JP2005125021A - Applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an applicator whose needle-shaped protrusions of proper hardness can be easily formed and which is easy to use. <P>SOLUTION: The applicator 10 is provided with a brush part 11 having a plurality of needle-shaped protrusions 11p and a support rod 12. The brush part 11 is formed by making an application zone 11a in which the needle-shaped protrusions 11p are arranged and a connection zone 11b which continues from the application zone 11a and connects the end 12a of supporting rod 12 by injecting resin. The supporting rod 12 is formed of a material which exhibits a surface hardness (D2240 of ASTM, standard of American Society for Testing and Materials) higher than the resin which forms the brush part 11. The resin which forms the brush part 11 consists of ester system thermoplastic elastomer exhibiting a surface hardness within the range of 50-75. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an applicator provided with a brush portion having a plurality of needle-like protrusions and a support bar that supports the brush portion.

  Conventionally, applicators such as mascara have been constructed by winding a string of nylon or other wire with a wire, but there are many restrictions on the hardness and shape of the brush, and depending on the content to be applied, its useability is poor. There was an inconvenience.

  For this reason, a brush part having a plurality of hook-shaped protrusions is formed of soft rubber (for example, see Patent Document 1), and an elastomer plastic material is injection-molded (injection molding) (for example, see Patent Document 2). ) Has been proposed.

Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 58-104116 Special Table 2002-538868

  However, such conventional techniques have the disadvantages that it is difficult to mold the hook-shaped protrusions, and the density (hair amount) of the protrusions (hairs) is reduced, and there is room for improvement in terms of usability.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an applicator that can easily form a needle-like protrusion having an appropriate hardness and is easy to use.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an applicator provided with a brush part having a plurality of needle-like protrusions and a support bar that supports the brush part, wherein the brush part injects a resin to form the needle-like protrusions. An application area to be arranged and a connection area connected to the application area and connecting the tip of the support bar are formed, and the support bar has a surface hardness (ASTM (America)) than the resin forming the brush part. The resin for forming the brush part is an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer having a surface hardness in the range of 50 to 75. Is.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the applicator according to the first aspect, the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer of the brush portion has a surface hardness in the range of 55-70.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer of the brush portion is a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the applicator according to any one of the first to third aspects, the material forming the support bar is made of a resin.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the applicator according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the pitch in the axial direction in which the needle-like protrusions are arranged in the application area is narrower in both side areas than in the central area. Is.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the length of the needle-like protrusions in the application area is shorter in the both sides than in the central area.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one barb extending in the axial direction is provided in the application area.

  The invention according to claim 1 is an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer excellent in oil resistance, chemical resistance and durability, and has a surface hardness of 50 to 75 (ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials Standard) D2240). An application region of the brush portion is formed by injecting an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer to provide an application region in which the needle-like protrusions are arranged and a connection region that is connected to the application region and connects the tip of the support rod. Therefore, it is possible to easily form a needle-like protrusion having a moderate hardness. Further, by dividing the brush part into a connection area for connecting the tip of the support bar and an application area for arranging the needle-like protrusions, a gap between the application area and the tip of the support bar becomes a buffer area, It can be applied safely and neatly with better contact with the eyelashes. In addition, since the support rod is made of a resin having a hardness higher than that of the ester thermoplastic elastomer, the operability is excellent and the usability is improved.

  Further, if the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer has a surface hardness in the range of 55 to 70, moderate flexibility can be obtained, and the usability is further improved.

  If the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer is a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer, a brush part with improved resistance to oil, chemicals and other contents in addition to bending fatigue resistance can be obtained. A brush that can handle any content can be constructed, and the usability is further improved.

  Moreover, if the material forming the support rod is resin, all the constituent members can be made of resin. For example, it is possible to deal with contents that do not like metal, etc. Correspondence becomes possible.

  Furthermore, when the axial pitch in which the needle-like protrusions are arranged in the application area is configured to be narrower in both side areas than the central area, it becomes possible to adjust the application amount according to the area to be applied when applying the contents, Usability is improved.

  Furthermore, if the length of the needle-like projections in the application area is made shorter on both sides than the central area, the contents are less likely to accumulate at the root or tip area of the application area, and dripping or shaft contamination can be prevented. It becomes possible.

  In addition, if at least one barb extending in the axial direction is provided in the application area, when the mascara liquid is applied to the eyelashes, the eyelashes are caught at the portion of the needle-like projection adjacent to the barb. Makes it easier to lift and curl. In addition, since the mascara liquid is accumulated in the barren band and a large amount of the mascara liquid can be applied at that time, the eyelashes can be given a volume and the usability is further improved.

  Hereinafter, the best mode of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  1 and 2 are an external view and a partial cross-sectional view, respectively, of a mascara container that houses an applicator according to the present invention.

  The mascara container 1 includes a bottle 2 filled with a content containing an aqueous or oily volatile compound such as mascara liquid, and a screw cap 3 attached to the mouth 2a of the bottle 2, and the cap 3 is attached to the present invention. The applicator 10 is integrally provided. Specifically, the applicator 10 includes a brush part 11 having a plurality of needle-like protrusions and a support bar 12 that supports the brush part 11, and a rear end part 12 b of the support bar 12 is provided inside the cap 3. It is mated. A handling member 4 is attached to the mouth portion 2 a of the bottle 2, and the handling member 4 is integrally provided with a handling 4 a for removing excess contents attached to the brush portion 11 and the support rod 12.

  FIGS. 3A and 3B are a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the applicator 10 and a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA, respectively. As shown in FIG. 3 (a), the brush part 11 has an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer excellent in oil resistance, chemical resistance and durability, and has a surface hardness of 50 to 75 (ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials Standard). D2240), an ester thermoplastic elastomer having a surface hardness of 55 to 70 (for example, using Toyobo "Perprene") is injected near the tip 12a of the support rod 12. Then, an application region 11a in which the needle-like protrusions 11p are arranged and a connection region 11b that connects to the application region 11a and connects the distal end portion 12a of the support rod 12 are integrally provided. The support rod 12 is made of a material having a surface hardness higher than that of the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer of the brush portion 11, and includes the following materials: polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyamides such as nylon; polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polybutylene. Polyesters such as terephthalate; resins and metals such as polyoxymethylene (POM) and polycarbonate can be used, but resins are particularly preferred, and polyoxymethylene is particularly preferred.

  According to such a configuration, an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer having a surface hardness in the range of 50 to 75 is injected, and the application region 11a in which the needle-like protrusions 11p are arranged, and the distal end portion of the support rod 12 connected to the application region 11a. Since the connecting area 11b for connecting 12a is provided, the needle-like protrusion 11p having a moderate hardness can be easily formed in the application area 11a of the brush portion 11. Further, the brush part 11 is divided into a connection area 11b for connecting the tip end part 12a of the support bar 12 and an application area 11a for arranging the needle-like projections 11p, whereby the application area 11a and the tip end part 12a of the support bar 12 are arranged. Since the space becomes the buffer area 11c, the contact with the eyelashes and the like can be improved, and it can be applied safely and cleanly. In addition, since the support rod 12 is made of a resin having a hardness higher than that of the ester thermoplastic elastomer, the operability is excellent and the usability is improved. In the case of an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer having a surface hardness of less than 50, it is difficult to mold, and even if it can be molded, there is a problem that the brush itself becomes too soft, and the ester-based thermoplastic has a surface hardness of more than 75. In the case of a thermoplastic elastomer, there is a problem that the brush becomes too hard and is unusable.

  By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B, a plurality of needle-like protrusions 11p are provided on the entire circumference of the coating area 11a. In such a configuration, the contents can be applied at any position on the entire circumference of the application area 11a, and the shape of the brush portion is almost the same as the conventional shape. In addition, the cost merit that other configurations can be used as they are can be exhibited.

The axial pitch in which the needle-like protrusions 11p of the application area 11a of this embodiment are arranged is configured to be narrower in both side areas L ₁ and L ₃ than the central area L ₂ . More specifically, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 3 (a), the axial direction of the needle-like protrusion 11p having an array of axially pitch P ₁ of the needle-like protrusion 11p arranged in the side area L ₁ on the side zone L ₂ Narrower than the pitch P ₂ (P ₁ <P ₂ ), the axial pitch P ₃ of the needle-like protrusions 11p arranged in the side region L ₃ is also in the side region L ₂ as in the side region L ₁ shown in the enlarged view. It is narrower than the pitch P _{2 in} the axial direction of the arranged needle-like protrusions 11p (P ₃ <P ₂ ). In such a configuration, when the contents are applied, a large amount of contents are retained in the central region L ₂ corresponding to the central region of the eyelashes, and a small amount of contents are retained in the regions L ₁ and L ₃ corresponding to the eyelashes of the eyes and the outer corners In addition to this, it becomes possible to adjust the application amount according to the area to be applied, such as a part having a volume or a part to be delicately applied, which improves usability. Furthermore, the tip region L ₃ can also be used to apply the contents to a fine application region such as the lower corner of the eye.

  FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a mascara container 1 including another applicator 20 according to the present invention, and FIGS. It is AA sectional drawing. In the following, the same parts as those in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the applicator 20 also includes a brush portion 21 having a plurality of needle-like protrusions 21p and a support rod 22 that supports the brush portion 21, and a rear end portion 22 b of the support rod 22 is a cap 3. Is internally fitted. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), the brush portion 21 also has an ester thermoplastic elastomer having a surface hardness in the range of 50 to 75, preferably a polyester thermoplastic having a surface hardness in the range of 55 to 70. Elastomer (for example, using Toyobo "Perprene") is injected near the tip 22a of the support rod 22, and the application area 21a in which the needle-like protrusions 21p are arranged, and the tip 22a of the support bar 22 connected to the application area 21a The support bar 22 is made of a material having a hardness higher than that of the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and is similar to the support bar 12 of FIG. However, the resin is particularly preferable, and polyoxymethylene is particularly preferable.

However, in the brush portion 21 of this embodiment, the application area 21a is bowed and curved in the same direction as the tip of the needle-like protrusion 21p is directed, as shown in FIG. 5A, and the area θ in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the needle-like protrusion 21p is provided in a part of the coating area 21a in the circumferential direction, and a plurality of grooves 21n are provided on the opposite side. In addition, the buffer region 21c between the coating region 21a and the tip 22a of the support bar 22 is refracted in the opposite direction to the tip of the needle-like protrusion 21p. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the length of the needle-like protrusion 21p in the application area 21a is configured to be shorter in the both side areas L ₄ and L ₆ than in the central area L ₅ . The contents are difficult to accumulate at the base (particularly the bent region) and the tip region, preventing liquid dripping and shaft contamination.

  Also in such a configuration, an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer having a surface hardness in the range of 50 to 75 is injected, and an application region 21a in which the needle-like protrusions 21p are arranged, and a tip portion of the support rod 22 connected to the application region 21a. Since the connection area 21b for connecting 22a is provided, a needle-like protrusion having a moderate hardness can be easily formed in the application area 21a of the brush portion 21. Further, the brush portion 21 is divided into a connection region 21b for connecting the tip portion 22a of the support rod 22 and a coating region 21a for arranging the needle-like protrusions 21p, so that the space between the application region 21a and the tip portion 22a of the support rod 22 is obtained. Since it becomes the buffer area 21c, the contact with the eyelashes and the like can be improved and it can be applied safely and neatly. In addition, since the support rod 22 is made of a resin having a hardness higher than that of the ester thermoplastic elastomer, the operability is excellent and the usability is improved.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5 (b), a plurality of needle-like protrusions 21p are provided in a part (region θ) in the circumferential direction of the application region 21a in a shape curved in the axial direction, and on the opposite side thereof A plurality of grooves 21n are provided. In such a configuration, since the application area 21a is curved, it is easy to apply, and further, the application portion is adjusted by the groove 21n which is the opposite portion, and the needle-like protrusion 21p side holding a large amount of contents and a small amount of contents. The application amount can be properly used by properly using the grooves 21n for holding the film.

  By the way, in the applicator according to the present invention, when it is desired to further improve the usability, the application area provided in the brush portion can be changed as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

  FIG. 6 is a modified example with reference to the applicator 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and a part of the plurality of needle-like protrusions 11 p arranged in the application area 11 a is cut or molded along the axial direction of the brush portion 11. By not doing so, three barren bands S are formed in the coating area 11a to cut through the coating area 11a.

  According to such a configuration, when the mascara liquid is applied to the eyelashes, the eyelashes are caught at the portion of the needle-like protrusion 11pe adjacent to the barren band S in the circumferential direction, so that the eyelashes can be easily lifted and curled. In addition, at that time, since the mascara liquid is accumulated in the barren band S and a large amount of the mascara liquid can be put on, the volume can be given to the eyelashes. In addition, since the resistance between the application area 11a in which a plurality of needle-like protrusions 11p are arranged and the handle 4a is alleviated, the operation when removing the applicator 10 from the bottle 2 can be performed smoothly, and the application area 11a The scattering of mascara liquid caused by deformation can also be alleviated. Accordingly, if a barren band S that vertically cuts the application area 11a along the axial direction is provided in the application area 11a in which a plurality of needle-like protrusions 11p are arranged, the usability is further improved.

  In addition, although the barren band S is employable also in the form demonstrated in FIG.4, 5, it is employ | adopted as the applicator 10 which provided the acicular protrusion 11p over the perimeter like the form demonstrated in FIGS. 1-3. Is more effective. Moreover, the barren band S should just be formed in at least 1 place, The shape is not restricted to a straight line, A waveform may be sufficient. Further, the barren band S is not limited to the longitudinal section of the application region 11p along the axial direction of the brush portion 11, and as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 7, the application region 11p is divided into at least two regions along the axial direction. The barren bands S may be formed alternately for each of these regions.

  On the other hand, when viewed as the mascara container 1, in addition to the configuration in which the barren band S is formed, it is preferable to provide a slit So in at least one place of the handle 4a as shown in FIG. In this case, since the resistance between the application area 11a and the handle 4a is further relaxed, the operation when removing the applicator 10 or 20 from the bottle 2 can be performed smoothly, and the mascara liquid produced by the deformation of the application area 11a Spattering can be further reduced. Therefore, even if the slit So is provided in at least one place of the handle 4a, the usability is further improved.

  Those skilled in the art can make various modifications within the scope of the claims. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, the brush portion and the support rod are connected to each other from the viewpoint of workability and product cost by injecting an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer at the tip portion of the support rod and integrally forming the brush portion. Although so-called insert molding is used, after the brush portion is injection-molded alone, it may be connected to the support rod by adhesion or the like. Also, the brush part and the support rod can be connected by providing a recess at the tip of the support bar and injecting an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer therein to form the brush part integrally, or by providing a convex part in the connection area of the brush part. May be fitted. Furthermore, the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer for forming the brush part can be appropriately selected according to the contents as long as the surface hardness is within a range satisfying 50 to 75. Similarly, the support rod may be a resin having a hardness higher than that of the ester thermoplastic elastomer having a surface hardness in the range of 50 to 75.

  Furthermore, the content in which the applicator of the present invention is used can be used for any content such as an aqueous material or an oil-based material containing a volatile oil, and there is no particular limitation. In particular, the characteristic is remarkably exhibited with respect to an oil-based content containing a volatile oil agent in which the resin easily swells.

It is an external view of a mascara container provided with the applicator of one form concerning the present invention. It is a partial cross section figure of the mascara container of the same form. (A), (b) is the principal part sectional view which shows the applicator of the same form, and its AA sectional drawing, respectively. It is a partial cross section figure of the mascara container provided with the applicator of the other form which concerns on this invention. (A), (b) is the principal part sectional view which shows the applicator of the same form, and its AA sectional drawing, respectively. (A), (b) is principal part sectional drawing which shows the applicator which is a modification of the form which concerns on FIGS. 1-3, respectively, and its AA sectional drawing. It is a schematic diagram of the brush part which comprises the applicator which is another modification of the form which concerns on FIGS. (A), (b) is sectional drawing and bottom view of the handling member which comprises a mascara container, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mascara container 2 Bottle 3 Screw cap 4 Handling member 4a Handling 10 Application tool 11 Brush part 11a Application area 11b Connection area 11c Buffer area 11p, 11pe Needle-like protrusion 12 Support rod 20 Application tool 21 Brush part 21a Application area 21b Connection area 21c Buffer area 21p Needle-shaped protrusion 22 Support rod S Barren band So Slit

Claims (7)

In an applicator provided with a brush part having a plurality of needle-like protrusions and a support bar for supporting the brush part,
The brush portion is formed by injecting resin to provide an application region in which the needle-like protrusions are arranged, and a connection region that is connected to the application region and connects the distal end portion of the support rod. The resin forming the brush part is made of a material having a higher surface hardness (ASTM (American Material Testing Association Standard) D2240), and the resin forming the brush part has a surface hardness of 50 to 75. An applicator characterized by being an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer within the range.   The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer of the brush portion has a surface hardness in the range of 55 to 70.   The applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer of the brush portion is a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer.   The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a material forming the support bar is made of a resin.   The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an axial pitch in which the needle-like protrusions are arranged in the application region is narrowed in both side regions from the central region.   The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the length of the needle-like protrusions in the application area is shorter in both side areas than in the central area.   The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one barren band extending in the axial direction is provided in the application area.

Images