APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING A HAIRCARE PRODUCT, AND ASSOCIATED APPLICATION METHOD

Abstract

The applicator for applying a haircare product comprises abase (12) provided with protruding spikes (14) and a gripping member (16) supporting the base, the base (12) being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the gripping member (16).

Claims

1. Applicator for applying a haircare product, comprising a base (12) provided with protruding spikes (14) and a gripping member (16) supporting the base, the base (12) being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the gripping member (16), characterized in that at least a plurality of the spikes (14) each delimit internally a product feed duct (30) that opens out via at least one outlet orifice (32), the applicator also comprising a reservoir connected to the base (12), or connected to the gripping member (16), and delimiting internally at least one storage compartment (28) for said product that is in permanent fluidic communication with the feed ducts (30) of the spikes, the spikes (14) being arranged in the form of parallel rows.

2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least a plurality of the spikes each have a circular cross section.

3. Applicator according to claim 1, further comprising a member (36) for adjusting the angular orientation of the base (12).

4. Applicator according to claim 3, wherein the member (36) for adjusting the angular orientation of the base comprises a motor connected to the gripping member (16).

5. Applicator according to claim 3, further comprising a sensor (40) for measuring the speed or acceleration of said applicator, and a control unit (38) that is able to control the operation of the member (36) for adjusting the angular orientation of the base depending on the data from said measurement sensor.

6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spikes (14) are provided with end parts with a flat shape or a section that decreases in the direction of their free end.

7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises at least one deformable part such that pressure exerted on said deformable part causes the volume of said storage compartment (28) to be reduced and the product to move towards the feed ducts (30) and the outlet orifices (32) of the spikes.

8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the base (12) comprises a skirt (22) that fits over the gripping member (16).

9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the base (12) delimits a frontal face (18) from which the spikes (14) protrude, the density of spikes on said frontal face being between 0.1 and 20 per cm.sup.2, and preferably between 1 and 5 per cm.sup.2.

10. Applicator according to claim 9, wherein the frontal face (18) of the base of the applicator is between 10 and 1000 cm.sup.2, and preferably between 50 and 400 cm.sup.2.

11. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the total number of spikes (14) is between 20 and 20 000, in particular from 50 to 10 000, and preferably from 100 to 2000.

12. Method for applying to the hair a hairstyling composition comprising at least one fixing agent for shaping the hair with the aid of an applicator comprising a base (12) provided with protruding spikes (14) and a gripping member (16) supporting the base, the base (12) being mounted so as to be rotatable relative to the gripping member (16), the method comprising: a step of loading the spikes (14) of the applicator with the hairstyling composition, and a step of transferring to the hair the hairstyling composition retained on the spikes (14) of the applicator by tapping said spikes on the hair.

13. Method according to claim 12, comprising, before the step of loading the spikes of the applicator with the hairstyling composition, a hairstyling step in which the base is turned relative to the gripping member so as to orient the majority of the spikes in the form of rows forming an angle less than or equal to 10° with the direction of movement of said applicator.

Description

[0092] The present invention will be understood better from studying the detailed description of embodiments that are given by way of entirely non-limiting example and are illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0093] FIG. 1 illustrates an application method according to one implementation example of the invention,

[0094] FIG. 2 is a front view of an applicator according to one example of the invention, which is used in the application method in FIG. 1,

[0095] FIG. 3 is a view in cross section on the line in FIG. 2,

[0096] FIG. 4

[0097] FIG. 5

[0098] FIG. 6 are front views of the applicator in FIG. 2 with a base of said applicator in different angular positions, and

[0099] FIG. 7

[0100] FIG. 8 are views in cross section of applicators according to further examples of the invention.

[0101] The method according to the invention can be implemented directly by the consumer in order to arrange or touch up their hairstyle, as is illustrated in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the method can be implemented in a professional setting.

[0102] The method of the invention is implemented with the aid of an applicator 10 for applying a hairstyling composition comprising at least one fixing agent to the consumer's hair. The applicator 10 is pre-loaded with composition to be applied before the step of transferring it to the hair.

[0103] As illustrated more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3, the applicator 10 comprises a base 12 and a plurality of spikes 14 extending therefrom. The spikes 14 make it possible to apply the composition to the consumer's hair.

[0104] As will be described in more detail below, the applicator 10 also comprises a gripping member 16, which supports the base 12 and on which said base is mounted in a rotatable manner. The base 12 is rotatable about a geometric axis X-X′. The gripping member 16 makes it possible to grip and handle the applicator 10.

[0105] In this case, the base 12 has a cylindrical overall shape. In a variant, it is possible to provide other shapes, for example polygonal, oval, etc., for the base.

[0106] The spikes 14 extend transversely with respect to the base 12. The longitudinal axes of the spikes 14 are mutually parallel. The spikes 14 are preferably identical to one another. The spikes 14 extend from a frontal face 18 of the base 12.

[0107] The base 12 is delimited axially by the first frontal face 18 and by a second frontal face 20 on the opposite side from the first frontal face 18. The frontal faces 18, 20 form end faces of the base 12. The frontal faces 18, 20 are in this case flat. In a variant, these faces could be slightly convex or concave.

[0108] In the illustrated example, the base 12 also comprises an annular mounting skirt 22, which axially continues the frontal face 20. The skirt 22 partially surrounds the gripping member 16 radially. The skirt 22 is fitted around the gripping member 16. In this example, the skirt 22 makes it possible to achieve the rotational mounting of the base 12 on the gripping member 16. Alternatively or in combination, it is possible to provide further means for ensuring this rotational mounting, for example by providing on the base a pin that forms a pivot centred on the geometric axis X-X′ and fits inside a complementary housing of the gripping member 16.

[0109] In the illustrated example, the spikes 14 are spaced apart regularly from one another. Depending on the spacing of the spikes 14, the fixing effect of one and the same composition will be different. By way of indication, the spacing or distance between the spikes 14 may be between 2 mm and 8 mm. Alternatively, it might be possible to provide an inter-spike 14 spacing that is not regular, for example when the composition is intended to be deposited in a particular pattern.

[0110] The spikes 14 are arranged in a mutually parallel manner in the form of rows. The spikes 14 are arranged in an array of parallel rows. The spikes 14 extend in the same direction.

[0111] Each spike 14 has a circular cross section. In the illustrated example, the spikes have a cylindrical overall shape. In a variant, the spikes 14 could have a conical shape.

[0112] The spikes 14 have a height that may be between 2 mm and 40 mm, and preferably between 3 mm and 20 mm. By way of indication, the maximum diameter of each spike 14 may be 1.5 mm. In other embodiments, it is possible to provide a spike diameter of between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, and preferably between 1 mm and 5 mm.

[0113] In the illustrated example, each spike 14 comprises a free end of flat shape. In a variant, it is possible to provide other shapes for the ends of the spikes, for example rounded shapes, in particular spherical shapes, or pointed shapes, or generally a section that decreases in the direction of its free end. Alternatively, the end parts of the spikes may be provided with cavities, for example of spherical shape.

[0114] The spikes 14 and the base 12 may be made in one piece, for example by moulding a rigid plastics material, for example PP, PE, HDPE, etc., or a flexible plastics material. In a variant, the spikes 14 may be produced in the form of attached elements that are fixed to the base 12 by any appropriate means, for example by adhesive bonding or by overmoulding.

[0115] In the illustrated example, the gripping member 16 has a cylindrical overall shape. The gripping member 16 is situated in the axial continuation of the base 12. In a variant, it is possible to provide other shapes, for example polygonal or oval, etc., for the gripping member 16. The gripping member 16 may also, in another variant, be in the form of a handle.

[0116] The gripping member 16 is mounted axially against the base 12, on the opposite side from the spikes 14. The gripping member 16 is delimited axially by a first frontal face 24 and by a second frontal face 26 on the opposite side from the first frontal face 24. The frontal faces 24, 26 form end faces of the gripping member 16. The frontal faces 24, 26 are in this case flat. In a variant, these faces could be slightly convex or concave. The frontal face 24 of the gripping member bears axially against the frontal face 20 of the base.

[0117] The base 12 is axially connected to the gripping member 16 while being rotatable about the axis X-X′ with respect to the latter. As indicated above, the skirt 22 of the base is fitted around the gripping member 16. In order to axially retain the base 12 relative to the gripping member 16, the skirt 22 of the base may be provided on the inside with a snap-fastening hook (not shown), which extends inside a groove (not shown) formed in the gripping member 16.

[0118] As indicated above, the base 12 is rotatable relative to the gripping member 16. The base 12 may be mounted so as to rotate freely relative to the gripping member 16. Alternatively, it is possible to limit the rotational movement of the base 12 to a limited angular sector. In this case, it is possible, for example, to provide on the gripping member 16 two diametrically opposite studs that each fit inside a slot formed in the bore of the skirt 22 of the mounting base.

[0119] To effect application to the hair, the user can proceed as follows.

[0120] First of all, the user loads the spikes 14 of the applicator with composition, for example by dipping them into a container containing the composition. In this way, a layer of composition covers each of the spikes 14.

[0121] Next, in a second step, the user brings the spikes 14 of the applicator into contact with the hair by introducing them into the thickness of the head of hair in order to apply the product by capillary action. During this step, the user taps the spikes 14 lightly against the hair in order to facilitate the deposition of the composition on the head of hair by capillary action.

[0122] This application movement by tapping is natural for a user, since it is reminiscent of the manner in which powder is applied to the face with the aid of a powder puff. The hairstyle can thus be shaped and/or touched up in a particularly simple and easy manner.

[0123] Before the first step of loading the spikes 14, the user can also make use of the applicator for styling or restyling their hair. In this case, the user turns the base 12 relative to the gripping member 16 so as to orient the majority of the spikes 14 in the form of vertical rows forming an angle less than or equal to 10° with the direction of movement of the applicator. In FIG. 4, the base 12 is oriented angularly with respect to the gripping member 16 such that the rows of spikes 14 extend in a direction of vertical movement of the applicator. The orientation of the spikes 14 in the angular range indicated above makes it possible to minimize rubbing as the applicator 10 is passed through the hair, for example compared with angular positions of the base 12 as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 with a direction of vertical movement of the applicator.

[0124] Independently of the application of composition, the user can also make use of the applicator 10 not loaded with composition simply to style or restyle their hair.

[0125] The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, in which identical elements bear the same reference signs, differs from the previous example in that the gripping member 16 delimits internally, i.e. on the inside, a storage compartment 28 containing the product to be applied (not shown). In a variant, it may be possible to provide a reservoir delimiting the storage compartment that is attached to the gripping member 16 and fixed thereto by any appropriate means, for example by screwing, snap-fastening etc. In another variant, the reservoir could be delimited by the base 12 or attached thereto.

[0126] In this example, the spikes 14 each comprise internally a feed duct 30 in fluidic communication with the compartment 28 of the gripping member. Alternatively, it is possible to provide a base 12 equipped with a first group or plurality of hollow spikes delimiting such feed ducts, and a second group or plurality of solid spikes.

[0127] In this example, each spike 14 has a feed duct 30 passing through it. Each duct 30 also passes through the thickness of the base 12 and opens onto the frontal face 20. Each duct 30 opens into the compartment 28 at a first end via an inlet orifice (not visible), and opens onto the end part of the associated spike at a second end opposite the first end via an outlet orifice 32. Each duct 30 extends in this case axially with respect to the axis X-X′.

[0128] In the illustrated example, each duct 30 is in direct fluidic communication with the compartment 28. The expression “duct in direct fluidic communication with the compartment” is understood to mean that the duct 30 is in permanent communication with the compartment 28 and is not joined to a selective dispensing means of the pump or valve type that makes it possible to force the product to pass through said duct.

[0129] In this example, the gripping member 16 is deformable under the action of a load exerted by the user. This deformability of the gripping member 16 can be obtained on account of its thickness and/or the nature of the material used, for example a flexible material of the elastomer type. The deformability of the gripping member 16 is provided so as to allow the spikes 14 to be loaded with composition to be applied.

[0130] Specifically, in order to load the spikes 14, the user can proceed as follows. The user exerts a pressure directed towards the inside on a part of the gripping member 16, for example the frontal face 26, bringing about deformation of said gripping member and a reduction in the volume of the compartment 28, this having the effect of moving the composition contained in the compartment through the feed ducts 30 of the spikes in the direction of the outlet orifices 32. The user deforms the gripping member 16 until the spikes 14 are loaded with the desired quantity of composition. Preferably, during this step of loading the spikes 14 with product, the user orients the applicator 10 such that these spikes are directed downwards so as to promote flow by gravity.

[0131] In the previous examples, the angular orientation of the base 12 relative to the gripping member 16 is controlled manually by the user.

[0132] In a variant, the angular movement of the base 12 relative to the gripping member 16 may be controlled in an assisted manner, for example with a motor 36 as is illustrated in the embodiment in FIG. 8, in which identical elements bear the same reference signs.

[0133] The motor 36 is mounted inside the gripping member 16. The motor 36 is connected to the gripping member 16. The shaft of the motor 36 is connected to the base so as to drive the latter in rotation. The shaft of the motor 36 is in this case centred on the geometric axis X-X′. The motor 36 may be for example an electric stepper motor.

[0134] In this example, the applicator 10 also comprises an electronic control unit 38 for controlling the operation of the motor 36. To this end, the applicator 10 comprises a sensor 40 for measuring the acceleration of said applicator. The measurement sensor 40 may be for example an accelerometer. The measurement sensor 40 is connected to the control unit 38 via a connection 42, depicted schematically, for example of the wired or wireless type. The control unit 38 is connected to the motor 36 via a connection 44, depicted schematically, that may also be of the wired or wireless type. The control unit 38 and the measurement sensor 40 are fixed and mounted inside the gripping member 16.

[0135] The control unit 38 is able to control the operation of the motor 36 depending on signals output by the measurement sensor 40, for example in order to orient the angular position of the base 12 relative to the gripping member 16.

[0136] Typically, when the measurement sensor 40 transmits to the control unit 38 data corresponding to a movement of the applicator 10 corresponding to styling or restyling, the control unit 38 controls the operation of the motor 36 so as to orient the base 12 in a position in which the majority of the spikes 14 are oriented in the form of vertical rows forming an angle less than or equal to 10° with the direction of movement of the applicator. Furthermore, it is also possible to provide this type of electronic control unit in the embodiment in which the applicator comprises an integrated product reservoir.