Cosmetic Applicator Assembly

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator assembly, which includes a polymeric brush and a twisted wire brush. Specifically, the polymeric brush comprises an elongated polymeric core and multiple polymeric tines protruding from the elongated polymeric core. The elongated polymeric core comprises a first polymeric material of a first tensile modulus, while at least some of the polymeric tines comprise a second polymeric material of a second tensile modulus that is smaller than the first tensile modulus. The twisted wire brush comprises a metal wire core and multiple bristles protruding from the metal wire core. The elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush is complementarily engaged with at least a portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush to form the cosmetic applicator assembly. The polymeric brush of the present invention is preferably formed by a bi-injection molding process.

1 . A cosmetic applicator assembly comprising a polymeric brush and a twisted wire brush, wherein the polymeric brush comprises an elongated polymeric core and multiple polymeric tines protruding from said elongated polymeric core, wherein said elongated polymeric core comprises a first polymeric material of a first tensile modulus, wherein at least some of the polymeric tines comprise a second polymeric material of a second tensile modulus that is less than the first tensile modulus, wherein the twisted wire brush comprises a metal wire core and multiple bristles protruding from said metal wire core, and wherein the elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush is complementarily engaged with at least a portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush to form the cosmetic applicator assembly. 
   
   
       2 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first tensile modulus ranges from about 800 MPa to about 3000 MPa, and wherein the second tensile modulus ranges from about 35 MPa to about 1200 MPa. 
   
   
       3 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene diene monomer rubber, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, acrylonitrile polymers, polyamide, polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyolefins, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyoxymethylene, polystyrene, polyurethane, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, and wherein the second polymeric material is selected from the group consisting of silicone elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer, vinyl elastomers, thermoplastic polyester elastomers and thermoplastic polyurethane elastomers. 
   
   
       4 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush comprises one or more protrusions and/or recesses adapted for complementarily engaging one or more corresponding portions of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush. 
   
   
       5 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush comprises at least one surface groove extending along its longitudinal axis, and wherein at least one portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush is inserted into the surface groove of the elongated polymeric core. 
   
   
       6 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush comprises an annular groove, and wherein at least one portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush forms a loop that is adapted to engage the annular groove of the elongated polymeric core. 
   
   
       7 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush comprises a central lumen with at least one opening at one side of the elongated polymeric core, wherein at least one portion of the metal wire core of the twisted wire brush is inserted into the central lumen, and wherein some of the bristles of the twisted wire brush extend outward through the at least one opening of the central lumen of the elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush. 
   
   
       8 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein all of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush comprise the second polymeric material. 
   
   
       9 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein some of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush comprise the second polymeric material, and wherein others comprise the first polymeric material. 
   
   
       10 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 9 , wherein those polymeric tines comprising the first polymeric material are arranged into one or more rows substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated polymeric core. 
   
   
       11 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 9 , wherein those polymeric tines comprising the first polymeric material are arranged into one or more spirals winding around the longitudinal axis of the elongated polymeric core. 
   
   
       12 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein some of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush comprise the second polymeric material, and wherein others comprise a third polymeric material having a third tensile modulus that is different from the first and second tensile moduli. 
   
   
       13 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein some of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush have a cylindrical shape with a tapered end. 
   
   
       14 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein some of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush have a spiky shape. 
   
   
       15 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein some of the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush have a fin shape with a tapered end. 
   
   
       16 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the polymeric tines of the polymeric brush are arranged into one or more rows that are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongated polymeric core, wherein some of the polymeric tines are curved in such a manner that top portions of adjacent tines in the same row are curved away from each other with respect to the row. 
   
   
       17 . The cosmetic applicator assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a cap and a rod that extends from the cap, wherein the cap is adapted for complementarily engaging a neck portion of a cosmetic container. 
   
   
       18 . A polymeric cosmetic brush for use in combination with a twisted wire cosmetic brush, said polymeric cosmetic brush comprising an elongated polymeric core having a longitudinal axis and multiple polymeric tines protruding from said elongated polymeric core, wherein the elongated polymeric core comprises a first polymeric material of a first tensile modulus, wherein at least some of the polymeric tines comprise a second polymeric material of a second tensile modulus that is less than the first tensile modulus, and wherein the elongated polymeric core further comprises one or more protrusions and/or recesses adapted for complementarily engaging one or more corresponding portions of a twisted wire cosmetic brush. 
   
   
       19 . A method of making a cosmetic applicator assembly, comprising:
 forming a polymeric brush comprising an elongated polymeric core and multiple polymeric tines protruding from said elongated polymeric core, wherein said elongated polymeric core comprises a first polymeric material of a first tensile modulus, wherein at least some of the polymeric tines comprise a second polymeric material of a second tensile modulus that is less than the first tensile modulus, and wherein said elongated polymeric core further comprises one or more protrusions and/or recesses adapted for complementarily engaging one or more corresponding portions of a twisted wire brush;   forming a twisted wire brush comprising a metal wire core and multiple bristles protruding from said metal wire core; and   complementarily engaging the elongated polymeric core of the polymeric brush with one or more portions of the twisted wire brush to form said cosmetic applicator assembly.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the polymeric brush is formed by a bi-injection molding process.