Cosmetic Applicator Cleaning Apparatus

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator cleaning apparatus and solution for removing a cosmetic from an applicator includes a housing and a cleaning assembly. The housing defines an interior area and an open end. The interior area is configured to selectively hold the applicator and a cleaning solvent. The open end is configured to selectively receive the applicator into the interior area. The cleaning assembly is positioned within the interior area of the housing and includes an upper end defining an opening in communication with the open end of the housing. The cleaning assembly also includes a continuous outer wall and a plurality of bristles extending inwardly from the outer wall. Each bristle is flexible so that the applicator agitates the bristles as the applicator pushes through the bristles. A wiping member is situated adjacent the open end of the housing and is configured to remove excess cleaning solvent from the applicator.

1 . A cosmetic applicator cleaning apparatus and solution for cleaning a cosmetic applicator, comprising:
 a housing defining an interior area configured to selectively hold the cosmetic applicator and a cleaning solvent, said housing defining an open end configured to selectively receive the cosmetic applicator into said interior area;   a cleaning assembly having a continuous outer wall and a plurality of bristles extending inwardly from said outer wall, said cleaning assembly being constructed of a flexible material and positioned within said interior area of said housing.   
     
     
         2 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of bristles are flexible so that the cosmetic applicator agitates said plurality of bristles as the cosmetic applicator is inserted through said plurality of bristles. 
     
     
         3 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 2 , wherein:
 said cleaning assembly includes an upper end defining an opening in communication with said open end of said housing; and   said plurality of bristles is situated adjacent said upper end.   
     
     
         4 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 3 , further comprising a wiping member situated adjacent said open end of said housing and in communication with said opening of said cleaning assembly, said wiping member being configured to remove excess cleaning solution from the cosmetic applicator when the cosmetic applicator is removed from the cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         5 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 4 , wherein said wiping member defines a top opening having a diameter complementary to a diameter of said open end of said housing and a bottom opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said top opening. 
     
     
         6 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 4 , wherein said wiping member includes a cone section having a downwardly decreasing diameter. 
     
     
         7 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 4 , wherein said housing includes a neck section extending upwardly from said open end of said housing, said wiping member being situated in said neck member of said housing. 
     
     
         8 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 7 , further comprising a cap member defining a threaded bore;
 wherein said neck section of said housing includes an exterior surface that defines exterior threads complementary to said threaded bore of said cap member such that said cap member is selectively securely coupled to said housing.   
     
     
         9 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 8 , wherein said wiping member includes a top flange situated above said open end of said housing such that said top flange creates a seal between said cap member and said housing when said cap member is securely coupled to said housing so as to retain said cleaning solvent within said housing regardless of the orientation of the cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 9 , wherein:
 said wiping member includes a neck section extending downwardly from said top flange, said neck section having an exterior surface defining exterior threads; and   said neck section of said housing includes an interior surface, said interior surface defining interior threads complementary to said exterior threads of said neck section of said wiping member such that said wiping member is selectively coupled to said housing.   
     
     
         11 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 10 , wherein said interior threads of said neck section of said housing are reverse of said exterior threads of said neck section of said housing so that said wiping member is not decoupled from said housing while said cap member is selectively decoupled from said housing. 
     
     
         12 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 1 , wherein said cleaning solvent is a non-cosmetic solvent. 
     
     
         13 . A cosmetic applicator cleaning apparatus and solution for removing mascara from a mascara brush, comprising:
 a housing defining an interior area configured to selectively hold the mascara brush and a cleaning solvent, said housing defining an open end configured to selectively receive the mascara brush into said interior area; and   a cleaning assembly having a continuous outer wall and a plurality of bristles extending inwardly from said outer wall, said cleaning assembly being constructed of a flexible material and positioned within said interior area of said housing;   wherein:   said plurality of bristles are flexible such that the mascara brush agitates said plurality of bristles when the mascara brush is pushed through said plurality of bristles;   said cleaning assembly includes an upper end defining an opening in communication with said open end of said housing; and   said plurality of bristles is situated adjacent said upper end of said cleaning assembly.   
     
     
         14 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 13 , further comprising a wiping member situated adjacent said open end of said housing and in communication with said opening of said cleaning assembly, said wiping member being configured to remove excess cleaning solution from the mascara brush when the mascara brush is withdrawn from the cleaning apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 14 , wherein said wiping member defines a top opening having a diameter complementary to a diameter of said open end of said housing and a bottom opening having a diameter smaller than the diameter of said top opening. 
     
     
         16 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 14 , wherein said wiping member includes a cone section having a downwardly decreasing diameter. 
     
     
         17 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 14 , further comprising a cap member defining a threaded bore;
 wherein said housing includes a neck section extending upwardly from said open end, said neck section having an exterior surface defining exterior threads complementary to said threaded bore of said cap member such that said cap member is selectively coupled to said housing.   
     
     
         18 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 17 , wherein:
 said wiping member includes a top flange extending above said neck section of said housing such that said top flange creates a seal between said cap member and said housing when said cap member is securely coupled to said housing such that said cleaning solvent is retained within said housing regardless of the orientation of the cleaning apparatus;   said wiping member includes a neck section extending downwardly from said top flange, said neck section having an exterior surface defining exterior threads; and   said neck section of said housing includes an interior surface defining interior threads complementary to said exterior threads of said neck section of said wiping member such that said wiping member is selectively coupled to said housing.   
     
     
         19 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 18 , wherein said interior threads of said neck section of said housing are reverse of said exterior threads of said neck section of said housing so that said wiping member is not decoupled from said housing when said cap member is decoupled from said housing. 
     
     
         20 . The cleaning apparatus and solution as in  claim 12 , wherein said cleaning solvent is not mascara.