Mascara applicator

Abstract

The present invention relates to a brush (8) for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising: a core (10) of plastic material, having a longitudinal axis, spikes (11, 13) carried by the core, including at least a first row of spikes extending longitudinally, this row comprising a series of at least four consecutive spikes positioned at respective abscissae x.sub.1 to x.sub.4 along the longitudinal axis, with d.sub.1=x.sub.2−x.sub.1, d.sub.2=X.sub.3−x.sub.2, d.sub.3=x.sub.4−X.sub.3 and d.sub.1, d.sub.2 and d.sub.3 being different in pairs.

Claims

1. A brush for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising: a core of plastic material, having a longitudinal axis, wherein spikes are carried by the core, extending from the core, and attached to the core, wherein the spikes are arranged at least in a first row of spikes extending longitudinally and including a series of at least four consecutive spikes positioned on the core at respective abscissae x.sub.1 to x.sub.4 along the longitudinal axis of the core, with distances d.sub.i=X.sub.i+1−X.sub.i between the spikes of abscissae x.sub.i+1 and x.sub.i, i being an integer comprised between 1 and 3, being different in pairs, and wherein the core carries at least a group of four rows, composed of said first row and of other rows, which are repeated several times angularly over the core, each row of said group comprises spikes of unequal sizes and spikes of unequal heights, each of said other rows includes a series of at least four consecutive spikes positioned on the core at respective abscissae x.sub.1 to x.sub.4 along the longitudinal axis of the core, with distances d.sub.i=x.sub.i+1−x.sub.i between the spikes of abscissae x.sub.i=1 and x.sub.i, i being an integer comprised between 1 and 3, being different in pairs.

2. The brush as claimed in claim 1, said series of spikes comprising at least a fifth spike of abscissa x.sub.5, with a distance between the fourth and fifth spikes, d.sub.4=x.sub.5−x.sub.4 being different from said distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2 and d.sub.3.

3. The brush as claimed in claim 1, with said distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2 and d.sub.3 not being bound by a proportionality relationship.

4. The brush as claimed in claim 1, with said distances d.sub.1<d.sub.2 and d.sub.3<d.sub.1.

5. The brush as claimed in claim 1, the pattern formed by said series of spikes being repeated at least once along first row.

6. The brush as claimed in claim 1, said series of spikes comprising at least three spikes of unequal sizes.

7. The brush as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least one other row of spikes adjacent to the first row, these rows being angularly consecutive around the longitudinal axis of the core, these consecutive rows comprising respective series of spikes that form patterns which are different in pairs.

8. The brush as claimed in claim 1, comprising a second row of spikes adjacent to the first, this second row comprising series of at least two spikes grouped together.

9. The brush as claimed in claim 7, at least one of the other row(s), comprising at least one series of at least four consecutive spikes positioned at respective abscissae x.sub.1.sup.(j) to x.sub.4.sup.(j) along the longitudinal axis, with j the number of the row, and distances d.sub.i.sup.(j)=xi.sub.+1.sup.(j)−x.sub.i.sup.(j), between the spikes of abscissae x.sub.i+1 and x.sub.i of row number j, i being an integer comprised between 1 and 3, being different in pairs.

10. The brush as claimed in claim 7, each of said rows comprising a series of spikes of unequal sizes.

11. The brush as claimed in claim 7, the pattern formed by the first row being repeated around the longitudinal axis of the core.

12. The brush as claimed in claim 7, said other rows each comprising at least one spike having the same abscissa, along the longitudinal axis of the core, as a spike of the first row.

13. The brush as claimed in claim 1, each row comprising between eight and twenty spikes.

14. The brush as claimed in claim 1, the first row comprising a series of spikes of the same height.

15. The brush as claimed in claim 1, comprising a second row of spikes having a lower height than the spikes of the first row.

16. The brush as claimed in claim 1, comprising at least a second row having at least three spikes with constant spacing between them.

17. The brush as claimed in claim 1, comprising a guard ring, comprising radial spikes.

18. A packaging and application device, comprising: a container containing the product to be applied, a brush as claimed in claim 1.

19. The brush as claimed in claim 2, wherein said distance d.sub.4 between the fourth and fifth spikes is greater than the distance d.sub.3 between the second and third spikes.

20. The brush as claimed in claim 2, wherein said distances d.sub.1, d.sub.2, d.sub.3 and d.sub.4 are not bound by a proportionality relationship.

21. The brush as claimed in claim 1, wherein said spikes of unequal sizes are of unequal heights and/or of unequal cross sections at their base.

22. The brush as claimed in claim 6, wherein said at least three spikes of unequal sizes are of unequal heights and/or of unequal cross sections at their base.

23. The brush as claimed in claim 7, comprising at least two other rows, these rows being angularly consecutive around the longitudinal axis of the core, these consecutive rows comprising respective series of spikes that form patterns which are different in pairs.

24. The brush as claimed in claim 7, comprising at least three other rows, these rows being angularly consecutive around the longitudinal axis of the core, these consecutive rows comprising respective series of spikes that form patterns which are different in pairs.

25. The brush as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second row comprises a series of at least three spikes grouped together.

26. The brush as claimed in claim 9, wherein each of said other rows, comprising at least one series of at least four consecutive spikes positioned at respective abscissae x.sub.1.sup.(j) to x.sub.4.sup.(j) along the longitudinal axis, with j the number of the row, and distances d.sub.i.sup.(j)=x.sub.i+1.sup.(j)−x.sub.i.sup.(j), between the spikes of abscissae x.sub.i+1 and x.sub.i of row number j, i being an integer comprised between 1 and 3, being different in pairs.

27. The brush as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pattern formed by said other rows is repeated around the longitudinal axis of the core.

28. The brush as claimed in claim 11, wherein the pattern formed by the first row is repeated around the longitudinal axis of the core between three and six times.

29. The brush as claimed in claim 28, wherein the pattern formed by the first row is repeated four times around the longitudinal axis of the core.

30. The brush as claimed in claim 16, comprising at least a third row having at least three spikes with constant spacing between them.

31. The brush as claimed in claim 17, wherein the guard ring is supported by a collar.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(1) The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof, and with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view, in partial longitudinal section, of an example of a packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 shows the brush of the applicator from FIG. 1 on its own, in perspective,

(4) FIG. 3 is a front view along III from FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a side view of the brush, on its own,

(6) FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section through the brush, along V-V from FIG. 4,

(7) FIG. 6 shows the detail VI from FIG. 5, and

(8) FIG. 7 is a flat developed view of the implantations of the spikes on the core, the guard collar not being represented in this figure.

(9) 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.

(10) 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 constituting a gripping member for the applicator 2.

(11) 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 a brush 8 forming the applicator member.

(12) The brush 8 has, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 7, a core 10 that bears spikes 11 that extend from the core 10 and all around the latter.

(13) The container 3 also has a wiping member 6, inserted into the neck 4.

(14) 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 brush 8 when the applicator 2 is withdrawn from the container 3. The lip defines a wiping orifice having a diameter adapted to that of the stem 7. The wiping member 6 may be made of elastomer. The wiping orifice has for example a circular shape.

(15) The diameter of the wiping orifice is typically between 3 and 5.5 mm, and is for example around 4.5 mm or 5 mm.

(16) In the example illustrated, the stem 7 has a circular cross section, but, if the stem 7 has some other cross 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 brush 8, if appropriate.

(17) 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.

(18) 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.

(19) As illustrated in particular in FIG. 2, the brush 8 preferably has an end piece 9 for fixing it in a corresponding housing in the stem 7.

(20) The brush 8 may be fixed in this housing in the stem 7 by any means, and notably by force-fitting, snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding, stapling or crimping.

(21) 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.

(22) The visible length H of the brush 8 is for example equal to around 27 mm.

(23) If reference is made to FIG. 7, it is seen that the spikes 11 are positioned on the core 10 along longitudinal rows.

(24) More particularly, in the example considered, these rows may be broken down into four groups 12 of four rows each which are repeated around the longitudinal axis X. Each group 12 thus substantially occupies an angular sector of 90 degrees around the longitudinal axis of the core 10.

(25) The patterns formed by the spikes of the rows of one group 12 are thus repeated angularly several times around the longitudinal axis of the core.

(26) In the example considered, a group 12 comprises a first row 20 of spikes 11 and three other adjacent rows 30, 40 to 50 of spikes, all the rows of one group 12 each extending along a specific longitudinal axis which is rectilinear and contained in a plane containing the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

(27) The core has a general frustoconical shape converging in the direction of the distal end 8b of the brush 8, so that each longitudinal axis along which a row 20, 30, 40 or 50 extends forms a generatrix of the surface of the core 10.

(28) However, the invention is not limited to one particular cross-sectional shape of the core 10, as mentioned above.

(29) The row 20 comprises a series of 12 spikes 11.sub.20.1 to 11.sub.20.12, of which the first five spikes 11.sub.20.1 to 11.sub.20.5 starting from the proximal end 8a have respective abscissae x.sub.1 to x.sub.5.

(30) The abscissa of a given spike is measured in a mid-plane of this spike, perpendicular to the specific longitudinal axis of the corresponding row, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The expression d.sub.i=x.sub.i+1×x.sub.i denotes the distance between the spikes of abscissae x.sub.i+1 and x.sub.i.

(31) In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the abscissae x.sub.1 to x.sub.4 have no arithmetic or geometric progression, that is to say that the distances d.sub.i and d.sub.j are different in pairs for any different whole i, j values between 1 and 3, and d.sub.3/d.sub.2 is different from d.sub.2/d.sub.1.

(32) In the example considered, d.sub.4/d.sub.3 is different from d.sub.3/d.sub.2 and d.sub.4/d.sub.3 is different from d.sub.2/d.sub.1 also.

(33) In the example considered, at least two spikes of the series of spikes 11.sub.20.1 to 11.sub.20.12 are of different size.

(34) For example, there are cross sections measured at the base of the spikes, at the attachment to the core, which are different. The spike 11.sub.20.1 has a larger cross section at its base than that of the spike 11.sub.20.2 and the spike 11.sub.20.3 has a larger cross section at its base than that of the spike 11.sub.20.2.

(35) It is also possible to have, as illustrated, the spike 11.sub.20.4 which has a smaller cross section at its base than that of the spike 11.sub.20.3 and more generally an alternation, on going from the proximal end of the core to the distal end thereof, of a spike of larger cross section at its base with a spike of smaller cross section at its base within the first row 20. The second to last spike 11.sub.20.11 has substantially the same cross section at its base as the adjacent spike which precedes it 11.sub.20.10. The last spike 11.sub.20.12 of the row 20 has a smaller cross section at its base. The radius of curvature at the free end of the spikes of larger cross section at their base may be greater than that of the spikes of smaller cross section, as can be seen in FIG. 6.

(36) The spikes of larger cross section at their base may have a height different to that of the spikes of smaller cross section at their base.

(37) The width l.sub.20.1 of the first spike 11.sub.20.1 of larger cross section at its base, as illustrated in FIG. 6, may be between 0.8 mm and 0.9 mm. In this figure, the adjacent spike 11.sub.20.2, which is slightly higher and has a smaller radius of curvature at its end, has a width l.sub.20.2 of between 0.7 mm and 0.8 mm at its base.

(38) The first row 20 may comprise within it a series of spikes having substantially the same height, even though some of them have different cross sections at their base.

(39) In the example considered, the spikes 11.sub.20.3 to 11.sub.20.7 are thus substantially of the same height, as can be seen in FIG. 5. There is for example, for the height of the spikes of the first row, a growth in height from the first spike to the second, then a decrease to the third, a substantially constant height through to the seventh, a growth through to the tenth, and finally a decrease through to the twelfth.

(40) The second row 30 comprises spikes 11.sub.30.1 to 11.sub.30.11 of lower height than those of the first row, as can be seen in FIG. 4.

(41) The first nine spikes of this second row 30 are grouped together in threes.

(42) If x.sub.1.sup.(2), x.sub.2.sup.(2), x.sub.3.sup.(2) denote the respective abscissae of the first three spikes of the second row 30, thus a distance for dj.sup.(2)=x.sub.j+1.sup.(2)−x.sub.j.sup.(2).

(43) Thus also d.sub.1.sup.(2)=d.sub.2.sup.(2)=d.sub.4.sup.(2)=d.sub.5.sup.(2)=d.sub.7.sup.(2)=d.sub.8.sup.(2), and d.sub.3.sup.(2)=d.sub.6.sup.(2), with d.sub.3.sup.(2)>d.sub.1.sup.(2). Thus for example, as illustrated, d.sub.3.sup.(2)=d.sub.6.sup.(2), approximately equal to 6*d.sub.1.sup.(2).

(44) The first two spikes of each group of three, for the second row 30, are identical, and have a smaller cross section at their base than that of the third spike.

(45) The last two spikes of the second row 30 have a smaller cross section at their base than all the other spikes of this row.

(46) The abscissa of the first spike of the second row is substantially equal to that of the second spike of the first row. The abscissa of the fourth spike of the second row is substantially equal to that of the sixth spike of the first row. The abscissa of the seventh spike of the second row is substantially equal to that of the tenth spike of the first row.

(47) The third row 40 comprises more spikes than the first row and than the second row, namely 14 spikes 11.sub.40.1 to 11.sub.40.14 in the example considered.

(48) The cross section at the base of the first four spikes 11.sub.40.1 to 11.sub.40.4 increases, then remains substantially constant for the next spike, before decreasing for the sixth spike. The cross section at the base of this sixth spike is approximately equal to that of the second spike. The cross section at the base of the seventh spike is equal to that of the sixth spike, then the cross section at the base of the spikes increases again with the eighth spike, which has substantially the same cross section at its base as the fourth and fifth spikes. The ninth and twelfth spikes have substantially the same cross section as the eighth, and the tenth, eleventh and thirteenth have substantially the same cross section at their base as the third.

(49) The spikes of the third row having the same cross section at their base may have the same height, as can be seen in FIG. 4.

(50) The abscissa x.sub.2.sup.(3) of the second spike of the third row may be substantially equal to the abscissa x.sub.1 of the first spike of the first row.

(51) The abscissa of the fourth spike of the third row may be substantially equal to that of the second spike of the second row. The abscissa of the fifth spike of the third row may be substantially equal to that of the fourth spike of the first row. The abscissa of the sixth spike of the third row may be substantially equal to that of the fifth spike of the first row. The abscissa of the ninth spike of the third row may be substantially equal to that of the eighth spike of the first row. The abscissa of the twelfth spike of the third row may be substantially equal to that of the eighth spike of the second row. The abscissa of the fourteenth spike of the third row may be substantially equal to that of the last spike of the first row.

(52) The fourth row 50 comprises 10 spikes 11.sub.50.1 to 11.sub.50.10.

(53) The cross section at their base of the spikes of the fourth row increases between the first and second spikes, then decreases with the third spike, before increasing with the fourth. The fifth spike of the fourth row has the same cross section at its base as the fourth. The cross section of the spikes at their base increases slightly between the fifth and the sixth spikes reaching a maximum for the sixth and seventh spikes. The eighth spike has a significantly smaller cross section, substantially equal to that of the first spike. The ninth spike has a cross section at its base that is slightly smaller than that of the preceding one, and the last spike has the same cross section at its base as the eighth.

(54) The first spike of the fourth row has the same abscissa as the first spike of the first row. The second spike of the fourth row has the same abscissa as the third spike of the third row. The third spike of the fourth row has the same abscissa as the third spike of the second row. The seventh spike of the fourth row has the same abscissa as the eleventh spike of the third row. The last spike of the fourth row has the same abscissa as the last spike of the first and third rows.

(55) Thus, d.sub.1.sup.(4)<d.sub.2.sup.(4) and d.sub.2.sup.(4)=d.sub.3.sup.(4), d.sub.4.sup.(4)<d.sub.3.sup.(4), d.sub.4.sup.(4)=d.sub.1.sup.(4) and d.sub.5.sup.(4) is approximately equal to 3 times d.sub.4.sup.(4), d.sub.6.sup.(4)=d.sub.4.sup.(4), d.sub.7.sup.(4)>d.sub.6.sup.(4), d.sub.8.sup.(4)<d.sub.7.sup.(4) and d.sub.9.sup.(4)>d.sub.8.sup.(4).

(56) If reference is made to FIGS. 4 and 5, it is seen that the brush 8 comprises a guard ring comprising radial spikes 13 evenly distributed angularly around the axis X, and that are attached at their base to a collar 14 having a greater width than the spikes 13.

(57) The diameter of the circle defined by the free ends of the spikes 13 is smaller than the largest diameter of the envelope surface defined by the rows of spikes 11 but larger than that of the circle defined by the first spikes 11. The height of the collar 14 is approximately equal to that of the spikes 13.

(58) The largest diameter D of the envelope surface is for example between 8.8 mm and 9 mm.

(59) In order to mold the brush 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 notably to use the materials known under the trade names Teflon®, Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax® and Pollobas®, this list not being limiting.

(60) In order to use the device 1, the user unscrews the closure cap 5 and withdraws the brush 8 from the container 3.

(61) Once the brush 8 has passed through the wiping member 6, a particular quantity of product P remains between the spikes 11, 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.

(62) Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment just described.

(63) The applicator 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 application WO 2006/090343.

(64) In a further variant, the applicator 8 may be able to rotate, that is to say that the brush 8 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.

(65) In a further variant, the applicator may be heated, that is to say have a heating element for heating the keratin fibers, the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, in particular by heating the spikes and/or the core 10 of the brush 8.

(66) It is also possible for the applicator 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 heated.

(67) The brush 8 may comprise any bactericidal agent such as silver salts, copper salts, preservatives and at least one preservative for the product P.

(68) The core and/or the spikes 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 or to help the eyelashes and/or eyebrows to slide on the spikes. At least one of the core and a spike may be flocked or undergo any heat treatment or mechanical treatment.

(69) Other arrangements of spikes may be produced.

(70) The spikes may be other than straight spikes of semi-circular cross section.