20070119475 | Dental floss having a fractionated bee propolis coating | May, 2007 | Hudnall et al. |
20070181144 | COATED DENTAL DEVICES WITH DRY-TO-THE-TOUCH, FLAVOR-ABSORBING, SALIVA SOLUBLE COATINGS AND METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING | August, 2007 | Brown et al. |
20080029121 | Sheet structure having at least one colored surface | February, 2008 | Gueret et al. |
20080223385 | Nail File | September, 2008 | Cha |
20040089316 | Methods and systems for hair coloring and highlighting | May, 2004 | Hamilton et al. |
20030140934 | Wig for decorating hair | July, 2003 | Sugai et al. |
20050081872 | Hand-held unbraider apparatus | April, 2005 | Robinson-ferguson |
20040226572 | Eyebrown hair removing & shaping kit | November, 2004 | Baker |
20090217935 | BRUSH WITH DETACHABLE HANDLE FOR HAIRDRESSING SALON | September, 2009 | Akerman |
20070157946 | Flexible dental floss applicator and interdental gum stimulator | July, 2007 | Lui et al. |
20050051188 | Hair styling appliance | March, 2005 | Leung |
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a cosmetic applicator. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mascara brush with improved bristle fibers.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Applicator brushes, including mascara brushes, are known in the art. Generally, a mascara applicator brush is inserted into a container having a reservoir of mascara or cosmetic medium. The bristle fibers pick up the mascara or cosmetic medium and carry it from the container for application onto the user's eyelashes. Such applicators are shown in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,642 to Costa, U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,425 to Hartel, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 4,887,622 to Gueret.
[0005] Typically, prior art mascara brushes tend to focus improvements on increasing the loading capacity of the brush. Loading is a term of art that refers to the mascara carrying capacity of the brush or bristle fibers. Basically, loading is the characteristic of the amount of cosmetic medium left on the brush when removed from the reservoir. Generally, the prior art focuses upon an optimal amount of product load such that a finished appearance may be expeditiously accomplished in as few strokes as possible. Typically, the prior art focuses upon the bristle head and the bristle fibers by varying the lengths and physical geometry of the bristle fibers to achieve improved loading of the brush.
[0006] Given the irregularity of application surfaces and thickness variations of the eyelashes, the user may not only desire to increase the load characteristics of the bristle fibers, but also to apply cosmetic medium in a comfortable manner. Since the skin is tender on the face and mascara application is performed near the eyes, rough bristle fibers and abrasive materials are disfavored. The prior art has attempted to solve some of these problems by increasing the flexibility attributes of the brush core. However, increased flexibility of the brush core is insufficient.
[0007] By utilizing improved bristle fibers, rather than conventional fibers or bristles, improved softness, surface characteristics and flexibility can be achieved, while maintaining the necessary structural stiffness to allow the user to better control the bristle fibers and improve combing and loading characteristics of the bristle fibers.
[0008] Thus, it is desirable to provide a mascara brush having bristle fibers that enable the user to more precisely and productively apply cosmetic product to the eyelashes and achieve a more skillful, comfortable, safe and productive cosmetic application with less loading.
[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an applicator brush, especially a mascara applicator brush, having co-extruded bristle fibers.
[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide an applicator brush, especially a mascara applicator brush, having co-extruded bristle fibers made of nylon, polyester or elastomer.
[0011] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an applicator brush, especially a mascara applicator brush, in which the bristle fibers have a core and a sheath thereabout, and the core and sheath are made of the same or different materials.
[0012] It is still another object of the present invention to provide an applicator brush, especially a mascara applicator brush, in which the bristle fibers have a structured shape, including but not limited to, protuberances or cavities, or indentations.
[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide an applicator brush, especially a mascara applicator brush, in which the bristle fibers are made of an elastomer or have an elastomeric longitudinal band.
[0014] It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an applicator brush, especially a mascara applicator brush, in which the bristle fibers are filaments surrounded by a sheath of yarn.
[0015] It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an applicator brush, especially a mascara applicator brush, having bristle fibers that have additives thereon or incorporated therein.
[0016] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by improved bristle constructions and shapes for an applicator brush of the present invention. The applicator brush has a brush core and a number of bristles or bristle fibers extending, preferably radially, from the brush core. Preferably, the bristle fibers are co-extruded with protruberances or indentations, preferably random indentations, for surface structure. Preferably, the bristle fibers have an additive such as an antibacterial agent. Also preferably, the bristle fibers are made of a thermoplastic or thermoelastic material.
[0017] The bristle fibers achieve improved performance characteristics such as improved antibacterial qualities, improved fiber surface structure, improved combing and improved loading characteristics over applicator brushes known in the art. In this manner, better application characteristics are achieved for the benefit of the user.
[0018] The above and other objects, advantages and benefits of the present invention will be understood by reference to the detailed description provided below and the accompanying drawings.
[0019]
[0020] FIGS.
[0021]
[0022]
[0023] FIGS.
[0024] Referring to the drawings and in particular
[0025] The container
[0026] The container
[0027] As an example, brush core
[0028] The bristle fibers
[0029] The bristle fibers
[0030] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, bristle fibers
[0031] In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least some of bristle fibers
[0032] In this embodiment, each bristle fiber
[0033] Another coextruded fiber of the present invention is shown in
[0034] The longitudinal band
[0035] The bristle fiber portion
[0036] In-another preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in
[0037] In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, bristle fibers
[0038] As shown in
[0039] The structured fiber as shown in
[0040] In yet another structured fiber as shown in
[0041] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, bristle fibers
[0042] In yet another preferred embodiment shown in
[0043] The bristle fibers
[0044] In another preferred embodiment shown in
[0045] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, mascara brush
[0046] The bristle fibers
[0047] The mascara applicators of the present invention may also include preferred fibers having different lengths and/or different zones as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0048] Although the present invention has been described in light of the most preferred embodiment, a mascara applicator, the fibers described may provide other types of cosmetic, dermatological or pharmaceutical applicators. For example, applicator brushes within the scope of the present invention, include but are not limited to, liquid lip composition applicators, eyeliner applicators, powder applicators such as for blushers, nail varnish applicators, or hair treatment applicators, such as hair dye brushes, and possible toothbrushes.
[0049] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances.