FR2890543A1 - Eyelash curler has double coil of heated wire of partly polygonal section, having insulated coating and heated to up to 70 degrees C - Google Patents

Abstract

The eyelash curler (1) has a double coil (7a, 7b) of a heated wire (5) with spaces (8) of about 1 mm between the coils, at least part (9) of which lie at an oblique angle to its lengthwise axis. The coils have at least one portion with a non-circular, e.g. polygonal or triangular, cross-section, and the wire, which is at least partly of Nichrome alloy, has an insulating outer covering, especially of enamel. The coils are heated to a temperature of under 70 degrees C e.g. by batteries (3) inside a handle (2), which can also incorporate an LED light.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for curling the eyelashes.

  Patent FR 935 276 discloses a device for curling the eyelashes, comprising a sleeve engaged on an electrical resistance wound on an asbestos core.

  The patent application FR 2,743,991 describes a device for curling the eyelashes, comprising a gripping portion extended by a heating tube. The latter includes a nichrome wire that does not come into direct contact with the skin and that extends through a helical shaped brush. The nichrome wire, by heating, transmits by brush the heat to curl the eyelashes.

  International application WO 00/40112 discloses a device for curling eyelashes, comprising a heating portion. This includes reliefs to lift the eyelashes and an electrical resistance fully housed in the heating portion.

  International application WO 99/22782 discloses a device for curling the eyelashes, comprising a heating wire and a plurality of bristles attached to this heating wire. In use, an electric current flows in the heating wire, the bristles and the heating wire can be brought into contact with the eyelashes.

  Patent Application EP 1 543 741 discloses a device for curling eyelashes, comprising a heating member provided with a nichrome wire. This wire extends in contact with a support on which teeth are connected.

  Also known is a device for curling the eyelashes, comprising a heating wire having a helical portion connecting to a straight portion returning to the inside of the turns of the helical portion.

  Generally, the maximum threshold allowed for the temperature of the heating wire is of the order of 70 C, in order to avoid risks of burns.

  However, the temperature of the heating wire must be high enough to curl the eyelashes satisfactorily.

  There is a need to satisfy these conflicting requirements, while avoiding unnecessary heat dissipation which would reduce the autonomy of the power supply.

  The invention aims in particular to meet this need, while providing a relatively simple construction device, easy to use and reliable.

  The invention also aims to facilitate the bending operation of the eyelashes.

  The object of the invention is, according to one of its aspects, a device for curling the eyelashes, comprising at least two alternating windings of at least one heating wire, defining spaces in which eyelashes can engage.

  The invention makes it possible to heat the eyelashes more effectively because the two alternating windings of the heating wire allow a heat transfer towards the eyelashes, in particular by contact, more important.

  Each eyelash can for example be heated on two sides when engaged in a space formed by the windings.

  Thanks to the invention, it is possible to curl the eyelashes satisfactorily without having to heat the windings to an excessive temperature, this temperature may for example not exceed 70 C, which reduces the power consumption and therefore for example the size of the power supply and the size of the device.

  In addition, the invention can make it possible to benefit from a device having a low thermal inertia, which avoids an unnecessary dissipation of energy and improves the comfort of use.

  The invention makes it possible to engage the eyelashes in the spaces formed by the winding (s) over a relatively large distance, which facilitates the combing of the eyelashes. The width of the spaces in which the eyelashes may engage, for example the spacing between two portions of adjacent turns, may be between 0.75 mm and 1.25 mm for example.

  The eyelashes can, if necessary, be bent more easily while keeping them separate, without forming eyelash bundles.

  The invention can also reduce the cost of the device because the windings of the heating wire can be easily achieved.

  The heating wire may be unique and form only two alternating windings, if any.

  The windings preferably have a completely free inner section.

  Thus, the device may be devoid of electrically conductive wire extending inside the windings and / or support in contact with which the heating wire is wound. It is thus possible to avoid heat losses due to the presence of such a support.

  In an exemplary implementation of the invention, at least one of the windings comprises at least one coil portion extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the winding.

  As a variant, at least one of the windings comprises at least one turn portion extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the winding.

  At least one of the windings may comprise at least one turn portion extending substantially in a circular arc or, alternatively, having a shape different from an arc of a circle, for example a substantially polygonal shape, in particular a triangular shape, when observed in the longitudinal direction of the corresponding winding.

  The windings may comprise portions of turn having the same shape, which succeed each other at regular intervals.

  In an exemplary implementation of the invention, at least one of the windings has a helical shape, that is to say a shape defined by a curve that cuts at a constant angle the generatrices of a cylinder. The alternating windings form for example a double helix.

  The two windings can be formed from a monolithic strand of the heating wire or, alternatively, from two separate electrically conductive strands, electrically interconnected, for example at one end of the windings.

  The heating wire may comprise for example at least one conductive portion in nichrome.

  In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the heating wire comprises an electrically insulating outer coating, in particular an enameling. This allows in particular to avoid a risk of short circuit between the turns.

  The maximum current flowing through the windings is chosen so as to reach the desired temperature.

  The device can thus be arranged to bring the heating wire to a temperature of less than or equal to about 70 ° C.

  The device may comprise a thermostat arranged to control the temperature of the heating wire and maintain it at a value of between 60 and 90 ° C., for example, in particular around 75 ° C. for example. The device may comprise, if desired, a heating element. maintaining arranged to maintain the windings at least one of their ends.

  The device may comprise at least one hoop intended to prevent accidental contact of the skin with the heating wire, for example a succession of regularly spaced hoops.

  The holding member comprises for example at least one branch extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the windings, for example two branches arranged on either side thereof.

  The holding member may comprise a tip connecting the branches and arranged to hold the heating wire at a free end of the windings.

  In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the device comprises at least one row of projecting elements forming between them spaces for engaging eyelashes, this row extending for example substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction windings.

  The projecting elements comprise for example teeth or bristles.

  The row of projecting elements can be made, if necessary, on the aforementioned holding member, in particular on one of the branches. Thus, the projecting elements may not be heated by the heating wire, which may facilitate the maintenance of the eyelashes in the separated state.

  The projecting elements can be made in one piece with the holding member or, alternatively, be reported and possibly removably attached thereto.

  The device may comprise an independent power supply connected to the heating wire, this power supply comprising for example at least one battery or battery. Alternatively, the device can be arranged to be connected to a power supply connected to the sector, via an electric cable.

  In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the device comprises at least one lighting element, comprising for example an LED, arranged to illuminate the windings.

  This LED can be switched on automatically when the heating wire reaches a pre-set temperature or after a preset time, for example to signal to the user that the device is ready to curl the eyelashes.

  The device may comprise, if necessary, a protective cap. The invention further relates, in another aspect, a device for curling the eyelashes, comprising at least one winding of a heating wire, this winding having a completely free inner section.

  The device may be devoid of electrically conductive wire extending inside the winding and / or support in contact with which the heating wire would be wound.

  Such a device has a relatively low thermal inertia and allows in particular to use the turns to comb the eyelashes.

  The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to a device for makeup eyelashes, including curling, comprising at least one lighting element, comprising for example an LED, arranged to illuminate an area of the device arranged to come into contact with the eyelashes.

  Such a device facilitates the makeup operation, allowing the user to better see his eyelashes, especially when the ambient lighting is not satisfactory. Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is a makeup kit comprising, in particular in a package: a device for curling the eyelashes, as defined above, a product to be applied to the eyelashes, in particular a mascara.

  The product to be applied to the eyelashes may be contained, if desired, in a container, which is for example fixed or arranged to be removably attached to the device, in particular at one end thereof, opposite the thread heating.

  The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of examples of non-limiting embodiments of the invention, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIGS. 1 to 4 schematically and partially represent devices for curling eyelashes, in accordance with various examples of implementation of the invention, FIG. 4 being a side view along line IV of FIG. 3, FIG. 5 represents, schematically and partially, an example of windings according to the invention, - Figure 6 shows, schematically and partially, a turn of a winding according to the invention, - Figure 7 is a schematic and partial cross sectional view of a heating wire according to the invention. In Figure 7 in particular, the real proportions have not been respected for the sake of clarity, and - Figure 8 is a perspective partially and schematically showing a succession of roll bars.

  FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for bending the eyelashes, comprising a housing 2 housing a power supply 3 and supporting at one end 4 a heating wire 5.

  The power supply 3 comprises for example one or more batteries or accumulators, and has been shown only very schematically.

  The housing 2 is provided with a switch 6 to control the start or stop of the device.

  The heating wire 5 forms two alternating windings 7a and 7b, extending in a longitudinal direction X and defining between them spaces 8 in which the eyelashes can engage.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the windings 7a and 7b each comprise turns 9 extending obliquely with respect to the longitudinal direction X, forming with this direction X an angle of, for example, between 45 and approximately 90.

  As a variant, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the windings 7a and 7b may comprise coil portions 9a extending perpendicular to the longitudinal direction X. These turn portions 9a may extend along arcs of circles.

  It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the windings 7a and 7b comprise turns of different shape, for example of substantially triangular shape, as illustrated in FIG.

  In the example of Figure 1, the windings 7a and 7b form a double helix, each winding 7a or 7b having a helical shape.

  The two windings 7a and 7b can be substantially image of one another in a translation along the longitudinal direction X and each winding 7a or 7b can have turns of identical shape repeating in the longitudinal direction X. Alternatively, the at least one winding 7a or 7b may have at least two turns of different shapes.

  The number of turns formed by the heating wire 5 can be chosen according to the desired result, and FIG. 2 illustrates a device comprising fewer turns than that of FIG.

  As can be seen in FIG. 7, the heating wire 5 can comprise an electrically conductive strand 12, for example in nichrome, containing, for example, 60% of nickel and 16% of chromium, and an electrically insulating outer coating 13, for example an enameling, to avoid a risk of short circuit between the turns of the windings 7a and 7b.

  Alternatively, the heating wire 5 may have a bare conductive strand 12 without an electrically insulating outer coating.

  The windings 7a and 7b may be made from a monolithic strand of heating wire or, alternatively, from at least two separate strands electrically connected to each other.

  The two windings 7a and 7b may be formed for example by winding the heating wire strand on a cylindrical support, first in a first direction to make the first of the windings, then in a second direction opposite to the first, to form the second windings. The media is then removed.

  The diameter of the heating wire 5 is for example between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, being for example about 0.24 mm.

  The heating wire 5 may have in the unwound state a length for example between 50 mm and 300 mm, for example close to 150 mm.

  The turns 9 may have an outside diameter of, for example, between 0.5 and 5 mm, for example being close to 1.9 mm.

  The coils may in some instances contribute to combing the eyelashes, which may reduce the risk of eyelash package formation.

  Two adjacent turns respectively belonging to the windings 7a and 7b may have at their periphery a gap with a width y between 0.75 mm and 1.25 mm for example, for example close to 1 mm, to facilitate combing.

  As can be seen, the windings 7a and 7b have a completely free inner section, not being wound on a support present in the device. The device 1 is also devoid of, in the illustrated examples, conductive wire extending inside the windings 7.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the heating wire 5 is connected to the housing 2 only by two portions of wire 15 which are substantially straight and parallel to each other, connecting to the end 4 of the housing 2.

  It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the heating wire 5 is held, not at only one end of the windings 7a and 7b, but at the two opposite ends thereof, as illustrated in FIG. .

  In this example, the housing 2 comprises a holding member 16 provided with two branches 17 extending parallel to the longitudinal direction X, on either side of the windings 7a and 7b, these branches being connected by a nozzle 18.

  The tip 18 can thus maintain the windings 7a and 7b at the distal end of the device.

  The device 1 may comprise, as illustrated in FIG. 4, at least one row of projecting elements 20 forming spaces between them 21 for engaging eyelashes, this row extending for example substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction. X. These projecting elements 20 can be made on the branches 17 of the holding member 16.

  In the example, the projecting elements 20 are formed by teeth made in one piece, by plastic molding, with the corresponding branch 17. Alternatively, the projecting elements 20 may have bristles.

  The projecting elements may extend perpendicularly to the branches or not.

  The width w of the branches 17 is preferably smaller than the outer section of the windings 7a and 7b, so that the eyelashes are not prevented by the branches 17 from engaging in the spaces 8 formed between the turns.

  The device 1 may comprise a lighting element 25 arranged to illuminate the working area.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the lighting element 25 comprises, for example, an LED.

  The starting or stopping of this lighting element 25 can be controlled by the actuation of the switch 6, at the same time as the switching on or off of the electric power supply 3 of the heating wire 5.

  The operation of the switch 6 controls for example the operation of the lighting element 25 and the supply of the heating wire for a predefined period, at the end of which the lighting element 25 automatically turns off.

  Alternatively, the lighting element 25 is turned on automatically when the temperature of the heating wire reaches a predefined value for curling the eyelashes.

  The device 1 is advantageously arranged to carry the heating wire at a temperature not exceeding 70 C.

  For this purpose, the device 1 may comprise for example a temperature sensor arranged to measure the temperature of the heating wire 5 and the supply of the heating wire can be performed according to the detected temperature, to maintain it between predefined values.

  The lighting element 25 may be arranged, if necessary, to change color depending on the temperature of the heating wire.

  If desired, the device 1 may comprise a protective cap 28 arranged to protect the heating wire 5 between two uses, as illustrated in FIG.

  Of course, the invention is not limited to the implementation examples which have just been described.

  For example, the windings 7a and 7b may extend along a curvilinear axis.

  Any of the illustrated devices may be provided with at least one protective arch to prevent accidental contact with the skin.

  The device may comprise, for example, a succession of arches 30 regularly spaced along the axis X. These arches 30 are for example made of plastic and are positioned axially for example between two portions of turn.

  The hoops 30 are for example made in one piece with the branches 17 to which they are connected at their ends but can be maintained otherwise by the device.

  The expression containing one must be understood as being synonymous with at least one, unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (28)

  1. Device (1) for curling the eyelashes, comprising at least two alternating windings (7a, 7b) of at least one heating wire (5), defining spaces (8) in which eyelashes can engage.   2. Device according to the preceding claim, wherein at least one of the windings (7a, 7b) comprises at least one turn portion (9) extending obliquely with respect to a longitudinal direction (X) of this winding. .   3. Device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the windings (7a, 7b) comprises at least one portion of turn (9) extending perpendicular to a longitudinal direction (X) of this winding.   4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the windings (7a, 7b) comprises at least one portion of coil (9a) extending substantially in a circular arc.   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one of the windings comprises at least a portion of turn having a shape different from an arc of a circle, when observed in the direction longitudinal of this winding.   6. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one of the windings comprises at least a turn portion of substantially polygonal shape, in particular triangular.   7. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the windings has a helical shape.   8. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the windings (7a, 7b) form a double helix.   9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the windings (7a, 7b) have a completely free inner section.   10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is devoid of conductive wire extending inside the windings.   11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is devoid of support in contact with which the heating wire is wound.   12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two windings are formed from a strand (12) of the monolithic heating wire.   13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating wire (5) comprises at least one conductive portion in mchrome.   14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating wire comprises an electrically insulating outer coating (13), in particular an enameling.   15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is arranged to carry the heating wire (5) at a temperature less than or equal to 70 C.   16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a holding member (16) arranged to maintain the windings of the heating wire to at least one of their ends.   17. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the holding member (16) comprises at least two branches (17) extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction (X) of the windings on both sides. of these.   18. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the holding member (16) comprises a nozzle (18) connecting the branches (17) and arranged to hold the heating wire (5) at a free end of the windings. .   19. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one row of projecting elements (20) forming between them spaces (21) for engaging the eyelashes, this row. extending in particular substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction (X) of the windings.   20. Device according to claim 19, characterized in that the row of projecting elements (20) is formed on the holding member (16).   21. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an independent power supply (3) connected to the heating wire.   22. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one lighting element (25), including an LED, arranged to illuminate the windings.   23. Device for curling the eyelashes, comprising at least one winding of a heating wire, the winding (7) having a completely free inner section.   24. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it is devoid of conducting wire or support extending inside the winding.   25. Device according to claim 1, wherein the spaces in which the eyelashes can engage have a width (y) between 0.75 and 1.25 mm, in particular of the order of 1 mm.   26. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one hoop (30) protection to prevent accidental contact of the heating wire with the skin.   27. Device according to claim 26, comprising a plurality of regularly spaced hoops (30).   28. Device according to claims 17 and 27, the hoops (30) connecting to the branches (17) at their ends.