Applicator brush

Abstract

The invention is an applicator brush with an elongate stem extending from a cap. A tuft of elongate bristles extend from a bristle end of the stem and at least a portion of the elongate bristles have substantially rectovular cross sections.

1 . An applicator brush for use in applying substances to a surface, the applicator brush comprising an elongate stem and a tuft of elongate bristles projecting from an opening adjacent a bristle end of the stem, wherein at least a substantial portion of the elongate bristles have substantially rectovular cross sections.  
   
   
       2 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein major sides of a substantial portion of the bristles are aligned generally parallel to a major axis of the stem.  
   
   
       3 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the opening opens to a blind bore within the stem and the tuft comprises bristles folded about a staple disposed in the bore.  
   
   
       4 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the tuft comprises from about 200 to about 220 bristles.  
   
   
       5 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the tuft comprises from about 400 to about 440 bristle ends.  
   
   
       6 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the opening opens to a socket within the stem with a rectovular cross section along at least a substantial portion of its length.  
   
   
       7 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the opening opens to a socket within the stem which has a substantially hybrid rectangular and ovular cross section along at least a substantial portion of its length.  
   
   
       8 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein a major axis of the opening is substantially parallel to a major axis of the stem and a major axis of the tuft of bristles.  
   
   
       9 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the tuft has a rectovular cross section.  
   
   
       10 . The applicator brush of  claim 9 , wherein the tuft cross section corresponds substantially to that of the opening.  
   
   
       11 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the rectovular cross sections of at least part of the bristles are substantially rectangular in cross section.  
   
   
       12 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the rectovular cross sections of the bristles are substantially ovular cross sections.  
   
   
       13 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the tuft has a packing factor greater than about 0.85.  
   
   
       14 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein at least a substantial portion of the bristles have a substantially rectangular cross section with major sides with lengths from about 2.5 mils to about 4 mils and minor sides with lengths from about 1.5 mils to about 3 mils.  
   
   
       15 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the stem has a substantially oval cross section.  
   
   
       16 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles have major axes and greater than about 90% of the bristles are oriented such that the major axes of the bristles are substantially parallel.  
   
   
       17 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate stem extends from a cap with the opening spaced from the cap substantially by the length of the stem.  
   
   
       18 . The applicator brush of  claim 17 , further comprising a container of the substance attached to the cap such that the tuft of bristles is retained submerged in the substance.  
   
   
       19 . An applicator brush, the applicator brush comprising an elongate stem and a tuft of elongate bristles with substantially rectangular cross sections projecting from an opening in the stem adjacent a bristle end thereof, wherein the opening opens into a socket within the stem and the bristles are folded about a staple disposed within the socket, and further wherein the bristles have major axes and a substantial portion of the bristles are oriented such that the major axes of the bristles are substantially parallel.  
   
   
       20 . The applicator brush of  claim 17 , wherein the socket has a substantially rectovular cross section.  
   
   
       21 . An applicator brush for applying substances to a fingernail, the applicator brush comprising a tuft of elongate, generally aligned bristles including a plurality of bristles with generally rectangular cross sections arranged in generally parallel relationship along their major axes and wherein the tuft of bristles projects from an opening in a bristle end of a stem, whereby flaring of the tuft of bristles is limited during application of the substance to a fingernail.  
   
   
       22 . The applicator brush of  claim 19 , wherein tuft of bristles and the opening have elongate cross sections.