Abstract: "Lock" for this impel/repel lipstick container comprises a downward extension at the lower end of the slot in the inner body. The extension is adapted to receive the pomade cup lug and is partly defined by a margin portion facing in opposition to the direction in which the lug is moved when the cam is turned to raise the cup. When a user attempts to propel the pomade upward by turning the cam relative to the inner body, the cam track merely forces the lug against the margin portion of the extension. To unlock, the salesperson applies a tool upward into the base of the lipstick container to raise the pomade cup so that the lug moves upward out of the extension.

Abstract: A centerpost carrying a pomade cup on its upper end is threaded into a cup-shaped base. The pomade cup slides in a tubular nosepiece which rides in the base and which is keyed for rotation with the centerpost. The assembly method includes inverting the nosepiece and cup and filling it, reinverting and connecting the post and cup and the base and nosepiece. The threaded centerpost may "tap" threads into longitudinal ribs in the base during assembly.

Abstract: A lipstick container cover has a cup-shaped insert which sealingly telescopes over a sealed base assembly. The cover insert has an inward peripheral rib which makes line sealing contact with the sleeve. A bump formed on the sleeve raises the rib to vent pressure caused either by pushing the cover on the lipstick container or pressure build-up due to vaporizing solvent after the cover is fully installed. Venting the pressure in the container avoids the lifting off of the cover after installation. Otherwise such lifting unseals the container.

Abstract: An applicator for the application of a cosmetic medium, such as mascara, is disclosed having a central core, preferably formed from a twisted metal wire, having a brush section at one end thereof. The brush section comprises a plurality of radially extending bristles gripped medially by the wire core. At least some of the bristles have a substantially slotted cross-sectional configuration, most preferably, each bristle is substantially c-shaped, hollow and has a longitudinal slot extending along at least a portion of the length of the bristle, and preferably along the entire length of the bristle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are shown for transferring, storing, sorting and orienting nonoriented mascara applicators, each applicator having a stem and a brush. The apparatus includes a bowl having a spiraled ramp positioned along the inner wall for transporting the applicators along the ramp from the bottom of the bowl to the top of the bowl. The applicators are then transferred to an accumulator wheel which includes: two sides and a circumferential edge therebetween and a slot formed in the circumferential edge, the slot having a first and a second side and a width therebetween. The width of at least one portion of the slot is approximately equal to the diameter of the brush. The slot tapers to form a stabilizing portion; the stabilizing portion has a width approximately equal to the diameter of the stem. Advantageously, either end of the mascara applicator can be removably housed in the wheel.

Abstract: Mascara stirrer has a tubular hub rotatable in the container neck. The hub is formed with a lateral slot, and a generally annular wiper is adapted to slide into the slot and be generally centered in the opening of the tubular hub and trapped in place by the wall of the container neck.

Abstract: A cosmetic preparation dispenser permits filling of a dispenser cartridge and retraction thereof, but is subsequently inoperable until assembly with a master case. The cartridge includes a cam sleeve, innerbody and elevator cup. The locking of the cartridge is obtained by lower leftwardly extending track segments at the lower end of innerbody longitudinal track segments, which trap and retain the elevator cup when it is retracted after the cartridge is filled with a cosmetic stick. When the cartridge is assembled with the master base, a stem in the master base pushes against the elevator cup to urge it out of it locked position to permit the elevator cup to be freely movable along the axial path.

Abstract: A refillable cosmetic case has a base with a recess for a releasable tray held in place by a tray retaining cover hinged in the base and having a latching element. The case lid has a rear edge and is hinged to the base at an edge opposite the tray cover hinge, and the lid rear edge can be associated with the tray to assist in its removal whereby when the lid is opened beyond its usual limit of travel the rear edge releases the latching element and thus the tray retaining cover. The cover pivots back on its hinge, so the tray can be lifted out and refilled or replaced.

Abstract: A cosmetic preparation dispenser is provided that has a helical cam track with a horizontal step at its lower end and a longitudinal innerbody track that terminates adjacent the horizontal step. A cam follower lug of an elevator cup will track into and be trapped by and between the horizontal step and the lower end of the longitudinal track. This locks the innerbody to the cam sleeve to prevent longitudinal sliding of the innerbody relative to the cam sleeve when, e.g., a lipstick cover is removed in an assembled cosmetic container, which cover removal might leave an undesirable gap between the decorative shells surrounding the innerbody and cam sleeve.

Abstract: A cosmetic compact permitting easy replacement of product trays, wherein a recess in the compact and the tray have interfitting pluralities of locking elements, specifically, studs and mating elements, that frictionally engage each other to retain the tray in the recess of the compact.

Abstract: A lipstick comprising a cartridge and a base wherein the base is formed with upward latches which snap barb fashion over an annular shoulder in the lower end of the inner of the cartridge. The pomade cup has a downward projection to hold the latches outward. Specifically, the cup has a downward "stovepipe" which, when the cup is retracted, fits inside the latches to prevent them from springing inward on impact and releasing the cartridge.

Abstract: An applicator for the application of mascara to the eyelashes is disclosed having a central core formed from a twisted wire and having a brush section at one end of the central core. The brush section comprises a plurality of regularly disposed and radially extending bristles which are disposed in a helical array by the twisted wire. At least some of the bristles have reduced length and are arranged so as to form a substantially helical groove through the brush section. A process in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of providing an applicator having radially extending bristles and removing at least a portion of at least some of the bristles so as to reduce the length of at least some of the bristles.

Abstract: An applicator for the application of a cosmetic medium, such as mascara, is disclosed having a central core, preferably formed from a twisted metal wire, having a brush section at one end thereof. The brush section comprises a plurality of radially extending bristles gripped medially by the central core. At least some of the bristles have a substantially slotted cross-sectional configuration, most preferably, each bristle is substantially hollow and has a slot extending along at least a portion of the length of the bristle. The cross-sectional configuration of the slotted filaments is such that the gripping thereof by the core causes the slotted filaments to flare outwardly in a generally random direction and so as to be substantially uniformly distributed throughout the brush section; unlike the prior art bristles, the bristles of the present invention do not follow a substantially helical pattern when gripped by the twisted wire core.

Abstract: Containers for cosmetics such as lipstick, with refill cartridges that must be used with the whole container, avoid problems such as separation during normal use. The refill cartridge comprises a cosmetic holder including: a tubular innerbody, a tubular cam sleeve surrounding substantially the entire length of the innerbody; and an elevator cup within the innerbody. The extension of the cam sleeve over the innerbody, inhibits the relative movement of these two elements, unless a base member configured to fit between them and impart relative torque is in place. A retaining means is provided to hold the refill and the base member together.

Abstract: A method for assembling a dispensing container of the type as used for storing and dispensing liquid such as perfume, medicine and the like. The method comprises a forming a reservoir in a single integral part with an exterior surface being smooth and unbroken, assembling an actuator, a pump mechanism and a seal for sealing the pump mechanism with respect to the reservoir into a subassembly, and then inserting the subassembly into the opening of the reservoir to a predetermined distance to locate the seal and the pump mechanism completely internal of the actuator button and reservoir wherein only the actuator button and the reservoir are visible external to said dispensing pump and container.

Abstract: A cosmetic applier comprises a container assembly including a tubular sleeve, a cup holder reciprocable inside the sleeve and a cam for raising and retracting the cup holder. A pomade cup assembly includes a cup carrying pomade and an inverted cup-shaped transparent shroud about the pomade and connected to the top of the cup, the shroud having a diameter at least as great as the inner diamater of the sleeve. Interfitting fastener parts are on the cup and holder. In the preferred version, the fastener is of the permanently locking type. The selected pomade cup may be snapped into the holder and the holder and cup retracted by turning the cam so that the shroud, engaging the sleeve and spread by it, pops off the cup and is freed for easy disposal.

Abstract: A cosmetic preparation dispenser is provided that has a resilient tab formed on the lower end of the innerbody that presses against the cam sleeve to provide a desirable swivel drag, and which tab is prevented from undesirable deformation that reduces the swivel torque by providing a relaxation zone in the cam sleeve where the tab can recall its original shape. The relaxation zone is preferably a thin walled section of the cam sleeve that is formed by the combination of a flat outer wall and a circular inner wall, which thin walled section is deformable by pressure from the tab when the tab is seated against the thin walled section. The tab presses against the cam sleeve which causes the cam sleeve to move up a bevelled shoulder to enhance swivel drag between the cam sleeve and a retaining lip on the innerbody. The bevelled shoulder also engages the cam sleeve when force is applied to the elevator.

Abstract: Compact has an unlatching slide with a button surface and formed with front and rear cam surfaces. The hinged cover is held closed by a detent and the powder tray is held in the base also by detents. Light finger pressure on the unlatching slide button causes the front cam to force up the hinged cover disengaging the cover detent to open the compact, and heavy finger pressure on the unlatching slide forces the powder tray up disengaging the tray detents and liberating the tray from the frame so that it may be replaced.

Abstract: A screw-type propel/repel lipstick has a stepped profile along one edge of the slot in the sleeve of a lipstick. The stepped edge is on the lower end of the spiral opening in the cam where the opening overlies the slot. Preferably, the cup lug has a point in its cross section pointing down toward the stepped side of the slot. When the pomade starts to backoff, the point of the lug catches on the stepped profile.