U.S. patent application number 13/882016 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-24 for applicator device for applying a cosmetic, applicator element therefor, and cosmetic unit comprising the applicator device.
This patent application is currently assigned to GEKA GmbH. The applicant listed for this patent is Werner Fischer, Daniela Kulik, Gudrun Thierer. Invention is credited to Werner Fischer, Daniela Kulik, Gudrun Thierer.
Application Number | 20130276812 13/882016 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44897724 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130276812 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kulik; Daniela ; et
al. |
October 24, 2013 |
APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR APPLYING A COSMETIC, APPLICATOR ELEMENT
THEREFOR, AND COSMETIC UNIT COMPRISING THE APPLICATOR DEVICE
Abstract
The invention relates to an applicator device for a cosmetic
applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, comprising at least
two applicator elements having application units, wherein the
applicator elements are designed as one-piece plastic parts and one
or more applicator elements are arranged axially consecutively
along a longitudinal axis L of the applicator device, wherein the
application units of the applicator elements form application unit
fields, each spanning an enveloping volume, wherein at least two
enveloping volumes of applicator elements arranged next to one
another are in contact with each other forming an overlapping zone,
or overlap each other at least partially. The invention further
relates to an applicator element for forming an applicator device,
to a cosmetic applicator, and to an applicator element of an
applicator device.
Inventors: |
Kulik; Daniela; (Leipzig,
DE) ; Fischer; Werner; (Burk, DE) ; Thierer;
Gudrun; (Feuchtwangen, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Kulik; Daniela
Fischer; Werner
Thierer; Gudrun |
Leipzig
Burk
Feuchtwangen |
|
DE
DE
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
GEKA GmbH
Bechhofen
DE
|
Family ID: |
44897724 |
Appl. No.: |
13/882016 |
Filed: |
October 18, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
October 18, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/068170 |
371 Date: |
July 12, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/218 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1053 20130101;
A46B 9/021 20130101; A46B 3/005 20130101; B33Y 80/00 20141201; A46B
9/025 20130101; A46B 7/042 20130101; A46B 7/10 20130101; A45D
40/262 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/218 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 27, 2010 |
DE |
20 2010 014 792.1 |
Claims
1. A cosmetics applicator, in particular a mascara applicator,
comprising: an applicator device comprising at least two applicator
elements that comprise application organs; each of the applicator
elements being configured as a single-piece plastic part that
includes a base part from which the application organs branch off,
and the base part includes a through opening for plugging the base
part onto a carrier part, with at least two applicator elements
being disposed axially successively along a longitudinal axis of
the applicator device; the application organs of the applicator
elements forming application organ areas that each span an
enveloping volume, wherein at least two enveloping volumes of
adjacently disposed applicator elements overlap and form an overlap
zone, which is formed rotationally symmetrically with respect to
the longitudinal axis, in such a way that the application organs
within the overlap zone delimit a reservoir volume that is limited
by the application organs and a partial area of base parts of the
applicator elements.
2. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein the
overlap zone is formed of enveloping volumes of two adjacent
applicator elements and constitutes an intersection of these
enveloping volumes.
3. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 2, wherein the
overlap zone, as an intersection of the enveloping volumes of
adjacent applicator elements, has a disc-shaped three-dimensional
shape with a constant and/or uniform thickness corresponding to an
overlap length.
4. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 2, wherein the
overlap zone, as an intersection of the enveloping volumes of
adjacent applicator elements, has a wedge-shaped three-dimensional
shape.
5. (canceled)
6. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein the
overlap zone is disposed in an eccentrically offset manner with
respect to the longitudinal axis.
7. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein the
overlap zone has an overlap length which, in case of touching,
equals 0 mm, and in case of overlapping, is 0 mm.ltoreq.X.ltoreq.5
mm.
8. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 7, wherein the
overlap length is variable in a radial direction of the applicator
device.
9. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 2, wherein the
overlap zone extends merely over a part of a circumferential
direction of the applicator device and no touching/overlapping of
the enveloping volumes takes place in at least one other
region.
10. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 2, wherein the
enveloping volumes of the applicator elements provide the same
percentage as regards volume with regard to the formation of the
overlap zone.
11. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 2, wherein, with
respect to the percentage of the total volume of an enveloping
volume, two adjacent enveloping volumes contribute to the formation
of the overlap zone to different extents.
12. (canceled)
13. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein a
carrier part for accommodating at least one applicator element is
provided, and the carrier part and at least one applicator element
are configured as a single piece.
14. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least
one of the applicator elements is configured as a plastic
injection-molded part, in particular as a single or multi-component
injection-molded part or as a 3-D printed component consisting of
plastic.
15. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least
one applicator element is seated on the carrier part in such a
manner that the at least one applicator element is rotatable about
the longitudinal axis relative to another applicator element.
16. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein the
application organs are located radially peripherally around a base
part of the applicator element in rows, with the application organs
of at least one row standing perpendicularly on the longitudinal
axis.
17. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein rows of
application organs include an acute angle with the longitudinal
axis, in particular an angle between 30.degree. and 90.degree..
18. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein the
carrier part comprises an accommodating portion for accommodating
applicator elements and at least one annular bead-like or nose-like
projection for at least axially fixing the applicator elements
relative to the carrier part, wherein the at least one annular
bead-like or nose-like projection engages grooves upon assembly, or
is at least force fit with the at least one applicator element in
an assembled state.
19. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 18, wherein the at
least one annular bead-like or nose-like projection fixes the
applicator elements in a rotation-proof manner, the at least one
annular bead-like or nose-like projection being a cross section of
the accommodating portion deviating from a cylindrical cross
section or a force fit of the applicator elements on the carrier
part.
20. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 19, wherein the
cross section is polygonal or oval.
21. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein central
axes of the application organs of two applicator elements forming
the overlap zone include an angle, the angle being between
20.degree. and 130.degree..
22. (canceled)
23. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein the base
part comprises at least one thickened region, the bristles
branching off from the thickened region and branching off
perpendicularly from an outer surface of the applicator
element.
24. The cosmetics applicator device according to any one claim 1,
wherein the applicator device is constructed of at least two
different applicator elements.
25. The cosmetics applicator according to claim 1, wherein the
applicator elements differ with regard to length, hardness,
geometry of the application organs or the covering with application
organs.
26-38. (canceled)
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to an applicator device comprising at
least 2 applicator elements, an applicator element, a cosmetics
applicator and a cosmetics unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A cosmetics application brush wherein bristles are deposited
on a bristle core by means of a flocking method is known from DE 32
31 574 A1. The core comprises ring-like projections, so that the
bristles deposited in the flocking method overlap in partial areas,
particularly in the transition region from the annular projections
to the core of the carrier part.
[0003] Such an applicator is disadvantageous in that the
arrangement of the application organs/bristles attached with the
flocking method cannot always be predicted accurately and is
subject to chance to a certain extent. Thus, the formation of
overlapping bristle regions, particularly the shape and extent in
space of the overlapping portions thus formed, depend on chance to
a certain degree because it cannot always be ensured that bristles
can be disposed at the same density at every location of the
carrier part. There is thus a need for improving such a mascara
applicator and to achieve a more predefinable mass storage behavior
and more predefinable characteristics of the applicator with regard
to the wetting behavior of eyelashes.
[0004] It is therefore the object of the invention to propose an
applicator device for a cosmetics applicator that avoids the
drawbacks of the prior art and that can be produced inexpensively,
in particular with great variability and in a simple manner.
[0005] Moreover, it is to be made possible that the characteristics
of the applicator device particularly with regard to the mass
storage capacity and the characteristics of the applicator device
with regard to eyelash wetting can be made to be adjustable in a
largely predefinable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The applicator device according to the invention comprises
at least two applicator elements that, with regard to their spatial
geometry, are manufactured as a single piece and precisely
predefinable in a plastic injection-molding process, or also in a
3-D printing process. It is thus possible to exactly predetermine
the three-dimensional shape of the applicator elements, and thus,
also the arrangement and three-dimensional shape of the application
organs, particularly of the bristles, and, by forming overlap zones
U while arranging individual applicator elements to form an
applicator device according to the invention, to predeterminably
realize the shape, the position in space and the size of an overlap
zone U of application organs.
[0007] For this purpose, the applicator elements are disposed
successively adjacently along a longitudinal axis L of the
applicator device, the applicator elements comprising application
organ areas BF that define an enveloping volume U. The application
organ areas of two adjacent applicator elements touch or overlap at
least partially and thus form an overlap zone U. This produces
regions in the applicator device, which, after an applicator device
according to the invention has been dipped into a mascara mass and
the wiping process that usually follows when the mascara applicator
is withdrawn from a mascara container, are specially protected
against wiping and thus against undesired removal of mascara mass
when the applicator is withdrawn from the container. Therefore, a
major amount of mascara mass that is available for application of
the mass on a user's eyelashes remains in these regions even after
a wiping process.
[0008] The longitudinal axis L of the applicator device is
preferably disposed coaxially with a longitudinal axis of a
cosmetics applicator comprising the applicator device. However, the
longitudinal axis can also extend offset parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the cosmetics applicator, or at an angle
thereto, particularly at a right angle thereto.
[0009] In an applicator device according to the invention, the
overlap zone is achieved by application organs of adjacent
applicator elements that cross one other or protrude into one
another, which results in an applicator device according to the
invention having, at least in some areas, crossing or overlapping
application organs, which is advantageous particularly for an
improved all-round wetting of a user's eyelashes.
[0010] According to an advantageous embodiment of the applicator
device according to the invention, the overlap zone U is formed
from enveloping volumes U of two adjacent applicator elements and
constitutes an intersection of these enveloping volumes, the
overlap zone U having, in particular, a disc-shaped
three-dimensional shape with a constant and/or uniform thickness
corresponding to an overlap length X. Given such a design of an
applicator device according to the invention, it is particularly
advantageous that the mass storage capacity and also the eyelash
wetting capacity of the applicator device is equally and
symmetrically distributed in the circumferential direction in the
region of the overlap zones U.
[0011] In order to achieve non-uniform or unequal mass storage and
application characteristics of an applicator device according to
the invention, it may make sense to configure the overlap zone U in
a wedge-shape with regard to its three-dimensional shape, so that,
for example, an overlap zone is provided on one side of the
applicator device and that this is provided on the other side to a
lesser, larger extent. Of course, it is also possible to provide
only a partial area of the applicator device with an overlap zone,
seen in the circumferential direction, and to keep another,
opposite partial area free from an overlap zone in the
circumferential direction of the applicator device.
[0012] Another possibility for achieving certain predefinable mass
storage and/or wetting characteristics of the applicator device
according to the invention lies in the overlap zone U being
configured in a rotationally symmetric or also eccentrically offset
manner with respect to a longitudinal axis L.
[0013] As an embodiment that can be easily realized in practice and
that is provided with good results, it has proved its worth if an
overlap length X of the overlap zone U is dimensioned in such a way
that the following applies for the overlap lengths X: 0
mm.ltoreq.X.ltoreq.5 mm, in particular 0 mm X.ltoreq.3.5 mm,
particularly preferably 0 mm.ltoreq.X.ltoreq.1.5 mm. If the overlap
zones U merely touch, which expressly lies within the scope of the
invention, it applies that the overlap length X=0 mm.
[0014] The advantages desired for an optimized mass storage and
application behavior of the applicator device are realized also in
the case that the overlap zones U merely touch, i.e. that the
application organs of the applicator elements do not cross one
another but merely rest against one another.
[0015] In another embodiment of the invention, the overlap length X
can be variable, seen along the radial direction of the applicator
device. A wedge-shaped configuration of the overlap zone U can
serve as an example for this. Apart from the wedge-shaped
configuration of the overlap zone U, other three-dimensional shapes
of the overlap zone U are of course also conceivable, which also
have a variable overlap length L in the radial direction.
[0016] In order to achieve a particularly symmetrical distribution
of the mass accommodation and/or wetting characteristics, it may
make sense that the enveloping volumes U of the applicator
elements, with regard to volume, each provide the same percentage
of the overlap zone U.
[0017] Nevertheless, it is of course also possible to let, for
example, a bristle area of a first applicator element that is
particularly large in the longitudinal direction and a bristle area
of a second applicator element that is particularly small with
regard to volume protrude into one another, so that the enveloping
volumes of the applicator elements contribute to the formation of
the overlap zone with different percentages. For example, regions
can be realized, for example along the longitudinal axis L of an
applicator device, in which an increased number of overlap zones is
provided, and other regions, which are, for example, bridged by a
very large (long) applicator element, in which no or only few
overlap zones are provided, which of course has an effect on the
characteristics of the applicator device along its length.
[0018] In a special embodiment of the invention, reservoir volumes
R within the overlap zone U are delimited by the application organs
and at least partial areas of base parts of the applicator
elements.
[0019] In particular, in a further preferred manner, an applicator
element and a carrier part are configured as a single component for
accommodating further applicator elements.
[0020] The applicator elements advantageously are manufactured as
plastic injection-molded parts, particularly by a single or
multi-component process, wherein the bristles/application organs of
the applicator elements, for example, can be produced from a
different material than their base parts. Known 3-D printing
processes are also suitable for producing an applicator element
according to the invention, particularly for small batches.
[0021] With regard to the arrangement of the applicator elements on
the longitudinal axis L, it may be expedient that at least one
applicator element is seated on the carrier part so as to be
rotatable relative to the carrier part about the longitudinal axis
at least by a certain amount. Thus, collisions of bristles of
bristle areas that protrude into one another can be avoided when
joining and arranging several applicator elements, so that bristles
of the one bristle area can protrude into the intermediate spaces
of the other bristle area.
[0022] The application organs are located preferably peripherally
around the base part of the applicator element, arranged in rows,
with the application organs 9 preferably standing perpendicularly
on the longitudinal axis L in at least one row. Other rows of
application elements preferably include an acute angle with the
longitudinal axis L, with this acute angle a being, in particular,
in the range between 30.degree. and 90.degree., particularly
preferably in a range of between 40.degree. and 80.degree..
[0023] It is preferred that the carrier part has an accommodating
portion for accommodating applicator elements, and has means for
axially fixing the applicator elements, so that the applicator
elements can no longer, or only to an insubstantial extent, slip
out of place in the axial direction after having been placed on the
carrier part. For example, an annular bead-like or a nose-like
projection or a type of barb on the carrier part, for example, can
serve this purpose, which engages in grooves of a through-hole of
the base parts during assembly. Alternatively, a force fit can also
be provided.
[0024] If it is desired to dispose the applicator elements on the
carrier part so as to be non-rotatable in the circumferential
direction, a cross section of the carrier part can be selected for
the attachment region, for example, which deviates from a
cylindrical cross section and which corresponds to an appropriate
corresponding cross section of a through opening in the applicator
elements, so that the applicator elements are fixed in a
rotation-proof manner. For example oval or polygonal cross sections
of the accommodating portion are suitable for this purpose.
[0025] Central axes of the application organs of two adjacently
disposed applicator elements forming the overlap zone U include an
angle .beta. between them, with the angle .beta. advantageously
being between 20.degree. and 130.degree., particularly between
40.degree. and 110.degree.. Within these angle ranges, a "covering"
of the reservoir volume R by the application organs with regard to
the maximum radial height of the reservoir volumes, measured from
the longitudinal axis L, can be set within broad limits.
[0026] Expediently, the applicator elements comprise a base part
from which the bristles/application organs branch off, and the base
part preferably comprises a through opening for plugging it onto
the carrier part. Preferably, the base part comprises a thickened
region, with the application organs/bristles branching off from the
thickened region. Expediently, the thickened region is configured
so as to be curved concavely outwardly, for example.
[0027] Expediently, the application organs/bristles branch off
perpendicularly from an outer surface of the thickened region/base
part, which has a positive effect on the manufacturability,
particularly on the demolding properties of the applicator element
if they are being injection-molded. If a 3-D printing process is
used, no attention has to be paid to the demolding properties,
which also makes undercut applicator element possible.
[0028] Furthermore, it is an advantage of the invention that it can
be readily assembled by arranging several, even different,
applicator elements in almost any way. In this case, the applicator
elements may differ with regard to a length h of the application
organs, the hardness, the geometry of the application organs or the
covering with application organs, or with regard to the design.
Combining an applicator element manufactured by a single-component
injection-molding process with another applicator element, which,
for example, has been manufactured by a two--component
injection-molding process or, for example, by 3-D printing, also
lies within the scope of the invention.
[0029] It is another object of the invention to provide suitable
applicator elements for forming an applicator device according to
the invention.
[0030] An applicator element according to the invention comprises a
plurality of application organs and is suitably configured for the
axially successive arrangement along a longitudinal axis of an
applicator device, with at least a part of the application organs
being disposed and/or configured for this purpose in such a way
that free ends of the application organs protrude in the axial
direction over an axial length 1 of a base part at least to some
extent, or end flush with it. Thus, application organs are provided
which protrude over a base part at least on one end or that end
flush with it, and which, when assembled with other applicator
elements that also comprise bristles/application organs that
protrude or end flush, can together form an overlap zone U within
the sense of the invention.
[0031] In this case, the application organs preferably form a
bristle area BF/enveloping volume U, which has a longitudinal
extent l' with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator
element, the longitudinal extent l' being at least equal to,
particularly greater than, the longitudinal extent l of the base
part of the applicator element.
[0032] A difference l'-l resulting therefrom forms the projecting
length with respect to the longitudinal extent of the base part,
the projecting length preferably being disposed symmetrically to
the base part in the axial direction. This means that the ends of
the application organs protrude to the same extent over the base
part of the applicator element on both ends. Nevertheless, an
enveloping volume U formed by the bristle area Bf can be disposed
non-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal extent of the
base part, so that, for example, the bristle area does not protrude
over, in particular end flush with, the base part on one end, and
the entire difference projecting length l-l' is disposed so as to
protrude on one end over the end face of the base part.
[0033] In this case, the enveloping volume can also be disposed
eccentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the
applicator element.
[0034] In another embodiment of the applicator element, the
enveloping volume U has a constant or variable radial extent in the
circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L.
[0035] In order to form different applicator elements, the
application organs can, for example, be sections of a disc, prongs,
bristles, toothed disc segments or teeth.
[0036] Moreover, the invention provides a cosmetics applicator, in
particular a mascara applicator, which comprises at least one
handle part, an applicator stem and an applicator device according
to the invention.
[0037] Furthermore, the scope of the invention also includes a
cosmetics unit comprising a container for accommodating mascara
mass, optionally a wiper means, which comprises at least one
applicator device according to the invention or a cosmetics
applicator according to the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0038] The invention is explained in more detail below by way of
example with reference to the drawings. In the Figures:
[0039] FIG. 1: shows a cosmetics applicator, in particular a
mascara applicator, comprising an applicator device according to
the invention in a schematic side view;
[0040] FIG. 2: shows an enlarged depiction of the applicator device
according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a side view;
[0041] FIG. 3: shows a first applicator element according to the
invention for an applicator device according to the invention in a
longitudinal section through a longitudinal central plane A-A
according to FIG. 2 in a schematic, greatly enlarged view;
[0042] FIG. 4: shows an arrangement of two applicator elements
according to the invention according to FIG. 3 in a longitudinal
sectional view along the plane A-A from FIG. 2 in a schematic,
greatly enlarged view;
[0043] FIG. 5: shows a second applicator element according to the
invention along the plane A-A according to FIG. 2 for an applicator
device according to the invention;
[0044] FIG. 6: shows a longitudinal section along the plane A-A
from FIG. 2 through an embodiment of the applicator device
according to the invention depicted in a very schematic manner;
and
[0045] FIG. 7: shows another embodiment of the applicator device
according to the invention in a longitudinal section along the
plane A-A from FIG. 2 in a schematic representation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0046] In the known manner, a cosmetics applicator 1 shown in FIG.
1 comprises a handle part 2, an applicator stem 3 and a
longitudinal axis L. The cosmetics applicator 1 comprises an
applicator device 4 according to the invention with a carrier part
5 and several applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c according to the
invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal axis L is
the common longitudinal axis L for the cosmetics applicator 1 and
the applicator device 4. The longitudinal axes of the cosmetics
applicator 1 and the applicator device 4 can, however, also be
offset in a parallel manner or extend at an angle, particularly at
right angles. In this case, the applicator element 6c forms a
distal end 7 of the applicator device 4 and of the cosmetics
applicator 1. The applicator element 6a is located in the region of
a proximal end 8 of the applicator device 4. The handle part 2
forms a proximal end of the cosmetics applicator 1.
[0047] Hereinafter, the term "distal" is used in the sense of
"facing away from the handle part 2" or "located further distant
therefrom", and the term "proximal" is used as "facing towards the
handle part" or "relative to the longitudinal axis L, closer to the
handle part 2 compared with other elements".
[0048] Each of the applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c comprises a
plurality of application organs 9, which are configured as bristles
in the exemplary embodiment.
[0049] However, other organs not configured as bristles, for
example disc segments, prongs, teeth, bristles with thickened free
ends, toothed disc segments or toothed discs, also fall under
application organs 9 according to the invention. In the case of a
mascara applicator, the application organs have the task of taking
up mascara mass (not shown) located in a container by
dunking/dipping in the cosmetics applicator 1 and then, optionally
after a wiping process, dispensing this mascara mass thus taken up,
for example, on eyelashes in order to accomplish a cosmetic
effect.
[0050] Hereinafter, the term "bristles" is used for the purpose of
simplification instead of the term "application organ", wherein the
use of this term is not intended to constitute any limitation.
Other types of application organs (as described hereinabove) can
also be provided instead of bristles.
[0051] The applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c are disposed on the
carrier part 5 and attached so as to be fixed, relative thereto, at
least in one axial direction 10. With its proximal end, the carrier
part 5 is firmly seated in the applicator stem 3 in the usual
manner, the applicator stem 3 in turn being firmly connected to the
handle part 2.
[0052] The applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c are disposed so as to be
jointless along the longitudinal axis L, ideally rigid with regard
to pivoting, or bendable relative to one another within narrow
limits.
[0053] In addition to the axial direction 10 oriented parallel to
the longitudinal axis L of the cosmetics applicator 1 or the
applicator device 4, a radial direction 11 is defined for the
following description, which stands perpendicularly on the
longitudinal axis L.
[0054] In the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal axis L is
depicted as a straight line; nevertheless, applicator devices 4
according to the invention for forming a cosmetics applicator 1 can
also be disposed along a longitudinal axis L which is curved or
even undulating at least in the region of the applicator device
4.
[0055] The bristles 9 each comprise a free end 12 and a bristle
base 13 with which they are attached to a base part 14a, 14b, 14c
of the applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c.
[0056] The applicator elements 6a to 6c, i.e. in particular the
base parts 14a, 14b, 14c with their associated bristles 9 are
configured as single components as a plastic injection-molded part,
wherein the base part 14a, 14b, 14c and the bristles 9 associated
therewith can each be manufactured from one and the same plastic
material. This means that such an applicator element 6a, 6b, 6c can
be produced by a single-component injection-molding process.
[0057] Nevertheless, the applicator elements 6a to 6c can comprise
a first plastic material, for example for the associated base part
14a, 14b, 14c, and for the respectively associated bristles 9, a
second plastic material, so that such applicator elements 6a, 6b,
6c are manufactured in a two-component or multi-component
injection-molding process or another manufacturing process, e.g.
3-D printing.
[0058] In particular, there is the option of selecting the plastic
for the bristles 9 to be slightly softer and more flexible than the
plastic that forms the base parts 14a, 14b, 14c.
[0059] As will be described in more detail below, in a partial area
between the applicator elements 6a and 6b as well as 6b and 6c,
their bristles 9 respectively touch and/or overlap.
[0060] The drawing according to the FIGS. 1, and in particular 2,
could give rise to the impression that these overlapping bristles
penetrate each other in a crossing manner. This is, of course, not
the case in reality. This drawing has technical reasons. In
reality, the bristles are of course disposed so as to not penetrate
each other, optionally in a touching or non-touching manner, next
to one another. This follows already from the fact that--as is
described further below--the applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c are
each manufactured individually and assembled to form an applicator
device 4, for example by threading or plugging them onto the
carrier part 5. During this process, no fusion or penetration of
the bristles 9 occurs, of course. Rather, these bristles 9 will
arrange themselves in the circumferential direction with a slight
offset one next to the other, optionally with slight bending, or
when plugging on the applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c. The
"imaginary" penetration of the bristles shown in the Figures is a
basis for a meaningful definition of lengths and angles, because in
this theoretical position, the central axes 9' of the bristles 9
intersect and thus define a plane, so that they include between
them a defined angle. Thus, such a theoretical, optionally
penetrating arrangement of the application organs 9 is presumed for
the definition of lengths and angles where this is important, in
order to avoid angle distortions or length changes that occur in a
projection into a viewing plane, e.g. the plane of drawing of the
longitudinal sections A-A.
[0061] The applicator device 4 according to the invention in
accordance with the FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises, in the exemplary
embodiment shown, two identical applicator elements 6a, 6b and
another applicator element of a different design 6c, with the
applicator element 6c being disposed on the distal end 7, and with
the respectively constructionally identical applicator elements 6a,
6b being disposed on the carrier part 5 so as to follow the
applicator element 6c proximally. The applicator element 6c differs
from the applicator elements 6a, 6b in that an altered bristle
covering is provided in such a way that the distal end 7 is also
covered on its end face with bristles 9 in a hedgehog-like manner.
Of course, it is also possible to configure the applicator element
6c so as to be identical to the applicator elements 6a and 6b,
whereby, of course, an applicator device 4 is produced in that case
which has no bristle covering on its free distal end 7.
[0062] With respect to the base part 14a, 14b, 14c, the bristles 9
are disposed, respectively peripherally extending around the base
parts 14a, 14b, 14c, in rows, with the rows being hereinafter
referred to with R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 for the purposes of the
description. Preferably, corresponding bristles of the rows R1, R2,
R3, R4, R5 are disposed in rows also in the axial direction 10. In
FIG. 2, several bristles 9 are in each case drawn up as belonging
to the corresponding rows R1 to R5, so that it becomes clear which
bristles respectively form a row R1 to R5. For example, all
bristles 9 of the rows R3 each branch off in the radial direction
11 perpendicularly from the base part 14a, 14b, 14c, whereas all
bristles of the row R2 are disposed angled to the radial direction
11, with the free ends 12 of the bristles being inclined towards
the proximal end 8. All the bristles 9 of the row R1 are also
inclined in the same manner as the bristles 9 of row R2, but by a
slightly greater angle. The bristles 9 of row R4 are preferably
oriented symmetrically to the bristles 9 of row R2 with an
inclination in the opposite direction, so that their free ends 12
of the bristles 9 point towards the distal end 7. The same also
applies to the bristles of the rows R5, wherein they, compared with
the bristles 9 of the row R4, are more inclined towards the distal
end 7 relative to the radial direction 11.
[0063] Hereinafter, the structure of a first embodiment of an
applicator element 6a, 6b according to the invention will be
described with reference to the illustration according to FIG.
3.
[0064] These applicator elements 6a, 6b comprise the base part 14a,
14b. The base part 14a, 14b has an axial longitudinal extent l and
is configured, for example, as a tubular-cylindrical body with a
through opening 15. An annular groove 15a provided for axially
fixing the applicator elements 6a, 6b on the carrier part 5--as is
described further below--is disposed in the through opening 15. In
a region that is preferably central with respect to the
longitudinal extent l, the base part 14a, 14b comprises a bead-like
thickened portion 16. The thickened portion 16 is, for example, a
ball-like thickened portion 16 with an outer surface 17, from which
the bristles 9 protrude approximately perpendicularly with their
central axes 9'.
[0065] All the free ends 12 of the bristles 9 of an applicator
element 6a, 6b span an imaginary enveloping volume U, which is
schematically shown with a dashed line in FIG. 3 and the Figures
described below.
[0066] All the bristles 9 of an applicator element 6a to 6b form
bristle areas BF, with each bristle area BF defining the enveloping
volume U. The enveloping volume U is supposed to be understood as a
volume spanned by the free ends 12 that is similar to an elastic
skin without sink marks and also without indentations or
depressions, which is limited by imaginary planes E particularly in
the axial direction 10. Thus, if enveloping volumes U of the
respective applicator elements, due to an appropriate arrangement
of the applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c, touch or penetrate each
other, in particular penetrate each other only partially, then a
protrusion into each other or an overlapping of two of the bristle
areas BF of adjacent applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c within the
sense of the invention is provided.
[0067] In the sectional view according to FIG. 3, the outermost
bristles 9 of the rows R1 and R5 include an acute angle .alpha.
with the longitudinal axis L, seen in the axial direction 10.
Expediently, the angle .alpha. is greater than 30.degree. and
smaller than 90.degree.; particularly, the angle .alpha. is greater
than 40.degree. and smaller than 80.degree.. The bristles 9 have a
length h, measured from the bristle base 13 to the free end of the
bristle 12, with the length h of the bristles 9 being 1 mm to 10
mm, in particular 1.5 mm to 6 mm. According to the invention, at
least the, in the axial direction 10, outermost bristles 9 of the
rows R1 and R5 are configured in such a way with regard to the
angle .alpha. and their bristle length h that the enveloping volume
U, which has an axial longitudinal extent l', is configured in such
a way that its longitudinal extent l' is equal to or greater than
the longitudinal extent l of the base part 14a, 14b. It is thus
fundamental that the longitudinal extent of the applicator element
6a, 6b in the axial direction 10, measured on bristle tips 12 of
the, in the axial direction 10, outermost bristles, is equal to or
greater than the longitudinal extent l of the base part 14a, 14b,
so that at least some bristles 9 of the applicator element 6a, 6b
protrude in the axial direction 10 over the base part 14a, 14b to
some extent, or end flush with end faces 21a, 21b of the base parts
14a, 14b, 14c.
[0068] The axial protrusion l'-l of the enveloping volume U over
the axial longitudinal extent l of the base part can thus be
determined in broad limits either via the selection of the angle
.alpha., via the selection of the longitudinal extent h of the
bristles 9, or via the selection of the longitudinal extent l of
the base part. Thus, the difference l'-l of these axial
longitudinal extents, for example, can be maximized if the axial
longitudinal extent l of the base part 14a, 14b is reduced when a
bristle length h is given and an inclination angle .alpha. is
given. In an extreme case, the base part 14a, 14b can also be
formed, in the axial direction 10, by a section carrying only one
bristle 9. In the exemplary embodiment, such a section is the
thickened portion 16.
[0069] Moreover, it lies within the scope of the invention to
dispose the axial protrusion 1'- so as to protrude symmetrically
over the end faces, as in the exemplary embodiment. This is
recommended particularly if an applicator device 4 is to be
constructed by means of applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c of the same
kind with which symmetrical, and in particular equally sized,
overlap zones U are to be achieved between two applicator elements
6a, 6b, 6c.
[0070] However, the axial protrusion l'-l can also be configured to
be non-uniform with respect to the longitudinal axis L, e.g. as a
small protrusion over a first end face 21a and as a bigger
protrusion over the second end face 21b.
[0071] An arrangement of two applicator elements 6a, 6b to form an
applicator device 4 according to the invention is described below
with reference to FIG. 4. In this case, the applicator elements 6a,
6b are disposed so as to rest against each other in the axial
direction 10 with end faces of their base parts 14a, 14b. Since the
axial longitudinal extent l' of the enveloping volume U of the two
applicator elements 6a, 6b is in each case greater than the axial
longitudinal extent l of the base parts 14a, 14b, the bristle areas
BF of the two applicator elements 6a, 6b overlap in the region in
which the base parts 14a, 14b rest against each other axially. The
bristle areas BF, i.e. the enveloping volumes U of the applicator
elements 6a, 6b, overlap in the axial direction 10 by an amount X,
which will hereinafter be referred to as overlap length X. The
intersection of the enveloping volumes U of the applicator elements
6a, 6b over the overlap length X forms an overlap zone U, which--as
shown in FIG. 4--contains crossing bristles 9, with in each case at
least partial areas of bristles 9 of the row R5 of the applicator
element 6a and partial areas of the bristles 9 of the row R1 of the
applicator element 6b lying within the overlap zoneU. This region,
which is formed by crossing bristles 9 or overlapping bristle areas
BF or enveloping zones U, when wetting an applicator device 4
according to the invention with mascara mass within the container,
in particular serves as an effective mass storage, which reliably
retains a major amount of mascara mass even when the applicator
device is withdrawn from the container, optionally through a wiper
device. In particular, a reservoir volume therefor is unlimited due
to the bristles 9 and partial areas of the base parts 14a, 14b,
14c.
[0072] Moreover, this overlap zone U with crossing bristles 9, when
applying gathered mascara masse to eyelash hairs, particularly
advantageously serves for a good wetting of the eyelash with
mascara mass that reaches over wide portions of the circumference
of an eyelash, which, in particular, is due to the fact that at
least some, depending on the size and shape of the overlap zone U
even several or a plurality of, eyelashes are touched by crossing
bristles 9 and that thus, an improved wetting of the eyelashes with
mascara mass takes place.
[0073] In the example shown according to FIG. 4, only one bristle
row R5 of the one applicator element 6a and one bristle row R1 of
the second applicator element 6b respectively contribute to the
formation of the overlap zone U. By suitably selecting the angle
.alpha., the bristle length h and the difference of the lengths
l'-l, it is of course also possible to achieve a participation also
of adjacent bristle rows R4 of the applicator element 6a and R2 of
the applicator element 6b in the formation of the overlap zone U.
In such a case, the number of the crossing points between adjacent
bristles 9 or overlapping bristles 9 is increased, so that the
above-described effects occur more frequently.
[0074] It thus readily lies within the scope of the invention to
select the overlap zone U or the overlap length X in such a way
that a plurality of the bristles 9 of adjacent applicator elements
6a, 6b overlap, and that thus, the bristle areas BF of the
applicator elements penetrate one another to a greater extent. If
the overlap length is X=0, then the enveloping volumes U touch,
which also lies within the scope of the invention. According to the
invention, the overlap length X is 0 mm to 5 mm, in particular 0 mm
to 3.5 mm, or 0 mm to 1.5 mm, and can be about 0 to 50%, preferably
10 to 40%, particularly preferably 30% of the longitudinal extent
l' of the enveloping volume U. The greater the overlap length X
compared to the longitudinal extent l' of the enveloping volume U,
the greater the mass storage effect, because a greater number of
the bristles 9 of the applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c participate in
the formation of the overlap zone U. If an overlap length X of
greater than 50% of the longitudinal extent l' of the enveloping
volume U is selected, a great reduction in numbers of the free
bristles 9, i.e. those bristles that do not participate in the
formation of the overlap zone U, occurs in an applicator device 4
according to the invention expediently composed of a plurality of,
i.e. more than two, applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c according to the
invention, which can lead to a reduction of the separation effect
of the applicator device 4 according to the invention. In
particular the free bristles 9, i.e. those that do not cross with
other bristles 9, are responsible for eyelashes being separated by
combing during the treatment with an applicator according to the
invention, and for the occurrence of a separation. Thus, the size
of the overlap length X in a range between 0 and 50% of the
longitudinal extent l' of the enveloping volume U has proved to be
particularly advantageous.
[0075] Central axes 9' of crossing bristles 9 contributing to the
participation in the overlap zone U include an angle .beta., under
the theoretical assumption that the two central axes 9' are located
in a common plane. Values of
20.degree..ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.130.degree., in particular
40.degree..ltoreq..beta..ltoreq.110.degree., have proved expedient
values for the angle .beta.. Particularly in the latter range, the
circumferential wetting of the eyelashes with mascara mass on the
one hand, which is desired according to the invention, and the mass
storage capacity of the reservoir R on the other hand is
particularly optimized. The smaller the angle .beta. becomes, the
more the overlapping bristles 9 approximate the characteristics of
an individual bristle 9. Moreover, due to bristles 9 crossed at
particularly acute angles, the reservoir volume R is particularly
extensive in the radial direction, whereby at least a part of the
mascara mass located in the reservoir volume R can optionally also
be wiped off if an applicator device 4 according to the invention
is wiped off.
[0076] In any case, the characteristics of the applicator device 4
according to the invention with respect to mass storage capacity in
the reservoir volume R and the separation effect, as well as a
possible all-round wetting of eyelashes, can be adjusted in a
manner predefinable within broad limits by a broad variation of the
angle .beta..
[0077] FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of an applicator element 6c
according to the invention, which is particularly suitable as an
applicator element 6c in the region of the distal end 7 of the
applicator device 4. Towards the proximal end 8 of the applicator
device 4, the applicator element 6c is configured exactly like the
applicator elements 6a, 6b with regard to the configuration of the
base part 14c and with regard to the bristle covering BF. In
contrast to these applicator elements 6a, 6b, the applicator
element 6c comprises in the area of the distal end 7 another
bristle covering, so that the distal end 7 of the applicator device
4 itself can also be used as an end-face applicator, because a
dense bristle covering is provided at the end face.
[0078] In further contrast to the applicator elements 6a, 6b, the
applicator element 6c comprises a tapped recess 15b, which also
comprises an annular groove 15a, instead of the through opening 15.
With the tapped recess 15b, the applicator element 6c--as is
described further below--can be attached to the carrier part 5.
[0079] Thus, an applicator device 4 according to the invention, as
shown in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4, can be
composed of at least one applicator element 6a and a terminating
applicator element 6c according to FIG. 5, or of a plurality of
applicator elements 6a, 6b and an applicator element 6c functioning
as a terminating applicator element.
[0080] FIG. 6 shows a first option of the fixed arrangement of
applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c on the carrier part 5 of the
applicator device 4.
[0081] To this end, the applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c are shown in
a greatly simplified manner, without application organs 9.
[0082] In this case, the carrier part 5 has a substantially
rod-like three-dimensional shape with an accommodating portion 18
for applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c and a connection region 19 for
connecting to the applicator stem 3. Spaced apart in the axial
direction 10, the carrier part comprises annular bead-like or
nose-like projections 20. The projections 20 are configured, in
particular, so as to extend radially peripherally and correspond
with the annular grooves 15a in the openings 15, 15b of the
applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c. By plugging the applicator elements
6a, 6b, 6c in the axial direction 10 onto the carrier part 5, the
projections 20 can snap into the annular grooves 15a and thus
fixingly retain the respective applicator element 6a, 6b, 6c at
least in the axial direction 10. The applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6
can be disposed so as to be non-rotatable relative to the carrier
part in the circumferential direction. However, it is conceivable
that the applicator elements 6a, 6b, 6c are mounted so as to be
rotatable relative to the carrier part 5 about the longitudinal
axis l.
[0083] FIG. 7 shows another possible embodiment of the applicator
device 4 according to the invention comprising applicator elements
according to the invention. In this applicator device 4, the
applicator element 6c forming the distal termination of the
applicator device 4 is configured as a single part with the carrier
part 5. The other applicator elements 6a, 6b are threaded on
successively in the axial direction 10 so as to rest against the
applicator element 6c in the distal direction. In the region of the
proximal end 8 of the applicator device, the applicator stem 3 is
seated in such a way that a free (distal) end of the applicator
stem 3 axially fixes the applicator elements 6a, 6b between the
applicator stem 3 and the applicator element 6c.
[0084] Moreover, some embodiments of the overlap zone U, of the
reservoir volumes R and the enveloping volumes U are shown in FIG.
7 by way of example. Such illustrations and explanations referring
to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7 are of course
transferable onto the entire invention and are not limited to the
embodiment according to FIG. 7.
[0085] Referring to the applicator element 14a according to FIG. 7,
it becomes clear that not all of the bristles 9 of the applicator
element have to contribute to spanning the associated enveloping
volume U. Some of the bristles, for example, can be shorter than
others and thus lie within the enveloping volume U and not
contribute to spanning the enveloping volume.
[0086] By way of example, FIG. 7 shows by means of the applicator
elements 6a, 6b that the enveloping volumes U of those two
applicator elements 6a, 6b is configured and arranged relative to
one another in such a way that the enveloping volumes U of the
applicator elements 6a and 6b merely touch, so that an overlap zone
U according to the invention is created, which, however, has no
extent in space. Nevertheless, reservoir volumes R are formed that
afford the above advantages when two applicator elements 6a, 6b, as
they are shown by way of example in FIG. 7, are mounted
side-by-side.
[0087] The applicator elements 6b and 6c in FIG. 7 in turn
illustrate, merely by way of example, how a wedge-shaped overlap
zone U, for example, between these two applicator elements can be
achieved. Around the region drawn into the drawing above the
longitudinal axis L, the applicator elements 6b and 6c comprise
enveloping volumes U that overlap and thus form an overlap zone U,
and thus also a reservoir volume R.
[0088] On the opposite side, i.e. shown below the longitudinal axis
L in FIG. 7, the bristles 9 of the applicator elements 6b and 6c
are configured and disposed in such a way that the enveloping
volumes U merely touch. Seen over the entire applicator device 4, a
wedge-shaped three-dimensional shape of the overlap zoneU is thus
created between the applicator elements 6b and 6c. Seen relative to
the longitudinal axis L, this overlap zone L is also arranged
eccentrically.
[0089] The different spatial configurations of the overlap zone U
with an overlap length of X=0 between the applicator elements 6a
and 6b and with an overlap length X that can be varied in the
radial direction between 0 and a maximum value on the opposite side
are supposed to illustrate that a broad range of variations for
configuring the overlap zones is made possible by different
combinations of differently configured applicator elements 6a, 6b,
6c according to the invention, which, as was already described
above, has effects on the mass storage capacity and also on the
capacity for wetting eyelashes, in particular circumferentially
wetting eyelashes.
[0090] Further by way of example, it is explained by means of FIG.
7 that, for example, the applicator elements 6a, 6b comprise as a
base part 13 only the above-described thickened region 16, which is
configured convexly outwards, and no cylindrical region adjacent
thereto, as this is shown in the preceding exemplary
embodiments.
[0091] Of course, the embodiment according to FIG. 7 comprising a
base part consisting of a tubular-cylindrical region and a
thickened region, as explained in the previously described
embodiment, is possible and expressly lies within the scope of the
invention.
[0092] In the applicator device 4 according to the invention, it is
particularly advantageous that, in particular due to the structure
of the applicator device consisting of injection-molded applicator
elements it is possible, for the first time, to provide overlap
zones U on the one hand, in particular overlap zones that are
variable with regard to their length in the axial direction 10, and
to adjust them predefinably, with changes having to be made only to
a few characteristic dimensions and shapes of the individual
applicator elements. In particular, this is possible because
applicator elements produced in a plastic injection-molding process
receive the same geometry over and over again with particular
precision and particularly good reproducibility, and the bristle
covering or covering with application organs is regular and
constant. This is in contrast to a rather random distribution and
arrangement of fibers in the flocking method according to the prior
art.
[0093] Furthermore, the formation of the applicator device
according to the invention from elements produced by an
injection-molding process or by 3D printing, compared with known
flocking methods, offers design possibilities that are much greater
and freer as regards construction of shapes and sizes of the
application organs.
[0094] By providing a few different applicator elements that
differ, for example, with regard to the geometrical
three-dimensional shape of the application organs, the lengths h of
the application organs, the inclination angles a to the
longitudinal axis of the applicator element, a multitude of
different applicator devices can be composed in a modular manner,
wherein different mass storage, separation and volume-related
properties of this applicator device can be set in a predefinable
manner.
[0095] In particular, providing non-symmetrical or eccentric
arrangements and/or three-dimensional shapes of the overlap zone U
renders the resulting properties of the applicator device capable
of being influenced in a simple manner. Thus, in particular local
mass storages, e.g. on one side of the applicator device and, e.g.
on the opposite side, an applicator section with particularly good
separation properties can be provided. This is the case in
particular given a wedge-shaped configuration of the overlap zone U
when the overlap zone U is provided, for example, only on one side
of the circumference of the applicator device and if the adjacent
bristles of the applicator element on the other side of the
applicator do not touch or are even disposed spaced apart.
* * * * *