TITLE

BODY CREAM SPREADER

Technical Field the present invention refers to the technical field of body brushes and like. In particular it refers to a cream spreader suitable to spread cream on the body.

State of the Art

During the summer time, and mainly after prolonged exposure under the sun, it is common the use of protective creams against sunburns, suntan lotions and similar.

Also at the end of an entire day spent under the sun, after a shower, the use of refreshing creams is frequent.

Moreover, it is not rare the use of healing creams of other kinds to placate pain, irritations, infections or similar.

It is common and known the fact that spreading creams of any kind and function on parts of the body that are easily reachable, as face, arms and legs, does not require any help from a second person. The operation is easily made and the person is able to cover carefully all the interested parts.

However, in the case where the cream needs to be spread on shoulders or on the back, or anyway on the "back" part of the body, it is necessary the help of another person,

The length of our arms and our capacity to bend and be flexible does not allow us to reach easily the back side of our body over the maximum possible stretch of the arm. The final result will unavoidably be the one where entire areas of the back are totally lack of cream, with clear consequences, as burns, burnings and other. Moreover it is to be taken into account, especially during the prolonged exposures under the sun, that the back results

-Z- to be one of the most delicate and protection needy parts, In the case it is requires the use of healing creams of medical type, the problem remains the same.

On the other hand it is also impossible to adapt bo the use brushes and objects commonly present in the commerce but aimed for other use, as for example the bath brushes, Indeed the presence of big, rigid and long bristles on the surface of the same brush do not allow a distribution of the cream into an uniform layer. Therefore it will be both unavoidable an excessive waste of cream that will penetrate in the space between the bristles and impossibility to spread it on the body in a correct and efficient way. Moreover the bristle has more a scraping effect to make efficient the cleaning rather that the spreading of a creamy element into an uniform layer.

Disclosure of invention

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a device suitable to spread the cream on the body and that resolves all the inconvenient mentioned above.

It is also the aim of the present invention to provide a device to spread the cream that is both not much cumbersome and is easily transportable inside beach bags and similar beyond the fact that is economical and with a contained weight.

These and other aims are obtained with the present device to spread creams on the body and characterized by the fact that comprises at least an element with a elongated shape ( 4; 304) having one end appropriate to be grasped by a user and the opposite end connected to a spreading head ( 3;303), said element ( 4;304) having such a length to allow the reaching of back areas of the body found beyond the maximum possible stretching of the arm

and the spreading head ( 3; 303) comprising at least a spreading face ( 11) such to allow the spreading of the cream into an almost uniform layer.

Thus the use of a cream, spreader realized as described makes it possible to overcome all the inconvenient described above. It is not anymore required the presence of a third person since, both the handle of appropriate length and the head with appropriate spreading face, allow to easily and efficiently make the operation, Moreover the surface of the spreading head makes possible a distribution of the cream in uniform layers similarly to the fingers of a hand.

Advantageously the spreading face ( Xl) comprises at least a membrane (12} . Moreover the membrane (12) is provided with protuberances (12' ) .

Alternatively the membrane can be a smooth membrane (13).

The use of the membrane applied on one or both the head faces allows to choose freely both the dimensions of the area chosen for the spreading of the cream and also the type of material. Indeed both a smooth membrane and a membrane with small protuberances, offer a good spreading operation. Advantageously the handle (4) is subdivided into at least two segments (5, 6) of different diameter and with an approximately truncated cone shape, said segments being assembled one inside the other and reciprocally sliding in a way to result mutually retractable and extractable to change the total length.

Moreover the handle comprises a head (8) and preferably comprises three segments (5, 6, 7) .

Advantageously the spreading head (3) is hollowed inside realizing a sliding site (10) comprising an upper stopper (10') and a lower stopper (10") , said lower stopper (10'') realized by means of a hole (9) with a diameter that is shorter than the site (10) and connecting the site (10) to the outside, the handle (4) being this way sliding along said site.

The combination of the handle sliding within the site with the realization of the handle according to segments mutually retractable and extractable makes the invention very efficient and functional. Indeed it is possible to economize the spaces making the object in pocket-size to then extract it at the time of use.

Advantageously the hole (9) is conical. This allows a safe blockage by interference of the head (8) with the hole, assuring this way the pull out position of the handle during the use.

More precisely, the handle (4) is retractable inside the site (10) according to a configuration of non use, said configuration of non use corresponds to the position where the head (8) reaches said upper stopper (10') and extractable in a configuration of use, said configuration of use corresponding to the position where the head (8) reaches said lower stopper {10'') . This solution does not imply thus that the handle is necessarily realized depending to more segments, but could also be realized in a sole segment with height almost equivalent to the height of the site (10) Xn this way it could be retracted within the same site. Moreover, in the case where the handle is realized in more segments, in the position of non use the segments (5, 6, 7) are reciprocally retracted one on the other and contained inside the site (10), while in the configuration

of use are reciprocally extended and extended externally from the site (10) while the head gets blocked by interference on the hole (9) .

Advantageously it is comprised a compression spring (220) placed inside the site (10) , said spring maintaining the extracted position of use of the handle.

Moreover it is comprised a closing cap (14) able to contain the handle inside the sliding site (10) into the configuration of non use or retracted. The realization materials can be of any kind. In particular the handle is reali∑ed in flexible plastic material or similar and the spreading head is realized in soft plastic, called also "transparent indeformable polymer", The advantage of such solution is to be found in the weight reduction and in the fact that the indeformable polymer results to be water-proof. All this equals also to a better preservation of the device as results to be untouchable from the humidity and water in general, this last one being a typical component of creams . Advantageously the spreading head (3) contains in its inside a metal core (21) to increase the rigidity when in use.

Moreover, the head is realized by pressing in two stacking halves.

Brief description of drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will be clearer with the description of some of its pattern realization that follows, made to illustrate but not limit, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a prospective view of a common brush and of a cream spreader stick according to the prior

art,

- Figure 2 shows a global prospective view of a cream spreader according to the invention.

- Figure 3 shows a possible constructive solution. - Figure 4, 5 and 6 show the phases of use of the device according to the invention.

- Figure 7 shows a third preferred configuration of the invention, where the handle results to be fixed.

- figure 8 shows a solution of the invention where are used spreading surfaces of different kinds.

- Figure 9 shows a reinforcement core in metal applied inside the head.

- Figure 10 shows a realization of the head in two stacking halves. - figure 11 shows a second preferred solution of the invention.

Description of some chosen pattern realizations

As known, {look at figure 1) , a brush 1 of traditional type hardly could be "adapted" to spread creams on the body _* The rigid bristles 2 cause indeed a seepage of the same cream inside the space found between them making the formation of a uniform layer on the body really difficult. Moreover it is necessary a frequent and not easy cleaning at the end of each use. This implies, in the case it is required to spread cream on the shoulders, to recall always .the need of a second person.

Beyond the above mentioned brushes 1, are commonly on sale also little sticks 15 that are generally used to spread hair removers on predetermined areas of the body (especially on the legs) . However, the conformation and the length of these sticks do not allow their use to spread cream on back parts of the body, or rather on parts

of the body found beyond the possible extension of the arm. Moreover, the aim of the stick and its conformation are conceived only exclusively to avoid to get the hands dirty with a cream that is particularly dense and sticky as the hair removers; thus their adaptation to other aims would make them inefficient. the figure 2 shows a prospective view of the invention according to a first preferred configuration.

Generally speaking, the invention comprises a generic elongated element 4, as for example a simple stick that works as a handle, and a spreading head 3. The handle 4 has thus one of its ends 7 suitable for the handgrip while the opposite end is firmly connected to the spreading head- By getting into the detail of the description, figure 2 highlights the spreading head 3 provided with two .spreading faces 11 capable to accomplish the task of spreading the cream in an almost uniform layer, for this aim, the two spreading faces 11 have the characteristic of being surfaces almost continues and flat _/ or rather without the traditional bristles. This makes possible the spreading of the cream in a way similar to the hands fingers.

Still as described in figure 2, the handle 4 is constituted by three segments 5, 6, and 7 that can retract one inside the other as a fishing-rod, while the head 8 with truncated cone shape (look at figure 3) is found on the upper end of the segment 5 _* Obviously both the number of segments and the shape of the head 5 can easily change without having to move apart from the present inventive concept. As said, according to this constructive solution, the segments constituting the handle are realized all with a different diameter and have a slight

taper. In this way can be inserted one on the other and result reciprocally sliding. Obviously it is totally indifferent if the diameter is decreasing from the segment 7 up to the segment 5 or vice-versa. By getting into the descriptive detail of the head 3, figure 3 shows in particular the median section A-A. As highlighted by the above section, the spreading head 3 is realized hollowed in its inside by means of a sliding site 10 comprising an upped stopper 10' and a lower stopper 10". The lower stopper 10'' is realized by a hole 9 with a diameter that is shorted than the site 10 and that connects the above site 10 to the outside- Advantageously the hole 9 can be realized cone-shaped with taper equivalent to the one of the head 8. As schematically indicated in figure 8, nothing would avoid to apply on the spreading head 3 a sheath or membrane 12 of rubbery or similar type with a certain degree of roughness and capable to spread the cream without absorbing it. The application of the same on the head 3 can happen, for example _/ by adhesive or similar means and not necessarily on both the faces but also just on one of them. The surface 12 can also be supplied with protuberances 12' , similar to very short bristles _/ or, alternatively, be of smooth type 13. The functioning principle of the present invention, according to this first preferred solution, is described as follows (look at figures from 4 to 6) ,

Initially the handle 4 is totally retracted in a "non use" configuration inside the sliding site 10 (look at figure 4) . In this configuration, the head 8 is in contact to the upper stopper 10', allowing this way all the segment constituting the handle to retract one inside the other and be completely contained within the site 10.

_ g -

When used, we proceed with the removal of the closing cap 14 and, consequently, with the extraction of the handle into the using configuration. For this aim it is sufficient to apply an extraction action on the segment 7 in such a way to allow the exit of all the segments placed one inside the other,

As soon as the head 8 reaches the lower stopper IQ" (look at figure 4 and 5), it is blocked and, consequently, the extraction of the segments of the handle can be completed by blocking them reciprocally by interference using their taper. The simple interference between the head 8 and the edge of the hole 9 allows a firm blockage of the handle 4 respect to the head 3. It is clear, in a non limited way, how it particularly results advantageous the taper of the same head that gets blocked with the hole 9. Moreover the choice of a conical hole 9 helps better such condition (the figures from 4 to 6, only for a reason of simplicity and not in a limited way, represent the hole 9 rectilinear .) At this point, the device is ready to use and in particular ready to spread the cream on every part of the body that are difficult to reach. In particular the motion by means of the hand that clasp the handle will allow to the spreading face 11 to spread a uniform layer of cream on the skin of the body. At the end of the use it is sufficient to wash the spreading face 11 and proceed with the replacement of the handle inside the site 10 and close it with the cap 14 (look at figure 6) . The act of pushing inside will allow again the reciprocal retraction of The segments and the sliding into the site.

A second preferred solution of the invention (look at figure 11) can comprise a simple compression spring 220 opportunely calibrated and placed within the sliding site

10, In this way both the handle extraction operation and its maintenance into the use configuration results to be easier. Alternatively nothing would avoid to use in combination the spring along to the interference action between the head and hole 9.

A third preferred solution of the invention (look at figure 7) comprises a handle 304 fixed respect, to the spreading head 303, making this way fixed the length of the undertaken device- In all the preferred solutions of the described invention,, the handle could be realized in rigid plastic, in such a way to have a certain degree of flexibility during the use without running into breakings. The spreading face (3; 303) is preferably realized in a soft and non-absorbing plastic, called transparent indeformable polymer or ^VN Tuli'≤". In this manner the spreading face will not absorb the water contained in the cream, increasing so its shelf life and making simple and efficient its cleaning at the end of the use _* In all the preferred solutions, with the aim of increasing the rigidity of the spreading head, is anyway possible to comprise, at the time of assemblage, a metal core 21 as, aluminium or similar (look at figure 9 and 10). Moreover (look at figure 10) the head can be realized by pressing into two stacking halves (26, 27) opportunely shaped internally to receive the core. In this way all the processing inside the head result to be extremely simple end not expensive.

It is at this point clear how all the aims of the present inventing have been reached, In particular, it is clear how the present invention lets to spread easily the cream allowing to reach easily the areas of the body where else not reachable by the user.

-lilt is also clear how the functionality of this particular device allows an efficient action very similar to the one made by the fingers of a hand Indeed, when we have to spread some cream on the face or in other parts o£ the body that are easily reachable, the use of the fingers is ideal. These have a continues and smooth surface and able to realize a thin and uniform layer of cream. On the other hand, the eventual presence of bristles with a considerable length would not create that continuity in the surface required to spread the cream in a correct and uniform manner.

Moreover ib is clear how the present device is made really functional and pocket-size thanks to the closable handle solution, In this manner it results easily transportable in backpacks and bags, without creating any bothersome encumbrance.

The above description of a specific shape is able to show the invention from the conceptive point of view, in a way that others, by using the art, can modify and/or adapt in different applications this specific shape without any further research and without going apart from the inventive concept, and, therefore, it is intended that these adaptations and transformations will be considered as equivalent to this specific realization. The means and materials to make the many described functions can be of various nature without exiting the area of the invention, it is intended that the expressions or the terminology used have a simple descriptive aim and therefore not limiting.