Abstract: A brush assembly with an applicator rod, a brush sleeve with a tubular core member and a plurality of bristles, a rod hole in the distal end of the applicator rod, and a rivet for being received into the rod hole to retain the brush sleeve. A peripheral retaining wall can retain and protect a proximal end of the brush sleeve. The brush sleeve can have radially projecting, diamond-shaped bristles and can be slidably received over a body portion of the rivet or over a support stem forming a distal portion of the applicator rod. The body portion of the rivet or the support stem can have a non-circular cross section or an arcuate longitudinal profile to induce the brush sleeve to have the non-circular cross section or acruate longitudinal profile. A method for producing brush assemblies can produce brush assemblies with brush sleeves of varied cross sections.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator for retaining a plurality of cosmetic members for selective extension and retraction with a housing, a revolver chamber rotatably retained within the housing, a plurality of cosmetic members disposed within longitudinal tubes circumferentially spaced relative to the revolver chamber, a slide button retained to slide along a longitudinal channel in the housing, and an end cap for selectively rotating the revolver chamber to induce one of the plurality of cosmetic members to become an active cosmetic member. The end cap can be rotatably retained relative to the housing and drivingly engaged with the revolver chamber with a key and keyhole combination. The housing can have has an eccentric aperture in the distal end thereof and the cosmetic members can be eccentrically disposed relative to the revolver chamber to align selectively with the aperture in the distal end of the housing.

Abstract: A cosmetic dispenser for producing an axial movement of a cosmetic between extended and retracted dispositions. A cam member is rotatably engaged with an adapter member in a mating relationship. An elevator member with a cosmetic retaining portion and an elevator rod move axially in response to a rotation of the cam member in relation to the adapter member. A proximal end of the elevator rod can be received through an elevator aperture in the adapter member to enable a sliding of lugs on the elevator rod along a helical thread of the cam member. Frictional drag between the cam member and the adapter member can be produced by one or more drag protuberances therebetween. Where the drag protuberances project from the adapter member, a thin wall portion therein can enable a resilient deflection of the drag protuberances.

Abstract: A cosmetic dispenser for axially moving a volume of cosmetic between an extended disposition and a retracted disposition with an elevator member, an innerbody with an open inner volume for receiving the elevator member, and a spiral member with an open inner volume for receiving a body portion of the innerbody in a relatively rotatable relationship. At least one protuberance, which can be inflexible, can project from a shoulder portion of the innerbody and can be axially aligned with a flexible wall segment of the spiral member thereby to produce a frictional drag between the innerbody and the spiral member. The flexible wall segment of the spiral member can comprise a proximally disposed skirt. Axial movement of the elevator member can be produced by opposed lugs that project from the elevator member through opposed longitudinal tracks in the innerbody and into engagement with opposed spiral threads on the spiral member.

Abstract: A cosmetic dispenser for producing an axial movement of a cosmetic between extended and retracted dispositions. A cam member is rotatably engaged with an adapter member in a mating relationship. An elevator member with a cosmetic retaining portion and an elevator rod move axially in response to a rotation of the cam member in relation to the adapter member. A proximal end of the elevator rod can be received through an elevator aperture in the adapter member to enable a sliding of lugs on the elevator rod along a helical thread of the cam member. Frictional drag between the cam member and the adapter member can be produced by one or more drag protuberances therebetween. Where the drag protuberances project from the adapter member, a thin wall portion therein can enable a resilient deflection of the drag protuberances.

Abstract: A lipstick or cosmetic dispenser having a tubular cam sleeve and an innerbody fitted inside the cam sleeve, and internal helical tracks supporting an elevator cup. The cam sleeve has a lower cam skirt with a plurality of ribs provided on its inner wall. The innerbody has a beveled shoulder around a lower outer wall thereof. The cam skirt ribs bear against the beveled shoulder to create frictional drag between the innerbody and the cam sleeve, and to cause the cam sleeve to be urged upwardly. The ribs on the inner wall of the cam skirt extend at an angle relative to a centerline of said dispenser, and preferably are angled the same direction as the internal helical tracks of the cam sleeve. There are from three to seven, preferably, five or six of said ribs located equidistantly from each other around said inner wall of said cam skirt. The ribs may be connected with each other by webs or separated by slots.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a metal cosmetic case having contrasting bright areas and duller textured areas, comprising the steps of: fabricating a cosmetic case from aluminum alloy; including polishing the cosmetic case and applying a surface texture to portions of the cosmetic case to form textured portions thereon; anodizing the cosmetic case to provide a bright shine to at least the outer surface of the cosmetic case; and printing over the textured portions with an ink to provide the textured portions with a contrasting finish to the bright shine of the outer surface of the cosmetic case.

Abstract: A method for manufacture of a metal cosmetic case having contrasting bright areas and duller textured areas, comprising the steps of: fabricating a cosmetic case from aluminum alloy; including polishing the cosmetic case and applying a surface texture to portions of the cosmetic case to form textured portions thereon; anodizing the cosmetic case to provide a bright shine to at least the outer surface of the cosmetic case; and printing over the textured portions with an ink to provide the textured portions with a contrasting finish to the bright shine of the outer surface of the cosmetic case.

Abstract: A lipstick or cosmetic dispenser having a tubular cam sleeve and an innerbody fitted inside the cam sleeve, and internal helical tracks supporting an elevator cup. The cam sleeve has a lower cam skirt with a plurality of ribs provided on its inner wall. The innerbody has a beveled shoulder around a lower outer wall thereof. The cam skirt ribs bear against the beveled shoulder to create frictional drag between the innerbody and the cam sleeve, and to cause the cam sleeve to be urged upwardly. The ribs on the inner wall of the cam skirt extend at an angle relative to a centerline of said dispenser, and preferably are angled the same direction as the internal helical tracks of the cam sleeve. There are from three to seven, preferably, five or six of said ribs located equidistantly from each other around said inner wall of said cam skirt. The ribs may be connected with each other by webs or separated by slots.

Abstract: An elevator cup for receiving and supporting a cosmetic pomade in a cosmetic dispenser, comprising a hollow tubular body having a side wall, a closed bottom end, and an open top end for receiving a pomade; and one or more flexible tabs for positively engaging said pomade extending from an inner surface of the side wall. The flexible tabs are movable between a first position, wherein said flexible tab forms an acute angle with the side wall opening toward said bottom end, and a second position, wherein said flexible tab is substantially flush with said inner surface of the side wall. The flexible tab is deflectable from the first position to the second position upon receipt of a pomade and positively engages said pomade by returning to said first position by a spring force created in the flexible tab by the deflection from the first to the second position.

Abstract: A lipstick dispenser uses the normally decorative A-shell as a functional element by providing a plurality of longitudinal splines in the interior of the A-shell. The splines fit into notches in an elevator cup to keep the elevator in fixed relationship to the A-shell. A propel/retract mechanism is provided by interacting screw threading on the elevator and on a base that is secured together with the A-shell. The base has flexible upwardly extending friction tabs that ride on the inside of the A-shell and provide a desired frictional drag.

Abstract: A lipstick dispenser uses the normally decorative A-shell as a functional element by providing a plurality of longitudinal splines in the interior of the A-shell. The splines fit into notches in an elevator cup to keep the elevator in fixed relationship to the A-shell. A propel/retract mechanism is provided by lugs extending from the elevator that track in helical tracks in a base that is secured together with the A-shell. The base has flexible upwardly extending friction tabs that ride on the inside of the A-shell and provide a desired frictional drag.

Abstract: A sealed cosmetic container provides an airtight receptacle for a cosmetic stick in a dispenser with a slim appearance. The dispenser includes a nose piece with a movable elevator which operates by engagement between screw threading on a stem under the elevator cup and on a cam piece or between a lug under the elevator cup and helical tracks on a cam piece. The cam piece fits into the lower end of the nose piece and the parts are snapped together, with a bead inside the nose piece tightly engaging a lip or bead on the outside of the cam piece, to provide a seal between the two parts to prevent premature drying out of a cosmetic stick. The engaged beads also provide an enhanced swivel torque.

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 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 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 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: 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 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.