Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"Cosmetic Applicator"
Cross-Reference to Related Applications
[0001] The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional
Patent
Application No 2017905081 filed on 20 December 2017 and United States of
America
Provisional Patent Application No 62/541,726 filed on 6 August 2017, the
content of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a cosmetic applicator. In
particular,
embodiments relate to a cosmetic applicator suitable for use in in applying
eye make-up such
as eyeliner. The cosmetic applicator may be suitable for achieving a cat eye
or winged
eyeliner effect.
Background
[0003] Winged eyeliner, also referred to as a 'cat eye', is a classic and
popular beauty trend.
A traditional method of application typically involves applying a thin line of
eyeliner from an
inner corner of the eye, extending and increasing the thickness of the line
towards an outside
corner of the eye. From the outside corner of the eye, the line is continued
in an upwards flick
to create the winged effect.
[0004] Despite the popularity of winged eyeliner, it is generally acknowledged
that it is
difficult to consistently achieve a clean and uniform application of eyeliner
cosmetic in the
desired shape. This difficulty is experienced regardless of the type of liner
cosmetic used,
whether it be pencil, liquid or gel form. Some who desire to achieve the
winged eyeliner
effect may never achieve the level of skill and expertise required to
satisfactorily create the
look using traditional methods of application, despite having a steady hand
and/or patience to
practice. If a person does not have sufficient skill to achieve the winged
eyeliner effect,
attempts at creating the effect can be less than optimal. For example, if the
flick at the outer
end of the eye is too short, it can make the eye look smaller and if the wing
isn't sufficiently
sharp in shape, the effect can simply look messy.
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[0005] Various efforts have been made to simplify the process of creating the
winged
eyeliner effect and assist in creating a sharp and well-defined wing shape.
Some methods of
application teach the use of a mini-strip of tape, applied at the outer corner
of the eye and
angled towards the brows. Eyeliner can then be applied using the edge of the
tape for
guidance, with the tape preventing application of eyeliner on areas of skin
under the tape.
[0006] It is also known to provide a stamp configured in the shape of the
desired wing or
flick. The stamp can be dipped in or otherwise coated with a cosmetic ink and
then pressed
against skin at the desired location to make an imprint of the stamp and
thereby create the
winged effect. However, such stamp devices can often result in uneven,
imprecise or
inadequate application of the cosmetic ink. The user of the stamp must then
manually fill in
areas that have not been adequately inked and/or manually draw in clearer
lines in order to
achieve the desired winged effect. This re-introduces the skill requirement
for application
that many cannot achieve or can only achieve after a significant amount of
practice.
[0007] Some manual stamps also require a user to attempt to create the winged
effect using
a single stamp shape that must be utilised on both eyes. Again, the user must
rely on their
own artistic skill and ability to adapt the stamp to both eyes.
[0008] The present disclosure seeks to resolve or at least ameliorate the
aforementioned
difficulties.
[0009] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the
like which has
been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission
that any or all of
these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge
in the field
relevant to the present disclosure as it existed before the priority date of
each of the appended
claims.
[0010] Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such
as "comprises"
or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated
element, integer or step,
or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other
element, integer or
step, or group of elements, integers or steps.
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Summary
[0011] Some embodiments relate to a cosmetic applicator comprising a body
containing an
ink reservoir arranged to hold a quantity of a cosmetic ink, the ink reservoir
in fluid
communication with a stamp means, the stamp means having a shape, whereby upon
contacting or pressing a surface of the stamp means onto a skin surface, the
stamp means
prints cosmetic ink in the shape onto the skin surface.
[0012] The shape of the surface of the stamp means may be varied in
configuration and/or
size to create a desired imprint upon the skin.
[0013] The surface of the stamp means is preferably provided in a shape
suitable for
creating a winged eyeliner or cat-eye effect on the skin surface. The surface
of the stamp
means may thus be provided in a winged shape, having a shape approximating an
asymmetrical arrowhead or delta with a substantially concave base.
[0014] In one embodiment, the cosmetic applicator has a stamp means at one end
of the
body and a pen tip at an opposing end of the body. Both stamp means and pen
tip may be in
fluid communication with the ink reservoir. A pair of cosmetic applicators may
be provided.
A first cosmetic applicator may have a stamp means adapted for application on
one eye of a
user. A second cosmetic applicator may have a stamp means shaped as a mirror
image of the
stamp means of the first cosmetic applicator.
[0015] In another embodiment, the cosmetic applicator has a stamp means at
both ends of
the body. The stamp means at respective ends may be substantially mirror
images of each
other.
[0016] The described cosmetic applicator advantageously enables reproducible
and precise
application of a desired shape onto the surface of the users skin. The
described cosmetic
applicator provides means by which a user may create a winged or cat-eye
eyeliner shape that
is substantially identical for each eye. The described applicator enables such
application
without requiring the user to have significant artistic ability or
necessitating considerable
amounts of application practice.
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[0017] Some embodiments relate to a method of applying a cosmetic, the method
comprising locating a stamp means of a cosmetic applicator adjacent to a
surface of skin, the
cosmetic applicator comprising a body having an ink reservoir arranged to hold
a quantity of
cosmetic ink, the ink reservoir in fluid communication with the stamp means,
and contacting a
surface of the stamp means onto the skin surface, thereby imprinting cosmetic
ink in the shape
on the skin surface.
[0018] The stamp means may be located adjacent to an outside corner of the
users eye. The
stamp means may be positioned at about a 45 degree angle to the outside corner
of the eye
prior to contacting the surface of the stamp means with the skin.
[0019] Imprinting the cosmetic ink on the skin surface in the shape may at
least partially
create a winged eyeliner or cat-eye effect. A user may modify, adapt or
complete the effect
by using a pen tip in fluid communication with cosmetic ink as required.
[0020] Some embodiments relate to a method of using the described cosmetic
applicator,
including using the cosmetic applicator to create a winged eyeliner or cat-eye
effect.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0021] Embodiments are described in further detail below, by way of example,
with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] Figure 1 is a front view of a pair of cosmetic applicators in
accordance with one
embodiment;
[0023] Figure 2 is a top view of the pair of cosmetic applicators of Figure 1
with a lid at an
end thereof;
[0024] Figure 3 is a front view of the pair of cosmetic applicators of Figure
1 with lids at
each end removed;
[0025] Figure 4 is a top view of stamp means in a winged configuration of the
pair of
cosmetic applicators of Figures 1 to 3;
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[0026] Figure 5 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of the cosmetic
applicator, with
lids on and removed;
[0027] Figure 6 is an exploded view of the cosmetic applicator of Figures 5a
and 5b;
[0028] Figure 7 is a top view of each end of the cosmetic applicator of
Figures 5a and 5b,
showing winged stamps suitable for left and right eye; and
[0029] Figure 8 is a side view of the winged stamps of Figure 7.
Description of Embodiments
[0030] Referring initially to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown a cosmetic
applicator 10 which
can be used to apply a cosmetic such as eyeliner. The cosmetic applicator 10
will be
described primarily in the context of creating a winged eyeliner or cat-eye
effect. However, it
should be understood that the cosmetic applicator 10 may have applicability in
creating other
cosmetic effects.
[0031] The cosmetic applicator 10 generally comprises a body 12 with a stamp
means 14 at
a first end 16 and a pen tip 18 extending from a second end 20. The body 12
generally
comprises an elongate hollow body, such as a cylinder. The cylinder may have a
diameter of
a size which enables a user to comfortably grip the cosmetic applicator 10 in
one hand. The
body 12 may be provided in other configurations as required.
[0032] Each of the stamp means 14 and pen tip 18 are in fluid communication
with an ink
reservoir 22, located inside the body 12. The ink reservoir 22 may extend
substantially the
length of the body 12 between first end 16 and second end 20. In one
embodiment, the ink
reservoir 22 comprises a body of packed or compressed fibre, such as a
compressed cotton,
felt or other similar material. This material may be soaked in to hold a
quantity of cosmetic
ink. The cosmetic ink can be any ink suitable for application to skin of the
user, such as
liquid or gel eyeliner fluid. The stamp means 14 and/or pen tip 18 may be
comprised of the
same material as the ink reservoir 22. The ink may wick or otherwise flow from
the ink
reservoir 22 to the stamp means 14 and pen tip 18 and be uniformly distributed
therethrough.
Alternatively, the ink reservoir 22 may comprise a chamber that may be filled
with a quantity
of cosmetic ink.
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[0033] The stamp means 14 may have a surface 13 provided in a shape suitable
to create a
'flick' component of the winged eyeliner effect when the surface 13 of the
stamp means 14 is
applied to and contacted with or pressed onto skin of the user adjacent each
eye, as will be
described further below. In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the stamp
means 14 has a
winged configuration, with the surface 13 having a shape approximating an
asymmetrical
arrowhead or delta with a concave base 24. An outline of the surface 13 of the
stamp means
14 may have a substantially convex side 26 and a substantially concave side
28. The convex
side 26 and concave side 28 may extend from the concave base 24, tapering
inwardly and
converging at a tip 30.
[0034] The dimensions and relative angles of the sides 26, 28 and concave base
24 of the
surface 13 of the stamp means 14 can be varied as required to produce a
particular desired
winged effect. For example, if a user requires a minimal winged effect, they
may use a
cosmetic applicator 10 with a stamp means 14 in which the length of the convex
and concave
sides 26, 28 from concave base 24 to tip 30, are for example, about 8mm or
less. If a user
requires a more dramatic winged effect, they may use a cosmetic applicator 10
with a stamp
means in which the length of the convex and concave sides are relatively
larger, for example,
12mm or greater. Width of the concave base 24 may also be varied, for example
made wider,
if a thicker or more dramatic winged effect is desired. If a more subtle
winged effect is
desired, the width of the concave base 24 may be decreased. Similarly, the
overall
configuration or shape of the stamp means 14 can be varied as required to
achieve multiple
make up looks.
[0035] The stamp means 14 may be detachable, allowing for a user to remove one
version or
configuration of the stamp means 14 and replace it with another to achieve a
particular effect
as required.
[0036] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4, a pair of cosmetic
applicators 10 is
shown. The first of the cosmetic applicators 10a has a stamp means 14 suitable
for
application on a left eye of the user. A second of the cosmetic applicators
10b of the pair has
a stamp means 14 which is a mirror image of the stamp means 14 on the first
cosmetic
applicator 10b. The stamp means 14 on the second cosmetic applicator 10b is
suitable for
application on a right eye of the user. Each of the first and second cosmetic
applicators 10a
and 10b are appropriately labelled or marked (not shown) to easily indicate to
the user which
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stamp means 14 is intended for use on the left or right eye. It is preferred
that each of the
applicators 10a, 10b are marked or labelled on or adjacent the first end 16.
[0037] he pen tip 18 comprises a tapered or pointed portion of compacted
fibre, such as
cotton, textile, felt or similar material. The pen tip 18 has a configuration
suitable for drawing
lines, ideally fine lines, of cosmetic ink or eyeliner. It may be desirable to
provide the pen tip
18 with a fine point to enable the user to apply fine lines of the cosmetic
ink or eyeliner. The
pen tip 18 may be useful to apply a line of eyeliner from an inner corner of
the eye towards an
outside corner of the eye. The pen tip 18 can be used to complete the winged
look following
application of the stamp means 14 shape. For example, the user can use the pen
tip 18 to fill
in or join the line of eyeliner to a winged imprint created by application of
the stamp means
14.
[0038] The cosmetic applicator 10 may be provided with a pair of lids 32 at
the first and
second ends 16, 20. The lids 32 encloses both the stamp means 14 and pen tip
18 to prevent
air from drying ink out.
[0039] In use, the user desiring to create the winged eyeliner effect removes
the lid 32 from
over the stamp means 14. The stamp means 14 corresponding to the left eye may
be placed at
or adjacent to the outside corner of the users eye, such that the concave base
24 of the stamp
means 14 at least partially surrounds the outside corner of the eye. The stamp
means 14 may
be positioned at about a 45 degree angle to the outside corner of the eye and
to an outer end of
the ash line. This angle may be varied as required by the user in order to
achieve their desired
cosmetic effect. Once appropriately positioned, the user may contact or press
the stamp
means 14 onto the skin, thereby imprinting cosmetic ink in the shape of the
stamp means 14,
corresponding to the surface 13. Following application of the stamp means 14,
the user can
complete their desired winged look by lining the lash line of the eye to join
the imprint of the
stamp means 14. The process is repeated on the right eye using the stamp means
14
configured for the right eye. The pen tip 18 can be used to finish off, modify
or enhance the
winged effect created by the stamp means 14 as required by the user.
[0040] Advantageously, the cosmetic applicator 10 enables a person desiring a
winged
eyeliner effect to reproducibly achieve an accurate and precise winged shape
with a uniform
amount of cosmetic ink. As the stamp means 14 has uniform distribution of
cosmetic ink
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throughout and particularly substantially across the entire surface 13, the
shape is printed on
the skin of the user evenly. Use of the cosmetic applicator 10 thus enables
the user to
reproducibly create a sharp and even winged shape that is substantially
identical for each eye.
[0041] Referring now to Figures 5 to 8, there is shown a further embodiment of
the cosmetic
applicator 10. In this embodiment, the cosmetic applicator 10 has a first
stamp means 14a
located at the first end 16 of the body 12, and a second stamp means 14b
located at the second
end 20. Each of the first and second stamp means 14a, 14b have a shape
generally the same
as described above in relation to the first embodiment. The first stamp means
14a has a
configuration adapted for applying a winged shape imprint to the left eye of
the user and the
second stamp means 14b has a configuration adapted for the right eye.
Appropriate labelling
located at or adjacent the first end 16 and second end 20 of the body 12 can
indicate to the
user which stamp means 14 is intended for which eye.
[0042] Each of the stamp means 14 is again in fluid communication with an ink
reservoir
22, located inside the body 12 of the cosmetic applicator 10. As is shown in
Figure 6, though
also applicable to the first described embodiment, a wick 34 extends from each
stamp means
14. The wick 34, which may be comprised of the same or similar material as the
stamp means
14 and/or the ink reservoir 22, extends into the body 12 and connects with the
ink reservoir 22
to provide fluid communication of ink between the ink reservoir 22 and stamp
means 14, or in
the case of the first embodiment, the stamp means 14 and pen tip 18. The wick
34 may be
solid or may comprise a hollow conduit having an inner diameter of a size
sufficient to enable
capillary flow of ink from the ink reservoir 22 to the stamp means 14.
[0043] In use, the user desiring to create the winged eyeliner effect applies
the first and
second stamp means 14a, 14b to the left and right eyes respectively,
substantially as described
above. The user can complete the desired winged look by lining the lash line,
finishing off,
modifying or enhancing the winged effect created by the stamp means 14 using a
separate
eyeliner pen (not shown) that dispenses the same or similar cosmetic ink as
the cosmetic
applicator 10.
[0044] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous
variations and/or
modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments, without
departing from the
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broad general scope of the present disclosure. The present embodiments are,
therefore, to be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
