Personal care applicator assembly

Abstract

A two-part personal care applicator includes an outer shell and a replaceable cartridge assembly filled with a product to be dispensed. The outer shell includes a cap and a rotatable knob to advance the product. The cartridge assembly fits into the outer shell and includes an internal rotatable shaft with a lower portion that couples to the rotatable knob, and an upper screw portion coupled to a threaded piston disposed below the product to be administered, such that when the knob is rotated, the piston moves upwardly, causing the product to be administered through the top portion of the outer shell when the cap is opened. A coupling mechanisms maintain the cartridge assembly within the outer shell until manually released. The coupling mechanism may include one or more retainer clips that extend from the cartridge assembly and engage with corresponding openings in the outer shell.

1 . An applicator, comprising:
 a cartridge assembly including an elongated cartridge body, a jackscrew component and a single moveable piston;   wherein the elongated cartridge body has an open top end, a closed bottom end, and an aperture through the closed bottom end;   wherein the piston includes a top surface, a bottom surface, and an internal threaded bore;   wherein the piston is received within the cartridge body such that a space is formed between the top surface of the piston and the open top end of the cartridge body, and wherein a product to be administered by the applicator fills the space and is in direct contact with the upper surface of the piston;   wherein the jackscrew component has an upper portion that is inserted through the aperture in the bottom end of the cartridge body, and an lower portion that remains external to the bottom end of the cartridge body;   wherein the upper portion of the jackscrew component is threaded to engage with the internal threads of the piston, and the lower portion of the jackscrew component forms the first portion of a mechanical coupling;   a rotatable knob component including the second portion of the mechanical coupling, such that the knob component is mechanically coupled to the lower portion of the jackscrew component;   an outer shell assembly having a top portion and a bottom portion;   wherein the top portion of the outer shell assembly includes a cap that opens and closes;   wherein the cartridge assembly is received within the outer shell assembly such that the knob extends below the bottom portion of the outer shell assembly, and when the knob is rotated, the piston moves upwardly, causing the product to be administered when the cap is opened.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 1 , further including one or more magnets to maintain the cap in a closed condition until use. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable knob component includes a socket or cavity comprising the second portion of the mechanical coupling to the lower portion of the jackscrew component. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 1 , further including a frictional fit between the outer shell and the cartridge assembly operative to maintain the cartridge assembly within the outer shell until manually released. 
     
     
         7 - 9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the product to be administered is a solid. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the product to be administered is a lip balm. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the product to be administered is a deodorant or cosmetic product. 
     
     
         13 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell assembly has a rectangular cross section with flat sides. 
     
     
         22 . The applicator of  claim 21 , wherein the cap has a rectangular cross section with flat sides that are flush to the flat sides of the outer shell assembly. 
     
     
         23 . The applicator of  claim 21 , wherein the knob has a rectangular cross section with flat sides that are flush to the flat sides of the outer shell assembly.