ES2877165T3 - Cosmetic applicator having molded brush and comb portions - Google Patents

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator head (13) comprising a molded brush portion (14) and a molded comb portion (15) characterized in that; the brush portion (14) comprises: a stem (14a) having: a proximal end (14b); a distal end (14c); and a hollow space (14d) opening on the distal end of the stem and on a side wall (14e) of the stem; a main body (14f) having: an open proximal end (14h) connecting to the distal end (14c) of the stem (14a); a closed distal end (14i) having a slot (14k); a semi-cylindrical member (14g) defining a hollow space (14j), such that the hollow space (14j) of the main body is contiguous with the hollow space (14d) of the stem; in which: the semi-cylindrical member (14g) occupies an angular space of approximately 180° - 200°; the outer surface of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) has a multitude of bristles (141), as does the closed distal end (14i) of the main body; and the side wall (14e) of the stem (14a) is devoid of bristles; and the comb portion (15) comprises: a base (15a) having: a proximal end (15b); and a distal end (15c); a platform (15d) that is integrally molded to the base (15a) and supports a multitude of teeth (15e); wherein: the proximal (15b) and distal (15c) ends of the base (15a) extend beyond the ends of the platform (15d); the platform 15d occupies an angular space of approximately 160° - 180°; the distal end (15c) of the comb portion (15) rests in the groove (14k) of the brush portion (14); the platform (15d) of the comb portion (15) rests in the hollow space (14j) of the brush portion (14); and the proximal end (15b) of the comb portion (15) rests in the hollow space (14d) of the brush portion (14).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Cosmetic applicator having molded brush and comb portions

Field of the invention

The invention is in the field of cosmetic applicators, specifically hair product applicators with molded applicator heads.

Background

Cosmetic applicators are used to take a dose of product and apply it to an application surface, typically the hair on the head, such as the eyebrows or eyelashes. Thereafter, the same cosmetic applicator is used for brushing the hair by combing and separating the individual hair fibers, straightening the product thereto, and removing any excess product. Because the function of taking and depositing the product is different from that of brushing 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 the product and depositing it on the lashes, these bristles tend to be too weak to effectively straighten the product on the lashes, breaking clumps of mascara, which is a heavy product. thick, or separate the eyelashes. This situation has sometimes been addressed by using separate applicators to deposit the product and brush the hair. The former 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 brushing steps, a less stiff bristle brush with a stiffer tooth comb is known to be integrated into a single cosmetic applicator. Various prior art references have disclosed such integrated cosmetic applicators with different arrangements and constructions. For example, US Patent 7,231,926 discloses a mascara applicator comprising an application brush part and a grooming brush part. We will discuss US 7,231,926, which we consider to be the closest state of the art.

Referring to Figures 1-3, US 7,231,926 discloses a mascara applicator comprising a handle (6), a rod (2) extending the handle. A "fixing bracket" (40) depends on the rod (2). A part of the grooming brush (or comb, 4) is implemented as one or more columns of injection molded teeth radiating from the fixing bracket (40). A part of the applicator brush (3) may comprise an applicator portion (7) of bristles radiating from a braided wire rod (21) and occupying the space between the "adjustment hole" (42) and the "adjustment hole". setting "(43). In order that the application brush part fits into the space between the "adjustment hole" and the "adjustment gap", the application brush part is provided with an angular section (31) of 30 ° - 120 ° that is devoid of bristles (see Figure 3).

From Figure 2 of US Patent 7,231,926, and the description, it is clear that the distal end of the braided wire rod (with bristles) is inserted through the adjustment hole (42) until it comes to rest. in the fitting hole (43). This form of assembly gives rise to certain shortcomings. For example, the fiber bristles of the application portion (7) are not capable of extending the entire length of the space between the "fitting hole" (42) and the "fitting hole" (43). Rather, there is a space (see Figure 1). Space is necessary in order to ensure that none of the bristles get stuck in the adjustment hole (42). In fact, to prevent the bristles from getting stuck in the adjustment hole (42), the size of this space must be at least as large as the radius of the fiber brush. For example, for a brush with a total diameter of 8mm, the gap should be a minimum of 4mm, and for a brush with a total diameter of 10mm, the gap should be a minimum of 5mm. (We note that Figure 1 of US 7,231,926 does not really reflect how large the space would have to be to avoid this problem.) Such a large space, 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 on the grooming brush part, which can be distracting to the user or interfere with the application process. The applicator design of US 7,231,926 also has other shortcomings, which we now discuss.

The way the application brush part (3) is assembled into the fixation bracket (40) means that the bristles of the application part (7) cannot extend to the distal tip of the applicator. This is a real disadvantage when it comes to applying mascara to the lashes that are towards the inner corner of the eye.

Furthermore, to pass through the adjustment hole (42), the bristles of the application portion (7) must be relatively flexible. The fiber bristles can be flexible enough, but even that is no guarantee that the bristles will not be damaged when they are crushed together to pass through the adjustment hole. On the other hand, if the bristles of the application brush part (3) are injection molded, as disclosed in an embodiment of US 7,231,926, then they are not likely to be very flexible as they are made of the same material as the rods (2, 21) that provide structural support for the applicator. Therefore, it is certainly not clear how these stiff bristles would fit through the fitting hole 42 without breaking.

In another matter, the need to pass the application brush part (3) through the adjustment hole (42) imposes limitations on the application part (7). Application portions that have thick bristles and / or a high density of bristles would be more likely to be damaged and therefore avoided. Figure 2 of US 7,231,926 gives the clear impression that the diameter of the adjustment hole (42) is almost equal to the diameter of the braided wire rod (21), whereby the bristle portion (7) is actually squeezed .

Furthermore, as noted above, the application brush part (3) is provided with a 30 ° - 120 ° angular section (31) which is devoid of bristles. Accordingly, the angular size of the arrangement brush part (4) is limited to 30 ° - 120 °.

Furthermore, the teeth of the grooming brush part (4) radiate perpendicularly from a cylindrical surface, so that the teeth in two different columns are not parallel to each other. This does not seem to be the most effective arrangement for combing small pieces of hair like eyelashes.

Therefore, there remains a need to improve dual-function cosmetic applicators, that is, that can be used to perform both the cosmetic application function and the hair / eyelash grooming function, but without the above-described drawbacks of applicators. of the prior art.

Summary of the invention

The invention relates to a molded applicator head for cosmetic applicators, as well as to a cosmetic applicator comprising the molded applicator head as disclosed herein. An applicator head for a cosmetic applicator comprises a relatively soft and flexible injection molded bristle brush portion, and a relatively hard and inflexible injection molded tooth comb portion, the comb portion is assembled into the brush portion after that each portion is molded. The assembled applicator head has a distal end that is covered with the relatively softer bristles to facilitate the application of mascara to those lashes that are close to the inner corner of the eye. Together, the brush portion and the comb portion are filled and the angular sector 360 °. The brush portion fills an angular sector of 180 ° -200 °, while the comb portion fills an angular sector of 160 ° - 180 °, which is significantly larger than the 30 ° - 120 ° of the fix brush portion. (4) from US Patent 7,231,926. In a preferred embodiment, this larger comb portion allows two or more columns of teeth to be arranged parallel to each other, which makes the comb more efficient. The method of snapping the comb portion into the brush portion eliminates the need for a gap between the comb portions and the brush, along with any unwanted play, so that the comb portion cannot slip back and forth relative to the 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 in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 5A and 5B depict an embodiment of a brush portion of an applicator head in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 6A and 6B depict one embodiment of a comb portion of an applicator head in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 7A and 7B depict a second embodiment of a comb portion of an applicator head in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 8A and 8B show the portion of a comb that is assembled into a brush portion.

Figures 9 and 10 show two embodiments of applicator heads assembled in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description

Referring to Figures 4A and 4B, a mascara applicator according to the present invention comprises a handle (11), an extended wand (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 to engage a threaded container. The extended rod engages and relies on an internal surface of the handle, and the applicator head relies on the distal end (12a) of the rod. For example, the rod may be hollow, and capable of receiving the stem (14a) of the applicator head itself. The stem can be retained on the rod by adhesive, welding, friction fit, press fit, threaded fit, or any other suitable means of retention. An applicator head according to the present invention has two main parts: the brush portion (14) and the comb portion (15).

Brush portion

Referring to Figures 5A and 5B, the brush portion (14) comprises a stem (14a) and a main body (14f). The stem can be formed as a generally cylindrical member having proximal (14b) and distal (14c) ends, and a hollow space (14d) that opens toward the distal end of the stem, and into the side wall (14e) of the stem. The side wall of the stem is devoid of bristles or other brushing features, and is generally smooth, so that the stem is capable of being attached to the distal end (12a) of the stem (12), as described above.

The main body (14f) comprises an approximately semi-cylindrical member (14g), an open proximal end (14h) and a closed distal end (14i). The semi-cylindrical member (14g) defines a hollow space (14j) that connects to the open proximal end (14h) and to a slot (14k) located in the closed distal end (14i) of the main body (see Figure 8A). The open proximal end (14h) is integrally molded to the open distal end (14c) of the stem (14a), so 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 total of 360 ° around the longitudinal axis A-A, while the proximal end (14h) can occupy between approximately 200 ° and 270 °. Furthermore, the semi-cylindrical member (14g) can taper towards the closed distal end (14i). The outer surface of the semi-cylindrical member exhibits a multitude of 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 be comprised of bristles.

Preferably, the bristles (141) of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) are regularly arranged in columns (14p) extending down the semi-cylindrical member, parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the main body (14f). Each bristle column may typically comprise 5 to 50 bristles, preferably 10 to 40, more preferably 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 4 to 10 bristle columns. More preferred are 7, 8 or 9 bristle columns. For example, in Figure 5B, the main body semi-cylindrical member 14f has 9 columns of bristles extending longitudinally along the semi-cylindrical member. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the bristles 141 of the semi-cylindrical member are regularly arranged in rows, each row lying on a circumference of the semi-cylindrical member, in a plane 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 the single column bristles are parallel to each other. The distal end bristles (14i) of the main body extend in various directions. The bristles can comprise flat and / or rounded portions, and the horizontal cross-section of the bristles can be any conceivable shape, only limited by the ability to mold the main body. However, bristles that have a horizontal cross-section that is shaped like a circular segment having an arc ranging from about 160 ° to no more than 180 ° are preferred, and the radius of which decreases as it moves from base to base. tip. Such bristles have a semi-conical profile made up of a flat face and a curved face. Preferably, the bristles would have a rounded tip. The remainder of each bristle may have one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, or both on the curved face of the semi-conical bristle, while the flat face does not have such characteristics. Preferably, each semi-conical bristle has at least two depressions and / or protrusions located on its curved surface. The manufacture of such bristles is described in US 9,326,590. Furthermore, 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 is described in US 9,326,584. As can be seen in Figure 5B, the bristles of the brush portion (14) do not have to all be the same height.

Comb portion

Referring to Figures 6A and 6B, the comb portion (15) comprises a base (15a) having a proximal end (15b) and a distal end (15c). Preferably the base is cylindrical, as shown. Integrally molded to the cylindrical base is a platform (15d) that supports a multitude of teeth (15e). The cylindrical base is longer than the platform, and the proximal and distal ends of the cylindrical base extend beyond the ends of the platform.

Preferably, the teeth (15e) of the platform (15d) are regularly arranged in columns (15p) extending across the platform, parallel to the longitudinal axis (BB) of the platform. Each tooth column may typically comprise 5 to 50 teeth, preferably 10 to 40, more preferably 20 to 35 teeth. For example, the platform of Figure 6A has 24 or 25 teeth in a longitudinal column. The platform may preferably comprise 1 to 8 columns of teeth. More preferred are 4 to 7 tooth columns. For example, in Figure 6B, the platform (15d) has 7 columns of teeth extending longitudinally along the platform, while in Figure 7B the number of columns of teeth is 5. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments , the platform teeth (15e) are regularly arranged in rows across the platform, in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the platform.

In Figures 6A and 6B, the platform (15d) is semi-cylindrical, occupying an angular space of approximately 160 ° - 180 °. The teeth 15e of the platform 15d typically extend radially from the surface of the platform, and all the teeth in a single column are parallel to each other, while the adjacent columns are oriented at an angle to each other. In some embodiments of the invention, however, the platform shown in Figures 7A and 7B is preferred. Here, the platform (15d) has curved side walls (15g) and a flat portion (15h), which we can call the upper part of the platform. Despite its flat top, this platform also occupies an angular space of approximately 160 ° - 180 °. Because the portion (15h) of the platform is flat, all the teeth (15e) emerging from this portion of the platform are parallel to each other, while the teeth (15e ') that are on the curved side walls extend at some other angle. The flat top surface means that the rows of teeth will be parallel to each other, making the comb portion a much more effective comb than it would be otherwise. But this parallel arrangement of teeth would not be possible, or would be significantly more difficult and expensive to implement if the angular space occupied by the comb portion were limited to 30 ° to 120 °, as in US Patent 7,231,926, which does not disclose nor does it suggest parallel rows of teeth in the comb portion (that is, in the grooming brush portion). There simply wouldn't be enough room at the top of the deck to arrange multiple rows of parallel tapered teeth. Preferably, an applicator head according to the present invention will have a comb section having at least two columns of teeth that are parallel to each other, more preferred are three columns of teeth that are parallel to each other.

The teeth (15e, 15e ') of the comb portion (15) may comprise flat and / or rounded portions, and the horizontal cross-section of the teeth may be of any conceivable shape, only limited by the ability to mold the main body. . Preferred, however, are tapered teeth that are generally free of any surface features, providing effective combing action. As can be seen in Figure 6B the teeth of the comb portion do not have to all be the same height.

The assembled applicator

The brush and comb portions are molded separately and subsequently assembled. Exemplary materials that can be used in the present invention to mold the brush portion (14) and / or the comb portion (15) include, but are not limited to: silicone elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers (such as, for example, copolymer styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block - SEBS), vinyl elastomers (EVA), thermoplastic polyester elastomers (Hytrel® from Dupont de Nemours), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (Pellethane® from Dow Plastic), Nitrile, and EPDM . The hardness of the chosen material preferably ranges from about 35 MPa (35 shore D Hytrel® from Dupont de Nemours) to about 1180 MPa (82 shore D Hytrel®). Harder and less flexible materials will be more suitable for the comb portion, and softer and more flexible materials will be more suitable for the brush portion. Therefore, when measured with the same type of durometer, the material from which the brush portion (14) is molded will measure a hardness that is less than the material from which the comb portion (15) is molded.

As noted above, the proximal (15b) and distal (15c) ends of the cylindrical base (15a) of the comb portion extend beyond the ends of the platform (15d). Referring to Figure 8A, the first step in assembling the comb portion (15) to the brush portion (14) is to insert the distal end (15c) of the comb portion into the groove (14k) of the brush portion. . Then, as shown in Figure 8B, the cylindrical base (15a) is brought into the hollow space (14j) of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) of the brush portion (14), and the proximal end (15b) of the brush portion (14). Comb rests in the hollow space (14d) of the stem (14a). Two embodiments of the fully assembled applicator head are shown in Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is an embodiment in which the platform (15d) is semi-cylindrical. Figure 10 is the most preferred embodiment in which the platform has curved side walls (15g), and a flat top (15h) that supports 3 parallel columns (15p) of teeth (15e). In order to ensure that the comb portion remains in the brush portion, the hollow space (14d) of the stem (14a) may be provided with one or more flexible tabs (14m) that allow the proximal end (15b) of the comb portion (15) is forced into the hollow space of the stem, but avoiding its accidental removal from it. Once the applicator head is assembled, the stem (14a) of the 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 brush portion is parallel to the longitudinal axis (B-B) of the comb portion. Together, the brush portion (14) and the comb portion (15) are filled and the angular sector 360 °. The brush portion fills an angular sector of 180 ° - 200 °, while the comb portion fills an angular sector of 160 ° - 180 °, which is significantly larger than the 30 ° - 120 ° of the fix brush portion. (4) from US Patent 7,231,926. The larger angular size of the comb portion provides better brushing of the lashes, especially the curled ones.

The distal end (14i) of the assembled applicator is covered with the relatively softer bristles to facilitate the application of mascara to those lashes that are close to the inner corner of the eye. This feature is also lacking in the applicator of US Patent 7,231,926, which does not have bristles at its distal end.

Furthermore, due to the presence of the hollow space (14d) in the side wall (14e) of the stem, we were able to make the length of the platform (15d) equal (within molding tolerances) to the length of the hollow space ( 14j) from the main body (14f), which is preferred because any space between the brush and comb portions is eliminated. Also, the comb portion will not be able to slide back and forth on the brush portion.

Claims (11)

A cosmetic applicator head (13) comprising a molded brush portion (14) and a molded comb portion (15) characterized in that; The brush portion (14) comprises: a stem (14a) having: a proximal end (14b); a distal end (14c); Y a hollow space (14d) that opens onto the distal end of the stem and onto a side wall (14e) of the stem; a main body (14f) that has: an open proximal end (14h) connecting to the distal end (14c) of the stem (14a); a closed distal end (14i) having a slot (14k); a semi-cylindrical member (14g) defining a hollow space (14j), such that the hollow space (14j) of the main body is contiguous with the hollow space (14d) of the stem; in which: the semi-cylindrical member (14g) occupies an angular space of approximately 180 ° - 200 °; The outer surface of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) exhibits a multitude of bristles (141), as does the closed distal end (14i) of the main body; Y the side wall (14e) of the stem (14a) is devoid of bristles; Y The comb portion (15) comprises: a base (15a) that has: a proximal end (15b); Y a distal end (15c); a platform (15d) that is integrally molded to the base (15a) and supports a multitude of teeth (15e); in which: the proximal (15b) and distal (15c) ends of the base (15a) extend beyond the ends of the platform (15d); the platform (15d) occupies an angular space of approximately 160 ° - 180 °; the distal end (15c) of the comb portion (15) rests in the groove (14k) of the brush portion (14); the platform (15d) of the comb portion (15) rests in the hollow space (14j) of the brush portion (14); and the proximal end (15b) of the comb portion (15) rests in the hollow space (14d) of the brush portion (14). The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the bristles (141) of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) are arranged in columns (14p), having 4 to 10 columns, each column having 5 to 50 sows. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 2 wherein the teeth (15e) of the platform (15d) are arranged in columns (15p), having 1 to 8 columns, each column having 5 to 50 teeth. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 3 wherein the platform (15d) is semi-cylindrical, and occupies an angular space of approximately 160 ° - 180 °. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 3 wherein the platform (15d) has a flat portion (15h), such that all of the teeth (15e) emerging from the flat portion are parallel to each other. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 3 wherein the teeth (15e) of the comb portion (15) are not all the same height. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the closed distal end (14i) of the brush portion (14) has a multitude of bristles (141). The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the material from which the brush portion (14) is molded measures a hardness that is less than the material from which the comb portion is molded ( fifteen). The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the hollow space (14d) of the stem (14a) is provided with one or more flexible tabs (14m) that allow the proximal end (15b) of the comb portion (15) is forced into the hollow space of the stem, but preventing its accidental removal from it. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the length of the platform (15d) is equal to the length of the hollow space (14j) of the main body (14f). A cosmetic applicator comprising a handle (11), an extended wand (12) and an applicator head (13) according to claim 1 depending on the distal end (12a) of the wand.