Applicator having a stem with a three-dimensional profile

Abstract

The subject of the invention is a cosmetic applicator, in particular for the eyelashes or the contour of the eyes, comprising: a gripping member, an applicator element, a stem connecting the gripping member and the applicator element, the axis of the stem extending in all three dimensions of space.

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator comprising: a gripping member comprising an internal thread and having a longitudinal axis; an applicator element having a longitudinal axis; and a stem extending from the gripping member to the applicator element and formed of a polymeric material, the stem comprising: a first rectilinear portion that extends from the gripping member; a first curve extending from the first rectilinear portion and having a first radius of curvature and a first axis of curvature; and a second curve extending from the first curve toward the applicator element, the second curve having a second radius of curvature and a second axis of curvature, wherein, an axis of the stem that connects all centers of mass of cross sections of the stem cannot be contained in a single plane, the first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature, and the first and second curves are configured such that an angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the gripping member and the longitudinal axis of the applicator element-ranges from about 25 to about 90.

2. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the angle between the longitudinal axis of the gripping member and the longitudinal axis of the applicator element is about 90.

3. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein: the first curve is concave toward a first side of the stem and the second curve is concave toward an opposite second side of the stem; and the first axis of curvature is not parallel to the second axis of curvature.

4. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal axis of the gripping member and the longitudinal axis of the applicator are both rectilinear.

5. The cosmetic applicator of claim 1, wherein the stem is elastically deformable.

6. A device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising: a container containing a cosmetic product; and an applicator comprising: a gripping member comprising an internal thread and having a longitudinal axis; an applicator element having a longitudinal axis; and a stem extending from the gripping member to the applicator element and formed of a polymeric material, wherein the stem comprises: a first linear portion that extends from the gripping member; a first curve extending from the first linear portion and having a first radius of curvature and a first axis of curvature; and a second curve extending from the first curve toward the applicator element, the second curve having a second radius of curvature and a second axis of curvature, wherein, an axis of the stem that connects all centers of mass of cross sections of the stem cannot be contained in a single plane, the first radius of curvature is greater than the second radius of curvature, and the first and second curves are configured such that an angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the gripping member and the longitudinal axis of the applicator element ranges from about 25 to about 90.

7. A cosmetic process for making up the eyelashes or the contour of the eye lids, the process comprising: providing the cosmetic applicator of claim 1, contacting the eyelashes and/or eyelids with the applicator element of the applicator.

8. The cosmetic process of claim 7, wherein the outer third of the eyelashes and/or eyelid, the central third of the eyelashes and/or eyelid, and the inner third of the eyelashes and/or eyelid are made up successively.

9. The cosmetic process of claim 8 wherein the step of contacting the eyelashes comprises rotating the gripping member; wherein a direction of rotation of the gripping member is always the same for curling, lifting and extending the eyelashes.

Description

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

(2) FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of an applicator produced in accordance with the invention in a first position,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of the applicator from FIG. 1 in a second position,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the applicator from FIG. 1 in a third position,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the applicator from FIG. 1 in a fourth position,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of the applicator from FIG. 1 in a fifth position,

(7) FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a first stem of an applicator according to the invention and the position of its axis X,

(8) FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a second stem of an applicator according to the invention and the position of its axis X,

(9) FIGS. 8 to 10 illustrate the makeup process for the eyelashes with the applicator according to the invention,

(10) FIG. 11 illustrates the various zones of the eye.

(11) The applicator shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is intended for the application of a product to the eyelashes or eyebrows, for example mascara. The applicator has a stem 1 having a non-rectilinear axis X. The axis X is obtained by connecting the centres of mass of the cross sections of the stem 1. The axis X describes a curve that extends in all three dimensions of space. This curve has a three-dimensional profile.

(12) At its first end, the stem 1 is secured to a gripping member 2 having a rectilinear longitudinal axis Y. The gripping member 2 also forms a closure cap for a container containing the product to be applied. The gripping member 2 may be in the form of a cylinder of revolution, as illustrated, or as a variant have at least one flat.

(13) At its second end, the stem 1 is secured to an applicator element 3 having a rectilinear longitudinal axis Z. The stem is designed such that the angle between the axis Y and the axis Z is greater than or equal to 25. The applicator element 3 may have for example bristles or spikes.

(14) The axis X of the stem 1 describes two bends. A first bend is produced about a first axis of curvature C.sub.1 to a first radius of curvature r.sub.1. A second bend is produced about a second axis of curvature C.sub.2 to a second radius of curvature r.sub.2. The radii of curvature are measured at the respective apices S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 of the two bends.

(15) In the example described, the axes of curvature C.sub.1 and C.sub.2 are not parallel to one another.

(16) Furthermore, the first radius of curvature r.sub.1 is greater than the second radius of curvature r.sub.2, the first axis of curvature C.sub.1 being closest to the gripping member 2.

(17) Starting from the gripping member 2, the axis X describes a first linear portion 12. The axis X is joined to the applicator element 3 by describing a second linear portion 13.

(18) FIGS. 6 and 7 show the path of the axis X within the stem of two applicators according to the invention. The two applicators differ from one another by way of the curvature of the stem 1. As a result, the axes X of FIGS. 6 and 7 define different curves.

(19) The cosmetic makeup process according to the invention consists in successively making up the outer third 10, the central third 11 and the inner third 12 of the eye. These three zones are shown in FIG. 11.

(20) In order to use the applicator according to the invention, the person successively makes up the outer third, the central third and the inner third of the eye, on each of the two eyelids.

(21) First of all, the person positions the applicator member 3 in contact with the eyelashes located in the outer third of the eye (FIG. 8). The concavity of the stem 1 closest to the applicator element 3 is then directed towards the eyebrows. She curls the eyelashes and lifts them forwards and upwards using the applicator element 3. She extends them towards the outer corner of the eye, as indicated by the arrow 4. The eyelashes are combed in their natural direction, each eyelash being normal to the contour of the eye or edge of the eye.

(22) Next, the person proceeds to the central third of the eye (FIG. 9). She turns the gripping member 2, easily and naturally positioning the applicator element 3 horizontally. The concavity of the stem 1 closest to the applicator element 3 is then directed downwards. She curls the eyelashes and lifts them forwards and upwards using the applicator element 3 and she extends them upwards, as indicated by the arrow 4. The eyelashes are combed in their natural direction, each eyelash being normal to the contour of the eye or edge of the eye.

(23) Finally, the person turns the gripping member 2 slightly, positioning the applicator element 3 in contact with the eyelashes of the inner corner (FIG. 10). The concavity of the stem 1 closest to the applicator element 3 is then directed downwards. She curls the eyelashes and lifts them forwards and upwards using the applicator element 3 and she extends them towards the inside, as indicated by the arrow 4. The eyelashes are combed in their natural direction, each eyelash being normal to the contour of the eye or edge of the eye.

(24) For the bottom eyelashes, the pre-positioning and use movements (as described above, during making up) are symmetrical to those carried out for the top eyelashes.

(25) The invention is not limited to the device specifically exemplified. Other devices, in particular those having stems that occupy all three dimensions of space by describing a quite different curve from that shown in the figures, are for example part of the invention.