The invention concerns an applicator according to the preamble of claim 1.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Most of today's cosmetic applicators, in particular such that are in use for lip care or lash care, are of the type "pull out of bottle applicators". Such applicators use an applicator organ that is carried by a stem which itself is fixed to a cap that serves as handle for the user. If not in use, the stem and the applicator organ carried by it are stuck trough a bottle neck into the cosmetic mass stored in the bottle. In order to be used the applicator organ is pulled out of the bottle through a wiper fixed within the bottle neck. The wiper serves for wiping of excess cosmetic mass wetting the applicator organ.

The higher the amount of cosmetic mass is which is kept by the applicator organ after being wiped in a position that allows the subsequent application of said mass, the higher is the applicator organ's mass storing capacity.

This mass storing capacity is an important benchmark for cosmetic applicators. The higher the mass storing capacity of a cosmetic applicator is, the longer it can be used for application of cosmetic mass before the applicator has to be dipped into the mass again in order to pick up some additional mass.

By now one has rather often tried to equip the individual bristles, bristles by bristle, with means for improving cosmetic mass retention in order to award a better mass storing capacity to the applicator. The problem is that providing such means restricted to the individual bristle does not really boost the cosmetic mass storing capacity strikingly.

Another way that is rather often used is to provide grooves or indentations in the jacket of the applicator's core carrying the bristles. The idea behind is that these grooves or indentations can accommodate a certain amount of cosmetic mass each, which will not be wiped away if the applicator organ is pulled through the wiper. However, a considerable problem is how to pick up the stored cosmetic mass from these grooves or indentations again for applying it purposeful - quickly and without problems as soon as the stored cosmetic mass is required for application.

PROBLEM UNDERLYING THE INVENTION

The problem to be solved is to make an applicator organ available which has a clearly enhanced mass storing capacity compared to known applicators and its organs .

THE INVENTIVE SOLUTION

The aforementioned problem is solved by means of the features presented by claim 1.

What is claimed is a cosmetic applicator for applying cosmetics to keratin fibers with a core extending along a longitudinal axis. This core carries at least one and preferably more

application bodies to form together with it the application organ. Said application bodies are formed, each, by a rod carrying pins. Said rod extends from the core - that means that those portions of the rod, which are apart from the anchoring point (s) of the rod, are distant to the core of the applicator organ. It can be said for most cases that the major length of the or of each rod's longitudinal axis extends crookedly (in German: "windschief" ) to the longitudinal axis of the core.

According to the invention, the rod carries a number of pins extending, preferably straight, away from the rod. All or preferably at least a part of said pins directly protrude into the interstice between the rod and the core.

As a rough rule - without being a mandatory definition at the moment - one can say that said rod takes, at least section-wise, a position which is distant and opposite from the core. Along this section pins are provided, that extend from the rod in radial inward direction and not in radial outward direction as usual when being implanted in or fixed to a conventional core.

That way a - in most cases very voluminous - interspace between said section of the rod and the core is created. This interspace can accommodate the considerable amount of cosmetic mass. The rod prevents a good part of this mass from being wiped when the applicator organ is drawn through the wiper. This is since the rod forms a kind of "roof" or, more exactly, guard bracket over the stored cosmetic mass holding a major part of it at place. In addition, the pins protruding into the interspace where the cosmetic mass is stored form a kind of anchors, which hinder the stored cosmetic mass to lose contact with the roof or guard bracket too early if it is bended back and forth during the wiping process.

OPTIONAL MEASURES FOR FURTHER ENHANCING THE INVENTION

In the frame of a very preferred embodiment it is provided that the pins - carried by one or more of said rods used for improving mass storage capacity - are grouped that way that they form one or more crowns .

Normally, a crown is formed by a set of pins which are positioned all in one and same geometrical plane and which extend from a common center into all directions of said plane - in a fashion like the rays of a planar straw star do. Even if this is not the preferred arrangement, the pins can theoretically be modified that way that there is an offset between neighbored pins in this straw-star-like arrangement. That would mean in the end that the longitudinal axes of the set of pins forming a crown are

positioned in at least two different planes.

Such a crown-like arrangement has the advantage that the pins do not only protrude into the interstice between the rod and the core. Instead, every crown provides a number of pins, too, that protrude essentially in radial outward direction. Said pins can directly be used for applying cosmetics to the application area or - for example - to separate lashes. It has turned out as a considerable advantage to suspend such a crown as a whole flexibly. That way it is possible to bring, for example, those pins that protrude in radial outward direction in contact with the application area. That way it is possible to move the whole crown into radial inward direction. This movement - even if it may be rather small in the individual case - releases at once a certain amount of the cosmetic mass stored in the interspace between the rod and the core.

For sake of completeness it has to be noticed that each crown is preferably formed by a plurality of preferably at least 4 or better 8 to 24 pins which extend into different directions away from the rod, preferably from each rod. During application tests it has surprisingly turned out as an advantage if a plurality of crowns is arranged subsequently along the longitudinal axis of a rod, preferably along the longitudinal axis of each rod, whereas between each neighboring crown of one rod interspaces are provided where the rod is completely free of pins along its whole circumferential direction.

In order to grant a reproducible and foreseeable application result, the crowns are preferably positioned equidistantly along the rod, preferably along each rod.

In fact, it is an option that a rod is section-wise straight, whereas preferably all rods are straight that way. This rule will in particular apply if the core of the applicator has a polygonal cross-section or a cross-section of triangular or rectangular shape .

For most cases it is ideal if the rod is - preferably

continuously - curved. Preferably, all rods are curved that way. If the rods show such a curvature, the bending capacity in direction to the longitudinal axis of the core is in most cases extremely good. Moreover, such rods show a considerable bending capacity in radial inward direction while the rod is not too soft in that regard.

It is a preferred embodiment if the applicator is designed that way that the longitudinal axis of a rod is curved along a line extending partially or fully around the core. However, in most cases an only partial curving around the core is clearly

preferred, so that one and the same rod does not fully encircle the core of the applicator organ. Moreover, one can say that said line of curvature is preferably a helical line or at least a line extending oblique (and not rectangular) to the longitudinal axis of the applicators core. That way a particular application behavior can be awarded to the applicator, as follows. This especially applies if the applicator is a mascara applicator. If such an applicator is positioned with its core axis exactly in front of the lashes bow - essentially parallel to it the lashes cannot easily intrude into the interspaces between the neighbored rods, since these interspaces are essentially oblique to the longitudinal axis of the individual lashes. As soon as the applicator is repositioned, so that it takes a sufficient angle toward the face now, at least the part of the lashes can easily intrude into the interspaces between the neighbored rods which now extend essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lashes. That way the lashes can easily pick up cosmetic mass stored between and among the rods.

It is preferred to make sure that the cosmetic applicator carries only such rods which have a mean diameter that is smaller than the mean diameter of the core. In addition, it is useful if the mean diameter of the pins carried by the rods is smaller than the mean diameter of the rods. That way the required flexing

capacities can be provided for - for example that way that the pins deform more intensely than the carrying rod, which itself deforms more intensely than the core as soon as the pins come into pressing contact with the application surface.

A very preferred embodiment provides that each rod is flexible in an extent that it can be moved, at least along the majority of its length, at least 1 mm, often at least 1.5 mm, in radial inward direction, i.e. toward the core without being deprived from its ability to freely move back into its unbiased position after release.

The manufacturing of the inventive applicator is most effective if the core, the rod, and the pins are integrally made out of a polymer material. In this case the preferred manufacturing method is an additive manufacturing method.

The pins forming the crowns are in most cases somewhat shorter than well-known pins made by injection moulding. The application tests have turned out that the bending behavior of the pins despite their short design can be optimized by providing the pins with a conical shape of its jacket.

A preferred option is that the core is curved, preferably constantly. If the core itself is curved, and in particular if the inventive rods are provided on the convex side of the core's jacket, than the squeezing out of stored cosmetic mass works particularly good - since it is very easy to deform the set of rods only locally and not along the whole or a major length of the applicator organ.

Another option is that the core has at least two opposite lateral sides that are flat. This is particularly beneficial if the flat sides are embodied and dimensioned that way that they can be used like a spatula, for example for the purpose of even distribution of cosmetic mass over a bigger application surface area.

In most cases it is provided that said rod, preferably each rod, is interconnected at its both longitudinal ends with the core.

Finally, it is preferred in terms of versatile usability that the core carries - in addition to said rods and its pins - at least one field of straight bristles extending directly from the core in radial outward direction.

Further functions, possibilities, further improvements and advantages are taught by the embodiments which are explained hereinafter on the basis of the figures. LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an inventive applicator, seen frontally from its lateral side.

Figure 2 shows the applicator according to Figure 1 with a view onto its left-hand side, essentially along the longitudinal axis.

Figure 3 shows the applicator according to Figure 1, seen from the front of the distal end along the longitudinal axis.

Figure 4 shows the applicator according to Figure 1 with a view onto its right-hand side, essentially along the longitudinal axis .

Figure 5 shows an enlarged cutout of the distal end of the applicator according to Figure 1.

Figure 6 shows an enlarged cutout of a middle portion of the applicator shown by Figure 1.

Figure 7 shows a second embodiment of an inventive applicator, seen frontally from its lateral side.

Figure 8 shows an enlarged cutout of the distal end of the applicator according to Figure 7.

Fig. 9 shows a front view of the applicator according to Figure

7.

INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIRST EMBODIMENT

Figure 1 gives the best overview over the first inventive embodiment .

THE BASIC PARTS OF THE APPLICATOR 1

The applicator 1 possesses a core 2 which is carrying at least one and usually several application bodies 3, 4. The core 2 extends along a longitudinal axis L. Preferably, each of the application bodies 3, 4 is formed by a rod 3 which itself carries pins 4. As can be clearly seen from Figure 1, this embodiment has a core 2 with a longitudinal axis that is curved, preferably continuously curved in one direction. Moreover, the core 2 is preferably integrally connected with a coupling element 5. In other cases the core can directly merge into a stem (not

depicted) . The coupling element 5, if any, normally serves for coupling the applicator 1 to a stem. The stem itself is

associated with a handle (not depicted) .

THE PARTICULAR DESIGN OPTIONS OF THE ROD 3

As one can see, the rods 3 being a part of the application body 3, 4 are curved in one direction. In most cases the rods are continuously curving. That is clearly preferred since it grants an even application result. However, for some applications it is also possible that each of the rods 3 comprises at least one straight section, or that each of the rods 3 is formed by a number of straight sections being associated with each other, for example like a whereas an integral association is preferred.

In a preferred embodiment, like the one shown here, none of the rods 3 fully wraps the core 2 and none of the rods coils at least one time fully around the core 2. Instead, each of the rods 3 begins here with its one end at the first lateral flank of the core 2, whereas the second end of the rod terminates at the essentially or fully opposite second lateral flank of the core 2, see for example Figure 3. As can be seen here, for this purpose the core 2 may show an essentially or fully polygonal or - preferred - a rectangular cross section. This makes the design most effective. However, minor demanding versions can also have a core 2 with a circular or an oval cross-section. In most cases both ends of the rod 3 are connected to the core 2. Particular embodiments may use - rather seldom - a rod 3 or rods 3 having only one end that is fixed to the core 2, while the other end is free. As far as the rods 3 and the core 2 are interconnected to each other, they are made (preferred) integrally from one single or, maybe, integrally from different polymer materials.

Normally, the core 2 is essentially stiff.

In other embodiments, which are not depicted by this application, the core can have a substantial elasticity. In those cases the elasticity is tuned that way that the distal tip of the core can be moved for at least 3 mm in one direction of the arrow B, under the impact of the regular application forces and without

suffering an irreversible deformation. In so far reference is made to Figure 2 where this is illustrated.

The inventive rods 3 are typically flexible. In most cases the rods can reversibly flex under the influence of the regular application forces laterally back and forth in direction of the core's longitudinal axis L, see Figure 5, double arrow C.

Preferably, this flexing in direction of the longitudinal axis amounts to at least 1 mm, better up to at least 2 mm in one single direction of the arrow C.

The rods can reversibly flex in radial inward direction of the arrow E that is shown by Figure 6 - in most cases additionally to the flexing in longitudinal direction illustrated by Figure 5. That means that the two bending activities in longitudinal and in radial direction can supersede each other.

Preferably, the reversible, fully elastic flexing in radial inward direction is so pronounced that those pins 4 of the outermost crown, which point in radial direction toward the core 2, can be brought into contact with the core 2 by elastically flexing the rod 3 carrying this crown. The flexing of the rod 3 pointed out to this point easily allows to squeeze out cosmetic mass, into a position easy to apply, by doing no more than flexing the rods 3. That means stored cosmetic mass can be made available by flexing those rods which store the cosmetic mass in the interstice between them and the core 2 of the applicator.

It is most effective if the majority or all of the rods 3 have a longitudinal axis LL (see Figures 5 and 6) that is oblique and not parallel to the longitudinal axis L of the core 2. In most cases the longitudinal axis LL of the rods forms a part of a helical line that locally extends around a portion of the core 2.

THE PARTICULAR DESIGN AND ARRANGEMENT OF THE PINS

Preferably, the majority of the rods 3 and in most cases all rods 3 are designed that way that they carry the pins 4, which are assigned to it, in the shape of crowns 7. Preferably, a crown 7 is characterized in that it is formed by pins 4 whose roots are positioned along one and the same circular line around the jacket of the carrying rod 3. This is shown by Figs 5 and 6. In most cases each of the crowns 7 comprises at least 6 pins that extend radially from the rod 3 in different directions. It is a very effective solution if the number of pins per crown 7 is

restricted to 24 pins. It is a preferred embodiment that each of the pins 4 has the shape of a cone with a diameter steadily increasing from the free end of the pin to the root of the pin.

As can be seen best from Figures 5 and 6, a rod 3 of the

inventive type carries a number of pins 4 which extend away, preferably in radial direction, from the rod 3 directly into the interstice 6 between the rod 3 and the core 2. These pins 4 form obstacles that extend into the interstice 6 between the rod 3 and the core 2. That way the pins 4 contribute to increase the amount of cosmetic mass that can firmly be held back "ready for use" between the concerned rod 3 and the core 2 until it is squeezed out for application.

For most application purposes it is an advantage if the outside distance H (see Fig. 6) between two crowns 7 neighbored on one and the same rod is equal to or bigger than the radial extension of the pins 4. The "outside distance H" is the distance two crowns 7 have at the outermost circumference of a rod 3.

In addition, one can see, when contemplating Fig. 3, for example, that the pins 4 of crowns 7 - which are positioned directly subsequent on one and the same rod - span imaginary planes PI and P2, which are inclined toward each other.

A very special design option is illustrated by Fig. 3.

Preferably, each of the crowns 7 formed by the set of pins 4 of the next following rod 3 has a lateral offset to the accordingly positioned crown carried by the preceding rod 3. If one looks at such an embodiment of the inventive applicator, one sees that crowns 7 being positioned subsequently in longitudinal direction of the core 2 form a helical line S extending around the

longitudinal axis of the core 2, see Fig. 3. Between such subsequent crowns 7 grooves 8 are formed that extend helically around the core. Preferably, these grooves extend essentially orthogonally along the longitudinal axis LL of the rods 3.

THE ADDITIONAL BRISTLE COVERING

As already mentioned, essentially no or preferably none of the rods 3 fully extends around the core 2. That way space is left along one side of the core's jacket to provide a regular bristle covering here, formed by bristles 9. These bristles 9 extend preferably in substantially radial direction away from the core's longitudinal axis L. The bristles 9 are preferably injection moulded bristles. With this bristle covering it is possible to pick up and to apply that cosmetic mass that has been squeezed out and transported out of the storage area formed by the inventive rods 3 carrying the pins 4, or the crowns 7 of pins 4.

FURTHER OPTIONS FOR APPLICATION

As can be seen best from Figs. 2 and 4, there can be a separation area 10 between the applicator's area covered by the rods 3 and the applicator's area covered by the regular bristles 9. The separation area preferably has a planar and smooth surface. It is provided to be optionally used as a kind of spatula. That way it can serve for distributing cosmetic mass that has been stored in and squeezed out of the area with the rods 3. As can be seen best from Fig. 2, the separation area 10 can be designed that way that it steadily broadens from the proximal end of the applicator 1 towards the free distal end of the applicator.

Finally, it can be an advantage if the core has a free distal end face which carries preferably a number of rows of conventional bristles 9 which extend parallel to the core's longitudinal axis L, or come close with the longitudinal axis of the core, with an angle of less than 25°. Such additional bristle covering offers the option to perform locally restricted application operations, for example in the sense of correcting or completing the

application area.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

The second embodiment of the invention is shown by Figures 7, 8 and 9.

The second embodiment essentially is identical to the first embodiment so that all details discussed and described for the first embodiment apply for this second embodiment accordingly.

The only differences are those which are highlighted hereinafter.

For the second embodiment of the applicator 1 the core 2 is provided with a very particular design. The core as such has an elongated flat design which comes very close to the design of the spatula. Such a core has two capital flanks 11 and two ancillary flanks 12, all extending along the longitudinal axis of the core. Said elongated flat design of the core can be called "sword-like. As can be seen best from Figure 7, one ancillary flank 12 forms a concave area. This concave area is overspanned by a number of rods 3 which start on one first capital flank 11, and which terminate at the opposite second capital flank 11. The second and opposite ancillary flank 12 carries a number of bristle rows, preferably 2 or 3 bristle rows. Said second ancillary flank 12 can also have at least a slightly concave shape.

As can be seen clearly in Figure 7, for example, the core is waisted that way that it has its smallest average diameter approximately half way between its free distal end and its proximal end transitioning into the coupling 5. It can be an advantage, if the core is designed that way that it can be bent around the bending axis lying in the plane (or parallel thereto) of one of the capital flanks 11, while it cannot be bent around the bending axis lying in the plane of an ancillary flank 12 (or parallel thereto) .

As can be seen clearly in Figures 7 and 8, the distal front is also covered by bristles since the bristle rows covering the second ancillary flank 12 are continued around the distal front, which is preferably fully rounded for that purpose so that it can have the shape of a semi-circle.

As can be clearly seen from Figure 8, the core forms a

significant separation area 10 between the area covered with a rod 3 and the area covered with the regular bristles 9 close to its distal end. As mentioned above, the separation area 10 can be comfortably be used as a spatula for distributing the cosmetic mass over a bigger area. MISCELLANEOUS

Generally, in regard to all embodiments and beyond, it can be said that protection - which is dependent and, as well,

independent from what has been claimed by now - is sought for the following construction, too.

A cosmetic applicator for applying cosmetics to keratin fibers with a core 2 extending along a longitudinal axis and one or more application bodies 3,4 being formed each by a rod 3 carrying pins 4, whereas said rod 3 extends from the core 2, characterized in that the rod 3 carries a number of pins 4 extending away from the rod directly into the interstice between the rod 3 and the core 2, and that one and the same rod 3 is wrapped more than 0.8 times, better more than 2 times and ideally more than 3 times around the core 3.

And in addition there are some options to further improve the construction claimed by now.

Moreover, it is indicated that the construction claimed by now can be improved by tuning the diameters as follows: The maximum average diameter of the core is at least 6 times bigger than the maximum average diameter of a rod, whose maximum average diameter is at least 4 times bigger than the maximum average diameter of a pin .

Moreover, it is indicated that the construction claimed by now can be improved that way that the rod forming it and the pins extending from it are designed like barbed wire.

Moreover, it is indicated that the construction claimed by now can be improved that way that each of the rods 3 encircles the core 2 more than 180°. Moreover, it is indicated that the construction claimed by now can be improved that way that the curvature radius of the constantly curved rod 3 is equal or bigger than the distance H between two neighbored rods .

Moreover, it is indicated that the construction claimed by now can be improved that way that the rod extends over the ancillary flank 12 it overspends, and over the two capital flanks 11 to which it is anchored.

LI ST OF REFRENCE NUMBERS

1 applicator

2 core

3 rod

4 pin

5 coupling element

6 interstice between rod 3 and core 2

7 crown formed by a set of pins 4

8 helical groove

9 bristles of the regular bristle covering

10 separation area

11 capital flank

12 ancillary flank

L longitudinal axis of the core

LL longitudinal axis of a rod

B arrow visualizing the optional bending of the distal end of the core 2 under use

C arrow visualizing the lateral bending of a rod 3

E arrow visualizing the radial bending of a rod 3

S helical line

PI a first imaginary plane spanned by a crown

P2 a second imaginary plane spanned by a crown

H outside distance