System for Storing and Dispensing Soluble Makeup

Abstract

A system for storing and dispensing soluble makeup is an apparatus with detachable segments. In one embodiment a first segment houses a container of fluid as well as an integral application wand, and a second segment is a vessel that holds an anhydrous cosmetic pigment tablet. The fluid in the first segment is added to the vessel of the second segment, where it dissolves the pigment tablet to form a mixture of desired viscosity. Once mixed, the hydrated pigment can be applied with the wand. Both the fluid and the pigment tablet are replenishable.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a system for the storage and application of soluble cosmetic.

BACKGROUND

Methods and devices for storing and applying soluble cosmetics are known in the art. Current makeup devices comprise a receptacle with threaded opening into which an applicator wand is removably coupled, and which is unscrewed for application to eyes or lips. These devices are designed to be discarded after the cosmetic substance is depleted. The devices are commonly made of unrecyclable, hard plastic. Environmentally conscious consumers, averse to the disposable, non-recyclable aspects of cosmetic products, seek devices which can be re-used by replenishing the contents. Eye-makeup products alone are discarded in unsustainable numbers; an estimated one hundred and six million eye mascaras are sold each year in plastic containers, all of which are left in landfills or waste dumps that leave debris in oceans and waterways.

Once opened, currently available cosmetics become dry and unusable after six to 18 months.

SUMMARY

A system in which fresh cosmetic pigment and hydration fluid are replenished as needed results in a reusable cosmetic product that produces little to no waste.

A system for storing and dispensing soluble makeup is a unit with detachable segments. A first segment houses a container of fluid as well as an integral application wand, and a second segment is a vessel that holds an anhydrous cosmetic pigment tablet. The fluid in the first segment is added to the vessel of the second segment, where it dissolves the pigment tablet to form a mixture of desired viscosity. Once mixed, the hydrated pigment can be applied with the wand. Both the fluid and the pigment tablet are replenishable, with the purpose of reducing waste.

In one iteration, the system may comprise three segments; one segment is a cap with a valve; another is a first container for fluid; and another is a container (normally at the bottom) for receiving the fluid to mix with a cosmetic pigment tablet. Two segments, the cap and first container, are together removed and inverted to pour the liquid into the bottom container, to allow the fluid to enter the second container where it dissolves the cosmetic pigment tablet.

In another iteration, a first segment of the apparatus houses a dropper bottle containing a solution. A second segment serves as an applicator-wand handle that joins the first and third segments, and the third segment of the apparatus is a container that holds the anhydrous cosmetic pigment tablet that will be combined with the solution. Solution from the dropper bottle is allowed to pour or drip through the second segment and into the third segment, where it dissolves the cosmetic tablet inside. The dissolved tablet-and-solution mixture forms a viscous cosmetic that can be applied with the applicator wand. As in the first iteration, both the mixing solution and the pigment tablet may be replaced once depleted. One skilled in the art understands that the bottle may be replaced, or the solution bottle may be refilled.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front, exploded view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a section view of an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front, disassembled view of an example embodiment, shown in use.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a second iteration of the embodiment, shown assembled.

FIG. 6 is a front, exploded view of the second iteration.

FIG. 7 is a section view of the second iteration.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second iteration, shown in use.

DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 show an example embodiment 100 of three segments. A first segment 112 has a valve 110 in a cap 112 which connects to the second segment 114 by press-fit or other connecting means. The second segment 114 is a fluid reservoir that serves as an applicator handle. A third, base segment 116 is a vessel that holds an anhydrous pigment tablet. In use, the first and second segments remain assembled as the user unscrews the second from the third segment; inverts it over the third segment; and opens the valve 112 to release the fluid into the vessel of the third segment 116, where it mixes with the pigment tablet 118, dissolving it to form a viscous cosmetic. The valve 112 is then closed and the applicator wand 115 is replaced in the base segment 116, where it may be agitated to further mix the cosmetic before application. Once the cosmetic is depleted, both the fluid and the pigment tablet may each be replaced.

FIGS. 5-8 illustrate a second iteration 200 of a cylindrical unit that includes three segments. A first segment 212 houses a dropper bottle 213 configured to contain and dispense a solution. The dropper bottle 212 has a cap with a nozzle 211. A second segment 214 serves as an applicator-wand handle that further joins the first and third segments, and the third (bottom) segment 216 is a container that holds the anhydrous cosmetic pigment tablet 218 which may be combined with the solution. The dispensing end of the dropper bottle is blocked by a seal 219 in the lower part of the second segment 214. This seal closes off the dropper bottle to keep the solution from leaking while the apparatus is closed.

Referring to FIG. 8, the second segment 214 has a structure 220 that supports the seal 219 that meets the nozzle 211 to seal the dropper bottle 213 shut when the first segment 212 is joined with the second segment 214. A passage 222 extends through the second segment 214.

To use this iteration, one first pops off the first segment 212 from the second to reveal the dropper bottle 213 and nozzle 211 housed inside the first segment. One skilled in the art understands that this segment may be coupled with the others by use of a combination o-ring-and-groove, or any type of snap fit or threaded fit. The dropper bottle's nozzle 211 is aimed at the inside of the exposed second segment 214 and third segment 216, where the solution is allowed to pour or drip through the second segment 214 past the applicator wand 217, (also referred to as a cosmetic applicator), and into the third segment 216, where it dissolves the cosmetic tablet to form a viscous cosmetic. One may then reconnect the first segment 212 and the second segment 214 and proceed to apply the cosmetic with the applicator wand 217. As in the first iteration, both the mixing solution and the pigment tablet may be replaced once depleted. One skilled in the art understands that the solution bottle may be refilled or replaced.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mixing and dispensing a viscous cosmetic comprising: a container configured to contain fluid, further comprising a valve, fixedly engaged with a cosmetic applicator; anda vessel removably engaged with said container; whereinan anhydrous cosmetic pigment tablet placed in said vessel may be mixed with said fluid, which is dispensed into said vessel from said container through said valve, to make a viscous cosmetic to be applied with said cosmetic applicator.

2. An apparatus for mixing and dispensing a viscous cosmetic comprising: at least a first segment comprising a housing and a container with a nozzle configured to contain and dispense fluid, removably engaged with said housing; andat least a second segment having an open top, an open bottom and a passage therethrough, removably engaged with said at least first segment; and removably engaged with at least a third segment; further comprising a cosmetic applicator and a seal configured to removably engage with said nozzle; andsaid at least third segment is a vessel; whereinan anhydrous cosmetic pigment tablet placed in said third segment may be mixed with said fluid when said first segment is removed from said second segment and said fluid is poured from said container, through said nozzle and through said second segment, and into said third segment, where it is mixed with said anhydrous cosmetic pigment tablet, forming a cosmetic to be applied with said cosmetic applicator.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second segment further comprises a structure between said open top and said open bottom, said structure configured to support said seal.