(en)An applicator is provided that is adjustable in size for application and storage purposes. The applicator has first and second bodies each supporting an applicator medium in the form of a plurality of bristles, a sponge or a fibrous material. The first and second bodies also serve as handles for the applicator. The bodies are connected by a hinge (or other means) to allow them to be selectively repositioned to change the relative dimensions of the applicator medium. The hinge permits the second body to be selectively moved relative to the first body from a first position wherein the depth of the applicator medium is relatively greater, to a second position wherein the width of applicator medium is relatively greater. The first position provides dimensions that are more convenient for storage in a compact with relatively small dimensions, while the second position provides dimensions more convenient for applying cosmetic to a broader application area.

1.ApplicationNumber: US-96062504-A
1.PublishNumber: US-2006076033-A1
2.Date Publish: 20060413
3.Inventor: BOUIX HERVE F.

4.Inventor Harmonized: BOUIX HERVE F(US)

5.Country: US
6.Claims:
(en)An applicator is provided that is adjustable in size for application and storage purposes. The applicator has first and second bodies each supporting an applicator medium in the form of a plurality of bristles, a sponge or a fibrous material. The first and second bodies also serve as handles for the applicator. The bodies are connected by a hinge (or other means) to allow them to be selectively repositioned to change the relative dimensions of the applicator medium. The hinge permits the second body to be selectively moved relative to the first body from a first position wherein the depth of the applicator medium is relatively greater, to a second position wherein the width of applicator medium is relatively greater. The first position provides dimensions that are more convenient for storage in a compact with relatively small dimensions, while the second position provides dimensions more convenient for applying cosmetic to a broader application area.

7.Description:
(en)BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to cosmetic applicators, and in particular, cosmetic applicators for applying, for example, powdered blush or foundation to a user's skin. More particularly, the invention relates to cosmetic applicators that can be selectively adjusted from a size suitable for storage in a cosmetic compact case to a size suitable for application of cosmetic.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Applicators for applying cosmetics such as, for example, blush or foundation, are well known. The applicators generally have a body portion that serves as a handle, with an end that supports a suitable applicator medium, such as, for example, a sponge or a tuft of bristles extending from the body. Cosmetic applicators of this type are often provided to consumers as an accessory to a portable compact case (also referred to herein as a compact) containing cosmetic and, for the convenience of the consumer, may be provided in a recess or compartment in the compact. Examples of applicators included in compacts can be found in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 281,731, U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,387 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,863, incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
A problem associated with applicators provided in a cosmetic compact is that the minimal dimensions of a smaller, more convenient compact may not have sufficient storage space for an applicator with a suitably large applicator medium and/or a conveniently sized handle. Conversely, to store an applicator with a suitably dimensioned applicator medium and/or a conveniently sized handle may require increasing the external dimensions of a compact to a less desirable, larger size. In U.S. Pat. No. Des. 281,731, the problem appears to be addressed by making the compact wider to accommodate a broad brush, and by making the compact deeper to provide a drawer for storing additional cosmetics and at least one additional applicator. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,387, the problem appears to be addressed by allowing the handle of the applicator to extend partially outside the compact case. Although the latter arrangement appears to minimize the external dimension of the compact case once the applicator is removed, with the applicator stored in the compact the overall external dimensions of the compact case combined with the applicator handle protruding outside the case may be larger than desired.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,863 discloses a cosmetic case with a brush storage hole and a brush with a protective cap and a grip part. The protective cap moves, from a position covering the bristles, to a position covering the grip part (thus uncovering the bristles). When the protective cap is in the position covering the bristles, the grip part may be pivoted at a right angle to the protective cap for more compact storage in a groove on the side of the cosmetic case. With the brush in the brush storage hole, this arrangement appears to minimize the external dimensions of the cosmetic case, but the application portion of the brush does not appear to be adjustable in size for application or storage purposes.
Accordingly, there is a need for an applicator with an applicator medium portion and a handle portion that can be adjusted from a size and configuration best suited for application to a size and configuration best suited for storage in a compact.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, an applicator is provided that is adjustable in size for application and storage purposes. The applicator has first and second bodies each supporting an applicator medium (e.g., a plurality of bristles or a sponge) adapted for applying a cosmetic (e.g., blush, foundation, eye shadow, etc.). In addition to supporting the applicator medium, at least one of the first and second bodies may serve as a handle for the applicator. The bodies are provided with connection means to allow them to be selectively repositioned to change the relative dimensions of the applicator and/or applicator medium. The connection means are provided such that the second body is selectively movable relative to the first body from a first position, illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the depth of the second body applicator medium is adjacent to and increases the relative depth of the first body applicator medium, to a second position, illustrated in FIG. 3 , wherein the width of the second body applicator medium is adjacent to and increases the relative width of the first body applicator medium. The connection means may, for example, be a hinge or other suitable connecting mechanism that permits the first body and second body to be rearranged relative to each other. If hinged, the bodies may be selectively moved from a folded configuration (the first position) with a relatively greater depth and a smaller width, to an unfolded configuration (the second position) to provide a relatively smaller depth and greater width. In a relatively smaller but deeper compact, for example, the folded configuration would in most cases be better suited for the storage in a narrow but relatively deeper compartment, while the unfolded configuration would provide a wider applicator better suited for application of cosmetic to a larger area (e.g., cheeks). Conversely, if a wider, shallower compact design is preferred, the unfolded configuration could be better suited for storage in the compact while the folded configuration would provide a narrower applicator for application of cosmetic to relatively smaller areas (e.g., eyelids. The application medium is preferably a plurality of bristles. Alternatively, a woven or non-woven fibrous medium, a sponge type material, a flocked substrate or other material suitable for applying cosmetic may be provided as the applicator medium.
The advantages of the size-adjustable applicator are clear. In the first position (folded), the applicator may be readily stored in a relatively narrow, but deeper compartment in a compact with relatively smaller external dimensions, and unfolded to the second position to apply cosmetic to a relatively larger area. In the second position (unfolded), the applicator may be stored in a relatively shallow, but wider compartment in a compact with relatively larger external dimensions, but be folded to the first position to apply cosmetic to a relatively smaller area. Thus, the applicator may be stored or used to apply cosmetic in either the first position (folded) or in the second position (fully unfolded). In the first position, the applicator will deliver cosmetic via an increased applicator depth (thickness) to a relatively narrow application area, thus coating the area somewhat more heavily. In the second position (fully unfolded), the applicator will deliver the cosmetic via an increased applicator width, thus coating a wider application area somewhat less heavily. The applicator offers other advantages. For example, in the second position (open), each applicator medium may be loaded with a cosmetic having a different color or other characteristic, e.g., by drawing each applicator medium of the open applicator simultaneously through adjacent cosmetic pans, or by running each medium through a different cosmetic pan consecutively. The open applicator can then be used to apply the two different cosmetics to an application area such that immediately adjacent areas are treated differently, e.g., two different shades are applied simultaneously to adjacent zones of a cheek to emphasize the cheek structure. Alternatively, after loading a different cosmetic onto each applicator medium, the applicator can be folded to the first position to apply the two different cosmetics to one application area, e.g., to blend two different colors directly on the application area.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a size-adjustable applicator according to the invention in a first position (folded, contracted or closed);
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 between the first position and a second position, i.e., partially unfolded, expanded or open;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 in the second position (fully unfolded, expanded or open);
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of the hinge portion of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3 ;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the applicator in the first position;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 5 in between the first and second position;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIGS. 5-6 in the second position;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the applicator in the second position;
FIG. 9 is an end view of the applicator illustrated in FIG. 8 in the second position;
FIG. 10 is an end view of the applicator of FIGS. 8-9 in the first position;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIGS. 8-10 in the first position;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the size-adjustable applicator in the first position with another embodiment of the connecting means;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 12 in the second position;
FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the size-adjustable applicator in the first position with another embodiment of the connecting means; and
FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the applicator of FIG. 14 in the second position.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An applicator that is selectively size-adjustable for storage and application purposes according to the invention is indicated generally by reference number 1 in the FIGS. 1-3 . The applicator is provided with an applicator medium 3 suitable for applying makeup in powder, paste or liquid form, such as, for example, blush, foundation, eye shadow, lip cosmetic, etc. In the present application, a preferred embodiment is shown and described in FIGS. 1-3 with an applicator medium 3 comprised of bristles 5 (illustrated schematically) adapted for applying cosmetic. The bristles may be synthetic, e.g., nylon or other suitable material, or natural, e.g., goat hair, horse hair or china bristle. It will be understood that the applicator medium 3 may comprise media other than bristles suitable for applying cosmetics, such as, for example, sponge material, flocked material, fibrous material in woven or non-woven form or other suitable material. Accordingly, unless explicitly stated otherwise, any reference to a particular applicator medium (e.g., bristles) herein includes other types of applicator media (i.e., other than bristles).
A first body 7 is provided having a base end 9 supporting a first applicator medium 11 in the form of a first plurality of bristles 13 (illustrated schematically) adapted for applying cosmetic. The first applicator medium extends from the base end 9 of the first body 7 to a free end 12 . An opposite end 10 of the first body 7 may serve as a handle. The applicator medium 11 is secured to the body 7 in an arrangement having a width indicated by bracket 15 and a depth indicated by bracket 17 . The width and depth illustrated are different relative to one another, yielding and arrangement that is wider than it is deep. However, the width and depth may be identical measurements, i.e., yielding an arrangement that is as wide as it is deep.
A second body 19 is provided adjacent the first body 7 . The second body 19 has a base end 21 supporting a second applicator medium 23 in the form of a second plurality of bristles 25 (illustrated schematically) adapted for applying cosmetic. The second applicator medium 23 extends from the base end 21 of the body 19 to a free end 24 . An opposite end 22 of the second body 19 serves as a handle. The second applicator medium 23 is secured in an arrangement having a width indicated by bracket 27 and a depth indicated by bracket 29 (best illustrated in FIG. 3 ). The width and depth illustrated are different relative to one another, yielding and arrangement that is wider than it is deep. However, the width and depth may be identical measurements, i.e., yielding an arrangement that is as wide as it is deep.
The width and depth of the applicator medium is best measured at or near where each applicator medium departs the body 7 and body 19 , respectively, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 . Applicator media such as, for example, bristle tufts, sponges or fibrous materials may be tapered inwardly at the free end 12 , 24 , or splayed outwardly at the free end 12 , 24 . Tufts of bristles, for example, are often tapered inwardly, either by providing air spaces within the tuft at the end attached to the body, and/or by making the tuft from individually tapered bristles. Accordingly, the width and depth measured at the free ends 12 , 24 of each medium may differ from width and depth measurements of the media taken immediately adjacent the base end of each body 7 , 19 .
The first applicator medium 11 and second applicator medium 23 may each have different characteristics. For example, the bristles 13 may be longer than the bristles 25 , or the bristles 13 may be relatively stiffer than the bristles 25 . The shape of the free end 12 of the first applicator medium 11 may be the same as or different from the shape of the free end 24 of the applicator medium 23 . Or, as illustrated, the shape of the second applicator medium 23 may complement the shape of the first applicator medium 11 when the first applicator medium is adjacent the second.
Means 31 are provided for connecting the first body 7 and the second body 19 . The means 31 are provided such that the second body 19 is selectively movable relative to the first body 7 from a first position, illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the depth 29 of the arrangement of the second applicator medium 23 is adjacent to and increases the relative depth 17 of the arrangement of the first applicator medium 11 , to a second position, illustrated in FIG. 3 , wherein the width 27 of the arrangement of the second applicator medium 23 is adjacent to and increases the relative width 15 of the arrangement of the first applicator medium 11 . The first position may be referred to herein as the folded, closed, compact or contracted position, and the second position may be referred to herein as the unfolded, open or expanded position.
The means 31 for connecting the first body 7 and the second body 19 may be a permanent connection (e.g., a hinge) or a selectively separable connection (e.g., magnetic connectors or cooperative mating structures, such as, for example, snap or slide connectors or cooperatively acting sections of hook and loop tape). Preferably, the means 31 for connecting the first and second base is a hinge 33 providing a relatively permanent connection between the first body 7 and second body 19 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 , the means 31 may be a hinge 33 of the type that permits body 7 to swing as much as approximately 360 degrees about body 19 . This can be accomplished as illustrated by providing a pivot block 35 in a space defined by a clearance 51 in body 7 and a comparable adjacent clearance 52 in body 19 . Pivot block 35 is pivotally connected to body 7 by way of a pin 37 , and to body 19 by way of a pin 39 . As best illustrated in FIG. 4 , pin 39 passes through a bore 41 in body 19 . The bore 41 has a proximal end 47 and a distal end 49 . The pin 39 continues through a second bore 43 in pivot block 35 that is axially aligned with bore 41 . A distal end 45 of the pin 39 extends from the second bore 43 into the distal end 49 of bore 41 in body 19 . To make the connection durable and relatively permanent, pin 39 is secured in one of bore 41 and 43 by way of press fit, adhesive, welding or other suitable securing means. Pin 39 is permitted to pivot freely in the other of bore 41 and 43 , so that pivot block 35 can pivot freely relative to body 19 at least as much as 180 degrees. Body 7 is similarly connected to pivot block 35 by way of pin 37 in bores (not shown) in body 7 and pivot block 35 such that pivot block 35 can pivot as much as 180 degrees relative to body 7 . Because pivot block 35 can pivot as much as 180 degrees relative each of first body 7 and second body 19 , each of first body 7 and second body 19 can pivot cumulatively nearly 360 degrees relative to the other.
Alternatively, the hinge 33 may be any one of a variety of well known types, including, but not limited to, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a ball and socket hinge, a butt hinge or a living hinge. In FIGS. 3-7 , the hinge 33 is illustrated as a living hinge 36 connecting the first body 7 to the second body 19 . The living hinge 36 comprises a thin, flexible web of material either integrally molded with the body 7 and/or the body 19 , or molded onto the body 7 and/or the body 19 by, for example, bi-injection molding. Alternatively, the living hinge 36 may be separately manufactured and subsequently attached to each body 7 , 19 by way of adhesive, welding, overmolding, or other suitable attachment means.
Preferably, means are provided to hold the body 7 and body 19 in the first position (folded) and the second position (open). This can be accomplished by providing the hinge with a ratchet mechanism (not shown). The ratchet mechanism would be adapted to selectively hold at least the first and second position, and could be adapted to selectively hold any desired number of positions in between the first and second position. Another means for holding the second position is illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 . The hinge 33 is adapted such that edge 81 of first body 7 and adjacent edge 82 of second body 19 are separated by a gap (indicated by arrow 83 in FIG. 2 ) as body 19 pivots relative to body 7 . This can be accomplished by providing each of edges 81 and 82 with a radius to yield the required clearance. Once second body 19 has pivoted 180 degrees relative to first body 7 , i.e., to the second position (open), an edge 84 of first body 7 contacts an edge 85 of body 19 to prevent further travel and stop the applicator in the second position.
As an alternative to hinges, the means for connecting may comprise cooperatively mating structures 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 (see FIGS. 8-11 ). The cooperatively mating structures may consist of, for example, at least one projection 53 , 54 on one of the first body and the second body and at least one recess 55 , 56 in the other of the first body and the second body, with the recess 55 , 56 dimensioned to receive the at least one projection 53 , 54 in mating engagement. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 8-11 , a rib-like projection 53 extends from a surface 57 of the first body 7 . The projection 53 has a thickened outer portion 61 supported on a relatively narrower upright portion 63 . A channel-like recess 55 is provided in a surface 59 of the second body 19 . The recess 55 has a relatively narrow clearance 65 at the surface 59 of the second body 19 , with a relatively wider spacing between opposite side walls (indicated approximately at ref. No. 70 ) of the recess below the surface 59 . The narrow clearance 65 has a dimension slightly larger than the thickness of the upright portion 63 , but smaller than the thickness of the thickened outer portion 61 of projection 53 . The outer portion 61 has a dimension slightly smaller than the spacing between the sidewalls of the recess at 70 . Thus, the recess 55 is adapted to cooperatively mate with the rib 53 when the surfaces 57 and 59 of body 7 and body 19 are placed adjacent one another (see FIG. 10 ). If the materials of the projection and the recess are relatively elastic, the projection 53 can be mated with the recess 55 by merely by applying sufficient force. Alternatively, or if the materials are not sufficiently elastic, the recess is provided with an open end 67 , through which an end 69 of the projection 53 may enter. The projection 53 may then slide into recess 55 until the entire length of projection 53 is within recess 55 .
For the second position (open), a rib-like projection 54 extends from a side 93 of the first body 7 . The projection 54 has a thickened outer portion 62 supported on a relatively narrower upright portion 64 . A channel-like recess 56 is provided in a side 92 of the second body 19 . The recess 56 is adapted to receive in mating engagement the projection 54 in a manner similar to that described above for projection 53 and recess 55 .
As another alternative means for connecting the two bodies 7 and 19 , at least one magnet 86 , 87 ( FIGS. 12-13 ) may be provided on one of the first body and the second body, and at least one magnetically attractable member 88 , 89 may be provided on the other of the first body and the second body at a position facilitating engagement with the magnet. As illustrated in FIG. 13 , a magnet 86 is provided on the broad side 90 of second body 19 , and a cooperatively acting magnetically attractable member 88 is provided on the broad side 91 of first body 7 . The magnet 86 is illustrated as projecting slightly from the surface of side 90 , and the member 88 is illustrated as slightly recessed in side 91 . However, the magnet 86 and member 88 may each be flush with the respective side 90 , 91 . When the magnet 86 engages the member 88 , the bodies 7 and 19 are securely held by magnetic attraction in the first position (folded) as illustrated in FIG. 12 . Similarly, a magnet 87 provided on the narrow side 92 of second body 19 , and a cooperatively acting magnetically attractable member 89 is provided on the narrow side 93 of first body 7 . When the magnet 87 engages the member 89 , the bodies 7 and 19 are securely held by magnetic attraction in the second position (open) as illustrated in FIG. 13 . The magnet and magnetically attractable member are made from suitable ferrous material and fastened respectively to the bodies 7 and 19 by adhesive, welding, in-molding or other suitable means.
Another means for connecting first body 7 and second body 19 , shown in FIGS. 14-15 , comprises cooperatively acting sections of hook and loop tape 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 (illustrated schematically) secured on the bodies 7 and 19 . For example, as illustrated in FIG. 15 , a section of hook tape 94 is provided on the broad side 90 of second body 19 , and a cooperatively engaging section of loop tape 96 is provided on the broad side 91 of first body 7 . When the section of hook tape 94 engages the section of loop tape 96 , the bodies 7 and 19 are securely held in the first position (folded) as illustrated in FIG. 14 . Similarly, a section of hook tape 95 provided on the narrow side 93 of first body 7 , and a cooperatively acting section of loop tape 97 is provided on the narrow side 92 of second body 19 . When the section of hook tape 95 engages the section of loop tape 97 , the bodies 7 and 19 are securely held in the second position (open) as illustrated in FIG. 15 . The sections of hook tape and sections of loop tape are fastened respectively to the bodies 7 and 19 by adhesive, welding, in-molding or other suitable fastening means.
The first body 7 , second body 19 and connection means 31 (e.g., hinge 33 , pivot block 35 , living hinge 36 , projections 53 , 54 , etc.) may be made from any suitable material, but preferably are made of a plastic material that is injection molded such as, for example, styrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or polycarbonate (PC). In addition, the handle end 10 , 22 may be covered with a relatively more elastic material to provide the handle with a ‘soft-touch’ grip (not shown). Suitable materials for the soft touch grip are, for example, elastomer thermoplastics (e.g., Santoprene®) or silicone rubber.
Where the size-adjustable applicator includes a hinge 33 as the primary means for connecting first body 7 and second body 19 , secondary means of connection may be provided for selectively holding the second body 19 relative to the first body 7 in one of the first position and the second position. These secondary means could include any one of a magnetic clasp, a latch, a keeper, a hook, a snap fitment, and cooperatively acting sections of hook and loop tape. Thus, for example, if each of the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8-15 were also provided with a hinge 33 as the primary means for connecting (not shown in FIGS. 8-15 ), the cooperatively mating structures 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , magnets and magnetically attractable members 86 , 87 , 88 89 , and sections of hook and loop tape 94 , 95 , 96 , 97 , illustrated in FIGS. 8-15 would serve as secondary means for holding the bodies 7 and 19 in the folded or open position. As a more specific example, in FIGS. 5-7 , the size-adjustable applicator has a hinge 33 in the form of a living hinge 36 . A magnetic clasp is provided as the secondary means for holding the bodies 7 and 19 in the open position. The magnetic clasp comprises a magnet 87 provided on the narrow side 92 of second body 19 , and a cooperatively acting magnetically attractable member 89 provided on the narrow side 93 of first body 7 . Thus, when the second body 19 is pivoted on the primary connection means, living hinge 36 , from the first position (folded) illustrated in FIG. 5 , to the second position (open) illustrated in FIG. 7 , the secondary connection means engages, i.e., magnet 87 engages member 89 to hold the applicator in the second position. Other secondary means that may be used include, but are not limited to, for example, a latch, a keeper, a hook and a snap fitment.
The size-adjustable applicator, in the first position (folded), may be readily stored in a relatively narrow, but deeper compartment in a compact with relatively smaller external dimensions. In the second position, the applicator may be stored in a relatively shallow, but wider compartment in a compact with relatively larger external dimensions. The applicator may be used to apply cosmetic in either the first position (folded) or in the second position (fully unfolded). In the first position, the applicator will deliver cosmetic via an increased applicator medium depth (thickness) to a relatively narrow application area, thus coating the area somewhat more heavily. In the second position (fully unfolded), the applicator will deliver the cosmetic via an increased applicator width, thus coating a wider application somewhat less heavily. The applicator offers other advantages. For example, in the second position (open), each applicator medium 11 , 23 may be loaded with a cosmetic having a different color or other characteristic, e.g., by running the open applicator simultaneously through adjacent cosmetic pans, or by running each medium through a different cosmetic pan consecutively. The open applicator can then be used to apply the two different cosmetics to an application area so that immediately adjacent areas are treated differently, e.g., two different shades are applied to adjacent zones of a cheek to emphasize the cheek structure. Alternatively, the applicator can be folded to the first position to apply the two different cosmetics to one application area, e.g., to blend two different colors directly on the application area.
While the invention has been described and illustrated as embodied in preferred forms of construction, it will be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention recited in the following claims.