Applicator for applying a cosmetic product

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member including a core that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), and, carried by the core, longitudinal rows of islets of spikes that are separated by areas free of spikes, wherein, in said applicator, the islets of spikes include a series of spikes in the longitudinal direction and a series of spikes in the circumferential direction.

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member comprising: a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and, carried by the core, longitudinal rows of islets of spikes that are separated by areas free of spikes, wherein, in said applicator, each islets of spikes comprise a series of spikes in the longitudinal direction and a series of spikes in the circumferential direction, and each longitudinal row of islets of spikes is offset axially with respect to the adjacent longitudinal row such that the centre of each islet of spikes of the core is situated halfway along the length of an area free of spikes between two islets of spikes in the adjacent rows.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between the spikes of one islet, within the series of spikes in the longitudinal direction and circumferential direction, is the same for each islet, notably being more than ten times less than the spacing between two consecutive islets of spikes within a longitudinal row of islets.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least one islet of spikes comprise a number of spikes in the circumferential direction that increases in the longitudinal direction from the proximal end of the core, passing through a maximum, before decreasing in the direction of the distal end of the core, the maximum of the number of spikes being situated notably at the centre of the islet.

4. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein all the islets of spikes comprise a number of spikes in the circumferential direction that increases in the longitudinal direction from the proximal end of the core, passing through a maximum, before decreasing in the direction of the distal end of the core, the maximum of the number of spikes being situated notably at the centre of the islet.

5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein all the spikes at the periphery of an islet define a diamond-shaped external contour.

6. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the islets of spikes of the same rank of one longitudinal row of islets out of two occupy the same axial position along the longitudinal axis of the core.

7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between the consecutive islets of spikes is constant within at least one longitudinal row of spikes.

8. The Applicator according to claim 7, wherein the spacing between the consecutive islets of spikes is constant within each longitudinal row.

9. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the areas free of spikes form at least one helical strip that does not have spikes, extends through more than half a revolution about the longitudinal axis of the core and is delimited by the islets of spikes, the areas free of spikes notably forming at least two intersecting helical strips that do not have spikes and are delimited by the islets of spikes.

10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the implantation of spikes within the islets of spikes is such that the angular offset about the longitudinal axis of the core between two successive spikes in the longitudinal direction is non-zero.

11. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal rows of spikes are offset axially such that, starting from the proximal end of the core in the direction of its distal end, the last spike of an islet of spikes in one longitudinal row of islets occupies the same axial position as the first spike of an islet in the adjacent row.

12. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal rows of islets are offset axially such that, in the circumferential direction, the last spike of an islet of spikes in one longitudinal row of islets occupies the same longitudinal position as the first spike of an islet in the adjacent row.

13. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the axial offset between one longitudinal row of islets of spikes and the adjacent longitudinal row is less than or equal to the length of an islet of spikes in said adjacent row.

14. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein all the islets of spikes have the same number of spikes.

15. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spikes of at least one islet are the same shape.

16. The Applicator according to claim 15, wherein all the spikes in a longitudinal row are the same shape.

17. The Applicator according to claim 16, wherein all the spikes of the applicator member are the same shape.

18. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least one longitudinal row of islets has an isolated spike at the distal end of the core.

19. The Applicator according to claim 18, wherein every other longitudinal row of islets has an isolated spike at the distal end of the core.

20. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein, within one longitudinal row of islets, the height of the spikes increases from the proximal end of the core, passing through a maximum, before decreasing in the direction of the distal end of the core.

21. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein all the spikes are the same height in the circumferential direction, in each position on the longitudinal axis of the core.

22. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spikes are moulded together with the core, notably from the same material.

23. A device for packaging and applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator according to claim 1 and a container containing the product to be applied.

24. An applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member comprising: a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and, carried by the core, longitudinal rows of islets of spikes that are separated by areas free of spikes, wherein, in said applicator, the islets of spikes comprise a series of spikes in the longitudinal direction and a series of spikes in the circumferential direction, each longitudinal row of islets of spikes is offset axially with respect to the adjacent longitudinal row such that the centre of each islet of spikes of the core is situated halfway along the length of an area free of spikes between two islets of spikes in the adjacent rows, and at least one islet of spikes comprises a number of spikes in the circumferential direction that increases in the longitudinal direction from the proximal end of the core, passing through a maximum, before decreasing in the direction of the distal end of the core, the maximum of the number of spikes being situated notably at the centre of the islet.

25. An applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member comprising: a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and, carried by the core, longitudinal rows of islets of spikes that are separated by areas free of spikes, wherein, in said applicator, the islets of spikes comprise a series of spikes in the longitudinal direction and a series of spikes in the circumferential direction, each longitudinal row of islets of spikes is offset axially with respect to the adjacent longitudinal row such that the centre of each islet of spikes of the core is situated halfway along the length of an area free of spikes between two islets of spikes in the adjacent rows, and within one longitudinal row of islets, the height of the spikes increases from the proximal end of the core, passing through a maximum, before decreasing in the direction of the distal end of the core.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(1) The invention may be understood better from reading the following detailed description of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment thereof, and with reference to the attached 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 a perspective view of the applicator member from FIG. 1 on its own,

(4) FIG. 2A shows a detail of the applicator member from FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 3 shows an end-on view of the applicator member from FIG. 1 on its own,

(6) FIG. 4 is a flat developed view illustrating the arrangement of some of the spikes on the surface of the core of an applicator member according to the invention, and

(7) FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a variant applicator member according to the invention.

(8) 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.

(9) 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.

(10) 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 an applicator member 8. The latter has a core 10 carrying spikes 18 that extend from the core 10 and all around the latter. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first spikes 18 along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, starting from the stem 7, are arranged at a non-zero distance d.sub.t from the proximal end 11 of the core. The last spikes 18 along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, starting from the stem 7, are arranged at a non-zero distance d.sub.d from the distal end 12 of the core 10.

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

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

(13) The diameter φ.sub.a of the wiping orifice 6a is typically between 3 and 5.75 mm.

(14) In the example illustrated, the stem 7 has a circular cross section, but it would not constitute a departure from the scope of the present invention if the stem 7 had a different cross section, 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 applicator member 8, if appropriate.

(15) 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 it would not constitute a departure from the scope of the present invention if the stem 7 were not rectilinear, forming for example an elbow.

(16) 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.

(17) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the applicator member 8 may have an end piece 9 for fixing it in a corresponding housing in the stem 7.

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

(19) 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.

(20) The visible length H of the applicator member 8 is for example equal to 29 mm.

(21) In the example illustrated, the spikes 18 each extend from the core 10 along an elongation axis W perpendicular to the surface of the core at the point at which the spike 18 is attached to the core 10.

(22) In the example described, the spikes 18 are disposed in islets 15, 16 of spikes within rectilinear longitudinal rows 17, 19, 20 of islets, as can be seen notably in FIG. 2, each longitudinal row 17 of islets being offset axially with respect to the adjacent longitudinal rows 19, 20.

(23) Preferably, as illustrated, the islets of spikes 15, 16 are regularly spaced along the longitudinal rows 17, 19, 20 and exhibit an alternation of islets 15, 16 of spikes and areas 14 free of spikes. In the example in question, the centre of each islet 15 of spikes 18 of the core 10 is situated halfway along the length S.sub.g of an area free of spikes 14 between two islets 15, 16 of spikes in adjacent rows.

(24) The islets 15, 16 in every other longitudinal row of islets advantageously all occupy the same axial position along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example between the longitudinal rows 17 and 20.

(25) As illustrated notably in FIGS. 2A and 4, the areas 14 free of spikes may form at least two intersecting helical strips 26, 27 that do not have spikes, extend through more than half a revolution about the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 and are delimited by the islets 15, 16 of spikes.

(26) The longitudinal rows 17, 19 of islets are advantageously offset axially such that, starting from the proximal end 11 of the core 10 in the direction of its distal end 12, the last spike 31 of an islet of spikes in one longitudinal row 17 of islets occupies the same axial position as the first spike 32 of an islet in the adjacent row 19, as can be seen in FIG. 4. In this example, the longitudinal rows 17, 19 of islets are also offset axially such that, in the circumferential direction C, the last spike 33 of an islet of spikes in one longitudinal row 19 of islets occupies the same longitudinal position as the first spike 34 of an islet in the adjacent row 17.

(27) Preferably, and as illustrated notably in FIGS. 2A and 4, all the islets 15, 16 of spikes 18 comprise a series of spikes 18 in the longitudinal direction L and a series of spikes 18 in the circumferential direction C. In the example in question, all the islets 15, 16 of spikes 18 comprise a number of spikes in the circumferential direction C that increases in the longitudinal direction L from the proximal end 11 of the core, passing through a maximum, before decreasing in the direction of the distal end 12 of the core 10, the maximum of the number of spikes being situated at the centre 15a of the islet.

(28) More specifically, in the example in question, all the islets 15, 16 of spikes 18 have, at successive axial positions in the longitudinal direction L, an isolated spike 21, followed by a series 22 of two spikes in the circumferential direction C, and then a series 23 of three spikes in the circumferential direction C, and once again a series 24 of two spikes in the circumferential direction C and an isolated spike 25. All the spikes 18 at the periphery of an islet 15 thus define a diamond-shaped external contour. Other arrangements of spikes within the islets may be envisaged.

(29) All the islets 15, 16 of spikes preferably have the same number of spikes 18. In a variant that is not illustrated, the number of spikes 18 differs from one islet 15 of spikes to another, within one longitudinal row 17, 19, 20 of islets and/or from one longitudinal row to another.

(30) Preferably, and as in the example described, the spacing S.sub.p between the spikes 18 of one islet 15, 16, within the series of spikes in the longitudinal direction L and circumferential direction C, is the same for each islet, and is more than ten times less than the spacing S.sub.g between two consecutive islets 15, 16 of spikes 18 within a longitudinal row 17, 19 of islets. In a variant that is not illustrated, the spacing S.sub.p between the spikes 18 of an islet 15, 16 differs from one islet of spikes to another, within one longitudinal row 17, 19, 20 and/or from one longitudinal row to another. In another variant that is not illustrated, the spacing S.sub.p between the spikes 18 of an islet 15, 16, within the series of spikes, is different in the longitudinal direction L and in the circumferential direction C.

(31) This spacing S.sub.p is for example between 0 mm and 0.3 mm.

(32) In the example in question, the spacing S.sub.g between each consecutive islet 15, 16 of spikes is advantageously constant within each longitudinal row 17, 19, 20 of islets. In a variant that is not illustrated, the spacing S.sub.g is variable within at least one longitudinal row and/or from one row to another.

(33) As shown in FIG. 4, the spacing S.sub.g between two consecutive islets 15, 16 of spikes, measured along the longitudinal axis X of the core and at the base of the core 10, between the outer flanks 18a of the last spike of a first islet 15 and the first spike of a second islet 16 consecutive to the first islet 15, along the axis of the row 19 containing the islets, is for example between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm.

(34) Preferably, and as shown, the spacing S.sub.c between consecutive islets 15, 16 of spikes 18 in the circumferential direction C is constant for each axial position along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. In a variant that is not illustrated, the spacing S.sub.c is variable for one and the same axial position along the longitudinal axis of the core and/or from one axial position to another. This spacing S.sub.c is for example between 0.3 mm and 2 mm, better still between 0.5 mm and 1 mm.

(35) As shown in FIG. 4, the axial offset D.sub.a between one longitudinal row 17 of islets 15, 16 and the adjacent longitudinal row 20 is advantageously less than the length L.sub.g of an islet 15 of spikes in said adjacent row 20.

(36) As shown notably in FIGS. 2 and 4, every other longitudinal row of islets has an isolated spike 28 at the proximal end 12 of the core 10.

(37) As can be seen in FIG. 3, the implantation of the spikes 18 within the islets 15, 16 of spikes may be such that the angle α about the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 between two successive spikes 18 in the longitudinal direction L is non-zero, preferably being equal to half the angular pitch β between two successive spikes 18 in the circumferential direction C.

(38) In the variant in FIG. 5, the core 10 has, in the areas 14 free of spikes, a surface that is concave towards its longitudinal axis X, these regions being slightly recessed in the direction of the longitudinal axis X, for example to a depth p.sub.z, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X, of between 0.01 mm and 0.05 mm.

(39) In the examples in question, within one longitudinal row 17, 19, 20 of islets, the height of the spikes 18 increases from the proximal end 11 of the core, passing through a maximum, before decreasing in the direction of the distal end 12 of the core 10, the maximum height H.sub.m being situated halfway along the length H of the core 10, as can be seen in FIG. 2. In this case, all of the spikes 18 are the same height in the circumferential direction C, in each position on the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

(40) In a variant that is not illustrated, the spikes 18 are the same height within each islet 15, 16 of spikes.

(41) The height h.sub.p of the spikes 18 is for example between 2 mm and 3 mm.

(42) The width l.sub.p of the spikes 18 is for example between 0.3 mm and 0.65 mm.

(43) The thickness e.sub.p of the spikes 18 is for example between 0.4 mm and 0.75 mm.

(44) The spikes 18 may have various shapes, optionally varying within an islet 15, 16 and/or from one islet to another. In the examples in question, and as can be seen notably in FIG. 4, all the spikes 18 have a hexagonal base. The invention is not limited to one particular type of spikes, however.

(45) In the examples in question, the free ends 28 of the spikes 18 define an envelope surface S of the applicator member 8, having a rectilinear longitudinal axis that is coincident with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, and is rotationally symmetrical about said axis X.

(46) The diameter φ.sub.1 of the cross section of the envelope surface S passing through the tops of the spikes 18 of smallest height, visible in FIG. 3, is for example between 4 mm and 9 mm. The diameter φ.sub.2 of the cross section of the envelope surface S passing through the tops of the spikes 18 of greatest height is for example between 5 mm and 10 mm.

(47) The spikes 18 are made, in the examples in question, in one piece with the core 10 by moulding thermoplastic material.

(48) In order to mould the applicator member 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.

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

(50) After the applicator member 8 has passed through the wiping member 6, a certain amount of product P remains in the areas 14 free of spikes created between the islets 15, 16 of spikes 18, creating reservoirs of product P along the entire length of the core 10 and on all sides, such that the eyelashes and/or eyebrows can be loaded satisfactorily with product P. Moreover, the eyelashes and/or eyebrows are separated satisfactorily, avoiding the formation of clumps, by virtue of the axial offset between the longitudinal rows 17, 19, 20 of islets of spikes 18.

(51) Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments that have just been described.

(52) At least one of the core 10 and a spike 18 may be flocked or undergo any heat treatment or mechanical treatment.

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