Asymmetrical Eyelash Applicator Teeth for Product Retention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eyelash and eyebrow applicators fail to effectively load and separate eyelashes for optimal makeup application, particularly in bundling eyelashes or eyebrows already coated with product, leading to clumping and uneven distribution.

Innovation Solution

A brush applicator with flattened, asymmetrical teeth arranged in staggered rows and having a convex edge, providing increased contact surface for product retention and separation, allowing for precise loading and grouping of eyelashes into distinct bundles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional applicator teeth are used, then the structure is simple, but the product retention and eyelash separation are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct retention and eyelash separationVSAvoidtooth structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The teeth are designed with an asymmetrical cross-section featuring a flattened side and a convex edge, rather than a symmetrical cylindrical shape. This asymmetry creates different surface characteristics on each side of the tooth, enabling one side to retain product while the other side facilitates eyelash separation and bundling during application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator teeth are segmented into multiple functional zones along their length, with the flattened side providing product retention and the convex edge providing separation capability. This segmentation of functional zones within each tooth structure allows simultaneous product holding and precise eyelash manipulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If teeth are arranged in dense rows, then the contact surface is large, but the eyelash bundling capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact surface areaVSAvoideyelash bundling capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The teeth are arranged in staggered rows where adjacent teeth are offset from each other, creating localized gaps and varied contact points. This staggered arrangement provides different local qualities across the contact surface, allowing some areas to provide broad product distribution while other areas create the spacing needed for effective eyelash bundling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Manufacturing precision

If the applicator applies product evenly, then the distribution is uniform, but the volumized effect is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct distribution uniformityVSAvoidvolumized effect efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The asymmetrical tooth design with flattened side and convex edge creates non-uniform product distribution patterns. The flattened side holds and releases product in controlled amounts, while the convex edge creates spacing that allows product to accumulate in specific areas, producing a volumized effect rather than perfectly uniform distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP3003091B1Applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows
Publication Date: 2021.02.24 LOREAL SA
  • EP3003091B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3003091B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3003091B1 patent drawingFigure 4~8

AI summary

The invention concerns an applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising a moulded application member (8), comprising: a core (10) with a longitudinal axis (X), a plurality of longitudinal rows (50) of teeth with a flattened cross-section, distributed about the core (10) and each extending along the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10), each of the rows (50) comprising consecutive teeth staggered along the core (10) and partially superposed at their base (25) in elevation, the teeth in elevation having a dissymmetrical shape with a convex edge (22).