Inductively-heated applicator system

Abstract

An inductively-heated applicator system including a heating module and applicator or applicator pen. The heating module includes a dock for seating the applicator. The heating module includes circuitry to selectively generate an electromagnetic field to wirelessly provide energy to the applicator when it is positioned in the dock. The heating module may also include temperature control circuitry to at least one of monitor and control the temperature of the applicator. The applicator pen includes a heating element that may be heated through energy provided by the electromagnetic field. The heating element may be directly inductively heated by the electromagnetic field. The heating element may be a roller element that heats and applies the product. Alternatively, the applicator may include a secondary in which electrical power is induced when the electromagnetic field is present. In this alternative, the power may be applied to the heating element to produce resistive heat.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . An applicator system for applying a product comprising:
 a heating module having a dock and an inductive primary to generate an electromagnetic field; and   a wireless applicator removably positionable on said dock, said wireless applicator having:
 a dispenser system for creating pressure to dispense said product from a product cavity, 
 a resistive heater and a roller element for applying said product, 
 an inductive secondary for converting said electromagnetic field to electrical power, said inductive secondary being electrically connected to said resistive heater. 
   
     
     
         2 . The applicator system of  claim 1  including a rechargeable battery electrically connected to said inductive secondary, whereby application of electrical power from said rechargeable battery to said resistive heater for heating is provided while said wireless applicator is removed from said heating module. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator system of  claim 2  wherein said rechargeable battery holds a sufficient amount of charge in order to maintain a selected temperature of the resistive heater while said wireless applicator is removed from said heating module. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator system of  claim 1  including a temperature monitoring subcircuit. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator system of  claim 4  wherein said temperature monitoring subcircuit monitors temperature of said resistive heater and disconnects power to said resistive heater in response to exceeding a threshold temperature. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator system of  claim 1  including a product flow path from said product cavity to an area of interest, said product flow path bypassing said resistive heater. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator system of  claim 6  wherein said wireless applicator includes a heating element isolator that reduces an amount of heat transferred from said resistive heater to the product while it is traveling in said product flow path. 
     
     
         8 . A wireless applicator comprising:
 a dispenser system for creating pressure to dispense product from said wireless applicator to an area of interest;   a product cavity in communication with said dispenser system;   an applicator system in communication with said product cavity for applying said product;   a resistive heater for heating the area of interest; and   an inductive secondary capable of converting an electromagnetic field to electrical power, said inductive secondary being electrically connected to said resistive heater.   
     
     
         9 . The wireless applicator of  claim 8  including a rechargeable battery electrically connected to said resistive heater and electrically connected to said inductive secondary, whereby application of said electrical power from said inductive secondary is capable of charging said rechargeable battery. 
     
     
         10 . The wireless applicator of  claim 9  whereby electrical power from said rechargeable battery is capable of powering said resistive heater while said wireless applicator is removed from said heating module. 
     
     
         11 . The wireless applicator of  claim 10  wherein said rechargeable battery holds a sufficient amount of charge in order to maintain a selected temperature of the resistive heater. 
     
     
         12 . The wireless applicator of  claim 8  including a temperature monitoring subcircuit. 
     
     
         13 . The wireless applicator of  claim 12  wherein said temperature monitoring subcircuit monitors temperature of said resistive heater and disconnects power to said resistive heater in response to exceeding a threshold temperature. 
     
     
         14 . The wireless applicator of  claim 8  including a product flow path from said product cavity to said area of interest, said product flow path bypassing said resistive heater. 
     
     
         15 . The wireless applicator of  claim 14  wherein said wireless applicator includes a heating element isolator that reduces an amount of heat transferred from said resistive heater to the product while it is traveling in said product flow path. 
     
     
         16 . An applicator system for applying a product comprising:
 a heating module having a dock and an inductive primary to generate an electromagnetic field; and   a wireless applicator removably positionable on said dock, said wireless applicator having:
 a dispenser system for creating pressure to dispense said product from a product cavity, 
 a resistive heater and a roller element for applying said product, 
 a rechargeable battery electrically connected to said resistive heater, 
 an inductive secondary for converting said electromagnetic field to electrical power, said inductive secondary being electrically connected to said rechargeable battery, 
 whereby application of electrical power from said rechargeable battery to said resistive heater for heating is provided while said wireless applicator is removed from said heating module. 
   
     
     
         17 . The applicator system of  claim 16  wherein said rechargeable battery holds a sufficient amount of charge in order to maintain a selected temperature of the resistive heater while said wireless applicator is removed from said heating module. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator system of  claim 16  including a temperature monitoring subcircuit. 
     
     
         19 . The applicator system of  claim 18  wherein said temperature monitoring subcircuit monitors temperature of said resistive heater and disconnects power to said resistive heater in response to exceeding a threshold temperature. 
     
     
         20 . The applicator system of  claim 16  including a product flow path from said product cavity to an area of interest, said product flow path bypassing said resistive heater. 
     
     
         21 . The applicator system of  claim 20  wherein said wireless applicator includes a heating element isolator that reduces an amount of heat transferred from said resistive heater to the product while it is traveling in said product flow path.