EP0598035B1 - Device for wiping a brush used in applying mascara to the lashes or similar and mascara applicator provided with same - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for wiping a brush (B) used in applying mascara to the lashes and mascara applicator (R) provided with same. The device essentially comprises a sleeve (1) for insertion into the neck of an applicator and includes an open end (2), another end (3) provided with articulated flaps (4), and a wall (5) provided with lugs (6) radially mouldable in the direction of the axis (X-X') of the sleeve (1) on insertion of the latter into the neck of the applicator (R). The lugs (6) constitute by virtue of their end (10) a stop for the flaps (4) when the brush (B) is withdrawn through said flaps (4). On insertion, said flaps (4) freely pivot to allow the passage of the brush (B). The device is designed to be fitted to an applicator (R), especially one for use in applying mascara to the lashes.

Description

The present invention essentially relates to a device for wringing a brush.

It also relates to a container with brush for making up the eyelashes, equipped with this device.

Makeup devices have already been proposed for the eyelashes, comprising, in general, a brush carried by a plug capable of closing a reservoir which contains a makeup product, such as for example mascara.

These devices generally comprise one or more elements mounted in the neck of the container so as to allow on the one hand the guidance without scraping of the brush when it is introduced into the container, and on the other hand the wringing of the brush upon extraction thereof from the container.

However, the means equipping the container neck to perform these two functions were somewhat complicated, which reduced the price of the device and they did not always provide good reliability and satisfactory results.

Also, the present invention provides an inexpensive wiping device to manufacture, of a very simple mechanical design and giving every satisfaction both from the point of view of guiding the brush to the introduction into the container and that of the wringing said brush upon extraction from the container.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device for wringing out a brush or the like, of the type comprising a sleeve insertable into the neck of a container, characterized in that said sleeve comprises a open end, another end provided with hinged flaps, and a wall provided with lugs or the like radially deformable in the direction of the axis of the sleeve when it is inserted into the neck of the container, said lugs thus constituting a stop for the flaps during the withdrawal of the brush through these flaps which, upon introduction of the brush, pivot freely to allow this introduction.

According to another characteristic of this device, the aforementioned flaps include notches or the like defining, in the stop position of the flaps on the legs, an opening for the passage and the wiping of the brush when it is withdrawn through the sleeve.

It will also be specified here that the abovementioned legs, which are elastically deformable, comprise a part in the form of a ramp projecting towards the outside of the sleeve.

According to another characteristic of the invention, this sleeve with the tabs and the flaps constitutes a single piece molded from a substantially elastic material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer.

According to yet another characteristic of the device of this invention, the aforementioned tabs are cut in the wall of the sleeve in a direction substantially parallel to its axis, while the aforementioned flaps are connected to one end of the sleeve by a thinned part of material forming a hinge .

According to a preferred embodiment, this device comprises two diametrically opposite tabs whose free ends each form a stop on which two abovementioned flaps can bear.

According to yet another characteristic of this invention, the edges facing the flaps each having a notch to define the aforementioned opening, are slightly spaced from each other when the sleeve is in the rest state , that is to say not introduced into the neck of the container.

It will also be specified that in the state of rest of the sleeve, the flaps can be slightly bent towards the abovementioned open end of said sleeve.

The open end of the sleeve may include at least one annular part projecting outwards and capable of cooperating with the neck of the container.

It is therefore understood that the sleeve can be simply inserted in the manner of a plug into the neck of the container to provide the latter with the functions of guiding and wringing the brush with the best possible reliability.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective avec arrachement d'un dispositif d'essorage conforme à cette invention.
• La figure 2 est une vue en coupe axiale de ce dispositif (demi-vue en coupe axiale, demi-vue extérieure).
• La figure 3 représente une demi-vue en coupe suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 2, et une demi-vue extérieure.
• La figure 4 est une vue en plan de dessous, suivant la flèche IV de la figure 2.
• La figure 5 est une vue en perspective, avec arrachements, du dispositif d'essorage en position montée dans le col d'un récipient.
• La figure 6 est une vue en coupe suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 4.
• La figure 7 est une vue en coupe axiale montrant une brosse en cours d'introduction au travers du dispositif d'essorage monté dans le col d'un récipient.
• La figure 8 est une vue en perspective, avec arrachements, du dispositif d'essorage et de la brosse en position complètement introduite dans le récipient.
• La figure 9 est une vue en perspective partielle et avec arrachements de la brosse en cours de retrait du récipient et qui est essorée lors de ce retrait.

However, other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better in the detailed description which follows and refers to the appended drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which:

• Figure 1 is a perspective view with cutaway of a wringing device according to this invention.
• Figure 2 is an axial sectional view of this device (half-view in axial section, half-view outside).
• Figure 3 shows a half-view in section along line III-III of Figure 2, and an external half-view.
• FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view, along arrow IV of FIG. 2.
• Figure 5 is a perspective view, with cutaway, of the wringing device in the mounted position in the neck of a container.
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view along line VI-VI of FIG. 4.
• Figure 7 is an axial sectional view showing a brush being introduced through the wiper device mounted in the neck of a container.
• Figure 8 is a perspective view, with cutaway, of the wringing device and the brush in the fully inserted position in the container.
• Figure 9 is a partial perspective view with cutaway of the brush during removal of the container and which is wrung during this removal.

Referring in particular to FIGS. 1 to 4, it can be seen that a wringing device according to this invention consists of a sleeve 1 produced in one piece which can be obtained by molding a suitable synthetic material, such as for example a thermoplastic elastomer.

The sleeve 1, of substantially cylindrical shape, has a first open end 2 and a second end 3 which is provided with two flaps or the like 4 articulated on this end.

In the wall 5 of the sleeve 1 are cut tabs 6, or more precisely two legs 6 according to the embodiment shown, these legs extending, as can be seen in the figures, in a direction substantially parallel to the axis XX 'of the sleeve 1.

We have shown in 7 slots or cutouts in the wall 5 of the sleeve 1, which slots or cutouts define the legs 6 which are elastically and radially deformable in the direction of the axis XX ', as will be described later on. of operation. Each tab 6 has a portion 8 in the form of a ramp projecting, in the normal state or at rest from the sleeve 1, towards the outside of the wall 5 of this sleeve.

The two flaps 4 each have a notch or the like 9, preferably semi-circular, so that the two notches, when the flaps 4 abut against the free end 10 of the two legs 6, form a passage or an opening 11 substantially circular in shape.

The two flaps 4 are articulated on the end 3 of the sleeve 1 by a thinned part of material forming a hinge 12 which, due to the material constituting the sleeve 1, will allow the flaps 4 to be constantly stressed in the abutment position against the free ends 10 of the legs 6.

In this regard, the sleeve 1 may advantageously be made of a thermoplastic elastomer known under the registered trademark "HYTREL" belonging to Du Pont de Nemours, this elastomer being constituted by block copolymers of polybutylene terephthalate and polyether glycol.

In the free or resting state, as shown in the figures 1 to 4, the edges 13 facing the flaps 4 are slightly spaced from each other, as can be seen in 14.

As it clearly appears in FIG. 6, the flaps 4, in the rest state of the sleeve 1, are preferably slightly bent, in the direction of the open end 2 of the sleeve 1. In other words, the flaps 4 form an angle with the wall 5 of the sleeve 1 which is slightly less than 90 °. There is consequently a preload, which is exerted upwards, of the flaps 4, this preload improving, in particular after repeated use of the device, the return of the flaps 4 in abutment against the tabs 6 and being possible thanks to the material mentioned above and constituting the sleeve 1, the hinges 12 and said flaps 4. However, such a deflection of the flaps 4 is in no way obligatory.

Returning to FIGS. 1 to 4, it can be seen that the open upper part 2 of the sleeve 1 has an annular rim 15 as well as a rib 16 coming from molding or material, just like the rim 15, with the cylindrical wall 5 of the sleeve 1 .

This rim 15 and this rib 16 will allow the retention and sealing during mounting of the sleeve 1 in the neck 17 of a container R, as will be described in detail below with particular reference to Figure 5 and Figures 7 to 9.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, the sleeve 1 is introduced by simple pressure into the neck 17 of the container R, the rim 15 and the rib 16 cooperating with this neck.

During this introduction, the elastically deformable legs 6 bearing by their ramp-shaped parts 8 on the internal wall of the neck 17 will be bent towards the axis XX 'of the sleeve 1, so that the ends 10 of these legs will constitute a stop for the flaps 4, themselves possibly bent (FIG. 6) towards the open end 2 of the sleeve, this may depend on the length adopted for said tabs 6.

It should be noted that after introduction of the sleeve 1 into the neck 17, the facing edges 13 of the flaps 4 will be substantially in contact due to the slight radial compression towards the axis XX 'of the wall 5 of the sleeve 1.

A brush B of substantially conical or cylindrical shape and connected to a rod 18 itself secured to a stopper (not shown) which can be screwed onto the neck 17 of the container R, can then be introduced into said container via the sleeve 1.

As seen in Figure 7, this introduction of the brush B will cause the opening of the flaps 4 which pivot around their respective hinges 12, and this under the effect of the force exerted by the push of the brush B, as materialized by arrow F.

At the end of the introduction of the brush B, and as can be seen in FIG. 8, the flaps 4 will be brought to bear against the ends 10 of the legs 6, it being understood that the rod 18 of the brush B will pass through the opening 11 provided by the complementary notches 9 of the flaps 4. The opening 11 has a diameter substantially equal to or even very slightly smaller than that of the rod 18, so that a suitable seal will be produced at this level.

To use the device which has just been described, the user will unscrew the plug (not shown) secured to the rod 18 and remove the brush B from the container R which may contain any product, such as for example mascara for the eyelash makeup.

During this removal, the flaps 4 will bear on the ends 10 of the legs 6, and, as can be seen in FIG. 9, the brush B will be wrung out by passage through the opening 11 defined by the notches 9 of the flaps 4.

The user will therefore have used the brush B impregnated with the desired quantity of product, after which, the brush B can be re-introduced into the container R via the sleeve 1 During the reintroduction of the brush, the flaps not opposing practically no resistance, said brush will reach without difficulty and without deposition of dirt inside the container, while, at its exit from the container, the flaps being in abutment on the end of the legs will oppose sufficient resistance allowing an appropriate spinning of the brush.

Of course, the invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated, which has been given only by way of example.

Thus the ramp portion of the deformable legs can have any suitable shape, and the sleeve 1 can be provided with any additional means ensuring its sealing and facilitating its insertion into the neck of the container, such as a chamfer 19 at its lower end 3. Also, the material constituting the sleeve may be an elastic material any and appropriate.

Claims (10)

1. Device for squeezing out and wiping a brush or the like, of the type comprising a sleeve (1) insertable into the neck (17) of a container (R), characterized in that the said sleeve (1) comprises an open end (2), another end (3) provided with pivoted flaps (4) and a wall (5) provided with lugs or the like (6) radially deformable towards the axis (X-X') of the sleeve (1) upon the insertion of the latter into the neck (17) of the container (R), the said lugs thus constituting a stop for the flaps (4) upon the withdrawal of the brush (B) through these flaps which upon the insertion of the brush are freely pivoting to permit this insertion.
2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforesaid flaps (4) comprise notches (9) defining in the position of the flaps in abutment upon the lugs, an opening (11) for the passage and the squeezing out and wiping of the brush (B) when one withdraws it through the sleeve (1).
3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the aforesaid lugs (6) which are elastically deformable comprise a ramp-shaped portion (8) projecting outwards of the sleeve (1).
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the aforesaid sleeve (1) together with the lugs (6) and the flaps (4) constitutes one single piece moulded from a substantially elastic material such as a thermoplastic elastomer.
5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the aforesaid lugs (6) are cut in the wall (5) of the sleeve (1) in a direction substantially parallel to its axis (X-X') whereas the aforesaid flaps (4) are connected to one end (3) of the sleeve by a thin portion of material forming a hinge (12).
6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises two diametrally opposite lugs (6) the free ends of which form each one a stop (10) upon which two flaps (4) may bear.
7. Device according to one of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the mutually confronting edges (13) of the flaps (4) comprising each one a notch (9) to define the aforesaid opening (11) are slightly spaced from each other when the sleeve (1) is in the state of rest, i.e. not inserted into the neck (17) of the container (R).
8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that in the state of rest of the sleeve (1), the flaps (4) are slightly bent towards the aforesaid open end (2) of the said sleeve.
9. Device according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the open end (2) of the sleeve (1) comprises at least one annular portion (15, 16) projecting outwards and capable of cc-operating with the neck (17) of the container (R).
10. Container with a brush (B) for the making up of the eye lashes and the neck (17) of which is provided with a squeezing out and wiping device according to one of claims 1 to 9.

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