Patent Application
20230143828
The present invention relates generally to the field of cosmetic applicator devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a multipurpose applicator tool for use with a self-tanning or suntan lotion towelette for maintaining full and optimal coverage of the skin when applying self-tanner or suntan lotion (i.e. sunscreen) towelettes. The tool features a paint roller-like mechanism that can receive the towelette, enabling users to simply roll the towel over the skin to apply the self-tanner or lotion. The roller includes a slot and a cavity into which the edges of the towelette can be fed for an effective operation. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, a suntan lotion (i.e. sunscreen) is a specific personal care product that is applied to multiple areas of the body and is generally applied by individuals before going out in the sun to protect their skin from harmful radiation. Suntan lotion (i.e. sunscreen) applicators are known, but a majority of individuals still apply suntan lotion by squirting the lotion into their hands, and then rubbing it onto their skin. Utilizing this old-fashioned method, it is virtually impossible for someone to apply suntan lotion (i.e. sunscreen) to one's back and shoulders without assistance. Other conventional lotion and oil applicators may be used for applying suntan lotion on the face and other bodily surfaces such as shoulders, back and neck. However, applicator surfaces of these conventional applicators are typically not configured to enable a user to facilitate application of the suntan lotion (i.e. sunscreen) to the “hard-to-reach” areas such as the back and shoulders of the body.
Thus, in operation individuals apply suntan lotion, self-tanners and similar, haphazardly and in an irregular manner on the body. Also, individuals place themselves in an awkward position during application. Further, individuals with less physical mobility find it difficult to apply such lotions and self-tanners on the back and shoulders of the body.
Heretofore known self-tanning towelettes are applied on various parts of the body by tapping and/or wiping the applicators onto the skin, similar to the use of conventional hand-held cosmetic items. Such mechanics and use of towelettes are not only impossible to apply to the back of an individual but are also irregular and blotchy in application. Individuals desire a more effective way of applying lotions via the use of towelettes, or similar, on the body, such that application is uniform even on hard-to-reach areas.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a suntan lotion (i.e. sunscreen) or self-tanner applicator tool that can be used for solving problems associated with conventional applicators. There is also a long felt need in the art for a lotion applicator tool that is convenient and easy to use. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an applicator tool that enables a person to easily apply suntan lotion or self-tanners to hard-to-reach body areas. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a lotion applicator tool that enables a user to easily apply self-tanning towelettes. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a suntan lotion or self-tanner applicator that eliminates blotchy and uneven applications of lotion on the body. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a suntan lotion or self-tanner applicator that maintains full and optimal coverage of the skin when applying the lotion or self-tanner with the use of towelettes. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a suntan lotion or self-tanner applicator that prevents individuals from having to ask others for help to apply lotion or self-tanner onto the body.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a self-tanning towelette applicator tool. The applicator tool features an elongated and telescoping handle connected to a shank portion, the shank portion including a curved portion and a L-shaped arm. The L-shaped arm extends from the curved portion to a bushing, wherein an applicator roller is attached to the bushing, such that the roller is configured to freely rotate around the bushing. The roller includes a slot running along the length of the roller culminating a cavity. The roller is configured to receive and wrap a suntan lotion (i.e. sunscreen) or self-tanner towelette thereon with the ends of the towelette fed down the slot and housed in the cavity for a smooth operation. Further, the roller can be made from a foam material that does not absorb (i.e. repels) lotion or the material contained on the towelette and does not scratch the skin of the user.
In this manner, the applicator tool of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a convenient and easy to use hand tool capable of applying suntan lotion or self-tanning towelettes to any area of the body. The tool enables and maintains full and optimal coverage of the skin when applying suntan lotion or self-tanning towelettes, thereby eliminating the worry of blotchy and uneven applications. The tool also prevents a person from having to ask others for help to apply lotion towelettes, therefore saving time and effort for the person. Finally, the applicator tool is cost-effective and eliminates the need for the user to spend money with others to accomplish the task of applying lotions to the body.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a suntan or self-tanning towelette applicator tool. The applicator tool further comprising an elongated and telescoping handle connected to a shank portion, the shank portion including a curved portion and an L-shaped arm, the L-shaped arm extends from the curved portion to a bushing, an applicator roller attached to the bushing such that the roller is configured to freely rotate around the bushing wherein the roller includes a slot running along the length of the roller culminating in a cavity. The roller is configured to receive and wrap a suntan or self-tanner towelette thereon with the ends of the towelette fed down the slot and housed in the cavity for a smooth operation. Further, the roller is made from a foam material that does not absorb (i.e. repels) the lotion or material of the towelette and does not scratch the skin of the user.
In yet another embodiment, a self-tanning towelette applicator device is disclosed. The applicator tool further comprising an elongated handle including a detachable handle portion. The handle portion is integrated to a shank portion, the shank portion including a curved portion and two L-shaped arms, the L-shaped arms extend from the curved portion to opposite openings of a bushing, an applicator roller attached to the bushing such that the roller is configured to freely rotate around the bushing wherein the roller includes a slot running along the length of the roller culminating a cavity. The roller is configured to receive and wrap a suntan towelette thereon with the ends of the towelette fed down the slot and housed in the cavity for a smooth operation. Further, the roller includes an outer layer made from a first foam material that does not absorb (i.e. repels) material of the towelette and an inner layer made of a second foam material wherein the second foam material includes a higher density and strength than the first foam material.
In yet another embodiment, the roller includes a pair of metal layers positioned along a portion of the slit/slot and a spring attached to one of the metal layers of the pair of metal layers for creating a torsional force to hold the towelette fed into the slot. In yet another embodiment, the inner layer is concentric to the outer layer. In yet a further embodiment, the inner layer is one of an oval or elliptical shape. In still another embodiment, the towelette applicator is easy to manufacture and cost effective at the same time.
In yet another embodiment, a suntan towelette applicator device is disclosed. The applicator tool further comprising a curved handle including a detachable handle portion. The detachable handle portion is integrated to a shank portion, the shank portion including a curved portion and an L-shaped arm, the L-shaped arm extends from the curved portion to a bushing, an applicator roller attached to the bushing such that the roller is configured to freely rotate around the bushing wherein the roller includes an exterior slot running along the length of the roller and an interior cavity within the roller. The roller is configured to receive and wrap a suntan or self-tan towelette thereon with terminal ends or edges of the towelette fed down the slot and housed in the cavity for a smooth operation. Further, the roller is made from a foam material that does not absorb (i.e. repels) material or lotions contained on the towelette and does not scratch the skin of the user.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
and
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a suntan lotion (i.e. sunscreen) or self-tanner applicator tool that can be used for solving problems associated with conventional applicators. There is also a long felt need in the art for a lotion applicator tool that is convenient and easy to use. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for an applicator tool that enables a person to easily apply suntan lotion or self-tanners to hard-to-reach body areas. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a lotion applicator tool that enables a user to easily apply lotions and self-tanners. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a suntan lotion or self-tanner applicator that eliminates blotchy and uneven applications of lotion and self-tanners on the body. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a suntan lotion or self-tanner applicator that maintains full and optimal coverage of the skin when applying the lotion or self-tanner with the use of towelettes. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a suntan lotion or self-tanner applicator that prevents individuals from having to ask others for help to apply lotion or self-tanner to the body.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel suntan lotion or self-tanner towelette applicator device. The applicator tool further comprising a curved handle including a detachable handle portion. The detachable handle portion is integrated to a shank portion, the shank portion including a curved portion and a L-shaped arm, the L-shaped arm extends from the curved portion to a bushing, an applicator roller attached to the bushing such that the roller is configured to freely rotate around the bushing wherein the roller includes an exterior slot running along the length of the roller and an interior cavity within the roller. The roller is configured to receive and wrap a suntan or self-tan towelette thereon with terminal ends or edges of the towelette fed down the slot and housed in the cavity for a smooth operation. Further, the roller is made from a foam material that does not absorb (i.e. repels) material or lotions contained on the towelette and does not scratch the skin of the user.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The shank portion 110 includes an ergonomic bent portion 114, thereby enabling a user to use the applicator device 100 over shoulders and back without scratching skin of the user. Further, the shank portion 110 includes a L-shaped arm 116 in continuation from the bent portion 114. The L-shaped arm 116 extends to connect to the bushing 104 thereby providing a means for rotation.
An applicator roller 118 is mechanically coupled to the bushing 104 and the bushing 104 enables the roller 118 to spin freely without any binding. The applicator roller 118 is cylindrical, including a central opening 120 to wrap around the bushing 104. The applicator roller 118 includes a narrow longitudinal slot 122 along the length of the roller 118 and extending from the surface 1180 of the roller 118 to a cavity 124 preferably positioned at a distance of one third of the diameter of the roller 118. In another embodiment, the cavity 124 is positioned at a distance equivalent to half of the radius of the roller 118. A towelette 126 is wrapped around the roller 118 and is fed into the slot 122 and into the cavity 124. The cavity 124 is configured to assist the extrusion from tearing and provides a cavity for extra balled up towelettes to be housed. In use, any lotion or oil can be applied to the towelette, thereby enabling a uniform application on the body of the user without help of any other user.
The L-shaped arms 204, 206 have curved or bent portions 216, 218 that extend from a proximal handle portion 220. The proximal handle portion 220 is removably attached to a long distal handle portion 222 for handling the tool 200 for using the tool 200 for applying a lotion, self-tanner, or oil on the skin.
As in the first embodiment, a towelette 126 can be applied to the applicator roller 214 such that towelette 126 is wrapped around the roller 214 and fed down the slot 223 and into the cavity 225.
In the present embodiment, the slit 508 extends through the outer layer 504 to the inner layer 506. Preferably, the inner layer 506 is positioned in the roller 500 to partially surround the slit 508 and completely enclose the cavity 510. The roller 500 includes a central opening/core 512 that enables the roller 500 to spin freely on the bushing and the shaft of the applicator tool of the present invention. In one exemplary arrangement, the outer layer 504 of the foam material surrounds the inner layer 506, wherein a volume of the outer layer 504 comprises from about 70% to about 75% of the volume of the roller 500, and the inner layer 506 comprises from about 25% to about 30% of the volume of the roller 500.
In the present embodiment, the slit 608 extends through the outer layer 604 to the inner layer 606. Preferably, the inner layer 606 is positioned in the roller 600 to partially surround the slit 608 and completely enclose the cavity 610. The roller 600 includes a central opening/core 612 that enables the roller 600 to spin freely on the bushing and the shaft of the applicator tool of the present invention. In another exemplary arrangement, the outer layer 604 of the foam material surrounds the inner layer 606, wherein a volume of the outer layer 604 comprises from about 85% to about 90% of the volume of the roller 600, and the inner layer 606 comprises from about 10% to about 15% of the volume of the roller 600.
The applicator rollers of various embodiments can vary in diameter and length. The diameter of the rollers may vary to wrap towelettes of various dimensions offered in the market. The applicator tool of various embodiments does not have clips or protruding components, thereby eliminating potentially harm, hurt or scratches to a user using the applicator tool. The applicator tool is lightweight, portable and can be used with towelettes having any type of lotion, oil, self-tanner, sunscreen, topical medication, cream, moisturizer or any other similar substance.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “applicator tool”, “applicator device”, “suntan towelette applicator”, and “self-tanning towelette applicator” are interchangeable and refer to the self-tanning towelette applicator 100, 200, 800, 900 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the self-tanning or lotion towelette applicator 100, 200, 800, 900 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the self-tanning or lotion towelette applicator 100, 200, 800, 900 as shown in the FIGS. is for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the self-tanning or lotion towelette applicator 100, 200, 800, 900 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the self-tanning or lotion towelette applicator 100, 200, 800, 900 are important design parameters for user convenience, the self-tanning or lotion towelette applicator 100, 200, 800, 900 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features, and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/277,772, which was filed on Nov. 10, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63277772 | Nov 2021 | US |
