U.S. patent application number 14/677372 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-08 for cosmetic applicator with interchangeable product tips.
The applicant listed for this patent is HCT Group Holdings Limited. Invention is credited to Ashleigh Earl.
Application Number | 20150282593 14/677372 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54208589 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150282593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Earl; Ashleigh |
October 8, 2015 |
COSMETIC APPLICATOR WITH INTERCHANGEABLE PRODUCT TIPS
Abstract
Disclosed is a cosmetic applicator system having interchangeable
cosmetic products. A handle is provided with flexible prongs having
mating portions for selectively engaging and disengaging one of a
plurality of cosmetic products having a complementary mating
portion. A base is provided for holding a plurality of the
interchangeable cosmetics products in an arrangement that
facilitates engagement and disengagement to allow the user to
switch from one cosmetic product to another. The system is suitable
for many cosmetics, particularly, eye shadow, lip balm, lipstick,
cheek colorant, baked, hot poured, and dipped products.
Inventors: |
Earl; Ashleigh; (London,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
HCT Group Holdings Limited |
Central |
|
HK |
|
|
Family ID: |
54208589 |
Appl. No.: |
14/677372 |
Filed: |
April 2, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61974404 |
Apr 2, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
132/314 ;
401/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/20 20130101;
A45D 40/24 20130101; A45D 40/26 20130101; A45D 2200/25
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/24 20060101
A45D040/24; A45D 40/26 20060101 A45D040/26 |
Claims
1. A cosmetic application system comprising: a palette comprising a
base defining a plurality of recesses; a plurality of product
assemblies, each removably placed in one of said plurality of
recesses, wherein each assembly further comprises: a retainer
element having two sides, wherein one of the two sides is
substantially permanently affixed to a cosmetic product, and the
other of the two sides is provided with half of a mated coupling
mechanism; and a handle comprising at one end, at least two prongs,
wherein each prong is resiliently flexible and outwardly biased
with respect to a longitudinal axis of the handle; and wherein each
prong is provided with half of a mated coupling mechanism which is
mated to the half of the mated coupling mechanism present on each
of the plurality of product assemblies.
2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic product is
selected from eye shadow, lip balm, lipstick, and cheek
colorant.
3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the cosmetic product is
selected from baked, hot poured, and dipped products.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the retaining element is provided
with one or more projection, rib, barb, or flange configured to
hold the cosmetic product.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the mated coupling mechanism is
selected from tongue and groove, mated flanges, ribs, barbs, and
recesses, or combinations thereof adapted to selectively couple and
decouple the retaining element to the handle.
6. A handle for use with a cosmetic product retaining element,
wherein the product retaining element is provided with one half of
a mated coupling mechanism, the handle comprising: at one end, at
least two prongs, wherein each prong is resiliently flexible and
outwardly biased with respect to a longitudinal axis of the handle;
and wherein each prong is provided with half of a mated coupling
mechanism which is mated to the half of the mated coupling
mechanism present on each of the plurality of product
assemblies.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the mated coupling mechanism is
selected from tongue and groove, mated flanges, ribs, barbs, and
recesses, or combinations thereof adapted to selectively couple and
decouple the retaining element to the handle.
8. A cosmetic product assembly for use with a handle, wherein the
handle is provided with one half of a mated coupling mechanism, the
cosmetic product assembly comprising: a retainer element having two
sides, wherein one of the two sides is substantially permanently
affixed to a cosmetic product, and the other of the two sides is
provided with half of a mated coupling mechanism.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the mated coupling mechanism is
selected from tongue and groove, mated flanges, ribs, barbs, and
recesses, or combinations thereof adapted to selectively couple and
decouple the retaining element to the handle.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/974,404, filed Apr. 2, 2014,
which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] Disclosed herein are applicator devices and product tips.
Some embodiments disclose a system including a handle adapted to
connect to any of a plurality of product-containing tips, and a
product palette.
SUMMARY
[0003] Some embodiments provide a cosmetic application system
including a palette comprising a base defining a plurality of
recesses; a plurality of product assemblies, wherein each assembly
further comprises a retainer element having two sides, wherein one
of the two sides is substantially permanently affixed to a cosmetic
product, and the other of the two sides is provided with half of a
mated coupling mechanism; and a handle comprising at one end, at
least two prongs, wherein each prong is resiliently flexible and
outwardly biased with respect to a longitudinal axis of the handle;
and wherein each prong is provided with half of a mated coupling
mechanism which is mated to the half of the mated coupling
mechanism present on each of the plurality of product
assemblies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 shows a system as described herein, having the handle
engaged on one of the product assemblies, while still in the
palette, and then depicts the same system, with the handle and
couple product assembly removed from the palette.
[0005] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section showing a tongue and groove
coupling mechanism as well as a platform based retainer element to
which the product is adhered.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0006] FIG. 1 depicts several views of a system 100 and some of its
component parts as described in more detail below. A cosmetics
palette 200 is depicted, in this case presenting nine shades of a
cosmetic product, such as, but not limited to, eye shadow. Each
shade occupies a recess 210 in the palette configured to accept a
product assembly 300. Each product assembly 300 includes a cosmetic
product 320, again such as, but not limited to, eye shadow, and a
retaining element 310. The retaining element 310 is designed and
configured to be coupled permanently on one side to the product 320
and selectively and interchangeably coupled to the handle 400.
Although this description will focus on the system, it should be
understood that each of the elements can stand alone or in any
combination.
[0007] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective cross-sectional view of a
handle 400 in accordance with some embodiments. One end of the
handle 400 is provided with at least two resilient prongs 410,
which are biased towards an outward position. That is, through the
application of moderate force from the hand of the user, the prongs
410 can be flexed towards one another, and return to their original
position once the force is removed. Each resilient prong 410
defines a first half of a mated pair of a coupling mechanism 450.
In some instances this may be a tongue and groove, flange, rib, a
barb, a recess, etc. The first half of the coupling mechanism 450
is designed and configured to mate with a second half of the
coupling mechanism 350, which is present on the retaining element
310, which is used to connect the product assembly 300 to the
handle 400.
[0008] The product assembly 300 includes product 320 affixed to a
retaining element 310. Depending on the type of product (for
example, eye shadow, lip balm, lip stick, cheek colorant, etc.)
different methods of affixing the product to the retaining element
may be used. Among these are any suitable for the type of product
and method of manufacturing. Those of skill in the art will readily
recognize that the product may be baked, hot poured, dipped, or
other. Each of these types of product are amenable to various
methods of affixing to the retaining element. For example, product
320 may be glued to a platform 312 that makes up part of the
retaining element 310. Alternatively, or additionally, the
retaining element 310 may be provided with one or more projection,
rib, barb, flange, platform, etc. or combination thereof, which
will be useful in holding product that is dip formed, baked, hot
poured around the projection. Those of skill in the art will
readily appreciate the myriad possibilities for securing product to
the retaining element with or without a platform.
[0009] The retaining element 310 is designed and configured such
that product 320 is substantially permanently affixed to one side
while the retaining element 310 provides the second half of the
coupling mechanism 350 for coupling to the handle 400. Any type of
coupling mechanism can be used, so long as the product assembly 300
and the handle 400 employ mated parts of the same coupling
mechanism 350, 450. In the system described herein, a plurality of
product assemblies 300 will be present in a single system 100. Each
of the plurality of product assemblies 300 will include a coupling
mechanism 350 suitable for use with the same handle 400. In such a
manner, one handle 400 may be used to selectively apply any or all
of the range of products in the system.
[0010] As shown in FIG. 2, the coupling system 350, 450 is a
plurality of mated tongue and groove portions, wherein each prong
410 of the handle 400 is provided with a tongue and groove portion
450 which is mated to a tongue and groove portion 350 on the
retaining element 310. The resilient nature of the prongs 410 is
sufficient to hold the product assembly 300 in place during
application. Depending on desired effect, the resilient force may
be sufficient to prevent undesired rotation of the product assembly
300 with respect to the handle 400, during application, or
sufficient to permit such rotation. If rotation is undesirable,
either or both of the handle or the product assembly can be
provided with one or more stops to prevent such rotation.
[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a palette 200 for housing a plurality of
product assemblies 300. As shown, a block of clear acrylic defines
a plurality of recesses 210 corresponding to a desired number of
product assemblies 300 in a particular palette 200, as shown there
are nine product assemblies 300, each in a different shade or
color. Each recess 210 is sized and shaped to match the size and
shape of the product assembly 300, here, a domed-shaped product has
an inverse dome-shaped recess 210 in the palette 200. Any material
may be used for the palette 200 so long as it can adequately house
the dimensions of the plurality of product assemblies 300. As
shown, the clear acrylic palette 200 coupled with a clear or
frosted plastic retaining element 310 gives the product an airy
feel and plays up the colors in dramatic fashion.
[0012] As depicted, the handle 400 and each product assembly 300
have a circular cross-section. It should be appreciated that any
shape or dimension can be accommodated, including square,
rectangular, triangular, oval, etc., the circular cross-section is
exemplary only. Thus, the retainer element 300 is shown as a
ring-like structure having a circumferential tongue and groove for
mating with the tongue and groove on the prongs 410 of the handle
400. In non-circular embodiments, the circumferential tongue and
groove is located about the periphery.
[0013] Various plastics and polymer materials may be used for any
or all of the various sports of the cosmetic application system
described herein. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize
that additional materials, sizes, shapes, configurations, etc. may
be employed without altering the scope and spirit of this
description. For example, any or all of the palette, handle, or
retainer element may be made of metal. As another example, the
palette could be made from cardboard, wood, wood products, metal,
glass, ceramic or other suitable material.
[0014] In some embodiments, not shown, the handle may be coupled to
the product assembly by other means. For example, rather than a
handle having resilient prongs with mated sections for grasping the
product assembly, the handle and product assembly could be coupled
via magnets, friction fit arrangements, threaded arrangements,
partial turn engagements, hook and loop fasteners or other coupling
means suitable for selective coupling and decoupling of the product
assembly from the handle. Other coupling arrangements could include
mated pairs in a twist and lock arrangement, pin lock arrangement,
ball-lock arrangement, etc. It should be appreciated that in each
of these arrangements, one half of the mated pair is provided on
the handle and the other on each of the plurality of product
assemblies.
* * * * *