Abstract:
An ornamental design of a make-up brush with a replaceable brush head includes a handle portion having an elongated central axis and a snap fastener. A first portion of the snap fastener is fastened to the handle portion and a second portion of the snap fastener is fastened to a replaceable head. A third portion of the snap fastener includes a push button aligned with the snap fastener along an elongated central axis, wherein the decorative make-up brush is symmetrical. The replaceable head and handle portion are wobble free secured.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to make-up brushes, and more particularly to disposable make-up brushes, their components, methods of making them and methods of using them. 
     It is known to provide for replacement of brush heads in make-up brushes. The prior art cosmetic brushes with replaceable heads include a screw attachment fixture to connect the stem to the head. One of the brush head and stem or an attachment to the brush head and stem includes an extending bolt with external threads and the other a hole with internal threads so the two may be threaded together. An example of the prior art cosmetic brushes with a replaceable head is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,903. 
     The prior art disposable-head cosmetic brushes have several disadvantages, such as: (1) the handle and brush head can only be separated by holding the brush head with one hand and handle with the other in such a position that the bristles of the brush head may cause powder or the like to drop onto or be otherwise deposited onto the user during the removal process; and (2) the action of threading or unthreading the brush head from the handle is relatively slow and tedious and done in a position which could cause cosmetic powders on the head to be inadvertently spread to other surfaces. 
     It is also known to provide replaceable heads on other non-cosmetic utilitarian devices such as paint brushes or toilet cleaning brushes. In the prior art devices, a replaceable head is insertable into a handle or over the handle. In one type of prior art utilitarian device, the handle and head are held together by members that extend radially from one of the brush head or handle into the other of the brush head or handle to hold the two together. Examples of this type of prior art are shown in the paint brush disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,685 and the unidentified brush of the design patent DES. No. 435,695. 
     The prior art paint brushes or unidentified brushes of this type have a disadvantage of requiring substantial manipulation to enable the radially extending member to be properly insertable into the external member. At best, this connection is not firm because of the difficulty of exerting substantial force radially outwardly into a tightly gripped opening so that for easy insertion, the connections are typically wobbly. 
     Another type of prior art non-cosmetic utilitarian brush such as a toilet cleaning brush, the replaceable head is held by friction between an external mounting cylindrical sleeve on the head and an inner cylinder on the handle. An actuator at the end of the brush is depressed to release the head. The actuator pushes an external sleeve that is part of the head from the cylinder on the handle to release the head. In embodiments of this type of prior art non-cosmetic utilitarian brush, in addition to a cylindrical sleeve mounting the head by friction against a cylinder on the handle, there is a ball-and-opening detent holding the head to the handle. This prior art type of non-cosmetic utilitarian brush is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,287,295 and 6,745,427. 
     This type of prior art non-cosmetic utilitarian brush has several disadvantages such as for example: (1) they are not symmetrical but have a handle bent to enable access to difficult places to clean; (2) substantial force is needed to remove the head because of the large frictional area of the sleeve holding the head to the handle and the location of this force at a substantial distance from the center of the structure; and (3) under some circumstances, such as very small brushes, it is unsightly and not easy to use. 
     Snap-on fasteners are known having a spring formed by an enlarged portion that fits through an opening by changing the dimensions of a spring member and is held by the return of the spring member to its normal dimensions. The prior art snap-on fastener of this type includes an enlarged portion with slots in it extending by an elongated step from a first flat member that is forced through an opening smaller than the enlarged opening in a second flat member. The first and second flat members are separated by a long stem and a fastener on both sides of the second flat member to hold the stem in place and the two flat members do not form a secure wobble free socket suitable for a brush head. One such snap-on fastener is disclosed in connection with  FIG. 26  and lines 33 to 50, column 22 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,598,318. This type of snap fastener has not been taught for use in brush holders and has the disadvantage of not providing a support surface to hold the brush from wobbling. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel cosmetic brush. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel method of applying cosmetics. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a novel method and brush for avoiding the transfer of harmful materials such as pathological bacteria and the like from one person to another. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a convenient and inexpensive method of avoiding the use of contaminated products when applying cosmetics. 
     It is a still further object of the invention to provide a method of applying cosmetics which avoids carry over from a contaminated brush head to the person using the cosmetic applicator. 
     In accordance with the above and further objects of the invention, an ornamental design is provided for a make-up brush with a replaceable brush head. The make-up brush is symmetrical, attractive, sanitary and easy to use. The replaceable brush head can be quickly and easily connected to the handle or disconnected from the handle. It is connected to the handle by pushing it into a snap-on fastener in the handle and is released from the handle by depressing a push button at the end of the handle. Depressing the push button opens the snap-on fastener. 
     To permit the easy connection and release of the brush head, the snap-on fastener includes a brush head portion fastened to the brush head and a handle portion fastened to the handle. In the preferred embodiment, the handle portion includes an internal portion within the handle and an external portion extending from the handle. This external portion includes a part of a push button. This part of the push button is the only part of the snap-on fastener external to the make-up brush when the handle and replaceable brush head of the make-up brush are connected together. 
     The handle has a longitudinal central axis and the push button is positioned at the distal end of the handle aligned with the longitudinal central axis of the handle. The internal portion of the brush head snap-on fastener includes a releasable clamp having a closed position and an open position. With this arrangement, the brush head and handle are held together when the brushed head portion of the snap-on fastener is within the clamp of the handle portion. 
     The snap-on fastener holds the make-up brush handle and replaceable brush head together securely without wobble. It accomplishes this by including a different one of two complementarily shaped supporting surfaces on each of the brush head and brush handle. The complementarily shaped supporting surfaces engage each other whenever the brush head and handle are snapped together. The complementarily shaped support surfaces have a sufficiently large moment of inertia and are held together with sufficient force by the snap-on fastener so that the ordinary shear forces that are applied between the brush head and the handle in the normal use of the brush cannot separate them nor permit noticeable movement of the brush head with respect to the handle. 
     In use, make-up is applied to a portion of a body by adhering make-up to a brush head of the make-up brush and at least some of the make-up from the brush head is transferred to the portion of the body. When it is desired to change brush heads for sanitation reasons or to apply a different cosmetic, the brush head may be released by depressing a release button on the end of the handle. After the used brush has been removed, a new brush head may be attached to the handle. 
     As can be understood from the above description, the make-up brush and method of applying makeup of this invention has several advantages, such as for example: (1) the brush head can be quickly and simply removed by pushing a button at the end of the handle to permit the brush head to drop off for disposal; (2) the brush head can be removed without it moving close to the arm or around the body but can be removed at a distance by pressing the button at the end of the handle with the same hand that is holding the make-up brush; and (3) the brush head can be removed quickly and easily without manipulating that might cause powder or liquid to fall onto the person and be as quickly and easily replaced with a new sterile brush head. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above noted and other features of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an ornamental make-up brush; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational front view of the ornamental make-up brush of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the ornamental brush of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side bottom view of the ornamental make-up brush of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a right side top view of the ornamental make-up brush of  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another embodiment of ornamental make-up brush; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevational view of the ornamental make-up brush of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a left side bottom view of the make-up brush of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a right side top view of the ornamental make-up brush of  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of one embodiment of an ornamental brush head in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an elevational view of the ornamental head of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the ornamental brush head of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a left side bottom view of the ornamental brush head of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a right side top view of the ornamental brush head of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of another embodiment of ornamental brush head in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is an elevational view of the ornamental brush head of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a left side bottom view of the ornamental brush head of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a right side view of the ornamental detachable brush head of  FIG. 15 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a fragmentary exploded sectional view of the make-up brush in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a fragmentary sectional view of the make-up brush of  FIG. 19 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a perspective view of a make-up brush handle insert; 
         FIG. 22  is a top view of the brush handle insert of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 23  is an elevational view of the make-up brush handle insert of  FIG. 21 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a perspective view a make-up brush push rod; 
         FIG. 25  is a top view of the push rod of  FIG. 24 ; 
         FIG. 26  is an elevational view of the push rod of  FIGS. 24 and 25 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a perspective view of a make-up brush restraint; 
         FIG. 28  is a top view of the make-up brush restraint of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 29  is an elevational view of the brush restraint of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a bottom view of the make-up brush restraint of  FIGS. 27-29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a top view of a tapered insert; 
         FIG. 32  is an elevational view of the tapered insert of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a perspective view of the main inner tube of the make-up brush; 
         FIG. 34  is a top view of the inner tube of the make-up brush; 
         FIG. 35  is an elevational view of the inner tube of the make-up brush; and 
         FIG. 36  is a bottom view of the inner tube of the make-up brush. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIGS. 1-5 , there are shown a perspective view, an elevational view, a top view, a left side view and a right side view respectively of a make-up brush  10  having a brush head  14 , a stem or handle portion  12  and an actuator button  16 . The brush head  14  includes a plurality of bristles shown at  18  held by a ferrule  20 . The stem or handle portion  12  includes an outer wall or casing  22  extending from the ferrule  20  to the actuator button  16 . In  FIGS. 4 and 5 , there are shown a plan and bottom of the make-up brush  10 . The makeup brush in the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5  provides bristles formed into a narrow somewhat rectangular pattern for application in a narrow line or a wider area. It has the decorative appearance provided by an actuator button  16  on one end, a symmetrical stem  12 , a ferrule  20  and bristles  18  on the other end. 
     In  FIGS. 6-9 , there are shown a perspective view, an elevational view, a left side bottom view and a right side view respectively of another embodiment of make-up brush  10 A having a make-up brush head  14 A, a make-up brush stem or handle portion  12  and an actuator button  16 . The make-up brush  10 A has a stem  12  and an actuator button  16  that are substantially the same as the correspondingly numbered parts in the make-up-brush  10  of  FIGS. 1-3  and are indicated by the same reference numerals. However, the head  14 A includes a rounded ferrule  20 A instead of the crimped ferrule  20  of  FIGS. 1-5 . The rounded ferrule  20 A permits the bristles  18 A to have a full curved symmetrical shape as shown in  FIGS. 6-9 . 
     In  FIGS. 10-14 , there are shown a perspective view, an elevational view, a top view, a left side bottom view and a right side view of the brush head  14  of  FIGS. 1-5 . Similarly, in  FIGS. 15-18 , there are shown a perspective view, an elevational view, a left side bottom view and a right side view of the brush head  14 A. 
     In  FIG. 19  and in  FIG. 20 , there are shown an exploded elevational view and a longitudinal sectional view respectively of the make-up brush  10  having as some of its principal parts the brush head  14 , a clasp  24  (brush head release mechanism), a main tube  26 , a push rod  28 , a spring  30  and the push button actuator  16 . In the preferred embodiment, the clasp  24  (releasable grip) includes a clamp  34  and a detent  44 . The detent  44 , clasp  24 , push rod  28  and push button  16  are parts of a snap lock. The snap lock has a gripping position and a release position that permits the easy replacement of brush heads. In the preferred embodiment, the detent  44  includes a spherical body  36  connected by an annular neck  38  to an inner interfitting conical support  40 . The inner interfitting conical support  40  is connected to an annular shoulder  42  by a cylindrical surface  46 . In the preferred embodiment, the annular shoulder  42  is part of the replaceable brush head  14 . 
     The clamp  34  includes a support end  50 , a release end  52  and an expandable neck  48 . The support end  50  includes an annular ledge  53 , an inner cylindrical support  54 , an outer cylindrical support  55  and a conical inner interfitting socket  58 . The annular ledge  53  receives the annular shoulder  42  when the brush head is snapped in place and provides a firm seat against movement. The inner cylindrical support  54  connects the annular ledge  53  to the conical inner interfitting socket  58  and receives the corresponding cylindrical surface  46  of the brush head  14  for further support and the socket  58  receives the conical support  40  to provide further support against wobble. With these support surfaces engaged and held in place by the snap lock, the wobble of the brush during use is not noticeable and is less that five degrees from the central axis in any one direction. In this specification, when the brush head is held to sufficiently large support surfaces sufficiently to avoid movement from the central axis by more than five degrees in any one direction, the brush head and handle are referred to as being wobble free secured. 
     The inner interfitting conical support surface  40 , the outer cylindrical support  55 , the annular shoulder  42 , the cylindrical surface  46 , the annular ledge  53 , the inner the cylindrical support  54  and the conical inner interfitting socket  58  are each complementary anti-wobble surfaces. In this specification, complementary anti-wobble surfaces shall be interpreted to be one of at least two surfaces (first and second surfaces), one of which is connected to the brush head  14  and the other of which is connected to the brush handle. Each of the two surfaces has one or more parts fitting one against a corresponding part or parts of the other surface (matching parts). The matching parts are held together by the snap-on fastener when the brush head  14  and handle are snapped together for use. The matching parts are dimensioned so that they are always within their elastic limit when subjected to the largest forces by a user in the course of applying cosmetics. The three factors that control wobble under this condition are the moment of inertia as determined by the size and shape of the matching parts, the modulus of elasticity of the material or materials from which they are made and the force with which they are held together by the snap fastener. These three factors are sufficiently large so that the brush head  14  and the handle do not move with respect to each other noticeably when subjected to the largest forces by a user in the course of applying cosmetics. Generally they will not move more than 1/32 inch with respect to each other under such forces. 
     The expandable neck  48  includes a cylindrical portion with elongated openings parallel to each other extending in the direction of the axis of the cylinder into the socket  58  on the support end  50  and into the release end  52 . These openings reduce the hoop strength sufficiently to permit spring-like expansion of the neck  34  sufficient to permit the spherical body  36  to be forced to the release end  52  of the clamp  34 . When the spherical member  36  of the detent is on the release end  52  of the neck  48 , the neck  48  closes to hold the brush head  14  in place with wobble security. 
     The release end  52  of the clamp  34  includes a socket portion  60  and a cylindrical portion  62 . The cylindrical portion  62  includes an outer support surface  63  that fits tightly within an inner surface  65  of the outer wall of the main tube  26  to form complimentary supporting surfaces. With this arrangement, the outer support surface  63  of the cylindrical portion  62  and the inner wall  65  of the main tube  26  form anti-wobble surfaces to aid in making the brush head and handle wobble free secured. 
     The main tube  26  includes a spring compartment section  64 , a push rod retention section  67  and a clamp section  66 . To retain the push bottom  16  and push rod  28  in place, the push rod retention section  67  includes a bore  72  and a counterbore  74 . The bore  72  receives a retaining cylinder  82 . The push rod  28  extends to the opposite end where it engages a bore  75  in the push button  16  with a frictional grip such as occasioned with an O-ring  100  in a groove as described hereinafter. The push button  16  includes a spheroid end section  80  and a tip  84  at the other end and has a normal extended position and a depressed release position that releases the brush head. The tip  84  pushes the detent  44  to push it from the clasp  24  and release a brush head. 
       FIG. 20  best illustrates the manner in which the push rod  28  is seated with it tip  84  positioned to push the detent  44  from the release end  52  of the clasp  24  to release a brush head for replacement. A new brush head may be snapped in place with the detent  44  forcing the neck  48  open until the detent  44  fits on the opposite side, at which time the expandable neck  48  collapses. In this position, the support surfaces of the detent  44  rests within the support surfaces of the clamp  34  to maintain the head stabling in position. 
     In  FIG. 21 , there is shown a perspective view of the actuator push button  16  having a cylindrical body  78  with a bore  76  extending into it toward the spheroid end  80  ( FIGS. 19 and 20 ). In  FIG. 22 , there is shown a top view and in  FIG. 23 , there is shown an elevational view of the push button actuator  16  illustrating the opening  76  which receives the end of the push rod  28  in frictional engagement. With this arrangement, the push button actuator  16  is held in place for movement with the push rod  28  to release the brush head  14  upon depressing of the spheroidal end  80 . 
     In  FIG. 24 , there is shown a perspective view of the push rod  28  having a tip  84 , a rod portion  86 , a retaining cylinder  82  and a groove  88 . As best shown in the top view of  FIG. 25 , in the elevational view of  FIG. 26 , the groove  88  is between top and bottom reduced diameter sections  90 A and  90 B which fits within the bore  76  (FIGS.  19  and  21 - 23 ) of the push button actuator  16  (FIGS.  19  and  21 - 23 ) and is held therein by an O-ring  100 . It fits within the groove  88 . The  0 -ring  100  provides friction between the bore  76  and the end of the push rod  28  to retain the push button actuator  16  in place. 
     In  FIG. 27 , there is shown a perspective view of the clamp  34  of the snap lock or clasp  24  ( FIGS. 19 and 20 ) having the release end  52 , the support end  50  and the expandable neck  48 . The support end  50  includes the annular wall  54  ( FIGS. 19 and 29 ) at the top of a right regular cylinder. The inner surface fits against the correspondingly shaped shoulder  42  and the conical support  40  of the detent  44  for stability when the brush head is mounted to the stem. Similarly, the inner surface of a conical expanding neck section  48  receives the conical support wall of the detent  44  for stability. As shown in the top view, the elevational view and the bottom view of  FIGS. 28 ,  29  and  30  respectively, the cylinder  54  is shaped to fit against a corresponding wall in the detent  44  and the similarly shaped release end  50  is shaped to receive and guide the push rod  28  where it may push against the detent  44  and force it through the expandable neck  48  to release the brush head. The expandable neck  48  includes a plurality of slots  102 A- 102 E as shown best in  FIGS. 28 ,  29  and  29  extending from the two cylindrical ends  50  and  52  to permit the neck  48  to expand outwardly so that the detent  44  may pass through it. With this arrangement, the brush head may be located securely in place and, when released, can drop freely into a trash repository or the like. The engagement of the detent  44  provides a snapping action as does its release to permit the user to have the feel of releasing and attaching the brush head. Generally, the push button actuator  16  actuates the push rod  28  from the end of the stem and this can be done with the same hand that holds the make-up brush  10  so that it can be released a distance from the body and even with a trash receptacle to avoid the spreading of makeup that has been adhered to the brush. 
     In  FIGS. 31 and 32 , there is shown a top and elevational view of the detent  44  having a cylindrical body  36 , ending in an annular shoulder  42  from which a right regular cylinder  38  extends and an inverse cone  40  forming an outer surface complimentary to the inner surfaces of the clasp  24  for support. At the end, the spherical body  36  of the detent  44  extends for gripping at the neck  48  of the clasp  24  to hold the brush head  14  in place. 
     In  FIG. 33 , there is shown a perspective view of an embodiment of main tube  26  having a spring compartment section  64 , a push rod retention section  66  and a clamp section  69 . As shown in the top view of  FIG. 34 , elevational view of  FIG. 35  and bottom view of  FIG. 36 , the push rod retention section  66  includes a bore  72  and counterbore  74  leading to successively narrow passageways or portions  68 A and  68 B adapted to receive the rod portion  86  ( FIG. 26 ) of the push rod  28  ( FIG. 26 ) with the cylindrical retaining cylinder  82  fitting within the counterbore  74  to retain the push rod  28  ( FIG. 26 ) in place with its rod portion  86  ( FIG. 26 ) extending through the passageways  68 A and  68 B separated by a shoulder  104 . To insert the push rod, the push rod retention section  66  and spring compartment section  64  may be separated at the shoulder  104  so that the spring portion  64  is connected after the cylinder is within the counterbore  74  to retain the spring  30  in place. With this arrangement, the actuator button  16  is held to the push rod  28  at the end of the spring retention section  64  with limited movement permitted by the range of movement of the retaining cylinder or disk  82  within the counterbore  72 . 
     As can be understood from the above description, the make-up brush and method of applying makeup of this invention has several advantages, such as for example: (1) the brush head can be quickly and simply removed by pushing a button at the end of the handle to permit the brush head to drop off for disposal; (2) the brush head can be removed without it moving close to the arm or around the body but can be removed at a distance by pressing the button at the end of the handle with the same hand that is holding the make-up brush; and (3) the brush head can be removed quickly and easily without manipulating that might cause powder or liquid to fall onto the person and be as quickly and easily replaced with a new sterile brush head. 
     Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described in some particularity, many modifications and variations are possible without deviating from the invention. It is therefore to be understood that the invention may be practiced, within the scope of the appended claims, other than as specifically claimed.