This disclosure relates to implementations of an apparatus and method for applying cosmetic compositions to the body. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for applying cosmetic eyebrows to the face of a user, specifically, the supraorbital ridges of the user.
In many ways, the overall appearance of an eyebrow is affected by its arch, length, and thickness. Hair loss or sparse hair on the eyebrow may occur for many reasons (e.g., chemotherapy) and thereby leave a person with unaesthetic eyebrows. Methods of creating an aesthetically pleasing eyebrow having generally included the removal of unwanted hair or the filling in of a sparse and/or lightly colored eyebrow.
Various products have been designed to fill-in or recreate an eyebrow. Example products include brown powder, eyebrow pencils, and eyebrow gels. The goal of these products is not only to fill-in an eyebrow, or the complete recreation of an eyebrow when needed, but also to create a bilateral symmetry between a user's eyebrows such that the eyebrows have the same visual characteristics (e.g., shape, thickness, size, and/or relative position on the supraorbital ridge). However, the previously mentioned products have several drawbacks. First, the ability to create two eyebrows having the same visual characteristics is limited by the user's manual dexterity and artistic abilities. Second, proper positioning of an eyebrow on the supraorbital ridge requires trial and error since no method of ascertaining a suitable location prior to application is provided for. Third, the desirability of a particular color or shape of an eyebrow cannot be determined until the cosmetic eyebrow is applied to the user's brow ridge.
Thus, there is a need for an apparatus and method for applying cosmetic eyebrows that enables for the selection of a desired shape, color, and size prior to application. Further, there is a need for an apparatus and method for applying cosmetic eyebrows that allows for the proper positioning of the cosmetic eyebrow prior to application on the brow ridge of a user.
In one implementation of the invention, an eyebrow applicator is provided. The eyebrow applicator may comprise a laminate structure having a left brow applicator, a right brow applicator, and a core ply positioned therebetween. The core ply is used to separate and thereby prevent contact between the left and right brow applicators. In some implementations, the core ply comprises a first side, a second side, and a centrally located window. In some implementations, the left and right brow applicators may each comprise a clear polymer film having a cosmetic formula deposited on an interiorly-facing surface thereof. The cosmetic formula is positioned on each brow applicator so that when the brow applicators are secured to the core ply the cosmetic formula is located within the window of the core ply. In this way, the cosmetic formula is protected from inadvertent contact and smudging. In some implementations, the core ply may include an adhesive on the first side and the second side used to removably secure the left and right brow applicators thereto.
A method of applying cosmetic eyebrows using the eyebrow applicator described herein is provided. Initially, after selecting a desired cosmetic eyebrow, a user applies the cosmetic eyebrow by peeling off a left or right brow applicator from the core ply of the eyebrow applicator. Then, the user positions the cosmetic eyebrow over a desired placement site on their brow ridge by virtue of the clear polymer film. The clear polymer film allows the user to ascertain a desired placement location for the cosmetic eyebrow prior to its application on the brow ridge. Next, the user presses the selected eyebrow applicator to their brow ridge. In this way, a portion of the cosmetic formula deposited on the brow applicator may be deposited at the desired placement location on the user's skin. Then, the user may blot the cosmetic formula deposited on their skin with absorbent material, such as a tissue or other absorbent material.
In some implementations, the method of applying cosmetic eyebrows may further comprise, selecting a desired cosmetic eyebrow from a selection of cosmetic eyebrows of varying size, shape, and/or color. The selection of a cosmetic eyebrow may be made in context of a user's brow ridge by using the window of the eyebrow applicator, or the look and appeal of the eyebrow, to make an initial selection. By using the window of the applicator, the user may ascertain if the selected cosmetic eyebrow would be aesthetically pleasing if applied. Then, if the selected cosmetic eyebrow is undesirable to the user, another size, shape, and/or color of cosmetic eyebrow may be examined and selected for use.
The present invention provides for the convenient, easy, and direct application of cosmetics, such as a cosmetic eyebrow, to a brow ridge of a user. The eyebrow applicator is compact and configured to substantially minimize the possibility of smudging the cosmetic formula deposited on the brow applicators. Smudging of the cosmetic formula is minimized due to the construction of the eyebrow applicator. Further, the present invention, through the use of clear brow applicators, allows a user to select a location to place each cosmetic eyebrow before applying the cosmetic formula to their brow ridge. In some implementations, the eyebrow applicator includes a reusable adhesive on the first and/or second sides of the core ply so that the brow applicators may be removably secured thereto. In some implementations, each brow applicator includes sufficient cosmetic formula thereon to enable multiple applications thereof.
In some implementations, as shown in
As shown in
In some implementations, both the left brow applicator 112 and right brow applicator 114 are made of a clear polymer film. In some implementations, the clear polymer film may have a thickness ranging between 0.001 inch to 0.02 inch, inclusive of 0.001″ (inch) and 0.002″ (inch). In some implementations, the thickness of the clear polymer film may be up to 0.003″ (inch) thick. In some implementations, the left brow applicator 112 and right brow applicator 114 may be made of a polyester film, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In some implementations, the left brow applicator 112 and right brow applicator 114 may be made of any suitable clear polymer film (e.g., polyesters, polypropylenes, polyethylenes).
As shown in
In some implementations, the cosmetic formula 118a, 118b may be deposited on the right brow application 114 and the left brow applicator 112, respectively, by any printing method known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Example printing methods include, but are not limited to, screen printing, pad printing, flexographic, letter press, and/or ink jet printing.
In some implementations, a chemical pretreatment (e.g., acrylic co-polyester, urethane, and/or microcrystalline wax) may be used on the surface of the clear polymer film of the brow applicators 114, 112 to facilitate printing (or adhering) the cosmetic formula 118a, 118b thereon. In some implementations, the thickness of the acrylic co-polyester and/or urethane coating may be up to 4 microns thick. In implementations where microcrystalline wax is used, the microcrystalline wax used possesses absorbent properties. In some implementations, the use of the chemical pretreatment may be limited to the area of the clear polymer film of each brow applicator 114, 112 where the cosmetic formula 118a, 118b is deposited.
In some implementations, a release agent (or de-moulding agent) (e.g., silicone) may be applied to the brow applicators 114, 112 to thereby control and/or facilitate their removal from the core ply 116. In some implementations, the release agent may be used to minimize or prevent the appearance of an adhesive on the brow applicators 114, 112 after their separation from the core ply 116. In some implementations, the release agent may be used to prevent the brow applicators 114, 112 from bonding to the core ply 116. The release agent may be pattern printed onto the brow applicators 114, 112 by methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some implementations, a release agent may not be applied to the brow applicators 114, 112.
In some implementations, the brow applicators 114, 112 may include various indicia thereon (e.g., company name(s), logos, etc . . . ).
As shown in
In some implementations, the cosmetic formula 118a, 118b may comprise a uniform mixture of cosmetic waxes, oils, pigments, and/or emollients. In some implementations, the cosmetic formula 118a, 118b is a mixture of wax (e.g., microcrystalline wax) and oils used to initially create a soft amorphous composition. The wax is used to provide structure to the composition. In some implementations, pigments and/or dyes may be used to color the composition. In some implementations, the composition used to create the cosmetic formula 118a, 118b is not subjected to heat during preparation. In this way, the composition may be prevented from hardening. In some implementations, the composition used to create the cosmetic formula 118a, 118b may be similar (e.g., include similar percentages of waxes and/or oils) to a composition formulation used to make lipstick.
As shown in
In some implementations, the core ply 116 may have a thickness ranging from 0.05″ inch to 0.25″ inch, inclusive of 0.05″ (inch) to 0.25″ (inch). In some implementations, the core ply 116 may be made of paperboard, rigid and/or flexible polymer foams (e.g., polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA)), injection molded and/or thermoformed plastics, corrugated paper board, and/or plastic, or a combination thereof. In one implementation, the core ply 116 is rigid polystyrene foam that is approximately 0.15″ (inch) thick. In some implementations, the core ply 116 is made from foam and the first side 117a and the second side 117b thereof may be laminated with a foil-coated paper. Such lamination may be utilized for decorative effect, to add rigidity to the core ply 116, and/or to increase the overall thickness of the core ply 116. Increasing the rigidity of the core ply 116 is especially important if the core ply 116 is made of a softer foam.
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In some implementations, the adhesive 130 may be printed on the core ply 116 using any printing method known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Example printing methods include, but are not limited to, screen printing, pad printing, flexographic, letter press, and/or ink jet printing. In some implementations, the adhesive 130 may be pattern printed onto the core ply 116 (see, e.g.,
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In some implementations, the assembled eyebrow applicator 100 is pliable, which may be the result of the material used to make the core ply 116 and/or the brow applicators 114, 112. In this way, the eyebrow applicator 100 may accommodate (or conform to) the natural curvature of a user's brow ridge when it is pressed there against to simulate how the cosmetic eyebrow would look once applied.
In some implementations, the clear polymer film of each brow applicator 114, 112 aids in placing the cosmetic eyebrows 118a, 118b onto a desired location, creating symmetrical eyebrows, and/or eliminating guesswork about brow shaping.
As shown in
In some implementations, an eyebrow applicator 100 having the desired cosmetic eyebrows thereon is initially selected by the user.
Then, the left brow applicator 112 is peeled off of the core ply 116 of the eyebrow applicator 100 (see, e.g.,
Next, as shown in
Then, as shown in
Next, in some implementations, blotting the cosmetic formula 118b deposited on the user's skin with an absorbent material (e.g., tissue). In this way, excess liquids such as oils may be absorbed out of the cosmetic formula 118b thereby causing the remaining cosmetic formula to more effectively adhere to the skin and/or hair of a user.
Then, the above steps may be repeated in order to apply the cosmetic eyebrow 118a on the right brow applicator 114 to the user's right brow ridge.
In some implementations, the method of applying cosmetic eyebrows using an eyebrow applicator 100 may further comprise the steps of, initially selecting an eyebrow applicator 100 having a desired cosmetic eyebrow thereon from a selection of cosmetic eyebrows of varying size, shape, and/or color.
Then, placing the eyebrow applicator 100 over a portion of the user's eyebrow ridge and viewing the brow ridge and cosmetic eyebrow through the window 120 of the eyebrow applicator 100. In this way, the cosmetic eyebrow may be selected in context of the user's brow ridge thereby allowing the look and appeal of the selected cosmetic eyebrow to be ascertained prior to its application to the skin. If the cosmetic eyebrow is found not desirable to the user, another eyebrow applicator 100 (and thereby cosmetic eyebrows) is selected and the process repeated.
In some implementations, slight contact on the side of the brow applicator 114, 112 free of cosmetic formula 118a, 118b is all that is needed to deposit a portion of the cosmetic formula 118a, 118b on the skin and/or hair of a user.
In some implementations, the eyebrow applicator 100 may be multi-use such that the application of the cosmetic eyebrows 118a, 118b provided thereby can be repeated using the same brow applicators 114, 112. In some implementations, there may be a sufficient amount of cosmetic formula 118a, 118b applied to the brow applicators 114, 112, respectively, to allow each brow applicator to be used three to five times. In some implementations, there may be an amount of cosmetic formula 118a, 118b applied to each brow applicator 114, 112, respectively, to allow each brow applicator to be used less than three times or more than five times.
Initially, in some implementations, an array of windows 120 may be cut from a single piece of material using a die-cutting process. Next, in some implementations, an array of core ply 116 may be cut from a single sheet of material using a die-cutting process. In some implementations, to minimize the risk of the brow applicators 114,112 touching one another during the die-cutting process which is used to cut out each core ply 116, the ejector pads used to position the die of a die-cutting machine used to form the window 120 of the core ply 116 are removed. In this way, pressures from the die cutting procedure which could force the brow applicators 114, 112 to contact one another are removed.
In addition to the above described implementations of the eyebrow applicator 100 and its method of use, other implementations of the eyebrow applicator are envisioned. In one additional implementation, the cosmetic formula is deposited on each brow applicator in various patterns so that when the cosmetic formula is applied to a user's brow ridge a template or pattern is left behind. In this way, a user may see which hairs are outside of the provided template or pattern and then remove them (e.g., pluck or trim the hairs) to leave behind an eyebrow having the shape of the pattern or template. In this implementation, the cosmetic formula may be brightly colored so that hairs not so colored may be easily spotted and plucked or trimmed. In this way, the cosmetic formula provides guidance to the user so they can conform their brows to a desired shape. After the hair is removed, the cosmetic formula is removed leaving behind an eyebrow having the desired shape.
In another implementation of the present invention, the cosmetic formula is deposited on each brow applicator in a pattern that only defines the outline of a desired brow shape or only a portion thereof. Or, in other words, the shape of the cosmetic formula on each applicator defines an area (or void) where eyebrow hair is not desired. In some implementations, the cosmetic formula may be a wax material. When using an eyebrow applicator having a wax pattern thereon, the eyebrow applicator may be heated (e.g., by a microwave) to soften and activate the wax. Then, the softened, patterned wax may be applied to the user's brow ridge. In this way, the wax may adhere to the hairs desired to be removed and not to the hairs the user's desires to retain. Once the deposited, patterned wax has cooled, the deposited, patterned wax is removed. In this way, the unwanted hair is removed leaving behind a shapely eyebrow.
In keeping with the spirit of the present invention, the eyebrow applicator may be adapted to apply other decorative cosmetic art and/or body art. For example, the cosmetic formula may be used to create multi-color art. Also, glitter, and/or shimmer could be added to the cosmetic formula. Like the above-described cosmetic formula, these implementations of the cosmetic formula may become more fixed to the skin through blotting.
Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in an embodiment” or “an implementation” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.
The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/175,012, which was filed on Jun. 12, 2015, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20160360861 A1 | Dec 2016 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62175012 | Jun 2015 | US |