FLAT BRUSH FOR COSMETIC APPLICATOR

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to brushes for cosmetic applicators and more particularly to a cosmetic applicator including a flat brush having improved characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Regarding a process of manufacturing a conventional cosmetic applicator having a flat brush, a cylindrical bundle of bristles is fastened in an aluminum tube by means of an adhesive and further tightened by the aluminum tube. After the adhesive dries, a tool is used to flatten an end of the aluminum tube close to the bristles. Thus, the bristles are formed into a flat brush. Finally, the aluminum tube and the flat brush are secured to a plastic rod by means of the adhesive.

However, the conventional brush is fastened by the adhesive which is not environmentally friendly. Further, the adhesive is compatible with some chemical agents (e.g., cosmetics), and there is a risk that the brush may easily detach from the aluminum tube or the aluminum tube may easily detach from the plastic rod. Furthermore, since most plastic rods are cylindrical, the brush and the plastic rod must be connected together by means of an aluminum tube having a corresponding shape. Then a tool is used to flatten the end of the aluminum tube close to the bristles, thereby finishing the manufacturing of a flat brush for a cosmetic applicator. Unfortunately, the conventional flat brush cannot be directly fastened in the cylindrical plastic rod. In addition to increasing the cost of the aluminum tube, the manufacturing process of the conventional flat brush is complicated.

Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a cosmetic applicator comprising a rod including a conic joining member at a first end, the joining member having a first surface and a second surface both tapering toward the first end, an axial positioning hole open to the first end, and two aligned through holes each having a first end open to a surface thereof and a second end communicating with the positioning hole; and a flat brush partially fastened in the positioning hole and including an application portion exposed outside of the joining member, and a flat combined portion secured to a blind end of the positioning hole wherein the through holes are disposed in proximity to the blind end of the positioning hole and the combined portion is disposed between the through holes.

The invention has the following advantages and benefits in comparison with the conventional art: the fastening of the rod and the flat brush is done without interconnecting them with the aluminum tube. It can save cost and simplify the manufacturing process without the use of the adhesive. It is environmentally friendly. This is because the adhesive is compatible with some chemical agents and there is a risk that the flat brush may be detached. The positioning hole is flat to be ready to receive the complementary flat brush and fasten same therein. The flat brush meets various cosmetic needs.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic applicator according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the cosmetic applicator;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cosmetic applicator; and

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of an end portion of the cosmetic applicator including the flat brush and an adjacent part of the rod.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, a cosmetic applicator in accordance with the invention comprises the following components as discussed in detail below.

A rod 10 is made of plastic and includes a conic joining member 11 at a first end. The joining member 11 includes a first surface 11a and a second surface 11b both tapering toward the first end. The joining member 11 further comprises an axial positioning hole 111 open to the first end. The rod 10 further comprises two aligned through holes 112 each having a first end open to a surface thereof and a second end communicating with the positioning hole 111. The rod 10 further comprises a handle 12 at a second end. A user may hold the handle 12 when using the cosmetic applicator to apply a substance to a body part.

A flat brush 20 is partially fastened in the positioning hole 111 and includes an application portion 21 and a combined portion 22. The application portion 21 is exposed outside of the joining member 11. The combined portion 22 is flat and secured to a blind end of the positioning hole 111. The combined portion 22 is formed by melting and solidifying the flat brush 20. The through holes 112 are disposed in proximity to the blind end of the positioning hole 111 and the combined portion 22 is disposed between the through holes 112.

The positioning hole 111 is shaped complementarily with respect to the combined portion 22 of the flat brush 20. Thus, the combined portion 22 of the flat brush 20 can be disposed in the positioning hole 111 without difficulty. Thereafter, the through holes 112 are formed. Diameter of the portion of the positioning hole 111 aligned with the through holes 112 is decreased. And in turn, the combined portion 22 of the flat brush 20 is clamped in the positioning hole 111 to prevent he flat brush 20 from detaching. As a result, the flat brush 20 is fastened (see FIG. 4).

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 specifically, prior to assembly the messy application portion 21 of the flat brush 20 is trimmed and then the combined portion 22 is inserted into the positioning hole 111 of the rod 10 until the combined portion 22 is secured to the blind end of the positioning hole 111. The application portion 21 is exposed outside of the joining member 11. Finally, a punch is used to cut a first hole through the rod 10 into the positioning hole 111 and cut a second hole through the rod 10 into the positioning hole 111 in which the first hole (i.e., one through hole 112) is aligned with the second hole (i.e., the other through hole 112) with the combined portion 22 disposed between the through holes 112. The diameter of the portion of the positioning hole 111 aligned with the through holes 112 is decreased. And in turn, the combined portion 22 is clamped in the positioning hole 111 to prevent he flat brush 20 from detaching. As a result, the flat brush 20 is fastened.

The invention has the following advantages and benefits in comparison with the conventional art: the fastening of the rod 10 and the flat brush 20 is done without interconnecting them with the aluminum tube. It can save cost and simplify the manufacturing process without the use of the adhesive. It is environmentally friendly. This is because the adhesive is compatible with some chemical agents and there is a risk that the flat brush 20 may be detached. The positioning hole 111 is flat to be ready to receive the complementary flat brush 20 and fasten same therein. The flat brush 20 meets various cosmetic needs. For example, the wider portion A of the application portion 21 of the flat brush 20 is adapted to a wide area application of lip gloss to the lips or eyebrow cream to the eyebrows (see FIG. 1). The narrow portion B of the application portion 21 of the flat brush 20 is adapted to a small area fine application of a substance to the lip line, the eyelid or an end of the eyebrow (see FIG. 2). Moreover, a front end of the application portion 21 is tapered for spot brushing.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.