De-coupled, dual-brush, makeup container

Abstract

A mascara application system includes an applicator for mascara and a mascara container. The applicator may include two brushes, and have a reverse tweezers arrangement, by which the brushes may be spaced apart from one another when pressure is applied to a handle portion of the applicator, and the brushes may be positioned adjacent to one another when no pressure is applied to the handle portion. An optional applicator container may hold a handle portion of the applicator, while enabling its actuation to operate the applicator. The mascara container, which holds mascara and is configured to receive the brushes, may include a separate portal for each brush, as well as a squeegee or other element for removing excess mascara from each brush. Methods for applying mascara to lashes are also disclosed.

Claims

1. An applicator for a product, spreadable by a user, the applicator comprising: a container comprising a handle portion and a chamber portion, operating as a reservoir capable of containing the product, the container defining a longitudinal direction and a transverse direction, mutually orthogonal; a first arm and a second arm, each supporting at a distal end thereof, respectively, a first head and a second head fitted to simultaneously and selectively, as an integrated unit, reside within and remove from the chamber portion; the first and second arms operably connected to have a first, default, closed position urging the first and second heads toward contact with one another in the absence of any activation by a user, and a second, active, open position urging the first and second heads apart a distance to receive a bodily member therebetween; a bias member operating to urge the first and second arms toward the first position in the absence of a force applied in a transverse direction; and an actuator operable by the user to urge the first and second arms toward the second position in opposition to the bias member.

2. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the first head comprises bristles.

3. The applicator of claim 2, wherein the second head is a brush.

4. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the product is eye makeup.

5. The applicator of claim 4, wherein the distance is selected to include an eyelash between the first and second heads, and the product is mascara.

6. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a seal positioned to seal the reservoir from the handle portion at a location between the distal ends and the proximal ends of the first and second arms when the container is in a closed configuration.

7. The applicator of claim 6, wherein the seal is positioned and configured to release the first and second heads from the reservoir substantially exclusively by translation of the heads without rotation about an axis extending in the longitudinal direction.

8. The applicator of claim 7, wherein the reservoir is provided with first and second apertures, sized to receive the first and second arms, respectively, and each having a diameter effective to wipe excess product from the respective first and second head corresponding thereto.

9. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is provided with first and second apertures, sized to receive the first and second arms, respectively, and each having a diameter effective to wipe excess product from the respective first and second head corresponding thereto.

10. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the handle portion and the container portion are sized and shaped to register with respect to one another, precluding relative rotation therebetween about an axis in the longitudinal direction.

11. An applicator system comprising: a handle portion defining a longitudinal direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction mutually orthogonal, the handle portion being operable as a handle and as a cap; a container portion configured to operate as a reservoir to contain a product and configured to engage the handle portion as the cap thereof, securable in a closed configuration and removable in an open configuration; a first arm and a second arm, each having a proximal end co-located with the handle portion and a distal end selectively locatable, inside the container portion for storage while in the closed configuration thereof, and outside the container portion in the open configuration for application of the product; first and second heads secured to the respective distal ends of the first and second arms; a bias member operable to urge the first and second heads into contact in a first, default, position in the absence of a force applied by a user; and an actuator operable by the user to urge the heads apart by application of the force by the user.

12. The applicator of claim 11, wherein the bias member is located proximate the proximal ends of the first and second arms.

13. The applicator of claim 12, wherein the bias member is formed continuously and contiguously with the first and second arms to effectively join the proximal ends thereof into a single, continuous piece.

14. The applicator of claim 12 wherein the actuator is integrated with one of the handle portion, the first arm, the second arm, or a combination thereof.

15. The applicator of claim 11, wherein the first arm and second arm are movable relative to each other between a first, resting, position with the distal ends thereof positioned parallel to and adjacent one another to effect contact between the first and second heads, and a second, open, position with the distal ends spacing the first and second heads apart in response to a force applied thereto in a transverse direction.

16. The applicator of claim 11, further comprising a seal positioned to seal the product in the container portion away from ambient air.

17. The applicator of claim 16, wherein the seal is effected whenever the handle portion is secured to the container portion.

18. The applicator of claim 11, wherein the product is mascara and at least one of the first and second heads is a brush.

19. The applicator of claim 11, further comprising a seal operating as a wiper to seal against the first and second arms in a closed configuration and wipe excess amounts of the product from the heads simultaneously upon withdrawal thereof from the container portion.

20. An apparatus operable as an applicator for supplying a product, the apparatus comprising: an enclosure defining longitudinal, lateral, and transverse directions, mutually orthogonal to one another, and comprising a handle portion and a container portion; first and second arms, each having a proximal end, connected to the handle portion, and a distal end, the distal ends tending toward contact with one another in the absence of a force applied by a user; first and second heads operably connected proximate the distal ends of the respective first and second arms; the first and second heads selectively movable between a first, closed, position with the distal ends parallel and adjacent one another, and a second, open position with the distal ends spaced apart in response to the force applied by the user in the transverse direction; and the container portion, operable as a reservoir containing the product and shaped to selectively receive and release the first and second heads simultaneously; a seal sized and shaped to protect the product from exposure to ambient air when the enclosure is closed with the handle portion and the container portion are engaged in closest proximity to one another.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are, therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a front, elevation view of a dual brush eyelash applicator with reverse action in a closed position;

(3) FIG. 2 is a front, elevation view thereof in an open position;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an applicator in accordance with the invention;

(5) FIG. 4 is a front, elevation view thereof in a closed position;

(6) FIG. 5 is a front, elevation view thereof in an open position;

(7) FIG. 6 is a right side, elevation view thereof;

(8) FIG. 7 is a perspective view thereof of an applicator in an open position in preparation to apply mascara in a method in accordance with the invention;

(9) FIG. 8 is a perspective view thereof with the applicator in a closed position applying mascara to a lash;

(10) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an applicator of FIG. 3 inserted into a reservoir of a container in accordance with the invention;

(11) FIG. 10 is a front, elevation view of the applicator of FIG. 9 located within both the reservoir and cap of the container shown in front, elevation, cross-sectional view;

(12) FIG. 11 is a front, elevation view of the applicator of FIG. 9, assembled within the cap shown in a front, elevation, cross-sectional view of the container;

(13) FIG. 12 is an exploded, perspective view of one embodiment of a container for housing an applicator, and represents one embodiment of the container illustrated in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11;

(14) FIG. 13 is a front, elevation, cross-sectional view of the squeegee or wiper mechanism of FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, suitable for receiving the wands of an applicator;

(15) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an applicator and case (container), with the case open; and

(16) FIG. 15 is a front, elevation view of an alternative embodiment of an applicator, in front of a second applicator in a reservoir in a container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(17) Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a simplified embodiment of an applicator 10 is shown, in which the reverse tweezers effect is easily seen. FIG. 1 shows a simplified embodiment of an applicator 10 having a reverse tweezers mechanism 12, consisting of arms 14 and 16 that are joined at an apex 18 at a proximal end, or handle portion 12, of the applicator 10. The arms 14 and 16 cross over at point 20, which may be located somewhat centrally along the length of the applicator 10. The portions of the arms 14 and 16 that are located on the distal side of point 20 are referred to as wands 22 and 24. Brushes 26 and 28 are attached to the distal ends of the wands 22 and 24, respectively.

(18) The applicator 10 may be made of a flexible material that can bend when pressure is applied. Accordingly, when a pinching pressure 30 is applied to the handle portions of arms 14 and 16, they tend to move closer together, as shown in FIG. 2. Since the arms 14 and 16 cross over at point 20, that action of the arms has an opposite effect on the wands 22 and 24 and their brushes 26 and 28, causing the wands 22 and 24 and their respective brushes 26 and 28 to move away from each other, as shown by arrows 32.

(19) Thus, the diameter of the handle portion 12 depresses and expands when pinching pressure 30 is applied, so that the user may spread the distal ends of the two wands 22 and 24 with attached brushes 26 and 28, and then close the wands 22 and 24 and their respective brushes 26 and 28 in order to have the brushes 26 and 28 surround or hug a user's lashes.

(20) Referring now to FIG. 3, another embodiment of an applicator 50 is shown. That applicator 50 comprises a first arm 52 and a second arm 54 that cross over each other. The proximal ends of the arms 52 and 54 may be connected to oval tab 55 or they may be connected to each other in any other suitable manner to form a flexible hinge at the proximal end of the applicator 50. A pressure point 56 may be located on a proximal part of arm 54 and a pressure point 58 may be located on a proximal part of arm 56. Distal ends 60 and 62 of the arms 52 and 54, which are located on a distal side of a location where the arms 52 and 54 cross over one another, may be connected to wands 64 and 66, respectively. Brushes 70 and 72 are respectively secured to the distal ends of the wands 64 and 66.

(21) As seen in FIGS. 4 through 6, this crossed-over structure of arms 52 and 54 creates a reverse tweezers mechanism. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when transverse or pinching pressure 57 is applied by a user against pressure points 56 and 58, the distal ends 60 and 62 of the arms 52 and 54 tend to move in the opposite transverse direction, away from each other. Consequently, an outward force 73 causes the wands 64 and 66 and the brushes 70 and 72 to move away from each other. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 4, when the transverse or pinching pressure is released from the pressure points 56 and 58, the distal ends 60 and 62 of the arms 52 and 54 tend to move back together. Consequently, the wands 64 and 66 and the brushes 70 and 72 also move back together, to their original resting positions.

(22) Looking now at FIGS. 7 and 8, an embodiment of a process for using an applicator to apply mascara is depicted. In FIG. 7, applicator container 80 is shown as containing a reverse tweezers mechanism of a handle portion of an applicator, to be discussed in more detail hereafter. A user pinches pressure points 90 and 92 on the applicator container 80, causing wands 82 and 84 to separate. Brushes 86 and 88 on the ends of wands 82 and 84, which are laden with mascara for application to the eyelash 98, also separate. A separation space 94 between the brushes 86 and 88 enables the user to place a set of her lashes 98 (e.g., lashes on an upper eyelid, lashes on a lower eyelid, etc.) between the brushes 86 and 88.

(23) FIG. 9 shows the user releasing pressure from the pressure points 90 and 92, thereby causing the wands 82 and 84 to move towards each other and the separation space 94 to diminish. The brushes 86 and 88 come together on the top side and the bottom side, respectively, of the lashes 98. The user draws container applicator 80 away and up from the lashes 98, causing the brushes 86 and 88 to deposit and distribute the mascara over the lashes 98 as the brushes 86 and 88 are pulled in a forward direction across and off of the lashes 98.

(24) The dual brushes working together in tandem with each other may achieve multiple functionality of providing a desired volume, a desired length and a desired amount of eyelash separation. A thicker circumference brush holds more mascara within its brushes so it achieves a more voluminous look. A thinner circumference brush with multiple bristles achieves a longer looking lash. And a thinner circumference brush with thinner, more separated bristles achieves lash separation. In the present embodiment, the upper brush 86 may have a thicker circumference to focus on applying mascara in a manner that makes the lashes 98 appear to be thicker. The lower brush 88 may have a thinner circumference to apply mascara in a manner that makes the lashes 98 appear to be longer. However, any combination of brushes may be used to achieve a desired appearance.

(25) Looking next at FIG. 9, a mascara container 100 is shown. A mascara receptacle 102 is located at the bottom of the mascara container 100. A top portion 104 of the container may include a wall 106 with a smaller outer dimension than the corresponding outer dimension of the wall of the receptacle 102, with a ledge defining a boundary between the outer surfaces of the receptacle 102 and the outer surfaces of the wall 106. This difference in dimensions may accommodate an end of an applicator container (not shown in FIG. 9) or otherwise facilitate coupling of an applicator container to the mascara container 100.

(26) The applicator 50 may be placed in the mascara container 100, so that the wands 64 and 66 and their respective brushes 70 and 72 extend into the mascara receptacle 102 for storage and/or to receive the mascara therein. The mascara container 100 may have a dual-squeegee portal (not shown in FIG. 9) to accommodate the two wands 64 and 66 and brushes 70 and 72 of the applicator 50. The user may apply slight pressure to the arms 52 and 54 of the applicator 50 the wands 64 and 66 enough to enable them to align with and to be inserted into their respective portal (not shown in FIG. 9) of the receptacle 102 of the mascara container 100. Once the brushes 70 and 72 are in place within their respective portals, they may gather mascara within the receptacle 102. Excess mascara may be squeegeed off of the brushes 70 and 72 as they are pulled out of the portals. The mascara receptacle 102 may also be a holding chamber where the brushes 70 and 72 reside, or be stored, until the next usage. The mascara receptacle 102 may have either a single chamber for receiving both brushes 70 and 72 or two separate chambers, each corresponding to a single portal and being configured to receive a single brush 70, 72.

(27) FIG. 10 is a cutaway front view of the mascara container 100 with the applicator 50 therein. The mascara container 100 is configured to be coupled with an applicator container 120. The applicator container 120 houses the upper, or proximal, part of the applicator 50, including the proximal ends of the arms 52 and 54 and any pressure points 56 and 58 thereof. A lower portion 108 of the applicator container 120 is sized to fit snugly over and/or around the wall 106 of the top portion 104 of the mascara container 100 so that the applicator container 120 and the mascara container 100 may fit snugly together and releasably couple to one another.

(28) Looking next at FIG. 11, the applicator container 120 is shown separated from the mascara container 102 (FIGS. 9 and 10), with the proximal portion of the applicator 50 in the applicator container. The applicator container 120 may include protrusions 140 and 142 (e.g., convex members, etc.) on an inside surface of the applicator container 120. The protrusions 140 and 142 may be configured to engage corresponding pressure pads 56 and 58 of the applicator 50 (e.g., the protrusions 140 and 142 may be in close proximity, in contact with, etc., the pressure pads 56 and 58). The applicator container 120 may be configured in such a way that, when a transverse force is applied to appropriate opposite locations on the outer surface of the applicator container 120, force may be transmitted the handle portions of the arms 52 and 54 (e.g., via convex members 140 and 142 to pressure tabs 56 and 58, etc.). This action will cause the arms 52 and 54 to move closer together. By means of the reverse tweezers structure discussed above, the wands 64 and 66 may move apart from one another, causing the brushes 70 and 72 to separate, as shown in FIG. 8, so that the brushes 70 and 72 may be positioned above and beneath a user's lashes 98.

(29) FIG. 12 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the applicator container 120, which includes two members 150 and 152 (e.g., substantially semi-cylindrical members, as shown in FIG. 12, etc.) that may be associated with one another in a manner that enables them to move relative to each other. This movement imparts the applicator container 120 with flexibility, making it possible to squeeze the members 150 and 152 and, thus, the arms 52 and 54 together. This action results in the reverse tweezers action of the applicator 50, causing the wands 64 and 66 and, thus, the brushes 70 and 72 to separate.

(30) FIG. 12 also shows a tool 156 at the top of the mascara container 100, above the receptacle 102, for removing excess mascara from the brushes 70 and 72 as the brushes are pulled from receptacle 102. This tool 156 may include a pair of squeegees, one at or near the top of a port through which each brush 70, 72 enters and exits the receptacle 102. Alternately, as shown in FIG. 13, the tool 156 may be a squeegee 160 comprising a flexible, resilient material that defines the ports 162 and 164 through which the brushes 70 and 72 enter and exit the receptacle 102. Other mechanisms may alternately be used to remove excess mascara from the brushes.

(31) FIG. 14 shows another embodiment of a container 170 with an applicator, similar to the applicator shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. In this embodiment, the applicator container 172 has an actuator 174 constructed as a strip along on one side. Applying pressure to the actuator 174 actuates the reverse tweezers mechanism of the handle portion of the applicator within the applicator container 172, causing the wands 175 and 176 and their respective brushes 177 and 178 to move away from each other in a reverse tweezers action, such as that described above. The container 170 also includes a mascara container 180, which is constructed similar to the mascara container shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, with a chamber for mascara, dual ports for accepting the wands 175 and 176 and the brushes 177 and 178 and one or more squeegees (not shown).

(32) FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of a container 200 with an applicator, similar to the mascara application systems shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The applicator container 202 includes open sides, which reveal the handle portions of an applicator 204. The applicator 204 includes arms 206 and 208 that cross over one another, and that correspond to wands 210 and 212, which carry brushes 214 and 216. Applying pressure to appropriate locations on opposite sides of the applicator container 202 actuates the reverse tweezers mechanism, causing the wands 210 and 212 and their corresponding brushes 214 and 216 to move away from each other. The mascara container 220 is constructed similar to the mascara container shown in and described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, with a chamber for mascara, dual ports for accepting the wands and brushes and one or more squeegees (not shown).

(33) Advantages

(34) From the foregoing description it can be seen that the arrangement of the dual brushes may decrease the amount of time required to apply mascara, as brushes coat the upper and under sides of the user's top lash at the same time. In some embodiments, the interplay of the dual brushes working together in tandem may simultaneously add volume, lengthen lashes and separate lashes depending on the types of brushes used, a combination of eyelash appearances may result.

(35) A thicker circumference brush holds more mascara within its brushes so it achieves a more voluminous look, a thinner circumference brush with multiple bristles achieves a longer looking lash, and a thinner circumference brush with thinner, more separated bristles achieves lash separation. The brushes may be curved or straight, full or minimal, short or long, bristles or silicone. Some combinations of brushes may achieve various looks that are not easily achieved with a single mascara brush. Examples of dual brush combinations include: (a) a full top brush and a skinny bottom brush, either curved or straight to achieve volume and fullness on the top and to separate and lengthen from the bottom; (b) a full top brush and a full bottom brush, both with short lengths to achieve maximum volume and fullness; (c) top and bottom brushes formed from medium silicone and having a medium length to achieve added length and separation; and (d) top and/or bottom brushes that are sculpted to nest with each other to achieve precision and definition.

(36) The reverse tweezers mechanism facilitates improved user control when applying mascara. Unlike other previous mascara applicators, a steady pressure is automatically applied by the flexible reverse tweezers mechanism, which forces the brushes toward one another in a manner that surrounds and hugs the lashes. Manual pressure is needed only to position the brushes above and beneath the lashes and, in some embodiments, to position the brushes in the mascara container. This action may make the process of applying mascara more spontaneous, manageable, fluid, comfortable, ergonomic and/or efficient.

(37) The applicator may be associated with an applicator container that at least partially encases a proximal, handle portion of the applicator in a manner that enables actuation of the reverse tweezers mechanism. This arrangement may enable the user to apply pressure to one or both sides of the container to move the brushes apart from one another and to release the pressure so that the brushes move back together in a nestled position. In addition, the applicator container may impart the applicator, as well as an assembly of the applicator, the applicator container and the mascara container, with a sleek look.

(38) The mascara container may be configured to hold mascara and the brushes of the applicator. The mascara container may have dual portals through which the two brushes may be brought into contact with the mascara, and two squeegees to remove excess mascara from the brushes and return it to one or more receptacles that contain the mascara. The two portals may also provide a clean and efficient way to hold and store the dual brushes after mascara application has been completed. The dual squeegees may also help to seal the receptacle from exposure to the atmosphere and, thus, prevent drying of the mascara.

(39) It will be understood that the disclosed subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit, characteristics or coverage of the disclosed embodiments. The embodiments described herein are to be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive, and the scopes of the claims are not intended to be limited to the details of the described embodiments. Rather, the scope of each claim is defined by its plain language and the full scope of available equivalents thereto, as broadly as the art will permit.

(40) The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its purposes, functions, structures, or operational characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.