GB2064314A

GB2064314A - Mascara applicator

Info

Publication number: GB2064314A
Application number: GB7941883A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Revlon Inc
Current assignee: Revlon Inc
Priority date: 1979-12-04
Filing date: 1979-12-04
Publication date: 1981-06-17
Also published as: FR2470556A1; BE880551A; NL7908892A; DE2948794A1

Abstract

A mascara applicator including a wand 28 having an elongate rod 32 with brushes 38 or other structure for applying mascara and separating eyelashes. A protective tip member 40 of a generally soft material is fastened to the free end of the rod 32 to prevent injury to the eye of the user through contact with the bristles of the brushes. The tip member 40 may be suitably shaped to also form an eye liner or applicator for various cosmetics to the eyelids or other portions of the face. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Mascara applicator The present invention relates to a device for apply ing a cosmetic preparation and, more particularly, to an improved and novel mascara applicator.

In recent years the utilization of eye make-up as a cosmetic aid in the treatment and beautification of the female face has become an important, if not indispensable, facet of cosmetic grooming. Quite specifically, the eye make-up is applied through the intermediary of mascara applicators which apply suitable quantities of eye make-up, such as mascara, to the eyelashes while concurrently separating the eyelashes in order to impart to the eyelashes a full and aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Among various devices which are currently employed for the application of eye make-up are the roll-on mascara applicators which, while applying adequate amounts of mascara, do not separate the eyelashes in an effective manner so as to thereby render it difficult, if not impossible, to apply mascara to the eyelashes and to simultaneously separate the eyelashes.

The use of brush mascara applicators has largely obviated the problems and drawbacks encountered with roll-on applicators in that these mascara applicators allow for the simultaneous separation of the eyelashes while facilitating the uniform application of mascara to the eyelashes. In order to further enhance the capability of brush-type mascara applicators to separate the eyelashes, more recently a brush mascara applicator has been developed which incorporates structure providing the benefits of both roll-on and brush-type mascara applicators in applying the desired amount of mascara and separating and lengthening the eyelashes. A mascara applicator of that type is disclosed in Levine et al. U.S. Patent No. 3,908,676, commonly assigned to the assignee of the present application.

Although the foregoing and other types of brush mascara applicators have been found to be generally satisfactory during use, a problem has been encountered in that the free end of the rod-like applicator wand mounting the mascara-applying brushes has, occasionally, been inadvertently engaged against the eye of the user of the applicator, thereby causing unpleasant physical sensations and possible injuries as a result of the bristles of the mascara applicator brushes contacting the eye or the delicate surrounding tissue. Moreover, breakage of the metal or plastic end of the rod mounting the brushes tends to create a roughened edge which may cause injury to the consumer during use of the mascara applicator.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a mascara applicator which will apply a desired amount of mascara while separating and lengthening the eyelashes and which, concurrently, incorporates structure designed to prevent accidental injury to the user of the applicator.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mascara applicator which includes a tip member of a generally soft or pliable material mounted on the free end of the rod supporting the mascara-applying brushes and which will act as a protective tip structure preventing or reducing the chance of inadvertent contact between the bristles of the brushes and the eye or surrounding skin tissue of the user.

A further object of the present invention is to pro vide a mascara applicatorofthe above-described type in which the tip member is constituted of an absorbent material and imparted predetermined configurations so as to be adapted as an eye liner for applying cosmetics to the eye lids of the user.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mascara applicator of the above-described type in which the brush-type mascara applicator and the tip member are simultaneously immersible in a supply of eye make-up or mascara contained in suitable storage receptacle therefor.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention are achieved through the provision of a mascara applicator which essentially consists of a wand including a gripping portion and extending coaxially therefrom an elongate rod mounting a plurality of mascara-applying brushes. Fastened to or mounted on the free distal end of the rod is a tip member of a generally soft or pliant material having either absorbent or non-absorbent properties and either a smooth or textured surface configuration depending upon its intended range of applications.

Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein it is contemplated to utilize the tip member as an eye liner for applying eye make-up to the eye lids, the tip member may be constituted of a soft absorbent felt material adapted to absorb a quantity of an eye make-up cosmetic material or mascara.

Alternatively, the tip member may consist of a sponge-like rubber or similar pliant synthetic material.

In order to form a protective tip memberwhich is intended to safeguard the users' eyes or skin tissue surrounding the eyes from injurious contact with the bristles of the mascara applicator brushes, the tip member may be constituted of rubber having generally pliant or resilient characteristics.

Reference may now be had to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the mascara applicator constructed pursuant to the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which: Figure 1 is an assembled view, partly in section, of a mascara applicator pursuant to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded sectional view of the mascara applicator illustrating the mascara container and inventive applicator, with the applicator withdrawn from the container prior to use thereof; Figure 3 is a view of an applicator showing another embodiment of a tip member; and Figure 4 is a view of an applicator showing yet another embodiment of a tip member.

As is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, the mascara applicator 10 includes a container 12 for storing a quantity of a liquid eye make-up or mascara. The container 12 may have a generally cylindrical receptacle portion 14 extending at one end thereof into a smaller diameter neck 16 which is externally threaded at 18. As is well known in the art, the container 12 may be constructed of suitable plas tic material or of metal and have decorative indicia and colors embossed or imprinted on the exterior surfaces thereof.

An insert 20 may be mounted with an interference fit into the neck 16 of the container. The insert 20 includes a smaller diameter central through bore 22 having a reducing end 24 extending into the con tainer 12 which form a wiping edge for removing excess mascara from an applicator as it is withdrawn from the container. The other end of the insert 20 includes a flat-surfaced flange 26 which is seated on the end surface of the container neck 16. Insert 20 may be formed of a plastic material or a relatively hard rubber.

An applicator wand 28 includes a handle or gripping portion 30. The gripping portion may be cylindrical and constituted of plastic material, wood or metal, suitably decoratively colored, embossed or imprinted on the exterior surfaces thereof so as to provide a pleasing aesthetic appearance. As can be ascertained from Figure 2 of the drawings, the cylindrical gripping portion 30 is constructed hollow at one end thereof and is provided with an internal thread 32 at that end which is adapted to threadedly engage external thread 18 on the neck of the container 12 in the assembled condition of the mascara applicator 10.

Extending from the hollow end of the gripping portion 30 of wand 28 is an elongate applicator rod 32, preferably formed of a rigid plastic material. A flange 34 at one end of the rod is fastened within the gripping portion 30 and includes a flat surface adapted to sealingly mate with surface 26 of the insert 20 in the assembled condition of components 12 and 28 so as to provide a closed receptacle for the mascara in the container.

A braided metallic wire 36 extends coaxially from the elongate rod 32, one end of the wire being molded into the rod so as to be permanently fastened thereto. Suitable mascara applying brushes 38 are fastened to extend along the wire 36, as is well known in the art. Alternatively, the brushes may be mounted on the plastic rod itself and the wire eliminated, or a comb-like structure for separating the eyelashes may be provided on the rod.

Mounted on the free end of wire 36 so as to form a protective tip structure which will prevent or at least reduce possibly injurious contact between the bristles of brushes 38 and the eye or surrounding skin tissue of a user is a tip member 40. The tip member 40 is constituted of a soft or pliable material, such as felt, rubber, sponge rubber, sponge-like soft plastic or the like.

As shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, the tip member 40 possesses a rounded or generally hemispherical contour whereby inadvertent contact with the eye of a user will not cause discomfort or injury.

The tip member 40 may consist of an absorbent or non-absorbent material. When formed of an absor bent material which will take up or absorb a quantity of cosmetic, the tip member can be utilized to apply mascara to the eyelashes rather than the brushes 38, or in conjunction with the latter as desired. Further more, the tip member 40 can be used as an eye liner for applying eye make-up in the shape of lines of varying widths to the eyelids, in addition to its func tion as a safety or protective tip structure.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings, there are illustrated different shapes of tip members. Thus, in Figure 3, the tip member 42 is of a substantially conical configuration having a pointier tip adapted to form thinner lines on the eyelids when used as an eye liner. In Figure 4, the tip member 44 is of a generally trusto-conical shape having a blunt or flat end for the drawing of wider lines. It is also possible to concei'e the tip members 40,42, or 44 as being utilizable for the application of cosmetics to the lips or other parts of the face.

Although the tip members 40,42 and 44 have been disclosea' herein in conjunction with a brush-type mascara elpplicator, it is readily apparent to one skilled in the eirt that they can be employed as safety or protective tip structures for any type of eye make-up applicator, for instance, as disclosed in Levine et al.

U.S. Patent No.3,908,676.

Moreover, the shapes of tip members as shown in the drawings; are only exemplary and other configurations reaa'ily suggest themselves to one skilled in the art.

In summatiezn, the inventive tip structure as attached to thts cosmetics applying end of the mascara applicator is of a versatile nature in that it is adapted to not only form a protective tip but may, if desired, be emlDloyed as an ancillaryapplicatorfor mascara or other cosmetics.

Claims

1. Amascara applicator for applying a mascaralike cosmetic, compnsing a wand forming a gripping portion; an elongate rod coaxially extending from said wand; means for applying said cosmetic or separating eyelashes being fastened to said rod along the direction of the axis of said rod; and a tip member constituted of a generally soft material being mounted on the distal free end of said rod.

2. A mascara applicator as claimed in claim 1, said tip member being formed of an absorbent material.

3. A mascara applicator as claimed in claim 1, said tip member being formed of a non-absorbent material.

4. A mascara applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, said tip member being constituted of felt.

5. A mascara applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, said tip member being constituted of rubber.

6. A mascara applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said tip member having a smooth surface.

7. A mascara applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, said tip member having a textured surface.

8. A mascara applicator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said tip member having a generally rounded projected end portion forming a protective tip structure.

9. A mascara applicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, said tip member having a generally conically reducing end portion adapted to form an applicator for an eye liner or similar cosmetics.

10. Amascara applicator as claimed in anyone of the preceding claims, comprising a container for mascara, said container having a neck portion with an opening formed therein, said elongate rod being insertable into said container through said opening.

11. A mascara applicator as claimed in claim 10, comprising an insert being mounted in said container neck portion, said insert having an aperture therethrough of a diameter smaller than the outer peripheral dimensions of said brush means for removal of excess mascara from said applying means upon withdrawal of said rod from said container.

12. A mascara applicator as claimed in claim 10 or 11, comprising external threads formed on said container neck portion; and internal thread being provided on said wand at the end extending about said rod so as to enable said wand to be assembled onto said container with the elongate rod and tip member being positioned within said container.

13. A mascara applicator for applying a mascara-like cosmetic substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.