Patent Abstract:
This invention is a portable ultrasonic cosmetic applicator for spraying lip gloss, eye shadow, blush, tanning solutions, moisturizing agents onto the body or face. It is useful for makeup artist in the movie industry, beauty salons and for personal use. The applicator is small and light weight device making it easy to use without the use of air pressure that is commonly used with airbrush spraying equipment of this type. This invention eliminates noisy compressors, pressurize cylinders and air lines. This invention I propose produces a fine misty spray that is easily applied with a smaller and more uniform particle size then common used spray equipment or hand applicator, reducing the amount of unused cosmetics.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Cosmetics have been around for over 3000 years. The Egyptians were the first to use pigments, crushed berries and leaves, and the upper class would purchase makeup from incoming travelers. This not only cost a great deal of money for that time period, but took up to a month or longer to make. At first, men would use makeup by applying galena or kohl (black eye-liner) to create an “almond shaped eye” which resembles the Falcon Eye of the God Horus. Women then began to experiment the use of cosmetics. The application of such substances was with a small stick or wooden needle with an enlarged end creating a cotton bud shape. Along with black eye-liner, the men of ancient Egypt applied green eye shadow/paints, in addition to lip balm or salve colored with natural earth pigments, such as red ochre. 
         [0002]    It was said that the natives believed makeup could ward off evil spirits and protect against eye diseases and ocular infections caused by the Nile River. Kohl promoted the production of nitric oxide in the skin which strengthened their immune systems. In addition, the soot found in kohl helped to reduce the damaging effects of sun glare on the eyes. After the ancient Egyptians discovered the use of cosmetics, the word began to spread and new ideas began to form. 
         [0003]    Airbrush in general was first established by a man named Abner Peeler in 1879 using mostly spare parts from a jewelers workshop. Four years later, a company by the name of Liberty Walkup began marketing his invention. In 1893, Thayer and Chandler art materials presented the first known modern airbrush at the world Columbian Exposition in Chicago. At the time, the airbrush invention had the sleek look of a pen and its functionality was extremely similar to recent airbrush machines in today&#39;s society. 1958 began the production of the film Ben-Hur which was completed in 1959 by MGM Studios. Cosmetics were applicable using airbrush during the set of this world known film. Makeup artists were told to apply faux tans for the thousands of actors who played minor roles and were said to be acting the part of Romans. The idea of using airbrush with the substance, makeshift foundation, worked surprisingly well. It was found that an airbrush can spray cosmetics more precisely, lighter, and efficiently. Airbrush soon became well known for applying cosmetics for Hollywood studios in the mid 1970s. Then it made its way into hair and beauty trade shows and the Bal Masque competitions. Nowadays, airbrush is commonly used for creating temporary tattoos, conventional makeup, fantasy makeup, body art, fingernails, hair, and airbrush tanning. Sonaer has been making ultrasonic atomizers nozzles since 1997. An ultrasonic atomizer nozzle works by the same principal of wave motion of all other ultrasonic devices as liquid processors, welders, surgical tools, dental instruments and the like. It is no secret that an atomizer nozzle is any one of the above mention devices, just made with a hole through the center or a plurality of holes for spraying a liquid. One of the nicest aspect of using an atomizer nozzle is the fact that finer particles are easily produced, spray is more uniform and efficient when expelled from the tip end without the use of air pressure. Knowing the advantages of an atomizer nozzle, I have invented a cosmetic applicator that contains within an ultrasonic atomizer nozzle with the exception that it does not include the center hole. In addition to the atomizer nozzle, I have invented an applicator hand piece that includes a method of either pouring cosmetics into a well molded into the device or threading a small vial of cosmetic solution to the top of the applicator. Contained along the side if the applicator is a method of turning on the ultrasonic power, directing cosmetic solution to the vibrating tip for spraying. This is all accomplished without a hole through the center or along the side of the probe for the liquid and is delivered to the moving tip without the use of air pressure or a pump. The invention I am presenting is truly a unique and novel method of spraying cosmetics. 
       OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The object of the invention is to use the latest formulation of cosmetics to efficiently spray and direct small uniform particles onto the skins surface. It is also an object of the disclosed invention to do the above mention task without the use of an air hose, pressure cylinder, pump or compressor as is commonly used with airbrushing or atomization. Airbrushing is considered the stat-of-the-art in applying today&#39;s cosmetics. Normally with an airbrush paint or cosmetic is held in a glass container attached to the hand piece shaped like a pen and is easy to hold. A compressor located in a area away form the user supplies pressurized air to the airbrush through a tube attached to the rear of the airbrush hand piece. A button is pressed activating a valve to direct air to the tip of the hand piece. This is used to pick up the paint or cosmetic to be sprayed. The liquid air mixture leaves the airbrush with a velocity and angle based on the pressure and tip configuration. The user has to constantly maneuver the airbrush to keep the tube from getting in the way of the subject being covered. 
         [0005]    Atomizer nozzles that Sonaer makes have piezoceramics sandwiched between two end masses. The ceramics convert an alternating voltage applied to the ceramics to mechanical motion. This motion is amplified by the shape of the end mass tip. Usually, a smaller diameter end mass amplifies the motion of the ceramics and a larger diameter end mass reduces the motion. Through the center of the atomizer nozzle is an orifice with a means of connecting a liquid line at the back of the nozzle. As liquid is pumped through the center of the probe, mechanical vibrations like that of a piston, pulverize the liquid into a fine particle. Particle that reach the tip are formed into a spray. The sprays for this type of atomization are known to be finer in than air pressurized, water pressurized and all other methods of mechanical spray. The fine spray is from the frequency of the nozzle. Typically a nozzle with a higher frequency, makes a smaller particle size then of one that is of a low frequency. Any atomizer nozzle in the frequency range of 20,000 Hz and higher will make a smaller particles then a mechanical device that spins of vibrates at a frequency lower then 20,000 Hz, including air and liquid assisted atomization. 
         [0006]    With the invention I am presenting, the user does not have to worry about the air supply tube, which will get in the way from time to time, or the adjustment of air pressure to the airbrush. Atomizer nozzles which function with liquid being pumped through the center are also not needed. Using skills learned in the trade of airbrushing cosmetics, this invention alleviates obstacles of conventional airbrushing and atomization and gives the applicant a soft delicate spray of material that is uniform and soothing using the principals and properties of ultrasonics. A further understanding of the invention will be better realized by the detailed description of the embodiments below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1  is an overall view of the disclosed cosmetic applicator according to the invention and external embodiments for spraying cosmetics onto the face and body. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a view of components required for the invention to spray cosmetics using an ultrasonic atomizer and unique valve switch combination. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3   a  is a side profile of the invention illustrating the valve switch combination used to activate the atomizer nozzle and open a valve for allowing cosmetics to be deposited onto the atomizer tip. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3   b  shows the valve switch control arm that the user presses for spraying cosmetics. 
           [0011]      FIG. 4   a  is a front view of the disclosed invention showing the tip portion of the cosmetic applicator and novel mechanism for spraying and activating the device. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4   b  is a cut through the center view of the cosmetic applicator exemplifying the internal orifices required for depositing cosmetics onto the atomizer tip. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a artist drawing of the cosmetic applicator being used for spraying liquid material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout, there is illustrated in  FIG. 1 , an ultrasonic cosmetic applicator  10  for spraying atomized particles made from cosmetic materials onto the body or face. The cosmetic applicator  10  has a back cover  20  which covers the internal components and helps with assembly. Components are loaded from the rear of the cosmetic applicator  10  up to the distal end  60  where they are secured inside the unit. Along the length of the cosmetic applicator  10  is the frontal control mechanism  30 . The frontal control mechanism  30  contains many features that make the cosmetic applicator  10  function according to the invention disclosed which will be discussed within this disclosure. At the distal end  60  is a liquid delivery well  40  that is used in pouring the cosmetic materials into. At the bottom of the liquid delivery well  40  and moving to the distal end  60  is a liquid delivery orifice  50 . The liquid delivery orifice  50  directs the cosmetic to the distal end  60  from the liquid delivery well  40  where the liquid is made into a particle for spraying. Once the liquid delivery well  40  is filled with a few drops of cosmetic liquid the unit is ready to spray cosmetics to the body and face. 
         [0015]    Now in reference to  FIG. 2  of the disclosed invention presented is a detailed view of the components necessary for this device to operate as a hand held unit without air pressure that is commonly used with an air brush. The main body of the cosmetic applicator  80  contains within several main components that enable this device to work according to the invention presented. The primary atomizer device  130 , cosmetic applicator  80  and the valve switch plate  170  make up the bulk of components needed for this invention to work as described in the application. Starting with the primary atomizer device  130  is a typical sandwich transducer that is well known since the 1960&#39;s. It is made up of three basic components. The first is the center piezoelectric ceramics  100  that is compressed between two end masses. These end masses are labeled the rear driver  90  and the front driver  140 . Together they make up a resonant body which vibrates at ultrasonic frequencies. Typically these frequencies are between 20,000 cycles per second up as high a 500,000 cycles per second. These three component parts make up the ultrasonic atomizer device  130  and is well known in the industry. This application will not focus on the atomizer device  130  and will be discussed briefly since this application is not teaching anything that is not already known in the field of ultrasonics. To power the ultrasonic atomizer device  130  is a driver circuit board  120  with integrated circuit chips that make up an oscillator, power amplifier and control circuit all of which are also well known in the industry and will not be discussed in depth within this application. Lastly, energy to operate the system is derived with batteries  110  and all the component parts listed above is enclosed into the cosmetic applicator  80  by use of the rear cover  70 . All of the above mention components will not be discussed in this application due to the fact that these devices are well known in industries around the globe. What will be discussed is the novel method of creating sprays comprised of particles for use with cosmetics or for that matter many other liquids with the disclosed invention. To direct our energy to the true essence of this invention, lets take a look at the valve switch plate  170 , the cosmetic applicator  80  and the distal tip end  150  of the atomizer and see how these pieces work together. 
         [0016]    First we will examine the valve switch plate  170  and how this piece functions in conjunction with liquid delivery and ultrasonic atomization. The valve switch plate  170  has a pin  180  attached and is actually a part of the valve. During assembly the valve switch plate  170  is secured to the cosmetic applicator  80  by use of a roll pin  200 . This method allows the valve switch plate  170  to pivot like a seesaw at this point where the roll pin  200  connects to the cosmetic applicator  80 . A spring  160  is placed between the valve switch plate  170  and the cosmetic applicator  80 , sitting in a counter bore  168  keeping the spring  160  secured in position while operating the cosmetic applicator  80 . Applying a force to the side  165  of the valve switch plate  170  opposite the spring  160  force, will move the pin  180  away form the front portion  190  of the cosmetic applicator  80 . With this force applied by the spring  160  the valve switch plate  170 , pin  180  rides inside the front portion  190  of the cosmetic applicator  80  and is kept in place with the roll pin  200 . As one side of the valve switch plate  170  goes up the other down and vice-versa. During this period, the pin  180  of the valve switch plate  170  will open and close an orifice  185  that bridges from the front portion  190  and the liquid delivery well  175 . With the valve switch plate  170  open, cosmetic will flow through the orifice  185  from the liquid delivery well  175  and onto the distal tip  150  of the atomizer device  130 . At the same time contact  155  engages connections in the cosmetic applicator  80 , enabling power to the driver circuit board  120 , which in turn powers up the atomizer device  130  creating ultrasonic vibration and atomizing the liquid deposited on the distal tip  150 . 
         [0017]    In reference to  FIG. 3   a  of the disclosed invention is a side profile of the atomizer device  210 , beneath that a spring  245 , roll pin  295  and valve switch plate  310   FIG. 3   b.  These are the four components make up the valve and switch connection that activates ultrasonic power creating atomization from liquids and cosmetics. Reviewing the atomizer device  210 , there are two electrical connections  220  and  230 . Each one has a wire connection to the printed circuit board inside the unit. On the right of the electrical connections  220  and  230  of the atomizer device  210  is a counter bore  240  followed by a pivoting slot  250  and roll pin hole  260 . And to the right of the counter bore  240  and roll pin hole  260  is the liquid delivery well  280  and the valve relief hole  270 . The valve switch plate  310  has matching forms made within that fit the atomizer device  210  allowing it to function as a valve and switch combination for this invention I am disclosing. Fitment of these four components will be better understood and how they function within this disclosure. With the two pieces  FIG. 3   a  and  FIG. 3   b  configured together comprising the atomizer device  210  and the valve switch plate  310 , the valve pin  320  fits into the valve relief hole  270 , the counter bore  250  of the atomizer device  210  aligns evenly with the counter bore  300  of the valve switch plate  310 , and pivoting boss  290  of the valve switch plate  310 , fits into the pivoting slot  250  of the atomizer device  210 . The spring  245  fits into the counter bore  240  of the atomizer device  210  and also the counter bore  300  of the valve switch plate  310 . Each piece is secured together with the roll pin  295  being pressed into the roll pin hole  260  of the atomizer device  210  and through the hole  325  of the valve switch plate  310 . With the assembly fitted together the valve switch plate  310  can now move in a out as a lever with a fulcrum. The lever is the valve switch plate  310  and the fulcrum is the pivoting boss  290  shown on the valve switch plate. As one side  315  of the valve switch plate  310  moves in the opposite end  335  moves out. When the one side  315  of the valve switch plate  310  moves in, the spring  245  compresses and contact is made between electrical connections  220  and  230  activating the system. At the same time the valve pin  320  is pulled out for the valve relief hole  270  causing the cosmetic or liquid to flow and is made into a mist or spray. Releasing the side  315  of the valve switch plate will push the side  315  away from the electrical contact  220  and  230  and at the same time push in the valve pin back into the valve relief hole  270  closing the flow of cosmetic or liquid and shutting of the spray. 
         [0018]    In reference the  FIG. 4   a  of the disclosed invention is a front view of the cosmetic applicator  330  and  FIG. 4   b  a cutaway side view  435 . The front view contains the spring  410  the roll pin  400  and the valve switch plate  370 . The cosmetic applicator  330  has contained within the liquid delivery well  340 , distal tip portion  350  where cosmetic or liquid is sprayed and the liquid orifice  360 . The side view of the valve switch plate  370  shows the valve pin  380  and the pivoting boss  390 . The cutaway side view  435  exemplifies the distal tip portion  460 , liquid orifice  480 , valve relief hole  450 , liquid delivery well  440 , transducer channel  430  electronics compartment  420  and back cover  470 . 
         [0019]    Referring to the cosmetic applicator  330 , a few drops of cosmetic is poured into the liquid delivery well  340 . Manipulating the valve switch plate  370  will compress the spring  410  as it moves about the fulcrum pivoting boss  390  which has pin  400  through. This lever action pulls the valve pin  380  away from the liquid orifice  360  allowing cosmetic to flow through the liquid orifice  360  and deposit onto the distal tip portion  350 . At the same time electrical power is delivered to the device and a mist or spray from the cosmetic will be made. In  FIG. 4   b  the liquid delivery well  440  has an angled hole labeled liquid orifice  480  which has an additional hole through namely valve relief hole  450 . The two holes liquid orifice  480  and valve relief hole  450  make up the valve system and liquid path for the cosmetic to be sprayed. As liquid travels through the liquid orifice  480  it is deposited on the distal tip portion  460 . The cosmetic applicator also has provisions for the internal electronic components and ultrasonic probe shown in  FIG. 2 . Keeping all the components inside the applicator is the back cover  470 . This is removable for servicing and ease of assembly. 
         [0020]    Lastly in reference to  FIG. 5  of the cosmetic applicator  520  shows the unit held in ones hand  540  between the thumb  530  and the index finger  510 . After filling the liquid delivery well  500  with cosmetic, the index finger  510  is used to press the valve switch plate  170  to activate the ultrasonic atomizer device  130  both shown in  FIG. 2 . At the same time the cosmetic within the liquid delivery well  500  will flow to the distal tip portion  550  where it is atomized into fine particles  490 . The fine particles  490  are smaller then air brush sprayers and less material is used to place on the face and body. 
         [0021]    Now in all good faith, I the inventor is demonstrating the ability to atomize cosmetics using an ultrasonic atomizer that is commonly known and manufactured by Sonaer and many other configurations can be made to the cosmetic applicator such as attaching small bottles or tubes to replace the liquid delivery well or adding additional features like hand grips. I am demonstrating and teaching the ability to spray liquids, mainly cosmetics without the use of air pressure that is needed with air brushes and that a unique mechanism has been designed that will enable ultrasonic energy and release cosmetics for spraying into a fine particles which uses less material and is a cost savings to the user. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Part Identifications Numbers 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 10 
                 Cosmetic Applicator 
               
               
                 20 
                 Back Cover 
               
               
                 30 
                 Frontal Control Mechanism 
               
               
                 40 
                 Liquid Delivery Well 
               
               
                 50 
                 Liquid Delivery Orifice 
               
               
                 60 
                 Distal End 
               
               
                 70 
                 Rear Cover 
               
               
                 80 
                 Cosmetic Applicator 
               
               
                 90 
                 Rear Driver 
               
               
                 100 
                 Piezoceramics 
               
               
                 110 
                 Batteries 
               
               
                 120 
                 Circuit Board 
               
               
                 130 
                 Atomizer Device 
               
               
                 140 
                 Front Driver 
               
               
                 150 
                 Distal Tip End 
               
               
                 155 
                 Contact 
               
               
                 160 
                 Spring 
               
               
                 165 
                 Side 
               
               
                 168 
                 Counter Bore 
               
               
                 170 
                 Valve Switch Plate 
               
               
                 175 
                 Liquid Delivery Well 
               
               
                 180 
                 Pin 
               
               
                 185 
                 Orifice 
               
               
                 190 
                 Front Portion 
               
               
                 200 
                 Roll Pin 
               
               
                 210 
                 Atomizer Device 
               
               
                 220 
                 Electrical Contact 
               
               
                 230 
                 Electrical Contact 
               
               
                 240 
                 Counter Bore 
               
               
                 245 
                 Pivoting Slot 
               
               
                 260 
                 Roll Pin Hole 
               
               
                 270 
                 Valve Relief Hole 
               
               
                 280 
                 Liquid Delivery Well 
               
               
                 290 
                 Pivoting Boss 
               
               
                 295 
                 Roll Pin 
               
               
                 300 
                 Counter Bore 
               
               
                 310 
                 Valve Switch Plate 
               
               
                 320 
                 Valve Pin 
               
               
                 325 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 330 
                 Cosmetic Applicator 
               
               
                 335 
                 Opposite End 
               
               
                 340 
                 Liquid Delivery Well 
               
               
                 350 
                 Distal Tip Portion 
               
               
                 360 
                 Liquid Orifice 
               
               
                 370 
                 Valve Switch Plate 
               
               
                 380 
                 Valve Pin 
               
               
                 390 
                 Pivoting Boss 
               
               
                 400 
                 Pin 
               
               
                 410 
                 Spring 
               
               
                 420 
                 Electronics Compartment 
               
               
                 430 
                 Transducer Channel 
               
               
                 440 
                 Liquid Delivery Well 
               
               
                 450 
                 Valve Relief Hole 
               
               
                 460 
                 Distal Tip Portion 
               
               
                 470 
                 Back Cover 
               
               
                 480 
                 Liquid Orifice 
               
               
                 490 
                 Fine Particles 
               
               
                 500 
                 Liquid Delivery Well 
               
               
                 510 
                 Index Finger 
               
               
                 520 
                 Cosmetic Applicator 
               
               
                 530 
                 Thumb 
               
               
                 540 
                 Hand 
               
               
                 550 
                 Distal Tip Portion

Technology Classification (CPC): 0