SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In one embodiment, an applicator includes a stem having an application end, a flocked surface on the application end of the stem, and a use indicator. The stem is configured to be grasped by a user during application of a cosmetic formulation. The flocked surface includes flock configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in the cosmetic formulation and to apply a portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation to a nail area in response to the flocked surface contacting the nail area. The use indicator is located on the stem at a location with respect to the flocked surface such that the use indicator is configured to indicate that the applicator has been used in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in the cosmetic formulation.

In one example, the use indicator is configured to indicate that the applicator has been used by changing appearance. In another example, the use indicator is configured to change appearance by one or more of changing transparency of the use indicator, making a word visible on the use indicator, or making a pattern visible on the use indicator. In another example, the use indicator includes a pH indicator configured to change appearance in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in the cosmetic formulation. In another example, the pH indicator includes one or more of alizarine yellow, azolitmin, bromocresol green, bromocresol purple, bromophenol blue, congo red, cresol red, cresolphthalein, gentian violet (methyl violet 10b), indigo carmine, malachite green, methyl orange, methyl purple, methyl red, methyl yellow, naphtholphthalein, neutral red, phenol red, phenolphthalein, screened methyl orange, thymol blue, or thymolphthalein.

In another example, the use indicator is configured to indicate that the applicator has been used in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in any water-based formulation. In another example, the cosmetic formulation is a water-based formulation. In another example, the flock includes a plurality of individual fibers. In another example, the plurality of individual fibers have lengths in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 1.1 mm. In another example, the plurality of individual fibers have a dtex rating of less than or equal to about 5.0. In another example, the plurality of individual fibers include nylon fibers. In another example, the plurality of individual fibers include fibers having one or more of a round cross-sectional shape, a triangular cross-sectional shape, or a tribulet cross-sectional shape.

In another example, the flocked surface is a portion of the stem and the flock is flocked directly to the portion of the stem. In another example, the flocked surface is distinct from the stem and the flocked surface is adhered to the application end of the stem. In another example, the applicator is configured to be used to apply the cosmetic formulation from the flock to ten nail areas after being dipped a single time in the cosmetic formulation. In another example, the stem is made from a biodegradable material. In another example, the biodegradable material is a paper material.

In another embodiment, a method of applying cosmetic formulation includes dipping an application end of an applicator in a container that includes cosmetic formulation, applying a portion of an amount of cosmetic formulation from the flock to a nail area after the application end of the applicator is dipped in the container, and disposing of the applicator without dipping the applicator again in the container after the use indicator indicates that the applicator has been used. The application end of the applicator includes a flocked surface with flock configured to retain the amount of the cosmetic formulation in response to the application end being dipped in the container. The applicator further includes a use indicator located with respect to the flocked surface such that the use indicator indicates that the applicator has been used in response to the application end being dipped in the container.

In one example, applying the portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation from the flock to the nail area includes applying a portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation to each of a plurality of nail areas before disposing of the applicator. In another example, the plurality of nail areas includes either five nail areas or ten nail areas. In another example, the applicator is distinct from a lid of the container. In another example, the cosmetic formulation is one or more of a nail polish, a nail polish remover, a nail varnish, a nail fungal treatment, a nail bacterial treatment, a cuticle treatment, a moisturizer, a cuticle conditioner, a nail supplement, or a nail protein. In another example, the nail area includes one or more of a nail or a cuticle. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the disclosed subject matter will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURES 1 A to IB depict an example of using a conventional applicator to apply a cosmetic formulation to nail areas;

FIGURES 2A to 2C depict front, side, and back views, respectively, of an embodiment of an applicator with a use indicator, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGURES 3A to 3D depict an embodiment of using the applicator depicted in FIGURES 2A to 2C, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein;

FIGURES 4A to 4D depict examples of fiber cross-sections and fiber shapes for use in flock of an applicator, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein; and FIGURE 5 depicts an embodiment of a method of applying cosmetic formulation using an applicator, such as the applicator depicted in FIGURES 2A to 2C, in accordance with the embodiments disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description provides several examples that relate to cosmetic applicators. In that regard, application of a wide variety of cosmetic formulations to human nails, including cuticle areas, is a common practice. Some examples of such cosmetic formulations include nail polish, nail polish remover, nail varnish, nail fungal treatment, nail bacterial treatment, cuticle treatment, moisturizer, cuticle conditioner, nail supplement, nail protein, and the like. In some instances, cosmetic formulations are applied using applicators. Generally described, a conventional applicator typically includes a brush at one end that retains an amount of cosmetic formula for application to the nail area (including cuticles of the nail). The opposite end of the applicator is grasped during use.

One example of using a conventional applicator to apply a cosmetic formulation to nail areas is depicted in FIGURES 1A to IB. The applicator 10 has a lid portion 12 and a brush portion 14. As shown in the dashed lined in FIGURE 1 A, the applicator 10 is dipped in a container 20 that has a cosmetic formulation 22 such that the brush portion 14 of the applicator 10 is in the cosmetic formulation 22. The applicator 10 is then removed from the container 20. As shown in solid lines in FIGURE 1 A, a finger 30 with a nail 32 is depicted with the brush portion 14 applying the cosmetic formulation 22 to the nail area of the nail 32 (e.g., to the nail 32 itself or to the cuticle of the nail 32). The brush portion 14 is in contact with the nail area of the nail 32 when the cosmetic formulation is being applied.

After the brush portion 14 applies the cosmetic formulation 22 to the nail area of the nail 32, the applicator 10 is then dipped again in the container 20, as shown in the dashed lines in FIGURE IB, with the brush portion 14 in the cosmetic formulation 22 in the container 20. The applicator 10 is then removed again from the container 20. As shown in solid lines in FIGURE IB, a finger 34 with a nail 36 is depicted with the brush portion 14 applying the cosmetic formulation 22 to the nail area of the nail 36 (e.g., to the nail 36 itself or to the cuticle of the nail 36). The brush portion 14 is in contact with the nail area of the nail 36 when the cosmetic formulation is being applied.

In one embodiment, the lid portion 12 is secured to the container 20 (e.g., screwed onto the container 20). In this state, the lid portion 12 is configured to preserve the cosmetic formulation 22 for long periods of time, such as days, weeks, months, or longer. This embodiment may be useful when a long time passes between the application of the cosmetic formulation 22 to the nail area of the nail 32 and the application of the cosmetic formulation 22 to the nail area of the nail 36. In another embodiment, the applicator 10 is temporarily placed in the container 20 without securing the lid portion 12 to the container 20. This embodiment may be useful when a short time passes between the application of the cosmetic formulation 22 to the nail area of the nail 32 and the application of the cosmetic formulation 22 to the nail area of the nail 36.

In certain applications of cosmetic formulations to nails, such as in salon environments, a single applicator may be used to apply cosmetic formula to the nail areas of different individuals. For example, referring back to the example in FIGURES 1 A to IB, the fingers 30 and 34 may be the fingers of different individuals. Sharing a single applicator among multiple individuals is undesirable because touching the nail area can transfer fungus and/or bacteria to other individuals, causing potential infection. For example, a fungal infection in the nail area of the nail 32 can be passed to the brush portion 14 in the instance shown in FIGURE 1A, and then passed from the brush portion 14 to the nail area of the nail 36 in the instance shown in FIGURE IB. Where the fingers 30 and 34 are the fingers of different individuals, the fungal infection is passed from one individual to the other.

Likewise, using an applicator on one individual and placing the applicator back into a cosmetic formulation container is undesirable because placing the applicator back into the cosmetic formulation container can contaminate the cosmetic formulation in the container. For example, a fungal infection in the nail area of the nail 32 can be passed to the brush portion 14 in the instance shown in FIGURE 1 A and then passed from the brush portion 14 into the cosmetic formulation 22 in the container 20. Such a contamination of the cosmetic formulation 22 in the container 20 can cause infection in any subsequent application of the cosmetic formulation 22 from the container 20 to another nail area.

To address the problems discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to applicators that include a use indicator to indicate that the applicator has been dipped in cosmetic formulation. In some embodiments, the applicator includes a flocked surface and the use indicator is located on a stem so that the use indicator indicates when the flocked surface has been dipped in cosmetic formulation. In some embodiments, the use indicator changes color to indicate that the flocked surface has been dipped in cosmetic formulation. When a user identifies the changed use indicator, the user knows that the applicator has already been dipped once in cosmetic formulation and should be disposed of without dipping the applicator in the cosmetic formation again. In some embodiments, the stem is made from a biodegradable material, such as a paper material, to alleviate any environmental damage from a single-use applicator. In some embodiments, because the applicator is intended as a single-use applicator, the applicator is distinct from a lid of a container that holds the cosmetic formulation.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without some or all of the specific details. In some instances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the present disclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the present disclosure may employ any combination of features described herein.

One embodiment of an applicator 100 with a use indicator 110 is shown in front, side, and back views, respectively shown in FIGURES 2A to 2C. The applicator 100 has a stem 102 that includes an application end 104 and a distal end 106. The stem 102 is configured to be grasped by a user during application of a cosmetic formulation. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2A to 2C, the distal end 106 is tapered both through the width and the thickness from the widest portion of the stem 102. In some instances, the tapering of the distal end 106 from the widest portion of the stem 102 provides a convenient shape for a user to grasp the stem. In some embodiments, the stem could take other shapes, such as a straight stem, a round stem, and the like.

In some embodiments, the application end 104 of the stem 102 includes a flocked surface 108. The flocked surface 108 includes flock, such as a plurality of small fiber particles. The flock is configured to retain an amount of cosmetic formulation in response to the application end 104 of the stem 102 being dipped in the cosmetic formulation. The flock is also configured to apply a portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation to a nail area in response to the flocked surface 108 contacting the nail area. The flocked surface 108 is flocked by applying the flock to an adhesive on the flocked surface 108. This can be done by providing the flock with a negative electrical charge while the flocked surface 108 is grounded such that the flock is electrically attracted to the adhesive on the flocked surface 108 until the adhesive secures the flock to the flocked surface 108. In some embodiments, the flocked surface 108 is a portion of the stem 102 and the flock is flocked directly to the portion of the stem 102. In other embodiments, the flocked surface 108 is distinct from the stem 102 and the flocked surface 108 is adhered to the application end 104 of the stem 102 after the flocked surface 108 has been flocked.

Many different forms of flock are available for use on the flocked surface 108. In some embodiments, the flock includes natural fibers (e.g., cotton, wool) and/or synthetic fibers (e.g., nylon, polyester). In one example, the flock used on the flocked surface 108 includes nylon fibers. In some embodiments, the fibers in the flock have lengths in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 1.1 mm. In some embodiments, the fibers in the flock have a particular decitex ("dtex") rating, which is the mass in grams per 10,000 meters of a single filament of the fiber. In one example, the fibers in the flock have a dtex rating of 5.0 or lower.

In some embodiments, the fibers in the flock have a particular cross-sectional shape. Some examples of cross-sectional shapes are depicted in FIGURES 4A to 4D. In one example, FIGURE 4 A depicts a round cross-sectional shape 140 of a flock fiber. While the example of a round cross-sectional shape depicted in FIGURE 4A is circular, other forms of round cross-sectional shape are possible, such as oval shapes. Two examples of triangular cross-sectional shapes 142 and 144 are depicted in FIGURES 4B and 4C. The triangular cross-sectional shape 142 has straight sides, while the triangular cross-sectional shape 144 has curved sides. A fiber 146 with a tribulet cross-sectional shape is depicted in FIGURE 4D. As shown, the fiber 146 has a larger cross-sectional shape at first end 148 than at a second end 150. The cross-sectional shape transitions from the larger size at the first end 148 to the smaller size at the second end 150. While the tribulet cross-sectional shape depicted in FIGURE 4D is a triangular tribulet cross-sectional shape, other embodiments of fibers have different shaped tribulet cross-section (e.g., a circular tribulet cross-sectional shape). Different embodiments of cross-sectional shapes provide different advantages, such as high surface area to retain cosmetic formulation or high flexibility to apply cosmetic formulation to irregular nail areas.

Referring back to FIGURES 2A to 2C, the applicator 100 also has the use indicator 110 located on the stem 102. The use indicator 110 is configured to indicate that the applicator 100 has been used. The use indicator 110 changes appearance in response to the application end 104 of the stem 102 being dipped in cosmetic formulation. In some embodiments, the use indicator 110 is configured to indicate that the applicator 100 has been used by changing colors. In one example, the use indicator 110 includes a pH indicator configured to change colors in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in the cosmetic formulation. Examples of pH indicators include alizarine yellow, azolitmin, bromocresol green, bromocresol purple, bromophenol blue, congo red, cresol red, cresolphthalein, gentian violet (methyl violet 10b), indigo carmine, malachite green, methyl orange, methyl purple, methyl red, methyl yellow, naphtholphthalein, neutral red, phenol red, phenolphthalein, screened methyl orange, thymol blue, or thymolphthalein. In other embodiments, the use indicator 110 is configured to indicate that the applicator 100 has been used by changing shading intensity, displaying a symbol, transitioning from invisible to visible, or any other suitable appearance change. In some embodiments, the use indicator 110 is configured to indicate that the applicator 100 has been used in response to the application end 104 of the stem 102 being dipped in any water-based formulation. In some examples, the cosmetic formulation is a water-based formulation to cause the use indicator 110 to indicate that the applicator 100 has been used. In some embodiments, the use indicator 110 is located on the stem 102 at a location with respect to the flocked surface 108 such that the use indicator 110 indicates that the applicator 100 has been used in response to the application end 104 of the stem 102 being dipped in cosmetic formulation. In the embodiment shown in FIGURE 2A, the use indicator 110 is located on the stem 102 at a distance 112 away from the flocked surface 108. In one example, the distance 112 between the use indicator 110 and the flocked surface 108 is 10 mm. In another example, the distance 112 between the use indicator 110 and the flocked surface 108 is less than or equal to 10 mm. In another example, the distance 112 is 0 mm such that the use indicator 110 is adjacent to the flocked surface 108. In the embodiment shown in FIGURES 2 A to 2C, the use indicator 110 is located on the front side of the stem 102 (see FIGURE 2A), but not on the side or back of the stem 102 (see FIGURES 2B and 2C). In other embodiments, the use indicator 110 is located on more than one face of the stem 102, such as on the stem and/or the back. In other embodiments, the user indicator 110 covers the entire surface of the stem 102.

An example sequence of using the applicator 100 is depicted in FIGURES 3 A to 3D. In FIGURE 3A, the applicator 100 is outside of a container 120. The container 120 includes a cosmetic formulation 122. From the instance shown in FIGURE 3A, the application end 104 of the applicator 100 is inserted into the container 120 until the flocked surface 108 and the use indicator 110 of the application end 104 are dipped in the cosmetic formulation 122, as shown in the instance depicted in FIGURE 3B. The flock on the flocked surface 108 is configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation 122 in response to the application end 104 being dipped in the container 120. In some embodiments, the material, size, and/or other properties of the flock are selected such that the flock is configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation 122 in response to the application end 104 being dipped in the container 120.

From the instance shown in FIGURE 3B, the applicator 100 is removed from the container 120, as shown in the instance in FIGURE 3C. After the applicator 100 is removed from the container 120, cosmetic formulation 122 is retained on the flock of the flocked surface 108. In addition, the use indicator 110 has contacted the cosmetic formulation 122 and now indicates that the applicator 100 has been used. In the particular embodiment depicted in FIGURES 3A to 3D, the use indicator 110 is a lighter shade before being dipped in the container 120 and the use indicator 110 is a darker shade after being dipped in the container 120. In one example, the different shades are representative of different colors (e.g., yellow before the applicator 100 is dipped in the container 120 and red after the applicator 100 is dipped in the container 120). In another example, the use indicator 110 is substantially transparent before being dipped in the container 120 and is not fully transparent after being dipped in the container 120, such as displaying a word (e.g., the word "USED") or pattern (e.g., cross-hatching).

In some embodiments, the change in the use indicator 110 occurs when the use indicator 110 comes into contact with the cosmetic formulation 122. In one example, the use indicator 110 comes into contact with the cosmetic formulation 122 when the use indicator 110 contacts the cosmetic formulation 122 in the container 120 (e.g., in the instance shown in FIGURE 3B). In another example, the use indicator 110 comes into contact with the cosmetic formulation 122 when the use indicator 110 contacts the side of the opening of the container 120 as the applicator 100 is being inserted into and/or removed from the container 120. In another example, the use indicator 110 comes into contact with the cosmetic formulation 122 after the use indicator 110 has been removed from the container 120 (e.g., as shown in FIGURE 3C) and some of the cosmetic formulation 122 flows from the flocked surface 108 to the use indicator 110. In some examples, such fluid flow occurs due to capillary action of the flock, due to movement of the cosmetic formulation 122 caused by surface tension, due to wetting of the stem 102 (e.g., when the stem is made from a paper material), or due to gravity (e.g., when the applicator 100 is turned so that the flocked surface 108 is above the use indicator 110).

After the applicator 100 is removed from the container 120 and cosmetic formulation 122 is retained on the flocked surface 108, as shown in FIGURE 3C, the applicator 100 is capable of being used to apply portions of the cosmetic formulation 122 to nail areas. As shown in FIGURE 3D, the applicator 100 is capable of being used to apply portions of the cosmetic formulation 122 to nail areas of a hand 130 with nails 132. The nail areas associated with the nails 132 include the nails 132 themselves and their cuticles. In some embodiments, the flock is configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation 122 such that the applicator 100 is capable of applying a portion of the cosmetic formulation 122 to each of a plurality of nail areas before disposing of the applicator. In one example, the flock is configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation 122 such that the applicator 100 is capable of applying a portion of the cosmetic formulation 122 to each of five nail areas (e.g., the five nail areas associated with nails 132 on the hand 130). In another embodiment, the flock is configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation 122 such that the applicator 100 is capable of applying a portion of the cosmetic formulation 122 to each of ten nail areas (e.g., the five nail areas associated with nails 132 on the hand 130 and five other nail areas associated with another hand). In this way, an operator of the applicator 100 is able to apply cosmetic formulation 122 to multiple nail areas (e.g., to all the nail areas on ten fingers of a single individual) without having to dip the applicator 100 again in the container 120.

An embodiment of a method 200 of applying cosmetic formulation using an applicator, such as the applicator 100, is depicted in FIGURE 5. At block 202, an application end of an applicator is dipped in a container that includes cosmetic formulation. The application end of the applicator includes a flocked surface with flock configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation in response to the application end being dipped in the container. The applicator further includes a use indicator located with respect to the flocked surface such that the use indicator indicates that the applicator has been used in response to the application end being dipped in the container. In some embodiments, the applicator is distinct from a lid of the container so that the container can be closed without the applicator being dipped back into the cosmetic formulation. In some embodiments, the cosmetic formulation is one or more of a nail polish, a nail polish remover, a nail varnish, a nail fungal treatment, a nail bacterial treatment, a cuticle treatment, a moisturizer, a cuticle conditioner, a nail supplement, or a nail protein.

At block 204, a portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation retained by the flock is applied to a nail area after the application end of the applicator is dipped in the container. In some embodiments, this includes applying a portion of cosmetic formulation to each of a plurality of nail areas (e.g., five nail areas or ten nail areas) before disposing of the applicator. In some embodiments, the nail area includes one or more of a nail or a cuticle. At block 206, the applicator is disposed of without dipping the applicator again in the container after the use indicator indicates that the applicator has been used. In some embodiments, a stem of the applicator is made from a biodegradable material so that the environmental impact from disposal of the applicator after one use in the cosmetic formulation is reduced.

It should be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "inwardly," "outwardly," "inner," "outer," "front," "rear," etc., should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms "connected," "coupled," and "mounted" and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings.

The present application may also reference quantities and numbers. Unless specifically stated, such quantities and numbers are not to be considered restrictive, but exemplary of the possible quantities or numbers associated with the present application. Also in this regard, the present application may use the term "plurality" to reference a quantity or number. In this regard, the term "plurality" is meant to be any number that is more than one, for example, two, three, four, five, etc. Unless stated otherwise, the term "about," "approximately," etc., means plus or minus 5% of the stated value.

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.