Viscous Product Applicator Brush with Localized Flocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cosmetic applicator brushes face issues with retaining viscous products like mascara, leading to clogging and poor distribution, as existing solutions with flocking either fail to effectively release the product or incur excessive costs.
Innovation Solution
A brush design featuring a specific arrangement of monofilaments with balanced bristle and flocking densities, where the peripheral surface of the bristles is coated with flocking fibres using an adhesive film, ensuring optimal retention and release of viscous materials without clogging, achieved through controlled flocking fibre orientation and density ranges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If flocking is applied on the stem and support surfaces, then the cosmetic product retention ability is improved, but the brush becomes clogged and loses its combing properties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flocking selectively only to the peripheral surface of the bristles, while leaving the stem and support surfaces free of flocking. This local application ensures that product retention occurs at the bristle tips where it is needed, while the stem and support remain clear to prevent clogging and maintain structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush structure is divided into distinct functional zones: the stem and support provide structural framework without flocking, while the bristle peripheral surfaces provide product retention with flocking. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with others.
2Quantity of substance
If flocking is applied on the bristles, then the cosmetic product retention is improved, but the brush accumulates excessive conglomerate product
Solution Approach 1:
Flocking is applied only to the peripheral surface of the bristles rather than the entire bristle surface. This localized flocking creates a controlled retention zone that holds product without excessive accumulation, allowing smooth product release during application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies a controlled, partial amount of flocking only where needed on the bristle peripheral surfaces, rather than excessive flocking across all surfaces. This partial application provides sufficient product retention while avoiding the harmful effect of excessive product accumulation.
3Ease of operation
If conventional bristled brush structure is used, then the brush maintains good combing properties, but the cosmetic product retention ability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains the conventional bristled brush structure for combing functionality, and adds flocking locally only on the peripheral bristle surfaces to enhance product retention. This preserves the original combing ability while adding the desired product holding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The brush combines conventional bristle material with added flocking material on the peripheral surfaces, creating a composite structure that exhibits both the combing properties of the bristles and the product retention properties of the flocking fibres.
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
The brush effectively retains and distributes viscous cosmetic products like mascara without clogging, maintaining combing efficiency and ensuring proper adhesion to lashes, while minimizing excess product accumulation.
Implementation Method 1
the peripheral surface of the bristles is coated with flocking fibres using an adhesive film
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An application method of a viscous product and applicator brush thereof is disclosed, the latter comprising a support stem wherefrom a plurality of bristles consisting of radially protruding monofilaments project, wherein said monofilaments are arranged with a density ranging between 10 and 50 per coil, the lateral surface of said monofilaments is provided with flocking fibres extending substantially radially with respect to the longitudinal axis of said monofilaments, said flocking fibres are of a length between 0.4 mm and 2 mm and a cross-section between 0.9 and 22 Dtex, and wherein said flocking fibres are arranged with a flocking density per coil (DFs) between about 1 and about 3 and a bristle flocking density (DFf) between 0.060 mg and 0.200 mg where DFs=PF−PNNS×1000 DFf=PF−PNNM×1000 wherein PN = weight of the unflocked brush in mg, PF = weight of the flocked brush in mg, NS = Number of coils and NM = Number of monofilaments.