Dip Applicator

Abstract

An applicator ( 100 ) for dipping into a cosmetic preparation and for application thereof to the skin, semi-mucous membrane, mucous membrane, tiny hairs or hairs comprising a holding portion ( 116 ) and an applicator portion ( 120, 200 ) which is injection molded on to the holding portion ( 116 ), wherein both the holding portion ( 116 ) and also the applicator portion ( 120, 200 ) at least partially comprise plastic material and the plastic material of the holding portion ( 116 ) is harder than the plastic material of the applicator portion ( 120, 200 ) and wherein on its outside surface the applicator portion ( 120, 200 ) has at least one passage ( 200 ) which extends substantially over the entire length of the applicator portion ( 120, 200 ) and which is adapted to distribute the cosmetic substance in the direction of lengthwise extent of the applicator portion ( 120, 200 ).

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
   
   
       45 . An applicator for dipping into a cosmetic preparation and for application thereof to the skin, semi-mucous membrane, mucous membrane, tiny hairs or hairs comprising a holding portion and an applicator portion which is injection molded on to the holding portion, wherein both the holding portion and the applicator portion at least partially comprise plastic material and the plastic material of the holding portion is harder than the plastic material of the applicator portion and wherein on an outside surface the applicator portion is provided at least one passage which extends substantially over the entire length of the applicator portion and which is adapted to distribute the cosmetic substance in the direction of lengthwise extent of the applicator portion. 
   
   
       46 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the passage has a width which varies over its length. 
   
   
       47 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45  or  claim 46  wherein the width of the passage is approximately equal to the depth thereof with respect to the outside surface of the applicator portion. 
   
   
       48 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 47 , wherein the passage has depth and the width narrows with increasing depth. 
   
   
       49 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the passage extends substantially in the direction of lengthwise extent of the applicator portion. 
   
   
       50 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the passage describes at least one spiral winding around the applicator portion. 
   
   
       51 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 46 , wherein a cross-section of the passage decreases towards the tip of the applicator. 
   
   
       52 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 51 , wherein the passage has a width and a depth, wherein the depth and the width of the passage decrease approximately equally towards the tip of the applicator. 
   
   
       53 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the passage is interrupted by at least one depository means. 
   
   
       54 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 53 , wherein the depository means is formed by a channel or groove extending around the applicator portion substantially transversely with respect to the direction of lengthwise extent thereof. 
   
   
       55 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 54 , wherein the depository means and the passage are of the same depth with respect to the outside surface of the applicator portion. 
   
   
       56 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the passage extends beyond at least one end of the applicator portion into a part of the holding portion, which adjoins the applicator portion in the direction of lengthwise extent. 
   
   
       57 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the applicator portion has a surface structure with a plurality of structure elements. 
   
   
       58 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 57 , wherein the structure elements include knobs. 
   
   
       59 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 58 , wherein the knobs are of an extent perpendicularly to the surface of the applicator portion of between 0.35 mm and 0.7 mm. 
   
   
       60 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 59 , wherein the knobs are of a diameter of between 0.1 mm and 0.6 mm. 
   
   
       61 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 58 , wherein the structure elements include crowns each with peripherally arranged prongs. 
   
   
       62 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 61 , wherein the crowns are hexagonal, wherein a respective prong is arranged at each corner. 
   
   
       63 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 61 , wherein the crowns are of different cross-sections. 
   
   
       64 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 61 , wherein the prongs are of an extent perpendicularly to the surface of the applicator portion of between 0.2 mm and 0.6 mm. 
   
   
       65 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 57 , wherein the structure elements include blades. 
   
   
       66 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 65 , wherein the blades are arranged annularly substantially rotationally symmetrically about the direction of longitudinal extent of the applicator. 
   
   
       67 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 66 , wherein a gap between each two adjacent blades forms a depository means. 
   
   
       68 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 66 , wherein the blades are arranged in a spiral configuration around the direction of lengthwise extent of the applicator, wherein the gap between each two adjacent blades forms the passage. 
   
   
       69 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 65 , wherein the blades are of an extent perpendicular to the surface of the applicator portion of between 0.25 mm and 0.7 mm. 
   
   
       70 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 57 , wherein the structure elements include bristles. 
   
   
       71 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 70 , wherein the bristles are of an extent perpendicular to the surface of the applicator portion of between 0.3 mm and 1 mm. 
   
   
       72 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 71 , wherein the bristles are of a diameter of between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm with an extent perpendicular to the surface of the applicator portion of between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm. 
   
   
       73 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 72 , wherein the bristles are of a diameter of between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm with an extent perpendicular to the surface of the applicator portion of between 0.7 mm and 1 mm. 
   
   
       74 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the holding portion extends at least partially into the applicator portion in the direction of longitudinal extent of the applicator. 
   
   
       75 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein, provided between the holding portion and the applicator portion, is a holding part which has a mixture layer comprising the plastic material of the applicator portion and the plastic material of the holding portion. 
   
   
       76 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 75 , wherein the mixture layer is between 1/100 mm and a plurality of 1/10 mm thick. 
   
   
       77 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 75 , wherein the holding part has a positively locking connection between the applicator portion and the holding portion. 
   
   
       78 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the plastic material of the applicator portion contains silicone rubber. 
   
   
       79 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the plastic material of the applicator portion contains soft PVC. 
   
   
       80 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the plastic material of the applicator portion contains a thermoplastic elastomer. 
   
   
       81 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 80 , wherein a block copolymer is used as the plastic material of the applicator portion. 
   
   
       82 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 80 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is formed by mixing a thermoplastic substance with elastic particles (blend). 
   
   
       83 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 80 , wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is of a hardness of between 2 and 45 Shore A. 
   
   
       84 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 83 , wherein a thermoplastic silicone elastomer of a hardness of between 10 and 15 Shore A is used as the plastic material of the applicator portion. 
   
   
       85 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the plastic material of the holding portion is selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic material, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyacetate, polyacetal, polystyrene, mixed polymers, and polyamide. 
   
   
       85 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the holding portion at least partially comprises thermosetting material. 
   
   
       86 . An applicator as set forth in  claim 45 , wherein the holding portion at least partially comprises metal. 
   
   
       87 . A combination comprising an applicator as set forth in  claim 45  and a cosmetic preparation, wherein the cross-section of the passage is adapted to the physical properties of the cosmetic preparation and the interaction thereof with the plastic material of the applicator portion, namely, surface tension and wetting.