COSMETIC APPLICATOR

Abstract

Cosmetic Applicator A cosmetic applicator is disclosed, enabling an application liquid to be stably applied without clogging the application member consisting of a brush tip (6) with particles contained in the application liquid. The front body (3) is made of a transparent material, and the end of the brush tip is provided so as to protrude from the front body through the front end opening (3b) of the front body (3) while the brush tip is mounted inside the front body. A gap is formed between the front end opening of the front body and the brush tip, allowing the brush tip in the front body to also be flexed and deformed simultaneously with the flexing and deformation of the brush tip due to the operation of applying the application liquid by the brush tip. Figure for abstract: Fig. 3A.

Description

Title of the invention: COSMETIC APPLICATOR

[0001] COSMETIC APPLICATOR Technical field

[0002] The invention relates to a cosmetic applicator, such as an eyeliner, using a brush tip as a cosmetic application element. Prior art

[0003] In an applicator such as an eyeliner using a brush tip as an application element for a cosmetic product, the brush tip generally protrudes from the front end of a body, a comb-shaped collector is provided for temporarily retaining an application liquid to be discharged to the brush tip, and a configuration is used, where an application liquid container is provided at the rear of the body and the application liquid in the application liquid container can be discharged to the collector and the brush tip. This configuration is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0004]

[0005] In recent years, there has been an increasing need for eyeliners containing an application liquid comprising large diameter solids such as glitter (metallic powder) to add shine to the makeup, and, with the conventional makeup applicator disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the aforementioned large diameter solids may clog the flow channel, causing problems making it difficult to easily apply the application liquid.

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, patent document 3 discloses the adoption of a cylindrical diffusion core having a plurality of circumferential grooves in the axial direction between the application liquid reservoir and the brush tip as an application member.

[0007] The circumferential grooves along the axis of this diffusion core are characterized in that the depth of the grooves in which the application liquid circulates, arranged side by side in the circumferential direction of the diffusion core, varies alternately, and it is indicated that the diffusion core with this circumferential groove can discharge the application liquid from the application liquid reservoir to the brush tip without clogging of large diameter solids in the application liquid. List of cited documents

[0008] Patent literature

[0009]

[0010] PTL 1: JP-A-2018-192242

[0011] PTL 2: JP-A-2018-192673

[0012] PTL 3: JP-A-2021-112692

[0013] Technical problem

[0014] The cosmetic applicator disclosed in patent document PTL 3 was developed by focusing on the problem of particle obstruction of the application liquid of a liquid cosmetic in the diffusion core of the liquid cosmetic conveyed from the liquid container to the brush tip. However, the inventors of the present application have verified that the problem of particle obstruction of the application liquid is also presented in the brush tip formed by the thin fiber bundle functioning as the application element, and corresponding countermeasures have been identified as a problem to be solved.

[0015]

[0016] This invention has been made by focusing on the problem of clogging of particles in the application liquid as a cosmetic liquid in the brush tip by which the application liquid is applied, and the main objective is to provide an applicator which can stably apply the application liquid without clogging by the aforementioned particles the application member composed of the brush tip, even when the application liquid contains large particles.

[0017] Solution to this problem

[0018] A cosmetic applicator according to the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problem comprises a body composed of a front body and a rear body,

[0019] an application element by means of a brush tip consisting of a bundle of fibers on the front side of the body,

[0020] an application liquid as a liquid cosmetic, and

[0021] an application liquid reservoir containing the application liquid, disposed on the rear body of the body, and provided to be able to discharge the application liquid contained in the application liquid reservoir to the brush tip, wherein the front body is made of transparent material, and the brush tip is mounted inside the front body, an end portion of the brush tip is provided so as to protrude from the front body through a front end opening of the front body, and a gap is formed between the front end opening of the front body and the brush tip, allowing the brush tip in the front body to also be flexed and deformed simultaneously with the flexing and deformation of the brush tip due to the operation of applying the application liquid by the brush tip.

[0022] According to the present invention, by making the deformation of the brush tip greater than the conventional deformation when the brush tip is pressed against the application surface during an application, in particular during When using a liquid containing large particles with a diameter exceeding 10 μm as the application liquid, the large particles in the brush tip may cause relative shearing of the brush tip fibers along with deformation of the brush tip, thereby preventing the particles from sticking to the brush tip or sticking to each other. The term "transparent material for the front body" used herein refers to a material whose interior is visible, for example, a translucent material, and not to a material having a transmittance of 100%.

[0023] It is also preferable that the cosmetic applicator meets the following conditions:

[0024] (1) 1 mm < D2 < DI < 3 mm,

[0025] (2) 0.25 < D3,

[0026] where the diameter of the front end opening of the front body at the inner diameter is D1, the outer diameter of the brush tip at the front end opening of the front body is D2, and the ratio of the difference between D1 and D2 to D2 is D3, i.e. D3=(D1-D2) / D2.

[0027] Furthermore, as condition (3), it is preferable that the void area ratio, Sr, which is the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the hollow portion formed on the brush tip, Sb, to the cross-sectional area, Sa, enclosed by the outer circumference of the brush tip at the outer diameter D2 of the brush tip at the front end opening of the front body, Sa, is 40% < Sr < 95%.

[0028] Advantages of the invention

[0029] By using the cosmetic applicator according to the present invention, a gap is formed between the front end opening of the front body and the brush tip, thereby transferring the deformation of the brush tip to the brush tip inside the front body simultaneously with the deformation of the brush tip due to the application of the application liquid by the brush tip. Therefore, the bending of the brush tip due to the application of the application liquid is transferred by the aforementioned gap to the brush tip inside the front body to bend and deform the same.

[0030] Therefore, the fibers that compose the brush tip inside the front body do not remain in a state of close contact, and shear is generated between the fibers along with the bending of the brush tip, similarly to the front half of the brush tip. It is therefore possible to provide a cosmetics applicator that ensures stable application without the brush tip being clogged by particles in the application liquid. Brief description of the drawings

[0031] Figures 1A and 1B are views illustrating the overall construction of a cosmetic applicator according to the present invention; [Fig. 1A] is a front view and [Fig. 1B] is a central cross-sectional view in the axial direction.

[0032] Figs. 2A and 2B are views showing a state where the cap of the cosmetic applicator is removed; [Fig. 2A] is a front view, and [Fig. 2B] is a central cross-sectional view in the axial direction.

[0033] Figures 3A and 3B are enlarged sectional views of the front portion of the cosmetic applicator; [Fig.3A] is a cross-sectional view along the axis and [Fig.3B] is an enlarged cross-sectional view at line b -b of [Fig.3A],

[0034] [Fig.4] is a development of the parts of the complete cosmetic applicator.

[0035] [Fig.5] is a development representing the state of assembly of the main parts of the cosmetic applicator.

[0036] Figs. 6A and 6B are views showing a one-piece structure of a front body; [Fig. 6A] is a front view and [Fig. 6B] is a center cross-sectional view in the axial direction.

[0037] Figures 7A and 7B are views showing a one-piece structure of a collector; [Fig.7A] is a perspective view with the front end facing forward, and [Fig.7B] is a perspective view with the rear end facing forward.

[0038] Figs. 8A to 8E are views showing a one-piece structure of a collector; [Fig. 8A] is a front view from the slot side, [Fig. 8B] is a top view rotated 90 degrees axially from the state of [Fig. 8A], and [Fig. 8C] is a cross-sectional view seen in the direction of the arrow from the line a - a of [Fig. 8A], [Fig. 8D] is a left-hand side view, and [Fig. 8E] is a right-hand side view.

[0039] Figures 9A and 9B are enlarged views, [Fig.9A] is a view showing the state of a brush tip before application, and [Fig.9B] is a view showing the state of the brush tip after the application operation.

[0040] Solution to the problem

[0041] The cosmetic applicator according to the present invention will be described on the basis of the embodiments illustrated by the drawings.

[0042] Figures 1A and 1B show the overall construction of a cosmetic applicator, Figures 2A and 2B and Figures 3A and 3B show a state in which the cap is removed, and [Fig.4] is a development of the parts.

[0043] The cosmetic applicator, as shown in Figures 1A and 1B, is in the form of a column having a thin elongated appearance by in-line coupling in the front-rear direction of a rear body 1 of cylindrical shape and whose rear end is closed, and of a cap 2 also of cylindrical shape and whose front end is closed.

[0044] The rear body 1 has a two-layer structure inside which a rear body inner layer 1a is fixed, and the outside of which is made of, for example, a thin aluminum alloy or a hard resin material, and where the rear body inner layer 1a is preferably made of a resin material.

[0045] A front body 3 is connected to a front end opening of the rear body inner layer 1a, thereby forming a body 4 with the rear body 1 and the front body 3. The cap 2 is removably attached to the front body 3 by gripping a rim 3a formed on the front body 3 (Cf. [Fig.lA]).

[0046] Like the rear body, the cap 2 has a two-layer structure inside which a cap inner layer 2a is fixed, and the outside of which is made of, for example, a thin aluminum alloy or a hard resin material, and where the cap inner layer 2a is preferably made of a resin material.

[0047] As shown in [Fig. 4], a cup-shaped inner cap 2b, covering to reinforce the sealing of the brush tip 6 as an application element, which will be described below, is removably arranged in the axial direction in the inner layer 2a of the cap 2. Furthermore, a coil spring 2c is mounted between the inner cap 2b and the inner layer 2a of the cap and is provided to exert a stress on the inner cap 2b in the direction of the brush tip 6 (Cf. [Fig. 1B]).

[0048] The front body 3, which constitutes the front half of the body 4, is provided with the main elements constituting the cosmetic applicator, and mounted therewith.

[0049] In other words, the brush tip 6 formed by bundling fibers is arranged to protrude from the front end of the front body 1. At the front end of the front body, there are provided a collector (a temporary holder) 8 having a plurality of fins temporarily retaining an application liquid as a cosmetic liquid to be discharged to the brush tip 6, an application liquid reservoir 12 located at the rear of the collector 8 removably mounted on the rear portion of the front body 3, and an application liquid supply tube 11 discharging the application liquid from the application liquid reservoir 12 to the brush tip 6.

[0050] The front body 3 and the structure of each component mounted on the front body 3 will be described separately below.

[0051] Front body 3

[0052] As shown in the one-piece structure of Figures 6A and 6B, the flange 3a, which serves as a positioning guide when the cap 2 is put in place, is formed in the front body 3 so as to protrude outwardly from the circumference in the central part of the length. The front half of the front body 3 from the flange 3a is tapered, and the front end opening 3b from which the brush tip 6 protrudes is formed at the front end thereof.

[0053] Furthermore, a plurality of vent holes 3c (four holes in the illustrated example) are drilled and formed to penetrate the circumferential surface equally spaced on the circumference at the tapered portion of the front body 3. An annular engagement portion 3d for fixing the base of the brush tip 6b serving as an application member is formed inside the vent holes 3c and slightly on the front end side.

[0054] A concavo-convex portion 3e having different diameters from front to rear is formed in the portion immediately in front of the rim 3a which reaches the maximum diameter of the conical portion, and the opening of the cap 2 is fitted to this concavo-convex portion 3e to fix the cap 2 to the body 4. As shown in [Fig.lA], the cap 2 is connected in a straight line to the rear portion of the body 1, which gives it the elongated cylindrical appearance.

[0055] A male thread 3f is formed immediately after the rim 3a of the front body 3, and this male thread 3f makes it possible to screw the second half of the front body 3 into the inner layer 1a of the rear body 1 to connect the front body 3 and the rear body 1, thus forming the body 4.

[0056] The greater part of the space from the ventilation hole 3c to the rear part of the front body 3 constitutes the housing space 3g for the manifold 8.

[0057] Furthermore, an annular projection 3h extending on the inner circumference is formed slightly behind the opening at the rear end of the front body 3, and when the application liquid reservoir 12 is mounted from the rear end of the front body 3, a circular snap-on projection 12a (see [Fig.4]) formed on the circumference of the liquid reservoir 12 passes over the annular projection 3h, thereby enabling the application liquid reservoir 12 to be fixed to the rear end of the front body 3.

[0058] In the state where the manifold 8 and the application liquid reservoir 12 are mounted inside the front body 3, the front end of the application liquid reservoir 12 and the manifold 8 are arranged so as to leave a suitable spacing therebetween (see FIGS. 1A and 1B and FIGS. 3A and 3B).

[0059] The front body 3 is preferably molded from a transparent resin, such as polycarbonate. This point will be explained later.

[0060] Brush tip (application element) 6

[0061] A tapered brush tip 6 projects from the front end opening 3b of the front body 3 (see Figures 3A and 3B) as an application element, and the end angle of the brush tip 6 is to be formed so as to be substantially identical to the end angle of the tapered front body 3.

[0062] As shown in [Fig.3A], the brush tip 6 has a hollow portion 6a formed on the rear half, and the end 11b of the application liquid supply tube 11, which is provided with a linear axial hole 11a inside the hollow portion 6a, is inserted therein. Thus, the application liquid contained in the application liquid reservoir 12 is sufficiently supplied to the brush tip 6 via the application liquid supply tube 11.

[0063] The brush tip 6 is formed by bundling fibers such as natural fibers or resin fibers, and the base portion at the rear end thereof constitutes a disc-shaped flange portion 6b by extending the inner diameter. In order to fix the brush tip 6 to the front body 3, the end of the brush tip 6 is inserted into the rear opening of the front body 3, directly penetrating the front body 3, and the end of the brush tip 6 is pulled through the front end opening 3b of the front body 3.

[0064] In this state, the collector 8 is housed in the collector housing space 3g of the front body 3 from the rear of the front body 3, the cup-shaped portion 8a of the collector 8, which will be described later, abutting against the flange 6b formed at the base of the brush tip 6 from the rear.

[0065] Thus, the disc-shaped flange portion 6b is supported in the front body 3 by being clamped by the engagement portion 3d in the front body 3 and the cup-shaped portion 8a of the manifold 8.

[0066] In this case, as shown in [Fig.3A], the brush tip 6 is brought into a state where a sufficient gap is formed between the brush tip 6 and the front end opening 3b of the front body 3, i.e., where DI > D2, DI being the inner diameter of the front end opening 3b of the front body 3 and D2 the outer diameter of the brush tip 6 at the front end opening 3b. The action and effectiveness of this configuration will be described below.

[0067] Collector 8

[0068] A manifold 8 is supported and covered by the body 4 comprising the front body 3 and the rear body 1. In the manifold 8, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B and FIGS. 8A to 8E, the cup-shaped portion 8a is formed at the end in the axial direction, and an application liquid retaining portion 9 is formed so as to have a diameter larger than that of the temporary retaining portion 8b. In the manifold 8, in the central portion between the cup-shaped portion 8a and the application liquid retaining portion 9, a temporary retaining portion 8b where several comb-shaped fins (leaf-shaped elements) are arranged with a separation, is formed at several locations.

[0069] A support wall 8h having a thickness greater than that of the fins of the temporary retaining portion 8b is formed between each of the plurality of temporary retaining portions 8b arranged in the axial direction of the manifold 8. The temporary retaining portion 8b has a diameter greater than that of the cup-shaped portion 8a, and the application liquid retaining portion 9 is formed to have a diameter greater than that of the temporary retaining portion 8b and the support wall 8h. It is configured such that the cup-shaped portion 8a is fitted into the tapered front portion of the front body 3 and the application liquid retaining portion 9 is fitted into the rear portion of the front body, thereby fixing the manifold 8 in the manifold housing space 3g of the front body 3.

[0070] An application liquid supply tube 11 is provided in the manifold 8. In this embodiment, a tubular portion 8e having a cylindrical shape and consisting of a wall without holes is formed near the axial center of the manifold 8, and a hollow portion 8d penetrating along the axial center is formed in the tubular portion 8e.

[0071] On the outer circumference of the wall of the tubular part 8e having the hollow part 8, several fins (sheet-like elements) made of thin plates extending radially outward are arranged in the shape of comb teeth, and the temporary retaining part 8b for temporarily holding the application liquid between the fins is formed.

[0072] The manifold 8 serves to mount the application liquid supply tube 11, which causes the application liquid to flow inwardly near the axial center, into the hollow portion 8d inside the tubular portion 8e. The multiple fins (forming the temporary retaining portion 8b) in the form of comb teeth are provided on the outer circumference of the tubular portion 8e. The tubular portion 8e is a hole-free wall, whereby there are no holes passing through the wall on the inner and outer circumferences.

[0073] The end 11b of the application liquid supply tube 11 is inserted into the hollow portion 6a of the brush tip 6 as an application element. The application liquid contained in the application liquid reservoir 12 is supplied by the application liquid supply tube 11 inserted into the tubular portion 8e of the collector 8.

[0074] In the manifold 8, a slot 8g is formed as a longitudinal groove for introducing the application liquid into the spaces between the fins, and is exposed at the rear end (which may be exposed to the side of the application liquid reservoir 12) between the temporary retaining portion 8b and the retaining portion of the application liquid 9. A thick support wall 8h, abutting against the inner surface of the front body 3, adequately separates the blocks consisting of a plurality of fins in the temporary retaining portion 8b. More specifically, the total number of fins in the temporary retaining portion 8b is between 40 and 60, and the space between the fins may be between 0.15 mm and 0.3 mm.

[0075] The collector 8 and the application liquid supply tube 11 are preferably made of a resin material, as is the application liquid retaining portion 9 which will be described later.

[0076] Application liquid retaining portion 9

[0077] The application liquid supply tube 11 does not protrude into the application liquid reservoir 12 from the application liquid retaining portion 9 provided at the rear of the manifold 8. However, the space 9k inside the application liquid retaining portion 9 is opposite the end of the opening of the application liquid reservoir 12, which allows the application liquid to sufficiently extend into the application liquid retaining portion 9 and the application liquid supply tube 11.

[0078] The outer circumferential surface (projections 9b) of the application liquid retaining portion 9, located at the rear of the manifold 8, is in fluid-tight contact with the inner wall of the front body 3.

[0079] In detail, a seal portion with the front body 3 (body 4) is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the front end of the application liquid retaining portion 9, and a fitting portion 9c is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the rear end portion to prevent the front body 3 (body 4) from coming off. The application liquid retaining portion 9 at the rear of the manifold 8 is inserted into the inner surface of the front body 3 to fix the manifold 8 to the front body 3.

[0080] As shown in Figures 7A and 7B and Figures 8 A to 8E, the application liquid retaining portion 9 is continuously formed at the rear end of the temporary retaining portion 8 and the tubular portion 8e. In other words, the application liquid retaining portion 9 has a wall-shaped base portion 9a formed at the rear end of the tubular portion 8e, which is disc-shaped and diametrically extended, as well as a concentric and substantially cylindrical outer wall portion 9g, and an inner wall portion 9e extending rearwardly from the proximal portion 9a.

[0081] The outer wall portion 9g and the inner wall portion 9e substantially form a cup, a space 9k being interposed between them. The space 9k has a function of retaining the application liquid and the quantity of application liquid retained is preferably between 20 mg and 40 mg.

[0082] An opening groove 9g 1 and an opening groove 9e 1 are respectively formed on the outer wall portion 9g and the inner wall portion 9e, to enlarge the space 9k. The opening groove 9g 1 of the outer wall portion 9g is formed at a location in the axial direction on the same side as and continuous with the slot 8g.

[0083] A projection 9b is formed as an annular rib and extends outward near the outer circumference of the base 9a, on the outer wall portion 9g of the application liquid retaining portion 9. The projection 9b serves as a gasket to maintain fluid tightness when fitted onto the inner circumferential surface of the front body 3 (body 4).

[0084] The opening groove 9e 1 is formed on the inner wall portion 9e at two locations, on the same side as the slit 8g and on the opposite side thereto. The inner diameter of the inner wall portion 9e is such that the rear end portion of the application liquid supply tube 11 can be sealed. For example, its inner diameter may be the same as the inner diameter of the hollow portion 8d in the tubular portion 8e.

[0085] The cosmetic applicator according to the present embodiment is a collector-type applicator. In the cosmetic applicator, the application liquid flows into the application liquid retaining portion 9 by directing the tip of the brush 6 as an application member downward. In the cosmetic applicator, the application liquid poured into the application liquid retaining portion 9 is retained by surface tension without falling downward when the tip of the brush tip 6 is directed upward.

[0086] Thus, in case of upward application or when the brush tip dries during storage, the application liquid retained in the space 9k of the application liquid retaining part 9 is conveyed to the application liquid supply tube 11 through the opening grooves 9e 1 and 9gl.

[0087] When a multi-pore material is disposed in the application liquid retaining portion 9, the contact area between the application liquid and the application liquid retaining portion 9 is reduced. In the case of a liquid with low surface tension, there is a concern that the liquid will not be retained due to a low retaining force, or that the liquid supply to the application portion will be insufficient depending on the material used. In the present embodiment, the contact area between the application liquid and the application liquid retaining portion 9 can be increased by providing an inner wall (inner wall portion 9e), thereby making it possible to easily retain a liquid even with a low surface tension.

[0088] Application liquid reservoir 12

[0089] The application liquid reservoir is cylindrical in shape with one end (the bottom) closed and is preferably provided as a replaceable cartridge.

[0090] By inserting the application discharge side of the application liquid reservoir 12 into the rear portion of the front body 3, the engagement projection 12a formed on the side of the application liquid reservoir 12 (see [Fig. 4]) overcomes the annular projection 3h formed in the front body 3 (see [Fig. 6A] and 6B), and the application liquid reservoir 12 is mounted.

[0091] The application liquid reservoir 12 does not contain an impregnating agent such as a padding but directly contains the application liquid, and the agitator 12c for agitating the application liquid is also contained and arranged.

[0092] The application liquid reservoir 12 is molded from resin and the agitator 12c may use a metal or resin ball.

[0093] Liquid cosmetics

[0094] An example of a preferred liquid cosmetic product for use in the cosmetic product applicator according to the present invention will be described.

[0095] The liquid cosmetic to be used in the present cosmetic applicator is designed to include at least glossy particles having a main axial length of between 10 pm and 50 pm, glossy particles having a main axial length of between 50 pm and 100 pm, and water, and the viscosity is set less than 25 mPa*s.

[0096] Gloss particles are lamellar pigments whose surfaces are coated with chemical compounds. Lamellar pigments are those whose surfaces are coated with chemical compounds such as pearlescent pigment, aluminum flake pigment (aluminum powder pigment), metal or metal oxide coated glass flake, and aluminum coated polyester film, and, further, lamellar pigments whose surfaces are coated with, for example, cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, chitin, chitosan. By combining several gloss pigments, a combination of 0.5% to 5% of gloss particles having a main axial length of 10 pm to 50 pm and 0.2% to 5% of gloss particles having a main axial length of 50 pm to 100 pm, for example, it is easy to obtain more vivid gloss coatings.If the amount of ingredients is less than the above numerical range, it is difficult to obtain sufficient gloss during coating, and if it is more, evaluation by the amount of liquid flow out becomes difficult.

[0097] Furthermore, acrylic copolymers are preferred from the viewpoint of fixation stability and dispersion. As usable acrylic copolymers, for example, containing at least one of the following: alkyl acrylate copolymer, acrylate copolymer, ammonium acrylate copolymer, solution acrylic resin alkanolamine, alkyl acrylate / vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylates / VA copolymer, silicone-modified acrylic (alkyl acrylate / octylacrylamide) copolymer, and octylacrylamide and acrylic acid copolymer.

[0098] The acrylic copolymer used should be an alkyl acrylic copolymer or an acrylate copolymer, etc., as these are preferred from the viewpoint of further improving efficiency and adhesion.

[0099] Examples of alkyl acrylate copolymers include

[0100] (octylacrylamide / hydroxypropyl acrylate / butylaminoethyl methacrylate) copolymer (product name: Amphomer, powder) and alkyl acrylate and ammonium copolymer (product name: Yodosol GH800F, 45% solids).

[0101] For neutralization, 2-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-l,3-propanediol, triethanolamine, L-arginine, aqueous ammonia, sodium hydroxide, etc. may be used, with 2-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol being particularly preferred.

[0102] The content of these acrylic copolymers must be between 1 and 20% by weight of the total composition.

[0103] If the content of these acrylic copolymers is less than 1%, it will be difficult to achieve the effects of the present invention, while if it exceeds 20%, the thickening effect will be too great and it will not be possible to achieve good coating, etc., such as pushing back by the application part.

[0104] Besides the above-mentioned ingredients, the rest of the liquid cosmetic composition is prepared using water (purified water, deionized water, distilled water, pure water, etc.) as a solvent.

[0105] In addition, wetting agents, antibacterial agents, antifoams, inorganic pigments, organic pigments, dyes, surfactants and water-soluble organic solvents can be added as needed without causing problems with the dispersion system and without compromising the effects of the present invention.

[0106] Wetting agents that may be used include, for example, water-soluble glycols such as 1,3-butylene glycol, 1,4-butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, and glycerin.

[0107] These wetting agents are used in the composition in a content of between 1 and 30%, preferably between 5 and 20%, of the total composition.

[0108] Exemplary antibacterial agents that may be used include parabens, sodium dehydroacetate, and phenoxyethanol. Antibacterial agents of this invention include preservatives, and methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isopropylparaben, etc., which may be used in appropriate amounts as preservatives.

[0109] Polydimethylsiloxane (dimethicone) is an example of an antifoam that can be used. This polydimethylsiloxane is a silicone oil consisting of a mixture of linear siloxane polymers with trimethylsiloxane units at the ends.

[0110] The pH of liquid cosmetic compositions should be between 6 and 9 in order to eliminate skin irritation. To adjust the pH, pH adjusters such as 2-amino-2-methyl-l-propanol, 2-amino-2-methyl-l,3-propanediol, triethanolamine, L-arginine, ammonia water, sodium hydroxide, citric acid solution, etc. can be used.

[0111] Figures 9A and 9B illustrate the operation of applying the application liquid in the cosmetic applicator described above.

[0112] As shown in [Fig.9A], the brush tip 6, which protrudes from the front end opening 3b of the front body 3, maintains a straight line along the body when not in use, i.e., when not applying the application liquid. It is also well known that the brush tip 6 deflects and deforms when the application liquid is applied, as shown in [Fig.9B].

[0113] As described with reference to [Fig.3A], the cosmetic applicator of the present invention has a brush tip 6. Between the front end opening 3b of the front body 3 and the brush tip 6, a gap (represented by the same reference sign 3b as the front opening) is formed, which is sufficient to allow the bending deformation to be transferred to the brush tip 6 inside the front body 3, simultaneously with the bending deformation of the brush tip 6 by the action of applying the application liquid by means of the brush tip 6.

[0114] Therefore, the fibers form the brush tip 6 inside the front body 3 without maintaining a close contact state, and shearing between the fibers occurs by bending and deforming the brush tip 6 in the same manner as the front half of the brush tip 6. It is therefore possible to continue stable application operations without the brush tip 6 being clogged by particles present in the application liquid.

[0115] Furthermore, by forming the front body with a transparent material, the state of the space between the front end opening 3b of the front end of the front body 3 and the brush tip 6 can be observed as follows.

[0116] That is, when the brush tip 6 is directed downwards as shown in [Fig.9A], the application liquid accumulates in the space between the front end opening 3b of the front body and the brush tip 6. It can be observed that a reserve of application liquid indicated by the reference sign 3b 1 is formed at the front end of the front body 3.

[0117] When the brush tip 6 is bent and deformed by the application operation, the brush tip 6 in the front end opening 3b is also bent and deformed and the application liquid between the front end opening 3b and the brush tip 6 is consumed, and then the application liquid reserve indicated by the reference sign 3b 1 disappears. In other words, by repeating the application operation, the appearance and disappearance of the application liquid reserve 3b 1 at the front end of the front body 3 are repeated.

[0118] In other words, the repetition of the appearance and disappearance of the application liquid reserve 3b 1 can be understood as indicating that the brush tip 6 inside the front body 3 is flexed and deformed, thereby preventing the accumulation of the application liquid particles along the brush tip 6 and allowing stable application.

[0119] More specifically, when the cosmetic is applied to an application surface, the glitter (shiny substance) moves in the applicator passage with the application liquid. When the flow resistance of the cosmetic increases due to changes in the flow passage at the contact portion between the application liquid supply tube 11 and the brush tip 6 and inside the brush tip 6, the glitter stagnates on the wall surface of the flow passage, and the flow passage narrows. As the narrowing of the flow passage caused by the particles progresses, the flow passage becomes clogged, resulting in a decrease in the flow rate of the cosmetic amount and, consequently, a decrease in the brightness of the drawn lines.

[0120] To prevent clogging by the flakes, it is effective to prevent the flakes from sticking to each other and sticking to the wall of the flow passage. In particular, to prevent particles from sticking to the fibers of the brush tip 6, it is effective to keep the particles moving smoothly against the fibers. This reduces the frequency with which the particles adhere to the wall and limits the adhesion of the particles resulting in narrowing of the flow passage.

[0121] In the case of a liquid applicator eyeliner of which the brush tip 6 is an application part, it must be taken into account that the brush tip 6 flexes during application, and that the flexing of the brush tip is greater when the brush tip comes into contact with the application surface. In order for the liquid cosmetic containing glitter to move further against the brush tip 6 within the brush tip 6, a diameter differential (gap), DI -D2, is created between the inner diameter DI of the front end opening 3b of the front body 3 and the outermost diameter D2 of the brush tip 6 at the front end opening 3b of the front body 3.

[0122] When the brush tip 6 flexes while being pressed against the application surface, deformation of the fibers of the brush tip 6 is inhibited by the contact of the brush tip 6 with the front end opening 3b of the front body 3. By increasing the gap DI - D2, the distance between the brush tip 6 and the wall of the front body can be increased, which allows the brush tip 6 to deform further.

[0123] When the brush tip 6 is deformed, the cosmetic stored in the brush tip 6 as well as the particles contained in the cosmetic are displaced simultaneously with the deformation of the brush tip 6. Since the displacement of the cosmetics stored in the brush tip 6 can be increased by increased bending of the brush tip, the accumulation of the particles becomes difficult and the degradation of gloss of the glitter material and the decrease in the flow rate of the cosmetics can be inhibited.

[0124] On the cross-section of the brush tip 6 at the outer diameter D2 of the brush tip located at the front end opening 3b of the front body 3, that is, on the cross-section of the brush tip 6 indicated by the line bb in [Fig.3A], as shown in [Fig.3B], it is preferable that the ratio of the void area, Sr, which is the ratio (Sb / Sa) between the cross-sectional area Sb of the hollow portion 6a formed at the end of the brush tip 6 and the cross-sectional area Sa enclosed by the outer circumference of the end of the brush tip 6 is: 40% < Sr < 95%.

[0125] Examples

[0126]

[0127] The parameters of the invention are denoted by DI [mm], which is the inner diameter of the front end opening 3b of the body 3, D2 [mm], which is the outer diameter of the brush tip 6 at the front end opening 3b of the front body 3, and D3, which is the ratio of the difference between the inner diameter DI of the front end opening 3b and the outer diameter D2 of the brush tip 6, and D2. As for the measurement of the parameters, the diameter DI of the front end opening 3b of the front body 3 was measured by pin gauges, and the diameter of the brush tip D2 was measured by VHX-8000 microscope manufactured by KEYENCE CORPORATION.

[0128]

[0129] The cosmetic contains three types of shiny substances: 4% by weight of pearlescent pigment with an average diameter of 20 pm, 1% by weight of glass flakes with an average diameter of 30 pm and 0.5% by weight of glass flakes with an average diameter of 20 pm. A brown aqueous cosmetic having a viscosity of 5 mPa«s (50 rpm) and a surface tension of 37 mN / m was poured into a cosmetic applicator and applied to a non-resorbable urethane sheet by holding the applicator horizontally. The gloss effect of the substance applied to the urethane sheet was visually evaluated by the inventor for a number of brushes. It should be noted that the average diameter is a value calculated based on the measurement by the dynamic light scattering method (FPAR-1000 diameter analyzer, manufactured by Otsuka Electronics Co., Ltd.). The viscosity was measured using a cone / plate viscometer (TV - 20, manufactured by TOKIMEC (now TOKYO KEIKI INC.)) and the surface tension was measured using an automatic surface tensiometer (DY - 300, manufactured by Kyowa Interface Science Co., Ltd.), under ambient conditions of temperature of 25 °C and humidity of 60%. The measured values of the physical properties of the cosmetic product were rounded to the nearest decimal place.

[0130] Examples and comparative examples of the evaluation of the drawn line brightness according to the above-mentioned parameters are shown in Table 1.

[0131] The evaluation standard is as follows:

[0132] R: No gloss degradation was observed on 1000 or more brushes,

[0133] B: Gloss degradation observed on less than 800 brush strokes,

[0134] C: Degradation of shine observed on less than 600 brush strokes,

[0135] D: Degradation of shine observed on less than 400 brush strokes, and

[0136] E: Degradation of shine observed on less than 200 brush strokes.

[0137] [Tables 1] DI D2 D3 Evaluation Example 1 1.75 1.4 0.25 A Example 2 2 1.4 0.43 A Example 3 2 1.6 0.25 A Example 4 2.8 2.2 0.27 A Example 5 2.8 2 0.40 A Comparative example 1 1.5 1.4 0.07 D Comparative example 2 1.6 1.4 0.14 C Comparative example 3 1.75 1.6 0.09 C Comparative example 4 1.5 1.6 -0.06 E Comparative example 5 1.6 1.6 0.00 E Comparative example 6 2.8 2.6 0.08 E Comparative example 7 2.8 2.4 0.17 E Comparative example 8 2.2 2.2 0.00 E Comparative example 9 2.2 2 0.10 E Comparative example 10 2.2 2.6 -0.15 E Comparative example 11 2.2 2.4 -0.08 E

[0138] In the present invention, the cosmetic may be a black aqueous eyeliner cosmetic not containing three kinds of glitter ingredients as shiny particles, but containing 8% by weight of carbon black as a carbon-based black pigment having an average diameter of 1000 nm, a viscosity of 5 mPa«s (50 rpm), and a surface tension of 35 mN / m. The evaluation method is the same as that described above.

[0139] [Tables2] DI D2 D3 Evaluation Example 101 1.75 1.4 0.25 A Example 102 2 1.4 0.43 A Example 103 2 1.6 0.25 A Example 104 2.8 2.2 0.27 A Example 105 2.8 2 0.40 A Comparative example 101 1.5 1.4 0.07 C Comparative example 102 1.6 1.4 0.14 B Comparative example 103 1.75 1.6 0.09 B Comparative example 104 1.5 1.6 -0.06 D Comparative example 105 1.6 1.6 0.00 D Comparative example 106 2.8 2.6 0.08 D Comparative example 107 2.8 2.4 0.17 D Comparative example 108 2.2 2.2 0.00 D Comparative example 109 2.2 2 0.10 D Comparative example 110 2.2 2.6 -0.15 D Comparative example 111 2.2 2.4 -0.08 D List of reference signs

[0140] 1 rear body

[0141] the inner rear body layer

[0142] 2 caps

[0143] 2a inner layer of cap

[0144] 3 front bodies

[0145] 3 a rim

[0146]

[0147]

[0148]

[0149]

[0150]

[0151]

[0152]

[0153]

[0154]

[0155]

[0156]

[0157]

[0158]

[0159]

[0160]

[0161] 3b front end opening 3b 1 application liquid reservoir 3f male thread 3g collector housing space 4 body 6 brush tip (application element) 6a hollow part 6b flange part 8 collector 9 application liquid retaining part 11 application liquid supply tube 11a axial hole 12 application liquid reservoir 12c agitator DI inner diameter of the front end opening of the front body D2 outer diameter of the brush tip at the front end opening

Claims

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator, comprising: a body (4) composed of a front body (3) and a rear body (1), an application member by means of a brush tip (6) made of a fiber bundle on the front body side of the body (4), an application liquid as a liquid cosmetic, and an application liquid reservoir (12) containing the application liquid, arranged on the rear body (1) of the body (4), and provided to be able to discharge the application liquid contained in the application liquid reservoir (12) to the brush tip (6), wherein the front body (3) is made of a transparent material, and the brush tip (6) is mounted inside the front body (3), an end portion of the brush tip (6) is provided so as to protrude from the front body (3) through a front end opening (3b) of the front body (3), and a gap is formed between the front end opening (3b) of the front body (3) and the brush tip (6),allowing the brush tip in the front body to also be flexed and deformed simultaneously with the flexing and deformation of the brush tip (6) due to the operation of applying the application liquid by the brush tip (6).,

2. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein said applicator satisfies the following conditions: (1) 1 mm < D2 < DI < 3 mm, (2) 0.25 < D3, where DI is the inner diameter of the front end opening (3b) of the front body (3), D2 is the outer diameter of the brush tip (6) at the front end opening of the brush tip (6), and D3=(D1- D2) / D2.

Images