Patent Application
20200352306
This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0054368 filed on May 9, 2019, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a cosmetic puff apparatus and a cosmetic casing, and more particularly, to a cosmetic puff apparatus having sterilization and massage functions and a cosmetic casing containing the cosmetic puff apparatus.
Cosmetic puffs are make-up sets used widely to apply cosmetics onto the part for making up in a way of spreading the cosmetics evenly and tightly without being lumped. Cosmetic puffs are typically made of a sponge or a soft urethane foam. The cosmetic puff has a band on the back to allow a user to grip it with fingers.
The cosmetic puff consists of a porous body. Therefore, cream type cosmetics or powder (powder type) cosmetics may be excessively penetrated in the inside of the cosmetic puff and foreign substances on the skin may be absorbed together into the inside of the cosmetic puff in the process of rubbing the cosmetic puff on the face. As such, there is a problem that as the cosmetic puff is repeatedly used or the period of use is prolonged, the cosmetic puff is gradually contaminated. This is the reason why periodic cleaning or replacement of cosmetic puffs is recommended. However, as the periodic cleaning of cosmetic puffs is cumbersome, most users avoid the cleaning of cosmetic puffs. In addition, it is difficult to visually identify bacteria or foreign substances existing in the cosmetic puffs, so it is frequently used continuously without washing or replacing the cosmetic puffs. Because of this, the cosmetic puffs repeatedly used without washing or replacing adversely affect the user's skin. Under these circumstances, cosmetic containers equipped with means for sterilizing cosmetic puffs have been developed.
The present invention provides a cosmetic puff apparatus that can sterilize a cosmetic puff with ultraviolet rays and further enhances the effect of applying cosmetics such as creams to the skin through radiation of infrared rays and vibrating function. Further, the present invention provides a cosmetic casing containing such cosmetic puff apparatus.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cosmetic puff apparatus comprising a housing having an opening formed at a lower portion and an LED module disposed inside the housing to emit ultraviolet or infrared rays downwardly; a cover part of a silicon material covering the opening and having a downward arc shape; a puff base detachably coupled under the cover part; an operation control unit for operating and controlling the LED module to emit ultraviolet or infrared rays by user's selection; and a vibration module provided on an underneath surface of the LED module to vibrate the cover part.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cosmetic casing comprising a container for containing cosmetics therein; and a cosmetic puff apparatus detachably coupled to an upper portion of the cosmetic container, wherein the cosmetic puff apparatus is the cosmetic puff apparatus as described above.
The cosmetic puff apparatus and the cosmetic casing according to embodiments of the present invention comprise an LED module disposed inside the housing to emit ultraviolet or infrared rays downwardly, wherein the puff is detachably coupled under the housing. Therefore, the puff can be sterilized with ultraviolet rays when the puff is coupled in the housing. In addition, when the puff is peeled off, it is possible to emit infrared rays toward the skin, thereby enhancing the effect of applying the cosmetics to the skin.
Further, the cosmetic puff apparatus also comprises a vibration module for vibrating the puff. Therefore, it is possible to enhancing the effect of applying the cosmetics to the skin through vibrating function when using the puff.
100, 200: cosmetic puff apparatus
110, 210: housing
111, 211: LED module
120, 220: cover part
130, 230: puff base
150, 250: cosmetic container
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The cosmetic puff apparatus 100 may be coupled to an upper portion of a cosmetic container 150. The cosmetic container 150 contains cosmetics therein. The cosmetic container 150 is formed to be coupled with a lower portion of the housing 110. For example, a thread may be formed on a lower inner surface of the housing 110, while a thread corresponding to the thread may be formed on an upper outer surface of the cosmetic container 150. In this case, the housing 110 may be fitted to the upper portion of the cosmetic container 150 by fastening the threads. The cosmetics to be contained in the cosmetic container 150 are not specified. For example, the cosmetics may be powder cosmetics such as compacts or foundations; or cream type cosmetics such as lotion, nutrition cream, massage cream, body cream and essence.
The housing 110 has an opening 113 formed at a lower portion thereof and an LED module 111 disposed therein. No shape of the housing 110 is specified. A gripping part 115 that can be gripped by a user may be formed at an upper portion of the housing 110. No shape of the gripping part 115 is specified. In the drawings attached to the present specification, the gripping part 115 is illustrated in a ring shape, but not limited thereto. The gripping part 115 allows the user to grip a finger or the like thereto to grip the housing 110.
The LED module 111 is disposed inside the housing 110. The LED module 111 includes an electronic circuit board 111a, a battery unit 111b, an ultraviolet light source 111c and an infrared light source 111d. The electronic circuit board 111a is supplied with electric power from the battery unit 111b. The electronic circuit board 111a controls the ultraviolet light source 111c and the infrared light source 111d according to control contents. Examples of the ultraviolet light source 111c and the infrared light source 111d include an LED in the form of a chip or an LED in the form of a lamp.
The ultraviolet light source 111c and the infrared light source 111d are both disposed toward the lower portion of the housing 110. Therefore, when the ultraviolet light source 111c and the infrared light source 111d are turned on, ultraviolet light or infrared light may be radiated toward the lower portion of the housing 110. When the ultraviolet light source 111c and the infrared light source 111d are turned on, light colors may be different from each other. For example, the ultraviolet light source 111c may emit blue light, while the infrared light source 111d may emit red light. Therefore, the user can check from the color of light whether the ultraviolet light source is turned on, or otherwise the infrared light source is turned on.
The ultraviolet light source 111c may be a well-known ultraviolet LED element. In this case, the ultraviolet LED element may emit ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 200 nm to 280 nm, more specifically, a wavelength of 254 nm to 265 nm. Therefore, when the puff base 130 is coupled to the lower portion of the housing 110, the ultraviolet light source 111c may emit ultraviolet light having the wavelength to sterilize or disinfect bacteria in the puff base 130.
The infrared light source 111d may be a well-known infrared LED element. In this case, the infrared LED element may have a wavelength of 810 nm to 900 nm and/or a wavelength of 8 to 16 μm. For example, infrared rays having a wavelength of 810 nm to 900 nm or a wavelength of 8 to 16 μm can be emitted through wavelength conversion of one infrared LED. As another example, a plurality of infrared LEDs may be provided wherein some of them may emit infrared rays having a wavelength of 810 nm to 900 nm and others may emit infrared rays having a wavelength of 8 to 16 μm.
Infrared rays having a wavelength of 810 nm to 900 nm are known as near infrared rays. Such near infrared rays are reported to have an effect of promoting phagocytosis of leucocytes and macrophage. Therefore, the infrared rays having the wavelength may exert effects of stimulating blood circulation and increasing blood flow in the affected part through emission of nitrogen oxide, thereby improving the skin.
Infrared rays having a wavelength of 8 to 16 μm are known as far infrared rays. Such far infrared rays are well absorbed into the living body and serve to stimulate and activate molecules in the living body. Therefore, the far infrared rays expand capillaries to help blood circulation and cell tissue production and, when they come into contact with the water and protein molecules that make up cells, shake the cells finely to activate the cell tissues, thereby exerting effects of preventing aging, promoting metabolism and relieving chronic fatigue.
The cover part 120 has a form covering the opening 113 provided in the lower portion of the housing 110. To this end, an upper end of the cover part 120 may be formed to correspond to the shape of the opening 113. For example, when the opening 113 is formed in a circular shape, the upper end of the cover part 120 may also be formed in a circular shape accordingly. In this case, a predetermined groove is formed in an upper edge of the cover part 120 and the cover part 120 can be coupled to the lower side of the housing 110 by inserting the groove into a lower edge of the housing 110 in an interference fit manner.
The cover part 120 may be used by the user to apply cosmetics to the skin in addition to the function of closing the lower side of the housing 110. To this end, the cover part 120 may be formed of a silicon material. The silicone material has light transmittance and elasticity. Therefore, even when the opening 113 of the housing 110 is covered by the cover part 120, ultraviolet light and/or infrared light emitted from the LED module 111 may penetrate the cover part 120. In addition, the elasticity of the silicone material may provide a soft feeling and a cling feeling to the user's skin when the user applies the cosmetics to the skin.
The cover part 120 is formed to have a downward arc shape 120a as shown in the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the space formed by both the interior of the housing 110 and the interior of the cover part 120 is secured relatively wider, compared to the case when the cover part 120 is formed in a flat type. In addition, it is possible to constitute a user-friendly interface, such as an interface in which the user presses the cover part 120 and selects the type of light to be emitted from the LED module 111. Further, when the user applies cosmetics to the skin with the cover part 120, the user may gently cling the cover part to the user's skin.
The puff base 130 may include a puff surface base 131 and an antimicrobial pad base 132. The puff surface base 131 is exposed to the outside. The puff surface base 131 may be made of a sponge or a soft urethane foam material which are typically used. The puff surface base 131 may be formed to surround the outer peripheral surface of the cover part 120. For example, an upper edge of the puff surface base 131 may be accommodated in the groove formed in the upper edge of the cover part 120 as described above in an interference fit manner. Alternatively, the upper edge of the puff surface base may be accommodated in a groove formed separately at the upper edge of the cover part 120 in an interference fit manner.
The antimicrobial pad base 132 is formed as a porous body to have a predetermined volume. The antimicrobial pad base 132 is inserted into a back surface of the puff surface base 131 to impart elasticity to the puff base 130. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial pad base 132 may be a pad base having a front surface irradiated with UVC (Ultraviolet C) and subjected to an antimicrobial treatment by a far infrared radiant heat generator. In another embodiment, the antimicrobial pad base 132 may have a front surface on which far infrared rays and an anion radiant material are applied. In this case, the material emitting the far infrared rays and the anion may be a powdery material such as ocher, charcoal, jade, elvan and biotite and this material may be added and deposited to the antimicrobial base 132.
Although not shown in the drawing, an operation control unit (not shown) operates and controls the LED module 111 to emit ultraviolet light or infrared light according to the user's selection. The operation control unit may include an operation unit and a control unit. The operation unit (not shown) provides a user interface for the user to select and emit ultraviolet light or infrared light. The control unit controls the LED module 111 in response to the user's selection input from the operation unit. Both the operation unit and the control unit may be electrically connected to the electronic circuit board 111a of the LED module 111.
For example, the operation unit may be a button type or touch type switch. The operation unit may be located close to an inner surface of the cover part 120. In this case, when the user presses or touches the arc shaped portion 120a of the cover part 120, the control unit may turn on the ultraviolet light source 111c of the LED module 111. Further, when the user again presses or touches the arc shaped portion 120a of the cover part 120, the control unit may turn on the infrared light source 111d of the LED module 111. Moreover, when the user once again presses or touches the arc shaped portion 120a of the cover part 120, the control unit may turn off all light sources of the LED module 111.
Alternatively, the operation unit may be a slide type switch. In this case, the operation unit may be located on any surface of the housing 110. The user can slide the operation unit to turn on or off the ultraviolet light source 111c and/or the infrared light source 111d. It is natural that in addition to examples of the operation unit as described herein, various other types of the operation unit may be provided. The control unit generates a control signal for turning on or off the ultraviolet light source 111c and/or the infrared light source 111d in response to a signal input from the operation unit. The technical details of such operation and control units are well known in the field of art.
Hereinafter, use of the cosmetic puff apparatus 100 according to the embodiments of the present invention will be described.
Referring to
In one embodiment, the cosmetic containers 251 and 252 may include a lower case 252 for containing cosmetics therein and an upper case 251 coupled to the lower case 252 to open and close the lower case 252. In this case, an upper portion of the upper case 251 may be provided with a receiving groove 251a that can be coupled to a housing 210 while accommodating a cover part 220 of the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 therein. The lower case 252 and the upper case 251 may be hinged through a conventional hinge member. Further, although not specifically illustrated in the drawings, a protrusion may be formed at one point of a bottom edge of the upper case 251 and a coupling groove may be formed at one point of the lower case 252 corresponding to the protrusion such that the protrusion can be detachably coupled to the groove. In this case, a pressing member is formed in the coupling groove such that when the user presses the pressing member to open the upper case 251, the protrusion is broken away from the coupling groove and thus the upper case 251 can be opened from the lower case 252. On the contrary, when the user intends to exert external force on the upper case 252 to close the upper case 252, the protrusion is accommodated in the coupling groove so that the upper case 252 completely covers the lower case 251 and then the cosmetic container can be closed. The cosmetics to be contained in the cosmetic containers 251 and 252 are not specified. For example, the cosmetics may be powder cosmetics such as compacts or foundations; or cream type cosmetics such as lotion, nutrition cream, massage cream, body cream and essence. Further, a mirror or the like may be mounted inside the cosmetic containers 251 and 252.
The receiving groove 251a provided in the upper case 251 may be formed to correspond to the size of the housing 210 of the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 to be coupled to the housing 210. In this case, the receiving groove 251a is formed to have a depth capable of accommodating the cover part 220 and the puff base 230 which are coupled to the lower portion of the housing 210 therein when the housing 210 is coupled to the receiving groove.
The cosmetic puff apparatus 200 according to this embodiment comprises the housing 210, the cover part 220, the puff base 230 and the operation control unit (not shown). The housing 210 has an opening 213 formed at a lower portion thereof and an LED module 211 disposed therein. The cover part 220 has a form covering the opening 213 provided in the lower portion of the housing 210. The cover part 220 is formed to have a downward arc shape 220a. The puff base 230 may include a puff surface base 231 and an antimicrobial pad base 232. In the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 according to this embodiment, the housing 210, the cover part 220 and the puff base 230 are the same as or similar to those of the cosmetic puff apparatus 100 in the embodiment described previously (see Example 1 and
In this embodiment, the LED module 211 is disposed in the housing 210 and includes an electronic circuit board 211a, a battery unit 211b, an ultraviolet light source and/or an infrared light source 211d. As the electronic circuit board 211a, the battery unit 211b, the ultraviolet light source and/or the infrared light source 211d are the same as or similar to those in the previous embodiment, redundant description thereon will be omitted.
The LED module 211 may further include a vibration module 211c. The vibration module 211c is provided on a lower surface of the electronic circuit board 211a (for example, may be disposed in the center of the lower surface) to vibrate the cover part 220. The vibration module 211c may be a small vibration device that is commonly available. The vibration module 211c is supplied with electric power from the battery unit 211b.
Although not shown in the drawings, the vibration module 211c may include an on-off sensor. The on-off sensor may turn on or off the vibration module 211c according to a predetermined operation condition. For example, the on-off sensor is operable to turn off the vibration module 211c when a metallic material is close to the sensor. In this case, a metallic plate member 253 (see
The cosmetic puff apparatus 200 according to this embodiment comprises a gripping part 215 formed on the top of the housing 210. In addition, a plate member 253 made of a metallic material is disposed inside the gripping part 215. The gripping part 215 is formed such that the user grips the housing 210 by hanging a finger or the like in the gripping part, but the shape thereof is not specified. For example, the gripping part 215 may be formed in a circular ring shape as shown in
In the embodiment described previously, the metallic plate member 253 is arranged in the receiving groove 251a provided on the top of the cosmetic container 250 (see
The cosmetic puff apparatus 200 may include a vibration module and the vibration module may include an on-off sensor. The on-off sensor may turn on or off the vibration module according to a predetermined operation condition. Specifically, the on-off sensor is operable to turn off the vibration module when the metallic material is close to the sensor. Accordingly, in this embodiment, when the gripping part 215 lies down toward the housing 210 as shown in
In other words, in the embodiment described previously, the vibration module is turned off when the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 is coupled to the upper portion of the cosmetic container 250, whereas in this embodiment, the vibration module may be turned on or off in response to motion of the gripping part 215 regardless of whether the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 and the cosmetic container 250 are coupled to each other. Therefore, even when the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 is released from the cosmetic container 250, the user can turn on/off the vibration module by a simple motion. When the user intends to do skin massage or the like using the cosmetic puff apparatus 200, it is natural to hang a finger in the gripping part 215. In this case, the gripping part 215 is erected from the housing 210 and as a result, the vibration module is automatically turned on. If the user does not want to use the vibration function, the vibration module can be turned off by only a simple motion of laying down the gripping part 215.
Further, in some cases, the metallic plate member 253 may be provided in both the inside of the gripping part 215 and the receiving groove 251a provided on the top of the cosmetic container 250. In this case, turning on/off the vibration module can be controlled according to any combination of user's various motions such as motions when the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 is coupled to or released from the cosmetic container 250, motions when the gripping part 215 is laid down or erected, or the like.
In this embodiment, the on-off sensor of the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 includes an illumination sensor. The photo resistor is a sensor for measuring brightness of the surroundings. The photo resistor may be a well-known device having a photoelectric effect in which conductivity is changed resulting from movement of electrons when light energy is received.
In this embodiment, when the brightness measured by the photo resistor is equal to or greater than a predetermined brightness, the on-off sensor may operate to turn on the vibration module. For example, when the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 is coupled to the upper portion of the cosmetic container 250, the measured value of the brightness measured by the photo resistor will be low (because it is dark). Therefore, the vibration module may be turned off by the on-off sensor. On the contrary, when the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 is released from the upper portion of the cosmetic container 250, the measured value of the brightness measured by the photo resistor will increase. Accordingly, when the measured value is above the predetermined brightness, the vibration module may be turned on by the on-off sensor. Therefore, when the user releases the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 from the cosmetic container 250, the vibration module can automatically vibrate, whereas when the cosmetic puff apparatus 200 is coupled to the cosmetic container 250 again, the vibration module can automatically stop vibration.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2019-0054368 | May 2019 | KR | national |
