Cosmetic material applicator, dispenser including the same, and actuator therefor

1. An applicator for cosmetic material, comprising:

(a) an applicator head for transporting a quantity of a cosmetic material and applying it to an end use location;

(b) a stem having a long axis, a distal portion bearing at least a portion of the applicator head, and a proximal portion;

(c) a manually graspable handle connected to the proximal portion of the stem so as to permit limited reciprocatory movement of the stem along the stem long axis relative to the handle, the distal portion of the stem projecting from the handle; and

(d) actuating mechanism, carried by the handle, for imparting such reciprocatory movement to the stem relative to the handle,

wherein the stem is received in the handle for guided sliding movement of the stem, relative to the handle, back and forth along the stem long axis;

wherein the handle includes a guide slidably engageable by the stem to limit the movement of the stem, relative to the handle, to directions along the long axis of the stem;

wherein the actuating mechanism includes a drive disposed within the handle and having a rotary output shaft, a cam member rotated by the output shaft and a nonrotatable cam follower connected to the stem at a proximal location thereof and slidably engaging the cam member, the cam member and cam follower being mutually configured to convert rotary motion of the output shaft to reciprocatory movement of the stem along the axis;

wherein the output shaft and the stem are coaxial, and the cam member and follower slidingly engage at a locus of contact that undulates along the stem long axis as the cam member rotates, reciprocating the follower and the stem connected thereto in correspondence with the undulations of the locus of contact; and

wherein one of the cam member and cam follower has a cylindrical surface formed with an undulating endless groove and the other of the cam member and follower has a projection that rides in the groove so as to move the follower and the attached stem back and forth.

2. An applicator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the guide is an open-ended guide sheath through which the stem slidably extends with the applicator head disposed distally of the guide sheath.

3. An applicator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the drive is a motor disposed within the handle.

4. An applicator as defined in claim 3 , wherein the motor is battery powered and is controlled by a switch on the handle.

5. An applicator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the actuating member comprises an electrically energized drive controlled by a switch carried in the handle.

6. An applicator as defined in claim 1 , wherein the applicator head is a mascara brush secured to the stem distal portion and the handle is a cap removably mountable on an opening of a mascara container for closing the opening with the distal portion of the stem projecting through the opening into the interior of the container.

7. An applicator as defined in claim 6 , wherein the stem is received in the cap for guided sliding movement of the stem, relative to the handle, back and forth along the stem long axis; wherein the guide includes a sheath; and wherein the actuating mechanism includes a drive disposed within the cap and having a rotary output shaft coaxial with the stem, a cam member rotated by the output shaft and a cam follower connected to the stem and engaging the cam member proximally of the guide sheath, the cam member and cam follower being mutually configured to convert rotary motion of the output shaft to reciprocatory movement of the stem along said axis.

8. A mascara dispenser comprising an applicator as defined in claim 7 and a container of mascara having a neck engageable with said cap.