient force is supplied to the applicator  100 , such as if an attempt is made to fashion the applicator  100  into a weapon. The facture lines  113  provide areas or portions where the material forming the applicator is weakened. Sufficient force may be, for example, the force applied in an attempt to shape the applicator  100  into a weapon, or use the applicator  100  as a weapon by attacking a person with the applicator  100 . A child could also be given such an applicator, without fear of the child hurting themselves, such that if the child pokes themselves too hard with the applicator, the applicator will break and/or fracture. Thus, a safety applicator is provided, having a novel and unique arrangement so that it can be given to a person where safety or fear of the person using a hard, non-breakable object, is a concern.  
         [0048]     It is appreciated that all of the various features of an applicator described herein may be combined to produce an applicator having a plurality of features such as described herein.  
         [0049]     Having thus described in detail several embodiments of the present invention, it is to be appreciated and will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many physical changes, only a few of which are exemplified in the detailed description of the invention, could be made without altering the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. It is also to be appreciated that numerous embodiments incorporating only part of the preferred embodiment are possible which do not alter, with respect to those parts, the inventive concepts and principles embodied therein. The present embodiment and optional configurations are therefore to be considered in all respects as exemplary and/or illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all alternate embodiments and changes to this embodiment which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of said claims are therefore to be embraced therein.