# US 2014/0150817 A1 · Cleaning Tool For Personal Care Applicator

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- Number: US 2014/0150817 A1
- Document ID: US20140150817A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/768,589
- Filed: 2013-02-15
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-07-15
- Assignees: ELC Management LLC
- Inventors: Herve F. Bouix; Francis Corbellini; William Robert Bickford
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140150817A1

## CPC

- A46B 17/06: Devices for cleaning brushes after use
- A45D 40/00: Casings or accessories specially adapted for storing or handling solid or pasty toiletry or cosmetic substances, e.g. shaving soaps or lipsticks (features common to containers for handling powdery or liquid toiletry or cosmetic substances A45D33/00-A45D37/00; cosmetic or like preparations A61K8/00, A61Q; sample tables or the like G09F5/00)
- B08B 1/165: {Scrapers}
- A45D 40/262: {using a brush or the like}
- A45D 2040/0006: {Accessories}
- A46B 2200/1053: Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara
- 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
- B08B: CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL

## Abstract

A tool for cleaning a personal care applicator, particularly an applicator for a product that is subject to dry out. In some embodiments, the invention is implemented as a reusable cleaning tool. In other embodiments, the invention is implemented as a disposable, single-use or limited use cleaning tool. The tool comprises a relatively flat body having first and second exterior surfaces, and one or more cleaning regions that extend through the body. As an applicator is drawn through the cleaning region, dried out product is scraped off the applicator.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tool for cleaning an applicator head comprising:
a body that has one or more exterior surfaces;
at least one cleaning region that is 2 mm-20 mm wide, and that is able to move relative to the applicator head, the cleaning region comprising:
a passageway that has:
a first end that opens up onto a first portion of the one or more exterior surfaces, and
a second end that opens up onto a second portion of the one or more exterior surfaces,
wherein the first and second portions are parallel to each other and separated by an outer edge of the body; and
4-64 inwardly directed projections that extend into the passageway,
wherein the passage way opens up along its length onto the outer edge of the body, the opening being defined by an angle that is 15° to 90°.

### Claim 2

(canceled)

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tool of claim 1 where in the projections are triangular and have a length of 2 mm-10 mm and a thickness of 0.5 mm-10 mm.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The tool of claim 3 wherein the projections are tapered.

### Claim 5

(canceled)

### Claim 6 (depends on 2)

A tool according to claim 2 wherein the body is made of paper having a grammage of at least 100 g/m2 and a single ply thickness of 0.25 mm-5 mm.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The tool of claim 6 further comprising a set of two complementary cleaning regions, the first cleaning region on one side of a fold line and a second cleaning region on the other side of the fold line, such that when the body is folded along the fold line, the complementary cleaning regions are adjacent, and form a composite cleaning region that has a composite passageway that extends through the body.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The tool of claim 7 wherein the fold line is a crease in the paper body.

### Claim 9 (depends on 7)

The tool of claim 7 where in the projections are triangular and have a length of 2 mm-10 mm and a thickness of 0.25 mm-5 mm.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The tool of claim 7 wherein, after folding, the composite passage way opens up onto the fold line, the opening being defined by an angle that is 15° to 90°.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The tool of claim 7 that has from 1-10 sets of complementary cleaning regions.

### Claim 12 (depends on 7)

The tool of claim 7 wherein the inwardly directed projections of the first cleaning region are not the same size and shape as the inwardly directed projections of the second cleaning region.

### Claim 13 (depends on 6)

A single sheet of paper comprising more than one paper cleaning tool according to claim 6.

### Claim 14 (depends on 6)

The cleaning tool of claim 6 wherein the paper is surface treated.

### Claim at position 15

15-16. (canceled)