Mascara applicator

Abstract

A combined brush and roll-on mascara applicator comprising a rod which has a brush portion in the direction of the axis of the rod and a series of spaced horizontal grooves in rod substantially opposite the brush portion.

Parent Case Text

This application is a continuation-in-part of our application Ser. No. 408,068, filed Oct. 19, 1973 now abandoned.

Description

This invention relates to a cosmetic device and, more specifically, to an improved mascara applicator.

The use of eye make-up has now become very common in the treatment of the female face, and the application of mascara to eye-lashes is an important part of such treatment.

The mascara applicators now in use have many defects, and in most cases these defects are inherent in the structure of the applicator. In particular, these applicators fail to provide the desired amount of mascara because they hold either too much or too little mascara. To overcome these problems modifications have been made in the applicators.

The roll-on applicators, while applying sufficient mascara, do not separate the lashes effectively so that it is difficult, if not impossible, to apply the mascara to the eyelashes and to separate the eyelashes simultaneously. While the use of brush applicators has eliminated some of the problems inherent in the other type applicators, the current styles of brush applicators do not apply sufficient mascara.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a mascara applicator which will apply a desired amount of mascara and separate and lengthen the eyelashes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a mascara applicator which can be easily wiped to remove excess mascara therefrom by passing the applicator through the commonly used wipers.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide in combination the desired benefits of brush and roll on mascara applicators.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a mascara applicator having both brush and roll-on structures both of which can be simultaneously inserted into the mascara.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

The objects of the present invention are achieved by a mascara applicator comprising a rod which has a brush portion attached to, or integral with, said rod in the direction of the axis of the rod and a series of spaced horizontal grooves in said rod substantially opposite to the brush portion across the vertical axis. The applicator is attached to or integral with a handle portion which may be of the same cross-sectional shape and size as the rod, of different cross-sectional size and shape as the rod, or a combination of the two. Preferably, the mascara applicator comprises in combination a substantially cylindrical rod which is provided with a vertical cutaway extending part way down the rod from one end thereof in the direction of the axis of the rod; a series of spaced, preferably substantially evenly spaced, horizontal grooves extending from one edge of the vertical cutaway to the other edge in a direction substantially perpendicilar to the axis of the rod; the uncut portions of the rod between the horizontal grooves forming a set of circular teeth; a brush inserted and held in the verticle cutaway; and a handle portion extending from the opposite end of the rod.

The vertical cutaway may be of any suitable shape such as a groove or a semi-circular section which, if desired, may itself contain a groove.

The horizontal grooves hold the mascara, and the amount of mascara so held can be determined as desired by the dimensions of the rod and the grooves.

The rod and handle portion may be of the same or different materials, and if of the same materials may be of integral construction. Suitable materials include wood, plastics and metals such as, for example, aluminum and stainless steel.

The brush is preferably a trimmed spiral bristle brush in which the bristles are attached to a rigid wire, preferably of stainless steel, which can be fitted into the vertical groove. One end of the wire is free of bristles and fits into a hole at the base of the vertical cutaway. The brush is about the same length as the vertical cutaway but this is not necessary.

When the rod portion is constructed of plastic, the brush portion may be made of the same plastic material instead of bristles. The brush portion may then be of integral construction with the rod, and the horizontal grooves would be substantially diametrically opposite the brush portion across the vertical axis. It would then be unnecessary to provide a separate vertical groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the mascara applicator according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another mascara applicator according to the invention in which the end of applicator has been narrowed to provide easier access to the corners of the eye.

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-section view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are transverse cross-sectional views similar to FIG. 3, but showing cross-sectional views of rods with different cutaways.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference numeral 10 generally indicates the mascara applicator. The applicator includes a substantially cylindrical rod 11 which is provided with a vertical cutaway 12 extending part way down the rod in the direction of the axis of the rod; a series of substantially evenly spaced horizontal grooves 13 extending from one edge of the vertical cutaway to the other edge in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rod, the uncut portions 14 of the rod between the horizontal grooves forming a set of circular teeth 15. A brush 16 comprised of bristles 17 attached to a rigid wire 18 is inserted into the vertical cutaway. The brush is held in place by an extension 19 of the wire fitting into a hole 20 in the rod at the base of the vertical cutaway. The exposed end 21 of the wire is preferably bent back on itself to form a smooth surface and thereby prevent any scratching or other injury by a rough end of the wire. A handle 22 is attached to the rod.

Claims

We claim:

1. A mascara applicator for applying mascara from a container therefor, comprising in combination a rod, a brush portion attached to or integral with said rod in the direction of the axis of the rod and a series of spaced horizontal grooves in said rod substantially opposite the brush portion across the vertical axis.

2. A mascara applicator according to claim 1 wherein the rod and brush portion are made of plastic and are of integral construction.

3. A mascara applicator comprising in combination a substantially cylindrical rod which is provided with a vertical cutaway extending part way dowwn the rod from one end thereof in the direction of the axis of the rod; a series of spaced horizontal grooves extending from one edge of the vertical cutaway to the other edge in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod, the uncut portions of the rod between the horizontal grooves forming a set of circular teeth; a brush comprising bristles attached to a rigid wire inserted in the vertical cutaway and held in place by an extension of said wire fitted into a hole in the rod, at the base of the vertical cutaway; and a handle portion extending from the opposite end of the rod.