FR2963217A1 - DEVICE FOR CONDITIONING AND APPLYING AT LEAST ONE SOLID COSMETIC COMPOSITION - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for packaging and applying at least one cosmetic composition, intended for application to the lips, eyelashes, eyebrows or hair, comprising: - a gripping member (2), - an application member (4) connected to the gripping member, comprising: - a connecting means (3) to the gripping member, - a core (5) integral with the connecting means, - retaining elements (6) integral with the core, - a solid block (7) of said composition. According to the invention, the block has an outer envelope extending around the core, and at least some of the retaining elements are enveloped by the block of the composition.

Description

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and applying at least one cosmetic composition, in particular intended to be applied to the lips, the eyelashes or the eyebrows. "Cosmetic composition" means a composition as defined in Council Directive 93/35 / EEC of 14 June 1993. The cosmetic composition may be, for example, a mascara, an eyelash makeup base or a composition to be applied to a mascara. The composition may also be a lipstick. Many devices for conditioning and applying a mascara to the eyelashes are known in the state of the art. These devices are mainly in two forms depending on the texture of the mascara. In the case where the mascara is liquid, it is contained in a container provided with a wiper and an applicator comprising an applicator member and is applied by taking the product into the container using the applicator. passing the applicator member through the wiper in order to evacuate the excess product, then bringing the mascara-impregnated application member into contact with the eyelashes. The amount of product to be applied is defined by the wiper and therefore can not be adapted by the user. A heater may be associated with the device for packaging and applying liquid mascara as described in application WO2008 / 068337. The heating of the mascara makes it possible, for example, to obtain different physical properties of the product. In case the mascara is solid, a solvent or heat is most often used to make the mascara applicable. Thus publications US2007245 or FR2833163 are known in solid form requiring, prior to their application to the eyelashes, contacting with an aqueous phase so as to partially solubilize the mascara. This type of device is inefficient and impractical to use. The application FR2733398 describes a device for applying mascara in the form of an elongated elongated block with water. This block can be overmolded on a brush.

The application WO2006 / 057439 describes room-temperature solid mascara compositions which are softened by means of a heating device so that they can be applied to the eyelashes. Once the softened mascara composition is applied to the eyelashes, the eyelash is rapidly cooled and thus solidifies, allowing the formation of a film covering the eyelashes. The application FR2914161 describes a packaging and application device in which the mascara is contained in the form of a rod in a rod and resiliently biased towards an internal heating device to an applicator member. Another form of formulation for a mascara consists in producing it in the form of a block of composition which allows application by dry direct transfer onto the eyelashes. Devices allowing the application of compositions by dry transfer are disclosed in particular by the publications FR2888735, EP1785055 and EP1913835. The development of such devices with compositions applicable to dry presents difficulties residing in particular in obtaining a block on an applicator, as well as the speed and ease of makeup for the user. In the aforementioned applications, the block is in the form of a stick and the application is made by its distal end. The gesture is different from that to which users are accustomed with the most widespread brushes, which can divert from the use of these devices some users accustomed to conventional brushes. There is therefore a need to remedy all or some of the above-mentioned disadvantages and to benefit from an easy-to-use packaging and application device and leading to satisfactory makeup results. The subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying at least one cosmetic composition, intended for application to the lips, the eyelashes, the eyebrows or the hair, comprising: a gripping member; application connected to the gripping member, comprising: - a means of connection to the gripping member, - a core integral with the connecting means, - integral retention elements of the soul, - a solid block of said composition, said block having an outer envelope extending around the core, at least some of the retaining elements being enveloped by the block of the composition.

The invention thus has the advantage of preserving the ergonomics and the gestures of the most common conventional applicators on the market, comprising a brush or a comb to be immersed in a container containing a liquid composition for loading in composition, while offering the advantages related to the solid form of the composition.

The invention also has the advantage of being devoid of wiper for adjusting the amount of product applied, this adjustment being at the discretion of the user. According to other features of the invention, all the retaining elements can be wrapped in the block. This feature advantageously makes it possible to more easily realize the application member by molding the block on the retaining elements. The retaining elements may be a thread, bristles, teeth and / or flocking, the retaining elements may be molded with the core and the bristles may be carried by a twisted core.

The means for connecting the applicator member to the gripping member may be a rod connecting the core to the gripping member. The device application member may be removable from the gripping member. This feature advantageously allows to be able to recharge the device when the product block is worn.

The connecting means of the applicator member to the gripping member may comprise a base and removable mounting means of a cover so that in the closed position the cover and the base form a closed housing containing the block product for its packaging. This characteristic advantageously makes it possible to keep the product jar in good condition to avoid its alteration.

The gripping member may comprise a rotary motor for rotating the applicator member so as to improve the disintegration of the composition. The composition may be fluidifiable by a heat input and the device may then comprise a heating system integrated in the application member. The gripping member may comprise a vibrating member further allowing the eyelashes to be better separated so as to distribute the product charge homogeneously over all the eyelashes.

The invention also relates to a kit for such a device, the kit may contain several application members carrying compositions of different formulations. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an applicator member for such a device, the method comprising the steps of: - casting the composition having been brought to the fluid state in a cover of the device; inserting the core of the applicator member into the composition - solidifying the composition to form a product block around the core, for example by lowering the temperature to ambient temperature of about 20 ° C or a lower temperature. The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of nonlimiting examples of implementation thereof, with reference to the appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 represents an example of a packaging device and application of the invention, - Figure 2 is a longitudinal section along the X axis of the device of Figure 1, - Figures 3 and 3bis show variants of cross sections of the rod along the axis III- III, - Figures 4 and 4bis show cross-sectional variants of the device along the axis IV-IV, - Figures 5 to 12 represent transverse and longitudinal cross-sections of application member variants, Figure 13 represents a variant of the device, Figures 14 and 14bis show longitudinal and transverse sections of a variant of the application member, Figure 15 shows a variant of the device, Figures 16 and 17 show varia the device with a removable applicator member. FIGS. 1 and 2 show an example of a device 1 for packaging and application according to the invention.

This device 1 comprises a gripping member 2 and an application member 4 having a connecting means 3 to the gripping member 2. The connecting means is for example a rod 3. The device also comprises a cover 8 fixing itself removably, for example by means of a thread, on the gripping member and for covering the applicator member to protect it in the absence of use. The application member 4 extends mainly along a longitudinal axis X, and comprises a core 5 located at the distal end of the rod 3 and on which radially extend retention elements 6 arranged all around the core 5 to hold a block 7 of composition P carried by the core 5.

The rod 3 may have on at least a fraction of its length a cross section of circular, square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, cross, star, oval, polygonal, this list being non-limiting. The forms other than circular rod allow better adhesion of the product block on the applicator member thus preventing a rotation of the block around the rod.

The rod may have a larger transverse dimension, in particular a diameter of less than or equal to 6 mm. In Figures 14 and 14bis, the section of the rod 3 and / or that of the core 5 at the distal end of the rod 3, are rectangular so that the rod 3 and / or the core 5 is flat. The rod 3 also has a recess 14 for example opening on each side of the rod. The recess 14 extends over part of the length of the rod 3 and the core 5. The flat shape of the rod 3 and the core 5 allows a better adhesion of the block 7 of product to the organ application thus preventing a rotation of the block around the rod, while the recess 14 allows a better adhesion of the block 7 of product on the applicator member thus preventing a longitudinal displacement of the block relative to the rod because a Part of the block 7 will be in the recess 14. The core 5 may be straight, curvilinear, twisted, or otherwise. The longitudinal axis of the core 5 of the application member 4 may be coincident with the longitudinal axis of the rod 3, or be eccentric with respect to the rod. The core 5 may have a cross section of any shape, for example circular, polygonal, square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, star, oval, this list being non-limiting. Similarly, the core 5 may have a larger variable transverse dimension, particularly as in FIG. 8, the core may be conical with its section decreasing away from the rod 3. The diameter of the core 5 can be, for example, less than or equal to 6 mm. The diameter of the core may be smaller than that of the stem.

The core 5 of the applicator member may comprise means making it possible to facilitate the fastening of the composition block. In addition to the retaining elements 6, the core of the application member may have undergone any suitable treatment, to facilitate the attachment of the block 7 on the core 5, such as a surface treatment to create asperities on the soul.

The core 5 of the applicator member 4 can be made integrally with the rod 3 as in Figure 7, the core being optionally overmolded on the rod. As a variant illustrated in FIG. 6, the core 5 of the applicator member may be attached to the rod 3, possibly in a removable manner, for example by gluing, latching, screwing or stapling.

The composition P is a cosmetic product composition, for example, dry-crackable for keratinous fibers. By "dry-dry" is meant a suitable composition, at room temperature of about 20 ° C or hot, to form a deposit adhering to the skin or the lips, and / or adhering and sheathing on the eyelashes, eyebrows or hair, without requiring prior contact of the composition with a solvent phase, as opposed to mascaras bread that are water-soluble and must first be solubilized partially to be applied to the fibers or the skin. The composition may optionally be heated for the application, especially when it is not dry-crackable at room temperature. In this case, it can be heated to a temperature ranging from 40 ° C to 95 ° C, preferably from 45 ° C to 75 ° C. In this case the device can be associated with heating means of the composition. Preferably, the solid cosmetic composition used in the device according to the invention has a hardness which makes it possible to obtain a product which is sufficiently rigid to be in the form of a block while having a texture sufficiently soft to allow application direct and easy on the eyelashes, including a deposit of material by simple contact with the eyelashes, without exerting undue pressure on the eyelash fringe. As in the example of Figures 1 and 2, the composition P is therefore in the form of a monolithic solid block 7 which completely surrounds the core 5.

In the example of Figure 10, the block 7 surrounds only an angular portion of the core, for example less than 180 °. By "solid block" is meant a compact mass, of predetermined shape which, in the absence of stress, at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure, retains its original shape.

The block 7 comes into contact with the core 5, the composition thickness of the block 7 being for example substantially uniform over 360 ° about the longitudinal axis X of the core, as shown in FIG. may have a cross section of any shape, for example circular, polygonal, square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, star, oval, this list being non-limiting. Certain shapes may facilitate the lash composition loading by providing a greater contact area between the composition and the eyelashes. The core 5 and / or the retaining elements 6 play the role of an armature in the block 7, which allows a better maintenance of the block 7 on the core 5 and allows a more fragile composition, the block being reinforced mechanically by the core 5 and / or the retaining elements 6. The block 7, for example represented in FIGS. 1, 2 or 5 to 9, is of substantially conical shape, its circular section decreasing away from the grasping 2.

However, the block 7 may have other shapes and in particular a substantially tubular shape, for example cylindrical, which may surround the core 5 over its entire length. The largest transverse dimension of the block 7, especially a diameter, may be less than or equal to 15 mm or even less than or equal to 10 mm.

The block may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core, the block thus being distributed uniformly around the core of the applicator member.

The longitudinal axis of the block can also be confused or not with the longitudinal axis of the applicator member. The block can thus be unequally distributed, for example thicker on one side of the soul than on the other. Block 7 initially envelopes at least some restraint elements. Thus, the block initially covers, that is to say before the first use, entirely, all or only part of the retaining elements 6. For example, the block 7 can completely cover at least 20% or even 40%, 60 %, 80%, or even all the elements of restraint. For example, with reference to Figures 10, 11 and 12, part of the retainers 6 are not covered or partially covered by the block 7 of product. By "before the first use" it is necessary to understand before the user does not use the first time of the device. This may correspond to the state of the device as purchased by the user for example. This may correspond in particular to the device in its packaging or in the state in which it is presented to the consumer, in the absence of packaging. The retaining elements 6 are for example protruding elements such as teeth made by injection of thermoplastic material with the core 5 and shown in FIG. 6. At least some of the retaining elements 6 have their distal end of the core embedded in block 7 before first use.

When the projecting elements 6 are teeth, these projecting elements are for example arranged in longitudinal rows, each row comprising for example between 5 and 40 salient elements. The projecting elements may extend from the core in at least three different angular directions.

The salient elements may be distributed at regular or variable intervals along the core. For example, two consecutive salient elements may be joined or spaced apart by at most 2 mm. The salient elements can all have the same length or different lengths. This length, extending between a first end of attachment, called proximal, connected to the core and a second free end, may be between 0.5 mm and 15 mm.

The envelope surface defined by the free ends of the projecting elements may have, in cross section or longitudinal, various shapes, for example circular, square, rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, star, oval, polygonal, this list being non-limiting.

Of course, any other provision of salient elements adapted to maintain the block is possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. The salient elements may in particular have non-radial orientations. The projecting elements can be made with the application member integrally, by molding of material or machining. Alternatively, they can be reported on the soul or be bi-injected with the soul. The projecting elements may be made of a material identical to or different from that of the core. The projecting elements may be made of a thermoplastic material such as a polyolefin, for example PP or PE, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyamide, this list being non-limiting.

When the thickness of the block 7 of product decreases after a few uses, and the salient elements appear, the projecting elements of the block can then be used as combing elements adapted to separate the eyelashes. With reference to FIG. 5, the retaining elements 6 may consist of bristles of a twisted core brush. Such a brush comprises bristles sandwiched between two metal branches of the core, twisted together. The twisted core 5 is for example inserted into an orifice of the rod 3. The brush which carries the composition P can be of any known type, and in particular one of those appearing in the previous applications in the name of the applicant, by example in patent applications EP 1 977 661 and EP 1 977 662.

The bristles may be natural or synthetic and the number of bristles carried by the core of the applicator member may be between 20 and 500. With reference to FIG. 7, the retaining elements 6 may also be formed by flocking of the core 5 of the applicator member 4. The flocking can avoid catching the eyelashes too strongly, sticking them or pulling them, thus limiting the risk of loss of the eyelashes on use, when the The thickness of the product block 7 decreases.

A conventional electrostatic flocking method may allow a relatively homogeneous random distribution of the bristles on the core of the applicator member, if desired. When the applicator member comprises a flocking, the flock hairs have for example a length ranging from 0.2 to 2 mm. The bristles may have a linear density ranging from 0.7 to 3.3 dtex, for example 0.9 dtex. Depending on the length of the flock hairs, the linear density may be different. For example, there are linear densities of 1.7 dtex, 0.7 dtex, 3 dtex, and 3.3 dtex respectively for flock hair lengths of 0.2 mm, 0.5 mm, 1.2 mm and 1.5 mm.

The retaining elements 6 may also be formed by a helical thread pitch around the core. The different types of retaining elements 6 can be combined with each other. For example, a core 5 may have teeth and flocking, teeth and bristles or any other combination.

Whatever the shape of the retaining elements 6, all the retaining elements may be embedded in the block 7 at the first use of the applicator member or alternatively some retaining elements are partially or totally located outside the block 7. For example, with reference to FIG. 9, the flock hairs located at the free end of the core are not located in the product block 7 or have their free end outside the block 7, whereas the bristles situated on the proximal portion of the core relative to the rod 3 are fully embedded in the block 7 but can be gradually discovered as and when the block 7 wear. The thickness of the block 7 may be inhomogeneous around the X longitudinal axis of the core as shown in Figure 5, but can also be homogeneous as shown in Figure 8. In the latter case, the core 5 is conical and the block 7 and the thickness of the product is for example less than 3mm even less than 2mm. A method of obtaining such a block 7 on a core 5 will now be described. The product may be cast in the fluid state, for example, in the hood 8 forming a mold which has an internal volume defined by a smooth internal face, and having a draft that is to say flaring towards its opening to allow the subsequent demolding of the product block 7. The core 5 is then introduced into the cover before solidification of the product P for example by cooling to form a block 7. The retaining elements 6 allow to define a reinforcement to mechanically reinforce the composition block. According to the invention, the applicator member 4 can rotate relative to the gripping member 2. In particular, the device can comprise a motor 20 connected to a power supply 22 such as a battery, for example placed in the gripping member, the motor 20 comprising an output shaft fixedly or removably connected to the rod 3 thus making it possible to rotate the applicator member 4. The speed of rotation of the applicator member is for example between 10 3 and 500 revolutions per minute, or even between 4 and 200 rpm, better still between 5 and 120 rpm, being for example of the order of 60 rpm. The starting of the rotary motor 20 can be actuated by a contactor 21. The contactor 21 protrudes on the outer surface of the gripping member 2, so as to be actuated by the user, as shown in Figure 1 Advantageously, the switch 21 comprises three positions: a stop position, and two other positions to choose the direction of rotation of the motor. In a variant shown in FIG. 15, the rod 3 can be mounted free to rotate with respect to the gripping member 2. For this purpose, the proximal end 9 of the rod can be spherical and mounted in pivot connection in a spherical housing of the gripping member 20. Other mountings in pivot connection can also be envisaged. The device, in particular the gripping member, can be arranged to receive a vibrating source 30. The vibrating source makes it possible to subject the application member to vibrations during the application of the product, which can improve the makeup result. . The vibration frequency is for example between 0.5 Hz and 1000 Hz better 1 to 500 Hz. The vibrations can be oriented for example parallel to the axis of rotation or transversely to it, for example being perpendicular to the axis of rotation. axis of rotation, or be tilt adjustable by the user. This vibrating source 30 may include its own contactor which, when operated by the user, triggers the operation of a vibrator. The latter comprises for example a motor driving in rotation an eccentric flyweight. The triggering of the operation of the vibrator can also be obtained by a contactor common with the rotary member 20, the vibrator of the vibrating source 30 being for example electrically connected in parallel with the motor of the rotary member. The vibrating source can be made otherwise than with a flyweight driven in rotation, for example with a wiper or with an electromechanical or piezoelectric device. Other examples of vibrating sources are given in the documents FR2882506 and WO2006 / 0903343. The composition can also be fluidifiable by providing heat. The composition has, for example, a melting point of less than or equal to 60 ° C. The device may thus comprise or cooperate with a heating system 40 adapted to soften or melt at least on the surface of the solid cosmetic composition. The block can also be warmed by being exposed to infrared radiation, radio-frequency radiation, heated by blowing hot air, reheated by being exposed to ultrasonic vibrations, or heated by heat transfer in contact with or near a hot surface.

The composition may be heated locally at a temperature greater than or equal to 40 ° C, or even greater than 45 ° C or greater than 50 ° C. The surface temperature of the block should not cause a risk of burning at the time of application. This is why a waiting time between the time of heating and the application to the keratin fibers may possibly be necessary.

The temperature at which the block is initially heated may be between 40 ° C and 95 ° C, more preferably 45 ° C to 85 ° C, more preferably 45 ° C to 75 ° C. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the heating system may comprise an electrical resistance 40 integrated in the core 5, for example during the molding of the core 5 with the rod 3. The resistor 40 is connected to the power supply by means of connectors 41. The triggering of the operation of the heating element can be obtained by an independent contactor or by a contactor common with the rotary member 20 and / or the vibrator of the vibrating source 30 being for example connected electrically in parallel with the motor of the rotary member and / or the vibrating source.

The device 1 may comprise a system for regulating the temperature of the applicator member 4, this control system being for example an electronic circuit housed in the gripping member 6.

The control system can implement a programmed delay of the supply of the heating element. The control system can also be connected by connecting wires to a temperature sensor, for example located at the level of the heating element 40 and allow the heating element to be powered or not according to a programmed temperature set point. in the regulation system. The heating system, the vibrating source and the rotary motor can be integrated into the device individually or combined together or in pairs. According to the invention, the applicator member may be removable so as to change the applicator member after wear of the composition block. The rod 3 of the applicator member 4 can have a free end 9 whose cross section defines a shape complementary to a cavity 10 of the gripping member 2, for example a cavity of the rotary motor shaft as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 2, 3, 3bis, 4 and 4bis. These complementary shapes may be square, oval, cross-fluted or any other shape. The free end 9 of the rod 3 may also include a detent means 11 on the gripping member 2. FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 thus illustrate a lug 12 located in the cavity 10 of the motor shaft 20 and cooperating with a housing 13 of the free end 9 of the rod 3 so as to hold the applicator member on the gripping member during the use of the device 1. As a variant, represented in FIGS. 16 and 17, the applicator member takes the form of a removable, removable capsule of the gripping member. For this purpose, the connecting means 3 of the applicator member 4 comprises a transverse base 15 from which the core 5 extends longitudinally. The base 25 is for example of circular cross section. The face of the base opposite to the core 5 comprises a coupling means to the gripping member 2. For example the base 15 comprises a recess 16 in the form of a cross in which the end of the motor shaft rotary 20 of the gripping member 2 can be inserted. For this, the end of the shaft of the rotary motor is of shape 30 complementary to the impression 16. Other complementary forms of the "male-female" non-circular type can be used as square, rectangular, star-shaped shapes, oval, fluted, polygonal or other.

The base 15 comprises a removable mounting means 17 and preferentially sealed the cover of the applicator member so that the base 15 carrying the core 5 and the product block 7, and the cover 8 together form a capsule independent of which the product block 7 is preserved from any alteration. All kinds of known removable mounting mechanism can be used. For example, referring to Figure 16, the edge of the base 15 of the side of the core 5 has a shoulder with a circular groove 17 in which a rib of the inner face of the cover 8 can be housed. Another example of removable mounting of the cover 8 is shown in FIG. 17. The edge of the base 15 on the side of the core 5 has a peripheral skirt extending longitudinally from the face of the base supporting the core 5. This skirt is provided with a thread 17 on the inner face of the skirt and cooperating with a complementary thread on the outer face of the cover 8. In order to obtain an optimum seal, especially to prevent the evaporation of product block 7, the face of the base 15 on the side of the product block 7 comprises a flexible circular lip 18 intended to come into contact with the inside of the cover 8 when it is mounted on the base 15. In the examples of Figures 16 and 17, the force required to remove the cover is lower than that required to remove the base of the gripping member. For this purpose the cover may have a smooth inner face to limit the adhesion of the product block. In a variant of the invention not shown, the base can only withdraw when the cover is positioned to protect the block of composition during its handling. The user can be provided with several application members to be mounted selectively on the same gripping member 2 as a function of the treatment to be carried out, for example carrying compositions of different formulations varying for example by their color and / or their active compounds. The invention is not limited to the examples described, they can in particular be combined with each other.

The expression "having one" should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one".

Claims (13)

REVENDICATIONS1. Device (1) for packaging and applying at least one cosmetic composition, intended for application to the lips, eyelashes, eyebrows or hair, comprising: - a gripping member (2), - an organ of application (4) connected to the gripping member, comprising: - a connecting means (3) to the gripping member, - a core (5) integral with the connecting means, 10 - retaining elements (6) integral with the core, - a solid block (7) of said composition, said block having an outer envelope extending around the core, at least some of the retained elements being enveloped by the block of the composition. 15 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that all the retaining elements (6) are wrapped in the block (7). 3. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining elements (6) are a thread, bristles, teeth 20 and / or flocking. 4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining elements (6) are molded with the core (5). 25 5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the retaining elements (6) are bristles carried by a twisted core. 6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (3) of the applicator member (4) to the gripping member is a rod connecting the core (5). to the gripping member (2). 7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator member (4) of the device is removable from the gripping member (2). 8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means (3) of the applicator member (4) to the gripping member (2) comprises a base (15) and means removable mounting a cover (8) so that in the closed position the cover and the base form a closed housing containing the product block for packaging. 9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping member (2) comprises a rotary motor (20) for rotating the applicator member (4). 10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the composition is fluidifiable by a heat input and in that the device (1) comprises a heating system (40) integrated with the application member. . 11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a vibrating member (30). 12. Kit for a device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains a plurality of application members (4) carrying compositions of different formulations and / or different colors. 13. A method of manufacturing an applicator member for a device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising the steps of: - casting the composition having been brought to the fluid state in a hood (8) of the device, - insert the core (5) of the application member (4) in the composition - solidify the composition to form a block (7) of product around the core.