APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING AND DISTRIBUTING SUBSTANCES TO TARGET SURFACES

摘要

The present invention provides an applicator for applying and distributing a substance onto a target surface. The applicator comprises a substantially planar sheet of compressible, conformable material (20) having opposed first and second surfaces and an interior region between said first and second surfaces. The sheet of material (20) has a thickness between the first and second surfaces which decreases when the sheet of material is subjected to an externally-applied force in a direction substantially normal to the first surface. The applicator further includes at least one discrete reservoir (50) extending inwardly of the first surface into the interior of the sheet of material which is at least partially filled with a substance and at least one discrete aperture (30) formed in the first surface which is in fluid communication with the reservoir. Compression of the sheet of material via an externally-applied force substantially normal to said first surface expresses product from the aperture and translational motion of the first surface relative to a target surface applies and distributes said product onto the target surface. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of apertures (30) are associated with corresponding reservoirs (50) forming a delivery zone near one end of a hand-held applicator, and the sheet material is preferably resilient both in compression and in bending to conform to irregular target surfaces. A wide variety of substances are contemplated, including particularly antiperspirant/deodorant products. Other embodiments include a single reservoir feeding a plurality of apertures.