Patent Publication Number: US-2006013844-A1

Title: Facial cosmetic devices and systems

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application for a utility patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/587,649, filed Jul. 14, 2004. This application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      This invention relates generally to cosmetic devices, and more particularly to a cosmetic device that is applied to the face in sheet form with an adhesive.  
      2. Description of Related Art  
      In general, the term “cosmetic” refers to something applied to the body (e.g., the skin or hair) to beautify or to improve a deficiency, defect, or irregularity. The term “makeup” generally refers to cosmetics applied to the face.  
      It&#39;s human nature to want to be considered physically attractive. Evidence of the use of eye makeup has been found in Egyptian tombs dating to 3500 B.C. Today women of all ages around the world wear makeup to enhance their physical appearance.  
      It would be beneficial to have a cosmetic device that can be applied to the skin of a person&#39;s face and later removed without damage to the skin. Such a cosmetic device may be used to cover up an imperfect or damaged facial feature, or even to replace a missing facial feature.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Several embodiments of a cosmetic device are disclosed. In general, the cosmetic device includes a thin, flexible substrate having two opposed sides, and an adhesive layer formed on one of the sides of the substrate. In some embodiments, a coloring layer is formed on the other side of the substrate. In another embodiment, multiple hair elements are distributed across, and have portions extending outwardly from, the other side of the substrate. Described cosmetic systems include multiple cosmetic devices releasably attached to release sheets. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
      The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cosmetic device, wherein the cosmetic device is an eye shadow element;  
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the eye shadow element of  FIG. 1  as indicated in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a cosmetic system including a second embodiment of the cosmetic device of  FIG. 1  and a release sheet, wherein the cosmetic device includes a pair of lip-shaped elements;  
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the cosmetic system of  FIG. 3  as indicated in  FIG. 3 , wherein the lip-shaped elements are releasably attached to the release sheet;  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the cosmetic device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the cosmetic device is a facial sheet adapted to be applied to a person&#39;s face;  
       FIG. 6  is a view of a cosmetic system including two copies of the facial sheet of  FIG. 5  releasably mounted to a release sheet and a container containing a concealer;  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cosmetic device of  FIG. 1 , wherein the cosmetic device is an eyebrow element adapted to resemble a human eyebrow; and  
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the eyebrow element of  FIG. 7  as indicated in  FIG. 7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cosmetic device  10 , wherein the cosmetic device  10  is an eye shadow element  12 . The eye shadow element  12  is shaped to fit over (i.e., substantially cover) an upper portion  14  of an upper eyelid  16  of a person&#39;s face  18 , and to give the appearance of professionally applied eye shadow. In human eye surface anatomy, an upper eyelid crease  20  separates the upper portion  14  of the upper eyelid  16  from a lower portion  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the upper portion  14  of the upper eyelid  16  generally extends from the upper eyelid crease  20  to an eyebrow  24 . When the person blinks, the lower portion  22  of the upper eyelid  16  spreads tears over an outer surface of an eyeball  26 , while the upper portion  14  moves very little.  
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the eye shadow element  12  of  FIG. 1  as indicated in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the eye shadow element  12  is a laminate structure including a thin film substrate  30  with an adhesive layer  32  formed on one side and a coloring layer  34  formed on an opposite side. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the substrate  30  is formed from a thin, flexible material that is not readily visible on the skin. The substrate  30  may be formed from, for example, a thin plastic film material that is substantially transparent. Suitable plastic materials for the substrate  30  are believed to include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyurethane.  
      The adhesive layer  32  is preferably a layer of a pressure sensitive adhesive material that adheres to skin and can be removed from the skin without damaging the skin. The adhesive material is preferably non-toxic and non-irritating. Suitable pressure sensitive adhesive material are well known in the medical and cosmetic arts, and are believed to include acrylic adhesives, rubber based adhesives, and styrene adhesives. The adhesive layer  32  may also be a layer of a water based and/or water washable adhesive material.  
      To reduce skin irritation, the substrate  30  preferably has many small holes passing therethrough (i.e., is preferably porous), and the adhesive layer  32  preferably conforms to the porous pattern of the substrate  30  such that the underlying skin can “breathe.” For example, the substrate  30  may be formed from a thin film material having many small holes (i.e., from a “microporous” thin film material).  
      In general, the coloring layer  34  includes coloring agent that simulates either a makeup color or a human skin color. The coloring agent may be, for example, a suitable paint or a stain. The coloring agent is preferably water resistant. The coloring layer  34  preferably has an outer surface that reflects light in substantially the same way that human skin reflects light. The coloring agent may be, for example, sprayed (e.g., airbrushed) onto the substrate  30 .  
      The substrate  30  may be formed from a film material that already includes the adhesive layer  32 . Alternately, the substrate  30  may be formed from a material that is inherently adhesive such that the adhesive layer  32  is unnecessary and may be eliminated. For example, GLAD® Press&#39;n Seal™ sealable plastic wrap (The Glad Products Company, Oakland, Calif.) is a thin plastic film that either includes an adhesive layer or is inherently adhesive, and may be a suitable material from which to form the substrate  30 .  
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a cosmetic system  38  including a second embodiment of the cosmetic device  10  of  FIG. 1  and a release sheet  44 , wherein the cosmetic device  10  includes a pair of lip-shaped elements  40 A and  40 B. In general, the lip-shaped elements  40 A and  40 B may be used to enhance a person&#39;s lips.  
      The lip-shaped elements  40 A and  40 B are shaped to fit over (i.e., substantially cover) a person&#39;s lips. More specifically, the lip-shaped element  40 A has a perimeter  42 A that is adapted to approximate the person&#39;s upper lip, and the lip-shaped element  40 B has a perimeter  42 B that is adapted to approximate the person&#39;s lower lip. Coloring layers of the lip-shaped elements  40 A and  40 B preferably include a coloring agent that simulates a lipstick color, but may also include a coloring agent that simulates a human skin color.  
      Adhesive layers of the lip-shaped elements  40 A and  40 B are adhered to the release sheet  44 , and a user removes the lip-shaped elements  40 A and  40 B from the release sheet  44  prior to use. Several lip-shaped elements having different shapes may be attached to the release sheet  44  such that the user can select lip-shaped elements that most closely resembles shapes of the user&#39;s lips.  
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the cosmetic system  38  of  FIG. 3  as indicated in  FIG. 3 , wherein the lip-shaped elements  40 A and  40 B are releasably attached to the release sheet  44 . The lip-shaped elements  40 A and  40 B are mounted on the release sheet  44  via the adhesive layers so that they can be easily removed and applied. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the lip-shaped element  40 A includes a body  46 A. The body  46 A includes a laminate structure having a thin film substrate  30 A with an adhesive layer  32 A formed on one side and a coloring layer  34 A formed on an opposite side. The lip-shaped element  40 B includes a body  46 B. The body  46 A includes a laminate structure having a thin film substrate  30 B with an adhesive layer  32 B formed on one side and a coloring layer  34 B formed on the other side. The substrates  30 A and  30 B, the adhesive layers  32 A and  32 B, and the coloring layers  34 A and  34 B are similar to the respective substrate  30 , adhesive layers  32 , and coloring layer  34  of  FIG. 2 .  
      In general, the bodies  46 A and  46 B of the respective lip-shaped elements  40 A and  40 B may be formed from any suitable non-toxic materials. In a preferred embodiment, the bodies  46 A and  46 B also include a sugar or other sweet-tasting material.  
      In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the body  46 A of the lip-shaped element  40 A has a thicker center portion  52 A and thinner top and bottom portions  50 A and  54 A, respectively, such that when the lip-shaped element  40 A is attached to a person&#39;s lip, the person&#39;s lip appears full and plump. Similarly, the body  46 B of the lip-shaped element  40 B has a thicker center portion  52 B and thinner respective top and bottom portions  50 B and  54 B for the same reason.  
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third embodiment of the cosmetic device  10  of  FIG. 1 , wherein the cosmetic device  10  is a facial sheet  60  adapted to be applied to a person&#39;s face  62 . The facial sheet  60  is preferably relatively thin, flexible, and adheres to the skin of the face  62 . The facial sheet  60  is preferably thin enough to avoid being visually detectable, but also thick enough to cover imperfections  64  on the face  62  such as blemishes, acne scaring, etc. In general, the facial sheet  60  has a smooth outer surface that hides the existence of the imperfections  64 .  
      The facial sheet  60  includes the laminate structure of  FIG. 2  having the thin film substrate  30  with the adhesive layer  32  formed on one side and the coloring layer  34  formed on the opposite side. As described above, the coloring layer  34  includes a coloring agent to simulate either a makeup color or a human skin color. Further, the coloring layer  34  preferably has an outer surface that reflects light in substantially the same way that human skin reflects light.  
       FIG. 6  is a view of a cosmetic system  70  including two copies of the facial sheet  60  of  FIG. 5  releasably mounted to a release sheet  72  and a container  74  containing a concealer  76 . The two copies of the facial sheet  60  are mounted on the release sheet  72  via the adhesive layers so that they can be easily removed and applied.  
      In general, the concealer  76  is a facial cosmetic used to cover blemished skin. Suitable viscous liquid concealers are well known and widely available. The facial sheet  60  of  FIGS. 5 and 6  is preferably used with the concealer  76 . Once the facial sheet  60  has been applied to cover the imperfections  64  of  FIG. 5 , the concealer  76  is applied around the edges of and/or over the facial sheet  60  to hide the existence of the facial sheet  60 .  
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cosmetic device  10  of  FIG. 1 , wherein the cosmetic device  10  is an eyebrow element  80  adapted to resemble a human eyebrow. The eyebrow element  80  may be used to replace a missing eyebrow, or to cover up an unattractive or imperfect eyebrow. In  FIG. 7 , objects shown in  FIG. 1  and described above are numbered similarly. The eyebrow element  80  is expectedly positioned in the normal eyebrow position over a person&#39;s eye as shown in  FIG. 7 . More specifically, the eyebrow element  80  is expectedly positioned just above the upper portion  14  of the upper eyelid  16  of the person&#39;s face  18 .  
       FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of the eyebrow element  80  of  FIG. 7  as indicated in  FIG. 7 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , the eyebrow element  80  is a laminate structure including a substrate  88  with an adhesive layer  90  formed on one side. In general, the substrate  88  is formed from a thin, flexible material. The substrate  88  may be, for example, formed from a thin plastic film material. In general, the material used to form the substrate  88  is preferably not be readily visible on the skin. The material used to form the substrate  88  may be, for example, substantially transparent, or may include a coloring agent that simulates a makeup color or a human skin color. The substrate  88  preferably has an outer surface that reflects light in substantially the same way that human skin reflects light. Suitable plastic materials for the substrate  88  are believed to include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyurethane. The adhesive layer  90  may be similar to the adhesive layer  32  shown in  FIG. 2  and described above.  
      To reduce skin irritation, the substrate  88  preferably has many small holes passing therethrough (i.e., is preferably porous), and the adhesive layer  90  preferably conforms to the porous pattern of the substrate  30  such that the underlying skin can “breathe.” For example, the substrate  88  may be formed from a thin film material having many small holes (i.e., from a “microporous” thin film material).  
      In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , multiple hair elements  92  are distributed across a surface of a side of the substrate  88  opposite the adhesive layer  90 , and portions of the hair elements  92  extend outwardly from the side of the substrate  88  opposite the adhesive layer  90 . In general, the hair elements  92  are adapted to resemble human eyebrow hairs. More specifically, the hair elements  92  preferably have lengths, thicknesses, and colors to simulate human eyebrow hairs, and are preferably curved like human eyebrow hairs.  
      In the embodiment of  FIG. 8 , each of the hair elements  92  has two opposed ends. One end of each of the hair elements  92  is anchored in the substrate  88 , and the opposite end is free. In other embodiments both ends of the hair elements  92  may be anchored in the  88 . Alternately, one or both ends of each of the hair elements  92  may be attached to the surface of the side of the substrate  88  opposite the adhesive layer  90 .  
      It is noted that the adhesive layer of the cosmetic device  10  of  FIGS. 1-8  allows the cosmetic device  10  to be attached to facial skin, and to be removed from the skin without damaging the skin. The different embodiments of the cosmetic device  10  may be used to give the appearance of professionally applied eye-shadow ( FIGS. 1-2 ), to enhance a person&#39;s lips ( FIGS. 3-4 ), to cover facial imperfections ( FIGS. 5-6 ), or to replace a missing eyebrow or to cover up an unattractive or imperfect eyebrow ( FIGS. 7-8 ).  
      While the invention has been described with reference to at least one preferred embodiment, it is to be clearly understood by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited thereto. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be interpreted only in conjunction with the appended claims.