US20120099915A1

US20120099915A1 - Applicator With Changeable Pads

Info

Publication number: US20120099915A1
Application number: US13/281,359
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard G. Zappa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-25
Filing date: 2011-10-25
Publication date: 2012-04-26

Abstract

A novel applicator with a changeable applying pad. An applicator with an elongated body and an round applicator head coated with a layer of ‘Hook and Loop’ material and a synthetic cotton like pad or disposable fabric sheet attaches to the applicator head through the ‘Hook and Loop’ layer so that different pads may be used for different lotions and remains for good hygiene during use.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE

Priority is claimed from the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/406,220, filed Oct. 25, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

The present application relates to an applicator or a back scratcher, and more particularly to an applicator with attached sponge pad that is changeable.
Note that the points discussed below may reflect the hindsight gained from the disclosed inventions, and are not necessarily admitted to be prior art.
There have been quite a number of back scratchers and applicators. For example, U.S. Patent Application Publication U.S. 2011/0245811 A1 describes a handy scratcher that is tubular in shape and attached on one end is a rubberized grip, and on another end is a thin and hard plastic component of a size of cotton-swab. The length of the scratcher is retractable though the control of an adjustable button. U.S. Patent Publication U.S. D599,154S shows a back scratcher design with a T like structure and long elongated handle. U.S. Patent Publication U.S. D610,311S shows a back scratcher design with a hand-shaped elongated structure. More, U.S. Patent Application Publication U.S. 2005/0201811 A1 describes a back scratcher and an applicator that includes an elongated, hollow ergonomically designated shaft of interchangeable pivotal heads.
While U.S. 2005/0201811 A1 describes an applicator that can apply lotions to the back with interchangeable brush heads with threaded collar, the design is intrinsically complicated and would be expensive to manufacture. A simplified improvement would provide users a lower cost alternative.

SUMMARY

The present application discloses a novel applicator improvement.
In one embodiment, a one piece elongated shaft with a slight curve around a pad holding head where the head is mounted with a sticky tape for changeable pad.
In one aspect of an embodiment, an elongated flat shaped light weight shaft with a changeable pad mounted on ‘hook and loop material.
In one aspect of an embodiment, the changeable pad is a synthetic sponge pad or cotton like pad, or an absorbent fabric sheet.
The disclosed simplified applicator design allows an applicator with the same utility as a conventional applicator but very cost effective and efficient, easy to use and clean and also promotes good hygiene.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show important sample embodiments of the invention and which are incorporated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view of an example applicator in accordance with this application.

FIG. 1B is a top view of an example applicator in accordance with this application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to presently preferred embodiments (by way of example, and not of limitation). The present application describes several embodiments, and none of the statements below should be taken as limiting the claims generally.
For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figures illustrate the general manner of construction, and description and details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the invention. Additionally, elements in the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, some areas or elements may be expanded to help improve understanding of embodiments of the invention.
The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” “fourth,” and the like in the description and the claims, if any, may be used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable. Furthermore, the terms “comprise,” “include,” “have,” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions, such that a process, method, article, apparatus, or composition that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, apparatus, or composition.
It is contemplated and intended that the design apply to an suitable material, the most popular material may be wood or plastics. Other material may also be used, such rubber plastic or fiberglass or other durable material.
In reference FIG. 1A and 1B, applicator 100 is composed of an elongated handle 110, a slight curve 107 and an applicator head 109, made of wood, plastic or fiberglass. Handle 110 is a one piece flat shaft about 0.2-0.4 inches thick and 10-18 inches long with a slight curve 107 when close to applicator head 109, sufficient for applying lotions or ointments to the back. Applicator head 109 is a circular plaque with a diameter of 1-3 inches. Applicator head 109 may be separate or intact with handle 110. The proximal end 105 of handle 110 is for being held by a user may have a hand grip shape, and at the distal end is applicator head 109. Applicator head 109 is coated with a layer of ‘hook and loop’ material to attach and hold a sponge pad 111 of size 1-3 inches in diameter or even bigger. Sponge pad 111 is attached directly onto the ‘hook and loop’ material on the applicator head 109. Sponge pad 111 may be made of cotton like synthetic material.
As shown in FIG. 2B, applicator 100 is with a pad 130 attached. Pad may be held firmly in place by ‘hook and loop’ material on the applicator head while the user applies an ointment or lotion to the pad to be applied to the back, or the user can apply ointment or lotion to the pad before fixing the pad to the applicator to apply the lotion to the back. Different types of ointments/lotions may be applied to a user's back, always using a clean applicator pad or disposable paper or fabric sheet.
As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the innovative concepts described in the present application can be modified and varied over a tremendous range of applications, and accordingly the scope of patented subject matter is not limited by any of the specific exemplary teachings given. It is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
None of the description in the present application should be read as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element which must be included in the claim scope: THE SCOPE OF PATENTED SUBJECT MATTER IS DEFINED ONLY BY THE ALLOWED CLAIMS. Moreover, none of these claims are intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC section 112 unless the exact words “means for” are followed by a participle.
The claims as filed are intended to be as comprehensive as possible, and NO subject matter is intentionally relinquished, dedicated, or abandoned.

Claims

1. An applicator for a human back, comprising:

an elongated shaft having a proximal end, a distal end and an elongated body; and

an applying pad having a first surface and a second surface, having a cotton like synthetic material,

wherein said proximal end is shaped for hand grip and said distal end is circularly shaped and coated with ‘hook and loop’ material, whereby said applying pad can be removable attached to said distal end coated with the ‘hook and loop’ material, so that said second surface can apply a lotion/ointment.

2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said elongated shaft is made of wood.

3. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said elongated shaft is made of plastic or acrylic.

4. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said elongated body is slightly curved.

5. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said applying pad is a disposable sheet of fabrics.

6. The applicator of claim 1, wherein said applying pad is a synthetic pad.