U.S. patent application number 15/876356 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-02 for molded bristle brushes comprised of helical segments.
The applicant listed for this patent is ELC Management LLC. Invention is credited to Herve F. Bouix, Francis Corbellini.
Application Number | 20180213923 15/876356 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62976962 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180213923 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Corbellini; Francis ; et
al. |
August 2, 2018 |
Molded Bristle Brushes Comprised Of Helical Segments
Abstract
A molded bristle applicator having a cylindrical core on which
are arranged a number of discrete helical bristle segments.
Depending on the embodiment, all of the discrete helical segments
spiral in the same direction (i.e. clockwise or counterclockwise)
around the axis of the core, or some helical segments spiral in one
direction and some in the opposite direction.
Inventors: |
Corbellini; Francis;
(Thiais, FR) ; Bouix; Herve F.; (New York,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ELC Management LLC |
Melville |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62976962 |
Appl. No.: |
15/876356 |
Filed: |
January 22, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62452459 |
Jan 31, 2017 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/021 20130101;
A46B 2200/1053 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/02 20060101
A46B009/02 |
Claims
1. A molded brush head (10) comprising: a cylindrical core (1) that
has a longitudinal central axis (A-A); and multiple helical
segments (3, 3') of molded bristles (3a) that arise from the core
(1), each helical segment being arranged helically around the
longitudinal axis (A-A).
2. The molded brush head (10) of claim 1 wherein all of the helical
bristle segments spiral in the same direction around the
longitudinal axis (A-A) of the core (1).
3. The molded brush head (10) of claim 1 wherein some of the
helical bristle segments (3) spiral in the one direction around the
longitudinal axis (A-A) of the core (1), and others of the helical
bristle segments (3') spiral in the opposite direction around the
longitudinal axis (A-A) of the core (1).
4. The molded brush head (10) of claim 3 wherein all of the helical
bristle segments (3) on a proximal half of the brush head (10)
spiral in one direction, and all of the helical bristle segments
(3') on a distal half of the brush head (10) spiral in the opposite
direction.
5. The molded brush head (10) of claim 3 wherein a proximal portion
of the brush head (10) supports helical bristle segments (3, 3')
that spiral in both directions.
6. The molded brush head (10) of claim 1 wherein the longitudinal
extent of any helical bristle segment (3, 3') is less than half of
the length of the bristle envelope.
7. The molded brush head (10) of claim 1 wherein all of the helical
bristle segments have the same pitch.
8. The molded brush head (10) of claim 1 wherein all of the helical
bristle segments do not have the same pitch.
9. The molded brush head (10) of claim 1 wherein the helical
bristle segments (3, 3') are arranged such that the proximal and
distal halves of the brush head (10) are mirror images of each
other.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention is in the field of cosmetic applicators, and
concerns molded brushes whose bristles are arranged in helical
segments. The unique bristle arrangements offer new experiences in
delivery and grooming of eyelashes and eyebrows.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the present specification, we treat the terms "helix" and
"spiral" as synonymous. The properties of helices are well known in
geometry. A spiral or helix is a three-dimensional curve that has a
central, longitudinal axis. At any point on the helix, the angle
between the tangent line and the axis is constant. We can speak of
the cylindrical helix in which the radius of curvature is constant,
or conical and spherical helices in which the radius of curvature
varies continuously. The pitch of a helix is the height of one
complete helix turn, measured parallel to the axis of the helix. A
double or triple helix consists of two or three (typically
congruent) spirals that share the same axis, differing by a
translation along the axis.
[0003] A brush head with a cylindrical core has a central,
longitudinal axis. Many arrangements of bristles on the cylindrical
core are known, including spiral (i.e. helical) arrangements. The
most common example of spiral arrangement is the twisted wire core
brush. In this classic brush, the bristles typically form one
continuous helix from one end of the bristle envelope to the other.
(The "bristle envelope" is the three dimensional surface defined by
the free ends of all of the bristles in the brush head.) Thus, the
brush is made up of exactly one helical segment of bristles which
always twists in the same direction, from one end of the brush to
the other.
[0004] In contrast, U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,913 discloses a twisted
wire core brush in which a first portion of the bristles spirals
along the core in a clockwise direction, and a second portion of
bristles spirals down the core in a counterclockwise direction. The
two bristle portions meet in the middle of the wire core to form
one continuous arrangement of bristles from one end of the wire
core to the other. This is unlike the present invention in which
the bristles emanating from a core are arranged in multiple
discrete helical segments.
[0005] Each of U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,328 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,361
disclose a dual-brush mascara applicator. Each brush comprises a
twisted wire core that has a spiral arrangement of bristles, such
that the bristles on one brush spiral in the clockwise direction,
while the bristles on the second brush spiral in the
counterclockwise direction. For each brush, the bristle portion is
one continuous spiral that extends from one end of the wire core to
the other. This is unlike the present invention in which all of the
bristles emanate from a single core, and are arranged in multiple
discrete helical segments, some of which spiral in a clockwise
direction and some of which spiral in a counterclockwise direction
on the single core.
SUMMARY
[0006] The invention includes a molded bristle applicator having a
cylindrical core on which are arranged a number of discrete helical
bristle segments. Depending on the embodiment, all of the discrete
helical segments spiral in the same direction (i.e. clockwise or
counterclockwise) around the axis of the core, or some helical
segments spiral in one direction and some in the opposite
direction.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] FIG. 1A is an elevation view of a first embodiment of molded
brush comprised of helical segments.
[0008] FIG. 1B depicts the brush of FIG. 1A, partially
constructed.
[0009] FIG. 2A is an elevation view of a second embodiment of
molded brush comprised of helical segments.
[0010] FIG. 2B depicts the brush of FIG. 2A, partially
constructed.
[0011] FIG. 3A is an elevation view of a third embodiment of molded
brush comprised of helical segments.
[0012] FIG. 3B depicts the brush of FIG. 3A, partially
constructed.
[0013] FIG. 4A is an elevation view of a fourth embodiment of
molded brush comprised of helical segments.
[0014] FIG. 4B depicts the brush of FIG. 4A, partially
constructed.
[0015] FIG. 5A is an elevation view of a fifth embodiment of molded
brush comprised of helical segments.
[0016] FIG. 5B depicts the brush of FIG. 5A, partially
constructed.
[0017] FIG. 6A is an elevation view of a sixth embodiment of molded
brush comprised of helical segments.
[0018] FIG. 6B depicts the brush of FIG. 6A, partially
constructed.
[0019] FIG. 7A is an elevation view of a seventh embodiment of
molded brush comprised of helical segments.
[0020] FIG. 7B depicts the brush of FIG. 7A, partially
constructed.
[0021] FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the brush of FIG. 7A,
partially constructed.
[0022] FIG. 8A is an elevation view of a eighth embodiment of
molded brush comprised of helical segments.
[0023] FIG. 8B depicts the brush of FIG. 8A, partially
constructed.
[0024] FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the brush of FIG. 8A,
partially constructed.
[0025] FIG. 9A is an elevation view of a ninth embodiment of molded
brush comprised of helical segments.
[0026] FIG. 9B depicts the brush of FIG. 9A, partially
constructed.
[0027] FIG. 9C is an end view of the brush of FIG. 9A; the varying
bristle heights are evident.
[0028] FIGS. 10A-10E conceptualize the construction of one
embodiment of a brush according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] In what follows, the distribution of bristles on a cosmetic
brush head will be discussed in terms of cylindrical helices, but
the principles of the invention may be applied to other types of
helices, such as conical or spherical.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1A, a brush head (10) according to the
invention is comprised of a molded core (1) and multiple discrete
helical segments (3, 3') of molded bristles (3a) that arise from
the core. The core is comprised of at least one straight section
and, optionally, one or more curved sections. The straight section
of the core is straight, except for slight deviations due to
manufacturing tolerances. The straight section of the core is
defined by a longitudinal axis, A-A. This axis is also the helical
axis around which the helical segments of bristles are arranged on
the straight section of the core.
[0031] Throughout this specification, when describing the direction
of a helical segment of bristles (3a), the observer is looking down
the longitudinal axis of the brush head, from proximal to distal,
i.e. from the end that attaches to an applicator stem toward the
free end of the brush head. From this vantage point, each bristle
segment may twist (or spiral) in a clockwise direction or a
counterclockwise direction, but not both. In the drawings, bristle
segments that twist clockwise are labelled (3), and those that
twist counter-clockwise are labelled (3'), as shown in FIG. 1B.
[0032] FIGS. 10A-10E is a conceptualization of the construction of
one embodiment of a brush head according to the invention. FIG. 10A
shows a core (1) depending from a stem (2). The core is divided in
half by an imaginary plane (P1) indicating that the helical bristle
segments (3 and 3') will extend for half the length of the core.
FIG. 10B shows the imaginary line (1a) which is a helical segment
whose axis is the longitudinal axis (A-A) of the core. The line
(1a) indicates the position of a first counter-clockwise helical
bristle segment (3'). FIG. 10B also shows the imaginary line (1b)
of a second helical bristle segment. The line (1b) indicates the
position of a first clockwise helical bristle segment (3). The
bases of the bristles (3a) will lie on these lines. From one end to
the other, each helical line (1a) or (1b) makes a 1/3 turn around
the core, albeit, in opposite directions, and each line has the
same pitch. Thus, in this embodiment, helical lines (1a) and (1b)
are mirror images of each other through the imaginary plane (P1).
In contrast, FIG. 10C shows the situation when the second helical
curve (1b') makes a 1/4 turn around the core. In this case, helical
lines (1a) and (1b') are not mirror images of each other. FIG. 10D
shows bristles (3a) formed along the helical lines (1a) and (1b) of
FIG. 10B. When the process is repeated circumferentially around the
core, for a total of 6 times, the result is the brush head shown in
FIG. 10E. The number of variations in the placement of helical
bristle segments (3) on a core (1) is unlimited. Some of the fully
formed brush heads are shown in FIGS. 1A to 9A. To better see the
underlying pattern, FIGS. 1B to 9B show partially constructed brush
heads.
Feature 1: Direction of Spiral of the Helical Segments of
Bristles
[0033] Optionally, all of the helical bristle segments in a brush
head may twist in the same direction. Alternatively, at least one
bristle segment will twist clockwise and one counterclockwise. The
clockwise and counterclockwise bristle segments may be arranged in
a number of patterns. For example, some bristle arrangements are
such that all of the bristles (3a) on a proximal half of the brush
head spiral in one direction (i.e. either clockwise or
counter-clockwise), and all of the bristles on a distal half of the
brush head spiral in the opposite direction (i.e. either
counter-clockwise or clockwise, respectively; see FIGS. 1B, 2B and
6B). This arrangement may make it easier for a user to makeup her
eyelashes using only her dominant hand, and/or without having to
flip the direction of the applicator. Alternatively, FIGS. 3B, 4B,
5B, 7B, 8B and 9B depict embodiments wherein a proximal and/or
distal portion of the brush head supports bristles that spiral in
both directions. These arrangements may be better at coating all
sides of the eyelashes with sufficient quantities of makeup.
Feature 2: The Longitudinal Extent of a Helical Segment of
Bristles
[0034] The longitudinal extent of any helical segment (3) may be
less than, equal to or greater than half of the length of the
bristle envelope. The "bristle envelope" is the three dimensional
surface defined by the free ends of all of the bristles in the
brush head. The length of the bristle envelope is the distance
measured along the longitudinal axis (A-A) from the most proximal
to the most distal bristle in the brush head. In some embodiments,
every helical segment extends no more than half of the length of
the bristle envelope. For example, FIGS. 1B, 2B and 6B depict
helical bristle segments that extend longitudinally for a distance
equal to half of the length of the bristle envelope, while helical
segments that are shorter than half the length of the bristle
envelope are depicted in FIGS. 3B, 4B, 5B, 7B, 8B and 9B. And, it
is not hard to imagine embodiments of the brush head wherein some
of the helical bristle segments extend longitudinally for more than
half the length of the bristle envelope.
Feature 3: Pitch of a Helical Segment of Bristles
[0035] As noted above, the pitch of a helix is the height of one
complete helix turn, measured parallel to the axis of the helix.
The present invention includes those arrangements wherein all of
the helical segments of bristles have the same pitch, as well as
those arrangements in which not all of the bristle segments have
the same pitch. The density of bristles can be varied along a brush
head by varying the pitch of the bristle helix. For example, on a
section of the core wherein the pitch is relatively greater, the
bristles will be more sparse compared to a section of the core
wherein the pitch is relatively smaller. The effect can be seen in
FIG. 6A, wherein the bristles on the distal end of the brush head
are less densely arranged due to the greater helix pitch.
Feature 4: Helical Segments of Bristles Arranged in a Mirror
Image
[0036] The arrangement of helical bristles (3a) on some brush heads
may be such that the proximal and distal halves of the brush head
are mirror images of each other. This can happen when all of the
helical segments (3) in the brush head have the same pitch and the
twist of the helical segments alternates down the axis. For
example, in FIGS. 1A and 2A the clockwise and counterclockwise
helical segments alternate, and have the same pitch, while in FIG.
6A, the clockwise and counterclockwise helical segments alternate,
but do not have the same pitch.
[0037] Other bristle arrangements included in the present invention
are such that clockwise and counter-clockwise helical bristle
segments are dispersed among each other along the length of the
core. For example, clockwise helical bristle segments (3) may
alternate with counter-clockwise helical bristle segments (3'),
along the length of the core (FIGS. 7A, 8A, 9A).
[0038] In some embodiments, every bristle belongs to either a
clockwise helical segment or a counter-clockwise helical segment,
but not both. In some embodiments, one or more bristles may belong
to both a clockwise helical segment and a counter-clockwise helical
segment. No bristle belongs to two or more helical segments of the
same orientation (clockwise or counter-clockwise). That is, bristle
segments that twist in the same direction (clockwise or
counter-clockwise) do not cross each other; preferably, they remain
parallel.
[0039] As noted above, a common example of a brush head with a
spiral arrangement of bristles is the twisted wire core brush,
which is made up of exactly one helical segment of bristles.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are made up of 2-50
helical segments or portions thereof. For example, the brush head
of FIG. 7A has 48 helical segments or parts thereof; that of FIG.
8A has 40 helical segments or parts thereof; that of FIG. 9A has 28
helical segments; that of FIGS. 1A and 6A have 12 helical segments;
that of FIG. 4A has 32 helical segments; that of FIG. 2A has 20
helical segments.
[0040] In a single brush head according to the invention, all of
the bristles (3a) do not need to be the same height or shape. FIGS.
7A, 8A and 9A depict brush heads with varying height bristles. The
brush heads described herein are molded by standard molding
methods, such as injection molding in one or more plastic or
elastomeric materials. A rigid stem (2) for attaching to a handle
can be unitarily molded with the core (1). Alternatively, the
proximal end of the core can have a hollowed out section for
receiving a rigid stem element.
[0041] In some embodiments of the invention, the core (1) may
comprise more than one cylindrical section, i.e. the core may be
bent. In that case, a number of discrete helical segments may be
arranged on one or both cylindrical sections of the core. All of
the features described above may be applied to each cylindrical
section, individually, thus increasing the number of variations of
the invention, and the utility of the brush head (10).
[0042] In some embodiments of the invention, the core (1) may
comprise a curved section. The principles of the invention can
still be applied to the curved section, by using the central
longitude of the curved section as a the axis of the helical
bristle segments. All of the features described above may be
applicable.
* * * * *