Device for dispensing mascara

• US 6,676,320 B1
• Filed: 11/26/2001
• Issued: 01/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Key Beaute Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Key Beaute Incorporated
• Inventors: Wainer, Stephanie Kellar
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan N.
• Application Number:
  US09/994,125
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• Field of Search: 401/118, 401/121, 401/122, 401/126-130, 220/695, 220/697, 220/698, 251/9
• US Class Current: 401/122
• 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, a first opening in communication with the interior reservoir, a second opening in communication with the interior reservoir, and a boss formed around said second opening,

(ii) a funnel disposed within the first opening in said container, said funnel being shaped to define a rigid finger and a flexible finger, said rigid finger and said flexible finger together defining an orifice, said flexible finger being capable of inward flexion,

(iii) a button, said button being separate from said funnel, said button being slidably disposed within said boss formed in said container and projecting through said second opening for contacting the flexible finger of said funnel so as to regulate the size of the orifice defined by said funnel, 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; 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 the tapered head of said button is capable of being inwardly compressed.

3. The device as claimed in claim 2 further comprising a compression spring for urging said button away from said funnel.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3 further comprising an O-ring mounted on said button for providing a seal between said button and said container.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 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.

6. The device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said applicator is sized and shaped to penetrate through the orifice in said funnel.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said applicator is in the form of a brush.

8. The device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said applicator is in the form of a foam sponge.

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

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

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

12. The device as claimed in claim 1 in combination with 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

19. The device as claimed in claim 1 in combination with 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.

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