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 a n 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 on e discrete aperture (30) formed in the first surface which is in fluid communication with the reservoir. Compression of the sheet of material via a n externally-applied force substantially normal to said first surface expresse s 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 o ne end of a hand-held applicator, and the sheet material is preferably resilien t 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.