Patent Publication Number: US-11026495-B2

Title: Cosmetics retrieval device and applicator

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to patent application Ser. No. 15/254,328, filed Sep. 1, 2016, which claims priority to patent application Ser. No. 14/918,164, filed on Oct. 20, 2015, entitled “COSMETICS RETRIEVAL DEVICE AND APPLICATOR,” and is now U.S. Pat. No. 9,439,499 issued Sep. 9, 2019, which claims priority to Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/145,610, filed on Apr. 10, 2015, entitled “COSMETICS RETRIEVAL DEVICE AND APPLICATOR,” the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This application is directed, in general, to a device and, more specifically, to a retrieval device and applicator for retrieving a remainder of product from within a container that have heretofore been unreachable or irretrievable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Cosmetic and beauty products come packaged in a variety of containers, having a variety of shapes and sizes. Certain products have an applicator such as a wand which extends into the container for retrieving the product and thereafter applying the product to the intended area, such as, for example, lips. Certain products, such as creams, come in a generally wedge-shaped tube and have a flip-top cap which enables application of the product without removing the lid. Others, such as lip gloss, come generally in a cylindrical container wherein the applicator is a wand attached beneath the cap such that removing and replacing the cap likewise removes and replaces the applicator. 
     Certain applicators do not always enable removal and retrieval of all of the product within, rendering a certain portion of the product inside generally unusable and often disposed. Cosmetic and beauty products can be very expensive or difficult to obtain and consumers generally would like to know they are receiving a good value for what they have paid for the product. What is needed is a tool that enables retrieval and removal of all product contents within the container such that a consumer is able to more completely access and use the contents of a cosmetic or beauty product such that the consumer receives a better value and product is not wasted. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a product retrieval device and applicator which has a deployable tip that can more effectively and completely retrieve product from within a container, including previously inaccessible areas including the bottom, sides, and the top. 
     In one aspect, there is provided a device for retrieving and applying product from within a container. The device comprises a flexible shaft having a proximal and distal end; a rod having a proximal and distal end, the rod positioned within the flexible shaft; and a tip coupled to the distal end of the rod by a living hinge. Pressure applied between the proximal and distal end of the flexible shaft bends the living hinge which rotates the tip from a first position to a second position. 
     In another aspect, there is provided a system, the system comprising a container configured for containing a product therein and a device for retrieving and applying product from within the container. The device, in one embodiment, comprises a flexible shaft having a proximal and distal end; a rod having a proximal and distal end, the rod positioned within the flexible shaft; and a tip coupled to the distal end of the rod by a living hinge. Pressure applied between the proximal and distal end of the flexible shaft bends the living hinge which rotates the tip from a first position to a second position. 
     In yet another aspect, there is provided a device for retrieving and applying product from within a container. In one embodiment the device comprises a cap; a flexible shaft having a proximal and distal end, the flexible shaft coupled with the cap at the proximal end; a rod having a proximal and distal end, the rod positioned within the flexible shaft; and a tip coupled to the distal end of the rod by a living hinge. Pressure applied between the proximal and distal end of the flexible shaft bends the living hinge, which rotates the tip from a first position to a second position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       Reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4A  is a side view of another embodiment of a product retrieval device according to the present disclosure, shown in a first position; 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the device shown in  4 A shown in a second position; 
         FIG. 4C  is a detailed view of a tip component of the device shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4D  is a sectional view of the device shown in  4 A; 
         FIG. 4E  is a detailed sectional view of a proximal end of the device shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 4F  is a detailed sectional view of a distal end of the device shown in  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A  is a side view of another embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5B  is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A  in a first position; 
         FIG. 5C  is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5A  in a second position; 
         FIG. 6A  is a side view of yet another embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6B  is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A  in a first position; 
         FIG. 6C  is a sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A  in a second position; 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of another embodiment of a device according to the present disclosure, shown in a first position; and 
         FIG. 7B  is a side view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7A  shown in a second position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Cosmetic and beauty products come in a variety of containers with a variety of dispensers, caps, applicators, and the like. Lip gloss, for example, is generally packaged in a cylindrical container having a wand secured beneath a cap. The wand extends into the container and works to retrieve the gloss and thereafter apply the gloss to a user&#39;s lips. While the wand provides for retrieving and applying the gloss, the wand is not effective for retrieving all of the gloss from the container, most noticeably in the bottom of the container, along the sides thereof, and near the top of the container. For example, in order for the wand to fit inside the container when the top is closed completely, the wand may not reach the bottom of the container once the top is unscrewed upwards. Also, while the wand may sometimes be manipulated around the inside the container, the texture and density of the lip gloss generally prevents complete retrieval of the gloss from the sides of the container. The user generally must purchase a new lip gloss and throw away a used lip gloss having a significant amount of product left (about 20 percent or more) remaining because the remaining product is irretrievable by the wand. 
     Other cosmetic and beauty products have a similar problem in that pumps, applicators, and wands are generally ineffective at retrieving all of the product from within, including other products in cylinders similar to gloss, and products in tubes such as creams and the like. As a result, most product containers are disposed having about 20 percent or more of product inside, which while still good and useable, cannot be retrieved and therefore ultimately wasted and unused. Some attempts to better retrieve product from within cosmetic containers include, for example, a wand having extra length and a flexible tip at the distal end thereof, a threaded platform positioned at the bottom of the container which rises as product is used, and a user may attempt to cut open or invert the container. However, none of the foregoing solutions provide for effective or substantial retrieval of product from at least the bottom, sides of a container, or near the top thereof, and cannot be secured with or used in place of the existing cap or top. 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of cosmetic devices and tools which provide for more substantial retrieval and use of cosmetic products from within containers. Referring to the drawings, and more specifically,  FIG. 1 , there is shown a cosmetic device  100  representing one embodiment of the present disclosure. The device  100  comprises a cap  102  having a shaft  104  attached therebelow. The shaft  104  comprises a proximal and distal end, wherein the proximal end may be coupled beneath or incorporated with the cap  102 . A moveable tip  106  may be coupled at the distal end of the shaft  104 . 
     The tip  106  may have a length equal to at least the radius or width of the cap  102 , or similarly, at least half the radius of a container into which the tip  106  may be inserted. The tip  106  may be moveable such that when the device  100  is inserted into a container, such as, e.g., a lip gloss tube, the tip  106  is at a first position, linear with the shaft  104 . Once inserted into the container, the tip  106  may be deployed into at least a second position as shown in  FIG. 1  wherein the tip  106  rotates up and outward to an angular position. In some embodiments, the angle may be at or greater than 35 degrees with respect to the shaft  104  and adjustable up to about 90 degrees such that the tip  106  may be about perpendicular with the shaft  104 . In some embodiments, the angle may exceed 90 degrees, if necessary, when, for example, the proximal end of a container may be angled. 
     The tip  106  may be coupled to shaft  104  via a plurality of fastening joints, including at least a first fastening joint  108  and a second fastening joint  110 . The first fastening joint  108  may be fixed such that the tip  106  pivots about first fastening joint  108 . Coupled with second fastening joint  110  may be a rod  112  extending along or within the shaft  104  from a deployment mechanism  114  at the proximal end of the shaft  104 . The deployment mechanism  114  may be secured beneath the cap  102  or may be incorporated as a component of the cap  102 . To deploy the tip  106  from the first position, a user engages the deployment mechanism  114  which moves the rod  112  downward and thereby moving second fastening joint  110 . As the second fastening joint  110  moves, the tip  106  pivots about the first fastening joint  108  and extends outward at an angle relative to the distal end of the shaft  104 . To return the tip  106  back to the first position, the deployment mechanism  114  is engaged again and the rod  112  returns upward, which pivots the tip  106  back into the first position. The second fastening joint  110  may couple and move along the distal end of the shaft  104  via a fastener having a moveable arm, or in some embodiments, the second fastening joint  110  may be coupled directly to the rod  112  and travel within or along a defined path along the distal end of the shaft  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism may comprise a button  116  which extends from cap  102  for engagement of the deployment mechanism. In some embodiments, the button  116  may be incorporated as part of the cap  102 , such as a flexible, depressible center, or other possible configurations known to those skilled in the art. In other embodiments, the button  116  may be threaded such as to engage a twist activated deployment mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the deployment mechanism  114  may comprise a cam activated mechanism that rotates and engages the rod  112 . In other embodiments, the deployment mechanism  114  may be twist activated, whereby the deployment mechanism  114  and button  116  are threaded such that rotating the button  116  may similarly engage and rotate the rod. In still other embodiments, the deployment mechanism may comprise a spring-loaded mechanism for engagement with and deployment of the rod  112 . A lug may be positioned between the deployment mechanism  114  and spring. In yet other embodiments, the deployment mechanism  114  may comprise a tension fit mechanism for deploying the rod  112  to various fixed positions. In embodiments having a tension fit deployment mechanism, contact with the bottom of the container by the tip  106  may engage the deployment mechanism and deploy the tip  106  outward. 
     When the tip  106  is extended at an angle relative to the distal end of the shaft  104 , the tip  106  may reach the sides of the container such that substantially more product may be retrieved and thereafter used. In some embodiments, the tip  106  may comprise a base and a replaceable head. The base of the tip  106  may be secured to the shaft  104  via a plurality of fastening joints similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . The replaceable head may fasten to the base by a snap fit, threaded fit, tension fit, or other fastening methods which enable the head to be removed and replaced with a new head. In some embodiments, the replaceable head and the base may comprise the same or similar materials, such as polymers, rubber, plastics, and other durable materials which can be easily sanitized and likewise enable application of a cosmetic product to a facial feature, such as applying lip gloss to lips. In some embodiments, the replaceable head may comprise a covering such as a sponge, rubber, or similar soft materials used in cosmetic applicators. 
     In some embodiments, while not shown, cosmetic device  100  may also comprise a housing into which device  100  may be inserted and stored while not in use in a cosmetics container. 
     The shaft  104 , tip  106 , and various other components of cosmetic device  100  may comprise plastics, polymers, such as, e.g., polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and acrylics similar to those currently used in cosmetic and beauty applicators and containers. Some components may comprise a high gloss or UV coating. The rod  112  and cap  102  may comprise similar plastics, polymers, acrylics as discussed above, and metals suitable for use with cosmetic and beauty products. The first and second fastening joints may comprise screws, rivets, and other mechanical fasteners which may be formed from plastics and polymers as discussed above, or coated metals which may be used with cosmetic and beauty products. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown another embodiment of a cosmetic device  200  according to the present disclosure. Cosmetic device  200  comprises a cap  202  which may comprise at least a top member  203 A and a bottom member  203 B. Top member  203 A may be rotatably coupled with bottom member  203 B. In some embodiments, top and bottom member  203 A and  203 B may rotate in opposing directions, while in other embodiments, top member  203 A may rotate while bottom member  203 B remains in a fixed position. A tip  206  may be coupled at a distal end of shaft  204  via at least one fastening joint  209 . A rod  212  may be secured at the proximal end of the shaft  204  to a deployment mechanism  214  and to the at least one fastening joint  209  at the distal end. In this embodiment, the deployment mechanism  214  may be twist activated such that by rotating at least the top member  203 A, a cam comprising the deployment mechanism  214  engages the rod  212  downward and thereby rotates tip  216  outward with respect to the distal end of shaft  204 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown another embodiment of a cosmetic device  300 . Cosmetic device  300  similarly comprises a cap  302  having a shaft  304  attached thereto, the shaft having a proximal and distal end. A tip  306  may be coupled with the distal end of shaft  304  via a plurality of fastening joints, comprising at least fastening joints  309 A and  309 B. Fastening joints  309 A and  309 B may be coupled with a tension rod  312  which connects with a deployment mechanism  314 . The tension rod  312  may in some embodiments comprise a cable secured within a housing of shaft  304 , and in other embodiments, the tension rod  312  may be the shaft  304 . A button  316  engages deployment mechanism  314  and rotates the plurality of fastening joints  309 A and  309 B such that tip  306  rotates outward at an angle with respect to the shaft  304 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A-4E , there are shown various views of yet another embodiment of a cosmetic device  400 . Device  400  comprises a cap  402  having a shaft  404  coupled below. The shaft  404  comprises a proximal and distal end, wherein the proximal end may be coupled to or beneath cap  402 . A moveable tip  406  may be coupled at the distal end of the shaft  404 . The tip  406  is deployable between a first position shown in  FIG. 4A  wherein the tip is linear (0 degrees) with the shaft  404  and a second position shown in  FIG. 4B  wherein the tip  406  is at a deployed position about perpendicular with the shaft (up to 90 degrees). 
     When the tip  406  is deployed to the second position as shown in  FIG. 4B , the tip  406  is able to extend outward inside the cosmetic container, such as a lip gloss tube, and retrieve the product from the entirety of the container, including the sides, the distal (bottom) end of the container, and beneath the cap  402  at the proximal (top) end of the container, which previous cosmetic tools and applicators have been unable to access and retrieve the product. The device is returned to the first position to remove the device  400  from the container. The tip  406  can then also be used to apply the retrieved cosmetics. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4C , there is shown a detailed view of tip  406 . Tip  406  comprises a first end  407 A and a second end  407 B, wherein tip  406  is coupled onto the distal end of shaft  404  on first end  407 A and second end  407 B may be contoured similar to traditional cosmetic applicator tips. In some embodiments, first end  407 A may be configured as a base with second end  407 B being removeable, and be attached by a snap fit, tension fit, over-lay, and various other ways a removeable end may be attached or coupled to a base. 
     Tip  406  may couple to a rod  412  positioned within shaft  404  via a first fastener  408  and a second fastener  410 . First fastener  408  may couple to rod  412  via a coupling  418  which fastens onto the distal end of the rod  412  via a third fastener  420 . The first fastener  408 , second fastener  410 , and third fastener  420  may all rotate to enable the tip  406  to rotate from zero-degrees, the first position shown in  FIG. 4A , to 90-degrees, a deployed position shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4C , and various positions therebetween. 
     To move the tip  406  from the first position to the second position, or various possible positions therebetween, a deployment mechanism  414  may comprise a button  416  on cap  402 , which is pressed downward to engage rod  412  downward toward the distal end of shaft  404 . As the rod  412  moves down, the first fastener and  408  and second fastener  410  rotate and coupling  418  pivots inward, causing the first end of tip  407 A to move downward as second end of tip  407 B pivots outward at an angle toward the 90-degree deployed second position. The user maintains pressure on button  416  while the device  400  is rotated and the tip  406  is rotated within the cosmetic retainer to retrieve product. When the desired amount of product has been retrieved, the user releases the button  416  such that the tip  406  rotates back into the first position so that the device  400  may be removed from the cosmetics container. A spring positioned within the cap  402  beneath the button maintains the button  416  upwards in an un-deployed. 
     In some embodiments, the button  416  may be secured in a pushed position such that the device may be moved and rotated, keeping the tip  406  deployed in the second position. The deployment mechanism  414  may comprises a spring-loaded mechanism within the cap  402  such that when the button  416  is depressed again, the spring releases and allows the button  416  to return upward to the un-pressed position, returning the tip  406  back to the first position. In other embodiments, the deployment mechanism  414  may comprise a tension fit mechanism within the cap  402  for holding the button  416  in a depressed position. Likewise, other locking methods and components known to those skilled in the art may be utilized. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4C-4F , there are shown sectional views of device  400 . The deployment mechanism  414  comprises the rod  412  extending from beneath the cap  402  down to at least the distal end of the shaft  404 , and button  416  is pushed down into the cap  402 . The rod  412  comprises a plurality of bars  420 . A first bar  420 A extends the entirety of shaft  404 . The first bar  420 A is secured within the cap  402  and encloses a second bar  420 B. Second bar  420 B extends up into the cap  402 , mating at one end beneath button  416  of the cap  402  and attaching at an opposing end with the tip  406  via first fastener  408 . As button  416  is pushed down, first bar  420 A is engaged pushed downward toward the distal end of the shaft  404 . Attached to the first bar  420 A near the distal end of shaft  404  is a third bar  420 C which may remain stationary as second bar  420 B moves downward. Coupling  418  is rotatably attached to the third bar  420 C via a third fastener  422  which enables tip  406  to pivot outward as the second bar  420 B is pushed downward. 
     The cap  402  may comprise multiple components, including the button  416  and grip tabs  424 , which provide stability and facilitate gripping the cap  402  as the button  416  is pressed downward and also facilitate easier gripping as the button is pressed again to disengage the rod  412  and return the tip  406  back to the first position. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5A-5C  there is shown another embodiment of a cosmetics device  500 . Device  500  may comprise similar components as device  400 , including cap  502 , shaft  504  and moveable tip  506 . Device  500  may comprise a deployment mechanism  514  which comprises a button  516  of cap  502  and the shaft  504  comprising a plurality of bars  520 A,  520 B, and  520 C. First bar  520 A extends up into the cap  502  and engages button  516  at one end and at the distal end of shaft  504  with tip  506 . Second bar  520 B couples with stationary bar  520 C positioned with the cap  502  at one end and on the other end with tip  506 . As the button  516  is pressed downward, the first bar  520 A is pushed downward causing tip  506  to pivot outwardly at an angle towards a second deployed position as shown in  FIG. 5C . To return the tip  506  to the first position, the button  516  is depressed again releasing the first bar  520 A such that tip  506  rotates back into the first position shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5C , the second position may be such that the tip  506  extends at about a 90-degree angle with respect to shaft  504 . However, in certain embodiments, the angle may be between about 35 degrees to greater than 90-degrees, such as, for example, about 135 degrees. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6A-6C , there is shown another embodiment of a cosmetic device  600 , having a deployment mechanism having a rotating bar or hinge. Device  600  comprises a cap  602  having two portions, a top portion  624 A and a bottom portion  624 B, which rotate in opposing directions with respect to each other. A rotating bar  626  is positioned within shaft  604 , coupled within the cap  602  at one end and coupled with tip  606  at the other end. The tip  606  and distal end of shaft  604  are shaped angularly such that tip  606  can rotate from a first position as shown in  FIG. 6B  to a second, deployed position as shown in  FIG. 6C . The tip  606  is secured onto the rotating bar  626  such that as top portion  624 A is turned, the rotating bar  626  rotates tip  606  angularly outward towards the second position. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , there is shown yet another embodiment of a cosmetics device  700 . Device  700  comprises a cap  702 ; a flexible shaft  704  having a deformable rod  712  coupled with a living hinge  714  housed incorporated therein, and a moveable tip  706  at the distal end of the deformable rod  712 . The tip  706  is coupled onto the flexible shaft  704  via the hinge  714  such that as the flexible shaft  704  is squeezed, the deformable rod  712  deforms and the hinge  714  engages and moves the tip  706  outward into a second, deployed position as shown in  FIG. 7B . In one embodiment. Device  700  may be fabricated as one flexible instrument, or in another embodiment, the tip may be coupled onto the distal end of the flexible shaft  704  at hinge  714 . 
     While the embodiments shown in  FIG. 1-7  relate generally to containers having a cylindrical shape wherein the device may be used in place of the wand and cap provided with the purchased product, other embodiments may comprise a device wherein features including, but not limited to, the tip and cap may be designed to accommodate tube style packaging (such as used commonly for hand creams and moisturizing products) and various other packaging shapes and styles. 
     In some embodiments, the tip may be replaced in whole, have a replaceable covering fitted over the tip, or the second end of tip, such as second end of tip  407 B, may be replaceable for washing and/or disposable. Likewise, various sizes and shapes of tip  406  and second end of tip  407 B may be used to accommodate various types of cosmetic products. For example, a device used for lip gloss may use a tip having a rounded, contoured tip as shown in the embodiment described herein, while a device intended for use for eye lashes and brow products, such as mascara and brow gels, may comprise a brush, for example. 
     In some embodiments, the device may comprise threads beneath the cap such that the device may be used in place of the cap and/or wand which may be initially provided with a cosmetics product; for example, a lip gloss, which includes an applicator wand attached beneath the cap used to seal the lip gloss container. The device described herein may replace the initially provided cap and wand. Similarly, the device may further include a protective sleeve or container for housing the device when not in use and helping protect and keep the device clean and sanitary. In some embodiments, the device may have a length that is longer than the container such that the device, when inserted into the container, can extend the entire length of the container for easier access to the product at the bottom of the container. In system embodiments where the device may replace a traditional wand applicator, the tip may be inserted into the container in a deployed position such that when the cap is unscrewed, the tip may pivot down to a position linear with the shaft to better reach product contained in the bottom of the container. 
     The disclosure provides in one aspect a device for retrieving and thereafter applying product from within a container, the device comprising a shaft having a proximal and distal end; a cap positioned at the proximal end of the shaft; a tip coupled at the distal end of the shaft; and a deployment mechanism near the proximal end of the shaft having a rod extending therefrom, the rod coupled with the tip near the distal end of the shaft. The tip may be fastened to the distal end of the shaft by at least a first fastening joint and a second fastening joint, wherein the first fastening joint is fixed and the second fastening joint is coupled with the rod and moveable such that as the deployment mechanism engages the rod, the tip rotates the outward at an angle relative to the shaft. 
     In another aspect, an embodiment of a device may comprise a shaft having a proximal and distal end; a cap positioned at the proximal end of the shaft, the cap comprising at least a top member and a bottom member, wherein the top and bottom members rotate in opposing directions; a tip coupled at the distal end of the shaft; and a deployment mechanism near the proximal end of the shaft having a rod extending therefrom, the rod coupled with the tip near the distal end of the shaft. The tip may be fastened to the distal end of the shaft by one or more fastening joints, wherein as the deployment mechanism engages the rod, the one or more fastening joints rotate such that the tip rotates outward at an angle with respect to the shaft. 
     In some embodiments the deployment mechanism may be twist activated. In other embodiments, the deployment mechanism may comprise a revolving cam. In other embodiments, the deployment mechanism may comprise a spring and further comprise a button extending from the cap. 
     While the embodiments of the device disclosed herein have been described in conjunction with retrieval and application of cosmetic and beauty products, the embodiments shown and described herein may be equally useful with various other products provided in containers. For example, the device may be used for the retrieval of various products within containers such as, but not limited to, glue, creams, sauces, and various other products provided in containers have limited or no application and retrieval devices. 
     Those skilled in the art to which this application relates will appreciate that other and further additions, deletions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the described embodiments.