Cosmetic Applicator

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator includes a tip assembly for dispensing and applying cosmetic material stored within the applicator. The applicator tip assembly is formed of a porous conduit member in fluid communication with a cosmetic reservoir and is adapted to evenly supply the cosmetic for application to a human surface.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to a self-contained cosmetic applicator and especially to an applicator having an improved tip for providing an even and smooth application of cosmetic to a human surface.

While cosmetic applicators have taken various forms, applicators for cosmetic preparations such as lipstick and eyeshadow in the forms of liquids or creams have heretofore had drawbacks during storage or use. Generally, the applicators used have been brushes or porous pads. The brush applicators have permitted excessive flow of the cosmetic onto the brush due to low absorbency, thereby effecting the possibility of an uneven application of the cosmetic to the human surface. Although the porous pad applicator tips have to some extent avoided the absorbency problems attendant brush applicators, the large surface area of the pad which forms the applicator tip causes a coarse application of cosmetic and roughness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally speaking, in accordance with the invention, a cosmetic applicator is provided with an applicator tip for use in combination with a cosmetic reservoir. A cosmetic reservoir is located within a casing which is formed to include a receiving portion thereon for the tip and an orifice therein to provide fluid communication from the reservoir to the tip. The applicator tip has a passage therethrough and a cushiony material surrounds the passage at least at the outer end for receiving and applying the cosmetic material.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved cosmetic applicator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved cosmetic applicator which better conforms to a human surface for improved application of the cosmetic.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved applicator capable of providing a softer feel to a human surface.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the cosmetic applicator constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view, at an enlarged scale, taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a partial, sectional, elevational view of a cosmetic applicator constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the instant invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to FIGS. 1 through 4, a self-contained cosmetic applicator, generally indicated as 11, is defined by an outer casing 12 and a cap 13. The self-contained cosmetic applicator 11 includes three basic portions, a feed mechanism, generally indicated as 14, a cosmetic reservoir, generally indicated as 15, and an applicator tip, generally indicated as 16.

The feed mechanism includes a hollow piston element 17, a threaded shaft 18, and a turning cap 19, secured to threaded shaft 18, and rotatably engaged in the side walls of outer casing 12. The outer casing 12 is formed of a multi-sided polygonal construction to give the casing 12 greater rigidity and durability and the piston 17 is mated to have the same cross-section as the outer casing 12 (see FIG. 4), thereby preventing relative rotation between piston 17 and casing 12. Piston 17 includes a threaded plate 17' which cooperatively engages with shaft 18 to advance the piston as cap 19 is rotated.

The cosmetic reservoir 15 is an enclosed chamber formed by the walls of the outer casing 12 and enclosed by piston element 17. An orifice 20 is formed in an end wall 21 of outer casing 12 and provides the only outlet for the cosmetic contained in the cosmetic reservoir 15. The end wall 21 forms a base member for supporting the applicator tip.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, the applicator tip 16 is illustrated therein. Outer casing 12 has formed thereon a receiving portion formed of a cylindrical side wall 22 to receive the applicator tip 16. The applicator tip includes as its major elements, a rigid tube 23, a flexible tube 24, and a foam mitten 30.

The rigid tube 23 is formed as an elongated tube having a first portion 25 and a second portion 26. The first portion 25 forms a conduit opening having a larger cross-section than the second portion 26. The second portion 26 of rigid conduit 23 includes a lip 27 on its outer surface which lip fixably secures the rigid conduit within the orifice formed in end wall 21. The rigid tube 23 is further characterized by four extended tips 28 which extend away from the first portion 25 and whose function is hereinafter discussed.

The flexible conduit member 24 is formed of any pliable material such as rubber. One end is provided with an end wall 29 having an aperture 31 therethrough. The other end is bevelled as at 32 and is hereinafter described, defines the shape of the applicator tip 16.

The foam mitten 30 is formed of a cylindrical piece of porous, pliable material such as an open-cell foam of polyvinyl chloride or polyurethane. The foam mitten 30 is positioned between the outer side of flexible conduit 24 and side wall 22 of outer casing 12. The foam mitten 30 is further positioned between the inner wall of the flexible conduit 24 and the outer wall of rigid tube 23. The foam mitten 30 which is tube-shaped, has an inner end 33 which surrounds second portion 26. The tips 28 project into inner end 33 and secure the foam mitten 30 and flexible conduit 24 to end wall 21 with disassembly being prevented by lip 27. Once secured, foam mitten 30 forms a collar about flexible conduit member 24 and follows the bevel shape thereof.

In operation, cap 13 is removed and the operator rotates the turning cap 19 to accordingly rotate threaded shaft 18. The rotation of threaded shaft 18 advances piston element 17 against the cosmetic in reservoir 16. The cosmetic is forced through the rigid tube 23. As the cosmetic flows out of the cosmetic reservoir and through rigid tube 23, the cosmetic will fill the chamber at the beveled end of foam mitten 30.

The cosmetic material can then be applied to a surface and gently and evenly spread by the beveled end. Rigid tube 25 provides rigidity for the applicator tip but is sufficiently recessed so that the extreme tip end is soft and flexible. The bevel aids in applying cosmetic to the lips due to anatomical considerations.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5. An applicator tip 116 is shown disposed in an outer casing 112. The applicator tip is formed of a rigid tube 123 and a sponge tube 130. The rigid tube 123 is the same as described with respect to rigid tube 23 in FIG. 3 and is secured to outer casing 112 in the same manner.

Sponge tube 130 is formed of a tubular shape as by molding and replaces foam mitten 30 and flexible conduit 24. Sponge tube 130 is positioned within sidewall 122 and held therein by rigid tube 123. The other end of sponge tube 130 is beveled and defines the shape of the applicator tip 116. The sponge tube 130 applies the cosmetic in the same manner as heretofore described.

The applicator tips, hereinabove described, are useable with any viscous fluid reservoir. Thus, squeeze tubes, gravity flow reservoirs, and other supply means are contemplated for use with the novel applicator tip herein described.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above constructions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A cosmetic applicator comprising a base member adapted to be positioned proximate a reservoir of cosmetic material, a sponge-like flexible sleeve mounted to said base member, said sleeve having opposite ends with one end being adjacent said base member and the other end spaced therefrom, and a substantially rigid tube positioned within said sleeve and having an outer end positioned intermediate the ends of said sleeve and an inner end securing said sleeve on said base member, said base member, tube and sleeve forming therethrough a longitudinal passage through which cosmetic material can be fed with application of the material taking place at said other end of said sleeve.

2. A cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprises a generally flexible conduit and a foam mitten, said mitten at least covering the interior wall of said conduit.

3. A cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said mitten covers both the interior and exterior walls of said conduit.

4. A cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve is formed as a unitary tubular element of foam plastic or rubber.

5. A cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tube inner end extends beyond said sleeve and secures said tube to and through said base member.

6. A cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tube has contacting surfaces engaging said sleeve and capturing said sleeve between said contacting surfaces and said base member.

7. A cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sleeve comprises a generally flexible conduit and a foam mitten covering the interior and exterior walls of said conduit, wherein said tube inner end extends beyond said sleeve and secures said tube to and through said base member, and wherein said tube has contacting surfaces for engaging said sleeve and capturing said sleeve between said contacting surfaces and said base member.

8. A cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member includes an annular wall surrounding said sleeve at said one end.

9. A cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member includes a casing defining a reservoir and feed means carried by said casing for feeding cosmetic material outwardly of said reservoir through said tube and said sleeve.