Abstract:
The present invention relates generally to a brush device that comprises pen-type container with an individual brush stick, wherein said brush sticks are selectively interchangeable.

Description:
INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/432,443, filed May 11, 2006, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to an artist/make-up brush device, and more specifically to a brush device that consists of a pen-type cylinder with an individual brush tip, wherein said brush tip is selectively interchangeable, retractable and sanitizable. 
         [0003]    Prior brushes have tried to address the problem of both utilizing retractable bristles to address self-styling and concerns regarding interchangeability with limited success. Some prior retractable bristle brushes typically utilize complicated systems of movement that increase the cost of manufacture of the brush, require two hands to operate effectively, fail due to material collected within the operating components of the brush. 
         [0004]    One example of a retractable bristle brush is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,877 to Heneveld provides a rectangular brush wherein bristles are retracted from the topside of the brush by moving a sleeve that holds the bristles along a bottom side of the brush retracting the bristles into the brush handle. 
         [0005]    Several prior art brushes provide a circular bristle sections that require extensive mechanical systems and movement to retract and/or extend the bristles. U.S. Pat. No. 6,070,594 to Mears discloses a circular brush having bristles mounted on rotatable axles, which are then moveably mounted on an inner mandrel with the bristles extending through slots through an outer mandrel rotatably mounted on the brush. The system requires a user to rotate the inner mandrel in relation to the outer mandrel while maintaining the brush in a styling position to retract the bristles. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,596,261 to Renda et al. discloses a complicated system utilizing cams and grooves and includes several control mechanisms to retract and extend the bristles. The brush as disclosed does not provide for single hand use in styling one&#39;s hair. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,567,905 to Stewart et al. discloses another version of a cam operated slidable retractable bristle brush. The bristle retraction control operates by co-action with a rotatable cylindrical mandrel having pivotal bristles. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,877 is retractable and has multiple brush tips contained within a single unit. This configuration has several drawbacks to the makeup artist. First, it has a relatively large diameter which makes it less desirable to a make up artist. Second, the multiple tips that retract into a single unit have the potential for mixture of particulates from the different brush heads. 
         [0009]    It is thus desired to provide a retractable brush that has a streamlined body wherein the artist may rapidly utilize a quick connect to change brush tips with a single hand motion. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The prior devices, as described above, have several problems. Some can only accommodate a single brush stick. When more than one brush stick is used selectively, the changing either cannot be accomplished rapidly, or the change results in a undesirable mixing of particulate from the various brush heads. 
         [0011]    The subject invention solves the above problems by offering a make up brush device that consists of a pen-type cylindrical container capable of accommodating a brush head that is has a quick connect/disconnect that allow the user to quickly and easily change brush heads with a single handed motion for particular needs or purposes. 
         [0012]    The brush device according to the present invention consists generally of a cylindrical casing, usually in the shape of a pen. 
         [0013]    In one embodiment, the brush device of the present invention comprises: (a) a cylindrical casing having an orifice in a head end and a closed rear end; (b) a retractable mandrel positioned within said cylindrical casing extending longitudinally in said cylindrical casing; wherein said mandrel is slidably mounted in said casing, said mandrel further comprising a means for controlling mandrel extension between an open position wherein said bristles extend through said orifice and a closed position wherein said bristles are retracted to a position within said cylindrical casing; The sliding track uses a Track Initiating Divot (TID) at the proximal and distal ends respectively of the slifing track. This is to lock the mandrel into the open and closed positions. A make up brush tip is mounted on said mandrel whereby said make up brush tip is positioned for axial sliding movement therein. 
         [0014]    The brush device described may be configured for use by artists and for make up (i.e. cosmetic) applications. 
         [0015]    The brush device of the present invention weighs less than about 10 grams. In one embodiment, the make up brush device of the present invention weighs less than about 8 grams. In a preferred embodiment, the make up brush device of the present invention weighs between about 6-8 grams. 
         [0016]    The brush device comprises a make up brush tip mounted on the end of a mandrel. The tip and mandrel further comprise opposing quick connect/disconnect means. This allows the user to quickly and easily change make up brush tips while utilizing a single handle. In one embodiment, the quick connect/disconnect is achieved through using a single magnet on the mandrel which meets with a metal attraction plate on the proximal end of each retractable tip. 
         [0017]    The brush device cylindrical casing comprises a plurality of ridges on the surface interacting with an interlock means attached to said mandrel as a means of moving said mandrel. There is an interlock means that secures said mandrel into a fixed position. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the brush device comprises a single mandrel. 
         [0019]    The mandrel has an interlock connected thereto as a control and interlock means wherein said interlock extends from the surface of said mandrel and extends outward through the on the surface of the cylinder whereby said interlock means contact a pair of The sliding track uses a Track Initiating Divot and a Track Terminating Divot at the proximal and sistal ends respectively of the sliding track. This is to lock the mandrel into the open and closed positions. 
         [0020]    Further contemplated is a method for applying make up comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a first desired brush tip; (b) extending a mandrel from a retractable brush device to receive a brush tip; (c) securing selected brush tip to a brush device with quick connect/disconnect using a single magnet on the mandrel which meets with a metal attraction plate on the proximal end of each retractable tip; (d) using said brush device with said brush tip secured to apply a first make up; (e) removing said first brush tip by disengaging brush tip by a quick connect disconnect; (f) selecting a second brush tip; (g) securing said second brush tip to a device by means of a quick connect/disconnect; (h) retracting said second brush tip into a device with a retractable means for retracting said brush tip within a casing. 
         [0021]    The invention also includes a brush kit comprising: a. a device for holding brush tips, wherein said device comprises means for exposing, retracting, and storing a single removable brush tip; b. a plurality of brush tips, wherein each brush tip may be quickly attached and detached from a holder through use of a quick connect/disconnect; c. a case for containing the device and the brush tips said case having a base and a cover, said case having an Ultra Violet light source with electronic board, battery source, and a timer switch placed on the inside a cover of said case and the base and cover of said case are constructed and arranged such that when the case is closed, the light ultraviolet light turns on and sanitizes brush tip bristles placed thereon, said light further controlled by a timer switch incorporated into said electronic board such that said ultra violet illuminates for a preset period of time up to five minutes and said light automatically switches off when sanitization is complete. 
         [0022]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a retractable brush with easily replaceable brush tip. 
         [0023]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a retractable brush with easily replaceable brush tip usable by artists. 
         [0024]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a retractable brush with easily replaceable brush tip usable for application of make up. 
         [0025]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a retractable brush with easily replaceable brush tip whereby said brush tip is changed with a quick connect/disconnect. 
         [0026]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a retractable brush with easily replaceable brush tip whereby said quick connect/disconnect is achieved through use of opposing polarity magnets. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]    Those and other objects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become more apparent from the description that follows with reference to several preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  shows the separated components of the brush device. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  shows the separated components showing the mandrel separated from the cylindrical casing. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  shows an assembled embodiment of the device wherein the mandrel is extended and the brush tip extends from the orifice of the cylindrical casing. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  shows an assembled embodiment of the device wherein the mandrel is retracted and the brush tip is completely within the cylindrical casing. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  shows an embodiment of the mandrel and tip. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6  is a case of the present invention showing the inside cover, outside cover and front view of the closed case. 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the open case of the present invention showing brushes placed on the base of the case and an ultra violet light attached to the inside cover. 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  shows an embodiment of a brush tip with a single polarity magnet and metal attraction plate. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    The present invention will be described in further detail by referring to the several preferred embodiments thereof that are shown in the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that those embodiments are only shown specifically, but they are non-limitative as far as they don&#39;t depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
         [0037]    As used herein, the term mandrel is the shaft on which the working tool, in this invention the brush tip, is mounted 
         [0038]    In  FIG. 1 , the device  5  is shown in a disassembled manner to demonstrate the component parts. The brush bristles  10 , are secured into bristle housing  20 . The bristle housing  20  is connected to brush tip  30 . Brush tip  30  is configured such that the end to be fastened is paired with an appropriate receiving portion of mandrel  40 . The brush tip  30  and receiving portion  40  act in concert to create a quick connect/disconnect. The specific manner of quick connect/disconnect may be any manner known in the art by which the 2 component may be securely fastened and subsequently unfastened in order for the user to change brush tips as desired. The mandrel  40  has attached an interlock  45 . Underneath interlock  45  is a tension applicator  55 . Tension applicator  55  exerts force away from mandrel  40  such that when interlock  45  is placed in between axial parallel portions  60 , it serves to lock interlock  45  into a fixed position. The fixed position may be with mandrel  40  extended, such that bristles  10  extend outward from cylindrical casing  50  through orifice  70 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 2  shows the device  5  is shown in a disassembled manner to demonstrate the component parts. This view shows a smaller bristle  10 , secured into bristle housing  20 . In this view, brush assembly  30  is connected to mandrel  40 . The assembly is attached by a quick connect/disconnect. The quick connect disconnect may be by any acceptable means. The embodiment shown herein shown the attachment of brush assembly  30  connected to mandrel  40 . 
         [0040]    Although not shown in the figure, in this particular embodiment brush assembly  30  is held in place to mandrel  40  using a single magnet  80  on mandrel  40  which meets with a metal attraction plate  85  on the proximal end of each retractable tip  30 . This entire portion is placed in cylindrical casing  50 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows the device  5  in an assembled manner. In this view, the interaction between interlock  45  and axial parallel portions  60  is seen. The interlock will rest in the spaces created by portions  60  such that it will lock the mandrel into place. This view show the bristles and tip  10  protruding from the device  5  through orifice  70 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows the device  5  in an assembled manner. This view depicts the device of the present invention wherein the mandrel is locked in a position such that the bristles and tip are retracted and contained within the cylindrical casing  50  of the device. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows a rear prospective view wherein brush tip  80  is separated from mandrel  75 . 
         [0044]    As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , case  105  has a cover  94  and a base  95 . Cover  94  has an outer surface  99  and an interior surface  93 . 
         [0045]    Said interior surface  93  has batteries  88 , electronic circuit board  90  and ultraviolet light  93  incorporated thereon and secured into position. Circuit board  90  has power wires  89  supplying power from batteries  88 . Circuit board  90  has supply wires  91  that supply power to ultraviolet light  92 . Actuator  96  transmits a signal to circuit board  90  when cover  94  is closed upon base  95 . Said signal initiates power from circuit board  90  to ultraviolet light  92  for a preset period. In a preferred embodiment, ultraviolet light is illuminated for 5 minutes. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, as seen in  FIG. 8 , a single polarity magnet  80  connects to a metal attraction plate  85  that is on one end of tip  30 . Tip  30  extends through orifice  70 . 
         [0047]    It is contemplated that the present invention be part of a kit. Both novice and professional make up artist may use the invention. Additionally, artists will be able to exchange paintbrush tips with the present invention. The user will be able to select brush tips that will quickly and easily attach to the mandrel on the subject invention. The contemplated brush tips would include any of the make up applications commonly known. 
         [0048]    Unlike prior attempts at multi tip brush devices, the present invention will be streamlined and will not be particularly cumbersome as devices that contain multiple attached brushes. It is known in the art that heavy brushes do not balance well in the hand of the make up artist, and do not allow for maximum detail dexterity. 
         [0049]    The present invention provides for a pen-like make up brush device which is streamlined, lightweight, and accommodates interchangeable brush tips. The brush bristles are held in a shank. The shank, in turn, is connected to the mandrel by means of an appropriate quick connect means. The present invention is contemplated as being usable for all make up applications. These would include, but would not be limited to, lip brush, concealer, eye shading, eye liner, lash brush. Because the brush tips are easily removed and changed, the user is able to both effectively clean the various brush tips, and to customize the device for specific/personalized use. The Ultra Violet light source with electronic board, battery source, and timer switch is placed in the cover and the base of the case as to, when the case is closed the light comes on to sanitize the tip bristles. A timer switch is incorporated into the electronic board to keep the light sanitizing for five minutes while contained in the case. The light automatically switches off when sanitization is complete. 
         [0050]    While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.