MAKE-UP APPARATUS

Abstract

An apparatus for retrieving and applying make-up is provided. The apparatus includes a housing; a rod member at least partially disposed within the housing and comprising an upper surface; an extendable tip member having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is removably attached to the rod member; and a soft tip attached to the bottom end of the tip member. Preferably, the soft tip is configured to apply make-up to an individual.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to a make-up apparatus having extendable and removable tip members for retrieving and applying make-up from make-up containers, such as the bottom of make-up containers.

BACKGROUND

Make-up may be very expensive. As such, it is important that it is not wasted. Make-up may also be packaged in containers, such as tubes, that are shaped such that it is difficult to retrieve the contents, especially the contents remaining at the bottom of the tube or container. It is important however, to retrieve the contents of at the bottom of the tube or container due to the cost of make-up. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that is able to retrieve make-up, such as the remainder of make-up, in a variety of different make-up containers and tubes.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In some embodiments, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a housing; a rod member at least partially disposed within the housing and comprising an upper surface; an extendable tip member having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is removably attached to the rod member; and a soft tip attached to the bottom end of the tip member, wherein the soft tip is configured to apply make-up to an individual. The tip member may have a fully actuated position. The fully actuated position, measured from the bottom end of the housing to the bottom end of the soft tip, may have a greater length than a length of a container of make-up that the tip member is configured to retrieve make-up from.

In some embodiments, a method of applying make-up to an individual is provided. The method includes the steps of providing an apparatus having a housing; a rod member at least partially disposed within the housing and comprising an upper surface; an extendable tip member having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is removably attacked to the rod member; and a soft tip attached to the bottom end of the tip member. Preferably, the soft tip is configured to apply make-up to an individual.

In some embodiments, a kit is provided. The kit includes an apparatus having a housing; a rod member at least partially disposed within the housing and comprising an upper surface; a push member, wherein the push member is disposed on the upper surface of the rod member and is configured to move a tip member up and down; wherein the housing comprises an opening for receiving the push member, and wherein the push member at least partially protrudes from the opening to an outside. The kit also includes a plurality of tip members, each tip member comprising: a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is configured to be removably attached to the rod member; and wherein the bottom end is attached to a soft tip. The tip member may have a fully actuated position. The fully actuated position, measured from the bottom end of the housing to the bottom end of the soft tip, may have a greater length than a length of a container of make-up that the tip member is configured to retrieve make-up from. Additionally, the kit may include instructions for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an apparatus having a push member and a tip member in a retracted position in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a is an elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the tip member in an actuated position;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing the tip member and a portion of the rod member;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an apparatus having a push member and a tip member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

“Configured to,” means adapted for, employed, implemented, or programmed, as well as any combination thereof, to carry out some process, function, step or routine

“Make-up,” or any grammatical version thereof, refers to cosmetics, such as, but not limited to, lipstick, powder, and eyeliner; facial or body crème, and/or any other beauty product in the form of a liquid, crème, or powder, that is capable of being applied by a brush or a sponge and/or applicator as described herein. “Make-up” as used herein may refer to any care substance used to enhance the appearance or odor of the human body.

“Left-over make-up” refers to make-up that is situated at the end or bottom of a container or tube. Preferably, it refers to make-up at the bottom of the container or tube that is difficult to retrieve due to the shape of the container or tube and/or due to the shape or length of the tip/applicator.

“Plurality” means “more than one.”

It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “horizontally,” “up,” “down,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and “side” used herein are merely for the ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It is to be understood that any orientation of the apparatus, and the components thereof described herein, is within the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention are shown and described. Preferably, the apparatus is used to retrieve make-up from a container having a small amount of make-up left (“left-over” make-up), and to apply that leftover make-up to an individual. The invention, however, is not limited to retrieving and applying leftover make-up. It may be used to retrieve and apply make-up from the top of the tube or container (i.e., makeup that is not “leftover”). Leftover make-up may be difficult to retrieve using the applicator that was provided with the original container containing the make-up. For example, lipstick gloss applicators may not be configured to adequately retrieve the contents at the bottom of the tubes they come with. These original lipstick applicators may not be long enough to retrieve the leftover make-up at the very end of the tube or container. The present invention provides an apparatus having an extendable and/or removable soft tip for retrieving this hard-to-retrieve make-up. The apparatus may be fitted with tip members/soft tips of various shapes and sizes depending on the shape of the container or tube having the leftover (or desired) make-up. Accordingly, the invention provides a single apparatus for retrieving make-up, such as leftover make-up, from containers and tubes of various shapes and sizes.

As shown in FIG. 1, apparatus 100 includes a housing 102, a rod member 104 at least partially disposed within housing 102, and a tip member 106 (referred to individually and collectively as “106”) removably attached to rod member 104.

In some embodiments, housing 102 and rod member 104 are both circular in shape. Preferably, housing 102 includes a sidewall 102c. If housing 102 is circular in shape, it preferably includes a single sidewall 102c. Preferably, the dimensions of housing 102, (i.e., circumference, if housing 102 is circular), are chosen such that it is easily held in an individual's hand. Further, the dimensions of rod member 104 are chosen such that rod member 104 is smaller than housing 102, but fits snugly within housing 102. In this regard, preferably, rod member 104 makes contact with housing 104 on all sides, and is held in place by housing 102, but is also movable within it, as discussed further below. In other embodiments, housing 102 and/or rod member 104 are not circular in shape, i.e., they may have a square or a rectangular shape. In other embodiments, rod member 104 may be omitted.

Preferably, and referring to FIG. 1, rod member 104 is from about 1.5 inches to about 2.5 inches long (measured from a top end of rod member 104 to a bottom end 104a of rod member 104); and most preferably, about 2.0 inches long. Housing 102 may be from about 3.0 to 6.0 inches long (measured from a top end of housing 102 to a bottom end 102a of housing); more preferably, from about 3.5 to about 4.5 inches long; and most preferably, about 4.25 inches long. In other embodiments, the length of housing 102 and/or rod member 104 may differ from the foregoing without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In some embodiments, apparatus 100 includes tip member 106. Referring to FIG. 3, preferably, tip member 106 has a top end 106a and a bottom end 106b. Preferably, top end 106a is removably attached to rod member 104 and bottom end 106b is attached to a soft tip 108. The dimensions of tip member 106 are chosen such that it can at least partially fit within housing 102. Preferably, tip member 106 is circular in shape. In other embodiments, tip member 106 is omitted and/or of any other shape. In yet other embodiments, tip member 106 is removably attached to soft tip 108.

Preferably, and referring to FIG. 2, the length from top end 106a to bottom end 106b of tip member 106 is from about 0.5 inches to about 3.0 inches; more preferably, from about 0.75 inches to about 2.0 inches; and most preferably, about 1.0 inches. In other embodiments, the length of tip member 106 may be less than about 0.5 inches or greater than about 3.0 inches.

Preferably, soft tip 108 is configured to apply make-up and is reusable. It is to be understood that tip member 106 may be provided in any shape/size and soft tip 108 may be provided in any shape/size. The form of soft tip 108 may be determined by the type of make-up it is configured to retrieve and apply. For example, soft tip 108 may be a sponge, brush, foundation brush, powder brush, eye shadow brush, lip gloss applicator, bronzer brush, blush brush, mascara brush, and the like. In some embodiments, soft tip 108 may have a length (from a bottom end 106b of tip member 106 to a bottom end 108a of soft tip 108) of about 0.1 to about 2.0 inches; and most preferably, about 0.25 inches. In some embodiments, tip member 106 is pushed down to expose soft tip 108 to an extent necessary to retrieve leftover make-up from a container. After retrieval, soft tip 108 may be used to apply the leftover make-up to an individual. In other embodiments, soft tip 108 may have a length of less than about 0.1 inches, or greater than about 2.0 inches.

In some embodiments, and referring to FIG. 3, tip member 106 and rod member 104 are removably attached to each other via threaded portions 106c and 104c (disposed on tip member 106 and rod member 104, respectively). In this manner, one tip member 106 may be removed from rod member 104 and replaced with another tip member 106 (i.e., another tip member 106 of another size or having another soft tip 108). Threaded portion 104c may be disposed on an inner surface of rod member 104, and threaded portion 106c may be disposed on an outer surface of tip member 106 (or vice versa). In other embodiments, tip member 106 and rod member 104 are removably attached via a spring, and/or any other mechanism. In yet other embodiments, threaded portions 104c and/or 106c are omitted. In yet other embodiments, tip member 106 may be removably attached to soft tip 108. In this regard, threaded portions may be disposed on inner and/or outer surface of tip member and/or inner and/or outer surface of soft tip 108 and/or tip member 106 and soft tip 108 may be removably attached in any other manner.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 1-3, apparatus 100 includes a push member 110. Push member 110 may be disposed on, and attached to, an upper surface of rod member 104. Preferably, push member 110 is partially disposed within housing 102. Furthermore, housing 102 may include an opening 112 disposed on sidewall 102c of housing 102, and push member 110 may at least partially protrude from opening 112 to an outside. It is to be understood that push member 110 may simply be a protrusion of rod member 104. As such, it may not be a separate element. In other embodiments, push member 110 is omitted.

The present invention may operate in the following manner. Referring to FIG. 1, preferably, push member 110 is slideable from a top portion 112a of opening 112 to a bottom portion 112b of opening 112. As push member 110 slides from top portion 112a of opening 112 to bottom portion 112b of opening 112 (and back), it slides rod member 104 with it since it is attached to rod member 104. As rod member 104 slides from top portion 112a of opening 112 to bottom portion 112b of opening 112, rod member 104 preferably pushes tip member 106 with it, as rod member 104 is attached to tip member 106. Preferably, push member 110/rod member 104 is capable of pushing tip member 106 downwardly from a fully retracted position to a fully actuated position. Preferably, a continuum of positions exists between the fully retracted position and the fully actuated position. The extent to which rod member 104 pushes tip member 106 down may be adjusted depending on the size (i.e., length) of the container holding the leftover make-up to be retrieved. For example, if the container having the left-over make-up is short, then tip member 106 may not need to be pushed down as much as when the container having the left-over make-up is long. In this manner, leftover make-up from various container sizes may be retrieved using a single apparatus. In a similar fashion, push member 110 may be pulled upwardly. Pulling push member 110 up preferably pulls rod member 104 up. As rod member 104 is pulled up, tip member 106 is pulled up. In this manner, tip member 106 may be pulled up from a fully actuated position to a fully retracted position. For example, once the leftover make-up is applied, tip member 106 may be pulled up into housing 102 into a fully retracted position.

In an alternate embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 4, apparatus 200 includes housing 202, rod member 204 at least partially disposed within housing 202, and a tip member 206 removably attached to rod member 204. Preferably, tip member 206 has a top end 206a and a bottom end 206b, wherein top end 206a is removably attached to rod member 204 and bottom end 206b is attached to soft tip 208. Preferably, soft tip 208 is configured to apply make-up and is reusable. Preferably, tip member 206 and rod member 204 are removably attached to each other via threaded portions 204c and 206c (not shown), disposed on inner surface of rod member 204 and outer surface of tip member 206, respectively (or vice versa). In other embodiments, rod member 204 and tip member 206 may be removably attached to each other via any other means, such as springs. In yet other embodiments, rod member 204 and tip member 206 may not be removably attached to each other. In this regard, tip member 206 and soft tip 208 may be removably attached to each other instead (i.e., via threaded portions).

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 4, apparatus 200 includes a push member 210. Push member 210 may be disposed on, and attached to, top portion 204a of rod member 204. Furthermore, housing 202 may include an opening 212 (on a top portion of housing 202), and push member 210 may at least partially protrude from opening 212 to an outside. Preferably, push member 210 is attached to (removably or otherwise) a top portion 204a of rod member 204. Preferably, push member 210 is circular. Preferably, push member 210 is of a circumference such that it can snugly fit within opening 212, but such that it is pushable/pullable in an up and down manner within opening 212 also. As such, it is to be understood that the diameter of push member 210 should be just slightly less than the diameter of housing 202 (measured from an inner surface of housing 202). In this manner, when push member 210 is pushed up and down within housing 202, the outer surface of push member 210 touches inner surface of housing 202 on all sides. Furthermore, the fit between push member 210 and inner surface of housing 202 is such that push member 210 does not fall through housing 202; rather, it is held in place (but moveable) within housing 202.

As push member 210 is pushed down or pulled up within opening 212, it slides rod member 204 with it since it is attached to rod member 204. As rod member 204 is pushed down or is pulled up, rod member 204 preferably pushes tip member 206 with it, as rod member 204 is attached to tip member 206. Preferably, push member 210/rod member 204 is capable of pushing tip member 206 downwardly from a fully retracted position to a fully actuated position. Preferably, a continuum of positions exists between the fully retracted position and the fully actuated position. The extent to which rod member 204 pushes tip member 206 down may be adjusted depending on the size (i.e., length) of the container holding the leftover make-up to be retrieved. For example, if the container having the left-over make-up is short, then tip member 206 may not be pushed down as much as when the container having the left-over make-up is long. In this manner, leftover make-up from various container sizes may be retrieved using a single apparatus. In a similar fashion, push member 210 may be pulled upwardly. Pulling push member 210 up preferably pulls rod member 204 up. As rod member 204 is pulled up, so is tip member 206. In this manner, tip member 206 may be pulled up from a fully actuated position to a fully retracted position. For example, once the leftover make-up is applied, tip member 206 may be pulled up into housing 202. It is to be understood that push member 210 may be provided in various lengths depending on the length, for example, of tip member 206. For example, push member 210 may have a length from about 0.5 inches to about 4.0 inches. Additionally, push member 210 may be provided in various circumferences/diameters depending on, for example, the size of housing 202. In other embodiments, the length of push member 210 may be less than about 0.5 inches or greater than about 4.0 inches without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, tip members 106 or 206 may be extended to fully actuated positions. Preferably, tip members 106 or 206 at least partially protrude from housings 102 or 202 (respectively) in the fully actuated position (the position wherein the tip member is fully extended and cannot be extended anymore). The length of extension (measured from a bottom end of housing 102a or 202a, to a bottom end 108a or 208a of soft tip 108 or 208, respectively) in the fully actuated position is from about 0.25 inches to about 10.0 inches; more preferably, from about 2.0 inches to about 8 inches; and most preferably from about 3.5 inches to about 6.5 inches. In other embodiments, the length of extension in the fully actuated position is less than about 0.25 inches or greater than about 10.0 inches. The length of extension is preferably controlled by the user and may depend on the length of the container holding the leftover make-up. For example, if the length of the container is long, then the length of extension (in the fully actuated position or otherwise) is preferably longer. Preferably, the length of extension from the fully retracted position to the fully actuated position is a continuum. In this manner, the user may push down tip members 106 or 206 to any length of extension desired. In other embodiments, the user may not be able to push down tip members 106 or 206 to any length of extension desired. In this regard, there may be specific, pre-determined lengths of extension. In this regard, each time the user reaches a pre-determined length of extension; rod members 104 or 204 may rest in that position (the user may be able to hear a click, or the like, when the pre-determined length of extension is reached).

In some embodiments, a first tip member (for ease of description, referred to herein as 106 or 206) may be removed and replaced with a second tip member (for ease of description, also referred to herein as 106 or 206) by turning the threaded portions on rod members 104 and 204, and tip members 106 and 206, detaching the first tip member 106 or 206, and replacing it with a second tip member 106 or 206. In this manner, the user can use a single apparatus to apply different types of make-up, by exchanging one tip member 106 or 206 with another. For example, first tip member 106 or 206 may have soft tip 108 or 208 configured to retrieve and apply lip gloss. Second tip member 106 or 206 may have soft tip 108 or 208 configured to retrieve and apply mascara.

In an alternate embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5, apparatus 300 includes housing 302 and a tip member 306 (referred to herein singularly and collectively as “306”) removably attached to housing 302. Preferably, tip member 306 has a top end 306a and a bottom end 306b, wherein top end 306a is removably attached to housing 302 and bottom end 306b is attached to soft tip 308. Preferably, soft tip 308 is configured to apply make-up and is reusable. Preferably, tip member 306 and housing 302 are removably attached to each other via threaded portions 302c and 306c, disposed on inner surface of housing 302 and outer surface of tip member 306, respectively (or vice versa). A push member and/or a rod member may be omitted in apparatus 300. Instead, the user may control the length of the apparatus by replacing a tip member 306 of one length with another tip member 306 of another length. In other embodiments, housing 302 and tip member 306 may be removably attached to each other via any other means, such as springs. In yet other embodiments, housing 302 and tip member 306 may not be removably attached to each other. In this regard, tip member 306 and soft tip 308 may be removably attached to each other instead (i.e., via threaded portions).

The present invention may be provided in the form of a kit. The kit may include apparatus 100, 200 and/or 300, one or more tip members 106, 206, and/or 306, and instructions for use. Tip members 106, 206, and/or 306 in various shapes and sizes may be provided. In this regard, more than one tip member 106, 206, and/or 306 may be provided in a single kit. As such, the user may be able to select the appropriate tip member sizes depending on the size of the container holding the leftover make-up. For example, tip members 106, 206 and/or 306 having a smaller diameter (i.e., from about 0.1 inches to about 0.25 inches) and having a larger diameter (i.e., from about 0.25 inches to about 1.0 inches) may be provided in a single kit. Additionally, tip members 106, 206, and/or 306 may be provided with soft tips 108, 208, and/or 308 having differing shapes and sizes. For example, soft tips 108, 208, and/or 308 configured to retrieve and apply lipstick, mascara, eyeliner, and/or any other type of make-up may be provided. As such, the individual may be able to purchase one kit having soft tips configured to retrieve and apply different types of make-up. In some embodiments, the kit may include a case for storing tip members. The case may be configured to hold a plurality of tip members in a manner such that the tip members are kept in place when the case is moved or held in an individual's hand. In this regard, the case may have compartments, or the like, to hold and store the tip members and/or the apparatus. In other embodiments, tip members 106, 206, and/or 306 may have diameters less than about 0.1 inches or greater than about 1.0 inches, without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other embodiments, tip members 106, 206, and/or 306 are omitted from the kit.

In some embodiments, a method of retrieving and/or applying make-up is provided. The method includes the step of providing the apparatus of the present invention. In some embodiments, the method includes the step of providing more than one tip member 106 or 206. Preferably, each tip member 106 or 206 has a different soft tip 108 or 208 configured to retrieve and/or apply a different type of make-up. In some embodiments, the method includes the step of attaching tip member 106 or 206 to rod member 104 or 204. This may include the step of pushing rod member 104 or 204 down to expose the threaded portions. Threaded portions 104c or 204c of rod members 104 or 204 (respectively) may then receive threaded portions 106c or 206c of tip members 106 or 206 (respectively). Once rod members 104 or 204 and tip members 106 and 206 are attached, tip members 106 or 206 may be extended to an appropriate length by pushing down on push member 110 or 210. Thereafter, tip members 106 or 206 may be inserted into a container having leftover make-up to retrieve the leftover make-up. In some embodiments, the leftover make-up may be applied to the individual using tip member 106 or 206. At any time, tip members 106 or 206 may be retracted within apparatus 100 or 200. If the individual wants to use apparatus for left-over make-up housed in a different type of container, then the individual may detach rod members 104 or 204 from a first tip member 106 or 206 and attach a second tip member 106 or 206 to rod member 104 or 204. In this manner, a single apparatus can be used to retrieve leftover make-up from various tubes or containers.

Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a. a housing comprising at least one sidewall and a top portion;

b. a rod member at least partially disposed within the housing and comprising an upper surface;

c. an extendable tip member having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is removably attached to the rod member; and

d. a soft tip attached to the bottom end of the extendable tip member; wherein the soft tip is configured to apply make-up to an individual.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a push member, wherein the push member is disposed on the upper surface of the rod member and is configured to move the extendable tip member up and down.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the housing comprises an opening; wherein the push member at least partially protrudes from the opening to an outside.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the opening is disposed on the sidewall of the housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the opening is disposed on the top portion of the housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rod member and the extendable tip member are removably attached via a threaded portion disposed on the rod member and a threaded portion disposed on the extendable tip member.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extendable tip member is extendable to a fully actuated position, and wherein the extendable tip member at least partially protrudes from the housing to an outside in the fully actuated position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fully actuated position, measured from a bottom end of the housing to a bottom end of the soft tip, is from about 0.25 inches to about 10.0 inches.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the soft tip is selected from the group consisting of sponge, foundation brush, powder brush, eye shadow brush, lip gloss applicator, bronze brush, and blush brush.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the extendable tip member is reusable.

11. A method of applying make-up to an individual, comprising:

a. providing an apparatus comprising a housing; a rod member at least partially disposed within the housing and comprising an upper surface; a first extendable tip member having a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is removably attached to the rod member; and a soft tip attached to the bottom end of the extendable tip member; wherein the soft tip is configured to apply make-up to an individual.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of removing the first extendable tip member and replacing it with a second extendable tip member.

13. A kit comprising:

a. an apparatus comprising: i. a housing comprising at least one sidewall and a top portion; ii. a rod member at least partially disposed within the housing and comprising an upper surface; iii. a push member, wherein the push member is disposed on the upper surface of the rod member and is configured to move a tip member up and down; wherein the housing comprises an opening, and wherein the push member at least partially protrudes from the opening to an outside; and iv. a plurality of tip members, each tip member comprising: 1. a top end and a bottom end, wherein the top end is configured to be removably attached to the rod member; and wherein the bottom end is attached to a soft tip.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the soft tip is selected from the group consisting of sponge, foundation brush, powder brush, eye shadow brush, lip gloss applicator, bronze brush, and blush brush.

15. The kit of claim 13, wherein the rod member and the tip member are removably attached via a threaded portion disposed on the rod member and a threaded portion disposed on the tip member.

16. The kit of claim 13, wherein each tip member is extendable to a fully actuated position, and wherein each tip member at least partially protrudes from the housing to the outside in the fully actuated position.

17. The kit of claim 16, wherein the fully actuated position, measured from a bottom end of the housing to a bottom end of the soft tip, is from about 0.25 inches to about 10.0 inches.

18. The kit of claim 16, wherein the fully actuated position, measured from the bottom end of the housing to the bottom end of the soft tip, has a greater length than a length of a container of make-up that the tip member is configured to retrieve make-up from.

19. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the fully actuated position, measured from the bottom end of the housing to the bottom end of the soft tip, has a greater length than a length of a container of make-up that the tip member is configured to retrieve make-up from.