EP2355676B1

EP2355676B1 - An applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup, or care product composition to keratinous materials

Info

Publication number: EP2355676B1
Application number: EP09795560.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Jean-Louis Gueret
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2008-12-11
Filing date: 2009-12-09
Publication date: 2017-06-14
Anticipated expiration: 2029-12-09
Also published as: US20110284021A1; EP2355676A1; FR2939618A1; WO2010067314A1; FR2939618B1; ES2639401T3

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup, or care product, e.g. mascara, to keratinous materials, in particular keratinous fibers, e.g. the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, and to a packaging and applicator device including such an applicator.
Patent applications EP 1 070 468 and 1 632 149 disclose applicators for applying a composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, each applicator including rows of projecting elements connected to a base of elongate shape, the projecting elements of a row extending flush with a corresponding side of the base or tangentially thereto.
Such an applicator presents numerous advantages with regard to storing the composition and to smoothing the eyelashes. However, to use it, the user may be obliged to begin by identifying the positions of the rows of projecting elements relative to the eyelashes or the eyebrows.
Thus, there exists a need to make it possible to improve identifying the position of the applicator relative to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, so as to make it easier to apply makeup and to improve the speed at which makeup is applied.
In patent EP 1 872 682 , the rows of teeth comprise teeth that are disposed in alternation on opposite sides of a separation surface, thus not being strictly in alignment, and extending from the core in different directions.
In patent application FR 2 913 572 , the teeth of the applicator are disposed in helical rows, the teeth being centered on the corresponding faces of a central core.
In US patent No. 6 616 366 and patent application FR 2 906 692 , the core does not include longitudinal faces to which the rows are connected.
The invention seeks to enable the user to apply makeup in simple and reliable manner.
In exemplary embodiments, the invention provides an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup, or care product, to keratinous materials, in particular keratinous fibers, in particular the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator comprising:

· a molded core that extends along a longitudinal axis and that comprises longitudinal faces; and
· applicator elements that are carried by the core, each of the applicator elements being connected to the core via a base;

The applicator according to exemplary embodiments of the invention makes it possible to obtain a satisfactory makeup effect, even when the user is not very practiced.
The applicator according to exemplary embodiments of the invention makes it possible to have an applicator that is capable of loading the eyelashes with a relatively large quantity of composition and of gripping said eyelashes so as to smooth the composition disposed on their surfaces.
In this way, the operation of applying makeup is made easier, and the user may apply makeup in satisfactory manner to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by means of a single applicator, without necessarily having to use an additional comb for smoothing the composition over the eyelashes or the eyebrows after the composition has been applied.
The applicator according to exemplary embodiments of the invention further makes it possible to curl and extend the eyelashes sufficiently after applying the composition.
Furthermore, when the composition for application contains fibers, the applicator according to exemplary embodiments of the invention makes it possible to align said fibers satisfactorily, in such a manner that they are oriented substantially parallel to the eyelashes when the composition is applied.
The term "applicator element" as used in the context of the present invention should be understood to mean an individual applicator element carried by the core, e.g. a tooth or a bristle, or even a tuft of bristles. The bristles or teeth may be made by molding thermoplastic material, e.g. out of the same material as the region of the core that carries them. The terms "bristles" or "teeth" are interchangeable, even if the term "teeth" is normally used to designate applicator elements of an applicator member made by molding, and the term "bristles" is normally used to designate applicator elements fitted to a core, e.g. as in a twisted-core brush. An applicator element may also be constituted by a tuft of bristles, the core itself being made by molding.
The expression "flush with" should be understood to mean that the applicator elements that are connected to one longitudinal face of the core, themselves extend substantially in a plane that contains one of the longitudinal faces that are adjacent to the face of the core to which they are connected, or in other words, they extend substantially tangential to the surface of the core at their connection points.
All of the rows may be connected to a respective face of the core, flush with one of the faces adjacent to the face to which the row is connected.
The teeth may have bases that are not centered on the longitudinal face of the core to which they are connected.
The core of the applicator may be of cross-section that is polygonal, e.g. in the shape of a regular polygon or a non-regular polygon, e.g. triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, or octagonal. The faces may be plane or slightly concave or slightly convex. In some exemplary embodiments, the cross-section of the core need not have any concave shape, and may be of generally convex shape.
The core may have 3 to 8 longitudinal faces, or even 3 to 6 longitudinal faces.
The longitudinal faces of the core may be separated by sharp edges. One or more of the sharp edges, or even all of the sharp edges, may twist around the core.
All of the applicator elements of the applicator may be connected to the core flush with an adjacent face.
The applicator may be deprived of any applicator element which would not be connected to the core flush with an adjacent face.
The eyelashes or the eyebrows may be loaded with composition that is in contact with the core. The core may thus participate in active manner in applying composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by means of the particular disposition of the applicator elements in the invention.
The applicator elements form between them longitudinal channels, in particular channels that do not have any applicator elements, which channels may take on a twisted shape given the twisted configuration of one of more rows of applicator elements. The channels make it possible to store reserves of composition, and that advantageously enables the user to avoid reloading the applicator during an application, thereby enabling better loading of the eyelashes.
Furthermore, the presence of one or more channels between the applicator elements makes it possible to provide contact between the eyelashes or the eyebrows and the core itself, thereby making it possible to improve smoothing of the eyelashes or the eyebrows.
Each of the applicator elements is connected to the core via a base. The bases of the applicator elements of a row, or even of two rows, or even of all of the rows, are in alignment along a longitudinal axis of the row. The term "in alignment" should be understood to mean that the centers of the bases of the applicator elements are situated on the longitudinal axis of the row, not being offset on either side of said axis. A line that passes via the centers of each of the bases of consecutive applicator elements of a row does not include any discontinuity. The line may be rectilinear or curved, e.g. being twisted around the longitudinal axis of the core.
At least two applicator elements of two different rows, in particular rows that are connected to different longitudinal faces of the core, extend from said core in different directions. The applicator may comprise at least two applicator elements that are oriented in the same left- or right-handed direction around the longitudinal axis of the core, and this may be true of at least all of the applicator elements of at least two rows, or even of all of the applicator elements of all of the rows of the applicator.
The applicator may comprise two rows, or three rows, or even all of its rows, with longitudinal axes that are twisted around the core.
The term "twisted" should be understood to mean that the corresponding axis has a generally helical shape, turning to some extent about the longitudinal axis of the core on going towards its distal end.
In view of the twisted configuration of the rows of applicator elements, the cross-section of the applicator is circular, thereby making it easier for the applicator elements to access the eyelashes.
The twisted configuration of the rows of applicator elements makes it possible to reinforce its ability to separate the eyelashes or the eyebrows and to improve its ability to apply composition thereto, making it possible to improve the speed at which makeup is applied.
Furthermore, the twisted configuration of the rows of applicator elements makes it possible to provide better contact with the eyelashes or the eyebrows, and to provide better makeup effects.
The applicator need not have any wire twisted around the core to create the twisted row effect.
The device may comprise a molded applicator member comprising the molded core and the above-defined applicator elements. The twisted configuration of the rows may be obtained by the shape of the mold in which the applicator member is molded, or, in a variant, the core may be deformed on being unmolded, by turning an endpiece of said core.
The angular offset between the first applicator element of a twisted row and the last applicator element of the same twisted row, along the longitudinal axis of the row, when the applicator is observed along the longitudinal axis of the core, may lie in the range 10° to 180°, better in the range 20° to 130°, e.g. in the range 30° to 110°, e.g. about 45° or 60° or even 90°. The angular offset is measured between the long directions of the applicator elements.
The angle may vary continuously along the longitudinal axis of the core, i.e. the longitudinal axis of the row forms a helix having a regular pitch around the longitudinal axis of the core, or, in a variant, the angle may vary in non-continuous manner, i.e. the longitudinal axis of the row forms a helix of non-uniform pitch around the longitudinal axis of the core, e.g. possibly increasing towards a free end of the applicator or decreasing towards said free end, or even increasing then decreasing, or decreasing then increasing.
When the applicator comprises a plurality of rows each having a longitudinal axis that is twisted around the core, the angle between the first and last applicator elements of each row may be identical, e.g. varying in identical manner along the longitudinal axis of the core, or it may be different from one row to another.
When the applicator is observed from its free end looking along the longitudinal axis of the core, the twisted row(s) may turn in a counterclockwise direction, or, in a variant, in a clockwise direction.
The selected angle may depend on the disposition of the applicator elements in the row and on the applicator elements themselves, e.g. their shape, section, width, height, and/or spacing in the row. In addition or in a variant, the angle may depend on the rheology of the composition that is associated with the applicator or even on the desired makeup effect.
For a core that is hollow in its center, the twisted configuration may be obtained by inserting a stem in the core, and then holding the stem at a first end and twisting its other end, so as to impart the desired twist effect to the assembly.
The stem may be configured to prevent the core from turning freely on the stem in any way, in particular being of a cross-section that is not circular, e.g. polygonal, triangular, square, or rectangular.
In addition or in a variant, the stem may comprise transverse orifices, and that may be particularly advantageous when the core is overmolded on the stem, the material constituting the core being suitable for flowing into the transverse orifices of the stem during molding, thereby providing co-operation between the stem and the core.
By way of example, the stem may be made out of a rigid material, e.g. metal, or out of a relatively rigid plastics material. The core, and possibly the applicator elements, may then be made out of a relatively flexible plastics material that may be an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer.
In general, the term "longitudinal axis" of the core should be understood as the line that joins the centers of gravity (barycenters) of the cross-sections of the core. In some circumstances, the longitudinal axis may be a central axis, or even an axis of symmetry for the core, in particular when the core presents a cross-section that has the general shape of a regular polygon. The longitudinal axis may be rectilinear or curved. The core may be central, i.e. all of the teeth extend outwards from the core, all around the core.
The applicator member may be molded out of a single material, or out of a plurality of materials. Regions of the core from which different rows extend may thus be made out of the same material, or, in a variant, out of different materials, in particular materials having different colors. The two materials may belong to the same polymer family. By way of example, the two materials may have the same chemical nature but different hardnesses. For example, the two materials may both be thermoplastic polyester elastomers e.g. of trade name Hytrel®, or polyether block amide of trade name Pebax®. When the applicator member is made out of two materials, the two materials may for example have mechanical properties that are different, in particular in terms of hardness, one of the materials being softer than the other, for example, or they may even have colors that are different. The materials of one or the other region of the core, or of both, may be of different hardnesses for the core and for the applicator elements.
The applicator elements of one row and the applicator elements of another row may be made out of the same material, or, in a variant, they may be made out of different materials.
By way of example, the applicator elements of one row or of two different rows may differ from each other in: their disposition on the core; their shape; their length; their thickness; their cross-sectional shape; their material; their hardness; the treatment optionally received thereby; their arrangement in their rows; their spacing in their rows and/or their orientation in their rows; their number in a row; their number on a face of the core.
Around the longitudinal axis of the core, two successive rows may be identical, or, in a variant, they may be different. Around the longitudinal axis of the core, two non-successive rows, e.g. separated by a third row or by two other rows, may be identical, or, in a variant, they may be different.
The majority of the applicator elements of the applicator may have thickness lying either in the range 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, or in the range 0.5 mm to 0.65 mm. The term "thickness of an applicator element" is used to designate the greatest cross-section of the applicator element. In the first instance, i.e. when the thickness lies in the range 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, the applicator elements are relatively fine and may also be relatively flexible when the material from which they are made is a flexible material. In the second instance, i.e. when the thickness lies in the range 0.5 mm to 0.65 mm, the applicator elements are thicker and may be more rigid. The thickness of the applicator elements could be selected as a function of the type of makeup effect desired and/or the nature of the eyelashes to be treated and/or the rheology of the composition for application, for example.
The applicator may comprise only applicator elements having thickness lying in the range 0.2 mm to 0.5 mm, or, in a variant, only applicator elements having thickness that is strictly greater than 0.5 mm and less than 0.65 mm, or it may even include both. By way of example, applicator elements having a certain thickness may be mixed together with applicator elements having another thickness, or, in a variant, the applicator elements having a certain thickness may be grouped together in one row, while the applicator elements having another thickness are grouped together in another row.
The term "length of an applicator element" is used to designate the distance measured along the long direction of the applicator element between the free end of the applicator element and its base via which it is connected to the core. The length of an applicator element is measured from the core of the applicator member.
All of the applicator elements of a region of the applicator member may have the same length, except possibly the applicator elements situated in the vicinity of each of the two ends of the applicator member.
The applicator may comprise 150 to 500 applicator elements, for example.
The term "row" is used to designate a succession of applicator elements that are generally situated on the same side of the core, and that succeed one another along the core. By way of example, the applicator may include at least three rows of applicator elements extending along the longitudinal axis, e.g. 3 to 20 rows of applicator elements.
A row of applicator elements may have at least three applicator elements of the same length. Within a row of applicator elements, the number of applicator elements may lie in the range about 6 to 60, in particular in the range about 10 to 50. At least two applicator elements of at least one row may present lengths that are different or identical. At least two applicator elements of at least one row may present shapes that are different or identical. At least one applicator element of at least one row may present a general shape that tapers towards its free end. At least one applicator element may be of tapered, frustoconical, or pyramid shape. At least one applicator element of one of the rows may present a shape that is different from an applicator element of another row.
Within each row, the applicator elements may be spaced-apart evenly along the longitudinal axis of the row, or they may be grouped together in groups of two or more applicator elements, the spacing between the applicator elements of one group along the longitudinal axis of the row being less than the spacing between two adjacent groups of applicator elements of said row, for example.
By adapting the shape of the applicator elements and their spacing, it is possible to establish cavities of greater or smaller size between the applicator elements, such cavities being suitable for being loaded with composition. It is thus possible to make a row of applicator elements that is capable of being loaded with a substantial quantity of composition, but without the row of applicator elements losing its capacity to grip the eyelashes.
Two rows of applicator elements may be made out of different respective materials. In addition, the applicator elements of a single row of applicator elements may be made out of different materials, e.g. of different hardnesses or colors.
At least two successive applicator elements of a row may optionally be touching at their base, all of the applicator elements of the row respectively being non-touching or touching at their bases. The spacing between the applicator elements, measured at the bases of the applicator elements and not between the axes of the applicator elements, may lie in the range 0 to 1.2 mm within a row, e.g. in the range 0.01 mm and 1 mm.
At least two consecutive applicator elements may have substantially-touching portions. The term "substantially touching" should be understood to mean that an eyelash or an eyebrow hair is prevented from moving freely between portions of at least two consecutive applicator elements in a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core, because of the proximity of said portions. The spacing between two consecutive applicator elements may be less than or equal to 0.1 mm, for example. The spacing corresponds to the smallest gap between the outside surfaces of two consecutive applicator elements.
In other words, the applicator member is brought into contact with the eyelashes in such a manner that it extends substantially transversally relative to the eyelashes, with an eyelash that penetrates between two consecutive applicator elements that have portions that are substantially touching being prevented from moving freely between said portions because of their proximity to each other, the eyelash thus becoming gripped. The portions may be sufficiently close to prevent an eyelash from passing between them. Although the expression "substantially touching" covers portions that are in contact or that overlap, the portions need not necessarily be in contact, providing the eyelash is prevented from moving freely between them.
The grip obtained makes it possible to distribute the composition in substantially uniform manner over substantially the entire length of an eyelash, thereby making it possible to favor extending said eyelash. Furthermore, the grip makes it possible to curl the eyelashes.
When the core is observed along its longitudinal axis, i.e. from a free end of said core, at least two consecutive applicator elements may have top portions that diverge apart from each other, that converge towards each other, that cross over, or that extend substantially parallel to each other. At least two consecutive applicator elements may have top portions that are directed towards opposite ends of the core.
When the teeth are applicator elements, said applicator elements may be made with a small spacing at their bases so that the eyelashes or the eyebrows may be gripped effectively between two consecutive applicator elements, while having a greater spacing between their free ends, said spacing favoring the engagement of the eyelashes between the applicator elements and the retention of a supply of composition on the applicator.
When the applicator is observed from the side, perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, at least two applicator elements may define a V-shaped groove.
Two consecutive applicator elements of a row need not be images of each other that are merely shifted in translation, in particular when the cross-sections of the applicator elements are non-circular in shape.
At least two consecutive applicator elements of a row of applicator elements may have first faces both having a common first shape, e.g. plane, at least at the bottom portions of the applicator elements, for example, and second faces both having a common second shape, e.g. not plane, in particular rounded. The first faces may all face in the same direction around the core, i.e. they may all face in the same clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, when the core is observed along its longitudinal axis.
The first faces of the applicator elements, in particular when they are plane, may be connected substantially perpendicularly to the corresponding face of the core, at least for some applicator elements in the row. At least one applicator element, or even all of the applicator elements, may present a plane face that is parallel to its long direction.
The cross-section of at least one applicator element, or even of each applicator element, may be substantially semi-circular or semi-elliptical in shape, e.g. generally D-shaped, or it may be of still some other shape. At least one applicator element may present a cross-section that is: circular; elliptical; polygonal, in particular triangular, square, rectangular, octagonal, parallelogram-shaped, lozenge-shaped; or oval. This may impart thereto a better capacity to deform in a preferred direction.
At least one applicator element may present at least one portion in relief. Such a characteristic may improve the adherence of the composition to the applicator element.
Without changing in shape, the cross-section of the applicator element may decrease on going away from the core, e.g. over more than half of the length of the applicator element. Two applicator elements may be of shapes that are different, e.g. of cross-sections that are different, or of longitudinal sections that are different. At least one applicator element may be of frustoconical shape. At least one applicator element may be of cylindrical shape.
The applicator elements may optionally be rectilinear, e.g. each extending along a long axis for the applicator element that is rectilinear, or else they may be curved, or they may even be undulating. The term "longitudinal axis of the applicator element" is used to mean an axis that passes via the centers of gravity of the cross-sections of the applicator element.
The free ends of the applicator elements may define an envelope surface that may extend along a longitudinal axis that forms a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the core.
The envelope surface may be of greatest transverse dimension, e.g. of diameter, that is substantially constant over at least a fraction of the length of the applicator member.
The envelope surface may be in the shape of a peanut, an American football, or frustoconical.
Since the longitudinal axis of a row is considered at the surface of the core, two longitudinal axes of two successive rows, around the longitudinal axis of the core, may be separated angularly by an angle that is less than 80°, e.g. about 60°, or even less than 50°, e.g. about 45° or less. The distribution of the longitudinal axes of the rows at the surface of the core may be substantially regular, with spacing between them that is substantially constant and equal to a predefined value ±20%, better ±10%, better still ±5%.
Applicator elements may be situated along the core, around the longitudinal axis of the core, at intervals of about one every 360°/n, for example, with n lying in the range 3 to 20, better in the range 4 to 16, better still in the range 6 to 10.
The applicator member may be such that it does not include any portion without applicator elements that extends angularly over more than one eighth of a turn.
By way of example, the applicator elements may extend in at least four, or even six different directions around the longitudinal axis of the core.
The length of a row, or even all of the rows, may lie in the range about 10 mm to 45 mm, in particular in the range 15 mm to 35 mm, or even in the range 20 mm to 30 mm, e.g. being about 25 mm.
The core may have a greatest transverse dimension, measured perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, e.g. a diameter, lying in the range 1.2 mm to 3 mm.
The applicator elements may be formed by mono-injecting material or by over-injecting, preferably using a thermoplastic material that may be elastomeric. By way of example, it may be made by injection into a mold that is open on its sides in such a manner as to form the applicator elements. The applicator element may also be made by dual-injection, e.g. by injecting two materials simultaneously into a single mold.
At least one of the core and an applicator element may present magnetic properties. By way of example, the magnetic properties may result from a filler of magnetic particles, e.g. of ferrites, that are dispersed in the plastics material of the core and/or of the applicator element.
At least one of the core and an applicator element may be flocked and/or may include a filler for improving sliding, for example.

Applicator

The applicator may further comprise a stem that is connected at a first end to the applicator member, and at a second end to a handle of the applicator.
The core may extend along a longitudinal axis that, at at least one point along its length, forms a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of a stem to which the core is fastened. The core may be bent where it connects to the stem.
In some exemplary embodiments of the invention, the handle need not be circularly symmetrical, in particular it need not be circularly cylindrical.
The shape of the handle enables the fingers and the thumb to be positioned on the handle, e.g. on one or more flats of said handle, so as to encourage the user to take hold of the applicator easily and intuitively in order to position it easily relative to the surface being made up.
The stem may be connected to a body of the handle that defines the grip surface, or, in a variant, to a fastener cap that is configured to be snap-fastened or force-fitted in the body of the handle. The fastener cap may be configured to turn relative to the body of the handle.
The applicator may be used without composition in order to comb the eyelashes or the eyebrows, and with or without vibration being applied.
In cross-section, the stem may be circular in shape over at least a major fraction of its length, or even over its entire length.
By way of example, the diameter of the stem may lie in the range 3 mm to 3.5 mm.
The core may be constituted by a separate piece that is fitted to the stem of the applicator. The core may be fastened to the stem of the applicator by inserting an endpiece that extends the visible portion of the core into a housing formed at the end of the stem. In a variant, the core may comprise a housing that extends longitudinally, and into which the stem is inserted.
The core may comprise a housing at one of its ends only, so as to enable it to be fastened to a stem connected to a handle.
Still in a variant, the core may be made integrally with the stem of the applicator by molding a plastics material.
The core may be made of a plastics material that is more flexible or less flexible than the plastics material that is used to make the stem of the applicator.
The applicator may be free of any metal, thereby making it possible to put it in a microwave oven.
Where appropriate, the core may have a hollow inside, and it may include at least one channel via which the composition can pass through the applicator member.

Device

The invention also provides a packaging and applicator device for applying a product to keratinous fibers, in particular the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the device comprising an applicator as defined above, and a receptacle containing the composition.
The handle of the applicator may constitute a closure cap for closing the receptacle. The handle may be configured to close, in leaktight manner, the receptacle containing the product for application. The receptacle may comprise a wiper member that may be adapted to wipe the stem and the applicator member.
By way of example, the product may be a mascara, e.g. a water-resistant mascara, black or of some other color, or a care product for the eyelashes or the eyebrows.
The applicator could be used with a vibration generator. By way of example, it is possible to have a motor at the end of the handle, making it possible to generate vibration, said vibration possibly being longitudinal and transmitted as far as the applicator member.

Method of applying makeup

Independently or in combination with the above, the invention also provides a method of applying makeup to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by means of an applicator as defined above.
The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

· Figure 1 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal section view in elevation showing an example of a device made in accordance with the invention;
· Figure 2 is a side view of the Figure 1 applicator member shown in isolation;
· Figure 3 is a cross-section on III-III of Figure 2;
· Figures 4 and 5 are views similar to Figures 2 and 3 showing a variant exemplary embodiment;
· Figure 6 is a view as seen looking along arrow VI of Figure 4;
· Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Figure 3 showing variant exemplary embodiments;
· Figures 9 to 16 are cross-sections of teeth;
· Figures 17 to 25 are diagrams of envelope surfaces of variant exemplary embodiments;
. Figure 18a and 18b are views similar to Figure 2 of variant exemplary embodiments;
· Figure 26 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of a variant exemplary embodiment;
· Figures 27 to 29 show variant exemplary embodiments of applicator elements;
· Figure 30 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary cross-section of a variant exemplary embodiment of the wiper member;
· Figures 31 and 32 show details of variant exemplary embodiments of the stem;
· Figure 33 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal section of a variant exemplary embodiment; and
· Figure 34 is a diagrammatic elevation view, in fragmentary longitudinal section, showing a variant exemplary embodiment.

Figures 1 to 3 show a packaging and applicator device made in accordance with the invention, the device comprising an applicator 2 and an associated receptacle 3 containing a product P for application to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, e.g. mascara or a care product.
In the exemplary embodiment under consideration, the receptacle 3 includes a threaded neck 4, and the applicator 2 includes a closure cap 5 that is arranged to be fastened on the neck 4 so as to close the receptacle 3 in leaktight manner when not in use, the closure cap 5 also constituting a handle for the applicator 2.
The applicator 2 includes a stem 7 of longitudinal axis Y, which stem is connected at its top end to the closure cap 5, and at its bottom end to an applicator member 8.
The receptacle 3 also includes a wiper member 6 that is inserted in the neck 4.
In the exemplary embodiment under consideration, the wiper member 6, which may be of any type, includes a lip 9 that is arranged to wipe the stem 7 and the applicator member 8 while the applicator 2 is being removed from the receptacle 3. The lip 9 defines a wiper orifice of diameter that is adapted to the diameter of the stem.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, the stem 7 presents a cross-section that is circular, but it is would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention for the stem 7 to present some other section, the cap 5 thus possibly being fastened on the receptacle 3 other than by screw-fastening, if necessary. The wiper member 6 could be adapted to the shape of the stem 7 and to the shape of the applicator member 8, where appropriate.
In the exemplary embodiment under consideration, the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7 is rectilinear and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the receptacle 3 when the applicator 2 is in place thereon, but would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention for the stem 7 to be non-rectilinear, e.g. forming a bend.
Where appropriate, the stem 7 may include an annular narrowing at its portion that comes to be positioned facing the lip 9 of the wiper member 6, so that said wiper member is not mechanically stressed unduly during storage.
With reference to Figures 2 and 3, it can be seen that the applicator member 8 includes a central core 10 of elongate shape, extending along a longitudinal axis X.
In the exemplary embodiment under consideration, over the majority of its length, the core 10 presents a cross-section that is polygonal, having sides that define longitudinal faces 15. The longitudinal axis X is central.
By way of example, the longitudinal faces 15 are six in number, the cross-section of the core being substantially hexagonal.
In the exemplary embodiment shown, a single row 17 of teeth 18 is connected to each of the longitudinal faces 15, which teeth have bases 19 that are in alignment.
Furthermore, as can be seen in Figure 3, each of the rows 17 of teeth 18 is connected to a corresponding face flush with one of the faces 15 adjacent to the face to which the row 17 is connected.
In addition, the teeth 18 are disposed in rows 17 along a longitudinal axis of the row that is twisted, as can be seen in Figure 2, the faces 15 of the core 10 themselves being twisted.
Furthermore, when considering the teeth 18 of a row 17, all of the teeth 18 of a row 17 extend along a long direction from the core, forming an angle with the face 15 of the core to which they are connected, that is constant for all of the teeth 18 of the row 17.
The bases of the teeth 18 are in alignment, a single line intersecting all of the bases 19 of the aligned teeth of the row, the line constituting the longitudinal axis of the row.
In order to use the device 1, the user can unscrew the closure cap 5 and remove the applicator member 8 from the receptacle 3.
After the applicator member 8 has passed through the wiper member 6, a certain quantity of composition remains on the applicator member between the rows 17 and between the teeth 18 of the rows, and can be applied to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by the user.
In the exemplary embodiment under consideration, the core 10 is extended from its proximal end by a cylindrical endpiece that enables it to be fastened onto the stem 7. In particular, fastening may be performed by force-fitting, snap-fastening, adhesive, heat-sealing, or crimping in a housing provided at the end of the stem. In a variant, the stem may be inserted into a housing provided in the core.
The core 10 may also be molded integrally with the stem 7 or with a housing in which the stem 7 is inserted.
Finally, the stem 7 may be made as a single part integrally with the fastener cap, or it may be force-fitted into a housing formed in the fastener cap, or it may even include an endpiece for fastening in said fastener cap.
The core 10 may be deformed on unmolding by turning the endpiece, or, in a variant, it may be deformed in the mold.
In the exemplary embodiment under consideration, the teeth 18 are made integrally with the core 10 by molding thermoplastic material.
In order to mold the applicator member 8, it is possible to use a thermoplastic material that is optionally relatively rigid, e.g. styrene-ethylenebutylene-styrene (SEBS); polyurethane (PU); a silicone rubber; latex rubber; butyl rubber; ethylene-propylene-terpolymer rubber (EPDM); a nitrile rubber; nitrile butyl rubber; an acetate-based polymer; a styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) based polymer; a thermoplastic elastomer; a polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, or vinyl elastomer; a polyolefin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP); polyvinyl chloride (PVC); ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA); polystyrene (PS); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyoxymethylene (POM); polyamide (PA); polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA); or a PA elastomer. In particular, it is possible to use materials known under the trade names Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax®, this list not being limiting.
Where appropriate, the applicator member 8 may also be made by molding, by stamping, or by machining a metal.
The teeth and the core may be made out of different materials.
At its distal end 12, the applicator member 8 may include a head that tapers forwards so as to make it easier to put the applicator 2 back into the receptacle 3. The height of the teeth 18 may decrease on going towards the head 12, along a distal transition portion 13a, as shown in Figure 2.
The height of the teeth 18 may also decrease along a proximal transition portion 13b on going towards the stem 7, so as to make it easier for the applicator member 8 to pass through the wiper member 6 while the applicator 2 is being removed.
The head 12 may be circularly symmetrical, or it may include radial fins, as shown in Figure 2.
In the exemplary embodiment described above with reference to Figures 1 to 3, the core includes six longitudinal faces and has a cross-section that is of hexagonal shape.
In general, the core may include any number of longitudinal faces, with it being possible for any of the above-described characteristics to apply regardless of the number of longitudinal faces.
The core may present a cross-section that is square, including four rows 17 of teeth 18, as shown in Figures 4 to 6, or even pentagonal, as shown in Figure 7, or even heptagonal or octagonal.
In variant exemplary embodiments, some of the longitudinal faces 15 of the core need not have teeth 18.
By way of example, Figure 8 shows a variant exemplary embodiment in which only one face in two of the applicator includes a single row 17 of teeth 18. In these exemplary embodiments, the cross-section of the core 10 is square and the applicator member includes only two rows 17 of teeth 18 disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis of the core.
At least one tooth 18 may have a cross-section that is circular, as shown in Figure 9, or elliptical, as shown in Figure 10, or even triangular, as shown in Figure 11, or square, as shown in Figure 12, or lozenge-shaped, as shown in Figure 13, or D-shaped, as shown in Figure 14, or even formed of two different-size adjacent triangles, as shown in Figure 15, or triangular with a groove, as shown in Figure 16.
The longitudinal axis X of the core 10 may coincide with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7, but it would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention for this to be otherwise, and, by way of example, Figure 17 shows a variant exemplary embodiment in which the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 forms an angle γ₁ with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem. Such a configuration can improve application by making it easier to manipulate the applicator.
The core may extend along a longitudinal axis X that is not rectilinear. Figure 18 shows a variant exemplary embodiment in which the core extends along a longitudinal axis X that is curved.
The core may be curved so that a free end of the core is not aligned with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem, as shown for example on figure 18a, or so that a free end of the core is aligned with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem, as shown for example on figure 18b.
In another variant shown in Figure 19, the envelope surface E presents a cross-section that passes via a minimum. The axis X coincides with the axis Y.
In the variant shown in Figure 20, the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 is rectilinear, and the envelope surface E presents an ovoid shape.
In the variant shown in Figure 21, the envelope surface E presents the shape of a ball.
In the variant shown in Figure 22, the envelope surface E of the applicator member 8 presents a trapezoidal shape in longitudinal section.
In the variant shown in Figure 23, the longitudinal section of the envelope surface E increases then decreases on going away from the stem 7.
In another variant, shown in Figure 24, the free ends of the teeth 18 define an envelope surface E that extends generally along a longitudinal axis W that forms an angle γ₂ with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, where such an applicator member could be said to be eccentric.
The Figure 25 variant differs from the Figure 24 variant in the shape of the envelope surface E that presents a cross-section that passes via a minimum.
The applicator member may even present various other shapes of envelope surface E.
In addition to the above-described shapes, the applicator member may present an envelope surface E of shape that is generally frustoconical, that may be centered on the longitudinal axis X of the core of the applicator member, which axis may also coincide with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7.
The core 10 may also present a circularly cylindrical shape, or even some other shape.
The axis of the envelope surface E need not coincide with the axis of the core, e.g. being parallel to the axis of the core.
In the variant exemplary embodiment shown in Figure 26, the core includes a recess in which there is engaged a support portion 60, e.g. made of metal or plastics material. The core may be configured to be fastened to the support portion 60, or it may be free to turn or to move in translation relative to the support portion 60.
At least one of the teeth 18 of the rows 17 could present a surface state that is not smooth, e.g. having ridges as a result of molding or roughness linked to the presence of a filler in the plastics material, for example.
The applicator member may be made with flocking, said flocking extending over the teeth only, for example.
The applicator member may be subjected to any treatment that seeks to modify the ends of the applicator elements, e.g. so as to create different applicator faces, the treatment may seek to form a ball at the end of each applicator element, as shown in Figure 27, or so as to form a fork, as shown in Figure 28.
At their free ends, the applicator elements may present respective portions in relief or a particular shape, e.g. a hook, as shown in Figure 29. By way of example, the hook may extend transversally, parallel, or obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis X of the core.
In order to obtain the beads, it is possible to heat the applicator member in such a manner as to melt the ends of the applicator elements, for example. In order to obtain the forks or the hooks, it is possible to abrade the applicator member, for example.
The applicator member may be made with a plastics material that includes magnetic particles. The magnetic field created by such particles, that may be magnetizable and/or magnetized, may, for example, exert an effect on the eyelashes and/or interact with magnetic fibers or pigments that are present in the composition.
The wiper member may be made in some other way, e.g. it could comprise a block of foam that could be slotted. The wiper member could be as described in patent applications or US patents Nos. 2005/0028834 , 2005/0175394 , 2004/0258453 , 6 375 374 , 6 328 495 , for example.
The wiper lip 9 may advantageously be undulating, having a radially-inner free edge defining an orifice 122 through which the applicator member can pass, as shown in Figure 30. The wiper lip 9 may include undulations 120 that extend around the orifice 122. The wiper member 9 may include a number of undulations 120 lying in the range 3 to 12, for example.
The wiper lip 9 may extend generally along a cone that converges towards the bottom of the receptacle, and that has a generator line G forming an angle i with the axis X of the receptacle. In a variant, the wiper lip 9 may extend generally along a mid-plane that is perpendicular to the axis X, or it could even extend generally along a cone that converges towards the outlet of the receptacle.
The wiper member may also be adjustable, where appropriate.
The stem 7 to which the core is fastened may be flexible at least in part, and in particular could be entirely flexible, in particular in the proximity of the applicator member. By way of example, the stem may include at least one flexible element 80, as shown in Figure 31, or at least one elastomer element, for example, or it may present a shape that imparts flexibility, e.g. at least one notch 81 as shown in Figure 32. By way of example, the flexible or elastomer element may be flocked and/or may also be used for applying the composition.
A device according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may include two containers containing two different compositions P and P' for example, and two applicator members 8 and 8' for applying each of the compositions P and P'.
The two applicator members 8 and 8' may be identical or they may, for example, differ in the twisting angle of one or more of the rows, or even in the cross-section of the core, or even in the disposition of the applicator elements in a row.
Vibration may possibly be applied to the applicator member during application, combing, or while taking the composition, e.g. as described in application WO 2006/090343 , and as shown in Figure 34.
Naturally, the invention is not limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the characteristics of which may be combined together within variants not shown.
In particular, the applicator member could be made with other shapes of envelope surface.
The term "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with the term "comprising at least one" unless specified to the contrary.
The expression "lying in the range" should be construed as including the limits of the range.

Claims

An applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator comprising:
· a molded core (10) that extends along a longitudinal axis and that comprises longitudinal faces (15); and

· applicator elements (18) that are carried by the core, each of the applicator elements being connected to the core via a base (19);
the bases of the applicator elements being in alignment in rows (17) extending along respective longitudinal row axes, the longitudinal axis of at least one row being twisted around the core, the faces (15) of the core (10) themselves being twisted; each longitudinal face of the core comprising a single row of applicator elements having bases in alignment; and all the application elements (18) of the at least one row being connected to one face of the core and flush with one of the faces adjacent to the face to which the row is connected.
An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core of the applicator is of cross-section that is polygonal, in particular in the shape of a regular polygon or of a non-regular polygon.
An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the longitudinal faces (15) of the core are separated by sharp edges.
An applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein one or more of the sharp edges, or even all of the sharp edges, twist around the core.
An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the applicator elements (18) form between them longitudinal channels, in particular channels that do not have any applicator elements, which channels may take on a twisted shape.
An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the angular offset between the first applicator element of a twisted row and the last applicator element of the same twisted row, along the longitudinal axis of the row; when the applicator is observed along the longitudinal axis of the core, lies in the range 10° to 180°, better in the range 20° to 130°.
An applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the angle varies continuously along the longitudinal axis of the core.
An applicator according to claim 6, wherein the angle varies in non-continuous manner along the longitudinal axis of the core.
An applicator according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein, when the applicator comprises a plurality of rows each having a longitudinal axis that is twisted around the core, the angle of each row is identical.
An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein, for a core that is hollow in its center, the twisted configuration is obtained by inserting a stem in the core, and then holding the stem at a first end and twisting its other end, so as to impart the desired twist effect to the assembly.
An applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein said stem is configured to prevent the core from turning freely on the stem in any way, in particular being of a cross-section that is not circular.
An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein, for a stem that comprises transverse orifices, the material constituting the core is suitable for flowing into the transverse orifices of the stem during molding, thereby providing co-operation between the stem and the core.