Composition applicator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition applicator (1), in particular for a tanning lotion, comprising: a body (3) having two opposing longitudinal sides (5a, 5b) and first and second ends (7a, 7b); and a first handle (9a) attached to the first end (7a), and a second handle (9b) attached to the second end (7b); wherein the body is formed of three panels which form three layers: a front panel (10a), a back panel (10b) and an inner panel (10c) interposed between the front panel and the back panel; wherein, the front panel (10a) comprises polyurethane leather; the back panel (10b) comprises a brushed material; and the inner panel (10c) comprises sponge.

Description

[0001] COMPOSITION APPLICATOR

[0002] The present invention relates to a device for applying a composition such as tanning lotion to the skin.

[0003] BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0004] Compositions such as body lotions and tanning lotions can be applied to the skin surface using bare hands, but are more typically applied using an applicator.

[0005] Applicators are often designed to cover at least a part of the user’s hand, providing a barrier between the user’s hand and the composition, which in the case of fake tan prevents the user’s hands becoming discoloured by contact with the tanning lotion.

[0006] Alternatively, applicators can comprise one or more handles to avoid the user’s hand coming into contact with the composition. Applicators having an extended handle and a head containing the composition have been developed, as well as applicators formed from an elongated strip of flexible material having handles, which allow the user to grasp opposite ends of the applicator and extend it across their back or other hard to reach places to apply the composition.

[0007] Various applicators are currently available for the application of tanning lotion. Such tanning applicators are typically formed from two pieces of absorbent material, which absorb the lotion when it is applied to the surface (typically of a mitt), allowing it to be applied without drips and associated staining. However, such applicators can absorb too much of the lotion, meaning each application involves wastage of the tanning lotion.

[0008] There is therefore a need for an improved device for applying a composition to the skin surface, which overcomes the disadvantages of known devices.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition applicator comprising:

[0011] a body having two opposing longitudinal sides and first and second ends;

[0012] and a first handle attached to the first end, and a second handle attached to the second end;wherein the body is formed of three panels which form three layers: a front panel, a back panel and an inner panel interposed between the front panel and the back panel;

[0013] wherein,

[0014] the front panel comprises polyurethane leather;

[0015] the back panel comprises a brushed material; and

[0016] the inner panel comprises sponge.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for applying a composition to a surface, comprising the steps of:

[0018] a) applying the composition to the front panel of the composition applicator as described herein;

[0019] b) transferring the composition from the front panel of the composition applicator to the surface;

[0020] c) using the back panel of the composition applicator to rub the composition into the surface.

[0021] Embodiments and preferences described in relation to the composition applicator of the invention apply equally to the method of the invention.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0023] The above and other aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following figures, of which:

[0024] Figure 1 is a side view of a composition applicator according to one embodiment of the invention, illustrating the front panel.

[0025] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the body of the composition applicator, illustrating the front panel, back panel, and inner panel interposed between the front and back panels.

[0026] Figure 3 is a photograph of a composition applicator according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0027] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The composition applicator according to the present invention comprises a body and two handles. The body has a generally rectangular shape, with two opposing longitudinal sides and two shorter opposing sides, defining a front surface and a back surface. “Generally rectangular” encompasses a body which has curved corners, and which can be an oval shapeprovided the length of the longitudinal axis is at least 2.5 times the largest dimension of the perpendicular axis.

[0029] A representative example of a composition applicator (1) is shown in Figure 1 , where body (3) is a rectangular shape with opposing longitudinal sides (5a) and (5b). The body has a first end (7a) and an opposing second end (7b), corresponding to the shorter sides of the rectangle. A pair of handles are attached to the ends of the body: a first handle (9a) attached to the first end (7a) of the body, and a second handle (9b) attached to the second end (7b) of the body. As shown in Figure 1 , each handle can be formed from a length of handle material which is attached at either end to an end of the body, to form a loop which can be grasped by the user. The handles are positioned at the first and second ends of the body such that they can be readily engaged by the user’s hands and allow the user to manipulate the body of the applicator to apply composition to the user e.g. to the back.

[0030] The body is formed from three panels which are layered on top of one another: a front panel (10a), a back panel (10b) and an inner panel (10c) interposed between the front panel and the back panel. The front and back panels are therefore the outward-facing panels, defining a front surface and a back surface. Figure 1 shows one side of the composition applicator, showing only the front panel i.e. front surface. Figure 2 shows the layering of the three panels. In the embodiment shown, the illustrated section of the front panel is in complete contact with the inner panel, which is itself in complete contact with the back panel. Figure 3 is a photograph of an exemplary composition applicator.

[0031] In one embodiment is provided a method for applying a composition to a surface, comprising the steps of:

[0032] a) applying the composition to the front panel of the composition applicator as described herein;

[0033] b) transferring the composition from the composition applicator to the surface; and c) using the back panel of the composition applicator to rub the composition into the surface.

[0034] Suitably, steps a), b) and c) are carried out sequentially, without any intervening steps.

[0035] Suitably, the surface is skin and / or the composition is tanning lotion.

[0036] The front panel comprises, and is preferably formed from, polyurethane leather. Polyurethane leather (also known as Pll leather) is an artificial leather formed by applying or laminating a 100% polyurethane finish to a base material. A roller applies an artificial grain pattern to the surface to imitate the look of genuine leather (the smooth “leather-look” side). In oneembodiment, “smooth” in this context is defined as non-brushed. The “leather-look side” of the front panel is non-absorbent. Polyurethane polymers are well known in the art, and define a class of polymers composed of organic units joined by carbamate (urethane) links. The base material is suitably polyester, cotton, nylon or rayon, or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the base material is polyester. In the context of the present invention, the polyurethane leather is 100% synthetic and does not comprise any animal-derived hide. Thus, in one embodiment the polyurethane leather is vegan polyurethane leather.

[0037] Polyurethane leather is liquid-impermeable and provides a smooth outer layer when the leather look side is arranged to be the external, outward-facing layer of the front panel, and hence an outward-facing layer of the applicator. Thus, in one embodiment, the outward-facing side of the front panel corresponds to the leather-look side of the polyurethane leather. The composition can be applied to the front panel, for subsequent application to the surface e.g. skin. The textured but smooth nature of the leather-look side allows it to receive and hold a suitable amount of composition, without spillage or dripping, but the composition is not absorbed within the material of the layer, thereby preventing wastage of the composition.

[0038] The back panel (10b) comprises, and is preferably formed from, a brushed material. A “brushed” material is a layer to which a “brushed”, “tufted” or “flocked” effect has been applied to a side of the material. The process of brushing is well known in the art and is a finishing process used to raise the surface fibres of a fabric. For example, a cotton fabric can be brushed using a mechanical brushing process in which fine, metal brushes carefully rub the fabric to produce fine fibres from the woven yarns, creating a brushed effect which provides extra softness on the surface of the fabric. In the context of the present invention, a brushed outer layer can also be a layer of velvet, velour or velveteen fabric. The brushed material suitably comprises, consists essentially of or consists of cotton, linen, mohair, wool, or a synthetic material (such as polyester, nylon, viscose, acetate); or a mixture thereof. In one embodiment, the brushed outer layer comprises, consists essentially of or consists of polyester.

[0039] In one embodiment, the outward-facing side of the back panel corresponds to the brushed side of the panel, if only one side is brushed. The back panel is absorbent. The back panel provides a soft surface with a suitable texture for rubbing the composition (which is suitably applied to the surface (e.g. the skin) using the front panel comprising polyurethane leather) into the surface. The brushed texture can also be used to buff the skin surface if required. An advantage of applying the composition to the front panel comprising polyurethane leather, andthen using the back panel to rub in the composition, is that excess composition is not absorbed into the back panel, thereby avoiding wastage of the lotion.

[0040] The inner panel (10c) comprises, and is preferably formed from, sponge.

[0041] The inner panel comprising sponge, is a sponge layer that is interposed between the front panel comprising polyurethane leather and the back panel comprising a brushed material, and in certain embodiments provides a layer of stiffness to the applicator, allowing it to hold its shape, while being flexible enough to allow the lotion to be applied to a contoured surface. The cushioned effect of the sponge also enhances the user’s experience. The sponge layer can be made from any suitable sponge fabric. In one embodiment, the sponge comprises, consists essentially of, consists of, or is formed from polyester sponge.

[0042] The front panel and the back panel are layered on top of each other so as to encompass the inner panel comprising sponge, and in one embodiment are substantially coextensive or are coextensive. In one embodiment, the front panel, back panel and inner panel are substantially coextensive or are coextensive. The front panel and the back panel suitably have the same dimensions. The inner panel suitably has the same dimensions as the front and back panels. Alternatively, the inner panel can have slightly smaller dimensions than the front and back panels, such that the inner panel can be completely ensconced by the front and back panels, while still being of sufficient dimensions to provide the stiffening effect and / or comfort enhancement effect to the user.

[0043] The body is formed by securing the front panel, back panel and inner panel together e.g. using adhesive and / or heat welding and / or by stitching (preferably the edges together). Suitably the three panels are glued together using adhesive, and then the three panels (or at least the front and back panel) are also stitched together along their edges. A peripheral edge of the front panel is suitably secured to the corresponding peripheral edge of the back panel, optionally via the corresponding peripheral edge of the sponge material. In one embodiment, the body (3) is formed by heat-welding a peripheral edge of the front panel (10a) and the back panel (10b) together. In another embodiment, the body (3) is formed by stitching a peripheral edge of the front panel (10a) and the back panel (10b) together. In one embodiment, the front panel (10a) is attached to the inner panel (10c) using adhesive. In one embodiment, the inner panel (10c) is attached to the back panel (10b) using adhesive. In one embodiment, the front panel (10a) is attached to the inner panel (10c) using adhesive, the inner panel (10c) is attached to the back panel (10b) using adhesive, and the three panels are also suitably stitched together along their peripheral edges. Suitably, the body is formed by stitching the front panel, the backpanel, and optionally the inner panel. A “peripheral edge” of a panel defines the perimeter of the panel. The panels are fixed together in such a way that the composition applicator can withstand frequent use and also multiple washes without the layers separating.

[0044] The front panel, back panel and inner panel are flexible, although they may have different levels of flexibility.

[0045] In one embodiment, the body of the composition applicator has length along its longitudinal axis which is at least three times and preferably at least four times the largest dimension of its the perpendicular axis (i.e. its width). In one embodiment, the body has a generally rectangular or rectangular shape with a length which is between about 3.5 and about 4.5 times its width. Suitably, the body has length (i.e. largest dimension along its longitudinal axis) of between about 600 mm and about 1000 mm, e.g. between about 650 mm and about 850 mm, or between about 700 mm and about 800 mm e.g. about 740 mm. Suitably, the body has width (i.e. largest dimension along the axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis) of between about 100 mm and about 250 mm, e.g. between about 120 mm and about 220 mm, e.g. about 180 mm.

[0046] The thickness of the body (i.e. combined thickness of the three layers) is typically between about 2 mm and about 10 mm, e.g. between about 3 mm and about 8 mm, e.g. about 5 mm.

[0047] A pair of handles are attached to the ends of the body, a first handle (9a) attached to the first end (7a) of the body, and a second handle (9b) attached to the second end (7b) of the body. Each handle is preferably formed from a length of handle material which is attached at either end to an end of the body, to form a loop which can be grasped by the user. Each handle is preferably made a single strip of flexible fabric e.g. polyester. Suitably the handles are flexible but not stretchy. The handles are suitably permanently attached i.e. fixedly attached to the body of the applicator. Suitably the handles are stitched to the applicator body e.g. are sewn into the edge seam between the front and back panels. In an alternative embodiment, the handles are integral to the body of the applicator i.e. integrally formed from openings in one or more of the front panel, back panel or inner panel.

[0048] The surface to which the composition is applied is typically the dermis, or skin of a mammal, typically a human. The composition applicator can also be used for applying a composition to a surface with hair, e.g. fur on an animal. The applicator is typically used by gripping the applicator by the handles, and positioning it between the user’s hands so that the body (3) extends across the user’s back or other place of application, enabling the applicator to bemanipulated both longitudinally and laterally to apply composition to areas that are otherwise difficult to access or inaccessible to the user’s hands.

[0049] It should be noted that in the context of the present application, when referring to a range of between about “AA” and about “BB”, the point values of AA and BB are intended to be included as possible values in the range.

[0050] The word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” and “comprising” as used herein should be understood to mean the inclusion of the stated integer, step, group of integers or group of steps, but not to the exclusion of any other integer, step, groups of integers or group of steps.

[0051] The word “consisting of’ as used herein limits the scope of the integer, step, group of integers or group of steps to the specified integer, step, groups of integers or group of steps. The word “consisting essentially of” as used herein limits the scope of the integer, step, group of integers or group of steps, and further integers, steps, groups of integers or groups of steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the invention.

[0052] The invention embraces all combinations of indicated integers, steps, groups of integers or groups of steps recited above.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A composition applicator (1) comprising:a body (3) having two opposing longitudinal sides (5a, 5b) and first and second ends (7a, 7b); and a first handle (9a) attached to the first end (7a), and a second handle (9b) attached to the second end (7b);wherein the body is formed of three panels which form three layers: a front panel (10a), a back panel (10b) and an inner panel (10c) interposed between the front panel and the back panel;wherein,the front panel (10a) comprises polyurethane leather;the back panel (10b) comprises a brushed material; andthe inner panel (10c) comprises sponge.

2. The composition applicator (1) according to claim 1, wherein the body (3) has a generally rectangular shape.

3. The composition applicator (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the front panel (10a) and the back panel (10b) are substantially coextensive.

4. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body (3) consists of the front panel (10a), the back panel (10b), and the inner panel (10c).

5. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the front panel (10a) is formed from polyurethane leather.

6. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the back panel (10b) comprises, and is suitably formed from brushed polyester.

7. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the inner panel (10c) comprises or is formed from polyester sponge.

8. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body (3) has been formed by heat-welding a peripheral edge of the front panel (10a) and the back panel (10b) together.

9. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the body (3) has been formed by stitching a peripheral edge of the front panel (10a) and the back panel (10b) together.

10. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the front panel (10a) is attached to the inner panel (10c) using adhesive.

11. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the inner panel (10c) is attached to the back panel (10b) using adhesive.

12. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the composition applicator is a tanning lotion applicator.

13. The composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the composition applicator is a back composition applicator.

14. A method for applying a composition to a surface, comprising the steps of:a) applying the composition to the front panel (10a) of the composition applicator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13;b) transferring the composition from the front panel (10a) of the composition applicator to the surface;c) using the back panel (10b) of the composition applicator to rub the composition into the surface.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the surface is skin.

16. A method according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the composition is tanning lotion.

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