CN111295112A

CN111295112A - Cosmetic applicator

Info

Publication number: CN111295112A
Application number: CN201880070538.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 什帕·库库雷亚
Original assignee: HCT Packaging Inc
Current assignee: HCT Packaging Inc
Priority date: 2017-10-29
Filing date: 2018-09-28
Publication date: 2020-06-16
Also published as: US20190125059A1; WO2019083687A1; KR20200075866A; EP3700385A1

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic or care product includes an applicator head constructed of a heat storage material. The applicator head is retained at the distal end of the shaft. The applicator head includes an application member at a distal portion of the applicator head. The coating member includes at least one side and an end face, and a longitudinal feed channel is disposed within the coating member. The distal end of the longitudinal feed channel is open to the end face of the application body and defines an opening at the end face.

Description

Cosmetic applicator

Cross reference to related patent applications

This application claims the benefit and priority of indian patent application serial number 201711038344 filed on 29/10/2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a cosmetic applicator for applying a flowable cosmetic or pharmaceutical product, in particular a liquid, viscous or semi-viscous liquid, emulsion, gel or suspension, to a surface, in particular a biological surface, for example human skin or keratin materials. More particularly, the present invention relates generally to a cosmetic applicator formed of a heat storage material and including at least one feed channel.

Background

Cosmetic applicators, such as dips or stick applicators, are known in the cosmetic industry. Cosmetic packages typically include an applicator for dispensing a particular cosmetic product contained in a package reservoir. Cosmetic applicators generally include a stem with a cap at one end; and an applicator head in the form of a brush, spatula or other applicator structure suitable for applying a cosmetic or care product, including viscous cosmetics, mascara, eyeliner, lip gloss, hair dye, wound care, skin care, eye make-up, pharmaceuticals and the like.

One such applicator for applying and transporting a quantity of cosmetic product to the skin of a user is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 6,331,085. The applicator includes a generally cylindrical elastomeric tip with a long axis, the tip including a distal end portion having a distal tip with at least one recess of retaining material formed therein, and the recess having an edge.

Another us patent No. 7,481,591 discloses an applicator comprising a rod and an application surface formed by a plurality of cones. These cones have a certain elasticity and movability and can therefore massage the cosmetic product stored between the cones.

While such applicators are generally satisfactory, there remains a need for a cosmetic applicator for applying a satisfactory amount of cosmetic to a biological surface and that can provide treatment, therapy and/or perception during use.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cosmetic package is provided that includes a cosmetic applicator for applying a product including a cosmetic or care product. Cosmetic or care products include viscous cosmetics such as mascara, eyebrow dye, lip gloss, hair dye, skin care agents, eye makeup, pharmaceuticals, and the like.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an applicator includes an applicator head retained at a distal end of a stem for applying a product; and a cap at the proximal end of the stem.

According to one aspect of the invention, a cosmetic package includes a container configured to contain a product and a cosmetic applicator. The applicator head is configured to be inserted into the container so as to become loaded with product and carry the product onto a surface where it is desired to apply the product.

According to one aspect of the invention, a wiper is inserted into the neck of the container to wipe excess product from the cosmetic applicator while the cosmetic applicator is removed from the container.

According to another aspect of the invention, the cap of the cosmetic applicator has a thread that can be screwed onto a thread formed on the neck of the container.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the distal end of the shaft includes an internal longitudinal cavity for receiving and retaining the applicator head.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the applicator head is at least partially constructed of a heat storage material capable of being kept hot or cold for application. The heat storage material may include, for example, metals, ceramics, glass, stone, alloys, and/or other materials with relatively high heat storage capacity and/or thermal conductivity.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, an applicator head has a body including a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion of the applicator head is formed as a shank that is configured to be received and retained in a mating relationship within the longitudinal cavity of the wand. The distal portion of the applicator head is formed as an application member that is used to apply a cosmetic product to a target biological surface. The application member of the applicator head further comprises at least one side surface and an end surface.

In one embodiment of the invention, the application member of the applicator head further comprises at least one curved side surface and an end surface. The applicator member of the applicator head further includes a curved applicator tip with an end face disposed at a given non-zero angle relative to the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head. More specifically, the end face of the applicator head is inclined with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head. In this embodiment, the angle is about 45 degrees, but in alternative embodiments the end face may be at any other angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head. The presence of the inclined end surface enables the applicator head to be used with different contact areas. In particular, the product can be applied more quickly while limiting the number of applications. It will be understood that the angle of the end face may vary within the scope of the present invention depending upon, for example, the type of cosmetic material to be applied, the goals of the manufacturer and user, and other factors. As one example, a steeper angle will provide more surface area and thus will allow more cosmetic product to be retained. The inclined end surface of the applicator head may also be slightly concave or convexly curved.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the applicator head includes a longitudinal feed channel disposed within the applicator head. The distal end of the longitudinal feed channel opens to the end face of the applicator head, thereby defining an opening at the end face of the applicator head. The longitudinal feed channel may fill the applicator head, which may thus be used as a cosmetic reservoir or capillary reservoir. In other words, the application member substantially retains the cosmetic product within the longitudinal feed channel via capillary attraction. Furthermore, the cosmetic product reserve is delivered only when the end face comprising the opening of the longitudinal feed channel is applied to the biological surface to be treated, for example the surface of a nail or skin to be treated or treated. The dose of cosmetic product to be delivered depends on the viscosity of the product to be delivered and on the dimensions of the longitudinal feed channel. Thus, by varying its width, depth and length, the required dose of product can be delivered accurately according to its viscosity. It should be noted that the longitudinal feed channel has the same width over its entire length, however, in alternative embodiments the width of the longitudinal feed channel may vary along its length.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the longitudinal feed channel may or may not be concentric with the body of the applicator head.

According to a further aspect of the invention, when the applicator head is lowered into the cosmetic product contained in the container, the longitudinal feed channel becomes filled with cosmetic product, thereby forming said capillary reservoir of cosmetic product within the longitudinal feed channel of the applicator head. The longitudinal feed channel of the applicator head remains filled with cosmetic product when the cosmetic applicator is separated from the associated container.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the longitudinal feed channel of the applicator head extends over fifty percent of the length of the application member of the applicator head.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the longitudinal feed channel of the applicator head is constructed of a heat storage material, such as metal, ceramic, glass, or other material capable of retaining and conducting heat or cold for application to the body.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the application member of the applicator head is provided with a vent opening communicating with the longitudinal feed channel by intersecting the longitudinal feed channel adjacent the proximal end of the longitudinal feed channel. In some examples, the longitudinal feed channel has a first diameter and the vent has a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter. Such a difference in diameter may be useful, for example, to allow the cosmetic to remain within the longitudinal feed channel without escaping through the vent. This difference in diameter may also facilitate the extraction of the cosmetic product using capillary action as described below. In other examples, the vent and the longitudinal feed channel have the same diameter.

According to another embodiment, the vent intersects the longitudinal feed channel laterally at a proximal portion of the longitudinal feed channel. In alternative embodiments, the vents may intersect the longitudinal feed channel at a right angle or any other angle. The lateral vent has two diametrically opposed openings at least one curved side of the applicator head. Air is allowed to enter the longitudinal feed channel and thus through the opening of the vent into the capillary reservoir formed in the longitudinal feed channel. When the end face of the applicator head is moved over the surface to be treated, sufficient air is allowed to enter the capillary reservoir through the vent and force cosmetic through the longitudinal feed channel, thereby ensuring an even and uniform flow of cosmetic to the end face. It will thus be seen that the opening of the vent and the longitudinal feed channel automatically regulate the flow of cosmetic product from the capillary reservoir to the end face of the applicator head, due to the fact that: the partial vacuum in the capillary reservoir of the longitudinal feed channel is caused by an initial discharge of the cosmetic product which allows air to reach the capillary reservoir through the opening of the vent.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the applicator head has an opening of the longitudinal feed channel at the end face of the applicator head, and the opening is skewed/inclined. More particularly, the opening is a substantially oval opening. In other words, the openings are oriented in a plane that is inclined with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head. In variant embodiments, the opening may have any other desired shape, for example circular, spoon-shaped, inverted oval, elliptical, oblong, triangular.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the end face of the applicator head is inclined with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the applicator head and extends over at least one fifth of the length of the application member of the applicator head. However, in another embodiment of the invention, the end face of the applicator head extends over at least half the length of the application member of the applicator head, thereby providing a larger contact area during application.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the openings of the longitudinal feed channels at the end face of the applicator head occupy less than 50% of the total surface area of the end face.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the openings of the longitudinal feed channels at the end face of the applicator head occupy more than 50% of the total surface area of the end face. In some examples, the openings of the longitudinal feed channels at the end face of the applicator head occupy greater than 80% of the total surface area of the end face of the applicator head.

In some embodiments of the invention, the at least one side of the application member comprises a side portion providing a constriction of the neck-like portion in the application portion.

According to one aspect of the invention, at least a portion of the outer surface of the application member of the applicator head may be flocked.

According to another aspect of the invention, the applicator head may have any other desired shape.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the proximal end portion of the applicator head is formed as a shank that is configured to be received and retained in a mating relationship within the longitudinal cavity of the wand. The applicator head and the wand may be mated together by friction fit, snap fit, by gluing, crimping, magnetic engagement, and any other suitable means known in the art.

In modified embodiments, the outer surface of the application member may include protrusions, ribs, grooves, discs, slits, cuts, holes, wells, or other surface features or surface treatments (e.g., abrasions) suitable for loading, transporting, and applying cosmetic products.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the container may be polypropylene and the cap and stem may be formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or any other suitable polymeric material. The rod may be formed from polyacetal or any other suitable polymeric material.

The material used to form the wiper may be low density polyethylene, foam, sponge, sintered mass, aggregates of natural or synthetic fibers, woven or non-woven fibers, plastic, or a combination of these materials. The foregoing materials used to form the various portions of the package of the present invention are examples, however other suitable materials may be used.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cosmetic package including a cosmetic applicator of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of the applicator head of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the applicator head of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the applicator head of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom view of the applicator head of FIG. 2;

figure 6 shows an isometric view of an applicator head according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the applicator head of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the applicator head of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 illustrates a bottom view of the applicator head of FIG. 6;

figure 10 shows an isometric view of an applicator head according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

figure 11 shows a front view of the applicator head of figure 10;

figure 12 shows a side view of the applicator head of figure 10; and

figure 13 illustrates a bottom view of the applicator head of figure 10.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

Detailed Description

Throughout this specification, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," and the like are intended to mean that a collection of objects is not limited to those specifically recited.

Fig. 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of the cosmetic package 1. The cosmetic package 1 includes a container 200 for holding a cosmetic product (not shown) and a cosmetic applicator 100. Cosmetic applicator 100 includes an applicator head 10, a stem 20, and a cap 30. Cosmetic applicator 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may be used to apply a product (not shown) that includes a cosmetic or care product. Cosmetic or care products include viscous, semi-viscous or liquid cosmetic products, mascara, lip gloss, hair dye, skin care agents, eye make-up, pharmaceuticals and the like.

Cap 30 of cosmetic applicator 100 has threads 32 that can be screwed onto threads 202 formed on neck 204 of container 200 during non-use.

In the example shown in fig. 1, a wiper 206 for wiping excess product from the applicator 100 is inserted into the neck 204 of the container 200. The wiper 206 also includes an annular flange 208 for engagement into a corresponding annular groove 210 on the inside of the neck 204 of the container 200. In other examples, the neck 204 of the container 200 is devoid of any wiper structure. In such an example, any excess product may be discharged when the applicator 100 is removed from the container 200. Alternatively, the applicator head 10 may be pressed or wiped against the inside surface of the neck 204 as the applicator 100 is removed from the container 200.

As shown in fig. 1, the cap 30 is held at the proximal end of the shaft 20 for gripping, and the applicator head 10 is held at the distal end of the shaft 20 for applying the cosmetic product. In this example, the applicator head 10 is at least partially constructed of a heat storage material that can be kept hot or cold for application. The heat storage material may include, for example, metals, ceramics, glass, stone, alloys, and/or other materials with relatively high heat storage capacity and/or thermal conductivity.

According to the exemplary first embodiment shown in fig. 2 to 5, the applicator head 10 has a body comprising a proximal portion 10a and a distal portion 10 b. In the present embodiment, the applicator head 10 is substantially cylindrical in shape, and in alternate embodiments, the applicator head 10 may have any other desired shape.

Referring to fig. 2-4, the proximal end portion 10a of the applicator head 10 is formed as a shank 10a that is configured to be received and retained in a mating relationship within the longitudinal cavity 22 of the wand 20 (see fig. 1).

The applicator head 10 and the wand 20 may be mated together by friction fit, snap fit, by gluing, crimping, magnetic engagement, and any other suitable means known in the art. In the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 1, the applicator head 10 and the wand 20 are fitted together by a friction fit.

Referring to fig. 1-4, the distal portion 10b of the applicator head 10 is an application member 10b that includes at least one side 12 and a distal end face 14. In this example, the applicator head 10 has a curved applicator tip 16 with an end face 14 disposed at a given angle relative to the central longitudinal axis X of the applicator head 10. The presence of the angled end surface 14 enables the applicator head 10 to be used with different contact areas. In particular, the product can be applied more quickly while limiting the number of applications. In this example, the angle is about 45 degrees. It will be understood that the angle of the end face 14 may vary within the scope of the present invention depending upon, for example, the type of cosmetic material to be applied, the goals of the manufacturer and user, and other factors. As one example, a steeper angle will provide more surface area and thus will allow more cosmetic product to be retained. Due to the cylindrical body of the application member 10b, at least one side 12 of the applicator head 10 is curved.

As can be appreciated with reference to fig. 3, the applicator head 10 includes a longitudinal feed channel 18 disposed within the applicator head 10 concentric with the cylindrical body of the applicator head 10 a. The distal end of the longitudinal feed channel 18 opens to the end face 14, thereby defining an opening 18a at the end face 14. The longitudinal feed channel 18 serves as a cosmetic reservoir or capillary reservoir. In other words, the application member 10 substantially retains the cosmetic product within the longitudinal feed channel 18 via capillary attraction. Furthermore, the cosmetic reserve is delivered only when the end face 14 comprising the opening 18a is applied to a biological surface to be treated, for example a nail or skin surface to be treated or treated. The dose of cosmetic product to be delivered depends on the viscosity of the product to be delivered and on the dimensions of the longitudinal feed channel 18. Thus, by varying its width, depth and length, the required dose of product can be delivered accurately according to its viscosity. It should be noted that the longitudinal feed channel 18 shown in fig. 3 has the same width over its entire length. In alternative embodiments, the width of the longitudinal feed channel 18 may vary along its length.

When the applicator head 10 is lowered into the cosmetic product contained in the container 200, the longitudinal feed channel 18 becomes filled with cosmetic product, thereby forming said capillary reservoir of cosmetic product within the longitudinal feed channel 18 of the applicator head 10. When cosmetic applicator 100 is separated from the associated container 200, longitudinal feed channel 18 of applicator head 10 remains filled with cosmetic product. Here, the longitudinal feed channel 18 is generally concentric with the application member 10a of the applicator head 10, but non-concentric arrangements are also possible within the scope of the invention.

Referring to fig. 3, the applicator head 10 is provided with a vent 17 communicating with the longitudinal feed channel 18 adjacent the proximal end of the longitudinal feed channel 18, i.e. the vent 17 intersects the longitudinal feed channel 18 at the proximal end. The vent 17 may intersect the longitudinal feed channel 18 transversely at the proximal end of the longitudinal feed channel 18, as depicted in fig. 3. In other embodiments, the vent 17 may intersect the longitudinal feed channel 18 at a non-perpendicular angle. The lateral vent 17 has two diametrically

opposed openings

17a, 17b present at the cylindrical side 12 of the applicator head 10. Air is allowed to enter the longitudinal feed channel 18 and thus through the

openings

17a, 17b of the longitudinal vent or passage 17 into the capillary reservoir formed in the longitudinal feed channel 18. As the end face 14 of the applicator head 10 moves over the surface to be treated, sufficient air is allowed to enter the capillary reservoir through the vent 17 and force cosmetic through the longitudinal feed channel 18, thereby ensuring an even and uniform flow of cosmetic to the end face 14.

In some examples, the longitudinal feed channel 18 has a first diameter and the vent has a second diameter, the first diameter being greater than the second diameter. Such a difference in diameter may be useful, for example, to allow the cosmetic to remain within the longitudinal feed channel without escaping through the vent. This difference in diameter may also facilitate the extraction of the cosmetic product using capillary action as described below. In other examples, the vent and the longitudinal feed channel have the same diameter.

It will thus be seen that the

openings

17a, 17b of the vent 17 and the feed channel 18 automatically regulate the flow of cosmetic product from the capillary reservoir to the end face 14 of the applicator head 10, due to the fact that: the partial vacuum in the capillary reservoir of the feed channel 18 is caused by the initial discharge of the cosmetic product, which allows air to reach said capillary reservoir through the

openings

17a, 17 b.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, the longitudinal feed channel 18 extends over fifty percent of the length of the application member 10b of the applicator head including the curved tip 16, see fig. 3. In other embodiments, the longitudinal feed channel 18 extends over all or less than fifty percent of the length of the application member 10b of the applicator head including the curved tip 16.

The longitudinal feed channel 18 is constructed of a heat storage material, such as a metal, ceramic, glass, or other material capable of holding and conducting heat or cold for application to the body.

The applicator head 10 may be designed/configured not only to hold cosmetic product against the large surface area represented by the side 12, applicator tip 16, and end 14 of the application member 10b, but also within the feed channel 18. In this way, cosmetic product can be successfully applied to the body of the user with fewer required insertions of applicator 100 into the open interior space of container 200. Additionally, the surface contour and surface variations provided by the cylindrical side surface 12, curved applicator tip 16, and end surface 14 may enable cosmetic products to be applied with varying characteristics according to the user's goals.

According to another aspect of the present embodiment and as shown in fig. 2-4, the applicator head has an opening 18a at the angled end face 14. More particularly, the opening 18a is a substantially elliptical opening. In other words, the opening 18a is oriented in a plane that is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the applicator head 10. In variant embodiments, the opening 18a may have any other desired shape, for example spoon-shaped, inverted oval, elliptical, oblong, triangular.

Referring to fig. 6-9, an applicator head 300 according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Similar to the applicator head 10, the applicator head 300 is also made of a heat storage material selected from metals, ceramics, glass, stone, alloys, and/or combinations thereof. As explained herein, the applicator head 300 differs from the applicator head 10 with respect to the shape of the application member. The application member 300b of the applicator head 300 includes an end face 314 and at least one curved side face 312. The end face 314 is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis Y of the applicator head 300 and extends over at least half of the length of the application member 300b, thereby providing a greater contact area during application. The coating member 300b includes a longitudinal feed channel 318 disposed within the applicator head 300, and wherein a distal end of the longitudinal feed channel 318 is open to the end face 314, thereby defining an opening 318a at the end face 314. The openings 318a of the longitudinal feed channels 318 occupy less than 50% of the total surface area of the end face 314. The coating member 300b is provided with a transverse vent 317 which communicates with the longitudinal feed channel 318 adjacent the proximal end of the longitudinal feed channel 318. In other embodiments, the vent 317 may intersect the longitudinal feed channel 318 at a non-perpendicular angle. The lateral vent 17 has two diametrically

opposed openings

317a, 317b present at the side 312 of the application member 300 b. Further, at least one curved side 312 of the application member 300b includes a contracted side portion 312b that provides a neck-like appearance.

Referring to fig. 10-13, these views illustrate an applicator head 400 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the applicator head 10, the applicator head 400 is also made of a heat storage material selected from metals, ceramics, glass, stone, alloys, and/or combinations thereof. As explained herein, the applicator head 400 differs from the applicator head 10 with respect to the shape of the application member. The application member 400b of the applicator head 400 is spherical or ovoid in shape and includes a distal face 414 and at least one curved side face 412. The end face 414 is at a non-zero angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis Y of the applicator head 300, and more particularly, the end face 414 is at a 90 degree angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis Y of the applicator head 400. The coating member 400b includes a longitudinal feed channel 418 disposed within the applicator head 400, and wherein a distal end of the longitudinal feed channel 418 is open to the end face 414, thereby defining an opening 418a at the end face 414. In some examples, the openings 418a of the longitudinal feed channels 418 occupy greater than 50% of the total surface area of the end face 414. In other examples, the openings 418a occupy greater than 80% of the total surface area of the end face 414, as seen in fig. 10. The coating member 400b is provided with a transverse vent 417 which communicates with the longitudinal feed channel 418 at a proximal end adjacent the longitudinal feed channel 418. In other embodiments, the vent 417 may intersect the longitudinal feed channel 418 at a non-perpendicular angle. The lateral vent 417 has two diametrically

opposed openings

417a, 417b present at the side 412 of the coating member 400 b. At least one side 412 of the applicator member 400b includes a constricted side portion 412b that provides a neck-like appearance. Because the openings 418a of the longitudinal feed channels 418 occupy greater than 50% or greater than 80% of the total surface area of the end face 414, a user can use the end face 414 to only dispense product out of the longitudinal feed channels 418 and deploy it using the curved sides 412.

According to one aspect of this embodiment, at least a portion of the outer surface of the

applicator head

10, 300, 400 may be flocked.

According to one aspect of the present embodiment, when the

applicator head

10, 300, 400 is withdrawn from the container 200, the wiper 206 cleans the

applicator head

10, 300, 400 in such a way that a minimum amount of product remains on the

side

12, 312, 412. In embodiments where the container 200 does not have any wiper structure, any excess product may be expelled from the

applicator head

10, 300, 400 as it is withdrawn from the container 200.

However, in alternate embodiments, the outer surface of the

application member

10b, 300b, 400b may include protrusions, ribs, grooves, discs, slits, cuts, holes, wells, or other surface features or surface treatments (e.g., abrasions) suitable for loading, transporting, and applying cosmetic products.

The container may be made of, for example, polypropylene, while the cap and stem may be formed of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or any other suitable polymeric material. The rod may be formed from polyacetal or any other suitable polymeric material.

The material used to form the wiper (if any) may be low density polyethylene, foam, sponge, sintered mass, aggregates of natural or synthetic fibers, woven or non-woven fibers, plastic, or a combination of these materials. The foregoing materials used to form the various portions of the package of the present invention are examples, however other suitable materials may be used.

It will be understood that the foregoing is only illustrative of the principles of the invention, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the shape and/or size of the various components may differ from those described herein. As another example, the materials used for the various components may differ from those specifically mentioned herein.

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator for applying a product to a surface, comprising:

a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end; and

an applicator head connected to the distal end of the shaft, a distal portion of the applicator head being formed as an application member having at least one side and a distal end face; wherein the applicator head defines each of:

a channel extending longitudinally within the applicator head and having a distal end defining an opening in the distal face of the applicator head; and

a vent extending from the side of the applicator head to the channel.

2. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the applicator head is at least partially constructed of a heat storage material.

3. The cosmetic applicator of claim 2, wherein the heat storage material is ceramic, glass, stone, metal, or metal alloy.

4. The cosmetic applicator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the channel has a closed proximal end within the applicator head.

5. The cosmetic applicator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the applicator head has a length and the channel extends over fifty percent of the length of the application member of the applicator head.

6. The cosmetic applicator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vent extends transversely through the applicator head between opposite sides, the vent intersecting the channel.

7. The cosmetic applicator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the vent intersects the channel adjacent a proximal end of the channel.

8. The cosmetic applicator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the channel has a constant width along its length.

9. The cosmetic applicator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the passage has a first diameter and the vent has a second diameter, and the first diameter is greater than the second diameter.

10. The cosmetic applicator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distal end face of the applicator head is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the applicator head.

11. The cosmetic applicator of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the opening of the channel occupies less than 50% of the total surface area of the distal end face.

12. The cosmetic applicator of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a cap connected to the proximal end of the stem.

13. A cosmetic package, comprising:

the cosmetic applicator of claim 12; and

a container for holding a cosmetic product, the container having an open end;

wherein the rod and applicator head are configured to be inserted into the container and the cap is configured to releasably connect with the open end of the container.

14. The cosmetic package of claim 13 further comprising a wiper disposed in the open end of the container, the wiper configured to wipe excess product from the applicator head while the applicator head is removed from the container.

15. The cosmetic package of claim 13 wherein the container is free of a wiper.

16. A cosmetic package, comprising:

a container for holding a cosmetic product, the container having a closed distal end and an open proximal end;

an applicator configured to extend into the container, the applicator comprising a rod having a proximal end and a distal end; an applicator head connected to the distal end of the shaft, a distal portion of the applicator head being formed as an application member having at least one side and a distal end face; a channel extending longitudinally within the applicator head and having a distal end defining an opening in the distal face of the applicator head and a closed proximal end; and a vent intersecting the channel and having an opening in one of the at least one sides, the applicator head being at least partially constructed of a heat storage material; and

a cap connected to the proximal end of the stem, the cap configured to releasably connect with the open proximal end of the container.