Mascara applicators substantially of tweezer form have been known for some time, they presenting two adjacent arms movable relative to each other, one of these arms carrying an element or brush for depositing the cosmetic product on the user's eyelashes. The second of these brushes can support a curved element for curling the eyelashes, or another element for their surface treatment.

These known arrangements present the most disparate configurations: for example they can comprise a one-piece V-shaped wand defined by the aforesaid arms joined together (integrally) at their free end; or they can present a scissor configuration with the said arms forming ends of substantially straight parts hinged together as scissor arms. In another embodiment, these known arrangements comprise pairs of V-shaped arms carrying eyelash support elements and mascara applicators at their ends.

These known arrangements present various drawbacks: for example, they are of large dimensions and hence difficult to use and to deposit in a compartment of a small case or, as in the case of one-piece V-shaped applicators, the user can make contact with the cosmetic product during its application, with obvious inconvenience.

5 An object of the present invention is to provide a mascara applicator which is of improved construction and use compared with known arrangements.

Another object is to provide a mascara applicator of the stated type which enables the user to easily move the 10 adjacent arms while making it difficult for the user to make contact with the mascara while depositing it on the eyelashes.

These and other objects which will be apparent to the expert of the art are attained by a mascara applicator in 15 accordance with the accompanying claims.

The present invention will be better understood from the accompanying drawing, which is provided by way of non- limiting example and in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first applicator 20 according to the invention, taken from below; Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the applicator of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side perspective view of the applicator of Figure 1, but in a different utilization position; Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; 5 Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Figure 2; Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the applicator of Figure 1; Figures 7-9 are longitudinal sections showing the various steps in using a mascara provided with a container 10 and an applicator according to the invention; and Figures 10-13 show different elements which can be associated with the applicator of Figure 1; Figure 14 is a perspective view of a second applicator of the invention, seen from below; 15 Figure 15 is an exploded side perspective view of the applicator of Figure 14; Figure 16 is a longitudinal side section through the applicator of Figure 14; Figure 17 is a longitudinal section through a mascara 20 provided with a container and the applicator of Figure 14; Figures 18-20 are longitudinal sections showing the various steps in using the mascara of'Figure 17; Figure 21 is a perspective view of a third applicator according to the invention; and Figures 22 and 23 are longitudinal sections through 5 the applicator of Figure 21 in two different utilization positions.

With reference to Figures from 1 to 13, a mascara applicator is indicated overall by 1. It comprises a wand 2 presenting elongate arms 3 and 4 positioned side by side 10 and movable relative to each other. These arms are associated with a retaining member 5 provided with manipulator means 6 for their manipulation, said arms carrying at a first end 7 an interacting element 8 able to interact with the eyelashes to deposit mascara thereon or 15 to provide a mechanical curling or combing action. These interacting elements 8 comprise (see Figures 10-13) brushes 10, a small comb 11, an arcuate element 12 or an element 13 with a helical surface projection; the elements 11-13 are generally associated with one of said arms 3,4, the other 20 arm carrying the brush 10. The elements 10-13 are associated with a seat 14 provided in the first end 7.

Each arm 3,4 presents a second end 15 inserted into a cavity 16 of the retaining member 5. Said second end comprises a widened part 17 external to the arm, presenting an inner cavity 18 and a terminal part 20 provided with a 5 through hole 21. The terminal part 20 of the arm 3 is flat and is inserted into the terminal part 20 of the arm 4 which instead is fork-shaped. Both said terminal parts 20 can evidently be fork-shaped or flat, similar to the part 20 of the arm 3 visible in Figure 6.

10 The retaining member 5 presents a jacket 26 defining its cavity 16. In this jacket, in opposing positions on the same axis K, there are provided two through holes 27 to receive a pin 28. This latter is inserted into the through holes 21 in the terminal parts 20 of the arms 3 and 4 when 15 these have been fitted together such that their holes lie coaxial with said axis K. The pin 28 acts as a mutual fixing element for the arms 3 and 4 and enables them to be moved away from and towards each other about the pin, against the action of a spring 30 inserted into the inner 20 cavities 18 of the externally widened parts 17 of said arms when fitted together.

To enable the arms to be moved towards each other against the spring 30, manipulator means 6 are provided.

These comprise pushbuttons 33 movably inserted into lateral cavities 34 in the jacket 26 of the retaining member 5 5 communicating with the inner cavity 16 in this latter.

These pushbuttons 33 present a part 35 which is external to the jacket 36 of the retaining member, and a part 36 arranged to cooperate with the terminal part 20 of the arms 3 and 4; the part 36 has a projecting shape able to engage 10 a seat 38 provided in said part 20 of said arms 3 and 4, so becoming rigid with said part 20.

Each arm 3 and 4 also presents in proximity to the widened part 17 a series of transverse recesses 40 to receive corresponding transverse projections 41 of the 15 other arm 4 and 3 when the two arms are closed for their insertion into a mascara container 42. This latter is shown in Figures 7-9 and comprises a hollow body 43 provided with an aperture 44 where a usual scraper 45 is positioned. through which the mascara applicator 1 is inserted with its 20 arms closed. They are closed (arrows F of Figure 8) by pressing the pushbuttons 33 towards the retaining member (arrows G of Figure 8). On releasing the pushbuttons 33, the spring 30 forces the arms apart so that they open (arrows Kl of Figure 9).

The arms 3 and 4 may be opened and closed several 5 times in applying mascara to a user's eyelashes and possibly in subjecting them to mechanical curling or other action depending on the interacting element 8 carried by one of the arms.

Reference will now be made to Figures 14-20. In these 10 the mascara applicator is indicated overall by 100. It comprises a wand 102 presenting elongate arms 103 and 104 positioned side by side and movable relative to each other.

These arms are associated with a cup-shaped retaining member 105 provided with manipulator means 106 for their 15 manipulation, said arms carrying, in any known manner, at a first end 107 an interacting element 108 able to interact with the eyelashes to deposit mascara thereon or to provide a mechanical curling or combing action. These interacting elements 108 comprise, for example, brushes, a small comb, 20 an arcuate element or other similar element. The elements 108 are connected to said arms 103,104 for example by a

part Each arm 103,104 presents a second end 115 inserted into a cavity 116 provided in the retaining member 105 and closed by an upper plug 111. Said second end of each arm forms one piece with an interconnection element 113 which hence connects said two arms together. These latter, together with the element 113, hence define a single member partially inserted into said cavity 116.

Said second end 115 of each arm 103,104 presents a widened part 117 external to the arm. This part 117 penetrates into a lateral cavity 118 provided in the jacket of the part 105 where movable elements 120 are present acting as pushbuttons for manipulating the arms 103 and 104 and defining the aforesaid means 106.

By pressing on the elements 120 towards the interior of the cavity 116 (arrows E of Figure 18) these act on the parts 117 to elastically urge the ends 107 of the arms 103 and 104 together (arrows M of Figure 18), to enable the mascara to be applied to the eyelashes while maintaining then elements 120 pressed.

The element 113 is externally threaded at 124 (Figure

15) and cooperates with an internal thread 125 provided in the cavity 116. A lower end 129 of the part 105 is internally threaded to cooperate with a thread 126 provided on the open terminal part 127 of a container 128 for the mascara where a scraper 129 with two apertures 130 for the arms 103 and 104 is positioned. The thread on the lower end 124 is opposite to that provided in the cavity 116 so that on screwing the part 105 onto the container 128, the arms 103 and 104 remain at rest, while moving relative to, i. e. translate upwards within, the cavity 16 of this part (so that the element 13 moves close to the upper plug 111, arrow L of Figure 20).

The arms 103 and 104 may be opened and closed several times in applying mascara to a user's eyelashes and possibly in subjecting them to mechanical curling or other action depending on the interacting element 108 carried by one of these arms.

With reference to Figures 21,22 and 23, these show a mascara applicator 200 comprising a wand 202 presenting arms 203 and 204 positioned side by side and movable relative to each other. These arms are associated with a cup-shaped retaining member 205 provided with manipulator means 206 for their manipulation, said arms carrying at a first end 207 an interacting element 208 able to interact with the eyelashes to deposit mascara thereon or to provide 5 a mechanical curling or combing action. These interacting elements 208 are similar to the elements 8 and 108 already described in relation to the preceding figures and will therefore not be further described.

Each arm 203,204 presents a second end 215 inserted 10 into a cavity 216 provided in the retaining member 205 (for example of cup shape). The second ends 215 of the arms 203, 204 are connected together by a spring 230 having a first end 231 mounted about a projection 232 on the first arm 203 and a second end 234 inserted into a recess 235 in the 15 second arm 204. This latter is associated with (or, as in the figures, integral with) a pushbutton movable within an aperture 236 of the retaining member 205. The pushbutton and the second arm 204 move against the action of the springs 230 towards the first arm 203, which is itself 20 fixed to the retaining member 205.

In this manner, by acting on said pushbutton, the arms

203 and 204 can be elastically closed together to apply the mascara.

Specific embodiments of the invention have been described. Others are however possible in the light of the preceding description: for example the expert of the art can provide. a different configuration of the manipulator means 6,106, 206 such that they do not project from the member 5,105, 205 or that they take the form of a pushbutton movable towards the arms (3,103, 203; 4,104, 204).

These embodiments are also to be considered as falling within the scope of the present document as defined by the accompanying claims.