Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Cosmetic Applicator Having One Molded And One Non-Molded Brush
Field of the Invention
The invention is in the field of cosmetic applicators, specifically hair
product
applicators that combine a non-molded fiber brush and a molded brush for
making up
the eyelashes.
Background
Cosmetic applicators for the hair of the head, such as eyebrows or eyelashes,
must perform two broad functions, which we call loading and grooming. Loading
means that the applicator takes up a dose of product and deposits it onto an
application surface, such as eyelashes. Thereafter, it is typical for the same
cosmetic
applicator to be used for grooming the eyelashes. The first step, loading,
creates a
volumizing effect, while the second step, grooming, may include smoothing the
product evenly over the lashes, separating the individual lashes, curling the
lashes,
and/or creating a lengthening effect. Because the function of loading product
is
different from the function of grooming the hair, a single cosmetic applicator
may not
perform both functions satisfactorily. For example, where relatively softer
bristles are
known to be good at taking up mascara and depositing it on the eyelashes,
these
bristles tend to be too weak to effectively smooth the product over the
lashes, break
up clumps of mascara, separate or curl the lashes. This situation has
sometimes
been addressed by using separate applicators for depositing product and
grooming
the hair. The first tends to be a brush that has softer, more flexible
bristles, while the
latter may be a brush or comb that has relatively stiff bristles or teeth.
To avoid the inconvenience of having to use separate tools to perform the
application and grooming steps, it is known to create an applicator that has
an
applicator head that comprises at least two different types of bristles, one
type being
relatively soft and flexible, the other type being less soft and less
flexible. Sometimes
multiple types of bristles have been mixed together throughout the applicator
head in
the hope of getting the best of both. Alternatively, it is also known to
divide an
applicator head into zones, each zone having one type of bristle. For example,
U.S.
patent 7,231,926 discloses a mascara applicator that comprises an application
brush
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part and an arrangement brush part. We will discuss U.S. 7,231,926, which we
consider to be the closest prior art.
Referring to figures 1-3, the applicator of U.S. 7,231,926 comprises a grip
(6),
a rod (2) extending form the grip, and a "fixing stand" (40) that depends from
the rod
(2). The arrangement brush part (or comb, 4) is implemented as one or more
columns of injection molded teeth that radiate from the fixing stand (40). The
application brush part (3) may be comprise an application portion (7) of
bristles that
radiate from a twisted wire rod (21), and occupy the space between the
"fitting hole"
(42) and the "fitting recess" (43). In order for the application brush part to
fit into the
space between the "fitting hole" and the "fitting recess"õ the application
brush part is
provided with an angular section (31) of 30 - 120 that is devoid of bristles
(see figure
3).
It is clear from figure 2 of U.S. patent 7,231,926, and from the description,
that
the distal end of the twisted wire rod (with bristles) is inserted through the
fitting hole
(42) until it comes to rest in the fitting recess (43). This manner of
assembly gives
rise to certain deficiencies. For example, the fiber bristles of the
application portion
(7) are not able to extend the full length of the space between the "fitting
hole" (42)
and the "fitting recess" (43). Rather, there is a gap (see figure 1). The gap
is required
in order to ensure that none of the bristles remains stuck in the fitting hole
(42). In
fact, in order to avoid bristles being stuck in the fitting hole (42), the
size of this gap
should be at least as large as the radius of the fiber brush. For example, for
a brush
with an overall diameter of 8mm, the gap should be a minimum 4mm, and for a
brush
with an overall diameter of lOmm, the gap should be a minimum of 5mm. (We note
that figure 1 of U.S. 7,231,926 does not really reflect how big the gap would
have to
be to avoid this problem.) Such a big gap, however, creates a different
problem,
which is that there will be some amount of unwanted movement, where the
application brush part (3) can slide back and forth in the arrangement brush
part,
which may be a distraction to the user or interfere with application process.
The
design of the applicator of U.S. 7,231,926 has other shortcomings as well,
which we
now discuss.
The manner in which the application brush part (3) is assembled to the fixing
stand (40), means that the bristles of the application portion (7) cannot
extend to the
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distal tip of the applicator. This is a real disadvantage when trying to apply
mascara
to the eyelashes that are toward the inner canthus of the eye.
Furthermore, in order to pass through the fitting hole (42), the bristles of
the
application portion (7) must be relatively flexible. Fiber bristles may be
sufficiently
flexible, but even that is no guarantee that the bristles will not be damaged
when they
are crushed together to pass through the fitting hole.
In another matter, the need to pass the application brush part (3) through the
fitting hole (42) places limitations on the application portion (7).
Application portions
that have thick bristles and/or a high number of bristles per turn would be
more likely
to be damaged, so they would be avoided. Figure 2 of U.S. 7,231,926 gives the
distinct impression that the diameter of the fitting hole (42) is very nearly
equal to the
diameter of the twisted wire rod (21), so the bristle portion (7) is really
squeezed.
Also, as we noted above, the application brush part (3) is provided with an
angular section (31) of 300 - 120 that is devoid of bristles (see figure 3).
Consequently, the angular size of the arrangement brush part (4) is limited to
30 -
120 .
There is therefore a continuing need for improved cosmetic applicators of dual
functions, i.e., which can be used for performing both the cosmetic
application
function (i.e. loading) and the hair arrangement function (i.e. grooming), but
without
the above-described drawbacks of the prior art applicators.
Summary of the Invention
According to the invention, an applicator head for a cosmetic applicator
comprises a molded brush portion (adapted for grooming) to which is mounted a
non-
molded, fiber brush (adapted for loading). The molded brush portion comprises
relatively harder, relatively less flexible, injection molded bristles, while
the non-
molded brush portion comprises relatively softer, more flexible fiber
bristles. The
assembled applicator head has a distal end that is covered with the relatively
harder
bristles to facilitate grooming those eyelashes that are near the inner
canthus of the
eye. Together, the molded and non-molded brush portions fill and angular
sector of
360 . The molded brush portion fills an angular sector of 180 - 200 , which
is
significantly greater than the 30 - 120 of the arrangement brush part (4) of
US
patent 7,231,926. The non-molded brush portion fills an angular sector of 160
-
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1800. The snap fit assembly method of the non-molded brush portion into the
molded
brush portion eliminates the need for a gap between the two brushes, along
with any
unwanted play, so that the non-molded brush portion cannot slide back and
forth with
respect to the molded brush portion.
Description of the Figures
Figures 1-3 depict a prior art applicator disclosed in US patent 7,231,926.
Figures 4A and 4B depict a mascara applicator according to the present
invention.
Figures 5A and 5B depict one embodiment of a molded brush portion of an
applicator
head according to the present invention.
Figures 6A and 6B depict one embodiment of a non-molded brush portion of an
applicator head according to the present invention.
Figures 7A and 7B show the a non-molded brush portion being assembled to a
molded brush portion.
Figure 8A shows an assembled applicator head according to the present
invention.
Figure 8B is a cross sectional view of the applicator head of figure 8A.
Detailed Description
Referring to figures 4A and 4B, a mascara applicator according to the present
invention comprises a handle (11), an extended rod (12), and an applicator
head (13)
in the usual relationship of these elements. That is, the handle serves as a
closure
for a container of mascara product. Typically, the closure has screw threads
(11a) on
its inner surface for mating to a threaded container. The extended rod is
connected to
and depends from an inner surface of the handle, and the applicator head
depends
from the distal end (12a) of the rod. For example, the rod may be hollow, and
able to
receive the stem (14a) of the applicator head into itself. The stem may be
retained in
the rod by adhesive, welding, a friction fit, snap engagement, threaded
engagement
or any other suitable retaining means. An applicator head according to the
present
invention has two main parts: a molded brush portion (14) and the non-molded
portion
(15).
The Molded Brush Portion
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Referring to figures 5A and 5B, the molded brush portion (14) comprises a
stem (14a) and a main body (14f). The stem may be formed as a generally
cylindrical
member having proximal (14b) and distal (14c) ends, and a hollow space (14d)
that
opens onto the distal end of the stem, and onto the side wall (14e) of the
stem. The
side wall of the stem is devoid of bristles or other grooming features, and is
generally
smooth, so that the stem is able to join to the distal end (12a) of the rod
(12), as
described above.
The main body (14f) comprises an approximately semi-cylindrical member
(14g), an opened proximal end (14h), and a closed distal end (14i). The semi-
cylindrical member (14g) defines a hollow space (14j) that connects to the
opened
proximal end (14h) and to a groove (14k) located in the closed distal end
(14i) of the
main body (see figure 8B). The opened proximal end (14h) is integrally molded
to the
opened distal end (14c) of the stem (14a), such that the hollow space (14j) of
the
semi-cylindrical member and the hollow space (14d) of the stem are contiguous,
as
.. shown. When we say that the semi-cylindrical member (14g) is approximately
semi-
cylindrical, we mean that the semi-cylindrical member occupies an angular
space of
approximately 180 - 200 . The distal end (14i) of the main body (14f)
occupies a
complete 360 around longitudinal axis A-A, while the proximal end (14h) may
occupy
between about 200 and 270 . Also, the semi-cylindrical member (14g) may taper
toward the closed distal end (14i). The outside surface of the semi-
cylindrical
member features a multitude of molded bristles (141), as does the closed
distal end
(14i) of the main body. The proximal end (14h) of the main body may or may not
comprise bristles.
Preferably, the bristles (141) of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) are
regularly
arranged in columns (14p) that extend down the semi-cylindrical member,
parallel to
the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the main body (14f). Each column of bristles
may
typically comprise from 5 to 50 bristles, preferably from 10 to 40, more
preferably from
20 to 35 bristles. For example, the semi-cylindrical member of figure 5A has
23
bristles in a longitudinal column. The semi-cylindrical member may preferably
comprise from 4 to 10 columns of bristles. More preferred are 7, 8 or 9
columns of
bristles. For example, in figure 5B, the semi-cylindrical member of the main
body
(14f) has 9 columns of bristles extending longitudinally along the semi-
cylindrical
member. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, bristles (141) of the semi-
cylindrical
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member are regularly arranged in rows, each row lying on a circumference of
the
semi-cylindrical member, in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal
axis of the
main body.
The bristles (141) of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) of the main body (14f)
typically extend radially from the longitudinal axis of the main body, and all
of the
bristles in a single column are parallel to each other. The bristles of the
distal end
(14i) of the main body extend in various directions. The bristles may comprise
flat
and/or rounded portions, and the horizontal cross section of the bristles may
be any
conceivable shape, only limited by the ability to mold the main body.
Preferred,
however, are bristles that have a horizontal cross section that is shaped as a
circular
segment that has an arc that ranges from about 1600 to no more than 1800, and
whose radius decreases as you move from base to tip. Such bristles have a semi-
conical profile comprised of a flat face and a curved face. Preferably, the
bristles
would have a rounded tip. The remainder of each bristle may be shaped to have
one
or more depressions, one or more protrusions, or both on the curved face of
the semi-
conical bristle, while the flat face has no such features. Preferably, each
semi-conical
bristle has at least two depressions and/or protrusions located on its curved
surface.
The manufacture of such bristles was described in US 9,326,590 which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety. Also, a bristle may have one or
more
perforations that pass through the bristle from the flat face to the curved
face. The
manufacture of such bristles was described in US 9,326,584 which is hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety. As can be seen in figure 5B, the
molded
bristles of the molded brush portion (14) do not have to be all the same
height.
Exemplary materials that can be used in the present invention to create the
molded brush portion (14) include, but are not limited to: silicone
elastomers,
thermoplastic elastomers (such as, for example, styrene-ethylene-butylene-
styrene
block copolymer - SEBS), vinyl elastomers (EVA), thermoplastic polyester
elastomers
(Hytrele from Dupont de Nemours), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers
(Pellethanee from Dow Plastic), Nitrile, and EPDM. Hardness of the chosen
material
preferably ranges from about 35 MPa (35 shore D Hytrele from Dupont de
Nemours)
to about 1180 MPa (82 shore D Hytrele). In general, harder, less flexible
materials
will be more suitable for the molded brush portion (14), which is intended to
spread
and declump a thick mascara product, and separate and lengthen the eyelashes.
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The Non-Molded Brush Portion
Referring to figures 6A and 6B, the non-molded brush portion (15) comprises a
twisted wire core (15a) that supports a multitude of fiber bristles (15e) in a
predetermined arrangement, such as helical. However, the proximal (15b) and a
distal (15c) ends of the twisted wire core are devoid of bristles. The length
of the
distal end that is devoid of bristles is, preferably, about 2 - 5 mm. The
length of the
proximal end of the twisted wore core that is devoid of bristles is,
preferably, about 3 -
6 mm. As shown, the multitude of bristles define an approximately semi-
cylindrical
bristle envelope that occupies an angular space of approximately 1600 - 1800.
In
order to achieve this arrangement, the non-molded brush portion may be
fashioned in
the usual manner of twisted wire core brushes, but thereafter, all of the
bristles filling
an angle of 180 - 2000 are cropped close to the wire core. Typically, the
wire core
(15a) may be fashioned from stainless steel having a diameter from 0.5 to 1mm.
The
bristles (15e) of the non-molded brush portion (15) may be nylon, hollow or
solid, and
typically from 0.1 to 0.5 mm. The number of fiber bristles may vary, but will
typically
be between 250 and 500. The bristles of the non-molded brush portion do not
have
to be all the same height.
.. The Assembled Applicator
The molded (14) and non-molded (15) brush portions are fashioned separately,
and subsequently assembled. As noted above, the proximal end (15b) and distal
end
(15c) of the wire core (15a) are devoid of bristles (15e). Referring to figure
7A, the
first step in assembling the non-molded brush portion (15) to the molded brush
portion
(14) is to insert the distal end (15c) of the non-molded brush portion into
the groove
(14k) of the molded brush portion, the length of the groove being at least as
long as
the distal end (15c) of the wire core (i.e. 2 - 5 mm). Then, as shown in
figure 7B, the
wire core (15a) is brought into the hollow space (14j) of the semi-cylindrical
member
(14g) of the molded brush portion (14), and the proximal end (15b) of the non-
molded
brush portion comes to rest in the hollow space (14d) of the stem (14a), the
hollow
space being at least as long as the proximal end (15b) of the wire core (i.e.
3 - 6 mm)
. Two views of a fully assembled applicator head are shown in figures 8A and
8B. In
order the make sure the non-molded brush portion remains in the molded brush
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portion, the hollow space (14d) of the stem (14a) may be provided with one or
more
flexible (14m) tabs that allow the proximal end (15b) of the non-molded brush
portion
(15) to be forced into the hollow space of the stem, but that prevent
accidental
removal therefrom. Once the applicator head is assembled, the stem (14a) of
the
molded brush portion (14) can be secured to the distal end of a rod (12) as
explained
above to complete the mascara applicator.
When assembled, the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the molded brush portion (14)
is parallel to the longitudinal axis (B-B) of the non-molded brush portion
(15).
Together, the molded brush portion and the non-molded brush portion fill and
angular
sector of 360 . The molded brush portion fills an angular sector of 1800 - 200
, which
is significantly greater than the 30 - 120 of the arrangement brush portion
(4) in US
patent 7,231,926. The greater angular size of the comb portion provides better
grooming of the lashes, especially curling.
The distal end (14i) of the assembled applicator is covered with the bristles
to
facilitate making-up those eyelashes that are near the inner canthus of the
eye. This
feature is missing from the applicator of US patent 7,231,926, which has no
bristles
on its distal end.
Also, because we use the hollow space (14d) in the side wall (14e) of the stem
for assembly, we were able to extend the bristles of the non-molded brush the
full
length of the hollow space (14j), so there is no gap between the non-molded
brush
portion and the molded brush portion, as there is in U.S. patent 7,231,926.
Consequently, the non-molded brush portion will not be able to slide back and
forth in
the molded brush portion.
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