Patent Application
20140099154
The present invention relates to hand held implements (or applicators) for applying soaps, cleansers or other liquids. This invention further relates to implements for a user to reach his/her own back or other hard-to-reach body areas for the self-application of soaps, lotions and/or other liquids thereto.
The following patents were found in a search relating to the present invention. Most noteworthy are the lotion applicator with bendable end and removably attachable pad from Abdo U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,497; adjustable body brush/massager of Miyaoka U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,108 and back applicator of Avolio U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,766.
In Wu U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,509, there is shown a multi-functional back brush having an adjustable shaft for pivoting about a central axle. A flexible elastomeric coupler joins an angularly-adaptable head to a rubber handled, tubular body in Black U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,588.
Maltese U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,983 showed a back brush with a generally U-shaped handle. Nazemi U.S. Pat. No. 5,528,792 had an axially-pivotable shower brush that rotates into one of two configurations. An older version of U-shaped back scrubber with bristles along the central curve was shown in Ellinger U.S. Pat. No. 2,318,680.
There are varying bath brushes like that in Edwards U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,221; Locher U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,611, Rhodes U.S. Pat. No. 3,568,237, and the disposable brush head of Nejdl U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,511. See also the back brush designs of Gelinas U.S. Design Pat. No. 389,319, Maltese U.S. Design Pat. No. 368,586 and Ryan U.S. Design Pat. No. 104,904.
In Viner U.S. Design Pat. No. 433,816, there is shown a design for a brush/soap dispenser combination. And in Smart et al. U.S. Published Patent Application No. 20040140326, a bath brush head is disclosed having an integral liquid soap dispenser reservoir. Finally, DeForest et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,339 showed a body lotion applicator with a pivotally mounted head.
One embodiment of the present invention is an applicator for applying substances to hard-to-reach portions of a user's body. Preferably, that embodiment employs soft bristles. The applicator component of same comprises a handle having a first end configured to be gripped by a user and a second opposite, or brush head end having rotatable bristles. The handle element is flexible, and can be easily bent or manipulated into multiple straight or curved positions. It further includes an elongated central chamber into which may be added and stored soap, shampoo, cleaner or another liquid/lotion for dispensing through a plurality of apertures in the brush head end. Rotation of the brush head bristles can be accomplished electrically (via a battery powered motor mechanism) or by the passage of water into and through the applicator's handle element.
For non-body cleansing end uses, another embodiment of this invention would include harder bristles with an abrasive cleanser being stored in the applicator handle for eventual dispensing through apertures and onto a surface to be cleaned (i.e. scrubbed).
The handle portion of this liquid applicator may be formed in various ways to achieve a reasonable degree of bending. One version comprises a hollow metal core with an outer plastic covering. Alternate bendable, snakelike sections are also anticipated hereby.
The invention has a number of advantages and features discussed herein. Further objects will become apparent from the detailed description that follows.
Further features, objectives and advantages will become clearer when reviewing the following detailed description of preferred embodiments made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
In the accompanying drawings, common elements are commonly numbered in the respective views. For the alternative embodiment, common elements are consistently numbered though in the next hundred series.
The subject invention is an applicator for applying lotion or another substance to areas on a user's body otherwise hard to reach.
The direction of bristle rotation about head 14 is shown by arrows A. In
Handle element 12 is intentionally flexible, and can be easily bent or manipulated into multiple straight or curved positions. In
The main body of this invention further includes an elongated central chamber, generally 16, into which may be added and stored soap, shampoo, cleaner or another liquid/lotion for dispensing through a plurality of apertures in the brush head end. Beneath brush head 14, towards the top of elongated handle 12, there is shown a pop-out cap 18. Once removed, the liquid for dispensing through this invention may be poured periodically into that handle, and refilled as needed, with storage of any unused portions in that chamber 16. A pop-out cap 18 is shown. It is to be understood, however, that alternative embodiments may include a screw in cap, a raised but not fully removed cap lid and many other alternatives.
Rotation of the brush head bristles can be accomplished electrically (via a battery powered motor mechanism). Though not shown, a rechargeable battery pack may be fitted into the brush body proper, most effectively behind the rotating head itself, using known waterproofing capabilities. Alternately, for smaller power applications, a motor may be included that runs on cell-type batteries stored in either the brush head or handle. In some instances, the brush body of this invention may be further combined with an electronically run liquid dispenser pump for more efficiently pulling soap, shampoo, cleaner or other liquid from its storage containment in the brush handle, then up and out apertures in the rotating brush head.
In
Depending on intended end use, the brush head of this invention may be fitted with soft bristles for causing less irritation to the user's skin being serviced therewith. Or, for other appliance/plumbing/floor cleaning applications, where a stronger, more abrasive contact is preferred, that family of brush heads may employ harder bristles.
In all embodiments, the foregoing handle element can also be made to telescope inwardly/outwardly for allowing for some lateral extension/elongation, if needed. Also, a rubberized grip may be installed over one end. More preferably, one or more handle hanging means may be added.
The applicator of the invention, and particularly the preferred embodiment thereof, has a number of advantages. It is easy and economical to manufacture. It is also durable and highly versatile to use.
Preferred characteristics of the bristle head allow soap, cleanser or other lotion to be efficiently and easily applied to the body while maintaining easy cleaning and minimizing liquid waste. For a user, the applicator is easy to assemble, use, and maintain.
Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is intended to be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and omissions in form and detail may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
This application is a perfection of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/674,377, filed on Jul. 22, 2012, the disclosure of which is fully incorporated by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61674377 | Jul 2012 | US |
