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

Abstract

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), spikes (18) carried by the core (10), and reinforcing sails (1.3) for the spikes (18), which are connected by their base to the core (10). extend parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10) and are disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows (17, 19, 20), at least one first longitudinal row (17) being offset axially with respect to a second longitudinal row (19).

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, spikes carried by the core, and reinforcing sails for the spikes, which are connected by their base to the core, extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core and are disposed in a plurality of longitudinal rows, at least one first longitudinal row being offset axially with respect to a second longitudinal row.

2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein two opposite reinforcing sails flank each spike.

3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the connection between a reinforcing sail and a spike is made along a ridge parallel to the elongation axis of the spike 18.

4. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing sails of two adjacent longitudinal rows are not joined at their base.

5. Applicator according to any one of the proceding claim 1, wherein the spikes of two adjacent rows are not joined at their base.

6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing sails of two consecutive spikes define between one another a groove in particular having a rounded bottom, which is in particular cylindrical about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis core.

7. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the bottom of the groove extends at a non-zero distance from the core.

8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing sails have an approximately triangular shape, in particular with a gradient of between 10° and 55° with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core.

9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the height of the reinforcing sails is less than the height of the spikes, and is preferably less than three quarters of the height of the spikes.

10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ratio between the height of the reinforcing sails and the height of the spikes is between 0.05 and 0.2, better still between 0.15 and 0.35.

11. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the height of the reinforcing sails is constant along the longitudinal axis, and is in particular between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, better still between 0.15 mm and 0.35 mm.

12. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the reinforcing sails is less than the thickness of the spikes.

13. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing sails narrow in the direction of the spikes.

14. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the width of the reinforcing sails at their base is constant along the longitudinal axis core.

15. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spikes are disposed along crowns of spikes two consecutive crowns along the longitudinal axis of the core being offset angularly by a non-zero angle in particular equal to half the angular pitch between the spikes of a crown.

16. 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.

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] FIGS. 2A and 2B show details 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, and

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

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] The latter has a stem 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 spikes 18 that extend from the core 10 and all around the latter. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first 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 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.

[0077] The container 3 also has a wiping member 6, inserted into the neck 4.

[0078] 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 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.

[0079] The diameter φ.sub.a of the wiping orifice 6a is typically between 3 and 5.5 mm, and is for xample around 4.5 mm or 5 mm.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the applicator member 8 may have an end piece 9 for fixing it in a corresponding housing of the stem 7.

[0084] The applicator member 8 may be fixed in this housing of the stem 7 by any means, and in particular by force-fitting, snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding, stapling or crimping.

[0085] 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.

[0086] The visible length H of the applicator member 8 is for example equal to 24.5 mm.

[0087] In the example illustrated, the 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.

[0088] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, the applicator member 8 has reinforcing sails 13 for the spikes 18, which are attached by their base to the core 10 and extend parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

[0089] Two opposite reinforcing sails 13 advantageously flank each spike 18 of the applicator member 8, said reinforcing sails 13 being, in the example described and as can be seen in particular in FIG. 3, symmetrical about the median plane M of the spike 18 that they flank.

[0090] In the example in question, the connection between a reinforcing sail 13 and a spike 18 is made along a ridge 13a of the reinforcing sail 13, parallel to the elongation axis W of the spike 18, as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0091] In the example described, the spikes 18 and the reinforcing sails 13 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 row 19.

[0092] The spikes 18 and the reinforcing sails 13 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.

[0093] In the example in question, the number of longitudinal rows is even, and is for example equal to 12.

[0094] The spikes 18 in two adjacent longitudinal rows 17, 19 may be not joined at their base, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2A, this also being the case for the reinforcing sails 13 in two adjacent longitudinal rows.

[0095] As is shown, in particular in FIG. 2A, within one longitudinal row 17, the reinforcing sails 13 of two consecutive spikes 18 advantageously define between one another a groove 13b, which has a rounded bottom and is cylindrical about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 in the example in question. Said groove 13b preferably extends at a non-zero distance d.sub.g, for example between 0.05 mm and 0.3 mm, from the core 10.

[0096] In the example described, the reinforcing sails 13 have an approximately triangular shape, in particular with a gradient of between 10° and 55° with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

[0097] As can be seen in FIG. 4, for example, the height h.sub.v of the reinforcing sails 13 is preferably less than the height h.sub.p of the spikes 18, and is in particular less than three quarters of the height h.sub.p of the spikes 18.

[0098] The ratio h.sub.v/h.sub.p between the height h.sub.v of the reinforcing sails 13 and the height h.sub.p of the spikes 18 may be between 0.05 and 0.2, better still between 0.06 and 0.15.

[0099] The height h.sub.v of the reinforcing sails 13 may be constant along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, and be for example between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, better still between 0.15 mm and 0.35 mm.

[0100] The ratio between the diameter φ.sub.v, of the circumscribed circle that has as its centre the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 and passes through the tops 13c of the reinforcing sails 13 and the diameter gra of the orifice 6a defined by the lip of the wiping member 6 may be between 0.55 and 1.15.

[0101] The thickness e.sub.v of the reinforcing sails 13 is advantageously less than the thickness e.sub.p of the spikes 18, as shown in FIG. 2B. The thickness e.sub.v of the reinforcing sails 13 may be between 0.35 mm and 0.65 mm, and is for example equal to around 0.4 mm.

[0102] The width l.sub.v of the reinforcing sails 13 at their base is advantageously constant along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. The width l.sub.v of the reinforcing sails 13 at their base may be between 0.5 mm and 0.9 mm, and is for example equal to 0.6 mm.

[0103] The reinforcing sails 13 may narrow in the direction of the spikes 18, their thickness and their width decreasing in the direction of the free end 18e of the spikes 18.

[0104] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the height h.sub.p of the spikes 18 may vary along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. The height h.sub.p may decrease towards the distal end 12 of the core 10, so as to facilitate insertion into the container 3. This height h.sub.p may be between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, better still between 0.75 mm and 2 mm.

[0105] With reference to FIG. 4, the diameter φ.sub.2 of the envelope surface formed by the spikes 18 of smallest height may be between 5 mm and 7.5 mm, and is for example equal to around 5.6 mm. The diameter φ.sub.1 of the envelope surface of the applicator member 8 formed by the spikes 18 of greatest height may be between 6.5 mm and 11 mm, and is for example equal to around 7.5 mm.

[0106] The spikes 18 may narrow, in side view, in the direction of their free end 28, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4.

[0107] The thickness e.sub.p of the spikes 18 may be between 0.3 mm and 0.7 mm, and is for example equal to around 0.5 mm, as in the example in question.

[0108] The width l.sub.p of a spike 18 may be between 0.35 mm and 0.65 mm, and is for example equal to around 0.4 mm.

[0109] As can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, the implantation of the spikes 18 may be such that the angle α about the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 between two consecutive crowns 21 and 22 of spikes 18, said crowns each being formed by spikes 18 that occupy one and the same axial position on the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, is non-zero, being for example equal to half the angular pitch β between two consecutive spikes in a crown.

[0110] 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 1.8 mm, as in the example described.

[0111] The spikes 18 may have various shapes. In the example in question, and as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, the spikes 18 have a conical shape.

[0112] In the example in question, the free ends 28 of the 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.

[0113] The spikes 18 and the reinforcing sails 13 are made, in the example in question, in one piece with the core 10 by moulding thermoplastic material.

[0114] 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 SEBS, a silicone, latex, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a theinioplastic 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.

[0115] In order to use the device 1, the user unscrews the closure cap 5 and withdraws the applicator member 8 from the container 3.

[0116] Once the applicator member 8 has passed through the wiping member 6, a particular quantity of product P remains between the spikes 18, in the grooves in the reinforcing sails 13, and between the rows, the spikes 18 not bending at their base on passing through the wiping member 6, creating reservoirs of product P 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.

[0117] Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment which has just been described.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] In a further variant, the applicator member 8 may be able to 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 and/or the reinforcing sails 13 of the applicator member 8.

[0121] 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 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 able to be heated.

[0122] 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.

[0123] The core 10 and/or the spikes 18 and/or the reinforcing sails 13 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 and/or of the reinforcing sails 13 or to help the eyelashes and/or eyebrows to slide on the spikes and/or the reinforcing sails. At least one of the core 10 and a spike 18 and a reinforcing sail 13 may be flocked, or undergo any heat or mechanical treatment.

[0124] The expression “having a” should be understood as being synonymous with “having at least one”, and “between” is understood as including the limits, unless specified to the contrary.