Patent Publication Number: US-2020288842-A1

Title: Metal tip dropper

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/818,362, filed on Mar. 14, 2019, titled METAL TIP DROPPER, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Many applicators for cosmetic products are available. Some such applicators include a reservoir for holding a product to be applied, and a dropper for drawing product from the applicator and applying product to the user&#39;s skin, hair, etc. Alternative approaches to such applicators are desired. 
     OVERVIEW 
     The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved is a need for new and alternative designs for dropper applicators for cosmetic products. 
     In a first non-limiting example, an applicator for use with cosmetic products comprises a cap connectable to a bottle, a depressible actuator coupled to the cap, the depressible actuator defining an interior chamber, and a shaft coupled to the depressible actuator, wherein the shaft has a channel in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the depressible actuator, wherein the shaft includes a thermal tip, the thermal tip defining an opening into the channel, wherein the thermal tip is formed from a material that stores and/or transmits thermal energy. Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal, stone, ceramic, or composites thereof, whether natural or synthetic. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the metal is stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, tin, nickel, titanium, copper, brass, platinum, gold, or silver. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the depressible actuator includes a squeeze bulb. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the cap has rigid sides, wherein the depressible actuator includes a squeezable insert with an accordion structure disposed within the rigid sides of the cap. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the cap has an open top. Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the cap includes a rigid depressible button slidable within a cap insert between an upwards position and downwards position. Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the applicator further comprises a spring configured to bias the rigid depressible button in the upwards position. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the shaft and thermal tip are a single monolithic structure. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the shaft is made of a different material than the thermal tip. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is coupled to the shaft by a threaded connection. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is coupled to the shaft by a snap connection or a friction connection. Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the shaft is made of polymer. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the depressible actuator is configured to withdraw and deliver a measured amount of product. 
     According to another example, an applicator for use with cosmetic products comprises a cap having a bottom for securing to a bottle, rigid sides, and an open top, a depressible actuator defining an interior chamber, the depressible actuator disposed within the rigid sides of the cap, a shaft coupled to the cap, the shaft having a channel in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the depressible actuator, and a thermal tip coupled to the shaft, the thermal tip having an opening in fluid communication with the channel in the shaft, wherein the thermal tip is formed from a material that stores and/or transmits thermal energy. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal, stone, ceramic, or composites thereof, whether natural or synthetic. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal. 
     According to a further example, an applicator for use with liquid cosmetic products comprises a rigid cap having a bottom for securing to a bottle, sides defining a cavity, and an open top, a depressible actuator slidably disposed within the open top of the rigid cap, the depressible actuator defining an interior chamber, a shaft coupled to the rigid cap, the shaft having a channel in fluid communication with the interior chamber of the depressible actuator, and a thermal tip coupled to the shaft, the thermal tip having an opening in fluid communication with the channel in the shaft, wherein the thermal tip is formed from a material that stores and/or transmits thermal energy, wherein liquid cosmetic product is introduced into the opening in the thermal tip by depressing and releasing the depressible actuator. 
     Alternatively, or additionally, in another example, the thermal tip is formed from metal. 
     The above summary of some example embodiments is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. The Figures, and Detailed Description, which follow, more particularly exemplify these embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an illustrative cosmetic applicator; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cosmetic applicator of  FIG. 1  with the applicator separated from the bottle; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another illustrative cosmetic applicator; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another illustrative cosmetic applicator; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view taken along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIGS. 9 and 10  are cross sectional views of additional illustrative shaft and thermal tip combinations; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of another illustrative shaft and thermal tip combination; 
         FIG. 12  is a rear view of the shaft and thermal tip combination of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a top view of the shaft and thermal tip combination of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom view of the shaft and thermal tip combination of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a right side view of the shaft and thermal tip combination of  FIG. 11 , with the left side view being a mirror image; 
         FIG. 16  is a cross sectional view taken along line  16 - 16  in  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a cross sectional view of an illustrative one piece shaft and thermal tip; and 
         FIGS. 18A-18D  show illustrative applicators. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In some illustrative examples, applicator assemblies are provided for use in retrieving product (generally a liquid) from a reservoir, with an applicator having a channel inserted into the reservoir and coupled to a cap. The cap may be configured to be selectively actuated by including a squeezable or depressible element to draw the product into the channel. With product drawn into the channel, the applicator is then withdrawn from the reservoir and the squeezable element is squeezed to expel the product from the channel. 
     Conventional application of products to the skin is sufficient in many instances, but in other instances it also is desirable to provide a thermal treatment to the skin contemporaneously with application of the product. For example, it may be desirable to apply a cooling or heating sensation via the applicator. In some instances, it may be desirable to have the applicator provide either a heating or cooling sensation, which may offset or enhance a thermal sensation from the product or be completely independent of the product. 
     Thermal applicators, such as for cosmetic applicators, may include a thermal storage member that stores and/or transmits thermal energy. The thermal applicator is intended for contacting a user&#39;s skin, to provide a thermal sensation to the user. The thermal applicators are generally useful to allow a product to be applied locally or topically to a selected area of a user&#39;s skin, while providing a thermal effect. 
       FIGS. 1-4  show an illustrative example of a thermal cosmetics applicator in the form of a thermal tip dropper. In  FIG. 1 , the dropper  10  is shown secured to a bottle  30 . The dropper  10  is shown with a generally cylindrical cap  14  having a depressible actuator in the form of a squeezable bulb  12 . The cap  14  may include one or more surface features such as ridge  15  to aid in gripping the cap  14  for removing the cap  14  from the bottle  30 . In some examples, a cap (not shown) may be disposed over the cap  14  and bulb  12 . Shapes other than a round bulb may be used, since in some examples the bulb  12  may be formed by molding, such that a square/cube or other polygon may be used, or an oval, for example. 
       FIG. 2  shows the dropper  10  removed from the bottle  30 . The dropper  10  includes the generally cylindrical cap  14  and squeezable bulb  12 . A shaft  18  may be attached to the cap  14  and may have a thermal applicator in the form of an enlarged thermal tip  19  coupled thereto. The shaft  18  and thermal tip  19  are inserted into the bottle  30  and into the generally liquid product. 
     The cap  14  is generally cylindrical in shape in this example. The cap  14  may be a polygon, if desired, or oval, or other shapes. In this embodiment, the cap  14  is generally rigid to provide a gripping surface for removing the dropper  10  from the bottle  30 . The dropper  10  may be configured with a screw-on fit to the bottle  30 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The cap  14  may have interior threading to mate with exterior threading  34  on the open end  32  of the bottle  30 . In other examples, a snap fit design, or other closure methods or mechanisms/designs may be used to secure the dropper  10  to the bottle  30 . Rather than the enlarged thermal tip  19  shown in  FIG. 2 , an applicator may be provided such as shown in  FIGS. 18A-18D , described below, in which case the dropper  10  may be referred to as an applicator assembly. 
       FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of the example of  FIGS. 1-2 . The dropper  10  includes the squeezable bulb  12 , the cap  14 , the shaft  18 , and thermal tip  19 . The squeezable bulb  12  is shown with a flange  13  that may engage an opening in the cap  14  to couple the bulb  12  to the cap  14 . The squeezable bulb  12  may be made of any suitable pliable material, such as silicone, rubber, or a pliable polymer. In some examples the cap  14  may be opaque to hide the flange  13  from sight, though this is not necessary. 
     In the example illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the thermal tip  19  may be attached to the shaft  18  with a snap connection. The bottom of the shaft  18  may include a narrow region or neck  20  configured to be received within the thermal tip  19 . The neck  20  may include to one or more protrusions  22 . The snap connection between the shaft  18  and thermal tip  19  is illustrated in the cross-section shown in  FIG. 4 . The neck  20  of the shaft  18  may be received in a recess  28  in the upper end of the thermal tip  19 . The recess  28  may include a groove  26  configured to receive the protrusion  22  on the neck  20  of the shaft  18  in a snap engagement. The shaft  18  may include a channel  17  extending therethrough. The channel  17  may be in fluid communication with a chamber  11  in the squeezable bulb  12  and with an opening  24  in the thermal tip  19 . 
     In use, the squeezable bulb  12  may be depressed or squeezed in the direction shown at  16  to reduce the interior volume of the chamber  11  in the squeezable bulb  12  and ready the dropper  10  for drawing product out of the bottle  30  or other container. Releasing the squeezable bulb  12  allows the chamber  11  in the squeezable bulb  12  to return to its original volume and shape, drawing product into the opening  24  in the thermal tip  19  and up the channel  17  in the shaft  18 . The product may be a liquid. To dispense drawn-in product, the dropper  10  is removed from the bottle  30  and the squeezable bulb  12  is again depressed or squeezed, ejecting product from the opening  24  in the thermal tip  19 . 
     In other examples, the bottom of the shaft  18  may surround or envelop an upper portion of the thermal tip  19 . For such an example, the thermal tip  19  may have an upper portion with threading, a ridge or ridges, or protrusions, to be received by corresponding threading, groove(s), or recesses in the interior of the shaft  18 . In still other examples, the shaft  18  may extend more or less through the interior of the thermal tip  19 , extending to, or near to, the opening  24 . 
     The thermal tip  19  may be a thermal member and the entire outer surface of the thermal tip  19  may define a tip application surface  25  providing a thermal sensation to the user. The tip application surface contacts the user&#39;s skin during or after dispensing of the product, and the user may cause the application surface to contact an even larger area of skin, for example, when the user causes the application surface to spread the product on his/her skin. By virtue of the thermal properties of the thermal tip  19 , thermal energy is applied to or removed from the user&#39;s skin for heating or cooling during application. Contact of the thermal tip  19  with the product may also result in transfer of heat to or from the product. Accordingly, in some embodiments the user will feel a thermal sensation (warm or cool depending on the thermal energy in the thermal member), in other embodiments, the product will be warmed or cooled, and in still other embodiments both the product and user&#39;s skin will be thermally effected by the thermal tip  19 . In some cases, the heat transfer may also minimize or alleviate pain or discomfort caused by damage to the skin. 
     The thermal tip  19  includes a material capable of retaining and/or transferring heat or cold. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the thermal tip  19  may be made in whole or in part of a material having a thermal conductivity above a threshold. For instance, in some embodiments, to retain and transfer sufficient heat or cold the thermal tip  19  may be made of a material having a thermal conductivity of at least 1 watt/meter-kelvin. In other implementations, thermal conductivities greater than about 5.0 watt/meter-kelvin or greater than about 20.0 watt/meter-kelvin are desirable. In still further implementations, thermal conductivities equal to or greater than about 100 watt/meter-kelvin to greater than about 400 watt/meter-kelvin are desirable. 
     Other material properties may also describe aspects of thermal tips  19 . For instance, heat capacity of the material may also be relevant. In some embodiments, the material from which the thermal tip  19  is made in whole or in part may also have a heat capacity of at most about 1.1 kilojoules/kilogram-kelvin. In other instances, heat capacities lower than about 0.75 KJ/kg-K or lower than about 0.5 KJ/kg-K may be desirable. Moreover, thermal effusivity, which factors in a material&#39;s thermal conductivity, heat capacity, and density may be of interest. Generally, the higher the effusivity, the greater will be the heat transfer to or from the user&#39;s skin. In some embodiments materials having a thermal effusivity higher than about 150.0 J-m −2 -K −1 -s −1/2  may be used. In other embodiments, materials having a thermal effusivity higher than about 1,000 J-m −2 -K −1 -s −1/2  or higher than about 5,000 J-m −2 -K −1 -s −1/2  may be used. In additional embodiments, materials having a thermal effusivity of between about 8,000 and 20,000 J-m −2 -K −1 -s −1/2  may be used. In still further embodiments, materials having a thermal effusivity of between about 20,000 and 40,000 J-m −2 -K −1 -s −1/2  may be used. 
     In some embodiments, the heat or cold retained (for subsequent transfer) by the thermal tip  19  results from exposure to the ambient environment. That is, in some embodiments, after transfer of the heat or cold from the thermal tip  19  to the user&#39;s skin, the thermal tip  19  regenerates, i.e., reheats or re-cools, merely by being exposed to the ambient environment. For the purpose of this application, the term ambient environment refers to a comfortable indoor room temperature of between about 20° C. (68° F.) and about 25° C. (77° F.). In these embodiments and under the noted conditions, no additional heating or cooling may be required. 
     In some embodiments, it may be desirable to introduce the thermal tip  19  to a higher or lower temperature than ambient to “charge” the thermal tip  19  with the desired thermal energy (or lack thereof). For example, a product kit may include a bottle and a simple cap that seals the bottle, along with a separate dropper having a thermal tip. The dropper may be stored separately from the bottle and simple cap, to cool or heat the dropper while keeping the bottle at room temperature. In another example, the bottle and product may be stored at elevated or cooled temperatures, while the dropper is kept at room temperature. In one example, a product may contain alcohol, which would provide a cooling effect, and may be stored at a cold temperature, such as in a refrigerator or freezer. To avoid over-stimulating or damaging the skin, the dropper may be kept a room temperature; thus the cold product can be applied to provide the cooling effect, using a dropper that is kept much warmer to avoid any harm to the user. For example, a thermal applicator may be used in combination with a polymeric, and insulating, tube that extends through the thermal tip to the opening  24 . The insulating tube will keep the product to be used at a different temperature than the thermal tip as the product is drawn into the tube; by only inserting the applicator/tube into the bottle for a limited amount of time, this temperature difference can be preserved. The combination of liquid product and thermal applicator at two different temperatures may, in some examples, provide a pleasing effect to the user. 
     In implementations of this disclosure, the thermal tip  19  may include one or more of metal, stone material, ceramic, or composites thereof, whether natural or synthetic, capable of retaining and transferring heat or cold for a period of time. Some example metals that may be used in embodiments of this disclosure include, without limitation, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, magnesium, tin, nickel, titanium, steel, copper, brass, platinum, gold, and silver, and alloys, such as ZAMAK. 
     Stone materials that may be used in embodiments of this disclosure include, without limitation, any stone, rock, mineral, ore, gemstone, imitation gemstone, glass (including naturally occurring and man-made forms of glass), volcanic stone, coral stone, metallic stone or ore, magnetic stone, concrete, or composites thereof, whether synthetic or naturally occurring. 
     In one example, a thermal material is provided as an aggregate or powder that is formed into the shape of the thermal tip  19 . The aggregate or powder may be stone or metal or a combination thereof, and may be molded or compressed into the desirable shape, for example. The stone and/or metal aggregate or powder may also be entrained in a polymer, which may be more readily molded using techniques such as injection molding. In other embodiments, the thermal material may be liquefied, e.g., by heating, and then cast or molded into the desired shape. In yet other embodiments, the thermal tip  19  may be machined from a blank comprising the thermal material. The application surface  25  may be smooth or textured. A textured application surface  25  may provide a relatively rough or abrasive surface that exfoliates a user&#39;s skin. 
     The shaft  18  may be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which will provide for a secure connection with the thermal tip  19 . In some examples, the shaft  18  may include a liner forming the channel  17 , and the liner may be formed from a material different from the shaft  18 . The liner forming the channel  17  may be a hydrophobic material to aid in releasing the product from the channel  17  during application. The thermal tip may also have a liner forming the opening  24 . 
     Unlike the bulb based devices shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , a more modern look may be created with a cap  114  extending around a vertically depressible actuator  112 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The cap  114  may have a diameter the same as the diameter of the bottle  130  holding the product, as shown in  FIG. 5 . The cylindrical cap  114  in one example has generally rigid sides with a squeezable insert or depressible actuator  112  having an accordion-type design, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The accordion-type design of the depressible actuator  112  may be hidden from a user by the sides of the cap  114 . In another example the cylindrical cap  114  may have a rigid top surface and is squeezable from its sides (not shown). In yet another example, the cylindrical cap is flexible on its sides and top, but does not have the commonly known bulb-shape. 
     In some examples where the cap has one or more rigid sides, the rigidity may help avoid accidental release of product from the applicator. In some examples, the overall effect may be more aesthetically pleasant, and/or may assist achieving an overall consistency of look and professional appearance. 
       FIG. 6  shows the internal structure of the generally cylindrical cap  114  and depressible actuator  112  disposed on a bottle  130 . As shown, the depressible actuator  112  is a downwardly depressible soft button disposed on a cap insert  113 . The depressible actuator  112  is moveable relative to the cap  114 . A shaft  118  is attached to the depressible actuator  112 . The shaft  118  may include a channel  117  and a thermal tip  119 . The channel  117  may be in fluid communication with an interior chamber  111  of the depressible actuator  112  and with an opening  124  in the thermal tip  119 . The shaft  118  and thermal tip  119  may be constructed as discussed above with regard to the shaft  18  and thermal tip  19  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     In use, the depressible actuator  112  is depressed in the direction shown at  116  to reduce the interior volume of the chamber  111  and ready the dropper for drawing product out of the bottle  130  or other container. Releasing the depressible actuator  112  allows the chamber  111  to return to its original volume and shape, drawing product into the opening  124  in the thermal tip  119  and up into the channel  117  in the shaft  118 . The product may be a liquid. To dispense drawn-in product, the depressible actuator  112  is again depressed, ejecting product out the opening  124  in the thermal tip  119 . 
     The cap  114  may be generally cylindrical in shape in this example and has a cavity for receiving the depressible actuator  112 . The cap  114  may be a polygon, if desired, or oval, or other shapes. In this embodiment, however, the cap  114  is generally rigid such that the user must depress the depressible actuator  112  only by pressing in the direction at  116 . The user may be prevented from inadvertent drawing in of product or dispensing of product by such a design. 
     In some examples, the interior of the cap  114  may be specially shaped to match the shape of the depressible actuator  112 . For example, the interior of cap  114  may be circular, and the depressible actuator  112  may have an accordion structure which is also circular. Alternatively, both the interior of the cap  114  and the depressible actuator  112  shape may be square, or any other shape. The depressible actuator  112  may be made of any suitable pliable material, such as silicone, rubber, or a pliable polymer. In some examples the cap  114  may be opaque to hide the depressible actuator  112  from sight, though this is not necessary. 
     The cap  114  may be configured for use as a screw-on fit on the bottle  130 , as is in the example shown in  FIG. 4 . A snap fit design, or other closure methods or mechanisms/designs may be used instead. Rather than the bulbous thermal tip  119 , an applicator may be provided instead such as shown in  FIGS. 18A-18D , below. 
     The cap insert  113  may include an upper ridge against which the lower portion of the depressible actuator  112  is pressed. For manufacturing, elements  112 ,  114  and  113  may be secured together using any suitable adhesive, or by any other suitable method. The cap insert  113  may also be secured to the shaft  118 , with cap  114  provided as a separate element. In some examples, the cap  114  and cap insert  113  may be formed as a single monolithic element. In some examples, the cap insert  113  and cap  114  may both be made of a relatively hard or high gloss material, though any desired finish may be used including a matte finish, or a thin soft foam layer may be applied, for example. 
       FIGS. 7 and 8  show another illustrative example of a thermal tip dropper including a cap  214  coupled to a bottle  230 . The cap  214  includes a depressible actuator  212  in the form of a rigid button that slides relative to a cap insert  213 . The cap  214  may be internally threaded to mate with external threads on the bottle  230 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . The cap  214  may be coupled to the cap insert  213 . The cap insert  213  has generally rigid sides defining a cavity  242  that receives the outer wall of the depressible actuator  112 , as shown in  FIG. 8 . In some examples, the cap  214  and cap insert  213  may be formed as a single monolithic element. The depressible actuator  112  may be a rigid button slidable between an upwards position and a downwards position within the cavity  242 . A spring  240  may bias the depressible actuator  112  in the upward position. The spring  240  may be disposed around a central post  244  on the cap insert  213 . 
     A shaft  218  may be attached to the cap insert  213 . The shaft  218  may include a channel  217  and a thermal tip  219 . The channel  217  may be in fluid communication with an interior chamber  211  of the cap insert  213  and with an opening  224  in the thermal tip  219 . The shaft  218  and thermal tip  219  may be constructed as discussed above with regard to the shaft  18  and thermal tip  19  shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     In use, the depressible actuator  212  is depressed in the direction shown at  216  to compress the spring  240  and reduce the interior volume of the chamber  211  and ready the dropper for drawing product out of the bottle  230  or other container. When the depressible actuator  212  is released, the spring  240  returns to its expanded, rest position, moving the depressible actuator upwards, allowing the chamber  211  to return to its original volume, drawing product into the opening  224  in the thermal tip  219  and up into the channel  217  in the shaft  218 . The product may be a liquid. To dispense drawn-in product, the depressible actuator  212  is again depressed, ejecting product out the opening  224  in the thermal tip  219 . The cap insert  213  may include a piston  246  to aid in drawing product into the channel  217  in the shaft  218 . 
     In some examples, the size of the chamber  211  is configured such that depressing and releasing the depressible actuator  212  when the thermal tip  219  is within the bottle  230  containing product results in a measured amount of product being drawn into the channel  217  and opening  224 . This allows for a measured amount of product to be delivered with each use. In some examples, the measured amount of product may be between 0.05 ml to 1.0 ml. In other examples, the measured amount of product may be between 0.1 ml and 0.5 ml. In some examples, the size of the chamber  11  or  111  may also be configured to withdrawn and dispense a similar measured amount of product in the examples shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , respectively. 
     The cap  214 , cap insert  213 , and depressible actuator  212  may be cylindrical, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , or they may be polygonal, if desired, or oval, or other shapes. In this example, the depressible actuator  212 , cap insert  213 , and cap  214  are all generally rigid such that the user must depress the depressible actuator  212  only by pressing in the direction at  216 . In some examples the cap insert  213  and depressible actuator  212  may be opaque to hide the spring  240  from sight, though this is not necessary. 
     The cap  214  may be configured for use as a screw-on fit on the bottle  230 , as is in the example shown in  FIG. 4 . A snap fit design, or other closure methods or mechanisms/designs may be used instead. Rather than the bulbous thermal tip  219 , an applicator may be provided instead such as shown in  FIGS. 18A-18D , below. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate example applicators, showing only the shaft and thermal tip combination. In the example shown in  FIG. 9 , a friction fit couples the shaft  318  and thermal tip  319 . The neck  320  of the shaft  318  fits within the recess  328  in the upper end of the thermal tip  319  with a friction fit. The channel  317  extending through the shaft  318  is in fluid communication with the opening  324  in the thermal tip  319 . In some examples, an adhesive may also be used to connect the shaft  318  and thermal tip  319 . 
     In the example shown in  FIG. 10 , a threaded connection couples the shaft  418  and thermal tip  419 . The neck  420  of the shaft  418  is externally threaded and mates with threading on an inner surface of the recess  428  of the thermal tip  419 . The channel  417  extending through the shaft  418  is in fluid communication with the opening  424  in the thermal tip  419 . 
       FIGS. 11-16  illustrate another example shaft  518  and thermal tip  519  combination. As shown in  FIG. 15 , the thermal tip  519  has an angled application surface  525 . As shown in  FIG. 16 , the shaft  518  includes a neck  520  that is received within a recess  528  in the upper end of the thermal tip  519 . As shown, protrusions  522  on the neck  520  engage grooves  526  within the recess  528  with a snap fit. The channel  517  extending through the shaft  518  is in fluid communication with the opening  524  in the thermal tip  519 . A recess  523  may be disposed in the application surface  525  in fluid communication with the opening  524 . The recess  523  may hold a greater volume of product when the thermal tip  519  is withdrawn from a bottle or other container of product. 
     In some examples, the shaft  18  may be made of a different material from the thermal tip  19 . The shafts  18 ,  118 ,  218 ,  318 ,  418 ,  518  may be formed of plastic or glass, as desired, and may be coupled to the thermal tips  19 ,  119 ,  219 ,  319 ,  419 ,  519  by a friction it, snap fit, or threaded connection as discussed above. 
     In other examples, the shaft  18  and thermal tip  19  may be made of the same material. The shaft  18  and thermal tip  19  may be formed separately and then coupled together. In other examples, a single monolithic piece forms the shaft region  618  and the thermal tip region  619 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . The channel  617  extends through both the shaft  618  and thermal tip  619  regions. The thermal tip region  619  may have an enlarged shape compared to the shaft region  618 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . In other examples, the thermal tip region  619  and shaft region  618  may have the same outer diameter, forming a blunt end cylinder (not shown). The entire monolithic element including the shaft  618  and thermal tip  619  regions may be made of a thermal material as discussed above. 
     In some alternative examples, rather than a bulbous thermal tip  19 ,  119 ,  219 ,  319 ,  410 ,  519 ,  619  illustrated in  FIGS. 2-4, 6, and 8-12, and 15-17 , an applicator may be provided including, for example, a doefoot-shaped applicator, a brush, or a tapered applicator. For such applicators, the cap can be used to draw cosmetic product into a tube to which the applicator is connected while the applicator is inserted in a product bottle, and the cap may be squeezed or depressed to force product out of the tube and into the applicator. 
       FIGS. 18A-18D  show illustrative applicators.  FIG. 18A  shows a doefoot shaped applicator at  719 .  FIG. 18B  shows a mascara-type brush applicator at  819 .  FIG. 18C  shows a tapered applicator  919  having a conical shape that narrows toward the end.  FIG. 18D  shows a straight brush  1019 , which may include bristles of any suitable thermal material. All of the applicator tips  719 ,  819 ,  919 ,  1019  include a channel extending therethrough and may be made of the thermal materials discussed above. 
     Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples. The shafts  18 ,  118 ,  218 ,  318 ,  418 ,  518 ,  618  and thermal tips  19 ,  119 ,  219 ,  319 ,  419 ,  519 ,  619 ,  719 ,  819 ,  919 ,  1019  may be used with any of the actuators described above, including the bulb  12 , soft button  112 , and rigid button  212 . Additionally, the thermal tips  719 ,  819 ,  919 ,  1019  may be coupled to their respective shaft by any of the described connections, including snap fit, friction fit, screw, and adhesive. 
     The bottle  30 ,  130 ,  230 , cap  14 ,  114 ,  214 , cap insert  113 ,  213 , rigid depressible actuator  212 , and shaft  18 ,  118 ,  218 ,  318 ,  418 ,  518  as shown and described above may be made of any suitable material such as, for example, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), synthetic polymer, partially of a resin such as, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), pentachlorothioanisole (PCTA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane, rubber, silicone, nylon, ceramic, glass, metal, or composite material, and/or combinations thereof. Moreover, various elements may be made of any combination of substantially clear, substantially opaque, and/or translucent materials. Natural materials as wood, stone or leather may be used as well for decorative or other purposes. 
     The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein. 
     In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls. 
     For the following defined terms, these definitions shall be applied, unless a different definition is given in the claims or elsewhere in this specification. In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. 
     As used in the above description and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Relative terms such as “front”, “back”, “side”, “top”, “bottom”, variants thereof, and the like, may be generally be considered with respect to the positioning, direction, and/or operation of various elements relative to a user and/or other components of the device. It is to be understood that relative terms are not intended to be limiting and are only exemplary. 
     The above detailed description should be read with reference to the drawings in which similar elements in different drawings are numbered the same. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein. For example, the above examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
     Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the invention. 
     The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 
     Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.