Mechanism for extending and retracting a cosmetic pomade

A mechanism for extending and retracting a cosmetic pomade, the mechanism comprising:

• a spiral guide member having an outer surface, an inner surface having a helically-shaped track, and a smooth portion;
• a base positioned coaxially within the spiral guide member and having
• a first end,
• a shelf,
• a flexible insert for contacting the substantially smooth portion of the spiral guide member, said insert locating the base and the spiral guide member in relation to one another along defined, relatively low friction points of contact and positioned near the shelf, and having a main body that is compressed by the spiral guide member,
• a middle portion having a plurality of slots, and
• a second end;
• and
• means for holding the cosmetic pomade, wherein said means for holding the cosmetic pomade includes means for engaging the slots in the base and the helically-shaped track.

An insert for use within a mechanism for extending and retracting a cosmetic pomade and having a spiral guide member, the insert comprising:

• a first end,
• a second end, and
• two radially extending tabs, each tab having a contact surface,
• wherein the insert is made out of a flexible material having a flexural modulus of between about 20 KSI to about 40 KSI and a coefficient of friction of about 0.1 relative to the material of the spiral guide member.

A mechanism for extending and retracting a cosmetic pomade, the mechanism comprising:

• a base having a first end with a shelf, at least one aperture positioned near the shelf, a middle portion having a plurality of slots, and a second end;
• means for holding the cosmetic pomade, wherein said means is positioned within the base and has means for engaging the slots in the base;
• a spiral guide member having an outer surface, an inner surface with a track, and a substantially smooth portion, wherein said spiral guide member is positioned coaxially with the base;
• and
• an insert positioned within the base and having at least one radially projecting tab for engaging the substantially smooth portion of the spiral guide member, wherein the at least one radially projecting tab extends through the at least one aperture positioned near the shelf of the base and the insert is made from a material having a flexural modulus of between about 20 KSI to about 40 KSI and a coefficient of friction of about 0.1 relative to the material of the spiral guide member.

In a mechanism for extending and retracting a cosmetic pomade in which means for holding the cosmetic pomade is positioned within a base, and the base has a first end, a shelf, a middle portion having a plurality of slots, and a second end;

• and the means for holding the cosmetic pomade has means for engaging the slots in the base;
• and a spiral guide member having an outer surface and an inner surface with a helically-shaped track is positioned coaxially with the base;
• the improvement comprising:
• a substantially smooth extension positioned on the spiral guide member;
• two oppositely facing apertures in the base, each aperture positioned near the shelf;
• and
• an insert, positioned within the base and having two axially aligned, radially projecting tabs for engaging the substantially smooth portion of the spiral guide member, wherein each radially projecting tab extends through one of the two apertures positioned near the shelf of the base.

A mechanism for extending and retracting a cosmetic pomade, the mechanism comprising:

• a base having a first end, a shelf, two oppositely facing apertures positioned near the shelf, a middle portion having a plurality of slots, and a second end;
• means for holding the cosmetic pomade, wherein said means for holding the cosmetic pomade is positioned within the base and has means for engaging the slots in the base;
• a spiral guide member having an outer surface, an inner surface with a track, and a substantially smooth portion, wherein said spiral guide member is positioned coaxially with the base;
• and
• an insert positioned within the base and having two opposing and radially projecting tabs for engaging the substantially smooth portion of the spiral guide member, each radially projecting tab extending through one of the two apertures positioned near the shelf of the base;
• wherein the tabs and the main body of the insert are compressed by the substantially smooth portion of the spiral guide member.