Product tube applicator with abrasive element

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A product tube applicator comprising:
 a hollow elongated tube configured to hold an applicator ointment comprising
 a distal portion; 
 a proximal portion; 
 an intermediate portion between said distal portion and said proximal portion;
 wherein
 said distal portion comprises an aperture such that said applicator ointment is configured to be accessed via said aperture, 
 
 
   a removable cap comprising a top portion, a bottom portion and a lumen therebetween, wherein said bottom portion is configured to couple with said distal portion of said elongated tube; and   an abrasive element provided on one or more of said hollow elongated tube or removable cap.   
     
     
         2 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said hollow elongated tube comprises a cylindrical tube, a rectangular tube or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said removable cap comprises an openable cover attached to said top portion and configured to remain attached to said cap and flap open away from said cap. 
     
     
         4 . The product tube applicator of  claim 3 , wherein said openable cover comprises an outer surface, an inner surface and at least one side. 
     
     
         5 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive element is provided on said distal portion, said proximal portion, said intermediate portion or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive element is provided on said removable cap. 
     
     
         7 . The product tube applicator of  claim 6 , wherein said abrasive element is provided on said top potion of said removable cap. 
     
     
         8 . The product tube applicator of  claim 3 , wherein said abrasive element is provided on said openable cover of said removable cap. 
     
     
         9 . The product tube applicator of  claim 8 , wherein said abrasive element is provided on said outer surface of said openable cover, said inner portion of said openable cover, said at least one side of said openable cover or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said applicator ointment is configured to axially slide out of said aperture and wherein said proximal portion comprises a moveable element configured to engage with said applicator ointment to allow said applicator ointment to axially slide out of said aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The product tube applicator of  claim 10 , wherein said abrasive element is provided on said moveable element. 
     
     
         12 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate portion comprises a removable flap, wherein said removable flap covers said intermediate portion partially or entirely. 
     
     
         13 . The product tube applicator of  claim 11 , wherein said abrasive element is provided on said removable flap, on said intermediate portion beneath said removable flap or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive element comprises one or more of lettered shapes, numbered shapes, structural shapes or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive element comprises one or more surface depths. 
     
     
         16 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive element comprises at least grit size greater or equal to 336 microns. 
     
     
         17 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive element comprises at least grit size between 265 and 425 microns inclusively. 
     
     
         18 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive element comprises at least grit size between 162 and 265 microns inclusively. 
     
     
         19 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive element comprises at least grit size between 100 and 162 microns inclusively. 
     
     
         20 . The product tube applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said abrasive element comprises at least grit size less than or equal to 100 microns.