Flocked cosmetics applicator

Abstract

An applicator includes a stem having an application end, a flocked surface on the application end of the stem, and a use indicator. The stem is configured to be grasped by a user during application of a cosmetic formulation. The flocked surface includes flock configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in the cosmetic formulation and to apply a portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation to a nail area in response to the flocked surface contacting the nail area. The use indicator is located on the stem at a location with respect to the flocked surface such that the use indicator is configured to indicate that the applicator has been used in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in the cosmetic formulation.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . An applicator comprising:
 a stem having an application end, the stem configured to be grasped by a user during application of a cosmetic formulation;   a flocked surface on the application end of the stem, the flocked surface including flock configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in the cosmetic formulation and to apply a portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation to a nail area in response to the flocked surface contacting the nail area; and   a use indicator located on the stem at a location with respect to the flocked surface such that the use indicator is configured to indicate that the applicator has been used in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in the cosmetic formulation.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the use indicator is configured to indicate that the applicator has been used by changing appearance. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the use indicator is configured to change appearance by one or more of changing transparency of the use indicator, making a word visible on the use indicator, or making a pattern visible on the use indicator. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 2 , wherein the use indicator includes a pH indicator configured to change appearance in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in the cosmetic formulation. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 3 , wherein the pH indicator includes one or more of alizarine yellow, azolitmin, bromocresol green, bromocresol purple, bromophenol blue, congo red, cresol red, cresolphthalein, gentian violet (methyl violet  10   b ), indigo carmine, malachite green, methyl orange, methyl purple, methyl red, methyl yellow, naphtholphthalein, neutral red, phenol red, phenolphthalein, screened methyl orange, thymol blue, or thymolphthalein. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the use indicator is configured to indicate that the applicator has been used in response to the application end of the stem being dipped in any water-based formulation. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 6 , wherein the cosmetic formulation is a water-based formulation. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the flock includes a plurality of individual fibers. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of individual fibers have lengths in a range from about 0.5 mm to about 1.1 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of individual fibers have a dtex rating of less than or equal to about 5.0. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of individual fibers include nylon fibers. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of individual fibers include fibers having one or more of a round cross-sectional shape, a triangular cross-sectional shape, or a tribulet cross-sectional shape. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the flocked surface is a portion of the stem and the flock is flocked directly to the portion of the stem. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the flocked surface is distinct from the stem and the flocked surface is adhered to the application end of the stem. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator is configured to be used to apply the cosmetic formulation from the flock to ten nail areas after being dipped a single time in the cosmetic formulation. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 1 , wherein the stem is made from a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 16 , wherein the biodegradable material is a paper material. 
     
     
         18 . A method of applying cosmetic formulation, comprising:
 dipping an application end of an applicator in a container that includes cosmetic formulation, the application end of the applicator including a flocked surface with flock configured to retain an amount of the cosmetic formulation in response to the application end being dipped in the container, wherein the applicator further includes a use indicator located with respect to the flocked surface such that the use indicator indicates that the applicator has been used in response to the application end being dipped in the container;   applying a portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation from the flock to a nail area after the application end of the applicator is dipped in the container; and   disposing of the applicator without dipping the applicator again in the container after the use indicator indicates that the applicator has been used.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein applying the portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation from the flock to the nail area includes applying a portion of the amount of cosmetic formulation to each of a plurality of nail areas before disposing of the applicator. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of nail areas includes either five nail areas or ten nail areas. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the applicator is distinct from a lid of the container. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the cosmetic formulation is one or more of a nail polish, a nail polish remover, a nail varnish, a nail fungal treatment, a nail bacterial treatment, a cuticle treatment, a moisturizer, a cuticle conditioner, a nail supplement, or a nail protein. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the nail area includes one or more of a nail or a cuticle.