Ergonomic Cosmetic Groomer

Abstract

An ergonomic groomer is provided for use with a human integument. The groomer comprises a handle portion and a head portion wherein the longitudinal axis of the head portion is positioned or can be rotatably positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle. The handle being suitably dimensioned for holding between the thumb and fingers without rotation of the handle. The head portion having at its distal end means for optionally holding a charge of cosmetic composition and transferring it to the eyelashes or another integument on contact therewith, such as but not limited to bristles.

1 . A groomer comprising:
 a handle portion having a front side opposed from a back side, the handle portion being suitably dimensioned to permit the handle portion to be held between the thumb and fingers during use; and   a head portion having at its distal end a plurality of bristles,   wherein the handle portion and the head portion are joined in a manner which permits the head portion to pivot with respect to the handle portion, the joint being located at a position away from an axis extending longitudinally through the handle portion and towards the back side of the handle portion.   
     
     
         2 . The groomer according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion and the head portion are joined by a hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The groomer according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle portion is non-coplanar with the head portion. 
     
     
         4 . The groomer according to  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the head portion has a configuration to approximate the curvature of the eye lids. 
     
     
         5 . The groomer according to  claim 1 , wherein the back side of the handle portion has a concave shape. 
     
     
         6 . The groomer according to  claim 2 , wherein the hinge is a stepped pin hinge. 
     
     
         7 . The groomer according to  claim 1 , wherein the head portion is pivotable in both directions about 90 degrees with respect to the axis extending longitudinally through the handle portion and towards the back side of the handle portion. 
     
     
         8 . The groomer according to  claim 1 , wherein the head portion bristles do not extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal plane of the head portion. 
     
     
         9 . A method for grooming a keratinous fiber or integument comprising contacting a keratinous fiber or integument with the bristles of the groomer according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A device comprising:
 a handle portion having a front side opposed from a back side, the handle portion being suitably dimensioned to permit the groomer to be held between the thumb and fingers of a user; and   a head portion connected at its proximal end to the handle portion, the head portion having at its distal end a plurality of bristles,   wherein the head portion comprises a row of bristles disposed along the distal end of the head portion, wherein alternating bristles along the row project to opposing sides of a plane through the distal end of the head portion such that adjacent bristles define an angle of from about 10 degrees to about 25 degrees.   
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the head portion is free of bristles extending parallel to a longitudinal plane of the head portion. 
     
     
         12 . The device according to  claim 10 , wherein the first row of bristles comprises bristles having a length greater than a length of any remaining bristles.