Patent Publication Number: US-2015060373-A1

Title: Makeup brush holder

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to makeup brush holders and, more particularly, to a makeup brush holder which can hold a plurality of makeup brushes and facilitates a process of supporting the makeup brushes on the makeup brush holder or removing them therefrom, thus providing convenience to a user, and which has a simple holding structure, whereby the makeup brush holder can be prevented from being damaged by malfunction thereof, and there is no possibility of a reduction in the durability of the makeup brush holder after repetitive use, so that the makeup brush can be used semi-permanently. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Makeup brushes are tools which are used to apply makeup powder or liquid to the skin of users. Typically, the makeup brushes are configured such that bristles made of animal hair are attached to an end of a plastic or wooden rod which functions as a handle. 
     Such a makeup brush is used in such a way a user holds the handle, immerses bristles in a makeup container to apply makeup power or liquid to the bristles, and then applies it to the cheeks or eyes. 
     Because bristles of makeup brushes come into direct contact with the skin of users, the bristles are preferably made of a material which is soft and to which makeup powder or liquid can be easily applied. For example, animal hair such as goat hair or horse hair may be used as bristles of makeup brushes. 
     Such makeup brushes use different kinds of bristles having various lengths and bristle thicknesses depending on the purpose of the use. Therefore, not only makeup artists but also general users typically have different kinds of makeup brushes. 
     In the case of makeup brushes, storage thereof as well as usage thereof is very crucial. Unless the makeup brushes are stored or dried in such a way that bristles face downward toward the ground, the bristles may be bent or spread out. If so, the makeup brushes may not be rendered unusable. 
     Moreover, recently, the number of users who wash makeup brushes and dry them before using them again is increasing. 
     That is, if a makeup brush is used for a long period of time, nutritional contents that have been contained in makeup powder or liquid remain in the makeup brush, thus causing the propagation of colon bacillus or other germs which may induce inflammation on the skin of a user. Particularly, if germs pass through the skin through an injured portion, secondary infection may be caused. 
     Despite various needs, for example, storage of makeup brushes or drying thereof after washing, there is no makeup brush holder which can meet these needs. 
     PRIOR ART DOCUMENT  
     Patent document  
     (Patent document 0001) KR Utility Model Registration No. 20-0427903 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a makeup brush holder which is configured such that a makeup brush can be easily held by the makeup brush holder merely by the simple motion of inserting the body of the makeup brush into a holding film of the makeup brush holder and can be easily removed from the makeup brush holder by simple motion of pulling it therefrom, thus providing convenience to a user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a makeup brush holder in which the structure for holding the makeup brush does not require a separate mechanical coupling or mechanical connection process, whereby the makeup brush holder can be prevented from being damaged by malfunction thereof, and there is no possibility of a reduction in the durability of the makeup brush holder after repetitive use, so that the makeup brush can be used semi-permanently. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a makeup brush holder which has a simple bar structure so that even when holding parts having various sizes and shapes are formed in a holding plate, the production cost can be minimized. 
     In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a makeup brush holder for holding a makeup brush having a rod-shaped body and bristles provided on an end of the rod-shaped body, the makeup brush holder including: a holding plate; a holding part provided in the holding plate to hold a portion of the rod-shaped body; and a plate support supporting the holding plate at a predetermined location, wherein the holding part has: a seating hole formed through the holding plate, the seating hole having a circular or polygonal shape, and a holding film provided in the seating hole, the holding film being made of elastic material, with a plurality of slits formed in a central portion of the holding film so that the rod-shaped body can be inserted into the holding film, and when the rod-shaped body is inserted into the seating hole and disposed in the holding film through the slits, the rod-shaped body is caught in the holding part by a restoring force of the holding film and a frictional force between the holding film and the rod-shaped body. 
     The seating hole may comprise a plurality of seating holes formed in the holing plate. The seating holes may have different sizes in response to a variety of sizes of a cross-section of the rod-shaped body. 
     The holding film may have a through hole formed in a central portion of the holding film, and three or four slits formed around the through hole. 
     The holding plate may comprise two or more holding plates. The makeup brush holder may further include a central body to which an end of each of the holding plates is rotatably coupled, wherein when the makeup brush holder is in a use state in which the makeup brush is held by the makeup brush holder, the holding plates are radially deployed around the central body to allow the makeup brush to be held by one of the holding plates, and when the makeup brush holder is in a folded state, the holding plates are rotated upwards and gathered together. 
     The plate support may include a hanging part extending upwards from the central body. The hanging part may be bent in a hanger shape so that the hanging part can be hung on a rod or hook installed on a support surface. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a makeup brush holder, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged view illustrating brush holding operation of the makeup brush holder of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a photograph showing a folded state of the makeup brush holder according to the embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a photograph showing a usage example of the makeup brush holder according to the embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a makeup brush holder, according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a makeup brush holder  1  according to an embodiment of the present invention functions to hold makeup brushes  100 , each of which includes a rod-shaped body  110  and bristles  120  provided on an end of the rod-shaped body  110 . The makeup brush holder  1  includes a holding plate  10 , a holding part  30  which holds a portion of the rod-shaped body  110 , and a plate support  40  which supports the holding plate  10  at a predetermined location. The holding part  30  has a seating hole  31  and a holding film  33 . The rod-shaped body  110  is disposed in the seating hole  31  and is held by the holding film  33 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , each makeup brush  100  includes the rod-shaped body  110  and the bristles  120  provided on an end of the rod-shaped body  110 . 
     The rod-shaped body  110  has a size and volume corresponding to those of the bristles  120 . The cross-section of the rod-shaped body  110  can have a variety of shapes, for example, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, etc. 
     The holding plate  10  preferably has a planar shape and can be formed in a variety of sizes and shapes. As needed, the holding plate  10  may comprise a plurality of holding plates  10 , in other words, two or more holding plates  10   a  and  10   b,  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The holding part  30  is provided in the holding plate  10 , and a portion of the rod-shaped body  110  is held by the holding part  30 . 
     The holding part  30  has the seating hole  31  and the holding film  33 . 
     The seating hole  31  is formed through the holding plate  10  and can have a variety of shapes for example a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, etc. 
     As needed, the number of seating holes  31  may be modified in a variety of ways. For example, only one seating hole  31  may be formed or, alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of seating holes  31  may be formed. 
     If a plurality of seating holes  31  are formed, arrangement of the seating holes  31  is not limited to a special method. That is, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the seating holes  31  may be arranged in a row. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the seating holes  31  may be arranged in two rows. In addition to these, the seating holes  31  can be formed in a variety of arrangements. 
     Furthermore, each seating hole  31  can have a variety of shapes. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the seating hole  31  may have a rectangular shape. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the seating hole  31  may have a circular shape. 
     The seating holes  31  may have the same size. Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the seating holes  31  may have a variety of sizes in response to the sizes of the rod-shaped bodies  110  of the makeup brushes. 
     The holding film  33  is provided in the seating hole  31 . A plurality of slits  331  are formed to allow the rod-shaped body  110  of the makeup brush to be inserted into the holding film  33 . 
     The holding film  33  is a soft film made of material such as natural rubber, synthetic rubber or synthetic resin, having appropriate elasticity. 
     The several slits  331  are formed in a central portion of the holding film  33  so that the rod-shaped body  110  can be inserted into the holing film  33 . 
     To hold the makeup brush  100  using the makeup brush holder  1 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , the rod-shaped body  110  of the makeup brush  100  is inserted into the holding film  33  through the slits  331 . Then, the rod-shaped body  110  is held in the holding part  30  by the restoring force of the holding film  33  and the frictional force between the holding film  33  and the rod-shaped body  110 . 
     To remove the makeup brush  100  from the makeup brush holder  1 , there is only a need for pulling the makeup brush  100  with force greater than the restoring force and frictional force of the holding film  33 . 
     As such, the makeup brush  100  can be easily held by the makeup brush holder  1  or removed therefrom by simple motion of inserting the rod-shaped body of the makeup brush  100  into the holding film or pulling it therefrom. Therefore, the present invention is more convenient for the user. 
     Furthermore, the structure for holding the makeup brush  100  does not require a separate mechanical coupling or mechanical connection process, whereby the makeup brush holder  1  can be prevented from being damaged by malfunction thereof, and there is no possibility of a reduction in the durability of the makeup brush holder  1  after repetitive use. As a result, the makeup brush  100  of the present invention can be used semi-permanently. 
     In addition, the present invention has a simple bar structure. Therefore, even when holding parts  30  having various sizes and shapes are formed in the holding plate  10 , the production cost can be minimized. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the several slits  331  are formed in the holding film  33  around the central portion of the holding film  33 . For example, it is preferable that the slits  331  be arranged in radial directions. 
     The number of slits  331  and the length of each slit  331  can be changed in a variety of ways depending on the sizes of the cross-sections of the rod-shaped bodies  110  of makeup brushes to be held by the makeup brush holder  1 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , if the size of the cross-section of the rod-shaped body  110  is comparatively small, it is preferable that the length of each slit  331  be relatively short. If the size of the cross-section of the rod-shaped body  110  is comparatively large, it is preferable that the length of each slit  331  be relatively long, and the width of the slit  331  may be increased. 
     In this embodiment, a through hole  333  is formed in the central portion of the holding film  33  so as to facilitate insertion of the rod-shaped body  110  into the holding film  33 . Also, the through hole  333  prevents cut parts of the holding film  33  from making contact with each other, thus preventing the holding film  33  from being deformed. 
     The through hole  333  can have a variety of sizes depending on the sizes of the cross-sections of the rod-shaped bodies  110  of makeup brushes to be held by the makeup brush holder  1 . If the size of the cross-section of the rod-shaped body  110  is comparatively large, the lengths of the slits  331  are also increased in proportion to the size of the cross-section of the rod-shaped body  110 . In the case where the lengths of the slits  331  are excessively long, when the rod-shaped body  110  of the makeup brush is inserted into the holding film  33 , the lengths of the cut parts of the holding film  33  that are bent by the rod-shaped body  110  are excessively increased, thus deteriorating the general appearance of the makeup brush holder, and reducing the restoring force of the holding film  33 . Given this, it is preferable that the through hole  333  be formed in the holding film  33  in an appropriate size corresponding to that of the rod-shaped body  110 . 
     The plate support  40  is provided to support the holding plate  10  at a desired location. 
     The desired location at which the holding plate  10  is supported may be on a ground surface on which the makeup brush holder  1  is installed or be defined by a string or rod on which the makeup brush holder  1  is suspended. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the desired location may be defined by a hook which is provided on a wall. 
     In the former case, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the plate support  40  may be configured to have a structure appropriate to place it on the ground surface. Moreover, the makeup brush holder  1  may be configured such that it is folded, thus increasing its convenience in use. That is, a first plate support  41  is rotated towards the holding plate  10  by a hinge and thus folded thereonto, and a second plate support  42  is rotated by a hinge in a direction opposite to the direction in which the first plate support  41  is rotated and thus folded onto the holding plate  10 . 
     The latter case will be explained in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4 . 
     The holding plate  10  may comprise two or more holding plates  10 . Although, in  FIG. 1 , the two holding plates  10  have been illustrated as being provided, three or more holding plates  10  may be provided. In this case, for example, the holding plates  10  are radially arranged around a central body in the same shape in which umbrella ribs are radially arranged around an umbrella tube ( FIG. 4  illustrates a usage example of the makeup brush holder). 
     Each holding plate  10  may be coupled to the central body  50  so as to be rotatable upwards or downwards. In this case, as shown in  FIG. 3 , when the holding plates  10  are folded upwards, the makeup brush holder  1  enters a folded state, thus minimizing the volume of the makeup brush holder  1 , thereby facilitating the storage thereof. 
     In this case, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the plate support  40  extends upwards from the central body  50  and is bent in a shape similar to that of a hanger, thus forming a hanging part  45  which can be removably hung on a support rod or hook. 
     As described above, in a makeup brush holder according to the present invention, a makeup brush can easily held by the makeup brush holder merely by the simple motion of inserting the body of the makeup brush into a holding film of the makeup brush holder and can be easily removed from the makeup brush holder by the simple motion of pulling it therefrom. Therefore, the present invention is more convenient for the user. 
     Furthermore, the structure for holding the makeup brush does not require a separate mechanical coupling or mechanical connection process, whereby the makeup brush holder can be prevented from being damaged by malfunction thereof, and there is no possibility of a reduction in the durability of the makeup brush holder after repetitive use. As a result, the makeup brush of the present invention can be used semi-permanently. permanently. 
     In addition, the present invention has a simple bar structure. Therefore, even when holding parts having various sizes and shapes are formed in the holding plate, the production cost can be minimized. 
     Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.