FR2980677A1 - Applicator i.e. brush for applying mascara e.g. water resistant mascara, to eyelashes and/or eyebrows, has bristles held between turns of core, and tip defining distal end of applicator, where tip is crossed by wire of core - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator i.e. brush (3) has a core (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (Y), where the core includes two branches of a wire (14) folded onto itself and twisted together to define turns. Bristles (12) are held between the turns of the core, and a tip (13) defining a distal end of the applicator is crossed by the wire of the core. The tip includes a passage in which the wire of the core penetrates, where the wire of the core is engaged with force through the tip, and the tip is molded on the wire of the core. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a device for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows (2) a method for making up the eyelashes and/or eyebrows with a device for applying a cosmetic product (3) a method for manufacturing an applicator.

Description

The present invention relates to applicators for the application of a cosmetic product on eyelashes or eyebrows, also called mascara brushes. A mascara brush must allow the eyelashes to be loaded with product, without agglomerating the eyelashes. The brush must also be able to separate the eyelashes.

Brushes have already been proposed with additional applicators, in order to obtain additional functions. Application EP 1 913 836 describes a mascara brush having at its end a point of eyeliner. FR 2 155 192 teaches to have a mascara brush having a brush at its end, the core of the brush being inserted into the base of the brush. The application FR 2 470 556 describes a brush having at its end a rounded protective tip. Application FR 2 762 494 teaches to have a mascara brush defined by reliefs and having at its distal end a tip mounted on the applicator. The application FR 2 948 542 describes a mascara brush other than twisted core, having at its distal end a tip, which can be overmolded. U.S. Patent 5,094,254 discloses a mascara brush terminating at its tip. The application WO 93/16617 teaches to have a twisted core mascara brush having at its distal end bristles extending substantially along the longitudinal axis of the brush. There is a need to further improve the mascara brushes, and especially to obtain brushes for various makeup effects and whose manufacture is simple and inexpensive. The object of the invention is, according to one of its aspects, an applicator for the application of a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising: a core extending along a longitudinal axis, comprising at least two branches of a wire folded on itself and twisted together, defining turns, bristles caught between the turns of the core, and a tip defining the distal end of the applicator, crossed by the wire of the soul.

The invention allows for precise makeup, and to provide different makeup effects. The tip can allow the application of product on eyelashes difficult to reach. The tip may also allow to separate or curl some eyelashes after application of the product.

In addition, thanks to the tip, the excess product may be present at the disc end of the applicator after passing through a wiper member may be used for the application. Due to the fact that the tip is traversed by the wire, the tip is integrally attached to the core of the applicator, and the risk of accidental separation at the crossing of the wiper member, after exposure to one or several solvents contained in the product, is reduced. An applicator according to the invention makes it possible to work the eyelashes situated at the ends of the eye in order to stretch them outwards and thus to open the eye. Applicator The applicator comprises a rod supporting the core, this rod extending along a longitudinal axis, preferably rectilinear. The rod is preferably made by injection of thermoplastic material. The core may be fixed on the rod for example by force insertion, overmolding, stamping, crimping, screwing, the core being preferably inserted after its manufacture in a pre-existing housing of the rod. The wire used to make the core, preferably metal, may be of diameter ranging from 0.2 to 2 min. The core can be twisted to the right or left, as defined in the application FR 2 909 845 in particular.

The free ends of the bristles define an envelope surface that can, if appropriate, extend along a longitudinal axis forming a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the core and / or the rod. The envelope surface may be of any shape, for example having a cross section passing through at least one extremum, for example an ovoid, frustoconical, biconical or peanut shape, or of two half-shapes chosen from those mentioned above. , contiguous to each other for example a portion shaped half-rugby ball contiguous to a frustoconical portion.

The largest transverse dimension of the envelope surface, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the core, may be between 2 and 80 mm. A mixture of bristles may be used, and the bristles may be treated after manufacture, for example mechanical or thermal, allowing the formation of balls or forks at their ends. Tip The tip may include a passage in which penetrates the core wire, a game being formed between an inner surface of the passage and the wire. The tip may be rotatable, and for example turn about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core. In the case where the tip has a passage in which penetrates the wire of the core, providing a clearance between an inner surface of the passage and the wire, the latter acts as an axis around which turns the tip. The loop formed by the wire at the distal end of the applicator and the passage may be arranged so that the tip can rotate easily in contact with the surface to be made up.

Alternatively, despite the clearance between an inner surface of the passage and the wire, the loop formed by the wire at the distal end of the applicator and the passage are arranged such that the tip is locked in rotation. In a variant, the wire of the core is forcibly engaged through the endpiece. In another variant, the tip is overmolded on the wire of the soul.

In the case where no clearance is provided between an inner surface of the passage and the wire, the endpiece can be made in at least two parts and comprise a peripheral portion rotatable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of blade. The tip may comprise a thermoplastic material, for example elastomer or other. The tip may include a body made of a thermoplastic material and / or be made entirely of one or more thermoplastics. The tip can be monolithic or not. In the case where the tip is not monolithic, it may be composed of two parts, one of which is movable relative to the other.

The tip may comprise bristles, being for example flocked at least on its distal portion. The presence of bristles on the tip makes it possible to have bristles oriented for example axially relatively to the longitudinal axis of the core and may in particular make it possible to reach eyelashes that are more difficult to attain, such as the eyelashes located at the corner of the bristles. present on the tip may be of the same nature as the hairs caught between the turns of the soul, or be of a different nature.

The tip may be devoid of hair and serve to make the distal end of the applicator less aggressive to the user, especially in case of unfortunate gesture towards the eye. The tip may be of symmetrical shape of revolution around the axis of the passage, being for example of spherical shape, or non-symmetrical shape of revolution, 10 being for example piriform, or ovoid, or may still include a tip n not extending in the axis of the soul, and forming or not a return. The portions of the tip extending on either side of the axis of the passage may be of equal sizes, or of different sizes, the portion defining the distal end of the applicator being for example of axial dimension, relative to the longitudinal axis of the core, larger than the opposite portion. In the case where the tip is substantially spherical or hemispherical, having a rounded surface, the bristles can be oriented radially from the center of the sphere. The largest transverse dimension of the tip is preferably less than the largest transverse dimension of the web-like portion of the core measured perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core. The largest axial dimension of the tip can be less than a quarter of the length of the empoilated portion of the core. The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to a device for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising: a container containing the product, and an applicator according to the invention; invention, as defined above. The container is advantageously equipped with a wiper member, which can be of any type, attached to the container or molded therewith, optionally adjustable. The wiper orifice may be substantially circular, adapted to the diameter of the rod.

The invention also relates to a process for making up the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows using a device according to the invention as defined above, comprising the following steps: the product is applied cosmetic on the eyelashes and / or eyebrows using the hair caught between the turns of the soul, and the tip is used to load the eyelashes of the corner of the garlic, separate the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows , or curl the eyelashes. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, as defined above, in which process two branches are twisted wire to form the soul and to define turns, the hairs being caught between the turns of the soul. The tip may be present on the wire during twisting, then being at the level of the loop, formed by the twisting, located at the distal end of the core. In a variant, the tip is attached to the wire before or after twisting, in particular by overmoulding or snapping. In another variant, the tip is snapped, preferably before twisting, on the loop located at the distal end of the core.

The present 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 longitudinal section, partial and schematic, of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention, - Figure 2 represents in isolation the applicator member of Figure 1, Figure 3 represents separately the FIGS. 4, 5 and 6A to 6C are longitudinal and schematic cross-sections of alternative embodiments of the endpiece, FIGS. 7A to 7C illustrate the embodiment of the endpiece according to the invention, mounted on the distal end of the rod. manufacture of an application member according to the invention, and FIGS. 8A to 8C illustrate the manufacture of an alternative application member according to the invention. The device 1 of packaging and application shown in Figure 1 comprises a container 2 containing the product P to be applied and an applicator 3 having a rod 4 of longitudinal axis X, preferably of circular section, provided at one end with an applicator member 5 and at the other end of a gripping member 6 also constituting a closing cap of the container 2. The product P is intended for application to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows. It may comprise iron oxide, among other pigments, and an aqueous or organic solvent, depending on the formulations. The product P may be a mascara, for example a mascara resistant to water or a mascara resistant to friction. The container 2 comprises a body 2b provided with a neck 7 in which is engaged a wiper member 8 having a lip 9 adapted to wipe the rod 4 during removal from the container. The lip 9 defines, for example, an orifice of circular cross-section, of diameter slightly greater than that of the rod 4. The latter may be provided at its distal end with an elastically deformable intermediate element, not shown, in which the organ is fixed. application 5, this intermediate element being itself engaged in a housing of a rigid portion of the rod. The intermediate element is for example as described in the application US 2008/0107470.

The wiper member 8 can be any and in particular be conventional or as described in the application US 2009/0028627 or US 2009/0052969. The rod 4 may optionally comprise a narrowing, not shown, to be positioned at the wiper member 8 when the container 2 is closed. The applicator member 5 is shown diagrammatically, in isolation, in FIG. 2. The applicator member 5 comprises a core 11 which extends along a longitudinal axis Y. The core 11 preferably consists of by two branches of a wire 14 folded on itself, twisted together and defining turns.

Bristles 12 are caught between the turns of the core 11, the free ends of the bristles defining an envelope surface, which can be of varied shape. The proximal portion 11.a of the core is received in a housing of the rod 4.

Many different types of bristles can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is possible to use bristles made of one of the following thermoplastic materials: polyester, polyamide, in particular Nylon® 6/6, Nylon® 6/12, polyolefin, etc. The bristles 12 may all be of the same type or not.

Where appropriate, in a variant not shown, it is possible to bend the ream 11 at its exit from the rod 4 so that the longitudinal axis of the portion of the core carrying the bristles, in other words the empoiled portion of the core, a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis X of the rod 4. A tip 13 is disposed at the distal end of the applicator 3, being traversed by the wire 14 of the core 11. In the example described, the tip 13 has a passage 16 into which the wire 14 of the core 11, thus providing a clearance between the inner surface of the passage 16 and the wire 14. The tip 13 can rotate or not around a Z axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y of the core 11.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, wherein the tip 13 has a passage 16 into which the wire 14 of the core 11, providing a clearance with the wire, the latter acts as an axis around which can rotate In a variant, despite the clearance between an inner surface of the passage 16 and the wire 14, the loop formed by the wire 14 at the distal end of the applicator 3 and the passage 16 are arranged in such a way. so that the tip 13 is locked in rotation. In a variant, illustrated in Figure 3, the tip 13 is overmolded on the wire 14 of the core 11. In a variant not shown, the wire 14 of the core 11 is engaged by force through the tip 13 In the case where no play is provided between an inner surface of the passage 16 and the wire 14, the end piece 13 may alternatively comprise a peripheral portion allowing its rotation about the Z axis of the passage 16. The endpiece 13 comprises a body 17, made of a thermoplastic material, for example elastomer or other. The tip 13 may be made entirely of one or more thermoplastics.

The tip 13 may be monolithic or not. In the case where the tip is not monolithic, it may be composed of two parts, one of which is rotatable relative to the other.

The tip 13 may include bristles 15 on its portion defining the distal end of the applicator 3, being for example flocked, as shown in Figure 3. In the variant shown in Figure 5, the tip 13 is missing. of bristles, being for example a section of sheath, disposed on the wire 14 before twisting.

The tip 13 may be of various shape, for example of symmetrical shape of revolution, around the axis Z of the passage 16, being for example spherical as illustrated in FIG. 3, or non-symmetrical of revolution, being for example piriform, as shown in Figure 6A, or ovoid, as shown in Figure 6C. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6B, the tip 13 has a point not extending in the Y axis of the core 11. Where appropriate, the tip forms a return towards the proximal end of the applicator. In the examples of FIGS. 6A to 6C in particular, the portions of the tip 13 extending on either side of the Z axis have different axial dimensions, the portion 18 defining the distal end of the applicator 3 being for example longer than the opposite portion 19.

The largest transverse dimension of the tip 13 may be less than the largest transverse dimension D ,, of the empoilée portion of the core 11, as shown in Figure 2. The largest axial dimension of the tip 13 may represent less than a quarter of the length L of the empoilée portion of the core 11, as illustrated in Figure 2.

Possible steps for manufacturing an applicator member 5 according to the invention are shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C. In a first step, the wire 14, preferably metal, is inserted into the end piece 13, as illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and then the wire is folded into two branches 14a and 14b as illustrated in FIG. 7C, which the they are twisted together in a conventional manner to form the core 11 and to define turns. Packets of bristles 12 are then caught between the turns of the core 11. The tip 13 is at the level of the loop, formed by the twisting, located at the distal end of the core 11. In a variant of manufacturing not illustrated, the tip 13 is attached to the wire 14 after twisting, in particular by overmolding.

In another variant, the tip 13 is snapped onto the loop formed by the twisting, located at the distal end of the core 11, before or after twisting.

In the manufacturing variant shown in FIGS. 8A to 8C, the end piece 13 is snapped onto the loop of the wire 14 before twisting. The two branches 14a and 14b of the wire 14 are then twisted together, the end piece 13 then being held prisoner by twisting.

In a further variant, the applicator member 5 is made from a core already twisted and possibly carrying bristles, on which is disposed the tip, and which is twisted again on itself, the endpiece being caught in the loop formed by this new twist. The user of the device 1 according to the invention can, in known manner, apply the cosmetic product P to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows thanks to the bristles 12 caught between the turns of the core 11, and use the tip 13 to make a additional function, such as, for example, more easily load product P eyelashes corner to separate eyelashes and / or eyebrows, or curl the eyelashes. The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. In particular, it is possible to combine the particularities of embodiment of the various illustrated examples with non-illustrated variants. The container can be given various shapes, and the container can for example be made in such a way that the mouthpiece is located near or in contact with the inner surface of the container during the removal or insertion of the body of the container. application into the container, thereby stirring the product, and / or scraping the product present on the inner surface of the container. The bristles may comprise a material with bacteriostatic properties and / or promoting sliding and / or a magnetic material. The magnetic field created, if any, by magnetic particles, which may be magnetizable and / or magnetized, may interact with magnetic fibers or pigments that would be present in the product. The bristles can be made by injection, with or without flocking. The applicator may be heated and / or subjected to vibration during use. The expression "comprising one" must be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one", and "between" means included limits, unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. Applicator (3) for the application of a cosmetic product (P) to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising: a core (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (Y), comprising at least two branches (14a , 14b) of a thread (14) folded on itself and twisted together, defining turns, - bristles (12) caught between the turns of the core (11), and end (13) defining the distal end of the applicator (3), crossed by the wire (14) of the core (11). 2. Applicator according to claim 1, the tip (13) having a passage (16) into which penetrates the wire (14) of the core (11), a clearance being provided between an inner surface of the passage (16) and the wire (14). 3. Applicator according to claim 1, the wire (14) of the core (11) being forcibly engaged through the end piece (13). 4. Applicator according to claim 1, the tip (13) being overmolded on the wire (14) of the core (11). 5. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the tip (13) rotatable about an axis (Z) substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Y) of the core (11). 6. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the tip (13) comprising a thermoplastic material, in particular comprising a body (17) made of a thermoplastic material, for example elastomer, and / or being made entirely in one or more thermoplastics. 7. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the tip (13) being of symmetrical shape of revolution. 8. Applicator according to any one of claims I to 6, the tip (13) being non-symmetrical shape of revolution. 9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the tip (13) having bristles (15), in particular being flocked. 10. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the largest axial dimension (of) of the tip (13) representing less than a quarter of the length (L) of the empoilée portion of the core (11) . 11. Device (1) for the application of a cosmetic product (P) to the eyelashes and / or eyebrows, comprising: a container (2) containing the product (P), and preferably comprising a wringing member (8), and an applicator (3) as defined in any one of the preceding claims. 12. A method of makeup eyelashes and / or eyebrows using a device (1) as defined in the preceding claim, comprising the following steps: the cosmetic product (P) is applied to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows through the bristles (12) caught between the turns of the core (11), and the tip (13) is used to load the product (P) the eyelashes of the corner of the eye, separate the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, or curl the eyelashes. 13. A method of manufacturing an applicator (3) for applying a cosmetic product (P) to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows; as defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein twisting two branches (14a, 14b) of the wire (14) to form the core (11) and defining turns, bristles (12) being caught between the turns of the soul (11). 14. Manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, the tip (13) being present on the wire (14) during twisting. 15. The manufacturing method according to claim 13, the tip (13) being attached to the wire (14) before or after twisting, in particular by overmolding or snapping.