HK1163468A - Applicator with extendable implement - Google Patents

Description

Applicator with extendable means

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/351,409, filed on 4/6/2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Background

Devices exist for applying cosmetic or pharmaceutical products to the human body. Existing applicators are typically designed to apply mascara to the eyelashes in a one-size-fits-all manner. For example, an applicator may have shorter, denser arrays of bristles and may be used to apply mascara to the eyelashes to achieve a desired effect (e.g., to volumize the eyelashes). Another applicator may have longer, loosely arranged bristles for applying mascara to the eyelashes to achieve a desired effect (e.g., to spread and delineate the eyelashes). Yet another applicator may be smaller to apply mascara to a smaller area (e.g., the corner of the eye).

However, existing applicators have limited functionality and cannot use different methods to apply mascara to the eyelashes and/or different areas of the eye. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved applicator systems that allow for the application of mascara using different methods and/or adjustment devices to achieve a variety of desired effects.

Disclosure of Invention

The present application describes an extendable device and applicator system that includes a selectively extendable applicator. By virtue of having extendable means, the device according to the invention is suitable for applying a variety of different cosmetic, pharmaceutical and/or personal care products to the body using the various parts of the extendable means to achieve a variety of desired effects. For example, a user may apply mascara to a central area of eyelashes when the applicator is in an unextended position, or the user may apply mascara to corners of the eyelashes when the applicator is in an extended position.

Generally, an applicator system according to the present invention includes a receiving member (receptacle assembly) and an extendable device. The receiving assembly includes a reservoir for containing a product to be dispensed and, in some embodiments, may include a housing containing the reservoir. The extendable device comprises an applicator comprising a bristle portion and a tip portion. The tip portion may be extendably attached to the distal end of the bristle portion. Further, the tip portion may be telescopically extendable, slidably extendable, or in some other manner. For example, the tip portion may be configured to telescopically extend at least about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) linearly away from the bristle portion. However, in other embodiments, the applicator may extend a greater or lesser distance (e.g., 4 millimeters to about 20 millimeters or more). In addition to applicators that include an extendable tip portion, extendable devices according to the present invention generally include a cap with an actuator protectively disposed within the cap. The hollow post houses a linkage that is mechanically coupled to an actuator disposed within the cap, and the applicator is disposed on the post opposite the cap.

In various embodiments, the extendable devices described herein may be actuated by any suitable actuation mechanism, such as an actuator disposed within a side portion of the cap or within a top portion of the cap. Also, for example, the actuator may comprise a button, a lever, a dial, or a rotatable portion. Various embodiments of the applicator are also contemplated. For example, the applicator may include a brush, sponge, and/or flocking. The extendable device may be removably coupled to the receiving assembly by a variety of attachment means, such as by a snap fit, a screw thread, a twist lock mechanism, a magnetic force, an interference fit, a combination of any of the foregoing, and the like.

Drawings

The detailed description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicates similar or identical items.

Fig. 1A illustrates an exemplary applicator system for applying a product to a surface.

Fig. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the exemplary applicator system shown in fig. 1A, taken along line a-a.

Fig. 1C illustrates an exemplary extendable device housed by the applicator system of fig. 1A in an extended state.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating additional details of the exemplary extendable device of fig. 1C.

Fig. 3A and 3B show schematic detailed cross-sectional views of the slidable applicator of the extendable device of fig. 1B in an unextended (3A) and extended position (3B).

Fig. 4A and 4B show schematic detailed cross-sectional views of the retractable applicator of the extendable apparatus of fig. 1B in an unextended (4A) and extended position (4B).

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an example sidebar actuator in a first position and a second position.

Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate an example rotary cap actuator in a first position and a second position.

Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate an exemplary dial actuator in a first position and a second position.

Fig. 8 illustrates an exemplary extendable applicator that is a weighted wand applicator with bristles.

Fig. 9 illustrates an exemplary extendable applicator that is a bar-shaped applicator with bristles.

Fig. 10A, 10B, and 10C illustrate exemplary extendable applicators, again rod-shaped applicators with bristles and mohawk (mohawk) tips (fig. 10B) or knife tips (fig. 10C).

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for using an extendable device.

Detailed Description

Exemplary applicator System with Adjustable device

Fig. 1A illustrates an exemplary applicator system 102, fig. 1B illustrates a corresponding cross-sectional view a-a of the applicator system 102, and fig. 1C illustrates an extendable device housed by the applicator system of fig. 1A in an extended state. The applicator system 102 includes a reservoir assembly 104 having a reservoir 106 for holding a cosmetic, pharmaceutical, personal care product, or other product. Although in the illustrated embodiment, the reservoir assembly 104 is shown as including an opaque reservoir 106, in some embodiments, the reservoir 106 may be made of a transparent plastic material, in which case the contents of the reservoir may be seen. Although fig. 1A shows the applicator system 102 including the reservoir 106, the applicator system 102 may also include a housing (not shown) that houses the reservoir 106.

As shown, the receiving component 104 may include a generally tubular reservoir 106, which may be made of plastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyoxymethylene (POM)), glass, or any other suitable material to contain cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, personal care products, or other products. Further, while receiving assembly 104 is shown as a generally tubular assembly, a variety of container shapes and types are contemplated. For example, the container may be rectangular, triangular, or any other suitable container shape.

Further, a cross-sectional view a-a of the applicator system 102 is shown in fig. 1B. Fig. 1B illustrates the extendable device 108 of the applicator system 102. The extendable device 108 includes a hollow mast 110 having a top end 112 and a bottom end 114. The bottom end 114 of the stem 110 has an applicator 116 coupled thereto. In fig. 1B, the applicator 116 includes a brush 118 secured to the bottom end 114 of the hollow post 110, and a tip 120 extendably attached to a distal end of the brush 118. The applicator 116 may comprise a telescopically extendable tip, a slidably extendable tip, a telescopically extendable tip, or any other extendable tip. Further, while the brush 118 is shown here as a generally shaft-shaped bristle unit for applying a product such as mascara, the extendable applicator according to the present invention may also be used to apply other products such as foundations, blushes, or other cosmetic products and may take on other shapes such as having a triangular cross-section, a square cross-section, a spherical shape, or the like. Similarly, while the tip 120 is shown here as a generally spherical bristle unit for applying products such as mascara, foundation, blush, or other cosmetic products, other shapes are also contemplated. For example, tip 120 may be mohock-shaped, knife-shaped, mallet-shaped, and the like.

The extendable device 108 is further shown with a cap 122 securely disposed on the top end 112 of the post 110. The lid 122 has an actuator 124, which in this example constitutes the top of the lid 122, which is configured as a push button mechanism provided on the top end of the lid 122 and is at least partially surrounded by a ridge 126. However, alternative actuators are envisaged. For example, the actuator 124 may be a lever, dial, rotating portion of the cap, depressible portion of the cap, or switch mechanism. Further, while fig. 1B shows the button mechanism partially surrounded by the ridge 126, the button mechanism may additionally or alternatively include a translucent overmolded cover and/or a Light Emitting Diode (LED) housed within the button mechanism that emits light when the applicator is in the extended position.

In the depicted embodiment, the actuator 124 is connected to a mechanical linkage 128 housed within the hollow mast 110. However, in other examples, the actuator 124 may be connected to the applicator via a hydraulic mechanism, an electrical mechanism, a pneumatic mechanism, a magnetic mechanism, or the like. Referring to fig. 1B, the linkage 128 may also be mechanically connected to the applicator 116 disposed on the bottom end 114 of the post 110, thereby coupling the actuator 124 and the applicator 116 such that the applicator 116 may be selectively linearly extended at least about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) to an extended position as shown in fig. 1C. In some embodiments, the receiving component 104 may include a wiper (wiper)132 that may be received within a threaded collar 134 of the reservoir 106. When the receiving assembly includes a wipe, the wipe 132 is configured to remove any excess product (e.g., mascara) from the applicator 116 when the adjustable device 108 is removed to apply the product to the body (e.g., eyelashes). For each of the embodiments, the applicator is described in the context of an applicator for applying a mascara product to eyelashes. However, it should be understood that the applicator as described herein may be used and adapted to apply other products and may be used to apply products to other parts of the body.

The applicator system 102 provides for applying mascara to the eyelashes using at least two separate portions of the extendable device (e.g., the brush 118 and the tip 120). This linear extension enables a user to apply mascara with a single applicator system 102 rather than multiple different applicators. Specifically, applicator system 102 enables a user to apply mascara with a single applicator, such as extended applicator 116, rather than using two differently shaped applicators to apply mascara to different areas of the body (e.g., using a brush to apply product to the center area of the eyelashes and a tip to apply product to the corners of the eyelashes).

In one embodiment, because the extendable device 108 is configured to selectively extend the applicator 116 about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) to a linearly extended position, a user may first apply mascara to eyelashes using the brush 118 and the tip 120 as a single applicator, without extending the applicator 116 (shown in FIG. 1B). The user may then selectively extend the applicator 116 to a linearly extended position (shown in fig. 1C) and apply product to the corners of the eyelashes, or other difficult to reach areas, using only the tip 120 of the applicator 116. In the embodiment shown in fig. 1B and 1C, the protrusion of the tip 102 results in a gap between the brush and the tip that is substantially free of bristles. However, in other embodiments, bristles may be disposed in a gap between the brush and the tip.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the extendable device 108 shown in fig. 1B. The extendable device 108 shown in fig. 2 has some of the same components shown in detail in fig. 1B and 1C. For example, the adjustable device shown in fig. 2 shows a hollow post 110, a top end 112, a bottom end 114, an applicator 116, a cap 122, a linkage 128, and an actuator 124. FIG. 2 also shows additional detail of the mechanical interconnection of the button 202 with a pen-pen (click-pen) mechanism 204 housed within the cover 122. Fig. 2 also shows in more detail the mechanical interconnection of the link 128 coupled to the tip 120 of the applicator 116 via the applicator insert 206. Although the applicator insert 206 is shown in fig. 2 as having a slot 208 configured to receive and securely retain an exemplary tip 120 (e.g., a ball-shaped unit with bristles), additional alternative fastening mechanisms or methods are contemplated. For example, the applicator insert 206 may be configured to receive and securely hold the tip 120 with an adhesive, fastener, threads, or the like. Further, the applicator insert 206 and tip 120 may be configured to be overmolded as a single unit. Here, the tip 120 is shown as a spherical bristle unit, however, the tip 120 may be mohock shaped, knife shaped, or any other suitable applicator shape. Also shown in fig. 2 is a ring 210 fixedly secured to a top end 212 of cap 122. The ring 210 includes a ridge 126 that protectively surrounds the button 202 and is configured to prevent the button 202 from being accidentally actuated (e.g., while in a user's wallet). The ring 210 may be securely fastened to the top end 212 of the cap 122 via a press fit, snap fit, adhesive, fastening screws, or any other suitable fastening means.

Fig. 2 shows a pen-push mechanism 204 mechanically interconnecting the button 202 and the linkage 128. Generally, the pen press mechanism 204 includes a spring 216, an inner cap 218, and a twist/lift assembly 220 that provide a one-press snap and one-press un-snap function when the pen press mechanism is assembled into the cap 122. As shown in fig. 2, the button 202 is disposed on a twist/lift assembly 220, and the twist/lift assembly 220 is configured to be disposed on a top portion 222 of the linkage 128. Thus, when the button 202 is depressed, the button 202 linearly displaces the torsion/lift assembly 220 and the linkage 128 and compresses the spring 216. The displaced button 202 then snaps the tip 120 into the extended position. Similarly, when the button 202 is again displaced, the button 202 compresses the spring 216 to disengage the tip 120, which allows the spring 216 to linearly displace the link 128 back to the unextended position.

Further, while fig. 2 illustrates the extendable device 108 with a button actuator 202, it is contemplated that other actuators may be used in the component configuration illustrated in fig. 2 to displace the link 128 and linearly extend the applicator 116. For example, the extendable device 108 may comprise a lever actuator disposed on a side of the cap 122 that moves the link 128 and the applicator 116, or the extendable device 108 may comprise a dial disposed on a side of the cap 122 that moves the link 128 and the applicator 116, or the extendable device 108 may comprise a rotatable portion of the cap 122 that moves the link 128 and the applicator 116. Further, it is contemplated that these actuators may include an indicator that indicates to the user when the device is extended, whether the applicator is in an unextended state or an extended state. For example, the indicator may be a red sheath disposed along the interior of the ring 210 and disposed proximate the ridge 126. In this embodiment, the indicator (e.g., red sheath) may be configured to be visible when the actuator is displaced, thereby exposing the indicator.

In the embodiment of fig. 2, the extendable device 108 includes a button actuator 202 that is mechanically interconnected with a pen-push mechanism 204. While fig. 2 shows the button actuator 202 mechanically interconnected with a pen-push mechanism 204 housed in the cover 122, other types of mechanical interconnections are contemplated. For example, the button actuator 202 may be mechanically interconnected with the linkage 128 via a pressurized rubber ball that displaces the linkage 128 when pressed by the button actuator 202 or any other displacement device. Further, while fig. 2 illustrates the extendable device 108 including a button actuator 202 that is mechanically interconnected with a pen-push mechanism 204 housed within the cap 122, the extendable device 108 may also include a locking mechanism to prevent the actuator 124 from accidentally extending the tip 120 from an unextended position. Similarly, the extendable device 108 may also or alternatively further comprise a disengagement mechanism (trip mechanism) to cause the actuator 124 to retract the tip 120 from the extended position when the extendable device 108 is disposed in the reservoir 106 in the extended state.

As described, the extendable device 108 may include a tubular cap 122, a hollow post 110, a tubular link 128, and an applicator insert 206, which may be constructed of plastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Polyoxymethylene (POM)), metal, or any other suitable material. Similarly, the bulbous tip 120 can be constructed of rubber, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicon, plastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP)), woven wire, or any other suitable material. Further, the spherical tip 120 may be integrally formed with bristles as an injection molded unit, a series of installed bristles (e.g., like a toothbrush), a series of knotted bristles (e.g., like a pig machine), or other configuration. Further, it is contemplated that shaft tip 118 may be constructed of rubber, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicon, plastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP)), woven wire, or any other suitable material. Similarly, it is contemplated that the shaft-shaped brush may be integrally formed with bristles as an injection molded unit, a series of installed bristles (e.g., like a toothbrush), a series of knotted bristles (e.g., like a tube cleaner), or other configuration. Further, the spherical tip 120 may be overmolded to the shaft brush 118 as a single unit. Further, rather than overmolding the tip 120 to the brush 118, the brush 118 and tip 120 including bristles, or another body including bristles, may be overmolded into an overmolded brush and tip unit without bristles. Further, the tip 120 may not be overmolded to the brush 118, but rather, as described above, the tip 120 may be overmolded to the applicator insert 206. Here, another body including bristles may also be overmolded to the brush 118 and the tip 120 without bristles.

Fig. 3A and 3B show detailed cross-sectional views of the slidable applicator 116 in an unextended (3A) and extended position (3B) of the extendable device 108. In this example, the slidable shaft 302 of the tip 120 facilitates the tip 120 to extend linearly a distance 304 from the brush 118 when the actuator 124 is actuated. Although the slidable shaft 302 is generally described as a tubular rod that is substantially fixed to the tip 120, in other embodiments, the slidable shaft 302 may be configured in any other suitable shape, size, and configuration. For example and as described above, the tip 120 may be in the shape of a mohoker, knife, wand, or any other suitable applicator shape. For example, the slidable shaft 302 may be knife-shaped or rectangular bar-shaped or any other suitable shape to provide the linkage 128 to displace the slidable shaft 302 from the unextended position to the extended position, or vice versa. Similarly, the brush 118 is shown to include a cavity 306 having a shape complementary to the shape of the slidable shaft 302 to receive the slidable shaft 302 and guide the slidable shaft 302 from the unextended position to the extended position, and vice versa. Further, as such, the cavity 306 may also be knife-shaped or rectangular bar-shaped or any other suitable shape to provide the linkage 128 to displace the slidable shaft 302 from the unextended position to the extended position, and vice versa.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 3A and 3B, the brush 118 is shown secured to the bottom end 114 of the mast 110 by a snap fit 308. However, it is also contemplated that the brush 118 may be secured to the bottom end 114 of the stem 110 by a press fit, an adhesive, a fastener, a threaded member, an overmold, or any other suitable fastening means.

Fig. 4A and 4B show detailed cross-sectional views of the retractable applicator 116 of the extendable device 108 in an unextended (4A) and extended (4B) position. In this example, the retractable portion 402 disposed between the tip 120 and the brush 118 facilitates the tip 120 to extend linearly a distance 304 from the brush 118 when the actuator 124 is actuated. Although the telescopable portion 402 is shown in this embodiment as being disposed in the area between the tip 120 and the brush 118, in other embodiments, the telescopable portion 402 may include one or more folds of additional material sandwiched between the tip 120 and the brush 118. Further, while the telescoping portion 402 is shown in this figure as having one or more bristles on the telescoping portion, in other embodiments, the telescoping portion may be devoid of bristles.

Fig. 5A and 5B, fig. 6A and 6B, and fig. 7A and 7B illustrate three exemplary extendable devices that may be used with the receiving assembly 104 of fig. 1, each having a different actuator 124. Fig. 5A and 5B illustrate an extendable device having a stem actuator 502. Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate an extendable device having a rotatable actuator 602. Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate an extendable device having a dial 702.

Fig. 5A and 5B show a side lever actuator 502 with a lever 504 that protrudes slightly from the surface of the cover 122. FIG. 5A shows the sidebar actuator 502 prior to a user displacing the sidebar actuator 502. The rod 504 is configured to be displaced a distance 506 toward the applicator 116. Further, fig. 5A also shows the applicator 116 in an unextended position prior to the rod 504 being axially displaced a distance 506 relative to a longitudinal axis 508 of the extendable device 108. When displaced a distance 506, the rod 504 is shown in fig. 5B as being temporarily displaced toward the applicator 116. Similarly, fig. 5B also shows the applicator 116 in the extended position due to the axial displacement of the rod 504 relative to the longitudinal axis 508 of the extendable device 108. Although fig. 5A and 5B illustrate a rod 504, other mechanical arrangements are contemplated. For example, a protruding block, a detent, or any other device that enables a user to selectively axially displace the sidebar actuator 502 with respect to the longitudinal axis 508 of the extendable device 108. A locking mechanism (not shown) may be formed by pushing the rod 504 in a lateral direction into a receptacle or slot (also not shown) in the cover 122. Additionally, as described above, ridges (not shown) may also be provided on the cover 122 and disposed around the stem actuator 502 to protect the stem actuator from accidental actuation.

Fig. 6A and 6B illustrate a rotary actuator 602. Here, the rotary actuator 602 is configured to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis 508 of the extendable applicator 108. Fig. 6B shows the rotary actuator 602 rotationally displaced about the longitudinal axis 508 in clockwise and counterclockwise directions. Fig. 6A also shows the applicator 116 in an unextended position before the rotary actuator 602 is rotationally displaceable about the longitudinal axis 508. When rotatably displaced, the applicator 116 extends to the extended position shown in fig. 6B. Although fig. 6A and 6B illustrate the entire cover 122 rotating about the longitudinal axis 508, in other embodiments, a portion of the cover 122 (e.g., a middle portion of the cover or a top portion of the cover) may rotate about the longitudinal axis 508.

Fig. 7A and 7B illustrate a dial actuator 702. Here, the dial actuator 702 includes a rotatable dial exposed on a side surface of the cover 122. The dial actuator 702 is configured to be rotatable about an axis 704 that is transverse to the longitudinal axis 508 of the extendable applicator. Fig. 7A shows the applicator 116 in an unextended position before the dial 702 is rotationally displaceable about the longitudinal axis 704. When displaced in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, the applicator 116 is extended to the extended position shown in fig. 7B.

While fig. 5A and 5B, fig. 6A and 6B, and fig. 7A and 7B illustrate three exemplary extendable devices, each having a different actuator 124, other types of actuators are possible.

Exemplary applicator

Fig. 8, 9, 10A, 10B, and 10C illustrate five exemplary types of applicators 116, each applicator extendably coupled to the extendable device 108 and shown in an extended position. Although fig. 8, 9, 10A, 10B, and 10C show five types of applicators 116 as slidably extendable (i.e., including the slidable shaft 302), the five applicators shown in fig. 8, 9, 10A, 10B, and 10C may alternatively be configured to telescopically extendable (i.e., including the telescoping portion 402). The applicator 116 shown in fig. 8 is a wand-shaped applicator 802 with bristles 804. The bristles 804 may include multiple rows, each row having a different bristle length. The lengths of the bristles in different rows may be staggered to increase the density of the bristles. Further, the wand applicator 802 may include a dome-shaped tip 806 that may be protrudingly attached to the distal end of a cylindrical brush 808. Further, the wand applicator 802 may be used by a user when the wand applicator 802 is in an unextended or extended position. The unextended position of the wand applicator 802 can support the mascara body, while the extended position of the wand applicator 802, after the dome tip 806 has been extended outwardly and away from the cylindrical brush 808, can support the eyelash being spread and delineated and/or can be used to reach corners or other hard to reach areas.

Referring to fig. 9, the applicator 116 is a rod-shaped applicator 902 also carrying bristles 804. Similarly, the bristles 804 herein may comprise a plurality of rows, each row having a different bristle length. In addition, different rows of bristle lengths may be staggered to increase the density of the bristles. The rod-shaped applicator 902 may include a spherical tip 904 extendably attached to the distal end of a shaft brush 906. Further, the rod-shaped applicator 902 may be used by a user when the rod-shaped applicator 902 is in an unextended or extended position. The unextended position of the rod-shaped applicator 902 may support the lash body, while the extended position of the rod-shaped applicator 902, after the spherical tip 904 extends outward and away from the shaft brush 906, may support lash spreading and delineation and/or may be used to reach corners or other difficult to reach areas.

Fig. 10A, 10B, and 10C illustrate the applicator 116 and bristles 804 as a rod-shaped applicator 1002. Fig. 10B and 10C show an applicator in a side-view position as a rod-shaped applicator 1002. Similarly, the bristles 804 herein may comprise a plurality of rows, each row having a different bristle length, and wherein the bristle lengths of the different rows may be staggered to increase the bristle density. Here, in this configuration, the rod-shaped applicator 1002 may include a mohokes tip 1004 as shown in fig. 10A and 10B or a knife tip 1006 as shown in fig. 10C, each of which may be protrudingly received by a shaft brush 1008. Similarly, as described above, the rod-shaped applicator 1002 may be used by a user when the rod-shaped applicator 1002 is in an unextended or extended position. The unextended position of the rod-shaped applicator 1002 may support the lash mass, while the extended position of the rod-shaped applicator 1002, after the knife tip 1004 has extended outwardly and beyond the shaft brush 1008, may support lash spreading and delineation and/or may be used to reach corners or other difficult to reach areas.

While embodiments of the plurality of applicators 116 have been described above, it should be understood that the brush 118 and tip 120 comprising the applicators 116 of the plurality of embodiments may be constructed of rubber, Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), silicon, plastic (e.g., polypropylene (PP)), woven wire, or any other suitable material.

Exemplary methods of Using an Adjustable device

Fig. 11 is a flow diagram of an exemplary process 1100 that may be, but is not necessarily, implemented using the extendable device 108 of fig. 1. For convenience, the process 1100 will be described with reference to the extendable device 108, but the process 1100 is not limited to use with this device. For example, the user may perform the process 1100 to apply mascara to the eyelashes, or the user may perform the process to remove substances from the body. In some examples, a user may implement this process in a manufacturing environment, a commercial environment (e.g., beauty salons), or a residential setting. While fig. 11 shows a process 1100 for applying a product to eyelashes, it should be understood that the process may be adapted to apply any type of substance to any type of body (e.g., applying a touch-up paint to a vehicle).

Process 1100 includes an operation 1102 that represents removing the extendable device 108 from the receiving component 104. Next, operation 1104 represents applying mascara to the eyelashes to achieve a desired effect (e.g., an eyelash increment) using applicator 116 in an unextended position (e.g., as shown in fig. 1B). Operation 1104 is followed by operation 1106, which represents moving the extendable device away from the eyelashes and displacing the actuator 124 (e.g., by pressing a button). Here, the actuator may be laterally, axially, rotatably or displaceable in any direction, as already described with reference to fig. 5A and 5B, 6A and 6B and 7A and 7B. As described above, the actuator may include a button 202 in some embodiments. Next, the process 1100 moves to operation 1108, which represents the displaced actuator actuating a linkage 128 received in the hollow post 110 and coupled to the actuator and an applicator, wherein the applicator includes a brush 118 and a tip 120 extendably attached to a distal end of the brush. Operation 1108 is followed by operation 1110 which represents extending the tip to an extended position. After extending the tip, the tip may be locked into the extended position (e.g., as shown in fig. 1C). Process 1100 continues to operation 1112, which depicts applying mascara to the eyelashes using the applicator in the extended position to achieve a desired effect (e.g., dispersion and delineation). At operation 1114, the user deactivates the actuator (e.g., by disengaging the catch), and at this post-operation 1116, the tip retracts to its unextended position. Finally, the process 1100 is complete when the user can return the extendable device to the receiving component 104 in operation 1118. Alternatively, in some embodiments, if the user returns the extendable device to the receptacle without first retracting the applicator, the tip mechanism of the device may automatically retract the applicator when the device is inserted into the receptacle.

Conclusion

Although the invention has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative embodiments of the invention. For example, in various embodiments, any of the structural features and/or methodological acts described herein may be rearranged, modified, or omitted altogether. For example, the shape, size, and configuration of the reservoir, lid, and extendable device may vary.

Claims (20)

1. An applicator system for applying a product to a surface, the extendable applicator system comprising:

an extendable apparatus, said extendable apparatus comprising:

a mast having a top end and a bottom end;

an applicator comprising a brush and a tip attached to the brush, wherein the brush is secured to the bottom end of the rod and the tip is extendably attached to a distal end of the brush;

a cap having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end of the cap securely disposed over the top end of the mast, and the top end of the cap including a ridge disposed about at least a portion of the top end;

a button disposed on the top end of the cover and at least partially surrounded by the ridge, wherein the button is to selectively project the top end relative to the brush to facilitate application of the product to portions of the surface;

a link received in the post and coupling the tip end with the button; and

a receiving component for receiving the extendable device.

2. The applicator system of claim 1, wherein the button is configured to push the tip into the extended position in response to a first actuation of the button and retract the tip to the unextended position in response to a second actuation of the button.

3. An applicator system according to claim 2, further comprising a locking mechanism to prevent the actuator from accidentally extending the tip from the unextended position.

4. An applicator system according to claim 1, wherein the brush comprises a spherical bristle unit overmolded to a shaft-shaped bristle unit, and the spherical bristle unit telescopically extends from the shaft-shaped bristle unit.

5. The applicator system of claim 2, wherein the extended position of the tip is at least about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) straight away from the brush.

6. The applicator system of claim 1, wherein the tip is telescopically extendable from the brush, the brush being overmolded to the post.

7. The applicator system of claim 6, wherein the tip is overmolded to the brush.

8. The applicator system of claim 7, wherein the tip is a spherical bristle unit and the brush is a shaft-shaped bristle unit, and the diameter of the tip is smaller than the diameter of the brush to facilitate access to a smaller area of the body.

9. An applicator system according to claim 1, wherein said product comprises mascara.

10. An extendable device for applying a product to a surface, the extendable device comprising:

a mast having a top end and a bottom end;

an applicator secured to the bottom end of the post, the applicator comprising:

a secondary tip protrudably attached to the applicator at a distal end of the applicator;

a cap fixedly disposed on the top end of the mast;

an actuator coupled to the cap to selectively extend the tip to facilitate application of the product to portions of the surface; and

a link received in the mast and coupling the secondary tip with the actuator.

11. The extendable device of claim 10 wherein said applicator comprises a brush, sponge, or flocking.

12. The extendable device of claim 11 wherein said tip is capable of telescopically extending from said applicator and said tip is overmolded to said applicator.

13. The extendable device of claim 10 wherein said actuator comprises a button, a lever, a dial, or a rotatable portion of said cover.

14. The extendable device of claim 13 wherein said actuator is at least partially surrounded by a portion of said cover.

15. The extendable device of claim 14 wherein said actuator comprises a pen-push mechanism configured to push said secondary tip into an extended position in response to a first actuation of said actuator and retract said tip to an unextended position in response to a second actuation of said actuator.

16. The extendable device of claim 15 wherein said extended position of said secondary tip is at least about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches) straight away from said applicator.

17. An extendable applicator comprising:

a mast having a top end and a bottom end;

a brush secured to the bottom end of the mast, the brush having a tip attached at a distal end of the brush;

a cap disposed on the top end of the mast;

an actuator coupled to the cap to selectively extend the tip of the brush; and

a linkage received in the post and coupling the brush with the actuator.

18. The extendable applicator of claim 17, wherein the extended length of said brush is linearly at least about 8 millimeters (0.3 inches).

19. The extendable applicator of claim 17, wherein the actuator comprises a button, a lever, a dial, or a rotatable portion of the cap.

20. The extendable applicator of claim 17, wherein said brush comprises a spherical bristle unit overmolded to a shaft-shaped bristle unit, and said spherical bristle unit is telescopically extendable from said shaft-shaped bristle unit.