U.S. patent application number 10/084975 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-12 for brush for applying product to keratinous fibers.
Invention is credited to Gueret, Jean-Louis H..
Application Number | 20020124860 10/084975 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8860610 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020124860 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gueret, Jean-Louis H. |
September 12, 2002 |
Brush for applying product to keratinous fibers
Abstract
A device for applying a product to keratinous fibers may
comprise a stem having two opposite ends and a brush portion
connected to one end portion of the stem. The one end portion of
the stem may have a longitudinal axis and the brush portion may
have a free end that is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of
the one end portion of the stem. The brush portion may comprise a
core and at least part of the core may be curved such that a line
tangent to the core at any axial position along the core is not
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the one end portion of
the stem. The brush portion may further comprise bristles connected
to the core. The bristles may comprise ends defining an envelope
surface having a varying cross-section along at least a part of its
length. The envelope surface may be asymmetrical about a midplane
of the envelope surface, the midplane being oriented perpendicular
to the core.
Inventors: |
Gueret, Jean-Louis H.;
(Paris, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas L. Irving
FINNEGAN, HENDERSON, FARABOW,
GARRETT & DUNNER, L.L.P.
1300 I Street, N.W.
Washington
DC
20005-3315
US
|
Family ID: |
8860610 |
Appl. No.: |
10/084975 |
Filed: |
March 1, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 3/18 20130101; A46B
9/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/218 |
International
Class: |
A45D 040/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 1, 2001 |
FR |
01 02800 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A device for applying a product to keratinous fibers, the device
comprising: a stem having two opposite ends; and a brush portion
connected to one end portion of the stem, the one end portion of
the stem having a longitudinal axis and the brush portion having a
free end that is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the one
end portion of the stem, wherein the brush portion comprises a
core, at least part of the core being curved such that a line
tangent to the core at any axial position along the core is not
perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the one end portion of
the stem, and wherein the brush portion further comprises bristles
connected to the core, the bristles comprising ends defining an
envelope surface having a varying cross-section along at least a
part of its length, the envelope surface being asymmetrical about a
midplane of the envelope surface, the midplane being oriented
perpendicular to the core.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush portion is formed from
a blank comprising a blank core and blank bristles having ends
defining a blank envelope surface, the blank envelope surface being
asymmetrical about a midplane of the blank envelope surface
oriented perpendicular to the blank core.
3. The device of claim 2, wherein an edge portion partially
defining the blank envelope surface is nonrectilinear when observed
in profile in a direction perpendicular to the blank core, and
wherein said edge portion becomes at least partially straightened
by curving at least the part of the blank core.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the envelope surface has at least
one extreme cross-section chosen from a maximum cross-section and a
minimum cross-section located axially between axial ends of the
envelope surface.
5. The device of claim 4, wherein the brush portion has a maximum
cross-section located axially between axial ends of the envelope
surface.
6. The device of claim 4, wherein the envelope surface has a
minimum cross-section located axially between axial ends of the
envelope surface.
7. The device of claim 4, wherein the brush portion has a maximum
cross-section and a minimum cross-section located axially between
axial ends of the envelope surface.
8. The device of claim 3, wherein the nonrectilinear edge portion
is located in one of a first third and a last third of the length
of the blank envelope surface.
9. The device of claim 3, wherein said nonrectilinear edge portion
is outwardly concave.
10. The device of claim 9, wherein the non rectilinear edge portion
is located in the last third of the length of the blank envelope
surface, as measured in a direction facing away from a free end of
the blank.
11. The device of claim 3, wherein the nonrectilinear edge portion
is outwardly convex.
12. The device of claim 11, wherein the nonrectilinear edge portion
is located in the first third of the length of the blank envelope
surface, as measured in a direction facing away from a free end of
the blank.
13. The device of claim 3, wherein the nonrectilinear edge portion
is defined at least in part by a substantially bullet-shaped part
of the blank envelope surface, the bullet-shaped part comprising a
free end of the blank, and wherein a cross-section of a remainder
of the blank envelope surface tapers over at least a part of the
length of the blank envelope surface in a direction from the
bullet-shaped part toward an end of the blank opposite the free end
of the blank.
14. The device of claim 3, wherein the nonrectilinear edge portion
is defined by an intersection of a frustoconical-shaped zone of the
blank and a frustoconical-shaped body portion of the blank, the
frustoconical-shaped zone being proximate a free end of the blank
and converging toward the free end of the blank, and the
frustoconical-shaped body portion extending from the intersection
and converging toward an end of the blank opposite the free end of
the blank.
15. The device of claim 3, wherein the blank envelope surface has a
fish-like shape, and wherein the nonrectilinear edge portion is
defined by a zone proximate a junction between an end portion of
the blank envelope surface opposite a free end of the blank and a
remainder of the blank envelope surface, the end portion forming a
tail of the fish-like shape.
16. The device of claim 3, wherein the blank envelope surface has
an hourglass-like shape, and wherein the nonrectilinear edge
portion is defined by a reentrant angle at a junction between two
truncated cone shapes forming the hourglass-like shape.
17. The device of claim 3, wherein the blank envelope surface
defines a football-like shape having at least one cut-out, and
wherein the nonrectilinear edge portion is one of defined by the
cut-out and lies in a vicinity of an end of the cut-out.
18. The device of claim 17, wherein the cut-out is chosen from a
notch and a facet.
19. The device of claim 17, wherein the nonrectilinear edge portion
is deformed by curving at least the part of the blank core so as to
cause at least part of the nonrectilinear edge portion to lie
substantially on an axis of an edge of a remainder of the blank
envelope surface adjacent the nonrectilinear edge portion.
20. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush portion is formed from
a blank comprising a blank core and blank bristles having ends
defining a blank envelope surface, the blank envelope surface being
substantially circularly symmetrical.
21. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush portion is formed from
a blank comprising a blank core and blank bristles having ends
defining a blank envelope surface, the blank envelope surface being
substantially axially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the
core.
22. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush portion is formed from
a blank having a blank core curved about at least one axis disposed
outside the midplane of the blank.
23. The device of claim 1, wherein the core comprises a twisted
wire core.
24. The device of claim 23, wherein the twisted wire core has a
left-hand pitch.
25. The device of claim 23, wherein the bristles are held between
wires of the twisted wire core.
26. The device of claim 25, wherein the twisted wire core has a
left-hand pitch and wherein at least the part of the core is curved
so as to decrease an inclination of helical turns formed by free
ends of the bristles relative to the longitudinal axis of the end
portion of the stem in a direction facing away from the stem.
27. The device of claim 1, wherein the bristles comprise bristles
of differing lengths.
28. The device of claim 27, wherein the bristles comprise longer
bristles defining the envelope surface of the brush portion and
shorter bristles contained within a space defined by the envelope
surface.
29. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush portion is formed from
a blank comprising a blank core and blank bristles having ends
defining a blank envelope surface, the blank envelope surface
having at least one substantially planar facet formed thereon.
30. The device of claim 29, wherein the at least one substantially
planar facet comprises three substantially planar facets and
wherein the blank envelope surface has a cross-section that is
substantially triangular in shape, at least over a fraction of its
length.
31. The device of claim 1, wherein the core is curved about at
least two axes that are not mutually parallel.
32. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush portion has a stepped
cross-section over at least part of its length.
33 The device of claim 1, wherein the core has a nonuniform
curvature.
34. The device of claim 33, wherein the core comprises a curved
portion and a rectilinear portion, the rectilinear portion being
attached to the stem.
35. The device of claim 1, further comprising a container
configured to contain the product to be applied to the keratinous
fibers.
36. The device of claim 35, further comprising a wiper configured
to wipe excess product from the brush portion.
37. The device of claim 35, further comprising a handle member
attached to an end of the stem opposite the end to which the brush
portion is connected.
38. The device of claim 34, further comprising the product, wherein
the container contains the product.
39. The device of claim 38, wherein the product comprises a mascara
product.
40. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush portion is configured
to apply product to eyelashes.
41. The device of claim 1, wherein the cross-section of the
envelope surface varies in a nonmonotonic manner.
42. The device of claim 1, wherein an entire length of the core of
the brush portion to which the bristles are connected is
curved.
43. A method of making an applicator for applying a product to
keratinous fibers, the method comprising: providing a blank
comprising a blank core and bristles connected to the blank core,
the bristles comprising ends defining a blank envelope surface
having a varying crosssection over at least a part of its length
and being asymmetrical about a midplane of the blank envelope
surface, the midplane being perpendicular to the blank core; and
curving at least a part of the blank core so as to form a brush
portion comprising a core and a free end not aligned with a
longitudinal axis of an end portion of a stem to which the brush
portion is adapted to be connected, wherein a line tangent to the
core at any axial position along the core is not perpendicular to
the longitudinal axis of the end portion of the stem when the brush
portion is connected to the end portion of the stem.
44. The method of claim 43, wherein the cross-section of the blank
envelope surface varies in a nonmonotonic manner.
45. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank core is a twisted
wire core.
46. The method of claim 43, further comprising shaving free ends of
at least some bristles to form the variable cross-section of the
blank envelope surface.
47. The method of claim 43, wherein the bristles are configured to
apply a product to eyelashes.
48. The method of claim 47, wherein the product comprises a mascara
product.
49. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank envelope surface,
when observed in profile from a direction substantially
perpendicular to the blank core, has a nonrectilinear edge portion
over at least a part of its length.
50. The method of claim 49, wherein the curving of the blank core
comprises curving the blank core in such a manner so as to reduce a
curvature of the nonrectilinear edge portion.
51. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank envelope surface is
substantially circularly symmetrical.
52. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank envelope surface has
a substantially bullet-like shape.
53. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank envelope surface has
a substantially buoy-like shape.
54. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank envelope surface has
a substantially fish-like shape.
55. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank envelope surface has
a substantially hourglass-like shape.
56. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank envelope surface has
a substantially football-like shape.
57. The method of claim 56, wherein the blank comprises at least
one facet on the blank envelope surface.
58. The method of claim 57, further comprising forming the at least
one facet prior to curving the blank core.
59. The method of claim 58, wherein the at least one facet
comprises three facets.
60. The method of claim 43, wherein the curving of the blank core
comprises curving the blank core about two axes that are not
mutually parallel.
61. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank core comprises a
twisted wire core with a left-hand pitch.
62. The method of claim 43, wherein the blank core is
rectilinear.
63. The method of claim 43, wherein the curving of at least the
part of the blank core comprises curving an entire length of the
blank core to which the bristles are connected.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an applicator for applying
a product, such as a cosmetic or a care product, for example, to
keratinous fibers. In particular, the invention relates to an
applicator for applying mascara to the eyelashes. The invention
also relates to a device including such an applicator.
[0002] Numerous applicator brushes are known that are formed by
helically twisting two branches of a metal wire so as to hold
bristles extending radially from the twisted wire. The branches may
be fixed in a stem made of plastic material, for example, and
secured to a cap for closing a container containing the product to
be applied with the brush. The free ends of the bristles may define
an envelope surface, which may define numerous of shapes.
[0003] It may be desirable to further improve existing brushes and
to improve the quality of the makeup obtained therewith, for
example, in terms of product takeup, and/or eyelash elongation,
and/or eyelash curling, and/or penetration of bristles, for
example, between the eyelashes, and/or separation of the
eyelashes.
[0004] It should be understood that the invention could be
practiced without performing one or more of the aspects described
herein. Certain aspects will become apparent from the detailed
description which follows. As embodied and broadly described
herein, the invention includes a device for applying a product to
keratinous fibers comprising a stem having two opposite ends and a
brush portion connected to one end portion of the stem. The one end
portion of the stem may have a longitudinal axis and the brush
portion may have a free end that is not aligned with the
longitudinal axis of the one end portion of the stem. The brush
portion comprises a core and at least part of the core may be
curved such that a line tangent to the core at any axial position
along the core is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
one end portion of the stem. The brush portion may further comprise
bristles connected to the core. The bristles may comprise ends
defining an envelope surface having a varying cross-section along
at least a part of its length. The envelope surface may be
asymmetrical about a midplane of the envelope surface, and the
midplane may be oriented perpendicular to the core.
[0005] As used herein, the term "cross-section" relates to a
cross-section taken in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the
core. The term "envelope surface" as used herein refers to an
imaginary surface defined by ends of at least some of the bristles
extending from the core of the applicator brush portion or blank.
For example, the envelope surface could be considered to be the
three dimensional image seemingly formed by the bristle ends when
the applicator/blank is viewed by an observer. When there are a
mixture of shorter bristles and longer bristles extending in
substantially the same direction at substantially the same axial
position on the core, the ends of the longer bristles may define
the envelope surface, while the ends of the shorter bristles may be
beneath that surface.
[0006] The brush portion may be formed from a blank comprising a
blank core and blank bristles having ends defining a blank envelope
surface. The blank envelope surface may be asymmetrical about a
midplane of the blank envelope surface oriented perpendicular to
the blank core.
[0007] As used herein, the term "blank" refers to a
partially-manufactured applicator or a partially manufactured part
of an applicator, such as the brush portion, for example, that may
be subjected to one or more additional manufacturing steps before
becoming a completed applicator. For example, the term "blank" may
be used herein to refer to an applicator that has a core that has
not yet been curved.
[0008] An edge portion may partially define the blank envelope
surface and may be nonrectilinear when observed in profile in a
direction perpendicular to the blank core. The edge portion may
become at least partially straightened by curving at least the part
of the blank core.
[0009] The envelope surface may have at least one extreme
cross-section chosen from a maximum cross-section and a minimum
cross-section located axially between axial ends of the envelope
surface. The brush portion may have a maximum cross-section located
axially between axial ends of the envelope surface. The envelope
surface may have a minimum cross-section located axially between
axial ends of the envelope surface. As an alternative, the brush
portion may have a maximum cross-section and a minimum
cross-section located axially between axial ends of the envelope
surface.
[0010] According to an exemplary embodiment, the nonrectilinear
edge potion may be located in one of a first third and a last third
of the length of the blank envelope surface. The nonrectilinear
edge portion may be outwardly concave.
[0011] According to another exemplary embodiment, the
nonrectilinear edge portion may be located in the last third of the
length of the blank envelope surface, as measured in a direction
facing away from a free end of the blank.
[0012] The nonrectilinear edge portion may be outwardly convex. The
nonrectilinear edge portion may be located in the first third of
the length of the blank envelope surface, as measured in a
direction facing away from a free end of the blank.
[0013] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the nonrectilinear edge
portion may be defined at least in part by a substantially
bullet-shaped part of the blank envelope surface. The bullet-shaped
part may comprise a free end of the blank, and a cross-section of a
remainder of the blank envelope surface may taper over at least a
part of the length of the blank envelope surface in a direction
from the bullet-shaped part toward an end of the blank opposite the
free end of the blank.
[0014] The nonrectilinear edge portion further may be defined by an
intersection of a frustoconical-shaped zone of the blank and a
frustoconical-shaped body portion of the blank, with the
frustoconical-shaped zone being proximate a free end of the blank
and converging toward the free end of the blank, and the
frustoconical-shaped body portion extending from the intersection
and converging toward an end of the blank opposite the free end of
the blank.
[0015] The blank envelope surface may have a fish-like shape, and
the nonrectilinear edge portion may be defined by a zone proximate
a junction between an end portion of the blank envelope surface
opposite a free end of the blank and a remainder of the blank
envelope surface. The end portion may form a tail of the fish-like
shape.
[0016] The blank envelope surface may have an hourglass-like shape,
and the nonrectilinear edge portion may be defined by a reentrant
angle at a junction between two truncated cone shapes forming the
hourglass-like shape.
[0017] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, the blank
envelope surface may define a football-like shape having at least
one cut-out. The nonrectilinear edge portion may be one of defined
by the cut-out and lie in a vicinity of an end of the cut-out. The
cut-out may be chosen from a notch and a facet.
[0018] In yet another exemplary embodiment, the nonrectilinear edge
portion may be deformed by curving at least part of the blank core
so as to cause at least part of the nonrectilinear edge portion to
lie substantially on an axis of an edge of a remainder of the blank
envelope surface adjacent the nonrectilinear edge portion.
[0019] The brush portion may be formed from a blank comprising a
blank core and blank bristles comprising ends defining a blank
envelope surface and the blank envelope surface may be
substantially circularly symmetrical.
[0020] As used herein, the term "circularly symmetrical" refers to
a configuration having a circular shaped cross-section, wherein the
axis of the core passes through the center of the circular shaped
cross-section.
[0021] In an exemplary embodiment, the brush portion may be formed
from a blank comprising a blank core and blank bristles comprising
ends defining a blank envelope surface. The blank envelope surface
may be substantially axially symmetrical about a longitudinal axis
of the core.
[0022] The brush portion may be formed from a blank having a blank
core curved about at least one axis disposed outside the midplane
of the blank.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, the core may comprise a twisted
wire core. The twisted wire core may have a left-hand pitch or a
right-hand pitch. The bristles may be held between wires of the
twisted wire core. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the twisted
wire core may have a left-hand pitch and at least part of the core
may be curved so as to decrease an inclination of helical turns
formed by free ends of the bristles relative to the longitudinal
axis of the end portion of the stem in a direction facing away from
the stem. This may make it possible to improve the separation of
eyelashes at the ends of an eyelid, by increasing the angle between
the eyelashes and said sheets.
[0024] According to another exemplary embodiment, the bristles
comprise bristles of differing lengths. The bristles may comprise
longer bristles defining the envelope surface of the brush portion
and shorter bristles contained within a space defined by the
envelope surface.
[0025] Yet another exemplary embodiment includes a brush portion
formed from a blank comprising a blank core and blank bristles
having ends defining a blank envelope surface. The blank envelope
surface may have at least one substantially planar facet formed
thereon. The at least one substantially planar facet may comprise
three substantially planar facets and the blank envelope surface
may have a cross-section that is substantially triangular in shape,
at least over a fraction of its length.
[0026] The core may be curved about at least two axes that are not
mutually parallel.
[0027] The brush portion may have a stepped cross-section over at
least part of its length.
[0028] The core may have a nonuniform curvature. For example, the
core may comprise a curved portion and a rectilinear portion, the
rectilinear portion being attached to the stem.
[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment, the device may further
comprise a container configured to contain the product to be
applied to the keratinous fibers. The device also may comprise a
wiper configured to wipe excess product from the brush portion.
Further, the device may comprise a handle member attached to an end
of the stem opposite the end to which the brush portion is
connected.
[0030] In yet another aspect, the device may further comprise the
product and the container may contain the product. The product may
comprise a mascara product. The brush portion may be configured to
apply product to eyelashes.
[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the cross-section of the
envelope surface may vary in a nonmonotonic manner.
[0032] As used herein, the expression "the cross-section of the
brush varies in a nonmonotonic manner" means that the cross-section
of the brush is not constant over the whole length of the brush and
does not vary in a strictly increasing or decreasing manner from
one end of the brush to the other. For example, the cross-section
may vary in a nonmonotonic manner because of the shape of a blank
from which the brush is made, such a blank having, for example, a
maximum and/or minimum cross-section spaced from each end of the
brush, or because of the presence of one or more facets or notches
formed in an outer envelope surface of the brush, for example.
[0033] An entire length of the core of the brush portion to which
the bristles are connected may be curved.
[0034] In yet another aspect, the invention may include a method of
making an aplicator for applying a product to keratinous fibers
comprising providing a blank comprising a blank core and bristles
connected to the blank core. The bristles may comprise ends
defining a blank envelope surface having a varying cross-section
over at least a part of its length and being asymmetrical about a
midplane of the blank envelope surface. The midplane may be
perpendicular to the blank core. The method may further comprise
curving at least a part of the blank core so as to form a brush
portion comprising a core and a free end not aligned with a
longitudinal axis of an end portion of a stem to which the brush
portion is adapted to be connected. A line tangent to the core at
any axial position along the core may be nonperpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the end portion of the stem when the brush
portion is connected to the end portion of the stem.
[0035] The term "providing" is used broadly, and refers to, but is
not limited to, making available for use, giving, supplying,
obtaining, getting a hold of, acquiring, purchasing, selling,
distributing, possessing, making ready for use, and/or placing in a
position ready for use.
[0036] The method may further comprise shaving free ends of at
least some bristles to form the variable cross-section of the blank
envelope surface. The bristles may be configured to apply a product
to eyelashes.
[0037] The curving of the blank core may comprise curving the blank
core in such a manner so as to reduce a curvature of the
nonrectilinear edge portion.
[0038] The blank envelope surface may have a substantially
bullet-like shape, a substantially buoy-like shape, a substantially
fish-like shape, a substantially hourglass-like shape, or a
substantially football-like shape.
[0039] The blank may comprise at least one facet on the blank
envelope surface and the method may further comprise forming the at
least one facet prior to curving the blank core.
[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment, the curving of the
blank core may comprise curving the blank core about two axes that
are not mutually parallel. Under such circumstances, the axis of
the core may no longer entirely be contained in a single plane of
curvature. The axes about which the core is curved may extend in
directions that are optionally perpendicular, and that optionally
intersect.
[0041] As used herein, the term "plane of curvature" means a plane
that is perpendicular to an axis about which the core of a
blank/brush portion is curved and that contains at least the curved
portion of the axis of the core. When a core is curved about two or
more axes not parallel to one another, the core will have multiple
planes of curvature.
[0042] The blank core may be rectilinear.
[0043] The curving of at least the part of the blank core may
comprise curving an entire length of the blank core to which the
bristles are connected.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the brush may be made from a
blank having a rectilinear core, that is not symmetrical about a
midplane perpendicular to the core, and has an edge that is not
rectilinear when observed in profile in a direction perpendicular
to the core, said edge being straightened out at least in part by
the curvature imparted to the core during manufacture of the
brush.
[0045] It also may be possible, for example, to provide the core
with maximum curvature in a narrower portion of the blank envelope
surface when the blank envelope surface is substantially
fish-shaped or hourglass-shaped. This may raise the proximal end
portion of the blank envelope surface and may have the effect of
further deepening the upwardly concave top edge of the blank while
flattening out its downwardly concave and diametrically opposite
bottom edge.
[0046] In general, the curvature given to the core may have the
effect of moving the convex or concave face of the blank envelope
surface, e.g., so as to make it substantially rectilinear, and in
particular substantially parallel to the axis of the stem. When the
curvature given to the core has the effect of straightening a
concave or convex face so as to make it substantially rectilinear,
this curving can be performed about an axis contained in a midplane
for said face.
[0047] A brush of the type described above may make it possible to
obtain makeup of very satisfactory quality because the core is
curved and because, when observed from the side in a direction
perpendicular to the axis of the stem, it presents a profile that
varies on the brush being turned about the axis of the stem.
[0048] For example, the brush may make it possible to take charge
of the eyelashes better and it also may enable nonuniform wiping to
be obtained, thereby leading to different zones of the brush taking
up different amounts of product.
[0049] Thus, the user may have both a larger quantity of product
available so as to be able to apply product locally to the
eyelashes if that should turn out to be desirable during making up
the lashes. At the same time, the user may not have to dip the
brush back in the container to reload it with product. Further,
bristles that carry relatively little product may be used for
separating the eyelashes, in particular the small eyelashes at the
end of an eyelid.
[0050] One exemplary methodology for determining whether a brush
portion of the invention has been formed from one of the blanks
described above may involve straightening the curved part of the
brush portion core so as to place it in a rectilinear configuration
and then observing the resulting configuration of the envelope
surface as well as the asymmetry about a midplane of the envelope
surface oriented perpendicularly to the now rectilinear core. This
methodology may provide one exemplary way in which to determine the
configuration of the blank that was used to form the brush portion
of the final applicator.
[0051] The term "curved" as used herein should be understood as
"nonrectilinear" and includes both a curved line or a line that is
bent at an angle.
[0052] "Nonuniform curvature" of the core as used herein means that
there may be at least two different points along the core where the
radius of curvature (which can be infinite) differs. The core
having a nonuniform curvature may have greater curvature closer to
its free end than to the end attached to the stem, for example.
Alternatively, it can include a rectilinear or substantially
rectilinear portion together with a curved portion, which is the
case in particular when the core of the brush portion has a
rectilinear part fixed to the end portion of the stem and when the
bristles are supported by a curved part, the curvature of the
curved part itself being either uniform or nonuniform.
[0053] The cross-section of the envelope surface of the blank may
be of a shape that varies in geometrically similar manner over at
least a fraction of the length of the envelope surface, for
example, over more than one-third of its length. In other words, if
two differently sized cross-sections of the envelope surface taken
at two different locations along the length thereof are
geometrically similar, then one of those sections is a scale
magnification or scale demagnification of the other cross-section
(e.g., the cross-sections may be shaped analogous to homothetic
figures).
[0054] The core can be a twisted core having a left-hand or a
right-hand pitch, and in particular a left-hand pitch as described
in French patent application FR-A-2 701 198.
[0055] In a left-hand pitch brush, the strands of the core are
twisted by being turned to the left so as to form turns which, when
viewed along the axis of the core from the end which is fixed to
the stem, turn clockwise on going away from the stem towards the
free end of the brush. In a right-hand pitch brush, the strands of
the core are twisted in an opposite manner.
[0056] It is also possible to act on the curvature imparted to the
core, when the core has a right-hand pitch, so as to orient the
bristles in a desired direction.
[0057] The core can be made other than by twisting together two
strands of a metal wire, for example the bristles could be
implanted or molded on a support in the form of a core-like
structure.
[0058] The bristles may be natural or synthetic, and their ends can
be subjected to any known type of treatment, for example to give
them rounded tips or forked ends. The brush can have a mixture of
bristles. For example, the bristles used can be of any kind, in
particular they can be hollow, they can have capillary grooves,
they can be flat or corkscrew-shaped, or indeed each of them can
have a zone for preferential deformation.
[0059] Besides the structural and procedural arrangements set forth
above, the invention could include a number of other arrangements,
such as those explained hereinafter. It is to be understood that
both the foregoing description and the following description are
exemplary. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate
exemplary embodiments of the invention and, together with the
description, serve to explain certain principles. In the
drawings,
[0060] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank
used for making an applicator according to an aspect of the
invention;
[0061] FIG. 2 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a
blank used for making an applicator according to an aspect of the
invention;
[0062] FIG. 3 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a
blank used for making an applicator according to an aspect of the
invention;
[0063] FIG. 4 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a
blank used for making an applicator according to an aspect of the
invention;
[0064] FIG. 5 is a side view of an applicator formed from the blank
of FIG. 1;
[0065] FIG. 6 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an
applicator formed from the blank of FIG. 2.;
[0066] FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an
applicator formed from the blank of FIG. 3;
[0067] FIG. 8 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of an
applicator formed from the blank of FIG. 4
[0068] FIG. 9 is a side view of a blank like that of FIG. 1, with
facets formed on sides of the brush portion;
[0069] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line X-X of
FIG. 9;
[0070] FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10
showing a variant embodiment of the blank of FIG. 9 with
notches;
[0071] FIG. 11 is a side view of a blank like that of FIG. 2, with
facets formed on its sides;
[0072] FIG. 12 is a cross-section taken along line XII-XII of FIG.
11;
[0073] FIG. 13 is a side view of a blank like that of FIG. 3, with
facets formed on its sides;
[0074] FIG. 14 is a cross-section taken along line XIV-XIV of FIG.
13;
[0075] FIG. 15 is a side view of a blank like that of FIG. 4, with
facets formed on its sides;
[0076] FIG. 16 is a cross-section taken along line XVI-XVI of FIG.
15;
[0077] FIG. 17 is a side view of an applicator embodiment formed
from the blank of FIG. 9 after the blank core has been curved;
[0078] FIG. 18 is a side view of an applicator embodiment formed
from the blank of FIG. 11 after the blank core has been curved;
[0079] FIG. 19 is a side view of an applicator embodiment formed
from the blank of FIG. 13 after the blank core has been curved;
[0080] FIG. 20 is a side view of an applicator embodiment formed
from the blank of FIG. 15 after the blank core has been curved;
[0081] FIG. 21 is a side view of the brush of an applicator
embodiment formed by curving the core of the applicator of FIG. 8 a
second time;
[0082] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a system embodiment
including a container and an applicator according to an aspect of
the invention;
[0083] FIG. 23 is a schematic view of the brush of FIG. 6 being
used for applying product to the eyelashes;
[0084] FIG. 24 shows the various angles between a helical sheet, an
eyelash, and the axis of the core during application of product to
the eyelashes using an exemplary embodiment of an applicator;
[0085] FIG. 25 is a view analogous to FIG. 24, showing a partial
view of an exemplary embodiment of a core with a right-hand
twist;
[0086] FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment
of a brush portion having an envelope surface with steps;
[0087] FIG. 27 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank
envelope surface that is generally hourglass-shaped;
[0088] FIG. 28 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank
that is generally football-shaped, including a notch;
[0089] FIG. 29 is a side view of an outline of the applicator of
FIG. 6 in use for making up the eyelashes;
[0090] FIG. 30 is a side view of an outline of the applicator of
FIG. 6 in use for making up the eyelashes;
[0091] FIG. 31 is a partial side view of an exemplary embodiment of
an applicator having an angled bend made in the core close to the
end portion of the stem;
[0092] FIG. 32 is a partial view of the core of FIG. 33 showing the
angle between the direction of the core and the axis of the
stem;
[0093] FIG. 33 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a blank
shown in solid lines and the curvature imparted to the core shown
in dotted lines to form an applicator embodiment according to an
aspect of the invention; and
[0094] FIG. 34 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of a
blank shown in solid lines and the curvature imparted to the core
shown in dotted lines to form an applicator embodiment according to
an aspect of the invention.
[0095] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in
the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to
the same or like parts, and the same reference numbers with
alphabetical suffixes are used to refer to similar parts.
[0096] FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of an applicator 10.
The applicator 10 may comprise a core 11, which may be made by
twisting together two strands of metal wire, for example. Bristles
(not shown) may be held in conventional manner between the turns of
the core 11 so as to form a brush portion of the applicator. For
the sake of clarity, FIG. 5 shows only the envelope surface S
defined by the free ends of the longest bristles held by core
11.
[0097] The core 11 may be fixed at one end to a stem 13 having a
longitudinal axis Y. By way of example, the stem 13 may be made of
plastic and the core 11 may be inserted as a force-fit into a
housing situated at an end portion of the stem 13.
[0098] To make the applicator 10, the starting structure may be in
the form of a blank, as shown in FIG. 1. In the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 1, the blank comprises a blank core 11b and
blank bristles connected to the blank core 11b. Rather than
illustrating these blank bristles individually, the blank envelope
surface S.sub.b defined by the free ends of the longest blank
bristles is shown. In FIG. 1, this envelope surface S.sub.b is
substantially bullet-shaped.
[0099] The blank of FIG. 1 also may be substantially circularly
symmetrical about the axis X of the blank core 11b. Further, the
blank core 11b may be rectilinear, and the blank envelope surface
S.sub.b may be asymmetrical about a midplane P of the blank
envelope surface S.sub.b perpendicularly intersecting the blank
core 11b.
[0100] The blank envelope surface S.sub.b, as shown in FIG. 1, may
have a maximum traverse cross-section defined by a maximum diameter
circle 14.
[0101] The free end portion (i.e., distal end portion) 15 of the
blank envelope surface S.sub.b may be bullet-shaped and the
remaining body portion 16 of the blank envelope surface S.sub.b may
be frustoconical, with the diameter of the body portion 16 tapering
in a direction facing away from the free end portion 15 (i.e.,
toward the stem 13 as shown in FIG. 1) so as to reach a minimum
diameter at an end circle 17 of the blank envelope surface
S.sub.b.
[0102] In the plane of FIG. 1, the top edge of the blank envelope
surface S.sub.b may comprise a rectilinear first portion 18a
extending along the body portion 16 between the circles 14 and 17.
The top edge may further comprise a rounded second portion 18b
defining the top of the free end portion 15 which may be
substantially in the form of one-fourth of an ellipse, as in the
exemplary embodiment shown. The regions of the edge portions 18a
and 18b in the vicinity of the circle 14 may constitute a
non-rectilinear edge 18c.
[0103] To make the applicator 10, the blank core 11b carrying the
bristles may be subjected to curving about an axis perpendicular to
the plane of FIG. 1, so as to straighten out the edges of free end
portion 15 of the blank envelope surface S.sub.b, thereby tending
to flatten the edge 18c. By curving the blank core 11 b in this
manner, the edge 18c may become ubstantially rectilinear and in
line with the portion 18a, as can be seen in FIG. 5, for
example.
[0104] The brush portion of the applicator 10 may then not be
circularly symmetrical about the axis Y of the stem 13.
[0105] The ends of the bristles of the brush portion situated
beside the edge 18c may be further off-center from the axis Y of
the stem 13 as compared to the ends of the bristles on the
diametrically opposite side. Thus, after the brush portion of the
applicator 10 has been withdrawn from a container containing
product and wiped, it may be loaded with a larger quantity of
product on its edge 18d situated substantially on the axis Y of the
stem 13, while being wiped more thoroughly and thereby loaded with
less product on its edge 18c. This may facilitate product
application since a user may be able to apply more product locally
to the eyelashes where necessary by taking that product from the
region of the brush portion that is wiped less thoroughly. The user
also may be able to separate the eyelashes by using the bristles
that carry less product.
[0106] The angle .alpha. between a line tangent to the core 11 at
any axial position of the core 11 and the axis Y of the stem may be
less than 90.degree., as shown in FIG. 32. In other words, a line
tangent to the core 11 at any axial position of the core and the
axis Y of the stem may intersect so as not to be perpendicular to
one another.
[0107] The core 11 may carry bristles only in a fraction of its
length or along its entire length up to the stem 13. Thus, the core
11b may comprise, as shown in FIG. 1, a portion 11a that supports
the bristles and that is separated from the stem by a rectilinear
portion 11c without any bristles. The portion 11c may be inserted
at least in part in the stem 13. Thus, the core 11b may have a
nonuniform curvature. Moreover, the curved portion 11a may have a
uniform curvature or a nonuniform curvature.
[0108] FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment of an applicator 20
which is obtained from the blank of FIG. 2. The blank of FIG. 2 may
have a blank envelope surface S.sub.b that is substantially
buoy-shaped.
[0109] The blank envelope surface S.sub.b may be substantially
circularly symmetrical about the axis X of the rectilinear core 11b
and the envelope surface S.sub.b may comprise the combination of
two truncated cones joined via their largest faces. The junction of
those two faces constituting a maximum diameter circle 13.
[0110] The top edge of the FIG. 2 blank envelope surface S.sub.b
may be defined by generator lines 22a and 22b of the truncated
cones, and the region in the vicinity of the maximum diameter
circle 13 may define a nonrectilinear edge 22c. The blank envelope
surface S.sub.b of FIG. 2 also may be assymetrical about a midplane
P perpendicularly intersecting the blank core 11b.
[0111] To make the applicator 20 of FIG. 6 from the blank of FIG.
2, the blank core 11b may be curved in such a manner as to bring
the portions 22a and 22b substantially into alignment with each
other, thereby also having the effect of increasing the curvature
of the diametrically opposite bottom edge, as shown in FIG. 6.
[0112] The core 11b may be curved, for example, with a
substantially constant curvature radius on the portion 11a about an
axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2 and
situated beside the top edge of the blank. The core 11 of the
applicator 20 of FIG. 5 presents, in its total length, a
nonconstant curvature, the portion 11c being rectilinear.
[0113] It can be seen in FIG. 6 that the edge 22c may become
substantially rectilinear by curving the portion 11a of the blank
core 11b.
[0114] FIG. 7 shows another exemplary embodiment of an applicator
30 made from the blank of FIG. 3 having a fish-shaped blank
envelope surface S.sub.b.
[0115] The blank envelope surface S.sub.b may be circularly
symmetrical about the axis X of the rectilinear blank core 11b, and
asymmetrical about a midplane P of the blank envelope surface
S.sub.b perpendicularly intersecting the blank core 11.
[0116] The blank envelope surface S.sub.b of FIG. 3 comprises a
body portion 32 having a maximum cross-section at a maximum
diameter circle 31. The free end portion 33 of the blank envelope
surface S.sub.b that extends in front of the maximum diameter
circle 31 may be substantially bullet-shaped. The proximal end
portion 34 of the blank envelope surface S.sub.b may be connected
to the body portion 32 via a narrowed portion 36.
[0117] The bottom edge 37 of the blank defined by the narrowed
brush portion 36 may form a downwardly concave indentation.
[0118] To make the applicator 30, the blank core 11b of FIG. 3 may
be curved to a certain degree so as to flatten its bottom edge 37
and make it less indented, or even rectilinear as in the example
shown in FIG. 7. The diametrically opposite top edge 38 of the
narrowed brush portion 36 may in turn take on greater curvature
because of the way the blank core 11b is curved.
[0119] The portion 32a of the bottom edge of the body portion 32
that is adjacent to the narrow portion 36 of the blank envelope
surface S.sub.b also may become straightened because of the
curvature given to the blank core 11b.
[0120] FIG. 8 shows yet another exemplary embodiment of an
applicator 40 obtained from the blank shown in FIG. 4. This blank
envelope surface S.sub.b may be substantially fish-shaped and may
be substantially circularly symmetrical about the axis X of the
rectilinear blank core 11b.
[0121] The free end portion 41 of the blank envelope surface
S.sub.b may be frustoconical in shape. The body portion 42 of the
blank envelope surface S.sub.b may be frustoconical in its region
adjacent to the maximum diameter circle 43.
[0122] The body portion 42 may connect to the proximal end portion
44 of the blank envelope surface S.sub.b via a narrowed portion 45.
The bottom edge 46 of the narrowed portion 45 of the blank envelope
surface S.sub.b may be downwardly concave.
[0123] The FIG. 4 blank may be converted into the applicator 40 by
imparting a certain amount of curvature to the blank core 11 b so
as to flatten the bottom edge 46 and cause it to be substantially
less indented than it was initially, if not substantially
rectilinear and in line with the generator line 42a of the body
portion 42.
[0124] The effect of the curvature given to the blank core 11 b may
be to cause the top edge 47 of the narrowed portion 45 where it is
diametrically opposite to the bottom edge 46 to be indented even
further.
[0125] Each of the blanks shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 may have one or
more facets or notches formed in the envelope surfaces prior to
curving the core.
[0126] By way of example, FIG. 9 shows a blank like the blank of
FIG. 1 with an envelope surface S.sub.b having three substantially
plane facets 19. This may provide the cross-section of the body
portion of the blank envelope surface S.sub.b with a shape that is
generally triangular, as shown in FIG. 10.
[0127] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, the facets 19 are
substantially plane, and parallel to the axis X of the core.
[0128] In a variant, the facets of FIG. 9 could be replaced by
notches 19' of outwardly concave cross-section as shown in FIG.
10A, or by notches having a profile that is outwardly concave when
the brush is observed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of
the stem, the profile of the notch being in the form of a circular
arc, for example.
[0129] FIG. 11 shows a blank like that of FIG. 2, with three
substantially plane facets 29 formed on an outer surface of the
brush portion. This provides the blank envelope surface S.sub.b
with a cross-section that is substantially triangular in shape at
least over a part of its length.
[0130] FIG. 13 shows a blank like that of FIG. 3, with three
substantially plane facets 39 formed in the blank envelope surface
S.sub.b. This also may provide the blank envelope surface S.sub.b a
cross-section that is generally triangular in shape at least over a
part of its length.
[0131] FIG. 15 shows a blank like that of FIG. 4 on which three
substantially plane facets 49 have been made. Whereas in the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13, the facets 39 extend only over the
main body portion of the blank envelope surface S.sub.b, in the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15, the facets 49 may extend over the
entire length of the blank envelope surface S.sub.b, including over
its proximal end portion, as shown.
[0132] FIGS. 17-20 show the various applicator brushes that may be
obtained by subjecting the blanks of FIGS. 9, 11, 13, and 15
respectively to the same transformation as was used to convert the
blanks of FIGS. 1 to 4 into the brushes of FIGS. 5 to 8. That is,
by curving at least part of the blank core 11b of each of the
blanks in FIGS. 9, 11, 13, and 15.
[0133] In the exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 17 to 20, the plane of
curvature of the core 11 may be substantially perpendicular to the
respective facet 19, 29, 39, or 49 that is situated diametrically
opposite to the nonrectilinear edge that has been straightened out
as a result of curving the blank core 11b. The plane of curvature
of the core 11 also may be a midplane of symmetry for one of the
facets.
[0134] In one or more of the examples described above, the blank
core 11b may be curved about a single axis.
[0135] Without going beyond the ambit of the present invention, it
also may be possible to curve the core about two or more axes, that
are optionally parallel, that are optionally perpendicular, or that
optionally intersect at any angle.
[0136] By way of example, FIG. 21 shows a brush like that of FIG.
8, wherein the core 11 has been curved a second time about a
bending axis C parallel to the plane of FIG. 21, i.e. parallel to
the plane of curvature of the FIG. 8 brush. Due to this additional
curving, the core 11 may no longer lie in a single plane of
curvature, which may improve the ergonomics of the brush.
[0137] FIG. 22 shows an exemplary embodiment of an application
system 100 that comprises an applicator in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the invention. The stem 13 of the
applicator may be fixed to a cap 101 which may serve both as a
handling member and as a substantially leaktight (as to air and/or
product) closure of a container 102. The container 102 may contain
the product for application, such as a mascara product for
application to eyelashes, for example.
[0138] The system 100 has a container 102 optionally including a
neck portion 103 with an external threading configured to cooperate
with internal threading provided on the cap 101. A wiper 104 of any
conventional type may be situated near an opening in the container.
The wiper 104 may be adapted to wipe the stem 13 and the brush
portion of the applicator as the applicator is removed from the
container 102.
[0139] The brush can have at least one outer applicator surface
that is substantially parallel to the stem 13, for example.
[0140] It should be noted that it may be desirable to form the
brushes described herein from a blank core having a left-hand
pitch, as explained below with reference to FIGS. 23 and 24. FIG.
23 shows the FIG. 6 brush with a core formed of two branches
twisted together with a left-hand pitch. Dashed lines show the
paths followed by the sheets N defined by the ends of the bristles
held between the twisted branches. As shown, these sheets N may be
at an angle v relative to a plane perpendicular to the core 11.
[0141] On examining FIG. 23, it can be seen that the angle of the
sheets N relative to the axis Y of the stem 13 may decrease on
approaching the free end of the brush portion, thereby making it
possible to retain a relatively large angle i between the sheets N
and the eyelashes H at the end of the eyelid. This may permit good
separation of the eyelashes.
[0142] Naturally, the invention is not limited to a core with a
left-hand pitch and it is also possible to use a core with a
right-hand pitch, as shown in part in FIG. 25.
[0143] In another exemplary embodiment, steps may be made in an
envelope surface of the brush portion, as shown in FIG. 26. In this
figure, it can be seen that the brush portion has been machined in
such a manner as to form setbacks 110 in its envelope surface over
at least a fraction of its length. These setbacks may have flanks
that are substantially radial, for example.
[0144] FIG. 27 shows an exemplary embodiment of a blank 120 used to
form a applicator brush according to an aspect of the invention. As
shown, the blank envelope surface S.sub.b may be substantially
hourglass-shaped. The blank envelope surface S.sub.b, when observed
from the side, defines a nonrectilinear edge portion 121 that may
be straightened by imparting curvature relatively locally to the
blank core 11b, for example in the vicinity of the smallest
diameter of the blank envelope surface S.sub.b.
[0145] FIG. 28 shows another exemplary embodiment of a blank 130
having a blank envelope surface S.sub.b that is substantially
football-shaped with a notch-shaped 131 cut-out. This concave notch
131 may be made substantially plane by imparting curvature to the
blank core 11b.
[0146] FIGS. 29 and 30 schematically illustrate how the FIG. 6
applicator brush may be used for making up the eyelashes. One side
of the brush portion can be used for making up eyelashes situated
at one end of the eyelid, as shown in FIG. 29, while the opposite
side of the brush can be used while making up the eyelashes
situated at the opposite end of the eyelid, as shown in FIG.
30.
[0147] The core 11 of a brush as described above can have its
curved part located very close to the stem 13, as shown in FIG. 31,
thus modifying the handling thereof, if desired.
[0148] FIGS. 33 and 34 schematically illustrate two blanks for
forming an applicator brush according to exemplary embodiments
before a portion 11a of the blank core 11b has been curved and
inserted in a stem. In both examples, the blank core 11b is
entirely rectilinear before it is fixed to the stem.
[0149] The core 11 of the brush portion can also be seen, in both
FIGS. 33 and 34, in short dashes. In the example of FIG. 33, the
blank envelope surface S.sub.b is substantially bi-frustoconical
about the axis X of the blank core 11b. The total length of the
portion 11a that supports the bristles may be, for example, about
26 mm.
[0150] The greatest diameter of the blank may be slightly more than
7 mm, for example, and the end diameters may be about 4 mm, for
example. The total length of the core 11 may be approximately 35
mm, for example.
[0151] The core 11 may be curved along the entire portion 11a, and
the portion 11c may remain substantially rectilinear. The curvature
radius of portion 11a may be about 60 mm, for example The portion
1a of the core 11 may have either a uniform or nonuniform
curvature.
[0152] The free end of the core 11 may be unaligned with the axis
of the rectilinear part 11c or with the axis of the stem (not
shown) to which the brush is to be connected. The distance d
between the free end before and after the core has been curved may
be approximately 4.5 mm, for example.
[0153] FIG. 34 shows another example of a blank before the blank
core 11b has been curved. The blank envelope surface S.sub.b has a
substantially fish-like shape, with a substantially frustoconical
free end (distal end) portion 180 and a circularly-symmetrical
portion 181 delimited in longitudinal cross-section by two concave
circular longitudinal sections 182 and 183. The radius of curvature
of these longitudinal sections 182 and 183 may be approximately 52
mm, for example. The diameter of the blank envelope surface S.sub.b
at its ends 185 and 186, may be respectively about 7.5 mm and 5
mm.
[0154] The applicator may be made from the FIG. 34 blank by curving
the portion 11a of the blank core 11b supporting the bristles. As
shown in FIG. 34 by the dashed lines, the portion 11a of the core
11 may have a substantially constant curvature radius over the
entire length of the portion 11a. There may be a small angle
between the end of the portion 11a adjacent to the portion 11c.
[0155] The distance d between the end of the core before and after
it has been curved may be about 2 mm to about 4 mm.
[0156] In the various figures, the curvature of the core has been
exaggerated in order to facilitate understanding.
[0157] It would not go beyond the ambit of the present invention
for the curvature to be less marked, for example for it to match
that of an eyelid.
[0158] The core can also be curved into an S-shape in a single
plane of curvature.
[0159] It will be understood that the invention may permit the
making of a brush that is capable of being wiped in non-uniform
manner, having a distal end portion that is off-center relative to
the axis of the stem to which the brush portion is attached.
[0160] A brush of the invention may be particularly ergonomic.
[0161] The invention also may make it possible to obtain a brush
presenting faces on its envelope surface of differing shapes, which
in turn may permit a wide variety of application and/or make-up
effects to be obtained with a single applicator.
[0162] The various embodiments described above with reference to
the figures related to an applicator for applying a product to
keratinous fibers, such as mascara to eyelashes for example.
However, in its broadest aspects the present invention could be
used for the application of many other types of products.
Furthermore, sizes of various structural parts and materials used
to make these parts are illustrative and exemplary only and one of
ordinary skill in the art would recognize that these materials and
sizes can be changed as necessary to produce different effects or
desired characteristics of the dispensing assembly.
[0163] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the structure and
methodology. Thus, it should be understood that the invention is
not limited to the examples discussed in the specification. Rather,
the present invention is intended to cover modifications and
variations.
* * * * *