SWIVELING BRUSH FOR THE APPLICATION OF FLUID PRODUCTS, PARTICULARLY FOR POWDERY, CREAMY, LIQUID OR THE LIKE

A swiveling brush for the application of fluid products, for example, a powdery product, a creamy product, a liquid product or the like. The swiveling brush comprising a gripping portion intended to be grasped by a hand of a user for the movement of the brush; and an housing seat formed on the gripping portion and intended to house an application body comprising, in turn, a plurality of spreading elements which are adapted to take and apply a fluid product on a work surface. The application body is associated with the housing seat by interposition of coupling structure/unit/component/device (or the like) configured to allow the rotation of the application body with respect to the gripping portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a swiveling brush for the application of fluid products, particularly for powdery, creamy, liquid or similar products.

BACKGROUND ART

With particular, but not exclusive, reference to the cosmetic and fine arts sector, various types of brush are known that differ both in shape and size, to be used depending on the type of application and the aesthetic result to be achieved.

In general, all brushes have a gripping body that is particularly suitable for being grasped and held by a user.

In a first type of brush, the gripping body, usually elongated, comprises an extremity provided with a special cavity defining a housing seat adapted to house a plurality of spreading elements, generally natural or synthetic hair, constituting the application body, i.e. the part of the latter adapted to take the cosmetic product and apply it on the portions of the skin to be made up.

The housing seat can be obtained directly onto the gripping body, or alternatively assembled to the gripping body itself.

In this case the housing seat is usually called a ring nut.

The plurality of hair is partly fitted into the housing seat so that it is encircled by the extremity of the gripping body and held therein by means of glue or other bonding substances.

The portion of hair that comes out of the housing seat, depending on the shape of the latter and on the insertion method, gives the application body different conformations depending on the type of brush.

In the present case, each hair has a first extremity retained inside the housing seat and a second extremity that is free and coming out of the housing seat itself so that it can be used for taking and applying the cosmetic product.

In general, the application body is locked together with the housing seat and, therefore, with the gripping body. This way, during the movement of the gripping portion, the application body is always aligned with the latter, thus considerably limiting the brush's manageability and the possibility of differentiating the aesthetic effects that can be obtained.

In fact, the movements of the application body and the inclinations or rotations thereof are limited and determined by the corresponding movements of the gripping portion, the application body being locked together with the gripping portion.

The use of the aforementioned type of brush determines a considerable use of the time necessary to carry out precision work, or, in case of limited time, work that is not very precise and with an unsatisfactory final effect.

In addition, in order to cope with the variability of cosmetic applications, it is necessary to use a multitude of brushes, thus complicating the application and spreading operations of the cosmetic product and increasing the time required to carry out these operations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a swiveling brush for the application of fluid products, particularly for powdery, creamy, liquid or similar products, which allows the application of cosmetic products to be carried out quickly and precisely, and which allows the application body to be moved according to the movements of the gripping portion in accordance with the specific users' requirements and the conformation of the areas to be made up. One object of the present invention is to devise a swiveling brush for the application of fluid products, particularly for powdery, creamy, liquid or similar products that allows varying the rotations that can be carried out by the application body, thus facilitating the operations necessary for the application and spreading of the product.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a swiveling brush for the application of fluid products, particularly for powdery, creamy, liquid or similar products that has improved handling compared to brushes of known type, allowing the use thereof even for long periods.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a swiveling brush for the application of fluid products, particularly for powdery, creamy, liquid or similar products, which allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in the ambit of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low cost solution. The aforementioned objects are achieved by the present swiveling brush for the application of fluid products, particularly for powdery, creamy, liquid or similar products, having the characteristics of claim1.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these figures, reference numeral1globally indicates a swiveling brush for the application of fluid products, particularly for powdery, creamy, liquid or similar products.

In this regard, it is specified that the brush1preferably consists, without distinction, either of a cosmetic brush or a fine art brush.

It cannot however be ruled out that the brush1consists of a food brush or an industrial brush.

It cannot also be ruled out that the brush1according to the present invention can be used in the trichological and spa sectors, for body treatments, or, alternatively, to create a wall decoration.

Again, it cannot be ruled out that the brush1according to the present invention can be used for the application of mascara.

In addition, it is specified that, in the context of the present discussion, the expression “fluid product” relates to any substance suitable to be taken, applied and spread through the use of the brush1, such as e.g. powders, creams and liquids in the cosmetics, art, food and industry sector.

Preferably, with reference to the preferred embodiment shown in the figures, the fluid product consists of a cosmetic product.

Alternatively, the fluid product consists of a fluid product for fine arts such as e.g. tempera or watercolours.

Again, it cannot be ruled out that the fluid product may consist of a food product, of a paint or the like.

The brush1comprises a gripping portion2intended, in use, to be grasped by a hand3of a user4for the movement of the brush itself

The gripping portion2has an elongated conformation comprising a first extremity5and a second extremity6opposite each other.

With reference to the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the gripping portion2has a substantially conical shape.

It cannot however be ruled out from the scope of the present discussion, that the gripping portion2has different conformations, e.g. cylindrical, or alternatively with a triangular, square or elliptical cross-section.

It should be noted that the term “user” refers to the person intended to use the brush1and, with reference to the cosmetic sector, does not necessarily coincide with the person to whom the fluid product is applied.

As an example, the user4shown in the figures coincides with the person to whom the fluid product is applied.

In order to increase the ease of handling of the brush1and make it easier to use, the brush1comprises at least one lightening hole7formed on the gripping portion2.

Preferably, the brush1comprises a plurality of lightening holes7formed on the gripping portion2(FIG. 8).

As shown inFIG. 8, the lightening holes7are through holes.

In addition, the brush1comprises a housing seat8formed on the gripping portion2and intended to house an application body9comprising, in turn, a plurality of spreading elements10which are adapted to take and apply the fluid product on a work surface S.

The housing seat8is obtained at the point where one of either the first extremity5or the second extremity6is located.

Preferably, the first extremity5is positioned in the proximity of the application body9.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the first extremity5is enlarged and provided with an opening defining the housing seat8.

It cannot also be ruled out that the housing seat8is defined on a supporting element, of the type of a ring nut, associated with the gripping portion2.

The spreading elements10have one extremity fitted and retained inside the housing seat8, and the other extremity free and coming out of the housing seat itself so that it can be used for taking and applying the fluid product.

Advantageously, the spreading elements10are made of synthetic yarn, polymeric material, or other material adapted to take and spread the fluid product depending on the type thereof

Alternative solutions cannot however be ruled out, wherein the spreading elements10are of the hair type.

In this regard, it should be specified that the expression “work surface” means any surface adapted to be spread, covered, or treated by the fluid product mentioned above, such as e.g. a portion of human skin, an article, a building surface, a food produce and the like.

In the present case, with particular reference to the cosmetic sector, the expression “work surface” means a portion of a person's skin and, at the same time, the expression “fluid product” means a cosmetic product.

According to the invention, the application body9is associated with the housing seat8by interposition of coupling means11,12configured to allow the rotation of the application body9with respect to the gripping portion2. In detail, the coupling means11,12are configured to allow the rotation of the application body9around at least one of the three axes of rotation X, Y, Z arranged transversely to each other.

Preferably, the axes of rotation X, Y, Z are arranged orthogonally to each other. For example, the application body9can rotate around just one axis of rotation X, Y, Z or around two axes of rotation X, Y, Z.

Alternatively, the application body9can rotate around all three axes of rotation X, Y, Z.

In this respect, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the coupling means11,12are of the type of spherical coupling means which are adapted to allow the rotation of the application body9with respect to the gripping portion2around a center C.

In other words, the coupling means11,12consist of spherical coupling means. It should be pointed out that the term “rotation” relates to a rotation with respect to the center C around the three axes of rotation X, Y, Z.

The center C represents a fixed point located at the center of an imaginary circumference tangent to the spherical coupling means11,12(FIG. 3).

The spherical coupling means11,12comprise a first coupling element11and a second coupling element12, wherein the first coupling element11is associated with the housing seat8and intended to operate in conjunction with the second coupling element12housing the application body9.

As can be seen in the figures, the first coupling element11and the second coupling element12have a circular cross-section.

The first coupling element11has a substantially hemispherical conformation. In addition, the first coupling element11has a first concave contact surface13. In this regard, it is worth specifying that the center C is the center of a circumference having the same center and the same radius as a sphere that defines the first contact surface13.

At the same time, with reference to the particular embodiment shown in the figures, the second coupling element12has a second convex contact surface14. As can be seen in the figures, the second coupling element12has the second contact surface14with a substantially annular shape and a substantially flat bottom portion15.

It cannot however be ruled out that the second coupling element12has a hemispherical shape.

In other words, the first contact surface13and the second contact surface14have a spherical profile coinciding with each other and one of them, i.e. the first contact surface13, concave and the other, i.e. the second contact surface14, convex.

The spherical coupling thus made between the first coupling element11and the second coupling element12defines a spheroidal kinematic torque having three degrees of freedom corresponding to the spherical coordinates and adapted to allow the free movement of the application body9.

In addition, the first coupling element11comprises a first convex interlocking surface16opposite the first contact surface13and adapted to abut against the housing seat8.

The first coupling element11is, in fact, associated with the housing seat8by interlocking.

At the same time, the second coupling element12comprises a second concave housing surface17adapted to house the application body9.

In other words, the spherical coupling is defined by the first contact surface13and by the second contact surface14which are mutually intended to operate in conjunction with each other by sliding contact.

In practice, the first coupling element11and the second coupling element12allow both static and dynamic forces to be transmitted to the application body9. This means that the fact that the second coupling element12is movable with respect to the first coupling element11allows the application body9to be moved with alignment, swinging, rotating and tilting movements in several directions.

In accordance with a first embodiment of the brush1, the first contact surface13and the second contact surface14are configured to slide one on top of the other generating a friction force which is greater than the force exerted by the work surface S on the application body9, the latter being therefore intended to maintain a predefined position with respect to the gripping portion2during the application of the fluid product on the work surface S (FIGS. 4 and 5).

It is specified that the expression “predefined position” means any position taken by the application body9as a result of an external force exerted by the user4on the application body itself before using the brush1.

This predefined position may consist of an inclined position of the application body9with respect to the gripping portion2, i.e. the application body9is arranged substantially transverse to the gripping portion2.

Alternatively, the predefined position may consist of an aligned position of the application body9with respect to the gripping portion2, i.e. the application body9and the gripping portion2are coaxial to each other.

In practice, before using the brush1, the user sets the application body9in the predefined position suitable for the use of the brush1also depending on the type of application of the fluid product on the work surface S.

In an alternative embodiment, the first contact surface13and the second contact surface14are configured to slide one on top of the other generating a friction force which is lower than the force exerted by the work surface S on the application body9, the application body9being freely movable due to the movement of the gripping portion2by the hand3of the user4.

In this case, the application body9is freely movable during the use of the brush1. In actual facts, since the friction force between the first contact surface13and the second contact surface14is considerably lower than the force applied by the work surface S onto the application body9, the latter is free to move depending on the movement of the gripping portion2by the hand of the user4.

In other words, the application body9is movable due to the movement of the gripping portion2by the hand3of the user4during the application of the fluid product onto the work surface S.

For example, with reference to the cosmetic sector, the brush1can be used in spreading operations of the fluid product and massage of the skin of the user4. In addition, the first coupling element11and the second coupling element12are associated with each other by interposition of the connection means21. In detail, the connection means21comprise a through hole18formed on the first coupling element11and a pin element19inserted with clearance in the through hole18and associated with the second coupling element12.

It should be pointed out that the term “clearance” means that the through hole18has a larger section than the section of the pin element19.

In the embodiment shown in the figures, the through hole18has a circular conformation and the pin element19also has a circular cross-section; in this case, the diameter of the through hole18is larger than the diameter of the pin element19.

It cannot however be ruled out from the scope of the present discussion that the through hole18may have different conformations such as e.g. a quadrangular shape.

It is easy to understand how the fact that the pin element19is inserted with clearance in the through hole18allows the movement of the pin element itself and, therefore, of the application body9.

It should be noted that with reference to the first embodiment (FIGS. 4 and 5), in this case when the friction force between the first contact surface13and the second contact surface14is greater than the force exerted by the work surface S onto the application body9, the pin element19has a length substantially equal to the distance between the bottom portion15and the through hole18.

This means that the first contact surface13and the second contact surface14are held in contact with each other, considerably increasing the friction force between them and decreasing the clearance between the through hole18and the pin element19compared to the second embodiment (FIGS. 6 and 7).

In this respect, in the second embodiment, the pin element19is longer than the distance between the bottom portion15and the through hole18, making it possible to reduce the friction between the contact surfaces13,14and to  increase the clearance between the through hole itself and the pin element19. It cannot however be ruled out from the scope of the present discussion that the connection means21are of a different type, e.g. of the magnetic type.

As can be seen in the figures, the through hole18is coaxial to the gripping portion2, allowing the application body9to be aligned with the gripping portion.

In other words, the pin element19, in use, is intended to move inside the through hole18due to the movement of the gripping portion2, the amplitude of the movement of the application body9is defined by the clearance between the pin element19and the through hole18.

Preferably, the pin element19comprises an abutment element20which is intended to operate in conjunction, contacting in abutment, the edges of the through hole18. The abutment element20is adapted to prevent the second coupling element12and, therefore, the application body9from coming out of the housing seat8.

This is due to the fact that the abutment element20has at least one of either width or length greater than the section of the through hole18.

In this particular case, the figures show an abutment element20having a circular shape; this means that the abutment element20has a greater diameter than the diameter of the through hole18.

In an alternative embodiment shown inFIG. 10, the connection means21comprise at least one joining element22made at least partly of either a flexible or elastic polymeric material.

Preferably, the joining element22is made at least partly of one of a thermoplastic, thermosetting or elastomeric polymeric material.

This allows associating the first coupling element11with the second coupling element12by interlocking.

The joining element22is interposed between the first coupling element11and the second coupling element12.

Preferably, the joining element22is associated with at least one of either the first contact surface13or the second contact surface14.

For example, the joining element22is associated with the first contact surface13and slides on the second contact surface14.

Alternatively, the joining element22is associated with the second contact surface14and the first contact surface13slides on the latter.

It cannot be ruled out from the scope of the present discussion that the connection means21comprise the through hole18made on the first coupling element11and the pin element19inserted with clearance into the through hole18in combination with the joining element22.

The joining element22is advantageously co-molded on one of either the first contact surface13or the second contact surface14.

This means that the joining element22is associated with one of either the first contact surface13or the second contact surface14by means, e.g., of injection molding processes.

Prior to the detailed explanation of the operation of the present invention, it should be noted that the application body9is associated with the housing seat8in a removable manner and is interchangeable with further application bodies9. Preferably, the application body9is removed from the housing seat8together with the coupling means11,12and the further application body9is associated with the housing seat itself already assembled with the respective coupling means11,12.

This means that the brush1is marketed with a plurality of application bodies9locked together with their respective coupling means11,12that can be associated by interlocking with the housing seat8and interchangeable with each other depending on the specific needs of the users.

It cannot however be ruled out that only the application body9is removable  from the coupling means11,12, in this case from the second coupling element12, and interchangeable with further application bodies9.

In this case, the application body9is associated with a supporting element that can be inserted to size into the housing seat; this means that the supporting element is directly associable with the first coupling element11.

In this case, the coupling means11,12are locked together with the housing seat8and the application body9can be removed and changed with other application bodies9depending on the requirements of the user4.

Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out from the scope of the present invention that the brush1can be inserted into a container for fluid products, particularly for powdery, creamy, liquid or similar products, preferably cosmetic products.

In other words, it cannot be ruled out that the present invention also relates to a container for fluid products, particularly for powdery, creamy, liquid or similar products, preferably cosmetic products, wherein the brush1can be inserted. This container is e.g. of the type of a mascara container.

The operation of the present invention is as follows.

Through the gripping portion2, the brush1is handled and brought closer to the fluid product, e.g. a cosmetic product to be taken, by placing the application body9, i.e. the plurality of spreading elements10, in contact with the product itself so that the desired amount of product can be captured.

In accordance with the first embodiment, the user4sets the application body9in the predefined position suitable for the use of the brush1.

In practice, the user4operates the application body9by applying an external force thereto which determines the rotation of the second coupling element12with respect to the first coupling element11and thus the inclination of the application body9with respect to the gripping portion2(FIG. 4).

The application body is then brought closer to a portion of the work surface S, e.g. a portion of the skin, and, being moved through the gripping portion2, it maintains the predefined position unchanged (FIG. 5).

At the same time, in accordance with the second embodiment, the application body is brought closer to a portion of the work surface S, e.g. a portion of the  skin, and moved through the gripping portion2.

In accordance with the embodiment shown inFIGS. 6 and 7, the movement of the gripping portion2determines the free rotation of the application body9around the axes X, Y, Z. In other words, during the movement of the gripping portion2, the pin element19moves inside the through hole18by transmitting, in turn, the movement to the application body9.

At the same time, according to the embodiment shown inFIG. 10, the movement of the gripping portion2determines the free rotation of the application body9around the axes X, Y, Z. In other words, during the movement of the gripping portion2, the joining element22associated with one of either the first contact surface13or the second contact surface14allows the transmission of the movement of the gripping body itself to the application body9.

This means that the application body9moves as a result of the movement of the user's hand, making it possible to handle the brush1and modulate the portions of the application body itself that contact the work surface S, in this case the skin.

As is visible, in fact, inFIGS. 6 and 7, the spheroidal coupling of the first coupling element11to the second coupling element12makes it possible to move the application body9with swinging, rotating and tilting movements in several directions, and with alignment movements in the event of the user stopping the movement of the gripping portion2.

Finally, if the application body9is dirty or unsuitable for the application of a fluid product on a work surface S, the application body9is removed from the housing seat8and replaced with a further application body9.

For example, if the need arises to change the cosmetic product to be applied onto the skin, the user removes the application body9and the coupling means11,12from the interlocking with the housing seat8, and inserts a further application body9. Also in this case, the insertion of the application body9into the housing seat is done by interlocking of the coupling means11,12.

In the event of only the application body9being associated in a removable  manner with the housing seat8, the application body itself is removed and replaced with a further application body9associated with the second coupling element12.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects.

It should be noted that the special solution of using the spherical coupling means between the housing seat and the application body allows the latter to be moved depending on the movements of the gripping portion due to the movements of the user's hand This makes it possible to obtain considerably improved aesthetic effects compared to the known type of brushes, making it easier to handle the brush itself and apply the fluid product.

Moreover, the presence of a plurality of lightening holes makes it possible to obtain a brush of considerably lower weight compared to brushes of a known type of equal size, thus improving and facilitating the grip and movement thereof even when the brush itself is used for prolonged periods of time.

In addition, the fact that the application body can be rotated with respect to the gripping body makes it possible to extend the field of vision when taking and applying the product itself.