Patent Grant
10813434
The present disclosure relates generally to applicators for applying cosmetic compositions to keratinous material, in particular to applicators containing a plurality of holes and associated cosmetic compositions for application to hair, eyebrows and/or eyelashes.
Cosmetic compositions for making up keratinous materials such as eyebrows and/or eyelashes (mascaras) typically are marketed in a system including a reservoir in which the composition is stored together with a brush for applying the composition to eyebrows and/or eyelashes. Application of such mascaras occurs by placing the brush into the reservoir, coating the brush with mascara, withdrawing the brush from the reservoir, and applying the mascara to eyebrows and/or eyelashes. This can be a problematic process.
More specifically, traditional mascara applicators typically include a slender brush having a cap on one end that provides a handle, which may be threaded upon the neck of a container with the brush located within the mascara. In operation, the cap on the end of the brush is unscrewed from the container neck with one hand, and the brush is removed bearing a supply of mascara on its bristles. The user may then stroke the mascara-laden bristles upon the eyelashes, and upon completion of the application replace the brush back with its bristles housed within the container and its supply of mascara. Such applicators are not as well-suited for a single hand operation and application.
Further, the shape and orientation of brush bristles of the applicator are normally fixed. Therefore, where the design of the brush applicator is well-suited for applying mascara to the lashes of one eye with one hand, they are inherently not as well suited for applying mascara with the same hand to the other eye. For instance, an applicator that has a generally cylindrical, peripheral surface of its brush bristles is better-suited for applying mascara to the central portion of the lashes than to the end portions. In contrast, where the applicator has a conical shape of bristles, with the apex of the conical mass located at the tip of the brush, the brush is well suited for applying with the right hand mascara to right eyelashes, while it is ill-suited for applying mascara to the left eye lashes unless a hand switch is made.
Additionally, for the above described mascara applicators, the user needs to frequently dip the brush in the container supply to secure more mascara on the bristles before further application. Such a frequent dip and apply process may lead to an uneven amount of mascara being transported to the brush bristles, which may result in an uneven application of the mascara.
The result of the above limitations of mascaras is that many consumers forego using mascaras, opting to avoid the often difficult application process.
Thus, there remains a need for improved cosmetic compositions for application to keratinous materials such as mascaras having improved application properties.
Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention is a care and/or makeup and/or treatment system for keratinous material which includes a cosmetic composition having good cosmetic properties such as, for example, long-wearing, easy to remove, possesses good anti-flaking properties and/or possess good anti-smudging properties, where the system allows easy application of the composition to keratinous material.
The present invention relates to a applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to a keratinous material comprising a cosmetic applicator and a cosmetic composition. The cosmetic applicator includes a container configured to store the cosmetic composition, an applicator head having a linear or non-linear orientation such as a curved, bent or conical shape with a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of holes along or around the circumference of the applicator head, the distal end connected to the container. Preferably, the container is deformable and/or the applicator head is flocked with flocking extending on a portion of the applicator head, extending over a circumference of the applicator head or extending completely around the circumference of the applicator head, and covering or exposing the plurality of holes. Preferably, the cosmetic composition is a mascara and/or the keratinous material is hair, eyebrows and/or eyelashes.
The present invention relates to a applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to a keratinous material comprising a cosmetic applicator and a cosmetic composition. The cosmetic applicator includes a deformable container configured to store the cosmetic composition, an applicator head having a linear or non-linear orientation such as a curved, bent or conical shape with a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of holes along or around the circumference of the applicator head, the distal end connected to the deformable container. Preferably, the applicator head is flocked with flocking extending on a portion of the applicator head, extending over a circumference of the applicator head or extending completely around the circumference of the applicator head, and covering or exposing the plurality of holes. In response to a deformation force applied to the deformable container, the deformable container transports the cosmetic composition to the applicator head and further to the flocked brush (if present) via the plurality of holes for application to the keratinous material. Preferably, the cosmetic composition is a mascara and/or the keratinous material is hair, eyebrows and/or eyelashes.
The present invention relates to a applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to a keratinous material comprising a cosmetic applicator and a cosmetic composition. The cosmetic applicator includes a cylindrical container (deformable or non-deformable) configured to store the cosmetic composition, an applicator head having a linear or non-linear orientation such as a curved, bent or conical shape with a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of holes along or around the circumference of the applicator head, the distal end connected to the cylindrical container. Preferably, the applicator head is flocked with flocking extending on a portion of the applicator head, extending over a circumference of the applicator head or extending completely around the circumference of the applicator head, and covering or exposing the plurality of holes. In response to a dispensing force applied to the cylindrical container, the cylindrical container transports the cosmetic composition to the applicator head and further to the flocked brush (if present) via the plurality of holes. Preferably, the cosmetic composition is a mascara and/or the keratinous material is hair, eyebrows and/or eyelashes.
The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments and, together with the description, explain these embodiments. The accompanying drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. Any values dimensions illustrated in the accompanying graphs and figures are for illustration purposes only and may or may not represent actual or preferred values or dimensions. Where applicable, some or all features may not be illustrated to assist in the description of underlying features. In the drawings:
In the following description of the invention and the claims appended hereto, it is to be understood that the terms used have their ordinary and accustomed meanings in the art, unless otherwise specified.
“About” as used herein means within 10% of the indicated number (e.g. “about 10%” means 9%-11% and “about 2%” means 1.8%-2.2%).
“A” or “an” as used herein means “at least one.”
As used herein, all ranges provided are meant to include every specific range within, and combination of subranges between, the given ranges. Thus, a range from 1-5, includes specifically 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, as well as subranges such as and 2-5, 3-5, 2-3, 2-4, 1-4, etc.
Referred to herein are trade names for materials including, but not limited to polymers and optional components. The inventors herein do not intend to be limited by materials described and referenced by a certain trade name. Equivalent materials (e.g., those obtained from a different source under a different name or catalog (reference) number) to those referenced by trade name may be substituted and utilized in the methods described and claimed herein.
Furthermore, where a range of values is provided, it is to be understood that each intervening value between an upper and lower limit of the range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range is encompassed within the disclosure. Where the stated range includes upper and lower limits, ranges excluding either of those limits are also included.
The following disclosure is to aid the reader in understanding the present invention, but it is not intended to vary or otherwise limit the meaning of the invention or terms/phrases describing the invention.
Cosmetic Applicator
According to the present invention, a cosmetic applicator comprising a container configured to store the cosmetic composition, an applicator head having a linear or non-linear orientation such as a curved, bent or conical shape with a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of holes along or around the circumference of the applicator head, the distal end connected to the container is provided. According to preferred embodiments, the cosmetic applicator further comprises a flocked brush with flocking extending on a portion of the applicator head, extending over a circumference of the applicator head or extending completely around the circumference of the applicator head, and covering or exposing the plurality of holes.
According to preferred embodiments, the container is a deformable container. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, in response to a deformation force applied to the deformable container, the container transports the cosmetic composition to the applicator head for application to keratinous material. According to preferred embodiments, the cosmetic applicator further comprises a flocked brush with flocking extending on a portion of the applicator head, extending over a circumference of the applicator head or extending completely around the circumference of the applicator head, and covering or exposing the plurality of holes and the deformation force further transports the cosmetic composition to the flocked brush via the plurality of holes for application to the keratinous material.
According to preferred embodiments, the container is a cylindrical container having a depressible element such as, for example, a piston or a plunger. According to this embodiment, the container may be deformable or non-deformable. In accordance with this embodiment of the present invention, in response to a dispensing force applied to the container and/or depressible element, the container transports the cosmetic composition to the applicator head for application to keratinous material. According to preferred embodiments, the cosmetic applicator further comprises a flocked brush with flocking extending on a portion of the applicator head, extending over a circumference of the applicator head or extending completely around the circumference of the applicator head, and covering or exposing the plurality of holes and the dispensing force further transports the cosmetic composition to the flocked brush via the plurality of holes for application to the keratinous material.
As indicated above, according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cosmetic applicator comprises a flocked brush for applying the cosmetic composition (e.g., mascara). A “flocked brush” is constituted of a material which has been made by standard flocking techniques. A flocked brush is preferred for application of a composition to hair, eyebrows and/or eyelashes. However, if the cosmetic composition is intended for application to skin or lips (for example, a lip gloss), the cosmetic applicator of the invention need not include a flocked brush.
Exemplary details of the cosmetic applicator will now be described.
Referring now to the drawings, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views. The drawings are not drawn to scale. Accordingly, the following discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the present invention. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, defines, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public.
In one embodiment, the tube 103 is essentially shaped as a cylinder that is pinched (sealed) at one end (distal end) and connected to the applicator head 101 at the other end (proximal end). The tube 103 may be hermetically sealed at the distal end in order to provide a sealed container. Furthermore, the inside walls of the tube 103 may be coated with special coatings in order to inhibit the tube's material from reacting with the contents.
The tube 103 may be attached at its proximal end to the applicator head 101 via any suitable means such as, for example, a locking mechanism such as, for example, a click-lock mechanism during assembly or it may be twisted together with the applicator head 101 via a threading mechanism (not shown). In one embodiment, the tube 103 is a soft-squeezable reservoir that may be made of any suitable deformable material such as, for example, plastic, paperboard, aluminum or the like. The volume of the tube can be of any size, but preferably of a size which contains 1.5 to 20 ml, 1.5 to 17 ml, and preferably 1.5 to 15 ml of cosmetic composition. However, it must be appreciated that smaller-sized tubes can be manufactured, for example, for a travel-size applicator. Furthermore, the applicator 100 can be manufactured as a one-piece unit where the tube and the applicator head forms a unitary construction. Such applicators, upon use, can be discarded, if desired. A refill (with cosmetic composition) provision for the one-piece applicator can also be provided.
The applicator head 101 includes a proximal end that is attached to the tube 101 and a distal end that includes a flocked brush 105. The applicator head 101 may be made of a soft or hard material. In one embodiment, the applicator head is curved in shape, wherein the degree of curvature is such that the mascara tube 100 provisions for easy application of the mascara to curved surfaces such as a user's eyebrows and/or eyelashes. The degree of curvature may be predetermined in a manner that is deemed appropriate to one of ordinary skill in the art to achieve desired application to the desired keratinous material. Additionally, in an embodiment, the flocked brush 105 may be oriented in a manner such that a longitudinal axis or the flocked brush is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube 103.
As shown in
Referring to
The flocked mascara applicator 100 provisions for easy transport of the mascara from the tube to the flocked brush 105 and utilizes the curvature of the applicator head 101 for easy application of the mascara. Furthermore, it may be possible to provide for refills of the tube and/or switching the applicator head.
Referring to
Referring back to
The flocked brush 105 can be made of any suitable material used for flocking materials such as, for example, polyamides, polyesters, rayons, cottons, celluloses, polyacryles, carbone fibers, aramids, etc. Suitable materials include those made and sold under the Hytrel® name. Preferably, the flocked brush 105 is made of materials having (1) 1.5 to 90 dtex, preferably 10 to 80 dtex, and preferably 15-70 dtex, including all ranges and subranges therebetween, (2) 0.5 to 3 mm in length, preferably 0.6 to 2.9 mm in length, and preferably 0.7 to 2.5 mm in length, including all ranges and subranges therebetween, and/or (3) 0.03 to 0.09 mm in diameter. The flocked brush 105 may optionally include polymeric micro-bristles that may be adhered to the applicator head 101 by injection molding techniques, electrostatic techniques and the like. In use, the flocked applicator 100 can transport the mascara from the tube 103 to the flocked brush 105 upon squeezing of the tube 103 (deformable container) or by employing a depressible elements such as a movable piston mechanism within the tube 103 to push the mascara onto the flocked brush 105. The cosmetic composition deposited on the flocked brush 105 may then be applied to the hair, eyebrows and/or eyelashes of the user.
Referring to
The pen 303 may be attached at its proximal end to the applicator head 301 via any suitable means such as, for example, a locking mechanism such as, for example, a click-lock mechanism during assembly or it may be twisted together with the applicator head 301 via a threading mechanism. The pen 303 may be made of plastic, aluminum or the like. The volume of the pen can be of any size, but preferably of a size which contains 0.75 to 5 ml, 1 to 4.5 ml and preferably 1.5 to 4 ml of cosmetic composition. However, it must be appreciated that smaller sized pens can be manufactured, for example, a travel-size flocked applicator. Furthermore, the applicator 300 can be manufactured as a one-piece unit where the pen and the applicator head form a unitary construction. Such applicators, upon use, can be discarded, if desired. A refill (with cosmetic composition) provision for such a one-piece applicator may further optionally be provided.
The applicator head 301 includes a proximal end that is attached to the tube 101 and a distal end that includes a flocked brush 305. The applicator head 301 may be made of a soft or hard polymer-like material. In one embodiment, the applicator head is curved in shape, wherein the degree of curvature is such that the mascara applicator 300 provisions for easy application of the mascara to curved surfaces such as a user's eyelashes as discussed above.
The flocked brush 305 is preferably made of the materials discussed above. The flocked brush 305 may optionally include polymeric micro-bristles that may be adhered to the applicator head 301 by injection molding techniques, electrostatic techniques and the like. In use, the flocked applicator 300 can transport the mascara from the body of the pen 303 to the flocked brush 305 by using a dispensing mechanism based on clicking or using a push pen with a movable piston-like mechanism. It should be appreciated that any structure that moves the mascara from the pen to applicator 301 can be used. Additionally, the pen 303 may transfer the cosmetic composition to the brush 305 by shaking the pen 303 in a back and forth manner. The cosmetic composition deposited on the flocked brush 105 may then be applied to the hair, eyebrows and/or eyelashes of the user.
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
It must be appreciated that the shape of the cosmetic applicators 100 and 300 as shown in
Referring to
The applicator head 101 (or 301) discharges the cosmetic composition such as mascara on to the flocked brush 105 (or 305) via a plurality of holes. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the number of holes in the plurality of holes preferably ranges from 2 to 10, preferably from 3 to 9, and preferably from 4 to 8. However, the present disclosure is not limited to specific number of holes. The applicator head 101 can include any number of holes. The plurality of holes can be in any orientation or pattern such as, for example, tabular (e.g., rows and columns of holes), circular, square, triangular, or other appropriate geometrical forms. Preferably, the plurality of holes is in an in-line orientation or a zig-zag orientation. Also, the holes themselves can be of any geometry such as, for example, circular, square, amorphous, rectangular, oval, etc. Preferably, the holes are of all the same geometry, and preferably the holes are all circular. The plurality of holes can be positioned anywhere along the length of the applicator head 101 (or 301) covered with the flocked brush 105 (or 305). The plurality of holes are in an orientation having a length which is at least about 40% of the length of the applicator head, preferably at least about 50% of the length of the applicator head, and at least about 60% of the length of the applicator head. In one embodiment, a majority of the plurality of holes can be concentrated at the top of the applicator head.
Preferably, when circular, the holes have a diameter smaller than 2 mm, preferably smaller than 1.7 mm, preferably smaller than 1.5 mm while preferably being larger than 0.3 mm, preferably larger than 0.5 mm, preferably larger than 0.6 mm and preferably larger than 0.7 mm, including all ranges and subranges therebetween such as, for example, 0.6 mm to 2.0 mm, 0.65 mm to 1.7 mm, and 0.68 mm to 1.6 mm. Of course, if the holes are of different geometry, the size of the holes would correspond to the size of the circular holes identified above (for example, area of non-circular holes would correspond to the area per the formula area=πr2 for the diameters identified above).
The plurality of holes controls an amount of mascara discharge on the flocked brush 105 (or 305).
The amount of cosmetic composition such as mascara discharged can be a function of, among other things, a diameter of the plurality of holes, an orientation of the plurality of holes, the number of holes, cosmetic composition (mascara) properties including viscosity, consistency, critical strain, force applied to the tube 103 (or 303), and flock material. An optimum amount of mascara should be discharged to provide deposit of product on the flocked brush 105 (or 305), so that the mascara or cosmetic composition can be applied to a surface such as user's hair, eyelashes or eyebrows.
In
Furthermore, in one example, the applicator 901 can include plurality of holes only in an upper half of the applicator and not the entire length of the applicator head 901. Also, in another variation the number of holes concentrated in an upper half of the applicator head 901 can vary. For example, 3 holes may be included in top 25% of the length (e.g., length L1), while remaining 3 holes may be spread over the remaining 75% of the length (e.g., length L2) of the applicator head 901. In another example, the applicator head 901 can have more than six holes, six holes may be concentrated in top 10-15% of the length of the applicator head 901 in a grid-like pattern with three columns and two rows of the holes, and additional four holes may be spread in-line below the grid-like pattern.
The distal end of the applicator head 901 includes snap legs 905 that allow the applicator head 901 to be removably attached to a tube, adapted to fit the snap legs 905, of the cosmetic applicator. Thus, the applicator head 901 can be snap fitted to the tube of a cosmetic applicator. As such, the applicator head 901 can be removable attached to any tube of different cosmetic applicators that is adapted to accommodate the snap legs 905.
According to one example, the offset distance between the holes can be proportional to the length of the applicator head 901 and can progressively increase along the length of the applicator head 901. While, a vertical distance between the holes H1-H6 can remain constant or may vary as well. For example, the distance between the holes H1-H6 can constant of proximately 2 mm. In another example, the vertical distance between the holes can be 1 mm for first three holes (e.g., H1-H3) and 2 mm for next three holes (e.g., H4-H6). In yet another example, eight holes can be arranged in grid-like formation with two columns and four rows. Furthermore, the distance between the first and second row of holes can be 1 mm, the distance between the second and third row of holes can be 1.5 mm and the distance between the third and the fourth row of holes can be 3 mm. In yet another example, six hole can be arrange in a triangular formation with one hole at the apex, a first row of two holes below the first hole, and a second row of three holes at the base of the triangle. Furthermore, the distance between the first hole and first row can be 1 mm, and the distance between the first row and the second row can be 2 mm.
Thus, a majority (e.g., more than 50% or 60-75% of holes) of the plurality of holes can be concentrated at the top (50%, or 25% or 10-15% of the length) of the applicator head 901 in different orientations such as in-line, spiral formation along the circumference of the applicator head, grid-like formation with two or more holes adjacent to each other, triangular formation with number of holes increasing from the tip to the base of the triangle, or other appropriate hole orientation. As more holes are concentrated at the tip of the applicator head 901, more mascara will be concentrated towards the tip of the applicator head 901 which in turn allows uniform and easy application of the mascara to the eyelashes at the end of the eye.
The above disclosure also encompasses the embodiments noted below.
(1) A cosmetic applicator including a deformable container configured to store a cosmetic composition, an applicator head having a linear or non-linear shape with a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of holes along or around the circumference of the applicator head, the distal end connected to the container, and a flocked brush extending along the applicator head covering at least a portion of the plurality of holes.
(2) The cosmetic applicator of feature (1), wherein the flocked brush covers the entirety of the plurality of holes.
(3) The cosmetic applicator of feature (1), wherein the flocked brush is made of a material having (a) 1.5 to 90 dtex, (b) 0.5 to 3 mm in length, and (c) 0.03 to 0.09 mm in diameter.
(4) The cosmetic applicator of feature (1), wherein the number of holes in the plurality of holes is from 4 to 8.
(5) The cosmetic applicator of feature (1), wherein the holes in the plurality of holes are not uniform in size.
(6) The cosmetic applicator of feature (1), wherein the holes in the plurality of holes are uniform in size.
(7) The cosmetic applicator of feature (1), wherein the applicator head is curved with an angle between the proximal end and the distal end in the range 90° to 260°.
(8) A cosmetic applicator including a cylindrical container configured to store a cosmetic composition having a depressible element, an applicator head having a linear or non-linear shape with a proximal end and a distal end, and a plurality of holes along or around the circumference of the applicator head, the distal end connected to the container, and a flocked brush extending along the applicator head covering at least a portion of the plurality of holes.
(9) The cosmetic applicator of feature (8), wherein the flocked brush covers the entirety of the plurality of holes.
(10) The cosmetic applicator of feature (8), wherein the flocked brush is made of a material having (a) 1.5 to 90 dtex, (b) 0.5 to 3 mm in length, and (c) 0.03 to 0.09 mm in diameter.
(11) The cosmetic applicator of feature (8), wherein the number of holes in the plurality of holes is from 4 to 8.
(12) The cosmetic applicator of feature (8), wherein the holes in the plurality of holes are not uniform in size.
(13) The cosmetic applicator of feature (8), wherein the holes in the plurality of holes are uniform in size.
(14) The cosmetic applicator of feature (8), wherein the applicator head is curved with an angle between the proximal end and the distal end in the range 90° to 260°.
(15) The cosmetic applicator of feature (8), wherein the cylindrical container is deformable.
(16) The cosmetic applicator of feature (8), wherein the depressible element is a movable piston.
(17) The cosmetic applicator of feature (8), wherein the applicator head is conical.
(18) The cosmetic applicator of feature (17), wherein the interior applicator channel is tapered.
The present application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/305,856, filed Mar. 9, 2016, and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/395,608, filed on Dec. 30, 2016. The entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/US2017/021554 | 3/9/2017 | WO | 00 |
| Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| WO2017/156257 | 9/14/2017 | WO | A |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20190059558 A1 | Feb 2019 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62305856 | Mar 2016 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 15395608 | Dec 2016 | US |
| Child | 16080398 | US |
