U.S. patent application number 11/627685 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-31 for molded mascara brush with oval core.
Invention is credited to Antonio Montoli.
Application Number | 20080178901 11/627685 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39370972 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080178901 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Montoli; Antonio |
July 31, 2008 |
MOLDED MASCARA BRUSH WITH OVAL CORE
Abstract
A molded brush assembly has a core with an oval cross-section
and a plurality of radially outwardly fingers extending from sides
of the oval core along the major axis of the core, fingers aligned
with or near to the minor axis. The alignment of the fingers with
or near to the near to the minor axis allows an increase in the
effective surface area of the brush without increasing its overall
peripheral circumference. The oval core creates a brush assembly
that is relatively stiffer along the major axis, leaving the brush
flexible only along the minor axis. The use of fingers of varying
length provides a generally circular profile which is convenient
for use with conventional bottles. The fingers of different lengths
permits the different length fingers to be adapted to different
lashes.
Inventors: |
Montoli; Antonio; (Varese,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ST. ONGE STEWARD JOHNSTON & REENS, LLC
986 BEDFORD STREET
STAMFORD
CT
06905-5619
US
|
Family ID: |
39370972 |
Appl. No.: |
11/627685 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/218 ; 15/160;
15/207.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/262 20130101;
A46B 9/021 20130101; A46B 2200/106 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/218 ; 15/160;
15/207.2 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26; A46B 9/02 20060101 A46B009/02; A46D 1/00 20060101
A46D001/00 |
Claims
1. A molded brush assembly comprising: a core of oval cross-section
having a major axis and a minor axis; a plurality of radially
outwardly fingers extending from two sides of said oval core along
the major axis of said core, said fingers each having a distal end,
and fingers located in a central part of said major axis of said
core having a length, and fingers located in upper and lower parts
of said major axis of said core have an incrementally shorter
length than the length of the fingers located in a central part of
said major axis of said core such that the distal ends of said
fingers define a brush perimeter of generally circular
cross-section, said fingers being at an angle of no more than 45
degrees relative to the minor axis; a core distal end with fingers
having an incrementally shorter length than the length of the
fingers located in a central part of said major axis of said core;
a core proximal end with fingers having an incrementally shorter
length than the length of the fingers located in a central part of
said major axis of said core; said fingers being generally conical
with rounded tips.
2. The molded brush assembly of claim 1, wherein said molded brush
assembly is integrally molded as a single unit.
3. The molded brush assembly of claim 1, wherein said molded brush
assembly comprises a central rod unit and a sleeve located on said
central rod unit, said sleeve having said fingers associated
therewith.
4. The molded brush assembly of claim 3, wherein said core
comprises said central rod unit and said sleeve has a body, and
said central rod unit and said sleeve body have oval
cross-sections.
5. The molded brush assembly of claim 3, wherein said central rod
unit has a circular cross-section, and said sleeve has a body
having an oval cross-section.
6. The molded brush assembly of claim 1, said fingers being at an
angle of no more than 30 degrees relative to the minor axis.
7. The molded brush assembly of claim 7, said fingers being
generally aligned with or near to alignment with the minor axis,
and extend at an angle of no more than 15 degrees relative to the
minor axis.
8. The molded brush assembly of claim 1, said two sides of said
oval core being provided with different layouts of the molded
fingers to provide different functions.
9. A molded brush assembly comprising: a core of oval cross-section
having a major axis and a minor axis and two sides; a plurality of
radially outwardly fingers extending from at least one side of said
oval core along said major axis.
10. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, wherein said molded brush
assembly is integrally molded as a single unit.
11. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, wherein said molded brush
assembly comprises a central rod unit and a sleeve located on said
central rod unit, said sleeve having said fingers associated
therewith.
12. The molded brush assembly of claim 11, wherein said core
comprises said central rod unit and said sleeve has a body, and
said central rod unit and said sleeve body have oval
cross-sections.
13. The molded brush assembly of claim 11, wherein said central rod
unit has a circular cross-section, and said sleeve has a body
having an oval cross-section.
14. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, said fingers each having
a distal end, said fingers being positioned and having a length
such that said distal ends of said fingers define a brush perimeter
of at least a partial circular cross-section.
15. The molded brush assembly of claim 14, wherein fingers located
in a central part of said major axis of said core have a length,
and fingers located in upper and lower parts of said major axis of
said oval core have an incrementally shorter length than the length
of the fingers located in a central part of said major axis of said
core, such that the tips of said fingers define said brush
perimeter of at least partial circular cross-section.
16. The molded brush assembly of claim 15, wherein said molded
brush assembly has a distal end with fingers having an
incrementally shorter length than the length of the fingers located
in a central part of said major axis of said core.
17. The molded brush assembly of claim 15, wherein said molded
brush assembly has a proximal end with fingers having an
incrementally shorter length than the length of the fingers located
in a central part of said major axis of said core.
18. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, wherein said fingers are
generally conical with rounded tips.
19. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, said fingers being at an
angle of no more than 45 degrees relative to the minor axis.
20. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, said fingers being at an
angle of no more than 30 degrees relative to the minor axis.
21. The molded brush assembly of claim 20, said fingers being
generally aligned with or near to alignment with the minor axis,
and extend at an angle of no more than 15 degrees relative to the
minor axis.
22. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, said fingers extending
generally perpendicularly to a surface of said one side of said
oval core.
23. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, said two sides of said
oval core being provided with different layouts of the molded
fingers to provide different functions.
24. The molded brush assembly of claim 23, where one of said two
sides of said oval core is provided with a plurality of fingers and
the other of said two sides of said oval core is provided with a
plurality of fingers arranged in one or more rows to form a
comb.
25. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, wherein none of said
fingers extend from sides of said oval core along the minor axis of
said core.
26. The molded brush assembly of claim 9, wherein some of said
fingers extend from sides of said oval core along the minor axis of
said core.
27. A molded brush assembly comprising: a core of oval
cross-section having a major axis and a minor axis and two sides; a
plurality of radially outwardly fingers extending from said two
sides of said oval core along said major axis.
28. The molded brush assembly of claim 27, said fingers each having
a distal end, said fingers being positioned and having a length
such that said distal ends of said fingers define a brush perimeter
of at generally circular cross-section.
29. The molded brush assembly of claim 28, wherein fingers located
in a central part of said major axis of said core have a length,
and fingers located in upper and lower parts of said major axis of
said oval core have an incrementally shorter length than the length
of the fingers located in a central part of said major axis of said
core, such that the tips of said fingers define said brush
perimeter of generally circular cross-section.
30. The molded brush assembly of claim 27, wherein said molded
brush assembly has a distal end with fingers having an
incrementally shorter length than the length of the fingers located
in a central part of said major axis of said core.
31. The molded brush assembly of claim 30, wherein said molded
brush assembly has a proximal end with fingers having an
incrementally shorter length than the length of the fingers located
in a central part of said major axis of said core.
32. The molded brush assembly of claim 27, wherein said fingers are
generally conical with rounded tips.
33. The molded brush assembly of claim 27, said fingers being at an
angle of no more than 45 degrees relative to the minor axis.
34. The molded brush assembly of claim 33, said fingers being at an
angle of no more than 30 degrees relative to the minor axis.
35. The molded brush assembly of claim 34, said fingers being
generally aligned with or near to alignment with the minor axis,
and extend at an angle of no more than 15 degrees relative to the
minor axis.
36. The molded brush assembly of claim 35, said fingers extending
generally perpendicularly to a surface of said one side of said
oval core.
37. The molded brush assembly of claim 27, wherein none of said
fingers extend from sides of said oval core along the minor axis of
said core.
38. The molded brush assembly of claim 27, wherein some of said
fingers extend from sides of said oval core along the minor axis of
said core.
39. The molded brush assembly of claim 27, wherein said molded
brush assembly is integrally molded as a single unit.
40. The molded brush assembly of claim 27, wherein said molded
brush assembly comprises a central rod unit and a sleeve located on
said central rod unit, said sleeve having said fingers associated
therewith.
41. A molded brush assembly comprising: a core of oval
cross-section having a major axis and a minor axis; a plurality of
radially outwardly fingers extending from at least one side of said
oval core along said major axis, said fingers being generally
perpendicular to a surface of said at least one side of said oval
core.
42. The molded brush assembly of claim 41, wherein fingers located
in a central part of said major axis of said core have a length,
and fingers located in upper and lower parts of said major axis of
said oval core have an incrementally shorter length than the length
of the fingers located in a central part of said major axis of said
core, such that the tips of said fingers define said brush
perimeter of generally circular cross-section.
43. The molded brush assembly of claim 41, said oval core having
two sides provided with different layouts of the molded fingers to
provide different functions.
44. The molded brush assembly of claim 41, wherein said molded
brush assembly is integrally molded as a single unit.
45. The molded brush assembly of claim 44, wherein said molded
brush assembly comprises a central rod unit and a sleeve located on
said central rod unit, said sleeve having said fingers associated
therewith.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present application relates to the field of molded
brushes, and has particular application to brushes used for
application of cosmetics, such as mascara.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The application of cosmetics to enhance one's appearance is
an age-old practice. Accordingly, different kinds of cosmetics have
been developed for enhancing particular physical features, such as
mascara, which is used to lengthen, thicken, and color one's
eyelashes. Typically, these kinds of liquid-type cosmetics are
applied with a twisted wire bristle brush.
[0003] A mascara brush must perform several functions. First, the
brush must accumulate mascara within the bottle, and carry the
mascara through the wiper, which removes the excess mascara from
the bristles. The mascara brush must then apply the mascara to the
eyelashes. Preferably, the brush also is capable of one or more
additional functions, including, curling or lifting the eyelashes,
and/or combing and separating the eyelashes, as well as spreading
the mascara relatively evenly thereon. Desirably the brush is
capable of more precise applications such as application of mascara
to the smaller, bottom lashes, the corners of the lashes, and
general touch-up. In all these functions, the brush is desirably
comfortable for the consumer to use.
[0004] There are different mascara formulations, ranging from the
traditional highly viscous formulations, to less viscous, more
lacquer-like formulations, which are in common use. In general, a
brush that works well for one type of formulation does not work
well with other types of formulations.
[0005] A typical mascara brush comprises a series of bristles held
in a twisted wire, which is in turn mounted to an applicator rod,
which extends from the underside of a bottle cap. When not in use,
the rod and bristles are inserted into an opening in a bottle
containing the mascara, and the cap closes the bottle. There is
usually a wiper in the neck of the bottle, through which the rod
extends when the bottle is closed, such that the bristles are
immersed in the mascara.
[0006] Molded rubber or plastic mascara brush designs have also
been proposed, including designs of brushes as disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Nos. 4,635,659; 6,616,366; and 7,121,284; as well as in U.S.
Patent Pub. No. US 2005/0034740.
[0007] These molded brush designs require molding in an
appropriately shaped mold. Compared to adapting existing twist
machinery used to manufacture a twisted wire mascara brush, the
fabrication and setup of a mold is complicated and expensive. The
above identified patents disclosing molded rubber or plastic
mascara brushes typically require molds with a minimum of four
moving mold parts, which move between a molding position and a mold
release position, in order that the molded brush can be removed
from the mold. This manufacturing requirement for four cams moving
four mold parts is typical in all brush designs which use generally
circular center cores with radially extending fingers. The presence
of four moving molds means there is an increased likelihood of
flash on the molded product due to leakage at the mold seams. To
prevent flash on the molded product, maintenance/resurfacing of the
tool may be required.
[0008] Furthermore, small molded brushes, particularly one piece
brush elements that do not have a central reinforcing rod have a
tendency to bend and deform when force is applied to them.
Typically, it has taken far less force to bend a one piece molded
brush than is required for a twisted wire brush. This is a
disadvantage to one piece molded construction; and alternative
constructions with a reinforcing central rod are more expensive to
fabricate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] A molded brush assembly has a core with an oval
cross-section and a plurality of radially outwardly fingers
extending from sides of the oval core along the major axis of the
core. The fingers located in a central part of the major axis of
the core having a longer length, and fingers located in upper and
lower parts of the major axis of the core have a shorter length, so
that distal ends of the fingers define a brush perimeter of
generally circular cross-section.
[0010] The brush assembly of the present invention provides
manufacturing and functional advantages over prior art molded
brushes. It can be molded in a two part mold, reducing mold cost,
setup cost, and maintenance cost, therefore providing a substantial
cost savings over molded brushes that require a four part mold
system. The oval core creates a brush assembly that is relatively
stiffer along the major axis, leaving the brush flexible only along
the minor axis. The alignment of the fingers with or near to the
near to the minor axis allows an increase in the effective surface
area of the brush without increasing its overall peripheral
circumference. The use of fingers of varying length provides a
generally circular profile which is convenient for use with
conventional bottles. The fingers of different lengths permit the
different length fingers to be adapted to different lashes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a molded mascara brush
with oval core in accordance with one embodiment of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the molded mascara brush of
FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the molded mascara brush of
FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the molded mascara brush
of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a molded mascara brush
with oval core in accordance with a second embodiment of the
invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a molded mascara brush
with oval core in accordance with a third embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a two part mold
releasing the molded mascara brush with oval core of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a molded mascara brush
with oval core in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1-4 and 7, a molded brush assembly 10
is shown. Molded brush assembly 10 comprises a core 20 of oval
cross-section having a major axis A-A and a minor axis B-B. As used
herein, the term "oval cross-section" includes all convex closed
curves, and specifically includes elliptical cross-sections,
rounded rectangle (i.e., racetrack) cross-sections, lens shaped or
lenticular cross-sections. "Oval cross-section" also includes
Cassini ovals, and other convex curves, such as semicircles or
curved ends connected by curved lines or by intersecting straight
lines. "Oval cross-section" expressly excludes circular
cross-sectional shapes. Preferably, the oval cross-section is
symmetrical across both the major axis A-A and the minor axis B-B,
e.g. the oval cross-section has two axes of symmetry.
[0020] The oval cross-sectional core of the brush of the present
invention provides an advantage over circular core molded brushes
in that the oval core permits the brush to be flexible in the
direction of the minor axis B-B only. The brush is relatively more
rigid along the A-A axis because the amount of material to be bent
is thicker along the A-A axis. This provides an advantage over the
limper circular core molded brushes which can be excessively
deformed when force is applied to them. In particular, the design
of the molded brush of the present invention provides a brush in
which the flexibility is controlled and limited to be along one
specific axis only.
[0021] A plurality of radially outwardly fingers 40 extend from
sides 22 and 24 of oval core 20. Specifically, the fingers 40
extend from the sides of the oval core 20 along the major axis A-A
of core 20, as best seen in FIG. 1. Fingers 40 each have a distal
end 42. In the preferred embodiment, fingers 40 are generally
conical with rounded tips 44 at their distal ends 42. However,
other finger shapes may be used, and the fingers described in the
specification and claims should be understood to include fingers
which have cross-sectional shapes which are circular or oval;
polygonal (especially triangular, rectangular or square,
pentagonal, or hexagonal); cross-shaped or x-shaped or y-shaped.
Furthermore, such finger cross-sectional shapes can be solid, or
hollow. Also, channels or cutaways may be provided in such solid or
hollow shapes to provide other cross-sectional shapes, for example,
circular or oval finger of hollow cross-section can have a channel
in one side of the wall of the finger, creating a C-shaped
cross-section. The fingers may have a constant cross-sectional
diameter/shape over their length (such as in a cylinder), or a
tapering cross-sectional diameter/shape over their length (such as
in a conical shape).
[0022] Fingers 40 located in a central part 26 of the major axis
A-A of core 20 have first length L.sub.1. Fingers 40 located in
upper and lower parts 28 and 30 of the major axis A-A of core 20
have an incrementally shorter length L.sub.2 which is shorter than
the length L.sub.1 of the fingers 40 located in the central part
26. The lengths of the fingers 40 are selected such that their
distal ends 42 define a brush perimeter 50 of generally circular
cross-section. A circular brush perimeter 50 is generally preferred
because it is most versatile and allows the brush to easily be
adapted for use with conventional round bottles. However, if
desired, the distal ends can define other cross-sectional brush
perimeter shapes, such as oval shapes, triangular shapes, or square
or rectangular shapes, or pentagonal, hexagonal or other polygonal
shapes. In the most preferred embodiment, the distal ends 42 define
a brush perimeter 50 of generally circular cross-section in which
none of the fingers 40 extend from the top 32 and bottom 34 of the
core along the minor axis B-B of the core.
[0023] It should be noted that the fingers 40 extending from oval
core 20 do not have the same pattern of radially extending fingers
or bristles that is typical of circular core brushes and twisted
wire bristles. Instead, in the oval core molded brush assembly 10,
the fingers extend from the left and right sides of the oval core
20 and the directional orientations of the fingers 40 are aligned
with or are near to the axis B-B. Preferably, the fingers 40 extend
at an angle A.sub.f of no more that 45 degrees relative to axis
B-B. More preferably, the fingers 40 extend at an angle of no more
that 30 degrees relative to axis B-B, and most preferably, the
fingers 40 extend at an angle of no more that 15 degrees relative
to axis B-B. In the most preferred embodiment, the fingers 40
extend perpendicularly from the surface of the oval core 20. Thus,
the fingers 40 extend in different directions depending on their
position on the sides 22 or 24 of oval core 20.
[0024] As best seen in FIG. 3, at the distal end 36 of core 20 the
fingers 40 also have an incrementally shorter length L.sub.3 which
is shorter than the length L.sub.1 of the fingers 40 located in a
central part 26 of the major axis A-A of core 20. Similarly, at the
proximal end 38 of the core 20 the fingers 40 have an incrementally
shorter length L.sub.4 which is shorter than the length L.sub.1 of
the fingers 40 located in a central part 26 of the major axis A-A
of core 20.
[0025] The molded brush assembly 10 may be integrally molded as a
single unit as in FIGS. 1-4. The brush assembly will typically have
a stem 52 at its proximal end, which is adapted to be mounted to a
handle or a rod of a mascara brush assembly.
[0026] The molded brush assembly 10 can be readily molded as an
integral unit in a two part mold as seen in FIG. 7. Mold 90 has a
left part 92 and a right part 94, which move towards each other to
meet along a central vertical mold line, and which separate by
movement in the horizontal plane to allow removal of the molded
brush assembly 10. Only two mold cam mechanisms are required to
move the two mold parts 92 and 94. The benefit of reducing the
number of mold parts and mold cams is that it provides reduced
expense in mold fabrication, as well as reduced expense in mold
setup time and calibration, as well as reduced need for mold
maintenance to prevent to eliminate problems such as excessive
flash on the mold part arising from mold wear.
[0027] In the molded product, the fingers 40 extend primarily in
two directions, shown as generally leftwardly and rightwardly as
seen in FIGS. 1 and 7. As seen in FIGS. 1, 5, 6, and 7, the
directional orientations of the fingers 40 are aligned with or are
near to alignment with the plane of movement of the two mold parts,
so that the fingers 40 are released from the mold parts 92 and 94
when those parts are retracted. Thus, in the preferred embodiment,
where plane of movement of the two mold parts coincides with the
axis B-B of the oval core 20, the fingers are aligned with or are
near to alignment with axis B-B, and in particular, in accordance
with the most preferred embodiment described above, the fingers 40
extend at an angle of no more that 15 degrees off of the axis B-B.
However, it is to be appreciated that greater angles, as described
above, can be fabricated by using a four part mold or other mold
configurations.
[0028] Although in the preferred embodiment, none of the fingers 40
extend from the top 32 and bottom 34 of the core along the minor
axis B-B of the core, additional fingers may be located there and
be readily molded using a two part mold.
[0029] The design of molded brush assembly 10 therefore allows the
use of a two part mold, providing a significant cost savings in the
fabrication of the mold, as well as in the setup of the mold for
manufacturing, as well as in the maintenance of the mold over time.
The present invention is not restricted to a molded mascara brush
molded in a two part mold; however, the ability to mold preferred
embodiments of the mascara brush of the invention in a two part
mold is an advantage of those embodiments. It should be noted that
alternate mold orientations may be used if desired, for example,
the mold parts may be positioned in upper and lower positions and
move upwardly and downwardly.
[0030] Instead of being an integrally molded assembly, the mascara
brush assembly may comprise a central rod unit and a sleeve having
the fingers 40 associated therewith. For example, in one embodiment
shown in FIG. 5, molded brush assembly 210 has a core 220 which
comprises a central rod unit 260 and a sleeve 262. The sleeve 262
consists of a body 264 having fingers 240 provided thereon. In the
embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the rod unit 260, and the body 264 have
oval cross-sections. In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, molded
brush assembly 310 has a core 320 which comprises a central rod
unit 360 having a circular cross-section, and a sleeve 362. The
sleeve 362 has body 364 a having an oval cross-section. Fingers 340
are provided on the body 364. Embodments of the type having a
central rod unit and a sleeve as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be
manufactured by overmolding the sleeve onto the central rod unit,
or alternatively, by molding a sleeve separately from the rod and
then sliding the sleeve onto the rod with or without an adhesive.
In these type of embodiments having central rod unit and a sleeve,
the rod can be fabricated of acetate, polypropylene, LDPE, HDPE or
similar materials.
[0031] The cores 20, 220, and 320 are preferably molded from a
relatively sturdy, flexible plastic material such as nylon-6,
polypropylene, or low density polyetheylene, or high density
polyethelene, or rubber materials such as natural rubber, and
isoprene rubbers, or any other elastomer. Ultimately, the choice of
material will depend on the composition of the mascara the mascara
brush is used with. For example, water based mascara and mascaras
using other solvent bases have different properties, so the
material should be selected to match the mascara it is use with. In
some cases, foam materials may be used, particularly for the
sleeves 262 and 362 if an embodiment in accordance with FIGS. 5 and
6 are selected.
[0032] The size of the core 20 will vary, but in general the core
will have a length of about 0.80 to about 1.5 inches, most
preferably, about 1.0 inch. The core diameter will range from a
minor axis minimum diameter of about 0.10 inch to a major axis
maximum diameter of about 0.50 inch. The fingers 40 have a length
so that the brush perimeter 50 has a diameter of between 0.20 inch
to about 0.50 inch. In one preferred embodiment, the fingers 40
have a length so that the brush perimeter 50 has a diameter of
between 0.25 inch to about 0.35 inch, most preferably 0.28
inch.
[0033] One desirable benefit of a molded mascara brush in
accordance with the present invention, in which the directional
orientations of the fingers 40 are aligned with or are near to the
axis B-B, and extend from sides 22 and 24 at angles of less that
45, 30 or 15 degrees relative to axis B-B, is that the effective
brush surface is greater that the effective brush surface of the
radially extending fingers or bristles of circular core molded
brushes and twisted wire bristles. This is due to the fact that the
fingers 40 are generally aligned with each other, providing a
consistent applicator surface effect that is not possible in a
radial brush design.
[0034] A further advantage of the present invention is that the use
of fingers 40 having a variation on length such as the lengths
L.sub.1, L.sub.2, L.sub.3, and L.sub.4 permits the different length
fingers to be adapted to different lashes. The longer length
fingers 40 can be used to target longer lashes in the center of the
eyelid, while the shorter length fingers can be used to target
shorter lashes, for example, in the peripheral ends of the
eyelid.
[0035] A further benefit of the oval core molded mascara brush is
that it provides two visually distinct and identifiable surfaces.
This is a very significant advantage over a conventional circular
core brush that has no distinct sides to it. In the present
invention, the two sides 22 and 24 can be provided with two
different finger layouts providing different functions. Finger
layouts providing effects such as bulk application, thickening,
lengthening, curling, defining, or specialty effects are possible.
In the present invention, two of such functions could be provided
by providing different finger layouts on the two different sides of
the brush. For example, brush combinations such as
thickening/curling; lengthening/defining; or thickening/specialty
could be provided to consumers using the present invention. Another
possible example, seen in the molded mascara assembly 810 in FIG.
8, combines a plurality of fingers 840 on one side of the oval core
with a comb 841, formed of one or more rows of fingers, on the
other side. In such case, the fingers on only one side of the core
will define a brush perimeter 850 of partial circular cross-section
as seen in FIG. 8.
[0036] As noted, the use of the oval core provides a very clear
visual distinction that the brush assembly has two different sides
22 and 24, making the possible use of two different
brushes/applicator faces, one on each side of the brush, both
possible and easily recognized by the consumer.
[0037] One desirable feature of a molded mascara brush is a purely
marketing advantage. The molded brush can be molded in colored
rubbers or plastics, so that the packaged brush as sold in the
retail outlet presents the consumer with an eye-catching colored
brush. However, once the brush is plunged into the mascara that
coloring will become coated and obscured.
[0038] Accordingly, the present invention provides a new and unique
molded mascara brush having both a manufacturing advantage and a
functional advantage over prior art molded brushes. The present
invention provides a manufacturing advantage in that it can be made
through injection molding in a two part mold, reducing mold cost,
setup cost, and maintenance cost, therefore providing a substantial
cost savings over molded brushes that require a four part mold
system. The oval core mascara brush of the invention provides
functional advantages because the oval core creates a brush
assembly that is relatively stiffer along the long axis, leaving
the brush flexible only along the minor axis. The use of fingers of
varying length allows use of the oval core while still providing a
generally circular profile. Furthermore, having fingers of
different lengths provides the opportunity of designing different
zones adapted for targeting of different eyelashes, such as the
center lashes and the corner lashes. The alignment of the fingers
near to the axis B-B allows an increase in the effective surface
area of the brush without increasing its overall peripheral
circumference.
* * * * *