Adhesive patch with film overlay for the application and containment of soluble or less viscous materials on skin

An applicator for application of caustic paste to horn buds of a calf during a dehorning procedure, the applicator comprising:

• a patch that is adapted to engage a head of a calf during a dehorning procedure, the patch including:
• a substrate having an outer perimeter, an upper surface opposite a lower surface defining a thickness therebetween, and an opening that extends through the substrate thickness and is positioned inwardly of the substrate outer perimeter;
• a cap providing an upwardly extending volume as a cap inner space that is adapted to hold a volume of caustic paste against a horn bud of the calf during the dehorning procedure;
• wherein the cap inner space is bounded by:
• a cap peripheral wall that extends about the substrate opening and away from the substrate in a direction that is opposite the calf head when the patch engages the calf head during the dehorning procedure, and
• a cap outer wall extending perpendicularly across the cap peripheral wall;
• an adhesive exposed on the substrate lower surface in a ring pattern of exposed adhesive that does not overlap and is radially spaced from the cap, wherein the adhesive is adapted to affix the patch to the head of the calf during the dehorning procedure;
• and
• a spacer comprising a ring-shaped body surrounding the substrate opening and arranged concentrically between the substrate opening and the ring pattern of exposed adhesive,
• wherein the ring-shaped body of the spacer:
• includes an inner perimeter adjacent the substrate opening;
• includes outer perimeter adjacent the exposed adhesive on the substrate lower surface;
• and
• comprises a non-adhesive material supported on the substrate lower surface as a blocking material configured to block the volume of caustic paste from flowing from the substrate opening to the exposed adhesive.