Abstract:
A brush device is disclosed having specific dimensions especially suited for use in applying a tanning formulation to the face and body of an individual. The dimensions are such that the time required to apply the formulation using the brush device is decreased compared to conventional brush devices while at the same time, undesirable streaking and uneven application are avoided. A handle structure of the brush device is disclosed which is configured to house the brush and protect the bristles after usage.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to the application of sunless tanning formulations to the face and body of an individual and, more particularly, to a brush device especially designed for such applications. 
         [0002]    The popularity of sunless tanning has risen since the 1960s after exposure to the sun and other tanning methods, such as tanning beds, were linked to the incidence of skin cancer. Sunless tanning and bronzing formulations are safer and faster than, and can achieve a tan at least comparable to that obtained by, exposure of the face and body of an individual to the sun. 
         [0003]    Sunless tanning formulations generally fall into two categories, namely, sunless tanners that actually darken the skin and then fade as dead skin cells slough off in the normal course (usually within 3-7 days), and bronzers that wash off like regular makeup. Most sunless tanners contain dihydroxyacetone, a sugar that interacts with proteins in the epidermis, the outermost layer of the skin, to produce a darker skin color. Sunless tanners come in various forms. A gel is particularly advantageous form for sunless tanning formulations since gels generally dry faster and are easier to apply than other forms, such as spray tanners which are more difficult to use, and lotions which sometimes leave a sticky feel. Bronzers darken the skin on a temporary basis. Once applied to the body and face of an individual, a tan is created that can be washed off with soap and water. Bronzers also come in several forms, including powders, liquids and gels. 
         [0004]    With the development of sun tanning formulations in liquid, powder and gel form, issues have arisen with the use of conventional devices for applying the formulations to the skin. Conventional techniques, such as conventional brushes and mitts, generally require a long time for application of the formulation to large areas of the body. Certain areas of the body, such as areas of the back and legs, often cannot be easily reached, if at all. Leverage to apply appropriate pressure of brushes often cannot be obtained using conventional mitts and/or brushes. For these reasons, the tan produced by these techniques and other conventional methods, are often streaked and/or uneven. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved device for applying sunless tanning formulations to the body and face of an individual. 
         [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved brush device for applying sunless tanning formulations to the body and face of an individual. 
         [0007]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved brush device for applying sunless tanning formulations to the body and face of an individual that is faster than conventional techniques. 
         [0008]    A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved brush device for applying sunless tanning formulations to the body and face of an individual which results in a uniform, streak-free tan. 
         [0009]    A still further object of the present invention is to provide a brush device satisfying all of the above objects and which is convertible to a closed configuration after use in which the brush of the device is protected and which is compact. 
         [0010]    It has been found that a brush device having a certain configuration and certain specific dimensions in accordance with the invention satisfies all of the above-stated objects. Briefly, in accordance with the present invention, these and other objects are attained by providing a brush device comprising an elongate cylindrical handle structure having a length in the range of between about 4¼ inches and 5¼ inches and a diameter in the range of between 1¼ inches and 2 inches, and a brush formed by a plurality of bristles that extend from an end of the handle structure. The brush has circular transverse cross-sections of varying size, the largest circular transverse cross-section having a diameter of between 2¼ inches and 2¾ inches. A brush device having such a construction can be used to apply a sunless tanning formulation in gel, liquid or powder form more quickly than other conventional techniques and at the same time provide a streak-free and uniform tan. The construction also allows an individual to reach all areas of his or her body and provides the user with good leverage during the application of the formulation to hard-to-reach areas. 
         [0011]    According to another aspect of the invention, the handle structure is configured to conveniently house and protect the brush after use in a compact profile. In particular, the handle structure includes an outer cylindrical case, an inner cylindrical brush holder situated within the outer case, and an intermediate cylindrical case situated between the outer case and the inner brush holder which is slidable between a retracted position in which the brush is exposed, and an extended position in which the brush is covered by the intermediate cylindrical case. A cylindrical cover is connectable to the intermediate cylindrical case while in its extended position, whereupon the intermediate cylindrical case can be moved to its retracted position, whereupon the brush becomes covered within the cylindrical cover providing a compact package while protecting the brush. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0012]    A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a brush device in accordance with the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a front elevation of the brush and an upper portion of the intermediate cylindrical case of the brush device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a section view taken along line B-B of  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a longitudinal section view of the brush device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal section view of the brush device of  FIG. 1  in a first stage of being closed after use; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a longitudinal section view of the brush device of  FIG. 1  including a cover in a second stage of being closed after use; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a longitudinal section view of the brush device of  FIG. 1  in its closed configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0020]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and more particularly to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a brush device  10  in accordance with the invention is illustrated in an open configuration ready for use. The brush device  10  includes an elongate cylindrical handle structure, generally designated  12 , having a longitudinal axis  11  ( FIG. 2A ) and a brush  14  formed of a plurality of bristles  16 . The elongate cylindrical handle structure  12  has a first closed longitudinal end  18  and a second open longitudinal end  20 . 
         [0021]    The length  22  of the handle structure is in the range of between about 4¼ inches and 5¼ inches, most preferably about 4¾ inches. The diameter  24  of the cylindrical handle structure is in the range of between about 1¼ inches and 2 inches, preferably about 1½ inches. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 2  brush  14  extends from the second open and  20  of the handle structure  12  has a lower part  14   a  having a frusto-conical shape and an upper part  14   b  having a substantially spherical section shape. Cross-sections of brush  14  have circular shapes in respective planes transverse to the longitudinal axis  11  of the handle structure  12 . The transverse cross-section of brush  14  at the second open end  20  of the handle structure has a diameter  26  in the range of between about 1¼ and 2 inches, preferably about 1½ inches. The transverse cross-section of brush  14  at its widest part, i.e., at the major base of the frusto-conical part  14   b  ( FIG. 2B ) has a diameter  28  in the range of between about 2¼ inches and 2¾ inches, preferably about 2½ inches. The height  30  of brush  14  measured from the open end  20  of the handle structure  12 , is in the range of between about 1⅝ inches and 2⅛ inches, preferably about 1⅞ inches. The length  32  of the frusto-conical edge of the lower frusto-conical part  14   b  of brush  14 , measured from the open end  20  of the handle structure  12 , the range of between about 1¼ inches and 1¾ inches, preferably about 1½ inches. 
         [0023]    It has been found that a brush device having a combination of certain ones, or all, of the characteristics described above, in addition to reducing the time required to apply sunless tanning formulations in liquid, gel and/or powder form to the face and body, eliminates or at least reduces streaking and promotes uniformity of application in hard-to-reach areas as a result of the increased leverage provided by the brush device. Larger or smaller brushes connected to narrower, wider, longer and/or shorter handle structures result in increased streaking due to insufficient or excess pressure of the brush on the skin and insufficient leverage. 
         [0024]    Because of the large size of the brush of a brush device in accordance with the invention, it is desirable to provide a construction which will protect the bristles from damage after the brush is used. At the same time, it is desirable to provide a compact packaging for the brush device, not only in view of the large size of the brush, but also in view of the large size of the handle structure. To these ends, referring to  FIGS. 3-6 , the handle structure of a brush device  10  in accordance with the invention includes a plurality of elements formed of appropriate material, such as aluminum, or plastic, which enables the brush device to be converted to a closed configuration having approximately the same overall height as the brush device in its open configuration with the brush gathered and housed in a protective cap. 
         [0025]    The handle structure  12  includes an outer cylindrical case  34  having a closed end constituting the first closed end  18  of the handle structure  12  and an open end  36 , an inner cylindrical brush holder  38  situated coaxially within the outer cylindrical case  34  having a closed end  40  fixed, such as by adhesive, to the inner surface of the closed end  18  of the outer cylindrical case  34  so as to fix the inner cylindrical brush holder  38  within the outer cylindrical case  34 , and an open-ended intermediate cylindrical case  42  situated coaxially and slidably between the outer cylindrical case  34  and the inner cylindrical brush holder  38 . As described below, one of the open ends of the intermediate cylindrical case is situated outside of the outer cylindrical case and constitutes the second open end  20  of handle structure  12 . 
         [0026]    A circumferentially extending shoulder  44  projects outwardly from the intermediate cylindrical case  42  at a location close to but spaced from the open end  20  of the intermediate cylindrical case  42  such that when the intermediate cylindrical case  42  is moved as far as possible into the outer cylindrical case  34  (as seen in  FIG. 3 ), the shoulder  44  engages the open end  36  of the outer cylindrical case  34  preventing further inward movement of the intermediate cylindrical case  42  into the outer cylindrical case  34 . As noted above, in this position, the open end of the intermediate cylindrical case  42  proximate to shoulder  44  is situated outside of the outer cylindrical case  34  and constitutes the second open end  20  of the handle structure  12 . 
         [0027]    The ends of the bristles  16  of brush  14  are affixed by epoxy or the like in a brush-holding cup  46  which is fixed at the upper end of the inner cylindrical brush holder  38  within the outer cylindrical case  34 . The bristles  16  extend through the open end  20  of the handle structure constituted by the open end of the intermediate cylindrical case  42  and have a length and configuration such as to form brush  14  with the configuration and dimensions described above. 
         [0028]    The open end  20  of handle structure  12  constituted by the open end of the intermediate case  42  projects a distance  48  of about ¾ inch from the open end  36  of the outer case  34 . The length  50  of the intermediate case  42  is about 3⅞ inches. The length  52  of the inner brush holder  38  is about 3¼ inches and the open end  39  of the brush holder  38  at which the brush-holding cup  46  is fixed is situated within the outer case  34  and spaced a distance  54  of about ¾ inch from the open end  36  of the outer case  34 . 
         [0029]    The handle structure  12  described above is constructed to conveniently house and protect the brush after use in a compact profile. Referring to  FIG. 4  in conjunction with  FIG. 3 , in a first stage of closing the brush device  10  after it has been used to apply a tanning formulation, the intermediate cylindrical case  42  is slid outwardly from within the outer cylindrical case  34  until an inwardly extending circumferential shoulder  52  formed at the inner end of the intermediate cylindrical case  42  engages an outwardly extending circumferential shoulder  54  formed at the top end of the inner cylindrical brush holder  38 . The engagement of shoulders  52 ,  54  limits the extent of sliding movement of the intermediate cylindrical case  42  out of the outer cylindrical case  34 . The extent of movement of the intermediate cylindrical case  42  is sufficient such that the bristles  16  of brush  14  are gathered together by the intermediate case  42  as it moves outwardly and within the interior of the intermediate cylindrical case  42 . The bottom edge of cover  56  abuts the shoulder  44  of the intermediate cylindrical case. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , in the next stage of closing the brush device  10 , with the intermediate cylindrical case  42  in its outer position, a cylindrical cover  56  is connected to the open end  20  of the intermediate cylindrical case  42 . Small protrusions are formed on the upper end of the intermediate case to provide a friction fit of the cover  56  onto the intermediate case  42 . The bottom edge of cover  56  abuts the shoulder  44  of the intermediate cylindrical case. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , in the final stage of closing the brush device  10 , the intermediate cylindrical case  42  is slid back into the outer cylindrical case  34  until the shoulder  44  engages the open end  36  of the outer cylindrical case  34  but not so long as to be cumbersome. The length  58  of the cylindrical cover  56  is sufficient to provide a space for receiving and housing the gathered brush  14  in its interior as the intermediate cylindrical case  42  slides into the outer cylindrical case  34 . The length of the cylindrical cover is in the range of between about 3⅞ inches and 4⅛ inches, preferably about 4 inches. In this manner, the brush device is closed in a compact package having about the same length as the brush device in the open configuration with the bristles  16  of brush  14  being protected. 
         [0032]    The outer cylindrical case  34 , inner cylindrical brush holder  38  and intermediate cylindrical case  42  are thus configured such that the intermediate cylindrical case  42  is slidable between a first retracted position ( FIG. 3 ) in which the open end  20  thereof is situated outside of the outer cylindrical case a first distance from the open end of the outer case and constitutes the second longitudinal end of the handle structure, and a second extended position ( FIG. 4 ) in which the open end  20  thereof is situated outside of the outer cylindrical case a second distance from said open end of said outer case which is greater than the first distance. The brush  14  is housed within the intermediate case  42  when the intermediate case  42  is in said second extended position ( FIG. 4 ). The cylindrical cover  56  has a first closed end and a second open end, the second open end being configured to be connected to the open end  20  of said intermediate cylindrical case  42  when the intermediate cylindrical case is in the second extended position ( FIG. 5 ). The brush  14  becomes housed within the cylindrical cover  56  when the intermediate cylindrical case  42  is moved to the first retracted position ( FIG. 6 ). 
         [0033]    Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the embodiment of the brush device are possible in the light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the claims appended hereto, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically disclosed herein.