U.S. patent application number 10/198055 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-22 for cosmetic applicator.
Invention is credited to Michel, Andrew, Michel, Richard.
Application Number | 20040011376 10/198055 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30445245 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040011376 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Michel, Andrew ; et
al. |
January 22, 2004 |
Cosmetic applicator
Abstract
A single-use cosmetic applicator 1 has an applicator body 2 with
a front surface 3 and a rear surface 4. The cosmetic applicator 1
contains a pre-determined quantity of a cosmetic product 5 on only
a portion of its front surface 3.
Inventors: |
Michel, Andrew;
(Hertfordshire, GB) ; Michel, Richard;
(Hertfordshire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JACOBSON HOLMAN
400 SEVENTH STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20004
US
|
Family ID: |
30445245 |
Appl. No.: |
10/198055 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/320 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/1045 20130101;
A45D 33/005 20130101; A45D 2200/1018 20130101; A45D 40/0087
20130101; A45D 34/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/320 |
International
Class: |
A45D 040/26 |
Claims
1. A single-use cosmetic applicator having an applicator body with
a front surface and a rear surface, wherein the applicator body
contains a pre-determined quantity of a cosmetic product extending
in use over only a portion of the front surface, and has a
removable substantially impermeable membrane covering the cosmetic
product on the front surface and a substantially impermeable
backing layer on the rear surface.
2. A single-use cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the cosmetic product is located in a sealed bubble pack arranged on
the rear surface of the applicator body, so that on bursting of the
bubble pack the cosmetic product permeates through the applicator
body to the said portion of the front surface.
3. A single-use cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein
the substantially impermeable membrane is removable from the
applicator body surface by peeling.
4. A single-use cosmetic applicator as claimed in claims 2 or 3,
wherein the substantially impermeable cover extends over
substantially all of the front surface.
5. A single-use cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 4, wherein
the cover is removable from the front surface by peeling.
6. A single-use cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the cosmetic product is located substantially centrally of the
cosmetic applicator.
7. A single-use cosmetic applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein
the applicator body is made of a polyurethane foam.
8. A single-use cosmetic applicator substantially as herein
described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
9. A method of manufacturing a single-use cosmetic applicator
including the steps of applying a pre-determined quantity of a
cosmetic product onto a sheet of material from which the applicator
is to be cut and cutting an applicator from the sheet of material,
so that the cosmetic product is situated over only a portion of the
cross-sectional area of the applicator body.
10. A method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the steps are carried
out substantially simultaneously.
11. A method as claimed in claims 9 or 10, wherein the cosmetic
product is applied to the sheet in spaced portions, so that a
plurality of cosmetic applicators may be manufactured
simultaneously.
12. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of
applying a substantially impermeable membrane to the portion of the
cosmetic applicator containing the cosmetic product.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the steps are carried
out substantially simultaneously.
14. A method of manufacturing a single-use cosmetic applicator
including the steps of inserting a pre-determined quantity of a
cosmetic product into a bubble pack on a sheet of material from
which a applicator is to be cut, sealing the bubble pack and
cutting the applicator from the sheet of material.
15. A method as claimed in claim 14, wherein the cosmetic material
is inserted into the bubble pack in spaced portions, so that a
plurality of cosmetic applicators may be manufactured
simultaneously.
16. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of
applying a substantially impermeable cover to cover substantially
all of the front surface.
17. A method as claimed in claim 9, further comprising the step of
applying a substantially impermeable backing layer to a rear side
of the cosmetic applicator.
18. A method substantially as herein described with reference to
the accompanying drawing.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a single-use cosmetic
applicator.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Single-use cosmetic applicators, which are supplied with a
pre-determined quantity of a cosmetic product, such as make-up,
moisturiser, cleanser etc., are known. Such single-use applicators
are manufactured from a disposable material substantially fully
infused with the appropriate cosmetic product, for example, nail
varnish remover, and sealed in a container in multiples or
singularly. This results in relatively costly manufacture, since a
greater quantity of cosmetic product is applied to the sheet of
material than is required. In addition, it is inconvenient for the
user if substantially all of the applicator is infused with the
cosmetic product, since the user will need to hold the applicator
when removed from its packaging. The part of the applicator held by
the user's hand will thus transfer cosmetic product to the user's
hand, which is obviously undesirable. This is particularly
disadvantageous when the product is applied in an area without
washing facilities, for example, at sales counters.
[0003] Furthermore, some users prefer to apply some of the cosmetic
product to their skin with the hands and merely use the applicator
to distribute the product evenly on the skin. This would not be
possible if the entire surface of the applicator were infused with
the cosmetic product, since application of the applicator to the
skin would result in transfer of further product to the skin, thus
resulting in uneven application of the cosmetic product. In
addition, it would be very difficult to control the amount of
cosmetic product transferred from the applicator to the skin,
increasing the chances of excessive application of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is an object of the invention to overcome the above
disadvantages.
[0005] The invention provides a single-use cosmetic applicator as
claimed in claim 1.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the cosmetic
product is located in a sealed bubble pack arranged on the rear
surface of the applicator body, so that on bursting of the bubble
pack the cosmetic product permeates through the applicator body to
the said portion of the front surface. The substantially
impermeable membrane is preferably removable from the front surface
by peeling to permit use of the cosmetic product.
[0007] In a further preferred embodiment, the cosmetic applicator
has a substantially impermeable cover over substantially all of the
front surface to protect it from contamination before use. The
cover is preferably removable from the front surface by
peeling.
[0008] The backing layer serves to protect the applicator and
facilitate gripping of the applicator by the user.
[0009] The cosmetic product is preferably arranged substantially
centrally of the applicator to aid distribution of the product on
the applicator, in use.
[0010] The invention also provides methods of manufacturing a
single-use cosmetic applicator as claimed in claims 11 and 16.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Embodiments of the invention will now be described with
reference to the accompanying drawing showing a cross-section
through a single-use applicator according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT
[0012] In the drawing, a cosmetic applicator 1 has an applicator
body 2 with a front surface 3 for application of the product and a
rear surface 4. A pre-determined quantity of a cosmetic product 5,
such as moisturiser, cleanser, toner, make-up, tanning mousse etc.,
is located substantially centrally of the applicator 1 on the rear
surface 4. Migration of the product through the applicator body 2
results in the product also being present on the front surface
3.
[0013] In an alternative embodiment, the cosmetic product 5 is
surrounded by a sealable substantially impermeable membrane in the
form of a bubble pack (not shown) to prevent migration of the
cosmetic product 5. The cosmetic product 5 can be released by the
user by bursting the impermeable bubble pack. The bubble pack is
arranged on the rear surface 4, so that the product, when released,
will reach the front surface 3 by migration through the applicator
body 2. The side of the bubble containing the product 5 adjacent
the rear surface 4 should thus be weaker than the opposite side of
the bubble to ensure that the product is released on the side
facing the rear surface 4 to facilitate migration.
[0014] A removable, substantially impermeable cover 6 is arranged
across substantially all of the surface 3 to protect it from
contaminants such as dust and moisture prior to use of the
applicator 1. The cover 6 may be made of polyethylene, or of any
other suitable material.
[0015] The applicator body 2 may be made of a polyurethane foam.
The grade of the polyurethane foam is selected according to the
cosmetic product 5 used. Polyurethane foam could be replaced by any
other suitable material, such as polyester non-woven material,
nitrile butyl rubber sponge or synthetic rubber sponge.
[0016] The rear surface 4, by which the user holds the applicator
1, is backed with a backing layer 7. The backing layer 7 serves to
protect the applicator body 2, the user's hands from cosmetic
product 5 and also to facilitate gripping of the applicator 1 by
the user. The backing layer 7 may also be provided with a handle
(not shown) to improve gripping of the applicator 1. The backing
layer 7 may be attached to the surface 4 by means of a heat-seal or
adhesive to prevent its removal.
[0017] In the embodiment shown in the drawing a peripheral edge 8
of the backing layer 7 is aligned with a peripheral edge 9 of the
cover 6, to which it is attached by means of adhesive or a heat
seal. The cover 6 is thus removably attached to the backing layer
7, but not to the surface 3, so that it can be peeled away
relatively easily when the applicator 1 is required for use. In an
alternative embodiment the cover 6 is attached at its periphery
directly to the surface 3.
[0018] In use, the user first removes the cover 6 by peeling it
away from either the front surface 3 or the backing layer 7. If
there is a bubble pack on the applicator 1 the user then bursts the
bubble pack (not shown) to release the cosmetic product 5. If the
bubble pack is arranged on the rear surface 4, the user should
apply additional pressure to the backing layer 7 to force migration
of the cosmetic product 5 through the applicator body 2, so that
the product 5 reaches the front surface 3. The cosmetic product 5
can be applied to the skin using the fingertips or by rubbing the
surface 3 across the skin. If the cosmetic product 5 is applied
using the fingertips, the surface 3 not covered by the cosmetic
product can be used to distribute the cosmetic product 5 evenly on
the skin.
[0019] The applicator 1 can be manufactured using a variety of
methods. In one such method, a pre-determined quantity of the
cosmetic product 5 is applied to a sheet of material from which the
applicator body 2 is to be cut. The applicator body 2 is cut from
the sheet of material. These steps are carried out substantially
simultaneously. It is, of course, possible to carry out the steps
of applying the cosmetic product 5 to the sheet of material and
cutting out the applicator body 2 sequentially. Preferably, the
cosmetic product 5 is applied in spaced portions along the sheet of
material so that a plurality of applicators 1 can be manufactured
simultaneously.
[0020] In an alternative method, a first layer of bubble wrap (not
shown) is laid on the material from which the applicator body 2 is
to be cut, and the cosmetic product 5 is inserted thereon. A second
layer of bubble wrap is sealed thereover to seal the cosmetic
product 5 within the bubble wrap. Again, these steps, as well as
cutting the applicator body 2 from the material, could be carried
out substantially simultaneously. Furthermore, a strip of bubble
wrap with spaced portions of cosmetic product 5 could be applied so
that a plurality of applicators 1 can be manufactured
simultaneously.
[0021] In a further alternative method, a recess (not shown) is cut
into the sheet of material and the cosmetic product 5 inserted into
the recess before or at the same time as the applicator body 2 is
cut out of the material.
[0022] In any of the methods described above, the cover 6 and the
backing layer 7 are attached to the applicator 1 prior to or after
cutting of the applicator body 2.
[0023] It will, of course, be appreciated that variations may be
made to the embodiments of the invention described above. For
example, the cover 6 could be provided with perforations around its
periphery to facilitate removal from the applicator 1.
Alternatively, if means are not be provided for facilitating
removal of the cover 6, it could be removed with scissors or a
knife.
[0024] The cover 6 could be omitted, particularly if the product is
located in bubble pack, and the surface 3 could be protected by
storing the applicator 1 in a small bag or box. If a bubble pack is
not used, an impermeable layer could be placed over only that
portion of the front surface 3 containing the product. Similarly,
the backing layer 7 could be omitted.
[0025] The cosmetic product S could be applied directly to the
surface 3, so that migration of the product 5 through the
applicator body 2 is unnecessary. However, in order to prevent
migration of the product 5 across the surface 3, it is preferable
to additionally provide a substantially impermeable membrane across
the portion of surface 3 containing the product 5. In an
alternative embodiment a layer of impermeable membrane containing
the product 5 lies on the front surf a and the cover 6 is located
thereover so that the cover seals the product 5 on the impermeable
membrane to prevent its migration across the surface 3. In a
further embodiment, the product 5 could be located in a sealed bag
located on the surface 3 or on the surface 4. Alternatively, the
cosmetic product 5 is applied to one side of the cover 6 which is
then attached directly to the surface 3 with the product 5
therebetween.
[0026] Although the pre-determined quantity of the cosmetic product
is located substantially centrally of the applicator 1, it could be
located on any portion of the front surface 3. However, a
substantially central location improves distribution of the product
around the front surface during use, if required.
[0027] Although the applicator 1 described above is for use with
products such as make-up, moisturiser etc. it could also be used
with medicinal products such as ointments, antiseptic fluids etc.
The terms "cosmetic product" and "cosmetic applicator" should be
construed accordingly.
[0028] The cover 6 and/or backing layer 7 may carry printed matter,
such as instructions for use, trade marks and details of product
ingredients.
[0029] It will be seen that the embodiments of the applicator 1
described above will avoid unnecessary waste of the cosmetic
product 5 and also leave the majority of the front surface 3 free
from contamination by the cosmetic product 5 before the product is
used.
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