Abstract:
Applicator devices for applying topical oils to an individual are presented. Exemplary applicators may include a topical oil container, and a roller-ball applicator coupled to the container. The roller-ball applicator may include, a roller-ball housing, wherein the roller-ball housing includes a well configured to hold topical oil for application to an individual regardless of the orientation of the roller-ball applicator, and a roller-ball within the housing, the roller-ball being freely rotatable within the housing.

Description:
FIELD 
     This application relates generally to roller ball applicators. In particular, this application relates to roller ball applicators for applying topical oils to an individual. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, sales for essential oils and other topically applied oils have exploded. Topically applied oils are usually oils which are derived from, or include certain essential components or essences of different substances. Such topically applied oils are generally referred to as essential oils. 
     Essential oils, known as nature&#39;s living energy, are the natural, aromatic volatile liquids found in shrubs, flowers, trees, resins, fruit peels, rhizomes, roots, bushes, and seeds. The distinctive components in essential oils defend plants against sects, environmental conditions, and disease. They are also vital for a plant to grow, live, evolve, and adapt to its surroundings. Essential oils are extracted from aromatic plant sources via steam distillation, cold pressing, and other types of distillation. Essential oils are highly concentrated and far more potent than dry herbs. Other topically applied oils may include olive oil, almond oil, coconut oil, etc. and oils high in esters, such as jojoba oil, and waxes such as beeswax. 
     While essential oils often have a pleasant aroma, their chemical makeup is complex and their benefits vast—which makes them much more than something that simply smells good. Historically, essential oils have played a prominent role in everyday life. With more than 200 references to aromatics, incense, and ointments throughout the Bible, essential oils are said to be used for anointing and healing the sick. Today, essential oils are used for aromatherapy, massage therapy, emotional health, personal care, nutritional supplements, household solutions, and much more. 
     Roller-ball applicators have been used in many applications. However, roller-ball applicators generally use a fairly pliable plastic housing to accommodate the ball in a press-fit assembly. Traditional roller-ball assemblies are unsuitable for use with most topical oils, such as essential oils, particularly citrus essential oils, and other similar oils with potent chemical solvents, because the oils tend to impregnate plastics and relax the elasticity, which often causes the roller-ball to become excessively loose and potentially dislodge. Additionally, essential oils tend to work as solvents with plastics and can leach unwanted chemicals and compounds from the plastics into the essential oils. Because of this, applicators for topical oils use different application methods and devices that do not require plastics that retain their material properties, and when using essential oils, avoid plastics altogether. 
     SUMMARY 
     Applicator devices for applying topical oils to an individual are disclosed herein. The applicator devices overcome the deficiencies in the prior art by allowing topical oils, especially essential oils, to be applied using a roller-ball applicator. Exemplary applicators may include a topical oil container, and a roller-ball applicator coupled to the container. The roller-ball applicator may include, a roller-ball housing, wherein the roller-ball housing includes a well configured to hold topical oil for application to an individual regardless of the orientation of the roller-ball applicator, and a roller-ball within the housing, the roller-ball being freely rotatable within the housing. The applicator device may also include a cap configured to be removably attached to the container and to seal topical oil within the topical oil container by exerting pressure on the roller-ball when the cap is securely attached to the container. 
     In some embodiments, the topical oil may be an essential oil, and the roller-ball housing may be formed from a homopolymer polypropylene. The well may have a volume of at least 0.3 ml. The roller-ball may be formed from metal, glass, or homopolymer polypropylene. Similarly, the topical oil container is formed from glass. 
     Topical oils may be applied to an individual using an exemplary applicator by placing topical oil in a container, coupling a roller-ball assembly to the container, placing a roller-ball of the roller-ball assembly against the skin of an individual, and moving the roller-ball assembly such that the roller-ball rotates within the roller-ball assembly and delivers oil to the skin of the individual. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following description can be better understood in light of Figures, in which: 
         FIGS. 1   a - 1   b  illustrate an exemplary roller-ball topical oil applicator and bottle; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional view of an exemplary roller-ball topical oil applicator and bottle with a cap on; and 
         FIGS. 3   a - 3   b  illustrate a roller-ball applicator body for an exemplary roller-ball topical oil applicator. 
     
    
    
     Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of roller-ball topical oil applicators and methods for making and using the roller-ball topical oil applicator. In the Figures, the thickness and configuration of components may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different Figures represent the same component. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description supplies specific details in order to provide a thorough understanding. Nevertheless, the skilled artisan would understand that the apparatus and associated methods of using the apparatus can be implemented and used without employing these specific details. Indeed, the apparatus and associated methods can be placed into practice by modifying the illustrated apparatus and associated methods and can be used in conjunction with any other apparatus and techniques conventionally used in the industry. For example, while the description below focuses on roller ball applicators used with glass bottles, other types of bottles and containers may be used. 
       FIGS. 1   a - 2  illustrate roller-ball topical oil applicator  100 , which may be used for storing and applying topical oils, such as essential oils to the skin of an individual. Applicator  100  may include bottle  110 , applicator body  120 , roller-ball  140 , and cap  150 . Bottle  110  may be formed of glass or other suitable container for transporting and containing topical oils such as essential oils. Bottle  110  may include neck  112  and threads  114  on neck  112  to accommodate applicator body  120  and cap  150 . In some embodiments, neck insert  122  of applicator body  120  may be of a complimentary size to the internal dimensions of neck  112  to provide an appropriate fitment between bottle  110  and applicator body  120  for a tight fit without leakage. Neck insert  122  may include retention rings  128  to provide increased fit with neck  112  of bottle  110 , to prevent oils from seeping out of bottle  110  between neck  112  and neck insert  122 . 
     Applicator body  120  may be formed from an oil resistant plastic, metal, or other suitable material such as chemically resistant polypropylene, ultem, other homopolymers, etc. For example, a homopolymer polypropylene may be suitable in proper dimensions to maintain sufficient material strength and elasticity to hold roller-ball  140  in place and function as designed for many, many applications. Applicator body  120  may include neck insert  122 , sized appropriately to interface with bottle  110 , or other suitable container. Applicator body  120  may also include roller-ball housing  124  for holding and working in conjunction with roller-ball  140  to apply a desired amount of topical oil. As shown in  FIGS. 1   b  and  3   b , the roller-ball housing  124  has an inner cavity adapted to hold the roller-ball  140 . 
     Roller-ball housing  124  includes ball retainer lip  126 , which has an annular diameter dimension smaller than the diameter of roller-ball  140  to secure roller-ball  140  in place. Roller-ball  140  may be placed in roller-ball housing by forcing roller-ball  140  through the opening formed by retainer lip  126 . As such, retainer lip is formed of a material that allows for elastic deformation to admit roller-ball  140  while returning to a smaller size to hold roller-ball  140  within roller-ball housing  124 . 
     Roller-ball housing  124  is dimensioned such that even with some impregnation by oils, applicator body  120  generally holds its shape and is able to function as designed. For example, in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , applicator body is shown in detail. Dimension “d” is shown as several times thicker than the thickness of roller ball housing  124  near ball retainer lip  126 ; “d” may be at least 2.0 mm and may be as large as practical for the applicator to extend the useful life of topical oil roll-on applicator  100 . Particularly, essential oils with solvents, such as citrus oils, tend to affect plastics in an aggressive manner. Having increasing “d” may provide additional life to roller-ball housing  124 . 
     Roller-ball housing  124  may include an annular well  130  formed on the inner surface  129  of the inner cavity  127  of the roller-ball housing  124  and that holds topical oil for delivery to an individual using applicator  100 . Well  130  may be replenished by tipping applicator  100  with roller-ball  140  downward, which then pulls roller-ball  140  into contact with retainer lip  126 , preventing the topical oil from flowing out, but allowing the oil to flow into space  132  and well  130 . Space  132  may be about 0.182 wide between roller-ball housing  124  and roller-ball  140 , extending from retainer lip  126  to lower seat  125 . Thus, as shown in  FIGS. 1   b  and  3   b , the inner surface  129  of the inner cavity  127  can approximate the exterior shape of the roller-ball  140 . When applicator  100  is in an upright position, roller-ball  140  is in contact with lower seat  125  by gravity pulling down on roller-ball  140  against lower seat  125 . Similarly, when applicator  100  is in an overturned position, roller-ball  140  is in contact with retainer lip  126 , preventing the topical oil from flowing out. 
     When roller-ball  140  is rotated, an amount of the oil coats the exterior surface of roller-ball  140  and may then be deposited on the skin of an individual using applicator  100  by rolling roller-ball  140  along their skin. Applicator  100  may work in any orientation to deliver oil to the skin of a user in part because well  130  holds oils to coat roller-ball  140  even when applicator  100  is oriented such that oil is not contacting roller ball  140  through channel  144 . Typically, a single topical oil application will deliver about 0.3 ml at each application. To apply in an overturned position, a pressure may be applied to roller-ball  140  as it contacts against the skin to which topical oils are to be applied, which may allow oils to flow between retainer lip  126  and roller-ball  140 . To apply in an upright position, roller-ball  140  collects oils from well  130  and space  132 , and since roller-ball  140  is generally positioned against lower seat  125 , the oil is able to be delivered without being scraped off by retainer ring  126 . 
     Because roller-ball  140  may have some play between contact with lower seat  125  in one position and contact with retainer lip  126  in the other, oil may be retained in well  130  and space  132  to deliver to a user in any orientation, even after applicator has been in an upright position for some time. For example, when cap  150  is in position, such as can be seen in  FIG. 2 , cap ring  154  may press down on roller-ball  140 , which in turn presses down against lower seat  125 , effectively trapping any oils remaining in well  130  and space  132  for delivery when cap  150  is removed as desired. 
     Applicator  100  may be formed in any size suitable for delivery of topical oils, such as essential oils. The various components of applicator  100  may be sized accordingly, however, space  132  and well  130  may be designed and spaced to provide at least 0.3 ml for a desired application amount. 
     In some embodiments, cap  150  may be formed to connect directly to applicator body  120 , and applicator body  120  may be formed to connect to threads  114  of bottle  110 . Cap  150  may include interior threads  152  that correspond with threads  114  of bottle  110 , or with threads that may be included on applicator body  120 . In other embodiments, cap  150  may be a snap-fit, or other type of connection, such as hinged, etc. 
     In addition to any previously indicated modification, numerous other variations and alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this description, and appended claims are intended to cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the information has been described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical and preferred aspects, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, but not limited to, form, function, manner of operation and use may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Also, as used herein, examples are meant to be illustrative only and should not be construed to be limiting in any manner.