EP1195103B1 - Applicator and container with said applicator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator, intended for the application of a cosmetic or care product, and more particularly but not exclusively, a hair applicator for applying nail polish.

We know from US Patent 2,561,252 applicators having a wall defining a reservoir cavity in which product can accumulate, this cavity opening to the outside through one or more openings used for application. In one embodiment, the applicator has an opening in the form a relatively narrow and long slot, not suitable for applying a product on the nails. In another embodiment, the applicator comprises several application openings in the form of parallel slots. At at the time of application, separate drops of product are formed at the slots, which makes the applicator relatively imprecise and unsuitable for use in cosmetic.

French Patents 1,174,544 and US 2,029,835 have been proposed and 1,999,642 other applicators, which are however no better than those described in US Patent 2,561,252 to the application of a cosmetic product on the nails.

The invention aims to propose a new applicator which allows a precise application and has sufficient autonomy to be able to perform a make-up or the application of a care product in good conditions.

The applicator according to the invention comprises a wall defining a cavity in which of the liquid can accumulate, this cavity opening to the outside at one end by a single opening used for the application, and is characterized by the fact that it comprises at least in the vicinity of said opening, a retention element inside the cavity, allowing the product to be held by capillarity between the wall and the element retention.

In a preferred implementation of the invention, the aforementioned wall is crossed in the upper part by at least one vent.

Thanks to the invention, there is a single opening allowing a precise application and may have a shape suitable for application to the nails, especially.

The retention element allows an opening for application having relatively large dimensions, without fear of an outflow of product cavity when not in use.

The cavity can also be produced with a relatively large volume, in order to give the applicator sufficient autonomy.

Advantageously, the retention element extends substantially over the entire height of the cavity.

In a particular embodiment, the retention element is set back from the opening used for the application, preferably from a distance of between 0.5 and 3 mm, more preferably between 1 and 2 mm.

This arrangement avoids direct contact between the retention element and the surface on which the product is deposited, such contact being liable to harm uniform application of the product.

Preferably, the opening used for applying the product extends in a plane arranged obliquely to the axis of the wall defining the cavity, which tends to make application on the nails easier.

The aforementioned wall may be cylindrical over at least part of its height.

It can in particular be cylindrical of revolution or have a section oblong, kidney-shaped or polygonal, depending on the nature of the product and his destination.

The retention element can be made integrally with the wall defining the cavity, for example by plastic injection molding.

The retention element can also be constituted by an added element.

The retention element can be made in one piece with fins or other mounting elements ensuring friction retention of the retention element at inside the wall defining the cavity.

At least one of the wall defining the cavity and the retention element can be covered by a flock coating, the latter making it possible to increase the retention of the product on the applicator and / or to regulate the flow, or to standardize the application and to make possible contact with the treated surface more flexible.

The wall defining the cavity is preferably integral with a rod connected to a gripping organ.

This rod can be made in one piece with the above-mentioned wall and / or with the gripping organ.

Advantageously, the rod is secured to a cap capable of closing from tightly a container containing the product to be applied.

The retention element can be made in one piece with the aforementioned rod.

In a particular embodiment, the rod is of a rigidity less than or equal to that of the part of the applicator used for the application.

This gives flexibility to the applicator in case of contact with the part of the applicator used for application with the treated surface.

In a particular embodiment, the rod has a smaller diameter or equal to the diameter of the part of the applicator used for the application.

This gives the applicator flexibility.

The retention element can make a non-zero angle with the rod, in order to give more ergonomics to the applicator.

The retention element can be fixed in an adjustable manner on the wall defining the cavity, in order to allow modification of the way in which the product is released, the optionally.

The retention element and the wall defining the cavity can be produced in different materials.

The retention element and the wall defining the cavity can form a angle converging towards the opening used for the application in order to define a more pointed allowing a more precise application.

The wall defining the cavity can widen at the opening used to the application in order to modify for example the characteristics of the drop of product formed at the opening in question.

The invention also relates to a container comprising an applicator such as defined above.

This container may include a wringing member for wringing outwardly the wall defining the cavity when the applicator is removed from the container, the container which may contain, for example, a nail polish, a nail care product, a skin care product or liquid lipstick.

• la figure 1 est une coupe axiale schématique d'un dispositif conforme à un premier exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente un détail de réalisation de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue selon la flèche III de la figure 2,
• les figures 4 à 7 et 9 sont des vues analogues à la figure 3 représentant d'autres formes d'éléments d'application,
• la figure 8 représente un élément de rétention isolément,
• la figure 10 illustre l'utilisation de l'applicateur pour l'application d'un vernis à ongles,
• la figure 11 est une coupe axiale partielle représentant un élément d'application floqué,
• la figure 12 est une vue analogue à la figure 3 représentant une autre forme d'élément d'application,
• la figure 13 est une coupe axiale, schématique et partielle, représentant un applicateur conforme à une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 14 est une coupe axiale, schématique et partielle, illustrant un autre exemple de réalisation de l'invention, et
• les figures 15 à 22 illustrent différentes configurations de la partie servant à l'application du produit.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, of nonlimiting examples of implementation, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• FIG. 1 is a schematic axial section of a device according to a first example of implementation of the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents a detail of embodiment of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a view according to arrow III in FIG. 2,
• FIGS. 4 to 7 and 9 are views similar to FIG. 3 showing other forms of application elements,
• FIG. 8 represents a retention element in isolation,
• FIG. 10 illustrates the use of the applicator for the application of a nail varnish,
• FIG. 11 is a partial axial section showing a flocked application element,
• FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing another form of application element,
• FIG. 13 is an axial, schematic and partial section, showing an applicator according to an alternative embodiment,
• FIG. 14 is an axial section, schematic and partial, illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the invention, and
• Figures 15 to 22 illustrate different configurations of the part used for applying the product.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 comprising a container 2 with an axis X and an applicator 3 comprising an application element 4 connected by a rod 5 to a gripping element 6 also constituting a closure cap for the container 2.

The container 2 has a neck 7, threaded, and the closure cap 6 has a mounting skirt 8 arranged to be screwed onto the neck 7.

The rod 5 is connected above the cap 6 by a mounting part 9 shaped to frictionally engage the mounting skirt 8 and having a lip seal 10 arranged to apply sealingly to the neck 7.

The container 2 is filled with a product P, constituted for example by a nails.

The application element 4 is shown on an enlarged scale in FIG. 2.

The application element 4 comprises a tubular wall 12, of axis X, defining a cavity 13 forming a reservoir in which the product P can accumulate, crossed radially in the upper part by a vent 14.

The application element 4 also includes a retention element 16 extending, in the example shown, along the X axis.

The retention element 16 here has a circular cross section, as can be seen in Figure 3.

The tubular wall 12 is connected by a transverse wall 17 to the rod 5.

The retention element 16 is connected at its upper end to this wall transverse 17.

The lower edge 18 of the tubular wall 12 is tangent to a plane K extending obliquely to the axis X of the container 2 and defines an opening 19.

In the example shown, the retention element 16 has one end lower 20 beveled which comes flush with the plane K, as we can see on the figure 2.

The retention element 16 allows the product P to be retained by capillarity in the sufficiently narrow annular gap formed around it inside the wall tubular 12, a drop G of product P being available at the opening 19 for applying product P to the surface to be treated.

Of course, the application element can have other forms without it is beyond the scope of the present invention.

By way of example, FIG. 4 shows an application element comprising a tubular wall 22 having an oblong shape in cross section, with in its center a retention element 26 providing with the tubular wall 22 a annular space 23 of substantially constant width, chosen according to the nature of the product to be applied, so that the product is retained by surface tension between the tubular wall 22 and the retention element 26.

FIG. 5 shows an application element, the tubular wall of which 32 presents in cross section a polygonal shape, triangular in the example described.

The retention element 36 has a substantially homothetic contour of that of the tubular wall 32.

Product can be retained by capillarity between the tubular wall 32 and the retention element 36, in a space 33 of sufficiently small width.

FIG. 6 shows an application element comprising a wall tubular 42 having a hexagonal cross section and a retention member 46 disposed inside the cavity 43 formed by the tubular wall 42, to retain by capillarity the product inside it.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the tubular wall 82 has a kidney-shaped cross section and the retention element 86 a cross section curved, and household with the wall 82 a space 83 of substantially constant width.

In the embodiment of Figure 7, the tubular wall 52 has a circular cross section, like the tubular wall 12 described above, and the retention element 56 is in the form of an added element.

This element 56 is shown in isolation in Figure 8 and has in its part upper fins 57 intended to ensure its maintenance inside the wall tubular 52, coming to bear against it.

The fins 57 are made in one piece with the retention element 56.

In all cases, the application element present at its lower end an opening forming a drop of single product.

The retention member 56 can be adjustably secured within the tubular wall 52, that is to say it can be more or less pressed inside this last, so have a free end more or less set back from the opening used to the application of the product, depending on the nature of the product to be applied, for example.

In FIG. 9, the application element comprises a tubular wall 62 of circular cross section, and a retention element 66 connected to the tubular wall 62 by a material bridge 67, the latter extending radially and being made in one attached by injection molding with the tubular wall 62 and the retention element 66.

The material bridge 67 can extend to the lower end of the element of application, the opening 69 serving for the application of the product having in this case a annular shape interrupted by the material bridge 67.

The device 1 shown in Figure 1 is used as follows.

For the application, the user unscrews the cap 6 and extracts the element application 4 of container 2.

The cavity 13 formed between the retention element 16 and the tubular wall 12 filled with product through the vent 14.

A drop G of product P occurs at the lower end of the element application 4, the product being retained by capillarity inside the tubular wall 12 thanks to the retention element 16.

When the user approaches the application element 4 of the surface to be treated, for example a nail O as illustrated in figure 10, it can move the drop G of product in contact with the nail without the application element 4 touching the nail O, which allows to deposit the product without showing streaks and is an advantage by compared to conventional applicators constituted for example by brushes coming in contact with the nail.

The application element may include a flocking on the retention element or the tank wall or both.

By way of example, FIG. 11 shows the lower part of a application element comprising a tubular wall 72 and a retention element 76 providing a space 73 with the tubular wall in which product can be retained by capillarity.

The lower edge of the tubular wall 72 is covered by a coating of flocking 80.

It will be noted that the lower end 79 of the retention element 76 can be slightly behind the plane K of the opening used for applying the product, as shown in figure 11.

The retention element and the tank wall can be added in a housing produced at the end of a rod, as illustrated in FIG. 13.

In this figure, the retention element 96 has an upper part 96a which is inserted into a housing 97 produced at the lower end of a rod 98 connected to a closure cap such as the cap 6 previously described.

The wall 99 surrounding the retention element 96 can be partially covered bottom by a flock coating, as illustrated.

The reservoir wall can be inserted inside a ring 100, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the lower end 100a of this ring then forming protruding downwards.

The ring 100 can be made of a material different from that in which the retention element and the reservoir wall are made, for example a softer material.

The reservoir wall can be connected in multiple ways to the rod, as illustrated in figures 15 to 19.

Thus, the wall defining the cavity containing the product can be connected to the rod forming an obtuse angle with the latter, as shown in FIG. 15.

The reservoir wall can also be connected to the rod by forming a acute angle, as shown in Figure 16.

Depending on how the tank wall connects to the rod, the bottom of the cavity containing the product has a different shape, which can affect the how the product is held inside.

The reservoir wall and the retention element can also extend in a direction at an angle to the axis of the rod, as shown in the figure 17.

This angle can be chosen according to the area to be treated and the ergonomics desired for the applicator.

The reservoir cavity may have a widening interior section towards the opening for applying the product, as illustrated in the figure 18.

The inner section of the cavity can also shrink towards the opening, to allow a more precise application, if necessary.

The reservoir wall and the retention element can also extend along a curved axis, as illustrated in figure 19.

It will be noted in this figure that the retention element and the wall defining the cavity have, on the side of the rod, an orientation which is substantially parallel to the axis of the rod.

The reservoir wall may also have a rim directed towards the exterior at the opening used for applying the product, as illustrated in Figure 20.

The rim can also extend inward and outward, as illustrated in figure 21, or only inwards, as illustrated in figure 22.

In general, the shape of the wall defining the cavity containing the product and that of the retention element will be chosen according to the rheology of the product, materials used, space left between the aforementioned wall and the element of retention.

The shape and number of the vents allowing the cavity to fill when the applicator is immersed in the product will be chosen according to the nature of it.

The reservoir wall may have a flexibility different from that of the application element with a view for example to allow flexible contact with the surface to be treated.

Can be used to make the tank wall and the element retention of a plastic material such as PE, PP, PA, PET, PC, PVC or EVA, or elastomeric materials, thermoplastic or not.

The assembly of the retention element with the reservoir wall, in if the two are not made in one piece by molding, can be done by soldering, crimping, stapling, snap-fastening or gluing.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described.

In particular, the application element can be given other forms as well. without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (29)

1. An applicator comprising a wall (12; 22; 32; 42; 52; 62; 72; 82; 99; 100) defining a cavity (13; 23; 33; 43; 69; 73; 83) in which liquid (P) can accumulate, said cavity opening to the outside at one end via a single opening for application purposes, the applicator being characterized by the fact that, at least in the vicinity of said opening, it includes a retention element (16; 26; 36; 46; 56; 66; 76; 86; 96) inside the cavity enabling the liquid (P) to be held by capillarity between the wall and the retention element.
2. An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wall has at least one vent (14) passing through it near the top thereof.
3. An applicator according to either preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the retention element (76) is set back from the opening used for application purposes.
4. An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the retention element is set back from the opening used for application purposes by an amount lying in the range 0.5 mm to 3 mm, and preferably in the range 1 mm to 2 mm.
5. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the opening used for applying the liquid extends in a plane (K) extending obliquely relative to the axis of the cavity-defining wall.
6. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wall (12) is cylindrical, at least over a portion of its height.
7. An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wall (12) is circularly cylindrical.
8. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the wall (22) is oblong in cross-section.
9. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that the wall (32; 42) is of polygonal cross-section.
10. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the retention element (16) is formed integrally with the wall (12).
11. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that the retention element (56) is constituted by a separate piece fitted thereto.
12. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the retention element (56) is formed integrally with spacer-forming fins (57).
13. An applicator according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the retention element (56) is formed integrally with spacer-forming fins (57) which serve to hold the retention element by friction inside the wall (52).
14. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that at least one of the wall and the inner element is covered in a coating of flocking (80).
15. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wall is secured to a rod (5) connected to a handle (6).
16. An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the rod is formed integrally with the handle.
17. An applicator according to claim 15 or claim 16, characterized by the fact that the rod (5) is formed integrally with the wall (12).
18. An applicator according to any one of claims 15 to 17, excluding claim 11, characterized by the fact that the retention element is formed integrally with the rod.
19. An applicator according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized by the fact that the rod (5) is secured to a cap (6) suitable for closing in sealed manner a receptacle (2) containing the liquid to be applied.
20. An applicator according to any one of claims 15 to 19, characterized by the fact that the rod (5) is of stiffness that is less than or equal to that of the portion (4) of the applicator that is used for application purposes.
21. An applicator according to any one of claims 15 to 20, characterized by the fact that the rod (5) is of a diameter that is smaller than or equal to the diameter of the portion (4) of the applicator that is used for application purposes.
22. An applicator according to any one of claims 15 to 21, characterized by the fact that the retention element forms a non-zero angle relative to the rod.
23. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the retention element is adjustably fixed to the wall.
24. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the retention element and the wall are made of different materials.
25. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the retention element and the wall form an angle that converges towards the opening used for application purposes.
26. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wall flares towards the opening used for application purposes.
27. A receptacle including an applicator as defined in any preceding claim.
28. A receptacle according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it includes a wiper member for wiping the outside of the reservoir-forming wall while the applicator is being withdrawn from the receptacle.
29. A receptacle according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that it contains nail varnish, a care product for the nails, a care product for the skin, or a liquid lipstick.

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