Cosmetic Applicator Assembly

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator assembly, which includes a polymeric brush and a twisted wire brush. Specifically, the polymeric brush comprises an elongated polymeric core and multiple polymeric tines protruding from the elongated polymeric core. The elongated polymeric core comprises a first polymeric material of a first tensile modulus, while at least some of the polymeric tines comprise a second polymeric material of a second tensile modulus that is smaller than the first tensile modulus. The twisted wire brush comprises a metal wire core and multiple bristles protruding from the metal wire core. The elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush is complementarily engaged with at least a portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush to form the cosmetic applicator assembly. The polymeric brush of the present invention is preferably formed by a bi-injection molding process.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to applicators for applying cosmetics to human hairs or eyelashes, and specifically to a cosmetic applicator assembly that includes a bi-injection molded polymeric brush complementarily engaged with a twisted wire brush. More specifically, the bi-injection molded polymeric brush of the present invention comprises an elongated polymeric core formed of a first, relatively stiffer polymeric material and multiple protruding polymeric tines formed of a second, relatively softer polymeric material.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]A cosmetic brush is typically used for applying cosmetic (e.g., mascara and the like) to an application area, e.g., a user's hairs or eyelashes. Such a cosmetic brush can also be used for separating hairs or eyelashes and removing excess cosmetic therefrom.[0003]One common type of cosmetic brush includes a twisted wire brush formed by first folding a single metallic wire into a generally U-shaped configura...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The integrated cosmetic applicator assembly of the present invention can be used to effectively perform both the application function and the doctoring / arrangement function. The twisted wire brush with relatively soft bristles is useful for applying a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic product (e.g., mascara) to human hairs or eyelashes, while the polymeric brush with relatively stiff tines (in comparison with the bristles of the twisted wire brush) is useful for subsequent separation and arrangement of such hairs or eyelashes. Alternatively, the polymeric brush may comprise relatively soft tines useful for applying the cosmetic product to human hairs or eyelashes, while the twisted wire brush may comprise relative stiff bristles useful for subsequent separation and arrangement of the hairs or eyelashes. More importantly, by forming at least some of the protruding tines of the polymeric brush with a polymeric material (i.e., the second polymeric material) relatively softer than the polymeric material used for forming the core of the polymeric brush (i.e., the first polymeric material), the polymeric brush achieves a much better grip on the hairs or eyelashes, while the core of the polymeric brush can continue to provide the required structural support so that the polymeric brush of the present invention can still retain its overall shape during the doctoring / arrangement step, without significant bending or distortion.

Problems solved by technology

However, the mascara-coated hairs or eyelashes have a tendency to stick to one another and form unaesthetic clumps.

The above-described twisted wire brushes with soft bristles, although effective in applying mascara onto the hairs or eyelashes, cannot sufficiently separate the clumped hairs or eyelashes from one another.

However, the teeth of the comb, when formed of the same hard polymer, may be too stiff or rigid that they lose grip on the hairs or eyelashes and are not able to get between the clumped hairs or eyelashes.

Correspondingly, combs of the prior art integrated cosmetic applicators described hereinabove may not be effective in separating the clumped hairs or eyelashes.

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