INVENTOR: Angela Johnson

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Appl. No. 62/434866 filed on December 15, 2016. The content of the aforementioned application is incorporated by reference herein. This application claims priority as a continuation-in-part of U.S. design application serial number 26/613,389 filed on August 9, 2017. The content of the aforementioned design application is incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION:

Tools made of foam-like substances that are used to apply cosmetics to the skin are easily stained, difficult to clean, and absorb the cosmetic product.

Foam -like and foam cosmetic applicator tools stain easily and thus look dirty even after being cleaned. They cannot be cleaned in a fast manner and some cannot be cleaned at all and are disposable, creating more waste. Foam-like and foam cosmetic tools absorb a large amount of cosmetic product which wastes the consumer's money.

In addition, the foam products do not provide an even and controllable pressure over an area because the cells of the foam actually do not uniformly distribute the pressure applied by the user, so that uneven thickness of cosmetics can result. That is, applied pressure on a foam body is sent through it to an application surface in only a small surface rather than being distributed over a desired larger surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 - 3 are taken from the provisional application from which priority is claimed showing an embodiment of the subject silicone cosmetic applicator Figure 4 is a view rotated partially between the back and side of another embodiment of the silicone cosmetic applicator in which a textured surface is shown.

Figure 5 is a back view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmetic applicator of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a front view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmetic applicator of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a top view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmetic applicator of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmetic applicator of Figure 4. Figure 9 is a side view of the embodiment of the silicone cosmetic applicator of Figure 4.

Figure 10 is a view looking into an embodiment of the surface of a mold with protrusions used for molding indentations into the surface of a silicone cosmetic applicator resulting in a textured surface of the applicator.

Figures 11a and 1 lb show schematically the indentation affected by the texturing in the ratio of length to depth from a close ratio to a distant ratio.

Figures 12a to 12c show the graduated deposition of cosmetics as the cosmetic applicator is moved across a user's skin.

Figure 13 is a view showing how the indentations deliver cosmetics into pores and other anatomical irregularities in the skin as the applicator is moved in use.

Figure 14 is a view of an embodiment of the invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

Applying cosmetics, especially to the face presents challenges in seeking an optimal desired result. While the general understanding may be that the subject of this technology applies to women's cosmetics, as will be appreciated, that is not always the case. Men also can be the recipients of makeup, for example, in the stage, movie or television industry or as personally desired.

The nature of the desired result is readily understood by users and cosmetic

manufacturers. It is understood that successful application of cosmetics is a personal objective, mainly of women who do their own application. Successful application of cosmetics is also a professional art of cosmetologists (synonymous with beautician, makeup artist and other terms) in a generic retail market. Also, there are some very specific professional industries for the art such as in the stage, television and movie industries for the application of theatrical makeup. Another specific industry would be for persons having facial disfigurement, or other need for makeup either temporarily during healing or for permanent appearance changes.

All of these require to a lesser or greater extent artistic talent ranging from the individual self-application to the various categories of professionals.

Regardless of the category of makeup applier, application tools can be of greater or lesser effectiveness for successful result. That is the technical subject of the present invention.

The type of product described herein is sometimes commercial designated as a cosmetic blender or make-up blender. However, in the descriptions herein the term "applicator" will be used instead of "blender" so as to address the wide range of cosmetic application effects for which it is available.

The particular challenges addressed by the present invention in the various embodiments described below can be seen in two main categories. One category is the convenience of maintaining the cosmetic applicator such as for cleaning it after use and related handling and maintaining. The other category is in the resultant application effect, sometimes referred to as the blending effect, which more broadly is understood to mean a visual evenness and smoothness and graduated variation in appearance. These effects have numerous descriptive words such as shading, smoothing, coverage, evenness, overlining, consistency, contouring, glow, enhancement of features, color, blurring, eyelining, chiseling effect, sliming silhouette, and airbrush effect among others. That can be understood to refer to the cosmetics being undiscernible but nevertheless having the desired effect of appearance of skin as though it is the selected natural appearance. In other applications, make up can be used to be visually apparent, and sometimes it is so emphatically used that the attempted natural look is lost.

The present invention has particular advantages as an application tool for successful cosmetic application regardless of the user category.

The cosmetic invention herein described provides a silicone surface. In an embodiment it is completely made of silicone. In certain embodiments it has a textured surface. In some embodiments the surface has a body mass behind it for easy curve adjustment and resilience.

The function served by the texturing is that a "cosmetic load" can be gathered on the textured surface by being retained in the textured features, and the texturing also causes the cosmetic to spread evenly upon application, or if the cosmetic was applied already, the texturing causes a smoothing effect. It is the case that some working experience be acquired to put such a pressure and stroking of the cosmetic applicator to have the texturing function to result in the enhanced smoothing or blending quality. Once that experience is achieved the present invention can provide a blending superior to prior art cosmetic applicators.

For the category of convenience, as stated above, make up application tools made of foam-like substances that are used to apply cosmetics to the skin are easily stained, difficult to clean, and absorb the cosmetic product. The invention described and claimed here solves this problem. This applicator is made of silicone and is faster to clean, does not absorb the cosmetic product, and will not stain if used with liquid, gel or cream based cosmetics. This invention is an improvement on what currently exists. Prior to this invention foam and foam-like applicators were used to apply cosmetics to the skin.

Foam and foam-like cosmetic tools waste cosmetic product, time in cleaning, and are easily damaged from stains. This invention is not a foam product...The invention described here reduces waste and the effort required to re-use a foam or foam-like cosmetic tool by being composed of silicone material that does not absorb cosmetics and is resistant to stains from most liquid gel or cream based cosmetics. This results in decreased effort, decreased waste, increased cleanliness and longer use of the cosmetic tool.

Further, the present invention in its embodiments provides new benefits, not previously available and not merely as avoiding deficiencies in prior products, but rather providing new results and methods of use.

For the category of enhanced application effect, the embodiments described below allow the enhanced effect by reason of adjusting the delivery of makeup on the skin. That adjusting allows the anatomical irregularities of skin surface to be overridden. Notably all skin surfaces have porousness and relatively small unevenness (as distinguished from scarring and

disfigurement) the purpose of makeup being to cause those elements to be rendered disappeared. In the embodiment of the textured surface of the silicone cosmetic applicator that texturing fills and blends the minor facial flaws. The textured surface in one embodiment is a randomized mixture of closed surface indentations such as circles and linear surface indentations such as short lines. The indentations carry a reservoir of cosmetic product and allow regulated dispersion, allowing volume variation and control such that the normal skin irregularities are adjusted for. Those indentations being part of the textured surface provide at least two interactive benefits.

One of those benefits derives from the reservoir effect of the indentations holding cosmetic so that in use as being moved over the skin, by controlled pressing, the stored cosmetic allows a longer stroke of evenly applied cosmetic to give a very fine even layer over the skin.

A second benefit is that the very fine dispersion out of the indentations acts like a spray of fine particles into the normal irregularities of the skin, as described below in more detail.

The textured surface provides a mechanism by which a large and dense randomized number of tiny indentations hold the cosmetic product over the surface area of the applicator. As the textured applicator moves across the skin, its large quantity of small indentations, deposit the cosmetic contained in each indentation out of the indentations in a manner that is analogous to being sprayed by an airbrush as creating a fine dispersion of cosmetic product that are then continued to be absorbed and blended into the skin by the applicator's second action. This second mechanism is that of the small indentations or cavities being similar to the normal anatomical textures that are on human skin being that of small and irregularly curved lines and small circular indentations. The indentations of the applicator are meant to mimic pores and lines in human skin, but larger than what is anatomically correct. The purpose of this enlargement is to perform the first mechanism described which is to act as a means of distribution to deposit the cosmetic product. The texture is also in a unique pattern that moves the product in many directions to prevent streaking or an unnatural appearance.

The two effects provide that the layer of cosmetic has a "bottom" that fills the anatomical irregularities of the skin and a "top" that is smooth and even. Notable without the bottom filling, the top layer is subject to showing the anatomical irregularities. This effect is provided by the dense randomized indentations that are herein defined as the texturing of the silicone applicator. It is also noted that the manufacturing process that provides a defined controlled curing gives the applicator a surface quality that will contribute to the effects sought as described.

An additional feature is that the texture's final action after it has deposited the product evenly over the skin, the texture acts as a stamp when pressed onto the skin so that any remaining product will be pressed leaving the impression of a skin-like texture. This feature will typically use a smaller area of the applicator for "touch up" where a larger movement of deposition doesn't reach, for example around the eyes or near the ears. These described actions and effects are superior to smooth silicone applicators because the only mechanism a smooth applicator can provide is of spreading the cosmetics around the skin, but it cannot distribute the cosmetics evenly, nor can it provide a blended or natural skinlike effect. Smooth applicators are similar to applying a beauty product, for example a skin cream, using latex gloves having a smooth surface. Compared to using a textured surface, it would take longer to rub the lotion into the skin and the result can be streaky and unnatural looking. Using a foam applicator is not a desirable solution because the foam applicators absorb and waste a large amount of the beauty products in their mass instead of applying it to the intended skin surface.

Another benefit derived from the textured surface is that it allows a "give" to the surface that then results in the desired controlled pressure by the user to deposit the cosmetic along the uneven skin surface resulting in the desired smoothed surface appearance. In one embodiment it can be understood that a mass of silicone behind the textured surface will allow the textured surface to adjust as makeup is deposited by controlled user pressure to control the size of the deposition sweep as well as its thickness. The textured surface of the applicator also allows for holding a greater mass of cosmetic as compared to a smooth surface, and that greater mass can then be deposited on the skin by the various deposition methods used in cosmetic application, such as stroking and tapping, where the cosmetic is gradually deposited due to the texturing of the applicator surface. Other features that enhance the effect of the silicone applicator are also described below.

The skin features that are addressed by the advantages of the present invention range from what might be regarded as normal skin discontinuity to specific skin issues (such as acne, eczema, Rosacea, sunburn, psoriasis, wrinkles).

Referring to Figs 1 - 3, an exemplar embodiment is shown in which the shape of the silicone applicator 10 can be said to be similar to an egg shape. This shape provides convenience for holding it as well as selection of smaller and larger application surface areas for the desired areas of deposition of the makeup. Thus, as designated in Fig. 1, it is relatively sharply rounded at a lower end 12 and pointed at an upper end 14, and has an intermediate area 16 of gradual curvature. The size can be in the range of from about 1 inch to 6 inches and it has been found that a size of from about 2 to 3 inches allows the best convenience of use in terms of how it can be managed in application of cosmetics over the face while manipulating it for coverage. A final product size of 2 inches can be selected as a commercially convenient product. Also, packaging and personal carrying is best allowed in these sizes. While Figs. 1-4 do not show a textured surface per se, it can be understood that the surface can be textured.

Figs. 4 - 9 show an exemplar embodiment applicator 18 having the same general overall shape as in Figs. 1 - 3 but showing a textured surface 20. The applicator of Figs 4 - 9 also has a hollowing 22 formed with a determined depth and a periphery 24 big enough for a finger or thumb to be inserted, which allows a controlled grip on it so that as the applicator is moved along the face (for example) it can be rotated to keep the same curvature in contact or to put a different curvature in contact, thus giving an evenly consistent application over varying portions of the user's face. This allows rotating the applicator with fine control so that as cosmetic is dispatched from an area, fresh cosmetic-bearing surface of the applicator is brought into contact with the user's face. Fig. 10 is a portion of an exemplary mold used to make the applicator 18 and is intended to give a better view of the texturing by showing the reversed texturing in the mold. The textured surface technology will be more detailed below.

In some embodiments, the texturing on the applicator 18 surface is a combination of spot indentations of generally circular indentation shape (also called dots) and line indentations in a randomized mixture on the surface. The term randomized is intended to mean that there is no recognizable pattern and no defined arrangement. The textured surface could be made with only circular indentations, or with only line indentations. In an exemplar embodiment the circular indentations and the line indentations are distributed in a ratio of about 50/50. Referring to Figs 11a and 1 lb, in exemplar embodiments, the indentations will progress from the surface as a fillet shape 26. The indentations will have a width (w) to depth (d) ratio that is, a w/d, of from about 4 at the sharpest curvature as in Fig. 1 la to a w/d of about 6 in the shallowest curvature of Fig. 1 lb thereby defining a range of width to depth of about 4 to 6. The depth (d) of the texture indentations will be in the range of about 1/2 millimeter to about 3/4 millimeter.

In some embodiments, the indentations cover a range of about 50% to 99% of the surface area of the cosmetic applicator. In a preferred embodiment, the indentations cover a range of 75%) to 90% of the surface area of the cosmetic applicator. While some described applicators are shown similar to an egg shape, other shapes and geometries of applicators are possible without departing from the spirit of the disclosure herein. Figs 12a, 12b and 12c illustrate schematically how the applicator 18 with indentations can be loaded with cosmetic as in Fig 12a, and then in use, the cosmetic will be transferred such as at an intermediate point as in Fig. 12b and finally empty of cosmetic as in Fig. 12c. It should be appreciated that the dispatch of cosmetic from the textured surface, and especially from the indentations that define the texturing, will be done in a single movement across the skin so that the reservoir loading of the indentations will provide a base filling of the anatomical

irregularities of the skin.

Fig. 13 shows how the dense texturing of the applicator 18 by the indentation can be used to lift and hold a reservoir of beauty products and apply them to a user's skin. In use, the silicone textured cosmetic applicator (the bottom portion) is ready to apply liquid, gel, or cream based cosmetics to the skin.

Fig. 14 shows an embodiment in use. The user applies the applicator into a cream, gel or liquid based makeup and uses the applicator to apply the cosmetic to the skin by tapping, patting, bouncing, wiping, or any combination of or similar application methods, onto the skin, during application the texturing in the cosmetic applicator surface provides a local reservoir of cosmetic that can be accessed by either lighter or heavier pressure depending on the user's desire. For example, as cosmetic is dispatched, some heavier pressing can call on the reservoir of stored cosmetic to allow a length of continuous dispatch. In addition, as the cosmetic applicator is moved over the skin surface, the texturing allows adjustments to the normal irregularities of the skin, giving the desired filling under the dispatched layer and flat and smooth over the top of the dispatched layer. Notable is that this is done by the user exercising acquired skill in increasing pressure, and rotating to contact fresh surface of the applicator.

Now the making of the silicone textured applicator will be described.

In one embodiment, the silicone textured cosmetic applicator can be injected-molded or poured into a two-part plastic or metal mold. The silicone is left to cure, and when cured, is then taken out of the two-part mold and cleaned off to be packaged.

In an exemplar embodiment, the applicator is made by molding from addition-cured silicone elastomers which are commonly referred to as platinum catalyzed silicones and are generally two-part polymers with each part containing different functional components.

Generally, the Part A component contains vinyl functional siloxane polymer and the platinum catalyst, whereas Part B contains vinyl functional polymer, hydrogen-functional crosslinker, and cure inhibitor (if used). Cure inhibitors are additives used to adjust the cure rate of the system. The cure chemistry involves the direct addition of the Si-H functional crosslinker to the vinyl functional polymer forming an ethylene bridge crosslink. The vulcanization of addition-cured silicone elastomers can be heat accelerated. Depending on the specific product, addition-cured elastomers can be fully cured at temperatures and times ranging from 10 minutes at 116 °C to 2 minutes at 150 °C.

Once the part A and Part B are procured, they must be combined together in selected ratios by volume and mixed to form a curable silicone mixture that is poured into a hard non- silicone mold made of plastic or metal. While one could accomplish this mixing process oneself given appropriate measuring and mixing tools, for commercial purposes, it would preferably be outsourced to a commercial or specialized molding enterprise. After the given appropriate amount of time to cure in the mold, the silicone is de-molded by taking the two parts of the mold and separating them. The silicone cosmetic applicator is then pulled from the mold and cleaned off. It is then ready for use to apply cosmetics to the skin.

Persons of ordinary skill in the art can readily recognize that the above-described technique is not the only way the described cosmetic applicator can be manufactured. For example, in another embodiment, the cosmetic applicator can be made via a compression mold technique.

Uncured silicone is highly adhesive. Conventional curing methodologies in some cases choose the ratios of Part A to Part B and other curing process variables to fully cure the silicone. The resulting cured silicone becomes non-stick. While non-stick silicone material can be useful in some applications (e.g., kitchen utensils, seals, etc.), an entirely non-stick cosmetic applicator is not desirable because it lacks the ability to adhere to cosmetic products and lift them for the purpose of application. Additionally, a cosmetic applicator that is too sticky is not useful because it would adhere too rigidly to cosmetic products and would not efficiently deposit the product into skin. The described cosmetic applicator, on the other hand, is manufactured to have the proper level of stickiness for efficient deposition of beauty products.

In one embodiment, the described cosmetic applicator is made of silicone. A silicone applicator can be manufactured to have an appropriate consistency to impart the described benefits and feel good on a user's face during application. For example, the applicator has a desired stickiness and hardness. Shore durometer rating, which is a measure of hardness of material, can be useful to describe the desired hardness of the silicone used for the described cosmetic applicator. Silicone applicators with durometer ratings of about 30-45 on the type 00 scale (of the ASTM D2240 standard) can function well. The preferred applicator has a durometer rating of about 35 on the type 00 scale of the ASTM D2240 standard.

A silicone applicator textured as described above and having the desired durometer rating can impart the benefits described herein. For example, such a cosmetic applicator can be sticky enough to pick up a desired amount of make-up for application and not so sticky to be inconvenient during application. Additionally, the silicone cosmetic applicator with the described durometer rating is hard enough to apply make-up with precision but soft enough to be comfortable on the face during application. The described silicone applicator applies make-up with efficiency and convenience while being clearer and more durable compared to conventional make-up applicators. For example, in some experiments, the described silicone applicator lasted nearly a year, while conventional applicators lasted about three months. Additionally, compared to conventional applicators, the described technology produces a silicone applicator that does not harbor germs and can be sanitized by boiling.

A conventional foam applicator lifts an amount of make-up product by taking the product into its openings or pores. When pressed, a conventional foam applicator releases some amount of make-up onto the user's face. However, the foam applicators waste a considerable portion of the cosmetic product, are hard to clean and last only a short while. Conventional smooth silicone applicators can smear the make-up and move it around a user's face leaving streaks, unevenness and unnatural application of make-up. The described textured silicone applicator, with the disclosed durometer rating addresses the issues inherent in conventional applicators described above. The indentations lift an appropriate amount of make-up, distribute the make-up in different directions and apply them evenly.

One technique to achieve the desired quality and feel in the described silicone applicator is to partially cure the silicone, making a "tacky" silicone used for making the applicator. For example, when injection molding technique is used, the manufacturer can use an off-ratio of Part A components to Part B components. The ratio of Part A/Part B can be from about 50/50 to about 57/43, which in turn can yield durometer ratings of about 30 to about 45, respectively, on the 00 scale of the ASTM D2240 standard. The preferred ratio of Part A/Part B is about 55/45, yielding the preferred applicator with the durometer rating of about 35 on the type 00 scale of the ASTM D2240 standard. Partial curing of silicone using the ratios above can produce silicone oil as a by-product. Tackiness in the resulting silicone is analogous to a coating. In some embodiments, the tackiness of the coating can improve the ability of the silicone applicator to lift make-up for application. The combination of textured indentations and the tackiness of the resulting silicone can lift an appropriate amount of make-up for application.

In some cases, a fully cured silicone cannot be made tacky unless it is at a very low durometer rating. Silicone with very low durometer rating may be difficult to use in an injection molding process. The resulting silicone can become very soft and sticky ("gooey"). Using the above-described ratios can help achieve the desired tackiness without excessive softness or stickiness and the resulting mixture can be used in an injection molding process to yield the desired applicator.

Making the cosmetic applicator with tacky silicone is not the only method of

manufacturing the described silicone applicator with the desired durometer rating. For example, the silicone applicator can be manufactured using a compression mold technique to yield the desired durometer ratings stated above, without tackiness.

Using these techniques, a silicone cosmetic applicator with the desired textured indentations and durometer rating can be produced to yield the beneficial results described herein. Silicone is skin-safe and hypoallergenic.

Although the various features of novelty that characterize the invention have been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, in view of the disclosure herein. Accordingly, the present invention is not intended to be limited by the recitation of the preferred embodiments, but is instead intended to be defined solely by reference to the appended claims.