EP1306029B1 - Device for storing and/or applying a product to eyelashes and/or eyebrows and make-up method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates in particular to devices for packaging and applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows.

We know by the request of European patent EP 1 070 466 an applicator member comprising a succession of projecting elements for applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows. We still know by the French patent FR 2 793 663 an application member made by plastic injection, whose core is elastically deformable, resting a curved shape. The publications EP 1 070 465 , EP 1 070 467 , EP 1 070 468 , EP 237 630 , EP 204,466 , EP 474 934 , EP 038 524 , DE 2,559,273 , WO 01/05273 , WO 01/05272 , US 5,007,442 , US 3,892,248 , US 3,930,280 , US 5,951,185 , and US 3,921,650 , FR 2 564 712 and WO 97/28719 describe other examples of application members.

There is a need for a device for lash and / or eyebrow makeup that can be used, if the user so desires, satisfactorily for both eyelash and eyebrow makeup.

The invention makes it possible to meet this need.

It achieves this through an applicator as defined in claim 1.

By "major axis substantially parallel to the line", it should be understood that the angle between said major axis and said straight line is relatively small, in particular less than or equal to 45 °, or even 30 °.

According to one aspect of the invention, the distance measured along the first line, between the free ends of two consecutive projecting elements of the first succession, is less than or equal to the spacing, measured along the second line. between the free ends of two consecutive protruding elements of the second succession.

The envelope surface of the application portion may have a generally lenticular shape in cross section.

The applicator member may extend along a longitudinal axis entirely contained in the same plane.

The applicator member may also extend along a longitudinal axis that is not entirely contained in the same plane.

The applicator member may be made of a non-elastomeric plastic material.

The dimension of the protruding elements, measured along the axis of each projecting element, may decrease towards a distal part of the applicator member.

The dimension of the projecting elements of the first succession, measured along the axis of each projecting element, may be greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, or even 1 mm, or even 2 mm, or even 3 mm.

The dimension of the projecting elements of the second succession, measured along the axis of each projecting element, may be greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, or even 1 mm, or even 2 mm, or even 3 mm.

The applicator member may be made of a plastic material with a hardness greater than or equal to 60 Shore A, or even close to 80 or 90 Shore D.

The projecting elements of the first and second successions may have axes oriented like rays coming from the same center.

At least one projecting element of the first succession and at least one associated projecting element of the second succession may have substantially parallel axes.

At least a plurality of the projecting elements of the first succession may have bases arranged in a staggered arrangement. At least a plurality of projecting members of the second succession may have staggered bases. This can make it possible to form cavities between the teeth, able to increase the load of product that can be carried by the applicator.

The projecting elements, when the application part is observed from the side, can form V-shaped grooves.

Said first and second lines may be separated by a distance whose maximum value is between 5 and 9 mm, or even between 6 and 8 mm, for example.

The invention further relates to a packaging device and / or application comprising the applicator as defined above.

• un récipient contenant le produit,
• un essoreur élastiquement déformable.

According to one aspect of the invention, the device may comprise:

• a container containing the product,
• an elastically deformable wiper.

This wiper may have an opening capable of being traversed by the applicator member when it is withdrawn from the receptacle, a transverse section of said opening being sufficiently small that, when the stripper passes through the organ of application, said cross section changes shape by elongating in a direction substantially parallel to said major axis, an elongation factor greater than or equal to 1.5, or even greater than or equal to 2, or even greater than or equal to 2 5. An elongation factor greater than or equal to 1.5 makes it possible to obtain a squeezing of the applicator member judged by the applicant to be particularly satisfactory.

The aforesaid transverse section, in the absence of the applicator member, may have a substantially circular shape.

The applicator member may be attached to one end of a rod of substantially circular cross section, for example of diameter greater than that of said cross section, when it is circular in shape. The opening of the wiper may have a diameter less than or equal to 3 mm in the absence of applicator, for example.

The wiper may be elastomeric.

The wiper may include a wiper lip, a free end defines the aforementioned opening. The latter, in the absence of the enforcement body, may have a cross section smaller than or equal to the smallest cross section of an envelope surface of the application portion.

The application portion may be located between proximal and distal portions shaped to facilitate the passage of the wiper by the applicator member.

The applicator member may extend along a longitudinal axis whose curvature is chosen such that the distal portion and the proximal portion of the applicator member are cut by a straight line substantially parallel to the axis of a portion for fixing the applicator member on a rod.

The invention further relates to a makeup method as defined in claim 26.

The invention will be better understood on examining the attached drawing, which is an integral part of the description. This drawing represents exemplary embodiments of the invention and serves to explain the invention.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique d'un dispositif de conditionnement et d'application conforme à un premier exemple de mise en oeuvre de l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente une variante de réalisation de la tige de l'applicateur,
• la figure 3 représente, isolément, à échelle agrandie, l'organe d'application de l'applicateur de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue de côté selon la flèche IV de la figure 3,
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des coupes respectivement selon V et VI de la figure 4,
• la figure 7 représente isolément, à échelle agrandie, le détail VII de la figure 3,
• la figure 8 représente le bord intérieur de la lèvre de l'essoreur, en l'absence de l'applicateur,
• la figure 9 représente, de manière schématique, le bord intérieur de la lèvre de l'essoreur lorsque l'organe d'application est engagé à l'intérieur,
• la figure 10 illustre l'utilisation de l'applicateur pour le maquillage des cils,
• la figure 11 illustre l'utilisation de l'applicateur pour le maquillage des sourcils, et
• la figure 12 représente un axe longitudinal de l'organe d'application, non entièrement contenu dans un même plan.

On the drawing :

• FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a packaging and application device according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• FIG. 2 represents an alternative embodiment of the rod of the applicator,
• FIG. 3 represents, in isolation, on an enlarged scale, the organ application of the applicator of FIG.
• FIG. 4 is a side view along arrow IV of FIG. 3,
• FIGS. 5 and 6 are sections respectively along V and VI of FIG. 4,
• FIG. 7 is an isolated representation, on an enlarged scale, of detail VII of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 8 represents the inside edge of the lip of the wiper, in the absence of the applicator,
• FIG. 9 schematically represents the inner edge of the lip of the wiper when the applicator member is engaged inside,
• FIG. 10 illustrates the use of the applicator for the makeup of the eyelashes,
• Figure 11 illustrates the use of the applicator for eyebrow makeup, and
• Figure 12 shows a longitudinal axis of the applicator member, not entirely contained in the same plane.

In the present application, including in the claims, the expression "comprising one" must be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

The term "parallel" includes the case where the axes are merged.

FIG. 1 shows a device 10 for packaging and application made in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the invention.

This device 10 comprises a container 20 and an applicator 30.

The container 20 comprises a body 21 containing the product P to be applied, for example a product P such as mascara and, in the upper part, an externally threaded neck 22, inside which is fixed an elastomer wiper 25 having a flexible lip 26.

The applicator 30 comprises a rod 31, of circular section, provided at one end with an applicator member 32 and at the other end with a gripping element 33 which can also constitute a sealing cap of the container 20. , being able to be screwed onto the threaded neck 22 to close the container 20.

In the illustrated example, the rod 31 is rectilinear along an axis X coinciding with the axis of the neck 22 of the container when the applicator is in place. It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the rod 31 has a section other than circular, for example a flattened shape or extends non-rectilinear manner, for example by forming an elbow, and when the cap 33 is otherwise fixed only by screwing on the container.

In the example shown, the inner edge 29, free, of the lip 26 is circular in the absence of the applicator 30, defining an opening of diameter d, as shown in Figure 8. The diameter d is for example close 3 mm, being for example equal to 2.6 mm.

The rod 31 may have a smaller diameter, greater than or equal to that of the opening defined by the lip 26 of the wiper.

The rod 31 may for example have a diameter greater than the diameter d, equal to about 3.5 mm for example.

The rod 31 may also comprise, in a variant, as shown in Figure 2, a necking 34 intended to be positioned opposite the free edge 29 of the lip 26, when the applicator is in place. The shrinkage 34 can reduce the stresses exerted by the rod 31 on the wiper 25 when the applicator is in place. For example, the necking 34 may have a diameter less than or equal to that of the opening defined by the free edge 29 of the lip 26 of the wiper 25.

The application member 50 in FIG. 3 is represented on an enlarged scale, in isolation. It comprises a mounting part 51 intended to be fixed in a housing made at the lower end of the rod 31, in order to allow the assembly of the applicator element 50 and the rod 31 to be assembled. The mounting part 51 is, for example, cylindrical of revolution about a Y axis. It can be connected to a proximal part 52 of the application member 50. The latter may also include a distal portion 53, for example of generally rounded shape, to facilitate the introduction of the applicator member in the wiper. The proximal portion 52 may have a side 52a which is substantially parallel to the Y axis of the cylindrical portion 51, intended to come substantially in continuity with the outer surface of the rod 31, and a side 52b which forms an acute angle with the Y axis, and which can join the outer surface of the rod 31 without forming a significant detachment.

The applicator member 50 comprises, between the proximal portions 52 and distal 53, an application portion comprising two series 60 and 70 of teeth.

The series 60 comprises teeth 61 and 62 whose free ends extend substantially along a generally concave line A when the application element 50 is observed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3.

The series 70 comprises teeth 71 and 72 whose free ends extend substantially along a generally convex line B outwardly when the applicator member 50 is observed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3.

The application portion extends along a curvilinear longitudinal axis W which may be contained entirely in the same plane or not, in particular be parallel to the plane of FIG. 3. The axis W may be circular on a part at less than its length, or even along the entire application area. The radius of curvature of the W axis may be of the order of 30 mm for example. The radius of curvature may be for example greater than 30 mm, and be included in 30 and 32 mm for example.

The teeth 61, 62, 71 and 72 each of axis Z may have, in cross section in a plane perpendicular to the axis W, a generally triangular shape, with respective outer sides 61a, 62a, 71a and 72a curvilinear, convex outwardly, connecting to substantially perpendicular and rectilinear sides 61b and 61c, 62b and 62c, 71b and 71c, 72b and 72c.

The teeth 61, 62, 71, 72 may be joined by a core 90, generally central, having a substantially rectangular cross section.

The envelope surface E of the application portion may have in cross section a generally lenticular shape, contour defined by the curvilinear edges 61a, 62a, 71a and 72a, this lenticular shape being elongated in a large manner. axis D substantially parallel to the line joining lines A and B.

It will be noted on examining FIG. 7 that the teeth closest to the distal portion 53 have a height h, measured along their Z axis, which decreases towards the distal portion 53, in order to facilitate the introduction of the application member 50 in the wiper 25. In the example shown, the first two teeth of the series 60 and 70 and have a height h less than that of the following, which is substantially constant.

It will also be noted on examining FIG. 7 that the teeth 61, 62, 71, 72 each have a width 1, measured parallel to the axis W, which decreases towards their free end, so that two consecutive teeth of a series 60 or 70 form between them, when the applicator element is observed in a direction perpendicular to the plane of Figure 3, a groove 80, for example generally V-shaped, the bottom can be locate substantially at the edges 91 or 92 of the core 90, the edge 91 being turned on the side of the series 70 and the edge 92 being turned on the side of the series 60.

The applicator member 50 may for example be made in one piece by molding in a non-elastomeric plastic material.

The lines A and B may be substantially concentric, the Z axes of the teeth being for example oriented like spokes.

It can be seen in Figure 4 in particular that the consecutive teeth of the same series 60 or 70 have staggered bases staggered, which allows to create cavities between the teeth, able to load product.

The device 10 is used for example in the following manner.

The applicator 30 is extracted from the container 20 after unscrewing the cap 33. The rod 31 and the applicator element 50 are dewatered by the wiper 25. In the embodiment described, the lip 26 of the wiper deforms in contact with the application member 50 by elongating in the direction of the major axis D, as shown in Figure 9, and is applied by opposite edges 29a and 29b on the lateral sides of the application member, the distance between the ends 29c and 29d, by which the edges 29a and 29b meet, being greater than the distance d.

The elongation factor of / d is, for example, greater than or equal to 1.5, or even greater than or equal to 2, or even greater than or equal to 2.5, which makes it possible to avoid the presence of excess product in the spaces formed between three consecutive teeth of each series 60 and 70.

For makeup eyelashes C, the user can use the concave side of the applicator member, that is to say the series 60 of teeth, by painting the eyelashes upwards, from their base towards their free end. The user can use the convex side of the applicator member 50 to apply the product to the ends of the eyelid, especially in the inner corner of the eye. Thanks to the fact that the teeth are relatively rigid, it is possible to use formulas drying relatively quickly, the V-shaped grooves formed between the teeth to properly grasp the hair to smooth the product on their surface and separate the eyelashes.

After makeup eyelashes C, or possibly without prior makeup eyelashes, the user can make eyebrow S using the convex side of the application element, that is to say the series of 70 teeth. Note that because of the relative stiffness of the teeth, they do not crash in contact with the skin, so that the core 90 of the applicator member may not come into contact with the skin. Thus, one can reduce the risks of application of product on the skin.

The fact that the spacing e _A between the free ends of two consecutive teeth of series 60, measured along the line A, is lower than e _B between the free ends of the two teeth of series 70, measured along of the line B, may allow if necessary to further wring the convex side that the concave side of the applicator member 50, the lip 26 can penetrate further between the teeth of the series 70 because of their greater spacing, thus chasing more product than the concave side.

The applicator member may be made differently than has just been described. In particular, the arrangement and shape of the teeth can be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the axis W is not included in a single plane and is curved for example around at least two non-parallel axes of curvature. In particular, the axis W may extend, as illustrated in FIG. 12, by being curved over part of its length about an axis C1 and over another part of its length about an axis C2, l C2 axis being for example perpendicular to the axis C1. The curvature of the axis W may make it possible to print to the application elements, when the applicator member is rotated about the axis of the rod, a lateral oscillation movement favoring their penetration through the eyelashes and taking care of them. The axes around which the application element is curved can be intersecting or not. They may or may not belong to symmetry planes for certain portions of the application member.

The applicator member can be made with a rectilinear or curved longitudinal axis, then be deformed hot according to one or more axes of curvature, or alternatively be made by molding thermoplastic material directly with a curvilinear longitudinal axis. The application member may in particular be made in one piece by molding a plastic material, elastomeric or not.

The application member may also be made differently, in particular by machining or stamping, in a plastic material or in other materials, in particular metal or composite materials.

The applicator member may comprise protruding elements such as teeth and other types of application elements, for example bristles.

The applicator member, and more particularly the projecting elements, may include active substances, such as preservatives, moisture absorbers, metal salts, for example copper salts, intended to be salted out when the organ of application is loaded into product. These active substances may be mixed with the material used to make the applicator member or may be deposited on the applicator member, or both. In addition, products may be used to coat the protruding elements and / or other parts of the applicator member, for example to change the surface tension of the applicator member.

The protruding elements and / or other parts of the applicator member may be coated with an agent for promoting the sliding of the eyelashes, such as PTFE or, alternatively, a product to increase friction.

The projecting elements, located on the concave or convex side, can have different shapes and / or different heights. The protruding elements may have, for example, a height h which varies according to the axial position along the axis W of the applicator member, for example a height which increases, decreases, decreases and then increases or increases then decreases, one end of the applicator member to the other.

The protruding elements or other parts of the applicator member may include capillary grooves and / or flocking, for example to increase the amount of product which the application element is loaded.

The projecting elements may undergo a surface treatment, for example by abrasion, to form forks at their end or a heat treatment for example to round their end and for example form a ball.

Different materials may be used to produce the projecting elements and the part of the application member on which the projecting elements are connected.

The applicator member and the rod of the applicator may be made in one piece, for example by molding plastic material, or be made separately then assembled, being made for example in the same plastic material or not.

The length of a series of projecting elements may be for example between about 15 mm and about 30 mm, and be of the order of 25 mm for example.

The height of a projecting element may be for example between about 2 mm and about 4 mm, and be of the order of 3 mm for example.

The number of projecting elements of a series may be, for example, between about 20 and about 40, and for example be of the order of about 30.

The applicator can be used by being associated with a container containing the product to be applied to the eyelashes and eyebrows, this container being provided with a wiper. Alternatively, the applicator can be used with a solid product cake, the applicator member being brought into contact with this solid product cake, for example after having been moistened. The applicator can still be used after the application of the product on the eyelashes by means of another device, for example a mascara brush, the applicator being able to serve for example to separate the eyelashes and to smooth the product on their surface .

The free ends of a succession of projecting elements may or may not be spaced apart from a median plane. In the examples of FIGS. 3 and 12, the free ends are located substantially on the same median plane but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when these free ends are laterally spaced from this median plane, a constant distance or not .

Claims (26)

1. An applicator, characterized by the fact that it comprises:

   - an applicator member (50) made as a single piece by molding, machining or stamping, including an applicator portion, which extends along a longitudinal axis (w), said applicator portion having at least:

   - a first succession (60) of teeth;

   - a second succession (70) of teeth substantially opposite the first succession;

   in which

   - at least a plurality of the teeth (61, 62) of the first succession present free ends situated substantially along a first line (A) that is generally concave; and

   - at least a plurality of the teeth (71, 72) of the second succession present free ends situated substantially along a second line (B) that is generally convex; and

   in which an envelope surface (E) of the applicator portion (60, 70) presents a cross-section at at least one point along its length that is generally elongate in shape having a major axis (D) substantially parallel to a straight line joining together said first and second lines (A) and (B), characterized by the fact that the teeth (60; 70) situated on either side of a mid plane containing the longitudinal axis (w) of the applicator portion belong in alternation to the first and the second succession of teeth.
2. An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the spacing (e_A) measured along the first line (A) between the free ends of two consecutive teeth (61, 62) of the first succession (60) is less than or equal to the spacing (e_B) measured along the second line (B) between the free ends of two consecutive teeth (71, 72) of the second succession.
3. An applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the fact that said first and second lines (A, B) are spaced apart by a distance having a maximum value lying in the range 5 mm to 9 mm, and preferably in the range 6 mm to 8 mm.
4. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the envelope surface (E) of the applicator portion presents a cross-section that is generally lenticular.
5. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator member extends along a longitudinal axis (W) that is contained entirely in a single plane.
6. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the applicator member extends along a longitudinal axis (W) that is not contained entirely in a common plane.
7. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator member (50) is made of a non-elastomer plastics material.
8. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the size (h) of the teeth of the first and/or second succession as measured along the axis (Z) of each tooth is greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, preferably greater than or equal to 1 mm, and more preferably greater than or equal to 2 mm.
9. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator element (50) is made of a plastics material of hardness greater than or equal to 60 on the Shore A scale.
10. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the teeth of the first and second successions have axes (Z) that extend along radii coming from a common center.
11. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that at least one tooth of the first succession and at least one associated tooth of the second succession have axes (Z) that are substantially parallel.
12. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that at least a plurality of teeth of the first and/or second succession have bases disposed in a staggered configuration.
13. An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that when the applicator portion is observed from a side, the teeth form grooves that are V-shaped.
14. A packaging and/or applicator device, characterized by the fact that it comprises:

    - an applicator as defined in any preceding claim;

    - a receptacle (20) containing the substance; and

    - an elastically deformable wiper (25).
15. A device according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that the wiper has an opening suitable for allowing the applicator member (50) to pass therethrough while being withdrawn from the receptacle, a cross-section of said opening being small enough to ensure that while the applicator member is passing through the wiper said cross-section changes shape, being lengthened in a direction substantially parallel to said major axis (D) by an elongation factor (d'/d) that is greater than or equal to 1.5, preferably greater than or equal to 2, and more preferably greater than or equal to 2.5.
16. A device according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that in the absence of the applicator member said cross-section is substantially circular in shape.
17. A device according to claim 16, characterized by the fact that the applicator member is fixed to one end of a rod (31) of substantially circular section having a diameter being greater than a diameter (d) of said cross-section in the absence of the applicator.
18. A device according to claim 16 or claim 17, characterized by the fact that said cross-section presents a diameter (d) that is less than or equal to 3 mm in the absence of the applicator.
19. A device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized by the fact that in the absence of the applicator member said opening presents a cross-section that is less than or equal to the smallest cross-section of an envelope surface of said applicator portion.
20. A device according to any one of claims 14 to 19, characterized by the fact that the wiper (25) is made of elastomer.
21. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wiper has a wiper lip (26) having a free end (29) defining said opening.
22. A device according to any one of claims 14 to 21, characterized by the fact that said applicator portion is situated between a proximal portion (52) and a distal portion (53) that are shaped to make it easier to pass the applicator member through a wiper.
23. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the longitudinal axis (W) of the applicator member curvature selected in such a manner that the distal has a portion (53) and the proximal portion (52) are intersected by a straight line (Y) substantially parallel to the axis of an assembly portion (51) serving to fix the applicator member to a rod.
24. A device according to any one of claims 14 to 23, characterized by the fact that the size (h) of the teeth as measured along the axis (Z) of each tooth decreases on coming closer to a distal portion (53) of the applicator member.
25. A device according to any one of claims 14 to 23, comprising an assembly portion having a longitudinal axis (y), the longitudinal (w) of the applicator portion forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the assembly portion (51) on the level of their correction.
26. A method of applying makeup, comprising the following steps:

    - loading makeup onto an applicator member (50) made as a single piece by molding, machining or stamping, comprising an applicator portion which extends along a longitudinal axis (w), comprising at least:

    - a first succession of teeth; (60)

    - a second succession of teeth (70) substantially opposite to the first, at least a plurality of teeth (61, 62) of the first succession having free ends situated substantially along a line (A) that is generally concave, and at least a plurality of teeth (71, 72) of the second succession having free ends situated substantially along a line (B) that is substantially convex in which the envelope surface (E) of the applicator portion (60, 70) presents a cross-section at at least one point along its length that is generally elongate in shape having a major axis (D) substantially parallel to a straight line joining together said first (A) and second (B) lines, the teeth (60, 70) situated on either side of a mid plane containing the longitudinal axis(W) of the applicator portion belong in alternation to the first and the second succession of teeth.

    - applying makeup at least to the eyelashes (C) using at least a plurality of teeth of the first succession (60); and

    - applying makeup at least to the eyebrows using at least a plurality of teeth of the teeth of the second succession (70).

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