EP0861617A1 - Device for storing and applying make-up on keratinic fibers - Google Patents

Abstract

The kit includes a box with a body (104) and a sliding tray (105) divided by a partition (110) into two compartments (108, 109), one containing a block (107) of the product and the other an applicator (50). The applicator consists of a handle (8) with bristles (6) at one end and a small comb (114) at the other. It can be made from a thermoplastic material which is over-moulded onto the bristles in an injection moulding process. The box and handle are made, for example, from polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC or polystyrene. Variants of the design can have a mirror inside an opening lid and a pull-out applicator or more than one brush.

Description

The subject of the invention is a set for packaging and applying a keratin fiber makeup product, packaged in the form of a "loaf" or "cake" of solid or semi-solid consistency. The invention is everything particularly suitable for packaging and applying mascara on eyelashes.

Numerous application and conditioning devices have been proposed. mascara. Bread mascara for example, as shown in Figure 1 attached, are used with a brush 3 of the shoe-polishing brush type, the fur tip 6 on a moistened mascara bar. The application surface of the mascara is the surface formed by the tips of the bristles of the brush. On this figure, we see the brush 3 loading an eyelash 2, the bristles 6 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the eyelash. The charge variation is proportional to the viscosity of the dough consisting of moist bread. The use of such a device is tedious: indeed, on the one hand it requires preparation and dosage prior to the paste and on the other hand, the gesture of the makeup is very imprecise. By elsewhere, over use, the surface of the "bread" becomes hollow. It then becomes difficult to properly load the brush through the free end of the bristles. The quality makeup is affected substantially. Finally, such brushes quickly clog up, by depositing the product between the bristles of the brush.

In addition, such brushes, due to their shape, increase so substantial size of the box used for packaging the product. It is in particular very difficult to produce such a housing in flat form.

In the field of liquid mascara, it is known from the patent application French N ° 2,564,712, to use for the application of small quantities of product cosmetic in tightly confined areas such as the corners of the eyes, to use a brush whose free end carries a small number of bristles arranged axially. The application of cosmetic product, such as mascara, on most of the user's eyelash arch is produced using a brush conventional, either separate from the axial bristle brush, or formed of bristles arranged radially on the rod, the end of which carries axial bristles (see FIG. 8 of the request referenced above). According to this document, the applicator, in storage position, soaking in the product.

Document US 4 726 387 also discloses a case of the type comprising a bottom and a cover hinged on the bottom. An applicator consisting of a brush with a high density of fine hairs, placed at the end of a handle is arranged to inside the case, in a separate compartment from the compartment containing the product. According to this document, the handle, located outside the case, is used to allow the opening of the lid, and this by a pivoting movement of the handle around its axis. One drawback of this device is that the pivot movement of the handle, is also accompanied by a movement of pivot of the brush inside the housing, which pivot movement can damage said brush. Finally, the document is completely silent on the actual dimensions of the brush, which dimensions are not critical parameters of such an applicator, when used in a way conventional, i.e. by bringing the tips of the bristles into contact with the surface to be treated, for the application of shoe polish, foundation, eye shadow, etc.

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to provide a set for packaging and applying a fiber makeup product keratinous, in particular eyelashes, in the form of a solid or semi-solid block, intended to be applied by means of an application device which provides better loading of keratin fibers, in particular the eyelashes, as well as optimal separation of the latter, while being extremely simple of use.

It is another object of the invention to produce such a packaging box. and application, which is reduced in size compared to the housings conventional.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a set of conditioning and application of a makeup product for keratin fibers, in solid or semi-solid form, by means of an application device, the homogeneous loading is possible whatever the profile of the free surface of the product block.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by producing a set of conditioning and application of a makeup product for keratin fibers, in particular eyelashes, comprising: a) a body comprising a bottom in which is placed a solid or semi-solid block of said product, having a free surface, and a cover for removably covering said bottom; and b) a device of application comprising a handle of longitudinal axis A, of profile substantially flat and carrying at least one applicator member which, in the storage position is placed inside the assembly, without appreciable contact with the product, and having a free end, said applicator member consisting of a plurality of hairs implanted on a first end of the handle, according to a arrangement substantially parallel to a plane of the handle, the width of the end free of said applicator member, measured in a first parallel direction (X) to said plane, being greater than or equal to 7.5 mm, the thickness of the free end of the applicator member, measured in a second perpendicular direction (Y) to said plane, being between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, and the length of said member applicator, measured in a third direction (Z) perpendicular to the first and second directions being between 4 mm and 60 mm.

Thus, the invention lies in the production of a new set of packaging and application, box type, provided with a body and a cover, and in which is placed a solid or semi-solid block of a product, in particular a mascara, in combination with an applicator whose dimensional characteristics cooperate to optimally sample product on the free surface of the product, and restore it optimally in order to obtaining better, faster, and simpler makeup, with a different gesture from conventional application sets.

To this end, the applicator has a sufficient length to allow put the hairs that compose it in contact with the free surface of the product on a substantial part of their length, and so allow, by tilting the applicator member sufficiently in relation to the free surface of the product, a loading hairs with product over a substantial part of their length (substantially from their base to their end), as opposed to brushes discussed above, in which product loading is done essentially by the tips of the hairs. The return of the product is also done by tangential contact of the bristles of the brush with the fibers to be treated, in smoothing the keratin fibers, in particular the eyelashes, over their entire length, their base towards their end, the bristles of the brush tangent to the eyelashes.

In addition, the applicator member has a width sufficient to allow a rapid and uniform makeup of the surface to be treated, in particular an eyelash arc. In the case of an eyelash mascara, the width of the free end of the organ applicator is at least equal to a quarter of the average width of an arc of eyelashes. Within the meaning of the present application, the term "eyelash arc" designates the curve medium (typically in an arc) on which the eyelashes of a adult person. Typically, the average width of an eyelash arc for a adult person varies between about 3 cm and 4 cm. With a wide brush less than about ¼ the average width of an eyelash arc, the homogeneity of the makeup is not satisfactory.

Advantageously, the width of the free end of the applicator member is chosen so as to be at most equal, and preferably slightly less than the width of the product roll so that, over use, the free surface of the product "wears out" in a substantially uniform manner, and so that the applicator loads substantially uniformly over its entire width, including included on the edges.

Advantageously also, the width of the applicator member measured according to said first direction is substantially less than the width of said first end of the handle, said applicator member being centered on said first end of the handle in said first direction. In other words, the handle extends on either side of the applicator member. This characteristic, namely the undersizing of the applicator member by report to the handle, allows, especially when only the applicator member is packaged as a whole (the handle being kept outside of the assembly), to facilitate the placing in the storage position of the applicator member, and to avoid damaging the hairs that form it, which would reduce it in a way sensitive efficiency.

Advantageously, the difference in width between said first end of the handle and the applicator is between 1 mm and 5 mm, and preferably between 2 mm and 4 mm.

Finally, the applicator member is of sufficiently small thickness to avoid a fouling of the brush, and allow the product that has dried on the brush between two uses, to resolve quickly during the next use.

According to another advantageous aspect of the present invention, the hairs are more sparse than in conventional brushes or paintbrushes used in particular in the field of makeup. This allows faster and more makeup uniform of the fibers to be treated, from their base to their end, as well as a better separation of fibers after application. In addition, this low density, in combination with the dimensional characteristics of the brush, and particularly its thickness, helps to solve the problem of fouling of the applicator member, in particular allowing a faster resolubilization of the product which could have dried between two uses. AT this effect, and according to another advantageous characteristic of the invention, the ratio Φ between the effective area of all hairs (i.e. the number of hairs total multiplied by their mean section) and the overall area of the section transverse of the envelope circumscribed by all the hairs, taken at the level of the free end of the applicator, hereinafter referred to as the surface of the end free of the applicator member, is between 0.10 and 0.5, and preferably between, 0.15 and 0.35. This relatively low density also makes it possible to obtain an organ applicator whose width in the vicinity of its free end is substantially identical to the width of the applicator member near its end adjacent to the handle. The risk of damage to the hair, in particular by "coring" of the hairs is much weaker, and the makeup is more precise. In conventional applicators, the applicator member is wider at the in the vicinity of its free end than in the vicinity of its end adjacent to the sleeve, and this because of the excessive number of hairs.

As previously mentioned, in the closed position of the cover on the bottom, the handle may be located, at least in part, outside a volume substantially closed, formed by the cover and the bottom, said applicator member being located inside the closed volume, without significant contact with the product. This arrangement makes it possible to substantially reduce the size of the housing, especially in thickness and / or width. In addition, the handle is thus isolated from the product, which keeps it clean. Such a configuration allows to give the makeup assembly thus produced a shape close to that of devices used for liquid mascara formulas. It also allows debanalization of forms.

The applicator member, because of its structure, its method of loading (by hair contact over a substantial part of their length, not their end), and its thin thickness will not clog substantially, and will resolubilize the dry product instantly. However, the mixture product / solubilizer (for example saliva) can be produced by rubbing the tip hairs on the surface of the product. The free end of the bristles is used advantageously to separate the eyelashes after application.

Furthermore, with such a substantially flat configuration of the handle, the latter can be easily caught between thumb and forefinger. In addition, in the case of a mascara, the application of the product is no longer done in an uncertain way by making rotate the applicator along its axis as in known applicators, but by smoothing the keratin fibers, and in particular the eyelashes, over their entire length, from their base to their end, the hairs tangent to the eyelashes. The gesture is much simpler than with known applicators. It is also possible tilt the applicator at will and thus curl the eyelashes according to the curvature desired.

According to one embodiment, the cover is slidably mounted on the bottom, the handle serving as an actuating member to cause the opening of the packaging and application unit, and allow access to the block of product. This characteristic makes it possible to get rid of the presence of means which are most often complex, expensive and fragile. Alternatively, the cover can be hinged on the bottom.

The handle can be obtained by molding an elastomeric material or thermoplastic.

The handle may consist of two parts articulated around a parallel axis to said first direction. This characteristic allows an inclination of the applicator member, relative to the handle, which improves the body language. A such articulation can be achieved by means of a film hinge or a angle iron. Preferably, in the closed position of the cover on the bottom, the joint is contained inside the case, so as to immobilize the handle by report to this plan.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the end of the handle opposite to said first end carries an auxiliary element for the separation of said keratin fibers after applying mascara for example. Such an element of separation advantageously completes the combing carried out by the free end hair, which combing can be made difficult by the presence of mascara residual on the bristles of the brush. Such a separating element can be consisting of a comb, the body of the housing, when the latter is in the closed position, can act as a handle for said comb. Such a comb can be made by molding with the handle. Alternatively, said separating element is consisting of a brush comprising an arrangement of bristles arranged radially on a central soul.

The product can be introduced into the bottom by compaction, by hot pouring or cold, or directly in the form of a block, made integral with the bottom by any appropriate means (bonding for example). The free surface of the product may be flat or form a convex or concave profile. The structure of the applicator is suitable for perfectly fit such a profile, and therefore allows a uniform loading. Alternatively, a semi-solid block is produced, in the form of a foam block, with open or semi-open cells, in which the product is impregnated fluid form. This characteristic makes it possible to have a product ready for use, without need to moisten it beforehand. For example, a foam of polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, epoxy resin, or polystyrene.

Advantageously, the width of said free end of the applicator member is between 0.75 cm and 3 cm.

The thickness of said free end is preferably at most equal to the thickness of the handle.

Preferably, the length of the applicator member is between 10 mm to 30 mm, and more preferably from 15 mm to 20 mm. The hairs can be different shapes and lengths, have capillary grooves or roughness, these various configurations ensuring both a better charge of the product on the eyelashes and better separation of the latter.

The diameter of the bristles can vary between 0.04 to 0.7 mm, and preferably between 0.05 mm to 0.6 mm, and more preferably between 0.06 mm to 0.4 mm.

The bristles may be of a soft to rigid consistency, and preferably a flexible to semi-rigid. This relative rigidity ensures more efficient eyelash straightening and very good curvature of these. Typically their hardness can be between 10 shore A and 90 shore D, and preferably between 30 shore A and 60 shore D.

The hairs of the applicator member may be made of a chosen material among synthetic materials, metals, elastic materials deformable, such as elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, vulcanized elastomers, thermoplastic materials. Advantageously, the bristles are thermoplastic over-injected with the handle, or are extruded, or made up of a mixture of the two. Advantageously, the hairs are shaped as tufts arranged in parallel or staggered lines.

The bristles can be made of elastically deformable material, metal, glass, in wood. The applicator handle may be made of plastic. We can thus make an applicator comprising only organic materials.

The particular length of the hairs, as well as their different shapes ensure a load on the eyelashes adapted to the user's wishes: thus, we can mix fine hair, thick hair, short, longer, flocked hair, over-injected hair on the handle, extruded bristles, bristles with roughness, bristles of different stiffness depending on the desired load. Thick, flocked hairs will load more mascara onto the lashes. Bristles with grooves capillaries or roughness will better separate the eyelashes. Stiffer hairs, as well that a particular inclination of the handle, will ensure a curling of the eyelashes ideal. Finally, the hairs can also include slip agents such as molybdenum disulfide, bactericidal agents such as the Microban® product sold by Microban Product Company, or agents moisture absorbers that soften the hairs and change their tension superficial.

The hairs of the applicator member may have undulations. Their free end can end with balls obtained for example by carding. The maximum spacing between two bristles, measured at a fixed end of these hairs, can be of the order of 3 mm.

The tuft (s) of hair can be cut in a bevel shape, convex or concave.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the application device can include a second applicator member, for example in place of the comb, or arranged inside the handle, head to tail with respect to the first. Alternatively, the handle is removable relative to the brush, which allows selectively the use of one or other of the brushes for the application and / or the combing keratin fibers. The second brush can be contained either at inside the handle, or inside a second compartment provided in the housing. This second applicator member may include implanted hairs, cut, or treated differently from the hair of the first applicator member, in order to to bring even more modularity to make-up. As a further variant, the second applicator member is a "liner".

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe du maquillage d'un cil à l'aide d'une brosse, de type brosse à cirage, d'un mascara « pain »;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe du maquillage d'un cil avec un dispositif d'application tel qu'utilisé dans l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention;
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective d'un mode de réalisation d'un dispositif d'application tel qu'utilisé dans l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention;
• les figures 4A-4I représentent illustrent d'autres caractéristiques, relatives notamment à la structure et à la forme des poils de l'applicateur pouvant être utilisé dans l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention;
• les figures 5A-5C illustrent un premier mode de réalisation de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention;
• les figures 6A-6B illustrent le prélèvement du produit au moyen d'un dispositif d'application tel qu'utilisé dans l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention;
• la figure 7 illustre un second mode de réalisation de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention;
• la figure 8 illustre un troisième mode de réalisation de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention;
• les figures 9A-9B illustrent un quatrième mode de réalisation de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention;
• la figure 10 illustre un autre mode de réalisation d'un dispositif d'application, tel qu'utilisé dans un ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention; et
• la figure 11 illustre un cinquième mode de réalisation de l'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, of a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figure 1 is a sectional view of the makeup of an eyelash using a brush, of the shoe-brush type, of a "bread"mascara;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view of the makeup of an eyelash with an application device as used in the packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an application device as used in the packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• FIGS. 4A-4I represent other characteristics, relating in particular to the structure and the shape of the bristles of the applicator which can be used in the packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate a first embodiment of the packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate the withdrawal of the product by means of an application device as used in the packaging and application unit according to the invention;
• FIG. 7 illustrates a second embodiment of the packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• FIG. 8 illustrates a third embodiment of the packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• Figures 9A-9B illustrate a fourth embodiment of the packaging and application assembly according to the invention;
• FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of an application device, as used in a packaging and application assembly according to the invention; and
• FIG. 11 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the packaging and application assembly according to the invention.

In the first part of the description, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and, 4A-4I, we will endeavor to describe a certain number of characteristics that can be advantageously present in an application device, such as may be used in the packaging and application assembly according to the invention, and this in order to simplify the overall description of the case which will be made of more generally in a second part of the description, with reference in Figures 5 to 11.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the application device, referenced 1 as a whole essentially comprises a handle 8 and tufts 9 of bristles 6 forming applicator 50. The handle 8 has a shape substantially flat. The term "substantially flat" reflects the fact that it defines a thin structure, compared to its other dimensions, and in particular relative to its length. For example, the handle may have a profile slightly curved axially, like a tile, the implantation of the hairs following the curvature of the handle. Alternatively, the handle can be flexible, from so as to allow the user to give it a slightly domed shape during application, in order to conform substantially to the curve of the eyelash arc. In the embodiment shown, the handle has a first end 10 in which are directly planted substantially axially the tufts 9 of bristles 6, and a second part 11, tapered towards the opposite end to the end 10, and having on at least one of its faces, a depression 101, able to favor the grip of the handle by the user. As it appears clearly in Figure 3, as well as in the other drawings to be discussed subsequently, the implantation width of the bristles or tufts is less than the width of the end 10 of the handle where they are located. Typically, the handle can extend from 1 mm to 2 mm, on either side of the organ applicator. Significantly at the interface between the first end 10 and the second part 11, the handle defines two grooves 102, 103, substantially in U shape, which, as we will see in more detail below, are used for mounting of the application device in the packaging and application assembly.

We define a first direction X, contained in a median plane of part 10 of the handle 8 and directed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of this handle, a second direction Y, perpendicular to the plane of the part 10 of the handle 8 and a third direction Z perpendicular to X and Y. Thus, the tufts 9 of bristles 6 are planted in part 10 parallel to the median plane of the latter and in a direction substantially parallel to Z. In practice, the bristles can be very slightly diverging, or slightly converging, with respect to the Z axis. Within the meaning of the present application, the hairs can also be arranged in a very slightly curved line so as to further promote application on the eyelashes. As an indication, the handle has an average length, measured along Z, ranging from 1 cm to 6 cm, and preferably ranging from 2 cm to 5 cm. Its thickness mean along the Y axis varies between 2 mm and 7 mm, and preferably between 2 mm and 5 mm. Its average width along the X axis varies between 7.5 mm and 40 mm and from preferably between 10 mm and 35 mm.

The tufts of hair are indifferently planted, glued, stapled or over-injected in part 10. They are arranged in rows 7, two bristles 6 adjacent being at most 3 mm apart, measured at their base 15 and according to the direction X, and at most 2 mm, measured at their free end 17 and always according to direction X. In FIG. 3, the tufts of hair are arranged in two rows 7 parallel and aligned opposite one another.

The width of all the tufts 9 of bristles 6, measured at the free end of the hairs in direction X, is greater than 0.75 cm, and preferably is included between about 0.75 cm and 3 cm. The thickness of all the tufts 9 of bristles 6, also measured at the free end of the bristles and in the direction Y, is at most equal to the thickness of the handle, in particular of part 10, also measured in direction Y. According to the invention, good results have been obtained with a thickness chosen between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, and preferably between 1 mm and 3.5 mm.

The density of hairs is generally lower than the density of hairs brushes or paint brushes commonly used for applying the products such as blushes. For example, an applicator member formed of 8 is produced. tufts of hair aligned in a substantially straight line. Each tuft comprising between 4 bristles and 200 bristles with a diameter which can vary from 0.06 mm to 0.7 mm. We are talking here about "visible" hairs. In practice, two visible hairs can be formed from a single strand folded in half, the folding zone being planted in the handle. The width of the applicator member (width of implantation of the hairs) is of the order of 2 cm. Its thickness is around 2.5 mm. The ratio Φ between the effective area of all the bristles (i.e. the total number of hairs multiplied by their average section) and the area of the free end of the applicator member is between 0.10 and 0.5, and preferably between 0.15 and 0.35.

More specifically, a brush is made up comprising 8 tufts of bristles substantially aligned. Each tuft has 200 hairs 0.08 mm in diameter. The width of the free end of the organ applicator is of the order of 20 mm. Its thickness is of the order of 2.5 mm. The ratio Φ is 0.16.

According to a second specific example, a brush comprising 8 tufts is produced. bristles arranged substantially aligned. Each tuft has 8 visible hairs with a diameter of 0.5 mm. The width of the free end of the applicator member is of the order of 20 mm. Its thickness is around 2.5 mm. The ratio Φ is 0.25.

According to a third specific example, a brush comprising 8 is produced. tufts of hair arranged substantially aligned. Each tuft has 4 visible hairs with a diameter of 0.7 mm. The width of the end free of the applicator member is of the order of 20 mm. Its thickness is around 2.5 mm. The ratio Φ is 0.24.

The length of the bristles 6, measured in the direction Z, is sufficient for allow the keratin fibers, in particular the eyelashes, to load along the hair axis. This length is from 4 to 60 mm. Preferably, the length of the applicator member ranges from 5 to 40 mm, and even more preferably from 10 to 30 mm. In a still preferred embodiment of the invention, the bristles have a length ranging from 15 to 20 mm.

The hairs of the applicator according to the invention generally have a diameter ranging from 0.04 to 0.7 mm, preferably 0.05 to 0.6 mm, and even more preferably from 0.06 to 0.4 mm.

The hairs may have identical natures, shapes, lengths or different. Thus, the bristles 6 of the applicator 1 according to the invention can be natural or synthetic. They can be of vegetable, animal or natural, metal, such as steel, glass, wood, or materials elastically deformable such as elastomers, vulcanized elastomers, thermoplastic materials. In particular, they may include hairs thermoplastics over-injected on the handle, and / or extruded bristles. Of preferably the hairs are synthetic.

They may have been flocked and have more bristles at their end short 23 as shown in Figure 4G; their roughness and their differences lengths can be obtained by grinding perpendicular or tangent to bristles, or by hot modeling. The bristles may have balls 24 obtained by carding, as shown in Figure 4C. These balls can be located at different pile heights. The hairs may have been bombarded with gamma or beta rays to change their surface state. They may have been ground for tapering. Their free end may have the shape a nail 25, as shown in FIG. 4D, or a fork 26, as shown in Figure 4E.

The bristles may have one or more capillary grooves of sections different such as the grooves 12 shown in Figure 4A; tufts of bristles can be cut in a bevel shape 27, or in a shape concave 28 or convex 29, as shown in Figure 4B; they can have asperities 14, such as the hair shown in Figure 4H; they can be curved, or have undulations over their entire length, such as hair 30 shown in Figure 4F. The applicator can also be provided with a flock, that is to say a capillary or impregnable foam taken between two rows of fur. Such a flock ensures a better load of the hairs in mascara.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4I, the tufts 9 of bristles 6 of the device application are staggered.

Thanks to such an application device, the mascara is applied to the eyelashes of a in an extremely simple way, the gesture to smooth the eyelashes being done from bottom to top, from the base of the eyelashes to their ends, the hairs of the applicator being parallel eyelashes. Such an application is shown in Figure 2.

The gesture is also much more precise than that of the prior art (cf. Fig. 1). Indeed, the flat handle and the particular configuration of this applicator allow on the one hand, to hold it easily during use, and on the other hand, to make a more calculated make-up, in front of the eyelashes, thanks to a larger gesture and more free. Such an applicator allows the user to truly support the hairs along the lashes and load them very precisely. Finally, the user can finish their gesture by tilting the applicator so as to bring the hairs perpendicular to the eyelashes. It can thus perfectly separate and curl them with the extreme tips of the bristles, and / or with the use of an auxiliary separation device which will be described in more detail by the following . Furthermore, such an application device is very simple to produce. The handle can for example be molded plastic, wood or any other material usually used in the manufacture of applicators.

The packaging and application assembly 100 illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C is of substantially elongated shape comprising a body 104 and a device application 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the application device 1, is mounted so that, in the closed position of the housing 100, the handle 8 is at less in part, outside the enclosed volume delimited by the body 104 of the housing. As shown in FIG. 5B, the body of the packaging assembly and 100 is composed of a bottom 105, mounted in the manner of a drawer, slides inside a part 106 forming a cover. By pulling on the handle 8, it causes the opening of the housing, thus allowing access to solid or semi-solid product block 107. The bottom 105 forms a receptacle having two compartments 108, 109, isolated by a wall 110. The first compartment 108 contains a block 107 of product, in the form of "bread" or "cake". Alternatively, the semi-solid block consists of a block of foam open or semi-open cells, impregnated with the product in fluid form. he can whether or not it is covered with a sieve.

Advantageously, the product is a mascara for application to the eyelashes. The product can be poured or compacted inside compartment 108, appropriate rib-type means, or other reliefs which may be provided for the attachment of the product to the bottom of compartment 108. Alternatively, the block 107 can be mounted directly in solid form inside the compartment. For example, it can be glued or force fitted inside the compartment 107.

The second compartment 109 is intended to receive the applicator member 50. The applicator member comprises an arrangement of bristles, or tufts of bristles, which may be in accordance with what has been described with reference to Figures 1-3 and 4A-4I. Such an arrangement therefore requires no further description.

The hair arrangement is carried by the free end 10 of the handle 1. The organ applicator is of width less than the width of the end 10 of the handle in which hairs are implanted, and also of substantially smaller width to the internal width of the compartment in which it is held in the position of storage. Thus, during the introduction of the applicator into the assembly and / or during the storage, any damage to the hairs, and in particular their hairs, is avoided free end.

The handle 8 has a part 11, which, as shown in FIG. 5A, is found outside the housing when the latter is in the closed position. At the interface between the portion 10 and the portion 11, are arranged head to tail, two grooves 102, 103, aligned along an axis perpendicular to the axis A of the application device 1. The grooves 102 and 103, are U-shaped, and have their respective bottoms located opposite each other. These grooves 102, 103 are arranged so as to insert into edge portions 111 and 112 of the bottom 105 of the housing (Figure 5C). The edge portions 111 and 112 are separated by a recess 113 suitable for receive the part of the handle located between the respective bottoms of the two grooves 102, 103. Thus, in the mounted position shown in FIG. 5B, the bristles rest substantially flat in the bottom of compartment 109. The end 10 of the handle 8 has a cross section slightly smaller than the internal section of the cover 106, and is also arranged inside compartment 109. The edges 111, and 112 of the front part of compartment 109 are inserted in the grooves 102 and 103, thus axially immobilizing the application device 1 in The box. Part 11 of handle 8 is outside compartment 109. The application device 1 is lowered into the receptacle 109 by a movement in a plane parallel to itself. As it appears better in FIG. 5A, in closed position, the part of the handle 8 adjacent to the body 104, outside the case, is of cross section substantially identical to the section external transverse of the cover 106, so that the part 11 of the handle 8 is in the extension of the body 104.

The end of the handle 8, opposite the end 10 advantageously forms a comb 114, which is used, after application of the mascara by means of the organ applicator 50, to separate the eyelashes which could stick together when the application of the product. This comb 114 advantageously forms a single piece with the handle 8. For example, the handle, as well as the whole case, is made by molding of thermoplastic materials, such as polyethylenes, polypropylenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polystyrenes, etc. As an example again, the handle is made of a material elastomeric, so as to give it a certain flexibility. At least one of large faces of the handle 8 has a depression 101, so as to favor gripping the application device between the thumb and forefinger.

Figures 6A and 6B illustrate the removal of the product by means of the device of application. As it appears clearly in FIG. 6A, after having dissolved the product on the surface (using saliva for example), the product is removed, means of the applicator member 50, by tilting the application device 1 of so as to put the hairs 6 over a substantial part of their length at contact with the product, and by moving the applicator on the free surface 150 of the "cake". Thus the bristles 6 are mainly loaded along their length, unlike the conventional applicators of the type shown in FIG. 1, which are load mainly on the tips of the hairs. However, it should be noted that, where appropriate, to "wet", the surface of the cake, in particular to distribute the liquid solubilizing on a substantial surface of the "cake", the tips of the bristles, keeping the brush substantially perpendicular to the free surface 150 of the product, and making it go through a series of small circles. The application of mascara on the eyelashes is done as shown in Figure 2, smoothing the keratin fibers, and in particular the eyelashes, along their entire length, from their base towards their end, the bristles 6 of the brush 50 tangent to the eyelashes. After application of the product on the eyelashes, the device is possibly turned over application 1, and the eyelashes are combed using the comb 114, in order to separate the hairs that could have sticked together during application.

FIG. 6B illustrates a sectional view of the block 107 of product. The width of the applicator member is substantially equal to, or even slightly less than, the width of the product block, so that the sample is taken over substantially the entire width of the block. There is thus a regular and uniform wear of the surface free of the block, which authorizes its complete use, under conditions substantially identical, from the beginning to the end. In this mode of embodiment, the bottom 115 of compartment 108 is curved, which gives the block of produces 107 the same domed profile. Such a configuration allows better use of the product, and makes it possible to withdraw substantially all of the product contained in the compartment, while authorizing a loading of the brush, on substantially its entire width, and this over a substantial part of the length hairs that compose it. In other words, because of the mode of removal, that is, by placing the hairs substantially flat on the surface "cake", we can give the free surface of the "cake", any profile, particular, concave or convex. If the semi-solid block consists of a block of foam, the rounded shape can be obtained by compressing the foam block on its periphery, by means of a frame mounted on compartment 108.

The embodiment of FIG. 7 is a variant of the embodiment of the Figures 5A to 5C. According to this variant, the cover 106 is articulated on the bottom 105 around a hinge axis B oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the housing 100. The articulation is carried out for example, by means of a film hinge 116. A mirror 117 is mounted on the internal surface of the cover. Such a mirror can be mounted by gluing, welding, snapping, or gluing. The device Application 1 is consistent with that of the previous embodiment. Again, the width of implantation of the hairs of the applicator member is less than the width of the end 10 of the handle, in which said bristles are implanted.

In the embodiment of Figure 8, the cover 106 is hinged on the bottom 105, by means of a hinge axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the housing. The cover is arranged so as to cover only compartment 108. The compartment 109 in which the brush is placed forms a case parallelepipedal of external cross section substantially identical to that of the rest of the case in the closed position. The case is preferably closed in its end adjacent to compartment 108. It is open at its other end from so as to allow the insertion of the applicator member 50. The undersizing in width, but also in thickness, of the applicator member by compared to the end of the handle is particularly advantageous in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the end 10 of the handle 8 carrying the brush 50, is of external section slightly less than the section internal transverse of compartment 109, so that it can slide in said case. Ribs 118, provided on one and / or the other of the main faces of part 10, cooperate by snap-fastening with corresponding grooves 119, formed on the internal surface of the case so as to immobilize the overall application device thus produced. The rest of the device of application conforms to what has been described with reference to the other modes of production. In the mounted position, the edge 120 of the handle 8, adjacent to the portion of smallest section 10, abuts against the corresponding edge of the compartment 109.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the application device 1 differs from that of the previous embodiments, in that the part end 10, carrying the brush 50 is articulated relative to the rest 11 of the handle 8. The articulation is, according to an advantageous embodiment, constituted a film hinge 121 in the median plane of the application device 1, and oriented perpendicular to the axis A of the application device 1. This characteristic allows an inclination of the applicator member 50, relative to the axis of the handle, which improves the body language. This allows in particular, to improve the dosage of the product on the applicator member, and to facilitate applying the product to the eyelashes, thereby giving the application greater comfort and greater precision. Still other means can be used to achieve such a joint. For example, the articulation is carried out at by means of an angle iron (one part is articulated on a cylinder carried by the other part). Alternatively, the handle is made of an elastomeric material of so as to give it such flexibility, which is favorable to direct debit and the application of the product.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the cover 106 is hinged on the bottom 105 around a hinge pin B located opposite the application device 1. By closing the cover 106 on the bottom 105, the free edge 122 of the cover 106, comes in support on the film hinge 121, the applicator member 50 being disposed inside compartment 109, and isolated from product 107 by wall 110. Edge 123 of part 11 of the handle 8, located outside the housing 100 is substantially in stop, on the one hand against the free edge 122 of the cover 106, and on the other hand against an edge portion 124 formed by the bottom 105. Thus mounted, the device application is immobilized, both axially and in the median plane it defines. The general shape of the assembly thus produced is substantially identical to that of the embodiments described with reference to the other modes of production.

FIG. 10 illustrates another embodiment of the application device such as can be used in the packaging and application set according to the invention. In this embodiment, the handle 8 is mounted so removable on an applicator holder member 130, including a first end 131 carries a first brush 50, and whose second end 132 carries a second brush 50 '. The handle has a hollow portion 136 so as to be able to receive the brush 50 which is not used. Each of said first and second ends 131, 132, has a rib 133, 134, capable of cooperating with removably with a groove 135 formed in the internal wall of the hollow end of the handle 8, for removable locking of the handle on the applicator holder member 130. The handle, thus equipped with one or other of the brushes, can be arranged and immobilized in a housing 100 as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C or 7, thanks to the grooves 102, 103 produced in the door member applicator 130. To use brush 50 instead of brush 50 ', the user separates the handle from the applicator holder member 130, and raises it by arranging the brush 50 'inside the handle by snapping the rib 134 into the groove 135. The second brush 50 ′ may have bristles implanted, cut, or treated differently from the bristles of the first brush 50, with a view to further more modularity to make-up.

In the embodiment of the application device illustrated in this figure, the comb 114 is replaced by a brush 140, of the type comprising a arrangement of bristles arranged radially on an immobilized core 141, in particularly in rotation, inside a suitable recess 142 formed in the end of the handle 8. The brush is used in the same way as the comb 114 to, after applying the mascara, comb and separate the eyelashes that could to be glued to each other.

In the embodiment of Figure 11, the two brushes 50 and 50 'are independent of each other, the handle 8 being removable so as to allow selective use of the first 50 or second brush 50 '. Each of the brushes is arranged in a compartment 109, respectively 109 ', arranged on either side of compartment 108 containing the block of mascara 107. One end of the handle 8 comprises a male member 151, provided with an annular rib 152, capable of snapping into a groove 153, 154 formed on the internal surface of a female organ 155, 156 formed in the supports 157, 158 of each of the brushes 50, 50 '. The 50 and 50 'brushes, worn respectively by supports 157 and 158, are mounted respectively in compartments 109 and 109 'of the housing 100, by means of a two-way arrangement grooves 102, 103, respectively 102 ', 103', in accordance with what has been described in reference to FIGS. 5A-5C and 7. In the closed position of the cover 106 on the bottom 105, the female members 155 and 156 of the brush supports 157 and 158 are accessible from the outside, so that the change of brush, in this closed position. The other parts of the device 100 are in accordance with what has been described with reference to the other embodiments.

In the foregoing description, reference has been made to embodiments preferred of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed below.

Claims (37)

Package (100) for packaging and applying a product of make-up of keratin fibers, in particular of the eyelashes, comprising: a) a body (104) having a bottom (105) in which is placed a solid or semi-solid block (107) of said product, having a free surface (150), and a cover (106) for removably covering said bottom (105); and b) a device application (1) comprising a handle (8) of longitudinal axis A, in profile substantially flat and carrying at least one applicator member (50, 50 ') which, in storage position is arranged inside the assembly, without sensitive contact with the product, and having a free end, said applicator member (50, 50 ') consisting of a plurality of bristles (6) implanted on a first end (10) of the handle (8), in an arrangement substantially parallel to a plane of the handle, the width of said free end of the applicator member (50, 50 '), measured in a first direction (X) parallel to said plane, being greater than 7.5 mm, the thickness of the free end of the applicator member, measured according to a second direction (Y) perpendicular to said plane, being between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, and the length of said applicator member, measured according to a third direction (Z) perpendicular to the first and second directions being included between 4 mm and 60 mm. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 1 characterized in that the ratio Φ between the effective area of all of the bristles (6) and the surface of the free end of the member the applicator (50.50 ') is between 0.10 and 0.5. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the ratio Φ between the effective area of all of the bristles (6) and the surface of the free end of the member the applicator (50.50 ') is between 0.15 and 0.35. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 1 characterized in that the width of the applicator member measured according to said first direction is substantially less than the width of said first end (10) of the handle, said applicator member (50, 50 ') being substantially centered on said first end (10) of the handle according to said first direction. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 4 characterized in that the difference in width between said first end of the handle and the applicator is between 1 mm and 5 mm, and preferably between 2 mm and 4 mm. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 5 characterized in that, in the closed position of the cover (106) on the bottom (105), the handle (8) is located, at least in part (11), outside of a substantially closed volume, formed by the cover and the bottom, said member applicator (50, 50 ') being located inside the closed volume, without sensitive contact with the product. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 6 characterized in that the cover (106) is slidably mounted on the bottom (105), the handle (8) serving as an actuating member to cause the opening of the assembly and allow access to the product block (107). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the cover (106) is articulated on the background (105). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the handle (8) has two parts (10, 11) articulated around an axis (121) parallel to said first direction. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 9 characterized in that the articulation axis consists of a film hinge (121) or an angle. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 9 or 10 characterized in that, in the closed position of the cover (106) on the bottom (105), the joint (121) is contained inside the assembly, so as to immobilize the handle (8) relative to said plane. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims characterized in that the opposite end of the handle at said first end (10) carries an element (114, 140) for separation said keratin fibers after application of the product. Packaging and application assembly according to claim previous characterized in that said separating element is a comb (114). Packaging and application assembly according to claim previous characterized in that the comb (114) is obtained by molding with the handle (8). Packaging and application assembly according to claim 12 characterized in that said separating element consists of a brush (140) comprising an arrangement of bristles arranged radially on a central core (141). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims characterized in that the makeup product is introduced into the bottom by compaction, by hot or cold casting, or directly in the form of a block (107). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 15 characterized in that said block consists of a block of open or semi-open cell foam impregnated with said product in the form fluid. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims characterized in that it further comprises a second applicator member (50 '), in particular a "liner". Packaging and application assembly according to claim 18 characterized in that the handle (8) is removable relative to the member applicator, allowing selectively the use of one (50) or the other (50 ') of applicator organs. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that one of the applicators (50) is mounted so removable inside the handle (8). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the width of said free end of the applicator member (50, 50 ') is between 0.75 cm and 3 cm. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the thickness of said free end is at most equal to the average thickness of said first end (10) of the handle. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims characterized in that the applicator member has a length between approximately 10 mm to 30 mm, and more preferably, between 15 mm to 20 mm. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 23 characterized in that the thickness of the free end of the applicator member is between 1 mm and 3.5 mm. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles (6) have a diameter ranging from 0.04 to 0.7 mm, and preferably ranging from 0.05 mm to 0.6 mm, and more preferably, ranging from 0.06 mm to 0.4 mm. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles (6) have a hardness ranging from 10 shore A to 90 shore D, and preferably ranging from 30 shore A to 60 shore D. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles (6) consist of a material chosen from synthetic materials, metals, materials elastically deformable, such as elastomers, elastomers thermoplastics, vulcanized elastomers, thermoplastic materials, vegetable, animal or natural fibers. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 27, characterized in that the applicator member comprises bristles (6) of material thermoplastic, over-injected on the handle (8), and / or extruded bristles. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles (6) comprise at minus a capillary groove (12). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles (6) have different lengths (Figures 4B and 4C). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles (6) have a floc (23), and / or roughness (14). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles (6) have slip agents, and / or bactericides, and / or moisture absorbing agents. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles (6) have undulations (30, Fig.4F). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles are terminated by balls (24) obtained by carding. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles are arranged under in the form of a plurality of tufts of bristles (9), arranged in at least one row (7) parallel, or staggered (Fig. 4I). Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the bristles are cut according to a bevel (27), convex (29) or concave (28) shape. Packaging and application assembly according to any one of previous claims, characterized in that the handle (8) has a profile slightly curved axially, like a tile, the bristles (6) being implanted according to a curve substantially identical to the curvature of the handle (8).

Images