Tubular applicator for solid toiletry product with an inner tubular member having notched helical grooves

Abstract

A solid toiletry applicator includes a holder having at least one holder tab extending radially outwardly; an elongated outer tubular member having a longitudinal slot; an elongated inner tubular member rotatably held within the outer tubular member and having a notched helical groove. The tab of the holder is configured for projection through the helical groove and into the elongated slot. The holder is movable relative to the inner and outer tubular members as the inner tubular member is rotated relative to the outer tubular member. The notched helical groove includes a notched lower edge and a smooth upper edge. Each one of the plurality of adjacent inclined sections is set off from another adjacent inclined section by a step. The step forms a backstop which prevents the holder tab from retreating downwardly past the backstop. The step defines an increment of advancement. The holder tab is adapted to glide along the notched lower edge.

1 . A solid toiletry applicator comprising:
 a dispenser with a first open end configured to dispense a solid toiletry;   a holder configured to hold the solid toiletry in said dispenser and allow said solid toiletry to extend outwardly from the first open end of the dispenser, said holder being movable relative to the dispenser, said holder having at least one holder tab extending radially outwardly;   an elongated outer tubular member having a first open end and a second open end;   an elongated inner tubular member, having a first open end and a second end, held within the outer tubular member such that the inner tubular member may be rotated relative to the outer tubular member and wherein the second end of the inner tubular member extends outwardly from the second end of the outer tubular member in order to provide a surface that allows the inner tubular member to be gripped and rotated relative to the outer tubular member, said inner tubular member having a notched helical groove, and said outer tubular member having an elongated slot operatively associated with the helical groove; and   said tab of the holder being configured for projection through the helical groove and into the elongated slot and the holder being movable relative to the inner and outer tubular members as the inner tubular member is rotated relative to the outer tubular member.   
   
   
       2 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 1 , said notched helical groove comprising a notched lower edge and a smooth upper edge. 
   
   
       3 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 2 , said notched lower edge comprising a plurality of adjacent inclined sections, with each one of said plurality of adjacent inclined sections being set off from another adjacent inclined section by a step. 
   
   
       4 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 3 , said step forming a backstop which prevents the holder tab from retreating downwardly past the backstop. 
   
   
       5 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 4 , said step defining an increment of advancement. 
   
   
       6 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 2 , said holder tab being adapted to glide along the notched lower edge. 
   
   
       7 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 3 , each inclined section being configured to allow unrestrained advancement of the tab along each section. 
   
   
       8 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 3 , further comprising a protuberance on each inclined section. 
   
   
       9 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 8 , wherein said protuberance is adjacent to but before a step. 
   
   
       10 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 8 , wherein said protuberance provides a tactile signal. 
   
   
       11 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 3 , wherein said plurality of inclined sections and corresponding steps are evenly spaced. 
   
   
       12 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 3 , including 4 to 20 inclined sections, with each one of said plurality of adjacent inclined sections being set off from another adjacent inclined section by a step. 
   
   
       13 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 3 , including 4 to 20 evenly spaced inclined sections, with each one of said plurality of adjacent inclined sections being set off from another adjacent inclined section by a step. 
   
   
       14 . A solid toiletry applicator comprising:
 an elongated outer tubular member having a first open end and a second open end;   a holder configured to hold the solid toiletry in said elongated outer tubular member and allow said solid toiletry to extend outwardly from the first open end of the elongated outer tubular member, said holder being movable relative to the elongated outer tubular member, said holder having at least one holder tab extending radially outwardly;   an elongated inner tubular member, having a first open end and a second end, held within the outer tubular member such that the inner tubular member may be rotated relative to the outer tubular member and wherein the second end of the inner tubular member extends outwardly from the second end of the outer tubular member in order to provide a surface that allows the inner tubular member to be gripped and rotated relative to the outer tubular member, said inner tubular member having a notched helical groove, and said outer tubular member having an elongated slot operatively associated with the helical groove, said notched helical groove comprising a notched lower edge and a smooth upper edge, said notched lower edge comprising a plurality of adjacent inclined sections, with each one of said plurality of adjacent inclined sections being set off from another adjacent inclined section by a step, said step forming a backstop which prevents the holder tab from retreating downwardly past the backstop and defining an increment of advancement; and   said tab of the holder being configured for projection through the helical groove and into the elongated slot and the holder being movable relative to the inner and outer tubular members as the inner tubular member is rotated relative to the outer tubular member, and said tab of the holder being adapted to glide along the notched lower edge.   
   
   
       15 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 14 , further comprising a protuberance on each inclined section. 
   
   
       16 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 15 , wherein said protuberance is adjacent to but before a step. 
   
   
       17 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 16 , wherein said protuberance provides a tactile signal. 
   
   
       18 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 14 , wherein said plurality of inclined sections and corresponding steps are evenly spaced. 
   
   
       19 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 14 , including 4 to 20 inclined sections, with each one of said plurality of adjacent inclined sections being set off from another adjacent inclined section by a step. 
   
   
       20 . A solid toiletry applicator according to  claim 14 , including 4 to 20 evenly spaced inclined sections, with each one of said plurality of adjacent inclined sections being set off from another adjacent inclined section by a step.