U.S. patent number 3,892,248 [Application Number 05/451,649] was granted by the patent office on 1975-07-01 for eyelash-cosmetic applicator.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Plough, Inc.. Invention is credited to Ted I. Kingsford.
United States Patent |
3,892,248 |
Kingsford |
July 1, 1975 |
Eyelash-cosmetic applicator
Abstract
A mascara applicator head having a plurality of flat triangular
projections, said projections being aligned preferably in three
equidistantly spaced rows about the applicator shaft, with the
projections from adjacent rows defining smooth circumferential
discontinuous channels along the shaft.
Inventors: |
Kingsford; Ted I. (Memphis,
TN) |
Assignee: |
Plough, Inc. (Memphis,
TN)
|
Family
ID: |
23793114 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/451,649 |
Filed: |
March 15, 1974 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D
40/267 (20130101); A46B 9/021 (20130101); A46B
2200/1053 (20130101); A46B 2200/106 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A46B
9/00 (20060101); A46B 9/02 (20060101); A45D
40/26 (20060101); A45D 040/26 () |
Field of
Search: |
;132/88.7,88.5,139,144,124,120,85,79,142,76.5,150 ;15/183 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McNeill; G. E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Gifford; Vincenta H. Eisen; Bruce
M. Coan; Stephen B.
Claims
I claim:
1. An eyelash-cosmetic applicator comprising:
a. a shaft;
b. handle means attached to one end of said shaft; and
c. an applicator head with a plurality of flat, substantially
triangular projections each extending to a vertex at most one
centimeter from said shaft, the triangular surfaces of said
projections being normal to the axis of said shaft, at least three
of said projections spaced circumferentially about said shaft in a
coplanar arrangement forming a regular geometric pattern, said
pattern repeated axially starting from the shaft end opposite said
handle means with corresponding vertices of adjacent patterns being
coplanar with said axis, adjacent sides of said corresponding
coplanar projections defining smooth, discontinuous channels along
said shaft, said adjacent patterns leaving axial spaces
therebetween of not less than 0.25 millimeter.
2. An eyelash-cosmetic applicator as described in claim 1, wherein
said applicator further comprises:
d. a tubular reservoir having an opening at one end thereof for
receiving said applicator head;
e. a mascara-like cosmetic partially filling said tubular reservoir
of a viscosity permitting partial removal thereof from said
reservoir by engagement between axially adjacent projections of
said applicator head;
f. wiper means for clearing excess of said cosmetic from said
smooth channels.
3. An eyelash-cosmetic applicator as described in claim 2, wherein
said applicator further comprises:
g. seal means cooperating with said applicator shaft and forming a
closure at said opening when said applicator head is inserted
therethrough.
4. An eyelash-cosmetic applicator as described in claim 2, wherein
said handle means includes cap means for engaging said tubular
reservoir.
5. An eyelash-cosmetic applicator as described in claim 4, wherein
said seal means is a neoprene washer engaged by the opening of said
tubular reservoir and a flattened portion of said applicator
shaft.
6. An eyelash-cosmetic applicator as described in claim 4, wherein
said seal means is a neoprene washer having a central aperture
resilient engaging said applicator shaft.
7. An eyelash-cosmetic applicator as described in claim 1, wherein
said applicator head is formed within a diameter of about 6 mm. and
wherein said triangular projections have a thickness of
approximately 0.5 mm. and a radial dimension of about 2mm.
8. An applicator for eyelash cosmetics comprising:
a. a shaft;
b. handle means attached to one end of said shaft; and
c. an applicator head with a plurality of projections each
extending at most one centimeter from said shaft, said projections
being axially aligned in three equidistantly spaced rows about said
shaft axis with the projections from adjacent rows being aligned to
define smooth, circumferential discontinuous channels of not less
than 0.25 millimeter along said shaft.
9. An applicator as in claim 8 wherein the surface of said
projections diverge outwardly from said shaft.
10. An applicator as described in claim 9 wherein the surfaces of
said projections are substantially triangular with the base of said
triangle along said shaft.
11. An applicator as in claim 8 wherein the surfaces of said
projections are substantially normal to the axis of said shaft.
12. An applicator as described in claim 8 wherein the applicator
head is tapered so that the narrowest portion of the head is away
from the applicator handle.
13. An applicator as in claim 8 wherein the non-applicator portion
of the shaft is of smaller cross section than the applicator
portion of the shaft.
14. An eyelash cosmetic container comprising;
a. a bottle;
b. a mascara-like composition partially filling said bottle;
c. a bottle closure;
d. an applicator as in claim 8 attached to said bottle closure and
adapted to be immersed in said cosmetic when said bottle closure is
attached to said bottle;
e. a wiper means within said bottle and positioned intermediate
said applicator head and said bottle closure when said closure is
attached to said bottle, said wiper adapted to clear excess
cosmetic from said applicator head.
Description
This invention relates to an improved device for applying cosmetic
to beautify and enhancingly emphasize the eyelashes. More
particularly the invention relates to a mascara applicator of
unique design that withdraws from a mascara reservoir a
predetermined amount of mascara and provides means for controlled
dispensing thereof.
In the past, certain applicator devices for dispensing eyelash
cosmetics have been developed to overcome problems such as lack of
control of amount of mascara withdrawn from the reservoir and
insufficient eyelash separation. Other valve devices have been
developed to overcome problems of retarding loss of volatile
solvents and of leakproof containment of the cosmetic.
In recent years new eyelash cosmetics have entered the market,
including mascara-type preparations with various additives to
produce thicker-and longer-appearing eyelashes. Typical of such
preparations are those taught by Palmerio, U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,547.
Even though advances in the art permitted control against leakage
and provided some degree of wiping (cf. Ziegler, U.S. Pat. No.
3,084,374; Lederberg, U.S. Pat. No. 3,195,545; and, Vasas, U.S.
Pat. No. 3,662,769) none of the devices seemed able to control
withdrawal from reservoir while also providing for separation of
eyelashes and for control of the quantity of cosmetic placed about
each eyelash.
With the new eyelash cosmetics, ease of control of application has
been found to be an important factor in consumer acceptance. It is
also desirable from the standpoint of consumer acceptance to
provide for product changes without requiring reeducation of the
consumer by detailed how-to-use instructions. In essence, the
cosmetic industry requires a means for systematically changing
applicator configurations with concomitant changes in eyelash
cosmetic formulations, whereby the consumer may apply the cosmetic
without having to learn new techniques.
In this invention various mascara applicator geometries are
described. Each applicator provides for a controlled amount of
eyelash cosmetic to be withdrawn from the reservoir, while
providing means for separation of adjacent eyelashes and for
placing a predetermined amount of cosmetic about each eyelash.
Described herein is an improved mascara-applying means consisting
of a series of parallel surfaces of basically triangular plates,
such plates being similarly oriented about a common central shaft
and having equal spaces therebetween. The alined sides of the
plates together form a smooth, discontinuous surface suited to
assist wiping. When used as an applicator, the plates function
similar to comb teeth in that they separate the eyelashes for
coating thereof with mascara. The thickness of the individual
plates provides for control of the quantity of eyelash cosmetic
withdrawn from the reservoir, by providing flat edges for
cooperation with wiper surfaces. The container as shown herein
presents sealing and wiping arrangement that is effective for use
with the aforementioned mascara-applying means.
In the preferred embodiment of invention the applicator is formed
into a trifurcated elongated body. Each of the furcations or tines
extends axially along the applicator shaft and is tapered so that
the narrowest portion of the applicator is furthest away from the
applicator handle. Between each two adjacent tines a smooth curve,
generally parabolic in nature, extends. This smooth curve enables
the wiping of the applicator by mechanical means to minimize the
amount of mascara carried thereby. In order to carry desired
amounts of cosmetic, the individual tines have indentions extending
radially from the central shaft or wand portion. These indentions
cause a cross-section of a given tine to take on a serrated form.
The indentions are equally spaced to roughly correspond with
desired eyelash separation. The indentions of adjacent tines are in
alinement so that upon rotatory motion of the applicator, the
cosmetic in corresponding indentions successively coat the same
lash or lashes.
The overall diameter of the device is maintained at a minimum so
that the view of the individual user is not obscured by the
applicator. The tapered construction of the applicator enables the
skillful coating of the smaller lashes at either side of an
eye.
This invention for an eyelash cosmetic-applicator comprises a
shaft; handle means attached to one end of the shaft; and, an
applicator head with a plurality of flat, substantially triangular
projections each extending to a vertex at most 1 centimeter from
the shaft, the triangular surfaces of these projections being
normal to the axis of the shaft, at least three of the projections
spaced about the shaft in a coplanar arrangement forming a regular
geometric pattern, the pattern repeated axially starting from the
shaft end opposite the handle means with corresponding vertices of
adjacent patterns being coplanar with said axis, adjacent sides of
said corresponding coplanar projections defining smooth,
discontinuous channels along said shaft, the adjacent patterns
leaving axial spaces therebetween of not less than 0.25
millimeters.
The invention itself, however, will be best understood from the
following detailed description of certain specific embodiments when
read in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fully assembled mascara container and
applicator of this invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial cross-section of FIG. 1 showing the
relationship of the applicator, wiper assembly and container;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the mascara-applying
element of the applicator of this invention;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged end view for showing the applicator geometry
of the mascara-applying element of FIG. 3 as viewed from its
lowermost end;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of FIG. 3 for
showing the relationship of the triangular projections thereof;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper assembly of FIG. 1
through the longitudinal axis and the center of an inwardly
extending buttress projection;
FIG. 7 is an end view of FIG. 6 as viewed from the uppermost (when
assembled) end thereof;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged end view for showing the applicator geometry
of the mascara-applying element as viewed from its lowermost end
for a 4-tined embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged end view for showing the applicator geometry
of the mascara-applying element as viewed from its lowermost end
for a 5-tined embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged end view for showing the applicator geometry
of the mascara-applying element as viewed from its lowermost end
for a 6-tined embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper assembly taken
through its longitudinal axis for a segmented-type wiper embodiment
of this invention;
FIG. 12 is an end view of FIG. 11 as viewed from the uppermost
(when assembled) end thereof;
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the wiper assembly taken
through its longitudinal axis for a resilient-type wiper embodiment
of this invention;
FIG. 14 is an end view of FIG. 13 as viewed from the uppermost
(when assembled) end thereof;
FIG. 15 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 with mascara
held between the projection thereof and showing the relationship to
eyelashes during application; and
FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 15 showing the
relationship between the mascara-holding projections and the
eyelashes being treated.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is illustrated an eyelash-cosmetic
applicator or dispenser, designated as 20, that consists generally
of a bottle or tubular reservoir 22 and a cap or applicator handle
means 24. The cap has fluted member 26 for facilitating removal of
the cap from the bottle. The cap 24 consists of an outer shell 28
being closed at one end and having internal threads 30 adjacent to
the rim of the opening.
Anterior to the threads is attachment means for holding the upper
end of applicator shaft 32. In the embodiment shown, the upper end
of an applicator shaft is formed into a cup-like member 34 which is
dimensioned so as to press fit into shell 28 and has its rearward
position with relation to the closed end of shell limited by flange
36. The attachment means consists of the mating relationship
between the retaining groove 38 of shell 28 and external bead 40 of
cup-like member 34. While many other attachment arrangements are
feasible, this has proved to be a simple, yet effective, structure
for retaining the applicator shaft and the reservoir in a coaxial
relationship when assembled.
The closure of eyelash-cosmetic applicator or dispenser 20 is
provided with external threads 42 about neck 44 for engagement with
internal threads 30. Wiper assembly 48 has lip 50 that extends
above neck 44 and, upon closure of the bottle, the outer surface 46
of member 34 is mated therewith. Full engagement of threads 30 and
42 and compressive seating of surface 46 onto lip 50 yields a
cosmetic-retaining dispenser for retarding evaporative loss of
solvent. For additional sealing, upon closure, flexible webs 52 are
compressively urged against applicator shaft 32.
The cosmetic applicator is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3, 4, and
5. The applicator head 31 has a central shaft or core 54 reduced
dimensionally from and coaxial with applicator shaft 32. About the
central shaft are a plurality of flat, substantially triangular
projections or teeth 56 that extend normal to the shaft axis to
vertices 58. The projections have a height between adjacent
triangular surfaces 60, as measured along a line parallel to the
shaft axis, that is slightly less than the average spacing between
eyelashes. The height of the openings 62 between surfaces 60 of
adjacent projections is slightly greater than the average thickness
of the cosmetically-treated eyelash. The projections are uniformly
distributed about shaft 54 with axially adjacent ones aligned so as
to form smooth channels 62 therebetween. Coplanar adjacent
projections are shaped so that a smooth curve extends between the
respective apices. The smoothness of the channels provides for
efficient wiping thereof by wiper assembly 48.
The wiper assembly 48, illustrated in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, has
a central aperture 66 that is adapted to seal against the outer
surface of applicator shaft 32. Surrounding this aperture are
flexible webs 52 which upon insertion of the applicator are
stretched to conform to the outer surface of channel 64. Upon
insertion triangular projections 56 extend radially into the
flexible web areas. The buttress projections 68 mate with channels
64 and together with flexible webs 52 form squeegees that force
mascara-like cosmetic 69 into the openings 62 between triangular
projections 56. The wiper assembly is retained in bottle 22, FIG.
1, by external wiper bead 70 which mates with bottle neck 44 and
groove 72. The assembly is further secured by wiper flange 74 which
mates with corresponding neck flange 76 on bottle neck 44. In the
embodiment shown the wiper assembly 48 is constructed of a neoprene
material so as to afford resistance to organic solvents. Such
construction forms webs 52 that are flexible along radial lines
bisecting each web. The neoprene is undercut along the dashed lines
78 so as to direct the line of fracture.
Referring now to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the variety of applicator
geometries are shown. In each of the illustrations, a plurality of
flat, substantially triangular projections or teeth 56 that extend
normal to the shaft axis to vertices 58. The projections have a
height between adjacent triangular surfaces 60, as measured along a
line parallel to the shaft axis, that is slightly less than the
average spacing between eyelashes. The projections in the 4-5- and
6-tine geometries are uniformly distributed about shaft 54 with
axially adjacent tines alined so that to form smooth channels 64
therebetween.
The first alternate wiper assembly 88 illustrated in detail in
FIGS. 11 and 12 has a central aperture 106 that is adapted to seal
against the surfaces of applicator shaft 32. Surrounding this
aperture are flexible segments 92 which upon insertion of the
applicator, flex to conform to the outer surface of channel 64.
Upon insertion triangular projections 56 extend radially into the
flexible segment areas. The segmented wiper 88 is not a form that
has two tiers of wiper segments each out of phase with the other so
that no matter what angle the applicator element is inserted,
flexible segments 92 conform to the smooth surface of channel 64.
During removal of the applicator element from the mascara
reservoir, mascara is forced into the openings 62 between
triangular projections 56. The wiper assembly 88 is retained in
bottle 22 by external wiper bead 110 which mates with bottle neck
44 and groove 72. The assembly is further secured by wiper flange
114 which mates with corresponding neck flange 76 on bottle neck
44. In the embodiment shown the segmented wiper assembly 88 is
constructed of a neoprene material that affords resistance to
organic solvents.
The second alternate wiper assembly 128, illustrated in detail in
FIGS. 13 and 14 has a central aperture 146 that is adapted to seal
against the outer surface of applicator shaft 32. Surrounding this
aperture is a resilient body 132 which upon insertion of the
applicator is compressed to conform to the outer surface of channel
64. Upon insertion triangular projections 56 extend radially into
the resilient material 132. The resilient material 132 is deformed
in a manner that holds it against channel 64 and squeezes cosmetic
material into the openings 62 between triangular projections 56.
The wiper assembly 128 is retained in bottle 22 by external wiper
bead 150 which mates with bottle 44 and groove 72. The assembly is
further secured by wiper flange 154 which mates with corresponding
neck flange 76 on bottle neck 44. In the embodiment shown, the
wiper assembly 128 is constructed of a neoprene material so as to
afford resistance to the organic solvent of the cosmetic. The
resilient mass 132 constructed from a foamed plastic material
having a similar resistance to organic solvents.
Upon removal from the reservoir and passing the applicator element
through the wiper assembly, the applicator is loaded with mascara
for application to the eyelashes. FIGS. 15 and 16 show a partial
cross-section of the several teeth such as are shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 15 shows a cross-section taken through a plane including the
axis to applicator shaft 32. It illustrates the relationship
between projections 56, mascara 160 and eyelashes 162. FIG. 15
clearly shows the manner in which each eyelash 162 is completely
surrounded by mascara 160 during application. Similar FIG. 16,
which is a partial cross-section normal to that of FIG. 15, shows
how the separation between adjacent eyelashes 162 is
maintained.
In the preferred embodiment, the design parameters have been found
to be satisfied by the following dimensional considerations. An
applicator head (the end opposite the handle means) is formed
within a diameter of 6mm. Such an overall dimension is within the
1cm. found to be the optimum maximium for width of applicators on
the basis that wider applicators obstruct vision too much. A
three-tined applicator is formed having individual teeth from
triangular plates approximately 0.5 mm. thick for providing
separation between eyelashes during application and 2 mm. in height
for sufficient engagement of the lashes. The shaft diameter of
about 3 mm. is reduced to a core (reduced shaft) of about 2 mm. in
the head area so as to regulate withdrawal from reservoirs of
cosmetic material. Efficient wiping is accomplished by having a
smooth curve of 4mm. radius forming an arc between adjacent
vertices and being tangential to a diameter slightly greater than
the central core.
While several embodiments have been shown to illustrate the
invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications can be made without departing if
defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *