EP2865292B1 - Applicator for a cosmetic product and associated applicator assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product and an associated applicator assembly.

Applicator assemblies are known for a cosmetic product, in particular for a cosmetic product intended to be applied to the eyelashes such as mascara, comprising a container containing the cosmetic product and an applicator adapted to be removably attached to the container.

The container generally comprises a body, the body comprising walls defining a reservoir in which the cosmetic product is contained, and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be extracted.

The applicator assembly generally includes a stopper adapted to be attached to the neck, a rod extending from the stopper, and an applicator attached to a free end of the rod. The applicator includes a core and a plurality of protrusions or bristles extending from the core.

When the cap is attached to the neck, the rod and the applicator extend inside the reservoir. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir.

To use the applicator, the user detaches the stopper from the neck and extracts the applicator from the container.

To prevent the applicator from being too loaded with cosmetic product, the container generally comprises a wringer, fixed inside the neck. When the user extracts the applicator from the container, the applicator slides inside the wringer. The wringer scrapes the excess cosmetic product off the shaft and the applicator.

The wiper thus makes it possible to adjust the quantity of product present on the applicator and prevents excessive application of cosmetic product to the eyelashes.

The wringer limits, in particular, the quantity of product present on the protuberances. Two parameters interact for this purpose. The internal diameter of the wringer and the radial extension of the protuberances. By radial extension of a protuberance is meant the distance between the axis of longitudinal extension of the core and the free end of the protuberance.

Thus, the quantity of product desired on the protuberances at the outlet of the wiper results from the compromise between the internal diameter of the wiper and the radial extension of the protuberances.

Furthermore, it is known that the zones having protuberances of smaller radial extension promote the loading of the applicator while the zones having protuberances of longer radial extension promote combing of the eyelashes.

The document FR 2 962 889 describes an applicator comprising application elements of generally flattened shape with a non-circular contour.

The document US 2002 014251 describes an applicator comprising application elements in the form of trays which converge towards one another at certain points of their periphery.

The document EP 1 342 428 describes a curved applicator whose applicator elements are half-discs forming groups spaced apart from each other. The state of the art emphasizes applicators making it possible to comb the eyelashes correctly with a function of separating the eyelashes from one another.

The present invention aims to solve the following problem: to provide an applicator which enables bundles of sculpted eyelashes to be produced.

Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product comprising a core having a first end, called the proximal end, and a second free end, called the distal end, and a plurality of plates projecting from the core.

According to the invention, the plates are molded with the core, the plates being able to form converging channels configured so as to present at least two successive zones of convergence, in the same gyratory direction around the core. By two successive zones of convergence is meant a succession of two zones of convergence, said succession having a discontinuity between said two successive zones of convergence. In other words, the eyelashes are grouped together and then released, in particular during a rotation of the core of less than 360 ° in the same gyratory direction, so as to allow combing and then loading of the eyelashes with mascara. According to the invention, the plates are half-discs and quarter-discs.

The advantage associated with the applicator of the invention lies in the possibility of grouping the eyelashes of the user by making them converge while loading them with cosmetic product. The applicant has in fact observed that the proposed double convergence simultaneously allows optimized grouping and loading of the eyelashes.

• les demi-disques et les quarts de disques forment respectivement les grands et petits plateaux,
• les plateaux sont inclinés par rapport à un plan orthogonal à une direction d'extension longitudinale de l'âme,
• les grands plateaux sont inclinés selon une même orientation,
• les grands plateaux sont parallèles entre eux,
• les petits plateaux sont inclinés selon une même orientation,
• les petits plateaux sont dans des plans parallèles entre eux,
• l'inclinaison des grands plateaux est opposée à l'inclinaison des petits plateaux,
• les grands plateaux alternent avec des paires de petits plateaux, le long de l'âme,
• les plateaux d'une même paire de petits plateaux se succèdent angulairement, le long d'un même des grands plateaux,
• la pluralité de plateaux s'étend sur une portion angulaire de l'âme sensiblement égale à 180°,
• la pluralité de plateaux s'étend entre l'extrémité proximale et l'extrémité distale de l'âme,
• tous les plateaux font saillie, à partir de l'âme, sur une même hauteur,
• l'applicateur comprend, en outre, une pluralité de protubérances s'étendant en saillie à partir de l'âme,
• les protubérances sont agencées en une pluralité de rangées s'étendant sur une portion angulaire de l'âme sensiblement égale à 180°,
• les rangées s'étendent parallèlement à l'axe de l'âme,
• l'âme est courbée selon sa direction d'extension de sorte à définir une partie concave et une partie convexe s'étendant entre ses extrémités proximale et distale,
• la pluralité de plateaux s'étend sensiblement sur la partie convexe de l'âme,
• la pluralité de protubérances s'étend sensiblement sur la partie concave de l'âme,
• l'âme est en matériau plastique,
• les protubérances sont en matériau plastique,
• les disques sont en matériau plastique,
• les protubérances et les disques sont issus de matière de l'âme,
• l'âme est de section sensiblement constante de l'extrémité proximale à l'extrémité distale,
• l'âme présente une section sensiblement circulaire,
• l'âme est pleine,
• l'applicateur forme une brosse.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:

• the half-discs and the quarter-discs respectively form the large and small plates,
• the plates are inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to a direction of longitudinal extension of the core,
• the large platforms are inclined in the same orientation,
• the large plates are parallel to each other,
• the small plates are inclined in the same orientation,
• the small plates are in planes parallel to each other,
• the inclination of the large plates is opposed to the inclination of the small plates,
• the large plates alternate with pairs of small plates, along the core,
• the trays of the same pair of small trays follow one another angularly, along the same one of the large trays,
• the plurality of plates extend over an angular portion of the core substantially equal to 180 °,
• the plurality of plates extend between the proximal end and the distal end of the core,
• all the shelves protrude from the web to the same height,
• the applicator further comprises a plurality of protuberances projecting from the core,
• the protuberances are arranged in a plurality of rows extending over an angular portion of the core substantially equal to 180 °,
• the rows extend parallel to the axis of the web,
• the core is curved in its direction of extension so as to define a concave part and a convex part extending between its proximal and distal ends,
• the plurality of plates extends substantially over the convex part of the core,
• the plurality of protuberances extends substantially over the concave part of the core,
• the core is in plastic material,
• the protrusions are made of plastic material,
• the discs are made of plastic,
• the protuberances and the discs come from material of the core,
• the core is of substantially constant section from the proximal end to the distal end,
• the core has a substantially circular section,
• the soul is full,
• the applicator forms a brush.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above, adapted to be attached to the container, so that the applicator is housed inside the tank.

The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will emerge more clearly in the course of the detailed explanatory description which follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given to by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation d'un exemple de réalisation d'un applicateur selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon le plan de coupe A-A référencé sur la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue en élévation de l'applicateur de la figure 1, celui-ci ayant subi une rotation autour d'un axe d'extension longitudinale de l'âme dudit applicateur, de 90° dans le sens antihoraire,
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus de la figure 1.

On these drawings:

• the figure 1 is an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a section view according to the section plane AA referenced on the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is an elevational view of the applicator of the figure 1 , the latter having undergone a rotation about an axis of longitudinal extension of the core of said applicator, by 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction,
• the figure 4 is a top view of the figure 1 .

The figure 1 illustrates an applicator 10 for a cosmetic product according to the invention which comprises a core 12 having a first end, called the proximal end 13, and a second free end, called the distal end 16, and a plurality of plates 40 projecting from the core 12. The core 12 is further extended here by a sleeve 14 for fixing the applicator 10, extending from the proximal end 13 of the core 12 .

The plates 40 are molded with the core 12. In other words, the plates 40 can be made from material with the core 12 or else molded onto the core 12.

This offers interesting possibilities in terms of shapes for said plates 40.

According to the invention, the plates 40 form channels 41, 42 configured so as to present, for each of them, at least two successive zones of convergence around the core 12.

On the example of the figure 1 , if one goes from the right to the left, the marked channels 41 converge while if one goes from the left to the right, these are the marked channels 42 which converge.

The applicator can thus be used both for a right eye with the right hand and for a left eye with the left hand, by turning the applicator in an opposite direction, while maintaining the same effect, namely group the user's eyelashes by converging them.

In other words, the channels 41, 42 may be convergent or divergent depending on the observed roundabout direction.

The term “observed direction of rotation” is understood to mean the direction of rotation observed by a person looking at the applicator 10 of the invention from a point close to its distal end 16.

The channels 41, 42 are formed by said plates 40. More precisely, said channels 41, 42 are formed by angular portions of discs forming half-discs 40a or quarter-discs 40b, 40c.

These portions of discs 40a, 40b, 40c are inclined relative to a plane orthogonal to the direction of longitudinal extension of the core X.

The channels 41, 42 are, in fact, each formed by three portions of discs: a half-disc 40a and two quarter-discs 40b, 40c, the two quarter-discs 40b, 40c are succeeding angularly along the half-disc 40a, as illustrated on figure 1 . The quarter discs 40b, 40c have the same inclination, opposite to an inclination of the half-disc 40a.

The same pattern is repeated along the core 12.

Indeed, said plates 40 extend repetitively, between the proximal end 13 and the distal end 16 of the core.

More precisely, the half-discs 40a are inclined in the same orientation; they are parallel to each other.

The quarter discs 40b, 40c also are inclined in the same orientation; they are in planes parallel to each other.

However, the inclination of the half-discs 40a is opposed to the inclination of the quarter-discs 40b, 40c.

It should be noted that the half-discs 40a alternate with pairs of quarter-discs 40b, 40c. In other words, there is provided a pair of quarter discs 40b, 40c between two half-discs 40a.

In addition, two quarter discs belonging to the same pair of quarter discs 40b, 40c follow each other angularly along the same half-disc 40a. In other words, a first quarter disc 40b ends in a plane which is also the plane from which the second quarter disc 40c originates; on the figure 1 , this plane is the AA section plane.

The user of the applicator 10 will, a priori, give her a gesture of rotation. If she uses the applicator 10 with her right hand, this gesture will be done, always a priori, in a counterclockwise direction (roundabout observed). On the contrary, if she uses said applicator 10 with her left hand, this gesture will be done, a priori, in a clockwise direction.

The pattern formed by the quarter discs 40b, 40c and the half-discs 40a, along the core 12, allows each channel 41, 42 to group together a bundle of eyelashes: initially, the bundle of eyelashes is grouped between the half-disc 40a and the first quarter-disc 40b, said portions of discs 40a, 40b then forming a first funnel; and in a second step, the user continuing her gesture of rotation, said pack of eyelashes is released by this first funnel to be instantly taken up by a second funnel formed between the same half-disc 40a and the second quarter-disc 40c. Thus, the eyelashes are bundled together, with peak effect, effectively.

It should be noted that the opening, or not 48, at the entrance of the first funnel of a channel 41, 42, is the same as the opening, or not 49, at the entrance of the second funnel of the same channel . Said pitches 48, 49 will, for example, be of the order of approximately 2mm.

Thus, the pattern formed by the alternation of the half-discs 40a and the quarter-discs 40b, 40c, leads to the following organization, along the section plane AA of the figure 1 : a first half-disc 40a, spaced by a given distance, here about 2mm, from the final end of a first quarter-disc 40b, itself spaced by the same distance from the emerging end of the second quarter of disc 40c of the same pair of quarter discs 40b, 40c, itself spaced by the same distance from the next half-disc 40a.

It should be noted, by way of clarification, that when the user imposes a counterclockwise rotation on the applicator of the invention, the eyelashes are formed in bundles by the channels marked 42 on the figure 1 , because said channels 42 converge in this gyratory direction as observed. Conversely, when the user imposes a clockwise rotation on the applicator, the eyelashes are formed in packets by the channels marked 41 on the figure 1 , because said channels 41 are convergent in this gyratory direction as observed.

The eyelashes are then grouped into bundles, as described above, even if the user changes hands.

The plates 40 projecting from the core 12 over an angular portion substantially equal to 180 °, they therefore occupy only a portion of the radial periphery of the core 12.

It is conceivable, according to an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, for said plates 40 to project from the core 12, over its entire radial periphery. This would mean that the applicator 10 thus obtained would not include protrusions 30 as will be described in more detail below. This alternative embodiment is compatible with the characteristics of the core 12 as will be specified below, in particular with the characteristic according to which the core can be straight or curved. The applicator 10 obtained by such an alternative embodiment has also the advantage of allowing the grouping in bundles, with a peak effect, of the eyelashes of a user, even if the latter changes hands.

Furthermore, the core 12 here has a substantially circular section. The core 12 may be provided as solid and / or of substantially constant section from its proximal end 13 to its distal end 16.

As can be seen in the figures, in particular on the figure 3 , the applicator 10 may comprise a plurality of protuberances 30 on the part of the radial periphery of the core 12 not occupied by the plates 40. In other words, said plurality of protuberances 30 will occupy an angular portion of the core substantially equal to 180 °, complementary to the angular portion occupied by the plates 40 described above.

Said protrusions 30 project from the web and are arranged in a plurality of rows R1-R5 (see figure 4 ). The rows R1-R5 here have the characteristic of being parallel to the direction of extension of the core X. The radial spacing between said rows R1-R5 around the periphery of the core 12 takes place at an angular distance. constant. Said angular distance will be included in the interval [15 °; 45 °]; it will preferably be 30 °. The exemplary embodiment illustrated here has five rows R1-R5. This number of rows varying as a function of the angular distance chosen between said rows.

It should be noted that the protuberances of two adjacent rows are offset axially with respect to one another. By offset is meant that the protuberances 30 of a row are axially offset with respect to the protuberances 30 of the adjacent rows, said rows R1-R5 having substantially the same pitch 37 between their protuberances 30, of the order of a millimeter for example ( see figure 2 ). Thus, on the same axial portion, the rows R1-R5 will have the same number of protuberances 30, with more or less one protrusion 30, for example twenty protuberances 30.

On the other hand, said protuberances 30 preferably have a semi-circular section. The protrusions are here positioned so that the planar surfaces 34 of two adjacent protuberances 30 of two different rows are oriented in the same gyratory direction around the web 12 (see figure 4 ). In the example illustrated, the protuberances 30 of a first row R1 all have a flat face 34 which is oriented radially in a first direction around the core 12, and the flat faces 34 of the protuberances 30 of the adjacent rows R2 and R4. in row R3, for example, are oriented in the same direction around core 12. In other words, no flat face 34 is opposite another flat face 34.

Thus, the molding of said protuberances 30 with the core 12 will be easy, since it allows the use of molding drawers of simple shapes, all having substantially the same shape, and which are all oriented radially in the same direction.

The protuberances 30 will advantageously be rectilinear and may, moreover, be substantially tapered from their base to their free end.

On the other hand, the protuberances 30 will preferably be molded with the same plastic as the core 12, or even derived from material of the core 12. Thus, said protuberances 30, like the plates 40 previously described, will be derived from material of the core 12. For example, the core 12, the protuberances 30 and said plates 40 may be molded from a material based on LDPE (low density polyethylene). Other materials could still be used, namely the “EXACT” material from ExxonMobil or the “HYTREL” material from Dupont, or a mixture of these materials. Still other materials may be used, for example: Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE), Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymers, or even Polyamide (PA).

Said protuberances 30 will all have substantially the same length. In other words, the distance between the radial periphery of the core 12 and the free end of the protuberances 30 will be substantially the same for all the protuberances 30 that the applicator 10 comprises.

It is the same for the plates 40 which protrude from the core. Indeed, said plates 40 will all have substantially the same height d40 from the periphery of the core 12. Said height d40 may lie in the interval [1.5; 3mm], preferably equal to 1.85mm.

On the other hand, as explained in the preamble of the present application, the container generally comprises a wringer to prevent the applicator from being too loaded with cosmetic product when it is extracted from the container.

The plates 40, in the form of discs, will be less wiped out than the protuberances 30 because they are more resistant to bending. They will therefore be loaded with a larger quantity of cosmetic product compared to the protuberances 30. Thus, in addition to their sculpting role, the plates 40 will also have the advantage of forming loading zones to load, in a consistent manner, the eyelashes of the lashes. user.

Advantageously, the trays 40 do not have a painting role; this role is reserved for the protuberances 30.

It should be noted that the pitch 47 existing between each half-disc 40a and the quarter-disc 40b which is adjacent to it (see figure 2 ) should not be too large at the risk of creating unsightly bundles of eyelashes. Said pitch 47 should not be too small either, at the risk of causing the plates 40 to lose their loading capacity.

This pitch 47 will be of the order of a millimeter, preferably equal to 0.9mm at the converging radial end of said channels.

It should be noted that, in the exemplary embodiment described here, the core 12 is curved in its direction of extension so as to define, on its periphery, a concave part and a convex part. The plurality of plates 40 will extend substantially over the convex portion of the core, while the plurality of protrusions 30 will extend substantially over the concave portion of the core.

It is also possible, in another embodiment not shown, for the core 12 to be hollow.

It should be noted that the applicator 10 advantageously forms a brush.

The invention will also relate to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above, adapted to be attached to the container, so that the applicator is housed inside the tank. Said applicator 10 is fixed, for example, to the end of a rod, itself fixed to a stopper advantageously screwed to the container. After assembly, the sleeve 14 is located in the rod and the proximal end 13 of the core forms the visible proximal end of the applicator.

It should also be noted that variant embodiments are of course possible. In particular, it is also conceivable, in additional exemplary embodiments, for the applicator to have a rectilinear, straight, flat core or even a core of polygonal section.

As mentioned above, a convergence zone is made up of pairs of plates 40 which converge towards each other in a direction of rotation around the core 12. Said pairs are arranged in such a way that two pairs follow each other in a row. distribution around the core 12 converge in the same direction around the core 12. It should be noted that each plate 40 is part of two pairs of plates 40, said two pairs following each other this time in the direction of longitudinal extension of the core 12, one converging in one direction of rotation around the core 12, the other converging in another direction of rotation around the core 12.

Claims (8)

1. Applicator (10) for a cosmetic product comprising:

   - a core (12) having a first end, termed proximal end (13), and a second free end, termed distal end (16), and

   - a plurality of plates (40) extending projecting from the core (12),

   wherein the plates (40) are moulded with the core (12), the plates (40) being capable of forming convergent channels (42) configured so as to have at least two successive convergence zones, according to a same gyratory direction around the core (12), the plates (40) being half-discs (40a), and quarter-discs (40b, 40c).
2. Applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plates (40a, 40b, 40c) are inclined with respect to a plane orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of extension of the core (X).
3. Applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of plates (40) extends over an angular portion of the core (12) substantially equal to 180°.
4. Applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator (10) further comprises a plurality of projections (30) extending projecting from the core (12).
5. Applicator (10) according to the preceding claim, the projections (30) are arranged in a plurality of rows (R1-R5) extending over an angular portion of the core (12) substantially equal to 180°.
6. Applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (12) is curved along its direction of extension (X) so as to define a concave portion and a convex portion.
7. Applicator (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the plurality of plates (40) extends substantially over the convex portion of the core (12).
8. Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

   - a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and

   - an applicator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, adapted to be fixed on the container, such that the applicator (10) is housed inside the reservoir.

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