EP1576901B1 - Adhesif applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

An article for the application of a cosmetic product comprising one or more applicators with an application surface and a surface at least partly covered with an adhesive and a support sheet covering the adhesive and comprising a weakened or cut zone and extending beyond the edge of the applicator at either side of the zone : The support sheet in siliconated paper preferably extends beyond the applicator at all points on its periphery. The cut, which may be continuous or discontinuous extends along a line. The weakened zone or cut extends along a straight or curved line. The application surface of the applicator is coated with layer of product to be applied. An independent claim is included for the method of applying a cosmetic product using the claimed article by taking the article by the support on either side, separating the two parts of the support by removing one part to reveal the adhesive, placing one or more fingers on the revealed adhesive, removing the other part of the support and applying the application surface of the applicator to the surface to be treated.

Description

The present invention relates to product applicators, particularly cosmetic product, intended to be glued on a finger to be able to apply the product on a surface to be treated.

"Cosmetic product" means a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993, amending for the sixth time Directive 76/768 / EEC.

There are applicators of substantially flat shape which comprise a layer of adhesive allowing them to be fixed on a finger for the application of a product, this is the case in particular of the applicator described in the application for EP Patent 1 374 718 .

Generally, the adhesive surfaces are covered with a carrier sheet for protecting the adhesive, the applicator being removed from the carrier sheet before being used.

To facilitate the gripping of such applicators on their support, it is known to place them in dispensers. The request for EP Patent 1 374 718 describes for example several applicators stuck on a support strip which is wound in a dispenser. Such a dispenser is rather adapted to the distribution of a relatively large amount of applicators stuck on a relatively long strip to be wound in the dispenser.

It is also known from the application for EP 0 460 649 adhesive labels that partially overlap each other. The labels are thus wound in a dispenser, without additional support tape, or with only a thread stuck on the adhesive side of the labels to connect them to each other and facilitate their separation. Again, such an arrangement is rather adapted to the distribution of a relatively large amount of labels to be wound in the dispenser. In addition, the labels are intended to be taken automatically on a production line by an arm that pushes on the opposite side to the adhesive side of the label in order to take off the label which is contiguous to it and stick it on a bottle. This type of arrangement is not suitable for applicators of products to be glued on a finger. In addition, it is necessary to press the opposite side to the adhesive side to separate two labels so that such an arrangement is not suitable for applicators whose face opposite the adhesive side is intended to be applied on the skin. There is a risk of contaminating this face and removing the product when the applicator contains the product to be applied.

In addition, certain adhesive articles are intended to be individually packaged with a removable support to protect their adhesive side. This is particularly the case of dressings which comprise a support cut into two parts which overlap so as to form a gripping zone. To take off the dressing from its support, it is necessary to grasp the whole of one hand by putting a finger on each of its faces and then fold the assembly so as to grasp the gripping area of the support in order to separate it. For this type of product, this is not a problem since the dressing does not contain any product. However, in the case of the applicators of products, it is better not to touch the face of application at the risk of dirtying it and soiling the fingers. In addition, when the product is disposed on the surface, particularly in the form of a layer of powder, the product layer may crumble if the whole is folded.

The documents US 5,713,842 and US 5,840,052 also describe dressings which are intended to be glued on an area of the human body to protect it.

Also, is it an object of the invention to provide an adhesive applicator which does not have the disadvantages of the prior art.

It is particularly an object of the invention to provide an adhesive applicator which is convenient to use.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide such an article which can easily be grasped without damaging its application surface.

It is also another object of the invention to provide such an article which can easily be grasped without the risk of soiling the fingers.

• au moins un applicateur comportant une première face constituant une surface d'application et une seconde face, opposée à la première, au moins en partie recouverte d'une couche adhésive,
• une feuille support recouvrant, avant une première utilisation, la couche adhésive, dans lequel la première face comporte le produit cosmétique à appliquer et dans lequel la feuille support comporte une zone d'affaiblissement ou une découpe s'étendant au moins en partie en dessous de l'applicateur et permettant de séparer la feuille en au moins deux parties, la feuille support débordant l'applicateur sur au moins une partie de sa périphérie de chaque côté de la zone d'affaiblissement ou de la découpe.

According to the invention, these objects can be achieved by making an article for the application of a cosmetic product, especially a make-up or care product comprising:

• at least one applicator having a first face constituting an application surface and a second face, opposite to the first face, at least partially covered with an adhesive layer,
• a support sheet covering, before a first use, the adhesive layer, in which the first face comprises the cosmetic product to be applied and in which the support sheet comprises a zone of weakening or a cutout extending at least partly below the applicator and allowing the sheet to be separated into at least two parts, the support sheet projecting over the applicator over at least a part of its periphery on either side of the weakening zone or the cutout.

The two portions of the support sheet which project beyond the applicator thus form gripping zones which can be grasped to hold the article without touching the application surface. Part of the support sheet can then be detached from the applicator by separating from the other part of the sheet by the weakening zone or the cutout. The adhesive side is then partly cleared to allow the user to affix the fingers of one of his hands, the other hand still holding the portion of the support sheet overflowing the applicator. It is thus easy to glue the applicator on one or more fingers in order to apply the product, without risk of damaging the application surface.

The support sheet may overflow the applicator over its entire periphery. This offers the user the possibility to enter the support sheet in several places.

The support sheet may be a silicone support, in particular a silicone paper.

The weakening zone may be a zone of the thinner sheet extending along a line that may be continuous or discontinuous.

The cut can also extend along a line that can be continuous or discontinuous.

The weakening zone and the cutout may extend along a straight line and / or along a curved line.

The applicator may be impregnated with a product to be applied and / or the application surface of the applicator may be covered with a layer of a product to be applied.

The applicator may be made of porous or fibrous material, in particular of foam of a thermoplastic material, sponge, felt, nonwoven material, or woven material, especially natural fibers, such as cotton.

The applicator may be made of elastically deformable material so as to obtain a relatively flexible application.

The applicator may have a multilayer structure.

The application surface may be covered with a flock, a nonwoven or a woven.

The adhesive layer may include a hypoallergenic adhesive.

The adhesive layer may extend entirely on the face of the applicator opposite to the application surface. Alternatively, the adhesive layer may partially cover the face of the applicator opposite to the application surface.

The applicator may have, in cross-section in the direction of the thickness, a flattened shape, the adhesive layer extending substantially parallel to the application surface.

The applicator may have, in cross section in the direction of the thickness, a convex shape, at least on the side of the application surface.

The article may have, in a frontal view, a circular shape, or alternatively, a non-circular shape, in particular a generally triangular, polygonal, oval shape, drop of water or almond.

The article may include several applicators.

Before a first use, the article can be housed in a bag. Alternatively, the application surface may, before a first use, be covered with a reversibly fixed film on the portion of the support sheet projecting beyond the applicator.

• saisir l'article de part et d'autre de la zone d'affaiblissement ou de la découpe par les parties de la feuille support qui débordent l'applicateur ;
• séparer les deux parties de la feuille support en décollant l'une des deux parties de l'applicateur de manière à dégager en partie la couche adhésive ;
• placer un ou plusieurs doigts sur la couche adhésive dégagée ;
• retirer l'autre des deux parties de la feuille support de l'applicateur ;
• appliquer la surface d'application sur la zone à traiter.

According to another of its aspects, the subject of the invention is a process for applying a cosmetic product by means of an article as just described, the method comprising:

• grasp the article on either side of the weakening zone or the cut by the portions of the support sheet which overflow the applicator;
• separating the two parts of the support sheet by detaching one of the two parts of the applicator so as to disengage part of the adhesive layer;
• place one or more fingers on the clear adhesive layer;
• remove the other of the two parts of the support sheet of the applicator;
• apply the application surface to the area to be treated.

The article according to the invention is particularly useful for the application of a cosmetic product, especially a sunscreen, a moisturizing product, an anti-wrinkle, a nail polish, a foundation, a blush, a eye shadow, a lipstick, a makeup remover, a hair care product, a hair coloring product, a deodorant or antiperspirant product or a perfume.

• la figure 1 illustre une vue en perspective d'un premier mode de réalisation d'un article selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente en coupe l'article de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 illustre une vue de dessous de l'article de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 4 et 5 illustrent différentes étapes de l'utilisation de l'article de la figure 1 ;
• les figures 6A à 11 illustrent des variantes de l'article selon l'invention.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be explained below, with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, described with reference to the appended figures, among which:

• Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first embodiment of an article according to the invention;
• Figure 2 shows in section the article of Figure 1;
• Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the article of Figure 1;
• Figures 4 and 5 illustrate different steps of using the article of Figure 1;
• Figures 6A to 11 illustrate variants of the article according to the invention.

The article 1 for the application of a cosmetic product represented in FIGS. 1 to 5 comprises an applicator 10 provided with an application surface 11 for applying a product to the skin, the mucous membranes or the skin. appendages. The applicator 10 also comprises a face 14 covered with an adhesive layer 12, the adhesive layer being covered, before a first use, with a support sheet 20.

The applicator 10 consists of a Micropore® film marketed by 3M Health. The material is preferably elastically deformable so as to obtain a relatively flexible application.

As a variant, the applicator may comprise, for example, a layer of a porous or fibrous material, such as an open-cell or closed-cell foam or any other cellular structure, in particular a natural or non-natural sponge, or a felt or fibrous structures. especially cotton or textile. The applicator may alternatively comprise a superposition of several films and / or of several layers of porous or fibrous material.

The applicator 10 has a small substantially constant thickness so as to give it a flattened shape. It has for example a thickness of about 0.2 mm.

According to the illustrated example, the applicator 10 has, in front view, a circular shape. It has for example a diameter of 45 mm. Such an applicator is particularly suitable for applying a product to the entire face such as a foundation since it can be held by several fingers, for example three fingers. To make eyelid applicators, preferably a smaller applicator with a diameter of about 15 mm will be used which adheres only to one finger.

Alternatively, the applicator 10 may have, when viewed in front view, a shape other than circular, to allow for example to more easily or more precisely apply a product on a given part of the face, for example the eyelids or the lips . By way of example, there is shown in FIGS. 6A to 6E, in front view, various examples, among others, of possible forms. The applicator 10 may have, in a frontal view, a substantially square (FIG. 6A), oval (FIG. 6B), triangular (FIG. 6C), almond-shaped (FIG. 6D) or drop-shaped shape. (Figure 6E).

The applicator 10 defines on one side an application surface 11 intended to be applied to an area to be treated. According to the illustrated example, the applicator 10 has a planar application surface. Alternatively, the application surface 11 may be curved, for example convex towards the outside.

In the example shown in FIG. 7, the application surface 11 also comprises flocking 15. It is not beyond the scope of the invention to use an application surface covered with a nonwoven or a woven.

According to the example of FIGS. 1 to 5, the application surface 11 is covered with a layer of product 13, the product being able to be a powder deposited by serigraphy. The product is for example a lipstick, an eye shadow, a foundation, a blush, etc ...

Alternatively, it can be provided that the product is not deposited on the surface, but that the applicator 10 is impregnated with product. This is the case, for example, the applicator illustrated in Figure 7. In this example, the applicator is made of porous material, for example foam which is impregnated with the product to be applied.

Opposite the application surface 11, the applicator 10 comprises a face 14 covered with an adhesive layer 12.

The adhesive may be a permanent, water-resistant, hypoallergenic adhesive that adheres more strongly to the applicator than to the skin. The adhesive layer 12 may be present in the form of a film, which may entirely cover the face 14 of the applicator. The adhesive layer may also be present in the form of an array of dots, a series of strips, or extend only in the central region of the face 14. The adhesive layer may still be covered for example, by a net to reduce the adhesive power.

Before a first use, the adhesive layer 12 is covered by a support sheet 20. The sheet 20 comprises for example a silicone paper or a polyethylene film.

The carrier sheet 20 has a cutout 32, partly under the applicator 10, and which divides the sheet into two parts 21 and 22.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the cut 32 is a discontinuously cut line, that is to say in dotted lines, the two parts 21 and 22 being secured by uncut portions.

Alternatively, the blank may be a line 33 cut in a continuous manner which completely separates the sheet 20 into two parts 21 and 22, as in examples illustrated in Figures 6A to 6E and 8 to 11.

According to another embodiment, the support sheet may comprise a weakening zone 31, that is to say a line that is less thick than the rest of the sheet 20, as illustrated in FIG.

The cutout or the weakening zone may extend along a straight line as in the examples of FIGS. 1, 6A, 6D, 6E, 8 and 10 or alternatively along a curved line, as in the examples Figures 6B and 6C. Alternatively, the cutout or weakening zone may extend along a partially straight and partially curved line as illustrated in FIG. 9.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the two parts 21 and 22 are unequal, so as to clear a relatively large portion of the adhesive surface which is sufficient for the applicator to hold on the fingers. According to the example shown, the first portion 21 is facing about a quarter of the applicator 10 and the second portion 22 is opposite three quarters of the applicator. The cutout or weakening line may alternatively divide the sheet into two equal parts, so that each portion 21 and 22 is opposite the half of the applicator, as in the examples illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 11. .

According to the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the support sheet 20 has a square shape and extends beyond the applicator 10 over its entire periphery. Alternatively, it is possible for the support sheet 20 to project beyond the applicator over only a portion of its periphery as shown in FIG. 10. In all cases, the sheet 20 projects over the applicator 10 in at least two portions. 21a and 22a located on either side of the cutout or weakening zone, so that a user can grip the sheet in at least two areas, on either side of the cut or the weakening zone.

To protect the product layer 13 and the application surface, the applicator 10 may be packaged for example in a bag.

Alternatively, the applicator 10 may be covered, as shown in FIG. 8, with a film 40, in particular a polypropylene or PVC film, reversibly fixed on the portion of the support sheet 20 protruding from the applicator 10. The film is for example fixed on the sheet by two lines of glue 41. According to this embodiment, the sheet 20 overflows not only the applicator 10, but also the film 40 so that the user can grab the sheet 20 in at least two portions 21a and 22a. It is also possible that the film 40 does not protrude beyond the support sheet but has two notches 42 for clearing two portions 21a and 22a of the support sheet as seen in Figure 11.

According to a variant illustrated in FIG. 9, the article comprises several applicators 10 glued to the same support sheet 20. The sheet comprises, for example, three applicators 10 and as many cutouts 33. The cutouts 33 then separate the sheet into four parts 21, 22, 23 and 24 which can successively separate as and when the applicators are used.

According to an exemplary method for producing the article 1 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5, a line 32 is cut in a dotted line in a sheet 20. A double-sided adhesive is then applied to the sheet 20 and a Micropore® film covered with product, on the adhesive.

The film layer and the adhesive layer are then punched out, according to the desired shape of the applicator, by having previously positioned the assembly to be cut so that the applicator is straddling a line. cut in dotted lines. Next, it is tailed to remove unnecessary portions of the film and adhesive layer to obtain the article illustrated in Figure 1.

According to a variant of the method for producing article 1, a double-sided adhesive is applied to a sheet 20 and a Micropore® film 10 to the adhesive. A line 32 is cut in dotted lines in the sheet 20 and the product is then coated with film application surface 10. The film and the double-sided adhesive are then cut into the shape of the desired applicator.

To use the article according to the invention, the user grasps each portion 21a and 22a of the sheet by each hand. He can then take off most of the sheet 20 so as to release a large part of the adhesive surface of the applicator, as illustrated in FIG. 4. He can then put his fingers on the adhesive layer. 5. Finally, it can take off the second portion 21 of the sheet to hold only the applicator 10 by the pulp of his fingers. The applicator 10 is then in place on the fingers of the user who can then apply the product to the area to be treated without having previously touched the application surface.

In the foregoing detailed description, reference has been made to preferred embodiments of the invention. It is obvious that variations can be made without departing from the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Claims (25)

1. Article (1) for applying a cosmetic product, in particular a make-up or care product comprising:

   - at least one applicator (10) comprising a first face constituting an application surface (11) and a second face (14), opposite from the first, at least in part covered with an adhesive layer (12);

   - a backing sheet (20) covering, before a first use, the adhesive layer,

   characterized in that the first face comprises the cosmetic product to be applied and in that the backing sheet comprises an area of weakness (31) or a cut (32; 33) extending at least in part below the applicator and making it possible to separate the sheet into at least two parts (21, 22), the backing sheet overhanging the applicator over at least one part (21a, 22a) of its periphery on each side of the area of weakness or of the cut.
2. Article according to Claim 1, characterized in that the backing sheet (20) overhangs the applicator (10) over the whole of its periphery.
3. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet (20) is made of silicone-coated paper.
4. Article according to any one of Claims 1 to 3,
   characterized in that the cut (32; 33) extends along a line.
5. Article according to Claim 4, characterized in that the line is cut in a discontinuous manner (32).
6. Article according to Claim 4, characterized in that the line is cut in a continuous manner (33).
7. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the area of weakness (31) or the cut (32; 33) extends along a straight line.
8. Article according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the area of weakness (31) or the cut (32; 33) extends along a curved line.
9. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator is impregnated with the product to be applied.
10. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application surface (11) is covered with a layer (13) of the product to be applied.
11. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (10) is made of porous or fibrous material, in particular foam of a thermoplastic material, sponge, felt, non-woven material or woven material, in particular natural fibres, such as cotton.
12. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (10) is made of elastically deformable material.
13. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (10) exhibits a multilayer structure.
14. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application surface (11) is covered with a flocking (15), a non-woven or a woven.
15. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive layer (12) comprises a hypoallergenic adhesive.
16. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive layer (12) extends entirely over the opposite face (14) of the applicator from the application surface.
17. Article according to any one of Claims 1 to 15, characterized in that the adhesive layer (12) partially covers the opposite face (14) of the applicator from the application surface.
18. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (10) exhibits, in cross section through the thickness, a flattened shape, the adhesive layer (12) extending substantially parallel to the application surface.
19. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator (10) exhibits, in cross section through the thickness, a convex shape, at least on the side of the application surface.
20. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it exhibits, viewed from the front, a circular shape.
21. Article according to any one of Claims 1 to 19, characterized in that it exhibits, viewed from the front, a non-circular shape, in particular a generally triangular, polygonal, oval, water drop or almond shape.
22. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises several applicators.
23. Article according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application surface (11) is, before a first use, covered with a film (40) fixed in a reversible manner to the portion of the backing sheet (20) overhanging the applicator (10).
24. Method of applying a cosmetic product by means of an article (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, the method consisting in:

    - grasping the article on either side of the area of weakness (31) or of the cut (32; 33) by the parts (21a, 22a) of the sheet (20);

    - separating the two parts of the sheet (20) by unsticking one (22) of the two parts (21; 22) of the applicator (10) so as to bare in part the adhesive layer (12);

    - placing one or more fingers on the bared adhesive layer (12);

    - removing the other (21) of the two parts of the sheet (20) of the applicator;

    - applying the application surface to the area to be treated.
25. Use of an article according to any one of Claims 1 to 23, the cosmetic product being in particular a sunscreen, a moisturizer product, an anti-wrinkle product, a nail varnish, a foundation, a blusher, an eyeshadow, a lipstick, a make-up removal product, a hair care product, a hair dye product, a deodorant or antiperspirant product or a perfume.

Images