Control surfaces for applicator with moveable applicator head

• US 8,985,883 B2
• Filed: 07/29/2008
• Issued: 03/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Galleria Co (Agnaten SE)
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Wyatt, Peter Jonathan, Wilson, David Edward, Winter, Florina, Beattie, Neil Scott, Ager, Colin Dennis, Cauwood, Peter David, Rabe, Thomas Elliot
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan N
• Application Number:
  US12/181,717
• Publication Number:
  US 20090154985A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,429 Days
• Field of Search: 401/118, 401126-131, 401/195, 132/216, 132/218
• US Class Current: 401/126
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/265 connected to the cap of the container
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 13/02 power-driven carriers
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1053 Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0095 Removable or interchangeable brush heads
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 7/04 interchangeably removable bristle carriers

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator comprising a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the handle comprises a drive; an applicator head operatively associated with the drive to move at least part of the applicator head relative to the handle; and a control surface disposed at the proximal end of the handle and operatively associated with the drive. The control surface may be rotatable about a control surface axis through a plurality of positions and the control surface axis may be aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle. The control surface may be moveable through a plurality of positions. The applicator may comprise an additional control surface, such as a second control surface or temporary control surface, which may be operated independently or in combination with the first control surface.

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator comprising:

a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the handle comprises a drive;

an applicator head operatively associated with the drive to move at least part of the applicator head relative to the handle; and

a control surface disposed at the proximal end of the handle and operatively associated with the drive;

wherein the control surface is rotatable about a control surface axis through a plurality of positions;

wherein the control surface axis is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the handle;

wherein the plurality of positions comprises at least a first position corresponding to a first state, a second position corresponding to a second state, and a third position corresponding to a third state; and

wherein rotation of the control surface among the plurality of positions causes the drive to operate according to the first state, the second state, and the third state;

wherein two or more of the states correspond to no motion of the applicator head and one or more of the states correspond to motion of at least part of the applicator head;

wherein the first position, the second position, and the third position provide a first visual guidance, a second visual guidance, and a third visual guidance to a user of the applicator as to operation of the applicator head.

13. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a fourth position corresponding to a fourth state;

wherein rotation of the control surface among the plurality of positions causes the drive to operate according to the first state, the second state, the third state, and the fourth state;

wherein the first state corresponds to no motion of the applicator head, the second state corresponds to a first motion of at least part of the applicator head, the third state corresponds to no motion of the applicator head, and the fourth state corresponds to a second motion of at least part of the applicator head; and

wherein the second position and fourth position are separated by a position corresponding to no motion.

14. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first motion and second motion are rotating motions, and wherein one of the first motion or second motion rotates in a first direction and the other of the first motion or second motion rotates in a second direction.

15. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first motion and second motion are rotating motions, and wherein the first motion rotates in a first direction at a first speed and the second motion rotates in the first direction at a second speed that is greater than the first speed.

16. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first motion and second motion are vibrating motions, and wherein the first motion vibrates at a first frequency and the second motion vibrates at a second frequency that is greater than the first frequency.

17. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first motion and second motion are translating motions, and wherein the first motion translates with a first amplitude and the second motion translates with a second amplitude that is greater than the first amplitude.

18. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first motion and second motion are oscillating motions, and wherein the first motion oscillates with a first oscillating motion and the second motion oscillates with a second oscillating motion that is faster than the first oscillating motion.

19. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first motion is a rotating motion and the second motion is a translating motion.

20. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first motion is a rotating motion and the second motion is a vibrating motion.

21. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first motion is a rotating motion and the second motion is an oscillating motion.

22. The applicator of claim 13, wherein the first motion is an oscillating motion and the second motion is a motion selected from the group including:

a translating motion and a vibrating motion.

2. A cosmetic applicator comprising:

a handle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the handle comprises a drive;

an applicator head operatively associated with the drive to move at least part of the applicator head relative to the handle; and

a control surface disposed at the proximal end of the handle and operatively associated with the drive, the control surface moveable through a plurality of positions;

wherein the plurality of positions comprises at least a first position corresponding to a first state, a second position corresponding to a second state, and a third position corresponding to a third state;

wherein movement of the control surface among the plurality of positions causes the drive to operate according to the first state, the second state, and the third state;

wherein two or more of the states correspond to no motion of the applicator head and one or more of the states correspond to motion of at least part of the applicator head;

wherein the first position, the second position, and the third position provide a first visual guidance, a second visual guidance, and a third visual guidance to a user of the applicator as to operation of the applicator head.

3. The applicator of claim 2, wherein the plurality of positions comprises a fourth position corresponding to a fourth state;

wherein movement of the control surface among the plurality of positions causes the drive to operate according to the first state, the second state, the third state, and the fourth state;

wherein the first state corresponds to no motion of the applicator head, the second state corresponds to a first motion of at least part of the applicator head, the third state corresponds to no motion of the applicator head, and the fourth state corresponds to a second motion of at least part of the applicator head; and

wherein the second position and fourth position are separated by a position corresponding to no motion.

4. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the first motion and second motion are rotating motions, and wherein one of the first motion or second motion rotates in a first direction and the other of the first motion or second motion rotates in a second direction.

5. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the first motion and second motion are rotating motions, and wherein the first motion rotates in a first direction at a first speed and the second motion rotates in the first direction at a second speed that varies from the first speed.

6. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the first motion and second motion are vibrating motions, and wherein the first motion vibrates at a first frequency and the second motion vibrates at a second frequency that varies from the first frequency.

7. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the first motion and second motion are translating motions, and wherein the first motion translates with a first amplitude and the second motion translates with a second amplitude that varies from the first amplitude.

8. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the first motion and second motion are oscillating motions, and wherein the first motion oscillates with a first oscillating motion and the second motion oscillates with a second oscillating motion varies from the first oscillating motion.

9. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the first motion is a rotating motion and the second motion is a translating motion.

10. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the first motion is a rotating motion and the second motion is a vibrating motion.

11. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the first motion is a rotating motion and the second motion is an oscillating motion.

12. The applicator of claim 3, wherein the first motion is an oscillating motion and the second motion is a motion selected from the group including:

a translating motion and a vibrating motion.