FIELD OF INVENTION
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The invention relates to a cosmetic applicator according to the generic term of claim 1.
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
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Cosmetic applicators are mostly used to apply mass to a surface to be applied. The mass can be a cosmetic mass, a pharmaceutical mass or something else. Often, cosmetic applicators are applicators for applying cosmetic mass in form of mascara to the eyelashes.
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Regardless of the purpose for which the mass is applied and to which area, applicators currently in use - especially applicators for applying mascara - are often very similar in design. The middle section of the applicator (often also called bristle carrier) has bristles that protrude usually radially outwards and are used to apply the mascara to a large area of the lashes.
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Most of the time, the whole applicator or at least the part of the applicator that is mounted in or on a handle is from the same material. In modern applicators that material is usually some type of plastic.
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In recent times, applicators that are made two different materials, usually two different types of plastics, are used more and more often. Yet, these applicators are often still limited in their design. Usually, these applicators are completely covered with bristles and/or these bristles can only be distributed even on the bristle carrier. Furthermore, the production of these applicators can be very cumbersome and costly.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
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Accordingly, it is the object of the invention to provide an applicator with bristles that can be produced in a rational way from two materials.
SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION
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A solution to this problem is provided by the main claim.
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Here, a cosmetic applicator with a bristle carrier made of at least one first plastic material is proposed. This bristle carrier has at least one groove which is filled with a second plastic material forming a filling material. That filling material acts as an anchoring base from which bristles project, preferably radially. These bristles are formed integrally and in one piece with the filling material. Said filling material fills the at least one groove at least partly, preferably completely, so that the filling material's outer contour is radially preferably at least flush with the outer contour of the bristle carrier. It is also possible and, in some cases, even preferred that the filling materials outer contour protrudes the outer contour of the bristle carrier radially.
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The at least one groove is preferably at least a groove-like recess in the outer contour of the bristle carrier. The at least one groove can appear in different shapes and forms and in some cases, it is especially preferred that a groove is an elongate depression with an open flank.
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Overall, with an applicator according to the invention it is possible to combine two different material properties, preferably two types of plastic. Therefore, the first plastic material can for example be softer or harder than the second plastic material and, in this way, a preferable behaviour of the applicator during application can be achieved in an easy way.
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Because the first plastic material is at least partly filled with the second plastic material with the help of the at least one groove, it is also advantageous for the production of this kind of applicator. In this way, the production by means of injection moulding is facilitated, while it is also possible to produce an applicator according to the invention with different methods, for example injection moulding or 3D printing.
PREFERRED DESIGN OPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
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A preferred design option is that the bristle carrier forms a dam between adjacent grooves or groove sections - at least between two adjacent grooves or groove sections, which in turn is integrally equipped with bristles projecting from it. This way, the bristle carrier also comprises bristles, made of the first plastic material. The applicator therefore can be designed in an easy way in a variety of shapes and forms with bristles from two different materials and bristles protruding from the bristle carrier and the filling material.
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It is also preferred that the bristles, which protrude directly from the filling material end further inwards or further outwards in the radial direction than the bristles, which protrude directly from the bristle carrier. This way, the applicator or different applicator sections can be used for different purposes and/or the two kinds of bristles can complement each other by applying and/or holding the mass.
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Furthermore, it is preferred that the bristles which protrude directly from the filling material at least partially, better predominantly, ideally at least substantially all, enclose a different angle with their bristle longitudinal axis relative to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier than the bristles which protrude directly from the bristle carrier. This way, the applicator or different applicator sections can be used for different purposes and/or the two kinds of bristles can complement each other by applying and/or holding the mass. "Predominantly" in this case means at least 70 % of the bristles, "at least substantially all" means at least 90 % of the bristles.
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Another preferred design option is the groove or grooves on the bristle carrier form one or more annular grooves and preferably circular annular grooves which are closed in the circumferential direction thereof. In this way, it is possible to have bristles out of the second plastic material around the circumference of the applicator at least in a section of the applicator.
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It is also preferred that the groove or grooves on the bristle carrier form one or more helical grooves which run helically around the bristle carrier, preferably in several complete revolutions. Therefore, an applicator can be produced with section-wise alternating bristles of different materials and another appealing design. This way, the applicator or different applicator sections can be used for different purposes and/or the two kinds of bristles can complement each other by applying and/or holding the mass.
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Furthermore, it is preferred that the groove or grooves on the bristle carrier form one or more longitudinal grooves which run with their longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier. These longitudinal grooves allow a symmetric or analogous arrangement of the bristles of the second material in comparison to the bristles of the first material that are arranged preferably along the longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier.
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Another preferred design option is that the at least one groove has an undercut which anchors the filling material. In this way, also two plastics that do not stick together or do not stick together sufficiently can be used as materials for the applicator. While there would be a separation between those two materials, a possible undercut can hold the two materials together through from-fit.
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It is also preferred that the at least one groove - no matter which kind of groove - is integrally connected to at least one core of the bristle carrier, which core is essentially surrounded by the plastic material of the bristle carrier and consists of the filling material. It is preferred that in a first step the bristle carrier out of the first plastic material is produced, while there are sliders that cover the areas where in a second step the second plastic material should be placed. These sliders are preferably at least in the center of the bristle carrier forming the core and in the area of the grooves. In the second step of production the applicator, the sliders are taken away on the second plastic material can be applied, preferably through the hollow core of the bristle carrier, preferably by putting high pressure on the walls between the core and the grooves - if they exist - and in some cases then also destroying the walls and allowing the second plastic material to flow from the core to the grooves and therefore filling the grooves and then being able to also from the bristles protruding from the filling material.
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Furthermore, it is preferred that several grooves running in the circumferential direction are cut by at least one groove running in the longitudinal direction, which is also filled with the filling material. Therefore, in an easy way a network of grooves and therefore a network of the filling material can be produced all around the bristle carrier, which allows different shapes, arrangements and forms of the applicator and its bristles.
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Is it also preferred that the filling material - with the area to which its bristles are anchored - projects in the radial direction beyond the circumferential surface of the bristle carrier, which surrounds the groove receiving it and preferably forms a convex bead there. This again allows a variety of shapes and forms of the bristle carrier's appearance and also the possibility to give the bristles a different angle - because the bristles preferably stand perpendicular to its anchoring base - and also a different end point.
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Further possible configurations, functions and advantages result from the dependent claims and/or the following description of the preferred embodiment and/or with reference to the figures.
FIGURE LIST
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- Figure 1 shows a first preferred embodiment of an applicator according to the invention in side view.
- Figure 2 shows the first preferred embodiment of the applicator according to the invention in front view.
- Figure 3 shows the first embodiment of the applicator according to the invention in three-dimensional view.
- Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the applicator according to the invention in side view.
- Figure 5 shows a third embodiment of the applicator according to the invention in three-dimensional view.
- Figure 6 shows a partial cut view through the third embodiment of the applicator according to the invention.
- Figure 7 shows a fourth embodiment of the applicator according to the invention in three-dimensional view.
- Figure 8 shows only the filling material of the first preferred embodiment of the applicator in three-dimensional view.
- Figure 9 shows only the bristle carrier without the filling material of the first preferred embodiment of the applicator in three-dimensional view.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
First preferred embodiment
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Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 and Fig. 8 to Fig. 9 show a first preferred embodiment of the cosmetic applicator 1 (or also applicator). The applicator 1 comprises a bristle carrier 2 that is made of at least one first plastic material. Most of the time, it is preferred that it is only one plastic material. That is why in the following and already in the previous paragraphs, only one first plastic material is mentioned. But it is also possible that already the bristle carrier itself consists of more plastic materials. The bristle carrier 2 comprises various grooves that can be seen better in Fig. 9. The grooves are filled with a second plastic material forming a filling material 4. The grooves as seen in the first embodiment are a network of annular grooves 3b that are preferably circular and closed in the circumferential direction. These annular grooves 3b are cut by longitudinal grooves 3a that run with their longitudinal axis parallel to the longitudinal axis AC of the bristle carrier 2. The longitudinal grooves 3a are preferably elongated depression with an open flank.
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The filling material 4 acts an anchoring base from which integrally formed bristles 5 project. The filling material 4 of the annular grooves 3b projects in the radial direction beyond the circumferential surface of the bristle carrier 2, which surrounds the groove 3b receiving it. Therefore, the filling material 4 in this area preferably forms a convex bead there from which the bristles 5 protrude. Therefore, the bristles 5 that protrude from that area at least predominantly enclose a different angle with their bristle longitudinal axis AB relative to the longitudinal axis AC of the bristle carrier 2 than the bristles 6 which protrude directly from the bristle carrier 2.
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Said bristles 6 that protrude from the bristle carrier itself preferably protrude from a dam 7 between adjacent grooves or groove sections. The bristles 6 are preferably also integral with the dam 7 and therefore the bristle carrier 2.
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Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 furthermore show individually the bristle carrier 2 without the filling material (see Fig. 9) and the filling material 4 without the bristle carrier (see Fig. 8) to have a better view of the two individual parts that make up the cosmetic applicator 1 together.
Second preferred embodiment
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Fig. 4 shows a second preferred embodiment of the cosmetic applicator 1. The bristle carrier 2 is made of at least one first plastic material. The bristle carrier 2 itself comprises a circulating helical groove 3c that is filled with a second plastic material forming a filling material 4. The filling material 4 again acts as an anchoring base from which integrally formed bristles 5 project. Those bristles 5 are not explicitly shown in the figure. Furthermore, also the dams 7 of the bristle carrier 2 between adjacent groove sections that are caused by the helical groove 3c preferably comprise bristles 6 projecting from it that are also not explicitly shown in the figure.
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For this embodiment 3D-printing is a preferred way of manufacturing.
Third preferred embodiment
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Fig. 5 shows a third preferred embodiment of the cosmetic applicator 1. The bristle carrier 2 is again made of at least one first plastic material. The bristle carrier 2 itself comprises several longitudinal grooves 3a that are filled with a second plastic material forming a filling material 4. In this case, it is preferred that the first plastic material is softer than the second plastic material. The filling material 4 projects in the radial direction beyond the circumferential surface of the bristle carrier 2, which surrounds the grooves 3a receiving it and preferably forms convex beads there.
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The filling material 4 again acts as an anchoring base from which integrally formed bristles 5 project. Those bristles 5 are not explicitly shown in the figure. Furthermore, also the dams 7 of the bristle carrier 2 between adjacent grooves 3a preferably comprise bristles 6 projecting from it that are also not explicitly shown in the figure.
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Fig. 6 furthermore shows a cut view through the cosmetic applicator 1. Here, especially the longitudinal grooves 3a in the bristle carrier 2 can be seen that preferably furthermore clamp the filling material 4. Fig. 6 furthermore shows an example for the preferred bristles 5 and 6 that the bristle carrier 2 as well as the filling material 4 carry.
Fourth preferred embodiment
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Figure 7 shows a fourth preferred embodiment of the cosmetic applicator 1. The bristle carrier 2 is made of at least one first plastic material. The bristle carrier 2 itself comprises several annular grooves 3b that are filled with a second plastic material forming a filling material 4. The filling material 4 again acts as an anchoring base from which integrally formed bristles 5 can project. Those bristles 5 are not explicitly shown in the figure. Furthermore, also the dams 7 of the bristle carrier 2 between adjacent groove sections that are caused by the annular grooves 3b preferably comprise bristles 6 projecting from it that are also not explicitly shown in the figure.
MISCALLEANOUS
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Overall, it still has to be mentioned that the shown preferred embodiments only show examples of how the applicator according to the invention can be designed. It is also possible that the groove or grooves can have other shapes and forms as shown in the embodiments. Furthermore, it is possible and sometimes even preferred that the grooves do not have to be continuous and can be interrupted or the grooves do not have to span over the whole length or circumference of the bristle carrier.
REFERENCE LIST
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- 1
- Cosmetic applicator
- 2
- Bristle Carrier
- 3a
- Longitudinal groove
- 3b
- Annular groove
- 3c
- Helical groove
- 4
- Filling material
- 5
- Bristles from second plastic material
- 6
- Bristles from first plastic material
- 7
- Dam
- AB
- Bristle longitudinal axis
- AC
- Longitudinal axis of the bristle carrier