Abstract:
A shaving gel applicator includes many different embodiments that include an annular brush, a disc-shaped brush, a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart disc-shaped brushes, a pair of straight brushes, a single straight brush, and more. Some of the brushes are mounted for rotary motion and some for reciprocation in a linear motion. Heat is applied to the brushes to heat shaving gel deposited on the brushes. The shaving gel is dispensed from a cartridge that is releasably engaged to the applicator. A detector detects the type of cartridge in use and adjusts the amount of heat to be applied and the brush rotation or reciprocation speed that optimizes the performance of the shaving gel in that cartridge. In alternative embodiments, the gel is heated in a gel pack before it is dispensed onto the brushes.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to shaving gel applicators. More particularly, it relates to an applicator that heats shaving gel or gel before it is applied to skin. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
   Compounds that soften hair or whiskers prior to shaving are typically provided in the form of shaving gel, foam, gel, or the like. For convenience, all of such compounds are hereinafter referred to as shaving gel. 
   The shaving gels in common use are typically applied to skin at room temperature by hand or brush. Some dispensers heat the shaving gel before it is applied, but this requires having to wait a long time before the container is heated to the required temperature. Also with some containers that are pressurized, heating the container can be a safety hazard. There are also available heaters that heat the shaving cream as it is dispensed from the container. These consist of heated tubes that the cream travels through from the pressurized container. These though do not perform properly as there is a fundamental problem of insufficient surface and insufficient time to heat the shaving cream. 
   The heated tube geometry is limited by the necessity of having the shaving cream travel through it a reasonable velocity in order to dispense enough shaving cream in a reasonable time. Therefore the tube cannot be too small nor too long. Being relatively large the tube does not provide a sufficient surface to volume ratio and being relatively short the tube does not provide an adequate residence time for the shaving cream to heat up appropriately. 
   Human hair is seen as quite rough when observed through a microscope. Even a sharp razor cannot satisfactorily cut through a dry beard or other dry collection of hair. Wetting the beard or hair softens the beard or hair at least to some extent but the application of a shaving gel especially formulated for that purpose is needed in most cases. Thus, a shaving gel typically includes a surfactant to reduce surface tension of liquid on the skin so that it better wets the beard. Means for reducing the viscosity of the liquid is also commonly provided for the same reason. Mechanical devices that force the shaving gel into the spaces between the hair follicles are also well known. 
   However, application of shaving gel by hand or brush results in less-than-optimal contact between the shaving gel and the beard or hair. If the viscosity of the shaving gel is too high, it runs off the skin quickly without adequately softening the beard or hair. The shaving gel must therefore have a certain degree of thixothropicity to stay put on the skin after application. However, if the viscosity is too high, normally the surface tension is high as well and the beard or hair is not adequately wetted. High viscosity causes poor wetting due to insufficient surface contact of the shaving gel with the hair. 
   If shaving gel is heated to reduce its thixothropicity or viscosity prior to placing it on a hand or brush, however, it becomes difficult to apply to the beard. It leaks through the fingers or the brush bristles and is messy to deal with. 
   What is needed, then, is an apparatus for applying shaving gel that results in the beard or hair being thoroughly wetted prior to shaving so that the shaving procedure results in a smooth, very close shave. 
   The apparatus should provide a heated shaving gel that is not messy when applied. 
   However, in view of the prior art taken as a whole at the time the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill how the identified needs could be fulfilled. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The long-standing but heretofore unfulfilled need for an improved shaving gel applicator is now met by a new, useful, and non-obvious invention. In a first embodiment of the invention, at least one gel-applying device such as a brush, sponge, cloth, or other suitable substrate for supporting shaving gel, hereinafter referred to as a brush for convenience, is adapted to introduce shaving gel onto hair or whiskers to be shaved. A heater is integrated with the at least one brush so that the heater is in direct thermal communication with the brush. Thus, while the shaving gel is resident on the bristles the heater continues to add thermal energy to the shaving gel. An advantage to this configuration is that a user of the apparatus has far more control in heating the shaving gel to a desired temperature as distinguished from devices that preheat the shaving gel prior to introduction onto the brush. Still another advantage of this configuration is that less heating surface and/or heating elements are required in the device as the heater applies energy to shaving gel where it is likely to remain the longest, namely on the brush or even indirectly to the hair as the heated shaving gel and brush come into contact with it. 
   A mechanical drive means includes a power source and a motor electrically coupled to the power source and to the at least one brush to rotate or oscillate the at least one brush during application of shaving gel. The power source may also be electrically coupled to the heater. 
   In one embodiment the at least one brush rotates or oscillates and the heater is stationary relative to the motor. 
   In another embodiment the heater and the at least one brush rotate relative to the motor and the heater and the power source are electrically coupled by a rotating brush contact connection. 
   Another embodiment includes a cartridge holder adapted to receive a shaving gel cartridge. The cartridge holder is adapted to slideably or screw-threadably receive the shaving gel cartridge. The cartridge holder further includes at least one detector means for detecting the type of shaving gel cartridge received in the cartridge holder and adjusting the temperature of the heater and/or the rotational or oscillating speed or torque generated by the motor responsive thereto. The detector means may include mechanical, electrical, digital or wireless connection to the mechanical drive means to communicate the shaving gel type information from the cartridge. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of said first embodiment with a half shell of the main body thereof removed; 
       FIG. 1C  is a top plan view of said first embodiment; 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of a second embodiment; 
       FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a third embodiment; 
       FIG. 3B  is a top plan view of said third embodiment; 
       FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment; 
       FIG. 4B  is a top plan view of said fourth embodiment; 
       FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment; 
       FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of said fifth embodiment with a half shell of the main body thereof removed; 
       FIG. 5C  is a top plan view of said fifth embodiment; 
       FIG. 5D  is an exploded side view of a cartridge and cartridge holder of said fifth embodiment; 
       FIG. 5E  is an exploded perspective view of the fifth embodiment; 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of a sixth embodiment; 
       FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment; 
       FIG. 7B  is a top plan view of said seventh embodiment; 
       FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment; 
       FIG. 8B  is a top plan view of said eighth embodiment; 
       FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment; 
       FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of said ninth embodiment with a half shell of the main body thereof removed; 
       FIG. 9C  is a top plan view of said ninth embodiment; 
       FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of a tenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 10B  is a top plan view of said tenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 11A  is a perspective view of an eleventh embodiment; 
       FIG. 11B  is a top plan view of said eleventh embodiment; 
       FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of a twelfth embodiment; 
       FIG. 12B  is a top plan view of said twelfth embodiment; 
       FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of a thirteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of said thirteenth embodiment with a half shell of the main body thereof removed; 
       FIG. 13C  is a top plan view of said thirteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 14A  is a perspective view of a fourteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 14B  is a top plan view of said fourteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of a fifteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 15B  is a top plan view of said fifteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 16A  is a perspective view of a sixteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 16B  is a top plan view of said sixteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 17A  is a perspective view of a seventeenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 17B  is a top plan view of said seventeenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 18A  is a perspective view of an eighteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 18B  is a perspective view of said eighteenth embodiment with a half shell of the main body thereof removed; 
       FIG. 18C  is a top plan view of said eighteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 19A  is a perspective view of a nineteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 19B  is a top plan view of said nineteenth embodiment; 
       FIG. 20A  is a perspective view of a twentieth embodiment; 
       FIG. 20B  is a top plan view of said twentieth embodiment; 
       FIG. 21A  is a perspective view of a twenty-first embodiment; 
       FIG. 21B  is a top plan view of said twenty-first embodiment; 
       FIG. 22A  is a perspective view of a twenty-second embodiment; 
       FIG. 22B  is a top plan view of said twenty-second embodiment; 
       FIG. 23A  is a perspective view of a twenty-third embodiment; 
       FIG. 23B  is a perspective view of said twenty-third embodiment with a half shell of the main body thereof removed; 
       FIG. 23C  is a top plan view of said twenty-third embodiment; 
       FIG. 24A  is a perspective view of a twenty-fourth embodiment; 
       FIG. 24B  is a top plan view of said twenty-fourth embodiment; 
       FIG. 25A  is a perspective view of a twenty-fifth embodiment; 
       FIG. 25B  is a top plan view of said twenty-fifth embodiment; 
       FIG. 26A  is a perspective view of a twenty-sixth embodiment; 
       FIG. 26B  is a top plan view of said twenty-sixth embodiment; 
       FIG. 27A  is a perspective view of a twenty-seventh embodiment; 
       FIG. 27B  is a top plan view of said twenty-seventh embodiment; 
       FIG. 28A  is a perspective view of a gel pack and heater for a twenty-eighth embodiment; 
       FIG. 28B  is a perspective view of the twenty-eighth embodiment; 
       FIG. 29A  is a perspective view of a gel pack and heater for a twenty-ninth embodiment; and 
       FIG. 29B  is a perspective view of the twenty-ninth embodiment. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1A. 1B , and  1 C, it will there be seen that a first embodiment of the invention is denoted as a whole by the reference numeral  10 . 
   Shaving gel applicator  10  includes a main body  12  that is gripped by a user. In this particular example, main body  12  is formed of two half shells  12   a  and  12   b .  FIG. 1B  depicts the structure of  FIG. 1A  when half shell  12   a  is removed to expose the interior of said main body. 
   Main body half shell  12   a  has an opening  13  formed therein that is covered by removable battery cover  14  having recessed and roughened gripping surface  16  formed therein to facilitate manual removal and reinstallation of battery cover  14 . Battery  18  is positioned in the hollow interior of main body as depicted in  FIG. 1B . 
   Half shells  12   a  and  12   b  are configured to meet at trailing end  20  of applicator  10  and to form a circular opening at the opposite or leading end thereof. Annular collar  22  circumscribes said opening. 
   Annular brush base  24  is positioned radially inwardly relative to annular collar  22  and is disposed in abutting relation therewith. Annular brush base  24  could be integrally formed with annular collar  22  but in this preferred embodiment the parts are formed separately from one another to enable replacement of said brush base as needed. 
   An annular brush  26  is mounted along the circumference of brush base  22 . Brush  26  may be formed by a plurality of bristles, by a sponge material, by a cloth material, or by any other material suitable for forming a substrate upon which shaving gel may be deposited. For convenience, all such materials are hereinafter referred to as brushes. 
   Heater means  28  is positioned in surrounded relation to said bristles  26 . It is preferably a resistance-element heater and draws current from battery  18  from electrical conductors  30   a  and  30   b  ( FIG. 2 ). Switch actuator  32  includes “on” switch actuator  32   a  and “off” switch actuator  32   b  that respectively complete and open the circuit between battery  18  and heater means  28 . 
   In this first embodiment, brush base  24 , brush  26 , and heater means  28  are mounted in a fixed position and do not rotate. Moreover, this first embodiment includes no means for delivering a shaving gel to brush  26  other than the conventional way of manually applying such gel to said brush. 
   However, the provision of battery  18  and centrally-mounted heater means  28  advances the art because said heater means, when activated, increases the temperature and thus the effectiveness of the shaving gel applied to brush  26 . The heat produced by centrally-mounted heater means  28  radiates outwardly in all directions and thus heats all of the brush and any shaving gel applied thereto. Brush  26  has a relatively low coefficient of heat transfer and the moist shaving gel applied thereto will have a higher coefficient of heat transfer, thereby ensuring that the generated heat will be efficiently used in heating said shaving gel. The heated shaving gel warms up the beard or other hair to which it is applied, softening said beard or hair and rendering it easier to cut cleanly by a shaving device, not shown. 
   A second embodiment is depicted in  FIG. 2 . This embodiment has essentially the same structure as the first embodiment with the exception that two (2) heating means  28   a  and  28   b  are provided in diametrically opposed relation to one another. This arrangement reduces the time required to warm the shaving gel. 
   A third embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . In this embodiment, half shells  12   a ,  12   b  collectively form a hollow parallelepiped housing. Collar  22  thus has a rectangular configuration. Battery cover  14  and battery  18  are not depicted in these views and switch actuator  32  is depicted in a different form but the operation of this embodiment is much like that of the first two embodiments. Instead of one annular brush base  24 , there are two (2) straight brush bases  24   a ,  24   b  and brushes  26   a ,  26   b  are respectively mounted thereon. Heater means  28  is also of straight configuration and is positioned in sandwiched relation between said two rows of brushes so that the rows are quickly and evenly heated. Brushes  26   a ,  26   b  neither rotate nor oscillate. The shaving gel is applied manually to said brushes in a conventional way. 
   Embodiment number four (4) is depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . Again, battery cover  14  and battery  18  are not depicted and switch actuator  32  is depicted in yet another form, there being a very large number of known switch actuators. Brushes  26  in this fourth embodiment are provided in three circular formations denoted  26   a ,  26   b , and  26   c  and said formations are mounted in a common brush base  24 . 
   Heater means  28  has a generally “Y”-shaped configuration and is positioned centrally of brushes  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  to ensure equal heat distribution therebetween. As in the first three (3) embodiments, brushes  26   a ,  26   b , and  26   c  of this embodiment do not rotate and shaving gel is manually applied thereto. 
   The fifth embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 5A-E . It has a structure substantially identical to that of the first embodiment ( FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C) but further includes cartridge  34  within which is stored shaving gel. Cartridge  34  is releasably mounted in a cartridge holder within the hollow interior of hollow base  12  in spaced apart relation from battery  18 . The content  36  of cartridge  34  is in fluid communication with a pair of diametrically opposed gel-application openings  40   a ,  40   b  by means of elongate conduit  38 . More particularly, conduit  38  is in direct fluid communication with gel-application opening  40   a . A semicircular bore, not depicted, is formed in brush base  24  and interconnects opening  40   a  and opening  40   b  to one another and thus provides fluid communication between cartridge  34  and bore  40   b.    
   Brush base  24 ,  26 , and heater means are not rotatably mounted in this embodiment. 
     FIG. 5B  depicts cartridge  34  in the hollow interior of applicator  10 , accessible only be separating half shell  12   a  from half shell  12   b.    
   However, in a contemplated commercial embodiment of the invention, depicted diagrammatically in  FIG. 5D , cartridge  34  is accessible without requiring the separation of such half shells. More particularly, cartridge holder  35  is positioned in a recess formed in half shell  12   a , half shell  12   b  (as depicted in  FIG. 5E ), or both. 
   Since many different types of shaving creams, gels, or foams may be dispensed by cartridge  34 , it is advantageous to provide a cartridge and a cartridge holder that are constructed so that the type of cartridge is identified when it is positioned into the cartridge holder. 
   For example, a gel having a low viscosity may require more heating than a gel having a high viscosity. Moreover, a higher brush rotation speed may be required as well. On the other hand, a lower brush rotation speed may be required. 
   Although there are numerous ways of distinguishing between various cartridges,  FIGS. 5D and 5E  depict an exemplary cartridge  34  having six (6) electrical contacts, denoted  34   a - f , protruding therefrom. Cartridge holder  35  has six (6) electrical sockets, denoted  35   a - f , disposed in alignment with said electrical contacts. In this particular example, contact  34   b  protrudes outwardly to a greater extent than contacts  34   a  and  34   c . Moreover, contact  35   f  protrudes more than contacts  35   d  and  35   e . Contacts  34   a - c  are dedicated to identifying the temperature to which the gel within the associated cartridge should be heated and contacts  34   d - f  are dedicated to identifying the rotational speed at which the brush or brushes should be rotated for the gel contained within that cartridge. Therefore, in this example, the gel will be heated to a medium temperature of three possible temperatures and the brush or brushes will rotate at the fastest rotational speed of three possible rotational speeds. 
   Cartridges containing gels of differing properties would thus have electrical contacts  34   a - f  of differing patterns. The disclosure of three (3) temperature settings (low, medium, and high) and three (3) rotational speeds (slow, medium, and fast) is for illustrative purposes only. The number of settings for each quality may be reduced or increased. 
   Moreover, the use of contacts and sockets for receiving those contacts is also provided for illustrative purposes only. In view of this disclosure, a machine designer could develop a large plurality of differing structures to identify a cartridge and to adjust the amount of heat supplied and the rotational speed of the brush or brushes based upon the identification. 
   As an additional example, all of the contacts could have a common length, unlike the example of  FIG. 5D , and be spring-loaded. Differing combinations of sockets formed in the cartridge holder could be employed, with some sockets being plugged. A spring-loaded contact would thus retract into the cartridge upon encountering a closed socket so that only the unplugged sockets could admit the contacts. 
   Nor is there a requirement that the functions of heating gel and controlling the rotational speed of the brushes be divided between the contacts and sockets. For example, if the cartridge and holder are constructed such that only one contact may enter into only one socket, that particular combination could generate a signal that activates a heater to its lowest temperature and the speed of the brush or brushes to the lowest rotational speed available. Two contacts received in two sockets might indicate that the heater should be activated to generate its second highest level of heat and that the brush or brushes should rotate at their slowest rotational speed, and so on. 
   Nor is the invention limited to protruding contacts and sockets that accept them. Numerous other interlocks or detectors are available, including other electromechanical detectors, digital detectors, wireless detectors, and the like. 
     FIG. 6  depicts the sixth embodiment of the invention. It differs from the fifth embodiment only by having a pair of laterally spaced apart heater means  28   a ,  28   b . It differs from the second embodiment of  FIG. 2  because it includes canister  34 , conduit  38 , and gel-application openings  40   a ,  40   b.    
   Similarly, the seventh embodiment of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  differs from the third embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  only by the addition of said canister  34 , conduit  38  (not depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ), and gel-application openings  40   a ,  40   b.    
   The eighth embodiment of  FIGS. 8A and 8B  differs from the fourth embodiment of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  only by the addition of said canister  34 , conduit  38  (not depicted in  FIGS. 7A and 7B ), and gel-application openings  40   a ,  40   b , and  40   c . Said openings  40   a ,  40   b , and  40   c  are interconnected to one another by an annular bore formed in brush base  24 . 
   A ninth embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  9 C. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment of  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C in that it includes no heater means and it differs from the fifth embodiment of  FIGS. 5A and 5B  in that it has no gel-application means. It differs further from said first and fifth embodiments in that brush  26  has a disc-shaped configuration, there being no heater means as aforesaid. This ninth embodiment further differs from the aforesaid embodiments in that brush base  24  and bristles  26  mounted thereon are rotatably mounted. Thus, even though the shaving gel is unheated, its application is more thorough than the prior art manual method because the rotating action massages the shaving gel into the skin and the beard or other hair to be shaved. 
   More particularly, DC motor means  42  is in electrical communication with battery  18  via conductors  30   a ,  30   b . Motor means  42  has output shaft  42   a  to which brush base  24  is secured for conjoint rotation therewith. Such rotation is indicated by arcuate directional arrow  44  in  FIG. 9C . An AC motor means is also within the scope of this invention. 
   The tenth embodiment, depicted in  FIGS. 10A and 19B , differs from the ninth embodiment in that brush base  24  and hence bristles  26  are formed into a square or rectangular configuration and said brush base and bristles are adapted to reciprocate rather than rotate, as indicated by double-headed directional arrow  46  in said FIGS. A suitable linkage, not shown, translates the rotational motion of output shaft  42   a  into a linear reciprocation motion. 
   The eleventh embodiment of  FIGS. 11A and 11B  differs from the fourth embodiment of  FIGS. 4A and 4B  because it lacks the heater means of the fourth embodiment but it includes rotatably mounted bristles  26   a ,  26   b , and  26   c , all connected to the output shaft of motor means  42 , not depicted in  FIGS. 11A and 11B , by a suitable gear arrangement such as a sun gear mounted on said output shaft that meshingly engages planet gears affixed to respective axles that carry brush bases  24   a ,  24   b , and  24   c , not depicted. 
   The twelfth embodiment of  FIGS. 12A and 12B  is similar to the eleventh embodiment and differs only to the extent that the bristles of brushes  26   a ,  26   b , and  26   c  are arranged into a square pattern to form square brushes and said square brushes are adapted to reciprocate rather than rotate. The reciprocation is denoted by double-headed directional arrows  50   a ,  50   b , and  50   c.    
     FIGS. 13A ,  13 B, and  13 C depict the thirteenth embodiment. It is similar to the first embodiment ( FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  1 C) but differs from said first embodiment in that bristles  26  and heater means  28  are both mounted for rotation. More particularly, heater means  28  is mounted on the output shaft, not depicted, of motor means  42  for conjoint rotation therewith. Annular bristle base  24  is in press fit engagement with said heater means and therefore rotates conjointly therewith as denoted by arcuate directional arrow  53 . No gel-application means is provided in this embodiment. 
     FIGS. 14A and 14B  depict the fourteenth embodiment. It is similar to the seventh embodiment ( FIGS. 7A and 7B ) but differs from said seventh embodiment in that bristles  26   a ,  26   b  and heater means  28  are both mounted for reciprocation as indicated by double-headed directional arrows  54   a ,  54   b . More particularly, the respective brush bases  24   a ,  24   b , and heater means  28  are connected by suitable linkages, not shown, to the output shaft, not depicted, of motor means  42 . No gel-application means is provided in this embodiment. 
     FIGS. 15A and 15B  depict the fifteenth embodiment. It is similar to the tenth embodiment ( FIGS. 10A and 10B ) but differs from said tenth embodiment in that heater means  28   a ,  28   b  are provided and that said heater means and bristles  26   a ,  26   b  are mounted for reciprocation as indicated by double-headed directional arrow  54 . More particularly, the respective brush bases  24   a ,  24   b , and heater means  28  are connected by suitable linkages, not shown, to the output shaft, not depicted, of motor means  42  so that the rotary motion of said output shaft is translated into linear reciprocating motion. No gel-application means is provided in this embodiment. 
   A sixteenth embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 16A and 16B . It differs from the eleventh embodiment of  FIGS. 11A and 11B  in that it adds generally “Y”-shaped heater means  28 . In all other structural aspects, it is the same as said eleventh embodiment as indicated by the reference numerals common to  FIGS. 16A ,  16 B and  11 A,  11 B. 
   A seventeenth embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 17A and 17B . It differs from the twelfth embodiment of  FIGS. 12A and 12B  in that it adds generally square-shaped heater means  28 . In all other structural aspects, it is the same as said twelfth embodiment as indicated by the reference numerals common to  FIGS. 17A ,  17 B and  12 A,  12 B. 
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 18A ,  18 B, and  18 C is the eighteenth embodiment and is like the ninth embodiment ( FIGS. 9A ,  9 B, and  9 C except that said eighteenth embodiment adds gel-application cartridge  34  having contents  36 . Said contents are in fluid communication via conduit  38  with gel-application openings  40   a ,  40   b  as also depicted in the fifth embodiment ( FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, and  5 C). The eighteenth embodiment includes no heater means. 
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 19A ,  19 B is the nineteenth embodiment and shares a common structure with the fourteenth embodiment of  FIGS. 14A ,  14 B except that the nineteenth embodiment includes gel-applicator  34 , conduit  38 , and gel-application bores  40   a ,  40   b.    
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 20A ,  20 B is the twentieth embodiment and shares a common structure with the fifteenth embodiment of  FIGS. 15A ,  15 B except that the twentieth embodiment includes gel-applicator  34 , conduit  38 , and gel-application bores  40   a ,  40   b.    
   Embodiment number twenty-one is depicted in  FIGS. 21A ,  21 B. It adds gel-applicator  34  (not depicted), conduit  38  (not depicted), and gel-applicator opening  40  to the eleventh embodiment of  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B. Like the eleventh embodiment, this twenty-first embodiment includes no heater means. 
   Embodiment number twenty-two is depicted in  FIGS. 22A ,  22 B. It adds gel-applicator  34  (not depicted), conduit  38  (not depicted), and gel-applicator opening  40  to the twelfth embodiment of  FIGS. 12A ,  12 B. Like the twelfth embodiment, this twenty-second embodiment includes no heater means. 
   The twenty-third embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 23A ,  23 B, and  23 C. It adds cartridge  34 , conduit  38 , and gel-applicator openings  40   a ,  40   b  to the thirteenth embodiment of  FIGS. 13A ,  13 B. 
     FIGS. 24A ,  24 B depict embodiment number twenty-four. This embodiment adds gel-applicator  34  (not depicted), conduit  38  (not depicted), and gel-applicator openings  40   a ,  40   b  to the fourteenth embodiment ( FIGS. 14A ,  14 B). 
     FIGS. 25A ,  25 B depict the twenty-fifth embodiment. This embodiment adds gel-applicator  34  (not depicted), conduit  38  (not depicted), and gel-applicator openings  40   a ,  40   b  to the fifteenth embodiment ( FIGS. 15A ,  15 B). 
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 26A ,  26 B is the twenty-sixth embodiment. This embodiment adds gel-applicator  34  (not depicted), conduit  38  (not depicted), and gel-applicator openings  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c  to the sixteenth embodiment ( FIGS. 16A ,  16 B). 
   The embodiment of  FIGS. 27A ,  27 B is the twenty-seventh embodiment. This embodiment adds gel-applicator  34  (not depicted), conduit  38  (not depicted), and gel-applicator openings  40   a ,  40   b ,  40   c  to the seventeenth embodiment ( FIGS. 17A ,  17 B). 
   The twenty-eighth embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 28A and 28B . In this embodiment, gel  36  is heated within the hollow interior of applicator  10  instead of at a location near the brushes. This enhances the safety of the device by positioning the gel-heating means away from the user&#39;s skin. It also avoids dispensing cold gel that must be heated after it has been dispensed, while the brushes are rotating or reciprocating. Moreover, the gel remains warmer when heated in the gel pack. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 28A and 28B , removable gel pack  34  is made of a suitable heat-conductive material. Removably-mounted heating unit  29  is a cylindrical housing that receives gel pack  34  therewithin. Such encapsulation of gel pack  34  ensures that gel  36  therewithin is heated evenly. A power source enables heating unit  29  to function with a switch  32  that controls temperature, or the temperature most suitable for a particular gel may be set automatically in the manner set forth in the fifth embodiment. Gel pack  34  is placed into removable heating unit  29  and said heating unit  29  is placed into the hollow interior of applicator  10 . Electrical plugs  29   a ,  29   b  are received in electrical outlet  29   b  as indicated in  FIG. 28B . 
   A twenty-ninth embodiment is depicted in  FIGS. 29A and 29B . Gel pack  34  has a hemispherical construction so that it wraps half-way around heating rod  33 . Gel pack  34  could also wrap completely around heating rod  33 . As in the twenty-eighth embodiment, such construction enables removal of gel pack  34  while leaving heating rod  33  in place. 
   It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, and those made apparent from the foregoing description, are efficiently attained. Since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matters contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. 
   It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention that, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. 
   Now that the invention has been described,