Twist to bend cosmetics applicator

Abstract

Cosmetics applicators and combination products using the cosmetics applicators. In an example a cosmetics applicator comprises upper and lower caps that can be twisted relative to one another to cause a stem associated with the upper and lower caps to extend or retract. A cosmetics applicator on a distal end of the stem is thereby caused to assume curved or straight configurations.

The claimed invention is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetics applicator comprising:
 an upper cap;   a lower cap, the lower and upper caps twistable relative to one another, the lower cap having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the lower cap including one or more protrusion protruding therefrom;   a stem having a proximal end with at least one channel configured to interact with the one or more protrusions of the lower cap and a distal end;   a filament secured relative to the upper cap and extending through the stem; and   an applicator element at the distal end of the stem and axially secured to the filament;   wherein the stem is axially moveable relative to the upper and lower caps in response to twisting of the upper cap relative to the lower cap to define a retracted position and an extended position; and   wherein:
 when the stem is in the extended position, the applicator assumes a curved configuration; and 
 when the stem is in the retracted position, the applicator assumes a straight configuration. 
   
     
     
         2 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  wherein the at least one channel and the at least one protrusion are configured such that axial movement can be achieved by twisting of the upper cap relative to the lower cap to cause the at least one protrusion to slide within the at least one channel. 
     
     
         3 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  further comprising an elevator, the elevator configured to couple to the proximal end of the stem to prevent rotational movement therebetween while allowing axial movement therebetween, the elevator being rotationally fixed relative to the upper cap. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator element takes the form of a mascara brush. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator element takes the form of a doefoot applicator. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator element takes the form of a sponge. 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  further comprising a spring to bias the stem in the retracted position. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator element is fixed to the distal end of the stem, preventing rotational movement therebetween, and the applicator element is rotatable relative to the distal end of the filament. 
     
     
         9 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator element is fixed to the distal end of the filament, preventing rotational movement therebetween, and the applicator element is rotatable relative to the distal end of the stem. 
     
     
         10 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator element is prevented from axial movement relative to the distal ends of the stem and the filament, and free to rotate relative to the distal ends of the stem and the filament. 
     
     
         11 . The cosmetics applicator as in  claim 1  wherein the applicator element comprises a non-circular interior and the filament includes a non-circular distal portion adapted to mate with the applicator element to prevent rotational movement of the applicator element relative to the filament. 
     
     
         12 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 1  wherein the lower cap is configured to secure to a cosmetics bottle, and:
 when the lower cap is secured to a cosmetics bottle, the stem is forced into the retracted position; and 
 when the lower cap is not secured to a cosmetics bottle, the stem is allowed to transition between retracted and extended positions in response to twisting motion between the upper and lower caps. 
 
     
     
         13 . The cosmetics applicator as in  claim 1  wherein the lower cap comprises threading to secure to a cosmetics bottle. 
     
     
         14 . A combination cosmetics applicator and cosmetics container comprising:
 a cosmetics applicator including:
 an upper cap; 
 a lower cap, the lower and upper caps twistable relative to one another, the lower cap having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the lower cap including one or more protrusion protruding therefrom; 
 a stem having a proximal end with at least one channel configured to interact with the one or more protrusions of the lower cap and a distal end; 
 a filament secured relative to the upper cap and extending through the stem; and 
 an applicator element at the distal end of the stem and axially secured to the filament; 
 wherein the stem is axially moveable relative to the upper and lower caps in response to twisting of the upper cap relative to the lower cap to define a retracted position and an extended position; and 
 wherein:
 when the stem is in the extended position, the applicator assumes a curved configuration; 
 when the stem is in the retracted position, the applicator assumes a straight configuration; and 
 
   a bottle configured to contain a cosmetic product, the bottle adapted to secure to the cosmetics applicator.   
     
     
         15 . The cosmetics container of  claim 14  wherein the bottle has an opening at one end with a wiper therein and threading adjacent to the opening for securing to the cosmetics applicator. 
     
     
         16 . The cosmetics container of  claim 14  further comprising a cosmetic product contained in the bottle for use by a user of the cosmetics applicator. 
     
     
         17 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 14  wherein the at least one channel and the at least one protrusion are configured such that axial movement can be achieved by twisting of the upper cap relative to the lower cap to cause the at least one protrusion to slide within the at least one channel. 
     
     
         18 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 14  further comprising an elevator, the elevator configured to couple to the proximal end of the stem to prevent rotational movement therebetween while allowing axial movement therebetween, the elevator being rotationally fixed relative to the upper cap. 
     
     
         19 . The cosmetics applicator of  claim 14  wherein the applicator element is prevented from axial movement relative to at least one of the distal ends of the stem and the filament, and free to rotate relative to the distal ends of at least one of the stem and the filament. 
     
     
         20 . A method of applying a cosmetic material, the method comprising:
 withdrawing a cosmetics applicator from a bottle containing a cosmetic product, the cosmetics applicator comprising:
 an upper cap; 
 a lower cap, the lower and upper caps twistable relative to one another, the lower cap having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface of the lower cap including one or more protrusion protruding therefrom; 
 a stem having a proximal end with at least one channel configured to interact with the one or more protrusions of the lower cap and a distal end; 
 a filament secured relative to the upper cap and extending through the stem; and 
 an applicator element at the distal end of the stem and axially secured to the filament; 
 wherein the stem is axially moveable relative to the upper and lower caps in response to twisting of the upper cap relative to the lower cap to define a retracted position and an extended position; and 
 wherein:
 when the stem is in the extended position, the applicator assumes a curved configuration; and 
 when the stem is in the retracted position, the applicator assumes a straight configuration; 
 
   twisting the upper cap relative to the lower cap to force the stem into the extended position, thereby imparting a curvature to the applicator element; and   using the applicator element to apply the cosmetic material.