EP3568041B1 - Applicator with brushes elastically supported on special leaf spring elements - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an applicator according to the preamble of claim 1.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

In the case of cosmetic applicators in particular, there is a great need to be able to control the loading of the bristle set with the cosmetic over a wide range.

In order to achieve such a control, the bristle facing is usually used as such. There are bristles of different lengths, a locally different density of the bristle facing or the bristle facing is given a specific trim by subsequent trimming or grinding.

A further approach has already been proposed. So are from the DE 202014102875 already known applicators that have wings from which bristles protrude. The wings are pivotably mounted on a central core by means of a film hinge and, when the pressure on the wing is appropriate, can be articulated closer to the core by folding around the film hinge and pivoting onto the core.

In practice, these wings often have the disadvantage that their exact position cannot be determined. In not a few cases, the wings protrude further from the core of the applicator when new than after a longer period of use. That means nothing else than that the geometric Do not allow the shape of the applicator and thus its application behavior to be precisely and permanently defined. So there are certain compromises to be made with regard to the repeatability of the order behavior. Further cosmetic applicators are, for example, from the publications WO 2010/135052 A2 , FR 2056 581 A1 , WO2012 / 085398 A2 , EP 1 593 320 A1 or FR 2 982 466 A1 known.

THE PROBLEM UNDERLYING THE INVENTION

This problem is solved by providing a cosmetic applicator according to claim 1. On the other hand, there is a need for an applicator whose load can be varied quite well by being pulled through the applicator at an angle or with lateral pressure, and which, on the other hand, always retains its predefined geometric shape, even after a long period of use possesses and with which preferably not inconsiderable forces can be applied without deforming the applicator in an uncontrolled manner, for example when combing or curling the hairline or the eyelashes.

THE SOLUTION ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION (MAIN ASPECTS)

According to the invention, a cosmetic applicator is proposed with a finger support extending along a longitudinal axis forming the imaginary applicator center. The finger support extends between an applicator tip, which preferably forms the distal end part, and a stem section, which preferably forms the proximal end part. The applicator tip is uninterrupted and preferably forms a substantially or better completely cylindrical element. The finger support is integrally connected to the proximal and distal end parts. According to the invention, the finger support consists of two, preferably at least three, leaf spring elements grouped eccentrically, but symmetrically to one another around the free applicator center. This means that the applicator center is not filled with material, but is in fact free. The leaf spring elements have fingers on their outside. The applicator tip and the handle attachment are connected exclusively via the leaf spring elements. The leaf spring elements are elastic in such a way that the applicator tip can be deflected by at least 5 mm in the radial direction under the influence of a force acting on one side in the radial direction between 0.1 N and 1 N without one of the leaf spring elements crumpling or buckling, i.e. collapsing. Each of the leaf spring elements thus deforms elastically, but retains its cross-sectional shape as such.

According to the invention, the cross section of the leaf spring elements in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator has the shape of a triangle which is oriented such that the triangle with a point comes closest to the center of the applicator. Shows the cross-section has the shape of such a triangle, this has the decisive advantage that the leaf spring element as such always remains dimensionally stable. This means that the leaf spring element can indeed deform, but no uncontrolled collapse of the leaf spring element can occur. At the same time, however, the leaf spring element is also sufficiently flexible, because it is very slim on its inside due to the tip present there and therefore only opposes a bending in the radial direction with a reduced geometrical moment of inertia. On the other hand, a leaf spring element designed in this way has as large an area as possible for fastening bristles on its outer surface located on the outer circumference. Because of this, each leaf spring element can carry a bristle facing which is demanding from an application point of view and which consists of more than just one row of bristles.

PREFERRED DESIGN POSSIBILITIES

The flank surfaces of each leaf spring element, which run in the radial direction, are preferably flat when viewed in the radial direction. This makes it much easier to shape the applicator, since the movable cores that define the free spaces between the leaf spring elements are particularly easy to pull.

It is advantageous if each leaf spring element is curved convexly outward on its radially outer surface in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the applicator. This results in an advantageous course of the leaf spring elements and the bristle facing they carry, so that the bristle facing can be applied particularly sensitively.

In all of this, it is particularly favorable if each leaf spring element is located on its radially outer surface is convexly curved in the circumferential direction outward. This results in a particularly good application behavior of the applicator if it is used to perform slight rotary movements around the longitudinal axis L of the applicator during application.

Ideally, the material-free space within the envelope around the bristle-bearing surface of the leaf spring elements makes up at least 20%, better at least 30% and ideally at least 40% of the space enclosed by the envelope. The imaginary envelope curve is that curve or the imaginary body that most closely surrounds the arrangement of the leaf spring elements by nestling against their outer surface, if one imagines the bristles away - that is, it is assumed that the leaf spring elements do not have any bristles.

Such an arrangement not only gives the leaf spring elements a large amount of freedom of movement. Rather, such an arrangement has the great advantage that a considerable amount of cosmetic mass can be stored in the interior of the applicator between the leaf spring elements, of which at least a noticeable portion can be released by deformation of the applicator and then used during application.

It is particularly favorable if the leaf spring elements keep a distance from the imaginary longitudinal axis L of the applicator over their entire length or at least over their predominant length.

In the context of a preferred embodiment it is provided that each of the leaf spring elements comprises a plurality of rows of fingers each in alignment in the direction of the longitudinal axis. This will make every Leaf spring element enabled to function as an independent application element.

It can make sense to provide adjacent leaf spring elements with different fill densities or fill patterns.

Ideally, all leaf spring elements are occupied differently. In this way the user can vary slightly.

In the case of an applicator equipped with three leaf spring elements, by rotating it through 120 ° in each case, it can use a differently designed trim and thus achieve very different results.

But that's not all. The applicator according to the invention offers other important variation possibilities for creative use. Because the user can make use of the very different wiping behavior here: If she pulls the applicator according to the invention at a slight angle and / or with pressure to one side through the wiper so that the leaf spring element, which has the densest bristle facing, is closest to the wiper lip comes into contact, then it receives a significantly different wiping and application result than when it pulls the applicator according to the invention through the wiper in such a way that the leaf spring element, which has the lightest bristle facing, comes into closest contact with the wiper lip. The applicator according to the invention is thus characterized in that it promotes creativity to a particularly high degree.

It has proven to be particularly favorable if the fingers of a row are at least predominantly in each case directly at the level of the middle of the space between two successive fingers of the immediately adjacent row are arranged. This results in a set of bristles which behaves particularly homogeneously even with significant elastic deformation of the leaf spring elements.

In some cases it is particularly advantageous if the length of the individual fingers 7 of the leaf spring elements is the same everywhere. In the majority of applications, however, it is advantageous if the length of the fingers increases in the direction of the center of the leaf spring elements and, viewed from the center, decreases towards at least one, preferably both ends of the leaf spring elements.

In order to influence the flexibility behavior of the cosmetic applicator in a particularly advantageous manner, the cosmetic applicator preferably consists of at least two different plastic materials. Ideally, the leaf spring elements each consist at least partially, preferably predominantly, in some cases completely, of a softer or more flexible plastic material than the proximal and distal end parts, which hold the leaf spring elements together at their ends - preferably like a clamp that holds the ends of the leaf spring elements firmly together .

Ideally, the applicator consists of a one-piece, single-material base part made of plastic. This base part can in turn consist of the proximal and distal end parts and in each case at least one section of the later leaf spring elements. As a rule, said section already connects the proximal and distal end parts in one piece and in one material. A layer consisting of another plastic, which forms the fingers, can be molded or molded onto the base part produced in this way or its sections, which belong to the later leaf spring elements.

Ideally, the applicator tip not only forms the clamp for the leaf spring elements, but also a solid application section, which is preferably not covered with bristles. It is particularly favorable here if the applicator tip forms a spherical cap, an elliptical cap or one half of a peanut shell cut perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.

Further design options, advantages and modes of operation emerge from the following description of the exemplary embodiments on the basis of the figures.

FIGURE LIST

• The Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of an applicator according to the invention.
• The Figure 1A shows schematically the deformation behavior of an applicator according to the invention.
• The Figure 2 shows a perspective side view of the first embodiment of the applicator according to the invention seen obliquely from the handle section.
• The Figure 3 shows another side view of the first embodiment of the applicator according to the invention.
• The Figure 4 shows a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator according to FIG Figure 3 halfway between the applicator tip and the stem section.
• The Figure 5 shows the applicator according to Figure 3 frontal from the front.
• The Figure 6 shows a central longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis L through that of Figure 5 shown applicator, seen from below.
• The Figure 7 shows a perspective side view of a second embodiment of the applicator according to the invention seen obliquely from the handle section.
• The Figure 8 shows a side view of the applicator according to FIG Figure 7 .
• The Figure 9 shows a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L of the applicator according to FIG Figure 8 halfway between the applicator tip and the stem section.
• The Figure 10 shows the applicator according to Figure 7 frontal from the front.
• The Figure 11 shows a central longitudinal section along the longitudinal axis L through that of Figure 10 shown applicator, seen from below.
• The Figure 12 shows a single finger, as it is preferably used to form a finger patch in the applicator according to the invention.
• The Figure 13 each shows a single finger in the form of a lamella and in the form of a disc segment.

EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS FIRST EXAMPLE

The Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment.

The applicator as a whole

The applicator 1 consists of a distal end part 2 and a proximal end part 3. The proximal end part 3 is preferably designed as a coupling 8 for directly coupling the applicator to a handle or for directly coupling the applicator to a handle, in particular to a handle that has a lock trains.

According to the invention, the proximal end part and the distal end part are connected to one another exclusively by the leaf spring elements 4. As can be seen from the figures, this means that there is no rod extending along the central longitudinal axis of the applicator and no core extending along the central longitudinal axis of the applicator, which connects the proximal end part 3 and the distal end part 2 to one another. Instead, the applicator according to the invention is as a rule “hollow” in the area of the leaf spring elements along the longitudinal axis L.

It is particularly preferred if the proximal end part and the distal end part each have an extension between 3 mm and 8 mm, better just 6 mm, in the direction of the longitudinal axis L.

As can be seen from the figures, the free end face of the distal end part can be a flat surface. Instead, a rounding can also be provided here, for example in the form of a spherical cap, an elliptical cap or half a peanut. In some cases, it can also be beneficial to provide this rounding as an additional application surface without bristles. Flocking can be attached here.

The leaf spring elements

It is particularly preferred if the leaf spring elements 4 viewed in the circumferential direction symmetrically, ie. H. are arranged fully symmetrically or following a regular pattern.

The width of the leaf spring elements 4 viewed in the circumferential direction is preferably constant over the entire length of the leaf spring elements 4 (viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis L). For special applications, however, there may be a different width that varies depending on the position along the longitudinal axis L. It can be particularly advantageous if the width of the leaf spring elements 4 is reduced from their articulation points on the proximal end part 3 and on the distal end part 2 towards the center of the leaf spring element 4.

The same applies analogously to the thickness of the leaf spring elements 4 viewed in the radial direction. Here it is also preferable that the thickness remains constant over the entire length of the leaf spring elements 4 (viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis L). For special applications, however, it can also be useful here if the thickness is different depending on the position along the longitudinal axis L. It can be particularly advantageous if the thickness of the leaf spring elements 4 is reduced from their articulation points on the proximal end part 3 and on the distal end part 2 towards the center of the leaf spring element 4.

Preferably, each of the leaf spring elements has a finger patch, which will be explained in more detail later. Each of the leaf spring elements is flexible in itself. The flexibility is such that the distal end part 2 can be deflected by a path W of at least 10 mm under the influence of a force between 0.1 N and 1 N, as is the case with the Figure 1A shows. In this way, an applicator which is particularly flexible in the direction transverse to the longitudinal axis L is obtained with the aid of the leaf spring elements. Its loading can be controlled - in a new way - by pulling the applicator slightly at an angle through the scraper if necessary. What is special about the applicator is that it remains dimensionally stable during application and is therefore particularly well suited for combing a set of hair, such as an eyelash arch.

The Figure 3 shows a further side view of the first embodiment. The Figure 4 FIG. 13 shows a front view of one along the line in FIG Figure 3 shown axis AA cut applicator.

Here you can see very well which preferred cross-sectional shape the individual leaf spring elements have.

As can be seen, the leaf spring elements are not provided as elements with a cup-shaped cross-section, i. H. with a cross-section in which the radial distance between the outer surface and the inner surface is at least substantially constant everywhere (if the fingers are disregarded) and in which the surface facing the inside of the applicator is consequently concave. Because such a bowl-shaped cross-section, if it is made thin-walled, may have very good elasticity. Such a cup-shaped cross-section buckles too quickly when it is loaded in the radial direction, i. H. it collapses prematurely, whereupon the applicator assumes an undefined shape until the end of the load.

According to the invention, the leaf spring elements have a triangular cross-sectional shape in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. The two flanks each extending (completely or essentially) in the radial direction Because of this, leaf spring elements run towards one another in a radially inward direction. They meet at their maximally radially inward point, which is called vertex 6 here. The two flanks 5 of a leaf spring element extending in the radial direction are preferably straight in the radial direction and therefore have no curvature in the radial direction. It is particularly preferred if the facing flanks of two immediately adjacent leaf spring elements extending in the radial direction do not run parallel to one another, but rather in such a way that the distance between them becomes smaller in the radially inward direction towards the longitudinal axis L.

The circumferential surface of the leaf spring element 4, viewed in the circumferential direction, preferably has a convex shape, that is to say it is curved inward toward the longitudinal axis L. Usually, the circumferential surface of the leaf spring element 4 also has a convex shape as seen in the direction along the longitudinal axis L. This results in a particularly favorable elastic deformation behavior. However, this advantageous embodiment is not absolutely essential. For special applications, the leaf spring elements can also be folded outwardly or inwardly in a V-shape, or the peripheral surface of a leaf spring element has a concave curvature in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

The maximum radius R of the applicator in the area of its leaf spring elements, which is usually halfway between the handle section and the tip, is preferably up to a maximum of 15 mm, better only to a maximum of 10 mm, cf. Fig. 4 .

How to use the Figure 4 sees, the vertices 6 of the leaf spring elements 4 are in the center of the applicator, where it has the greatest radial extent has, arranged on an imaginary circle, the radius Ri of which corresponds essentially or better at least to the radial extent of a leaf spring element 4 (calculated without the fingers). Ideally, all vertices lie on the same imaginary circle.

In terms of dimensions, it has proven to be particularly favorable if the respective leaf spring element has a length between 15 mm and 60 mm. The width of the leaf spring elements in the circumferential direction is preferably 3 mm to 6 mm. The greatest extent in the radial direction is preferably a maximum of 5 mm. Ideally, the extension of the leaf spring elements in the direction of the longitudinal axis L is at least eight times, better still at least ten times greater than the extension of the leaf spring elements in the radial direction, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L.

The fingerboard

All leaf spring elements 4 or at least the majority of leaf spring elements 4 are preferably equipped with fingers 7.

The longitudinal axes 1 of the fingers preferably extend predominantly or all in the radial direction. The latter then means that they intersect the longitudinal axis L of the applicator. The fingers then, viewed as a whole and apart from a possible row arranged exactly in the center of the leaf spring element, protrude in a V-shape from the respective leaf spring element. In this way, a particularly harmonious application behavior is achieved, even when the applicator is rotated.

Each leaf spring element 4 has at least one row of fingers 7, which as a rule parallel to the direction Longitudinal axis L are set up in alignment one behind the other. The leaf spring element or each finger-studded leaf spring element is preferably equipped with a plurality of such rows of fingers 7. With regard to the flexibility of the leaf spring elements, it is particularly advantageous if the fingers of the rows with which a leaf spring element 4 is equipped do not all lie on one line in the circumferential direction. Instead, it has proven to be ideal if a finger in a middle row (this does not have to be the only middle row) is arranged in the circumferential direction in the middle at the level of the space between two immediately consecutive fingers of a row on the left and a row immediately adjacent on the right free is. Such a positioning of the fingers leads to the fact that even when the leaf spring element 4 is deformed as intended, a very uniform fingerprint is maintained.

It is particularly preferred to equip each leaf spring element with two to four and optimally with exactly three rows of bristles that are placed side by side and run in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis L. The use of three or four rows of bristles is particularly preferred when the number of leaf spring elements is limited to three leaf spring elements.

The length of the fingers can be constant. How you can also use, for example, the Figure 3 sees, it is advantageous in many cases if the length of the fingers in the area of the center of the bristle facing (viewed along the longitudinal axis L) reaches its maximum and decreases at least towards one end, preferably towards both ends (distal and proximal).

The term “finger” encompasses both the design as a bristle and the design as a comb teeth. Specific and for certain applications particularly preferred embodiments use bristles or comb teeth in the form of lamellae 7b or circular disk segments 7a. A lamella 7b is a preferably rectangular structure, ideally with side edges parallel in the radial direction, the extent of which in the circumferential direction is at least three times, better at least five times greater than its extent in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

If circular disk segments 7a are provided, they have an opening angle Wö of preferably 15 ° to 35 ° in the radial direction from the foot to their outer circumference. In that regard, be on the Figure 13 referenced where this is shown.

To Figure 13 it should be noted that the dashed circle does not represent an applicator core, but merely symbolizes that a plurality of leaf spring elements are preferably provided in the circumferential direction which carry such a trim. For some applications it is also particularly favorable if such lamellae and / or circular segments and classic bristles with a circular cross section and conical shape are positioned in a mixed manner.

It should also be explicitly pointed out that it is particularly favorable for some embodiments if the circular disk segments 7a widen outward in the radial direction so far that they protrude in the circumferential direction on one or better both sides of the leaf spring element 4 carrying them, in radial projection seen, cf. Figure 13 .

It should also be pointed out explicitly that the lamellae are preferably just as wide (± 15 °) in the circumferential direction as the leaf spring elements supporting them, see also Figure 13 . The majority of the leaf spring elements 4 are preferably provided with fingers in the form of bristles, ideally those that have a circular or elliptical cross-section. A structure is referred to as a bristle that preferably looks like the one Figure 12 illustrated. A bristle in this sense is integrally and integrally connected with a plastic layer on the leaf spring element 4 or with the entire leaf spring element 4. Such a bristle is usually made by injection molding. Injection molding is not just a process here, but also an indirect indication of the nature of the bristle. This is because the injection molding results in a strong alignment of the plastic molecule chains of a bristle, the plastic molecule chains are stretched, so to speak, in the direction along the longitudinal axis 1 of a finger. In this way, the bristles are given a particularly good erecting capacity and a high degree of flexibility.

A bristle ideally has the appearance of a cone, it tapers from the bristle base to the bristle tip. The diameter DF of an individual bristle in the area of the bristle base, above the rounding with which the bristle may merge into the leaf spring element, is between 0.08 mm and 0.35 mm. The length LB of such bristles of the facing in the direction parallel to their longitudinal axis 1 is preferably at least predominantly or completely between 2.5 mm and 10 mm. Such a bristle is usually so elastic that its free end can be reversibly elastically deflected under the forces occurring during application by an amount AL perpendicular to the bristle-side longitudinal axis l, which corresponds to at least four times the bristle foot diameter, ideally at least six times the bristle foot diameter. An exception to this may apply to bristles whose length in the direction of the longitudinal axis 1 is less than 4 mm.

The cone surface angle α is preferably between 0.5 ° and 5 °, cf. Fig. 12 .

SECOND EXAMPLE

The Figures 7 to 11 show a second embodiment of the applicator according to the invention. What has been said for the first exemplary embodiment applies analogously here, unless otherwise stated in what follows. It is important that this applicator also has no rod extending along the central longitudinal axis of the applicator and no core extending along the central longitudinal axis of the applicator, which connects the proximal end part 3 and the distal end part 2 to one another. Here too, the core of the applicator is free of material along the leaf spring elements.

Even if that's based on the Figures 7 to 11 cannot be seen very clearly, it is also preferred here that the flanks of two immediately adjacent leaf spring elements extending in the radial direction and facing one another do not run parallel to one another. Instead, they run in such a way that the distance between them in the radially inward direction towards the longitudinal axis L becomes smaller.

The special feature here is that not only three leaf spring elements positioned next to one another as seen in the circumferential direction are provided, but rather six leaf spring elements positioned next to one another as seen in the circumferential direction. The individual leaf spring elements are designed as has already been described above. However, each leaf spring element here only has two rows of bristles arranged one behind the other in the direction parallel along the longitudinal axis on its outer surface.

The two rows of fingers here run completely parallel to one another, ie the individual bristles of the predominant number of or all of the leaf spring elements here each form bristle rings as seen in the circumferential direction.

REFERENCE LIST

1

Applicator

2

Applicator tip (distal end part)

3

Stem attachment (proximal end part)

4th

Leaf spring element

5

Edge of a leaf spring element

6th

Vertex of a leaf spring element

7th

finger

7a

Finger in the shape of a disc segment

7b

Finger in the shape of a lamella

8th

coupling

L.

Longitudinal axis of the applicator

l

Long axis of the fingers

R.

Radius of the vertex circle

A-A

Cutting plane

W.

Displacement of the applicator tip

DF

The diameter of the bristle base

LB

Bristle length

AL

Bristle deflection

α

Cone surface angle

Wö

Opening angle disc segment

Ri

Imaginary circle radius

Claims (15)

1. Cosmetic applicator (1) with a finger support extending along a longitudinal axis (L) that forms the applicator center between a stem attachment (3) and an applicator tip (2), which finger support transitions integrally into the solid applicator tip (2) and the stem attachment (3), wherein the finger support consists of two, better at least three leaf spring elements (4) that are grouped eccentrically but symmetrically around the free applicator center, which leaf spring elements (4) have fingers (7) on their outer side, wherein the applicator tip (2) and the stem attachment (3) are connected exclusively via the leaf spring elements (4) and the leaf spring elements (4) are elastic in such a way that, under the influence of a force acting on one side in the radial direction, the applicator tip can (2) be deflected by at least 5 mm (AL) in the radial direction, wherein, in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (L) of the applicator (1), the cross section of the leaf spring elements (4) has the shape of a triangle that is oriented such that one tip of the triangle comes closest to the applicator center.
2. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfaces of the flanks (5) extending in the radial direction are flat in the radial direction.
3. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each leaf spring element (4) is curved convexly outward at least on its radially outer surface in the direction along the longitudinal axis (L) of the applicator.
4. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each leaf spring element (4) is curved convexly outward at least on its radially outer surface in the circumferential direction.
5. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the material-free space within the envelope around the bristle-bearing surface of the leaf spring elements (4) corresponds to at least 20%, better at least 30% and ideally at least 40% of the space enclosed by the envelope.
6. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each of the leaf spring elements (4) has several rows of fingers (7), each in alignment one after the other in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L).
7. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fingers (7) - seen in the direction of the longitudinal axis (L) of the applicator - of adjacent rows of fingers are arranged offset - as seen in the circumferential direction.
8. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the fingers (7) of a row are arranged in each case at least predominantly at the level of the middle of the gap between two directly successive fingers (7) of the directly adjacent row.
9. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the fingers (7) increases in the direction of the middle of the leaf spring element (4) and - as seen from the middle - decreases towards the ends of the leaf spring elements (4).
10. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (1) consists of at least two different plastic materials, wherein the leaf spring elements (4) are each made at least partially, preferably predominantly and in some cases completely of a softer or more flexible plastic material than the ring sections that hold them together at their two outer ends.
11. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (1) consists of a plastic base part made of one piece and of one material, onto whose leaf spring elements (4) a layer made of another plastic is injection molded on them or to them, which layer forms the fingers (7).
12. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, starting from the area in which the leaf spring elements (4) transition into the applicator tip (2), the radius of the applicator (1) increases progressively in the distal direction along the longitudinal axis (L) and reaches its maximum halfway between the applicator tip (2) and the stem section (3).
13. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator tip (2) is a spherical cap.
14. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, next to its area equipped with bristles, a leaf spring element (4) has a finger-free area on its outer surface over the entire length of the leaf spring elements (4), wherein the extent of the finger-free area preferably corresponds in the circumferential direction to at least three times the maximum finger diameter.
15. Cosmetic applicator (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least some of the fingers (7) or all fingers (7) on at least one leaf spring element (4) are designed as disk segments (7a) and/or as lamellae (7b).

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