Reversible device for cleaning cosmetic brushes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic brush cleaning devices lack tailored surface textures for both larger and smaller brushes, fail to replicate natural hand movement during cleaning, and do not effectively remove excess moisture, leading to inefficient cleaning and potential skin issues.

Innovation Solution

A flexible device with reversible orientations featuring distinct textures for washing and rinsing, designed to accommodate natural hand movements and efficiently remove residue and moisture, with textured surfaces tailored for different brush sizes and stages of cleaning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single textured surface is used for brush cleaning, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot provide tailored textures for different brush sizes and cleaning stages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetexture tailoring for different brush sizesVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning device is divided into multiple distinct textured regions (first textured region and second textured region) with different surface characteristics. Each region is optimized for specific brush sizes or cleaning stages, allowing the device to handle various brush types effectively without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the cleaning device are given different local textures and properties. The first textured region has characteristics suited for larger brushes while the second textured region has characteristics optimized for smaller brushes, enabling localized optimization for different cleaning needs within a single device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If the device requires hand gripping or support during use, then control is precise, but the operation becomes cumbersome and unnatural

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenatural hand movement replicationVSAvoiddevice design
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The device is designed to be flexible rather than rigid, allowing it to conform to the natural contours and movements of the hand. This dynamic adaptation enables the device to replicate natural hand movements during brush cleaning without requiring active gripping or support, making the cleaning process more intuitive and comfortable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible device structure enables the cleaning action to occur naturally through the movement of the hand itself, without requiring additional gripping forces or external support. The device leverages the natural biomechanics of hand movement to perform the cleaning function, reducing the cognitive and physical load on the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple textured regions are added to the device, then cleaning effectiveness for different brushes is improved, but the surface space is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning effectiveness for different brush sizesVSAvoiddevice surface space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The device transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface to a three-dimensional flexible structure that can be worn or held. This dimensional change allows multiple textured regions to be arranged in a spatial configuration that maximizes surface area utilization while maintaining compact form, enabling diverse textures without proportionally increasing device size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3009033B1Reversible device for cleaning cosmetic brushes
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 SIGMA ENTERPRISES LLC
  • EP3009033B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3009033B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3009033B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A reversible brush cleaning device (216) having alternate, reversible orientations is disclosed. The device includes first and second brush treatment textures defined in first and second surface regions, respectively. The reversible orientations alternately present the first and second surface regions on the exterior and interior of the flexible body, respectively. The textures are differently configured, in order to provide for alternate brush treatments when each is individually presented on the exterior, in each of the reversible orientations.