WE CLAIM:
1. A vest-like apparatus for self application of matter on a human body, said system comprising: a shell surface, form fit like a vest; and an application surface, for application of such matter desired to be self applied to said human body.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising pre-indentation in said shell surface, allowing said vest-like apparatus to be folded.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said application surface is porous. 4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said application surface is semi- porous.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said application surface further comprises attachment means such that said applications surface may be affixed to said shell surface. 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shell surface further comprises attachment means to attached the front of said vest-like apparatus.
7. A flat map apparatus for self application of matter on a human body, said apparatus comprising: a shell surface; and an application surface, for application of such matter desired to be self applied to said human body.
8. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising pre-indentation in said shell surface, allowing said flat mat apparatus to be folded.
9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said application surface is porous.
10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said application surface is semi- porous.
11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said application surface further comprises attachment means such that said applications surface may be affixed to said shell surface. |
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELF APPLICATION OF CREAMS, OINTMENTS
AND LIQUIDS
SPECIFICATION CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/197,180, filed October 24, 2008, which is further incorporated by reference in its entity herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a system and method for the self application of creams, ointments, and/or liquids. More specifically, the present invention relates to a system and method to self-apply creams, ointments, and/or liquids to "hard to reach areas" of an end users body without the assistance of another individual.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Applying creams, ointments, and/or liquids to "hard to reach areas", e.g., the back of one's body, typically requires the assistance of another individual to perform the actual application of such items. Such assistance is typically requested from a companion or close family member. Typically creams, ointments, and/or liquids, which are desired to be applied to such "hard to reach areas", include sun tan lotion; medical prescriptions, including but not limited to burn injury, acne, and bed sores medicines; muscle relaxers; and sports injury related items.
[0004] What is needed is an effective and efficient system and method to allow a person to self-apply, meaning without the assistance of another individual, such creams, ointments and/or liquids to "hard to reach areas" of their body.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a system and method to allow for easy and efficient self-application of creams, ointments, and/or liquids to "hard to reach areas" of an end users body without the need for assistance from another individual. [0006] In order to achieve this objective, as well as others which will become apparent in the disclosure below, in a first exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides for a vest-like apparatus comprising an application porous material solely present on an area which will interface with the "hard to reach area" on the body. In this first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the end user applies the cream, ointment, and/or liquid to the application porous material and puts the vest- like apparatus on themselves. By merely form fitting the vest-like apparatus on the end user body or with minor movement (depending on how much the end user wants applied) the end user can have the desired cream, ointment and/or liquid evenly applied to the "hard to reach area".
[0007] In accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a foldable flat map apparatus is provided featuring the same attributes as the vest-like apparatus.
[0008] In accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a rollable flat map apparatus is provided featuring the same attributes as the vest-like apparatus. [0009] Thus, the present system and method provides for effective and efficient system and method to allow a person to self-apply, meaning without the assistance of another individual, such creams, ointments and/or liquids to "hard to reach areas" of the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] For a complete understanding of the present invention and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features, components and method steps, and wherein:
[0011] FIG. IA is an illustration of the exterior back side of a vest-like apparatus, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0012] FIG. IB is an illustration of the exterior front side of a vest-like apparatus, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2A is an illustration of the front side of the vest-like apparatus of FIG. IB in open position, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 2B is an illustration of the a back view of the application surface of the vest- like apparatus of FIG. 2A , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2C is an illustration of the a side view of the application surface of the vest-like apparatus of FIG. 2A , in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 3 is an illustration of the process whereby the vest-like apparatus of FIG. 2A may be folded for transport or stowing, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 4 is an illustration of the two primary portions of a foldable flat mat apparatus, in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 5 is an illustration of the process whereby the foldable flat mat apparatus of FIG.4 may be folded for transport and/or stowing, in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 6 is an illustration of the two primary portions of a rollable flat mat apparatus, in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and [0020] FIG. 7 is an illustration of the process whereby the rollable flat mat apparatus of FIG. 6 may be rolled for transport and/or stowing, in accordance with the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] Referring to FIGS. IA and IB, in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, the system comprises a vest- like apparatus 100, where the vest-like apparatus 100 has an exterior surface 102 and an interior surface 104. Further, FIG. IA provides a back side view, and FIG. IB provides a front side view of the vest- like apparatus 100, respectively.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 2A, a front view of the vest- like apparatus 100 in open position is illustrated. The exterior surface 102 and interior surface 104 combined form a shell for the vest- like apparatus 100, while the application surface 106 is solely present on an area which will interface with the "hard to reach area" on the end user's body; in this instance the back of the body of the end user. The exterior surface 102 and interior surface 104 are preferable constructed of a light weight, easy to clean, stain resistant material such as nylon. (Stain resistance is desired as many creams, ointments, and/or liquids can leave noticeable stains on numerous materials, such stains surviving cleaning or washing.) Further, the color of exterior surface 102 is significant, as certain colors attract heat. As many uses of the vest- like apparatus 100, namely, sun tan lotion application use, are likely to occur in sun rich environments, it is desirous to have a heat resistant/reflective color for the exterior surface 102. Such heat resistant/reflective colors include white or silver, for example. [0023] Referring to FIGS. 2B and 2C, the application surface 106 preferably is constructed of a porous material, such as cotton (bath towel-like), sponge, etc. Alternatively, application surface 106 can constructed of semi-porous material. The shell (combined exterior surface 102 and interior surface 104) is intended to be washable. Preferably the application surface 106 is separable from the interior surface 104. This allows for easier cleaning and washing, namely, the application surface 106 may be washed or cleaned multiple times verses the times the shell (the combined exterior surface 102 and interior surface 104) is washed or cleaned.
The application surface 106 may then be attached to the interior surface 104 via attachable means 110, such as "hook and loop" (Velcro ™) points (preferably 4 or more of such attached points). Further, the application surface 106 can also be disposal. In the case of a disposable application surface 106, the attaching means 110 can be "hook and loop", as recited-above, or full adhesive (like a Band- Aid ™), whereas the side 108 of the disposal application surface 106 interfacing with the interior surface 104 would comprise a light adhesive covering the entire planer surface of the application surface 106 on the side 108 interfacing with interior surface 104. Alternatively, the application surface 106 can be pre-treated with a cream, ointment, and/or liquid such that an end user can simply attached such pre-treated application surface 106 to the interior surface 104, eliminating the need for preparation of the cream, ointment, and/or liquid to the application surface 106 by the end user. Such pre-treated application surface 106 can be disposable or reusable. Hence, available options for the application surface 106, include but are not limited to: (a) naked (untreated) disposable, (b) pre-treated disposable, (c) naked (untreated) reusable, and (d) pre-treated reusable. [0024] For self application of the cream, ointment, and/or liquid, the end user simply places the vest-like apparatus 100 on their body, as you would a regular vest, ensure the vest is form fitting with the "hard to reach area", and the cream, ointment and/or liquid is thereby applied evenly to the "hard to reach area". The vest-like apparatus 100 can also be swiveled slightly from left to right to "rub-in" the cream, ointment and/or liquid.
[0025] The front portions 102 of the vest-like apparatus 100, interfacing with the chest area of the end user, preferably do not interface with application surface 106 material. (However, it is possible for the front portions 102 of the vest- like apparatus 100 to also each contain application material like application surface 106, but this likely will not be desirable by consumers, as consumers are able to reach the chest area of their body naturally themselves.)
[0026] As for sizes, the vest-like apparatus 100 preferably comes in multiple sizes as with any wearable item (XS, S, M, L, XL, XL, XXL, XXXL) all of the above sized separately for men, woman, and children. In addition, for a good fit for self application, "hook and loop" sets are provide on the front of vest- like apparatus 100 as a means to close the vest- like apparatus 100 to better form- fit.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 3, for storage and/or transport, in accordance with this first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the vest- like apparatus 100 is intended to be folded along the pre-indentations in the exterior surface 102. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary three (3) step process whereby the vest- like apparatus 100 may be folded, in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] In addition, the application surface 106 need not be folded with the vest- like apparatus 100 shell, as depicted in FIG. 3. Alternatively, the application surface 106 may be removed, and "rolled" separately for transport and/or stowing, to ensure cream, ointment, or liquid from the application surface 106 does not drip or otherwise get applied to the interior surface 104 in such stowed-state. Further, a carry strap and stow attached point can be integrated to make the stow-state and carry ability easier.
[0029] For marketing reasons, logos, including trademarks, can be place on one or both planar portions of the vest-like apparatus 100 when in its folded state. [0030] Referring to FIG. 4, in a second preferred embodiment, instead of a vest-like apparatus 100, a foldable flat mat apparatus 200 is employed. The concept here embodies all of the concepts of vest- like apparatus 100, with the exemption that application of the cream, ointment and/or liquid occurs by the end user laying down on foldable flat mat apparatus 200, and semi-rolling themselves slightly for application of the cream, ointment, and/or liquid. Such foldable flat mat apparatus 200 is preferably 24" x 36", but can in fact be any size. Integration of application surface 202 onto the exterior surface 204 is also preferable in this
embodiment. All other attributes are the same as vest-like apparatus 100. FIG. 4 illustrates foldable flat mat apparatus 200 with the following comparable references to vest-like apparatus 100: application surface is reference 202; and the exterior is reference 204; "hook and loop" (Velcro ™) attached points are referenced as 206. Additional, foldable flat mat apparatus 200 comprises an attachment strap 208 for stowing.
[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary three (3) step process whereby the foldable flat mat apparatus 200 may be folded, in accordance with the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Attachment strap 208 is deployed in the last step to ensure the folded state is maintained throughout stow and/or transport. Further, a carry strap and stow attached point can be integrated to make the stow-state and carry ability easier.
[0032] For marketing reasons, logos, including trademarks, can be place on one or both side portions of the foldable flat mat apparatus 200 when in its folded state. [0033] Referring to FIG. 6, in a third preferred embodiment, a rollable flat mat apparatus 300 is employed. The concept here embodies all of the concepts of vest-like apparatus 100, with the exemption that application of the cream, ointment or liquid occurs by the end user laying down on rollable flat mat apparatus 300, and semi-rolling themselves slightly for application of the cream, ointment, or liquid. Such rollable flat mat apparatus 300 is preferably 24" x 36", but can in fact be any size. Integration of application surface 302 onto the exterior surface 304 is also preferable in this embodiment. All other attributes are the same as vest-like apparatus 100. FIG. 6 illustrates rollable flat mat apparatus 300 with the following comparable references to vest- like apparatus 100: application surface is reference 302; and the exterior is reference 304; "hook and loop" (Velcro ™) attached points are referenced as 306. Additional, rollable flat mat apparatus 300 comprises an attachment strap 308 for stowing.
[0034] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary two (2) step process whereby the rollable flat mat apparatus 300 may be folded, in accordance with this third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Attachment strap 308 is deployed in the last step to ensure the rolled state is maintained throughout stow and/or transport. Further, a carry strap and stow attached point can be integrated to make the stow-state and carry ability easier.
[0035] Although the invention has been described herein by reference to an exemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood that such embodiment is susceptible of modification and variation without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed. All such modifications and variations, therefore, are intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.