High performance grip for mascara applicator

Abstract

A cosmetics applicator having a grip made from one or more deformable elastomers and having a dual-tapered portion such that two tapered sections meet at a narrowest point along the dual-tapered portion, and wherein the cross section of one or both tapered sections is elliptical; an elongated wand extending beyond the distal end of the grip; and a brush extending from the distal end of the wand.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A mascara applicator comprising: 
 a grip having at least one tapered section;    an elongated wand attached to the grip and extending beyond a distal end of the grip; and    a brush extending from a distal end of the wand.    
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the grip is dual-tapered, such that the two tapered sections meet at a narrowest point.  
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 2  wherein the narrowest point is midway between the ends of the tapered sections.  
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 2  wherein the cross section of the at least one tapered section is elliptical.  
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 4  wherein the cross section of the at least one tapered section is circular.  
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 1  wherein the diameter of the at least one tapered section at its widest point is between 1.05 and 10.0 times greater than the diameter at its narrowest point.  
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 6  wherein the diameter of the at least one tapered section at its widest point is between 1.1 and 5.0 times greater than the diameter at its narrowest point.  
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 7  wherein the diameter of the at least one tapered section at its widest point is between 1.2 and 3.0 times greater than the diameter at its narrowest point.  
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 8  wherein the diameter of the grip at its widest point is between 0.3 and 1.0 inches.  
     
     
         10 . A mascara applicator having: 
 a closure system having an outer surface and an inner surface;    a grip comprising one or more deformable elastomers supported by the outer surface of the closure system;    an elongated wand attached to the inner surface of the closure system and extending beyond a distal end of the grip; and    a brush extending from a distal end of the wand.    
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 10  wherein the deformable elastomers are non-vulcanized thermoplastic polymers.  
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 1   1  wherein the elastomers are selected from the group consisting of polyetheramides, polyesters, polyurethanes, polyolefins, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers.  
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 10  wherein the deformable elastomers are vulcanized rubber polymers.  
     
     
         14 . The applicator of  claim 1   3  wherein the elastomers are selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, crosslinked polybutadiene and cross-linked polyacrylates.  
     
     
         15 . The applicator of  claim 10  wherein the grip is a sleeve that is slipped over the outer surface of the closure system and maintained there by friction, adhesive or ferrules.  
     
     
         16 . The applicator of  claim 10  wherein the closure system comprises a primary closure whose inner surface forms the inner surface of the closure system and an overshell whose outer surface forms the outer surface of the closure system.  
     
     
         17 . The applicator of  claim 16  wherein the grip is over-molded onto the outer surface of the overshell.  
     
     
         18 . The applicator of  claim 17  wherein the primary closure and the overshell materials are selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, phenolic, urea and acetal.  
     
     
         19 . The applicator of  claim 8  wherein the primary closure is acetal, the overshell is polypropylene and the grip is selected from the group consisting of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-ethylene-propylene-styrene block copolymers, styrene-butadiene-styrene block copolymers and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers.  
     
     
         20 . The applicator of  claim 10  wherein the inner surface has screw threads.  
     
     
         21 . The applicator of  claim 10  further comprising a deformable viscous medium located between the closure system and the grip.  
     
     
         22 . The applicator of  claim 21  wherein the viscous medium is a putty.  
     
     
         23 . The applicator of  claim 22  wherein the viscous medium is a vinyl elastomer or silicone putty.  
     
     
         24 . A mascara applicator comprising: 
 a closure system having an outer surface and an inner surface;    a grip comprising one or more deformable elastomers supported by the outer surface of the closure system and having at least one tapered section;;    an elongated wand attached to the inner surface of the closure system and extending beyond a distal end of the grip; and    a brush extending from a distal end of the wand.    
     
     
         25 . A mascara applicator comprising: 
 a grip comprising a soft touch material;    an elongated wand attached to the grip and extending beyond a distal end of the grip;    and a brush extending from a distal end of the wand.