METAL TIP DROPPER

BACKGROUND

Many applicators for cosmetic products are available. Some such applicators include a reservoir for holding a product to be applied, and a dropper for drawing product from the applicator and applying product to the user's skin, hair, etc. Alternative approaches to such applicators are desired.

OVERVIEW

The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved is a need for new and alternative designs for dropper applicators for cosmetic products.

In a first non-limiting example, an applicator for use with cosmetic products comprises a cap connectable to a bottle, a depressible actuator coupled to the cap, the depressible actuator defining an interior chamber, and a shaft coupled to the depressible actuator, wherein the shaft has a channel in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the depressible actuator, wherein the shaft includes a thermal tip, the thermal tip defining an opening into the channel, wherein the thermal tip is formed from a material that stores and/or transmits thermal energy. Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal, stone, ceramic, or composites thereof, whether natural or synthetic.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the metal is stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, tin, nickel, titanium, copper, brass, platinum, gold, or silver.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the depressible actuator includes a squeeze bulb.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the cap has rigid sides, wherein the depressible actuator includes a squeezable insert with an accordion structure disposed within the rigid sides of the cap.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the cap has an open top. Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the cap includes a rigid depressible button slidable within a cap insert between an upwards position and downwards position. Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the applicator further comprises a spring configured to bias the rigid depressible button in the upwards position.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the shaft and thermal tip are a single monolithic structure.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the shaft is made of a different material than the thermal tip.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is coupled to the shaft by a threaded connection.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is coupled to the shaft by a snap connection or a friction connection. Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the shaft is made of polymer.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the depressible actuator is configured to withdraw and deliver a measured amount of product.

According to another example, an applicator for use with cosmetic products comprises a cap having a bottom for securing to a bottle, rigid sides, and an open top, a depressible actuator defining an interior chamber, the depressible actuator disposed within the rigid sides of the cap, a shaft coupled to the cap, the shaft having a channel in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the depressible actuator, and a thermal tip coupled to the shaft, the thermal tip having an opening in fluid communication with the channel in the shaft, wherein the thermal tip is formed from a material that stores and/or transmits thermal energy.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal, stone, ceramic, or composites thereof, whether natural or synthetic.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal.

According to a further example, an applicator for use with liquid cosmetic products comprises a rigid cap having a bottom for securing to a bottle, sides defining a cavity, and an open top, a depressible actuator slidably disposed within the open top of the rigid cap, the depressible actuator defining an interior chamber, a shaft coupled to the rigid cap, the shaft having a channel in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the depressible actuator, and a thermal tip coupled to the shaft, the thermal tip having an opening in fluid communication with the channel in the shaft, wherein the thermal tip is formed from a material that stores and/or transmits thermal energy, wherein liquid cosmetic product is introduced into the opening in the thermal tip by depressing and releasing the depressible actuator.

Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal.

The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an illustrative cosmetic applicator;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1 with the applicator separated from the bottle;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another illustrative cosmetic applicator;

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another illustrative cosmetic applicator;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross sectional views of additional illustrative shaft and thermal tip combinations;

FIG. 11 is a front view of another illustrative shaft and thermal tip combination;

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the shaft and thermal tip combination of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the shaft and thermal tip combination of FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the shaft and thermal tip combination of FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a right side view of the shaft and thermal tip combination of FIG. 11, with the left side view being a mirror image;

FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view taken along line 16-16 in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of an illustrative one piece shaft and thermal tip; and

FIGS. 18A-18D show illustrative applicators.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some illustrative examples, applicator assemblies are provided for use in retrieving product (generally a liquid) from a reservoir, with an applicator having a channel inserted into the reservoir and coupled to a cap. The cap may be configured to be selectively actuated by including a squeezable or depressible element to draw the product into the channel. With product drawn into the channel, the applicator is then withdrawn from the reservoir and the squeezable element is squeezed to expel the product from the channel.

Conventional application of products to the skin is sufficient in many instances, but in other instances it also is desirable to provide a thermal treatment to the skin contemporaneously with application of the product. For example, it may be desirable to apply a cooling or heating sensation via the applicator. In some instances, it may be desirable to have the applicator provide either a heating or cooling sensation, which may offset or enhance a thermal sensation from the product or be completely independent of the product.

Thermal applicators, such as for cosmetic applicators, may include a thermal storage member that stores and/or transmits thermal energy. The thermal applicator is intended for contacting a user's skin, to provide a thermal sensation to the user. The thermal applicators are generally useful to allow a product to be applied locally or topically to a selected area of a user's skin, while providing a thermal effect.

FIGS. 1-4 show an illustrative example of a thermal cosmetics applicator in the form of a thermal tip dropper. In FIG. 1, the dropper 10 is shown secured to a bottle 30. The dropper 10 is shown with a generally cylindrical cap 14 having a depressible actuator in the form of a squeezable bulb 12. The cap 14 may include one or more surface features such as ridge 15 to aid in gripping the cap 14 for removing the cap 14 from the bottle 30. In some examples, a cap (not shown) may be disposed over the cap 14 and bulb 12. Shapes other than a round bulb may be used, since in some examples the bulb 12 may be formed by molding, such that a square/cube or other polygon may be used, or an oval, for example.

FIG. 2 shows the dropper 10 removed from the bottle 30. The dropper 10 includes the generally cylindrical cap 14 and squeezable bulb 12. A shaft 18 may be attached to the cap 14 and may have a thermal applicator in the form of an enlarged thermal tip 19 coupled thereto. The shaft 18 and thermal tip 19 are inserted into the bottle 30 and into the generally liquid product.

The cap 14 is generally cylindrical in shape in this example. The cap 14 may be a polygon, if desired, or oval, or other shapes. In this embodiment, the cap 14 is generally rigid to provide a gripping surface for removing the dropper 10 from the bottle 30. The dropper 10 may be configured with a screw-on fit to the bottle 30, as shown in FIG. 2. The cap 14 may have interior threading to mate with exterior threading 34 on the open end 32 of the bottle 30. In other examples, a snap fit design, or other closure methods or mechanisms/designs may be used to secure the dropper 10 to the bottle 30. Rather than the enlarged thermal tip 19 shown in FIG. 2, an applicator may be provided such as shown in FIGS. 18A-18D, described below, in which case the dropper 10 may be referred to as an applicator assembly.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the example of FIGS. 1-2. The dropper 10 includes the squeezable bulb 12, the cap 14, the shaft 18, and thermal tip 19. The squeezable bulb 12 is shown with a flange 13 that may engage an opening in the cap 14 to couple the bulb 12 to the cap 14. The squeezable bulb 12 may be made of any suitable pliable material, such as silicone, rubber, or a pliable polymer. In some examples the cap 14 may be opaque to hide the flange 13 from sight, though this is not necessary.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the thermal tip 19 may be attached to the shaft 18 with a snap connection. The bottom of the shaft 18 may include a narrow region or neck 20 configured to be received within the thermal tip 19. The neck 20 may include to one or more protrusions 22. The snap connection between the shaft 18 and thermal tip 19 is illustrated in the cross-section shown in FIG. 4. The neck 20 of the shaft 18 may be received in a recess 28 in the upper end of the thermal tip 19. The recess 28 may include a groove 26 configured to receive the protrusion 22 on the neck 20 of the shaft 18 in a snap engagement. The shaft 18 may include a channel 17 extending therethrough. The channel 17 may be in fluid communication with a chamber 11 in the squeezable bulb 12 and with an opening 24 in the thermal tip 19.

In use, the squeezable bulb 12 may be depressed or squeezed in the direction shown at 16 to reduce the interior volume of the chamber 11 in the squeezable bulb 12 and ready the dropper 10 for drawing product out of the bottle 30 or other container. Releasing the squeezable bulb 12 allows the chamber 11 in the squeezable bulb 12 to return to its original volume and shape, drawing product into the opening 24 in the thermal tip 19 and up the channel 17 in the shaft 18. The product may be a liquid. To dispense drawn-in product, the dropper 10 is removed from the bottle 30 and the squeezable bulb 12 is again depressed or squeezed, ejecting product from the opening 24 in the thermal tip 19.

In other examples, the bottom of the shaft 18 may surround or envelop an upper portion of the thermal tip 19. For such an example, the thermal tip 19 may have an upper portion with threading, a ridge or ridges, or protrusions, to be received by corresponding threading, groove(s), or recesses in the interior of the shaft 18. In still other examples, the shaft 18 may extend more or less through the interior of the thermal tip 19, extending to, or near to, the opening 24.

The thermal tip 19 may be a thermal member and the entire outer surface of the thermal tip 19 may define a tip application surface 25 providing a thermal sensation to the user. The tip application surface contacts the user's skin during or after dispensing of the product, and the user may cause the application surface to contact an even larger area of skin, for example, when the user causes the application surface to spread the product on his/her skin. By virtue of the thermal properties of the thermal tip 19, thermal energy is applied to or removed from the user's skin for heating or cooling during application. Contact of the thermal tip 19 with the product may also result in transfer of heat to or from the product. Accordingly, in some embodiments the user will feel a thermal sensation (warm or cool depending on the thermal energy in the thermal member), in other embodiments, the product will be warmed or cooled, and in still other embodiments both the product and user's skin will be thermally effected by the thermal tip 19. In some cases, the heat transfer may also minimize or alleviate pain or discomfort caused by damage to the skin.

The thermal tip 19 includes a material capable of retaining and/or transferring heat or cold. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the thermal tip 19 may be made in whole or in part of a material having a thermal conductivity above a threshold. For instance, in some embodiments, to retain and transfer sufficient heat or cold the thermal tip 19 may be made of a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 1 watt/meter-kelvin. In other implementations, thermal conductivities greater than about 5.0 watt/meter-kelvin or greater than about 20.0 watt/meter-kelvin are desirable. In still further implementations, thermal conductivities equal to or greater than about 100 watt/meter-kelvin to greater than about 400 watt/meter-kelvin are desirable.

Other material properties may also describe aspects of thermal tips 19. For instance, heat capacity of the material may also be relevant. In some embodiments, the material from which the thermal tip 19 is made in whole or in part may also have a heat capacity of at most about 1.1 kilojoules/kilogram-kelvin. In other instances, heat capacities lower than about 0.75 KJ/kg-K or lower than about 0.5 KJ/kg-K may be desirable. Moreover, thermal effusivity, which factors in a material's thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and density may be of interest. Generally, the higher the effusivity, the greater will be the heat transfer to or from the user's skin. In some embodiments materials having a thermal effusivity higher than about 150.0 J-m⁻²-K⁻¹-s^−1/2may be used. In other embodiments, materials having a thermal effusivity higher than about 1,000 J-m⁻²-K⁻¹-s^−1/2or higher than about 5,000 J-m⁻²-K⁻¹-s^−1/2may be used. In additional embodiments, materials having a thermal effusivity of between about 8,000 and 20,000 J-m⁻²-K⁻¹-s^−1/2may be used. In still further embodiments, materials having a thermal effusivity of between about 20,000 and 40,000 J-m⁻²-K⁻¹-s^−1/2may be used.

In some embodiments, the heat or cold retained (for subsequent transfer) by the thermal tip 19 results from exposure to the ambient environment. That is, in some embodiments, after transfer of the heat or cold from the thermal tip 19 to the user's skin, the thermal tip 19 regenerates, i.e., reheats or re-cools, merely by being exposed to the ambient environment. For the purpose of this application, the term ambient environment refers to a comfortable indoor room temperature of between about 20° C. (68° F.) and about 25° C. (77° F.). In these embodiments and under the noted conditions, no additional heating or cooling may be required.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to introduce the thermal tip 19 to a higher or lower temperature than ambient to “charge” the thermal tip 19 with the desired thermal energy (or lack thereof). For example, a product kit may include a bottle and a simple cap that seals the bottle, along with a separate dropper having a thermal tip. The dropper may be stored separately from the bottle and simple cap, to cool or heat the dropper while keeping the bottle at room temperature. In another example, the bottle and product may be stored at elevated or cooled temperatures, while the dropper is kept at room temperature. In one example, a product may contain alcohol, which would provide a cooling effect, and may be stored at a cold temperature, such as in a refrigerator or freezer. To avoid over-stimulating or damaging the skin, the dropper may be kept a room temperature; thus the cold product can be applied to provide the cooling effect, using a dropper that is kept much warmer to avoid any harm to the user. For example, a thermal applicator may be used in combination with a polymeric, and insulating, tube that extends through the thermal tip to the opening 24. The insulating tube will keep the product to be used at a different temperature than the thermal tip as the product is drawn into the tube; by only inserting the applicator/tube into the bottle for a limited amount of time, this temperature difference can be preserved. The combination of liquid product and thermal applicator at two different temperatures may, in some examples, provide a pleasing effect to the user.

In implementations of this disclosure, the thermal tip 19 may include one or more of metal, stone material, ceramic, or composites thereof, whether natural or synthetic, capable of retaining and transferring heat or cold for a period of time. Some example metals that may be used in embodiments of this disclosure include, without limitation, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, tin, nickel, titanium, steel, copper, brass, platinum, gold, and silver, and alloys, such as ZAMAK.

Stone materials that may be used in embodiments of this disclosure include, without limitation, any stone, rock, mineral, ore, gemstone, imitation gemstone, glass (including naturally occurring and man-made forms of glass), volcanic stone, coral stone, metallic stone or ore, magnetic stone, concrete, or composites thereof, whether synthetic or naturally occurring.

In one example, a thermal material is provided as an aggregate or powder that is formed into the shape of the thermal tip 19. The aggregate or powder may be stone or metal or a combination thereof, and may be molded or compressed into the desirable shape, for example. The stone and/or metal aggregate or powder may also be entrained in a polymer, which may be more readily molded using techniques such as injection molding. In other embodiments, the thermal material may be liquefied, e.g., by heating, and then cast or molded into the desired shape. In yet other embodiments, the thermal tip 19 may be machined from a blank comprising the thermal material. The application surface 25 may be smooth or textured. A textured application surface 25 may provide a relatively rough or abrasive surface that exfoliates a user's skin.

The shaft 18 may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which will provide for a secure connection with the thermal tip 19. In some examples, the shaft 18 may include a liner forming the channel 17, and the liner may be formed from a material different from the shaft 18. The liner forming the channel 17 may be a hydrophobic material to aid in releasing the product from the channel 17 during application. The thermal tip may also have a liner forming the opening 24.

Unlike the bulb based devices shown in FIGS. 1-4, a more modern look may be created with a cap 114 extending around a vertically depressible actuator 112, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The cap 114 may have a diameter the same as the diameter of the bottle 130 holding the product, as shown in FIG. 5. The cylindrical cap 114 in one example has generally rigid sides with a squeezable insert or depressible actuator 112 having an accordion-type design, as shown in FIG. 6. The accordion-type design of the depressible actuator 112 may be hidden from a user by the sides of the cap 114. In another example the cylindrical cap 114 may have a rigid top surface and is squeezable from its sides (not shown). In yet another example, the cylindrical cap is flexible on its sides and top, but does not have the commonly known bulb-shape.

In some examples where the cap has one or more rigid sides, the rigidity may help avoid accidental release of product from the applicator. In some examples, the overall effect may be more aesthetically pleasant, and/or may assist achieving an overall consistency of look and professional appearance.

FIG. 6 shows the internal structure of the generally cylindrical cap 114 and depressible actuator 112 disposed on a bottle 130. As shown, the depressible actuator 112 is a downwardly depressible soft button disposed on a cap insert 113. The depressible actuator 112 is moveable relative to the cap 114. A shaft 118 is attached to the depressible actuator 112. The shaft 118 may include a channel 117 and a thermal tip 119. The channel 117 may be in fluid communication with an interior chamber 111 of the depressible actuator 112 and with an opening 124 in the thermal tip 119. The shaft 118 and thermal tip 119 may be constructed as discussed above with regard to the shaft 18 and thermal tip 19 shown in FIGS. 1-4.

In use, the depressible actuator 112 is depressed in the direction shown at 116 to reduce the interior volume of the chamber 111 and ready the dropper for drawing product out of the bottle 130 or other container. Releasing the depressible actuator 112 allows the chamber 111 to return to its original volume and shape, drawing product into the opening 124 in the thermal tip 119 and up into the channel 117 in the shaft 118. The product may be a liquid. To dispense drawn-in product, the depressible actuator 112 is again depressed, ejecting product out the opening 124 in the thermal tip 119.

The cap 114 may be generally cylindrical in shape in this example and has a cavity for receiving the depressible actuator 112. The cap 114 may be a polygon, if desired, or oval, or other shapes. In this embodiment, however, the cap 114 is generally rigid such that the user must depress the depressible actuator 112 only by pressing in the direction at 116. The user may be prevented from inadvertent drawing in of product or dispensing of product by such a design.

In some examples, the interior of the cap 114 may be specially shaped to match the shape of the depressible actuator 112. For example, the interior of cap 114 may be circular, and the depressible actuator 112 may have an accordion structure which is also circular. Alternatively, both the interior of the cap 114 and the depressible actuator 112 shape may be square, or any other shape. The depressible actuator 112 may be made of any suitable pliable material, such as silicone, rubber, or a pliable polymer. In some examples the cap 114 may be opaque to hide the depressible actuator 112 from sight, though this is not necessary.

The cap 114 may be configured for use as a screw-on fit on the bottle 130, as is in the example shown in FIG. 4. A snap fit design, or other closure methods or mechanisms/designs may be used instead. Rather than the bulbous thermal tip 119, an applicator may be provided instead such as shown in FIGS. 18A-18D, below.

The cap insert 113 may include an upper ridge against which the lower portion of the depressible actuator 112 is pressed. For manufacturing, elements 112, 114 and 113 may be secured together using any suitable adhesive, or by any other suitable method. The cap insert 113 may also be secured to the shaft 118, with cap 114 provided as a separate element. In some examples, the cap 114 and cap insert 113 may be formed as a single monolithic element. In some examples, the cap insert 113 and cap 114 may both be made of a relatively hard or high gloss material, though any desired finish may be used including a matte finish, or a thin soft foam layer may be applied, for example.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show another illustrative example of a thermal tip dropper including a cap 214 coupled to a bottle 230. The cap 214 includes a depressible actuator 212 in the form of a rigid button that slides relative to a cap insert 213. The cap 214 may be internally threaded to mate with external threads on the bottle 230, as shown in FIG. 8. The cap 214 may be coupled to the cap insert 213. The cap insert 213 has generally rigid sides defining a cavity 242 that receives the outer wall of the depressible actuator 112, as shown in FIG. 8. In some examples, the cap 214 and cap insert 213 may be formed as a single monolithic element. The depressible actuator 112 may be a rigid button slidable between an upwards position and a downwards position within the cavity 242. A spring 240 may bias the depressible actuator 112 in the upward position. The spring 240 may be disposed around a central post 244 on the cap insert 213.

A shaft 218 may be attached to the cap insert 213. The shaft 218 may include a channel 217 and a thermal tip 219. The channel 217 may be in fluid communication with an interior chamber 211 of the cap insert 213 and with an opening 224 in the thermal tip 219. The shaft 218 and thermal tip 219 may be constructed as discussed above with regard to the shaft 18 and thermal tip 19 shown in FIGS. 1-4.

In use, the depressible actuator 212 is depressed in the direction shown at 216 to compress the spring 240 and reduce the interior volume of the chamber 211 and ready the dropper for drawing product out of the bottle 230 or other container. When the depressible actuator 212 is released, the spring 240 returns to its expanded, rest position, moving the depressible actuator upwards, allowing the chamber 211 to return to its original volume, drawing product into the opening 224 in the thermal tip 219 and up into the channel 217 in the shaft 218. The product may be a liquid. To dispense drawn-in product, the depressible actuator 212 is again depressed, ejecting product out the opening 224 in the thermal tip 219. The cap insert 213 may include a piston 246 to aid in drawing product into the channel 217 in the shaft 218.

In some examples, the size of the chamber 211 is configured such that depressing and releasing the depressible actuator 212 when the thermal tip 219 is within the bottle 230 containing product results in a measured amount of product being drawn into the channel 217 and opening 224. This allows for a measured amount of product to be delivered with each use. In some examples, the measured amount of product may be between 0.05 ml to 1.0 ml. In other examples, the measured amount of product may be between 0.1 ml and 0.5 ml. In some examples, the size of the chamber 11 or 111 may also be configured to withdrawn and dispense a similar measured amount of product in the examples shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, respectively.

The cap 214, cap insert 213, and depressible actuator 212 may be cylindrical, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, or they may be polygonal, if desired, or oval, or other shapes. In this example, the depressible actuator 212, cap insert 213, and cap 214 are all generally rigid such that the user must depress the depressible actuator 212 only by pressing in the direction at 216. In some examples the cap insert 213 and depressible actuator 212 may be opaque to hide the spring 240 from sight, though this is not necessary.

The cap 214 may be configured for use as a screw-on fit on the bottle 230, as is in the example shown in FIG. 4. A snap fit design, or other closure methods or mechanisms/designs may be used instead. Rather than the bulbous thermal tip 219, an applicator may be provided instead such as shown in FIGS. 18A-18D, below.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate example applicators, showing only the shaft and thermal tip combination. In the example shown in FIG. 9, a friction fit couples the shaft 318 and thermal tip 319. The neck 320 of the shaft 318 fits within the recess 328 in the upper end of the thermal tip 319 with a friction fit. The channel 317 extending through the shaft 318 is in fluid communication with the opening 324 in the thermal tip 319. In some examples, an adhesive may also be used to connect the shaft 318 and thermal tip 319.

In the example shown in FIG. 10, a threaded connection couples the shaft 418 and thermal tip 419. The neck 420 of the shaft 418 is externally threaded and mates with threading on an inner surface of the recess 428 of the thermal tip 419. The channel 417 extending through the shaft 418 is in fluid communication with the opening 424 in the thermal tip 419.

FIGS. 11-16 illustrate another example shaft 518 and thermal tip 519 combination. As shown in FIG. 15, the thermal tip 519 has an angled application surface 525. As shown in FIG. 16, the shaft 518 includes a neck 520 that is received within a recess 528 in the upper end of the thermal tip 519. As shown, protrusions 522 on the neck 520 engage grooves 526 within the recess 528 with a snap fit. The channel 517 extending through the shaft 518 is in fluid communication with the opening 524 in the thermal tip 519. A recess 523 may be disposed in the application surface 525 in fluid communication with the opening 524. The recess 523 may hold a greater volume of product when the thermal tip 519 is withdrawn from a bottle or other container of product.

In some examples, the shaft 18 may be made of a different material from the thermal tip 19. The shafts 18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518 may be formed of plastic or glass, as desired, and may be coupled to the thermal tips 19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519 by a friction it, snap fit, or threaded connection as discussed above.

In other examples, the shaft 18 and thermal tip 19 may be made of the same material. The shaft 18 and thermal tip 19 may be formed separately and then coupled together. In other examples, a single monolithic piece forms the shaft region 618 and the thermal tip region 619, as shown in FIG. 17. The channel 617 extends through both the shaft 618 and thermal tip 619 regions. The thermal tip region 619 may have an enlarged shape compared to the shaft region 618, as shown in FIG. 17. In other examples, the thermal tip region 619 and shaft region 618 may have the same outer diameter, forming a blunt end cylinder (not shown). The entire monolithic element including the shaft 618 and thermal tip 619 regions may be made of a thermal material as discussed above.

In some alternative examples, rather than a bulbous thermal tip 19, 119, 219, 319, 410, 519, 619 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, 6, and 8-12, and 15-17, an applicator may be provided including, for example, a doefoot-shaped applicator, a brush, or a tapered applicator. For such applicators, the cap can be used to draw cosmetic product into a tube to which the applicator is connected while the applicator is inserted in a product bottle, and the cap may be squeezed or depressed to force product out of the tube and into the applicator.

FIGS. 18A-18D show illustrative applicators. FIG. 18A shows a doefoot shaped applicator at 719. FIG. 18B shows a mascara-type brush applicator at 819. FIG. 18C shows a tapered applicator 919 having a conical shape that narrows toward the end. FIG. 18D shows a straight brush 1019, which may include bristles of any suitable thermal material. All of the applicator tips 719, 819, 919, 1019 include a channel extending therethrough and may be made of the thermal materials discussed above.

Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples. The shafts 18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518, 618 and thermal tips 19, 119, 219, 319, 419, 519, 619, 719, 819, 919, 1019 may be used with any of the actuators described above, including the bulb 12, soft button 112, and rigid button 212. Additionally, the thermal tips 719, 819, 919, 1019 may be coupled to their respective shaft by any of the described connections, including snap fit, friction fit, screw, and adhesive.

The bottle 30, 130, 230, cap 14, 114, 214, cap insert 113, 213, rigid depressible actuator 212, and shaft 18, 118, 218, 318, 418, 518 as shown and described above may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), synthetic polymer, partially of a resin such as, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), pentachlorothioanisole (PCTA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, rubber, silicone, nylon, ceramic, glass, metal, or composite material, and/or combinations thereof. Moreover, various elements may be made of any combination of substantially clear, substantially opaque, and/or translucent materials. Natural materials as wood, stone or leather may be used as well for decorative or other purposes.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.

For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification. In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive.

As used in the above description and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Relative terms such as “front”, “back”, “side”, “top”, “bottom”, variants thereof, and the like, may be generally be considered with respect to the positioning, direction, and/or operation of various elements relative to a user and/or other components of the device. It is to be understood that relative terms are not intended to be limiting and are only exemplary.

The above detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein. For example, the above examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the invention.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

METAL TIP DROPPER

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