Mascara Applicator With Segmented Long And Short Teeth

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mascara and eyebrow applicators lack the ability to effectively penetrate and coat eyelashes and eyebrows, failing to provide versatile makeup effects and optimal application quality.

Innovation Solution

The development of an applicator with multiple rows of teeth, including both long and short teeth, arranged in a specific pattern around a core to ensure consistent spacing and angular distribution, allowing for better penetration and separation of eyelashes, and enabling various makeup effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional applicators with uniform teeth are used, then manufacturing is simple, but the ability to penetrate and separate eyelashes is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to penetrate and separate eyelashesVSAvoidteeth arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator head is segmented into multiple rows of teeth (at least four rows) with different tooth lengths within each row. This segmentation allows different teeth to perform different functions - longer teeth penetrate and separate eyelashes while shorter teeth coat and smooth the mascara composition, thereby improving the overall reliability of eyelash treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the applicator have different tooth characteristics. Each row contains teeth of varying lengths (at least three different lengths per row) that are optimized for specific functions. This local quality variation enables the applicator to simultaneously achieve penetration, separation, coating, and smoothing effects across different areas of the eyelash brush contact zone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple rows of teeth with different lengths are implemented, then makeup versatility improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemakeup effect versatilityVSAvoidtooth spacing and length precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator design incorporates both rigid structural elements (the core and tooth arrangement framework) and flexible elements (the varying tooth lengths that can adapt to different eyelash configurations). This dynamic design allows the applicator to accommodate different user needs and eyelash types while maintaining consistent functional performance through the standardized row and tooth structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of manufacture

If teeth are arranged in regular spacing, then manufacturing is easier, but the ability to coat and smooth composition is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemolding simplicityVSAvoidcomposition coating quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The teeth are segmented into multiple rows with at least four rows extending along the longitudinal axis. Each row contains teeth of different lengths arranged in a systematic pattern that balances manufacturing feasibility with coating effectiveness. The segmented structure allows the applicator to maintain regular spacing for easy molding while ensuring that shorter teeth are positioned to effectively coat and smooth the mascara composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Within each row, teeth of different lengths are positioned at specific locations to optimize their function. Shorter teeth are strategically placed to contact and smooth the mascara composition on the eyelashes, while longer teeth handle penetration and separation. This local quality differentiation improves coating quality without requiring complex irregular spacing patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2205123B1Mascara applicator
Publication Date: 2019.09.18 LOREAL SA
  • EP2205123B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2205123B1 patent drawingFigure 5~13
  • EP2205123B1 patent drawingFigure 14~20c

AI summary

The present invention relates to an applicator (2) for combing the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows and/or for applying a composition thereto, the applicator comprising a molded applicator member (8), comprising: an elongate core that extends along a longitudinal axis; and at least three rows of teeth that are connected to the core, the rows extending along the longitudinal axis of the core, having at least one row of long teeth and at least one row of short teeth, the implantation of the rows of teeth, on the core being substantially constant around the core over at least a fraction of the length of the applicator member, and, when the applicator member, wherein at least one row of long teeth is disposed on the core in a manner that is different from a row of short teeth, the two rows differing in at least one of the following ways: the spacing of the teeth in the row; the number of teeth in the row; or the thickness of the teeth measured perpendicularly to their long direction.