Applicator with Hidden Product

Abstract

A cosmetic apparatus may include a hollow body cover and an applicator extending out of a first end of the body cover. The apparatus may further include a base that is insertable into and removable from a second end of the body cover. The base may include a handle portion and a tray extending from the handle portion. The tray is accommodated within the body cover.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic apparatus, comprising:
 a hollow body cover;   an applicator extending out of a first end of the body cover; and   a base that is insertable into and removable from a second end of the body cover, the base including:
 a handle portion, and 
 a tray extending from the handle portion, the tray being accommodated within the body cover. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a reflective surface on a back side of the tray,
 wherein, in a position in which the base is inserted into the body cover, the tray and the reflective surface are enclosed within the body cover.   
     
     
         3 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the reflective surface is a mirror disposed on the back side of the tray. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein a width of the handle portion is wider than a width of the tray, such that the handle portion abuts the second end of the body cover in a position in which the base is inserted into the body cover. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein an exterior shape of the handle portion corresponds in dimension to an exterior shape of the body cover at a position of abutment with the body cover, such that adjacent surfaces of the body cover and the handle portion are flush with each other. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator includes one of a brush or a sponge. 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the tray is freely slidable within the body cover up to a position where a peripheral wall surface of the tray contacts an interior wall surface of the body cover, such that, in a position in which the base is completely inserted into the body cover, the base is secured to the body cover via an interference fit point between the body cover and the tray. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein a width of an interior space at the first end of the body cover is smaller than both a corresponding width of the interior space at the second end of the body cover and a corresponding width of the tray, such that the interference fit point occurs between the tray and the first end of the body cover. 
     
     
         9 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein a thickness of a wall portion of the body cover at the first end of the body cover is greater than a thickness of a wall portion at the second end of the body cover. 
     
     
         10 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein a width of the tray is greater at an end of the tray adjacent to the handle portion than both a corresponding width of the tray at an end of the tray opposite the handle portion and a corresponding width of an interior space at the second end of the body cover, such that the interference fit point occurs between the tray and the second end of the body cover. 
     
     
         11 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein a thickness of a wall portion of the tray at the end of the tray adjacent to the handle portion is greater than a thickness of a wall portion of the tray at the end of the tray adjacent to the first end of the body cover. 
     
     
         12 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a snap fit closure mechanism that secures the tray within the body cover. 
     
     
         13 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the snap fit closure occurs via engagement between an indentation and a correspondingly shaped detent that reversibly engages the indentation upon sliding the base into the body cover, the indentation and the detent being located, respectively,
 on an interior wall surface of the body cover and a side wall surface of the tray, or   on the side wall surface of the tray and the interior wall surface of the body cover.   
     
     
         14 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic closure mechanism that secures the tray within the body cover. 
     
     
         15 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the magnetic closure occurs via interaction between a first magnetic force in a portion of a wall of the body cover and a second magnetic force in a portion of the base, such that upon insertion of the base into the body cover, the first magnetic force in the body cover is attracted to the second magnetic force in the base such that the handle portion abuts the second end of the body cover. 
     
     
         16 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion of the base is smaller in dimensions than the body cover such that the handle portion is insertable within the body cover, the handle portion engaging a closing mechanism when inserted into the body cover so as to maintain the handle within the body cover 
     
     
         17 . The cosmetic apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cap that encloses the applicator against the body cover. 
     
     
         18 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a housing having a cavity therein;   an applicator protruding from the housing;   a cap configured to cover the applicator and abut the housing;   a tray having a pocket, a peripheral shape of the tray corresponding to a perimeter shape of an opening into the cavity of the housing, such that the tray is insertable into the cavity of the housing so as to enclose the pocket of the tray within the housing.   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising a reflective surface disposed on the tray. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising a product for application via the applicator, the product disposed in the pocket. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , further comprising a light source disposed on one of the housing or the tray. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 18 , wherein the tray engages the housing via a closing mechanism which maintains the tray in position within the housing unless an external force is exerted on the apparatus. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 22 , wherein the closing mechanism includes:
 a spring disposed within the housing such that, when the tray is inserted into the housing, the spring applies a bias force against the tray in a direction of pushing the tray outward from the housing, and   a hook portion and a clasp portion disposed respectively across from each other on one of an inner wall of the housing and an outer surface of the tray, and   wherein the hook engages the clasp and maintains the tray within the housing unless an external force is applied to sidewalls of the housing via squeezing.