# US 2018/0020816 A1 · Expandable mascara > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0020816 A1 - Document ID: US20180020816A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/656,335 - Filed: 2017-07-21 - Published: 2018-01-25 - Earliest claimed: 2016-07-22 - Assignees: Hct Group Holdings Limited - Applicants: Hct Group Holdings Limited - Inventors: ASHLEIGH EARL; ADRIAN C. APODACA; STEPHEN MOORE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180020816A1 ## CPC - A46B 5/0037: {Flexible resilience by plastic deformation of the material} - A45D 40/265: {connected to the cap of the container} - A46B 9/021: {arranged like in cosmetics brushes, e.g. mascara, nail polish, eye shadow} - A46B 9/026: {where the surface of the brush body or carrier is not in one plane, e.g. not flat (A46B9/005 takes precedence)} - A46B 2200/1053: Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara - A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G) - 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 ## Abstract An expandable applicator system for applying a product to a surface. The expandable applicator system may include an expandable implement including a brush and an expandable tip. The expandable tip may be configured to move between a first unexpanded state and a second expanded state. A cap may be coupled to the expandable implement. Actuation of a mechanism at or near the cap move the expandable tip of the implement from a deflated state to an inflated state. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An expandable applicator system for applying a product to a surface, the expandable applicator system comprising: an expandable implement comprising: a hollow stem defining a lumen and having a first end and a second end; a tube having a first end and a second end, the tube disposed within the lumen of the hollow stem; an applicator affixed adjacent to the bottom end of the hollow stem and including a brush and an expandable tip, an interior surface of the expandable tip in fluid communication with a lumen of the tube; a cap including a depressible panel, the cap affixed adjacent to the top end of the hollow stem; and a flexible fluid chamber disposed within the cap and adjacent to the depressible panel and in fluid communication with the lumen of the tube; wherein actuation of the depressible panel is configured to move the expandable tip of the applicator from a deflated state to an inflated state. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The expandable applicator system of claim 1, wherein the depressible panel comprises a flexible material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The expandable applicator system of claim 1, wherein the flexible fluid chamber comprises a bellowed structure on two or more sides thereof ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The expandable applicator system of claim 1, wherein the depressible panel is configured to translate an applied force to a compression surface of the flexible fluid chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The expandable applicator system of claim 1, wherein the expandable tip is more compliant than the brush. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The expandable applicator system of claim 1, further comprising an end piece affixed adjacent to the bottom end of the hollow stem and in fluid communication with the tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The expandable applicator system of claim 6, wherein a fluid is configured to exit an aperture of the end piece in line with a longitudinal axis of the hollow stem. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The expandable applicator system of claim 7, wherein a fluid is configured to exit an aperture of the end piece at an angle generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hollow stem. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The expandable applicator assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap comprises an outer handle portion and an inner cap portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The expandable applicator assembly of claim 9, wherein the inner cap portion has a channel-like first end defining a recess and a generally cylindrical second end. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The expandable applicator assembly of claim 10, wherein the flexible fluid chamber is positioned within the channel-like first end of the inner cap portion. ### Claim 12 An expandable applicator system for applying a product to a surface, the expandable applicator system comprising: an expandable implement comprising: a hollow stem defining a lumen and having a top end and a bottom end; an applicator affixed adjacent to the bottom end of the hollow stem and including a brush and an expandable tip, an interior surface of the expandable tip in fluid communication with the lumen of the hollow stem; a cap including one or more depressible panels, the cap affixed adjacent to the top end of the hollow stem; and a fluid chamber disposed within the cap and in fluid communication with the lumen of the hollow stem; wherein actuation of the one or more depressible panels is configured to move the expandable tip of the applicator from a deflated state to an inflated state. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The expandable applicator system of claim 12, wherein the one or more depressible panels comprise a flexible material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The expandable applicator system of claim 12, wherein the one or more depressible panels comprises two depressible panels positioned approximately 180° from one another. ### Claim 15 An expandable applicator system for applying a product to a surface, the expandable applicator system comprising: an expandable implement comprising: a hollow stem defining a lumen and having a top end and a bottom end; a splayed component defining a lumen and having a plurality of movable fingers, the splayed component affixed to the bottom end of the hollow stem; a plunger slidably disposed in the lumen of the hollow stem and the lumen of the splayed component; and an applicator affixed adjacent to the bottom end of the hollow stem and including a brush and an expandable tip; wherein actuation of the plunger is configured to move the expandable tip of the applicator from a first state to a second state. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The expandable applicator system of claim 15, wherein the second state is radially expanded relative to the first state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The expandable applicator system of claim 15, wherein actuation of the plunger is configured to radially expand the plurality of movable fingers. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The expandable applicator system of claim 17, wherein radial expansion of the plurality of movable fingers is configured to expand the expandable tip. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The expandable applicator system of claim 15, wherein the plunger comprises an enlarged diameter portion adjacent a distal end thereof. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The expandable applicator system of claim 15, further comprising a cap coupled to the top end of the hollow stem, the cap including an actuation mechanism configured to actuate the plunger.