Adjustable applicator

Abstract

An adjustable applicator comprising an application member comprising a first portion, a second portion and an end cap. The first portion comprises of a hollow core having a cavity and a plurality of application elements on an outer surface of the hollow core. The second portion comprises at least two flexible arms extending from a distal end of the first portion towards the end cap of the application member. The adjustable applicator is capable of being adjusted between a first configuration in which the at least two flexible arms of the second portion take up a convex shape and a second configuration in which the at least two flexible arms of the second portion are twisted.

1 . An adjustable applicator for applying a product to a surface, the adjustable applicator comprising:
 a cap, the cap having an upper portion and a lower portion;   a stem having an upper portion coupled to the lower portion of the cap, a distal end and, having a cavity therein;   an application member having a first portion coupled to the distal end of the stem, a second portion, and an end cap, the application member including a hollow core; and   a transmission member having a proximal end coupled to the upper portion of the cap and a distal end coupled to the end cap of the application member, the transmission member disposed within the cavity of the stem and the hollow core of the application member;   wherein the upper portion of the cap comprises an actuator which is actuatable to initiate a progressive modification of a shape of the application member from a first configuration to a second configuration with a plurality of configurations therebetween;   characterized in that the first and second configurations are free from elastic deformation of the application member.   
     
     
         2 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is a rotatable dialer. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to rotate the transmission member about a longitudinal axis of the adjustable applicator. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the application member comprises a first flexible arm and a second flexible arm, the first and second flexible arms extending from a distal end of the first portion towards the end cap. 
     
     
         5 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second flexible arms have a convex shape in the first configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 4 , wherein in response to actuation of the actuator, the first and second flexible arms are configured to twist in a helical shape relative to a longitudinal axis of the adjustable applicator. 
     
     
         7 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the application member is more flexible than the first portion of the application member. 
     
     
         8 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of application elements molded on an outer surface of the first portion, the second portion, and the end cap. 
     
     
         9 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the transmission member is axially fixed relative to the upper portion of the cap along a longitudinal axis of the adjustable applicator. 
     
     
         10 . An adjustable applicator for applying a product to a surface, the adjustable applicator comprising:
 a cap having a dialer and a sleeve, the dialer rotatably coupled to the sleeve;   a stem having an upper portion coupled to the sleeve of the cap, a distal end, and having a cavity therein;   a transmission member having a proximal end coupled to the dialer of the cap and a distal end, the transmission member extending, at least in part, through the cavity of the stem;   an application member including a plurality of application elements extending from an outer surface thereof, the application member comprising:
 a first portion having a proximal shank configured to fixedly couple the application member to the stem and a distal portion extending to a distal end; 
 a second portion having a first flexible arm, a second flexible arm, and a gap between the first flexible arm in the second flexible arm, the first and second flexible arms extending distally from the distal end of the first portion; and 
 an end cap fixedly secured to the distal end of the transmission member; 
   wherein rotation of the dialer in a first direction is configured to initiate a progressive modification of a shape of the application member between at least a first configuration and a second configuration.   
     
     
         11 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the rotation of the dialer results in a corresponding rotation of the transmission member about a longitudinal axis of the adjustable applicator. 
     
     
         12 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 10 , wherein rotation of the dialer in a second direction opposite the first direction is configured to move the application member from the second configuration towards the first configuration. 
     
     
         13 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second flexible arms have a convex shape in the first configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 10 , wherein in response to rotation of the dialer in the first direction, the first and second flexible arms are configured to twist in a helical shape relative to a longitudinal axis of the adjustable applicator. 
     
     
         15 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 13 , wherein in response to rotation of the dialer in a second direction opposite the first direction, the first and second flexible arms are configured to resume the convex shape. 
     
     
         16 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 10 , wherein once the dialer has positioned the application member in the first configuration or the second configuration, the dialer is configured to retain the application member in the first configuration or the second configuration without any action by a user. 
     
     
         17 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the transmission member is rotatable relative to the stem. 
     
     
         18 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 10 , wherein the dialer further comprises an annular skirt extending from an inner surface of the top wall of the dialer towards the application member, the annular skirt having a generally rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         19 . The adjustable applicator of  claim 18 , wherein the proximal end of the transmission member is coupled within the annular skirt of the dialer. 
     
     
         20 . An adjustable applicator system for applying a product to a surface, the adjustable applicator system comprising:
 an adjustable applicator, the adjustable applicator comprising:
 a cap, the cap having an upper dialer portion and a lower sleeve portion; 
 a stem having an upper portion coupled to the lower sleeve portion of the cap, a distal end and having a cavity therein; 
 an application member having a first portion coupled to the distal end of the stem, a second portion, and an end cap, the application member including a hollow core; and 
 a transmission member having a proximal end coupled to the upper portion of the cap and a distal end coupled to the end cap of the application member, the transmission member disposed within the cavity of the stem and the hollow core of the application member; 
   wherein the upper dialer portion of the cap is configured to be rotatable relative to the lower sleeve portion to move the application member from a first configuration to a second configuration and a plurality of configurations therebetween; and   a receptacle configured to receive a product, the receptacle configured to be releasably coupled to the lower sleeve portion of the cap.