Cosmetic applicator and cosmetic container

A cosmetic applicator for applying cosmetic material includes a shaft body, a make-up comb having comb-teeth on an outer peripheral surface of a front end of the shaft body, a make-up applicator housed within the shaft body, a grip portion provided on the shaft body, and an operating portion provided on the grip portion and connected to the make-up applicator. A cosmetic container is provided with the cosmetic applicator and a container main body for accommodating cosmetic material. The make-up applicator is configured to be projected from and housed within the front end of the shaft body due to an operation of the operating unit by a user, thereby make-up by comb or applicator can be applied in a proper manner in accordance with the usage, and risk of adhesion of the cosmetic material is prevented when the make-up is applied by comb, and usability thereof can be improved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cosmetic applicator for applying cosmetic material and a cosmetic container provided with the cosmetic applicator.

2. Description of the Conventional Art

As a dual-use applicator for eyeliner and mascara in the conventional art, proposed is a cosmetic applicator including an eyeliner brush disposed on a front end of a shaft body, a mascara applicator such as a comb projected outward on an outer peripheral surface of the front end of the shaft body, and a grip portion provided on a base end of the shaft body (see, Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3159628, for example). With the dual-use applicator, it is possible to apply the mascara on eyelashes by use of mascara applicator, and to apply the eyeliner on the eyelids by use of eyeliner brush.

However, in the aforementioned dual-use applicator, when a user applies cosmetic material on the eyelashes by use of the mascara applicator, the eyeliner brush disposed on the front end of the shaft body comes into contact with the nasal root (the root of the nose), so that the cosmetic material attached on the eyeliner brush may adhere to the nasal root. Accordingly, in order to prevent the cosmetic material from adhering to the nasal root, the user needs to apply the mascara while paying attention to angle and position of the cosmetic applicator, so as not to cause the eyeliner brush to come into contact with the nasal root. Therefore, there is a problem that the usability is very poor for the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cosmetic applicator and a cosmetic container with improved usability, which are capable of applying make-up with mascara or the like by use of a make-up comb, and make-up with eyeliner or the like by use of a make-up applicator in a proper manner in accordance with the usage, while avoiding a risk of adhesion of the cosmetic material of the make-up applicator when the make-up is applied by the make-up comb.

According to the present invention, there is provided a cosmetic applicator for applying cosmetic material, and the cosmetic applicator comprises a shaft body, a make-up comb having comb-teeth arranged in an axial direction on an outer peripheral surface of the front end of the shaft body, a make-up applicator housed within the shaft body, a grip portion provided on a base end of the shaft body, and an operating portion provided on the grip portion and connected to the make-up applicator, wherein the make-up applicator is projected from and housed within the front end of the shaft body by operating the operating unit by a user.

With such cosmetic applicator, in the case where the make-up is applied by use of the make-up comb having comb-teeth arranged in the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the shaft body, the make-up can be applied in a state in which the make-up applicator is drawn into and housed within the shaft body from the front end thereof. Further, in the case where the make-up is applied by use of the make-up applicator, the make-up applicator which is connected to the operating portion and housed within the shaft body is projected from the front end of the shaft body through the operation of the operating portion by the user. Accordingly, it is possible to apply the make-up by use of make-up comb and the make-up applicator in a proper manner in accordance with the usage thereof, and further to avoid a risk of adhesion of the cosmetic material of the make-up applicator when the make-up is applied by use of make-up comb, and thus it is possible to improve the usability.

Here, as a configuration for effectively realizing the aforementioned advantages, in particular, each of the comb-teeth is formed in a circular-ring shape or a circular-arc shape when viewed from the axial direction, whereas the make-up comb is formed so that a plurality of comb-teeth are arranged in parallel along the axial direction.

Further, as a configuration for effectively realizing the aforementioned advantages, in particular, the make-up comb is formed so that the comb-teeth protruding outward on one side of the shaft body are arranged in parallel in one line along the axial direction.

In addition, as configuration for effectively realizing the aforementioned advantages, in particular, the make-up applicator is configured so as to slide in the axial direction in conjunction with the slide movement of the operating portion in the axial direction, projecting from and housed within the front end of the shaft body.

Further, a cosmetic container according to the present invention is provided with the aforementioned cosmetic applicator and a container main body having an accommodation portion for accommodating cosmetic material. Interior and exterior of the container main body are communicated with each other through an opening neck portion provided on the upper face of the accommodation portion. The grip portion is configured to be attached to the opening neck portion in a detachable manner and functions as a top cover of the cosmetic container. When the grip portion is attached to the opening neck portion, the make-up comb penetrates to the accommodation portion through the opening neck portion. In the case where the grip portion is attached to the opening neck portion during a use state in which the grip portion is detached from the opening neck portion and the make-up applicator is projected from the front end of the shaft body by sliding from an initial position where the make-up applicator being housed within the shaft body due to the slide movement of the operating portion, the cosmetic container is configured so that a component of the cosmetic applicator slides in the opposite direction while abutting on a component of the cosmetic container main body to return the make-up applicator and the operating unit to the initial positions respectively.

According to the cosmetic container of the present invention, even when the user forgets to return the operating portion, and the grip portion serving as the top cover of the cosmetic container is attached onto the opening neck portion while the make-up applicator being projected from the front end of the shaft body, the component of the cosmetic applicator slides in the opposite direction while abutting on the components of the container main body to return the make-up applicator and the operating portion to the initial positions. Therefore, the cosmetic container having an excellent usability can be realized.

Here, as a configuration for achieving the aforementioned advantages, in particular, there is further provided a configuration such that, when the grip portion is attached to the opening neck portion, the leading end portion of the operating portion serving as a component of the cosmetic applicator slides in the opposite direction while abutting on a front surface of the accommodation portion serving as a component of the container main body to return the make-up applicator and the operating portion to the initial positions.

Furthermore, as a configuration for achieving the aforementioned advantages, in particular, there is provided an inner plug portion as a component of the cosmetic main body. The inner plug portion includes a cylindrical portion that abuts on an inner peripheral surface of the opening neck portion, a flange portion that is continuously provided on the cylindrical portion and abuts on the upper face of the opening neck portion, and a scraping portion provided on the lower portion of the cylindrical portion for scraping an excess amount of cosmetic material adhering to the make-up comb while the make-up comb passing therethrough.

Further, there is provided a projecting portion as a component of the cosmetic applicator for the cosmetic container. The projecting portion is provided in a movable manner in the slide movement direction so as to be pushed out along with the slide movement of the make-up applicator in the projecting direction. When the grip portion is attached to the opening neck portion, the projecting portion slides in the opposite direction while the lower end portion thereof abutting on the flange portion of the inner plug portion, thus returning the make-up applicator and the operating portion to the initial positions.

In this manner, according to the present invention, it is possible to allow the user to apply the make-up by use of make-up comb, and the make-up by use of make-up applicator in a proper manner in accordance with the usage thereof, while avoiding a risk of adhesion of the cosmetic material of the make-up applicator when the make-up is applied by use of make-up comb, and thus the usability thereof can be improved.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a cosmetic applicator and a cosmetic container according to the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 12.FIGS. 1 through 7illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention,FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention, andFIGS. 10 through 12illustrate a third embodiment of the present invention, respectively. It should be noted that common elements will be assigned the same reference numerals, and the overlapped description will be omitted.

At first, the first embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 7will be described.

FIG. 1is a front view illustrating the cosmetic container provided with the cosmetic applicator according to the first embodiment;FIG. 2is a longitudinal sectional view ofFIG. 1;FIG. 3is a partially sectional front view illustrating the container main body;FIGS. 4 through 7are views respectively illustrate the cosmetic applicator; whereasFIGS. 4 and 5are the views illustrating the make-up applicator positioned at an initial position, andFIGS. 6 and 7are views illustrating the make-up applicator positioned at a use position. The cosmetic container according to the embodiment is used to apply mascara on the eyelashes for increasing the volume of the eyelashes, and to apply eyeliner on the eyelids.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, a cosmetic container300is a bottle-type container which substantially includes a container main body1for holding or accommodating a mascara liquid L, and a cosmetic applicator100which is attached to the container main body1in a detachable manner, so as to function as a top cover (cap) of the container main body1, and as an applicator of the mascara liquid L. The cosmetic applicator100further includes a make-up comb (simply called as “comb”, hereinafter)21for applying the mascara liquid L onto the eyelashes and a make-up applicator (simply called as “applicator”, hereinafter)31for applying the eyeliner onto the eyelids, although details thereof will be described later.

As shown inFIGS. 1 through 3, the container main body1is provided with a accommodation portion3for accommodating the mascara liquid L, and an opening neck portion4that is integrally provided on the upper portion of the accommodation portion3, so as to be continuously connected thereto.

The accommodation portion3is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom face, so as to accommodate the mascara liquid L therein. The opening neck portion4is a cylindrical portion in small diameter, which is continuously provided on the upper face23of the accommodation portion3in a coaxial state, and the interior of the cylinder portion thereof communicates with the interior of the accommodation portion3. In the opening neck portion4, an external thread5is formed on the outer peripheral surface, so that the cosmetic applicator100is screwed therewith in a detachable manner. Meanwhile, on the inner peripheral surface of the opening neck portion4, a cylindrical inner plug portion6made of plastic, rubber, or the like, is mounted in a fixed manner. The inner plug portion6includes a cylinder portion6bwhich abuts on the inner peripheral surface of the opening neck portion4, a flange portion6awhich is continuously provided on the cylinder portion6band abuts on the upper surface of the opening neck portion4, and a scraping portion7which is provided on the lower portion of the cylinder portion6bso as to scrape off the excess amount of mascara liquid L adhering to the comb21when the comb21passes therethrough.

As shown inFIGS. 1 and 2, the cosmetic applicator100includes a grip portion8which serves as a top cover of the container main body1and also as a grip to be held by the user, and a shaft body9which projects from the interior of the grip portion8toward the side of the accommodation portion3(downward inFIG. 2) of the container main body1.

The grip portion8is formed in a cylindrical shape having a bottom face, and disposed such that the bottom face thereof being positioned on the upper side, and as shown inFIGS. 2,4through7, an internal thread10which is screwed into the external thread5on the outer peripheral surface of the opening neck portion4is disposed on the opening end side of the inner peripheral surface of the grip portion8. Therefore, the grip portion8is attached to the container main body1in a detachable manner by screwing the internal thread10into the external thread5.

A part of a peripheral wall of the grip portion8located at the outer peripheral surface side thereof is cut out from the other portion of the peripheral wall, so as to be formed as a thin-walled operating portion11which is extended in the axial direction, having a cross sectional shape thereof being formed in a circular-arc shape. This operating portion11is held within a concave portion12that is a remaining portion provided by cutting out the operating portion11from the peripheral wall of the grip portion8. The lower end of the concave portion12is opened outward. A connecting pin13which further projects inward is provided on the inner surface of the operating portion11, and a guide slit14extending in the axial direction to connect the inner and outer portions is provided on the bottom face of the concave portion12opposite to the connecting pin13, and therefore, the connecting pin13of the operating unit11penetrates to the interior of the grip portion8via the guide slit14. As a result, the operating unit11is capable of sliding in the axial direction while the connecting pin13being guided by the guide slit14.

The shaft body9includes a cylindrical outer shaft body15mounted on the grip portion8, and an inner shaft body16housed within the outer shaft body15in a movable manner.

The outer shaft body15is configured to be projected from the grip portion8with a leading end thereof being extended near to the bottom face of the accommodation portion3when the cosmetic applicator100is attached to the container main body1(see,FIG. 2). Further, the comb21provided with comb-teeth20arranged in the axial direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the leading end of the outer shaft body15.

Meanwhile, on a portion where the comb21of the outer shaft body15is provided, at least one slit17(here, one slit) which communicates between the interior and exterior of the outer shaft body15and extends in the axial direction, is provided. When the cosmetic applicator100is attached to the container main body1, the slit17serves as an opening to allow the mascara liquid L to penetrate into the interior portion of the outer shaft body15. Due to the slit17cutting across the comb-teeth20, each of the comb-teeth20is formed in a circular-arc shape when viewed in the axial direction, whereas the comb21is configured such that a number of comb-teeth20are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction over a predetermined length in the axial direction from the vicinity of the leading end of the outer shaft body15(i.e., configured in a state where a number of concavo-convex portions are arranged consecutively).

Further, on the peripheral wall at the upper portion of the outer shaft body15, a guide slit18, which is similar to the guide slit14of the grip portion8, is provided to overlap with the guide slit14, and thus it is configured such that the connection pin13of the operating portion11penetrates to the interior of the outer shaft body15via the guide slit18.

The inner shaft body16is formed in slightly shorter length than that of the outer shaft body15and housed within the outer shaft body15, so as to be capable of slide movement in the axial direction (up-and-down direction) while being guided along the inner peripheral surface of the outer shaft body15. The connection pin13penetrating to the interior of the outer shaft body15via the guide slits14and18is connected the upper portion of the inner shaft body16.

Accordingly, it is configured such that when the operating portion11slides in the axial direction while the connection pin13is guided by the guide slits14and18, in conjunction with the slide movement of the operating portion11in the axial direction, the inner shaft body16slides in the axial direction while being guided by the outer shaft body15.

An applicator31is provided on the leading end of the inner shaft body16. The applicator31is a brush such as a tip-shaped brush, a spiral-shaped brush, for example, which can be impregnated with cosmetic material. In this embodiment, a tip-shaped tapered brush is taken as an example.

As shown inFIG. 2, when the grip portion8of the cosmetic applicator100is attached to the opening neck portion4of the container main body1by screwing the internal thread10into the external thread5, (i.e., the grip portion8is fastened), a shaft body9penetrates to the interior of the accommodation portion3of the container main body1through a tube hole of the inner plug6. Here, the above condition is called “initial state”. In the initial state, as shown inFIGS. 1,2,4, and5, the operating portion11is held within the concave portion12, and leading end portion19of the operating portion11is positioned in a same plane as the open end of the grip portion8, so that the leading end portion19does not project from the open end. At the same time, the tip portion of the applicator31is configured so as not to project from an opening22on the leading end of the outer shaft body15.

In the initial state, the comb21on the leading end of the outer shaft body15is dipped into the mascara liquid L held within the accommodation portion3, whereas the applicator31on the leading end of the inner shaft body16is dipped into the mascara liquid L that penetrates to the interior of the outer shaft body15from the opening22on the leading end of the outer shaft body15, and further penetrates thereto from the slit17on the leading end of the outer shaft body15, so that the comb21and the applicator31are completely impregnated with the mascara liquid L. Meanwhile, in the initial state, a lower surface of a bottom portion in a large-diameter on the upper portion of the outer shaft body15abuts on a top portion of the flange portion6aon the inner plug portion6.

With the cosmetic applicator300configured as such, in the case where the cosmetic applicator100is used, from the initial state as illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2, the user holds and turns the grip portion8to unscrew the external thread5and internal thread10, and pulls the grip portion8out to detach the cosmetic applicator100from the container main body1. Through this, the shaft body9passes through the scraping portion7of the inner plug portion6, and at this time, the excess amount of mascara liquid L adhering to the comb21of the outer shaft body15is scraped off.

In this manner, when the make-up by use of the comb21is applied by detaching the cosmetic applicator100from the container main body1, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the mascara liquid L can be applied on the eyelashes by the comb21at the initial state in which the applicator31disposed on the leading end of inner shaft body16is drawn in from the opening22on the leading end of the outer shaft body15and housed within the interior of the outer shaft body15.

Further, when the make-up is applied by use of applicator31through operating the operating portion11by the user, the operating portion11slides from the position indicated inFIGS. 4 and 5toward the leading end of the shaft body9. Through this, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, in conjunction with the movement thereof, the inner shaft body16slides in a same manner, and as a result, the applicator31on the leading end of the inner shaft body16is moved from the initial position to the use position where the applicator31is projected from the opening22on the leading end of the outer shaft body15, so that the eyeliner can be applied on the eyelids by use of the applicator31.

When the make-up has been applied by use of the applicator31, due to the operation of the operating portion11by the user, the operating portion11slides from the position indicated inFIGS. 6 and 7in the opposite direction. As a result, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, in conjunction with the movement, the inner shaft body16slides in a same manner, so that the applicator31on the leading end of the inner shaft body16returns from the use position to the initial position where the applicator31is drawn in from the opening22on the leading end of the outer shaft body15and housed within the interior of the outer shaft body15. After that, the user turns the grip portion8of the cosmetic applicator100in the direction opposite to the unscrewing direction to screw the internal thread10into the external thread5, thus causing the grip portion8to be attached to the container main body1.

As described thus far, in the embodiment, in the case where the make-up is applied by use of the comb21, the make-up can be applied in a state in which the applicator31is drawn in from the leading end of the outer shaft body15and housed within the interior of the outer shaft body15, and in the case where the make-up is applied by use of the applicator31, the make-up can be applied by making the applicator31be projected from the leading end of the outer shaft body15due to the operation of the operating portion11by the user. Accordingly, it is possible to apply the make-up by use of make-up comb21or the make-up applicator31in a proper manner in accordance with the usage thereof, and also to avoid a risk of adhesion of the mascara liquid L of the make-up applicator31when the make-up is applied by use of the make-up comb21, and thus it is possible to improve the usability.

In addition, in the case where the user forgets to return the operating portion11(i.e., forgets to make the operating portion11slide and return to the initial position), and attaches the grip portion8serving as a top cover of the cosmetic applicator100to the opening neck portion4in a state in which the applicator31is still projected from the leading end of the outer shaft body15, an auto-return mechanism of the operating unit allows the leading end portion19of the operating portion11to slide in the opposite direction while abutting on the upper face23of the accommodation portion3, so that the operating portion11and the applicator31return to the initial positions. As a result, the cosmetic container having an excellent usability can be realized.

Meanwhile, in this embodiment, as a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mascara is exemplified as the cosmetic material used for the cosmetic container300, however, by using the liquid type cosmetic material other than the mascara, the comb21and the applicator31can be used for applying some other cosmetic material. Incidentally, in the case where the liquid type cosmetic material with low viscosity is used, the slit17may not be required as long as the applicator31housed within the outer shaft body15can be impregnated with the liquid type cosmetic material penetrating thereto from the opening22on the leading end of the outer shaft body15. In addition, each of the comb-teeth20can be formed circular-ring shape when viewed from the axial direction.

FIG. 8is a perspective view illustrating a cosmetic applicator according to the second embodiment.FIG. 9is a perspective view illustrating the cosmetic applicator in the use position.

There is a structural difference between the cosmetic applicator100in the first embodiment and a cosmetic applicator200in the second embodiment that the comb21in the first embodiment is provided with comb-teeth20each of which is formed in either a circular-ring shape or a circular-arc shape, arranged in parallel in the axial direction when viewed from the axial direction, while the comb41in the second embodiment is provided with comb-teeth40each of which is formed in a mountain-shaped (i.e., triangular shape) projecting outward in one side of the outer shaft body15, arranged in parallel in one line along the axial direction to form the comb41to be in an arch shape. In the second embodiment, the comb21used in the first embodiment has been replaced with the comb41.

Meanwhile, based on the shape of the comb41that is formed in an arch shape, the leading end of the outer shaft body15is formed in a shape that is slightly curved in one side, however, the configuration in which the applicator31is projected from and housed within the leading end of the outer shaft body15due to the operation of the operating portion11by the user, is the same as that of the first embodiment.

It is needless to say that the same operations and effect achieved in the first embodiment can also be achieved in the aforementioned second embodiment.

FIG. 10is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a cosmetic applicator according to the third embodiment, making a make-up applicator be positioned in the use position,FIG. 11is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a state before the cosmetic applicator ofFIG. 10is attached to a container main body, andFIG. 12is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating the cosmetic container having the cosmetic applicator according to the third embodiment, in a state an which the cosmetic applicator ofFIG. 10being attached to the container main body.

Difference between a cosmetic container500in the third embodiment and the cosmetic container300in the first embodiment lies in that a cosmetic applicator400having an auto-return mechanism which is different from the auto-return mechanism of the operating portion of the first embodiment, has been employed instead of the cosmetic applicator100in the first embodiment.

In the cosmetic applicator400according to the third embodiment, L-shaped return members30are provided as components of the auto-return mechanism of the operating portion. Each of the return members30includes a latch portion30afor latching onto the outer shaft body15which constitutes an L-shape and extends in the horizontal direction, and a projecting portion30bwhich constitutes an L-shape and extends in the vertical direction. A pair of return members30is provided so as to oppose with each other on a large-diameter portion on the upper portion of the shaft body9.

The latch portion30ais positioned between the lower surface of the bottom portion of the large-diameter portion on the upper portion of the inner shaft body16and the upper surface of the bottom portion of the large-diameter portion on the upper portion of the outer shaft body15, whereas the projecting portion3bpenetrates the bottom portion of the large-diameter portion on the upper portion of the outer shaft body15, and projects further downward. In the initial state (the state in which the grip portion8is attached to the opening neck portion4) as illustrated inFIG. 12, the upper surface of the latch portion30aabuts on the lower surface of the bottom portion of the large-diameter portion on the upper portion of the inner shaft body16, whereas the lower end surface (leading end surface) of the projecting portion30babuts on the top surface of the flange portion6aof the inner plug portion6, and in this condition, a gap having a predetermined length in the axial direction is provided between the lower surface of the latch portion30aand the upper surface of the bottom portion of the large-diameter portion on the upper portion of the outer shaft body15.

According to the third embodiment, from the initial state illustrated inFIG. 12, when the cosmetic applicator400is detached from the container main body100for use, and the inner shaft body16slides to the use position due to the operation of the operating portion11, and as shown inFIG. 10, the applicator31comes at the use position where the applicator31is ready to use. Further, in conjunction with the slide movement of the inner shaft body16, the return members30are pushed out, while the latch portions30acome into a state where the latch portions30aare sandwiched between the lower surface of the bottom portion of the large-diameter portion on the upper portion of the inner shaft body16and the upper surface of the bottom portion of the large-diameter portion on the upper portion of the outer shaft body15, as shown inFIG. 10.

In the case where the user forgets to return the operating portion11and the grip portion8of the cosmetic applicator400is attached to the opening neck portion4, the lower end surfaces of the projecting portions30bslide in the opposite direction while abutting on the top surface of the flange portion6aof the inner plug portion6, and as a result, the inner shaft body16is pushed upward. Through this, the applicator31and the operating portion11are returned to the initial positions respectively, as shown inFIGS. 11 and 12.

Accordingly, in the third embodiment as well, in a same manner as described in the first embodiment, the applicator31and the operating portion11are automatically returned even if the user forgets to return the operating portion11. As a result, the cosmetic container having the excellent usability can be realized.

Meanwhile, the latch portions30aof the return members30and the inner shaft body16may be fixed, or may not be fixed.

Although the present invention has been described in detail thus far based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the cosmetic applicators100,200,400which are detachable with respect to the container main body1by the external thread5and internal thread10are described in the above embodiments, however, the present invention is also applicable to the cosmetic applicators100,200, and400which are detachable with respect to the opening neck portion4by pushing and fitting into the opening neck portion4.

Further, it is preferable to employ a mechanism so-called “slide-click mechanism” in which the applicator31slides, while making a locking sound or a “click” sound accompanied by haptic sense of resistance when the operating portion11slides, and at every “click”, the user can recognize a projection state (movement state) of the applicator31, and can make the applicator31stop at respective positions.

Meanwhile, it is also preferable that, in a state in which the applicator31be projected from the leading end of the outer shaft body15, the applicator31be restored within the outer shaft body15by a spring action upon a press of a button, for example.