Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-30
2001-10-30
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
Applicator includes container closure or overlies material
C401S129000, C401S126000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309125
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an adjustable cosmetic applicator for applying mascara to eyelashes.
In the art of facial make-up, mascara is used to darken and define eyelashes to accent the eyes. Typically, mascara is applied to the eyelashes after eyeshadow and eyeliner have been applied. Mascara is available in liquid form or in a light fluid paste preparation and is applied by a small brush that is attached to the end of a wand. The mascara is supplied from a tube-like dispenser container in which the wand and brush are inserted.
After mascara is loaded on the brush, a thin layer of mascara is applied to the upper eyelashes by moving the brush from the base to the tip of the eyelashes. The brush is then re-inserted into the dispenser until a desired amount of mascara has adhered to the brush. Additional coats of mascara can be applied to the upper eyelashes, if desired. The brush is then reloaded and mascara is applied to the lower lashes in the same manner. The ends of the eyelashes can also be coated with mascara by moving the brush horizontally across the tips. The brush is also used to separate the eyelashes and remove clumps.
A steady hand is required during the application of mascara so as not to smudge or smear previously applied foundation cosmetics. The person using the mascara brush must exert sufficient pressure to apply the mascara evenly to the lashes but not so much as to press the lashes against the skin where smudging will occur.
There may be some difficulty experienced when using a conventional wand applicator to apply mascara to either eye with one hand. The way mascara is usually applied is for the person to stand in front of a mirror, holding her head in an upward direction for applying mascara to the upper lashes and holding her head in a downward direction for applying mascara to the lower lashes. Occasionally, it is preferable to use only the tip of the applicator brush to apply additional mascara as close to the tips of the eyelashes as possible. This gives the illusion of a much longer eyelash. For a more pronounced look for evening wear, additional coats of mascara are applied from the base to the tip, and from top to bottom of the eyelashes.
Because of close proximity to the eye, the applicator must be handled carefully for accurate placement of the mascara to avoid eye contact and smudging.
Typically, the user of the applicator will hold the mascara container in her left hand, and hold the wand applicator in her right hand, while at the same time attempting to view the process in a make-up mirror. During the application when using the right hand to apply mascara to the left eyelashes, her hand must be bent or cocked in an unnatural or uncomfortable position. The procedure becomes more difficult when a normally right-handed person holds the wand applicator in her left hand or reverses the angle of the applicator brush when attempting to apply the mascara to eyelashes of the left eye.
There is a continuing interest in providing an improved mascara applicator in which the wand is adjustable from a conventional straight-line orientation to a predetermined bend angle which presents the brush in an angular offset orientation that makes it easier and more convenient to apply mascara to eyelashes.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An adjustable mascara applicator includes a brush attached to a bendable wand which is characterized by recovery memory in which it automatically assumes a predetermined bend angle in the absence of bending force. In a first embodiment, the wand is an elongated wire or rod of a shape memory metal alloy which has pseudo-elasticity at room temperature, and is deformed by a predetermined longitudinal bend angle in its relaxed memory recovery state. In an alternative embodiment, the wand is formed by a plurality of link segments of a narrow gauge rod or tube of relatively stiff plastic material. At least two of the link segments are integrally formed with a living hinge section which is characterized by a resiliency which is greater than the resiliency of the link segments so that bending will occur preferentially at the living hinge section in response to a bending force applied to the wand. The living hinge has flex memory recovery which restores the hinge to a predetermined bend angle when the bending force is removed.
The wand is attached to a fixed guide rod and extends through a tubular support sleeve. The tubular support sleeve is slidably coupled in telescoping engagement with the guide rod for extension and retraction relative to the wand. When the support tube is fully extended, the flex memory effect is overcome by engagement of the bend angle segments against the internal sidewall of the support sleeve which maintains the wand and brush in a straight-line orientation. As the support sleeve is retracted along the guide rod, the wand is exposed, thus permitting the bend angle segments to flex and recover to a predetermined bend angle which presents the brush at an offset angle which makes it easier and more convenient to apply mascara to eyelashes.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3529899 (1970-09-01), Gruska
patent: 4498490 (1985-02-01), Seidler
patent: 5061103 (1991-10-01), Walsh-Smith
patent: 5328282 (1994-07-01), Charrier et al.
patent: 1459859 (1976-12-01), None
Griggs Dennis T.
Griggs Scott T.
Walczak David J.
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