Applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface

Abstract

A mitt applicator, such as a mitt, for distributing a substance onto a target surface in the preferred form of a mitt. The mitt is composed of two panels, each panel consisting of at least one layer. The mitt's panels are in face-to-face contact with each other. At least one panel is configured to form an external pocket to be used as a product-dispensing reservoir. The inner layer of each panel can form the inside layer of the mitt and can be impervious to liquid or gel substances in order to protect the user's hand. The outer layer of the two panels can be made from materials with different properties. Also included, is a method for construction and method for using the above applicator. Additionally, a mitt with an optional reservoir is disclosed with a radial end shape and an elongated body to protect the user against substances applied to said mitt.

1 . A mitt applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface, said applicator comprising:
 a. a substantially planar applicator body having two panels of material, each composed of at least one layer of material, in which the panels are disposed in a generally opposing manner about a central plane and are joined as to define a single cavity between the panels of sufficient shape and size to accommodate either a right human hand or left human hand or two human hands simultaneously; and   b. a reservoir formed in at least one of the panels to receive substances to be distributed.   
   
   
       2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said panels each have one or more layers and at least one layer of both panels is comprised of a substantially impervious material to protect said human hand against substances applied to said mitt. 
   
   
       3 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said body extends at least past the midpoint of a user's forearm,
 a. whereby the body aids in securing the applicator to the user and protecting the user.   
   
   
       4 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the end distal of the body further comprises a radial shape to accommodate the shape of the user's hand when the user's fingers are spaced fully apart. 
   
   
       5 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the outer most layer of one of the panels is comprised of a different material than the outer most layer of material of the other panel. 
   
   
       6 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the mitt uses a method of labeling such as color coding to determine what substances the mitt is designed for or has been in contact with. 
   
   
       7 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said layer of material can be comprised of different pieces of material. 
   
   
       8 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said cavity is open for insertion of said human hand and has a means to aid in retention of the said applicator. 
   
   
       9 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein the means of retention is an elastic cuff. 
   
   
       10 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein a mitt liner is configured to fit into the cavity of the mitt said mitt liner having a substantially planar body having two liner panels of material, each composed of at least one layer of material, in which the liner panels are disposed in a generally opposing manner about a central plane and are joined as to define a single liner cavity between the panels of sufficient shape and size to accommodate either a right or left human hand or two human hands simultaneously. 
   
   
       11 . The applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the mitt liner is made from vinyl. 
   
   
       12 . The applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the mitt liner has an elastic cuff to aid in retention of the applicator. 
   
   
       13 . A mitt applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface, said applicator comprising:
 a. a substantially planar applicator body having two panels of material, each composed of at least one layer of material, in which the panels are disposed in a generally opposing manner about a central plane and are joined as to define a single cavity between the panels of sufficient shape and size to accommodate either a right or left human hand or two human hands simultaneously;   b. said body extending at least past the midpoint of a user's forearm,
 i. whereby the body aids in securing the applicator to the user and protecting the user; and 
   c. the distal end of said body having a radial shape to accommodate the shape of the user's hand when the user's fingers are spaced fully apart.   
   
   
       14 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein said cavity is open for insertion of said human hand and has a means to aid in retention of the said applicator. 
   
   
       15 . The applicator of  claim 14 , wherein the means of retention is at least one elastic cuff. 
   
   
       16 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the mitt has a plurality of elastic cuffs configured to aid in retention to the user. 
   
   
       17 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the said panels have at least one layer comprised of a substantially impervious material to protect said human hand against substances applied to said mitt. 
   
   
       18 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein a reservoir is formed in at least one of the panels to receive substances to be distributed. 
   
   
       19 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the outer most layer of one of the panels is comprised of a different of material than the outer most layer of material of the other panel. 
   
   
       20 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the mitt uses a method of labeling such as color coding to determine what substances the mitt is designed for or has been in contact with. 
   
   
       21 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein said layer is comprised of different pieces of material whereby the material form a single layer. 
   
   
       22 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein a mitt liner can be inserted, said mitt liner configured to fit into the cavity of the mitt said mitt liner having a substantially planar body having two liner panels of material, each composed of at least one layer of material, in which the liner panels are disposed in a generally opposing manner about a central plane and are joined as to define a single liner cavity between the panels of sufficient shape and size to accommodate either a right or left human hand or two human hands simultaneously. 
   
   
       23 . The applicator of  claim 22 , wherein the mitt liner is made from vinyl. 
   
   
       24 . The applicator of  claim 22 , wherein the mitt liner has at least one elastic cuff to aid in retention of the applicator. 
   
   
       25 . A method of making an applicator mitt comprising the steps of:
 a. providing a front panel and a back panel, each composed of at least one layer generally opposed about a central plane;   b. providing a pocket from one or both of the said front panel or said back panel to form a reservoir;   c. cutting said front panel and said back panel into a desired shape to define said applicator; and   d. joining said front panel and said back panel near their periphery so as to define said single cavity there between of sufficient shape and size to accommodate a right human hand or left human hand or two human hands simultaneously.   
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein a method of retention is attached at the opening of said cavity to aid in retention of the said applicator. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein a labeling system such as color coding to determine what substances the mitt is designed for or has been in contact with is indicated on said mitt. 
   
   
       28 . The applicator of  claim 25 , wherein said layer of material can be comprised of different pieces of material. 
   
   
       29 . A method of applying a liquid or gel to a surface using a mitt applicator comprising the steps of:
 a. inserting at least one human hand in a mitt applicator such as a mitt;   b. dipping said applicator in a liquid or gel or using a similar delivery method which fills a reservoir on the mitt;   c. rubbing the coated surfaces of said applicator to the target surface;   d. using uncoated surfaces of said applicator to apply another liquid or gel or to polish or dry the target surface; and   e. turning the mitt inside out for disposal.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said dipping comprises filling a pocket on said applicator with said liquid or gel using said palm of a human hand. 
   
   
       31 . A method of providing treatment to a patient and disposing of the mitt, by a caregiver using a mitt applicator comprising the steps of:
 a. inserting at least one human hand into the mitt applicator such as a mitt;   b. dipping said applicator in a liquid or gel which fills a reservoir on the mitt;   c. filling a pocket on said applicator with said liquid or gel using said palm of a human hand;   d. rubbing said mitt on the patient's wound, thereby treating the patient;   e. using uncoated surfaces of said applicator to apply another liquid or gel or to dry the patient;   f. removing the one hand of the caregiver while the mitt maintains contact with the patient's wound; and   g. turning the mitt inside out for disposal.