Applicator, device, and method

• US 7,156,105 B2
• Filed: 05/21/2001
• Issued: 01/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Robert; Eduardo C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Comstock; David
• Application Number:
  US09/860,601
• Publication Number:
  US 20020011251A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,052 Days
• Field of Search: 132/200, 132/218, 132/120, 132/320, 132/313, 132/317, 132/308, 151/591, 151/60, 151/671, 151/672, 151/95, 401/122, 401/127, 401/129, D41/05, D41/06, D41/10, D41/34
• US Class Current: 132/218
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1053 Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/106 Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara including comb like element
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 3/08 by clamping
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 3/18 the bristles being fixed on or between belts or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/021 arranged like in cosmetics brushes, e.g. mascara, nail polish, eye shadow
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 65/56 using mechanical means or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/69 General aspects of joining filaments bundling articles B65B13/00; interconnecting successive lengths of material B65H69/00
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/71 characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined welding bar compositions B29C65/125
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 66/7392 characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2021/003 Thermoplastic elastomers
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/06 PE, i.e. polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2023/12 PP, i.e. polypropylene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2025/06 PS, i.e. polystyrene
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2067/00 Use of polyesters or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2069/00 Use of PC, i.e. polycarbonates or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29K 2077/00 Use of PA, i.e. polyamides, e.g. polyesteramides or derivatives thereof, as moulding material
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/42 Brushes
• CPC Class Codes: B29L 2031/425 Toothbrush

Abstract

An applicator for applying a product to hair may include a support not including a twisted wire and at least one through hole extending through the support. The at least one through hole may have a non-constant cross-section. The applicator may also include a tuft of bristles held in the at least one through hole. The tuft of bristles may be configured to apply the product to hair.

Claims

1. A device for applying a product to hair, the device comprising:

an applicator comprising;

a support not including a twisted wire;

at least one through hole extending through the support, in a direction transverse to a longitudinal axis of the support, the at least one through hole having a non-constant cross-section along the direction; and

a tuft of bristles held in the at least one through hole, the tuft of bristles being configured to apply the product to hair, and

a receptacle containing a hair product,

wherein the applicator is configured to apply the product to eyelashes or eyebrows,

wherein the at least one through hole comprises a plurality of through holes, each through hole receiving a respective tuft of bristles.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one through hole comprises two ends, each end being on an external face of the support.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the support is substantially straight along at least a portion including the at least one through hole.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one through hole is deformed by plastically deforming the support after the tuft of bristles is inserted in the at least one hole, the deformation of the at least one through hole holding the tuft of bristles therein.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein a portion of the at least one through hole has a reduced cross-section resulting from the deformation, the portion of reduced cross-section holding the bristles in the at least one through hole.

6. The device of claim 1,

wherein the at least one through hole is deformed by one of forming, seaming, heat-sealing, and stamping of the support.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the at least one through hole is deformed by forming of the support.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener holding the tuft of bristles in the at least one through hole.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the fastener extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the tuft of bristles.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the applicator further comprises a secondary hole associated with the at least one through hole, the secondary hole intersecting with the through hole.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the fastener is at least partially in the secondary hole.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein an axis of the secondary hole is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the at least one through hole.

13. The device of claim 8, wherein the fastener is a peg.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of the at least one through hole is one of square, oblong, and non-circular at some position between ends of the at least one through hole.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one through hole comprises a countersink adjacent to an end thereof.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through holes comprises at least one row of through holes.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the at least one row of through holes is disposed in a staggered configuration.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of through holes intercommunicate with one another.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through holes includes a first through hole having a first axis and a second through hole having a second axis, the first and second axes being not parallel to one another.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the tufts of bristles in the first and second through holes form a V-shape extending from the support when the applicator is viewed from a side.

21. The device of claim 19, wherein the first and second axes cross one another when the axes are projected in a plane.

22. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through holes comprises a first through hole and a second through hole, the first and second through holes intersecting one another.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the tuft of bristles in the first through hole contacts the tuft of bristles in the second through hole.

24. The device of claim 22, wherein the first and second through holes open onto an external face of the support via a common orifice.

25. The device of claim 1, wherein the support is elongate in shape and of polygonal cross-section.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the support has a triangular cross-section.

27. The device of claim 1, wherein the support is elongate in shape and comprises at least one of a portion having teeth, a portion having notches, a portion in relief, and a portion having roughnesses, the portion being configured to at least one of enable hairs to be combed, enable hairs to be smoothed, and provide reserves of product.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the support comprises at least one of the portion having notches, the portion in relief, and the portion having roughnesses, the portion extending transversely to a longitudinal axis of the support.

29. The device of claim 1, wherein the support is a single piece.

30. The device of claim 1, further comprising a wand on the support.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the wand is not hollow.

32. The device of claim 30, wherein the wand and the support are a single piece of unitary construction.

33. The device of claim 1, wherein the support is a composite structure.

34. The device of claim 33, wherein the support comprises a core sandwiched between a top portion of the support and a bottom portion of the support, the top and bottom portions being made of materials different than the core.

35. The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the bristles comprise at least one of grooves, folds, forks, and rounded heads.

36. The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the bristles are flat.

37. The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the bristles are cropped at an end of the at least one through hole.

38. The device of claim 1, wherein the bristles project from first and second ends of the at least one through hole to respective heights that are one of substantially identical to one another and different from one another.

39. The device of claim 1, wherein the tufts of bristles form a brush having a profile of at least one of concave, convex, and saw-tooth.

40. The device of claim 1, wherein the tuft of bristles comprises bristles having at least one of different diameters and different cross-sections.

41. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of through holes comprises a first through hole and a second through hole, and wherein the tuft of bristles corresponding to the first through hole comprises bristles having one of a diameter and cross-section different from the tuft of bristles corresponding to the second through hole.

42. The device of claim 1, further comprising a wiper member configured to enable wiping of the applicator when the applicator is removed from the receptacle.

43. The device of claim 42, wherein the receptacle is configured to removably receive the applicator.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the applicator comprises a wand having first and second ends, the first end of the wand being on the support.

45. The device of claim 44, wherein the wand comprises a portion of reduced cross-section at a position substantially level with the wiper member when the applicator is in the receptacle.

46. The device of claim 44, further comprising a handle member on the second end of the wand, the handle member being configured to provide a cap for closing an opening of the receptacle.

47. The device of claim 44, wherein the support is made of a material that is more flexible than a material used to make the wand.

48. The device of claim 42, wherein the wiper member includes at least one of a foam and an elastomer.

49. A method of applying a product to eyelashes or eyebrows, the method comprising:

providing the device of claim 42, the receptacle containing a supply of the product for eyelashes or eyebrows;

inserting the applicator in the receptacle;

loading the applicator with the product;

removing the applicator from the receptacle;

wiping the applicator on the wiping member when removing the applicator from the receptacle; and

applying the product to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by moving the applicator along the eyelashes or the eyebrows.

50. The device of claim 1, wherein at least some of the bristles are made out of the same material as the support.

51. The device of claim 1, wherein the bristles are made by extruding a soft elastomer material.

52. The device of claim 1, wherein the bristles are made of a material comprising a gliding agent to facilitate gliding of the bristles along hair, the gliding agent being chosen from graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene and derivatives thereof, silicones and derivatives thereof, and molybdenum disulfide.

53. The device of claim 1, wherein the support is made of at least one material chosen from polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyacetate, polyurethane, polyester, and thermoplastic elastomers.

54. The device of claim 1, wherein the tuft of bristles comprises from about 2 to about 250 bristles.

55. The device of claim 54, wherein the tuft of bristles comprises, from about 4 to about 100 bristles.

56. The device of claim 55, wherein the tuft of bristles comprises from about 5 to about 50 bristles.

57. A method of applying a product to eyelashes or eyebrows, the method comprising:

providing the device of claim 1;

loading the applicator with the product; and

applying the product to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by moving the applicator along the eyelashes or the eyebrows.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the product is mascara, and wherein the applying comprises applying the mascara to eyelashes by moving the applicator along the eyelashes.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the loading comprises placing the applicator at least partially in the receptacle and contacting the applicator with the product in the receptacle.

60. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the plurality of through holes comprises a first through hole and a second through hole,

the tuft of bristles comprises a first tuft of bristles and a second tuft of bristles, and

the first through hole receives the first tuft of bristles, and the second throught hole receives the second tuft of bristles.

61. A device for applying a product to hair, the device comprising:

an applicator comprising;

a support not including a twisted wire;

a first through hole and a second through hole, each extending through the support, at least one of the first and second through holes having a non-constant cross-section; and

a first tuft of bristles and a second tuft of bristles held in the first through hole and the second through hole, respectively, the first and second tufts of bristles being configured to apply the product to hair, and

a receptacle containing a hair product,

wherein the applicator is configured to apply the product to eyelashes or eyebrows,

wherein the centerline of the at least one of the first and second through holes between ends of the at least one of the first and second through holes is not substantially straight.

62. The device of claim 61, wherein the applicator further comprises a third tuft of bristles and a third through hole receiving the third tuft of bristles.

63. A device for applying a product to hair, the device comprising:

an applicator comprising;

a support not including a twisted wire;

a first through hole and a second through hole, each extending through the support, at least one of the first and second through holes having a non-constant cross-section; and

a first tuft of bristles and a second tuft of bristles held in the first through hole and the second through hole, respectively, the first and second tufts of bristles being configured to apply the product to hair, and

a receptacle containing a hair product,

wherein the applicator is configured to apply the product to eyelashes or eyebrows,

wherein the support has a flat shape.

64. The device of claim 63, wherein the applicator further comprises a third tuft of bristles and a third through hole receiving the third tuft of bristles.

65. A device for applying a product to hair, the device comprising:

an applicator comprising;

a support not including a twisted wire;

a first through hole and a second through hole, each extending through the support, at least one of the first and second through holes having a non-constant cross-section; and

a first tuft of bristles and a second tuft of bristles held in the first through hole and the second through hole, respectively, the first and second tufts of bristles being configured to apply the product to hair, and

a receptacle containing a hair product,

wherein the applicator is configured to apply the product to eyelashes or eyebrows,

wherein at least some of the bristles form loops adjacent to an end of at least one of the first and second through holes.

66. The device of claim 65, wherein the applicator further comprises a third tuft of bristles and a third through hole receiving the third tuft of bristles.

67. A method of manufacturing an applicator for applying a product to hair, the method comprising:

providing a support not including a twisted wire and formed of a single piece of unitary construction, the support comprising a first through hole and a second through hole, each extending through the support;

inserting a first tuft of bristles exclusively in the first through hole;

inserting a second tuft of bristles that are distinct from the first tuft of bristles exclusively in the second through hole; and

fixing the first and second tufts of bristles in the first and second through holes, respectively, so as to retain the first and second tufts of bristles therein,

wherein fixing the first and second tufts of bristles comprises at least one of deforming at least one of the first and second through holes and interference-fitting of the first and second tufts of bristles into the first and second through holes, and

wherein the applicator manufactured according to the method is configured to apply the product to eyelashes or eyebrows.

68. The method of claim 67, wherein the fixing comprises deforming each of the through holes so as to retain the tuft of bristles therein.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein the deforming of each of the through holes comprises deforming the support on at least one side of each through hole.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the deforming of each of the through holes comprises deforming the support on opposing sides of each through hole.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein the deforming of the support comprises applying a pressure to the support on at least one side of each through hole in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the through hole.

72. An applicator manufactured according to the method of claim 68.

73. The method of claim 67, wherein the inserting of the tuft of bristles comprises inserting the tuft of bristles so that the bristles extend from an external face of the support at first and second ends of the through hole.

74. The method of claim 67, further comprising folding each tuft of bristles into a U-shape prior to inserting the tuft of bristles in the corresponding through hole, each of the bristles having a pair of free ends and a looped portion.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein the folding comprises folding the bristles in a location other than a middle thereof.

76. The method of claim 74, further comprising cropping the looped portion to provide an additional pair of free ends.

77. The method of claim 74, further comprising machining at least one of the free ends and the looped portion of the bristles.

78. The method of claim 67, further comprising shearing the bristles so as to give them a particular overall shape.

79. The method of claim 67, further comprising carding ends of the bristles so as to burst the ends.

80. The method of claim 67, further comprising cutting the tufts of bristles to a desired length prior to inserting the tufts of bristles in the through holes of the support, and not again cutting the tufts of bristles after inserting the tufts of bristles in the through holes of the support.

81. An applicator manufactured according to the method of claim 67.

82. The method of claim 67, wherein the support comprises a third through hole, and wherein the method further comprises inserting a third tuft of bristles in the third through hole.

83. A method of manufacturing an applicator for applying a product to hair, the method comprising:

providing a support not including a twisted wire and comprising a plurality of through holes extending through the support;

inserting a respective tuft of bristles in each of the through holes; and

fixing the respective tuft of bristles in each of the through holes so as to retain the tuft of bristles therein,

wherein the applicator manufactured according to the method is configured to apply the product to eyelashes or eyebrows, and

wherein the support comprises a plurality of secondary holes, each associated with each of the through holes, each of the secondary holes intersecting with each of the through holes, and wherein the fixing comprises inserting a fastener each of the secondary holes so as to retain the respective tuft of bristles in each through hole.

84. The method of claim 83, wherein an axis of each of the secondary holes is substantially perpendicular to an axis of each of the through holes, and wherein the fixing comprises inserting a peg in each of the secondary holes.

85. An applicator manufactured according to the method of claim 83.

86. A method of manufacturing an applicator for applying a product to hair, the method comprising:

providing a support comprising a first through hole and a second through hole, each extending through the support;

inserting a first tuft of bristles and a second tuft of bristles exclusively in the first and second through holes respectively;

fixing the first and second tufts of bristles therein; and

coupling a wand to the support by at least one of heat-sealing and deforming of the wand,

wherein the first tuft bristles and the second tufts of bristles are distinct from one another.

87. The method of claim 86, wherein the support comprises a third through hole, and wherein the method further comprises inserting a third tuft of bristles in the third through hole.

88. A device for packaging and applying a product to hair, the device comprising:

an applicator comprising;

a support not including a twisted wire and formed of a single piece of unitary construction;

a first through hole and a second through hole, each extending through the support, at least one of the first and second through holes having first and second ends on external faces of the applicator; and

a first tuft of bristles and a second tuft of bristles held in the first and second tufts of bristles being configured to apply the product to the hair, and

a receptacle for containing a supply of product,

wherein the applicator is configured to apply the product to eyelashes or eyebrows.

89. The device of claim 88, wherein the support is substantially straight along at least a portion including at least one of the first and second through holes.

90. The device of claim 88, wherein the first through hole is deformed by plastically deforming the support after the first tuft of bristles is inserted in the second through hole, the deformation of the first through hole holding the first tuft of bristles therein.

91. The device of claim 90, wherein a portion of the first through hole has a reduced cross-section resulting from the deformation, the portion of reduced cross-section holding the bristles in the first through hole.

92. The device of claim 88, further comprising a fastener holding the first tuft of bristles in the first through hole.

93. The device of claim 92, wherein the fastener extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to an axis of the first tuft of bristles.

94. The device of claim 92, wherein the applicator further comprises a secondary hole associated with the first through hole, the secondary hole intersecting with the first through hole.

95. The device of claim 94, wherein the fastener is at least partially in the secondary hole.

96. The device of claim 95, wherein an axis of the secondary hole is substantially perpendicular to an axis of the first through hole.

97. The device of claim 92, wherein the fastener is a peg.

98. The device of claim 88, wherein the first and second through holes intersect one another.

99. The device of claim 98, wherein the tuft of bristles in the first through hole contacts the tuft of bristles in the second through hole.

100. The device of claim 98, wherein the first and second through holes open onto an external face of the support via a common orifice.

101. The device of claim 88, wherein a centerline of the first through hole between the first and second ends of the first through hole is not substantially straight.

102. The device of claim 88, wherein at least some of the bristles project from the first end and at least some of the bristles project from the second end of at least one of the first and second through holes.

103. The device of claim 88, further comprising a wiper member configured to enable wiping of the applicator.

104. The device of claim 88, further comprising a hair product contained in the receptacle.

105. A method of applying a product to eyelashes or eyebrows, the method comprising:

providing the device of claim 104;

loading the applicator with the product; and

applying the product to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by moving the applicator along the eyelashes or the eyebrows.

106. The device of claim 88, wherein the applicator further comprises a third tuft of bristles and a third through hole receiving the third tuft of bristles.

107. An applicator for applying a product to hair, the applicator comprising:

a support not including a twisted wire;

a first through hole having a first axis and a second through hole having a second axis, each of the first and second through holes extending through the support, at least one of the first and second through holes having first and second ends on external faces of the support; and

a first tuft of bristles and a second tuft bristles held in the first and second through holes, respectively, the first and second tufts of bristles being configured to apply the product to the hair,

wherein the applicator is configured to apply the product to eyelashes or eyebrows, and

wherein the first and second axes are not parallel to one another.

108. The applicator of claim 107, wherein the first and second tufts of bristles in the first and second through holes form a V-shape extending from the support when the applicator is viewed from a side.

109. The applicator of claim 107, wherein the first and second axes cross one another when the axes are projected in a plane.

110. The device of claim 107, wherein the applicator further comprises a third tuft of bristles and a third through hole receiving the third tuft of bristles.

111. A device for applying a product to hair, the device comprising:

an applicator comprising;

a support not including a twisted wire and being non-hollow;

a first through hole and a second through hole, each extending through the support; and

a first tuft of bristles and a second tuft of bristles held in the first through hole and the second through hole, respectively, the first and second tufts of bristles being configured to apply the product to the hair, and

a receptacle for containing a supply of product,

wherein the applicator is configured to apply the product to eyelashes or eyebrows.

112. The device of claim 111, wherein the applicator comprises a wand on an end of the support, the wand not being hollow.

113. The device of claim 112, further comprising a wiper member configured to enable wiping of the applicator.

114. A method of applying a product to eyelashes or eyebrows, the method comprising:

providing the device of claim 112;

loading the applicator with the product; and

applying the product to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by moving the applicator along the eyelashes or the eyebrows.

115. The device of claim 111, further comprising a wiper member configured to enable wiping of the applicator.

116. A method of applying a product to eyelashes or eyebrows, the method comprising:

providing the device of claim 111;

loading the applicator with the product; and

applying the product to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by moving the applicator along the eyelashes or the eyebrows.

117. The device of claim 111, wherein the applicator further comprises a third tuft of bristles and a third through hole receiving the third tuft of bristles.

118. The device of claim 111, wherein at least one of the first and second through holes has a non-constant cross-section.

119. A method of manufacturing an applicator for applying a product to hair, the method comprising:

providing a support not including a twisted wire, the support comprising a plurality of through holes extending through the support and a plurality of secondary holes corresponding to the through holes, each secondary hole having an axis substantially perpendicular to the corresponding through hole;

inserting a tuft bristles in each of the through holes; and

inserting a fastener in each of the secondary holes so as to retain the tuft of bristles in the corresponding through hole,

wherein the applicator manufactured according to the method is configured to apply the product to the eyelashes or eyebrows.

120. The method of claim 119, wherein the inserting of the fastener comprises inserting a peg in the secondary holes.

121. A device comprising:

an applicator configured to apply a product to eyelashes or eyebrows, the applicator comprising;

a support not including a twisted wire, the support having a longitudinal axis, the support further comprising a first face extending along said longitudinal axis, said first face having a first opening having a first axis, said second face having a second opening having a second axis, the first and second axis forming an angle therebetween when the applicator is viewed along its longitudinal axis; and

at least a tuft of bristles having a first end extending outside the support from said first opening and a second end extending outside the support from the second opening.

122. The device of claim 121, further comprising a receptacle containing a hair product.