TITLE OF INVENTION

APPLYING MEMBER, APPLICATOR AND COSMETIC DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to an applying member for applying cosmetic liquid such as eyeshadow on an application target such as eyelids, an applicator comprising such an applying member, and a cosmetic device comprising such an applicator.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, an applying member disclosed in US 10575621 B1 is proposed as an applying member for applying cosmetic liquid such as eyeshadow on an application target such as eyelids.

This applying member comprises a shaft portion attached to a shaft member of an applicator; and a head portion protruding from a distal end of the shaft portion, and the head portion includes a concave first surface, a convex second surface opposing to the first surface, and a peripheral portion. Such an applying member configures an applicator by attaching the shaft portion to a shaft member, and the applicator is removably attached to a neck portion of a container main body containing cosmetic liquid. The applicator is pulled out from the container main body when applying the cosmetic liquid, and the concave first surface keeps holding the cosmetic liquid, so that the cosmetic liquid attached on the convex second surface is wiped off by contacting with a wiper disposed inside the container main body when pulling out. Then, the cosmetic liquid on the first surface is firstly applied on the application target by contacting the second surface with the application target.

In addition to the above publication, as an applying member, applying members disclosed in WO 2019/124920 Al, US 2019/0000212 Al, FR 3066682 Al, WO 2018/91819 A 1 , WO 2016/51072, US 9468280 B2 are known.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION [0003] However, in these applying members, there is a need to apply cosmetic liquid in various aspects.

Therefore, the object of the invention of the present application is to provide an applying member, an applicator and a cosmetic device capable of applying cosmetic liquid in various aspects.

[0004] The present invention employs the following means to solve the above problem. An applying member according to the present invention is an applying member for being attached to a shaft member configuring an applicator, and for applying cosmetic liquid on an application target, comprising: a shaft portion attached to the shaft member, and extending along a shaft axis; and a head portion protruding distally from a distal end of a shaft portion, wherein the head portion includes a first applying surface, a second applying surface opposing the first applying surface, and a peripheral portion, wherein the second applying surface is a curved surface protruding away from the shaft axis, and wherein the first applying surface is flatter than the second applying surface.

[0005] According to this invention, since the flatter first applying surface can hold more cosmetic liquid compared to the second applying surface, relatively large amount of cosmetic liquid can be applied on the application target by contacting the first applying surface with the application target, and the cosmetic liquid applied on the application target can be spread and blurred by contacting the second applying surface with the application target, if necessary. In addition, a line of cosmetic liquid can be drawn by contacting the peripheral portion with the application target, if necessary. Therefore, the cosmetic liquid can be applied on the application target in various aspects.

[0006] In addition, in the applying member according to the present invention, the peripheral portion may be provided with a retaining groove that retains the cosmetic liquid.

According to this invention, when contacting the peripheral portion with the application target to draw lines of the cosmetic liquid, the cosmetic liquid held in the retaining groove is supplied to the peripheral portion which contacts with the application target. Thus, this prevents lines of the cosmetic liquid from getting faint or breaking. Therefore, lines of the cosmetic liquid can be drawn more smoothly with the peripheral portion.

[0007] In addition, in the applying member according to the present invention, the retaining groove extends over the distal end of the head portion.

According to this invention, because the retaining groove is formed over the distal end of the head portion, the thickness at the distal end of the peripheral portion gets thinner. Thus, this makes possible to draw thinner lines of the cosmetic liquid when drawing lines of cosmetic liquid with the distal end of the peripheral portion. [0008] In addition, in the applying member according to the present invention, the peripheral portion may be provided with a pair of retaining grooves on opposing sides.

According to this invention, in the same vein as mentioned above, because the retaining groove is formed on the side of the head portion, the thickness at the side of the peripheral portion becomes thinner. Thus, this makes it possible to draw thinner lines of the cosmetic liquid when drawing lines of cosmetic liquid with the side of the peripheral portion.

[0009] In addition, in the applying member according to the present invention, a head axis along which the head portion extends may be inclined towards the second applying surface side in relation to the shaft axis. According to this invention, when pulling the applicator attached with the applying member out from a container main body containing the cosmetic liquid, the cosmetic liquid attached on the second applying surface can be wiped off effectively by the container main body.

[0010] In addition, in the applying member according to the present invention, a width of the head portion at its distal end may get narrower distally.

According to this invention, thinner lines of the cosmetic liquid can be drawn with the distal end of the head portion. In addition, when mounting the applicator, to which the applying member is attached, on the container main body after drawing the cosmeticJiquid on the application target, the applying member can pass easily through a neck portion of the container main body.

[0011] In addition, in the applying member according to the present invention, the head portion may be formed linearly symmetrically with respect to the shaft axis. According to this invention, it is possible to change the position of the applying member from one situation for applying the cosmetic liquid on a right eyelid to another situation for applying the cosmetic liquid on a left eyelid without drastically changing the way of holding the applicator with which the applying member is mounted. Thus, the applicator would become more convenient.

[0012] In addition, the applicator according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises the applying member as mentioned above; and a shaft member attached to the applying member.

Moreover, the cosmetic device according to the present invention is characterized in that it comprises the applicator as mentioned above; and a container main body containing cosmetic liquid, to which the applicator is removably attached.

According to these inventions, in the same vein as mentioned above, relatively large amount of cosmetic liquid can be applied on the application target by contacting the first applying surface with the application target, and the cosmetic liquid applied on the application target can be spread and blurred by contacting the second applying surface with the application target, if necessary. In addition, a line of cosmetic liquid can be drawn by contacting the peripheral portion with the application target, if necessary. Therefore, the cosmetic liquid can be applied on the application target in various aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Fig 1 shows a front view of an applying member according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Fig 2 shows a view of the applying member in Fig 1 from an arrow A 1 of Fig 1. [0015] Fig 3 shows a view of the applying member in Fig 1 from an arrow A2 of Fig 2.

[0016] Fig 4 shows a view of the applying member in Fig 1 from an arrow A3 of Fig 3.

[0017] Fig 5 shows a perspective view of the applying member in Fig 1.

[0018] Fig 6 shows another perspective view of the applying member in Fig 1.

[0019] Fig 7 shows a front view.. of...an applying member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Fig 8 shows a view of the applying member in Fig 7 from an arrow B1 of Fig 7.

[0021] Fig 9 shows a view of the applying member in Fig 7 from an arrow B2 of Fig 8.

[0022] Fig 10 shows a view of the applying member in Fig 7 from an arrow B3 of Fig 9. [0023] Fig 11 shows a perspective view of the applying member in Fig 7.

[0024] Fig 12 shows another perspective view of the applying member in Fig 7.

[0025] Fig 13 shows a perspective view of an applying member according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0026] Fig 14 shows another perspective view of an applying member in Fig 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0027] Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the applying member, an applicator and a cosmetic device according to the present invention will be described, based on the figures. In the figures used in the following description, each element is scaled accordingly in order to make each element recognizable.

[0028] The applying member 1 according to the embodiment, as shown in Figures 1 to 6, is for applying cosmetic liquid such as eyeshadow on an application target such as eyelids. The applying member 1 is formed from thermoplastic elastomer, and a surface of the applying member 1 which is surrounded by a frame X shown in Figure 1 is flocked for applying the cosmetic liquid on the applying member 1. The flock has a length of preferably between 0.3mm and 1.5mm, and more preferably between 0.7mm and 1.2mm, for example, and a thickness of 1.7dtex, for example.

[0029] The applying member 1 is attached to a distal end of a shaft member 11 of an applicator 10. The applicator 10 comprises the applying member 1 , the shaft member 11 , and a handle (not shown) attached to a proximal end of the shaft member 11. In addition, the cosmetic device comprises the applicator 10 and a container main body containing the cosmetic liquid, and the handle of the applicator is snap-fitted with a neck portion of the container main body. The handle of the applicator 10 can be removably attached to the neck portion of the container main body in any suitable manner other than snap-fitting. In addition, a frustoconical wiper is disposed inside the container main body, which contacts with the applying member 1 when inserting the applicator 10 into the container main body and when pulling the applicator 10 out from the container main body.

Hereinafter, the direction away from the shaft member 11 along a shaft axis O, along which the shaft member 11 extends, is referred to as a distal direction, and the opposing direction is referred as a proximal direction.

[0030] The applying member 1 comprises a round columnar shaft portion 21 attached to the distal end of the shaft member 11, and a head portion 22 protruding from a distal end of the shaft portion 21. The shaft member 11 and the shaft portion 21 extend along a shaft axis O, and the head portion 22 extends along a head axis O'.

The shaft portion 21 includes a round columnar shaft main body 31 extending along the shaft axis O, a round columnar small-diameter portion 32 with a smaller diameter than the shaft main body 31, and a connecting portion 33 connecting the shaft main body 31 and the small-diameter portion 32 with its outer diameter getting larger towards from its proximal side toward its distal side. The length LI of the shaft portion 21 along the shaft axis O is 9.7mm, for example, and the length L2 of the shaft portion 21 from a distal end of a portion of the shaft main body 31 without a flock to a proximal end of the connecting portion 33 is 6.5mm, for example.

[0031 ] The head portion 22 is a flat plate extending from the distal end of the shaft portion 21 in the distal direction, and the head portion 22 includes a substantially flat first applying surface 41, a second applying surface 42 opposing the first applying surface 41, and a peripheral portion 43 extending around a circumference of the head portion 22. The head axis O' is inclined in relation to the shaft axis O. In other words, the head portion 22 protrudes from the distal end of the shaft portion 21 in a direction inflecting from the distal end of the shaft portion 21. The angle Q1 formed by the head axis O' and the shaft axis O is 18 degrees, for example.

[0032] The head portion 22 has a pentagon-shape in the front view, and includes a proximal portion 44 proximal to the shaft portion 21 , and a distal portion 45 located distally from the proximal portion 44.

The proximal portion 44 has a trapezoidal shape in the front view, and the width of the proximal portion 44 in a lateral direction progressively increases from its proximal side toward its distal side. The width W1 at the distal end of the proximal portion 44, i.e. the proximal end of the distal portion 45 is preferably between 5 to 7mm, and more preferably between 5.2 and 6mm, for example.

The distal portion 45 has a triangular-shape in the front view, and the width of the distal portion 45 in a lateral direction progressively decreases from its proximal side toward its distal side. The length L3 of the distal portion 45 along the head axis O' is shorter than the length L4 of the proximal portion 44 along the head axis O'. The length L4 of the proximal portion 44 is preferably between 6 and 9mm and more preferably between 8mm and 9mm, for example, and the length L3 of the distal portion 45 along the head axis O' is preferably between 3mm and 5mm and more preferably between 4 and 4.5mm, for example. In addition, the length L5 of the head portion 22 along the shaft axis O is preferably between 10mm and 14mm and more preferably between 10mm and 13mm, for example. [0033] The first applying surface 41 inclines at the proximal portion 44 so as to progressively get close to the head axis O' from its proximal side to its distal side, and extends substantially parallel to the head axis O' at the distal portion 45. In addition, the first applying surface 41 is curved convexly so as to incline toward the second applying surface 42 from its central portion in the lateral direction toward its outside in the lateral direction.

In addition, the first applying surface 41 is designed so as to not contact with the wiper disposed inside the container main body when mounting the applicator 10 to the container main body and when pulling the applicator 10 out from the container main body. [0034] The second applying surface 42 is curved from its central portion toward the peripheral portion 43 so as to get close to the first applying surface 41. Thus, the second applying surface 42 has a curved surface which protrudes away from the head axis O'.

In addition, the second applying surface 42 is configured to contact with the wiper provided inside the container main body when mounting the applicator 10 to the container main body and when pulling the applicator 10 out from the container main body. Thus, the cosmetic liquid attached on the second applying surface 42 is thoroughly wiped by the wiper when pulling the applicator 10 out from the container main body.

In addition, the distance D1 between a portion of the second applying surface 42 which is furthest from the shaft axis O and the shaft axis O is preferably between 4.2mm and 5mm and more preferably between 4.5mm and 4.9mm, for example. [0035] The peripheral portion 43 smoothly connects to the second applying surface 42, and is formed with a retaining groove 43A. The retaining groove 43A is formed almost over its circumference except for a proximal portion of the peripheral portion 43 proximal to the shaft portion 21. Thereby, the thickness of a portion of the peripheral portion 43 contacting with the application target becomes thinner compared with the thickness without the retaining groove 43A.

[0036] Next, the method using the applying member 1 , the applicator 10 and the cosmetic device will be explained. First, the applicator 10 is pulled out from the container main body containing the cosmetic liquid. The surface of the head portion 22 of the applying member 1 is attached with the cosmetic liquid. As the applicator 10 is pulled out from the container main body, the second applying surface 42 contacts with the wiper disposed inside the container main body. Thus, as the applicator 10 is pulled out from the container main body, the wiper wipes off the cosmetic liquid attached to the second applying surface 42. Because the second applying surface 42 is a curved surface, the second applying surface 42 contacts well with the wiper, and the cosmetic liquid attached on the second applying surface 42 is wiped off well. Thus, the excess cosmetic liquid on the surface of the head portion 22 is wiped off. The cosmetic liquid is retained on the first applying surface 41 and in the retaining groove 43A.

[0037] Then, the first applying surface 41 contacts with the application target such as an eyelid, and attaches the cosmetic liquid on the first applying surface 41. After that, the second applying surface 42 contacts with the application target to which the cosmetic liquid is applied by the first applying surface 41, and moves in relation to the application target to uniformly spread the cosmetic liquid on the application target. In addition, the second applying surface 42 can spread and blur the cosmetic liquid.

[0038] In addition, only the distal end of the peripheral portion 43 contacts with the application target and moves in relation to the application target to draw a line of the cosmetic liquid on the application target. As a line of the cosmetic liquid is drawn, the cosmetic liquid attached to the head portion 22 decreases. However, because the cosmetic liquid retained in the retaining groove 43A is supplied to the distal end of the peripheral portion 43, lines of the cosmetic liquid are drawn without getting faint or breaking. The same applies to the situation where only the side of the peripheral portion 43 contacts with the application target to draw a line of the cosmetic liquid.

Because the retaining groove 43A is formed almost over its entire circumference, and the thickness of the portion of the peripheral portion 43 that contacts with the application target is reduced, thinner lines of the cosmetic liquid can be drawn.

The applying member 1„ the applicator 10 and the cosmetic device are used in the above way.

[0039] As described above, according to the applying member 1, the applicator 10 comprising the applying member 1, and the cosmetic device comprising the applicator 10, relatively large amount of cosmetic liquid can be applied on the application target by contacting the first applying surface 41 with the application target, and the cosmetic liquid applied on the application target can be spread and blurred by contacting the second applying surface 42 with the application target, if necessary. If necessary, a line of cosmetic liquid can be drawn by contacting the peripheral portion 43 with the application target. In this way, the cosmetic liquid can be applied on the application target in various aspects.

In addition, the cosmetic liquid held in the retaining groove 43A is supplied to the peripheral portion 43 which contacts with the application target when contacting the peripheral portion 43 with the application target to draw lines of the cosmetic liquid, so it is possible to prevent lines of the cosmetic liquid from getting faint or breaking, and thus, lines of the cosmetic liquid can be drawn more smoothly with the peripheral portion 43.

Moreover, because the retaining groove 43 A is formed over the distal end of the head portion 22, the cosmetic liquid held in the retaining groove 43A is supplied to the peripheral portion which contacts with the application target, and it is possible to draw thinner lines of the cosmetic liquid when drawing lines of cosmetic liquid with the distal end of the peripheral portion 43.

Furthermore, when pulling the applicator 10 out from a container main body containing the cosmetic liquid, the cosmetic liquid attached to the second applying surface 42 can be wiped effectively by a wiper provided inside the container main body. In addition, because the width of the head portion 22 at its distal end gets narrower distally, the applying member 1 can pass easily through a neck portion of the container main body, and thus also pass through the wiper, when mounting the applicator 10 on the container main body after drawing the cosmetic liquid on the application target.

In addition, because the head portion 22 is formed linearly symmetrically with respect to the head axis O', it is possible to change the position of the applying member 1 from one situation for applying the cosmetic liquid on a right eyelid to another situation for applying the cosmetic liquid on a left eyelid, without drastically changing the way of holding the applicator 10.

[0040] Next, a second embodiment of the applying member, an applicator and a cosmetic device according to the present invention will be described. In the description below, elements and matters similar to the applying member, applicator and cosmetic device according to the first embodiment will be omitted. A head portion 51 of an applying member 50 according to the embodiment, as shown in Figures 7 to 12, is formed with a pair of retaining grooves 52A on a peripheral portion 52. The retaining grooves 52A are formed on opposing sides in relation to the head axis O'. [0041] The applying member 50, the applicator and the cosmetic device with the above configuration generate similar effects. However, the applying member 50 according to the second embodiment, the retaining grooves 52A do not extend over the distal end of the peripheral portion 52, and the thickness of the portion at the distal end of the peripheral portion 52 contacting with the application target is thicker than the applying member 1 according to the first embodiment. Thus, thicker lines of the cosmetic liquid can be drawn with the distal end of the peripheral portion 52, compared with the side portions of the peripheral portion 52.

[0042] The inventions of the present application are not limited to the above described embodiments, and various modifications to the above described embodiments may be made without departing from the concept of the inventions of the present application.

For example, although the applying members in the above embodiments are for applying cosmetic liquid such as eyeshadow for eyelids, the applying member can be for applying other cosmetic liquid such as eyeliner, lip rouge or lip gloss. The same applies to the applicator and the cosmetic device. Although the first applying surface has a slightly convex curved surface, the first applying surface can have other shapes, such as a slightly concave shape or a flat shape as long as the first applying surface is flatter than the second applying surface. In other words, the first applying surface can have various shapes as long as the first applying surface can retain the cosmetic liquid after pulling the applicator out from the container main body. The curved shape of the second applying surface also can be changed appropriately. Although the second applying surface contacts with the wiper when pulling the applicator out from the container main body, it is possible for the second applying surface not to contact with the wiper. In this case, for example, the cosmetic liquid attached on the second,applying surface is wiped by contacting with an inner surface of the neck portion of the container main body.

Although the retaining groove has a straight shape, the retaining groove can have other shapes such as a wave shape. In addition, the depth and the width of the retaining groove can be changed appropriately. Moreover, the retaining groove may not be provided on the applying member. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, for example, an applying member 60 has a head portion 61 including the first and second applying surfaces 41, 42 and a peripheral portion 62 with no retaining groove.

Although the head portion is formed linearly symmetrically with respect to the head axis, the head portion can be formed nonlinearly symmetrically with respect to the head axis, and can have other appropriate shapes.

The width of the distal end of the head portion can progressively decrease distally, and the width of the distal end of the head portion can be set appropriately.

Although the head axis inclines toward the second applying surface in relation to the shaft axis, the angle of the head axis in relation to the shaft axis can be changed appropriately. For example, the head axis can incline toward the first applying surface, or can incline in the lateral direction of the head portion in relation to the shaft axis. In addition, the head axis can be parallel to the shaft axis.

In the first embodiment, although the retaining groove is formed almost over its entire circumference, as long as the retaining groove extends over the distal end of the head portion, it is possible for the retaining groove not to extend over almost its entire circumference. In the same vein, in the second embodiment, although a pair of retaining grooves are formed on the opposing sides of the peripheral portion, a plurality of pairs of retaining grooves can be formed, or the retaining grooves can be formed only on one side of the peripheral portion. Moreover, as long as the retaining groove can supply the cosmetic liquid to a portion of the peripheral portion contacting with the application target, it is possible for the retaining groove not to extend to the distal end of the head portion.

Although the head portion has a pentagon-shape in the front view, the head portion can have other shapes such as a hexagon-shape or a triangular shape. In addition, although the width of the head portion in the lateral direction is larger than the width of the shaft portion in the lateral direction, the width of the head portion in the lateral direction can be smaller than the width of the shaft portion in the lateral direction. Moreover, although the length of the distal portion along the head axis is smaller than the length of the proximal portion along the head axis, the length of the distal portion along the head axis can be larger than the length of the proximal portion along the head axis.

The cosmetic liquid is not limited to pure liquid, and the cosmetic liquid can be a mixture of solid materials such as powder and liquid.