Adjustable Applicator with Movable Filament for Curvature Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applicators for cosmetics and care products, such as mascara and dental flossing, are often pre-curved and lack user-controlled adjustability, making them difficult to use effectively, especially in confined areas like the eye region, where varying eyelid curvatures require a customizable applicator.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable applicator with a movable filament housed within a bore in the applicator element, allowing for angular deformation to varying degrees without additional components, using an elastically deformable material and a biasing member to assist in shape modification, enabling the user to control the curvature through a clasping mechanism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pre-curved applicator is used, then the applicator can contact more eyelashes along a curved eyelid, but it becomes difficult to use in confined areas like the corners of the eye and cannot adapt to different users' eyelid curvatures
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator incorporates a flexible wand that can dynamically change its curvature through user manipulation. The wand includes a biasing member that allows it to be bent to different angles and positions, enabling the user to adapt the applicator to various eyelid curvatures and access different areas including corners of the eye, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator allows changing the curvature parameter of the wand by incorporating a biasing member that enables the user to adjust the angle and shape of the applicator head relative to the handle. This parameter adjustment capability allows the same applicator to fit different users' eyelid curvatures while maintaining ease of use in confined areas
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable mascara brush with an extendable rod is used, then the brush can be adjusted from straight to curved, but it requires additional components that increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is integrated directly into the wand structure itself, merging the adjustment mechanism with the applicator body. This eliminates the need for separate extendable rods or complex adjustment mechanisms, allowing the brush to be adjusted from straight to curved while maintaining simplicity and reducing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member enables the wand to be self-adjusting through simple user manipulation. The user can easily bend the wand to the desired curvature and the biasing member maintains this position, allowing the applicator to serve itself without requiring additional components or complex mechanisms
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides ease of use and adaptability to individual user needs by allowing precise control over the curvature of the applicator, ensuring effective application and removal of products without the need for additional components, enhancing user experience and product application efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The applicator element may be molded as a single piece from an elastically deformable material
Implementation Method 2
using an elastically deformable material and a biasing member to assist in shape modification
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention generally is an adjustable applicator employed for application of a cosmetic or a care product such as for application of mascara, coloring strands of hair, for dental flossing or for applying pharmaceuticals or cleaning agents. The invention discloses an adjustable applicator comprising an applicator element having a bore, a filament wherein the filament is housed inside the bore of the applicator element and a clasping means wherein the applicator element angularly deforms when a force is applied on the clasping means. Also disclosed is a device for packaging and dispensing a substance comprising said adjustable applicator.