Cosmetic applicator

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator for applying a composition including a cosmetic, care or pharmaceutical composition onto the keratinous substrate. The cosmetic applicator further comprises an applicator head, a stem and a closure. The applicator head includes an applying member which comprises a support body extending in along a central longitudinal axis of the applying member. The support body is curved along the central longitudinal axis and includes a first application face and a second application face opposing the first application surface. The first application face and a second application face are bounded by two lateral edges. The support body of the applying member comprises a recessed region formed at a distal portion of the first application face and a hollow region formed at a proximal portion of the second application face.

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic or a care product, the cosmetic applicator comprising: an applicator head; a stem; and a cap; wherein the applicator head is retained at a distal end of the stem, and comprising a central longitudinal axis; wherein the cap is retained at a proximal end of the stem; wherein the applicator head comprises an applying member and a shank portion; wherein the shank portion is formed at a proximal portion of the applicator head; wherein the applying member is formed at a distal portion of the applicator head; wherein the applying member comprises a support body extending in along the central longitudinal axis; wherein the support body is curved along the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head; wherein the support body of the applying member comprises a first application face and a second application face opposing the first application face; wherein the first application face and a second application face are bounded by two lateral edges; wherein the support body of the applying member comprises a recessed region formed at a distal portion of the first application face and a hollow region formed at a proximal portion of the second application face; wherein the recessed region at the first application face is concavely curved in a width direction orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head; wherein the hollow region at the second application face is concavely curved in a longitudinal direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head; wherein the recessed region extends along at least 50% of a length the applying member on the first application face; wherein the hollow region extends along at least 50% of the length of the applying member on the second application face; wherein a longitudinal rib extends on the second application face along the central longitudinal axis of the applying member from a proximal end of the applying member to up to a portion of the length of the applying member; wherein the longitudinal rib divides the hollow region on the second application face into a first reservoir and a second reservoir; and wherein the first reservoir lies on a left side of the longitudinal rib and the second reservoir lies on a right side of the longitudinal rib.

2. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the support body of the applying member is flat along at least a distal portion of the applying member.

3. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first application face of the applying member has a convex surface followed by a concave surface when seen from the proximal end to a distal end of the applying member along the central longitudinal axis, and wherein the second application face of the applying member has a concave surface followed by a convex surface when seen from the proximal end to the distal end of the applying member along the central longitudinal axis.

4. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 3, wherein the convex surface of the first application face extends along at least 30% of a length of the first application face of the applying member, and wherein the concave surface of second application face extends along more than 30% of a length of the second application face of the applying member.

5. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 3, wherein a proximal portion of the convex surface of the first application face is convexly curved both in a longitudinal direction and in the width direction, and wherein a distal portion of the convex surface of the first application face is convexly curved in the longitudinal direction and is concavely curved in the width direction due to presence of the recessed region; and wherein the recessed region extends in the concave surface of the first application face and partially in the convex surface of the first application surface of the applying member.

6. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 3, wherein the convex surface of the first application face opposes the concave surface of the second application face, and similarly, the concave surface of the first application face opposes the convex surface of the second application face.

7. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 3, wherein the concave surface of the second application face creates the hollow region on the second application face.

8. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 3, wherein the concave surface of the second application face has a larger radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of the convex surface of the second application face, and wherein the convex surface of the first application face has a larger radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of the concave surface of the first application face.

9. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 3, wherein the longitudinal rib extends both on the concave surface and the convex surface of the second application face.

10. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 9, wherein the longitudinal rib has a width which gradually decreases along the central longitudinal axis from the proximal end of the applying member towards the distal end of the applying member.

11. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein a width of the recessed region varies along the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head.

12. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal rib has a height that varies along the central longitudinal axis; and wherein an upper surface of the longitudinal rib is curved along the central longitudinal axis and comprises a concave curve followed by a convex curve when seen from the proximal end to a distal end of the applying member.

13. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applying member comprises two inclined surfaces that extend left and right of the longitudinal rib on the second application face, and wherein the inclined surfaces are formed along a longitudinal direction of the longitudinal rib over the entire length of the longitudinal rib.

14. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein when seen from the proximal end to a distal end of the applying member, the lateral edges of the applying member move away from the central longitudinal axis till they reach a widest part of the applying member and then converge toward each other to form a pointed tip at the distal end of the applying member.

15. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 14, wherein the widest part is located approximately at ¾th of the length of the applying member near the distal portion of the applying member.

16. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 15, wherein a width of the applying member gradually decreases from the widest part towards the proximal end of the applying member, and the width of the applying member gradually decreases from the widest part to the distal end of the applying member forming a tapered tip at the distal end.

17. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of the applying member reduces from the proximal end of the applying member up to a middle length of the applying member and is substantially constant from the middle length to up to a distal end of the applying member.

18. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 17, wherein the thickness of the applying member at any point along its length is maximum at a middle of the applying member.

19. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the applying member is inclined with respect to the central longitudinal axis, and wherein a tip formed at a distal end of the applying member is off-centered with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the applying member.

20. A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic or a care product, the cosmetic applicator comprising: an applicator head retained at a distal end of a stem, and comprising a central longitudinal axis; a shank portion is defined at a distal portion of the applicator head; an applying member is formed at a proximal portion of the applicator head; wherein the applying member extends along the central longitudinal axis and is curved along the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head; wherein the applying member comprises a first application face and a second application face opposing the first application surface; wherein the first application face of the applying member has a convex surface followed by a concave surface when seen from a proximal end to a distal end of the applying member along the central longitudinal axis; wherein the second application face of the applying member has a concave surface followed by a convex surface when seen from the proximal end to the distal end of the applying member along the central longitudinal axis; wherein the first application face of the applying member comprises a recessed region which extends majorly on the concave surface and slightly on the convex surface of the first application face; wherein the recessed region on the first application face is concavely curved in a width direction orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head; wherein a hollow region is formed at the concave surface of the second application face; wherein the hollow region at the second application face is concavely curved in a longitudinal direction parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head; wherein a longitudinal rib extends on the second application face along the central longitudinal axis of the applying member from the proximal end of the applying member to up to a portion of a length of the applying member such that the longitudinal rib extends both on the concave surface and the convex surface of the second application face; wherein the longitudinal rib divides the hollow region on the second application face into a first reservoir and a second reservoir; and wherein the first reservoir lies on a left side of the longitudinal rib and the second reservoir lies on a right side of the longitudinal rib.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 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.

(2) FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a cosmetic package in a closed position according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cosmetic package of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of a cosmetic applicator of the cosmetic package of FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of an applicator head of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 3;

(6) FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of the applicator head of FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the applicator head of FIG. 4;

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a back view of the applicator head of FIG. 4;

(9) FIG. 8 illustrates a back perspective view of the applicator head of FIG. 4;

(10) FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the applicator head of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 4;

(11) FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along a line B-B of the applicator head of FIG. 4; and

(12) FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of the applicator head of FIG. 4 with flocking on an applying member of the applicator head.

(13) 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(14) 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.

(15) FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a cosmetic package 1 in a closed position and FIG. 2 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of the cosmetic package 1. The cosmetic package 1 comprises a receptacle 200 for holding a product (not shown) and a cosmetic applicator 100. The cosmetic applicator 100 comprises an applicator head 10, a stem 20, and a cap 30. The cap 30 of the cosmetic applicator 100 has threads 32 which can be screwed onto threads 202, formed on a neck 204 of the receptacle 200. The applicator head 10 retained at a distal end 21 of the stem 20 for applying the product; and the cap 30 at a proximal end of the stem 20.

(16) 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 inside of the receptacle 200, whereas the proximal side/end is the side/end facing towards the removal opening of the receptacle 200.

(17) Inserted in the neck 204 of the receptacle 200 is a wiper 206 for wiping off excess product from the cosmetic applicator 100.

(18) Further, the applicator head 10 of the cosmetic applicator 100 may be used to apply the product including a cosmetic or care product. The cosmetic or care product includes viscous cosmetics, mascara, eyebrow powder, lip gloss, hair color, skin care, under eye cosmetics, pharmaceutical and like products.

(19) According to an embodiment and as shown in FIG. 1, the cosmetic package 1 is of an elongated cylindrical configuration. However, in alternate embodiments, the cosmetic package 1 may be of an elongated square, polygonal configuration, oval, triangular, heart, or any other configuration known in the art.

(20) According to an embodiment, the receptacle 200 and the closure 30 may be made of a rigid material like glass, metal, hard plastic or any other material known in the art. However, in alternate embodiments, the receptacle 200 and the closure 30 may be made of a flexible material like flexible polymeric material or any other material known in the art.

(21) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applicator head 10 and the stem 20 are fitted together by a snap fitment. However in alternate embodiments, the applicator head 10 and the stem 20 may be fit together by friction fit, by gluing, crimping, magnetic engagement and the like.

(22) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stem 20 can have a longitudinal axis X that is rectilinear as shown. However, in alternate embodiments, it could be curved.

(23) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, 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, triangular or rectangular. The stem 20 can be solid as shown, or, in a variant, it could be hollow.

(24) When the stem 20 is not of circular cross-section, the cap 30 can possibly be 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 215 of section that is complementary to the section of the stem 20.

(25) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applicator head 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.

(26) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least a part and preferably all of the applicator head 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.

(27) As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the applicator head 10 comprises an applying member 40 and a shank portion 60. The shank portion 60 retained at the distal end 21 of the stem 20 for applying the cosmetic product; and the closure 30 is retained at the proximal end 23 of the stem 20. The distal end 21 of the stem 20 includes an interior longitudinal cavity 22 for receiving and retaining the applicator head 10.

(28) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an outer surface of the applying member 40 is covered with application element which in this case is flocked fibers, refer FIG. 11. 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. The flocking finish to the outer surface of the applying member 40 may be achieved by an appropriately chosen known technique, such as electrostatic flocking. The outer surface of the applying member 40 before being flocked is smooth on its entire surface. That is, the outer surface of the applying member 40 before being flocked has no surface textures, such as a wrinkle finish or a matte finish, over the entire surface thereof. To put it another way, the outer surface of the applying member 40 before being flocked are smooth and slippery. Preferably, the flocking process takes place in an electrostatic field, which results in the proper orientation of the fibers. The flock on the outer surface of the applying member 40 provides a convenient “reservoir” which can hold a small amount of the cosmetic product adequate for one or two applications. In alternate embodiments, the outer of the applying member 40 may include injection molded fibers, projections or grooves which are capable of holding the cosmetic product.

(29) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the outer surface of the applying member 40 is covered by a flock coating. However in alternate embodiments, the outer surface of the applying member 40 may not be covered by a flock coating.

(30) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, flocking is adhered to the applying member 40 by a suitable adhesive. The preferred adhesive is an epoxy adhesive.

(31) According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, central longitudinal axes of the applicator head 10, the applying member 40 and the stem 20 are same as they extend in the same central longitudinal axis X. However, in alternate embodiments, central longitudinal axes of the applicator head 10, the applying member 40 and the stem 20 may not be the same.

(32) As shown in FIG. 4, the applying member 40 further comprises a support body 41 extending along the longitudinal axis X of the applicator head 10 (refer FIG. 2). The applying member 40 has a longitudinal shape in a direction of the longitudinal axis X in which the stem 20 extends, and has a width axis Y in a direction orthogonal to the central longitudinal axis X. Furthermore, the support body 41 of the applying member 40 is curved along the central longitudinal axis X of the cosmetic applicator 100 (refer FIGS. 5 and 6).

(33) The support body 41 of the applying member 40 further comprises a first application face 42 and a second application face 44 (refer FIG. 7) which opposes the first application face 42. The first application face 42 and the second application face are bounded by two lateral edges 43a, 43b. The support body 41 of the applying member 40 comprises a recessed region 42c formed at a distal portion 40c of the first application face 42 and a hollow region 44c formed at a proximal portion 40d of the second application face 44. The distal portion 40c of the applying member 40 is inclined with respect to the central longitudinal axis X of the applicator head 10, refer FIG. 6.

(34) Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the first application face 42 has a convex surface 42a followed by a concave surface 42b when seen from a proximal end 40a to a distal end 40b of the applying member 40 along the central longitudinal axis X.

(35) Further, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the convex surface 42a of the first application face 42 extends along at least 30% of a length of the first application face 42 of the applying member 40, more preferably at least 50% of the length of the first application face 42 of the applying member 40. However, in alternate embodiments, the convex surface 42a may extend along less or more than half of the length of the first application face 42 of the applying member 40.

(36) The first application face 42 is provided with the recessed region 42c which is curved along the width axis Y, refer FIGS. 5 and 10. The recessed region 42c extends in the concave surface 42b and partially on the convex surface 42a of the first application face 42. A width of the recessed region 42c varies along the central longitudinal axis X. Thus, a proximal part of the convex surface 42a is convexly curved both in the central longitudinal axis X and in the width axis Y, but a distal portion of the convex surface 42a is convexly curved in the central longitudinal axis X but is concavely curved in the width axis Y due to presence of the recessed region 42c which extends partially therein.

(37) Further, the recessed region 42c is configured to hold a large amount of cosmetic product. When the cosmetic applicator 100 is used, the cosmetic product is held in the recessed region 42c. The recessed region 42c extends along at least 50% of the length of the first application face 42. However, in alternate embodiments, the recessed region 42c may extend less or more than 60% of the length of the first application face 42 of the applying member 40.

(38) The convex surface 42a of the first application face 42 preferably has a larger radius of curvature than a radius of curvature of the concave surface 42b of the first application face 42 in a side view of the applying member 40.

(39) As shown in FIG. 6, the second application face 44 has a concave surface 44a followed by a convex surface 44b when seen from the proximal end 40a to the distal end 40b of the applying member 40. Further, the convex surface 42a of the first application face 42 opposes the concave surface 44a of the second application face 44, and similarly, the concave surface 42b of the first application face 42 opposes the convex surface 44b of the second application face 44.

(40) The concave surface 44a extends along more than 30% of a length of the second application face 44 of the applying member 40, more preferably at least 50% of the length of the second application face 44 of the applying member 40. However, in alternate embodiments, the concave surface 44a may extend along more or less than half of the length of the second application face 44 of the applying member 40.

(41) The support body 41 of the applying member 40 has the hollow region 44c which is formed by the concave surface 44a of the second application face 44. The hollow region 44c is configured to hold a large amount of cosmetic product. When the cosmetic applicator 100 is used, the cosmetic product is held in the hollow region 44c.

(42) As shown in FIG. 6, the concave surface 44a of the second application face 44 preferably has a larger radius of curvature than the convex surface 44b of the second application face 44 in a side view of the applying member 40. When the cosmetic product is applied to the lips, the concave surface 44a of the second application face 44 uniformly hugs the lips, while providing a sufficient amount of the cosmetic product for application because of the hollow region 44c.

(43) Further as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the second application face 44 comprises a longitudinal rib 47 that extends along at least a major portion of the length of the second application face 44 from the proximal end 40a to the distal end 40b of the applying member 40. The longitudinal rib 47 is molded with the second application face 44 of the applying member 40. More particularly, the longitudinal rib 47 is formed in the central region in the width axis Y and is formed over substantially the entire length in the longitudinal axis X of the applying member 40. The longitudinal rib 47 extends both on the concave surface 44a and the convex surface 44b of the second application face 44.

(44) The longitudinal rib 47 divides the hollow region 44c into two reservoirs, namely a first reservoir 61 and a second reservoir 63. The first reservoir 61 lies on a left side of the longitudinal rib 47 while the second reservoir 63 lies on a right side of the longitudinal rib 47. The first reservoir 61 and the second reservoir 63 are symmetrical with respect to each other.

(45) Further, the longitudinal rib 47 extends up to at least 90% of a length of the applying member 40 on the second application face 44. In alternate embodiments, the longitudinal rib 47 may extend less or more than 90% of the length of the applying member 40 such that it extends both on the concave surface 44a and the convex surface 44b of the second application face 44.

(46) The longitudinal rib 47 has a width along Y axis which gradually decreases along the longitudinal axis X from the proximal end 40a towards the distal end 40b of the applying member 40. At the distal end 40b of the applying member 40, the longitudinal rib 47 forms a tapered tip.

(47) As shown in FIG. 8, the longitudinal rib 47 has a height h along the longitudinal axis X that varies. An upper surface 47a of the longitudinal rib 47 is curved along the longitudinal axis X and comprises a concave curve followed by a convex curved when seen from the proximal end 40a to the distal end 40b of the applying member 40.

(48) Further as shown in FIGS. 7 & 8, the longitudinal rib 47 has a substantially mountain shape and has two inclined surfaces 47b and 47c that extend left and right of the longitudinal rib 47. The inclined surfaces 47b and 47c are formed along the longitudinal axis X of the longitudinal rib 47 over substantially its entire length. The inclined surfaces 47b, 47c each has a concave curved surface capable of holding the cosmetic product. The degree of holding the cosmetic product can be controlled by adjusting the degree of concave curvature. In this case, the degree of curvature of the two curved surfaces of the inclined surfaces 47b and 47c may be the same or different.

(49) The longitudinal rib 47 provides a structural strength to the applying member 40, so that the applying member 40 does not bend away from the longitudinal axis X during wiping by the wiper 206 on withdrawal of the applying member 40 from the receptacle 200. In other words, the longitudinal rib 47 hinders the deformation of the applying member 40 away from the longitudinal axis X.

(50) The longitudinal rib 47 has a first longitudinal edge 51 and a second longitudinal edge 53. The first longitudinal edge 51 and the second longitudinal edge are symmetrical with respect to each other.

(51) The applying member 40 has a widest part 40d when viewed from the front or back. The widest part 40d may be present at any portion of a length of the applying member 40. As shown in FIG. 4, the applying member 40 has the widest part 40d located approximately at ¾th of the length of the applying member 40 near a distal portion of the applying member 40. In alternate embodiment, the widest part 40d may not be located at ¾th of the length of the applying member 40.

(52) Referring to FIG. 4, when viewed from the front, from the proximal end 40a to the distal end 40b of the applying member 40, lateral edges 43a, 43b of the applying member 40 move away from the central longitudinal axis X till they reach the widest part 40d and then converge toward each other to form a pointed tip at the distal end 40b forming a pen nib like shape.

(53) The support body 41 of the applying member 40 gradually decreases in a width W from the widest part 40d towards the proximal end 40a of the applying member 40. Further, the width of the support body 41 of the applying member 40 gradually decreases from the widest part 40d to the distal end 40b of the applying member 40 forming a tapered tip. The tapered tip is preferably a sharply pointed. The sharply pointed tip helps in delicate and fine application of the cosmetic product to, for example, the ends of lips of the user. In short, the applying member 40 has its width gradually increased from the tapered tip to the widest part 40d and gradually decreased from the widest part 40d towards the proximal end 40a.

(54) Referring to FIG. 6, a thickness T of the applying member 40, measured as smallest distance between the first and the second application faces 42, 44, reduces along the longitudinal axis X at least from the proximal end 40a of the applying member up to a middle length of the applying member 40 and is substantially constant from the middle length to upto the distal end 40b of the applying member 40. Further, thickness T of the applying member 40 at any point along its length is maximum at a middle of the applying member 40, see FIG. 10.

(55) In alternate embodiments, the thickness T of the applying member 40 may remain constant through the length of the applying member 40 or may vary at least at any portion of the length of the applying member 40.

(56) In applying the cosmetic product, the applying member 40 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.

(57) While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.