JP3390980B2 - Mascara applicator - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mascara applicator capable of adjusting the ironing strength of a brush.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a mascara applicator is designed such that after applying mascara to a brush, the brush is squeezed by an squeezing member to adhere a predetermined amount of mascara to the brush. In this mascara applicator, the amount of mascara adhered to the brush can be adjusted appropriately according to the preference of the user.
There is one that allows you to adjust the ironing strength for the brush.

The conventional mascara applicator of this type has the following structure. An inner cylinder containing a mascara is inserted inside the outer cylinder, and when the inner cylinder is rotated with respect to the outer cylinder, a screw mechanism provided on the inner surface of the outer cylinder and the outer surface of the inner cylinder causes the inner cylinder to move. Can be moved up and down with respect to the outer cylinder.

A brush shaft that can be inserted into and removed from the inner cylinder extends from a cap that is screwed into the mouth of the upper end of the outer cylinder, and the brush is fixed to the tip of the brush shaft. A squeezing member for squeezing the brush is provided on the upper end of the inner cylinder. The ironing member is made of an elastic material such as rubber and has a cone shape with an insertion hole formed in the center. A backing member provided on the upper portion of the outer cylinder is abutted against the ironing member from above, and the inner cylinder is moved up and down with respect to the outer cylinder to change the bite amount of the backing member with respect to the ironing member. By doing so, the circumference of the insertion hole of the ironing member is elastically deformed, and the opening diameter of the insertion hole (hereinafter, referred to as a stop diameter) can be expanded or reduced.

When the brush is inserted through the insertion hole of the ironing member from inside to outside, excess mascara is removed. Therefore, if the diameter of the insertion hole of the ironing member is made variable, The amount of mascara adhered can be adjusted.

[0006]

By the way, in the conventional mascara applicator, when the inner cylinder is rotated with respect to the outer cylinder, the rotation of the inner cylinder is prevented when the diaphragm diameter reaches the minimum and maximum positions. It has a structure that Therefore, when changing the aperture diameter from the minimum state to the maximum state and vice versa, the inner cylinder must be rotated very greatly, which is inconvenient.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and it is possible to quickly change the maximum aperture diameter to the minimum aperture diameter, and it is easy to adjust the squeezing strength and is easy to use. The purpose is to provide a good mascara applicator.

[0008]

The present invention adopts the following means in order to solve the above problems. <Summary of the Invention> A mascara applicator according to the present invention includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, a cap, a brush shaft, a brush, an ironing member, and a backing member. The outline of the constituent elements of the present invention and the points thereof will be briefly summarized below.

<Outer cylinder, inner cylinder> The outer cylinder has a mouth at the upper end. The inner cylinder is inserted inside the outer cylinder, and is rotatable and vertically movable with respect to the outer cylinder by a screw mechanism provided on the inner surface of the outer cylinder and the outer surface of the inner cylinder. In particular, the inner cylinder is allowed to rotate in an unlimited angle in the direction of increasing the aperture diameter described later. The screw mechanism will be described later in detail. A mascara is housed inside the inner cylinder.

The lower part of the inner cylinder is operated to be protruded from the lower part of the outer cylinder, and the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are provided with latching parts. The latching parts latch with each other to separate the inner cylinder from the outer cylinder. May be prevented. In this case, the operation knob and the inner cylinder may be integrally molded, or they may be formed as separate parts and connected to each other.

<Cap, Brush Shaft, Brush> The cap can be screwed into the mouth of the outer cylinder. A brush shaft into which the inner cylinder can be inserted and removed extends from this cap, and a brush is provided at the tip of the brush shaft.

<Ironing member> The ironing member is provided on the upper end of the inner cylinder and is made of an elastic material. The ironing member has a substantially cone shape that is inclined toward the inner rear side of the inner cylinder, and has a brush shaft and an insertion hole for inserting and removing the brush in the center.

<Backing member> The backing member is provided on the upper part of the outer cylinder. The tip of the backing member is pressed against the surface of the ironing member in a pressed state. By moving the inner cylinder up and down with respect to the outer cylinder, the bite amount of the backing member with respect to the ironing member is changed, thereby making it possible to change the substantial aperture diameter of the insertion hole of the ironing member. There is. The backing member and the outer cylinder may be integrally molded, or they may be separately formed and connected and fixed.

<Screw Mechanism> The screw mechanism is composed of a spiral ridge and an engaging projection, and the engaging projection engages with the spiral ridge so as to slide relative to each other. The spiral ridge may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, and the engaging projection may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder. Conversely, the spiral ridge may be formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder, The engagement protrusion may be formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder. The screw mechanism is generally a right-hand screw, but a left-hand screw may be used.

In this screw mechanism, the engaging projection is located at the end of the spiral ridge when the aperture diameter is maximized, and when the engaging projection exceeds the end of the spiral ridge, the engaging projection cooperates with the backing member. Due to the elastic force of the ironing member that is generated, the inner cylinder moves downward with respect to the outer cylinder, and the engagement projection returns to the engagement position with respect to the spiral projection when the aperture diameter is minimized.

Further, at least one engaging projection is sufficient, but a plurality of engaging projections may be provided. When a plurality of engaging projections are provided, they are preferably arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. In that case, when the engaging projection located at the uppermost position exceeds the end of the spiral ridge, the engaging projection returns to the position with respect to the spiral ridge when the aperture diameter is minimized.

<Raw Material of the Present Invention> The outer cylinder, the inner cylinder, the cap, the brush shaft, the brush, and the backing member are not particularly limited, but generally, plastic is preferable. The ironing member is not particularly limited as long as it is an elastic material as long as it is an elastic material, and examples thereof include natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and elastomer.

[0018]

The rotation angle of the inner cylinder in the direction of increasing the aperture diameter is not limited. When the inner cylinder is rotated in a direction to further increase the aperture diameter from the state where the end of the spiral ridge and the engaging projection are engaged, the engagement between the spiral ridge and the engaging projection is released, and the inner cylinder is squeezed. The elastic force of the member moves downward with respect to the outer cylinder, the spiral projection and the engaging projection return to the engaged state again, and quickly return to the state of the minimum aperture diameter. Therefore, it becomes easy to adjust the ironing strength of the mascara applicator, which is extremely convenient. Of course, the inner diameter can be reduced by rotating the inner cylinder in the opposite direction to the above.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings of FIGS. <Outer Cylinder 1, Inner Cylinder 10> FIG. 4 is an overall vertical cross-sectional view of the mascara applicator. The outer cylinder 1 of the mascara applicator has a mouth 2 at the upper end, the lower part is slightly flared, and the lower end is open. An inner cylinder 10 having a bottom is inserted inside the outer cylinder 1 in a sealed state so as to be slidable in the vertical direction and the circumferential direction. A mascara is housed in the inner cylinder 10.

An operation knob 11 is externally fitted and fixed to a lower portion of the inner cylinder 10, and the operation knob 11 projects downward from a lower end opening of the outer cylinder 1. A spiral projection 11a is provided on the upper outer peripheral surface of the operation knob 11, and three short engagement projections 1a, 1b, 1c are provided on the lower inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 1 at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. There is. Spiral ridge 11a and engaging projections 1a, 1
b and 1c constitute a right-hand screw mechanism, and when the inner cylinder 10 is rotated with respect to the outer cylinder 1 by this screw mechanism, the inner cylinder 10 is rotated.
Is vertically movable with respect to the outer cylinder 1. This screw mechanism will be described later in detail.

<Ironing member 13> A cylindrical pressing member 12 is fixed to the upper end opening of the inner cylinder 10, and the ironing member 13 is attached to the pressing member 12. The squeezing member 13 is made of an elastic material such as synthetic rubber or natural rubber, and is supported by the pressing member 12.
From the upper outer peripheral edge of 3a, a cone-shaped ironing tube portion 13
b extends toward the back of the inner cylinder 10 (downward in the figure),
An insertion hole 13c is provided at the center of the tip of the ironing cylinder portion 13b.

<Backing Member 3> The outer cylinder 1 has a cylindrical backing member 3 extending downward from the base of the mouth 2. The tip of the backing member 3 is in contact with the upper surface of the ironing cylinder portion 13b in a pressed state, and the elastic force of the backing member 3 generated by this causes the inner cylinder 10 to be constantly urged downward in the drawing. . The inner diameter of the tip of the backing member 3 is larger than that of the insertion hole 13c.

<Cap 20, brush shaft 22, brush 2
3> A cap 20 can be screwed into the mouth 2 of the outer cylinder 1, and a packing 21 for sealing the outer cylinder 1 is attached to the cap 20. The cap 20 has a brush shaft 22 that extends downward through the packing 21,
A nylon brush 23 is fixed to the tip of the brush shaft 22. The brush shaft 22 passes from the mouth portion 2 of the outer cylinder 1 through the backing member 3 and the insertion hole 13c of the ironing member 13,
It can be inserted into and removed from the inner cylinder 10.

In this mascara applicator, when the cap 20 is removed from the mouth 2 and the brush shaft 22 is pulled out,
When the brush 23 passes through the insertion hole 13c, the brushing cylinder portion 1
Excessive mascara that is rubbed by 3b and adheres to the brush 23 is removed.

<Adjustment of Ironing Strength> The ironing strength for the brush 23 can be varied by rotating the inner cylinder 10 with respect to the outer cylinder 1.
This will be described in detail below.

1 and 4 show the case where the aperture diameter of the insertion hole 13c is set small, and FIG. 5 shows the case where the aperture diameter of the insertion hole 13c is set large. Inner cylinder 10 to outer cylinder 1
When the backing member 3 is rotated and raised with respect to the ironing member 13, the biting amount of the backing member 3 with respect to the ironing member 13 is gradually increased, and the ironing cylinder portion 13b is elastically deformed to gradually increase the aperture diameter. On the contrary, when the inner cylinder 10 is rotated with respect to the outer cylinder 1 and lowered, the bite amount of the backing member 3 with respect to the ironing member 13 is gradually reduced, and the ironing cylinder portion 13b is elastically restored. The squeezing diameter gradually decreases. Thus, the ironing strength can be changed by changing the aperture diameter of the ironing member 13.

On the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 10 and above the operation knob 11, an index indicating the squeezing strength of the squeezing member 13 is displayed by numbers "1" to "10". It can be seen through a window 4 provided in the outer cylinder 1. FIG. 2 shows the position of the index when the inner cylinder 10 is viewed from above. In this manner, the numbers "1" to "10" indicating the degree of ironing strength are displayed at equal intervals in the range of about 270 degrees in the circumferential direction.

<Mechanism for Preventing Removal of Inner Cylinder 10> Further, an annular projection (locking portion) 11 protruding outward is provided on the upper edge of the operation knob 11.
b is formed. On the other hand, a plurality of hooking protrusions (hooking portions) 1d are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion of the outer cylinder 1 above the engaging protrusions 1a to 1c. The hooking protrusion 1d is arranged below the annular protrusion 11b, and is engaged with the annular protrusion 11b when the throttle diameter of the ironing member 13 is minimized (that is, when the ironing strength is maximum). The inner cylinder 10 is prevented from rotating in the direction of reducing the aperture diameter further than that, and the inner cylinder 10 is prevented from moving downward with respect to the outer cylinder 1 beyond that, so that the inner cylinder 10 is separated from the outer cylinder 1. Prevent you from getting out.

<Screw Mechanism> Next, the screw mechanism constituted by the spiral protrusion 11a of the operation knob 11 and the engaging protrusions 1a to 1c of the outer cylinder 1 will be described in detail.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line II of FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a development view of the screw mechanism. This screw mechanism constitutes a right-hand screw, and the spiral ridge 11a is formed at an angle of about 420 degrees from its starting end A to its ending B. In the development view of FIG. 7, the starting end A of the spiral ridge 11a is shown fixed at a position of 0 degree (0 °). The engaging protrusions 1a to 1c are the spiral protrusions 11 described above.
They are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction on a virtual spiral screwed into a.

FIG. 7A shows the position where the index "1" can be seen from the window 4 as shown in FIG. 1 when the aperture diameter of the ironing member 13 is set small (that is, the ironing strength is set large). FIG. 7 is a development view of the case where all three engaging protrusions 1a, 1b, 1c are engaged with the spiral protrusion 11a. Hereinafter, this state is referred to as an initial position.

From this state, when the operation knob 11 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed from below as shown by the arrow in FIG. 3, the inner cylinder 1
0 gradually moves upward and the diaphragm diameter increases.
Then, when the inner cylinder 10 is rotated about 120 degrees from the initial position, the terminal end B of the spiral protrusion 11a is disengaged from the lower engagement protrusion 1c, and the inner cylinder 10 is further rotated about 120 degrees.
When rotated by a degree (that is, about 240 degrees from the initial position), the terminal end B of the spiral protrusion 11a is disengaged from the engagement with the second engagement protrusion 1b, and thereafter, only the engagement protrusion 1a located at the uppermost position is released. Will engage with the spiral ridge 11a.

FIG. 7B shows the ironing member 13 as shown in FIG.
When the aperture diameter of is maximized (that is, the ironing strength is minimum,
The developed view when the index “10” is seen from the window 4) is shown, and at this time, the terminal end B of the spiral protrusion 11a is engaged with the engagement protrusion 1a.

After that, when the inner cylinder 10 is further rotated in the same direction, as shown in FIG. 7C, the terminal end B of the spiral protrusion 11a.
Is disengaged from the engagement protrusion 1a, and the spiral ridge 11a releases the engagement with all three engagement protrusions 1a, 1b, 1c. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the state at this time, and
From the view, the part where the index is not displayed (the non-display part between “10” and “1”) is visible.

Then, the inner cylinder 10 is pushed back downward by the elastic force of the ironing member 13, the state returns to the state of FIG. 7A, and the spiral ridge 11a again returns to all three engaging protrusions 1a-1.
It comes to engage with c.

Even when the inner cylinder 10 is rotated by 360 degrees as described above, the annular projection 11b of the operation knob 11 remains in the outer cylinder 1.
A cutout portion 1e is formed in the lower inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder 1 and above the hooking protrusion 1d so as not to interfere with.

As described above, in this mascara applicator, the squeezing member 13 can be instantly changed from the maximum squeezing diameter to the minimum squeezing diameter by simply rotating the inner cylinder 10 by a small angle, and then the squeezing diameter is again reduced. The ironing strength can be easily adjusted and the usability is extremely good.

Of course, the inner cylinder 10 is moved in the opposite direction (that is,
By rotating in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from below,
It is also possible to reduce the aperture diameter of the ironing member 13. However, when the index "1" is seen through the window 4 and further rotated by a slight angle, the annular projection 1 of the operation knob 11 is rotated.
1b abuts on the hooking protrusion 1d of the outer cylinder 1 and cannot rotate further.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to rotate the inner cylinder with respect to the outer cylinder with unlimited angles, and it is possible to quickly change from the maximum aperture diameter state to the minimum state, so it is easy to adjust the ironing strength of the mascara applicator,
It has an excellent effect that it is extremely easy to use.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view showing an embodiment of a mascara applicator of the present invention, showing a state in which a diaphragm diameter of an ironing member is set small.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display position of an index indicating the degree of ironing strength displayed on the inner cylinder of the mascara applicator.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an overall vertical sectional view of the mascara applicator.

FIG. 5 is a partially cutaway front view of the mascara applicator,
It is a figure which shows the state which set the diaphragm diameter of the ironing member large.

FIG. 6 is a cutaway front view of the lower portion of the mascara applicator, showing a state immediately before the aperture diameter of the ironing member changes from the maximum to the minimum.

FIG. 7 is a development view of a screw mechanism provided between an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder, (A) showing a minimum aperture diameter, (B) showing a maximum aperture diameter, and (C). Indicates the point just before the aperture diameter changes from the maximum to the minimum.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 outer cylinder 1a, 1b, 1c engaging protrusion 1d Hook projection (Hook part) 2 mouths 3 Backing member 10 inner cylinder 11 Operation pick 11a spiral ridge 11b Annular projection (locking part) 13 Ironing member 13c insertion hole 20 cap 22 Brush shaft 23 brushes

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A45D 34/04 A45D 40/04 A45D 40/20

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An inner cylinder for accommodating a mascara is inserted into an outer cylinder, and the inner cylinder is rotatable and vertically movable with respect to the outer cylinder by a screw mechanism provided on the inner surface of the outer cylinder and the outer surface of the inner cylinder. A brush shaft that has a brush at the tip and that can insert and remove the inner cylinder extends from a cap that is movable and that is screwed into the mouth portion of the upper end of the outer cylinder, and the brush is squeezed elastically at the upper end of the inner cylinder. A squeezing member made of a material is provided, and the squeezing member has a substantially cone shape inclined inwardly of the inner cylinder, and a brush shaft and an insertion hole through which the brush is inserted / removed are provided at the center, and the upper part of the outer cylinder is provided. A backing member whose tip is pressed against the surface of the ironing member in a pressed state is provided, and the amount of biting of the backing member with respect to the ironing member is changed by vertically moving the inner cylinder with respect to the outer cylinder, This makes the insertion hole of the ironing member substantially In a mascara applicator with a variable squeeze diameter, the screw mechanism includes a spiral ridge formed on one of the outer surface of the inner cylinder and the inner surface of the outer cylinder, and a short strip formed on the other. The engaging projection is configured to engage with the spiral projection and slide relative to each other, and the inner cylinder is rotatable in an unlimited angle in the direction of increasing the aperture diameter. The squeezing member is formed by the cooperation with the backing member when the engaging projection is located at the end of the spiral ridge when the aperture diameter is maximized and the engaging projection exceeds the end of the spiral ridge. The mascara is characterized in that the inner cylinder moves downward with respect to the outer cylinder by the resilience of the outer cylinder, and the engaging projection returns to the engaging position for the spiral ridge when the throttle diameter is minimized. Applicator. 2. The mascara applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spiral ridge is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder, and the engaging protrusion is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the outer cylinder. 3. The spiral when the throttle diameter is minimized when a plurality of the engaging projections are formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction and the uppermost engaging projection exceeds the end of the spiral ridge. The mascara applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the engagement protrusion is configured to return to the engagement position with respect to the protrusion. 4. The lower portion of the inner cylinder projects from the lower portion of the outer cylinder as an operation knob, and the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder are provided with a latching portion for preventing the inner cylinder from being separated from the outer cylinder. The mascara applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein