Multi-Helicoidal Applicator Brush

Abstract

An applicator brush includes a stem, and a plurality of bristles supported by the stem. The stem extends from an end of a rod and includes a first branch and a second branch twisted together, each branch having a non-circular cross-section The bristles are positioned between the twisted first and second branches. In some embodiments, each branch includes a plurality of strands pre-twisted together to create the non-circular cross-section of each branch, forming a multi-helicoidal stem.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an applicator brush;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an applicator brush assembly incorporating the applicator brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of one embodiment of a stem bent into the form of a pin for use with an applicator brush assembly;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of one embodiment of a plurality of bristles for use with an applicator brush assembly;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the bristles of FIG. 4 positioned between two branches of the stem of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the stem and bristles of FIG. 5 with the branches of the stem twisted with each other;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a twisted stem of a prior art applicator brush;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of one embodiment of a branch of a stem for use with an applicator brush assembly, having two pre-twisted strands;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the branch of FIG. 8, with broken lines illustrating the periphery of a branch of circular cross-section having the same maximum diameter;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of one embodiment of a stem for use with an applicator brush made by twisting two branches as shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a branch of a stem for use with an applicator brush, having three pre-twisted strands, with broken lines illustrating the periphery of a branch of circular cross-section having the same maximum diameter;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of one embodiment of a stem for use with an applicator brush made by twisting two branches as shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a branch of a stem for use with an applicator brush, having four pre-twisted strands, with broken lines illustrating the periphery of a branch of circular cross-section having the same maximum diameter;

FIG. 14 is a top view of one embodiment of a strand having a variable cross-section;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the strand of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a strand having a continuous non-circular cross section;

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of a strand having a continuous non-circular cross section;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of a strand having a continuous non-circular cross section;

FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a strand having a continuous non-circular cross section; and

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of a fifth embodiment of a strand having a continuous non-circular cross section;

FIG. 21A is two plan views of an embodiment of a brush having four pre-twisted strands of the same diameter, the first view being rotated 90° from the second view;

FIG. 21B is two plan views of an embodiment of a brush having four pre-twisted strands of varying diameter, the first view being rotated 90° from the second view;

FIG. 22A is two plan views of a brush made with 0.4 mm strands and a lay length of 3.6 mm, the first view being rotated 90° from the second view;

FIG. 22B is two plan views of a brush made with 0.4 mm strands and a lay length of 5.3 mm, the first view being rotated 90° from the second view;

FIG. 22C is two plan views of a brush made with 0.4 mm strands and a lay length of 9.8 mm, the first view being rotated 90° from the second view; and

FIG. 23 is two plan views of a prior art brush, the first view being rotated 90° from the second view.

Claims

1. An applicator brush comprising: a stem extending from an end of a rod, the stem comprising a first branch and a second branch twisted together, wherein each branch has a non-circular cross-section over at least a portion of a length thereof; anda plurality of bristles supported by the stem, wherein the bristles are positioned between the twisted first and second branches.

2. The applicator brush of claim 1, wherein each branch comprises a plurality of strands pre-twisted together to create the non-circular cross-section of each branch, and wherein the stem is multi-helicoidal.

3. The applicator brush of claim 2, wherein each branch comprises a number of strands in the range of from two to four.

4. The applicator brush of claim 3, wherein the number of strands in one of the branches is two.

5. The applicator brush of claim 3, wherein the number of strands in one of the branches is three.

6. The applicator brush of claim 3, wherein the number of strands in one of the branches is four.

7. The applicator brush of claim 2, wherein the plurality of strands are twisted in a clockwise manner.

8. The applicator brush of claim 2, wherein the plurality of strands are twisted in a counterclockwise manner.

9. The applicator brush of claim 2, wherein the plurality of strands are twisted in a braided manner.

10. The applicator brush of claim 2, wherein the strands are metallic wires.

11. The applicator brush of claim 2, wherein the strands are non-metallic fibers.

12. The applicator brush of claim 11, wherein the strands are natural fibers.

13. The applicator brush of claim 2, wherein the strands have different diameters.

14. The applicator brush of claim 1, wherein the branches are continuous with each other and are formed by folding the stem at an angle of approximately 180 degrees to form a pin having the first and second branches.

15. The applicator brush of claim 1, further comprising a handle portion adapted to be held by a user, the handle portion having said rod extending therefrom.

16. A cosmetic applicator brush assembly comprising: a container adapted to contain a cosmetic substance, the container having an end opening;a handle portion adapted to be held by a user, the handle portion attachable to the container to cover the end opening and having a rod extending therefrom;a multi-helicoidal stem extending from an end of the rod, the stem comprising a plurality of strands pre-twisted together and folded at an angle of approximately 180 degrees to form a pin having a first branch and a second branch, the first branch and the second branch twisted together to form the multi-helicoidal stem; anda plurality of bristles supported by the stem, wherein the bristles are supported by radial pressure between the twisted first and second branches,wherein the stem and bristles are positioned within the container when the handle portion is attached to the container to cover the end opening.

17. The cosmetic applicator brush assembly of claim 16, wherein the stem comprises a number of strands in the range of from two to four.

18. The cosmetic applicator brush assembly of claim 17, wherein the number of strands is two.

19. The cosmetic applicator brush assembly of claim 17, wherein the number of strands is three.

20. The cosmetic applicator brush assembly of claim 17, wherein the number of strands is four.

21. The cosmetic applicator brush assembly of claim 16, wherein the container and the handle portion have complementary interlocking structures to attach the handle portion to the container.

22. The applicator brush of claim 16, wherein the strands have different diameters.

23. A method for manufacturing a cosmetic applicator brush comprising: providing a plurality of strands;pre-twisting the plurality of strands together to form a stem;folding the stem at an angle of approximately 180 degrees at a fold point to create a pin having a first branch and a second branch;positioning a plurality of bristles between the first branch and the second branch; andtwisting the first branch and the second branch together to secure the bristles between the first and second branches.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the bristles are positioned between the first branch and the second branch in parallel relation to each other and in non-perpendicular angled relation to the first branch and the second branch.

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the plurality of strands is a number of strands in the range of from two to four.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising inserting an end of the stem into a handle portion, the handle portion adapted to be held by a user.