applicator

Abstract

Applicator for applying cosmetic or pharmaceutical products which consists of a - preferably rod-shaped, ideally essentially cylindrical or conical - bristle carrier which extends along a longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier and is covered with bristles, characterized in that the bristle carrier has at least one longitudinal row of humps arranged in a straight line and / or helically one behind the other along the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier - preferably all essentially identical - each of which carries at least one, preferably several, bristles.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an applicator for applying cosmetic or pharmaceutical products according to the generic term of claim 1.TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Applicators are typically used for the application of cosmetic or pharmaceutical products. These usually comprise an applicator element and a handle or grip. The applicator element is used to pick up the product to be applied from a corresponding container and transport it to the desired application site.

[0003] If the applicator or applicator element is equipped with bristles, the applicator element is also referred to as the bristle carrier. The handle of such applicators either merges integrally into the applicator element or the bristle carrier or can be connected to it via a corresponding coupling section of the applicator element.

[0004] In order to apply the product to be applied to the bristle carrier and the bristles, it is immersed in a container holding the product to be applied. A certain amount of the product to be applied is deposited on the outer circumferential surface of the bristle carrier and the bristles and remains there as a result of friction and / or capillary effects even after the applicator is removed from the container and wiped. The product to be applied is then dispensed and distributed at the application site by bringing the bristle carrier into contact with the application site using dabbing, brushing and / or rotating movements.STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Applicators are often equipped with bristles. This applies in particular to applicators that are used to apply cosmetic products such as mascara. The bristles then take on a kind of comb function and are used to penetrate into fine spaces in the structure of the application area. For example, the applicators used to apply mascara must also be suitable for spreading mascara in the spaces between the individual lashes.

[0006] One problem with such applicators is that an excessive amount of product to be applied may be applied to the application site. As a result of friction and / or capillary effects, an increased amount of product to be applied may accumulate between the individual bristles while the applicator is immersed in the container with the product to be applied and remain there even after the applicator has been removed from the container. These localised accumulations of the product to be applied may then also be released as a whole to the application site, so that localised accumulations (agglomerates) of the product to be applied also accumulate at the application site. Such lump-like agglomerates are in many cases highly undesirable when applying cosmetic products such as mascara, for example, as they have a negative effect on the make-up result.

[0007] To prevent this problem, the applicators are typically moved along a wiper lip provided on the container during removal from the container. This removes the agglomerates accumulated between the bristles so that the surface of the applicator element and the bristles is only wetted with a thin layer of the product to be applied. However, wiping in turn leads to the disadvantageous effect that only a small amount of product to be applied can be transported from the container to the application site. Accordingly, the applicator may have to be dipped into the container several times and guided repeatedly to the application site. This results in increased time expenditure. If the applicator is dipped back into the container with the product to be applied after it has already come into contact with the application site, this also harbours the risk of contamination of the product in the container with germs or dirt particles.THE PROBLEM UNDERLYING THE INVENTION

[0008] In view of this, it is the task of the invention to provide an applicator with which, on the one hand, a larger quantity of product to be applied can be transported to the application site and, at the same time, the risk of lump formation at the application site can be minimised.THE SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

[0009] According to the invention, this problem is solved with the features of the main claim directed to the applicator.

[0010] Accordingly, the problem is solved with an applicator for applying cosmetic or pharmaceutical products. The applicator consists of a bristle carrier which extends along a longitudinal axis and is covered with bristles. The bristle carrier is preferably rod-shaped, ideally essentially cylindrical or conical. The applicator is characterized by the fact that the bristle carrier has at least one longitudinal row of humps arranged in a straight line or helically one behind the other along the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier. Preferably, the humps are all identical or essentially identical. In most cases each of the humps bears at least one bristle. Preferably, each hump carries several bristles.

[0011] The humps provided in addition to the bristles on the bristle carrier form free spaces between them. These free spaces serve as mass accumulators in which a larger quantity of the product to be applied can accumulate while the applicator is immersed in the container storing the product to be applied. As the wiper lip is at least partially prevented by the humps from wiping off the product located in the free spaces between the humps, a considerable proportion of the product located in the free spaces remains in the mass accumulators formed in this way even after the applicator has been removed from the container. By dipping the applicator once into the container, the applicator can therefore be loaded with a relatively large amount of product to be applied, depending on the number, arrangement and height of the humps. The product collected on and between the bristles, on the other hand, is wiped off on the wiper lip so that there are no more agglomerates of the product to be applied at the free ends of the bristles. This means that only a thin layer of the product to be applied remains on the surface of the free ends of the bristles.

[0012] If the bristle carrier is now brought into contact with the application site, the product present as a thin layer on the surface of the bristles can first be distributed. If a larger quantity of the product is to be applied, the bristle carrier can be brought to the application site in such a way that it is in contact with the application site in the area of one or more of the mass accumulators described above. This releases the product held in the mass accumulators to the application site. Depending on the viscosity of the product, the bristle carrier may have to be slightly elastically deformed for this purpose.

[0013] Such a design can therefore prevent the formation of agglomerates between the bristles. The unwanted release of an excessive amount of the product to be applied to the application site is thus prevented. At the same time, however, a larger quantity of the product to be applied can be applied to the applicator, which in turn can be dispensed in a targeted manner and then distributed with the aid of the bristles. Ideally, it is therefore not necessary to dip the applicator into the container several times.

[0014] The most simple embodiment of the invention is for this purpose a 1-K-applictor i.e. an applicator having an applicator core, humps and bristles which are all made from one single plastic material.

[0015] The "product to be applied" refers to cosmetic or pharmaceutical products such as creams, ointments, make-up and in particular mascara.

[0016] The "bristle carrier" of the applicator is the part of the applicator on which the bristles are provided and with which the application and distribution of the product to be applied is accomplished.

[0017] The "bristle carrier longitudinal axis" is the axis that runs in the direction from the end of the bristle carrier facing the handle of the applicator towards the free end of the bristle carrier.

[0018] A "rod-shaped" bristle carrier is a bristle carrier whose average diameter in the direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier is smaller than the extension of the bristle carrier in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier. Ideally, the extension of the rod-shaped bristle carrier in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier is at least a factor of 3 greater than the average extension of the bristle carrier in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier.

[0019] A "longitudinal row" is a "row" that runs essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier. In this context, "essentially" in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis also includes a helical course around the longitudinal axis. A "row" means a sequence of at least three humps.

[0020] A "hump" is a localised elevation in the outer circumferential surface of the bristle carrier, so that a hump is a part of the bristle carrier.

[0021] A "hump" can be made of one single plastic material. This is not only but in particular the case if the applicator is built as a 1-k-applicator. Alternatively, it can be made of two different plastic materials in case that the applicator consists of a core made of a first plastic material which is partially or fully overmoulded with a second plastic material - coating for example the bases of the humps and forming the bristles.

[0022] The applicator can comprise humps made of different plastic materials

[0023] For that purpose, the bristle carrier can (in the sense of a preferred embodiment) be grooved. The said grooves can then later be filled with a second plastic material preferably forming an overmoulding. This allows the flexibility of the applicator core to be tuned within a wide range. If the said groves have a sufficient extension in circumferential direction, it is also possible to form humps that carry bristles which are made altogether with the humps from the overmoulding material. That means that the inventive applicator can (in the sense of a preferred option) comprise humps made of different plastic materials.

[0024] At this point it has to be said that the term "groove" refers to a recess in the area of the section of the bristle carrier made from the first plastic, which can have any geometry. With other words: In the case of production using a moulding process, the groove is the area in which a mould core is located during the filling or injection of the first plastic.

[0025] A hump "carries" a bristle if the bristle merges into the bristle carrier in the area of the hump or is connected to the bristle carrier in the area of the hump.PREFERRED DESIGN OPTIONS

[0026] There are a number of ways in which the invention can be designed to further improve its effectiveness or usefulness.

[0027] It is therefore particularly preferable that the humps of (seen in circumferential direction) immediately neighbouring longitudinal rows partially overlap, so that one hump of a longitudinal row is located in the space between two successive humps of the immediately neighbouring longitudinal row.

[0028] This additionally prevents the wiper lip from penetrating into the free spaces between the humps during the wiping of the bristle carrier on the wiper. This arrangement of the humps ensures that a larger quantity of the product to be applied remains in the mass storage of the bristle carrier and can be transported to the application site. The amount of product that can be stored on the bristle carrier is thus increased.

[0029] Two longitudinal rows are "neighbouring" if one of them follows the other when viewed in (or against) the circumferential direction of the bristle carrier.

[0030] A hump of a longitudinal row "stands in the space between two successive humps" of another longitudinal row if the space between two successive humps of a first longitudinal row and the hump "standing in" the longitudinal row following the first longitudinal row are at least partially at the same height in the direction along the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier. It is conceivable, but not necessary, that an (imaginary) plane, in which the longitudinal axis of the applicator lies, partially intersects the humps of the first longitudinal row and the humps of the second longitudinal row.

[0031] In a further preferred embodiment, the humps form at least one, preferably several, circumferential rings. The circumferential rings consist of humps arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the bristle carrier.

[0032] Ideally, the circumferential rings are formed by providing so many longitudinal rows consisting of humps arranged one behind the other that the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier is enclosed in a circle by several humps in the area of a circumferential ring. There can be a free space between the individual humps of a circumferential ring.

[0033] This ensures that mass accumulators are provided at predominantly regular intervals along the entire outer circumferential surface. This means that the same application result can always be achieved regardless of the outer circumferential surface section with which the bristle carrier is brought to the application site.

[0034] In a further preferred embodiment, the humps of immediately neighbouring circumferential rings partially overlap because one hump of a circumferential ring is located in the space between two successive humps of the immediately neighbouring circumferential ring.

[0035] This prevents the wiper even more from removing the mass from the spaces between the humps. The mass storage effect of the bristle carrier is therefore increased.

[0036] A hump of a circumferential ring "stands in the space between two successive humps" of the immediately neighbouring circumferential ring if the space between two successive humps of one circumferential ring and the "standing" hump of the neighbouring circumferential ring are at least partially at the same height in the circumferential direction of the bristle carrier. It is conceivable, but not necessary, that an (imaginary) plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier partially intersects the humps of the first circumferential ring and the humps of the immediately neighbouring circumferential ring.

[0037] Ideally, a hump is a structure that protrudes from the residual bristle carrier at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the applicator. From the apex of the hump, a hump is essentially convex on all sides or, more rarely, straight down to the residual bristle carrier.

[0038] This essentially convex, sometimes "turtle-like" design prevents the wiper lip from colliding with the hump too abruptly as the bristle carrier moves along the wiper. This counteracts any jerking of the applicator during wiping and makes it easier to pull the applicator out of the container or to wipe off the excess product. With other words one can say that a hump may be a fully rounded or even "turtle shell-like" elevation. Alternatively, a hump may be a polygonal structure, for example like a half soccer (German "Fußball") or like a cap cut off a soccer.

[0039] The term "residual bristle carrier" describes the area of the bristle carrier minus the area of the "foot" of the bristles and the hump.

[0040] Preferably, a hump is a structure that essentially corresponds to a spherical cap, a lenticular cap, an ovoid cap, an ovaloid cap or an ellipsoid cap, which fits snugly against the bristle carrier. Preferably, the spherical cap merges into the bristle carrier along a non-planar joint line. The joint line can have a continuously curved shape or it can have itself a polygonal shape, for example like a three dimensionally warped pentagon hexagon, or octagon and so on.

[0041] As a result, the humps slide particularly well along the wiper when the applicator is pulled out, so that jerking can be avoided as far as possible when pulling out and pulling out is smoother.

[0042] A "spherical cap" is the section of a sphere that is formed by cutting off a sphere along a flat or curved surface, whereby in the present case the cut surface is formed by the outer circumferential surface of the residual bristle carrier and the section of the sphere projecting beyond the residual bristle carrier forms the spherical cap.

[0043] A "lens cap" is the portion of a lens formed by cutting off a lens along a flat or curved surface, in the present case the cut surface being formed by the outer peripheral surface of the residual bristle carrier and the portion of the lens projecting beyond the residual bristle carrier forming the lens cap. A "lens" is a body comprising two opposing surfaces, at least one of which is convex or concave.

[0044] An "ovoid calotte" is the section of an ovoid that is created by cutting off an ovoid along a flat or curved surface, whereby in the present case the cut surface is formed by the outer circumferential surface of the residual bristle carrier and the section of the ovoid that protrudes beyond the residual bristle carrier forms the ovoid calotte. An ovoid is a three-dimensional body with an oval cross-section. An oval is a cornerless figure with two opposing mirror-symmetrical radii and two further opposing radii, one of which is larger than the other.

[0045] An "ovaloid calotte" is the section of an ovaloid formed by cutting off an ovaloid along a flat or curved surface, whereby in the present case the cut surface is formed by the outer circumferential surface of the residual bristle carrier and the section of the ovaloid projecting beyond the residual bristle carrier forms the ovaloid calotte. An ovaloid is a body that is formed by rotating a symmetrical ellipse around its transverse axis, whereby the transverse axis is the axis along which the smallest diameter of the ellipse runs.

[0046] An "ellipsoidal calotte" is the section of an ellipsoid formed by cutting off an ellipsoid along a flat or curved surface, whereby in the present case the cut surface is formed by the outer circumferential surface of the residual bristle carrier and the section of the ellipsoid projecting beyond the residual bristle carrier forms the ellipsoidal calotte. An ellipsoid is a body formed by rotating a symmetrical ellipse around its longitudinal axis, whereby the longitudinal axis is the axis along which the largest diameter of the ellipse runs.

[0047] The "joint line" is the line along which two components (in this case the calotte and the residual bristle carrier) are connected to each other, adjoin each other or merge into each other.

[0048] In a further preferred embodiment, at least the majority of the humps cover (each) a maximum of 29.5 mm 2< of the outer surface of the residual bristle carrier. More preferably, at least the predominant portion of the humps only covers (each) a maximum of 7.5 mm 2< of the outer surface of the residual bristle carrier. And ideally, at least the majority of the humps only cover (each) a maximum of 3.5 mm 2< of the outer surface of the residual bristle carrier.

[0049] This ensures that there is sufficient free space between the humps that can be used as mass storage.

[0050] Ideally, the apex of each hump should protrude a maximum of 0.9 mm, preferably only a maximum of 0.6 mm, ideally a maximum of only 0.35 mm at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the bristle carrier above the residual bristle carrier.

[0051] Such a height of the hump is low enough to ensure that the wiping of the applicator along the wiper lip is not too difficult, as the wiper lip does not have to overcome too much resistance. At the same time, the height is sufficient to achieve a certain volume of storable product in the free spaces. Such a height therefore represents an ideal compromise between comfortable handling of the applicator and high functionality.

[0052] Preferably, several bristles protrude from each hump.

[0053] Preferably, the bristles protrude as a fan of bristles arranged in a row one behind the other. Ideally, this is a longitudinal row.

[0054] The fan-like arrangement of the bristles on each hump enables a new type of application behaviour. In this embodiment, the choice of the angle at which the bristle carrier is brought to the application site during application determines which and how many bristles are brought into contact with the application site. The quantity of bristles brought into contact with the application site in turn determines the degree of fineness of the distribution of the product to be applied.

[0055] The bristles "stand out as a fan" if each bristle of a bristle row located on a hump is essentially the same length, but the end of the bristles facing away from the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier at the beginning and end of the respective row is less far away from the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier than the end of the bristles facing away from the bristle carrier in the centre of the respective row due to the ideally curved surface of the hump. Ideally, the centre bristles of such a fan are aligned orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier.

[0056] In a further preferred embodiment, bristles also protrude from areas of the applicator core that are located between the humps. The total number of such bristles is preferably less than the total number of bristles protruding from the humps. In addition, the length of these bristles is ideally greater than the length of the bristles protruding from the humps.

[0057] The increased total number of bristles on the bristle carrier makes it easier to distribute the product to be applied in the spaces between the application area, such as between individual eyelashes.

[0058] The term "applicator core" is used synonymously for bristle carrier.

[0059] Ideally, a number of the humps is made of a first plastic material, while the remaining humps are made of a second plastic material.

[0060] For example, part of the hump can be made of a rubbery-elastomeric material and form a soft anchoring and thus a kind of joint on the bristle base. This makes the bristles equipped with such a joint significantly more mobile and adapt to unevenness in the application site, while the bristles without such a joint are significantly more rigid.

[0061] Preferably, an inventive applicator carries humps (and bristles belonging thereto) made of a first plastic material and humps and (and bristles belonging thereto) which are made of or under participation of another plastic material.

[0062] This allows the bending behaviour of the bristles and the bristle carrier as a whole to be specifically influenced depending on the area of application of the applicator. For example, if the bristles are to be as flexible as possible in order to adapt ideally to the application site, a material that is as flexible as possible can be selected for the bristles. At the same time, however, it may be necessary for the bristle carrier to be as stiff as possible, e.g. for high precision during application, in order to prevent unwanted movements. Similarly, areas of application are also conceivable in which the stiffest possible bristles are advantageous. For example, in order to be able to penetrate gaps such as the spaces between the eyelashes, while the bristle carrier should be as elastic as possible in order to adapt as well as possible to the basic geometry of the application site (e.g. the shape of the eyelashes).

[0063] It is a preferred option to manufacture the inventive applicator as follows: In a first step a fully or partially developed bristle carrier is produced (preferably by injection moulding) which carries on its outer circumferential surface fully or partially developed humps or a field of fully or partially developed humps and which may optionally still show grooves to be filled. Such an applicator core can then already have a raspberry like surface structure, preferably.

[0064] In a second step the fully or partially developed bristle carrier is overmoulded so as to be completed. One option is to partially or fully overmould the bristle carrier that way that its humps are completed by the second plastic material and are equipped with bristles now. Another or an additional option is to overmould the grooves of the bristle carrier completing it that way. Thereby one has the option (if the grooves are broad enough) to mould in the area of the former grooves additional humps (and bristles belonging thereto) which consist solely from the second plastic material.

[0065] Depending on the choice of plastics used, the bristle carrier then has areas with different material properties that can be utilised in a targeted manner. For example, a plastic with particularly high flexural rigidity can be selected for the applicator core. For the other part, on the other hand, a plastic with particularly low flexural rigidity can be selected. If the bristle carrier is to adapt to the application site during application, it is brought to the application site with the area formed by the more flexible plastic. If, on the other hand, the bristle carrier should not adapt to the application site, the area of the applicator with the less flexible plastic can be used.

[0066] Such an embodiment can be produced, for example, by manufacturing the bristle carrier using injection moulding technology. In this case, a first plastic is first injected into the injection mould, while part of the injection mould is covered by a casting core. The casting core is then removed and the second plastic is injected into the injection mould.

[0067] This ensures that the area of the bristle carrier formed by the second plastic forms a sufficiently large section of the bristle carrier and can be used for applying and distributing the product.FIGURE LIST

[0068] Fig. 1 shows an isometric view of a bristle carrier according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a bristle carrier according to the invention in a first side view. Fig. 3 shows a bristle carrier according to the invention in a second side view. Fig. 4 shows a front view of a bristle carrier according to the invention. PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0069] The mode of operation of the invention is explained by way of example with reference to Figs. 1-4.

[0070] Generally, one can say that the area of the applicator carrying the humps gives a raspberry-like outer appearance. For reasons of clarity, the bristles 7 and the humps 3 in Figs. 1-4 are only provided with reference signs by way of example and not completely.

[0071] Also, only three of the longitudinal rows 4 are labelled with reference signs. The same applies to the circumferential rings 5. The compartments 8 consisting of several bristles 7 arranged one behind the other are also only provided with reference signs by way of example.

[0072] The structure of the applicator 1 is explained below.

[0073] The applicator 1 comprises a bristle carrier 2 and a handle not shown. The handle and the bristle carrier 2 are connected to each other via the coupling section 9 of the bristle carrier 2. The connection is made via a plug-in connection. A groove 10 is provided in the coupling section 9 for the positive fit required for this.

[0074] In addition to its coupling section 9, the bristle carrier 2 comprises a section equipped with bristles 7 and humps 3.

[0075] Each hump 3 has the shape of a spherical cap, which merges integrally into the residual bristle carrier 2 at its respective joint line 6. In total, the bristle carrier 2 is fitted with ten neighbouring longitudinal rows 4 of humps 3 arranged one behind the other. Each longitudinal row 4 consists of or at least of five or six identical humps 3, which are arranged at regular intervals one behind the other in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier 2. There is a certain amount of free space between the individual humps 3 of a longitudinal row 4. The free spaces thus formed serve as mass storage for the product to be applied. In other configurations neighbouring humps are at least partially in contact with one another, not shown by Figs. here.

[0076] Back to the preferred embodiment: The humps 3 of (circumferentially) directly neighbouring longitudinal rows 4 are offset from one another in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier 2 in such a way that, in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier 2, they are each at the level of the free space between the humps 3 of the neighbouring longitudinal row 4.

[0077] Since the n th< hump 3 of each second longitudinal row 4 is at the same height in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier 2, the n th< hump of each second longitudinal row 4 forms a circumferential ring 5. A circumferential ring 5 thus consists of five humps 3 arranged one behind the other at equal intervals in the circumferential direction of the bristle carrier 2. The "n" in the description of the "n th< " hump 3 represents a variable for the sequence of a hump in its longitudinal row 4.

[0078] Preferably five bristles 7 are provided on each hump 3, sometimes also more like 6, 8 or up to 10 can be provided on a hump 3. The preferably five bristles 7 of a hump 3 are arranged in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier 2, evenly spaced one behind the other. The longitudinal axes of the bristles 7 arranged on a hump 3 are preferably all located in a (hypothetical) plane which divides the respective hump into two symmetrical halves and in which the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier 2 also lies. In addition, the bristles 7 merge integrally into the respective hump 3. Since the bristles 7 arranged on a hump 3 are each approximately the same length, but the respective transition of the bristles 7 into the boss 3 is at different distances from the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier 2 due to the partial spherical shape of the hump 3, the five bristles 7 located on a hump 3 are arranged like a fan.

[0079] In addition to the bristles 7 provided on the humps 3, bristles 7 can also be provided in the free spaces between the individual humps 3 - also independently from the rest of this embodiment.

[0080] Several bristles 7 are also provided at the free end of the bristle carrier 2 remote from the coupling section 9 of the bristle carrier 2, where there are no humps 3. The longitudinal axes of the bristles 7 located there run orthogonally to the outer circumferential surface of the bristle carrier 2.

[0081] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-4, the area of the bristle carrier 2 equipped with bristles 7 and protrusions 3 consists of an inner core surrounded by an outer layer. The inner core is made of a different plastic than the outer layer surrounding the inner core. The outer layer, in turn, is part of each hump 3 coated with it and forms the bristles 7 (2-k applicator). However, it is also conceivable that the bristle carrier 2 consists of a continuous (solid) material (1-k applicator). It is also conceivable that a section of the bristle carrier 2, which carries or forms hump 3 and bristles 7, is made of a first material and a second section, which also forms or carries hump 3 and bristles 7, is made of a second material.

[0082] The function of the applicator 1 is explained below.

[0083] In order to apply the product to be applied to the applicator 1, the bristle carrier 2 is first immersed in a container holding the product to be applied. The product to be applied accumulates along the entire surface of the bristle carrier 2, between the bristles 7 and in the free spaces between the humps 3. As an accumulation of the product to be applied between the bristles 7 should be avoided as far as possible due to the associated risk of lumps forming at the application site, the bristle carrier 2 is then wiped off on a wiper lip. The wiper lip is ideally located on the inside of the opening of the container containing the product and surrounds the bristle carrier 2.

[0084] The inner diameter of the wiper lip of the system of the inventive applicator, a wiper and a container, is approximately twice as large as the distance between the apex of a protrusion 3 of the bristle carrier 2 and the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier 2 (in some case with a diameter tolerance of + / - 25 %). As a result of the wiping, the bristles 7 are elastically deformed and the product located between the bristles 7 is mainly removed. As a result, only a thin layer of the product to be applied adheres to the bristles 7. Since the wiper lip is (at least predominantly) prevented by the humps 3 from penetrating into the free spaces between the humps 3, the product accumulated there remains present even after wiping due to friction and / or capillary effects. The free spaces thus serve as mass accumulators in which a larger quantity of the product to be applied can be transported to the application site.

[0085] If only a very small amount of the product to be applied is to be delivered to the application site and distributed there, only the bristles 7 of the applicator 1 are brought into contact with the application site. As a result, only the product present as a thin layer on the outer surface of the bristles 7 is dispensed. If, on the other hand, a larger quantity of the product to be applied is to be dispensed, the bristle carrier 2 is pressed against the desired location in such a way that a certain elastic deformation of the humps 3 occurs. As a result of the elastic deformation of the humps 3 and the free spaces between them, the product stored in the mass accumulators is dispensed to the application site. It can then be distributed with the help of the bristles 7.MISCELLANEOUS

[0086] At time protection is also claimed for an applicator 1 for applying cosmetic or pharmaceutical products which consists of a bristle carrier 2 which extends along a longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier and is covered with bristles 7, characterized in that the bristle carrier 2 comprises a number of - preferably fully - rounded of humps carrying bristles 7, some of them or all.

[0087] Other features of the claims, the specification or the Figs. of this application may be added to improve such an applicator.

[0088] At time protection will also be sought for the use of an applicator carrying bristled humps for applying cosmetic mass or a pharmaceutical.

[0089] An applicator as described here can be characterized by the fact that it is made at least partly of recycled plastic, ideally at least partly of post-consumer plastic.LIST OF REFRENCE NUMBERS

[0090] 1Applicator 2Residual bristle carrier 3Hump 4Longitudinal row of humps arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction 5Circumferential ring consisting of humps arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction 6Impact line 7Bristle 8Fan made of several bristles 9Coupling section 10Slot in coupling section

Claims

1. Applicator (1) for applying cosmetic or pharmaceutical products which consists of a - preferably rod-shaped, ideally essentially cylindrical or conical - bristle carrier (2) which extends along a longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier and is covered with bristles (7), characterized in that the bristle carrier (2) has at least one longitudinal row (4) of humps (3) arranged in a straight line and / or helically one behind the other along the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier - preferably all essentially identical - each of which carries at least one, preferably several, bristles (7).

2. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the humps (3) of immediately adjacent longitudinal rows (4) partially overlap, because in each case one projection (3) of a longitudinal row (4) is located in the space between two successive humps (3) of the immediately adjacent longitudinal row (4).

3. Applicator (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the humps (3) form at least one, preferably several, circumferential rings (5) consisting of humps arranged one behind the other in the circumferential direction of the bristle carrier (2).

4. Applicator (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the humps (3) of immediately adjacent circumferential rings (5) partially overlap, because in each case one hump (3) of a circumferential ring (5) is located in the space between two successive humps (3) of the immediately adjacent circumferential ring (5).

5. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hump (3) is a structure which projects from the (actual) bristle carrier (2) transversely to the longitudinal axis of the applicator and slopes from its apex in a substantially convex or, more rarely, rectilinear manner on all sides towards the (actual) bristle carrier (2).

6. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hump (3) is a structure which in each case essentially corresponds to a spherical dome, a lenticular dome, an ovoid dome, an ovaloid dome or an ellipsoid dome which nestles against the bristle carrier (2) and merges into it preferably along a non-planar joint line (6) .

7. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least the majority of the humps (3) each cover a maximum of 29.5 mm2 preferably only a maximum of 7.5 mm2 of the outer surface of the bristle carrier (2) and ideally only a maximum of 3.5 mm2.

8. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the apex of each hump (3) projects beyond the bristle carrier (2) by a maximum of 0.9 mm, preferably only by a maximum of 0.6 mm, ideally only by a maximum of 0.3 mm transversely to the longitudinal direction of the bristle carrier.

9. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several bristles (7) protrude from each hump (3), preferably as fans (8) of bristles (7) arranged one behind the other in a row, ideally a longitudinal row.

10. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that bristles (7) also protrude from regions of the applicator core (2) which are located between humps (3), the total number of such bristles (7) preferably being less than the total number of bristles (7) protruding from the humps (3) and the length of these bristles (7) ideally being greater than the length of the bristles (7) protruding from the humps (3).

11. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a number of the humps (3) consist of a first plastic material and the remaining humps (3) consist of a second plastic material.

12. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a hump (3) and the bristles (7) projecting from it are made of the same plastic and / or a hump (3) and the bristles (7) projecting from it are made of different plastic.

13. Applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a part of the bristle carrier (2) consists of a uniform plastic body which forms a rod-like structure carrying plurality of partially developed humps, whereas the rodlike structure and the partially developed humps are at least partially of preferably fully coated by a second plastic material forming bristles in particular forming bristles rooted on and outwardly protruding away from the completed humps.

14. Applicator system comprising at least an applicator according to one of the preceding claims, a wiper, a storage container and a closure cap.

15. Method for producing an applicator according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that at first an applicator core carrying partially or fully developed humps is moulded while in a second step the applicator core is overmoulded partially or completely - preferably that way that it forms bristles rooting on and extending outwardly away from the that way completed humps and / or that way that grooves in the elevator core are filled out and / or that way that in the area of the grooves additional humps come into existence while optionally also such bristles can be formed that do not root on a hump but in between the humps.

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