Patent Publication Number: US-2016228925-A1

Title: Cosmetic Brush Cleaning Assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This non-provisional patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent application, Ser. No. 62/114,410, filed Feb. 10, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     This application relates in general to cosmetics, and, in particular, to a cosmetic brush cleaning assembly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Application of cosmetics, also known as makeup, is an integral part of many people&#39;s daily rituals as well as events such as weddings, photo-shoots, and acting performances. Regardless of whether cosmetics is applied by a person in the comfort of that person&#39;s home or by a professional makeup artist, in a salon or another setting, the application usually involves using cosmetic brushes, also known as makeup brushes. Such brushes can vary in shape and size but all have bristles to which makeup adheres and which transfer the makeup to a person&#39;s skin. For example, foundation brushes, which usually have long and flat bristles with a tapered tip, are used to apply makeup foundation: a layer of makeup that applies a uniform color to a person&#39;s skin and serves as a base for other makeup. A different brush, whose bristles usually take a rounded shape, is used to apply cosmetic powder. A multitude of other brushes, such as blush brushes, concealer brushes, and mineral powder brushes, are used to apply other makeup elements. 
     Despite the differences in the shape and size of the bristles, all brushes generally suffer from a common problem. After each application of makeup using a brush, the brush accumulates “dirt” that decreases the brushes&#39; further usefulness unless that brush is cleaned. This dirt has many origins. For example, some of the dirt is makeup that remains on the bristles of the brush after the majority of the makeup is applied to the skin. Furthermore, during each application, the brush absorbs oils present on the makeup recipient&#39;s skin, including both oils secreted by the skin and oils from lotions and creams applied to the skin. Other body fluids, such as sweat, tears, or saliva present on the skin can also be absorbed by the brush bristles. In addition, dead skin cells and bacteria present on the skin, including pathogenic bacteria, can also be transferred to the bristles during application of the brush. As a result of absorbing all of these substances, a brush becomes unsanitary after a single use, with the dirt on the brush being able to clog skin pores and even spread skin conditions. Such dangers are especially apparent when a single brush is used to apply makeup to different people, such as when a single makeup artist applies makeup to members of a bridal party in preparation for a wedding ceremony. In such a situation, if one of the members of the bridal party has a skin condition, such as an acne rash, shared cosmetic brushes can spread the condition to other members of the party. Further, the accumulation of dirt on a brush can prevent makeup from evenly adhering to the brush, and thus using the brush to apply makeup becomes challenging. 
     Conventional cosmetic brush cleaning techniques leave much to be desired. For example, one cleaning technique involves rinsing, such as in a bowl, the brushes with water, shampoo, or both, and leaving the brushes to air dry. However, such rinsing may not always remove all of the dirt trapped between the bristles. Furthermore, the air drying requires significant time, usually being done overnight, and thus is unsuitable for occasions when a single brush must be used on multiple people in a short span of time, such as during a wedding preparation or in a makeup salon. Finally, the prolonged exposure to liquid during the drying can loosen the glue that hold the bristles in the brush, accelerating the time when the brush needs a replacement, which can be costly. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for a fast and effective way to clean cosmetic brushes. 
     SUMMARY 
     An assembly that can allow easier and more effective cleaning of cosmetic brushes is provided. Washing of brushes is performed within a cleaning chamber using rotation of a holder of cosmetic brushes, with brushes coming into a contact with a washing medium and semi-rigid filament that facilitate removal of dirt during the rotation. The washing medium is pumped into the cleaning chamber from one chamber of a reservoir, and is pumped after being used from the cleaning chamber into a different chamber of the reservoir. The base of the assembly includes components that allow controlling the operations of the assembly, either manually or using one or more preprogrammed routines. An additional compartment is provided for storing cosmetic brushes and washing accessories, such as soap bottles. 
     In one embodiment, a cosmetic brush cleaning assembly is provided. The assembly includes: a motor coupling comprising a cavity formed on at least one end and a base that includes a motor comprising a shaft shaped to mechanically couple to the motor coupling at a different end of the motor coupling, the motor configured to rotate the motor coupling in two directions when the motor coupling is coupled to the motor shaft. The assembly further includes a holder of at least one cosmetic brush, the holder including a rotatable shaft a portion of which is shaped to insert into the motor coupling cavity, the holder further including a protrusion formed on the holder shaft, the protrusion shaped to be secured in a portion of the motor coupling when the motor coupling rotates in one of the directions, causing a rotation of the holder in the one direction when the motor coupling rotates in the one direction, and to move to a different portion of the motor coupling when the motor coupling rotates the holder in another one of the directions, wherein a position of the shaft portion within the cavity changes upon the move. The assembly further includes a structure attached to the base on which are positioned a plurality of semi-rigid filaments shaped to come in contact with at least some bristles of the at least one cosmetic brush when the protrusion is secured against the portion of the motor coupling and the holder rotates in the one direction and to avoid contact with the bristles when the protrusion moves to the different portion and the cosmetic brush holder rotates in the another direction. The assembly further includes a cleaning chamber housing shaped to form a part of a cleaning chamber upon removably attaching to the base, the chamber shaped to enclose the structure and the cosmetic brush holder when attached to the motor coupling, and to hold a washing medium. The assembly further includes a washing medium reservoir attached to the base and including an unused washing medium chamber and a used washing medium chamber; a pump housed in the base and connected to the cleaning chamber and the unused medium reservoir via hoses, the pump configured to pump the washing medium from the unused washing medium chamber into the cleaning chamber prior to the rotation of the holder in the one direction, wherein the washing medium comes in contact with at least a portion of the bristles during the rotation of the holder in the one direction; and another pump housed within the base and connected to the cleaning chamber and the used washing medium chamber, the another pump configured to pump the washing medium from the cleaning chamber into the used washing medium chamber after the rotation of the holder in the one direction and prior to the rotation of the holder in the another direction. 
     Still other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, wherein is described embodiments of the invention by way of illustrating the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a perspective view of a cosmetic brush cleaning assembly, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is diagram showing certain disassembled components of the assembly, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an exploded view of the motor coupling, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing disassembled parts of a holder of cosmetic brushes, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the assembled cosmetic brush holder with one of the cosmetic brushes, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the holder coupled to the motor coupling in position for washing cosmetic brushes, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing the coupled to the motor coupling in position for drying cosmetic brushes, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the base and the motor coupling within the base, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a cross section a portion of one of the washing medium reservoirs and a cross-section of a portion of the middle plate together with components controlling flow of the washing medium in and out of the washing medium reservoir, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing a system of electrical and electromechanical components of the assembly of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a flow diagram a method for cleaning cosmetic brushes using the cosmetic brush cleaning assembly of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a diagram showing a perspective view of a cosmetic brush cleaning assembly  10 , in accordance with one embodiment. The assembly  10  includes a cleaning chamber  11  where cosmetic brushes are washed using a washing medium  133  and dried after the washing medium  133  is removed. The assembly further includes a washing medium reservoir  12  that includes two chambers, each taking up half of the reservoir  12 , though in a further embodiment, other allocations of space within the reservoir  12  are possible: a chamber  13  for storing washing medium that has not yet been used to clean cosmetic brushes (unused washing medium chamber  13 ″) and from which the washing medium is pumped into the cleaning chamber  11 , as further described below with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , and a chamber  14  into which the washing medium is pumped from the cleaning chamber  11  after being used to wash one or more cosmetic brushes (“used washing medium cleaning chamber  14 ”), as further described with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9 . While shown in particular orientation to each other, in further embodiment, the chambers  12 ,  13  can be on left or right side of each other. As seen with reference to  FIG. 1 , the washing medium reservoir  12  is shaped to adjoin the cleaning chamber on one side; in a further embodiment, other shapes of the reservoir  12  are possible. The washing medium  133  can include liquids, such as water, either pure or mixed with other substances, such as shampoos or disinfecting reagents. Other kinds of the washing mediums  133  are possible. In addition, as described below, the bottom surface of the reservoir  12  includes holes  91  that are used as inlets and outlets for pumping the washing medium  133  in and out of the chambers  13 ,  14 , as further described below with reference to  FIG. 9 . 
     The assembly  10  can further include a compartment  15  for storing cosmetic brushes and other cleaning accessories (such as soap bottles). The compartment can have multiple pockets  16 ,  17 ; in a further embodiment, the compartment can include only a single pocket. As seen with reference to  FIG. 1 , the compartment  15  is shaped to adjoin the washing medium reservoir  13  and the cleaning chamber  11  on one side; in a further embodiment, other shapes of the reservoir  12  are possible. 
     The assembly  10  further includes a base  18  which houses components controlling operation of the assembly  10 , such as at least one circuit board, at least one motor, pumps, and wiring connecting the components, as further described below with reference to  FIG. 10 . Externally, the base  18  can house one or more controls  19  of the assembly  10 . For example, as shown with reference to  FIG. 1 , the control  19  can be a button that a user presses to activate particular functionality of the assembly  10 . In a further embodiment, other kinds of controls  19  are possible. For example, the control  19  can include a touch screen user interface presented on a touch screen (not shown) incorporated into the base. In a still further embodiment, the control  19  can be remote from the base, such as being incorporated into a remote controller (not shown), and connected to the base  18  either wirelessly, through wireless transceivers in the base  18  and a control  19 , or through wires. 
     The storage compartment  15  can be fixedly attached, such as being bolted, or by being integrally formed as part of the base  18 . In a further embodiment, the storage compartment  15  can be removably attachable to the base  18 , such as using magnets (not shown) attached to the base  18  and the storage compartment, or by using a rotate-lock mechanism, or another fastening mechanism). The washing medium reservoir  13  is also removably attached to the base  18 , such as using magnets or a rotate-lock mechanism, though other fastening mechanisms are possible. 
     A portion of the base also serves as a portion making up the cleaning chamber  11 . As further described below with reference to  FIG. 2 , the cleaning chamber is formed by the cleaning chamber housing coupled with a cleaning chamber lid removably attaching to the base  18 , thus creating an enclosure that can hold the washing medium  133 . 
       FIG. 2  is diagram showing certain disassembled components of the assembly  10 , in accordance with one embodiment. As mentioned above, the cleaning chamber  11  includes a housing  21  that removably couples to a portion  22  of the base  18  at one end  23  and to a lid  24  at another end  25 . As shown with reference to  FIG. 2 , the housing can be a hollow cylinder that has openings on both ends. In a further embodiment, instead of having the lid  24  as a separate component, one of the ends  25  of the housing  21  can be closed-ended and the lid  24  to create the cleaning chamber  11  is not necessary. 
     The housing  21  can couple to the portion  22  of the base in a plurality of ways. For example, the end  23  of the housing  21  and the portion  22  can include matching threads (not shown) that can be used to attach the housing  21  to the portion  22  of the base using a rotating motion. Alternatively, the portions  22  and the end  23  couple via magnets, or via a rotate-lock mechanism. Similarly, the end  25  of the housing that couples to the lid  24  could perform the coupling via matching threads on the end  25  and the lid  24  or via magnets (not shown) on the housing end  25  and the lid  24 . 
     The portion  22  of the base  18  that couples to the housing  21  is a part of a plate  26  (“middle plate  26 ”), and in one embodiment, is removable from other portions of the base  18 , such as via unscrewing bolts attaching the middle plate  26  to the reminder of the base  18 . In a further embodiment, the middle plate  26  can be an integral part of the base  18 . The portion  27  of the middle plate  26  that is enclosed by the housing  21  when the housing  21  is coupled to the base  18  has a circular opening (shown below with reference to  FIG. 8 ) for a motor coupling  28 , as further described below with reference to  FIG. 8 . The portion  27  includes holes  121  into which hoses  87  connected to pumps  85 ,  86  connect and can pump the washing medium  133  into the washing chamber. While the holes  121  are shown in a particular position on the portion  27  with reference to  FIG. 1 , other positions are possible. In one embodiment, the portion  27  can have a slight draft (such as a 2 degree angle) towards the holes  121  to facilitate drainage of the washing medium  133 . In a further embodiment, the surface of the portion  27  can be flat. 
     Also, in a further embodiment, a water-resistant heater  127 , such as a heating coil can be included on the portion  27 , with the heater  127  being used to speed up the drying of brushes. Additionally, vents  128  can be included in the lid  24  (or another portion of the cleaning chamber  11 ) to allow evaporated washing medium to escape. In addition, such vents  128  can be included in the base  18  to facilitate cooling of electrical components of the base  18 . 
     The washing medium reservoir also couples to the middle plate  26 . The portion  128  that couples to the reservoir  12  also includes holes  121  that align with the holes  91  within the reservoir  12 , and allow the washing medium  133  to enter and leave the reservoir  12 , as further described with reference to  FIG. 9 . The motor coupling  28  is secured to the portion  27  using a radial shaft seal  29 , which allows the motor coupling  28  to rotate within the opening shown below with reference to  FIG. 8  while also preventing the washing medium  133  from escaping into an inside of the base  18 . Other ways to prevent the escape of the washing medium  133  into the base  18  are possible. 
     A holder  40  of one or more cosmetic brushes  61  can couple with the motor coupling, as further described below with reference to  FIGS. 4-6 . Once the holder  40  is coupled within the motor coupling  28  and the motor coupling  28  is in turn coupled to the motor within the base  18 , the motor can cause the motor coupling and the attached holder  40  to rotate in two directions, with one direction being used for washing the brush with the washing medium  133  and the other direction being used to dry the brush  61 . 
     The assembly  10  further includes a structure  70  on a surface of the middle plate  26  on which are positioned a plurality of semi-rigid filaments  71  that contact the brush when the brush is washed with the washing medium, as further described below. The semi-rigid filaments  71  can either be permanently attached to the structure  70 , or be removably attached. For example, the filaments  71  can be attached to a pad  72  that has protrusions (not shown) shaped to fit (holes not shown) within the structure  70 ; the pad  72  can securely attach to the filaments structure  70  when the protrusions are inserted into the holes. The semi-rigid filaments  71  positioned on one structure  70  can be of different sizes, allowing different the filaments  71  to provide different levels of contact with the same brush  61 . In a further embodiment, different pads  72  could also include filaments of a uniform size, but with the size of the filaments  72  varying between the pads  71 . 
     The structure  70  includes an opening  75  wide enough for the structure  70  to be placed above the motor coupling  28  and to allow the holder  40  to insert into the motor coupling  28  through the opening  75 . The structure  70  is attached to the middle plate  26  either permanently, such as being bolted down, or by having limbs  76  that are shaped to couple to holes  77  within the middle plate  26 . 
     The motor coupling  28  can be rotated by a motor within the base  18 , in turn rotating the in the base and a holder  40  of cosmetic brushes, as described below.  FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an exploded view of the motor coupling  28 , in accordance with one embodiment. The motor coupling  28  includes a housing  30 , which can be a cylindrical housing though other shapes are possible. The housing  30  defines a cavity  31  at one end for coupling with the holder of cosmetic brushes (shown below) and a cavity at an opposite end for mating with a shaft of the motor comprised within the base  18  (shown below with reference to  FIG. 8 ), the motor and the opposite end housing being shown further below. An L-shaped slot  32 , is defined within the portion of the housing that defines the cavity  31 . The L-shaped  32  slot is composed of two slots  33 ,  34 : one slot  33  going from the edge of the portion of the housing  30  forming the cavity  31  towards the bottom of the cavity  31  (“vertical slot  33 ”); and a second slot  34  traverse to the first slot (“horizontal slot  34 ”). While the horizontal slot  34  is shown as being to the right of the vertical slot  33 , in a further embodiment the horizontal slot  34  can be to the left of the vertical slot  33 . 
     The motor coupling  28  further includes a rod  35  that is attached to the bottom of the cavity  31  and a spring  36  that coils around the rod  35 . In one embodiment, the spring  36  in a removable spring  36 ; in a further embodiment, the spring  36  is permanently attached to the bottom of the cavity  31 . 
     The rod  35  helps secure the holder of cosmetic brushes within the cavity.  FIG. 4  is a diagram showing disassembled parts of a holder  40  of cosmetic brushes, in accordance with one embodiment. The holder includes a rotatable shaft  41  that includes a tapered tip  124  ending with a cavity  42  shaped to couple to the rod  35 . The shaft  41  can also optionally include grooves  129  to make the shaft convenient to be grabbed by a user&#39;s fingers. A protrusion  43 , such as a knob, that is shaped to fit within the slot  32  is formed on the portion of the shaft  41  that inserts into the slot  32 . While the shaft  41  as cylindrical, other shapes of the shaft, such an elongated polygon, are also possible. Two flanges  44 ,  45  which can be circular though other shapes are also possible, are formed on the shaft  41 , one flange  44  (“top flange”) being further away from the end of the shaft  41  that forms the cavity  42  than the other flange  45  (“bottom flange  45 ”). Multiple pairs of blades  46 ,  47  are attached to each of the top  44  and bottom  45  flanges. In each of the pairs, one of the blades  46  (“top blade  46 ”) is formed on the top flange  44  and the second blade  47  (“bottom blade  47 ”) is formed on the bottom flange  47  directly below (closer to the end of the shaft that forms the cavity) the top blade  46  in the pair. All of the top blades  46  are the same distance from the end of the shaft  41  that includes the cavity  42 ; similarly, all of the bottom blades  47  are the same distance from the end of the shaft  41  that includes the cavity  42 . The distance between different pairs of blades  46 ,  47  along the circumference of the shaft  41  can vary. In a further embodiment, instead of being formed on the flanges  44 ,  45 , the blades  46 ,  47  can directly form on the shaft  41  and the flanges  44 ,  47  can be absent. In a still further embodiment, the blades  46 ,  47  can removably attach to the rotatable shaft  41  or the flanges  44 ,  45 . 
     The blades  46 ,  47  become wider as they extend further from the rotatable shaft  41 , creating a space between the blades of different pairs that can accommodate a handle of a cosmetic brush. In a further embodiment, other shapes of the blades  46 ,  47  are possible. 
     Each of the blades  46 ,  47  further includes two apertures  48  that a rubber grip  49 , the apertures  48  on all top blades  46  in a pair being aligned with the apertures of the bottom blades  47  in that pair. 
     The rubber grip  49  can removably mounted to two of the blade pairs at once and secure a cosmetic brush between the blade pairs. The grip  49  includes an elastic band  50  at least one side of which is covered with a plurality of protrusions  51 . While the protrusions  51  are shown to be forming a certain design, in a further embodiment, other protrusions  51  and patterns of protrusions  51  are possible. The opposite side of the elastic band  50  is joined to two connecting members  52  that include pieces of rubber with apertures  53  for attaching to the blades. In a further embodiment, additional apertures (not shown) can be included in the connecting members  52  to improve the flexibility of the members. The connecting members  52  can be formed out of the same piece of a rubber as the elastic band  49 ; in a further embodiment the connecting members  52  are removably attached to the elastic band  50 . When the connecting members&#39; apertures  53  are aligned with apertures  48  in blades  46 ,  47 , the grip  49  is pivotably mounted between four blades  46 ,  47  using two pins  54 . Each of the pins  54  is inserted into the connecting member aperture  53 , and the apertures  48  of top  46  and bottom  47  blades in the same pair, as shown below with reference to  FIG. 5 . The pins  54  can be tapered towards the end that goes through the bottom blade apertures  48 , though in a further embodiment, different shapes of the pins  54  are possible. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the assembled cosmetic brush holder  60  with one of the cosmetic brushes  61 , in accordance with one embodiment. When pivotably mounted on the two pairs of blades  46 ,  47 , the elastic band  50  can take multiple positions. In one position, when the connecting members  52  are completely parallel to each other, the elastic band  50  is completely straight, with the side covered with protrusions facing away from the rotatable shaft  41 . When a handle of a cosmetic brush  61  is pushed against the elastic band  50 , the elastic band  50  starts moving towards the rotatable shaft  41 , which causes the connecting members  52  to pivot on the pins  54  and brings additional portions of the side of the elastic band  50  that is covered with protrusions  51  into contact with the handle of the brush  61 . When the connecting members  52  have fully pivoted, the protrusion-covered side of the elastic band  50  contacts at multiple sides of the cosmetic brush  61 , defining a “pocket” between the between the blades  46 ,  47  of the pairs to which the rubber grip  49  is attached in which the grip is secured. The size of the pocket that can be formed depends on the distance between the pairs of blades  46 ,  47 , which can vary, and the size of the grip  49 , which can also vary to accommodate brushes  61  of different size. The protrusions  51  help prevent the rubber grip from slipping from the grip  49 . 
     While  FIG. 5  show a single rubber grip  49  used for securing a single cosmetic brush  61  in the holder  40 , multiple rubber grips  47  can be used to secure multiple cosmetic brushes  61 . As mentioned above, each of the blades includes two apertures  46 . Thus, three pairs of blades  46 ,  47  can be used to pivotally mount two rubber grips  49  and used to secure two cosmetic brushes. Further, as mentioned above, the distances between the pairs of blades  46 ,  47  along the circumference can vary, allowing to accommodate mounting grips  49  of different sizes between the pairs of blades  46 ,  47 , and thus allowing to secure brushes  61  of different sizes in the grip  49 . 
     The coupling of the rotatable shaft  41  to the motor coupling  28  that can be rotated by the motor in the base allows the motor to rotate the holder  40  the holder  40  as a whole in two directions, with rotation in one direction being employed to wash the cosmetic brush  61  in the washing medium and the rotation in the second direction being used to dry the brushes.  FIG. 6  is a diagram showing the holder  40  coupled to the motor coupling  28  in position for washing cosmetic brushes  61 . A part of the rotatable shaft  41  is shaped to snugly fit within the cavity  31  of the motor coupling  28 , with the protrusion  43  fitting into the L-shaped slot  32  when the rotatable shaft  41  is inserted into the cavity  31 . When the shaft  41  is inserted into the cavity  31 , the rod  35  enters the cavity  42  within the shaft  41 , thus allowing the shaft  41  to travel along a straight line along the length of the rod  35 . Further, when the shaft  41  is inserted into the cavity, the spring  36  surrounding the rod  35  is compressed as the shaft  41  travels along the length of the rod  35 , pushing against the shaft  35 . 
     As mentioned above, when a brush  61  is washed the bristles come in contact with semi-rigid filaments  71  positioned on the structure  70  and accordingly, the shaft  41  needs to be secure enough within the coupling to both not get displaced by the rotation and by the contact with the semi-rigid filaments  71 . To secure the shaft  41  within the motor coupling  28  for that motion, a user needs to push the shaft  41  into the cavity  31  to bring the protrusion  43  to the point in the L-shaped slot  32  where the vertical slot  33  joins the horizontal slot  34 , and then twist the shaft  41  to move the protrusion  43  into the vertical slot  33 , the position shown in  FIG. 6 . Once in the vertical slot  33 , the shaft  41  (and consequently the holder  40 ) is secured within the slot  34  due to the pressure exerted by the spring  36  against the upper (furthest from the bottom of the cavity  31 ). Further, as the motor coupling  28  begins rotating into the direction opposite to the direction in which the protrusion  43  was moved into the horizontal slot  34 , the protrusion  43  is pushed horizontally against the surface of the horizontal slot furthest from the vertical slot  33 , further securing the shaft  41  within the motor coupling  34 . Thus, for example, if the protrusion  43  was initially rotated counterclockwise into the horizontal slot  34 , the rotation of the motor coupling  28  in the clockwise direction would further secure the shaft  41  within the motor coupling  28 . 
     During the rotation of the motor coupling  28  and the holder  40 , the cosmetic brushes  61  secured in the holder  40  also rotate. When the protrusion  43  is within the horizontal slot  34 , the bristles  127  of the cosmetic brushes  61  secured within the holder  61  are low enough to come into contact with the semi-rigid filaments  71  as the brush  61  rotates during the rotation of the holder  40 . As used in this application, the term “semi-rigid” refers to the filaments  71  being rigid enough to move the bristles  127  when contacting them, but flexible enough to bend if the bristles are for some reason rendered immobile. For example, if multiple bristles are stuck together and rendered substantially immobile, the filament would bend and continue moving past the stuck bristles rather than tearing the bristles. In one embodiment, the filaments  71  can be made of rubber. In a further embodiment, other materials are possible. 
     As the cosmetic brush bristles  127  move through the semi-rigid filaments  71  during the rotation, the contact moves the bristles  127  away from one or more other nearby bristles, temporarily exposing different portions of the surfaces of the bristles  127  to the washing medium  133  and allowing the washing medium  133  to remove the dirt from the exposed surface without the dirt sticking to nearby bristles  127 , allowing to remove the dirt that would have been otherwise trapped between the bristles  127 . The washing medium  133  is in turn agitated by the rotation of the holder  40 , raising the level of the medium  133  in the cleaning chamber  11 , with the movement of the medium  133  facilitating the removal of the dirt from the bristles  127 . 
     As the rotation through the semi-rigid filaments may over time weaken and loosen the glue that hold the bristles in the brushes  61 , to best preserve the brushes  61 , the brushes  61  are not in contact with the semi-rigid filaments during the drying of the brushes.  FIG. 7  is a diagram showing the  40  coupled to the motor coupling  28  in position for drying cosmetic brushes  61 , in accordance with one embodiment. When the washing of the cosmetic brushes with the medium is finished and the washing medium  133  is pumped out from the cleaning chamber  11 , the motor starts rotating the motor coupling  28  starts rotating in the direction opposite to the direction the motor coupling  28  rotated during the washing. The rotation causes the protrusion  28  to escape from the horizontal slot  34  and into the vertical slot  33 , at which point, the compressed spring would push the shaft  41  further up within the cavity  31  (away from the bottom of the cavity  31 ), with the protrusion  43  moving up the vertical slot  33 . The weight of the holder  40  will prevent the spring from completely escaping from the cavity  31 , but at this higher position of the holder, the bristles of the brush  61  no longer come in contact with the semi-rigid filaments  71 . Further, the rotation causes the protrusion  43  to press against one of the sides of the vertical slot  33 , securing the shaft within the slot for the duration of the rotation. Thus, the assembly  10  can switch from washing the cosmetic brushes to drying the brushes without user assistance. 
     Even without contacting the filaments  71 , the rotation of the cosmetic brushes through air within the cleaning chamber increases the rate at which the residual washing medium is removed from the filaments on the filaments  71  when compared to when the brushes  61  remain stationary. Further, the rotation will generate heat that will accelerate the drying. In addition, as further described below, a heater  127  is included in the portion  27  enclosed by the cylinder. 
     The components within the base  18  control operations of other components of the assembly  10 .  FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a cross-sectional view of the base  18  and the motor coupling  28  within the base  18 , in accordance with one embodiment. As mentioned above, the base includes  18  an electric motor  81  capable of rotating a motor shaft  82  in two directions. The motor  81  can be a stepper motor, though other kinds of motors are possible. The motor shaft  82  is shaped to mate with a cavity  83  at the end of the motor coupling  28  opposite to the end that forms the cavity  42 . For example, the motor shaft  82  shaft can be octagonal and the cavity  83  can be octagonal and shaped to receive the octagonal shaft. Other shapes of the cavity  83  and the motor shaft  82  are possible. For instance, the cavity  83  and the motor shaft  82  can be cylindrical. Still other shapes are possible. The motor coupling  28  is secured within the opening  88  within the middle plate  26  by a radial shaft seal  29 , which allows the motor coupling to rotate within the opening while preventing the washing medium  133  from escaping into the inside of the base  18 . 
     The base  18  includes a circuit  84  that includes a microcontroller and a memory, as further described below with reference to  FIG. 10 . If the circuit  84  is donut-shaped, the circuit board  84  can be placed around the motor  81  to conserve space within the base  18 , though other locations of the circuit within the base  18  base are possible. The base  18  further includes at least two pumps  85 ,  86  that are connected by hoses  87  to the holes  91  within the reservoir  12  and holes  121  within the middle plate  26 . The hoses  87  are tipped by the nozzles (shown with reference to  FIG. 9 ) that connect can enter through both the hole  91  and the hole  121 , as further described with reference to  FIG. 9 . One of the pumps  85  pumps the washing medium  133  from the unused washing medium chamber  13  into the cleaning chamber  11  before the holder  40  of the cosmetic brushes is rotated to bring the bristles  127  of the brush  61  in contact with the semi-rigid filaments  71 , as described above with reference to  FIG. 6 . Following the rotation and before starting the rotation into the opposite direction, the pumps  86  pump the washing medium  133  out of the cleaning chamber  11  and into the used washing medium reservoir  14 . The pumps  85 ,  86  can be peristaltic pumps, though other kinds of pumps are possible. 
     The washing medium reservoir  12  can be removed from the base  18  to remove used washing medium  133  from the used washing medium reservoir and to replenish the unused washing medium reservoir  133  with unused washing medium  133 . Accordingly, upon removal from the base  18 , the outlets of the unused washing medium chamber  12  need to be tightly capped to prevent spillage of the washing medium  133  from either of the chambers  13 ,  14  of the reservoir  12 .  FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a cross section a portion of one of the washing medium reservoirs  13 ,  14  and a cross-section of a portion of the middle plate  26  together with components controlling flow of the washing medium  133  in and out of the washing medium reservoir  12 , in accordance with one embodiment. The housing  90  of the washing medium reservoir  12  includes at least two hole  91  that allows the washing medium  133  to enter and exit the two chambers  91 . The housing  90  is tapered towards the hole  91  to facilitate drainage of the washing medium  133  from the reservoir. A plug  92  is positioned directly above each hole  91 , and is attached to a spring  93  that is attached to the portion of the housing  90  surrounding the hole  91 . Unless the plug  92  is pushed up, the plug  92  blocks the hole  91  and prevents the washing medium from escaping from the reservoir  12 . In addition, an o-ring  95  is placed between the plug  92  and the spring  93  in each of the holes  91  to further prevent the escape of the washing medium. 
     As mentioned above, the hoses  87  are tipped with a needle-shaped nozzle  94 . The nozzle can include additional holes  96  to facilitate drainage of the washing medium  133 . When the reservoir  12  is attached to the middle plate  26 , the nozzle  94  enters the hole  91  and pushes the plug  92  up, stretching the spring  93 , allowing the washing medium to enter into the reservoir from the hose  87  or be pumped away through the hose  87 . Once the reservoir  12  is removed from the base  18  (such as to throw out the used washing medium  133 ) and the nozzle  94  is no longer in contact with the plug  92 , the plug  92  is pulled by the spring  93  into the original position, with the o-ring  95  helping the plug  92  prevent the washing medium  133  from escaping from the reservoir  12 . The components described with reference to  FIG. 9  can be used for exchanging the washing medium in both of the chambers  13 ,  14 ; in a further embodiment, other ways to exchange the medium  133  can be used. 
     The assembly  10  includes a plurality of electrical and electromechanical components that allow implementing the functions described above.  FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing a system  100  of electrical and electromechanical components of the assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment. As mentioned above, the base  18  houses a circuit board  84  that includes a microcontroller  101  that is connected, either electrically or wirelessly, to the and directs the operation of other components based on input from the control. The microcontroller  101  can include a central processing unit (not shown) capable of executing computer-executable code. The circuit board  84  also includes a memory  102 , which can include both volatile, such as RAM, and non-volatile memory, such as flash memory. The code can be stored in the non-volatile portion of the memory  102  of the microcontroller  101 , and can include one or more preprogrammed routines  103  that specify parameters for drying and washing the brushes  61 . In a further embodiment, the memory  102  can be a part of the microcontroller  101 . Still other kinds of the memory  102  are possible. 
     In one embodiment, each of the routines  103  specifies parameters for only washing or drying of brushes  61 ; in a further embodiment, one routine can specify parameters for both the washing and the drying and include instructions for the CPU to control various components of the system  100  based on the parameters. Such the parameters can describe the amount of time and particular intervals of time when the motor  81  rotates the rotatable shaft  41  through the motor coupling  28  in both directions; the speed of the rotation in both directions; and any times during the execution of the routines  103  when the washing medium  133  is exchanged through within the cleaning chamber  11 ; and the length for which the heater is turned on  127 . Still other parameters are possible. The routines  103  can be selected by the user through the controls  19 , allowing the user to elect the most appropriate way to wash and dry a particular type of brushes  102  without having to manually control the cleaning. The controls  19  can also direct the microcontroller  103  to rotation in one of the directions without having the microcontroller  101  activate one of the routines  53 . For example, the microcontroller  101  can activate the motors  103  only while the user presses a button included in the controls  19 . 
     The microcontroller  101  is electrically interfaced to the motors  81  and the pumps  85 ,  86  through wires (not shown). Further, the microcontroller  101  can be electrically interfaced to other components of the system  100 , including the heating elements  127 . Through the electrical connection, the microcontroller  101  can initiate or control execution of the routines  103  and control these components of the assembly  10 . 
     Further, the circuit board  84  is interfaced to a power source  104 , which provides power to the microcontroller  101 . The power source  104  can be an electrical cord that is connected to the base  104  and that can be plugged into an electrical outlet, allowing the assembly to function without a battery. In a further embodiment, the power source  104  can include an internal battery. Still other kinds of power supplies are possible. Through the electrical connections to other components of the assembly  10 , the circuit board  84  provides the electrical energy received through the power source  104  to the components of the system  100 , including the heater  127 . In a further embodiment, the power source  104  could also directly electrically connected to other components of the system  100 , powering the components. In a still further embodiment, multiple power sources  104  can be present, powering different components of the system  100  separately. In a still further embodiment, wireless communication is possible between different components of the system  100 . 
     While the initial preparation of the assembly  10  for cleaning the brushes requires user input, once the initial set-up is done, the cleaning is performed by the assembly  10  autonomously.  FIG. 11  is a flow diagram a method  110  for cleaning cosmetic brushes using the cosmetic brush cleaning assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with one embodiment. The assembly is prepared for cleaning cosmetic brushes  110  (step  111 ). In particular, the washing medium  133  is added to the unused washing medium chamber  13  in the reservoir  12  by the user and the reservoir  12  is attached to the base; cosmetic brushes  61  that need to be cleaned are inserted into the holder  40  and the holder is inserted into the motor coupling  28  in the position shown with reference to  FIG. 6 ; and the cleaning chamber housing  11  and the lid  24  are attached to the base  18  to form the cleaning chamber  11 . User input for activating one of the routines  103  is received through one of the controls ( 112 ). Washing medium  133  is pumped into the cleaning chamber  10  by the pump  85  in quantity sufficient to reach the bristles of the brush ( 113 ). A washing sequence (steps  113 - 117 ) is started ( 113 ), with the washing sequence being performed 3 times. In a further embodiment, a different number of times the washing sequence is performed are possible. The motor rotates the holder  114  in one direction (direction opposite to the direction the protrusion  43  was moved to enter the horizontal slot  34 ), with the cosmetic brushes contacting the filaments  71  on the structure during the rotations for a duration specified by the activated routine  110  (step  114 ). Washing medium (that now has the dirt from the brush bristles) is pumped out of the cleaning chamber by the pump  86  into the used washing medium reservoir  14  (step  115 ). Optionally, if the washing sequence is not being performed for the last time in the current routine  103 , the cleaning chamber  10  is refilled with unused washing medium by the pump  85  (step  116 ). If the washing sequence is performed for the last time, step  116  is skipped. If the washing sequence has not been done three times, the routine returns to step  113  for a next repetition of the sequence (step  117 ). Following the completion of the programmed number of washing sequences, the motor starts rotating the holder in the direction opposite to the direction used during the washing sequences, which causes the holder  40  to assume the position shown with reference to  FIG. 7 , in which the bristles  127  do not come into contact with the filaments (step  118 ). Once the rotation is performed for a time predefined in the selected routine  103 , which dries the brushes  61  in the holder  40 , the method  110  ends. In a further embodiment, the drying can be performed by continuing rotation into the same direction as done during washing, with the filaments  71  contacting the bristles  127 . 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described as referenced to the embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.