CN114040692A

CN114040692A - Applicator endpiece for a cosmetic product, associated applicator and applicator assembly

Info

Publication number: CN114040692A
Application number: CN202080043818.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: Y·克拉佩
Original assignee: Albea Services SAS
Current assignee: Albea Services SAS
Priority date: 2019-12-20
Filing date: 2020-12-18
Publication date: 2022-02-11
Also published as: WO2021123335A1; US20220369791A1; EP3958709A1; FR3104919A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator endpiece (1) for applying a cosmetic product, which extends in a longitudinal extension direction (X), called main direction (X), and which applicator endpiece (1) comprises: a housing (3) having an outer surface defining at least one applicator member and an inner surface bounding a cavity (5); and a central element (7) arranged inside said cavity (5), said inner surface (3i) of said casing (3) being at a distance from said central element (7) in at least one position, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension direction and in the longitudinal direction, so as to define a free space surrounding said central element (7).

Description

Applicator endpiece for a cosmetic product, associated applicator and applicator assembly

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an applicator endpiece for a cosmetic product, an applicator and a related applicator assembly.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing such an applicator end piece.

Background

Applicator assemblies for cosmetic products, for example for cosmetic products intended to be applied to the lips of a user, are known. The applicator assembly includes a container containing a cosmetic product and an applicator adapted to be removably attached to the container.

The container generally includes a body including a wall defining a reservoir for holding cosmetic therein and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic can be removed. The applicator generally comprises a cap adapted to be attached to the neck, a stem extending from the cap, and an applicator end piece attached to the free end of the stem.

When the cap is attached to the neck, the stem and applicator end piece extend within the reservoir. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir.

To use the applicator, the user removes the cap from the neck and withdraws the applicator from the container.

Known applicator end pieces generally have a spatula-shaped area for contact with the part to be made up, in particular for loading the cosmetic product into the applicator end piece. However, spatula-shaped areas often allow only a partial application of cosmetic product, for example, on one lip, at a time. The spatula also has a less comfortable hardness when pressure is applied to the part to be made up.

The present invention aims to provide an applicator endpiece that allows to makeup a large area of the user (for example both lips) in a single application, while maintaining the comfort of use during makeup.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention relates to an applicator endpiece for a cosmetic product, which applicator endpiece extends along a longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main direction, and which applicator endpiece comprises:

a housing having an outer surface defining at least one applicator member and an inner surface defining a cavity; and

a central element disposed inside said cavity, said inner surface of said outer shell being spaced from the central element in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal extension direction and in said longitudinal direction in at least one position so as to define a free space surrounding said central element.

"surround" means completely surround. That is, the central element is surrounded by free space.

The free space in the central cavity allows the reservoir volume of the cosmetic product to be formed. This makes it possible to apply the cosmetic product over a large area, such as the lips, in a single application.

Furthermore, the free space allows to bring flexibility and mobility to the casing (which is however limited by the presence of the central element), thus bringing comfort of use during the makeup process.

According to various embodiments, which may be combined together or separately:

the central element is disposed entirely within the cavity,

the housing includes at least one aperture therein,

the free space surrounding the central element allows the outer shell to move relative to the central element,

movement of the housing causes the cosmetic product to enter and/or exit through the at least one aperture,

the at least one aperture is at least one longitudinal slot,

the at least one hole is at least one circular hole,

the housing includes a plurality of apertures,

the plurality of holes may include a longitudinal slot,

the plurality of holes comprise circular holes,

the longitudinal grooves are parallel to the main direction,

the longitudinal grooves are wound in a spiral shape,

the plurality of apertures have different sized open cross-sectional areas,

the size of the opening cross-sectional area of the slot is larger than that of the circular hole,

the at least one applicator member comprises a first applicator region extending from the proximal end to an intermediate position along the main direction and a second applicator region extending from the intermediate position to the distal end along the main direction,

the at least one aperture is provided at the location of the first application area,

the second application region further comprises at least one aperture having an open cross-sectional area of a size smaller than that of the first application region,

the holes of the first application area are longitudinal grooves,

the apertures of the second application area are circular apertures,

the central element is attached to the housing material at a distal or proximal position,

the cavity has a shape complementary to the shape of the housing

The central element has a shape complementary to the shape of the housing,

the central element has a shape complementary to the shape of the cavity,

the at least one applicator member is textured,

the applicator end piece is a one-piece,

the applicator end piece is a component that is obtained without assembly,

the applicator end piece is a part obtained by additive manufacturing.

The invention also relates to an applicator comprising an applicator end piece and a lever as described above. Advantageously:

the rod is substantially cylindrical in shape, has a diameter D,

the maximum outer diameter of the applicator member is d3,

the two diameters D, d3 are related by the following equation: D3/D is more than or equal to 0.9 and less than or equal to 4,

the stem has a main direction of longitudinal extension coinciding with the main direction of the applicator.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

a container comprising a body forming a reservoir for containing a cosmetic product, an

An applicator endpiece as described above, adapted to be attached to the container such that the applicator endpiece is disposed within the reservoir.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be combined together or separately:

the container includes an opening adapted to mate with a closure,

the closure cap is connected to the operating rod of the applicator end piece,

the opening is a neck through which the cosmetic product can be removed,

the container further includes a scraper attached to the interior of the opening,

the scraper includes a scraping aperture configured to scrape excess cosmetic product from the applicator member,

the diameter of the scraping hole is approximately the same as the diameter of the operating rod.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly, the container of which is filled with a cosmetic product.

Advantageously, the cosmetic product is viscous, pasty or liquid.

Preferably, the product is used to make up the lips of a user.

The invention finally relates to a method for manufacturing an applicator endpiece for applying a cosmetic product as described above.

The method comprises the following steps:

a step of elaborating a digital model of the applicator endpiece;

a step of manufacturing the applicator by means of a digital model.

Drawings

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, to which reference is made for an understanding of the detailed description, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator end piece of FIG. 1 in a first use position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator end piece of FIG. 1 in a second use position;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator end piece of FIG. 13 in a first use position;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the applicator end piece of FIG. 13 in a second use position;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of an eighth embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 19;

fig. 21 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an applicator assembly according to the present invention, including the applicator end piece of fig. 17 and 18;

fig. 22 is an exploded view of the applicator assembly of fig. 21.

Detailed Description

As shown in the various figures, the invention relates to an applicator endpiece 1, which applicator endpiece 1 extends from a proximal end 1a to a distal end 1b along a longitudinal extension direction, referred to as main direction X.

Applicator end piece 1 comprises:

a housing 3 having an outer surface 3e and an inner surface 3i, the outer surface 3e defining at least one applicator member, the inner surface 3i defining a cavity 5, an

A central element 7 arranged inside the cavity 5.

According to the invention, in at least one position, the inner surface 3i of the casing 3 is distanced dO, dl from the central element 7 in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal extension and in the longitudinal direction, so as to define a free space 7 surrounding the central element.

An "applicator member" is defined as a portion of the applicator endpiece 1 that is adapted to hold the cosmetic product when it comes into contact therewith, and to subsequently release the cosmetic product.

On the other hand, the applicator end piece 1 comprises a sleeve 9. The sleeve 9 is intended to be assembled onto the stem 11 (here embedded in the stem 11) to form an applicator. The sleeve 9 extends from the proximal end 1a of the applicator member 20 along said main direction X, in a direction opposite to the direction directed towards the distal end 1b of the applicator endpiece 1.

Advantageously, the central element 7 is arranged completely inside the cavity 5. In other words, the central element 7 is confined inside the cavity 5.

Advantageously, the central element 7 can be materially connected with the housing 3. Preferably, the central element 7 is materially connected at the location of the distal end 1b or at the location of the proximal end 1 a.

The central element 7 can also be materially connected to the rest of the housing 3, for example by material bridges, so that this connection does not prevent movement of the housing 3 towards the central element 7 or away from the central element 7.

The central element 7 may not have any connection to the housing 3 without departing from the scope of the invention.

Advantageously, the housing 3 is designed to hold the central element 7 inside the cavity 5.

Advantageously, the casing 3 is formed from a thin material (preferably between 0.3mm and 1.5mm thick). In other words, the outer surface 3e and the inner surface 3i of the housing 3 are spaced 0.3mm to 1.5mm apart

This small thickness provides flexibility and softness to the outer shell 3 which can easily be moved, squeezed, due to the free space surrounding the central element 7, as described below. The movement of the housing 3 can be observed in particular when a pressure P is exerted on the housing 3, for example when the applicator endpiece 1 is passed through the opening of the container 33 (neck 29, scraper 31) or when the applicator endpiece 1 is applied to the surface to be made up.

Preferably, the housing 3 comprises at least one

hole

19, 25, 27 in order to allow the cosmetic product to enter and/or exit therethrough. The movement of the housing 3 advantageously supports these ingress and/or egress of cosmetic product, as described below. Pressing the casing 3 towards the central element 7 generates a pressure P on the cosmetic product contained in the cavity 5, causing it to exit. This pressure P also allows to improve the distribution of the cosmetic product in the cavity 5.

Advantageously, the

holes

19, 25, 27 are of a certain size so that the central element 7 cannot leave the cavity 5.

The cavity 5 thus acts as a reservoir for the cosmetic product that is returned to the applicator member through the at least one

aperture

19, 25, 27.

Advantageously, the casing 3 has an oval shape elongated along the main direction X. Preferably, the housing 3 has a cross section of variable diameter, the maximum diameter d3 of which is located near the proximal end 1 a. This shape at the location of the proximal end 1a allows a large application surface area.

Preferably, the housing 3 has a refined, in particular tapered, distal end 1 b. This refined shape at the location of the distal end 1b allows to provide a precise application surface and to facilitate the insertion of the applicator endpiece 1 into the container 33 containing the cosmetic product.

Advantageously, the central element 7 may have a substantially variable shape.

In particular, the shape of the central element 7 may be similar to the shape of the housing 3, for example an elliptical shape, or may be spherical in shape.

Advantageously, the application member may comprise several

different application areas

13, 15.

Preferably, the applicator member comprises a first application region 13 extending in the main direction X from the proximal end 1a of the applicator endpiece 1 to the intermediate position 1c, and a second application region 15 extending in the main direction X from the intermediate position 1c to the distal end 1b of the applicator endpiece 1.

Each of the

application areas

13, 15 may or may not comprise

apertures

19, 25, 27, in

particular apertures

19, 25, 27 of different sizes. This allows applicator endpiece 1 to have

application areas

13, 15 with different characteristics and thus to be able to provide a variety of cosmetic effects.

Fig. 1 to 4 show a first embodiment of an applicator endpiece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

In this first embodiment, the applicator end piece 1, in particular the housing 3, has a general flame shape, wherein the cross section of the main direction X is inscribed in a circle of varying diameter along the main direction X, and the maximum diameter of the circle is d 3.

The first application area 13 is substantially spherical in shape (marked S in the figure). The radius of curvature is preferably between 2mm and 8 mm.

The shape of the second application area 15 is substantially conical (marked C in fig. 1), in particular conical with a rounded apex.

The applicator end piece 1 thus has an outwardly convex lower portion in the vicinity of the sleeve 9 and an outwardly slightly concave opposite upper portion, the junction between these two portions being at the location of the maximum diameter d 3.

This shape is also particularly suitable for the shape of the lip, the applicator endpiece 1 thus having a large application surface. Furthermore, this shape allows for the simultaneous application of the upper and lower lips. The pointed distal end 1b allows for more detailed and precise application of the cosmetic product on less accessible surfaces, such as the corners of the lips or the contours of the lips. The spherical member allows to provide a large application surface area.

In this first embodiment, the housing 3, the cavity 5 and the central element 7 are similar in shape. They each have a maximum diameter d3, d5, d7 at the location of the maximum diameter d3 of the housing 3.

The central element 7 is materially connected to the housing 3 at the location of the proximal end 1a of the applicator end piece 1 by means of a connecting part 17. In other words, the central element 7 is a continuation of the sleeve 9 and extends towards the distal end 1b of the applicator end-piece 1. The connecting part 17 provides rigidity to the central element 7, which central element 7 is therefore stationary relative to the sleeve 9.

The first application region 13 comprises a plurality of longitudinal grooves 19 extending parallel to the main direction X from the proximal end 1a of the applicator endpiece 1 towards the intermediate position 1 c. The slot 19 is oval in shape and has a maximum transverse width at the location of the maximum diameter d3 of the housing 3. The grooves 19 are separated by strips 21 of material extending parallel to the main direction X from the proximal end 1a of the applicator endpiece 1 towards the intermediate position 1 c. These strips 21 have a constant width and form the housing 3.

This first embodiment comprises six longitudinal grooves 19 separated by six strips 21 of material.

The second application area 15 is free of holes.

The groove 19 allows the return of the cosmetic product at the location of the first application area 13. Advantageously, the groove 19 extends to the second application area 15 and is sufficiently elongated to allow the distribution of the cosmetic product over the position of the second application area 15.

Fig. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of an applicator endpiece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

This second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the shape of the central element 7. The central element 7 is a sphere connected to the housing 3 at the location of the proximal end 1a of the end piece. The central element 7 is therefore located in the cavity 5 defined at the location of the first application area 13, leaving a considerable free space at the location of the second application area 15.

Advantageously, the central element 7 has a designed diameter so that there is a free space between the central element 7 and the inner surface 3i of the casing 3. Preferably, the central element 7 has a radius of curvature between 1mm and 6 mm.

Fig. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of an applicator endpiece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

This third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the orientation of the longitudinal grooves 19 at the location of the first application area 13.

The groove 19 here has a helical winding around the main direction X. This helical winding allows holes to be made over the entire circumference of the applicator endpiece 1 and therefore allows the product stored in the cavity 5 to be returned over the entire application surface.

The width of the strips 21 of material between the grooves 19 is also less than the width of the strips 21 of material of the first and second embodiments. Thus, the housing 3 is more flexible and flexible when pressure P is applied to facilitate the exit of the cosmetic product through the slot 19.

Fig. 9 and 10 show a fourth embodiment of an applicator endpiece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

This fourth embodiment differs from the third embodiment in the shape of the central element 7.

Like the applicator endpiece 1 of the second embodiment, the central element 7 here is a sphere connected to the housing 3 at the location of the proximal end 1a of the endpiece. The central element 7 is therefore located in the cavity 5 defined at the location of the first application area 13. The connection to the housing 3 is realized by means of a narrow connecting part 17, in particular a narrower connecting part 17 than in the second embodiment shown in fig. 5 and 6.

The cavity 5 therefore has a greater volume, which increases the cosmetic storage capacity of the applicator endpiece 1.

Furthermore, the reduction of the cross-sectional area of the connecting part 17 makes it possible to provide flexibility to the central element 7 and thus softness to the applicator end piece.

Fig. 11 and 12 show a fifth embodiment of an applicator endpiece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

This fifth embodiment differs from the fourth embodiment in that the central element 7 is connected to the outer shell 3.

As in the fourth embodiment, the central element 7 is a sphere, but it is connected to the housing 3 at the location of the distal end 1 b. In other words, the central element 7 is a continuation of the distal end 1b and extends into the cavity 5 towards the sleeve 9.

In order to reinforce the central element 7, the end piece is free of cavities 5 at the location of the second application area 15, in other words the interior of this second application area 15 is solid. The cavity 5 is located only at the location of the first application area 13.

As in the third and fourth embodiments, the groove 19 is helically wound around the main direction X. They extend from the proximal end 1a to the second application area 15. Advantageously, therefore, the groove 19 is open in the cavity 5 at the location of the first application area 13 and forms a passage 23 at the location of the second application area 15. The cosmetic product coming out of the grooves 19 can thus be guided through these grooves 19 to the second application area 15. The cosmetic product is thus available at the location of both

application areas

13, 15.

Fig. 13 to 16 show a sixth embodiment of an applicator endpiece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

This sixth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that a plurality of holes are provided at the position of the second application region 15.

The holes of the second application area 15 are circular holes 25 with a diameter preferably between 0.5mm and 3 mm.

The circular apertures 25 are arranged in two radial rows. Each row comprises six circular holes 25. For better return (retention) over the entire surface of the second application area 15, the circular holes 25 of one radial row are angularly offset with respect to the circular holes 25 of the other radial row.

The groove 19 is also shorter than in the first embodiment and extends only over the first application area 13.

Advantageously, the return of the cosmetic product is possible at the location of both

application areas

13, 15.

Furthermore, the circular holes 25 of the second application area 15 are therefore smaller in size than the holes (slots 19) of the first application area 13. Depending on the area over which the pressure P is applied, the amount of returned product may vary. Thus, it is possible to return a small amount of product by applying pressure P at the location of the second application area 15 and a larger amount by applying pressure P at the location of the first application area 13.

Fig. 17 and 18 show a seventh embodiment of an applicator endpiece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

This seventh embodiment differs from the sixth embodiment in the orientation of the longitudinal grooves 19 at the location of the first application area 13.

As in the third embodiment, the groove 19 has a helical winding around the main direction X.

Fig. 19 and 20 show an eighth embodiment of an applicator endpiece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

The eighth embodiment is different from the seventh embodiment in the shape of the hole of the second painting area 15. The holes of the second application area 15 are in the form of second slots 27, here six, of smaller size than the slots 19 of the first application area 13, so as to be able to adjust the amount of returned makeup.

The second groove 27 extends longitudinally along substantially the entire length of the second application area 15 and is inclined with respect to the main direction X. The elongated shape of these second grooves 27 allows the cosmetic product to return over the entire surface of the second application area 15.

Two use mechanisms will now be described.

Using the applicator end piece 1 of the first embodiment as an example, a first mechanism of use is shown in fig. 1 to 4. However, this mechanism is applicable to any applicator end piece 1 according to the invention.

Fig. 1 and 2 show the applicator endpiece 1 in a position in which no pressure is exerted on the outer surface 3e of the housing 3. A free space is defined around the central element and surrounds the central element 7 except at the location of the connecting part 17 between the housing 3 and the central element 7. The flexibility of the housing 3 allows it to move when pressure P is applied to the outer surface 3e of the housing 3. As can be seen from fig. 3, at the location of the pressure points, the housing 3 moves close to the central element 7, the central element 7 remaining stationary relative to the sleeve 9. In response, the area of the housing 3 opposite the pressure points is remote from the central element 7. This movement causes the cosmetic product stored in the cavity 5 to exit through the hole, here the slot 19, at the location of the first application area 13. In this embodiment, the slot 19 is sufficiently elongated towards the distal end 1b of the end piece that the second application area 15 is also supplied with cosmetic product.

As shown in fig. 4, the more permanent pressure P causes the casing 3 to move until its inner surface 3i comes into contact with the central element 7.

In this mechanism, the pressure P applied to the applicator end piece 1 is applied radially.

As will be explained in the second operating mechanism, an axial pressure P may be applied, i.e. a pressure P at the location of the distal end 1b of the end piece.

Using the applicator end piece 1 of the sixth embodiment as an example, a second mechanism of use is shown in fig. 13 to 16. However, this mechanism is applicable to any applicator end piece 1 according to the invention.

In this second mechanism, a pressure P is applied at the location of the distal end 1b and along the main direction X.

Fig. 13 and 14 show the applicator endpiece 1 in a position in which no pressure is exerted on the outer surface 3e of the housing 3. A free space is defined around the central element 7 and surrounds the free space except at the location of the connecting portion 17 between the housing 3 and the central element 7.

As can be seen in fig. 15, the pressure P exerted at the location of the distal end 1b of the applicator endpiece 1 causes the housing 3 to be displaced. The flexibility of the housing 3 makes this movement possible. When the pressure P is applied, the free space between the inner surface 3i of the housing 3 and the central element 7 decreases. In other words, the distance dl, d0 between the inner surface 3i of the casing 3 and the central element 7 decreases over the entire circumference of the end piece, in particular at the location of the second application area 15.

As can be seen from fig. 16, this movement continues until the inner surface 3i of the housing 3 is in contact with the central element 7 (preferably the central element 7 is substantially stationary with respect to the sleeve 9). In this position, the entire free space at the location of the second application area 15 has almost disappeared.

This pressure P is particularly advantageous for causing the cosmetic product to emerge through the

holes

25, 27 at the location of the second application area 15.

The two mechanisms of use can be combined.

Advantageously, the applicator end piece 1 is a single integral piece obtained without assembly. In other words, the applicator endpiece 1 is not obtained by assembly.

Assembly is understood here as the fact that at least two separate elements are put together, connected, but does not exclude the possibility of several steps.

Preferably, the applicator endpiece 1 described above is obtained by an additive manufacturing method.

Additive manufacturing processes refer to manufacturing processes that are typically computer-aided, by the addition of materials. This manufacturing method is also referred to as three-dimensional printing or 3D printing.

Advantageously, the use of three-dimensional printing can allow a single, material-continuous applicator endpiece 1 to be completed in a single step, the applicator endpiece 1 comprising a housing 3 and a central element 7. Such an applicator end piece 1 may be very complex or even impossible to obtain by conventional injection moulding methods, in particular in one piece. The applicator end piece 1 can thus be produced directly and in a single manufacturing operation. Furthermore, such techniques may allow for the elimination of the need for complex molds.

Alternatively, it is conceivable to use three-dimensional printing to form the applicator end part 1 with the sleeve 9 and/or the stem 11.

Various additive manufacturing techniques known to those skilled in the art may be used. Specifically, this may include:

fused Deposition Modeling (FDM),

selective Laser Melting (SLM),

selective Laser Sintering (SLS),

electron Beam Melting (EBM),

stereolithography or photopolymerisation (SLA for stereolithography apparatus), or

Layered Object Manufacturing (LOM).

Preferably, these are sintering and/or stereolithography techniques.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an applicator endpiece 1 as described above. The method comprises the following steps:

a step of elaborating a digital model of the applicator endpiece 1;

the step of manufacturing the applicator endpiece 1 by means of a digital model.

The digital model is a computer file corresponding to a virtual model of the applicator endpiece 1. To obtain this file, the applicator end piece 1 is first modeled to obtain a CAD model, which is then converted into a suitable format, such as an STL file. The document is then processed on an additive manufacturing machine. When reading a digital model, it is divided into layers according to the required accuracy. Preferably, these layers correspond to the cross section of the applicator endpiece 1, i.e. the cross section of the applicator endpiece 1 taken in a plane perpendicular to the main direction X.

Suitable materials for manufacturing the applicator endpiece 1 by three-dimensional printing are polyamide, light-sensitive resin, polylactic acid (PLA), Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP).

Fig. 21 and 22 show an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product comprising a container 33 and an applicator. The container 33 comprises a body 35 forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product. The applicator comprises an applicator end piece 1, such as the applicator end piece of the seventh embodiment described above. The applicator is adapted to be attached to the container 33 such that the applicator end piece 1 is placed within the reservoir. It is therefore immersed in the cosmetic product marked 37 in figure 21.

Fig. 21 also shows the sleeve 9 assembled with the stem 11 of the applicator, called the operating stem 11.

The stem 11 makes it possible, among other things, to operate the applicator end piece 1. More specifically, the applicator comprises a closure cap 39 adapted to be manipulated by the user, and the stem 11 advantageously extends from the cap 39.

It is to be noted here that the cover 39 is formed by a cap 43 and a head 41 made of material together with the stem 11, the cap 43 being relatively-form press-fitted and held in place on the head 41 of the stem 11 by means of an inner portion intended to fit the shape made on the head 41. The cover 43 is rigid. By "rigid" is meant not deformed by atmospheric pressure or pressure applied by a user's finger. It is with the help of said cap 43 that the user manipulates the applicator of the invention, in particular because the cap 43 gives the user the movement that he provides to the head 41 of the stem 11, which the head 41 of the stem 11 itself transmits to the sleeve 9 assembled therewith.

The lid 39 is intended to be removably attached to an opening belonging to the container 33. The opening is here a neck 29 through which the cosmetic product can be withdrawn.

It should be noted that the sleeve 9 and the stem 11 each have a substantially cylindrical shape and a main direction of longitudinal extension coinciding with the main direction X.

It should also be noted that the assembly between the sleeve 9 and the stem 11 is of the insert type. Alternatively, the applicator end piece 1 may be over-molded on the stem 11 or pass through the stem 11 or, for example, be obtained in one piece by additive manufacturing.

Fig. 22 is an exploded view of the applicator assembly of fig. 21. Fig. 22 shows the container 33 in detail. In particular, container 33 comprises a scraper 31, scraper 31 being intended to be attached to the inside of said neck 29.

As can also be seen in fig. 22, scraper 31 comprises a scraping hole 45, scraping hole 45 being configured to scrape excess cosmetic product from stem 11 and applicator end piece 1 when stem 11 and applicator end piece 1 pass through scraping hole 45.

Advantageously, the scraping holes 45 are cylindrical; this choice is not limiting and any other shape of hole 45 may be chosen for scraper 31 without departing from the scope of the invention.

The diameter D45 of the scraping hole, which scrapes off excess product carried on the plate from the rod 11 and the applicator end piece 1, will advantageously be selected according to the diameter D of the rod 11 and the maximum diameter D3 of the applicator end piece 1.

It should also be noted that the diameter d45 of the scraping hole 45 may be substantially the same as the diameter d3 of the applicator end piece 1. This has the advantage that the product is only slightly scraped off the applicator end piece 1.

Since the housing 3 is flexible and flexible, the diameter d45 of the scraping opening 45 can be slightly smaller than the diameter d3 of the applicator end piece 1. This has the advantage of distributing the cosmetic product stored in the cavity and of eliminating any excess stored in the cavity 5.

Thus, in addition to having a large application surface area, the applicator assembly is also designed to optimize scraping of the applicator endpiece 1 when the applicator endpiece 1 is removed from the container 33. In other words, when the applicator end piece 1 is extracted from said container 33, it passes through the scraper 31, optimizing the amount of cosmetic product that the applicator end piece 1 can carry by means of the scraper 31.

Advantageously, the applicator assembly 31 may be obtained entirely or partially by three-dimensional printing.

The embodiments may be combined to achieve further advantageous effects without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Applicator endpiece (1) for a cosmetic product, the applicator endpiece (1) extending along a longitudinal extension direction (X), referred to as main direction (X), and the applicator endpiece (1) comprising:

a housing (3) having an outer surface (3e) and an inner surface (3i), the outer surface (3e) defining at least one applicator member, the inner surface (3i) defining a cavity (5), and

a central element (7) arranged inside said cavity (5), said inner surface (3i) of said outer shell (3) being spaced from said central element (7) in at least one position, in a direction perpendicular to said longitudinal extension direction and in said longitudinal direction, so as to define a free space surrounding said central element.

2. Applicator end-piece (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the central element (7) is arranged completely inside the cavity (5).

3. Applicator end-piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) comprises at least one hole (19, 25, 27), the free space surrounding the central element (7) allowing the housing (3) to move relative to the central element (7), the movement of the housing (3) causing the cosmetic product to enter and/or exit through the at least one hole (19, 25, 27).

4. Applicator end-piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (3) comprises a plurality of holes (19, 25, 27).

5. Applicator endpiece (1) according to any one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the at least one application member comprises a first application region (13) extending in the main direction (X) from a proximal end (1a) to an intermediate position (1c) and a second application region (15) extending in the main direction (X) from the intermediate position (1c) to a distal end (1b), the at least one aperture (19, 25, 27) being provided at the location of the first application region (13).

6. Applicator endpiece (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the second application region (15) further comprises at least one hole (25, 27), the size of the opening cross-section of the hole (25, 27) being smaller than the size of the opening cross-section of the hole (19) of the first application region (13).

7. Applicator end-piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central element (7) is materially connected to the housing (3) at the location of the distal end (1b) or at the location of the proximal end (1 a).

8. Applicator end-piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cavity (5) has a shape complementary to the shape of the housing (3), and/or the central element (7) has a shape complementary to the shape of the cavity (5).

9. Applicator end piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one application member is textured.

10. Applicator end-piece (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator end-piece (1) is a monolithic piece that does not require assembly and is obtained by additive manufacturing.

11. An applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

a container (33) comprising a body forming a reservoir for containing the cosmetic product, an

Applicator endpiece (1) for a cosmetic product according to any of claims 1 to 10, the applicator endpiece (1) being adapted to be attached to the container (33) so that the applicator endpiece (1) is placed within the reservoir.

12. A method of manufacturing an applicator endpiece (1) for a cosmetic product according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the method comprising:

a step of making a digital model of the applicator endpiece (1);

-a step of manufacturing the applicator endpiece (1) using the digital model.