Refillable mescara applicator

Abstract

Embodiments include a refillable mascara applicator. One embodiment includes a handle to receive a mascara cartridge having mascara. One embodiment also includes a valve that can be closed or opened in the handle to allow mascara to be selectively transported through the valve when the valve is opened. An embodiment also includes a hollow brush to receive the mascara transported through the valve and to release the mascara to bristles of the brush through a plurality of holes in the brush.

1 . A refillable mascara applicator, comprising:
 a handle with an opening at a first end and a cavity to receive a mascara refill cartridge that carries mascara, the mascara refill cartridge having a small opening at one end, the small opening capable of being communicatively coupled to a valve at a second end of the handle; and   at the second end of the handle, a rotating part that rotates to open and close the valve so that when the valve is open, mascara is to flow through the small opening, through the open valve, and through an interior of a threaded part of the rotating part to provide mascara to a hollow brush with small holes to release the mascara to bristles of the hollow brush, wherein the hollow brush is threaded interior to the hollow brush so that the hollow brush may be removably threaded onto the threaded part of the rotating part.   
     
     
         2 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the handle is cylindrical. 
     
     
         3 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating part rotates a first amount in a first direction to open the valve, and rotates a second amount in the first direction to close the valve. 
     
     
         4 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating part is rotated a first amount to open and then close the valve to provide a dose of mascara to the bristles of the hollow brush. 
     
     
         5 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating part rotates in a first direction to open the valve, and rotates in an opposite direction to close the valve. 
     
     
         6 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the rotating part has a second threaded part and an opening at the second end of the handle is threaded to receive the rotating part. 
     
     
         7 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 1 , further comprising a capping part that closes the opening at the first end of the handle. 
     
     
         8 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the capping part is threaded and the opening at the first end is threaded to receive the capping part. 
     
     
         9 . A method for refilling a mascara applicator with mascara, comprising:
 receiving a first replaceable cartridge having a first color of mascara into a hollow handle with a valve near an end;   moving a controlling part to cause transport of mascara from the first replaceable cartridge through the valve to a brush.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein moving the controlling part comprises moving the controlling part through a cycle that releases a controlled dose of mascara to the brush. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising replacing the first replaceable cartridge with a second replaceable cartridge. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the second replaceable cartridge has a second color of mascara. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the brush is hollow and has a plurality of holes to release mascara transported to the interior of the brush to bristles of the brush. 
     
     
         14 . A refillable mascara applicator, comprising:
 a handle to receive a mascara cartridge having mascara;   a valve that can be closed or opened in the handle to allow mascara to be selectively transported through the valve when the valve is opened;   a hollow brush to receive the mascara transported through the valve and to release the mascara to bristles of the brush through a plurality of holes in the brush.   
     
     
         15 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 14 , wherein the valve comprises a first opening that can mate with a second opening of a moving part that opens and closes the valve. 
     
     
         16 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 15 , wherein the first opening is semi-circular. 
     
     
         17 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 15 , wherein the moving part rotates. 
     
     
         18 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 14 , wherein the hollow brush is replaceable by a second hollow brush. 
     
     
         19 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 14 , further comprising a mascara kit that includes at least one other mascara cartridge packaged with the refillable mascara applicator. 
     
     
         20 . The refillable mascara applicator of  claim 14 , further comprising a mascara kit that includes at least one other hollow brush packaged with the refillable mascara applicator.