Applicator and package therefor

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The foregoing problems are overcome by the present invention which provides an applicator designed specifically to scrub and to apply liquid to an eyelid, and a sealed, contaminant-excluding package for the applicator.
The applicator is formed so as to provide controlled, safe movement near the eyeball along the eyelid margin and to facilitate the application of liquid to the eyelid as well as the removal of tenacious deposits.
In this regard, it comprises a generally flat handle formed to be grasped between the thumb and forefinger of the user.
The handle has front and rear major surfaces joined by a minor, edge surface, the length and width or the handle being each substantially greater than its depth.
An elongate peg extends outwardly from an edge of the handle and a swab is disposed on the peg adjacent the handle edge.
The swab is formed of liquid absorbent material, and has a broad flat tip for optimal application to the eyelid margin.
The swab is disposed so that the distance between the swab and the handle edge is substantially less than either the width or length of the handle.
Preferably, the swab has greater width than depth with the handle, peg and swab on a common longitudinal axis so that the swab lies substantially in the plane of the handle.
The result is an applicator which can be easily grasped between the thumb and forefinger for optimal control of movement near the eyeball.
When applied to the eyelid, the broad flat swab tip naturally angles properly close to the lash line to dispose liquid solution, such as a mild soap solution, and to remove tenacious deposits from the eyelid margin.
Ridges or depressions can be formed so as to be exposed on major surfaces of the handle to further facilitate grasping between the thumb and forefinger.
This, together with wrist movement to and fro, allows controlled movement back and forth along the eyelid margin without the danger of forward thrust toward the eyeball.
Preferably, the applicator is packaged with the desired liquid already absorbed in safe and proper concentration for use near the eyeball in the swab