GB2293545A

GB2293545A - A multiple use cosmetics device

Info

Publication number: GB2293545A
Application number: GB9417089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Liz Warom; Mark Warom
Original assignee: Body Shop International PLC
Current assignee: Body Shop International PLC
Priority date: 1994-08-24
Filing date: 1994-08-24
Publication date: 1996-04-03
Also published as: GB9417089D0

Abstract

A multiple use cosmetics device comprises a cylindrical container (1) for a cosmetic or toiletry product or products, and at least two applicators for dispensing and applying the product or products, wherein one applicator comprises a mascara brush (26) and the other an eye liner applicator (18). The applicators (18, 26) are secured to respective caps (15, 22) which serve to close the ends of the container (1), the caps being cylindrical and having the same diameter as the container. <IMAGE>

Description

A multiple-use cosmetics device This invention relates to a multi-use cosmetics device and, particularly but not exclusively, to a device for applying makeup to the face, such as eye makeup.

It is known in the cosmetics industry to provide devices which consist of a container for products such as mascara and eye liner, which is closed by a screw cap, the cap carrying an applicator or wand which picks up the product in the container to enable it to be applied by the user. Generally speaking, a complete makeup pack would consist of a number of such devices which may comprise mascara applicator, eye liner, eyebrow definer, lipstick etc. The total collection to provide a complete makeup set is therefore somewhat bulky, cumbersome and heavy.

The present invention seeks to provide a device for applying cosmetics from which two or more applications can be dispensed.

According to the present invention there is provided a multiple use cosmetics device including a main body comprising a container for a cosmetic or toiletry product or products, and at least two applicators for dispensing and applying the product or products. In a preferred embodiment, one applicator comprises a mascara brush and the other an eye liner.

Preferably, the container has two openings each closable by a respective cap, each of the caps carrying an applicator which is located in the container when the screw cap is secured, preferably by a screw action, to the associated opening.

The main body is preferably cylindrical in shape and has open necks at each axial end of the tube, the axial ends being closable by a respective screw cap. The screw caps preferably have the same external diameter as the main body to provide a smooth pencil-shaped device of attractive appearance.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is now described by way of example with reference to the accompanying informal drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a main body of a multiple use cosmetics device, Figure 2a shows an eyeliner brush incorporated in a screw cap adapted to be screwed on to one end of the container of figure 1, and Figure 2b shows a mascara brush carried by a screw cap which is adapted to be screwed on to a screw neck located on the opposite end of the container of figure 1.

Referring now to the drawings, figure 1 shows a main body of a cosmetic device which consists of main body comprising a hollow tubular member forming a container 1 for a cosmetics or toiletry product to be dispensed. The container 1 has, at axially opposite ends 2 and 3, openings which incorporate screw thread necks 4 and 5. Each of the necks 4 and 5 consists of an outer element 6, 7, formed integrally with the main body 1, and an inner sleeve, 8 and 9 respectively, formed of low density polyethylene. The two elements 6 and 7 each have a screw thread moulded on their exterior surface. The inner sleeves 8 and 9 are a tight fit in the elements 6 and 7 to provide a fluid tight seal between the two.At their outer ends, each inner sleeve 8, 9, carries an outwardly extending annular flange which butts up against the free end of the sleeve 6 or 7 respectively to accurately locate the inner sleeve relative to the container 1.

Each of the inner sleeves 8, 9, has a frusto-conical section 10 and 11 at its inner end, the tapers of which extending inwardly towards the axis of the neck and cylinder 1, culminating in an orifice, 13 and 14 respectively, leading to the interior of the container 1. The main container 1 and the sleeves 8 and 9 are formed of a plastics material such as high density polyethylene.

Referring now to figures 2a and 2b, there are shown respective applicators which are adapted to be screwed on to respective ends of the container 1 shown in figure 1.

Figure 2a illustrates an eyeliner and comprises a screw cap 15 which is generally cylindrical in shape and has an external diameter substantially identical to that of the container 1. The screw cap 15 includes an insert 17 having an internal screw thread 16 by which the cap can be screwed on to the neck 4. An eyeliner applicator 18 is moulded integrally with the insert 17 and comprises a cylindrical shaft 19 having an inwardly tapered frusto-chronical section adjacent its free end 20. An eyeliner brush 21 is secured in the end 20 of the shaft 19. The diameter of the shaft 19 is slightly greater than the diameter of the orifice 13 in the neck 4 so that when the cap is screwed on to the container a seal is formed between the shaft 19 and the orifice 13 by deformation of the orifice 13.

Turning now to figure 2b, there is. illustrated a mascara brush which, in concept, is similar to the cap carrying the eyeliner brush 18. The mascara brush comprises a cap 22 containing an insert 23. The insert 23 has an internal screw thread 24 by which the cap 22 can be screwed on to the neck 5 of the container 1. The sleeve 23 has an outwardly projecting shaft 25 carrying on its outer end a co-axial mascara wand or brush 26. The diameter of the shaft 25 is slightly greater than the internal diameter of the orifice 14 so that when the screw cap 22 is screwed on to the neck 5, the shaft 25 is a tight fit in the orifice 14 to form a fluid tight seal between the two components.

The caps 15 and 22 may be formed of aluminium with a polished exterior surface whilst the sleeves 16 and 23 are preferably formed of a high density polyethylene plastics material. In this embodiment, the interior of the container 1 consists of a single chamber containing a substance, of a generally wax-like nature, which can be dispensed by removal of either the eyeliner brush or the mascara brush.

In alternative arrangements, it is envisaged that the container might be divided into two chambers so that different substances could be dispensed from each end of the container. The division may be by a transverse wall or by a longitudinal wall extending axially throughout the container. In this latter case, the two necks would have to be offset from the central axis of the container so as to enable each applicator to enter the appropriate chamber.

It is also envisaged that the container may be in the form of a container or bottle having the two necks on the same end of the container. In such a case, it would be simple to divide the interior of the container into two chambers by an internal wall.

Claims

1. A multiple use cosmetics device including a main body comprising container means for a cosmetic or toiletry product or products, and at least two applicators for dispensing and applying the product or products.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein one applicator comprises a mascara brush and the other an eye liner.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the container has two openings each closable by a respective cap, each of the caps carrying an applicator which is located in the container when the cap is secured to the associated opening.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the or each the cap is secured by a screw action to the associated opening.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the main body is a cylindrical tube in shape and has an open neck at each axial end of the tube.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein, the axial ends are closable by a respective screw cap.

7. A device according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the screw caps are cylindrical and have the same external diameter as the main body to provide a smooth elongate device.

8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the main body is divided internally into two chambers to enable different substances to be dispensed from the two openings.

9. A multiple use cosmetics device substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.