(en)The invention relates to an applicator device for a cosmetic applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, comprising at least two applicator elements having application units, wherein the applicator elements are designed as one-piece plastic parts and one or more applicator elements are arranged axially consecutively along a longitudinal axis L of the applicator device, wherein the application units of the applicator elements form application unit fields, each spanning an enveloping volume, wherein at least two enveloping volumes of applicator elements arranged next to one another are in contact with each other forming an overlapping zone, or overlap each other at least partially. The invention further relates to an applicator element for forming an applicator device, to a cosmetic applicator, and to an applicator element of an applicator device.

1.ApplicationNumber: US-201113882016-A
1.PublishNumber: US-2013276812-A1
2.Date Publish: 20131024
3.Inventor: KULIK DANIELA
FISCHER WERNER
THIERER GUDRUN

4.Inventor Harmonized: KULIK DANIELA(DE)
FISCHER WERNER(DE)
THIERER GUDRUN(DE)

5.Country: US
6.Claims:
(en)The invention relates to an applicator device for a cosmetic applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, comprising at least two applicator elements having application units, wherein the applicator elements are designed as one-piece plastic parts and one or more applicator elements are arranged axially consecutively along a longitudinal axis L of the applicator device, wherein the application units of the applicator elements form application unit fields, each spanning an enveloping volume, wherein at least two enveloping volumes of applicator elements arranged next to one another are in contact with each other forming an overlapping zone, or overlap each other at least partially. The invention further relates to an applicator element for forming an applicator device, to a cosmetic applicator, and to an applicator element of an applicator device.

7.Description:
(en)FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an applicator device comprising at least 2 applicator elements, an applicator element, a cosmetics applicator and a cosmetics unit.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A cosmetics application brush wherein bristles are deposited on a bristle core by means of a flocking method is known from DE 32 31 574 A1. The core comprises ring-like projections, so that the bristles deposited in the flocking method overlap in partial areas, particularly in the transition region from the annular projections to the core of the carrier part.
Such an applicator is disadvantageous in that the arrangement of the application organs/bristles attached with the flocking method cannot always be predicted accurately and is subject to chance to a certain extent. Thus, the formation of overlapping bristle regions, particularly the shape and extent in space of the overlapping portions thus formed, depend on chance to a certain degree because it cannot always be ensured that bristles can be disposed at the same density at every location of the carrier part. There is thus a need for improving such a mascara applicator and to achieve a more predefinable mass storage behavior and more predefinable characteristics of the applicator with regard to the wetting behavior of eyelashes.
It is therefore the object of the invention to propose an applicator device for a cosmetics applicator that avoids the drawbacks of the prior art and that can be produced inexpensively, in particular with great variability and in a simple manner.
Moreover, it is to be made possible that the characteristics of the applicator device particularly with regard to the mass storage capacity and the characteristics of the applicator device with regard to eyelash wetting can be made to be adjustable in a largely predefinable manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The applicator device according to the invention comprises at least two applicator elements that, with regard to their spatial geometry, are manufactured as a single piece and precisely predefinable in a plastic injection-molding process, or also in a 3-D printing process. It is thus possible to exactly predetermine the three-dimensional shape of the applicator elements, and thus, also the arrangement and three-dimensional shape of the application organs, particularly of the bristles, and, by forming overlap zones Ü while arranging individual applicator elements to form an applicator device according to the invention, to predeterminably realize the shape, the position in space and the size of an overlap zone Ü of application organs.
For this purpose, the applicator elements are disposed successively adjacently along a longitudinal axis L of the applicator device, the applicator elements comprising application organ areas BF that define an enveloping volume U. The application organ areas of two adjacent applicator elements touch or overlap at least partially and thus form an overlap zone Ü. This produces regions in the applicator device, which, after an applicator device according to the invention has been dipped into a mascara mass and the wiping process that usually follows when the mascara applicator is withdrawn from a mascara container, are specially protected against wiping and thus against undesired removal of mascara mass when the applicator is withdrawn from the container. Therefore, a major amount of mascara mass that is available for application of the mass on a user's eyelashes remains in these regions even after a wiping process.
The longitudinal axis L of the applicator device is preferably disposed coaxially with a longitudinal axis of a cosmetics applicator comprising the applicator device. However, the longitudinal axis can also extend offset parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cosmetics applicator, or at an angle thereto, particularly at a right angle thereto.
In an applicator device according to the invention, the overlap zone is achieved by application organs of adjacent applicator elements that cross one other or protrude into one another, which results in an applicator device according to the invention having, at least in some areas, crossing or overlapping application organs, which is advantageous particularly for an improved all-round wetting of a user's eyelashes.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention, the overlap zone Ü is formed from enveloping volumes U of two adjacent applicator elements and constitutes an intersection of these enveloping volumes, the overlap zone Ü having, in particular, a disc-shaped three-dimensional shape with a constant and/or uniform thickness corresponding to an overlap length X. Given such a design of an applicator device according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous that the mass storage capacity and also the eyelash wetting capacity of the applicator device is equally and symmetrically distributed in the circumferential direction in the region of the overlap zones Ü.
In order to achieve non-uniform or unequal mass storage and application characteristics of an applicator device according to the invention, it may make sense to configure the overlap zone Ü in a wedge-shape with regard to its three-dimensional shape, so that, for example, an overlap zone is provided on one side of the applicator device and that this is provided on the other side to a lesser, larger extent. Of course, it is also possible to provide only a partial area of the applicator device with an overlap zone, seen in the circumferential direction, and to keep another, opposite partial area free from an overlap zone in the circumferential direction of the applicator device.
Another possibility for achieving certain predefinable mass storage and/or wetting characteristics of the applicator device according to the invention lies in the overlap zone U being configured in a rotationally symmetric or also eccentrically offset manner with respect to a longitudinal axis L.
As an embodiment that can be easily realized in practice and that is provided with good results, it has proved its worth if an overlap length X of the overlap zone Ü is dimensioned in such a way that the following applies for the overlap lengths X: 0 mm≦X≦5 mm, in particular 0 mm X≦3.5 mm, particularly preferably 0 mm≦X≦1.5 mm. If the overlap zones Ü merely touch, which expressly lies within the scope of the invention, it applies that the overlap length X=0 mm.
The advantages desired for an optimized mass storage and application behavior of the applicator device are realized also in the case that the overlap zones Ü merely touch, i.e. that the application organs of the applicator elements do not cross one another but merely rest against one another.
In another embodiment of the invention, the overlap length X can be variable, seen along the radial direction of the applicator device. A wedge-shaped configuration of the overlap zone Ü can serve as an example for this. Apart from the wedge-shaped configuration of the overlap zone Ü, other three-dimensional shapes of the overlap zone Ü are of course also conceivable, which also have a variable overlap length L in the radial direction.
In order to achieve a particularly symmetrical distribution of the mass accommodation and/or wetting characteristics, it may make sense that the enveloping volumes U of the applicator elements, with regard to volume, each provide the same percentage of the overlap zone Ü.
Nevertheless, it is of course also possible to let, for example, a bristle area of a first applicator element that is particularly large in the longitudinal direction and a bristle area of a second applicator element that is particularly small with regard to volume protrude into one another, so that the enveloping volumes of the applicator elements contribute to the formation of the overlap zone with different percentages. For example, regions can be realized, for example along the longitudinal axis L of an applicator device, in which an increased number of overlap zones is provided, and other regions, which are, for example, bridged by a very large (long) applicator element, in which no or only few overlap zones are provided, which of course has an effect on the characteristics of the applicator device along its length.
In a special embodiment of the invention, reservoir volumes R within the overlap zone Ü are delimited by the application organs and at least partial areas of base parts of the applicator elements.
In particular, in a further preferred manner, an applicator element and a carrier part are configured as a single component for accommodating further applicator elements.
The applicator elements advantageously are manufactured as plastic injection-molded parts, particularly by a single or multi-component process, wherein the bristles/application organs of the applicator elements, for example, can be produced from a different material than their base parts. Known 3-D printing processes are also suitable for producing an applicator element according to the invention, particularly for small batches.
With regard to the arrangement of the applicator elements on the longitudinal axis L, it may be expedient that at least one applicator element is seated on the carrier part so as to be rotatable relative to the carrier part about the longitudinal axis at least by a certain amount. Thus, collisions of bristles of bristle areas that protrude into one another can be avoided when joining and arranging several applicator elements, so that bristles of the one bristle area can protrude into the intermediate spaces of the other bristle area.
The application organs are located preferably peripherally around the base part of the applicator element, arranged in rows, with the application organs 9 preferably standing perpendicularly on the longitudinal axis L in at least one row. Other rows of application elements preferably include an acute angle with the longitudinal axis L, with this acute angle a being, in particular, in the range between 30° and 90°, particularly preferably in a range of between 40° and 80°.
It is preferred that the carrier part has an accommodating portion for accommodating applicator elements, and has means for axially fixing the applicator elements, so that the applicator elements can no longer, or only to an insubstantial extent, slip out of place in the axial direction after having been placed on the carrier part. For example, an annular bead-like or a nose-like projection or a type of barb on the carrier part, for example, can serve this purpose, which engages in grooves of a through-hole of the base parts during assembly. Alternatively, a force fit can also be provided.
If it is desired to dispose the applicator elements on the carrier part so as to be non-rotatable in the circumferential direction, a cross section of the carrier part can be selected for the attachment region, for example, which deviates from a cylindrical cross section and which corresponds to an appropriate corresponding cross section of a through opening in the applicator elements, so that the applicator elements are fixed in a rotation-proof manner. For example oval or polygonal cross sections of the accommodating portion are suitable for this purpose.
Central axes of the application organs of two adjacently disposed applicator elements forming the overlap zone Ü include an angle β between them, with the angle β advantageously being between 20° and 130°, particularly between 40° and 110°. Within these angle ranges, a “covering” of the reservoir volume R by the application organs with regard to the maximum radial height of the reservoir volumes, measured from the longitudinal axis L, can be set within broad limits.
Expediently, the applicator elements comprise a base part from which the bristles/application organs branch off, and the base part preferably comprises a through opening for plugging it onto the carrier part. Preferably, the base part comprises a thickened region, with the application organs/bristles branching off from the thickened region. Expediently, the thickened region is configured so as to be curved concavely outwardly, for example.
Expediently, the application organs/bristles branch off perpendicularly from an outer surface of the thickened region/base part, which has a positive effect on the manufacturability, particularly on the demolding properties of the applicator element if they are being injection-molded. If a 3-D printing process is used, no attention has to be paid to the demolding properties, which also makes undercut applicator element possible.
Furthermore, it is an advantage of the invention that it can be readily assembled by arranging several, even different, applicator elements in almost any way. In this case, the applicator elements may differ with regard to a length h of the application organs, the hardness, the geometry of the application organs or the covering with application organs, or with regard to the design. Combining an applicator element manufactured by a single-component injection-molding process with another applicator element, which, for example, has been manufactured by a two--component injection-molding process or, for example, by 3-D printing, also lies within the scope of the invention.
It is another object of the invention to provide suitable applicator elements for forming an applicator device according to the invention.
An applicator element according to the invention comprises a plurality of application organs and is suitably configured for the axially successive arrangement along a longitudinal axis of an applicator device, with at least a part of the application organs being disposed and/or configured for this purpose in such a way that free ends of the application organs protrude in the axial direction over an axial length 1 of a base part at least to some extent, or end flush with it. Thus, application organs are provided which protrude over a base part at least on one end or that end flush with it, and which, when assembled with other applicator elements that also comprise bristles/application organs that protrude or end flush, can together form an overlap zone Ü within the sense of the invention.
In this case, the application organs preferably form a bristle area BF/enveloping volume U, which has a longitudinal extent l′ with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator element, the longitudinal extent l′ being at least equal to, particularly greater than, the longitudinal extent l of the base part of the applicator element.
A difference l′-l resulting therefrom forms the projecting length with respect to the longitudinal extent of the base part, the projecting length preferably being disposed symmetrically to the base part in the axial direction. This means that the ends of the application organs protrude to the same extent over the base part of the applicator element on both ends. Nevertheless, an enveloping volume U formed by the bristle area Bf can be disposed non-symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal extent of the base part, so that, for example, the bristle area does not protrude over, in particular end flush with, the base part on one end, and the entire difference projecting length l-l′ is disposed so as to protrude on one end over the end face of the base part.
In this case, the enveloping volume can also be disposed eccentrically with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator element.
In another embodiment of the applicator element, the enveloping volume U has a constant or variable radial extent in the circumferential direction around the longitudinal axis L.
In order to form different applicator elements, the application organs can, for example, be sections of a disc, prongs, bristles, toothed disc segments or teeth.
Moreover, the invention provides a cosmetics applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, which comprises at least one handle part, an applicator stem and an applicator device according to the invention.
Furthermore, the scope of the invention also includes a cosmetics unit comprising a container for accommodating mascara mass, optionally a wiper means, which comprises at least one applicator device according to the invention or a cosmetics applicator according to the invention.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is explained in more detail below by way of example with reference to the drawings. In the Figures:
FIG. 1 : shows a cosmetics applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, comprising an applicator device according to the invention in a schematic side view;
FIG. 2 : shows an enlarged depiction of the applicator device according to the invention according to FIG. 1 in a side view;
FIG. 3 : shows a first applicator element according to the invention for an applicator device according to the invention in a longitudinal section through a longitudinal central plane A-A according to FIG. 2 in a schematic, greatly enlarged view;
FIG. 4 : shows an arrangement of two applicator elements according to the invention according to FIG. 3 in a longitudinal sectional view along the plane A-A from FIG. 2 in a schematic, greatly enlarged view;
FIG. 5 : shows a second applicator element according to the invention along the plane A-A according to FIG. 2 for an applicator device according to the invention;
FIG. 6 : shows a longitudinal section along the plane A-A from FIG. 2 through an embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention depicted in a very schematic manner; and
FIG. 7 : shows another embodiment of the applicator device according to the invention in a longitudinal section along the plane A-A from FIG. 2 in a schematic representation.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the known manner, a cosmetics applicator 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a handle part 2 , an applicator stem 3 and a longitudinal axis L. The cosmetics applicator 1 comprises an applicator device 4 according to the invention with a carrier part 5 and several applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c according to the invention. In the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal axis L is the common longitudinal axis L for the cosmetics applicator 1 and the applicator device 4 . The longitudinal axes of the cosmetics applicator 1 and the applicator device 4 can, however, also be offset in a parallel manner or extend at an angle, particularly at right angles. In this case, the applicator element 6 c forms a distal end 7 of the applicator device 4 and of the cosmetics applicator 1 . The applicator element 6 a is located in the region of a proximal end 8 of the applicator device 4 . The handle part 2 forms a proximal end of the cosmetics applicator 1 .
Hereinafter, the term “distal” is used in the sense of “facing away from the handle part 2 ” or “located further distant therefrom”, and the term “proximal” is used as “facing towards the handle part” or “relative to the longitudinal axis L, closer to the handle part 2 compared with other elements”.
Each of the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c comprises a plurality of application organs 9 , which are configured as bristles in the exemplary embodiment.
However, other organs not configured as bristles, for example disc segments, prongs, teeth, bristles with thickened free ends, toothed disc segments or toothed discs, also fall under application organs 9 according to the invention. In the case of a mascara applicator, the application organs have the task of taking up mascara mass (not shown) located in a container by dunking/dipping in the cosmetics applicator 1 and then, optionally after a wiping process, dispensing this mascara mass thus taken up, for example, on eyelashes in order to accomplish a cosmetic effect.
Hereinafter, the term “bristles” is used for the purpose of simplification instead of the term “application organ”, wherein the use of this term is not intended to constitute any limitation. Other types of application organs (as described hereinabove) can also be provided instead of bristles.
The applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c are disposed on the carrier part 5 and attached so as to be fixed, relative thereto, at least in one axial direction 10 . With its proximal end, the carrier part 5 is firmly seated in the applicator stem 3 in the usual manner, the applicator stem 3 in turn being firmly connected to the handle part 2 .
The applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c are disposed so as to be jointless along the longitudinal axis L, ideally rigid with regard to pivoting, or bendable relative to one another within narrow limits.
In addition to the axial direction 10 oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the cosmetics applicator 1 or the applicator device 4 , a radial direction 11 is defined for the following description, which stands perpendicularly on the longitudinal axis L.
In the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal axis L is depicted as a straight line; nevertheless, applicator devices 4 according to the invention for forming a cosmetics applicator 1 can also be disposed along a longitudinal axis L which is curved or even undulating at least in the region of the applicator device 4 .
The bristles 9 each comprise a free end 12 and a bristle base 13 with which they are attached to a base part 14 a, 14 b, 14 c of the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c.
The applicator elements 6 a to 6 c, i.e. in particular the base parts 14 a, 14 b, 14 c with their associated bristles 9 are configured as single components as a plastic injection-molded part, wherein the base part 14 a, 14 b, 14 c and the bristles 9 associated therewith can each be manufactured from one and the same plastic material. This means that such an applicator element 6 a, 6 b, 6 c can be produced by a single-component injection-molding process.
Nevertheless, the applicator elements 6 a to 6 c can comprise a first plastic material, for example for the associated base part 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, and for the respectively associated bristles 9 , a second plastic material, so that such applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c are manufactured in a two-component or multi-component injection-molding process or another manufacturing process, e.g. 3-D printing.
In particular, there is the option of selecting the plastic for the bristles 9 to be slightly softer and more flexible than the plastic that forms the base parts 14 a, 14 b, 14 c.
As will be described in more detail below, in a partial area between the applicator elements 6 a and 6 b as well as 6 b and 6 c, their bristles 9 respectively touch and/or overlap.
The drawing according to the FIGS. 1 , and in particular 2 , could give rise to the impression that these overlapping bristles penetrate each other in a crossing manner. This is, of course, not the case in reality. This drawing has technical reasons. In reality, the bristles are of course disposed so as to not penetrate each other, optionally in a touching or non-touching manner, next to one another. This follows already from the fact that—as is described further below—the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c are each manufactured individually and assembled to form an applicator device 4 , for example by threading or plugging them onto the carrier part 5 . During this process, no fusion or penetration of the bristles 9 occurs, of course. Rather, these bristles 9 will arrange themselves in the circumferential direction with a slight offset one next to the other, optionally with slight bending, or when plugging on the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c. The “imaginary” penetration of the bristles shown in the Figures is a basis for a meaningful definition of lengths and angles, because in this theoretical position, the central axes 9 ′ of the bristles 9 intersect and thus define a plane, so that they include between them a defined angle. Thus, such a theoretical, optionally penetrating arrangement of the application organs 9 is presumed for the definition of lengths and angles where this is important, in order to avoid angle distortions or length changes that occur in a projection into a viewing plane, e.g. the plane of drawing of the longitudinal sections A-A.
The applicator device 4 according to the invention in accordance with the FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises, in the exemplary embodiment shown, two identical applicator elements 6 a, 6 b and another applicator element of a different design 6 c, with the applicator element 6 c being disposed on the distal end 7 , and with the respectively constructionally identical applicator elements 6 a, 6 b being disposed on the carrier part 5 so as to follow the applicator element 6 c proximally. The applicator element 6 c differs from the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b in that an altered bristle covering is provided in such a way that the distal end 7 is also covered on its end face with bristles 9 in a hedgehog-like manner. Of course, it is also possible to configure the applicator element 6 c so as to be identical to the applicator elements 6 a and 6 b, whereby, of course, an applicator device 4 is produced in that case which has no bristle covering on its free distal end 7 .
With respect to the base part 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, the bristles 9 are disposed, respectively peripherally extending around the base parts 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, in rows, with the rows being hereinafter referred to with R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 for the purposes of the description. Preferably, corresponding bristles of the rows R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 are disposed in rows also in the axial direction 10 . In FIG. 2 , several bristles 9 are in each case drawn up as belonging to the corresponding rows R1 to R5, so that it becomes clear which bristles respectively form a row R1 to R5. For example, all bristles 9 of the rows R3 each branch off in the radial direction 11 perpendicularly from the base part 14 a, 14 b, 14 c, whereas all bristles of the row R2 are disposed angled to the radial direction 11 , with the free ends 12 of the bristles being inclined towards the proximal end 8 . All the bristles 9 of the row R1 are also inclined in the same manner as the bristles 9 of row R2, but by a slightly greater angle. The bristles 9 of row R4 are preferably oriented symmetrically to the bristles 9 of row R2 with an inclination in the opposite direction, so that their free ends 12 of the bristles 9 point towards the distal end 7 . The same also applies to the bristles of the rows R5, wherein they, compared with the bristles 9 of the row R4, are more inclined towards the distal end 7 relative to the radial direction 11 .
Hereinafter, the structure of a first embodiment of an applicator element 6 a, 6 b according to the invention will be described with reference to the illustration according to FIG. 3 .
These applicator elements 6 a, 6 b comprise the base part 14 a, 14 b. The base part 14 a, 14 b has an axial longitudinal extent l and is configured, for example, as a tubular-cylindrical body with a through opening 15 . An annular groove 15 a provided for axially fixing the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b on the carrier part 5 —as is described further below—is disposed in the through opening 15 . In a region that is preferably central with respect to the longitudinal extent l, the base part 14 a, 14 b comprises a bead-like thickened portion 16 . The thickened portion 16 is, for example, a ball-like thickened portion 16 with an outer surface 17 , from which the bristles 9 protrude approximately perpendicularly with their central axes 9 ′.
All the free ends 12 of the bristles 9 of an applicator element 6 a, 6 b span an imaginary enveloping volume U, which is schematically shown with a dashed line in FIG. 3 and the Figures described below.
All the bristles 9 of an applicator element 6 a to 6 b form bristle areas BF, with each bristle area BF defining the enveloping volume U. The enveloping volume U is supposed to be understood as a volume spanned by the free ends 12 that is similar to an elastic skin without sink marks and also without indentations or depressions, which is limited by imaginary planes E particularly in the axial direction 10 . Thus, if enveloping volumes U of the respective applicator elements, due to an appropriate arrangement of the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c, touch or penetrate each other, in particular penetrate each other only partially, then a protrusion into each other or an overlapping of two of the bristle areas BF of adjacent applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c within the sense of the invention is provided.
In the sectional view according to FIG. 3 , the outermost bristles 9 of the rows R1 and R5 include an acute angle α with the longitudinal axis L, seen in the axial direction 10 . Expediently, the angle α is greater than 30° and smaller than 90°; particularly, the angle α is greater than 40° and smaller than 80°. The bristles 9 have a length h, measured from the bristle base 13 to the free end of the bristle 12 , with the length h of the bristles 9 being 1 mm to 10 mm, in particular 1.5 mm to 6 mm. According to the invention, at least the, in the axial direction 10 , outermost bristles 9 of the rows R1 and R5 are configured in such a way with regard to the angle α and their bristle length h that the enveloping volume U, which has an axial longitudinal extent l′, is configured in such a way that its longitudinal extent l′ is equal to or greater than the longitudinal extent l of the base part 14 a, 14 b. It is thus fundamental that the longitudinal extent of the applicator element 6 a, 6 b in the axial direction 10 , measured on bristle tips 12 of the, in the axial direction 10 , outermost bristles, is equal to or greater than the longitudinal extent l of the base part 14 a, 14 b, so that at least some bristles 9 of the applicator element 6 a, 6 b protrude in the axial direction 10 over the base part 14 a , 14 b to some extent, or end flush with end faces 21 a, 21 b of the base parts 14 a, 14 b, 14 c.
The axial protrusion l′-l of the enveloping volume U over the axial longitudinal extent l of the base part can thus be determined in broad limits either via the selection of the angle α, via the selection of the longitudinal extent h of the bristles 9 , or via the selection of the longitudinal extent l of the base part. Thus, the difference l′-l of these axial longitudinal extents, for example, can be maximized if the axial longitudinal extent l of the base part 14 a, 14 b is reduced when a bristle length h is given and an inclination angle α is given. In an extreme case, the base part 14 a, 14 b can also be formed, in the axial direction 10 , by a section carrying only one bristle 9 . In the exemplary embodiment, such a section is the thickened portion 16 .
Moreover, it lies within the scope of the invention to dispose the axial protrusion 1 ′- so as to protrude symmetrically over the end faces, as in the exemplary embodiment. This is recommended particularly if an applicator device 4 is to be constructed by means of applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c of the same kind with which symmetrical, and in particular equally sized, overlap zones Ü are to be achieved between two applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c.
However, the axial protrusion l′-l can also be configured to be non-uniform with respect to the longitudinal axis L, e.g. as a small protrusion over a first end face 21 a and as a bigger protrusion over the second end face 21 b.
An arrangement of two applicator elements 6 a, 6 b to form an applicator device 4 according to the invention is described below with reference to FIG. 4 . In this case, the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b are disposed so as to rest against each other in the axial direction 10 with end faces of their base parts 14 a, 14 b. Since the axial longitudinal extent l′ of the enveloping volume U of the two applicator elements 6 a, 6 b is in each case greater than the axial longitudinal extent l of the base parts 14 a, 14 b, the bristle areas BF of the two applicator elements 6 a, 6 b overlap in the region in which the base parts 14 a, 14 b rest against each other axially. The bristle areas BF, i.e. the enveloping volumes U of the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b , overlap in the axial direction 10 by an amount X, which will hereinafter be referred to as overlap length X. The intersection of the enveloping volumes U of the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b over the overlap length X forms an overlap zone Ü, which—as shown in FIG. 4 —contains crossing bristles 9 , with in each case at least partial areas of bristles 9 of the row R5 of the applicator element 6 a and partial areas of the bristles 9 of the row R1 of the applicator element 6 b lying within the overlap zoneÜ. This region, which is formed by crossing bristles 9 or overlapping bristle areas BF or enveloping zones U, when wetting an applicator device 4 according to the invention with mascara mass within the container, in particular serves as an effective mass storage, which reliably retains a major amount of mascara mass even when the applicator device is withdrawn from the container, optionally through a wiper device. In particular, a reservoir volume therefor is unlimited due to the bristles 9 and partial areas of the base parts 14 a, 14 b, 14 c.
Moreover, this overlap zone Ü with crossing bristles 9 , when applying gathered mascara masse to eyelash hairs, particularly advantageously serves for a good wetting of the eyelash with mascara mass that reaches over wide portions of the circumference of an eyelash, which, in particular, is due to the fact that at least some, depending on the size and shape of the overlap zone Ü even several or a plurality of, eyelashes are touched by crossing bristles 9 and that thus, an improved wetting of the eyelashes with mascara mass takes place.
In the example shown according to FIG. 4 , only one bristle row R5 of the one applicator element 6 a and one bristle row R1 of the second applicator element 6 b respectively contribute to the formation of the overlap zone Ü. By suitably selecting the angle α, the bristle length h and the difference of the lengths l′-l, it is of course also possible to achieve a participation also of adjacent bristle rows R4 of the applicator element 6 a and R2 of the applicator element 6 b in the formation of the overlap zone Ü. In such a case, the number of the crossing points between adjacent bristles 9 or overlapping bristles 9 is increased, so that the above-described effects occur more frequently.
It thus readily lies within the scope of the invention to select the overlap zone Ü or the overlap length X in such a way that a plurality of the bristles 9 of adjacent applicator elements 6 a, 6 b overlap, and that thus, the bristle areas BF of the applicator elements penetrate one another to a greater extent. If the overlap length is X=0, then the enveloping volumes U touch, which also lies within the scope of the invention. According to the invention, the overlap length X is 0 mm to 5 mm, in particular 0 mm to 3.5 mm, or 0 mm to 1.5 mm, and can be about 0 to 50%, preferably 10 to 40%, particularly preferably 30% of the longitudinal extent l′ of the enveloping volume U. The greater the overlap length X compared to the longitudinal extent l′ of the enveloping volume U, the greater the mass storage effect, because a greater number of the bristles 9 of the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c participate in the formation of the overlap zone Ü. If an overlap length X of greater than 50% of the longitudinal extent l′ of the enveloping volume U is selected, a great reduction in numbers of the free bristles 9 , i.e. those bristles that do not participate in the formation of the overlap zone Ü, occurs in an applicator device 4 according to the invention expediently composed of a plurality of, i.e. more than two, applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c according to the invention, which can lead to a reduction of the separation effect of the applicator device 4 according to the invention. In particular the free bristles 9 , i.e. those that do not cross with other bristles 9 , are responsible for eyelashes being separated by combing during the treatment with an applicator according to the invention, and for the occurrence of a separation. Thus, the size of the overlap length X in a range between 0 and 50% of the longitudinal extent l′ of the enveloping volume U has proved to be particularly advantageous.
Central axes 9 ′ of crossing bristles 9 contributing to the participation in the overlap zone Ü include an angle β, under the theoretical assumption that the two central axes 9 ′ are located in a common plane. Values of 20°≦β≦130°, in particular 40°≦β≦110°, have proved expedient values for the angle β. Particularly in the latter range, the circumferential wetting of the eyelashes with mascara mass on the one hand, which is desired according to the invention, and the mass storage capacity of the reservoir R on the other hand is particularly optimized. The smaller the angle β becomes, the more the overlapping bristles 9 approximate the characteristics of an individual bristle 9 . Moreover, due to bristles 9 crossed at particularly acute angles, the reservoir volume R is particularly extensive in the radial direction, whereby at least a part of the mascara mass located in the reservoir volume R can optionally also be wiped off if an applicator device 4 according to the invention is wiped off.
In any case, the characteristics of the applicator device 4 according to the invention with respect to mass storage capacity in the reservoir volume R and the separation effect, as well as a possible all-round wetting of eyelashes, can be adjusted in a manner predefinable within broad limits by a broad variation of the angle β.
FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of an applicator element 6 c according to the invention, which is particularly suitable as an applicator element 6 c in the region of the distal end 7 of the applicator device 4 . Towards the proximal end 8 of the applicator device 4 , the applicator element 6 c is configured exactly like the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b with regard to the configuration of the base part 14 c and with regard to the bristle covering BF. In contrast to these applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, the applicator element 6 c comprises in the area of the distal end 7 another bristle covering, so that the distal end 7 of the applicator device 4 itself can also be used as an end-face applicator, because a dense bristle covering is provided at the end face.
In further contrast to the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, the applicator element 6 c comprises a tapped recess 15 b, which also comprises an annular groove 15 a, instead of the through opening 15 . With the tapped recess 15 b, the applicator element 6 c —as is described further below—can be attached to the carrier part 5 .
Thus, an applicator device 4 according to the invention, as shown in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 4 , can be composed of at least one applicator element 6 a and a terminating applicator element 6 c according to FIG. 5 , or of a plurality of applicator elements 6 a, 6 b and an applicator element 6 c functioning as a terminating applicator element.
FIG. 6 shows a first option of the fixed arrangement of applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c on the carrier part 5 of the applicator device 4 .
To this end, the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c are shown in a greatly simplified manner, without application organs 9 .
In this case, the carrier part 5 has a substantially rod-like three-dimensional shape with an accommodating portion 18 for applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c and a connection region 19 for connecting to the applicator stem 3 . Spaced apart in the axial direction 10 , the carrier part comprises annular bead-like or nose-like projections 20 . The projections 20 are configured, in particular, so as to extend radially peripherally and correspond with the annular grooves 15 a in the openings 15 , 15 b of the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c. By plugging the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c in the axial direction 10 onto the carrier part 5 , the projections 20 can snap into the annular grooves 15 a and thus fixingly retain the respective applicator element 6 a, 6 b, 6 c at least in the axial direction 10 . The applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 can be disposed so as to be non-rotatable relative to the carrier part in the circumferential direction. However, it is conceivable that the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, 6 c are mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the carrier part 5 about the longitudinal axis l.
FIG. 7 shows another possible embodiment of the applicator device 4 according to the invention comprising applicator elements according to the invention. In this applicator device 4 , the applicator element 6 c forming the distal termination of the applicator device 4 is configured as a single part with the carrier part 5 . The other applicator elements 6 a, 6 b are threaded on successively in the axial direction 10 so as to rest against the applicator element 6 c in the distal direction. In the region of the proximal end 8 of the applicator device, the applicator stem 3 is seated in such a way that a free (distal) end of the applicator stem 3 axially fixes the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b between the applicator stem 3 and the applicator element 6 c.
Moreover, some embodiments of the overlap zone Ü, of the reservoir volumes R and the enveloping volumes U are shown in FIG. 7 by way of example. Such illustrations and explanations referring to the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 7 are of course transferable onto the entire invention and are not limited to the embodiment according to FIG. 7 .
Referring to the applicator element 14 a according to FIG. 7 , it becomes clear that not all of the bristles 9 of the applicator element have to contribute to spanning the associated enveloping volume U. Some of the bristles, for example, can be shorter than others and thus lie within the enveloping volume U and not contribute to spanning the enveloping volume.
By way of example, FIG. 7 shows by means of the applicator elements 6 a , 6 b that the enveloping volumes U of those two applicator elements 6 a, 6 b is configured and arranged relative to one another in such a way that the enveloping volumes U of the applicator elements 6 a and 6 b merely touch, so that an overlap zone Ü according to the invention is created, which, however, has no extent in space. Nevertheless, reservoir volumes R are formed that afford the above advantages when two applicator elements 6 a, 6 b, as they are shown by way of example in FIG. 7 , are mounted side-by-side.
The applicator elements 6 b and 6 c in FIG. 7 in turn illustrate, merely by way of example, how a wedge-shaped overlap zone Ü, for example, between these two applicator elements can be achieved. Around the region drawn into the drawing above the longitudinal axis L, the applicator elements 6 b and 6 c comprise enveloping volumes U that overlap and thus form an overlap zone Ü, and thus also a reservoir volume R.
On the opposite side, i.e. shown below the longitudinal axis L in FIG. 7 , the bristles 9 of the applicator elements 6 b and 6 c are configured and disposed in such a way that the enveloping volumes U merely touch. Seen over the entire applicator device 4 , a wedge-shaped three-dimensional shape of the overlap zoneÜ is thus created between the applicator elements 6 b and 6 c. Seen relative to the longitudinal axis L, this overlap zone L is also arranged eccentrically.
The different spatial configurations of the overlap zone Ü with an overlap length of X=0 between the applicator elements 6 a and 6 b and with an overlap length X that can be varied in the radial direction between 0 and a maximum value on the opposite side are supposed to illustrate that a broad range of variations for configuring the overlap zones is made possible by different combinations of differently configured applicator elements 6 a, 6 b , 6 c according to the invention, which, as was already described above, has effects on the mass storage capacity and also on the capacity for wetting eyelashes, in particular circumferentially wetting eyelashes.
Further by way of example, it is explained by means of FIG. 7 that, for example, the applicator elements 6 a, 6 b comprise as a base part 13 only the above-described thickened region 16 , which is configured convexly outwards, and no cylindrical region adjacent thereto, as this is shown in the preceding exemplary embodiments.
Of course, the embodiment according to FIG. 7 comprising a base part consisting of a tubular-cylindrical region and a thickened region, as explained in the previously described embodiment, is possible and expressly lies within the scope of the invention.
In the applicator device 4 according to the invention, it is particularly advantageous that, in particular due to the structure of the applicator device consisting of injection-molded applicator elements it is possible, for the first time, to provide overlap zones Ü on the one hand, in particular overlap zones that are variable with regard to their length in the axial direction 10 , and to adjust them predefinably, with changes having to be made only to a few characteristic dimensions and shapes of the individual applicator elements. In particular, this is possible because applicator elements produced in a plastic injection-molding process receive the same geometry over and over again with particular precision and particularly good reproducibility, and the bristle covering or covering with application organs is regular and constant. This is in contrast to a rather random distribution and arrangement of fibers in the flocking method according to the prior art.
Furthermore, the formation of the applicator device according to the invention from elements produced by an injection-molding process or by 3D printing, compared with known flocking methods, offers design possibilities that are much greater and freer as regards construction of shapes and sizes of the application organs.
By providing a few different applicator elements that differ, for example, with regard to the geometrical three-dimensional shape of the application organs, the lengths h of the application organs, the inclination angles a to the longitudinal axis of the applicator element, a multitude of different applicator devices can be composed in a modular manner, wherein different mass storage, separation and volume-related properties of this applicator device can be set in a predefinable manner.
In particular, providing non-symmetrical or eccentric arrangements and/or three-dimensional shapes of the overlap zone U renders the resulting properties of the applicator device capable of being influenced in a simple manner. Thus, in particular local mass storages, e.g. on one side of the applicator device and, e.g. on the opposite side, an applicator section with particularly good separation properties can be provided. This is the case in particular given a wedge-shaped configuration of the overlap zone Ü when the overlap zone Ü is provided, for example, only on one side of the circumference of the applicator device and if the adjacent bristles of the applicator element on the other side of the applicator do not touch or are even disposed spaced apart.