Expandable mascara

Abstract

An expandable applicator system for applying a product to a surface. The expandable applicator system may include an expandable implement including a brush and an expandable tip. The expandable tip may be configured to move between a first unexpanded state and a second expanded state. A cap may be coupled to the expandable implement. Actuation of a mechanism at or near the cap move the expandable tip of the implement from a deflated state to an inflated state.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An expandable applicator system for applying a product to a surface, the expandable applicator system comprising:
 an expandable implement comprising:
 a hollow stem defining a lumen and having a first end and a second end; 
 a tube having a first end and a second end, the tube disposed within the lumen of the hollow stem; 
 an applicator affixed adjacent to the bottom end of the hollow stem and including a brush and an expandable tip, an interior surface of the expandable tip in fluid communication with a lumen of the tube; 
 a cap including a depressible panel, the cap affixed adjacent to the top end of the hollow stem; and 
 a flexible fluid chamber disposed within the cap and adjacent to the depressible panel and in fluid communication with the lumen of the tube; 
   wherein actuation of the depressible panel is configured to move the expandable tip of the applicator from a deflated state to an inflated state.   
     
     
         2 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 1 , wherein the depressible panel comprises a flexible material. 
     
     
         3 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible fluid chamber comprises a bellowed structure on two or more sides thereof 
     
     
         4 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 1 , wherein the depressible panel is configured to translate an applied force to a compression surface of the flexible fluid chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 1 , wherein the expandable tip is more compliant than the brush. 
     
     
         6 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 1 , further comprising an end piece affixed adjacent to the bottom end of the hollow stem and in fluid communication with the tube. 
     
     
         7 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 6 , wherein a fluid is configured to exit an aperture of the end piece in line with a longitudinal axis of the hollow stem. 
     
     
         8 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 7 , wherein a fluid is configured to exit an aperture of the end piece at an angle generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hollow stem. 
     
     
         9 . The expandable applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises an outer handle portion and an inner cap portion. 
     
     
         10 . The expandable applicator assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the inner cap portion has a channel-like first end defining a recess and a generally cylindrical second end. 
     
     
         11 . The expandable applicator assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible fluid chamber is positioned within the channel-like first end of the inner cap portion. 
     
     
         12 . An expandable applicator system for applying a product to a surface, the expandable applicator system comprising:
 an expandable implement comprising:   a hollow stem defining a lumen and having a top end and a bottom end;   an applicator affixed adjacent to the bottom end of the hollow stem and including a brush and an expandable tip, an interior surface of the expandable tip in fluid communication with the lumen of the hollow stem;   a cap including one or more depressible panels, the cap affixed adjacent to the top end of the hollow stem; and   a fluid chamber disposed within the cap and in fluid communication with the lumen of the hollow stem;   wherein actuation of the one or more depressible panels is configured to move the expandable tip of the applicator from a deflated state to an inflated state.   
     
     
         13 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more depressible panels comprise a flexible material. 
     
     
         14 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more depressible panels comprises two depressible panels positioned approximately 180° from one another. 
     
     
         15 . An expandable applicator system for applying a product to a surface, the expandable applicator system comprising:
 an expandable implement comprising:   a hollow stem defining a lumen and having a top end and a bottom end;   a splayed component defining a lumen and having a plurality of movable fingers, the splayed component affixed to the bottom end of the hollow stem;   a plunger slidably disposed in the lumen of the hollow stem and the lumen of the splayed component; and   an applicator affixed adjacent to the bottom end of the hollow stem and including a brush and an expandable tip;   wherein actuation of the plunger is configured to move the expandable tip of the applicator from a first state to a second state.   
     
     
         16 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 15 , wherein the second state is radially expanded relative to the first state. 
     
     
         17 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 15 , wherein actuation of the plunger is configured to radially expand the plurality of movable fingers. 
     
     
         18 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 17 , wherein radial expansion of the plurality of movable fingers is configured to expand the expandable tip. 
     
     
         19 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 15 , wherein the plunger comprises an enlarged diameter portion adjacent a distal end thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The expandable applicator system of  claim 15 , further comprising a cap coupled to the top end of the hollow stem, the cap including an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the plunger.