JP2006271477A - Applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an applicator of which brush section is curved and that can nicely apply mascara without forming lumps when applying mascara. <P>SOLUTION: The applicator is provided with a brush section equipped with a multiple number of needle-like projections and a support shaft on which the brush section is installed. The brush section is arched so that the tip ends are placed on an assumed axis line of the support shaft. The multiple number of needle-like projections are placed in a parallel and radial pattern vertically to the assumed axis line of the support shaft. The needle-like projections placed in a radial pattern that are on the convex side of the arched brush section are relatively longer than other projections and those on the concave side of the arched brush section are relatively shorter than other projections. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an applicator for applying cosmetics such as mascara to eyelashes, and more particularly to an applicator having a plurality of needle-like protrusions and having a curved brush portion.

  Conventionally, applicators for applying cosmetics such as mascara to the eyelashes have used elastic fibers such as nylon as brush hairs and wound them with wires to form the brush part, but the hardness and shape of the brush etc. There are many inconveniences, and depending on the cosmetics to be applied, there is an inconvenience that the usability is poor.

  In particular, in the case of an applicator where the brush part is curved like a bow, the hair of the brush on the concave side becomes dense, and on the contrary, the hair of the brush on the convex side becomes rough, so the mascara becomes dull, There was a case where it could not be applied well (Patent Document 1).

JP 2001-286340 A

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an applicator that can be applied well without mascara being applied when applying the mascara while the application portion is curved.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the above problems, the present inventors have found that in conventional brushes, the fibers constituting the bristles protrude radially, and the brush bristles are densely formed in the concave portions of the brush portion curved in a bow shape. I came to the conclusion that the problem of becoming difficult to solve. Therefore, as a result of further investigation, it was found that by using a needle-like protrusion extending in one direction as a bristle and providing it at a specific position, it was possible to solve all the problems of mascara streak and difficulty in painting. The headline and the present invention were completed.

  That is, the present invention is an applicator provided with a brush portion having a plurality of needle-like protrusions and a support rod to which the brush portion is attached, and the tip of the brush portion is substantially on the assumed axis of the support rod. The plurality of needle-like projections are arranged radially and parallel to the assumed axis of the support rod, and the needle-like projections arranged radially are curved like a bow. An applicator characterized in that a relatively long needle-like protrusion is provided on the convex side of the brush part, and a relatively short needle-like protrusion is provided on the concave side curved like a bow. .

  The applicator of the present invention has a brush portion curved like a bow, a plurality of needle-like projections arranged radially in parallel to the assumed axis of the support rod, and the needle-like projections arranged radially. In addition, a relatively long needle-like protrusion is provided on the convex side of the brush curve, making it easy to apply to the eyelashes, etc., and highly effective for holding a large amount of contents, and for a volume effect that makes the eyelashes appear thicker Especially excellent.

  In addition, since the concave side of the curved brush portion is provided with relatively short needle-like protrusions, it is possible to efficiently prepare cosmetics applied with relatively long needle-like protrusions in this part, and it will be lumped and clumped It can eliminate the rusting and can have a long effect that makes the eyelashes look longer.

  Further, if a boundary is provided between the relatively long needle-like protrusion and the relatively short needle-like protrusion of the brush portion, the eyelash is hooked by using the relatively long needle-like protrusion of the boundary to hook the eyelash. Can be lifted and curled.

  Therefore, the applicator of the present invention has excellent coating comfort and usability, and it is possible to apply a cosmetic such as mascara to the eyelashes while giving excellent volume effect, long effect and curl effect. Is.

  In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings showing one embodiment of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway cross-sectional view of an applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are side views from the position where FIG. It is 'cross-sectional view and BB' cross-sectional view. In the figure, 10 is an applicator, 11 is a brush portion, 12 is a support rod, and 21 is a needle-like protrusion.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the brush portion 11 is curved so that the tip thereof is located substantially on the assumed axis line of the support bar 12 (on the line obtained by extending the axis of the support bar). The magnitude of this curvature is not particularly limited, but is an arc shape having a radius of curvature of about 20 to 50 mm, preferably 30 to 40 mm.

  The brush portion 11 is preferably provided with an application region 21a in which needle-like protrusions are arranged and a connection region 21b that is connected to the application region 21a and connects the distal end portion 12a of the support rod 12. The application area 21a is provided with long needle-like protrusions 21p and short needle-like protrusions 21n.

  These needle-like projections are arranged in parallel and radially in a direction perpendicular to the assumed axis of the support rod. Further, among the radially arranged needle-like protrusions, the region on the convex portion side (outside) of the curved portion of the brush portion 11 (the region included in the angle θ in FIGS. 3 and 4) is relatively Are provided with long needle-like protrusions (hereinafter referred to as “long needle-like protrusions”) 21p, and relatively short needle-like protrusions (hereinafter referred to as “short needle-like protrusions”) 21n are provided on the concave side (inner side) of the curve. It is done. The angle θ is appropriately determined, but is preferably 120 to 240 °, and more preferably 160 to 200 °.

The length of the long needle-like protrusion 21p is preferably 1.5 to 4 mm, and the length of the short needle-like protrusion 21n is preferably larger than 0.5 mm. In particular, the ratio of long needle-like protrusion 21p and the length of the short hand-like projection in the central zone L ₂ of the brush portion of the needle-like projections is preferably 1.5 to 4, particularly 2 to 3 is preferred. Here, the central region of the brush portion is a portion indicated by L ₂ in FIG. 1, it is preferred coating zone 21a is more than 70% of the length of the.

The long needle-like protrusions 21p and the short needle-like protrusions 21n may have a uniform length in the application area 21a. However, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, the length of the long needle-like protrusions 21p in the application area 21a. Is made uniform in the central region L ₂ and shortened in both side regions L ₁ and L ₃ from both ends of the central region, so that the root (particularly the bending region) and the tip region of the coating region are formed. It is preferable because the contents are difficult to accumulate and liquid dripping and shaft contamination can be prevented.

  Furthermore, it is preferable to provide a buffering area 21c between the application area 21a and the tip 12a of the support rod 12, and refract this in the direction opposite to the protruding direction of the long needle-like protrusion 21p. The presence of the buffer area 21c improves the contact with the eyelashes and can be applied safely and neatly.

  In the applicator 10 of the present invention, the material of the brush portion 11 is not particularly limited, but is preferably an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer because of its excellent oil resistance, chemical resistance and durability, and further has a surface hardness of Ester thermoplastic elastomers in the range of 50 to 75 (ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) D2240), particularly polyester thermoplastic elastomers having a surface hardness in the range of 55 to 70 (for example, Toyobo "Perprene" is used) preferable. As a specific example of preparing the applicator 10 with such a material, the above-mentioned material is injected into a mold having the shape of the brush portion 11, and the tip portion of the support rod 12 on which this has been set in advance. There is a method in which a coating area 21a in which needle-like protrusions are arranged by fusing to 12a and a connection area 21b that connects the tip end portion 12a of the support rod 12 connected to the coating area 21a are integrally provided.

  The support rod 12 is preferably made of a material having a higher surface hardness than the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer of the brush portion 11, for example, a polyolefin such as polyethylene or polypropylene; a polyamide such as nylon; a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or a polybutylene terephthalate. Polyesters; resins such as polyoxymethylene (POM) and polycarbonate, and metals. Among these materials, a resin is particularly preferable, and polyoxymethylene is particularly preferable.

  If said preferable structure is taken, the front-end | tip of the support bar 12 connected to this application area | region 21a which injects the ester-type thermoplastic elastomer in the range whose surface hardness is 50-75, and arranges a needle-like protrusion and this application area | region 21a. Since the connection area 21b for connecting the section 12a is provided, appropriate hardness can be imparted to the application area 21a and the needle-like protrusion 21 of the brush section 11.

  Further, the brush part 11 is divided into a connection area 21b for connecting the tip 12a of the support bar 12 and an application area 21a for arranging the needle-like projections, so that the application area 21a and the tip 12a of the support bar 12 are separated. Since the space becomes the buffer area 21c, the contact with the eyelashes and the like is improved, and it can be applied safely and neatly. In addition, if 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 may be difficult to mold, and even if it can be molded, the brush itself may become too soft, which is not preferable. Further, when an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer having a surface hardness of more than 75 is used, the brush may become too hard and the usability may deteriorate.

  In the above description, from the viewpoint of workability and product cost, the connection between the brush part and the support bar is a so-called insert molding in which an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer is injected at the tip of the support bar to integrally mold the brush part. However, it goes without saying that various changes can be made in the manufacture of the applicator of the present invention by those skilled in the art.

  For example, after the brush part 11 is injection-molded alone, it may be connected to the support rod 12 by adhesion or the like. Further, the brush portion 11 and the support rod 12 may be connected by providing a recess at the tip of the support rod 12 and injecting an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer therein to form the brush portion 11 integrally. You may fit a convex part to the connection area 21b of the part 11. FIG. Furthermore, the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer for forming the brush part 11 can be appropriately selected according to the contents as long as the surface hardness is within a range satisfying 50 to 75. Similarly, various types of support rods 12 can be used as long as the surface hardness of the support rod 12 is higher than that of the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer within the range of 50 to 75.

  5 and 6 are an external view and a partially cutaway cross-sectional view, respectively, of an embodiment of a mascara container that houses the applicator 10 according to the present invention.

  The mascara container 1 of this embodiment includes a bottle 2 filled with a content containing an aqueous or oily volatile compound such as a mascara liquid, and a screw cap 3 attached to the mouth 2a of the bottle 2. The applicator 10 according to the present invention is integrally provided. As described above, the applicator 10 includes the brush part 11 having a plurality of needle-like protrusions 21 and curved like a bow, and the support bar 12 that supports the brush part 11, and the rear end of the support bar 12 The part 12 b is internally fitted to the cap 3. A handling member 4 is attached to the mouth portion 2a of the bottle 2, and this handling member 4 is integrally provided with a handling 4a for removing excess contents attached to the brush portion 11 and the support rod 12.

  In the applicator 10 of the present invention, the brush portion 11 is provided in a bow shape so that the tip of the applicator is located on the assumed axis of the support rod 12, so that it is easy to apply and has the effect of holding a large amount of contents. High and particularly excellent in volume effect. Furthermore, since the short needle-like protrusion 21n is provided on the opposite side of the long needle-like protrusion 21p, the content applied with the long needle-like protrusion 21p can be efficiently arranged with the short needle-like protrusion 21n, and the lumps and clumps are eliminated. And can have a long effect. Furthermore, when a boundary is provided between the long needle-like protrusion 21p and the short needle-like protrusion 21n (see FIG. 5), the eyelash is lifted and curled by hooking the eyelash using the long needle-like protrusion 21p of the boundary. it can.

  The applicator of the present invention having the above characteristics can be used for water-based cosmetics and oily cosmetics including volatile oils, and there is no particular limitation, In particular, when used for application of oily cosmetics containing a volatile oil agent in which the resin easily swells, such as mascara, it is possible to exert its characteristics remarkably.

It is a partially cutaway sectional view showing one mode of the applicator of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway sectional view of the applicator in a direction rotated by 90 ° from FIG. 1. It is A-A 'sectional drawing of FIG. It is B-B 'sectional drawing of FIG. It is an external view of a mascara container provided with the applicator which is 1 aspect of this invention. It is a partially cutaway sectional view of the mascara container of the same mode.

Explanation of symbols

1 mascara container 2 bottle 3 screw cap 4 ironing member 4a ironing 10 applicator 11 brushes 12 support rod 20 applicator 21 needle shaped projections 21a coating zone 21b connecting region 21c relief area 21p long needle-like projections 21n Short needle-like protrusions L _1, L ₃ Side area L ₂ Central area θ Angle of long needle-like projection area

Claims (6)

  An applicator comprising a brush portion having a plurality of needle-like protrusions and a support rod to which the brush portion is attached, wherein the brush portion is bowed so that the tip thereof is positioned substantially on the assumed axis of the support rod. The plurality of needle-like protrusions are arranged in parallel and radially in a direction perpendicular to the assumed axis of the support rod, and among the needle-like protrusions arranged radially, the brush part curved in a bow shape is formed. An applicator characterized in that a relatively long needle-like projection is provided on the convex side, and a relatively short needle-like projection is provided on the concave side curved like a bow.   The brush part is composed of an application area having needle-like projections and a connection area connecting to the application area and connecting the tip of the support bar, and the support bar has a surface hardness (less than the resin forming the brush part). The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the brush portion is formed by injection molding of an ester-based thermoplastic elastomer. The applicator is formed of a material having high ASTM (American Material Testing Association Standard) D2240).   The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the surface hardness of the resin forming the brush portion is in the range of 50 to 75 (ASTM D2240).   The applicator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the ester-based thermoplastic elastomer forming the brush portion is a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer.   The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the material forming the support bar is a resin. The applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the length of the long needle-like protrusions in the application region is shorter in both side regions than the central region of the brush portion.

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