EP0761125B2 - Mascara applicator - Google Patents

Description

The subject of the invention is a new applicator of mascara as well as a packaging set transportable for mascara, equipped with this new applicator, and a method.

Many features have been proposed application and conditioning of mascara. The mascara "bread" for example, as shown on FIG. 1a appended, are used with a brush 3 of type waxing brush, which is rubbed with the ends of the bristles 6 on a moistened mascara bread. The application surface mascara is the surface formed by the tip bristles of the brush. In 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 vanation is proportional the viscosity of the dough constituted by the moistened bread. The use of such a device is tedious: indeed, on the one hand it requires the preparation and the preliminary dosage of the dough and secondly, the gesture makeup is very imprecise.

It has also been proposed many devices application and conditioning of mascara having a tubular rigid body open at one end, containing mascara, and an applicator suitable for to be housed in this body, diving into the mascara and equipped with a brush. An element housed in the body squeezes the brush when removing the applicator from the body. Such a device is described for example in US 4, 403, 624.

Figure 1b appended represents an applicator referenced 1 as a whole, consistent with these applicators of the anteneur art, and an eyelash 2. The applicator 1 is provided with a brush 3 having a central core 4 formed of twisted son 5 enclosing hair 6. These bristles 6 form a spiral whose axis is the soul. makeup of keratinous fibers, in particular eyelashes 2, is done by rotating the applicator 1 according to the soul 4. The smoothing of the eyelashes 2 is therefore done with hair 6 oriented perpendicularly to the eyelashes.

These applicators have many disadvantages. Indeed, they do not always allow an optimal load of keratinous fibers, and in particular eyelashes: the hairs of the brush, arranged in a spiral perpendicular to the central core of the latter, are short and it is very difficult to smooth eyelashes on their entire length. The gesture, which is to rotate the applicator along its longitudinal axis, is also difficult and very impres. Eyelashes are not always well separated.

In addition, the spinning of the brush being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of these hairs, the formula mascara is very often sheared and she loses the qualities due to its particular viscosity: the formula can form lumps, this phenomenon causing a bad smoothing of the eyelashes. This requires to use insensitive shear compositions and limits the number of usable mascara compositions. This is particularly the case for mascara with strong pigmentary charge. Finally, the element housed in the body for spinning the brush causes, when removing from the latter, an unpleasant sucking noise due to depression created inside the body.

FR-A-2 620 603 describes an assembly allowing to carry several instruments of a blister box. However, there is no question of mascara applicator.

There remains the need for an applicator to mascara, which would ensure better load of eyelashes, as well as optimal separation of these, while being extremely easy to use.

The present invention aims at the satistaction of a such a need.

The object of the invention is therefore a new together as defined at claim 1, a new applicator such as defined in claim 34 and a process such as defined at claim 32.

The product intended to be applied by the applicator according to the invention

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

It is known from document FR-A-2 564 712 a applicator of cosmetic products comprising a elongated shaft and hairs extending axially on one end of the handle. However, this applicator is intended to make up confined areas such eyelashes at the corners of the eyes and the width of its part hairy is poorly suited to makeup of the whole an arch of eyelashes.

The applicator according to the invention presents many advantages.

In particular, its use is facilitated by compared to already known mascara applicators. In indeed, the handle is flat and can easily be moved between thumb and forefinger For an even easier grip of the applicator, the handle can also be substantially curved to fit the shape of the fingers, especially the thumb. Thus, the application of the product is more uncertain by rotating the applicator along its axis as in applicators known, but by smoothing eyelashes, all along their length, from their base towards their end, the hairs tangling the eyelashes. The gesture is much simpler than with applicators known. 0 is moreover possible to incline the applicator at will and thus curl the eyelashes according to the curvature desired.

The appended FIG. 2 represents an applicator 1 according to the invention, comprising a handle 8 and 6. With this type of applicator, the bristles 6 are used throughout their length. We get a load optimal eyelashes 2.

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

Advantageously, the hairs are conformed in tufts arranged in parallel lines or in staggered. All the hair can make you think to whalebone whalebone.

The bristles can also be rigid or semi-rigid, this rigidity ensuring lashes more smoothing effective and a very good bending of these.

The bristles may be of elastic material deformable, metal, glass, wood. The handle the applicator may be plastic. We can thus realize an applicator comprising only organic materials.

The particular length of the hair, as well as their different shapes ensure a load on the eyelashes adapted to the desires of the user: thus, one can mix fine hair, thick hair, hair short, longer, flocked, with hairs asperities, hairs of different stiffness depending on the desired load. Thick and flocked hairs will charge more mascara on the eyelashes. Polis featuring capillary grooves or asperities will separate better eyelashes. More rigid hair, as well as a particular inclination of the handle, will ensure ideal eyelash curl. Finally, the hairs can also have slip agents such as bisulphide molybdenum, bactericidal agents such as "Microban" product sold by Microban Product Company, or absorbers of moisture that soften the hair and change their surface tension.

In a way advantageously, the wiper comprises a window whose largest dimension is oriented according to the first direction defined above.

The set ensures a spin hair parallel to their longitudinal axis and avoids the unpleasant suction noise when removing the applicator. In addition, the formula of the product is not broken and the shear phenomenon does not occur. This allows so the use of mascara formulas that are generally sensitive to shear and opens the leads to new formulas of mascara. The configuration bristles, preferably in parallel tufts in the plane of the neck, and not in spiral as in known mascara, also prevents 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 presentant 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:

• Figure 1a is a sectional view of the makeup of an eyelash using a brush, brush type wax, 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 into particular shapes;
• FIG. 4c represents hairs 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 corrugated hair,
• FIG. 4g represents flocked hairs,
• FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the applicator provided with a floc,
• 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 injected into the handle,
• FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a pile with asperities,
• 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 mascara reservoir,
• Figure 11 is a perspective view of an applicator according to the invention, the handle is articulated.

According to the embodiment illustrated on the FIG. 3, the applicator referenced 1 as a whole essentially has a handle 8 and tufts 9 6. The handle 8 has two flat parts, a first part 10 in which are directly planted the tufts 9 of 6 hairs, and a second part 11 in relation to the first part. figure, the two parts are solidary and carried out in one piece but they could be articulated.

We define a first direction X, contained in the plane of the part 10 of the handle 8 and directed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis A of this sleeve, 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 in a direction substantially parallel to Z

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

The tufts of hair are indifferently planted, glued, stapled or overinjected in the 10. They are arranged in rows 7, two hairs 6 different being at most 3 mm distant, measured at their base 15 and in the direction X, and at most 2 mm, measured at their free end 17 and always according to the direction X. In Figure 3, the tufts of hair are arranged in two rows 7 parallel and aligned in look at each other.

The width of the set of tufts 9 of hair 6, measured at the free ends of the hairs according to the direction X, is at least equal to a quarter of an arc of eyelashes and greater than 0.75 cm, preferably from 0.75 to 3 cm. The 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 sleeve, in particular part 10, also measured according to the Y direction. In practice, this thickness is chosen from 0.5 mm to 5 mm.

The length of the bristles 6, measured according to the direction Z, is sufficient to allow the eyelashes to load along the hair shaft. This length is included between 10 and 30 mm. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hairs have a length ranging from 15 to 20 mm.

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

The hairs can present natures, shapes, identical or different lengths.

Thus, the bristles 6 of the applicator 1 according to the invention can be natural or synthetic. They can be made of vegetable or natural fibers, of metal, such as steel, glass, wood, or elastic materials deformable materials such as vulcanized elastomers, thermoplastic materials. In particular, they can be thermoplastic overinjected in the handle, as shown in FIG. 7. Preferably, the hairs are synthetic.

They may have been flocked and at their ends shorter hairs 23 as shown in Figure 4g; their asperities and their differences lengths can be obtained by grinding perpendicular or tangent to the hair, by modeling to hot. The hairs may have balls 24 obtained by carding, as shown in the figure 4c. These balls can be located at heights of different hair. Hair may have been bombarded by gamma or beta rays to change their state of surface. They may have been ground for tilting. Their free end may be in the form of a nail 25, as shown in Figure 4d, or a fork 26, as shown in Figure 4e.

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

Figure 11 is distinguished from Figure 3 by the that all the hairs form a curve, that the 8 is articulated around a hinge 31 and that it has two detents 32 to lock the handle either parallel to the hair, or in an inclined position. The hinge can be a film hinge.

The characteristics shown in the figure 11 may be adapted to the applicators of the figures 2 to 10.

In Figure 6 is shown a form of embodiment of the applicator according to the invention, the handle 8 is flexible. The handle 8 here comprises three parts a part 10 similar to that of Figure 3, a part 19 whose 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 inclined with respect to the eyelashes according to the desires of the wearer. Such a flexible handle also confers more softness to makeup when applying the product is made using rigid or semi-rigid bristles.

Figure 7 shows an applicator whose 6 hairs have different lengths and are overinjected in the handle 8.

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

Figure 10 shows a packaging assembly 16 for mascara with applicator 1 and a reservoir 18 of mascara 21. The assembly 16 is shown closed, the applicator 1 acting as a plug. The reservoir 18 comprises a wiper 22. closed position, the bristles 6 dive into the mascara 21. When removing the applicator 1, the bristles 6 are then wrung out by the wiper 22, by simply smoothing the bristles, without any change in their orientation.

This set is relatively compact and can be easily transported.

Concretely, such an applicator is used of very simple way, in association with a tank of mascara as described above or even with a mascara "bread" by rubbing the applicator of the invention on the moistened bread.

Thanks to this applicator, mascara is applied on eyelashes in an extremely simple way the gesture to smooth eyelashes from the bottom up, the base from eyelashes towards their end, the hairs of the applicator being parallel to the eyelashes.

The gesture is also much more precise than that of the prior art (see Fig. 1a and 1b). Indeed, the flat handle and the particular configuration of this applicator allow one hand, to hold it easily during use, and secondly, to achieve a makeup better calculated, facing the eyelashes, thanks to a a larger and freer gesture. Such an applicator allows the user to truly accompany the hair on long eyelashes and load these in a very precise.

Finally, the user can finish her gesture by tilting the applicator to bring the bristles perpendicularly eyelashes. She can thus perfectly separate and curl these through the tip extreme hairs.

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

The applicator according to the invention has the advantage not to have a central metal core. he can be made entirely of organic matter and be recyclable.

Claims (34)

1. Assembly comprising an applicator (1) for applying mascara to the eyelashes, 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 greater than 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 ranging from 10 to 30 mm, the said length being measured in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the free end of the bristles making it possible to separate the eyelashes, combined with a reservoir for mascara comprising a wringing-out device (22) allowing the applicator bristles to be smoothed along their longitudinal axis as the applicator is withdrawn.
2. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that this width varies from 0.75 to 3 cm.
3. Assembly 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. Assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that this length ranges from 15 to 20 mm.
5. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have a diameter ranging from 0.04 to 0.7 mm.
6. Assembly according to Claim 5, characterized in that the bristles have a diameter ranging from 0.05 to 0.6 mm.
7. Assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that the bristles have a diameter ranging from 0.06 to 0.4 mm.
8. Assembly 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.
9. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles are synthetic bristles.
10. Assembly according to Claim 9, characterized in that the bristles consist of a material chosen from metals and elastically deformable materials.
11. Assembly according to Claim 10, characterized in that the elastically deformable materials are chosen from vulcanized elastomers and thermoplastics.
12. Assembly according to Claim 11, characterized in that the bristles are made of thermoplastic overinjected into the handle.
13. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have at least one capillary groove (12).
14. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have different lengths.
15. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles comprise flocking (13).
16. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have roughnesses (14).
17. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles comprise slipping agents and/or bactericides.
18. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles comprise moisture-absorbing agents.
19. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have undulations.
20. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles end in bobbles (24) obtained by carding.
21. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles are flocked.
22. Assembly 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.
23. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several tufts of bristles.
24. Assembly according to Claim 23, characterized in that the tufts of bristles are arranged in parallel rows (7).
25. Assembly according to Claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the tufts of bristles have a staggered configuration.
26. Assembly 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.
27. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains only organic materials.
28. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle is flexible.
29. Assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle is articulated about a hinge.
30. Assembly according to Claim 29, characterized in that the handle comprises a locking tooth (32) for immobilizing the said handle in the inclined position.
31. Packaging assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that the said wringing-out device has an aperture, the longest dimension of which is directed in the said first direction.
32. Method of applying mascara to the eyelashes using an applicator 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, the width of the free end of the tuft of bristles, measured in a first direction parallel to this plane, being greater than 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 ranging from 10 to 30 mm, the said length being measured in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the free end of the bristles making it possible to separate the eyelashes, 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 eyelashes, positioning it in such a way as to direct the bristles at a tangent to the eyelashes and smooth the latter along their entire length from their base to their tip.
33. Application method according to claim 32, characterized in that it further comprises the following step:

    d) inclining the applicator so as to direct the bristles at right angles to the eyelashes, so as to separate the latter using the free end of the bristles.
34. Applicator (1) for applying mascara to the eyelashes, 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 greater than 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 ranging from 10 to 30 mm, the said length being measured in a third direction perpendicular to the first and second directions, the handle having a length, measured in the third direction, of between 1 and 4 cm, the free end of the bristles making it possible to separate the eyelashes.

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