Device for applying a composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows

Abstract

A device (2) is provided for applying a composition (P) to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows. The device includes a molded applicator member (8) including a core (10) having a longitudinal axis (X) and rows of teeth that are carried by the core (10), preferably at least five rows, two teeth belonging to two consecutive rows not being parallel. The outside surface of at least one segment of the core (10) includes only one toothless portion, or only two toothless portions that are situated substantially opposite each other, or each toothless portion being of angular extent lying in the range 75° to 110° around the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A packaging and applicator device for applying a composition (P) to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, the device including: a container comprising a composition to be applied to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows; and a molded applicator member consisting of: a core having a longitudinal axis; and rows of teeth that are carried by the core, two teeth belonging to two consecutive rows not being parallel, the outside surface of at least one segment of the core including only two toothless portions that are situated substantially opposite each other, the or each toothless portion being of angular extent lying in the range 75° to 110° around said longitudinal axis, the applicator member being the only part of the applicator device that is configured for coming into contact with the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows.

2. A device according to claim 1, both of the toothless portions occupying 7% to 40% of the outside surface of said segment of the core.

3. A device according to claim 1, the angular extent of both of the toothless portions being a multiple that is equal to at least twice the minimum angular offset defined by the rows that are the closest together around the longitudinal axis.

4. A device according to claim 1, each of the rows of teeth having at least 50% of their teeth extending from the core in substantially radial manner.

5. A device according to claim 1, the molded applicator member including two rows of teeth situated substantially opposite each other that have longest teeth that are substantially of the same length.

6. A device according to claim 1, the minimum angular offset, defined by the rows that are the closest together around the longitudinal axis, being less than 60°.

7. A device according to claim 1, the applicator member being molded within a mold that is formed by assembling together a plurality of shells of which at least two consecutive shells having facing faces without cavities for forming teeth.

8. A device according to claim 1, said segment of the core having a length that is greater than or equal to 50% of the total length of the portion of the core carrying the teeth.

9. A device according to claim 1, the core presenting only two opposite faces without teeth over all or part of the length thereof.

10. A device according to claim 9, the two opposite toothless faces having, over all or part of the length thereof, a width that varies along the longitudinal axis of the core.

11. A device according to claim 9, at least one of the two toothless faces not being plane.

12. A device according to claim 1, the longest teeth of the applicator member having a length lying in the range 1 mm to 6 mm.

13. A device according to claim 1, the applicator member, when observed along the longitudinal axis of the core, not comprising teeth on only two portions that are situated substantially opposite each other, the or each toothless portion being of angular extent lying in the range 75° to 110° around said longitudinal axis.

14. A method of manufacturing a packaging and applicator device for applying a composition to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, wherein said device includes: a container comprising a composition to be applied to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows; and a molded applicator member consisting of: a core having a longitudinal axis; and rows of teeth that are carried by the core, two teeth belonging to two consecutive rows not being parallel, the outside surface of at least one segment of the core including only two toothless portions that are situated substantially opposite each other, the or each toothless portion being of angular extent lying in the range 75° to 110° around said longitudinal axis, the entire surface of the toothless portion being able to come into contact with the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, and the method comprising at least a step of molding the core and the teeth in a mold that is formed by assembling together shells, with at least two consecutive shells having facing faces without cavities for forming teeth.

15. A method according to claim 14, two groups of shells, situated substantially opposite each other, each including at least two consecutive shells having facing faces without cavities for forming teeth.

16. A method according to claim 14, the assembly comprising twelve shells.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal section view in elevation showing an example of a device made in accordance with the invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is partially in longitudinal section, and shows the FIG. 1 applicator in isolation;

(4) FIGS. 3 and 3a are views from two different view points of the applicator member of the FIG. 1 device, shown in isolation;

(5) FIG. 4 is a section on IV-IV of FIG. 3a;

(6) FIGS. 4a to 4h show variant embodiments;

(7) FIG. 5 shows a detail of FIG. 4;

(8) FIGS. 6 and 6a are diagrammatic perspective views of other examples of applicator members;

(9) FIG. 7 shows the applicator member being made in a mold;

(10) FIGS. 8 and 8a show variant embodiments;

(11) FIGS. 9 and 9a to 9d show various shapes of core section;

(12) FIGS. 10 and 10a to 10j show various shapes of tooth section;

(13) FIGS. 11 and 12 are diagrammatic side views showing a variant applicator member of the invention;

(14) FIGS. 13 and 13a to 13f show longitudinal sections of variants;

(15) FIG. 14 is a longitudinal section of a variant applicator member of the invention;

(16) FIGS. 15, 15a, and 15b are diagrams of examples of teeth of the invention;

(17) FIG. 16 shows an example of a wiper member; and

(18) FIGS. 17 and 17a show examples of configurations that make it possible to increase the flexibility of the applicator member.

(19) FIG. 1 shows a packaging and applicator device 1 made in accordance with the invention, the device comprising an applicator 2 and an associated container 3 containing a composition P for application to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, e.g. mascara or a care product.

(20) In the embodiment under consideration, the container 3 includes a threaded neck 4, and the applicator 2 includes a closure cap 5 that is arranged to be fastened on the neck 4 so as to close the container 3 in leaktight manner when not in use, the closure cap 5 also constituting a handle for the applicator 2.

(21) The applicator 2 includes a stem 7 of longitudinal axis Y, which stem is connected at its top end to the closure cap 5, and at its bottom end to an applicator member 8. The applicator member comprises a core 10 carrying teeth 18.

(22) The container 3 also includes a wiper member 6 that is inserted in the neck 4, for example.

(23) In the embodiment under consideration, the wiper member 6, that may be of any type, includes a lip 6a that is arranged to wipe the stem 7 and the applicator member 8 while the applicator 2 is being removed from the container 3. The lip 6a defines a wiper orifice of diameter that is adapted to the diameter of the stem.

(24) In the embodiment shown, the stem 7 presents a cross-section that is circular, but it would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention for the stem 7 to present some other section, the cap 5 thus possibly being fastened on the container 3 other than by screw-fastening, if necessary. The wiper member 6 could be adapted to the shape of the stem 7 and to the shape of the applicator member 8, where appropriate.

(25) In the embodiment under consideration, the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7 is rectilinear and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place thereon, but it would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention for the stem 7 to be non-rectilinear, e.g. forming a bend.

(26) Where appropriate, the stem 7 may include an annular narrowing at its portion that comes to be positioned facing the lip 6a of the wiper member 6, so that said wiper member is not mechanically stressed unduly during storage.

(27) As shown, the applicator member 8 may include an endpiece 9 enabling it to be fastened in the stem 7. In the embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, the endpiece 9 is circularly symmetrical, being of circular cross-section, but it could be of some other shape.

(28) In particular, the applicator member 8 may be fastened by force-fitting, in particular snap-fastening, by adhesive, by heat-sealing, or by crimping in a corresponding housing provided at the end of the stem 7. In a variant, the stem may be inserted into a housing provided in the core. The core 10 may also be molded integrally with the stem 7.

(29) With reference to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the core 10 may be of elongate shape that extends along a longitudinal axis X.

(30) In the embodiment under consideration, over the majority of its length, the core 10 may present a cross-section that is polygonal, having sides that define longitudinal faces 15. By way of example, the longitudinal axis is central, as shown.

(31) In the embodiment under consideration, the teeth 18 are made integrally with the core 10 by molding thermoplastic material.

(32) In order to mold the applicator member 8, it is possible to use a thermoplastic material that is optionally relatively rigid, e.g. styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS); a silicone rubber; latex rubber; butyl rubber; ethylene-propylene-terpolymer rubber (EPDM); a nitrile rubber; a thermoplastic elastomer; a polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, or vinyl elastomer; a polyolefin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA); polystyrene (PS); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyoxymethylene (POM); polyamide (PA); or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In particular, it is possible to use materials known under the trade names Hytre®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax®, this list not being limiting.

(33) FIG. 3a is a side view of the FIG. 3 applicator member 8 after it has been turned about the longitudinal axis of the core 10.

(34) The teeth and the core may be made out of different materials, where appropriate.

(35) In variants, the applicator member 8 presents one or two portions of the core 10 that are not provided with teeth 18, as described below.

(36) In FIGS. 4 and 4a it can be seen that the applicator member presents two opposite faces 100 that are not provided with teeth, whereas each of the other faces 15 includes at least one row 17 of teeth, in this example two. The width L of each face 15 or 100 may vary along the longitudinal axis of the core X, as shown in FIG. 3a.

(37) In the embodiment in FIGS. 3, 3a, 4, and 4a, the core 10 presents a cross-section that is hexagonal.

(38) The length of the teeth 18 may decrease towards the distal end 12 of the core 10, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 3a.

(39) The length of the teeth 18 may also decrease towards the endpiece 9, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 3a, so as to make it easier for the applicator member 8 to pass through the wiper member 6 while the applicator 2 is being removed from the container.

(40) In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 3a in particular, each tooth 18 may include a first longitudinal face 40 of plane shape and a second longitudinal face 41 of rounded shape, in particular of half-cone shape.

(41) It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the rows of teeth 18 that are the closest together, define between them a minimum angular offset γ.sub.min, and that the two substantially-opposite toothless portions 100 are of angular extent 6 that is greater than γ.sub.min. δ may be a multiple of γ.sub.min, and, as shown, it may be substantially equal to three times γ.sub.min for example. It is also possible that δ is substantially equal to twice γ.sub.min, for example.

(42) It can be seen in FIG. 4 that two opposite rows 17 may both have teeth of the same length l.sub.max.

(43) FIG. 4c shows the possibility of two substantially-opposite toothless portions 100 that are present over the entire length of the core 10, which core has an outside surface of shape that is substantially circularly cylindrical. The applicator member 8 may have eight rows 17 of teeth 18, as shown.

(44) FIG. 4b shows the possibility of only one toothless portion 100 that is present over the entire length of the core 10, which core has an outside surface of shape that is substantially circularly cylindrical. The applicator member 8 may have ten rows 17 of teeth 18, as shown.

(45) FIG. 4g shows the possibility of two substantially-opposite sets of rows 17 of teeth 18, divided by two substantially-opposite toothless portions 100, each of the set of rows 17 having longest teeth of different length, respectively l.sub.max1 and l.sub.max2.

(46) FIG. 4h shows the possibility of only one toothless portion 100 with two substantially-opposite sets of rows 17 of teeth 18, each having longest teeth of different length, l.sub.max1 and l.sub.max2, respectively.

(47) The core 10 may, for e.g., have an outside surface that is circularly-cylindrical, as shown in particular in FIGS. 4g and 4h, or may, in a variant not shown, have a polygonal cross-section.

(48) FIGS. 4d to 4f show embodiments in which the thickness e′ of the core 10 at a mid-plane bisecting the toothless portions 100 differs from the thickness e taken elsewhere.

(49) In FIG. 4d, the substantially-opposite toothless faces 100 are concave and e′ is less than e.

(50) In FIG. 4e, the substantially-opposite toothless portions 100 are convex and e′ is greater than e.

(51) In FIG. 4f, the toothless portion 100 is plane and e′ is less than e.

(52) When the applicator member is observed along its longitudinal axis, the envelope surface E may be horseshoe shaped, as shown in FIG. 4f, or, in a variant, bow-tie shaped, as shown in FIG. 4d.

(53) As shown in FIG. 5, each face 15 includes a first row of teeth 17a that are connected to the corresponding face 15 of the core 10 while forming an angle α.sub.Z1 relative to the normal thereto, and a second row of teeth 17b that are connected to the face 15 obliquely, forming an angle α.sub.Z2 relative to said normal. The teeth 18 of the first row 17a extend along a direction Z.sub.1 that is substantially perpendicular to the face 15, the angle α.sub.Z1 being relatively small, e.g. less than 10°, or even less than 5°. The teeth 18 of the row 17b are also straight in the embodiment under consideration, extending along a direction Z.sub.2, forming an angle α with the direction Z.sub.1. By way of example, the angle α lies in the range 20° to 80°. The teeth 18 of each row 17a and 17b may be separated by a separation surface S, the surface S being a plane bisecting the angle α, for example.

(54) FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of an applicator member of the invention, having a single toothless face 100 that is concave over a fraction of its length, when the applicator member is observed from the side.

(55) The applicator member in FIG. 6a differs from the applicator member in FIG. 6 in that it includes two opposite toothless faces 100.

(56) FIG. 7 shows, in cross-section, a shell mold that is used to make the applicator member. The mold comprises twelve shells C.sub.1, C.sub.2, . . . , C.sub.12 having consecutive shells C.sub.1 and C.sub.12 with facing faces that do not have cavities for forming teeth, thus molding no teeth, whereas each of the shells C.sub.2 to C.sub.11 includes cavities that make it possible to mold a row of teeth.

(57) The number of shells and the number of cavities per shell may vary. For example, ten shells may be used without going beyond the ambit of the present invention. It is also possible that each of at least two consecutive shells has cavities for forming half-teeth on their facing faces, two consecutive shells thus being necessary in order to form one tooth.

(58) It is also possible that two groups of shells, situated substantially opposite each other, may each comprise at least two consecutive shells having facing faces without cavities for forming teeth.

(59) FIGS. 8 and 8a show the possibility of two consecutive rows having teeth of different respective lengths l.sub.1 and l.sub.2. A configuration in accordance with FIG. 8a may present two substantially-opposite toothless portions for example, each defined by rows of teeth of greatest length that is different from the greatest length of the teeth of their respective consecutive rows.

(60) The core 10 may have a cross-section that is: circular, as shown in FIG. 9; elliptical, as shown in FIG. 9a; hexagonal, as shown in FIG. 9d; octagonal, as shown in FIG. 9b; or pentagonal, as shown in FIG. 9c.

(61) Whatever the implantation of the teeth, at least one tooth may have a cross-section that is semi-circular, as shown in FIG. 10.

(62) In a variant, the cross-section may be: circular, as shown in FIG. 10h; or even triangular, as shown in FIG. 10e; or lozenge-shaped, as shown in FIG. 10a; formed of two different-size adjacent triangles, as shown in FIG. 10c; hourglass shaped, as shown in FIG. 10i; or semi-hourglass shaped, as shown in FIG. 10j; or triangular with a groove, as shown in FIG. 10d; cross-shaped, as shown in FIG. 10f; square, as shown in FIG. 10b; semi-circular shaped with a groove, as shown in FIG. 10g.

(63) The teeth are preferably of cross-section other than circular. A non-circular shape for the cross-section of the teeth may favor the retention of composition on the teeth.

(64) In a variant embodiment, the longitudinal faces 15 of the core 10 are twisted, as shown in FIG. 11. In order to make such a shape, the core 10 may be deformed on unmolding by turning the endpiece 9, or, in a variant, it may be deformed in the mold.

(65) The longitudinal axis X of the core 10 may coincide with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7, but it would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention for this to be otherwise, and, by way of example, FIG. 12 shows a variant embodiment in which the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 forms an angle β.sub.1 with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem. By way of example, such a configuration may improve the ergonomics of the applicator.

(66) The applicator may extend along a longitudinal axis X that is not rectilinear. FIG. 13 shows a variant embodiment in which the core extends along a longitudinal axis X that is curved. When observed in longitudinal section, as in FIG. 13, the envelope surface E may, on one side of the axis X, present a convex first profile 54 substantially in the same direction as the axis X, and, on the opposite side of the axis X, a second profile 55 that possibly presents curvature that is concave in the same direction as the axis X.

(67) The envelope surface may be cylindrical, of non-cylindrical shape passing through a maximum or through two maximums.

(68) In the variant shown in FIG. 13a, the envelope surface E presents two opposite longitudinal profiles 54 and 55, of which the profile 54 is straight.

(69) In a variant, the envelope surface E may present a cross-section that passes through two maximums and one local minimum, as shown in FIG. 13b, or through one maximum, as shown in FIG. 13c.

(70) In another variant, shown in FIG. 13d, the envelope surface E extends generally along a longitudinal axis W that forms an angle γ.sub.2 with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

(71) The FIG. 13e variant differs from the FIG. 13d variant in the shape of the envelope surface E that presents a cross-section that passes through a minimum.

(72) The longitudinal axis X of the core 10 may be rectilinear and may form an angle with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7, as shown in FIG. 13f, the envelope surface E having, for example, a cross-section that is not constant, e.g. passing through a minimum.

(73) In the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the core 10 includes a recess in which there is engaged a support portion 60, e.g. made of metal or plastics material. The core 10 may be configured to be fastened to the support 60, or it may be free to turn or to move in translation relative to the support 60. By way of example, the core 10 may also be overmolded on the support 60.

(74) The teeth of at least one row may present different lengths, passing through an extremum between the extreme teeth of the row, for example.

(75) At least one of the teeth 18 of the rows 17 may present a surface state that is not smooth, e.g. having ridges as a result of molding or roughness linked to the presence of a filler in the plastics material, for example.

(76) The applicator member may be made with a plastics material that includes magnetic particles. The magnetic field created by such particles, that may be magnetizable and/or magnetized, may interact with magnetic fibers or pigments that are present in the composition.

(77) The applicator member may be made with flocking, said flocking extending over the teeth only or over the core only, for example.

(78) At their free ends, the teeth may present portions in relief or of a particular shape, e.g. a fork, a hook, or a bead, as shown in FIGS. 15, 15b, and 15a respectively. By way of example, the hook may extend transversally, parallel, or obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis X of the core. In order to obtain the beads, it is possible to heat the applicator member in such a manner as to melt the ends of the teeth, for example. In order to obtain the forks or the hooks, it is possible to treat the applicator member mechanically, e.g. by grinding, and thus to abrade the ends of the teeth.

(79) The wiper member may be made in some other way, e.g. it may comprise a block of foam that may be slotted. By way of example, the wiper member may also be as described in patent applications or U.S. patent Nos. 2005/0028834, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,328,495, 6,375,374, 2004/0258453, and 2005/0175394, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(80) In particular, the wiper member may be rigid or it may be made out of elastomeric material.

(81) The wiper lip 6a may advantageously be undulating, having a radially-inner free edge defining an orifice 122 through which the applicator member may pass, as shown in FIG. 16. The wiper lip 6a may include undulations 120 that extend around the orifice 122. The wiper member 6a may include a number of undulations 120 lying in the range 3 to 12, for example.

(82) The wiper lip 6a may extend generally along a cone that converges towards the bottom of the container, and that has a generator line G forming an angle i with the axis X of the container. In a variant, the wiper lip 6a may extend generally along a mid-plane that is perpendicular to the axis X, or it may even extend generally along a cone that converges towards the outlet of the container.

(83) The wiper member may also be adjustable, where appropriate.

(84) The stem 7 to which the core is fastened may be flexible at least in part, and in particular it may be entirely flexible, e.g. in the proximity of the applicator member. By way of example, the stem may include at least one flexible element 80, as shown in FIG. 17, e.g. made of elastomer and/or presenting a shape that imparts flexibility, e.g. at least one notch 81 as shown in FIG. 17a.

(85) In order to use the device 1, the user may unscrew the closure cap 5 and remove the applicator member 8 from the container 3.

(86) After the applicator member 8 has passed through the wiper member 6, a certain quantity of composition remains between the rows 17 and between the teeth 18 of the rows, and in particular in the toothless portion(s) 100.

(87) The applicator member may be made by any known method such as injection-molding, dual-injection-molding, and protrusion, in which material is injected through at least one portion of the core, so as to enable teeth to be formed.

(88) The applicator member may be a vibrator member, i.e. vibration may be applied to the applicator during application, combing, or while taking the composition, e.g. as described in application WO 2006/090343.

(89) Still in a variant, the applicator member may be rotary, i.e. it may be turned about the longitudinal axis of the core, e.g. during application, combing, or while taking the composition.

(90) Still in a variant, the applicator member may deliver heat, i.e. it may include a heater element.

(91) It is also possible that the applicator member may vibrate, turn, and heat, or merely vibrate and turn, or merely vibrate and heat, or merely turn and heat, or merely vibrate, or merely turn, or merely heat.

(92) The applicator member may include any bactericidal agent such as silver salts, copper salts; preservatives; and at least one agent for preserving the composition such as parabens or other preservatives.

(93) The core and/or the teeth may further include particles, e.g. a filler, in particular a magnetic, bacteriostatic, or humidity-absorbing compound, or even a compound for creating roughness at the surface of the tooth, or for encouraging sliding of the eyelashes over the teeth. At least one of the core and a tooth may be flocked, may receive any heat treatment or mechanical treatment, and/or may include particles, e.g. a filler, in particular for improving sliding.

(94) The packaging and applicator device may as shown in FIG. 1 comprise a container and an applicator device being able to be removed and unfastened from the container for applying the composition.

(95) In not shown exemplary embodiments, the packaging and applicator device may comprise an applicator member fastened to the container and present inside said container before application. Said applicator member is able to be extracted from said container while still being fastened to it for applying the substance on the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows. Such an embodiment is described in FIG. 50 of WO 2009/153753, said figure being incorporated by reference.

(96) In not shown exemplary embodiments, the applicator member is fastened to the container and may not able to be moved relative to it. The applicator member then comprises a canal and at least one hole on its outside surface. During application, the applicator member is fed by the substance to be applied through the canal and hole(s) opening out on the applicator member.

(97) The above description of the applicator elements applies equally to any of these embodiments concerning the relation between the container and the applicator member.

(98) Naturally, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, the characteristics of which may be combined together within variants not shown.

(99) The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, and “lying in the range” should be construed as including the limits of the range, unless specified to the contrary.