Microfiber Applicator Glove for Even Self-Tanning Application
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing self-tanning products often result in uneven application and unnatural color on the skin, particularly on the palms and fingers, due to the lack of effective applicators that can handle both oil-based and water-based solutions without causing streaks or drips, and prior solutions like plastic or rubber gloves are cumbersome and ineffective.
Innovation Solution
A novel applicator glove made from microfiber material with spandex, featuring a technical front with microfibers of 1 denier or less for even application and an impermeable inner liner to protect hands, combined with a kit including a self-tanning composition, cleansing/exfoliating, and emollient preparations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If plastic or rubber gloves are used for applying self-tanning compositions, then the hands are protected from color, but the application becomes uneven and streaks result
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous foam material as the glove body, which allows the self-tanning composition to be absorbed and distributed evenly through the porous structure. This porous foam applicator glove enables uniform application while protecting the hands, eliminating the streaking problem associated with non-porous plastic or rubber gloves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining porous foam material with a non-porous liner. The foam provides absorption and even distribution capabilities, while the liner provides the protective barrier function. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction between hand protection and application evenness.
2Speed
If water-based DHA solution is used, then the skin is colored more quickly, but the solution has low viscosity and causes streaks and drips
Solution Approach 1:
The porous foam structure absorbs the water-based DHA solution through capillary action, maintaining the fast tanning speed while the porous structure prevents streaks and drips by controlling the distribution of the liquid composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam applicator acts as an intermediary between the water-based DHA solution and the skin. It absorbs the low-viscosity solution and releases it evenly, preventing the streaking and dripping problems directly associated with applying water-based solutions with hands or non-porous tools.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If adhesive applicator pad is used to shield hands, then hand protection is provided, but dexterity is greatly limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible foam material that can be stretched and conform to the hand shape, providing hand protection while maintaining dexterity. The flexible nature of the foam allows the fingers to move independently, unlike rigid adhesive pads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the applicator material from rigid and adhesive to flexible and non-adhesive. This parameter change allows the glove to be put on and removed easily while maintaining hand protection and dexterity during application.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The microfiber glove provides superior absorbency and even application of self-tanning products, protecting hands from color and allowing for natural-looking tans without streaks or drips, while the kit ensures proper skin preparation and prolonged color retention.
Implementation Method 1
The unique properties of the microfiber material provide a self-tanning composition applicator having absorbent properties which make it superior to all prior art methods
Implementation Method 2
An effective applicator means for aqueous DHA solutions having sufficient absorption properties to deliver an even application would therefore be highly desirable
Data Source
AI summary
A kit for application of self-tanning preparations includes a self-tanning composition and an application glove for applying the composition to the skin which is constructed from fabric including microfibers of 1 denier or less. The inner surface of the glove has a liner of an impermeable flexible material adhered thereto. The microfiber fabric can be knit or woven, and can be cellulosic fiber, polyester or other synthetic fiber, or a combination of mechanical or intimate blends. In a preferred embodiment, the microfiber fabric is 85% polyester and 15% spandex, with the technical front including polyester microfiber yarn of 1 denier or less. The technical front of the fabric forms the application surface of the glove. The kit can include a cleansing/exfoliating composition, at least one disposable plastic glove for handling the application glove after use, a disposable tray for receiving the glove after use and a moisturizing preparation for the skin.