Patent Publication Number: US-9427072-B2

Title: Split-tip applicator

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Different-sized brushes may be used when applying cosmetic or medicinal products. For example, an individual may select a larger-sized brush to apply foundation to the individual&#39;s face to enable the individual to apply the foundation to a relatively large area in a short amount of time. As another example, the individual may select a smaller-sized brush to apply blush or eye shadow to enable the individual to precisely apply the blush to a relatively small area. However, carrying multiple brushes may be inconvenient, particularly when traveling, due to the amount of space taken up by the multiple brushes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a first illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a second illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a third illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator. 
         FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an illustrative process for using the split-tip applicator of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an illustrative process for using the split-tip applicator of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  depicts a fourth illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a fifth illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     This application describes a split-tip applicator that has multiple applicators, including at least a first applicator and a second applicator. As used herein, the term “applicator” may be used to refer a brush, a sponge, flocking, a comb, another type of similar or equivalent applicator, or any combination thereof. A sponge may be comprised of an elastic porous mass of interlacing fibers that when wetted is able to absorb liquids. The applicator may be made of natural or synthetic (e.g., rubber, plastic, silicone, and the like) materials. 
     In some embodiments, the split-tip applicator may include multiple sections and a pivot mechanism that enables a first section to be rotated using the pivot mechanism relative to a second section of the split-tip applicator. For example, in a first position, the first section and the second section may be positioned adjacent to one another to form a continuous applicator perimeter that is longer than each of the individual applicators (e.g., the first applicator and the second applicator). The first position may enable a user to use both applicators as if they were a single large applicator to apply a product to a large area in a relatively short amount of time. For example, a user may use the first position of the split-tip applicator to apply foundation using both the first applicator and the second applicator. In a second position, the first section may be rotated (e.g., approximately 180 degrees) using the pivot mechanism to place the first applicator at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator relative to the second applicator. In some embodiments, the first applicator may have a different size, shape, and/or composition relative to the second applicator. For example, the first applicator and the second applicator may have a split of approximately 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60, 50:50 etc. To illustrate, for 20:80, the first applicator may comprise approximately 20% of the combined perimeter of the two applicators while the second applicator may comprise approximately 80% of the combined perimeter of the two applicators. When the split-tip applicator is in the second position, the user may use the first applicator to apply a second product and use the second applicator to apply a third product. The first product, the second product, and the third product may be the same product or different products. For example, if the first applicator is larger in size than the second applicator, the user may apply blush to their cheeks using the first applicator and apply eye shadow to their eyes using the second applicator. As another example, a user may apply the same product while using the different configurations of the split-tip applicator to provide different amounts of control (e.g., a larger applicator may be used to broadly apply a product to a surface while a smaller applicator may be used to touch-up the surface using the same product). Thus, a single split-applicator with two different sized applicators may be used to replace three different sized applicators (e.g., a large applicator composed of both the first and second applicator, a medium applicator composed of the first applicator, and a small applicator composed of the second applicator). 
     In some embodiments, rotating (e.g., approximately 180 degrees) either the first section or the second section about the pivot mechanism may cause both the first applicator and the second applicator to retract into a handle (e.g., housing) of the split-tip applicator. In addition, some embodiments may include a locking mechanism that temporarily locks the pivot mechanism to prevent the sections of the split-tip applicator from inadvertently moving (e.g., rotating). For example, the locking mechanism may include a magnet embedded in one section and a magnetically attractive material embedded in another section of the split-tip applicator. As another example, the locking mechanism may include a protrusion in one section and a corresponding indent in another section of the split-tip applicator. As yet another example, the locking mechanism may include a slide mechanism that can be placed in a locked position or an unlocked position based on a position of the locking mechanism. 
     In some other embodiments, the split-tip applicator may include multiple slide mechanisms attached via multiple linkages to multiple applicators. The slide mechanisms may enable each of the applicators to be placed in multiple positions. For example, initially, the slide mechanisms may be in a position when all the applicators are retracted into a handle (e.g., housing) of the split-tip applicator. Moving a first slide mechanism in a first direction (e.g., forward) may cause a corresponding first applicator to move in the first direction, resulting in the first applicator moving out of the handle, thereby enabling the first applicator to be used to apply a first product to a surface. Moving a second slide mechanism in the first direction (e.g., forward) may cause a corresponding second applicator to move in the first direction, resulting in the second applicator moving out of the handle of the split-tip applicator, thereby placing the second applicator adjacent to the first applicator to form a continuous applicator perimeter that is longer than each of the individual applicators. When the first applicator is placed adjacent to the second applicator, the applicators may be used together as if they were a single large applicator to apply a second product to a surface. Moving either the first or second slide mechanism in a second direction (e.g., backward) may cause the corresponding applicator to retract into the handle. Moving the first slide mechanism further in the second direction (e.g., backward) may cause the corresponding applicator to move in the second direction, resulting in the corresponding applicator moving out of the handle, such that a third applicator is positioned at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator. Moving the second slide mechanism further in the second direction (e.g., backward) may cause the corresponding applicator to move in the second direction, resulting in the corresponding applicator moving out of the handle, such that a fourth applicator is positioned at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator. In some embodiments, one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth applicators may have a different size, shape, and/or composition relative to the other applicators. For example, sliding both slide mechanisms forward may result in two brushes coming out of the front of the handle while sliding both slide mechanisms backward may result in two sponge applicators coming out of the back of the handle. Thus, a single split-applicator with two different sized applicators may be used to replace up to six different sized applicators (e.g., a first-sized applicator composed of both the first and second applicator, a second-sized applicator composed of both the third and fourth applicator, a third-sized applicator composed of the third applicator, a fourth-sized applicator composed of the fourth applicator, a fifth-sized applicator composed of the first applicator, and a sixth-sized applicator composed of the second applicator). 
     The slide-mechanism described herein may be actuated by any suitable actuation mechanism, such as, for example, a gripable portion (e.g., a rectangular bar, a disk-shaped knob or nodule, or the like) slideably disposed on an exterior surface of the split-tip applicator, a magnetic knob slideably disposed on the exterior surface of the split-tip applicator, a dial disposed on the exterior surface of the split-tip applicator, a push-button disposed on an exterior surface of the split-tip applicator, or the like. In embodiments that employ a brush applicator, various embodiments of the brush are also contemplated. For example, the brush may comprise a group of hairs that are natural (e.g., animal), synthetic (e.g., plastic or rubber), or the like. Further, the brush may comprise a single unit of bristles over-molded to a base of the brush and be formed of plastic. For example, the brush may comprise a single unit of shaft-shaped bristles over-molded to the base of the brush, a single unit of blade-shaped bristles over-molded to the base of the brush, or the like. 
     Split-Tip Applicator with Pivot Mechanism 
       FIG. 1  depicts a first illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator  100 . The split-tip applicator  100  includes a handle  102  (e.g., a housing), a first section  104 , a second section  106 , and a pivot mechanism  108 . The handle  102  may be formed using one or more of metal, plastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or Polyoxymethylene (POM)), glass, wood, or other suitable material. 
     A first applicator  110  may be affixed to the first section  104  and a second applicator  112  may be affixed to the second section  106 . Each of the first applicator  110  or the second applicator  112  may include one or more of a brush, a sponge, flocking, a comb, or another type of applicator. In some cases, the first applicator  110  may be a same size and/or shape as compared to the second applicator  112 . In other cases, the first applicator  110  may be a different size and/or shape as compared to the second applicator  112 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the first applicator  110  may be smaller than the second applicator  112 . 
     In some embodiments, a cap  114  may be temporarily mated (e.g., attached) to the housing  102  to protect the applicators  110  and  112  when the applicators  110  and  112  are not in use, to prevent debris from contacting the applicators  110  and  112 , or to prevent products on the applicators  110  and  112  from leaking on to surrounding articles. For example, the cap  114  may be placed over the applicators  110  and  112  to temporarily mate the cap  114  to the handle  102 . The cap  114  may temporarily mate with the handle  102  to prevent the cap from inadvertently being removed. For example, the cap  114  may snap in place with the handle  102 . As another example, the cap  114  and the handle  102  may have threads that enable the cap  114  to be screwed on to and unscrewed from the handle  102 . Of course, other types of mechanisms may be used to temporarily mate the cap  114  to the handle  102 . In some embodiments, the cap  114  may temporarily mate with one end of the handle  102  while a second cap may mate with an opposite end of the handle  102 . When attached to the handle  102 , the cap  114  may prevent the first and second applicators  110  and  112  from rotating relative to each other. 
     The pivot mechanism  108  may attach the first section  104  to the second section  106  while enabling the first section  104  to rotate relative to the second section  106 . For example, the user may rotate the first section  104  relative to the second section  106  between (1) a first position in which the first applicator  110  is aligned with (e.g., adjacent to) the second applicator  112  and (2) a second position in which the first applicator  110  is at an opposite end of the handle  102  relative to the second applicator  112 . 
     In the first position, the first applicator  110  may be placed adjacent to the second applicator  112  to define a continuous applicator perimeter that is longer than a perimeter of either the first applicator  110  or the second applicator  112 . For example, placing the first applicator  110  adjacent to the second applicator  112  may enable the user to use the applicators  110  and  112  as if they were a large brush (e.g., with a perimeter that is the combined perimeter of the applicators  110  and  112 ). The first position may enable the user to apply a product (e.g., foundation) to a large area of a surface (e.g., the user&#39;s face) due to the relatively large perimeter formed by the adjacent applicators  110  and  112 . 
     In the second position, the first applicator  110  may be placed at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator  100  relative to the second applicator  112 . For example, one of the applicators  110  or  112  may be rotated approximately 180 degrees to place the first applicator  110  at one end of the split-tip applicator  100  while the second applicator  112  is at another (e.g., opposite) end of the split-tip applicator  100 . The second position may provide two separate applicators located at opposite ends of the split-tip applicator  100  to enable the user to apply two different products. For example, the user may use the first applicator  110  to apply a second product (e.g., blush) while using the second applicator  112  to apply a third product (e.g., eye shadow). As another example, if the first applicator  110  is larger than the second applicator  112 , the first applicator  110  may be used to apply the second product to a relatively large area while the second applicator  112  may be used to apply the second product with finer control to a relatively small area. In this example, the second applicator  112  may be used to provide finer control compared to the first applicator  110 , such as to touch up smaller portions of the surface. 
     In some implementations, the applicators  110  or  112  may have a same size, shape, and/or composition (e.g., a brush having multiple bristles, a sponge, a comb, flocking, and the like) while in other implementations, the applicators  110  or  112  may have a different size, shape, and/or composition. For example, the first applicator  110  may have a size, shape, and/or composition similar to a first type of specialized applicator (e.g., blush brush) while the second applicator  112  may have a size, shape, and/or composition similar to a second type of specialized applicator (e.g., eye shadow). To illustrate, the first applicator  110  may be smaller in size relative to the second applicator  112  (or vice-versa). As another example, when both the applicators  110  and  112  include bristles, the applicators  110  and  112  may have a same or a different number of bristles, sizes of bristles, shapes of bristles shapes of holders for the bristles, and the like. 
     Thus, the pivot mechanism  108  may enable the user to configure the split-tip applicator in two different positions (e.g., the first position and the second position). If the first applicator  110  has a different size relative to the second applicator  112 , the two different positions may enable the user to derive three different sized applicators from the split-tip applicator  100 , such as a large applicator (e.g., when the applicators  110  and  112  are adjacent to each other), a medium applicator (e.g., the second applicator  112 ), and a small applicator (e.g., the first applicator  110 ). For example, in the first position, in which the first applicator  110  is adjacent to the second applicator  112 , the split-tip applicator  100  may be used as a large sized applicator due to the combined perimeters of the applicators  110  and  112 . In the second position, in which the applicators  110  and  112  are at opposite ends of the split-tip applicator  100 , one of the applicators  110  and  112  may be used as a medium sized applicator while the other of the applicators  110  and  112  may be used as a small sized applicator. The applicators  110  and  112  may have different shapes. For example, each of the applicators  110  or  112  may include a fan-shape, a rectangular-shape, a semi-circular shape, a wedge-shape, another type of geometric shape, or any combination thereof. If either or both of the applicators  110  or  112  include brushes, in some cases at least one of the brushes may include a few individual larger bristles than the other bristles in the brush. 
     The split-tip applicator  100  may be used to apply different products to one or more surfaces. For example, the split-tip applicator  100  may be used to apply different cosmetic products, such as blush, foundation, mascara, eye shadow, etc., to a surface, such as a skin of a human being. The split-tip applicator  100  may, in some cases, include a locking mechanism, as described in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, in some cases, the split-tip applicator  100  may be placed in a full-retracted position, in which the applicators  110  and  112  are fully retracted into the handle  102 , as described in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  depicts a second illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator  200 . The split-tip applicator  200  illustrates how a locking mechanism  202  may be used to prevent the first section  104  from inadvertently rotating (e.g., pivoting) relative to the second section  106 . In addition, the split-tip applicator  200  illustrates how rotating one of the sections  104  or  106  may place the applicators  110  and  112  in a retracted position in the handle  102 . 
     The retracted position may be achieved through various combinations of movements (e.g., rotations) of the first section  104  or the second section  106  in different directions (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise). For example, initially, the split-tip applicator  200  may be in the first position, in which the first applicator  110  is adjacent to the second applicator  112 . Rotating the first section  104  approximately 180 degrees in a first direction, relative to the second section  106 , may place the split-tip applicator  200  in the second position, in which the applicators  110  and  112  are at opposite ends of the split-tip applicator  200 . Rotating the first section  104  an additional approximately 180 degrees in the first direction, relative to the second section  106 , may place the split-tip applicator  200  in the retracted position, in which the applicators  110  and  112  are retracted into the handle  102 . Rotating the second section  106  an additional approximately 180 degrees in the first direction, relative to the first section  104 , may place the split-tip applicator  200  in the first position. 
     As another example, initially, the split-tip applicator  200  may be in the first position. Rotating the first section  104  approximately 180 degrees in a first direction (e.g., clockwise) relative to the second section  106  may place the split-tip applicator  200  in the second position. Rotating the first section  104  approximately 180 degrees in an opposite direction (e.g., counter-clockwise) relative to the second section  106  may place the split-tip applicator  200  in the retracted position. Rotating the first section  104  an additional approximately 180 degrees in the first direction relative to the second section  106  may place the split-tip applicator  200  in the first position. Of course, other combinations in which the sections  104  or  106  are rotated relative to each other in different directions (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) to place the split-tip applicator in the first position, the second position, or the retracted position are possible. The mechanism to retract the applicators  110  and  112  may be accomplished using various mechanisms, such as one or more gears and/or linkages (e.g., rack and pinion etc.). 
     The locking mechanism  202  may prevent the first section  104  from inadvertently moving relative to the second section  106  or prevent the second section  106  from inadvertently moving relative to the first section  104 . The locking mechanism  202  may provide at least two states for the split-tip applicator  200 , e.g., a locked state and an unlocked state. For example, in the locked state, the user may rotate either of the sections  104  or  106  in response to exerting a small amount of force, e.g., an amount of force sufficient to identify a deliberate action. In the unlocked state, the user may rotate either of the sections  104  or  106  using very little force. 
     The locking mechanism  202  may be implemented using one of several different techniques. For example, the locking mechanism  202  may use a mechanical mechanism, such as a slider, that has a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locking mechanism  202  may prevent the section  104  from rotating relative to the section  106  and the section  106  from rotating relative to the section  104 . In the unlocked position, the section  104  may rotate relative to the section  106  or the section  106  may rotate relative to the section  104 . 
     As another example, the locking mechanism  202  may use a magnet (or other type of magnetized material) along with a magnetically attractive material. For example, the magnet may be embedded into one of the sections  104  or  106  and the magnetically attractive material (e.g., a metal that is attracted to a magnet or a second magnet) may be embedded into the other of the sections  104  or  106 . The magnet and the magnetically attractive material may be embedded in particular positions in the sections  104  or  106  such that the magnet and the magnetically attractive material have a close proximity to each other in the first position (e.g., where the applicators  110  and  112  are adjacent to each other), the second position (e.g., whether the applicators  110  and  112  are at opposite ends of the split-tip applicator  200 ), and in the retracted position (e.g., where the applicators  110  and  112  are retracted into the handle  102 ). 
     As yet another example, the locking mechanism  202  may use a protrusion in an inner surface of one of the sections  104  or  106  along with a corresponding indentation in an inner surface of the other of the sections  104  or  106 . The protrusion and the indentation may be positioned in the sections  104  or  106  such that the protrusion in one section fits into the indentation of the other section in the first position, the second position, and the retracted position. Of course, the locking mechanism  202  may be implemented using other techniques in addition to those described herein. 
     Thus, in this example, moving the sections  104  and  106  in different directions relative to one another may place the split-tip applicator in one of three positions. In the first position, the first applicator  110  may be placed approximately adjacent to the second applicator  112 . In the second position, the applicator  110  may be located at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator  200  relative to the applicator  112 . In the third position, both the applicators  110  and  112  may be retracted into the handle (e.g., housing). The cap  114  may be mated to the handle  102  in one or more of the first position, the second position, or the third position. 
     While  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a split-tip applicator with two sections and two corresponding applicators, other embodiments of the split-tip applicator may include more than two sections and more than two corresponding applicators. For example, split-tip applicators with three or more sections may be joined using the pivot mechanism  108 , with each section capable of being rotated relative to the other sections. 
     Split-Tip Applicator with Slider Mechanisms 
       FIG. 3  depicts a third illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator  300 . The split-tip applicator  300  illustrates using slider mechanisms (e.g., rather than rotating sections) to place the applicators in various positions. For example, the positions of the split-tip applicator  300 , based on the positions of two slider mechanisms, may include one or more of (retracted, retracted), (forward, retracted), (backward, retracted), (retracted, forward), (retracted, backward), (forward, backward), (backward, forward), (forward, forward), and (backward, backward). 
     The split-tip applicator  300  may include a shell  302  with two ends, referred to in  FIG. 3  as a front  304  and a back  306  of the shell  302 . A first slider (e.g., slider mechanism)  308  and a second slider  310  may be disposed on the shell  302 . Sliding one or both of the sliders  308  and  310  towards the front  304  may be referred to as sliding forward. Sliding one or both of the sliders  308  and  310  towards the back  306  may be referred to as sliding backward. 
     When the split-tip applicator  300  is in the (retracted, retracted) position, each of the sliders  308  and  310  may be in a retracted (e.g., middle) position in which both the applicators  110  and  112  are retracted into the shell  302 . From the retracted position, the split-tip applicator  300  may be placed in various positions. 
     From the retracted position (e.g., in which both applicators  110  and  112  are retracted), sliding the second slider  310  forward may cause the second applicator  112  to move forward (e.g., towards the front  304 ) and out of the shell  302 , placing the split-tip applicator  300  in the (retracted, forward) position. The (retracted, forward) position may enable the second applicator  112  to be used to apply a product to a surface. From the (retracted, forward) position, sliding the first slider  308  forward may cause the first applicator  110  to move forward (e.g., towards the front  304 ) and out of the shell  302 , thereby placing the first applicator  110  adjacent to the second applicator  112 , e.g., placing the split-tip applicator  300  in the (forward, forward) position. The applicators  110  and  112  may together define a continuous perimeter that is longer than the individual applicators  110  or  112 . 
     From the retracted position, sliding the first slider  308  backward may cause a third applicator  312  to move backward (e.g., towards the back  306 ) and out of the shell  302 , thereby placing the split-tip applicator  300  in the (backward, retracted) position. The (backward, retracted) position may enable the third applicator  312  to be used to apply a product to a surface. From the (backward, retracted) position, sliding the second slider  310  backward may cause a fourth applicator  314  to move backward (e.g., towards the back  306 ) and out of the shell  302 , thereby placing the fourth applicator  314  adjacent to the third applicator  312  and placing the split-tip applicator  300  in the (backward, backward) position. The applicators  312  and  314  may together define a continuous perimeter that is longer than the individual applicators  312  or  314 . 
     From the retracted position (e.g., in which both applicators  110  and  112  are retracted), sliding the first slider  308  forward may cause the first applicator  110  to move forward, placing the split-tip applicator  300  in the (forward, retracted) position. From the (forward, retracted) position, sliding the second slider  310  backward may cause the fourth applicator  314  to move backward, thereby placing the fourth applicator  314  at an opposite end of the shell  302  relative to the first applicator  110 , e.g., placing the split-tip applicator  300  in the (forward, backward) position. In the (forward, backward) position, the first applicator  110  may be used to apply a first product while the fourth applicator  314  may be used to apply a second product. 
     From the retracted position (e.g., in which both applicators  110  and  112  are retracted), sliding the first slider  308  backward may cause the third applicator  312  to move backward, and sliding the second slider  310  forward may cause the second applicator  112  to move forward, thereby placing the second applicator  112  at an opposite end of the shell  302  relative to the third applicator  312 , e.g., placing the split-tip applicator  300  in the (backward, forward) position. In the (backward, forward) position, the second applicator  112  may be used to apply a first product while the third applicator  312  may be used to apply a second product. 
     From the retracted position (e.g., in which both applicators  110  and  112  are retracted), sliding the second slider  310  backward may cause the fourth applicator  314  to move backward (e.g., towards the back  306 ) and out of the shell  302 , placing the split-tip applicator  300  in the (retracted, backward) position. The (retracted, backward) position may enable the fourth applicator  314  to be used to apply a product to a surface. 
     The sliders  308  and  310  may be implemented in several different ways. For example, multiple actuators may be disposed on an exterior surface of the shell  302  for selectively sliding one or more of the sliders  308  or  310  housed in the shell  302  to move one or more of the applicators  110 ,  112 ,  312 ,  314  in and out of the shell  302 . In some embodiments, multiple linkages may be received by multiple slots disposed in the exterior surface of the shell  302 . Each of the multiple linkages may be fixed to a bottom of a corresponding actuator and to a top of the corresponding slide-mechanism (e.g., the sliders  308  and  310 ) of the multiple slide-mechanisms. 
     In some cases, the sliders  308  and  310  may also incorporate a type of locking mechanism to temporarily lock one or more of the applicators  110 ,  112 ,  312 ,  314  in the forward, retracted, or backward position. The locking mechanism may prevent the sliders (and corresponding applicators) from inadvertently moving from a current position of the sliders. 
     Thus, the split-tip applicator  300  may use slider mechanisms, such as the sliders  308  and  310 , to enable each of the multiple applicators, such as the applicators  110  and  112 , to be extended forward and out the front of the shell  302  or extended backward and out the rear of the shell  302 . Using the sliders  308  and  310 , the user may place the applicators  110  and  112  in various positions, including the first position (e.g., both applicators  110  and  112  extended out of the front  304  or the back  306  of the shell  302 ), the second position (e.g., one of the applicators  110  or  112  extended out of an opposite end relative to the other applicator), the retracted position (e.g., both applicators  110  and  112  retracted), and the single applicator position (e.g., one of the applicators  110  or  112  extended either forward or backward while the other applicator is retracted into the shell  302 ). The various positions may enable the split-tip applicator  300  to replace up to six applicators, such as a first-sized applicator (e.g., when sliders  308  and  310  have been slid forward), a second-sized applicator (e.g., when sliders  308  and  310  have been slid backward), a third-sized applicator (e.g., when slider  308  has been slid forward), a fourth-sized applicator (e.g., when slider  310  has been slid forward), a fifth-sized applicator (e.g., when slider  308  has been slid backward), a sixth-sized applicator (e.g., when slider  310  has been slid backward). This may enable a user to apply up to six products to one or more surfaces using just the split-tip applicator  300 . 
     While  FIG. 3  illustrates a split-tip applicator with two slide mechanisms and four corresponding applicators, other embodiments of the split-tip applicator may include more than two slide mechanisms and more than four corresponding applicators. For example, split-tip applicators with three or more slide mechanisms may have six or more corresponding applicators, with each slide mechanism capable of moving a corresponding applicator to an extended forward, a retracted (e.g., middle) position, or an extended backward position. 
     Exemplary Methods of Using a Split-Tip Applicator 
       FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  are flow diagrams of example processes  400  and  500  which may, but need not necessarily, be performed using the split-tip applicator  100  of  FIG. 1 , the split-tip applicator  200  of  FIG. 2 , or the split-tip applicator  300  of  FIG. 3 . For convenience, the process  400  is described with reference to the split-tip applicator  100  of  FIG. 1  or the split-tip applicator  200  of  FIG. 2 , and the process  500  is described with reference to the split-tip applicator  300  of  FIG. 3 . However, the processes  400  and  500  are not limited to just the embodiments of  FIGS. 1-3 . For instance, a user may perform operations from the processes  400  or  500  to apply one or more products to one or more surfaces, to remove one or more products from one or more surfaces, and other operations in which applicators may be used. In some instances, the user may perform the processes  400  and  500  in a manufacturing environment, in a commercial environment (e.g., beauty salon), or in a place of residence. 
       FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of an illustrative process  400  for using the split-tip applicator of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . The process  400  may be performed using the split-tip applicators  100  or  200 . 
     At  402 , a first applicator in a first section of a split-tip applicator may be rotated to a position adjacent to a second applicator of the split-tip applicator using a pivot mechanism that attaches the first section to the second section. For example, in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 , the first applicator  110  in the first section  104  may be rotated to a position adjacent to the second applicator  112  of the split-tip applicator  100  or  200  using the pivot mechanism  108  that attaches the first section  104  to the second section  106 . In some cases, the locking mechanism  202  may be used to temporarily lock the split-tip applicator in a position where the applicators  110  and  112  are adjacent to each other to prevent either of the sections  104  or  106  from rotating relative to each other. 
     At  404 , a first product may be applied to a surface using both the first applicator and the second applicator. For example, in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 , placing the first applicator  110  adjacent to the second applicator  112  may define a continuous applicator perimeter that is longer than the individual perimeters of the applicators  110  or  112 , enabling the applicators  110  and  112  to be used to apply a product to a large area in a relatively short period of time. 
     At  406 , the first applicator may be rotated to a position that is approximately 180 degrees relative to the second applicator using the pivot mechanism. For example, in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 , the first section  104  may be rotated approximately 180 degrees relative to the second section  106  using the pivot mechanism  108  to place the first applicator  110  at an opposite end of the handle  102  relative to the second applicator  112 . If the split-tip applicator was in the locked position, the locking mechanism  202  may be placed in an unlocked position (e.g., by sliding a mechanical locking mechanism or by exerting an amount of force to overcome a magnetic attraction or by exerting an amount of force that pushes a protrusion out of an indent) before the first section  104  is rotated. After the first section  104  has been rotated approximately 180 degrees, the locking mechanism  202  may be placed in the locked position to prevent the sections  104  and  106  from inadvertently rotating. 
     At  408 , a second product may be applied to the surface using the first applicator. At  410 , a third product may be applied to the surface using the second applicator. For example, in  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 , when the first applicator  110  is at an opposite end of the handle  102  relative to the second applicator  112 , the first applicator  110  may be used to apply a second product to a surface and the second applicator  112  may be used to apply a third product to a surface. 
     At  412 , rotating the first applicator or the second applicator 180 degrees using the pivot mechanism may retract the first applicator and the second applicator. For example, in  FIG. 2 , based on a position (e.g., the first position in which the applicators are adjacent to each other or the second position in which the applicators are at opposite ends) in which the split-tip applicator  200  has been placed, rotating either the first applicator  110  or the second applicator  112  180 degrees in a particular direction (e.g., clockwise or counter-clockwise) may cause the applicators  110  and  112  to retract into the handle  102 . Before rotating one of the applicators  110  or  112 , the locking mechanism  202  may be placed in the unlocked position to enable the sections  104  or  106  to be easily rotated relative to each other. 
     Thus, a split-tip applicator may have two sections that may be rotated relative to one another about a pivot mechanism, enabling the split-tip applicator to be placed in various positions. For example, in a first position, two applicators may be placed adjacent to each other to provide a continuous applicator perimeter that is longer than the individual perimeters of each of the applicators. In a second position, a first applicator may be placed at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator relative to a second applicator. When the two applicators differ in one or more of a size, shape, or composition, the first applicator may be used to apply a first product while the second applicator may be used to apply a second product. In a retracted position, both applicators may be retracted into the housing of the split-tip applicator. In some cases, a locking mechanism may be used to lock the split-tip applicator in the first position, the second position, or the retracted position to prevent the sections (and the corresponding applicators) from rotating. The locking mechanism may be placed in an unlocked position prior to rotating the sections (and the corresponding applicators). 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram of an illustrative process  500  for using the split-tip applicator of  FIG. 3 . The process  500  may be performed using the split-tip applicators  100  or  200 . 
     At  502 , a first slide mechanism may be slid forward to move a first applicator forward and out of a shell. At  504 , a first product may be applied to a surface using the first applicator. For example, in  FIG. 3 , when the both of the sliders  308  and  310  are in the retracted position, sliding the first slider  308  forward may move the first applicator  110  forward and out of the front  304  of the shell  302 . 
     At  506 , a second slide mechanism may be slid forward to move a second applicator forward and out of a shell. For example, in  FIG. 3 , sliding the second slider  310  forward may move the second applicator  112  forward and out of the front  304  of the shell  302 , placing the second applicator  112  adjacent to the first applicator  110 . 
     At  508 , a second product may be applied to the surface using both the first applicator and the second applicator. For example, in  FIG. 3 , when the second applicator  112  adjacent to the first applicator  110 , both the applicators  110  and  112  may be used as one large applicator with a perimeter that is the sum of the individual perimeters of the applicators  110  and  112 . 
     At  510 , the first slide mechanism may be slid to a retracted position to retract the first applicator into the shell. For example, in  FIG. 3 , sliding the first slider  308  backward may retract the first applicator  110  into the shell  302 . 
     At  512 , the first slide mechanism may be slid to a backward position to move a third applicator backward and out of the shell. For example, in  FIG. 3 , sliding the first slider  308  backward may move a third applicator  312  backward and out of the back  306  of the shell  302 , placing the third applicator  312  at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator  300  relative to the first applicator  110 . 
     At  514 , a first product may be applied to the surface using the first applicator. 
     At  516 , a third product may be applied to the surface using the third applicator. For example, in  FIG. 3 , when the third applicator  112  is placed at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator  300  relative to the first applicator  110 , each of the applicators  110  and  312  may be used to apply a different product to a surface. When the third applicator  312  is placed at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator  300  relative to the first applicator  110 , the applicators  110  and  312  may provide different levels of control when applying the same product to a surface due to differences between the applicators  110  and  312  in terms of size, shape, and/or composition. To illustrate, if the third applicator  312  is larger in size compared to the first applicator  110 , the third applicator  312  may be used to broadly apply a product to a surface while the first applicator  110  may be used for “touch-up” due to the greater control and accuracy provided by the smaller sized applicator. 
     In some embodiments, the second slide mechanism may be slid to a backward position to move a fourth applicator backward and out of the shell. For example, in  FIG. 3 , sliding the second slider  312  backward may move a fourth applicator backward and out of the back  306  of the shell  302 , placing the fourth applicator  312  adjacent to the third applicator  312  at the back  306  of the shell  302 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a fourth illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator  600 . The split-tip applicator  600  includes the handle  102 , the first section  104 , the second section  106 , and the pivot mechanism  108 . The first applicator  110  may be affixed to the first section  104  using a first ferrule  602 . The second applicator  112  may be affixed to the second section  106  using a second ferrule  604 . Each of the first applicator  110  or the second applicator  112  may include one or more of a brush, a sponge, flocking, a comb, or another type of applicator. In some cases, the first applicator  110  may be a same size and/or shape as compared to the second applicator  112 . In other cases, the first applicator  110  may be a different size and/or shape as compared to the second applicator  112 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first applicator  110  and the second applicator  112  may have approximately the same size. 
     The pivot mechanism  108  may attach the first section  104  to the second section  106  while enabling the first section  104  to rotate relative to the second section  106 . For example, the user may rotate the first section  104  relative to the second section  106  between (1) a first position in which the first applicator  110  is aligned with (e.g., adjacent to) the second applicator  112  and (2) a second position in which the first applicator  110  is at an opposite end of the handle  102  relative to the second applicator  112 . 
     The pivot mechanism  108  may be used to place the first applicator adjacent to the second applicator  112  to define a continuous applicator perimeter that is longer than a perimeter of either the first applicator  110  or the second applicator  112 . For example, placing the first applicator  110  adjacent to the second applicator  112  may enable the user to use the applicators  110  and  112  as if they were a large brush (e.g., with a perimeter that is the combined perimeter of the applicators  110  and  112 ). The first position may enable the user to apply a product (e.g., foundation) to a large area of a surface (e.g., the user&#39;s face) due to the relatively large perimeter formed by the adjacent applicators  110  and  112 . 
     The first applicator  110  may be placed at an opposite end of the split-tip applicator  600  relative to the second applicator  112 . For example, one of the applicators  110  or  112  may be rotated approximately 180 degrees to place the first applicator  110  at one end of the split-tip applicator  600  while the second applicator  112  is at another (e.g., opposite) end of the split-tip applicator  600 . The second position may provide two separate applicators located at opposite ends of the split-tip applicator  600  to enable the user to apply two different products. For example, the user may use the first applicator  110  to apply a second product (e.g., blush) while using the second applicator  112  to apply a third product (e.g., eye shadow). As another example, if the first applicator  110  is larger than the second applicator  112 , the first applicator  110  may be used to apply the second product to a relatively large area while the second applicator  112  may be used to apply the second product with finer control to a relatively small area. In this example, the second applicator  112  may be used to provide finer control compared to the first applicator  110 , such as to touch up smaller portions of the surface. 
     In some implementations, the applicators  110  or  112  may have a same size, shape, and/or composition (e.g., a brush having multiple bristles, a sponge, a comb, flocking, and the like) while in other implementations, the applicators  110  or  112  may have a different size, shape, and/or composition. For example, the first applicator  110  may have a size, shape, and/or composition similar to a first type of specialized applicator (e.g., blush brush) while the second applicator  112  may have a size, shape, and/or composition similar to a second type of specialized applicator (e.g., eye shadow). To illustrate, the first applicator  110  may be smaller in size relative to the second applicator  112  (or vice-versa). As another example, when both the applicators  110  and  112  include bristles, the applicators  110  and  112  may have a same or a different number of bristles, sizes of bristles, shapes of bristles shapes of holders for the bristles, and the like. 
     Thus, the pivot mechanism  108  may enable the user to configure the split-tip applicator in two different positions (e.g., with the applicators  110  and  112  adjacent or opposite each other). If the first applicator  110  has a different size relative to the second applicator  112 , the two different positions may enable the user to derive three different sized applicators from the split-tip applicator  600 , such as a large applicator (e.g., when the applicators  110  and  112  are adjacent to each other), a medium applicator (e.g., the second applicator  112 ), and a small applicator (e.g., the first applicator  110 ). For example, in the first position, in which the first applicator  110  is adjacent to the second applicator  112 , the split-tip applicator  600  may be used as a large sized applicator due to the combined perimeters of the applicators  110  and  112 . In the second position, in which the applicators  110  and  112  are at opposite ends of the split-tip applicator  600 , one of the applicators  110  and  112  may be used as a medium sized applicator while the other of the applicators  110  and  112  may be used as a small sized applicator. The applicators  110  and  112  may have different shapes. For example, each of the applicators  110  or  112  may include a fan-shape, a rectangular-shape, a semi-circular shape, a wedge-shape, another type of geometric shape, or any combination thereof. If either or both of the applicators  110  or  112  include brushes, in some cases at least one of the brushes may include a few individual larger bristles than the other bristles in the brush. 
     The split-tip applicator  600  may be used to apply different products to one or more surfaces. For example, the split-tip applicator  600  may be used to apply different cosmetic products, such as blush, foundation, mascara, eye shadow, etc., to a surface, such as a skin of a human being. The split-tip applicator  600  may, in some cases, include a locking mechanism, as described in  FIG. 7 . Additionally, in some cases, the split-tip applicator  600  may be placed in a full-retracted position, in which the applicators  110  and  112  are fully retracted into the handle  102 , as described in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 7  depicts a fifth illustrative embodiment of a split-tip applicator  700 . The split-tip applicator  700  provides a different view (e.g., perspective) of the split-tip applicator  600  of  FIG. 6 . The split-tip applicator  700  includes the handle  102 , the first section  104 , the second section  106 , and the pivot mechanism  108 . The first applicator  110  may be affixed to the first section  104  using the first ferrule  602 . The second applicator  112  may be affixed to the second section  106  using a second ferrule (not shown due to the perspective). Each of the first applicator  110  or the second applicator  112  may include one or more of a brush, a sponge, flocking, a comb, or another type of applicator. In some cases, the first applicator  110  may be a same size and/or shape as compared to the second applicator  112 . In other cases, the first applicator  110  may be a different size and/or shape as compared to the second applicator  112 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the first applicator  110  and the second applicator  112  may have approximately the same size. After placing the first applicator  110  in a particular position (e.g., adjacent or opposite) relative to the second applicator  112 , the locking mechanism  202  may be used to prevent the applicators  110  and  112  from inadvertently moving, similar to the locking mechanism  202  described in  FIG. 2 . 
     In some implementations, the applicators  110  or  112  may have a same size, shape, and/or composition (e.g., a brush having multiple bristles, a sponge, a comb, flocking, and the like) while in other implementations, the applicators  110  or  112  may have a different size, shape, and/or composition. For example, the first applicator  110  may have a size, shape, and/or composition similar to a first type of specialized applicator (e.g., blush brush) while the second applicator  112  may have a size, shape, and/or composition similar to a second type of specialized applicator (e.g., eye shadow). To illustrate, the first applicator  110  may be smaller in size relative to the second applicator  112  (or vice-versa). As another example, when both the applicators  110  and  112  include bristles, the applicators  110  and  112  may have a same or a different number of bristles, sizes of bristles, shapes of bristles shapes of holders for the bristles, and the like. 
     Thus, the pivot mechanism  108  may enable the user to configure the split-tip applicator in two different positions (e.g., where the applicators  110  and  112  are either adjacent or opposite each other). If the first applicator  110  has a different size relative to the second applicator  112 , the two different positions may enable the user to derive three different sized applicators from the split-tip applicator  700 , such as a large applicator (e.g., when the applicators  110  and  112  are adjacent to each other), a medium applicator (e.g., the second applicator  112 ), and a small applicator (e.g., the first applicator  110 ). For example, in the first position, in which the first applicator  110  is adjacent to the second applicator  112 , the split-tip applicator  700  may be used as a large sized applicator due to the combined perimeters of the applicators  110  and  112 . In the second position, in which the applicators  110  and  112  are at opposite ends of the split-tip applicator  700 , one of the applicators  110  and  112  may be used as a medium sized applicator while the other of the applicators  110  and  112  may be used as a small sized applicator. The applicators  110  and  112  may have different shapes. For example, each of the applicators  110  or  112  may include a fan-shape, a rectangular-shape, a semi-circular shape, a wedge-shape, another type of geometric shape, or any combination thereof. If either or both of the applicators  110  or  112  include brushes, in some cases at least one of the brushes may include a few individual larger bristles than the other bristles in the brush. 
     The split-tip applicator  700  may be used to apply different products to one or more surfaces. For example, the split-tip applicator  700  may be used to apply different cosmetic products, such as blush, foundation, mascara, eye shadow, etc., to a surface, such as a skin of a human being. The split-tip applicator  700  may, in some cases, include a locking mechanism, as described in  FIG. 2 . Additionally, in some cases, the split-tip applicator  700  may be placed in a full-retracted position, in which the applicators  110  and  112  are fully retracted into the handle  102 , as described in  FIG. 2 . 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementing the embodiments. For example, in various embodiments, any of the structural features and/or methodological acts described herein may be rearranged, modified, or omitted entirely. For example, the shape, size, and configuration of the split-tip applicator, applicators, locking mechanism, and slide mechanisms may be varied.