Description MICRO-MOLDED MASCARA BRUSH

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a mascara brush.

Background Art

[2] Generally, mascara is a cosmetic which is used by women to make their eyes look better. To this end, mascara liquids of various colors are applied to the eyelashes. The mascara includes a barrel for holding mascara liquid therein, a handle for opening or closing the barrel, a stem extending downwards from the handle, and a brush provided on the stem. By connecting or disconnecting the handle to or from the barrel, the brush is covered with the mascara liquid. A user applies makeup to the eyelashes with the brush covered with the mascara liquid.

[3] In particular, the mascara brush constructed as described above is manufactured so that the length and shape of the bristles are suitable for various functions, for example, the volumizing function for eyelashes (effect of making eyelashes look thick), the curling function (effect of curling the ends of the eyelashes), the function of making eyelashes look long (long lash effect), and the cleaning function (effect of preventing eyelashes from becoming tangled with each other).

[4] A conventional mascara brush, which has been widely used, is manufactured by placing bristles of the brush having a predetermined length between two strands of wire, and thereafter, twisting the wire a predetermined number of times to form a spiral. The section of the brush has various shapes, such as a circular shape, a triangular shape, or a fan shape, with respect to a central wire shaft. The brush can realize the volumizing effect, the curling effect, the long-lash effect, and the cleaning effect, according to the sectional shape of the brush.

[5] The mascara brush must have a superior combing effect so that mascara liquid, which is viscous, is evenly applied to the eyelashes and the eyelashes are not tangled with each other. In the conventional mascara brush, the bristles are arranged in a spiral by twisting the wire, so that a large quantity of mascara liquid is retained among the bristles, thus giving the volumizing effect to the eyelashes. However, the eyelashes are clumped together due to the viscosity of the mascara liquid, so that a user must tidy the eyelashes using an additional arrangement tool, or must remove mascara from the eyelashes and thereafter adjust her makeup again.

[6] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a conventional mascara brush, in which an application brush and a combing brush of the mascara brush are separated from each other, and FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating another state of the conventional mascara

brush.

[7] As shown in the drawings, an application brush 3 is a means of holding mascara liquid to apply it to the eyelashes. The application brush 3 includes a plurality of bristles 31 having a predetermined length, and wire which is bent at the center thereof such that two strands of wire overlap each other. The bristles 31 are interposed between the strands of wire in such a way as to be perpendicular thereto. In such a state, the wire is spirally twisted a predetermined number of times. Thereby, the bristles 31 are radially secured to a wire shaft 21 which is formed by twisting the wire.

[8] Further, a cut part is vertically provided on one side of the application brush 3 by cutting the bristles 31 secured to the wire shaft 21. The application brush 3 constructed in this way is secured to the lower portion of a stem to be integrated with the stem.

[9] A combing brush 4 is a means for tidying eyelashes to which the mascara liquid is applied by the application brush 3, and includes a support frame 41 and a comb 42, which has teeth and protrudes outwards from the support frame 41.

[10] The support frame 41 is used to secure the comb 42 to the cut part of the application brush 3, and has the same circumferential length as the outer circumferential length of the stem. Further, the support frame 41 is equal to or slightly longer in length than the wire shaft 21, which protrudes downwards from the stem, in such a way that the support frame is integrated with the application brush 3.

[11] Further, an upper fitting hole 44 is formed in the upper end of the support frame 41, so that the wire shaft 21 is fitted into the upper fitting hole 44 and thus the support frame 41 is integrated with the application brush 3. A lower fitting hole 43 is formed in the lower end of the support frame 41 so that the lower end of the wire shaft 21 is fitted into the lower fitting hole 43. Since the support frame 41 must be positioned at the cut part formed between the bristles 31 of the application brush 3, a sidewall 45 is provided between the upper and lower fitting holes 44 and 43 of the support frame 41 to support the fitting holes 44 and 43. Thus, the support frame 41 has a 'U' shape, and has a fan-shaped cross section corresponding to the shape of the cut part.

[12] The comb 42 protrudes perpendicularly from the outer circumference of the sidewall

45 of the support frame 41 in the form of teeth, and serves to comb the eyelashes. The comb 42 branches perpendicularly from the sidewall 45 to have a linear arrangement, and is provided within a range in which the bristles 31 of the application brush 3 secured to the wire shaft 21 are formed. The teeth of the comb 42 are made of a synthetic resin which is the same as the material of the support frame 41, so that the comb teeth are thicker and stronger than the bristles 31 of the application brush 3. The teeth of the comb 42 are arranged in a row and are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined regular interval, so that the combing brush 4 has a shape similar to that of a straight comb.

[13] However, the conventional mascara brush is problematic in that the application brush

3 and the trimming brush 4 are separately manufactured, and are then assembled with each other, so that large costs are spent on labor and equipment for the assembling process.

[14] Further, in order to manufacture the application brush 3, a plurality of bristles 31 having a predetermined length is interposed between a pair of strands of wire. Subsequently, the wire is spirally twisted so that the bristles 31 are radially secured to the wire shaft 21. As such, a complex manufacturing process is required. Further, the combing brush 4 is manufactured through an injection molding process using an additional mold, so that additional mold equipment is required. Thus, the total cost of equipment for manufacturing the mascara brush is increased, and in addition, a production line is complicated, so that productivity is reduced. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[15] Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a micro-molded mascara brush, which is formed using a micro mold such that the bristles of the brush are thinner and finer than bristles of an existing brush.

[16] Another object of the present invention is to provide a micro-molded mascara brush, in which a brush body and a brush-forming part are integrated with each other through injection molding, thus remarkably reducing the number of processes required to manufacture the mascara brush, in addition to simplifying manufacturing equipment.

[17] A further object of the present invention is to provide a micro-molded mascara brush, which does not impose restrictions on the design of a product. Technical Solution

[18] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a micro- molded mascara brush, constructed so that a brush-forming part for applying mascara liquid to eyelashes is radially formed around a brush body, wherein the brush body and the brush-forming part are integrated into a single structure through injection molding, and each of bristles constituting the brush-forming part is formed to have a thickness ranging from 0.01 to 0.2mm through injection molding using a micro mold.

[19] Each of the brush body and the brush-forming part has a circular or elliptical section.

[20] Each of the brush body and the brush-forming part has a polygonal section having three to eight sides.

[21] Further, a reinforcing core is provided in a center of the brush body.

[22] The micro-molded mascara brush is manufactured from any one selected among from elastomer, silicone, and plastics.

[23] Each of the bristles of the brush-forming part has branches such that the bristle has a shape of a snow crystal, thus having excellent mascara-liquid absorbing ability.

[24] The brush body and the brush-forming part are integrated with each other through injection molding. Each of the bristles constituting the brush-forming part is formed to have a thickness ranging from 0.01 to 0.09mm through injection molding using the micro mold.

[25] The brush-forming part is divided into a plurality of sections, and bristles having different thicknesses are provided in respective sections. A section of the brush- forming part having thicker bristles is used as a comb-forming part for arranging eyelashes.

[26] The comb-forming part alternates with the brush-forming part, the number of sections having the comb-forming part is one to four, and the comb-forming part comprises one to five rows of combs.

[27] In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides a micro- molded mascara brush, including a handle of a barrel, a stem extending downwards from the handle, and a brush-forming part provided on an end of the stem to apply mascara liquid to eyelashes, wherein the brush-forming part is formed such that bristles each having a thickness ranging from 0.01 to 0.2mm are radially formed around a brush body to be integrated with the brush body through injection molding using a micro mold, and a reinforcing core is provided in a central axis of the brush body and is integrated with the stem into a single structure through injection molding.

[28] The brush body and the reinforcing core are formed through double injection molding.

[29] The brush body and the brush-forming part are manufactured separately, and are mounted to an outer circumference of the reinforcing core.

[30] Further, each of the brush body and the brush-forming part has a circular or elliptical section, and each of the brush body and the brush-forming part has a polygonal section having three to eight sides.

[31] The micro-molded mascara brush is manufactured using any one selected among from elastomer, silicone, and plastics.

[32] Each of the bristles of the brush-forming part has branches such that the bristle has the shape of a snow crystal, thus having excellent mascara- liquid absorbing ability.

[33] Further, each of the bristles constituting the brush-forming part is formed to have a thickness ranging from 0.01 to 0.09mm through injection molding.

[34] A comb-forming part for arranging the eyelashes is provided between radial sections of the brush-forming part, and combs of the comb-forming part are integrated with the reinforcing core provided in a center of the brush body through injection molding.

[35] The bristles of the brush-forming part and the combs of the comb-forming part are

formed so that they have the same thickness, but the combs are stronger than the bristles. [36] The comb-forming part alternates with the brush-forming part, the number of sections having the comb-forming part ranges from one to four, and the comb-forming part comprises one to five combs.

Advantageous Effects

[37] As described above, the present invention provides a micro-molded mascara brush, which is formed using a micro mold such that the bristles of the brush are much thinner and finer than the bristles of an existing brush, thus being soft and having good absorption, therefore affording a considerably improved sensation of use.

[38] Further, the present invention provides a micro-molded mascara brush, in which a brush body and a brush-forming part are integrated with each other through injection molding, thus remarkably reducing the number of processes required to manufacture the mascara brush, and simplifying manufacturing equipment, therefore reducing the manufacturing cost.

[39] The present invention provides a micro-molded mascara brush, which can be formed in various shapes without being limited to a particular shape, thus affording the design of a product which is advantageous from an aesthetic or practical point of view.

[40] Further, the present invention provides a micro-molded mascara brush, in which a reinforcing core is provided in the center of a brush body when the brush body and a brush-forming part are integrally formed using a soft and flexible resin material, thus increasing support force when the brush body is coupled to a handle, affording a sensation of soft use, and providing a simple design. Brief Description of the Drawings

[41] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a conventional mascara brush, in which an application brush and a combing brush of the mascara brush are separated from each other;

[42] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating another state of the conventional mascara brush;

[43] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a micro-molded mascara brush according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[44] FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view illustrating a brush body and a brush-forming part of the mascara brush of FIG. 3, in which the brush body and the brush-forming part have a circular sectional shape;

[45] FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the brush body and the brush- forming part of FIG.3, in which the brush body and the brush-forming part have polygonal sectional shapes;

[46] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the mascara brush according to the present invention, in

which a reinforcing core is provided in the brush body of FIG. 3; [47] FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the shape of a bristle according to a modification of FIG. 3; [48] FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the mascara brush according to the present invention, in which a comb-forming part is provided on the brush body of FIG.

3; [49] FIG. 9 is a sectional view illustrating a micro-molded mascara brush according to the second embodiment of the present invention; [50] FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the shape of a bristle according to a modification of FIG. 9; and [51] FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the mascara brush according to the present invention, in which a comb-forming part is provided on a brush body of FIG. 9.

Mode for the Invention [52] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [53] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a micro molded mascara brush according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the drawing, the mascara brush includes a handle 101 of a barrel, and a stem 103 which extends downwards from the handle 101 to a predetermined length. A brush-forming part 120 is provided on one end of the stem 103, and is used to apply mascara liquid to the eyelashes. [54] Here, a plurality of bristles 121, which are radially arranged on a brush body 110, is integrally formed on the brush-forming part 120 through injection molding. [55] The brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 are integrally formed through injection molding. The brush-forming part 120 includes the plurality of bristles 121.

The bristles 121 are injection-molded such that each bristle 121 has a thickness from

0.01 to 0.2mm.

[56] More preferably, each bristle 121 has a thickness from 0.01 to 0.09mm.

[57] In order to form the bristles 121 each having a fine thickness through injection molding, a micro mold is used, instead of a general injection mold. [58] Here, the micro mold is a mold which is used to form a micro part. As the technology for manufacturing a micro part, a Lithography, Electroforming and Molding (LIGA) process and silicon micromachining technology have been widely known. [59] The technology will be described in brief. That is, the LIGA process is the method of forming a micro structure having a high aspect ratio through deep lithography using x- rays and electroplating. In a detailed description, a photoresist layer for x-rays, such as

PMMA, is formed on a substrate to a desired thickness (about 0.1 to 1.0mm), and is patterned using a heavy metal, such as gold, as a material for absorbing x-rays, and is

then used as a mask.

[60] Thereafter, the resist is exposed by x-rays (SOR beam) which are radiated from a synchrotron.

[61] Since the x-ray SOR beam is superior from the aspects of linearity of travel, resolution, and transmissivity, exposure is possible with precision which is finer than one submicron for a thick resist.

[62] Thereafter, a resist structure is obtained through development. The resist structure is immersed into an electroplating solution, and an electroplating layer is formed on the conductive substrate.

[63] An injection molding process is performed using the plating layer as a mold, so that a pattern is impressed into the plastic.

[64] Further, based on the plastic mold manufactured through injection-molding, an electroplating process is performed again, so that a metallic structure is manufactured. Alternatively, ceramic powder is sintered into plastic, so that a ceramic structure may be manufactured.

[65] The silicon micromachining technology will be described below in detail. A silicon substrate is coated with a film, and a mask pattern is formed to the surface of the silicon substrate coated with the film through developing and printing. Based on the pattern, an etching process is carried out. The process of removing unnecessary parts, the thermal treatment process, and the doping process are repeated, so that a desired micro part is manufactured.

[66] If a micro mold manufactured in this way is used, the bristles 121 of the brush may be formed to be much thinner and finer than those of a conventional brush.

[67] The bristles 121, which are manufactured to be fine and thin, are very soft and have excellent absorbing ability, thus affording a considerably improved sensation of use.

[68] Further, since the brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 are integrally formed through injection molding, the number of processes required to manufacture the mascara brush is remarkably reduced, and thereby, the manufacturing cost is reduced.

[69] Furthermore, the mascara brush can be formed in various shapes without being limited to a particular shape, thus affording the design of a product which is advantageous from an aesthetic or practical point of view.

[70] FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the brush body and the brush- forming part of the mascara brush of FIG. 3, in which the brush body and the brush- forming part have a circular sectional shape. The drawings illustrate examples wherein each of the brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 has a circular or elliptical section.

[71] The mascara brush having the circular or elliptical section may be manufactured to

have sections which are asymmetrical with respect to the brush body 110. That is, one side of the mascara brush may have a circular section, while the other side may have an elliptical section.

[72] FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the brush body and the brush- forming part of FIG. 3, in which the brush body and the brush-forming part have polygonal sectional shapes. The drawings show examples in which the brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 have polygonal sections.

[73] Here, reference character (a) of FIG. 5 shows a triangular section, reference character

(b) of FIG. 5 shows a rectangular section, reference character (c) of FIG. 5 shows a pentagonal section, reference character (d) of FIG. 5 shows a hexagonal section, reference character (e) of FIG. 5 shows a heptagonal section, and reference character (f) of FIG. 5 shows an octagonal section.

[74] Such a polygonal brush-forming part 120 may be manufactured such that both sides thereof are asymmetrical with respect to the brush body 110. That is, the brush- forming part may have on one side a circular or elliptical section and have on the other side a polygonal section.

[75] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the mascara brush according to the present invention, in which a reinforcing core is provided in the brush body of FIG. 3. The drawing shows an example in which the reinforcing core 140 is provided in the center of the brush body 110.

[76] The brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 are manufactured using various kinds of synthetic resins. In the case where the body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 are manufactured using a flexible resin material, support force for securing the brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 to the handle 101 is weak. Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, in order to firmly couple the brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 to the handle 101, the reinforcing core 140 is inserted into the body 110.

[77] Here, the reinforcing core 140 may be made of a resin material having high hardness, or a metallic material. The reinforcing core 140 may be inserted into the brush body 110 through double injection molding or insert injection molding, or may be coupled to the brush body 110 through fitting.

[78] In order to improve the sensation of use of the mascara brush, the brush-forming part

120 is made of a soft and flexible resin material. However, when the brush-forming part 120 made of the soft resin material is integrated with the brush body 110 to form a single structure, the brush body 110 is apt to be bent or deformed, so that it is difficult to put on makeup. Thus, in order to solve this problem, the reinforcing core 140 is provided in the brush body 110.

[79] Therefore, the reinforcing core 140 enables the mascara brush to have high support force, in addition to having a simple structure and maintaining a good sensation of use.

[80] The brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 of the mascara brush may be manufactured using any one selected among from elastomer, silicone, and plastics.

[81] FIG. 7 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the shape of a bristle according to a modification of FIG. 3. According to the modification, each bristle 121 of the brush- forming part 120 has branches such that the bristle has the shape of a snow crystal.

[82] As shown in the drawing, when each bristle 121 of the brush has complex-shaped branches, like the shape of a snow crystal, the ability to absorb mascara liquid can be considerably improved.

[83] FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the mascara brush according to the present invention, in which a comb-forming part is provided on the brush body of FIG. 3. The brush-forming part 120 is divided into a plurality of sections, and bristles 121 having different thicknesses are provided in respective sections.

[84] Here, in the brush-forming part 120, the section having the thicker bristles 121 is used as the comb-forming part 130 for arranging the eyelashes. As shown in FIG. 8, the number of sections having the comb-forming part 130 is one to four.

[85] Preferably, the comb-forming part 130 alternates with brush-forming part 120. The comb-forming part 130 may have one to five rows of combs 131.

[86] FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a micro-molded mascara brush according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[87] As shown in the drawing, the micro-molded mascara brush according to the present invention includes a handle 101 of a barrel, and a stem 103 which extends downwards from the handle 101. A brush-forming part 120 is provided on one end of the stem 103, and is used to apply mascara liquid to the eyelashes.

[88] Here, the brush-forming part 120 is formed such that bristles 121 each having a thickness form 0.01 to 0.2mm are radially formed around a brush body 110 to be integrated with the brush body 110 through injection molding using a micro mold. A reinforcing core 140 is formed in the central axis of the brush body 110. The reinforcing core 140 may be integrated with the stem 103 through injection molding.

[89] Here, the brush-forming part 120 and the brush body 110 are manufactured using a soft and flexible resin material, while the reinforcing core 140 is manufactured using a resin material having high hardness.

[90] The reinforcing core 140 and the stem 103 are integrated into a single structure through injection molding, and may be made of a synthetic resin material having high hardness or a metallic material. The reinforcing core 140 and the stem 103 may be combined with the brush body 110 through double injection molding or insert injection molding.

[91] Further, after the brush-forming part 120 and the brush body 110 are manufactured separately, they may be mounted to the outer circumference of the reinforcing core

140.

[92] Each of the brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 may have a circular or elliptical section, as shown in FIG. 4. Further, each of the brush body 110 and the brush- forming part 120 may have a polygonal section having three to eight sides, as shown in FIG. 5.

[93] The micro-molded mascara brush may be manufactured using any one selected among from elastomer, silicone, and plastic.

[94] FIG. 10 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the shape of a bristle according to a modification of FIG. 9. As shown in the drawing, each of the bristles 121 of the brush- forming part 120 has branches such that the bristle has the shape of a snow crystal. This shape increases the mascara- liquid absorbing ability of the bristles 121.

[95] Each bristle 121 has a thickness from 0.01 to 0.2mm. More preferably, each bristle

121 is formed to have a thickness from 0.01 to 0.09mm. The bristles 121 may be formed through injection molding using the micro mold.

[96] FIG. 11 is a transverse sectional view illustrating the mascara brush according to the present invention, in which a comb-forming part is provided on the brush body of FIG. 9. As shown in the drawings, a comb-forming part 130 for arranging the eyelashes may be provided between radial sections of the brush-forming part 120.

[97] Here, combs 131 of the comb-forming part 130 may be integrated with the reinforcing core 140 which is provided in the center of the brush body 110, through injection molding.

[98] In this case, a single molded product of the comb-forming part 130 and the reinforcing core 140 is manufactured and is used as a base. The brush body 110 and the brush-forming part 120 are formed on the outer surface of the base through double injection molding. Thus, the material of the base including the comb-forming part 130 and the reinforcing core 140 must be resistant to high temperatures and have high strength, in comparison with the material of the brush body 110.

[99] When the bristles 121 of the brush-forming part 120 and the combs 131 of the comb- forming part 130 are manufactured through the above-mentioned method, the bristles 121 are smooth so that it is easy to apply mascara liquid to the eyelashes, but the combs 131 are strong enough to comb and arrange the eyelashes to which the mascara liquid is applied, even if the bristles 121 and the combs 131 have the same thickness.

[100] The comb-forming part 130 and the brush-forming part 120 may be formed such that they alternate with each other. It is preferable that the number of sections having the comb-forming part 130 range from one to four. The comb-forming part 130 may include one to five combs 131.