Compact Cosmetic Lotion Applicator

Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to applicators for applying a liquid substance upon parts of a human body. In particular the current invention relates to a compact applicator for applying a cosmetic liquid substance such as sun cream or tanning lotion to a person's back using currently available mitts or gloves.

Background

For many years, users have had difficulties in applying cosmetic creams or lotions such as sun screen, fake tan and tanning oil, or sun cream evenly and completely onto and across a user's back especially the mid- and lower-back areas. Mitts or gloves that the users hand fits into can be used, with the user applying the product to the mitt or glove before self-application to the body. Examples of mitts or gloves which are commonly used to apply these products include the Xen-Tan™ Luxury Tanning Mitt, the Famous Dave™ mitt, or the Synlatex™ Ltd (GB) products as described in GB2327340 A and GB2407025A. A problem with using the currently available mitts or gloves to self-apply lotions to the body is that they are limited by the dexterity of the user and/or the arm length of the user.

The Applicant has recognized the aforementioned problems with using mitt or gloves, are exacerbated where the user has physical challenges, such as for example a disability or impaired flexibility, and in addition to the common difficulty in reaching the back experienced by all users, other areas of the body such as the legs or feet may present additional challenges for this group of users.

In addition, the Applicant has recognized that particularly for kit-based applications, such as self-tanning kits where gloves or mitts are typically provided with the product to be self-applied to the body, there is a need for kits to be compact and suitable both for retail purposes as well as for personal carriage by the user, such as for example in bags or luggage. For successful utility within the area of beauty and/or tanning parlors the Applicant has recognized that the need for compact products is particularly important.

It is an object of the current invention to provide a practical device for the application of lotion(s) onto the body of a user, and especially for the self- application of lotions onto the back, or other hard to reach areas of the body of a user, and where the device is suitable for use with commercially available mitts or gloves.

It is a further object of the current invention to provide a compact device for the application of lotion(s) onto the body of a user, and especially for the self- application of lotions onto the back, or other hard to reach areas of the body of a user, where the device is suitable for use with commercially available mitts or gloves, and where the device is suitable for personal carriage purposes.

It is another object of the current invention to provide a compact, practical and re-usable device for the application of lotion(s) onto the body of a user, where the device is suitable for use with commercially available mitts or gloves. Statements of Invention

According to a first aspect of the current invention there is provided a collapsible lotion applicator suitable for the application of lotion(s) onto the body of a user comprising a paddle having a portion suitable for insertion into a lotion applicator mitt, and a handle, wherein

a) the handle comprises a hand grip, one or more collapsible shafts and a rotatable base axis;

b) the paddle is substantially mitt-shaped and comprises a collapsed handle receiving pocket on the rear side of the paddle, and one or more shaft receiving slots at the base of the paddle, and rotatable base axis receiving slots;

and wherein the collapsed handle is adapted to fit into the receiving pocket of the paddle.

According to a second aspect of the current invention there is provided a collapsible lotion applicator suitable for the application of lotion(s) onto the body of a user comprising a paddle having a portion suitable for insertion into a lotion applicator mitt, a clip, and a handle, wherein

a) the handle comprises a hand grip, one or more collapsible shafts and a rotatable base axis;

b) the paddle is substantially mitt-shaped and comprises a collapsed handle receiving pocket on the rear side of the paddle, and one or more shaft receiving slots at the base of the paddle, and rotatable base axis receiving slots;

c) the clip is adapted to fit across the one or more shaft receiving slots and rotatable base axis receiving slots at the base of the paddle;

and wherein the collapsed handle is adapted to fit into the receiving pocket of the paddle.

According to a third aspect of the current invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising a paddle for insertion into a mitt, a handle, a shaft, optionally a clip, and optionally a mitt, wherein the paddle, handle and shaft, and clip where present are substantially as provided in the first and second aspects.

According to a further aspect of the current invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising:

A) a handle comprising a hand grip, one or more collapsible shafts, a, rotating axis, screw, base axis;

B) a paddle comprising a pocket to receive collapsed handle (5);

C) optionally a clip; and

C) optionally a mitt.

According to yet further aspects there are additionally provided a collapsible lotion applicator suitable for the application of lotion(s) in accordance with the first or second aspects, or a kit of parts in accordance with the third or further aspects described hereinbefore wherein the collapsible lotion applicator handle, or handle comprises two parallel shafts, more preferably two parallel collapsible shafts, and especially two parallel, collapsible and telescopic shafts.

According to further aspects still there is provided a collapsible lotion applicator suitable for the application of lotion(s) in accordance with first or second aspects, or a kit of parts in accordance with the third or further aspects described hereinbefore wherein the paddle is adapted to be slightly oversized for the inside of a mitt or glove.

There is also provided herein a collapsible lotion applicator comprising a paddle for insertion into a lotion applicator mitt and a handle, wherein a) the handle comprises a hand grip, one or more collapsible shafts and a rotatable base axis; and

b) the paddle is substantially mitt shaped and comprises a collapsed handle receiving pocket on the rear side of the paddle and one or more shaft receiving slots at the base of paddle and rotatable base axis receiving slots and wherein the collapsed handle fits within the pocket.

These and further still aspects of the invention are detailed hereinafter. Description

The present invention provides a collapsible lotion applicator suitable for the application of lotion(s) onto the body of a user comprising a paddle for insertion into a lotion applicator mitt and a handle, wherein

a) the handle comprises a hand grip, one or more collapsible shafts and a rotatable base axis;

b) the paddle is substantially mitt-shaped and comprises a collapsed handle receiving pocket on the rear side of the paddle, and one or more shaft receiving slots at the base of the paddle, and rotatable base axis receiving slots;

and wherein the collapsed handle is adapted to fit into the receiving pocket of the paddle. According to a preferred aspect the collapsible lotion applicator additionally comprises a clip, wherein the clip is adapted to fit across the one or more shaft receiving slots and rotatable base axis receiving slots at the base of the paddle. PADDLE

A paddle as defined herein is a member of the collapsible lotion applicator herein which is adapted at one end to accommodate an externally fitted glove or mitt at the top end, the so-called substantially mitt-shaped portion or mitt- insertion member. When a glove or mitt covers the mitt-shaped portion, this combination of mitt or glove and paddle may also be conveniently referred to herein as a pad.

In addition the paddle also includes suitable attachment means for the rotatable base axis of the handle.

The surface of the paddle or pad which, when the applicator is in use, faces the body, is referred to herein as the top- or front-side and is smooth and flat. The surface of the paddle which, when the applicator is in use, faces away from the body, is referred to herein as the rear-, back-side, or under-side of the paddle, or pad. The opposite end of the paddle from the mitt-insertion member is referred to herein as the base-end of the paddle.

The rear-side of the paddle is particularly adapted to accommodate the collapsed handle. The rear-side of the paddle has one or more receiving slots for the rotatable base axis of the handle.

The relative location, or position, of the one or more slots for receiving the rotatable base axis on the rear-side of the paddle is related to the collapsed length of the one or more collapsible shafts of the handle because prior to use the collapsed handle (rotatable axis, shafts and hand-grip) is conveniently substantially, and preferably located and retained wholly, within the paddle.

In addition to the mitt-insertion member and the one or more receiving slots for the base axis (of the handle), the paddle additionally comprises means for receiving the collapsed handle and means for receiving the one or more collapsed shafts when the compact cosmetic applicator is in its closed i.e. packaged or un-opened form. The means for receiving the collapsed handle comprises a receiving pocket located at the base-end of the paddle. The particular shape and arrangement of the receiving pocket for the collapsed handle is adapted to correspond to the dimensions of the hand-grip and specifically the portion of the hand-grip which rotates by 180°. This aspect is illustrated in the Figures herein, and a preferred arrangement herein is as discussed and illustrated in relation to Figure 9 (C).

The shaft receiving means on the paddle includes: means for receiving and retaining the one or more collapsed slots within the paddle when the applicator is in closed forms; means receiving the one or more extended shafts when the applicator is in open ready-for-use form. Any suitable means for receiving and retaining the one or more collapsed shafts within the paddle may be use, including one or more shaft receiving slots or clipping means located at the base-end of the paddle; and/or one or more sets of clips adapted to retain the collapsed shaft within the underside of the mitt-insertion portion of the paddle. The shaft receiving slots are adapted to receive, and retain, the shafts when in the closed form. Exemplary shaft receiving slots are discussed in relation to the Figures. Thus the present invention additionally provides an applicator having a paddle, a handle and a clip as detailed herein wherein the means for retaining the one or more collapsed shafts is provided by any suitable shaft receiving and retaining means, such as clips or retaining members. In a preferred aspect where the applicator comprises a handle, a paddle and a clip, and the handle has two parallel shafts attached together via a rotating axis the shaft receiving slots on the underside of the paddle are provided by a pair of complementary clips adapted to retain and hold the collapsed shafts and the rotatable handle axis attached thereto within the paddle, and the handle retaining pockets on the paddle and the clip are adapted to retain the handle, and particularly the hand-grip of the handle, when the applicator is in closed form prior to use. This aspect is described in more detail and is illustrated in Figure 9(A), (9B), 9(C) and 9(D).

Preferred shaft receiving slots and handle receiving pockets on the base of the paddle in the aforementioned aspect are cut-outs. Exemplary cut-outs for use herein for the shaft receiving slots and handle receiving pocket are illustrated in Figure 5, 6, 7, 8 and/or 9. The Applicant has found that to provide a desirable close-fitting arrangement the shaft receiving slots and handle receiving pocket of the paddle and the clip have outlines which essentially mirror one-another. Again this aspect is illustrated in Figures 5 to 9. When the applicator is ready-for-use with the handle attached and the one or more shafts extended, and is placed on a suitable flat surface, with the mitt- insertion surface facing up, such as for example to enable the user to apply lotion or cream to the pad created by the closed mitt and paddle arrangement, the one or more shafts are received by the shaft retaining slots to provide a flat device (prior to use). This is illustrated in Figure 8C.

According to a particularly preferred aspect herein the handle comprises two parallel, collapsible, preferably telescopic shafts, the handle receiving pocket is located between the shaft receiving slots at the base-end of the paddle.

CLIP

The Applicant has found that for enhanced stability during use, the present applicators may advantageously also comprise further separate closure means, also referred to herein as a clip portion. This further separate closure means is adapted to effectively surround the corresponding portions of the paddle which provide means for receiving the collapsed handle and means for receiving the one or more collapsed shafts. The separate closure means has corresponding means for receiving the collapsed handle and for receiving the one or more collapsed shafts to those on the paddle. The separate closure, or clip portion is adapted to fit over the base-end of the paddle.

The engagement between the base-end of the paddle and the corresponding closure, or clip provides an effective closure for the compact applicator so that when the applicator is in an open (in-use/suitable for use) form the corresponding handle receiving pockets on the paddle and clip once clipped together provide enhanced retaining means for the mitt, and also provides additional stabilising and/or strengthening for applicator. The engagement between the base-end of the paddle and the corresponding closure, or clip provides an effective closure for the compact applicator so that when the applicator is in an open (in-use/suitable for use) form the corresponding shaft receiving slots on the paddle and clip once clipped together provide enhanced retaining means for the mitt, and also provides additional stabilising and/or overall strengthening for applicator.

Thus in accordance with a particularly preferred aspect herein the present compact applicators additionally comprise further separate closure means as detailed hereinbefore for mitt-retaining purposes, and/or overall applicator stabilising and/or strengthening

The engagement between the base-end of the paddle and the corresponding closure, or clip also provides an effective closure for the compact applicator when it is in an un-opened (closed) form. The clip is placed over the base- end of the paddle and when the two portions are clipped together the shaft receiving slots and handle receiving pocket on the on the clip co-locate with the corresponding aspects of the closed (un-opened) handle to form a close- fit which is also referred to herein as a smooth-fit or a perfect-fit. Thus the fit between the base-end of the compact cosmetic applicator comprising an additional clip and the handle in closed form has the general appearance of a smooth surface.

According to a further aspect there is provided a compact applicator having a handle as detailed previously herein, a paddle, and a clip, where the paddle has a portion suitable for insertion into a lotion applicator mitt, as detailed hereinbefore, and a base portion with one or more pockets or slots as also detailed hereinbefore, wherein the base portion is stepped-down from the mitt-insertion portion of the paddle, wherein the clip is adapted to fit around the base portion of the paddle, wherein the one or more slots and pockets on the clip overlap those in the paddle and are adapted to provide a close-fit with the shaft receiving slots and handle axis when the applicator is in closed form.

The term stepped-down as used herein means that the base-end of the paddle is slightly indented from the main portion (the mitt-insertion portion) of the paddle. The purpose of this stepped-down arrangement is to provide a closed applicator which has a flush-fitting appearance. For the avoidance of doubt this flush-fitting means that the fits between the mitt-insertion portion of the paddle and the clip, and the clip and the closed handle-arrangement appear close to the naked eye and the closed compact applicator has a smooth finish appearance.

A preferred clip and paddle arrangement is discussed hereinafter in relation to the Figures, and is illustrated in Figures 5, 7, 8 and 9.

The mitt-insertion member of the paddle is adapted to fit within commercially available mitts or gloves.

As many mitts or gloves for the application of cosmetic lotions have one surface which is particularly adapted for receiving, containing and/or applying product, such as for example a surface with one or more additional layers of material, such as for example flocking, it will be readily appreciated that the top- or front-side/surface of the paddle is inserted into the mitt or glove in a manner which provides engagement between the underside of any such adapted mitt or glove surface is in contact with the top- or front-side/surface of the paddle. For example when using a flocked mitt the top-side of the paddle is inserted into the mitt so as to be directly underneath the inside of the flocked surface of the mitt.

The Applicant has found that for ease-of-insertion and/or ease-of-use for application of cosmetic lotion or cream to the body of the user it is preferable for the devices, or kits of parts in accordance with the present invention to include a paddle which is convexly curved along its entire length, and particularly a paddle which is generally convexly curved along its entire length and having a more substantially curved top end (mitt insertion end) and a flatter curve at the bottom (base) end. For the avoidance of doubt, the base- end of the paddle where the shaft receiving slots and the handle receiving pocket are located are similarly convexly curved. Convexly curved as used herein has its regularly understood meaning and refers to a outward curve, in the present applicators, the paddles and clips, where present, have an outward curve which is more prominent at the top surface of the paddle and becomes straighter towards the bottom of the sides of the paddle, and clip, where present. These two features of the paddle curve are indicated at X and Y respectively in Figure 5. The bottom of the side of the paddle, starting from the start of the curve on the front-side of the paddle, as defined herein is the edge between the front-side of the paddle and the under-side or rear-side of the paddle. This is indicated by feature Z in Figure 5. For the avoidance of doubt the term top-end as used in relation to the paddle herein means the end of the mitt-insertion member of the paddle which is furthest away from the handle, i.e. the end of the paddle which is inserted first into the mitt or glove when the device is to be used. Correspondingly, the term bottom end as used in relation to the paddle herein means the end of the mitt-insertion member of the paddle which is closest to the handle.

Exemplary applicators including paddles and features of paddles for use in the applicators and kits of parts herein are illustrated hereinafter and are discussed in relation to the Figures. A preferred paddle herein has a length of from 15 cm to 18 cm from the end of the base to the tip of the mitt insertion member, and a width of from 1 1 cm to 13 cm at the widest point of the mitt-insertion member of the paddle. An especially preferred paddle herein has a length of from 17.0 cm to 17.2 cm and a width of from 12 cm to 13 cm, and more preferably a length of 17.1040 cm long and a width of from 12.4 cm to 12.7 cm, and more especially a length of 17.1040 cm and a width of 12.4246 cm. Preferably the mitt-insertion member portion of the paddle has a shape that substantially matches the internal shape of a commercially available glove or mitt, and in particular mitts independently selected from those described in the following patent applications GB2327340 A, EP1046356A, GB2407025A. The Applicant has found that to ensure a tight-fit between the paddle and the mitt or glove, it is preferable for the mitt-insertion member of the paddle to be slightly oversized when compared to the inside of a mitt or glove for use with the device, or kit of parts as described herein, in other words, the external surface area of the mitt-insertion member is adapted to be slightly larger than the internal surface area of the glove or mitt which it is to accommodate in due course. This arrangement is intended to provide for stretching of the fabric of the glove or mitt over the mitt-insertion member. Such a tight-, or snug-fitting arrangement is particularly useful for providing a suitably robust applicator surface from which the user can evenly and smoothly apply lotion to the body, and/or for providing a suitable applicator surface which can be used for effective buffing.

The paddle is a rigid member of the collapsible lotion applicator device, and may be made from any suitable material for use in the manufacture of rigid toiletry articles, and is preferably made from rigid plastic. Exemplary rigid plastics for making the paddle are thermoplastics, and especially acrylic- based thermoplastics. Any suitable thermoplastic material can be used, examples of suitable thermoplastics are those typically employed in the manufacture of hard hair combs, hair clips and the like. The paddle, clip and handle can be manufactured via any suitable means for the production of rigid plastic products for cosmetic application, and preferably the paddle, clip and handle are moulded plastics. The paddle is typically provided as a rigid plastic having an overall thickness of from 2 mm to 3 mm.

MITT

The terms mitts and gloves are used interchangeably herein and mean any suitable pocket-like receptacle which is suitable for the mitt-insertion member portion of the paddle of the lotion applicator device to be inserted into. As will be readily appreciated, to be suitable for use as a lotion applicator mitt or glove with a device or with a kit-of-parts as detailed herein, a pocket-like receptacle should be made from a suitable material for applying the cosmetic substance to, and for retaining an amount of the cosmetic substance therein so that the user can apply the substance to their body using the applicator in due course.

As detailed hereinbefore, commercially available mitts and gloves are suitable for use with the compact lotion applicator devices of the invention. For user- comfort the mitts, gloves, or pocket-like receptacles as detailed herein are preferably made from absorbent flexible materials which can be either synthetic or natural in origin.

Exemplary mitts or gloves for use with the lotion applicator devices, or kits detailed herein include: mitts comprising two layers of flexible material joined together in a manner to allow insertion of at least a part of a users' hand between the layers, at least one of said layers comprising a flexible synthetic foam material to the outer surface of which is applied a layer of flock, and as described by Synlatex Ltd in GB2327340A; a suitable method for the preparation of a flat flexible pad of flexible plastic foam having a layer of flock applied to one or both sides thereof is described by Synlatex Ltd, in EP1046356A; mitts comprising two layers of flexible material joined together in a manner to allow insertion of at least a part of a users' hand between the layers, at least one of said layers comprising a non-absorbent liquid- impermeable barrier layer and a layer of flock, or pile or foam applied to the outer surface of the barrier layer and as described by Synlatex Ltd in GB2407025A. HANDLE

As detailed previously herein the handle includes a hand-grip, a rotatable axis and one or more collapsible shafts. The Applicant has found that utility of handle including a collapsible shaft portion is advantageous for the provision of a compact device. Any suitable collapsible means can be used for the one or more shafts.

The one or more collapsible shafts may be made from any suitable durable and robust material, such as for example rigid plastic, metal, metal alloy, or a material coated with metal or metal alloy. Suitable rigid plastics are as described hereinbefore, and suitable metals include aluminium, and tin, and alloys including aluminium alloys or steel. Preferably the one or more collapsible shafts are made from metallic materials, or are coated with metallic materials such as aluminium or suitable aluminium containing alloy. More preferably the one or more collapsible shafts are telescopic shafts made from hollow steel rods.

As will be readily appreciated the fully extended length of the one or more shafts in the handle portion of the applicators as described herein can be selected in accordance with the proposed use. The Applicant has found that applicators which include one or more collapsible shafts having a fully extended (un-collapsed) length of from 30 cm to 35 cm, more preferably from 32 cm to 34 cm in length are particularly suitable for the self-application of liquid or cream cosmetic products onto hard to reach areas of the body such as the mid- or lower- back. Especially preferred applicators herein have tow, parallel collapsible, preferably two parallel collapsible, telescopic shafts where each shaft is 33 cm in fully extended length.

The length of the hand-grip portion of the handle is again variable according to the desired product to be applied, the Applicant has found that hand-grips having a length of from 10cm to 15cm, preferably 10cm, to 13 cm and particularly 12 cm in length are especially useful in the present compact applicators, both for ease-of-use during self-application and also for conveniently holding the un-folded (non-rotated) hand-group within the paddle.

The Applicant has found that in addition to the rotatable action for the handgrip portion which is valuable for the ease-of-storage of the compact applicator it is additionally useful to include suitable means for providing further stability to the hand-grip portion of the handle once it has been rotated into the use-position. Any suitable means can be used. Exemplary means are as illustrated and discussed in relation to applicators in the Figures hereinafter. Collapsible means as defined herein means that the one or more shafts collapse from an elongated "in use" length, in a telescopic, concertina, or foldable manner to provide a compact, "packaged" length. The Applicant has found that use of one or more telescopic collapsible shafts are particularly preferred for ease-of-use, and practical compact packaging purposes.

The Applicant has also found that a particularly stable configuration of the collapsible lotion applicator is provided when the handle comprises a hand grip, having two parallel collapsible shafts and a rotatable base axis. Preferably the collapsible lotion applicator handle comprises two parallel shafts, more preferably two parallel collapsible shafts, and especially two parallel, collapsible and telescopic shafts, wherein the two shafts have equal dimensions. The term shaft as used herein includes hollow-poles. Thus in accordance with a particularly preferred aspect the shaft portion of the collapsible lotion applicator handle comprises two parallel collapsible shafts, and especially two parallel, collapsible and telescopic shafts.

In a preferred aspect the present applicators include a paddle of rigid plastic, for example a thermoplastic, especially an acrylic based plastic and one or more collapsible shafts preferably two parallel, telescopic shafts wherein the one or more collapsible shafts are made from metallic materials or alloys, or are coated with metallic materials or alloys, such as aluminium or steel, and especially wherein the shafts are telescopic steel poles.

Where the handle comprises two collapsible shafts, preferably two collapsible telescopic shafts these may be connected together by any suitable means, and preferably via a rotating axis, also called a rotatable axis herein. The rotating axis preferably also comprises the handgrip. The rotation is provided by any suitable means, and is preferably provided via screw-fix means. Thus there is provided herein a compact applicator wherein the handle comprises two collapsible shafts, connected together via a rotating axis having a handle and screw fix means. For flexibility the handgrip can move 180 degrees around the axis of the screw fix means. Illustration of handles having a screw fix member 50 or 50A areprovided in the Figures hereinafter.

The Applicant has found that for enhanced stability it is advantageous if the handle additionally includes locking means on the hinge of the handle. Any suitable locking means can be employed. Preferred locking means include: abutting means; pin-and-hole arrangements. A pin and hole arrangement includes locking means where one portion to be connected to another portion includes a male member, which can be a compressible male member, and takes the form of a pin, or other similarly proud feature, and where the other portion to be connected includes a female member which in in the form of a recess or a hole into which the male member fits in order to form a lock.

HINGE

The Applicant has found that a hinged arrangement between the paddle and the collapsible handle is valuable for the provision of a range of movements for the applicator. For ease-of-cleaning, re-use and storage, the Applicant has also found that it is useful for the collapsible handle to be removable from the paddle. As such, preferably the collapsible handle is hingedly attached to the paddle. Hingedly attached, as defined herein, means that the handle is attached to the handle by any suitable hinging means. In the applicators herein the desired hinging is preferably provided via the use of a rotatable base axis for the handle.

According to a preferred aspect herein the rotatable base axis is fully removable from the underside of the paddle, and can be easily is slotted into the base axis receiving slot on the underside of the paddle prior to use. According to a preferred aspect the collapsible handle is hingedly attached to the rear side of the paddle.

According to a more preferred aspect herein the collapsible handle is removably and hingedly attached to the rear side of the paddle.

KIT OF PARTS

Preferably the current invention can be provided as a kit of parts comprising a paddle for insertion into a mitt, a handle, a shaft and optionally a clip and/or a mitt. This kit of parts can also include a mitt or mitt for applying lotions onto the skin of a user.

According to a further aspect of the current invention there is provided a kit of parts comprising:

A) a handle comprising a hand grip, one or more collapsible shafts, a, rotating axis, screw, base axis;

B) a paddle comprising a pocket to receive collapsed handle (5);

C) optionally a clip; and

C) optionally a mitt. For the avoidance of doubt, the preferred, more preferred, particularly preferred and/or especially preferred aspects of the collapsible lotion applicator, or portions thereof such as the handle, paddle, or clip are equally preferred, more preferred, particularly preferred and/or especially preferred aspects of the kits of parts as detailed hereinbefore. USE

As described previously herein the present applicator is suitable for the application of cosmetic substances, particularly lotions or creams. Cosmetic lotions or creams which can be applied to the skin of a user via the present applicator include cosmetic liquid or cosmetic cream substances such as sun screen, sun cream, fake tan, tanning oil or tanning lotion. As will be appreciated the applicator is also suitable for the topical application of other cosmetic products, or for the epicutaneous application of medicinal creams, lotions, foams or mousses to the body. Preferred cosmetic substances for application using the present applicator are independently selected from self- tanning products such as fake tan or tanning lotion, and such screen. Preferred topical medicinal products for application using the present applicator are independently selected from hydrophobic medicaments, barrier creams, steroidal hormone creams, anti-itch products such as Calamine lotion, or anti-psoriasis medicaments.

The present compact cosmetic applicator is easy to construct and use. To provide a suitable lotion receiving pad, a mitt or glove is slid or stretched over the mitt-insertion portion of the paddle so that the top end of the paddle is fully inserted into the mitt or glove, and the remaining fabric of the mitt or glove, the so-called mitt-ends, extend beyond the mitt-insertion portion of the paddle, and into the base-end of the paddle. In accordance with a preferred aspect herein the fabric covered paddle is then clipped into place using a clip which is adapted to fit across the width of the top surface at the base-end of the paddle i.e. the base-end having means for receiving the handle and shafts, the clip also extends upwards on its two sides to further enclose and engage with the corresponding side-ends of the base-portion of the fabric covered paddle. For closure the corresponding portions of the clip and base-end of the paddle are clipped together. Once the fabric covered paddle has been clipped into place the mitt-ends can be pressed or pushed down into the interior of the base-end of paddle. As will be readily appreciated, for applicators which do not contain the additional closure / clip the mitt-ends are simply pressed/pushed down into the interior of the paddle and the applicator used as detailed hereinafter for the clipped-together form. The handle portion of the compact cosmetic applicator can then be conveniently opened up by swinging the hand-grip portion of the handle 180° about the screw-fix member, or any other suitable fixing means member, and locked into place to provide an applicator having the handle in the "use position" i.e. the hand grip is moved from a closed position, where the top-end of the handle faces inwardly towards the rotatable axis at the base of the handle, into the useable position where the hand grip extends outwardly from the one or more collapsible shafts.

Once the hand-grip has been moved into a position for use the still-collapsed handle can then be conveniently and readily hingedly attached to the paddle portion of the compact cosmetic applicator. To attach the still-collapsed handle to the fabric covered paddle and clip, the rotatable base axis portion of the handle is pushed or pressed into the corresponding rotatable base axis receiving slots in the now fabric covered paddle. The one or more shaft portions of the still-collapsed handle can then be readily and safely extended by placing a hand around the paddle and holding down the now-attached base axis on one side, and the corresponding fabric-covered area on the opposite side of the paddle, and with the other hand pulling on the hand-grip portion of the handle in an upwards motion to extend the one or more collapsible shafts. The applicator can now be used in combination with any suitable cosmetic or medicinal lotion or cream for the self-application of such lotion or cream to the body of the user.

As will be readily appreciated the present compact applicator can be readily re-used. Once the user has finished using the applicator, the handle is removed (undipped) from the rear of the pad (paddle and mitt), and the mitt or glove is removed from the paddle, where a clip is present then the clip is removed before the mitt is removed from the paddle. Once the mitt has been removed the applicator can be re-packaged for future use. To re-package or close a preferred applicator arrangement having two shafts and optionally a clip, the hand-grip portion of the handle is rotated around between the shafts, the hand-grip can be loosened and re-tightened using any suitable arrangement, and in particular for a rotatable screw-fit axis by a screw. The shafts and handgrip are pushed backwards into the body of the paddle i.e. towards the rear of the underside of the mitt-insertion portion of the paddle, the shafts are then pushed into shaft receiving members and the base axis can be re-clipped into the base axis receiving slot to provide a closed applicator, where a clip is present, the clip can now be re-applied. Thus the so-closed applicator can be stored for future use.

Figures The current invention will now be particularly described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 : shows a front view of an applicator (1 ) in accordance with the invention with fully extended shafts and applicator mitt.

Figure 2: shows the tip of a paddle for use in an applicator in accordance with the invention entering a mitt.

Figure 3: shows a rear view of the applicator of Figure 1 with fully extended shafts.

Figure 4: shows the applicator of Figure 1 in the collapsed compact configuration.

Figure 5: shows a front-facing view of a particularly preferred applicator (1A) having a paddle (10A), in accordance with the invention in an opened-up, ready to use arrangement with a handle having fully extended telescopic shafts (30A) and (40A). Applicator (IA) also includes a clip closure (400). Figure 6: shows a front-facing view of the particularly preferred applicator (1A) of Figure 5 having a paddle (10A), a handle having fully extended telescopic shafts (30A) and (40A), a clip closure (400) and an applicator mitt (20A) in place.

Figure 7: shows a top-exploded view of the applicator of Figure 5 where the clip closure (400) is illustrated separately from the paddle and handle of the applicator (IA).

Figure 8: shows a series of views of the applicator of Figure 5.

Figure 9: shows a series of views of the applicator of Figure 5 in closed form where the shafts are collapsed and the handle is retained within the pocket in the paddle.

Detailed description of the Figures Figure 1 shows an applicator 1 with a paddle 10. The collapsible handle as shown in applicator 1 has two parallel telescopic shafts 30 and 40 connected together by rotating axis 50 with screw 55 and handgrip 60 is also shown. The handgrip 60 can move 180 degrees around the axis of screw fix member 50.

Figure 2 shows the tip of the paddle 10 for the applicator of Figure 1 and a mitt 20. Once the paddle 10 is fully inserted into mitt 20 where the hand is normally placed, the oversized fit provides positive pressure against the internal surface of mitt 20 to form a tight fit. As can be seen, the paddle 10 has an external shape that matches that of the mitt 20 interior.

Figure 3 shows a rear view of the applicator 1 , and shaft base rotatable axis 70, slots 80 and 90 to receive the axis 70 ends and allow rotation of the axis 70. The telescopic receiving members 120 for shafts 30 and 40 are shown. Slots 140 and 150 receive the shafts 30 and 40 as well abutments 200 and 210 from the screw fix member 50, when in a collapsed state.

Figure 4 shows the collapsible applicator 1 in a fully compact and collapsed configuration. As can be seen, the slots 140 and 150 hold abutments 200 and 210 in a snap fit manner, the shafts 30 and 40 have fully collapsed into the receiving members 120 and 130. Hand grip 60 is rotated around axis 50 and tightened with screw 55, so that the collapsed shafts 30 and 40 as well as handgrip 60 fit into rear paddle pocket 300 so that the collapsed shafts 30 and 40, receiving members 120 and 130 and handgrip 60 are substantially flush with the rear of the paddle 10.

To use the applicator illustrated in Figure 1 , the user pulls the handgrip 60 from between the receiving members 120 and 130 within the rear paddle pocket 300 from the collapsed applicator device 2, as shown in Figure 3. The handgrip 60 is rotatable around the axis 70 and is used to pull the abutments 200 and 210 from slots 140 and 150. The user can then pull the receiving members 120 and 130 towards the perpendicular due to rotation of axis 70 and then extend the shafts 30 and 40 from receiving members 120 and 130 by pulling the handgrip 60. When the shafts 30 and 40 are fully extended the user then presses the shafts 30 and 40 into slots 120 and 130 for stability. Handgrip 60 is then contiguous with extended shafts 30 and 40 and tightened with screw 55. Due to the slightly oversized fit of the paddle 10 into the mitt 20 and the mitt shape of paddle 10, a very tight fit is attained, ensuring the mitt 20 remains on paddle 10 during use.

The applicator is now ready to use, paddle 10 is placed into mitt 20, instead of a hand, tan lotion or another cosmetic is applied to the mitt surface and the user can apply the cosmetic onto hard to reach areas like his or her back.

Once the user has finished, the mitt 20 is removed from paddle 10, the handgrip 60 can be loosened by screw 55 and rotated to between the shafts 30 and 40, and tightened into place again by screw 55, abutments 200 and 210 are now exposed. The shafts 30 and 40 and handgrip 60 are pushed towards rear pocket 300, the shafts 30 and 40 are then pushed into receiving members 120 and 130. The abutment members can be now pushed into slots 140 and 150. Hence the collapsed shafts 30 and 40, handgrip 60 are flush with the top of pocket 300.

Figure 5: shows a front-facing view of a particularly preferred applicator (1A) having a paddle (10A), in accordance with the invention in an opened-up, ready to use arrangement with a handle having two parallel, fully extended telescopic shafts (30A) and (40A). The shafts (30A) and (40A) are connected together by rotating axis (50A) with screw (55A). As also illustrated in Figure 5 the handgrip (60A) is also shown. The handgrip 60 can move 180 degrees around the axis of screw fix member 50. As can readily be seen from the view in Figure 5, when the applicator is ready-for-use with the handle attached and the shafts extended, and is placed on a suitable flat surface, with the mitt-insertion surface facing up, such as for example to enable the user to apply lotion or cream to the pad created by the closed mitt and paddle arrangement, the one or more shafts are received by or into the shaft retaining slots to provide a flat device (prior to use).

Applicator (IA) also includes a clip closure (400). As can be readily seen the relative dimensions of the clip (400) are such that, once it has been put in place over the base-end (rear) of the paddle the closed paddle and clip arrangement has a substantially smooth fitting arrangement. As also illustrated in Figure 5 the cut-portions of the clip essentially mirror those of the to-be-retained aspects of the handle.

As illustrated in Figure 5, the mitt-retaining portion of the paddle, the base- portion of the paddle and the clip have convex curved features, as discussed in the description herein, the paddle and clip have an outward curve which is more prominent at the top surface of the paddle (X) and becomes straighter towards the bottom of the sides of the paddle (Y) and clip. The bottom of the side of the paddle, starting from the start of the curve on the front-side of the paddle, as defined herein is the edge between the front-side of the paddle and the under-side or rear-side of the paddle as indicated (Z).

Figure 6: shows a front-facing view of the particularly preferred applicator (1A) of Figure 5 having a paddle (10A), a handle having fully extended telescopic shafts (30A) and (40A), a clip closure (400) and an applicator mitt (20A) in place. The shafts (30A), (40A), axis (50A), screw (55A) and handle (60A) are as described for Figure 5. As can be readily seen from the mitt- paddle-clip arrangement in Figure 6 the mitt is held securely in place and is ready-for-use (once the product has been applied). Figure 7: shows a top-exploded view of the applicator of Figure 5 where the clip closure (400) is illustrated separately from the paddle and handle of the applicator (IA). The shafts (30A), (40A), axis (50A), and handle (60A) are as described for Figure 5. In Figure 7 the stepped-down or indented arrangement between the mitt-insertion portion (600) and base-end portion (500) of the paddle is shown. Figure 7 also clearly illustrates the shaft receiving slots (700)/(700A) and handle receiving pockets (800) on the paddle and their mirror-images in the shaft receiving slots (700C)/(700D) and handle receiving pockets (800A) on the clip. As detailed in the description, where the applicator comprises a handle, a paddle and a clip, in a preferred aspect the clip is adapted to cover the base-end of the paddle and the external width of the clip is aligned to the external width of the mitt-insertion portion (600), and depth of the clip at the widest point is aligned to correspond to the depth of the base-portion (the stepped-down portion) of the paddle (500).

Figure 8: shows a series of views of the applicator (IA) having a handle, paddle and clip of Figure 5. Figure 8A is a top view, Figure 8B, is a side- perspective view looking from the top of the handle to the end of the mitt- insertion portion of the paddle, and Figure 8B is a side-view where the applicator is shown with the handle resting in the clipped-together paddle-end and clip i.e. the shafts are in the shaft receiving slots (cut-outs).

Figure 9: shows a series of views of the applicator of Figure 5 in closed form where the shafts are collapsed and the handle is retained within the pocket in the paddle. Figure 9A is side view illustrating the close-fitting arrangement between the paddle (10A) and clip (400) and the hand-grip (60A) resting within the handle receiving portions of the clip and paddle. Figure 9B, is a rear-side view from the top of the hand-grip (60A). Figure 9(C) is an under- side view where the applicator is shown with the hand-grip (60) of the collapsed handle resting in the handle receiving aspects of the clipped- together paddle-end (500) and clip (400), and where the collapsed shafts (30A), (40A), are retained within a slot receiving slot within the paddle by the shaft retaining clips (900A), (900B), these can also be called shaft retaining members. Figure 9(C) also illustrates the collapsed receiving slot for the rotatable base axis (1000A) and the rotatable base axis receiving slot (1 100A). Figure 9(D) illustrates the close-fit between the paddle and clip. According to a yet further aspect there is provided a collapsible lotion applicator (1 ) comprising a paddle (10) for insertion into a lotion applicator mitt (20) and a handle (5), wherein

a) the handle (5) comprises a hand grip (60), one or more collapsible shafts and a rotatable base axis (70); and

b) the paddle (10) is substantially mitt (20) shaped and comprises a collapsed handle receiving pocket (300) on the rear side of the paddle (10) and one or more shaft receiving slots at the base of paddle (10) and rotatable base axis receiving slots (80) and (90) wherein the collapsed handle (5) fits within the pocket (300).

According to a preferred aspect there is provided a collapsible lotion applicator (1A) comprising a paddle (10A) for insertion into a lotion applicator mitt (20A) and a handle (5A), wherein

a) the handle (5A) comprises a hand grip (60A), one or more collapsible shafts and a rotatable base axis (70A);

b) the paddle (10A) is substantially mitt (20A) shaped and comprises a collapsed handle receiving pocket (300A) on the rear side of the paddle (10A) and one or more shaft receiving slots at the base of paddle (10A) and rotatable base axis receiving slots (80A) and (90A) wherein the collapsed handle (5A) fits within the pocket (300A); and

wherein the applicator also comprises a closure (400).