Patent Application
20170208919
This application claims priority to and benefit of Design Patent application Ser. No. 29/552,719 filed Jan. 25, 2016 and Design patent application Ser. No. 29/556,321 filed Feb. 29, 2016, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The invention in its several embodiments relates to the field of cosmetic applicators and more particularly, to systems and methods for a device providing the ability and guidance to apply cosmetics to the skin.
An exemplary system embodiment of the cosmetic applicator tool system may comprise: a cosmetic applicator tool made of flexible material with an outer surface, where the cosmetic applicator tool may comprise a tacky coating on the outer surface thereby providing an adhesive characteristic to adhere to a skin surface, and where the cosmetic applicator tool may be in a triangular shape, the triangular shape comprising three side edges and a set of three vertices, where the three side edges may be a combination of a rectilinear side, a first curvilinear side, and a second curvilinear side. In one embodiment, the first curvilinear side may comprise a different curvature angle than the second curvilinear side, where each vertex of the set of three vertices may be curved differently than a remaining set of vertices; and where the cosmetic applicator tool may be configured to: provide a guided mechanism for applying cosmetics to the skin. Optionally, in one embodiment, the cosmetic applicator tool may be made of flexible silicon material.
The exemplary system may further comprise: a storage housing comprising a removable lid member and a base member, where the base member may facilitate affixing to a solid flat surface, and where the storage housing may be configured to receive and store the cosmetic applicator tool. Additionally, the removable lid member may be detachably attached to the base member, where the removable lid member may be detachably attached to the base member via one or more hinges; and where the removable lid member may comprise a reflective surface for reflecting a clear image.
Additionally, the cosmetic applicator tool may be further configured to: adhere to the skin based on the cosmetic applicator tool being comprised of the tacky coating on the outer surface and through the cosmetic applicator tool undergoing an increase in temperature, where the increase in temperature may be through exposure to warmth of the skin surface. The exemplary cosmetic applicator tool may comprise a tacky coating on the outer surface that provides an adhesive characteristic to adhere to a skin surface without disrupting previously applied cosmetics.
In other embodiments, the cosmetic applicator tool may be further configured to provide a guide to help steady movement of an applicator on the skin by the cosmetic applicator tool, where the differently shaped side edges and differently shaped vertices may provide a number of different shapes to use as guidance. In addition, the rectilinear side may provide for drawing straight lines and the first curvilinear side and the second curvilinear side may provide for drawing curved lines, when used as guides. In one embodiment, the curvature angle of the first curvilinear side may be a higher degree than the curvature angle of the second curvilinear side. Accordingly, the triangular shape may comprise a range of angles for application of the cosmetic applicator tool based on a contact angle between the cosmetic applicator tool and the skin surface.
Method embodiments of the cosmetic applicator tool system may comprise the steps of: providing a cosmetic applicator tool made of flexible material with an outer surface, where the cosmetic applicator tool may be in a triangular shape, the triangular shape comprising three side edges and a set of three vertices, where the three side edges may be a combination of a rectilinear side, a first curvilinear side, and a second curvilinear side; where the first curvilinear side may comprise a different curvature angle than the second curvilinear side, and where each vertex of the set of three vertices may be curved differently than a remaining set of vertices; adhering to a skin surface by the cosmetic applicator tool, where the adhering may be based on the cosmetic applicator tool being comprised of a tacky coating on the outer surface; guiding, by the cosmetic applicator tool, application of cosmetics on the skin surface via providing a steady surface upon which to apply cosmetics; and improving, by the cosmetic applicator tool, creation of symmetry in appearance of cosmetics on the skin surface based on the guiding application of cosmetics and the adhering to the skin surface.
In one embodiment, the method may further comprise: storing the cosmetic applicator tool in a storage housing, the storage housing comprising a removable lid member and a base member. In another embodiment, the method may further comprise: guiding, by the cosmetic applicator tool, the application of cosmetics on the skin surface by drawing lines along at least one of: the three side edges and a set of three vertices. Yet in another embodiment, the method may further comprise: adhering to the skin surface by the cosmetic applicator tool, where the adhering may be based on the cosmetic applicator tool undergoing an increase in temperature. Optionally, the increase in temperature may be via exposure to warmth of the skin surface. The method may further comprise the step of: determining a set range of angles for applying the cosmetic applicator tool based on a contact angle between the cosmetic applicator tool and the skin surface; and adjusting placement of different corners of the cosmetic applicator tool against the skin surface via rotating the cosmetic applicator tool.
Embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, and in which:
For a person to apply cosmetics, for example, makeup, eyeliner, mascara, lipstick, and/or eye shadow, it is desirous that the cosmetics look consistent as applied on the skin. However, many users of cosmetics have to manually use their hands to neatly apply the cosmetics and face challenges in doing so. Naturally, a person's skin is not amenable to providing a steady or smooth surface and accordingly, the person would have to take great care and suffer much anguish in applying cosmetics.
One solution has been that individuals typically use thin, disposable tape or pieces of paper to aid in applying their cosmetics to their skin on a daily basis. Typically, the thin disposable tape or paper does not provide proper support and placing adhesive tape on the skin is often irritating to the skin. Additionally, such thin disposable tape or paper does not conform to the curvature of a human face and make it extremely difficult to apply cosmetics in an effective way.
A cosmetic applicator tool system may comprise a cosmetic applicator tool and a storage housing for storing the cosmetic applicator tool. The cosmetic applicator tool may be in a triangular shape combination of rectilinear and curvilinear sides, made of flexible material for guiding the application of cosmetics. With three unique sides forming, for example, a scalene triangle, the cosmetic applicator tool may provide a variety of boundaries for using as guide posts while applying cosmetics. Additionally, by the cosmetic applicator tool forming a triangle with three edges and three vertices, where each vertex is curved differently from the other two vertices, the cosmetic applicator tool may facilitate a variety of angles and shapes being drawn.
One embodiment of the cosmetic applicator tool may provide three edges, where a first edge may be straight, a second edge may be curved at a first angle, a third edge that may be curved at a second angle, and where the first angle and the second angle are different from each other. In this embodiment, the first angle and the second angle are tangential angles of a curve in the Cartesian plane, at a specific point, where the angles are the angle between the tangent line to the curve at a given point and the x-axis. That is, the second edge comprises a degree of curvature that may be different than the degree of curvature of the third edge.
The cosmetic applicator tool may be comprised of flexible material, such as, rubber or silicone, and provide a tacky coating on the outer surface. In one embodiment, silicone rubber may be used as an elastomer, i.e., rubber-like material, composed of silicone—itself a polymer—comprising silicon together with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, and having hypoallergenic characteristics. The cosmetic applicator tool may comprise a slightly tacky coating, e.g., to a small degree, so that it is not considerably of glue, or other substances, but may have the ability to retain a slightly sticky feel. The slightly tacky coating allows for the tool to adhere to the skin to help keep it in place. In one embodiment, the silicone, along with the tacky coating, effect the adherence of the cosmetic applicator tool to the skin via warming up the silicone for approximately 10-15 seconds. Accordingly, the cosmetic applicator tool may gently adhere to the skin and provide a guided support for securing and positioning the cosmetic applicator tool in order to apply cosmetics. Upon a rise in the temperature, for example, by rubbing the cosmetic applicator tool between the fingers, the tacky coating is activated allowing for the cosmetic applicator tool to be gently fastened to the skin, thereby, freeing the hands for other uses.
In one embodiment of the cosmetic applicator tool system, the cosmetic applicator tool may be shaped in a way so as to provide ease of use and ability to hold and apply cosmetics simultaneously. Accordingly, the cosmetic applicator tool may be in the shape of a three-sided guide with three unique sides, offering a variety of angles and liner shapes, for every eye shape and liner style. The cosmetic applicator tool may be flexible, i.e., capable of bending easily without breaking, and shaped to fit all contours of the face. In one embodiment, by gently sticking to the skin, the cosmetic applicator tool, without disturbing makeup, may provide a holding position. Accordingly, using the flexible material and shape, the cosmetic applicator tool may be ideal for effortlessly reaching every nook and corner of the face while affording a guided mechanism for applying cosmetics to the skin.
Embodiments of the cosmetic applicator tool utilize material having washable qualities which may then be reused after washing it with liquid. The cosmetic applicator tool may then be allowed to dry fully to return to the original form. In one embodiment of the cosmetic applicator tool system, the cosmetic applicator tool may be cleaned with a special cleanser and dried in a well-ventilated area.
Embodiments of the cosmetic applicator tool system comprise a storage housing for storing the cosmetic applicator tool and may be a volume-enclosing container for storage. The storage housing may comprise a removable and/or adjustable lid member that may be detachably attached via one or more hinges to a base member. The system may also comprise a base member, where the base member may receive a suction cup on the outer surface. In one embodiment of the cosmetic applicator tool system, a cosmetic applicator tool may be placed inside the storage housing via a set of arm brackets, while allowing the cosmetic applicator tool system to be detachably attached to a solid surface—affording the user the ability to use the mirror inside the lid member. The suction cup assembly may use the negative air pressure to adhere to nonporous surfaces, creating a partial vacuum.
In one embodiment of the exemplary cosmetic applicator tool 110, on one end, a more pointed vertex/corner 226 may allow for application to narrower and tapered areas, for example, near the eyes, without over reaching and without covering unwanted areas. The pointed vertex/corner 226 may, for example, be used to draw smaller and more succinct lines. On another end, a more rounded corner 224 may provide for even more precise positioning, whereas on the opposite end, a less rounded corner 222, i.e., more oval shaped curve, may be used for covering larger surface areas. Accordingly, the shape of the cosmetic applicator tool 110 enables control of the placement in different areas where via each corner, different shapes may be guided to be drawn. Additionally, the cosmetic applicator tool 110, having differently shaped side edges 221,223,225, allows for lines having different shapes and characteristic to be drawn while using the cosmetic applicator tool 110 as a guide. For example, the rectilinear 225 side may be used for drawing straight lines where the curvilinear sides 221,223 may be used as guides for drawing curved lines. In one embodiment, the cosmetic applicator tool 110 comprises curvilinear sides 221,223 that have different curvature angles. That is, a first curvilinear side 221 may provide a higher curvature angel than a second curvilinear side 223, while both provide guides for tracing or drawings curved lines, one provides a more angular curve effectively allowing a user to select from the different options which fit the variety of facial contours.
It is contemplated that various combinations and/or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the above embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Further it is intended that the scope of the present invention is herein disclosed by way of examples and should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 29552719 | Jan 2016 | US |
| Child | 15402979 | US | |
| Parent | 29556321 | Feb 2016 | US |
| Child | 29552719 | US |
