Shaper

Abstract

A shaper for defining a tip portion of a cosmetic unit that has become worn includes a a shaping surface for smoothing a surface of the tip portion and a slot in the shaping surface. The shaping surface is user-selectably placed in contact with the tip portion. An edge disposed at the slot and is engageable for removing material of the tip portion when the shaping surface is in contact with tip portion. The removed material is passed through the slot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shaper for defining a tip portion of a cosmetic unit that has become worn, the shaper comprising:
 a shaping surface for defining a surface of the tip portion, the shaping surface user-selectably placed in contact with the surface of the tip portion;   a slot in the shaping surface; and   an edge disposed at the slot and engageable for removing the material of the tip portion when the shaping surface is placed in contact with the tip portion, the removed material being passed through the slot.   
     
     
         2 . The shaper of  claim 1 , wherein the shaping surface comprises one of a substantially conical and frustroconical surface. 
     
     
         3 . The shaper of  claim 1  further comprising an inner space for storing the removed material. 
     
     
         4 . The shaper of  claim 1  further comprising a biasing member, the biasing member maintaining the shaping surface from the tip portion until user-selectably placed in contact with the tip portion. 
     
     
         5 . The shaper of  claim 1  further comprising a push button for user selectably placing the shaping surface in contact with a tip portion. 
     
     
         6 . The shaper of  claim 1 , wherein the shaper comprises a shoulder that guides the tip portion to the shaping surface. 
     
     
         7 . The shaper of  claim 1 , wherein the slot a spiral circumferentially disposed on the shaping surface. 
     
     
         8 . The shaper of  claim 1 , wherein the shaper is disposed in a cap associated with a holder housing the cosmetic unit. 
     
     
         9 . The shaper of  claim 8 , wherein the shaping surface is rotatable relative to the tip portion to engage the surface of the tip portion. 
     
     
         10 . The shaper of  claim 1  further comprising a guide for guiding the shaping surface. 
     
     
         11 . A method of shaping a tip portion of a cosmetic unit, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a shaping surface and a cosmetic article having the cosmetic unit;   placing the shaping surface against a tip portion of the cosmetic unit; and   engaging the shaping surface to the tip portion to one of moving material of the tip portion from an area of accumulated material and one of removing material of the tip portion from an area of accumulated material.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of engaging the shaping surface comprises rotating a cap comprising the shaping surface relative to a holder comprising the cosmetic unit. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of engaging the shaping surface comprises releasing a shaping chemical from a reservoir. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the step of engaging the shaping surface comprises sliding the shaping surface in a guide from a first to a second position. 
     
     
         15 . A cosmetic article comprising:
 a holder comprising a cosmetic unit having a tip portion; and   a cap comprising
 a shaping surface for smoothing a surface of the tip portion, the shaping surface user-selectably placed in contact with the tip portion; 
 a slot in the shaping surface; and 
 an edge disposed at the slot and engageable for removing the material of the tip portion when the shaping surface is placed in contact with tip portion, the removed material being passed through the slot.