Technical Field The invention is in the field of cosmetic application devices, in particular, application devices which are also capable of mixing the cosmetic product found within the device.

Background of the Invention One of the problems with liquid or semi-solid cosmetic products sold in cylindrical vials, such as liquid lipstick, eyeshadow, mascara, and the like, is that there is no way to mix the cosmetic in the vial prior to application. This causes considerable waste in addition to reducing shelf life of such products. For example, if mixing of cosmetic products in the vial prior to application were possible, cosmetic products that had separated would still be usable. In addition, this would reduce the problems inherent in the build up of cosmetic product along the side walls of the vial, in places the cosmetic applicator does not reach as it is inserted and removed from the vial. A typical example is the standard mascara application system, which consists of a cap, rod, and brush assembly, which is inserted into a vial containing the mascara. When the mascara rod and brush are inserted into the vial to load the brush with mascara, the stationary straight rod and brush remain in the center of the vial, permitting the mascara build up along the sides of the vial. Similar problems are encountered with cosmetic products such as lipsticks, eyeshadows, and other color cosmetic products dispensed from vial type containers with cap, rod, and applicator assemblies.

Various types of cosmetic application systems with internal mixing capability are known in the art.

For example, U. S. Patent No. 2,793,012 teaches a nail enamel container with a sediment stirrer. The stirrer forms a bent rod affixed to a cylindrical sleeve which, when rotated, causes the rod to move within the container and stir the enamel.

Other types of cosmetic application systems have cap/rod/applicator assemblies having jointed rods which are capable of moving from one position to another as the rod is

inserted and removed from the cosmetic container. An example of this type of system is disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 5,328,282. One of the problems with jointed rods is that cosmetic tends to collect in the joints and sometimes interferes with the operation of the joint. In addition, such systems are expensive to manufacture, which limits their usefulness for mass market cosmetic products.

Another type of cosmetic application systems for mascaras is taught in U. S. Patent No. 5,137,038, which illustrates a mascara cap/rod/brush assembly where the mascara brush itself is adjustable from a straight to curved position by rotating a cuff found on the cap.

Often, however, these types of systems malfunction because the rotating cuff which causes the brush to extend and retract is easily damaged. Also, this type of system requires internal components that are expensive to manufacture.

U. S. Design 282,494 teaches another type of jointed applicator which has a universal joint. The applicator is made from material that enables the rod to move from a curved to straight position as desired by the user.

None of the above references teach a cosmetic application system where the cap/rod/brush assembly is stationary, yet is capable of mixing the cosmetic found within the container provided certain geometric specifications are observed.

There is a need for a cosmetic application and mixing system which is capable of mixing the cosmetic prior to application. The system must be inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and effective for its intended purpose.

The object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic application system that is capable of mixing the cosmetic product found therein prior to application.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic application and mixing system for liquid or semi-solid cosmetic products.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic application and mixing system that can be incorporated into standard mascara, lipstick, and color cosmetic product componentry.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic application and mixing system for cosmetic products dispensed in cylindrical vials using cap, rod, applicator assemblies.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic application and mixing system where the degree of mixing is controlled by the cosmetic user.

Summary of the Invention A cosmetic application and mixing system for liquid or semi-solid cosmetic products comprising, in combination: (a) a reservoir for containing the cosmetic product, the reservoir having an internal diameter D1, and an open end having threaded engaging means having pitch P 1 on the outer surface thereof ; (b) an applicator for the cosmetic product comprising a cosmetic applicator portion on a stationary curved rod attached to a cap, the cosmetic applicator portion having a free end, and the cap having threaded engaging means of pitch P 1, designed to mate with threaded engaging means having pitch PI on the outer surface of the reservoir, wherein when the cap is rotated to affix or remove it from the reservoir, the free end of the cosmetic applicator portion moves in a helical pitch circle having a pitch P2 and a diameter D2, wherein PI = P2 and Dl zu D2.

Description of the Drawings Figure 1: is a front perspective view of one type of cosmetic application system in accordance with the invention, in the closed position.

Figure 2: is a cutaway view of the system of Figure 1.

Figures 3 (A), (B), and (C): illustrates a number of embodiments for cosmetic applicators in accordance with the invention showing variations in the curvature of the stationary rod.

Figure 4: illustrates the rotational movement of the cosmetic applicator as it is removed from the reservoir, and the helical pitch circle formed by the free end of the applicator.

Figure 5: illustrates the reservoir with the cap removed.

Figure 6: is a close up view of the threaded engaging means found on the outer surface of the reservoir.

Figure 7: is a cross sectional view taken across 5-5 of Figure 5.

Figure 8: is an enlarged view of the applicator showing an angled surface.

Figure 9: is a cross sectional view taken of the applicator of Figure 3A, but including a reservoir.

Figure 10: illustrates another embodiment of the invention where the cosmetic product is mascara, and the applicator is a cap rod, mascara brush assembly.

Detailed Description Figure 1 illustrates the general outward appearance of one type of cosmetic application system in accordance with the invention. The application system contains a reservoir 1 for cosmetic product having at least one opening 2. Examples of suitable reservoirs may be described by their length (L) and Width (W) where L = 1-12 X W; or where W = 1-12 X L. In other words, the length of these reservoirs may range from one to twelve times the width of the reservoir or vice versa. Preferably, the reservoir 1 is a vial, more particularly a cylindrical vial. The length of the vial may range from one to twelve times the width of the vial. The reservoir may be made of any suitable synthetic thermoplastic material suitable for use with cosmetic products, including polypropylene, polyethylene, acrylonitrile butyl styrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and so on. In certain instances, it may be desirable to have a reservoir made from vitreous materials such as glass. Preferably, the reservoir used in the system of the invention is made from a synthetic thermoplastic material. The cosmetic product 3 found within the reservoir 1 may be any liquid or semi-solid cosmetic product such as mascara, lipstick, eyeshadow, cheek color, foundation makeup, concealer, and so on. The products which are best suited for use in the system of the invention are those that improve with mixing. Suitable products have representative viscosities in the range of about 25 to 1,000,000 centipoise at 25 ° C.

The reservoir 1 has a relatively constant internal diameter 4 (see Figure 7) defined as D1.

However, various different types of reservoirs may be used in accordance with the invention. In general, the internal diameter of suitable reservoirs is not critical so long as the cosmetic applicator functions in the manner further described to mix the cosmetic product 3 found therein. Preferably, the reservoirs selected for use in the system will have internal diameters varying from about 0.2 to 2 inches, more preferably 0.3 to 1 inch, most preferably from about 0.4 to 0.8 inch. The reservoir 1 has at least one opening 2 having an outer surface 5 and an inner surface 6. On the outer surface 5 of the reservoir 1 are threaded engaging means 7 which are in a screw thread configuration having helices 8, the threaded engaging means having a helical pitch P1. Figure 6 is a close up view of the reservoir showing the threaded engaging means 7 which are found on the neck 22 of the reservoir 1.

The distance between successive helices 8 on the threaded engaging means is constant and is defined as PI.

The system further comprises an applicator 9 for the cosmetic product 3 comprised of a cap 10, curved rod 11, and applicator portion 12. The cap 10 has an inner surface 13 and an outer surface 14. On the inner surface 13 are threaded engaging means 15 designed to mate with the threaded engaging means 7 of the reservoir when the cap is affixed to the

reservoir 1. The curved rod 11, has a proximal end 16 and a distal end 17. The proximal end 16 is attached to the cap 10 inner surface 13. The curved rod 11 is stationary. The degree of bending found in the rod will vary depending on the internal diameter of the reservoir used. On the distal end of the curved rod 11 is an applicator portion 12 for the cosmetic product 3 having a free end 3a. The applicator portion 12 may be a flocked applicator, a mascara brush, or any other type of brush or device suitable for application of the cosmetic product 3 found within the reservoir. Preferably, the applicator portion 12 is a flocked applicator. It is particularly preferred that the flocked applicator have an angled surface 18, as illustrated in Figure 8. The angled surface 18 will preferably have an angle 19 ranging from about 10 to 65°, more preferably about 35 to 50° from a plane which is parallel to the broken line designated 19a in Figure 8.

When the cap 10 is affixed to the reservoir 1 by the consumer, the cap-10 is rotated as shown in Figure 4. This will cause the free end 3a of the applicator 12 to move in a helical pitch circle having a pitch of P2 and a diameter D2. In other words, as the cap 10 is affixed to the reservoir 1, the free end 3a of the applicator moves in a screw thread manner the screw thread having helices where the distance from helix to helix in the screw thread defines the pitch P2 of the helical pitch circle. Similarly, when the cap 10 is removed from the reservoir 1, the free end 3a moves in a pitch circle in a direction opposite to the direction of movement when the cap is being affixed. In both instances PI and P2 are identical.

As is seen in Figures 3 (A) through (C), the curvature of the rod 11 may occur at any place along the length of the rod 11. Generally D2/2 is the radius of the circle formed by the rotational movement of the free end 3 a as the cap 10 is affixed or removed from the container. D2/2 is a function of X, which is the distance from the proximal end of the rod 16 to the point where the curve begins 20 and , which is the angle of the curve, and L which is the total length of the rod. With L remaining constant, as X increases, correspondingly decreases, and vice versa, such that the radius of the circle D2/2 remains constant no matter where the curve in the rod occurs. In comparing Figures 3 (A) through (C) it can be seen that in all cases that D2/2 and L remain constant, and X and vary.

Comparing Figures 3 (A) and 3 (B) it is seen that with D2/2 and L remaining constant, Xl< X2 and > ra. Further comparing Figures 3 (B) and 3 (C), it is seen that with D2/2 and L remaining constant, X-1 > X3 and and 02 < 3 The relationship between D2, X, L, and , may be expressed by the following formula: D2 =-2 (L-X) Tan For example, in Figure 3 (A), if is 170°, L= 2 inches and XI = 1 inch, then:

D2 =-2 (2-l) Tan 170° =-2 (1) (-0.32) = 0.32 inch.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention o ranges from about 150 to 176°, more preferably 160 to 174°, most preferably 171 °. In some instances, the rod 11 may be curved such that D2 = D1. This will enable the free end 3a to be in contact with the inner wall surface 21 of the reservoir 1, moving in a helical pitch circle having a pitch of PI and a diameter of D2, wherein PI = P2, and Du == D2, to facilitate mixing of the cosmetic product 3 as the cap 10 is removed from the reservoir 1 by the consumer. In some cases it may be desirable that the free end 3a is not in contact with the inner wall surface 21 of the reservoir 1, in other words, that D1 > D2. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, where D 1 is within the preferred range of 0.1 to 1 inch, and when D1 > D2, the distance between the free end 3a and the inner wall surface 21 will preferably range from about 0.001 to 0.2 inches.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention D1 = D2, which enables the free end 3a to be in contact with the inner wall surface 21 of the reservoir 1, and thereby completely mix the cosmetic product 3.

Figure 9 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken across 1-1 of Figure 1, showing the reservoir 1 with cosmetic product 3 therein, and the manner in which then angled surface 18 of the applicator 12 rides flush against the inner sidewall 21 of the reservoir (in this instance D1 = D2).

Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention where the application system is for cosmetic applied with a brush, in particular, mascara and the applicator is a brush. The free end 3a of the brush also moves in a pitch circle defined by P2 and D2, and PI =P2andDl D2.

The cosmetic applicator system of the invention is a simple, economical, and effective component for dispensing cosmetic products that should be mixed prior to use.

The mixing capability of the claimed cosmetic application system is obtained by maintaining the geometric specifications and relationships taught herein.

While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.