Cosmetic applicator

Abstract

Applicator for applying a fluid or a pasty mass with a bristle carrier from which bristles integrally attached to it protrude in the radial direction, wherein the bristles comprise a joint formed by a reduction in their cross-section, via which they are connected to the bristle carrier.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an applicator according to the generic term of claim 1 and a cosmetic applicator system according to the generic term of claim 11.TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Applicators are mostly used to apply mass to a surface to be applied. The mass can be a cosmetic mass, a pharmaceutical mass or something else. Often, applicators are used for applying cosmetic mass in form of mascara to the eyelashes. Said applicators are usually part of a cosmetic applicator system that comprises a container for the storage of said mass, a cap carrying the applicator - usually with a handle interposed - and a wiper typically inserted in the neck of the container for wiping off excess mass from the applicator when it is dunked in the mass and pulled out of the container.

[0003] Regardless of the purpose for which the mass is applied and to which area, applicators currently in use - especially applicators for applying mascara - are often very similar in design. The applicators usually comprise a core, a so-called bristle carrier, from which bristles protrude, usually radially. Often, those bristles are integrally formed together with the bristle carrier, for example by injection molding.

[0004] In general, bristles for injection molded brushes are round and conical. Nevertheless, there are a lot of variations already known. Due to technical restrictions in the injection molding process so far, it is widely the case that the cross-section of each bristle is thicker on the base compared to the tip and usually, the thickness is decreasing linearly from the bristle base to the bristle tip.

[0005] The disadvantage of this is that this requires quite high forces to bend the bristles when they are pulled through the wiper of the cosmetic applicator system. Also, the shearing of the material and the storage requirements of the material and / or the applicator itself are relatively high. Overall, the bending of the bristles takes place rather chaotic and there is no real possibility to control the bending properties of the bristles in an easy way. Especially no real possibility to fine tune the bending properties of the bristles. The same can be said for bristles that are produced via 3D printing.

[0006] Therefore, it is often necessary to use advanced materials to withstand those high forces or to achieve bending properties that are desired. Those materials are often expensive and / or hard to work with. Often, this acts also negatively on the feeling of the consumer, when applying mass with the applicator or when pulling it out through the wiper, because those materials can be quite stiff or do not comprise a convenient feeling on the skin.OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide a measure with which the bending properties of bristles can be controlled in an easy way.SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION

[0008] A solution to this problem is provided by the main claim.

[0009] Here, an applicator for applying a fluid or a pasty mass with a bristle carrier is proposed. This bristle carrier preferably consists of plastic, but can be made out of any material that can hold bristles. Bristles are integrally attached to said bristle carrier and protrude from it in the radial direction. "Integrally attached" in the sense of the invention means formed together as one part or bonded or welded to the bristle carrier. The applicator according to the invention is characterized in that the bristles - either each bristle or some bristles - comprise a joint formed by a reduction in their cross-section via which they are connected to the bristle carrier.

[0010] That reduction in their cross section is always given when the bristle has a larger diameter after the joint - seen in the longitudinal direction distally, therefore seen in the direction of its free end - compared with the bristle diameter at the joint.

[0011] The joint can be positioned directly at the transition between the respective bristle of the bristle carrier or with the provision of an intermediate bristle piece, the length of which can be up to 1 / 4 or better only up to 1 / 6 of the total bristle length including the joint length. The possible intermediate bristle piece, but also the shape and position of the cross-section reduction, is a way to influence the bending properties of the respective bristle essentially.

[0012] By giving a bristle, a joint like that, it is possible to control the loading of the bristles with mass easier, because it can be calculated how strong the bristles should bend, when being pulled through the wiper and therefore how much the wiper should interact with the bristles and take away the initial loading with mass.

[0013] Furthermore, the application properties of the applicator can be influenced depending on the tasks of the applicator. So, it is possible to create zones on the applicator for example with bristles, where each bristle comprises a joint. So, overall, the application behaviour of the applicator can be influenced greatly and, in a direction, where the applicator can be modified for different uses easily. Furthermore, the application behaviour can be adapted in such a way that is perceived by the user as more comfortable, for example because the bristles do not scratch on the skin anymore or because it gives an overall smooth application feeling.

[0014] Because the bristles do not have to withstand such a big force when being pulled through the wiper, it is also possible to use a material with less advanced properties for the bristles, which makes it cheaper and often also easier to work with.PREFERRED DESIGN OPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A preferred design option is that the joint is positioned directly at the transition between the respective bristle and the bristle carrier. The joint is therefore directly transitioning into the bristle carrier. That can take place by transitioning the smallest cross section of the joint directly into the bristle carrier or also by having a transition area from the smallest cross section of the joint towards the bristle carrier, where the cross section is increasing towards the bristle carrier.

[0016] It is also preferred that the extension of the joint in the longitudinal direction of the bristles can make up to 1 / 3 of the total bristle length, but ideally makes up less than 1 / 4 and particularly preferably less than 1 / 7 of the total bristle length. In this way, it is ensured that the bristle equipped with a joint is flexible enough. The bristle length is preferably the longitudinal extension along the longitudinal axis of the bristle from its bristle base on the bristle carrier to its free bristle tip.

[0017] Furthermore, it is preferred that the cross-section reduction is designed in such a way that a joint with a preferred bending direction is produced in which the bristle can be bent back and forth particularly easily. By giving the cross-section reduction, a particular shape, form or positioning, it is possible to influence the bending properties of the bristle and also the preferred bending direction. That can be used to achieve a tendency of the bristles to bend in a specific direction.

[0018] Moreover, it is preferred that the bristle has a substantially rectangular, or a substantially square or a substantially cross-shaped cross-section in the region of the cross-sectional reduction. "Substantially" in the sense of the invention means that the cross section sometimes even preferably has rounded edges and / or corners and that the shape of the cross section preferably merges with the shape of the bristle at least on one side of the cross-section, preferably the side of the cross-section facing the bristle tip. That all contributes to the desired bending properties of the bristle, especially the preferred bending direction.

[0019] Where no preferred bending direction is desired, the bristle preferably has a circular cross-section in the region of the cross-sectional reduction. In some cases, it may also be advantageous for the cross-section in question to be non-circular, for example similar to an oval or an ellipse, in which case the bristle has a preferred direction for bending, but this does not fall off sharply towards the side but becomes continuously less, which can also result in completely new application properties.

[0020] It is also preferred that the cross-section reduction does not take place with a step but via a rounding of the non-reduced cross-section of the bristles. Besides desired bending properties, that also results in a reduction of the notch effect and the probability of the bristles breaking off when being bent back and forth several times reduces.

[0021] It is also preferred that the respective bristle has a cylindrical, pyramidal, polygonal or other complex shape that is interrupted by a joint. The joint according to the invention can therefore be used for non-conventional bristles having special shapes compared to the usual conical shape in order to make them bend at all or make them bend in the preferred direction. So, it is possible to also use bristles with special shapes and other preferred application properties that otherwise would not bend or not bend as it is needed.

[0022] Furthermore, it is preferred that the part of the bristles of the entire bristle trim, which are bristles with a joint according to the invention, form one or more annular sections of the entire bristle trim. That results in a wide application variability of the applicator especially by displacement in the direction of its core axis. It is also sometimes preferred that said part of the bristles form a part of the entire bristle trim when viewed in the circumferential direction, wherein that part is about half, a third or a quarter of the whole bristle trim. That also adds to an application variability especially by rotating the applicator, because there are bristle areas consisting only of bristles with a joint and bristle areas consisting of bristles without a joint and these bristle areas are so large in area that this alone can ensure complete application, for example to all eyelashes that are to be treated with mascara.

[0023] It is also preferred that the bristles according to the invention which are involved in the formation of the bristle trim are scattered in small areas in the bristle trim in such a way that the bristle trim as a whole becomes flexible. That is because the applicator can also move individual bristles not provided with a joint more easily if they are in the immediate vicinity of bristles provided with a joint.

[0024] In this embodiment, the bristle trim is preferably designed such that the bristles not provided with a joint are all or at least predominantly in the immediate vicinity of at least one, preferably at least two and ideally at least three bristles according to one of claims.

[0025] It can also be considered to position the bristles not provided with a joint in such a way that their immediate neighbours are exclusively bristles according to one of claims 1 to 6.

[0026] It is often preferred to have - interspersed between zones of state-of-the-art bristles - other zones consisting of bristles only, that are equipped with an inventive joint over an area of at least 9 mm 2< , preferably over at least 16 mm 2< and ideally over at least 36 mm 2< , in each case measured at the circumference of the bristle carrier and which are therefore particularly easy to wipe with the wiper and / or to be applied to the skin.

[0027] Further possible configurations, functions and advantages result from the dependent claims and / or the following description of the preferred embodiments and / or with reference to the figures.FIGURE LIST

[0028] Figure 1 shows a cut through a section of the bristle carrier with a first embodiment of bristles according to the invention in a schematic side view. Figure 2 shows a cut through a section of the bristle carrier with a second embodiment of bristles according to the invention in a schematic side view. Figure 3 shows a cut through a section of the bristle carrier with a third embodiment of bristles according to the invention in a schematic side view. Figure 4 shows a cut through a section of the bristle carrier with a fourth embodiment of bristles according to the invention in a schematic side view. Figure 5 schematically shows an embodiment of a bristle according to the invention in top view with the course the joint as dashed lines. Figure 6 schematically shows another embodiment of a bristle according to the invention in top view with the course of its joint as dashed lines. PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 show schematically preferred designs of the bristles 2 according to the invention and their transition to the bristle carrier 1.

[0030] Fig. 1 shows the bristle carrier 1 of an applicator according to the invention with schematic bristles 2 that protrude radially from the bristle carrier 1. The bristles 2 are integrally attached to the bristle carrier 1 and comprise a joint 3 that is formed by a reduction in their cross-section. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the joint 3 is positioned directly at the transition between the respective bristle 2 and the bristle carrier 1. The transition into the bristle carrier 1 in this embodiment is realized by an extension of the cross-section of the joint 3 from the joint up to the bristle base. Because of this extension, the bristle 2 preferably only shows grooves in its otherwise consistent surface without any other changes in their cross-section.

[0031] The bristle 2 preferably has an otherwise conical shape. With other words: also, above the inventive joint the bristles show preferably a regular and continuous conical other shape.

[0032] Yet, it has to be mentioned that in certain embodiments it is possible and even preferred that other shapes than the conical shape are used, for example cylindrical, pyramidal, hexagonal, octagonal shapes, etc.

[0033] The joint of the bristle 2 is preferably formed by said cross-section reduction the merges with the otherwise conical shape of the bristle 2 by roundings to the non-reduced cross-section of the bristle 2.

[0034] Fig. 2 shows analogously to Fig. 1 another preferred embodiment. The same that was said to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 applies also here. The only difference to the embodiment from Fig. 1 is, that the joint 3 of the bristle 2 is not directly connected to the bristle carrier 1, but via an intermediate bristle piece 4. The joint 3 is therefore merging into the intermediate bristle piece 4, creating an otherwise conically shaped bristle 2 with grooves.

[0035] Fig. 3 shows analogously to Fig. 1 another preferred embodiment. Compared to Fig. 1, the bristles 2 are thicker and the merging of the bristles 2 to the bristle carrier 1 is designed differently, but otherwise the same can be said about this embodiment compared to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1. The bristle 3 merges into the bristle carrier with a smaller cross-section than the projected cross-section without the joint 3. Therefore, it is also possible and often even preferred, if the bristle 3 merges into the bristle carrier 1 with a constriction compared to the cross-section of an uncut bristle 2.

[0036] Fig. 4 shows analogously to Fig. 3 another preferred embodiment. Compared to Fig. 3, the joint is formed differently and also the merging into the bristle carrier 1 is designed differently. The cross-section reduction of the joint 3 does take place with a step in the merging area towards the rest of the bristle 2 as well as in the merging area towards the bristle carrier 1. It is also possible that only one of those merging areas are designed with a step and the respective other merging area is again formed with a rounding.

[0037] For all the embodiments, it is preferred that at least the bristles 2 are made using 3D printing or at least any other technique that is able to produce undercuts. Therefore, injection molding is not the preferred method.

[0038] In most cases this manufacturing method is clearly pictured by the microstructure of the bristle material which shows a grain-like or spot-like appearance.

[0039] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 show some preferred bristle designs from a top view. The course of the joint 3 is schematically shown with the dashed lines.

[0040] Fig. 5 shows a conical bristle 2 with a substantially rectangular cross-section in the region of the cross-sectional reduction that forms the joint 3.

[0041] Fig. 6 shows a conical bristle 2 with a substantially cross-shaped cross-section in the region of the cross-sectional reduction that forms the joint 3.REFERENCE LIST

[0042] 1Bristle carrier 2Bristle 3Joint 4Intermediate bristle piece

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a fluid or a pasty mass with a bristle carrier (1) from which bristles (2) integrally attached to it protrude in the radial direction, characterized in that the bristles comprise a joint (3) formed by a reduction in their cross-section, via which they are connected to the bristle carrier (1).

2. The applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the joint (3) is positioned directly at the transition between the respective bristle (2) and the bristle carrier (1) .

3. The applicator according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extension of the joint (3) in the longitudinal direction of the bristles (2) can make up to 1 / 3 of the total bristle length, but ideally makes up less than 1 / 4 and particularly preferably less than 1 / 7 of the total bristle length.

4. The applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross-section reduction is designed in such a way that a joint (3) with a preferred bending direction is produced in which the bristle (2) can be bent back and forth particularly easily.

5. The applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristle (2) has a substantially rectangular, or a substantially square or a substantially cross-shaped cross-section in the region of the cross-sectional reduction.

6. The applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective bristle (2) tapers outside the joint (3) in the direction of its free distal end, preferably continuously, ideally so that the bristle (2) has a conical shape.

7. The applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the respective bristle (2) has a cylindrical, pyramidal, polygonal or other complex shape that is interrupted by a joint (3).

8. The applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross-section reduction does not take place with a step but via a rounding of the non-reduced cross-section of the bristles (2).

9. The applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a preferably predominant part of the bristles (2) forming the bristle trim of the applicator have a joint (3).

10. The applicator according to claim 9, characterized in that the part of the bristles (2) of the entire bristle trim, which are bristles (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, form one or more annular sections of the entire bristle trim or form a part of the entire bristle trim when viewed in the circumferential direction, about half, a third or a quarter.

11. The applicator according to claim 9, characterized in that the bristles (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8 which are involved in the formation of the bristle trim are scattered in small areas in the bristle trim in such a way that the bristle trim as a whole becomes flexible.

12. A cosmetic applicator system comprising a container, a cap carrying the applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, usually with a handle interposed, and a wiper typically inserted in the neck of the container.

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