EP1066771B1 - Applicator and assembly - Google Patents
Applicator and assembly Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1066771B1 EP1066771B1 EP20000305609 EP00305609A EP1066771B1 EP 1066771 B1 EP1066771 B1 EP 1066771B1 EP 20000305609 EP20000305609 EP 20000305609 EP 00305609 A EP00305609 A EP 00305609A EP 1066771 B1 EP1066771 B1 EP 1066771B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- rod
- applicator
- orifice
- constriction
- assembly
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A45—HAND OR TRAVELLING ARTICLES
- A45D—HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT; EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING
- A45D40/00—Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks
- A45D40/26—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball
- A45D40/262—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like
- A45D40/265—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like connected to the cap of the container
- A45D40/267—Appliances specially adapted for applying pasty paint, e.g. using roller, using a ball using a brush or the like connected to the cap of the container comprising a wiper
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B3/00—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier
- A46B3/18—Brushes characterised by the way in which the bristles are fixed or joined in or on the brush body or carrier the bristles being fixed on or between belts or wires
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B9/00—Arrangements of the bristles in the brush body
- A46B9/02—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups
- A46B9/021—Position or arrangement of bristles in relation to surface of the brush body, e.g. inclined, in rows, in groups arranged like in cosmetics brushes, e.g. mascara, nail polish, eye shadow
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A46—BRUSHWARE
- A46B—BRUSHES
- A46B2200/00—Brushes characterized by their functions, uses or applications
- A46B2200/10—For human or animal care
- A46B2200/1046—Brush used for applying cosmetics
- A46B2200/1053—Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara
Definitions
- This invention relates to a material applicator and rod, more especially to an applicator and rod for a cosmetics material, for example, mascara or hair dye, and to an assembly comprising the applicator.
- the assembly comprising the applicator normally comprises a container for the cosmetic, a closure cap attached by the rod to the applicator and located within the container a wiper plug or stripper having an orifice which, as the rod and applicator are withdrawn from the container, wipes the cosmetic from the rod and removes excess material from the applicator, leaving a desired quantity of material on the applicator.
- the wiper is required to remove material from the rod and excess material from the edge of the applicator and also desirably to remove any drop or thread of material from the free end of the applicator.
- the wiper may also control the quantity of material within the applicator when, for example, as is frequently the case with a mascara applicator, the applicator is a brush in which the mascara lies on, between and sometimes within the fibres of the bristles.
- Those wipers may comprise resilient fingers of a plastics or rubber material which extend inward from the material defining the orifice of the wiper. As the rod and applicator are withdrawn from the container the orifice of the wiper and/or the fingers, usually both, wipe material from the rod and then the applicator and finally the fingers close in and remove the drop or thread of material that is present at the end of the applicator.
- wiper devices used are at least partially effective, they are still less than satisfactory.
- One problem they have is that they do not consistently remove the drop or thread of material from the free end of the applicator.
- a second problem that they have is that they tend to lose effectiveness over time and/or as a result of use.
- the relaxed diameter of the material defining the orifice is itself designed to be slightly less than the diameter of the rod, and the fingers extend inward from there.
- the material of the fingers is substantially deformed from its equilibrium configuration by the rod. The fingers have a tendency to set in the deformed position.
- Shorter fingers as described in EP-A-900534, do appear to provide improved effectiveness over a longer period. They do not, however, eliminate the problem.
- an applicator assembly which includes an applicator rod having a groove, in which the fingers of a wiper device, formed from a rubber type material, rest when the assembly is closed.
- the groove or stepped portion is formed by a narrowing of the rod via a sloping face to a straight sided narrow portion and then a broadening via a sloping face to its original width.
- the rubber fingers rest with their tips in the groove.
- the applicator rod is drawn through the wiper, the rubber fingers move against the broadening sloping side and their tips are turned inwards. The turned in tips of the fingers exert a greater wiping force on the rod and applicator.
- the assembly does, however, have the disadvantage that the turning in of the fingers may cause the material of the wiper to split as the rod is drawn through.
- a wiper made of a natural or synthetic rubber material may withstand the extra tension caused but the wiper fails if made from a thermoplastics type material.
- the present invention provides an applicator and rod suitable for use in an applicator assembly for applying a viscous material according to claim 1.
- the invention provides a material applicator assembly comprising an applicator and rod according to the first aspect of the invention.
- the invention provides a material applicator assembly comprising a container for a viscous material, a closure member, an applicator and rod according to the first aspect of the invention, the applicator being attached to the closure member by the rod, and, located within the container, a wiper device comprising a plurality of resilient fingers, advantageously positioned about the rod.
- the invention provides in a fourth aspect the use in a material applicator assembly comprising a wiper device comprising a plurality of resilient fingers and a rod carrying an applicator, of (a) a constriction in the rod to cause the resilient fingers of the wiper device to turn inward toward the rod as the rod is drawn through the wiper device and a cross-sectional area of the rod between the part of the constriction having the smallest cross-sectional area and the applicator of less than that of the rod before the constriction to inhibit or reduce failure of the material of the wiper device.
- the proximal end of the rod will normally be suitable for attachment to the closure device. Attachment may be by any suitable means, for example, by use of adhesives, or the rod and closure device may be integral.
- the wiper device has an orifice which, as the rod and applicator are drawn through wipes the rod of excess material and also removes excess material from the applicator.
- the wiper usually comprises a resilient portion with an orifice that is a close fit around the rod.
- the material which defines the orifice acts as the wiping surface.
- the wiper may also comprise a plurality of resilient members or fingers extending inward from the material defining the orifice, on pillars which extend substantially parallel with the axis of the orifice or, preferably, directly from the orifice. A part of each finger then provides a wiping surface. This is usually in addition to the wiping surface provided by the material defining the orifice. It is wipers with resilient fingers that are used with the rod and applicator of the invention.
- the applicator and applicator rod extend within the container from the closure cap.
- the wiper is in position about the applicator rod.
- the wiper comprises resilient fingers, in use, as the applicator rod is withdrawn from the container the wiping surfaces of the orifice and of the fingers bear resiliently against the rod and remove the viscous material from the rod until the fingers approach the constriction or the tapered end of the rod.
- the ends of the fingers are turned inward to an extent that they are turned back on themselves. As any remaining portion of the rod is drawn through and then as the applicator is drawn through the wiper the fingers remain turned inward and remove excess material from the applicator. When the end of the applicator is reached the fingers "flip" or "snap" back to their rest or equilibrium position. As this occurs the drop or thread of material at the tip of the applicator is removed.
- the construction of the rod and applicator of the present invention at least partially alleviates the problem of material failure associated with that disclosed in DE-A-19744181.
- the portion of the rod or the stop member that must be wiped after the wiper parts have been turned in is narrower than the widest part of the rod and so there is less tension in the wiper material as the rod or stop member passes through the device. Accordingly, there is a much lower risk of material failure, for example, splitting, especially where the wiper device is formed from a thermoplastic material or a blend comprising a thermoplastic material.
- the constriction comprises a narrowing of the applicator rod and then, toward the distal end of the rod, a widening of the rod out to give a portion with a cross-sectional area which is still less than the cross-sectional area of the rod before the narrowing. Between the narrowing section and the widening section there may be a narrow section of substantially constant cross-sectional area.
- the cross-sectional area of the rod from the narrowing of the constriction to the point at which it is joined to the applicator is less than that of the cross-sectional area of the rod before the constriction and preferably less than the cross-sectional area of the 360( orifice, in its equilibrium state, of the wiper with which it is to be used.
- the stress exerted on the wiper once the fingers have been turned inward would be high and in many cases would cause it to fail, for example, by splitting.
- the narrowing or tapering of the rod may be rapid or more gradual.
- the rod narrows down relatively gradually to allow the fingers to relax back towards their equilibrium position before they impinge on the shoulder as described below. For example, narrowing from a diameter in the range of from 2.5 to 5 mm to a diameter in the range of from 1.5 to 3 mm over a length of from 0.5 to 4.0 mm could be used.
- the constriction comprises a narrowing of the rod and then a widening to form a shoulder or collar.
- the shoulder need not be exactly perpendicular to the axis of the rod but must be of steep enough incline to cause the required turning of the wiper parts.
- the acute angle, shown as ⁇ in Figure 1, subtended between the line of the shoulder and the axis of the rod is preferably greater than 70°, more preferably greater than 80° and most preferably approximately 90°, that is the shoulder is approximately perpendicular to the axis of the rod.
- the angle may differ for use with different wipers. For example, if the material of the wiper is formed from a thermoplastic then the angle ⁇ may need to be greater than if the wiper is formed from a rubber type material.
- the shoulder or collar may be provided by any suitable shaping of the rod.
- the constriction may comprise a narrowing of the rod followed by a small hemispherical portion may be a small solid hemisphere.
- the flat circular face forms the shoulder and the cross-sectional area of the circular face is less than that of the rod before the constriction or tapering.
- the shoulder may be formed by the larger circular face of a frustum of a cone or of a solid cup shape (a frustum of a cone but with a bulbous curved surface rather than a truly conical surface).
- the constriction may be situated at any position on the rod between the rest position of the wiper device's fingers, i.e., the position where the fingers contact the rod when the applicator assembly comprising the rod is in the closed position, and the distal end of the rod.
- the constriction is further towards the distal end of the rod than the rest position and most preferably the constriction is near or at the distal end of the rod.
- the wiping of the rod thereafter may not be clean.
- the wiper comprises fingers attached directly to the orifice of the wiper then as the fingers are turned inward and back on themselves they may come between the wiping surface of the orifice and the rod so that the wiping surface of the orifice is no longer in direct contact with the rod. Hence from that point on wiping of the rod only occurs in those places where the fingers touch the rod and so some parts will not be wiped. Hence, in such a case it is extremely advantageous for the constriction, i.e., the narrowing of the rod and the shoulder or collar, to be close to, or at, the distal end of the rod.
- the cross-sectional area of the shoulder and the remaining part of the rod is governed by two requirements. The first is that it be large enough for the fingers to impinge upon even if the material of which they are made has lost some memory and they do not relax back to the full extent allowed by the narrowing of the constriction or the tapering of the rod. The second is that the fingers must be allowed to turn back on themselves without causing significant enlargement of the orifice of the wiper as such enlargement could lead to splitting of the material of the wiper.
- the cross-sectional area of the rod that is to be considered is the area of the cross-section at the relevant part perpendicular to the long axis of the rod (that axis is shown in Figure 1 by a broken line).
- the diameter of the shoulder is preferably approximately the diameter of the wiper orifice minus twice the thickness of one of the resilient fingers. Typically the diameter of the shoulder will be at least 0.6 to 1.0 mm less than that of the wiper orifice.
- the rods are of circular cross section with a diameter of 4.3 mm or 3.5 mm.
- the resilient fingers of a thermoplastic wiper may typically be of maximum thickness of 0.4 to 0.5 mm tapering down to about 0.25 mm at the tips.
- the wiper has a circular orifice of diameter 4.2 mm hence the shoulder should preferably have a circular cross-sectional area with a diameter of about 3.2 to 3.4 mm, especially 3.3 mm. If a 3.5 mm rod is used then the wiper has a 3.4 mm diameter orifice and the shoulder should have a diameter of about 2.6 mm.
- the narrowest part of the constriction or of the tapered rod must obviously be of a lesser diameter than that of the shoulder and is preferably substantially narrower, for example, it may have a circular cross-section with a diameter of from 1.5 to 3 mm.
- the rod according to the invention comprises a groove at the rest position of the wiper fingers, as described in WO95/26147, to reduce the deformation of the wiper during storage.
- the rod may be formed from any suitable material, for example, it may be formed of a thermoplastic material.
- the applicator will preferably be a brush, especially a brush consisting of a helix of bristles around a core or support, often formed from a twisted steel wire, but may be of a different type, for example, a foam applicator.
- the cross-section of the support is advantageously less, and preferably considerably less, than that of the distal end of the rod.
- the cross-section is advantageously substantially uniform, subject of course to the irregularities inherent in a twisted wire support.
- the diameter of the orifice of the wiper device is generally smaller than the maximum diameter of the applicator. If the applicator is a brush then the diameter is measured from the tips of the bristles.
- the wiper device may be formed of a thermoplastic, elastomeric, or thermoplastic elastomeric material, for example, a synthetic or natural rubber, a polyurethane, an olefinic homo- or co-polymer, e.g., polyethylene, especially low density polyethylene, or an ethylene-unsaturated ester copolymer, for example, an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.
- the device may be formed of a laminate or blend of two or more such materials. If a thermoplastic material is used then it may include a cross-linking agent.
- the wiper device is formed of a thermoplastic material or of a blend comprising a thermoplastic material.
- Wiper devices formed from thermoplastics materials or blends comprising a substantial proportion of thermoplastics materials have advantages, for example, relatively low cost compared with rubber materials. They do, however, have disadvantages, such as loss of resilience and the possibility of material failure as discussed above.
- the applicator and rod of the present invention are especially advantageous when used with a wiper device formed from thermoplastic material or a blend comprising thermoplastic material as those problems are at least partially alleviated.
- Preferred materials are 100% low density polyethylene and 100% thermoplastic elastomeric material (TPE), for example, a thermoplastic elastomeric material having a shore hardness in the range of from D40 to D60. Thermoplastic elastomeric materials are more resilient than materials such as polyethylene.
- a preferred wiper device suitable for use with the rod and applicator of the invention and in the cosmetics applicator assembly of the invention comprises an elongate hollow resilient body having a substantially circular orifice, and positioned around and extending directly from the periphery of the orifice a plurality of elongate resilient members (the resilient fingers), each having a free, distal, end portion, each member extending inward toward the axis of the orifice and away from the body, each member being at an angle within the range of from 90° to 120° to the axis and tapering toward the distal end, the members being radially spaced apart at least at their distal ends, and preferably occupying at most 55%, most preferably 50%, of the area of the orifice as viewed axially.
- the wiper is one having four elongate resilient members, at an angle of at least about 100° to the axis, the distance between a pair of opposed distal ends being at most 10% of the diameter of the orifice.
- Wiper devices of that type are described in EP-A-900 534. It will be appreciated that when the rod is of narrow diameter, for example 3.5 mm, engineering considerations may not allow such a close approach, the minimum practical spacing being about 0.4 mm. Accordingly this spacing may then represent up to 15 or 20% of the orifice diameter.
- the orientation of the members defined above is that adopted when the wiper device is in its relaxed or equilibrium configuration, i.e., in the absence of deformation by, for example, the rod of a cosmetics material applicator.
- the members When the wiper is in position about a rod not having a groove at the rest position, the members will extend along the rod, bearing resiliently against it.
- the edge or face of the wiper orifice will remove viscous material from the rod and control the quantity of material remaining on the applicator, the elongate members bearing resiliently against the rod as it passes by until the constriction or stop member is reached, whereupon the ends of the elongate members are turned back on themselves to an inward position.
- the applicator begins to pass the members the ends remain turned inward and the members may also be drawn backward into the brush by the action of the fibres.
- the members spring out, removing at least part of the drop of material from the end of the applicator.
- the applicator is a brush
- the elongate members will recover toward their equilibrium configuration by intermingling with the brush fibres to a greater or lesser extent as the brush passes them, the extent depending on the flexibility of the members and the nature of the brush, which advantageously is one having radially extending bristles.
- the tips of the resilient fingers of the wiper should penetrate into the brush as far as possible. Their tips should be as close to the central core of the brush, usually a twisted wire, as possible. Fingers that are turned inward as they meet the brush, as in the present case, penetrate the brush better and get closer to the wire than wiper fingers that have not been turned back on themselves. As the brush is drawn through the wiper the bristles do not usually exert enough pressure on the fingers to keep them turned completely turned back on themselves so the ends do unfold. There is sufficient pressure, however to stop the fingers from returning to their equilibrium positions. They are generally allowed to unfold until the fingers are approximately perpendicular to the core of the brush. The force exerted by the passing bristles is then sufficient to maintain them in that position and it is that position that achieves the desired wiping of the brush.
- a typical twisted wire brush for use with mascara or similar viscous cosmetic material has from 40 to 400, more usually 170 to 300, bristles or fibres per cm, with bristles or fibre thickness being in the range 0.06 to 0.25 mm, the number of twists in the wire typically being from 4 to 7 per cm. (The fibre count is half the number of bristle ends.)
- the brush has from 160 to 200 fibres per cm, the fibres being of diameter in the range 0.125 to 0.2 mm.
- the relatively low fibre count, in combination with a relatively stiff fibre, allows easy combing of the brush through eyelashes.
- the fibres for the first 3 to 6 mm length of brush at the proximal end are about 0.25 mm diameter, while the remainder of the brush, typically 20 to 25 mm in length, beyond the first two to four twists, uses more flexible fibres, for example of about half that, e.g., about 0.125 mm, to allow easy combing in use. More preferably, the fibre density is from 160 to 200 per cm.
- the resilient fingers of the wiper are reliably turned inward even if there has been some set during storage, despite the provision of a groove in the rod.
- Brush manufacturing equipment may be adjusted as required to pick up the desired density of fibres from the supply.
- the number of fibres per unit length may be varied by adjusting, for example, the spacing of the transfer means, usually teeth.
- the number of fibres in the strand or rope feed may be varied.
- the wiper device is preferably provided with from three to five, preferably four, fingers.
- the spacing between the fingers or members advantageously increases from their proximal to distal ends, i.e., the free end of each member will subtend a smaller angle viewed along the axis of the orifice than does the proximal end, and if desired the extremities of the proximal ends of the members may merge to be in contact.
- the proximal ends are spaced apart, and may occupy at most 55%, more especially 50%, of the circumferential length of the orifice.
- the distal ends of the members taper i.e., are roughly triangular.
- the wider proximal portions provide an enhanced resistance to deformation set or twist while the tapering distal end portions are flexible so as to allow them to be turned inward and to enhance removal from the free end of the applicator (which is normally tapered) of any adherent blob of material as it is withdrawn past them but do not remove significant quantities of the material from the length of the applicator, for example, from the bristles if the applicator is a brush, as it is withdrawn.
- the fingers or elongate members occupy at most 55%, preferably, 50%, more preferably from 40 to 50% and, most preferably about 45%, of the area of the wiper orifice.
- the distance between a pair of opposed distal ends is at most 25% of the diameter of the orifice, preferably at most 20%, and more preferably at most 10%.
- the distal ends of the members may be in contact but such a construction is not readily achieved by the presently preferred manufacturing process.
- the lengths of the wiper members, relative to the size of the wiper orifice, and their rest angle are such that as they spring out they touch, maximizing the proportion of the drop that is removed.
- Such a result is achieved, for example, with an angle of from 100° to 120° and a separation in the rest position of less than 10%.
- each advantageously comprises a proximal portion that tapers toward the distal end either as seen along the axis of the aperture, or as seen transverse to the axis, or, preferably, as seen in both such directions.
- the proximal portion of the member itself is of rectangular cross-section.
- the distal portion of each member advantageously tapers toward the distal end as seen along the axis of the aperture, or as seen transverse to the axis or, preferably, as seen in both such directions.
- the distal portion of the member is of rectangular cross-section, except for the distal end itself, which is advantageously triangular, as will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
- the member advantageously tapers regularly from one end to the other.
- Each member is advantageously generally straight in its undeformed configuration.
- a wiper device also suitable for use with the present invention may comprise a resilient body having a substantially circular orifice, and spaced apart around the periphery of the orifice a plurality of elongate resilient members (the fingers), each having an end portion proximal to the body and a free, distal end portion, the proximal end portion extending from the body in a direction having at least a substantial component parallel to the axis of the circular orifice, the free distal end portions of the members extending inward toward the axis and the distal ends being at or close to the axis.
- Such wiper devices are described in GB-A-2312617.
- the applicator assembly is suitable for use for applying a viscous material, the assembly comprising a container for the viscous material, a closure member, an applicator and rod, and a wiper device located within the container through which, in use, the rod and applicator may be drawn, the wiper device comprising an elongate hollow resilient body having a substantially circular orifice, and positioned around and extending directly from the periphery of the orifice a plurality of elongate resilient members, each having a free, distal, end portion, each member extending inward toward the axis of the orifice and away from the body, each member being at an angle within the range of from 90° to 120° to the axis and tapering toward the distal end, the members being radially spaced apart at least at their distal ends, and occupying at most 55%, preferably at most 50%, of the area of the orifice as viewed axially, and the rod comprising a proximal end attached to
- an applicator assembly in particular a mascara unit or hair dye unit, is shown.
- the unit comprises a thermoplastics container indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 having a neck portion 3 with an external thread 4 joined to the body of the container by a shoulder 2.
- a cap 8, the closure device, with an internal thread 9 is fitted onto the external thread 4 of the neck 3, an outside cover 10 being held in position over the cap 8 by a heat-setting adhesive layer 11, or simply by a force fit.
- Extending from the cap 8 into the interior of the container 1 is a rod 12, to the lower end 13 of which is attached an applicator brush 14.
- a wiper device indicated generally by the reference numeral 6 having a rim 15 is located in the neck 3, the rim 15 providing a seal 5 between the container 1 and the cap 8.
- the wiper device 6, discussed in greater detail below, is located in the neck 3.
- the rod 12 extends from the cap 8 through the wiper device 6 and the wiping surface 18 is in contact with the rod 12.
- Fingers 22 of the wiper extend downwards into the container 1 and rest on the rod.
- a groove 7 is provided in the rod 12 and the fingers 22 rest in the groove.
- the sides of the groove slope relatively shallowly to allow the fingers to expand outwards gently as the rod 12 is removed from the container.
- the rod narrows at the constriction 16 and then broadens sharply by means of a surface or shoulder 20 provided by the circular face of a solid cup shaped part 25 (a frustum of a cone but with a bulbous rather than a strictly conical surface).
- the diameter of the shoulder and of the remaining portion of the rod is, however, less than the diameter of the rod at its widest part and is, preferably, less than the relaxed diameter of the orifice of the wiper 6.
- the shoulder 20 subtends an angle ⁇ , to the axis of the rod 12. In Figure 1 ⁇ is 90°.
- the fingers 22 gently bear against the rod or rest on its surface until they reach the narrowing section 16. As they pass the narrowing section 16 they relax inwards towards their equilibrium state and then their ends are brought into contact with the surface 20 as in Fig. 2. The movement of the surface 20 against the end of the fingers 22 causes them to turn inwards so that they are turned back on themselves as shown in Fig. 3. The ends remain turned in as the rest of the rod 12 and applicator 14 are withdrawn.
- the wiper device 6 is shown in more detail. As indicated above, it has at its upper end a rim 15 which, in addition to providing a seal, forms a stop to locate the device 6 in the neck 3, and a bead 17 on the outside wall of the body just below the rim 15 serves to engage with a corresponding recess in the inside wall of the neck 3 and assist in sealing and ensuring a secure fit.
- the external and internal surfaces of the wall of the body of the device are angled inwards so that the device tapers toward its lower end wall 19, the internal wall surface terminating in a wiping surface 18 occupying 360° of arc.
- each finger 22 tapers toward the free, distal, end 28.
- the fingers 22 are of rectangular cross-section, all faces of the rectangle becoming smaller with approach to the free, distal, end 28.
- the angle between the inner face 24 of each finger 22 and the wiping surface 18 (which is parallel to the axis of the device 6) is about 100°.
- the outer face 30 and the inner face 32 of the terminal section of the distal end 28 are pointed, the faces 30 and 32 being offset to provide an edge 36 parallel to and slightly away from the axis of the device 6.
- the four fingers occupy about 45% of the area of the orifice defined by the wiping surface, when viewed axially, as seen in Fig. 5.
- the diameter of a mascara applicator rod is within the range of 2.5 to 4.5 mm.
- the diameter of the wiping orifice may be about 4.2 mm, the length of the fingers measured along the inner face being 2.0 to 2.2 mm, the edges 36 of diametrically opposed fingers being about 0.25 mm apart.
- materials from which the wiper may be constructed there may be mentioned a low density polyethylene, a low density polyethylene/thermoplastic elastomer blend, for example in proportions of about 1:2 by weight, a thermoplastic elastomer and wholly elastomeric materials, for example a nitrile rubber, for example an elastomeric material with a Shore hardness in the range of 70 to 80.
- FIG. 7 A suitable wiper of similar construction but having longer elongate members is shown in Figures 7 and 8.
- the upper part of the device is as described above and tapers at its lower end, the internal wall terminating in a wiping edge 18.
- Extending parallel to the axis of the device from the lower end wall are four spaced apart elongate pillar members 21, from each of which a wiping finger 22 extends toward the axis.
- the extremities 23 of the fingers 22 are rounded to enable them to approach the centre of the applicator brush 14 as closely as possible on withdrawal of the brush.
- an annular groove 7 may be formed in the rod at the appropriate location.
- the fingers 22 extend at an angle of about 100° to the pillar members 21.
- the diameter of a mascara applicator rod is within the range of 2.5 to 4.5 mm.
- the diameter of the wiping orifice may be about 4.2 mm and the length of the pillars about 3.6 mm, the fingers each extending about 2.0 mm from the internal wall of the pillars.
- a third embodiment of a suitable wiper device is shown, in which the body portions are like those of Figs. 7 and 8.
- Extending from the lower end wall 19 of the body of the wiper device 6 are six spaced apart members indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, the proximal portions 31 of each member extending parallel to the axis of the device and the distal end portions 32 extending inward at an angle of about 130° to the axis, intermediate portions 33 providing a smooth curve between the end portions.
- the reference numeral 30 Extending from the lower end wall 19 of the body of the wiper device 6 are six spaced apart members indicated generally by the reference numeral 30, the proximal portions 31 of each member extending parallel to the axis of the device and the distal end portions 32 extending inward at an angle of about 130° to the axis, intermediate portions 33 providing a smooth curve between the end portions.
- the members extend as close to the axis as is consistent with their being capable of being removed from a mould during manufacture.
- the material of which the devices are constructed is resilient, and the proximal portions 21 and 31 of the members assist in inhibiting amnesia under deformation.
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Description
Claims (14)
- An applicator and rod suitable for use in an applicator assembly for applying a viscous material, the assembly comprisingthe applicator (14),the rod (12) having a long axis anda container (1),a closure means (8, 10) anda wiper device (6) comprising a plurality of resilient fingers (22; 30) and being located within the container (1) through which, in use, the rod (12) and the applicator (14) may be drawn,the rod (12) and the applicator (14) each having a proximal end and a distal end,the distal end (13) of the rod (12) carrying the applicator (14) by the latter's proximal end,the rod (12) comprising a groove (7) at the point of contact of the resilient fingers (22; 30) when the assembly is in its closed position,the rod (12) has a constriction (16) with a proximal side, a distal side (20) and in-between with a part having with respect to the constriction (16) the smallest cross-sectional area perpendicular to the long axis and the constriction (16) being located between the groove (7) and the distal end (13) of the rod (12)wherein any cross-sectional area of the rod (12) perpendicular to the long axis between the part of the constriction (16) with the smallest cross-sectional area perpendicular to the long axis and the distal end (13) of the rod (12) being less than the greatest cross-sectional area of the rod (12) perpendicular to the long axis between the proximal side of the constriction (16) and the groove (7) andthe part of the rod (12) forming the distal side (20) of the constriction (16) having a greater cross-sectional area perpendicular to the long axis than the part of the constriction (16) with the smallest cross-sectional area perpendicular to the long axis.
- An applicator and rod as claimed in claim 1, wherein the constriction (16) is at the distal end (13) of the rod (12).
- An applicator and rod as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the constriction (16) is formed by a narrowing of the rod (12) and then a widening to form a shoulder (20) and the line of the shoulder (20) subtends an angle () greater than 70° to the axis of the rod.
- An applicator and rod as claimed in claim 3, wherein the angle () is greater than 80°.
- An applicator and rod as claimed in claim 3, wherein the shoulder (20) is approximately perpendicular to the axis of the rod (12), the shoulder (20) advantageously forming the larger circular face of a solid cup shape (25) or the larger circular face of a solid frustrum of a cone.
- An applicator and rod as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the applicator (14) is a brush having bristles extending from a twisted wire core, the brush comprising from 160 to 200 bristles per cm, the fibres being of diameter within the range 0.125 to 0.2 mm.
- An applicator and rod as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the applicator (14) is a brush having bristles extending from a twisted wire core, the brush comprising a proximal portion of length from 3 to 6 mm having bristles of about 0.25 mm diameter, the remainder of the brush comprising bristles of about half the thickness of the proximal end bristles, the bristle density advantageously being from 160 to 200 per cm.
- An applicator assembly suitable for use for applying a viscous material, which assembly comprises an applicator (14) and a rod (12) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7.
- An applicator assembly suitable for use for applying a viscous material, the assembly comprising a container (1) for the viscous material, a closure member (8,10) an applicator (14) and rod (12) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, the applicator (14) being attached to the closure member (8,10) by the rod (12), and, located within the container (1), the wiper device (6) advantageously being formed from a thermoplastic material especially a thermoplastic elastomeric material, or from a blend comprising a thermoplastic material.
- An applicator assembly as claimed in claim 9 comprising a wiper device (6) comprising an elongate hollow resilient body having a substantially circular orifice, and positioned around and extending directly from the periphery of the orifice a plurality of elongate resilient members (22;30), each having a free distal, end portion (28;23;32), each member (22;30) extending inward toward the axis of the orifice and away from the body, each member being at an angle within the range of from 90° to 120° to the axis and tapering toward the distal (28;23;32) end, the members (22;30) being radially spaced apart at least at their distal ends (28;23;32), and occupying at most 55% of the area of the orifice as viewed axially.
- The assembly of claim 10, wherein there are four elongate resilient members (22), the members (22) are at an angle of at least about 100° to the axis and the distance between a pair of their opposed distal ends is at most 10% of the diameter of the orifice.
- An applicator assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 11 wherein the rod (12) comprises a constriction (16) and it is nearer the distal end (13) of the rod (12) than the point of contact of the resilient fingers (22;30) when the assembly is in its closed position.
- An applicator assembly as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 12 comprising a rod (12) of substantially circular cross-section and a wiper device (16) comprising a hollow resilient body having a substantially circular orifice wherein the diameter of the rod (12) between the constriction (16) and the distal end (13) is less than or equal to that of the circular orifice of the wiper (6) when in its equilibrium position minus twice the thickness of one of the resilient fingers (22; 30).
- An applicator assembly suitable for use for applying a viscous material, which assembly comprises an applicator (14) and a rod (12) as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the wiper device (6) comprises an elongate hollow resilient body having a substantially circular orifice, and positioned around and extending directly from the periphery of the orifice a plurality of elongate resilient members (22; 30) as the resilient fingers, each having a free, distal, end portion (28; 23; 32), each member (22; 30) extending inward toward the axis of the orifice and away from the body, each member being at an angle within the range of from 90° to 120° to the axis and tapering toward the distal end (28; 23; 32), the members (22; 30) being radially spaced apart at least at their distal ends (28; 23; 32), and occupying at most 55% of the area of the orifice as viewed axially.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB9915947.7A GB9915947D0 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 1999-07-07 | Applicator and assembly |
GB9915947 | 1999-07-07 | ||
GB0005503 | 2000-03-07 | ||
GB0005503A GB0005503D0 (en) | 2000-03-07 | 2000-03-07 | Applicator and assembly |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1066771A1 EP1066771A1 (en) | 2001-01-10 |
EP1066771B1 true EP1066771B1 (en) | 2005-09-28 |
Family
ID=26243810
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20000305609 Expired - Lifetime EP1066771B1 (en) | 1999-07-07 | 2000-07-03 | Applicator and assembly |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1066771B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4722259B2 (en) |
DE (1) | DE60022828T2 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2352167A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1481607B2 (en) † | 2003-05-27 | 2010-08-11 | L'Oréal | Device for storing and applying a product, comprising a wiping element |
DE202010000381U1 (en) | 2010-03-15 | 2011-08-04 | Rpc Bramlage Gmbh | container |
EP4140913A4 (en) * | 2020-04-20 | 2023-11-08 | Taisei Kako Co., Ltd. | Inside plug of drug solution applicator container and drug solution applicator container provided therewith |
Families Citing this family (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP2003061740A (en) * | 2001-08-22 | 2003-03-04 | Shinohara:Kk | Gear for squeezing coating brush in mascara container |
JP3332917B1 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2002-10-07 | 株式会社ノエビア | Eyelash cosmetic removal products |
DE10205514B4 (en) * | 2002-02-08 | 2005-10-13 | Beiersdorf Ag | Scrapers for cosmetics applicators |
FR2868268B1 (en) * | 2004-04-02 | 2006-05-05 | Techpack Int Sa | IMPROVED SPRINKLER AND PRODUCT DISPENSER COMPRISING SAID SPINNER |
FR2872687B1 (en) * | 2004-07-06 | 2006-09-22 | Oreal | DEVICE FOR PACKAGING AND APPLYING A PRODUCT |
US7452151B2 (en) | 2004-07-06 | 2008-11-18 | L'oreal | Device for packaging and application of a product |
US7914220B2 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2011-03-29 | Elc Management Llc | Vented mascara wiper |
EP1992251B9 (en) * | 2007-05-15 | 2012-02-29 | GEKA GmbH | Small cosmetic brush with many bristles for applying make-up |
DE102008053905B4 (en) * | 2008-10-30 | 2015-04-02 | Schwan-Stabilo Cosmetics Gmbh & Co. Kg | Device for applying a liquid, gelatinous, pasty or powdery product |
DE202008014451U1 (en) | 2008-10-30 | 2010-03-18 | Schwan-Stabilo Cosmetics Gmbh & Co. Kg | Device for applying a liquid, gelatinous, pasty or powdery product |
FR2942117B1 (en) * | 2009-02-17 | 2012-03-16 | Cep Tubes | MANUFACTURED MASCARA TUBE IN LARGE SERIES, MANUFACTURING METHOD AND APPLICATION |
JP5386225B2 (en) | 2009-04-30 | 2014-01-15 | 株式会社吉野工業所 | Container with applicator |
FR2951621B1 (en) | 2009-10-27 | 2012-04-13 | Oreal | DEVICE COMPRISING A COSMETIC OR CARE APPLICATOR. |
FR3034296B1 (en) | 2015-04-01 | 2018-09-28 | Parfums Christian Dior | SPINNING DEVICE FOR A LIQUID OR PASTY PRODUCT APPLICATOR |
US9845172B2 (en) * | 2015-09-25 | 2017-12-19 | Elc Management Llc | Screw-type closure systems with magnetic feature |
JP6938144B2 (en) * | 2016-12-13 | 2021-09-22 | ロレアル | Formulation packaging with applicator |
KR101804095B1 (en) | 2017-05-26 | 2017-12-01 | (주)더페이스샵 | A Cosmetic Device |
WO2019129935A1 (en) | 2017-12-29 | 2019-07-04 | Simp | Wiper device for an applicator for a cosmetic product |
Family Cites Families (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
AR210426A1 (en) * | 1977-05-16 | 1977-07-29 | Zulberti C A | IMPROVED DEVICE FOR COSMETICS APPLICATION |
FR2504788B1 (en) | 1981-05-04 | 1985-06-07 | Oreal | TOOTHED SPINNER |
US4527575A (en) * | 1981-09-14 | 1985-07-09 | The Bridgeport Metal Goods Manufacturing Co. | Contoured flocked cosmetics brush flexers |
US4802797A (en) * | 1985-05-21 | 1989-02-07 | Cole Rodney D | Material applicator assembly and wiper therefor |
FR2705876B1 (en) * | 1993-06-03 | 1995-08-11 | Oreal | Applicator assembly for a fluid product, in particular a cosmetic product. |
DE4410324A1 (en) | 1994-03-25 | 1995-09-28 | Geka Brush Georg Karl Gmbh | Mascara unit with stripping device |
FR2722381B1 (en) * | 1994-07-12 | 1997-02-28 | Oreal | APPLICATOR FOR THE APPLICATION OF A LIQUID PRODUCT AND MAKE-UP KIT EQUIPPED WITH SUCH AN APPLICATOR |
FR2730910B1 (en) * | 1995-02-23 | 1997-04-11 | Oreal | COSMETIC APPLICATOR |
GB2312617A (en) | 1996-05-03 | 1997-11-05 | Geka Mfg Ltd | Cosmetics applicator; brush wiper |
GB2328863A (en) | 1997-09-08 | 1999-03-10 | Geka Mfg Ltd | Cosmetics applicator:wiper unit |
DE19744181B4 (en) | 1997-10-07 | 2014-02-06 | Geka Gmbh | Cosmetic unit |
-
2000
- 2000-07-03 EP EP20000305609 patent/EP1066771B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-07-03 GB GB0016320A patent/GB2352167A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-07-03 DE DE2000622828 patent/DE60022828T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-07-07 JP JP2000207283A patent/JP4722259B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1481607B2 (en) † | 2003-05-27 | 2010-08-11 | L'Oréal | Device for storing and applying a product, comprising a wiping element |
DE202010000381U1 (en) | 2010-03-15 | 2011-08-04 | Rpc Bramlage Gmbh | container |
WO2011113811A1 (en) | 2010-03-15 | 2011-09-22 | Rpc Bramlage Gmbh | Receptacle |
EP4140913A4 (en) * | 2020-04-20 | 2023-11-08 | Taisei Kako Co., Ltd. | Inside plug of drug solution applicator container and drug solution applicator container provided therewith |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1066771A1 (en) | 2001-01-10 |
DE60022828T2 (en) | 2006-07-06 |
JP2001061547A (en) | 2001-03-13 |
JP4722259B2 (en) | 2011-07-13 |
DE60022828D1 (en) | 2005-11-03 |
GB0016320D0 (en) | 2000-08-23 |
GB2352167A (en) | 2001-01-24 |
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