Toilet – Hair device – Eyelash or eyebrow
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-18
2002-04-16
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Hair device
Eyelash or eyebrow
C132S074500, C132S317000, C401S108000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06371129
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to dispensers for fluid materials such as cosmetic products, and more particularly, to dispensers for products having a semi-liquid or paste-like form such as mascara, wherein the dispenser includes a retractable applicator stored within the base of the dispenser providing a reservoir of the cosmetic product for application by the user.
Conventional mascara dispensers include a container that holds the mascara, a wiper, a rod to which there is attached an applicator, i.e., typically a twisted-in-wire brush, and a closure cap to which the rod is attached. The combined length of the rod and applicator is determined by the internal length of the container which forms a reservoir for the mascara. In use, the applicator is removed from the container interior upon removal of the closure cap, where it picks up mascara. The applicator passes through the wiper and opening of the container to the exterior, where it can be manipulated to apply the mascara. Subsequently, the applicator is returned to the container interior through the opening and wiper, where the applicator is resupplyed with mascara in the reservoir. An illustrative mascara dispenser of the foregoing type is described in Sheffler, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,791.
The wiper functions to control the amount of mascara that is carried on the applicator from the container during use. The wiper includes an aperture dimensioned less than the effective diameter of the applicator, thus removing by wiping excess mascara as the applicator passes through the wiper. However, the opening in the wiper is usually larger than the diameter of the attached rod to allow easy removal from the container. This often results in the rod becoming coated with mascara over its length. Further, as a result of the nature of the applicator, the user seldom applies all of the mascara carried by the applicator. The removal and reentry of the applicator through the wiper often results in a build-up of residual mascara on the outer side of the wiper. In time, an undesirable quantity of mascara collects at the entrance of the wiper and transfers the mascara onto the rod with each application. This condition is prevalent in all mascara dispensers on the market today, being referred to as “backwipe.” This condition is messy and unsightly and can cause smearing of the mascara on the hands, face or other parts of the user, including the user's clothing.
Conventional mascara dispensers where the applicator is attached to the closure cap, and is therefore fully immersed in the mascara when inserted in the container reservoir, also results in other undesirable conditions. As the applicator is withdrawn from the reservoir, a tail of mascara is formed at the applicator tip. This tail is undesirable, in that it is messy, as well as making it difficult to properly apply the mascara. Typically, the user removes the tail with a tissue or by brushing against the container mouth. In any event, the repeated tail formation must be removed with each repetitive use of the dispenser.
The conventional mascara dispensers thus far described include two separable components, a container that holds the mascara and a closure cap to which the applicator via a rod is attached. The application of mascara using the applicator therefore requires the use of two hands, one for holding the container and one for holding the closure cap. After unscrewing the closure cap and withdrawing the applicator, the container may be laid to rest while the mascara is being applied. Subsequently, the container must be picked up with the user's other hand, and the applicator via the closure cap reinserted into the container for storage and transfer of mascara from the reservoir to the applicator for subsequent use. The requirement for two hand manipulation of the mascara dispenser may be undesirable in certain situations where the user has only one hand free at the time.
There is known from Kingsford, U.S. Pat. No. 4,687,364, a mascara dispenser which addresses some of the aforementioned disadvantages of the known mascara dispensers. The mascara dispenser of Kingsford includes an elongated cylindrical container, open at one end, which provides therein a mascara reservoir having an opening. The container due to its elongated nature, also functions as a mascara applicator handle. A wiper for the mascara applicator is mounted in the reservoir opening. A mascara applicator is mounted on an elongated shaft for movement through the wiper between a position inside the reservoir and a position exterior to the container. A compression spring is positioned within the reservoir about a portion of the shaft. A protrusion from the shaft that is larger than the wiper opening prevents the applicator shaft from becoming detached from the reservoir when the applicator is in its position outside the container. A closure cap is removably attached to the opening of the container. The cap is provided with a pin to push the shaft and attached applicator through the wiper opening into its storage position in the reservoir and simultaneously close the opening to the container. When the closure cap is removed, the applicator is released by the compressive force of the spring to move the applicator through the wiper to its position outside of the container for use.
There is further known from Kingsford, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,185 a mascara dispenser constructed from an elongated container providing an internal reservoir for holding a quantity of mascara. An applicator, for example, a brush-type applicator, is retractably arranged within the container to be movable between a location within the reservoir and a location outside the container for application of the mascara by means of the brush applicator. A wiper for the applicator is positioned at one end of the container through which the applicator passes during use. A movable member is positioned within the reservoir so as to be responsive to the location of the applicator for keeping the wiper out of contact with the applicator during retraction of the applicator into the reservoir and for keeping the wiper in contact with the applicator when the applicator is moved out of the reservoir. The applicator is moved between its retracted and extended positions by a sliding actuator accessible from outside the container. Mascara within the reservoir is maintained under a compressive force by means of a spring bias movable wall positioned at one end of the reservoir within the container.
There is also known a dispenser for a lipstick billet which is constructed to facilitate one hand application. The dispenser includes an elongated generally cylindrical container having a hollow interior. A holder to which the lipstick billet is attached is slidably received within the container. The holder is attached to a flexible band having one end protruding through an opening in the container so as to be accessible by the user. The container is provided with an open end having a closure member which is operatively associated with the flexible band. Upon longitudinal movement of the flexible band, the lipstick billet is moved from a retracted position within the container to an exterior position to enable application to the user, while at the same time, simultaneously opening and closing the closure member.
Notwithstanding these known dispensers, there is still the need for further improvements in cosmetic dispensers for fluid materials, and particularly, mascara which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages resulting from the construction and use of the known cosmetic dispensers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is broadly an object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for fluid materials, such as mascara, which provides features and advantages heretofore unknown.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention there is described a dispenser for fluid material, the dispenser comprising an elongated shell having a closed end and an open end providing an interior portion therebetween for receiving a
Le Bras-Brown Robert Nathan
Patel Manhar K.
Pires Leo Clifford
Stiso, Jr. Albert J.
Thalheimer James Joseph
Lerner David Littenberg Krumholz & Mentlik LLP
Manahan Todd #E.
Revlon Consumer Products Corporation
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