COSMETIC APPLICATOR

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator for applying a product including a cosmetic, care or pharmaceutical product onto the keratinous substrate. The cosmetic applicator comprises an applying member and a shank. The applying member comprises a first application face and a second application face opposite to the first application face, a first peripheral edge, and a second peripheral edge opposite the first peripheral edge. The applying member has a plurality of bulged portions on the second application face and a corresponding plurality of depressed portions on the first application face. The plurality of bulged portions extend from the first peripheral edge towards a central longitudinal axis of the applying member but do not extend up to the second peripheral edge. Each of the plurality of bulged portions has an arched structure, and each of the plurality of depressed portion has a concave bowl structure.

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic product on a keratinous surface, the cosmetic applicator comprising: an applying member at a distal portion of the cosmetic applicator; a shank at a proximal portion of the cosmetic applicator; wherein the applying member comprises a first application face and a second application face opposite to the first application face; wherein the applying member further comprises a first peripheral edge and a second peripheral edge opposite the first peripheral edge; wherein the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge together bound the first application face and the second application face; wherein the applying member has a plurality of bulged portions on the second application face and a corresponding plurality of depressed portions on the first application face; wherein each of the plurality of depressed portions defines a back surface of respective of the plurality of bulged portions; wherein the plurality of bulged portions extend from the first peripheral edge towards a central longitudinal axis of the applying member on the second application face, but do not extend up to the second peripheral edge; and wherein each of the plurality of bulged portions is convex in shape, and wherein each of the plurality of depressed portions is in the form a concave cavity that can hold a quantity of cosmetic product.

2. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge converge towards a distal end of the applying member to form a pointed tip at the distal end.

3. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein width of each of the plurality of bulged portions varies along an entire length of the bulged portion, and wherein the width of the each of the plurality of bulged portions is maximum near the first peripheral edge.

4. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein a maximum height of at least one of the plurality of bulged portions is at least twice a thickness of the applying member.

5. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of bulged portions has a varying height along an entire length and width of the bulged portion.

6. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein each of the bulged portions has an arched structure and each of the plurality of depressed portions has bowl like structure.

7. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of the bulged portions and the plurality of the depressed portions are spaced apart from both a proximal end and a distal end of the applying member.

8. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applying member is substantially planar except in the areas with bulging portions.

9. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein a tip of the applying member is off-centered from the central longitudinal axis of the cosmetic applicator

10. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first peripheral edge extends in more than one plane.

11. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein free edges of the plurality of bulged portions on the first peripheral edge are spaced from one another.

12. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bulged portions are non-parallel with one another.

13. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of bulged portions differ from one another in size.

14. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein free edges of the three bulged portions represent at least 60% of the first peripheral edge of the applying member.

15. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic applicator is configured to be used with a cosmetic package, and wherein the cosmetic package comprises a container for storing the cosmetic product, and an applicator comprising a cap, a shaft connected to the cap at one end and to the cosmetic applicator at the other end.

16. A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic product on a keratinous surface, the cosmetic applicator comprising: an applying member at a distal portion of the cosmetic applicator; a shank at a proximal portion of the cosmetic applicator; wherein the applying member comprises a first application face and a second application face opposite to the first application face; wherein the applying member further comprises a first peripheral edge and a second peripheral edge opposite the first peripheral edge; wherein the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge together bound the first application face and the second application face; wherein the second application face includes three bulged portions, namely, a first bulged portion, a second bulged portion and a third bulged portion; wherein the first application face includes three depressed portions, namely a first depressed portion, a second depressed portion, and a third depressed portion; wherein the three depressed portions are defined by backside of the corresponding three bulged portions; wherein the three bulged portions extend from the first peripheral edge towards a central longitudinal axis of the applying member on the second application face, but do not extend up to the second peripheral edge; wherein free edges of the three bulged portions comprise at least 60% of the first peripheral edge; and wherein each of the three bulged portions is arched shape, and each of the three depressed portion is concave bowl shape.

17. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 16, wherein the first bulged portion is located just below a distal end of the applying member and the third bulged portion is located just above a proximal end of the applying member.

18. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 17, wherein the first bulged portion is largest in size amongst the three bulged portions, and wherein the third bulged portion is the smallest in size amongst the three bulged portions.

19. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 17, wherein the height of at least one of the bulged portion of the three bulged portions varies along an entire length and width of the bulged portion.

20. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 17, wherein the three bulged portions define at least 30% of a total area of the second application face of the applying member.

21. A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic product on a keratinous surface, the cosmetic applicator comprising: an applying member at a distal portion of the cosmetic applicator; a shank at a proximal portion of the cosmetic applicator; wherein the applying member comprises a first application face and a second application face opposite to the first application face; wherein the applying member further comprises a first peripheral edge and a second peripheral edge opposite the first peripheral edge; wherein the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge together bound the first application face and the second application face; wherein at least one of the first application face and the second application face includes at least two bulged portions; wherein the other of the at least one of the first application face and the second application face at least two depressed portions, wherein the at least two depressed portions are defined by backside of the corresponding at least two bulged portions; wherein the at least two bulged portions extend from one of the first peripheral edge and the second peripheral edge towards a central longitudinal axis of the applying member but do not extend up to a complete width of the applying member; and wherein each of the at least two bulged portions has an arched structure, and each of the at least two depressed portions has concave bowl structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] A more complete appreciation of the present disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a cosmetic applicator of the present disclosure;

[0042] FIG. 2 illustrates the rear view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates the front view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1

[0044] FIG. 4 illustrates a left side view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a right side view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1;

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates the applicator head of FIG. 2 with flocking on a portion of the cosmetic applicator and

[0047] FIG. 7 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a packaging comprising cosmetic applicator of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts.

[0049] 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.

[0050] FIG. 1 shows the isometric view of the cosmetic applicator 1 that elongates along a central longitudinal axis X (FIG. 2). The cosmetic applicator 1 comprises an applying member 6 at its distal portion and a shank 8 at its proximal portion. The cosmetic applicator 1 is used to apply a cosmetic bulk on a keratinous surface like human skin, lips, eyelashes, under eyes, cheeks, or any other part of the body.

[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, the applying member 6 of the cosmetic applicator 1 comprises a first application face 22 and a second application face 12 opposite to the first application face 22. The applying member 6 further comprises two peripheral edges that bound the first application face 22 and the second application face 12, the two peripheral edges are namely a first peripheral edge 16 and a second peripheral edge 14 opposite the first peripheral edge 16. The first peripheral edge 16 and the second peripheral edge 14 converge towards the distal end of the applying member 6 to form a pointed tip 2.

[0052] The applying member 6 is provided with a plurality of bulged portions 4 on the second application face 12, and wherein back sides of the bulged portions 4 form a corresponding plurality of depressed portions 20 on the first application face 22. The bulged portions 4 extend from the first peripheral edge 16 towards a central longitudinal axis X of the applying member 6 on the second application face 12.

[0053] As seen in FIGS. 1 and 4-5, each bulged portion 4 has a cross section curve with a varying width along its entire length L, and wherein the width W of cross section curve of the each bulged portion being maximum near the first peripheral edge 16. The length L of a bulged portion 4 is measured from an edge of the bulged portion 4 closest to the central longitudinal axis X of the applying member 6 to an outer edge of said bulged portion 4.

[0054] In an alternate embodiment, (not shown) each bulged portion 4 may consist of a central wall and a pair of opposing side walls giving the bulged portion 4 a generally trapezoidal cross-section. In yet alternate embodiments, (not shown) at least one of the bulged portions 4 may a cross section with a substantially equal width along its entire length.

[0055] Further, as shown FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, in the present embodiment, each bulged portion 4 has a substantially varying height H along its entire length L and width W. In alternate embodiments, (not shown) however, at least one of the bulged portions 4 may have a substantially constant height along its entire length L and width W. In the exemplary embodiment, the height H of the bulged portions 4 is maximum closest to the first peripheral edge 16.

[0056] The bulged portions 4 are protruded features which are sculptured from the surface of the second application face 12. The bulged portions 4 are formed as reverse portions of the depressed portions 20 of the first application face 22.

[0057] The plurality of the bulged portions 4 tend to increase the contact area of the second application face 12 of the applying member 6.

[0058] Further, as clearly visible in FIG. 5 each bulged portion 4 is convex in shape and each of the depressed portions 20 is in the form a concave cavity 20 that can hold a sufficient amount of bulk. The first application face 16 dispenses the bulk stored in depressed portions 20 during application.

[0059] The bulged portions 4 have the massaging capability to give a sensational massage effect when applied to a keratinous surface like human skin, lips, under eyes, cheeks, or any other part of the body. At least one of the bulged portions 4 may have at least one protrusion on its surface capable of providing a soft touch effect when applied on a human skin surface.

[0060] Furthermore, the bulged portions 4 and the opposing depressed portions 20 are located such that they are spaced apart from a skirt 10 present at a proximal end of the applying member 6, and are spaced apart from the tip 2 of the applying member 6.

[0061] The applying member 6 is substantially planar or flat except in the areas with bulging portions 4. The term “planar” or “flat” means the applying member 6 has a width W2 (FIG. 3) greater than its thickness T2 (FIG. 4). Both the first and second application faces 22, 12 comprising generally partially flat surface that can used to apply and blend a cosmetic bulk on keratinous surface like human skin.

[0062] At least some portions of the first peripheral edge 16 comprise and define the outer free edges of the bulged portions 4 and the depressed portions 20 of the applying member 6. The first peripheral edge 16 has a convexly curved profile when seen from along the longitudinal axis X from the pointed tip 2 to the skirt 10 of the applying member 6. The first peripheral edge 16 extends in more than one plane as the bulged portions of the first peripheral edge 16 projects out from a mid-plane in which the rest of the applying member 6 lies.

[0063] The second peripheral edge 14 extends from the pointed tip 2 to the skirt 10 of the applying member 6. The second peripheral edge 14 has a convexly curved profile when seen from along the longitudinal axis X from the pointed tip 2 to the skirt 10 of the applying member 6. The second peripheral edge 14 has a sufficient width such as it can be used to reach at the narrow part of the user's body, and thus the second peripheral edge 14 can be used for precision application of the cosmetic bulk on the user's skin.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 1, the pointed tip 2 is off-centered from the central longitudinal axis X of cosmetic applicator 1. In alternate embodiments, (not shown) the tip may be rounded and/or may lie on the central longitudinal axis X of the cosmetic applicator 1.

[0065] In the exemplary embodiment, referring FIGS. 2 and 5, the free edges of the bulged portions 4 on the first peripheral edge 16 are uniformly spaced from one another by flat portions of the applying member 6, however, in alternate embodiments, they may or may not be uniformly spaced.

[0066] The bulged portions 4 may or may not extend in parallel directions. As seen in FIG. 2, the bulged portions are substantially non-parallel with one another. Furthermore, according to another aspect, the bulged portions 4 may be different from one another in shape and size.

[0067] In the exemplary embodiment, the applying member 6 comprises three bulged portions 4 and wherein the free edges of the three bulged portions 4 represent at least 60% of the first peripheral edge 16, and still better at least 80% of the first peripheral edge 16. The three bulged portions 4 are of different sizes, wherein first bulged portions 4a of the three bulged portions 4 is located below the pointed tip 2 of the applying member 6 and a third bulged portion 4c is located just above the skirt 10 of the applying member 6. The second bulged portion 4b is located in the area between the first and the second bulged portions 4a, 4b. The first bulged portion being the largest and the third bulged portion being the smallest in size. More particularly, the width and the height of the first bulged portion 4a are greatest among the three bulged portions 4. The opposing depressed portions 20 of the applying member thus correspond to the shape and size of the corresponding three bulged portions 4, and thus accordingly three corresponding depressed portions 20 of the applying member have different depths and widths. The storage capacity for holding cosmetic bulk is thus different for each of the three depressed portions 20 according to its size.

[0068] FIG. 7 shows a cosmetic package 100 equipped with a cosmetic applicator having a cosmetic applicator 1 of the present disclosure. The cosmetic package 100 comprises a container 32 having a containing capacity inside for storing the cosmetic bulk, and an applicator comprising a cap 26 to protect the bulk stored inside the container 32, a shaft 30 connecting the cap 26 to the cosmetic applicator 1 through a shank 8 of the cosmetic applicator 1. Further, a wiper 24 is provided in a neck of the container to clean the shaft 30 and also remove the extra bulk from applying member 6 of the cosmetic applicator 1.

[0069] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the applying member of the cosmetic applicator 1 is flocked with fibers from the pointed tip 2 to the skirt 10, see FIG. 6. The flocking on the applying member 6 provides both comfort and sensorial feel when apply on the human skin surface. The shank 8 may not be flocked. In the present embodiment, the shank 8 is a flockless structure that extends proximally from the skirt 10.

[0070] The cosmetic bulk is loaded in the depressed portions 20 on the first application face 22 of the applying member 6 when the cosmetic applicator 1 is inserted in the container 32. When the cosmetic applicator 1 is withdrawn from an opening of the container 32, the bulged portions 4 of the applying member 6 frictionally contact with the wiper member 24 and while the cosmetic bulk is retained inside the depressed portions 20 on the opposite sides of the bulged portions 4.

[0071] The shaft 30 comprises a cavity 34 at a distal end thereof to receive and retain the shank of the applicator head for coupling the applicator head with the shank 30. The shank 8 of the cosmetic applicator 1 comprises an annular groove 28 that receives a corresponding annular protrusion provided in the cavity of the shaft.

[0072] In general, the use of the terms “distal” and “proximal” herein is supposed to mean that the distal side/end is the side/end facing towards the tip 2 of the cosmetic applicator 1, whereas the proximal side/end is the side/end downward and away from the pointed tip 2.

[0073] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the cosmetic applicator is preferably formed of an elastomeric material e.g. in a material selected from the following list: elastomers; thermoplastic elastomers. However, in alternate embodiments, the cosmetic applicator may be formed from any suitable rigid or flexible material known in the art.

[0074] While illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure have been described and illustrated above, it should be understood that these are exemplary of the disclosure and are not to be considered as limiting. Additions, delbetions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be considered as limited by the foregoing description.