Methods of providing a cosmetic brush

Abstract

Example aspects of a method of providing a cosmetic brush for use in the application of cosmetics are disclosed. The method can comprise the steps of extruding a plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a triangular transverse cross section, such that each of said elongate brush bristles defines three substantially parallel edges along the length of each of said the bristles; and combining said plurality of said bristles to provide a brush head configured for the application of cosmetics.

Claims

1. A method of providing a cosmetic brush for use in the application of cosmetics, said method comprising the steps of: A) extruding a plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a triangular transverse cross section, such that each of said elongate brush bristles defines three substantially parallel edges along a first length of each of said bristles, each of said elongate brush bristles tapering along a second length of the bristle to define a short tip, wherein a length of each of the short tips is between about 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm; and B) combining said plurality of said bristles to provide a brush head configured for the application of cosmetics.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising a step of extruding a plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a circular transverse cross section, and further comprising a step of intermixing said plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a circular transverse cross section with said plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a triangular transverse cross section.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles having a triangular transverse cross section is provided with an equiangular transverse cross section.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles having a triangular transverse cross section is provided with a triangular transverse cross section which defines an equiangular triangle having sides each having a transverse measured length being greater than or equal to 0.05 mm and less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles has a triangular transverse cross section is provided with a wave.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles having a triangular transverse cross section is made of extruded Polybutylene Terephthalate.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the short tip is provided by dipping a tip of each of said bristles in a solution including sodium hydroxide.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first length is at least about 10 times greater than the second length.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles defines a length of about 40 mm.

10. A method of providing a cosmetic brush for use in the application of cosmetics, said method comprising the steps of: A) extruding a plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a triangular transverse cross section, such that each of said elongate brush bristles defines three substantially parallel edges along a length of each of said bristles; B) soaking said plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a triangular transverse cross section in water; C) dipping a tip of each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles of step B in a solution including sodium hydroxide so as to provide a short tip, each of the short tips defining a length of between about 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm; and D) combining said plurality of said bristles to provide a brush head configured for the application of cosmetics, such that said short tips are commonly oriented and free.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising a step of extruding a plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a circular transverse cross section, and further comprising a step of intermixing said plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a circular transverse cross section with said plurality of elongate brush bristles each having a triangular transverse cross section.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles having a triangular transverse cross section is provided with an equiangular transverse cross section.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles having a triangular transverse cross section is provided with a triangular transverse cross section which defines an equiangular triangle having sides each having a transverse measured length being greater than or equal to 0.05 mm and less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles having a triangular transverse cross section is provided with a wave.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein in step “B”, said plurality of elongate brush bristles are soaked in water for 10 minutes at room temperature.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein a length of each elongate brush bristle not including the short tip is at least about 10 times greater than the length of the short tip.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each of said plurality of elongate brush bristles defines a length of about 40 mm.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates an example brush assembly 10, including bristles 20, a ferrule 30, and a handle 40. The bristles 20 include multiple individual elongate bristle elements discussed in more detail later. The ferrule 30 attaches the bristles 20 relative to the handle 40, such that a user (not shown) can grasp the handle 40 and apply cosmetic product to the bristles 20, and thereafter from the bristles 20 to the user's face (not shown).

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates an example bristle 20 (aka fiber 20) with a triangular transverse cross section. This figure is not to scale. In this embodiment the triangular transverse cross section is that of an equiangular triangle. it should be understood that an equiangular triangle is a triangle where all three interior angles are equal in measure. Because the interior angles of any triangle always add up to 180 degrees, each angle is always a third of that, or 60 degrees. The dimension D in this figure is the smallest distance (aka length) between any two of the three parallel edges of the bristle 20. These bristles are contemplated for use in the bristles 20 noted above.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates an extrusion plate 100.

(4) FIG. 4 illustrates the inlet side of the extrusion plate 100.

(5) FIG. 5 illustrates the outlet side of the extrusion plate 100, which includes a plurality of extrusion holes 102.

(6) FIG. 6 is a close up partial view of that shown in FIG. 5, illustrating the extrusion holes 102 on the outlet side of the extrusion plate 100.

(7) FIG. 7 shows various “short” tip dimensions for PBT round cross section fibers/bristles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND BEST MODE OF IMPLEMENTATION

(8) The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

(9) Reference is now made to the figures, in which like elements indicate like elements throughout the several views.

(10) General Operating Environment

(11) As will be seen, discussion will be made herein regarding bristles for use in cosmetic brushes of the like, said bristles having a triangular cross section. Reference is made to FIG. 1, which illustrates an example brush assembly 10, including bristles 20, a ferrule 30, and a handle 40. The bristles 20 include multiple individual elongate bristle elements. The ferrule 30 attaches the bristles 20 relative to the handle 40, such that a user (not shown) can grasp the handle 40 and apply cosmetic product to the bristles 20, and thereafter from the bristles 20 to the user's face (not shown).

(12) The Triangular Fiber (Aka Triangular Bristle)

(13) Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates an example triangular bristle 21 (aka triangular fiber 21) with a triangular transverse cross section. This figure is not to scale. In this embodiment the triangular transverse cross section is that of an equiangular triangle. It should be understood that an equiangular triangle is a triangle where all three interior angles are equal in measure. Because the interior angles of any triangle always add up to 180 degrees, each angle is always a third of that, or 60 degrees. The dimension D in this figure is the smallest distance (aka length) between any two of the three parallel edges of the bristle 20. These bristles are contemplated for use in the bristles 20 noted above.

(14) Uses of the Triangular Bristles

(15) Contemplated herein is the use of a triangular bristle such as 21 in a cosmetic brush such as brush assembly 10 in FIG. 1, to apply cosmetic products to the skin.

(16) Mixture with Other Bristles

(17) Under one configuration, the triangular section fibers 21 may be used alone, that is, no other types of bristles may be used in the bristles 20.

(18) Under another configuration the triangular section fibers 21 may be used in a blend of fibers which might contain a percentage of triangular section fibers and a percentage of circular transverse section PBT fibers (such as are commonly used for makeup brushes).

(19) Advantages of the Triangular Bristles

(20) The cosmetic industry is getting more and more involved in environmentally friendly manufacture/products and animal cruelty issues.

(21) For this reason, the inventors contemplate making brushes with PBT, instead of animal hair. The challenge of doing so is that the animal hair provides more powder pick up compared to conventional PBT, because the animal hair has a texture on the surface in part due to the presence of cuticles. Extruded PBT does not have such a surface texture.

(22) The triangular bristles increase the powder pick up power of the brush, because the shape of each bristle (three parallel edges along the length of the bristle) is capable of scratching the surface of the press powder product (the triangular fiber shape “scratches” more compared to a circular section fiber).

(23) Said another way, the triangular fiber can be used for animal hair substitution because of its ability of picking up powder better than the commonly used circular section PBT.

(24) Dimensions of the Triangular Bristles

(25) Reference is again made to FIG. 2, which illustrates an example bristle 20 (aka fiber 20) with a triangular transverse cross section. This figure is not to scale. In this embodiment the triangular transverse cross section is that of an equiangular triangle. It should be understood that an equiangular triangle is a triangle where all three interior angles are equal in measure. Because the interior angles of any triangle always add up to 180 degrees, each angle is always a third of that, or 60 degrees. The dimension D in this figure is the smallest distance (aka length) between any two of the three parallel edges of the bristle 20.

(26) The sizes of the dimension D is contemplated to include the following lengths: 0.05 mm, 0.06 mm, 0.07 mm, 0.08 mm 0.09 mm, and 0.1 mm. Another way of saying this is that the triangular transverse cross sections which define an equiangular triangle have sides each having a transverse measured length being greater than or equal to 0.05 mm and less than or equal to 0.1 mm. Each of these sizes would provide different advantages.

(27) Composition of Fibers

(28) The composition of the fibers is in one configuration to be PBT (Polybutylene Terephtalate).

(29) However, other materials and better resins are contemplated.

(30) Some cosmetic filaments are made with Nylon, although the elasticity and retention of the material is not as good as PBT.

(31) DuPont has two cosmetic filaments named Sorona and Natrafil. The two are not PBT and they could be extruded in a triangular section.

(32) Extrusion of Fibers

(33) The manufacture of the fibers is done by PBT extrusion techniques such as known in the art, such as using a triangular plate tooling to achieve the triangular PBT section of the fiber.

(34) A “wave” can be provided in the fiber and is achieved with a conventional crimping method.

(35) The Tipping Process as Applied to Round Bristles

(36) Disclosed is the use of a NaOH solution used to dip the tips of the hair into to eat away at the tips which gives the fiber a softer feel on the face. This may be understood as providing a “short” tip to the fiber/bristle.

(37) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a chemical tipping process is used to provide similar short tips to the synthetic fiber. Here is a description of the “short tip” tipping process for the following two types of PBT fibers having round cross sections: 0.05 mm diameter, 40 mm long 0.07 mm diameter, 40 mm long

(38) Hair Dimension 0.05 mm Diameter, 40 mm Long

(39) Reference is made to FIG. 7. Here are certain specifications for this diameter fiber and its related tipping processes: Tip type: Short Tip Tipping solution: NaOH (Sodium hydroxide), having a concentration of 44.5+/−2, diluted with water. Concentration: 44.5+/−2 percent Temperature: 135° C.+/−2 degrees C. Time: 17 min+/−1 min Length tip is dipped into solution 5 mm-6 mm+/−1 mm Final tip length 1 mm+/−0.2 mm

(40) The process is as follows A PBT fiber having a dimension of 0.06 mm diameter and 40 mm long is suspended from above a tipping solution such that a downwardly extending end of the fiber can be dipped into the solution. The tipping solution is NaOH (sodium hydroxide) having a concentration of 44.5+/−2, diluted with water, at a temperature of 135° C.+/−2. The downwardly extending end of the fiber is dipped into the tipping solution for about 17 min+/−1 min. The length of the tip which is dipped into solution is 5 mm-6 mm+/−1 mm. The final tip length is approximately 1 mm+/−0.2 mm. Said another way, the solution removes approximately 4 mm and 1 mm is left. This is the Z dimension in FIG. 7.

(41) Hair Dimension 0.07 nm Diameter, 40 mm Long

(42) Reference is made to FIG. 7. Here are certain specifications for this diameter fiber and its related tipping processes: Tip type: Short Tip Tipping solution: NaOH (Sodium hydroxide), having a concentration of 44.5+/−2, diluted with water. Concentration: 44.5+/−2 percent Temperature: 132° C.+/−2 degrees C. Time: 17 min+/−1 min Length tip is dipped into solution 5 mm-6 mm+/−1 mm Final tip length: 1 mm+/−0.2 mm

(43) The process is as follows A PBT fiber having a dimension of 0.075 mm diameter and 40 mm long is suspended from above a tipping solution such that a downwardly extending end of the fiber can be dipped into the solution. The tipping solution is NaOH (sodium hydroxide) having a concentration of 44.5+/−2, diluted with water, at a temperature of 132 degrees C.+/−2 degrees. The downwardly extending end of the fiber is dipped into the tipping solution for about 17 min+/−1 min. The length of the tip which is dipped into solution is 5 mm-6 mm+/−1 mm. The final tip length is approximately 1 mm+/−0.2 mm. Said another way, the solution removes approximately 4 mm and 1 mm is left. This is the ZZ dimension in FIG. 7.

(44) The Tipping Process as Applied to Triangular Bristles

(45) As noted above NaOH is a solution used to dip the tips of the round bristles into to eat away at the tips which gives the fiber a softer feel on the face.

(46) For the triangular bristles, it's a little different.

(47) A normal PBT fiber bundle (with circular cross sections) is dense, while the triangular fiber bundle is less dense, due to the shape of the fiber.

(48) With less density, the fibers more easily soak with and absorb the NaOH solution. So there is a need to better control the process to avoid the triangular fiber bundle absorbing too much NaOH solution. This is done by soaking the material in water before it is “tipped”.

(49) The bundle is soaked in water for 10 minutes at room temperature. Otherwise the tipping process for the round bristles is used.

CONCLUSION

(50) Various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

(51) One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular embodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely possible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any process descriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood as representing modules, segments, or portions of code which include one or more executable instructions for implementing specific logical functions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included in which functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executed out of order from that shown or discussed, including substantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.