Cosmetic Applicator

Abstract

An apparatus for applying a cosmetic, such as mascara to eyelashes, includes a handle, a boss coupled to the handle, and a stem defining a longitudinal stem axis and having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end, wherein the stem first end comprises a stem extension defining a socket sized to rotatably engage the boss. The apparatus further comprises an applicator head coupled to the stem. An actuator is operatively coupled to the applicator head for moving the applicator head in a vibrational motion. The actuator comprises an electric motor having a rotating motor shaft and an eccentric weight coupled to the motor shaft. Rotation of the eccentric weight generates a vibratory force.

1 . Apparatus for applying mascara to eyelashes, comprising:
 a handle defining a housing;   a stem defining a longitudinal stem axis and having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end opposite the first end;   an applicator head coupled to the stem second end;   a plurality of protrusions disposed on the applicator head, the protrusions being spaced from another in a longitudinal direction such that they separate at least some eyelashes of a user when applying mascara thereto; and   a vibration generator disposed in the housing and coupled to the handle, the vibration generator being configured to vibrate at a frequency of between  10  Hz  6  kHz wherein the vibration is tactily perceptible to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator head comprises a first set of protrusions having a first stiffness and a second set of protrusions having a second stiffness, wherein the first stiffness is greater than the second stiffness. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions include a first protrusion having a first length and a second protrusion having a second length. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vibration generator is powered by a battery. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stem is flexible. 
     
     
         6 . A mascara applicator that utilizes vibrational motion to apply masara, the applicator comprising:
 a handle defining a housing;   a stem defining a longitudinal stem axis and having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end opposite the first end;   an applicator head coupled to the stem second end;   a motor disposed in the housing and operatively coupled to the stem, the motor comprising a rotating motor shaft and an eccentric weight coupled to the motor shaft,   wherein rotation of the motor shaft causes the eccentric weight to generate a vibratory force that is transferred to the stem; and   a switch and a battery operatively coupled to the motor, wherein the switch enables a user to selectively turn the motor off and on.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the applicator head comprises a plurality of protrusions extending away from the applicator head. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the plurality of protrusions include a first protrusion having a first length and a second protrusion having a second length. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the vibrational force is substantially isolated from the handle by a spring. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein the switch comprises a potentiometer to vary voltage supplied to the motor. 
     
     
         11 . A mascara applicator that utilizes vibration motion to apply mascara, the applicator comprising:
 a handle defining a housing;   a stem defining a longitudinal stem axis and having a first end coupled to the handle and a second end opposite the first end;   an applicator head coupled to the stem second end;   a magnet joined to the stem; and   an electromagnetic coil disposed in the handle and operably coupled to a battery, wherein   the electromagnetic coil can be selectively energized by the battery to produce a magnetic field that either attracts or repels the magnet, thereby causing the applicator head to move in a vibrational motion.   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the applicator head comprises a plurality of protrusions extending away from the applicator head. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of protrusions include a first protrusion having a first length and a second protrusion having a second length. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the vibrational force is substantially isolated from the handle by a spring. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 11 , further comprising a switch that enables a user to selectively energize the electromagentic coil. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 15 , wherein the switch comprises a potentiometer to vary voltage supplied to the electromagnetic coil.