TELESCOPIC APPLICATOR

Abstract

A telescopic applicator is provided. The telescopic application includes a telescopic handle and a cup. The telescopic handle has a plurality of telescopic sections. The cup is mounted to one of the plurality of telescopic sections. The telescopic applicator may include anti-rotation features as well as a friction lock.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is based on and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/191,853, filed May 21, 2021, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The application of substances, such as lotions, creams, and salves, to the body for self-care is a very important activity for many people. Such substances may provide the user with the ability to take care of their aches, pains, and skin by applying recommended substances that may improve relieve aches and pains, and/or otherwise improve the quality of one's skin.

One difficulty with applying substances to oneself is reaching the difficult areas such as the center of the back. When applying a substance such as lotion, or the like to the back, the ability to evenly and efficiently distribute the substance on the back is difficult due to the anatomy of the human body. The arms and hands have extreme difficulty reaching particular areas of the back.

SUMMARY

A telescopic applicator is provided. The telescopic application includes a telescopic handle and a cup. The telescopic handle has a plurality of telescopic sections. The cup is mounted to one of the plurality of telescopic sections.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a telescopic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a telescopic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a telescopic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a telescopic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of a telescopic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a top perspective view of a roll-on product, which is particularly useful with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a telescopic applicator and adapter sleeve in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment described herein generally provide a device used for applying a substance to a surface area. The device generally assists a user in applying the substance to hard-to-reach areas such as the back.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a telescopic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows telescopic applicator 100 holding a cylindrical roll-on product 102 in cup 104. Cup 104 as an open top that is sized and shaped to receive a standard roll-on product 102. A telescoping handle 106 is coupled to cup 104 at interface 108. In the illustrated example, handle 106 can be seen having a first section 110, a second section 112, and a third section 114. Those skilled in the art will recognize that more or fewer sections can be used in accordance with embodiment described herein. First section 110 may include a friction material, such as a rubber overmold, that allows the user to grip and manage the applicator. Second section 112 is generally sized to collapse inside first section 110. Similarly, third section 114 is generally sized and shaped to collapse into second section 112. Further, fourth section 109 is generally sized and shaped to collapse within third section 114. Thus, handle 106 has the ability to extend lengthwise along axis 116. In addition, the handle can include an interval friction lock such that the length can be locked at any suitable extension. Further, the various sections may include features that cooperate to provide anti-rotation about the extension axis 116. Thus, when handle 110 is firmly held by a user, roll-on product 102 will not be movable in the direction indicated by arrows 118. In FIGS. 1 and 2, an example of such features is shown at channels 115, 117.

As shown in FIG. 1, handle 107 is attached to the exterior side of cup 104 at interface 108. In the illustrated embodiment, interface 108 includes a plurality of gussets 120 that extend from third section 114 to cup 104. In FIG. 1, four such gussets 120 are shown spaced equally apart about the outer diameter of fourth section 109. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable number of gussets 120 can be used. Preferably, cup 104, gussets 120 and third section 114 are formed as a single unitary piece. For example, the single unitary piece could be constructed from injection-molded plastic or a cast resin material, such as acrylic.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of a telescopic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, cup 104 is shown having a bottom surface 122 with an aperture 124 extending therethrough. Aperture 124 allows a user to insert an object or finger through aperture 124 in order to remove a spent or otherwise unusable product 102. While the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 illustrates cup 104 having a cylindrical sidewall, it is expressly contemplated that sidewall 126 may be provided with a slight taper, such that the diameter at position 128 is slightly larger than the diameter at position 130. This allows the cylindrical shape of roll-on product 102 to be retained within cup 104 via a friction fit. However, embodiments can also be practiced where a latch or other suitable locking mechanism or ring releasably maintains roll-on product 102 within cup 104.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are side views and bottom views, respectively, of a telescopic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, in the illustrated example, handle 106 generally extends from cup 104 at a 90-degree angle θ. Additionally, the axis 132 of handle 106 preferably extends through a center of cup 104, as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5A is a top perspective view of a telescopic applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5A, roll-on product 102 (shown in FIG. 5B) has been removed from cup 104. Cup 104 is thus shown having an open top 136 with a diameter that is sized and shaped to receive cylindrical sidewall 136 of product 102. As set forth above, in some embodiments, sidewall 126 of cup 104 may have a slight taper to frictionally engage sidewall 138 as roll-on product 102 is pressed into cup 104.

In reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a telescopic applicator is shown separated from the product 102 it is designed to hold. The product 102 is a commercially-available component that can apply a substance to an area. Using product 102 with embodiments described herein allows a user to position product 102 such that the user can apply the product to a difficult-to-reach location of the user's body. As can be seen, the product 102 is generally shaped cylindrically and is inserted into cup 104. More specifically, the bottom section of the product 102 is inserted into top 136 of cup 104. The product, in some cases, will include a round spherical surface as shown in FIG. 5B. The round spherical surface is generally utilized to roll-on a substance, such as a lotion or pain-relieving cream, gel, or liquid.

Embodiments described herein generally prove a telescopic applicator that assists a user in applying substances onto difficult areas of their body. The substance can be any substance that is available in a form factor that will fit within cup 104 including, without limitation, lotions, ointments, liquids, salves, creams, balms, emollients, moisturizers, and liniments. The telescopic applicator described herein is generally very lightweight and provides sufficient rigidity and anti-rotation to allow the user to effectively press the product 102 onto the application surface. In addition, some embodiments include a non-rotating telescopic handle and/or an interval friction lock which is able to extend in length to assist with applying substances to difficult to reach surfaces of the body, such as the back. In addition, the collapsibility in length of the telescopic applicator allows for flexibility with storage, travel, packing, et cetera.

To use the telescopic applicator described herein, the user will begin by inserting the product, such as product 102, into cup 104. With the product secured within the cup, the user will extend the handle to the desired length that will allow him/her to apply the substance of the product to the desired area. In some examples, when the handle has been extended to the desired length, the user may lock-in the friction lock handle or other suitable structure to secure the length so that the handle does not accidentally collapse or extend from the desired length. Next in some examples, the user will apply the product substance onto the round spherical surface such as by dipping the detachable applicator into a container of substance. After the substance has been applied to spherical surface, the user maneuvers the handle of the telescopic applicator to apply the substance onto the desired area. In some examples, the product may have an internal chamber of the substance, such that the spherical surface need not be dipped in any material prior to application. In addition, the cup will fit and is able to accept any existing product which is sold in similar containers such as a three-ounce roll-on bottles. The three-ounce roll-on bottles are equivalent to 102 shown in FIG. 5B.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a telescopic applicator and adapter sleeve in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Telescopic applicator can be provided with one or more adapter sleeves 140 to allow objects of different diameters to be used with telescopic applicator 100. Adapter sleeve 140 has an outer diameter that is sized for an interference fit within cup 104. Thus, adapter sleeve 140 must compress slightly to fit within cup 104. This compression then maintains adapter sleeve 140 within cup 104 as the user applies the product. Adapter sleeve 140 also includes an aperture or bore 144 having in inner diameter that is sized to receive the product to be applied. One example of a product for which adapter sleeve 140 is particularly useful is a small essential oils roll-on. In one embodiment, bore 144 extends the entire length of adapter sleeve 140. However, embodiments can be practiced where bore 144 does not extend the entire length of adapter sleeve 140. The inside diameter of bore 144 is sized to interfere with an outside diameter of a product to be applied. Thus, one the product is inserted within bore 144, it will remain there until removed. While bore/aperture 144 is shown having a circular shape, other shapes can be used as long as sufficient interference is generated to maintain the product within bore/aperture 144.

Adapter sleeve 140 may be formed of any suitable material that is able to deform sufficiently to fit within cup 104 and to retain the product within bore 144. In one example, adapter sleeve 140 is formed of a foam, such as polyethylene foam or polyurethane foam.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A telescopic applicator comprising:

a telescopic handle having a plurality of telescopic sections; and

a cup mounted to one of the plurality of telescopic sections.

2. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, wherein at least one section of the telescopic handle and the cup are formed as a single, integrated component.

3. The telescopic applicator of claim 2, wherein the single, integrated component is formed of plastic.

4. The telescopic applicator of claim 3, wherein the plastic is injection molded.

5. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, and further comprising a plurality of gussets extending from the one of the plurality telescopic sections to the cup.

6. The telescopic applicator of claim 5, wherein the plurality of gussets includes four gussets spaced equally about an outer diameter of the one of the plurality of telescopic sections.

7. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, wherein the cup includes a bottom surface.

8. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface includes an aperture.

9. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of telescopic sections comprises first, second, third, and fourth telescopic sections.

10. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of telescopic sections includes a friction material.

11. The telescopic applicator of claim 10, wherein the friction material is overmolded rubber.

12. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of telescopic sections include anti-rotation features.

13. The telescopic applicator of claim 12, wherein the anti-rotation features include channels.

14. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, and further comprising a friction lock configured to lock a telescopic position of the telescopic handle.

15. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, wherein the cup includes a tapered sidewall configured to generate a friction fit with a cylindrical sidewall of a product disposed within the cup.

16. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, and further comprising a product disposed within the cup.

17. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, wherein the telescopic handle has an axis that passes through a center of the cup.

18. The telescopic applicator of claim 1, and further comprising an adapter sleeve disposed in the cup.

19. The telescopic applicator of claim 18, wherein the adapter sleeve is formed of foam.