Applicator for Self-Contained Package

Abstract

A device for applying a topical preparation or similar product to an individual's body including a handle, an elongated, inflexible shaft, and two apertures that are offset from each other such that when a package of topical preparation is inserted therein, the package is held securely in place at an angle to the shaft and handle allowing the user to apply the agent to part of their body that are hard to reach such as their back or the backs of their legs. The first aperture on the upper surface of the device communicates with a channel that leads to the second aperture which can also feature a tapered lip or portion of the channel surrounding the second aperture facilitating holding a container of topical preparation in place.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device for applying topical treatments to areas of the body that are hard to reach comprising:
 a shaft that has a first aperture that communicates with a channel that terminates in a second aperture; and wherein the channel extends away from the shaft at an obtuse angle to the shaft.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the first aperture is flush with an upper surface of the shaft and the second aperture is positioned in a plane that is not parallel to a plane in which the first aperture is positioned. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein the second aperture features a lip around a circumference of the second aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the first aperture is wider than the second aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the obtuse angle is between 110 and 140 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3  wherein the lip extends from a wall of the channel to directly contact the shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 3  wherein a wall of the channel extends away from the shaft such that the lip does not directly contact the shaft. 
     
     
         8 . A device for applying topical treatments to areas of the body that are hard to reach comprising:
 an elongated shaft comprising:   an upper surface;   a lower surface;   a first aperture; and   a second aperture that is offset from the first aperture.   
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  further comprising a channel connecting the first aperture and the second aperture. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising a wall formed by the channel between the first aperture and the second aperture wherein said wall encircles the first aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10  wherein the wall formed by the channel is not uniform in height. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the wall of the channel extends away from the shaft at an angle between 110 and 140 degrees. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising a lip that encircles the second aperture. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the lip only contacts the wall of the channel. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 13  wherein a portion of the lip contacts the shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the channel has a shape of a truncated cylinder. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the channel has a shape of a truncated cylinder. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 14  wherein the first aperture is wider than the second aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 15  wherein the first aperture is wider than the second aperture. 
     
     
         20 . A device for applying topical substances to the human body comprising:
 an elongated shaft with a first end, a second end, an upper surface and a lower surface;   a handle with tines at a first end of the shaft;   a first aperture that is flush with the upper surface of the shaft and that communicates with a channel;   a second aperture that is narrower than the first aperture that also communicates with the channel and is located at an opposite end of the channel from the first aperture; wherein said second aperture is positioned in a plane that is not parallel with a plane in which the shaft is located;   a wall of nonuniform height that is formed by the channel and encircling the first aperture; and   a tapered lip encircling the second aperture.