Applicator for topical medications

Abstract

The present invention provides an applicator for topical medications that makes the application process easier and allows for the even application of the appropriate amount of topical medication. [Solution] The topical agent applicator includes a flat pad 1 for applying the topical agent. Multiple protrusions 3 are integrally formed on the surface of the pad 1. Recesses 4 are formed on the upper part of the protrusions 3 for spreading the topical agent. The recesses 4 are formed by cutting out a part of the upper part of the protrusions 3 in an L-shape so that they open in the direction of application when the pad 1 is moved during topical agent application. The topical agent is placed in each recess 4, and when the pad 1 comes into contact with the skin, the topical agent is discharged from the recesses 4 and applied to the skin as the pad 1 moves.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an external preparation applicator used when applying an external preparation such as an ointment to the skin.

Background Art

[0002] An applicator is used to apply an external preparation such as an ointment to the human skin. For example, in Patent Document 1, roller-shaped application parts are provided at the tips of two handles held by a handle, and the application parts are detachable. In Patent Document 2, the tip of an arm is an application surface having a convex curved surface, and an external preparation is placed on the application surface for application. In Patent Document 3, a groove recessed in a semicircular shape is provided in a head provided at one end of a handle, and an ointment is placed in the groove for application. In Patent Document 4, a holder like a laundry clip is attached to the tip of an arch-shaped arm, and an external preparation is applied by sandwiching a puff or gauze. In Patent Document 5, a large number of elastic pins are erected, holes are formed at the tip ends of the pins, and the chemical solution sucked into the holes is discharged and applied to the skin. When using an applicator as described above, it is possible to apply an external preparation to the back by oneself without relying on others.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Patent Document 4

Patent Document 5

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For hard-to-reach areas like the back, the application tools described above can be used. However, when applying topical medications to accessible areas such as the hands, feet, or the front of the body, it is better to apply them directly by hand. In hospitals and nursing homes, nurses and caregivers apply topical medications to patients by hand or while wearing medical gloves. When applying to a large area by hand, spreading the medication requires effort and places a heavy burden on the applicator. Furthermore, when applying topical medications, it is necessary to apply an appropriate amount depending on the area being treated.

[0005] Therefore, in view of the above, the present invention aims to provide an applicator for topical medications that makes the application of topical medications easier and allows for the even application of an appropriate amount of topical medication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The topical agent applicator of the present invention comprises a flat pad for applying a topical agent, with a convex portion integrally formed on the surface of the pad, and a recess formed above the convex portion for spreading the topical agent, and the recess is formed to open in the direction of application when the pad is moved during application of the topical agent.

[0007] When applying topical medication, the raised part of the pad makes contact with the body, dispensing and spreading the medication that is placed in the recessed area, or spreading the medication that is placed directly on the skin. Because the contact area between the pad and the body is reduced, the pad can be moved more easily.

[0008] The recess is an opening formed by cutting out a portion of the upper part of the convex part in an L-shape. The topical agent is placed in the recess, and when the pad comes into contact with the skin, the topical agent is discharged from the recess and applied to the skin. Alternatively, the recess is a groove-like opening formed in multiple directions from a recess in the center of the upper part of the convex part. The topical agent is placed in the recess, and when the pad comes into contact with the human body, the topical agent is pushed into the groove and applied to a wide area.

[0009] Multiple protrusions are arranged in an aligned manner, with recesses formed in each protrusion. Protrusions located in the front and back directions relative to the application direction are offset to the left and right. The contact of multiple protrusions with the human body expands the area over which the topical agent can be applied, and pressing the protrusions against the body makes it easier to rub the topical agent into the skin.

[0010] The back of the pad is equipped with a gripping device that allows it to be held by hand. The pad is made of a resilient, non-permeable material. By moving the pad while holding the gripping device, topical medications can be easily applied without directly touching the body. Furthermore, the gripping device can be used to apply topical medications to hard-to-reach areas such as the back, allowing the user to apply the medication themselves without relying on others. In addition, the topical medication does not soak into the pad, reducing residual loss and making pad maintenance easy.

[0011] The system consists of the above-mentioned topical agent applicator and a topical agent application tool for pre-positioning topical agents on the human body. The topical agent application tool has a mounting section that can hold a predetermined amount of topical agent to place the appropriate amount of topical agent on the application site. The topical agent application tool, with the predetermined amount of topical agent on it, is used to place the prescribed amount of topical agent in scattered locations on the application site until the appropriate amount of topical agent is placed. Then, the topical agent placed on the application site is spread using the topical agent applicator. By using these together, the effort of placing the topical agent on the topical agent applicator is eliminated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, by using a pad having a convex portion with a concave portion, the pad makes point contact with the human body. This allows the applicator to move the pad smoothly without directly touching the human body, enabling hygienic and easy application of topical agents. Therefore, the burden on the applicator in terms of labor and hygiene can be reduced during the application of topical agents. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1]Shows an external preparation applicator according to the first embodiment of the present invention, (a) front view of the pad, (b) plan view of the pad, (c) perspective view of the convex part [Figure 2] (a) Perspective view of the external preparation applicator, (b) perspective view of the gripping tool [Figure 3] (a) Diagram showing the convex part with the external preparation placed in the concave part, (b) diagram showing the convex part 3 when applying the external preparation [Figure 4] Diagram showing the state where the external preparation is spread by moving the pad in the application direction [Figure 5] Shows an external preparation applicator according to the second embodiment of the present invention, (a) front view of the pad, (b) plan view of the pad, (c) perspective view of the convex part [Figure 6] (a) Diagram showing the convex part with the external preparation placed in the concave part, (b) diagram showing the convex part when applying the external preparation [Figure 7] Diagram showing the state where the external preparation is spread by moving the pad in the application direction [Figure 8] (a) Diagram showing the state where the applicator is applying the external preparation to the back of the person to be coated using the external preparation applicator, (b) diagram showing the state where the applicator is applying the external preparation to oneself using the external preparation applicator [Figure 9] Diagram showing the self - help gripping tool [Figure 10] (a) Diagram showing the pad attached to the self - help gripping tool, (b) diagram showing the mounting plate of the self - help gripping tool [Figure 11] (a) Diagram showing the state where the applicator is applying the external preparation to the back over the shoulder using the external preparation applicator by oneself, (b) diagram showing the state where the applicator is applying the external preparation to the back over the shoulder using the external preparation applicator by oneself, (c) diagram showing the state where the applicator is applying the external preparation to the back by rotating the external preparation applicator from the side of the body by oneself [Figure 12] (a) Perspective view of the external preparation applicator, (b) perspective view of the external preparation applicator with the external preparation placed, (c) front view of the external preparation applicator with the external preparation placed [Figure 13] Diagram showing the state where the external preparation is dot - placed on the skin using the external preparation applicator [Figure 14]Shows an external preparation applicator according to the third embodiment, (a) front view of the pad, (b) plan view of the pad, (c) cross-sectional view of the pad [Figure 15] (a) Diagram showing the convex part when applying the external preparation, (b) Diagram showing the state where the external preparation is spread by moving the pad back and forth, left and right [Figure 16] (a) Plan view of a pad of another form, (b) Plan view of a pad of another form also [Figure 17] Cross-sectional view of the pad with the dent in the recess not distorted [Figure 18] Shows an external preparation applicator according to the fourth embodiment, (a) front view of the pad, (b) plan view of the pad [Figure 19] (a) Plan view of a pad having a convex part of another form, (b) Plan view of a pad having a convex part of another form [[ID=十七]] [Figure 20] (a) Plan view of a pad having a convex part of another form, (b) Plan view of pad 1 having a convex part of another form [Figure 21] Shows an external preparation applicator according to the fifth embodiment, (a) plan view of the pad, (b) side view of the pad, (c) enlarged cross-sectional view of the pad [Figure 22] (a) Plan view of a pad of another form, (b) side view of a pad of another form, (c) enlarged cross-sectional view of a pad of another form [Figure 23] (a) Cross-sectional view of an external preparation applicator provided with a gripper according to the sixth embodiment, (b) plan view of the external preparation applicator provided with the gripper also [Figure 24] Cross-sectional view of an external preparation applicator provided with a gripper of another form [Figure 25] Cross-sectional view of an external preparation applicator provided with a gripper [Figure 26] Shows an external preparation applicator according to the seventh embodiment, (a) plan view of the convex part, (b) cross-sectional view of the convex part [Figure 27] (a) Plan view of a convex part having a recess of another form, (b) cross-sectional view of the convex part also [Figure 28] (a) Plan view of a convex part having a recess of another form, (b) cross-sectional view of the convex part also, (c) plan view of a convex part having a recess of another form, (d) cross-sectional view of the convex part also [Figure 29] (a) Plan view of a convex portion having a recess of another form, (b) Cross-sectional view of the same convex portion, (c) Plan view of a convex portion having a recess of another form, (d) Cross-sectional view of the same convex portion [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0014] A topical agent applicator used when applying a topical agent to the human body according to the first embodiment of the present invention will now be described. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the topical agent applicator consists of a pad 1 for applying the topical agent and a gripping device 2 that allows the pad 1 to be held by hand. Multiple protrusions 3 are integrally formed on the surface of the flat pad 1, and recesses 4 for spreading the topical agent are formed on the upper part of each aligned protrusion 3.

[0015] Pad 1 is made of a resilient, non-penetrating material and is formed into a nearly square flat plate. A closed-cell foam such as polyethylene, which is non-penetrating, is used as such a material. This prevents topical agents from soaking into Pad 1. Furthermore, by profiling the surface of the foam to create irregularities, multiple dome-shaped protrusions 3 are integrally formed. As shown in Figure 1(b), each protrusion 3 is arranged at equal intervals and positioned in a staggered pattern relative to the diagonal direction of Pad 1.

[0016] The recesses 4 are formed by cutting a notch into the upper part of the protrusions 3. As shown in Figure 1(c), the recesses 4 are formed by cutting an L-shaped opening into a part of the upper part of the protrusions 3, and as shown in Figure 1(b), the upper part of the protrusions 3 is cut out from the top of the protrusions 3 toward the front side (upper side in the drawing) in the diagonal direction of the pad 1. In this way, each recess 4 is formed to open toward the front side in the diagonal direction. Here, the diagonal direction is the application direction in which the pad 1 is moved when applying the topical agent. Therefore, the recesses 4 open toward the application direction.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the gripping device 2 is a plate-shaped retaining plate 11 to which a hand strap 10 is attached. The circular retaining plate 11, made of soft plastic, has a larger diameter than the pad 1 and is attached to the back surface of the pad 1 by a hook-and-loop fastener. Since the pad 1 is detachably attached to the gripping device 2, the pad 1 can be easily removed and replaced.

[0018] To ensure that the pad 1 is correctly attached to the holding plate 11 in the direction of application, it is advisable to provide a marker 12 on the hand strap 10 indicating the direction in which the pad 1 should be moved. When attaching the pad 1 to the holding plate 11, the front side of the pad 1 can be correctly aligned with the direction of movement. It is also possible to attach the pad 1 to the holding plate 11 so that its orientation is perpendicular to the application direction. For example, if it is easier to apply by moving the gripper 2 in a direction perpendicular to the application direction than by moving it in the application direction indicated by the marker 12, the pad 1 should be attached to the holding plate 11 so that the recess 4 of the pad 1 faces left to right.

[0019] As shown in Figure 3(a), the topical agent E is placed in the recess 4 of the pad 1. When applying the topical agent, a predetermined amount is applied according to the application area. That is, the predetermined amount is 0.5g = 1 FTU (Finger Tip Unit). 1 FTU of topical agent can cover the area of ​​both palms when outstretched. The appropriate amount of topical agent is determined by the area of ​​the application site. In this topical agent applicator, the size of the recesses 4 is set so that 1 FTU can be placed in the three recesses 4. Here, the depth of the recess 4 (length from the top surface of the protrusion 3 to the bottom surface of the recess 4) is approximately the same as the length of the bottom surface of the recess 4 in the front-to-back direction.

[0020] When applying a topical agent using an application tool, the agent is first placed in the recesses 4. The agent can be placed directly from the tube into the recesses 4, or placed on a finger and then transferred to the recesses 4. When all the recesses 4 are filled with the agent, 3 FTU, or 1.5g, of the agent is filled. The appropriate amount of agent to be applied depends on the area of ​​the application site, and therefore the number and position of the recesses 4 where the agent is placed are also determined.

[0021] Then, by inserting your hand into the hand strap 10 of the gripping device 2 and holding the pad 1, and placing the pad 1 against the skin of the human body, the upper surfaces of each protrusion 3 come into contact with the skin. When the pad 1 is moved toward the front in the application direction, the pad 1 moves while touching the skin.

[0022] As shown in Figure 3(b), in the resilient and flexible pad 1, the upper surface of the convex portion 3 is pressed against the skin S, and as the pad moves forward in the application direction, the upper part of the convex portion 3 deforms, causing the recess 4 to move closer to the skin and be pushed open. The topical agent E is discharged from the recess 4 and applied to the skin, and spread on the skin by the upper surface of the convex portion 3. As the pad 1 moves, the topical agent is spread not only in the application direction but also slightly in the left-right direction perpendicular to the application direction. As shown in Figure 4, the topical agent is spread along the application direction to match the width of the pad 1. Furthermore, since the flexible pad 1 is designed to flex according to the curve of the skin, the convex portion 3 is always in contact with the skin, allowing the topical agent to be spread evenly.

[0023] Then, when pad 1 is moved to the rear in the application direction, the upper part of the convex portion 3 deforms toward the concave portion 4, and the topical agent applied to the skin is spread evenly by the upper part of each convex portion 3. When pad 1 is moved back and forth several times in the application direction, the topical agent placed in the concave portion 4 is almost completely discharged, and the topical agent is rubbed into the skin by the upper part of each convex portion 3 that is pressed against the skin. When pad 1 is removed from the skin, the convex portions 3 return to their original shape.

[0024] Since the topical agent placed in the recess 4 is almost completely discharged, residual loss of the topical agent can be minimized. The topical agent does not soak into the pad 1, so the pad 1 can be easily cleaned by washing it with alcohol or the like, making maintenance simple and hygienic. Furthermore, as the upper part of each protrusion 3 moves while in contact with the skin, spreading the topical agent, the pad 1 does not make surface contact, and the contact area is reduced, allowing the pad 1 to move smoothly, and the topical agent can be easily applied by simply rubbing with light force.

[0025] In the second embodiment of the topical agent applicator, as shown in Figure 5, recesses 4 are provided on the upper part of the convex portion 3, on either the front or back of the top. The front recess 4 opens diagonally towards the front, and the rear recess 4 opens diagonally towards the rear, with a wall portion 15 elastically deformable between the front and rear recesses 4. The shape of the recesses 4 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the size of the recesses 4 is smaller than that of the first embodiment. For example, if the size is halved, the depth of the recess 4 (length from the top surface of the convex portion 3 to the bottom surface of the recess 4) is made smaller than the length of the bottom surface of the recess 4 in the front-to-back direction. As a result, the amount of topical agent placed in the front and rear recesses 4 is the same as the amount of topical agent placed in one recess 4 in the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same as those of the topical agent applicator in the first embodiment.

[0026] As shown in Figure 6(a), the topical agent E is placed in the recesses 4 at the front and rear of the pad 1. When applying the topical agent, an appropriate amount of the agent is applied according to the application location. Since the appropriate amount to be applied is determined according to the application location, the topical agent is placed in the corresponding number of recesses 4.

[0027] Then, as shown in Figure 6(b), when the pad 1 is placed on the skin S, the upper surfaces of each wall portion 15 come into contact with the skin. When the pad 1 is moved forward in the application direction, the wall portion 15 bends backward, the recess 4 on the front side approaches the skin, the topical agent on the front side adheres to the skin, and the wall portion 15 functions like a spatula, spreading the topical agent onto the skin. The topical agent on the rear side is pushed out and adheres to the skin. When the pad 1 is moved backward, the topical agent remaining on the rear side adheres to the skin and is spread by the wall portion 15. The topical agent remaining on the front side is discharged from the recess 4.

[0028] When the pad 1 is moved back and forth several times in the application direction, as shown in Figure 7, the wall portion 15 spreads and rubs the topical agent evenly along the application direction, matching the width of the pad 1. In addition, the topical agent that has settled in the recess 4 is almost completely discharged. When the pad 1 is lifted from the skin, the wall portion 15 returns to its original shape. Using this topical agent applicator, the topical agent can be applied quickly over a wide area by moving it back and forth.

[0029] When a third party is using the topical agent applicator in each embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, the topical agent can be easily applied not only to the hands, feet, and front of the body, but also to the back of the person being treated. Moreover, the third party applicator can apply the agent without directly touching the skin of the person being treated, making it hygienic. However, when the person being treated is the applicator, it is difficult to apply the topical agent to areas that are difficult to reach, such as the back, with this topical agent applicator. Therefore, to enable the person being treated to apply the topical agent to areas that are difficult to reach, such as the back, a self-help gripping device 20 as shown in Figure 9 is used.

[0030] As shown in Figure 10, the self-help gripping device 20 consists of a mounting plate 21 that attaches to the pad 1 and a handle 22 that supports the mounting plate 21. The handle 22 is connected to the mounting plate 21 via a connecting part 23. The mounting plate 21, made of hard plastic, is attached to the back surface of the pad 1 by a hook-and-loop fastener. The pad 1 is detachably provided with respect to the gripping device 20, allowing the pad 1 to be easily removed and the gripping device 20 to be easily replaced depending on the user applying the product.

[0031] The handle 22 is formed by bending an aluminum pipe 22a into an arc shape, with a grip 24 at one end and a connecting portion 23 at the other end. The connecting portion 23 consists of a fixing member 25 attached to the handle 22 and a rotating member 26 attached to the mounting plate 21, with the rotating member 26 fastened to the fixing member 25 by a screw 27. The rotating member 26 is rotatable around the screw 27, and by loosening the screw 27 and rotating the rotating member 26, the angle of the rotating member 26 relative to the fixing member 25 can be varied. By changing the angle of the rotating member 26 and adjusting how the pad 1 touches the skin, the application work can be made easier.

[0032] As shown in Figure 11, the applicator keeps their hands in front of their body and moves the handle over their shoulder or from the side to reach areas they cannot reach with their hands, such as their back, and presses the pad 1 against the skin of their back. Then, they move the handle 22 in the application direction to spread the topical agent.

[0033] In this way, by using the self-help gripping device 20, the person receiving the medication can apply the topical agent to areas they cannot reach themselves. At this time, by holding the grip 24 with both hands, or by holding the grip 24 with one hand and the pipe 22a of the handle 22 with the other hand, that is, by holding the handle 22 of the gripping device 20 with both hands, it becomes easier to apply force and move the pad 1 smoothly while applying it to the skin.

[0034] By the way, in the topical agent applicator described above, a specified amount of topical agent is placed directly into each recess 4 of the pad 1. However, since it is sufficient to apply an appropriate amount of topical agent to the application site on the human body, it is also possible to directly place an appropriate amount of topical agent onto the skin to be applied. Therefore, a topical agent applicator 30 is used to pre-apply the topical agent to the human body. As shown in Figure 12, the topical agent applicator 30 is equipped with a mounting section 31 on which a fixed amount of topical agent can be placed, and a rod-shaped handle section 32 attached to the mounting section 31. A topical agent application set is formed from this topical agent applicator 30 and the topical agent applicator, and by using them together, an appropriate amount of topical agent can be easily and efficiently placed and spread.

[0035] The mounting section 31 is a spatula-shaped rod made of soft plastic such as silicone, and the topical agent is placed on its flat surface 33. As shown in Figure 12(b), a fixed amount of topical agent E can be placed in a single row on the mounting section 31. This mounting section 31 has a surface area that can accommodate a fixed amount of topical agent equivalent to 3 FTU. To ensure that the fixed amount of topical agent can be placed, it is advisable to mark the position for placing 1 FTU of topical agent on the flat surface 33 of the mounting section 31.

[0036] When using the topical agent applicator 30, first, a specified amount of topical agent is placed from the tube onto the placement section 31. A certain amount of topical agent is placed on the placement section 31 for an appropriate amount of topical agent determined according to the application area. When the topical agent applicator 30 is pressed against the skin at the application site, the topical agent is transferred to the skin as shown in Figure 13. If the topical agent applicator 30 is pressed again in the same way at a slightly different position, the topical agent is transferred to the skin in a scattered manner. This process is repeated until the appropriate amount of topical agent is placed. After this, the topical agent scattered on the skin is spread using the topical agent applicator. Alternatively, the topical agent placed on the skin using the topical agent applicator 30 may be applied beforehand, and then spread evenly with the topical agent applicator afterward.

[0037] By using this topical agent application set, the appropriate amount of topical agent can be applied correctly according to the application area, and the application can be done easily and evenly. Furthermore, by appropriately setting the placement area for the topical agent at the application site, the appropriate amount of topical agent can be applied efficiently and evenly. Moreover, since the topical agent only needs to be placed on the placement area 31 of the topical agent application tool 30, the process of placing the prescribed amount of topical agent becomes easier compared to directly placing the topical agent on the topical agent application tool.

[0038] As shown in Figure 14, the third embodiment of the topical agent applicator is formed with a circular pad 40 in a dome shape, and the pad 40 itself is formed as a convex portion 41. A recess 42 is formed on the upper part of this convex portion 41. The recess 42 is formed to extend radially from a recess 43 formed at the top of the convex portion 41, that is, it is formed to open in multiple directions, in this case in four directions. The other configurations are the same as those of the topical agent applicator in the first embodiment. The gripping device 2 may be attached to the pad 40 for use, or the pad 40 may be used alone without attaching the gripping device 2.

[0039] The convex portion 41 has a composite R shape, with the upper part being a circular curve and the lower part being a curve with a small curvature or almost a straight line, and the area between the upper and lower parts being a transition curve, with the curvature gradually decreasing from the upper part to the lower part, resulting in a gentle slope. The concave portion 42 is cut out in a cross shape, extending in four directions from a recess 43 formed by scooping out the upper part with the apex as the center, and is composed of front and rear grooves 44 that open linearly in the front-to-back direction and left and right grooves 44 that open linearly in the left-to-right direction. The central recess 43 is slightly recessed than the four surrounding grooves 44 and is sized to accommodate a specified amount (1 FTU) of topical agent. The grooves 44 are formed shallowly from the upper edge of the recess 43 toward the lower part of the concave portion 42 and have a smoothly changing curved surface, which has a transition curve shape.

[0040] When using this topical agent applicator, a specified amount of topical agent is placed in each recess 43. Then, as shown in Figure 15(a), the pad 40 is pressed against the skin S and moved in the forward / backward or left / right direction. Depending on the direction in which the pad 40 is moved, the forward / backward direction becomes the application direction, or the left / right direction becomes the application direction. The upper part of the convex portion 41 in contact with the skin is crushed and deformed, the recess 43 moves closer to the skin, and the topical agent is pushed out into the grooves 44 on all four sides. As shown in Figure 15(b), as the pad 40 moves, the grooves 44 in the forward and backward directions of the application are expanded, and the topical agent in the front groove 44 is discharged as it moves toward the rear, and the topical agent is spread by the convex portion 41. When the pad 40 is moved in the opposite direction, the topical agent in the rear groove 44 is discharged and spread in the same way. In addition, the upper part of the groove 44 in the direction perpendicular to the application direction deforms with movement, and the topical agent in the groove 44 is discharged and applied to the skin. Furthermore, when the pad 40 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the initial application direction, any topical agent remaining in the groove 44 in that perpendicular direction is discharged and spread.

[0041] In this way, by moving the pad 40 in multiple directions such as forward, backward, left, and right, all of the topical agent in the recess 42 is discharged, spread evenly, and rubbed into the skin. Therefore, by using such a topical agent applicator, the topical agent can be quickly spread over a wide area simply by moving the pad 40 in the direction corresponding to each groove 44. In addition, the topical agent only needs to be placed in the recess 42 once, which greatly reduces the effort required for placement compared to placing it in multiple recesses 4.

[0042] Other forms of the recess 42 are not limited to grooves 44 in four directions. As shown in Figure 16(a), grooves 44 may be formed in five directions, or as shown in Figure 16(b), grooves 44 may be formed in eight directions. With such an external agent applicator, the pad 40 is moved not only forward, backward, left, and right, but also diagonally to spread the external agent. The number of grooves 44 is not limited to these. Therefore, by using an external agent applicator having recesses 42 of this form, the external agent can be spread evenly not only by moving the pad 40 linearly, but also by moving it in a circular or zigzag pattern, allowing for efficient application of the external agent. In addition, ridges may be provided along the grooves 44. By providing ridges, it is possible to prevent the external agent in the grooves 44 from spilling out of the grooves 44, thereby reducing the amount of external agent remaining on the surface of the pad 40 that is not applied.

[0043] However, the contact of the protrusion 41 of the pad 40 is not uniform depending on the applicator and the area to which it is applied. If the contact is poor, the recess 43 of the recess 41 may become distorted and deformed, which may prevent the topical agent from being discharged smoothly. Therefore, in order to prevent distortion of the recess 43, as shown in Figure 17, a support part 45 made of resin or rubber that is slightly harder than the surrounding material is provided below the recess 43 of the recess 42. When the pad 40 is pressed against the skin, the center of the recess 43 approaches the skin without distortion, the topical agent is pushed evenly to the periphery of the recess 43, and the topical agent is easily discharged from the recess 43 into the groove 44. As the pad 40 moves, the recess 42 is compressed, spreading the topical agent and preventing any residue from remaining in the recess 43.

[0044] As shown in Figure 18, the fourth embodiment of the topical agent applicator has multiple protrusions 41 formed on the pad 1, which have the same shape as those of the third embodiment, and recesses 42 are formed in each protrusion 41. The other configurations are the same as those of the topical agent applicator of the first embodiment.

[0045] When using this topical agent applicator, the topical agent is placed in the recesses 43 of each recess 42. A specified amount of topical agent is appropriately placed in each recess 42. Although topical agent is placed in all recesses 42, the specified amount may be placed only in any recess 42, depending on the appropriate amount determined for the application area. By moving the pad 1 pressed against the skin back and forth and side to side, all of the topical agent in the recesses 42 is discharged, the topical agent is spread evenly, and rubbed into the skin. Compared to topical agent applicators with a single protrusion 41, a wider area can be applied to the topical agent with a single movement, thus reducing the number of movements and the effort required for application.

[0046] As an alternative form of the protrusion 41, as shown in Figure 19, a recess 42 having grooves 44 in five directions or a recess 42 having grooves 44 in eight directions may be formed. Also, as shown in Figure 20(a), the number of protrusions 41 may be reduced. Since there are fewer recesses 42, the time required to place the topical agent can be shortened. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 20(b), different forms of recesses may be combined. For example, the central protrusion 41 of the pad 1 may be provided with a recess 42 having radial grooves 44, and the surrounding protrusions 3 may be provided with recesses 4 having openings with a cutout in the upper part as shown in Figure 1. Each recess 4 is formed to open in the direction of movement. The pad 1 can be moved freely without worrying about the direction of the opening, making the application work easier.

[0047] As shown in Figure 21, the fifth embodiment of the topical agent applicator is a nearly square pad 50, which is formed in a convex shape that slopes gently toward the top in the center, and the pad 50 itself is formed as a convex portion 51. A recess 52 is formed on the upper part of this convex portion 51. The recess 52 is formed to extend radially from the top of the convex portion 51, that is, to open in four directions.

[0048] The recess 52 is cut out in a cross shape, extending in four directions from the top, and is composed of front and rear grooves 53 that open linearly in the front-to-back direction and left and right grooves 53 that open linearly in the left-to-right direction. Each groove 53 is formed by a curved surface with a predetermined curvature, and is formed so that the width gradually narrows from the top outwards, and the depth of the groove 53 gradually decreases, and the bottom surface of the groove 53 is horizontal. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 22, the curvature of the curved surface of the groove 53 may be increased to form the groove 53. A pad 50 of this form is manufactured by wire cutting. The other configurations are the same as those of the topical agent applicator of the first embodiment. The gripping device 2 may be attached to the pad 50 for use, or the pad 50 may be used alone without the gripping device 2 attached.

[0049] When using this topical agent applicator, a specified amount of topical agent is placed in the center of the recess 52. Then, the pad 50 is pressed against the skin S and moved in the forward / backward or left / right direction. Depending on the direction in which the pad 50 is moved, the forward / backward direction becomes the application direction, or the left / right direction becomes the application direction. The topical agent in the center of the recess 52 that is in contact with the skin is pushed out into the grooves 53 on all four sides. As the pad 50 moves, the grooves 53 in the forward and backward directions of the application direction are pressed against the skin, and the topical agent in the front groove 53 is discharged and spread by the protrusion 51. In addition, the upper part of the groove 53 in the direction perpendicular to the application direction deforms with movement, and the topical agent in the groove 53 is discharged and applied to the skin. Furthermore, when the pad 50 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the initial application direction, the topical agent remaining in the groove 53 in that direction is discharged and spread.

[0050] By using such an external agent applicator, the external agent can be quickly spread over a wide area simply by moving the pad 50 in the direction corresponding to each groove 53. In addition, the external agent only needs to be placed in the recesses 52 once, which greatly reduces the effort required for placement compared to placing it in multiple recesses 4.

[0051] As the applicator for topical preparations in the sixth embodiment, a gripping device 60 that can be held by hand, as shown in Figure 23, is used. The gripping device 60 consists of a holding part 61 that holds the pad 50 and a gripping part 62 that is held by hand. The pad 50 is the same as that of the fifth embodiment, and the shape of the gripping device 60 is formed to be approximately square according to the shape of the pad 50. Note that other forms of pad 1 may be used, and the shape of the gripping device 60 will be according to the shape of the pad 1.

[0052] The holding portion 61 holds the elastic pad 50 by sandwiching it between peripheral walls 64 formed on the periphery of the holding plate 63. Multiple needle-shaped protrusions 65 are formed on the holding plate 63, and the pad 50 is fixed in place by the protrusions 65 piercing the pad 50, preventing it from shifting. The gripping portion 62 has a grip 66 that can be held with one hand and protrudes from the holding plate 63.

[0053] The applicator grasps the grip 66 of the gripping part 62 with one hand to hold the topical agent applicator and presses the pad 50 against the skin to which the topical agent is to be applied. Then, they move the applicator to spread the topical agent. Because the applicator can be held firmly, stable application work can be performed, and the amount of pressure applied can be adjusted to spread the topical agent evenly.

[0054] By creating a structure that allows a handle 22 to be attached to the gripping device 60 described above, it can also be used as a self-help gripping device 20. As shown in Figure 24, a semicircular attachment part 67 is formed on the grip 66 of the gripping part 62. The pipe 22a of the handle 22 is fitted into the attachment part 67, and the pipe 22a is fixed to the gripping part 62 with fastening members such as bands and screws. This allows it to function as a self-help gripping device 20, and when the pipe 22a is removed, it functions as a gripping device 60 that can be held directly by hand, so it can be used in the appropriate way depending on the application area.

[0055] Furthermore, the gripping device 60 described above may also be applied to the topical agent applicator 30. As shown in Figure 25, the topical agent applicator 30 is formed in a nearly square shape corresponding to the shape of the gripping device 60, and a single groove 71 is formed on the upper surface of the pad-shaped mounting section 70, allowing a certain amount of topical agent to be placed. The width of the groove 71 is set to the length when a specified amount of topical agent, 1 FTU, is placed. The direction in which the groove 71 extends is considered the application direction. It is advisable to mark the groove 71 on the mounting section 70 to indicate the length when a specified amount of topical agent is placed. By using this mark as a guide, a certain specified amount of topical agent can be easily placed. Depending on the appropriate amount of topical agent determined by the application location, the topical agent may be placed in one or more locations within the groove 71.

[0056] After placing a predetermined amount of topical agent in the groove 71 of the placement section 70, the user holds the gripping tool 60 and presses the placement section 70 against the skin to position the topical agent on the skin. After this, the topical agent is spread on the skin using the topical agent applicator. Because the gripping tool 60 can be firmly held to position the topical agent on the skin, the agent can be placed in an appropriate position for spreading within the application area, allowing for efficient application.

[0057] Here, the topical agent application tool 30 may be made usable as an applicator. The central part of the mounting section 70 is made of a soft material such as silicone, and a groove is formed there as a recess for placing the topical agent. Alternatively, the mounting section 70 may be provided with front and rear recesses 4 as shown in Figure 5, and a spatula-shaped wall 15 may be provided between the front and rear recesses 4.

[0058] A predetermined amount of topical agent is placed in the recess 4, and the topical agent applicator 30 is pressed against the skin to position the agent in the recess 4 onto the skin. After positioning the appropriate amount of topical agent, moving the applicator 30 in the application direction causes the recess 4 or wall portion 15 to deform, discharging any remaining topical agent in the recess 4 and spreading the agent applied to the skin. This allows one tool to serve as both an applicator and an applicator, enabling continuous application without changing tools and reducing working time.

[0059] Another configuration in which the topical agent application tool 30 also functions as an applicator involves attaching a separate part made of a soft material such as silicone to a pad-shaped mounting section 70 attached to the gripping tool 60. A predetermined amount of topical agent is placed on the mounting section 70 and positioned at the application site. Once the appropriate amount of topical agent is evenly distributed, the applicator attached to the gripping tool 60 is used to spread the agent. This allows the tasks of placing the topical agent at the application site and spreading the agent to be performed with a single tool, eliminating the need to change tools, enabling continuous application, and improving work efficiency.

[0060] As shown in Figure 26, in the seventh embodiment of the topical agent applicator, recesses 80 are formed on the upper part of a plurality of protrusions 3 integrally formed on the pad 1, opening in the direction of application as the pad 1 is moved. The direction toward the front of the diagonal of the pad 1 is the application direction, and the recesses 80 are openings that are cut out in a nearly circular shape closer to the front of the tops of the protrusions 3. The other configurations are the same as those of the topical agent applicator in the first embodiment.

[0061] When using this topical agent applicator, a specified amount of topical agent is divided and placed in each recess 80. When the pad 1, which is pressed against the skin, is moved in the application direction, for example, forward, the upper part of the convex part 3 deforms, and the topical agent is discharged from the recess 80 and applied to the skin. The pad 1 is then moved backward to spread the applied topical agent. The topical agent adheres to the area around the recess 80, but not to the lower part of the convex part 3, thus reducing the loss of topical agent. In this way, the topical agent can be spread quickly and easily simply by moving the pad 1 in the application direction.

[0062] Another form of the protrusion 3, as shown in Figure 27, is a recess 80 formed by cutting out the top of the protrusion 3. With such a recess 80, there are no restrictions on the direction in which the pad 1 can be moved, and the topical agent can be applied regardless of the direction in which it is moved.

[0063] Furthermore, as another form of the recess 80, as shown in Figure 28, the convex portion 3 is formed to be elongated in a direction perpendicular to the coating direction, and as shown in Figures (a) and (b), the center of the upper part of the convex portion 3 is cut out along the perpendicular direction to form the recess 80, or as shown in Figures (c) and (d), the upper part of the convex portion 3 is cut out closer to the front of the top to form the recess 80. The width of the recess 80 becomes longer in the direction perpendicular to the coating direction. As shown in Figure 29, the convex portion 3 is formed to be elongated in a direction perpendicular to the coating direction, and as shown in Figures (a) and (b), the center of the upper part of the convex portion 3 is cut out along the perpendicular direction to form a groove-shaped recess 80, or as shown in Figures (c) and (d), the upper part of the convex portion 3 is cut out closer to the front of the top to form the groove-shaped recess 80.

[0064] In these topical agent applicators, a specified amount of topical agent is divided and placed in each recess 80. When the pad 1 pressed against the skin is moved in the application direction, the upper part of the convex portion 3 deforms, and the topical agent is discharged from the recess 80 and applied to the skin. Because the recess 80 is formed to be wide in the application direction, the edges of the topical agent applied by the front recess 80 and the topical agent applied by the rear recess 80 overlap, allowing the topical agent to be spread evenly.

[0065] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and many modifications and changes can be made to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention. The pad may be made by molding an elastic elastomer, synthetic rubber, or silicone rubber, and the shape of the pad may be circular, triangular, or resemble a human hand. The applicator for topical agents does not need to have a gripping device. In this case, the topical agent is applied by directly holding the pad. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 1 pad 2 Gripping tool 3. Convex part 4 recesses 20 Self-help grips 30. Tools for applying topical medications 31 Mounting section 40 pads 41 Convex part 42 recess 43. Dent 44 Groove 50 pads 51 Convex part 52 recess 53 Groove 60 Gripping tool 70 Mounting section 80 recess E Topical preparations S skin

Claims

1. An external agent applicator comprising a flat pad for applying an external agent, wherein a convex portion is integrally formed on the surface of the pad, and a recess is formed above the convex portion for spreading the external agent, and the recess is formed to open in the direction of application when the pad is moved during application of the external agent.

2. The external agent application tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess is an opening formed by cutting out a part of the upper part of the convex portion in an L-shape.

3. The external agent applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess is a groove-shaped opening formed in multiple directions from a recess in the center of the upper part of the convex portion.

4. The topical agent applicator according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that multiple protrusions are arranged in an aligned manner and each protrusion has a recess formed therein.

5. The topical agent applicator according to claim 4, characterized in that the protrusions located in the front and rear directions with respect to the application direction are offset from each other to the left and right.

6. An external agent applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a gripping device is provided on the back of the pad so that it can be held by hand.

7. The topical agent applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the pad is made of a resilient, non-penetrating material.

8. An external agent application set comprising an external agent application tool as described in claim 1 and an external agent application tool for pre-positioning the external agent on the human body, wherein the external agent application tool has a mounting section on which a fixed amount of external agent can be placed in order to place an appropriate amount of external agent on the application site, and the external agent application tool with the fixed amount of external agent placed on it is used to place the fixed amount of external agent in a scattered manner on the application site until an appropriate amount of external agent is placed.

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