Patent Publication Number: US-2023157441-A1

Title: Product application wand

Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
     The present application is related to a product application device, and more particularly, to a cosmetic product application device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Mascara packages generally include a first half defining a reservoir containing the cosmetic product, and a second half providing a removable wand and brush for applying the cosmetic product. When the mascara is closed for storage, the brush and wand are disposed inside a first half, and the first and second halves are coupled so that the brush and wand do not separate from the first half. A user separates the second half from the first half by removing the wand and brush from the reservoir, and in doing so, an interior wiper may remove some of the product disposed on the brush before the brush is completely removed from the first half. The user may then apply some of the remaining product disposed on the brush to eyelashes and/or eyebrows, and then may return the brush into the first half to collect more product or to store the mascara for later use. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a product application device includes a dual-application brush suitable for voluminous and high precision application and an intuitive cap and housing to ensure optimal application. 
     In accordance with a first aspect, a product application device may include a wand including a rod and a brush operably coupled with the rod. The rod may include a rod longitudinal axis and the brush may include a brush longitudinal axis. A housing may define a reservoir arranged to receive at least a portion of the brush of the wand. A cap may be operably coupled with the wand and arranged for removably coupling with the housing. The brush longitudinal axis may be offset from the rod longitudinal axis. 
     In accordance with a second aspect, a wand for a product application device may include a rod and a brush. The brush may include a base and a plurality of bristles extending from the base. The wand may include a teardrop cross-sectional shape defined by a first portion of bristles and a second portion of bristles. The first portion may define a first contoured profile and a second contoured profile perpendicular relative to the first contoured profile, and the second portion may define a different contoured profile. 
     In accordance with a third aspect, a brush of a product application wand may include a base having a circumference and a longitudinal axis. The brush may include a plurality of bristles extending in a radial direction from the base. The plurality of bristles may include first and second non-overlapping portions that extend around the circumference of the base. The brush may include a first asymmetrical cross-section and a second asymmetrical cross-section perpendicular to the first asymmetrical cross-section. The first and second portions of the plurality of bristles may at least partially define the first and second asymmetrical cross-sections. 
     In further accordance with any one of the first, second, or third aspects, a product application device, wand, and/or brush may include any one or more of the following forms. 
     In one form, the brush may define a teardrop cross-sectional shape. 
     In some forms, brush may include a base, a first portion of bristles, and a second portion of bristles extending outwardly relative to the base. 
     In these and other examples, the first portion of bristles may define a contoured portion of the teardrop cross-sectional shape. 
     In some forms, the second portion of bristles may define a round portion of the teardrop cross-sectional shape. 
     In an alternative form, the first portion of bristles may have an average length that is greater than an average length of the second portion of bristles. 
     In one form, a ratio of length of the first portion to length of the second portion may be in a range of approximately 1:1 to approximately 3:1. 
     In some forms, the brush may have a first asymmetrical cross-section and a second asymmetrical cross-section perpendicular relative to the first asymmetrical cross-section. 
     In some examples, the reservoir of the housing may have a non-cylindrical shape. 
     In some forms, the housing may have a housing abutment surface and the cap may have a cap abutment surface. 
     In one form, the housing abutment surface may be adapted for positioning adjacent to the cap abutment surface. 
     In some forms, the housing abutment surface may have a cross-sectional shape that matches a cross-sectional shape of the cap abutment surface. 
     In many forms, the cross-sectional shape of the cap abutment surface may be a teardrop. 
     In one form, the bristles may be constructed from fibers operably coupled with a base constructed from wire. 
     In these or other forms, a brush longitudinal axis may be offset from a rod longitudinal axis. 
     In some forms, the first portion of bristles may include a plurality of rows having varying lengths extending from the base. 
     In another form, the second portion of bristles may include a plurality of rows having approximately uniform lengths extending from the base. 
     In another form, the first asymmetrical cross-section may be at least partially defined by the first portion of bristles and may include a contoured profile. 
     In other examples, the first asymmetrical cross-section may be at least partially defined by the second portion of bristles and may include a second contoured profile. 
     In another form, the second asymmetrical cross-section may be at least partially defined by the first portion of bristles and the second portion of bristles. 
     In yet another form, the second portion of bristles may define a third contoured profile. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a product application device assembled in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-sectional side view of the product application device of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a profile, cross-sectional side view of a brush of the product application device of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a profile, cross-sectional front view of the brush of the product application device of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  5    is a cross-sectional front view of the product application device of  FIG.  2   , taken at A-A; 
         FIG.  6    is a cross-sectional front view of the product application device of  FIG.  2   , taken at B-B; 
         FIG.  7    is a top view of the product application device of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  8    is a cross-sectional top view of the product application device of  FIG.  1   , taken at C-C of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  8 A  is a magnified, cross-sectional top view of the product application device of  FIG.  8   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Generally speaking, a product application device  10  is provided. The product application device  10  of  FIG.  1    includes a dual-application brush  14  suitable for high precision application, and an intuitive cap  18  and housing  22  to ensure optimal application. A wand  26  is operably coupled with the cap  18  and includes a rod  30  and the brush  14  operably coupled with the rod  30 . The housing  22  defines a reservoir  34  sized to contain a cosmetic product (not illustrated) and to receive at least a portion of the brush  14  of the wand  26 . A wiper  36  is coupled with the housing  22  and is disposed within an opening  38  of the housing  22 . The cap  18  serves also as a handle of the wand  26 , and is arranged for removably coupling with the housing  22 . 
     In  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the brush  14  and the rod  30  of the wand  26  are shown in more detail. The brush  14  includes a base  40  and a plurality of bristles  42  extending radially from the base  40 . The plurality of bristles  42  includes a first portion  44  and a second portion  46  of non-overlapping bristles  42 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , the first and second portions  44 ,  46  extend around a circumference  48  of the base  40  in a plurality of rows. The first and second portions  44 ,  46  of bristles  42  at least partially define two different and perpendicular asymmetrical cross-sections of the brush  14 , as shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , and will be described in more detail below. 
     With continued reference to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the first portion  44  defines a first contour  50  having a generally elliptical profile, and the second portion  46  defines a relatively straight edge  52  of generally shorter bristles  42  of uniform length. In a slightly different variation, the brush  14  in  FIG.  3    includes a second portion  46  of bristles  42  defining a second contour  54  having an elliptical profile, as well. As such, both the first and second portions  44 ,  46  of the brush  14  in  FIG.  3    include bristles  42  of varying lengths. However, in both aspects shown in  FIGS.  2  and  3   , a length L 1  of the bristles  42  of the first portion  44 , is longer than a length L 2  of the bristles  42  of the second portion  46 . The length L 1 , L 2  of the bristles  42  of the first and second portions is roughly measured from a longitudinal axis X of the rod  30 , which is offset from a longitudinal axis Y of the brush  14  by a length Z. In other examples, the first contour  50  and/or the second contour  54  may have an oblong, curved, and/or otherwise askew profile. In yet other examples, the length Z may be 0 so that the longitudinal axis X of the rod  30  is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis Y of the brush  14 . 
       FIG.  3    depicts a first asymmetrical cross-section of the brush  14  about the brush longitudinal axis Y, and  FIG.  4    illustrates a second asymmetrical cross-section of the brush  14 , that is perpendicular relative to the first asymmetrical cross-section of  FIG.  3   . The second asymmetrical cross-section is at least partially defined by the first portion  44  and the second portion  46  of bristles  42 . The first portion  44  of bristles  42  at least partially defines the third contour  58 , which is a narrow, peaked portion of the teardrop shape, and the second portion  46  at least partially defines a rounded, bulbous portion of the teardrop shape. In other examples, the bulbous portion may actually be angular to provide a triangular, rather than teardrop, cross-sectional shape. 
       FIG.  4    illustrates how each portion  44 ,  46  of the bristles  42  extends beyond a circumference  62  of the rod  30 . As previously mentioned, the brush longitudinal axis Y is offset from the rod longitudinal axis X by the length Z. The first portion  44  includes bristles  42  of varying lengths, with a longest bristle length L 1  from the rod longitudinal axis X. The second portion  46  includes bristles  42  of varying lengths relative to the rod longitudinal axis X, but has more uniform lengths relative to the brush longitudinal axis Y. So configured, a moon-shape area of the second portion  46  of bristles  42  extends beyond the circumference  62  of the rod  30  a distance H in a direction perpendicular to the rod longitudinal axis X, and includes a width W 1 , also in a direction perpendicular to the rod longitudinal axis X. The bristle length L 1  of the first portion  44  may in a range of approximately 2 mm to approximately 8 mm, approximately 3 mm to approximately 7.5 mm, approximately 4 mm to approximately 7 mm, and preferably approximately 6 mm. The bristle length L 2  of the second portion  46  may in a range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm, approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 4 mm, approximately 2 mm to approximately 3.5 mm, and preferably approximately 3 mm. An average ratio of length L 1  of the first portion  44  to length L 2  of the second portion  46  is in a range of approximately 1:1 to approximately 4:1, and preferably approximately 3:1. 
     The varying lengths of the bristles  42  of each portion  44 ,  46  affects the amount of cosmetic material that is captured by the bristles  42  when the brush  14  is removed from the housing  22 . When the brush  14  is removed from the housing  22 , the bristles  42  pass through an opening of the wiper  36 , which is coupled with the housing  22  via any number of suitable approaches. The opening of the wiper  36  has a diameter at least equal to a diameter D of the rod  30  of the brush  14 . As shown in  FIGS.  4 - 6   , the bristles  42  that extend beyond the circumference  62  of the rod  30  will engage the wiper  36  when the wand  26  passes through the opening of the wiper  36  and out through the opening  38  of the housing  22 . Any material disposed on the bristles  42  extending beyond the circumference  62  of the rod  30  contacts the pliable material of the wiper  36 , and is at least partially removed from the bristles  46 . Thus, more cosmetic material is removed from the first portion  44  of the bristles  42  than the second portion  46  because the length L 1  of the bristles  42  of the first portion  44  is greater than the length L 2  of the bristles  42  of the second portion  46 . 
     So configured, because the second portion  46  retains more cosmetic material upon removing the brush  14 , the second portion  46  of the brush  14  may be used for loading purposes, and the first portion  44  of the brush  14  may be used for separation and definition purposes while applying the cosmetic material. With the shorter bristles  42 , the second portion  46  of the brush  14  will retain more cosmetic material and therefore may better load cosmetic material onto a person&#39;s eye lashes. The slight curvature of the second contour  54  of the second portion  46  matches the curvature of a person&#39;s eye lid to better reach all lashes of the upper and lower lids. After enough material is loaded onto the person&#39;s lashes, the first portion  44  of the brush  14  is used to separate and define the eye lashes. The longer bristles  42  of the first portion  44  have less cosmetic material from the wiping action of the wiper  36 , and therefore act to separate the painted lashes. The greater curvature of the first contour  50  of the first portion  44  is shaped to reach the lashes in the corners of one&#39;s eye. In some cases, the bristles  42  of the first portion  44  may be of a stiffer material to better separate and define the lashes. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  5  and  6   , two different cross-sections A-A and B-B, respectively, of the device  10  illustrate the different rows of bristles  42  extending from the base  40  of the brush  14 . The cross-sectional view of  FIG.  5    illustrates an example row  66  disposed at a lowest point of the first contour  50  of the first portion  44  of bristles  42 . A row of bristles extends radially outward from and around the circumference  48  of the base  40 . The variation in length L 2  (identified by arrow V) of the first portion  44  of bristles  42  is shown behind the example row  66 . The cross-sectional view of  FIG.  6   , for example, illustrates a second example row  70  disposed at one of the highest points of the first contour  50  of the first portion  44  of bristles  42 , and at a proximal end  74  of the brush  14 . As previously described and now shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the portion of the bristles  42  that extend beyond the circumference  62  of the rod  30  will contact the wiper  36  when the brush  14  is removed from the reservoir  34 . 
     In the illustrated example, the base  40  includes a twisted wire that captures a plurality of fiber bristles  42  that spiral around a length of the base  40  from the proximal end  74  to a distal end  78 . However, in other examples, the base  40  and bristles  42  may be made from extruded plastic, and the bristles  42  may extend in parallel rows, rather than a spiral configuration. A combination of different material, thickness, stiffness, density, coarseness of the bristles  42  may be utilized to achieve a particular function for the brush  14 . 
     Also shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6    is the generally teardrop cross-sectional shape of the housing  22  and cap  18  of the device  10 . The cap  18 , which also serves as the handle to the brush  14 , includes a teardrop cross-sectional shape with a first surface  88  and a second surface  92  that define both a rounded portion  96  and a narrow portion  100 . The narrow portion of the cap  18  defines a peak that corresponds to the peak of the bristles  42  defined by the first portion  44  of the brush  14 . The first and second surfaces  88 ,  92  slope towards the peak  100  of the cap  100 , and may serve as gripping surfaces for a person&#39;s fingers (e.g., a thumb and an index finger). Similarly, the housing  22  also includes a teardrop cross-sectional shape, and defines a teardrop cross-sectional reservoir  34 . The housing  22  includes a first surface  104  and a second surface  108  that define both a rounded portion  112  and a narrow portion  116 . When the housing  22  and the cap  18  are secured, the narrow portion of the housing aligns with the narrow portion of the cap and the round portion of the housing aligns with the round portion of the cap. While the cross-sectional shape of the brush  14 , housing  22 , and cap  18  correspond to a similar teardrop shape, in other examples, the brush  14 , housing  22 , and cap  18  may have different cross-sectional shapes. For example, the housing  22  and the cap  18  may be cylindrical, rectangular, or prismatic. In another example, the brush  14 , housing  22 , and cap  18  may have a triangular or diamond cross-sectional shape. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  7 , and  8   , the cap  18  and the housing  22  are secured in the storage position with the wand  26  disposed in the reservoir  34 . The housing  22  has a housing abutment surface  120  and the cap  18  has a cap abutment surface  124 . The housing abutment  120  surface is adapted for positioning adjacent to the cap abutment surface  124  and having a cross-sectional shape that matches a cross-sectional shape of the cap abutment surface  124 . The matching cross-sectional shapes of the abutment surfaces as well as the smooth engagement of the surfaces  120 ,  124  ensure that the cap  18  is fastened properly to the housing  22 . 
     In  FIGS.  8  and  8 A , a fastening mechanism  126  between the cap  18  and the housing  22  is more clearly illustrated. The housing  22  includes a neck  130  at a proximal end  132  (opposite a distal end  134 ) that is threadably coupled to a collar  138  of the wand  26 . The collar  138  includes interior threads  142  that matingly engage with external threads  146  of the neck  130  of the housing  22 . To removably couple the cap  18  from the housing  22 , the cap  18  is rotated relative to the housing  22  about the rod longitudinal axis X, separating the cap abutment surface  124  from the housing abutment surface  120 , until the internal and external threads  142 ,  146  disengage. As the cap  18  decouples from the housing  22 , the wand  26  rotates about the rod longitudinal axis X in a first direction R. The reservoir  34  is shaped to gradually widen from the distal end  134  of the housing  22  to the proximal end  132  of the housing to allow for the first portion  44  of bristles  42  to rotate without contacting an interior wall  150  of the housing  22 . In the illustrated example, the reservoir  34  has a teardrop cross-sectional shape, however, in other examples, the reservoir  34  may be cylindrical or non-cylindrical. The cap  18  is secured back to the housing  22  by engaging the collar  138  and the neck  130  and rotating the cap  18  relative to the housing  22  in a direction T, opposite direction R, about the rod longitudinal axis X until the abutment surfaces  120 ,  124  engage and are aligned. In other examples, the fastening mechanism  126  may be a different type of removable coupling, such as, snap-fit, friction-fit, 
     Turning back to  FIG.  8 A , the collar  138  is attached or integrally formed with a proximal end  154  of the rod  30 , opposite the brush  14 , and is fixed to an interior portion  158  of the cap  18 . The interior portion  158  of the cap  18  may be fixed to the collar  138  by snap fit, frictional fit, adhesive, fusion welding, or other suitable approaches so that the cap  18  and the wand  26  move together as a unit. The neck  130  of the housing  22  defines the opening  38 , and is secured to a rigid flange  162  of the wiper  36 . A body  166  of the wiper  36  extends from the flange  162  and into the opening  38  defined by the neck  130 , and curves inwardly relative to the rod longitudinal axis X. The body  166  of the wiper  36  is pliable to permit the rod  30  of the wand  26  to slide out of the reservoir  34  of the housing  22 , and flexibly wipe cosmetic product from the bristles  42  of the brush  14 . The wiper  36  is secured to the neck  130  of the housing  22  by snap fit, frictional fit, adhesive, fusion welding, or other suitable approaches so that the flange  162  remains attached to the housing  22  when the body  166  of the wiper  36  engages the brush  14 . 
     The product application device  10  of the present disclosure provides a number of benefits for cosmetic application. These benefits include the shape and function of the brush, the off-set orientation of the brush relative to the rod, and the corresponding cross-sectional shapes of the brush, cap, and housing. 
     Specifically, the brush has two main bristles portions that provide two separate functions of loading product onto a person&#39;s eyelashes, and separating and defining the painted eyelashes after loading. The elliptical contours of the bristles corresponds with the natural outer contour of a person&#39;s eyelid from which eye lashes grow. The shape of the contours of the brush reach corner eyelashes. The second portion defines the loading function of the brush and the first portion defines the separating feature of the brush. With less product on the longer bristles, a user may more precisely separate and define the painted eyelashes without adding more product to the eyelashes. 
     Offsetting the axis of the brush and the rod allows the second portion or the loading portion of the brush to have shorter bristles. Shorter bristles allows the loading step to be less-intrusive and easier for the user to control when applying cosmetics close to one&#39;s eye. With shorter bristles, a person may achieve more precision than if the bristles were long and extended far from the base. Shorter bristles, allows for the second portion of the brush to be more dense, optimizing the brush for collection of cosmetic product. 
     The shape of the housing and cap as it corresponds with the cross-sectional shape of the brush inherently instructs the user for proper self-application. When a person&#39;s thumb and index finger grip the narrow portion of the cap, the device is in a separation position. When the person&#39;s thumb and index finger grip the rounded portion of the cap, the device is in a loading position. In other words, the narrow portion of the cap also indicates the orientation of the separating portion of the brush. As such, the user will know the orientation of the brush just by gripping the cap. 
     It is appreciated that the product application device may be used to apply any number of various cosmetic products, hair care products, body care products, and/or skincare products such as, for example, a mascara product. 
     Finally, although certain applicator devices have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, while the disclosed applicator devices have been shown and described in connection with various examples, it is apparent that certain changes and modifications, in addition to those mentioned above, may be made. This patent application covers all examples of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents. Accordingly, it is the intention to protect all variations and modifications that may occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept. 
     The patent claims at the end of this patent application are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being explicitly recited in the claim(s).