Compressible Cosmetic Applicator

Abstract

An applicator head for cosmetic products such as mascara is described. The applicator head has three arched supports, each with and outwardly directed applicator surface. The arched supports surround a clearance and define a relatively large, expanded configuration for loading and application purposes. The arched supports flex inwardly, into the clearance, so that the expanded configuration can collapse to permit the applicator head to be drawn through a relatively smaller wiper opening. The applicator head can be used in stock packaging.

1 . A compressible mascara applicator head for use in a package including a wiper defining a wiper opening with a first dimension, the applicator head comprising:
 a base adapted to be connected to an applicator rod, a central longitudinal axis defined through the base;   an arched first support extending along the longitudinal axis from a first proximal end connected to the base to a first distal end, the first support having a first outwardly directed applicator surface adapted to convey and apply mascara product;   an arched second support extending along the longitudinal axis approximately opposite the first support, the second support extending from a second proximal end connected to the base to a second distal end, the second support having a second outwardly directed applicator surface adapted to convey and apply mascara product; and   an arched third support extending from the base along the longitudinal axis, the third support spaced approximately opposite from the first support and the second support, the third support extending from a third proximal end connected to the base to a third distal end, the third support having an outwardly directed applicator surface adapted to convey and apply a cosmetic product;   wherein at least one of the first support, the second support and the third support is outwardly biased from the longitudinal axis to define an expanded configuration with a second dimension greater than the first dimension of the wiper opening, the expanded configuration including a clearance about the longitudinal axis between the first support, the second support and the third support, and the at least one of the first support, the second support and the third support is adapted to flex into the clearance when the applicator head is drawn through the first dimension of the wiper opening; and   wherein at least one of the first distal end, the second distal end and the third distal end is a free end, or is connected to another of the first distal end, the second distal end and the third distal end by a hinge.   
     
     
         2 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 1  wherein each of the first support, the second support and the third support is outwardly biased from the longitudinal axis to define the expanded configuration including the clearance, and each of the first support, the second support and the third support is adapted to flex into the clearance when the applicator head is drawn through the first dimension of the wiper opening. 
     
     
         3 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first plurality of tines extending outwardly from at least one of the applicator surface of the first support, the applicator surface of the second support and the applicator surface of the third support. 
 
     
     
         4 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a first plurality of tines extending outwardly from the applicator surface of the first support, a second plurality of tines extending outwardly from the applicator surface of the second support and a third plurality of tines extending outwardly from the applicator surface of the third support. 
 
     
     
         5 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the first plurality of tines, the second plurality of tines and the third plurality of tines is adapted to convey and apply a cosmetic product. 
     
     
         6 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the first plurality of tines, the second plurality of tines and the third plurality of tines is adapted to separate lashes. 
     
     
         7 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 3  wherein the first plurality of tines is adapted to perform at least one function selected from conveying mascara, applying mascara, doctoring mascara, shaping lashes and separating lashes. 
     
     
         8 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 4  wherein the first plurality of tines is adapted to perform at least one function selected from conveying cosmetic, applying cosmetic and doctoring cosmetic. 
     
     
         9 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 8  wherein the second plurality of tines is adapted to perform at least one function selected from conveying mascara, applying mascara, doctoring mascara, shaping lashes and separating lashes. 
     
     
         10 . The compressible mascara applicator of  claim 8  wherein the third plurality of tines is adapted to perform at least one function selected from conveying mascara, applying mascara, doctoring mascara, shaping lashes and separating lashes. 
     
     
         10 . The compressible mascara applicator of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the base, the first support, the second support and the third support are made from a thermoplastic polyester elastomer. 
     
     
         11 . The compressible mascara applicator of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the base, the first support, the second support and the third support are made of a flexible material having a durometer in the range of 40-100 Shore D. 
     
     
         12 . The compressible mascara applicator of  claim 11  wherein the at least one of the base, the first support, the second support and the third support is made of a flexible material having a durometer in the range of 62-70 Shore D. 
     
     
         13 . A compressible mascara applicator head for use in a package including a wiper defining a wiper opening with a first dimension, the applicator head comprising:
 a base adapted to be connected to an applicator rod, a central longitudinal axis defined through the base;   a plurality of arched supports extending from the base along the longitudinal axis, each support extending from a proximal end connected to the base to a distal end, each of the plurality of arched supports having an outwardly directed surface adapted to convey and apply mascara product, the plurality of supports being outwardly biased to define and maintain a clearance about the longitudinal axis and each of the plurality of supports is adapted to flex into the clearance when the applicator head is drawn through the first dimension of the wiper opening, wherein the distal end of at least one of the plurality of arched supports is a free end, or is connected to the distal end of another of the plurality of arched supports by a hinge.   
     
     
         14 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of tines extending from the outwardly directed surface of one or more of the plurality of arched supports. 
     
     
         15 . The compressible mascara applicator head of  claim 13  further comprising a plurality of tines extending from the outwardly directed surface of each of the plurality of arched supports. 
     
     
         16 . The compressible mascara applicator of  claim 13  wherein at least one of the base and the plurality of arched supports are made from a thermoplastic polyester elastomer. 
     
     
         17 . The compressible mascara applicator of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the base and the plurality of arched supports are made of a flexible material having a durometer in the range of 40-100 Shore D. 
     
     
         18 . The compressible mascara applicator of  claim 17  wherein the at least one of the base and the plurality of arched supports is made of a flexible material having a durometer in the range of 62-70 Shore D.