ADJUSTABLE COSMETICS APPLICATOR
An adjustable implement includes an adjustable applicator assembly comprising a variably adjustable applicator selectively pivotable at least about 90 degrees relative to a body or handle of the implement. By virtue of having a variably adjustable applicator, the adjustable implement is capable of applying a product at various different angles of orientation.
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Devices exist for applying cosmetic or medicinal products to a body (e.g., eyeliner to the eyelid). Existing applicators designed to apply eyeliner to eyelids vary in style. For example, one applicator for applying eyeliner to eyelids may be generally straight achieving one orientation with which the applicator contacts the eyelid. Another applicator for applying eyeliner to eyelids may incorporate an angled tip achieving a different orientation with which the applicator contacts the eyelid. Straight applicators may be useful in some orientations and/or with some products, while angled applicators may be useful in other orientations and/or with other products. However, existing applicators have limited functionality as more than one applicator is needed to optimally change the orientation with which an applicator contacts the eyelid.
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.
Existing implements to apply a product to a body (e.g., eyeliner, to eyelids) are designed in a variety of styles. Each style is designed to apply product at a specific orientation and/or to achieve a desired effect. For example, one applicator may be used to apply eyeliner to the inside or outside corners of the eye, while another applicator may be used to apply eyeliner above the upper eyelashes or below the lower eyelashes. Using currently available applicators, a user must use multiple applicators to achieve multiple desired angles for applying eyeliner to eyelids.
This application describes an adjustable implement that pivots to selectable positions via a hinge. By virtue of having a pivotable applicator, the adjustable implement can be adjusted to apply a product at various different angles of orientation. Examples of products that can be applied using the adjustable implement include without limitation, cosmetic, medicinal, and/or personal care products.
Generally, an implement according to this disclosure has a body or handle and an adjustable applicator assembly. The adjustable applicator assembly includes a hinge which allows the applicator to rotate to multiple positions relative to the handle for easier product distribution. In addition to the hinge, the adjustable applicator assembly comprises a rotational friction mechanism to maintain the applicator in selectable positions. In some implementations, the implement may also include a locking mechanism to lock the adjustable applicator against motion relative to the handle. Alternatively, the articulating heads may include a holding mechanism to maintain the head and applicator in a user defined position.
For each example given below, the implement is described in the context of an applicator for applying an eyeliner product to eyelids. However, applicators as described herein may be used and adapted to apply other products (e.g. lipstick, chap stick, lip gloss, lotions, creams, gels, powders, rouges, blushes, foundation, etc.) and may be used to apply product to other portions of the body.
Illustrative Adjustable ImplementThe top of head 102 contains an applicator 106. In the embodiment shown in
In yet another alternative,
In
Although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that 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 implementing the embodiments.
Claims
1. An implement comprising:
- a body;
- an adjustable applicator assembly coupled to the body, the adjustable applicator assembly comprising: a head having a top end and a bottom end; an applicator coupled to the top end of the head, wherein the applicator comprises an eyeliner applicator, the eyeliner applicator comprising a soft brush; a hinge linking a top end of the body to the bottom end of the head, the head being selectively pivotable about the hinge by at least about 90 degrees relative to the body; and a rotational friction mechanism to hold the head in position relative to the body.
2. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the rotational friction mechanism comprises one of indentions or protrusions on the top end of the body and the other of indentions or protrusions on the bottom end of the head, the indentions or protrusions on the top end of the body configured to slidably mate with the other of indentions or protrusions on the bottom end of the head.
3. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the rotational friction mechanism comprises one of dimples or protrusions on the bottom end of the head and the other of dimples or protrusions on the top end of the body, the dimples or protrusions on the bottom end of the head configured to slidably mate with the other of dimples or protrusions on the top end of the body.
4. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the rotational friction mechanism is configured to maintain position of the applicator relative to the body when a force applied to the applicator is below an adjusting threshold, and to allow the applicator to pivot relative to the body in response to application of a force at or above the adjusting threshold.
5. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises plastic, wood, metal, ceramic, glass, fiberglass, carbon fiber, or a composite of any of the foregoing.
6. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the head comprises thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), rubber, or polypropylene or (PP).
7. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the body comprises metal or ceramic.
8. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the head comprises metal or ceramic.
9. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the rotational friction mechanism comprises one or more shapes on the bottom of the head configured to engage one or more complimentary shapes on the top of the body.
10. An implement according to claim 9, wherein the one or more shapes on the bottom of the head comprises indents configured to receive and retain one or more protrusions of the one or more complimentary shapes on the top of the body.
11. An implement according to claim 9, wherein the one or more complimentary shapes on the top of the body comprises one or more indents configured to receive and retain one or more protrusions of the one or more shapes on the bottom of the head.
12. An implement according to claim 9, wherein the one or more shapes on the bottom of the head comprise indents, dimples, ribs, ridges, channels, depressions, protrusions, and/or grooves, and wherein the one or more complimentary shapes on the top of the body comprise indents, dimples, ribs, ridges, channels, depressions, protrusions, or grooves.
13. (canceled)
14. An implement according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock the head in a position relative to the body.
15. An implement according to claim 1, wherein the rotational friction mechanism comprises a surface having frictional characteristics greater than that of the body and the head, the surface comprising a frictional material.
16. An adjustable implement comprising:
- a body having a top end and a bottom end, the bottom end having a gripping surface area;
- an applicator pivotally coupled to the top end of the body via a hinge, the applicator being pivotable at least about 90 degrees relative to the body and comprising a soft brush; and
- the hinge including a rotational friction mechanism that maintains the applicator in a set position relative to the body by a restraining force that resists rotation of the applicator relative to the body.
17. An adjustable implement according to claim 16, wherein the rotational friction mechanism comprises a first plurality of engagement surfaces on the top end of the body configured to engage with a second plurality of complimentary engagement surfaces on the applicator.
18. An adjustable implement according to claim 17, wherein the first and second pluralities of engagement surfaces comprise indents, dimples, ribs, ridges, channels, depressions, protrusions, or grooves.
19. An adjustable implement according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of engagement surfaces of the body are held in place relative to the engagement surfaces of the applicator by a locking mechanism.
20. An adjustable implement according to claim 19, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a spring loaded detent or spring loaded pin.
21. (canceled)
22. An implement according to claim 15, wherein the frictional material comprises rubber or silicone.
23. An adjustable implement according to claim 16, wherein the body comprises a substantially square cross section.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 24, 2011
Publication Date: Feb 28, 2013
Applicant: HCT Asia Ltd (Central)
Inventors: Cindy Lim (Santa Monica, CA), Christopher John Tarling (New York, NY)
Application Number: 13/217,095