Coating implements with material supply – Including tool with blade-like – pad-like – or apertured... – Apertured tool
Reexamination Certificate
2000-12-11
2003-07-15
Walczak, David J. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Including tool with blade-like, pad-like, or apertured...
Apertured tool
C401S006000, C401S265000, C401S262000, C401S264000, C401S18800A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06592282
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cosmetic liquid applicators and, in particular to a cosmetic applicator which can be utilized to apply liquid foundation to the skin. Specifically, the cosmetic applicator is an integral container and dispenser for cosmetic fluid materials which is ergonomically shaped, contains relatively few parts, is easy to assemble and is reliable in operation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are numerous types of fluid applicators on the market for applying waxes or polishes to shoes. Shoe polish applicators enable a user to apply a shoe polish liquid to the surface of a shoe while minimizing any smearing or application to an unintended surface. Some applicators have an integrally formed open cell foam sponge applicator that helps spread the liquid polish onto the shoe surface. Typically, a user applies the shoe polish by inverting and squeezing a flexible container attached to the applicator. A desired shine is achieved when the volatile components of the applied liquid evaporate from the shoe surface.
Generally, shoe polish applicators are crudely constructed and frequently subject to excessive leaks. Such applicators typically have a plastic or rubber tip affixed to the container opening. The container is generally filled with a shoe polish composition that is high in volatile organic compounds to facilitate quick drying of the shoe polish when applied to the desired surface. A sponge or cloth-like spreader is frequently placed over the plastic or rubber-type tip for facilitating the application of a uniform coat of polish. To apply the liquid polish, a user is required to invert the container and press the flexible or rubber-type tip and spreader onto a shoe surface with a sufficient force so that the tip deforms and an opening on the top of the rubber-type tip is caused to form a slit, thereby allowing the polish to flow through the slit and onto the desired areas of the shoe surface. When the user disengages the applicator from the shoe surface, the rubber-type tip returns to its original shape and the opening is shut once again. A person of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that the opening cannot serve as an effective seal against volatile compounds contained in the liquid polish. Thus, over time, the liquid polish in the container tends to evaporate over time.
The present invention utilizes fluid applicators similar to the shoe polish applicators described above. However, the invention provides an applicator for the application of liquid cosmetics such as foundation makeup, blush, lotions, astringents, toners, and the like. Such products are frequently packaged in bottles with screw caps. Liquid foundation packaged in such bottles is more difficult to apply. The user must first apply the makeup to their fingertips or to a secondary applicator (i.e., cotton ball, cotton swab, pad, etc.) and then apply the makeup to the face. This leaves traces of foundation makeup on the fingers or the use of a secondary applicator for every application. This is both messy and a waste of makeup.
Another problem with liquid cosmetics, particularly pigmented products such as liquid foundation makeup is that they cannot be dispensed from inexpensive and popular containers such as compacts due to the fact that the product would not be properly enclosed or contained. For this reason cosmetic formulators will make solid or semi-solid pigmented cosmetics in favor of liquids. In the present invention, there does not exist a need to alter the makeup consistency or the makeup formula to properly package the liquid foundation.
Kohler U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,491 discloses a liquid applicator which attempts to provide an improved applicator capable of providing a flow directed by a gravitational force. However, the liquid applicator disclosed in Kohler does not exhibit an actuating mechanism and a closed cell sponge tip. In addition, Kohler's liquid applicator cannot evenly and effectively apply a cosmetic liquid which is minimally influenced by a gravitational force. Likewise, Kohler's liquid applicator cannot effectively apply a cosmetic liquid in an upward or downward direction. Furthermore, Kohler fails to disclose an ergonomically shaped top portion for use in cosmetic applications.
Moe et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,527 discloses a liquid dispenser and applicator for use with a squeeze-type container. This embodiment teaches of a dispenser and an affixed brush member for a variety of uses including dispensing shoe polish, glue, paints, inks and liquid detergents, and is specifically designed as an improved applicator for use with paints, inks and the like. However, said disclosure fails to apply the invention to cosmetic products. In addition, this embodiment does not teach of the use of a closed cell tip which is conducive to the clean application of cosmetic liquid. Furthermore, this embodiment does not teach of an ergonomically shaped top portion for effective use in the field of cosmetic application.
McAuley U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,990 discloses a liquid applicator. However, this applicator strictly relates to shoe polish applications and is not applicable to the effective application of cosmetic liquid.
Schwarzberg U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,846 discloses a push button applicator device for dispensing liquids. This embodiment teaches of an applicator with a spongy material portion and not a closed cell sponge tip, which is conducive to the clean application of a cosmetic liquid. However, the spongy material tends to cause an uneven application of the fluid material. In addition, the embodiment does not teach of an ergonomically shaped top portion for effective use in the field of cosmetic applications.
Gueret U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,143 and Gueret U.S. Pat. No. 6,059,473 disclose an applicator for applying a liquid makeup product. However, these inventions fail to disclose an ergonomically shaped top portion, an actuating mechanism, a dispenser and a closed cell sponge tip for the proper application of liquid cosmetic products. These embodiments fail to disclose an apparatus which exhibits the same easy mode of operation and clean operation as set forth in the present invention.
In view of the foregoing, clearly there exists a need for an improved cosmetic applicator for fluid material that addresses the shortcomings of the prior art and overcomes the foregoing deficiencies. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved cosmetic applicator which contains relatively few parts, is easy to assemble, demonstrates ease in operation, provides an uniform, controlled flow of fluid material and is reliable in operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Although numerous fluid applicators are readily available and marketed for the application of products for cleaning and maintaining shoes, it is a novel aspect of the present invention to utilize such an applicator for the application of cosmetics, wherein a uniform and controlled dispensing of fluid cosmetic material on a desired surface is required.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the inconveniences and disadvantages of the prior art by offering the user a cosmetic applicator that applies a fluid material directly to the face of the user without requiring the user to first apply the fluid material to a secondary applicator or to their finger. Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will readily be perceived hereafter.
The improved cosmetic applicator for a fluid material consists of a hollow bodied container and a dispenser. In general, the dispenser works by an actuating mechanism. In particular, a user depresses an ergonomically shaped top portion, which then actuates a pump that pumps a certain quantity of fluid cosmetic material from the hollow bodied container to the dispenser by means of a conduit through an aperture. The makeup, pumped through the conduit and the aperture from the hollow bodied container, rises through the conduit and deposits on a closed cell foam sponge tip. The user then rubs the sponge tip across her skin to
Fontanet Osvaldo
Patel Manharhbai Kantibhai
Pires Leo Clifford
Poder-Stiso Barbara
Thalheimer James J.
Blackburn Julie
Revlon Consumer Products Corporation
Walczak David J.
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