Shape memory polymer mascara brush
AssigneeELC Management LLC
InventorWilliam R. Bickford
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A mascara brush includes bristles made from shape memory polymer (SMP) filaments. The SMP filaments are selected to exhibit a first shape during assembly of the brush, and a second shape after exposure to an external stimulus in the form of heat or other energy. During assembly, the SMP filaments are clamped between wire segments twisted to form a core. The first shape can be straight to facilitate assembly of the fibers in the wire core. The second shape, after assembly in the core and after being subjected to the external stimulus, can be any bristle shape suitable for enhancing the function of the brush, e.g., kinked, wavy or coiled. The brush head may be made solely of SMP filaments, or may be a blend of SMP filaments and any other suitable filament (e.g., nylon, natural plant or animal fibers, etc.).
Claims11
A mascara brush comprising:
- a core formed by lengths of metallic wire helically twisted together;
- and
- a bristle portion having a plurality of bristles extending radially from the core, pairs of the bristles being formed by discrete filaments which are gripped medially of their outer ends by the twisted lengths of wire, and at least some of the filaments are shape memory polymer filaments adapted to have a first programmed configuration during assembly of the bristle portion, and a second pre-determined configuration in response to an external stimulus applied subsequent to assembly of the bristle portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.