Retractable mascara brush
A retractable mascara applicator that can be operated with one hand. The applicator has a pen-like housing containing a mascara reservoir. An applicator rod is reciprocable in the housing and extends into the reservoir from a rearward end. A brush on a forward end of the rod is positioned in the reservoir when the rod is in a retracted position and projects beyond the housing when the rod is extended. A finger operated slide outside of the housing is connected directly with the applicator rod to retract it and extend it. In a preferred embodiment at least a portion of the housing is pliable and can be pressed inwardly to squeeze the reservoir and press the mascara paste against the brush.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/131,108, filed Jun. 25, 2008.
This invention relates generally to cosmetics, and particularly to a brush for applying cosmetics, especially mascara.
BACKGROUND ARTMascara typically is applied with a brush applicator that is inserted into a container to pick up a quantity of the mascara and is then withdrawn from the container past a wiper that wipes excess mascara from the brush. The brush is then used to apply mascara to the eyelashes, and reinserted into the container to pick up a fresh supply of mascara. This usually requires the use of both hands: one to hold the container and one to hold the applicator.
The applicator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,990 is designed so that only one hand is required to operate it, but the structure is relatively complex. In the '990 patent a retractable applicator brush is reciprocated into and out of a mascara reservoir by a slide mechanism that comprises a knob or thumbwheel 26 connected through a drive belt or cable 22 to an applicator rod 20 on which the brush 18 is mounted. The drive belt and cable are described as flexible, and it is apparent how movement of the knob in a forward direction will pull through the cable or belt and retract the brush into the housing, but it is not apparent how movement of the knob in a rearward direction can “push” the cable or belt and extend the brush from the housing.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is a simple and inexpensive retractable mascara applicator that can be operated with one hand. The applicator of the invention comprises a pen-like housing containing a mascara reservoir. An applicator rod is reciprocable in the housing and extends into the reservoir from a rearward end. A brush on a forward end of the rod is positioned in the reservoir when the rod is in a retracted position and projects beyond the housing when the rod is extended. A finger operated slide outside of the housing is connected directly with the applicator rod to retract it and extend it. In a preferred embodiment a portion of the housing can be pressed inwardly to squeeze the reservoir and press the mascara paste against the brush.
The foregoing, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
The retractable mascara applicator of the invention is indicated generally at 10 in
A longitudinally extending slot 20 in one side of the housing (see
At least a portion 30 of the housing near the open end is pliable and preferably made of an elastomeric material such as plastic or the like so that it may be squeezed inwardly, as indicated in dot-and-dash lines in
Rather than the straight push-pull actuation described above, the applicator rod may be spirally shaped similar to a drill bit as depicted at 40 in
The user may extend and retract the brush one or more times to load it with a desired amount of mascara prior to application of the mascara to the eyelashes. Following use of the applicator, the cap is replaced.
Although particular embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described in detail herein, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention as defined by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A retractable mascara applicator that can be operated with one hand, comprising:
- a pen-like housing containing a mascara reservoir with mascara paste in it;
- an applicator rod reciprocable in the housing and extending into the reservoir from a rearward end thereof;
- a brush on a forward end of the rod positioned in the reservoir when the rod is in a retracted position and projecting beyond the housing when the rod is extended;
- a finger operated slide outside of the housing connected directly with the applicator rod to extend it and retract it; and
- at least a portion of the housing being pliable so that it can be pressed inwardly to squeeze the reservoir and press the mascara paste against the brush.
2. A retractable mascara applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- wiper elements are at a forward end of the reservoir for wiping excess mascara from the brush as it is extended forwardly out of the reservoir and housing.
3. A retractable mascara applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein:
- the applicator rod has a spirally twisted shape and rotates the brush as the applicator rod is extended and retracted relative to the housing.
4. A retractable mascara applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein:
- the pen-like housing is tubular and has a closed end and an open end, said reservoir being adjacent said open end and said applicator rod extending into a chamber adjacent said closed end; and
- a seal is disposed between said reservoir and said chamber to prevent said mascara paste from moving from the reservoir into the chamber, said applicator rod extending through said seal.
5. A retractable mascara applicator as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
- a longitudinally extending slot is formed in a side of said housing in communication with said chamber; and
- a web is connected at an inner end thereof with a rearward end of said applicator rod and extends radially outwardly through said slot and is connected at an outer end thereof with said slide.
6. A retractable mascara applicator as claimed in claim 3, wherein:
- wipers are positioned at a forward end of said reservoir and adjacent said open end of said housing to wipe excess mascara paste from the brush as the brush is moved outwardly of the housing through the open end thereof.
7. A retractable mascara applicator as claimed in claim 6, wherein:
- a removable and replaceable cap is on the open end of the housing to close it until the applicator is ready for use.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 25, 2009
Publication Date: Mar 18, 2010
Inventor: Charlotte Wynne (Topanga, CA)
Application Number: 12/459,020
International Classification: A45D 40/26 (20060101); A46B 11/00 (20060101);