Device for dispensing mascara

• US 20050095052A1
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Published: 05/05/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Key Beaute Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Key Beaute Incorporated
• Inventors: Wainer, Stephanie Kellar
• Granted Patent: US 6,974,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/122
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/268 with adjustable wiping action
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1053 Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/021 arranged like in cosmetics brushes, e.g. mascara, nail polish, eye shadow

Abstract

A device for dispensing mascara includes a container assembly for holding the supply of mascara and an applicator for dispensing an amount of mascara, the applicator being sized and shaped to penetrate into the container assembly. The container assembly includes a tubular container which is shaped to define an interior cavity into which the supply of mascara is stored. A funnel is disposed within an open neck in the container and includes a rigid member and a flexible member which together define an orifice. A button slidably disposed in the container can be manually depressed so as to urge against the flexible member of the funnel. Accordingly, depression of the button regulates the size of the funnel orifice through which the applicator passes and, in turn, the amount of mascara which is retained onto the applicator upon removal from the container assembly.

Claims

1. A device for dispensing a product, said device comprising:

(a) a container assembly which is adapted to hold said product, said container assembly comprising,

(i) a container shaped to define an interior reservoir and a first opening in communication with the interior reservoir,

(ii) a funnel disposed within the first opening in said container, said funnel being shaped to define an orifice,

(iii) a button slidably disposed within said container for regulating the size of the orifice defined by said funnel, and

(b) an applicator assembly which is adapted to dispense said product, said applicator assembly being sized and shaped to penetrate said container assembly.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said funnel is capable of inward flexion.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said funnel is a unitary device which is annular in transverse cross-section.

4. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein said funnel is shaped to include a rigid finger and a flexible finger which together define the orifice.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said funnel is shaped to include a pair of spaced apart slits.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said slits are formed into said funnel less than 180 degrees apart.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the flexible finger is defined by the acute portion of said funnel between the pair of spaced apart slits.

8. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said container is shaped to define a second opening in communication with the interior reservoir.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said container comprises a boss which is formed around the second opening.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said button is separate from said funnel.

11. The device as claimed in claim 10 wherein said button is disposed to project through the second opening defined by said container.

12. The device as claimed in claim 11 wherein said button is disposed to contact said funnel.

13. The device as claimed in claim 12 wherein said button is slidably disposed within the boss formed in said container.

14. The device as claimed in claim 13 wherein said button is disposed to contact the flexible finger of said funnel.

15. The device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said button comprises an elongated shaft, an enlarged knob formed onto one end of said shaft and a tapered head formed onto the other end of said shaft.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the tapered head of said button is capable of being inwardly compressed.

17. The device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising a compression spring for urging said button away from said funnel.

18. The device as claimed in claim 17 further comprising an O-ring mounted on said button for providing a seal between said button and said container.

19. The device as claimed in claim 18 wherein said applicator assembly comprises,

(a) a cap threadingly mounted onto said container so as to enclose the first opening,

(b) a wand coaxial with said cap and having a proximal end integral with said cap, said wand projecting in relation to said cap, and

(c) an applicator mounted onto the distal end of said wand, said applicator being adapted to pass through the first opening and immerse in said product when said cap is mounted onto said container.

20. The device as claimed in claim 19 wherein said applicator is sized and shaped to penetrate through the orifice in said funnel.

21. The device as claimed in claim 20 wherein said applicator is in the form of a brush.

22. The device as claimed in claim 20 wherein said applicator is in the form of a foam sponge.

23. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is a cosmetic.

24. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is mascara.

25. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is lip gloss.

26. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is a cosmetic selected from the group consisting of foundation, concealer, eye shadow and eyebrow gel.

27. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is paper correction fluid.

28. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is cement.

29. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is touch-up automotive paint.

30. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is barbeque sauce.

31. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is shoe polish.

32. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is a tree pruning sealer.

33. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is a grease-based compound for preventing metal items from being frozen, rusted or sealed together.

34. The combination of said device as claimed in claim 1 and a product disposed within said interior reservoir for being dispensed by said device wherein said product is a medical cream.

35. A device for dispensing a product, said device comprising:

(a) a container assembly which is adapted to hold said product, said container assembly comprising,

(i) a container shaped to define an interior reservoir and a first opening in communication with the interior reservoir,

(ii) a funnel disposed within the first opening in said container, said funnel being shaped to define an orifice at one end thereof,

(iii) a button slidably disposed within said container out of contact with said funnel for selectively eclipsing the orifice defined by said funnel, and

(b) an applicator assembly which is adapted to dispense said product, said applicator assembly being sized and shaped to penetrate said container assembly.