COSMETIC APPLICATOR

Abstract

An applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, including a core, at least one element attached to the core, each element comprising a central part fitted onto the core and at least one application member carried by the central part, this application member having a proximal half attached to the central part and a distal half extending outward from the proximal half, a composition collection surface being formed by a relief on the distal half that defines a concavity that is open radially toward the outside.

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising: a core, at least one element attached to the core, each element comprising a central part fitted onto the core and at least one application member carried by the central part, this application member having a proximal half attached to the central part and a distal half extending outward from the proximal half, a composition collection surface being formed by a relief on the distal half that defines a concavity that is open radially toward the outside.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application member has two diverging arms that define said concavity between one another.

3. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the arms are rectilinear, said concavity having the overall shape of a V.

4. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the element comprises a plurality of application members that each have an X-shaped head that is attached to the central part by a leg.

5. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the element comprises at least one application member having an enlarged base.

6. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the element comprises at least one toothed application member, the teeth being formed by a succession of pointed arches that are concave toward the outside, said concavity being formed by one of the arches.

7. The applicator according to claim 6, wherein the concavity is open in a direction that makes an angle of less than or equal to 30 with the elongation axis of the application member.

8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the element comprises at least one application member having two lateral arms joined together at their end by an arch having a concave shape defining said concavity.

9. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein each element has a plurality of identical application members that each have said concavity.

10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core is twisted.

11. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the elongation axes of the application members of an element are coplanar.

12. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least one application member of an element is flattened in a plane.

13. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application members of an element have their flattening plane oriented in a plane containing the axis of the central part.

14. A packaging and application device comprising: a container containing the composition to be applied, an applicator as defined in claim 1.

15. A method for the cosmetic treatment of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, notably for making them up, comprising the step of applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes with the aid of an applicator according to claim 1.

16. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein each application member of one and the same element is flattened in a flattening plane common to all the application members of the element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0058] The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

[0059] FIG. 1 shows a schematic and partial view of an example of a packaging and application device according to the invention,

[0060] FIG. 2 shows the applicator part of an example of an applicator produced in accordance with the invention, on its own,

[0061] FIG. 3 shows an element used to produce the applicator part shown in FIG. 2, on its own,

[0062] FIG. 4 shows an example of a core on which the elements can be mounted, the core being shown before the mounting of the elements and twisting,

[0063] FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13 are views similar to FIG. 3 of variant embodiments of the element,

[0064] FIGS. 6, 8, 10, 12 and 14 show the applicator parts produced with the elements in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13, respectively, and

[0065] FIGS. 14 to 24 show variants of an application member of the applicator according to the invention.

[0066] The packaging and application device 1 displayed schematically and partially in FIG. 1 has a container 2 containing the composition to be applied and an applicator 3 for applying this composition.

[0067] The container 2 comprises a body which is provided for example, as illustrated, with a threaded neck 4 to which the applicator 3 can be fastened when the device 1 is not being used.

[0068] A wiping member (not visible in the figure) is secured in the neck of the container, in the usual manner. It may be a flexible lip with a conical, wavy or other shape.

[0069] The applicator 3 comprises an applicator part 5 which is used for applying the composition, this applicator part 5 being mounted at one end of a stem 6, the other end of which is carried by a gripping member 7 that also constitutes, in the example in question, a closure member for the container 2, being designed to be fastened to the neck 4.

[0070] The composition which is applied may be constituted by any cosmetic product intended for making up or for caring for the eyelashes and/or eyebrows. Preferably, it is mascara. The composition may notably include pigments, such as iron oxides, dispersed in an aqueous or anhydrous medium. The capacity of the container is preferably between 5 and 30 ml.

[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an applicator part 5 produced from individual elements 10, one of which has been shown on its own in FIG. 3.

[0072] The applicator part 5 is preferably produced in accordance with the teaching of the U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2. The elements 10 are thus mounted on a core 9 that holds them in a stacked manner and secures them relative to one another. This core 9 is for example a twisted core, produced from a metal wire folded into the form of a hairpin, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0073] In a variant, the core may be constituted by two separate metal wires that are positioned in a substantially parallel manner like the arms of the hairpin illustrated in FIG. 4, onto which the elements 10 are threaded and which are then twisted.

[0074] The elements 10 have holes 11, which are shown schematically in FIG. 3, for the arms 9a and 9b of the core to pass through before the latter is twisted.

[0075] For the sake of clarity of the drawing, the core 9 has not been shown in FIG. 2, and the holes 11 passing through the central part 12 are only shown in FIG. 3.

[0076] In the example in question, the elements 10 are identical, but it would not constitute a departure from the scope of the present invention if elements 10 of different shapes were stacked on the core 9 within the applicator part 5.

[0077] As can be seen in FIG. 3, each element 10 has application members 30 which engage with the eyelashes or eyebrows while the applicator 3 is being used. The application elements 30 have, in this example, the same exterior shape, but it would not constitute a departure from the scope of the present invention if the exterior shapes were different.

[0078] The central part 12 is in the form of a flattened disk, the holes 11 for the arms 9a, 9b of the core 9 to pass through being disposed symmetrically relative to an axis X of the element 10, which may be an axis of symmetry for the central part 12.

[0079] The surface of the central part 12, to which the application members are joined, may be in the shape of a cylinder of revolution about the axis X, but further shapes are possible.

[0080] In the example illustrated, the application members 20 each have a flattened shape in a plane which is coincident with the flattening plane of the central part 12, this plane being perpendicular to the axis X and to the axis Z of the applicator part 5.

[0081] Each application member 30 comprises a radial arm 300 that is provided at its end with an X-shaped head 301 having two inner arms 302 oriented at 90 to one another toward the central part 12, and two outer arms 303 oriented at 90 to one another toward the outside.

[0082] The center of the X is situated on the elongation axis Y of the application member 30.

[0083] The length s of the arms 302 and 303 is for example between 0.1 and 3 mm, this length being able to be identical or different for the different arms of the head 301.

[0084] In the example in question, the arms 302 and 303 extend at an angle of about 45 to the elongation axis.

[0085] The inner arms 302 form hooks suitable for gripping the eyelashes introduced into the applicator part. Their reentrant orientation makes it possible to readily catch the eyelashes.

[0086] The outer arms 303 define between one another a cavity 305 of axis T coincident with the elongation axis Y, which is open radially toward the outside in the direction of the axis T and in which the composition may be accumulated by surface tension while remaining easily accessible for the eyelashes. The bottom of the cavity 305 is situated at a distance q from the central part 12 of for example between 0.5 and 7.5 mm, better still between 1 and 6 mm.

[0087] The ratio q/h, where h is the total height of the application member, is preferably greater than or equal to 25%, better still greater than or equal to 50%.

[0088] In order to produce the applicator part 2, the elements 10 are threaded onto the core 9 and then the latter is twisted, as per the teaching of the U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2. The number of elements 10 is for example between 2 and 100, better still between 5 and 15.

[0089] In order to manufacture the elements 10, they can be molded in a suitable mold such that demolding takes place along the axis X.

[0090] In general, any thermoplastic material can be used to mold the elements 10, regardless of the shape of the central part 12 and of the application members joined thereto. It is possible notably to use a polyolefin or a thermoplastic elastomer, for example of the SEBS type.

[0091] It is also possible to produce the element 10 from a non-thermoplastic material, for example a metal or ceramic material.

[0092] During the twisting of the core, the elements 10 can undergo rotation relative to one another, such that a progressive angular offset is created between the elements, along the core, as illustrated in FIG. 2, this being able, if appropriate, to create helical furrows in the applicator part 5.

[0093] In one variant, when the elements 10 are mounted on a non-twisted core, for example one that is constituted by a shaft of non-circular cross section, the central parts 12 having an opening with a corresponding shape so as to allow the central parts to be mounted on the shaft without rotation relative thereto, the elements 10 can be disposed on the core with their final orientation.

[0094] If appropriate, it is possible to produce the central parts 12 with complementary reliefs which cooperate so as to make it easier to position one element 10 in a predefined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the core relative to the adjacent elements 10.

[0095] The variant embodiment in FIGS. 5 and 6 has application members 20 which are hollow and each defines an internal cavity 14.

[0096] All of the application members 20 each have a toothed shape. The internal cavities 14 are each delimited by a strand of material 80 which describes a succession of pointed arches, which are concave toward the outside, teeth being formed at the meeting point between two arches. More particularly, in the example illustrated, the strand of material 80 describes, starting from the central part 12, a first pointed arch 81, which is joined to a second arch 82, forming a first tooth 86, this second arch 82 itself being joined to a third arch 83, forming a tooth 84.

[0097] Each application member 20 has a shape that is symmetric with respect to its elongation axis Y.

[0098] At their meeting point, the two arches 83 form a tooth 85, which defines the vertex of the hollow application member 20 and is situated on the elongation axis Y.

[0099] Each application member 20 thus has the overall shape of a holly leaf in this example, the internal cavity 14 extends over substantially the entire height of the application member 20, less the thickness taken up by the strand of material 80. The height m of the cavity 14, measured along the elongation axis Y, that is to say along a radius in the example in question, is thus greater than or equal to half the height h. There is for example the following relationship between l and h 0.5 hl2 h, wherein l denotes the greatest transverse dimension of the application member measured perpendicularly to the elongation axis Y.

[0100] FIG. 5 shows that the gap e which exists between two adjacent application members, at the teeth 86, is relatively small and for example less than or equal to 0.3 mm, and may notably be between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

[0101] In the example illustrated, the application members 20 substantially meet at their base, where the strands of material 80 are joined to the central part 12. The fact that the teeth 86 of the adjacent application members are relatively close together makes it possible to form, between the first arches 81 of two adjacent application members, reserves of product in a relatively confined space 90 which only communicates with the outside through a relatively narrow opening 91, of width e. This width e may be less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

[0102] The arches 82 which extend on either side of this narrow opening 91 define a space 94 in which the product may be accumulated, at a non-zero radial distance from the central part 12. The user thus has a reserve of product in this space 94, where the eyelashes can be introduced, while benefiting from teeth formed at the meeting point between the different arches in order to grip the eyelashes.

[0103] All of the concavities formed by the different arches form a corresponding number of indentations in which product can collect, thereby increasing the loading capacity of the applicator part 5.

[0104] The end arches 83 each define a cavity 89 that is open in a direction T that makes a relatively small angle y with the elongation axis Y, y being less than or equal to 30, such that the cavity 89 is open substantially radially toward the outside. In the example illustrated, the direction T coincides with a median axis for the cavity 89, which is also the axis of symmetry for this cavity. The orientation of the cavity 89 makes it easier for the eyelashes to access the product that has collected inside. This access is even easier when the cavity 89 is present at the periphery of the applicator part 5, such that the eyelashes do not have to pass far into the applicator part in order to be loaded with product.

[0105] The relatively wide base of the application members 20 gives them good stability with respect to the forces which can be exerted while the applicator part 5 is being used, notably on passing through the wiping member or for applying the composition to the eyelashes and eyebrows. The cavity 14 helps to confer flexibility for passing through the wiping member on the application member.

[0106] On account of the twisting of the core, the elements 10 can be offset angularly around the longitudinal axis Z of the applicator part, as illustrated in FIG. 6.

[0107] A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0108] In this example, the element 10 only has hollow application members 20 that define a corresponding number of internal cavities 14.

[0109] Each application member 20 is formed by two lateral arches 100 that are joined at their distal end by a top arch 101, the lateral arches 100 and the top arch 101 being concave toward the outside. The arches 100 and 101 form teeth 102 at their meeting points.

[0110] The application member 20 is formed by a strand of material 105.

[0111] The top arch 101 defines a cavity 109 that is open in a direction T which coincides with the elongation axis Y of the application member 20 and is also a median axis of symmetry for the application member 20.

[0112] The product can collect in the cavity 109 defined by the top arch 101, the bottom of which is set back from the vertex of the teeth 102 along the elongation axis Y. Product can also collect in the internal cavity 14 formed by the strand of material 105. The facing lateral arches 100 of two adjacent application members 20 define a space 111 between one another, in which product can also collect. This space communicates with the outside through a narrow opening 112, this opening 112 leading out between the two teeth 102 of the two adjacent application members 20.

[0113] The fact that the opening 112 is narrow improves the retention of product between the application members 20.

[0114] The application members 20 of the example in FIG. 5 thus make it possible to collect product in the internal cavity 14, and also in the recess of the top arch 101.

[0115] The teeth 102 favor the catching of the eyelashes on account of their oblique orientation relative to the elongation axis Y. Finally, the relatively small spacing between the adjacent application members 20 also helps the eyelashes to catch, the latter being able to be introduced into the space 111.

[0116] In the example illustrated, the lateral arches 100 of two adjacent application members meet at their base. The number of application members 20 is equal to eight.

[0117] As illustrated in FIG. 6, the elements 10 can be angularly offset on account of the twisting of the core.

[0118] The element 10 shown in FIG. 9 has an alternation of application members 400 and 410 in the circumferential direction, around the central part 12.

[0119] The application members 400 are constituted of radial arms having a cross section that decreases toward their free end, the elongation axis Y of which is coincident with a radius.

[0120] The application members 410 have an enlarged base 403 with a triangular shape when viewed along the axis X of the central part 12, said enlarged base 403 meeting the base of the adjacent radial arms 400 at the central part 12.

[0121] Two V-shaped arms 405 are attached to the vertex of the base 403, these arms 405 extending in continuation of the sides 403a of the base 403 and forming between one another a cavity 408 that is radially open toward the outside in a radial direction T which coincides with the elongation axis Y. The arms 405 extend symmetrically to one another with respect to the elongation axis Y, which is an axis of symmetry for the application member.

[0122] The depth n of this cavity 408, measured along the elongation axis Y, is for example greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, better still greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0123] The ratio n/h, where h denotes the total height of the application member, is for example between 25% and 50%.

[0124] The distance h-n from the bottom of the cavity 408 to the surface of the central part 12 is for example between 1.9 mm and 7.9 mm, better still between 1.5 mm and 4 mm.

[0125] The composition can collect in the cavity 408 at a non-zero radial distance from the surface of the central part 12.

[0126] The elements 10 can be angularly offset on account of the twisting of the core, as illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0127] In the examples which have just been described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 10, the application members each have a flattened shape in the flattening plane of the central part 12, and have a thickness, measured along the axis X of the central part 12, which is less than or equal to the thickness of the latter. The application members can be given a different orientation without departing from the scope of the present invention, as will now be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14.

[0128] In the examples in these figures, each element 10 has a central part 12 that is thicker than in the above-described examples, and the application members each have a flattened shape in a plane which contains a radius and the axis X of the central part 12.

[0129] In the example in FIGS. 11 and 12, the elements 10 each have hollow application members 20 with the same shape as those in the example in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0130] However, in this example, the application members are more numerous. The spacing between two consecutive application members in the circumferential direction is for example greater than the thickness of one application member.

[0131] The element 10 has for example 18 application members.

[0132] In the example in FIGS. 13 and 14, the application members 20 are identical to those in the example in FIGS. 7 and 8. The disposition thereof on the central part 12 is identical to that in the example in FIG. 11.

[0133] In the variant embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the application member 20 comprises a central arm 501 and two lateral arms 503 that are disposed on each side of the distal half of the central arm 501 and diverge toward the outside. The lateral arms 503 may be formed by mere spikes.

[0134] Between the central arm 501 and each lateral arm 503, a V-shaped groove 505 opening toward the outside is present. Composition may accumulate in the V-shaped groove at a non-zero radial distance from the surface of the central part 12.

[0135] An eyelash can be introduced into this V-shaped groove 505, which can help to take hold of the eyelash in order to spread the composition on its surface.

[0136] The central arm 501 can be provided at its end with an enlarged head 502, as illustrated in FIG. 16. The presence of the head 502 creates a discontinuity 504 at its base, which is able to improve the catching of the eyelashes by the applicator part.

[0137] The enlarged head 502 may be flattened along a flattening plane.

[0138] Furthermore, the enlarged head 502 may be hollow.

[0139] The enlarged head may have a rounded shape, for example the enlarged head is disc-shaped.

[0140] In a variant, the enlarged head has at least a chamfered side.

[0141] The depth d of this head 502, measured along the elongation axis Y, is for example greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, better still greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0142] The ratio d/h is for example between 25% and 50%.

[0143] The distance hd from the bottom of the head 502 to the surface of the central part 12 is for example between 1.9 mm and 7.9 mm, better still between 1.5 mm and 4 mm.

[0144] The lateral arms 503 may be disposed at different distance from the central part. The axes may have different angle of divergence.

[0145] FIG. 17 discloses a further example in which the laterals arms 503 extend from the enlarged head 502.

[0146] The lateral arms 503 may extend toward the outside of the application member 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17. In a non-illustrated variant, the lateral arms extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the application member 20 or toward the central part 12 of the application member. Two lateral arms 503 in a same longitudinal plane relative to the elongation axis Y of the application member 20 are represented in FIGS. 15 to 17. However, the application member 20 could comprise one or more than two lateral arms and the lateral arms could extend in different longitudinal plane relative to the elongation axis Y of the application member 20. The lateral arms 503 could have a different form than the one illustrated in FIGS. 15 to 17. For example, they could be shorter, curved or comprise an enlarged end.

[0147] In the example of FIG. 18, the application members 20 are formed with a strand of material 620 comporting a succession of pointed arches that are convex toward the outside.

[0148] The application member 20 has a shape that is symmetric with respect to its elongation axis Y. The strand of material 620 successively describes, starting from the central part 12, a first arch 601, a second arch 602 and a third arch 603. The two arches 603 meet and form a tooth at the vertex of the application member 20. This tooth is situated on the elongation axis Y.

[0149] The arches 602 and 603 form, at their meeting point away from the cavity 14, a recess 608 which can accommodate composition. The same goes for the arches 601 and 602, which define a recess 609 at their meeting point.

[0150] In a variant, the application member 20 is not hollow and exhibits an external surface with a shape identical to the one shown in FIG. 18.

[0151] FIG. 19 displays a further embodiment in which the application member 20 is formed by two lateral legs 703 that are joined at their distal end by a top arm 701.

[0152] The top arm 701 presents an undulated form. This undulating form consists on a succession of arches, three in this example. Two arches 705 and 707 which are convex toward the outside and a central arch 702 that is concave toward the outside. Each of the two legs 703 and 709 has a rounded edge where it connects with the arches 705 and 707 respectively.

[0153] The central arch 701 defines a cavity 702 that is open toward the outside in a direction T which coincides with the elongation axis Y of the application member 20 and is also a median axis of symmetry for the application member 20.

[0154] The product can collect in the cavity 702 defined by the central arch 701. Product can also collect in the internal cavity 14 formed by the strand of material 105.

[0155] Hence, the application member 20 of the example illustrated in FIG. 19 makes it possible to collect product in the internal cavity 14, and also in the recess of the central arch 701.

[0156] FIG. 20 displays a further example of application member according to the invention. This member is formed by a strand of material having a substantially heart-shape. This strand of material describes, starting from the central part 12, a first arm 801 extending from the central part 12 and angling upward from this central part 12, an upper V-shaped portion comprising a second arm 803 which is connected to the upper end of the first arm 801 and which has an upper rounded edge where it connects with the upper end of the first arm 801 and a third arm 805 which angles upward in the opposite direction than the first and second arms, starting from the free end of the second arm 803 and a fourth arm 807 extending at a downward angle to meet the first arm 801 and the central part 12.

[0157] The two arms 803 and 805 define a cavity 802 that is open in a direction which coincides with the elongation axis Y of the application member 20 and is also a median axis of symmetry for the application member 20.

[0158] The product can collect in the cavity 802 at a non-zero distance from the central part 12.

[0159] Product can also collect in the internal cavity 14 formed by the strand of material.

[0160] The application member 20 of the example of FIG. 20 thus makes it possible to collect product in the internal cavity 14, and also in the recess of the cavity 802.

[0161] In a variant, the application element 20 is not hollow and exhibits an external surface with a shape identical to the one shown in FIG. 20.

[0162] FIG. 21 displays a further embodiment in which the application member 20 is formed by two lateral legs 903 that are joined at their distal end by a top arm 901.

[0163] The top arm 901 presents on its side toward the outside of the application member 20 some reliefs 905 that form between them concavity 907 to accumulate products. The reliefs 905 illustrated in FIG. 21 are convex relief toward the outside but they could be any reliefs, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 23 and 24.

[0164] In FIGS. 19 and 21, the application member 20 forms a loop that is closed. As illustrated in FIGS. 22 to 23, the application member 20 can form an unclosed loop. The loop could be open at one of its junctions to the central part 12 as illustrated or the loop could be formed by an opening in the application member 20.

[0165] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. For example, the number of application members may be different in each of the examples.

[0166] For example, it is possible to stack on the core elements 10 which are not identical, being made for example of different materials, notably with different hardnesses, and/or having application members with different shapes.

[0167] The core can be given a curvature, such that the applicator part extends along a curved longitudinal axis.