Applicator system for applying a cosmetic product

Abstract

A product application device for dispensing and applying a cosmetic substance includes a container defining a cavity having an open first end and an applicator insertable into the cavity. The applicator includes a rod, an urging member, at least one retention member, and an applicator head. The rod has a first end, a second end having an opening, and an elongated body defining a channel. The urging member is positioned at the rod first end and selectively draws a cosmetic substance through the rod second end and into the channel. The retention member is positioned at or near the second end of the rod and extends a distance beyond the opening of the second end. The applicator head is operably coupled with the rod via the retention member and includes an outer surface having at least one guide structure that directs the cosmetic substance about the outer surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product application device for dispensing and applying a cosmetic substance, the product application device comprising:
 a container defining a cavity containing the cosmetic substance and including an open first end; and   an applicator adapted to be insertable into the cavity of the container, the applicator comprising:
 a rod having a first end, a second end having an opening, and an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the elongated body further defining a channel extending at least partially between the first end and the second end of the rod; 
 an urging member positioned at or near the first end of the rod, the urging member adapted to selectively draw the cosmetic substance through the second end of the rod and into the channel and to urge the cosmetic substance out of the second end of the rod; 
 at least one retention member positioned at or near the second end of the rod, the at least one retention member extending a distance beyond the opening of the second end of the rod; and 
 an applicator head operably coupled with the rod via the at least one retention member, the applicator head including an outer surface having at least one guide structure adapted to direct the cosmetic substance about the outer surface thereof. 
   
     
     
         2 . The product application device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator head is rotatable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The product application device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator head includes at least one flow path formed thereon, the at least one flow path adapted to transmit the cosmetic substance from an interior region of the applicator head to the outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The product application device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one flow path comprises at least one longitudinal groove. 
     
     
         5 . The product application device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one flow path comprises an open-cell structure. 
     
     
         6 . The product application device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one flow path comprises at least one transverse groove. 
     
     
         7 . The product application device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide structure comprises at least one dimple formed on the outer surface of the applicator head. 
     
     
         8 . The product application device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one guide structure comprises at least one groove formed on the outer surface of the applicator head. 
     
     
         9 . The product application device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface includes a first region having a first surface characteristic and a second region having a second surface characteristic. 
     
     
         10 . The product application device of  claim 1 , wherein the urging member comprises at least one of a button or a squeezable member. 
     
     
         11 . An applicator for a product application device, the applicator comprising:
 a rod having a first end, a second end having an opening, and an elongated body defining a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, the elongated body defining a channel extending at least partially between the first end and the second end of the rod;   an urging member positioned at or near the first end of the rod, the urging member adapted to selectively draw a cosmetic substance through the second end of the rod and into the channel and to urge the cosmetic substance out of the second end of the rod;   at least one retention member positioned at or near the second end of the rod, the at least one retention member extending a distance beyond the opening of the second end of the rod; and   an applicator head operably coupled with the rod via the at least one retention member, the applicator head including an outer surface having at least one guide structure adapted to direct the cosmetic substance about the outer surface thereof.   
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 11 , wherein the applicator head is rotatable about an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 11 , wherein the applicator head includes at least one flow path formed thereon, the at least one flow path adapted to transmit the cosmetic substance from an interior region of the applicator head to the outer surface thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one flow path comprises at least one longitudinal groove. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one flow path comprises an open-cell structure. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one flow path comprises at least one transverse groove. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one guide structure comprises at least one dimple formed on the outer surface of the applicator head. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one guide structure comprises at least one groove formed on the outer surface of the applicator head. 
     
     
         19 . The applicator of  claim 11 , wherein the outer surface includes a first region having a first surface characteristic and a second region having a second surface characteristic. 
     
     
         20 . The applicator of  claim 11 , wherein the urging member comprises at least one of a button or a squeezable member.