APPLICATOR FOR A COSMETIC PRODUCT INCLUDING A MOVABLE PORTION COMPRISING A LONGITUDINAL AXIS

Abstract

An applicator for a cosmetic product including a fixed portion having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction. The fixed portion is hollow, so that it includes an elongated cavity, and it includes holes connecting the cavity and an exterior area. The applicator includes a movable portion in relation to the fixed portion, the movable portion including an elongated central core in the longitudinal direction and disposed in the cavity formed by the fixed portion. The movable portion includes protuberances, each protuberance passing through a hole of the fixed portion so that it protrudes outside of said fixed portion. The configuration of the protuberances and of the holes makes it possible to move at least longitudinally the movable portion in relation to the fixed portion. The applicator may be obtained by additive manufacturing.

Claims

1-14. (canceled)

15. An applicator for a cosmetic product, the applicator comprising: a fixed portion, configured to be rigidly connected to a gripping portion or integral with said gripping portion, the fixed portion having an elongated shape along a longitudinal axis defining a longitudinal direction; the fixed portion being hollow, so that it includes an elongated cavity; the applicator includes a movable portion in relation to the fixed portion; the movable portion including an elongated central core in the longitudinal direction and disposed in the cavity formed by the fixed portion; the movable portion including protuberances; the fixed portion comprising holes evenly distributed over all or part of the fixed portion in its longitudinal direction and that connect the cavity and an exterior area to said fixed portion; each protuberance passing through a hole of the fixed portion so that it protrudes outside of said fixed portion; and the configuration of the protuberances, of the holes and of the movable portion making it possible to move at least longitudinally the movable portion and the protuberances in relation to the fixed portion.

16. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: the holes are disposed staggered.

17. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: the first fixed portion supports protuberances.

18. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: the cavity includes a distal end opposite the gripping portion, the distal end being open.

19. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: the movable portion is free in rotation, over a certain clearance, about the longitudinal axis.

20. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: the movable portion is freely disposed in the cavity, so as to be mobilized according to at least certain transverse directions.

21. The applicator according to claim 15, further comprising: a sliding connection or a sliding pivot connection between the movable portion and the fixed portion.

22. The Applicator according to claim 15, further comprising: a connecting element configured to be connected to a gripping portion; said connecting element including a longitudinal passage opening into the cavity; and a portion of the movable portion protruding from the fixed portion through said passage.

23. The applicator according to claim 22, further comprising: a mechanical power source connected to said movable portion by its portion protruding from the fixed portion through said passage.

24. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: each protuberance is substantially cylindrical or prismatic and has a length between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm.

25. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: each protuberance is substantially cylindrical or prismatic and has a length between 0.24 mm and 0.40 mm.

26. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: each protuberance includes a free end opposite the longitudinal axis, said applicator fitting into an outer casing defined by the free ends of the protuberances; and said casing is substantially cylindrical and has a diameter of one of the following: between 6 mm and 10 mm; between 7 mm and 9 mm; 8 mm.

27. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: the fixed portion is made of polyamide.

28. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: the fixed portion is made of polyamide 11 or polypropylene.

29. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: the movable portion is made of polyamide.

30. The applicator according to claim 15, wherein: the movable portion is made of polyamide 11 or polypropylene.

31. A method for manufacturing an applicator according to claim 15, comprising: powder bed fusing of a plastic material.

Description

[0040] In the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples:

[0041] FIG. 1 shows, according to a three-dimensional schematic view, an applicator in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0042] FIG. 2 shows, according to a schematic diagram, an example of a distribution of protuberances that may be obtained with a cosmetic product applicator in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 3 shows, according to another three-dimensional schematic view like FIG. 1, an applicator in accordance with an optional embodiment of the invention.

[0044] The applicator of FIG. 1 is of elongated shape, and extends along a longitudinal axis A that forms the main axis of the applicator.

[0045] The applicator 1 of FIG. 1 includes a fixed portion 2 that extends longitudinally and is thus formed between a first end 3 intended to be connected to a gripping portion in order to form an applicator brush and a second end, referred to as distal end 4, which is free.

[0046] In particular, the first end 3 is formed at the end of a connecting element 5 intended to be connected to a gripping portion. According to certain embodiments of the invention not shown, the gripping portion may be integral with the applicator strictly speaking. The fixed portion of the applicator 1 of FIG. 1 is hollow, that is to say it forms an elongated cavity 6, in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal axis A.

[0047] The fixed portion therefore preferably has, over at least most of its length (dimension in the longitudinal direction) a straight cylindrical or prismatic shape. In the example shown, the fixed portion has a general cylindrical shape.

[0048] The general shape of the fixed portion of the applicator is defined by a largely perforated wall, which includes many holes 7. The holes 7 pass through the wall of the fixed portion. The holes 7 thus connect the cavity 6 and the exterior of the applicator, that is to say an exterior area 8 in relation to the fixed portion.

[0049] In the example shown, the holes 7 have a general diamond shape, and are oriented so as to have their longest diagonal oriented in the longitudinal direction. This diamond shape maximises the dimension of the holes in the longitudinal direction. Other shapes of holes, particularly elongated in the longitudinal direction, can be envisaged.

[0050] The holes 7 are positioned staggered.

[0051] Due to the configuration of the holes 7, the open surface of the wall of the fixed portion (over the length of the fixed portion that includes holes) represents more than half the surface of this wall.

[0052] The applicator 1 further includes a movable portion 9.

[0053] The movable portion 9 is disposed in the cavity 6 of the fixed portion 2.

[0054] The movable portion 9 includes a central core that is in the embodiment of FIG. 1 in the shape of a longitudinal axis.

[0055] The movable portion further includes protuberances 10. Each protuberance 10 of the movable portion 9 passes through a hole 7 of the fixed portion 2. Thus, each protuberance 10 extends from the central core according to an orientation substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A. and preferably a radial orientation, that is to say, in a direction perpendicular and secant in relation to the longitudinal axis A.

[0056] Alternatively, the protuberances may have different implantation angles, for example in order to assist the movement of application and/or to favour the retention of cosmetic product.

[0057] In one embodiment, there are as many holes as there are protuberances. In this embodiment, each protuberance extends through a different hole. In other embodiments, a plurality of protuberances pass through the same hole. In any case, each hole has a longitudinal dimension greater than that of the protuberance or protuberances that pass through it (overall longitudinal dimension of a protuberance or protuberances that pass through a hole) in order to make possible the longitudinal movement of said protuberances of the movable portion.

[0058] The edges of the holes thus limit the longitudinal movement of the protuberances, when a protuberance comes to press against one of its edges.

[0059] The movable portion being freely mounted in the cavity 6, its displacement is free at least in the longitudinal direction. In the example shown, the movable portion 9 may also pivot along the longitudinal axis 1. The clearance of the longitudinal movement of the movable portion 9 is nevertheless limited by the mechanical interferences between the protuberances 10 and the edges of the holes that they respectively pass through. The dimensions and the shape of the holes 7, as well as the transverse section of the protuberances 10, thus makes it possible to determine the clearance of the movable portion in its various degrees of freedom.

[0060] In the example shown, the movable portion extends in a longitudinal passage formed in the connecting element 5 of the fixed portion. The passage is cylindrical, and its diameter corresponds, to the nearest functional clearance, to that of the axis forming the central core of the movable portion. This passage therefore opens on the one hand into the cavity of the fixed portion, and on the other hand at the first end 3 of the fixed portion. The movable portion may thus slide freely in the passage, and pivot therein (because it is cylindrical in this example) about the longitudinal axis A. This is then referred to as sliding pivot connection. The cooperation between the passage and the movable portion therefore makes it possible to guide in translation said movable portion. Other means for forming a slide or a sliding pivot between the fixed portion and the movable portion of the applicator 1 can obviously be envisaged.

[0061] According to the example of embodiment shown, the fixed portion also includes protuberances 10.

[0062] The protuberances 10 may have diverse geometries. The protuberances 10 ensure a plurality of functions, particularly a function of retaining the cosmetic product, a function of applying this product on the eyelashes, a function of separating the eyelashes, a combing function. The configuration of the protuberances is optimized so that they jointly fulfil these functions. All of the protuberances may thus have the same configuration, or different configurations. In the example shown here, the protuberances are straight cylindrical, of small diameter. They are comparable to rigid bristles. Prismatic protuberances having a square, rectangular, oval, etc., section can obviously be envisaged. Likewise, conical, frustoconical, pyramidal, or any other variable section protuberances, can be envisaged.

[0063] A first group of protuberances 11 is supported by the chains of the movable portion. A second group of protuberances 12 is supported by the links of the movable portion. The shape and the arrangement of the holes 7 may also be optimized to favour the retention of the cosmetic product.

[0064] The protuberances of these two groups have identical transverse sections, but different lengths, so that their free end is substantially at the same distance from the longitudinal axis A (with the possible exception of protuberances the closest to the ends of the applicator that may be shorter), in order to fit the applicator into a substantially cylindrical outer general casing. The applicator may thus be fitted into a cylinder having a diameter between 6 mm and 10 mm. Applicators fitted into an outer casing of 7 mm to 9.5 mm can also be envisaged. An optimal value, in terms of effectiveness and of ease of application, is of 8 mm or of approximately 8 mm.

[0065] According to the various embodiments of the invention and the various configurations of protuberances that may be used, the length of the protuberances (dimension measured in their main direction of extension, typically radially in relation to the longitudinal axis A) may be between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm for example between 0.24 mm and 0.40 mm.

[0066] FIG. 2 shows, according to a schematic diagram, the distribution of the fixed protuberances of the applicator of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the outer casing wherein the applicator is fitted has been developed, flat. The fixed protuberances are represented by circles (not filled) whereas the movable protuberances have been represented by solid circles. In the example of implantation shown, in the sweeping direction of the applicator, a succession of alignments of fixed protuberances and of alignments of movable protuberances has thus been created. The eyelashes are thus successively combed by fixed protuberances, which separate the eyelashes, and movable protuberances that by adapting to the eyelashes and to the movements of the user give an effect of lateral combing (in the longitudinal direction of the applicator), which improves the application of the cosmetic product (for example improves the lengthening of the eyelashes or their volume).

[0067] In order to improve the quality of the application and/or its ease, or to modify the result of this application, the applicator may be associated with a mechanical power source 14, or means for applying a particular mechanical action to the movable portion, as schematically shown as an optional embodiment in FIG. 3. In the example shown, a portion 13 of the movable portion 9 protrudes from the passage formed in the fixed portion 2.

[0068] This portion 13 may be used to fix thereto said means for applying a mechanical action. For example, a device including an electric motor may be connected to the movable portion to impose on it a to-and-fro movement and/or a vibration. Alternatively, a return device such as a spring may impose a predetermined rest position on the movable portion 9 and therefore on the protuberances that it supports. The applicator thus returns, between each application, to an optimal position to load with cosmetic product and to make it possible to effectively separate the eyelashes.

[0069] Due to its complex configuration, the applicator described above is advantageously (or even inevitably for certain embodiments) manufactured by an additive manufacturing technique. The same applies to other embodiments of the invention. Powder bed fusion additive manufacturing is the preferred technique for forming an applicator according to the present invention.

[0070] The applicator is advantageously made of plastic material. In certain embodiments, the applicator is made of a single material. In other embodiments, the fixed portion and the movable portion are made of two different materials.

[0071] A polyamide, preferably an aliphatic polyamide, for example polyamide 11, may be used to form the fixed portion and/or the movable portion. Polypropylene may be used to form the fixed portion and/or the movable portion.

[0072] The invention thus developed proposes an applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular a mascara applicator, making it possible to apply a large amount with a simple gesture. The ease of use, particular the feeling of flexibility of the applicator is maintained despite the possible use of a hard material, for example of a rigid plastic compatible with an additive manufacturing method.