Device for dispensing mascara

• US 6,974,271 B2
• Filed: 08/04/2004
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• 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:
  US10/911,240
• Publication Number:
  US 20050095052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 401/118, 401/121, 401/122, 401126-130, 220/695, 220/697, 220/698, 251/9
• 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 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.

2. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said funnel is a unitary device which is annular in transverse cross-section.

3. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said container is shaped to define a second opening in communication with the interior reservoir.

4. The device as claimed in claim 3 wherein said container comprises a boss which is formed around the second opening.

5. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said button is disposed to project through the second opening defined by said container.

6. The device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said button is slidably disposed within the boss formed in said container.

7. The device as claimed in claim 6 further comprising an O-ring mounted on said button for providing a seal between said button and said container.

8. The device as claimed in claim 7 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.

9. The device as claimed in claim 8 wherein said applicator is sized and shaped to penetrate through the orifice in said funnel.

10. The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said applicator is in the form of a brush.

11. The device as claimed in claim 9 wherein said applicator is in the form of a foam sponge.

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

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 medical cream.

24. The device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said button comprises a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end including a knob, said distal end being partially bifurcated and defining a shuttering arm and a biasing arm.

25. The device as claimed in claim 24 wherein said shuttering arm has a scalloped distal end.

26. The device as claimed in claim 24 wherein said biasing arm is resiliently flexible towards shuttering arm and is shaped to include a pawl.

27. The device as claimed in claim 24 wherein said knob is shaped to include a peripheral groove.

28. 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 and a second 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 second opening out of contact with said funnel for selectively eclipsing the orifice defined by said funnel, and

(iv) spring means for urging said button away from eclipsing the orifice, and

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