Patent Grant
10575621
Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a cosmetic applicator for applying a product including a cosmetic, care or pharmaceutical product onto human skin or keratinous materials. The product includes viscous liquid or semisolid product for application on skin of face, eyes etc.
Cosmetic applicators such as dip or wand applicators are known in the cosmetic industry. Cosmetic packages often include such applicators for dispensing a particular cosmetic contained in the package reservoir. The cosmetic applicator generally includes a stem with a cap at one end and an applicator head in the form of a brush, spatula or other applicator structure suitable for applying a cosmetic or a care product including viscous cosmetics, mascara, eye liner, lip gloss, hair color, wound care, skin care, under eye cosmetics, pharmaceutical and like products.
One such applicator is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,085 B1 for applying and transporting a quantity of cosmetic product to a user's skin. The applicator comprises a generally cylindrical elastomeric tip with a long axis, the tip including a distal end portion having a distal extremity with at least one material-holding concavity formed therein, and said concavity having a rim.
Another U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,591 discloses an applicator comprising a rod and an application surface formed of a plurality of cones. These cones have a certain elasticity and movability and can therefore massage the cosmetic product, which is stored between them into wrinkles and uneven areas of the skin of a user.
Another U.S. Pat. No. 7,918,619 discloses an applying portion that projects laterally from the stem and includes at least two branches of a plastic material for increasing the retention of a cosmetic product. The branches have respective ends, and the ends meet each other to define a cavity between the branches. The applying portion is able to retain a cosmetic in its cavity and therefore has increased retention.
While such applicators are generally satisfactory, there still exists a need for an applicator which is able to retain a given large quantity of a cosmetic product for application and making it possible to apply the cosmetic product with accuracy.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cosmetic applicator which is able to retain a given large quantity of a cosmetic product without inconveniences, such as dripping or threading.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the cosmetic applicator may be used to apply the product including a cosmetic or care product. The cosmetic or care product includes viscous or semi-solid cosmetics, such as lip gloss, hair color, skin care, under eye cosmetics, pharmaceutical and like products.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the cosmetic applicator comprises an applicator member, a stem and a cap. The applicator member is retained at a distal end of the stem for applying the cosmetic product; and the cap is retained at a proximal end of the stem.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the distal end of the stem includes an interior longitudinal cavity for receiving and retaining the applicator member.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the applicator member comprises a distal portion and a proximal portion. The proximal portion of the applicator member is formed as a shank which is configured to be received within the cavity of the stem. The distal portion of the applicator member is formed as an applying portion and is comprised of a first application side and a second application side opposite to the first application side. The distal portion of the applicator member is formed as a curved flattened applying portion.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the proximal portion of the applicator member is configured to be connected to an opening of a reservoir containing the cosmetic or care product, and the applicator member in such a case may have a passage for allowing flow of the cosmetic or care product from the reservoir onto the applicator member.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the applying portion is longer than wide. The applying portion has a width axis which is perpendicular to a central longitudinal axis of the applying portion.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the applying portion is wider than the stem.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the applying portion is off-centered with respect to a central longitudinal axis of the stem. In other words, the central longitudinal axis of the applying portion is parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the stem but does not coincide with the central longitudinal axis of the stem. In an alternate embodiment, the applying portion has a central longitudinal axis which is not parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the stem.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the applying portion is curved about an axis transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the applying portion forming a longitudinal cavity on the first application side of the applying portion. At least a portion of the second application side is convex. Further, the cavity has a cross-sectional profile whose width may vary along the central longitudinal axis of the applying portion. The cavity serves to retain the cosmetic product on the first application side.
According to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a portion of the applying portion is curved about an axis transverse to the central longitudinal axis of the applying portion forming a longitudinal concavity on the first application side of the applying portion. At least a portion of the first application side of the applying portion is concave and at least a portion of the second application side is convex. The longitudinal concavity of the first application side is curved in the width axis. The concavity has a generally U-like transverse cross-sectional profile whose width may vary along the longitudinal axis of the applying portion. The concavity serves to retain a cosmetic product on the first application side.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the longitudinal concavity of the applying portion extends on the first application side from a proximal end of the applying portion to a distal end or a tip of the applying portion.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the applying portion may be covered with application elements like flocking. The flocking finish to the surface of applying portion may be achieved by an appropriately chosen known technique, such as electrostatic flocking.
According to yet another aspect the present disclosure, the applying portion has at least one widest part when viewed from the front. The at least one widest part is located at any length of the applying portion. Preferably, the widest part is located approximately at half a length of the applying portion. In other embodiments, the widest part may extend over a certain portion of the length of the applying portion. The widest part is at a position distant from the tip or the distal end of the applying portion. The applying portion gradually decreases in width from the widest part to the proximal end of the applying portion where the applying portion and the stem are connected to each other. The width of the applying portion and the width (i.e., the diameter) of the stem may be substantially equal where the applying portion and the stem are connected to each other. The applying portion also gradually decreases in width from the widest part to the tip or the distal end. In short, the applying portion has its width gradually increased from the tip to the widest part and gradually decreased from the widest part to the proximal end. The tip may or may not be a sharply pointed. The distal end of the applying portion is formed as a sharply pointed tip.
According to yet another aspect the present disclosure, the first application side forming the longitudinal concavity of the applying portion includes a molded continuous centerline rib which extends along the central longitudinal axis of the applying portion from the proximal end of the applying portion to up to a portion of a length of the applying portion. Preferably, the centerline rib extends to up to half of the length of the applying portion or to the widest part of the applying portion. The centerline rib has a width which gradually decreases along the central longitudinal axis of the applying portion from the proximal end of the applying portion towards the distal end of the applying portion. The centerline rib provides a structural strength to the applying portion so that the applying portion does not bend away from the central longitudinal axis of the applying portion during wiping action by a wiper on withdrawal of the applicator member from a receptacle. This means that the position of the tip of the applying portion relative to the stem does not change during wiping.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure the second application side having a convex portion is smooth and even.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the applying portion includes a peripheral edge that extends around a periphery of the applying portion. The peripheral edge of the applying portion has a thickness. As used herein, the term “thickness” is the distance measured between the first application side and the second application side. The thickness of the peripheral edge may vary along the central longitudinal axis of the applying portion. The peripheral edge has a maximum thickness at the widest part of the applying portion. Alternately, the peripheral edge has a maximum thickness along a portion of the widest part extending over a portion of the length of the applying portion. The peripheral edge is curved and does not possess any sharp points so as to provide a softer feel to the user during application. Sharp peripheral edge is not preferable as a sharp edge is uncomfortable and can cause scraping. The greater thickness at the peripheral edge produces an advantageous effect that dripping and threading of the cosmetic product is effectively prevented.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, in a side view of the applying portion, the peripheral edge, along a lateral side of the applying portion, has a curvature comprising a concave curve followed by a convex curve extending from the proximal end to the distal end of the applying portion. The convex curve extends along more than half of the length of the applying portion, more preferably more than 60% of the length of the applying portion.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the applying portion may be covered in flocking. In applying the cosmetic product, the applying portion is able to retain an increased quantity of the cosmetic product because of the synergistic effect brought about by the combination of the curvedness of the applying portion and the effect of the flocking finish. As a result, the number of the applying operations is reduced. To cover the applying portion in flocking produces another advantage that the applying portion feels soft when applied to the lips or any other area of skin of the user.
Briefly, the fibers for flocking which may be of any commonly used material, such as nylon, polyester, or any natural fiber are applied with an adhesive, such as an epoxy, to the surface to be flocked. Preferably, the flocking process takes place in an electrostatic field, which results in the proper orientation of the fibers. The flock on the applying portion provides a convenient “reservoir” which can hold a small amount of cosmetic product adequate for one or two applications. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the cosmetic applicator of the present disclosure is to be used in a cosmetic packaging comprising a receptacle for holding a cosmetic product and said cosmetic applicator. The cap of the cosmetic applicator includes threads on its inner surface which can be screwed onto threads, formed on a neck of the receptacle for closing the receptacle in a leak tight manner. The receptacle includes a wiper in the neck for wiping off excess product from the cosmetic applicator.
After the applying portion passes through the wiper, there is a very little retention of the cosmetic product on the second application side as compared to the first application side which retains a large quantity of the cosmetic product because of the concavity.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, the stem can be of a longitudinal axis that is rectilinear as shown, or, in a variant embodiment, it could be curved. The stem may have a cross-section that is circular, but it is not beyond the ambit of the present disclosure for this to be otherwise, in particular when the cross-section of the stem can be oval, elliptical, or polygonal, e.g. square, rectangular, or triangular. The stem can be solid or hollow.
When the stem is not of circular cross-section, the cap can possibly be fastened on the receptacle by snap-fastening or by some other means, without turning relative to said receptacle. The wiper can thus present a non-circular wiper orifice of section that is complementary to the section of the stem.
In alternate embodiments, the applicator member and the stem may be integrally formed of the same material or may be formed as separate members that are connected to each other by any suitable fixing means known in the art. For example, the applicator member can be fastened to the stem by adhesive, by heat-sealing, by force-fitting, by snap-fastening, by crimping, or by screw-fastening. In a variant embodiment, the applicator member is made integrally with the stem, e.g. from the same material or from different materials, e.g. by dual-injection.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, at least a part and preferably all of the applicator member can be made by molding, e.g. by injection-molding, e.g. in a material selected from the following list: thermoplastic materials; elastomers; thermoplastic elastomers; thermoplastic elastomer polyester such as HYTREL®, for example; nitrile rubber; silicone rubber; ethylene-propylene terpolymer rubber (EPDM); styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS); styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS); polyurethane (PU); ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyethylene (PE); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polypropylene (PP); this list not being limiting.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the applicator member can be made, at least in part, from a material that is more flexible than a material from which the stem is made.
Although the present disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.
So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present disclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
Throughout this specification, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” “comprising” and the like, shall consistently mean that a collection of objects is not limited to those objects specifically recited.
According to alternate embodiments, the neck 204 and the cap 30 can be engaged by other engagement means known in the art like snap fit, j-lock etc.
Inserted in the neck 204 of the receptacle 200 is a wiper 206 for wiping off excess product from the applicator 100.
As shown in
In the embodiment described the stem 20 presents a cross-section that is circular, but it is not beyond the ambit of the present disclosure for this to be otherwise, in particular when the cross-section of the stem 20 is oval, elliptical or polygonal, e.g. square, rectangular or triangular. The stem 20 can be solid or hollow.
When the stem 20 is not of circular cross-section, the cap 30 can possibly by fastened on the receptacle 200 by snap-fastening or by some other means, without turning relative to said receptacle 200. The wiper 206 can thus present a non-circular wiper orifice of section that is complementary to the section of the stem 20.
Referring to
In other alternate embodiments not shown in the drawings, the proximal portion of the applicator member 10 may be configured to be connected to an opening of a reservoir containing the cosmetic or care product, and the applicator member 10 in such a case may have a passage for allowing flow of the cosmetic or care product from the reservoir onto the applicator member 10.
The distal portion 10a of the applicator member 10 is formed as an applying portion and is comprised of a first application side 11a and a second application side 11b opposite to the first application side 11a. The distal portion 10a of the applicator member is formed as a curved flattened applying portion.
The applicator member 10 can be made, at least in part, from a material that is more flexible than a material from which the stem 20 is made.
At least a part and preferably all of the applicator member 10 can be made by molding, e.g. by injection-molding, e.g. in a material selected from the following list: thermoplastic materials; elastomers; thermoplastic elastomers; thermoplastic elastomer polyester such as HYTREL®, for example; nitrile rubber; silicone rubber; ethylene-propylene terpolymer rubber (EPDM); styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS); styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS); polyurethane (PU); ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); polyethylene (PE); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polypropylene (PP); this list not being limiting.
As shown in
As shown in
Further, the applying portion 10a has a width axis Y perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis X. As used herein, the term “width” is defined to be a length in the axis Y in
In applying the cosmetic product, the applying portion 10a is able to retain an increased quantity of the cosmetic product because of the synergistic effect brought about by the combination of the curvedness and the effect of the flocking finish. As a result, the number of the applying operations is reduced. To cover the applying portion in flocking produces another advantage that the applying portion feels soft when applied to the lips or any other area of skin of the user.
As shown in
Further, the applying portion 10a gradually decreases in width from the widest part 10c to the proximal end 13 where the applying portion 10a and the stem 20 are connected to each other. The width of the applying portion 10a and the width (i.e., the diameter) of the stem 20 are substantially equal where the applying portion 10a and the stem 20 are connected to each other. The widest part 10c is at a position distant from the tip 14 or the distal end 14 of the applying portion 10a. The applying portion 10a also gradually decreases in width from the widest part 10c to the tip 14. The tip 14 is preferably a sharply pointed. The sharply pointed tip 14 helps in delicate and fine application of the cosmetic product to, for example, the ends of lips of the user. In short, the applying portion 10a has its width gradually increased from the tip 14 to the widest part 10c and gradually decreased from the widest part 10c to the proximal end 13.
As shown in
After the applying portion 10 passes through the wiper 206, there is very little retention of the cosmetic product on the second application side 11b as compared to the first application side 11a which retains a large quantity of the cosmetic product because of the concavity 12.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure the second application side 11b having a convex portion is smooth and even.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the applying portion 10a includes a peripheral edge 16 (refer to
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, in side view of the applying portion 10a, as seen in
The present embodiment provides the advantageous effect that excess cosmetic product is wiped off from the applying portion 10a by the wiper 206 to leave an adequate amount of the cosmetic product as retained on the first side 11a of the applying portion 10a. In addition to this effect, there is obtained another advantage that dripping or threading of the cosmetic product is prevented.
Although the present disclosure herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present disclosure. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6331085 | Schrepf et al. | Dec 2001 | B1 |
| 7481591 | Dumler | Jan 2009 | B2 |
| 7918619 | Gueret | Apr 2011 | B2 |
