EP1692963A1 - Applicator and device for storing and applying - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator (2) has a stem (8), a closing unit at one end of the stem for closing a container (3) and a bundle of bristles (21) at another end of the stem. The bundle has a transversal section extended along an axis of longer length and has, when observed perpendicular to the axis, a beveled end. The angle at the summit of the bevel is 20 degree. The bundle has a rectangular or oval flat shape selected to form a tip used to deposit a line of a product. The bundle is starched with a substance which is dissolved in the product. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a packing and application device comprising an applicator (2) a method for the make-up of nails.

Description

The present invention relates to the make-up and care of the skin or nails and more particularly, but not exclusively, the so-called "French manicure" which consists of depositing a white product at the end of nail varnish to imitate the white nails.

Felt tip applicators generally allow a product of regular intensity to be deposited, but it is difficult with these applicators to deposit compositions rich in pigments, which are retained by the fibers of the felt.

Brushes are more suitable for the application of pigmented compositions.

However, it is difficult with the known brushes to deposit a regular line of product because it tends to form a drop at the end of the brush.

Brushes of cylindrical or flattened section, right end, have an excess of product and the result of makeup is not entirely satisfactory.

Those slightly beveled end are also not suitable, the product flow at the tip is still too important.

Finally, the tapered central tip brushes certainly have a finer drop end but the viscosity of the product often makes the drop is still too thick to obtain a completely satisfactory result.

European patent applications EP 0 556 081, EP 0 651 955, EP 0 746 992 and EP 1 462 023 thus describe nail varnish applicators which are not particularly suitable for depositing a line of regular intensity of product.

Moreover, patents GB 1 083 891 and US Pat. No. 4,998,315 describe nail varnish applicators having an elongated cross-section along an axis of greater length and a bevelled face when observed along this axis.

Finally, the application DE 1 0043930 discloses a nail polish applicator having a cross section of circular shape, which can be beveled at an angle of 55 °.

The present invention aims in particular to facilitate the making of a makeup "French manicure" by means of a brush and more generally to allow the deposit of a product line of regular intensity on the skin or nails, that the width this trait is constant or not.

• une tige,
• un élément de fermeture d'un récipient à une première extrémité de la tige,
• un faisceau de poils à une deuxième extrémité de la tige, opposée à la première, ce faisceau de poils ayant une extrémité biseautée, l'angle au sommet du biseau étant compris entre environ 10° et environ 35°, et de préférence entre environ 15° et environ 30°, mieux encore entre 16° et 23°.

The invention thus has, according to one of its aspects, an applicator comprising:

• a rod,
• a closure member of a container at a first end of the stem,
• a bundle of bristles at a second end of the shank, opposite to the former, this bundle of bristles having a tapered end, the apex angle of the bevel being between about 10 ° and about 35 °, and preferably about 15 ° ° and about 30 °, better still between 16 ° and 23 °.

The bundle of bristles may have an elongated cross section along an axis X of greater length and, when observed perpendicular to the X axis of greater length, has the beveled end.

Thanks to the invention, the drop of product that forms at the end of the brush after spinning of the tip is sufficiently far from this point, given the relatively high slope of the bevel, so that the tip can be used without arrival excessive product during the application.

In other words, the invention makes it possible to create a capillary rupture at the end of the brush.

Thus, the user can achieve easier control of the deposited product thickness and the formation of a layer of continuous thickness is favored.

The product tending to accumulate at the end of the brush may nevertheless feed the tip during application, especially when the beam is deformed by pressing on the nail or the skin.

The thickness of the beam tip, measured in the direction of the X axis, may be less than 1/3 of the maximum width of the pile bundle along the X axis, or less than 1/4 of the maximum width of the hair bundle along the X axis.

Preferably, the bundle of bristles has, in a cross section, a generally flattened shape, being for example of substantially oval or rectangular section.

The cross section of the pile bundle may not be circular.

The bundle of bristles, when observed perpendicular to the X axis of greater length, may be devoid of rim or recess.

More preferably, the rod comprises at least one groove opening substantially half-width of the bundle of bristles, for example a longitudinal groove, which may extend for example over a major part of the length of the rod.

When the rod has such a groove, the product flowing along the rod tends to gain preferentially a central region of the brush, which further reduces the risk of excess product at the tip thereof .

In an exemplary embodiment, the rod comprises two longitudinal grooves opening substantially at half the width of the bundle of bristles and disposed opposite one another on the rod.

The rod may comprise a housing having an oblong, in particular rectangular or oval, cross section in which the bundle of bristles is received, which may facilitate the formation of a generally flattened beam.

The rod may have a constant cross section.

The bundle of bristles comprises for example at least one tuft of bristles stapled in the housing. The attachment of the bristles can still be done otherwise than by stapling, for example by stamping the rod, gluing, welding or overmolding.

The bundle of bristles is advantageously starched before the first use, which may especially facilitate the mechanized placement of the applicator on a corresponding container and also to prevent damage to the bristles during handling prior to assembly of the applicator on the container.

The rod may comprise a tip for fixing in the closure element, this nozzle being for example tubular. The rod can still be connected differently to the closure element, being for example made in one piece with it.

The closure member may be arranged to be screwed to the container, but alternatively the attachment may be effected otherwise, for example by snapping or friction, or with the aid of an auxiliary holding piece.

A wiper may be disposed in the neck of the bottle, if any.

The rod may be rigid or flexible, and may or may not include a joint or region of greater deformability. A stiff rod can help improve makeup accuracy.

In an exemplary embodiment, the beam tip is shifted laterally relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod.

The apparent length of the beam is for example between 10 mm and 20 mm.

The bristles can be tapered by grinding.

The bristles used have, for example, a section with a diameter of between 6/100 and 20/100 mm, for example of the order of 8/100 mm.

The bristles may be of sections and / or forms identical or not, hollow or solid, grooved or not, tapered end or not, and mixed if necessary.

The beam may comprise a mixture of hairs of different natures.

The bristles can be made for example in one of the following materials: PA, PET, PTFE, PBT, PP, PS, POM, this list is not limiting.

Another aspect of the invention is an applicator comprising a rod carrying a bundle of bristles, preferably of substantially flattened cross-section, the bundle having on one side long bristles and on the other side short hairs, the difference in length between long hairs and short hairs exceeding preferably 6 mm. The length of the long hairs is for example greater than 10 mm and that of the short hairs less than 6 mm. The free ends of the bristles of the beam may form a bevel, whose angle is for example between 10 ° and 35 °.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, a packaging device and application comprising an applicator as defined above and a container on which the applicator can be fixed.

This container contains for example a composition to be applied to the nails or the skin, which may include pigments, including a white nail polish.

The container may be of glass or any other material adapted to contain the composition.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, a makeup process in which is deposited using the tip of an applicator as defined above a product line on the skin or nails.

This method includes, for example, the step of drawing the white of the nails using the tip of the applicator.

• une tige,
• un faisceau de poils à une extrémité de la tige, ce faisceau ayant une extrémité dont la forme est choisie de manière à former une pointe servant à déposer un trait de produit, la forme de l'extrémité du faisceau permettant à la pointe d'être épargnée par le produit tendant à gagner par gravité l'extrémité du faisceau lorsque l'applicateur est maintenu vertical après essorage de la pointe.

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is an applicator comprising:

• a rod,
• a bundle of bristles at one end of the rod, this bundle having an end whose shape is selected to form a tip for depositing a product line, the shape of the end of the bundle allowing the tip to be spared by the product tending to gravity win the end of the beam when the applicator is held vertical after spinning the tip.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation, schématique, d'un dispositif de conditionnement et d'application réalisé conformément à l'invention, l'applicateur étant représenté séparé du récipient,
• la figure 2 représente le dispositif de la figure 1 en coupe longitudinale, schématique, l'applicateur étant en place sur le récipient,
• la figure 3 représente à échelle agrandie, isolément, la tige de l'applicateur de la figure 1, en section transversale selon III-III de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une section transversale de la tige selon IV-IV de la figure 1,
• la figure 5 est une section transversale, schématique, selon V-V de la figure 1,
• la figure 6 est une vue de côté selon l'axe X,
• la figure 7 représente de manière schématique en élévation le faisceau de poils et l'extrémité de la tige portant celui-ci,
• la figure 8 illustre l'utilisation de l'applicateur pour dessiner le blanc des ongles,
• la figure 9 est une vue analogue à la figure 3 d'une variante de réalisation,
• les figures 10 à 12 sont des vues analogues à la figure 7, de variantes de réalisation, et
• la figure 13 illustre la possibilité de disposer un essoreur dans le col.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the attached drawing, which forms an integral part of the description, on which :

• FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevational view of a packaging and application device produced according to the invention, the applicator being shown separated from the container,
• FIG. 2 represents the device of FIG. 1 in longitudinal section, schematic, the applicator being in place on the container,
• FIG. 3 represents on an enlarged scale, in isolation, the rod of the applicator of FIG. 1, in cross-section on III-III of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 is a cross section of the rod along IV-IV of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 5 is a schematic cross section, along VV of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 6 is a side view along the X axis,
• FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic representation in elevation of the bundle of bristles and the end of the rod carrying the latter,
• FIG. 8 illustrates the use of the applicator for drawing the nails' white,
• FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of an alternative embodiment;
• FIGS. 10 to 12 are views similar to FIG. 7, of alternative embodiments, and
• Figure 13 illustrates the possibility of having a wiper in the neck.

The device 1 of packaging and application shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises firstly a container 3 containing a cosmetic composition V to apply on the nails, for example a white pigmented varnish, and secondly an applicator 2 for the application of the product V and can be fixed on the container 3 in the absence of use to close tightly this one.

The container 3 comprises in the embodiment described a body 4 made of glass, provided superiorly with an externally threaded neck 5, on which can be screwed a closure element 6.

The applicator 2 comprises an overcap 7 in which is inserted the closure member 6 and a rod 8 of longitudinal axis Y, having at its upper end a tubular nozzle 9 inserted into a correspondingly shaped housing 10 of the element of closure 6.

The rod 8 also comprises a frustoconical portion 12 connected to a plate 13 extended by the end cap 9.

The plate 13 comes to rest axially against the upper end 15 of the neck 5 when the container 1 is closed, as can be seen in Figure 2, and can thus contribute to the sealing of the closure of the container.

The container 3 may contain a ball 17 for homogenizing the product V before use.

The rod 8 has at its lower end a housing 20 which receives a bundle of bristles 21.

It can be seen in Figure 3 that the housing 20 has, in cross section, an oblong shape, for example rectangular, elongated along a major axis X perpendicular to the axis Y.

As can be seen in Figure 6, the hair bundle, when observed along the X axis, for example has a substantially straight end.

In the example, the bundle of bristles 21 is constituted by a tuft of bristles folded in two and fixed to the bottom of the housing 20 by a staple 23, which is for example oriented parallel to the axis X.

The rod 8 has a cross sectional shape also oblong, elongate along the same major axis X, with two opposite major faces grooves 25.

The rod 8 may have, around the housing 1, a thickness of material e variable, as illustrated.

Above the housing 20, the rod may have a solid cross section, as shown in FIG. 4.

The oblong shape of the housing 20 confers on the bundle of bristles 21 a generally flattened shape in cross-section, for example substantially rectangular or oval, as can be seen in FIG.

In the example considered, each groove 25 opens out below substantially half-width of the bundle of bristles 21, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

In this figure, it can be seen that the beam 21, when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the X and Y axes, has a generally beveled shape with a tip 27 at the lower end of the beam 21.

The angle α at the apex of the bevel is for example between 10 ° and 35 °, being for example close to 20 ° in the example in question.

The beam 21 has a contour which, in FIG. 7, widens from the rod 8 and the tip 27 is offset laterally with respect to the longitudinal axis Y.

The distance m measured along the longitudinal axis Y, separating the apex of the bevel defined by the longer hairs and the rod 8, is for example between 10 and 20 mm, being for example close to 17 mm.

The distance n also measured parallel to the Y axis, between the rod 8 and the upper corner 30 of the end face 29 defined by the ends of the shortest hairs, is for example between 5 and 10 mm, for example less than 8 mm, the difference min being preferably greater than or equal to 6 mm. The length t of the end face 29 substantially flat in the illustrated example is for example greater than 6 mm. The width ω at the base of the bevel, that is to say at the height of the wedge 30, is for example between 2 and 4 mm approximately.

Preferably, before mounting the applicator 2 in the container 3, the bundle of bristles 21 is starched by means of a substance which then dissolves in the product V. This makes it possible to prevent the bristles from being damaged and also facilitates the insertion of the beam 21 through the neck 5 of the container.

The applicator 2 can be used as follows.

After mixing the product V for example by shaking the device 1, the applicator 2 is separated from the container 3 and the user can wring the brush on the edge of the neck 5.

When the applicator is held vertically, the drop G of product V which tends to form, as shown in dashed lines in FIG. 7, remains distant from the tip 27.

The user can draw the white C of the nail with the tip 27, as shown in FIG. 8. The user can for example use to deposit the product the lower end of the end face 29 by bringing it to the contact of the nail, the stem being straight. Alternatively, the user can still use the back 33 of the beam 21, the beam 21 being reversed. The user can still use a lateral portion of the tip 27 or still use the applicator, depending on the pattern to be drawn.

The product V which flows along the rod under the effect of gravity can stop substantially in the center of the end face 29 and feed the tip 27 only when the brush is deformed by pressing on the blade. nail, which allows the user to deposit the product with a continuous intensity.

Various modifications may be made to the invention.

For example, the rod 8 can be made without the grooves 25, as shown in Figure 9, which is however less favorable to the accuracy of makeup.

The beam 21 may have other shapes than that illustrated in FIG. 7, for example having a truncation or a rounding at the point 27, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

The end face 29 may not be substantially flat but generally convex or concave outwards, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11. In these configurations, the angle α may be measured between the back 33 of the bundle 21 and the tangent to the end face 29, at the point 27, in the plane of the X and Y axes.

Various types of hair can be used.

In the illustrated examples, full circular section bristles of 8/100 mm diameter are used, but other bristles of different sections and / or different sizes may replace them. The nature of the bristles will for example be chosen according to that of the product to be applied. A mixture of hairs can be used, if necessary. The bristles can be PA, PET, PTFE, PP, PS, POM, PBT, or other natural or synthetic materials.

The bristles may have tapered ends or not.

The neck of the container may receive a wiper 40, as shown in FIG. 13.

Throughout the description including the claims, the phrase "having one" should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

The expression "between" must be understood as inclusive.

Claims (24)

Applicator (2) comprising: a rod (8), a closure element (6) of a container (3) at a first end of the stem, - a bundle of bristles (21) having a cross section of elongate shape along an axis (X) of greater length at a second end of the rod, opposite to the first, this bundle of bristles comprising, when observed perpendicularly to the axis (X) of greater length, a beveled end, the angle (α) at the top of the bevel is between 10 ° and 35 °. Applicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the angle (α) is between 15 ° and 30 °. Applicator according to Claim 1, characterized in that the angle (α) is between 16 ° and 23 °. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the bundle of bristles (21) has, in a cross section, a generally flattened shape, in particular substantially oval or rectangular. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (8) comprises at least one groove (25) opening substantially at half the width of the bundle of bristles (21), better two longitudinal grooves (25) opening substantially half-width of the bundle of bristles and arranged opposite one another on the rod. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (8) comprises a housing (20) having an oblong transverse cross section, in particular rectangular, in which the bundle of bristles (21) is received. Applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bundle of bristles (21) comprises at least one tuft of bristles stapled in the housing or overmolded therein. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a mixture of bristles having different natures and / or shapes. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bundle of bristles (21) is starched. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the bristles have tapered ends by grinding. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (8) comprises a nozzle (9) for fixing in the closure element (6). Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (8) is rigid. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tip (27) is offset laterally relative to the longitudinal axis (Y) of the rod (8). Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the maximum apparent length (m) of the beam (21) is between 10 and 20 mm. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the beam has a substantially flat end face (29). Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the beam has a concave end face. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the beam has a convex end face. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a rod carrying a bundle of bristles of substantially flattened cross-section, the bundle having on one side long bristles and on the other side short bristles, the difference in length (mn ) between long hairs and short hairs exceeding 6 mm. Applicator according to Claim 18, characterized in that the length (m) of the long bristles is greater than 10 mm. Applicator according to Claim 18 or 19, characterized in that the length (n) of the short hairs is less than 8 mm. Device (1) for packaging and application comprising an applicator (2) as defined in any one of the preceding claims and a container (3) in which the applicator can be fixed. Device according to claim 21, characterized in that the container (3) contains a pigmented composition (V) to be applied to the nails or the skin, in particular a nail polish. Device according to one of claims 21 and 22, characterized in that the container comprises a wiper (40). A method of making the nails, comprising the step of drawing the nails white using the tip (27) of an applicator as defined in any one of claims 1 to 20.

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