AN APPLICATOR FOR HOLDING AND DISPENSING A SUBSTANCE

摘要

An applicator is disclosed which includes a thin walled member adapted to hold and dispense a substance. An apparatus is also disclosed for forming a curl on an end of the applicator. The applicator has a thin wall formed from at least two separate distinct layers and has first and second spaced apart ends. The applicator also has an outwardly extending fingergrip ring integrally formed adjacent to the second end which serves to facilitate control of the applicator. The fingergrip ring also facilitates comfortable insertion of a substance into a body cavity or on an area of the skin and furthermore eases removal of the applicator from a body cavity. The apparatus includes first and second members. The first member is capable of holding the tubular member and has an external shoulder beyond which the first end of the tubular member extends a set amount. The second member is coaxially aligned with and is engageable with the first end of the tubular member. The second member includes a pilot which is sized to be inserted into the first end of the tubular member. The second member also includes a sleeve which surrounds the pilot and cooperates with the external shoulder when the second member engages the first end of the tubular member to form a curling chamber. The second member further includes a curling element positioned between the pilot and the sleeve which is capable of contacting the first end of the tubular member. The apparatus further includes means for rotating one of the members and means for moving the members into engagement. As the members engage, the curling element contacts the first end of the tubular member and forms a curl thereon within the confines of the curling chamber.