Spiral Bead Applicator Tip for Precise Cosmetic Dosing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cosmetic product applicators fail to provide a precise, regular, and continuous application of cosmetic products, often resulting in irregular product distribution and potential skin irritation due to aggressive friction.

Innovation Solution

A cosmetic product applicator tip featuring a main body with a form of revolution and spiral beads that protrude from its surface, allowing for precise product retention and a natural guiding motion during application, which promotes a regular and continuous application while allowing for a gentle massage effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a smooth surface applicator is used, then the applicator is easy to manufacture, but it does not allow for precise dosing of the quantity of product applied

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecise dosingVSAvoidapplicator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator surface is segmented into multiple discrete beads arranged in a spiral pattern. Each bead acts as an independent product retention element, allowing precise control over the quantity of product applied. This segmentation transforms the continuous smooth surface into discrete dosing units, enabling accurate product distribution while maintaining a relatively simple overall applicator structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If a squeeze tube applicator is used, then the applicator can deliver product, but the quantity of product delivered is imprecise because it depends on the force applied to the tube

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct quantityVSAvoiddosage precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The beads on the applicator surface pre-load with a specific quantity of product before application. This preliminary action of product loading on the beads ensures that the exact amount of product needed is already positioned on the applicator, eliminating the need for force-dependent delivery during application. The beads act as pre-measured product reservoirs that transfer a precise dosage to the skin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If rubbing or rolling motion is used with smooth applicators, then the product can be applied to the skin, but the friction can be aggressive or even irritating to the skin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication motionVSAvoidskin irritation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator features spherical or rounded beads on its surface instead of a smooth continuous surface. These curved bead surfaces naturally roll across the skin during application, distributing product through a gentler mechanism that reduces friction and irritation. The spherical geometry of the beads allows for smooth gliding motion that is less aggressive than traditional rubbing or rolling with flat surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

4Quantity of substance

If longitudinal ridges are used on the applicator, then the applicator can retain product, but the ridges are incompatible with passage through a wringer device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduct retentionVSAvoidwringer compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The applicator uses asymmetric spiral arrangement of beads rather than symmetric longitudinal ridges. This asymmetric spiral configuration allows product retention in the spaces between beads while maintaining a profile that can pass through wringer devices. The spiral pattern creates natural product retention zones without the geometric constraints of parallel ridges, enabling compatibility with wringer mechanisms for product removal or redistribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP4353123B1Cosmetic product application tip comprising spiral beads on a main rotating body
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 CHANEL PARFUMS BEAUTE SAS
  • EP4353123B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4353123B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4353123B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator tip (1) comprising a main body (3) having a general shape of revolution about a principal axis (A) defining a longitudinal direction. In this applicator tip, ridges (4) are formed on the surface of said main body, from which each of said ridges protrudes, extending spirally around the principal axis (A). The invention also relates to an applicator comprising such a tip and to an assembly comprising such an applicator and a bottle.