Cantilevered Applicator Head for Homogeneous Lip Makeup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lip makeup devices fail to provide a homogeneous application and comfort due to product accumulation on the periphery of the applicator, leading to suboptimal makeup results, especially with highly colored products.

Innovation Solution

A packaging and application device featuring a cavity and cantilevered portion in the applicator head, allowing flexibility and even product distribution, with a flocked or non-flocked applicator head that can modify its orientation for improved coverage and precision, and a reservoir design that includes a flexible or rigid structure for efficient product delivery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the applicator head is made rigid for structural stability, then manufacturing precision is improved, but flexibility and comfort during application deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplicator head structureVSAvoidflexibility during application

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head is divided into distinct functional zones: a rigid base portion for structural stability and manufacturing precision, and a flexible peripheral portion for comfort and adaptability during application. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its properties independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the applicator head have different mechanical properties - the central region maintains rigidity for precise product deposition, while the peripheral regions incorporate flexibility through specific geometric configurations (cantilevered portions) to enhance comfort during application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Quantity of substance

If product is delivered generously to ensure adequate coverage, then quantity of substance is improved, but product accumulation on periphery increases leading to non-homogeneous application

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct delivery amountVSAvoidhomogeneity of product distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible peripheral portions are designed to be removable or replaceable, allowing the user to take out and replace applicator heads with different flexibility characteristics or wear states, thereby maintaining optimal product distribution homogeneity over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The applicator head incorporates dynamic flexibility in its peripheral portions that allows it to adapt its shape during application, naturally regulating product distribution to prevent peripheral accumulation while maintaining adequate coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the applicator head is made flexible for comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but structural stability and manufacturing precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort during applicationVSAvoidapplicator head structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the application face is kept flat for simple manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but ability to adapt to curved surfaces like lips deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication face geometryVSAvoidadaptability to lip surface

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head employs flexible peripheral portions with specific geometric configurations (cantilevered portions) that allow the application face to adapt to curved surfaces like lips while maintaining a fundamentally simple flat structure for ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 device ensures a more homogeneous and comfortable makeup application by allowing flexible product distribution and recovery, enhancing the shine and precision of lip makeup.

Implementation Method 1

a flexible portion (21) of the applicator head (5) and by the configuration of the support (4), the portion (21) having a flexibility making it possible to modify the orientation of the portion (25)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP1842448B1Packaging and application device

Publication Date: 2017.07.12 LOREAL SA

Figure 1~5
Figure 6~12
Figure 13~18

AI summary

The device has a reservoir (2) containing composition to be dispensed. An applicator element includes an applicator head (5) that is secured to the reservoir during application. The head presents an application face (7) that contacts the region to be treated, where the head includes a cavity that opens out into the application face. A feed channel (10) is provided for supplying composition to the application face. The applicator head includes a portion that is cantilevered-out till the periphery of the applicator head.