Patent Publication Number: US-2018042372-A1

Title: Retractable cosmetic implement with multiple positions

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/071,420, filed Nov. 4, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     A typical cosmetic brush contains a handle and an applicator attached to one end of the handle. This combination of a handle and an applicator provides a simple, low-cost and effective brush for the application of cosmetic materials. 
     Cosmetic brushes can vary greatly in size, shape, and type of applicator in order to meet the differing needs of cosmetic users and cosmetic products. For instance, some cosmetic brushes have an applicator comprised of bristles loosely bundled together at an end giving the applicator a soft, fluffy characteristic. These applicators are useful for delicately applying loose powders (e.g., foundation, blush, etc.) for sheer and light applications to areas of the face. Other cosmetic brushes have bristles more tightly bundled together at an end giving the applicator a firmness suitable for applying cosmetic products that require precision, e.g., contouring eye shadow. 
     With the immense variety of cosmetic products currently on the market, users often carry multiple brushes, each corresponding to a specific use and/or cosmetic product. This increases the cost to the user and adds clutter to their carrying bag, purse, bathroom, and the like. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for improved cosmetic 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. 1A  is a perspective view of an example retractable cosmetic implement with a housing, the housing being shown as transparent for ease of explanation. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional elevation view of an example retractable cosmetic implement including a spring. 
         FIG. 2  is s a schematic showing a sequence of views of an example retractable cosmetic implement in a retracted position, a partially extended position, and a fully extended position. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the example retractable cosmetic implement of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 4A  is top view of the example retractable cosmetic implement of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 4B  is a top view of an example retractable cosmetic implement with a push-button omitted for illustrative purposes. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a push-button and a multi-stop positioning mechanism of an example retractable cosmetic implement. 
         FIG. 6A  is a schematic representation illustrating an example guide rail configuration of a retractable cosmetic implement comprising two sets of guide rails evenly and alternately spaced. 
         FIG. 6B  is a schematic representation illustrating an example guide rail configuration of a retractable cosmetic implement comprising three sets of guide rails evenly and alternately spaced. 
         FIG. 6C  is a schematic representation illustrating an example guide rail configuration of a retractable cosmetic implement comprising two sets of guide rails in an alternating, abutting arrangement. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     As discussed above, the shortcomings of existing cosmetic brushes is often a source of inconvenience and expense for cosmetic brush users. Users require a specific brush for each type of cosmetic product and/or desired effect, resulting in users carrying an assortment of brushes in a cluttered purse or carrying bag. The cost of maintaining such a collection can quickly add up. Also, brushes that include a cap for protecting the applicator portion become extremely vulnerable to damage when the cap is lost, as often happens. 
     This disclosure is directed to a retractable cosmetic implement that is movable to multiple positions. The cosmetic implement is multi-functional, in that a single applicator may be used for multiple effects and/or products depending on which position it is in. The disclosed cosmetic implement may not require a cap because, in some examples, the applicator may have a position fully retracted into a housing. Many other advantages are discussed herein. 
     In some examples, this disclosure describes a retractable cosmetic implement comprising a housing, a multi-stop positioning mechanism disposed in the housing and an applicator coupled to the positioning mechanism at a first end of the housing. In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism may resemble, at least in principle, a click-pen mechanism commonly used in retractable pens. That is, the positioning mechanism may partially translate a longitudinal force imparted by a button into a rotational force, which both moves a protuberance (in the case of a retractable pen, the pen tip) through an opening and rotates it into an indexed position. For instance, the positioning mechanism may have a top surface configured to engage a push-button extending from a second end of the housing. When the push-button is actuated, the positioning mechanism may slide along a longitudinal axis of the housing, extending the applicator out the first end. As noted above, the cosmetic implement may be capable of providing protection to the applicator when the applicator is retracted into the housing, such that a cap is not required. 
     In some embodiments, the cosmetic implement may be actuated to a first, partially extended position with the applicator extended a first distance from an opening of the housing and a second, fully extended position with the applicator extended a second distance from the opening, the second distance being greater than the first distance. In the partially extended position, a rim of the opening may make contact with the applicator, applying a compressive force to an outer perimeter of the applicator. The applicator may have a material characteristic affected by the compressive force. For instance, the applicator may comprise a plurality of bristles which are compacted by the compressive force. The compacted bristles may have a firmness suitable for applying one type of cosmetic product. When the applicator is fully extended, the bristles may fully exit the opening and expand. In the fully extended position, the bristles may be loose and uncompacted with a softness suitable for applying a second type of cosmetic product. In some examples, the retractable cosmetic implement may be useful to perform the functions of multiple brushes configured for different cosmetic products and/or to apply different cosmetic effects, thereby alleviating clutter. 
     In some examples, the retractable cosmetic implement may comprise a positioning mechanism similar to the click-pen mechanism described above with a shaft coupled to a ferrule at a first end and coupled to a disk at a second end. The disk may have multiple channels formed onto a side surface. The channels may be configured to mate with guide rails protruding from an internal surface of the housing. When actuated by the push-button, the disk may slide along the guide rails. The push-button may be configured to provide a rotational force to the disk, causing it to rotate once it reaches the end of the guide rails. The ends of the guide rails may mate with a stop surface on the disk, locking it into a partially extended or fully extended position, depending on a length of the guide rails. Another actuation of the push-button may free the stop surface from the end of the guide rails, causing the disk to rotate and the guide rails to engage the channels, sliding the positioning mechanism back to a retracted position. 
     Multiple and varied example implementations and embodiments are described throughout. However, these examples are merely illustrative and other implementations and embodiments of a retractable cosmetic implement with multiple positions may be implemented without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, the implementations, or portions thereof, may be rearranged, combined, used together, omit one or more portions, be omitted entirely, and/or may be otherwise modified to arrive at variations on the disclosed implementations. 
     Illustrative Retractable Cosmetic Implement 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an example retractable cosmetic implement  100  comprising a multi-stop positioning mechanism  102  disposed inside a housing  104 . In some examples, the housing  104  may be elongated along a longitudinal axis  106  and have a circular cross section, giving the housing  104  a cylindrical shape. However, in other examples, the housing  104  may have other cross-sectional shapes (e.g., oval, square, triangle, etc.). The housing  104  may include a partition  108  disposed between a first end  110  and a second end  112  of the housing  104 . The partition  108  may divide the housing  104  into a first chamber  114  and a second chamber  116 . In some examples, the first chamber  114  may house one or more linkages or actuation mechanisms, while the second chamber  116  may house an applicator. 
     The positioning mechanism  102  may be disposed inside the housing  104  with a shaft  118  extending from a first end  110  of the housing through an aperture  120  in the partition  108 . The shaft  118  may be centrally located within the housing  104  along the longitudinal axis  106 . In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism  102  may comprise a disk  122 . The disk  122  may be coupled at its center to the shaft  118  near the first end  110  of the housing  104 . The disk  122  may be configured to engage a push-button  124  or other type of actuator (e.g., lever, switch, knob, slider, etc.). The push-button  124  may extend away from the first end  110  of the housing  104  with a bottom portion  126  at least partially disposed in the housing  104 . The positioning mechanism  102  may include a ferrule  128  coupled to the shaft  118  near the second end  112  of the housing  104 . A spring  130  may be disposed around the shaft  118 , abutting the partition  108  at a first end and abutting the disk  122  at a second end. In some embodiments, the spring  130  may be disposed in the shaft  118 . 
     In some examples, the shaft  118 , the disk  122 , and/or the ferrule  128  may have a circular cross section. The shaft  118  and/or the ferrule  128  may have a diameter dimension substantially the same as an inner diameter dimension of the housing  104 , such that the disk  122  and/or the ferrule  128  fits snugly into the housing  104 , abutting an internal surface  132  of the housing  104 . The shaft  118  may have a diameter dimension substantially less than the inner diameter dimension of the housing  104  to pass through the aperture  120  on the partition  108 . 
     In some embodiments, a portion of the positioning mechanism  102  including the disk  122  may be disposed in the first chamber  114  and a portion of the positioning mechanism  102  including the ferrule  128  may be disposed in the second chamber  116 . The shaft  118  may be at least partially disposed in both chambers  114  and  116  and may slide between the chambers  114  and  116  through the aperture  120  when the positioning mechanism  102  is actuated, as described in greater detail below. 
     In some examples, the cosmetic implement  100  may comprise a plurality of guide rails  134  disposed on the internal surface  132  of the housing  104 . The plurality of guide rails  134  may terminate at the first end  110  of the housing and may extend towards the second end  112 , parallel with the longitudinal axis  106 . The plurality of guide rails  134  may engage with the push-button  124  and/or the positioning mechanism  102  to guide an actuation of the positioning mechanism  104 , as described in greater detail below. 
     In some embodiments, the ferrule  128  may couple an applicator  136  to the positioning mechanism  102 . The applicator  136  may be coupled with the ferrule  128  via an adhesive, crimp, compression fitting, friction fitting, a fastener, and/or any other coupling means. In some examples, the applicator  136  and the ferrule  128  may comprise a single component while in other examples they may comprise separate components. In other examples, the applicator  136  may be coupled to the shaft  118  without the ferrule  128 . 
     In some examples, the applicator  136  may be enclosed in the second chamber  116  when the cosmetic implement  100  is in a retracted position  138 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The second chamber  116  may have an opening  140  at the second end  112  of the housing through which the applicator  136  may protrude when the positioning mechanism  102  is actuated. The opening  140  may have a rim  142  comprised of an outer edge of the housing  104 . In other examples, the rim  142  may comprise a protrusion protruding inwardly from the internal surface  132  of the housing, slightly inset from the opening  140  (not shown). 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an example cosmetic implement  200  in the retracted position  138 , a partially extended position  202 , and a fully extended position  204 . In some examples, the implement  200  may be movable from the retracted position  138  to one of the partially extended position  202  or the fully extended position  204  by imparting a force  206  parallel to the longitudinal axis  106  onto the push-button  124 , actuating the positioning mechanism  102 . When the implement  200  is in the partially extended position  202 , the applicator  136  may be partially extended through the opening  140 , such that the rim  142  of the opening  140  makes contact with the applicator  136 , applying a compressive force against an outer perimeter of the applicator  136 . 
     In some embodiments, the applicator  136  may have a material characteristic. In some examples the applicator  136  may comprise a brush with synthetic and/or natural bristles and the material characteristic may be a density of bristles. The density of bristles may affect a firmness, an absorbance, a lateral dimension  208 , and/or many other properties of the applicator  136 . In some examples, the applicator  136  may comprise a sponge, a flocking, a silicone member, and/or combinations thereof. In such examples, the material characteristic may be a density of applicator material, which may affect the properties of the applicator  136  as described above with regard to the density of bristles. 
     In some examples, the force applied by the rim  142  of the opening  140  against the applicator  136  when the implement  200  is in the partially extended position  202  may affect the material characteristic of the applicator  136 . For instance, the applicator  136  may have the lateral dimension  208  that is less than a lateral dimension  210  of the applicator  136  when the implement  200  is in the fully extended position  204 . As noted above, the applicator  136  may have a firmness, an absorbance, or other property affected by a compactness of applicator material responsive to the force applied by the rim  142 . 
     In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism  102  may be actuated, moving the implement  200  into the fully extended position  204 . In the fully extended position  204 , the applicator  136  may be moved along the longitudinal axis  106  until it is disposed outside the housing  104 . The applicator  136  may move a fully extended length  212  corresponding to an actuation length  214  that the push-button  124  is displaced. In some examples, the applicator  136  may have a portion still disposed in the housing  104  when the implement is in the fully extended position  204  such that one of the material characteristics of the applicator  136  is responsive to the force applied by the rim  142 , as noted above with regard to the partially extended position  202 . In such examples, the term “fully extended” refers to the fact that the applicator  136  has reached a maximum extension, even if it is still partially disposed in the housing  104 . In other examples, the applicator  136  may be fully disposed outside the housing  104  when in the fully extended position  204  such that the rim  142  does not make contact with the applicator  136 . 
     In some examples, the fully extended length  212  of the applicator  136  in the fully extended position  204  may be substantially double (e.g.,  2 : 1 ) a partially extended length  216  of the applicator  136  in the partially extended position  202 . In other examples, the ratio of the fully extended length  212  to the partially extended length  216  may be 1.25-to-1; 1.5-to-1; 3-to-1; 4-to-1 or any other ratio that causes a material characteristic to change between the partially extended position  202  and the fully extended position  204 . As discussed in greater detail below with regard to  FIG. 6 , the ratio of the fully extended length  210  to the partially extended length  212  may be at least partly determined by a configuration of the plurality of guide rails  134 . In some examples, there may be more than one partially extended position  202 . 
     In some examples, the applicator  136  may comprise a plurality of bristles  218 . When the implement  200  is in the partially extended position  202 , the plurality of bristles  218  may be compacted by the compressive force applied by the rim  142 . As such, the lateral dimension  208  and the firmness of the applicator  136  may be suitable for certain cosmetic applications, such as applying a cosmetic product for contouring. The implement  200  may be actuated to the fully extended position  204 . In the fully extended position, the lateral dimension  210  of the applicator  136  may be greater than the lateral dimension  208  of the applicator  136  when the implement  200  is in the partially extended position  202 . The applicator  136  may be softer when in the fully extended position  204 . In the fully extended position  204 , the applicator  136  may be suitable for cosmetic applications different than when the implement  200  is in the partially extended position  202 , such as applying a cosmetic product for blending. In some examples, the cosmetic implement  200  may be capable of multiple cosmetic applications due to varying material characteristics corresponding to varying positions of the applicator  136 . 
     In some embodiments, the implement  200  may comprise a cap  220 . The cap  220  may be positionable over the opening  140  of the housing  104 . The cap  220  may be held in place via a friction fit, snap-fit, screw-type mechanism, magnets, combinations thereof, or any other removable fastening method. In some examples, the cap  220  may be positionable over the push-button  124  using any of the aforementioned fastening methods. When positioned over the opening  140 , the cap  220  may provide a barrier to prevent dirt, debris, or other foreign objects from entering the housing  104  and potentially damaging the applicator  136 . In some examples, a flapper (not shown) communicatively coupled to the positioning mechanism  102  may be disposed over the opening the housing to provide the barrier when the implement  200  is in the retracted position  138 . The flapper may be automatically opened responsive to an actuation of the push-button  124  (e.g. by a linkage). 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of the example retractable implement  100 . The implement  100  may comprise the push-button  124 , the first chamber  114  of the housing  104 , the second chamber  116  of the housing  104 , the positioning mechanism  102 , and the applicator  136 . 
     The positioning mechanism  102  may comprise the ferrule  128  which may include a hole  302  with threading for receiving the shaft  118 . During assembly, the ferrule  128  may be positioned in the second chamber  116  abutting the partition  108 . The shaft  118  may be inserted through the aperture  120  on the partition  108 , and mate with the hole  302 . The shaft  118  may have a corresponding threading to permanently or semi-permanently couple the ferrule  128  to the shaft  118 . 
     The second chamber  116  may comprise a threading  304  disposed around an end  306  configured to mate with a threading  308  around a corresponding end  310  of the first chamber  114 . The first chamber  114  and the second chamber  116  may be coupled with an adhesive, snap-fit, friction, molding, welding, or any other method of coupling. The coupling of the first chamber  114  to the second chamber  124  may be permanent or semi-permanent. In some examples, the first chamber  114  and the second chamber  116  may be manufactured as a single unit. 
     The push-button  124  may comprise an elongated body  312  coupled to an engagement plate  314 . The engagement plate  314  may include a shelf  316  to abut a stop rim  318  disposed around an inner edge of the first chamber  114 , preventing the push-button  124  from fully exiting the housing  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the push-button  124 , the first chamber  114  of the housing  104 , the second chamber  116  of the housing  104 , and/or the positioning mechanism  102  may be comprised of a rigid or sem-rigid material such as polymer, metal, wood, ceramic, fiberglass, composites thereof, and/or combinations thereof. The push-button  124 , the first chamber  114 , the second chamber  116 , and/or the positioning mechanism  102  may be comprised of the same material or of different materials. The push-button  124 , the first chamber  114 , the second chamber  116 , and/or the positioning mechanism  102  may be comprised of a transparent material, a translucent material, an opaque material, and/or combinations thereof. Although, the push-button  124 , the first chamber  114 , the second chamber  116 , and the positioning mechanism  102  are illustrated in  FIG. 3  as comprising separately distinct units, any combination of these elements may be combined and/or manufactured as a single unit. 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates a top view of a cosmetic implement  400 . Although the housing  104  of the cosmetic implement  400  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  is shown to be transparent for ease of understanding, some embodiments may comprise a housing  104  that is partially or fully opaque, translucent, transparent, or combinations thereof. In some examples, the engagement plate  314  on the push-button  124  may comprise a plurality of channels  402  disposed around an outer surface  404 . In some examples, the plurality of channels  402  may comprise four channels evenly spaced 90° apart as measured from the center of the push-button  124 . The plurality of channels  402  may be configured to mate with the plurality of guide rails  134  disposed on the internal surface  132  of the housing  104 . 
     In some examples, the plurality of guide rails  134  may guide the push-button  124  when the push-button  124  is actuated by the downward force  206 . The push-button  124  may slide along the guide rails  134  in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis  106 . The spring  130  may provide a resistant force to oppose the actuation force  206 . The rim stop  318  may prevent the spring  130  from forcing the push-button  124  out of the housing  104 . The push-button  124  may have a length dimension less than a length dimension of the guide rails  134 , such that it cannot slide beyond the guide rails  134 . In other words, the guide rails  134  may act like a keyway for the push-button  124 , preventing it from rotating and limiting its motion to the single longitudinal direction. In some examples, the push-button  124  may not disengage the rail guides  134  at any point. 
       FIG. 4B  shows a top view of the cosmetic implement  400  with the push-button  124  omitted for illustrative purposes, exposing a side surface  406  of the disk  122 . The disk  122  may have a plurality of channels, described in greater detail below, running parallel to the longitudinal axis  106  formed into the side surface  406  for engaging the plurality of guide rails  134 . 
     The side surface  406  may include a first channel  408 , a second channel  410  disposed opposite the first channel  408 , a third channel  412  disposed between the first and second channels  408  and  410 , a fourth channel  414  disposed opposite the third channel  412  and between the first and second channels  408  and  410 , a fifth channel  416  disposed between the first and third channels  408  and  412 , and a sixth channel  418  disposed opposite the fifth channel  416  and between the second and fourth channels  410  and  414 . 
     The first and second channels  408  and  410  may comprise a first set of channels  420 , the third and fourth channels  412  and  414  may comprise a second set of channels  422 , and the fifth and sixth channels  416  and  418  may comprise a third set of channels  424 . In some embodiments, the side surface  406  may include a first stop surface  426  between the first channel  408  and the fourth channel  414  and a second stop surface  428  disposed opposite the first stop surface  426  and between the second and third channels  410  and  412 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example positioning-mechanism  500  and an example push-button  502 . In some examples, the positioning mechanism  500  may be actuated when the downward force  206  is applied to the push-button  502 , a bottom surface  504  of the push-button  502  engaging a top surface  506  of the disk  122 . The bottom surface  504  may comprise a plurality of slopes  508  in a saw-tooth configuration, broken by the plurality of channels  402 . In some examples, when the plurality of slopes  508  engages the top surface  506  of the disk  122 , the plurality of channels  402  on the push-button  502  may align with at least one of the plurality of sets of channels  420 ,  422  and/or  424  via the guide rails  134 . 
     In some embodiments, a point  510  on the bottom surface  504  of the push-button  502  may contact a peak  512  on the top surface  506  of the disk  122  when the push-button  502  is actuated. The point  510  may be slightly misaligned with the peak  512  such that a component of the force  206  is transmitted in a rotational direction  514 . As the positioning mechanism  500  slides along the longitudinal axis  106 , the guide rails  134  may prevent the positioning mechanism  500  from rotating. Similar to the click-pen mechanism of a retractable pen, the user may push the push-button  502  slightly past the extended position so that the top surface  506  of the disk  122  may clear the guide rails  134 . Thus, the top surface  506  may slide past an end of the guide rails  134 , so that the positioning mechanism  500  may be free to rotate. The guide rails  134  may have a slanted end to slide along the top surface  510  and engage at least one of the stop surfaces  426  and/or  428 , locking the positioning mechanism  500  in the partially extended position  202  or the fully extended position  204 , depending on a length of the set of guide rails  134  engaging the stop surfaces  426  and/or  428 . 
     In some examples, the positioning mechanism  500  may be released from the partially extended position  202  or the fully extended position  204  by another actuation of the push-button  502 . The push-button  502  may move the positioning mechanism  500  a length along the longitudinal axis  104  to release the end of the guide rails  134  from the stop surfaces  426  and/or  428 . A component of the force  206  directed in the rotational direction  514  by the sloped configuration of the top surface  506  and the bottom surface  504  may rotate the disk  122  until a set of the plurality of guide rails  134  engage one of the sets of channels  420 ,  422 , or  424  and provide a path for the positioning mechanism  500  to slide back to the retracted position  138 . 
     In some embodiments, an actuation of the positioning mechanism  500  may comprise the push-button  502  moving only along the longitudinal axis  106 , pushing the positioning mechanism  500  along the longitudinal axis  106  until it slides past an end of one of the plurality of guide rails  134  and rotates. The positioning mechanism  500  may be locked in the partially extended position  202  or the fully extended position  204  by the end of at least one of the plurality of guide rails  134  mating with one of the stop surfaces  426  and/or  428 . A second actuation may cause the positioning mechanism  500  to release from the partially extended position  202  or the fully extended position  204  and rotate until all of the plurality of guide rails  134  are engaged with at least one of the sets of channels  420 ,  422 , and/or  424 , causing the positioning mechanism  500  to slide back to the retracted position  138 . In the retracted position  138 , the stop surfaces  426  and/or  428  may be disposed between the plurality of guide rails  134 . 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate different possible guide rail configurations on the internal surface  132  of the housing  104 .  FIG. 6A  illustrates a first guide rail configuration  600  which, in some examples, may comprise a first pair of guide rails  602  having a first length  604  and a second pair of guide rails  606  having a second length  608 . In some embodiments, the guide rails of first pair  602  may alternate with the guide rails of the second pair  606 . The alternating guide rails of the first and second pairs  602  and  604  may be evenly spaced apart by a plurality of gaps  610 . In some embodiments, the second length  608  may be greater than the first length  604 . When the ends of the first pair of guide rails  602  mate with the stop surfaces  426  and  428  of the disk  122 , the implement  100  may be in the partially extended position  202 . When the ends of the second pair of guide rails  606  mate with the stop surfaces  426  and  428  of the disk  122 , the implement  100  may be in the fully extended position  204 . When both pairs of guide rails  602  and  606  are received by one of the sets of channels  420 ,  422 , and/or  424 , the stops surfaces  426  and  428  may be disposed in the plurality of gaps  610  and the implement  100  may be in the retracted position  138 . 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates a second guide rail configuration  612 . In some examples, configuration  612  may comprise the first set of guide rails  602 , the second set of guide rails  606 , and a third set of guide rails  614  with a third length  616 . In some embodiments, the third length  616  may be greater than the first length  604  and the second length  608 . The guide rails of each set  602 ,  606 , and  614  may alternate and be spaced apart by the plurality of gaps  610  such that every other actuation of the push-button  124  causes the stop surfaces  426  and  428  to be disposed in the plurality of gaps  610  and the positioning mechanism  102  to slide back to the retracted position  138 . In some examples, the first set of guide rails  602  may correspond to the first partially extended position  202 , the second set of guide rails  606  may correspond to a second partially extended position (not shown), and the third set of guide rails  614  may correspond to the fully extended position  204 . 
     Although three sets of guide rails  602 ,  606  and  614  corresponding to three extended positions are illustrated in  FIG. 6B , some embodiments may include more than three sets of guide rails corresponding to more than three extended positions. For instance, configuration  612  may include a fourth set of guide rails corresponding to a fourth extended position. Any number of extended positions may be provided by varying the number of guide rail sets. In some examples, the material characteristic of the applicator  136  may have a number of states corresponding to the number of extended positions the positioning mechanism  102  may comprise. For instance, the applicator may comprise a brush with four positions corresponding to four sets of rail guides. In the first position, corresponding to the first set of rail guides, the bursh may be relatively compact and firm. This material characteristic may be suitable for applying a cosmetic product for contouring. The material characteristic may incrementally and progressively change in response to moving the applicator from the first position, to the second position, to the third position, to the fourth position. In the fourth position, corresponding to the fourth set of guide rails, the brush may be expanded such that it is fluffier relative to the first, second, and third positions, making the brush more suitable for sheer applications such as loose powders. 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates a third guide rail configuration  618 . In some embodiments, configuration  618  may comprise the first set of guide rails  602  alternating with the second set of guide rails  606 . In configuration  618 , a first guide rail  620  of the first set  602  may be disposed adjacent to a second guide rail  622  of the second set  606  with no gap between the first guide rail  620  and the second guide rail  622 . Additional guide rails from the first and second sets  602  and  606  may be disposed on the internal surface  132  in the same manner. 
     In some examples, a first actuation of the push-button  124  may slide the disk  122  longitudinally until the first set of guide rails  602  mates with the stop surfaces  426  and  428 . A second actuation of the push-button  124  may release the disk  122  from the first set of guide rails  602 , the disk  122  may rotate, and the disk  122  may slide back towards the push-button  124  until the second set of guide rails  606  mates with the stop surfaces  426  and  428 . A third actuation of the push-button  124  may release the disk  122  form the second set of guide rails  606 , the disk may rotate, and the disk may slide towards the first end  110  of the housing  104  until the positioning mechanism  102  has returned to the retracted position  138 . In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism  102  may be moved to the partially extended position  202  and the fully extended position  204  without returning to the retracted position  138  between the partially extended position  202  and the fully extended position  204 . 
     The foregoing examples describe a retractable cosmetic implement having an applicator movable between multiple positions. The cosmetic implement allows a single brush to replicate the functionality of multiple brushes by having a different material characteristic in each position. The cosmetic implement also provides substantial protection to the applicator when it is retracted into the housing without requiring a cap. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Although this disclosure uses language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the scope of 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 implementation.