Applicator With Coiled Applicator Surface

Abstract

An applicator includes a handle and an applicator head coupled to the handle. The applicator head includes at least one coiled applicator surface disposed about a hollow space. The coiled applicator surface has an interior surface that defines the hollow space. The coiled applicator surface also has a first section with a first cross-sectional area and a second section with a second cross-sectional area. The first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An applicator comprising:
 a handle; and   an applicator head coupled to the handle, the applicator head including at least one coiled applicator surface disposed about a hollow space, the coiled applicator surface comprising
 (a) an interior surface that defines the hollow space, 
 (b) a first section having a first cross-sectional area, and 
 (c) a second section having a second cross-sectional area, 
   wherein the second section is longitudinally spaced further from the handle than the first section and the first cross-sectional area is greater than the second cross-sectional area.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the coiled applicator surface is tapered along at least a portion of its length in the longitudinal direction. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the first section defines a first effective diameter and the interior surface of the second section defines a second effective diameter, and wherein the first effective diameter is greater than the second effective diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the first section defines a first effective diameter and the interior surface of the second section defines a second effective diameter, and wherein the first effective diameter and the second effective diameter are about the same. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the coiled applicator surface has a fixed pitch. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of projections disposed on the coiled applicator surface. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein the projections are selected from the group consisting of rod-like, cone-like, knob-like, plate-like, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein the projections are uniformly spaced along at least a portion of the coiled applicator surface. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the coiled applicator surface is flocked with fibers. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising a reservoir for storing a liquid composition, the coiled applicator surface being in liquid communication with the reservoir. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the reservoir is disposed in the handle. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the reservoir contains a mascara composition. 
     
     
         13 . An applicator comprising:
 a handle; and   an applicator head coupled to the handle, the applicator head including at least one coiled applicator surface disposed about a hollow space, the coiled applicator surface comprising
 (a) an interior surface that defines the hollow space, 
 (b) a first section having a first cross-sectional area, 
 (c) a second section having a second cross-sectional area, and 
 (d) a third section having a third cross-sectional area, 
   wherein the second and third sections are spaced further from the handle than the first section and the first cross-sectional area is greater than at least one of the second and third cross-sectional areas.   
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the first cross-section area is greater than the second and third cross-section areas. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the third cross-section area is greater than the second cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 15 , wherein the first cross-section area and the third cross sectional area are about the same. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the coiled applicator surface is tapered along at least a portion of its length. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 13 , further comprising a plurality of projections disposed on the coiled applicator surface. 
     
     
         19 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the coiled applicator surface has a variable pitch. 
     
     
         20 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein the coiled applicator head is formed from a thermoplastic material.