APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING A COSMETIC, MAKEUP OR CARE, PRODUCT TO THE EYELASHES AND/OR EYEBROWS

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having a moulded applicator member (8) having:—a core (10) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), and—double spikes (18) that are carried by the core (10) and are disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows, the double spikes (18) each having a recess that separates two arms, at least one first longitudinal row of spikes (18) being offset axially with respect to a second longitudinal row.

Claims

1. Applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having a moulded applicator member having: a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and double spikes that are carried by the core and are disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows, the double spikes each having a recess that separates two arms, at least one first longitudinal row of spikes being offset axially with respect to a second longitudinal row.

2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between the two arms of the double spikes is between 1 mm and 2.5 mm.

3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the depth of the recess in each spike is between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

4. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ratio P.sub.e/h.sub.b between the depth of the recess in the spike and the height of the spike is between 0.09 and 0.35.

5. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the double spikes each have a base that connects their two arms together and projects from the core, the height of said base being between 0.2 mm and 2.25 mm.

6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the recess in each double spike has a flat bottom.

7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the arms of each double spike are symmetrical to one another about a median plane of the spike.

8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the double spikes are oriented longitudinally on the applicator member.

9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein each longitudinal row of spikes is offset axially with respect to the adjacent longitudinal row.

10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the double spikes of the same rank in every other longitudinal row occupy the same axial position along the longitudinal axis of the core.

11. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the axial offset between one longitudinal row of spikes and the adjacent longitudinal row is between one quarter and three quarters of the width of a spike, and is preferably equal to around two fifths of the width of a spike.

12. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal rows are rectilinear.

13. Device for packaging and applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator according to claim 1 and a container containing the product to be applied.

Description

[0068] The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of a non-limiting implementation example thereof, and with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

[0069] FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view, in partial longitudinal section, of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention,

[0070] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the applicator member from FIG. 1 on its own,

[0071] FIG. 2A shows a detail of the applicator member from FIG. 2,

[0072] FIG. 3 is a view in longitudinal section of a detail of the applicator member from FIG. 2,

[0073] FIG. 4 is a section along IV-IV of the applicator member from FIG. 2, and

[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates the extraction of the applicator member from the container of the packaging and application device from FIG. 1.

[0075] FIG. 1 shows a packaging and application device 1 produced in accordance with the invention, having an applicator 2 and an associated container 3 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, for example mascara or a care product.

[0076] The container 3 has, in the example in question, a threaded neck 4 and the applicator 2 has a closure cap 5 designed to be fixed on the neck 4 so as to close the container 3 in a sealed manner when it is not in use, the closure cap 5 also forming a gripping member for the applicator 2.

[0077] The latter has a stern 7 of longitudinal axis Y, which is attached at its upper end to the closure cap 5 and at its lower end to an applicator member 8. The latter has a core 10 that carries double spikes 18 that extend from the core 10 and all around the latter. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first double spike 18 along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 starting from the stem 7 is disposed at a non-zero distance d.sub.t from the proximal end 11 of the core, for example equal to around 0.35 mm. The last double spike 18 along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 starting from the stem 7 is disposed at a non-zero distance d.sub.d from the distal end 12 of the core 10, for example equal to around 0.55 mm.

[0078] The container 3 also has a wiping member 6, inserted into the neck 4.

[0079] This wiping member 6, which may be of any suitable type, has, in the example in question, a lip designed to wipe the stem 7 and the applicator member 8 when the applicator 2 is withdrawn from the container 3. The lip defines a wiping orifice 6a having a diameter φ.sub.a adapted to that of the stem 7. The wiping member 6 may be made of elastomer. The wiping orifice 6a has for example a circular shape.

[0080] The diameter φ.sub.a of the wiping orifice 6a is typically between 3 and 5.75 mm, and is for example around 4.5 mm or 5.2 mm.

[0081] In the example illustrated, the stem 7 has a circular cross section, but if the stem 7 has some other section, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention, it then being possible to fix the cap 5 on the container 3 in some other way than by screwing, if necessary. The wiping member 6 is adapted to the shape of the stem 7 and to that of the applicator member 8, if appropriate.

[0082] Preferably, and as in the example in question, the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7 is rectilinear and coincident with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place thereon, but if the stem 7 is not rectilinear, forming for example an elbow, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0083] If need be, the stem 7 may have an annular narrowing at its portion that is positioned opposite the lip of the wiping member 6, so as not to mechanically stress the latter unduly during storage.

[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the applicator member 8 may have an end piece 9 for fixing it in a corresponding housing in the stem 7.

[0085] The applicator member 8 may be fixed to the stem 7 by any means, and in particular by force-fitting, snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding, stapling or crimping, in this housing.

[0086] With reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the core 10 has a shape that is elongate along a longitudinal axis X, which is rectilinear in the example described. The longitudinal axis X may be central, as illustrated.

[0087] The visible length H of the applicator member 8 is for example equal to 24.5 mm.

[0088] In the example illustrated, the double spikes 18 each extend from the core 10 along an elongation axis W perpendicular to the surface of the core at the point at which the spike 18 is attached to the core 10.

[0089] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, the double spikes 18 each have a recess 13 that separates two arms 18a and 18b.

[0090] The spacing e.sub.b between the two arms 18a and 18b of the spikes 18 may be between 1 mm and 2.5 mm, and is equal to around 1.7 mm in the example in question.

[0091] The two arms 18a and 18b of one and the same spike 18 are the same height in the example described.

[0092] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the height h.sub.b of the double spikes 18 may vary along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. The height h.sub.b may decrease towards the distal end 12 of the core 10, so as to facilitate insertion into the container 3. This height h.sub.t, may be between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, better still between 0.8 mm and 2.75 mm.

[0093] With reference to FIG. 4, the diameter φ.sub.2 of the envelope surface formed by the arms of spikes 18 of smallest height may be between 3.75 mm and 7.5 mm, and is for example equal to around 5 mm. The diameter φ.sub.1 of the envelope surface of the applicator member 8 formed by the arms of spikes 18 of greatest height may be between 5 mm and 11 mm, and is for example equal to around 7.7 mm.

[0094] The depth P.sub.e of the recess 13 in each spike 18 is advantageously less than the height h.sub.b of said spike 18, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3.

[0095] The ratio P.sub.e/h.sub.b between the depth P.sub.e of the recess 13 in a spike 18 and the height h.sub.b of said spike 18 may be between 0.09 and 0.35, better still between around 0.11 and 0.3.

[0096] The depth P.sub.e of the recess 13 in each double spike 18 may be between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm, better still between 0.7 mm and 2 mm.

[0097] In the example illustrated, the recess 13 in each double spike 18 has a flat bottom. However, the invention is not limited to one particular shape of recess.

[0098] The double spikes 18 each have, as illustrated, a base 18c that connects their two arms 18a and 18b and projects from the core 10. The height of the base 18c of a double spike 18 may be between 0.2 mm and 2.25 mm, better still between 0.3 mm and 1.6 mm.

[0099] The ratio between the diameter of the circumscribed circle that has as its centre the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 and passes through the tops of the bases 180 of greatest height and the diameter φ.sub.a of the orifice 6a in the wiping member 6, these being visible in. FIG. 5, may be between 0.75 and 1.15.

[0100] In the example in question, the double spikes 18 have a cross section flattened along a flattening plane Z containing the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

[0101] The double spikes 18 may narrow, in side view, in the direction of their free end 28, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4.

[0102] The thickness e.sub.p of the double spikes 18 may be between 0.3 mm and 0.85 mm, and is for example equal to around 0.5 mm, as in the example in question.

[0103] The width l.sub.p of a double spike 18 may be between 1.3 mm and 3 mm, and is for example equal to around 2.2 mm.

[0104] In the example described, the double spikes 18 are disposed on the applicator member 8 in a plurality of rectilinear longitudinal rows 17, 19, 20, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, each longitudinal row 17 of spikes being offset axially with respect to the adjacent longitudinal rows 19.

[0105] The double spikes 18 in every other longitudinal row advantageously all occupy the same axial position along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example between the longitudinal rows 17 and 20.

[0106] The axial offset D.sub.a between one longitudinal row 17 of double spikes 18 and the adjacent longitudinal row 19 is advantageously between one quarter and three quarters of the width l.sub.p of a spike 18, and is approximately equal to two fifths of the width l.sub.p in the example described, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2A.

[0107] Within one and the same longitudinal row 17, the spacing S.sub.p between two consecutive spikes 18 may be between 1 mm and 2 mm, and is for example equal to 1.2 mm, as in the example described.

[0108] The spikes 18 may have various shapes. In the example in question, and as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, the arms of the double spikes 18 have a conical shape. The arms 18a and 18b of each double spike 18 are symmetrical to one another about the median plane M of the spike 18. Each double spike 18 can also have a symmetrical shape about its flattening plane Z.

[0109] In the example in question, the free ends 28 of the double spikes 18 define an envelope surface S of the applicator member 8, having a rectilinear longitudinal axis that is coincident with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, and is rotationally symmetrical about said axis X.

[0110] The double spikes 18 are made, in the example in question, in one piece with the core 10 by moulding thermoplastic material.

[0111] In order to mould the applicator member 8, use can be made of any thermoplastic material which is or is not relatively rigid, for example SESS, a silicone, latex, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA or PMMA. It is also possible to use a ceramic, for example based on alumina, a resin, for example of the urea-formaldehyde type, and possibly a material containing graphite as filler. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Teflon®, Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax® and Pollobas®, this list not being limiting.

[0112] In order to use the device 1, the user unscrews the closure cap 5 and withdraws the applicator member 8 from the container 3.

[0113] Once the applicator member 8 has passed through the wiping member 6, a particular quantity of product P remains in the spaces created between the arms of the double spikes 8 and between their bases, creating reservoirs of product along the entire length of the core 10 and on all sides, making it possible to load the eyelashes and/or eyebrows with product P in a satisfactory manner. Moreover, the eyelashes and/or eyebrows are separated in a satisfactory manner, avoiding the formation of clumps, by virtue of the axial offset present between the longitudinal rows of adjacent double spikes 18. The eyelashes and/or eyebrows are also curled in a satisfactory manner, since the latter can press against the base of the recesses 13 in the spikes 18.

[0114] Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment which has just been described.

[0115] The applicator member 8 may be able to vibrate, that is to say that it is possible to apply vibrations thereto during application, combing or picking up of the product P, for example as described in the application WO 2006/090343.

[0116] In a further variant, the applicator member 8 may be able to rotate, that is to say that it may be made to carry out a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, for example during application, combing or picking up of the product P.

[0117] In a further variant, the applicator member 8 may be heated, that is to say have a heating element for heating the keratin fibres, the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, and/or the spikes 18 and/or the core 10 of the applicator member 8.

[0118] It is also possible for the applicator member 8 to be able to vibrate, to be able to rotate and to be heated, or only to be able to vibrate and to be able to rotate, or only to be able to vibrate and to be heated, or only to be able to rotate and to be heated, or only to be able to vibrate or only to be able to rotate or only to be heated.

[0119] The applicator member 8 may comprise any bactericidal agent such as silver salts, copper salts, preservatives and at least one preservative for the product P.

[0120] The core 10 and/or the double spikes 18 may, furthermore, comprise particles, for example a filler, in particular a compound which is magnetic, bacteriostatic or absorbs moisture, or else a compound intended to produce roughness on the surface of the spikes 18 or to help the eyelashes and/or eyebrows to slide on the spikes. At least one of the core 10 and a double spike 18 may be flocked, or undergo any heat or mechanical treatment.

[0121] The expression “having a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, and “between” is understood as including the limits, unless specified to the contrary.