Applicator Having a Microstructured Surface

Abstract

The invention relates to a bristle carrier and bristles ( 1 ) formed thereon, the surface of the bristles ( 1 ) being microstructured at least in segments, in that a plurality of grains ( 2, 3 ) protrude haphazardly from the bristle core ( 4 ) in the region of the microstructured surface and are connected to the bristle core ( 4 ) only along less than 40%, preferably less than 35% of the outer surface thereof, and comprise an average diameter (ØM 1 , ØM 2 ) of less than or equal to 125 μm, preferably less than or equal to 90 μm.

1 . An applicator having a bristle carrier and bristles ( 1 ) formed thereon, characterized in that the surface of the bristles ( 1 ) is microstructured at least in segments, in that a plurality of grains ( 2 ,  3 ) protrude haphazardly from the bristle core ( 4 ) in the region of the microstructured surface and are connected to the bristle core ( 4 ) only along less than 40%, preferably less than 35% of the outer surface thereof, and comprising an average diameter (ØM 1 , ØM 2 ) of less than or equal to 125 μm, preferably less than or equal to 90 μm. 
     
     
         2 . An applicator having a cosmetic application surface,
 characterized in that the cosmetic application surface is microstructured at least in segments, in that a plurality of grains ( 2 ,  3 ) protrude haphazardly from the cosmetic application surface in the region of the microstructured surface and are connected to the cosmetic application surface only along less than 40%, preferably less than 35% of the outer surface thereof, and comprising an average diameter (ØM 1 , ØM 2 ) of less than or equal to 125 μm, preferably less than or equal to 90 μm.   
     
     
         3 . The applicator according to  claim 1  or  2 ,
 characterized in that the grains ( 2 ,  3 ) comprise first grains ( 2 ) or are made entirely of first grains ( 2 ) having an average diameter (ØM 1 ) of at least 30 μm and preferably at least 40 μm. 
 
     
     
         4 . The applicator according to any one of the  claims 1  through  3 , characterized in that a plurality of second grains ( 3 ) are haphazardly distributed between or on the first grains ( 2 ) and protrude from the bristle core ( 4 ) according to  claim 1  and/or in a corresponding manner from the first grains ( 2 ), and the average diameter (ØM 2 ) thereof is less than or equal to 30 μm, preferably less than or equal to 25 μm. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator according to any one of the  claims 1  through  4 , characterized in that the bristle surface comprises in any case an area of 1 mm 2  at which at least 5, preferably at least 8 first grains ( 2 ) protrude as described above. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator according to any one of the  claims 1  through  5 , characterized in that an undercut ( 5 ) is present at least locally, preferably of at least 70% all around, between the point at which a first grain ( 2 ) is connected to the bristle core ( 4 ) along the circumference thereof and the maximum circumference (Max) of the first grain ( 2 ) protruding outward. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator according to  claim 6 ,
 characterized in that on an area of 1 mm 2 , a plurality of grains ( 2 ) having an undercut and directly adjacent to each other are present, and the grains ( 2 ) do not touch each other, but rather the least distance (KA) between said grains occurs above the region (B) at which said grains are bonded to the bristle core—substantially as seen in the radial direction (R)—from which point the distance between said grains increases until the region (B) at which said grains are bonded to the bristle core ( 4 ).   
     
     
         8 . The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least 30% of the free surface of the microstructured bristle segment is present in the region of a radial undercut ( 5 ). 
     
     
         9 . The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristle carrier comprises a free surface in a region without bristles, between surrounding bristles, and is microstructured at least in segments, in that a plurality of first grains protrude from the bristle core in the region of the microstructured surface and are connected to the bristle core along less than 40%, preferably less than 30%, of the outer surface thereof, and comprise an average diameter of less than or equal to 125 μm, preferably less than or equal to 90 μm. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator core or bristle carrier is an injection-molded plastic part or a metal part without bristles or having bristle stubs, having bristles applied thereto in layers. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator according to  claim 9 ,
 characterized in that part of the bristles are injection-molded bristles between which additional bristles have been installed subsequently by means of a primary layer forming process.   
     
     
         12 . An applicator, preferably according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrying proportion of the edge layer of the applicator is 50% measured down to a depth of 2/10 mm and preferably to a depth of 4/10 mm. 
     
     
         13 . A method for producing an applicator according to  claim 10 , characterized in that an applicator core or bristle carrier is produced as an injection-molded part and subjected to a treatment and preferably a corona treatment prior to applying the bristles in layers, said treatment increasing the surface tension of said applicator or bristle carrier and preferably set up for increasing the polar portion of the surface tension. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 10 , characterized in that the surface tension of the material of said applicator core or bristle carrier is adjusted to be greater than the surface tension of the material being applied.