EP3277122A1

EP3277122A1 - Wringing device for a liquid or pasty material applicator

Info

Publication number: EP3277122A1
Application number: EP16717188.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Savine LEFEVRE; François Gautier
Original assignee: Parfums Christian Dior SA
Current assignee: Parfums Christian Dior SA
Priority date: 2015-04-01
Filing date: 2016-03-31
Publication date: 2018-02-07
Anticipated expiration: 2036-03-31
Also published as: JP2018510024A; CN107529871A; KR20170132863A; KR102488244B1; WO2016156742A1; FR3034296A1; US20180092451A1; US10441056B2; CN107529871B; FR3034296B1; JP6890095B2; EP3277122B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a wringing device (10) for a liquid or pasty material applicator (30). Said device includes a tubular body (12), having an axis (X), and a plurality of blades (20), extending from the tubular body (12) and arranged around the axis (X). Each blade (20) comprises: a proximal end (22) near the tubular body; a distal end (26); and an intermediate portion (24). Said device is characterised in that the intermediate portion (24) of each blade is nearer to the axis (X) of the tubular body (12) than the proximal (22) and distal (26) ends of said blade (20). The invention also relates to a liquid or pasty material application set including such a wringing device.

Description

Spinning device for a liquid or pasty product applicator

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a wiper device for a liquid or pasty product applicator. The applicator can be adapted to a cosmetic product, such as a mascara brush, or any liquid or pasty product that can be applied to a surface by a brush, a brush or the like.

TECHNOLOGICAL BACKGROUND

We know, for example from the patent application

US 2013/0101337, a wiper device for a cosmetic applicator, comprising a tubular body having an axis and a plurality of blades extending from the tubular body and disposed about the axis. Each blade has a proximal end proximate the tubular body, a distal end and an intermediate portion. Each blade has in particular a fin extending radially, perpendicular to the axis and to the axis, the fins of the different blades being located at different distances from the tubular body.

However, such a wiper device is not entirely satisfactory. In particular, it does not allow to ensure regular wringing of the applicator while distributing the product on the applicator. There is therefore a need for a new type of spin device.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, the present disclosure relates to a dewatering device for a liquid or pasty product applicator, comprising a tubular body having an axis and a plurality of blades extending from the tubular body and arranged around the axis, each blade having a proximal end proximate to the tubular body, a distal end and an intermediate portion, characterized in that the intermediate portion of each blade is closer to the axis of the tubular body than the proximal and distal ends of said blade.

Thus, the blades are adapted to the wringing of the applicator as a whole, especially when the applicator comprises a rod and an applicator member. Optionally, the blades are flexible. Unless stated otherwise, all the geometric characteristics are given at rest, without mechanical stress of the wiper device. For the sake of brevity, "height" is the dimension measured along the axis of the tubular body. Unless otherwise stated, the axial, radial and tangential (circumferential) directions are defined in their usual sense by taking the axis of the tubular body as a reference axis. Unless otherwise stated, the adjectives internal, internal, external, external are assessed in a radial direction.

Because of their shape, the blades make it possible to homogenize the product of the axis of the applicator, generally confused or close to the axis of the tubular body, towards its periphery. Moreover, the fact that the intermediate portion of each blade is closer to the axis of the tubular body than the distal end of said blade allows scraping the excess product present on the applicator. The proposed spin device thus simultaneously ensures a radial distribution and a dosage of the product on the applicator.

The blades are spaced from each other. For example, the circumferential spacing of the blades may be at least equal to, substantially equal to or at most equal to the circumferential width of the blades, depending on the height considered.

In the proposed embodiment, the blades define a concave interior volume. In one example, the blades can define an interior volume in the general shape of a diabolo. In one example, the blades can define an interior volume generally shaped double truncated cone, the trunk being cut on either side of the top of the cone. It is recalled that a cone designates a surface formed by a straight line, called a generator, moving along a plane closed contour and passing through a fixed point, called the top of the cone, not belonging to the plane of the contour. The cone may also designate the volume delimited by said surface.

In some embodiments, at least some blades are at least partially twisted blades of which successive radial sections are progressively shifted relative to each other. Each blade is seen as a stack, in the direction of the axis of the tubular body, of radial sections. In these embodiments, the radial sections are offset relative to each other. This reflects the fact that the line defined by the barycenters of successive radial sections, also called "guideline", is not parallel to the axis. Thus, the guideline of each of said blades is not contained in an axial plane (plane containing the axis of the tubular body). In other words, the blades are wrapped around the axis, along the circumference of the wiper device. With this feature, the spin device can treat the entire circumference of the applicator although there are gaps between the blades.

In some embodiments, at least some blades have non-circular cross-sections and are at least partially twisted blades. A twisted portion of a blade is a portion in which the blade is twisted on itself. By designating as a cross section of a blade a section of the blade perpendicular to a guide line of the blade, the successive cross sections are progressively rotated relative to each other. This allows the application member to be dewatered while distributing the product within the application member. For example, the distal end may be twisted with respect to the proximal end. The guideline mentioned above is defined locally and can be curved.

In some embodiments, the distal ends of at least some blades are free. Thus, the distal ends of these blades are not directly related to each other. The distal ends of the blades are therefore independent of each other in their spinning movement, which allows them to adapt to any applicator geometry. Alternatively, the distal ends of certain groups of slides are free. However, the blades can be linked in pairs or in other configurations, without the blades are all linked together.

In some embodiments, the blades are more flexible than a liquid or pasty applicator rod. The blades therefore deviate at the passage of the stem and squeeze the stem closer. Conversely, the blades may be less flexible than the applicator member, so that the blades have a distributing action of the product on the applicator member.

In some embodiments, the end face of some blades is not perpendicular to the axis. The end face of a blade is the face or the face portion furthest from the tubular body. The end face may in particular be defined by the distal end of a blade. In this way, these blades can each have a tip and a vanishing corner. If the tip is axially further away from the tubular body than the trailing edge, the tip penetrates first into the applicator member. In other words, the distal end of these blades has a bevel so as to facilitate the engagement of the blades in the applicator member.

When, in combination with these embodiments, the blades are twisted, the tips and vanishing corners are inscribed in different contours. According to an example of orientation, the points can therefore penetrate into the applicator member radially on the inside, while the trailing wedges can penetrate into the radially external applicator member. It follows a reinforcement of the effect of homogenization of the product on the applicator. Thus, depending on the direction of torsion of the blades, the orientation of the end faces makes it possible to scrape and / or dose the product, or conversely to make the product penetrate deeply into the applicator member. that is, radially inwardly of the applicator member. For example, the tips may be, in projection on a radial plane (plane orthogonal to the axis), within the contour in which the vanishing corners are inscribed.

In some embodiments, the radially inner faces of at least some blades are curved, at least over a portion of the height of said blades. This makes it possible to better distribute the product circumferentially and, where appropriate, to better match the shape of the applicator.

In some embodiments, a proximal portion located between the intermediate portion and the proximal end approximates the axis as one moves away from the body, while a distal portion between the intermediate portion and the distal end is moving away from the axis as one moves away from the body.

In some embodiments, a radial section of a blade in the intermediate portion has an area smaller than the area of a radial section in the distal or proximal portion of said blade. This allows to keep between the blades a substantially constant spacing, in proportion, over the entire height of the blades. In these embodiments, the risk of blockage and product aggregates in the wiper device, especially between the blades, are particularly reduced.

In some embodiments, in projection on a plane orthogonal to the axis of the tubular body, the angular sectors occupied by the distal portions and the proximal portions substantially cover a tower full. The projections of the proximal and distal portions may overlap or be just adjacent. Thus, the applicator member is dewatered over its entire circumference.

In some embodiments, projections of intermediate sections comprising the intermediate portions on a plane orthogonal to the axis substantially cover a complete turn. By intermediate section of a blade is meant a section comprising the intermediate portion and the portions of said blade located on either side of the intermediate portion, in the limit where their distance to the axis varies by at most X % of (dmax - dmin) with respect to the distance to the axis of the intermediate part, where dmax (respectively dmin) denotes the maximum (respectively minimum) distance from the blade to the axis and X is advantageously between 20 and 50, preferably of the order of 30. In these embodiments, the projections of the intermediate sections may overlap or be just adjacent. Thanks to these provisions, the narrowest part of the applicator, for example its stem, is dewatered over its entire circumference.

The present disclosure also relates to a liquid or pasty product application assembly comprising a container having a neck, an applicator having a rod provided with an applicator member and a wiper device as previously described. The wiper device is intended to be mounted in the neck of the container.

In some embodiments, the smallest diametrical dimension defined between the inner faces facing the blades is less than a diameter of a cross section of the rod. A cross section of the rod is a section perpendicular to the rod guideline. This definition can be considered locally if the guideline is not rectilinear. The inner faces facing the blades are the inner faces of the blades which are two by two facing one another. The diametric dimension is the dimension between two blades substantially diametrically opposed. When two blades are not exactly diametrically opposed, for example when there is an odd number of blades, this means two blades furthest away circumferentially; in other words, a blade being given, the substantially diametrically opposed blade or blades are the closest blades, circumferentially, of the point diametrically opposite to the given blade. In these embodiments, the spinning of the rod is optimal.

In some embodiments, the largest diametral dimension of the applicator member is smaller than the largest diametrical dimension defined between the inner faces facing the blades. Thus, the entire application member is well wrung by the blades.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention given as non-limiting examples. This description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows, in front view, a wiper device according to one embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a sectional view along II-II of the wiper device of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 is a sectional view along III-III of the wiper device of Figure 1;

FIG. 4 is a superposition of FIGS. 2 and 3;

- Figure 5 is a sectional view along V-V of the wiper device of Figure 1;

- Figure 6 is a sectional view along VI-VI of the wiper device of Figure 1;

FIG. 7 is a superposition of FIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 represents a set of liquid or pasty product application according to one embodiment of the invention, in which the drying device is shown in section along the plane VIII-VIII of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A wiper device 10 according to one embodiment is shown in front view in FIG. 1. As previously indicated, the wiper device 10 comprises a tubular body 12 having an axis X. The body tubular 12 is here symmetrical of revolution about its axis X. The tubular body 12 comprises a stop 14. The tubular body 12 further comprises protuberances 16. As will be seen in more detail later, with reference to FIG. 8, the abutment 14 and the protuberances 16 contribute to the engagement and fixation of the wiper device 10 in a container or a vial, as well as the sealing of the application assembly.

The tubular body 12 further comprises a plurality of blades 20 extending from the tubular body 12 and disposed about the X axis. In this embodiment, the wiper device 10 comprises six blades 20. Each blade 20 has a proximal end 22 near the tubular body 12, a distal end 26 and an intermediate portion 24. Thus, each blade has a proximal portion 22 'located between the proximal end 22 and the intermediate portion 24, and a distal portion 26' located between the distal end 26 and the intermediate portion 24.

According to the invention, the intermediate portion 24 of each blade 20 is closer to the axis X of the tubular body than the distal end 26 of said blade. Moreover, the intermediate portion 24 of each blade 20 is closer to the axis X of the tubular body than the proximal end 22 of said blade.

The wiper device 10 is formed of a flexible material, for example a thermoplastic material or an elastomer, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), butadiene-acrylonitrile (NBR, of the English "Nitrile Butadiene Rubber "), Styrene-acrylonitrile (SBR, English "Styrene Butadiene Rubber") or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer (EPDM).

As can be seen in Figure 1, the distal ends 26 of the blades 20 are free. The blades 20 are connected to each other only through the tubular body 12.

Moreover, each blade 20 has, at its distal end 26, an end face 28. As shown in FIG. 1, the end face 28 of some blades 20 is not perpendicular to the X axis. In this case, no end face 28 is perpendicular to the X axis. More specifically, the blades 20 have a tip 28a and a trailing wedge 28b. The tip 28a and the trailing edge 28b are located on either side of the end face 28. The tip 28a is axially further away from the tubular body 12 than the trailing edge 28b, so as to facilitate engagement. blades 20 in an applicator member for spinning.

FIG. 1 also shows that the blades 20 are on the one hand twisted, that is to say here inclined along the circumference of the dewatering device 10, and on the other hand twisted, that is to say, say here twisted on themselves longitudinally. In particular, in the present embodiment, each blade 20 is twisted so as to extend in an arc of more than 30 °, more preferably more than 50 ° or more than 90 °, around the axis X. These aspects will be detailed with reference to the following figures.

FIG. 2 shows, in section along the plane II-II of FIG. 1 (radial section), the wiper device 10. More precisely, FIG. 2 shows a section of the blades 20 at the proximal ends 22.

As indicated above, the blades 20 have at least partly a non-circular radial section.

In addition, the radially inner faces 22a of at least some blades 20, here all the blades 20, are curved. As captioned in FIG. 2, the largest diametral dimension defined between the inner facing faces 22a of the blades 20 is denoted by Bl (see also FIG. 8). In the embodiment shown, this larger diametral dimension is reached at the proximal ends 22 of the blades 20, but it could be reached at another height on the blades 20, for example at the distal ends 26.

FIG. 3 represents, in section along the plane III-III of FIG. 1 (radial section), the wiper device 10. More precisely, FIG. 3 shows a section of the blades 20 at the proximal ends 26. As illustrated, similarly to the proximal ends 22 and although these aspects are independent, the blades 20 have, in their distal portion 26 ', a non-circular radial section; in addition, the radially inner faces 26a of at least some blades 20, here all the blades 20, are curved.

FIG. 4 represents, in superposition, the sections of FIGS. 2 and 3. The twisted nature of the blades 20 is reflected here in that, with respect to the axis X, the distal portions 26 'occupy angular sectors that are at least partially different. those occupied by the proximal parts 22 '. Indeed, the radial sections of the blades 20 are progressively offset relative to each other along the blades 20.

In this case, the proximal ends 22, or more broadly by the proximal portions 22 ', drain a sector S2. The distal ends 26, or more broadly by the distal portions 26 ', drain a sector S6. Due to the overlapping of S2 sectors drained by the proximal portions 22 'and S6 sectors drained by the distal portions 26', there is no angular sector not covered by a blade portion 20. In this way, by projection on a plane orthogonal to the X axis of the tubular body 12, the angular sectors S2, S6 occupied by the distal portions 26 'and the proximal portions 22' substantially cover a complete revolution. Furthermore, it can be seen in Figure 4 that the blades 20 are at least partially twisted. More particularly, in this example, the distal ends 26 are twisted with respect to the proximal ends 22. This results in the fact that a face of a blade 20 arranged in a certain direction at a certain height is arranged in a different direction. at a different height. In this case, for example the inner face 22a of the proximal end 22 is disposed in a circumferential direction, while the inner face 26a of the distal end 26 of the same blade 20 is disposed in a non-circumferential direction.

Because the blades 20 are twisted, the tips 28a and the trailing wedges 28b are arranged on different contours. For example, a contour may be constructed as an imaginary line connecting each point 28a (respectively each trailing wedge 28b) to the two nearest points (respectively to the two trailing points) by the shortest path. In the present embodiment, the tips 28a are disposed on an outline 29a and the trailing wedges 28b are disposed on an outline 29b. Each contour must have the same degree of symmetry as the spin device. In the present case, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the contour 29a and the contour 29b are, independently of one another, hexagons.

The contours 29a, 29b are distinct. In this embodiment, the contour 29a in which the tips 28a are inscribed is within the contour 29b in which the trailing wedges 28b are inscribed.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show similar views, respectively, to those of FIGS. 2 to 4, with regard to the intermediate portions 24. More precisely, FIG. 5 represents, in section along the plane VV of FIG. 1 (radial section ), the wiper device 10 and FIG. 6 represents, in section along the plane VI-VI of FIG. 1 (radial section), Figure 7 shows, in superposition, the sections of Figures 5 and 6.

As illustrated in Figures 5 and 6, the radial section of the blades 20 in their intermediate portion 24 is non-circular.

In addition, the radially inner faces 24a of at least some blades 20, here all the blades 20, are curved.

As shown in FIG. 5, B2 denotes the smallest diametrical dimension defined between the facing internal faces 24a of the blades 20 (see also FIG. 8). In the embodiment shown, this smaller diametrical dimension is reached in the intermediate portions 24 of the blades 20.

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the distances to the X axis of the intermediate portions 24 are constant over the height of said intermediate portions 24.

The intermediate portions 24 are twisted and, independently, twisted. In this case, they are twisted and twisted so that the radially inner faces 24a form, in projection on a radial plane, a continuous circle, here of diameter B2. This continuous circle makes it possible in particular to completely spin a rod of the product applicator. Thus, more generally, the projections of intermediate sections comprising the intermediate portions 24 on a plane orthogonal to the X axis cover a complete revolution. Optionally, projections of intermediate sections comprising the intermediate portions 24 on a plane orthogonal to the X axis may overlap.

Figure 8 shows an application assembly 100 of liquid or pasty product comprising a container 40, an applicator 30 and the wiper device 10 previously described. The wiper device 10 is mounted in a neck 42 of the container 40. The abutment 14 of the wiper device 10 cooperates with a shoulder 44 of the neck to prevent excessive depression of the wiper device 10 in the neck 42. outraged, the protuberances 16 are compressed by the inner surface 46 of the neck, so as to increase the friction between the wiper device 10 and the neck 42 and to prevent the wiper device 10 from becoming disconnected from the neck, in particular when by squeezing the applicator 30, a force directed towards the outside of the container 40 is applied to the wiper device 10.

The applicator 30 comprises a rod 32 and an applicator member 34. The applicator member 34 is here a brush, but any type of suitable application member may be used. Similarly, any type of rod can be used, for example a stem according to the unpublished French patent application No. 13 61488 of the Applicant. The applicator 30 is here substantially symmetrical of revolution.

The applicator member 34 extends axially beyond the rod 32. In this case, the applicator member 34 comprises a twist of wire. The twist extends axially beyond the rod 32, here in the extension of the rod 32. The applicator member 34 also comprises brush bristles which extend substantially radially from the twist, c ' that is to say here in a direction forming, with a radial plane, an angle between -45 ° and + 45 °. In addition, in a radial direction, the applicator member 34 extends beyond the rod 32. Here, the bristles radially project beyond the rod 32.

In the present embodiment, the smallest diametrical dimension B2 defined between the facing internal faces 24a of the blades 20 is smaller than a diameter A2 of a cross section of the rod 32. Therefore, when the rod 32 passes through the intermediate parts 24 of the blades 20 which are flexible, the intermediate parts 24 deviate so as to adapt to the diameter A2 of the rod 32. The flexibility of the blades 20 induces a restoring force which presses the intermediate parts 24 against the rod 32. Thus, the product that can be on the rod 32 is particularly well scraped by the intermediate parts 24. Furthermore, the largest diametral dimension A1 of the applicator member 34 is smaller than the largest diametrical dimension B1 defined between the inner faces 22a of the blades 20. Thus, the applicator member 34 is well wrung out. including in its radially outer part.

In addition, the largest diametral dimension A1 of the applicator member 34 is of course greater than the smallest diametrical dimension B2 defined between the inner facing faces 24a of the blades 20. In effect, it is thus ensured that the application member 34 can not cross the spin device 10 without being drained. According to this feature taken alone, it could be possible to scrape the product on the applicator member 34 without necessarily scraping the product present on the rod 32.

In addition, the rod 32 of the applicator comprises a constriction 36, that is to say a narrowing of the cross section of the rod 32. In this case, the shrinkage 36 has a diameter A3 which is smaller than the smaller diametral dimension B2 defined between the inner faces 24a of the blades 20. In addition, the shrink 36 is positioned axially on the rod 32 so that when the applicator 30 is stored, at rest, in the container 40, the narrowed 36 is vis-à-vis the facing internal faces 24a having the smallest distance to the axis X. Thus, when the applicator 30 is stored in the container 40, the intermediate portions 24 do not bear on the rod 32 but face the shrinkage 36, which keeps the blades at rest, without constraints. This increases the strength and longevity of the wiper device 10.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various embodiments illustrated / mentioned can be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

A wiper device (10) for an applicator (30) of liquid or pasty product, comprising a tubular body (12) having an axis (X) and a plurality of blades (20) extending from the tubular body (12) and disposed about the axis (X), each blade (20) having a proximal end (22) proximate to the tubular body, a distal end (26) and an intermediate portion (24), wherein the intermediate portion (24) of each blade is closer to the axis (X) of the tubular body (12) than the proximal (22) and distal ends (26) of said blade (20) and at least some blades (20) are at least partially twisted blades of which successive radial sections are progressively offset relative to each other in a circumferential direction.

The wiper device (10) of claim 1, wherein a proximal portion (22 ') located between the intermediate portion (24) and the proximal end (22) is moving toward the axis (X). as one moves away from the body (12), while a distal portion (26 ') located between the intermediate portion (24) and the distal end (26) moves away from the axis ( X) as one moves away from the body (X).

3. Spin device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least some blades (20) have non-circular radial sections and are blades at least partially twisted.

4. Spinning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the distal ends (26) of the blades (20) are free.

5. Spinning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the end face (28) of some blades (20) is not perpendicular to the axis (X).

6. Spin device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the radially inner faces (22a) of at least some blades (20) are curved.

7. Spinning device (10) according to claim 6, wherein in projection on a plane orthogonal to the axis (X) of the tubular body (12), the angular sectors occupied by the distal portions (26 ') and the proximal portions (22 ') substantially cover a complete turn.

8. Spinning device (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the projections of intermediate sections comprising the intermediate portions (24) on a plane orthogonal to the axis (X) cover a complete revolution.

9. Application assembly (100) of liquid or pasty product comprising a container (40) having a neck, an applicator (30) having a rod (32) provided with an applicator member (34) and a device wiper (10) according to any preceding claim, mounted in the container neck (40), wherein the smallest diametrical dimension (B2) defined between the inner faces facing the blades (20) is less than one diameter (A2) of a cross section of the rod (32).

10. Applicator assembly according to claim 9, wherein the largest diametral dimension (Al) of the applicator member (34) is smaller than the largest diametrical dimension (B1) defined between the internal faces opposite the blades (20).

11. Applicator assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the blades (20) are more flexible than the rod (32) of the applicator (30).