Flat Brush for Cosmetic Applicator

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

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.

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

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

A rodis made of plastic and includes a conic joining memberat a first end. The joining memberincludes a first surfaceand a second surfaceboth tapering toward the first end. The joining memberfurther comprises an axial positioning holeopen to the first end. The rodfurther comprises two aligned through holeseach having a first end open to a surface thereof and a second end communicating with the positioning hole. The rodfurther comprises a handleat a second end. A user may hold the handlewhen using the cosmetic applicator to apply a substance to a body part.

A flat brushis partially fastened in the positioning holeand includes an application portionand a combined portion. The application portionis exposed outside of the joining member. The combined portionis flat and secured to a blind end of the positioning hole. The combined portionis formed by melting and solidifying the flat brush. The through holesare disposed in proximity to the blind end of the positioning holeand the combined portionis disposed between the through holes.

The positioning holeis shaped complementarily with respect to the combined portionof the flat brush. Thus, the combined portionof the flat brushcan be disposed in the positioning holewithout difficulty. Thereafter, the through holesare formed. Diameter of the portion of the positioning holealigned with the through holesis decreased. And in turn, the combined portionof the flat brushis clamped in the positioning holeto prevent he flat brushfrom detaching. As a result, the flat brushis fastened (see).

As shown inspecifically, prior to assembly the messy application portionof the flat brushis trimmed and then the combined portionis inserted into the positioning holeof the roduntil the combined portionis secured to the blind end of the positioning hole. The application portionis exposed outside of the joining member. Finally, a punch is used to cut a first hole through the rodinto the positioning holeand cut a second hole through the rodinto the positioning holein which the first hole (i.e., one through hole) is aligned with the second hole (i.e., the other through hole) with the combined portiondisposed between the through holes. The diameter of the portion of the positioning holealigned with the through holesis decreased. And in turn, the combined portionis clamped in the positioning holeto prevent he flat brushfrom detaching. As a result, the flat brushis fastened.

The invention has the following advantages and benefits in comparison with the conventional art: the fastening of the rodand the flat brushis 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 brushmay be detached. The positioning holeis flat to be ready to receive the complementary flat brushand fasten same therein. The flat brushmeets various cosmetic needs. For example, the wider portion A of the application portionof the flat brushis adapted to a wide area application of lip gloss to the lips or eyebrow cream to the eyebrows (see). The narrow portion B of the application portionof the flat brushis adapted to a small area fine application of a substance to the lip line, the eyelid or an end of the eyebrow (see). Moreover, a front end of the application portionis 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.