WO2012045992A1

WO2012045992A1 - Cosmetics applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2012045992A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/001405
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aubrey Jonathan Michel
Original assignee: Glocos International Limited
Priority date: 2010-10-06
Filing date: 2011-09-28
Publication date: 2012-04-12
Also published as: GB201016800D0; GB2481264A; GB2481264B

Abstract

A cosmetics applicator comprises an applicator sponge (10) having a substantially conical applicator portion (12) and a substantially cylindrical holding portion (14) extending from a base (16) of the substantially conical applicator portion (12). The diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion (14) is less than the diameter of the substantially conical applicator portion (12) at its base and the applicator sponge (10) includes a curved region (20) at the intersection between the base of the substantially conical applicator portion (12) and the substantially cylindrical holding portion (14).

Description

TITLE

Cosmetics applicator

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a cosmetics applicator. Embodiments of the present invention relate particularly, but not exclusively, to a cosmetics applicator which is suitable for applying cosmetics, such as foundation and powder, to the face.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

A wide variety of cosmetics applicators are available for applying facial cosmetics. Typically, it has been necessary to use a cosmetics applicator having a large surface area to apply cosmetics to the cheeks and forehead. A make-up sponge is a typical example. It has typically also been necessary to use one or more separate cosmetics applicators, having a much smaller surface area, to apply cosmetics to more delicate facial areas, such as the eyes. A fine make-up brush and angled make-up sponge are typical examples.

It would be desirable to provide a cosmetics applicator which can be used to apply cosmetics to all areas of the face, thus avoiding the need to utilise separate cosmetics applicators.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cosmetics applicator comprising an applicator sponge having a substantially conical applicator portion and a substantially cylindrical holding portion extending from a base of the substantially conical applicator portion, wherein the diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion is less than the diameter of the substantially conical applicator portion at its base and the applicator sponge includes a curved region at the intersection between the base of the substantially conical applicator portion and the substantially cylindrical holding portion. The substantially conical applicator portion enables large amounts of cosmetic product to be applied, using the sloping region between the base and the apex, to large areas of the face and enables the cosmetic product to be easily blended on the skin to provide a desired finish. The sloping region is thus particularly suitable for applying cosmetics to the cheeks and forehead. The substantially conical applicator portion also enables small amounts of cosmetic product to be applied carefully, using the apex, to more delicate areas of the face and enables a user to define the applied cosmetic product to produce a desired appearance. The apex is thus particularly suitable for applying cosmetics to the eyes and similar facial regions. The substantially cylindrical holding portion allows the substantially conical applicator portion of the applicator sponge to be readily manipulated to facilitate the application of cosmetic product. The substantially cylindrical holding portion is not, however, used to apply cosmetic product to the face and does not come into contact with the cosmetic product. A user's fingers and hands do not, therefore, become contaminated with cosmetic product when using the cosmetics applicator. The sloping region of the substantially conical applicator portion may be gently curved in an outward direction in some embodiments.

The substantially cylindrical shape of the holding portion enables the cosmetics applicator to be easily held and manipulated by a user.

Because the diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion is less than the diameter of the substantially conical applicator portion at its base, there is a clear delineation between the holding portion and the applicator portion which ensures that the holding portion does not become contaminated by cosmetic product during use of the cosmetics applicator.

The curved region at the intersection between the base of the substantially conical applicator portion and the substantially cylindrical holding portion may assist with the application of cosmetic product and, in particular, improve the ability to blend cosmetic product during application to the skin. The diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion may increase gradually in a direction extending away from the intersection between the base of the substantially conical applicator portion and the substantially cylindrical holding portion. Any increase in diameter is sufficiently minimal that the holding portion can still be considered to be substantially cylindrical.

The cosmetics applicator may include a cylindrical sleeve which may be removably located on the substantially cylindrical holding portion of the applicator sponge. The sleeve provides a convenient way of storing the applicator sponge.

The inner diameter of the cylindrical sleeve may be substantially equal to or less than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion of the applicator sponge. In embodiments where the diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion increases gradually in a direction extending away from the intersection between the base of the substantially conical applicator portion and the substantially cylindrical holding portion, the inner diameter of the cylindrical sleeve may be substantially equal to or less than the maximum diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion, typically at its free end. The sponge material from which the substantially cylindrical holding portion is formed may, thus, be deformed slightly to ensure that it is snugly received in the cylindrical sleeve thus ensuring that the sleeve is firmly held in position on the substantially cylindrical holding portion of the applicator sponge.

The cylindrical sleeve may include a closed end. The cosmetics applicator may advantageously be stood in an upright position, on the closed end of the cylindrical sleeve, when not in use.

The cylindrical sleeve may comprise a substantially rigid plastics material.

The cosmetics applicator may include a grip member which may be mounted, possibly removably mounted, on the holding portion. The grip member may improve the usability of the cosmetics applicator by allowing it to be more easily manipulated by a user. The grip member may be substantially cylindrical. The diameter of the substantially cylindrical grip member may be substantially equal to the diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion of the applicator sponge. The sponge material from which the substantially cylindrical holding portion is formed may, thus, be deformed slightly to ensure that it is snugly received in the substantially cylindrical grip member and to ensure a firm connection between the substantially cylindrical grip member and the substantially cylindrical holding portion of the applicator sponge.

The grip member may include at least one aperture in its surface. The substantially cylindrical grip member may include a plurality of apertures around its substantially cylindrical surface. The apertures may be equispaced around the substantially cylindrical surface. The sponge material of the holding portion is exposed by the one or more apertures. This promotes air flow through the sponge material from which the applicator sponge is formed, thus allowing it to dry more quickly after washing to remove cosmetic product from the applicator sponge.

The grip member may be adhesively secured to the holding portion. The grip member may include a closed end which may be adhered to the substantially cylindrical holding portion of the applicator sponge. This ensures that the grip member does not become separated from the applicator sponge.

The grip member may comprise a relatively pliable plastics material.

The applicator sponge may include an anti-bacterial agent to prevent the unwanted build-up of bacteria in the sponge material. The applicator sponge may include an anti-discolouring agent to prevent discolouration of the sponge material, for example as a result of washing. The applicator sponge may include an anti-hardening agent, such as an anti-UV agent, to prevent the sponge material from becoming hard over time, for example as a result of exposure to UV radiation. DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a cosmetics applicator according to the present invention; and

Figure 2 shows the cosmetics applicator illustrated in Figure 1 in combination with a grip member;

Figure 3 shows the cosmetics applicator illustrated in Figure 1 in combination with a sleeve; and

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic side view of a modified cosmetics applicator according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. A cosmetics applicator comprises an applicator sponge 10 having a substantially conical applicator portion 12 and a substantially cylindrical holding portion 14. The applicator portion 12 includes a base 16 and an apex 18 having a sloping region 17 therebetween and is used to apply cosmetic products, such as foundation and cosmetic powder, to the skin.

The holding portion 14 is substantially cylindrical and extends from the base 16 of the applicator portion 12. The applicator portion 12 and the holding portion 14 are formed integrally, from a single piece of sponge material. The holding portion 14 is provided so that a user can easily grip and manipulate the applicator portion 12 using their fingers. The holding portion 14 is not used to apply cosmetic product and does not, therefore, become contaminated with cosmetic product. Accordingly, a user can manipulate the applicator portion 12 without their fingers becoming contaminated with cosmetic product. The diameter of the cylindrical holding portion 14 is less than the maximum diameter of the conical applicator portion 12 at its base 16 and an inwardly curved region 20 is provided between the base 16 of the applicator portion 12 and the cylindrical holding portion 14. The inwardly curved region 20 extends in a generally radially inward direction towards the cylindrical holding portion 14. The cosmetics applicator shown in Figure 2, in which the applicator sponge 10 corresponds to the applicator sponge of Figure 1 , includes a substantially cylindrical grip member 22 mounted on the substantially cylindrical holding portion 14 of the applicator sponge 10. The inner diameter of the cylindrical grip member 22 is substantially the same as, or may even be slightly less than, the diameter of the cylindrical holding portion 14 so that the sponge material from which the cylindrical holding portion 14 is formed is compressed slightly by the cylindrical grip member 22.

The cylindrical grip member 22 includes a closed end 24 which is in contact with an end face of the holding portion 14. The closed end 24 is adhesively secured to the end face of the holding portion 14 to prevent unwanted separation of the grip member 22 from the holding portion 14. The grip member 22 is typically formed of a plastics material which is pliable and which can, therefore, be comfortably gripped between a user's fingers. The closed end 24 advantageously allows the cosmetics applicator to be stood on its end when not in use.

The cylindrical grip member 22 includes a plurality of apertures 26 formed at equispaced positions around its cylindrical surface. These apertures 26 expose the sponge material from which the applicator sponge 10 is formed.

The cosmetics applicator is intended to be a reusable product and can be washed in a conventional domestic washing machine or in any other suitable manner. The areas of sponge material that are exposed by the apertures 26 allow the sponge material to dry naturally after washing by enhancing the breathability of the sponge material.

In order to increase the lifespan of the cosmetics applicator, the sponge applicator is typically impregnated with an anti -bacterial agent, an anti-hardening agent and an anti-discolouring agent. The cosmetics applicator shown in Figure 3, in which the applicator sponge 10 corresponds to the applicator sponge of Figure 1 , includes a cylindrical sleeve 30 which is removably located on the substantially cylindrical holding portion 14 of the applicator sponge 10. The inner diameter of the cylindrical sleeve 30 is substantially the same as, or may be even slightly less than, the maximum diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion 14 so that the sponge material from which the cylindrical holding portion 14 is formed is compressed slightly by the cylindrical sleeve 30. The cylindrical sleeve 30 includes a closed end 32 which is typically in contact with an end face of the holding portion 14. The cylindrical sleeve 30 is typically formed of a plastics material which is relatively rigid. The cylindrical sleeve 30 is provided only for storage purposes and is removed from the applicator sponge 10 prior to use. The closed end 32 advantageously allows the cosmetics applicator to be stood on its end when not in use.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a cosmetics applicator which is similar to the cosmetics applicator 10 shown in Figure 1 and in which corresponding features are designated with corresponding reference numerals prefixed by the number Ί '.

As will be apparent from a comparison between Figures 1 and 4, the sloping region 1 17 of the substantially conical applicator portion 1 12 is more prominently curved in an outward direction than the sloping region 17 of the substantially conical applicator portion 12.

In addition, the diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion 1 14 increases gradually in a direction extending away from the intersection between the base 1 16 of the substantially conical applicator portion 1 12 and the substantially cylindrical holding portion 114.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those examples without departing from the scope of the present invention, as claimed.

The grip member 22, when present, may have a continuous cylindrical surface without apertures 26.

Either the grip member 22 or cylindrical sleeve 30 may be used in conjunction with the cosmetics applicator described above with reference to Figure 4.

Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A cosmetics applicator comprising an applicator sponge having a substantially conical applicator portion and a substantially cylindrical holding portion extending from a base of the substantially conical applicator portion, wherein the diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion is less than the diameter of the substantially conical applicator portion at its base and the applicator sponge includes a curved region at the intersection between the base of the substantially conical applicator portion and the substantially cylindrical holding portion.

2. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the cosmetics applicator includes a cylindrical sleeve which is removably located on the substantially cylindrical holding portion of the applicator sponge.

3. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 2, wherein the inner diameter of the cylindrical sleeve is substantially equal to or less than the diameter of the substantially cylindrical holding portion of the applicator sponge.

4. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the cylindrical sleeve includes a closed end.

5. A cosmetics applicator according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the cylindrical sleeve comprises a substantially rigid plastics material.

6. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 1 , wherein the cosmetics applicator includes a grip member mounted on the holding portion.

7. A cosmetics applicator according to claim 6, wherein the grip member is substantially cylindrical.

8. _^ A cosmetics applicator according to claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the grip member includes at least one aperture in its surface.

9. A cosmetics applicator according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein the grip member includes a closed end which is adhered to the holding portion of the applicator sponge.

10. A cosmetics applicator according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the grip member comprises a pliable plastics material.

1 1. A cosmetics applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the applicator sponge includes one or more selected from the group consisting of an antibacterial agent, an anti-discolouring agent and an anti-hardening agent.