Applicator

Abstract

An applicator having a concave surface comprising a non-absorbing elastomeric material is effective in topically compositions to minimize the appearance of fine facial hair on women.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An applicator ( 1 ) configured for topically applying a composition to a face comprising: a first surface ( 31 ) and an opposing second surface ( 32 ), wherein the second surface ( 32 ) is a concave surface and the second surface ( 32 ) comprises a non-absorbing elastomeric material. 
     
     
         2 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator has a curvilinear shape as defined by a circumferential edge ( 9 ); and the first surface ( 31 ) comprises the non-absorbing elastomeric material. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 2 , wherein the curvilinear shape is elliptical, and the second surface is configured to contain a volume from 0.1 ml to 10 ml, preferably a volume from 1 ml to 8 ml. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator has a length from 45 mm to 70 mm, preferably from 50 mm to 65 mm; and a thickness not exceeding 6 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the concave surface is configured to contain a volume from 0.1 ml to 10 ml. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric nonabsorbing material is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, urethanes, rubbers, polyvinylchloride, polyurethanes, polyamides, polyesters, polyacrylates, and polycarbonates. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator is non-porous, free of a non-woven material, and free of an adhesive. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator ( 1 ) comprises an inner zone ( 3 ) and an outer zone ( 6 ), wherein the outer zone ( 6 ) is defined as between the circumferential edge ( 9 ) and the inner zone ( 3 ), and wherein the inner zone ( 3 ) is thicker than the outer zone ( 6 ). 
     
     
         9 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 8 , wherein the outer zone comprises a substantially uniform thickness from 0.5 mm to 3 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the thickest portion of the applicator ( 1 ) is in the center of the applicator, and wherein the thickness at the center is from 45 mm to 70 mm. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the first surface ( 31 ) has a first bending force measured at the circumferential edge ( 9 ), and the second surface ( 32 ) has a second bending force measured at the circumferential edge ( 9 ), wherein the second bending force is at least 1.1 times greater than the first bending force. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 9 , wherein the intersection of the outer zone ( 6 ) and inner zone ( 3 ) is defined by a inter-zone border ( 13 ) at the first surface ( 31 ), wherein the inter-zone border ( 13 ) defines a curvilinear shape. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein:
 (a) the applicator is elliptical shaped as defined by circumferential edge ( 9 );   (b) the applicator has a length from 50 mm to 65 mm; and a width from 50 mm to 65 mm;   (c) the applicator has a thickness not exceeding 5 mm;   (d) the non-absorbing concave surface of the applicator is configured to contain a volume from 0.1 ml to 8 ml;   (e) the applicator further comprising an inner zone ( 3 ) and an outer zone ( 6 ), wherein the outer zone ( 6 ) is defined between the circumferential edge ( 9 ) and the inner zone ( 3 ), wherein the inner zone ( 3 ) is thicker than the outer zone ( 6 );   (f) a thickest portion of the applicator ( 1 ) is in center of the applicator and is from 1 mm to 5 mm.   
     
     
         14 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 13 , wherein the intersection of the outer zone ( 6 ) and inner zone ( 3 ) is defined by an inter-zone border ( 13 ), wherein the inter-zone border defines a curvilinear shape. 
     
     
         15 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 14 , wherein the first surface ( 31 ) has a first bending force measured at the circumferential edge ( 9 ), and the second surface ( 32 ) has a second bending force measured at the circumferential edge ( 9 ), wherein the second bending force is from 2 to 5 times greater than the first bending force; and wherein the material comprises a hydrogenated styrene butadiene block copolymer and a silicone fluid. 
     
     
         16 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the second surface ( 32 ) has one or more of the following values:
 (a) a coefficient of friction value from 0.5 to 0.9;   (b) an Owens-Wendt Surface Energy value from 17 to 37; and   (c) a Hardness value measured on Durometer Scale A from 30 to 50.   
     
     
         17 . The applicator ( 1 ) of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator ( 1 ) further comprises:
 (a) 10% to 100%, preferably from 40% to 100%, more preferably from 50% to 100%, of a surface area of the applicator comprising the non-absorbing elastomeric material; and   (b) 10% to 100%, preferably 40% to 100%, more preferably 50% to 100%, by weight of the applicator ( 1 ) comprises the non-absorbing elastomeric material.   
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 15 , wherein:
 (a) the second surface ( 32 ) has the following values:
 (i) a coefficient of friction value from 0.55 to 0.75; 
 (ii) an Owens-Wendt Surface Energy value from 32 to 42; and 
 (ii) a Hardness value measured on Durometer Scale A from 35 to 45; 
   (b) the applicator ( 1 ) further comprises:
 (i) 50% to 100% of a surface area of the applicator comprising the non-absorbing elastomeric material; and 
 (ii) 50% to 100%, by weight of the applicator ( 1 ) comprises the non-absorbing elastomeric material. 
   
     
     
         19 . A method of providing hair minimization to a face comprising the step of topically applying a film-forming composition to the face by the applicator of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising the steps: assessing a directional axis of facial hair growth; and where the step of topically applying the composition with the applicator is conducted along the assessed directional axis of the facial hair growth. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition has a Brookfield viscosity from 1,000 cps to 200,000 cps. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition has a Brookfield viscosity from 15,000 cps to 90,000 cps. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition has a Brookfield viscosity from 15,000 cps to 60,000 cps. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition at a shear rate of 10 s −1  has a viscosity from 100 cps to 15,000 cps. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition at a shear rate of 10 s −1  has a viscosity from 1500 cps to 8000 cps. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition at a shear rate of 100 s −1  has a viscosity from 100 cps to 12,000 cps. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition at a shear rate of 100 s −1  has a viscosity from 500 cps to 1000 cps. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition has a Brookfield viscosity from 1,000 cps to 200,000 cps, and further, wherein the film-forming composition at a shear rate of 100 s −1  has a viscosity from 100 cps to 12,000 cps. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition is a water-in-silicone emulsion. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition is a silicone-in-water emulsion. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition is an oil-in-water emulsion. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition is an alcohol-in-oil system. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition is essentially free of pigment. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the film-forming composition comprises a pigment. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the applicator has a Shore A hardness of about 39 to 45, and further, wherein the film-forming composition has a viscosity of about 15,000 cps to 40,000 cps. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the applicator has a Shore A hardness of about 55 to 60, and further, wherein the film-forming composition has a viscosity of about 68,000 cps to 90,000 cps. 
     
     
         37 . A kit comprising an applicator of  claim 1 ; a container containing a skin care composition.