AU779622B2

AU779622B2 - Applicator and storage apparatus

Info

Publication number: AU779622B2
Application number: AU56086/99A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Charles Genn
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-10-27
Filing date: 1999-10-26
Publication date: 2005-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2019-10-26
Also published as: AU5608699A

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT APPLICATOR AND STORAGE APPARATUS The following statement is a full description for this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me.

-2- "APPLICATOR AND STORAGE APPARATUS" THIS INVENTION relates to applicator and storage apparatus.

This invention has particular application to an applicator and storage apparatus for applying creams, lotions and such like to the skin and. for illustrative purposes, reference will be made to such applications. However, it will be appreciated that this invention could be-used in other applications where a liquid is to be applied to a surface.

It is difficult to apply creams and lotions, such as sun cream, insect repellent and such like, evenly to the skin with the hand. This results in some skin areas receiving too much ooo.

gig lotion and other areas too little.

Where a lotion is applied for medical reasons, it is often the case that an even application is essential. In some situations, uneven application leading to too little lotion being applied, or even in some cases, no effective amount at all, to some areas to the skin to be treated, may have serious consequences. For example, if sun screen is inadequately applied, and that area of skin is exposed to the sun, then serious skin damage may follow.

It is not possible, or at least very difficult, for most adults to reach all areas of their own bodies to apply lotions to their skin by hand. Some parts of the body, particularly near and between the shoulder blades, are practically inaccessible.

Application of some formulations by hand leaves the hands greasy or slippery, making the handling of equipment, such as sporting or gardening equipment, or the operation of machinery, such as driving an automobile, difficult or even dangerous. Some -3formulations may be irritating to the eyes or mucosal membranes, such that application of such formulations by hand is inadvisable.

Applicators have been provided for providing an even coating of lotion to the body. However, such applicators are not suitable for outdoor use, and become easily blocked by sand, dust, and/or dirt and become inoperable. Some applicators have been prone to leakage, releasing lotion when not intended onto clothing, hands, or into pockets or sensitive areas such the eyes. Applicators have been provided which are extended in length so as to enable a user to reach inaccessible, or difficult -to-reach areas of the body, and the extended length makes such applicators inconvenient to carry or stow.

The present invention aims to alleviate one or more of the 15 above disadvantages and to provide applicator and storage apparatus which will be reliable and efficient in use. One object of the present invention to provide applicator and storage apparatus which does not become contaminated by sand or dirt when not in use. Another object of the present invention is to provide applicator and storage apparatus which enables a user to reach inaccessible areas of the body when in use. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide applicator and storage apparatus which permits even application of lotion or cream to a person's body. Other objects and advantages of the present invention may become apparent from the following description.

In broad terms, the present invention aims to meet the above objects in providing applicator apparatus, or applicator and storage apparatus, which may be an assembly of parts, and the -4apparatus or the assembly of parts are adapted to be fitted together into two arrangements. In one arrangement, hereinafter referred to as an operative arrangement, the apparatus, or assembly of parts when fitted together, is adapted for applying a lotion or such like to a person's body. In the other arrangement, hereinafter referred to as a stowed arrangement, the apparatus, or the assembly of parts when so fitted together, is adapted for storage of the lotion or storage of the operative parts of the apparatus.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, this invention in one aspect resides broadly in applicator apparatus adapted to S. be arranged into either an operative arrangement or a stowed .arrangement as hereinbefore defined, sai.d cpoplicator apparatus including: a handle portion, and a neck portion extending from said handle portion and having mounted on a distal end thereof, remote from said handle portion, a head assembly, including two elongate head portions, each of which are pivotally mounted on said neck portion for pivotal movement from said stowed arrangement, in which each head portion is disposed substantially alongside said neck portion, to said operative arrangement in which said head portions are disposed substantially at right angles to said neck portion and wherein said head portions are biassed and/or releaseably lockable to said operative arrangement.

Preferably, the head portions are lockable in the operative arrangement by way of a self-latching, self-biassing tongue which has a single saw-tooth projection on one of the head portions adapted to op-operate with a corresponding abutment formed in a cavity in. the other head portion.

Suitably, in the stowed arrangement, the head assembly is in a folded attitude with respect to the neck portion, and in the operative arrangement, the head assembly is in a deployed attitude with respect to the neck assembly.

In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in applicator and storage apparatus adapted to be arranged into either an operative arrangement or a stowed arrangement as hereinbefore defined, said applicator and storage apparatus including: a handle part having an opening to a chamber, said chamber being adapted to receive and substantially enclose an applicator assembly when said applicator assembly is in said stowed e arrangement, wherein said applicator assembly includes first mating means adapted to mate with said opening to provide a substantially firm mounting of said applicator assembly in said oo. opening when in said operative arrangement and second mating means adapted to mate in the alternative with said opening to S provide a substantially firm mounting of said applicator assembly in said stowed arrangement.

Preferably, the first and second mating means include a male i part having an external surface sized to fit firmly in the opening, and the external surface is separated into the first and second mating means by abutment means which, in use, prevents the male part from being inserted too far into the opening.

It is also preferred that the applicator assembly includes a neck portion and a head assembly as hereinbefore defined.

Suitably, the handle part forms a housing for enclosing the head assembly, neck portion and second mating means.

-6- In another aspect, this invention resides broadly in applicator and storage apparatus adapted to be arranged into either an operative arrangement or a stowed arrangement as hereinbefore defined, said applicator and storage apparatus including: a container for storing a liquid and having an.opening for receiving and delivering the liquid; an adaptor having an adaptor opening, which opens to a chamber within said adaptor, and first and second attachment means, said first attachment means being for selectively attaching said adaptor to said container in said operative arrangement and said second attachment means being for selectively attaching said adaptor to said container in said stowed arrangement; and an applicator assembly adapted for receiving said liquid and applying said liquid to a surface and including first mating S means adapted to mate with said adaptor opening to provide a substantially firm mounting of said applicator assembly in said adaptor opening when in said operative arrangement, and second 20 mating means adapted to mate with said opening to provide a S substantially firm mounting of said applicator assembly when in said stowed arrangement, and said chamber being of a size sufficient for substantially enclosing said applicator assembly when in said stowed arrangement.

Preferably the first attachment means includes respective complementary male and female screw threaded parts on the container and the adaptor whereby the adaptor may be threadedly attached to the container in the operative arrangement. The preferred second attachment means includes complementary ridges r.

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and grooves of a dovetail cross-section by which the container is attached to the adaptor by sliding engagement of the ridge or ridges with the respective complementary groove or grooves.

The applicator assembly preferably includes a £ollapsible head assembly movable from a folded attitude and a deployed attitude. In the folded attitude, the collapsible head assembly pivots to collapse to fit inside the adaptor assembly, and in the deployed attitude, the collapsible head assembly pivots to enable effective delivery of the liquid to the skin of a user.

More preferably, the collapsible head assembly includes a neck portion which supports two like head parts which may pivot about an end portion of the neck portion to a side-by-side S attitude alongside the neck portion and be so formed as to fit inside the adaptor assembly, but pivot outward to assume a 15 position substantially at right angles to the neck portion. It is further preferred that the head parts are biassed to pivot to the right angle position and include locking means to releasably lock the head parts in the deployed attituder When in the S deployed attitude, the neck and the head parts form a T-shaped arrangement, with the neck portion forming the leg of the T.

In order that this invention may be more readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to the following drawings which describe a preferred embodiment of the invention, and wherein: Fig. 1 is a partly broken away perspective view of an applicator and storage apparatus in the. operative attitude; Fig. 2 is a part-sectional elevation of the applicator and storage apparatus of Fig. 1 in the stowed attitude; Fig. 3 collectively shows four views illustrating the -8method of changing the applicator and storage apparatus from its stowed attitude to its operative attitude; and Fig. 4 collectively shows an applicator head for the applicator and storage apparatus of Figs. .1 to 3 in a folded attitude and a deployed attitude.

Throughout the drawings described, the same reference numerals are used to refer to the respective parts in each respective view.

Referring to Fig. 1, an applicator and storage apparatus includes a container 10, an adaptor 9, and an applicator assembly i, shown in an operative arrangement.

The applicator assembly 1 includes a body, hereinafter referred to as a connecting portion 6, a neck portion S extending from the body portion, and a head assembly 2 on the end of the 15 neck portion remote from the connecting portion. The head assembly includes two applicator heads 3, each of which is pivotally connected to the distal end portion of the neck portion by a pivot stub and boss arrangement as described hereinafter.

The applicator heads may pivot from alongside the neck portion to the operative attitude shown in Fig. 2, the pivoting action being substantially as shown by the respective arrows which are given reference numeral 29. Each applicator head includes a foam applicator pad 4 and is connected to the neck portion at or near a proximal end 17.

The connecting portion 6 is provided on the end of the applicator assembly 1 opposite the head assembly 2. The connecting portion includes a ridge 18 which divides the connecting portion into two equally dimensioned land portions, referred to hereinafter as a proximal land portion 19 and a L_ -9distal land portion 21. It can be seen from Fig. 1 that the connecting portion has a larger cross-sectional dimension than the neck portion, and that there is a smooth transition from the smaller dimension of the neck portion to that of the connecting portion. If desired, the ridge 18 may be wider on one side than the other in order to impart a bend in the alignment of the adaptor 9 and the applicator assembly 1.

The adaptor includes a body portion 22 having two dovetail lugs 13A (only one of which is shown in Fig. a blind threaded recess 15, and an open end 23 into which the distal land portion 21 fits snugly. The internal dimensions of the open end 23 are 4 closely corresponding to the external dimensions of the distal land portion 21 so that the applicator assembly stays firmly in the operative position shown in Fig. 1.

15 The container 10 includes a gripping portion 24 on one side and two respective dovetail slots 13B on the side opposite the gripping portion. The gripping portion is shaped with respective scallop shaped projections for a comfortable grip onto the S container 10. The top of the container is closed except for a 20 sealable opening 11 having a lid 25. The opening is on a sloping S portion of the top of the container 10. A threaded protrusion S 14 is also provided on the top of the container 10 as shown, and is adapted to receive the threaded recess 15 of the adaptor 9 thereon.

Referring to Fig. 2, the applicator and storage apparatus is shown in a stowed arrangement. The adaptor 9 is removed from its threaded engagement with the threaded protrusion 14 and attached to the side of the container 10 by sliding the dovetail lugs 13A into their respective dovetail slots 13B as shown. The

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applicator assembly 1 is inserted into the adaptor 9 as shown by inserting its head assembly 2 in first through the opening 23.

The applicator heads 3 are folded down to the stowed attitude against the neck portion 5 as shown. In order to permit the pivoting action, the proximal end 17, one of the applicator heads is provided with an outer boss 26 and the proximal end of the other applicator head is provided with an inner boss 27 which is concentric with the outer boss 26. The inner boss 27 fits onto a pivot stub 28 formed on the end portion of the neck portion.

The applicator heads 3 are biassed to fold outward to operative attitude as shown in Fig. 1. When in the stowed S attitude and stowed in the adaptor 9 as shown in Fig. 2, the Sproximal land portion 19 is in tight engagement with the opening 23 in like manner to the distal land portion 21 as described 15 above in respect of Fig. i, the degree of penetration being checked by the ridge 18. The ridge may also be tapered along the narrow sides so that one of the long sides is wider than the other, whereby, in conjunction with having the distal and proximal land portions angled to one another, the applicator 20 assembly may be angled to the adaptor to afford better accessibility for the head assembly to hard-to-reach areas of the body of a user.

From the stowed arrangement shown in Fig. 2, the applicator and storage apparatus 20 may be converted to the operative arrangement as shown stagewise in Fig. 3. As the applicator assembly 1 is removed from its encasement in the adaptor 9, the heads 3, being biassed to spring outward in a wing-like fashion, follow generally in the direction indicated by the arrows shown at 30 in Fig. 3A and at 31 in Fig. 3B to the operative attitude.

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-11- The adaptor 9 is removed from the container 10 by sliding the dovetail lugs 13A out of the dovetail slots 13B.

The three parts, namely the container 10, the adaptor 9, and the applicator assembly 1, are assembled as shown in exploded view in Fig. 3C. The distal land portion 21 is inserted into the opening 23 in the adaptor assembly in the direction of the arrow 32, and the adaptor is threadedly engaged with the container assembly by inserting the threaded protrusion 14 into the threaded recess 15 and turning the adaptor relative to the container in the direction shown by the arrow 33, the threaded arrangement being the preferred right-hand form.

When assembled in the manner described, the applicator and storage apparatus 20 is substantially as shown in Fig. 3D.

Referring to Fig. 4, the heads 3 are maintained in their 15 operative attitude by a catch 8 on one head 3 which engages with a catch aperture 34 on the other head 3 as shown. The catch may be released by pressing down on a release button 12, depressing the side of the head 3 having the release button and the catch 8 to push the catch 8 out of the catch aperture 34, permitting 20 the heads 3 to be folded to their stowed attitude.

By pressing the heads 3 against the adaptor assembly 9 in l alignment with the opening 23 as shown in Fig. 4A, the release button 12 is depressed to permit the heads to disengage the catch 8 from the catch aperture 34 to permit the heads 3 to fold to the stowed attitude shown in Fig. 4B. Thus, in a single action the applicator assembly is removed from.the adaptor assembly, and the heads 3 spring outward due to the tension in the tensioned elastic band to the operative attitude. Conversely, the release button 12 is released in a single action by pressing the heads -12- 3 against the adaptor assembly. It is believed that such actions may be performed without the aid of vision once the applicator assembly and adaptor are placed in the hands of a user.

The biassing of the heads 3 to the operative attitude is accommodated by providing a rubber band or elasticised member 7 inside, or extending into, each respective head 7. The rubber band 7 extends from an internal lug 16 in one head 3 over the stub 28 to another internal lug 16 inside the other head 3 as shown.

In use, the applicator and storage apparatus of the present invention may be used to both store and apply liquid lotion or such like to the skin of a user. The container 10 may be filled with the lotion for storage, and when required for use, the applicator and storage apparatus is rearranged to its operative attitude. The lotion is applied to the applicator pads 4, or may be applied directly to the skin for spreading by the applicator pads 4. The container 10 is preferably rigid to allow better grip and handling. If extra length is required, then instead of sliding the two dovetail lugs 13A into their corresponding dovetail slots 13B, the dovetail lug 13A closer to the threaded recess 15 may be slid into the dovetail slot 13B closer to the threaded protrusion 14. The dovetail lugs and slots 14 and may be so formed and arranged that the adaptor assembly 9 may be separated from the container assembly 10 by manual pressure.

When in the stowed attitude, the head assembly 2 is sealed into the adaptor assembly 9 against contamination of the applicator pads 4 with dirt and detritus, and also drying out of the pads is ameliorated by the sealing arrangement of the proximal land portion in the opening 23.

The applicator in its preferred embodiment is compact and portable, sized to fit in a shirt pocket, ladies handbag, or glove compartment of an automobile.

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-13- It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

Dated this 21/, day of October, 1999

CHARLESGENN

Claims

1. Applicator apparatus adapted to be arranged into either an operative arrangement or a stowed arrangement, said applicator apparatus including: a handle portion, and a neck portion extending from. said handle portion and having mounted on a distal end thereof, remote from said handle portion, a head assembly, including two elongate head portions, each of which is mounted on said neck portion for pivotal movement from said stowed arrangement, in which each head portion is disposed substantially alongside said neck portion, to said operative arrangement in which said head portions are disposed substantially at right angles to said neck portion and wherein said head portions are biased and/or releaseably lockable to said operative arrangement.

2. Applicator apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the head portions are lockable in the operative arrangement by way of a self-latching, self-biasing tongue which has a single saw-tooth projection on one of the head portions adapted to co-operate with a corresponding abutment formed in a cavity in the other head portion.

3. Applicator apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein in the stowed arrangement, the head assembly is in a folded attitude with respect to the neck portion, and in the operative arrangement, the head assembly is in a deployed attitude with respect to the neck assembly.

4. Applicator and storage apparatus adapted to be arranged into either an operative arrangement or a stowed arrangement, said applicator and storage apparatus including: a handle part having an opening to a chamber, said chamber being adapted to receive and substantially enclose an applicator apparatus when said applicator apparatus is in a stowed arrangement, said applicator apparatus including first mating means adapted to mate with said opening to provide a substantially firm mounting of said applicator apparatus in said opening when in said operative arrangement and second mating means adapted to mate in the alternative with said opening to provide a substantially firm mounting of said applicator apparatus in said stowed arrangement, and wherein said applicator apparatus includes a handle portion and a neck portion extending from said handle portion and having mounted on a distal end thereof remote from said handle portion a head assembly including two elongate head portions, each of which is pivotally mounted on said neck portion for pivotal movement from said stowed arrangement, in which each head portion is disposed /cGEN01103.wpd amendments filed 26 October 2004 substantially alongside said neck portion, to said operative arrangement in which said head portions are disposed substantially at right angles to said neck portion and wherein said head portions are biased and/or releaseably lockable to said operative arrangement.

Applicator and storage apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the first and second mating means include a male part having an external surface sized to.. fit firmly in the opening, and the external surface is separated into the first and second mating means by abutment means which, in use, prevents the male part from being inserted too far into the opening.

6. Applicator and storage apparatus adapted to be arranged into either an operative arrangement or a stowed arrangement, said applicator and storage apparatus including: a container for storing a liquid and having an opening for receiving and delivering a liquid contained therein; an adaptor having an adaptor opening, which opens to a chamber therewithin, and first and second attachment means, said first attachment means being adapted for selectively attaching said adaptor to said container in said stowed arrangement; and and applicator adapted for receiving liquid from said container and applying said liquid to a surface and including first mating means adapted to mate with said adaptor opening to provide a substantially firm mounting of said applicator in said adaptor opening when in said operative arrangement, and second mating means adapted to mate with said opening to provide a substantially firm mounting of said applicator when in said stowed arrangement, and said chamber being of a size sufficient for substantially enclosing said applicator when in said stowed arrangement.

7. Applicator and storage apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein the first attachment means includes respective complementary male and female screw threaded parts on the container and the adaptor whereby the adaptor may be threadedly attached to the container in the operative arrangement.

8. Applicator and storage apparatus according to Claim 7, wherein the second attachment means includes complementary ridges and grooves of a dovetail cross-section by which the container is attached to the adaptor upon sliding engagement of the ridge or ridges with the respective complementary groove or grooves.

9. Applicator and storage apparatus according to Claim 6 or Claim 7 wherein the applicator includes a collapsible head assembly movable from a folded attitude to a deployed /cGEN01103.wpd amendments filed 26 October 2004 -16- attitude.

Applicator and storage apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein in the folded attitude, the collapsible head assembly is adapted to collapse to fit inside the adaptor assembly, and in the deployed attitude, the collapsible head assembly expands to enable effective delivery of liquid to the skin of a user.

11. Applicator and storage apparatus according to Claim 10 wherein the collapsible head assembly includes a neck portion which supports two like head parts which are adapted to pivot inward about an end of the neck portion to a side-by-side attitude alongside the neck portion and be so formed to fit inside the adaptor assembly, and to pivot outward to a deployed position in which they are substantially at right angles to the neck portion.

12. Applicator and storage apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the head parts are biased to pivot to the right angle position and the apparatus includes locking means to releaseably lock the head parts in the deployed attitude.

13. Applicator and storage apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. IcGENO1103. wpd amendments filed 26 Ociober 2004