Abstract:
At least one embodiment of the invention describe a product tube applicator contains a hollow elongated tube to hold an applicator ointment, a removable cap, and an abrasive element provided on the elongated tube and/or the removable cap. The abrasive element may be utilized to prepare the epidermal surface of a user before or after applying the ointment, for example to reduce chapped skin before application of ointment. The removable cap may contain an openable cover attached to the top portion of the removable cap that remains attached to the cap and flaps open away from the cap. One or more embodiments disclose the abrasive element located on one or more of the removable cap, the hollow elongated tube, the openable cover of the removable cap, on a removable flap, under the removable flap, on a sliding sleeve and under the sliding sleeve.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    One or more embodiments of the invention are related to configurable product tube applicators, specifically tubular applicators for accessing an applicator ointment. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention describe a product tube applicator with an abrasive element located on one or more elements, and portions thereof, of the product tube applicator. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    Generally, product applicators such as lipsticks, lip glosses, lip balms and other ointment tubes used for application on a user&#39;s lips, face or skin. Many product applicators are made of a tube applicator, cap, and most often a releasing mechanism at the base of the tube applicator. Traditional product tube applicators serve the only purpose of application on a user&#39;s lips, face or skin. Many different product applicators vary by shape, size, color and release mechanism. Most often, distinguished product applicators differ in their release mechanism and dispensing techniques. 
         [0005]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,776 to Hemming et al., entitled “Device For Discharging A Spreadable Material”, discloses a device for dispensing a material from a tube using a piston and an external spindle threading. Hemming et al., however, appears to lack any teaching of an abrasive element located on the device. Abrasive elements, most often, are hard, brittle and heat-resistant. In addition, Hemming et al. appears to lack any disclosure of an abrasive element located on a cap, an openable cover of the cap, on a tubular body flap, under the tubular body flap, on a sleeve or under the sleeve. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,435,748 to Taghikhani entitled “Dispensing” discloses a material dispenser with a cap and a stationary barrier. Taghikhani, however, appears to lack any disclosure of an abrasive element on a surface of the dispenser such as using letters, shapes or other abrasive structures. 
         [0007]    Traditionally, product applicators such as lip balms and lipsticks are not equipped and structured with abrasive elements on the tubular surface of the applicator. Furthermore, traditional product applicators are not implemented with abrasive elements to enable a user to use the product applicator for abrasive purposes simultaneously with material application. In addition, traditional product applicators are not equipped with a removable cap that includes an openable cover, such that the abrasive element is located on any portion of the openable cover, on any portion of the removable cap, or on the inside of a lumen of the cap. In addition, traditional product applicators are not configured with a sleeve that enables a user to cover and protect the abrasive element without adding bulk to the product applicator. In addition, traditional product applicators are not configured with a flap on the tubular surface of the body of the product applicator that enables a user to open and close the flap using various engaging and disengaging techniques with an abrasive element located beneath the flap. 
         [0008]    For at least the limitations described above there are no known product applicators that are configured with abrasive elements to enable a user to apply the material within the product tube applicator and simultaneously or non-simultaneously use the abrasive elements. In addition, for at least the limitations described above, there are no known product applicators with abrasive elements located on the tubular body of the product applicator, on the cap of the product applicator, on an openable cover of the product applicator, on a flap located on the tubular body, or beneath a sleeve configured to slides over the tubular body. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    One or more embodiments described in the specification are related to product applicators, such as lip balm applicators, lipstick applicator and other applicators for various cosmetics and personal care substances, including an abrasive element provided on a portion of the applicator. In one or more embodiments, a product tube applicator contains a hollow elongated tube to hold an applicator ointment, a removable cap, and an abrasive element provided on the elongated tube and/or the removable cap. The applicator ointment may be one or more of a liquid, a balm, lipstick or other material safe to be placed on an external and/or epidermal surface of a user. The abrasive element may be utilized to prepare the epidermal surface of the user before or after applying the ointment, for example to reduce chapped skin before application of ointment. 
         [0010]    According to one or more embodiments, the hollow elongated tube includes a distal portion, a proximal portion and an intermediate portion between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The hollow elongated tube may be of any shape, size or form, conformable to the rest of the elements of the product tube applicator such as a cylindrical tube, a rectangular tube, a triangular tube or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the distal portion has an aperture such that the applicator ointment is accessed via the aperture. Furthermore, in at least one or more embodiments, the applicator ointment axially slides out of the aperture. In one or more embodiments, the removable cap contains a top portion, a bottom portion and a lumen therebetween, such that the bottom portion may couple with the distal portion of the elongated tube. In addition, in at least one embodiment, the removable cap may contain an openable cover attached to the top portion of the removable cap that remains attached to the cap and flaps open away from the cap. As such, the openable cover may open and close away from and against the removable cap. The openable cover, according to several embodiments of the invention, includes an outer surface, an inner surface and at least one side. 
         [0011]    One or more embodiments of the invention include a moveable element on the proximal portion of the hollow elongated tube. The moveable element, in at least one embodiment, engages with the applicator ointment to allow the applicator ointment to axially slide out of the aperture. In at least one embodiment, the moveable element includes ridges, edges, aperture, teeth or protrusions such that the moveable element itself may be the abrasive element, not requiring an additional abrasive element elsewhere on the product tube applicator. By way of one or more embodiments, the moveable element may be one or more of an element that is rotated, slid, pushed pulled, pivoted, tilted and lifted. In one or more embodiments, the moveable element may be embedded within the proximal portion of the hollow elongated tube, attached to a section of the proximal portion of the hollow elongated tube or a combination of both. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the moveable element may be an indentation within the proximal portion, and/or an extremity on the proximal portion extending beyond a length surface level of the intermediate portion and/or an extremity on the proximal portion extending beyond a width surface level of the intermediate portion. 
         [0012]    In one or more embodiments, the product tube applicator may contain a sliding sleeve that slides across and/or rotates around the distal portion, the proximal portion and/or the intermediate portion of the hollow elongated tube, and/or the removable cap. As such, in at least on embodiment, the sliding sleeve may cover one or more abrasive elements located one or more areas of the product tube applicator as explained below. By way of one or more embodiments, the abrasive element may be embedded with an outmost surface of the product tube applicator, such that the abrasive element slightly protrudes out of the outmost surface. As such, the abrasive element is part of the product tube applicator and does not require further attachment or engagement, for example, by manufacturing the product tube applicator with the abrasive element as though the abrasive element and product tube applicator are a single element. 
         [0013]    According to one or more embodiments, the intermediate portion includes a removable flap such that the removable flap covers any portion of the hollow elongated tube or removable cap in a partial manner or entirely, and in a temporary or permanent manner. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the removable flap may engage and temporarily affix with the hollow elongated tube or removable cap using one or more of a snap configuration, a glue element, a VELCRO® or a slit and slide configuration. With a slit and slide configuration, a first longitudinal axial end of the removable flap temporarily or permanently engages one section of the product tube applicator and a second longitudinal axial end opposite to the first longitudinal axial end slides into and attaches to an inner surface of the slit. As such, the second longitudinal end of the removable flap may be slid out of the slit to reveal the abrasive element, and may be slid back into the slit. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the removable flap may attach to the intermediate portion using the first longitudinal axial end and the second longitudinal axial end, and contain an arc shaped body with a hollow lumen between the arc shaped body and the intermediate portion, such that a user may access the abrasive element from within the hollow lumen from a opening of the hollow lumen near the proximal portion and/or an opening of the hollow lumen near the distal portion away from the proximal portion. 
         [0014]    By way of one or more embodiments, materials chosen for the hollow elongated tube, the removable cap, openable cover, removable flap, the sliding sleeve, the moveable element or any other element of the product tube applicator may be one or more of plastic, glass, wood or metal such as aluminum. 
         [0015]    By way of one or more embodiments, the abrasive element contains one or more surface depths with a grit size chosen from one or more of several grit sizes. For example, in one or more embodiments, the abrasive element may have a grit size at least greater or equal to 336 microns, between 265 and 425 microns inclusively, between 162 and 265 microns inclusively, between 100 and 162 microns inclusively and at least less than or equal to 100 microns. 
         [0016]    According to one or more embodiments, the abrasive element may be provided on one or more locations of the product tube applicator. For example, in at least one embodiment, the abrasive element may be provided on the distal portion, proximal portion, intermediate portion or any combination thereof of the hollow elongated tube. According to one or more embodiments, the abrasive element is provided on one or more of the removable cap, the openable cover of the removable cap, the sliding sleeve, the outer surface of the openable cover, the inner portion of the openable cover and the at least one side of the openable cover. In addition to or alternatively, the abrasive element is provided one or more of the moveable element, the removable flap, on the intermediate portion beneath the removable flap or any combination thereof. Furthermore, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, the abrasive element includes one or more of lettered shapes, numbered shapes, structural shapes or any combination thereof. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic overall diagram of the product tube applicator with an abrasive element according to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a schematic overall diagram of the product tube applicator with a lettered abrasive element according to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a schematic overall diagram of the product tube applicator with a sliding sleeve and an abrasive element according to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic overall diagram of the product tube applicator with a removable or openable flap and an abrasive element according to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows a schematic overall diagram of the product tube applicator with a removable cap, openable cover and an abrasive element according to one or more embodiments of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    A product tube applicator with an abrasive element will now be described. In the following exemplary description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that the present invention may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. In other instances, specific features, quantities, or measurements well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Readers should note that although examples of the invention are set forth herein, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the metes and bounds of the invention. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 1-5  illustrate schematic overall diagrams of the product tube applicator with an abrasive element according to one or more embodiments of the invention. Specifically,  FIGS. 1-5  depict a product tube applicator  101 , a hollow elongated tube  103  and a removable cap  102  that engages and disengages from the hollow elongated tube  103 . By way of one or more embodiments, the removable cap  102  may be one or more of an element that is rotated, slid, pushed pulled, pivoted, tilted and lifted towards and/or away from the hollow elongated tube  103 .  FIG. 1  shows a first embodiment of the invention  100   a  with abrasive element  110   a ,  FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the invention  100   b  with abrasive element  110   b ,  FIG. 3  shows a third embodiment of the invention  100   c  with abrasive element  110   c ,  FIG. 4  shows a fourth embodiment of the invention  100   d  with abrasive element  110   d , and  FIG. 5  shows a fifth embodiment of the invention  100   e  with abrasive element  110   e . In at least one embodiment of the invention, the product tube applicator is small enough for a user to hold in one hand and use the applicator. 
         [0025]    According to at least on embodiment of the invention, the hollow elongated tube  103  includes a distal portion, a proximal portion and an intermediate portion between the distal portion and the proximal portion. The hollow elongated tube  103  may be of any shape, size or form, conformable to the rest of the elements of the product tube applicator  103  such as a cylindrical tube, a rectangular tube, a triangular tube or any combination thereof. In at least one embodiment, the distal portion has an aperture (not shown) such that the applicator ointment is accessed via the aperture. Furthermore, in at least one or more embodiments, the applicator ointment axially slides out of the aperture. In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, the abrasive element includes one or more of lettered shapes, numbered shapes, structural shapes or any combination thereof. 
         [0026]    In one or more embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the removable cap  102  contains a top portion, a bottom portion and a lumen therebetween (not shown), such that the bottom portion may couple with the distal portion of the hollow elongated tube  103  (shown using the double sided arrow). According to  FIG. 1 , removable cap  102  couples with the distal portion of the elongated tube and covers abrasive element  100   a , such that abrasive element  110   a  is revealed when the removable cap  110   a  is partially or entirely disengaged from the hollow elongated tube. Furthermore, according to  FIG. 1 , the abrasive element  110   a  may be provided on any portion of the hollow elongated tube on the distal portion, the proximal portion and/or the intermediate portion. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic overall diagram according to a second embodiment  100   b  of the invention. Specifically,  FIG. 2  depicts product tube applicator  101  as discussed above regarding  FIG. 1  with abrasive element  110   b . According to the second embodiment, abrasive element  110  is shown as lettered shapes. However, it is noted that the abrasive element may be of any lettered shapes, numbered shapes, structural shapes or any combination thereof. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic overall diagram according to a third embodiment  100   c  if the invention. As shown, the product tube applicator  101  may contain a sliding sleeve  301  that slides across and/or rotates around the distal portion, the proximal portion and/or the intermediate portion of the hollow elongated tube  103 , and/or the removable cap  102 . Also depicted in  FIG. 3  is abrasive element  110   c , shown as a cylindrical structure on the intermediate portion of the hollow elongated tube  103 . It is noted, however, any other shape for abrasive element  110   c  is possible. As such, in at least on embodiment, the sliding sleeve  301  may cover one or more abrasive element(s)  110   c  located one or more areas of the product tube applicator. According to  FIG. 3 , the removable cap  102  slides over and couples with hollow elongated tube  103  and may or may not cover abrasive element  110   c , depending on whether abrasive element  110   c  is located more towards the proximal portion of the hollow elongated tube  103  or the distal portion of hollow elongated tube  103 . In addition, sliding sleeve  301  slides over hollow elongated tube  103  and entirely or partially covers abrasive element  110   c . Furthermore, sliding sleeve  301  may slide over hollow elongated tube  103  to couple to the removable cap  102 , or slide over hollow elongated tube  103  and remain proximal from removable cap  102 , or partially or entirely slide over hollow elongated tube  103 , abrasive element  100   c  and removable cap  102 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  illustrates a schematic overall diagram according to a third embodiment  100   d  if the invention. Embodiment  100   d  depicts product tube applicator  101  as previously discussed regarding  FIGS. 1-3 , and further includes a removable flap  401 , which may be removed from covering the abrasive element with or without disengaging removable flap  401  from hollow elongated tube  103 . Removable flap  401  covers one or more of the intermediate portion, the distal portion and the proximal portion of the hollow elongated tube  103  in a partial manner or entirely, and in a temporary or permanent manner. In one or more embodiments, in addition to or alternatively, removable flap  401  may partially or entirely cover removable cap  102 . In addition, in one or more embodiments, the removable flap  401  may engage and temporarily affix with the hollow elongated tube  103  and/or the removable cap  102  using one or more of a snap configuration, a glue element, a VELCRO® or a slit and slide configuration. With a slit and slide configuration, a first longitudinal axial end of the removable flap temporarily or permanently engages one section of the hollow elongated tube  103  or removable cap  102  and a second longitudinal axial end opposite to the first longitudinal axial end slides into and attaches to an inner surface of the slit. As such, the second longitudinal end of the removable flap  401  may be slid out of the slit to reveal abrasive element  110   d , and may be slid back into the slit. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the removable flap  401  may attach to the hollow elongated tube  103  or removable cap  102  using the first longitudinal axial end and the second longitudinal axial end, and contain an arc shaped body with a hollow lumen between the arc shaped body and the hollow elongated tube  103  or removable cap  102 , such that a user may access the abrasive element from within the hollow lumen. Abrasive element  110   d  is shown as oval structured shapes on the intermediate portion of the hollow elongated tube  103 . It is noted, however, any other shape, number of shapes or location for abrasive element  110   d  on product tube applicator  101  may be utilized in keeping with the spirit of the invention. 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  illustrates a schematic overall diagram according to a third embodiment  100   e  if the invention. Embodiment  100   e  depicts product tube applicator  101  according to  FIGS. 1-4  described above. In addition, embodiment  100   e  depicts the removable cap  102  with an openable cover  501  attached to the top portion of the removable cap  102 . The openable cover  501  remains attached to the removable cap  102  and flaps open away from the removable cap  102 . As such, the openable cover  501  may open and close away from and against the removable cap  102 . The openable cover  501 , according to several embodiments of the invention, includes an outer surface, an inner surface and at least one side. In addition,  FIG. 5  shows abrasive element  110   e  on the removable cap  102  as the same structural shape of the top portion of removable cap  102 . Specifically,  110   e  is illustrated as an abrasive element located on the to portion of the removable cap  102  between the openable cover  501  and the removable cap  102 . It is noted, however, wherein abrasive element  110   e  may be of any other shape, size, or number of shapes. For example, abrasive element  110   e  may be located on an inner surface of removable cap  102 , on a side surface of removable cap  102  or on the bottom portion of removable cap  102 . In addition, for example, abrasive element  110  may be located on the outer surface of the openable cover  501 , the inner portion of the openable cover  501  and the at least one side of the openable cover  501 . 
         [0031]    One or more embodiments of the invention discussed above may include a moveable element (not shown) on the proximal portion of the hollow elongated tube  103 . The moveable element, in at least one embodiment, engages with the applicator ointment to allow the applicator ointment to axially slide out of the aperture. In at least one embodiment, the moveable element includes ridges, edges, aperture, teeth or protrusions such that the moveable element itself may be the abrasive element, not requiring an additional abrasive element elsewhere on the product tube applicator  101 . By way of one or more embodiments, the moveable element may be one or more of an element that is rotated, slid, pushed pulled, pivoted, tilted and lifted. In one or more embodiments, the moveable element may be embedded within the proximal portion of the hollow elongated tube  103 , attached to a section of the proximal portion of the hollow elongated tube  103  or a combination of both. In addition, in one or more embodiments, the moveable element may be an indentation within the proximal portion, and/or an extremity on the proximal portion extending beyond a length surface level of the intermediate portion and/or an extremity on the proximal portion extending beyond a width surface level of the intermediate portion. 
         [0032]    By way of one or more embodiments, materials chosen for the hollow elongated tube  103 , the removable cap  102 , openable cover  501 , removable flap  401 , the sliding sleeve,  301  the moveable element or any other element of the product tube applicator  101  may be one or more of plastic, glass, wood or metal such as aluminum. As one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize, any other appropriate material for elements of the product tube applicator  101  is possible. In at least one embodiment, the user is able to use the product tube applicator  101  to apply the ointment located within the hollow elongated tube  103  simultaneously or non-simultaneously with using the abrasive element(s) located on one or more portions of the product tube applicator  101 . 
         [0033]    By way of one or more embodiments, the abrasive elements  110   a ,  100   b ,  100   c ,  100   d  and  100   e  contain one or more surface depths with a grit size chosen from one or more of several grit sizes. For example, in one or more embodiments, the abrasive element may have a grit size at least greater or equal to 336 microns, between 265 and 425 microns inclusively, between 162 and 265 microns inclusively, between 100 and 162 microns inclusively and at least less than or equal to 100 microns. The abrasive elements may include indents or outward projections or both at the surface depths desired and may be oriented primarily inwardly or outwardly from the surface of any portion of the apparatus. 
         [0034]    According to one or more embodiments, the abrasive elements  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c ,  110   d  and  110   e  may be provided on one or more locations of the product tube applicator  101 . For example, in at least one embodiment, the abrasive element(s) may be provided on the distal portion, proximal portion, intermediate portion or any combination thereof of the hollow elongated tube  103 . In addition, according to at least one embodiment of the invention, abrasive elements  110   a ,  110   b ,  110   c ,  110   d  and  110   e  may be one or more or ridges, protrusions, edges or teeth. According to one or more embodiments, the abrasive element may be provided on one or more of the removable cap  102 , the openable cover  501  of the removable cap  102 , the sliding sleeve  301 , the outer surface of the openable cover  501 , the inner portion of the openable cover  501  and the at least one side of the openable cover  501 . In addition to or alternatively, the abrasive elements may be provided one or more of the moveable element, the removable flap  401 , on a portion of the hollow elongated tube  103  beneath the removable flap  401  or any combination thereof. Furthermore, as one skilled in the art would recognize and according to at least one embodiment of the invention, the abrasive elements may include one or more of lettered shapes, numbered shapes, structural shapes or any other shape. 
         [0035]    While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.