Mascara Applicator with Flexible Membrane for Controlled Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mascara applicators fail to control the quantity of mascara applied, leading to inefficient application, potential contamination, and poor makeup quality due to excess mascara, and lack sufficient combing functionality for uniform coating.
Innovation Solution
A novel mascara applicator with a core and applicator means forming a hollow volume to collect and apply mascara, featuring flexible, two-dimensional solid walls that allow precise control over mascara quantity and facilitate smooth, uniform application while combing eyelashes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional brushes are used to apply mascara, then the brush can collect mascara from the receptacle, but the quantity of mascara collected cannot be controlled, leading to either insufficient or excessive mascara application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible membrane at the distal end of the applicator stem that can deform to control mascara flow. The membrane acts as a controllable barrier that can be pressed against the stem to regulate the amount of mascara collected, providing precise control over the quantity of mascara applied to eyelashes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and flow characteristics of mascara by using a flexible membrane that can be compressed. By applying pressure to the membrane, the user controls the viscosity and flow rate of mascara, enabling precise regulation of the quantity collected and applied.
2Reliability
If the brush collects insufficient mascara, then the user must repeatedly dip the brush into the receptacle, but this increases the risk of contamination and polluting the mascara supply
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane creates a sealed environment that prevents mascara from leaking back into the receptacle during application. The membrane can be compressed to control mascara release, ensuring that excess mascara does not drip back into the supply, thereby preventing contamination and maintaining reliability of the mascara formulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator design allows the user to control mascara release through self-compression of the membrane during application. This self-regulating mechanism ensures that the exact amount of mascara needed is applied in one dip, eliminating the need for repeated dipping and reducing contamination risk.
3Quantity of substance
If the brush collects excessive mascara, then the eyelashes become over-coated with clumping, but the unused mascara remains on the brush and dries out, degrading the mascara supply
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane acts as a controlled release mechanism that prevents over-application of mascara. By compressing the membrane, the user can regulate the exact amount of mascara transferred to the eyelashes, avoiding clumping. The membrane also prevents excess mascara from remaining on the applicator, eliminating the drying and degradation problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the form of pressure applied to the flexible membrane to control mascara flow rate and quantity. By adjusting the compression force, the user can precisely control the amount of mascara applied, preventing both insufficient and excessive coating, and avoiding clumping and drying issues.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional brushes are used for applying mascara, then the eyelashes can be combed during application, but the combing function is insufficient for obtaining continuous, uniform, and smooth coating
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane at the distal end of the applicator provides a smooth, continuous surface that uniformly distributes mascara along the eyelashes. As the user applies pressure and moves the applicator, the membrane conformally contacts each lash, ensuring continuous and uniform coating while maintaining combing capability through its flexibility.
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
Enables accurate control of mascara application, prevents contamination, ensures smooth and uniform coating, and effectively separates, lengthens, and curves eyelashes, improving the overall makeup experience.
Implementation Method 1
said applicator means being arranged to form at least one hollow itself defining at least one applicator volume shaped firstly to contain the composition
Implementation Method 2
said applicator volume being defined by at least first and second substantially solid walls disposed facing each other
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument for applying a liquid or semi-liquid composition on the eyelashes or the eyebrows, having a core together with an applicator designed to collect the composition and to apply it on the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator projecting from the core between respective bases and tips, wherein the applicator is arranged to form at least one hollow itself defining at least one applicator volume shaped firstly to contain the composition and secondly to enable at least one eyelash or eyebrow hair to pass therethrough in order to be coated in composition, the applicator volume extending from the tip towards the core along a fraction only of the length of the applicator, the applicator volume being defined by at least first and second substantially solid walls disposed facing each other, each of the first and second walls presenting a nature that is substantially two-dimensional.