[TITLE OF INVENTION]

APPLICATOR HEAD AND APPLICATOR INCLUDING THE SAME

[TECHNICAL FIELD]

[0001] The present invention relates to an applicator head for applying a product or a formula to a target or a target site. In particular, the present invention relates to an applicator head for applying a cosmetic product or a cosmetic formula, for example, a serum to a user's own eyelashes or another person's eyelashes. Of course, the present invention is applicable all cosmetic purposes including a hair, a brow, a lip or a concealer. The present invention further relates to an applicator including such an applicator head.

[0002] In the present specification, the term "cosmetic product" or "cosmetic formula" should be understood to mean a product or a formula as defined in European Council and Parliament Regulation 1223/2009 issued on November 30, 2009, which pertains to a cosmetic product or a cosmetic formula.

[BACKGROUND ART]

[0003] Various eyelash applicators are known for applying a cosmetic product or a cosmetic formula, generally called a serum, to user's own eyelashes or another person's eyelashes. A typical eyelash applicator has a structure in which a large number of bristles are planted at the tip of an eyelash applicator shaft so as to spread radially around the applicator shaft.

[0004] When applying the serum to the eyelashes, the user first immerses the tip of the eyelash applicator in the serum filled in a container or bottle thereof. The user then removes excess serum from the tip of the eyelash applicator so that an appropriate amount of serum remains at the tip of the eyelash applicator. After that, the user applies the serum to the eyelashes while combing the eyelashes using the eyelash applicator holding an appropriate amount of serum at the tip thereof.

[0005] For the application of the serum to the eyelashes, the uniformity of the applied serum, the good deposition of the serum, and the separation of the eyelashes after application, are particularly important. However, at this time, no eyelash applicator is known to sufficiently meet all of these application requirements. Therefore, there is a need for a novel applicator that can easily realize the uniformity of the applied serum, the good deposition of the serum, and the separation of the eyelashes after application.

[0006] Conventional techniques considered to be somewhat related to the present invention are disclosed, for example, in US2017/0290411, WO2014/054814, JP6152967, JP5945884, JP5704482, FR2955017, KR200454723, US2010/0212097, and US8,746,258. US2017/0290411 discloses an applicator member including an applicator head having two opposite faces. WO2014/054814 discloses an applicator comprising an application part and a rod for supporting the application part. JP6152967 discloses an applicator including a first applicator part having a holding part on which a ridge edge is projected and a second applicator part as a separate body integrally held on the first applicator. JP5945884 discloses an applicator divided body having a brush portion and a recessed groove formed orthogonally crossing the brush portion. In the applicator disclosed in JP5945884, the brush portion may be replaceable with a group of lamellae. JP5704482 discloses an applicator having a plate-shaped application portion fixedly held at a shaft portion. FR2955017 discloses an applicator comprising an application member comprising a succession of bristles made of a hot- melt material. KR200454723 discloses an eyelashes mascara brush including a rod-shaped round brush head. US2010/0212097 discloses a mascara brush in which a disk-type comb tooth is formed to one side and a rubber hair is formed to another side in all directions. US8,746,258 discloses a molded plastic applicator including a plastic panel lying substantially in a mold plane when formed and bent out of the mold plane to surround an extended longitudinal axis when the applicator is assembled. However, these articles, which relate to the prior art, do not fully satisfy the above requirements for the application.

[DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION]

[0007] In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel applicator head as well as a novel applicator including it for applying a product or a formula to a target, which can overcome or at least alleviate the problems stated above in relation to the prior art articles. In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel eyelash applicator head as well as a novel eyelash applicator including it that can easily realize the uniformity of the applied product, the good deposition of the product, and the separation of the eyelashes after application.

[0008] In order to achieve these objects, the present invention provides an applicator head for applying a product to a target or a target site, comprising: a longitudinal central axis; and a first area and a second area with different function from the first area arranged so as to face substantially opposite directions to each other with the longitudinal central axis in between. In particular, in the present invention, the first area may comprise a plurality of lamellae spaced apart along the longitudinal center axis, and each lamella may extend radially outwardly about the longitudinal center axis. On the other hand, the second area may comprise a flocked surface. These first and second area may be connected to each other by a hinge system. Here, the hinge system does not necessarily have to be located on the longitudinal center axis.

[0009] According to the present invention, an applicator head for applying a product to a target comprises two areas having different functions, in particular, on each side of the longitudinal central axis. Therefore, the applicator head according to the present invention is configured as a "double-sided" applicator head. The first area serves to provide a sufficient amount of product to the target, for example, the eyelashes, and at the same time, serves to comb the target, for example, the eyelashes. On the other hand, the second area serves to spread the products and remove excess product from the target, for example, the eyelashes. Since these two areas are arranged on the applicator head so as to face substantially opposite directions to each other with the longitudinal central axis of the applicator head in between, when using the applicator head, the user can immediately employ the second area instead of the first area by simply changing the orientation of the applicator head, and vice versa. Therefore, according to the present invention, unlike the conventional articles, it is possible to easily realize the uniformity of the applied product, the good deposition of the product, and the separation of the target, for example, the eyelashes after application, by using the first and second areas appropriately and alternately. In particular, in the case that the application target is the eyelashes, the second area of this applicator head serves to give a softness to the eyelashes. Therefore, the applicator head according to the present invention can realize a better finish.

[0010] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, each lamella may be oriented so that each lamella is approximately orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis. This makes it possible to comb the target, especially eyelashes, in a particularly suitable direction. Alternatively, in the case that the application target is the eyelashes, considering that the eyelashes are not completely parallel to each other and grow so that the distance between the tips thereof is slightly larger than the distance between the roots thereof, each lamella may be oriented so that each lamella makes a respective predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal center axis.

[0011] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, each lamella may have a substantially circular segment shape. This shape of each lamella achieves both a particularly good product holding capacity and ease of handling (i.e., ease of combing the target, especially the eyelashes). However, any shape other than the circular segment shape, with or without an angular tip, may be adopted, if desired. [0012] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the applicator head may be intended to be used in the state of being arranged on a distal end of a shank, and the applicator head may further comprise a connection end for connecting to the shank. This aspect is advantageous from the point of view of manufacturing or assembling the applicator, but if desired, the applicator head and the shank may be integrated so that the applicator head extends continuously from the shank.

[0013] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the applicator head may further comprise an elongated groove, the elongated groove may extends parallel to the longitudinal central axis and be arranged closer to the longitudinal central axis than the plurality of lamellae, and each space defined between two adjacent lamellae may be connected to the elongated groove. In this aspect, the elongated groove can function as a reservoir of the product. Thus, this aspect makes it possible to hold more products within the applicator head.

[0014] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the applicator head comprises the elongated groove, the applicator head may further comprises at least one side slit, and the at least one side slit may extend parallel to the longitudinal central axis and connect an interior space of the elongated groove to an exterior of the applicator head. This slit may contribute to the smooth supply of the product from the elongated groove to each space defined between two adjacent lamellae.

[0015] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the applicator head may consists of at least: (i) a first half body extending along the longitudinal central axis and including the first area; and (ii) a second half body extending along the longitudinal central axis and including the second area, the first half body may comprise:

(i) a first base; and (ii) the plurality of lamellae disposed on the first base, and the second half body may comprise: (i) a second base; and (ii) a flock fiber layer covering an outer surface of the second base and forming the flocked surface of the second area. This aspect is particularly preferable from the point of the view of manufacturing the applicator head. That is, by making the applicator head as an assembly composed of at least two half bodies, it is possible to easily realize a complicated shape of the applicator head, particularly a complicated internal shape thereof. [0016] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the applicator head is embodied as an assembly composed of at least two half bodies, the first half body and the second half body may be connected to each other via the hinge system, and the applicator head may be completed by bending (or turning) the first half body and the second half body around the hinge system and then overlapping them with each other. Furthermore, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first half body and the second half body may be integrally connected to each other via the hinge system. These aspects allow for the particularly efficient production of the applicator head. More specifically, these aspects make it possible to efficiently obtain the applicator head from an integrally molded piece of a plastic material that can be easily manufactured, for example, using an injection molding technology.

[0017] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the applicator head is embodied as an assembly composed of at least two half bodies and the applicator head comprises the elongated groove, the first base of the first half body may have an elongated slot that extends parallel to the longitudinal central axis, and the elongated slot of the first base and an inner surface of the second base of the second half body that is not flocked, may cooperate to define the elongated groove. This aspect also allows for the particularly efficient production of the applicator head which includes the elongated groove. [0018] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, when the applicator head is embodied as an assembly composed of at least two half bodies, the inner surface of the second base may include an elongated ridge that extends parallel to the longitudinal central axis, and the elongated ridge may be configured to penetrate into the elongated slot of the first base. In this aspect, the elongated ridge of the second base also cooperates with the elongated slot of the first base to define the reservoir of the product with a more suitable cross-sectional shape in the applicator head. Furthermore, this elongated ridge also serves as a guide when combining two half bodies.

[0019] According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the applicator head may be an eyelash applicator head and the target may be user's own eyelashes or another person's eyelashes. In this case, the product may be a cosmetic product or a cosmetic formula, for example, a serum. Of course, the applicator head according to the present invention can be used for purposes other than applying such a product to the eyelashes.

[0020] In order to achieve the above stated objects, the present invention further provides an applicator for applying a product to a target or a target site, comprising: (i) an applicator head as described above; and (ii) a shank including a distal end, wherein the applicator head is arranged on the distal end of the shank. In a preferred aspect of this applicator, the shank may have a hollow at its distal end for accommodating a proximal end of the applicator head, and the proximal end of the applicator head may be tightly fitted in the hollow of the shank.

[0021] According to a preferred aspect of this inventive applicator, the applicator head may be arranged on the distal end of the shank such that the applicator head and the shank are aligned on a straight line. Alternatively, the applicator head may be arranged on the distal end of the shank such that the applicator head makes a certain angle with respect to the shank.

[0022] According to a preferred aspect of the applicator, the applicator head may be detachably mounted on the distal end of the shank. Alternatively, the applicator head may be fixedly mounted or integrally provided on the distal end of the shank.

[BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS]

[0023] Non-limiting and representative embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in detail below, referring to the attached drawings.

[0024] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein a shank and an applicator head of the applicator are combined with each other.

[0025] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the applicator according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the shank and the applicator head of the applicator are separated from each other.

[0026] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the applicator head shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 turned upside down.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a side view of the applicator head shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator head by the line A-A of

FIG. 4.

[0029] FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a plastic molded piece that becomes the applicator head by bending, wherein first and second half bodies constituting the applicator head are unfolded to be straight.

[0030] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the plastic molded piece shown in FIG. 6, wherein the first and second half bodies constituting the applicator head are unfolded to be straight.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the plastic molded piece by the line B- B of FIG. 7.

[0032] FIG. 9 shows the state while the first and second half bodies, which are initially aligned along a straight line, are being folded around a hinge system so as to become the applicator head.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative form of a hinge system.

[DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS]

[0034] Some preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be explained referring to FIGS. 1 to 9. In each figure, the scale ratio of width, length, height, diameter or the like of each element may not be constant, and may be different from the actual one. It should be noted that in certain figures, certain elements or features are drawn larger or smaller than they actually are, for emphasis.

[0035] As used herein, the terms related to direction such as "upper", "lower", "up", "down", "upward", "downward", "above", "below", "right", "left" or the like should be understood in relation to the orientation of the apparatus in the figures, which may or may not match the actual orientation in use. Furthermore, as is obvious to those skilled in the art, in this specification, the term "proximal" or "proximally" means a position opposite to the applicator head (or a tip thereof) for applying a product. On the other hand, the term "distal" or "distally" means a position closer to the applicator head (or a tip thereof).

In other words, when a user grips the applicator in a typical fashion, the direction pointed to by the user's fingertips is the "distal" direction and the opposite direction is the "proximal" direction.

[0036] The following exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an eyelash applicator head for applying a cosmetic product or a cosmetic formula, for example, a serum to a user's own eyelashes or another person's eyelashes. For example, the serum may be a water based formula, including a caring ingredient and having a viscosity between 1.0 Pa · s and 6.0 Pa · s. The following exemplary embodiments of the present invention also relate to an eyelash applicator including such an eyelash applicator head. Flowever, the present invention can be used for applying various types of products other than a cosmetic products or a cosmetic formula.

[0037] FIG. 1 shows an applicator 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention for applying a cosmetic product, i.e., a serum (not shown) to a target, i.e., user's own eyelashes or another person's eyelashes. FIG. 1 also shows an applicator head 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 , the applicator 1 is shown in the state that the applicator head 10 and a shank 20 that also forms a part of the applicator 1 are combined with each other. Therefore, it can be understood that in this exemplary embodiment, the applicator 1 comprises the applicator head 10 and the shank 20 including a distal end 22.

[0038] The applicator head 10 is arranged on the distal end 22 of the shank 20 such that the applicator head 10 and the shank 20 are aligned on a straight line (although not shown, this is the same as a longitudinal center axis X of the applicator head 10 described below). FIG. 2 shows the applicator 1 in the state that the applicator head 10 and the shank 20 are separated from each other. As can be seen form FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the applicator head 10 is detachably mounted on the distal end 22 of the shank 20. More specifically, the shank 20 has a hollow 24 at its distal end 22 for accommodating a proximal end (explained in detail below) of the applicator head 10.

The proximal end of the applicator head 10 is tightly, but detachably, fitted in the hollow 24 of the shank 20.

[0039] In this embodiment, the applicator head 10 (except for a flock fiber layer described later) and the shank 20 are manufactured from a suitable plastic material, especially, a thermoplastic material. In particular, the applicator head 10 can be manufactured from (although not limited to) a thermoplastic polyester such as Hytrel ^® .

[0040] Flereinafter, the applicator head 10 for applying a product to the target, i.e., user's own eyelashes or another person's eyelashes, will be described in detail. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2 as well as FIG. 3, which is an external perspective view showing the applicator head 10 turned upside down, the applicator head 10 comprises a longitudinal central axis X, and a first area 110 and a second area 210. The first area 110 and the second area 210 can be also referred to as a first treating part and a second treating part, respectively. The first area 110 and the second area 210 are arranged so as to face substantially opposite directions to each other with the longitudinal central axis X in between. That is, when viewed in cross section of the applicator head 10, the first area 110 occupies an angular range of about 180° centered on the longitudinal central axis X, while the second area 210 occupies an angular range of the remaining about 180°. In this embodiment, the first area 110 and the second area 210 are connected to each other by a hinge system as described later.

[0041 ] The first area 110 comprises a plurality of lamellae 112 spaced apart along the longitudinal center axis X. Each lamella 112 of the first area 110 extends or projects radially outwardly about the longitudinal center axis X. As can be seen from FIG. 4, which is a side view of the applicator head 10, each lamella 112 is oriented so that each lamella 112 are approximately orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis X. In this embodiment, each lamella 112 is slightly tapered so that its chip side has a smaller thickness (here, the thickness means the distance between two lateral sides 112a and 112b of the lamella 112) than its root side (see FIG. 4; the tip-side thickness Di < the root-side thickness D2). Furthermore, in this embodiment, each lamella 112 has (although not limited to) a substantially circular segment shape, that is, a D-shape.

[0042] The second area 210 comprises a flocked surface 212. The second area 210 is formed by a layer composed of very short flock fibers, as described in detail later.

In this embodiment, the flock fiber is, for example, (although not limited to) a fiber made of polyamide. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the flocked surface 212 has the function of holding the product such as a cosmetic product or a cosmetic formula, and thus the second area 210 is intended to be used for removing excess product adhering to the target, i.e., user's own eyelashes or another person's eyelashes.

[0043] As stated above, the applicator head 10 is intended to be used in the state of being arranged on the distal end 22 of the shank 20. Therefore, the applicator head 10 further comprises a connection end 300 for connecting to the shank 20. In this embodiment, the connection end 300 comprises a transitional section 310 extending from the main body of the applicator head 10, and a boss 320 extending from an end surface of the transitional section 310. The boss 320 corresponds to the proximal end of the applicator head 10 as described above, which is intended to be accommodated in the hollow 24 of the shank 20.

[0044] As can be best seen from FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view of the applicator head 10 by the line A-A of FIG. 4, the applicator head 10 further comprises an elongated groove 400. The elongated groove 400 extends parallel to the longitudinal central axis X and is arranged closer to the longitudinal central axis X than the plurality of lamellae 112. Each space 114 defined between two adjacent lamellae 112 is connected to the elongated groove 400. In addition to this, the applicator head 10 further comprises two side slits 500 extending parallel to the longitudinal central axis X. The opening width of these slits 500 is denoted by "W" in FIG. 5. These two slits 500 are arranged at opposite positions with the longitudinal central axis X in between so as to define the boundary between the first area 110 and the second area 210. Each slits 500 connects an interior space 400a of the elongated groove 400 to an exterior of the applicator head 10.

If necessary, the diameter of the second area 210 can be made even smaller than that shown in Fig. 5, for example for ease of assembly.

[0045] In this embodiment, the applicator head 10 is obtained by deforming a plastic molded piece F shown in FIGS. 6 to 8. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the plastic molded piece F in the state that first and second half bodies (explained in detail below) constituting the applicator head 10 are unfolded to be straight. FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of the plastic molded piece F by the line B-B of FIG. 7. This linear plastic molded piece F is obtained by integrally molding a suitable plastic material, especially a thermoplastic polyester. Note that the plastic molded piece F shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 has already been provided with a layer composed of short flock fibers that form the flocked surface 212 of the second area 210 of the applicator head 10. Actually, the layer composed of short flock fibers is applied to the semi-cylindrical outer surface of the second half body after the plastic molded piece F is obtained by an integral molding, for example, an injection molding.

[0046] As can be also seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, the plastic molded piece F, and therefore, the applicator head 10 consists of a first half body 100 and a second half body 200. The first half body 100 extends along the longitudinal central axis X of the applicator head 10, and includes the first area 110 as described above. Similarly, the second half body 200 extends along the longitudinal central axis X of the applicator head 10, and includes the second area 210 as described above. The first half body 100 comprises a first base 120 and the plurality of lamellae 112 disposed on the first base 120. In this embodiment, the first base 120 comprises two sections 120a, 120b extending parallel to each other. These sections 120a, 120b are connected to each other at both ends to form a generally elongated annular structure, i.e., the first base 120. A gap between the two sections 120a, 120b forms an elongated slot 130 described below. On the other hand, the second half body 200 comprises a second base 220 and a flock fiber layer 230. The second base 220 of the second half body 200 is a plastic molded part having a substantially D-shaped cross section (except for a ridge described later). The flock fiber layer 230 of second half body 200 covers an outer surface 222 of the second base 220 (see FIG. 8) and forms the flocked surface 212 of the second area 210. The flock fibers forming the flock fiber layer 230 are provided to the outer surface 222 of the second base 220 by a suitable method well known to those skilled in the art, for example, by adhesion.

[0047] As can be best seen from FIG. 8, the first half body 100 and the second half body 200 are connected to each other via a hinge system 600. In other word, the hinge system 600 integrally connects the first half body 100 and the second half body 200. Therefore, as can be also seen from FIG. 9, which shows the state in which the first and second half bodies 100, 200 are being folded around the hinge system 600, the applicator head 10 as described above is completed by bending the first half body 100 and the second half body 200 around the hinge system 600 and then overlapping them with each other.

The addition of the layer 230 composed of short flock fibers to the semi-cylindrical outer surface 222 of the second half body 200 may be performed after this bending process. In an alternative embodiment, another form of the hinge system can be adopted. FIG. 10 shows such an alternative form of the hinge system. Unlike the hinge system 600 as described above (i.e., a mono-hinge), the hinge system 600' shown in FIG. 10 has two inflection points 600a, 600b. Therefore, the hinge system 600' shown in FIG. 10 is called a double-hinge. This is especially effective in reducing the undesired internal stress that attempts to re-expand the plastic molded piece F when it is bent. [0048] The first half body 100 further comprises a first extension 140 extending from one end (i.e., a root end) of the first half body 100. Similarly, the second half body 200 further comprises a second extension 240 extending from one end (i.e., a root end) of the second half body 200. These extensions 140 and 240 are slightly tapered towards their free ends. Furthermore, these extensions 140 and 240 are provided with steps 140a and 240a in the vicinity of their free ends, respectively. These extensions 140 and 240 finally form the connection end 300 for connecting the applicator head 10 to the shank 20 when the first half body 100 and the second half body 200 are folded around the hinge system 600 and subsequently overlapped with each other. As is obvious from the above descriptions, the linear structure, i.e., the plastic molded piece F (except for the flock fiber layer 230) including the extensions 140 and 240, is an integrally molded structure of a suitable plastic material that can be manufactured, for example, using an injection molding technology.

[0049] As stated above, the first base 120 of the first half body 100 has the elongated slot 130. As shown in FIG. 8, this elongated slot 130 extends parallel to the longitudinal central axis X. The elongated slot 130 of the first base 120 and an inner surface 224 (not flocked; see FIG. 5) of the second base 220 of the second half body 200 cooperate to define the elongated groove 400 of the applicator head 10 as described above. In addition to this, in this embedment, the inner surface 224 of the second base 220 includes an elongated ridge 250 that extends parallel to the longitudinal central axis X (see FIG. 5). This elongated ridge 250 is integrally formed on the second base 220. The elongated ridge 250 is configured to penetrate into the elongated slot 130 of the first base 120 and partially define the elongated groove 400 of the applicator head 10 (see FIG. 5).

[0050] As stated above, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the applicator head 10, and thus the applicator 1 comprises two areas 110, 210 having different functions on each side of the longitudinal central axis X. In this "double-sided" applicator head, the first area 110 serves to provide a sufficient amount of cosmetic product for the eyelashes, and at the same time serves to comb the eyelashes. On the other hand, the second area 210 serves to spread the product and remove excess product from the eyelashes. Since these two areas are arranged on the applicator head 10 so as to face substantially opposite directions to each other with the longitudinal central axis X in between, when using the applicator head 10, the user can immediately use the second area 210 instead of the first area 110 by simply changing its orientation, and vice versa. Therefore, it is possible to easily realize the uniformity of the applied product, the good deposition of the product, and the separation of the eyelashes after application, by properly using the first and second areas 110, 210 of the applicator head 10. Furthermore, since the second area 210 serves to give a softness to the eyelashes, the applicator head 10, and thus the applicator 1 can realize a better finish.

[0051] Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been explained above with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications and changes may be made to the above- described embodiments without deviating from the gist and scope of the present invention, and such modifications and changes are included in the scope of the present invention.