Mascara applicator

Abstract

 A mascara applicator is described which comprises a reservoir (11) for mascara containing dual side-by-side openings (15a, 15b) for the mascara and a handle (12) integrally connected to two substantially straight application brushes (13a, 13b) which are adapted to be placed in the openings to receive mascara on the brushes.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a mascara applicator; more particularly it relates to a mascara applicator having a dual brush arrangement.

[0002] Recently, in U.S. Patent No. 4,458,701, a double brush mascara applicator was described. That mascara applicator comprised applicator tongs and a two part carrying case with a mascara reservoir incorporated therein. The double brush tongs were made of a resilient material such that the brush members could receive eyelashes therebetween. The brushes were described as being of arcuate form so as to conform to the surfaces of the eyelashes. The disclosed applicator had a two piece holder case. The top of the holder case enclosed the top portion of the tongs when not in use. The bottom of the holder served as a repository for the mascara. Thus, the device was of three-piece construction, i.e. the top of the holder case, the applicator tongs and the bottom of the holder case.

[0003] The present invention relates to a more simple dual brush mascara applicator than the above-mentioned device. It comprises only two separate pieces. The first is a reservoir for the mascara which contains dual side-by-side openings to hold the mascara. The second component is a handle which is integrally connected to the two application brushes which are adapted to be placed in the openings of the reservoir to receive the mascara. The application brushes are substantially straight.

[0004] Referring to the accompanying illustrative drawing, the Figure is a perspective view showing a mascara applicator in accordance with the present invention with the large arrows indicating the relative direction of movement of the reservoir and the handle between the position of each component when the device is about to be used (as shown) and when it is not in use with the handle being stored in the reservoir (not shown).

[0005] As illustrated, the present mascara applicator comprises a reservoir 11 and a handle 12 which is integrally connected to the two application brushes 13a and 13b by brush support members 14a and 14b.

[0006] The brushes and support members 13 and 14 are both preferably substantially straight so that both are in substantially parallel side-by-side relationship to one another as shown in the Figure. Then handle 12 is formed of a resilient material which allows for inward flexing of members 12a and 12b due to the presence of slot 16 to bring support members 14a and 14b and brushes 13a and 13b towards one another (as indicated by the small arrows in the Figure) simultaneously to apply mascara to both surfaces of the eyelash from each brush.

[0007] The reservoir for the mascara contains dual side-by-side openings 15a and 15b which are each adapted to hold the mascara within. Preferably, the reservoir consists of two, generally cylindrical barrel portions joined together in side-by-side relationship, as illustrated in the Figure, each barrel portion containing an opening 15. In such a configuration, each opening 15a and 15b is a discrete reservoir opening such that neither communicates with the other. This allows for each to contain a different type of mascara, if desired, without having such mascara products undesirably become mixed together with one another in the reservoir member 11. The large arrows in the Figure indicate the direction in which the handle and integrally connected brushes is moved between a position within the reservoir 11 or outside the reservoir 11. If desired, the openings 15a and 15b may contain either the same type of mascara or two different types which are desired to be applied simultaneously to the eyelashes to give a pleasing cosmetic appearance thereto. As used herein, the term "mascara" is intended to cover any cosmetic substance which is adapted to be used to colour or otherwise ornament the eyelashes.

Claims

1. A mascara applicator characterised in that it comprises:
(a) a reservoir (11) for mascara comprising dual, side-by-side openings (15a and 15b) for the mascara; and
(b) a handle (12) integrally connected to two application brushes (13a and 13b) adapted to be placed in the openings to receive mascara on the brushes.

2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein the handle is integrally connected to the application brushes by two substantially straight supporting members (14a and 14b).

3. A mascara applicator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the handle is formed of a resilient material and comprises two flexible members at least partially separated from one another by a slot (16).

4. A mascara applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the application brushes are substantially straight.

5. A mascara applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the application brushes are each substantially straight and are connected to the handle by a substantially straight support member.

6. A mascara applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the handle is formed of a resilient material and comprises two flexible members at least partially separated from one another by a slot, each of flexible members being joined to a support member for one of the brushes.

7. A mascara applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the reservoir comprises two barrel portions that are joined together, each of the barrel portions containing an opening.

8. A mascara applicator as claimed in claim 7 wherein each opening is discrete and is not in communication with the other opening.

9. A mascara applicator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the handle is formed of a resilient material and comprises two flexible members at least partially separated from one another by a slot and wherein the application brushes are each substantially straight and are connected to the handle by a substantially straight support member.

10. A mascara applicator as claimed in claim 9 wherein the reservoir comprises two barrel portions, that are joined together, each containing an opening, each of the openings being discrete and not in communication with the other opening.

Drawing