Field of application of the invention
[0001] The present invention is applied to the field of cosmetics, and namely to the field
of devices which can be used to apply a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic substance to
a part of a human body.
[0002] In particular, such cosmetic devices of the aforesaid type, to which the present
invention relates, include "brushes for nails", i.e. brushes by means of which a reasonable
amount of said substance (e.g. nail polish) may be applied on a nail. Brushes for
nails differ from other brushes which can be used in the cosmetic field due to size
of the profile consisting of the free end of the hairs. Indeed, said profile should
be sufficiently small so as to allow the application of a cosmetic substance on a
nail so that said substance does not go beyond the edges of the ungual lamina.
[0003] Brushes for nails comprise a generally rectilinear handle connected at a first end
to a closure cap of a receptacle containing a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic substance
to be applied to nails. The handle is also connected, at a second end opposite to
the first end, to a hair bunch which can be immersed into the cosmetic substance in
order to take a reasonable amount thereof from the receptacle and then apply it on
the nail to be treated. According to the shape of the hair bunch, brushes for nails
may be "round" (if the hair bunch is almost cylindrical in shape), "flat" (if the
hair bunch is almost prismatic in shape with a rectangular or elliptical section)
or "fan-like" (if the hair bunch is almost frustoconical in shape with an elliptical
section or truncated pyramidal in shape with a rectangular section, i.e. if the hairs
diverge from the handle so as to take a configuration the shape of which recalls that
of a fan). Fan brushes are usually preferred to round brushes and flat brushes, since
they allow the cosmetic substance to be applied on a nail in a uniform manner and
with increased accuracy as compared to other types of brushes.
[0004] The present invention relates to a brush for nails of the "fan-like" type. In the
description below, for convenience of disclosure, the term "brush" refers to a brush
for nails.
Overview of the prior art
[0005] As mentioned above, a brush for nails usually comprises a cap by means of which a
receptacle containing a cosmetic substance which can be applied by means of the brush,
may be closed. In order to apply said cosmetic substance on a nail, firstly the handle
of the brush needs to be inserted into the receptacle so as to at least partially
immerse the hair bunch into the cosmetic substance. Due to the surface tension and
viscosity of current cosmetic substances, a part of the cosmetic substance contained
in the receptacle adheres to the hairs of the brush. This ensures that, by extracting
the brush from the receptacle, the hairs drag a reasonable amount of cosmetic substance
therewith. The cosmetic substance may then be spread over the nail to be treated.
[0006] However, the amount of cosmetic substance taken by the hair bunch by immersing the
brush into the receptacle may not be sufficient to cover the entire ungual lamina
or to deposit a layer of cosmetic substance of desired thickness thereon. In these
cases, there is a need to immerse the brush into the receptacle repeatedly and to
apply the cosmetic substance on the nail several times. This causes the drying of
the cosmetic substance to start at various times at different areas of the ungual
lamina. However, an uneven drying may compromise the successful outcome of the cosmetic
treatment, especially if the substance applied is of the quick drying type.
Objects of the invention
[0008] It is the object of the present invention to overcome the aforesaid drawbacks by
indicating a fan brush which allows an increased amount of cosmetic substance to be
applied on a nail with each sweep, as compared to current fan brushes, the number
of hairs being equal.
Summary of the invention
[0009] The subject of the present invention is a brush for nails, comprising:
- a handle;
- a plurality of hairs connected to the handle at an end thereof,
where, according to the invention, said hairs are grouped into two bunches, each of
which has a cross section increasing in size from said end of the handle over at least
one longitudinal stretch of said bunch, which is external to said handle,
said cross section having, at least at said longitudinal stretch, an extension in
a first direction which is greater than the extension of said section in a second
direction which is orthogonal to said first direction, wherein the hairs of one of
said bunches differ from the hairs of the other bunch in material and/or thickness.
Incidentally:
- "longitudinal stretch" of a hair bunch means a stretch of the bunch extending in the
same direction in which the handle of the brush extends;
- "cross section" of a hair bunch means a section of the bunch arranged orthogonally
to the direction in which the handle of the brush extends.
[0010] The cross section of the hair bunches at the aforesaid longitudinal stretch is preferably
almost rectangular or elliptical. Given that said cross section is at least partially
increasing from the handle of the brush, the hair bunches are preferably of the "fan-like"
type.
[0011] With reference to a rectangular cross section, the aforesaid first direction is preferably
arranged parallel to the long sides of the rectangle. Therefore, the aforesaid second
direction is preferably arranged parallel to the short sides of the rectangle.
[0012] With reference to an elliptical cross section, the aforesaid first direction is preferably
arranged parallel to the major axis of the ellipse. Therefore, the aforesaid second
direction is preferably arranged parallel to the minor axis of the ellipse. Incidentally:
- "size of the cross section" means the surface area enclosed by the delimiting edge
of said cross section;
- "extension of the cross section in said first direction" means the maximum distance
between two points obtained by intersecting an axis arranged in said first direction
and the delimiting edge of said cross section;
- "extension of the cross section in said second direction" means the maximum distance
between two points obtained by intersecting an axis arranged in said second direction
and the delimiting edge of said cross section.
[0013] With reference to a rectangular cross section, the extension of the cross section
in the aforesaid first direction corresponds to the length of the long sides of the
rectangle, and the extension of the cross section in the aforesaid second direction
corresponds to the length of the short sides of the rectangle.
[0014] With reference to an elliptical cross section, the extension of the cross section
in the aforesaid first direction corresponds to the length of the major axis of the
ellipse, and the extension of the cross section in the aforesaid second direction
corresponds to the length of the minor axis of the ellipse.
[0015] Advantageously, due to the presence of two hair bunches, as compared to current fan
brushes (having only one hair bunch), and the number of hairs being equal, the greater
the side surface of the bunches which may come in contact with the cosmetic substance
contained in the receptacle, the greater the amount of cosmetic substance which may
be taken from the receptacle each time the brush is immersed therein.
[0016] Further innovative features of the present invention are described in the dependent
claims.
[0017] In particular, according to one aspect of the invention, the hair bunches are separate
from one another, i.e. the hairs of one bunch do not penetrate another bunch.
[0018] Advantageously, with respect to the case in which the hair bunches interpene-trate
one another, if the hair bunches are not in contact, and the number of hairs being
equal, the greater the side surface of the bunches which may come in contact with
the cosmetic substance contained in the receptacle, the greater the amount of cosmetic
substance which is dragged by the hair bunches when the brush is extracted from the
receptacle.
Brief description of the drawings
[0019] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from
the detailed description provided below of an embodiment thereof and from the accompanying
drawings merely given by way of a non-limiting example, in which:
- figure 1 shows a perspective view of a brush for nails according to the present invention;
- figure 2 shows a side plan view of the brush in figure 1;
- figure 3 shows a side plan view of the brush in figure 1, rotated by 90° with respect to that
in figure 2;
- figure 4 shows a top plan view of the brush in figure 1.
Detailed description of some preferred embodiments of the invention
[0020] In the continuation of the present description, a figure may also be shown with reference
to elements not expressly indicated in that figure but in other figures. The scale
and proportions of the different elements depicted do not necessarily correspond to
the actual ones.
[0021] Figures 1 to 4 show a brush 1 comprising a preferably rectilinear handle 2 having an elliptical
cross section. Handle 2 is integrally connected, at a first end 3, to a closure cap
4 of a receptacle (not shown in the figures) containing a liquid or semi-liquid substance
to be applied to nails. By way of example, said substance is a cosmetic or medicinal
substance. Liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic substances applicable to nails include nail
polishes.
[0022] Handle 2 is also connected to a plurality of hairs grouped into multiple bunches
6 (shown by way of example in two bunches) at a second end 5 opposite to the first
end 3. The hairs can be immersed into said liquid or semi-liquid substance in order
to take a reasonable amount thereof from said receptacle and then apply it on the
nail to be treated.
[0023] Handle 2 comprises a cavity 7 for each of the bunches 6, which cavity is longitudinally
made in handle 2 from end 5. The hairs are connected to handle 2 at the cavities 7.
By way of example, the method for connecting the hairs to handle 2 is the same which
is described in Patent Application
PCT/IT2014/000061 assigned to the same Applicant. For increased clarity, said connection method is
briefly summarized hereinbelow. Each hair is folded in half on itself, so as to take
preferably a "V" configuration. The hairs thus folded are grouped into bunches 6 so
that the vertices of the Vs of each bunch 6 are at a same end of the bunch, and the
free ends of the Vs are at the opposite end. Each bunch 6 is astride a "U"-shaped
bracket, i.e. the latter is inserted into bunch 6 so that each hair is arranged astride
the bracket. The vertices of the Vs are at the base of the U and the concavity of
the U is opposite to the concavities of the Vs. The bunches 6, together with the brackets
and starting therefrom, are inserted into the cavities 7 at a portion 8 thereof, respectively.
The arms of the brackets are longitudinally driven into handle 2 so as to push the
vertices of the Vs against the bases of the cavities 7. This integrally connects the
hairs of each bunch 6 to handle 2. The hairs are accommodated in the cavities 7 so
that the Vs are arranged side by side or one inside the other, with the concavities
facing the openings of the cavities 7 (i.e. upward in figures 2 and 3). The cavities
7 have a cross section such as to tighten the hairs against one another.
[0024] Each of the cavities 7 has an almost tapered shape from the end 5 of handle 2 toward
cap 4. Each of the cavities 7 preferably has an almost straight, truncated pyramidal
shape with a rectangular base, with the long sides of the rectangular base arranged
parallel to the major axis of the ellipse of the cross section of handle 2. Even more
preferably, the cavities 7 mirror one another, with each cavity 7 having two isosceles
trapezoids as side walls at the long sides of the rectangular base. The axis of each
truncated pyramid and said isosceles trapezoid-shaped side walls are preferably arranged
longitudinally, i.e. in the same direction in which handle 2 extends.
[0025] In an alternative embodiment of brush 1 (not shown in the figures), the longitudinal
cavities have an almost straight, frustoconical shape with an elliptical base, with
the major axis of the elliptical base arranged parallel to the major axis of the ellipse
of the cross section of handle 2. The longitudinal cavities also preferably mirror
one another in said alternative embodiment, with the axis of each truncated cone arranged
longitudinally.
[0026] The hairs of brush 1 have such a rigidity that the hairs at the portions 9 of the
bunches 6 outside handle 2 remain almost rectilinear, regardless of the spatial orientation
of brush 1. Since the hairs are pressed against one another at the portions 8 of the
bunches 6 inside the cavities 7, the shape of the latter determine the shape of the
bunches 6. In particular, since each cavity 7 is tapered from the end 5 of handle
2 toward cap 4, the portion 9 of each bunch 6 protruding from handle 2 has a cross
section of increasing size from end 5. The size of the cross section of each bunch
6 preferably increases only at an initial stretch 10 of the external portion 9 from
end 5. Even more preferably, in the remaining end stretch 11 of portion 9, the size
of the cross section decreases so that each bunch 6 takes an almost drop-shaped appearance
(clearly shown in figure 2), with the drop tip inserted into cavity 7.
[0027] Preferably, the bunches 6 are of the fan-like type. In particular, the cross section
of each bunch 6, at the inner portion 8 and at the initial stretch 10 of the outer
portion 9, has an extension in a first direction d1 which is longer than the extension
of the cross section in a second direction d2 which is orthogonal to said first direction.
Since the cavities 7 preferably have a straight, truncated pyramidal shape with a
rectangular base, the bunches 6 also have a preferably almost straight, truncated
pyramidal shape with a rectangular base. Incidentally, direction d1 is parallel to
the long sides of the rectangle base and direction d2 is parallel to the short sides
of the aforesaid base.
[0028] Even more preferably, since the cavities 7 mirror one another, the bunches 6 also
mirror one another, with each bunch 6 having, with reference to portion 8 and to the
stretch 10 of portion 9, two isosceles trapezoids as side walls at the long sides
of the rectangular base. The axis of each truncated pyramid and said isosceles trapezoid-shaped
side walls are preferably arranged longitudinally, i.e. in the same direction in which
handle 2 extends.
[0029] With reference to the alternative embodiment mentioned above, if the longitudinal
cavities have an almost straight, frustoconical shape with an elliptical base, the
bunches 6 also have an almost straight, frustoconical shape with an elliptical base,
with direction d1 parallel to the major axis of the elliptical base and direction
d2 parallel to the minor axis of the aforesaid base.
[0030] With reference to figures 3 and 4, it may also be apparent that the hair bunches
6 are not in contact with one another, i.e. the hairs of one bunch do not penetrate
the other bunch. Even more preferably, the minimum distance d3 between one hair of
one bunch and one hair of the other bunch is not less than 0.5 mm. By schematizing
a hair with a line, "minimum distance between two hairs" means the minimum distance
between two points obtained by intersecting said hairs with a line arranged orthogonally
to the direction in which handle 2 extends. Incidentally, since the bunches 6 preferably
mirror one another, distance d3 corresponds to the distance between the bunches 6.
A distance d3 of not less than 0.5 mm maximizes the amount of substance which adheres
to the bunches 6 with an immersion of brush 1 into the receptacle containing said
substance.
[0031] Handle 2 and cap 4 are preferably made of a polymeric material, and even more preferably
of low density polyethylene (LDPE) or high density polyethylene (HDPE). The hairs
7 are preferably made of nylon, and even more preferably of Tynex®.
[0032] In the claimed embodiment of brush 1 (not shown in the figures), the hairs of one
bunch 6 are different in material and/or thickness from the hairs of the other bunch
6. Thereby, the brush of the invention may advantageously be used by brushing first
one bunch 6 on the nail, then the other bunch, or by selecting bunch 6 to be used
according to the features of the substance to be applied.
[0033] On the basis of the description provided for a preferred embodiment, it is obvious
that some changes can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.
1. A brush (1) for nails, comprising:
• a handle (2);
• a plurality of hairs connected to said handle (2) at an end (5) thereof;
said hairs being grouped into two bunches (6), each of which has a cross section increasing
in size from said end (5) over at least one longitudinal stretch (10) of said bunch
(6), which is external to said handle (2),
said cross section having, at least at said longitudinal stretch (10), an extension
in a first direction (d1) which is greater than the extension of said section in a
second direction (d2) which is orthogonal to said first direction.
said brush (1) being
characterized in that the hairs of one of said bunches (6) differ from the hairs of the other bunch (6)
in material and/or thickness.
2. A brush (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, when said brush (1) is not used, the hairs of one of said bunches (6) do not penetrate
the other bunch (6) over the whole longitudinal stretch (10).
3. A brush (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that, over the whole longitudinal stretch (10), the minimum distance (d3) between one
hair of one of said bunches (6) and one hair of the other bunch (6) is not less than
0.5 mm.
4. A brush (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that one of said hair bunches (6) mirrors the other hair bunch (6).
5. A brush (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said hair bunches (6), at least at said longitudinal stretch (10), have an at least
partially truncated pyramidal shape with a rectangular base.
6. A brush (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said hair bunches (6), at least at said longitudinal stretch (10), have an at least
partially frustoconical shape with an elliptical base.
1. Pinsel (1) für Nägel, umfassend:
• einen Griff (2);
• eine Vielzahl von Haaren, die mit dem Griff (2) an einem Ende (5) davon verbunden
sind;
wobei die Haare in zwei Bündeln (6) gruppiert sind, von denen jedes einen Querschnitt
aufweist, der von dem Ende (5) über mindestens eine Längserstreckung (10) des Bündels
(6), das außerhalb des Griffs (2) ist, an Größe zunimmt, wobei der Querschnitt, mindestens
an der Längserstreckung (10), eine Ausdehnung in einer ersten Richtung (d1) aufweist,
die größer als die Ausdehnung des Abschnitts in einer zweiten Richtung (d2), die senkrecht
zu der ersten Richtung ist, ist.
wobei der Pinsel (1)
dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass sich die Haare von einem der Bündel (6) von den Haaren des anderen Bündels (6) in
Material und/oder Dicke unterscheiden.
2. Pinsel (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, wenn der Pinsel (1) nicht verwendet wird, die Haare von einem der Bündel (6) das
andere Bündel (6) nicht über die gesamte Längserstreckung (10) durchdringen.
3. Pinsel (1) nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass, über die gesamte Längserstreckung (10), der Mindestabstand (d3) zwischen einem Haar
von einem der Bündel (6) und einem Haar des anderen Bündels (6) nicht weniger als
0,5 mm beträgt.
4. Pinsel (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eines der Haarbündel (6) das andere Haarbündel (6) spiegelt.
5. Pinsel (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Haarbündel (6), mindestens an der Längserstreckung (10), eine mindestens teilweise
pyramidenstumpfförmige Form mit einer rechteckigen Basis aufweisen.
6. Pinsel (1) nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Haarbündel (6), mindestens an der Längserstreckung (10), eine mindestens teilweise
kegelstumpfförmige Form mit einer elliptischen Basis aufweisen.
1. Brosse (1) pour les ongles, comprenant :
• une poignée (2) ;
• une pluralité de cheveux reliés à ladite poignée (2) à une extrémité (5) de celle-ci
;
lesdits cheveux étant groupés en deux guirlandes (6), chacune d'entre elles ayant
une section transversale dont la taille augmente à partir de ladite extrémité (5)
sur au moins une extension longitudinale (10) de ladite guirlande (6), qui est externe
à ladite poignée (2), ladite section transversale ayant au moins au niveau de ladite
extension longitudinale (10) une extension dans une première direction (d1) qui est
supérieure à l'extension de ladite section dans une seconde direction (d2) qui est
orthogonale à ladite première direction.
Ladite brosse (1) étant
caractérisée en ce que les cheveux de l'une desdites guirlandes (6) diffèrent des cheveux de l'autre guirlande
(6) au niveau du matériau et/ou de l'épaisseur.
2. Brosse (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que, lorsque ladite brosse (1) n'est pas utilisée, les cheveux de l'une desdites guirlandes
(6) ne pénètrent pas dans l'autre guirlande (6) sur toute l'extension longitudinale
(10).
3. Brosse (1) selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que, sur toute l'extension longitudinale (10), la distance minimale (d3) entre les cheveux
de l'une desdites guirlandes (6) et les cheveux de l'autre guirlande (6) n'est pas
inférieure à 0,5 mm.
4. Brosse (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'une desdites guirlandes de cheveux (6) reflète l'autre guirlande de cheveux (6).
5. Brosse (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que lesdites guirlandes de cheveux (6), au moins au niveau de ladite extension longitudinale
(10), ont au moins une forme pyramidale partiellement tronquée avec une base rectangulaire.
6. Brosse (1) selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que lesdites guirlandes de cheveux (6), au moins au niveau de ladite extension longitudinale
(10), ont au moins une forme partiellement tronconique avec une base elliptique.