Cosmetic Applicators Having Molded Brush And Comb Portions

Abstract

An cosmetic applicator comprising a brush portion of relatively soft, flexible injection molded bristles, and a comb portion of relatively hard, inflexible injection molded teeth, the comb portion being assembled to the brush portion after each portion is molded. In one preferred embodiment, the comb portion has two or more columns of teeth arranged parallel to each other, which makes for a more effective comb.

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator head (13) comprising a molded brush portion (14) and a molded comb portion (15); the brush portion (14) comprises: a stem (14a) that has: a proximal end (14b); a distal end (14c); and a hollow space (14d) that opens onto the distal end of the stem, and onto a side wall (14e) of the stem; a main body (14f) that has: an opened proximal end (14h) that connects to the distal end (14c) of the stem (14a); a closed distal end (14i) having a groove (14k); a semi cylindrical member (14g) that defines a hollow space (14j), such that the hollow space (14j) of the main body is contiguous with the hollow space (14d) of the stem; wherein: the semi-cylindrical member (14g) occupies an angular space of approximately 180°-200°; the outside surface of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) features a multitude of bristles (14l), as does the closed distal end (14i) of the main body; and the side wall (14e) of the stem (14a) is devoid of bristles; and the comb portion (15) comprises: a base (15a) that has: a proximal end (15b); and a distal end (15c); a platform (15d) that is integrally molded to the base (15a), and supports a multitude of teeth (15e); wherein: the proximal (15b) and distal (15c) ends of the base (15a) extend beyond the ends of the platform (15d); the platform (15d) occupies an angular space of approximately 160°-180°; the distal end (15c) of the comb portion (15) rests in the groove (14k) of the brush portion (14); the platform (15d) of the comb portion (15) rests in the hollow space (14j) of brush portion (14); and the proximal end (15b) of the comb portion (15) rests in the hollow space (14d) of the brush portion (14).

2. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the bristles (14l) of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) are arranged in columns (14p), there being from 4 to 10 columns, each column having from 5 to 50 bristles.

3. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 2 wherein the teeth (15e) of the platform (15d) are arranged in columns (15p), there being from 1 to 8 columns, each column having from 5 to 50 teeth.

4. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 3 wherein the platform (15d) is semi-cylindrical, and occupies an angular space of approximately 160°-180°.

5. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 3 wherein the platform (15d) has a flat portion (15h), such that all of the teeth (15e) that arise from the flat portion are parallel to each other.

6. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 3 wherein the teeth (15e) of the comb portion (15) are not all the same height.

7. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the closed distal end (14i) of the brush portion (14) features a multitude of bristles (14l).

8. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the material from which the brush portion (14) is molded measures a hardness that is less than the material from which the comb portion (15) is molded.

9. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the hollow space (14d) of the stem (14a) is provided with one or more flexible (14m) tabs that allow the proximal end (15b) of the comb portion (15) to be forced into the hollow space of the stem, but that prevent its accidental removal therefrom.

10. The cosmetic applicator head (13) of claim 1 wherein the length of the platform (15d) is equal to the length of the hollow space (14j) of the main body (14f).

11. A cosmetic applicator comprising a handle (11), an extended rod (12), and an applicator head (13) according to claim 1 that depends from the distal end (12a) of the rod.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0013] FIGS. 1-3 depict a prior art applicator disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,926.

[0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a mascara applicator according to the present invention.

[0015] FIGS. 5A and 5B depict one embodiment of a brush portion of an applicator head according to the present invention.

[0016] FIGS. 6A and 6B depict one embodiment of a comb portion of an applicator head according to the present invention.

[0017] FIGS. 7A and 7B depict a second embodiment of a comb portion of an applicator head according to the present invention.

[0018] FIGS. 8A and 8B show the a comb portion being assembled to a brush portion.

[0019] FIGS. 9 and 10 show two embodiments of assembled applicator heads according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, a mascara applicator according to the present invention comprises a handle (11), an extended rod (12), and an applicator head (13) in the usual relationship of these elements. That is, the handle serves as a closure for a container of mascara product. Typically, the closure has screw threads (11a) on its inner surface for mating to a threaded container. The extended rod is connected to and depends from an inner surface of the handle, and the applicator head depends from the distal end (12a) of the rod. For example, the rod may be hollow, and able to receive the stem (14a) of the applicator head into itself. The stem may be retained in the rod by adhesive, welding, a friction fit, snap engagement, threaded engagement or any other suitable retaining means. An applicator head according to the present invention has two main parts: the brush portion (14) and the comb portion (15).

The Brush Portion

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, the brush portion (14) comprises a stem (14a) and a main body (14f). The stem may be formed as a generally cylindrical member having proximal (14b) and distal (14c) ends, and a hollow space (14d) that opens onto the distal end of the stem, and onto the side wall (14e) of the stem. The side wall of the stem is devoid of bristles or other grooming features, and is generally smooth, so that the stem is able to join to the distal end (12a) of the rod (12), as described above.

[0022] The main body (14f) comprises an approximately semi-cylindrical member (14g), an opened proximal end (14h), and a closed distal end (14i). The semi-cylindrical member (14g) defines a hollow space (14j) that connects to the opened proximal end (14h) and to a groove (14k) located in the closed distal end (14i) of the main body (see FIG. 8A). The opened proximal end (14h) is integrally molded to the opened distal end (14c) of the stem (14a), such that the hollow space (14j) of the semi-cylindrical member and the hollow space (14d) of the stem are contiguous, as shown. When we say that the semi-cylindrical member (14g) is approximately semi-cylindrical, we mean that the semi-cylindrical member occupies an angular space of approximately 180°-200°. The distal end (14i) of the main body (14f) occupies a complete 360° around longitudinal axis A-A, while the proximal end (14h) may occupy between about 200° and 270°. Also, the semi-cylindrical member (14g) may taper toward the closed distal end (14i). The outside surface of the semi-cylindrical member features a multitude of bristles (14l), as does the closed distal end (14i) of the main body. The proximal end (14h) of the main body may or may not comprise bristles.

[0023] Preferably, the bristles (14l) of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) are regularly arranged in columns (14p) that extend down the semi-cylindrical member, parallel to the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the main body (14f). Each column of bristles may typically comprise from 5 to 50 bristles, preferably from 10 to 40, more preferably from 20 to 35 bristles. For example, the semi-cylindrical member of FIG. 5A has 23 bristles in a longitudinal column. The semi-cylindrical member may preferably comprise from 4 to 10 columns of bristles. More preferred are 7, 8 or 9 columns of bristles. For example, in FIG. 5B, the semi-cylindrical member of the main body (14f) has 9 columns of bristles extending longitudinally along the semi-cylindrical member. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, bristles (14l) of the semi-cylindrical member are regularly arranged in rows, each row lying on a circumference of the semi-cylindrical member, in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the main body.

[0024] The bristles (14l) of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) of the main body (14f) typically extend radially from the longitudinal axis of the main body, and all of the bristles in a single column are parallel to each other. The bristles of the distal end (14i) of the main body extend in various directions. The bristles may comprise flat and/or rounded portions, and the horizontal cross section of the bristles may be any conceivable shape, only limited by the ability to mold the main body. Preferred, however, are bristles that have a horizontal cross section that is shaped as a circular segment that has an arc that ranges from about 160° to no more than 180°, and whose radius decreases as you move from base to tip. Such bristles have a semi-conical profile comprised of a flat face and a curved face. Preferably, the bristles would have a rounded tip. The remainder of each bristle may be shaped to have one or more depressions, one or more protrusions, or both on the curved face of the semi-conical bristle, while the flat face has no such features. Preferably, each semi-conical bristle has at least two depressions and/or protrusions located on its curved surface. The manufacture of such bristles was described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,590 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Also, a bristle may have one or more perforations that pass through the bristle from the flat face to the curved face. The manufacture of such bristles was described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,584 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. As can be seen in FIG. 5B the bristles of the brush portion (14) do not have to be all the same height.

The Comb Portion

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, the comb portion (15) comprises a base (15a) that has a proximal (15b) and a distal (15c) end. Preferably, the base is cylindrical, as shown. Integrally molded to the cylindrical base is a platform (15d) that supports a multitude of teeth (15e). The cylindrical base is longer than the platform, and the proximal and distal ends of the cylindrical base extend beyond the ends of the platform.

[0026] Preferably, the teeth (15e) of the platform (15d) are regularly arranged in columns (15p) that extend down the platform, parallel to the longitudinal axis (B-B) of platform. Each column of teeth may typically comprise from 5 to 50 teeth, preferably from 10 to 40, more preferably from 20 to 35 teeth. For example, the platform of FIG. 6A has 24 or 25 teeth in a longitudinal column. The platform may preferably comprise from 1 to 8 columns of teeth. More preferred are 4 to 7 columns of teeth. For example, in FIG. 6B, the platform (15d) has 7 columns of teeth extending longitudinally along the platform, while in FIG. 7B the number of columns of teeth is 5. Furthermore, in preferred embodiments, the teeth (15e) of the platform are regularly arranged in rows across the platform, in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the platform.

[0027] In FIGS. 6A and 6B, the platform (15d) is semi-cylindrical, and occupies an angular space of approximately 160°-180°. The teeth (15e) of the platform (15d) typically extend radially from the surface of the platform, and all of the teeth in a single column are parallel to each other, while adjacent columns are oriented an angle to each other. In some embodiments of the invention, however, the platform shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is preferred. Here, the platform (15d) has curved side walls (15g), and a flat portion (15h), which we may call the top of the platform. Despite its flat top, this platform also occupies an angular space of approximately 160°-180°. Because the portion (15h) of the platform is flat, all of the teeth (15e) that arise from this portion of the platform are parallel to each other, while those teeth (15e′) that are on the curved side walls extend at some other angle. The flat top surface means that rows of teeth will be parallel to each other, which makes the comb portion a much more effective comb than it otherwise would be. But this parallel arrangement of teeth would not be possible, or would be significantly more difficult and expensive to execute if the angular space occupied by the comb portion was limited to 30° to 120°, as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,926, which does not disclose or suggest parallel rows of teeth in the comb portion (i.e. in the arrangement brush part). There simply would not be enough space on the top of the platform to arrange multiple rows of parallel conical teeth. Preferably, an applicator head according to the present invention will have a comb section that has at least two columns of teeth that are parallel to each other, more preferred are three columns of teeth that are parallel to each other.

[0028] The teeth (15e, 15e′) of the comb portion (15) may comprise flat and/or rounded portions, and the horizontal cross section of the teeth may be any conceivable shape, only limited by the ability to mold the main body. Preferred, however, are conical teeth that are generally free of any surface features, which provides an efficient combing action. As can be seen in FIG. 6B the teeth of the comb portion do not have to be all the same height.

The Assembled Applicator

[0029] The brush and comb portions are molded separately, and subsequently assembled. Exemplary materials that can be used in the present invention to mold the brush portion (14) and/or the comb portion (15) include, but are not limited to: silicone elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers (such as, for example, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer—SEBS), vinyl elastomers (EVA), thermoplastic polyester elastomers (Hytrel® from Dupont de Nemours), thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers (Pellethane® from Dow Plastic), Nitrile, and EPDM. Hardness of the chosen material preferably ranges from about 35 MPa (35 shore D Hytrel® from Dupont de Nemours) to about 1180 MPa (82 shore D Hytrel®). Harder, less flexible materials will be more suitable for the comb portion, and softer, more flexible materials will be more suitable for the brush portion. Therefore, when measured with same type of durometer, the material from which the brush portion (14) is molded will measure a hardness that is less than the material from which the comb portion (15) is molded.

[0030] As noted above, the proximal (15b) and distal (15c) ends of the cylindrical base (15a) of the comb portion extend beyond the ends of the platform (15d). Referring to FIG. 8A, the first step in assembling the comb portion (15) to the brush portion (14) is to insert the distal end (15c) of the comb portion into the groove (14k) of the brush portion. Then, as shown in FIG. 8B, the cylindrical base (15a) is brought into the hollow space (14j) of the semi-cylindrical member (14g) of the brush portion (14), and the proximal end (15b) of the comb portion comes to rest in the hollow space (14d) of the stem (14a). Two embodiments of the fully assembled applicator head are shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is an embodiment wherein the platform (15d) is semi-cylindrical. FIG. 10 is the more preferred embodiment wherein the platform has curved side walls (15g), and a flat top (15h) that supports 3 parallel columns (15p) of teeth (15e). In order the make sure the comb portion remains in the brush portion, the hollow space (14d) of the stem (14a) may be provided with one or more flexible (14m) tabs that allow the proximal end (15b) of the comb portion (15) to be forced into the hollow space of the stem, but that prevent its accidental removal therefrom. Once the applicator head is assembled, the stem (14a) of the brush portion (14) can be secured to the distal end of a rod (12) as explained above to complete the mascara applicator.

[0031] When assembled, the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the brush portion is parallel to the longitudinal axis (B-B) of the comb portion. Together, the brush portion (14) and the comb portion (15) fill and angular sector of 360°. The brush portion fills an angular sector of 180°-200°, while the comb portion fills an angular sector of 160°-180°, which is significantly greater than the 30°-120° of the arrangement brush portion (4) of U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,926. The greater angular size of the comb portion provides better grooming of the lashes, especially curling.

[0032] The distal end (14i) of the assembled applicator is covered with the relatively softer bristles to facilitate applying mascara to those eyelashes that are near the inner canthus of the eye. This feature is also missing from the applicator of U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,926, which has no bristles on its distal end.

[0033] Also, because of the presence of the hollow space (14d) in the side wall (14e) of the stem, we were able to make the length of the platform (15d) to be equal (within molding tolerances) to the length of the hollow space (14j) of the main body (14f), which is preferred because any gap between the brush and comb portions is then eliminated. Also, the comb portion will not be able to slide back and forth in the brush portion.