Cosmetic Applicator

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a cosmetic, such as mascara to eyelashes, includes a handle, a stem, and an applicator head coupled to the stem and supported for rotation relative to the handle. An actuator moves the applicator head in a rotational oscillating motion, in which the applicator head automatically rotates in both a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction in response to operation of the actuator. Additionally or alternatively, the actuator may also radially translate the applicator head, move the applicator head through an angle of rotation less than 360 degrees, and vary the rotational speed of the applicator head. The applicator head may include protrusions that are spaced to define gaps during rotation, thereby to promote coverage and separation of eyelashes.

1 . Apparatus for applying a cosmetic, comprising:
 a handle;   a stem defining a longitudinal stem axis and having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end;   an applicator head coupled to the stem second end and supported for rotation relative to the handle; and   an actuator operatively coupled to the applicator head for moving the applicator head in a rotational oscillating motion in which the applicator head automatically rotates in both a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction in response to operation of the actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the applicator head rotates at a first maximum speed in the first rotational direction and a second maximum speed in the second rotational direction. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , in which the first maximum speed is substantially equal to the second maximum speed. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , in which the first maximum speed is different from the second maximum speed. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the applicator head rotates for a first period in the first rotational direction and a second period in the second rotational direction. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , in which the first period is substantially equal to the second period. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , in which the first period is different from the second period. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the actuator comprises an electric motor having a rotating motor shaft coupled to the applicator head, and in which the apparatus further includes a power source for operating the electric motor. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , in which the electric motor is reversible to drive the motor shaft in forward and reverse directions, and in which the apparatus further includes a controller adapted to automatically reverse the motor thereby to automatically drive the applicator head in the first and second rotational directions. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , in which the electric motor drives the motor shaft in a forward direction, the apparatus further including a transmission coupling for automatically converting rotation of the motor shaft in the forward direction into rotation of the applicator head in both the first and second rotational directions. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the actuator comprises an electromagnetic coil adapted to reciprocate a drive shaft in a linear direction, the apparatus further including a transmission coupling between the drive shaft and the applicator head for converting reciprocation of the drive shaft in the linear direction into rotation of the applicator head in both the first and second rotational directions. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in which the actuator further moves the applicator head in an axial direction while rotating the applicator head in the first and second rotational directions. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus for applying a cosmetic, comprising:
 a handle;   a stem defining a longitudinal stem axis and having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end;   an applicator head coupled to the stem second end and supported for rotation relative to the handle, the applicator head defining an applicator head profile; and   an actuator operatively coupled to the applicator head for moving the applicator head in at least a first rotational direction, wherein the applicator head profile radially translates during rotation in the first rotational direction.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , in which the stem includes a longitudinal stem axis and in which the applicator head rotates about a rotation axis, wherein the stem axis is laterally offset from the rotation axis. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , in which the stem includes an outer surface having a non-uniform shape. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , in which the applicator head profile has a non-uniform shape. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus for applying a cosmetic, comprising:
 a handle;   a stem defining a longitudinal stem axis and having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end;   an applicator head coupled to the stem second end and supported for rotation relative to the handle; and   an actuator operatively coupled to the applicator head and adapted to move the applicator head in at least a first rotational direction through an applicator head angle of rotation less than 360 degrees in response to actuation.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , in which the actuator comprises an electric motor having a rotating motor shaft coupled to the applicator head, and in which the apparatus further includes a power source for operating the electric motor. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , further comprising a controller for operating the motor to rotate the motor shaft by a shaft angle in response to actuation, thereby to rotate the applicator head by the applicator head angle of rotation. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , in which the applicator head angle of rotation is approximately 0 to 270 degrees. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , in which the applicator head includes a first section having a first set of protrusions and a second section having a second set of protrusions, wherein the apparatus may be initially positioned with the first section disposed toward a user and wherein actuation to rotate the applicator head by the applicator head angle of rotation orients the applicator head so that the second section is disposed toward the user. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus for applying a cosmetic, comprising:
 a handle;   a stem defining a longitudinal stem axis and having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end;   an applicator head coupled to the stem second end and supported for rotation relative to the handle; and   an actuator operatively coupled to the applicator head for moving the applicator head in at least a first rotational direction at a rotational speed, wherein the rotational speed varies with respect to an angle of rotation of the applicator head.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , in which a rate at which the actuator varies the rotational speed is substantially gradual. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , in which a rate at which the actuator varies the rotational speed is substantially abrupt. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus for applying a cosmetic, comprising:
 a handle;   a stem defining a longitudinal stem axis and having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end;   an applicator head coupled to the stem second end and supported for rotation relative to the handle, the applicator head including a plurality of protrusions, wherein each protrusion defines a profile through which at least a portion of the protrusion passes during rotation of the stem, the protrusions being spaced to define gaps between profiles of adjacent protrusions.   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , in which a first set of protrusions extends at a first angle with respect to the stem axis and a second set of protrusions extends at a second angle with respect to the stem axis, wherein the first angle is different than the second angle. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , in which the stem is rotated by an actuator, wherein the actuator is selectively reversible to rotate the stem in both rotational directions. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 25 , in which the cosmetic is applied to keratinous fibers, and in which each protrusion profile has an axial width sized for insertion between adjacent adjacently positioned keratinous fibers.