Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – With means for removing surplus material from tool
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-02
2001-07-24
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
With means for removing surplus material from tool
C401S121000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264390
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to a cosmetic application system and method, and more particularly to a system and method for removing excess mascara from a mascara brush upon withdrawal from a container.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various techniques and structures have been used to reduce the amount of mascara on a mascara brush upon removal from a container. However, a number of disadvantages associated with these techniques and structures has inhibited their widespread use and manufacture.
In particular, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,194,848, 4,332,494, 4,407,311, 4,609,300 and 4,705,053 are directed to mascara applicators having a complex structure for varying the amount of mascara remaining on a brush after removal from a container. A flexible member is disposed in the neck of the container to provide some degree of variation in the amount of mascara removed from a brush as it passes through an opening in the container. However, each of these patents is directed to a complex structure, which is difficult and costly to manufacture. Moreover, many of these structures do not facilitate continuous variation of the amount of mascara to be removed from a brush. In addition, because these structures apply an equal force against the brush during removal and re-insertion of the brush into the container, these systems unnecessarily impede a user's ability to reinsert the brush into the container after each use. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,193, an additional attempt was made to provide a system for removing excess mascara from an applicator brush. In this system, a plurality of internal flexible bristles are used to remove excess mascara from the applicator brush. As with the aforementioned patents, this system is also costly and difficult to manufacture, and does not facilitate continuous variation in the amount of force to be applied to the mascara brush upon removal from its container. In addition, this system also unnecessarily impedes a user's ability to reinsert the brush into the container after each use.
In addition, each of the aforementioned systems, because of their complicated internal structure, is particularly difficult to clean. Accordingly, these go systems do not lend themselves for use with any form of reusable or interchangeable mascara system.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a comprehensive mascara system which is both cost-effective in use and manufacture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple and attractive system for removing excess applique, such as cosmetic, from an applicator, such as a brush, upon removal of the applicator from a container.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system for removing excess mascara which is continuously variable by a user, thereby allowing the user to specifically determine the amount of mascara for removal from the brush.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a system for removing excess cosmetic from a brush, which does not impede a user's ability to reinsert the brush into a container.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system for removing excess cosmetic from a brush which is easily cleanable and lends itself for use with an interchangeable cartridge system.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cosmetic containment system having interchangeable cartridges to facilitate use of various forms of cosmetic.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become more readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a method of one embodiment of the present invention, an excess amount of cosmetic material is removed from a brush including the steps of applying a force to a deformable structure having projections therewithin, and pulling the brush through the deformable structure to engage the brush with the projections. The method may further include the steps of releasing said deformable structure and pushing the brush back through the deformable structure so that the brush passes therethrough with less interference from said projections than the step of pulling the brush through the deformable structure.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for removing excess applique from an applicator is disclosed. The apparatus includes a flexible segment having a first end, a second end, and an aperture passing through the flexible segment from the first end to the second end. The aperture has a wall and is dimensioned to receive the applicator. Furthermore, the flexible segment is manually squeezable so as to engage the applicator, thereby removing excess applique therefrom.
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English language abstract of DE 2,722,232—Nov. 1978.
Lee Jennifer Paulson
Utley, III George D.
Lee Jennifer Paulson
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
Walczak David J.
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