U.S. patent application number 10/860449 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for unitary flocked cosmetics applicator.
Invention is credited to Dunton, David P., Krezinski, Michael T..
Application Number | 20050109365 10/860449 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34594503 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050109365 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dunton, David P. ; et
al. |
May 26, 2005 |
Unitary flocked cosmetics applicator
Abstract
A cosmetics applicator includes a molded plastic cap having a
top and a sidewall with a generally cylindrical interior surface,
with threads defined thereon, adapting the cap for removable
engagement on a bottle containing cosmetics. A molded plastic
applicator rod is formed integrally with the cap and extends from
the top of the cap coaxially through the cylindrical sidewall. A
molded plastic applicator tip is formed integrally with the
applicator rod at a distal end thereof spaced apart from the cap,
the applicator tip having a surface shaped for application of
cosmetics. Flocking is applied to the surface of the applicator
tip. The applicator rod is preferably cylindrical, and the outer
surface of the applicator tip is recessed with respect to the
applicator rod with the flocking, with the flocking applied to a
depth equal to or greater than recess.
Inventors: |
Dunton, David P.;
(Stratford, CT) ; Krezinski, Michael T.;
(Newington, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARE FRESSOLA VAN DER SLUYS &
ADOLPHSON, LLP
BRADFORD GREEN BUILDING 5
755 MAIN STREET, P O BOX 224
MONROE
CT
06468
US
|
Family ID: |
34594503 |
Appl. No.: |
10/860449 |
Filed: |
June 3, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60475325 |
Jun 3, 2003 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/320 ;
132/318 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 2200/1018 20130101;
A45D 34/045 20130101; A46B 9/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/320 ;
132/318 |
International
Class: |
A45D 040/26; A46B
011/00; A46B 017/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A cosmetics applicator comprising: A) a molded plastic cap
having a top and a sidewall with a generally cylindrical interior
surface, having threads defined thereon, adapting the cap for
removable engagement on a bottle containing cosmetics; B) a molded
plastic applicator rod formed integrally with the cap and extending
from the top of the cap coaxially through the cylindrical sidewall;
C) a molded plastic applicator tip formed integrally with the
applicator rod at a distal end thereof spaced apart from the cap,
the applicator tip having a surface shaped for application of
cosmetics; and D) flocking applied to the surface of the applicator
tip.
2. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein the
applicator rod is cylindrical, and the surface of the applicator
tip is recessed with respect to the applicator rod.
3. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein the outer
surface of the applicator rod is cylindrical, the outer surface of
the applicator tip adjacent to the applicator rod is also
cylindrical and has a smaller radius than the radius of the
applicator rod, and the flocking is applied to a depth equal to or
greater than the difference between the radii of the applicator rod
and tip.
4. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein the
applicator tip has a beveled end.
5. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 1 wherein the plastic
from which the plastic cap, plastic applicator rod and plastic
applicator tip are integrally molded comprises a polyolefin.
6. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 5 wherein the
polyolefin comprises polyethylene.
7. A cosmetics applicator as defined in claim 5 wherein the
polyolefin comprises polypropylene.
8. A cosmetics container as defined in claim 1 wherein the surface
of the applicator tip is textured to facilitate the application of
flocking thereto.
9. A method of fabricating a cosmetics applicator comprising the
steps of: A) integrally molding a cap, applicator rod and
applicator tip from a plastic material; B) applying adhesive to the
surface of the applicator tip; and C) thereafter applying flocking
to the applicator tip, wherein the flocking is secured to the
applicator tip.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to our Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/475,325 filed Jun. 3, 2003.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The invention herein relates to a unitary flocked applicator
for cosmetics, characterized by ease of assembly and low cost.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0003] Some cosmetics, such as lip gloss and others, are best
applied with a flocked applicator tip. The flocked applicator tip
is fabricated of a plastic material, and has a flocked applicator
tip surface and an unflocked stem. The stem is inserted in an axial
opening at the distal end of an applicator rod. The applicator rod
extends from a cap, which is threaded for removable closure of a
bottle containing the cosmetics. When the cap is on the bottle, the
flocked applicator tip and applicator rod extend through the neck
of the bottle into the interior of the bottle, where the applicator
is loaded with cosmetics. A wiper is typically mounted in the
threaded neck of the bottle, for removing excess cosmetics from the
applicator rod and flocked applicator tip as the rod and tip are
removed.
[0004] The applicator rod is generally a molded plastic form,
including the axial opening at the distal end. The applicator tip
is also molded of a plastic material. Adhesive is applied to the
applicator tip, except for the stem, and flocking is adhered to the
adhesive in order to form the flocked applicator tip surface. Care
must be taken not to apply adhesive to the stem, so that flocking
does not adhere to the stem.
[0005] The stem is then inserted and secured in the axial opening
at the distal end of the rod. The stem may be secured by staking,
adhesive, sonic welding, or other suitable technique. Care must be
taken not to damage the flocked applicator tip surface when
securing the applicator tip to the applicator rod.
[0006] The foregoing provides a satisfactory flocked cosmetics
applicator, but requires considerable time and labor expense to
assemble. Some rejects also occur as a result of the assembly
process, further raising the expense of the flocked cosmetics
applicator. If the attachment of the applicator tip to the
applicator rod is not secure, the tip may separate from the
rod.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is the principal object of the invention herein to
provide a flocked cosmetics applicator.
[0008] It is another object of the invention herein to provide a
flocked cosmetics applicator which does not require assembly of an
applicator tip to an applicator rod.
[0009] It is a further object of the invention herein to provide a
flocked cosmetics applicator that is inexpensive to
manufacture.
[0010] According to the invention herein, a cosmetics applicator
comprises a molded plastic cap having a top and a sidewall with
threads defined on a generally cylindrical interior surface,
thereby adapting the cap for removable engagement on a bottle
containing cosmetics. A molded plastic applicator rod is formed
integrally with the cap and extends from the top of the cap
coaxially through the cylindrical sidewall. A molded plastic
applicator tip is formed integrally with the applicator rod at a
distal end thereof, spaced apart from the cap, the applicator tip
having a surface shaped for the application of cosmetics. Flocking
is applied to the surface of the applicator tip.
[0011] According to further aspects of the invention, the surface
of the applicator tip is recessed with respect to the surface of
the applicator rod, and the flocking has a thickness equal to or
greater than the depth of the recess. The applicator rod may have a
cylindrical outer surface of radius R, and the applicator tip
surface may also be cylindrical and coaxial with the surface of the
applicator rod, but having a radius which is smaller by a dimension
.DELTA. R. The flocking is applied to the applicator tip surface to
a depth of at least .DELTA. R.
[0012] The distal end of the applicator tip may be beveled or
provided with another shape adapted to apply cosmetics.
[0013] According to still further aspects of the invention, the
cosmetics applicator is integrally molded of a polyolefin. The
polyolefin preferably comprises polyethylene but may also comprise
polypropylene.
[0014] According to yet other aspects of the invention, the
applicator tip surface is textured to facilitate application of
flocking. The flocking is secured to the applicator tip surface by
an adhesive.
[0015] Also according to the invention herein, a cosmetics
applicator is fabricated in the steps of molding a unitary plastic
cap, plastic applicator rod and applicator tip, the applicator tip
having a surface shaped for application of cosmetics, applying
adhesive to the surface of the applicator tip, and thereafter
applying flocking to the surface of the applicator tip while the
adhesive is active.
[0016] The foregoing and other objects and features of the
invention herein will in part be recognized by those skilled in the
art and will in part appear from the following description of the
preferred embodiment and the claims, taken together with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a unitary flocked cosmetics
applicator according to the invention herein, shown in association
with a bottle;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the unitary flocked cosmetics
applicator of FIG. 1, taken along the lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; and
[0019] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of the applicator tip and the
adjacent applicator rod portion of the unitary flocked cosmetics
applicator of FIG. 1, rotated and shown without flocking.
[0020] The same reference numerals refer to the same elements
throughout the various figures.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a cosmetics applicator 10 according to
the invention herein, shown in association with a bottle 12
containing cosmetics, not shown, to be applied by the cosmetics
applicator 10. The cosmetics applicator 10 generally comprises a
cap 14, an applicator rod 16, and an applicator tip 20 having
flocking 22 on the surface thereof. The cosmetics applicator 10 is
characterized by the cap, applicator rod 14 and applicator tip 20
being integrally molded of a plastic material.
[0022] The cap 14 has a sidewall 24 with a generally cylindrical
interior surface, which defines threads 26 on the interior thereof.
The outer surface of sidewall 24 may also be generally cylindrical,
but may have other shapes for decorative purposes. The cap 14 has a
closed top 28 spanning the cylindrical sidewall 24. A decorative
metal shell can be provided over the exterior of the molded plastic
cap, if desired.
[0023] The applicator rod 16 extends from the top 28 through the
cap 14, and is generally coaxial with the sidewall 24 of the cap
14. The applicator rod 16 is unitary and integral with the cap 14.
It is preferably cylindrical.
[0024] As best seen in FIG. 3, the applicator tip 20 is unitary and
integral with the applicator rod 16 at the distal end 18 or
thereof. In the preferred embodiment shown, the applicator rod 16
has a radius R, and the applicator tip 20 has a radius R' which is
smaller than the radius R' of the applicator rod by a dimension A R
(i.e., R-R'=.DELTA. R). With reference to FIG. 2, the flocking 22
is applied to the surface of the applicator tip 20, to a depth of
.DELTA. R or greater.
[0025] The applicator tip 20 is provided with a beveled end 30,
wherein the applicator tip 20 is shaped for applying cosmetics.
Other shapes may also be utilized, as is well known in the art. For
instance, by way of example and not limitation, the end 30 may be
rounded, and the applicator tip 20 may have an oval or flattened
cross-sectional shape.
[0026] The cap 14 applicator rod and applicator tip are integrally
molded as a unitary piece. They are preferably molded of
polyethylene, but may be molded of another polyolefin including
polypropylene, as well as other plastic materials or a mixture of
plastic materials.
[0027] The applicator tip 20 is flocked by first applying adhesive
to the surface of applicator tip 20, and then introducing flocking
22 to the adhesive. The flocking 22 may be nylon, rayon, polyester,
cotton or other suitable material. The adhesive may be an epoxy,
polyurethane, latex or another suitable adhesive. The surface of
the applicator tip 20 is preferably textured, as indicated at 32 of
FIG. 3, to better receive and retain the adhesive. The flocking 22
may be introduced to the adhesive by means of blowing the flocking
or electrostatically attracting the flocking, as is well known in
the art of flocking.
[0028] In the embodiment shown, the diameter of the applicator rod
16 is 0.175 inches and the diameter of the applicator tip 20 is
0.135 inches. The applicator rod 16 extends approximately one inch
from the cap 14, and the applicator tip 20 has a length of
approximately 0.40 inches. The flocking 22 is applied to a depth of
0.030 to 0.050 inches, but may be applied to a depth of 0.080
inches or greater. The difference .DELTA. R between the radius R of
the applicator rod 16 and the radius R' of the applicator tip 20 is
selected in conjunction with the depth of the flocking to work with
a wiper, as more fully discussed below.
[0029] The cosmetics applicator 10 is used with the bottle 12. The
bottle 12 has a neck 40 having threads 42 thereon complementary
with the threads 26 of the cap, so that the cap 14 may be removably
secured to the neck 40 of the bottle 12. The bottle 12 has a body
44 which is of sufficient length to accommodate the applicator rod
16 and applicator tip 20 when the applicator 10 is secured on the
bottle 12. Cosmetics are contained within the body 44, where they
are transferred to the flocking 22 of the applicator tip 20.
[0030] A wiper 46 is mounted in the neck 40 of the bottle 12, and
the applicator tip 20 and the applicator rod 16 are inserted
through the wiper 46 as the applicator 10 is mounted on the bottle
12. When the applicator rod 16 and flocked applicator tip are
withdrawn, the wiper 46 removes excess cosmetics, as is well known
in the art.
[0031] It will be appreciated that the cosmetics applicator 10,
being molded of an integral, unitary plastic assembly after which
the applicator tip 20 is flocked, reduces assembly time and cost
and provides a high quality, consistent cosmetics applicator.
Accordingly, a cosmetics applicator that admirably fulfills the
objects of the invention herein has been described. It will be
appreciated that various changes may be made from the embodiment
described, which is intended to be illustrative only, without
parting from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is
limited only by the following claims.
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