DEVICE FOR APPLYING A FORMULATION TO SKIN
The application provides a device for applying a formulation to skin, the device comprising a housing, a spreading means, and an ejecting means; wherein the housing comprises a chamber for receiving a cartridge, and wherein the cartridge comprises a formulation.
1 . A device for applying a formulation to skin, the device comprising:
(a) a housing, wherein the housing comprises a chamber for receiving a cartridge; wherein the cartridge comprises the formulation;
(b) a tab which is operably connected with the housing or cartridge; wherein during use, the tab moves or spreads a plurality of the skin's epidermal growths; and the tab extends from the housing at a non-zero angle.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the housing is substantially composed of a polymer.
3 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the chamber is configured with a size and shape that fits a cartridge directed to a specific use.
4 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the specific use is to kill fleas and ticks on dogs.
5 . The device of claim 3 , wherein the specific use is to kill fleas and ticks on cats.
6 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the chamber can be squeezed to apply pressure on the cartridge to facilitate release of the formulation from the cartridge.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the formulation includes an active ingredient selected from the group consisting of an insect repellant, an insecticide, a tick repellant, a tick treatment, a mite repellent, a mite treatment, a conditioner, a moisturizer, an anti-bacterial compound, and a combination thereof.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein during use, the tab is proximate to a cartridge that dispenses the formulation to the skin
9 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the tab is operably connected with the housing.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein during use, the tab spreads the plurality of epidermal growths to improve the formulation's contact with the skin.
11 . The device of claim 10 , wherein the tab has at least two projecting prongs.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the tab comprises at least one prong, tine, or tooth.
13 . The device of claim 12 , wherein at least one prong, tine, or tooth has a U-shaped cross-section.
14 . The device of claim 12 , wherein at least one prong, tine, or tooth is cylindrical.
15 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the non-zero angle is from 1° to 45°.
16 . The device of claim 15 , wherein the non-zero angle is from 5° to 35°.
17 . The device of claim 16 , wherein the non-zero angle is from 10° to 25°.
18 . The device of claim 1 , wherein after use the cartridge is ejected without a user's touching of the cartridge or formulation.
19 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises:
(c) a trigger operably connected with the housing or cartridge; and wherein an activation of the trigger allows the formulation to be dispensed from the cartridge.
20 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the trigger is a button.
21 . The device of claim 19 , wherein the trigger is operably connected with the housing.
22 . The device of claim 21 , wherein the trigger is a panel; wherein the panel is attached to the housing, and wherein closing the panel is the activation of the trigger.
23 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises:
(d) a measuring window; wherein the measuring window is operably connected with the housing or cartridge; and wherein the measuring window allows the user to identify how much formulation has been dispensed.
24 . The device of claim 23 , wherein the measuring window is a transparent or translucent window in the housing.
25 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises:
(e) a dispenser, wherein the dispenser is operably connected with the housing or cartridge.
26 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge further comprises:
(1) a reservoir; wherein the reservoir comprises the formulation; and
(2) a dispenser; wherein the dispenser is operably connected with the reservoir; and wherein during use, the dispenser dispenses the formulation onto the skin.
27 . The device of claim 26 , wherein the dispenser is a conduit attached to the reservoir at one end.
28 . The device of claim 27 , wherein the conduit is sealed at one end, and wherein the seal is broken to activate the dispenser.
29 . A kit for applying a formulation to skin, the kit comprising:
(a) a device of claim 1 ;
(b) at least one cartridge comprising the formulation, wherein the cartridge is adapted for use in the device; and
(c) instructions for applying the formulation to skin and for ejecting the cartridge without the user's touching of the cartridge or formulation.
30 . A method for applying a formulation to skin, the method comprising the steps:
(a) inserting a cartridge into a device of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge comprises the formulation;
(b) applying the formulation to the skin; and
(c) ejecting the cartridge.
31 . The method of claim 30 , the method further comprising the step of activating a trigger to allow the formulation to be dispensed from the cartridge.