WO2012168874A1

WO2012168874A1 - An eyeliner applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2012168874A1
Application number: PCT/IB2012/052845
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Louis Gueret
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2011-06-08
Filing date: 2012-06-06
Publication date: 2012-12-13
Also published as: FR2976166A1; JP3194189U; FR2976166B1; CN203841276U; EP2717740A1

Abstract

The present invention provides an applicator (3) for applying an eyeliner, the applicator comprising: ·an applicator tip; ·a support that carries the applicator tip; ·a handle (8) that defines a grip surface that enables the user to hold the applicator (3) while the composition is being applied; and ·a joint(9) that connects the handle (8) to the support of the applicator tip, said joint enabling the handle to take up at least a first orientation in which the applicator tip is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the handle and the joint is situated between the grip surface and the applicator tip, and a second orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip is in a different orientation relative to the handle.

Description

AN EYELINER APPLICATOR

The present invention relates to packaging and applicator devices for packaging and applying eyeliner.

In the field of cosmetics, applicators have already been proposed in US 7 487 784 that are provided with means that make it possible to modify the orientation of the applicator member relative to the closure member of the container.

EP 0 791 307 and EP 1 452 111 describe other

applicators that include hinged handles.

Applying makeup to the eyelids is an operation that is difficult to perform and that generally consists in drawing a line, while holding the eyelid stretched, by moving an applicator member parallel to the eyelid and to the set of eyelashes, from one corner of the eyelid to the other. This operation is relatively difficult to accomplish with a paintbrush, and consumers prefer to use kohl pencils.

Numerous attempts have been made to make the

operation easier, such as making the applicator member in the form of a felt or flocked tip or using of an

applicator roller.

Despite the wide range of devices that have been made available, this makeup operation remains tricky.

Consequently, there exists a need to make this operation easier, but without degrading the quality of the makeup effect.

First exemplary embodiments of the invention thus provide an applicator for applying an eyeliner, the applicator comprising:

^• an applicator member, preferably an applicator tip;

^• a support that carries the applicator member;

^• a handle that defines a grip surface that enables the user to hold the applicator while the composition is being applied; and ^• a joint that connects the handle to the support of the applicator tip, said joint enabling the handle to take up at least a first orientation in which the

applicator tip is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the handle, and a second orientation in which the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip is in a different orientation relative to the handle.

In the first orientation of the handle relative to the support of the applicator member, the joint is situated between the applicator tip and the grip surface.

Preferably, the joint makes it possible to orientate the longitudinal axis of the applicator member between 0° and at least 10°, better at least 20°, 30°, or 45°, better still substantially 90°, relative to the

longitudinal axis of the handle.

Pivoting takes place about one or more pivot axes, e.g. a plurality of intersecting or parallel axes. Where appropriate, pivoting takes place with the adjacent ends of the handle and of the support moving apart or

together.

Preferably, the applicator member is flexible, e.g. including a body made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The applicator tip may be a flocked endpiece made of

elastomer, a paint brush, a felt tip, an endpiece made of foam, or an optionally-flocked injection-molded nib.

By means of the invention, the user may orientate the handle relative to the support of the applicator member as desired, so as to obtain the most suitable grip of the applicator for drawing the desired line.

In use, the user may change the angle between the support of the applicator member and the handle, until the most suitable value is found for obtaining both the desired makeup accuracy and comfort in application.

Over at least a fraction of its length, the

applicator tip may present a cross-section that is not circularly symmetrical. This makes it possible to draw a line that is finer or broader depending on the orientation of the applicator member relative to the direction of movement relative to the eyelid.

Another advantage of the invention is thus to make it possible, with the same applicator, to draw a line that is finer or broader as a function of the angle given to the applicator member relative to the eyelid. When the applicator tip is not circularly symmetrical, it may present a cross-section that is elongate along a major axis, at least over a fraction of its length. In order to draw a broad line, the user moves the applicator member with the major axis of the section oriented perpendicularly to the direction of movement.

The applicator member is preferably of predefined orientation relative to the pivot axis, the applicator member preferably being mounted on the support in

identified manner.

The dimensions of the applicator member are such that the maximum breadth of the line of composition drawn on the skin is preferably less than or equal to 5 mm, better less than or equal to 3 mm, the applicator member being moved perpendicularly to the skin. Depending on the orientation of the applicator member relative to the eyelid, the breadth of the line may be varied, for example .

Preferably, the applicator member is an applicator tip, optionally being provided at its end with a spatula or with a wide head, as described in FR 2 933 281.

The applicator tip may include an endpiece for fastening to the stem of the applicator, which is of diameter that is greater than the breadth of the fine line that is drawn by the applicator when said applicator is moved while being oriented perpendicularly to the skin. The stem may present positioning means such as a flat, making it easier to orientate the applicator member so as to obtain the desired line breadth.

The joint may present a pivot axis that is oriented perpendicularly to the above-mentioned major axis of the section of the applicator member, such an orientation making it easier to grip the applicator with a view to drawing a broad line on the eyelid.

The joint may allow at least two stable working positions. Preferably, the joint allows at least three stable working positions for which the angle between a longitudinal axis of the support and a longitudinal axis of the handle takes on different values. The stable positions may be obtained by means of a brake on the joint, e.g. generating enough friction for the handle to conserve the orientation in which it is left by the user throughout the use of the applicator.

The joint may also present a pivot axis that is oriented at 45° relative to a longitudinal axis of the support and to a longitudinal axis of the handle.

The joint may also comprise a ball joint.

Where appropriate, the support may extend on the proximal side of the handle. The handle may be made in the form of a closure cap for closing a container, and the pivot axis may be situated inside the cap.

The support or the handle may be arranged so as to close the container when not in use, in particular to close it in leaktight manner.

The handle may be arranged to fold down around the container, e.g. having a portion in relief that is adapted to snap-fasten on the bottom of the container. The handle may present a U-shape having branches that are hinged to the support.

The container may include a ball making it possible to homogenize the composition by shaking the container.

The composition may comprise an aqueous or organic solvent and a pigment, in particular iron oxide.

The applicator member is supplied with composition by dipping it into the container, or, in a variant, the application surface is supplied with composition by capillarity through the applicator member, as with felt- tip pens. The device may present an end remote from the applicator tip that is situated at a distance L from the free end of the applicator tip, and the joint may present a pivot axis that is situated at a distance that is less than L, preferably lying in the range ¼L to ¾L, from the free end of the applicator member. The distance between the handle and the applicator member is thus reduced, and this contributes to the accuracy in applying makeup.

The invention also provides a packaging and

applicator device comprising:

^• a container containing the eyeliner; and

^• an applicator of the invention, as defined above. The applicator may comprise:

^• an applicator member that is adapted to come into contact with the skin so as to apply the composition, in such a manner as to enable the applicator to draw a line having a breadth that varies as a function of the

orientation of the applicator member relative to the skin while the applicator member is moving in contact

therewith;

^• a support of the applicator member;

^• a handle enabling the user to hold the applicator while the composition is being applied; and

^• a joint connecting the handle to the support of the applicator member and enabling the handle to take up at least two different orientations relative to the support .

The invention also provides a method of applying makeup to the eyelid, wherein an applicator or a device of the invention is used to draw a line on the eyelid. The orientation of the applicator tip may be modified relative to the eyelid and to the grip surface.

The user may position the handle with a desired orientation relative to the support, as a function of the breadth of the line to be made on the eyelid.

For example, the handle may be in alignment with the support, and the applicator member may be moved over the eyelid, substantially lying down. The angle between the handle and the support may be modified; e.g. the handle may be arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the support, and the applicator may be grasped by means of the handle, below the support, so as to draw the line, that may be a broad line. The direction of movement may be perpendicular to the plane defined by the longitudinal axes of the support and of the handle. In order to draw a fine line, the applicator may be moved parallel to this plane.

The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

· Figure 1 shows an example of a packaging and applicator device in elevation;

^• Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 after modifying the angle between the handle and the support of the applicator member;

· Figure 3 shows the applicator in isolation, after being separated from the container;

^• Figure 4 is a cross-section on IV-IV of Figure 3;

^• Figure 5 is a side view as seen looking along arrow V in Figure 3;

· Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing a variant embodiment;

^• Figures 7 to 10 show variant packaging and

applicator devices of the invention;

^• Figures 11A to 11C show variant embodiments of the applicator member and of the container; and

^• Figure 12 shows a variant embodiment of the applicator .

The packaging and applicator device 1 shown in

Figures 1 to 5 comprises a container 2 containing

eyeliner for application, and an applicator 3, shown in isolation in Figure 3, that is suitable, when not being used to apply the composition, for mounting on the container 2 so as to close it, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and for being separated from the container so as to apply the composition.

By way of example, the container 2 includes a threaded neck on which the applicator 3 may be screw- fastened, the applicator including a support 5 that carries an applicator member 6 that is constituted by an applicator tip.

The applicator 3 includes a handle 8 that is connected in hinged manner to the support 5, e.g. by means of a joint 9, enabling the handle 8 to pivot relative to the support 5 about an axis X that is perpendicular to the plane of Figures 1 to 3.

The support 5 may comprise: a stem 10 that, at its distal end, supports the applicator member 6; and a proximal portion 11 that firstly is used for mounting on the container 2, and secondly is arranged to enable the handle 8 to pivot about the axis X.

The joint 9 may be made in various ways, e.g. by means of a pin that extends between two lugs of the proximal portion 11, and between which the handle 8 may pivot .

Preferably, pivoting takes place with friction or with the possibility of locking the angle a between the longitudinal axis Y of the handle 8 and the longitudinal axis Z of the support 5, so as to enable the user to place the handle 8 in the desired configuration, with the applicator conserving that position until the user intervenes once again on the joint in order to modify the orientation of the handle. When the joint 9 comprises a pin, said pin may be engaged at its ends in housings of the handle or of the support.

The user may modify the orientation of the handle 8 relative to the support 5 so as to make it more ergonomic to draw a line on the eyelid.

In order to extract the applicator member 6 from the container, the handle 8 is positioned with its longitudinal axis Y substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis K of the container, for example.

The applicator member 6 may be made in various ways, with a shape that enables the user to draw a line that is broader or finer depending on the orientation of the applicator member 6 relative to the eyelid, and relative to the direction of movement D over said eyelid.

By way of example and as shown, at its distal end, the applicator member 6 presents a shape that is

generally flat along a major axis W, thereby making it possible to draw a broad line when the major axis W is oriented substantially perpendicularly to the direction of movement D, and to draw a finer line when the

orientation is parallel.

The applicator member 6 may be formed by an endpiece made of elastomer material, which endpiece may optionally be flocked at its distal end. Suitable examples of applicator members are described in particular in

publications FR 2 933 281, FR 2 947 702, FR 2 890 296, and US 7 077 592.

The container may be of various shapes, e.g. an elongate shape of outer cross-section that is generally constant, as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 7 shows the possibility of making the joint 9 with a ball joint 30 that is received in a socket 31, for example, that is formed with the support 5 of the

applicator member 6.

The ball 9 makes it possible for the handle 8 to pivot relative to the support 5 about an infinite number of axes, or, in a variant, about a single pivot axis, depending on how the socket 31 is formed, and on the number of degrees of freedom that it allows the handle 8.

In some embodiments, the container 2 is separate from the applicator 3 while the composition is being applied.

In a variant, the container 2 remains secured to the applicator member while the composition is being applied, the applicator member 6 being supplied with composition via an internal channel from the container 2, for

example, the container possibly being provided with a pump or with any other system that makes it possible to force the composition to flow via the above-mentioned internal channel so as to reach the application surface.

The application surface may also be supplied with composition by means of the porosity of the applicator member, by capillarity through said applicator member.

Figure 8 shows the possibility of the joint 9 being situated at a certain distance d from the free end 6a of the applicator member 6, the distance d being less than the total length L of the device not including the handle 8, the distance d lying in the range ¼L to ¾L .

Figure 9 shows the possibility of the handle 8 being able to pivot in such a manner as to bring its proximal end 33 to face the bottom 34 of the container 2, when in the storage configuration.

Where appropriate, the handle 8 may be held in this position by snap-fastening a portion in relief 35 provided on the handle 8 into a complementary portion in relief provided on the bottom 34 of the container. Such a configuration may make the device more compact when not in use.

The pivot axis X for pivoting the handle 8 relative to the support 5 may be orientated perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis Y of the handle 8, and also

perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the support 5, in particular as in the examples shown in Figures 1 to 9.

In a variant, the pivot axis X may extend obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the support 5 and to the longitudinal axis of the handle 8, as shown in

Figure 10.

In this figure, it can also be seen that the

container 2 may be provided with a wiper member 40 for wiping the stem 10 supporting the applicator member 6. By way of example, the angle that the pivot axis X forms with the longitudinal axis of the container and with the longitudinal axis of the handle may be 45°, as shown .

Inside the container 2, it is possible to provide various systems for acting on the quantity of composition that is present on the applicator member 6 after said applicator member has been extracted from the container.

By way of example, and as shown in Figure 11A, provision may be made, in the closed position, for the applicator member 6 to be engaged in an open-ended sheath 43, and for said applicator to project therefrom by a small distance in order to be loaded with the composition contained in the container. An example of such an arrangement is disclosed in particular in publication FR 2 947 702.

Provision may also be made to load the applicator member with composition by capillarity, as shown in

Figure 11B. An example of such an arrangement is disclosed in publication FR 2 933 281.

It is also possible to envisage, inside the

container 2, loading with an interruption of capillary, as shown in Figure 11C, the container being provided with a wiper member presenting a constriction 48. An example of such an arrangement is disclosed in publication

FR 2 933 281.

In the variant shown in Figure 12, the pivot axis X is situated inside the handle 8 that serves as a closure cap for closing a container.

The support 5 extends beyond the proximal end of the handle 8.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the examples described above.

In particular, the characteristics of the various embodiments shown may be combined together within

variants that are not shown. Positioning catches or abutments may be provided on the handle and/or the support so as to limit the angular clearance of the handle relative to the support and/or so as to define predefined orientations of the handle relative to the support, in which the handle may be arranged by the user.

The joint may comprise a hinge and a hinge bracket providing two stable working positions. The hinge and bracket may be made by molding.

Where appropriate, the handle may be axially

movable, along its longitudinal axis, relative to the support, e.g. so as to release a locking catch that locks the joint between the handle and the support.

The applicator tip may be an optionally-flocked felt tip, a sintered element, a paint brush, or a flocked endpiece. Preferably, the applicator tip has a single rounded point. In a variant, the applicator tip is a "two-line tip" with two points, making it possible to draw two lines simultaneously.

The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless specified to the contrary.

Claims

1. An applicator (3) for applying an eyeliner, the

applicator comprising:

^• an applicator tip (6);

^• a support (5) that carries the applicator tip (6);

^• a handle (8) that defines a grip surface that enables the user to hold the applicator (3) while the composition is being applied; and

^• a joint (9) that connects the handle (8) to the support (5) of the applicator tip, said joint enabling the handle to take up at least a first orientation in which the applicator tip is in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the handle and the joint is situated between the grip surface and the applicator tip, and a second orientation in which the

longitudinal axis (Z) of the applicator tip (6) is in a different orientation relative to the handle.

An applicator according to claim 1, the applicator tip (6) presenting a cross-section over at least a fraction of its length that is not circularly

symmetrical .

An applicator according to claim 2, the applicator tip presenting a cross-section that is elongate along a maj or axis (W) .

An applicator according to the preceding claim, the joint (9) presenting a pivot axis (X) that is oriented perpendicularly to the major axis (W) .

An applicator according to any preceding claim, the joint (9) allowing at least two stable working

positions .

An applicator according to the preceding claim, the joint (9) allowing at least two, or even three, stable working positions for which the angle (a) between a longitudinal axis (Z) of the support (5) and a longitudinal axis (Y) of the handle (8) takes on different values.

7. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the joint (9) presenting a pivot axis (X) that is oriented at 45° relative to a longitudinal axis (Z) of the support (5) and to a longitudinal axis (Y) of the handle (8) .

8. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the joint (9) making it possible to orientate the longitudinal axis (Z) of the applicator tip (6) between 0° and at least 10°, preferably at least 30°, better between 0° and substantially 90°, relative to the longitudinal axis (Y) of the handle.

9. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the handle or the support (5) being arranged so as to close a container (2) when not in use, in particular to close it in leaktight manner.

10. An applicator according to any preceding claim,

presenting an end remote from the applicator tip that is situated at a distance (L) from the free end (6a) of the applicator tip (6), and the joint (9)

presenting a pivot axis that is situated at a distance (d) that is less than L, in particular lying in the range ¼L to ¾L, from the free end (6a) of the

applicator tip.

11. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the applicator tip (6) comprising a flocked endpiece made of elastomer, or a paint brush, or a foam endpiece or felt tip, or an optionally-flocked injection-molded nib .

12. A packaging and applicator device for applying an eyeliner, said device comprising:

^• an applicator as defined in any preceding claim; and

^• a container containing the eyeliner, and possibly a ball.

13. A device according to claim 12, the container being secured to the applicator while the composition is being applied.

14. A device according to claim 12 or claim 13, the handle being arranged to fold down around the container.

15. A method of applying makeup to the eyelid, wherein an applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or a device as defined in any one of claims 12 to 14 is used to draw a line on the eyelid, and the orientation of the applicator tip is modified relative to the eyelid and to the grip surface.