WO2010031957A1

WO2010031957A1 - Mascara applicator brush including teeth forming transverse rows

Info

Publication number: WO2010031957A1
Application number: PCT/FR2009/051736
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Berhault; Léonardo FERRO
Original assignee: Bourjois
Priority date: 2008-09-17
Filing date: 2009-09-15
Publication date: 2010-03-25
Also published as: FR2935878A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a mascara applicator brush (2) that includes teeth (10) forming transverse rows (12), one following the other, along an axis (8) of the brush. The rows form at least one set including every row, at least two teeth of which have different lengths and being at least partially the mirror image of the preceding row of the set by a single rotation about the axis.

Description

The invention relates to applicators for make-up products, in particular for applying mascara to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows.

It is known that an applicator intended to coat the eyelashes with mascara must fulfill as far as possible the following four functions: curling the eyelashes, separating them from each other, giving volume to each, and finally producing a lengthening effect of each eyelash. It must also avoid the formation of packages.

US Pat. No. 4,964,429 discloses a brush for a mascara applicator which comprises teeth forming both transverse rows and longitudinal rows. The ends of the teeth of the applicator form a cylindrical envelope surface. The arrangement of the teeth in successive transverse rows allows the applicator to properly separate the eyelashes. This brush makes it possible to make a quality make-up. But the latter seems to be able to be further improved.

An object of the invention is to provide an applicator further improving the makeup of the eyelashes.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a brush is provided for a mascara applicator, comprising teeth forming transverse rows which follow one another along an axis of the brush, the rows forming at least one set comprising any row of which at least two teeth do not have the same length between them and which is the image at least in part of the previous rank of the assembly by a same rotation about the axis.

Rotation gives the tooth envelope surface a rotating or helical path along and around the axis. This arrangement of the teeth improves the makeup by promoting the regular coating of the eyelashes with mascara, while still promoting separation. The brush can even be made to perform an eyelash separation, which is an effect increasingly sought after today. In addition, the helical arrangement of the teeth thus produced is visible by observing the immobile brush, that is to say in static observation. But it is particularly noticeable also when we rotate the brush around its longitudinal axis, that is to say in dynamic observation. It then generates a very striking twisting effect visually. At least one of these observations is likely to encourage the user to apply the makeup product by means of a rotation movement of the brush around its main axis. This rotating movement further enhances the quality of product application in terms of volume, elongation, separation and bending. The angle of rotation is of course non-zero, nor congruent with 0 modulo 271. Advantageously, the teeth form rows extending along the axis, each row comprising a tooth of each row, the rows preferably being parallel to the axis.

Preferably, the angle of rotation is equal to the angle between two successive or consecutive rows in the circumferential direction.

Preferably, at least one of the rows comprises at least one section consisting of teeth having the same length between them, preferably these rows being at least two in number and for example separated from each other by at least one row not including a section consisting of teeth having the same length between them.

It has indeed been found, surprisingly, that the interposition within the brush of one or more rows comprising teeth of the same length between them greatly increases the effect of separation of the eyelashes. These rows can be arranged within the propeller by keeping it visible on the brush to encourage rotational movement.

Preferably, in all or at least one of the sets, any two successive ranks of the set are separated by at least one rank that does not belong to the set.

Thus, there is more freedom for the design of the brush. In particular, it is possible to increase the pitch of the helix corresponding to the rotation without having to move the consecutive rows too far. It suffices to add between the rows associated with this rotation one or more ranks that are not associated to fill the space left free by the lengthening of the step.

Preferably, each tooth of the or each separating row has a length between the respective lengths of the teeth of the same row and belonging to the successive rows of the set separated by the separator row.

Thus, the separator ranks form transition ranks between the ranks of the set, namely those associated with the rotation. They thus allow, as indicated above, to lengthen at will the pitch of the helix associated with this rotation, which is advantageous in terms of make-up, without, however, visually breaking the overall geometry of the brush. This choice of length in the separator rows thus allows a geometric smoothing effect of the envelope surface formed by the free ends of the teeth.

We thus obtain a helical brush whose pitch is relatively long but of particularly smooth appearance and very dense teeth. In addition, this aspect enhances the aforementioned twisting effect found by rotating the brush. Naturally, other characteristics of the propeller will depend on the distribution of tooth lengths within each rank associated with the propeller. Of this choice will depend in particular the visual appearance of the propeller, in particular the fact that it appears as very pronounced or not pronounced.

Advantageously, on each separating row, at least two of the teeth which succeed each other in the circumferential direction have the same length. Advantageously, the number of sets is at least equal to two, any two successive ranks of one of the sets being separated by at least one row from the other set.

Thus, the brush comprises at least two rotating sections whose corresponding ranks are nested. Advantageously, each row of the set or of each set does not have a plane of symmetry radial to the axis.

Advantageously, on each row of the assembly or at least one of the sets, any two successive teeth in the circumferential direction have different lengths. Advantageously, the or each set includes any rank which is the image of the previous rank of the set by the rotation.

Thus, it is the cross section of the entire brush that is rotated, rather than just part of that section. The helical shape of the brush is all the better visible. It is the same for the twisting effect appearing during the rotation of the brush.

Preferably, for all or at least one of the sets, the rotation is associated with a helix having a pitch greater than half a length of a portion of the brush carrying the teeth and preferably less than this length.

Such a relatively long step facilitates the execution of makeup by means of a rotating movement and promotes the makeup result.

Preferably, each tooth has a shape of half cone or half truncated cone. Such a shape facilitates the manufacture of the brush, in particular by injection, and reduces the cost. Indeed, it is possible that each tooth formed by two drawers of the mold has its curved face defined by only one of these two drawers, the other side of the drawer associated with a meridian plane of the cone being flat.

Preferably, the teeth are in one piece with each other. Thus, the brush may be mono-block, the brush may however be monomaterial, bi-material, etc.

Finally, there is provided a mascara applicator comprising a brush according to the invention as well as a makeup device comprising such an applicator and a mascara reservoir. -AT-

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of two embodiments and variants given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are two elevational views of a brush according to a first embodiment of the invention, FIG. 2 showing the brush after rotating a quarter turn with respect to its position in FIG. 1. ;

FIGS. 3 to 6 are sectional views of the brush in the planes III-III to VI-VI of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a partial perspective view of the free end of the brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an axial end view of the brush of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a view on a larger scale of the detail D of FIG. 1;

- Figures 10 and 1 1 are two views similar to Figures 1 and 2 showing an alternative embodiment of the brush of Figure 1; - Figure 12 is a perspective view of a brush according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a view on a larger scale of the end of the brush of FIG. 12;

Figure 14 is an elevational view of the brush of Figure 12; and - Figures 15 to 20 are schematic views illustrating other embodiments of the brush according to the invention.

We will describe with reference to Figures 1 to 9 a first embodiment of the brush according to the invention.

This brush is suitable for being part of a makeup device for eyelashes and / or eyebrows. This device comprises an applicator and an unillustrated reservoir comprising a makeup product such as mascara. The applicator comprises at one end a cap forming a gripping handle and at its other end the brush 2 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9. The applicator can be screwed onto the reservoir to seal the latter with the cap and so that the brush bathes in the product located in the tank.

The brush of Figure 2 is thus carried by a rod 4 of the applicator. It has a core 6, for example of cylindrical shape, having a longitudinal axis 8 coinciding with that of the rod 4. The brush 2 comprises teeth 10 which are in this case in one piece with the core 6, the brush being made by injection. The brush is for example made of TPE (tetrapolyethylene) or TPU (tetrapolyurethane). We will be able to provide that the soul is bimaterial so that it comprises a heart in a first material and a one-piece envelope with the teeth and a second material.

The teeth 10 form transverse rows 12 each extending in a proper plane perpendicular to the axis 8. The rows 12 follow each other from one longitudinal end to the other of the brush. In addition, the teeth 10 form longitudinal rows 14 parallel to the axis 8 and which follow one another about the axis along the circumferential direction 16. This circumferential direction, the meaning of which is immaterial, has been indicated by the arrow 16 on Figure 3. Each of the teeth 10 thus belongs to both a single row 12 and a single row 14. It is thus understood that the teeth 10 are doubly aligned both in the direction transverse to the axis and in the longitudinal direction. In other words, if the brush was developed in a plane, the teeth would be arranged in a rectangular grid. Each row 12 of the brush comprises in this case a number of teeth 10 equal to twelve as shown in Figure 3. Of course, this number could be less than or greater than twelve. Referring to Figures 1 and 3, we now consider the first row 12ai starting from the free end of the brush, right in Figure 1. In this example, the teeth 10 of 12ai rank are regularly distributed around the l 8. The teeth 10 do not all have the same length between them. In addition, any two consecutive teeth in the circumferential direction have different lengths. If we consider any tooth of the section, the only tooth which has the same length as this tooth is the diametrically opposite tooth with respect to the axis 8.

The twelve teeth are numbered starting from the longest tooth in the upper left quadrant of the section illustrated in Figure 3, the numbering ranging from 10ai to 10ai ₂ . It is observed that the length of each tooth decreases from the tooth 10ai to the tooth 10a ₄ , then increases again from the latter to the tooth 1 Oa ₇ . In the same way, the length decreases from the tooth 1 Oa ₇ to the tooth 10a ₁₀ and then increases from the latter to the tooth 1Oa ₁ . The longest teeth are therefore the teeth 1Oa ₁ and 10a ₇ whereas the shortest teeth are the teeth 1 Oa ₄ and 1 Oa ₁₀ . It is observed that the rank or the section ^ a ₁ is in this case devoid of axis of symmetry but that it has a symmetry centered on the axis 8.

For purposes of this description, the rows are identified from the rank 12Ai to the other end of the brush with a numbering of the Type 12Ai, 12b _2, 12a _3, 12b _4, etc. to rank 12a ₃ 3 which corresponds to the row closest to the rod 4. The ranks with an odd number in the succession therefore bear a subscript a while the ranks numbered evenly carry a subscript b. We have illustrated in Figure 4 the rank 12a3. The section of the brush at the rank 12a3 has the same shape and the same dimensions as the section of the row 12ai illustrated in FIG. 3 except that it has undergone a rotation of angle θ such that the tooth 10ai of the rank 12a3 is found in the same row as the tooth 10ai ₂ of the rank 12ai. The row 12a ₃ of FIG. 4 is therefore the image of the row 12ai of FIG. 3 by a rotation of angle θ about the axis 8. This angle is that which separates two successive rows 14 in the circumferential direction 16 around the axis 8. Apart from this rotation, the two sections 12a-ι and 12a ₃ are stackable.

Rank 12a ₅ is likewise the image of rank 12a ₃ by the same rotation, and so on. The odd rows ranging from ₁ to 12 to ₃₃ in the present example therefore form a set comprising any row of which at least two of the teeth do not have the same length between them (which is the case for all rows 12 of the brush here) and especially that is the image of the previous rank of the set by this rotation. It is observed that once fixed the spacing between two consecutive rows 12 and the spacing in the circumferential direction 16 between two consecutive rows 14, the angle θ of the rotation is entirely determined taking into account the particularities of the brush of this example . This rotation, sequential or helical, gives the brush a helical envelope surface whose pitch p is entirely determined thereby also.

FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively show the ranks 12b ₂ and 12b ₄ which are respectively interposed between the ranks 12a and 12a ₃ and 12a ₃ and 12as. As with odd numbered rows, evenly numbered rows include teeth that do not all have the same length between them. However, some pairs of consecutive teeth in the circumferential direction have the same length between them. Thus the teeth are numbered from 1Ob ₁ to 1 Ob ₁₂ from the tooth located in the same row as the tooth 1Oa ^ e Figure 3. In this case, the teeth 1 Ob ₁ , 1Ob ₆ , 1Ob ₇ and 1Ob ₁₂ have the same length between them and have the largest length of the row. The teeth 1Ob ₃ , 1Ob ₄ , 1Ob ₉ and 10b ₁₀ have the same length between them and have the shortest length of the row. The teeth 1Ob ₂ , 1 Ob ₅ , 10b ₈ and 10b ₁₁ have the same length between them and have an intermediate length between the extreme lengths of the other two groups.

Again, the section corresponding to these rows is devoid of plane of symmetry but has a central symmetry axis 8.

In addition, as illustrated in particular in FIG. 9, these lengths are such that each tooth of the even rank 12b ₂ or the even rank 12b ₁₀ has a length (that is to say a height in a radial direction at the 8) between the respective lengths of the consecutive teeth of the same row 14 and belonging to the rows contiguous 9 and 11 numbered oddly. Thus, 10b tooth row 12bio a ₁₀ Interim I between the length I ₉ 10a teeth of the same row in the row 12 GA right and the length l ₁₁ of the 10a teeth of the same row in the row 12an left. The length of each of the teeth of rank 12b ₂ or 12b ₁₀ is chosen analogously

As with the first set of odd numbered rows, evenly numbered rows form a second set of rows whose teeth do not all have the same length within each rank and in which each row is the image of the previous rank of the set by the rotation around the axis 8 already presented. This is apparent in particular from Figures 5 and 6. On the latter, the tooth 10b ₁ is in the row of the tooth 10b ₁₂ of Figure 5.

We therefore observe that two successive ranks of the first set (associated with the odd ranks 12a ₂ ι + i with a positive or zero natural integer) are separated by a rank belonging to the second set (associated with the even ranks 12a ₂ , with a positive natural integer i not zero) and vice versa. Moreover, the two sets are disjoint. Any rank 12 belongs to one of the two sets and only one of them.

The odd rows thus define a helix whose pitch p has been illustrated in FIG. 2. This pitch corresponds to the length necessary along the axis 8 for a complete rotation of the section of the rank 12ai. In all geometric rigor, it is only the odd rows that form this propeller by means of rotation. The evenly numbered ranks are transition ranks and follow the same rotation but have a slightly different section. In particular, the distribution of the lengths of the teeth is not necessarily the same as in the odd rows. Thus, in the present case, while the consecutive teeth of each odd rank have different lengths between them, certain consecutive teeth of even ranks have the same length.

But in the absence of even rows, or the row layout would be too sparse, which would affect the quality of makeup, especially for the separation of the eyelashes, or, to keep a tooth spacing sufficiently tight, the step p of the helix would be twice as short, which would lead to a visually rotating twice the propeller, which is also not favorable to the quality of makeup.

In other words, the brush of the present example is geometrically constructed by rotating a non-circular section of the brush. Then, between the ranks thus defined, transition ranks are added.

So we see that the helix of the brush is defined by the rotation around the axis of two sections here slightly different but which complement each other to preserve the shape general propeller. These two sections make it possible to give the propeller a relatively large pitch while preserving a high density of implantation of the teeth.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the teeth 10 have in the present example a half-truncated cone shape. Thus, each tooth constitutes here only half of a truncated cone when this truncated cone is divided in two along a meridian plane passing through its axis, this axis here being oriented radially to the axis 8. The halves of cones are all located on the same side of row 14 for the same row of teeth. For all the teeth of the row, the curved face is thus turned towards the same row 14 following, which has teeth whose curved face is itself turned to the next row in the succession and so on.

Figures 1 and 2 show that the length L of the section of the brush carrying the teeth is in this example greater than the pitch p of the propeller but less than 1, 5 times the value of this step. The pitch p is greater than half the length L. The length L is in this case 1, 33 p. We have illustrated in Figures 10 and 11 an alternative embodiment of the brush 2.

This brush is identical to that of Figure 1 except that the length L of the section carrying the teeth is shorter than that of Figure 1. It remains greater than the length of the pitch p of the propeller. It is worth here 1, 2 times this step. One could consider that the length is less than the step while remaining preferably greater than half the length of the step. The pitch p remains greater than half the length L.

We will now describe with reference to Figures 12 to 14 a second embodiment of the brush. This brush 102 is geometrically constructed in the same manner as that of FIG. 1, except that some of the rows of teeth 14 comprise teeth having all the same length in the row. It is in FIG. 13 rows 14 ₂ , 14 ₅ , 14 ₈ and 14 4 which respectively comprise, in the first row, the numbered teeth 10a ₂ , 1 Oa ₅ , 10a ₈ and 10a ₁₁ . We will call here these rows of "combs". The teeth of these four rows all have the same length between them, this length being close to that of tooth 1 Oa ₂ of the first embodiment in the present example, which has an intermediate length between the extreme lengths of the row teeth. But one could predict that this length is close to that of another tooth, for example the tooth 1Oa ₁ which is the longest of the row. The section of each even and odd rank is modified to the extent required by this feature. Thus, each rank of the first set is only in part the image of the previous rank of the same set by rotation. It is the same for the ranks of the second set. The brush 102 of FIGS. 12 to 14 thus differs from that of FIG. 1 in that some of the rows have been replaced by rows of teeth of uniform length. These rows are combs. It has surprisingly been found that these combs greatly improve the separation of the eyelashes during make-up. In the present example, the rows whose teeth have the same length are not arranged consecutively in the circumferential direction about the axis but are separated by rows whose teeth have lengths different from each other.

In each of the brushes that have just been described, the rows are parallel to the axis of the brush and succeed each other around the axis. Regarding the rows comprising teeth that do not all have the same length between them, the rows follow each other around the axis being the image of each other by the rotation about the angle axis θ.

If we consider the section (perpendicular to the axis 8) which forms the plane of symmetry of each row 12, the sections of consecutive rows may be regularly separated by a distance between 0.6 and 1 mm for example. The diameter of the core 6 may be between 1, 5 and 4 mm. It is worth in this case 2.8 mm. The length of the teeth may be such that the distance between the free end of each tooth and the axis 8 is between 2.5 mm and 4.5 mm and preferably between 2.9 mm and 3.4 mm.

Of course, we can bring to the invention many changes without departing from the scope thereof.

It has been seen that the two typical sections associated with the respective sets have been chosen close to each other to emphasize the shape of the helix on the brush.

However, the brush can be arranged differently. Thus the section associated with the second set may be very different from that of the first set, and in particular do not provide the aforementioned transition effect.

It can be expected that the ranks separating the ranks of the first set do not form a second set, in particular because they are not associated with a rotation.

It can be expected that there are at least two rows separators between the successive rows of the set. The number of nested sets may be greater than or equal to three.

It will be possible, in the presence of two sets of rows, that they are associated with rotations of different respective angles.

With reference to FIG. 15, it will be possible to provide that, in the brush 202 according to the invention, it is only on a section 20 of their length that the combs, such as the comb 14 ₂ , have teeth of the same length. between them. For example, the length teeth could decrease in an end zone 22 of the comb contiguous with a distal end of the brush.

The comb teeth may have a wider section at their base than at their free end. The teeth of the combs may have a transverse dimension (such as a diameter) larger than that of the other teeth. The teeth of the combs can be made of a material different from that constituting the other teeth, for example if the two-material brush is manufactured by bi-injection.

Referring to Figure 16, we can give the core 6 of the brush 302 according to the invention a cylindrical shape over a fraction only of its length and for example give a frustoconical shape to its distal end zone 24. The core 6 of the brush 402 according to the invention may have a generally frustoconical shape as illustrated in FIG. 17.

The distance between the successive rows may be non-constant. Thus, it can be expected that this distance will be reduced as one approaches the free distal end of the brush, or on the contrary increasing.

The rows may be non-rectilinear. They could thus adopt a helical shape along the axis. Since in the brushes of FIGS. 1 to 14 the rows are rectilinear and the teeth of each row are uniformly distributed around the axis in the row, the angle θ associated with the rotation is the same as that formed by the average fibers. of two consecutive teeth of a row, as shown in Figure 4. However, if the rows are not straight, the angle θ may be different from that formed by the average fibers of two consecutive teeth and for example greater than latest. It will be the same if the teeth of each row are not evenly distributed around the axis. It can be provided that the angle of rotation is not constant along the longitudinal axis, and for example that it increases or decreases monotonically from one longitudinal end to the other of the brush. The pitch of the helix is therefore also non-uniform and decreases or increases in these examples respectively.

It can be provided that the property of the brush relative to the rotation is verified only on a section of the brush. For example, it could be a section starting at the proximal end of the brush and interrupting away from the distal end to preserve a distal end region of the brush free of this property.

It can be expected that the rows form at least one set comprising any row of which at least two teeth do not have the same length between them and which is the image at least in part of the previous row of the set, not by the same rotation. but by the same homothety around the axis. So, not only are we giving to the surface The helical envelope of the teeth is formed, but the greatest radial dimension is changed to the axis as one progresses along the axis. It can thus be envisaged that this dimension decreases in the direction of the free end of the brush and gives this end a tapered shape, more conducive to the makeup of small eyelashes. Thus, the envelope surface 26 of the brush, instead of having generally a cylindrical shape provided with a helix, may present this helix:

- in a frustoconical shape as on the brush 502 of Figure 18, or

within a cylindrical proximal section 28 and a frustoconical distal section 30 whose diameter decreases towards the free end as on the brush 602 of FIG. 19,

- Or even within a median cylindrical section 32 interposed between two frustoconical sections 34 and 36 whose diameter decreases towards the free ends as on the brush 702 of Figure 20. The latter two sections may have angles and different lengths from each other.

Claims

1. Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) for a mascara applicator, characterized in that it comprises teeth (10) forming transverse rows (12) which follow each other along an axis (8) of the brush, the rows forming at least one set comprising any row of which at least two teeth do not have the same length between them and which is the image at least in part of the previous row of the set by a same rotation around the axis.

2. Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to the preceding claim, wherein the teeth (10) form rows extending along the axis, each row comprising a tooth of each row (12), the rows being preferably parallel to the axis (8).

3. Brush (102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the rows (14 ₂ , 14 ₅ , 14 ₇ , M ₁₁ ) comprises at least one section consisting of teeth (10) having the same length between them, preferably these rows being at least two in number and for example separated from each other by at least one row not including a section consisting of teeth (10) having even length between them.

4. Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in the whole or at least one of the sets, any two successive rows (12) of the set are separated by at least one rank that does not belong to the set.

5. Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to claims 2 and 4, wherein each tooth (10a ₃ ) of the or each separating row (12b ₁₀ ) has a length (I ₁₀ ) between the respective lengths (I ₉ , I ₁₁ ) of the teeth of the same row (14) and belonging to the successive rows (12a ₉ , 12an) of the set separated by the separating row.

6. Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of claims 4 to 5, wherein, on each separator row (12), at least two of the teeth (10) which succeed in the circumferential direction (16) have the same length.

7. Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the number of sets is at least two, any two successive ranks (12) of the one of the sets being separated by at least one row (12) of the other set.

8. Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each row (12) of the set or each set has no plane of symmetry. radial to the axis (8).

9. Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, on each row (12) of the assembly or at least one of the sets, any two successive teeth (10) in the circumferential direction (16) have different lengths.

Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each set comprises any rank (12) which is the image of the previous rank of the together by rotation.

Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for all or at least one of the sets the rotation is associated with a helix. which has a pitch (p) greater than half a length (L) of a portion of the brush carrying the teeth and preferably less than this length.

12. Brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each tooth (10) has a shape of a half-cone or half-truncated cone.

The brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the teeth (10) are integral with one another.

A mascara applicator comprising a brush (2; 102; 202; 302; 402; 602; 702) according to any one of the preceding claims.

15. Makeup device comprising an applicator according to the preceding claim and a tank of mascara.