APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING PRODUCT TO KERATINOUS FIBRES WITH COMPLEX CORE

Abstract

An applicator device for applying a fluid or pasty product to keratinous fibres, includes a core or technically equivalent elongate element extending along a longitudinal axis XX, a plurality of elongate spikes, a first end of which is embedded in the core or in the technically equivalent element and a second end of which is free, the spikes and the core or the technically equivalent element being integral, i.e. formed in one piece. The core and/or the technically equivalent element has at least one recess or negative relief opening on the outer surface of the core or the technically equivalent element at an opening, the at least one recess being obtained by undercutting.

Claims

1.-10. (canceled)

11. An applicator device for applying a fluid or pasty product to keratinous fibers, comprising: an elongate element extending along a longitudinal axis XX; a plurality of elongate spikes having a first end embedded on the elongate element and a second end that is free, wherein the elongate element and the plurality of elongate spikes are integral; at least one opening on an exterior surface of the elongate element; and at least one recess or negative relief opening on the exterior surface at the at least one opening wherein the at least one recess or negative relief opening has an undercut profile.

12. The applicator device according to claim 11 wherein at least one part of the exterior surface of the elongate element is concave.

13. The applicator device according to claim 12, wherein the elongate element comprises a plurality of contiguous exterior faces and at least of one the contiguous exterior faces includes a surface that is concave relative to the exterior of the elongate element.

14. The applicator device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one opening has an elongate form along the longitudinal axis XX.

15. The applicator device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one opening has a helical form about the longitudinal axis XX.

16. The applicator device according to claim 11, wherein the elongate element comprises a plurality of recesses or negative relief openings radially spaced over a transverse section.

17. The applicator device according to claim 11 wherein the elongate element has between 2 and 64 recesses or negative relief openings radially spaced over a transverse section.

18. The applicator device according to claim 11 wherein the elongate element has between 2 and 24 openings, in succession along the longitudinal axis XX, which are aligned.

19. The applicator device according to claim 19 further comprising a concave face on the elongate element arranged between lines formed by the openings.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0026] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[0027] FIG. 1, a perspective of a core of an applicator according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0028] FIG. 2, a transverse section of the core according to FIG. 1;

[0029] FIG. 3, a detailed transverse section of the core according to FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 4, another embodiment of a core according to the invention;

[0031] FIG. 5, a perspective of an applicator device according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0032] FIG. 5A, a transverse section of the device of FIG. 5;

[0033] FIG. 6, a perspective of an applicator device according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0034] FIG. 6A, a side view of the device of FIG. 6;

[0035] FIG. 7, a perspective of an applicator device according to yet another embodiment of the invention; and

[0036] FIG. 7A, a side view of the device of FIG. 7.

[0037] For greater clarity, identical or similar elements are referenced by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

[0038] FIG. 1 shows an elongate central part or core 1 of an application device according to the invention. The core is, here, of cylindrical form and longitudinal axis XX. The perspective of FIG. 1 shows a plurality of openings 3 on the exterior surface of the core 1. According to this embodiment, the openings are elongate along the axis XX; they form kinds of elongate furrows along the length of the applicator.

[0039] FIG. 2 shows in detail the preferred form of the recesses 4 partially delimited by the openings 3 at the surface of the core 1. Seen here are six angularly distributed recesses 4. FIG. 3 gives a better view of the undercutting “d” formed in the vicinity of and from the opening 3. This specific form makes it possible properly to pick up and to retain the fluid or pasty product that it is desired to apply to the keratinous fibers. In the knowledge, furthermore, that the applicator is integral, undercutting is not easy to perform. Customarily, positive or even straight undercutting is performed.

[0040] The profiled recesses 4 according to the invention allow the core to retain both the stiffness and the flexing required, which may be compared to those of applicators provided with twisted metallic wires that hold bristles.

[0041] FIG. 4 corresponds to an embodiment in which the recesses 4 are elongate along the axis XX, but are twisted about this axis.

[0042] FIGS. 5 and 5A make it possible to describe an applicator according to another embodiment of the invention. These figures show the recesses 4 distributed in the following manner: three recesses are juxtaposed and aligned along the length of the applicator in order to form a line or row; FIG. 5A shows that the core 1 comprises three rows formed in this way, angularly distributed at 120° relative to one another. Naturally, spikes 2 may advantageously be distributed about the recesses 4. They have a first end embedded on the core 1 and a second end that is free. Their length is left to the choice of the designer; they may be straight or curved; their general direction may be radial, as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0043] FIGS. 6 and 6A illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention, whereby the recesses 4 are globally elongate along the axis XX. More precisely, they extend in the form of a helix, as do the openings 3. The placing of the spikes 2 on the core 1 follows the form of the openings 3 and is thus helical, as shown more precisely in FIG. 6A. A person skilled in the art chooses this embodiment, for example, when the nature of the composition to be applied (in terms, notably, of viscosity, the presence of microfibers or other elements) requires a slight rotation of the applicator along its longitudinal axis XX at the time of application.

[0044] FIGS. 7 and 7A illustrate another embodiment of the invention, which differs from that illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 6A essentially in terms of the exterior form of the core 1. The form of the core 1 corresponds to the layout in FIG. 4: elongate and twisted. There are four recesses 4 that extend along the length of the core 1. The transverse section of the core 1 is practically square, as shown in FIG. 7A, with, however, in this case, four slightly concave sides. The concave faces thus created at the surface of the core will increase the load capacity of composition to be applied; in other words, and advantageously, the concave portions make it possible to retain the load during passage of the applicator through the wiper, which generally has a diameter close to that of the core 1. The feature relating to the concave exterior faces creates a very advantageous synergy with the intrinsic characteristic form of the recesses 4 obtained by undercutting.

[0045] Preferably, the spikes 2 are embedded on the four principal faces of the core 1 and are distributed thereon uniformly.

[0046] Naturally, the number of recesses 4 is not fixed in advance; a person skilled in the art makes his choice within the context of the invention, according to the features defined above. The general form of the core 1 may be frustoconical, of circular, oval or other transverse section. A person skilled in the art makes his choice as a function of the physical/mechanical constraints and requirements. The interior form of the recesses may vary, on the basis of the point when it may be produced by undercutting the exterior surface of the core.

[0047] It is, furthermore, possible, within the context of the invention, to provide recesses in an element that is technically equivalent to the core, such as a wand extending longitudinally between, for example, two points where it is embedded on the core.

[0048] Other above-mentioned technical features assisting in defining and comprehending form part of the invention.