Eyelash Applicator Teeth with Inflection Points

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing eyelash and eyebrow applicators fail to effectively load and separate lashes, leading to excessive product retention and clumping, especially when applying makeup to already coated lashes or brows.

Innovation Solution

The applicator features a moulded core with teeth that narrow towards their free end and have a point of inflection, providing a large contact surface and progressive contact with lashes to prevent clumping and ensure well-defined lash bunches during application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If conventional applicator teeth are used, then the applicator can apply product to eyelashes, but excessive product retention occurs on the teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameters of the teeth by introducing a point of inflection on the lateral edges and narrowing the teeth toward the free end. This parameter modification optimizes the balance between product retention and product release, allowing adequate loading of lashes without excessive accumulation on the teeth surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies curvature principles by creating a point of inflection on the lateral edges of the teeth, which introduces a progressive curved surface rather than straight edges. This curvature variation prevents product from pooling at sharp edges while maintaining sufficient contact surface area for product pickup and transfer to the lashes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Ease of operation

If conventional applicator teeth are used, then product can be applied to eyelashes, but lashes become clumped together

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The point of inflection on the lateral edges creates a progressive curved contact surface that naturally guides and separates individual lashes during application. The curved geometry prevents multiple lashes from being forced together into clumps, maintaining lash separation while enabling smooth product application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies different geometric qualities to different parts of the tooth structure. The narrowing toward the free end and the point of inflection on the lateral edges create localized variations in contact pressure and surface area, allowing individual lashes to be treated separately rather than as a mass, thus preventing clumping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If teeth have large contact surface with lashes, then adequate product loading is achieved, but ridges form on the applicator

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the edge geometry parameters by introducing a point of inflection and narrowing the teeth toward the free end. This parameter change allows the teeth to maintain sufficient contact surface area for product loading while eliminating sharp ridges that would cause product accumulation and uneven distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12114756B2Applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows

Publication Date: 2024.10.15

AI summary

An applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, has a moulded applicator member. The applicator member has a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, teeth that narrow in front view in the direction of their free end and have at least one edge having a point of inflection.