Cosmetic applicator

A cosmetic applicator that can alleviate the shock at its barrel cylinder even if the center of gravity of the applicator is on the rear side. In the cosmetic applicator having an applying part provided at the front end of the barrel cylinder and a cosmetic stored in the rear of the barrel cylinder, a resilient member is mounted to the rear end of the barrel cylinder.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an applicator as a cosmetic tool for applying a cosmetic liquid.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, Patent Document 1 has disclosed a cosmetic applicator for applying cosmetics to the face and the like during makeup. This applicator has heavy parts disposed in the rear portion of its barrel so as to put the center of gravity of the applicator in the rear side with respect to the axial direction, whereby the applying part can be easily oriented upward during application, making it easy to apply on the eyes and the like.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, since the above-described cosmetic applicator has heavy parts arranged in the rear part of the barrel cylinder in order to place the center of gravity on the rear side, there is a risk that the rear portion of the barrel is damaged when the applicator is dropped, due to increased mass of the applicator. In addition, the cosmetic liquid stored in the barrel may leak out due to breakage.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cosmetic applicator capable of alleviating the shock on the barrel cylinder when a shock acts on the applicator.

Means for Solving Problems

The present invention is a cosmetic applicator in which an applying part is provided at the front end of a barrel cylinder and a cosmetic is stored in the rear of the barrel cylinder, characterized in that a resilient member is mounted to the rear end of the barrel cylinder.

Effect of the Invention

According to the present invention, provision of a resilient member on the rear side of the barrel cylinder enables the resilient member to absorb the shock acting on the applicator when it is dropped.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS.1to6of the drawings.

FIG.1is an overall view of a cosmetic applicator according to the embodiment,FIG.2is an overall view of the cosmetic applicator in a state before cap assembling,FIG.3is an illustrative view of the rear end portion of the cosmetic applicator,FIG.4is a component diagram of a resilient member,FIG.5is an illustrative view of the front end portion of a barrel of the cosmetic applicator, andFIG.6is an illustrative diagram of the interior of the cap.

As shown inFIG.1, the cosmetic applicator is constructed such that an applying part10is provided at the front end portion of a barrel cylinder while a cosmetic is stored in a liquid storage16in the rear part of the barrel cylinder (a front barrel12, a rear barrel20, the liquid storage16, etc.). Provided on the rear side of the liquid storage16is a resilient member22. A cap24(an interior part24iand an exterior part24o) includes a bending part26in the interior part24i. The parts in the overall view in a state before assembly of the cosmetic applicator shown inFIG.2are allotted with the same reference numerals to the identical parts inFIG.1.

As shown inFIG.1, in this cosmetic applicator, the applying part10is provided in the front end portion inside the front barrel12, and a collector18is provided in contact with the rear end of the applying part10. A relay core14is provided inside the collector18. A rear barrel20is fitted on the outer circumference of the rear part of the front barrel12. The front barrel12and the rear barrel20form the external configuration of the barrel cylinder. The removable cap24is provided on the outer circumference of the front barrel12to cover the applying part10when the applicator is not in use. The liquid storage16and the resilient member22are provided in the rear portion of the rear barrel20.

In this cosmetic applicator, the applying part10is set inside the front barrel12on the front end side of the barrel cylinder, and the cosmetic is stored in the liquid storage16set on the rear end side of the front barrel12. At the rear end of the barrel cylinder, the resilient member22mounted to the rear end of the liquid storage16is arranged inside the rear barrel20.

The resilient member22is made of metal and is double wound to have a weight, and functions as a weight that puts the center of gravity in the axial direction on the rear side of the applicator.

The liquid storage16for storing liquid cosmetic is set behind the collector18in the front barrel12. A flange12aexpands in diameter on the outer circumference of the front barrel12. A cap24abuts the front face of the flange12a, while the front end of the rear barrel20abuts the rear face of the flange12a. The exterior part24ois arranged to cover the periphery of the interior part24iof the cap24.

The relay core14feeds the liquid cosmetic to the applying part10. In the cosmetic applicator, the tip of the applying part10in the front barrel12protrudes and is exposed from a mouth12c(seeFIG.5) at the front end of the front barrel12. The inner peripheral surface of the mouth12cof the front barrel12is in contact with the periphery of the applying part10. Further, in the front barrel12, the tip of the relay core14inside the collector18comes in contact with the rear end face of the applying part10to feed the cosmetic. The collector18has an application liquid feed groove (slit)18cthrough which the application liquid is supplied from the relay core14to the applying part10. It should be noted that in the collector18, the relay core14may have a feed structure with an application liquid feed groove formed therewith.

A more specific configuration will be explained.

As shown inFIG.1, in the cosmetic applicator according to the embodiment, the rear end portion of the applying part10has a hollow therein and a flange10aformed with an enlarged diameter on the periphery thereof. The front end part of the applying part10is formed inside the front barrel12so as to protrude from the top mouth of the front barrel12.

A collector18having a function of temporarily retaining the liquid between multiple fins is arranged inside the front barrel12. The flange10ais pressed by the front end of the collector18and fixed inside the front barrel12. The relay core14inside a hollow hole18aof the collector18has a structure that feeds the liquid cosmetic in the liquid storage16to the applying part10.

The liquid storage16is fixed in the rear part of the front barrel12by fitting its tip therein.

As shown inFIG.1, the hollow hole18ais formed along the axial direction through the inside of the collector18, from its front to rear end, while the relay core14is set in the hollow hole18a.

As partly shown inFIG.5, multiple fins18bare arranged at intervals on the periphery of the collector18. The fins18bprovides the function of the collector18that temporarily retains the liquid therebetween by their capillary force.

A slit18cis formed so as to cut the fins18bin the vertical direction (axial direction). The collector18allows the liquid cosmetic to flow in and out between the fins18bthrough the slit18c.

Further, ribs may be formed in the hollow hole18aso as to hold the relay core14therewith.

The collector18is set inside the front barrel12so that the hollow hole18aand the slit18con the rear end side of the collector18oppose the opening in the front part of the liquid storage16(seeFIG.1).

The rear end face (rear end portion) of the relay core14set in the hollow hole18aof the collector18is exposed to the liquid storage16so that the relay core14feeds the liquid (liquid cosmetic) forward (toward the applying part10) from the liquid storage16.

As shown inFIG.5, the collector18has a cup-shaped front and is positioned with the front part of the cup fitted and fixed into a step portion12dfainted inside the front barrel12. Further, the cup-shaped front end of the collector18presses the rear end portion (the rear endface of the flange10a) of the applying part10. The tip of the relay core14in the collector18is inserted in the rear end hollow of the applying part10. The rear end portion of the collector18is exposed toward the liquid storage16, and when the internal pressure in the liquid storage16rises due to a change in atmospheric pressure, temperature and/or the like, the application liquid in the liquid storage16passes through the slit18cand stored between the fins18bof the collector18. A vent hole12bfor venting between the inside and outside of the collector18for gas-liquid replacement is formed in the front barrel12.

Outside air flows from the vent hole12binto the interior of the front barrel12, and therefore reaches the fins18band the slit18con the periphery of the collector18housed in the front barrel12. Even if the internal pressure of the liquid storage16fluctuates, the venting inside the front barrel12alleviates the change in internal pressure and prevents blowout of the application liquid from the applying part10or intermittence of the application liquid and the like.

[Liquid Storage16] As shown inFIGS.1and2, the liquid storage16is arranged so that its front portion is fitted into the rear part of the front barrel12(rear of the flange12a), and the rear part of the collector18set in the front barrel12is adjacent to the interior of the front portion of the liquid storage16. Accommodated in the liquid storage16is a stirring body16amade of resin or metal, having a rod-shape (or spherical shape, etc. as appropriate) for stirring the liquid.
[Front Barrel12]

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the front barrel12is a resin item having a tubular hollowed structure as a whole with its front part tapered to the front and its rear part formed pipe-like, substantially uniform in diameter.

The front barrel12is foamed of a front part to which the cap24is detachably fitted and a rear part on which the rear barrel20is externally fitted. The flange12ais formed so as to protrude radially outward on the outer circumferential surface at the boundary between the front part and the rear part.

FIG.5shows the front end side of the front barrel12. The front barrel12is constructed such that the interior of the front part shrinks angularly step-wise in diameter (foaming a step portion12d), while a plurality of vent holes12b, which are openings extending in a nearly axial direction, are formed circumferentially adjacent to and behind the step portion12dhaving small diameter.

The diameter of the front barrel12is reduced stepwise at the step portion12don the inner surface of the portion where the rear portion of the applying part10and the front end of the collector18are located. The section ahead of the step portion12dforms the mouth12cwhose inner surface is reducing in diameter, and the applying part10is set inside the mouth12c. In the front barrel12, the inner diameter of the front end of the mouth12cis formed to be the smallest from the front to rear parts.

Further, the areas adjacent to the vent holes12binside the front part of the front barrel12are connected to the step portion12dat a reduced diameter. Fitted and fixed to the step portion12dis the front end of the collector18. Further, the inner surface of the front barrel12ahead of the step portion12dis gently tapered, or reduced in diameter.

The rear part of the front barrel12is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and has the flange12aof enlarged diameter foamed on the periphery thereof. The front barrel12is fixed with its rear part behind the flange12ainserted into the front end portion of the rear barrel20(seeFIG.1). When the front barrel12is attached to the rear barrel20, the flange12aabuts the front end of the rear barrel20so that the front barrel12will not sink into the rear barrel20.

Additionally formed on the periphery of the front barrel12behind the flange12aare multiple projections and indentations so that the rear barrel20is fitted and held without coming off. Projections and indentations are also famed on the inner circumferential portion of the rear barrel20, corresponding to the former projections and indentations, so that the former and the latter mate with each other, creating liquid tightness and prevent detachment.

As shown inFIGS.1and3, the rear barrel20covers the liquid storage16. The liquid storage16as a cosmetic tank, being fitted inside the rear part of the front barrel12, is covered by the rear barrel20. The resilient member22is arranged inside the rear end portion of the rear barrel20, with its front end part externally fitted on the rear end of the liquid storage16.

As shown inFIGS.1and3, the resilient member22is arranged inside the rear barrel20.

The rear barrel20has a protrusion20athat projects forward from the inside of the rear end portion (the inside of an interior part20i). As will be described in detail later, the rear barrel20has a double structure in which an exterior part20ois mounted on the outside of the interior part20i. At the rear end of the rear barrel20, a void (clearance)20bis formed between the outside of the interior part20iand the inside of the exterior part20o.

The barrel cylinder includes the rear barrel (corresponding to the “outer barrel”)20, the liquid storage (corresponding to the “inner barrel”)16housed inside the rear barrel20, and the resilient member22mounted to the rear end of the liquid storage (inner barrel)16.

As shown inFIG.3, a tapered portion22a1in the front end of the resilient member22is fitted so as to clasp the rear end of the liquid storage16. The periphery of the tapered portion22a1is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the rear barrel20.

The resilient member22includes a double-wound wire in the rear end portion thereof where an inner winding portion22ais slightly constricted in inner diameter and fitted on the protrusion20a. The periphery of an outer winding portion22bis in sliding contact with the inner circumferential surface of the rear barrel20.

As shown inFIG.4, the resilient member22is made of a single metal wire. InFIGS.4(b) and4(c), the front end (the first end) of the resilient member22is denoted by a reference numeral22F, and the rear end (the second end) is denoted by a reference numeral22R.

As shown inFIG.4, the resilient member22is a double-wound wire in which the single-wound, inner winding portion22aand the single-wound, outer winding portion22bare joined on the rear side, foiling a substantially tubular shape. Comparing their lengths in the axial direction, the length (L1) of the outer winding portion22bis shorter than the length (L2) of the inner winding portion22a. The outer winding portion22bis at least a half of, or greater than, the length of the inner winding portion22a.

The resilient member22includes the single-wound tapered portion22a1at the first end (front end22F) and a double-wound portion at the second end (rear end22R). The resilient member22is a double-wound coil spring (spring) having the inner winding portion22aand the outer winding portion22bon the second end side. The inner winding portion22aand the outer winding portion22bare formed of a single wire continuously on the second end side (at a continuous portion22c).

The wire is configured to be wound clockwise in the inner winding portion22aas it advances from the front end22F to the rear end22R, made greater in diameter in the continuous portion22cat the rear end22R, and then wound counterclockwise in the outer winding portion22bas it advances toward the front end22F.

The inner winding portion22ahas the single-wound, tapered portion22a1on the front side. The outside diameter of the tapered portion22a1becomes smaller from the outside diameter D1at the front end (the first end) as it goes toward the rear side (the second end side). The outside diameter D2of the inner winding portion22alocated inside the front end (on the first end side) of the outer winding portion22bis smaller than the outside diameter D1of the front end (D1>D2). The outside diameter D1of the inner winding portion22ais substantially equal to or greater than the outside diameter D3of the front end of the outer winding portion22b(D1≠D3or D1>D3). The tapered portion22a1has a shape in which the rear end is constricted in a substantially tapered shape as compared with the front end, i.e., a substantially pot-like shape.

Thus, the resilient member22is accommodated in the rear barrel20and used as a weight.

By fainting the resilient member22into a double-wound structure, the function as a weight can be enhanced as compared with a single-wound structure. The portion where elasticity is to be given is formed with the single-wound, tapered portion22a1so as to be able to absorb the variation of the dimension between the liquid storage portion (inner barrel)16and the rear barrel (outer barrel)20. The wire is folded back at the portion where the wire can come into contact with the endface (inner endface) of the rear barrel, and no sharp point is fainted. Therefore, the rear barrel20is unlikely to be damaged.

From the above, the resilient member22, thanks to its elastic force, can absorb the dimensional variation between the liquid storage16and the rear barrel20. Therefore, the resilient member22can function as not only a weight but also realize the function of absorbing the dimensional variation between the components at a low cost. Thus, enhanced workability and cost reduction are achieved.

As shown inFIGS.1and5, the cap24that covers the applying part10to the front barrel12when the applicator is not in use is configured such that an inner cap24aairtightly contacts the rear slope of the vent holes12bon the outer surface of the front barrel12. In the main body (interior part24i) forming the outer wall of the cap24, the inner cap24ais stressed backward by a spring24b. The main body of the cap24is fitted on the front barrel12, abutting the flange12a.

The cap24has a double structure having the interior part24iand the exterior part24o.

As shown inFIG.5, an engagement rib24cis formed annularly on the inner surface of the interior part24i, and abuts on, and comes into sliding contact with, the outside circumferential surface of the inner cap24awhile keeping airtightness to prevent the rattling of the inner cap24aand the applying part10from drying.

Further, a projected portion24dfor fixing is formed near the rear end of the interior part24i. The projected portion24dis fitted with a concavo-convex portion12eon the peripheral surface of the front barrel12so that the cap24can be prevented from coming off from the front barrel12. The rear end portion, designated at24e, of the interior part24iabuts against the flange12a, so that closure of the cap24is completed.

Further, the front barrel12, the liquid storage16, the rear barrel20, the cap24and the like can be formed of a liquid-tight material, e.g., for example, various resin materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene and ABS. In the rear barrel20and the cap24, the interior parts20iand22iare made of resin, but the exterior parts20oand24oare made of metal such as various alloys inclusive of aluminum, duralumin, and ceramic. The detailed structure is as follows.

As shown inFIGS.1and3, the rear barrel20has a double structure in which the exterior part20ois mounted on the outside of the interior part20i. The interior part20iis made of resin as described above, whereas the exterior part20ois made of metal.

The cap24has a double structure in which the exterior part24ois mounted on the outside of the interior part24i, and the interior part24iis made of resin as described above, and the exterior part24ois made of metal.

Because the two parts are formed of different materials, the coefficients of thermal expansion differ between the interior part20iand the exterior part20oin the rear barrel20, and the coefficients of thermal expansion differ between the interior part24iand the exterior part24oin the cap24.

Regarding the rear barrel20, as shown inFIG.3, the void (clearance)20bis created (provided) in the rear end of the rear barrel20between the outside of the interior part20iand the inside of the exterior part20o. Provision of the void20bcan absorb the deformation of the rear barrel20caused by the interference between the interior part20iand the exterior part20oattributed to their different amounts of thermal deformation resulting from difference in material when the interior part20iand the exterior part20oexpand thermally. The void20bcan also absorb dimensional variation during manufacturing and a shock when the applicator is dropped.

In order to cope with a case where the dimensions (size) vary between the cap24, the interior part24iand the exterior part24o, the bending part26is formed at the front end of the interior part24iso as to protrude, as shown inFIG.5.

The bending part26is famed on the top surface of the cap24(interior part24i) having a seal. The seal is the annular projected portion24dformed on the inner circumferential surface in the rear end portion of the inner cap24a. The projected portion24dairtightly abuts the peripheral surface of the front barrel12to prevent the applying part10from drying.

Detailedly, as shown inFIG.6, the interior part24ihas a tubular shape with a top surface24fclosed in the front portion. Projected on the top surface24fis the tubular bending part26having a plurality of cutouts26a. The bending part26is formed to be thinner as it projects forward. The outside diameter of the bending part26is expanded and reversely tapered as it goes rearward in the axial direction from the top, while the inner diameter is reduced and tapered. The cross-section of the bending part increases as it goes to the rear in the axial direction. That is, the bending part is thin at the top and becomes thicker (t1>t2) and unlikely to be bent with increased rigidity as it goes toward the top surface24f.

FIG.5(a)is an illustrative view showing a state before cap assembly, andFIG.5(b)shows a state after cap assembly.

As shown inFIG.5(a), the bending part26is not pressed and stands upright before the cap is assembled and on the way while the interior part24iis being covered with the exterior part24o.

When the interior part24iis pushed into the exterior part24oby applying a further force, the bending part26opens and bends as shown inFIG.5(b). The cross-section of the bending part26increases toward the rear in the axial direction, and the bending part26elastically deforms like opening petals because it has notches26aat the front end. When the interior part24icomes into the exterior part24oand their rear edges become set, the interior part24iis fixed with a space24f1created between the top surface24fand the inner surface of the exterior part24o, and the assembly is completed. When the interior part24iand the exterior part24oare fixed to each other by concavo-convex fittings or with an adhesive, since the bending part26is provided in the space24f1, even if there is a variation in size, it can be absorbed by the dimensions of the space24f1while rattling can be eliminated by the bending part26. Thus, stable exterior quality can be obtained.

In particular, beneficial effect of airtightness is brought by the cap24, which is equipped with a seal, while dimensional variation affects other qualities. Even if there is a dimensional variation, it can be addressed by the bending part26. Accordingly, the rear ends of the interior part24iand the exterior part24ocoincide with each other, the rear end of the cap24abuts the flange12awithout a gap to maintain air tightness with the cap when the cap24is fitted to the front barrel12.

The applying part10is composed of a brush having multiple hairs.

The applying part10has a brush shape and can be a fine brush with an outside diameter of 2.0 mm or less. The brush of the applying part10may be either a natural fiber or an artificial fiber. InFIGS.1to2, the applying part10is a bundle of resin fibers, has a tapered shape in which the front end portion is formed smaller toward the tip while the rear end portion is formed by thermal fusing into a flange shape (flange10a) projecting radially outward so as to fix the fibers and not to come apart. In the rear end of the applying part10, the application liquid is difficult to permeate into the surrounding flange10adue to the packed fibers, whereas the central portion is formed so that it is easy for the application liquid to permeate between the fiber bundles. The relay core14abuts against the center of the applying part10, so that the liquid can be fed from the liquid storage16through the relay core14.

The material of the applying part10is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use, for example, a synthetic resin fiber made of polyamide or polyester such as PBT (polybutylene terephthalate).

As shown inFIG.5, the relay core14has a structure in which a recess is formed on the peripheral surface of the tip portion, and when the relay core14is fitted into the collector18, an inward circumferential projection of the collector18fits into the recess to prevent the relay core from coming off. The relay core14is made of a fiber bundle made of a resin material, a molded core, or the like, and has a structure capable of feeding liquid by exerting capillary force.

The relay core14is preferably formed of a material that does not substantially contain formaldehyde, such as an olefin elastomer. That is because formalin may dissolve out from the relay core14of a material containing formaldehyde into the cosmetic liquid, which makes it unsuitable as a cosmetic tool. Further, as the material of the relay core14, use of materials that do not contain acetal-based resin such as polyacetal, phenol resin, urea resin and melamine resin used for adhesives, is more preferable.

The applicator according to the first embodiment is a liquid cosmetic applicator that uses an appropriate item such as a brush tip or a pen core as the applying part10. The liquid cosmetic stored in the liquid storage16contains at least, carbon black, water, a dispersant composed of a film-forming resin in an amount of 0.5 to 5% by mass, a film-foaming agent in an amount of 2 to 15% by mass (in tams of solid content), and a surfactant in an amount of of 0.5% by weight or less, and has the viscosity measured by an ELD type viscometer at a temperature of 25° C. under a shear rate of 3.83S-1 set in the range of 2 to 8 mPa·s.

According to the embodiment, the resilient member is a spring, and (a) a part of the resilient member is double-wound to enhance the weight effect, (b) a single-wound tapered portion is provided in the place where the spring property is imparted so as to absorb dimensional variations between the inner barrel (liquid storage16) and the outer barrel (rear barrel20), (c) the wire in the part in contact with the endface of the outer barrel is folded to avoid formation of sharp points, and (d) the above is formed of a single wire.

Thus, the resilient member22can absorb the dimensional variation between the liquid storage16and the rear barrel20thanks to its elastic force. Therefore, the resilient member22can be realized at low cost while imparting not only the weighting effect but also the function of absorbing the dimensional variation between the members. As a result, improvement in workability can be achieved with reduction in cost.

Further, since the bending part26is provided in the space24f1, even if there is a variation in the size, the variation can be absorbed by the dimensions of the space24f1and the bending part26can prevent rattling. Stable exterior quality can be obtained.

The above embodiment is one of embodiments of the present invention, and can be freely modified within the scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The cosmetic applicator of the present invention can be used for a container of applying cosmetics as a facial cosmetic tool.

EXPLANATION OF SYMBOLS