APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING MAKEUP TO HUMAN KERATIN FIBERS, IN PARTICULAR THE EYEBROWS

Abstract

An applicator for applying makeup to keratin fibers, the applicator having an applicator member designed to apply the composition to said fibers, notably present in the form of tufts, and preferably to the underlying skin, the applicator member having a plastics body, the cross section of which is flattened along at least a part of its length, the flattened cross section defining a first direction corresponding to the width of the section and a second direction, perpendicular to the first, corresponding to the thickness of the section, the thickness being less than the width, the body having at least one first application face delimiting on one side the thickness of the flattened cross section, spikes attached to the first application face, and flocking present on a portion of the surface of the body adjacent to the distal end thereof.

Claims

1. An applicator for applying makeup to keratin fibers, the applicator having an applicator member designed to apply the composition to said fibers, the applicator member comprising: a plastics body, the cross section of which is flattened along at least a part of its length, the flattened cross section defining a first direction corresponding to the width of the section and a second direction, perpendicular to the first, corresponding to the thickness of the section, the thickness being less than the width, the body having at least one first application face delimiting on one side the thickness of the flattened cross section, spikes attached to the first application face, flocking present on a portion of the surface of the body adjacent to the distal end thereof, the flocked zone extending over a distance, measured between the distal end of the body and the farthest forward spikes of the rows, the applicator lacking flocking other than in this zone.

2. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the flocking continuously covering the entire surface of the body over a given distance from the distal end thereof to the proximal end thereof.

3. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, the boundary between the flocked zone and the non-flocked zone being situated at the base of a transverse row of spikes that is closest to the distal end.

4. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the body having a second application face delimiting on the opposite side the thickness of the flattened cross section, this second application face bearing spikes.

5. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the applicator member being symmetric with respect to a median plane of symmetry for the body, intersecting the latter half-way through the thickness thereof.

6. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the first application face being concave toward the outside.

7. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the spikes extending over the first application face having different lengths.

8. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, having on the first application face rows of spikes that are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

9. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the first application face having at least one row of spikes within which long spikes alternate with shorter spikes.

10. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the first application face having, when seen from above, a tapered shape that narrows in the direction of the distal end of the applicator member.

11. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the free end of the spikes attached to the first application face defining a surface that is convex toward the outside.

12. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the spikes attached to the first application face comprising a first group of spikes that are parallel to one another and perpendicular to a median plane of symmetry, close to the distal end of the applicator member, and a second group of spikes that each make a non-right angle with said median plane of symmetry.

13. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the height of the spikes attached to the first application face being between 1 and 2.5 mm.

14. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the keratin fibers not being the eyelashes of the eyelid.

15. A packaging and application device having: an applicator as defined in claim 1, a container containing a composition for making up human keratin fibers to be applied with the aid of said applicator.

16. The device as claimed in claim 15, the composition comprising fibers.

17. A method for making up human keratin fibers comprising the application of the composition simultaneously to said fibers by means of the applicator of the device as defined in claim 15.

18. The method as claimed in claim 17, said keratin fibers being hairs of the eyebrows, hairs of the beard or the roots of the hair.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The invention may be understood better from reading the following detailed description of a nonlimiting exemplary embodiment thereof, and from studying the appended drawing, in which:

[0051] FIG. 1 schematically shows a packaging and application device according to the invention,

[0052] FIG. 2 shows the applicator member mounted on the application stem,

[0053] FIG. 3 shows the applicator member as molded, before it is flocked and mounted on the stem of the applicator,

[0054] FIG. 4 is a top view of the applicator member,

[0055] FIG. 5 is a section on V-V in FIG. 4,

[0056] FIG. 6 shows the detail VI in FIG. 5, and

[0057] FIG. 7 is an end-on view along VII in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a packaging and application device 1 according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0059] The device 1 has an applicator 2 according to the invention and a container 3 containing a composition P to be applied to the eyebrows or in other areas where there is an interest in simultaneously making up the hairs and the underlying skin.

[0060] The applicator 2 has an applicator member 10 situated at the end of a stem 7 that is connected at the other end to a gripping member 6, which also constitutes a member for closing the container 3.

[0061] The container 3 has a threaded neck 7 and a wiping member 8 for wiping the applicator member 10 as it leaves the container.

[0062] With reference to FIG. 2, it is apparent that the applicator member 10 has a body 11 made of thermoplastic material, which is provided at its distal end with a flocked zone 12.

[0063] In the example in question, the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member 10 is coincident with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 4.

[0064] FIGS. 3 to 7 show the applicator member 10 as it is molded, before its end has been flocked and it has been mounted on the stem 4.

[0065] The body 11 has a portion 13 of flattened cross section, of thickness e in a direction A and width l in a direction B, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0066] The portion 13 has two opposite main faces 14, which define application faces and to which spikes 15 are attached.

[0067] The applicator member 10 is symmetric, in the example in question, with respect to a plane of symmetry S intersecting the body 11 half-way through the thickness thereof.

[0068] The faces 14 have a curved rear portion 14a that is concave toward the outside when the applicator member is viewed in section in a median longitudinal plane M, as in FIG. 5, and a front portion 14b that is substantially rectilinear in section in said median plane M.

[0069] In the example illustrated, the spikes 15 are organized in rows that extend parallel, in top view as in FIG. 4, to the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member 10.

[0070] The applicator member 10 has for example a central row of spikes and a plurality of lateral rows, with a decreasing number of spikes with increasing distance from the median plane M.

[0071] For example, the applicator member 10 has twelve spikes in the central row, then eleven, ten and five spikes 15 in the lateral rows.

[0072] Within one row, the spikes 15 are not all the same height, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 5.

[0073] For example, as illustrated, each row has an alternation of long spikes 15a and short spikes 15b.

[0074] The spikes 15 that are attached to the front portion 14b are substantially perpendicular to the latter, while the spikes that are attached to the concave rear portion 14a make an angle with the normal to the body 11 at their base and are inclined slightly forward.

[0075] The different rows of spikes 15 each extend parallel to the median plane M when the applicator member 10 is viewed along its longitudinal axis, as in FIG. 7.

[0076] The applicator member 10 is inscribed in cross section in a circle C of diameter D of for example between 4 and 8 mm, circumscribed by the free ends of the largest spikes of the rows that are farthest from the median plane M, as can be seen in FIG. 7.

[0077] With reference to FIG. 6, it is apparent that the length j of the long spikes 15a is for example between 1.8 mm and 2.2 mm and that h of the short spikes is for example between 0.9 and 1.3 mm. The thickness r of the long spikes, at their base, is for example 0.32 mm, and that s of the short spikes is 0.28 mm.

[0078] The body 11 is extended on the proximal side by an end piece 17 for fastening in the stem 4, the end piece 17 forming a shoulder 18 at its base.

[0079] The diameter F of the body 11 at the shoulder 18 is for example around 3.5 mm.

[0080] The body 11 has a portion 19 that diverges toward the front from the shoulder 18. This portion 19 delimits the application face 14 at the rear.

[0081] The flocked zone 12 extends over a distance k, measured between the distal end 20 of the body 11 and the farthest forward spikes 15 of the rows. There is no flocking other than in this zone. The distance k is for example between 2 and 6 mm.

[0082] As can be seen in FIG. 4 in particular, each face 14 has, in top view, a droplet shape, and the width l decreases in the direction of the distal end over a distance m that is greater than the distance n over which the width l of the applicator member increases when one moves from the rear to the front.

[0083] At the point at which the width l of the applicator member 10 is at a maximum, it measures for example between 4 and 8 mm.

[0084] The distance n is for example around 4 and the distance m for example around 6 mm.

[0085] Each face 14 may be slightly concave in cross section, perpendicularly to the axis X, as illustrated in FIG. 7. The body 11 thus has a double-spoon structure, with concavities on either side of the plane of symmetry S.

[0086] In the example illustrated, the spikes 15 have a flat face 22a toward the median plane M and a convex opposite face, and have a slight taper toward their free end, as can be seen in FIG. 6.

[0087] The distance g that separates the boundary 40 of the flocked zone 12 and the shoulder 18 is for example between 14 and 15 mm.

[0088] The contour, in top view, of the applicator member 10 is substantially triangular with a rounded tip, starting from the point at which the width l starts to decrease toward the front.

[0089] Thus, the flocked zone 12 has a substantially triangular shape, in top view, with a rounded tip.

[0090] In cross section, the sides 25 of the applicator member 10 are slightly curved and convex toward the outside, as can be seen in FIG. 7.

[0091] The ratio l/e, which characterizes the flattening of the applicator member 10, is preferably greater than 2, better still greater than 3, even better still greater than 4, and is for example around 4 in the example illustrated, at the point at which the width l is greatest.

[0092] In order to manufacture the applicator, the body 11 can be injection molded, for example from a thermoplastic material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0093] Next, the applicator member 10 can be dipped at its end in an adhesive and then covered electrostatically with flocking to form the flocked zone 12. The length of the flocking is for example around 1 mm. The boundary between the flocked zone and the non-flocked zone can be situated, as illustrated, at the base of the transverse row 60 of spikes 15, of axis K perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, closest to the distal end 20.

[0094] The applicator member 10 is then mounted in the stem 4 and fastened thereto by stapling for example.

[0095] The composition P is suitable for making up the eyebrows, the hairs of the bear or the roots of the hair, and preferably contains fibers.

[0096] A “fiber” should be understood as being an object of length L and diameter D where L is greater than D, and preferably much greater than D, D being the diameter of the circle in which the section of the fiber is inscribed. In particular, the ratio L/D (or aspect ratio) is chosen in the range from 3.5 to 2500, preferably from 5 to 500 and better still from 5 to 150.

[0097] The fibers that usable in the invention may be fibers of synthetic or natural, and mineral or organic, origin. They may be relatively short or long, individual or organized, for example braided, hollow or solid. They may have any shape and may in particular have a circular or polygonal (square, hexagonal or octagonal) cross section depending on the specific application envisaged. In particular, their ends are blunted and/or smoothed to prevent injury.

[0098] In particular, the fibers have a length ranging from 1 μm to 10 mm, preferably from 0.1 mm to 6 mm, better still from 0.3 mm to 4 mm and even better still from 0.2 mm to 2 mm. Their section may be contained in a circle with a diameter ranging from 2 nm to 500 μm, preferably ranging from 100 nm to 100 μm and better still from 1 μm to 50 μm. The weight or yarn count of the fibers is often given in denier or decitex and represents the weight in grams per 9 km of yarn. Preferably, the fibers according to the invention have a yarn count chosen in the range from 0.01 to 10 denier, preferably from 0.1 to 2 denier and better still from 0.3 to 0.7 denier.

[0099] The fibers that are usable in the compositions according to the invention can be chosen from rigid or non-rigid fibers, and they may be of synthetic or natural, and mineral or organic, origin.

[0100] Furthermore, the fibers may or may not be surface-treated, may be coated or uncoated, and may be colored or uncolored.

[0101] As fibers that are usable in the compositions according to the invention, mention may be made of non-rigid fibers such as polyamide (Nylon®) fibers or viscose fibers (also known as rayon fibers), or rigid fibres such as polyimideamide fibers, such as those sold under the names Kermel® and Kermel Tech® by the company Rhodia or poly(p-phenyleneterephthalamide) (or aramid) fibres sold in particular under the name Kevlar® by the company DuPont de Nemours.

[0102] The fibers that are usable in the compositions according to the invention may be fibers of natural origin, among which cotton fibers, bamboo fibers or hemp fibers, or a mixture thereof, can be mentioned in a nonlimiting manner.

[0103] The fibers may be present in a content ranging from 0.1% to 30% by weight, more particularly from 0.1% to 25% by weight, and preferably from 0.3% to 10% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition.

[0104] Preferably, the content of fibers, if they are present in the composition P, is less than or equal to 10% by weight, and preferably less than or equal to 5% by weight, relative to the weight of the composition.

[0105] As a variant, the content of fibers, if they are present in the composition P, ranges from 2 to 25% by weight relative to the weight of the composition.

[0106] The composition P may also contain colorants and/or pigments, in particular iron oxides.

[0107] The composition P may have a liquid to pasty consistency.

[0108] In order to use the device 1, the user withdraws the applicator from the container 3. The double-spoon shape of the body 11, with spikes 15 in the concavity of each application face 14, makes it possible to effectively capture the fibers present in the container 3. The user can use the flocked distal part 12 to draw a line or color the skin at the base of the eyelashes. The spikes 15 are used to comb the eyebrows while loading them with composition. The flocked distal part 12 can also be used to spread the composition over the eyelashes. The hand actions remain simple, and the user does not have to change accessory while applying makeup.

[0109] The user can make use of one application face 14 and then of the other to make up one and the same eyebrow.

[0110] The user dips the applicator member 10 back in the container as many times as necessary.

[0111] The invention is not limited to the example that has just been described.

[0112] For example, the applicator member 10 may have only one application face 14.

[0113] The disposition of the spikes 15 may be modified, and it is possible in particular to modify the number and/or orientation thereof.

[0114] The invention is not limited to the example that has just been described. Other shapes of applicator member are possible, in particular having a tapered end in the direction of the distal end, for example a substantially triangular or rhombus shape.

[0115] As indicated above, the invention also applies to the application of makeup to the beard, in particular in order to make up areas having a lower density of hairs or a lack of hairs, caused by hair loss for example, or to make up the roots of the hair.