GB2493923A

GB2493923A - Two-Stage Deodorant Applicator

Info

Publication number: GB2493923A
Application number: GB1114362.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Lee Sandbach
Original assignee: IOGI Ltd
Current assignee: IOGI Ltd
Priority date: 2011-08-21
Filing date: 2011-08-21
Publication date: 2013-02-27
Also published as: GB201114362D0

Abstract

Deodorant application apparatus 101 having two separate compartments 102, 112, each containing a different compound 106, 116 and connecting to an applicator 104, 114 configured to apply one compound to the skin at a time. The compartments may be joined at a line 117. The compounds may be liquid, and may be applied sequentially either through different applicators of the same or differing types or through a single applicator having a valve configured to switch between two channels connected to respective compartments. The first compound may be a sterilizing agent, e.g. alcohol and the second may be a deodorizing or antiperspirant compound e.g. an aluminium-based compound, the first compound being allowed to dry or evaporate before application of the second. The applicators may be roll-on balls 104, 114 retained by retaining portions 103 of the compartment, disposable, impregnated wipes or spray applicators. Each compartment may have a lid 105.

Description

Deodorant Apparatus With Two-Stage Applicator

Description

Brief Description of the Figures:

Figure 1 Illustrates in cross-section an example embodiment of a deodorant apparatus having two separate compartments, each containing a different fluid solution and each having a separate applicator.

Background

Body odour is a common problem for adults and adolescents. Body odour is an expression that normally refers to an unpleasant odour caused by the release of chemicals, usually acidic in nature, into the atmosphere. Normally, these chemicals are excreted by bacteria, living on the skin; typically in the under-arm area, or armpit. Many proprietary and generic preparations are available for the prevention of body odour, which may be effectively prevented by first cleansing the skin to destroy or otherwise remove bacteria, for example by washing or showering using detergent and water; followed by the application of a conventional under-arm antiperspirant deodorant compound.

For example, one such typical antiperspirant deodorant compound is marketed under the brand name "Sure -Absolute Protection 24FF'. It's ingredients are listed as: Aqua (Water); Aluminium Chlorohydrate; fielianthus Annuus Seed Oil; Steaneth-2; Parfum (Fragrance) Steaneth-20; Silica; Citric Acid; Potassium Lactate; Benzyl Alcohol; Benzyl Benzoate; Benzyl Salcylate; Butylphenyl F4ethylproprional; Citral; Citronellol; Geraniol; Limonene; Linalool.

A common active ingredient of these antiperspirant deodorant compounds is Aluminium based, in this case in the form of Aluminium Chlorohydrate, which has the effect of preventing some perspiration in the underarm area for a certain period of time. Alternative active ingredients include Aluminum chloride; Aluminum zirconium trioholorohydrex glycine; and Aluminum hydroxybromide. The mechanism by which these active ingredients operate is understood to be by aluminium ions being taken into the cells surrounding sweat glands and effectively swelling those cells by means of extra water retention, so restricting the flow of sweat from the glands. The effective time varies from individual to individual and also depends on the consistency of the coating on the skin, the amount applied, the effectiveness of the cleansing operation before the compound was applied and various other factors to do with the environment and activities and stress levels of the individual during the time period.

In certain situations, such as during periods of unusually high stress or anxiety for the individual, or where cleansing was not as effective at removing bacteria as desirabie, or where a time duration has been exceeded; then bacteria can breed, (even despite the previous application of an antiperspirant and/or deodorant) causing undesirable body odour to be released.

In certain situations when body odour is present, cleansing using water and detergent may not be available or convenient, such as at work, travelling or away from home, at a social event, and an alternative method of removing or destroying bacteria is desirable in order to reduce or remove body odour without the inconvenience of washing with water and soap or other detergent.

Many antiperspirant / deodorant products contain some alcohol as part of the compound, which can have partial sterilising properties in addition to and in combination with the antiperspirant active ingredienc.

Also, certain proprietary compounds exist, such as that marketed under the name "Right Guard Extreme", which claims antibacterial properties in addition to antiperspirant properties.

This preparation includes a silver-based compound that has some antibacterial properties, together with ingredients having antiperspirant properties.

However two problems exist with this and similar known compounds that treat body odour in a single application, using a single compound containing both an antibacterial agent for destroying bacteria, and an antiperspirant agent to help prevent further bacterial growth by reducing perspiration: The first problem with a single application of a compound having this two-fold property is simply lack of public awareness: Many consumers are not fully aware of the technical causes of body odour, despite (or perhaps partly because of confusion generated by) many diverse and varied advertising campaigns.

Advertisers prefer to focus instead on image and lifestyle and an advertisement that simply conveyed the technical facts would in the current culture of advertising not be considered to be the best approach to increasing sales.

The second problem associated with this approach is that the single appiication of a single compound having antibacteriat properties and antiperspirant properties may lead to a less consistent finished coating of antiperspirant, due to the mixture of antibacterial agent with antiperspirant agent in a single compound. The antiperspirant layer, once dry may contain gaps, holes, or less consistent areas of coating of antiperspirant.

Tnstead, it is advantageous to firstly apply a separate compound having antibacterial properties, to destroy or remove bacteria on the skin; and secondly (preferably following evaporation of the first compound) to apply a second compound having antiperspirant properties to the skin.

However, it is inconvenient to carry two separate apparatus for this purpose, and furthermore it is somewhat awkward to create a simple advertising message for the sale of two separate products or apparatus that should be used sequentially, one after the other.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides a single apparatus for the two-stage, sequential application to the skin of a first compound having antibacterial properties, held in a first compartment or reservoir, and dispensed through a first applicator; and a second compound having antiperspirant properties, held in a second compartment and dispensed through a second applicator.

Description

The preferred embodiment and alternative constructions are described with reference to Figure 1, which represents, in cross-section through it's longitudinal centreline a first, preferred embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1, apparatus 101 comprises two separate compartments, a second compartment 102 and a first compartment 112, joined together at join 117. The first compartment 112 holds a first chemical compound 116, in this example compound 116 is in the form of a fluid. In the preferred embodiment compound 116 includes a sterilising agent, such as Alcohol and may for example be similar in composition to a commercially available hand sanitizer' compound.

Many similar sanitizer products are commercially available, such as that marketed under the product name MPure_Klenz; whose ingredients are listed as Alcohol; Aqua (water) ; Carborner; Trethanolamine; Parfum (Fragrance) In use, the first compound 116 is applied to the skin in a first operation by the user; having the effect of sterilising or partially sterilising the skin, in preparation for the second operation, namely the application of the second compound 106 to be described later.

The first, sterilising ccmpound 116, (typically containing alcohol) is applied to the skin in this example, by means of a substantially spherical, roll-on ball' applioator 114. Other applicator means may also be used, some of which are described later.

A second, deodorising or antiperspirant compound, 106 is contained in a second reservoir, or compartment 102. The second compound typically contains an aluminium-based compound, having the property of decreasing perspiration. The second compound 106 is dispensed by means of a second, substantially spherical, roll-on ball applicator 104, which is retained in the apparatus by means of retaining portion 103, formed as part of the container 102. A removable lid 105 prevents leakage of the compound 106 when not in use.

It should be noted that, though not labelled, a similar retaining portion and a similar removable lid also form part of the apparatus for use with the other applicator 114.

Thus, in use the first compound 116 is applied to an area of the skin in a first operation by the user; having the effect of sterilising or partially sterilising the skin, and preferably this first compound is allowed to evaporate before the second operation by the user, namely the application of the second compound 106 to the same area of skin, containing a deodorising and/or antiperspirant agent (typically aluminium-based as described previously) If the first compound is allowed to dry sufficiently before application of the second compound, a suitably even covering of the second compound may be produced.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the second, antiperspirant compound 106, (typically containing an aluminium-based compound) is also applied to the skin by means of a substantially spherical, roll-on ball' applicator 104, similar to applicator 114.

In alternative embodiments (not shown) , the means of application of either or both of said first and second compounds may differ, and depending on the flow characteristics of the compound to be applied, any suitable conventional means of application may be used. For example, a spray applicator may be used as either one or both applicators, or alternatively a 205 combination of spray applicator for the first compound and a roll-on applicator or alternative applicator for the second compound, or vice-versa.

For example, in a second example embodiment, the first, sterilising compound is available as an 210 impregnation in disposable wipes and is applied by means of these disposable wipes to the skin; and the second, antiperspirant compound is applied through a roll-on ball applicator. The wipe dispenser and the roll-on ball applicator still form part of the same 215 apparatus, by means of a join, similar to join 117.

Thus the first and second compounds may be applied sequentially through different applicator means.

This configuration has the advantage of leaving a relatively thin residue of the first compound on the 220 skin, and thus facilitates rapid drying of the residue, prior to the second operation; the application of the antiperspirant compound.

In a third alternative example embodiment (not shown) it is possible to provide apparatus for the sequential 225 application of two separate compounds (namely the first, sterilising compound, followed by the second antiperspirant compound) through a single applicator, including a valve configured on the input side to switch between two channels connected to a first 230 compartment and a second compartment, each compartment containing a liquid, and on the output side, the valve is connected to a single applicator, configured to dispense liquids from the first and second compartments in sequence. Said valve may be 235 connected mechanically to a manually operated switch, or alternatively may operate automatically for example by flcatation of a float, dependent on the orientation of the apparatus.

Tn this third alternative embodiment, a spray 240 applicator may also be conveniently used.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. Deodorant application apparatus having two separate compartments, each of said compartments containing a different compound to the other and each compartment connecting to an applicator configured to apply one of said compounds to the skin at a time.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. Deodorant application apparatus according no claim 1 wherein said compartments contain first and second, different liquids, each having properties different from the other, said liquids being applied sequentially in use.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. Deodorant application apparatus according no claim 2 wherein said first liquid includes a chemical agent having sterilising properties and said second liquid includes a chemical agent having antiperspirant properties.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. Deodorant application apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said applicators comprise substantially spherical, roll-on ball dispensers 5. Deodorant application apparatus according no claim 2 wherein each of said applicators operate by different means.6. Deodorant application apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first liquid is dispensed by means of a disposable wipe.7. Deodorant apparatus according to claim 1 including a valve configured on the input side to switch between two channels connected to a first compartment and a second compartment, each compartment containing a liquid, and on the output side said valve is connected to a single applicator, configured to dispense liquids from said first and second compartments in sequence.</claim-text>