Eyelash Brush With Variable Depth Cutouts For Product Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brushes for applying cosmetic products to eyelashes and eyebrows are inefficient in loading and separating lashes due to their cylindrical shape, requiring complex shapes and numerous tests to achieve optimal results, and are difficult to manufacture quickly and easily.

Innovation Solution

A brush design featuring cutouts along its length with variable depth and width, allowing for a sufficient product load on most of its length and less product towards the end for effective separation, manufactured using a cutting tool that moves along both parallel and perpendicular axes to the core, facilitating easier production and optimal makeup application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the brush has a cylindrical envelope surface, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the effectiveness in loading and separating eyelashes is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidmakeup application effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The brush envelope surface is segmented into multiple zones through cutouts, creating distinct functional regions: a first zone with heavier product loading for applying makeup and a second zone with lighter product loading for separating eyelashes. This segmentation allows the single brush to perform multiple functions effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the brush envelope surface are given different product loading characteristics. The first zone is designed to hold more cosmetic product for effective makeup application, while the second zone holds less product optimized for separation, creating local quality variations that address different makeup needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the brush envelope surface has a complex shape to optimize loading and separation zones, then the makeup application effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemakeup application effectivenessVSAvoidbrush shape complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex envelope surface is created by segmenting the cylindrical surface with cutouts rather than using a completely complex shape. This approach achieves the desired functional zones while maintaining a base cylindrical structure that is easier to manufacture than a fully complex shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating complexity through three-dimensional shape variations, the invention introduces functional zones by modifying the two-dimensional envelope surface through cutouts. This dimensional approach simplifies manufacturing compared to creating complex 3D shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If the brush envelope surface has a complex shape to create optimal loading and separation zones, then the makeup application effectiveness is improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemakeup application effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The brush is manufactured by segmenting the cylindrical envelope surface through cutouts rather than forming a completely complex shape from scratch. This segmentation approach allows for faster manufacturing while achieving the desired functional zones for effective makeup application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cylindrical base structure is prepared in advance before adding the cutout features. This preliminary action allows the main body to be manufactured quickly using simple cylindrical forming, with the functional zones added through subsequent cutting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3285613B1Brush for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising cutouts
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 LOREAL SA
  • EP3285613B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3285613B1 patent drawingFigure 2~4
  • EP3285613B1 patent drawingFigure 5~9

AI summary

The present invention relates to a brush (10) for applying a product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising: a core (40) that extends along a longitudinal axis X, and bristles (41) that extend from the core (40) along a portion of length L 2 , the ends of the bristles (41) defining an envelope surface, the envelope surface having at least one longitudinally extending cutout, the cutout having: a length L 2 where L 2 ≥L 1 /2, a width w, measured at the bottom of the cutout, that is constant along at least a portion of its length L 2 , and a distance d from the longitudinal axis X that varies along its length L 2 .