Lip/skin applicator device with rotatable feature

Abstract

A lip or skin applicator device includes a first housing portion and a second housing portion rotatably connected to the first housing portion. The second housing portion rotates about the first housing portion such that, in the closed position, the product is enclosed within the first housing portion and the second housing portion, and in the open position, the product is exposed and the first housing portion is at least partially housed within the second housing portion. The lip or skin applicator device may include an opening with a plurality of elongated protrusions into which a portion of a product is inserted.

1 . An applicator device comprising:
 a first housing portion to which a product is attached;   a second housing portion rotatably connected to the first housing portion so as to allow the second housing portion to rotate about the first housing portion between a closed position and an open position, wherein:   the second housing portion rotates about the first housing portion such that, in the closed position the product is enclosed within the first housing portion and the second housing portion, and in the open position the product is exposed and the first housing portion is at least partially housed within the second housing portion.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , further comprising a first pivot joint and a second pivot joint, the second housing portion being rotatably connected to the first housing portion by way of the first pivot joint and the second pivot joint. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first pivot joint comprises a first male post formed on an inner surface of the second housing portion and a first female socket formed within the first housing portion, the first male post and the first female socket being shaped such that the first male post fits within the first female socket; and   the second pivot joint comprises a second male post formed on the inner surface of the second housing and a second female socket formed within the first housing portion, the second male post and the second female socket being shaped such that the second male post fits within the first female socket,   wherein the first and second male posts are formed on opposing sides of the second housing section and the first and second female sockets are formed within opposing sides of the first housing section, so as to allow the second housing portion to rotate about the first housing portion.   
     
     
         4 . The applicator device of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first pivot joint comprises a first male post formed on an outer surface of the first housing portion and a first female opening extending through the second housing portion, the first male post and the first female opening being shaped such that the first male post fits within the first female opening; and   the second pivot joint comprises a second male post formed on an outer surface of the first housing portion and a second female opening extending through the second housing portion, the second male post and the second female opening being shaped such that the second male post fits within the second female opening,   wherein the first and second male posts are formed on opposing sides of the first housing section and the first and second female sockets are formed through opposing sides of the second housing section, so as to allow the second housing portion to rotate about the first housing portion.   
     
     
         5 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing portion has a substantially semi-ellipsoidal shape to which a lower portion is cut off to form a bottom surface. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator device of  claim 5 , wherein the bottom surface projects inward from the lowermost point of the first housing portion. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing portion comprises an opening into which a portion of the product is inserted, the opening having a plurality of elongated protrusions protruding into the product. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator device of  claim 7 , wherein the first housing portion comprises:
 an outer wall;   an inner wall surrounded by the outer wall such that a groove is formed between the inner wall and the outer wall,   wherein the inner wall surrounds the opening into which the product is inserted, and the elongated projections project from the inner wall into the opening.   
     
     
         9 . The applicator device of  claim 8 , wherein the outer wall has a substantially oval cross-sectional shape, and the inner wall has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator device of  claim 8 , wherein the first housing portion further comprises an innermost wall formed within the inner wall, wherein the height of the innermost wall is less than the height of the inner wall such that the portion of the product inserted into the inner wall rests on top of the innermost wall. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator device further comprises a clasp for holding the applicator device in the closed position, wherein:
 the first housing portion includes a first portion of the clasp formed on an outer surface thereon and the second housing portion includes a second portion of the clasp formed on an outer surface thereof,   the first portion of the clasp has at least one of a bump and a recess, and the second portion of the clasp has the other of the bump and the recess, and   when the second housing portion is in the closed position, the bump is within the recess.   
     
     
         12 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the first housing portion includes a detent formed on an outer surface thereof, the detent holding the first housing portion in place when in the open position. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein a top of the second housing portion has an arcuate concave surface that projects inward. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the second housing member has a substantially semi-ellipsoidal shape to which an upper portion is cut-off to form a top surface. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the product is a lip balm. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second housing portions are made of polypropylene. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator device of  claim 1 , wherein the lower housing portion comprises at least one of a snap bead and a matching groove that circumscribes the lower housing portion, and the upper housing portion comprises the other of the snap bead and the matching groove, wherein the snap bead fits within the matching groove. 
     
     
         18 . An applicator device comprising:
 a first housing portion;   a product attached to the first housing portion;   a second housing portion connected to the first housing section;   the first housing portion comprising:
 an opening into which a portion of the product is inserted, the opening having a plurality of elongated protrusions protruding into the product. 
   
     
     
         19 . The applicator device of  claim 18 , wherein the first housing portion further comprises:
 an outermost wall;   an inner wall surrounded by the outermost wall such that a groove is formed between the inner wall and the outermost wall,   wherein the inner wall surrounds the opening into which the product is inserted, and the elongated protrusions project from the inner wall into the opening.   
     
     
         20 . The applicator device of  claim 19 , wherein the first housing portion further comprises an innermost wall formed within the inner wall, wherein the height of the innermost wall is less than the height of the inner wall, and the portion of the product inserted into the inner wall rests on top of the innermost wall. 
     
     
         21 . The applicator device of  claim 18 , wherein the product has an ovate shape. 
     
     
         22 . A method of using an applicator device, the method comprising the acts of:
 obtaining the applicator device comprising:
 a first housing portion; 
 a product attached to the first housing portion; 
 a second housing portion rotatably connected to the first housing portion; 
   rotating the second housing portion about the first housing portion from a closed position to an open position;   pressing the product of the applicator device onto one or both lips of a user to apply the product to the one or both lips.