Cosmetic product applicator including spiralling branches and set including such an applicator

Abstract

A cosmetic-product applicator including an application endpiece and a gripping element adapted to be grasped by a user, the application endpiece including branches which extend while spiraling around a main axis so that they define a cavity having an axisymmetric general shape around the main axis. The application endpiece is mounted free in rotation about the main axis in relation to the gripping element.

Claims

1. A cosmetic product applicator comprising: an application endpiece; a gripper configured to be gripped by a user; the application endpiece including branches that extend while spiralling around a main axis so that they define a cavity having an axisymmetric general shape around the main axis; and the application endpiece being mounted free in rotation about the main axis in relation to the gripper.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: the cavity is devoid of any inner element.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: the cavity includes a central element extending over the main axis.

4. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: the cavity has a so-called bud-like shape in a form of an elongate axisymmetric shape flaring progressively and terminating in a rounded tip.

5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: the branches are devoid of protuberances.

6. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: said branches include exactly three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or ten branches.

7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: each of said branches is configured to rotate while spiralling around the main axis by an angle comprised between 90 and 720.

8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: each of said branches is configured to rotate while spiralling around the main axis by an angle in a range of 180.

9. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: at least the branches of the application endpiece are metallic, made of ceramic, of word, of glass, or of a plastic material.

10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: each of said branches includes at a surface a texture that increases its roughness.

11. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein: each of said branches includes a surface coating.

12. The applicator according to claim 11, wherein: the surface coating is a metallic coating or an elastomeric coating, or a flocking.

13. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 1, further comprising: a longitudinal rigid stick linking the gripper to the application endpiece.

14. The product applicator according to claim 13, wherein: the applicator includes a cylindrical rigid core extending according to the main axis, said core being rigidly fastened to the gripper or formed in one-piece with the gripper; the stick is hollow and mounted free in rotation but fixed in translation on the core; the application endpiece is rigidly linked to the stick or formed in one-piece with the stick; and the core extends in the stick over an entirety of a length of the stick measured in a direction of the main axis, possibly with an exception of a connecting area between the stick and the application endpiece.

15. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 14, wherein; the stick is metallic or made of ceramic, or covered with a metallic or ceramic coating.

16. A set including a bottle and an applicator according to claim 1, wherein: the bottle contains the cosmetic product, the bottle including a neck configured to be sealed off by the gripper, so that, when the bottle is sealed off by said gripper, the application endpiece is in contact with the cosmetic product.

Description

(1) The invention also relates to a set including a bottle and an applicator as defined hereinabove, wherein the bottle contains the cosmetic product, the bottle including a neck adapted to be sealed off by the gripping element, so that, when the bottle is sealed off by said gripping element, the application endpiece is in contact with the cosmetic product.

(2) In the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples:

(3) FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view of a cosmetic product applicator according to an embodiment of the invention;

(4) FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional schematic view of an application endpiece that can be used in an embodiment of the invention;

(5) FIG. 3 is a three-dimensional schematic view of another application endpiece that can be used in an embodiment of the invention;

(6) FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional schematic view of another application endpiece that can be used in an embodiment of the invention;

(7) FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a set including the applicator according to an embodiment of the invention and a cosmetic product bottle.

(8) FIG. 1 shows a cosmetic product applicator 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This applicator 1 includes a gripping element 2 that the user grasps with his/her hand when he/she wishes to apply the cosmetic product.

(9) The applicator extends according to a general direction of extension, around a main axis A. The general direction of extension of the applicator is so-called longitudinal.

(10) The applicator 1 includes an application endpiece 3. The application endpiece 3 corresponds to the portion of the applicator intended to be loaded with the cosmetic product and to be brought into contact with the skin in order to transfer the cosmetic product therein.

(11) In the exemplary embodiment shown herein, the application endpiece 3 is mounted at the end of a stick 4 which extends over the main axis A and links the gripping element 2 to the application endpiece 3.

(12) According to the present invention, the application endpiece 3 is mounted free in rotation, about the axis A, relative to the gripping element 2. In the illustrated configuration, at least two solutions could thus be implemented: either the endpiece of rotatably mounted relative to the stick 4, which could then be fixed with respect to the gripping element 2, or the application endpiece 3 and the stick 4 are fixed relative to each other (for example made in one-piece) and the stick 4 is rotatably mounted relative to the gripping element. An embodiment according to this second possibility is described as example in more details with reference to FIG. 5.

(13) FIG. 2 shows the application endpiece 3 of the applicator 1 of FIG. 1 in more details.

(14) The application endpiece 3 is formed around the main axis A, and has an axisymmetric general shape. More particularly, the application endpiece includes branches 31 which spiral around the main axis A, and thus define a cavity 32 internal to the application endpiece. The cavity 32 has an axisymmetric shape around the main axis A.

(15) Thus, the application endpiece 3 may generally be considered as a hollow endpiece.

(16) Each branch 31 turns, while spiralling around the main axis A; by an angle comprised between 90 and 720, preferably in the range of 180. Thus, each branch forms, between its ends, between one quarter-turn and two turns around the main axis of the applicator.

(17) Thus, for example, each branch may form a helix portion around the main axis A.

(18) Advantageously, the application endpiece 3 includes at least three branches 31. Thus, the application endpiece may include exactly three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, or ten branches.

(19) The branches 31 may be formed of various materials. They may be metallic, for example made of stainless steel. They may be made of ceramic. They may be made of a plastic material. They may be made of wood, or another suitable natural material.

(20) Advantageously, the surface of the branches is devoid of protuberances. By protuberance, it should be understood an element significantly projecting from the surface of the branches. Thus, the branches advantageously have no teeth or hairs. Yet, this does not exclude the presence of an undulation or of local deformations allowing improving the massage effect during the application of the cosmetic product. Furthermore, this does not exclude the presence of a slightly protruding (or recessed) texture at the surface of the branches, to improve the retention of the cosmetic product by the application endpiece 3 and/or improve adhesion on the skin during the application of the cosmetic product. This texture may be generated directly in the matter forming the branches (by machining, or obtained directly during the manufacture of the applicator) or by application of a coating over the branches.

(21) Moreover, the branches 31 may be covered with a coating, for example a metallic coating which improves the appearance of the application endpiece and, where appropriate, the freshness feel upon application. Coating by vapour phase deposition may be carried out.

(22) Alternatively, the branches may be covered with an elastomeric material coating. This includes any polymer having elastic properties, in particular organic polymers, such as rubbers, and mineral polymers such as silicones. This coating may be overmoulded over the branches 31. An elastomeric coating has a soft and flexible touch and improves adhesion on the skin.

(23) A coating by flocking is also possible, in particular to obtain a velvet effect.

(24) Preferably, the branches have a rounded section. Thus, the cross-section of the branches 31 may be circular, oval, or else square or triangular with rounded angles.

(25) In the embodiment that is shown, the application endpiece 3 (and the corresponding cavity 32) has a so-called bud-like axisymmetric shape. A bud-like shape refers to an elongate axisymmetric shape flaring progressively and terminating in a rounded tip 33.

(26) Nevertheless, in the context of the present invention, any axisymmetric shape may be considered for the application endpiece.

(27) In particular, a pear-like shape, a rugby ball like oval shape, or a cylindrical shape may be considered. Moreover, the main body may progressively narrow, so as to feature, for example, an ogive-like shape.

(28) Advantageously, the branches 31 are evenly distributed radially around the main axis A. This could be described as a radially symmetrical distribution. In other words, over the entire cross-section of the application endpiece, each branch is at the same distance from the two branches that surround it (or are diametrically opposite if there are only two branches).

(29) In an applicator in accordance with the present invention, the cavity 32 forms a volume adapted to receive a cosmetic product and retain it. Thus, the cavity 32 forms a cosmetic product reserve, which will be released, through the spaces present between the branches 31, during the application of the cosmetic product.

(30) Thus, the volume of the cavity can be adapted to the cosmetic product volume desired for application over a defined area of the body. For example, it could be interesting to ensure that the application endpiece is loaded with a suitable (sufficient by not excessive) amount of cosmetic product for application over the surface to be treated. For example, the applicator may be adapted to enable application over the surface of the bottom of an eye, or possibly over the surface of the bottom of both eyes (in the case where the product could, without limitation, be a cream or a serum against dark circles). The applicator may be adapted to application over the surface of a cheek or of both cheeks. The applicator may be adapted to enable the application of a product over the entirety of the surface of the face, and/or of the neck.

(31) Of course, the examples hereinabove are not restrictive, and the applicator may be adapted to any particular surface of the skin.

(32) The shape and the dimensions of the application endpiece 3 may be adapted accordingly.

(33) While the cavity of the application endpiece of FIG. 2 is devoid of any inner element, the cavity 32 of the application endpiece of FIG. 3 includes a central element, namely an elongate central element 34, extending over the main axis A.

(34) The elongate central element 34 is herein cylindrical, but any other suitable shape may be used.

(35) The elongate central element 34 links a proximal endpiece 35 of the application endpiece 3 which enables connection thereof to the stick 4 at the tip 33 of the application endpiece.

(36) The elongate central element 34 may be formed of the same material as the branches 31. In particular, it may be made in one-piece with the branches 31.

(37) The elongate central element 34 may have several functions. It may allow adapting the volume of the cavity 32, independently of the external shape of the application endpiece 3.

(38) It could allow rigidifying the application endpiece, while keeping the distance between the proximal endpiece 35 and the tip 33, and possibly their relative position, constant.

(39) FIG. 4 shows another example of an endpiece wherein the cavity 32 of the application endpiece of FIG. 3 includes a central element in the form of a bulb 36. The bulb 36 is linked to the proximal endpiece 35 of the application endpiece 3, yet without lining it to the tip 33. Thus, the bulb 36 allows modulating the volume available for receiving the product in the applicator, yet without affecting the ability to deform during application, and more generally the mechanical properties that the applicator would have in the absence of thus bulb 36.

(40) FIG. 5 shows, according to a sectional schematic view, a set including a bottle 5 and the applicator 1 of FIG. 1. The gripping element 2 also forms herein a cap adapted to be screwed onto the cosmetic product bottle 5 that an adapted neck 51 includes. To this end, the cap may be provided with a tapping. According to other embodiments, the cap could be adapted to be affixed on the bottle by clipping.

(41) In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, the application endpiece 3 is rigidly fastened to the stick 4. The stick 4 is hollow, and mounted free in rotation over a rigid and longitudinal core 6, which is rigidly fastened to the gripping element 2.

(42) However, the stick 4 is fixed in translation along the core 6.

(43) The bottle 5 forms an inner volume containing a liquid, viscous or pasty, for example semi-liquid, cosmetic product.

(44) When the applicator 1 is affixed on the bottle 5 (the gripping element 2 forming a suitable cap), the application endpiece 3 is in contact with the cosmetic product. For example, the application endpiece 3 is immersed in the cosmetic product. Thus, the application endpiece 3 is loaded with the cosmetic product, at its surface and in the cavity 32.

(45) The bottle 5 includes a wiper 7. The wiper 7 is a flexible device located proximate to the neck 51 of the bottle 5 or in the latter. The wiper 7 provides for a passage calibrated for the insertion and removal of the application endpiece 3. The wiper 7 allows pulling off the excess cosmetic product at the surface of the application endpiece 3 upon removal from the bottle 5. Thus, a perfect compliance with the cosmetic product dose defined essentially by the volume of the cavity 32. Thus, an accurate, even and optimum predetermined cosmetic product amount for application over a given area of the body of the user, is contained in and over the application endpiece 3.

(46) The wiper 7 may be of the so-called folding type. Such a wiper 7 has a frustoconical shape and tends to fold upon passage of the application endpiece 3.

(47) The cosmetic product applicator, including the care product proposed in the invention, including a rotatably-mounted hollow application endpiece with spiraling branches, enables an even application, in an even film, of an accurate amount of product throughout the rotation of the application endpiece over the skin of the user. The branches of the application endpiece accompany the application movement, which causes the rotation of the endpiece by rolling over the application surface (typically the skin), and allows for an even adhesion, without jerkin, over the skin of the user. They also promote the massage effect during application of the product.