Abstract:
Disclosed is a cosmetic powder applicator. The powder applicator includes a powder container, an elastic structure connected to the container and a powder-permeable soft cover enclosing the elastic structure. The structure has an elasticity sufficient to substantially bend upon application of pressure thereto and to substantially recover an original shape thereof upon release of the pressure. The soft cover is so configured as to retain therein and pass powder particles through itself. The powder applicator is configured such that, by turning or shaking the applicator, the powder to be contained in the container can be discharged through the discharge opening toward the soft cover and the structure enclosed therein. Further disclosed is methods of making and using the powder applicator. The method of making includes a feature of connecting the elastic structure enclosed in the soft cover with the container such that the powder to be contained in the container can be discharged through the discharge opening toward the structure and the soft cover. The method of using the powder applicator includes a feature of contacting the soft cover with a skin, applying pressure onto the soft cover and the elastic structure thereunder such that the structure is substantially bent while maintaining structural rigidity thereof and releasing the pressure so as to allow the structure to recover an original shape thereof. The powder retained in the soft cover is transferred to the skin in the course of one or more of the contacting with the skin, and the application and release of the pressure.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an article capable of storing and applying a powder chemical, and more particularly, to an article for containing cosmetic powder and instantly applying the powder to a skin.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Technology  
           [0004]    In general, there are many cosmetics which are composed of powdered chemicals. A conventional toilet article for use in such powder cosmetics comprises a powder container for containing powders therein and a sponge or brush (cosmetic brush) used to powder a user&#39;s face. Since the sponge or brush is made separately from the powder container, a user can put it into the powder container. Then, the user can pick out and use the sponge or brush upon his/her makeup. Thus, if the user intends to put on his/her makeup using such a toilet article, the user must first apply the powder to the sponge or brush and then brings the sponge or brush into contact with his/her skin so that the powder can be put on the skin. Such a constitution has difficulty in storing the powder. Further, there is the inconvenience in that the user should perform two steps for applying powder to their skin.  
           [0005]    In the meantime, Korean Utility Model Registration No. 20-246281 discloses a toilet article constructed such that a cosmetic brush is integrally coupled with a container for containing liquid foundation. The toilet article is constructed such that the liquid foundation is discharged to the brush when the user presses a button. The user can put on the liquid foundation on his/her face and the like for his/her makeup. However, such a toilet article has a complex constitution, and thus it is not suitable for using powdered cosmetics. Further, as the constitution of the toilet article becomes complex, its manufacturing process also becomes complex and thus its manufacturing costs are increased. Furthermore, in a case where a brush is used as an applying structure, the cosmetics adhering to the brush may be easily blown and scattered due to the elasticity of the brush.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    One aspect of the present invention provides a powder applicator. The powder applicator comprises a powder container configured to contain powder and to have a discharge opening; an elastic structure connected to the container, wherein the structure has an elasticity sufficient to substantially bend upon application of pressure thereto and to substantially recover an original shape thereof upon release of the pressure, and wherein the structure has a proximal edge and a distal edge, the proximal edge being an edge of the structure including a point closest to the container, the distal edge being an edge of the structure including a point farthest from the container; a powder-permeable soft cover enclosing the elastic structure, wherein the soft cover is so configured as to selectively retain therein and selectively pass therethrough powder particles; and wherein the powder applicator is configured such that, by turning or shaking the applicator, the powder to be contained in the container can be discharged through the discharge opening toward the soft cover and the structure enclosed therein.  
           [0007]    In various embodiments of the powder applicator, the container comprises at least one pliable wall for use to facilitate pressurizing the container for discharging powder. The container is further configured to have a supply opening for use to fill the container with powder, and wherein the hole is configured to be plugged.  
           [0008]    In various embodiments of the powder applicator, the structure comprises a substantially flat surface. The structure is made of a flexible plastic. The structure is constructed such that the structure is more rigid toward the proximal edge than toward the distal edge. The structure comprises two opposing surfaces and further comprises one or more side surfaces which constitute a thickness between the two surfaces. The surfaces are substantially flat. The surfaces are substantially parallel with each other. The thickness of the structure is preferably from about 0.4 mm to about 3 mm, more preferably from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm, most preferably from about 0.6 mm to about 1 mm. The thickness of the structure tapers in a direction from the proximal edge toward the distal edge. The thickness of the proximal edge is preferably from about 0.7 mm to about 3 mm, and wherein the thickness of the distal edge is preferably from about 0.4 mm to about 0.8 mm. The thickness of the proximal edge is more preferably from about 0.9 mm to about 2 mm. The thickness of the distal edge is more preferably from about 0.5 mm to about 0.7 mm. Each surface of the structure has a length in a direction from the proximal edge toward the distal edge, wherein each surface of the structure further has a width in a direction perpendicular to the direction from the proximal edge toward the distal edge, wherein the length is preferably from about 23 mm to about 42 mm, and wherein the width is preferably from about 20 mm to about 35 mm. The length is more preferably from about 30 mm to about 36 mm. The width is more from about 27 mm to about 30 mm. The structure has an elasticity coefficient below about 70 Mpa measured at 25° C. in accordance with ASTM D883.  
           [0009]    In further embodiments of the powder applicator, the structure comprises a rib configured to provide structural rigidity of the elastic structure while maintaining the elasticity. The rib and structure are formed in a single piece. The rib is configured such that the structure is less rigid around the distal edge than around the proximal edge. The rib tapers in a direction from the proximal edge toward the distal edge. The rib extends substantially straight along a general direction in which the structure extends away from the container. The rib extends in proximity to a central line of the structure in a general direction in which the structure extends away from the container. The rib extends from a point about the proximal edge to a point between the proximal and distal edges. The structure has a length, and the rib extends to a point located between ¼ and ¾ of the length measured from the proximal edge. The point is located between about ⅖ and ⅗ of the length measured from the proximal edge.  
           [0010]    In further embodiments of the powder applicator, the soft cover is configured to have a plurality of pores in which powder particles can be retained and through which powder can penetrate. The soft cover is made of sponge. The soft cover has a thickness preferably from about 0.6 mm to about 1.5 mm. The soft cover has a thickness, more preferably, from about 0.8 mm to about 1.2 mm. There is open space between the structure and the soft cover enclosing the structure. An interior surface of the soft cover is configured such that the structure has a substantially tight fit in the interior surface. The soft cover comprises fine fibers attached to an external surface thereof. There is substantially no open space between the structure and the soft cover enclosing the structure.  
           [0011]    In further embodiments, the powder applicator further comprises a base contacting the proximal edge of the structure and configured to be directly or indirectly connected to the container. The base and the structure are formed in a single piece. The base comprises at least one through-hole configured to communicate with an interior of the container through the opening of the container. The powder applicator further comprises a plug closing the discharge opening and configured to be removed upon use. The powder applicator further comprises cosmetic powder contained in the powder container. The powder applicator further comprises a cap configured to sheath the soft cover. The cap comprises an outer structure and an inner structure, and wherein the inner structure is configured to define a space for the soft cover to be placed when the cap sheath the soft cover. There is an interior space between the inner and outer structures of the cap, and wherein the inner structure has at least one through-hole connecting the interior space and the space for the soft cover.  
           [0012]    In still further embodiments, the powder applicator further comprises a fixing member configured to secure the elastic structure and the soft cover together. The fixing member comprises a side wall configured to wrap around a correspondingly shaped body integrated with the structure while keeping an edge of the soft cover between the side wall and the body. The fixing member is further configured to secure the elastic structure to the container. The powder applicator further comprises a coupler configured to couple both the fixing member and the container. The coupler comprises first and second coupling structures, wherein the first coupling surface is configured to removably couple with a corresponding structure of the fixing member, and wherein the second coupling surface is configured to removably couple with a corresponding structure of the container. The first and second coupling structures are one or more selected from the group consisting of threaded structure and knurled structure.  
           [0013]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a method of making the powder applicator as described above. The method comprises: providing the powder container with the discharge opening; providing the elastic structure; providing the powder-permeable soft cover configured to selectively retain therein and selectively pass therethrough powder particles; enclosing the elastic structure with the soft cover; and connecting the elastic structure enclosed in the soft cover with the container such that the powder to be contained in the container can be discharged through the discharge opening toward the structure and the soft cover. The method further comprises filling the container with cosmetic powder prior to the connection.  
           [0014]    Another aspect of the present invention provides another method of applying a cosmetic powder onto a skin surface. The method comprises: providing the powder applicator as described above, the container of which contains a cosmetic powder; turning or shaking the powder applicator so as to discharge the powder contained in the container through the discharge opening toward the structure and the soft cover, whereby some of the discharged powder is retained in the soft cover; contacting the soft cover to a skin surface; applying pressure onto the soft cover and the elastic structure thereunder such that the structure is substantially bent while maintaining structural rigidity thereof; releasing the pressure so as to allow the structure to recover an original shape thereof; and wherein the powder retained in the soft cover is transferred to the skin surface in the course of one or more of the contacts with the skin surface, and the application and release of the pressure.  
           [0015]    Further aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for use in applying a powdery material onto a surface. The apparatus comprises: means for containing and discharging powder; means for retaining the discharged powder; and means for elastically sandwiching the retaining means in cooperation with a surface onto which powder is to be applied, and thereby applying pressure on the retaining means so as to release at least part of the retained powder onto the surface.  
           [0016]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a powder applicator in which an applicator unit for applying powder is integrally coupled with a powder container for containing the powder and which can also be used as a toilet article. Another aspect of the present invention provides a powder applicator wherein a sponge is employed in the applicator unit so that it is difficult for the powder to blown or scattered. A further aspect of the present invention provides a powder applicator capable of discharging the powder according to the proper amount of powder used.  
           [0017]    One embodiment of the powder applicator comprises a powder container which includes an opening and contains powder therein, a powder applicator unit which is made of a sponge sheet having a plurality of fine pores and is formed into the shape of a pouch for covering the opening of the powder container, and a supporting member including a supporting portion which can be bent by external force and extends into the powder applicator unit to allow the shape of the powder applicator unit to be maintained. The supporting member may include a base portion coupled to the powder container not to move with respect thereto, and the supporting portion may take the shape of a plate extending from the base portion into the powder applicator unit. The base portion may be formed with at least one through-hole through which the powder container communicates with the interior of the powder applicator unit.  
           [0018]    The powder applicator may further comprise a fixing member which includes a side wall for wrapping around the base portion of the supporting member so that an lower end of the applicator unit is fitted between and pressed by the base portion and the side wall. The powder applicator may further comprise a coupling member which supports the supporting member thereon, is positioned into the fixing member, and is coupled to an upper portion of the powder container. Preferably, any one of the coupling member and the powder container is formed with a male thread, whereas the other one is formed with a female thread. The powder container may further include a supply hole through which the powder is supplied into the powder container and a cap which is fitted into the supply hole. Preferably, the cap is formed with a male thread and the supply hole is formed with a female thread engaged with the male thread. The sponge sheet may be flocking processed. The powder applicator may further comprise a sheath or cap for covering the powder applicator unit, and the cap may also include an inner frame for covering the applicator unit and a cover member for wrapping around the inner frame. The inner frame may be provided with at least one through-hole which communicates with the interior of the cover member. The powder may be cosmetic powder. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when reading the following description of preferred embodiments of the present invention given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a toilet article according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing a main body and a cover separated from each other;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the toilet article of FIG. 1, showing the main body and the cover coupled with each other;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the main body of the toilet article shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the cover of the toilet article shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a toilet article according to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a toilet article according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a powder container and a container coupling member of a toilet article according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0027]    Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments to be described below, a toilet article will be explained as an example of a powder applicator.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toilet article according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the toilet article shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the toilet article  10  takes the shape of an elliptical cylinder, and comprises a main body  20  and a sheath or cap  90  for covering a part of the main body  20 .  
         [0029]    Referring to FIGS.  1  to  3 , the main body  20  includes a powder container  30 , a powder applicator unit  40 , a fixing member  50 , a supporting member  60 , a container coupling member  80 , and a plug  70 . The powder container  30  is a hollow elliptical cylinder of which one end is opened. The powder container  30  includes a bottom  32  and a side wall  34  extending upward from the bottom  32 . An elliptical opening  36  is provided opposite to the bottom  32 . The bottom  32  has an upwardly convex face. An end portion of the side wall  34  with the opening  36  formed thereon is provided with a coupling wall extending upward. As clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the coupling wall  341  is slightly stepped inward in such a manner that an outer surface thereof is located inward of an outer surface of the side wall  34 . A step portion  38  is formed between the outer surface of the coupling wall  341  and the outer surface of the side wall  34 . A coupling projection  342  domes out over the outer surface of the coupling wall  341  in the middle portion thereof. The coupling projection  342  extends in the form of a ring around the outer circumferential surface of the coupling wall  341 . The powder container  30  can be made of a plastic resin through an injection molding process.  
         [0030]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plug  70  includes an elliptically formed body  72  which is inserted into the opening of the powder container  30 , and a handle  76  extending to protrude from the center of the body  72 . The body  72  is provided with a flange  78  at an upper edge thereof. The flange  78  is sized such that it cannot protrude beyond the outer surface of the coupling wall  341  when the plug  70  is plugged into the opening of the powder container  30  (refer to FIG. 2). Referring to FIG. 2, such a type of plug  70  is inserted and plugged into the opening  36  of the container  30 . At this time, an outer circumferential surface of the body  72  of the plug  70  comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the powder container  30 . Further, since the flange  78  of the plug  70  is caught in an upper end of the coupling wall  341  of the powder container  30 , the plug  70  is prevented from being further pushed into the container  30 . The plug  70  is also made of the plastic resin through the injection molding process. The plug  70  performs a function of preventing the powder from being discharged outside of the container  30  before initial use of the toilet article. When initially using the toilet article, the user grasps the handle  76  of the plug  70  and pulls out and removes the plug  70  from powder container. On the other hand, the toilet article may be sold without the plug  70 .  
         [0031]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the container coupling member  80  takes the shape of a short elliptical tube of which both ends are opened. An inner circumferential surface of the container coupling member is coupled with the coupling wall  341  of the powder container  30  to face the outer circumferential surface thereof. A top end of the container coupling member  80  is formed with a flange portion  82  which protrudes inward so that the area of a passage for the powder is reduced. The inner circumferential surface of the container coupling member  80  is formed with a coupling groove  84  into which the coupling projection  342  of the coupling wall  341  of the powder container  30  can be fitted. Further, the container coupling member  80  is provided at an outer circumferential surface thereof with a plurality of projections which extend straightly from the top end to a bottom end of the container coupling member  80  and formed close with one another around the outer circumferential surface. The projections  86  are such that it can be firmly coupled with the fixing member  50  to be described later.  
         [0032]    Further, the supporting member  60  includes a base portion  62  and a thin plate-shaped supporting portion  64  extending upward from the base portion  62 . The base  62  is composed of an elliptical flat portion  66  with a plurality of powder holes  661  formed thereon and a side wall  68  extending downward from the flat portion  66 . A lower end of the side wall  68  is seated on the flange portion  82  of the container coupling member  80 . It is preferred that an inner edge of the side wall  68  be coincident with an inner edge of the flange portion  82 , as shown in FIG. 2. The flat portion  66  is provided with the plurality of round holes  661 . Preferably, each of both section divided by the supporting portion  64  is provided with three powder holes. However, in the present invention, shapes and number of the powder holes  661  are not limited to the above. One large hole may be provided, and a plurality of small holes may also be provided.  
         [0033]    The supporting portion  64  extends from the flat portion  66  and disposed along a major axis of the elliptical flat portion  66 . The supporting portion  64  becomes thinner toward an upper end thereof, and the shape of the upper end is generally semicircular. A reinforcing rib  641  extending from the center of the flat portion  66  to a middle height of the supporting member  64  along the supporting member  64  is formed on each lateral side of the supporting member  64 . Referring to FIG. 2, the base portion  62  is seated on the container coupling member  80  and secured into the fixing member  50  to be described later. The supporting portion  64  is accommodated within the powder applicator unit  40 , and holds the powder applicator unit  40  so that the shape of the powder applicator unit  40  can be maintained. The supporting member  60  can be made of a soft plastic resin or flexible plastic material, which refers to any synthetic or natural material having the characteristics of pliability or flexibility, and resilience or elasticity. The flexible plastic material include, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, etc. Preferably, the flexible plastic material has elasticity coefficient less than about 70 Mpa (7 Kg/mm 2 ) measured at 25° C. in accordance with ASTM D883.  
         [0034]    The supporting member  60  is preferably made by a process of injection molding. The thin upper end of the supporting portion  64  made of the soft plastic resin can be bent laterally to a certain extent, and thus, the hard touch of the supporting portion can be reduced when the powder is put on the skin. Although the upper end of the supporting portion can be bent to a certain extent, the present invention is not limited thereto. In addition to the upper end, a lower end of the supporting portion may also be bent upon application of the cosmetics, depending on whether the reinforcing rib  641  is provided and to what extent thickness of the supporting portion  64  is set. Even in such a case, it is still necessary to have enough rigidity to maintain the shape of the applicator unit  40  when no external force is applied to the supporting portion.  
         [0035]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the fixing member  50  includes a first elliptical side wall  521  and a first step portion  522  curved inward to extend perpendicular from an upper end of the first side wall  521 . The first side wall  521  is sized such that it is tightly fitted around and coupled with the outer circumferential surface of the container coupling member  80 . The fixing member  50  further includes a second side wall  541  curved upward to extend perpendicular from an inner end of the first step portion  522  and a second step portion  542  curved inward to extend perpendicular from an upper end of the second side wall  541 . The second side wall  541  is sized such that the base portion  62  of the supporting member  60  can be accommodated therein.  
         [0036]    Referring to FIG. 2, the container coupling member  80  is accommodated within the first side wall  521 . The first side wall  521  comes into tight contact with the projections  86  of the container coupling member  80 , and thus, the container coupling member  80  is fitted into and coupled with the fixing member  50 . The base portion  62  of the supporting member  60  is accommodated within the second side wall  541 . A lower end  44  of the powder applicator unit  40  to be described later is fitted between and pressed by the outer circumferential surface of base portion  62  and the second side wall  541 . When supporting member  60  is fitted into the fixing member  50 , the supporting portion  64  protrudes through an opening  543  formed inward of the second step portion  542 . The opening  543  is sized such that the powder holes  661  can be exposed through the opening  543 . An outer circumferential surface of the second side wall  541  comes into contact with a frame  100  of the cap  90  to be described later. The fixing member  50  can be made of metallic material such as aluminum through a drawing process. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.  
         [0037]    Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the powder applicator unit  40  is made of a sponge sheet in the form of a pouch so that the powder can be contained therein. The powder applicator unit  40  includes an applicator part  42  capable of containing the powder and exposed to the outside of the fixing member  50 . The lower end  44  of the applicator unit  40  is inserted into the fixing member  50 , and is fitted and fixed between the fixing member  50  and the base portion  62 . In other words, the lower end  44  of the applicator unit  40  is fitted between the second side wall  541  of the fixing member  50  and the base portion  62  of the supporting member  60 , and the powder applicator unit  40  is consequently fixed. The supporting portion  64  of the supporting member  60  is housed in the applicator part  42  to allow the shape of the applicator part  42  to be maintained.  
         [0038]    The powder applicator unit  40  can be constructed in such a manner that two sponge sheets are cut out and the overlapped sponge sheets are sewn with a bottom side thereof opened. A foam sponge material with fine pores formed therein is used as a sponge sheet. Since the fine pores are connected with one another, the sponge sheet has an open cell construction in which a plurality of holes passing through the sponge sheet can be formed. For example, a reticulated polyurethane foam sheet is used as the sponge sheet. Preferably, an external surface of the sponge sheet touched on the skin is subjected to so-called a flocking process so that the external surface is covered with fine fibers. For example, the fibers may be composed of nylon-based microfilaments.  
         [0039]    A process of assembling the main body  20  is as follows. The supporting member  60  is first inserted into the pouch shaped applicator unit  40 , and the supporting member  60  is caused to be coupled with the fixing member  50  while the applicator unit  40  passes through the upper opening  543  of the fixing member  50 . At this time, the sponge sheet is fitted between and pressed by the second side wall  541  of the fixing member  50  and the base portion  62  of the supporting member  60 . Then, the coupling member  80  is strongly pushed and press-fitted into the first side wall  521  of the fixing member  50 . Thus, an upper part of the main body is completed. Thereafter, the upper part of the main body is coupled with the container  30  which is filled with the powder and then plugged with the plug  70 . Finally, the main body of the toilet article is completed.  
         [0040]    Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and  4 , the cap  90  includes a outer member  92  and the frame  100  clamped into the outer member  92 . The outer member  92  made of thin metal such as aluminum takes the shape of a hollow elliptical cylinder of which one end is opened. The outer member  92  includes a flat elliptical portion  921  and a side wall  922  extending downward from the flat portion  921 . Preferably, the outer member  92  is sized such that an outer surface of the side wall  922  and the outer circumferential surface of the side wall  34  of the container  30  are coplanar when the cap  90  is put on. Although the outer member  92  is made of aluminum in the embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto.  
         [0041]    Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the inner frame  100  includes a base portion  105  in the form of an elliptical ring, and a head portion  106  which extends upward from the base portion  105  and converges inward to have a round tip end thereof. The base portion  105  is configured such that an outer surface thereof comes into contact with an inner surface of the outer member  92 . The inner frame  100  is fixed to the outer member  92  by firmly bringing the outer surface of the base portion  105  of the frame  100  into close contact with the inner surface of the outer member  92 . If necessary, the two contact surfaces may be bonded together with adhesive. The head portion  106  is provided with outer ribs  102  extending vertically upward from the base portion  105 . The outer ribs  102  come into contact with the inner surface of outer member  92  to prevent the frame  100  from rocking within the outer member  92 . Circular through holes  107  are formed at the tip end of the head portion  106 . Since air within the inner frame  100  and air within a space  108  between the inner frame  100  and the outer member  92  can communicate with each other, powder scattered due to pressure difference generated when the container  30  is opened or closed is minimized. Referring to FIG. 2, the frame  100  is configured to have an inner space corresponding roughly to a shape of the applicator unit  40 . A plurality of inner ribs  101  are formed to extend from a bottom end of the base portion  105  to the middle of the head portion  106 . When the cap  90  is fitted over the main body  20 , the cap  90  and the main body  20  are engaged with each other by firmly bringing the inner ribs  101  into tight contact with the second side wall  541  of the fixing member  50 . The frame  100  may be made of the plastic resin through the injection molding process.  
         [0042]    Hereinafter, the operation of the toilet article will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS.  1  to  4 . In use, the plug  70  is first removed from the powder container  30 . If the container  30  is inverted, the cosmetic powder is moved into the powder applicator unit  40  through the holes  661  provided in the supporting member  60 . At this time, a bit of the powder is discharged through the fine pores in the applicator unit  40  and adheres to an external surface of the applicator unit  40 . Then, the user can bring the applicator unit  40  into contact with his/her skin and naturally apply the powder to the skin.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a toilet article according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 5, a powder container  30   a  is provided at a bottom  32   a  with a supply hole  34   a  for refilling the powder and with a hole plug  36   a  capable of plugging and unplugging the supply hole  34   a . A side wall  341   a  containing the surface of the supply hole  34   a  slightly protrudes into the container  30   a . A thread  342   a  is formed on the side wall  341   a . The hole plug  36   a  includes a screw body  361   a  engaged with the thread  342   a  of the supply hole  34   a  and a screw head  362   a . If the user intends to fill the powder container  30   a  with the powder, he/she turns the screw head  362   a  of the hole plug  36   a  and pulls out the hole plug  36   a  from the supply hole  34   a  to cause the supply hole  34   a  to be opened. Next, the user fills the container  30   a  with powder through the opened supply hole  34   a , and then, plugs the supply hole  34   a  with the hole plug  36   a . The other features and operations of the second embodiment of the present invention will not be further described herein since they are the same as in the first embodiment.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a toilet article according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 6, a powder container  30   b  is provided at a bottom  32   b  with a supply hole  34   b  for refilling the powder and with a hole plug  36   b  capable of plugging and unplugging the supply hole  34   b . The hole plug  36   b  includes an insert  365   b  fitted into the supply hole  34   b  and a plug head  366   b . The insert  365   b  comes into close contact with a wall surface of the supply hole  34   b , and preferably, it has a little elasticity. If the user intends to unplug the supply hole  34   b , he/she can pull the plug head  366   b  and pick the insert  365   b  out of the supply hole  34   b . Further, if the user intends to plug the supply hole  34   b , he/she can place the insert  365   b  at the entrance of the supply hole  34   b  and then push the plug head  366   b  and the insert  365   b  into the supply hole  34   b . The other features and operations of the third embodiment of the present invention will not be further described herein since they are the same as in the first embodiment.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a powder container and a container coupling member of a toilet article according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, a powder container  30   c  in the form of an elliptical cylinder is provided at an upper surface with a cylindrical mouth  300   c . The powder container  30   c  is open to the outside through the mouth  300   c . A male thread  301   c  is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the mouth  300   c . A container coupling member  80   c  in the form of an elliptical cylinder is provided with a circular coupling hole  811   c  which penetrates through a central portion thereof. A female thread  812   c , which is engaged with the male thread  301   c  formed on the mouth  300   c  of the container  30   c , is formed on a surface of the coupling hole  811   c  of the container coupling member  80   c . The other features and operations of the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be not be further described herein since they are the same as in the first embodiment. The user can easily open and close the mouth  300   c  of the powder container  30   c  by turning the container coupling member  80   c , and refill the powder into the container through the mouth  300   c.    
         [0046]    In the aforementioned embodiments of the present invention, it has been described that not only the cover and main body but also various kinds of members coupled therein with one another are elliptical in shape. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. If the respective members are able to perform their own functions in a proper fashion, any kind of shape such as a circle or polygon can be employed in the present invention. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the foregoing is included within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0047]    Further, although the present invention has been described in connection with a toilet article in the preferred embodiments, it is not limited only to the toilet article. For example, it can be easily understood from the above detailed description of the invention that the present invention may be used as an applicator of powdered medicine. It will be also understood by a person skilled in the art that the use thereof is included within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0048]    According to the present invention, since the powder and the cosmetic sponge are integrally provided in the applicator of the present invention, the powder container and additional brush or sponge used to apply the powder to the skin need not be prepared. Further, the applicator of the present invention is sanitary in that the powder is hardly blown and scattered when the makeup is performed (powder is put on the skin) or the cover is opened and closed. Furthermore, the applicator of the present invention can be easily manufactured and manufacturing costs thereof can be reduced, because the structure thereof is simplified.  
         [0049]    Although the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto. It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, and that the present invention is intended to include these modifications and changes.