Product application device and methods of making and using the same

Abstract

The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a device that enables a user to add a product to the scalp, while also reducing or eliminating the excess product deposited on the user's hair. The device includes a housing that directly contacts the user's scalp and/or hair when in use. The interior of the housing includes an internal reservoir that houses a volume of product to be dispensed. A handle is attached to the housing to allow for easy and comfortable gripping by the user, as well as providing an inlet for the product to enter an internal reservoir. When a device lever is initiated, a series of hollow applicators extend through the housing to dispense a product on the user's scalp. When the lever is deactivated, the applicators retract into the interior of the housing for storage and to prevent product leakage.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dispensing device comprising:
 a housing comprising an exterior surface, an interior, a top face, and a bottom face, wherein the bottom face comprises a series of openings;   a reservoir positioned within the housing interior, wherein the reservoir has an internal volume;   a plurality of hollow applicators in fluid connection with the reservoir, wherein the hollow applicators are actuated between a first position within the interior of the housing and a second position wherein at least a portion of the applicators extend through the series of openings on the bottom face of the housing;   a handle attached to the top face of the housing, wherein the handle includes an aperture in fluid connection with the reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the contact surface is about horizontal, concave, or convex relative to a support surface. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more accessories positioned adjacent to the bottom surface of the housing. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a product positioned within the reservoir. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the product is selected from coconut oil, argan oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, marula oil, tea tree oil, rosemary oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, avocado oil, monoi oil, grapeseed oil, peppermint oil, glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera, fragrances, vitamins, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each applicator includes an inlet end, an outlet end, and a channel therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each applicator has a length of about 0.1-1 inches and a diameter of about 0.01-0.25 inches. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicators are vertical, angled, or combinations thereof relative to the bottom face of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the applicators are alternated between vertical and angled positions. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing interior comprises a spring-biased hinge that actuates the activators from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a lever positioned on the exterior surface of the housing, wherein the initiating the lever actuates the activators between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         12 . A method of applying a product to a surface, the method comprising:
 positioning a dispensing device adjacent to a surface upon which the product is to be dispensed, wherein the dispensing device is defined by:
 a housing comprising an exterior surface, an interior, a top face, and a bottom face, wherein the bottom face comprises a series of openings; 
 a reservoir positioned within the housing interior, wherein the reservoir has an internal volume comprising a product to be dispensed; 
 a plurality of hollow applicators in fluid connection with the reservoir, wherein the hollow applicators are actuated between a first position within the interior of the housing and a second position wherein at least a portion of the applicators extend through the series of openings on the bottom face of the housing; 
 a handle attached to the top face of the housing, wherein the handle includes an aperture in fluid connection with the reservoir; 
   actuating the hollow applicators from the first position to the second position to initiate the flow of product from the reservoir through the hollow applicators to be dispensed from the device;   actuating the applicators from the second position to the first position when the dispensing is completed to thereby store the applicators within the interior of the housing.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising positioning one or more accessories adjacent to the bottom surface of the housing. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the product is selected from coconut oil, argan oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, marula oil, tea tree oil, rosemary oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, avocado oil, monoi oil, grapeseed oil, peppermint oil, glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera, fragrances, vitamins, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each applicator includes an inlet end, an outlet end, and a channel therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein each applicator has a length of about 0.1-1 inches and a diameter of about 0.01-0.25 inches. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the applicators are vertical, angled, or combinations thereof relative to the bottom face of the housing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the applicators are alternated between vertical and angled positions. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the housing interior comprises a spring-biased hinge that actuates the activators from the first position to the second position. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the device includes a lever positioned on the exterior surface of the housing, wherein the initiating the lever actuates the activators between the first and second positions.