# US 12,178,312 B2 · Mascara applicator > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,312 B2 - Document ID: US12178312B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/767,559 - Filed: 2020-10-09 - Published: 2023-01-26 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-10-10 - Assignees: Chanel Parfums Beaute - Applicants: Chanel Parfums Beaute - Inventors: Nicolas Castex - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178312B2 ## CPC - A46B 3/005: {Bristle carriers and bristles moulded as a unit (A46B1/00 takes precedence)} - A45D 40/262: {using a brush or the like} - A46B 9/021: {arranged like in cosmetics brushes, e.g. mascara, nail polish, eye shadow} - A46B 9/028: {Bristle profile, the end of the bristle defining a surface other than a single plane or deviating from a simple geometric form, e.g. cylinder, sphere or cone} - A45D 2200/10: Details of applicators - A46B 2200/1053: Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara - A46B 2200/106: Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara including comb like element - B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - A46B: BRUSHES (handles not integral with brushware B25G) - A45D: HAIRDRESSING OR SHAVING EQUIPMENT (wigs, toupees or the like A41G3/00, A41G5/00; hairdressers' chairs A47C1/04; hair cutting appliances, razors B26B); EQUIPMENT FOR COSMETICS OR COSMETIC TREATMENTS, e.g. FOR MANICURING OR PEDICURING - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract An applicator for mascara having an oblong general shape extending along a main axis, the applicator including at least three branches distributed around the main axis so as to define a cavity between them inside the applicator. The branches extend between a base to which they are connected and a free end of the applicator, which is remote from the base, and are shaped such that the cavity has a form of a surface of revolution around the main axis, said cavity being open by spaces formed between said branches. The branches extend in helical form around the main axis. The invention so developed makes it possible to obtain an applicator for mascara providing high autonomy by virtue of an internal cavity, the general three-dimensional configuration of which provides a good level of flexibility and enables easy application to the eyelashes. ## Claims ### Claim 1 Applicator for mascara having an oblong general shape and extending along a main axis, the applicator comprising: at least three branches distributed around the main axis so as to define a cavity between them inside the applicator, wherein: the branches extend between a base to which they are connected and a free end of the applicator, remote from the base, and are shaped such that the cavity has a form of a surface of revolution around the main axis, said cavity being open by spaces formed between said branches, and said branches extend in helical form around the main axis; the cavity is free of any element connecting the base and the free end of the applicator; and each branch, leaving the base and going towards the free end, progressively diverges from the main axis before coming closer and closer in the vicinity of the free end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) Applicator for mascara according to claim 1, wherein: the branches meet in the vicinity of the free end where they are connected together. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) Applicator for mascara according to claim 1, wherein: the branches are five in number. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) Applicator for mascara according to claim 1, wherein: the branches each comprise, on an outside surface, protrusions extending perpendicularly and radially in relation to the main axis. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) Applicator for mascara according to claim 4, wherein: the protrusions have a length varying along the main axis, the length of the protrusions continuously increasing between the base and a point of the main axis located between said base and the free end of the applicator, and continuously decreasing between said point of the main axis and the free end of the applicator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) Applicator for mascara according to claim 4, wherein: each protrusion of the applicator has a length comprised between 0.2 mm and 2.5 mm. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) Applicator for mascara according to claim 4, wherein: on each branch, the protrusions are aligned in two rows or in three rows between the base and the free end. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) Applicator for mascara according to claim 7, wherein: the protrusions of two adjacent rows are disposed in staggered arrangement. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) Applicator for mascara according to claim 1, wherein: each branch turns, from the base to the free end of the applicator and around the main axis, through an angle comprised between 45° and 90°. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Applicator for mascara according to claim 1, formed from a thermoplastic polymer selected from: polyamide, polyacrylamide, and polyetherketoneketone. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) Applicator for mascara according to claim 1 formed by additive manufacturing by thermoplastic polymer powder bed fusion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) Applicator for mascara according to claim 1, wherein: each branch turns, from the base to the free end of the applicator and around the main axis, through an angle comprised between 55° and 75°.