EP0761125B1 - Mascara applicator - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the invention is a new product applicator, liquid to pasty, in particular mascara, for keratin fibers, as well as a set of transportable packaging for this product, in particular mascara, provided of this new applicator.

Numerous application and conditioning devices have been proposed. mascara. The mascara 〈〈 bread 〉〉 for example, as shown in Figure 1a attached, are used with a brush 3 of the shoe polish type, which is rubbed the tips of the hairs 6 on a moistened mascara bar. The application surface of the mascara is the surface formed by the tips of the bristles of the brush. On this figure, we see the brush 3 loading an eyelash 2, the bristles 6 being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the eyelash. The charge variation is proportional to the viscosity dough consisting of moist bread. The use of such a device is tedious: indeed, on the one hand it requires preparation and dosage prior to the paste and on the other hand, the gesture of the makeup is very imprecise.

Many application and application devices have also been proposed. mascara packaging comprising a rigid tubular body open to a end, containing the mascara, and an applicator capable of being housed in this body, dipping into mascara and fitted with a brush. An element housed in the body ensures the brush is wrung when the applicator is removed from the body. Such device is described for example in US 4, 403, 624.

FIG. 1b appended represents an applicator referenced 1 as a whole, in accordance with these prior art applicators, and an eyelash 2. The applicator 1 is provided a brush 3 comprising a central core 4 formed of twisted wires 5 enclosing bristles 6. These bristles 6 form a spiral whose axis is the core 4. The makeup of keratin fibers, in particular of the eyelashes 2, is done by pivot the applicator 1 along the core 4. The smoothing of the eyelashes 2 is therefore done with hairs 6 oriented perpendicular to the eyelashes.

These applicators have many drawbacks. They do not not always allow optimal loading of keratin fibers, and particular of the eyelashes: the bristles of the brush, arranged in a spiral perpendicular to the central core thereof, are short and it is very difficult to smooth the eyelashes over their entire length. The gesture, which consists in rotating the applicator along its longitudinal axis, is also difficult and very imprecise. The eyelashes are not always well separated.

In addition, the wringing of the brush being done perpendicular to the axis longitudinal of these hairs, the mascara formula is very often sheared and it loses the qualities due to its particular viscosity: the formula can form lumps, this phenomenon causing poor eyelash smoothing. This requires to use compositions insensitive to shear and limits the number of usable mascara compositions. This is particularly the case for mascara with a high pigment load. Finally, the element housed in the body for the spinning of the brush causes, when the latter is removed, a suction noise unpleasant due to the depression created inside the body.

FR-A-2 620 603 describes an assembly making it possible to transport several instruments from a make-up box. There is however no question of applicator of mascara.

There therefore remains the need for a product applicator, in particular mascara, which would ensure a better load of keratin fibers, in particular of the eyelashes, as well as an optimal separation of the latter, while being extremely easy to use.

The present invention aims to satisfy such a need.

The object of the invention is therefore a new product applicator, liquid to pasty, in particular mascara, comprising a flat handle and at least one tuft of bristles established parallel to the plane of the handle, the width of the free end of the tuft of hair, measured in a first direction parallel to this plane, being at least equal to a quarter of an arc of eyelashes, the hairs being able to load this product, in particular mascara, on keratin fibers along an axis longitudinal of these.

The product intended to be applied by the applicator according to the invention can be any liquid to pasty product, such as fluids comprising pigments and / or fillers, and in particular hair dye or mascara. Fibers keratin may be in particular the eyelashes, the eyebrows, the hair, the fur.

By tuft of hairs is meant according to the present invention, a hair or a set of several hairs.

Document FR-A-2 564 712 discloses a product applicator cosmetics with an elongated handle and axially extending bristles on one end of the handle. However, this applicator is intended for make up confined areas such as the eyelashes at the corners of the eyes and the width of its hairy part is poorly suited to making up the whole of an arc of eyelashes.

The applicator according to the invention has many advantages.

In particular, its use is facilitated compared to mascara applicators already known. Indeed, the handle is flat and can be easily taken between the thumb and index finger. For an even easier grip of the applicator, the handle can also be substantially curved so as to follow the shape of the fingers, especially the thumb. Thus, the application of the product is no longer uncertainly by rotating the applicator along its axis as in known applicators, but by smoothing the keratin fibers, and in particular the eyelashes, over their entire length, from their base to their ends, the hairs tangling the eyelashes. The gesture is much simpler than with the applicators known. It is also possible to tilt the applicator at will and to bend thus the eyelashes according to the desired curvature.

FIG. 2 appended represents an applicator 1 according to the invention, comprising a handle 8 and bristles 6. With this type of applicator, the bristles 6 are used over their entire length. Optimal loading of the eyelashes is obtained 2.

Advantageously, the hairs have an effective length to allow the eyelashes to load along the axis of the hairs. They can be of shapes and lengths different, have capillary grooves or asperities, these various configurations ensuring both a better load of the product on the eyelashes and better separation of these.

Advantageously, the bristles are shaped as tufts arranged in lines parallel or staggered. All the hairs can thus make one think of whalebone.

The bristles can also be rigid or semi-rigid, this rigidity ensuring a more efficient eyelash straightening and very good curling of the latter.

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

The particular length of the hairs, as well as their different shapes ensure a load on the eyelashes adapted to the user's wishes: thus, we can mix fine hairs, thick hairs, short hairs, longer, flocked hairs, hairs with roughness, bristles of different stiffness depending on the load wanted. Thick, flocked hairs will load more mascara onto the lashes. Bristles with capillary grooves or asperities will separate better the eyelashes. More rigid bristles, as well as a particular inclination of the handle, will provide ideal eyelash curl. Finally, the hairs can also contain slip agents such as molybdenum disulfide, agents bactericides such as the product 〈〈Microban〉〉 sold by the company Microban Product Company, or softening moisture absorbers the hairs and change their surface tension.

The invention also relates to a packaging assembly comprising the applicator defined above and a reservoir of product, liquid to pasty, in particular mascara, equipped with a wringer. Advantageously, the wringer has a window whose largest dimension is oriented according to the first direction defined above.

The assembly thus defined ensures that the hairs are wrung out parallel to their axis longitudinal and avoids the unpleasant suction noise when removing the applicator. In addition, the product formula is not broken and the phenomenon of shearing does not take place. This therefore authorizes the use of mascara formulas which are generally sensitive to shear and opens the door to new mascara formulations. The configuration of the hairs, advantageously in tufts parallel to the plane of the handle, and not in a spiral like in mascara known, also prevents the projection of the product.

• la figure 1a est une vue en coupe du maquillage d'un cil à l'aide d'une brosse, de type brosse à cirage, d'un mascara 〈〈 pain 〉〉,
• la figure 1b est une vue en coupe du maquillage d'un cil à l'aide d'une brosse en spirale d'un applicateur de forme tubulaire,
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe du maquillage d'un cil avec un applicateur selon l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective de l'applicateur selon l'invention,
• la figure 4a est une vue en coupe de poils présentant au moins une rainure capillaire,
• la figure 4b est une vue en coupe de touffes de poils taillées selon des formes particulières,
• la figure 4c représente des poils de longueurs différentes comportant des boules,
• la figure 4d représente un poil dont l'extrémité a la forme d'un clou,
• la figure 4e représente un poil dont l'extrémité a la forme d'une fourchette,
• la figure 4f représente un poil ondulé,
• la figure 4g représente des poils floqués,
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe de l'applicateur muni d'un floc,
• la figure 6 est une vue en coupe de l'applicateur comportant un manche flexible,
• la figure 7 est une vue de l'applicateur avec des poils de longueurs différentes surinjectés dans le manche,
• la figure 8 est une vue en coupe d'un poil comportant des aspérités,
• la figure 9 est une vue de l'applicateur avec des touffes de poils disposées en quinconce,
• la figure 10 est une vue en coupe de l'ensemble de conditionnement comportant un applicateur conforme à l'invention et un réservoir de mascara,
• la figure 11 est une vue en perspective d'un applicateur selon l'invention dont le manche est articulé.

The invention and its implementation will appear more clearly with the aid of the description which follows. The description is made with reference to the appended figures in which:

• FIG. 1a is a sectional view of the make-up of an eyelash using a brush, of the shoe-brush type, of a mascara 〈〈 bread 〉〉,
• FIG. 1b is a sectional view of the makeup of an eyelash using a spiral brush of a tubular applicator,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the makeup of an eyelash with an applicator according to the invention,
• FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the applicator according to the invention,
• FIG. 4a is a sectional view of bristles having at least one capillary groove,
• FIG. 4b is a sectional view of tufts of hairs cut according to particular shapes,
• FIG. 4c represents bristles of different lengths comprising balls,
• FIG. 4d represents a hair whose end has the shape of a nail,
• FIG. 4e represents a hair whose end has the shape of a fork,
• FIG. 4f represents a wavy pile,
• FIG. 4g represents flocked hairs,
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the applicator provided with a flock,
• FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the applicator comprising a flexible handle,
• FIG. 7 is a view of the applicator with bristles of different lengths over-injected into the handle,
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a bristle with roughness,
• FIG. 9 is a view of the applicator with tufts of hair arranged in staggered rows,
• FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the packaging assembly comprising an applicator according to the invention and a reservoir of mascara,
• Figure 11 is a perspective view of an applicator according to the invention whose handle is articulated.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the applicator referenced 1 in its assembly essentially comprises a handle 8 and tufts 9 of bristles 6. The handle 8 has two flat parts, a first part 10 in which tufts 9 of hair 6 are directly planted, and a second part 11 inclined with respect to the first part 10. In this figure, the two parts are integral and made in one piece but they could be articulated.

We define a first direction X, contained in the plane of part 10 of the handle 8 and directed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of this handle, a second direction Y, perpendicular to the plane of the part 10 of the handle 8 and a third direction Z perpendicular to X and Y. Thus, the tufts 9 of bristles 6 are planted in part 10 parallel to the plane of the latter and according to a direction substantially parallel to Z.

As an indication, the handle has a length, measured along Z, ranging from 1 to 4 cm.

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

The width of all the tufts 9 of bristles 6, measured at the free end of the hairs in direction X, is at least equal to a quarter of an arc of eyelashes and in particular greater than 0.75 cm, preferably ranging from 0.75 to 3 cm. Thickness of all the tufts 9 of bristles 6, also measured at the free end of the bristles and in the direction Y, is at most equal to the thickness of the handle, in particular of part 10, also measured in direction Y. In practice, this thickness is chosen from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

The length of the bristles 6, measured in the direction Z, is sufficient for allow lashes to load along the hairline. This length is preferably greater than 5 mm and can go up to 60 mm. It is understood, from preferably between 5 and 40 mm, and even more preferably between 10 and 30 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the bristles have a length ranging from 15 to 20 mm.

The hairs of the applicator according to the invention generally have a diameter ranging from 0.04 to 0.7 mm, preferably 0.05 to 0.6 mm, and even more preferably from 0.06 to 0.4 mm. Their hardness can range from 10 shore A to 60 shore D.

The hairs may have identical natures, shapes, lengths or different.

Thus, the bristles 6 of the applicator 1 according to the invention can be natural or synthetic. They can be of vegetable or natural fibers, of metal, such as steel, glass, wood, or elastically deformable materials such as vulcanized elastomers, thermoplastic materials. In particular, they may be made of thermoplastic over-injected into the handle, as shown in Figure 7. Preferably, the bristles are synthetic.

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

The bristles may have one or more capillary grooves of sections different such as the grooves 12 shown in Figure 4a; tufts of bristles can be cut in a bevel shape 27, or in a shape concave 28 or convex 29, as shown in Figure 4b; they can have asperities 14, such as the hair shown in Figure 8; they can be curved, or have undulations over their entire length, such as hair 30 shown in Figure 4f. The applicator can also be provided with a floc 13, that is to say a capillary or impregnable foam taken between two rows 7 of bristles 6, as shown in FIG. 5. Such a flock ensures a better mascara hair load. This figure 5 is further distinguished from the Figure 3 by the fact that the handle is made of a single flat piece whose plane mean is contained in the plane defined by the directions X and Z.

Figure 11 differs from Figure 3 in that the set of hairs forms a curve, that the handle 8 is articulated around a hinge 31 and that has two stop notches 32 for locking the handle either parallel to the hairs, either in an inclined position. The hinge can be a film hinge.

The characteristics shown in Figure 11 can be adapted to applicators of Figures 2 to 10.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the applicator according to the invention whose handle 8 is flexible. The handle 8 has three parts here: a part 10 similar to that of FIG. 3, a central part 19 of which the thickness is less than that of part 10, and a third part 20, located in the extension of parts 10 and 19, and whose thickness is substantially equal to that of part 10. Thanks to part 19, the handle 8 is flexible and the applicator can thus be tilted relative to the eyelashes according to the desires of the user. Such a flexible handle also gives more softness to the make-up when the product is applied using rigid bristles or semi-rigid.

FIG. 7 represents an applicator whose bristles 6 have lengths different and are over-injected into handle 8.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 9, the tufts 9 of bristles 6 are staggered.

FIG. 10 represents a packaging assembly 16 for mascara comprising the applicator 1 and a reservoir 18 of mascara 21. The assembly 16 is shown closed, the applicator 1 playing the role of plug. The tank 18 comprises a wringer 22. In the closed position, the bristles 6 plunge into the mascara 21. When the applicator 1 is removed, the hairs 6 are then wrung out by wringer 22, by simply smoothing the hairs, without any modification of their orientation.

This set is relatively compact and can be easily transported.

Concretely, such an applicator can be used very simply, in combination with a mascara tank as described above or even with a mascara 〈〈 bread 〉〉 by rubbing the applicator of the invention on the moistened bread.

Thanks to this applicator, the mascara is applied to the eyelashes in a way extremely simple, the gesture to smooth the eyelashes is done from bottom to top, base from lashes towards their ends, the hairs of the applicator being parallel to the eyelashes.

The gesture is also much more precise than that of the prior art (cf. Fig. 1a and 1b). Indeed, the flat handle and the particular configuration of this applicator allow on the one hand, to hold it easily during use, and on the other hand, to make a better calculated make-up, facing the eyelashes, thanks to a wider and freer gesture. Such an applicator allows the user to actually accompany the hairs along the lashes and to load them very precisely.

Finally, the user can finish their gesture by tilting the applicator so that bring the hairs perpendicular to the lashes. She can thus perfectly separate and curl them with the extreme tips of the bristles.

Such an applicator is very simple to produce. The handle can for example be molded plastic, wood or any other material commonly used in the manufacture of applicators.

The applicator according to the invention has the advantage of not having a core metal central. It can therefore be entirely made of organic materials and be recyclable.

Claims (38)

1. Applicator (1) for applying a product of liquid to pasty consistency to hair-like keratinous fibres, comprising a handle (8) which exhibits at least one flat part, and at least one tuft (9) of bristles (6) implanted parallel to a plane of the handle, characterized in that the width of the free end of the tuft of bristles, measured in a first direction parallel to this plane, is at least equal to 0.75 cm, the thickness of the free end of the tuft of bristles, measured in a second direction perpendicular to this plane, ranging from 0.5 to 5 mm, the bristles having a length in excess of 5 mm, the said length being measured in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions.
2. Applicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that this width varies from 0.75 to 3 cm.
3. Applicator according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the thickness of the free end of the tuft of bristles is at most equal to the thickness of the handle.
4. Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the bristles have a length which may be as much as 60 mm.
5. Applicator according to Claim 4, characterized in that this length is between 5 and 40 mm and preferably between 10 and 30 mm.
6. Applicator according to Claim 5, characterized in that this length ranges from 15 to 20 mm.
7. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have a diameter ranging from 0.04 to 0.7 mm.
8. Applicator according to Claim 7, characterized in that the bristles have a diameter ranging from 0.05 to 0.6 mm.
9. Applicator according to Claim 8, characterized in that the bristles have a diameter ranging from 0.06 to 0.4 mm.
10. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have a hardness ranging from 10 Shore A to 60 Shore D.
11. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles are synthetic bristles.
12. Applicator according to Claim 11, characterized in that the bristles consist of a material chosen from metals and elastically deformable materials.
13. Applicator according to Claim 12, characterized in that the elastically deformable materials are chosen from vulcanized elastomers and thermoplastics.
14. Applicator according to Claim 13, characterized in that the bristles are made of thermoplastic overinjected into the handle.
15. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have at least one capillary groove (12).
16. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have different lengths.
17. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles comprise flocking (13).
18. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have roughnesses (14).
19. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles comprise slipping agents and/or bactericides.
20. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles comprise moisture-absorbing agents.
21. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have undulations.
22. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles end in bobbles (24) obtained by carding.
23. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles are flocked.
24. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum separation between two bristles, measured at a fixed end of these bristles, is 3 mm.
25. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several tufts of bristles.
26. Applicator according to Claim 25, characterized in that the tufts of bristles are arranged in parallel rows (7).
27. Applicator according to Claim 25 or 26, characterized in that the tufts of bristles have a staggered configuration.
28. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tuft or tufts of bristles are cut to a bevelled (27), convex (29) or concave (28) shape.
29. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains only organic materials.
30. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle is flexible.
31. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle is articulated about a hinge.
32. Applicator according to Claim 31, characterized in that the handle comprises a locking tooth (32) for immobilizing the said handle in the inclined position.
33. Packaging assembly for packaging a product of liquid to pasty consistency, comprising a reservoir containing the said product and an applicator, characterized in that the applicator is as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 32, the said assembly further comprising a wringing-out device (22) allowing the applicator bristles to be smoothed along their longitudinal axis as the applicator is withdrawn.
34. Packaging assembly according to Claim 33, characterized in that the said product is mascara.
35. Packaging assembly according to Claim 33 or 34, characterized in that the said wringing-out device has an aperture, the longest dimension of which is directed in the said first direction.
36. Method of applying a product to hair-like keratinous fibres using an applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 32, the said method consisting in:

    a) loading the said applicator with product;

    b) passing the said applicator across a wringing-out device so as to smooth the bristles along their longitudinal axis; and

    c) bringing the applicator into contact with the said keratinous fibres, positioning it in such a way as to direct the bristles at a tangent to the said fibres and smooth the latter along their entire length from their base to their tip.
37. Method according to Claim 36, characterized in that the said product is applied to the eyelashes.
38. Application method according to Claim 36 or 37, characterized in that it further comprises the following step:

    d) inclining the applicator so as to direct the bristles at right angles to the fibres, so as to separate the latter using the free end of the bristles.

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