Devices and methods for applying body lotions such as sunscreens

Abstract

Hand-held articles for applying lotion to a user, including a user's back or other hard-to-reach places have a housing containing a lotion to be dispensed, and a member, integral to the housing, that transfers the lotion to a user's body. The member may be a roller.

1 . An article for applying lotion to a user, comprising:
 an elongated housing having an elongated handle portion with an outer surface defining a grip, the elongated housing defining an internal cavity containing a lotion to be dispensed;   a roller supported by the housing and in communication with the lotion such that the roller delivers the lotion to a user; and   a spring or pump mechanism for pushing the lotion in the internal cavity of the housing such that lotion is delivered to the user through the roller.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the spring or pump mechanism comprises a pump mechanism in an end of the elongated housing. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 2 , wherein the pump mechanism comprises a depressible bulb operable to pressurize the internal cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the spring or pump mechanism comprises a plunger and a spring that pushes the plunger against the lotion in the internal cavity. 
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 4 , further comprising a central guide rod for the plunger to travel along. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion is 12-20 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is refillable and a band or window of clear material to indicate when the housing is full. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising a guard piece for protecting the roller. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the lotion is one or more of the following:
 tanning lotion;   self-tanning lotions;   sun blocks;   moisturizing creams, and   insect repellant.   
     
     
         10 . A method of applying a lotion of a user's body, comprising:
 providing an article in accordance with  claim 1 ;   delivering lotion to a user's body from the internal cavity through the roller of the article.