Mascara Applicator Core-Envelope Design for Deformation Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing applicators for keratin materials, such as mascara brushes, face issues with deformation and product distribution due to the mechanical stress on flexible application elements when passing through wringers, leading to inefficient product application and potential deformation of the applicator.
Innovation Solution
An applicator design featuring a rod with a core and a flexible external envelope that is free to move relative to the core, allowing for the use of very soft materials without deformation, and is easily manufactured by crimping or molding, ensuring gentle application and effective product distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the application elements are made of very soft material to ensure gentle application, then the gentleness of application is improved, but the applicator elements may be deformed when passing through the wringer
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid core that provides structural support and a flexible envelope made of soft material that contacts the keratinous material. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the core prevents deformation during wringing while the envelope ensures gentle application.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator combines two materials with contrasting properties: a rigid material for the core and a soft flexible material for the envelope. This composite structure enables the applicator to simultaneously achieve gentleness through the soft envelope and deformation resistance through the rigid core.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the application elements are made of soft material to ensure flexibility, then the flexibility is improved, but the applicator elements are highly stressed and strongly wrung out when passing through the wringer
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid core that provides structural support and a flexible envelope made of soft material that contacts the keratinous material. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the core prevents deformation during wringing while the envelope ensures gentle application.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid core acts as an intermediary structural element between the user's hand and the soft envelope. It absorbs and distributes the mechanical stresses during wringing, protecting the soft envelope from excessive stress while maintaining the envelope's flexibility for gentle application.
3Strength
If the application elements are retained at their base on a rigid part to provide structural support, then the structural support is improved, but the applicator elements are highly stressed when passing through the wringer
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator is divided into two distinct parts: a rigid core that provides structural support and a flexible envelope made of soft material that contacts the keratinous material. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - the core prevents deformation during wringing while the envelope ensures gentle application.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator uses a flexible envelope (thin film) made of soft material that surrounds the rigid core. This flexible shell provides the necessary structural support through the core while the soft envelope ensures gentle contact with the keratinous material, reducing stress during wringing.
4Productivity
If the applicator elements lie down when passing through the wringer to be wrung out, then the wringing process is completed, but the load of product remaining on the wrung-out applicator members is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator uses a flexible envelope (thin film) made of soft material that surrounds the rigid core. This flexible shell provides the necessary structural support through the core while the soft envelope ensures gentle contact with the keratinous material, reducing stress during wringing.
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 design allows for a gentle and flexible application of products to keratin materials, reducing the risk of applicator deformation and ensuring consistent product delivery, while being simple to produce and maintain.
Implementation Method 1
At least part of the envelope application zone is free with respect to the core, meaning that this part is not fixed or attached to the core. A play, even very small, can separate this part of the envelope of the soul. This allows this part of the envelope to move, even substantially, relative to the core when it is urged on its outer surface
Implementation Method 2
The core and/or the envelope of the applicator member may (may) be magnetizable. The rod can be connected to a gripping member arranged in such a way as to seal a container containing the product to be applied.
Data Source
Figure 1~42
Figure 5~18
Figure 19~41
AI summary
The present invention relates to an applicator (3) for applying a product (P) to keratin fibers, in particular eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising: - a shaft (8); - an application member (10) fixed to one end of the shaft, comprising: - a core (11) extending in line with the shaft, the core being fixed to the shaft or made monolithically with the shaft; - an outer casing (12) comprising a fixing zone (200) and an application zone (100), the casing defining an internal cavity (14) into which the core (11) is inserted, the outer casing (12) being fixed to one end of the shaft by the fixing zone and being free relative to the core, at least over a part of the application zone, the fixing zone (200) of the outer casing being fixed to the shaft and to the core so as to be sandwiched between the shaft and the core.