权利要求：
CLAIMS: 1. A hand-held applicator for applying a fluid substance to a skin surface, said applicator comprising: - a first chamber defining at least in part a cavity for holding a fluid substance, the first chamber comprising an interface surface with a plurality of openings there through; - a pad having a surface for contacting a skin surface, said pad being positioned proximate said interface surface of said first chamber and said pad being fluidly interconnected to said cavity of said first chamber such that at least a portion of said fluid substance within said cavity of said first chamber can be fluidly communicated from said first chamber through the plurality of openings of the interface surface into said pad; - a pressure increasing mechanism operable to be actuated by an operator to exert a positive pressure on the fluid substance held within the cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad; wherein the pad has a top view outer perimeter profile that is generally wedge shaped.
2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an upper plate that provides said interface surface and wherein said pressure increasing mechanism comprises: - a movable plate device located within said cavity of said first chamber and operable to move therein; - a movement mechanism generally positioned proximate to said first chamber and operably engaged with said moveable plate device to move said movable plate device within said cavity; - wherein said movement mechanism is operable to be activated by an operator to cause said movable plate device to move within said cavity to exert a positive pressure on said fluid substance within said cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
3. An applicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least a portion of said movement mechanism is positioned within a second chamber, and wherein said second chamber is positioned proximate said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad.
4. An applicator as claimed in claim 3 wherein at least a portion of said movement mechanism extends from said second chamber into said first chamber to engage with said moveable plate device to cause said movable plate device to move within said cavity to exert a positive pressure on said fluid substance within said cavity.
5. An applicator as claimed in claim 4 wherein said movement mechanism comprises a rotatable member that is operable to engage with said moveable plate device, such that in operation, rotation of said rotatable member causes said moveable plate device to move within said first chamber.
6. An applicator as claimed in claim 5 wherein said movement mechanism further comprises a rotational drive mechanism operable to rotate said rotatable member.
7. An applicator as claimed in claims 3 or 4 wherein the first chamber and the pad each have a top view outer perimeter profile that is substantially the same and generally wedge shaped.
8. An applicator as claimed in claims 3 or 4 wherein the first chamber, the second chamber and the pad have a top view perimeter profile that is substantially the same and generally wedge shaped.
9. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8 wherein said movement mechanism is operable to be actuated by an operator's hand while said applicator is being held in said operator's hand.
10. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 and claims 7 to 9 wherein said movement mechanism comprises: (i) a rotational member interconnected to said movable plate device, operable such that rotation of said rotational member causes said movable plate device to move within said cavity of said first chamber; (ii) a gear mechanism interconnected to said rotational member operable such that rotation of said gear mechanism causes said rotational member to rotate; and (iii) a gear drive mechanism operable to be actuated by an operator to drive rotation of said gear mechanism; wherein said gear drive mechanism is operable to be actuated by an operator to cause said gear mechanism to rotate said rotational member to move said movable plate device within said cavity to exert a positive pressure on said fluid substance within said cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance held in said cavity to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
11. An applicator as claimed in claim 10 wherein said gear drive mechanism comprises a ratchet member operable for reciprocating inward and outward translational movement relative to said second chamber, said ratchet member being operably engaged with said gear mechanism, said ratchet member being interconnected to a button operable to be actuated by an operator to cause said ratchet member to move inward and outward.
12. An applicator as claimed in claim 11 wherein said gear mechanism and said ratchet member are positioned within a second chamber positioned adjacent said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad, and wherein said button extends beyond said second chamber to be capable of being operated by an operator.
13. An applicator as claimed in claim 11 or 12 further comprising an elastically deformable device operably engaged between said button and said ratchet member to provide an outwardly directed restoring force on said button when said button is moved inwards by a force exerted by an operator.
14. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein: - said movable plate device has a threaded opening there through; and - said rotational member comprises a threaded member having a portion engagingly received through said threaded opening in said plate device, such that rotation of said threaded member causes said movable plate device to move within said cavity of said first chamber.
15. An applicator as claimed in claim 10 wherein: - said gear drive mechanism comprises: (a) a motor having a rotatable shaft, said shaft configured for operable engagement with said gear mechanism; (b) a source of power for driving said motor; (c) a switch operable to be actuated by an operator to selectively activate and de-activate said motor; - wherein when said motor is actuated by an operator said movable plate device moves within said cavity to exert a positive pressure on said fluid substance within said cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
16. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 further comprising a mesh screen located within said first chamber, said mesh screen configured and located such that in operation, when said pressure increasing mechanism exerts a positive pressure on the fluid substance held within the cavity, it causes at least a portion of the fluid substance to first move through said mesh screen and then through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
17. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16 wherein said pad has a plurality of openings defined therein which may in operation be aligned with the openings in said interface surface of said first chamber such that at least a portion of said fluid substance within said cavity of said first chamber can be fluidly communicated from said first chamber through the plurality of openings of the interface surface into the openings in said pad.
18. An applicator as claimed in claim 10 wherein said movement mechanism comprises: (i) a threaded member operably interconnected to said movable plate device, such that rotation of said rotational member causes said movable plate device to move within said cavity of said first chamber; (ii) a turning wheel operably interconnected to said threaded member operable such that rotation of said turning wheel causes said threaded member to rotate; wherein said turning wheel is operable to be actuated by an operator to cause said threaded member to rotate to cause said movable plate device to move within said cavity to exert a positive pressure on said fluid substance within said cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
19. An applicator as claimed in claim 18 wherein a portion of said turning wheel is positioned within a second chamber positioned adjacent said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad, and wherein said turning wheel has a portion that extends beyond said second chamber to be capable of being operated by an operator.
20. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19 further comprising a handle configured for holding by an operator, said handle being movable between an open extended position and a closed retracted position.
21. An applicator as claimed in claim 20 wherein the handle is rotatable between the open position and the closed position.
22. An applicator as claimed in claims 20 or 21 further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for releasably locking the handle in the open position or the closed position.
23. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 20 to 22 wherein the handle has a top view outer perimeter profile configured such that when said handle is in said closed position said outer perimeter profile of said handle is aligned with the outer perimeter profile of said first chamber.
24. An applicator as claimed in claim 7 further comprising a second chamber which is positioned proximate said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad, said applicator further comprising a handle configured for holding by an operator, said handle being movable between an open position and a closed position, said handle being mounted to an outward facing surface of said second chamber.
25. An applicator as claimed in claim 24 wherein the handle is rotatable between the open position and the closed position.
26. An applicator as claimed in claim 25 further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for releasably locking the handle in the open position or the closed position.
27. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 24 to 26 wherein the handle has an outer perimeter profile configured such that when said handle is in said closed position said outer perimeter profile of said handle is generally aligned with the outer perimeter profile of said second chamber.
28. An applicator as claimed in claim 27 wherein the handle has an outer perimeter profile configured such that when said handle is in said closed position said outer perimeter profile of said handle is generally aligned with the outer perimeter profile of said first chamber, said second chamber and said pad.
29. A hand-held applicator for applying a fluid substance to a skin surface, said applicator comprising: - a first chamber defining at least in part a cavity for holding a fluid substance, the first chamber comprising an upper wall providing an interface surface having a plurality of openings there through; - a pad having a surface for contacting a skin surface, said pad being positioned proximate said interface surface of said first chamber and said pad being fluidly interconnected to said cavity of said first chamber such that at least a portion of said fluid substance within said cavity of said first chamber can be fluidly communicated from said first chamber through the plurality of openings of the interface surface into said pad; - a force application mechanism operable to be actuated by an operator to exert a force on the fluid substance held within the cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad from where an operator can transfer a portion of said fluid substance to a skin surface; wherein the pad has first portion and a second portion, and wherein a top view outer perimeter profile of said first portion is generally wider than the top view outer perimeter profile of said second portion, said second portion being adapted for applying said fluid substance to a narrow or small area of a skin surface.
30. A hand- held applicator for applying a fluid substance to a skin surface, said applicator comprising: - a first chamber defining at least in part a cavity for holding a fluid substance, the first chamber comprising an upper wall providing an interface surface, said upper wall having a plurality of openings there through at said interface surface; - a pad having a surface for contacting a skin surface, said pad being positioned proximate said interface surface of said first chamber and said pad being fluidly interconnected to said cavity of said first chamber such that at least a portion of said fluid substance within said cavity of said first chamber can be fluidly communicated from said first chamber through the plurality of openings of the interface surface into said pad; - a pressure increasing mechanism operable to be actuated by an operator to exert a positive pressure on the fluid substance held within the cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad; said pressure increasing mechanism comprising: - a movable plate device located within said cavity of said first chamber and operable to move therein; - a movement mechanism generally positioned proximate to said first chamber and operably engaged with said moveable plate device to move said movable plate device within said cavity; said movement mechanism comprising: (i) a rotational member interconnected to said movable plate device, such that rotation of said rotational member causes said movable plate device to move within said cavity of said first chamber; (ii) a gear mechanism interconnected to said rotational member operable such that rotation of said gear mechanism causes said rotational member to rotate; and (iii) a gear drive mechanism operable to be actuated by an operator to drive rotation of said gear mechanism; - wherein said gear drive mechanism is operable to be actuated by an operator to cause said movable plate device to move within said cavity to exert a positive pressure on said fluid substance within said cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
31. An applicator as claimed in claim 30 wherein said gear drive mechanism comprises ratchet member operable for reciprocating inward and outward translational movement relative to said second chamber, said ratchet member being operably engaged with said gear mechanism, said ratchet member being interconnected to a button operable to be actuated by an operator to cause said ratchet member to move inward and outward.
32. An applicator as claimed in claim 31 wherein said gear mechanism and said ratchet member are positioned within a second chamber positioned adjacent said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad, and wherein said button extends beyond said second chamber to be capable of being operated by an operator.
33. An applicator as claimed in claim 31 or 32 further comprising an elastically deformable device operably engaged between said button and said ratchet member to provide an outwardly directed restoring force on said button when said button is moved inwards by a force exerted by an operator.
34. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 33 wherein: - said movable plate device has a threaded opening there through; and - said rotational member comprises a threaded member having a portion engagingly received through said threaded opening in said plate device, such that rotation of said threaded member causes said movable plate device to move within said cavity of said first chamber.
35. An applicator as claimed in claim 30 wherein: - said gear drive mechanism comprises: (a) a motor having a rotatable shaft, said shaft configured for operable engagement with said gear mechanism; (b) a source of power for driving said motor; (c) a switch operable to be actuated by an operator to selectively activate and de-activate said motor; - wherein when said motor is actuated by an operator said movable plate device moves within said cavity to exert a positive pressure on said fluid substance within said cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
36. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 35 further comprising a mesh screen located within said first chamber, said mesh screen configured and located such that in operation, when said pressure increasing mechanism exerts a positive pressure on the fluid substance held within the cavity, it causes at least a portion of the fluid substance to first move through said mesh screen and then through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
37. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 36 wherein said pad has a plurality of openings defined therein which may in operation be aligned with the openings in said interface surface of said first chamber such that at least a portion of said fluid substance within said cavity of said first chamber can be fluidly communicated from said first chamber through the plurality of openings of the interface surface into the openings in said pad.
38. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 37 further comprising a handle configured for holding by an operator, said handle being movable between an open extended position and a closed retracted position.
39. An applicator as claimed in claim 38 wherein the handle is rotatable between the open position and the closed position.
40. An applicator as claimed in claims 38 or 39, further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for releasably locking the handle in the open position or the closed position.
41. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 38 to 40 wherein the handle has a top view outer perimeter profile configured such that when said handle is in said closed position said outer perimeter profile of said handle is aligned with the outer perimeter profile of said first chamber.
42. An applicator as claimed in claim 30 further comprising a second chamber which is positioned proximate said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad, said applicator further comprising a handle configured for holding by an operator, said handle being movable between an open position and a closed position, said handle being mounted to an outward facing surface of said second chamber.
43. An applicator as claimed in claim 42 further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for releasably locking the handle in the open position or the closed position.
44. An applicator as claimed claims 42 or 43 wherein the handle has an outer perimeter profile configured such that when said handle is in said closed position said outer perimeter profile of said handle is generally aligned with the outer perimeter profile of said second chamber.
45. A hand-held applicator for applying a fluid substance to a skin surface, said applicator comprising: - a first chamber defining at least in part a cavity for holding a fluid substance, the first chamber comprising an upper wall providing an interface surface with a plurality of openings; - a pad having a surface for contacting a skin surface, said pad being positioned proximate said interface surface of said first chamber and said pad being fluidly interconnected to said cavity of said first chamber such that at least a portion of said fluid substance within said cavity of said first chamber can be fluidly communicated from said first chamber through the plurality of openings of the interface surface into said pad; - a pressure increasing mechanism operable to be actuated by an operator to exert a positive pressure on the fluid substance held within the cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad; said pressure increasing mechanism comprising: (a) a movable plate device located within said cavity of said first chamber and operable to move therein, said movable plate device having a threaded opening there through; (b) a movement mechanism positioned generally proximate to said first chamber and operably engaged with said moveable plate device to move said movable plate device within said cavity; said movement mechanism comprising: (i) a threaded member operably interconnected to said movable plate device, such that rotation of said rotational member causes said movable plate device to move within said cavity of said first chamber; (ii) a turning wheel operably interconnected to said threaded member operable such that rotation of said turning wheel causes said threaded member to rotate; - wherein said turning wheel is operable to be actuated by an operator to cause said threaded member to rotate to cause said movable plate device to move within said cavity to exert a positive pressure on said fluid substance within said cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
46. An applicator as claimed in claim 45 wherein a portion of said turning wheel is positioned within a second chamber positioned adjacent said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad, and wherein said turning wheel has a portion that extends beyond said second chamber to be capable of being operated by an operator.
47. An applicator as claimed in claims 45 or 46 further comprising a mesh screen located within said first chamber, said mesh screen configured and located such that in operation, when said pressure increasing mechanism exerts a positive pressure on the fluid substance held within the cavity, it causes at least a portion of the fluid substance to first move through said mesh screen and then through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
48. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 45 to 47 wherein said pad has a plurality of openings defined therein which may in operation be aligned with the openings in said interface surface of said first chamber such that at least a portion of said fluid substance within said cavity of said first chamber can be fluidly communicated from said first chamber through the plurality of openings of the interface surface into the openings in said pad.
49. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 45 to 48 further comprising a handle configured for holding by an operator, said handle being movable between an open extended position and a closed retracted position.
50. An applicator as claimed in claim 49 wherein the handle is rotatable between the open position and the closed position.
51. An applicator as claimed in claims 49 or 50 further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for releasably locking the handle in the open position or the closed position.
52. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 49 to 51 wherein the handle has a top view outer perimeter profile configured such that when said handle is in said closed position said outer perimeter profile of said handle is aligned with the outer perimeter profile of said first chamber.
53. An applicator as claimed in claim 49 further comprising a second chamber which is positioned proximate said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad, said applicator further comprising a handle configured for holding by an operator, said handle being movable between an open position and a closed position, said handle being mounted to an outward facing surface of said second chamber.
54. An applicator as claimed in claim 53 further comprising a releasable locking mechanism for releasably locking the handle in the open position or the closed position.
55. An applicator as claimed in claim 54 wherein the handle has an outer perimeter profile configured such that when said handle is in said closed position said outer perimeter profile of said handle is generally aligned with the outer perimeter profile of said second chamber.
56. A hand-held applicator for applying a fluid substance to a skin surface, said applicator comprising: - a first chamber defining at least in part a cavity for holding a fluid substance, the first chamber comprising a wall with an interface surface and having a plurality of openings there through; - a pad having a surface for contacting a skin surface, said pad being positioned proximate said interface surface of said first chamber and said pad being fluidly interconnected to said cavity of said first chamber such that at least a portion of said fluid substance within said cavity of said first chamber can be fluidly communicated from said first chamber through the plurality of openings of the interface surface into said pad; a handle configured for holding by an operator, said handle being movable between an open position and a closed position.
57. An applicator as claimed in claim 56 further comprising a pressure increasing mechanism operable to be actuated by an operator to exert a positive pressure on the fluid substance held within the cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad.
58. An applicator as claimed in claim 57 wherein said pressure increasing mechanism comprises: - a movable plate device located within said cavity of said first chamber and operable to move therein; - a movement mechanism positioned proximate to said first chamber and operably engaged with said moveable plate device to move said movable plate device within said cavity; - wherein said movement mechanism is operable to be actuated by an operator to cause said movable plate device to move within said cavity to exert a positive pressure on said fluid substance within said cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad; and wherein: said movement mechanism is generally positioned within a second chamber positioned adjacent said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad; wherein said handle is mounted proximate to the second chamber and is positioned on an opposite side of the second chamber to the first chamber when said handle is in the closed position.
59. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 58 wherein the handle is rotatable between the open position and the closed position.
60. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 59, which further comprises a releasable locking mechanism for releasably locking the handle in the open position or the closed position.
61. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 60 wherein the handle has a top view outer perimeter profile configured such that when said handle is in said closed position said outer perimeter profile of said handle is aligned with the outer perimeter profile of said first chamber.
62. An applicator as claimed in claim 49 wherein said second chamber is positioned proximate said first chamber and on an opposite side of said first chamber to said pad, said applicator further comprising a handle configured for holding by an operator, said handle being movable between an open position and a closed position, said handle being mounted to an outward facing surface of said second chamber.
63. A hand- held applicator for applying a fluid substance to a skin surface, said applicator comprising: - a first chamber defining at least in part a cavity for holding a fluid substance, the first chamber comprising a wall with an interface surface and having a plurality of openings there through; - a flow restrictor plate having a plurality of openings there through, said restrictor plate being positioned adjacent to said interface surface of said wall of said first chamber; - a pad having a surface for contacting a skin surface, said pad being positioned proximate said interface surface of said wall of said first chamber and said pad being fluidly interconnected to said cavity of said first chamber such that at least a portion of said fluid substance within said cavity of said first chamber can be fluidly communicated from said first chamber through the plurality of openings of the interface surface into said pad; - a pressure increasing mechanism operable to be actuated by an operator to exert a positive pressure on the fluid substance held within the cavity to cause at least a portion of the fluid substance to move through said openings of said interface surface into said pad; and wherein the flow restrictor plate is configured and operable for actuation by an operator to be movable between: (a) a first position in which a group comprising one or more openings of the interface surface are unblocked which permits the fluid substance to flow through the first group of openings of said interface surface into said pad, and (b) a second position in which at least some of the openings in said group of openings of the interface surface is blocked to restrict the fluid substance from flowing through any or all of the first group of openings of said interface surface into said pad.
64. An applicator as claimed in claim 63 wherein the flow restrictor plate is configured and operable for actuation by an operator to be movable between: (a) said first position in which a first group comprising one or more openings of the interface surface are unblocked which permits the fluid substance to flow through the first group of openings of said interface surface into said pad, and (b) a second position in which some of the openings in said first group of openings of the interface surface are blocked and other one or more openings in said interface surface are unblocked, so as to restrict the fluid substance from flowing through only some of the first group of openings of said interface surface into said pad.
65. An applicator as claimed in claim 64 wherein the pad has a top view perimeter profile that provides a narrow end tip portion, and wherein said second group of openings are generally in and proximate to the interface surface at the end tip portion of the first chamber and wherein in said second position of said flow restrictor plate the fluid substance may only flow through said some of the first group of openings of said interface surface into said pad in and proximate to the end tip portion of the pad.
66. An applicator as claimed in claim 63 wherein the flow restrictor plate is configured and operable for actuation by an operator to be movable between: (a) said first position in which a first group comprising one or more openings of the interface surface are unblocked which permits the fluid substance to flow through the first group of openings of said interface surface into said pad, and (b) a second position in which all of the openings in said first group of openings of the interface surface are blocked to block the fluid substance from flowing through any of the first group of openings of said interface surface into said pad.
67. An applicator as claimed in claim 66 wherein said first group of openings in said interface surface comprises all the openings in said interface surface such that in said second position all of the openings of the interface surface are blocked to block the fluid substance from flowing into said pad.
68. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 62 to 67 wherein said flow restrictor plate comprises a tab member that extends outwardly from said first chamber and is operable by an operator to move said flow restrictor plate between said first position and said second position.
69. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1, 29, 30, 45, 56 and 63 further comprising a mesh screen device positioned adjacent the interface surface, said screen device having a plurality of openings that are smaller than the openings in the interface surface.
70. An applicator as claimed in claim 69 wherein the openings in said mesh screen device co-operate with the openings in said interface surface to assist in preventing leakage of the fluid substance from the first chamber when said fluid substance is not subjected to an increase in pressure from said pressure increasing mechanism.
71. An applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 70 which has a length dimension in the