APPLICATOR FOR CREAM / OINTMENT

Field of Invention:

This invention relates to an applicator and particularly relates to an applicator which enables convenient and hygienic dispensing and spreading of topical medicaments in the form of cream, ointments and gels from collapsible tubes / containers on the desired skin surfaces.

Background of the Invention:

Topical medicaments today play a major role in the treatment of large number of dermatological, arthritic disorders and have become preferred therapy for muscular pains, sprains and inflammations. The lack of systemic adverse effects and innovation in delivery systems of topical drugs have been the driving forces behind the enormous success and acceptance of topical therapy.

Topical medications include balms, creams, gels, ointments, lotions applied on the skin. Most of them are available as over-the-counter medications. Some of the most popular topical drugs include - painkillers, steroids, counter irritants, salicylates, NSAIDs, coal tar derivatives, anesthetics, antibiotics and combination of those active ingredients. Many a times they are used along with systemic drugs for better effects or better patient satisfaction .Many of these topical preparations are used for treating skin conditions like dermatitis, infections of the skin ,and even psoriasis. Topical drugs are also used as pain relievers for conditions like strains, sprains and even arthritis. Topical counter irritants which act by creating a feeing of warmth or coolness over a sore area or a painful joints are also very popular. The most widely used topical preparations besides cosmetics are the anti infective range often in combination with steroids.

However, there are certain problems encountered in using these topical medicaments effectively and safely. Generally the ointment / cream is squished from the collapsible tube and is applied with the help of fingers on the targeted area. There is always a chance of contamination if the hand/fingers are not washed properly.

There are certain active ingredients in topical drugs which are highly toxic to the delicate organs like eyes or the mucous membranes. One has to take extra precaution after applying such toxic drugs, so that the drug does not reach these delicate parts. There are also certain drugs which can be absorbed faster and one would not like to have the drug any where -other than on the targeted area Eg; certain anti anginal drugs.

There is also the problems of staining of fingers/hand if the active ingredient is highly pigmented. There is also a possibility of pressing the collapsible tubes too hard; the flow of the cream/ointments becomes uncontrollable and excess and leads to wastage. It is also difficult to spread the cream/ointment uniformly in the targeted areas with fingers, particularly when the skin surface is uneven and extremely painful. Efforts have been made to overcome this problem by using different applicators; the earlier ones were simple wooden applicators in the shape of spatula.

GB2414664 patent describes an applicator for creams, primarily for applying tanning cream without staining the palms of the hand. The invention comprises of a head having two major surfaces, from one surface of which a handle extends, the other surface being bulbous and around which a resilient pad is secured, the head, in plan, having two ends, one being arcuately curved and the second end being pointedly curved.

GB2359252 patent deals with lotion or cream applicator for the body comprising of a strip of smooth non-adsorbent plastic material eg: PVC which may have longitudinal ridges or seams and a cord type handle at each end.

US 2005 / 29455 patent application deals with an applicator device especially for cosmetic products comprising : a container containing the product, means for the advancement of said cosmetic product towards a first end of said container, placed at a second end of the said containers, a cap suitable to close said first end of the said

container; characterized in that said first end comprises a grid, from which the product outflows.

US 4822617 patent describes a device for unidirectional trans-dermal administration of a drug in ointment, cream, carrier essentially comprising of a laminar applicator to receive a predetermined quantity of the drug on skin contacting surface.

DE 202004017528 V patent application deals with closure and applicator for a tube containing cream, paste, liquid to be applied to the skin. The application surface in this invention is made up of flexible plastic material with a shape of mushroom cap; applies the tube contents directly to the skin by contact; opening at the centre allows the contents to flow from within the tube to the application surface. Most of the applicators described above essentially meant for cosmetics, involve certain complexities and have the limitations that they can not be freely used on any available container/tubes. They are bound to be costly considering their complex structure and mechanism. They may not provide a uniform thin layer on the skin which is highly desirable.

Summary and Objective of the Present Invention:

The main objective of the present invention is to provide a simple applicator mainly for medications for the controlled and uniform spreading on the skin surface wherein the unhygienic use of fingers/hand can be avoided. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a cost-effective applicator which can have wider usage. Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide ready-to-fix applicators, on any collapsible tube/containers.

Yet another important objective of the present invention is to provide a detachable and disposable spreading part for creams/ointments containing especially anti-infective and anti-inflammatory active ingredients, so as to avoid direct and cross contamination. The invention consists of an applicator to be fixed on the container with parts and the openings in the parts designed in away to obtain a uniform and thin layer of the cream/ointments on the targeted area , including the skin surfaces.

Brief description of the Drawings :

The invention is described with the help of following drawings :

Fig. 1 is the bottom view of the applicator.

Fig. 2 a is the top view of the applicator.

Fig. 2 b is the side view of the applicator.

Fig. 2 c is the front view of the applicator.

Fig. 3a is the side view of the applicator with view of the slit and the slit canal - opening to the hollow portion of the square box-like structure.

Fig. 3 b is the view of the applicator along with a protective cap.

Fig. 4a& 4b are the drawing of the embodiment of the applicator where the tip of the applicator (square box with spreading lip ) is attached to the funnel shaped body in a removable manner.

The following numbers in the diagrams correspond to the different parts of the applicator.

1. Neck portion of the applicator.

2. Funnel shaped body.

3. Hollow rectangular box like structure.

4. Angle of attachment of spreading Hp

5. Spreading lip attached to the free end/tip of the applicator.

6. Slit opening of the neck portion.

7. Slit canal of the funnel shaped body in communication with the slit opening.

8. Hollow chamber of the box like rectangular structure.

9. Tight fitting cap on the free end /tip of the applicator.

10 . Locking means (Ridge ) for securely fixing removable (detachable ) spreading portion of the applicator.

Detailed Description of the Invention and the Preferred Embodiments:

The first embodiment of the applicator is indicated generally in Fig. 1, 2 and 3. The applicator comprises of a hollow neck portion with screw threads (1) for attaching to the nozzle of an appropriate container containing the substances like cream, ointment, lotion, gel, gum etc. The other end of the neck portion contains a slit opening (6). A funnel shaped substantially flat body (2) preferably biconcave is attached to the neck portion as shown in the Fig. 1.

The funnel shaped body has an internal hollow slit canal (7) communicating with the slit opening(6) of the neck portion (Fig. 3a). A hollow rectangular box like structure (3) with open ends, is attached to the broader part of the funnel shaped body in a manner that the internal slit canal of the funnel shaped body opens into the said rectangular box.

A thin spreading lip with a slight bent (5) is attached to the upper portion of the opening of the rectangular box with an angle(4) ( to facilitate even spreading the substance.

Optionally the applicator has a square cap (9) to protect the tip or the spreading end of the applicator from contamination or physical damage. The cap can be made to fix tightly by a locking means .

The diameter of the neck portion of the applicator should be as per the diameter of the collapsible container with the substance. Applicator is fixed on the nozzle(neck / the opening portion ) of the container by means of screw threads and slight pressure on the collapsible tube will enable the substance ie cream/ointment etc to come out of the slit of the neck portion into the slit canal and to the spreading surface. Because of the slit arrangement followed by the slit canal, the cream/ointment does not form a blob or a mass but flow uniformly.

The spreading lip is a thin structure with a slight bent , attached to the upper portion of the opening with an angle further helps in getting a smooth and uniform spread of cream/ointment in spite of irregular skin surfaces.

In another embodiment as shown in Fig. 4a and 4b - the hollow rectangular box like structure with the spreading lip is made as a separate component and is attached to the funnel shaped body in a removable manner. A ridge/locking means on the surface of funnel shaped body (10) helps in securing and in the proper alignment of the attached part. The removable 'spreading portion' gives tremendous advantage when the applicator is to be used for anti infective /anti-inflammatory agents on an infective surface .It will have an added advantage in the hospital set up. This detachable part which may come in contact with infective surfaces can be disposed off and for every fresh use one may make use of new detachable part, thereby completely eliminating the chance of contamination. This has more relevance today with increasing incidence of deadly and communicable diseases. It is the need of the day and is feasible considering the relatively low cost of the applicator.

The applicator has been designed in a way, wherein the input of the ointment is equal to the output which is .an important feature of the invention The provision of a tight fitting cap on the applicator and the screw thread arrangement obviates the need for a separate cap, when not in use.

The decline in the spreading lip in a typical angle serves the purpose of applying the downward pressure on the surface of the cream to enable the gaps in the skin to be properly filled. The preferred angle to obtain the desired result is around 80 degrees. The applicator provides the convenience of using only one hand for application.

Though the applicator has significant advantage for pharmaceutical and particularly dermatological products, the applicator can be used for application of adhesives and gums and other similar substances.. In cosmetic industry it can be used for application of fairness bleach and hair removers. The applicator can be used for a variety of substances.

The breadth and length of the applicator may be changed depending upon the size of the nozzle (neck or opening portion ) of the collapsible tube or container.

The applicator is preferably made up of flexible material like plastic. Polypropylene is preferred because of its various advantages including, rather mainly its ability to withstand autoclaving

The present invention is not limited in scope by the exemplified embodiments ,which are intended as illustrations of the invention only. Various modifications and uses of the invention in addition to those described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the description .Such modifications and uses fall within the scope of the present invention.