U.S. patent application number 12/529653 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for cosmetic applicator and process for producing the same.
Invention is credited to Koji Nakamura.
Application Number | 20100101035 12/529653 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39765795 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100101035 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakamura; Koji |
April 29, 2010 |
COSMETIC APPLICATOR AND PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME
Abstract
The present invention provides a cosmetic applicator that allows
a cosmetic material based on solid fine powder to transfer roughly
uniformly onto the apical surface of the brush, prevents the
cosmetic material from scattering from the brush, and causes the
cosmetic material to attach roughly uniformly when applied to the
skin, and said cosmetic applicator conforming to the present
invention is a cosmetic applicator for application of apply a
powdery cosmetic material containing fine powder, which includes a
handle part and a brush part constituted by a bristle material
implanted on the aforementioned handle part, wherein said cosmetic
applicator is characterized in that the hairs of the aforementioned
brush part extend upward from the aforementioned handle part, and
the distal end of the hairs form a horizontally shaped outer
periphery with respect to the aforementioned handle part, from
which outer periphery a shape gradually concaving toward the center
axis of the brush part is formed.
Inventors: |
Nakamura; Koji; (Osaka-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET, FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
39765795 |
Appl. No.: |
12/529653 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
March 13, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2008/054616 |
371 Date: |
November 4, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/160 ;
15/191.1; 300/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 33/00 20130101;
A46B 9/021 20130101; A46B 2200/1046 20130101; A45D 33/36 20130101;
A46B 9/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/160 ;
15/191.1; 300/21 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/02 20060101
A46B009/02; A46D 3/00 20060101 A46D003/00; A46D 3/04 20060101
A46D003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 16, 2007 |
JP |
2007-067774 |
Claims
1. A cosmetic applicator for application of a powdery cosmetic
material containing fine powder, comprised of a handle part and a
brush part constituted by a bristle material implanted on the
handle part, said cosmetic applicator being characterized in that
the bristle material of the aforementioned brush part extends
upward from the aforementioned handle part, and the distal end of
the bristle material forms a horizontally shaped outer periphery
with respect to the aforementioned handle part, from which outer
periphery a shape gradually concaving toward the center axis of the
brush part is formed.
2. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, characterized in
that the aforementioned concaved shape is a reverse cone.
3. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, characterized in
that the aforementioned concaved shape is a curved surface.
4. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, characterized in
that the aforementioned concaved shape is steps.
5. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, characterized in
that the concave ratio of the aforementioned concaved shape is
approx. 0.05 to approx. 0.3.
6. A method for manufacturing a cosmetic applicator for application
of a cosmetic material, comprised of a handle part and a brush part
constituted by a bristle material implanted on the aforementioned
handle part, said manufacturing method being characterized in that
the apical surface of the aforementioned brush part is formed in a
shape gradually concaving from the outer periphery of the brush
part toward the center axis of the brush part.
7. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 2, characterized in
that the concave ratio of the aforementioned concaved shape is
approx. 0.05 to approx. 0.3.
8. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 3, characterized in
that the concave ratio of the aforementioned concaved shape is
approx. 0.05 to approx. 0.3.
9. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 4, characterized in
that the concave ratio of the aforementioned concaved shape is
approx. 0.05 to approx. 0.3.
10. A cosmetic applicator for application of a powdery cosmetic
material containing fine powder; comprising: a handle part; and a
brush part constituted by a bristle material implanted on the
handle part, wherein the bristle material of the brush part extends
upward from the handle part and has an central axis, and the
bristle material has a distal end opposite to the handle part, said
distal end having an outer edge periphery on a plane perpendicular
to the central axis, and an inner concave area defined by the outer
edge periphery, said inner concave area being concave from the
outer edge periphery toward the central axis, when no external
force is applied to the bristle material.
11. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 10, wherein the
inner concave area is configured continuously or stepwise such that
the greater the distance from the outer edge periphery, the greater
the concave degree becomes, when no external force is applied to
the bristle material.
12. The cosmetic applicator according to claim 10, wherein the
outer edge periphery has a width or diameter which is greater than
a width or diameter of a potion of the bristle material proximal to
the handle part, when no external force is applied to the bristle
material.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetic applicator for
applying a cosmetic material to the face. To be specific, the
present invention relates to a cosmetic applicator for applying a
powdery cosmetic material containing fine powder.
PRIOR ART
[0002] In recent years, cosmetic materials based on solid powder,
made by mixing a fine powder with an average grain size of 0.1 to
10 .mu.m with an oil-based component, etc., are in use. These
cosmetic materials provide excellent properties in terms of smooth
spreading of the cosmetic material and its easy attachment to the
skin when the cosmetic material is applied, as well as prolonged
hydrating feel. However, these cosmetic materials adhere too firmly
to the skin and the powder attaches along the uneven features of
the skin, and therefore they end up emphasizing the lines, pores
and other undesirable areas where the skin is uneven. (Refer to
Patent Literature 1.)
[0003] On the other hand, cosmetic brushes having a projecting
shape at the tip of the brush, like the one shown in FIG. 8 (refer
to FIG. 1 in Patent Literature 2), are widely used to apply the
aforementioned cosmetic materials based on solid fine powder, or
specifically these brushes are used as applicators for conventional
cosmetic materials based on solid powder which have large average
grain sizes. To be specific, such cosmetic brushes are used to
transfer the aforementioned type of cosmetic materials based on
solid powder with a fine average grain size from the cosmetic
container onto the brush, and then apply the cosmetic material to
the skin roughly uniformly. However, simply transferring the
cosmetic material based on fine solid powder from the cosmetic
container onto the brush presents a problem in that the cosmetic
material will not attach roughly uniformly to the apical surface of
the brush, and therefore the user will end up using the brush to
apply the cosmetic material to the face under the condition where
the cosmetic material is attached only on the projecting convex
part. As a result, a large amount of cosmetic material will be
applied to the location that first comes in contact with the brush
and fewer amounts are applied to other locations, and consequently
the application amount will vary in different locations on the face
and thus mottled appearances (dark and light areas) may occur.
In addition, when the cosmetic material is transferred onto the
brush from the cosmetic container the high rigidity of the
projecting convex part where the hairs are densely spaced, as shown
in FIG. 8, causes a problem in that when the brush is moved back
and forth while being pressed on to the cosmetic material to
transfer the material onto the brush, the cosmetic material that
has been transferred to the projecting convex part tends to scatter
due to the repulsive force to the pressure.
[0004] On the other hand, many women are increasingly interested in
a professional looking makeup and presenting a stronger need to
easily achieve such makeup with a professional finish. However, use
of a cosmetic makeup brush such as those explained above leads to
the cosmetic material being applied blandly and non-uniformly. As a
result, the areas that should be highlighted will look not so
different from the areas that should not be highlighted, and the
face will look flat. Other problems that may result include the
makeup looking rather heavy and powdery. To solve these problems,
women are using cosmetic brushes made with brush hairs having
roughly a spherical shape at the tip, to apply cosmetic materials
constituted by a powder of approx. 50 .mu.m in average grain size
that has been formed into a sheet shape, in such a way that the
brush is rotated little by little in one direction so that the
cosmetic material is applied by means of the elasticity of brush
hairs. (Refer to Patent Literature 3.)
[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open No.
2006-265214
[0006] Patent Literature 2: Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei
10-295441
[0007] Patent Literature 3: Japanese Patent Laid-open No.
2006-69902
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to Be Solved by the Invention
[0008] When a cosmetic material based on solid powder of fine
average grain size is applied using a cosmetic brush like the one
described in Patent Literature 1, the aforementioned cosmetic
powder based on solid powder is transferred only to the projecting
convex part of the brush, and because the cosmetic material is
applied to the skin with the brush in this condition, a large
amount of cosmetic material will attach to the location where the
cosmetic material is first applied, as mentioned above. As a
result, the application amount will vary between the location where
the cosmetic material is applied first and the other locations.
Because of this, users apply the cosmetic material that has been
transferred to the projecting part after stroking the brush over
their hand, etc., so as to equalize the amounts transferred to the
hairs. On the other hand, when a fine cosmetic material is applied
instead of a cosmetic material whose grain size is not fine, the
fineness of the average grain size tends to cause the cosmetic
material to attach roughly uniformly along the lines extending from
the sides of the wings of the nose to both corners of the mouth or
along the lines, pores and other features running radially from the
outer corners of the eyes to the temples, in which case the
unevenness of the skin may be emphasized in some areas.
For this reason, it is necessary to skillfully apply the cosmetic
material by moving the brush back and forth many times so that the
cosmetic material will be applied by a uniform amount and
unevenness will be less emphasized. As a result, the makeup process
will become very cumbersome and time-consuming.
[0009] On the other hand, using a cosmetic brush like the one
described in Patent Literature 3 where the brush hairs have roughly
a spherical shape at the tip presents a problem in that the brush
must be rotated little by little in one direction so that the
cosmetic material is applied by means of the elasticity of brush
hairs. Such makeup process is very cumbersome and time-consuming.
When applying a cosmetic material constituted by a powder of
approx. 50 .mu.m in grain size that has been formed into a sheet
shape, unevenness of the skin will be, emphasized in fewer areas.
However, if such cosmetic brush is used to apply a cosmetic
material based on solid fine powder, unevenness of the skin will be
emphasized.
[0010] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned
problems by providing a cosmetic applicator that allows a cosmetic
material based on solid fine powder to transfer roughly uniformly
onto the apical surface of the brush, prevents the cosmetic
material from scattering from the brush, causes the cosmetic
material to attach roughly uniformly when applied to the skin, and
does not emphasize unevenness of the skin due to the applied
cosmetic material.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0011] To achieve the aforementioned aims, the invention pertaining
to Claim 1 is a cosmetic applicator for application of a powdery
cosmetic material containing fine powder, comprised of a handle
part and a brush part constituted by a bristle material implanted
on the handle part, said cosmetic applicator being characterized in
that the bristle material of the aforementioned brush part extends
upward from the aforementioned handle part, and the distal end of
the bristle material forms a horizontally shaped outer periphery
with respect to the aforementioned handle part, from which outer
periphery a shape gradually concaving toward the center axis of the
brush part is formed.
The invention pertaining to Claim 2 is characterized in that the
aforementioned concaved shape is a reverse cone. The invention
pertaining to Claim 3 is characterized in that the aforementioned
concaved shape is a curved surface. The invention pertaining to
Claim 4 is characterized in that the aforementioned concaved shape
is steps. The invention pertaining to Claim 5 is characterized in
that the concave ratio of the aforementioned concaved shape is
approx. 0.05 to approx. 0.3. The invention pertaining to Claim 6 is
a method for manufacturing a cosmetic applicator for application of
a cosmetic material, comprised of a handle part and a brush part
constituted by a bristle material implanted on the aforementioned
handle part, said manufacturing method being characterized in that
the apical surface of the aforementioned brush part is formed in a
shape gradually concaving from the outer periphery of the brush
part toward the center axis of the brush part.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A cosmetic applicator conforming to the present invention is
formed in a shape gradually concaving from the outer periphery of
the brush part toward the center axis of the brush part, and
therefore provides a uniform transfer function to transfer a
cosmetic material roughly uniformly onto the apical surface of
brush part, anti-scattering function to prevent the cosmetic
material from scattering, uniform attachment function to apply the
cosmetic material and let it attach to the skin roughly uniformly,
and unevenness reduction function to ensure any unevenness of the
skin less emphasized.
[0013] By providing the aforementioned functions, a cosmetic
applicator conforming to the present invention no longer requires
the user to stroke the brush part over their hand, etc., to
equalize the amount of cosmetic material transferred onto the
hairs. Since the cosmetic material can be transferred onto the
apical surface of the brush part roughly uniformly only by stroking
the hairs over the cosmetic material, the present invention
demonstrates an excellent effect of allowing the user to do a
makeup more quickly.
Furthermore, scattering of the cosmetic material from the cosmetic
container can be prevented, which leads to another excellent effect
of enabling the user to utilize the precious cosmetic material
effectively and also being released from the need to clean up the
surrounding area. In addition, the cosmetic material is transferred
onto the brush part roughly uniformly and thus the user can apply
the cosmetic material to the skin roughly uniformly by simply
moving the brush part back and forth several times in the desired
location. As a result, the cosmetic material can be applied to the
skin roughly uniformly and any unevenness of the skin will be less
emphasized. Consequently, lines, pores and other features will
appear less uneven and a makeup with professional finish can be
achieved with ease. This is another excellent effect of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 Oblique view showing the first embodiment
[0015] FIG. 2. A-A' section view of the first embodiment
[0016] FIG. 3A Schematic drawing showing transfer of the cosmetic
material from the cosmetic container onto the apical surface of
brush 21 using the cosmetic applicator illustrated in the present
embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 3B Schematic drawing showing attachment of the cosmetic
material that has been transferred onto the apical surface of brush
21, to the skin, using the cosmetic applicator illustrated in the
present embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 4 Oblique view showing the second embodiment
[0019] FIG. 5 A-A' section view of the second embodiment
[0020] FIG. 6 Oblique view showing the third embodiment
[0021] FIG. 7 A-A' section view of the third embodiment
[0022] FIG. 8 Oblique view of a conventional cosmetic
applicator
DESCRIPTION OF THE SYMBOLS
[0023] 1 Cosmetic applicator
[0024] 10 Handle part
[0025] 20 Brush part
[0026] 21 Apical surface of brush
[0027] 22 Outer periphery
[0028] 23 Center axis
[0029] 30 Reverse cone
[0030] 31 Curved surface
[0031] 32 Steps
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0032] A cosmetic applicator conforming to the present invention is
explained in detail below by referring to the drawings.
First Embodiment
[0033] FIG. 1 is an oblique view showing the first embodiment of a
cosmetic applicator 1 conforming to the present invention. FIG. 2
is a section view that cuts FIG. 1 showing the cosmetic applicator
1 described in the first embodiment along the A-A' plane.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cosmetic applicator 1
described in the present embodiment is a cosmetic applicator for
applying cosmetic material, equipped with a handle part 10 having
roughly a cylindrical shape and also with a brush part 20.
The tip of the aforementioned handle part 10 forms a surface which
is cut vertically with respect to the center axis 23 of the handle
part 10, and hairs are implanted onto this surface to form the
brush part 20. The hairs expand from the tip of the aforementioned
handle part 10 in the shape of a reverse cone.
[0035] With the cosmetic applicator 1 conforming to the present
invention, the aforementioned handle part 10 is not limited to one
having roughly a cylindrical shape and a handle part of any shape
or size can be selected and used as deemed appropriate, as long as
such handle part is easy to grab and allows a cosmetic material to
be applied easily. Also note that, with respect to the material
constituting the handle part 10, a metal, synthetic resin, wood or
any other material may be selected as deemed appropriate, or two or
more of the foregoing may be used in combination as deemed
appropriate. For the aforementioned hairs, animal hairs, synthetic
resin, etc., can be used and the length and other attributes of the
aforementioned hairs can also be adjusted as deemed
appropriate.
[0036] The apical surface of the aforementioned brush part 20 (a
surface on the opposite side of the hairs implanted in the handle
part 10) (hereinafter referred to as "apical surface of brush 21")
is formed in a reverse cone 30, which is a shape gradually
concaving from the outer periphery 22 of the brush part 20 toward
the center axis 23 of the brush part 20, as shown in FIG. 2. The
depth becomes the greatest at the aforementioned center axis 23. By
forming the aforementioned apical surface of brush 21 in the shape
described above, the cosmetic material can be transferred onto the
apical surface of brush 21 roughly uniformly, and scattering of the
cosmetic material can also be prevented.
[0037] The concave ratio of the aforementioned reverse cone is
desirably approx. 0.05 to 0.3, where a concave ratio of 0.1 to 0.2
is more desirable.
Here, take note that the aforementioned concave ratio represents
the value calculated by B/A, where A is the height from the tip of
the handle part 10 on which the hairs are implanted to the outer
periphery 22 of the brush part 20, while B is the height from the
outer periphery 22 of the brush part 20 to the deepest part of the
concave. As long as the aforementioned concave ratio is within the
aforementioned range, the amount of cosmetic material transferred
onto the apical surface of the brush can be kept roughly uniform,
and also scattering of the cosmetic material can be prevented and
the amount attached to the skin can be kept roughly uniform, as
well.
[0038] FIG. 3A is a schematic drawing showing transfer of the
cosmetic material from the cosmetic container onto the apical
surface of brush 21.
FIG. 3B is a schematic drawing showing attachment of the cosmetic
material that has been transferred onto the apical surface of brush
21, to the skin. The reasons why the amount of cosmetic material
transferred onto the apical surface of brush and attached to the
skin can be kept roughly uniform, and why the cosmetic material
does not scatter, as described above, are explained in detail using
these schematic drawings.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3A, when the cosmetic material is applied
to the skin for the first time using the cosmetic applicator 1, the
cosmetic material is transferred from the cosmetic container onto
the apical surface of brush 21 for the first time. Since the length
of hairs extending from the handle part 10 to the apical surface of
brush 21 is longer along the outer periphery 22 and gradually
decreases toward the center axis 23, the hairs bend less toward the
center axis 23 than they do at the outer periphery 22. (Refer to
the figure on the left.)
As a result, a large amount of cosmetic material is transferred to
near the outer periphery 22 where the hairs are longer and bend
more. By moving the cosmetic applicator 1 back and forth several
times, however, the cosmetic material is transferred onto the hairs
that are shorter and bend less near the center axis 23, from the
hairs that are longer and bend more near the outer periphery 22.
Accordingly, this transfer of cosmetic material onto the shorter,
less bending hairs near the center axis 23 (indicated by circles in
FIG. 3A) allows the overall transfer amount of cosmetic material to
be kept roughly uniform. (Refer to the figures at the center and on
the right.)
[0040] Next, the reason why the cosmetic material does not scatter
is explained. As shown in the left drawing of FIG. 3A and in FIG.
2, when the cosmetic material is transferred from the cosmetic
container the outer periphery 22 of the cosmetic applicator 1 is
pressed onto the cosmetic material. Unlike with conventional convex
brushes, the hairs along the outer periphery 22 contacting the
cosmetic material are not concentrated in one location, but they
are dispersed instead. Accordingly, moving the cosmetic applicator
1 back and forth while it is pressed onto the cosmetic material
generates only a small repulsive force to this pressure, and
consequently scattering of the aforementioned cosmetic material
that has been transferred onto the outer periphery 22 can be
prevented.
[0041] On the other hand, the apical surface of brush 21 is gently
pressed onto the skin to cause the cosmetic material that has been
transferred onto the apical surface of brush 21 to attach to the
skin, as shown in FIG. 3B. Since the shape of the apical surface of
brush 21 is a reverse cone 30, which approximates the curved
surface of the face, moving the cosmetic applicator 1 back and
forth several times results in the facial skin being pressed by the
apical surface of brush 21 at roughly a uniform pressure. As a
result, the cosmetic material that has been transferred roughly
uniformly onto the apical surface of brush 21 can be attached to
the skin roughly uniformly, and at the same time the aforementioned
back-and-forth movements of the apical surface of brush 21 create
roughly a uniform surface over the pores and other uneven areas,
and this reduces an uneven look of the skin.
[0042] Furthermore, conventional brushes whose apical surface has a
convex shape present difficulty as they are repeatedly used to
transfer a cosmetic material that has been filled flat into the
bowl section of a cosmetic container. To be specific, the cosmetic
material that has been filled flat will eventually dip near the
center and it will become difficult to transfer the cosmetic
material left in the aforementioned bowl section. When the cosmetic
applicator 1 described in the first embodiment is used, on the
other hand, the cosmetic material will decrease roughly uniformly
from the top layer and thus transferring the cosmetic material onto
the brush will remain easy at all times.
[0043] In the above, the cosmetic material in the above explanation
is assumed as a cosmetic material based on solid fine powder.
However, a cosmetic applicator conforming to the present invention
is not at all limited to use with a cosmetic material based on
compact powder, and they can also be used with a cosmetic material
based on liquid powder constituted by a fine powder dissolved into
water. To transfer onto the aforementioned cosmetic applicator a
cosmetic material based on liquid powder that has been poured into
a flat bowl section of the cosmetic container, all the user needs
is to move the applicator back and forth several times, and the
cosmetic material will be transferred only onto the tip of the
hairs, just like when a cosmetic powder based on solid powder is
used, and overall the amount of cosmetic material transferred onto
the apical surface of brush will become roughly uniform.
[0044] Next, as the apical surface of brush 21 is moved back and
forth over the face in a manner contacting the facial skin, and in
a condition where the amount of cosmetic material transferred onto
the apical surface of brush 21 is roughly uniform, the cosmetic
material will be applied in such a way that the many hairs
constituting the apical surface of brush 21 are pressing the
surface with a roughly similar pressure. As a result, the cosmetic
material will be applied along the reverse cone shape of the apical
surface of brush 21, and thus the cosmetic material can be applied
to the skin roughly uniformly, just like when a cosmetic material
based on solid powder is applied. Also because the cosmetic
material attaches in a reverse cone shape over lines, pores and
other uneven features, use of this cosmetic applicator whose apical
surface of brush 21 has a reverse cone shape allows the cosmetic
material to be applied in a manner not emphasizing unevenness.
Second Embodiment
[0045] FIG. 4 is an oblique view showing the second embodiment of a
cosmetic applicator 1 conforming to the present invention. FIG. 5
is a section view that cuts FIG. 4 showing the cosmetic applicator
1 described in the second embodiment along the A-A' plane. The
cosmetic applicator 1 described in the second embodiment is
different from the cosmetic applicator 1 described in the
aforementioned first embodiment mentioned only in that the
gradually concaving shape of the applicator in the second
embodiment forms a curved surface 31. However, all other aspects of
the second embodiment conform to the same constitution of the
cosmetic applicator 1 in the aforementioned first embodiment
mentioned. Since the gradually concaving shape is a curved surface
31, more cosmetic material is transferred onto the tip of hairs and
overall the amount of cosmetic material transferred onto the apical
surface of brush 21 can be kept constant.
[0046] Also because the apical surface of brush 21 is a curved
surface 31, this surface is similar in shape to the curved surfaces
in the locations of the face where the cosmetic material is
applied. Accordingly, moving the apical surface of brush 21 back
and forth in a manner contacting the facial skin allows the
cosmetic material to be applied in such a way that the many hairs
constituting the apical surface of brush 21 are pressing the skin
with a roughly similar pressure. As a result, the cosmetic material
will be applied along the curved surface of the apical surface of
brush 21, and thus the cosmetic material can be applied to the skin
roughly uniformly, and also the cosmetic material attaches to the
curved surfaces over lines, pores and other uneven features.
Accordingly, use of this cosmetic applicator whose apical surface
of brush 21 is a curved surface allows the cosmetic material to be
applied in a manner not emphasizing unevenness.
Third Embodiment
[0047] FIG. 6 is an oblique view showing the third embodiment of a
cosmetic applicator 1 conforming to the present invention. FIG. 7
is a section view that cuts FIG. 6 showing the cosmetic applicator
1 described in the third embodiment along the A-A' plane. The
cosmetic applicator 1 described in the third embodiment is
different from the cosmetic applicator 1 described in the
aforementioned first embodiment mentioned only in that the
gradually concaving shape of the applicator in the third embodiment
is steps 32. However, all other aspects of the third embodiment
conform to the same constitution of the cosmetic applicator 1 in
the aforementioned first embodiment mentioned.
[0048] The cosmetic applicator 1 in the third embodiment has its
apical surface of brush 21 formed in a shape gradually concaving in
a stepwise manner from the outer periphery 22 of the brush toward
the center axis 23 (a shape concaving by drawing concentric
circles). The number of steps to be provided can be adjusted as
deemed appropriate. The cosmetic applicator in this third
embodiment can also provide an operation and effects similar to
what can be achieved with the aforementioned first and second
embodiments.
[0049] In the meantime, cosmetic applicators pre-charged with a
powdery cosmetic material in their handle part have also been
known. With these cosmetic applicators, an outlet for releasing the
powdery cosmetic material is provided at the center of the handle
part and the powdery cosmetic material released from this outlet
travels along the center of the brush whose apical surface is
formed in a convex shape, and eventually reaches the apical
surface. Accordingly, a large amount of cosmetic material is
transferred to near the center axis of the apical surface of brush,
but little cosmetic material is transferred to the periphery. In
other words, the cosmetic material is not transferred roughly
uniformly onto the apical surface of brush, just like when the
cosmetic brush described in Patent Literature 2 mentioned above is
used, and consequently the brush applies the cosmetic material to
the face in a condition where the cosmetic material is attached
only to the projecting convex part of the brush.
[0050] The first through third embodiments described herein can
have the aforementioned structure where a powdery cosmetic material
is pre-charged in the handle part. With all of the first through
third embodiments, the brush part 20 is formed in a shape gradually
concaving from the outer periphery 22 toward the center axis 23 of
the brush part 20, and therefore the cosmetic material released
near the center axis 23 of this concaved shape spreads along the
concaving surface. As a result, the transferred amount of cosmetic
material becomes roughly uniform virtually over the entire surface
and when the cosmetic material is applied to the face in this
condition, the cosmetic material will attach to the skin roughly
uniformly. Because this makes sure any unevenness of the skin is
less emphasized, an uneven look over lines, pores and other
features can be suppressed.
[0051] As described above, the first through third embodiments are
formed in a shape gradually concaving from the outer periphery 22
of the brush part 20 toward the center axis 23 of the brush part
20, and therefore all of the embodiments provide the functions: a
uniform transfer function to transfer a cosmetic material roughly
uniformly onto the apical surface of brush; an anti-scattering
function to prevent the cosmetic material from scattering; a
uniform attachment function to apply the cosmetic material and let
it attach to the skin roughly uniformly; and an unevenness
reduction function to ensure any unevenness of the skin less
emphasized.
[0052] As mentioned earlier, the average grain sizes of cosmetic
materials are becoming increasingly finer in recent years and many
women are spending a lot amount of energy on makeup, which has
become very cumbersome, time-consuming or less desirable in other
ways, in order to look more beautiful, make lines and other uneven
features of the face less conspicuous, and achieve various other
objectives in their quest for beauty. The cosmetic applicators
described in the first through third embodiments allow a cosmetic
material to be applied to the skin roughly uniformly and make lines
and other uneven features of the face less conspicuous, and thus
enable women to be free from the hassle of makeup which has become
very cumbersome, time-consuming or less desirable in other ways,
and moreover these cosmetic applicators allow them to achieve a
makeup with professional finish with ease.
[0053] Additionally, a desired concaved shape can be selected for
the cosmetic applicator according to the shape of the face, or
level of curving of the facial skin. For example, a fuller woman
with a more curved face can select a cosmetic applicator with a
curved surface, while a woman with a less curved, flatter face can
select a cosmetic applicator with a reverse cone or steps, in order
to enjoy the intended effects more prominently. Along the extension
of this thinking, it is clear that the concaved shape of the
cosmetic applicator is not at all limited to the aforementioned
three types and the present invention encompasses any concaved
shape that agrees to the technical concept of the cosmetic
applicator proposed herein.
[0054] Next, a method for manufacturing a cosmetic applicator
pertaining to the embodiments presented herein is explained.
A cosmetic applicator pertaining to the embodiments presented
herein is manufactured by forming the apical surface of brush in a
shape gradually concaving from the outer periphery of the brush
toward the center axis.
[0055] A specific manufacturing method will be explained, but it
should be noted that the manufacturing method described below is
only one example and the present invention is not at all limited to
this manufacturing method.
First, the hairs are bundled and aligned in a manner matching the
cross-section shape of the handle part in which the hairs will be
implanted. A projecting object is pressed against one end of the
aligned bundle of hairs to form a concaved shape on this end. Next,
the other end of the aforementioned aligned bundle of hairs is
joined to the implanting part of the aforementioned handle part to
manufacture a cosmetic applicator. The aforementioned projecting
object may be made of metal or resin, and any projecting object
matching the concaved shape to be formed can be selected as deemed
appropriate. As for the means for joining the bundle of hairs with
the handle part, as described above, one example is to join the
bundle of hairs using an adhesive, while another example is to push
one side of the aforementioned hairs that have been formed into a
shape concaving toward the other side, into one side of the hollow
constituted by a hollow cylinder, and then crimp the section of the
handle part where the hairs have been pushed in.
[0056] As explained above, a cosmetic applicator conforming to the
present invention has its apical surface of brush formed in a shape
gradually concaving from the outer periphery of the brush toward
roughly the center, and therefore a cosmetic material can be
attached to the apical surface of brush roughly uniformly.
Also with a cosmetic applicator conforming to the present
invention, a cosmetic material is attached to the brush roughly
uniformly and thus the cosmetic material can be applied nearly
uniformly to desired areas of the skin, etc., thereby preventing
mottled appearances (dark and light areas). In addition, use of a
cosmetic applicator conforming to the present invention allows a
solid cosmetic material to decrease roughly uniformly, which
prevents only specific parts of the material from decreasingly
considerably.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
[0057] A cosmetic material attachment test was conducted using a
cosmetic applicator with a concaved shape (reverse cone) which was
formed in such a way that the height from the tip of the handle
part where the hairs were implanted to the outermost tip of the
brush part became 35 mm, brush diameter at the outermost tip of the
brush part became 35 mm, brush diameter at the tip of the handle
part where the hairs were implanted became 20 mm, and height from
the outermost tip of the brush part to the deepest part of the
concaved section became 5 mm.
The aforementioned cosmetic applicator was stroked back and force
twice over the flat surface of a cosmetic material filled into a
cosmetic container, and then the applicator was stroked back and
forth over several locations of the face by moving from one
location to another, to apply the cosmetic material over the entire
face and let it attach to the skin. Visual observation by three
subjects confirmed that the cosmetic material was attached roughly
uniformly to the apical surface and inside of the brush. When the
amount of cosmetic material applied to the face and condition of
emphasis of uneven features were checked, it was found that the
cosmetic material was attached to the skin roughly uniformly and no
locations could be identified where uneven features were
emphasized.
Comparative Example 1
[0058] A cosmetic material attachment test was conducted using a
cosmetic applicator which was formed in such a way that the height
from the tip of the handle part where the hairs were implanted to
the outermost tip of the brush part became 35 mm, brush diameter at
the outermost tip of the brush part became 35 mm, brush diameter at
the tip of the handle part where the hairs were implanted became 20
mm, and the apical surface of brush would have roughly a convex
shape.
The test method confirmed to Example 1 explained above. Visual
observation by three subjects confirmed that a large amount of
cosmetic material had been transferred onto the roughly convex part
of the apical surface of brush, that a large amount of cosmetic
material had been transferred onto the roughly convex part inside
the brush, and that the transferred amount of cosmetic material
decreased toward the outer periphery. When the amount of cosmetic
material applied to the face and the condition of emphasis of
uneven features were checked, mottled areas where the cosmetic
material was attached non-uniformly to the skin were found and
uneven features were emphasized in several locations.
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