EP2471410B1 - Applicator device, in particular for a mascara applicator - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an applicator device according to the preamble of claim 1, an applicator comprising the applicator device and an application unit comprising the applicator device.

From the DE 60 2004 000 935 T2 For example, a cosmetic applicator is known which has bristles that can have a corrugation. This document relates to both nail varnish applicators, such as nail polish brush as well as on cosmetic applicators, such as mascara applicators. It is also known to produce these bristles together with a core of the applicator by way of injection molding. The aim of such an applicator is specified to make possible cosmetic products with different viscosities in a satisfactory manner orderable.

From the WO 97/28719 For example, there is known a combing apparatus for applying eyelashes makeup having curved bristles. These curved bristles are arranged in the form of a single row on the core of the applicator or in the form of exactly two provided opposite rows of bristles or rotationally symmetric bristles.

In this device is disadvantageous that due to the limited number of applicator elements often an insufficient amount of mascara fluid on the applicator for application to the eyelashes is available. Furthermore, when using such an applicator, the operator must always ensure that the applicator is at a favorable angle to the impacting eyelash. This means that the user often has to bring the applicator undesirably by rotation about the longitudinal axis of the applicator in a suitable position for applying mascara.

US 2002/020424 A1 discloses a Mascaraapplikator whose bristles have a change of curvature.

The object of the invention is to provide an applicator device which is suitable for forming a cosmetic applicator, in particular for applying mascara. In particular, special for applying mascara is suitable. In particular, the mass storage capacity for cosmetic composition should be improved and, despite a stripping process usually carried out when removing the cosmetic applicator from a mascara container, sufficient mascara mass should still remain on the applicator. The mascara mass should be distributed as evenly as possible on the applicator. In particular, it should be ensured that the mascara mass after the stripping process in a radially inner region, ie in an area in the vicinity of the core is kept, whereas free ends of the application organs should contain as precisely dosed Mascaramenge. In other words, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a defined mascara reservoir in the region of the core of the applicator device.

Furthermore, the applicator device should be suitable for ensuring the widest possible all-round wetting of eyelashes with mascara and a curling effect by a clamping action of the eyelashes between applicators of the applicator device.

A further object of the invention is, in particular in a particular embodiment, to provide the all-round wetting of eyelashes with mascara composition in a particularly effective manner. A further object of the invention is to produce the applicator according to the invention in a particularly inexpensive and highly reproducible manner in which high accuracy is ensured with regard to the bristle arrangement and the bristle shape.

Not least object of the invention is to provide an aesthetically pleasing in the unwetted state applicator, which has in some ways a spectacular appearance and a striking design.

Another object of the invention is to provide different application characteristics, e.g. To provide different degrees of separation or bundling effect and different pronounced separation and combing behavior of the applicator relative to the eyelashes available.

These objects are achieved with an applicator device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

The abovementioned objects are achieved with an applicator device, in particular for a mascara applicator, which has a core from which application organs radiate radially away. The applicator device is produced by means of a primary molding process, integrally formed as a plastic part and characterized in that at least partially the application organs in longitudinal extent along a longitudinal axis of the core are arranged in rows and have a central axis, the central axis of the application organs at least one corrugation with a curvature change and the central axis of a job organ is completely in a plane or spans a plane.

Under a primary molding process in the context of the invention is to be understood the making of a solid body of a shapeless material. In accordance with DIN 8580, primary forming processes are all production processes in which a solid body is produced from an informal material. According to the invention, this includes all production methods from the field of plastic injection molding and in particular also a production method in the form of a 3D printing method in which an applicator device is produced by means of 3D printers from a shapeless mass. In particular, it does not relate to the primary molding process to manufacture an applicator device in the form of a built, i. composite Applikatoreinrichtung with a wire core and held by this prefabricated bristles. Furthermore, according to the invention, a brush production method is also not to be understood as a primary molding method in which prefabricated bristles are subsequently used in a prefabricated core.

Among the primary molding processes according to the invention are one-, two- or multi-component injection molding processes, in particular Also to understand using various plastic raw materials. Applicator devices produced in this manner can be joined together using conventional assembly methods with additional components, for example an applicator rod or the like. In particular, an applicator device according to the invention, in which, for example, the core is hollow and on a support mandrel, which is made of a different material, attachable, glued or otherwise mountable.

In this case, it may be advantageous for the applicator device to be subdivided into at least two regions along its longitudinal direction, the regions differing either with respect to the geometries of the core of the applicator device or with respect to the applicator elements, be it in terms of their spatial form or arrangement or otherwise. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the applicator device comprises a first region with applicators or with a core of a first type and a second region with applicators or a core of a second type. As a result, it is possible in a simple manner to adapt different types of applicator to the needs of the operator by varying the core geometry as well as the order-geometry or type in a wide range.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the central axes of application elements of a row are arranged in a common plane, wherein optionally the plane is arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis of the applicator device, in particular contains the longitudinal axis. Such an arrangement of corrugated application organs relative to the core of the applicator facilitates, in particular in the production process of the plastic injection molding, removal from the mold substantially.

In accordance with the invention, the radially arranged application elements are distributed in such a manner as to be circumferential in that each center axes of application elements of two of the rows of opposing rows lie in a common plane.

In order to generate reservoir volumes for mascara, it is provided that the corrugation of the central axes of application elements of adjacent rows is opposite.

A particularly uniform mass storage and order behavior is achieved if the corrugation of the central axes of the application organs of all corrugated application organs identical, i. with respect to an amplitude, a wavelength, an orientation and / or the curvature elution identical, is formed. Thus, therefore, the entire Auftragorganbesatz the applicator or at least one of the areas of the applicator is constructed of identical application elements, which in particular guarantees a uniform distribution of mass storage and application properties over the area having such application elements. This is especially true when the corrugated application organs are all identical.

To form a tapered to the free (distal) end of the applicator applicator, the core is tapered and formed in this case, the bristle of the first and second area, in particular the geometric space shape of the application organs, be identical, since the conical design of the Applicator is ensured to the free end by a taper of the core.

Conversely, it may of course also be useful for the conical design of the applicator to the distal end of the core in an end region of the applicator, e.g. in a second area identical to the first area, e.g. is cylindrical or continued, wherein in the second region an Auftragorganbesatz of a second type is present, which has no corrugation and in which decreases the radial longitudinal extension of the application organs away from the core to the distal end of the applicator.

Thus, in a simple manner in a cylindrical core by varying the length of the application organs (conical configuration) a decrease in the length of the applicators a result in the end to the free end tapered applicator can be provided. Ordering organs which become shorter at the free end also have a different bending characteristic and, in particular, have a somewhat less flexible design, so that positive effects also occur here, also with regard to the separation and combing effect of the eyelashes.

In various embodiments of the invention, the application organs in the second region may be, for example, conical bristles, discs, disc sections, teeth or the like.

In particular for the wiping result on a scraper of a cosmetic / mascara unit, it has proved to be advantageous to arrange corrugated application organs in such a way relative to the core that free ends of the corrugated application organs point to the distal end of the applicator. Such an arrangement of the application organs facilitates in particular the stripping of mascara mass in the region of the free ends of the application organs, since these are easy, in particular without themselves in the stripping to catch, let it pass through and bend well to the core.

Nevertheless, a considerable reservoir volume for mascara mass is achieved in the area of the foot or in the vicinity of the core of the application organs, in particular if they are somewhat thicker, which is then available unchanged during application as well as after wiping.

A particularly high storage capacity with regard to the mascara mass adhering to the applicator is achieved if the application members of a first row are offset in the longitudinal direction of the applicator with respect to applicator members of adjacent rows. Particularly uniformly, this property can be formed distributed over the surface of the core, if they are arranged offset in such a way that the application elements of one row are arranged approximately centrally between the free gaps of second applicators another, adjacent row.

For the purpose of forming different applicators, the applicator device can be designed such that the application organs of the first region have a corrugation and the application organs of the second region are not corrugated, but simply curved.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the application organs are made of a different, in particular softer plastic than the core. This embodiment can be produced well in particular in the two-component injection molding process.

Preferred geometric dimensions of the applicator elements are characterized in that tangents are corrugated at central axes Order organs in the foot of the applicator member include an angle α to the longitudinal axis of the applicator, in particular, an angular range of 30 ° ≤ α <90 °, in particular 50 ° ≤ α ≤ 70 ° has proven.

• 0° ≤ β ≤ 90°, insbesondere 25° ≤ β ≤ 75° oder
• 0° ≤ β' ≤ 90°, insbesondere 25° ≤ β' ≤ 75° oder
• α ‡ β oder α ‡ β'
• β < α oder β' < α.

Furthermore, in the case of corrugated application organs, it can be provided that tangents T at the point of inflection W of the central longitudinal axis L enclose an angle β or β 'with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator, with the following being particularly preferred:

• 0 ° ≤ β ≤ 90 °, in particular 25 ° ≤ β ≤ 75 ° or
• 0 ° ≤ β '≤ 90 °, in particular 25 ° ≤ β' ≤ 75 ° or
• α ‡ β or α ‡ β '
• β <α or β '<α.

Furthermore, the order organs from the foot of the application organs towards the free end of the application organs are tapered, in particular tapered. As a result, a relatively stiff Auftragselementfußbereich can be achieved, which bends slightly during stripping and thus reservoir volume for mascara mass is provided sufficiently.

Of course, the applicators of the second type may be tapered bristles, teeth, discs, washers or disc segments or grooves.

In order to improve the all-round wetting of eyelashes, convex portions of the curved applicators of adjacent rows touch each other in a side view or at most have a spacing smaller than a diameter of an eyelash to be applied with mascara. In that regard, a clamping effect by although spaced, but in a side view almost touching order organs achieved and thus the eyelash is taken on both sides by order organs, so that a nearly complete 360 ° -Wennetzung can take place. Such a clamping effect causes by clamping gripping and clamping slipping along the application organs on the eyelashes also a desired curling effect, ie a bending forms of the eyelashes when applying the mascara mass.

If applicator elements are provided with convexly facing curved applicator sections, it is advisable to arrange the applicators of adjacent rows in the longitudinal direction of the applicator closer together than the applicators of adjacent rows, which face each other with their concavely curved sections. In this way, it is achieved that in each case two applicator elements of adjacent rows form a corresponding applicator element pair, which has convexly curved, mutually facing sections for improved wetting of the eyelashes with mascara.

The corresponding applicator member pairs are preferably arranged in rows in the circumferential direction around the core of the applicator, an imaginary center plane between the applicator members respectively forming the respective applicator members preferably being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator. This ensures by a collection effect of the order organs of a Auftragorganpaares that a plurality of eyelashes is caught and thus can take place optimal bundling of the eyelashes.

This is ensured, in particular, by the fact that free ends of the applicator members forming an applicator member then expediently point in different directions with respect to the longitudinal axis of the applicator. This can for example be designed such that a free end of a first application member Towards the distal end, whereas the second free end of the second applicator member to the handle of the applicator, ie to a proximal end of the applicator has.

Likewise, the object of the invention is achieved by an applicator, in particular a cosmetic applicator having an applicator device according to the invention.

Likewise, the invention includes an applicator unit, in particular a cosmetic unit, which has an applicator device according to the invention. Such cosmetic units usually have a container for cosmetics, in particular for mascara mass, and a handle, which is on the one hand with the applicator in conjunction and on the other usually serves as a screw cap for the container. Furthermore, it is of course possible to provide a stripping device in the neck region of a container.

All in all, it is particularly advantageous in the invention that, on the one hand, visually appealing and spectacular-looking, flame-like applicators can be produced, which visually differ significantly from already known applicators and have a high value. On the other hand can be achieved by skillful arrangement of the application elements of the side region variable and thus tunable to the particular application applicator and in particular the wiping result can be positively influenced by wavy trained and directionally arranged application organs. Furthermore, a high mascara mass loading of the applicator can be ensured since, at least in the foot regions of the application organs of an applicator according to the invention, there is much room for mascara mass which can be reliably held in reservoir volumes or reservoir regions.

Figur 1:

eine erste Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemäßen Applikatoreinrichtung in einer Draufsicht;

Figur 2:

eine vergrößerte Detailschnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A aus Figur 1 eines Auftragsorgans der erfindungsgemäßen Applikatoreinrichtung;

Figur 2a:

eine vergrößerte Detailschnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A aus Figur 1 einer zweiten Ausführungsform eines Auftragsorgans der erfindungsgemäßen Applikatoreinrichtung;

Figur 2b:

eine vergrößerte Detailschnittansicht entlang der Linie A-A aus Figur 1 einer dritten Ausführungsform eines Auftragorgans der erfindungsgemäßen Applikatoreinrichtung;

Figur 3:

eine zweite Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Applikatoreinrichtung in einer Draufsicht;

Figur 4:

eine dritte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Applikatoreinrichtung in einer Draufsicht;

Figur 4a:

die Applikatoreinrichtung gemäß Figur 4 in einer Längsschnittdarstellung entlang der Linie A-A aus Figur 4;

Figur 5:

eine vierte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Applikatoreinrichtung in einer Draufsicht;

Figur 5a:

die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 5 in einer Längsschnittdarstellung entlang der Linie A-A aus Figur 5;

Figur 6:

eine fünfte Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Applikatoreinrichtung in einer Draufsicht und

Figur 6a:

die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 6 in einer Längsschnittdarstellung entlang der Linie A-A aus Figur 6;

Figur 7:

eine sechste Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemäßen Applikatoreinrichtung in einer Draufsicht und

Figur 7a:

die Ausführungsform gemäß Figur 7 in einer Längsschnittdarstellung entlang der Linie A-A aus Figur 7.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail by way of example with reference to the drawing. Show it:

FIG. 1:

a first embodiment of an applicator device according to the invention in a plan view;

FIG. 2:

an enlarged detail sectional view along the line AA FIG. 1 an application member of the applicator device according to the invention;

FIG. 2a:

an enlarged detail sectional view along the line AA FIG. 1 a second embodiment of an applicator member of the applicator device according to the invention;

FIG. 2b:

an enlarged detail sectional view along the line AA FIG. 1 a third embodiment of an applicator member of the applicator device according to the invention;

FIG. 3:

a second embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention in a plan view;

FIG. 4:

a third embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention in a plan view;

FIG. 4a

the applicator device according to FIG. 4 in a longitudinal sectional view along the line AA of Figure 4;

FIG. 5:

a fourth embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention in a plan view;

FIG. 5a

the embodiment according to FIG. 5 in a longitudinal sectional view along the line AA FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 6:

a fifth embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention in a plan view and

FIG. 6a:

the embodiment according to FIG. 6 in a longitudinal sectional view along the line AA FIG. 6 ;

FIG. 7:

a sixth embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention in a plan view and

FIG. 7a:

the embodiment according to FIG. 7 in a longitudinal sectional view along the line AA FIG. 7 ,

A first embodiment of an applicator device 1 according to the invention is shown in FIG FIG. 1 shown. The applicator device 1 has a core 2 and a proximal end 3 and a distal end 4. The proximal end 3 is formed in a conventional manner for arranging the applicator device 1 on an applicator handle (not shown). At this applicator handle still sits a handling unit, such as a screw cap of a cosmetic unit (not shown). The distal end 4 is a free end. The core 2 as well as the applicator 1 as a whole has a longitudinal axis L, which at least in the embodiment according to FIG. 1 is the axis of symmetry of the applicator device.

The applicator device 1 has a first region B ₁ with applicators 5 of a first type and a second region B ₂ with applicators 6 of a second type. The application members 5 of the first type are formed as corrugated bristles 5, which are explained in more detail below. The commission organs 6 of the second type are exemplified as substantially conically from the core 2 radially outgoing bristles formed.

The applicator 1 is integrally formed by means of a primary molding process, for example as an injection molded part or as a 3D printing part of the same plastic or in a two- or multi-component process of two or more different plastics, preferably the core 2 of a harder plastic and the Application organs 5, 6 are formed of a softer plastic. The core 2 is designed to be cylindrical throughout in the areas B ₁ and B _{2 in} order to make the applicator device 1 conically tapering towards the distal end 4, the application members 6 are made shorter and shorter at the free end, so that a cladding surface spanned by the application members 6 tapered conically towards the distal end 4. The application organs 6 are formed as straight bristles.

Of course, the core 2 may also have other geometric spatial forms. For example, in a modification of this embodiment, the core 2 may also have a crowned, i. concave convex outward spatial form or a constricted, for example, concave inwardly extending spatial form. Furthermore, the core 2 can also be designed to be cylindrically stepped in sections, for example, along its longitudinal extent.

The corrugated application elements 5, hereinafter called corrugated bristles 5, each have a bristle foot 7 and a free bristle end 8. The application organs 5 are in the embodiment according to the FIG. 1 such that all free bristle ends 8 point in the direction of the distal end 4. The application organs 5 and the application organs, 6 are each in rows R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ ... R _n along a longitudinal direction 100, which is aligned parallel to the longitudinal axis L, arranged. Seen in the circumferential direction U, the application organs 5 and 6 are also arranged in rows R _I , R _II , R _II ... R _xx . The application organs 5, 6 essentially radiate radially from the core 2. In the area of the bristle feet 7, two longitudinal directions 100 of adjacent bristles have a longitudinal spacing d between the bristle feet, wherein the distance d is in each case formed as an intersection point of a center axis M of an application member described below through an outer side of the core 2. The distance d is defined between longitudinally 100 two such puncture points.

The application organs 5, 6 of two adjacent rows R ₁ , and R ₂ are offset by the distance ½ d, arranged in the longitudinal direction 100.

It goes without saying that the above-described row-like arrangement does not necessarily have to be realized for both types of order organ 5, 6 on an applicator device. Thus, for example, only the application members 5 of the type 1 can be staggered in the longitudinal direction, whereas this does not necessarily apply to the order members of the second type 6 and vice versa.

The above-described arrangements of the application organs of type 1 and type 2 in rows in the longitudinal direction 100 as well as in the circumferential direction U are mutatis mutandis - although not described in detail later - applicable to the other embodiments.

Each of the applicator elements (bristles) 5 leaves the outside of the core 2 and is inclined at an angle α to the free end 4. The angle α is in the FIGS. 1 ff. Pledged for reasons of simplification relative to the longitudinal axis L. The free ends 8 The bristles 5 are inclined at an angle γ against the outer side of the core 2 and against the longitudinal axis L and also have - as already described - towards the free end 4.

An axial length in the longitudinal direction 100 of the region B1 with an application organ set of application elements 5 of the first type is more than half the total length of the regions B1 and B2, which have a bristle facing. In particular, the axial longitudinal extent l _{1 of} the region B _{1 is} 50% to 70% of the total length of the applicator device 1, which has bristle stocking.

The area B ₂ extends over an axial longitudinal extent l ₂ , which is correspondingly smaller.

The bristles 5 are corrugated, i. they have a central axis M which has the curvature 0 in at least one point or in a region and this point is an inflection point or the region is a turning region up to which there is a curvature in a first direction and from which a curvature in a second direction , Under curvature in the context of the invention is also to be understood that around a turning point a piece of straight course of the central axis M may be present (turning area). Such a bristle course would then have the curvature 0. It is essential that at a wavy bristle 5 according to the invention along the center axis M at least once the direction of curvature of the central axis M changes.

In addition, the bristles 5 are formed so wavy that the central axis M of a bristle 5 spans a plane, or lies in a plane. This means that each bristle 5 is two-dimensionally wavy, that is, the corrugation is arranged in a plane. This plane E, which is the sectional plane AA in the following FIG. 2, preferably runs exactly However, this plane E (sectional plane AA) can also be aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis L, wherein under substantially parallel to the invention an angular deflection of the plane E by an angle δ of up to +/- 10 ° to the longitudinal axis can take place. This means as a result that the central axis M is still in a plane, but this plane E inclined to the longitudinal direction 100 may be arranged so that the free ends 8 of the applicators 5 not directly to the free end 4 show, but under the Angle δ twisted at an angle.

Alternatively or additionally, the center axes M can at least partially extend beyond the plane E (AA) and thus to a lesser extent effect a three-dimensionally curved formation of the application organs 5, if and as far as this is possible in terms of manufacturing technology. The invention is thus expressly not limited only to two-dimensionally curved applicators 5 in one plane, but also includes three-dimensionally curved corrugated applicators 5 within the limits of manufacturability. The manufacturing limits are in this case in particular produced by the injection molding process, with which the applicator devices are preferred as far as the tool design of the injection molding tool is concerned. It is particularly preferred to make all application elements 5 of the type 1 as similar as possible with respect to their Auftragorgangeometrie so that in the applicator device according to the invention with corrugated applicators 5, a flame-like and flickering optics arises, which looks particularly spectacular. In particular, this optical impression can be assisted by the fact that, for example, a dark plastic, for example a black plastic is used for the core, wherein the application organs 5, optionally also the application organs 6, from a red, yellow or oranges, at least different colored plastic are formed. This spectacular optical impression comes into play, in particular, when the applicator device 1 of a mascara set is sold with an applicator device 1 located outside the container and is presented to the purchaser in a clearly visible manner in a blister pack.

Furthermore, the applicators 5 as well as the applicators 6 preferably have a greater thickness in the region of the bristle foot 7 and taper towards the bristle end 8. The application organs 5, 6, in particular the application organs 5, may have a cross-section that is circular in any cross-section perpendicular to the central axis M, oval or else triangular or polygonal. Also conceivable is a polygonal cross-section with grooves, grooves or the like along the course of an applicator member 5, 6 in the outer region.

Based on Figures 2 . 2a Now an order organ 5 having a corrugation is described in detail. The longitudinal direction 100 is shown in these figures as a double arrow direction in order to make it clear that angle specifications for the angles α, β, δ also apply accordingly to arrangements of the application members in a position rotated by 180 ° on the core 2. The applicator 5 according to the FIG. 2 is in a sectional plane E along the line AA FIG. 1 shown enlarged. The application member 5 is in the region of the bristle foot 7 at the angle α from a top 9 of the core 2 from. In the embodiment according to the FIG. 2 For simplicity's sake, a section through a single-component applicator device 1 is shown. This only serves to explain the geometric relationships. Of course, the graphic representation according to FIG. 2 With regard to the choice of materials or choice of the manufacturing process is not a restriction. Without further notice, the bristles 5 or 6, as previously described, also made of a different material than the core.

The free bristle end 8 of a bristle 5 is inclined at an angle γ to the longitudinal axis L. The application member 5 has the central axis M, which is formed by the two-dimensional focal points of cuts through the bristle 5 along its longitudinal course from the bristle foot 7 to the bristle end 8 out. At at least one location, the central axis M has a turning point W, in the vicinity of which the curvature of the central axis M changes. A tangent T through the inflection point W intersects the longitudinal axis L at an angle β. For the angle α, values of 30 ° to 90 °, in particular values of 50 ° to 70 ° have been found to be positive. For the angle β, angles in the range between 0 ° and 90 °, in particular between 25 ° and 75 °, have been found to be positive. The angle γ is preferably smaller than the angle α or equal and is in the range between 10 ° and 90 °, in particular between 40 ° and 70 °.

The course of the central axis M away from the bristle foot 7 can also run at least piecewise, so that e.g. over a distance s which, for example, goes off the bristle foot 7 a bit, the curvature 0 is present, i. the central axis M forms a straight piece. In a preferred manner, an applicator 5 according to the applicator according to the invention has a point of inflection W, so that along the course, for example from Bristle 7 to the inflection point W a curvature with a first sign is present and from the inflection point W through to the bristle end 8 a curvature with opposite Sign exists.

Preferably, the central axis M of the applicator member 5 in the region between the bristle 7 and the inflection point W is less curved than in the region between the inflection point W. and the free bristle end 8. The curvature may be constant in the areas between the bristle foot 7 and the inflection point W and / or in the region between the inflection point W and the free bristle end 8 or may change continuously, possibly also suddenly. According to the invention, in particular in the area around the point of inflection W, the change of the curvature from a first sign to the opposite sign is continuous, ie without bending radius jumps.

In FIG. 2a a further embodiment of an applicator member of the applicator device according to the invention is shown. In contrast to the above-described applicator 5 according to FIG. 2 is the free end 8 of the job organ according to FIG. 2a designed to the core 2 indicative and forms the applicator member 5 through a gap S ₁ . As a result, an eyelet, an eyelet-like loop 200 is formed, which may optionally serve as a mascara reservoir further away from the core 2. Through the gap S ₁ , at least individual eyelashes can enter into the loop 200 when applying mascara mass, for which then a particularly good all-round wetting result can be achieved. Depending on the choice of the size of the gap S ₁ , which may be preferably a few 10-th to a few millimeters, for example 0.1 mm to 2 mm, in particular 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm, can also be ensured if appropriate, eyelash bundles enter the loop 200. In this case, a special bundling effect can be achieved.

FIG. 2b shows a further embodiment of an application member of the applicator device according to the invention. The tangent T through the point of inflection W encloses an angle β 'with the longitudinal axis L, wherein the angle β' may be in the range between 0 ° and 90 °, in particular between 25 ° and 75 °.

Furthermore, in the embodiment according to FIG FIG. 2b the angle γ 'the angle γ FIG. 1 and is in contrast arranged in mirror image.

Suitable and preferred values for the angle γ 'are in the range between 10 ° and 90 °, in particular between 40 ° and 70 °.

With this design, it is possible to provide, in addition to the mascara reservoir of the loop 200, another mascara reservoir 201 closer to the core, which is overhanged roof-like by the applicator element 5.

In the following, further embodiments of the applicator device according to the invention will be described with reference to FIGS Figures 3 to 7a explained. More specifically, however, the differences will be made only to the embodiment already described in detail FIG. 1 and 2 resorted. In that regard, what has been described above and similarities of the following embodiments applies accordingly to all embodiments.

The applicator 1 according to FIG. 3 represents a further embodiment and differs from the embodiment according to FIG. 1 in that the core 2 in the region 2 to the distal end 4 is tapered conically. The core 3 in the region B _1, however, is cylindrical. The Auftragorganbesatz the applicator 1 according to Figure 3 is consistently of the type 1, so that all order organs corrugated bristles 5, which preferably have identical geometrical spatial form with each other. Characterized that the core tapers conically in the area B ₂ , the applicator 1 can be formed conically tapered as a whole to the free end 4, although the application organs 5, ie the corrugated bristles 5 all have the same spatial shape. That related to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 to the bristle geometry said applies to according to this embodiment. Likewise the length and distance indications of the rows R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ and R _I , R _II , R _III as well as the lengths l ₁ , l ₂ as well as d and s.

A further embodiment of the applicator device 1 according to the invention FIGS. 4, 4a , in which FIG. 4a the applicator device according to FIG. 4 in a longitudinal sectional view shows.

In this embodiment, the core 2 is continuously formed cylindrical up to the free end 4. So that a conical tapering of the envelope is ensured towards the free end 4, the corrugated application organs 5 are conically cut to the free end 4 and thus shortened along its longitudinal axis M. Such shortening may take place following an injection molding process by cutting or grinding. However, it can also be provided that the shortened outlet of the applicator elements 5 toward the free end 4 in the injection molding tool, i. already provided in the master mold.

A further embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention is shown in FIG FIGS. 5 and 5a , This applicator device is based on a basic arrangement of the application organs 5 according to the FIGS. 4 and 4a out. Again, the order organs 5 are formed shortened towards the free end 4. It comes along over the entire length of the bristle l ₁ + l ₂ cylindrical core used. Compared to an applicator according to FIG. 4 the order organs 5 adjacent rows R ₁ , R ₂ , R _{3 are} each arranged rotated by 180 ° to each other, so that the order organs 5 a row R ₁ leave an upper side of the core 2 in the direction of the free end 4 and also their bristle ends 8 to towards the free end 4. Application organs 5 of an adjacent row R ₂ are arranged exactly the other way around and leave the upper side of the core 2 in FIG Direction to the proximal end 3 out. Their free bristle ends 8 also point towards the proximal end 3. As a result, reservoir volumes V _{R are formed} in the region of a core 2. The reservoir volumes V _R are essentially surrounded by convexly curved bristle sections B _{A1 of} adjacent bristles 5 facing away from each other, these areas B _A1 and B _A2 belonging to bristles of adjacent rows R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ .

Concave areas B _A3 and B ₄ B of adjacent bristles 5 which are curved towards one another are situated outside the respective turning points W or turning areas and thus form a side view according to FIG FIGS. 5, 5a a funnel-shaped, tweezer-like eyelash catching and / or bundling device. As a result, in particular a good 360 ° round wetting is achieved for the eyelashes, so that a good transfer of mascara to the eyelashes or eyelash bundles takes place.

With regard to their geometrical spatial form, the bristles of adjacent rows R ₁ and R _{2 are} preferably of identical construction and are arranged on the core 2 only offset by 180 ° with respect to the longitudinal direction 100. Of course, it is also within the scope of the invention, the geometric spatial shape of the order organs of adjacent rows R ₁ , and R _{2 form} differently.

According to a further embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention ( Figures 6 and 6a ) such an applicator device 1 in turn has a cylindrical core 2 in the region B ₁ and a conically tapered core 2 in the region B ₂ to the free end 4. The stocking of areas B ₁ and B ₂ with order organs corresponds to that of the example described above FIGS. 5, 5a , So there are each order organs 5 adjacent rows R ₁ and R ₂ in the opposite direction Bezgl. The longitudinal direction 100 disposed on the core 2.

Another embodiment ( Figure 7, 7a ) of the applicator device 1 according to the invention combines in the area B ₁ the bristle facing according to the embodiments 5 and / or 6 with the bristle facing in the area B _{2 of} the embodiment according to FIG FIG. 1 ,

Of course, in all the above-described embodiments, the free ends 4 (distal ends), in contrast to the illustrated and described embodiments, on the free end face have a bristle trim / a trim with applicators organs. Such applicators can of course also have the above-described corrugation essential to the invention. This Auftragorganbesatz on the face of the distal end 4 can of course be accomplished with already known order organs other geometric space forms.

On the basis of the large number of embodiments, it is clear that basically different regions B ₁ and B ₂ can be present in the longitudinal direction, which have different application organ trimmings. For example, it is also possible to provide, instead of cone-shaped tapered bristles 6 for type 2, application elements in the manner of discs, disc segments, grooves or the like. Likewise, it is also possible to occupy the sequence of rows R _I , R _II , R _III in the circumferential direction U with different application organs 5, 6. Thus, for example, a row I of corrugated application organs 5 exist, whereas an adjacent row II, for example, consists of a serrated or otherwise comb-like web. In addition, order organs may be present in the series II, the conical, pointed-skeletal or form cylindrical bristles. These order organs can also be validated among each other.

Characteristic of the invention is that an applicator device according to the invention has at least one applicator element 5 with a corrugation, as set forth in claim 1. The stocking of the other applicator devices can be filled with order members of another type. Such types of order organs are known from the prior art in many ways. Representative of this are cylindrical, conical bristles, discs, disc segments, grooves or the like. In a particularly preferred manner, these application organs are also preferably connected as integral as possible with the core 2, so that the applicator device 1 by means of a primary molding process, in particular, e.g. can be produced by means of a plastic injection molding process (also 2- or multi-component method) as well as by means of a three-dimensional printing process.

• Für eine Applikatoreinrichtung, die sich dadurch auszeichnet, dass Tangenten T an Mittelachsen M gewellter Auftragsorgane 5 am Fuß des Auftragsorgans 7 einen Winkel α zur Längsachse L des Applikators 1 einschließen, wobei gilt 30° ≤ α < 90°, insbesondere 50° ≤ α < 70°.

Rounding off in general terms, without being limited to the previous embodiments, it is said that protection is also claimed for applicator devices which are characterized by the following features-alone or in combination with features which emerge from all the preceding embodiments or from the explicitly stated claims:

• For an applicator device, which is characterized in that tangents T at central axes M corrugated application organs 5 at the foot of the applicator member 7 form an angle α to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator 1, wherein 30 ° ≤ α <90 °, in particular 50 ° ≤ α < 70 °.

• 0° ≤ β ≤ 90°, insbesondere 25° ≤ β ≤ 75° oder
• 0° ≤ β' ≤ 90°, insbesondere 25° ≤ β' ≤ 75° oder
• α ‡ β oder α ‡ β'
• β < α oder β' < α.

For an applicator device, which is characterized in that in corrugated application organs 5 tangents T in the inflection point the central axis M enclose an angle β or an angle β 'to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator 1, where:

• 0 ° ≤ β ≤ 90 °, in particular 25 ° ≤ β ≤ 75 ° or
• 0 ° ≤ β '≤ 90 °, in particular 25 ° ≤ β' ≤ 75 ° or
• α ‡ β or α ‡ β '
• β <α or β '<α.

For an applicator device, which is characterized in that the application organs 5 from the foot 7 of the application organs 5 taper towards the free end 4 of the application organs 5, in particular tapered are formed.

For an applicator device, which is characterized in that corresponding order organ pairs are arranged in the circumferential direction U around the core 2 of the applicator 1 in rows R _I , R _II , R _I-II , wherein an imaginary center plane between the respective corresponding order organ pairs forming application organs. 5 preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator 1 stands.

For an applicator, in particular for applying a cosmetic with an applicator device 1 according to one of the explicitly set forth claims.

For an application unit, in particular a cosmetic unit having at least one applicator device 1 according to one of the explicitly set forth claims.

reference numeral

1

applicator

2

core

3

Proximal end

4

Distal end

5

Ordering organs type 1

6

Ordering organs type 2

7

bristle

8th

bristle ends

9

top

100

longitudinal direction

200

loop

201

reservoir

A-A

cutting plane

B1

first area

B2

second area

e

level

l

axial longitudinal extent

L

longitudinal axis

M

central axis

U

circumferentially

d

distance

W

turning point

T

tangent

s

route

S ₁

gap

V _R

reservoir volumes

B _A1, B _A2, B _{A3, A4} B

bristle sections

R ₁ , R ₂ , R ₃ ... R _n

string

R _I , R _II , R _III ... R _xx

string

α

angle

β, β '

angle

γ, γ '

angle

δ

angle

Claims (14)

1. An applicator device suitable for application of a cosmetic, in particular for a mascara applicator comprising a core (2) from which application members (6) radially extend in a ray-like manner,
   wherein the applicator device (1) is manufactured by means of a one-or more-component injection molding method,
   wherein the core (2) and the application members (5) are made of a shapeless substance and the applicator device is integrally formed as a plastic part and at least part of the application members (5), in the longitudinal extension (100), are arranged in rows (R1, R2, R3) as seen along a longitudinal axis (L) of the core (2) and have a central axis (M),
   wherein the application members arranged in the ray-like manner are distributed in such a way that the central axes of the application members of each two rows of application members opposite each other across the core lie in a common plane and the central axes (M) of the application members (5) have at least one undulation with at least one change in curvature, which is monotonic from a first sign to the opposite sign, i.e. without discontinuities in the radius of curvature, and the center axis (M) of an application member (5) fully or essentially fully lies in a plane (E) or defines a plane (E);
   and the application members are formed to be tapering from their feet to their free ends, wherein the undulations of the center axes of the application members of adjacent rows are opposed to each other; wherein convex regions of the curved application members of adjacent rows contact each other as seen from the side or have a distance that is at most smaller than a diameter of an eyelash to which mascara is to be applied.
2. The applicator device according to claim 1, characterized in that the applicator device (1) has a first region (B1) comprising application members (5) of a first type or a core (2) of a first type and a second region (B2) comprising application members (6) of a second type or a core (2) of a second type.
3. The applicator device according to claim 1, characterized in that center axes (M) of application members (5) of a row (R1, R2, R3) lie in a common plane (E) and/or the plane (E) is arranged parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the applicator device (1), in particular contains the longitudinal axis (L), or is arranged essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis (L).
4. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the center axes (M) of application members (5) of two rows (R1 (R2, R3 ... Rn)) opposite each other across the core (2) lie in a common plane (E).
5. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the undulation of the center axes (M) of the application members (5) is identical for all undulating application members (5), i.e. is identically formed with respect to amplitude, wavelength, orientation and/or the development of the curvature.
6. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that undulating application members (5) are identically formed with respect to their spatial shape and with respect to their radial extension.
7. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for the formation of an applicator (1) that tapers toward the free (distal) end (4) of the applicator (1), the core (2) is formed to be conically tapering and has an application member occupation in this second region (B2) which is identical to that of the first region (B1).
8. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for conically forming the applicator device (1) toward the distal end (4), the core (2) in the second region (B2) is continued in a cylindrical shape, in particular identical to the first region (B1), and in that in the second region (B2) an applicator member occupation of a second type is present, which has no undulations and in which the radial longitudinal extension (100) of the application members (6) decreases from the core (2) toward the distal end (4) of the applicator device (1).
9. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, for conically forming the applicator device (1) toward the distal end (4), the core (2) in the second region (B2) is continued in a cylindrical shape, in particular identical to the first region (B1), and in that in the second region (B2) an applicator member occupation of a second type is present, which has no undulations, or the application members (6) of the second region (B2) at least partially have undulations which correspond to the undulations of the application members (5) in the first region (B1), wherein the application members (6) in the second region (B2) are shortened, or ground down, with respect to their longitudinal extensions.
10. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application members (6) of the second region (B2) are conical bristles, discs, disc segments or teeth.
11. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that all free ends (4) of undulated application members (5) face toward the distal end (4) of the applicator (1).
12. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that application members (5) of a first row (Rx) are offset in the longitudinal direction (100) with respect to application members (5) of adjacent rows (R2), in particular offset in such a way that the application members (5) of the one row (Ri) are arranged approximately central with respect to the free spaces (d) between two application members (5) of an adjacent row (R2).
13. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application members (5) of the first region (B1) have undulations and the application members (6) of the second region (B2) are not undulated, but are formed to be simply curved.
14. The applicator device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application members (5) are of a different, in particular softer, plastic than the core (2).

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