GB2155774A - Double-ended applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a double-ended applicator for applying cosmetics, that permits one end to be withdrawn into a protective sleeve while the other is extended for use. The applicator (10) includes a sleeve (20), a slide (30) within the sleeve, and a pair of flexible applicators (40, 42) attached to opposite ends of the slide. A series of cams (24, 26) is arranged along a longitudinal opening (23) to releasably engage a finger piece (34) attached to a projection (32) that extends upwardly from the slide to hold the slide (30) and the associated applicators (40, 42) at any one of several predetermined locations. The slide can be positioned such that one or both applicators are partially exposed, thereby rendering them relatively more still, or such that one applicator is fully extended while the other is fully withdrawn within the sleeve. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Double-ended applicator Background of the Invention The present invention relates to a double-ended applicator, and particularly one which permits one end to be withdrawn into a protective sleeve while the other is extended for use.

The application of materials such as cosmetics often requires the use of a plurality of applicators having varying textures and functions. For example, for some compositions such as brush-on lip colors and eye shadow, it is desirable to employ a foam applicator for relatively heavy application and a brush applicator for smoothing out or feathering the composition. While applicators have been designed having distinct applicator means on opposite ends of a handle, these tend to be too messy in practice.

When the cosmetic has been applied to both ends of the applicator, it is difficult to switch from using one end to the other without soiling the hands.

It would be desirable to have an applicator having a pair of applicator means with distinct textures at opposite ends which would permit covering one of the applicator means while the other is in use. It would also be desirable in such a double-ended applicatorto provide stops which would permit holding both applicator means at desired positions without slippage during normal use. These stops should provide a constant resistance force, generally independant of the grasping force. And, in some instances, it would be desirable to enable having at least one of the applicator means less than fully extended such that, as in the case of a brush means, the texture of the working end of the brush would be relatively more stiff in the partiallyextended position than in the fully-extended position.It would be further desirable to design the outer sleeve for holding the applicator means in an aesthetically pleasing shape which would be resistant to normal squeezing forces such that movement of the applicator means would not be restricted.

Summary Of The Invention These and other desirable features are achieved according to at least the preferred objects of the present invention which provides a double-ended applicator that permits one end to be withdrawn into a protective sleeve while the other is extended for use. In its broad aspects, the double-ended applicator comprises: a sleeve open at opposite ends. a slide capable of movement within the sleeve along a longitudinal axis extending between the open ends of the sleeve, and a pair of flexible applicator means attached to opposite longitudinal ends of the slide.

The invention has the advantage that a pair of flexible applicator means can be maintained within an aesthetically pleasing unit to permit not only the withdrawl of one of the applicator means while the other one is in use, but also to permit varying the stiffness of at least one of the units to further increase the versatility of the applicator. Preferably, a series of cams is arranged to project upwardly along a longitudinal opening which extends along a portion of the length of the sleeve to releasably engage a projection which extends downwardly from the bottom of a finger piece attached to said slide by means extending through the longitudinal opening to hold the slide and the associated applicator means at predetermined locations.The cams are preferably positioned to project upwardly at predetermined locations along the surface of the sleeve adjacent the longitudinal opening to contact the projection from the finger piece. This arrangement makes the force holding the slide in position substantially independent of the grasping force on the sleeve. Also preferably, the sleeve is detented toward its central portion to enable a sure grasping of the sleeve without inhibiting movement of the slide and the associated applicator means.

Brief Description Of The Drawings The present invention will be better understood and its advantages will become more apparent when the following detailed description is read in iight of the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a top plan view of a double-ended applicator according to the invention showing one applicator means fully extended and one applicator means fully withdrawn within the protective sleeve; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3--3 in Figure 2; and, Figure 4 is a side elevation view of the doubleended applicator according to the invention showing both applicator means partially extended from the sleeve.

Detailed Description Of The Invention Referring to the drawings, the double-ended applicator, shown generally at 10, is seen to include a sleeve 20, a slide 30 within the sleeve 20, and a pair of flexible applicator means 40 and 42 attached to opposite ends of the slide 30. Opposite ends 21 and 22 of the sleeve 10 are open. The long axis extending between the open ends is defined as the longitudinal axis of the sleeve for the purposes of clarity in this description.

The sleeve 20 is shown to include a longitudinal opening 23 extending along a portion of the length of the sleeve 20. As can be seen in Figure 2, the top portion of the sleeve 20, having the longitudinal opening therein, is concaved. In the area of the longitudinal opening 23 a channel 28 is provided to guide the finger piece 34 which is attached to the slide by means of a projection 32 which extends from the slide 30 through the longitudinal opening 23. The recessed area of the sleeve, especially at the channel 28, is of reduced thickness relative to the rest of the sleeve and therefore has greater flexibility.By recessing and central portion of the upper surface of the sleeve 20 in this manner, it is possible to easily move the finger piece 34 throughout the extent of the channel 28 without creating an excessive squeezing force on the sleeve 20 which would prevent movement of the slide 30 therein.

Another preferred feature according to the present invention is seen clearly in Figures 1 and 2 as a series of cams 24 and 26, which preferably project upwardly from the upper surface of the channel 28 adjacent to the longitudinal opening 23 to reieasably engage the downward projection 27 from finger piece 34 which operates the slide 30 to hold the slide at any one of several predetermined locations. As seen in the drawings, cams 24 and 26 are located adjacent to the longitudinal channel 23 to enable releasably engaging the outer surface of finger piece 34 between the cams and the respective ends of the channel to hold either of applicator means 40 and 42 in the fully-extended position.

Engaging the finger piece between cams 24 and 26 enables holding the slide 30 at a middle position such that a portion of at least one flexible applicator means is partially extended. According to the embodiment shown in the drawings, both of the applicator means are partially extended when the slide is held in this position. This is shown in the side elevational view of Figure 4.

The drawings illustrate applicator means 40 as being a foam pad and 42 as being a brush. When the brush 42 is fully extended, it is quite flexible due to the extended length of the bristles therein. However, it is possible according to the present invention to make this brush relatively more stiff by holding the brush in the partially-extended position shown in Figure 4 as would be the case where the cams 24 and 26 would releasably engage the finger piece 34.

This arrangement therefore permits varying the texture and utility of each of the applicator means 40 and 42 and thereby even more greatly increases the utility of the device. Moreover, the central location with partial extension of both the foam and the brush applicators is advantageous for purposes of display for sale.

By locating the cams 24 and 26 in the manner shown in the drawings, the force required to move the slide into and out of engagement with the cams 24 and 26 is subtantially independent of the force with which the sleeve 20 is grasped.

Also important to the device are the materials selected for constructing both the sleeve and the slide. The materials must be compatible throughout the intended life of the device to permit consistently smooth sliding operation between the sleeve 20 and the slide 30. It is additionally important that the slide be constructed of a material with is respective to the types of solvents and cements employed for attaching the applicator means 40 and 42 thereto. To ensure a sturdy attachment, it is preferred to employ cellulose acetate propionate, or other suitable thermoplastic resin material. Where the applicator element 40 is constructed of polyester or polyether cosmetically acceptable foam, the applicator 40 is simply attached to extension 38 on slide 30 by use of a solvent or adhesive.Where the applicator 42 comprises nylon or natural bristles, it is easily secured within recess 39 within slide 30 by metal staple, solvent or adhesive. The enlarged or pushbutton finger piece portion 34 of the projection 32 and the projection 32 itself are preferably constructed of the same material as the slide 30. The sleeve 20 is preferably of integral construction, typically molded in one piece from polypropylene.

To assembly the slide containing the applicator means 40 and 42 within the sleeve, the slide 30 is inserted within the sleeve 20 and the finger piece 34 with projection 32 is pressed into recess 37 within the slide and sealed therein by means of a solvent, adhesive or mechanical interference fit.

The above description is for the purpose of teaching the person skilled in the art how to make and use the present invention. It is not intended to describe in detail each and every obvious modification and variation thereof. Applicants do intend, however, to include all such modifications and variations with the scope of the invention which is defined by the following claims.

Claims (14)

1. A double-ended applicator comprising: a sleeve open at opposite ends, a slide capable of movement within the sleeve along a longitudinal axis extending between the open ends of the sleeve, and a pair of flexible applicator means attached to opposite longitudinal ends of the slide.

2. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 1, wherein the sleeve comprises a longitudinal opening extending along a portion of its length, and the slide comprises a projection that extends through the opening in the sleeve and enables movement of the slide within the sleeve to the extent permitted by the length of the opening.

3. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 2, wherein at least one upstanding cam is provided adjacent the longitudinal opening in the sleeve, the cam being adapted to releasably engage a downwardly extending projection on a finger piece attached to said slide by said projection extending through said opening the slide and hold said slide at a predetermined location.

4. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 3, wherein cams are positioned effectively with relation to said opening and said finger piece to enable holding the slide at either fully-extending position.

5. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 4, wherein the slide, both applicator means and the sleeve are proportioned such that, when the slide is held at either fully-extended position, the applicator means adjacent that extended position is fully extended and the applicator means opposite the extended position is fully withdrawn within the sleeve.

6. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 5, wherein a pair of cams are located effectively along said longitudinal opening to enable holding the slide at the middle position such that a portion of at least one flexible applicator means is partially extending causing it to be relatively more stiff than in its fully-extended position.

7. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 4, wherein the projection from the slide is integral with said finger piece which is positioned outside of the sleeve.

8. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 7, wherein said finger piece mates with and slides in a longitudinal recess located on the outer surface of the sleeve along the length of the longitudinal opening.

9. A double-ended applicator comprising: a sleeve open at opposite ends, the open ends defining the longitudinal axis of the sleeve, and having a longitudinal opening through the sleeve along a portion of the length of the sleeve; a slide capable of longitudinal movement within the sleeve; a projection from the slide which extends through the longitudinal opening to enable movement of the slide within the sleeve; and a pair of flexible applicator means positioned at opposite longitudinal ends of the slide; wherein the slide, both applicator means, the longitudinal opening in the sleeve and the applicator means are proportioned such that, when the slide is held at either end of the longitudinal opening, the applicator means opposite the extended position is fully withdrawn into the sleeve.

10. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 9, wherein the sleeve is of unitary construction of polypropylene and the slide is constructed of cellulose acetate propionate or other suitable thermoplastic resin material.

11. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 10, wherein at least one cam is positioned at a predetermined position along the longitudinal opening in the sleeve to extend upwardly of the longitudinal opening to releasably engage a projection extending downwardly from a finger piece attached to said slide by said projection and to hold the slide at a predetermined location.

12. A double-ended applicator according to Claim 11, wherein a pair of cams is located effectively along the longitudinal opening to enable holding the slide at the middle position such that a portion of at least one flexible applicator means is partially extended, causing it to be relatively more stiff than in its fully-extended position.

13. A doubled-ended applicator according to Claim 9, wherein the cross section of the sleeve perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is generally rectangular and the surface through which the longitudinal opening extends is concaved.

14. A double-ended applicator substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.