Applicator, particularly for mascara, provided with a depositing element of variable length

Abstract

 An applicator provided with a brush (3) fixed to a stem (2) secured to a cap (6) connectable to a container (15), particularly for mascara, comprising a tubular member (4) carried by the cap (6) coaxially to said stem (2) and mobile axially and in an adjustable manner relative to this latter, means (5, 18) being provided to vary the length of mutual engagement of two threaded parts (12, 13) provided on the stem (2) and on the tubular member (4), which cooperate with each other.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to an applicator comprising a depositing element, typically a brush, fixed to a stem secured to a cap. By inserting the brush into a hole in a member containing the substance to be deposited, said cap can be secured to said member, for example by screwing it onto this latter.

[0002] With particular reference to commercially available mascara applicators, these all have a brush of fixed length. This can create problems when the mascara has to be applied to eyelashes which can differ in width.

[0003] In this respect if the eyelashes occupy only a small width, in the sense that the width of an individual eye varies from person to person, then the commercially available brushes are adequate for the purpose, whereas if the eyelashes are of only slightly greater than average width a double stroke has to be made to deposit the mascara on them. In this respect, the first stroke deposits mascara on only a part of them and the second stroke covers the part not touched by the first stroke.

[0004] All this obviously prolongs the said operation, which becomes annoying and tedious.

[0005] It can also happen that the second stroke also deposits mascara on those eyelashes already covered by the first stroke so overloading them, with obvious aesthetic drawbacks.

[0006] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a specially formed applicator which enables mascara to be deposited on eyelashes of different widths without requiring the user to make a second stroke for depositing the product on the part untouched by the first.

[0007] This therefore results in a quicker and less tedious operation. This and further objects which will be more apparent to the expert of the art are attained by an applicator provided with a brush fixed to a stem secured to a cap connectable to a container for product, typically mascara, comprising a mobile tubular member carried by the cap coaxially to said stem and mobile axially and in an adjustable manner relative to this latter.

[0008] Means are provided which by mutual cooperation allow the tubular member to undergo relative movement on the stem, this movement being for example of the rotary-translational type.

[0009] The tubular member has one end rigid with first means for generating said movement, its other end, namely that in proximity to the brush, being in the shape of a cup the skirt of which can cover part of the brush by virtue of the movement of the tubular member.

[0010] On the inside of this latter, in a position immediately above the cup-shaped part, there is a threaded part which engages another part provided on the stem in proximity to the brush, said parts determining the translational movement of the tubular body on the stem in cooperation with the aforesaid means.

[0011] The first means generating the movement of the tubular member are disposed within the cap and are fixed only to the tubular member. They retain this latter in the said position such that it follows them in their movement.

[0012] In the example described hereinafter said first means are an element of polygonal section, and in such a case a cavity is present in the cap between the walls thereof and said element. The second means which in cooperation with the first generate the movement of the tubular member on the stem are secured to the product container. In the example described hereinafter said second means are specifically a U-shaped key fixed on a movable arm which can slide in a corridor provided in the product container, but without separating from it. This movement is obtained by known means.

[0013] When the movable arm is completely inserted, the key enters a cavity of suitable shape to receive it, provided in the base of the mascara container.

[0014] To use the present applicator, the movable arm is withdrawn from the said corridor, by which the key also withdraws, after which the stem carrying the brush is extracted from the container. On positioning the key in the cavity provided in the cap, now held in an inverted position, and rotating the container, the polygonal section element rotates, as does the mobile tube which can then partially cover the brush to the extent required by the user, or alternatively leave it totally uncovered.

[0015] The intention will be more apparent form the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic exploded view of the device of the present invention, in which some parts are shown in section for greater clarity;

Figure 2 is a perspective section on the line II-II of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section on the line II-II of Figure 1.

[0016] With reference to the figures, the applicator, indicated overall by 1, comprises a stem 2 to which a brush 3 is fixed, and a tubular member 4 coaxial to said stem 2 and secured at one end to first means arranged to cause it to move on said stem 2, said means in the example described herein being an element 5 of polygonal section. This latter is disposed in a cap 6 to which the stem 2 is fixed, there being provided a cavity 7 between the element 5 and cap 6.

[0017] The tubular member 4 comprises at that end 8 remote from the element 5 a cup portion 9, the skirt 10 of which defines a cavity 11 which can slide over the brush 3.

[0018] On the inside of the tubular member 4 in proximity to the cup portion 9 there is a threaded part 12 cooperating with a threaded part 13 present on the stem 2 in proximity to the brush 3.

[0019] This latter is inserted into a hole 14 in a mascara container 15 to which there are secured second means arranged to cooperate with the first disposed in the cap 16 in order to generate the movement of the tubular member 4.

[0020] Specifically, in the example described herein, fixed laterally to the container 15 and extractable from its lower part 16 there is a movable arm 17 carrying a component or key 18 shaped in such a manner, for example U-shaped, as to be able to be used for causing the rotation of the element 5.

[0021] The movable arm 17 is mobile in a corridor 19 provided in the container 15, there being provided, again in its lower part 16, a cavity 20 for retaining the key 18 when not extracted for use. When regard to the use of the applicator, it will be assumed that mascara is to be applied to the eyelashes.

[0022] The movable arm 17 is pulled down from the lower part 16 of the container 15 together with the key 18, and locked in this position by a stop or other known means.

[0023] The cap 6 is now unscrewed from the container 15, and the stem 2 and brush 3 withdrawn through their hole 14.

[0024] The stem 2 is now pushed upwards through the key 18 and towards the container until said key enters the cavity 7 present between the element 5 of polygonal section and the cap, so that it engages the element 5.

[0025] On rotating the container 15, and thus the key, the tubular member 4 screws or unscrews along the threaded part 13 of the stem 2, to thus enable the skirt 10 of the cup portion 9 of the member 4 to cover part of the brush 3 to the required extent, to thus leave free only that part to be used for depositing mascara on the eyelashes.

[0026] By varying the position of the cup portion 9 on the brush 3, the length required for use is obtained.

[0027] The means which generate the relative movement of the tubular member 4 on the stem 2 are described herein, by way of non-­limiting example only, as an element 5 of polygonal section and a key 18. However, said means can take many different forms, including complicated forms, provided their cooperation results in relative movement of the tubular member 4 on the stem 2.

Claims

1. An applicator provided with a brush (3) fixed to a stem (2) secured to a cap (6) connectable to a container (15), particularly for mascara, characterised by comprising a tubular member (4) carried by the cap (6) coaxially to said stem (2) and mobile axially and in an adjustable manner relative to this latter.

2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said tubular member has a threaded part (12) which engages a corresponding threaded part (13) provided on said stem (2).

3. An applicator as claimed in claim 2, characterised by comprising, associated with said tubular member (4), means (5, 18) for varying the length of engagement of said threaded parts (12, 13).

4. An applicator as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that said means (5, 18) comprise an element (5) disposed in the cap (6) and operable by means (18), said element (5) being rigid with the tubular member (4).

5. An applicator as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that the means (18) for operating the element (5) disposed in the cap (6) are in particular a key (18) which is fixed to a movable arm (17), both of which are extractable from a lower part (16) of the container (15), there being provided in said part (16) a corridor (19) and a cavity (20) which are arranged to receive said key (18) and movable arm (17).

6. An applicator as claimed in claim 4, characterised in that that end (8) of the tubular member remote from the element (5) disposed in the cap (6) is shaped as a cup (9) the skirt (10) of which is able to receive part of the brush.

Drawing