Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
  • A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
  • A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks

Definitions

• the present invention relates to cosmetic applicators More particularly, it relates to cosmetic applicators which, by the shape and angles of intersection of the surfaces, are ergonomically and anatomically designed to provide precisely controlled application of a makeup product to the face
• Cosmetic sponge or puff applicators are typically shaped so that they can fit within a cosmetic compact Generally, these applicators are round, square, rectangular, teardrop, or wedge shaped These traditional design applicators are not shaped for ease of use, but rather for ease of packaging within a compact
• the present invention is an ergonomic cosmetic applicator designed to work with the contours of the face
• the applicator comprises at least five surfaces one upper surface, one lower sur ace, and at least three lateral surfaces, wherein one lateral surface is concave in shape, one lateral surface is substantially linear or flat in shape, and any two lateral surfaces meet to form a tip portion
• the lateral concave surface allows precision application of a makeup, for example, to the outer side of the face, under the jawline, and under the eye
• the lateral linear or flat surface of the applicator enables application of the makeup to the flat surfaces of the face, such as the cheek
• the tip portion allows the consumer to reach into the corners of the eye, and around the mouth and nose
• FIG 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the applicator of the present invention
• FIG 2 is a side view of the applicator of FIG 1
• FIGS 3 through 5 are partial side views of the lateral surface having various profiles
• FIG 6 is a side view of the applicator of the present invention with convex shaped upper and lower surfaces
• FIG 7 is a side view of the applicator of the present invention with a convex shaped upper surface
• FIG 8 is a side view of the applicator of the present invention with a finger recess provided on the each of the convex upper and lower surfaces
• FIG 9 is a top view of the applicator of FIG 8
• FIGS 1 and 2 show the cosmetic applicator 1 of the present invention
• the applicator 1 has one upper surface 2, one lower surface 3, and at least three lateral surfaces 4, 5, and 6, wherein any two of the lateral surfaces meet to form a tip portion 7
• the applicator 1 has only three lateral surfaces, giving an overall triangular appearance to the applicator
• These three lateral surfaces when combined together, provide a single applicator capable of effectively applying makeup to all areas of the face
• the first lateral surface 4 of the applicator is concave in shape.
• one or more lateral surfaces of the applicator are concave in shape.
• the applicator is triangular in shape as in FIG.
• the first lateral surface 4 and second lateral surface 5 of the applicator are concave.
• the lateral concave surface 4 of the applicator allows the consumer to easily apply makeup to the outer side of the face, under the jawline, and under the eye without the consumer having to further manipulate the shape of the applicator.
• a third lateral surface 6 of the applicator is substantially linear or flat in shape. This lateral surface 6 allows the consumer to apply makeup to the flat surfaces of the face, such as the cheek. Also, when this linear surface 6 is combined with either the upper surface 2 or the lower surface 3, an ample surface area with which to apply or blend the makeup on the skin is provided.
• the applicator 1 is further provided with a tip portion 7.
• This portion 7 is defined by the intersection of any two lateral surfaces of the applicator at an angle less than 90 degrees. As seen in FIG. 1 , lateral surface 4 and 5 intersect to form the tip portion 7.
• the tip portion 7 enables the consumer to reach into the corners of the eye, and around the mouth and nose. Having this portion incorporated into the design allows the consumer to utilize the applicator without having to bend, contort, or otherwise deform the applicator in order to apply makeup to the hard to reach areas of the face that generally require a smaller applicator surface for proper application.
• the tip portion 7 has a rounded edge 8, as seen in FIG. 1.
• the lateral surfaces (4, 5, and 6) of the applicator can be provided with various profiles, such as flat, round, or angled.
• the choice of which profile to use will depend upon the type of makeup product which is intended to be applied by the applicator. For example, if the product is a creme foundation, then the profile of the lateral surfaces would preferably be angled, as seen in FIG. 5.
• the angled surface provides a larger applicator surface area for collecting product on the lateral surfaces before application. When an angled surface is used, the angled surface can be flared outward from either the upper surface 2, the bottom surface 3, or both as seen in FIG 5 If the product is a pressed powder, then the profile of the lateral surfaces would preferably be rounded, as in FIG 4
• the upper surface 2 and lower surface 3 of the applicator can be of varying design Either the upper surface 2, the lower surface 3, or both, are flat or convex in design By making either the upper surface 2 or the lower surface 3 convex in design imparts a greater thickness to the applicator, making handling of the applicator by the consumer simpler Additionally, either the upper surface 2, the lower surface 3, or both, can further be provided with a finger recess 10, as seen in FIGS 8 and 9 The finger recess 10 allows the consumer to retain a more secure grip on the applicator during use
• Common materials used in the manufacture of cosmetic applicators include rubbers, such as latex (polyisoprene), neoprene, nitnle-butadiene rubber (NBR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and the like, foamed plastics, such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like, natural sponge materials, and flocked fabrics, for example, a cotton fabric puff with nylon flocking, velour flocking, or a felt coating
• rubbers such as latex (polyisoprene), neoprene, nitnle-butadiene rubber (NBR), styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), and the like
• foamed plastics such as polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, and the like, natural sponge materials, and flocked fabrics, for example, a cotton fabric puff with nylon flocking, velour flocking, or a felt coating

Landscapes

• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Coating Apparatus (AREA)
• Cosmetics (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Priority Applications (10)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22266700

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (9)

Cited By (2)

Citations (5)

• 1998
  • 1998-03-27 DE DE69839226T patent/DE69839226T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-03-27 EP EP98917963A patent/EP1065957B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-03-27 AT AT98917963T patent/ATE387871T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-03-27 AU AU70988/98A patent/AU756653B2/en not_active Expired
  • 1998-03-27 WO PCT/US1998/006117 patent/WO1999048403A1/en active IP Right Grant
  • 1998-03-27 ES ES98917963T patent/ES2302352T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-03-27 JP JP2000537464A patent/JP2002507441A/ja active Pending
  • 1998-03-27 CA CA002324996A patent/CA2324996C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 2001
  • 2001-06-27 HK HK01104430A patent/HK1033889A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (5)

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