Mascara Coil Spring Geometry for Retention and Eyelash Combing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cosmetic applicators with coil springs struggle to hold a sufficient amount of mascara while ensuring easy application and combing of eyelashes, as the space between the coil spring and shaft body limits mascara retention and application efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cosmetic applicator design featuring a coil spring with a varying radial distance from the central axis, forming a repeating pattern that differs from the pitch, allowing for increased mascara retention and easy application, with bent portions shifting in increments of a prescribed angle to facilitate mascara distribution and eyelash combing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the coil spring is closely wound around the shaft body to hold a large amount of mascara, then the amount of mascara held increases, but the applying portion cannot hold a large amount of mascara and application becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a space between the shaft body and coil spring with different cross-sectional shapes, allowing mascara to be held in this specific localized space while maintaining the coil spring's flexibility for easy application. The irregular cross-sectional shape of the space provides optimal mascara retention at specific locations without compromising overall applicability.
2Quantity of substance
If the pitch between spring coils is increased to hold more mascara, then the amount of mascara held increases, but it becomes difficult to apply mascara that simultaneously individually and neatly combs eyelashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a localized space with irregular cross-sectional shape between the shaft body and coil spring, concentrating mascara holding capacity in this specific region. This allows the majority of mascara to be positioned where it can effectively touch and comb eyelashes, rather than being distributed throughout the entire coil spring structure.
3Quantity of substance
If the cross-sectional shape of the coil spring and shaft body are made different to form a space for mascara retention, then the amount of mascara held increases, but the mascara located inside the coil spring becomes difficult to reach the eyelashes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent strategically positions the mascara-holding space between the shaft body and coil spring with different cross-sectional shapes, ensuring that the stored mascara is located in an accessible position. The irregular cross-section creates pockets that hold mascara close to the outer surface, making it easily reachable by eyelashes during application.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a cosmetic applicator having a coil spring at an applying portion thereof with which mascara may be easily applied to eyelashes. It is preferred that the coil spring not be exactly helicoidal, it being preferred that radial distance from the central axis to the outermost circumferential surface be made to vary as a function of angular position about the central axis. Variation in radial distance from the central axis to the outermost circumferential surface of the coil spring may occur in a repeating pattern of periodicity different from the pitch of the coil spring, causing coil spring shape element(s) to shift in angular position with each turn of the coil spring. Mascara may be held in spaces between adjacent coils, presence of bent portions which shift in the circumferential direction making it possible for the applying portion to easily retain mascara.