Cosmetic applicator with separate brush and molded applicator structures

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator comprising an applicator member at a distal end of a stem. The applicator member includes a twisted wire brush portion formed by securing a plurality of bristles between a pair of intertwisted wire segments of the twisted wire core and a molded brush portion for application of a cosmetic or a care product and arrangement of the hair, eyebrows or eyelashes. In one aspect the molded applicator member includes an arm which is curved both in a longitudinal axis and in a horizontal axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, at least along a length of the arm. In another aspect the twisted wire core has a looped configuration where the molded brush portion is sleeved on the twisted wire core.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An applicator assembly for applying a substance to a keratinous surface comprising:
 a container for holding the substance;   an applicator comprising a stem and an applicator head arranged along a longitudinal axis, the applicator head comprising:   a shank;   a first applicator member comprising one or more lumens,   a second applicator member comprising a plurality of bristles supported by, and extending radially from, a core, wherein the core is connected with and extends from the shank in a distal direction, wherein the core extends through the lumen to connect the first applicator member with the shank and the second applicator member; and   a reservoir portion formed between the first applicator member and the second applicator member, wherein a portion of the plurality of bristles extends into the reservoir portion, and wherein a portion of the substance is releasable held in the reservoir and on surfaces of the portion of the bristles.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first applicator member is elastically deformable. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a wiper arranged to surround the stem when the applicator is in an inserted configuration, and to contact an outer surface of the applicator head when the applicator is drawn from the container into a deployed configuration, wherein, when the applicator is moved from the inserted to the deployed configuration, the portion of the substance remains in the reservoir. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein, when the applicator head is in contact with the wiper, the first applicator member is moved toward the second applicator member. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the core comprises two twisted wires and wherein the plurality of bristles are captured between the twisted wires. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first applicator member comprises two lumens, a first lumen proximal of the reservoir and a second lumen distal of the reservoir, wherein the core extends from the stem and passes through the first and second lumens. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the shank comprises a locking member connected with the core and wherein the locking member is inserted into the first lumen. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first lumen comprises a first engaging feature in its inner surface and the locking member comprises a second engaging feature on its outer surface, wherein engagement between the first and second locking features fixes the first applicator member with the second applicator member. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second engaging features comprise and annular groove and an annular bead or vice versa. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein a distal end of the core extends through the second lumen, and wherein the distal end of the core is fixed with the second lumen by glue or by an interference fit. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first applicator member comprises a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface, the concave inner surface forming a wall of the reservoir. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first applicator member has a cross section between the first and second lumens and transverse to the longitudinal axis that is V-shaped or C-shaped. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first applicator member comprises a cylindrical support body and a plurality of teeth extending radially outward from the support body, and wherein the lumen comprises a passage through the axis of the support body. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the core forms a loop, wherein ends of the core are connected with the shank, and wherein the reservoir is formed inside the loop. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein portions of the plurality of bristles and portions of the plurality of the teeth extend into the reservoir. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 14 , wherein a portion of the bristles of the second applicator member are disposed at a distal extremity of the loop. 
     
     
         17 . An applicator head for applying a substance to a keratinous surface comprising:
 a shank;   a twisted wire brush, a proximal end of the brush connected with the shank, the brush extending from the shank in a distal direction, the brush comprised of two twisted wires and a plurality of bristles captured between the twisted wires and extending radially outward from the twisted wires;   a molded applicator member, a proximal end of the applicator member connected with the shank, the applicator member extending from the shank substantially in the distal direction, wherein the applicator member comprises
 a convex outer surface, 
 a concave inner surface forming a concavity, and 
 a hole near a distal end of the applicator member, 
   wherein a distal end of the twisted wires is engaged with the hole,   wherein a portion of the bristles extend into the concavity, and   wherein the concavity forms a reservoir for holding the substance.   
     
     
         18 . The applicator head of  claim 17 , wherein the molded applicator member further comprises a substantially longitudinally straight portion extending distally from the shank and a curving hood at the distal end, wherein the curving hood crosses the longitudinal axis of the applicator. 
     
     
         19 . The applicator head of  claim 17 , wherein the concavity extends radially around a portion of the wire brush between more than 40% coverage and less than 50% about a circumference of the brush. 
     
     
         20 . An applicator head for applying a substance to a keratinous surface comprising:
 a shank;   a twisted wire brush, the brush comprised of two twisted wires and a plurality of bristles captured between the twisted wires and extending radially outward from the twisted wires along first portion of the twisted wires; and   a molded applicator member, the applicator member comprised of a cylindrical support body, a lumen formed through the axis of the support body, and a plurality of teeth extending from an outer surface of the support body, the applicator member surrounding a second portion of the twisted wires,   wherein both ends of the twisted wires are fixed to a distal end of the shank,   wherein the twisted wires are formed into a loop,   wherein the loop forms a reservoir for holding the substance.