Fluid paint tool

Abstract

To provide a fluid paint tool with which a fluid can be evenly and easily applied to a coating surface.SOLUTION: A fluid paint tool for applying a fluid includes a head part having a coating surface, and a handle part connected to the head part. The coating surface has a convex profile having a curvature radius of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less in a side view.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fluid applicator.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an applicator used for applying a fluid (coating material) such as cosmetics to a surface to be coated is known. A typical example of an applicator is a spatula.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a spatula having a first coating portion extending on one side of a gripping portion and a second coating portion extending on the other side. The first coating portion and the second coating portion have a flat shape in which the longitudinal edges are arc-shaped and the thickness decreases toward both longitudinal ends. Patent Document 1 describes that the shape of the first coating portion and the second coating portion as described above allows the cosmetic to be thinly and uniformly spread on the skin, enabling fine application.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, when it is desired to uniformly apply a fluid to a surface to be coated using a spatula, it is necessary to apply the fluid while adjusting the angle of the spatula with respect to the surface to be coated, the pressing force of the spatula, etc. Whether this adjustment can be done well greatly depends on the skill of the user. Therefore, for a user who is not accustomed to using an applicator, it is often difficult to uniformly apply a fluid using a spatula.

[0006] In view of the above points, one aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a fluid applicator that can easily perform uniform application of a fluid to a surface to be coated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A fluid applicator according to one aspect for solving the above problems is an applicator for applying a fluid, comprising a head portion having a coating surface and a handle portion connected to the head portion, wherein the coating surface is convex with a radius of curvature of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less in a side view.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid applicator that can easily perform uniform application of a fluid to a surface to be coated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, unless otherwise specified, the same or corresponding components may be denoted by the same reference numerals and the description thereof may be omitted.

[0011] One embodiment of the present disclosure is an applicator for applying a fluid substance, comprising a head portion having an application surface and a handle portion connected to the head portion, wherein the application surface is convex with a radius of curvature of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less in a side view.

[0012] A fluid applicator is a tool used to spread a fluid substance over a predetermined surface to be coated and form a thin film or layer of the fluid substance on the surface to be coated. The thickness of the film or layer of the fluid substance formed on the surface to be coated by the fluid applicator according to the present embodiment can be 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less. Further, the fluid applicator according to the present embodiment is preferably used to apply a fluid substance to a flat or substantially flat (radius of curvature of 10 mm or more) surface to be coated. When the fluid substance is a cosmetic as described later, the surface to be coated is the skin, preferably the facial skin.

[0013] The fluid substance is not particularly limited as long as it is a substance that can be applied to the surface to be coated, and may be a liquid, semi-solid, or solid. Further, it may be in a state called gel, slurry, paste, cream, etc. The fluid substance may be a solution or a dispersion such as an emulsion or a suspension, and may contain powder. The fluid substance may include those in which the above fluid substance and a gas such as nitrogen, a noble gas, or air are mixed and contained in a container in a foamed (foam-like) state. The fluid substance may be a single substance or a mixture of two or more substances. Further, the viscosity of the fluid substance may be 1,000 mPa·s or more and 70,000 mPa·s or less at 20°C.

[0014] The fluid substance may be a skin-applying agent used by applying it to the skin. For example, it may be a cosmetic or a personal care product (hygiene products), and is preferably a cosmetic. Examples of cosmetics include emulsions, facial creams, beauty essences, makeup bases, foundations, concealers, sunscreen agents, and the like. Further, the fluid substance may be a paint, an adhesive, or the like.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a fluid applicator (also simply referred to as an applicator) 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the fluid applicator 1 as seen from another angle. Further, FIG. 3 shows a view taken in the direction of arrow I in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 shows a view taken in the direction of arrow II in FIG. 1.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the fluid applicator 1 has a head portion 2 and a handle portion 3 connected to the head portion 2. The head portion 2 has an application surface 2a, and the application surface 2a is a surface that adheres the fluid to be applied and faces the surface to be coated. The handle portion 3 is elongated and is the portion that the user grips during application. One end (base end) of the handle portion 3 is connected to the side opposite to the application surface 2a of the head portion 2.

[0017] In this specification, when applying a fluid, the direction in which the application surface 2a of the head portion 2 faces the surface to be coated is defined as the z direction. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the z direction is the normal direction at the vertex of the application surface 2a. Also, the longitudinal direction of the elongated handle portion 3 is defined as the y direction, and the direction orthogonal to the z direction and the y direction is defined as the x direction. Each drawing shows the coordinate axes in the x direction, y direction, and z direction. Note that, among the z directions, the direction toward the side of the application surface 2a of the head portion 2 may be referred to as the +z direction, and the direction toward the side opposite to the application surface 2a may be referred to as the -z direction.

[0018] The application surface 2a of the head portion 2 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, that is, when viewed from the +z direction side (from the side of the application surface 2a). The plan view of the application surface 2a refers to the direction of the line of sight such that the area of the application surface 2a is maximized when viewed from the side of the application surface 2a. More specifically, the shape of the head portion 2 in plan view is a rectangular shape in which the length w in the x direction is larger than the length d in the y direction, as shown in FIG. 3. Thus, since the shape of the application surface 2a of the head portion 2 in plan view is such that the length in the x direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction (y direction) of the handle portion 3 is longer, the overall shape of the fluid applicator 1 is substantially in a T shape when viewed from the +z direction side, particularly as shown in FIG. 3.

[0019] Incidentally, the length w in the x-direction of the coating surface 2a of the head portion 2 may be 7 mm or more and 35 mm or less, and the length d in the y-direction may be 4 mm or more and 20 mm or less.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the contour line along the y-direction of the coating surface 2a is convexly curved toward the +z direction side. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the coating surface 2a has a predetermined radius of curvature R1 in a side view (when viewed in the x-direction). Since the coating surface 2a is curved, even if the angle of the head portion 2 with respect to the surface to be coated of the handle portion 3 changes during the coating operation, etc., and thus the way of applying the head portion 2 to the surface to be coated changes, there is an advantage that the contact state between the coating surface 2a and the fluid on the surface to be coated does not change or changes little. For example, FIGS. 5(a) and (b) show views of a part of the fluid applicator 1 during the coating operation as seen from the side. FIG. 5(a) shows a state in which the head portion 2 is opposed to the surface to be coated F such that the x-direction and y-direction in the fluid applicator 1 are parallel to the surface to be coated F. At this time, a part of the coating surface 2a comes into contact with the fluid A. The contact range c between the coating surface 2a and the fluid A varies depending on the thickness of the fluid A on the surface to be coated F, the force with which the head portion 2 is pressed, etc. FIG. 5(b) shows a state in which the head portion 2 is tilted toward the tip side of the head portion from the state of FIG. 5(a) (the head portion 2 is rotated about the axis in the x-direction). If the conditions such as the thickness of the fluid A on the surface to be coated F and the force with which the head portion 2 is pressed are the same, the contact range c' between the coating surface 2a and the fluid A in this state does not change or changes little compared to the contact range c. This is the same even when the head portion 2 is further tilted toward the tip side of the head portion 2 or when it is tilted toward the side where the handle portion 3 extends.

[0021] Incidentally, if the coating surface were a flat surface, when attempting to apply the fluid while bringing the coating surface into contact with the fluid, even if the way of applying the head portion 2 is slightly changed, the angle between the coating surface and the surface to be coated would change significantly, and the contact state between the coating surface and the fluid could change greatly. In contrast, for the fluid applicator having the curved coating surface 2a according to the present embodiment, even if the way of applying the head portion 2 is changed, the contact state between the coating surface and the fluid does not change much as described above. Since the contact state does not change or changes little, the user does not need to change the hand shape having the fluid applicator 1 or the angle of the hand with respect to the coating surface, for example, the angle of the wrist, according to the coating pressure and the coating location. Therefore, it has the advantage that a stable coating operation can be performed without the skill of the user.

[0022] The radius of curvature R1 of the coating surface 2a may or may not be constant over the coating surface 2a. However, from the viewpoint of making it difficult to change the contact state between the coating surface 2a and the fluid A even if the way of applying the head portion 2 is changed as described above, it is preferable that the radius of curvature R1 of the coating surface 2a is constant over the coating surface 2a. That is, it is preferable that the coating surface 2a has a shape that is a part of the circumferential surface of a right circular cylinder centered on an axis extending along the x direction.

[0023] Furthermore, the radius of curvature R1 may be 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less, preferably 8 mm or more and 13 mm or less. When the radius of curvature R1 is 5 mm or more, the area of the application surface 2a does not become too small, and good usability or operability can be obtained. Also, the above-described effect that the contact state between the application surface 2a and the fluid does not easily change even if the way of applying the head portion 2 changes can be improved. When the radius of curvature R1 is 15 mm or less, it is possible to avoid the application surface 2a approaching flatness, and the above-described effect that the contact state between the application surface 2a and the fluid does not easily change even if the way of applying the head portion 2 changes can be improved. When applying the fluid to one's own face, etc., there may be cases where the shape and direction of the hand holding the fluid applicator 1 during the application operation have to be changed significantly. Even in such cases, with the radius of curvature R1 within the above range, the user can easily apply the fluid. In addition, when the radius of curvature R1 is not constant, it is preferable that at least the radius of curvature at the apex of the application surface 2a is within the above range.

[0024] Also, as described above, since the curvature of the application surface 2a is a convex curvature on the +z direction side when viewed along the y direction, the portion of the application surface 2a that contacts the fluid and / or the surface to be coated during application becomes a linear portion along the x direction. By moving the application surface 2a in the y direction, a layer of fluid having a width corresponding to the length of the linear portion can be formed. Since this linear portion extends in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 3 of the application surface 2a, in order to form a layer of fluid having the length of the linear portion as the width, the handle portion 3 may be moved in its longitudinal direction (y direction). The operation of moving the handle portion 3 in its longitudinal direction can be a stable operation because the handle portion 3 can be held with a finger along the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 3.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, one end of the handle portion 3 is fixedly connected to the head portion 2. The handle portion 3 may have a straight shape without curvature, but as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, it is preferably curved. Since the handle portion 3 is curved, it is possible for the handle portion 3 to have appropriate flexibility, so unnecessary fluctuations in the force of the hand holding the handle portion 3 can be absorbed by the handle portion 3 and prevented from being directly transmitted to the head portion 2. In order to apply the fluid to the surface to be coated with a uniform thickness, it is preferable to make the force applied to the fluid from the coating surface 2a of the head portion 2 as constant as possible during the coating operation. In the present embodiment, since the handle portion 3 is curved and has appropriate flexibility, it becomes easier to maintain the force applied to the fluid constant, and it becomes easier to form a film of the fluid with a uniform thickness.

[0026] Furthermore, the handle portion 3 is preferably curved convexly on the side opposite to the coating surface 2a of the head portion 2 (the -z direction side). Thereby, the flexibility of the handle portion 3 in the normal direction of the coating surface 2a is increased, so that the above-described effect of preventing unnecessary fluctuations of the hand holding the handle portion 3 from being directly transmitted to the coating surface 2a can be improved. In addition, unlike the form in which the handle portion 3 is connected to the end surface or the like of the head portion 2, since the handle portion 3 is connected to the side opposite to the coating surface 2a, the force from the handle portion 3 is dispersed when it is transmitted to the surface on the opposite side of the head portion 2 and then to the coating surface 2a. Therefore, the pressure can be made uniform within the portion of the coating surface 2a that contacts the fluid and / or the surface to be coated.

[0027] Note that a conventional applicator such as a spatula has a gripping portion that is not connected to the side opposite to the coating surface and is not configured to curve on the side opposite to the coating surface. Therefore, the above-described effects according to the present embodiment cannot be obtained, and coating skills are required of the user for forming a uniform film. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, even a user who is not accustomed to handling an applicator without coating skills can easily form a uniform film of the fluid.

[0028] In order to facilitate the adjustment of the flexibility of the handle portion 3, the handle portion 3 is preferably formed from a resin material, particularly a flexible resin material. The flexible resin material preferably has a flexural elastic strength of 1,000 MPa or more and 8,000 MPa or less. Specific examples of the resin material include olefin resins such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE), and engineering plastic resins such as polyoxymethylene (POM), polyamide (PA), and polybutylene terephthalate (PBT).

[0029] Also, the radius of curvature of the handle portion 3 may preferably be 50 mm or more and 250 mm or less, more preferably 100 mm or more and 150 mm or less. Here, as shown in FIG. 4, the radius of curvature of the handle portion 3 may be the radius of curvature R2 of the outer contour of the handle portion 3 on the side opposite to the coating surface 2a (-z direction side) in a side view. When the radius of curvature R2 is within the above range, the handle portion 3 can have more appropriate flexibility, and the handle portion 3 can be configured in a shape and size that is easy for the user to grip. Furthermore, when the radius of curvature R2 is within the above range, the force of the user can be gently transmitted from the handle portion 3 to the coating surface 2a. That is, at the moment when the coating surface 2a contacts the fluid and / or the surface to be coated, pressure is not immediately applied, but gradually increases with the passage of time after contact. A user who is not accustomed to operating the applicator or a user in a situation where the coating operation is difficult may not be able to properly adjust the pressure applied to the coating surface 2a. However, even in such a case, the force exerted by the coating surface 2a on the fluid and / or the surface to be coated can be kept uniform. Even when the radius of curvature R2 is not constant over the entire handle portion 3, it is preferable that at least the radius of curvature at the apex of the handle portion 3 on the side opposite to the coating surface 2a (-z direction side) is within the above range.

[0030] The above radius of curvature R2 may or may not be constant over the entire handle portion 3, but if it is constant, the effect of maintaining a constant force applied to the coating surface 2a during the coating operation can be easily obtained regardless of the location where the user grips.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when viewed in the normal direction at the apex of the coating surface 2a of the head portion 2, that is, when viewed along the z direction, the distance H between the convex apex of the coating surface 2a of the head portion 2 and the convex apex of the handle portion 3 on the side opposite to the coating surface 2a (-z direction side) is preferably 10 mm or more and 40 mm or less, more preferably 10 mm or more and 20 mm or less. By setting the distance H within the above range, it becomes easier to appropriately transmit the user's force to the coating surface 2a via the handle portion 3, and the usability or operability of the applicator is also improved.

[0032] The length of the handle portion 3, that is, the length L of the handle portion 3 in the y direction may be 40 mm or more and 150 mm or less. By setting the length L of the handle portion 3 within the above range, appropriate flexibility of the handle portion 3 can be obtained. Also, the usability or operability of the fluid applicator 1 can be improved, that is, an easily handleable fluid applicator 1 can be obtained. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the length L of the handle portion is the overall length of the fluid applicator 1.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a protruding portion 3b extending along the longitudinal direction of the handle portion 3 may be formed on the side where the center of curvature of the handle portion 3 is located (+z direction side). The protruding portion 3b has a function of reinforcing and strengthening the handle portion 3, but also has a function of adjusting so that the flexibility of the handle portion 3 does not become excessively large. Also, by increasing the thickness of the handle portion 3 by the protruding portion 3b, the handle portion 3 becomes easier to hold.

[0034] The material of the head portion 2 may be the same as the material of the above-described handle portion 3. Also, it is preferable that the head portion 2 and the handle portion 3 are made of the same material. Furthermore, although the head portion 2 and the handle portion 3 may be separately molded and connected, it is preferable that they are integrally molded because a robust fluid applicator 1 without a connection portion can be obtained. As the molding method of the head portion 2 and the handle portion 3, injection molding, molding by a 3D printer, casting, cutting, press molding, etc. can be used.

[0035] Fig. 6 shows an enlarged view of the coating surface 2a of the head portion 2. In the form shown in Fig. 6, a plurality of recesses 2g, 2g,... that are recessed from the coating surface 2a are formed on the coating surface 2a. These recesses 2g, 2g,... serve as a guide for the amount of the fluid to be applied when attaching the fluid to the coating surface 2a. For example, the length of one recess 2g (the length in the x direction) or the area surrounded by the edge of the recess can correspond to the amount of fluid used for one application or N times that amount. Here, N is a positive number greater than zero and can include decimals and fractions. Thereby, the user can attach an appropriate amount of fluid to the coating surface 2a and apply an appropriate amount of fluid to the surface to be coated.

[0036] The recess 2g is formed in a shape such that the x direction is the longitudinal direction, but the shape is not particularly limited. However, since the convex top of the coating surface 2a is the part that is most likely to come into contact with the fluid and / or the surface to be coated, it is preferable that the recess 2g is also formed at the convex top of the coating surface 2a.

[0037] Note that the mark for guiding the amount of fluid does not necessarily have to be in the form of the recess 2g, and may be a line, a figure, etc. formed on the flat coating surface 2a. Also, characters may be attached. However, in the case of the form of the recess 2g as shown in Fig. 6, since the fluid enters the recess 2g, it is possible to prevent the fluid from falling from the fluid coating surface 2a until it is carried to the surface to be coated after attaching the fluid to the coating surface 2a, and in particular, in the case of a fluid with a low viscosity, the fluid from overflowing between the surface to be coated and the coating surface 2a and moving to an unintended place during the coating operation.

[0038] The shape, size, and number of the marks for guiding the amount of use on the coating surface 2a can be appropriately set according to the appropriate application amount, viscosity, etc. of the fluid to be coated.

[0039] As described above, the present invention has been explained based on specific embodiments and examples, but these embodiments and examples are merely presented as examples, and the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments and examples. Within the scope of the disclosure of the present invention, various changes, modifications, substitutions, deletions, additions, combinations, etc. are possible.

Explanation of Signs

[0040] 1 Fluid applicator 2 Head part 2a Coating surface 2g Recess (mark) 3 Handle part 3b Protrusion

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a fluid, comprising a head portion having an application surface and a handle portion connected to the head portion, wherein the application surface is convex with a radius of curvature of 5 mm or more and 15 mm or less in a side view, the fluid applicator.

2. The fluid applicator according to claim 1, wherein the handle portion is convexly curved with a radius of curvature of 50 mm or more and 250 mm or less on the side opposite to the application surface.

3. In a side view, when viewed in the normal direction at the apex of the application surface of the head portion, the distance between the apex of the application surface of the head portion and the apex of the convex on the side opposite to the application surface of the handle portion is 10 mm or more and 40 mm or less, the fluid applicator according to claim 2.

4. The fluid applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the head portion and the handle portion are integrally formed.

5. The fluid applicator according to claim 4, wherein the head portion and the handle portion are formed of a flexible resin.

6. The fluid applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an area or width corresponding to the amount of fluid used per application or N times the amount of fluid used is printed on the application surface.

7. The fluid applicator according to claim 6, wherein the printing is in a groove shape.

8. The fluid applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fluid is a cosmetic.

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