Abstract:
An applicator is provided that is adjustable in size for application and storage purposes. The applicator has first and second bodies each supporting an applicator medium in the form of a plurality of bristles, a sponge or a fibrous material. The first and second bodies also serve as handles for the applicator. The bodies are connected by a hinge (or other means) to allow them to be selectively repositioned to change the relative dimensions of the applicator medium. The hinge permits the second body to be selectively moved relative to the first body from a first position wherein the depth of the applicator medium is relatively greater, to a second position wherein the width of applicator medium is relatively greater. The first position provides dimensions that are more convenient for storage in a compact with relatively small dimensions, while the second position provides dimensions more convenient for applying cosmetic to a broader application area.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to cosmetic applicators, and in particular, cosmetic applicators for applying, for example, powdered blush or foundation to a user&#39;s skin. More particularly, the invention relates to cosmetic applicators that can be selectively adjusted from a size suitable for storage in a cosmetic compact case to a size suitable for application of cosmetic.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     Applicators for applying cosmetics such as, for example, blush or foundation, are well known. The applicators generally have a body portion that serves as a handle, with an end that supports a suitable applicator medium, such as, for example, a sponge or a tuft of bristles extending from the body. Cosmetic applicators of this type are often provided to consumers as an accessory to a portable compact case (also referred to herein as a compact) containing cosmetic and, for the convenience of the consumer, may be provided in a recess or compartment in the compact. Examples of applicators included in compacts can be found in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 281,731, U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,387 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,863, incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.  
         [0005]     A problem associated with applicators provided in a cosmetic compact is that the minimal dimensions of a smaller, more convenient compact may not have sufficient storage space for an applicator with a suitably large applicator medium and/or a conveniently sized handle. Conversely, to store an applicator with a suitably dimensioned applicator medium and/or a conveniently sized handle may require increasing the external dimensions of a compact to a less desirable, larger size. In U.S. Pat. No. Des. 281,731, the problem appears to be addressed by making the compact wider to accommodate a broad brush, and by making the compact deeper to provide a drawer for storing additional cosmetics and at least one additional applicator. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,387, the problem appears to be addressed by allowing the handle of the applicator to extend partially outside the compact case. Although the latter arrangement appears to minimize the external dimension of the compact case once the applicator is removed, with the applicator stored in the compact the overall external dimensions of the compact case combined with the applicator handle protruding outside the case may be larger than desired.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,298,863 discloses a cosmetic case with a brush storage hole and a brush with a protective cap and a grip part. The protective cap moves, from a position covering the bristles, to a position covering the grip part (thus uncovering the bristles). When the protective cap is in the position covering the bristles, the grip part may be pivoted at a right angle to the protective cap for more compact storage in a groove on the side of the cosmetic case. With the brush in the brush storage hole, this arrangement appears to minimize the external dimensions of the cosmetic case, but the application portion of the brush does not appear to be adjustable in size for application or storage purposes.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, there is a need for an applicator with an applicator medium portion and a handle portion that can be adjusted from a size and configuration best suited for application to a size and configuration best suited for storage in a compact.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     To overcome the deficiencies of the prior art, an applicator is provided that is adjustable in size for application and storage purposes. The applicator has first and second bodies each supporting an applicator medium (e.g., a plurality of bristles or a sponge) adapted for applying a cosmetic (e.g., blush, foundation, eye shadow, etc.). In addition to supporting the applicator medium, at least one of the first and second bodies may serve as a handle for the applicator. The bodies are provided with connection means to allow them to be selectively repositioned to change the relative dimensions of the applicator and/or applicator medium. The connection means are provided such that the second body is selectively movable relative to the first body from a first position, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein the depth of the second body applicator medium is adjacent to and increases the relative depth of the first body applicator medium, to a second position, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , wherein the width of the second body applicator medium is adjacent to and increases the relative width of the first body applicator medium. The connection means may, for example, be a hinge or other suitable connecting mechanism that permits the first body and second body to be rearranged relative to each other. If hinged, the bodies may be selectively moved from a folded configuration (the first position) with a relatively greater depth and a smaller width, to an unfolded configuration (the second position) to provide a relatively smaller depth and greater width. In a relatively smaller but deeper compact, for example, the folded configuration would in most cases be better suited for the storage in a narrow but relatively deeper compartment, while the unfolded configuration would provide a wider applicator better suited for application of cosmetic to a larger area (e.g., cheeks). Conversely, if a wider, shallower compact design is preferred, the unfolded configuration could be better suited for storage in the compact while the folded configuration would provide a narrower applicator for application of cosmetic to relatively smaller areas (e.g., eyelids. The application medium is preferably a plurality of bristles. Alternatively, a woven or non-woven fibrous medium, a sponge type material, a flocked substrate or other material suitable for applying cosmetic may be provided as the applicator medium.  
         [0009]     The advantages of the size-adjustable applicator are clear. In the first position (folded), the applicator may be readily stored in a relatively narrow, but deeper compartment in a compact with relatively smaller external dimensions, and unfolded to the second position to apply cosmetic to a relatively larger area. In the second position (unfolded), the applicator may be stored in a relatively shallow, but wider compartment in a compact with relatively larger external dimensions, but be folded to the first position to apply cosmetic to a relatively smaller area. Thus, the applicator may be stored or used to apply cosmetic in either the first position (folded) or in the second position (fully unfolded). In the first position, the applicator will deliver cosmetic via an increased applicator depth (thickness) to a relatively narrow application area, thus coating the area somewhat more heavily. In the second position (fully unfolded), the applicator will deliver the cosmetic via an increased applicator width, thus coating a wider application area somewhat less heavily. The applicator offers other advantages. For example, in the second position (open), each applicator medium may be loaded with a cosmetic having a different color or other characteristic, e.g., by drawing each applicator medium of the open applicator simultaneously through adjacent cosmetic pans, or by running each medium through a different cosmetic pan consecutively. The open applicator can then be used to apply the two different cosmetics to an application area such that immediately adjacent areas are treated differently, e.g., two different shades are applied simultaneously to adjacent zones of a cheek to emphasize the cheek structure. Alternatively, after loading a different cosmetic onto each applicator medium, the applicator can be folded to the first position to apply the two different cosmetics to one application area, e.g., to blend two different colors directly on the application area. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a size-adjustable applicator according to the invention in a first position (folded, contracted or closed);  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  between the first position and a second position, i.e., partially unfolded, expanded or open;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2  in the second position (fully unfolded, expanded or open);  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a partial sectional view of the hinge portion of the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the applicator in the first position;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIG. 5  in between the first and second position;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the embodiment of  FIGS. 5-6  in the second position;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the applicator in the second position;  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the applicator illustrated in  FIG. 8  in the second position;  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is an end view of the applicator of  FIGS. 8-9  in the first position;  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the applicator of  FIGS. 8-10  in the first position;  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the size-adjustable applicator in the first position with another embodiment of the connecting means;  
         [0022]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the applicator of  FIG. 12  in the second position;  
         [0023]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the size-adjustable applicator in the first position with another embodiment of the connecting means; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the applicator of  FIG. 14  in the second position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     An applicator that is selectively size-adjustable for storage and application purposes according to the invention is indicated generally by reference number  1  in the  FIGS. 1-3 . The applicator is provided with an applicator medium  3  suitable for applying makeup in powder, paste or liquid form, such as, for example, blush, foundation, eye shadow, lip cosmetic, etc. In the present application, a preferred embodiment is shown and described in  FIGS. 1-3  with an applicator medium  3  comprised of bristles  5  (illustrated schematically) adapted for applying cosmetic. The bristles may be synthetic, e.g., nylon or other suitable material, or natural, e.g., goat hair, horse hair or china bristle. It will be understood that the applicator medium  3  may comprise media other than bristles suitable for applying cosmetics, such as, for example, sponge material, flocked material, fibrous material in woven or non-woven form or other suitable material. Accordingly, unless explicitly stated otherwise, any reference to a particular applicator medium (e.g., bristles) herein includes other types of applicator media (i.e., other than bristles).  
         [0026]     A first body  7  is provided having a base end  9  supporting a first applicator medium  11  in the form of a first plurality of bristles  13  (illustrated schematically) adapted for applying cosmetic. The first applicator medium extends from the base end  9  of the first body  7  to a free end  12 . An opposite end  10  of the first body  7  may serve as a handle. The applicator medium  11  is secured to the body  7  in an arrangement having a width indicated by bracket  15  and a depth indicated by bracket  17 . The width and depth illustrated are different relative to one another, yielding and arrangement that is wider than it is deep. However, the width and depth may be identical measurements, i.e., yielding an arrangement that is as wide as it is deep.  
         [0027]     A second body  19  is provided adjacent the first body  7 . The second body  19  has a base end  21  supporting a second applicator medium  23  in the form of a second plurality of bristles  25  (illustrated schematically) adapted for applying cosmetic. The second applicator medium  23  extends from the base end  21  of the body  19  to a free end  24 . An opposite end  22  of the second body  19  serves as a handle. The second applicator medium  23  is secured in an arrangement having a width indicated by bracket  27  and a depth indicated by bracket  29  (best illustrated in  FIG. 3 ). The width and depth illustrated are different relative to one another, yielding and arrangement that is wider than it is deep. However, the width and depth may be identical measurements, i.e., yielding an arrangement that is as wide as it is deep.  
         [0028]     The width and depth of the applicator medium is best measured at or near where each applicator medium departs the body  7  and body  19 , respectively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 . Applicator media such as, for example, bristle tufts, sponges or fibrous materials may be tapered inwardly at the free end  12 ,  24 , or splayed outwardly at the free end  12 ,  24 . Tufts of bristles, for example, are often tapered inwardly, either by providing air spaces within the tuft at the end attached to the body, and/or by making the tuft from individually tapered bristles. Accordingly, the width and depth measured at the free ends  12 ,  24  of each medium may differ from width and depth measurements of the media taken immediately adjacent the base end of each body  7 ,  19 .  
         [0029]     The first applicator medium  11  and second applicator medium  23  may each have different characteristics. For example, the bristles  13  may be longer than the bristles  25 , or the bristles  13  may be relatively stiffer than the bristles  25 . The shape of the free end  12  of the first applicator medium  11  may be the same as or different from the shape of the free end  24  of the applicator medium  23 . Or, as illustrated, the shape of the second applicator medium  23  may complement the shape of the first applicator medium  11  when the first applicator medium is adjacent the second.  
         [0030]     Means  31  are provided for connecting the first body  7  and the second body  19 . The means  31  are provided such that the second body  19  is selectively movable relative to the first body  7  from a first position, illustrated in  FIG. 1 , wherein the depth  29  of the arrangement of the second applicator medium  23  is adjacent to and increases the relative depth  17  of the arrangement of the first applicator medium  11 , to a second position, illustrated in  FIG. 3 , wherein the width  27  of the arrangement of the second applicator medium  23  is adjacent to and increases the relative width  15  of the arrangement of the first applicator medium  11 . The first position may be referred to herein as the folded, closed, compact or contracted position, and the second position may be referred to herein as the unfolded, open or expanded position.  
         [0031]     The means  31  for connecting the first body  7  and the second body  19  may be a permanent connection (e.g., a hinge) or a selectively separable connection (e.g., magnetic connectors or cooperative mating structures, such as, for example, snap or slide connectors or cooperatively acting sections of hook and loop tape). Preferably, the means  31  for connecting the first and second base is a hinge  33  providing a relatively permanent connection between the first body  7  and second body  19 . In the preferred embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the means  31  may be a hinge  33  of the type that permits body  7  to swing as much as approximately 360 degrees about body  19 . This can be accomplished as illustrated by providing a pivot block  35  in a space defined by a clearance  51  in body  7  and a comparable adjacent clearance  52  in body  19 . Pivot block  35  is pivotally connected to body  7  by way of a pin  37 , and to body  19  by way of a pin  39 . As best illustrated in  FIG. 4 , pin  39  passes through a bore  41  in body  19 . The bore  41  has a proximal end  47  and a distal end  49 . The pin  39  continues through a second bore  43  in pivot block  35  that is axially aligned with bore  41 . A distal end  45  of the pin  39  extends from the second bore  43  into the distal end  49  of bore  41  in body  19 . To make the connection durable and relatively permanent, pin  39  is secured in one of bore  41  and  43  by way of press fit, adhesive, welding or other suitable securing means. Pin  39  is permitted to pivot freely in the other of bore  41  and  43 , so that pivot block  35  can pivot freely relative to body  19  at least as much as 180 degrees. Body  7  is similarly connected to pivot block  35  by way of pin  37  in bores (not shown) in body  7  and pivot block  35  such that pivot block  35  can pivot as much as 180 degrees relative to body  7 . Because pivot block  35  can pivot as much as 180 degrees relative each of first body  7  and second body  19 , each of first body  7  and second body  19  can pivot cumulatively nearly 360 degrees relative to the other.  
         [0032]     Alternatively, the hinge  33  may be any one of a variety of well known types, including, but not limited to, a piano hinge, a strap hinge, a ball and socket hinge, a butt hinge or a living hinge. In  FIGS. 3-7 , the hinge  33  is illustrated as a living hinge  36  connecting the first body  7  to the second body  19 . The living hinge  36  comprises a thin, flexible web of material either integrally molded with the body  7  and/or the body  19 , or molded onto the body  7  and/or the body  19  by, for example, bi-injection molding. Alternatively, the living hinge  36  may be separately manufactured and subsequently attached to each body  7 ,  19  by way of adhesive, welding, overmolding, or other suitable attachment means.  
         [0033]     Preferably, means are provided to hold the body  7  and body  19  in the first position (folded) and the second position (open). This can be accomplished by providing the hinge with a ratchet mechanism (not shown). The ratchet mechanism would be adapted to selectively hold at least the first and second position, and could be adapted to selectively hold any desired number of positions in between the first and second position. Another means for holding the second position is illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 . The hinge  33  is adapted such that edge  81  of first body  7  and adjacent edge  82  of second body  19  are separated by a gap (indicated by arrow  83  in  FIG. 2 ) as body  19  pivots relative to body  7 . This can be accomplished by providing each of edges  81  and  82  with a radius to yield the required clearance. Once second body  19  has pivoted 180 degrees relative to first body  7 , i.e., to the second position (open), an edge  84  of first body  7  contacts an edge  85  of body  19  to prevent further travel and stop the applicator in the second position.  
         [0034]     As an alternative to hinges, the means for connecting may comprise cooperatively mating structures  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56  (see  FIGS. 8-11 ). The cooperatively mating structures may consist of, for example, at least one projection  53 ,  54  on one of the first body and the second body and at least one recess  55 ,  56  in the other of the first body and the second body, with the recess  55 ,  56  dimensioned to receive the at least one projection  53 ,  54  in mating engagement. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 8-11 , a rib-like projection  53  extends from a surface  57  of the first body  7 . The projection  53  has a thickened outer portion  61  supported on a relatively narrower upright portion  63 . A channel-like recess  55  is provided in a surface  59  of the second body  19 . The recess  55  has a relatively narrow clearance  65  at the surface  59  of the second body  19 , with a relatively wider spacing between opposite side walls (indicated approximately at ref. No.  70 ) of the recess below the surface  59 . The narrow clearance  65  has a dimension slightly larger than the thickness of the upright portion  63 , but smaller than the thickness of the thickened outer portion  61  of projection  53 . The outer portion  61  has a dimension slightly smaller than the spacing between the sidewalls of the recess at  70 . Thus, the recess  55  is adapted to cooperatively mate with the rib  53  when the surfaces  57  and  59  of body  7  and body  19  are placed adjacent one another (see  FIG. 10 ). If the materials of the projection and the recess are relatively elastic, the projection  53  can be mated with the recess  55  by merely by applying sufficient force. Alternatively, or if the materials are not sufficiently elastic, the recess is provided with an open end  67 , through which an end  69  of the projection  53  may enter. The projection  53  may then slide into recess  55  until the entire length of projection  53  is within recess  55 .  
         [0035]     For the second position (open), a rib-like projection  54  extends from a side  93  of the first body  7 . The projection  54  has a thickened outer portion  62  supported on a relatively narrower upright portion  64 . A channel-like recess  56  is provided in a side  92  of the second body  19 . The recess  56  is adapted to receive in mating engagement the projection  54  in a manner similar to that described above for projection  53  and recess  55 .  
         [0036]     As another alternative means for connecting the two bodies  7  and  19 , at least one magnet  86 ,  87  ( FIGS. 12-13 ) may be provided on one of the first body and the second body, and at least one magnetically attractable member  88 ,  89  may be provided on the other of the first body and the second body at a position facilitating engagement with the magnet. As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , a magnet  86  is provided on the broad side  90  of second body  19 , and a cooperatively acting magnetically attractable member  88  is provided on the broad side  91  of first body  7 . The magnet  86  is illustrated as projecting slightly from the surface of side  90 , and the member  88  is illustrated as slightly recessed in side  91 . However, the magnet  86  and member  88  may each be flush with the respective side  90 ,  91 . When the magnet  86  engages the member  88 , the bodies  7  and  19  are securely held by magnetic attraction in the first position (folded) as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Similarly, a magnet  87  provided on the narrow side  92  of second body  19 , and a cooperatively acting magnetically attractable member  89  is provided on the narrow side  93  of first body  7 . When the magnet  87  engages the member  89 , the bodies  7  and  19  are securely held by magnetic attraction in the second position (open) as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . The magnet and magnetically attractable member are made from suitable ferrous material and fastened respectively to the bodies  7  and  19  by adhesive, welding, in-molding or other suitable means.  
         [0037]     Another means for connecting first body  7  and second body  19 , shown in  FIGS. 14-15 , comprises cooperatively acting sections of hook and loop tape  94 ,  95 ,  96 ,  97  (illustrated schematically) secured on the bodies  7  and  19 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 15 , a section of hook tape  94  is provided on the broad side  90  of second body  19 , and a cooperatively engaging section of loop tape  96  is provided on the broad side  91  of first body  7 . When the section of hook tape  94  engages the section of loop tape  96 , the bodies  7  and  19  are securely held in the first position (folded) as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Similarly, a section of hook tape  95  provided on the narrow side  93  of first body  7 , and a cooperatively acting section of loop tape  97  is provided on the narrow side  92  of second body  19 . When the section of hook tape  95  engages the section of loop tape  97 , the bodies  7  and  19  are securely held in the second position (open) as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . The sections of hook tape and sections of loop tape are fastened respectively to the bodies  7  and  19  by adhesive, welding, in-molding or other suitable fastening means.  
         [0038]     The first body  7 , second body  19  and connection means  31  (e.g., hinge  33 , pivot block  35 , living hinge  36 , projections  53 ,  54 , etc.) may be made from any suitable material, but preferably are made of a plastic material that is injection molded such as, for example, styrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene terpolymer (ABS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), polyoxymethylene (POM), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) or polycarbonate (PC). In addition, the handle end  10 ,  22  may be covered with a relatively more elastic material to provide the handle with a ‘soft-touch’ grip (not shown). Suitable materials for the soft touch grip are, for example, elastomer thermoplastics (e.g., Santoprene®) or silicone rubber.  
         [0039]     Where the size-adjustable applicator includes a hinge  33  as the primary means for connecting first body  7  and second body  19 , secondary means of connection may be provided for selectively holding the second body  19  relative to the first body  7  in one of the first position and the second position. These secondary means could include any one of a magnetic clasp, a latch, a keeper, a hook, a snap fitment, and cooperatively acting sections of hook and loop tape. Thus, for example, if each of the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 8-15  were also provided with a hinge  33  as the primary means for connecting (not shown in  FIGS. 8-15 ), the cooperatively mating structures  53 ,  54 ,  55 ,  56 , magnets and magnetically attractable members  86 ,  87 , 88   89 , and sections of hook and loop tape  94 ,  95 ,  96 ,  97 , illustrated in  FIGS. 8-15  would serve as secondary means for holding the bodies  7  and  19  in the folded or open position. As a more specific example, in  FIGS. 5-7 , the size-adjustable applicator has a hinge  33  in the form of a living hinge  36 . A magnetic clasp is provided as the secondary means for holding the bodies  7  and  19  in the open position. The magnetic clasp comprises a magnet  87  provided on the narrow side  92  of second body  19 , and a cooperatively acting magnetically attractable member  89  provided on the narrow side  93  of first body  7 . Thus, when the second body  19  is pivoted on the primary connection means, living hinge  36 , from the first position (folded) illustrated in  FIG. 5 , to the second position (open) illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the secondary connection means engages, i.e., magnet  87  engages member  89  to hold the applicator in the second position. Other secondary means that may be used include, but are not limited to, for example, a latch, a keeper, a hook and a snap fitment.  
         [0040]     The size-adjustable applicator, in the first position (folded), may be readily stored in a relatively narrow, but deeper compartment in a compact with relatively smaller external dimensions. In the second position, the applicator may be stored in a relatively shallow, but wider compartment in a compact with relatively larger external dimensions. The applicator may be used to apply cosmetic in either the first position (folded) or in the second position (fully unfolded). In the first position, the applicator will deliver cosmetic via an increased applicator medium depth (thickness) to a relatively narrow application area, thus coating the area somewhat more heavily. In the second position (fully unfolded), the applicator will deliver the cosmetic via an increased applicator width, thus coating a wider application somewhat less heavily. The applicator offers other advantages. For example, in the second position (open), each applicator medium  11 ,  23  may be loaded with a cosmetic having a different color or other characteristic, e.g., by running the open applicator simultaneously through adjacent cosmetic pans, or by running each medium through a different cosmetic pan consecutively. The open applicator can then be used to apply the two different cosmetics to an application area so that immediately adjacent areas are treated differently, e.g., two different shades are applied to adjacent zones of a cheek to emphasize the cheek structure. Alternatively, the applicator can be folded to the first position to apply the two different cosmetics to one application area, e.g., to blend two different colors directly on the application area.  
         [0041]     While the invention has been described and illustrated as embodied in preferred forms of construction, it will be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention recited in the following claims.