Abstract
The present invention is a makeup brush with a releasably connectable ferrule and handle, so that the ferrules and handles are interchangeable. The means for releasably connecting the ferrule and the handle may be, for examples, by friction fit or by the inclusion of sliding features, such as a notch and channel, such being additional methods for releasable connectivity beyond those already patented and/or developed by the inventor.
Claims
1. A makeup brush consisting of: a handle extending between a ferrule end and a holding end, said handle comprising a handle well extending a well height into said handle between said ferrule end and a handle well base, wherein: said handle well comprises a handle well outer diameter at said ferrule end; said handle well comprises a handle well inner diameter at said handle well base; and said handle well outer diameter is greater than said handle well inner diameter; a ferrule comprising: a ferrule inner end connectable to said ferrule end of said handle; a ferrule outer end; an interior; a ferrule body with a ferrule length extending between said ferrule inner and outer ends and around said interior, wherein: said inner end comprises an inner end diameter; said ferrule body comprises a widest point, wherein said widest point is disposed at one of a group consisting of said outer end and a point between said ferrule outer end and said ferrule inner end; said widest point comprises a ferrule body widest diameter; said ferrule body widest diameter is greater than said inner end diameter; said inner end diameter is slightly greater than said handle well inner diameter of said handle well of said handle; said inner end diameter is less than said handle well outer diameter of said handle well of said handle; and said ferrule body widest diameter is slightly greater than said handle well outer diameter; and a ferrule well disposed at said ferrule outer end, wherein said ferrule well comprises a ferrule well base parallel to said ferrule outer end, wherein said ferrule well base comprises an inner side that faces toward said interior of said ferrule body and an outer side that faces away from said interior of said ferrule; and a plurality of bristles, wherein: each of said bristles comprises a bristle outer tip, a bristle inner tip, and a bristle length extending between said bristle outer and inner tips; said bristles extend out of said ferrule; and said inner tips of said bristles are integrally attached to said outer side of said ferrule well base of said ferrule.
2. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ferrule body is round.
3. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said handle well comprises handle well sides made of a flexible material.
4. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ferrule well base of said ferrule well of said ferrule is disposed slightly within said interior of said ferrule body and said ferrule well further comprises ferrule well sides connecting said ferrule well base to said ferrule outer end.
5. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said inner tips of said bristles are integrally attached to said outer side of said well of said ferrule.
6. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 5, wherein said integral attachment is achieved through welding said inner side of said well of said ferrule.
7. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ferrule inner end of said ferrule comprises a flat base.
8. A makeup brush consisting of: a handle extending between a ferrule end and a holding end, said handle comprising a handle well extending a well height into said handle between said ferrule end and a handle well base, wherein: said handle well is cylindrical and has a handle well diameter; and said handle well comprises handle well sides made of a flexible material; a ferrule comprising: a ferrule inner end connectable to said ferrule end of said handle; a ferrule outer end; an interior; a cylindrical ferrule body with a ferrule length extending between said ferrule inner and outer ends and around said interior, wherein said ferrule body comprises a ferrule body diameter; and a ferrule well disposed at said ferrule outer end, wherein said ferrule well comprises a ferrule well base parallel to said ferrule outer end, wherein said ferrule well base comprises an inner side that faces toward said interior of said ferrule body and an outer side that faces away from said interior of said ferrule; wherein said ferrule body diameter is slightly greater than said handle well diameter; and a plurality of bristles, wherein: each of said bristles comprises a bristle outer tip, a bristle inner tip, and a bristle length extending between said bristle outer and inner tips; said bristles extend out of said ferrule; and said inner tips of said bristles are integrally attached to said outer side of said ferrule well base of said ferrule.
9. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ferrule inner end comprises curved edges.
10. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ferrule body is round.
11. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ferrule well base of said ferrule well of said ferrule is disposed slightly within said interior of said ferrule body and said ferrule well further comprises ferrule well sides connecting said ferrule well base to said ferrule outer end.
12. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 8, wherein said inner tips of said bristles are integrally attached to said outer side of said well of said ferrule.
13. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 12, wherein said integral attachment is achieved through welding said inner side of said well of said ferrule.
14. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ferrule inner end of said ferrule comprises a flat base.
15. A makeup brush comprising: a handle with a ferrule end and a holding end; a ferrule comprising: a ferrule inner end connectable to said ferrule end of said handle; a ferrule outer end; an interior; a ferrule body with a ferrule length extending between said inner and outer ends and around said interior; and a well disposed at said ferrule outer end, wherein said well comprises a well base parallel to said ferrule outer end, wherein said well base comprises an inner side that faces toward said interior of said ferrule body and an outer side that faces away from said interior of said ferrule; a plurality of bristles, wherein: each of said bristles comprises a bristle outer tip, a bristle inner tip, and a bristle length extending between said bristle outer and inner tips; said bristles extend out of said ferrule; and said inner tips of said bristles are integrally attached to said outer side of said well base of said ferrule; and means for releasably connecting said ferrule to said handle, wherein: said ferrule inner end is releasably connected to said ferrule end of said handle; said means for releasably connecting said ferrule to said handle comprises a ferrule sliding feature disposed on said ferrule that releasably mates with a handle sliding feature disposed on said handle; and said ferrule sliding feature is one of at least one channel carved into or at least one notch protruding out from said ferrule body and said handle sliding feature is an other of at least one notch protruding out from or at least one channel carved into said handle, wherein: said at least one notch releasably slides into said at least one channel; each of said at least one channel comprises: a channel opening; channel terminal; and an L-bend between said channel opening and said channel terminal; said channel opening is disposed at one of said ferrule inner end of said ferrule or said ferrule end of said handle at a channel opening position; said channel travels a lateral channel distance away from one of said ferrule inner end of said ferrule or said ferrule end of said handle; a channel terminal position is further disposed at said one of said ferrule inner end of said ferrule or said ferrule end of said handle; said channel opening position and said channel terminal position are distinct; and said channel terminal is disposed said channel distance away into said one of said ferrule inner end of said ferrule or said ferrule end of said handle, from said channel terminal position.
16. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 15, wherein said ferrule body is round.
17. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 15, wherein said ferrule well base of said ferrule well of said ferrule is disposed slightly within said interior of said ferrule body and said ferrule well further comprises ferrule well sides connecting said ferrule well base to said ferrule outer end.
18. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 15, wherein said inner tips of said bristles are integrally attached to said outer side of said well of said ferrule.
19. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 19, wherein said integral attachment is achieved through welding said inner side of said well of said ferrule.
20. The makeup brush as claimed in claim 15, wherein said ferrule inner end of said ferrule comprises a flat base.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] FIG. 1 is a side view of a makeup brush of the present invention.
[0035] FIG. 2A is a side cutaway diagram of a ferrule of a makeup brush of the present invention.
[0036] FIGS. 2B-2F are blown up views of several embodiments of connecting means on the ferrule shown in FIG. 2A.
[0037] FIG. 3A is a partial side view of a handle of a makeup brush of the present invention.
[0038] FIGS. 3B-3F are blown up views of several embodiments of connecting means on the handle shown in FIG. 3A, where the handle connecting means shown in FIGS. 3A-3F are releasably mateable with the ferrule connecting means shown in FIGS. 2A-2F, respectively.
[0039] FIGS. 4A and 4B are side cutaway diagrams illustrating different ways that the ferrule and handle may fit together.
[0040] FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of the ferrule showing a ferrule well disposed within the ferrule interior and a ferrule well flush with the ferrule outer end, respectively.
[0041] FIGS. 6A and 6B are top down views of the ferrule with circular and elliptical ferrule outer ends, respectively.
[0042] FIGS. 7A-7C are various views of one embodiment of the makeup brush of the present invention.
[0043] FIGS. 8A-8C are various views of a second embodiment of the makeup brush of the present invention.
[0044] FIGS. 9A-9C are various views of a third embodiment of the makeup brush of the present invention.
[0045] FIGS. 10A-10C are various views of a fourth embodiment of the makeup brush of the present invention.
[0046] FIG. 11 is a flow chart identifying the steps of the method of the present invention.
[0047] FIGS. 12A-12C are side cutaway views of a makeup brush of the present invention with a friction fit.
[0048] FIGS. 13A-13C are side cutaway views of an alternative embodiment of the makeup brush of the present invention with a friction fit.
[0049] FIGS. 14A-14C are various side views of a makeup brush of the present invention with sliding features.
[0050] FIG. 15A is a cross section view of the makeup brush as shown in FIG. 14B along line A-A.
[0051] FIG. 15B is a cross section view of the makeup brush shown in FIG. 14C along line B-B.
[0052] FIGS. 16A-16B are top-down views of the ferrule inner end of the ferrule and the ferrule end of the handle, respectively, in alternative embodiments of the makeup brush of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0053] Referring first to FIG. 1, a side view of a makeup brush 10 of the present invention is provided. Makeup brush 10 includes handle 12 and ferrule 18. Handle 12 has ferrule end 14, where handle 12 connects to ferrule 18, and holding end 16, where a user will hold handle 12. Handle 12 preferably tapers 62 from ferrule end 14 to holding end 16 so that ferrule end 14 is wider than holding end 16. It is understood, however, that handle 12 may be uniform in width. Handle 12 may include cap 74 that covers ferrule end 14. Ferrule 18 includes ferrule inner end 20, which connects with ferrule end 14 of handle 12, and ferrule outer end 22, which faces away from handle 12. Ferrule 18 also includes ferrule body 24. Although shown more clearly in FIG. 2A, it is understood that ferrule body 24 has an interior 68 and ferrule well 28. Bristles 38 with bristle outer tips 40 extend from ferrule outer end 22. Throughout these FIGS., the discussion focuses on handle 12 and ferrule 18 being separate pieces that may be releasably connected. It is understood, however, that in some embodiments, handle 12 and ferrule 18 are a single, permanently integrated makeup brush 10.
[0054] Now referring to FIG. 2A, a side cutaway diagram of ferrule 18 is provided. Ferrule outer end 22 has diameter 58. Ferrule inner end 20 has diameter 60. Ferrule length 26 extends between inner end 20 and outer end 22. As shown, and as preferred, diameter 58 of ferrule outer end 22 is less than diameter 60 of ferrule inner end 20. Ferrule 18 is preferably made of recyclable material 70, such as PBT 72. In this view, we see ferrule well 28. Ferrule well 28 is disposed parallel 76 to ferrule outer end 22. In the embodiment shown, ferrule well 28 extends into interior 68 of ferrule 18 and includes ferrule well sides 36 connecting ferrule outer end 22 to ferrule well base 30. In other embodiments, such as that shown in FIG. 5B, for example, ferrule well 28 is flush with ferrule outer end 22 and does not include ferrule well sides 36. Ferrule well base 30 includes inner side 32, which faces toward interior 68 of ferrule 18, and outer side 34, which faces away from interior 68. During the method of the present invention, bristle inner tips 42 (shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B) are disposed in contact with outer side 34 of ferrule well base 30 and welding is applied to inner side 32 of ferrule well base 30. This welding permanently integrates bristles 38 with ferrule 18.
[0055] Still referring to FIG. 2A, on the right, we see an example of connecting means 46. Connecting means 46 are for connecting handle 12 and ferrule 18. In the preferred embodiment, as shown, the wall of the interior 68 of ferrule 18 includes an indentation 52, which is a ferrule snapping feature 48. Referring also to FIG. 3A, the remainder of the preferred connecting means 46 are shown in a partial side diagram of handle 12, in the form of handle snapping feature 50, which in this embodiment is protrusion 50, which releasably mates with indentation 52. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are several variations on this basic idea of ferrule and handle snapping features 48, 50. We now also refer to FIGS. 2B-2F and 3B-3F, which are exploded views of the sections of 2A and 3A that are circled with dashed lines. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B, ferrule snapping feature 48 may be protrusion 54 (as opposed to indentation 52 shown in FIG. 2B) and handle snapping feature 50 may be indentation 52.
[0056] Referring now also to FIGS. 4A and 4B, side views of two versions of makeup brush 10 are shown. In FIG. 4A, ferrule 18 slips into handle 12, where dotted lines show where ferrule inner end 20 will set within handle 12. In FIG. 4B, handle 12 slips into ferrule 18, where dotted lines shown were ferrule end 14 of handle 12 will set within ferrule 18. In FIGS. 2A and 3A (together) and FIG. 4B, ferrule 18 and handle 12 are shown as preferred, where handle 12 will slip into ferrule 18, and, once unified, handle 12 and ferrule 18 will appear fairly flush with one another. As shown in FIG. 4A, however, another embodiment would have ferrule 18 slip into handle 12. In this embodiment, other variations of ferrule and handle snapping features 48, 50 are possible. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2D and 3D, as with FIGS. 2A and 3A, ferrule snapping feature 48 is indentation 52 and handle snapping feature 50 is protrusion 54, but unlike FIGS. 2A and 3A, indentation 52 is on the outside of ferrule 18 and protrusion 54 is on the inside of handle 12. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 2E and 3E, like FIGS. 2B and 3B, ferrule snapping feature 48 is protrusion 54 and handle snapping feature 50 is indentation 52, but unlike FIGS. 2B and 3B, protrusion 54 is on the outside of ferrule 18 and indentation 52 is on the inside of handle 12.
[0057] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 2C, 2F, 3C, and 3F, coordinating threading 56 may be included on the inside or outside of ferrule 18 and/or handle 12, such that ferrule 18 and handle 12 may be releasably screwed together, whether they are disposed as shown in FIG. 4A or 4B. Although snapping features 48, 50 and threading 56 are illustrated as the preferred connecting means 46, one of at least ordinary skill in the art will recognize that ferrule 18 and handle 12 may be releasably connected in many different manners, and each of these is considered to be within the scope of the present invention.
[0058] Now referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, side views of ferrule 18 showing ferrule well 28 disposed within ferrule interior 68, and ferrule well 28 flush with ferrule outer end 22 are provided, respectively. In FIG. 5A, ferrule well 28 has ferrule well sides 36 that extend ferrule well 28 into interior 68 of ferrule 18. In FIG. 5B, ferrule well 28 has no depth and no ferrule well sides 36. Instead, ferrule well 28 is disposed directly at ferrule outer end 22. In both of FIGS. 5A and 5B, bristles 38 are attached at their bristle inner tips 42 to outer side 34 of ferrule well base 30 (shown most clearly in FIG. 2A) and a bristle length 44 extends out therefrom to bristle outer tips 40. Although it is preferred that ferrule well 28 include depth, as shown in FIG. 5A, having bristles 38 extend directly out from ferrule outer end 22, may be preferable for certain types of brushes. In such embodiments, practically speaking, ferrule well base 30 and ferrule outer end 22 are the same feature, but the details discussed above concerning how bristle inner tips 42 are disposed in contact with the outer side 34 of ferrule well base 30 and welding is applied to the inner side 32 of ferrule well base 30 are applicable in either of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.
[0059] Now referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, top down views of ferrule 18 with circular 64 and elliptical 66 ferrule outer ends 22 are provided, respectively. Ferrule inner end 20 is always the same shape and size as ferrule end 14 of handle 12, so that they may mate, and importantly, so that handle 12 may mate with any ferrule 18. Ferrule outer end 22 has no direct contact with handle 12, however, so it may accommodate different shapes, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. It is understood that ferrule outer ends 22 may be any shape and the round shapes illustrated herein are merely exemplary.
[0060] Now referring to FIGS. 7A-10C, various views of various embodiments of makeup brush 10 of the present invention are provided. The handles 12 of each embodiment are similar in length and similar in that they include tapering 62. The main differences are, instead, in the respective ferrules 18, as discussed below. FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate an eye liner brush according to the present invention. Ferrule outer end diameter 58 is less than ferrule inner end diameter 60, and ferrule outer end 22 has circular shape 64. FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a foundation brush according to the present invention. Ferrule outer end diameter 58 is less than ferrule inner end diameter 60, and ferrule outer end 22 has elliptical shape 66. FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate blush brush according to the present invention. Ferrule outer end diameter 58 is less than ferrule inner end diameter 60, but the difference in the diameters 58, 60 is not as great as the difference illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8C, for example. Also like the makeup brush 10 shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, the blush brush shown in FIGS. 9A-9C has a ferrule outer end 22 with an elliptical shape 66. The minor axis of the elliptical shape 66 shown in FIG. 9B, however, is greater than the minor axis of the elliptical shape 66 shown in FIG. 8B, making the elliptical shape 66 shown in FIG. 9B rounder, or closer to being circular, than that shown in FIG. 8C. FIGS. 10A-10C illustrate a powder brush according to the present invention. In this embodiment, ferrule outer end diameter 58 and ferrule inner end diameter 60 are equal, and ferrule outer end 22 has circular shape 64. The makeup brushes 10 shown in FIGS. 7A-10C illustrate some of the variations possible within the scope of the present invention.
[0061] Now referring to FIG. 11, a flow chart of method 100 of the present invention is provided. Method 100 includes molding the ferrule 102 and welding the bristles to the ferrule 106. The first step is molding ferrule 102. This step includes molding all of the required features of ferrule 18, including ferrule inner end 20, ferrule outer end 22, ferrule body 24, ferrule interior 68, ferrule well 28, and connecting means 46, all of which are discussed at length above. Although not all features of ferrule 18 may be listed here, it is understood that all features of ferrule 18 are molded in step 102. It is preferred that the step of molding ferrule is accomplished through injection molding 104. This step 104 is shown as dashed lines from step 102 and in parentheses to indicate that it is not a separate step from step 102, but a preferred manner of accomplishing step 102. In this context, injection molding has its common meaning within the art and analogous arts. That is to say, injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting molten material into a mold. In the present case, the molten material is preferably PBT or other elastomers or thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, as discussed above.
[0062] The second step is welding bristles to the ferrule 106. This step 106 includes the substeps of disposing bristle tips to outer wall 108 and welding inner wall 110. Step 108 includes disposing the bristle inner tips 42 in contact with the outer side 34 of ferrule well base 30 (as shown, for example in FIGS. 2A and 5A). Step 110 includes applying welding to the inner wall 32 of ferrule well base 30 (shown in FIG. 2A). Step 110 is preferably accomplished through infrared welding 112, ultrasonic welding 114, or laser welding 116. Again steps 112, 114, and 116 are shown as dashed lines from step 110 and in parentheses to indicate that they are examples of accomplishing step 110, rather than separate steps. In this context, infrared welding has its common meaning within the art and analogous arts. That is to say, infrared welding is a non-contact thermal welding technique that heats thermoplastic parts to molten temperatures so that they may be permanently joined together. In this context, ultrasonic welding has its common meaning within the art and analogous arts. That is to say, ultrasonic welding is an industrial technique whereby high-frequency ultrasonic acoustic vibrations are locally applied to workpieces being held together to create a solid-state weld. It is commonly used for plastics, such as the polymers preferred in the current invention and discussed elsewhere herein. In this context, laser welding has its common meaning within the art and analogous arts. That is to say, laser welding or laser beam welding or LBW is a welding technique used to join pieces of metal or thermoplastics through the use of a laser. The laser beam provides a concentrated heat source, allowing for robust welds and high welding rates. Although the welding techniques described herein are preferred, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other welding techniques common in the art may be substituted.
[0063] Now referring to FIGS. 12A and 12B side cutaway views of makeup brush 10 whose ferrule 18 and handle 12 are releasably connectable through a friction fit. Handle 12 has handle well 204 extending well height 212 into handle 12, between ferrule end 14 and handle well base 214. Handle well base 214 has handle well inner diameter 208. Ferrule end 14 has handle well outer diameter 210. Handle well outer diameter 210 is greater than handle well inner diameter 208 so that handle well 204 is tapered. Ferrule body 24 is similarly tapered and ferrule length 26 is close to well height 212. Ferrule body 24 has a widest point 216, which may be at ferrule outer end 22, but may be between ferrule outer end 22 and inner end 20, as shown. Widest point 216 has ferrule body widest diameter 202. Ferrule body widest diameter 202 is greater than ferrule inner end diameter 60. Ferrule inner end diameter 60 is slightly greater than handle well inner diameter 208. Ferrule body widest diameter 202 is slightly greater than handle well outer diameter 210. Ferrule inner end diameter 60 is less than handle well outer diameter 210. As such, ferrule inner end 20 of ferrule 18 passes easily into ferrule end 14 of handle 12. When ferrule body 24 is inserted far enough into handle well 204 that the surfaces of ferrule body 24 and handle well 204 come into intimate contact, the surface to surface tensions between those surfaces will hold ferrule body 24 in place within handle well 204. In some versions of this embodiment, the surfaces of ferrule body 24 and the inner surface 400 of handle well 204 are textured to aid in this surface to surface tension that allows for the handle well sides 218 to somewhat grip ferrule body 24. Handle well sides 218 are preferably made of a flexible material so that the ferrule body 24 may be inserted and removed easily.
[0064] Now referring to FIGS. 13A and 13B, side cutaway views of an alternative embodiment of makeup brush 10 of the present invention with a friction fit are provided. Comparing this embodiment to that disclosed in FIGS. 12A and 12B, the main difference is that both the ferrule body 24 and the handle well 204 are cylindrical. As such, ferrule body 24 does not have disparate ferrule body widest point diameter 202 and ferrule inner end diameter 60, and instead has ferrule body diameter 59, which is consistent throughout ferrule length 26. Similarly, handle well 204 does not have disparate handle well inner and outer diameters 208, 210, and instead has handle well diameter 220 that is consistent throughout well height 212. Ferrule body diameter 59 is very slightly greater than handle well diameter 220 so that the respective diameters are almost equal. Ferrule body 24 needs to fit into handle well 204, so ferrule body diameter 59 cannot be much greater than handle well diameter 220. Handle well sides 218 are made of a flexible material so that they can distend slightly outward to accommodate the greater ferrule body diameter 59 when ferrule body 24 is inserted into handle well 204. The slight outward flexion allows the handle well 204 to grip ferrule body 24 and hold it in place. Because ferrule body diameter 59 and handle well diameter 220 are so nearly equal, it is preferred that ferrule inner end 20 have curved edges 222 that curve slightly in so that ferrule body 24 may more easily be guided into handle well 204.
[0065] Now referring to FIGS. 12C and 13C, versions of makeup brush 10 with friction fits as described with relation to FIGS. 12A-12B and 13A-13B are provided. These versions are orientated as shown in FIG. 4B where handle 12 is inserted into ferrule 18, rather than as in FIGS. 4A (and 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B), where ferrule 18 is inserted into handle 12. In these embodiments, instead of ferrule body 24 being inserted into handle well 204, as in FIGS. 12 A, 12B, 13A, and 13B, handle insert 304 is inserted into ferrule space 302. Ferrule space 302 in FIGS. 12C and 13C may be compared to handle well 204 in FIGS. 12A, 12B, 13A, and 13B, but is called “ferrule space 302” to avoid confusion with ferrule well 28, shown, e.g. in FIG. 2A.
[0066] FIG. 12C illustrates tapering similar to FIGS. 12A and 12B, where handle insert 304 has handle insert inner diameter 314, which is greater than handle insert outer diameter 312 at ferrule end 14 of handle 12. Ferrule space 302 has coordinating ferrule space inner diameter 308 at ferrule space base 306 and ferrule space outer diameter 310 at ferrule inner end 20. Handle insert inner diameter 314 is slightly greater than ferrule space outer diameter 310. Handle insert outer diameter 312 is slightly greater than ferrule space inner diameter 308. Although it may appear that handle insert 304 is completely inserted into ferrule space 302, it is understood that these slight differences in diameter would not allow that and that ferrule space sides 320 grip handle insert 304 as it is slid into ferrule space 302.
[0067] FIG. 13C illustrates a cylindrical handle insert 304 and ferrule space 302, similarly to FIGS. 13A and 13C. Ferrule space 302 has consistent ferrule space diameter 316, which is very slightly less than consistent handle insert diameter 318. Ferrule space sides 320 will grip handle insert 304 as it is slid into ferrule space 302. Although not shown, it is understood that handle insert 304 at ferrule end 14 may have rounded edges similar to curved edges 222 of ferrule end 20 of ferrule body 24, as shown in FIG. 13B. Given how close to equal ferrule space diameter 316 and handle insert diameter 318 are, again, such rounded edges aid in insertion. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 12C and 13C, outer surface 402 of ferrule end 14 of handle 12 and inner surface 404 of ferrule space 302 may be textured to facilitate the surface to surface tension that allows the components to grip one another.
[0068] Now referring to FIGS. 14A-14C and 15A-15B, various views of makeup brush 10 of the present invention that include sliding features 228, 230. FIGS. 14A-14C are side views of makeup brush 10. FIG. 15A is a cutaway view of makeup brush 10 as shown in FIG. 14B, along lines A-A. FIG. 15B is a cutaway view of makeup brush 10 as shown in FIG. 14C, along lines B-B. Makeup brush 10 shown in FIGS. 14A-14C is similar to that shown in FIGS. 9A-9C in that ferrule outer end 22 is elliptical in shape. In is understood, however, that the version described with respect to FIGS. 14A-14C and 15A-15B may be used with any embodiment of makeup brush 10 described herein, including any of those illustrated in FIGS. 7A-OC. As shown, ferrule sliding feature 228 is notch 226 and handle sliding feature 230 is channel 224. FIGS. 14A-14C show various views of makeup brush 10 twisted along the handle axis so as to collectively illustrate the entirety of channel 224 carved into ferrule end 14 of handle 12. As shown in FIG. 15A, notch 226 protrudes out from the interior of ferrule body 24, near ferrule inner end 20.
[0069] Channel 224 has channel opening 232 disposed at ferrule end 14 of handle 12. Channel 224 ends at channel terminal 234, shown most clearly in FIG. 14C. As channel 224 travels between channel opening 232 and channel terminal 234, it travels a lateral channel distance 240 away from ferrule end 14. In saying that channel distance 240 is a “lateral” distance 240, it indicates that this is not necessarily the length of channel 224 as measured between channel opening 232 and channel terminal 234. Instead, the “lateral” channel distance 240 is measured perpendicularly away from the plane of the ferrule end 14. Channel 224 includes L-bend 242, shown most clearly in FIG. 14B. L-bend 242 is a turn in channel 224 between channel opening 232 and channel terminal 234. L-bend 242 may be a soft, curved turn, as shown herein. L-bend 242 may be a sharper turn, however. Channel 224 may have an “L” shape, for example, rather than the curved shape shown. In other words, channel 224 may travel channel distance 240 perpendicularly into ferrule end 14, take a sharp 90° L-bend 242, and then travel horizontally to end at channel terminal 234.
[0070] Importantly, channel opening 232 and channel terminal 234 are always at different positions with respect to ferrule end 14. If channel terminal 234 were directly behind or below channel opening 232, then notch 226 would not be held in place. In that case, any opposing forces applied to handle 12 and ferrule 18 would separate them. Now referring to FIG. 16A, these different positions are illustrated. FIG. 16A is a top-down view of ferrule end 14 of handle 12. Channel opening 232 is disposed on ferrule end 14 at channel opening position 236. Channel terminal position 238 is disposed at a different place on ferrule end 14. For the avoidance of doubt, channel terminal 234 is not disposed at channel terminal position 238. As shown in FIG. 14C, channel terminal 234 is channel distance 240 into handle 12 from channel terminal position 238.
[0071] Now referring to FIG. 15B, an embodiment where ferrule sliding feature 228 is two notches 226 is provided. Although not clear from this view, it is understood that notches 226 are two distinct protrusions, and not a line that extends all the way around that interior of ferrule inner end 20. In such embodiments, handle sliding feature 230 is two channels 224 that mate with notches 226 as described above.
[0072] All of the above discussion relating to FIGS. 14A-16A has related to embodiments of makeup brush 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 4B, where ferrule end 14 of handle 12 is inserted into ferrule inner end 20 of ferrule 18 to connect handle 12 and ferrule 18. Ferrule and handle sliding features 228, 230 may be also be reversed so that handle sliding feature is notch 226 and ferrule sliding feature is channel 224. Either version may also apply to embodiments similar to that shown in FIG. 4A, where ferrule inner end 20 of ferrule 18 is inserted into ferrule end 14 of handle 12 for the connection. In other words, the concept illustrated in FIGS. 2A/3A, 2B/3B, 2D/3D, and 2E/3E with respect to snapping features 48, 50 can also be applied to sliding features 228, 230. In a first version, as illustrated in FIGS. 14A-16A, ferrule sliding feature 228 is notch 226 on the inside of ferrule inner end 20 and handle sliding feature 230 is channel 224 on the outside of ferrule end 14. This is used in embodiments such as that shown in FIG. 4B, where handle 12 is inserted into ferrule 18, and is comparable to snapping features 48, 50 as shown in FIGS. 2B/3B, where ferrule snapping feature 48 is protrusion 54 on the inside of ferrule inner end 20 and handle snapping feature 50 is indentation 52 on the outside of ferrule inner end 20. Also with an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 4B, wherein handle 12 is inserted into ferrule 18, ferrule sliding feature 228 may be channel 224 carved into the inner walls of ferrule inner end 20 and handle sliding feature 230 may be notch 226 protruding out of ferrule end 14 of handle 12. This is comparable to the snapping features 48, 50 shown in FIGS. 2A/3A. There are, of course, also versions to be used with embodiments such as those shown in FIG. 4A, where ferrule 18 is inserted into handle 12. In these, ferrule sliding feature 228 may be notch 226 protruding from the outside of ferrule inner end 20 and handle sliding feature 230 is channel 224 carved into the inside of ferrule end 14. This is comparable to the snapping features 48, 50 shown in FIGS. 2E/3E. Finally, again with an embodiment such as that shown in FIG. 4A, ferrule sliding feature 228 may be channel 224 carved into the outside of ferrule inner end 20 and handle sliding feature 230 is notch 226 protruding from the inside of ferrule end 14. This is comparable to the snapping features 48, 50 shown in FIGS. 2D/3D. Referring to 16B, a top-down view of ferrule inner end 20 is shown with channel opening 232, channel opening position 236, and channel terminal position 238. This view is applicable to versions where ferrule sliding feature 228 is channel 224, which may be with either of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, as discussed above.
[0073] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions would be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the description should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
