Applicator brush

Abstract

An applicator brush with an elongate stem. A tuft of elongate bristles extend from a bristle end of the stem and at least a portion of the elongate bristles have substantially triangular 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 with substantially triangular cross sections projecting from an opening adjacent a bristle end of the stem which opens to a blind bore within the stem, wherein the bristles are folded about a staple disposed in the bore. 
   
   
       2 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein one side of each 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 one side of each of a substantial portion of the bristles are aligned generally parallel to a major axis of the staple. 
   
   
       4 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the tuft comprises from about 400 to about 440 bristle ends. 
   
   
       5 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the blind bore has a rectovular cross section along at least a substantial portion of its length. 
   
   
       6 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the blind bore has a substantially hybrid rectangular and ovular cross section along at least a substantial portion of its length. 
   
   
       7 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the tuft has a generally rectovular cross section. 
   
   
       8 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the tuft has a generally circular cross section. 
   
   
       9 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the tuft has a packing factor greater than about 0.85. 
   
   
       10 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein at least a substantial portion of the bristles have a substantially equilateral triangular cross section with a width selected from a range of about 1 mil to about 4 mils. 
   
   
       11 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the stem has a substantially rectovular cross section. 
   
   
       12 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the bristles are arranged in a plurality of substantially quadrilateral rows having substantially parallel major axes. 
   
   
       13 . 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. 
   
   
       14 . The applicator brush of  claim 13 , further comprising a container of the substance attached to the cap such that the tuft of bristles is retained submerged in the substance. 
   
   
       15 . The applicator brush of  claim 1 , wherein the brush is a nail polish applicator brush for applying nail polish to the surface of a fingernail. 
   
   
       16 . An applicator brush for use in applying substances to a surface, the applicator brush comprising an elongate stem and a tuft of elongate bristles with substantially equilateral substantially triangular cross sections projecting from an opening in the stem adjacent a bristle end thereof. 
   
   
       17 . The applicator brush of  claim 16 , wherein the socket has a substantially rectovular cross section. 
   
   
       18 . The applicator brush of  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the stem has a substantially rectovular cross section. 
   
   
       19 . The applicator brush of  claim 16 , wherein the bristles have a width selected from a range of about 1 mil to about 4 mils. 
   
   
       20 . 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 triangular cross sections arranged in at least two quadrilateral rows having generally parallel 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.