APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING A PRODUCT TO THE EYELASHES AND/OR EYEBROWS

Abstract

An applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, has a moulded applicator member. The applicator member has a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, teeth that narrow in front view in the direction of their free end and have at least one edge having a point of inflection.

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having a moulded applicator member, the applicator member having: a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and teeth having a symmetric shape in front view, each tooth extending along a longitudinal axis, and that narrow in front view in the direction of their free end and have at least one edge having a point of inflection, each tooth having a bottom part and a top part, the top part corresponding to an upper half of the respective tooth, equal to half a height of the tooth along the longitudinal axis of the tooth, the top part defining a free end of the tooth opposite to the core, the greatest width of the tooth being located in the top part of the tooth, the width of the tooth in the bottom part of the tooth being strictly inferior to the greatest width of the tooth.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the teeth have a cross section flattened along a flattening plane.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the teeth have two opposite edges, each having a point of inflexion.

4. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the gradient of the point of inflection is between 30° and 80°.

5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the teeth are disposed in at least one longitudinal row.

6. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the point(s) of inflection are located in the top part of the teeth.

7. The applicator according to claim 6, wherein the teeth narrow only in their top part.

8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the teeth have a variable height.

9. The applicator according claim 8, wherein the height of the top part of the teeth is constant from one tooth to another and that of their bottom part is variable.

10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the teeth become thinner in the direction of their free end.

11. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the flattening plane of the teeth forms an angle of between 60° and 120° with the longitudinal axis of the core.

12. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the flattening plane of the teeth forms a zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the core.

13. A packaging and application device having the applicator as defined in claim 1.

14. The applicator according to claim 9, wherein the height of the top part of the teeth and that of their bottom part is between 0 mm and 5 mm.

15. The applicator according to claim 11, wherein the flattening plane is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0060] The invention may be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting illustrative examples thereof and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

[0061] FIG. 1 is a schematic and partial view, in longitudinal section, of an example of a packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention,

[0062] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a tooth according to the invention, on its own and viewed in front view,

[0063] FIG. 2A is a detail of the tooth from FIG. 2,

[0064] FIGS. 3 and 4 are views similar to FIG. 2 of variant embodiments of teeth,

[0065] FIG. 5A is a cross section on V-V of the tooth from FIG. 2,

[0066] FIGS. 5B to 5C are views similar to FIG. 5A of variant embodiments,

[0067] FIGS. 6 to 9 are schematic and partial top views of applicator members according to the invention,

[0068] FIGS. 10 to 12 are schematic side views illustrating different variants of the relative positioning of successive teeth,

[0069] FIGS. 13 to 15 are views similar to FIG. 2 of variant embodiments of teeth according to the invention,

[0070] FIG. 16 is a schematic and partial side view of an applicator produced in accordance with the invention,

[0071] FIG. 17 is a front view of the applicator of FIG. 16 according to arrow XVII,

[0072] FIG. 18 is a detailed view XVIII of the applicator of FIG. 16,

[0073] FIG. 19 is a view in perspective of the applicator of FIG. 16, and

[0074] FIG. 20 is a detailed view of XX of the applicator of FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0075] The packaging and application device 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a container 3 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows and an applicator 2 for applying said product P, which may be fixed removably to the container 3.

[0076] The applicator 2 has an applicator member 8 according to the invention, which will be described in detail below, said applicator member 8 being connected by a stem 7 to a gripping member 5 which also forms a member for closing the container 3. This closure member 5 is, for example, as illustrated, a cap designed to be screwed onto a threaded neck 9 of the container in order to close the latter in a sealed manner. In a variant, the applicator 2 can be fixed to the container 3 in some other way.

[0077] The neck 9 may accommodate, as illustrated, a wiping member 6 which is for example inserted into the neck 9. This wiping member 6 has for example a lip that defines a wiping orifice having a diameter adapted to that of the stem 7. The wiping member 6 may be of any type, connected to the container 3 or moulded together therewith. The wiping member 6 may also be adjustable. In a variant, the neck 9 of the container 3 may be attached.

[0078] In the example illustrated, the stem 7 has a rectilinear longitudinal axis Y, but if the stem 7 is not rectilinear, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention. The stem 7 may have a flexible part at its distal end, optionally provided with an annular groove, the applicator member 8 then being attached to this flexible part.

[0079] The product P is intended to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows. It may comprise iron oxide, among other pigments, and an aqueous or organic solvent, depending on the formulation.

[0080] 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 of the applicator 2 in the container 3.

[0081] The applicator member 8 may be connected to the stem 7 in various ways and has for example, as illustrated, an end piece 4 designed to be fixed in a housing thereof.

[0082] The applicator member 8 may be fixed to the stem 7 by any means, and in particular by force-fitting, stapling, snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding or crimping, in the corresponding housing provided at the end of the stem 7. As a variant, the stem 7 may be inserted into a housing provided in the core 10, or the stem and the core may be produced at least partly in one piece, for example by moulding of material.

[0083] The applicator member 8 has a core 10 carrying teeth 20.

[0084] The core 10 has an elongate shape along a longitudinal axis X, which may be rectilinear or curved, preferably being rectilinear, and which may be central.

[0085] The core 10 may have a circular or polygonal, in particular hexagonal, cross section along the majority of its length. The teeth 20 may extend all around the core 10. In one variant, only a part of the core 10 carries teeth 20.

[0086] The core 10 may be made of a thermoplastic material which is or is not relatively rigid, for example SEBS, a silicone, latex, 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, PET, POM, PA or PMMA. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax®, this list not being limiting.

[0087] The core 10 may be twisted, the teeth 20 then following the twist produced by the core.

[0088] The teeth 20 each extend outwardly from the core 10, in the direction of a free end 26, along a longitudinal axis Z.

[0089] The teeth 20 are preferably made of the same material as at least a part of the core 10, better still all of the core 10. The teeth 20 are preferably produced in one piece with the core 10 by moulding of thermoplastic material.

[0090] In one variant, the teeth 20 and the core 10 are made of different materials. The teeth 20 are for example moulded through openings in the core 10. The teeth 20 may be produced from a material softer than the core or, as a variant, harder than the core.

[0091] The teeth 20 have a bottom part 21 and a top part 22. The teeth 20 have two opposite edges 24, 25 that meet at the free end 26 of the teeth.

[0092] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the teeth 20 according to the invention narrow in front view in the direction of their free end 26, along their top part 22, that is to say that the width of the teeth 20 decreases towards the top.

[0093] The greatest width L of each tooth 20, defined as the largest dimension of the tooth 20 measured perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis Z, may be between 1 mm and 4 mm, better still between 1.5 mm and 3 mm. This greatest width L is preferably measured from the base of the teeth 20, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

[0094] Preferably, and as illustrated in FIG. 2, the free end 26 of each tooth 20 is tapered in front view, forming in particular a point which makes it easier for the applicator member 8 to penetrate into the eyelashes and to separate the latter.

[0095] In the example shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the edges 24 and 25 of the teeth 20 are formed, in their bottom part 21, by rectilinear portions, and each follow a curve, over the top part 22, that changes concavity, respectively, at points P.sub.1 and P.sub.2, known as points of inflection. The tangent at each point P.sub.1 and P.sub.2 thus crosses the curve followed by the edge 24, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2A.

[0096] The gradient of the point of inflection P.sub.1, that is to say the angle λ formed between the tangent T.sub.1, at this point, to the curve followed by the edge 24 and the axis Z, may be between 30° and 60°, the adjacent edge being of axis R parallel to the axis Z in FIG. 2A.

[0097] In the example in FIGS. 2 and 2A, the point of the inflection P.sub.1 is located approximately half-way from the mid-plane M of the tooth 20 and the parallel plane containing the axis R.

[0098] In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the points of inflection of the two edges 24 and 25 have the same gradient and are produced at the same axial position on the tooth. The tooth 20 thus has a symmetric shape in front view.

[0099] As a variant, the tooth 20 has an asymmetric shape in front view, only the edge 24 having a point of inflection, as shown in FIG. 3, or the two opposite edges 24, 25 of the tooth 20 each having a point of inflection but with different gradients and produced at different axial positions on the tooth, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0100] The teeth 20 may have a cross section of any shape in their bottom part 21, for example a rectangular cross section, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, an ovoid cross section, as illustrated in FIG. 5B, or a circular cross section, as illustrated in FIG. 5C.

[0101] FIGS. 6 to 9 show the applicator member 8 in a top view, that is to say in a projection onto a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z of the teeth 20.

[0102] As illustrated in these figures, each tooth 20 has a cross section flattened along a flattening plane W that is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. The ratio L/1 of the greatest width L of the teeth 20 to their greatest thickness 1 may be greater than or equal to 2, better still greater than or equal to 3.

[0103] The teeth 20 may also become thinner, in side view, in the direction of their free end 26 over at least a part of their height, in particular in their top part 22, that is to say that their thickness, measured perpendicularly to their longitudinal axis Z, decreases towards the top in the direction of their free end.

[0104] The greatest thickness l of each tooth 20 may be between 0.2 mm and 1 mm, better still between 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm. The thickness of each tooth 20 half-way up may be less than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0105] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 11, the teeth 20 are disposed on the core 10 in at least one longitudinal row 30. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the teeth 20 in the row 30 are aligned strictly with one another. In the variant in FIG. 7, the teeth 20 are offset with respect to one another within the row 30, being arranged in staggered rows.

[0106] The flattening plane W of the teeth 20 may form, in top view, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, an angle α with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 and, in side view, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 11, an angle γ with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. The angles α and γ are preferably between 60° and 120°.

[0107] As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the teeth 20 are preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, the angles α and γ being equal to 90°.

[0108] In a variant illustrated in FIG. 8, the teeth 20 are oblique with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, the angle α being other than 90° and the angle γ being equal to 90°.

[0109] In a further variant, illustrated in FIG. 9, the flattening plane W of the teeth 20 extends along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, the angle α being zero.

[0110] In a variant which is not illustrated, the teeth 20 are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, the angle α being equal to 90° and the angle γ being other than 90°.

[0111] In the example in FIG. 10, the teeth 20 in the longitudinal row 30 are all the same height h, which is their dimension along their longitudinal axis Z.

[0112] In a variant shown in FIG. 11, the teeth 20 have a variable height h. In this case, the height of the top part 22 is constant from one tooth to another and that of the lower part 21 is variable, being in particular between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, better still between 1 mm and 4 mm.

[0113] The height h of each tooth 20 may be less than or equal to 5 mm, better still less than or equal to 3 mm.

[0114] In the examples described above, the spacing e between the teeth 20 within a single longitudinal row 30 is constant. In a variant shown in FIG. 12, the spacing between the teeth 20 is variable.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 13, the edges 24 and 25 of the tooth 20 may each have a ridge 35 at the junction between the top part 22 and the bottom part 21. In a variant, this ridge is absent.

[0116] In the variant embodiment illustrated in FIG. 14, the teeth 20 have a notch 33, which is for example in the form of a small opening that extends from the interior of the tooth towards its periphery, in the region of the end 26. The notch 33 is a through-notch. In a variant which is not illustrated, the teeth 20 have a plurality of notches. The number, shape and/or position of these notches may vary from one tooth 20 to another.

[0117] In a variant which is not illustrated, the teeth 20 have at least one recess and/or depression in their surface, and/or have an opening passing through them, for example an opening having an axis perpendicular to their flattening plane W. The teeth may be flocked, at least in part.

[0118] In the variant shown in FIG. 15, the teeth 20 are provided at their free end 26 with rounded heads 34, for example formed by melting the material of the teeth.

[0119] 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.

[0120] In the examples described above, the rectilinear portions of the edges 24, 25 are parallel to one another in the bottom part 21 of the teeth 20. In a variant which is not illustrated, the rectilinear portions of the edges 24, 25 are not parallel to one another, and converge towards or diverge away from one another in the direction of the free end 26 of the teeth 20.

[0121] The applicator member may have spikes which may be positioned between the teeth. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16 to 20, the teeth 20 and the spikes 50 are disposed in a row 55 of teeth 20 and spikes 50 in an alternate manner. In a row, each tooth 20 succeeds to a spike 50 and each spike 50 to a tooth 20, with the exception of the spikes of the end of the row 55.

[0122] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the teeth 20 extend from branches 60 which are relied to the core 10 at each of their ends 61 and 62. The applicator comprises six branches each carrying a row of teeth and spikes as described above. A branch carries around 10 teeth 20 and around 12 spikes 50.

[0123] Moreover, in this embodiment, the width L of a tooth 20 in the bottom part of said tooth is strictly inferior to the greatest width of said tooth 20, that is to say the width L of the tooth 20 decreases towards the base of the tooth, as shown on FIG. 20.

[0124] The applicator member may be able to vibrate, that is to say that vibrations may be applied to it during application, combing or picking up of the product.

[0125] In a variant, the applicator member may be able to rotate, that is to say that it may be made to carry out a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the core, for example during application, combing of the eyelashes or the picking up of the product.

[0126] In a further variant, the applicator member is heated, that is to say it may have a heating element for heating the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, and/or the teeth and/or the core of the applicator member.

[0127] The applicator member may also be able to vibrate and/or able to rotate and/or be heated.

[0128] The teeth may have a roughness or may undergo a chemical or mechanical treatment that promotes sliding on the eyelashes or eyebrows.

[0129] The teeth may comprise a material having bacteriostatic properties and/or a magnetic material.

[0130] The expression “having a” should be understood as being synonymous with “having at least one”, and “between” is understood as including the limits, unless specified to the contrary.