Applicator brush with improved bristles

Abstract

An applicator brush, preferably a mascara applicator brush, having enhanced bristle fibers is provided. The applicator brush has a brush core, and a number of bristle fibers preferably extending radially from the brush core. The bristles are made of two or more materials that are preferably coextruded together. The bristle fibers achieve performance characteristics such as antibacterial qualities, enhanced bristle surface structure, combing and loading characteristics. In this manner, enhanced application characteristics are achieved for the benefit of the user.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An applicator brush for applying a cosmetic comprising: 
 a handle;    a wire section extending from said handle; and    a brush head being connected to said wire section, said brush head having a plurality of bristles, wherein at least some of said plurality of bristles are individually formed of two or more materials.    
     
     
         2 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the applicator brush is a mascara brush.  
     
     
         3 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein said two or more materials are co-extruded as a single bristle.  
     
     
         4 . The applicator brush of  claim 3 , wherein said two or more materials are co-extruded in a form of a core and a sheath at least partially surrounding said core.  
     
     
         5 . The applicator brush of  claim 4 , wherein said sheath is formed of a first material, and said core is formed of a second material.  
     
     
         6 . The applicator brush of  claim 5 , wherein said second material is selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a nylon, a polyester, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polybutylene terephthalate, a thermoelastic, a thermoplastic, polypropylene, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         7 . The applicator brush of  claim 5 , wherein said second material is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a polyester, an elastomer, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         8 . The applicator brush of  claim 5 , wherein said first material is selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a nylon, a polyester, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polybutylene terephthalate, a thermoelastic, a thermoplastic, polypropylene, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         9 . The applicator brush of  claim 5 , wherein said first material is selected from the group consisting of a nylon, a polyester, an elastomer, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         10 . The applicator brush of  claim 4 , wherein said core is made of nylon or polyester, and wherein said sheath is made of thermoplastic elastomer.  
     
     
         11 . The applicator brush of  claim 4 , wherein said core is made of a thermoplastic elastomer, and wherein said sheath is made of nylon or polyester.  
     
     
         12 . The applicator brush of  claim 4 , wherein said core is fully surrounded by said sheath.  
     
     
         13 . The applicator brush of  claim 12 , wherein said core is a longitudinal band that extends along a longitudinal axis of each of said at least some of said plurality of bristles.  
     
     
         14 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least some of said plurality of bristles has a surface having one or more features selected from the group consisting of one or more indentations, one or more cavities, one or more protuberances, one or more split ends, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         15 . The applicator brush of  claim 14 , wherein at least some of said one or more features stores one or more additives selected from the group consisting of a germicidal powder, a mascara, a cosmetic medium, a dye, a hair care product, a hair growth stimulating product, a combing gel, a lubricant, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         16 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least some of said plurality of bristles has a cross section having a shape selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a square, a toroidal, a triangle, a polyhedron, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         17 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least some of said plurality of bristles has one or more pyramid shaped edges.  
     
     
         18 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein each of said at least some of said plurality of bristles has an antibacterial additive disposed thereon or therein.  
     
     
         19 . An applicator brush for applying mascara to eyelashes comprising: 
 a handle;    a wire section extending from said handle; and    a brush head being connected to said wire section, said brush head having a plurality of bristles, wherein at least some of said plurality of bristles have a structural surface feature selected from the group consisting of one or more indentations, one or more cavities, one or more split ends, one or more protuberances, and any combinations thereof.    
     
     
         20 . The applicator brush of  claim 19 , wherein said one or more indentations or cavities store and release one or more additives selected from the group consisting of a germicidal powder, mascara, cosmetic medium, dye, hair care product, hair growth stimulating product, combing gel, lubricant, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         21 . The applicator brush of  claim 19 , wherein said at least some of said plurality of bristles has an antibacterial additive disposed thereon or therein.  
     
     
         22 . The applicator brush of  claim 19 , wherein said at least some of said plurality of bristles has a core and a sheath at least partially surrounding said core.  
     
     
         23 . The applicator brush of  claim 22 , wherein said core and said sheath are individually made of a material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a nylon, a polyester, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polybutylene terephthalate, a thermoelastic, a thermoplastic, a polypropylene, and any combinations thereof, and wherein said core material is different from said sheath material.  
     
     
         24 . An applicator brush for applying mascara to eyelashes comprising: 
 a handle;    a wire section extending from said handle; and    a brush head being connected to said wire section, said brush head having a plurality of bristles, wherein at least some of said plurality of bristles have a shape selected from the group consisting of a square, a rectangle, a toroidal, a triangle, a polyhedron, and any combinations thereof.    
     
     
         25 . The applicator brush of  claim 24 , wherein said at least some of said plurality of bristles has pyramid shaped edges.  
     
     
         26 . The applicator brush of  claim 24 , wherein said at least some of said plurality of bristles has one or more edges shaped substantially as a polyhedron.  
     
     
         27 . The applicator brush of  claim 24 , wherein said at least some of said plurality of bristles has an antibacterial additive disposed thereon or therein.  
     
     
         28 . The applicator brush of  claim 24 , wherein said at least some of said plurality of bristles have one or more surface features selected from the group consisting of one or more indentations, one or more cavities, one or more protuberances, one or more split ends, and any combinations thereof.  
     
     
         29 . The applicator brush of  claim 24 , wherein said at least some of said plurality of bristles has a core and a sheath at least partially surrounding said core.  
     
     
         30 . The applicator brush of  claim 29 , wherein said core and said sheath are individually made of a material selected from the group consisting of a polymer, a nylon, a polyester, a polyethylene terephthalate, a polybutylene terephthalate, a thermoelastic, a thermoplastic, a polypropylene, and any combinations thereof, and wherein said core material is different from said sheath material.  
     
     
         31 . An applicator brush for applying mascara to eyelashes comprising: 
 a handle;    a wire section extending from said handle; and    a brush head being connected to said wire section, said brush head having a plurality of bristles, wherein at least some of said plurality of bristles are individually formed of a core and a sheath at least partially surrounding said core.    
     
     
         32 . The applicator brush of  claim 31 , wherein said core is made of a material selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic, a thermoelastic, a nylon, a polyester, and any combinations thereof, and wherein said sheath is a yarn.  
     
     
         33 . The applicator brush of  claim 32 , wherein said sheath fully surrounds said core.