Patent Publication Number: US-9414663-B2

Title: Cosmetic applicator

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a tool for applying cosmetics for mascara and eyebrow cosmetics to be used for applying liquid cosmetics to eyelashes and eyebrows, and particularly, to a tool for applying cosmetics in a brush portion of which bristles made of animal and plant hairs, synthetic resin fibers, and the like are implanted in lines in an axial direction of the brush portion. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     As this type of tool for applying cosmetics for mascara and eyebrow cosmetics, there has been provided one for which a base end portion of a rod-shaped brush shaft made of a resin is used as an operating portion, a long groove is formed parallel to the brush shaft at a partial side surface of a leading end side of the brush shaft, a plurality of bristles are disposed between the long groove and a rod-shaped resin fastener, and the bristles folded double in the long groove are fixed to the inside of the long groove along with the fastener, whereby a brush portion where bristles are implanted in two lines in the axial direction is formed (refer to Patent Literature 1). In this application tool, a liquid pool space is formed between a bristle group and a bristle group aligned in the brush portion axial direction, so that a liquid cosmetic retained in this space can be applied to eyelashes or eyebrows sufficiently. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 1 
     Japanese Published Unexamined Utility Model Application No. H07-3513 (FIG. 4, Paragraphs 0014 to 0015) 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, in the application tool for mascara and eyebrow cosmetics of Patent Literature 1, first, there has been a problem that, because the space between the two lines of bristle groups is wide, the space retains an excessively large amount of liquid cosmetic, and the cosmetic applied is more than the amount the user intended. Second, there has been a problem that, because the liquid cosmetic adhered in the vicinity of the fastener exposed at a bottom portion between the two lines of bristle groups is not easily removed by a wiping portion provided in a surrounding manner at the side of a container containing the cosmetic, the cosmetic remains in a large amount, the cosmetic applied is more than the amount the user wishes also in this regard, and further, the liquid cosmetic remaining on the fastener is solidified, and is applied as solid chunks to eyelashes or the like when the application tool is used thereafter. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the conventional technique described above, and an object thereof is to provide a tool for applying cosmetics for mascara and eyebrow cosmetics which, even in a tool for applying cosmetics including a brush portion in a form where bristles are implanted in lines in an axial direction of the brush portion, allows applying a liquid cosmetic in an appropriate amount to eyelashes or eyebrows. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to achieve the above-described object, in a tool for applying cosmetics according to claim  1 , which is a tool for applying cosmetics including a rod-shaped brush shaft a base end portion of which is provided as an operating portion, and a brush portion formed at a leading end side of the brush shaft, for the brush portion, by use of a long groove formed parallel to an axial direction of the brush portion at a partial side surface of the brush shaft and a rod-shaped fastener to be engaged with the long groove, a plurality of bristles disposed between the long groove and the fastener being fixed in a double-folded manner to inside of the long groove, and the bristles being implanted in two lines in the brush portion axial direction, on a surface of the fastener exposed from the long groove, comb teeth each extending in an extending direction of the bristles are formed at a predetermined pitch in the brush portion axial direction. 
     (Function) Because the comb teeth are formed between a bristle group and a bristle group imprinted in two lines in the brush portion, there is provided an application tool including, in the same direction (brush portion axial direction), an implanted brush portion formed of bristle groups and a comb portion formed of comb teeth. 
     Moreover, as a result of forming comb teeth in a space that is conventionally wide between bristle groups (in the brush portion cross direction), the liquid pool space is narrowed accordingly, so that excessive pooling of a liquid cosmetic can be prevented. 
     Moreover, because a liquid cosmetic pooling in a gap between the comb tooth and comb tooth can be applied to eyelashes or eyebrows, the liquid cosmetic retained in this gap is effectively used, and is also never solidified. 
     Further, when making up eyelashes using this application tool, by holding the operating portion so that the brush shaft becomes substantially parallel to the eyelashes, and operating the operating portion so as to lift the eyelashes with the brush portion, first, one bristle group contacts the eyelashes, and a mascara liquid retained by this bristle group is applied to the eyelashes, next, a liquid cosmetic retained between this bristle group and the comb portion and a liquid cosmetic retained in a gap between the comb tooth and comb tooth is further applied to the eyelashes, and the eyelashes are combed in the gap between the comb tooth and comb tooth, and lastly, the other bristle group contacts the eyelashes, and combs the eyelashes so as to separate one lash from another, and smoothes the applied mascara liquid on the eyelashes uniformly, and thus slender beautiful eyelashes are produced. 
     In claim  2 , in the tool for applying cosmetics according to claim  1 , the comb teeth are formed lower in height than the bristles. 
     (Function) For the bristles, after bristles are folded double and fixed to the inside of the long groove, both end portions of the bristles extending from the brush portion are cut into desired length pieces, and thus by forming comb teeth with a lower height than the height (length) of bristles desired as a tool for applying cosmetics, the comb teeth do not interfere while trimming, and the trimming can be smoothly performed. 
     Moreover, because the comb teeth are lower in height than the bristles, the comb teeth contact the root of eyelashes, and a liquid cosmetic retained in a gap between the comb tooth and comb tooth is applied more to the root of the eyelashes. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     By the invention according to claim  1 , as a result of forming the comb portion in the liquid pool space, the liquid pool space never excessively retains a liquid cosmetic, and the liquid cosmetic can be applied to eyelashes or the like in an appropriate amount. 
     Moreover, because a liquid cosmetic never remains to become solidified in the liquid pool space produced in the gap between the comb tooth and comb tooth, the user also never feels discomfort. 
     Further, as a result of the comb portion being formed between the bristle group and bristle group, an application tool with which a previously unexperienced feeling of use can be obtained can be provided. 
     By the invention according to claim  2 , as a result of making the height of extension (from the brush portion) of the comb teeth lower than the height of extension of the bristles, a smooth trimming process of the bristles can be performed. 
     Moreover, because a mascara liquid is applied more to the root of eyelashes, slender beautiful eyelashes can be produced with an eyeliner effect imparted to the eyes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of a tool for applying cosmetics according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the same application tool. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the same application tool (a sectional view taken along a line III-III in  FIG. 1 ). 
         FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional view of the same application tool (a sectional view taken along a line IV-IV in  FIG. 1 ). 
         FIG. 5  is a front view of a fastener which is a main portion of the same application tool. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the same fastener. 
         FIG. 7  is a right side view of the same fastener. 
         FIG. 8  is a plan view of a fastener of a tool for applying cosmetics according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a plan view of a modification of the fastener according to the same embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a plan view of a fastener of a tool for applying cosmetics according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 11  is a right side view of a fastener of a tool for applying cosmetics according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a fastener of a tool for applying cosmetics according to a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the fastener according to the same modification. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Embodiment 
     A first embodiment of a tool for applying cosmetics according to the present invention applied to an application tool for mascara will be described based on the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a front view of a tool for applying cosmetics according to the first embodiment,  FIG. 2  is a plan view of the same application tool,  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of the same application tool (a sectional view taken along a line III-III in  FIG. 1 ),  FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional view of the same application tool (a sectional view taken along a line IV-IV in  FIG. 1 ),  FIG. 5  is a front view of a fastener which is a main portion of the same application tool,  FIG. 6  is a plan view of the same fastener, and  FIG. 7  is a right side view of the same fastener. In addition, the imaginary lines in  FIGS. 1, 2, and 4  show implanted bristles, and illustration of a bristle group  30   a  that would be seen at a nearer side is omitted in  FIG. 1  so that comb teeth  26  can be seen. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the tool for applying cosmetics  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a cylindrical rod-shaped brush shaft  6  made of a synthetic resin such as PP which is provided at its base end portion with an operating portion  5  serving also as a cap body of a cosmetic container  3  (not shown) housing a mascara liquid  2  as a liquid cosmetic, and a brush portion  10  for which, at a leading end side of the brush shaft  6 , bristles  30  made of animal and plant hairs and synthetic resin fibers such as nylon are implanted in lines. Moreover, at an opening portion of the cosmetic container  3 , a well-known wiping portion (wiper)  4  consisting of a shrinkable member such as rubber, which is for scraping off by a certain amount the mascara liquid  2  adhered to the brush portion  10 , is provided in a surrounding manner. 
     At a partial side surface of the brush shaft  6  according to the brush portion  10 , a long groove  12  recessed at its bottom portion in a round shape is formed parallel to a brush portion axial direction. At side surfaces of leading end and base end sides of the long groove  12 , engaging grooves  13  for convex-concave lance engagement with convex portions  22  formed at the leading end and base end of a fastener  20  to be described later are formed, respectively. Also, the long groove  12  has a tapered portion  14  at its marginal portion in the brush portion axial direction, so that the fastener  20  can be easily inserted therein. 
     Moreover, in the long groove  12 , via the fastener  20  that is in a rod shape roughly coincident with the shape of the long groove  20 , a plurality of bristles  30  are fixed in a double-folded manner to the inside of the long groove  12 . The fastener  20  is a synthetic resin mold made of PET and the like, is formed, at its side surfaces of the leading end and base end sides in the brush portion axial direction, with convex portions  22  to be engaged with the engaging grooves  13  of the long groove  12 , respectively, and can thus be easily attached by convex-concave lance engagement when the fastener  20  is pushed into the long groove  12 . Further, on a surface  21  of the fastener  20  that is exposed from the long groove  12  when the fastener  20  is fixed to the long groove  12 , comb teeth  26  each extending in the same direction as an extending direction of the bristles  30  and being in a flat plate shape tapered to become thinner in thickness and narrower in width toward its leading end side are integrally formed at a predetermined pitch in the brush portion axial direction. In addition, each one comb tooth  26  has a plane portion  26   a  parallel to a plane portion  26   a  of another comb tooth  26 , and each plane portion  26   a  extends in a direction perpendicular to the brush portion axial direction. 
     The bristles  30  use nylon of a diameter of 0.102 mm (4 mil) as an example, and are, in a form that central portions of the respective bristles  30  are fused and integrated into a group of bristles  30 , fixed to the brush portion  10  as a result of the fastener  20  being fixed to the inside of the long groove  12 , with the central portions being disposed between the long groove  12  and the fastener  20 . Then, by cutting in length (trimming) both end portions of the bristles  30  extending in a direction perpendicular to the brush portion axial direction from the brush portion  10  to adjust the height (length) of the bristles  30  to a desired length, the brush portion  10  is implanted with a bristle group  30   a  and a bristle group  30   b  in two lines in the brush portion axial direction. 
     Further, because each comb tooth  26  is formed so that its height (to extend from the brush portion  10 ) is lower than the height (to extend from the brush portion  10 ) of the bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b , the comb teeth  26  do not interfere while trimming of the bristles  30 , and thus the foregoing trimming process can be smoothly performed. 
     As described above, there is provided an application tool  1  the brush portion  10  of which includes, in the same direction (brush portion axial direction), an implanted brush portion formed of bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b  and a comb portion formed of comb teeth  26  formed therebetween. 
     Then, when the brush portion  10  is inserted in the cosmetic container  3 , the brush portion  10  is dipped into the mascara liquid  2 , and when the brush portion  10  is pulled out, the mascara liquid  2  on the brush portion  10  of a part that makes contact with the wiping portion  4  of the container liquid  3  is scraped off by a certain amount, and the mascara liquid  2  is retained in a liquid pool space R produced between ‘the bristle group  30   a  and the comb teeth  26 ’ and ‘the bristle group  30   b  and the comb teeth  26 ’ of the brush portion  10  and a liquid pool space S produced in a gap between the comb tooth  26  and the comb tooth  26 . That is, in the conventional brush portion, the entire space between the bristle group  30   a  and the bristle group  30   b  has served as a liquid pool space, whereas because the comb teeth  26  are formed there, the liquid pool space is narrowed accordingly, so that the mascara liquid  2  never excessively pools in the liquid pool space R. 
     Next, when applying the mascara liquid  2  to eyelashes using the application tool  1 , by holding the operating portion  5  to dispose the brush shaft  6  substantially in parallel along the eyelashes, disposing a side surface of the brush portion  10  on the side where the bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b  and the comb teeth  26  are formed on a lower side of the eyelashes, and then operating the operating portion  5  to move the brush shaft  6  upward so as to be lifted, an appropriate amount of the mascara liquid  2  is applied to the eyelashes in the following procedure. That is, by operating the operating portion  5  so as to lift the eyelashes with the brush portion  10 , first, one bristle group  30   a  contacts the eyelashes, and the mascara liquid  2  retained by this bristle group  30   a  is applied to the eyelashes. Next, at the comb teeth  26  being a comb portion, the mascara liquid  2  retained in the liquid pool space R between the bristle group  30   a  and the comb teeth  26  and the liquid pool space S between the comb tooth  26  and the comb tooth  26  is further applied to the eyelashes, and the eyelashes are combed in the gap S between the comb tooth  26  and the comb tooth  26 . Lastly, the other bristle group  30   b  contacts the eyelashes, and the mascara liquid  2  in the liquid pool space R between the comb teeth  26  and the bristle group  30   b  is applied, and the bristle group  30   b  combs the eyelashes so as to separate one lash from another, and smoothes the applied mascara liquid  2  on the eyelashes uniformly, and thus slender beautiful eyelashes are produced. Moreover, because the comb teeth  26  are lower in height than the bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b , the comb teeth  26  contact the root of the eyelashes, and the mascara liquid  2  is applied more to the root of the eyelashes. 
     Thus, according to the present embodiment, because the liquid pool space R between the bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b  never excessively retains the mascara liquid  2 , the mascara liquid  2  can be applied to eyelashes in an appropriate amount. Moreover, because the mascara liquid  2  pooling in the liquid pool space S between the comb tooth  26  and the comb tooth  26  is applied to the eyelashes, the mascara liquid  2  retained in the liquid pool space S can be effectively used, and further, because the mascara liquid  2  never remains to become solidified in the liquid pool space S, the user also never feels discomfort. Further, as a result of the comb teeth  26  (comb portion) being formed in the space of the bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b , a previously unexperienced feeling of use can be obtained with the application tool  1 , as described above. Moreover, because the mascara liquid  2  retained in the liquid pool space S of the comb teeth  26  that is lower in height than the bristles  30  is applied more to the root of the eyelashes, slender beautiful eyelashes can be produced with an eyeliner effect imparted to the eyes. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next,  FIG. 8  is a plan view of a fastener of a tool for applying cosmetics according to a second embodiment. Because the second embodiment is the same as Embodiment 1 except that the comb teeth  26  of the fastener  20  in Embodiment 1 have changed to comb teeth  26 B formed so as to be inclined with respect to the brush portion axial direction (the plane portions  26   a  of the comb teeth  26  are inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the brush portion axial direction), description will be omitted by using the same reference signs. In addition,  FIG. 9  is a plan view of a modification of the fastener  20  according to the same embodiment, and the inclination direction of the comb teeth  26 B may be the direction in  FIG. 9 . This configuration allows providing an application tool  1  which, when applying the mascara liquid  2  to eyelashes using the application tool  1 , can be used so as to lift the eyelashes with the plane portions  26   a  due to the inclination of the comb teeth  26 B, and thus have the same effect as that of Embodiment 1 while easily catching eyelashes, and also providing a curling effect, and with which a feeling of use that suits the user&#39;s taste can be obtained. 
     Third Embodiment 
     Next,  FIG. 10  is a plan view of a fastener of a tool for applying cosmetics according to a third embodiment, and the third embodiment is the same as Embodiment 2 except that the comb teeth  26 B of the fastener  20  in Embodiment 2 have changed to comb teeth  26 C formed in a mutually inclined form with respect to the brush portion axial direction. This configuration allows providing an application tool  1  which, when applying the mascara liquid  2  to eyelashes using the application tool  1 , more easily catches eyelashes than Embodiment 2, and with which a feeling of use that suits the user&#39;s taste can be obtained. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     Next,  FIG. 11  is a right side view of a fastener of a tool for applying cosmetics according to a fourth embodiment, and the fourth embodiment is the same as Embodiment 1 except that the comb teeth  26  of the fastener  20  in Embodiment 1 each being in a flat plate shape have changed to comb teeth  26 D each formed in a shape having a conical cross-section with respect to the brush portion axial direction. This configuration allows providing an application tool  1  where, as a result of becoming sharp angle shapes as compared with Embodiment 1, the comb teeth  26 D have an enhanced effect to comb eyelashes, thereby creating a more natural looking finish, and with which a feeling of use that suits the user&#39;s taste can be obtained. 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     Next,  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of a fastener of a tool for applying cosmetics according to a fifth embodiment, and the fifth embodiment is the same as Embodiment 1 except that the comb teeth  26  of the fastener  20  in Embodiment 1 have changed in height to comb teeth  26 E formed higher than the height of the bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b . This embodiment can be formed by adjusting bristles  30  to a target length at a stage prior to fixing to the inside of the long groove. This configuration allows providing an application tool  1  where, as a result of making the comb teeth  26 E project further than the bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b , the comb teeth  26 E easily contact eyelashes, and accordingly, the mascara liquid  2  retained in the liquid pool space S between the comb tooth  26 E and the comb tooth  26 E is applied to eyelashes and the eyelashes are combed, one lash of the eyelashes is separated from another by the bristle group  30   b , and slender beautiful eyelashes with mascara applied thinner than that by Embodiment 1 are produced, and thus with which a feeling of use that suits the user&#39;s taste can be obtained. 
     In addition,  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of a modification of the fastener according to the same modification, and comb teeth  26 F for which the comb teeth  26 E are formed equal in height to the bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b  may be provided. This configuration allows providing an application tool  1  where the liquid pool space R between the bristle groups  30   a ,  30   b  and the comb teeth  26 F is smaller than that of Embodiment 1 and larger than that of Embodiment 5, and thus with which a feeling of use that suits the user&#39;s taste in terms of the application amount can be obtained. 
     Although, in Embodiments 1 to 5, the application tool  1  is used as a tool for applying cosmetics for eyelashes, the application tool  1  can, as a matter of course, be used also as an application tool for eyebrow cosmetics that is used for eyebrows similarly. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
       1  . . . application tool for applying cosmetics,  5  . . . operating portion,  6  . . . brush shaft,  10  . . . brush portion,  12  . . . long groove,  20  . . . fastener,  21  . . . surface exposed from long groove,  26 ,  26 B,  26 C,  26 D,  26 E,  26 F . . . comb tooth,  26   a  . . . planar portion of comb tooth,  30  . . . bristle,  30   a ,  30   b  . . . bristle group, S, R . . . liquid pool space