Patent Publication Number: US-11382400-B2

Title: Material applicator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 16/538,778, filed Aug. 12, 2019, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/717,651, filed Aug. 10, 2018, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to applicators of solid or semi-solid material for the lips, for example lip balm. Such applicators are configured as user operable dispensers where sticks of the material for the lips is dispensed by the user holding a casing with one hand, removing a cap from an upper dispense end of the casing, and selectively rotating a dial on a lower end of the casing to cause the stick of material for the lips to be extended from the upper end a convenient amount for application to the user&#39;s lips. After the material is applied, the unused material may be moved to a lower position in the dispenser by rotating the dial in an opposite direction and the cap may be placed back on the dispense end of the casing. The casings are generally cylindrically shaped and formed of an opaque polymer. The amount of material left in the dispenser may be determined by the tedious task of rotating the dial until the stick of material is dispensed the maximum amount. The stick of material will need to be retracted to replace the lid. 
     Such dispensers with sticks of material to apply to the lips are manufactured and sold in quantities of many millions annually and are readily available in retail stores and online environments. The industry and market place is thus highly competitive. Any visually perceivable features or advantages that a potential customer may see presented at the point of sale would be advantageous to selling such a product. Any improvements in a user&#39;s actual use of and experience with a product would drive repeat sales and be well received by the industry. Moreover, any cost savings in manufacturing such dispensers would drive lower price to the consumer and/or better margins to the manufacturers, distributors, and retailers and would be well received by these groups. 
     SUMMARY 
     A dispenser of material for the lips comprises a casing, a manually operable dispense mechanism attached to the casing, lip material in the casing and a cap to cover the lip material. The casing having an upper dispense end, a lower end, and defining a casing cavity. The dispense mechanism comprising an actuator having an actuating dial and a spindle extending therefrom. The spindle having a threaded portion that engages the nut portion of an elevator, the elevator slidingly engaged with the casing in the cavity and having a stick of the lip material thereon. The actuating dial retained at the lower end of the casing by way of circularly spaced cantilevered fingers extending from the lower end of the casing inwardly and upwardly to engage a retention flange on the spindle. The spindle further having a plurality of nubs or ribs circumferentially spaced about the spindle below the flange, the nubs or ribs interfacing with the plurality of fingers causing deflection and/or compression and releasing of the cantilevered fingers upon rotation of the dial thereby providing a tactile clicking and/or a variable rotation resistance of the dial. 
     In embodiments, the dispenser having an ergonomic shape, with an enlarged dispense end, a narrowed lower waist region and the dial diameter exceeding the diameter of the narrowed lower waist region and being less that the diameter of the enlarged dispense end. The casing having an inner wall which may be formed of a light transmissive polymer and an exterior layer of an opaque high friction gripping surface. The casing exterior surface may include the gripping surface and a surface of a radial projection portion from the inner wall such that the light transmissive portion extends from the cavity to the casing exterior surface and is exteriorly exposed. 
     During assembly, the spindle portion of the actuator be inserted into a downward open end of the casing opposite the dispense end, with a conical surface of the retention flange deflecting radially outward the cantilevered fingers allowing the flange to pass by ends of the fingers, the fingers snapping back into a retaining position below the flange after the flange passes by. The fingers interfacing with circumferentially spaced nubs or ribs on the spindle of the actuator such that rotation of the actuator by way of the dial causes deflection and snapping of the fingers caused by the interfacing of the fingers with the nubs or ribs thereby providing a tactile sensation and/or audibly detectable signal, and/or a variable resistance to rotation. 
     Such applicators are configured as user operable dispensers where sticks of the material for the lips is dispensed by the user holding a casing with one hand, removing a cap from an upper dispense end of the casing, and selectively rotating a dial on a lower end of the casing to cause the stick of material for the lips to be extended from the upper end a convenient amount for application to the user&#39;s lips. After the material is applied, the unused material may be moved to a lower position in the dispenser by rotating the dial in an opposite direction and the cap may be placed back on the dispense end of the casing. 
     A certain amount of resistance in a mechanism in the applicator used to raise and lower the material may reduce the likelihood that the material moves when it is not being used. A certain amount of resistance in the mechanism used to raise and lower the material may also provide tactile feedback to the user. A feature and advantage is that the tactile feedback, for example a certain number of clicks, can indicate to a user that a stick of material has been dispensed sufficiently out of the casing for easy application to the lips. Certain users may choose a particular product based on the tactile feel provided by the applicator. Accordingly, a material applicator that provides tactile feedback as the base is rotated and reduces the likelihood that unintentional material movement will occur would be welcomed by the industry. 
     A feature and benefit of embodiments is an arrangement for material applicators in which the number of components that are assembled is minimized, the assembly is simple, the steps for assembly are minimized, and the assembly is very conducive to robotic assembly. 
     In embodiments, the material applicators include a plurality of cantilevered arms and a casing that are unitarily formed from a single piece of thermoplastic material. 
     A feature and benefit of embodiments is an arrangement for material applicators in which the individual components of the material applicators can be assembled to each other using snap-fit and/or screw thread arrangements without the use of fasteners, tools, adhesives, or weld joints. 
     A feature and benefit of embodiments is a material applicator including a spindle and a casing that are assembled together using a snap-fit arrangement. In embodiments, the casing includes a plurality of cantilevered fingers and the spindle includes a conical ramping portion that deflects the cantilevered arms during assembly. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is a flared casing with a flush cap thereon providing an enlarged upper end of the dispenser, and a diametrically smaller actuator dial. Such is visually suggestive to a consumer of a dispenser with a greater lip balm capacity and therefore suggestive of greater value. Moreover, the diametrically enlarged size of the upper end of the casing provides ergonomically friendly grasping of the casing between the user&#39;s forefinger and thumb of one hand and delicately manipulating the diametrically reduced size dial with the forefinger and thumb of the user&#39;s other hand. The dial being sized closer to the dial size of the conventional cylindrical lip balm dispenser of 0.60 to 0.63 inches in diameter of which consumers are typically accustomed. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is an actuator portion that extends radially beyond a casing so that the actuator portion is easily engaged with the finger tips of a user. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is an arrangement that provides a tactile feeling of continuous resistance rather than discrete clicks. In embodiments, the arrangement provides the tactile feeling of continuous resistance when the spindle is rotated in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In embodiments, the resistance to clockwise rotation is substantially equal to the resistance to counterclockwise rotation. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is a textured elastomeric surface for gripping the container. 
     A material applicator in accordance with an example embodiment comprises a casing having a casing wall with an open upper end and a cylindrically shaped actuating dial portion positioned below the casing. In embodiments, the actuating dial portion has an outer diameter equal to or greater than a diameter of the casing. In embodiments, an elevator is slidingly disposed inside a cavity defined by the casing wall and the material to be dispensed is located in the cavity above the elevator. In embodiments, the material applicator includes an elevator mechanism comprising a threaded drive spindle threadingly engaging a thread engaging portion of the elevator. In embodiments, the threaded drive spindle is fixed to the actuating dial portion whereby rotating the actuating dial portion in a first direction raises the elevator and rotating the actuating dial portion in a second direction lowers the elevator. In embodiments, the material applicator includes a resistance mechanism providing resistance to rotation of the threaded drive spindle. In embodiments, the resistance mechanism comprises a plurality of cantilevered fingers supported by the casing and a plurality of ribs supported by the threaded drive spindle. In embodiments, each rib extends radially outward beyond a outer surface of the threaded drive spindle and each rib extends upward and downward along the outer surface. In embodiments, each cantilevered finger has a distal portion selectively contacting the outer surface and each cantilevered finger is subjected to cantilevered bending so the distal portion of each cantilevered finger is biased toward the outer surface. In embodiments, a cam action of each rib causes additional cantilevered bending in the cantilevered fingers whereby resistance to rotation is produced as the cam action of the ribs causes the cantilevered fingers to flex. In embodiments, the casing has a lower end, an upper end, and a casing wall extending upward from the lower end to the upper end. In embodiments, the casing wall defines a cavity extending along a central axis, the casing wall extending in an arcuate path around the central axis and the cavity. In embodiments, the casing wall supports a plurality of cantilevered fingers proximate the lower end, each cantilevered finger extending away from the casing wall toward the central axis and each cantilevered finger extending upward away from the lower end of the casing wall. 
     A material applicator in accordance with an example embodiment comprises a casing having a lower end, an upper end, and a casing wall extending upward from the lower end to the upper end. In embodiments, the casing wall defines a cavity extending along a central axis and the casing wall extends in an arcuate path around the central axis and the cavity. In embodiments, the lower end of the casing wall supports a plurality of cantilevered fingers. In embodiments, each cantilevered finger extends away from the casing wall toward the central axis. In embodiments, each cantilevered finger extends upward away from the lower end of the casing wall. The material applicator may also include an elevator that is slidingly disposed inside the cavity defined by the casing wall. The material may be located in the cavity above the elevator. The material applicator may include an dispense mechanism that selectively moves the elevator upward and downward along the central axis. In embodiments, the dispense mechanism comprises the elevator and a spindle having a thread. In embodiments, the thread engages the elevator. The spindle extends upward into the cavity from a base portion in embodiments. Rotation of the base portion may cause the elevator to move upward or downward along the thread of the spindle within the cavity causing the material to move upward or downward relative to the casing. In embodiments, the material applicator includes a resistance mechanism providing resistance to rotation of the spindle. In embodiments, the resistance mechanism comprises the cantilevered fingers supported by the casing and a plurality of ribs supported by the spindle. In embodiments, each rib extends radially outward beyond a outer surface of the spindle. In embodiments, each rib extends upward and downward along the outer surface. In embodiments, each cantilevered finger has a distal portion selectively contacting the outer surface of the spindle. In embodiments, each cantilevered finger is subjected to cantilevered bending so the distal portion of each cantilevered finger is biased toward the outer surface. During rotation of the base portion, a cam action of each rib may cause additional cantilevered bending in the cantilevered fingers whereby resistance to rotation is produced as the cam action of the ribs causes the cantilevered fingers to flex. 
     A material applicator in accordance with an example embodiment comprises a actuator having a base portion, a threaded shaft portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the base portion and the shaft portion. In embodiments, the base portion has a disk or cylindrical base shape with a base diameter and a base height, the base diameter being greater than the base height. In embodiments, the shaft portion defines an inner shaft portion cylinder and an outer shaft portion cylinder and the shaft portion includes a male thread following a helical path between the inner shaft portion cylinder and the outer shaft portion cylinder. In embodiments, the shaft portion has a shaft portion height and a shaft portion outer diameter, the shaft portion height being greater than the shaft portion outer diameter. In embodiments, the intermediate portion has a lower portion, an upper portion and a camming portion disposed between the lower portion and the upper portion. In embodiments, the lower portion has four flanges, the four flanges being arranged so that the lower portion has a cross shape when viewed as a cross-section with the cross-sectional plane being orthogonal to the central axis. In embodiments, the upper portion defines a cone. In embodiments, the camming portion defines an inner cam cylinder and an outer cam cylinder. In embodiments, the camming portion includes a plurality of ribs, each rib being located between the inner cam cylinder and the outer cam cylinder and each rib having a longest dimension extending upward and downward. The material applicator may also include a casing having a lower end, an upper end, and a casing wall extending upward from the lower end to the upper end. In embodiments, the casing wall defines a cavity extending along a central axis and the casing wall extends in an arcuate path around the central axis and the cavity. In embodiments, the lower end of the casing wall supports a plurality of cantilevered fingers. In embodiments, each cantilevered finger extends away from the casing wall toward the central axis. In embodiments, each cantilevered finger extends upward away from the lower end of the casing wall. In embodiments, each cantilevered finger has a distal portion selectively contacting a outer surface of the camming portion of the spindle of the actuator. In embodiments, the outer surface of the camming portion defines the inner cam cylinder. In embodiments, each cantilevered finger is subjected to cantilevered bending so the distal portion of each cantilevered finger is biased toward the outer surface. During rotation of the actuator, a cam action of each rib may cause additional cantilevered bending in the cantilevered fingers, whereby resistance to rotation is produced as the cam action of the ribs causes the cantilevered fingers to flex. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is a lip balm dispenser with a volumetric balm capacity of about 0.250 cubic inches to about 0.40 cubic inches. In embodiments, the total volumetric capacity of lip balm is about 0.28 to 0.32 cubic inches. In embodiments the total dispenser height is about 1.50 inches to 1.90 inches and has a maximum casing diameter of about 0.80 to 1.00 inches with a minimum casing diameter below the maximum casing diameter of 80 to 90% of the maximum diameter of the casing. The ring has an outside dial diameter of 1 to 5% less than the minimum casing diameter. The casing below the minimum casing diameter having a casing diameter 1 to 5% greater than the minimum casing diameter. In embodiments the total dispenser height with the lid is about 1.65 to 1.85 inches. In embodiments the total dispenser height with lid is 1.75 inches to 1.80 inches. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is a stick dispenser with a casing having an exterior surface that comprises a textured opaque elastomeric material and also has at the casing exterior surface indicia formed of a light transmissive portion. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is a stick dispenser with a casing having an exterior surface that comprises a textured opaque elastomeric material and also has at the casing exterior surface a light transmissive region. In embodiments the light transmissive region having a border that is entirely within and surrounded by the opaque elastomeric material. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is a stick dispenser with a casing having an exterior layer that comprises opaque polymeric material and also has at the casing exterior surface a portion of an inner casing wall that projects radially outward through openings in the opaque polymeric material and is exposed at the casing exterior surface. The inner casing wall of a polymeric material different than the polymeric material of the exterior layer. In embodiments, the inner layer formed of a light transmissive material. In embodiments the inner layer is formed of polypropylene. In embodiments the inner layer is formed of polycarbonate. In embodiments the portion of the inner casing wall that projects radially outward is configured as indicia. In embodiments the indicia comprises alphabet letters. In embodiments the portion of the inner casing wall that projects radially outward is configured as a window for providing information on the amount of material available to be dispensed in the dispenser. In embodiments the portion of the inner casing wall that projects radially outward is configured as a window for providing information on the position of the elevator in the dispenser. 
     A feature and advantage of embodiments is a dispenser with a casing having an exterior surface that comprises a textured elastomeric material and a light transmissive portion that provides an amount of balm in the dispenser indication. 
     The above summary is not intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every implementation of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings included in the present application are incorporated into, and form part of, the specification. They illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, along with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. The drawings are only illustrative of certain embodiments and do not limit the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view showing a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a rear perspective view showing a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view showing a material applicator with a removed cap according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded perspective view further illustrating the material applicator shown in  FIG. 1A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is an additional perspective view further illustrating material applicator shown in  FIG. 1A  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2C  is a cross-section view showing a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross-section view showing a casing of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a top perspective view showing a casing of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom perspective view showing a casing of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3D  is a top plan view showing a casing of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3E  is a bottom perspective view showing a portion of a casing of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a top perspective view showing a component of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a bottom perspective view showing a component of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5A  is a bottom perspective view showing an elevator of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a top perspective view showing an elevator of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5C  is a side view showing an elevator of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5D  is a top plan view showing an elevator of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5E  is a bottom plan view showing an elevator of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6A  is a side view showing a component of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6B  is a perspective view showing a component of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6C  is a side view showing a component of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6D  is a cross-sectional top plan view of a component of a material applicator along line B-B of  FIG. 6B  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6E  is a cross-sectional top plan view of a component of a material applicator along line C-CB of  FIG. 6B  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIGS. 6F-6G  are cross-sectional perspective views of a component of a material applicator along line B-B of  FIG. 6B  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7A  is a top perspective view showing a component of a material applicator according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional top perspective view of a component of a material applicator along line D-D of  FIG. 2C  according to an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 8B  is an exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8C  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 8D  is an exploded cross sectional view of the dispenser of  FIG. 8C . 
         FIG. 9A  is an exploded view of the material applicator of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 9B  is an exploded view, opposite from that of  FIG. 9A . 
         FIG. 10A  is a perspective view of the elevator and actuator of the material applicator of  FIG. 8A . 
         FIG. 10B  is a perspective view of the elevator and actuator of  FIG. 10A  assembled. 
         FIG. 11A  is an elevational view of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 11B  is an elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11A  with the cap removed. 
         FIG. 12A  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 12A  with the cap removed. 
         FIG. 13A  is another perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 13B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 13A  with the cap removed. 
         FIG. 14A  is an elevational view of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 14B  is an elevational view of the embodiment of  FIG. 14A  with the cap removed. 
         FIG. 15A  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 14A . 
         FIG. 15B  is the embodiment of  FIG. 15A  with the cap removed. 
         FIG. 16A  is another perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 14A . 
         FIG. 16B  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 14A  with the cap removed. 
         FIG. 17A  is an elevational view of an embodiment. 
         FIG. 17B  is the embodiment of  FIG. 17A  with the cap removed. 
         FIG. 18A  is an elevational view of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 18B  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 18   A empty.    
         FIG. 18C  is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of  FIG. 18A  showing the material level through the window. 
     
    
    
     While embodiments of the disclosure are amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the disclosure to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A-2C , a material applicator  100  may be provided for holding and dispensing or applying a material  102  to a target location. In embodiments, the material  102  may comprise a lip balm that is applied to the lips of a user. In embodiments, the material applicator  100  comprises a casing  104 , a lid, cap or cover  112  and a dispense mechanism  106 . When the material applicator  100  is filled with the material  102 , the dispense mechanism  106  may selectively move the material  102  upward and downward along a central axis  110  by rotating an actuating dial portion  128  of the dispense mechanism  106 .  FIG. 1C  shows an embodiment of the material applicator  100  with the lid  112  removed and the material  102  exposed. In embodiments, the lid  112  may be secured to the casing  104  via mating threading  113  of the lid  112  and the casing. 
       FIGS. 2A-2B  show exploded views of a material applicator  100 . In embodiments, the casing  104  may comprise a base portion  121  at a lower end  120 , a neck portion  123  and an opening or mouth  125  at an upper end  122  and a casing wall  124  therebetween. The neck portion  123  may comprise mating threading to engage the mating threading  113  of the cap  113 . In embodiments, the dispense mechanism  106  may comprise an elevator  108  and a actuator  136 , which may comprise a spindle  114  having a thread  116  and an actuating dial portion or rotary wheel  128 . In embodiments, the thread  116  of the spindle  114  engages a thread engaging portion  115  of the elevator  108  so that the elevator  108  moves upward or downward along the thread  116  of the spindle  114 , causing the material  102  to move upward or downward relative to the casing  104 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2C , a cross-section view of a material applicator  100  in accordance with an example embodiment is shown. The material applicator  100  may have a cap  112  engaged with a neck portion  123  of casing  104  via mating threading  113 . The casing  104  may comprise a base portion  121  at a lower end  120 , the neck portion  123  and an opening or mouth  125  at an upper end  122  and a casing wall  124  there between. The case wall  124  may comprise an inner surface  224  and an outer surface  324  and define a cavity  111 . A dispense or elevating mechanism  106  may be inserted through the base portion  121  and into the cavity  11 . The dispense mechanism  106  may comprise a thread engaging portion  115  of an elevator  108  engaged with thread  116  of a spindle  114  of an actuator  136 . In embodiments, the elevator  108  may be slidingly disposed inside the cavity  111  and the material  102  may be dispensed and held in an interface portion  119  of the elevator  108  and the cavity  111  above the elevator  108 . The elevator  108  of the dispense mechanism  106  is shown in a lowered position. 
       FIGS. 3A-3E  illustrate embodiments of the casing  104 . In embodiments, the casing wall  124  may extend in an arcuate path around the central axis  110  and the cavity  111 . In embodiments, the casing wall  124  may include inner wall ribs  109  and base ribs  118 , both extending inwardly from the inner surface  224  of the casing wall  124 . In embodiments, the inner wall ribs  109  may be elongated, extending axially on the inner surface  224  of the case wall  124 . The inner wall ribs  109  may be symmetrically disposed around the axis  110 . In embodiments, the base ribs  109  may extend axially from the base portion  121  of the casing  104  and radially inward from the inner surface  224  of the case wall  124 . The inner wall ribs  109  may be symmetrically disposed around the axis  110 . In embodiments, the casing  104  may comprise four base ribs  118 . 
     In embodiments, the casing  104  may comprise a plurality of cantilevered fingers  126  extending from and supported by the base portion  121  of the casing  104 . In embodiments, each cantilevered finger  126  has a distal portion  127  and a base portion  131  fixed to or unitary with the base portion  121  of the casing  104 . Each cantilevered finger  126  may extend inwardly and upwardly away from the base portion  121  and lower end  120  of the casing wall  124  toward the central axis  110 . 
     Each distal portions  127  may include a seating portion  129 . In embodiments, the seating portion  129  may comprise a concave portion or channel on an inner side of the distal portion  127  of a cantilevered finger  126 . 
     In embodiments, each cantilevered finger  126  may be narrowing in width, as circumferentially measured around the axis  110 , from its base portion  131  to its distal portion  127 . In embodiments, each cantilevered finger  126  may have an upward bend portion  226 . In embodiments, the upward bend portion  226  may be circumferentially formed in the cantilevered finger  126 . In embodiments, each cantilevered finger  126  may have two or two or more bend portions  226 . 
     In embodiments, the cantilevered fingers  126  may be spaced from one another and/or may be symmetrically disposed around the axis  110 . Each cantilevered finger  126  may be radially aligned with a base rib  118 . In embodiments, the casing  104  may comprises four cantilevered fingers  126 . 
     In embodiments, the casing  104 , including features addressed above and as shown in the figures, may be one unitary piece. For example, the casing  104  may be a molded unitary piece of polymeric material. 
     In embodiments, a material applicator may further include an overmold portion or layer  107  on the outer surface  324  of the case wall  124 . For example, the overmold layer  107  may be a coating or layer of material, such as a polymeric, thermoplastic material, using conventional overlaying or overmolding techniques, or a layer formed by conventional extrusion coating. In embodiments, the overmold layer  107  may provide a soft, resilient feel to the user. In embodiments, the overmold layer  107  may be positioned in a circumferential channel  207  formed by the outer surface  324  of the casing  104 . 
       FIGS. 3B-3D  show perspective views of a casing  104  in accordance with embodiments.  FIG. 3E  shows a blow up bottom perspective view of a portion of a base portion  121  of a casing  104 , showing two cantilevered fingers  126 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4A-4B , an dispense mechanism  106  of a material applicator  100  may, in some embodiments, comprise an elevator  108  rotatably engaged with a actuator  136 . The actuator  136  may comprise a spindle portion  114  fixed to an actuating dial portion  128 . The spindle portion  114  may include a thread  116  that may threadingly engage a thread engaging portion  115  of the elevator  108 . In embodiments, the threaded spindle  114  is fixed to the actuating dial portion  128 , whereby rotating the actuating dial portion  128  in a first direction raises or drives the elevator  108  upward away from the actuating dial portion  128  and rotating the actuating dial portion  128  in a second direction lowers or drives the elevator  108  downward toward the actuating dial portion  128 . In embodiments, the spindle portion  114  may be unitary with the actuating dial portion  128  and may be molded from a thermoplastic material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A-4E , an elevator  108  of a material applicator  100  may, in some embodiments, comprise an upper end  208 , a lower end  308 , an interface portion  119  and an axially aligned central opening  143  and thread engaging portion  115  for receiving a spindle  114  of a actuator  136 . In embodiments, the interface portion  119  may comprise an inner wall surface  219  and an outer wall surface  319 . The inner wall surface  219  may comprise a thread  141  for engaging filled material  102  and the outer wall surface  319  may include axially oriented ribs  135 . In embodiments, a lower portion  419  of the outer wall surface  319  may be downwardly oriented and angled upward toward the central axis  110 . In embodiments, the elevator  108  may include a flared rim  133  at the upper end  208  and a base portion  137  at the lower end  308 . The base portion  137  may comprise a circumferential ring extending downward from the interface portion  119 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6A-6F , a actuator  136  of a material applicator  100  may, in some embodiments, have a base portion or actuating dial portion  128  fixed to a spindle or spindle portion  114 . The spindle  114  may comprise a shaft portion  138  and an intermediate portion  140  disposed between the base portion  128  and the shaft portion  138 . In embodiments, the base portion  128  may have a cylindrical base shape with a base diameter  142  and a base height  144 , the base diameter  142  being greater than the base height  144 . In embodiments, the shaft portion  138  defines an inner shaft portion cylinder  146  and includes a male thread  116  following a helical path along an axis  110 . 
     In embodiments, the intermediate portion  140  may include a lower support portion  154 , an upper conical or tapered portion  156  and a camming portion  158  disposed between the lower support portion  154  and the upper tapered portion  156 . In embodiments, the lower support portion  154  may include a plurality of support gussets or legs  160  extending downward to a top portion of the base portion  128 . In some embodiments, the lower support portion  154  includes four gussets  160 . The gussets  160  may be flared or angled outwardly from a common central position and may be arranged so that the lower support portion  154  has a cross shape when viewed as a cross-section with the cross-sectional plane being orthogonal to the central axis  110 . 
     In embodiments, the upper tapered portion  156  may have a truncated conical shape with an conical outer surface  157  and a flange portion  256  with a rearward or downwardly facing surface  258  that may be perpendicular to the axis diameter at its lower base. In some embodiments, the angled circumferential outer surface  157  may receive and mate with a lower portion  419  of the outer wall surface  319  of an elevator  108 . 
     In embodiments, the camming portion  158  defines an inner cam cylinder  162  having an outer outer surface  134 . In embodiments, the camming portion  158  includes a plurality of ribs  132 , each rib  132  running axially on and extending radially from the outer outer surface  134 . In embodiments, the ribs  132  of the camming portion  158  may be elongated, having a greater axial length than its circumferential width on the outer surface  134 . In embodiments, the inner cam cylinder may be cylindrical with the ribs  132  are circumferentially spaced by outer outer surface  134  portions. 
     In some embodiments, the actuator  136  may be a unitary piece and may be a molded polymeric unitary piece. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A-7B , in assembly of a material applicator  100  according to embodiments, a actuator  136  of a material applicator  100  may be inserted into a casing  104  at its base portion  121  through an opening between distal portions  127  of cantilevered fingers  126  of the casing  104 , into the cavity  111  of the casing  104 . The base portion or actuating dial portion  128  of the actuator  136  is pushed against the base portion  121  of the casing  104 . In embodiments, the base portion  128  of the actuator  136  may have the same approximate diameter as the base portion  121  of the casing  104 . 
       FIG. 7B  shows a cross-sectional top perspective view cut along line D-D in  FIG. 2C  showing a actuator  136  inserted into a casing  104 . In embodiments, the distal portions  127  of the cantilevered fingers  126  of the casing  104  are urged against the camming portion  158  of the actuator  136  and the ribs  132  of the camming portion  158  may be seated in the seating portions  129  of the distal portions  127  of the cantilevered fingers  126 . In embodiments, each cantilevered finger  126  is subjected to cantilevered bending so the distal portion of each cantilevered finger  126  is biased toward the outer surface  162 . During rotation of the actuator  136 , a cam action of each camming portion rib  132  may cause additional cantilevered bending in the cantilevered fingers  126 , whereby a continued resistance to rotation is produced as the cam action of the ribs  132  causes the cantilevered fingers  126  to flex. 
     In embodiments, the material applicator  100  includes a resistance mechanism  130  providing resistance to rotation of the threaded drive spindle  114 . In embodiments, the resistance mechanism  130  comprises a plurality of cantilevered fingers  126  supported by the casing  104  and a plurality of ribs  132  supported by the threaded drive spindle  114 . In embodiments, each rib  132  extends radially outward beyond a outer surface  134  of the threaded drive spindle  114  and each rib extends upward and downward along the outer surface  134 . In embodiments, each cantilevered finger  126  has a distal portion  127  selectively contacting the outer surface  134  and each cantilevered finger  126  is subjected to cantilevered bending so the distal portion of each cantilevered finger  126  is biased toward the outer surface  134 . In embodiments, a cam action of each rib  132  causes additional cantilevered bending in the cantilevered fingers  126 , whereby resistance to rotation is produced as the cam action of the ribs  132  causes the cantilevered fingers  126  to flex. In embodiments, during rotation of the spindle  114 , the ribs  132  slip in and out of seating portions  129  in the distal portions  127  of the cantilevered fingers  126 , providing a stepped, tactile feedback to the user. 
     After the actuator  136  is inserted and seated, an elevator  108  may be lowered onto the spindle  114  to a lower position within the cavity  111  of the casing  104 . The cavity may be filled with material  102  and the cap  112  may be secured to the upper end  122  of the casing  104 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A-10B , a material applicator  100 ′ may be provided for holding and dispensing or applying a material  102 ′ to a target location. In embodiments, the material  102 ′ may comprise a lip balm that is applied to the lips of a user. In embodiments, the material applicator  100 ′ comprises a casing  104 ′, a lid, cap or cover  112 ′ and a dispense mechanism  106 ′. When the material applicator  100 ′ is filled with the material  102 ′, the dispense mechanism  106 ′ may selectively move the material  102 ′ upward and downward along a central axis  110 ′ by rotating an actuating dial portion  128 ′ of the dispense mechanism  106 ′.  FIG. 11B  shows an embodiment of the material applicator  100 ′ with the lid  112 ′ removed and the material  102 ′ exposed. In embodiments, the lid  112 ′ may be secured to the casing  104 ′ via mating threading  113 ′ of the lid  112 ′ and the casing. The inner casing wall  124 ′ may be molded with projecting portions  180 ′ configured as indicia. The indicia projecting a distance equal to the thickness of a gripping layer  182 ′ to be overmolded thereon resulting in the radial outer surfaces  184 ′ being flush with the outer surface  186 ′ of the gripping layer. The polymer of the inner casing wall may be light transmissive, that is, for example, transparent, or translucent. Polymers such as polypropylene and polycarbonate, amongst others, provide such a characteristic. This allows light to be transmitted from the casing to the exterior providing an aesthetically desirable appearance. Light can enter the inner casing wall through the lower end of the dispenser. 
       FIGS. 9A-9B  show exploded views of the material applicator  100 ′. In embodiments, the casing  104 ′ may comprise a base portion  121 ′ at a lower end  120 ′, a neck portion  123 ′ and an opening or mouth  125 ′ at an upper end  122 ′ and a casing wall  124 ′ therebetween. The neck portion  123 ′ may comprise mating threading to engage the mating threading  113 ′ of the cap  113 ′. In embodiments, the dispense mechanism  106 ′ may comprise an elevator  108 ′ and a actuator  136 ′, which may comprise a spindle  114 ′ having a thread  116 ′ and an actuating dial portion or rotary wheel  128 ′. In embodiments, the thread  116 ′ of the spindle  114 ′ engages a thread engaging portion  115 ′ of the elevator  108 ′ so that the elevator  108 ′ moves upward or downward along the thread  116 ′ of the spindle  114 ′, causing the material  102 ′ to move upward or downward relative to the casing  104 ′. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8C and 8D , a cross-section view of a material applicator  100 ′ in accordance with an example embodiment is shown. The material applicator  100 ′ may have a cap  112  engaged with a neck portion  123 ′ of casing  104 ′ via mating threading  113 ′. The casing  104 ′ may comprise a base portion  121 ′ at a lower end  120 ′, the neck portion  123 ′ and an opening or mouth  125 ′ at an upper end  122 ′ and a casing wall  124 ′ there between. The case wall  124 ′ may comprise an inner surface  224 ′ and an outer surface  324 ′ and define a cavity  111 ′. A dispense or elevating mechanism  106 ′ may be inserted through the base portion  121 ′ and into the cavity  11 ′. The dispense mechanism  106 ′ may comprise a thread engaging portion  115 ′ of an elevator  108 ′ engaged with thread  116 ′ of a spindle  114 ′ of an actuator  136 ′. In embodiments, the elevator  108 ′ may be slidingly disposed inside the cavity  111 ′ and the material  102 ′ may be dispensed and held in an interface portion  119 ′ of the elevator  108 ′ and the cavity  111 ′ above the elevator  108 ′. 
       FIGS. 11A-16B  illustrate various designs of dispensers  200  with the caps  202  on and off and with indicia  210  exposed through outer gripping surfaces  212 . 
       FIGS. 17A and 17B  illustrate dispensers  220  with a cylindrical casings  222  in accord with embodiments and indicia  224  formed by projecting portions from an inner casing wall, not shown in these views. 
     Referring  FIGS. 17A-18C , a dispenser  230  has a cylindrical casing  232  with an inner casing wall  236  defining a cavity  237 , an exterior layer  238 , such as a gripping layer of thermoplastic elastomer overmolded on the inner casing wall, an actuator  244  with a dial  246  and a spindle  248  having a retention flange  250 . Fingers  256  extend from the lower margin  258  of the inner casing wall  236  to capture the actuator  244  by engaging the lower side  260  and lower surface  262  of the retention flange  250 . Projections  266  of the inner casing wall extend through the exterior layer providing windows  268  on the exterior surface  270  when the polymer of the inner casing wall is light transmissive. Such windows allow the user to view the material to be dispensed in the cavity such as illustrated in  FIG. 18A , a clear indication of the amount of material in the cavity may be displayed, that is the material  271  is visible. In other embodiments, the elevator or markings on the elevator may be viewed to provide the user with information regarding the quantity of material in the respective dispenser. 
     Referring to the figures, an upward direction Z and a downward or lower direction −Z are illustrated using arrows labeled “Z” and “−Z,” respectively. A forward direction Y and a rearward direction −Y are illustrated using arrows labeled “Y” and “−Y,” respectively. A starboard direction X and a port direction −X are illustrated using arrows labeled “X” and “−X,” respectively. The directions illustrated using these arrows are applicable to the apparatus shown and discussed throughout this application. The upward direction is generally the dispense end and opposite the downward direction. Various direction-indicating terms are used herein as a convenient way to discuss the objects shown in the figures. It will be appreciated that many direction indicating terms are related to the instant orientation of the object being described. It will also be appreciated that the objects described herein may assume various orientations without deviating from the spirit and scope of this detailed description. Accordingly, direction-indicating terms such as “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “forwardly,” “backwardly,” should not be interpreted to limit the scope of the invention recited in the attached claims. 
     The term “portion” when used herein can mean all or part of a component, or an assembly. It may mean less than all of a unitary component, or all of a unitary component, or all of a component of an assembly of a plurality of components. 
     The following United States patents are hereby incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. Nos. 9,795,205, 9,795,205, 9,585,460, 9,554,636, 9,554,636, 9,433,275, 9,433,275, 9,346,597, 9,339,097, 9,339,097, 9,327,891, 9,265,327, 9,265,327, 9,027,786, 8,899,860, 8,899,860, 8,708,146, 8,511,922, 8,407,879, 7,726,480, 7,621,405, 7,354,215, 7,354,215, 6,838,032, 6,736,267, 6,723,269, 6,688,793, 6,598,767, 6,598,767, 6,572,300, 6,572,300, 6,450,716, 6,419,412, 6,419,412, 6,398,439, 6,364,115, 6,305,385, 6,299,369, 6,299,369, 6,269,982, 6,050,415, 5,899,333, 4,958,731 and 4,784,268; and U.S. Pat. Publication Nos. US20180086542, US20180086542, US20180086541, US20180086541, US20180207413, US20160174686 and US20160174685. The above references to U.S. patents in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. Components illustrated in such patents may be utilized with embodiments herein. Incorporation by reference is discussed, for example, in MPEP section 2163.07(B). 
     The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. All of the features disclosed in this specification (including the references incorporated by reference, including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
     Each feature disclosed in this specification (including references incorporated by reference, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any incorporated by reference references, any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed The above references in all sections of this application are herein incorporated by references in their entirety for all purposes. 
     Although specific examples have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose could be substituted for the specific examples shown. This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of the present subject matter. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be defined by the attached claims and their legal equivalents, as well as the following illustrative aspects. The above described aspects embodiments of the invention are merely descriptive of its principles and are not to be considered limiting. Further modifications of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention.