STICK APPLICATOR

Abstract

Disclosed herein are personal care applicators are disclosed that include a wide land configured to glide across an application surface, such as a user's face, lips, skin and the like. The wide land enables soft personal care products, particularly those in stick form, to be applied without mushrooming or otherwise distorting the shape of the end of the personal care product at the point of application.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to personal care product applicators, and more specifically to personal care product applicators having a wide land configured to glide across an application surface, such as a user's face, lips, skin and the like.

BACKGROUND

Many personal care products are available in stick form. A stick of personal care product is typically housed in a sleeve of an applicator. An end of the stick may be advanced beyond the end of the sleeve so that the tip of the personal care product exposed at the end of the stick may be easily applied to a user's face, lips, skin and the like. Some examples of such personal care products commonly available in stick form are lipstick, lip balm, and sunscreen, among others.

Although the above described general design for applying stick personal care products has been around since the early 1900s, conventional applicators are not generally suitable for soft product formulations as the portion of the stick that extends beyond the sleeve tends to mushroom or otherwise deform upon contact with the user, making application of the personal care product difficult to control. Moreover, the mushroomed portion of the stick generally does not cleanly retract into the sleeve of the applicator, leaving product on the outer surfaces of the sleeve where it may be unwantedly transmitted to hands, clothes, the interior of handbags or other undesired surface.

Therefore, a need exists for an improved personal care applicator.

SUMMARY

Personal care applicators are disclosed that include a wide land configured to glide across an application surface, such as a user's face, lips, skin and the like. The wide land enables soft personal care products, particularly those in stick form, to be applied without mushrooming or otherwise distorting the shape of the end of the personal care product at the point of application.

In one example, a personal care applicator is provided that includes a housing, a sleeve, a stick product advance mechanism, and an applicator guide ring. The sleeve extends from the housing to a distal end and has a tubular passage. The stick product advance mechanism is integrated with the housing and is operable to advance a personal care product toward the distal end of the sleeve. The applicator guide ring disposed at the distal end of the sleeve and has a center passage aligned with the tubular passage of the sleeve. The applicator guide ring has a land extending around the center passage. The land faces away from the housing and has a width of at least 1 mm, which is less than a diameter of the center passage.

In some examples, an inside diameter of the sleeve is less than or equal to the diameter of the center passage.

In some examples, a ratio of a diameter of the center passage to the width of the land is between 20 and 2.

In some examples, a personal care product is disposed in the sleeve. The personal care product may be at least one of an oral care product, skin care product, sun care product, hair care product, decorative cosmetics product, body care product, or perfume.

In another example, a personal care applicator is provided that includes a housing, a sleeve, a personal care product stick advance mechanism, and an applicator guide ring. The sleeve extends from the housing to a distal end and has a tubular passage. The personal care product stick advance mechanism is integrated with the housing and is operable to advance a personal care product toward the distal end of the sleeve. The applicator guide ring disposed at the distal end of the sleeve and has a center passage aligned with the tubular passage of the sleeve. The applicator guide ring has a land extending around the center passage. The center passage having a diameter between about 2 mm to about 20 mm. The land faces away from the housing and has a width of at least 1 mm, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the center passage to the width of the land is between 20 and 2.

In another example, a personal care applicator is provided that includes a housing, a sleeve, personal care product stick, and an applicator guide ring. The sleeve extends from the housing to a distal end and has a tubular passage. The personal care product stick is disposed in housing and is advanceable through the distal end of the sleeve. The applicator guide ring disposed at the distal end of the sleeve and has a center passage aligned with the tubular passage of the sleeve. The applicator guide ring has a land extending around the center passage. The land faces away from the housing and has a width of at least 1 mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of one example of an applicator suitable for use with a stick of personal care product.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional schematic view of the applicator illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of an applicator guide ring of the applicator illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top schematic view of the applicator guide ring depicted in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of another example of an applicator guide ring that may be utilized with the applicator illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of the applicator guide ring illustrated in FIG. 5 taken along section line 6-6 shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of the applicator guide ring of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of another example of an applicator guide ring that may be utilized with the applicator illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of the applicator guide ring illustrated in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of another example of an applicator guide ring that may be utilized with the applicator illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of the applicator guide ring illustrated in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of another example of an applicator guide ring that may be utilized with the applicator illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of the applicator guide ring illustrated in FIG. 12.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is contemplated that elements of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure generally provide personal care applicators that include a wide land configured to glide across an application surface, such as a user's face, lips, skin and the like. The wide land enables soft personal care products, particularly those in stick form, to be applied without mushrooming or otherwise distorting the shape of the end of the personal care product at the point of application. The wide land also allows the applicator to glide across the application area, enabling more precise control of amount and location of product being applied to the user. The wide land additionally tends to help soft personal care product retain their shape after application, so the stick may be easily retracted back into the applicator without leaving excessive product on the exterior of the applicator where the product could soil hands, clothing, handbags or other objects. The personal care products that may be utilized with the applicator disclosed herein may include any one an oral care product, skin care product, sun care product, hair care product, decorative cosmetics product, body care product, perfume, or other product that may be delivered in stick form. Although the applicators described herein are particularly useful with soft stick formulations, the applicators are also suitable for use with sticks having other hardnesses or physical composition.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a schematic side view of one example of an applicator 100 suitable for use with stick personal care products is provided. The applicator 100 includes a body 102 having a removable cap 104. The cap 104 is shown in phantom to reveal a stick 106 of personal care product extending from a top surface 126 of the body 102. The body 102 generally includes a sleeve 108 and a housing 110. The sleeve 108 and the housing 110 may be integrated as a single component (i.e., a singular homogeneous structure), or made from separate components joined together. The sleeve 108 and the housing 110 are generally tubular in form, having a centerline that extends axially through the applicator 100. In one example, the sleeve 108 is cylindrical, having an outside diameter 132.

The sleeve 108 has a first (top) end 120 and a second (bottom) end 122. The bottom end 122 of the sleeve 108 is coupled to a first end of the housing 110. The top end 120 of the sleeve 108 extends away from the housing 110 and is coupled to a first (bottom) end 124 of an applicator guide ring 112. A second (top) surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 112 also forms the top surface 126 of the body 102. The cap 104 typically snaps, press-fits, or screws over the sleeve 108 and applicator guide ring 112 to enclose the stick 106 within the applicator 100.

The applicator 100 additionally includes a stick product advancement mechanism 114. The stick product advancement mechanism 114 controls the movement/position of the stick 106 within the applicator 100. In one example, the stick product advancement mechanism 114 may be utilized to move the stick 106 to a position flush with or protruding from the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 112 to facilitate application of the consumer care product from the end of the stick 106 to a desired surface, such as the lips, skin or other surface of a user. In some examples, the stick product advancement mechanism 114 may also retract the stick 106 below the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 112 to prevent unwanted contact of the stick 106 with surfaces when application of the personal care product is not desired, for example between uses. Although any type of stick product advancement mechanism 114 may be utilized, for example ratchet advancement mechanism, a twist-to-advance mechanism, a click advancement mechanism, a push-up mechanism, sliders and the like, one exemplary stick product advancement mechanism 114 is detailed below with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional schematic view of the applicator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 with the cap 104 removed. Turning first to the stick product advancement mechanism 114 briefly discussed above with reference to FIG. 1, in one example, the stick product advancement mechanism 114 includes a cylinder 226, a threaded rod 222 and a carriage 206. The cylinder 226 is disposed in the housing 110 of the body 102. The cylinder 226 has snap-fit 238 or other structure that allows the cylinder 226 to rotate in the housing 110 while restraining the axial movement of the cylinder 226 along the centerline of the applicator 100. In the example depicted in FIG. 2, the cylinder 226 includes a knob 230 that is disposed outside of the housing 110 to allow a user to grasp the knob 230 and manually rotate the cylinder 226 relative to the housing 110 to extend and retract the stick 106 as further described below.

The threaded rod 222 extends between the cylinder 226 and the carriage 206. One end of the threaded rod 222 is engaged with a threaded hole 228 formed in the cylinder 226. The threaded rod 222 passes through a guide 224 formed in the housing 110. The guide 224 holds the threaded rod 222 aligned with the centerline of the applicator 100, which is also aligned the centerline of the threaded hole 228 formed in the cylinder 226. The threaded rod 222 and the guide 224 have complimentary features, such as a flat, finger, or non-circular cross-section, that prevents the threaded rod 222 from turning relative to the guide 224. Thus, as the cylinder 226 is rotated, the threaded rod 222 being constrained from rotating by the guide 224, moves axially along the centerline of the applicator 100 as the threaded rod 222 extend from or screws back into the threaded hole 228 of the cylinder 226.

The end of the threaded rod 222 opposite the cylinder 226 is coupled to the carriage 206. As the threaded rod 222 is moves towards the top surface 126 of the applicator 100 as the cylinder 226 is rotated, the carriage 206 is also moved by the threaded rod 222 toward the top surface 126 of the applicator 100. When the cylinder 226 is rotated in the opposite direction, the threaded rod 222 retracts into the cylinder 226, moving the carriage 206 away from top surface 126 of the applicator 100.

The carriage 206 is configured to hold a bottom end 204 of the stick 106 of personal care product. In one example, the carriage 206 has a cup shape that receives the bottom end 204 of the stick 106. The carriage 206 may have alternative geometries that enable the bottom end 204 of the stick 106 to be secured to the carriage 206. The carriage 206 generally resides in the sleeve 108. The sleeve 108 has an inside diameter 232 sufficiently large enough to allow the carriage 206 and the stick 106 of personal care product to freely move with in an interior passage 210 of the sleeve 108. In some examples, the outside diameters of the stick 106 is between about 1.0 mm and 30 mm or more. In other examples, the outside diameters of the stick 106 is at least about 1.0 mm in diameter, such as at least about 1.5 mm in diameter, or at least about 2.0 mm in diameter. In still other examples, the outside diameters of the stick 106 is about 2.0 mm to about 20 mm in diameter.

The inside diameter 232 is generally equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the stick 106. For example, the inside diameter 232 of the sleeve 108 is between about 1.0 mm and 30 mm or more. In other examples, the inside diameter 232 of the sleeve 108 is at least about 1.0 mm in diameter, such as at least about 1.5 mm in diameter, or at least about 2.0 mm in diameter. In still other examples, the inside diameter 232 of the sleeve 108 is about 2.0 mm to about 20 mm in diameter.

As stated above, the bottom end 122 of sleeve 108 extends from the housing 110 to a top end 120 where the sleeve 108 connects to the bottom end 124 of the applicator guide ring 112. The applicator guide ring 112 has an inside diameter 234 and an outside diameter 236. The inside diameter 234 (e.g., center passage) of the applicator guide ring 112 generally has the same or slightly larger diameter than the inside diameter 232 of the sleeve 108. The inside diameter 232 is generally equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the stick 106. As such, the inside diameter 234 of the applicator guide ring 112 is between about 1.0 mm and 30 mm or more. In other examples, the inside diameter 234 of the applicator guide ring 112 is at least about 1.0 mm in diameter, such as at least about 1.5 mm in diameter, or at least about 2.0 mm in diameter. In still other examples, the inside diameter 234 of the applicator guide ring 112 is about 2.0 mm to about 20 mm in diameter. The inside diameter 234 exits through the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 112 to allow the exposed end 202 of the stick 106 of personal care product to be extended and retracted relative to the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 112 using the stick product advancement mechanism 114.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 112 of the applicator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, while FIG. 4 is a top schematic view of the applicator guide ring 112 depicted in FIG. 3. Referring jointly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 112 is defined by a land 340 that extends between the inside and outside diameters 234, 236 of the applicator guide ring 112. Although the land 340 may have various geometries as later described below, the land 340 illustrated in FIG. 3 is generally planar. The plane of the land 340 is generally orientated at an angle 304 relative to the centerline of the applicator 100. The angle 304 may range from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees. When the plane of the land 340 has an orientation less than 90 degrees, a portion of the land 340 farthest from the bottom end 128 of the applicator 100 defines a peak 350. For ease of description, the peak 350 of the land 340 resides in the X/Y plane illustrated in FIG. 3.

Although FIG. 3 depicts the land 340 having a flat, coplanar orientation round the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 112, the land 340 may have other orientations. For example, the land 340 may slope inwards and downwards from the outside diameter 236 of the applicator guide ring 112. In another example, the land 340 may slope outwards and downwards from the inside diameter 234 of the applicator guide ring 112. The shape of the land 340 may be flat or curved in the profile of the slope.

In some examples, a width 320 of the land 340 may be narrower in some areas relative to others. For example, the width 320 of the land 340 at the peak 350 may be less than the width 320 of the land 340 on a side of the applicator guide ring 112 opposite the peak 350. In the example depicted in FIG. 3, the width 320 of the land 340 opposite the peak 350 fully extends a distance between the inside and outside diameters 234, 236 of the applicator guide ring 112, while the width 320 of the land 340 at the peak 350 extends less than the distance between the inside and outside diameters 234, 236 of the applicator guide ring 112. In FIG. 3, the outside diameter 236 of the applicator guide ring 112 includes a taper 302. The taper 302 shortens the horizontal distance 306 (i.e., distance in the X direction perpendicular to the centerline of the applicator 100) defined between the peak 350 and the centerline of the applicator 100 as compared to a distance 308 that defines the radial distance of the outside diameter 236 of the applicator guide ring 112.

The width 320 of the land 340 is generally selected to provide a relatively wide surface that promotes gliding of the applicator guide ring 112 across the users lips, face, skin or other desired surface. Thus, the land 340 prominently supports the applicator 100 against the application surface rather than the stick 106, thus preventing the stick 106 from mushrooming or otherwise distorting as is often the case with conventional applicators where the stick fully absorbs the force of application as the conventional applicator remains clear of the application surface during use. In some examples, the land 340 has an average width 320 of at least 1.00 mm. In other examples, the land 340 has an average width 320 of at least 1.25 mm. In still other examples, the land 340 has an average width 320 of at least 2.00 mm. The width 320 of the land 340 is generally wide as compared to the diameter of the inside diameter 232 of the sleeve 108 (and/or the inside diameter 234 of the applicator guide ring 112). For example, a ratio of a diameter of the inside diameters 232 or 234 to the width 320 of land 340 may be between 20 and 2.

The material of the applicator guide ring 112 is generally selected to enable the applicator guide ring 112 to glide across the lips, face, skin or other desired surface of a user. The applicator guide ring 112 may be fabricated from the same or different material as the sleeve 108. In one example, the applicator guide ring 112 is fabricated from a plastic material. In other examples, the applicator guide ring 112 is fabricated from a metal material, or a material capable of holding and retaining a thermal charge. Examples of materials capable of holding and retaining a thermal charge include stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, steel, nickel, tin, copper, brass, metal alloys, ceramics, high-density plastics, composites, or the like.

The land 340 of the applicator guide ring 112 may also include an optional surface covering (or texture) 360. For example, the surface covering 360 of the land 340 may be at least one of a flocked surface, a porous surface, an elastomeric surface, a sponge surface. The surface covering 360 of the land 340 may alternatively be a non-flocked plastic surface, non-flocked ceramic surface, or a non-flocked metal surface. The surface covering 360 may optionally extend over a portion or all of the outside diameter 236 of the applicator guide ring 112. The other examples of applicator guide rings depicted in FIGS. 5-13 may also include the optional surface covering 360 as described above.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 3 and as stated above, the applicator guide ring 112 may be part of the body 102 or be a separate component joined to the sleeve 108. The applicator guide ring 112 may be removably or permanently attached to the sleeve 108. In FIG. 3, the applicator guide ring 112 is snap-fit to the sleeve 108. For example, the outside diameter 132 of the sleeve 108 and inside diameter 234 of the applicator guide ring 112 may include complimentary projections and recesses 322, 324 that snap-fit together as the bottom end 124 of the applicator guide ring 112 is slid over the top end 120 of sleeve 108. The sleeve 108 and applicator guide ring 112 may alternatively be connected using adhesives, welding, threads, force-fits or other suitable techniques.

FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of another example of an applicator guide ring 512 that may be utilized with the applicator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in place of the applicator guide ring 112. The applicator guide ring 512 is constructed essentially identical to the applicator guide ring 112, except in that the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 512 is not planar. The top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 512 is generally curved in at least the X/Y plane. For example, the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 512 is concave in the X/Y plane. The curvature generally has a radius 502 that has an origin that is offset from the centerline of the applicator 100/applicator guide ring 512, resulting in a peak 350 being defined at one point along the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 512. In the example depicted in FIG. 5, the peak 350 resides in the X/Y plane. The radius 502 defining the curvature of the top surface 126 may be about 1 mm or about 15 mm.

Although not shown in FIG. 5, the outside diameter 236 may optionally include a taper (302, as illustrated in FIG. 3). When the applicator guide ring 512 includes a taper 302, the width 320 of the land 340 will be less at the peak 350 relative to other locations of the land 340 along the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 512.

As briefly mentioned above, the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 512 is generally curved in at least the X/Y plane. In some examples, the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 512 is only curved in at least the X/Y plane. In the example depicted in FIG. 5, and as better illustrated in the sectional view of FIG. 6 that is taken along section line 6-6 shown in FIG. 5, the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 512 is also curved in the Y/Z plane.

In the example depicted in FIG. 6, the top surface 126 has a convex curvature in the Y/Z plane. Thus, the land 340 has a radius 602 in the Y/Z plane. The origin of the radius 602 is generally closer to housing 110 relative to the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 512. The origin of the radius 602 may reside on the centerline of the applicator 100/applicator guide ring 512, or optionally be offset therefrom. The radius 602 defining the curvature of the top surface 126 in the Y/Z plane may be about 4 mm or about 5 mm.

The curvature of the top surface 126 in the Y/Z plane results in the land 340 having slope that extends downward and outward from the inside diameter 234 to the outside diameter 236 of the applicator guide ring 512. The slope of the land 340 is more clearly shown in the enlarged partial cross sectional schematic view of the applicator guide ring 512 illustrated in FIG. 7. The sloping curvature of the land 340 helps the applicator guide ring 512 glide more smoothly across application surfaces, while providing lateral support to the stick 106 of personal care product such that the stick 106 resist deformation upon application to a surface of the user.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of another example of an applicator guide ring 812 that may be utilized with the applicator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in place of the applicator guide ring 112. The applicator guide ring 812 is constructed essentially identical to the applicator guide ring 512 described above with respect to FIGS. 5-7, except in that the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 812 is sloped inward and downward from the outside diameter 236 in the X/Z plane.

Referring additionally to the enlarged portion of the applicator guide ring 812 depicted in FIG. 9, the land 340 of the applicator guide ring 812 is has a slope in the Y/Z plane. For example, the land 340 may form an angle 902 with the centerline of the applicator 100/applicator guide ring 812. The angle 902 defining the slope of the land 340 in the Y/Z plane is less than 90 degree, and is in one example between about 20 degree to about 45 degrees. The slope of the land 340 helps the applicator guide ring 812 provide lateral support to the stick 106 of personal care product such that the stick 106 resist deformation upon application to a surface of the user, while allowing personal care product to over the land 340 for more precise application.

Although not shown in FIG. 8, the outside diameter 236 may optionally include a taper (302, as illustrated in FIG. 3). When the applicator guide ring 812 includes a taper 302, the width 320 of the land 340 will be less at the peak 350 relative to other locations of the land 340 along the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 812.

FIG. 10 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of another example of an applicator guide ring 1012 that may be utilized with the applicator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in place of the applicator guide ring 112. The applicator guide ring 1012 is constructed essentially identical to the applicator guide ring 512 described above with respect to FIGS. 5-7, except in that the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 1012 has a concave curvature in the X/Z plane.

Referring additionally to the enlarged portion of the applicator guide ring 1012 depicted in FIG. 11, the land 340 of the applicator guide ring 1012 is has a concave curvature in the Y/Z plane. Thus, the land 340 has a radius 1002 in the Y/Z plane. The origin of the radius 1002 is generally farther from housing 110 relative to the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 812. The origin of the radius 1002 may reside on the centerline of the applicator 100/applicator guide ring 1012, or optionally be offset therefrom. The radius 1002 defining the curvature of the top surface 126 in the Y/Z plane may be about 1 mm or about 15 mm.

As with the shape of the land 340 depicted in FIGS. 8-9, the curvature of the land 340 illustrated in FIGS. 10-11 helps the applicator guide ring 1012 provide lateral support to the stick 106 of personal care product such that the stick 106 resist deformation upon application to a surface of the user, while allowing personal care product to over the land 340 for more precise application.

Although not shown in FIG. 10, the outside diameter 236 may optionally include a taper (302, as illustrated in FIG. 3). When the applicator guide ring 1012 includes a taper 302, the width 320 of the land 340 will be less at the peak 350 relative to other locations of the land 340 along the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 1012.

FIG. 12 is a partial cross sectional schematic view of another example of an applicator guide ring 1212 that may be utilized with the applicator 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 in place of the applicator guide ring 112. The applicator guide ring 1212 is constructed essentially identical to the applicator guide ring 512 described above with respect to FIGS. 5-7, except in that the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 1212 is sloped outward and downward from the inside diameter 234 in the X/Z plane.

Referring additionally to the enlarged portion of the applicator guide ring 1212 depicted in FIG. 13, the land 340 of the applicator guide ring 1212 is has a slope in the Y/Z plane. For example, the land 340 may form an angle 1302 with the centerline of the applicator 100/applicator guide ring 1212. The angle 1302 defining the slope of the land 340 in the Y/Z plane is greater than 90 degree, and is in one example between about ______ degree to about ______ degrees. The slope of the land 340 helps the applicator guide ring 1212 provide lateral support to the stick 106 of personal care product such that the stick 106 resist deformation upon application to a surface of the user, while allowing personal care product to be applied with less contact with the land 340 when desired to certain formulas of personal care products.

Although not shown in FIG. 12, the outside diameter 236 may optionally include a taper (302, as illustrated in FIG. 3). When the applicator guide ring 1212 includes a taper 302, the width 320 of the land 340 will be less at the peak 350 relative to other locations of the land 340 along the top surface 126 of the applicator guide ring 1212.

Thus, personal care applicators have been disclosed above that include a wide land configured to glide across an application surface, such as a user's face, lips, skin and the like, while significantly reducing tendencies of the stick of personal care product to mushroom or otherwise deform. As a result, more precise control of amount and location of personal car product applied to the user is enabled, while allowing the stick of personal care product retain its shape after application. Beneficially, the wide land also allows the stick to be easily retracted back into the applicator without leaving excessive product on the exterior of the application where the product could soil hands, clothing, handbags or other objects.

Claims

1. A personal care applicator comprising:

a housing;

a sleeve extending from the housing to a distal end, the sleeve having a tubular passage;

a stick product advance mechanism integrated with the housing, the stick product advance mechanism operable to advance a personal care product toward the distal end of the sleeve; and

an applicator guide ring disposed at the distal end of the sleeve, the applicator guide ring having a center passage aligned with the tubular passage, the applicator guide ring having a land extending around the center passage, the land facing away from the housing, the land having width of at least 1 mm, the width of the land being less than a diameter of the center passage.

2. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein the land has a width of at least 1.25 mm.

3. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein the land has an orientation that is perpendicular to a center axis of the sleeve.

4. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein the land has an orientation that is non-perpendicular to a center axis of the sleeve.

5. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator guide ring has a concave profile when viewed in a first direction perpendicular to a center axis of the sleeve.

6. The personal care applicator of claim 5, wherein the applicator guide ring has a convex profile when viewed in a second direction perpendicular to the center axis of the sleeve, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

7. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein the land of the applicator guide ring has a flocked surface, a porous surface, an elastomeric surface, a sponge surface, a non-flocked plastic surface, non-flocked ceramic surface, or a non-flocked metal surface.

8. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein the land of the applicator guide ring is fabricated from a material that has thermal storage.

9. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and applicator guide ring form a singular homogeneous structure.

10. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein the sleeve and applicator guide ring are formed from separate pieces.

11. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein the advancement mechanism further comprises a ratchet advancement mechanism, a twist-to-advance mechanism, a click advancement mechanism, a push-up mechanism, or a slider.

12. The personal care applicator of claim 1 further comprising:

a personal care product disposed in the sleeve, wherein the personal care product is at least one of an oral care product, skin care product, sun care product, hair care product, decorative cosmetics product, body care product, or perfume.

13. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein an inside diameter of the sleeve is less than or equal to the diameter of the center passage.

14. The personal care applicator of claim 1, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the center passage to the width of the land is between 20 and 2.

15. A personal care applicator comprising:

a housing;

a sleeve extending from the housing to a distal end, the sleeve having a tubular passage;

a personal care product stick advance mechanism integrated with the housing, the personal care product stick advance mechanism operable to advance a stick of personal care product through the distal end of the sleeve; and

an applicator guide ring disposed at the distal end of the sleeve, the applicator guide ring having a center passage aligned with the tubular passage, the center passage having a diameter between about 2 mm to about 20 mm, the applicator guide ring having a land extending around the center passage, the land facing away from the housing, the land having width of at least 1 mm, wherein a ratio of a diameter of the center passage to the width of the land is between 20 and 2.

16. The personal care applicator of claim 15, wherein the applicator guide ring has a concave profile when viewed in a first direction perpendicular to a center axis of the sleeve.

17. The personal care applicator of claim 16, wherein the applicator guide ring has a convex profile when viewed in a second direction perpendicular to the center axis of the sleeve, the second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

18. The personal care applicator of claim 15, wherein the sleeve and applicator guide ring are formed from separate pieces.

19. A personal care applicator comprising:

a housing;

a sleeve extending from the housing to a distal end, the sleeve having a tubular passage;

a personal care product stick disposed in housing and advanceable through the distal end of the sleeve; and

an applicator guide ring disposed at the distal end of the sleeve, the applicator guide ring having a center passage aligned with the tubular passage, the applicator guide ring having a land extending around the center passage, the land facing away from the housing, the land having width of at least 1 mm.

20. The personal care applicator of claim 19, wherein the center passage has a diameter between about 2 mm to about 20 mm; and a ratio of a diameter of the center passage to the width of the land is between 20 and 2.