Patent Publication Number: US-9888762-B2

Title: Fan brush cosmetic applicator

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a cosmetics brush and a manufacturing method therefore. The cosmetics brush includes a ferrule defining a fiber bundle insertion groove with tapered side walls which define a fan brush configuration. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A general form of cosmetics brushes used for applying such cosmetics as rouge, lip gloss, mascara, eye liner, and manicure comprises a brush handle holding a bundle of fibers and a cap at an end of the handle, screw-coupled to a cosmetics container, so that the fiber bundle is stored inside of the cosmetics container for good portability, being dipped in the cosmetics, and can be used to apply cosmetics adhered to the bristles by simply detaching the cap. 
     Since a cosmetics brush of this formation has a bundle of fibers, inserted in an end of the handle, formed in a cylindrical shape, and a cap screw-coupled to the cosmetics container, the fiber bundle is twisted in the cosmetics when rotated together with the cap by the resistance of the liquid cosmetics usually having a higher viscosity. Further, if the fiber bundle is formed in a cylindrical shape, it has a weak force of restitution and difficult to return to its proper shape and apply the cosmetics uniformly, resulting in inconvenience of the user. 
     In addition, it is important for making-ups using cosmetics brushes to apply cosmetics at a constant thickness and width, however, the fiber bundles having a cylindrical shape are disadvantageous for applying cosmetics at a constant thickness and width even though they are not twisted. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In at least one embodiment, the present invention provides a cosmetics brush for applying cosmetics. The brush includes a rod, a ferrule formed at the end of the rod, the ferrule defining an insertion groove, and a bundle of fibers inserted in the ferrule. The insertion groove extends from an opening to a closed end and is defined by opposed side walls and opposed front and rear inside walls. The opposed side walls taper toward one another moving from the opening to the closed end. 
     In at least one embodiment, the bundle of fibers is configured such that the fibers fan out based on the configuration of the insertion groove. 
     In at least one embodiment, the free ends of the fibers define an end region and the end region has a linear configuration which extends perpendicular to the rod. 
     In at least one embodiment, the free ends of the fibers define an end region and the end region has a convex arcuate configuration. 
     In at least one embodiment, the free ends of the fibers define an end region and the end region has a concave arcuate configuration. 
     In at least one embodiment, an angle of taper of each side wall is constant from the opening to the closed end. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a cosmetics brush in accordance with an embodiment of the invention coupled with a cosmetics container. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the cosmetics brush of  FIG. 1  separated from the cosmetics container. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective, bottom view of the cosmetics brush of  FIG. 1  separated from a cosmetics container. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view similar to  FIG. 4  illustrating an exemplary fiber bundle positioned in the insertion groove. 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are views similar to  FIG. 5  illustrating additional exemplary fiber bundles positioned in the insertion groove. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a cosmetics brush in accordance with another embodiment of the invention separated from a cosmetics container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The following describes preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be understood, based on this disclosure, that the invention is not limited by the preferred embodiments described herein. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , a cosmetics brush  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention will be described. The cosmetics brush  10  includes a rod  12 , a ferrule  14  for fibers, a fiber bundle  30 , and a fixing piece  16 . The cosmetics brush is engaged with a cosmetics container  50  with screw threads with the rod  12  and the fiber bundle  30  stored inside of the cosmetics container  50  to improve portability and enable application of cosmetics simply by separating the container cap  11 , because the fiber bundle is dipped in and coated with the cosmetics. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the rod  12  is formed with a plastic resin by injection molding at a length fit to be stored inside of a cosmetics container  50  and coated with cosmetics in the container. The head portion of the rod  12  is wider to be press-fitted inside of the container cap  11  and the lower portion of the rod  12  is provided with the ferrule  14  which is formed in integration. The ferrule  14  includes an insertion groove  20  configured to receive an end of the fiber bundle  30  such that the free ends of the fibers  32  extend away from the rod  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fixing piece  16  is in the form of a staple which passes through the rod  12  and fiber bundle  30  to fix the bundle within the insertion groove  20 . While a staple is illustrated in the present embodiment as the fixing element,  FIG. 8  illustrates an alternative brush  10 ′ wherein the rod  12 ′ includes a detent which serves as the fixing piece  16 ′. Furthermore, a secondary fixing piece  40 , a cross bar with ends  41  configured to engage the inside walls  24  of the insertion groove  20 , may also be utilized. In all other respects, the brush  10 ′ is the same as described with respect to the brush  10 . Other fixing pieces other than those illustrated may also be utilized. 
     The fiber bundle  30 , which is coated with the cosmetics in the cosmetics container  50 , comprises approximately 1000 filaments of raw fiber  32 , maintained in a spread form, made of polyamide and formed with a diameter of between from about 0.05 to 0.09 mm. More preferably, the number of the raw fibers  32  should be between from about 980 to 1020. This range of raw fibers provides good adhesive property of cosmetics in liquid status, without separation and excellent result or response in make-up tests. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3-5 , the ferrule  14 , preferably formed in integration with the rod  12  by injection molding, maintains the fiber bundle  30  in a spread formation. The fiber bundle insertion groove  20  is formed with a rectangular cross-section whose transverse width W is longer than the longitudinal width W′ so that the shape of the fiber bundle  30  is maintained in a flat, broad form enabling uniform application and reduced consumption of cosmetics. While the illustrated cross-sectional shape of the fiber bundle insertion groove  20  is a rectangle, the shape is not limited to a rectangle but also can be a polygonal, a circle, or any other form as appropriate. 
     The insertion groove  20  extends from an opening  23  to a closed end  21  within the rod  12 . The opposed side walls  24  taper inward moving from the opening  23  to the closed end  21 . Preferably, the angle of the taper is constant from the opening  23  to the closed end  21 , however, it is understood that different portions of the side walls  24  may be angled at differing angles. In the illustrated embodiment, the front and rear inside walls  25  of the insertion groove  20  (only one of which is illustrated in  FIG. 4 ) extend parallel to one another, however, it is contemplated that one or both of the front and rear inside walls  25  may also be tapered, either toward one another moving toward the opening  23  or away from one another moving toward the opening  23 . 
     With the tapered side walls  24 , the ferrule  14  surrounding the insertion groove  20  has a greater thickness T proximate the closed end  21  than the thickness t proximate the opening  23 . The greater thickness T provides a more robust structure for receiving the fixing piece  16 . Additionally, the narrower closed end allows for more material around the fixing piece  16  for a more effective connection. 
     The angle of the tapered side walls  24  may be selected to define a desired fanning of the bristles  32  of the fiber bundle  30 . The bristles  32  extend along the side walls  24  such that a precise fan may be formed. In the illustrated embodiment, the bristles  32  are trimmed or formed such that the end region  34  of the fiber bunch  30  has a linear configuration. The linear end region  34  may extend perpendicular to the rod  12 , as illustrated, or may be otherwise angled such that one side of the fan is longer than the other side.  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate fiber bundles  30 ′,  30 ″ with other exemplary end region  34 ′,  34 ″ configurations. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the bristles  32 ′ are configured such that the end region  34 ′ has a convex arcuate configuration. In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the bristles  32 ″ are configured such that the end region  34 ″ has a concave arcuate configuration. The exemplary embodiments are for illustration, however, it is understood that the end region  34  of the fiber bundle  30  may have any desired configuration. 
     These and other advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that changes or modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concepts of the invention. It should therefore be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, but is intended to include all changes and modifications that are within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined in the claims.