Abstract:
An integrated cosmetic brush applicator system having both a brush section and reservoir section in which the brush can be pushed to an extended applicator position moveable out from the brush section an automatically pushed back into a retracted storage position when the brush section is tightly connected to the reservoir section. A push button assembly enables the brush to manually be pushed out from its retracted to an extended position permitting the brush to be used to apply cosmetic material. The brush is in contact with the reservoir section to allow cosmetic material to coat the brush when the system is in the closed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a device for holding and applying powdered cosmetic material. 
         [0002]    It is desirable to transport cosmetic materials easily and securely within a container. Also, it is desirable to use an applicator to apply cosmetic materials to the skin of the face and the body. Additionally, an applicator should store easily and be integrated within the container reducing the number of items the user needs available, without reducing functionality. 
         [0003]    It is also desirable that when people store their cosmetics in cosmetic containers, that they be stored neatly. Frequently women store these on a shelf or the like, and individual containers can be stored randomly, 
         [0004]    An object of this invention is to provide an integrated cosmetic applicator/storage container which is neat when carried and allows simple application of cosmetic material. 
         [0005]    Another object of this invention is to provide such an applicator system in which the storage container holding cosmetic material is readily accessible to the brush by which cosmetic material is applied. 
         [0006]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide such a device in which the brush is automatically moved from an extended application position to a retracted storage position when the cosmetic brush applicator of this system is closed. 
         [0007]    Still another object of this invention is to provide such a cosmetic brush applicator system which, with a simple manual movement, the brush is moved from a retracted stored position to an extended applicator position so as to apply cosmetic material. 
         [0008]    Another object of this invention is to provide such a system in which a container holding cosmetic material may be easily filled and refilled as desired. 
         [0009]    Still another object of this invention is to provide such a system which is simple to manufacture, inexpensive, yet otherwise attractive and susceptible of widespread use. 
         [0010]    Another object of this invention is to provide a cosmetic applicator system which integrates suitable connecting means enabling other cosmetic items to be magnetically attached so as to enable such systems to be stored in a neat fashion. 
         [0011]    Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become more apparent from the following description. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In accordance with the principals of this invention, the above objects are accomplished by providing a cosmetic brush applicator system comprising two sections which may be tightly connected together or separated. The upper section is the cosmetic brush applicator system and the lower is the reservoir system. Cosmetic material stored within the reservoir system is transferred to the brush when the two separate units are connected together merely by shaking the unit. A sifter is provided between the compartment storing the cosmetic material and an applicator cavity, the applicator cavity facing the brush so that the material passing through the sifter and residing within the applicator cavity is accessible to the brush for the brush to pick up the cosmetic material for later application. 
         [0013]    As a feature of the present invention, mating bearing surfaces are provided on the applicator and reservoir sections so that when the sections are connected together, the brush is automatically pushed from an extended applicator position to a retracted storage position. Additionally, the unit is provided with additional magnetic elements on opposite sides, permitting this unit to be attached to other cosmetic housings, so that separate cosmetic housings may be connected together through magnetic couplings to enable these devices to be neatly stored, yet simply separated from each other. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1 . is a perspective view of the device of this invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2 . is a perspective view of the upper part of the device with the applicator extended. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lower part of the device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the entire device with the upper and lower sections separated and the applicator extended. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the entire device with the upper and lower sections connected and the applicator retracted. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a photograph of two cosmetic containers having magnetic elements allowing them to physically attach together for storage. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    A device  10  is shown for containing and applying powdered cosmetic material to the face or body. The device has two parts, upper  11  and lower  13 . The lower part  13  comprises a chamber for holding and transporting the powdered cosmetic material. The upper part  11  of the device acts as a cap to enclose the powdered cosmetic material as well as hold an applicator  21  for applying the material. When the device is in its closed state, the applicator  21  remains within the upper part of the device. When the upper part  11  is separated from the lower part  13 , the applicator  21  can be extended by pushing on the central button portion  15  of the top of the container  10 . In its extended state, the applicator  21  can be used to transfer powdered cosmetic material carried in the bottom part to the surface of the face and body. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the device  10  in its closed state. The lower part  13  of the device is hollow and holds cosmetic powder, which is retained by an end cap  17 . End cap  17  is removable permitting refilling of lower part  13 . The upper part  11  of the device has a sliding button assembly  15  centered in the top. To open the device  10 , the user pulls or twists the upper part  11  away from the lower part  13 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the upper part  13  of the device  11  separated from the lower part of the device and with the applicator  21  shown extended. The sliding button  15  has been pushed to the bottom of the upper part  11 . The applicator  21  is extended by pushing on the top of the sliding button assembly  15  which, in turn, slides along the inside wall  16  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the upper part until it rests on the inside of the bottom wall  14  of the upper part. 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lower part  13  of the device with the upper part of the device removed. The lower part  13  is fully enclosed except for a hole, or several holes in a sifter  25  located at the bottom of an applicator cavity  31  with sifter  25  being in communication with a lower container  33  formed within bottom part  13  and closed with end cap  17 . Lower container  33  holds powder which is carried through sifter  25  into applicator cavity  31 . The holes in sifter  25  can be used to sift the powdered cosmetic material into a finer and more easily applied powder. 
         [0024]    A return flange  27  is formed at the top of the lower part  13 . The return flange  27  has a pushing surface  28  integrally formed therewith at the apex of the lower part  13  such that when the upper part of the device is closed over the lower part, the pushing surface  28  forces the sliding button  15  upward to its original retracted position. The return flange  27  and its base form the applicator cavity  31  previously described. A retaining feature  23 , such as a snap fit or a thread, located just outside cavity  31  engages a matching structure  29  in the upper part of the device which keeps the upper and lower parts together. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the device with the upper and lower parts separated. By shaking the package while together, powdered cosmetic material  30  in lower container  33  is displaced from the material holding chamber  33  through the sifter  25  and into the applicator cavity  31  within the return flange  27 . 
         [0026]    The upper part of the device is separated from the lower part of the device through a pulling or twisting motion which frees the lower retaining feature  23  from the upper retaining structure  29 . The upper retaining structure  29  is formed on the inside of the upper part  11  while the lower retaining structure  23  is formed on the outside of the return flange  27 . The applicator is extended by pushing on the top of the button  15  while holding the upper part  11  steady. The button  15  extends to side flanges  15   a  which slide on and along inside wall  16  of the upper part  11  until flange  15   a  contacts and stops at the bottom wall  14  of the upper part  11 . The applicator  21  can now be used to pick up product from the applicator cavity  31  and apply it onto the face or body. 
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the device  10  with the upper part attached to the lower part through structures  23  and  29 . As the upper part is placed onto the lower part, the pushing surface  28  of the return flange  27  pushes the bottom edge  32  of the button assembly  15 . The bottom edge  32  is the end of the flange  15   a.    
         [0028]    The button  15  slides along the inside wall  16  of the upper part  11  until the button assembly  15  is in the retracted position. The applicator  21  is attached to the button assembly  15  in a retaining cylinder  34  and moves with the sliding button into the retracted position. Retaining cylinder  34  is integrally formed downwardly extending and central to the top  11 . With the applicator  21  retracted and contained within the applicator cavity  31 , the upper part of the device can now be releasably attached to the lower part of the device by pressing the two parts together or through a twisting motion. The lower retaining structure  23  engages with the upper retaining structure  29 . 
         [0029]    One of the important aspects of the present invention is that the brush automatically is retracted as the device of this invention is connected together so that the brush does not degrade in performance because it does not remain in contact in the powder. 
         [0030]    The integrated applicator of this invention has the unique advantage of allowing the brush  21  to be retracted or projected as desired, but the powdered material is retained in the closed storage container  33  and is able to sift into the applicator cavity  31  which serves as a type of bowl or cup. The user merely pushes the button  15 , projects the brush, and has the brush bristles pick up the powdered material for application. After application, the top and bottom parts are connected together and the brush  21  is automatically retracted into the upper portion by direct mechanical force. This integrated compact arrangement is unique, highly attractive, and highly original in both concept, appearance and use. 
         [0031]    Another aspect of this invention is the provision of the device of the present invention being neatly stored with other cosmetics containers.  FIG. 6  illustrates this aspect of this invention in which the device  10  has integrally attached thereto magnetic elements  61  on one side and  63  on the other side. A blusher or other cosmetic container  62  also has magnetic elements  64  on one side and  66  on the other. The user can store individual cosmetic units more neatly by attaching the magnetic elements to each other so that the elements are neatly lined up one next to the other. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  has two magnetic elements on each unit, but only a single magnetic element may be required per unit, if only two units are to be connected. As may be understood, one advantage of this magnetic storage arrangement is that a user can have a plurality of individual containers magnetically attached one to the other and stored in a most neat fashion. 
         [0032]    It should be understood that the preferred embodiment was described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly legally and equitably entitled.