Lotion applicator

Abstract

A lotion applicator in accordance with the principles of the present invention enables lotion to be applied to hard to reach body parts without assistance from another person and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. The lotion applicator of the present invention includes an elongated main body having a first end and an opposing second end, and a front surface and a rear surface. Handles can be provided at the first end and at the second end of the elongated main body. The elongated main body being capable of stretching. A loop can be formed adjacent at least one of the first end or the second end. An applicator pad removably secured to the front surface of the main body. The applicator pad can be a disposable wipe of lotion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an applicator that can be used for unassisted application of lotion to areas of the body, which are difficult to reach.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Recent medical evidence has verified the importance of applying some type of sun protection to the human body for topical treatment prior to exposure of the skin to the sun to help reduce the risk of malignant tumors of the skin. Applying lotions to inaccessible areas such as a user's back have typically been impossible without the assistance of another person. Often persons needing to apply lotions to such inaccessible areas may be alone or otherwise unable to be assisted by another person. Additionally, applying lotion to one's body with one's hands can be a messy and unpleasant undertaking causing the hands to become greasy and tacky. Accordingly, there is currently a need for a device that allows one to easily and conveniently apply lotions to otherwise inaccessible areas of a user's body.

Devices are known which enable a person to apply a lotion to an area of the body that is generally difficult to access, such as a major portion of the back. One type of such devices is generally characterized as having an elongated strip of flexible material. These devices frequently employ means to assist in gripping the strip, such as attached handles, fabric loops or apertures in the strip, to enable the user to grasp opposite ends of the applicator and extend the strip over the back.

Another type of such devices is generally characterized as having a long handled device that supports a head with an applicator pad. In one subset of these devices, the pad is removable and disposable. In another subset of these devices, a reservoir is filled with the lotion and a pumping mechanism to force the lotion to an applicator pad.

Conventional devices such as those described above have several disadvantages. Initially, several of the devices, most notably those that require pumping, are difficult and expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, several of the devices, most notably those that include a rigid handle, are difficult, if not impossible, to compactly fold for storage. Still further, several of the devices, most notably those that employ an elongated strip of flexible material, are effectively single use devices as the previously applied lotion quickly becomes gross, thus making use expensive and environmentally harmful.

What would thus be desirable would be an improved apparatus to topically apply a lotion to hard to reach body parts without assistance from another person that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. It would be further desirable that an improved apparatus to topically apply a lotion to hard to reach body parts without assistance from another person be compactly folded for storage. It would be further desirable that an improved apparatus to topically apply a lotion to hard to reach body parts without assistance from another person be inexpensive and environmentally harmless to use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention enables lotion to be applied to hard to reach body parts without assistance from another person and is easy and inexpensive to manufacture. An apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention enables lotion to be applied to hard to reach body parts without assistance from another person and is compactly folded for storage. An apparatus in accordance with the principles of the present invention enables lotion to be applied to hard to reach body parts without assistance from another person and is inexpensive and environmentally harmless to use.

A lotion applicator in accordance with the principles of the present invention includes an elongated main body having a first end and an opposing second end, and a front surface and a rear surface. Handles can be provided at the first end and at the second end of the elongated main body. The elongated main body being capable of stretching. A loop can be formed adjacent at least one of the first end or the second end. An applicator pad removably secured to the front surface of the main body. The applicator pad can be a disposable wipe of lotion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with the principles of the present invention being used.

FIG. 2 is an evolutional view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is close-up view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to providing a means for someone to topically apply a lotion to hard to reach body parts without assistance from another person. When used herein, the term lotion is meant in its broadest sense as encompassing any liquid preparations applied to the skin, such as for example oils, sunscreens, medicinal rubs, and soap.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a lotion applicator 10 in accordance with the principles of the present invention in use is seen. Referring to FIG. 2, an evolutional view of the device of FIG. 1 is seen. The lotion applicator 10 includes a generally rectangular elongated main body 12 having a first end 14 and an opposing second end 16, and a front surface 18 and a rear surface 20. As described below, the elongated main body 12 is capable of stretching; FIG. 2 shows the lotion applicator 10 is a relaxed position, with the lotion applicator 10 shown in phantom in a partially stretched position. In one embodiment, handles 22 can be provided at the first end 14 and at the second end 16. In one embodiment, the handle 22 can be a plastic half ring. In addition, in one embodiment a loop 25 is formed adjacent either the first end 14 or the second end 16 or both the first end 14 and the second end 16.

The length of the lotion applicator 10 is much larger than the width lotion applicator 10 so that a user can grip the ends of the elongated strip to apply lotion to remote parts of the user's body. In one embodiment, the length can have a relaxed value of about 20 inches to about 25 inches, a fully stretched value of about 35 inches to about 45 inches and the width can have a value of about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches. The preferred width is about 2.0 inches.

The main body 12 can be made from a single rectangular sheet 23 of stretch fabric encompassing an elastic strip 29, best seen in FIG. 4. While any suitable stretch fabric may be used, in one embodiment the stretch fabric can comprise a blend of rayon and nylon. While any suitable elastic strip may be used, in one embodiment the elastic strip can comprise cotton and rubber. A seam 32 can be sewed along the middle axis of the main body 12, thus securing the single sheet of stretch fabric 29 over the elastic strip 25. The seam 32 is comprised of a stitch capable of stretching. The loop 25 can be formed first by sewing a relatively small rectangular piece of the fabric 29 into a tube and then securing two ends of the tube 29 in the seam 32 in the middle axis of the main body 12. The handles 22 can be secured to the main body 12 at the first end 14 and at the second end 16 by looping the ends of the stretch fabric 35 over a portion of the handles 22.

The single rectangular sheet 23 of stretch fabric and the elastic strip 25, when fixed together in this manner provide the main body 12 with a significant degree of durability so that for example, the lotion applicator 10 may withstand repeated washes without separating. When not in use, the lotion applicator 10 may be rolled up or folded into a compact size.

Referring to FIG. 3, a lotion applicator 10 in accordance with the principles of the present invention further includes an applicator pad 34 that is removably secured to the front surface 18 of the main body 12. In one embodiment, the applicator pad 34 can be removably secured to the front surface 18 of the main body 12 by use of a hook and loop fastener 39 (seen in FIG. 4), with one of the hook or loop attached to the front surface 18 of the main body 12 and the other of the hook or loop attached to the applicator pad 34. In another embodiment, the applicator pad 34 can be removably secured to the front surface 18 of the main body 12 by use of a pair of loops 37 of the stretch fabric attached to the front surface 18 of the main body 12 that secure the applicator 34. Various other mechanisms for removably securing the applicator pad 34 to the front surface 18 of the main body 12 are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The applicator pad 34 in accordance with the principles of the present invention can comprise a number of different materials. In one embodiment, the applicator pad 34 can be a sponge in which a lotion can be absorbed. In another embodiment, the applicator pad can be a loofta sponge 34′. In still another embodiment, the applicator pad 34 can be a disposable wipe of lotion. In a further embodiment, the disposable wipe of lotion can be of sufficient texture that the disposable wipe itself can be secured to the front surface 18 of the main body 12 by means of the hook of a hook and loop fastener attached to the front surface 18 of the main body 12. Various other materials for the applicator pad 34 are within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring back to FIG. 1, in use the user 40 applies a lotion 42 to the applicator pad 34. The user then grasps the handles 22 on the ends of the main body 12 in the user's hands. By hooking one of the user's fingers into the loop 25 formed adjacent either the first end 14 or the second end 16 the user is ensured of applying the front surface 18 of the main body 12 to the user's back. In addition, because of the substantial stretching of the main body 12, the size of the user can vary considerably. The user stretches the main body 12 to an appropriate length and then, with the user's finger in the loop 25, applies the front surface 18 of the main body 12 and thus the applicator pad 34 to the user's back.

While the invention has been described with specific embodiments, other alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All such alternatives, modifications, and variations are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lotion applicator comprising:

an elongated main body having a first end and an opposing second end, and a front surface and a rear surface, the elongated main body being capable of stretching;

a loop formed adjacent at least one of the first end or the second end; and

an applicator pad removably secured to the front surface of the main body

2. The lotion applicator of claim 1 further including handles provided at the first end and at the second end of the elongated main body.

3. The lotion applicator of claim 1 further wherein the main body comprises an elastic strip.

4. The lotion applicator of claim 3 further wherein the main body comprises stretch fabric encompassing the elastic strip.

5. The lotion applicator of claim 1 further wherein the applicator pad is removably secured to the front surface of the main body by use of a hook and loop fastener.

6. The lotion applicator of claim 1 further wherein the applicator pad is removably secured to the front surface of the main body by use of a pair of loops attached to the front surface of the main body that secures the applicator.

7. The lotion applicator of claim 1 further wherein the applicator pad comprises a sponge in which a lotion can be absorbed.

8. The lotion applicator of claim 7 further wherein the sponge comprises a loofta sponge.

9. The lotion applicator of claim 1 further wherein the applicator pad comprises a disposable wipe of lotion.

10. The lotion applicator of claim 9 further wherein the disposable wipe of lotion is of a sufficient texture that the disposable wipe is secured to the front surface of the main body by means of the hook of a hook and loop fastener attached to the front surface of the main body.

11. A lotion applicator comprising:

an elongated main body having a first end and an opposing second end, and a front surface and a rear surface, the elongated main body being capable of stretching;

handles provided at the first end and at the second end of the elongated main body; and

an applicator pad removably secured to the front surface of the main body.

12. The lotion applicator of claim 11 further including a loop formed adjacent at least one of the first end or the second end.

13. The lotion applicator of claim 11 further wherein the handles comprise a plastic half ring.

14. The lotion applicator of claim 11 further wherein the main body comprises an elastic strip.

15. The lotion applicator of claim 14 further wherein the main body comprises stretch fabric encompassing the elastic strip.

16. The lotion applicator of claim 11 further wherein the applicator pad is removably secured to the front surface of the main body by use of a hook and loop fastener.

17. The lotion applicator of claim 11 further wherein the applicator pad is removably secured to the front surface of the main body by use of a pair of loops attached to the front surface of the main body that secures the applicator.

18. The lotion applicator of claim 11 further wherein the applicator pad comprises a sponge in which a lotion can be absorbed.

19. The lotion applicator of claim 11 further wherein the applicator pad comprises a disposable wipe of lotion.

20. A lotion applicator comprising:

an elongated main body having a front surface and a rear surface; and

a disposable wipe of lotion of a sufficient texture that the disposable wipe is secured to the front surface of the main body by means of the hook of a hook and loop fastener attached to the front surface of the main body.

21. The lotion applicator of claim 20 further wherein the elongated main body defines a first end and an opposing second end, and a loop is formed adjacent at least one of the first end or the second end.

22. The lotion applicator of claim 20 further wherein the elongated main body defines a first end and an opposing second end, and handles are provided at the first end and at the second end of the elongated main body.

23. The lotion applicator of claim 20 further wherein the elongated main body is capable of stretching.

24. The lotion applicator of claim 23 further wherein the main body comprises an elastic strip.

25. The lotion applicator of claim 24 further wherein the main body comprises stretch fabric encompassing the elastic strip.