HK1087600A - Method, device and kit particularly for applying a cosmetic product - Google Patents

Description

Method, device and appliance, in particular for applying a cosmetic product

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a method for applying any cosmetic substance, a device for carrying out the method and a utensil comprising the device and the cosmetic substance.

Background

Current progress in the field of cosmetic production enables products to be obtained which are able to meet the most specific requirements. However, greater functionality should be able to be accomplished by the way the cosmetic can be applied at a particular location, so as to allow the product to fully perform its aesthetic function in the desired area.

However, the parallel development of methods for applying cosmetics has not yet kept up with improvements in formulation and selectivity. Manual application expansion, using a perforated container from which the cosmetic flows by pressure or using pencil-like application methods remain in practice the methods used. Due to this, in many cases, improper or inappropriate application methods or devices inevitably degrade or completely eliminate the improved function of the cosmetic and the quality of the formulation.

For example, conventional methods of applying makeup may have several drawbacks including limited precision of application in the case of firm application for eye line products (eyeliners) or breaking of the viscous substance in the case of lipsticks. Inadequate traditional application methods are even more evident with more specific products, such as anti-wrinkle creams. The critical aspects of the uniformity of application, both in terms of the quantity of product applied and in terms of the application site, are in fact generally entrusted to the end user, who proceeds in a completely empirical manner by manually taking the cosmetic product from a prepared container, the quantity applied being different at each time.

Due to this, it is therefore clearly advantageous to be able to apply the cosmetic product precisely, accurately, constantly and uniformly, both in terms of the quantity of substance applied and in terms of the site of application.

Optimal application of the cosmetic product will result in, for example, saving cosmetic product, simplifying the application process, overall improving the final visual effect manifested by the final function of any functional or grooming product.

It is therefore the aim of the present invention to provide a method for applying a cosmetic product which overcomes the drawbacks of the background art.

Within this aim, an object is to provide a method which allows any cosmetic product to be applied in a reproducible and reproducible manner.

Another object is to provide a method as described above which allows any cosmetic product to be applied in a specific spot manner, in constant and determinable amounts.

Another object is to provide a method as described above for applying any cosmetic product that enables an improved final visual effect to be achieved precisely, simply and rapidly.

Other objects are to provide a device for carrying out the method as described above and a kit comprising said device and any cosmetic product for combined application.

Summary of The Invention

This aim and these and other objects are achieved by a method for applying a cosmetic product, comprising the steps of:

-providing a syringe comprising a barrel 1 and a plunger 8;

-providing a hollow leaf with a blunt tip for external application;

-providing at least one cosmetic product;

-applying said at least one cosmetic product on a desired area selected in the external surface of the human body by using said needle cylinder connected to said needle for external application.

The objectives and purposes of the present invention are also achieved by applying a cosmetic product to a selected desired area of the external surface of the human body using a syringe comprising a barrel 1 and a plunger 8 in combination with a hollow needle with a blunt tip for external application.

The objects and purposes of the present invention are also achieved by a device for applying a cosmetic product to a selected desired area of the external surface of the human body, said device comprising: at least one syringe comprising a barrel 1 and a plunger 8, at least one hollow needle with a blunt tip for external application and at least one cosmetic product to be applied.

Detailed description of the invention

Features of the invention described above clearly relating to only the method, use or appliance are also valid for the remaining aspects if they are applicable to these aspects, although not directly repeated.

The term "hollow needle with blunt end for external application" is used to designate a piece, also known in practice as cannula, nozzle and application end, wherein the most correct term is chosen solely on the convention of referring to said piece if it is made of metal as needle, if it is made of plastic as nozzle or application end, and as cannula if it is not the material of manufacture but only its shape. Since the needle according to the invention can be made of metal, plastic or a combination thereof, the terms can be used equally.

The term "cosmetic" is used in relation to any substance or composition of substances, other than medical, without any curative purpose, intended to be applied exclusively to the external surface of the human body, with the main or only purpose being: cleaning the human body's appearance, imparting an aroma to them, changing their appearance, correcting the body's color, and protecting or maintaining the appearance in a good condition.

The term "external surfaces of the human body" is used to refer to the skin, hairy systems, i.e. the scalp and hair, the nails, the lips, the external genitalia and the mucous membranes of the mouth; preferably, the skin, the hairy system, i.e. the scalp and hair, the nails and the lips; even more preferably, the skin and especially wrinkles are concerned.

It is according to its definition intended to be applied exclusively to the external parts of the human body, as is clearly indicated by the definition of cosmetic product set forth above. However, hollow needles with blunt tips for external application do not allow to pierce or penetrate any external surface of the body on which the cosmetic is applied.

The cosmetic product to be applied preferably in combination with the syringe and the needle as described above is selected from the group comprising creams, latexes, pastes, ointments, detergents, gels and oils for the skin (hands, feet, face, scalp and body), cosmetic masks, eye and makeup-removing products, products for application to the contours of the eyes, products for application to the lips and to the contours of the lips, products for cleaning and treating the skin of the face, anti-wrinkle products, dental and oral hygiene products, products for nail hygiene and nail shine, products for external personal hygiene, sun protection products, products for tanning the skin without the use of sunlight, products for lightening the skin, anti-inflammatory products, anti-stretch mask products, products for body skin treatment to generally scent the skin, products for lightening the skin, products for applying a cosmetic composition to the skin, products for lightening the skin, products for providing a, Colognes, preparations for bathing and showering (e.g. foams, oils, gels, etc.), depilatory products, deodorants and antiperspirants, hair treatment products, shaving products (e.g. soaps, foam products, detergents, etc.), substrates (e.g. liquids, pastes and powders), cosmetic powders, after-bath powders and body-building products generally used for body hygiene, and mixtures thereof. Even more preferably, the cosmetic is selected from the group consisting of creams, latexes, pastes, ointments, detergents, gels and oils for the skin (hands, feet, face holes, scalp and body skin), eye make-up and make-up removal products, products for applying to the contours of the eyes, products for applying to the lips and to the contours of the lips, anti-wrinkle products, products for nail hygiene and nail shine, products for lightening the skin or tan without the sun, products for lightening the skin color, anti-stretch mask products, depilatory products, hair treatment products, scalp treatment products, shaving products (e.g. soaps, foam products, detergents, etc.), substrates (e.g. liquids, pastes and powders) and mixtures thereof. Wrinkle resistant products are particularly preferred cosmetics.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 and 4 are exploded views of two embodiments of a plunger and barrel;

FIGS. 2, 3, 5 and 6 are perspective views of two embodiments of a syringe, the syringe being shown with the primary components consisting of the barrel, plunger and needle, respectively, with the plunger shown inserted into the barrel and the needle connected to the barrel;

FIGS. 7 through 11 are perspective views of various embodiments of a hollow application needle with a blunt tip;

fig. 12 is a view of a cap to be attached to a needle, the cap being adapted to maintain their effectiveness and cleanliness between several cosmetic application wipes.

The invention is based on a novel and innovative method for applying any type of cosmetic, functional and cosmetic products, in particular wrinkle-resistant products. The application is carried out with a syringe device provided with a number of suitable hollow needles with a blunt tip for external application. The combination of the needle, the syringe and the cosmetic product enables a precise application to be obtained in the area subjected to the cosmetic treatment. Since the present invention relates to the field of cosmetics, the application to the human body is an external application, preferably on the skin, without curative effect. The precision and accuracy achieved according to the method of the invention, which differs from the known methods, has the significant advantage of applying the anti-wrinkle cosmetic directly on the wrinkled wrinkles, for example, with maximum precision.

In a highly preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a combination of the following parts as defined below:

1. a syringe comprising a barrel and a plunger (figures 1 and 4), wherein said barrel has a perforated end designed to receive the plunger and an end opposite to said perforated end and provided with means suitable for connecting a hollow needle with a blunt tip for external application.

2. A hollow needle for external application with a blunt tip (fig. 7 to 11), preferably made of metal, plastic or a combination of metal and plastic, suitable for connection to a syringe. After application of the cosmetic product, the needle may be removed, optionally cleaned, for reuse in the next new application.

3. Any cosmetic or mixture of cosmetics, each product individually having solid, liquid or semi-solid consistency.

In a first embodiment of the invention, the cosmetic product is initially contained outside the syringe, for example in a container from which the user draws a selected amount of the cosmetic product at a selected time with the syringe. Advantageously, the syringe is initially not provided with the needle, so that the cosmetic product is extracted through an orifice provided at the level of the connection to the needle. After the cosmetic is injected, the needle is then attached. In a different embodiment, the cosmetic product is withdrawn when the needle has been connected to the syringe.

As an alternative, the end user is provided with a syringe filled with cosmetic product and advantageously connected to a hollow needle for external application, with a blunt tip, such as the needle described herein. The pre-injection of the syringe by the manufacturer allows this operation to be performed even more finely and accurately and under improved hygiene conditions with respect to the conditions entrusted to the end user. This embodiment is therefore preferred in the case of cosmetics which are more prone to contamination by micro-organisms or their contaminated materials, or in the case of those substances whose subsequent extraction is complicated, for example due to their consistency.

In a different embodiment, a cosmetically pre-filled syringe is provided that is not attached to a hollow needle with a blunt tip for external application. In this embodiment, it is advantageous for the syringe to be provided with a protective and closing element, for example advantageously a protective membrane or a suitable cap, at the end intended to receive the needle, in order to prevent the cosmetic product from flowing out and the product coming into contact with the outside. In the case of a film, it is then easily pierced by inserting the needle.

The concept of the invention on which this application is based basically comprises a combination of a syringe, a needle and a cosmetic product for external and topical application, preferably of a kind such as described herein. The combination is generally convenient for applying cosmetics to topical skin and can be applied easily and quickly with great precision. The precision in terms of both the application site and the number of applications is particularly advantageous in the case of functional cosmetics, such as anti-wrinkle creams, which need to be applied exclusively on or in the vicinity of wrinkled wrinkles in order to treat defects, such as what are conventionally referred to as wrinkles next to the external corners of the eyes. These advantages are useful in any case, also in the case of cosmetic correction applications on small spots of the skin or in any position where precise and accurate application is required, for example in the case of eye-drawn makeup, lip contour lipstick and any other makeup.

An important aspect of the present hair product also consists in the novel and inventive use of a syringe comprising a barrel 1, a plunger 8 and a hollow needle for external application with a blunt tip, as herein before defined, for applying any cosmetic substance externally to the body, preferably on the skin.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a device comprising at least one syringe, preferably as defined above, at least one hollow needle with a blunt end, preferably as defined above, for external application and any cosmetic product, wherein said needle may be already connected to the syringe or yet to be connected to the syringe and said cosmetic product may be already present in said syringe or may be otherwise contained outside the syringe. If the cosmetic product is supplied outside the syringe, the appliance also comprises a container from which the user can extract said cosmetic product.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example only.

A particularly preferred syringe substantially comprises the following components:

a) a barrel 1, advantageously made of plastic, metal, glass or a mixture thereof, is provided at one of its two ends with a variably shaped socket having a blunt end for interlocking with the screw thread of a needle or with the bayonet connection of a needle, for example by means of a suitable thread 4 configuration. At the opposite end 5, the barrel is provided with a wider region 6 for the syringe to be comfortably held by a user; the wider area 6 may have any shape, such as circular, oval, hexagonal, octagonal or any other shape.

Optionally, one or more of the following can be printed on the cylinder in selectable colors using any technique such as screen printing, labeling, heat engraving (hot input), and the like:

a scale, i.e. a scale 7, which indicates to the user the amount of cosmetic to be applied or already applied, or if cosmetic is extracted from the outside of the syringe, the extracted amount;

-the name of the manufacturer;

-the name of the cosmetic product.

Provision of a scale is optional but preferred. Advantageously, all of the above listed are printed out.

The internal cross-section of the barrel is preferably the same along its entire length. The cross-section may have different dimensions, preferably between 1 mm and 100 mm.

b) A plunger 8, preferably made of plastic, glass, metal or a combination thereof. The plunger has a leading part (initial part)9, advantageously made of rubber, preferably silicone rubber or other material which acts as a hermetic seal between the plunger and the interior of the barrel and is suitable for insertion at one end 5 of said barrel. The leading portion may be cylindrical, cylindrical with a tapered terminal end region or tip. In a preferred embodiment, a high precision dosage of the cosmetic product is obtained by providing the leading part with a particular solid cylindrical plunger, advantageously made of silicone rubber and provided with two circular bands, which is made to advance with a measured graduation, i.e. precision, by rotation of said solid cylinder. The solid cylinder must be provided with a thread in order to allow it to advance.

The plunger may have any cross-section, for example cylindrical, with wings, star-shaped or other shapes.

The length of the plunger is such that the leading part of the plunger enters the barrel and up to the end of the barrel where the needle hub is located, to enable complete discharge of the cosmetic product contained in the syringe.

The plunger projects from the barrel by a variable length on the opposite side 11 to the rubber side and is provided with a portion 12 of uniform cross-section wider than the portion inserted into the barrel, which portion is adapted to be able to slide the plunger within the barrel by hand. The wider portion may have any shape, such as circular, oval, triangular, loop, egg-shaped, and is independent of the cross-section of the plunger.

For a good operation of the syringe, it is important that the plunger and in particular the silicone rubber provided in the leading part of said plunger adhere better to the interior of the barrel in order to obtain a precise extraction and dosage of the cosmetic product to be applied.

As described above, one of the ends of the syringe includes a connection means on the barrel for a hollow needle with a blunt tip. In a particular embodiment, the connection means comprise a first thread 4 provided on the barrel and a second thread 13 complementary to the first thread but provided on the needle. In a different embodiment, the device comprises a first interlocking element on the barrel of the syringe, suitable for retaining the needle by means of a second element complementary to the first element and provided on the needle. The combination of the first and second elements may be a bayonet connection, for example. Regardless of how the connection is provided, the connection is not permanent so that the needle can be removed from the barrel and reused. The needle may be arranged to have been initially attached to the barrel (e.g. fig. 2) or may be attached to the barrel at the time of use.

The needle (fig. 7-11) is of course and only for external application, has a blunt end and a hollow interior, and may be made of metal, plastic, glass, titanium, teflon *, ceramic, or combinations thereof; the part 14 to be inserted on the outside of the cartridge by a screw thread or bayonet connection is made of plastic, so that the part 15, which is for example in contact with the outer surface of the skin, can be made of any type of material.

The size and shape of the needle may be variable. For example, the needle may be perfectly straight (fig. 7) or bent at an angle (as shown in fig. 8), curved, spiral or have any other shape depending on the functional requirements of the cosmetic application. An embodiment with a curvature or angle is preferred because it facilitates application of the cosmetic product.

Optionally, and in order to facilitate the application of the cosmetic product, the needle may have special elements at the distal end of the blunt tip, such as special bristles or fibers, advantageously formed as a small brush (16 in fig. 9) or as a sponge (17 in fig. 11). This enables a further optimization of the distribution of the cosmetic product in the area selected for application or a more diffuse application.

The internal cross-section of the needle may vary from 10 microns to 10 cm, preferably from 100 microns to 3 cm. The shape of the internal profile of the needle may vary; for example, the parts designed to be connected to the syringe may be wider and narrower in the end in contact with the application area of the cosmetic product. The needle may have a cylindrical, oval, flat or other cross-section along its entire length.

Whether made entirely of plastic, entirely of metal or of plastic plus metal and/or other material, the needle may be provided with a cover (fig. 12) advantageously made of soft vinyl or other material suitable for maintaining the hygiene of the needle and allowing it to be optimally preserved even if the needle is kept detached from the barrel.

On the other hand, the present invention provides for the use of such a syringe and needle, for example, preferably as described herein before, in combination with any cosmetic product, to enable said product to be applied precisely, accurately, uniformly and constantly to the outside of the body, which is novel and inventive.

The invention also provides a kit comprising at least one syringe preferably such as described above, at least one needle for external application preferably as described above and at least one cosmetic product.

In one embodiment, the syringe or one of the syringes contained within the appliance has been reported to contain a cosmetic introduced by the manufacturer. In a different embodiment, the appliance further comprises or only comprises: one or more syringes supplied in an empty state; and at least one cosmetic product contained in a suitable container, which is separate but still contained within the appliance, from which the end user can easily extract the cosmetic product. Even if the syringe is arranged to be filled with cosmetic product, the appliance may advantageously comprise one or more separate containers containing the cosmetic product, so as to allow the syringe and needle to be reused when the quantity of cosmetic product initially introduced by the manufacturer is exhausted.

In one embodiment, the syringe or at least one of the syringes contained within the appliance is provided with a needle already attached thereto. In a different embodiment, the syringe or at least one of the syringes contained within the appliance is not provided with a needle and therefore the end user must be responsible for assembling the needle.

The appliance may comprise more than two different types of syringe and more than two different types of needle, and may advantageously comprise several different and optimal types of syringe having different physical characteristics, suitable for cosmetic use.

Although only certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many structural variations of the elements contained in the methods, uses and kits are possible while maintaining many of the advantages resulting from the combinations on which the invention is based.

The disclosure of swiss patent application 01714/04 to which this application claims priority is incorporated herein by reference.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims (33)

1. A method for applying a cosmetic product, the method comprising the steps of:

-providing a syringe comprising a barrel (1) and a plunger (8);

-providing a hollow needle with a blunt tip for external application;

-providing at least one cosmetic product;

-applying said at least one cosmetic product on a desired area selected from the external surface of the human body by using said syringe connected to said needle for external application.

2. A syringe for use in combination with a hollow needle for external application having a blunt tip, the syringe comprising a barrel (1) and a plunger (8) for applying a cosmetic product to a selected desired area of the external surface of the human body.

3. A device for applying a cosmetic product to a selected desired area of an exterior surface of a human body, said device comprising:

-at least one syringe comprising a barrel (1) and a plunger (8),

at least one hollow needle for external application and having a blunt tip, and

-at least one cosmetic product to be applied.

4. The kit of claim 3, comprising more than two types of syringes and/or more than two types of needles.

5. The device according to claim 3 or 4, further comprising at least one container distinct from the syringe and containing a cosmetic product.

6. The invention according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said cosmetic product is initially contained in a container external to the syringe, from which container the user draws a predetermined quantity of cosmetic product at a chosen moment.

7. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cosmetic product already contained in one or more syringes is supplied, with the syringe being used to apply directly a predetermined quantity of said cosmetic product at said moment.

8. The invention of claim 6 or 7 wherein a needle-free syringe is initially provided.

9. The invention of claim 6 or 7 wherein a syringe with an attached needle is initially provided.

10. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said cosmetic product is a single compound or a mixture of compounds, each compound being a single liquid, solid or semi-solid.

11. The invention of claim 10 wherein the cosmetic is individually selected from a group consisting of functional cosmetics and make-up cosmetics.

12. The invention of claim 11 wherein the cosmetic is selected from the group consisting of creams, latexes, pastes, ointments, detergents, gels and oils for skin (of hands, feet, face holes, scalp and body), cosmetic masks, eye and makeup removal products, products for application to the contours of the eyes, products for application to the lips and to the contours of the lips, products for cleansing and treating the skin of the face holes, anti-wrinkle products, dental and oral hygiene products, products for nail hygiene and nail shine, products for external personal hygiene, sun protection products, products for tanning the skin without sunlight, products for lightening the skin color, anti-inflammatory products, anti-stretch mask products, products for body skin treatment to generally fragrance the skin, Colognes, preparations for bathing and showering (e.g. foams, oils, gels, etc.), depilatory products, deodorants and antiperspirants, hair treatment products, scalp treatment products, shaving products (e.g. soaps, foams, detergents, etc.), substrates (e.g. liquids, pastes and powders), cosmetic powders, after-bath powders and body lotions generally used for body hygiene, and mixtures thereof.

13. The invention of claim 12 wherein the cosmetic is selected from the group consisting of creams, latexes, pastes, ointments, detergents, gels and oils for skin (hands, feet, face holes, scalp and body skin), eye make-up and make-up removal products, products for application to the contours of the eyes, products for application to the lips and to the contours of the lips, anti-wrinkle products, products for nail hygiene and nail shine, products that leave the skin or tan in the sun, products for skin lightening, anti-stretch mask products, depilatory products, hair treatment products, scalp treatment products, shaving products (e.g., soaps, foam products, detergents, etc.), substrates (e.g., liquids, pastes and powders), and mixtures thereof.

14. The invention of claim 13 wherein the cosmetic product is one or more anti-wrinkle products.

15. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said external surface of the human body is selected from the group comprising skin, hairy system, scalp, hair, nails, lips, external genitalia and oral mucosa.

16. The invention of claim 15 wherein said external surface of the human body is selected from the group consisting of skin, hairy system, scalp and hair, nails and lips, said external surface of the human body preferably being skin, more preferably wrinkles.

17. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said syringe comprises a barrel (1) and a plunger (8), wherein said barrel comprises a piercing end suitable for receiving the plunger and an end opposite said piercing end provided with means suitable for connecting a hollow needle with a blunt tip for external application.

18. The invention according to claim 17, wherein a barrel (1) made of plastic, metal, glass or a combination thereof is provided, which barrel is provided at one (2) of its two ends with a socket (3) having a variable shape with a truncated cone end for interlocking with a needle, which barrel is provided at the opposite end (5) with a wider portion (6) having any shape for the user to hold the syringe.

19. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or more of the following parts are printed on said cartridge:

-a scale, i.e. a graduated scale (7),

-the name of the manufacturer(s),

-the name of the cosmetic product itself.

20. The invention of claim 17 wherein the internal cross-section of the barrel is constant along its entire length and consists of a length between 1 mm and 100 mm.

21. The invention according to claim 17 wherein the plunger (8) made of plastic, glass, metal or a combination thereof has a leading portion (9) made of a sealing material, said leading portion being adapted to be inserted from one end (5) of said barrel.

22. The invention according to claim 17, wherein the plunger's leading part (9) is provided with a solid cylindrical part, advantageously made of silicone rubber, provided with a thread and two circular bands, the plunger being advanced according to a measuring scale by means of the rotation of said solid cylindrical part caused by the thread.

23. The invention according to claim 17, characterized in that the plunger protrudes from the barrel by a variable length on the opposite part (11) with respect to the rubber part (9) and is provided with an element (12) which is wider than the uniform cross-section of the part to be inserted into the barrel and is adapted to enable the plunger to be slid inside the barrel by hand.

24. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said hollow needle for external application, having a blunt tip, is made of metal, plastic, glass, titanium, teflon *, ceramic or a combination thereof, and is suitable for being connected to a syringe, which can be removed after application of the cosmetic product, optionally cleaned and reused for a new application.

25. The invention according to claim 24, characterized in that the part (14) of the needle to be inserted into the barrel is made of plastic, so that the part (15) that is in contact with the skin can be made of any kind of material.

26. The invention of claim 24 wherein the needle is curved.

27. The invention of claim 24 wherein the needle is provided with an element selected between a small brush and a sponge-like body in the distal end of the blunt tip, both the small brush and the sponge-like body being individually made of a material selected from the group consisting of bristles, fibers and combinations thereof.

28. The invention of claim 24 wherein the needle has an internal cross-section with a dimension of 10 microns to 10 cm, preferably 100 microns to 3 cm.

29. The invention of claim 28 wherein the needle has a variable internal cross-section.

30. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a cover is provided for the needle, advantageously made of soft vinyl or other material suitable for maintaining the hygiene of the needle.

31. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said means suitable for the connection between the syringe and the hollow needle for external application, having a blunt tip, comprise a first thread (4) provided on the barrel of the syringe and a second thread (13) complementary to the first thread provided on the needle.

32. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said means suitable for connection between a syringe and a hollow needle for external application having a blunt tip comprise a first interlocking portion provided on the barrel and a second portion complementary to the first interlocking portion provided on said needle.

33. The invention according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cosmetic product is applied precisely, accurately, and in a repeatable and reproducible manner.