# US 10,441,054 B2 · Stabilized, precision, dual-brush eyelash application apparatus and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,441,054 B2 - Document ID: US10441054B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/898,118 - Filed: 2018-02-15 - Published: 2018-08-09 - Granted: 2019-10-15 - Earliest claimed: 2012-10-04 - Applicants: Lisa Hatch; Gerald Zinnbauer - Inventors: Lisa Hatch; Gerald Zinnbauer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10441054B2 ## CPC - A45D 40/262: {using a brush or the like} - A45D 34/042: {using a brush or the like} - A45D 40/24: Casings for two or more cosmetics - A45D 40/265: {connected to the cap of the container} - A45D 40/267: {comprising a wiper} - A46B 5/0012: {Brushes with two or more heads on the same end of a handle for simultaneous use, e.g. cooperating with each-other} - A46B 2200/1053: Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara - A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING - A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G) ## Abstract A mascara application system includes two brushes on arms or wands. A manufacturing approach is included. Wands are biased together, requiring force to separate brushes to place brushes on opposite sides (surfaces, top and bottom) of an eyelash. Upon release of the force brushes remain in contact with no affirmative force required to keep them together. During application of mascara, a user's fingers remain free to manipulate the position and movement of the brushes by holding, rolling, drawing, or otherwise controlling the handle to which the wands anchor. Brushes may be the same or different sizes, on simple, cantilevered arms or in a crossed (reverse tweezers) configuration. A reservoir of mascara product may receive, and seal by means of engaging, the applicator without relative rotation. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus operable as an applicator for mascara, the apparatus comprising: a container, defining axial (longitudinal), radial, and circumferential directions and comprising a handle and a chamber selectively securable together by a securement operable to connect them in direct contact axially; a pair of arms, each having a proximal end, a distal end, and a direct connection therebetween proximate the proximal ends thereof, the arms paired together proximate an anchor securing the arms to the handle; the arms, shaped and positioned to provide a bias toward one another at the distal ends thereof in the absence of a restraining force therebetween; brushes, corresponding to the arms and secured near the distal ends thereof to contact one another in response to the bias; an actuator operable to open the brushes away from one another by moving one brush away from the other brush; and the handle, shaped to roll in a circumferential direction and translate in a radial direction by the fingers of a user, maintaining the brushes together without force of the fingers applied to the actuator. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arms comprise a first arm fixed to move with the handle and a second arm operable to move with respect to the handle and the first arm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the second arm moves away from the second arm in response to a force applied to the actuator. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the arms are biased to put the brushes in contact in the absence of the force. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, comprising a stabilizer operable between the first and second arms to maintain alignment therebetween in a transverse plane comprising the axial direction and a radial direction. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the stabilizer comprises a mortise on one arm and a tenon on the other arm, operable to maintain the tenon in the mortise. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the stabilizer comprises at least one pin extending from one arm past the other arm to limit lateral motion, outside a direction of actuation between the arms, with respect to one another. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the actuator is positioned outside the handle to be independently movable with respect to the handle. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the arms are assembleable together, and to the handle, without tools; and the chamber and the handle are selectively sealable together to render the chamber air tight without relative motion therebetween. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The apparatus of claim 9, comprising a coupler rotatable with respect to the handle and the chamber to seal them together in the absence of relative rotation between the handle and the chamber. ### Claim 11 A method comprising: obtaining a container defining axial (longitudinal), radial, and circumferential directions, mutually orthogonal, the container having a handle, a reservoir, and a securement operable to axially fix the handle to the reservoir; engaging two arms, secured to the handle and each having a brush secured to move therewith at a distal end thereof, the brushes being biased to contact one another in the absence of a restraining force; loading the brushes with mascara stored in the reservoir; engaging an eyelash between the brushes by applying the restraining force and removing the restraining force; applying the mascara to the eyelash by moving the handle in at least one of a rolling (circumferential) motion and a translation (radial) motion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, comprising: providing a first arm and a second arm as separate components; forming tweezers by securing the first arm to the second arm; and securing the tweezers to the handles. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, wherein securing the first arm to the second arm adds no material to the tweezers beyond the first arm and the second arms. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of claim 13, wherein securing the tweezer to the handle occurs without adding material to the handle nor the first and second arms. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the arms, the handle, and the tweezers are secured together by barbs extending therebetween. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the barbs is secured in a blind hole. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, comprising: applying the restraining force again; positioning the brushes on opposite sides (above and below) the eyelash; and releasing the restraining force. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, comprising at least one of rolling the brushes and translating the brushes again. ### Claim 19 A method comprising: providing a handle and a reservoir operably sealable together, wherein a first arm and second arm, each having a respective brush and secured together in the handle, are provided with an actuator to overcome a biasing of the brushes together in the absence of active force from the actuator; loading the brushes with a product, in the reservoir, to be distributed on the brushes; separating the brushes by the actuator in response to the active force applied thereto by a user; applying the product to a user by closing the brushes on a bodily member of the user in response to releasing the active force from the actuator and drawing the brushes along the bodily member. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 comprising: snapping the first arm to the second arm without tools and without added material; securing the first arm, second arm, and actuator to the handle by snapping them together without tools and without added material; and the handle and the reservoir are operable together to seal the reservoir air tight.