EP3110287B1 - Cosmetic product applicator, in particular for mascara, and associated applicator assembly - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, and an associated applicator assembly.

Said applicators are commonly called “mascara brushes”.

They can be obtained from fibrous elements held between the longitudinal parts of a twisted metal pin; they are then commonly called “twisted brushes”. They can also be molded by injection of plastic material, they are then commonly called “plastic brushes”. Such applicators are known from the document FR2935878 .

The invention proposes to produce a plastic brush whose protuberances, via their ends, form a complex envelope, having advantageous characteristics in terms of make-up.

Thus the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, as defined in claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. The applicator according to the invention comprises a core extending along a main direction of longitudinal extension, called the axis of extension, and protuberances projecting from the said core in directions substantially radial to the axis of extension, the protrusions being molded with the core.

According to the invention, the free ends of the protrusions form at least two nested envelopes along the axis of extension, a first helical envelope formed by a first plurality of protrusions, and a second envelope formed by a second plurality of protuberances, the second casing having, from the axis of extension, a radial extension which is smaller than the radial extension of the first casing.

The plastic brush of the invention thus proposes a particular arrangement of protuberances which offers specific advantages for the distribution of mascara, all along the brush, for example concerning functions such as loading or combing. This arrangement improves the eyelash thickening, eyelash lengthening and/or eyelash separation effects induced by the application of mascara using the brush of the invention.

In addition, the manufacture of a plastic brush having such an interweaving of complex envelopes, is done according to less expensive and faster processes than if said envelopes had to be produced on a twisted brush.

• ladite âme présente une extrémité distale et une extrémité proximale,
• les protubérances sont réparties sur toute la périphérie de ladite âme,
• les protubérances sont réparties sur une partie substantielle de sa longueur à partir de l'extrémité distale,
• l'extrémité proximale est un manchon dépourvu de protubérances,
• les première et seconde enveloppes s'étendent de l'extrémité distale à l'extrémité proximale,
• les protubérances desdites première et seconde enveloppes forment un chanfrein au voisinage de l'extrémité distale,
• l'âme est en matériau plastique,
• les protubérances sont en matériau plastique,
• l'âme et les protubérances sont moulées en continuité de matière dans un même matériau,
• selon l'invention lesdites enveloppes présentent une forme de vis, autour de l'axe d'extension, en forme d'hélice de section transversale circulaire,
• selon l'invention les protubérances de l'une au moins des enveloppes sont réparties par rangées, dites radiales, chaque rangée radiale est distante l'une de l'autre le long de l'âme,
• selon l'invention une pluralité de rangées, dites mixtes, desdites rangées radiales comprend des protubérances de chacune des enveloppes,
• selon l'invention lesdites rangées mixtes comprennent autant de protubérances d'extension radiale la plus faible que de protubérances d'extension radiale la plus forte,
• les protubérances présentent une section demi-circulaire,
• les protubérances présentent chacune une surface plane,
• les protubérances sont positionnées de sorte que des surfaces planes de deux protubérances adjacentes sont orientées selon le même sens giratoire,
• les protubérances s'étendent chacune selon une normale à l'axe de l'âme,
• les protubérances sont rectilignes,
• l'âme est de section transversale constante,
• l'âme est pleine,
• l'applicateur forme une brosse.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

• said core has a distal end and a proximal end,
• the protrusions are distributed over the entire periphery of said core,
• the protuberances are distributed over a substantial part of its length from the distal end,
• the proximal end is a sleeve devoid of protrusions,
• the first and second envelopes extend from the distal end to the proximal end,
• the protrusions of said first and second envelopes form a chamfer in the vicinity of the distal end,
• the core is made of plastic material,
• the protrusions are made of plastic material,
• the core and the protuberances are molded in continuity of material in the same material,
• according to the invention said envelopes have the shape of a screw, around the axis of extension, in the form of a helix of circular cross section,
• according to the invention the protuberances of at least one of the casings are distributed by rows, called radial, each radial row is spaced apart from each other along the core,
• according to the invention a plurality of so-called mixed rows of said radial rows comprises protrusions of each of the casings,
• according to the invention said mixed rows comprise as many protuberances of weakest radial extension as protuberances of strongest radial extension,
• the protrusions have a semi-circular section,
• the protrusions each have a flat surface,
• the protrusions are positioned so that the flat surfaces of two adjacent protrusions are oriented in the same direction of rotation,
• the protrusions each extend along a normal to the axis of the web,
• the protuberances are straight,
• the web is of constant cross-section,
• the soul is full,
• the applicator forms a brush.

The invention also advantageously relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above, adapted to be fixed on the container, so that the applicator is housed inside the tank.

The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the detailed explanatory description which will follow, of at least one embodiment of the invention given in By way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings.

• la figure 1 illustre une mise en plan faciale d'un exemple de réalisation d'applicateur selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 illustre une vue en coupe selon l'axe A-A repéré sur la figure 1.

In these drawings:

• the figure 1 illustrates a facial drawing of an exemplary embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,
• the figure 2 illustrates a sectional view along the axis AA marked on the figure 1 .

The invention relates to an applicator 10 for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core 12 extending along a main direction of longitudinal extension, called the axis of extension and marked X on the figure 1 .

Core 12 has a first end, called proximal end 13, capable of being attached to an applicator stem by a sleeve 14 extending said core 12, and a second free end, called distal end 16. Said sleeve 14 allows attachment of the applicator 10 on a stem (not shown).

The applicator 10 further comprises a plurality of protrusions 30 which project from the core 12 along directions substantially radial to the axis of extension X.

The free ends of the protuberances 30 form at least two envelopes E1, E2 nested along the axis of extension X, a first helical envelope E1 formed by a first plurality of protrusions 31, and a second helical envelope E2 formed by a second plurality of protuberances 32, the second casing E2 having, from the axis of extension X, a radial extension which is smaller than the radial extension of the first casing E1. The radial extension of an envelope E1, E2, and therefore of the protuberances 31, 32 which composes it, is the distance between the axis of extension X and the free end of said protuberance 31, 32.

The first and second envelopes E1, E2 preferably extend from the distal end 16 to the proximal end 13 of the core.

The applicator according to the invention has protuberances 31, 32, of respective radial extension L31 and L32, which comply with the following formula: $$1.25\le \raisebox{1ex}{$L31$}\!\left/ \!\raisebox{-1ex}{$\mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="32"\; label="L"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">L</figure-callout>}32$}\right.\le 2.5$$

In the embodiment illustrated by the figures, some of the protuberances 31 which form the envelope E1 have a radial extension L31 substantially equal, for example, to 4.75 mm. Some of the protuberances 32 which form the envelope E2 have, for their part, a radial extension L32 substantially equal, for example, to 3.3 mm. It can be seen here, in each of the envelopes E1, E2, the presence of protuberances 31', 32' of intermediate radial extension (see figure 2 ).

In what follows, the term “radial row of protuberances 30” will be understood to mean a row of protuberances 30 arranged around the core 12, in the same plane orthogonal to the core, said plane intersecting the core in a direction which is here substantially circular.

By parallel row of protrusions 30 is meant a row of protrusions 30 arranged along the core 12, on the same line, said line being substantially parallel to the axis of extension X.

Thus, the helical envelopes E1, E2 are nested one inside the other. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, they are defined by the angular offset of the protrusions 31, 32 which form them. In other words, a radial row of protuberances 30 comprises both protrusions belonging to the plurality of protuberances 31 forming the envelope E1 and to the plurality of protrusions 32 forming the envelope E2.

In addition, two successive radial rows comprise the same number of protrusions and are angularly offset, one relative to the other, along the axis of extension X. It is this angular offset which here allows the formation helical envelopes E1, E2. Advantageously, two successive radial rows are the image of each other by rotation around the axis of extension X. This is the case either over the whole of the core 12 between its proximal end 13 and its end distal 16, or on only a portion of the core 12, in particular a portion extending from the proximal end 13 to an intermediate part of the core 12, located between the proximal end 13 and the distal end 16, the envelope formed by the protrusions present on the rest of the core 12 then optionally having a chamfered or tapered shape.

In particular, in the example illustrated in the figure 1 , there is, along the axis of extension X, the following succession: two radial rows having the same angular setting around the core 12, then two other radial rows wedged angularly between them but offset with respect to the first two radial rows, then two more radial rows wedged angularly between them and angularly offset with respect to the previous two and the first two, the protrusions 30 of the last two rows being here aligned, in the direction of the core, with the protrusions 30 of the first two rows.

The number of two radial rows wedged together but offset from the directly adjacent rows may vary; thus, according to other embodiments not illustrated, the following sequences are possible, along the extension axis X: x radial rows having the same angular setting around the core 12, then y other wedged radial rows angularly between them but offset with respect to the x first radial rows, then again x other radial rows wedged angularly between them, angularly offset with respect to the preceding y and with respect to the first x , with a possible alignment in the direction of the web; x and y respecting the formula: 1 ≤ x , y ≤ 5.

This means that a parallel row of protuberances 30 also comprises both protuberances belonging to the plurality of protrusions 31 forming the envelope E1 and to the plurality of protrusions 32 forming the envelope E2.

A mixed row will be called a radial row which comprises protrusions 30 of each of the envelopes E1, E2. The cut represented on the figure 2 illustrates such a mixed row.

Said mixed row comprises an alternation of protuberances 31 of the first type with protuberances 32 of the second type. More specifically, it can be seen that three protrusions 31, 31' of the first type alternate, here, with three protrusions 32, 32' of the second type and that this alternation is sequential.

Even more specifically, each group of three protuberances 31, 32 comprises a protuberance 31', 32' of intermediate radial extension, said protuberance 31', 32' being flanked by two protuberances 31, 32 of the same type. These so-called intermediate protuberances 31', 32' form surface reservoirs of cosmetic product within their envelope E1, E2; these superficial reservoirs extending along the main axis X.

In other words, the envelope E2 forms a helical groove inside the envelope E1, which is also helical. Still in other words, the envelopes E1, E2 each comprise a central, helical groove, formed by the protrusions 31', 32' of intermediate radial extension. Said central groove is less visible with respect to its envelope E1, E2 than the groove formed by the second envelope E2 can be compared to the first envelope E1.

Alternatively, an applicator 10 not forming part of the invention may be formed by an axial succession of mixed rows, each of said mixed rows comprising a greater number of protuberances 31 defining the first helical envelope E1 than of protuberances 32 defining the second envelope helical E2.

On the other hand, the associated applicator assembly comprises a container. Said container, in accordance with the invention, generally comprises a wiper fixed inside its neck to limit the quantity of product on the protrusions 30, in particular on those of the longest radial extensions, namely the protrusions 31. The latter are then used for combing the eyelashes, while the protrusions 32, of lesser radial extension, which will only be wrung out a little, are used to load the eyelashes with cosmetic product.

In addition, said envelopes E1, E2 have a screw shape, around the axis of extension X. In other words, the envelopes E1, E2 have a helix shape, of circular cross section, with a pitch which rises to the right. , or to the left, in particular from the proximal end 13 to the distal end 16. This has the advantage of adding a guiding effect to the combing of the eyelashes.

Thus, the effect associated with the alternation of two types of envelopes E1, E2 around a core 12 is particularly advantageous. It allows the user to benefit, in a simple gesture of rotation of the applicator 10 around its extension axis X, from load zones, namely the zones created by the envelope E2, and from combing zones. eyelashes, namely the areas created by the envelope E1.

In other words, the loading and combing zones follow one another around the core 12 of the applicator 10 in the form of envelopes E1, E2 nested one inside the other, and this over its entire length.

Still in other words, the loading and combing zones follow one another, axially and angularly, along and around the axis X of the applicator 10, while guiding the eyelashes of a user without the latter having to translate the applicator parallel to the row of eyelashes that he is making up, thanks to the helical shape of the envelopes E1, E2.

It should be noted that the protrusions 30 are molded with the core 12. In other words, the protuberances 30 can be made in one piece with the core 12 or else overmolded on the core 12.

On the other hand, to facilitate the manufacturing operations of such an applicator 10, the protrusions 30 may have a semi-circular section. They therefore preferably each have a flat surface. Said protrusions 30 are here positioned so that the flat surfaces of two adjacent protrusions are oriented in the same direction of rotation around the core 12. In addition, still to facilitate the manufacturing operations, the protrusions 30 will preferably be straight and will each extend along a normal to the axis of the soul 12.

The protrusions 30 will preferably be made from the material of the core 12. Thus, the core 12 and the protrusions 30 can be molded in a material based on LDPE (low density polyethylene). Other materials may also be used, namely the “EXACT” material from ExxonMobil or the “HYTREL” material from Dupont, or a mixture of these materials.

It should be noted that the applicator 10 advantageously forms a brush.

It should also be noted that the core 12 is preferably of constant section, at least in its shape, the cross section of which is substantially circular. This shape may however be polygonal, or even ellipsoidal, without this departing from the scope of the invention.

It should be noted, again, that the soul is full. However, it may be hollow without this departing from the scope of the invention.

As a reminder, the invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container (not shown) comprising a body forming a reservoir containing the cosmetic product, and an applicator 10 as described above, adapted to be fixed on the container, so that the applicator is housed inside the tank. Said applicator 10 is fixed, for example, to the end of a rod (not shown), itself fixed to a stopper (not shown) advantageously screwed to the container. After assembly, the sleeve 14 is located in the stem and the proximal end 13 of the core forms the visible proximal end of the applicator.

It should be noted that the protuberances 31, 32 of said first and second envelopes E1, E2 form a chamfer in the vicinity of the distal end 16; this in order to facilitate the reinsertion of the applicator 10 according to the invention, towards the interior of the reservoir, after use.

It should also be noted that variant embodiments not forming part of the invention are of course possible. In particular, in an additional exemplary embodiment, the applicator 10 comprises a number of envelopes different from two; namely, a lower number - for example a single helical envelope nested with a cylindrical envelope - or a higher number - for example three helical envelopes nested, therefore three pluralities of protuberances each defining one of the three helical envelopes, each having protrusions having a different radial extension from the other two.

Claims (6)

1. An applicator (10) for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core (12) extending along a main longitudinal extension direction, known as the extension axis (X), and projections (30) projecting from said core (12) in directions substantially radial to the extension axis (X), the projections (30) being moulded with the core (12) characterised in that the free ends of the projections (30) form at least two shells (E1, E2) in mutual engagement along the extension axis (X), a first helical shell (E1) formed by a first plurality of projections (31), and a second shell (E2) formed by a second plurality of projections (32), the second shell (E2) having from the extension axis (X), a radial extension which is shorter than the radial extension of the first shell (E1), said shells having a screw shape, about the extension axis, in the form of a helix of circular cross-section, the projections being distributed in rows, known as radial, each radial row being distant from the other along the core (12), characterised in that each radial row comprises an alternation of three projections (31), known as a first type, said three projections (31) of the first type belonging to the first shell (E1), with three projections (32), known as a second type, said three projections (32) of the second type belonging to the second shell (E2),
   each group of three projections of the same type, taken from one of said radial rows, comprising an intermediate projection, of intermediate radial extension, said projection being framed between two projections of the same type, the intermediate projections forming surface reservoirs of cosmetic product.
2. The applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (30) have a semi-circular section.
3. The applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the projections (30) each have a planar surface.
4. The applicator (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the projections (30) are positioned such that the planar surfaces of two adjacent projections (30) are oriented in the same roundabout.
5. The applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (12) is of constant cross-section.
6. An applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

   - a container comprising a body forming a reservoir for containing the cosmetic product, and

   - an applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims adapted to be attached to the container, such that the applicator (10) is housed within the reservoir.

Images