Cosmetic Applicator Head With Dynamically Adjustable Durometer

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator includes bristles or tines with selectively changeable durometer to allow the relative flexibility or stiffness to be adjusted by the user. The bristles or tines are made directly from or incorporate within their structure piezoelectric ceramic fibers. The relative flexibility or stiffness of the piezoelectric fibers can be adjusted by subjecting the fibers to an electric current, or an electric or magnetic field, to cause the fibers to gain or lose flexibility. Stiffness or softness of the applicator can thus be adjusted to be suitable for different application operations such as depositing cosmetic product or combing and clump removal.

1 . An applicator adapted for applying a cosmetic product, such as mascara, on a part of a human body, the applicator comprising:
 a handle;   an applicator head extending from the handle, the applicator head having an element including at least one selectively reactive material adapted to change at least one of shape, volume, rigidity and orientation of the applicator structure in response to application or removal of a quantity of energy;   a power source for supplying the quantity of energy to the selectively reactive material; and   control means for selectively controlling the application of the quantity of energy to the selectively reactive material.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the selectively reactive material is a piezoelectric material. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2  wherein the piezoelectric material is a ceramic-piezoelectric material. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator portion includes at least one of a brush, a wand, a spatula, a puff, a comb, and a roller. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator surface includes at least one of a surface adapted for loading, transporting, applying, exfoliating, buffing, finishing and polishing. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the quantity of energy is selected from one of electric, magnetic or light energy. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 6  wherein the quantity of energy is supplied as an energy field. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the quantity of energy is electric energy supplied as direct or alternating current to the selectively reactive material through a circuit. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 2  wherein the piezoelectric material is provided in the form of at least one fiber. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the handle is attached to the applicator portion by a stem. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator portion is selectively removable from the handle. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the applicator portion is selectively replaceable. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the control means is selected from at least one of a switch, a potentiometer, a rheostat and an integrated circuit. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 13  wherein the integrated circuit is adapted to selectively provide the quantity of energy in continuous or pulsed mode. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 14  wherein the pulsed mode is uniform or syncopated. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the selectively reactive material is polarized. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 2  wherein the piezoelectric material is polarized. 
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 3  wherein the ceramic-piezoelectric material is polarized. 
     
     
         19 . An applicator adapted for applying a cosmetic product, the applicator comprising:
 a handle;   an applicator head extending from the handle, the applicator portion having an element including at least one piezoelectric material adapted to change at least one of shape, volume, rigidity and orientation of the applicator structure in response to a change in an energy input selected from one of electric current, magnetic field and light;   means for supplying the energy input; and   control means for selectively controlling the energy input.   
     
     
         20 . The applicator of  claim 19  wherein the at least one piezoelectric material is polarized.