Cosmetics and mascara brushes with multi-fiber bristles

Abstract

Cosmetics brushes particularly suitable for applying mascara include a plurality of multi-fiber bristles deployed extending from a core, at least some of the multi-fiber bristles including a plurality of individual fibers in supportive interengagement. In one embodiment, a central support fiber has smaller and less stiff additional fibers braided or woven thereabout. The additional fibers may themselves be braided bundles of microfiber. In another embodiment, thin fibers are constrained and supported within a hollow support fiber, which may be a fiber with a C-shaped cross section and an entry slot to the hollow central portion. In another embodiment, a spiral support fiber is spirally wound around a plurality of smaller diameter fibers. In a further embodiment, a plurality of fibers are braided together to form a multi-fiber bristle, and some of the fibers may be bundles of microfibers. In these cosmetics brushes, fibers may be selected and mixed to achieve desired performance.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A cosmetics brush for applying mascara or other cosmetics, comprising a plurality of multi-fiber bristles deployed extending from a core, at least some of the multi-fiber bristles comprising a plurality of individual fibers in supportive interengagement.  
     
     
         2 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of individual fibers comprises at least two different kinds of fibers.  
     
     
         3 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of individual fibers includes fibers of different diameters.  
     
     
         4 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of individual fibers includes some fibers that are stiffer than other fibers.  
     
     
         5 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 4  wherein the plurality of individual fibers includes fibers of different diameters.  
     
     
         6 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of individual fibers includes a central support fiber and a plurality of smaller diameter, less stiff additional fibers that are braided or woven about the central support fiber.  
     
     
         7 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 6  wherein tip ends of the smaller diameter and less stiff additional fibers are deployed adjacent the tip ends of the central support fiber.  
     
     
         8 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 7  wherein the central support fiber is a polymer fiber with a diameter in the range of 0.003 to 0.012 inches.  
     
     
         9 . A mascara brush as defined in  claim 8  wherein the smaller diameter and less stiff fibers comprise bundles of microfiber.  
     
     
         10 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 9  wherein the smaller diameter and less stiff fibers have a diameter in the range of 0.0005 to 0.0015 inches.  
     
     
         11 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least some of the multi-fiber bristles comprise a hollow support fiber and a plurality of smaller fibers constrained and supported within the hollow support fiber.  
     
     
         12 . A mascara brush as defined in  claim 11  wherein the hollow support fiber is a fiber with a C-shaped cross section having a slot opening into the hollow center thereof, and the smaller fibers are engaged and supported therein.  
     
     
         13 . A mascara brush as defined in  claim 11  wherein the hollow support fiber is a polymer fiber having a diameter in the range of 0.005 to 0.020 inches.  
     
     
         14 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 13  wherein the smaller fibers have diameters of 0.001 inches or less.  
     
     
         15 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 1  wherein the multi-fiber comprise a spiral support fiber and a plurality of smaller diameter fibers surrounded and supported by the spiral support fiber.  
     
     
         16 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 1  wherein the multi-fiber bristles comprise a plurality of fibers braided together.  
     
     
         17 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 16  wherein the fibers that are braided together include different kinds of fibers.  
     
     
         18 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 17  wherein some of the fibers are stiffer than other of the fibers.  
     
     
         19 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 18  wherein some of the fibers comprise bundles of microfibers.  
     
     
         20 . A cosmetics brush as defined in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the fibers of the multi-fiber bristles is a relatively stiff support fiber and others of the fibers of the multi-fiber bristle are less stiff and are deployed in supportive interengagement with the support fiber.