FR2916950A1 - Make-up product e.g. mascara, applicator for e.g. eyelashes, has cover surface with two cross-sections whose apexes are angularly shifted around longitudinal axis of application element, where one cross-sections is centered on axis - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator has an application element (10) i.e. brush, whose application units e.g. bristles or teeth, have free ends defining a cover surface for the element. The cover surface has two polygonal cross-sections (21, 20) respectively in two locations on a longitudinal axis of the element. An apex (20a) of the cross-section (21) is connected to an apex (21a) and another apex of the cross-section (20) by ridges. The apexes (20a, 21a) of the cross-sections are angularly shifted at an angle (beta) around the axis, where one of the cross-sections is centered on the axis. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for applying a product on eyelashes or eyebrows (2) a method for manufacturing an applicator.

Description

The present invention relates to applicators for applying a product

  on the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows. Conventionally used applicators comprise an applicator element connected to a rod, this applicator element comprising application members such as bristles or teeth. The application members define an envelope surface for the applicator element, this envelope surface may have various shapes, generally for the purpose of separating the eyelashes while bringing the product. EP 0 663 161 discloses a brush having an envelope surface whose cross section passes through an extremum, with ridges. US 5,918,994 also discloses a mascara brush having ridges which converge toward the distal end of the brush. Also known from US 5,853,011, FR 2 811 525 and FR 2 605 505 mascara brushes having faces delimited by edges. In US Pat. No. 5,853,011, concave notches alternate in the circumferential direction with ridges. The publication FR 2 811 525 discloses a mascara brush whose envelope surface has two end cross sections each of triangular shape, defining vertices. Edges connect the vertices of these two end cross-sections, these vertices being angularly offset about the longitudinal axis. The core is eccentric within each of these end cross sections, which are of the same dimensions. FR 2 605 505 discloses mascara brushes having envelope surfaces of polygonal cross-section. US Pat. No. 5,595,198 discloses a mascara brush whose envelope surface includes a helical groove. EP 410 821 A1 discloses a mascara brush whose envelope surface has a polygonal cross section which rotates on itself as one moves along the longitudinal axis of the brush. There is a need to further refine the applicators to apply a product to the eyelashes and / or eyebrows.

  According to one of its aspects, the subject of the invention is an applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising an applicator element, this applicator element comprising application members such as bristles or teeth, the free ends of these applicators defining an envelope surface for the applicator element, the envelope surface having, at a first location on the longitudinal axis of the applicator element, a first substantially polygonal cross-section and, at a second location on the longitudinal axis, a second substantially polygonal cross-section, at least one first vertex of the first cross section being connected to at least a second vertex and a third vertex of the second transverse section by respective ridges, the first and second vertices being angularly offset about the longitudinal axis of the applicator element, the at least one of the first and second transverse sections being centered on the longitudinal axis of the applicator element. Such an applicator allows a satisfactory application in terms of load and separation of the eyelashes. In particular, the invention allows an alternation around the longitudinal axis of the application element of edges and faces having different shapes and / or orientations, which makes it possible to load and separate the eyelashes. By substantially polygonal is meant a shape defining several vertices, the sides connecting the vertices being segments or curves, these curves being for example of radius of curvature greater than the distance between the longitudinal axis and one or the other of the two vertices connected by the curve. The two cross sections may each be centered on the longitudinal axis of the core. The first and second cross sections may each have the same number of vertices, for example four vertices. A vertex of the first cross section can be connected to two vertices of the second cross section, these two vertices being adjacent. Each vertex of the first cross section can be connected to two adjacent vertices of the second cross section by two straight edges. In an exemplary embodiment, the vertices of the second cross section may be located at the same distance from the longitudinal axis of the applicator element as the sides of the first cross section.

  At least one edge connecting the first and second transverse sections may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator element. All edges joining the first and second cross sections may converge toward the longitudinal axis of the application member.

  The second cross section may have at least one shorter side than one side of the first cross section. The second cross section can be in the first cross section. The first and second cross sections may have the same shape, within a scale factor. The second cross-section may for example correspond to the first cross-section after reducing its size by a factor ranging from 10 to 70% or from 15 to 50%. The angular offset between the first vertex of the first transverse section and the second vertex of the second cross section may be equal to 180 / n, where n is the number of vertices of the first cross section or the second cross section, both cross-sections having the same number of vertices. The first and second cross sections may be substantially regular polygons. At least one of the first and second cross sections may have segments defined sides. This can facilitate the realization of the application element by machining a brush blank, for example, and allow to realize the application element with flat faces. The envelope surface of the applicator element may comprise an alternation of planar faces having different shapes around the longitudinal axis of the applicator element. These faces can each have a substantially triangular shape. The first location on the longitudinal axis may coincide with the proximal end of the envelope surface. Alternatively, the first location on the longitudinal axis is remote from the distal end of the envelope surface. The applicator element may comprise a proximal end portion of constant cross section and / or a tapered distal end portion, for example of frustoconical or pyramidal shape.

  The application members may have bristles which are attached to a core, which may be twisted. The application members can still be made by molding with a core. The application members may in particular be molded in the same material as the soul. The applicator element can be carried by a rod, and the latter can be connected to a gripping member configured to close a container containing the product to be applied. The applicator element can be secured during the application of a container 10 containing the product to be applied. The application element may in this case include at least one channel for bringing the product. The invention further relates to a device for packaging and application, comprising: a product to be applied to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, 15 ~ an applicator as defined above. The application element may comprise at least one channel for bringing the product from a container integral with the applicator during the application. The product may be contained in a container and the applicator may be arranged to be introduced into the container to withdraw the product and then separated from the container for application. The container may comprise a wiper member. The invention further relates to a method for applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising the step of bringing an applicator as defined above in contact with the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an applicator, comprising the step of machining an application element blank, for example a cylindrical envelope surface of revolution, so as to give the element of application the form defined above. The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to an applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising an applicator element, this applicator element comprising application members such as that bristles or teeth, these applicators defining an envelope surface for the applicator element, the envelope surface having, in a first location on the longitudinal axis of the applicator element, a first cross-section substantially polygonal and at a second location on the longitudinal axis, a second substantially polygonal cross section, at least a first vertex of the first cross section being connected at least to a second vertex and a third vertex of the second cross section by respective edges, the first and second vertices being angularly offset about the longitudinal axis of the application element, the angular offset between the first vertex of the first transverse section and the second vertex of the second cross section being equal to 180 / n, where n is the number of vertices of the first cross section, the first and second cross sections having the same number of highs. The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to an applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising an applicator element, this applicator element comprising application members such as bristles or teeth, these applicators defining an envelope surface for the applicator element, the envelope surface having, in a first location on the longitudinal axis of the applicator element, a first substantially transverse cross-section polygonal and, at a second location on the longitudinal axis, a second substantially polygonal cross section, at least a first vertex of the first cross section being connected at least to a second vertex and a third vertex of the second cross section by edges the first and second vertices being angularly offset about the longitudinal axis of the application element, the second section cross section being smaller in area than the first, the edges being preferably rectilinear. The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to an applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising an applicator element, this applicator element comprising application members such as bristles or teeth, the free ends of these applicators defining an envelope surface for the applicator element, the envelope surface having, at a first location on the longitudinal axis of the applicator element, a first substantially polygonal cross section and, at a second location on the longitudinal axis, a second substantially polygonal cross section, at least one first vertex of the first cross section being connected at least to a second vertex and a third vertex of the second cross section by respective ridges, the first and second vertices being angularly offset about the longitudinal axis of the applet element ication, the first and second cross sections being of different areas.

  The invention may be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 is a elevation view with partial longitudinal section of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 represents, in isolation, the applicator element of the applicator of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a rear view along line III of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a front view along line IV of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a side view along line V of FIG. 4; FIGS. various diagrammatic perspectives of the application element of FIG. 2; FIG. 9 is a cross-section along IX-IX of FIG. 6; FIG. 10 is a cross-section along XX of FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of an embodiment variant of FIG. FIG. 12 is a front view according to XII of FIG. 11, FIG. 13 is a rear view along XIII of FIG. 11, FIG. 14 is a side view according to XIV of FIG. FIGS. 15 to 17 show different perspectives of the application element of FIG. 11, FIG. 18 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the application element, FIGS. illustrate other forms of cross sections of the envelope surface of the applicator element, - Figures 22 and 23 illustrate different orientations of the pile layers in the case where the application element is a twisted core brush, FIG. 24 is a cross-section of an alternative embodiment of the applicator element, illustrating the possibility of producing the applicator element in the form of an injected brush; FIG. 25 illustrates the possibility of the application element to extend according to a longitudinal axis forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the rod, - Figure 26 illustrates the possibility for the applicator element to extend along a curvilinear longitudinal axis, - Figure 27 shows an alternative embodiment of the FIG. 28 illustrates the possibility of using an adjustable wringing device, FIG. 29 illustrates the possibility of supplying the applicator element with product from a container, FIG. in perspective, an alternative embodiment of the applicator element, and - Figure 31 is a partial longitudinal section of the rod of the applicator of Figure 30. The packaging device and application 1 shown in the FIG. 1 comprises a container 2 containing a product P to be applied to the keratinous fibers, in this case the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, and an applicator 3 comprising a rod 8 integral at its proximal end with a gripping member 9c. The rod 8, with a longitudinal axis Y, carries at its distal end an applicator element 10 made according to the invention. The container 2 may be provided, as illustrated, a wiper member 6 which is for example fixed in a threaded neck 5 on which can be screwed the gripping member 9 to obtain a tight seal. The product P can be any makeup product and / or care of the eyelashes and / or eyebrows. The application element 10 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 to 10, the applicator element being represented with its envelope surface E in FIGS. 2 to 8. By envelope surface, it is necessary to understand the surface defined by the radially outermost ends of the application members of the application element, these application members being for example constituted by bristles or teeth. The application element 10 can thus be, in exemplary embodiments of the invention, a brush comprising bristles 12 carried by a core 13, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the core 13 being by for example a twisted core formed by a wire folded U and twisted on itself. The application element 10 may also be an injected brush, the application members 12 being in this case bristles or teeth made by molding and carried by a core itself made by molding, the bristles or teeth being made or not in the same material as the soul. The envelope surface E defines faces 15 and 16 (also called facets) which alternate around the longitudinal axis X of the application element 10, as can be seen in particular in FIGS. 6 to 8. These faces 15 and 16 extend between first 21 and second 20 cross sections of the application member 10. The cross sections 20 and 21 have substantially polygonal shapes and define respective vertices 20a and 21a. Each vertex 20a is connected, by two edges 30 delimiting a corresponding face 16, to two vertices 21a located on either side of a median plane for the face 16 containing this vertex 20a. In the example illustrated in Figures 2 to 10, the cross sections 20 and 21 each have a regular polygonal contour, in this case square, and the vertices of the cross sections 20 and 21 are angularly offset by an angle (3 of 45 As can be seen from Figure 4 in particular, the faces 16 have a decreasing width towards the distal end of the applicator element 10, while the faces 15 have a decreasing width. the direction of the proximal end of the applicator element In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 10, the second transverse section 20, the closest to the distal end of the applicator element, is smaller The vertices of the second cross-section are, in the example under consideration, at the same distance from the longitudinal axis X of the applicator element as the sides of the first cross-section. e) As a result, some edges are contained in planes parallel to the X axis, as can be seen in Figures 2 or 8 for example. The faces 16 are thus parallel to the X axis and the faces 15 converge towards the distal end of the application element 10. The application element 10 may comprise a distal end portion 33 which may present as illustrated, a pyramidal shape. The applicator element 10 may comprise a proximal end portion 35 whose envelope surface E is of constant cross section, equal to the first cross-section 21. To make the application element 10, it is possible, when the This is a brush, from a surface brush blank of cylindrical envelope of revolution, which is cut to form the envelope surface illustrated in Figures 2 to 8. In the case where the element of 10 is an injected brush, it can be molded directly with the desired envelope surface. The invention is not limited to the envelope surface E illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 8. By way of example, FIGS. 11 to 17 show another example of an envelope surface for the application element 10. In this example, the cross sections 20 and 21 are triangular and the first cross section 21 coincides with the proximal end of the envelope surface. The offset (3 between the vertices of the two cross-sections is, for example, 60. Of course, the offset (3 may take different values, especially any value equal to 180 / n, where n is the number of vertices of the first or second transverse sections, or any other value, as illustrated in FIG. 18. The transverse sections 20 and 21 may be made with a pentagonal contour for example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, hexagonal as illustrated in FIG. regular or non-regular polygons, with rectilinear or concave or convex sides outwards, as shown in FIG. 21. The first transverse section 21 may have, in a variant not illustrated, a number of vertices twice that of the second 20. In another variant not shown, it is the second cross-section which has a number of vertices twice that of the first cross-section. In both cases, a vertex of one of the cross sections may be connected to three consecutive vertices of the other cross section.

  When the applicator element is a brush, it can be twisted left or right to generate helical layers of bristles 12 oriented differently with respect to the longitudinal axis of the applicator element, as illustrated in Figures 22 and 23.

  There is shown by way of example in FIG. 24 a cross section of an application element 10 made entirely by plastic injection, comprising a core 13 and application members 12 molded in the same material, ci being chosen for example from thermoplastics, in particular thermoplastic elastomers.

  The application members 12 may be teeth or bristles that may be of any shape, or may have undergone any treatment, especially once present on the core. The application members 12 may for example be in the form of cylindrical or pyramidal pins, each pin being of longitudinal axis oriented for example perpendicular to the core or forming an angle therewith, being rectilinear or bent. The envelope surface may in particular be defined by pins having different orientations. FIG. 25 illustrates the possibility for the longitudinal axis X of the applicator element to extend at an angle α with the longitudinal axis Y of the gripping member 9. This angle α is for example between 1 and 15. FIG. 26 illustrates the possibility for the applicator element 10 to extend along a longitudinal axis X which is curvilinear. The core 13 is for example curved after machining the facets of the application element. Alternatively, when the application member is made by plastic molding, it can be molded directly with a curved longitudinal axis X or alternatively be hot deformed. The application element can also be made by molding and the desired envelope surface formed by machining the application element.

  The wiper member may have various shapes and for example a corrugated wiper lip, as shown in FIG. 27.

  Where appropriate, the wiper member may be adjustable, being for example carried by a first portion of the container which is movable relative to a second portion of the container, the latter being able to constrain more or less the wiper member and thus act on the size of the opening of the latter used for spinning.

  The applicator element can still be permanently mounted on the container containing the product and the application element may for example comprise a body 50 provided with at least one channel 51 for supplying the application surface. in product, opening for example between the application members 12. There is illustrated in Figure 30 an alternative embodiment in which the application element is made by molding material with rows of application members some of which at least extend along an axis which makes a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the applicator element. In this example, the applicator element is connected to a linking element 100 which gives the applicator some flexibility during application and / or when removing the applicator element from a container containing the product. This connection element 100 is represented in more detail in FIG. 31. This element may comprise a fastening portion 101 in the rest of the rod 8, for example a fastening portion 101 intended to snap or engage with each other. The connecting element 100 also includes a housing 103 for receiving a nozzle 104 which can be made in one piece by molding material with the application element 10. The connecting element 100 is for example made of an elastomeric material. The connecting member 100 may optionally have one or more annular grooves for increasing its flexibility. The connecting element 100 has been described in FIGS. 30 and 31 in association with a particular application element but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the connecting element 100 is used with any of the elements. of application 30 previously described.

  The invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described. In particular, it is possible to combine the different embodiment features of the examples described within non-illustrated variants. The applicator element, whether in the form of a brush or a comb, may comprise a flexible or rigid core. The applicator element can be magnetizable thanks for example to the presence of a charge of magnetizable particles such as ferrites. The applicator members may be arranged in V on the core, staggered within a row or arranged in at least one row extending obliquely relative to the longitudinal axis of the applicator, as illustrated for example in Figure 30 previously described. In a sectional plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X, the application members may all be of the same length or alternatively have different lengths.

The applicator members may be at least partially covered by flocking, where appropriate. The expression having one must be understood as being synonymous with having at least one.

Claims (38)

  Applicator (3) for applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising an application element (10), this application element comprising application members (12) such as bristles or teeth the free ends of these applicators defining an envelope surface (E) for the applicator element, the envelope surface having, at a first location on the longitudinal axis of the applicator element, a first section substantially polygonal cross-section (21) and, at a second location on the longitudinal axis, a second substantially polygonal cross-section (20), at least one first vertex (20a) of the first cross section being connected to at least a second vertex ( 21a) and at a third vertex of the second cross section by respective ridges (30), the first (20a) and second (21a) vertices being angularly offset about the longitudinal axis (X) of the element. applic ation (10), at least one of the first (21) and second (20) cross sections being centered on the longitudinal axis (X) of the applicator element.   2. Applicator according to claim 1, the first and second transverse sections each having between three and ten vertices.   3. Applicator according to claim 2, the first and second cross sections each having three vertices.   4. The applicator of claim 2, the first and second cross sections each having four vertices.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the first and second transverse sections each having the same number of vertices.   6. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, a top (21a) of the first cross section (21) being connected to two vertices (20a) of the second cross section (20) by two straight edges (30).   7. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the first and second transverse sections being centered on the longitudinal axis of the applicator element.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the vertices of the second cross section (20) being located at the same distance from the longitudinal axis of the applicator element as the sides of the first cross-section (21). ).   9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one edge (30) connecting the first and second transverse sections being parallel to the longitudinal axis (X) of the applicator element.   10. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, all the edges connecting the first and second cross sections converging towards the longitudinal axis of the applicator element.   11. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the second cross section having at least one side shorter than one side of the first cross section.   12. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the second cross section (20) forming part of the first cross section (21).   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the first and second cross sections having the same shape, to a scale factor of about.   14. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the second cross section (20) corresponding to the first cross section (21) after reducing its size by a factor ranging from 10 to 70%.   15. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the reduction factor ranging from 15 to 50%.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the angular offset (13) between the first vertex (21a) of the first cross section (21) and the second vertex (20a) of the second cross section (20) being equal to 180 / n, where n is the number of vertices of the first cross section, the first and second cross sections having the same number of vertices.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the first and second transverse sections being substantially regular polygons.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, at least one of the first and second cross sections having segments defined by segments.   An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the first location on the longitudinal axis coinciding with the proximal end of the envelope surface.   20. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the first location on the longitudinal axis being remote from the distal end of the envelope surface.   21. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the applicator element comprising a proximal end portion (35) of constant cross section.   22. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the applicator element comprising a tapered distal end portion (33).   23. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the distal end portion being of frustoconical shape.   24. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the application members (12) having bristles.   25. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the bristles being attached to a core (13).   26. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the core being twisted.   27. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 23, the application members being made by molding with a core.   28. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the application members being molded in the same material as the core.   29. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 28, the applicator element being carried by a rod.   30. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the rod being connected to a gripping member (9) configured to close a container (2) containing the product to be applied.   31. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 28, the applicator element being secured to a container containing the product to be applied during application.   32. Applicator according to the preceding claim, the application element comprising at least one channel (51) for bringing the product.   33. Device (1) for packaging and application, comprising: a product (P) to be applied to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, an applicator (3) as defined in any one of the preceding claims.   34. Device according to the preceding claim, the product (P) being contained in a container and the applicator being arranged to be introduced into the container to collect the product, and separated from the container for application.   35. Device according to the preceding claim, the container (2) having a wiper member (6).   36. Device according to claim 33, the product (P) being contained in a container secured to the applicator during application.   37. A method for applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising the step of bringing an applicator (3) as defined in any one of claims 1 to 32 into contact with the eyelashes and / or eyebrows.   A method of manufacturing an applicator, comprising the step of machining an applicator element blank so as to give the applicator element (10) the form defined in claim 1.15.