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 has two opposite longitudinal grooves that turn around said longitudinal axis (X) as they extend along the latter, and—spikes (18) carried by the core (10).

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 has two opposite longitudinal grooves that turn around said longitudinal axis as they extend along the latter, and spikes carried by the core.

2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the grooves of the core extend helically around the longitudinal axis of the core.

3. Applicator according to claim 2, wherein the grooves of the core each have a constant helical pitch along the longitudinal axis of the core.

4. Applicator according to claim 2, wherein the grooves of the core have the same helical pitch.

5. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the grooves of the core are continuous along the longitudinal axis of the core, extending in particular from the proximal end of the core to its distal end.

6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the grooves are diametrically opposite.

7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core has a cross section in the overall shape of an “8”.

8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the depth (h.sub.n) of the grooves of the core is constant along their entire length.

9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spikes are disposed in a plurality of rectilinear longitudinal rows.

10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spikes have a first face that has a first, in particular flat, shape, and a second face that has a second, in particular rounded, shape.

11. 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.

12. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spikes are disposed along crowns of spikes, two consecutive first crowns along the longitudinal axis of the core being identical, the two following consecutive crowns being offset angularly by one and the same non-zero angle with respect to said first crowns.

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 and having a wiping member.

Description

[0065] The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

[0066] FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view, in partial longitudinal section, of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention,

[0067] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the applicator member from FIG. 1 on its own,

[0068] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the core of the applicator member from FIG. 2, on its own,

[0069] FIG. 4 is a front view of the applicator member from FIG. 2, and

[0070] FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, of a variant embodiment of an applicator member according to the invention.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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.

[0073] The applicator 2 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.

[0074] The container 3 also has a wiping member 6, for example inserted into the neck 4.

[0075] This wiping member 6, which may be any wiping member, 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.

[0076] The wiping member 6 may be made of elastomer.

[0077] The wiping member 6 may have a wiping orifice 6a with a circular shape, optionally with slots.

[0078] The diameter of the wiping orifice 6a of the wiping member 6 is for example between 2.5 and 6 mm, being for example around 3.5 mm or 5 mm.

[0079] The wiping member 6 may optionally have undulations, allowing the wiping orifice to widen more easily when the applicator member 8 passes through.

[0080] The wiping member may also be adjustable, if appropriate.

[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 stern 7 is rectilinear and coincident with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place thereon, but if the stern 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] The stem 7, to which the applicator member 8 is fixed, may be at least partially, and in particular completely, flexible, in particular in the vicinity of the applicator member.

[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 a corresponding housing provided at the end of the stem 7.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] The visible length H of the applicator member 8 is for example between 15 mm and 27 mm.

[0089] In the examples shown, 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.

[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the core 10 has two diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves 13 and 14 that turn around its longitudinal axis X as they extend along the latter and that extend along longitudinal axes T.sub.1 and T.sub.2, respectively.

[0091] In the example described, the grooves 13 and 14 extend helically around the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, along the entire length of the core 10.

[0092] In the examples shown, the grooves 13 and 14 each have a right-handed helical pitch that is constant along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, and have the same helical pitch.

[0093] The angle γ between the longitudinal axis of a groove 13 or 14 and the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 is preferably the same for each groove. This angle γ may be between 30° and 60°, being equal to 45° in the examples in question.

[0094] The grooves 13 and 14 are continuous, not being interrupted along their entire length. In one variant (not shown), at least one groove 13 or 14 is interrupted along a part of its length.

[0095] In the examples shown, the grooves 13 and 14 extend through a little more than two complete revolutions about the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, from its proximal end 11 to its distal end 12.

[0096] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the core 10 has a cross section, taken perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis X, in the overall shape of an “8”.

[0097] In the examples in FIGS. 2 and 5, the depth h.sub.n of the grooves 13 and 14 is constant along their entire length, and the grooves 13 and 14 have the same depth at each point on the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

[0098] The depth h.sub.n of the grooves 13 and 14 is for example between 0.1 mm and 0.9 mm.

[0099] In the examples in FIGS. 2 and 5, the width of the grooves 13 and 14 is constant and the grooves 13 and 14 have the same width at each point on the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. The width l of the grooves 13 and 14, half-way down their depth, is for example between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0100] In the examples described, the spikes 18 are disposed on the applicator member 8 in a plurality of rectilinear longitudinal rows 17, 19, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2.

[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the implantation of the spikes 18 may be such that the angle α.sub.1 around the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 between two consecutive crowns 20 and 21 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.

[0102] In one variant, shown in FIG. 5, two consecutive first crowns 23, 24 of spikes 18 along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 are identical, the two following consecutive crowns 25, 26 being offset angularly by one and the same non-zero angle α.sub.2 with respect to said first crowns 23, 24, preferably equal to half the angular pitch β between two consecutive spikes 18 of a crown. In the example described, the angle α.sub.2 is equal to the angle α.sub.1.

[0103] In the examples in question, the spikes 18 have a cross section flattened along a flattening plane Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

[0104] The spikes 18 may also narrow, in side view, in the direction of their free end 28, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4. The spikes 18 may also narrow in the direction of their free end 28, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2 and 5.

[0105] As illustrated, the height h.sub.p of the spikes 18 may vary along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. The height of the spikes 18 may decrease towards the distal end 12 of the core 10, so as to facilitate insertion into the container 3. The height of the spikes 18 may also decrease towards the stem 7, so as to make it easier for the applicator member 8 to pass the wiping member 6 while the applicator 2 is being withdrawn from the container 3.

[0106] The height h.sub.p of the spikes 18 is for example between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

[0107] The width l.sub.p of a spike 18, in front view, may be less than or equal to 0.85 mm., better still less than or equal to 0.7 mm.

[0108] The thickness e.sub.p of the spikes 18 is for example between 0.3 mm and 0.85 mm.

[0109] The spikes 18 may have various shapes. In the examples in question, and as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, the spikes 18 have a semi-conical shape, each having a first face 18a that has a flat shape, and a second face 18b that has a rounded shape. The spikes 18 are also terminated by a hemispherical free end 28. However, the invention is not limited to one particular shape of spikes.

[0110] In the examples 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, is rotationally symmetrical around said axis X and has in particular the shape of a peanut, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 5.

[0111] In the examples illustrated, the envelope surface S has a cross section that varies along the entire length of the applicator member 8, having in particular a local minimum at a point corresponding approximately to the middle of the visible length H of the applicator member 8.

[0112] The spikes 18 are made, in the examples in question, in one piece with the core 10 by moulding thermoplastic material.

[0113] 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 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.

[0114] In order to use the device 1, the user unscrews the closure cap 5 and withdraws the applicator member 8 from the container 3. Once the applicator member 8 has passed through the wiping member 6, a particular quantity of product P remains in the grooves 13 and 14, 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.

[0115] Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, the characteristics of which may be combined with one another as parts of variants which are not illustrated.

[0116] 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.

[0117] 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 around the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, for example during application, combing or picking up of the product P.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] The core 10 and/or the 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 spike 18 may be flocked, receive any heat or mechanical treatment, and/or comprise particles, for example a filler, in order in particular to improve the sliding of the applicator member on the eyelashes and/or eyebrows.

[0122] 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.