GB2480542A

GB2480542A - A wipe

Info

Publication number: GB2480542A
Application number: GB1108255A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adele Cook; Robert Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-05-20
Filing date: 2011-05-17
Publication date: 2011-11-23
Also published as: GB201008433D0; GB201108255D0

Abstract

A wipe of porous substrate material comprises a pliable elongate strip 10 with hand holds or grips 14 at opposite ends for strip manipulation and control to serve as a dry or wet wipe for surface contact. The hand holds 14 can be apertures for the users hand or finger holes. The wipe may incorporate ribs or embossing (30, fig 1C) for exfoliating or massaging and the wipe may be impregnated with lotion such as sun cream. The wipe may be configured as a multi-ply or laminated paper tissue or cloth fabric and makes it easy for applying wiping or applying lotion to the users back.

Description

Wipe Applicator This invention relates to pliable sheet or layer substrate carrier and applicator media, in particular for the skin, such as for conditioning, exfoliation (abrasive clearance and removal of dead skin cells) or tanning with surface contact and cream or lotion application. Prime example substrate media categories include paper, (woven from yarn filaments) fabric and multi-layer or combination materials, such as fibre-reinforced mesh.

Substrate requirements include physical strength, flexibility or pliancy and absorbency either for pre-or post-impregnation. That is either dry or pre-impregnated roles. Lotion can be applied direct to the skin surface and the media used to spread, massage and drive into the skin pores; or indirectly applied to the media and thence transfered to the skin. A multi-ply construction lends itself to fulfil these, but is more common for paper materials. By so-called combining techniques, fabric can be bonded to other disparate materials, such as stiffening or impermeable layers. In terms of functional or performance demands, there are some loose parallels with wider generality of cleansing fabrics; itself a mature art, albeit not orientated for skin contact.

is Wider considerations include the nature and composition of the substrate material, its incorporation, configuration or expression as an applicator tool', the nature and composition of a lotion to be applied, its interaction with the substrate and is release, transfer and spread, such as over a recipient skin surface. The term wipe' is used herein for convenience to embrace such a diversity of materials and usage modes.

For both personal domestic or professional salon operative use it would be desirable to reduce the skill and judgement required for even and economical consumption and application of lotion. For therapeutic and medical use, over or under application of lotion could have adverse even harmful consequences.

Prime health and beauty' treatment sectors for personal applicators are natural' and artificial' tanning. Natural' embraces sunlight exposure or ultra violet lamp sun bed treatment' requiring judicious pre-application of protective barrier creams with categorised screening factor ratings, along with post exposure soothing ointments to ease any inflammation. Artificial' tanning obviates any exposure to the sun or substitute lamps in favour of simple skin colouring or stain. However, achieved an even safe tan is desirable. Other practical considerations are ease of self-application, particularly for less accesible body areas, such as the back; along with keeping the hands reasonably clean and unsoiled. Similar issues apply to effective removal of tanning colorants.

Background

Cream or lotion application to the body is commonly self-administered, using direct skin-to-skin' personal contact by the recipient's hand to rub, dab or massage lotion into desired body areas.

Complete or extremities coverage of the body is a challenge as various areas of the body may be inaccessible or unreachable depending upon individual frame, muscle mass, age, suppleness and dexterity. Even the most dextrous individual would be stretched' to provide an even coverage of their upper back. Remote areas might be forgotten, as out-of-sight-out-of-mind, so coverage incomplete. For a sun screen lotion this could be an exposure hazard and for a tanning lotion look odd cosmetically.

Extended-reach applicator tools could ease the access problem, albeit with added complication and expense compared with, say, a single fabric panel applicator format. A third party attendant can be enlisted, such as in salon use, with a loss of independence, flexibility in treatment times and additional expense.

Sun screen and self-tan lotions can be greasy, sticky, strong-smelling and staining to fabric, so for hand application, careful, frequent and thorough hand-washing is needed during and between user sessions. To obviate this, a facility for lotion application without direct contact with the hands is desirable. 1/

Prior Art

For tanning preparations and their application to the skin, known products include so-called (mini) tan wipes, or tan towels', but with no special provision for hand hold. This impedes even spread or distribution and lotion is wasted, whilst user hands are messed.

Long-reach or remote access devices have been devised as re-usable applicators, but are bulky, with cross-contamination and hygiene concerns. Previous back-reach applicators using an elongate cloth with hand-holds for back and body are reflected in: US 1,990,568 SCHEIDLER -bath towel with lateral hand grips, for cleaning, drying or massage us 2,544,354 REITER -elongate cloth with lateral hand holds for back washing US 5,251 990 -elongate strip with finger holds and lotion receiving layer' us D533,308 KOVAC elongate mesh rag with lateral edge handles These rely upon bulky and so unwieldy woven cloth fabric, such as towelling, with attendant expense. The Applicant seeks a low-cost, disposable substrate. Lotion application via fabrics is also envisaged in: us 4,759,652 ULRICH -continuous thin strip within housing containing lotion; with optional handling clips; us 2009/00501 72 CHRIST -lotion applicator fabric roll with finger holds; Small-scale impregnated tissue paper wipes, typically for facial or small area application are taught in: us 3,896,807 BUCHALTER article impregnated with oil phase of cream substance for activation upon addition of moisture.

us 4,790,436 NAKAMU RAM resealable dispenser for wet tissues us 4,234,994 5CHWAB cloth with long handle for back washing s us 2004/0137200 CHHABRA non-woven substrate reinforced for liquid addition us 7,240,391 BOZE cuff for applying liquid to a surface us 7,326,659 CEDERBLAD biodegradable netting us 3,862,877 CAMDEN tissue laminate having cloth-like texture Reinforced single or multi-ply tissue paper is taught in: us 3,861 974 TROMBLY method of manufacturing reinforced strip between tissue layers.

us 7,195,771 H5U paper with water-soluble lotion applied us 4,726,977 GOLD5TEIN towel comprising plastic threads between tissue layers us 7,101,612 LANG pre-moistened wipe product Terminology Wipe' embraces a diversity of substrate material constituents and formats, including strips, panels, sheets, towels, flannels, tissues, for either dry use, impregnated with lotion or with lotion applied subsequently to the wipe or the skin. 5ubstrate fabric embraces cloth or paper. Cloth includes random intermeshed yarns or coherent woven threads.

Paper includes compressed pulp fibre and intermeshed strand or woven fabric substrate material. Natural fibres can become soggy when saturated but synthetic polymers are not so vulnerable. Fabric includes a more coherent structure such as a knit, weave or braid of yarns.Wipe (user) action embraces rub, dab, drag wrap, wipe or smear, allowing for the option of local massage stimulation to promote sub-topical blood circulation such as by rubbing, scrubbing, abrasive exfoliation, polishing, buffing.

In substrate format, such as from intertwined yarns or threads, mesh' and matrix' encompass grid or webbing material structures along with multi-aperture & splayed fibre compositions. strengthened or reinforced reflects supplementary inserted elements beyond inherent material properties, such as thin metal thread interweave or chemical treatment. ply, fold and plait techniques are also included.

Applicator' embraces fabric panels, tools or devices. As one variant of the invention, a 2/ so-called Rag-Roll applicator can use oddment pieces of material, say by pulling strips of material through a backing web, where they may either be pinned, tie knotted or wedged in place. An elongate format offers additional reach for otherwise inaccessible, difficult or awkward to reach areas, along with a readier action when held between opposite hands, possibly with outstretched arms. Strip' embraces any elongate configuration, particularly a long and slender. A convenient format might be configured as a single! one-off use or disposable, compact package. Pre-impregnation allows optimised dosage up to saturation, allowing for intervening wicking-off of volatile components in storage, or placing reliance upon sealed packs such as sachets or envelopes. The porosity, absorbency, moisture retention qualities or wettability of paper or textile fabric can vary greatly, so, if left to a user to apply lotion to the substrate before use, the transfer is uncontrollable and its outcome unpredictable in the transposition from the substrate to the subject. The alternative of lotion application direct to the subject and using the substate merely as a spreader or distributor is messy and unpredictable. For convenience, the term lotion' is used to embrace creams, liquids, powders, oils, ointments, serums of whatever consistency and from whatever ingredient constituents.

The Applicants seek a controlled and targeted application of lotion to a subject, with less wastage to unwanted areas, and to help keep operative hands cleaner by using the carrier substrate as a barrier medium. The range of application techniques span a temporary local dab' to prolonged contact exposure, such as an overnight moisturiser topical soak or drench, with an effect akin to immersion, but with the fabric intervention and containment helps prevent messing of garments or bed linen. Joint cosmetic and therapeutic or medicated roles include lotion for skin rash or eczema. A balance of disparate, even conflicting or competing, qualities can be sought, between elongation or stretch, without undermining material integrity, for compliance with body contours and to open interstitial pores for admission, retention upon loading' or release of lotion for body surface application. Lotion and substrate materials should be mutually compatible in nature and effect, such as non-irritant, and hypoallergenic, so unlikely to trigger allergic reaction. A combination of tensile strength and abrasion robustness would allow vigorous rubbing if desired. The cost of material and ingredient should be consistent with disposability; ie to use once or a very few successive times in a treatment session and discard. One format could be as a disposable element in an individual compact package wrap or containment. A combination of mix and match' qualities or features could be adopted.

Statement of Invention

A wipe (10) of porous substrate material, configured as a pliable elongate strip, with hand holds or grips (13, 14) at opposite ends, for strip manipulation and control, to serve as a dry and!or wet wipe for surface contact.

A wipe with a profiled surface contour for friction contact stroking, rubbing, massage, scour or abrasion and!or displacement application of a spreadable or flowable medium to a surface, such as a cream or lotion to the skin of a user's body.

A wipe with profiled hand holds configured as an array of finger digit apertures at opposite strip ends disposed for a user to manipulate and stretch the strip between ends for self-application to remote otherwise inaccessible body areas.

A wipe of non-woven, compressed fibrous mass or pulp material, with moulded local surface protrusions, such as rib or stipple upstands, to reflect a working pattern or brand image rendition.

A wipe with mutually offset or staggered finger hole disposition to allow hand hold under stretch tension from opposite ends with selective creasing or distortion of the strip profile, 3! under control by differential finger movement.

A wipe of flexible, malleable, distensible, or stretchable material, such as a non-woven resiliently deformable fabric, to allow manipulation to follow user body curvature.

A wipe with a profiled surface contour, to serve as a mild abrasive scarifier or exfoliator, in either a dry wipe or a lotion applicator mode.

A wipe configured for elastic stretch between a user's arms to allow full arm outreach and deployable when so stretched to access for resiliently deformable local contact application to otherwise inaccessible remote body regions, such as the wearer's back.

A wipe configured to admit or incorporate a longitudinal twist or bow to impart a sweeping wipe action, with a lateral component upon longitudinal traverse.

A wipe incorporating selective local tension elements or strands to vary the surface profile with wipe disposition and stretch, to adopt a desired 3D contour when deployed and pulled apart from opposite ends.

A wipe configured as a severable fragmented patch from a longer strip length, roll or coil.

A wipe configured as an absorbent body bandage, wrap or garment, with hand holds configured to facilitate fitment as body wear.

A wipe pre-impregnated with a cream or lotion, retained within fabric body pores or interstices, ready for displacement and discharge upon surface contact, such as for body skin application and treatment.

A wipe in conjunction with an applicator, with relative disposition for support and reinforcement, when applied to a surface to which lotion.

A wipe mounted upon an applicator configured as a carrier plate or hand-held brush or pummel.

A wipe with a diaper style absorbent and containment multi-layer or laminated fabric, so allow lotion transfer from a relatively wet inner layer, whilst presenting a dry outer layer for handling.

A wipe with a contoured surface profile, of random looped fibre upstands.

A wipe with a portion configured as an open slits or mesh strands for surface contact wipe and lotion spread effect.

A wipe configured as multi-ply or laminated paper tissue or cloth fabric., or a combination of such constituent elements, and/or with other disparate material layers to impart desired characteristics.

A wipe configured as a closed ioop or band, or with ends joinable as a ioop or band, to allow continual rotation 4' 205 to present fresh surface contact areas, along with a rotary wipe action.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a wipe applicator comprises a pre-fabricated elongate strip of porous substrate material of shallow depth, with profiled hand holds at opposite ends.

210 A contoured substrate surface, such as with an embossed multiple repeat pattern, could be employed for a combination of lotion spread and friction contact massage.

A convenient overall span, for body lotion application, such as sun-screen and self-tan, would approximate to that of a user outstretched arms reach. This allows the strip to be pulled taut between opposite hands, and orientated straight or diagonally across the 215 shoulders and back in a to-an-f ro' action.

A strip might be a stand-alone or self-contained element, such as with reinforced peripheral edges as a containment binding or constraint to preserve overall shape and form, or severed from a continuous web or roll. Hand or individual finger or thumb (digit) holds could be straight, curved or splayed sidewall slit apertures through the fabric body, 220 with circumferential edge reinforcement. These could be used to hold the surface flat or in a desired curved profile. The substrate coud be pre-impregnated or dry for dosage before use, with lotion spread or smeared between hand holds, say with a dry' clearance margin.

A prime example format would be (single or on-off use), disposable thin paper ply stretch 225 wrap with opposed end hand grips, impregnated on one side, with a lotion, using a reinforced inter-ply layer of natural fibres. Other examples include pre-charged multiple ply tissue or material weave construction; such as a non-woven, random fibre mesh or matrix tissue and/or coherent woven material substrate impregnated with a lotion for cosmetic, therapeutic, medical or recreational usage.

230 A paper or cloth fabric applicator could be configured as a locally worn garment drape, tube or mummy' bag over bare skin for stand-alone or use within a sleeping bag (for heat retention) with draw-string top end for secure fasten inside surface impregnated with lotion. Such a three-dimensional wrap format would be particularly suitable for application and retention of topical lubrication and moisturising creams, say with steroid 235 ingredient, for palliative or remedial treatment of skin rashes, eczema and other skin complaints.

Description of Embodiments

There now follows a description of some particular embodiments of the invention, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic and schematic 240 drawings, in which: Figures lAthrough 1D show a stretch bad wipe with slit apertures for finger grip.

More specifically...

Figure lAdepicts an elongate stretch wipe strip or band, with opposite end hand holds profiled as slit apertures; alternative inset aperture positions for a shorter reach or span 245 are indicated by broken lines.

Figures 1 B shows a user holding a wipe band of indeterminate length around their back; Figure 1 C shows a textured, such as ribbed embossed surface, wipe of indeterminate length; Figure 1 D shows alternative stippled textured wipe of indeterminate length; 250 Figure 1 E shows an branding identifier applied to the strip surface; 5/ Figure 1 F shows end profile treatment; Figure 1G shows a longitudinal edge contour; Figure 2 shows a continuous web roll of wipes with lateral perforated edge joins; optionally housed with a dispensing container.

255 Figures 3A through 3B show detail of reinforced aperture slits for finger grip or a wipe; More specifically...

Figure 3A shows a wipe with aperture slit reinforced by embossed strips of strengthening material; Figure 3B shows enlarged detail of reinforced aperture of Figure 3A; 260 Figures 4Athrough 4B show detail of reinforced aperture slits for finger grip of a wipe; More specifically...

Figure 4A shows a wipe aperture slits with reinforcement stitching; Figure 4B shows enlarged detail of reinforcement stitching of Figure 4A; Figures 5A through 5H show various wipe bands with a variety of finger or hand grip 265 means; More specifically...

Figure 5A shows a wipe band with multiple parallel aperture slits; Figure 5B shows a wipe band with diagonally placed aperture slits; Figure 5C shows a wipe band with parallel diagonally placed aperture slits; 270 Figure 5D shows a wipe band with small round apertures for individual fingers; Figures 5E shows a wipe band with large circular apertures for hand hold; Figures 5F shows a wipe band with large oval apertures for hand hold; Figure 5G shows a wipe band with slanted oval apertures for hand hold; Figure 5H shows a wipe band with edges scallop for hand grip; 275 Figures 6A through 6B show roll-tuck-grip method of hand grip of a wipe band with stiffeners; More specifically...

Figure 6A shows a wipe band with end stiffening rods placed for hand grip; Figures 6B shows an enlarged view of a wipe of Figure 6A in a hand grip, the wipe end is 280 rolled around the hand and tucked under fingers, whilst the stiffening rods help secure grip.; Figures 7A through 71 show preparation of a toughened multiple ply strip wipe from a single large sheet; More specifically...

285 Figure 7A shows a wide sheet with longitudinal perforations; 6/ Figures 7B shows a thin wipe band torn from a wide sheet of Figure 7A along perforation lines; Figure 7C shows a thin multi-ply wipe band formed from folding along perforation lines a sheet of Figure 7A; 290 Figure 7D shows a large sheet folded on a central axis; Figure 7E shows the sheet of Figure 7D folded again along the diametric central axis; Figure 7F shows the sheet of Figure 7E folded again along the central axis; Figure 7G shows a finished 8-ply folded strip; Figure 7H shows an 8-ply folded strip of 7F wrapped around a fist; 295 Figures 71 shows an 8-ply folded strip of 71 stretched between hand holds; Figues 8Athrough 8B show a lozenge shape with reinforced extruded ends for hand hold; More specifically...

Figure 8Ashows a lozenge shaped wipe of indeterminate length with reinforced grip hand 300 holds; Figures 8B shows a stream of lozenge wipes, joined at hand hold ends but perforated for detachment and individual use; Figures 9A through 9B show stream of wipe material, for division into individual wipe bands or custom length; 305 More specifically...

Figure 9A shows a stream of wipe bands with aperture sits; Figure 9B shows detachment or tearing of a length of wipe band stream to create desired length; Figures 10A through 10D show fold and knot of wipe panel elements to form longer daisy 310 chain More specifically...

Figure 1 0A shows a wipe band with corner folded in at one end; Figure 1 0B shows two wipe bands of Figure 1 0A with facing corner folded ends; Figure 10C shows wipe bands of Figure lOB with folded ends knotted together; 315 Figure 10D shows a daisy chin of wipe bands formed by multiple end knots of Figure 100; Figures hA through 110 show joining of individual wipe bands to form a longer band using reinforced handle and aperture slit and buttonhole fastening.

More specifically...

320 Figure hA shows perspective view of a wipe band with one end folded together juxtaposed against a flat wipe band; Figure 11 B shows perspective view of folded wipe band end pushed through flat wipe band aperture slit; 7' Figure 11C shows perspective view of wipe end unfolded, and reinforced handle acting 325 as button or catch to secure together the two wipe bands; Figures 12A through 12E show rag rug technique for forming a soft wipe; More specifically...

Figure 12A shows perspective view of a rag-rug' wipe band; Figure 12B shows enlarged view of webbing material of a wipe band of Figure 12A; 330 Figure 12C shows enlarged view of weaving of material or tissue strips through webbing material of Figure 12B; Figure 12D shows enlarged view of completed rag rug surface after repeated weaving of Figure 12C; Figure 12E shows side view of completed rag-rug surface of Figure 12D; 335 Figures 13A through 13C show a rol dispenser for wipe bands More specifically...

Figure 13A shows plan view of a cylindrical dispenser containing rolled wipe bands; Figure 13B shows perspective view of a dispenser of Figure 13B; Figure 13C shows plan view of a dispenser with a reservoir and roller applicator to apply 340 lotion to wipe during dispense action; Figures 14A through 14E show a hand-held roller wipe dispenser; More specifically...

Figure 1 4A shows a perspective view of a handheld roller dispenser containing rolled wipes, with wipe accessible and pulled through a lengthwise slot in roller; 345 Figures 14B shows a perspective view of a handheld dispenser of Figure 14A with wipe pulled through and wrapped around the dispenser barrel; Figure 14C shows a perspective view of a handheld dispenser of Figure 14A with wipe folded and tucked to secure around around dispenser barrel; Figure 14D shows perspective view of insertion of wipe roll into hand-held dispenser of 350 Figure 14A; Figure 14E shows perspective view of insertion of two thin strip wipe rolls into hand-hed dispenser of Figure 14A; Figures 15A through 15B show a handheld rag-rug style wipe; More specifically...

355 Figure 1 5A shows a perspective view of hand-held massager or applicator with a rag-roll wipe surface; Figure 15B shows a perspective of a hand-held applicator of Figure 15B with a (re-)movable or changeable wipe surface, specifically attachment of a rag--roll wipe surface is depicted; Figures 16A through 16B show a hand-held massager or applicator with rag roll surface and (re-)movable surface portion; 8/ More specifically...

Figure 1 6A shows perspective view of a hand-held applicator with removable portion of 365 wipe surface, revealing mesh for exfoliation; Figure 1 6B shows perspective view of a hand-held applicator of Figure 1 6A with an alternative surface profile portion affixed; Figures 17A through 17D show 3-D volumetric forms of a mesh matrix; More specifically...

370 Figure 1 7A shows perspective view of a large sheet of mesh matrix material, with cut line indicated; Figure 17B shows perspective view of cut portion of a mesh matrix from Figure 17A; Figure 1 7C shows perspective view of mesh portion of Figure 1 7B folded to produce a 3D cone form; 375 Figure 1 7D shows perspective view of a mesh form of Figure 1 7C woven with material or tissue strips producing a rag-rug' surface; Figures 18A through 18D show a stiffened panel wrap applicator, for an overlaid wipe; More specifically...

Figure 1 8A shows a 3D perspective view of a perforated panel wrap with end hand holds 380 juxtaposed with a soft material or tissue wipe of corresponding profile; Figure 18B shows a subsequent stage to Figure 18A with panel overlaid with a wipe; Figure 18C shows a the wipe and support panel assembly of Figure 18B mutually entrained by pushing material through mesh or aperture matrix of board; Figure 18D shows a local enlargement edge detail of wipe material or tissue pushed 385 through board matrix or webbing; Figures 19A through 19C show applicator panel wrap with overlaid surface wipe; More specifically...

Figure 19A shows perspective view of stiffened panel or board as in Figure 18B; Figure 19B shows an underside view of Figure 19A, wherein with wipe overlap edges 390 secured; Figure 19C shows a local edge enlargement detail of Figure 19B; Figures 20A through 20B show side a flexible board wrap with overlaid surface wipe; More specifically...

Figure 20A shows a 3D perspective view of a flexible panel or board with end hand holds 395 juxtaposed a soft material or tissue wipe of matching profile; board surface is a perforated mesh matrix of webbing lattice; Figure 20B shows a subsequent stage to Figure 20A with panel overlaid with wipe fabric secured by pushing material through panel mesh or aperture matrix.

Figures 21 A through 21 B show a panel or board with material or tissue overlaid with 400 additional fastening; 9' More specifically...

Figure 21 A shows a 3D perspective view of a panel or board with wipe material or tissue overlaid secured as in Figure 20B, with material also pushed into and around handhold apertures for further fastening.

405 Figure 21 B shows side view of material fastening to board handles of Figure 21 A; Figures 22A through 22C show a hand mitten wipe format; More specifically...

Figure 22A shows perspective view of a mitten of mesh matrix or webbing material juxtaposed a wipe sheet and a strengthened wipe strip; 410 Figure 22B shows perspective view of a mitten of Figure 22A covered with wipe sheet and affixed by pushing material through mitten matrix or webbing; Figure 22C shows perspective view of a mitten of Figure 22A gripping a strengthened wipe strip; Figures 23A through 23F show applicator of generally flat flexible spatula' or trowel' 415 spreader blade format,with platen clamp stretch mounting of an interposed wipe fabric; platens can each be of perforated or mesh format, or an alternative complementary interfitting male stud and female aperture format for respective platens adopted; More specifically...

Figure 23A shows a 3D perspective view of an open platen clamp juxtaposed with wipe 420 fabric for insertion and stretch clamp mounting between opposite perforated panel or mesh bracing and support platens, mutually entrained, say by a live' or integral material hinge at a common end; Figure 23B shows a subsequent stage in fabric mounting from Figure 23A, with fabric drape overlay and longitudinal opposite edge overspill about an underlying platen; 425 Figure 23C shows an opposite side view of a subsequent stage to Figure 23B of fabric strip longitudinal edge wrap about a platen, with wrapped fabric disposition upon a platen face and an opposite platen about to be swung to overlie in a clamp sandwich; Figure 23D shows a subsequent stage to Figure 23C, with fabric clamped between opposed platens, with mutual clamp capture, entrainment or interlock; 430 Figure 23E shows a local enlargement detail of local fabric penetration through platen apertures; Figure 23F shows a local enlargement detail of fabric sandwich between complementary interfitting platen apertures and studs upon respective platens; Figure 24 shows diagram of an applicator, dispenser or manufacture mechanism whereby 435 tissue layers are pressed between opposed profiled pattens. Interfitting male-female projections and apertures on patterns interact to create a surface pattern or web matrix.

Lotion could optionally be impregnated between layers prior to pressing and act as a binding agent.

Figures 25A through 25E show a belt configured as a wipe band; 440 More specifically...

Figure 25A shows perspective view of a wipe band configured as a belt but laid out flat; Figure 25B shows perspective view of a rounded wipe band belt of Figure 25A; Figure 25C shows perspective view of removal of protective seal over a sticky or Velcro (TM) fastening from a wipe band belt of figure 25A; 445 Figure 25D shows perspective view of secure fasten of a wipe band belt of Figure 25A; Figure 25E show perspective view of a fastened wipe band belt of Figure 25A worn over an abdomen; Figures 26A through 26F show garment configured as wipe band; More specifically...

450 Figure 26A shows a perspective of a garment (t-shirt) of wipe material with front fastening; Figure 26B shows perspective view of back of a garment (t-shirt) of wipe material; Figure 26C shows perspective view of a wipe garment of Figure 26A worn over upper body; 455 Figure 26D shows perspective view of a wipe garment featuring a front opening and detachable belt wipe strip; Figure 26E shows perspective view of a wipe garment of Figure 26D juxtaposed a detached belt wipe strip; Figure 26F shows perspective view of a wipe garment with removable front section as a 460 detachable wipe strip.; Figures 27A through 27B show a mattress bed overlaid with a wipe sheet; More specifically...

Figure 27A shows perspective view of a mattress with a wipe sheet overlaid and secured by fold and tuck under the mattress; 465 Figure 27B shows perspective view of mattress and (inbuilt) pillow with loose overlaid wipe sheet covering both; by lying on the bed, a user could effectively apply lotion squeezed from a pre-impregnated cover on to the body. For hygiene considerations, a used cover could simply be replaced by a fresh cover.

Figure 28A through 29B show a multi-strand pliable ribbon wipe variants; in the case of 470 Figures 29A-B from a contiguous sheet and in the case of Figures 29A-B as mutually entrained otherwise discrete strips; More specifically...

Figure 28A shows a 3D perspective view of a wipe with thin longitudinal slits between opposite end lands with respective hand-hold slits to create a multi-strand array more 475 readily compliant with body surface contour local nuances and with multiple wiping edge action for surplus lotion collection and re-distribution or removal; Figure 28B shows a local enlargement detail of Figure 28A; Figure 29A shows multiple mutually entrained, but locally adjustable, pull-through strips stretched between opposite end hand grips; 480 Figure 29B shows a local enlargement detail of Figure 29A;

Description of drawings

Referring to the drawings, a diversity of indicative wipe 10 and applicator 41 substrate materials, compositions and formats is depicted, with prime target uses of sun, ultra violet (UV) ray protective or barrier screen or artificial tanning colorant (lotion 73)application to 485 the body, either self-use (particularly in less accessible areas) or by an attendant. These are not fully-resolved designs, but rather development signposts presented in simplified illustrative line art form as a basis in principle for detail resolution. A such they are not described in detail although their form is evident from their illustration. It is impractical adequately to depict disparate scale detail, such as the intricacies of fabric construction.

490 A rationed' substrate porosity, permeability and absorbency is desirable in order to retain lotion for subsequent application to the body, without becoming saturated, deformed or distended and unmanageable.

A common underlying rationale is convenience and efficacy of lotion 73 carrier medium and spreading over target body areas, however awkward to reach and/or view, while 495 allowing user 20 hands 22 to stay clean. Stock materials may suit, but a bespoke construction allows tailoring to specific purposes. An example would be a a corrugated' surface contour, to achieved a combined abrasive friction, washboard' action surface 52 exfoliation rub down, a subcutaneous circulatory massage and lotion distribution, using a pattern surface profile, such as one embossed with multiple local lands' and intervening 500 channels for lotion transit. A visually appealing design 30,31 may also serve as a brand and/or performance category identifier.

A simple' or minimal wipe 10 format is an elongate unitary strip, such as depicted in Figures lAthrough 5H, with severable web portions and twist, knot-fold 36,38 elaboration of Figures 9Ato 11C. Short individual or conjoined strips can be deployed as active 505 controlled release' and spreader' bristles in the head of a manual applicator tool, in the form or a brush or contoured pummel, such as of Figures 12A through 12E. A continuous roIl 12 dispenser 40 for narrow strip or wide sheet formats of Figures 13A through 13C could be sized for work-top or wall mounting, with a smaller-scale version as the head of an applicator 41 such as of Figures 14A through 16B.

510 A laftice or matrix mesh carrier layer 50 with apertures 53 for strip 51 containment could itself be folded into a profiled head, such as of Figures 17A through 17D, or laid flat as a porous backing layer 60 of Figures 18A through 23F, the latter with clamp retention action 61. A pronounced bulbous curved profile mallet or pummel style head could complement or fit body surface undulations of crests and hollows.

515 A mesh carrier 50 could be disposable or re-usable, such as by re-loading or re-charging with lotion 73, by spray coating or immersion of fabric strips 51 carried. The mesh aperture 53 size and profile is generally greater than that of the strip pores. A outer gauze sheath could help regulate surface wetness. A diaper type multi-layer 11 absorbent pad construction would be an alternative. Adoption of stock or bespoke materials with 520 attendant economies or cost allow a solution to suit different market segments and price points.

For mass production multiple-ply webs could be combined through a juxtaposed roller 70, wringer' squeeze press, with spray 72 dosage of lotion 73 upon layer surfaces, for a pre-impregnated composite carrier, such as of Figure 24.

525 Aside from use as an intermediary applicator, a strip could serve as an item of apparel for personal wear, such as a minimal wrist or waist band 80, as of Figures 25A through 25E; a more fully developed garment in the form of a multi-limb tube wrap or envelope, such as a waistcoat, smock or tabard 81, with fastening tie of Figures 26A through 26F; or as a wide-span, free-form linen drape, such as the bed 82 sheet of Figures 27A-B.

530 The wrap could be a partial or complete envelope or enclosure, as with, say, a bandage; employing edge fastenings such as Velcro (TM), buttons or even zips, between abutting or mutually overlaid panels. This along with (re)movable local access panels. Natural movement between garment style wrap and a wearer's body (neck, trunk and limbs) would promote lotion transfer from pre-or post-impregnated wrap to the wearer's skin and would help massage it into the pores. A multi-ply, nappy' or diaper style absorbent construction could allow a wet' inner surface transition to a dry outer sheath. A more 540 static face mask format might also be contrived, with openings for eyes, nose, mouth and ears, rather like applying a face pack in beauty treatment or therapy. A diaper type absorbent multi-layer fabric allowing differential surface wetness, with lotion wetted inner and relatively dry outer surfaces could be used. This enables soft' touch, gliding or brushing transfer from fabric carrier to a wearer's skin surface, and thence into the skin 545 pores, without wearer awareness or discomfort of undue wetness sensation.

Components wipe 11 ply layer(s) 12 wipe roll 550 13 aperture finger hold 14 aperture hand hold potential/alternative aperture hand hold 16 scallop edge hand hold 17 reinforced hand grip area 555 20 user 21 back 22 hand(s) 23 finger(s) 24 thumb 560 30 surface embossing 31 surface decoration 32 reinforced handles 33 reinforcement stitching 34 perforation 565 35 stiffening rods 36 knot 37 fold line 38 folded edge 39 longitudinal slots 570 40 dispensing container I wipe housing 41 roller applicator 42 lotion reservoir 43 handle mesh 575 51 tissue strips 52 exfoliator surface add-on stiffened board 61 board fastening aperture(s) 62 glove 580 63 glove fastening aperture(s) 64 clamp handle platen 71 platen projections 72 spray 585 73 lotion belt 81 blouse/top 82 mattress 83 pillow