Patent Application
20080053476
Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views, a cosmetic applicator is shown generally at 20. The cosmetic applicator 20 is utilized to apply a plurality of cosmetic materials 22 to a plurality of facial features on the face of the individual. The cosmetic applicator 20 is for a single use, and is not reusable.
Referring to
Referring to
Additionally, the cosmetic applicator 20 further includes at least one second region 36. The second region 36 is disposed adjacent one of the first regions 34, and includes more than one of the cosmetic materials 22 disposed on the first side 30 of the film layer 28. In other words, the second region 36 has two or more of the cosmetic materials 22 to permit blending of cosmetic materials 22. The cosmetic materials 22 in the second region 36 are disposed on the first side 30 of the film layer 28 separately form all other of the cosmetic materials 22. As such, the separate cosmetic materials 22 within the second region 36 may be disposed adjacent one another as shown in
A backing layer 38 is disposed on the second side 32 of the film layer 28 for supporting the film layer 28. The backing layer 38 is preferably a semi-rigid piece of paper capable of supporting the film layer 28 to prevent the film layer 28 from doubling over onto itself, yet still flexible enough to contour to the face of the individual when pressed against the face to transfer the cosmetic materials 22 from the film layer 28 to the face of the individual. An adhesive 40 is disposed between the second side 32 of the film layer 28 and the backing layer 38 for bonding the film layer 28 to the backing layer 38. Contact paper, such as the type typically applied to shelves, may be utilized as the backing layer 38, with the adhesive 40 on the contact paper bonding the contact paper to the film layer 28.
A cover layer 50 is disposed opposite the first side 30 of the film layer 28 for sandwiching the plurality of cosmetic materials 22 therebetween. The cover layer 50 protects the cosmetic materials 22 during shipment of the cosmetic applicator 20 to the individual prior to transferring the cosmetic materials 22 onto the facial features of the individual. The cover layer 50 may include a clear plastic film similar to that of the film layer 28, and is preferably bonded to the first side 30 of the film layer 28 by static electricity. However, it should be understood that the cover layer 50 may be bonded to the first side 30 of the film layer 28 by some other suitable method. The cover layer 50 is removable from the film layer 28 while maintaining separation of the plurality of cosmetic materials 22, i.e., the cosmetic materials 22 are not disturbed or mixed by removing the cover layer 50.
Referring to
Referring back to
The cosmetic applicator 20 resembles the face of the individual, thus aiding in the proper alignment of the cosmetic applicator 20. The cosmetic applicator 20 defines a pair of slots 44 for alignment with the eyes of the individual. The slots 44 may include any suitable shape to permit vision through the cosmetic applicator 20 and alignment with the eyes of the individual, such as a circular shape, a rectangular shape, or an oval shape. The cosmetic applicator 20 further defines an aperture 46 for alignment with a mouth of the individual and an opening 48 for alignment with a nose of the individual. The pair of slots 44, the aperture 46, and the opening 48 help assist the individual in aligning the cosmetic applicator 20, and thereby the cosmetic materials 22, with the corresponding facial features on the face of the individual. Additionally, the aperture 46 and the opening 48 permit the individual to breath during application of the cosmetic materials 22 to the face of the individual.
In an alternative embodiment, shown in
The subject invention also provides a method of applying each of the cosmetic materials 22 to the corresponding facial features on the face of the individual. The cosmetic materials 22 are applied by the cosmetic applicator 20 described above, with the cosmetic materials 22 including a first cosmetic material and a second cosmetic material different from and non homogenous relative to the first cosmetic material. Each of the cosmetic materials 22 are disposed on the cosmetic applicator separately from all of the other cosmetic materials 22. The method of applying the cosmetic materials 22 comprises the steps of selecting a skin tone that most closely matches a skin tone of the individual from a group of pre-determined skin tones. A preferred color arrangement of the cosmetic materials 22 must also be selected from a group of pre-determined color arrangements. The color arrangement includes the preferred color and shade of the cosmetic materials 22, i.e., the preferred color lip color 26, the preferred color eye-shadow 24, the preferred shade of base, etc. The preferred color arrangement may also include a military camouflage arrangement, a hunting camouflage arrangement, a Halloween arrangement, or a theatrical arrangement. The steps of selecting a skin tone and selecting a color arrangement may be performed in person at a store, or alternatively, may be performed online through an internet site. Accordingly, the individual may select the skin tone and the color arrangement, order, and purchase the cosmetic applicator 20 all online.
The method of applying the cosmetic materials 22 further comprises the step of arranging the plurality of cosmetic materials 22 disposed on the cosmetic applicator 20 relative to each other in a pattern mimicking the face of the individual. As described above, the cosmetic materials 22 are arranged to correspond to the facial features and also arranged relative to each other in a pattern corresponding to the face of the individual, so that when the cosmetic applicator 20 is aligned with the face of the individual, each of the cosmetic materials 22 will be positioned adjacent the appropriate corresponding facial feature.
The method of applying the cosmetic materials 22 further comprises the step of exposing the cosmetic materials 22 prior to aligning each of the plurality of cosmetic materials 22 with the corresponding facial features of the individual. The cosmetic materials 22 are exposed by removing the cover layer 50 from the film layer 28, thereby exposing the cosmetic materials 22 disposed therebetween.
The method of applying the cosmetic materials 22 further comprises the step of aligning each of the plurality of cosmetic materials 22 disposed on the cosmetic applicator 20 with the corresponding facial feature on the face of the individual. This is most easily accomplished by aligning the aperture 46 with the mouth of the individual, the opening 48 with the nose of the individual, and the pair of slots 44 with the eyes of the individual. Because the cosmetic materials 22 are aligned relative to the aperture 46, the opening 48, and the pair of slots 44 to correspond to the appropriate facial feature, aligning the aperture 46, the opening 48, and the pair of slots 44 with the mouth, the nose, and the eyes respectively will thereby align the cosmetic materials 22 with the appropriate corresponding facial features.
The method of applying the cosmetic materials 22 further comprises pressing the cosmetic applicator 20 against the face of the individual to transfer the plurality of cosmetic materials 22 onto the plurality of facial features of the individual. The cosmetic applicator 20 is then removed from the face of the individual, leaving the cosmetic materials 22 disposed thereon. The step of pressing the cosmetic applicator 20 against the face of the individual may be further defined as pressing different regions 34, 36 of the cosmetic applicator 20 in a pre-determined order to ensure all regions 34, 36 of the cosmetic applicator 20 are pressed against the face of the individual. The individual reads the pre-determined order form the instruction sheet as described above, instructing the individual on the proper steps of applying the cosmetic materials 22.
The method of applying the cosmetic materials 22 further comprises the step of blending each of the plurality of cosmetic materials 22 into the face of the individual. The individual may utilize a finger to blend or smooth the cosmetic materials 22, or alternatively, may utilize a specialized tool to blend the cosmetic materials 22 as is known when applying cosmetic materials 22.
The subject invention also provides a method of manufacturing the cosmetic applicator 20, as described above, to include the film layer 28 having the cosmetic materials 22 disposed on the first side 30 of the film layer 28, and the backing layer 38 disposed on the second side 32 of the film layer 28. The method of manufacturing the cosmetic applicator 20 comprises the steps of providing the plurality of cosmetic materials to include the first cosmetic material and the second cosmetic material different from and non-homogenous relative to the first cosmetic material. As described above, the cosmetic materials may be chosen from a group of cosmetic materials including a foundation having highlights and shadows, a concealer, a rouge or a blush, an eye-shadow 24, a lip color 26, or some other cosmetic material.
The method of manufacturing the cosmetic applicator 20 further comprises the step of bonding the backing layer 38 to the second side 32 of the first layer. The backing layer 38 is bonded by the adhesive 40 disposed therebetween as described above.
The method of manufacturing the cosmetic applicator 20 further comprises the step of removing a portion of the film layer 28 and the backing layer 38 to provide the pair of slots 44 for alignment with the eyes of the individual relative to the cosmetic materials 22. Likewise, a portion of the film layer 28 and the backing layer 38 is removed to provide the aperture 46 for alignment with the mouth of the individual relative to the cosmetic materials 22 and the opening 48 for alignment with the nose of the individual relative to the cosmetic materials 22. The opening 48, the aperture 46, and the pair of slots 44 may be cut or punched out and removed. It should be understood that any suitable manner of removing the portion of the film layer 28 and the backing layer 38 may be utilized. Additionally, it should be understood that the opening 48, the aperture 46, and the pair of slots 44 may be removed either after the film layer 28 and the backing layer 38 are bonded together, or before the film layer 28 and the backing layer 38 are bonded together.
The method of manufacturing the cosmetic applicator 20 further comprises the step of arranging the plurality of cosmetic materials 22 on the first side 30 of the film layer 28 relative to each other with each of the plurality of cosmetic materials 22 arranged to correspond to a facial feature on a face of an individual to mimic the face of the individual. As described above, each of the cosmetic materials 22 are arranged independently from and in spaced relationship to all of the other cosmetic materials 22.
The method of manufacturing the cosmetic applicator 20 further comprises the step of covering the plurality of cosmetic materials 22 by placing the cover layer 50 over the cosmetic materials 22, adjacent the first side 30 of the film layer 28.
The method of manufacturing the cosmetic applicator 20 further comprises the step of printing the indicia 42 on the cosmetic applicator 20 to indicate an application sequence to apply the cosmetic materials 22 to the face of the individual. Preferably, the indicia 42 is printed on the backing layer 38, opposite the film layer 28 so as to be visible in a mirror when the cosmetic applicator 20 is aligned with the face of the individual, and the individual is viewing the indicia 42 through the pair of slots 44.
When manufacturing the alternative embodiment of the cosmetic applicator 20, the method further comprises the step of forming the film layer 28 and the backing layer 38 into a three dimensional shape to fit the face of the individual.
The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards; thus, the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art and do come within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of legal protection afforded this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.
