Cosmetic applicator

Abstract

Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin materials, having: a holder and an applicator tip, of longitudinal axis, that is carried by the holder and has: a base part, having an axis, for fastening to the holder by way of at least one of its portions, and an application part that is attached to the base part and has at least three surfaces, each having a contour formed by at least one edge, and/or a base line that acts as a junction between the application part and a cylindrical portion, having an axis, of the base part,
the shapes of the contours of said surfaces being different in pairs and not symmetrical to one another about an axis or a median plane.

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin materials, comprising: a holder; and an applicator tip, having a longitudinal axis, that is carried by the holder, the applicator tip including: a base part, having an axis, for fastening to the holder by way of at least one of its portions, and an application part that is attached to the base part and has at least three surfaces, each surface having a contour formed by: at least one edge, and/or a base line that acts as a junction between the application part and a cylindrical portion, having an axis, of the base part, wherein shapes of the contours of the at least three surfaces are all different from each other and are all not symmetrical from each other about any axis and any median plane.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator tip is made of a porous material.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator tip is impregnated with the cosmetic product.

4. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical portion of the base part is in the form of a cylinder of revolution or is cylindrical with a non-circular base.

5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the application part are not planar and perpendicular with respect to the longitudinal axis.

6. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the surfaces is obtained by cutting a one-piece cylindrical part.

7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the surfaces are not in the form of cylinders of revolution.

8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least two of the surfaces have a common edge.

9. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator tip does not have an axis of symmetry.

10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application part has a height H.sub.2 less than or equal to 50% of the overall height H.sub.2 of the applicator tip.

11. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ratio d/H.sub.2, of the greatest dimension d in cross section of the applicator tip and the height H.sub.2 of the applicator part, is between 0.04 and 14.

12. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional contour surface that is formed by at least one edge and/or by a base line acts as a junction between the application part and a cylindrical portion, having an axis, of the base part, and has a contour either with a shape identical to that of one of the surfaces or symmetrical to that of one of the surfaces with respect to an axis or to a median plane.

13. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least one additional contour surface that is formed by at least one edge and/or by a base line acts as a junction between the application part and a cylindrical portion, having an axis, of the base part, and has a contour with shapes different and not symmetrical about an axis or a median plane to the shape of the contour of the other three surfaces.

14. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein one of the surfaces defines a cavity at a base of the applicator tip.

15. A packaging and application device, comprising: a reservoir containing a cosmetic product, and an applicator according to claim 1.

16. The packaging and application device according to claim 15, wherein the holder of the applicator forms the reservoir containing the cosmetic product.

17. A method for making up an eyelid, having a step of applying eyeliner with an aid of a packaging and application device including: a reservoir containing a makeup product, and an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin materials, the applicator including: a holder; and an applicator tip, having a longitudinal axis, that is carried by the holder, the applicator tip including: a base part, having an axis, for fastening to the holder by way of at least one of its portions, and an application part that is attached to the base part and has at least three surfaces, each surface having a contour formed by; at least one edge, and/or a base line that acts as a junction between the application part and a cylindrical portion, having an axis, of the base part, wherein shapes of the contours of the surfaces are different in pairs and not symmetrical to one another about an axis or a median plane, and one of the surfaces defining a cavity at the base of the applicator tip.

18. A method for making up an eyelid, having a step of applying eyeliner with an aid of an applicator including: a holder; and an applicator tip, having a longitudinal axis, that is carried by the holder, the applicator tip including: a base part, having an axis, for fastening to the holder by way of at least one of its portions, and an application part that is attached to the base part and has at least three surfaces, each surface having a contour formed by: at least one edge, and/or a base line that acts as a junction between the application part and a cylindrical portion, having an axis, of the base part, wherein shapes of the contours of the at least three surfaces are all different from each other and are all not symmetrical from each other about any axis and any median plane.

19. An applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin materials, comprising: a holder; and an applicator tip, having a longitudinal axis, that is carried by the holder, the applicator tip including: a base part, having an axis, for fastening to the holder by way of at least one of its portions, and an application part that is attached to the base part and has at least three surfaces, each surface having a contour formed by: at least one edge, and/or a base line that acts as a junction between the application part and a cylindrical portion, having an axis, of the base part, wherein shapes of the contours of the surfaces are different in pairs and not symmetrical to one another about an axis or a median plane, and wherein the applicator has at least one additional contour surface that is formed by at least one edge and/or by a base line that acts as a junction between the application part and a cylindrical portion, having an axis, of the base part, and has a contour either with a shape identical to that of one of the surfaces or symmetrical to that of one of the surfaces with respect to an axis or to a median plane or has a contour with shapes different and not symmetrical about an axis or a median plane to the shape of the contour of the other three surfaces.

20. The applicator according to claim 19, wherein one of the surfaces defines a cavity at a base of the applicator tip.

21. An applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin materials, comprising: a holder; and an applicator tip, having a longitudinal axis, that is carried by the holder, the applicator tip including: a base part, having an axis, for fastening to the holder by way of at least one of its portions, and an application part that is attached to the base part and has at least three surfaces, each surface having a contour formed by: at least one edge, and/or a base line that acts as a junction between the application part and a cylindrical portion, having an axis, of the base part, wherein shapes of the contours of the surfaces are different in pairs and not symmetrical to one another about an axis or a median plane, and one of the surfaces defining a cavity at the base of the applicator tip.

Description

(1) Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a packaging and application device according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows a perspective view of an example of an applicator tip according to the invention,

(4) FIG. 3 is a view along III of the example of an applicator tip in FIG. 2,

(5) FIG. 4 is a view along IV of the example of an applicator tip in FIGS. 2 and 3,

(6) FIG. 5 is a view along V of the example of an applicator tip in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4,

(7) FIG. 6 schematically shows a side view of a variant applicator tip according to the invention,

(8) FIG. 7 is a view along VII of the variant applicator tip in FIG. 6,

(9) FIG. 8 shows a perspective schematic view of a variant applicator tip according to the invention,

(10) FIG. 9 is a view along IX of the variant applicator tip in FIG. 8,

(11) FIG. 10 is a view along X of the variant applicator tip in FIGS. 8 and 9,

(12) FIG. 11 shows a perspective schematic view of a variant applicator tip according to the invention,

(13) FIG. 12 is a view along XII of the variant applicator tip in FIG. 11,

(14) FIG. 13 is a view along XIII of the variant applicator tip in FIG. 12,

(15) FIG. 14 shows a perspective schematic view of a variant applicator tip according to the invention,

(16) FIG. 15 is a view along XV of the variant applicator tip in FIG. 14,

(17) FIG. 16 shows a schematic side view of a variant applicator tip according to the invention,

(18) FIGS. 17 and 18 schematically show two steps in the production of a variant applicator tip according to the invention,

(19) FIG. 19 shows a schematic view of a variant applicator tip according to the invention,

(20) FIG. 20 is a view along XX of the variant applicator tip in FIG. 19,

(21) FIG. 21 shows a perspective schematic view of a variant applicator tip according to the invention,

(22) FIG. 22 is a view along XXII of the variant applicator tip in FIG. 21, and

(23) FIG. 23 is a view along XXIII of the variant applicator tip in FIGS. 21 and 22.

(24) FIG. 24 shows an elevation view of another example of an applicator tip, and

(25) FIG. 25 is a view along XXV in FIG. 24.

(26) In the rest of the description, identical or similar elements or elements having identical or similar functions bear the same reference signs in the figures, unless stated otherwise.

(27) The packaging and application device 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a holder 11 and a closure cap 12 which is fixed on the holder 11 for example by snap-fastening, screwing or friction. The holder 11 extends along a longitudinal axis Y and defines a reservoir containing the cosmetic product.

(28) The reservoir contains the cosmetic product to be applied. The latter may be a makeup product, notably an eyeliner, and comprise water, pigments, in particular iron oxide, colorants and/or polymers.

(29) The capacity of the reservoir is for example between 1 and 10 ml.

(30) The holder 11 bears, in a housing 14 at one of its ends, an applicator tip 20 that extends along a longitudinal axis X, shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 5.

(31) Following insertion of the applicator tip 20, the longitudinal axis Y of the holder 11 and the longitudinal axis X of the applicator tip 20 are preferably coincident.

(32) The applicator tip 20 is in one piece. It is preferably made entirely of felt, notably of synthetic or natural fibres that are all oriented substantially in the same direction, notably along the longitudinal axis X of the applicator tip 20, and assembled to form a felt. When it is inserted in the housing 14 of the holder 11, the applicator tip 20 can be dipped by one of its ends in the cosmetic product and be impregnated with the cosmetic product, notably eyeliner, by capillary action. This is the case in particular when the assembly of the holder 11 and the applicator tip 20 is such that the applicator tip 20 is oriented downwards.

(33) As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, the applicator tip 20 has a base part 22 for fastening the applicator tip 20 to the holder 11 and an application part 24 for applying the cosmetic product by coming into contact with the keratin materials, said application part 24 being attached to the base part 22.

(34) The base part 22 is in the form of a cylinder of revolution about the longitudinal axis X, but other shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, notably a cylindrical shape with a non-circular section, notably a rectangular or triangular section.

(35) The applicator tip 20 can be fixed to the holder 11 by any suitable means. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the applicator tip 20, in particular the base part 22, can be forced-fitted into a corresponding housing 14 provided at the upper end of the holder 11. The base part 22 can be inserted at least partially into the housing 14.

(36) The base part 22 is fed with product through its proximal end and the product can diffuse longitudinally through the applicator tip notably by capillary action until it reaches the application part 24.

(37) The applicator tip 20 has a ratio d/H.sub.2 of between 0.2 and 1.25, d being the largest dimension in cross section, in this case the diameter, of the applicator tip 20 and H.sub.2 being the height of the application part 24.

(38) d may be between 3 mm and 5 mm and H.sub.2 may be between 4 mm and 15 mm.

(39) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the application part 24 has a height H.sub.2 less than or equal to 50% of the height H.sub.1 of the applicator tip 20.

(40) In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 5, the application part 24 has four surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 32. The surfaces 26, 28 and 30 or 32 have different contours that are not symmetrical to one another. The surfaces 30 and 32 are symmetrical with respect to a median plane M.

(41) The contour of each of the surfaces 26, 30 and 32 is formed by edges 34 with the other surfaces and with the base part 22. The contour of the surface 28 is formed by edges 34 with the other surfaces and by a curved base line 36 that acts as a junction with a portion of the base part 22. This curved base line 36 is defined by the line from which the tangent to the surface varies.

(42) As illustrated in FIG. 3, the surface 26 is planar and forms, in view along the median plane M, an angle α of between 1° and 45°. The surface 26 forms, with the surfaces 30 and 32, curved edges 34 and forms, with the surface 28, a rectilinear edge 34, the latter being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

(43) The surface 28 is convex and has, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the median plane M, a radius of curvature r.sub.28 of between 3 mm and 20 mm. The surface 28 forms curved edges with the surfaces 30 and 32.

(44) As illustrated in FIG. 4, the surfaces 30 and 32 are concave and have, when viewed in a direction in the median plane M, a radius of curvature r.sub.30 of between 3 mm and 20 mm. The surfaces 30 and 32 each taper towards the end of the applicator tip 20 so as to end at a common apex with the surfaces 26, 28 and 30 and 26, 28 and 32, respectively.

(45) The applicator tip 20 is produced by cutting the surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 32 in a one-piece cylindrical part, notably by cutting with the aid of a cutting tool (not shown) that is movable and orientable in all spatial directions.

(46) The example in FIGS. 6 and 7 differs from the one in FIGS. 1 to 5 by way of the shape of the surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 32.

(47) In the example in FIGS. 6 and 7, the surfaces 26 and 28 are convex and the surfaces 30 and 32 are planar. The surfaces 26 and 28 are attached to the base part 22 by a curved base line 36. The surface 26 has a radius of curvature r.sub.26 of between 3 mm and 20 mm and the surface 28 has a radius of curvature r.sub.28 of between 3 mm and 20 mm. The surfaces 30 and 32 form, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the median plane M, an angle β with the longitudinal axis X of between 5° and 30°.

(48) The surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 32 have a common apex 38 at the distal end of the applicator tip 20.

(49) The example in FIGS. 8 to 10 differs from the one in FIGS. 1 to 5 in that it has only three surfaces 26, 28 and 30 that are all different from one another.

(50) The applicator tip 20 is symmetrical with respect to a median plane M.

(51) The surfaces 26 and 28 are planar. The planes containing the surfaces 26 and 28 are symmetrical with respect to a plane N, shown in FIG. 10, which is parallel to the longitudinal axis X but does not contain the latter. The surfaces 26 and 28 have different, non-symmetrical contours and each form, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the plane N, an angle β with the longitudinal axis X of between 1° and 50°. The surfaces 26 and 28 do not have common edges. Their contour is formed by edges 34 with the surface 30 and with the base part 22.

(52) The surface 30 is concave and constitutes the end of the applicator tip 20. It is symmetrical with respect to the median plane M and to the plane N. Its contour is formed by curved edges 34 with the surfaces 26 and 28 and by base lines 36 with the base part 22.

(53) The example in FIGS. 11 to 13 differs from the one in FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the applicator tip 20 is in the form of a rearwardly curved tip.

(54) The surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 32 are concave. The surfaces 26, 28 and 30 have different, non-symmetrical contours. The surfaces 30 and 32 have symmetrical contours to one another with respect to a median plane M. The contours are all delimited by edges 34.

(55) The surface 28 does not extend as far as the distal end of the applicator tip 20. The applicator tip 20 has, at its end, a surface 40 that is not produced by cutting a cylindrical part but is a portion of the lateral surface of the initial cylindrical part. The surface 40 has a contour delimited by all of the other surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 32.

(56) The example in FIGS. 14 and 15 differs from the one in FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the applicator tip 20 has two planar surfaces 26 and 28 that form different angles with the longitudinal axis X, and a surface of rotation 42. The surfaces 26, 28 and 42 have different, non-symmetrical contours.

(57) The applicator tip 20 is symmetrical with respect to a median plane M.

(58) Each of the surfaces 26 and 28 is attached to a planar end surface 44 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X. The planar end surface 44 is not produced by cutting the initial cylindrical part; it corresponds to a portion of the base of said part.

(59) The surfaces 26 and 28 are attached to identical surfaces 46 that correspond to lateral portions of the initial cylindrical part that have not been machined.

(60) The surface 42 is a surface of revolution about the axis X, having a circular cross section. Its diameter varies over its height, notably along a curve that decreases and then increases in size symmetrically.

(61) The example in FIG. 16 differs from the one in FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the applicator tip 20 has more than three different, non-symmetrical surfaces, in this case four surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 50. The diameter of the base part 22 is less than the largest dimension of the application part 24.

(62) The applicator tip 20 is then produced by cutting into a cylindrical part with a diameter greater than the largest diameter of the application part having a cylindrical part with a smaller diameter so as to obtain a part that has two parts with different diameters, the first part forming the base part 22 and the second part being intended to form the application part 24. The four different surfaces are then cut into the second part by a cutting tool.

(63) The example illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18 differs from the one in FIGS. 1 to 5 by way of the shape of the cut surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 32.

(64) When viewed in a direction perpendicular to the median plane M, the surface 26 has a concave shape and the surface 28 has a convex shape. When viewed in a direction in the median plane M, the surfaces 30 and 32 are convex.

(65) As illustrated in FIG. 17, the applicator tip is first of all produced by cutting the surfaces 30 and 32 into a cylindrical part 60, then by cutting the surfaces 26 and 28 into the part obtained.

(66) The example illustrated in FIGS. 19 and 20 differs from the one in FIGS. 1 to 5 by way of the shape of the cut surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 32.

(67) The applicator tip is symmetrical with respect to two median planes M and N.

(68) The surfaces 30 and 32 are planar and symmetrical to one another about the median plane M. Their contours form edges 34 with the base part 22.

(69) The surface 26 is concave and extends on either side of the surfaces 30 and 32.

(70) The surface 28 is convex and constitutes the end of the applicator tip 2. Its contour is formed by curved edges 34 with the surfaces 30 and 32 and by edges 34 with the surface 26.

(71) The example of FIGS. 21 to 23 differs from the one in FIGS. 1 to 5 in that the applicator tip has the form of a crescent moon.

(72) The surfaces 30 and 32 are concave. The surface 26, 28 and 40 has concave parts at their base and convex part from the concave part toward the end tip 38. Surfaces 26, 30, 32 and 40 have different contours that are not symmetrical relative to each other. The contour of each of the surfaces 26, 28, 30, 32 and 40 is formed by edges 34 with the other surfaces and with the base part 22.

(73) The surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 40 all extend to the same single applicator tip 38. Surface 30 and 40 are opposite from each other on the applicator tip 20 and surface 26 and 28 are opposite to each other on the applicator tip 20. Surface 32 is below surface 30 on the applicator tip. Surfaces 26 and 28 are symmetrical relative to a median plane M.

(74) The surface 32 forms a cavity at the base of the applicator tip below surface 30 when the applicator tip 20 is considered from the base 22 to the end tip 38. The cavity facilitates the application of product with the surface 30 and improves the flexibility of the applicator tip 20 in one direction.

(75) The concave parts of surface 26, 28 and 40 at their base form cavities at the base of the applicator tip that facilitates the application of product with the surfaces 26, 28 and 40 and improve the flexibility of the applicator tip at the base 22. The concave parts of surfaces 26, 28 and 40 are above the surface 32 when the applicator tip 20 is considered from the base 22 to the end tip 38.

(76) The applicator tip 20 is symmetrical relative to the median plane M but has no axis symmetry. The applicator tip 20 is curved when viewed along an axis that is perpendicular to the median plane.

(77) This applicator tip 20 allows to make a fine line with the aid of the end tip 38. The surfaces 26, 28, 30 and 40 and contours of the surfaces allow different make-up effect in a minimum of gesture, for example by buffering one of these surfaces on the skin or using a contour to draw a line. In particular, the concavity of the surface 30 allows an easy and precise application of the product loaded on or in the applicator tip by buffering this surface 30 especially on an eyelid, at the base of the eyelashes. The applicator tip 20 is flexible at its base which increases the comfort of the application and allow of precise application with the thin end tip.

(78) The applicator tip is obtained by first cutting surfaces 26 and 28 in a cylindrical portion and then by cutting surfaces 30, 32 and 40.

(79) The applicator tip shown in FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrates the case in which d and H.sub.2 can both be small, this giving the application part rigidity and allowing precise application of makeup.

(80) In this example, the tip is a double tip, having two protrusions that form a U between one another when the tip is viewed from the side, as in FIG. 24.

(81) The application part has a conical surface 26, having an axis X, that is attached to the base part by an edge 34.

(82) A second surface 28 is defined by the inner face of each protrusion, and a third surface 30 by the bottom of the groove between the two protrusions, this bottom being attached to the inner face 28 of each protrusion by an edge 34, the surfaces 26, 28 and 30 being different in pairs.

(83) The expression “having a” should be understood as being synonymous with having at least one.