COSMETIC APPLICATOR WITH FACIAL APPLICATION MEMBER AND PUMP

Abstract

A cosmetic package for applying a composition including a cosmetic, care or pharmaceutical composition onto the keratinous substrate comprises a receptacle and a cosmetic applicator. The cosmetic applicator further comprises an applicator head including a passage for delivering the composition to an application surface. The applicator head is connected with a pump mechanism for moving the composition from a container house in the package through the passage and onto an application surface. The applicator head includes an applying member which comprises a spatula with a first application face having a concave inner surface forming the application surface and a second application face having a convex outer surface. The second application face may include a textured surface.

Claims

1. A system for applying a substance to a keratinous surface comprising: a container for holding a bulk quantity of the substance; an applicator head connected with a distal portion of the container and having an internal passage, wherein the internal passage comprises an intake opening at a proximal end of the head and one or more delivery openings, the applicator head comprising: a root at a proximal end of the head, wherein the internal passage extends though the root; one or more root extensions connected with the root and extending in the distal direction, wherein the internal passage extends at least part way through at least one of the root extensions; and a spatula extending in the distal direction from the root comprising one or more deformable portions, wherein the deformable portions comprise a first surface and a second surface, wherein at least one root extension is disposed across the first surface and comprises the delivery opening, wherein the delivery opening is proximal of a distal end of the spatula, and a pump mechanism in fluid communication with the container and with the intake opening of the internal passage, wherein actuation of the pump delivers the substance through the internal passage and onto the first surface via the opening.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the spatula comprises a substantially circular wing supported by the one or more root extensions, wherein sides of the circular wing extend in a direction traverse to a longitudinal axis of the applicator head to form the deformable portions.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the root extensions are less resistant to bending than the sides of the circular wing.

4. The system of claim 2, wherein the circular wing is curved about the longitudinal axis.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first surface is concave.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the second surface is convex and comprises a textured surface.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the textured surface comprises a pattern of angular embossments, radially directed ridges, or a representation of a fruit slice.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein the textured portion is formed in bas-relief.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening is at a distal end of the at least one root extension.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the opening is a distance proximal of a distal end of the at least one root extension.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the opening comprises a plurality of openings.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the pump comprises a click-pen, an airless pump, or a squeezable container.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the spatula further comprises a flocked surface, the flocked surface covering at least a portion of the spatula.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0148] 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:

[0149] FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a cosmetic package in a closed position according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0150] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of a cosmetic applicator of the cosmetic package of FIG. 1;

[0151] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an applicator head of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 2;

[0152] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the applicator head of FIG. 3;

[0153] FIG. 5A illustrates a right-side view of the applicator head of FIG. 3;

[0154] FIG. 5B illustrates a left side view of the applicator head of FIG. 3;

[0155] FIG. 6A illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 2 showing an applying member of the cosmetic applicator in a rest or non-deformed state as shown in FIG. 1;

[0156] FIG. 6B illustrates another perspective view of the portion of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 6A showing the applying member of the cosmetic applicator in a deformed state;

[0157] FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the applicator head of FIG. 2 with flocking on the applying member of the applicator head.

[0158] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic package equipped with a cosmetic applicator according to a second embodiment of present disclosure;

[0159] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 8;

[0160] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of an applicator head of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 9;

[0161] FIG. 11 shows a front view of the applicator head of FIG. 9;

[0162] FIG. 12 shows a back view of the applicator head of FIG. 9;

[0163] FIG. 13 shows a top view of the applicator head of FIG. 16;

[0164] FIG. 14 shows a left side view of the applicator head of FIG. 16;

[0165] FIG. 15 shows a right side view of the applicator head of FIG. 16;

[0166] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of the applicator head of FIG. 9, showing the applying member of the cosmetic applicator in a deformed state;

[0167] FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of the applicator head of FIG. 11 with flocking on an applying member of the applicator head;

[0168] FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic package comprising a cosmetic applicator, according a third embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0169] FIG. 19 shows an enlarged perspective view of an applicator head of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 18;

[0170] FIG. 20 shows a left-side view of the applicator head of FIG. 19;

[0171] FIG. 21 shows a front view of the applicator head of FIG. 19;

[0172] FIG. 22 shows a rear view of the applicator head of FIG. 19;

[0173] FIG. 23 shows a top view of the applicator head of FIG. 19;

[0174] FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of the applicator head of FIG. 19 in a collapsed position;

[0175] FIG. 25 shows an isometric view of the applicator head of FIG. 19, with flocking;

[0176] FIG. 26 shows a cross-sectional view of a cosmetic package equipped with a cosmetic applicator of a fourth embodiment of present disclosure;

[0177] FIG. 27 shows an exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of the cosmetic package of FIG. 26;

[0178] FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of an applicator head of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 27;

[0179] FIG. 29 shows a front view of the applicator head of FIG. 27;

[0180] FIG. 30 shows a top view of the applicator head of FIG. 27;

[0181] FIG. 31 shows a back view of the applicator head of FIG. 27;

[0182] FIG. 32 shows a top view of the applicator head of FIG. 27;

[0183] FIG. 33 shows a side view of the applicator head of FIG. 27;

[0184] FIG. 34 shows a perspective view of the applicator head of FIG. 27 in deformed state when the applicator head is being wiped using a wiper of the cosmetic package of FIG. 26;

[0185] FIG. 35 shows a perspective view of an applicator head of the cosmetic applicator of FIG. 27 with flocking on an applying member of the applicator head;

[0186] FIG. 36 shows a perspective of an applicator head according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0187] FIG. 37 shows a front view of the applicator head of FIG. 36;

[0188] FIG. 38 shows a back view of the applicator head of FIG. 36;

[0189] FIGS. 39A, 39B, and 39C show front, side, and cross-sectional views, respectively, of an applicator head according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure;

[0190] FIGS. 40A and 40B show front and rear views of an applicator head according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0191] FIG. 40C shows a rear view of an applicator head according to a further embodiment of the disclosure;

[0192] FIG. 41 show a front view of an applicator head according to a still further embodiment of the disclosure;

[0193] FIGS. 42A and 42B show a front view and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of an applicator head connected with an airless pump mechanism according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0194] FIGS. 43A and 43B show front view and a side view, respectively, of an applicator head connected with a squeeze tube mechanism according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0195] FIG. 44 shows a cross sectional view of an applicator head connected with a click-pen mechanism according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

[0196] FIGS. 45A and 45B show front and rear views, respectively, of an applicator head according to another embodiment of the disclosure; and

[0197] FIG. 46 shows a front view of an applicator head according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0198] As shown throughout the drawings, like reference numerals designate like or corresponding parts. 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, deletions, 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.

[0199] 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.

[0200] FIG. 1 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a cosmetic package 1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. The cosmetic package 1 comprises a receptacle 200 and a cosmetic applicator 100. The receptacle 200 is configured to contain a product (not shown) including a cosmetic, care or pharmaceutical product. However, in alternate embodiments, the receptacle 200 may include a separate inner reservoir to hold a volume of the product to be dispensed. The cosmetic, care or pharmaceutical product includes viscous cosmetics, mascara, eyebrow powder, lip gloss, hair color, cheek blush, skin care, under eye cosmetics, pharmaceutical and like products.

[0201] As shown in FIG. 1, the cosmetic package 1 is of an elongated cylindrical configuration. However, in alternate embodiments, the cosmetic package 1 is of an elongated square, polygonal configuration, oval, triangular, heart, or any other configuration known in the art.

[0202] According to an embodiment, the cosmetic applicator 100 comprises an applicator head 10, a stem 20 and a closure 30. The closure 30 of the cosmetic package 1 has threads 32 on its inner surface which can be screwed onto threads 202, formed on an outer surface of a neck 204 of the receptacle 200. However, in alternate embodiments, the closure 30 snaps into place on the neck 204 of the receptacle 200 or any other type of mechanisms may be used to mate the closure 30 to the receptacle 200.

[0203] Inserted in the neck 204 of the receptacle 200 is a wiper 206 for wiping off excess cosmetic product from the cosmetic applicator 100. The wiper 206 also comprises an annular bead 208 on its outer surface for engaging into a corresponding annular groove 210 formed on an inside surface of the neck 204 of the receptacle 200. Further, the wiper 206 comprises a wiping orifice 215.

[0204] 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 are made of a flexible material like flexible polymeric material or any other material known in the art.

[0205] 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. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stem 20 can have a longitudinal axis X-X that is rectilinear as shown. However, in alternate embodiments, the stem is curved.

[0206] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stem 20 presents a cross-section that is circular. According to other embodiments 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.

[0207] When the stem 20 is not of circular cross-section, the closure 30 may 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 cross-section of the stem 20.

[0208] 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.

[0209] 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. It is formed from a material known to those of skill in the art as suitable for injection molding including 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.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 2, the applicator head 10 comprises an applying member 40 and a shank portion 60. The shank portion 60 retained at a distal end 21 of the stem 20 for applying the cosmetic product; and the closure 30 is retained at a proximal end 23 of the stem 20. The distal end 21 of the stem 20 includes an interior longitudinal cavity 22 (refer FIG. 1) for receiving and retaining the applicator head 10.

[0211] According to an embodiment, the applying member 40 is preferably formed in Desmopan 487. Desmopan 487 is a thermoplastic polyurethane. In alternate embodiments, the applying member 40 may be formed from any suitable polymeric material or any other material known in the art.

[0212] 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. 7. 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.

[0213] 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 surfaces of the applying member 40 before being flocked are smooth and slippery.

[0214] 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 layer 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.

[0215] 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.

[0216] As shown in FIG. 3, the applying member 40 further comprises a root portion 65 and a spatula 80. The spatula 80 extends from the root portion 65. The root portion 65 is cylindrical in shape. However, according to alternate embodiments, the root portion 65 may be circular or any other shape known in the art.

[0217] The spatula 80 has an elongated support body 15 extending along the longitudinal axis X-X of the cosmetic applicator 100 (refer FIG. 1). The spatula 80 comprises at least two application faces namely a first application face 42 and a second application face 44. The first application face 42 has a concave inner surface 46 while the second application face 44 has a convex outer surface 47 (refer FIG. 5A). The concave inner surface 46 creates a volume reservoir. This volume reservoir serves as a reservoir for the cosmetic product. A significant quantity of the cosmetic product can be accommodated in said volume reservoir which is available to be applied to the user's skin or keratinous substrate.

[0218] As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second application face 44 has a convex outer surface 47 which acts a large blending surface for easy application of the cosmetic product.

[0219] As shown in FIG. 3, the spatula 80 has two free edges, a first longitudinal edge 51 and a second longitudinal edge 53. The first longitudinal edge 51 and the second longitudinal edge 53 of the spatula 80 are asymmetrical with respect to each other and are each curvilinear. The first longitudinal edge 51 extends in all three dimensions of space. As shown in FIG. 5A, the first longitudinal edge 51 comprises a first curve 52 that is outwardly convex and a second curve 54 that is outwardly concave. When seen from a proximal end 41 to a distal end 43 of the spatula 80, the first curve 52 is followed by the second curve 54 on the first longitudinal edge 51.

[0220] The first and second curves differ from one another by the nature of their curves or by their radius of curvatures. According to the disclosure, when the curve does not correspond to a circular arc, the radius of curvature is measured at the apex of the curve. The first curve 52 is produced about a first axis of curvature to a first radius of curvature. The second curve 54 is produced about a second axis of curvature to a second radius of curvature. The first axis of curvature and the second axis of curvature are non-parallel and extend in different directions. The first radius of curvature may or may not be same as second radius of curvature. More particularly, the first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature such that the first curve 52 extends up to at least 75% of a length of the first longitudinal edge 51.

[0221] As shown in FIG. 5B, the second longitudinal edge 53 also extends in all three dimensions of space. The second longitudinal edge 53 comprises a third curve 55 that is outwardly convex, a fourth curve 57 that is outwardly concave, and a fifth curve 59 that is outwardly convex.

[0222] The third, fourth, fifth curves 55, 57, 59 differ from one another by the nature of their curves or by their radius of curvatures. The third curve 55 is produced about a third axis of curvature to a third radius of curvature. The fourth curve 57 is produced about a fourth axis of curvature to a fourth radius of curvature. The fifth curve 59 is produced about a fifth axis of curvature to a fifth radius of curvature.

[0223] The third, fourth, fifth axis of curvatures is non-parallel and extends in different directions. The radius of curvatures of third, fourth, fifth may or may not be same. Particularly, the third radius of curvature and the fourth radius of curvature may or may not be equal. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, the fourth radius of curvature is greater than the third radius of curvature. The fifth radius of curvature is less than the fourth and the fifth radius of curvature. More particularly, at least one of the third curve 55 or the fourth curve 57 extends up to at least 30% of a length of the second longitudinal edge 53. The fifth curve 59 extends up to at least 10% of a length of the second longitudinal edge 53.

[0224] When seen from the proximal end 41 to the distal end 43 of the spatula 80, the third curve 55 is followed by the fourth curve 57 which is further followed by the fifth curve 59 on the second longitudinal edge 53.

[0225] As shown in FIG. 3, the first application face 42 has a recess 45 which is substantially enclosed by the first longitudinal edge 51 and the second longitudinal edge 53 except at the proximal end 41 of the spatula 80. A gap 70 is present between the first longitudinal edge 51 and the second longitudinal edge 53, near the proximal end 41 of the spatula 80. The recess 45 promotes retention of the cosmetic product.

[0226] When the cosmetic applicator 100 is applied to keratinous substrate, the cosmetic product present in the recess 45 can be deposited and the surface of cosmetic product coming into contact with the lips or any other part of the body may be relatively large, so that the lips or any other part of the body can be masked relatively quickly.

[0227] The recess 45 extends longitudinally from the proximal end 41 to the distal end 43 of the spatula 80. Further, the recess 45 extends along a longitudinal axis which does not coincide with the longitudinal axis X-X of the cosmetic applicator 100 (refer FIG. 1). More particularly, the recess 45 is off-centered with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the cosmetic applicator 100 and makes a non-zero angle with longitudinal axis X-X of the cosmetic applicator 100. The recess 45 is open to the outside throughout the length of the spatula 80 via the first application face 42 for use in applying the product.

[0228] According to a preferred embodiment, the recess 45 extends over more than half of the width of the spatula 80. However, in alternate embodiments, the recess 45 may not extend over more than half of the width of the spatula 80. The width of the recess 45 passes through an extremum between the proximal end 41 and the distal end 43 of the spatula 80. The extremum being for example a maximum. More particularly, when viewed from the front, the recess has a widest part which gradually decreases in width from the widest part to either the proximal end 41 or the distal end 43 of the spatula 80.

[0229] According to a preferred embodiment, the recess 45 may be traversing over more than half the length of the spatula 80. However, in alternate embodiments, the recess 45 may not be traversing over more than half the length of the spatula 80.

[0230] The first longitudinal edge 51 and the second longitudinal edge 53 converge to form a narrow tip 50 at the distal end 43 of the spatula 80. The narrow tip 50 helps in precise deposition of the cosmetic product on applying the cosmetic product on the user's skin or keratinous substrate.

[0231] Further, according to one embodiment the narrow tip 50 does not coincide with the longitudinal axis X-X of the cosmetic applicator 100 (refer FIG. 1). More particularly, the narrow tip 50 is off-centered with respect to the longitudinal axis X-X of the cosmetic applicator 100.

[0232] At the time of use of said cosmetic package 1, the user first separates the closure 30 from the receptacle 200. In order to apply the cosmetic product onto the keratinous substrate such as skin, lips, eyelids, cheeks, nails or any other part of the body, the cosmetic applicator 100 is dipped into the cosmetic product in the receptacle 200 and then can be applied by the applicator head 10. Upon withdrawing the cosmetic applicator 100 from the state of being immersed in the cosmetic product (the state shown in FIG. 1), the cosmetic product is picked up and retained on the entire surface of the spatula 80.

[0233] As shown in FIG. 1, the widest part of the spatula 80 has a larger width than the widest part of the wiper orifice 215. Accordingly, when the cosmetic applicator 100 shown in FIG. 1 is withdrawn from the receptacle 200, the widest part of the spatula 80 catches in the wiper orifice 215 of the wiper 206. Since the spatula 80 is made of an elastically deformable material in the present embodiment, it is deformed at the widest part catching in the wiper orifice 215 so as to be able to pass through the wiper orifice 215.

[0234] Since the first application face 42 of the spatula 80, where most of the cosmetic is retained, has the concave inner surface 46, the spatula 80 is curled into a substantial C-shape with the first longitudinal edge 51 and the second longitudinal edge 53 approaching towards each other as shown in FIG. 6B. Since the spatula 80 is curled into the substantially C-shape, the cosmetic product remains retained inside the C-shape while the spatula 80 is in a deformed state. On the other hand, the second application face 44 has the convex outer surface 47 and is wiped by the wiper 206. The second application face 44 is deprived of the cosmetic product and acts as a blending surface for easy application of the cosmetic product which is applied by the first application face 42 of the spatula 80.

[0235] The wiper 206 is made of an elastically deformable material, so that both the spatula 80 and the wiper orifice 215 are deformed to reduce the resistance against the withdrawal and insertion, whereby the convenience of use is further improved.

[0236] After the spatula 80 passes through the wiper orifice 215, it restores the original shape as shown in FIG. 6A with no force by the wiper orifice 215 imposed thereto. Accordingly, as the original shape is restored, the cosmetic product is spread over the entire area of the first application face 42 of the spatula 80. As a result, the spatula 80 is able to apply the cosmetic product uniformly to the lips or any other part of the body. At this time, there is very little retention of the cosmetic product on the second application face 44 of the spatula 80, so that a user can apply the cosmetic product quickly at ease without feeling worried about unintentional application to other than the target region.

[0237] The wiper 206 serves to wipe off not only the excess cosmetic product attached to the spatula 80 but also the cosmetic product attached to the stem 20.

[0238] FIG. 8 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a cosmetic package 1 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. The cosmetic package 1 is similar to the cosmetic package discussed with respect to FIGS. 1, 18 and 24 and 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 of the stem 20 for applying the product; and the cap 30 at a proximal end of the stem 20.

[0239] In general, the use of the terms distal and proximal herein means that the distal side/end is the side/end facing towards the inside of the storage receptacle 200, whereas the proximal side/end is the side/end facing towards the removal opening of the receptacle 200. Further, the distal end of the stem 20 includes an interior longitudinal cavity 22 for receiving and retaining the applicator head 10.

[0240] Inserted in the neck 204 of the receptacle 200 is a wiper 206 for wiping off excess product from the cosmetic applicator 100. Further, the applicator head 10 of 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. As shown in FIGS. 10-12, the applicator head 10 according to this embodiment comprises an applying member 8 at its distal portion and a shank member 7 at its proximal portion. The shank member 7 is configured to be received and retained within the longitudinal cavity 22 of the stem 20 (see FIG. 8).

[0241] The applying member 8 further comprises a support body 8a and a wing 8b extending from the support body 8a. The support body 8a extends in a direction of a longitudinal axis X of the applicator 100. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 13, the wing 8b is curved in a horizontal axis Y which is perpendicular to the X axis i.e. the wing 8b is curved from left to right such that the wing 8b defines a longitudinal concavity 11. The wing 8b has a concave front face 9a and a convex back face 9b opposite the concave front face 9a. The convex back face 9b provides a large blending surface for smooth and efficient application of the cosmetic product. The applying member 8 picks up generous amount of product in the concave front face 9a of the wing 8b so no re-dips are required during application.

[0242] More particularly, longitudinal concavity 11 of the concave front face 9a of the wing 8b promotes retention of the cosmetic product. When the cosmetic applicator 100 is applied to keratinous substrate, the cosmetic product present in the concavity 11 can be deposited and the surface of cosmetic product coming into contact with the lips or any other part of the body may be relatively large, so that the lips or any other part of the body can be masked relatively quickly.

[0243] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the longitudinal concavity 11 extends longitudinally along a length of the wing 8b, along a longitudinal axis A which does not coincide with the longitudinal axis X of the applying member 8/stem 20 (refer FIG. 8). More particularly, the longitudinal concavity 11 is off-centered with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the applying member 8 and makes a non-zero angle with longitudinal axis X of the applying member 8.

[0244] As shown in FIG. 11, the wing 8b has a first lateral edge 9c and a second lateral edge 9d opposite the first lateral edge 9c. Wherein at least a portion of the first lateral edge 9c is a joining edge 9c which joins with the support body 8a such that the support body 8a supports the wing 8b laterally on both faces 9a, 9b of the wing 8b. In other words, the support body 8a supports the wing 8b laterally. At least a major portion of the support body 8a of the applying member 8 forms at least a major portion of a proximal portion 11a of the applying member 8.

[0245] A proximal end 12 of the support body 8a is connected to the shank portion 7, and the wing 8b of the applying member 8 is connected to a region of the support body 8a lying opposite to the shank portion 7, and wherein the wing 8b forms a major portion of a distal portion 11b of the applying member 8.

[0246] Referring FIGS. 11-15, the support body 8a includes two opposing main faces, namely a first front face 6a, an opposing second back face 6b, and two opposing lateral faces namely a third lateral face 6c and a fourth lateral face 6d. The third lateral face 6c is convexly curved along longitudinal axis X as well as along an axis Z which is substantially perpendicular to the X and Y axes. Further, the fourth lateral face 6d comprises a convex curve 14a followed by a concave curve 14b when seen from the proximal portion 11a towards the distal portion 11b of the support body 8a, see FIG. 12.

[0247] The wing 8b extends laterally from the said fourth lateral face 6d of the support body 8a. The joining edge 9c of the wing 8b connects along at least a part of the convexly curved and the concavely curved surface of the fourth lateral face 6d of the support body 8a. In alternate embodiments, the curves of the third and fourth lateral faces 6c, 6d or the shape of the support body 8a may be different, and thus the disclosure is not limited by the curves of the third and fourth lateral faces 6c, 6d or the shape of the support body 8a.

[0248] A width D of the support body 8a and/or the first front face 6a/the second back face 6b decreases continuously from a proximal end of the applying member 8 towards the distal portion 11b of the applying member 8, as seen FIGS. 11-12, illustrating a front view and a back view of the applying member 8. The applying member 8 is made of an elastomer, in particular, of a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0249] As seen in FIGS. 13-15, the wing 8b is relatively thinner than the support body 8a. More particularly, the wing 8b is at least 2, 3 times thinner than the support body 8a. As a reason, the wing 8b is more flexible and elastically bendable, in particular relative to the support body 8a. The wing 8b is flexible enough to flex during application along contours of the human facial skin or lips so as to provide an even coating of the cosmetic product.

[0250] Further, as shown in FIG. 11, a swirl shaped extension 6e extends from a distal end portion of the support body 8a to the concave front face 9a of the wing 8b and provides a strength to the wing 8b during application. However, the swirl shaped extension 6e is an optional feature, the applying member 8 may or may not comprise any such extensions.

[0251] Furthermore, a width of the wing 8b first increases from a proximal part 15 of the wing 8b and forms a widest part W and then gradually decreases from the widest part W to a distal end 13 of the wing 8b. A narrow tip 13 is formed at the distal end 13 of the wing 8b which coincides with the distal end 13 of the applying member 8. Further, the narrow tip 13 at the distal end allows the user to draw precision lines during application. Further, the narrow tip 13 at the distal end 13 of the applying member 8 may not coincide with the longitudinal axis X of the applying member 8 (refer FIG. 11). More particularly, the narrow tip 13 is off-centered with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the cosmetic applicator 100.

[0252] Further, the width of the third lateral face 6c of the support body 8a, when seen from the left side view of the applying member 8, decreases continuously from a proximal end 12 of the applying member 8 towards a distal portion of the applying member 8, refer FIGS. 12-14. More particularly, the support body 8a in a left side view of the applying member 8, has a shape which towards the tip 13 of the applying member 8 is convexly curved and has sloping side edges. The third lateral face 6c of the support body 8a provides a narrow blending surface to line and blend a cosmetic product for example at corners of lip and eyes.

[0253] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an outer surface of the applying member 8 is covered with application element 16 which in this case is flocked fibers, see FIG. 17. 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 8 may be achieved by an appropriately chosen known technique, such as electrostatic flocking. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the wing 8b and support body 8a may be flocked. According to an alternate embodiment of the present disclosure, the applying member 8 may not be flocked.

[0254] At the time of use of said cosmetic package 1, the user first separates the closure 30 from the receptacle 200. In order to apply the cosmetic product onto the keratinous substrate such as skin, lips, eyelids, cheeks, nails or any other part of the body, the cosmetic applicator 100 is dipped into the cosmetic product in the receptacle 200 and then can be applied by the applicator head 10.

[0255] Upon withdrawing the cosmetic applicator 100 from the state of being immersed in the cosmetic product (the state shown in FIG. 8), the cosmetic product is picked up and retained on the entire surface of the wing 8b. As shown in FIG. 12, a widest part of the applying member 8 lies at the widest part W of the wing 8b. The widest part W of the applying member 8 has a larger width than the widest part of the wiper orifice 215. Accordingly, when the cosmetic applicator 100 shown in FIG. 8 is withdrawn from the receptacle 200, the widest part W of the applying member 8 catches in the wiper orifice 215 of the wiper 206. Since the wing 8b is made of an elastically deformable material in the present embodiment, it is deformed at the widest part W catching in the wiper orifice 215 so as to be able to pass through the wiper orifice 215.

[0256] Refer FIG. 13, the second free lateral edge 9d substantially opposite to the joining edge 9c joining the wing 8b to the support body 8a, deform to curl inwardly towards the concave front face 9a of the wing 8b, where most of the cosmetic is retained. Since the wing 8b is curled, the cosmetic product is retained inside the longitudinally concavity 11 while the wing 8b is in a deformed state. On the other hand, the convex back surface 9b of the wing 8b is wiped by the wiper 206 and is deprived of the cosmetic product and acts as a blending surface for easy application of the cosmetic product which is applied by the concave front face 9a of the wing 8b.

[0257] The wiper 206 is made of an elastically deformable material, so that both the wing 8b and the wiper orifice 215 are deformed to reduce the resistance against the withdrawal and insertion, whereby the convenience of use is further improved. After the wing 8b passes through the wiper orifice 215, it restores the original shape as shown in FIG. 13 with no force by the wiper orifice 215 imposed thereto. Accordingly, as the original shape is restored, the cosmetic product is spread over the entire area of the concave front face 9a of the wing 8b. As a result, the wing 8b is able to apply the cosmetic product uniformly to the lips or any other part of the body.

[0258] At this time, there is a very little retention of the cosmetic product on the convex back face 9b of the wing 8b, so that a user can apply the cosmetic product quickly at ease without feeling worried about unintentional application to other than the target region. The wiper 206 serves to wipe off not only the excess cosmetic product attached to the wing 8b but also the cosmetic product attached to the stem 20.

[0259] According to an embodiment, the container 10 and the cap 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 container 10 and the cap 30 may be made of a flexible material like flexible polymeric material or any other material known in the art.

[0260] 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.

[0261] 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.

[0262] 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 215 of section that is complementary to the cross-section of the stem 20.

[0263] 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. According to an embodiment, the receptacle 200 and the cap 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 cap 30 may be made of a flexible material like flexible polymeric material or any other material known in the art.

[0264] According to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 9-12, the applying member 8 is elongated along a central longitudinal axis X of the applicator head 10. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 11, the applying member 8 has a longitudinal axis X which is in alignment with a longitudinal axis of the stem 20. The applying member 8 is elongated, that is to say its extent in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X is larger than its largest extension perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X.

[0265] Particularly, the largest extension of the applying member 8 in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X by at least a factor of 1.5, more preferably is greater by at least a factor of 2 than the greatest extension of the applying member 8 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0266] 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.

[0267] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stem 20 can have a longitudinal axis that is rectilinear as shown. In alternate embodiments, the stem is curved.

[0268] FIG. 18 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a cosmetic package 1 according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. As with the similar cosmetic packages disclosed in FIGS. 1, 8, and 24, the cosmetic package 1 comprises a container 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 applicator 100 has threads 32 which can be screwed onto threads 202, formed on a neck 204 of the container 200. Inserted in the neck 204 of the container 200 is a wiper 206 for wiping off excess product from the cosmetic applicator 100. The distal end of the stem 20 includes an interior longitudinal cavity 22 for receiving and retaining the applicator head 10.

[0269] The cosmetic applicator 100 may be used to apply the product (not shown) 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. The applicator head 10 is configured to be loaded with product to be applied.

[0270] As shown in FIG. 18, the cosmetic applicator 100 comprises the applicator head 10 retained at a distal end of the stem 20 for applying the product; and the cap 30 at a proximal end of the stem 20.

[0271] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as seen in FIGS. 19-22, a proximal portion of the applicator head 10 is formed as a cylindrical shank 7 which is configured to be received within the cavity 22 of the stem 20. The applicator head 10 is a molded applicator head. The molded applicator head 10 may be fixed to the stem 20 by force fitting, in particular by snapping, gluing, welding or crimping, the shank portion 7 of the application head 10 in the cavity 22 of the stem 20 provided at the distal end of the stem 20.

[0272] FIGS. 19-23 show the applicator head 10 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the applicator head 10 comprises an elongated application body 2 at a distal portion of the applicator head 10, the elongated application body 2 is majorly of U-shaped cross section and of elongate form i.e. a longitudinal U-shaped cavity 3 extends along a longitudinal axis X of the applicator head 10. According to one embodiment, the U-shaped cavity forms a scoop for holding and transporting a quantity of the product.

[0273] The application body 2 has a Y axis curve with a concave inner surface 17 and a convex outer surface 25 opposite the inner surface 17. Thus, by Y axis curve, it is meant that the application body 2 is curved in a horizontal axis Y. More particularly, the application body 2 includes at least three vertical sidewalls, namely a first sidewall 2a, a second sidewall 2b and a third sidewall 2c; the three sidewalls together defining the U-shaped cavity 3 among them which is adapted to receive the cosmetic product P. The U-shaped cavity 3 extends from a proximal end to a distal end of the application body 2 and is open at both the proximal and distal ends of the application body 2.

[0274] The product P accumulates in said cavity 3 allowing the cosmetic applicator to be used for at least a length of time sufficient to enable the product, such as a cosmetic or a care product, to be applied sufficiently. The first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b form lateral sides of the U-shaped cavity 3 and the third sidewall form the base of the U-shaped cavity 3. The U-shaped cavity 3 has longitudinal opening 3a opposing the third sidewall 2c.

[0275] As shown in FIG. 19, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b are two substantially parallel sidewalls of equivalent length, and are horizontally aligned sidewalls 2a, 2b. The first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b are substantially parallel and are horizontally spaced so as to form said U-shaped cavity 3 with the connecting sidewall 2c. The first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b extend substantially orthogonal/perpendicularly from the third connecting sidewall 2c, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 23.

[0276] In variant embodiments, the first and second sidewalls may be of different lengths. According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 24, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b are configured to flex to change their angle to a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the third sidewall 2c, under influence of external forces.

[0277] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b are integral with the third sidewall 2c.

[0278] According to a further aspect of the present disclosure, a distance between opposing inner surfaces 17a, 17b of the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b define a span S significantly less than the length of the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b or the third sidewall 2c. In preferred embodiment, the span S being at least 2 times less than the length of the application body 2, more preferably at least 3 times less than the length of the application body 2, even more preferably at least 5 times less than the length of the application body 2.

[0279] In the exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 23, each of said first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b has a generally uniform thickness and substantially flat vertical outer surfaces 25a, 25b and inner surface 17a, 17b respectively. The third sidewall 2c has a thickness greater than the thickness of the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b. Further, an outer surface 25c and an inner surface 17c of the third sidewall 2c are curved surfaces. The outer surface 25a, 25b of each of the sidewalls 2a, 2b forms a curved and smooth corner with said outer surface 25c of third sidewall 2c. Thus, a corner thickness is substantially greater than the uniform thickness of said first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b.

[0280] According to a further aspect of the present embodiment, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b act like two flexible flaps that extends transversally from the third sidewall 2c along substantially the entire length of the application body 2. During use, the flexible flaps 2a, 2b flex inwardly towards the third sidewall 2c during application to release the cosmetic product from the opening 3a of the U-shaped cavity 3.

[0281] According to a further aspect of the present embodiment, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b are configured to be folded relative to the third sidewall 2c between a collapsed state and a rested state, as shown in FIGS. 24 and 19 respectively.

[0282] In the rested state as shown in FIG. 19, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b extend in substantially parallel directions and substantially orthogonal/perpendicularly from the third sidewall 2c. In the collapsed sate, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b flex to collapse inwardly towards the third sidewall 2c and change their angle to a non-perpendicular angle with respect to the third sidewall 2c.

[0283] According to the disclosure, the thickness, the material, and/or the connection of the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b to the third sidewall 2c are selected such that the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b may flex/pivot with respect to the third sidewall 2c. More particularly, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b fold inwardly towards the inner surface 17c of the third sidewall 2c such that they abut each other and form a partially collapsed folded structure.

[0284] More particularly, when the application body 2 is under the influence of the external forces that are exerted on the application body 2 by the wiper and/or the neck of the container, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b flex/pivot inwardly towards the inner surface 17c of the third sidewall 2c to form a partially collapsed folded structure and wherein the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b abut each other in the collapsed state. The external forces are exerted on the application body 2 by the wiper and/or the neck of the container, when the application body 2 is pulled out as intended by the wiper 206 or the container neck or thrust back into the container again in the reverse direction. Further, when the force on the application body 2 is removed, the first and second sidewall 2a, 2b move back to their original state where the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b are substantially perpendicular to the third sidewall 2c.

[0285] According to yet another aspect of the present embodiment, the longitudinal U-shaped cavity 3 of the application body 2 helps retaining cosmetic product P which is available for loading, transporting and applying after wiping of the applicator head 10.

[0286] The term substantially perpendicular includes the meaning that there is a slight variation from a particular direction. More particularly, the term substantially perpendicular means perpendicular state with a deviation of less than 10. The term substantially parallel includes the meaning that there is a slight variation from the parallel direction. In other words, two objects or axis are at least 5 degrees or 10 degrees within the parallelism (Five or ten degrees of parallel), it means extending parallel to each other.

[0287] The term proximal designates the side toward the later cap 30 or the shank 7, while the term distal designates the side facing correspondingly away.

[0288] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the applicator head 10 may not be flocked, as shown in FIGS. 18 to 24.

[0289] According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, as seen in FIG. 25, the application body 2 of the applicator head 10 may have application elements 16 on at least a portion of the inner or outer surface or at least on one of the three sidewalls 2a, 2b, 2c. The application elements 16 may be selected from a group of tines, flocking, a texture surface and the like.

[0290] As seen in FIG. 25, the application elements 16 are flocking. The flocking can be implemented on a portion of the application body 2 mechanically, electrostatically or by a combination of both technologies. In variant embodiments, the application elements may be projections, bristles, tines, particles, ribs, grooves, discs, slits, cuts, holes, dimples, foam or other surface features or surface treatments (e.g., abrading) that are suitable for combing and/or loading, transporting and applying cosmetic product such as, for example, mascara, eyeshadow etc.

[0291] According to yet another aspect of the present embodiment, each of the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b has a greatest width W1 greater than a greatest width W of the third sidewall 2c, as shown in FIGS. 20-21. According to yet another aspect of the present embodiment, each of the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b has a width that varies along the longitudinal axis of the application body 2, see FIG. 20. More particularly, the width of the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b first increase from a distal end to up to a first portion P1 of a length of the application body 2, then decreases to up to a second portion P2 of the length of the application body 2 and then again increases to up to a third portion P3 of the length of the application body 2.

[0292] As seen in FIG. 20, the length of the second portion P2 is greater than the length of the first portion P1 and the length of the third portion P3; and the length of the first portion P1 is greater than the length of the third portion P3.

[0293] Further, as seen in FIG. 19, free edges of the each of the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b include a convex curve extending in the distal portion, the convex curve is followed by a straight edge in the middle portion; and the straight edge is followed by a concave curve near the proximal end of the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b respectively.

[0294] In variant embodiments, the application body 2 may have a substantially C-shaped transverse cross-section and C-shaped longitudinal cavity.

[0295] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the application body 2 may be fabricated from a material selected from a group consisting of elastomeric or deformable plastic, rubber, sintered or porous material and/or combinations thereof.

[0296] The applicator head 10 according to the disclosure can be manufactured in a single injection-molding step. The first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b must be sufficiently thin, so that even if no soft elastic plastic is used, the first and second sidewalls 2a, 2b may be able to flex and enfold a spring effect.

[0297] More particularly, 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.

[0298] FIG. 26 illustrates a longitudinal sectional view of a cosmetic package 1 including an applicator 100 according to a fourth embodiment of the disclosure. The cosmetic package 1, which is similar to the packages discussed with regard to FIGS. 1, 8, and 18, 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.

[0299] The applicator head 10 retained at a distal end of the stem 20 for applying the product; and the cap 30 at a proximal end of the stem 20. 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 storage receptacle 200, whereas the proximal side or proximal end is the side or end facing towards the removal opening of the receptacle 200. Further, the distal end of the stem 20 includes an interior longitudinal cavity 22 for receiving and retaining the applicator head 10.

[0300] Inserted in the neck 204 of the receptacle 200 is a wiper 206 for wiping off excess product from the cosmetic applicator 100. Further, the wiper 206 comprises a wiping orifice 215. Further, the applicator head 10 of 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.

[0301] As shown in FIGS. 26-28, the applicator head 10 comprises an applying member 8 at its distal portion and a shank member 7 at its proximal portion. The shank member 7 is configured to be received and retained within the cavity 22 of the stem 20.

[0302] According to an exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 27-30, the applying member 8 is elongated along a central longitudinal axis X of the applicator head 10. As seen in FIGS. 26 and 29, the applying member 8 has a longitudinal axis X which is in alignment with a longitudinal axis Y of the stem 22. The applying member 8 is elongated, that is to say its extent in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X is larger than its largest extension perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X.

[0303] Particularly, the largest extension of the applying member 8 in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X by at least a factor of 1.5, more preferably is greater by at least a factor of 2 than the greatest extension of the applying member 8 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

[0304] Referring to FIGS. 26-33, shows an applicator head 10 according to a still further embodiment of the present disclosure. The applying member 8 of the applicator head 10 comprises a columnar root portion 4 that forms a base of applying member 8 and a circular wing 5 extending from a distal end 26a of the columnar root portion 4. The circular wing 5 is constituted by a circular plate-shaped structure which is curved in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the applying member 8.

[0305] The columnar root portion 4 reduces gradually in thickness and width from a proximal end of the applying member 8 to a proximal end of the circular wing 5. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 27-28, the circular wing 5 has a diameter such that the circular wing 5 projects outward beyond an outer diameter of the columnar root portion 4 and an outer diameter of the stem 20.

[0306] By forming the circular wing 5 in a wide and curved plate shape, a sufficient amount of the cosmetic product can be scooped up, and the cosmetic can easily be applied widely over an application surface.

[0307] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the shank portion 7 inserted fixedly into the stem 20 is molded integrally with the applying member 8. As shown in FIG. 28, the circular wing 5 defines a distal end 13 of the applying member 8.

[0308] As seen in FIGS. 28-32, the circular wing 5 defines at least two main application faces opposite to each other, namely a first application face 5a and a second application face 5b opposite to the first application face 5a. At least one of the first application face 5a and the second application face 5b is concave, more particularly, as seen in FIG. 29, the first application face 5a has a concave outer surface 9a and the second application face 5b has a convex outer surface 9b.

[0309] Referring to FIGS. 28-32, the root portion 4 has two extensions that extend from a distal end 6a of the root portion 4, namely a first extension 4a and a second extension 4b that extend longitudinally in opposite directions on respective the first application face 5a and the second application face 5b of the circular wing 5, along the longitudinal axis X of the applying member 10. Each of the first and second extensions 4a, 4b extends along a longitudinal direction from a root portion 4 of the applying member 8 to up to at least a half a length of the respective faces the first application face 5a and the second application face 5b.

[0310] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the first and second extensions 4a, 4b define a rigid region on the applying member 8 that provides bending resistance during application. A portion of the circular wing 5 which is free from the first and second extensions 4a, 4b defines a flexible region which is flexible enough to flex and adjust according to contour of the application surface, thus allowing even and smooth application of the product during application.

[0311] According to exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 30-32, the first and second extensions 4a, 4b are identical in shape and dimensions, and extend parallel to each other over their entire length. However, in an alternate embodiment, the first and second extensions 4a, 4b may not be identical in shape and dimensions and may or may not extend in parallel directions. For example, in a still further embodiment of the applicator head 10 according present disclosure, and an applicator head 10 as shown in FIGS. 36-38, the first and second extensions 4a, 4b are of non-identical shapes and have different lengths along a longitudinal direction of the applying member 8.

[0312] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a length of each of the first and second extensions 4a, 4b is about at least 40% of a total length of the circular wing 5 but less than 95% of the length of the circular wing 5. Preferably, the total length each of the first and second extensions 4a, 4b is longer than its width, for example several times larger than its width.

[0313] The first and second extensions 4a, 4b may have any geometric cross-section, and may be, e.g., a rounded or have a rectangular, triangular, square, or an irregular cross-section.

[0314] The circular wing 5 is flexible enough to flex during application along contours of the human facial skin or lips so as to provide an even coating of the cosmetic product. The applying member 8 picks up generous amount of product in the concavity of the first application face 5a.

[0315] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, an outer surface of the applying member 8 is covered with application element 16 which in this case is flocked fibers 16, refer FIG. 35. Briefly, the fibers 16 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.

[0316] The flocking finish to the outer surface of the applying member 8 may be achieved by an appropriately chosen known technique, such as electrostatic flocking. The applying member 8 may be flocked over substantially its entire visible surface. In a variant, at least one of the first and second 4 extensions 4a, 4b of the applying member 8 may be flocked. In yet another variant, only the circular wing 5 that is used for applying the composition may be flocked.

[0317] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the circular wing 5 may have a smooth or a rough surface, before flocking. Preferably, at least one of the first application face 5a or the second application face 5b has a textured surface.

[0318] According to a variant embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIGS. 36-38, the circular wing 5 has a massaging texture on the convex surface 9b of the second application face 5b for skin stimulation and enhanced absorption of the cosmetic product, and whereas the first application face 5a has a concave surface for smooth application of the cosmetic product. The massaging texture includes a faceted surface.

[0319] Upon withdrawing the cosmetic applicator 100 from the state of being immersed in the cosmetic product (the state shown in FIG. 26), the cosmetic product is picked up and retained on the entire surface of the circular wing 5 due to flocking 16. As shown in FIG. 26, the widest part of the circular wing 5 has a larger width than the widest part of the wiper orifice 215. Accordingly, when the cosmetic applicator 100 shown in FIG. 26 is withdrawn from the receptacle 200, the widest part of the circular wing 5 catches in the wiper orifice 215 of the wiper 206, refer FIG. 34. Since, the circular wing 5 is made of an elastically deformable material in the present embodiment, it is deformed at the widest part catching in the wiper orifice 215 so as to be able to pass through the wiper orifice 215.

[0320] Since the first application face 5a of the circular wing 5, where most of the cosmetic product is retained, has the concave outer surface 9a, the circular wing 5 is curled into a substantial C-shape. Since the circular wing 5 is curled into the substantially C-shape, the cosmetic product remains retained inside the C-shape while the circular wing 5 is in a deformed state. On the other hand, the second application face 5b has the convex outer surface and is wiped by the wiper 206. The second application face 5b is wiped more and acts as a blending surface for easy application of the cosmetic product which is applied by the first application face 5a of the circular wing 5.

[0321] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, the wiper 206 is made of an elastically deformable material, so that both the circular wing 5 and the wiper orifice 215 are deformed to reduce the resistance against the withdrawal and insertion, whereby the convenience of use is further improved.

[0322] After the circular wing 5 passes through the wiper orifice 215, it restores the original shape as shown in FIG. 29 with no force by the wiper orifice 215 imposed thereto. Accordingly, as the original shape is restored, the cosmetic product is spread over the entire area of the first application face 5a of the circular wing 5. As a result, the circular wing 5 is able to apply the cosmetic product uniformly to the lips or any other part of the body. At this time, there is very little retention of the cosmetic product on the second application face 5b of the circular wing 5, so that a user can apply the cosmetic product quickly at ease without feeling worried about unintentional application to other than the target region. The wiper 206 serves to wipe off not only the excess cosmetic product attached to the circular wing 5 but also the cosmetic product attached to the stem 20.

[0323] According to an embodiment, the container 10 and the cap 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 container 10 and the cap 30 may be made of a flexible material like flexible polymeric material or any other material known in the art.

[0324] 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.

[0325] 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. When the stem 20 is not of circular cross-section, the cap 30 is 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 cross-section of the stem 20.

[0326] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the applicator head 10 is made, at least in part, from a material that is more flexible than a material from which the stem 20 is made. According to an embodiment, the receptacle 200 and the cap 30 is made of a rigid material like glass, metal, hard plastic or any other material known in the art. In alternate embodiments, the receptacle 200 and the cap 30 is made of a flexible material like flexible polymeric material or any other material known in the art.

[0327] 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 are fit together by friction fit, by gluing, crimping, magnetic engagement and the like. According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the stem 20 has a longitudinal axis Y that is rectilinear as shown. In alternate embodiments, the stem is curved.

[0328] FIGS. 39A-45 show an applicator head 170 according to a fifth embodiment of the disclosure. FIGS. 39A, 39B, and 39C show a front view, side view and cross section view, respectively, of the applicator head 170 according to this embodiment. Head 170 has connection base or root 162 at its proximal end. Root 162 is adapted to connect head 170 with a container holding a cosmetic substance, as will be explained below. Root 162 supports one or more root extensions 164 that extend in the distal direction. Connected with root extensions 164 is a circular applicator member or spatula 166. According to this embodiment, spatula 166 is formed from wings 166a, 166b that extend outward from the root extensions 164. According to some embodiments, wing or spatula 166 forms a circular outline. The disclosure is not limited to a spatula 166 formed as a circular wing. Other shapes of the spatula are within the scope of the disclosure, include those disclosed with regard to the previous embodiments.

[0329] As shown in FIG. 39B, wing 166 is curved about a longitudinal axis of head 170. A first surface 165a of wing 166 is concave. A second surface of wing 166 is convex. As shown in FIG. 39A, at the distal end of root extension 164 is opening 163. As shown in the cross section in FIG. 39C, opening 163 is at the distal end of internal passage 169. Passage 169 extends from an intake opening 167 within root 162, through root extensions 164 to opening 163. The opening 167 is in fluid connection with passage 169 through head 170. In this embodiment, opening is positioned near the center of circular wing 166.

[0330] In the embodiments of FIGS. 39A, 39B and 39C, a single root extension 164 extends distally from root 162 and intersects both the first surface 165a and second surface 165b of wing 166. Internal passage 169 runs along the longitudinal axis of this root extension. According to other embodiments, two or more root extensions 164 may be provided. For example, two separate root extensions 164 may be provided with one extension along the first surface 165a of wing 166 and a second root extension 164 along the second surface 165b of wing 166.

[0331] FIGS. 40A and 40B show additional views of applicator head 170. As shown in FIG. 40A, root extension 164 may be molded as a continuous body with wing or spatula 166. First surface 165a has a concave shape that is adapted to hold a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic substance. According to one embodiment, first surface 165a is smooth and is adapted to apply the cosmetic substance to a user's skin. According to some embodiments, wing 166 has a diameter between about 11 mm and 23 mm. According to a preferred embodiment, wing 166 has a diameter of about 15 mm.

[0332] FIG. 40B is a rear view of head 170 showing second surface 165b. Second surface 165b is convex. Bas-relief texture features 158, such as raised points or facets in a diamond pattern may be provided. According to other embodiments texture features 158 may form a representation of an object associated with health and beauty products, such as a slice of a citrus fruit. An example of such a pattern is shown in FIG. 40C. Second surface 165b and textured feature 158 are adapted to massage a user's skin, for example, to work the applied cosmetic substance into the skin.

[0333] FIG. 41 shows applicator head 170 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Root extension 164 extends from root 162 distally across first surface 165a. In this embodiment, three delivery openings 163a, 163b, 163c are provided. These openings are arranged along the longitudinal axis of head 170 and are positioned between the distal and proximal end of wing 166. These openings connect with internal passage 169 of root extension 164 as shown in FIG. 39C to receive cosmetic product delivered to the head, as will be explained below. Holes 163a, 163b, 163c may be positioned to evenly distribute cosmetic product across the surface of wing 166 to facilitate application of the cosmetic product to the user's skin.

[0334] According to some embodiments, head 170 is formed by a molding process including, but not limited to injection-molding. Head may be formed from one or more of 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) and the like. The material used to form head 170 has a hardness preferably between about Shore A 50 to about Shore A 80. Most preferably, the material has a hardness of about Shore A 70.

[0335] FIG. 42A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a cosmetic applicator 150 according to the disclosure. Head 170 is mounted to container 154. Container 154 includes an airless pump mechanism 190 to deliver a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic product or other substance stored in a chamber 156 within container 154 to first surface 165a of head 170. FIG. 42B is a cross section of cosmetic applicator 150.

[0336] Chamber 156 contains a bulk quantity of a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic product or other substance. Intake opening 167 extends into chamber 156. At the bottom of chamber 156 is a slidable seal 210. Seal 210 closes the bottom end of chamber 156 and maintains a hermetic seal with the walls of the chamber as it slides upward when product is dispensed from the chamber 156.

[0337] Pump chamber 193 is connected with product chamber 156 by intake port or opening 167. Check valve 194 is provided at opening 167 to allow the product to flow into pump chamber 193, but to prevent the product from flowing back into product chamber 156.

[0338] Piston 195 is fitted into pump chamber 193. Piston 195 is surrounded by piston seal 195a. Shaft 199 supports piston 195. Shaft 199 is surrounded by dispensing cylinder 197. The distal end of dispensing cylinder 197 is in fluid communication with intake port 167 of head 170. A space between dispensing cylinder 197 and shaft 199 creates a passage for product to move distally into intake port 167 when the pump is actuated.

[0339] Cam followers 198 are connected with shaft 199. Cam plate 196 is connected with button 192. Button 192 extends from the side of pump 190. When button 192 is pressed, cam plate 196 moves leftward in the view of FIG. 42B. Cam plate 196 includes cam slots 196a arranged at an angle, for example, about 45 degrees, to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 199.

[0340] When button 192 is pressed, cam plate 196 moves laterally causing cam slots 196a to drive cam followers 198 and shaft 199 in the proximal direction, pushing piston 195 into chamber 193. This motion pressurizes product in chamber 193. Product in chamber 193 is prevented from returning to cavity 156 by check valve 194. Seal 195a surrounding piston 195 is arranged so that the pressurized product is allowed to move past piston 195 distally along the space between shaft 199 and dispensing cylinder 197. Product in chamber 193 is forced in the distal direction and then distally through intake port 167 and internal passage 169 of head 170. The product exits from openings 163a, 163b, 163c and onto the first surface 165a of wing 166.

[0341] When button 192 is released, a spring or other biasing mechanism drives shaft 199 upward, pulling piston 195 in the distal direction. Seal 195a is arranged so that when the piston moves distally, a liquid-tight interface is formed between piston 195 and the wall of chamber 193. The distal motion of piston 195 causes product to be drawn through check valve 194 into chamber 193. Product now in chamber 193 is ready to be dispensed the next time button 192 is pressed. By selecting the dimensions of components of pump 190, the amount of the product delivered to head 170 each time button 192 is pressed can be selected.

[0342] Other embodiments of airless pumps that can be used to deliver liquid or semi-liquid products from cavity 156 to head 170 are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 8,631,975, issued on Jan. 21, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0343] FIGS. 43A and 43B show another embodiment of a cosmetic applicator 150 according to the disclosure. Head 170 is connected with a squeeze tube 300. Tube 300 includes a collapsible body 302. At the distal end of body 302 is a connection collar 304. Root 162 of head 170 is fitted into collar 304 to hermetically seal the head 170 with tube 300. The proximal end of body 302 is closed by seal 306. A bulk quantity of a cosmetic product or other substance is provided inside body 302. When pressure is applied to the sides of body 302, the product is pressurized and driven in the distal direction along passage 169 and out from openings 163 onto first surface 165a of wing or spatula 166.

[0344] Body 302 may be formed from a material that plastically deforms, such as a soft alloy of aluminum. According to this embodiment, as product is delivered to head 170 by squeezing body 302, the volume of body 302 is reduced, preventing air from being drawn in the proximal direction along passage 169. This arrangement may reduce the amount of air in contact with product within body 302 and may reduce oxidation of the product.

[0345] FIG. 44 shows another embodiment of a cosmetic applicator 150 according to the disclosure with head 170 connected with a click-pen mechanism 400. Click pen mechanism 400 is formed from a fixed portion 452 and a rotatable portion 456. Within fixed portion 452 is product chamber 456. A bulk quantity of cosmetic product or other liquid or semi-liquid substance is held in chamber 456. Root 162 of head 170 is inserted into the distal end of fixed portion 452, forming a hermetic seal and putting internal passage 169 in fluid communication with chamber 456.

[0346] At the proximal end of chamber 456 is slidable piston 460. Piston 460 fits against the walls of fixed portion 452, closes the proximal end of chamber 456, and prevents the product from moving in the proximal direction. Lead screw 458 extends proximally from piston 460. Lead screw 458 is fixed with piston 460 so that it cannot rotate with respect to fixed portion 452. Drive nut 462 is fixed with rotatable portion 465. Lead screw 458 is threaded into nut 462. The threading of nut 462 and screw 460 are selected so that counterclockwise rotation of nut 462 with respect to lead screw 458 causes screw 458 to move in the distal direction. According to an alternative embodiment, screw 458 and nut 462 are threaded so that clockwise rotation of the nut relative to the screw moves the piston in the distal direction.

[0347] Rotatable portion 456 is provided at the proximal end of mechanism 400. Rotatable portion 456 is fixed along the longitudinal axis with respect to fixed portion 452 and can rotate relative to fixed portion 452. According to one embodiment, the engagement of rotatable portion 456 with fixed portion 452 includes a one-way mechanism that allows the rotatable portion to turn in only one preselected direction, for example, counterclockwise and prevents rotation in the opposite direction. According to another embodiment, a click mechanism may provide the user with an audible and/or tactile signal indicating how far the rotatable portion has been rotated relative to the fixed portion.

[0348] In operation, a user grasps fixed portion 452 and turns rotatable portion 456 counterclockwise relative to the fixed portion causing piston to advance in the distal direction. This distal motion pressurizes the product in chamber 456 and drives the product through passage 169 and onto wing 166 of head 170.

[0349] FIGS. 45A and 45B show head 170 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. Head 170 includes a connection base or root 162 in the form of a shank. When the applicator is assembled, root 162 is inserted into a distal end of a container, such as airless pump container 150 shown in FIGS. 42A and 42B, squeeze tube container 300 shown in FIGS. 43A and 43B, or click-pen mechanism 400 shown in FIG. 44. As with the previous embodiments, spatula or circular wing 166 extends from root 162 and root extensions 164. The circular wing 166 is constituted by a circular plate-shaped structure which is curved as discussed with respect to the previous embodiments.

[0350] Circular wing 166 forms a first application face 165a and a second application face 165b. As with embodiments disclosed above with respect to FIGS. 39A-44, first face 165a may be concave and second face 165b may be convex.

[0351] As shown in front view FIG. 45A and rear view, FIG. 45B, of head 170, root portion 162 has two root extensions 164a and 164b that extend root 162 longitudinally across the first application face 165a and the second application face 165b of the circular wing 166.

[0352] Passage 169 extends through root 162 and distally through the interior of first extension 164a. As shown in 40a, passage 169 terminates in an opening 168 adjacent with first application surface 165a. As discussed with the embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 39A-44, product delivered to passage 169 via intake port 167 at the proximal end of root 162 flows onto the first application surface 165a.

[0353] FIG. 46 shows a head 170 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. As described with respect to FIGS. 10-15, this head includes a spatula or wing 166 that extends from a support body 164a. In this embodiment, support body 164a forms part of root extension 164. Root 162 is connected with the proximal end of root extension 164. Passage 169 extends through root 162 and terminates with an opening 163 on the root extension 164 adjacent to the first application surface 165a of wing 166. As described with the previous embodiments, root 162 is connected with a pump mechanism, such as the airless pump 190, squeeze tube 300, or click-pen 400 so that product delivered from a bulk storage container is delivered to head 170 via passage 169.

[0354] It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the disclosure, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. For example, the shapes and/or sizes of various components can be different from the shapes and sizes shown herein. As another example, the materials used for various components can be different from those mentioned specifically herein.