1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to a cosmetic application system and method, and more particularly to a system and method for removing excess mascara from a mascara brush upon withdrawal from a container.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various techniques and structures have been used to reduce the amount of mascara on a mascara brush upon removal from a container. However, a number of disadvantages associated with these techniques and structures has inhibited their widespread use and manufacture.
In particular, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,194,848, 4,332,494, 4,407,311, 4,609,300 and 4,705,053 are directed to mascara applicators having a complex structure for varying the amount of mascara remaining on a brush after removal from a container. A flexible member is disposed in the neck of the container to provide some degree of variation in the amount of mascara removed from a brush as it passes through an opening in the container. However, each of these patents is directed to a complex structure, which is difficult and costly to manufacture. Moreover, many of these structures do not facilitate continuous variation of the amount of mascara to be removed from a brush. In addition, because these structures apply an equal force against the brush during removal and re-insertion of the brush into the container, these systems unnecessarily impede a user's ability to reinsert the brush into the container after each use. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,193, an additional attempt was made to provide a system for removing excess mascara from an applicator brush. In this system, a plurality of internal flexible bristles are used to remove excess mascara from the applicator brush. As with the aforementioned patents, this system is also costly and difficult to manufacture, and does not facilitate continuous variation in the amount of force to be applied to the mascara brush upon removal from its container. In addition, this system also unnecessarily impedes a user's ability to reinsert the brush into the container after each use.
In addition, each of the aforementioned systems, because of their complicated internal structure, is particularly difficult to clean. Accordingly, these go systems do not lend themselves for use with any form of reusable or interchangeable mascara system.