Patent Description:
For all those who use facial makeup, particularly on a regular basis, there is the ongoing requirement of effectively removing existing makeup before applying new makeup, both to maintain good skin health and also to facilitate the application of new makeup.

While facial makeup comprises a variety of formulations, which may have varying difficulty in removal, typical methods of makeup removal include pre-moistened towelettes, wipes or pads, or a liquid makeup removal product, applied with cotton pads or balls. Facial makeup must first be loosened from the skin and then lifted off and removed, again typically by wipes or soft pads. The process of makeup removal with these conventional methods is time-consuming and can be less than effective, depending upon the time and care devoted to the task, as well as the cleansing characteristics of the makeup remover itself.

Accordingly, a more effective, convenient and less time-consuming technique/process of makeup removal is desirable.

The invention provides an appliance in combination with a non-Newtonian cosmetic composition according to claim <NUM>.

<FIG> shows generally an appliance <NUM> which includes a handle <NUM> and a brushhead <NUM>. In an embodiment, brushhead <NUM> is configured and adapted for makeup removal when the appliance is operated as described below. The particular handle <NUM> shown is for illustration purposes only. Various handles can be used with the brushhead shown and described herein. Handle <NUM> includes a drive assembly which includes a motor <NUM> which operates on a drive member <NUM> to which brushhead <NUM> is attachable. Brushhead <NUM> can easily be fitted to and removed from the drive member and the handle. The motor <NUM> is powered by a rechargeable battery <NUM> and controlled by a microprocessor <NUM>. The microprocessor can be programmed to provide various frequencies and amplitudes for movement of the brushhead in an oscillatory manner. One particular combination of frequency and amplitude can be used to drive the makeup removal brushhead. The handle includes an on/off switch <NUM> for control and operation of the appliance as well as a switch <NUM> for control of power increase.

<FIG> show several embodiments of the makeup removal brushhead, referred to hereinafter as the brushhead. The embodiments of <FIG> are representative of a variety of brushhead arrangements which are possible relative to providing, among other things, effective makeup removal when used with an appliance having the operational characteristics described below. The brushhead is used with a non-Newtonian solid, semi-solid, gel or the like dose/tablet of a balm that in liquid form is effective in removing makeup from the skin. In the embodiment shown, the brushhead is driven at a frequency within the range of <NUM>-<NUM>, preferably approximately <NUM>, with an oscillating motion having an oscillation amplitude in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>° peak-to-peak, preferably approximately <NUM>° tangential.

In operation, with each of the embodiments, kinetic energy from the oscillating motor is coupled into the brush, which is oscillating at the above-noted frequency and amplitude. In an embodiment, the non-Newtonian solid, semi-solid, gel or the like dose of a formulation which reversibly transforms from a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like in the presence of an applied energy stimulus. In an embodiment, once the applied energy stimulus is stopped, the non-Newtonian solid, semi-solid, gel or the like dose returns to its solid, semi-solid, gel or the like state. In an embodiment, the non-Newtonian solid, semi-solid, gel or the like dose of a formulation reversibly transforms from a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like to a liquid by the kinetic energy coupled to the brush, with the liquid then applied to the human skin for removal of makeup, application of a cosmetic coating and the like. The non-Newtonian shear thinning material changes state from a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like to a liquid in the presence of an applied energy stimulus, and changes back to a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like in the absence of the applied energy stimulus. A shear thinning material by definition is one in which when an applied shear stress is increased, the material's viscosity decreases in a nonlinear way. This results in the material changing its state from a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like to a liquid. In the present case, this permits a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like tablet of balm to be initially conveniently and reliably anchored or staked to the brushhead. The appliance with the brushhead can then be elevated to a vertical position adjacent the skin without the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like tablet falling out or a liquid spilling away.

The coupling of the kinetic energy from the motor to the brushhead and to the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm tablet can be accomplished in a number of ways with the present brushhead. First, the brushhead in one or more embodiments has filaments or other flexible members such that when the brushhead is oscillated, the filaments will flex and move, rubbing against the non-Newtonian solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm tablets staked in the brushhead. Further, kinetic energy may be coupled directly to the brushhead through the use of a stake or stakes or other elements fixedly contacting the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm element. Still further, the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm element can be staked or held in such a way in the brushhead that when the brushhead oscillates, the balm tablet contacts a region of the skin and by virtue of the shear forces in that particular plane, the non-Newtonian solid, semi-solid, gel or the like dose changes to a liquid for effective removal of makeup.

One embodiment is shown in <FIG>. It includes a brushhead base <NUM> which is configured and adapted to mate with the drive member in the handle as shown in <FIG>. One arrangement for such a connection is shown in <CIT>, which is owned by the assignee of the present invention. The base <NUM> is fixed and does not oscillate in operation of the appliance. The embodiment of <FIG> includes two outer rings of tufts <NUM> and <NUM> of bristles. In the embodiment shown, the two rings of tufts are mounted in the base <NUM>, and hence do not move in operation of the appliance. They are constructed with <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> mil) DuPont supersoft filaments with a trim height of <NUM> (<NUM> inches), end-rounded and polished, with normal filament packing in each tuft. These two rings of tufts form the outer boundaries of the brushhead and serve, among other purposes, as a protective shield against splatter, and also assist in lifting off makeup.

In an embodiment, the inner portion of the brush includes at its center a stake element <NUM> which in the embodiment shown is a plastic silicon part with a Shore hardness of 40A in the embodiment shown. The stake <NUM> is approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches high) and is approximately conical in shape. Stake <NUM> serves as an anchoring member for the non-Newtonian dose element <NUM>. In an embodiment, the stake <NUM> includes symmetrical or non-symmetrical structures to further help anchor a non-Newtonian solid, semi-solid, gel or the like tablet. In an embodiment, one or more regions of the inner portion include tufts or bristles of elastomeric protrusions arranged in regular or irregular patterns.

Surrounding the stake <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG> are four rings of silicon protrusion elements <NUM>-<NUM> that will vary in height from embodiment to embodiment from <NUM> (<NUM> inches) to <NUM> (<NUM> inches), with a diameter of <NUM> (<NUM> inches). The stake element will always be taller than the rings of protrusions. The spacing of the rings of protrusions is approximately between <NUM> (<NUM> inches) and <NUM> (<NUM> inches). In any one embodiment, the height of the elastomeric protrusions will be approximately the same. The dimensions can vary to some extent. The lower surface of the balm dose <NUM> will contact the ring's elastomeric protrusions. The remainder of the inner brushhead portion comprises two rings <NUM> and <NUM> of filaments, although one or more additional rings of filaments can also be used. These rings have a height of <NUM> (<NUM> inches) and are comprised in the embodiment shown of <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> mil) DuPont supersoft filaments, which are end-rounded and polished, to permit a gentle interaction with the skin. The DuPont supersoft material is used for its ability to pick up and remove makeup as well as being comfortable for the user.

Materials of different stiffness in the driven brushhead can cause an out-of-phase motion between those materials. In the case of the present brushhead, the motion is approximately <NUM>°-<NUM>° out-of-phase between the innermost ring <NUM> of DuPont supersoft filaments in the inner brushhead portion and the outermost (fourth) row <NUM> of elastomeric protrusions. When the loaded inner brushhead portion moves at <NUM> with an amplitude in the range of <NUM>-<NUM>°, with radii of the two above elements at <NUM> (<NUM> inches) and <NUM> (<NUM> inches), respectively, directional velocities of <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches) per second and <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> inches) per second result. Since the above two elements of the inner brushhead are moving, respectively, within the two velocity ranges described above, <NUM>°-<NUM>° out-of-phase, the relative velocity between the two rings of elements is much higher than that indicated above. The relative velocity, i.e. the sum of the two individual velocities, that the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm tablet would experience would range from <NUM> (<NUM> inches) per second to <NUM> (<NUM> inches) per second. Within this range of relative velocity, the balm tablet shear thins from solid, semi-solid, gel or the like to a liquid under normal loading conditions. The liquid makeup remover formulation, with the oscillating action of the inner portion of the brushhead, operates to effectively and quickly remove facial makeup.

A second embodiment is shown in <FIG>. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of <FIG>, in that it includes the same brushhead base <NUM> and two fixed outer rings <NUM> and <NUM>, with similar material and sizing as the embodiment of <FIG>. The oscillating inner brushhead portion includes a center portion of filament rings, comprising filaments which are similar to the filaments comprising rings <NUM> and <NUM>. These filaments form four concentric rings <NUM>-<NUM>. The outside diameter of ring <NUM> in the embodiment shown is approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches). Positioned between the center portion filament rings <NUM>-<NUM> and the outer fixed rings <NUM> and <NUM> are two rings of elastomeric protrusions <NUM> and <NUM>. These protrusions are approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches) high and have a diameter of approximately <NUM> (<NUM> inches). The non-Newtonian balm tablet <NUM> associated with this embodiment is doughnut-shaped, having an inner diameter and an outer diameter such that the tablet fits within the area between the center portion of filament rings and the fixed outer rings of filaments, contacting the intermediate rings of protrusions. The doughnut tablet is configured such that the sides of the outer row <NUM> of filaments holds the tablet in place when the appliance is lifted to a position where the brushhead contacts the skin. In operation, the shear thinning effect changes the tablet from a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm tablet to a liquid useful in makeup removal, by virtue of the various shear stress effects discussed above, including the differential motion effect described above with respect to the embodiment of <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a further embodiment, in which the brushhead comprises all bristles, instead of including an elastomeric part of the inner brushhead (oscillating) portion. This embodiment includes an inner oscillating portion with a center portion <NUM> of four inner rings of <NUM>-<NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM> mil) DuPont supersoft filaments cut to a height of <NUM> (<NUM> inches). The four rings of filaments will generally provide enough stiffness to properly seat and hold the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm tablet similar to that provided by the elastomeric protrusions of <FIG>. The inner brush portion also includes two rings of outer filaments <NUM>, <NUM> which are taller than the center portion rings <NUM>. This embodiment also includes, similar to the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, two outer rings <NUM>, <NUM> which are fixed in position in brushhead base <NUM>. Out-of-phase motion can be achieved between the outer ring of the center portion bristles and the inner ring <NUM> of the outer bristles of the inner brushhead portion to maintain a substantial differential velocity. In a preferred arrangement, the center portion bristles <NUM> of the oscillating inner portion are <NUM> (<NUM> inch) PBT filament bristles in a staggered height varying from <NUM> to <NUM> (<NUM> to <NUM> inches), providing both stiffness to seat the balm tablet <NUM> as well as the out-of-phase motion to assist in shear thinning, as described above. In this embodiment, the two outer rings of the oscillating inner portion and the two outer fixed rings are still <NUM> (<NUM> mil) DuPont supersoft with normal packing, <NUM> (<NUM> inches) in height.

<FIG> shows yet another embodiment illustrating a different oscillating inner brushhead portion. The embodiment includes a base element <NUM> and two outer rings <NUM> and <NUM> which are fixed in position, having the same configuration and material as the base element and the two outer fixed rings for the other embodiments. The inner brushhead portion, however, does not include elastomeric elements or bristles, but rather comprises a wheel-like arrangement with a central inner hub <NUM>, an outer hub <NUM> and a plurality of spaced vanes <NUM> which extend from the outer hub in the direction of the central hub, terminating a short distance (almost touching) therefrom. In the embodiment shown, the central hub is approximately <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>-inch) high, approximately <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>-inch) in diameter and slightly conical. The outer hub is approximately <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>-inch) high and approximately <NUM> (<NUM>/<NUM>-inch) thick, with an outside diameter of <NUM> (<NUM>-<NUM>/<NUM> inches). In the embodiment shown, there are six equally spaced vanes, but this number could vary. The vanes are slightly tapered from the outer hub <NUM> to their termination point adjacent the inner hub <NUM>. The vanes in particular are made of a flexible plastic, such as silicone TPE, so that when the inner brushhead portion oscillates, the vanes also oscillate, rubbing against the lower surface of the solid, semi-solid, gel or the like balm tablet, so that energy from the oscillating action is coupled into the tablet, producing sufficient shear so that the non-Newtonian balm tablet changes from a solid, semi-solid, gel or the like to a liquid for subsequent application to the skin. In an embodiment, a semi-solid non-Newtonian balm is partially anchored by the vanes. In an embodiment, the vanes provide a mechanical strain to a semi-solid non-Newtonian balm so as to cause a change in state. There are openings being adjacent vanes so that the tablet can be pressed against the vanes and slightly into the openings, holding it in place during movement of the appliance from the horizontal position to the operational position against the skin for use.

Claim 1:
An appliance (<NUM>) which comprises a brushhead (<NUM>), in combination with a non-Newtonian cosmetic composition (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the brushhead further comprises:
a brushhead base member (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) the base member remaining fixed in position relative to the appliance during operation of the appliance;
at least one outer ring of bristles (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) mounted on the base member and adapted for comfortable contact with the skin; and
an inner brushhead portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), the inner brushhead portion including one or more concentric rings of bristles (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), positioned inwardly on the brushhead and adjacent to the at least one outer ring of bristles, adapted to capture a solid, semi-solid or gel non-Newtonian cosmetic composition which has shear thinning characteristics, the inner brushhead portion further adapted to receive energy by virtue of an oscillating action on the inner brushhead portion produced by a motor assembly (<NUM>) in the appliance to which the brushhead is attached, wherein the appliance is adapted to oscillate the inner brushhead portion at a selected frequency and amplitude to result in a change of state of the non-Newtonian cosmetic composition from solid, semi-solid or gel to liquid, and then back again to the solid, semi-solid or gel state when the oscillation stops.