Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COSMETIC PRODUCT SAMPLING SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to cosmetic, hair care, body
care, and/or
skincare products and, more particularly, to systems and approaches for
sample, trial, and/or
full-sized products.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Cosmetic and/or skincare products and applicators may have a number of
different
visual characteristics. For example, products such as lipstick may be provided
in varying
colors or shades, sheen levels (e.g., matte, satin, or sheer), and/or may have
varying degrees of
transfer resistance. Oftentimes, consumers may wish to test a number of
different products
prior to purchasing full-sized versions of the product. Existing sampling
systems oftentimes
includes excessive amounts of disposable packaging that may be costly to
manufacture and/or
may present environmental concerns. Current sampling and trial experiences may
not mimic a
full-sized product, and as such, may not provide a consumer with a similar
experience as when
using the full-sized product. More specifically, current sampling and trial
experiences are
provided in small sizes that may be difficult to hold and may present other
ergonomic
challenges. In the event a consumer has a variety of different samples each
having discrete
packaging, the user would need to carry the individual packages on their
person, which may be
confusing and present a barrier to trial.
[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for improved accessories having improved
functionalities.
SUMMARY
[0004] Examples within the scope of the present disclosure are directed to a
system for
sample, trial, and/or full-sized products. Such a system may include a
container defining at
least one cavity, a product disk, a cosmetic product, an applicator, and an
applicator engaging
mechanism operably coupled with the applicator. The product disk includes a
first side, a
second side, a body extending therebetween, and a disk engaging mechanism. At
least a
portion of the first side of the product disk is selectively positionable
adjacent to the at least
one cavity of the container. The cosmetic product is at least partially
disposed on the first side
of the product disk. The applicator has first end that includes an applicator
retention rcgion. At
least a portion of the second side of the product disk is positionable
adjacent to the applicator
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retention region. The product disk is removably coupled with the cavity of the
container and
the applicator coupling mechanism.
[0005] In some examples, the disk engaging mechanism may include a protrusion
extending
beyond the second side of the product disk. Further, in some examples, the
applicator
engaging mechanism may include a grip member disposed within a cavity of the
applicator.
The grip member may grasp the protrusion of the disk engaging mechanism to
selectively
couple the product disk with the applicator. Further, in these and other
examples, the grip
member may include a plurality of arms constructed from a resilient material.
The applicator
engaging mechanism may further include an urging member that moves towards the
first end
of the applicator to urge the protrusion to release the product disk from the
first end of the
applicator.
[0006] In a variation of these embodiments, the container may also define an
applicator
cavity that retains at least a portion of the applicator. In some examples,
the cosmetic and/or
skincare product may be in the form of at least one of a lipstick, a
foundation, a concealer, an
eyeshadow, a bronzer, a brow, a solid serum, a solid SPF product, a skin care
item, a solid face
balm, a lip balm, an applicator heads, a brush, a solid blush, a solid
contouring stick, an
impregnated sponge or carrier, or a semi-solid skin care or cosmetic product.
[0007] In some approaches, the body of the product disk may define a visual
indicator that
allows identification of the cosmetic product when the product disk is
positioned adjacent to
the at least one cavity.
[0008] In some examples, the container may define a second cavity. The system
may further
include a second cosmetic product being at least partially disposed on a
second product disk.
The second cosmetic product may have a different visual characteristic than a
visual
characteristic of the cosmetic product.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect, a reusable product system includes
an applicator,
an applicator engaging mechanism operably coupled with the applicator, a
product disk, and a
cosmetic product. The applicator has a first end that includes an applicator
retention region.
The product disk has a first side, a second side, a body extending
therebetween, and a disk
engaging mechanism. At least a portion of the second side of the product disk
is positionable
adjacent to the applicator retention region. The cosmetic product is at least
partially disposed
on the first side of the product disk. The applicator engaging mechanism
removably couples
the applicator with the product disk.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The above needs are at least partially met through provision of one,
more than one,
or any combination of the approaches for cosmetic and/or skincare sampling
systems
described in the following detailed description, particularly when studied in
conjunction with
the drawings, wherein:
[0011] Fig. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an example sampling and/or
trial system in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0012] Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of an example tray adapted to
retain a product
for use with the example sampling system of Fig. 1 in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0013] Fig. 3 illustrates a right side elevation cross-sectional view of the
example tray of
Fig. 2 in accordance with various embodiments;
[0014] Fig. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional schematic view of an example
product disk being
positioned adjacent to the example tray of Figs. 2 and 3 in accordance with
various
embodiments;
[0015] Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of an example applicator base for
use with the
example sampling system of Figs. 1-4 in accordance with various embodiments;
[0016] Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an example applicator tube and
applicator
engaging mechanism for use with the example sampling system of Figs. 1-5 in
accordance
with various embodiments;
100171 Fig. 7 illustrates a front perspective cross-sectional view of the
example applicator
tube and applicator engaging mechanism of Fig. 6 in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0018] Fig. 8 illustrates a front perspective cross-sectional view of the
example applicator
tube of Figs. 6 and 7 in accordance with various embodiments;
[0019] Fig. 9 illustrates a front side perspective view of a portion of the
example product
disk for use with the example system of Figs. 1-8 in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0020] Fig. 10 illustrates a rear side perspective view of a portion of the
example product
disk of Fig. 9 in accordance with various embodiments;
[0021] Fig. 11 illustrates a front perspective view of the example product
disk of Figs. 9 and
10 containing an example product in accordance with various embodiments;
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[0022] Fig. 12 illustrates a front side perspective view of an example grip
member for use
with the example system of Figs. 1-11 in accordance with various embodiments;
and
[0023] Fig. 13 illustrates a schematic of an alternative example applicator
engaging
mechanism for use with the example system of Figs. 1-12 in accordance with
various
embodiments.
[0024] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the
figures are illustrated for
simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For
example, the
dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures
may be
exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of
various examples.
Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a
commercially
feasible examples are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less
obstructed view of these
various examples. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or
steps may be
described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled
in the art will
understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually
required. It will also
be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary
technical meaning
as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the
technical field as set
forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set
forth herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Generally speaking, pursuant to these various approaches, a sampling
and/or trial
system for a product is provided having modular features. The sampling systems
described
herein allow for users to quickly and seamlessly replace or interchange
different cosmetic
and/or skincare products and applicators as desired to apply to their face
and/or skin. The
system may use reusable components and may reduce overall product packaging
requirements.
In some examples, upon a user determining which of the sample products they
wish to
purchase in larger (i.e., full-sized) quantities, the system may similarly
accommodate such
larger quantities therein.
[0026] Turning to the figures, a cosmetic and/or skincare sampling system 100
includes a
cosmetic and/or skincare product 101, a container 102, an applicator 120, and
any number of
product disks 150. While the illustrated examples depict a lipstick product,
in other examples,
the product 101 may be any number or combination of different cosmetic and/or
skincare
products. For example, the product 101 may be in the form of a foundation, a
concealer, an
eyeshadow, a bronzer, a brow, a solid serum, a solid SPF product, a skincare
item, a solid face
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balm, a lip balm, an applicator head such as a sponge, a brush, a solid blush,
a solid contouring
stick, an impregnated sponge or carrier capable of retaining a liquid skincare
or cosmetic
product, or a semi-solid skincare or cosmetic product.
[0027] The container 102 includes a base 104 having an interior cavity 104a, a
lid 106, and
a hinge 105 that rotatably couples the lid 106 with the base 104. In other
examples (not
illustrated) the lid 106 may be operably coupled with the base 104 via any
number of suitable
approaches such as, for example, a friction fit connection, a threaded
connection, a magnetic
connection, a vacuum or suction mechanism, and the like. Other examples are
possible. The
container 102 may be constructed from any number of suitable materials and/or
combinations
of materials such as, for example, metals, polymers, and the like. As
illustrated in Fig. 1, the
container 102 has a generally rectangular prismatic shape, though other
suitable examples such
as cylindrical are possible.
[0028] The container 102 further includes a divider or top plate 108 having a
number of
openings 108a (e.g., six) dimensioned to receive a corresponding number of
trays 110. The
divider 108 may also include an applicator opening 108b dimensioned to receive
the applicator
120. With reference to Figs. 2 & 3, each tray 110 includes a support ledge 111
having a lower
surface 111a and an upper surface 111b, a sidewall 112 extending downwardly
from the
support ledge 111, and a lower surface 113. The lower surface 111a of the
support ledge 111 is
adapted to rest on (i.e., is positionable adjacent to) the divider 108 such
that the remainder
sidewall 112 and the lower surface 113 are at least partially disposed within
is in the opening
108a (and thus into the interior cavity 104a of the base 104). In some
examples, the lower
surface 111a of the support ledge 111 (and thus the tray 110) and the divider
108 may be
coupled with each other using magnets, adhesives, a friction-fit coupling, and
the like. Other
examples are possible.
[0029] As illustrated in Figs. 3 & 4, the sidewall 112 and the lower surface
113 combine to
define a cavity 114 which is dimensioned to receive and/or retain at least a
portion of the
product disk 150 and/or a quantity of cosmetic product 101 disposed thereon.
As illustrated in
Fig. 3, in some examples, the sidewall 112 may have a curved, angled and/or
tapered surface
relative to the lower surface 113. In these configurations, the sidewall 112
may act as a stop
mechanism to retain and/or prevent the product disk 150 from advancing further
in a
downward direction into the cavity 114 by frictional engagement therebetween.
In other
examples, such a stop mechanism may be in the form of a frictional engagement,
a notch, a
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tab, a protrusion, and the like. Other examples are possible. In yet other
examples, the sidewall
112 may include a ledge region (not illustrated) to retain and/or prevent the
product disk 150
from advancing further into the cavity 114.
[0030] With reference to Figs. 5-12, the applicator 120 includes a cap 121, an
applicator
base 122, an applicator tube 124, and an applicator engaging mechanism 130.
The applicator
base 122 may be used as a handle a user grasps when applying the desired
cosmetic product
101, and includes an opening 123 to receive a portion of the applicator tube
124. The
applicator tube 124 includes a first end 124a, a second end 124b, a generally
hollow body
extending therebetween having an interior cavity 124c which includes an
interior platform
124d, and an applicator retention region 126. The applicator tube 124 extends
along a
longitudinal axis "A". In the illustrated example, the applicator tube 124 is
generally
cylindrical in shape, though other configurations are possible.
[0031] The applicator retention region 126 is positioned at the
first end 124a of the
applicator tube 124 and includes a first end 126a, a second end 126b, and a
ledge or
countersunk region 128 dimensioned to receive and engage a portion of the
product disk 150.
In the illustrated example, the applicator retention region 126 is in the form
of a separate
member that operably couples with the applicator tube 124 via a friction-fit
engagement via a
slot formed on the applicator tube 124 and a corresponding protrusion formed
on the first end
126a of the applicator retention region 126. However, other arrangements are
possible
including, for example, the applicator retention region 126 being integrally
formed with the
applicator tube 124. The applicator retention region 126 is generally hollow
and defines an
interior cavity 126c.
[0032] In the illustrated examples, the second end 126a of the applicator
retention region
126 is obliquely angled relative to the longitudinal axis A, though other
relative configurations
are possible. Accordingly, in this configuration, the second end 126a of the
applicator
retention region 126 has a generally planar, ovoid shape.
[0033] The second end 124b of the applicator tube 124 is insertable into the
opening 123 of
the applicator base 122, and may be secured therewith via a number of
approaches such as, for
example, a threaded connection, a friction-fit connection, the use of
protrusions and
corresponding notches, and the like. In some examples, the applicator base 122
and the
applicator tube 124 may be movably coupled with each other such that relative
axial
movement therebetween may be permitted. Other examples are possible. As will
be discussed
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in further detail herein, the second end 124b of the applicator tube 124
further includes an
opening 125.
[0034] As illustrated in Figs. 6-8, the applicator engaging mechanism 130 is
at least
partially disposed within the interior cavity 124c of the applicator tube 124
and the interior
cavity 126c of the applicator retention region 126. In some examples (not
illustrated), a
portion of the applicator engaging mechanism 130 may not extend into the
interior cavity 126c
of the applicator retention region 126. The applicator engaging mechanism 130
includes an
urging member 132 and a grip member 140. The urging member 132 is in the form
of a rod or
elongated member having a first end 132a and a second end 132b. The first end
132a of the
urging member 132 defines a contact surface 133. The urging member 132 further
includes a
flange 134 positioned near the second end 132b thereof The second end 132b of
the urging
member 132 extends through the opening 125 of the applicator tube 124 to any
desired length
(e.g., between approximately 0.1" and approximately 5").
[0035] The grip member 140 includes a first end 140a, a second end 140b, and
defines a
body having an interior cavity 140c. The first end 140a of the gripping member
140 includes a
port 142 positioned adjacent to a ledge 144. As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8,
the grip member
140 is at least partially disposed within the interior cavity 124c of the
applicator tube 124 such
that the ledge 144 of the gripping member 140 is positioned adjacent to the
interior platform
124d formed on the interior cavity 124c of the applicator tube 124 to restrict
movement
towards the second end 124b of the tube 124.
[0036] The second end 140b of the gripping member 140 includes a plurality of
arms 145.
In some examples, the arms 145 are constructed from a resilient material. Each
of the arms
145 is separated by a slit 146. The second end 140b of the gripping member 140
is generally
hourglass shaped, meaning two inverse tapers form an outermost wide region
145a, to a
narrow region 145b, and back to a wide region as the gripping member 140
progresses
towards the first end 140a thereof The narrow region 145b defined by the arms
145 receives
an elastomeric material (e.g., a band, an 0-ring, etc.) 147 capable of
expansion and
contraction. The band 147 biases the arms 145 to a closed configuration.
[0037] The first end 132a of the urging member 132 extends through the port
142 of the
grip member 140 and into the interior cavity 140c thereof The urging member
132 is movable
relative to the grip member 140 within the interior cavity 140c. A resilient
member 131 is also
disposed within the interior cavity 124c of the applicator tube 124 and is
positioned between
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the flange 134 and the grip member 140 to bias the flange 134 against the
second end 124b of
the applicator tube 124. So configured, and as will be discussed in detail
below, a user may
press the second end 132b of the urging member 132 to cause the contact
surface 133 thereof
to advance towards the first end 124a of the applicator tube 124.
[0038] Turning to Figs. 9-11, the product disk 150 is in the form of a body
having a first or
lower side 150a, a second or upper side 150b, and an outer sidewall 150c. A
support member
or frame 151 extends through the disk 150 and defines a number of openings or
throughbores
152. In the illustrated examples, each of the first and second sides 150a,
150b are generally
planar as defined by the support member 151. However, other arrangements are
possible. The
first side 150a of the product disk 150 includes a product receiving surface
154 and a raised
outer edge 155 positioned around a periphery of the product receiving surface
154. With
reference to Figs. 4 and 11, the product receiving surface 154 is dimensioned
to receive a
sample quantity of product 101 thereon. For example, the product receiving
surface 154 may
accommodate a quantity of lipstick sufficient for between approximately two
and
approximately ten applications. Other examples of suitable quantities are
possible. In the
illustrated example, the product 101 protrudes outwardly from the product
receiving surface
154 and forms an oval shape, though other arrangements are possible depending
on the desired
application style and/or profile.
[0039] The second side 150b of the product disk 150 includes a disk coupling
mechanism
156 in the form of a protrusion 158 located at a central portion of the
support member 151 that
extends away from the second side 150b. More specifically, the protrusion 158
is in the form
of a rod having a ball 160 positioned at an outermost portion (i.e.,
positioned distally from the
second end 150b of the product disk 150). Generally speaking, the disk
coupling mechanism
156 is adapted to selectively engage the applicator retention region 126 of
the applicator tube
124 as well as the applicator engaging mechanism 130.
[0040] More specifically, the ball 160 of the disk coupling mechanism 156 is
dimensioned
and configured to be received within the interior cavity 126c of the
applicator retention region
126. Further, at least a portion of the outer sidewall 150c of the product
disk 150 (i.e., the
portion near the second side 150b) is dimensioned and configured to be
received and/or nest
within the ledge or countersunk region 128 of the applicator retention region
126.
[0041] Similarly, the product disk 150 is dimensioned such that it may be
positioned
adjacent to and/or at least partially within the cavity 114 of the tray 110.
More specifically, in
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some arrangements, the outer sidewall 150c of the product disk 150 may have a
dimension
that is smaller than the corresponding dimension of the periphery of the
cavity 114 of the tray
as defined by the sidewall 112. Accordingly, at least a portion of the body of
the product disk
150 (i.e., the first side 150a) may be positionable and/or nestable within the
cavity 114 of the
tray 110.
[0042] In some examples and as previously noted, the tapered configuration of
the sidewall
112 may serve as a physical restriction that prevents the product disk 150
from being disposed
further into the cavity 114 of the tray 110. As a result, when the product
disk 150 is positioned
adjacent to and/or at least partially within the cavity 114, a space or gap
may be formed
between the product receiving surface 154 of the product disk 150 and the
lower surface 113
of the tray 110 that is sufficiently sized to retain the product 101.
Accordingly, the product 101
may be safely disposed within the cavity 114 without being damaged by the
sidewall 112
and/or the lower surface 113 of the tray 110. So arranged, the second side
150b of the product
disk 150, and more specifically, the protrusion 158, may be positioned
adjacent to and/or may
extend upwardly from the upper surface 111b of the support ledge 111.
[0043] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the throughbore or throughbores 152 allow
either a portion
of the product 101 to be disposed therethrough and/or alternatively may
operate as a window
or visual indicator that allows a user to determine the appearance (e.g., the
shade, color, and/or
other visual characteristic) of the product 101 disposed on the product
receiving surface 154 of
the product disk 150 when positioned within the cavity 114 of the tray 110.
[0044] In operation, any number of product disks 150 may be removably retained
within
individual cavities 114 of trays 110, which in turn are disposed within
respective openings
108a of the divider 108, which is disposed within the interior cavity 104a of
the base 104.
Each of these disks 150 may include samples of the product 101 having
different visual
characteristics (e.g., varying colors or shades, sheen levels (e.g., matte,
satin, or sheer), and/or
may have varying degrees of transfer resistance). A user may determine which
product 101
sample they wish to apply by viewing the product 101 through the throughbore
152 of the
product disk 150.
[0045] Upon selecting the desired product 101, the user may position the first
end 124a of
the applicator tube 124, and more specifically, the second end 126b of the
applicator retention
region 126 near the ball 159 of the product disk 150, and may move the
applicator 120
towards the ball 159 such that the protrusion 158 enters the interior cavity
126c of the
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applicator retention region 126 and engages the second end 140b of the
gripping member 140.
More specifically, the ball 159 engages the outermost wide region 145a of the
arms 145, and
upon continued pressing by a user, the ball 159 will cause the arms 145 and
the band 147 to
expand and increase in diameter to allow the ball 159 to push beyond the
narrow region 145b
and into the remainder of the interior cavity 140c. As illustrated in Fig. 7,
in this position, the
ball 159 is disposed adjacent to or near the contact surface 133 of the urging
member 132.
Further, upon the ball 159 moving beyond the narrow region 145b of the arms
145, the band
147 will contract, thus causing the arms 145 to similarly contract to a
dimension that is less
than a dimension of the ball 159, thus retaining the ball 159 within the
interior cavity 140c of
the grip member 140. Further, in this configuration, the outer sidewall 150c
of the product disk
150 is nested within the ledge 128 of the applicator retention region 126 to
retain the product
disk 150 within a portion of the interior cavity 126c thereof A user may then
lift the applicator
120 away from the tray 110, which will in turn cause the product disk 150 to
be removed
therefrom. The user may then apply the sample of the product 101 as desired.
[0046] So configured, the gripping member 140 and the ledge 128 retain the
product disk
150 in a secure manner. In some examples, the engagement between the
applicator 120 and the
product disk 150 may generate a tactile feedback to alert the user that the
applicator 120 and
the product disk 150 are fully coupled together.
[0047] In some examples, the user may place the cap 121 onto the applicator
base 122 while
the product disk 150 is coupled with the applicator 120 for the purposes of
storage.
[0048] The product disk 150 may be decoupled from the applicator 120 by
positioning the
first side 150a near and/or within the cavity 114 of the tray 110 and engaging
(e.g., pushing)
the second end 132b of the urging member 132 inwardly in an axial direction
towards the first
end 124a of the applicator tube 124. Such urging causes the contact surface
133 to engage and
push the ball 159 against the narrow region 145b of the arms 145. Continued
urging will cause
the ball 145 to press against the narrow region 145b until the band 147
expands to a dimension
that allows the ball 159 to pass therethrough and into the outermost wide
region 145a of the
arms 145, at which point the product disk 150 will be decoupled from the
applicator engaging
mechanism 130 and may drop into or near the desired cavity 114. In some
examples, the
sidewall 112 may include a magnet that assists with retaining the product disk
150 within the
cavity 114.
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[0049] In some examples, when the applicator tube 124 is coupled with the
applicator base
122, the urging member 132 may be dimensioned to extend through a rearmost
portion of the
applicator base 122. In these arrangements, a user may press the urging member
132 as
previously described to decouple the product disk 150 from the applicator 120.
In other
examples, the urging member 132 may be dimensioned such that a portion of the
second end
132b is positioned near a wall defined by the opening 123 of the applicator
base 122. In these
examples, the user may press the applicator base 122 while holding the
applicator tube 124 to
cause relative movement therebetween, which in turn will cause the wall
defined by the
opening 123 to urge the urging member 132 forwards to decouple the product
disk 150 from
the applicator 120. In yet other examples, the urging member 132 may include a
threaded
connection that threadably engages the applicator tube 124 and/or the
applicator base 122. In
such an arrangement, upon twisting the applicator tube 124 and/or the
applicator base 122, the
urging member 132 may be advanced to urge the ball 159. Other examples are
possible.
[0050] Upon selectively decoupling the product disk 150 from the applicator
120, a user
may couple a different product disk 150 therewith to apply the desired product
101 or may
return the applicator to the applicator cavity 116 as desired. So configured,
a user may quickly
selectively sample any number of varying cosmetic and/or skincare products 101
to determine
a desired product for subsequent purchase. In some examples, the applicator
tube 124 may be
dimensioned to accommodate a full-sized quantity of product 101 to allow for
the use of the
same applicator 120 used to sample varying products 101. In such examples, the
applicator
tube 124 may include an advance/retract mechanism. In other examples, the
applicator tube
124 may be removed from the base 122 when the user determines which full-sized
product
they wish to purchase, and a replacement applicator (not illustrated) may be
inserted into the
base 122 that includes a full-sized quantity of product 101. In some examples,
the product
disks 150 may be reused and/or recycled upon returning them to the
manufacturer, thereby
potentially reducing overall component and manufacturing costs.
[0051] It will be appreciated that any number of modifications may be made to
the system
100. For example, Fig. 13 illustrates an alternative applicator engaging
mechanism 230 that
includes a grip member 240 having normally outwardly-biased or splayed arms
245. In such
an arrangement, the applicator retention region (not illustrated) may include
a closure opening
having a diameter sufficiently small enough to cause the arms 245 to be
retained in a closed
configuration to secure the product disk. As such, the arms may be prevented
from opening
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when disposed within the cavity of the actuator. Upon advancing the engaging
mechanism 230
beyond this closure opening, the arms 245 may splay outwardly to release the
product disk.
[0052] Further, in some examples, each of the applicator coupling mechanism
126 and the
disk coupling mechanism 156 may have opposite configurations whereby the
applicator is
inserted into a portion of the product disk. Other arrangements are possible.
[0053] In the foregoing specification, specific examples have been described.
However, one
of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and
changes can be made
without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims
below.
Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an
illustrative rather than a
restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included
within the scope of
present teachings. Additionally, the described examples/implementations should
not be
interpreted as mutually exclusive, and should instead be understood as
potentially combinable
if such combinations are permissive in any way. In other words, any feature
disclosed in any
of the aforementioned examples/implementations may be included in any of the
other
aforementioned examples/implementations.
[0054] The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s)
that may cause
any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not
to be
construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or
all the claims. The
claimed invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any
amendments made
during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as
issued.
[0055] Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second,
top and
bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action
from another entity
or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such
relationship or order
between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has",
"having,"
"includes", "including," "contains", "containing" or any other variation
thereof, are intended
to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or
apparatus that
comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only
those elements but
may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process,
method, article, or
apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises ... a", "has ... a", "includes
... a", "contains
... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of
additional identical
elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,
includes, contains
the element. The terms "a- and "an- are defined as one or more unless
explicitly stated
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otherwise herein. The terms "substantially", "essentially", "approximately",
"about" or any
other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of
ordinary skill in
the art, and in one non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within
10%, in another
embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and in another
embodiment within
0.5%. The term "coupled" as used herein is defined as connected, although not
necessarily
directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is
"configured" in a
certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in
ways that are not
listed.
[0056] The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not
intended to be
construed under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function
language is
expressly recited, such as "means for" or "step for" language being explicitly
recited in the
claim(s).
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