Molded-on applicators

The present invention concerns an applicator comprising at least two components with a better join between the components.

A preferred use of the applicator is in the field of cosmetic application systems, wherein the applicator is loaded by being dipped into a cosmetic substance in order then to apply it to skin, mucous membrane, semi-mucous membrane, hairs or small hairs and lashes, and to distribute it there.

Applicators have long been known in the cosmetics industry in the form of mascara brushes, brushes, slender brushes, foam sponges or foam rubber applicators, for example for applying eyelash or hair mascara, liquid lipstick of high viscosity or the like. In principle all kinds of liquid, pasty, gel-like or powder substances fall to be considered as cosmetic substances to be applied. An applicator adapted thereto should be suitable for achieving uniform and specifically targeted application as well as distribution possibly as far as possible at the same time over a relatively large region of the skin or a number of eyelashes.

An applicator brush for applying mascara is known from for example WO 00/54623. The applicator brush is produced by means of a two-component injection molding process (referred to as the 2C process). That involves injection molding on a flexurally stiff plastic core, as a hard component, radially projecting bristles comprising a softer plastic material as a soft component.

In the known application devices, that is to say applicators, the part of the soft component serving as the application surface or element is joined to a handle or stem comprising the hard component of the applicator, by means of usual joining procedures. The usual joining procedures include glueing, clamping, for example in a ferrule, attachment involving snapping engagement in latching relationship, and the like.

Essentially in relation to applicators which are produced by means of two-component injection molding, that is to say using the 2C process, a join is produced between the hard component and the soft component by simply injection molding the soft component around the hard component. To prevent detachment of the soft component which serves as the application surface for the substance to be applied, joining or holding structures are provided in the interface between the two components. These usually involve simple annular grooves or ridges. Nonetheless the join between the two components (hard component and soft component) does not seem to be optimal as for example there have been reports of the soft component becoming detached from the hard component at a scraper provided at the opening of a cosmetic container.

Known 2C applicators, in particular known joins between soft and hard components, are to be found for example in EP 0 038 524, EP 1 384 417 A2 and U.S. No. 2004/0047676 A1.

The object of the invention is to improve the join between the hard component and the soft component and in particular to reduce or eliminate the risk of detachment of the soft component from the hard component.

That object is attained by an applicator comprising a hard component and a soft component injected on to the hard component for forming an application surface (W), wherein both the hard component and the soft component at least in parts comprise plastic material and the plastic material of the hard component is harder than the plastic material of the soft component, a joining region arranged substantially in the interior of the hard component is provided between the hard component and the soft component, wherein the joining region has at least a part of the soft component, said part being arranged in the interior of the hard component, in the form of at least one anchoring element.

For that purpose the applicator according to the invention has at least one novel positively locking joining region permitting effective anchoring of the hard component to the soft component. The applicator according to the invention comprises at least a hard component and at least one soft component which is injection molded to the hard component at an end of the applicator, that is to say in the direction of the longitudinal extent of the applicator, for forming an application surface, wherein both the hard component and also the soft component at least in parts comprise plastic material and the plastic material of the hard component is harder than the plastic material of the soft component. A joining region arranged substantially in the interior of the hard component is formed between the hard component and the soft component, wherein there at least a part of the soft component, that is arranged in the interior of the hard component, is provided as at least one joining element.

In addition, at least one part of the hard component, that is arranged in the interior of the soft component, can be provided as a stabiliser for the soft component and for further improving the join between the soft and hard components. The flexibility of longer soft component configurations can be particularly advantageously adjusted by means of the length of the stabiliser. Therefore the novel joining structure has proven its worth in particular in relation to applicators in which the soft component projects markedly beyond the hard component.

The decisive difference in relation to the known applicators, in regard to the stabiliser, is that the length thereof can be adjusted in consideration of the functional properties of the applicator on the basis of the particularly effective anchorage according to the invention of the soft component in the hard component alone, as it no longer primarily involves a joining function. In this description therefore the term ‘stabiliser’ is also to emphasise the primary function of that element. In regard to the notion of the ‘adjustable’ stabiliser, it is to be observed that adjustment relates to the production process and the implementation of the applicator properties upon production.

The applicator according to the invention can be used together with a container, for example a small bottle in which a cosmetic substance is stored. To apply the substance the applicator can be dipped into the bottle and the substance contained therein. In that case the surface of the applicator is loaded with the substance. Such systems are generally referred to as dip systems. For that purpose the applicator can be coupled to a handle portion which at the same time forms the closure for the container. In alternative configurations the applicators according to the invention can also be stored in a case or other container and/or can be provided with a cover cap or protective cap and/or a further functional element such as for example a sharpener for example a kajal or kohl pencil or lipliner and added to a cosmetic product such as eyeshadow or a powder.

The production of an applicator according to the invention is effected by means of at least one injection machine for injecting a soft component of the applicator on to a hard component, wherein the following steps are possible: injecting the soft component at least one injection point through at least one lateral opening which for example is in the region of the periphery in the hard component, wherein the soft component is injected by way of at least one passage extending in the interior of the hard component from the at least one lateral opening to an end of the hard component so that at least one joining element is formed between the hard component and the soft component for a join between the two components substantially by the part of the soft component, that is in the interior of the at least one passage, as a positively locking anchorage.

In other words, at least one joining element between the hard component and the soft component for joining the two components is produced essentially by the part of the soft component, that is in the interior of the at least one passage, to provide a positively locking anchorage effect.

The injection point can thus be particularly advantageously disposed in a region outside the operative surface of the applicator, that is to say the application surface, and in particular in the rearward region in relation to the application end of the applicator, that is to say a region of the applicator, that is not visible. The aforementioned object regarding the production process is thus attained by producing the joining region according to the invention, that is to say the anchorage or joining effect between the hard and soft components. Particular emphasis is to be placed on the operation of injection molding the soft component to the hard component from the interior out of the hard component.

The implementation according to the invention of the joining region, in particular the at least one joining element provided in the interior of the hard component, and the production process according to the invention provide for particularly effective anchoring in positively locking relationship, besides the usual fusion of the two components, in an edge zone of their mutual interfaces. In addition that configuration permits an extremely great degree of freedom in respect of shape in the design configuration of the applicators as a large number of applicators which differ in respect of shape and surface structure can be injection molded on to the same hard component portion by simply changing the molding tool for the soft component. Equally the reverse situation, that is to say different hard component portions for the same applicator, can easily be implemented if the position of the injection point or points and the arrangement of the joining region that is in the interior of the hard component, that is to say the joining or anchoring element, is not changed in relation to the applicator. Accordingly that also affords maximum variability in regard to the hard component portions.

In a given embodiment disposed in the hard component is at least one opening for injection molding of the soft component thereto and/or for venting purposes in the injection molding procedure, in the proximity of the end of the anchoring element that is in the interior of the hard component. After the operation of injecting the soft component the at least one opening is also filled with the soft component so that the soft component forms an additional anchoring means in the form of a small bar portion, in this description also referred to as the joining bar portion.

In a particular development provided in the hard component is at least one aperture for at least one anchoring means in leg form which is afforded by the soft component, in this description also referred to as the anchoring leg. The at least one anchoring leg represents a join between the part of the soft component, that is in the interior of the hard component, and a part of the soft component, that is arranged at the outside surface of the hard component. Accordingly the essential difference in relation to an anchoring bar portion of the above-mentioned embodiments is that an anchoring leg formed by means of the soft component can extend through or around the aperture in the hard component, similarly to the links of a chain, that is to say an anchoring leg of such a configuration between the soft component and the hard component produces a positively locking join which can only be released by being destroyed. A particular advantage of one or more such anchoring legs, for example directly in the outer transitional region between the soft component and the hard component, is that in that way it is possible to specifically and targetedly prevent partial detachment of the soft component from the hard component.

An advantageous development of the invention provides that the anchoring of the soft component in the hard component is further improved by a part of the hard component projecting into the soft component, that is to say extending into the soft component.

In another advantageous development there are additional functional elements for the end consumer, such as for example the above-mentioned sharpener for a kajal or kohl pen or lipliner, in the rear region of the applicator, that is to say the side remote from the application region.