Cosmetic Applicator Head and Applicator

Technical Field

The invention relates to application heads (tips) for cosmetic applicators and to applicators for cosmetics comprising such applicator heads.

Description:

Traditionally, applicator heads for cosmetics, such as eye shadow applicator heads are formed as pairs, which are then cut into two, or cut singularly along the edge of the foam, such that the rear edge is unsealed and open to allow attachment to the applicator handle. This allows the flexible spatula (flexor) part of the handle to be inserted into the head to produce the final product. This leads to a rough, sometimes uneven or misaligned edge at the junction of the head and handle that can affect make-up application and creates a scruffy appearance in the finished applicator. To eliminate this rough edge and create a flush joint between the applicator head and handle, traditionally it has been necessary to use a separate spatula insert and a head with a relatively long, thin neck. The head is first adhered to the spatula part of the handle, and then the spatula is inserted into a recess in a holder part to form the handle. Although the effect is usually good, it is an expensive process due to the number of stages in the assembly process, all of which must be done manually, and increased tooling cost as two moulding tools are required for the handle parts and one of the moulding tools will require side cores.

It is an object of the invention to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages.

It is desirable to produce an applicator head that eliminates this rough rear edge and creates a smooth transition from head to handle in the finished applicator, without added tooling and/or manufacturing costs. As well keeping production costs down, this would

improve the aesthetic of the item, its use in application of the product, and potentially allow fully automated production.

Statement of Invention

The present invention provides an applicator head for a cosmetic applicator, said applicator head having a rear (handleward) edge, the rear edge of the applicator head being shaped by compression and/or sealed, the compressed and/or sealed rear edge defining an aperture through which an applicator handle, or a part thereof, can be inserted.

The applicator head may be moulded as a single foam piece; or formed from two pieces of foam, the two pieces being sealed together to define the sides and front tip of the applicator head. In the latter aspect, the applicator head comprises two (upper and lower) rear edges, each being shaped by compression and/or sealed, the compressed and/or sealed rear edge or edges define an aperture through which an applicator handle or a part thereof can be inserted.

In a preferred embodiment, the applicator head comprises upper and lower foam portions joined together along an outer edge; the head having an opening to receive an applicator handle or a part thereof, and wherein the edges of said upper and lower foam portions adjacent said opening are shaped by compression and/or sealed to define compressed and/or sealed edges for said opening.

Compression and/or sealing of the rear edges of the applicator head enable the rearward edge(s) of the applicator head to be shaped. This improves the aesthetic qualities of the head and also the overall aesthetic quality of the applicator. Compression and/or sealing allow the rear edges of the applicator head to be shaped to complement the shape of the handle in the area where the applicator head and handle meet. Using prior art manufacturing methods it has been difficult to produce a neat rear edge of defined shape; however, by compression and/or sealing of the rear edge or edges of the applicator head in accordance with the present invention, a rear edge can be provided

with a desired, reproducible shape, e.g., inwardly or outwardly curved, or V-shaped, relative to the applicator head tip.

Compression and/or sealing can be achieved by application of pressure and/or heat induced by any means, e.g., conduction, ultrasound, high frequency radio waves and the like.

Applicator heads can be constructed from any suitable natural or synthetic material; in particular a natural or synthetic material that can be compressed, e.g., a porous material, thereby removing air from pockets within the material, reducing the volume of air in the foam pockets and/or locally increasing the density of the material at the site of compression and/or sealing. Foams may be of open or closed cellular form. Suitable examples of foam materials for applicator heads of the invention include polyurethane, polyethylene and the like. The applicator head may be made of a polyurethane foam. The grade of the polyurethane foam can be selected according to the cosmetic product intended to be applied using the applicator.

The invention also provides an applicator for cosmetics, said applicator comprising one or more applicator heads of the invention and a handle. Single and double-headed applicators are within the scope of the invention. An applicator of the invention may have a single applicator head, or may be double-ended. A double-ended applicator in accordance with the invention may be double-headed, having an applicator head of the invention at each end of the handle. When double-headed, the applicator may have heads of the same size or of different sizes, which may be identical in shape or different in shape. A double-ended applicator in accordance with the invention may have an applicator head of the invention at one end of the handle and another cosmetic application means, such as a brush or pencil (e.g., an eyeliner, eyebrow, eye shadow or lip pencil), at the other end.

The handle may be a single element, shaped such that one end is adapted for insertion into the applicator head and the other end being held in use, or for a double-headed applicator, such that both ends of the handle are adapted for insertion into applicator heads, the intervening, middle handle section being held in use. Alternatively, the

handle may comprise two or more parts, for example, a spatula that can be inserted into the applicator head and a holder that is attached to the spatula to form the handle. When the applicator is double-headed, a spatula may be inserted into each of two applicator heads and the spatulas carrying the heads may then be attached to a holder to form the handle. For attachment, a spatula can be inserted into a recess in the holder; however, handles with other means of connecting the spatula and handle are within the scope of the invention, for example fitting the spatula over the handle, the handle fitting into the spatula, a dovetail joint, welding and the like. An applicator head and handle may be fixed together using an adhesive. When a spatula is used, the applicator head may be fixed to the spatula using an adhesive and the spatula may be attached to the holder using an adhesive. A push-fit or screw-fit connection may be used with or without adhesive to connect the spatula and holder to form the handle.

The handle can be made from Nylon, polypropylene, polycarbonate or the like.

Applicators of the invention may be used to apply cosmetics such as eye shadow, blusher, concealer, lip gloss, lipstick, skin-care products and the like; the cosmetic may be in powder, gel, wax, oil, emulsion, gloss or cream/creme form.

The invention further provides a method for producing a foam applicator head of the invention comprising shaping the rear edge(s) of the applicator head by compressing and/or sealing the edge(s) by application pressure and/or heat induced by any means, e.g. conduction, ultrasound, high frequency radio waves and the like.

The invention further provides an applicator pre-loaded with a cosmetic, e.g. an eye shadow, blusher, concealer, lip-gloss, lipstick, skin-care products or the like.

The invention yet further provides a kit comprising an applicator of the invention and one or more cosmetic, e.g. selected from an eye shadow, blusher, concealer, lip gloss, lipstick, skin-care products and the like.

The invention additionally provides a kit comprising an applicator of the invention preloaded with one or more cosmetic, e.g. selected from an eye shadow, blusher, concealer, lip gloss, lipstick, skin-care products and the like.

Kits can be provided in the form of a case containing an applicator of the invention and one or more cosmetic, the applicator may be preloaded with a cosmetic; the case may be provided with a mirror.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure IA (Prior Art) depicts a prior art foam applicator head which has an applicator body (1) with sealed sides (2) and a cut rear edge, which is neither compressed, nor sealed.

Figure IB depicts a foam applicator head of the invention which has an applicator body (I) ₅ formed from two foam pieces sealed together at the sides (2), having two rear edges (3), each of the rear edges being sealed, the rear sealed edges not being sealed together.

Figure 2 A (Prior Art) shows a photograph of a prior art foam applicator head, which has an applicator body (1) with sides sealed by pressure and conduction (2) and a blunt cut rear edge, which is neither compressed, nor sealed. The rear, unsealed edge defines an opening through which a part of an applicator handle can be inserted.

Figure 2B shows a photograph of a foam applicator head of the invention which has an applicator body (1), formed from two foam pieces sealed together at the sides (2), having two rear edges (3), each of the rear edges being sealed to itself, the rear sealed edges are not sealed together to each other, the rear sealed edges define an opening through which a part of an applicator handle can be inserted, the rear sealed edges are inwardly curved relative to the tip of the applicator head.

Figure 3 shows a standard prior art applicator and applicator head in (A) side view, (B) top view and (C) isometric view. The straight cut edge is rough and there is a massive difference in thickness of the head and the handle, which is particularly evident in the side view. The heads are made in pairs; the edges of the heads are sealed with pressure and conduction. The heads are then cut in two to create the opening for the flexible spatula. The handle and spatula/flexor are a single piece.

Figure 4 shows an applicator head and applicator, in accordance with the invention, in (A) side view, (B) top view and (C) isometric view. The smooth transition between the head and the handle can be seen; the curve at the junction of the head and handle improves the overall aesthetic of the applicator. The rough rear (handleward) edge that can cause problems during the application of cosmetic products is eliminated. The heads are made singularly, the two sheets of foam are sealed together using pressure and conduction, the rear edges are sealed separately using together using pressure and conduction. Once cut, the rear edges form the opening for the flexible spatula/flexor.

The handle and spatula/flexor are a single piece.