EP3223645A1

EP3223645A1 - Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin fibres

Info

Publication number: EP3223645A1
Application number: EP15798141.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Eric Caulier; Marcel Sanchez; Audrey THENIN
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2014-11-24
Filing date: 2015-11-24
Publication date: 2017-10-04
Also published as: FR3028733A1; JP2017536178A; KR20170074955A; FR3028733B1; WO2016083334A1; US20170354237A1; KR20180088522A

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin materials, including: a gripping handle (12), said handle extending along a first main axis (14); and an application rod (36), a first end (40) of said application rod being connected to one end of the gripping handle according to the first axis, and a second end of the application rod including a heating receiving area (50), capable of receiving a carrier (70) of a mass (72) of cosmetic product. The application rod includes first (42) and second (46) substantially coplanar bent sections, adjacent to one another and arranged between the gripping handle and the receiving area, said two bent sections being convex in opposite directions.

Description

Cosmetic product applicator on human keratin materials

The present invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator on human keratin materials, in particular eyelashes or eyebrows.

"Cosmetic product" means any composition as defined in Council Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993.

More specifically, the present invention relates to an applicator comprising a cosmetic product on human keratin materials, comprising: a handle, said handle extending substantially along a first main axis; and an applicator rod, a first end of said applicator rod being connected to one end of the grip handle along the first axis, a second end of the applicator rod having a heating receiving zone, said receiving zone extending substantially along a second axis coplanar with the first axis, said receiving zone being able to receive a support of a mass of cosmetic product.

Such an applicator is for example known from EP 2 298 1 15.

In order to prevent the handle from coming into contact with the face during the application of the cosmetic product, it is advantageous to make an application rod comprising a portion between said handle and the receiving zone. The handle is thus removed from the face.

However, when the rod is heated, such a portion must be configured to limit the risk of burns of the face of the user during the application of the product.

Document WO2006 / 043544 discloses a mascara applicator comprising a non-heating bent rod, extended by a heating applicator.

Moreover, US Pat. No. 3,343,551 discloses a cosmetic product applicator on human keratinous materials having a bent rod so as to incline the receiving zone with respect to the handle. Such a configuration, however, requires the user to hold the applicator in an unusual way to this type of product, which complicates makeup operations.

The present invention aims to provide a cosmetic product applicator, optimized in terms of ergonomics and safety.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an applicator of the aforementioned type, wherein the applicator rod comprises a first and a second substantially coplanar elbows, said two elbows being adjacent to one another and arranged between the handle and the receiving zone, said two elbows being of opposite convexities, the receiving zone thus being configured to be disposed closer to the face of a user than the rest of the applicator rod and the handle. According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the applicator comprises one or more of the following characteristics, taken separately or according to all the possible technical combinations:

the second axis is substantially parallel to the first axis, said first and second axes being spaced apart by a non-zero distance at the receiving zone;

the first and second elbows are substantially arranged in a plane formed by the first and the second axis;

the second axis passes through first and second ends of the reception zone, and the reception zone has a curvature between said first and second ends;

the curvature of the reception zone has a convexity oriented towards the first axis;

the application rod comprises a heating portion external to the reception zone.

the applicator further comprises a cosmetic product application unit, said application unit comprising: a support capable of being removably attached to the heating receiving zone of the application rod, and a mass of product; cosmetic carried by said support;

the applicator comprises two cosmetic product application units, each application unit comprising: a support capable of being removably attached to the heating receiving zone of the application rod, and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support, the supports and / or the masses of cosmetic product of the two application units being different.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of nonlimiting example and with reference to the drawings in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an applicator according to the state of the art;

FIG. 2 is a partial view, from above, of an applicator according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial view, from above, of an applicator according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an element of the applicators of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1 represents an applicator 10 according to the state of the art, in particular described in document EP 2 298 1 15. The applicator 10 comprises a handle of gripper 12 extending mainly along a longitudinal axis 14. The applicator 10 further comprises an applicator rod 16, which extends the handle 12 along the axis 14.

The rod 16 comprises a heating electric resistance, connected to a source of electrical energy housed in the handle 12. The heating is for example actuated by means of a switch 17 located on the handle 12.

An applicator unit 18 is removably mounted on the applicator rod 16. The applicator unit 18 comprises a support 20, for example made of plastic material, threaded onto one end of the rod 16. The unit application 18 further comprises a mass 22 of cosmetic product carried by the support 20.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of an applicator 30 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The applicator 30 is particularly intended to apply a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes of a user.

The applicator 30 comprises a handle 12, similar to the handle of the applicator 10 of FIG. The handle 12, partially shown, extends mainly along a first axis 14. The applicator 30 further comprises an applicator rod 36, comprising an electric heating means.

We consider an orthonormal basis (X, Y, Z), the axis 14 being parallel to the direction X.

The handle 12 encloses an autonomous source of energy, for example an electric battery, for supplying the heating means of the rod 36. The heating is for example actuated by means of a switch located on the handle 12.

The applicator rod 36 comprises or consists of an electric heating resistor. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the rod 36 comprises a metal tubular casing 38, for example stainless steel, enclosing an electrical insulating core (not shown), said core being traversed by a resistive electrical conductor (not shown) s extending over the entire length of the tube 38.

The electric heating resistance has for example a nominal power of between 0.5 and 2 W and allows to reach a temperature above 50 ° C, for example a temperature of 70 ° C for an ambient temperature of 20 ° C.

The rod 36 is substantially included in a plane (X, Y) and extends the handle

12 more precisely, the rod comprises a first straight portion 40 extending along the axis 14 from one end of the handle 12. The first portion 40 is adjacent to a second portion 42 in the form of an elbow, the rod 36 deviating from the axis 14 at said elbow 42.

We consider a median line 44 describing the trajectory of the rod 36 in the plane (X, Y). The second bent portion 42 is adjacent to a third portion 46, also bent. The elbows 42, 46 are of opposite convexities, describing a shape of S. A boundary between the second portion 42 and the third portion 46 is marked by a first point of inflection 48 of the center line 44.

Preferably, the second portion 42 and the third portion 46 have substantially equal radii of curvature. For example, an average radius of curvature of the second portion 42 is between 75% and 125% of an average radius of curvature of the third portion 46.

The third portion 46 is adjacent to a fourth portion 50, comprising an end 52 of the rod 36 opposite to the handle 12. As will be detailed later, the fourth portion 50 forms a receiving zone of a delivery unit. cosmetic product.

A boundary between the third portion 46 and the fourth portion 50 is marked by a second inflection point 54 of the center line 44. The fourth portion 50 extends substantially along a second axis 56, said second axis passing through the second point inflection 54 and the end 52 of the center line 44.

Preferably, the second axis 56 is substantially parallel to the first axis 14. More preferably, the second axis 56 and the first axis 14 form an angle less than or equal to 15 ° in the plane (X, Y).

According to one embodiment, the fourth portion 50 is slightly curved, so as to match the shape of the edge of an eyelid. An appropriate radius of curvature for the fourth portion 50 is for example greater than 20 mm.

Preferably, as in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a convexity of the fourth portion 50 is oriented towards the first axis 14. The third portion 46 and the fourth portion 50 are then of opposite convexities.

Due to the presence of bends 42, 46, the fourth portion / receiving zone 50 is spaced from the first axis 14, a minimum distance 58 non-zero in the Y direction.

FIG. 3 represents a detailed view of an applicator 60 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The applicator 60 is similar to the applicator 30 of FIG. 2 and the common elements are hereinafter referred to by the same reference numerals.

As in the embodiment of Figure 2, the applicator 60 comprises a handle 12 and an applicator rod 36. An end 52 of said rod, opposite the handle 12, is part of a receiving zone 50 adapted to receive an application unit of cosmetic product. The receiving zone 50 is spaced from the axis 14 of the shaft 12 by a distance 58 equivalent to that of FIG. 2.

The only difference between the embodiments of Figures 2 and 3 lies in the shape of the rod 36 in the plane (X, Y). More precisely, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the bends 42, 46 have a smaller radius of curvature than in the embodiment of FIG. 2. A distance 62 along X between the inflection points 48, 54 In particular, the applicator 60 is weaker than the applicator 30. The modulation of the radii of curvature of the elbows 42, 46 thus makes it possible to vary a distance between the handle 12 and the reception zone 50.

FIG. 4 represents a unit 68 for applying a cosmetic product, similar to the unit 18 represented in FIG. 1 and described in document EP 2 298 1 15. The application unit 68 is able to be part of an applicator 30 or 60 as shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3.

The application unit 68 extends substantially along a longitudinal axis 69. The application unit 68 comprises a plastic support 70 and a mass 72 of cosmetic product carried by the support 70.

The support 70 is in the form of a tubular sleeve so that it can be threaded onto the rod 36 at the receiving zone 50. An internal section of the support 70 is substantially complementary to that of a section of the metal casing 38, at the receiving zone 50.

Preferably, the support 70 comprises a longitudinal slot 74, allowing said support to deform elastically by matching the shape of the receiving zone

50. In this case, an internal section of the support 70 at rest is slightly smaller than a section of the reception zone 50.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the support 70 is slightly curved in a plane containing the longitudinal axis 69. The support 70 can thus marry the curvature of the reception zone 50 as represented in FIGS. 2 and 3. slot 74 is located on the side of the convexity of the curvature.

On the side of the concavity of the curvature, the support 70 comprises a series of transverse ribs 76 delimiting recesses 78. The mass 72 of cosmetic product is integral with the support 70 on the side of said concavity, the cosmetic product being in particular received in the recesses 78 between the ribs 76.

The cosmetic product forming mass 72 is for example an eyelash makeup composition having a property that varies as a function of temperature. Said property is for example a running character, in particular from d _max to 5 mm, d _max being determined according to the protocol described in paragraphs [0120] to [0127] of EP 1 955 610.

The cosmetic product forming the mass 72 is for example a composition comprising at least one reversible solid polymer at room temperature. By "solid" is meant a product that does not flow under the effect of gravity at 20 ° C. Preferably, the cosmetic product has a melting point greater than or equal to 50 ° C., for example close to 54 ° C.

Preferably, the support 70 carries a mass 72 comprising between 10 mg and

100 mg of product, more preferably between 20 mg and 50 mg of product, still more preferably about 30 mg of product. This quantity is particularly suitable for a single use, for example to make up one or two eyelashes fringes.

The application unit 68 is for example manufactured according to a two-stage injection molding process, as described in WO201 1/131907.

A method of using an applicator 30 or 60 as described above will now be described. First, a user assembles an application unit 68 at the receiving area 50, in particular threading the support 70 at the end 52 of the rod 36. The application unit 68 is disposed on the receiving zone 50 so that the mass 72 of cosmetic product is located inside the curvature of said receiving zone 50.

The user then presses the switch 17 of the handle 12, so as to supply power to the resistor forming the rod 36. The temperature of the metal casing 38 increases, causing the mass 72 to soften or melt. cosmetic product.

By holding the applicator 30 or 60 by the handle 12, the user then brings the receiving zone 50 closer to the makeup eyelashes. For the curvature of the reception area

50 substantially matches the shape of the edge of the eyelid, the user positions his eye side of the concavity of said receiving zone 50, the second axis 56 being disposed substantially perpendicular to a plane of symmetry of the face. In FIGS. 2 and 3, such a plane of symmetry is a plane (Y, Z).

In this position, the receiving zone 50 is closer to the face of the user than the rest of the rod 36, in particular the first portion 40 located near the handle 12.

Thus, in the case where the rod 36 is heated throughout its length by the electrical resistance of the applicator 30 or 60, the user is not likely to burn his nose or temple with the portion 40 during application cosmetic product on her eyelashes. In particular, the user can, without risk of burning, hold the handle 12 substantially perpendicular to a plane of symmetry of the face. Such a position of the handle is classic for the application of mascara on the eyelashes and therefore does not force the user to adopt unusual gestures. On the contrary, with a rectilinear applicator applicator, the user should tilt the handle relative to this conventional position, to avoid contact of a heated area with his face.

The dimensions of the elbows 42 and 46, as well as the distance 58, are chosen in particular so as to avoid discomfort with the nose during use. The first portion 40 is thus remote from the nose during the application of the cosmetic product, while maintaining the second axis 56 perpendicular to a plane of symmetry of the face.

After use, the user easily removes the application unit 68 from the rod 36, by a reverse movement of the assembly movement. If necessary, a new application unit 68 is then assembled to the rod 36. Such a change of application unit can be performed without waiting for the cooling of the rod 36.

The applicator 30 or 60 described above is for example marketed in kit form, comprising on the one hand an assembly formed by the handle 12 and the rod 36, and on the other hand one or more application units 68.

According to a first variant, all the application units 68 of the same kit are identical. According to another variant, two application units 68 of the same kit comprise a different support 70 and / or a mass 72 of different cosmetic product.

As an alternative to marketing in the form of a kit, the applicator 30 or 60 described above is marketed in the form of the assembly formed by the handle 12 and the rod 36, as represented in FIG. 2 or FIG. Figure 3. The cosmetic application units 68 are then marketed separately.

Claims

1. Applicator (30, 60) of a cosmetic product on human keratin materials, comprising:

a handle (12) for gripping, said handle extending substantially along a first main axis (14),

- a rod (36) for application, a first end (40) of said applicator rod being connected to one end of the handle according to the first axis,

a second end of the application rod comprising a heating receiving zone (50), said receiving zone extending substantially along a second axis (56) coplanar with the first axis, said receiving zone being able to receive a support (70) of a mass (72) of cosmetic product, the applicator being characterized in that the applicator rod comprises a first

(42) and a second (46) substantially coplanar bends, said two bends being adjacent to each other and disposed between the grip handle and the receiving zone, said two bends being of opposite convexities,

the receiving zone (50) thus being configured to be disposed closer to the face of a user than the rest of the applicator rod (36) and the handle (12).

The applicator of claim 1, wherein the second axis is substantially parallel to the first axis, said first and second axes being spaced a non-zero distance (58) at the receiving zone.

An applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first and second elbows are substantially disposed in a plane ((X, Y)) formed by the first and second axes.

4. Applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein:

the second axis passes through a first (54) and a second (52) end of the reception zone,

the reception zone has a curvature between said first and second ends.

An applicator according to claim 4, wherein the curvature of the receiving zone has a convexity oriented towards the first axis.

6. Applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator rod comprises a heating portion (40) outside the receiving zone.

The applicator according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cosmetic product application unit (68), said application unit comprising:

a support (70) capable of being removably attached to the heating receiving zone of the application rod, and

a mass (72) of cosmetic product carried by said support.

An applicator according to claim 6, comprising two cosmetic product application units, each application unit comprising:

a support adapted to be removably attached to the heating receiving zone of the application rod, and

a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support,

the supports and / or the masses of cosmetic product of the two application units being different.