COSMETIC IMPLEMENT WITH POLYHEDRAL APPLICATOR
Disclosed is a cosmetic applicator that may include a handle and a polyhedral applicator coupled to the handle. The applicator may comprise a first gradient, a second gradient, and a peak where the first gradient adjoins to the second gradient. In some embodiments, the first gradient may have dimensions substantially similar to those of the second gradient so that the polyhedral applicator is symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the implement. In other embodiments the first gradient may have dimensions substantially different than those of the second gradient so that the polyhedral applicator is asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the implement. In some examples, the cosmetic implement may be configured to apply a cosmetic product, such as eye shadow, to a first surface and a second surface simultaneously.
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A typical cosmetic brush contains a handle and a plurality of fibers attached to one end of the handle. This combination of a handle and a plurality of fibers provides a simple, low-cost and effective brush for the application of cosmetic materials. However, multiple brushes are often required in order to apply cosmetic materials evenly and consistently to multiple facial features due to the unique curvatures and skin types (i.e., oily and dry) that comprise the human face. Multiple brushes may also be used when multiple cosmetic materials (e.g., different composites or colors) are applied in order to achieve a desired effect. For example, more rigid brushes can be used for harsher applications like lining and contouring and more flexible brushes may be used for softer applications, like blending.
Hence, since different applications often require different cosmetic brushes, users are required to purchase a plurality of brush applicators. Accordingly, there remains a need for improved cosmetic brushes.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.
This disclosure is directed to a cosmetic implement comprising an applicator coupled to a handle. In some examples, the applicator may be polyhedral in that it is comprised of straight lines and planar surfaces. As used herein, a shape is still considered to be polyhedral even if one or more straight lines may intersect at a rounded corner (i.e., an intersection may have a radius). According to certain embodiments, the applicator may include a first gradient that slopes towards a first side of the applicator, a second gradient that slopes towards a second side of the applicator, and a peak where the first gradient meets the second gradient.
By way of example and not limitation, the applicator may be comprised of natural fibers, synthetic fibers (e.g., plastic, rubber, silicone, latex or composites thereof), metallic bristles, flocking, a sponge, a solid applicator member (e.g., a paddle or spatula), or the like. In examples where the applicator may comprise a bundle of fibers, the termini of the fibers extending out from the ferrule may define the first gradient and the second gradient. In other embodiments a distal end of the applicator may define the first and/or second gradients.
In some embodiments, the applicator may comprise a plurality of fibers that further comprise a first group of fibers and a second group of fibers. The first group of fibers may abut the second group of fibers at a junction centrally located between a first side and a second side of the cosmetic implement. The first group of fibers may comprise a first material and the second group of fibers may comprise a second material. In some examples, the first material may be different from the second material. A length of the first group of fibers may decrease linearly away from the centrally located junction. Similarly, a length of the second group of fibers may decrease linearly away from the centrally located junction.
In some examples, the junction of the first and second groups of fibers may not be located centrally between the first side and the second side of the cosmetic implement. Rather, the junction may be closer to one of the first side or the second side. In such examples, the first group of fibers may be substantially larger or substantially smaller than the second group of fibers.
In some embodiments, the first gradient of the applicator may be configured to apply a cosmetic product to a first surface (e.g., eyelid) and the second gradient may be configured to apply a cosmetic product to a second surface (e.g., brow bone), the second surface being oblique to the first surface. In some examples, the cosmetic product on the first gradient may be substantially similar to the cosmetic product on the second gradient. Alternatively, the cosmetic product on the first gradient may be different than the cosmetic product on the second gradient (e.g., purple eye shadow and blue eye shadow). The peak at the junction adjoining the first gradient and the second gradient may be configured to apply a cosmetic product to a third surface disposed between the first surface and the second surface. The peak may be rounded, pointed, flat, or any other shape suitable for applying a cosmetic product to the third surface (e.g., eyelid crease).
In some examples, the applicator may comprise a substantially pentagonal profile when viewed from a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the implement. In some embodiments, the pentagonal profile may be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the cosmetic implement. In other embodiments, the pentagonal profile may be asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the cosmetic implement. The pentagonal profile may extend beyond a perimeter of the handle. Alternatively, the pentagonal profile may be contained within the perimeter of the handle.
Multiple and varied example implementations and embodiments are described below. However, these examples are merely illustrative, and other implementations and embodiments of a cosmetic implement with a polyhedral applicator may be implemented without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
Illustrative Polyhedral ApplicatorsThe embodiments shown in the figures are presented by way of example. The components shown in the figures may be combined as desired to create a cosmetic implement having various configurations. The components shown in the figures may be rearranged, modified, duplicated, and/or omitted in some configurations.
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As described above, the cosmetic implement 100 may include the applicator 102 comprised of the first gradient 106 and the second gradient 110.
Due to the many variations in facial structures among cosmetic product users, multiple embodiments are contemplated where the first gradient 106 may have dimensions substantially different than those of the second gradient 110. By configuring the first gradient 106 and the second gradient 110 with different dimensions that correspond to the first surface 1100 and the second surface 1102, respectively, cosmetic product may be applied evenly and quickly to multiple facial surfaces using a single cosmetic brush, without repositioning or changing orientation of the brush.
In some embodiments, the first gradient 106 may comprise the first group of fibers 202 and the second gradient 110 may comprise the second group of fibers 204. However, in other examples, the applicator may consist of a single uniform group of fibers or of a non-brush applicator. In examples having first and second distinct groups of fibers, the first group of fibers 202 may comprise a first material and the second group of fibers 204 may comprise a second material, the first material being configured to apply product to the first surface 1100 and the second material being configured to apply product to the second surface 1102. The first group of fibers 202 may differ from the second group of fibers 204 in size of fibers, stiffness of fibers, and/or material of fibers. For instance, the first material may be softer and suppler in order to apply eye shadow to the delicate skin of the eyelid while the second material may be more rigid to apply eye shadow to the firmer brow bone area.
The first material and the second material may also be configured to apply product to different types of skin, such as oily skin and/or dry skin. In some examples, the first material may be configured to apply a different product than the second material. Alternatively, the first material may be configured to apply a similar product as the second material. In some examples, the peak 104 may be configured to apply product to the third surface 1106 in a manner continuous with the application of product to the first surface 1100 and the second surface 1102, such that desired effects may be achieved (e.g., multiple colors, blending, etc.). Hence, the peak 104, by way of example and not limitation, may be rounded, pointed or flat. In some embodiments, these configurations may allow for cosmetic product to be applied evenly and quickly to multiple facial surfaces using a single cosmetic implement.
CONCLUSIONAlthough this disclosure uses language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the scope of the disclosure is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as illustrative forms of implementation.
Claims
1. A cosmetic implement comprising:
- a handle; and
- an applicator coupled to an end of the handle, the applicator comprising: a peak; a first gradient that slopes away from the peak towards a first side of the applicator for applying cosmetic product to a first surface; and a second gradient that slopes away from the peak towards a second side of the applicator, opposite the first side, for applying cosmetic product to a second surface oblique to the first surface.
2. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the first gradient extends beyond a perimeter of the handle and the second gradient extends beyond the perimeter of the handle.
3. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a first material at least partially defining the first gradient and a second material at least partially defining the second gradient, the second material being different than the first material.
4. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a first plurality of fibers and the second material comprises a second plurality of fibers.
5. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a bundle of fibers and the second material comprises a sponge.
6. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a silicone member and the second material comprises a flocking.
7. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic implement comprises an eye shadow brush, and wherein the first and second gradients are configured to simultaneously apply eye shadow to an eye lid and an area under an eye brow.
8. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises at least one of a bundle of fibers, a sponge, a silicone member, or flocking.
9. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the peak defines an angle between the first gradient and the second gradient, the angle being at least about 100 degrees and at most about 130 degrees.
10. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the applicator comprises a bundle of fibers.
11. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein the first gradient and the second gradient are defined by a terminus of a bundle of fibers.
12. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein a slope of the first gradient and a slope of the second gradient are substantially the same magnitude.
13. The cosmetic implement of claim 1, wherein a slope of the first gradient and a slope of the second gradient are substantially different in magnitude.
14. A cosmetic brush for applying a product to a face, the cosmetic brush comprising:
- a handle;
- a bundle of fibers; and
- a ferrule securing an end of the bundle of fibers to the handle,
- the bundle of fibers comprising: a first group of fibers; a second group of fibers; and a junction between the first and second groups of fibers, such that a length of the first group of fibers decreases linearly away from the junction, and a length of the second group of fibers decreases linearly away from the junction.
15. The cosmetic brush of claim 14, wherein the first and second groups of fibers are symmetric about a plane passing through the junction.
16. The cosmetic brush of claim 14, wherein the first and second groups of fibers are asymmetric about a plane passing through the junction.
17. The cosmetic brush of claim 14, wherein the first group of fibers comprises a first type of fibers and the second group of fibers comprises a second type of fibers, the first type of fibers being different from the second type of fibers.
18. The cosmetic brush of claim 17, wherein the first type of fibers differs from the second type of fibers in at least one of the following:
- size of fibers,
- stiffness of fibers, or
- material of fibers.
19. The cosmetic brush of claim 14, wherein the bundle of fibers extends outside a perimeter defined by the ferrule.
20. The cosmetic brush of claim 14, wherein the bundle of fibers further comprises a rounded peak positioned at the junction.
21. A cosmetic implement comprising:
- a handle defining a longitudinal axis of the cosmetic implement; and
- an applicator coupled to a longitudinal end of the handle for applying a product, the applicator having a substantially pentagonal profile when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.
22. The cosmetic implement of claim 21, wherein the applicator comprises at least one of a bundle of fibers, a sponge, a silicone member, or flocking.
23. The cosmetic implement of claim 21, wherein the applicator comprises a first material and a second material, the first material being different from the second material.
24. The cosmetic implement of claim 21, wherein the pentagonal profile is substantially symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the cosmetic implement.
25. The cosmetic implement of claim 21, wherein the pentagonal profile is substantially asymmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the cosmetic implement.
26. The cosmetic brush of claim 21, wherein a cross-sectional area of the applicator increases from a proximal end of the applicator coupled to the handle to a shoulder of the applicator, and decreases in cross-sectional area from the shoulder of the applicator to a distal end of the applicator.
Type: Application
Filed: May 9, 2013
Publication Date: Nov 13, 2014
Applicant: HCT Group Holdings Limited (Santa Monica, CA)
Inventor: Cindy Sean Yuei Lim (Santa Monica, CA)
Application Number: 13/890,941
International Classification: A46B 5/00 (20060101);