US3871390A

US3871390A - Cosmetic applicator

Info

Publication number: US3871390A
Application number: US401035A
Authority: US
Inventors: Walter B Spatz
Original assignee: SPATZ CORP
Current assignee: SPATZ CORP
Priority date: 1973-09-26
Filing date: 1973-09-26
Publication date: 1975-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-18

Abstract

An applicator including a container for a compacted powder, or other cosmetic mass, such as waxy or creamy substances. An elastomeric applicator member secured to a suitable carrier is inserted into the container to compress the member between the carrier and mass and insure bearing of the inner end of the applicator member against the mass. The carrier is swivelly connected to the container, permitting relative rotation between the container and mass, on the one hand, and the carrier and applicator, on the other hand, which effects appropriate coating of the applicator member with a portion of the cosmetic mass. Withdrawal of the member from the container then enables the cosmetic on the member to be applied to a desired portion of the person''s body. The applicator member is compressible or retractable and expansible to insure its firm bearing against the remainder of the cosmetic mass in the container as the mass or thickness of the cosmetic progressively decreases, as a result of its being used.

Description

nited States Patent [191 Spatz Mar. 18, 1975 [75] Inventor: Walter B. Spatz, Pacific Palisades,

Calif.

[73] Assignee: Spatz Corporation, Venice, Los

AngelesCounty, Calif.

[22] Filed: Sept. 26, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 401,035

[52] US. Cl 132/83 R [51] Int. Cl A45d 33/00 [58] Field of Search 132/83 R, 82 R, 88.5, 88.7;

229/14 R, 43, 515, 6; l5/l3l.1; 206/56; 7 52/390 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,626,992 5/1927 Willr l5/l3l.1

1,999,242 4 1935 Lederfeind 132/82 R 2,107,100 2/1938 Beyer 132/82 R 2,656,090 10/1953 Hamblct 229/14 R 2,866,467 12/1958 Bradford 132/82 R COSMETIC APPLICATOR Cherba 206/56 Primary Examiner- G. E. McN eill Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bernard Kriegel [57] ABSTRACT An applicator including a container for a compacted powder, or other cosmetic mass, such as waxy or creamy substances. An elastomeric applicator member secured to a suitable carrier is inserted into the container to compress the member between the carrier and mass and insure bearing of the inner end of the applicator member against the mass. The carrier is swivelly connected to the container, permitting relative rotation between the container and mass, on the one hand, and the carrier and applicator, on the other hand, which effects appropriate coating of the applicator member with a portion of the cosmetic mass. Withdrawal of the member from the container then enables the cosmetic on the member to be applied to a desired portion of the persons body. The applicator member is compressible or retractable and expansible to insure its firm bearing against the remainder of the cosmetic mass in the container as the mass or thickness of the cosmetic progressively decreases, as a result of its being used.

6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures COSMETIC APPLICATOR The present invention relates to cosmetic devices, and more particularly to a cosmetic applicator adapted to contain a cosmetic and an applicator member for applying the cosmetic material to a persons body.

Cosmetic applicators are known for applying a desired cosmetic material, such as powder, to the face or other portions of a persons body. In applicants United States application, Ser. No. 340,473, filed Mar. 12, 1973, an applicator is disclosed in which an applicator member is caused to bear against the cosmetic mass through relative turning of parts of a screw and nut device, which feeds the applicator member forwardly as the mass is being consumed to assure coating of the member by the mass, the extent of forward pressure of the member against the mass being limited by a slip-, pable clutch. Such types of applicators operate satisfactorily, but they embody a multiplicity of parts, making them relatively costly to manufacture, the size of the applicator also being increased.

By virtue of the present invention, a cosmetic applicator is provided which embodies very few parts, and which is, therefore, more economical to manufacture. A comparatively large surface coated by the cosmetic is provided on the applicator member, and this member fits snugly against the inner cylindrical surface of the container of the applicatormember when moved into and from the container, resulting in an applicator that remains in a comparatively clean state. It is unnecessary to advance the applicator member into the container and against the cosmetic mass by a mechanical means, such as a screw and nut device, the extent of advance of the member and its pressure against the mass being inherent in the member itself as it is inserted into the container to a predetermined extent. The member is made of a material which is extensible and contractable, moving against the mass and then being compressed between the mass and a carrier for the member, the carrier being swivelly related to the container in order that the carrier and member and the mass and container can be relatively rotated to coat the member with a portion of the mass, the member remaining in snug engagement with the inner wall or surface of the container. As the member is withdrawn, it will inherently expand or extend to its initial unconfined length. As the mass is used or reduced in thickness, the applicator member will still contact the mass and be compressed or contracted to a lesser extent, always snugly bearing against the mass and the inner wall of the container. This action can occur until the mass is depleted, since the applicator preferably has an unconfined length at least equaling the distance between an end wall ofthe container, against which the mass bears, and the carrier when the latter is fully mounted on the container. As a result, all of the cosmetic mass can be used, wastage being eliminated.

More specifically, the applicator member consists of an elastomeric foam capable of being compressed or shortened between its carrier and the cosmetic mass in the container of the applicator, and of elongating or recovering to its initial shape upon withdrawal from the container. As noted above, the length of the foam member to which the latter recovers is preferably sufficient to insure its bearing against the mass despite consumption of the mass, and even to the point of complete consumption or depletion of the mass.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other purposes which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Referring to the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an external isometric view of a cosmetic applicator embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through the applicator, on an enlarged scale, taken along the line 2-2 on FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view corresponding to FIG. 2, with parts being shown in longitudinal section and parts in elevation, disclosing the container and cosmetic mass axially separated from the carrier and applicator member.

The cosmetic applicator illustrated in the drawings includes a container 10 for a suitable mass M that has a cylindrical container wall 11 integral with an end wall 12, which preferably has an internal concave surface 13. As a matter of convenience, a suitable circular mirror 14 can be mounted in the container externally of the end wall 12, being retained therein by an inwardly directed circular rib 15 on the end portion of the container. As specifically disclosed, the container wall has an internal circumferential groove 16 therein near its open end portion 17, and one or more internal circumferential grooves 18 adjacent to the end wall 12, which provide axially spaced circumferential inner ribs 19 adapted to lock or key the cosmetic mass M within the container and against the end wall 12, preventing axial separation between the mass and container. In addition, the end wall 12 may be roughened to prevent rotation between the mass and container.

By way of example, if the cosmetic mass is powder, the latter can be inserted in the container in powder form and then compacted by a suitable and known device into the disc form M disclosed, the exposed end surface R of the disc preferably being concave and having the same curvature as the concave surface 13 of the end wall. The concave surface of the powder disc is disposed well within the container from'its open end 17. As an example, the compacted powder disc M may have a thickness of about one-quarter inch, the initial distance between the concave surface R of the cosmetic mass at the container wall 11 and the open end 17 of the wall being about one-half inch.

A carrier 20 for an applicator member 21 is adapted to be swivelly related to the container 10 and to be removable therefrom. As shown, the carrier is generally circular, having an end wall 22, an outer skirt 23, and an inner skirt 24 integral therewith, the inner skirt being substantially longer than the outer skirt. The inner skirt 24 can be partially inserted within the container wall 11 to the extent limited by engagement of the end 25 of the outer skirt with the end 17 of the container wall, which function as coengageable stops. At this time, an external circumferential rib 26 on the inner skirt will snap or expand into the. internal groove 16 to secure the carrier 20 in assembled position with respect to the container 10, while permitting the container and carrier to be rotated relative to each other.

Thus, the rib 26 and groove 16 provide a swivel connection between the carrier and container.

The carrier has the applicator member 21 mounted therein and secured thereto, this applicator member bearing against the end wall 22 of the carrier and being secured to such end wall only by a suitable cement or adhesive. The applicator member substantially fills the entire internal space within the inner skirt 24, but it is not secured to the inner wall 27 of the inner skirt. The inner wall of the inner skirt may diverge slightly in a direction away from the carrier end wall 22 to insure the ability of the applicator member 21 to compress and then expand or elongate during use of the applicator, as described hereinbelow. The applicator member extends beyond the rib end of the inner skirt substantially. The overall length L of the applicator member, when in an unconfined state, such as illustrated in FIG. 3, may be substantially equal to and preferably greater than the distance between the carrier end wall 22 and the container end wall 12 when the carrier has been mounted within the container 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The forward portion 21a of the applicator member, that is, the portion extending beyond the rib end of the inner skirt 24, preferably makes a snug fit with the inner cylindrical surface 30 of the container wall 11. The end 31 of this portion 21a is also preferably convexly curved to conform to the concave surface R of the cosmetic disc and the concave inner surface 13 of the container end wall.

The applicator member 21 is made ofa compressible and extensible elastomeric material, such as a polyurethane foam, which is capable of being compressed substantially and of re-expanding when the compressive force is relieved. The applicator member can be made of other suitable materials having corresponding physical characteristics, such as sponge rubber or silicone foam rubber. When the carrier 20 and the applicator member 21 are inserted into the container 10, the applicator member will be compressed between the end wall 22 of the carrier and the cosmetic disc M. Such compression will be comparatively extensive when the cosmetic disc has its initial thickness. The compression or shortening of the applicator member can occur with out difficulty, inasmuch as it is adhered only to the carrier end wall and can compress along the length of the inner skirt 24, as well as along the length of the inner wall 30 with which it is peripherally engaged. In this connection, it is to be noted that the outer portion 21a of the applicator member has a larger diameter than its portion within the inner skirt 24, so as to make a slidable and snug fit against the container wall 30.

The container and the carrier 20 are made of suitable synthetic resins or plastic materials that will permit the carrier to be snapped into its swivelled relation within the container 10 by the inner skirt 24 and its rib 26 deflecting inwardly and the container wall 11 outwardly in order that the rib can be forced to move within the container and into a position opposite its companion groove 16 into which it will then snap outwardly. Similarly, the mirror 14 can be mounted in place by deflecting the rib outwardly and placing the mirror against the end wall 12 and against ribs 12a that may extend outwardly of such end wall, the rib 15 snapping back over the mirror to retain it in assembled position. Specifically, the container can be made of polypropylene and the carrier of Phillips KRO3. Other suitable materials can be used, such as ABS, cellulose propionate, and the like. A moderate degree of resiliency is required in the container 11 and carrier 20 to assure their being swivelly related and the carrier removable from the container during use of the applicator, as well as to insure the mounting of the mirror in the container itself. Very rigid or very soft synthetic plastics have been found to be unsuitable as materials for the container and the carrier.

The positioning of the circumferential rib 26 within the annular groove 16 supplies a sufficient retention or restraining force between those members, such that the applicator member 21, when compressed against the cosmetic mass M, cannot exert sufficient force as to separate the carrier 20 from the container 10. However, the rib 26 and groove 16 could be eliminated, reliance then being placed upon the friction between the external surface of the inner skirt 24 and the inner wall surface 30 of the container to retain the carrier and container swivelly related to each other, the amount of friction being sufficient to overcome or offset the expansible force exerted by the compressed foam applicator member 21, but insufficient to prevent relative rotation between the container and carrier.

In the use of the applicator, its elastomeric or foam member 21 may occupy the compressed condition illustrated in FIG. 2. The grooves 18 and ribs 19 in the container wall 11 interlock with companion grooves 19a and ribs 18a in the cosmetic mass M, which retain or secure the latter in position in the container and preclude relative rotation between the mass M and the container 10. The ribs 40 on the exterior of the outer skirt 23 of the carrier are grasped by the user, and the container 10 rotated to coat the convex surface 31 of the applicator member 21 with the cosmetic material, after which the carrier 20 and applicator member 21 are pulled out of the container, the mirror 14 being usable by the person, if desired, to facilitate application of the cosmetic to the face or other desired portion of the users body. When pulled out of the container, the applicator member 21 will expand or elongate to its fullest extent, which, as noted above, is preferably slightly greater than the assembled distance between the container end wall 12 and the carrier end wall 22.

After use, the carrier and applicator member are then reinserted into the container, the applicator member 21 being compressed between the end wall 22 and the cosmetic mass M until the rib 26 snaps into the groove 16. During insertion of the applicator member 21, its exposed portion 21a will slide along the container wall 30 and tend to clean it of any cosmetic that might have adhered thereto or deposited. thereon. The applicator member 21, in effect, seals the container 10 against loss of cosmetic therefrom, keeping the entire applicator in a clean condition.

As the cosmetic is consumed, its thickness will be decreased. However, the applicator member 21 will expand or elongate inherently to compensate for the greater distance between the concave cosmetic surface R and the carrier end wall 22, sufficient force still being available for the applicator member to bear against the concave disc or cosmetic surface R. In fact, as stated above, the applicator member can expand to the extent wherein all of the cosmetic M has been used, the applicator member bearing against the concave end wall 13 of the container. During its expansion and contraction, the applicator member wipes the inner wall 30 of the container, its compression and reexpansion being devoid of substantial interference by the inner wall 27 of the inner carrier skirt 24.

It is evident that a cosmetic applicator has been provided which has a minimum number of parts, the applicator member 21 feeding forwardly inherently to the required extent as the cosmetic mass is consumed, to insure appropriate bearing of the convex end 31 of the applicator member against the concave surface R of the cosmetic mass M, and consequent appropriate transfer of a portion of the mass to the applicator member as a result of the swivelling action between the container and cosmetic mass M, on the one hand, and

the carrier and the applicator member 21, on the other hand.

I claim:

1. An applicator, comprising a container having a transverse wall and a longitudinal wall extending from said transverse wall to an open end of said container, said container being adapted to contain a cosmetic mass adjacent said transverse wall with the mass terminating substantially inwardly of said open end of said container, a carrier adapted to substantially close said open end, means releasably securing said carrier to said container, a compressible and inherently expandable elastomeric applicator member secured to said carrier and disposed within said longitudinal wall to bear against the cosmetic mass, said applicator member having a forward portion slidable longitudinally along said longitudinal wall during insertion of said applicator member into said longitudinal wall and removal of said applicator member from said longitudinal wall, said applicator member having a normal length when disposed out of said container corresponding substantially to the distance between said carrier and transverse wall when said carrier is secured to said container, whereby insertion of said applicator member in said container compresses said applicator member between said carrier and cosmetic mass, and removal of said applicator member from said container enables said applicator member to expand inherently and return to its normal length.

2. An applicator as defined in claim 1; said securing means comprising an internal groove in the container and an external rib on said carrier received within said groove enabling said container and carrier to be rorated relative to each other without said container and carrier moving axially with respect to each other.

3. An applicator, comprising a container including a cylindrical wall open at one end and a transverse wall closing said container at the opposite end of said cylindrical wall, a carrier adapted to close said open end of said cylindrical wall, means releasably securing said carrier to said cylindrical wall while permitting relative rotation between said carrier and container, said container being adapted to contain a cosmetic mass contiguous said transverse wall with the mass terminating substantially inwardly of said open end of said cylindrical wall, a compressible and inherently expandable elastomeric applicator member secured to said carrier and disposed within and snugly engaging said cylindrical wall while bearing against the cosmetic mass, said applicator member being slidable longitudinally along said longitudinal wall in sealed relation thereto during insertion of said applicator member into said longitudinal wall and removal of said applicator member from said longitudinal wall, said applicator member having a normal length when disposed out of said container corresponding substantially to the distance between said carrier and transverse wall when said carrier is secured to said cylindrical wall, whereby insertion ofsaid applicator member in said container compresses said applicator member between said carrier and cosmetic mass, and removal of said applicator member from said container enables said applicator member to expand inherently and return to its normal length, said applicator member and carrier being rotatable as a unit relative to said container and the mass to coat the applicator member with a portion of the mass.

4. An applicator as defined in claim 3; said releasable securing means comprising a circumferential internal groove in said cylindrical wall and an external rib on said carrier received within said groove enabling said container and carrier to be rotated relative to each other without said container and carrier moving axially with respect to each other, said carrier and container being made of resilient material permitting lateral deflection of said carrier and cylindrical wall and assembly of said rib in said groove, and coengageable stop means on said carrier and cylindrical wall positioning said rib in alignment with said groove with said applicator member bearing against the cosmetic mass.

5. An applicator as defined in claim 3; said carrier having an end wall and a skirt extending from said carrier end wall within said cylindrical wall toward said transverse wall, said applicator member being disposed within said carrier and secured to said carrier end wall but free from attachment to said skirt, said applicator member projecting from said skirt for engagement with the cosmetic mass.

6. An applicator as defined in claim 3; said carrier having an end wall and a skirt extending from said carrier end wall within said cylindrical wall toward said transverse wall, said applicator member being disposed within said carrier and secured to said carrier end wall but free from attachment to said skirt, said applicator member projecting from said skirt for engagement with the cosmetic mass, said transverse wall having an internally concave surface, said applicator member having a convex end surface substantially conforming in curvature to said concave surface.

* l =i =l

Claims

2. An applicator as defined in claim 1; said securing means comprising an internal groove in the container and an external rib on said carrier received within said groove enabling said container and carrier to be rotated relative to each other without said container and carrier moving axially with respect to each other.

3. An applicator, comprising a container including a cylindrical wall open at one end and a transverse wall closing said container at the opposite end of said cylindrical wall, a carrier adapted to close said open end of said cylindrical wall, means releasably securing said carrier to said cylindrical wall while permitting relative rotation between said carrier and container, said container being adapted to contain a cosmetic mass contiguous said transverse wall with the mass terminating substantially inwardly of said open end of said cylindrical wall, a compressible and inherently expandable elastomeric applicator member secured to said carrier and disposed within and snugly engaging said cylindrical wall while bearing against the cosmetic mass, said applicator member being slidable longitudinally along said longitudinal wall in sealed relation thereto during insertion of said applicator member into said longitudinal wall and removal of said applicator member from said longitudinal wall, said applicator member having a normal length when disposed out of said container corresponding substantially to the distance between said carrier and transverse wall when said carrier is secured to said cylindrical wall, whereby insertion of said applicator member in said container compresses said applicator member between said carrier and cosmetic mass, and removal of said applicator member from said container enables said applicator member to expand inherently and return to its normal length, said applicator member and carrier being rotatable as a unit relative to said container and the mass to coat the applicator member with a portion of the mass.