Flocked cosmetic applicators

Abstract

Flocked cosmetic applicators have a mounting post connected to an applicator tip by a flexing element. The flexing element has a cutaway, reduced diameter portion, which may be provided by horizontal grooves formed on opposite sides of the flexing element, to provide flexibility by reducing its cross-sectional area. The applicator tip has a body and one or more flocked applicator surfaces. Preferred embodiments of the applicator tip include applicator surfaces which are angled relative to the body, and include a doefoot body, a flexible body, and a spatula body. A preferred applicator tip has a convex applicator surface. The design permits use of lower cost materials yet provides the sensation of softness to the user.

1 . An applicator, comprising:
 an upper mounting element;   at least one flexing element connected with said mounting element, said flexing element having a portion having a lesser cross-sectional area than an adjacent portion of said mounting element, said flexing element having at least a partial cutaway in one side thereof;   an applicator tip having a body and one or more applicator surfaces.   
   
   
       2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said applicator tip is flocked. 
   
   
       3 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said applicator tip has one applicator surface extending upwardly from a lower end of one side of said applicator tip body to an opposite side of said applicator tip body. 
   
   
       4 . The applicator of  claim 3 , wherein said applicator tip has a doefoot shaped body. 
   
   
       5 . The applicator of  claim 3 , wherein said applicator surface of said applicator tip is a convex surface. 
   
   
       6 . The applicator of  claim 3 , wherein said applicator tip has a flexible body. 
   
   
       7 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said applicator tip has two applicator surfaces on opposite sides of said body, said two applicator surfaces extending upwardly from a center lower end of said applicator tip body to opposite sides of said applicator tip body. 
   
   
       8 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said one partial cutaway in said flexing element and one said applicator surface are positioned in alignment on one side of said applicator. 
   
   
       9 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein said cutaway comprises a horizontal groove formed in one side of said flexing element. 
   
   
       10 . The applicator of  claim 9 , wherein said cutaway comprises a pair of horizontal grooves formed on opposite sides of said flexing element. 
   
   
       11 . The applicator of  claim 9 , wherein said cutaway comprises two commonly aligned pairs of horizontal grooves formed on opposite sides of said flexing element. 
   
   
       12 . The applicator of  claim 1 , said upper mounting element including a lower endpiece having a lower endpiece cross-sectional area, and an upper endpiece having an upper endpiece cross-sectional area, connected by a stem having a stem cross-sectional area which is less than the lower endpiece cross-sectional area and the upper endpiece cross-sectional area. 
   
   
       13 . An applicator, comprising:
 an upper mounting element;   at least one flexing element connected with said mounting element, said flexing element having a portion having a lesser cross-sectional area than an adjacent portion of said mounting element;   an applicator tip having a body and one or more applicator surfaces.   
   
   
       14 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein said flexing element has at least one horizontal groove formed in one side thereof. 
   
   
       15 . The applicator of  claim 14 , wherein there are a pair of horizontal grooves formed on opposite sides of said flexing element. 
   
   
       16 . The applicator of  claim 15 , wherein there are two commonly aligned pairs of horizontal grooves formed on opposite sides of said flexing element. 
   
   
       17 . The applicator of  claim 15 , wherein there are two perpendicularly aligned pairs of horizontal grooves formed on opposite sides of said flexing element. 
   
   
       18 . The applicator of  claim 14 , wherein said applicator tip is flocked. 
   
   
       19 . The applicator of  claim 13 , said applicator surfaces being angled relative to said body. 
   
   
       20 . The applicator of  claim 19 , wherein said applicator tip has one applicator surface extending upwardly from a lower end of one side of said applicator tip body to an opposite side of said applicator tip body. 
   
   
       21 . The applicator of  claim 20 , wherein said applicator tip has a doefoot shaped body. 
   
   
       22 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein said applicator surface of said applicator tip is a convex surface. 
   
   
       23 . The applicator of  claim 13 , wherein said applicator tip has a flexible body. 
   
   
       24 . The applicator of  claim 19 , wherein said applicator tip has two applicator surfaces on opposite sides of said body, said two applicator surfaces extending upwardly from a center lower end of said applicator tip body to opposite sides of said applicator tip body. 
   
   
       25 . A cosmetic applicator, comprising:
 an upper mounting element;   at least one flexing element connected with said mounting element, said flexing element having a portion having a lesser cross-sectional area than an adjacent portion of said mounting element, said flexing element having a pair of horizontal grooves formed on opposite sides of said flexing element forming said lesser cross-sectional area of said flexing element;   an applicator tip having a body and one or more flocked applicator surfaces, said applicator surfaces being angled relative to said body;   one of said horizontal grooves in said flexing element and one said applicator surface being positioned in alignment on one side of said cosmetic applicator.   
   
   
       26 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 25 , wherein said applicator tip has one applicator surface extending upwardly from a lower end of one side of said applicator tip body to an opposite side of said applicator tip body. 
   
   
       27 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 27 , wherein said applicator tip has a doefoot shaped body. 
   
   
       28 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 26 , wherein said applicator surface of said applicator tip is a convex surface. 
   
   
       29 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 26 , wherein said applicator tip has a flexible body. 
   
   
       30 . The cosmetic applicator of  claim 25 , wherein said applicator tip has two applicator surfaces on opposite sides of said body, said two applicator surfaces extending upwardly from a center lower end of said applicator tip body to opposite sides of said applicator tip body.