MXPA01003473A - Applicator for flowable substances - Google Patents

Abstract

The dispenser has a mesh fabric applicator surface which provides for a uniform flow of the semisolid substance to be dispensed, but does not have the problem of post-extrusion flow. That is, there is not required such an overpressure to start the flow of the substance, with this overpressure remaining after use of the applicator and causing the semisolid substance to extrude through the applicator surface after use. The mesh fabric surface can be a woven or nonwoven fabric, in one or more plies. Nonwoven fabrics include apertured extruded films. The mesh fabric is heat bonded to the upper frame of the applicator and can have an underlying support. The mesh fabric can yield to follow the contours of a skin surface, but will not be permanently distorted. There is provided a surface for a dispenser for a viscous semisolid substance where there is improved shear of the semisolid substance and a more uniform application. Also, due to the more uniform cross-sectional dimension of the pores, there is obviated the problem of post-extrusion flow.

Description

APPLICATOR FOR FLUENT SUBSTANCES Field of the invention This invention relates to an applicator for semi-solid substances such as gels, solutions and emulsions on a body surface. More particularly, this invention relates to an applicator of semi-solid substances without the need for any pressure compensating mechanism.

Background of the Invention There is a continuous search for better ways to apply a lotion, a gel, a solution or an emulsion to the surface of the skin. The substances can be a deodorant, an antiperspirant, a tanning lotion, a preparation against poison ivy or some other substance which must be supplied to the skin. Since the substance is only a semi-solid, it can not function as the surface applicator.

Solid stick deodorants and antiperspirants work like the surface applicator. No separate surface applicator is needed. However, with semisolid substances a separate surface applicator is needed.

There are different types that have been and are used from surface applicators. In the United States patent of America No. 4,801,052 and the United States patent of No. 5,372,285, there is disclosed a rigid section applicator having a plurality of openings. The semi-solid material flows directly through the holes in the rigid surface and is applied to a body surface. These openings can be of various shapes and sizes, and in various numbers. This is exemplified by the commercial gel products Meneen Speed Stick and the Right gel products Guard.

Another applicator for semi-solid products is the use of a Porex surface applicator. Porex is a sintered plastic material having branched, non-linear, random pores of various diameters of cross-section. Also, the pores are much smaller in cross-section than the openings in U.S. Patent No. 4,801,052 or U.S. Patent No. 5,372,285. In these porous applicators the individual pores may be in a variant diameter of about 150 to 400 microns. This is much smaller than the openings of the two patents of the previous United States of America. However, these porous materials present a problem of post extrusion. Post extrusion is the continuous flow of the semi-solid substance after the force ceases to push the semi-solid substance through the surface applicator. This is a problem since it flows after the application of the product, it is • B product wasted, and it is considered as being dirty.

This problem has been described by incorporating a pressure release mechanism in the spout. Such pressure release mechanisms are shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,540,361 and U.S. Patent No. 5,547,302. These pressure release mechanisms allow the elevator to back away from the surface applicator in a supply stroke. This releases much of the pressure in the applicator that may cause post extrusion through the surface applicator. 15 U.S. Patent No. 5,547,302 also describes the use of a mesh as the surface applicator. This mesh is comparatively thin and flexible • with a plurality of discrete openings that extend to through the mesh. This can be from the structure of a screen to a rigid structure. In the example, the thickness of the mesh is .022 inches. However, despite its structure or thickness, the mesh structure has a post-extrusion problem. The dispatcher with this surface applicator requires the use of a pressure release mechanism in conjunction with the dispenser elevator. As with the Porex microporous surface applicator, a mechanism is needed to avoid any substantial post extrusion. However, all these pressure release mechanisms add to the complexity and cost of the dispatcher.

PCT application WO 94/13352 describes a liquid applicator for applying surgical smears or paints to a person's skin. The surface applicator is a foam sponge that is coupled to an applicator which has a flexible porous layer that regulates the flow of liquid to a foam sponge. PCT WO 98/12122 discloses an applicator for a squeezed slimming product. The preferred open cell surface applicator is a hard porous material formed by heating and sintering micromolecular granules of synthetic resin powders. Also the open cell material or the synthetic foams can be used as well as the fibers fused together to create liquid flow channels. However, none of these references provides a solution to the problem of a surface applicator for applying products such as lotion or gel products, and liquids to a person's skin.

The present invention solves this problem. The semi-solid substances can be supplied through a surface applicator having openings similar to the pore without the problem of post extrusion. This is accomplished by using one or more layers of a mesh fabric. The fabric has substantially linear openings through the fabric. If you can Having a layer or a plurality of layers may depend on many factors including the structure of the fabric. This may depend to a high degree on the denier of the fiber and the fabric of the fabric if it is a woven fabric, the size of the openings for an extruded non-woven film fabric, and the porosity of the fabric if it is a non-woven fabric. fabric with fibers arranged at random. One goal is to have a fabric of a material that is attached A 10 heated to a peripheral frame edge and through which a product of a rheology of about 10,000 centipoise to about 1,000,000 centipoise can flow without any substantial post extrusion. It is preferred in the present dispenser to use a single layer fabric of a denier and fabric that maintains its structural integrity in use to apply a substance to the skin, with or without the use of an underlying support structure. That is, there is no undue bending or distortion of the fabric surface during the application of the substance • semi-solid. Some flexibility is desired in order to follow the 20 contours of the skin. However, this flexibility should not result in any permanent distortion of the fabric surface.

As an option of a plurality of layers of fabrics can be used. In such an instance there may be from about 2 to 10 layers, and preferably 2 to 5 layers.

By randomly overlaying layers of the fabric, the openings are partially juxtaposed from layer to layer. This provides a modified circuit path of a substance through a cloth mesh. An additional force is necessary to flow the semi-solid substance through the multilayer fabric structure against a single layer structure, but not a force that can result in any significant leak or post-extrusion of the semi-solid substance. The applicator fabric may coincide with the viscosity of the formulation. The flow through the fabric layers is substantially simultaneous with the application of pressure to the semi-solid product without there being pressure to be dissipated after the use of the dispenser.

In addition to these advantages of without a substantial post extrusion the use of a cloth mesh provides an improved product shedding of the semisolid substance and a more uniform application to the contours of the body surface. The improved shearing allows for the application of a thin continuous layer of the semi-solid substance on the skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a dispenser with a surface applicator that does not require a pressure release mechanism to prevent post-extrusion of the substance being delivered. The surface applicator comprises one or more layers of a fabric mesh. The structure of the fabric may depend on whether the fabric is woven or not woven. A non-woven fabric includes extruded films having openings and fabrics of a layer of fibers arranged at random. When a plurality of layers are used, the layers may be in a designed arrangement or in a random arrangement. The result in the use of a plurality of layers is a plurality of the misaligned paths. This arrangement of misaligned trajectories provides some back pressure in the supply of the semi-solid substance, but not a pressure that can result in any significant post-extrusion flow. The flow ceases fairly quickly upon cessation of the application of pressure since the application of pressure is rapidly released by the direct flow of the semi-solid substance. The fabric can be used with or without an underlying support. If in the form of a multiple or single layer, a surface is provided that will be able to conform to the small undulations in the body surface to which the semi-solid is being applied.

The fabric can be a woven or non-woven fabric. If it is woven, it can have a satin or knitted fabric in a simple chain. The fabric can also be a loose or tight fabric. In addition, the fibers comprising the fabric may be in the range of deniers. If it is nonwoven, the fabric can be an extruded film with microporous openings or it can be produced by one or more random layers of fibers that are bonded together. The only requirements are that the fabrics are thermoplastic and bonded heated to a thermoplastic framework, and that they are in use as a surface applicator for a semi-solid viscous substance that has no significant post-extrusion of the viscous semi-solid after being applied to a surface of skin. If it is woven, the openings of the mesh will be more uniform in its structure. Whether woven or non-woven, the surface applicator may be composed of from about 1 layer to about 10 layers of fabric, preferably from about 1 layer to about 5 layers and more preferably about 1 to 3 layers. The size (average) nominal openings of the mesh may be in the range of about 50 microns to about 1,000 microns, and preferably from about 80 microns to about 400 microns. In a multi-layered structure the openings of the mesh in one layer will usually not be able to align with the openings in the mesh of another layer. However, the openings in the mesh can be arranged to be aligned from layer to layer. In addition, the openings in the mesh can vary in size from layer to layer. The openings may have a nominal surface area of about 2.5 x 10"3 mm2 to about 1 mm2 and preferably of about 6.4 x 10" 3 mm2 to about .16mm2. This variability in the alignment and in the size of the mesh can accommodate the compositions of different rheologies. The rheology of the composition to be supplied and the size or sizes of the mesh openings are coordinated in order to supply a viscous product without the need for a pressure release mechanism in the dispenser.

The mesh fabric may have a thickness of about 0.032 centimeters to about 0.30 centimeters and preferably 0.041 centimeters to about 0.15 centimeters. The mesh fabric provides a variation of skin sensation in the application of substances. By varying the material of the fabric and the size of the openings in the openings, the sensation of the skin can be changed from soft to smooth to a notorious rubbing of the skin. There may be a high or low degree of skin friction. The sensation of the skin can also change by calendering the sheet material to change the characteristics of the surface such as the coefficient of friction.

The structure of the support applicator may be composed of a plurality of support ribs through the major axis or minor axis of the dispenser. Such ribs may preferably have a radius of curvature of about 10 centimeters to about 20 centimeters along the major axis and about 2.54 to 7.62 centimeters around the minor axis. These ribs support the fabric in a composite curve structure. These allow some flexibility in the fabric but do not allow any permanent distortion of the fabric. Optionally, the support structure can be a rigid open section. In this incorporation there can be no flexibility in the surface of the fabric.

In a mode of use a knob on a lower part of the dispenser may be rotated to move in an elevator in the dispenser upwards. This may provide for a flow of some of the viscous semisolid substance supported on the riser through the surface applicator of the fabric. There is no discernible post-extrusion flow of the semi-solid substance after supplying the desired amount of the semi-solid substance and the application of this substance to a body surface. The internal pressure in the dispenser is quickly balanced with the external pressure on the movement of the elevator to supply the semi-solid substance. There is no counter pressure result after the use of the dispenser to make any significant post extrusion of the semi-solid substance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser with a knitted cloth surface applicator.

Figure 2 is a planar top view of the dispenser of the figural.

Figure 3 is a side elevational view of the surface dispenser and the frame for the dispenser of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a dispenser with an extruded apertured film surface applicator.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a multi-layer fabric as the surface dispenser.

Figure 6 is a planar top view of the support for the fabric of the surface applicator.

Figure 7 is a planar top view of an alternative support for the surface applicator of the fabric.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a fabric strand after injection molding.

Detailed description of the invention The present dispenser may be described with respect to woven and non-woven fabrics, the use of fabric layers, and the use of both non-woven and woven fabrics in different combinations. One objective is to supply a semi-solid viscous liquid from a dispenser without any post extrusion. When the extrusion stops through the surface applicator of the fabric. The problem of post extrusion is also alleviated by the low degree of flexibility on the surface of the fabric.

Another objective is to provide an applicator where the surface may have sufficient flexibility for contact with the body surface to which the semi-solid viscous material is being applied, but may not be permanently distorted. Still, another goal is for the range of fabrics available, the structure of these fabrics, and the structure of the fabrics in a multiple or simple layer arrangement the skin feel of the applicator can be changed. Some people want a smooth feeling while others want a relatively rough feeling. Also, some formulations may have a lubricating effect and consequently, a rougher feel may be desired. In any aspect the skin feel of the surface applicator may be changed by changing the mesh fabric.

Whether nonwoven or woven, the surface applicator may be composed of about 1 layer to about 10 layers of the fabric, preferably about 1 layer to 5 layers, and more preferably about 1 to 3 layers. The nominal size of the mesh openings may be in the range of about 50 microns to about 1,000 microns, and preferably about 80 microns to 400 microns. In multi-layered structures the mesh openings in one layer will usually not be able to line up with the openings in the mesh of another fabric. In addition, the mesh openings may have a nominal (average) surface area of about 2.5 x 10 ~ 3 mm2 and preferably of about 6.4 x 10 ~ 3 mm2 to about .16mm2.

If a woven fabric the fabric can be from any of the three basic fabrics. These are satin, crocheted or simple fabrics. If the simple fabric this can be a simple regular fabric, Oxford fabric, lousine fabric, 2 x 2 basket fabric, 3 x 2 basket weave, 3 x 3 basket weave, 4 x basket weave, 4 x basket weave 5, 3 x 5 basket weave and 8 x 8 basket weave. Additionally the fabric can be a type of parachute stop tear. In this type of fabric there is an intermittent fabric to stop any tears in the fabric. The cross-stitch fabrics can be of the right-hand cross-arm 2/1, a cross-arm of the right hand 1/2, a cross-arm of the right hand 2/2, a cross-arm of the right hand 3/1, a cross-arm of the right hand of 45 ° 3/1. The satin fabrics can be a harness satin 4 (for example raven foot), a harness satin 5, a harness satin 6, a harness satin 7 or a harness satin 8. All these are forms in which the fibers are interlaced in the filling and wrapping directions. The warping yarns are usually called ends while the filling yarns are called spikes. The edges of the cloth are of hirma.

The construction of a woven fabric is given as ends x peaks per inch. The fabric can be balanced where the same number of threads is in the direction of the roll and in the direction of padding. In an unbalanced fabric there may be more threads either in the direction of the roll or in the direction of the padding.

The tightness of a fabric can be calculated by the formula: Fabric texture = ends per repetition Inch per repetition + interlaced This same formula can be used to calculate the maximum cover for a fabric.

Also important is the denier of the threads. The denier is the weight in grams for 9000 meters of a thread. A lower denier indicates a relatively narrow, thin cross-sectional yarn. A material of higher specific gravity in a given denier may have a small cross section than a material of lower specific gravity in the same denier.

There are many variables in the selection of a woven fabric. The texture can be changed by selecting the fabric style, the fiber material, the fiber structure and the fiber denier. The sensation of the skin can be in the range from smooth to rough. By calendering or a similar treatment the fabric, the surface of the fabric can be modified to produce a smoother texture and a feeling of skin. The sensation of the skin and the application can also be adjusted by tension in the fabric in its grip with the frame of the applicator. The flexibility of the fabric can be modified. Also, the fabric can be held or not held. If it is held, it can be supported along the major axis and / or along the minor axis, assuming the usual oval shape of a surface applicator. If the applicator is round, it can be supported by means of one or more diametric supports.

If the fabric is nonwoven, it can be extruded film that is porous because of its structure, or it is a solid film which is perforated to make it porous. Additionally, a nonwoven fabric can be composed of a plurality of short length fibers that are laid in a random array and then selectively bonded together adhesively or by heat bonding. The above extruded open films can be produced by the processes described in U.S. Patent No. 4,842,794 or U.S. Patent No. 5,207,962. In U.S. Patent No. 4,842,794 a sheet of thermoplastic film is extruded to a thickness of about 0.5 to 20 microns. One side of the film is provided with about 4 to 60 slots per centimeter and the other side a set of slots at an acute angle of 15 ° and 75 °. The embossing rolls that have the patterns are at a pressure of about 4 to 120 pounds per linear centimeter. The result is a film with oval openings. The film can then be oriented uniaxially in the machine or machine direction from about 50% to 500%, or sequentially oriented biaxially in the machine direction or in the transverse direction to about 600%. In the alternative the open and extruded film can be heat treated to increase the size of the openings.

In the process of U.S. Patent No. 5,207,962, a thermoplastic film is extruded with the extruded film passed between a pattern pressing roller and a smooth roller. The roller with pattern pressure point has a plurality of raised projections with a sharp distal end. These sharp elevated projections from the openings in the film. The open film can then be oriented uniaxially in the transverse direction or in the machine direction or biaxially oriented in both the transverse direction or in the machine direction. The openings may be of the shape and size of the distal end of the raised projections. The openings may also be in a consistent repeating pattern. These extruded films are from a class of non-woven fabrics for the purposes of this invention.

The extruded film can also be produced in the form of a sheet or in a plurality of strands. When extruded in the form of strands, these strands are on a sheet in a helical pattern. This is also known as a biplane network. The film that is produced in the form of helical strands can have 7 to 50 strands or more per 2.54 centimeters, be of a width of about 30 centimeters to 152 centimeters and a thickness of .033 centimeters to .30 centimeters, and preferably around from .05 to around .15 centimeters. The openings can be in the size range of 100 to 500 microns or longer. The open area of the extruded strand type film may be in the range of about 4% to 25% or more. Longer openings may provide a larger open area. Useful nonwoven network products are Naltex® products from Nalle Plastics, Inc.

Preferred extruded films have from about 20 to about 50, and preferably from about 30 to about 40, strands by 2.54 centimeters and have nominal openings from about 125 microns to about 225 microns. A nominal opening is the average size of a square opening with the length and width being around these dimensions. This results in a nominal mesh area opening of around .015 mm2 to around .05 mm2. The shape of the opening can vary from triangular to polygonal to circular or elliptical. However, the area of the mesh opening may be within the previous range. The openings in the mesh may be within a given range, however, there may be a range of shapes and sizes with the average mesh size in the given range.

In Figure 1 there is shown a dispenser for an antiperspirant or deodorant. The container (10) has an upper part (12), a barrel body part (14) and a knob (16) for lifting an elevator in the container. The upper part (12) is composed of an insert (20) which is composed of a support frame (18) and a cloth surface applicator (26). The support frame (18) is in a liquid tight contact with the barrel body part (14). The insert can be mechanically fastened to the barrel or it can be thermally or adhesively bonded to the barrel.

Essentially any part of the barrel, the elevator and the knob can be used with the dispensers of the present invention. The key feature is the insert through which the viscous semi-solid is supplied. The insert (20) is composed of the frame of the support (18) and the fabric (26) with the surface applicator (24). The fabric (26) may be mechanically gripped in the frame support, may be heat-bonded or adhesively bonded to the insert, or may be injection molded to the support frame during molding of the support frame. The prior art is preferred for molding the insert of the surface applicator of the fabric to the support frame.

In a preferred embodiment, the fabric is injection molded to the support frame of the fabric during the formation of the support frame and the fabric is simultaneously surface modified during this process. The surface of the fabric is modified by substantially round fabric fibers that are modified to flatten the lower and upper surfaces. The substantially circular fiber 32 is modified to have the shape of a rope of a circle 34 on its lower surfaces 36 and above and forms a similar oval shape as shown in Figure 8. This flat upper surface tends to decrease the coefficient of friction from the surface of the fabric and results in a feeling of smooth skin in use. That is, the surface applicator moves on the skin with less friction. The thickness of the fiber from the upper surface to the lower surface is decreased by about 5% during the injection molding process of the insert.

The size of the mesh also changes during injection molding of the insert. The size of the mesh opening may be reduced by about 5% to around 25%. Consequently, the mesh size of the initial web may have to be adjusted to take into account the decrease in the size of the mesh during the molding of the insert. In the injection molding process of the insert the mesh fabric is placed in the mold cavity. The cavity is formed to accept the fabric with the edges of the fabric that is in a limited area. The boundary area is where the insert support frame is formed. A coupling mold section is inserted into the cavity and a pressure applied to the mold parts. The sections of the mold in contact with the fabric may have a curved shape of the composite such that it may be imparted to the fabric in the support frame. The hot plastic is injected into the closed mold through channels to form the frame of the insert. When making contact with the edge of the mesh fabric, the hot plastic is attached to the mesh fabric. Also, in this process the pressure of the pieces of the mold against one another may change the shape of the fibers of the fabric from round to a rope shape and impart a curved shape of the composite to the part of the fabric.

In the molding of the insert the frame may have an upper ring (30) to which the fabric is fastened. In a preferred mode the top ring (30) may be at an angle of about 5 ° to about 50 ° to a horizontal plane through the support frame of the insert (18). This angle extends upward from the outer edge 22 of the ring (30) to the inner edge (28) of the ring (30) assists in providing a composite curve to the fabric as shown in Figure 5.

A woven fabric injection molded to an insert is shown in a top plan view in Figure 2 and in a side elevation view in Figure 3. In Figure 2 the woven fabric (26) is shown injection molded to the hoop (30) of the insert support (18). In this injection molding, usually the fabric (26) and the insert support can be constructed of the same plastic. However, it is not required. Usually these will be polyenes such as polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polybutadienes and copolymers and polymers. However, other thermoplastics such as polyesters may be used. In Figure 3, the insert (18) is shown in a form for mechanical fastening to the upper part of the barrel (12). The recess (28) is closed on a complementary rib at the top. The fabric (26) can be maintained in a curved shape of the composite by supports located below the fabric. These structural supports are shown in more detail in Figure 6 and Figure 7.

Figure 4 shows a support frame with a non-woven fabric heat-bonded to the ring (30). The structure of the support frame of the insert is the same as in Figure 2 and Figure 3. The difference is the use of a fabric having openings randomly formed within a particular range. As in the embodiment of figure 2, in the embodiment of figure 4 the fabric can be in multiple layers. This will usually be about 1 to about 5 layers, and more preferably about 1 to about 3 layers. Figure 5 shows a fabric structure in a three layer arrangement.

As noted previously, figure 6 and figure 7 show support structures for the fabric. These support structures will be able to keep the fabric in a curved composite structure. The fabric can be maintained on a simple curved surface. However, in most applications the preference will be to keep the fabric in a curved composite structure. Figure 6 shows the supports (40) and (42) which support the fabric in a composite curve. A different arrangement of supports is shown in Figure 7. Here the supports (44), (46) and (48) maintain the fabric in a curved composite structure.

The mesh fabric can be composed of essentially any material in which these fabrics are constructed, however, thermoplastic fabrics are preferred since they can be more easily attached to a supporting frame. Preferred mesh fabrics are polyene fabrics, polyester fabrics, nylon fabrics, and elastomer polyester fabrics. Polyene fabrics comprise a class of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutaide polymer fabrics, and fabrics that include the copolymers of these polyenes. Mesh fabrics have mesh openings of about 50 microns to about 1,000 microns, and preferably from about 80 microns to about 400 microns. The open area may be around 4% to around 25%. The thickness of the mesh fabric may be around .02 centimeters to around .35 centimeters. Preferably the mesh fabric and the support frame are constructed of the same thermoplastic material in order to facilitate the bonding of the mesh fabric in the support frame.

The other parts of the dispenser are constructed of materials commonly used for such dispensers. These are moldable thermoplastics. Most, if not all, parts of the dispenser can be molded by injection.

Claims (19)

R E I V I N D I C A C I O N S

1. An applicator for applying a semi-solid substance to a surface of the body comprising a barrel closed at one end by an elevator adapted to move axially within said barrel, and closed at another end by an applicator surface, characterized in that the applicator surface comprises less one of a woven and a non-woven fabric, said fabric insert injection molded to a supporting frame, said fabric has nominal mesh openings of about 50 microns to about 1000 microns in cross section, a thickness of about .032 centimeters to about 0.3 centimeters and a cloth surface modified by calendering to improve the feeling on such surface of the body.

2. An applicator as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said applicator surface is composed of 1 to 10 layers of fabric.

3. An applicator as claimed in clause 2 characterized in that said applicator surface is composed of 1 to 5 layers.

4. An applicator as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said fabric is a non-woven fabric.

5. An applicator as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said applicator surface is a woven fabric selected from the group consisting of simple fabrics, twill fabrics and satin fabrics.

6. An applicator as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that the applicator surface is a non-woven fabric.

7. An applicator as claimed in clause 6 characterized in that the nonwoven fabric is an extruded film having a plurality of perforations.

8. An applicator as claimed in clause 6 characterized in that said nonwoven fabric is a plurality of orange blossom fibers in an arrangement with orange blossom.

9. An applicator as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that there is at least one support below said applicator surface.

10. An applicator as claimed in clause 9 characterized in that said applicator has a main axis and a minor axis, said support extends through said main axis.

11. An applicator as claimed in clause 10 characterized in that said surface forms said applicator surface in a composite curve.

12. An applicator as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said applicator surface is one of a polyethylene and a polyester.

13. An applicator as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said fabric has openings of about 75 microns to about 350 microns.

14. An applicator as claimed in clause 13 characterized in that said fabric has openings of about 100 microns to about 250 microns.

15. An applicator as claimed in clause 1 characterized in that said applicator surface is an extruded material.

16. A method for forming an applicator surface for the application of flowable substances to a body surface comprising: providing at least one of a woven and a non-woven fabric, said fabric has an initial thickness of about .032 centimeters to about .3 centimeters and mesh openings of about 50 microns to about 1000 microns. calenating said fabric to modify an upper surface thereof; 5 calendering said fabric to modify a top surface thereof; inserting said fabric into a first section of an injection mold, the fabric extends essentially through a cavity of said first section of said mold and closing said mold with a second mold section; injecting a hot thermoplastic plastic 15 into at least one of the first and second mold sections to simultaneously form a support frame for said fabric and to attach said fabric to the support frame.

17. A method as claimed in clause 16 characterized in that said fabric is formed into a composite curve.

18. A method as claimed in clause 16 characterized in that said fabric is a non-woven fabric 25 knitted.

19. A method as claimed in clause 16 characterized in that said fabric is a non-woven fabric. A method as claimed in clause 16 characterized in that said fabric is an extruded fabric. SUMMARY The spout has a mesh cloth applicator surface which provides a uniform flow of the semi-solid substance to be supplied, but does not have the problem of a subsequent extrusion flow. That is, such overpressure is not required to start the flow of the substance, with this overpressure remaining after use of the applicator and causing the semi-solid substance to extrude through the surface of the applicator after use. The mesh fabric surface can be a woven or non-woven fabric, in one or more layers. Non-woven fabrics include perforated extruded films. The mesh fabric is heat bonded to the upper frame of the applicator and may have an underlying support. The mesh fabric can give of itself to follow the contours of a skin surface but it will not be permanently distorted. A surface is provided for a spout for a semi-solid viscous substance wherein there is an improved cut of the semi-solid substance and a more uniform application. Also due to the more uniform cross-sectional dimension of the pores, the problem of a subsequent extrusion flow becomes obvious.