Cosmetic device with active temperature modulation

Abstract

An active temperature modulating device for applying cosmetic or medicinal products to surfaces. The device has an applicator which includes a temperature modulating element disposed in the tip. Moreover, the temperature modulating element is controlled via an electrical source. The applicator comprises a material that is capable of storing, retaining, and/or transferring thermal energy during application of the product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic temperature modulating device comprising:
 a housing,   an applicator coupled to the housing, the applicator having an application face for applying a cosmetic or medicinal product to a surface, manipulating the product when on the surface or both,   a temperature modulating element disposed in the housing adjacent the applicator, and   wherein the temperature modulating element is powered via an electrical source.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the temperature modulating element heats or cools the applicator. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 2 , wherein the temperature modulating element comprises a resistive element, a Peltier thermoelectric device, a refrigerant, or a fluid based coolant. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical source comprises a battery or an alternating current (AC) adapter to be plugged into a wall socket. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a vibration element for vibrating the applicator. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing;   a reservoir for containing a product disposed in said housing, and   an insert disposed in the applicator, the insert defining a product delivery passageway in communication with the reservoir, the product delivery passageway extending through or around the applicator.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6 , further comprising a product delivery mechanism to dispense product from the dispenser, the product delivery mechanism comprising:
 a reverse click motion delivery mechanism;   a click motion delivery mechanism;   a squeeze tube delivery mechanism;   an airless pump delivery mechanism; or an aerosol delivery mechanism.   
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator comprises a material capable of retaining heat or cold during application of the product. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator comprises a metal, a glass, a stone, a ceramic, a high-density plastic, a wood, or a composite thereof 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator comprises a generally convex, disk-shaped body. 
     
     
         11 . A dispenser comprising:
 a housing having a reservoir for containing a product;   an applicator coupled to the housing, the applicator having and an application face for applying a product to a surface, manipulating the product when on the surface, or both, and a product dispensing path, for dispensing the product onto the surface, the applicator face, or both, extending through or around the applicator; and   a temperature modulating element disposed in the housing and adjacent the applicator, wherein said temperature modulating element is controlled via an electrical source.   
     
     
         12 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the applicator comprises a material capable of retaining heat or cold during application of the product. 
     
     
         13 . The dispenser according to  claim 12 , wherein the temperature modulating element comprises a resistive element, a Peltier thermoelectric cooler, a refrigerant, or a fluid based coolant. 
     
     
         14 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical source comprises a battery or an alternating current (AC) adapter to be plugged into a wall socket. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the temperature modulating element heats or cools the applicator. 
     
     
         16 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the applicator is fixed to the housing against movement relative to the housing. 
     
     
         17 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the applicator comprises a generally convex, disk-shaped body. 
     
     
         18 . The dispenser of  claim 11 , wherein the applicator comprises a generally curvilinear shape, a generally cylindrical shape, or a generally planar shape. 
     
     
         19 . A dispenser comprising:
 a housing having an attachment component for attaching the housing to a container;   an applicator being fixedly mounted to the housing and having a generally disk-shape and comprising:
 an application face for applying a product to a surface, manipulating the product when on the surface, or both, and 
 a delivery passageway configured to convey a product from the container to the application face, onto a surface, or both; and 
   a temperature modulating element disposed in the housing and adjacent the applicator, wherein said temperature modulating element is controlled via an electrical source.   
     
     
         20 . The dispenser of  claim 19 , further comprising the container holding the product removably attached to the housing via the attachment component. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 19 , further comprising a vibration element for vibrating the applicator. 
     
     
         22 . The dispenser of  claim 19 , wherein the applicator comprises a metal, a glass, a stone, a ceramic, a high-density plastic, a wood, or a composite thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The dispenser of  claim 19 , wherein the product is a cosmetic product, a medicinal product or both. 
     
     
         24 . A cosmetic temperature modulating device comprising:
 a housing designed for applying a cosmetic or medicinal product to a surface or for manipulating the product when on the surface, or both; and   a temperature modulating element disposed in the housing, wherein the temperature modulating element is powered via an electrical source.