US3245404A - Concealable cosmetic device - Google Patents

Description

April 2, 1966 s. RITZCOVAN 3,245,404

CONCEALABLE COSMETIC DEVICE Filed April 22, 1963 2, Sheets-Sheet 1 STEPHfN k l r z gfi iw F I E" -4- Y B 5X40; i M

A TTORNE Y5 A ril 12, 1966 s. RITZCOVAN 3,245,404

CONCEALABLE COSMETIC DEVICE Filed April 22, 1963 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVE NTOR.

STEPHEN R/TZCOVAN BY '1 I E- 5 #M A T TORNE Y5 United States Patent 3,245,404 CONCEALABLE COSMETIC DEVICE Stephen Ritzcovan, 525 Leavenworth St.,

San Francisco, Calif. Filed Apr. 22, 1963, Ser. No. 274,423 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-76) This invention relates to improvements in a concealable cosmetic device and more particularly to cosmetic devices of the character defined in my copending application Serial No. 114,505 filed June 2, 1961 for Cosmetc Device and Method of Applying Same, now abandoned, and my copending application Serial No. 124,720, filed July 17, 1961 for Concealable Cosmetic Device, now United States Patent No. 3,119,389, issued January 28, 1964, and the present application is a continuation-in-part of these applications.

'With advancing age, human beings tend to develop unsightly folds and wrinkles under the chin. Heretofore, smoothing out of the chain line has required resorting to a plastic surgery operation commonly known as facelifting in which the surplus tissue is removed so as to pull the remaining tissue back to a youthful tautness.

The present invention is concerned with the use of a cosmetic device which is adapted to smooth out under-thechin folds and wrinkles in a manner calculated to create a more youthful and pleasing appearance.

Various devices have been proposed for eliminating or reducing different kind-s of facial wrinkles. None of these devices can be worn in concealed position while affording a temporary face-lift of the character provided by the present invention. Most of the devices are designed to be worn inthe privacy of the home or beauty shop and are intended for eradicating wrinkles rather than for drawing back the loose skin so that the wrinkles will be smoothed out and become invisible.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to'provide a method and apparatus for effecting a temporary face-lift without resorting to surgery.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic device which may be worn in concealed position beneath the garments or other apparel of the user and which is effective for pulling back and smoothing out loose, sagging tissues to provide an attractive, youthful appearance to the under-chin area.

A further object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic device of the'character described which is easy and simple to apply, which will remain firmly in place over long periods of time without causing undue irritation to the skin of the wearer, and which may be readily removed and disposed of upon retiring.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cosmetic device of the character described which is of simple, sturdy construction and which is economical enough to permit the use of a fresh device every day.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide means for effectively concealing the cosmetic band beneath an ornamental strip-like article of apparel, such as a necklace.

Another object of the invention is to provide a concealing article of the character set forth which may be easily and simply adjusted to difierent size necks and which will remain firmly in place at all times.

Another object of the invention is to provide a con cealable cosmetic device of the character described which is of simple, sturdy construction and which is is adapted for use with a wide variety of concealing means.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as the specification progresses, and the new and useful features of my concealable cosmetic device will be fully defined in the claims attached hereto.

The preferred forms of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming part of this application, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of one form of a concealable cosmetic device constructed in accordance with the present invention which is especially adapted for use by men and shown in operative position on the neck of the wearer;

FIGURE 2, a top view of the device shown in FIGURE 1 as it appears prior to application on the neck of the wearer;

FIGURE 3, a bottom view of the device shown in FIG- URE 2;

FIGURE 4, a cross-sectional view of a portion of the device as seen in the plane of line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5, a side elevational view of another form of a concealable cosmetic device constructed in accordance with the present invention which is especially adapted for the use by women and shown in operative position on the neck of the wearer;

FIGURE 6, a top view of the device shown in FIG- URE 5, as it apepars prior to application on the neck of the wearer;

FIGURE 7, a bottom view of the device shown in FIG- I claims attached hereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail and the embodiment of FIGURES 1 through 4 in particular, it will be seen that the cosmetic device 11 of the present invention comprises a flexible band 12 having a length sufiicient to nearly encircle a human neck and being provided with an adhesive layer 13 and cloth strips 14 held onto'the adhesive layer 13 and pressure-sensitive adhesive strips 16 on the cloth strip 14 on the opposite ends 17 and 18 thereof, the pressure-sensitive adhesive strips 16 extending over areas sufficient to maintain adherence to the skin of the neck at opposite sides of the throat with the band under tension whereby the loose skin of the neckand throat will be drawn rea-rwardly so as to stretch the tissues and minimize wrinkles. Before application, the exposed surfaces of the pressure-sensitive adhesive strips 15 are covered with plastic covers 19.

The method of applying the band 11 consists essentially in removing the plastic covers 19 and adhering one of the ends 17 or 18of the band ot the skin of the lower front portion of the human neck at one side of the larynx, drawing the loose skin of the neck rearwardly so 'as to reduce and erase under-the-chin folds and wrinkles, passing the free end'of the band around the back of the neck, and adhering the free end to the skin of the lower front portion of the neck in approximate horizontal alignment with the other end .and on the opposite side of the larynx, with the band under suflicient tension to main tain the loose skin in its rearwardly drawn condition. It should be noted that before the free end is adhered to the skin, the band 11 is pulled sufficiently tight to insure that it will maintain the loose skin in its rearwardly drawn condition.

As illustrated in FIGURE 1, the band should 'be applied low enough to be concealed by the shirt collar or other apparel of the wearer. I have found that the band should be positioned at approximately the juncture of the rear of the neck with the body, and the ends 17 and 3 18 should be approximately level with the bottom of the Adams apple. The dotted line 21 of FIGURE 1 illustrates the normal sagging position of the throat tissue while the solid line 22 illustrates the position the throat tissues will assume when the cosmetic band 11- is correctly applied.

By virtue of its size and shape the band may be psitioned in the manner shown and described, and because of this positioning it is easy for the wearer to conceal the band under a portion of his garment such as the sli rtf collar 23 or under other apparel such as a neckere ie t in ordinary use the band 11 will be applied in the morning and left in position throughout the entire day. Because pressure-sensitive adhesives are affected by the oil and other materials normally present on the human skin, the adhesive areas should be fairly large and the device should be discarded after each use.

In the preferred construction of the cosmetic band, the band 12 is formed of a flexible, nonstretchable material such as a woven fabric tape or strip of plastic. I prefer to use a plastic-impregnated cloth tape of flesh color. In order to avoid undue irritation of the skin of the wearer, I prefer to provide a woven fabric facing for the lining or cloth strip 14 which is soft and smooth. A flesh-colored satin is particularly suitable.

Protection for the exposed areas of pressure-sensitive adhesive is provided by the smooth plastic covers or strips 19 which are easily removable at the time of use. Light-gauge plastic sheeting such as polyvinyl acetate or the like will be suitable for this purpose but the material chosen should possess a lower adhesion coefficient for the adhesive used than the material of the cloth strip 14 on which the adhesive is held.

Referring to FIGURES 5 through 9, there is shown a concealable cosmetic device 11a constructed according to the present invention which includes a flexible 'band 12a having an adhesive layer 13a over an entire surface thereof and pressure-sensitive adhesive strips 16a on the opposite or rear surface of band 12a at the ends 17a and 18a thereof, together with an ornamental strip-like article '26 formed to encircle the neck of the wearer in covering relation to the band 12a so as to conceal the latter from view.

The band 12a is under sufficient tension to draw the loose skin of the neck and throat rearwardly so as to stretch the tissues and minimize wrinkles. Naturally, the band 12a should be concealed, and, due to its position, concealment is simple where the user is wearing a high collar. In many instances fashion demands that lownecked or necklace garments be worn the present invention is directed to means for effectively concealing the band 12a under such circumstances.

In the form illustrated in FIGURES 5 through 9 the flexible band 12a should have the combined properties of flexible band 12 and cloth strip 14 mentioned above, That is, it shouldbe nonstretchable and have a satin-like surface which is nonirritating to the skin.

In accordance with the present invention the necklace is held on the band 12a by the layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive 13a. The adhesive is adapted to removably secure the necklace 26 in covering relation to the band 12a. Prior to application of the device, the outer surface of the adhesive is protected by a plastic cover 27 similar to t p a c o e 1 a d 1.

In general, the ornament 26 may be any necklace or similar article capable of coveriing up the band 12a. As shown in FIGURES 5 and 9, the necklace is preferably composed of a double row of beads 28 fitting side by side in partial interlocking relation as best shown in FIG- URE 9. Preferably the necklace will be drawn tight enough to hold it in place at each end of the band 12a, and neckaces capable of adjustment are particularly suitable. A typical adjustable necklace is composed of interlocking plastic beads as shown in FIGURE 9 in which the length of the necklace may be adjusted by adding or removing beads.

From the foregoing description, it is seen that I have provided a concealable cosmetic device which may be concealed -by ordinary clothing means or by ornaments such as a necklace. In order to provide easy fabrication, the basic form includes a band having a layer of adhesive completely covering one surface thereof together with such other structure that adhesive is provided at each end of the band to hold the same in place. Accordingly, it is seen that I have provided a novel and original cosmetic device and method of applying same which affords many of the beneficial effects of a face-lifting operation without requiring surgery and which accomplishes its purposes in an invisible and undetectable manner.

I claim:

1. In combination, a cosmetic device for minimizing throat and neck wrinkles and an item of wearing apparel of a size large enough to cover and conceal the cosmetic device, said item of wearing apparel being held in juxtaposed position to the cosmetic device to positively conceal the device, said cosmetic device comprising a nonstretchable flexible band having a length sufficient to nearly encircle a human neck, a layer of pressuresensitive adhesive substantially entirely covering one surface of said band, a satin facing of the same length and width as said band and adhered to said layer of adhesive, and strips of pressure-sensitive adhesive on the satin facing at the opposite ends of said satin facing and on the side opposite the side adhered to the band, said strips of pressure sensitive adhesive having sufiicient area to maintain adherence to the skin of the neck with the band under tension whereby the loose skin of the neck and throat will be drawn rearwardly so as to stretch the tissues and minimize wrinkles.

2. The cosmetic device defined in claim 1, in which the item of wearing apparel is a collar.

3. The cosmetic device defined in claim 1, in which-the item of wearing apparel is a necklace comprising two rows of beads fitting in interlocking side-by-side relationship.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 895,295 8/1908 Paris 128-76 2,039,142 4/1936 Brehm 128-351 2,211,378 8/1940 Lindi 128163 2,688,324 9/1954 McCarthy l2876 3,119,389 1/1964 Ritzcovan 128-76 FOREIGN PATENTS 217,083 6/1924 Great Britain.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner,

Claims (1)

1. IN COMBINATION, A COSMETIC DEVICE FOR MINIMIZING THROAT AND NECK WRINKLES AND AN ITEM OF WEARING APPAREL OF A SIZE LARGE ENOUGH TO COVER AND CONCEAL THE COSMETIC DEVICE, SAID ITEM OF WEARING APPAREL BEING HELD IN JUXTAPOSED POSITION TO THE COSMETIC DEVICE TO POSITIVELY CONCEAL THE DEVICE, SAID COSMETIC DEVICE COMPRISING A NONSTRETCHABLE FLEXIBLE BAND HAVING A LENGTH SUFFICIENT TO NEARLY ENCIRCLE A HUMAN NECK, A LAYER OF PRESSURESENSITIVE ADHESIVE SUBSTANTIALLY ENTIRELY COVERING ONE SURFACE OF SAID BAND, A SATIN FACING OF THE SAME LENGTH

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