Cosmetics Brush

This invention relates to a cosmetics applicator brush and more particularly to a cosmetics applicator brush having a ribbed flexer with flocked bristles deployed thereon, whereby the cosmetics applicator brush is configured to achieve both substantial product carrying capability and good combining action.

Several cosmetics products, particularly mascara for enhancing the appearance of eyelashes, are best applied with brush type applicators. An overall package for the cosmetics is generally provided, including a container, a cap for the container, and an applicator brush affixed to the cap of the container. The brush extends into the container to pick up the cosmetics for use and also to store the brush between uses. A wiper is provided at the mouth of the container, the wiper generally comprising a flexible diaphragm with a central aperture through which the brush is inserted and withdrawn from the container. The wiper removes excess cosmetics from the applicator brush as the applicator brush is removed from the container, i.e. the wiper controls the amount of cosmetics remaining on the brush upon removal of the brush from the container for applying the cosmetics. The flexible diaphragm also often provides a seal with the stem of the brush.

The prior art applicator brushes are generally of a twisted wire stem construction, with bristles being mounted by being captured in the twisted wire stem and extending radially outwardly therefrom. By virtue of this manufacturing technique, the bristles are generally arrayed in a spiral pattern about the axis of the wire stem, with the outer ends of the bristles together defining either a cylindrical or conical or even other non-symmetrical configuration. In one brush, the bristles are cut in a non-symmetrical configuration, i.e. they extend to different lengths along different radial directions from the stem, the bristles having a generally triangular configuration when viewed in cross section with the stem being asymmetrically positioned with respect to the triangular shape. Another mascara applicator has no bristles, being comprised of a screw-threaded end portion, and is used with mascara having fiber fillers.

A cosmetics applicator brush must accomplish two functions, namely applying the cosmetics, e.g. mascara to eyelashes, and also combing the eyelashes to spread the mascara, align the eyelashes and maximize their length. The prior art applicator brushes represent a compromise between their ability to carry mascara for application and their ability to comb the eyelashes. More particularly, the wiping action of the flexible diaphragm must remove a substantial amount of the mascara in order to avoid sloppy application and permit the desired combing action, but when the wiper and applicator brush are cooperatively designed to remove sufficient mascara to permit good combing, the applicator brush often carries insufficient mascara for efficient application. The prior art mascara applicator brushes are particularly ineffective when used with very low viscosity mascara products or with thick, high viscosity mascara products.

Other prior art brushes include a brush comprised of a straight stem with very soft flocked bristles attached to the distal portion thereof and used for applying eye shadow, i.e. the brush applies and spreads the product on a relatively smooth surface and has no combing function. Additionally, toothbrush type applicators have been made, but these are primarily for use with harder cosmetics preparations which do not require a wiper-equipped container.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a cosmetics applicator brush which better performs the combined functions of applying the cosmetics and combing.

A cosmetics applicator brush for mascara or other cosmetics, according to the invention herein, comprises a rod having a ribbed flexer at the end thereof, and bristles secured to the ribbed flexer. The bristles are deployed from the ribs of the flexer and from the grooves defined between the ribs and core of the flexer, wherein the outer ends of the bristles are at varying distances from the longitudinal axis of the flexer. In the preferred embodiments, the flexer is provided with a plurality of ribs spaced apart along its core, with the ribs extending radially outwardly, wherein the grooves defined between the ribs are circumferential about the flexer core between the ribs. However, a single spiral rib and other rib deployments are also within the scope of the invention. Spacing between the ribs, the configuration of the ribs and grooves, and the size and length of the bristles are selectable to achieve the best results in combination with various cosmetics products and with anticipated personal preferences of the user, all of which may vary.

The outer diameter of the ribs is preferably greater than the diameter of the opening in the wiper diaphragm used with the applicator brush to provide vigorous wiping action on the bristles extending from the ribs of the flexer, and the diameter of the flexer core (and the grooves) is of course smaller whereby the wiper diaphragm provides little or no wiping action on the bristles deployed in the grooves between the ribs of the flexer. Thus, the bristles in the grooves carry a substantial amount of mascara for application to the user's eyelashes, and the bristles extending from the ribs are wiped relatively clean for use in spreading the mascara and combing the eyelashes.

The flexer may also be provided with a small diameter tip having bristles extending therefrom, which is useful for applying the mascara in tight spaces and for touching up mascara.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention herein to provide an improved cosmetics applicator brush.

It is an additional object of the invention herein to provide an improved cosmetics applicator brush which is well adapted to applying mascara.

It is a further object of the invention herein to provide a cosmetics applicator brush which can carry a substantial amount of cosmetics and yet provides good combing action.

Other and more specific objects and features of the invention herein will in part be obvious and will in part appear from a perusal of the following description of the preferred embodiments and claims, taken together with the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetics applicator brush according to the invention herein and a cosmetics container with which it is used;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view, partially cut away, of the cosmetics applicator brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view, partially cut away, of the cosmetics applicator brush of FIG. 1 shown inserted in the cosmetics container, also shown partially cut away;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view, partially cut away, of the cosmetics applicator brush of FIG. 1, shown being withdrawn from the cosmetics container, also shown partially cut away;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the cosmetics applicator brush of FIG. 1 shown applying cosmetics to eyelashes;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the cosmetics applicator brush of FIG. 1 shown combing eyelashes;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of another cosmetics applicator brush according to the invention herein; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of another cosmetics applicator brush according to the invention herein.

The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the various Figures.

FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a cosmetics applicator brush 10 according to the invention herein. Although the cosmetics applicator brushes according to the invention herein are useful in applying many kinds of cosmetics, they are especially well adapted for applying mascara to eyelashes and will be described in relation to that use. The applicator brush 10 is used in conjunction with a container 90 for the mascara, the container 90 including a cap 95 to which the applicator brush is mounted.

The cosmetics applicator brush 10 generally comprises a rod 15, a ribbed flexer 20 at one end of the rod 15 and bristles 40 secured to and extending outwardly from the flexer. With reference to FIG. 2, the applicator brush 10 is shown in more detail. The rod 15 is cylindrical and has its end 16 mounted to the cap 95 of container 90, as is well known in the art. The opposite end 17 of the rod 15 has a cavity 18 formed therein for mounting the flexer 20. The flexer 20 is mounted extending from the rod 15 opposite the cap 95 via a stem received in the opening 18 of the rod, and secured therein by staking, gluing, solvent or sonic welding. The flexer 20 further generally comprises a cylindrical core 25 terminating in a tip 27, and a plurality of ribs 30 extending outwardly from core 25 at spaced apart intervals. The core 25 has a diameter C.

The ribs 30 are each in the form of an annular disc, having outer cylindrical surfaces 31. The sides of the ribs, indicated at 32, may be slightly beveled. The plane of each of the ribs 30 is disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the flexer core 25, and the diameter D of the ribs 30 may be two to three times larger than the diameter C of core 25. The diameter of rod 15 may be about the same as the diameter of the ribs, and the end 17 of the rod 15 may be tapered so that the rib adjacent to it has some height relative to the rod. The ribs extend radially outwardly from the core 25 at spaced apart intervals, and therefore a plurality of annular grooves 35 are defined between adjacent ribs and the core 25 of the flexer. The core 25 extends beyond the outermost rib 30a to form a tip 27, which is preferably tapered although not to a sharp point.

The rod 15 is fabricated of a relatively rigid plastic, e.g. DuPont's Delrin.RTM. of the acetol family. The flexer 20 is preferably also formed of molded plastic, such as a polyurethane or polyvinylchloride. The flexer 20 is preferably somewhat flexible, this being accomplished both by choice of materials and because the diameter C of the core 25 is smaller than the diameter of the rod 15. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, the diameter C of the flexer core 25 is approximately 0.06 inch and the diameter D of the ribs 30 is approximately 0.16 inch. The ribs may be approximately 0.02 inch thick and are spaced apart approximately 0.05 inch. The flexer is approximately 1 inch long, and may include approximately ten ribs and the tip within that length.

The cosmetics applicator brush 10 further includes bristles 40. The numeral 40 refers to the bristles as a group, although specific portions of the bristles will be referred to by additional numbers. The length and denier of the bristles are selected in view of the characteristics of the cosmetics product to be applied by the brush, and in the preferred embodiment 10, bristles are 0.080 inch long, 30 denier nylon bristles. The bristles 40 are applied to the flexer 20 by a flocking process, in which a glue is applied to the flexer, and the bristles are electrostatically charged and applied to the flexer via an electrical field. By virtue of this process, the bristles are positioned generally perpendicularly on the outer cylindrical surfaces 31 of the ribs 30 and on the flexer core 25 between the ribs 30, i.e. in the base of the grooves 35, with some bristles being also attached to the sidewalls 32 of the ribs. Bristles are also applied in this manner to the tip 27 of the flexer. This results in a "layering" of the bristles, i.e. the bristles 41 attached to the outer cylindrical surfaces 31 of the ribs 30 protrude outwardly beyond the bristles 45 attached to the flexer core 25 in the grooves 35 between the ribs.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the loading of mascara 99 onto the cosmetics applicator brush 10 is illustrated. As noted above, the cosmetics container 90 includes a flexible wiper diaphragm 91 disposed across the entrance/exit passage to the container, and the wiper diaphragm 91 defines a central aperture 92 through which the cosmetics applicator brush passes when being inserted or withdrawn from the container 90. One of the functions of the wiper diaphragm 91 may be to provide a seal preventing escape of cosmetics from the container when the applicator brush is inserted therein, and in the embodiment shown the diameter of the aperture 92 is smaller than the diameter of rod 15 of the applicator brush, whereby the diaphragm is somewhat stretched about the rod and seals to the rod as is illustrated in FIG. 3. The flexer 20 and its bristles 40 are positioned within the cosmetics container 90 in FIG. 3, and mascara 99 is deposited and collected on the bristles 40. The principal function of the wiper diaphragm 91 is to remove excess mascara from the cosmetics applicator brush 10 as it is withdrawn from the cosmetics container 90 for use, and the action of wiper diaphragm 91 with respect to cosmetics applicator brush 10 is illustrated in FIG. 4. The wiper diaphragm is shown once in dotted lines 91a in FIG. 4 and once in solid lines 91, to illustrate the progressive action of wiper diaphragm as the applicator brush is withdrawn through the aperture 92 thereof. Referring first to the action of the wiper diaphragm as shown in dotted lines 91a, the wiper diaphragm is stretched over one of the ribs 30b, and vigorously wiping the bristles 41b extending from the outer surface 31 of the rib. Thus, the bristles 41c extending from a rib 30c which has passed through the wiper diaphragm, are wiped relatively clean of mascara. With reference to the action of the wiper diaphragm 91 as shown in solid lines in FIG. 4, the wiper diaphragm extends into one of the grooves 35 between the ribs 30 and wipes only the tips of the bristles 45 therein, wherein a substantial amount of mascara 99 remains entrained by the bristles 45. The condition "after wiping" can be seen between the upper two ribs 30b and 30c in FIG. 4. A substantial amount of mascara also remains on the bristles extending from the tip 27 of the applicator brush 10.

The operation of the applicator brush 10 in applying the mascara 99 to eyelashes 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6. Referring first to FIG. 5, the applicator brush may be stroked firmly under eyelashes 12, forcing the eyelashes downwardly into the grooves 35 where the bristles 45 are carrying substantial amounts of mascara 99 as described above. As the applicator brush is stroked through the eyelashes 12, a transfer of mascara from the bristles 40 (i.e. primarily from the heavily loaded bristles 45 but also from the cleaner bristles 41) to the eyelashes 12 occurs. Referring next to FIG. 6, the brush may be drawn lightly through the eyelashes 12, wherein the relatively clean bristles 41 extending from the outer cylindrical surfaces of the ribs 30 spread the mascara over the eyelashes, align the eyelashes generally parallel to each other and comb the eyelashes to their maximum length, all in the manner desired for best appearance. The tip 27 may be used for "touch-up," as desired. Thus, the cosmetics applicator brush 10 is capable of carrying a substantial amount of mascara from the container and applying it to the eyelashes, and is also capable of spreading the mascara product and combing the eyelashes with relatively clean bristles.

A second cosmetics applicator brush 50 according to the invention herein is illustrated in FIG. 7. The applicator brush 50 also generally comprises a rod 52 mounting a ribbed flexer 54 having bristles 56 applied thereto. As is perhaps best understood with reference to the Figures, the main difference between applicator brush 50 and applicator brush 10 described above is in the configuration of the flexers. The flexer 54 includes a plurality of spaced apart ribs 60, each of which has an outer cylindrical surface 61. The sidewalls 62, 63 of the ribs 60 are concave curved surfaces between which grooves 65 are defined, adjacent curved sidewalls joining tangentially at a point 64 at the deepest point of groove 65. The flexer includes a core 55, which is an integral cylindrical shaped portion of the flexer underlying the ribs and their curved sidewalls. The core 55 extends beyond the outermost rib to form a tip 53 at the distal end of the applicator brush 50. The flexer 54 is relatively flexible because of the smaller diameter of the flexer core 55 vis-a-vis the rod 52 and because of the choice of materials for the flexer and rod, which may be as described above with respect to applicator brush 10.

The bristles 56 are applied to the flexer by the electrostatic flocking process, and bristles 57 align themselves generally perpendicular to the outer cylindrical surface of the ribs 60 and also generally perpendicularly from the concave sidewalls 62, 63 of the ribs wherein the bristles in the grooves 65 converge toward each other and provide a relatively dense bristle surface therein. The applicator brush 50 is also mounted on a cap of a cosmetics container (not shown) which has a wiper diaphragm disposed across the entry/exit passage.

The action of the wiper diaphragm with respect to the applicator brush 50 is similar to that described above for applicator brush 10, wherein the bristles 57 extending from the outer cylindrical surfaces 61 of the ribs 60 are wiped relatively clean whereas the bristles 58 in the grooves 65 tend to retain a substantial amount of mascara for application. The use of the applicator brush 50 is also similar to the use of brush 10 described above, with the bristles 58 in grooves 65 applying most of the mascara and the bristles 57 on the ribs 60 providing the combing action.

With reference to FIG. 8, another cosmetics applicator brush 70 according to the invention herein generally comprises a rod 72 mounting a ribbed flexer 74 having bristles 76 thereon. The ribbed flexer 74 includes a plurality of individual ribs 80 each of which, when viewed in section, tapers to a point 81. The ribs 80 each have diverging sidewalls 82 and 83 which, together with the sidewalls of adjacent ribs, form V-shaped grooves 85 between the ribs 80 converging to a bottom point 86. The core 75 of flexer 74 is the integral cylindrical portion underlying the ribs 80. As in the previous embodiments, the ribs 80 extend radially outwardly from an axis of the flexer, and are annular about that axis with the plane of the ribs being generally perpendicular to the axis of the flexer. The bristles 76 are attached by the electrostatic flocking process, which orients the bristles generally perpendicular to the surface of the flexer. Thus, in the grooves 85, the density of the bristles 77 is great and the bristles 77 criss-cross one another, wherein the bristles in the grooves are capable of carrying substantial amounts of mascara. The bristles 78 located near the points 81 of the ribs 80 extend outwardly from the flexer, and these bristles are vigorously wiped by the wiper diaphragm upon removal of the applicator brush 70 from an associated cosmetics container, whereby these bristles are relatively clean and available to perform the combing action of the applicator brush. The cosmetics applicator brush 70 does not have a protruding tip, but the outermost annular rib has its sidewalls tapering to a conical point 87 and the bristles located on this conical point carry a substantial amount of makeup and are available to perform a touch-up function, as desired.

It will be appreciated that other configurations of ribbed flexers may be provided according to the invention herein, including if desired, a single spiral rib extending outwardly from a flexer shaft or ribs which are asymmetrical about the axis of the flexer. The diameter of the ribs may also be varied, e.g. the ribs may taper in an elongated conical envelope. These and other configurations of flexers which support bristles from protruding ribs and from grooves between the ribs such that passing the brush through a wiper results in some substantially clean bristles and some mascara carrying bristles results in the achievement of the objects of the invention herein. It will be appreciated that the size of the cosmetics applicator brush, including the length of the flexer, the size of the ribs and the spacing between the ribs, and the size and denier of the bristles are all selected with reference to the intended use of the cosmetics applicator brush, including the composition of the particular cosmetics product. Additionally, the flexer and rod can be made integrally if desired. Accordingly, various changes may be made in the preferred embodiment described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.