Rectangular Wiper With Segmented Lips For Flat Applicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flat cosmetics applicators, such as those designed for mascara, face challenges with wipers due to increased friction and instability, leading to unsatisfactory wiping actions and potential damage to the applicator's bristle covering, especially when trying to withdraw them from storage containers.

Innovation Solution

A wiper design featuring a substantially rectangular passage with elastically deformed wiper lips that are divided into bending elements, allowing for flexibility and reduced friction, while maintaining structural integrity to prevent bristle damage, and incorporating triangular tongues for improved guidance and reduced pressure during withdrawal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the wiper is made more rigid to counteract the turning inside-out, then the stability of the wiper is improved, but the friction force increases and considerable forces are required to pull out the applicator

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiper stabilityVSAvoidwithdrawal force

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The wiper lip is divided into multiple bending elements (segments) that can independently deform. This segmentation allows the wiper to maintain overall structural stability while individual segments flex to reduce friction during applicator withdrawal, eliminating the need for high rigid structures that would increase withdrawal force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wiper transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The bending elements are designed to elastically deform during insertion and withdrawal, adapting their shape to the applicator's movement. This dynamic behavior reduces frictional forces while maintaining wiping effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between stability and withdrawal force.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the wiper is made more rigid to prevent turning inside-out, then the wiping action stability is improved, but the bristle covering is more likely to be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiper stabilityVSAvoidbristle damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the wiper lip into multiple bending elements, the contact pressure is distributed across many small flexible points rather than a single rigid surface. This reduces localized stress on the bristle covering, preventing damage while maintaining overall wiper stability through the coordinated deformation of segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bending elements function as flexible structures that can conform to the applicator shape without exerting excessive rigid pressure. This flexibility protects the bristle covering from damage while the collective structure maintains stability, resolving the contradiction between stability and bristle protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If a rigid wiper is used to maintain structural integrity, then the wiper stability is improved, but the friction force increases causing abrupt tactile impression

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiper stabilityVSAvoidwithdrawal smoothness

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bending elements provide dynamic flexibility that reduces friction during insertion and withdrawal, creating a smooth tactile experience. The wiper adapts its rigidity in real-time - flexible during movement phases and stable during the wiping phase - eliminating abrupt tactile impressions while maintaining operational stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The segmented structure allows each bending element to independently deform and reduce friction, creating a progressively smooth withdrawal motion. This segmentation prevents the abrupt force changes that occur with rigid wipers, improving ease of operation while maintaining stability through the coordinated action of segments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 wiper effectively manages the withdrawal of flat cosmetics applicators with reduced friction and pressure, preventing bristle damage and ensuring a stable, efficient wiping action, even when used with bristle coverings that are susceptible to kinking.

Implementation Method 1

zwei einander gegenüberliegende Wipperlippen (4, 5), die jeweils in mehrere Biegeelemente (12) unterteilt sind, welche elastisch verformt werden, wenn der Kosmetikapplikator durchgestoßen wird

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9028161B2Rectangular wiper for flat brushes

Publication Date: 2015.05.12 GEKA

AI summary

A wiper for wiping off a cosmetics applicator during the withdrawal from its storage container, wherein the wiper forms a substantially rectangular passage, which in the non-stressed state is closed off by two mutually opposing wiper lips that are respectively divided into several bending elements which are elastically deformed when the cosmetics applicator is pushed through and thus clear the way for the applicator to pass through the passage.