Twisted Core Mascara Applicator With Curved Envelope Faces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mascara applicators, particularly twisted brushes, face challenges in achieving complex envelope distributions around the core, making it difficult to produce effective makeup applications such as eyelash thickening, lengthening, and separation, due to the complexity of fiber cutting operations required.

Innovation Solution

A twisted core applicator with fibers forming an envelope having curved faces with alternating slopes and inclinations, allowing for a simple cutting operation to create a distribution of hollows and reliefs around the core, enhancing the applicator's functionality and fiber density compared to traditional plastic brushes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If fiber cutting operations are performed along complex trajectories to achieve complex envelope distributions, then the envelope shape and fiber distribution are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvelope shapeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The core is pre-twisted before fiber attachment, creating the desired complex envelope geometry in advance. This preliminary structural preparation allows fibers to be attached in a simpler manner while still achieving the complex final shape, resolving the contradiction between envelope complexity and manufacturing difficulty

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs curved and twisted geometries of the core structure to naturally generate complex envelope distributions. By using curved faces and twisted configurations rather than straight linear structures, the patent achieves sophisticated fiber arrangements through geometric design rather than complex cutting operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Quantity of substance

If twisted brush structure is used to achieve complex envelope distributions, then fiber density is improved, but the ease of obtaining specific characteristics deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiber densityVSAvoidease of obtaining characteristics
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The twisted core structure allows for localized variation in fiber density and distribution patterns along different sections of the applicator. By twisting the core, the patent creates regions with different fiber orientations and densities without requiring complex global restructuring, making it easier to achieve specific local characteristics while maintaining high overall fiber density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The twisted and curved core geometry naturally packs fibers more densely compared to straight structures. The helical arrangement created by twisting allows for increased fiber density within the same volume while maintaining manufacturability through standard twisting operations rather than complex assembly processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If plastic brush with complex envelope distribution is used, then makeup function is improved, but fiber density compared to twisted brush deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemakeup functionVSAvoidfiber density
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The twisted core with curved faces creates a complex envelope distribution similar to plastic brushes, maintaining good makeup functionality for applying cosmetic products. Simultaneously, the twisted structure enables higher fiber density compared to traditional plastic brush designs, thus resolving the contradiction between functional performance and fiber density

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2923599B1Applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular mascara, and method for manufacturing such an applicator
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 ALBEA SERVICES SAS
  • EP2923599B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2923599B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an applicator (10) for cosmetic products, in particular mascara, comprising a twisted core (12) and fibers extending from the core (12) while being held by said core (12), said core (12) having a distal end (16) and a proximal end (14), said fibers forming a sheath (E) with their free end, characterized in that said sheath (E) has curved faces (F1-F4) having at least one slope, or inclination, from said distal end (16) to said proximal end (14), said slope or inclination changing direction from one face (F1, F3) to the other (F2, F4) so ​​that said sheath (E) has hollows alternating with reliefs around said core (12).The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing a cosmetic product applicator (10), comprising a step of positioning a plurality of fibers between longitudinal parts of a spindle, a first step of twisting said spindle, and then a step of cutting the fibers.