HK1194635A - Cosmetic applicator - Google Patents

Description

Cosmetic applicator

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority benefits from U.S. patent application No.13/283,927 filed 2011, 10, 28, in accordance with the provisions of 35u.s.c. § 119(e), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to applicators for cosmetic products. More particularly, the present invention relates to applicators for applying cosmetic compositions to eyelashes.

Background

The general purpose of a mascara applicator or mascara brush is to remove a sufficient supply of mascara from a container, carry it away from the reservoir of the container without dripping, and apply it evenly to the eyelashes. The applicator must do this without depositing a mass or bolus of material on the eyelashes.

Conventional mascara applicators generally include a brush having a twisted wire core and a bristle portion. The bristle section generally includes a plurality of uniformly sized bristles that are evenly spaced along the entire length of the bristle section. While these applicators are generally capable of depositing mascara onto eyelashes, they do not facilitate the application of the product to all of the eyelashes in a precise or detailed manner, specifically, to the inner, middle, and outer portions of the eyelashes. Therefore, the user must carry a variety of applicators, or must manipulate the brush in an unnatural direction to cover the eyelashes.

It is therefore desirable to provide a cosmetic applicator having multiple sections capable of uniformly covering the inner, middle, and outer eyelashes of a user with a single operating stroke.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with the foregoing and other objects, the present invention provides an applicator for applying a composition to the eyelashes of a user. The applicator includes an applicator element including a major portion, a middle portion, and a minor portion adapted to cover an outer portion, a middle portion, and an inner portion of a user's eyelashes, respectively, with a composition (e.g., eyelashes). The three portions of the applicator element include bristles sized and spaced to facilitate uniform application of the composition without clumping of mascara.

In one aspect of the invention, an applicator for applying a product to eyelashes is provided. The applicator includes a grip (handle) that is attached, directly or indirectly, to the proximal end of the applicator element. Typically, the applicator element has a generally elongate body comprising, in series from its proximal end to its distal end, a first portion, a second portion and a third portion. Each of the three portions includes a plurality of bristles extending radially from the body. The spacing between adjacent bristles is generally greatest in the first section and smallest in the third section.

In one embodiment, the length of the longest bristles in each of the three sections of the applicator element may be different from the longest bristles in each of the other sections. For example, the longest bristles in the first portion may be larger than the longest bristles in the second portion, and the longest bristles in the second portion may be larger than the longest bristles in the third portion. Also, the length of the bristles in each section may be different to give each section a generally oval or spherical appearance.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art after a reading of the following detailed description of the invention, including the accompanying drawings and appended claims.

Drawings

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings:

fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of an applicator according to the present invention;

FIG. 2A shows a top view of an exemplary applicator element according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2B shows a side view of an exemplary applicator element according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of an exemplary applicator element according to the present disclosure; and

fig. 4 shows a process view for applying a material according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

All terms used herein are intended to have their ordinary meaning in the art unless otherwise indicated.

The applicator elements described herein are suitable for applying a composition, such as a cosmetic composition, to the eyelashes, and may also be suitable for giving a combing effect to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the eyelashes. In particular, the applicator element according to the present invention is used for applying an eyelash composition to eyelashes, including but not limited to: colored and colorless mascara, a pharmaceutically and/or cosmetically effective mascara composition, one or more portions of a multi-component mascara formulation, or combinations thereof.

Referring to fig. 1, an exemplary mascara applicator according to the present invention is shown. The applicator includes an applicator element 110, a stem 102, and a cap 103.

Applicator element 110 includes a cylindrical molded plastic body 111 extending from a proximal end to a distal end. As shown, the applicator element 110 includes a plurality of bristles 120 (also sometimes referred to in the art as "bristles") that extend outwardly from the body 111 such that the body is substantially covered with bristles. The body 111 and bristles 120 may be integrally molded from any suitable material, such as a plastic, such as a thermoplastic polymeric elastomer, a thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer, or a compound thermoplastic material, including SBS or SEBS. In one embodiment, the body 111 and bristles 120 may be injection molded. Generally, the body 111 and bristles 120 may be manufactured according to the methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,325,550 to Eckers et al, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

The body 111 preferably has a length of about 20mm to about 40mm, more preferably about 25mm to about 35mm, and most preferably about 30 mm. The width and/or diameter of the body 111 may vary along its length or may remain constant throughout. In one embodiment, the width of the body 111 at its thickest point near the proximal end is about 3mm and the width at its thinnest point near the distal end is about 2 mm. However, in other embodiments, the body 111 may have a constant thickness, or a varying thickness from about 1mm to about 4 mm.

Although shown as having a slightly curved cylindrical shape, the body 111 may have any suitable shape suitable for applying product to the eyelashes, such as a generally linear shape, or a continuously curved shape. In particular embodiments, the body 111 may have a closed curve or polygonal cross-sectional shape, such as, for example, circular, oval, elliptical, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, star-shaped, polygonal, and the like. Preferably, the body 111 is substantially rigid so as not to bend during use. However, in certain embodiments, the body 111 may be flexible so that it can be manipulated (e.g., bent) by a user prior to use.

As shown, the applicator element 110 includes a plurality of bristles 120 for holding and releasing a cosmetic composition, such as mascara. Typically, each bristle 120 may be described as a protrusion and/or a tooth bristle, which is wider at its base than at its ends. In certain embodiments, bristles 120 may be secured to body 111 in any manner known in the art, including pinned set, fusing, adhesive, or molding methods. The bristles 120 may include any suitable surface (e.g., textured or smooth) capable of holding and delivering a dose of product. Also, the bristles 120 may also be capable of imparting various types of aesthetically pleasing appearances to the eyelashes, such as a thick appearance, a separated appearance (i.e., each eyelash is separated from each other), a curved appearance, and so forth.

The length of the bristles 120 according to one embodiment of the present invention is typically less than 10mm, less than 7.5mm, less than 5mm, less than 2.5 mm. In one embodiment, the length of the bristles 120 is between 0.1mm and 3 mm. In another embodiment, the diameter of the bristles 120, measured at the base, is between about 0.2mm and 0.8mm, and typically about 0.5mm in diameter. As described in detail below, the bristles 120 may be formed such that some or all of the bristles have different diameters, lengths, or cross-sectional shapes. For example, some bristles 120 may have one diameter, length, and/or shape, while other bristles will have another diameter, length, and/or shape. Also, the cross-sectional shape or diameter of each bristle 120 may vary along its length. Without limitation, the bristles 120 may be integrally formed with the body 111, or may be fibers, artificial or natural, implanted therein.

The applicator element 110 of the present invention comprises at least three portions 130, 140, 150 comprising a body 111. These portions 130, 140, 150 are adapted to engage different portions of a user's eyelashes to improve the application of the cosmetic composition or to provide an aesthetically pleasing combing effect without requiring the user to carry and use different tools and/or manipulate the applicator in an unnatural direction. For example, applicator element 110 may include a small portion 150, a middle portion 140, and a large portion 130 for applying mascara to the inner, middle, and outer portions of the eyelashes, respectively. Such tools enable improved application of the cosmetic composition, such as through a single operating stroke. These portions 130, 140, 150 will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 2.

In some embodiments, the applicator element includes a detailing tip 160 at its distal end. The detailing tip 160 includes the bristles 120 and can be used to reach the interior angle of the eyelashes. The refining end will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 3.

In some embodiments, grip 105 is fixed to the proximal end of applicator element 110. Grip 105 may include a cap 103 reversibly securable to a cosmetic composition container and a rod 102 secured at one end to the cap and at the other end to applicator element 110. The grip 105 allows the user to hold and operate the applicator with the hand or fingers. Specifically, grip 105 is sized and shaped so that the user holds the grip between the thumb and forefinger and manipulates the applicator to apply the mascara composition to the eyelashes. Alternatively, the size and shape of the grip 105 is such that the user holds the grip in the palm center and manipulates the applicator to the eyelashes to provide a combing effect.

Referring to fig. 2A, a top view of an applicator element 110 according to the present invention is shown. As shown, the applicator element 110 includes three portions along the longitudinal axis I-I of the body 111: a major portion 130, a middle portion 140, and a minor portion 150. Each section includes an array of bristles 120 arranged in a generally oval or spherical pattern with the shorter bristles toward the ends of each section and the longer bristles toward the center of each section. The density of the array (i.e., the spacing between the bristles) is different in different portions 130, 140, 150 so that the product can be applied evenly to different portions of the eyelashes (outer, middle, inner) without clumping of mascara.

As shown, the majority portion 130 is adapted to engage the longest eyelashes positioned toward the outer canthus of the user's eyes. The majority 130 includes a plurality of bristles 120 that vary in length from about 2mm to about 5 mm. The bristles 120 are shown to increase in length toward the center of the major portion 130 and decrease in length toward the ends of the portion, such that the portion approximates a spherical shape. The bristles are typically separated by about 2mm to about 3mm, most typically about 2.5mm (e.g., 2.52mm), measured from the end of one bristle to the end of an adjacent bristle. Typically, the total length of the majority portion 130 along the longitudinal axis I-I of the body 111 is about 10mm to about 15mm, typically about 12 mm. Accordingly, the majority portion 130 preferably includes about 60 to 80 bristles, more preferably about 65 to about 75 bristles, and most preferably about 70 bristles (e.g., 72 bristles).

The middle portion 140 is adapted to engage the intermediate length eyelashes in the middle of the user's eyes. The middle portion 140 includes a plurality of bristles 120 that vary in length from about 2mm to about 3.5 mm. The illustrated bristles 120 also increase in length toward the center of the middle portion 140 and decrease in length toward the ends of the portion such that the portion approximates a spherical shape. The bristles are typically separated by about 1.5mm to about 2mm, most typically about 1.9mm (e.g., 1.89mm), measured from the end of one bristle to the end of an adjacent bristle. Typically, the overall length of the middle portion 140 along the longitudinal axis I-I of the body 111 is about 8mm to about 10mm, typically about 9 mm. Accordingly, the middle portion 140 preferably includes about 60 to 80 bristles, more preferably about 65 to about 75 bristles, and most preferably about 70 bristles (e.g., 73 bristles).

The small portion 150 is adapted to engage the shortest eyelashes that are positioned toward the inner canthus of the user's eyes. The small portion 150 includes a plurality of bristles 120 that vary in length from about 2mm to about 3 mm. The illustrated bristles 120 also increase in length toward the center of the segment 150 and decrease in length toward the ends of the segment, such that the segment approximates a spherical shape. The bristles are typically separated by about 1mm to about 1.5mm, most typically about 1.3mm (e.g., 1.26mm), measured from the end of one bristle to the end of an adjacent bristle. Typically, the total length of the small portion 150 along the longitudinal axis I-I of the body 111 is about 5mm to about 8mm, most typically about 6 mm. Thus, the small portion 150 preferably includes about 70 to 90 bristles, more preferably about 75 to about 85 bristles, and most preferably about 80 bristles.

In one embodiment, the three portions 130, 140, 150 and/or the detailing tip 160 can be removably attached to each other, such as by snapping or mating threads. For example, the distal end of the large portion 130 may include threads that engage threads located on the proximal end of the middle portion 140. As another example, the distal end of the middle portion 140 may include a detent that engages a detent of the proximal end of the small portion 150. In yet another example, the distal end of the small portion 150 may include threads that engage mating threads located on the proximal end of the detailing tip 160. In this way, a user may store the applicator in a disassembled state, or may customize an applicator to include any number of small portions 150, medium portions 140, and/or large portions 130, which may or may not have detailing tips 160.

The illustrated applicator element 110 includes a catch 114 at its distal end that engages with the stem of a grip (not shown) so that the applicator element 110 can be easily manipulated by a user to apply the composition to the eyelashes. Although a snap 114 is shown, the applicator element may be attached to the rod by any other means known in the art, such as, but not limited to, mating threads or the like.

Referring to fig. 2B, a side view of the applicator element 110 is shown. As shown, the applicator element body is preferably curved about axis I-I to match the natural shape of the eyelashes, such that the small, medium, and large portions 150, 140, 130 may better engage the inner, medium, and outer portions of the eyelashes, respectively. Thus, the body 111 of the applicator element 110 may be bent such that the radius of curvature of the bend is about 40mm to about 60mm, preferably about 50 mm. As noted above, the body 111, while typically rigid, can be made flexible so that a user can bend or manipulate the body into a desired arc.

Referring to fig. 3, a front view of an exemplary applicator is shown, wherein the applicator includes an optional detailing tip 160 that can be used to apply the product to the innermost canthus of the user's eye. The detailing tip 160 includes about 10 to about 20 bristles 120, preferably about 15 bristles. As shown, one or more bristles 120 may be implanted side-by-side or near side-by-side into the plane of the applicator. The length and position of the one or more bristles 120 can vary, but typically the length is from about 0.5mm to about 5mm, more typically from about 1mm to about 3mm, and most typically about 2 mm.

In one embodiment, the detailing tip 160 can be manufactured as an integral part of the applicator element 110. However, in other embodiments, the detailing tip 160 can be a separate component that can be permanently affixed to the distal end of the applicator element 110, or can be removable and/or replaceable. It will be appreciated that the detailing tip 160 is optional and the distal end of the applicator can simply comprise a flat or rounded surface without the bristles 120.

Referring to fig. 4A through 4C, exemplary process views are shown. As shown, the applicator element 110 is attached to a grip, which is surrounded by a cap 103 that can be reversibly fixed to the container 180, the proximal end of the rod 102 being fixed to the cap and the other end thereof being fixed to the applicator element.

The particular shape of the rod 102 is not important, but the rod may have an elongated shape, and may have a solid or hollow interior. For example, the rod 102 may be in the shape of a solid elongated cylinder, a hollow elongated cylinder having a space inside concentric with the longitudinal axis of the rod, or the rod may have an irregular cross-section, a U-shaped cross-section, or the like. Other suitable shapes for the rod may include solid or hollow elongated shapes having cross-sectional shapes that are closed curve or polygonal, e.g., circular, oval, elliptical, triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, star-shaped polygonal, and the like. Additionally, the rod may be made of any suitable material such that the rod is flexible, semi-flexible, rigid, or semi-rigid.

The cap 103 is preferably sized to fit over a portion of the container 180 and is capable of reversibly engaging the neck portion of the container using any suitable reversible connector mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the neck portion of the container 180 and the cap 103 have mating threads. In another embodiment, the neck portion of the container 180 may include a cutout, and the cap 103 may include a corresponding recess for engaging the cutout.

Preferably, the kit comprising applicator element 110, stem 102, cap 103 and container 180 may be made of plastic, metal and/or thermoplastic elastomer, manufactured using injection and/or injection blow molding, and assembled by a snap-fit assembly. However, it is contemplated that any other materials, manufacturing methods, and/or assembly methods may be used. In particular, the cap 103 and container 180 may be made of an anodized plastic material to provide a metal-like appearance.

The container 180 may also include at least one wiper blade to remove excess product from the applicator element 10. Applicator element 110 may be used in combination with container 180 by first placing the applicator in the container so that the applicator element is in contact with the product.

As shown in fig. 4B, the applicator 100 is withdrawn from the container 180 to meter out a dose of product (e.g., a cosmetic composition such as mascara) onto the applicator. While the applicator 100 is withdrawn from the container 180, the wiper blade removes excess product from the applicator element 110 by a smooth movement and pushes the excess product into the container.

The wiper blade may be attached to the inner or outer surface of the container 180 or an integral part thereof and may be capable of removing excess cosmetic composition from most, middle and/or small portions of the applicator element 110. In some embodiments, the wiper may be attached to or an integral part of the opening of the container 180. Preferably, the wiper is attached to the neck of the container 180.

It is contemplated that the wiper blade may have any suitable size and/or shape. Preferably, the wiper blade is suitably sized and/or shaped to enable removal of excess cosmetic composition from a small, medium and/or large portion of the applicator element 110 with a single motion when the applicator 100 is removed from the container 180. In one embodiment, the shape of the blade substantially matches the cross-section of the applicator element 110.

Referring to fig. 4C, once applicator 110 is primed with product, applicator 100 may be used to apply material to a desired structure or surface. In the case of mascara, the filled applicator element 110 may be used to apply mascara to the eyelashes of a user. As shown, the user may align the applicator element 110 with the overall width of the eyelash span. By contacting the eyelashes with the applicator element 110, mascara may be transferred from the applicator element to the eyelashes. For example, the user may position the applicator element 110 onto the eyelashes such that the applicator element is placed in contact with the roots of the eyelashes. The user may then pull the applicator element 110 along the eyelashes toward their ends, forcing the eyelashes into interaction with the applicator. This simplified operation provides effective and yet full coverage due to the novel shape of the applicator element 110, and allows the user to apply a uniform and consistent mascara coating across the entire eyelash (e.g., inner, middle and outer portions of the eyelash).

The invention as described and claimed herein is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments herein disclosed, since these embodiments are intended as illustrations of several aspects of the invention. Any equivalent embodiments should be included within the scope of the present invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. All publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims (17)

1. An applicator for applying a product to eyelashes, comprising:

a grip attached directly or indirectly to a proximal end of an applicator element, the applicator element having a generally elongate body comprising, in series from its proximal end to its distal end, a first portion, a second portion and a third portion, the portions each comprising a plurality of bristles extending radially from the body, wherein a spacing between adjacent bristles is greatest in the first portion and smallest in the third portion.

2. The applicator of claim 1 wherein the longest bristles in each section are of a different length than the longest bristles in each other section.

3. The applicator of claim 1 wherein the length of the bristles in each section varies to give each section a generally ovoid or spherical appearance.

4. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the grip is connected to the proximal end of the applicator element by an elongate rod.

5. The applicator of claim 1, wherein adjacent bristles of the first portion are separated by about 2mm to about 3 mm.

6. The applicator of claim 1, wherein adjacent bristles of the second portion are separated by about 1.5mm to about 2 mm.

7. The applicator of claim 1, wherein adjacent bristles of the third portion are separated by about 1mm to about 1.5 mm.

8. The applicator of claim 1, wherein adjacent bristles of the first portion are separated by about 2mm to about 3 mm; adjacent bristles of the second section are separated by about 1.5mm to about 2 mm; adjacent bristles of the third section are separated by about 1mm to about 1.5 mm.

9. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the longest bristles of the first section are longer than the longest bristles of the second section, and the longest bristles of the second section are longer than the longest bristles of the third section.

10. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the bristles of the first, second and third sections are about 0.5mm in diameter.

11. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the body is curved.

12. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the body comprising the first, second and third portions is molded plastic.

13. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the second portion is removably attached to the first portion and the third portion is removably attached to the second portion.

14. The applicator of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises about 60 to about 80 bristles, the second portion comprises about 60 to about 80 bristles, and the third portion comprises about 70 to about 90 bristles.

15. The applicator of claim 1, further comprising a detailing tip located at a distal end of the body.

16. The applicator of claim 15, wherein the detailing tip comprises one or more bristles extending parallel to an axis extending from the body distal end.

17. The applicator of claim 16, wherein the detailing tip is removably attached to the distal end of the third portion.