Makeup applicator and cosmetics in use with the applicator

Abstract

An eye or lip makeup applicator and cosmetics in use with the applicator includes an applicator wand removably coupled to a handle. The applicator wand is secured within a container for storage, handling and ease of carrying around. The handle connects the container with a second container for storing additional eye, lip or other makeup. The applicator wand includes a mascara brush on one end of support cap. A second support cap includes a second brush for other makeup. The two support caps are connected to the handle.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

Makeup applicator and cosmetics in use with the applicator.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an eye or lip makeup applicator and cosmetics for use with the applicator. Specifically, the present invention relates to a makeup applicator having a wand removably coupled to a handle with the wand itself secured to a container to facilitate its replacement, handling and carrying, and cosmetics for use with the applicator.

In general, a mascara applicator including a mascara brush attached to a stem is designed to help users to set eyelashes upwardly in a gentle curve. However, women who use the typical in-line long lash mascara brush often find that application of eyelash makeup with the brush is very time-consuming and that it is difficult to curl eyelashes evenly into a desired shape. A more advanced form of the mascara brush is a volume brush to ease the uniform curling across the eyelashes. The volume brush is bent or curved corresponding to the round eye line so as to make up for the drawbacks of the conventional in-line long lash mascara brush in obtaining evenly-curled eyelashes. Existing mascara brushes also include curling brushes designed to give thickening effect to eyelashes by brushing the lashes in an upward direction from the bottom.

Therefore, users purchase a volume mascara brush (trapezoidal shape) or a curling mascara brush (football shape), in addition to an in-line mascara brush, to get a volumizing and curling effect. These prior art mascara brushes are attached to a stem integrated into a cap.

Although curved mascara brushes are available on the market and easy to get, general consumers tend to buy the in-line mascara brush presumably because of the economic burden imposed. Manufacturing costs of curved mascara brushes are higher than in-line mascara brushes because it takes more money to get a particular container design and color for the interior, and the cap in general is not recyclable.

One example of an existing, prior art replaceable mascara brush is shown in FIG. 5. Referring to FIG. 5, a stem 10 and a cap 20 are integrated, and a groove 11 is formed at one end of the stem 10 to receive a coupling part 60 of a replacement brush 70 in a removable manner. The cap 20 joins with a mascara liquid 80-containing casing 30 through a helical screw portion 90.

The replacement brush 70 includes an iron wire 50 secured to the coupling part 60 and a brush 40 composed of bristles 41 radially extended in a concentric structure along the outer circumference of the iron wire 50.

The stem 10 has a cylindrical shape, one end of which is secured into one end of the cap 20 as one unit and the other end of which forms the groove 11 to receive the coupling part 60 of the replacement brush 70 in a removable manner as noted earlier.

However, the replacement brush 70 corresponds to a tip that needs to be kept in ones, so it is not easy to keep and carry around.

Additionally, it does not stand alone (the stem is secured into the cap). Therefore, when a user wants to temporarily exchange the replacement brush 70 with another, the surface of whatever the brush is placed on is stained and gets dirty.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of foregoing problems, it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a makeup applicator easy to replace, carry and keep, and cosmetics in use of the applicator.

To achieve the above described object, the present invention includes a makeup applicator, comprising an applicator wand; a support cap for supporting the applicator wand; and a female screw portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the support cap. This construction allows a user to easily stand the support cap on a surface, which is convenient for replacement and temporal storage.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the applicator wand includes a mascara brush; an iron wire for supporting the mascara brush; and a stem, one end of which supports the iron wire and the other end of which is secured in the support cap, so that the applicator wand can serve as a mascara applicator.

In this embodiment, the mascara brush may include a first mascara brush having a large diameter and a second mascara brush having a smaller diameter than the first mascara brush, the second mascara brush being arranged at a tilt angle with respect to the first mascara brush. Because of the diameter difference between the two mascara brushes in this embodiment, the user can accurately apply mascara to the curved edges of the upper eyelashes and the lower eyelashes, and the tilt arrangement helps the user conveniently apply mascara in a one-step operation according to the shape of the eyes.

In this embodiment of the present invention, the applicator wand may also include a lipstick brush; a core for supporting the lipstick brush; and a lipstick brush stem, one end of which supports the core and the other end of which is secured in the support cap, so that the makeup applicator can serve as a lipstick applicator.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a cosmetic product for application for use with the makeup applicator, comprising a container having a female screw portion formed on an outer surface; an applicator screwed onto the container; a handle onto which the applicator is removably supported, the applicator including an applicator wand housed in the container, a support cap supporting the applicator and removably inserted into the handle, and a female screw portion to be joined with the male screw portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the support cap.

According to this embodiment, if the user pulls the container, the applicator screwed to the container for functioning as a cap is also pulled out with the container, thereby demonstrating properties like convenient replacement, handling, and carrying around.

In this embodiment of the present invention, a groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the support cap, and a projection to join with the groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the handle. This construction ensures that the support cap does not incidentally escape from the handle.

The makeup applicator and cosmetics in use of the applicator in accordance with the various embodiments of the present invention have several advantages. Since the support cap supports the applicator wand while being removably coupled to the handle, it is very convenient to make the applicator stand on a surface, and the wand of the applicator can easily be pulled away, leaving relatively little mascara liquid behind. Moreover, since the support cap can be screwed to the container, a user simply needs to pull the container in order to replace the applicator. Thus, it is very convenient to replace, keep, and handle the makeup applicator.

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments, which makes reference to the several figures of the drawing as listed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a mascara applicator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 in an assembled state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of different uses of a mascara applicator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a mascara/lipstick applicator; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional mascara applicator in the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description of the present invention reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part thereof, and in which is shown, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments illustrating the principles of the present invention and how it may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized to practice the present invention and structural and functional changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of a mascara applicator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 in assembled state, and FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of different uses of a mascara applicator in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a makeup applicator 100 used for mascara according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a container 130, an applicator 170 screwed to the container 130, and a handle 120 on which the applicator 170 is removably supported.

The container 130 is a casing for storing a mascara liquid 180 to be applied to a mascara brush 140.

Referring to FIG. 3, the containers 130 can be categorized into different types, depending on the kind of the cosmetic product used: a mascara container 100A storing a mascara liquid L (see FIG. 2) used for getting a long lash or curling effect, a lip gloss container 100B storing a lip gloss liquid to define a lip line, and a remover container 100C storing a remover liquid.

Referring next to FIG. 4, a male screw portion 190b is formed on the outer circumference of the container 130, and a stepped portion 138 is formed on the boundary between the male screw portion 190 and the container 130.

The applicator 170 includes a wand 180 housed in the container 130, and a support cap 110 for supporting the wand 180.

The wand 180 includes a mascara brush 140, an iron wire 150 for holding the mascara brush 140, and a stem 160 for supporting the iron wire 150.

The mascara brush 140 may take a variety of forms, depending on the use: a straight shape to get long lashes, a trapezoidal shape to get volumized lashes, and a football shape to get curled lashes.

The mascara brush 140 is stored in a corresponding container 100A, 100B, 100C, with the other two containers storing other contents (lip gloss and remover).

In particular, the mascara brush 140 according to this embodiment includes a first mascara brush 141 of a large diameter D, and a second mascara brush 143 of a relatively smaller diameter d than the first mascara brush 141. Preferably, the second mascara brush 143 is arranged at the free end side (tip end). The first mascara brush 141 may be referred to herein as a general mascara brush, and the second mascara brush 143 may be referred to herein as an under mascara brush. Of course, the first mascara brush 141 may come in different shapes, depending on its use as a main brush.

According to this construction, a user is able to apply mascara to the curved edges of the upper eyelashes and the lower eyelashes in an easy and neat manner.

The second mascara brush 143 is preferably arranged at an angle (α) with respect to the first mascara brush 141.

The tilt angle (α) is usually in a range of 23 to 27 degrees. Depending on the shape of eyelashes, the second brush 143 can also be used in one-step operation to ease application of mascara.

The iron wire 150 is inserted and secured through one end of the stem 160, and the other end is supported on the support cap 110.

The support cap 110 is in form of a recess divided into a bottom plate 114 and a side wall plate 116.

Further, a female screw portion 190a is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the side wall plate 116 of the support cap 110.

As the female screw portion 190a and the male screw portion 190b are joined/disjoined, the applicator 170 is either coupled to or separated from the container 130.

Therefore, the support cap 110 serves as a main cap of the container 130.

If a user pulls the container 130 being screw-coupled to the support cap 110, the support cap 110 easily escapes from the handle 120. As shown in FIG. 4, the mascara applicator of the present invention is designed to facilitate replacement, handling, and easier carrying around.

The lower end of the stem 160 is secured to the bottom plate 114.

Therefore, unlike a conventional mascara applicator, the present invention mascara applicator enables the user to pull the stem 160 away to separate the applicator 170 with the handle, without necessarily affecting the brush 140 and getting much less stains from the mascara liquid while doing it.

Therefore, with the construction of the support cap 110, the applicator 170 having been separated stands uprightly on the ground by the bottom plate 141, such that any one can replace or handle the applicator in a convenient manner.

Although this embodiment introduces a plate type bottom for the support cap 110, any configuration is acceptable as long as the applicator 170 can stand on it uprightly and with stability.

The support cap 110 is removably inserted and supported onto the handle 120.

An upper end 128 of the handle 120 functions as a stopper for preventing further insertion of the support cap 10 by stopping the support cap 110 at the stepped portion 138 of the container 130.

A groove 111b is found on the inner surface of the handle 120 in the circumference direction, and a protrusion 111a is formed on the outer surface of the support cap 110 in correspondence to the groove 111b.

The coupling mechanism between the groove 111b and the protrusion 111a ensures that the support cap 110 does not incidentally escape from the handle 120.

In addition, another groove 113b is formed on the inner surface of the handle 120 in the longitudinal direction, and a protrusion 113a is formed on the outer surface of the support cap 110 in correspondence to the groove 113b.

Preferably, a seat plate 125 is formed at the handle 120 to prevent further insertion of the support cap 110. This keeps the support cap 110 from incidentally sliding into the handle 120 when the container 130 and the support cap 110 are unscrewed from each other.

Thus, when the bottom plate 114 is seated on the seat plate 125, the support cap 110 cannot get in more.

Once the bottom plate 114 makes a surface contact with the seat plate 125, the bonding force is increased, so it takes great force to separate the applicator 170. To resolve this problem, as shown in FIG. 2, the bottom plate 114 is arranged slightly inwardly of the side wall plate 116, thereby allowing an edge 116a of the side wall plate 116 to rest upon the seat plate 125.

Meanwhile, if the seat plate 125 takes the form of a safety bar with a central hole, there is no need to make the ground plane of the bottom plate 114 different from the ground plate of the side wall plate 116.

FIG. 4 shows an exploded perspective view of a mascara/lipstick applicator.

Similar to the mascara applicator 100, a lipstick applicator 300 includes a container 330 storing a liquid lipstick (or other, depending on the use), an applicator wand 370, and a handle 120.

The applicator wand 370 includes a lipstick brush 340, a core 330 for supporting the lipstick brush 340, and a stem 160 one end of which supports the core 350 and the other end of which is supported on the support cap 110.

The lipstick brush 340 applies lipstick to lips. Unlike the mascara brush, it is made out of a fabric material.

The fabric, lipstick brush 340 covers the core 350 in a secured manner.

The applicator wand 370 is screw-coupled to the container 330, and inserted removably from the handle 120.

As shown in FIG. 4, a dual-purpose makeup applicator can be designed by attaching the mascara applicator 100 to one end of the handle 120 and the lipstick applicator 300 to the other end of the handle 120 in a removable manner.

Even though the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been suggested to be in use with mascara and lipstick, it can also be adapted to other cosmetics containers having an eye/lipstick applicator.

It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional changes me be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The foregoing descriptions of the embodiments of the invention have been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Accordingly, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, other types of cosmetics suitable for use with a wand and applicator of the present invention may be stored in containers 100A, 100B, or 100C, depending need of the user. Also, although the tilt angle (α) is usually in a range of 23 to 27 degrees. it is contemplated that any tilt angle may be used to accurately apply mascara to the curved edges of the upper eyelashes and the lower eyelashes to help the user conveniently apply mascara in a one-step operation It is therefore intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description.

Claims

1. A makeup applicator, comprising:

an applicator wand supported by a support cap having a female screw portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the support cap and a protruded portion formed on the outer circumferential surface of the support cap;

a container portion having a male screw portion capable of coupling with the female screw portion on the inner circumferential surface of the support cap;

a mascara brush supported by a wire coupled to a stem securely positioned within the support cap; and

a handle having a grooved portion on an inner surface thereof for removably coupling the support cap within the handle.

2. The makeup applicator according to claim 1, wherein the mascara brush includes a first mascara brush having a large diameter and a second mascara brush having a smaller diameter than the first mascara brush, the second mascara brush being arranged at a tilt angle with respect to the first mascara brush.

3. The makeup applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator wand includes:

a lipstick brush;

a core for supporting the lipstick brush; and

a stem, one end of which supports the core and the other end of which is secured in the support cap.

4. A cosmetic product for application of cosmetics, comprising:

a container having a female screw portion formed on an outer surface;

an applicator capable of screwing into the container;

a handle onto which the applicator is removably supported, the applicator including an applicator wand housed in the container, a support cap supporting the applicator and removably inserted into the handle, and a female screw portion to be joined with the male screw portion formed on the inner circumferential surface of the support cap.

5. The cosmetic product according to claim 4, wherein a groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the support cap, and a projection to join with the groove is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the handle.

6. A cosmetics applicator comprising:

a first container for holding a cosmetic liquid and including a protruded end with a male screw portion;

a handle removably connecting the first container with a second container, the second container also having a male screw portion; and

an applicator wand having a stem securely positioned within a screw cap on one end of the stem and a mascara brush having a first portion and a second portion slightly angled relative to the first portion, the first portion having a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the second portion, and the screw cap having a female screw portion within an inner wall of the screw cap for removably joining with the male screw portion of the first container.

7. The cosmetics applicator claim 6, further comprising a lipstick brush coupled to a lipstick brush stem securely positioned to a lipstick brush screw cap.

8. The cosmetics applicator of claim 7, wherein the lipstick brush screw cap includes a female screw portion within an inner wall of the lipstick brush screw cap for removably joining with the male screw portion of the second container

9. The cosmetics applicator claim 7, wherein the lipstick brush is removably positionable within the second container.

10. The cosmetics applicator of claim 8, wherein a user can remove the applicator wand from the first container via the handle and apply mascara while keeping the second container securely coupled to the handle, and can remove the lipstick brush from the second container via the handle and apply lipstick while keeping the first container securely coupled to the handle.

11. The cosmetics applicator of claim 10, wherein the screw cap is removable from the handle.

12. The cosmetics applicator of claim 11, wherein the screw cap has one substantially flat end so that a user can stand the screw cap on a surface.

13. The cosmetics applicator of claim 12, wherein the handle is removable from the screw cap so that a user can stand the handle on a surface.

14. The cosmetics applicator of claim 10, wherein the lipstick brush screw cap is removable from the handle.

15. The cosmetics application of claim 14, wherein the lipstick brush screw cap has one substantially flat end so that a user can stand the lipstick brush screw cap on a surface.

16. The cosmetics applicator of claim 15, wherein the handle is removable from the lipstick brush screw cap so that a user can stand the handle on a surface.

17. The makeup applicator of claim 1, wherein the support cap is removable from the handle.

18. The makeup applicator of claim 17, wherein the support cap has one substantially flat end so that a user can stand the support cap on a surface.

19. The makeup applicator of claim 18, wherein the handle is removable from the support cap so that a user can stand the handle on a surface.

20. The makeup applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator wand is replaceable.

21. The makeup applicator of claim 2, wherein the tilt angle is between 23 degrees and 27 degrees.

22. The cosmetics applicator of claim 21, wherein the angle between the first portion and the second portion is between 23 degrees and 27 degrees.