APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING A COSMETIC, MAKEUP OR CARE PRODUCT TO THE EYELASHES AND/OR EYEBROWS

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an application member comprising a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and spikes that are carried by the core and are arranged in groups of spikes within longitudinal rows, in which applicator the groups of spikes are preferably uniformly spaced along the longitudinal rows and each comprise at least two spikes, at least one longitudinal row of spikes being axially offset with respect to the consecutive longitudinal row, in such a way that at least one group of spikes of the offset row occupies the same axial position as a space free of spikes between two groups of spikes of the consecutive row.

Claims

1.-18. (canceled)

19. Applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an application member comprising: a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and spikes that are carried by the core and are arranged in groups of spikes within longitudinal rows, in which applicator the groups of spikes are preferably uniformly spaced along the longitudinal rows and each comprise at least two spikes, at least one longitudinal row of spikes being axially offset with respect to the consecutive longitudinal row, in such a way that at least one group of spikes of the offset row occupies the same axial position as a space free of spikes between two groups of spikes of the consecutive row.

20. Applicator according to claim 19, in which each group of spikes of at least one row occupies the same axial position as the space free of spikes between two groups of spikes of the consecutive row, better still each group of spikes of the core occupies the same axial position as a space free of spikes between two groups of spikes of the consecutive rows.

21. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the spikes of the same rank in every other longitudinal row occupy the same axial position along the longitudinal axis of the core.

22. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the spacing between the consecutive groups of spikes is constant within at least one longitudinal row, better still within each longitudinal row.

23. Applicator according to claim 19, in which, within a longitudinal row, the spacing between two consecutive groups of spikes is between 0.3 mm and 2.5 mm, better still between 0.45 mm and 1.5 mm.

24. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the axial offset between one longitudinal row of spikes and the consecutive longitudinal row is greater than or equal to the length of a group of spikes of said consecutive row.

25. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the spacing between the spikes of a group is the same for each group, being in particular between 0.05 mm and 2.5 mm, better still between 0.4 mm and 1.3 mm.

26. Applicator according to claim 19, in which all the groups of spikes comprise the same number of spikes.

27. Applicator according to claim 19, in which, within at least one group, the spikes are of the same height, better still within each group.

28. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the spikes of at least one group are of the same shape, better still all the spikes of a longitudinal row are of the same shape, even better still all the spikes of the application member, this shape preferably being semi-conical, with a plane face, all the plane faces preferably being oriented circumferentially in the same direction.

29. Applicator according to claim 19, in which at least one longitudinal row comprises an isolated spike at the proximal end of the core, better still every other longitudinal row.

30. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the longitudinal rows are rectilinear, preferably with between twelve and twenty rows.

31. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the spikes each extend from the core along an elongation axis perpendicular to the surface of the core at the point at which the spikes are attached to the core.

32. Applicator according to claim 19, in which, within a longitudinal row, the height of the spikes decreases in the direction of the distal end of the core, in particular along at least half the length of the application member.

33. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the number of spikes per longitudinal row is between 10 and 48.

34. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the core has a circular cross section.

35. Applicator according to claim 19, in which the spikes are moulded together with and in particular from the same material as the core.

36. Device for packaging and applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator according to claim 19 and a container containing the product to be applied.

Description

[0064] The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of a non-limiting implementation example thereof, and with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

[0065] FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view, in partial longitudinal section, of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention,

[0066] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the application member from FIG. 1 on its own,

[0067] FIG. 2A shows a detail of the application member from FIG. 2,

[0068] FIG. 3 is a section along of a detail of the application member from FIG. 2,

[0069] FIG. 4 is a flat developed view illustrating the arrangement of some of the spikes on the surface of the core of an application member according to the invention, and

[0070] FIG. 5 is a section along VI-VI of the application member from FIG. 2.

[0071] FIG. 1 shows a packaging and application device 1 produced in accordance with the invention, having an applicator 2 and an associated container 3 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, for example mascara or a care product.

[0072] The container 3 has, in the example in question, a threaded neck 4 and the applicator 2 has a closure cap 5 designed to be fixed on the neck 4 so as to close the container 3 in a sealed manner when it is not in use, the closure cap 5 also forming a gripping member for the applicator 2.

[0073] The latter has a stem 7 of longitudinal axis Y, which is attached at its upper end to the closure cap 5 and at its lower end to an application member 8. The latter comprises a core 10 carrying spikes 18 which extend from the core 10 and all about the latter. As will be seen in FIG. 2, the first spike 18 along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, starting from the stein 7, is arranged at a non-zero distance d.sub.t from the proximal end 11 of the core. The last spike 18 along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, starting from the stem 7, is arranged at a non-zero distance d.sub.d from the distal end 12 of the core 10.

[0074] The container 3 also has a wiping member 6, inserted into the neck 4.

[0075] This wiping member 6, which may be of any suitable type, has, in the example in question, a lip designed to wipe the stem 7 and the application member 8 when the applicator 2 is withdrawn from the container 3. The lip defines a wiping orifice 6a having a diameter φ.sub.a adapted to that of the stem 7. The wiping member 6 may be made of elastomer. The wiping orifice 6a has, for example, a circular shape.

[0076] The diameter φ.sub.a of the wiping orifice 6a is typically between 3 and 5.75 mm.

[0077] In the example illustrated, the stem 7 has a circular cross section, but if the stem 7 has some other section, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention, it then being possible to fix the cap 5 on the container 3 in some other way than by screwing, if necessary. The wiping member 6 is adapted to the shape of the stem 7 and to that of the application member 8, if appropriate.

[0078] Preferably, and as in the example in question, the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7 is rectilinear and coincident with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place thereon, but if the stem 7 is not rectilinear, forming for example an elbow, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

[0079] If need be, the stem 7 may have an annular narrowing at its portion that is positioned opposite the lip of the wiping member 6, so as not to mechanically stress the latter unduly during storage.

[0080] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the application member 8 may have an endpiece 9 for fixing it in a corresponding housing of the stem 7.

[0081] The application member 8 may be fixed to the stem 7 by any means, and in particular by force-fitting, snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding, stapling or crimping, in this housing.

[0082] With reference to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the core 10 has a shape that is elongate along a longitudinal axis X, which is rectilinear in the example described. The longitudinal axis X may be central, as illustrated.

[0083] The visible length H of the application member 8 is, for example, equal to 25.5 mm.

[0084] In the example illustrated, the spikes 18 each extend from the core 10 along an elongation axis W perpendicular to the surface of the core at the point at which the spike 18 is attached to the core 10.

[0085] In the example described, the spikes 18 are arranged in groups of spikes 15, 16 within sixteen rectilinear longitudinal rows 17, 19, 20, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2, each longitudinal row 17 of spikes being offset axially with respect to the consecutive longitudinal rows 19, 20.

[0086] Preferably, as illustrated, the groups of spikes 15, 16 are uniformly spaced along the longitudinal rows 17, 19, 20 and each comprise two spikes 18. In a variant not illustrated, the groups of spikes 15, 16 comprise more than two spikes 18, for example three or four spikes. In another variant, the number of spikes 18 differs from one group of spikes 15 to another, within one longitudinal row 17, 19, 20 and/or from one longitudinal row to another.

[0087] Preferably, and as in the example described, the spacing S.sub.p between the spikes 18 of a group 15, 16 is the same for each group. In a variant not illustrated, the spacing S.sub.p between the spikes 18 of a group 15, 16 differs from one group of spikes to another, within one longitudinal row 17, 19, 20 and/or from one longitudinal row to another.

[0088] This spacing S.sub.p can be between 0.05 mm and 2.5 mm.

[0089] In the example in question, the spacing S.sub.g between each consecutive group of spikes 15, 16 is advantageously constant within each longitudinal row 17, 19, 20. In a variant not illustrated, the spacing S.sub.g is variable within at least one longitudinal row and/or from one row to the other.

[0090] As is shown in FIG. 4, the spacing S.sub.g between two consecutive groups of spikes 15, 16, measured at the base of the core 10 between the outer flanks 18a of the last spike of the first group 15 and the first spike of the second group 16, along the axis of the row 17 containing the groups, can be between 0.45 mm and 1.5 mm.

[0091] Each longitudinal row 17 of spikes 18 is advantageously axially offset with respect to the consecutive longitudinal row 19, in such a way that each group of spikes 15 of the offset row 17 occupies the same axial position as the space 14 free of spikes between two groups of spikes 15, 16 of the consecutive row 19, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 2, 2A and 4.

[0092] The spikes 18 in every other longitudinal row advantageously all occupy the same axial position along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2, for example between the longitudinal rows 17 and 20.

[0093] As is shown in FIG. 4, the axial offset D.sub.a between one longitudinal row 17 of spikes 18 and the consecutive longitudinal row 19 is greater than the length L.sub.g of a group of spikes 15 of said consecutive row 19.

[0094] As is shown in FIG. 4, the transversal distance D.sub.T between two consecutive groups of spikes 15 occupying the same axial position, having a space 14 free of spikes between them is greater than or equal to the length L.sub.g of one of said groups 15 of spikes.

[0095] As is shown in particular in FIG. 2, every other longitudinal row comprises an isolated spike 18 at the proximal end 11 of the core 10. A single crown 22 of spikes 18 is thus advantageously arranged at the proximal end 11 of the core 10. The longitudinal rows comprising this isolated spike can comprise one spike less than the other rows, for example thirteen spikes 18 as opposed to fourteen spikes.

[0096] As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the implantation of the spikes 18 may be such that the angle α about the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 between two consecutive crowns 20 and 21 of spikes 18, said crowns each being formed by spikes 18 that occupy one and the same axial position on the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, is non-zero, being for example equal to half the angular pitch β between two consecutive spikes in a crown.

[0097] In the example in question, the spikes 18 are advantageously of the same height within each group of spikes 15, 16. In a variant not illustrated, the height of the spikes 18 varies within the same group.

[0098] Preferably, and as in the example described, the height of the spikes 18 within the longitudinal rows decreases in the direction of the distal end 12 of the core 10. In a variant not illustrated, the height of the spikes 18 is constant along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

[0099] The height h.sub.p of the spikes 18 can be between 0.15 mm and 0.45 mm.

[0100] The width l.sub.p of the spikes 18 can be between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

[0101] The thickness e.sub.p of the spikes 18 can be between 0.1 mm and 0.85 mm.

[0102] The spikes 18 can have diverse shapes, optionally varying within a group 15, 16 and/or from one group to another. In the example in question, and as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2A, all the spikes 18 have a semi-conical shape, each having a first face 18b that is plane and a second face 18c that is rounded. All the plane faces 18b are preferably oriented circumferentially in the same direction. However, the invention is not limited to one particular type of spikes.

[0103] In the example in question, the free ends 28 of the spikes 18 define an envelope surface S of the application member 8, having a rectilinear longitudinal axis that is coincident with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, and is rotationally symmetrical about said axis X.

[0104] The spikes 18, in the example in question, are made in one piece with the core 10 by moulding of thermoplastic material.

[0105] In order to mould the application member 8, use can be made of any thermoplastic material which is or is not relatively rigid, for example SEBS, a silicone, latex, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA or PMMA. It is also possible to use a ceramic, for example based on alumina, a resin, for example of the urea-formaldehyde type, and possibly a material containing graphite as filler. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Teflon®, Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax® and Pollobas®, this list not being limiting.

[0106] In order to use the device 1, the user unscrews the closure cap 5 and withdraws the application member 8 from the container 3.

[0107] After the application member 8 has passed through the wiping member 6, a certain amount of product P remains in the spaces 14 free of spikes that are created between the groups of spikes 15, 16, thereby creating reservoirs of product P along the entire length of the core 10 and on all sides, such that the eyelashes and/or eyebrows can be supplied satisfactorily with product P. In addition, the eyelashes and/or eyebrows are separated satisfactorily, thus avoiding formation of clumps, by virtue of the axial offset present between the longitudinal rows 17, 19, 20 of spikes 18.

[0108] Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment which has just been described.

[0109] At least one of core 10 and spike 18 may be flocked or undergo any heat treatment or mechanical treatment.

[0110] The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, and “between” is understood as including the limits, unless specified to the contrary.