Patent ID: 12207725

The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Application of cosmetic compositions, such as lip gloss, lip color, creams, gels, ointments, foundations, concealers, sunscreen, acne treatments, and others, usually involves an individual controlling the dosage of the composition being applied to the body. This is often difficult, in particular when the composition is thick or viscous. In these and other situations, excess composition can be inadvertently applied to the body, resulting in undesired product application or prolonged efforts to apply a desired amount of the composition to the body. In addition to this being a frustrating experience for a consumer, it is also wasteful as excess composition is generally discarded and not used. Accordingly, there is a need for applicators for applying cosmetic compositions that facilitate greater control over and definition of dosages of compositions being applied. The present disclosure addresses this and other long-felt and unmet needs in the art.

In an aspect, the disclosure provides an applicator for application of a defined dosage of a cosmetic composition and avoidance of unnecessary or excess amounts of the composition, reducing waste and improving the quality and reproducibility of the product application process. Example applicators are shown atFIGS.2A-2RandFIGS.3A-3L. In various embodiments, an applicator7comprises a head2that comprises an aperture9. Aperture9fluidly connects the exterior of the head to an interior of the head. Head2is slidably affixed to a shaft3that includes a piston18that is slidably positioned within the head. A bias member10biases the head2toward a distal position relative to the piston18(e.g.,FIGS.2A,2C,2E,2G,2I,2K,2M,2O,2Q,3A,3C,3E,3G,3I, and3K). As such, the head2is positionable within a bottle that comprises the cosmetic composition therein (see, e.g., bottle6ofFIG.1B), such that a force applied to the shaft3in a direction of a lower portion of the bottle contacts the head2to the lower portion of the bottle, overcomes the bias member10, and slidably positions the head2toward a proximal position relative to the piston (e.g.,FIGS.2P,3J), and such that removal of the force from the shaft3removes the head2from contact with the lower portion of the bottle, releases the bias member10, and slidably positions the head2toward the distal position relative to the piston (e.g.,FIGS.2O,3I), and concomitantly draws the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition from the exterior of the head2into the volume of the interior through the aperture by the piston. The distal position corresponds to a volume of the interior of the head configured to store the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition until it is applied to a portion of a body of an individual. As a force is applied to the head2in the direction of the piston18, this overcomes the bias member10and slides the head2along a length of the shaft3and toward a proximal position relative to the piston18(e.g.,FIGS.2B,2D,2F,2H,2J,2L,2N,2P,2R,3B,3D,3F,3H,3J, and3L) for discharge of the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition from the volume of the interior of the head2through the aperture9by the piston18. Since the volume within the head2is defined, the amount of the composition holdable by the head2is also defined and consistent between applications.

In embodiments, the aperture9is disposed through a distal portion of the head2. The force for slidably moving the head2along the shaft3for dispensation of the composition can be applied by contacting a skin surface or other portion of a body of an individual to the distal portion of the head2, such that with discharge of the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition from the aperture9, the cosmetic composition contacts the skin surface or other portion of the body. As such, the head2is contactable to the surface (e.g., skin surface), such that the force applied to the shaft3, in a direction of the surface, overcomes the bias member and slidably positions the head2toward the proximal position relative to the piston and concomitantly discharges the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition from the volume of the interior to the exterior of the head2through the aperture9by the piston. The distal portion of the head2can comprise the aperture9therethrough, such that as the distal portion of the head2contacts the portion of the body of the individual, the cosmetic composition can directly contact the skin surface after exiting the aperture9. In this manner, the composition is more efficiently applied to the skin surface or other body portion, and there is reduced waste that is produced by the application process.

In embodiments, the distal portion of the head2is angled relative to an axis of the shaft3of the applicator7. The distal portion of the head2can include a surface through which the aperture9passes, and the surface can be angled relative to the axis of the shaft3according to an angle that is not 90 degrees. The angle of the surface of the distal portion of the head2can facilitate ergonomic application of the composition during use, such that an individual grasping the applicator7does not necessarily need to position the shaft3about 90 degrees with respect to the portion of the body to which the composition is being applied. In this manner the applicator7is able to be more comfortably used for longer periods.

In embodiments, the bias member10is unitary with the head2. As shown in the figures, including at least atFIGS.2A-2Rand optionally atFIGS.3A-3L, the bias member10can be manufactured and utilized as a structural unit that includes other portions of the head2in a single piece of the overall assembly. While any materials can be used for the bias member10, including metals, plastics, polymers, and the like, in various embodiments, the bias member10is generally flexible and able to store potential energy in a compressed configuration as the head2enters the proximal position (e.g., as shown atFIGS.2B,2D,2F,2H,2J,2L,2N,2P,2R,3B,3D,3F,3H,3J, and3L). Upon release of a force from the head2of the applicator7, the bias of the bias member10releases potential energy as it transitions to an expanded configuration, which returns the head2to the distal position (e.g., as shown atFIGS.2A,2C,2E,2G,2I,2K,2M,2O,2Q,3A,3C,3E,3G,3I, and3K).

In embodiments, the bias member10is a stem that extends from a rim of the aperture9into the volume of the interior of the head2and contacts the piston18of the shaft3. As shown atFIGS.2A-2R, an example stem form of the bias member10can include an arc to its shape, such that a base of the arc extends from the rim of the aperture9and a length and tip of the arc extend into the volume and contact the piston18of the shaft3, respectively. The stem can be structurally narrow, such that the cosmetic composition passes around the stem as it exits the aperture9during use and is not inhibited by the stem. In this manner, the cosmetic composition is effectively applied during use.

In embodiments, the bias member10is a spring disposed between an interior ridge16of the head2and the piston18of the shaft3. As shown atFIGS.3A-3L, the spring can include a small deformable spring that is biased toward the expanded configuration and is compressed toward the compressed configuration. In embodiments, a size of the spring corresponds with the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition; for example, the spring can be longer to expand the piston18of the shaft3further to define a larger volume, or can be shorter to not expand the piston18of the shaft3as far, to define a smaller volume, according to need in a particular instance that can depend, for example, on the cosmetic composition to be used with the applicator7. In embodiments, the interior ridge16of the head2is positioned adjacent to the aperture9of the head2; in the shown embodiment, the interior ridge16of the head2can be contacted—directly or indirectly—by the spring of the bias member10, such that the spring abuts against the interior ridge16of the head2to prevent the spring from entering upper volume of the head2immediately adjacent to the aperture9, particularly when the spring is in the compressed configuration. In embodiments, the interior ridge16can comprise, for example, a small lip that extends radially inward from an interior wall of the head2of the applicator7, and can be positioned below the aperture9, for example. In embodiments, the interior ridge16can extend from all or part of a circumference of the interior wall of the head2, and can form a circular aperture through which the composition passes, for example.

In embodiments, the shaft3comprises a handle attachment17at a distal portion thereof for attachment of the applicator7to a handle4, as shown by way of example atFIGS.1A-1B,2A-2R, and3A-3L. Handle attachment17can include any of various attachment structures for securement of the shaft3to the handle4. In the shown examples, the handle attachment17includes a pair of flexible semi-circular flanges that can be depressed radially inward for insertion of the handle attachment17into handle4, for example, as can occur during assembly of applicator7to form a handled applicator1. As such, in embodiments, the applicator7further comprises the handle4attached to the handle attachment17of the shaft3, forming the handled applicator1(e.g., as shown atFIGS.1A and1B).

In embodiments, the volume of the interior of the head2corresponds with, or defines, the defined dosage based on a size of the piston18of the shaft3and a distance traveled by the piston18as the head2transitions from the distal position to the proximal position relative to the piston18, as shown by way of example atFIGS.2A,2C,2E,2G,2I,2K,2M,2O,2Q,3A,3C,3E,3G,3I, and3K(distal position) andFIGS.2B,2D,2F,2H,2J,2L,2N,2P,2R,3B,3D,3F,3H,3J, and3L(proximal position). In the shown embodiments, and as illustrated atFIGS.2I and2J, the piston18of the shaft3includes a size, e.g., a diameter, that is greater than a size, e.g., a diameter, of a portion11of the shaft3that enters the head2as the head2transitions from the distal position to the proximal position relative to the piston18. This enables the portion11of the shaft3to slidably enter the head2, and due to a hydraulic effect, results in a greater volume of composition displaced by the piston18due to its greater diameter. As would be understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, the diameter of the piston18(and the interior diameter of the head2) can be increased or decreased to adjust the volume of cosmetic composition displaced by movement of the piston18, for example, as can be beneficial for particular cosmetic compositions or cosmetic compositions having particular characteristics (e.g., degree of viscosity).

In the shown embodiments, the piston18is separated from the rest of the shaft3by the portion11of the shaft3, which includes a smaller diameter relative to the piston18and the rest of the shaft3and is defined by upper ridges12and lower ridges15on either side of the shaft3thereof. Upper ridges12of the shaft3abut against inner ridges13of the head2when the bias member10is in the expanded configuration (e.g.,FIG.2I), and lower ridges15of the shaft3abut against lower portions14of the head2when the bias member10is in the contracted configuration (e.g.,FIG.2J). In this manner, the piston18is secured within the head2and the inner ridges13, which extend radially inward from the inner wall of the head, define a maximum distal position for the head2relative to the piston18and prevent complete removal of the shaft3from the head2.

In an aspect, the disclosure provides a container assembly8for storing and delivering a defined dosage of a cosmetic composition (e.g.,FIG.1B), the container assembly8comprises an applicator (e.g., handled applicator1) and a bottle6, and optionally, a wiper5configured for attachment to an opening of the bottle and comprising an aperture for passage of the applicator therethrough for removal of excess cosmetic composition from the applicator during removal of the applicator from the bottle6. In particular embodiments, a diameter of the applicator (e.g., a diameter of the shaft of the applicator) and a diameter of the wiper5(e.g., a diameter of the aperture of the wiper5) are correlated or consistent with each other, for a snug fit of the wiper5to the applicator, during removal of the applicator from the bottle6. In this manner, the wiper5removes excess cosmetic composition from the exterior of the applicator, such as the exterior of the shaft of the applicator, for reduced waste and more accurate application of the cosmetic composition.

In an aspect, the disclosure provides a kit comprising a container assembly (e.g., container assembly8ofFIG.1B) and further comprising an instructional material, a product material, or an accessory. The instructional material can include instructions for storage, use, or maintenance of the applicator or the container assembly or a component thereof, or the cosmetic composition, for example, and the product material can include information about the cosmetic composition, such as ingredients and other information. The accessory can include alternate or replacement applicators for use with the container assembly, for example.

NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENTS

While general features of the disclosure are described and shown and particular features of the disclosure are set forth in the claims, the following non-limiting embodiments relate to features, and combinations of features, that are explicitly envisioned as being part of the disclosure. The following non-limiting Embodiments contain elements that are modular and can be combined with each other in any number, order, or combination to form a new non-limiting Embodiment, which can itself be further combined with other non-limiting Embodiments.

Embodiment 1. An applicator for application of a defined dosage of a cosmetic composition, the applicator comprising: a head comprising an aperture that fluidly connects an exterior of the head to an interior of the head, wherein the head is slidably affixed to a shaft comprising a piston that is slidably positioned within the head; and a bias member that biases the head toward a distal position relative to the piston, wherein the distal position corresponds to a volume of the interior of the head for storage of the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition, wherein a force applied to the head toward the piston overcomes the bias member and slides the head along a length of the shaft and toward a proximal position relative to the piston for discharge of the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition from the volume of the interior through the aperture by the piston.

Embodiment 2. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein the aperture is disposed through a distal portion of the head and wherein the force is applied with contact of a skin surface to the distal portion of the head, such that with discharge of the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition from the aperture, the cosmetic composition contacts the skin surface.

Embodiment 3. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein the distal portion of the head is angled relative to an axis of the shaft of the applicator.

Embodiment 4. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein the bias member is unitary with the head.

Embodiment 5. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein the bias member is a stem that extends from a rim of the aperture into the volume of the interior of the head and contacts the piston of the shaft.

Embodiment 6. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein the bias member is a spring disposed between an interior ridge of the head and the piston.

Embodiment 7. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein a size of the spring corresponds with the defined dosage of the cosmetic composition.

Embodiment 8. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein the interior ridge of the head is positioned adjacent to the aperture of the head.

Embodiment 9. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein the shaft comprises a handle attachment at a distal portion thereof for attachment of the applicator to a handle.

Embodiment 10. The applicator of any other Embodiment, further comprising the handle attached to the handle attachment of the shaft.

Embodiment 11. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein the volume of the interior of the head corresponds with the defined dosage based on a size of the piston and a distance traveled by the piston as the head transitions from the distal position to the proximal position relative to the piston.

Embodiment 12. The applicator of any other Embodiment, wherein the size of the piston is greater than a size of a portion of the shaft that enters the head as the head transitions from the distal position to the proximal position relative to the piston.

Embodiment 13. A container assembly for storing and delivering a defined dosage of a cosmetic composition, the container assembly comprising the applicator of any other Embodiment and a bottle, and optionally, a wiper configured for attachment to an opening of the bottle and comprising an aperture for passage of the applicator therethrough for removal of excess cosmetic composition from the applicator during removal of the applicator from the bottle.

Embodiment 14. The container assembly of any other Embodiment, wherein a diameter of the applicator and a diameter of the wiper are consistent with each other for a snug fit of the wiper to the applicator during removal of the applicator from the bottle.

Embodiment 15. A kit comprising the container assembly of any other Embodiment and further comprising an instructional material, a product material, or an accessory.

While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.