GB2304645A

GB2304645A - Multiple ball applicator for applying lotion to the skin

Info

Publication number: GB2304645A
Application number: GB9701304A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yen Tung-Yan Lau
Original assignee: Specialife Ind Ltd
Current assignee: Specialife Ind Ltd
Priority date: 1995-12-22
Filing date: 1995-12-22
Publication date: 1997-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 2015-12-22
Also published as: GB9701304D0; GB9526440D0; GB2297294A; GB2304645B; GB2297294B

Description

64047/001.593 "ADr)licatorll 2304645 This invention relates to an

applicator for applying lotions, medicaments or other topical substances (hereinafter called lotions) to the skin.

Such an applicator is known which has a chamber for containing a lotion, an external wall of the chamber being formed with a plurality of apertures having freely rotatable applicator balls trapped therein which are arranged to be rolled on a user's skin in use whereby to pick up lotion from within the chamber and apply it to the skin. Such an applicator is that hereinafter referred to as being of the kind described.

According to the present invention there is provided an applicator of the kind described, which is provided with one or more brushes on the outside of said external wall, for contact with a user's skin.

The engagement of such brush(es) with a user's skin in use assists in spreading the lotion and causing the lotion to penetrate the pores of the skin.

Preferably all of the said balls have their centres located on a common imaginary circle and the said brushes are elongate and extend radially with respect to the axis of the said circle.

Preferably a said brush is located between each ad3oining pair of said applicator balls.

Preferably an applicator according to the invention is provided with drive means for rotating it in the plane of said external wall, so that the face of the said wall, containing the said applicator balls, rotates on a user's skin in use. The said drive means may conveniently comprise an electric motor, gearing, and a drive shaft all housed in a head mounted on a handle, a housing of the applicator (defining the said chamber) being mountable on the said drive shaft for rotation is relative to the said head. Preferably magnets are provided on the end of the said drive shaft and on the applicator housing, for holding the same together.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an applicator according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the lotion chamber of the applicator, partly broken away to show the interior; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a stirrer member.

Referring to the drawings, an applicator comprises a housing 1 defining an internal chamber 2 for containing lotion to be applied to a user's skin. An external wall 3 of the chamber is formed with three circular apertures each holding an applicator ball 4, the dimensions of the balls and apertures being such that the balls will pick up lotion from within the chamber and apply it to the UBerls skin when the balls roll on the skin. Brushes 5 are mounted on the wall 3, between the balls 4, to assist in spreading the lotion on the skin and causing it to penetrate into the pores.

The housing 1 is removably mounted on a drive shaft (not visible) extending from a head 6 containing a gear box and a miniature electric motor powered by suitable batteries housed in a handle 7. Thus, when operated and applied to a user's skin, the housing is rotated about its axis, causing the balls 4 to roll on the skin and the brushes 5 to spread the lotion applied by the balls. Magnets (not visible) are provided on the end of the drive shaft and at the end of a shaft receiving recess in the rear wall of the housing 1, to hold the parts together in releasable fashion. The housing is formed in two separate parts, 1A and 1B, and the part 1A has an internal axially extending portion 8 which defines the said shaft receiving recess.

Referring now to Figures 2 and 3, a stirrer member 9 of wheel-like configuration is rotatably mounted in the chamber 2, on a fixed stub shaft at the centre of the wall 3, by way of its central hub 10. An outer ring 11 of the.stirrer member is pressed against the balls 4, in the chamber 2, by the portion 8 of the housing part 1A when the two housing parts are interengaged, while still allowing the stirrer to rotate. The face of the ring 11 engaging the balls is roughened by being formed with closely spaced ribs 12 all around it, with the result that as the balls rotate against a user's skin they impart rotary motion to the stirrer member, about its axis. The ring 11 thus acts as a drive ring for the stirrer member. The stirrer member is formed with inner and outer protrusions 13 and 14 which project into the lotion in the chamber, to have a stirring effect on the lotion when the stirrer member rotates, thus discouraging the lotion from collecting in regions of the chamber away from the applicator balls.

Attention is directed to Patent Specification No. 2297294 from which the present application has been divided and which claims an applicator of the kind described, including a lotion stirrer member rotatably mounted in the said chamber and arranged to have rotary stirring motion imparted thereto by the said balls when they rotate in use.

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Claims

Claims:

1. An applicator of the kind described, which is provided with one or more brushes on the outside of said external wall, for contact with a user's skin.

2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said balls have their centres located on a common imaginary circle and the said brushes are elongate and extend radially with respect to the axis of the said circle.

3. An applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein a said brush is located between each adjoining pair of said is applicator balls.

4. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, which is provided with drive means for rotating it in the plane of said external wall.

5. An applicator as claimed in claim 4, wherein said drive means comprises an electric motor, gearing, and a drive shaft all housed in a head mounted on a handle, a housing of the applicator being mountable on the said drive shaft for rotation relative to the said head.

6. An applicator as claimed in claim 5, wherein magnets are provided on the end of the said drive shaf and on the applicator housing, for holding the same together.