RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of application, Serial No. 09/267,959,
filed March 12, 1999, entitled Applicator Brush and assigned to the same assignee
as this application.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a cosmetic applicator and, in particular, to an
applicator for applying liquid cosmetics, such as mascara, to eyelashes or other parts
of the body.
[0003] The general purpose of an applicator or brush is to pick up an adequate supply of
material, such as mascara, from a container, carry it from the reservoir of the container
without dripping, and apply it evenly to the particular area of the body, such as,
for example, eyelashes. This needs to be achieved without depositing lumps or blobs
of the material on the eyelashes.
[0004] To do so, it is important that the bristle ends of the applicator have a distribution
that permits the pick up of an adequate supply of material and retains it until it
is applied to the eyelashes. It is also important that the filaments that form the
bristle ends have sufficient structural strength to comb the material or mascara through
the eyelashes.
[0005] A conventional mascara brush has a twisted wire core, and a bristle portion. The
bristle portion has a plurality of plastic filaments. Each plastic filament is gripped
by the twisted wire medially of its ends to form bristle ends.
2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] U.S. Patent No. 4,887,622 to Gueret is directed to a brush of this type in which
the bristle ends extend radially from the core as a helical array and are disposed
in a manner to avoid interference of the bristle ends of one turn with the bristle
ends of adjacent turns. Each filament has a diameter from 0.10 to 0.25 mm. The number
of filaments per helical turn of the twisted wire core is approximately 10 to 40.
[0007] U.S. Patent No. 4,993,440 to Gueret is also directed to a mascara brush that has
a twisted wire core, and a bristle portion. The bristle portion has a plurality of
plastic filaments. Each plastic filament is gripped by the twisted wire medially of
its ends to form bristle ends. This patent also provides that each filament has one
or more U or V shaped capillary channels formed in its surface. The sides of the U
or V shaped capillary channel converge slightly toward each other near their free
ends before again diverging outward to a zone where the channel opens out at the surface
of the filament. The bristle ends are disposed to extend radially from the wire core,
and are distributed to avoid interference of the bristle ends of one turn with the
bristle ends of adjacent turns.
[0008] U.S. Patent No. 4,733,425 to Hartel, et al. is directed to a brush of the type described
above in U.S. Patent No. 4,887,622. In this Hartel patent, the plastic filament bristle
ends flare outwardly in various directions when gripped by the twisted wire. This
outward flaring forms a bristle end distribution pattern that is uniform at the bristle
face. The filament is described as a hollow or tubular polyamide, or one that has
a non-circular cross section.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved applicator that picks
up an adequate supply of the liquid and applies it evenly without lumping.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide such an improved applicator
that is used as a mascara applicator or brush to apply a liquid cosmetic, such as
mascara.
[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an improved applicator
that has a uniform distribution of the bristle ends throughout, and a filament density
of approximately 45 to approximately 60 filaments per helical turn.
[0012] These and other objects of the present invention will be achieved by an applicator
according to the present invention that has a core of twisted wire that forms a plurality
of helical turns. The applicator includes a bristle portion that is formed of a plurality
of filaments with each filament being crimped medially of its ends by the wire core.
The ends of the crimped filament form bristles or bristle ends that flare outwardly
in various directions from the core. This flaring forms a uniform distribution of
the bristle ends throughout the bristle portion. The filament density in the bristle
portion is approximately 45 to approximately 60 filaments per helical turn.
[0013] Each filament has a central core with at least two spaced apart radially extending
flanges. In some embodiments, at least one of the flanges is bent. In other embodiments,
at least one of the flanges radially extends from the central core in a nonlinear
manner. Preferably, the central core is hollow. The area along the central core between
adjacent flanges holds mascara by surface tension.
[0014] In one preferred embodiment, the bristle portion of the brush has a generally square
cross section. At the free end of the brush, the bristle portion tapers to a circular
cross section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0015] Other and further objects, advantages and features of the present invention will
be understood by reference to the following specification in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters denote like elements of
structure and:
Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of an applicator according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an end view of the applicator of Fig. 1;
Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the section defined by lines 3 of the applicator of
Fig. 1;
Fig. 4 is a cross sectional view of a filament of the applicator of Fig. 1; and
Figs. 5 through 15 are cross sectional views of alternative filaments for the applicator
of Fig. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] Referring to the drawings and, in particular, Fig. 1, there is provided an applicator
or brush according to the present invention, generally represented by reference numeral
10. The applicator 10 has a core 12, a rod 14, a cap 16 and a bristle portion 20.
[0017] The core 12 is formed from a U-shaped length of wire that is twisted about itself.
The wire for wire core 12 is preferably a metallic wire.
[0018] Rod 14 covers a portion of wire core 12 that extends to the right of bristle portion
20. Rod 14 is secured to this portion of wire core 12 by a suitable fastener, such
as by coining and heat sealing. Rod 14 extends into cap 16 and is suitably secured
to the cap by conventional means.
[0019] Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, bristle portion 20 is formed of a plurality of filaments
30. Bristle portion 20 has a first end 24 towards rod 14, and a second or free distal
end 26 opposite the first end. Second end 26 has a taper 28. Basically, bristle portion
20 has a generally uniform and square cross section 21 with taper 28 having a generally
circular cross section 29, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. To obtain the square cross
section 21, the bristle ends 22 are clipped by conventional cutter means. In the cutting
operation, the edges or corners are rounded to give a comfortable application.
[0020] Each filament 30 is preferably formed of a plastic filament. Each plastic filament
30 is crimped medially of its ends by wire core 12 whereby its ends form bristle ends
22. For example, bristle ends 22' are formed by a filament 30' crimped by core 12
as shown in Fig. 3. The bristle material and shape is such that the crimping action
causes the bristle ends 22' to flare radially outward from core 12 in various directions.
The effect of the multidirectional flaring of bristle ends 22 is that they uniformly
fill the spaces between adjacent turns of core 12. This gives the effect of a uniform
distribution of bristle ends 22 throughout bristle portion 20.
[0021] The density of filaments 30 in bristle portion 20 is preferably in the range of about
45 to about 60 filaments per helical turn. A helical turn is one turn of core 12.
More preferably, the density is in the range of about 48 to about 60 filaments per
turn. Most preferably, the density is in the range of about 45 to about 55 filaments
per helical turn. A density in this range has been found to give an even application
of mascara without forming lumps of mascara on the eyelashes or on bristle portion
20.
[0022] In use, the brush 10 is gripped by the cap 16 and dipped into a reservoir of liquid
material, such as mascara. The brush is withdrawn from the reservoir through a narrow
orifice by a wiping action to obtain a distribution of mascara on bristle portion
20 suitable for applying to the eyelashes or other hair.
[0023] Referring to Fig. 4, each of the plurality of bristles 30 generally has a central
core 32 with a bore 38 therethrough, and spaced apart portions or flanges 33, 34,
35 and 36 extending outward from the periphery or exterior surface of the core.
[0024] The bore 38 may be a circular bore. Preferably, bore 38 is a generally oblong shaped
bore.
[0025] The central core 32 has an overall square configuration, except for outwardly extending
flange portions 33, 34, 35 and 36. As shown in Fig. 4, flange portions 33, 34, 35
and 36 are formed on what would otherwise be the edge of the square shaped core. It
should be understood that although four flanges are shown in Fig. 4, the present invention
encompasses embodiments that have two or more such flanges.
[0026] Flanges 33, 34, 35 and 36 are bent in the same direction about the periphery of central
core 32. The area along the periphery between adjacent pair of flanges 33, 34, 35
and 36 is area 37. Each area 37 holds or retains mascara by surface tension.
[0027] The maximum cross sectional dimension of each filament 26, and thus each bristle
30, is about 0.08 to about 0.18 mm. Preferably, the maximum cross sectional dimension
is about 0.10 to about 0.15 mm.
[0028] The filaments 26 for each pair of bristles 30 shown in Fig. 4 may be obtained commercially
from Dupont De Nemours Corporation.
[0029] Referring to Figs. 5 through 15, a plurality of alternative filaments is provided
according to the invention. Referring first to Fig. 5, a filament 50 has a central
core 52 with a first pair of approximately identical curled flanges 53 and 55 radially
extending in approximately opposite directions. A second pair of approximately identical
flanges 54 and 56 also extend from core 52 in opposite directions.
[0030] Referring to Fig. 6, a filament 60 has a central core 62 with a first pair of approximately
identical curled flanges 64 and 66 radially extending in approximately opposite directions.
A second pair of approximately identical T-shaped flanges 63 and 65 also extend from
core 62 in opposite directions.
[0031] Referring to Fig. 7, a filament 70 has a central core 72 with a first pair of approximately
identical curled flanges 74 and 76 radially extending in approximately opposite directions.
A second pair of approximately identical curled flanges 73 and 75 also extend from
core 72 in opposite directions.
[0032] Referring to Fig. 8, a filament 80 has a central core 82 with radially extending
cruciform shaped flanges 83, 84, 85 and 86. Flanges 83 and 85 extend from core 82
in approximately opposite directions and flanges 84 and 86 extend from core 82 in
approximately opposite directions.
[0033] Referring to Fig. 9, a filament 90 has a central core 92 with radially extending
T-shaped flanges 93, 94, 95 and 96. Flanges 93 and 95 extend from core 82 in approximately
opposite directions and flanges 94 and 96 extend from core 92 in approximately opposite
directions.
[0034] Referring to Fig. 10, a filament 100 has a central core 102 with radially extending
curled flanges 103, 104, 105 and 106. Approximately identical flanges 103 and 105
extend from core 102 in approximately opposite directions and approximately identical
flanges 104 and 106 extend from core 102 in approximately opposite directions.
[0035] Referring to Fig. 11, a filament 110 has a central core 112 with radially extending
curled flanges 113, 114, 115 and 116. Approximately identical flanges 113 and 115
extend from core 112 in approximately opposite directions and approximately identical
flanges 114 and 116 extend from core 112 in approximately opposite directions.
[0036] Referring to Fig. 12, a filament 120 has a central core 122 with radially extending
flanges 123, 124, 125 and 126. Approximately identical curled flanges 123 and 125
extend from core 122 in approximately opposite directions and approximately identical
fishtail shaped flanges 124 and 126 extend from core 122 in approximately opposite
directions.
[0037] Referring to Fig. 13, a filament 130 has a central core 132 with radially extending
curled flanges 133, 134, 135 and 136. Adjacent flanges 135 and 136 curl in opposite
directions toward one another. All other adjacent flanges curl in the same direction.
For example, adjacent flanges 134 and 135 curl in the same direction.
[0038] Referring to Fig. 14, a filament 140 has a central core 142 with radially extending
fishtail shaped flanges 143, 144, 145 and 146. Approximately identical flanges 143
and 145 extend from core 142 in approximately opposite directions and approximately
identical flanges 144 and 146 extend from core 142 in approximately opposite directions.
[0039] Referring to Fig. 15, a filament 150 has a central core 152 with radially extending
flanges 153, 154, 155 and 156. Approximately identical curled flanges 153 and 155
extend from core 152 in approximately opposite directions, and approximately identical
fishtail shaped flanges 154 and 156 extend from core 152 in approximately opposite
directions. Flanges 153 and 155 curl toward adjacent fishtail shaped flange 154 and
curl away from adjacent fishtail shaped flange 156.
[0040] Several of the flanges extend non-linearly from their respective central cores. For
example, T-shaped flanges 63 and 65, shown in Fig. 6, extend nonlinearly from central
core 62 and cruciform flanges 83 through 86, shown in Fig. 8, extend nonlinearly from
central core 82.
[0041] The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to the
preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention
as defined in the appended claims.
1. An applicator for applying liquid material to a portion of one's body, said applicator
comprising:
a core twisted together to form a plurality of helical turns;
a bristle portion formed of a plurality of filaments, each of said plurality of filaments
being crimped medially by said core to form bristle ends that flare outwardly from
said core, wherein said bristle ends form a uniform bristle end distribution throughout
said bristle portion, wherein said bristle portion has a filament density of approximately
45 to approximately 60 filaments for each of said plurality of helical turns; and
at least some of said plurality of filaments having a central core with a plurality
of spaced apart and radially extending flanges, at least one of said plurality of
flanges being bent, wherein the central core has a periphery, and wherein said periphery
between adjacent flanges holds said liquid material by surface tension.
2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the liquid material is mascara, and wherein
the portion of one's body is eyelashes.
3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said central core is hollow.
4. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein said central core has an oblong hollow
shape.
5. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein said bristle portion has a generally
square cross section.
6. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of filaments has
a maximum cross sectional dimension of about 0.08 to about 0.18 mm.
7. The applicator according to claim 6, wherein said maximum cross sectional dimension
is about 0.10 to 0.15 mm.
8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said bristle portion has a taper at one
end.
9. The applicator according to claim 9, wherein said bristle portion has a generally
square cross section with said taper having a generally circular cross section.
10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said filament density is approximately
48 to approximately 60 filaments for each said helical turn.
11. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said filament density is approximately
45 to approximately 55 filaments for each said helical turn.
12. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said plurality of filaments
generally have at least four spaced apart flanges radially extending from said central
core.
13. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said filament is plastic.
14. An applicator for applying mascara to eyelashes, said applicator comprising:
a core formed by lengths of wire twisted together to form a plurality of helical turns;
a bristle portion formed of a plurality of filaments, each of said plurality of filaments
having a pair of ends, each of said plurality of filaments being crimped medially
of the pair of ends by said core, whereby said pair of ends of each filament form
a pair of bristle ends that flare outwardly in various directions from said core to
form a uniform bristle end distribution throughout said bristle portion, wherein said
bristle portion has a filament density of approximately 45 to approximately 60 filaments
for each of said plurality of helical turns, said bristle portion having a taper at
one end, said bristle portion having a generally square cross section with said taper
having a generally circular cross section; and
at least some of said plurality of filaments having a central core with a plurality
of spaced apart and radially extending flanges, at least one of said plurality of
flanges being bent, the central core having a periphery and said periphery between
adjacent flanges holding said mascara by surface tension.
15. The applicator according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of filaments are each
made of plastic.
16. The applicator according to claim 14, wherein said filament density is approximately
45 to approximately 55 filaments for each of said plurality of helical turns.
17. The applicator according to claim 14, wherein said plurality of flanges includes at
least two approximately identical flanges that radially extend from said central core
in approximately opposite directions.
18. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of flanges includes at
least two approximately identical flanges that radially extend from said central core
in approximately opposite directions.
19. An applicator for applying liquid material to a portion of one's body, said applicator
comprising:
a core twisted together to form a plurality of helical turns;
a bristle portion formed of a plurality of filaments, each of said plurality of filaments
being crimped medially by said core to form bristle ends that flare outwardly from
said core, wherein said bristle ends form a uniform bristle end distribution throughout
said bristle portion, wherein said bristle portion has a filament density of approximately
45 to approximately 60 filaments for each of said plurality of helical turns; and
at least some of said plurality of filaments having a central core with a plurality
of spaced apart and radially extending flanges, at least one of said plurality of
flanges radially extending in a nonlinear manner, wherein the central core has a periphery,
and wherein said periphery between adjacent flanges holds said liquid material by
surface tension.
20. The applicator according to claim 19, wherein said central core is hollow, and wherein
said at least one flange has an approximate cross-section of the group consisting
of T-shaped and cruciform shaped.
21. An applicator for applying liquid material to portion of one's body, said applicator
comprising:
a core twisted together to form a plurality of helical turns;
a bristle portion formed of a plurality of filaments, each of said plurality of filaments
being crimped medially by said core to form bristle ends that flare outwardly from
said core, wherein said bristle ends form a uniform bristle end distribution throughout
said bristle portion, wherein said bristle portion has a filament density of approximately
45 to 60 filaments for each of said plurality of helical turns; and
each of said plurality of filaments having a central core with a plurality of spaced
apart and outwardly extending flanges, each of said plurality of flanges being bent
in the same direction, wherein the central core has a periphery, and said periphery
between adjacent flanges holds said liquid material by surface tension.
22. The applicator according to claim 21, wherein the liquid material is mascara, and
wherein the portion of one's body is eyelashes.
23. The applicator according to claim 21, wherein said central core is hollow.
24. The applicator according to claim 23, wherein said central core has an oblong hollow
shape.
25. The applicator according to claim 23, wherein said bristle portion has a generally
square cross section.
26. The applicator according to claim 23, wherein each of said plurality of filaments
has a maximum cross sectional dimension of about 0.08 to about 0.18 mm.
27. The applicator according to claim 26, wherein said maximum cross sectional dimension
is about 0.10 to 0.15 mm.
28. The applicator according to claim 21, wherein said bristle portion has a taper at
one end.
29. The applicator according to claim 28, wherein said bristle portion has a generally
square cross section with said taper having a generally circular cross section.
30. The applicator according to claim 21, wherein said filament density is approximately
48 to 60 filaments for each said helical turn.
31. The applicator according to claim 21, wherein said filament density is approximately
45 to 55 filaments for each said helical turn.
32. The applicator according to claim 21, each of said plurality of filaments generally
has at least two spaced apart flanges extending outward from said central core.
33. The applicator according to claim 21, wherein said filament is plastic.
34. An applicator for applying mascarra to eyelashes, said applicator comprising:
a core formed by lengths of wire twisted together to form a plurality of helical turns;
a bristle portion formed of a plurality of filaments, each of said plurality of filaments
having a pair of ends, each of said plurality of filaments being crimped medially
of the pair of ends by said core, whereby said pair of ends of each filament form
a pair of bristle ends that flare outwardly in various directions from said core to
form a uniform bristle end distribution throughout said bristle portion, wherein said
bristle portion has a filament density of approximately 45 to 60 filaments for each
of said plurality of helical turns, said bristle portion having a taper at one end,
said bristle portion having a generally square cross section with said taper having
a generally circular cross section; and
each of said plurality of filaments having a central core with a plurality of spaced
apart and outwardly extending flanges, each of said plurality of flanges being bent
in the same direction, the central core having a periphery and said periphery between
adjacent flanges holding said mascara by surface tension.
35. An applicator according to claim 34, wherein said plurality of filaments are each
made of plastic.
36. An applicator according to claim 34, wherein said filament density is approximately
45 to 55 filaments for each of said plurality of helical turns.