Cosmetic applicator

Abstract

A cosmetic package comprising a cosmetic applicator for applying a product including a cosmetic, care, or pharmaceutical product onto the keratinous substrate. The cosmetic applicator comprises an application member that includes a flexible zone at a proximal portion of the application member. The flexible zone further includes at least two horizontal grooves that extend on a first face of the application member, and at least two horizontal grooves that extend on a second face opposite to the first face. When a pressure is exerted on the application member during the application of the cosmetic product, the flexible zone enables the application member to flex towards either the first face or the second face.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic or a care product, the cosmetic applicator comprises:
 an application member defined by a distal portion of the cosmetic applicator;   a connector defined by a proximal portion of the cosmetic applicator;   wherein the application member includes a first face, a second face opposite to the first face, a third face, and a fourth face opposite to the third face;   wherein the application member comprises a flexible zone at a proximal portion of the application member;   wherein the flexible zone comprises a first pair of horizontal grooves and a second pair of horizontal grooves opposing the first pair of horizontal grooves;   wherein the first pair of two horizontal grooves extend on the first face of the application member, and the second pair of two horizontal grooves extend on the second face of the application member;   wherein the first pair of horizontal grooves on the first face is in alignment with the second pair of horizontal grooves on the second face;   wherein a first horizontal groove of the first pair of the horizontal grooves and a corresponding first groove of the second pair of the horizontal grooves, which are in alignment, form a first pair of opposing horizontal grooves, and wherein the first pair of opposing horizontal grooves define a first region of reduced thickness on the application member;   wherein a second groove of the first pair of the horizontal grooves and a corresponding second groove of the second pair of the horizontal grooves, which are in alignment, form a second pair of opposing horizontal grooves, and wherein the second pair of opposing horizontal grooves define a second region of reduced thickness on the application member; and   wherein the first pair of horizontal grooves and the second pair of horizontal grooves enables the application member to flex from the proximal portion of the application member during use.   
     
     
         2 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the application member is inflexible toward the third and fourth face of the application member. 
     
     
         3 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first pair of horizontal grooves and the second pair of horizontal grooves extend in a complete width of the first face and the second face of the application member respectively. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the application member is at least partially flocked. 
     
     
         5 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector of the cosmetic applicator is configured to be attached to a distal end of a stem, and wherein a cap is retained at a proximal end of the stem. 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first region of reduced thickness and the second region of reduced thickness are separated axially by a portion of the application member which has a thickness greater than the thicknesses of the first region of reduced thickness and the second region of reduced thickness 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cosmetic applicator comprises a dispensing surface, and an internal product delivery passageway that extends from a proximal end of the cosmetic applicator and terminates in an orifice on the dispensing surface of the application member. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein at least a portion of an outer surface of the distal portion of the application member is the dispensing surface and the rest of the outer surface of the distal portion of the application member is a blending surface. 
     
     
         9 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the dispensing surface is offset relative to the blending surface. 
     
     
         10 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the cosmetic applicator is mounted on a neck of a cosmetic container. 
     
     
         11 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the dispensing surface has an angular span in the range of 20 degrees to 120 degrees around a central longitudinal axis of the application member. 
     
     
         12 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the dispensing surface extends at least up to 15% of a length of the application member and at most up to 85% of the length of the application member. 
     
     
         13 . The cosmetic applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein horizontal grooves of the first pair of horizontal grooves are parallel to each other; and wherein horizontal grooves of the second pair of horizontal grooves are parallel to each other. 
     
     
         14 . A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic or a care product, the cosmetic applicator comprises:
 an application member defined by a distal portion of the cosmetic applicator;   a connector defined by a proximal portion of the cosmetic applicator;   wherein the application member includes a first face and a second face opposite to the first face;   wherein the application member comprises a flexible zone at the proximal portion of the application member;   wherein a plurality of messaging ribs are provided on a distal portion of the application member;   wherein the flexible zone comprises a first pair of horizontal grooves and a second pair of horizontal grooves opposing said first pair of horizontal grooves;   wherein the first pair of two horizontal grooves extend on the first face of the application member, and the second pair of two horizontal grooves extend on the second face of the application member;   wherein the first pair of horizontal grooves on the first face is in alignment with the second pair of horizontal grooves on the second face;   wherein a first horizontal groove of the first pair of the horizontal grooves and a corresponding first groove of the second pair of the horizontal grooves, which are in alignment, form a first pair of opposing horizontal grooves, and wherein the first pair of opposing horizontal grooves define a first region of reduced thickness on the application member; and   wherein a second groove of the first pair of the horizontal grooves and a corresponding second groove of the second pair of the horizontal grooves, which are in alignment, form a second pair of opposing horizontal grooves, and wherein the second pair of opposing horizontal grooves define a second region of reduced thickness on the application member.   
     
     
         15 . A cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic or a care product, the cosmetic applicator comprises:
 an application member defined by a distal portion of the cosmetic applicator;   a connector defined by a proximal portion of the cosmetic applicator;   wherein the application member includes a first face, a second face opposite to the first face, a third face, and a fourth face opposite to the third face;   wherein the application member comprises a flexible zone at the proximal portion of the application member;   wherein the flexible zone comprises a first pair of horizontal grooves and a second pair of horizontal grooves opposing the first pair of horizontal grooves;   wherein the first pair of two horizontal grooves extend on the first face of the application member, and the second pair of two horizontal grooves extend on the second face of the application member;   wherein the first pair of horizontal grooves on the first face is in alignment with the second pair of horizontal grooves on the second face;   wherein a first horizontal groove of the first pair of the horizontal grooves and a corresponding first groove of the second pair of the horizontal grooves, which are in alignment, form a first pair of opposing horizontal grooves;   wherein a second groove of the first pair of the horizontal grooves and a corresponding second groove of the second pair of the horizontal grooves, which are in alignment, form a second pair of opposing horizontal grooves;   wherein the first pair of opposing horizontal grooves define a first region of reduced thickness on the application member and the second pair of opposing horizontal grooves define a second region of reduced thickness on the application member;   and   wherein the application member includes a cavity for holding a cosmetic product, and wherein the cavity is a non-through cavity that is spaced away from the flexible zone of the application member.