FR3024342A1 - APPLICATOR TIP FOR COSMETIC PRODUCT, APPLICATOR AND APPLICATOR ASSEMBLY - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator tip (10) for a cosmetic product comprising a core (12), said core (12) having a main direction of longitudinal extension, called the main axis (X), said applicator tip (10) further comprising an application zone (20) defined by a plurality of branches (22) projecting from said core (12), said branches (22) each having two ends (23, 24) connected to the core (12) , so as to form a reservoir (25) capable of carrying cosmetic product, said application zone (20) being able to undergo an elastic deformation when it is subjected to external stress so as to restore a dose of the cosmetic product contained in said tank (25). The invention also relates to an applicator and an associated applicator assembly.

Description

The invention relates to an applicator tip for a cosmetic product, an applicator and an associated applicator assembly. Applicator sets are known for a cosmetic product, in particular for a cosmetic product intended to be applied to the lips of a user. Said applicator assemblies comprise a container containing the cosmetic product and an applicator adapted to be removably attached to the container. The container generally comprises a body, the body comprising walls defining a reservoir in which the cosmetic product is contained, and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be extracted.

The applicator generally comprises a plug adapted to be attached to the neck, a rod extending from the plug and an applicator tip attached to a free end of the rod. When the cap is fixed on the neck, the rod and the applicator tip extend inside the tank. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir. To use the applicator, the user detaches the neck cap and extracts the applicator from the container.

The known applicator tips have an application zone intended to come into contact with the lips to be made up, in particular to load them into a cosmetic product. Said application zone is generally in the form of a spatula. It has been found that the amount of cosmetic product applicable to the lips of a user is limited when the application area is a spatula. This limitation has the disadvantage of requiring the user to charge the applicator several times to obtain a satisfactory makeup of his lips.

The present invention aims to provide an applicator tip for restoring a quantity, adjustable on demand, of cosmetic product. Thus, the invention relates to an applicator tip for a cosmetic product comprising a core, said core having a main direction of longitudinal extension, called the main axis, said applicator tip further comprising an application zone. According to the invention, said application zone is defined by a plurality of branches protruding from said core, said branches each having two ends connected to the core, so as to form a tank suitable for carrying the cosmetic product, said application zone being adapted to undergo an elastic deformation, in particular of its branches, when it is subjected to an external stress so as to restore a dose of the cosmetic product contained in said reservoir, in particular between said branches.

The applicator tip of the invention thus comprises a zone forming both an applicator zone and a reservoir adapted to restore a dose of an embedded cosmetic product, especially when said zone is deformed by a user. Said deformation is in addition elastic. This allows him to be asked again to release an extra dose of cosmetic product. According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately: said branches join said core at the same level, said branches are designed so as to form an envelope having a substantially cylindrical or spherical shape; branches are adapted to bend longitudinally and / or radially, - said branches are adapted to bend towards said main axis when they undergo said external stress and to resume their position when said external stress ceases, - the core has a cross section to the main axis whose dimensions evolve along said main axis, - the dimensions of said cross section decrease at said area of application, - the dimensions of said cross section increase at said application area, - said soul and said branches are molded parts, - said core and said branches hes are mutually derived from material, - said core and said branches comprise an elastomeric material, - said elastomeric material has a hardness of between about 60 Shore A and about 90 Shore A, - said elastomeric material is a copolymer, in particular a polystyrene-b -poly (ethylene-butylene) -b-polystyrene (SEBS), - said branches have a flocking on their surface, - said flocking comprises cotton.

The invention also relates to an applicator comprising a rod, and an applicator tip as described above. Advantageously: said applicator tip is fixed on said rod, the applicator further comprises a plug adapted to be fixed on the neck, said rod extending from said plug, said applicator tip is fixed at one end free of said rod, - said rod has a main direction of longitudinal extension, coincides with said main axis of the applicator and a cross section of substantially constant dimensions and shape along said main axis, - said rod is adapted to be circumscribed in a substantially cylindrical envelope of diameter D, - said application zone is able to be circumscribed within a substantially cylindrical envelope of diameter d, the ratio D / d formed by said diameters D and d is between 0.625 and 1.125, in particular between 0.94 and 1. The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a n reservoir for containing the cosmetic product, and an applicator, as described above, adapted to be fixed on the container, so that the applicator tip is housed inside the tank. According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately: the container further comprises a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be extracted, and a wiper fixed inside said neck said wiper comprises a wiper orifice configured to scrape the excess cosmetic product on the rod and on the applicator tip, the diameter of said wiper orifice is substantially the same as that of the wand, said wiper comprises an elastomeric material which has, in particular, a hardness of between approximately 80 Shore A and approximately 40 Shore D, in particular between 80 Shore A and 110 Shore A, - said elastomeric material is a copolymer, in particular a polystyrene-b-poly (ethylene- butylene) -b-polystyrene (SEBS), the cosmetic product is intended for making up the lips of a user.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given to As a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In these drawings: FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of an applicator tip according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 along the identified AA axis; in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of an applicator tip according to the invention; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3 along the BB axis 3 is an isometric view, in elevation, slightly inclined, of the applicator tip illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4; FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of FIG. an applicator assembly according to the invention, - Figure 5 is an exploded view of the applicator assembly of Figure 5. As illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the invention relates to an applicator tip 10, 10 'for a cosmetic product comprising a soul 12, 12 '. Said core 12, 12 'has a main direction of longitudinal extension, called the main axis and marked X in the figures. Said applicator tip 10, 10 'further comprises an application zone 20, 20'.

Said application zone 20, 20 'is defined by a plurality of branches 22, 22' projecting from said core 12, 12 '. The term "branches" means strips of material projecting from the core 12, 12 ', said strips of material having a specific thickness e22, e22' and being distributed around said core 12, 12 'with an angular spacing a, p here substantially constant.

For example, in the context of the first embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the thickness e 22 of said branches 22 will be of the order of 0.9 mm and said branches will be separated by an angle substantially equal to 45 °. . Thus, the number of branches 22 projecting around the core 12 in the context of this first embodiment will be 8.

Similarly, by way of example, in the context of the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the thickness e 22 'of said branches 22' will be of the order of 1.25mm and said branches will be spaced apart by angle 13 substantially equal to 60 °. Thus, the number of branches 22 'projecting around the core 12' in the context of said second embodiment will be 6.

It is possible to provide any number of branches advantageously chosen between 3 and 8, this without departing from the scope of the invention. The core 12, 12 'has a proximal end 13, 13' and a distal end 16, 16 'opposite said proximal end 13, 13' along said main axis X. Said core 12, 12 'further comprises a fixing sleeve 14, 14 'on the side of said proximal end 13, 13', while the application zone 20, 20 'extends, from the core 12, 12', between said sleeve 14, 14 'and said distal end 16, 16'. At the area of application 20, 20 ', the core 12, 12' will be called core and marked 15, 15 'thereafter. In other words, the core 12, 12 'comprises a sleeve 14, 14' devoid of branches 22, 22 'and a core 15, 15', opposite which extend said branches 22, 22 '. On the other hand, the branches 22, 22 'each have two ends 23, 23', 24, 24 'connected to the core 12, 12'. The two ends 23, 23 ', 24, 24' of each of said branches 22, 22 'are opposite along said main axis X. The first of these two ends 23, 23' is situated in the vicinity of said fixing sleeve 14, 14 '. ', while the second end 24, 24' is merged with the distal end 16, 16 'of the core 12, 12'.

Said branches thus form a reservoir 25, 25 'able to carry the cosmetic product. The term "reservoir" means an empty zone of material, defined between the core 15, 15 'and said branches 22, 22'. More precisely, said reservoir 25, 25 'corresponds to the space provided between the outer periphery of said core 15, 15' and the inner periphery of said branches 22, 22 '. In other words, said applicator tip 10, 10 'is a hollow part, especially at said application zone 20, 20'. On the other hand, the application zone 20, 20 'is able to undergo an elastic deformation when it is subjected to an external stress so as to restore a dose of the cosmetic product contained in said reservoir 25, 25'. By "external stress" is meant a stress exerted by a user such as a touch. Knowing that the application zone 20, 20 'is defined by said branches 22, 22', and that these are intended to come into contact with a surface to be made up, for example the lips of a user, said constraint will be of the order of the pressure exerted by the lips of a user. It is the displacement of said branches 22, 22 'towards the core 12, 12' which causes the release of a dose of the cosmetic product contained within said reservoir 25, 25 '. Thus, the user can exert as many constraints on said branches 22, 22 'that he wishes to release doses of cosmetic product.

In other words, a greater or lesser pressure on the part of the user makes it possible to release more or less cosmetic product when using said applicator tip 10, 10 '.

Said branches 22, 22 'are provided elastically. In other words, they are able to be deformed without breaking; they are also capable of returning to their original form alone, by their intrinsic mechanical characteristics. Thus, said branches 22, 22 'are designed to bend towards said main axis X when they undergo said external stress and to resume their position when said external stress ceases. The elasticity of said branches 22, 22 'is obtained both by their shape, but also because they are molded in an elastomeric material. Indeed, said core 12, 12 'and said branches 22, 22' are molded parts. The term "molded", parts that can be overmolded between them or even material issues, which is the case here. Said elastomeric material has a hardness of between about 60 Shore A and about 90 Shore A in order to deform without breaking. By way of example, said elastomeric material may be polystyrene-bpoly (ethylene-butylene) -b-polystyrene (SEBS). On the other hand, the molding of said branches 22, 22 'gives them a cross section in the form of a triangle whose apex is closer to the core 15, 15' than is the base. However, any other shape is possible for said cross section of said branches 22, 22 ', without departing from the scope of the invention, for example a polygonal or even circular section.

The outer periphery of said branches 22, 22 'defines the outer periphery of the application zone 20, 20'. Said outer periphery forms an envelope having a substantially cylindrical or spherical shape, giving the reservoir 25, 25 'a toric shape.

In the context of the first embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 1 and 2, said envelope is spherical, with a diameter of the order of 8 mm for example. It should be noted, in the context of this first embodiment, that the core 12 has a cross section to the main axis X whose shape, substantially circular, is constant between its proximal ends 13 and distal 16. By cons , the dimensions of said cross section decrease at said application zone 20, in particular between the sleeve 14 and the distal end of the core 12. In other words, in the context of said first embodiment, the diameter of the sleeve 14 , of the order for example of 3mm, is greater than that of the core 15, of the order for example of 1 mm. On the other hand, it should also be noted that the branches 22 join at the level of two virtual planes of the core 12. These two planes are those between which the dimensions of the cross section of the core 12 are the weakest ; they are separated by a distance, measured along said main axis X, which is substantially equal to the diameter of the spherical envelope, here 8mm. In other words, the core 15 extends, along said main axis X, to a height of the order of 8 mm. In the context of the second embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, said envelope is also spherical, of a diameter of the order of 8mm for example, but truncated at the poles. It should be noted, in the context of this second embodiment, that the core 12 'also has a cross section to the main axis X whose shape, substantially circular, is constant between its proximal ends 13' and distal 16 . On the other hand, the dimensions of said transverse section increase at the level of said application zone 20 ', in particular between the sleeve 14' and the distal end of the core 12 '. In other words, in the context of said second mode, the diameter of the sleeve 14 ', of the order of 2.5 mm for example, is smaller than the diameter of the core 15', said core diameter 15 'being able to vary between 3 mm and 4, 5mm. On the other hand, the branches 22 'join at two virtual planes of the main axis X. These two planes are those between which the dimensions of the cross section of the core 12' are the strongest; they are spaced apart a distance, measured along said main axis X, which is different from the diameter of the truncated spherical envelope. This distance is marked h25 'in Figure 3 and is substantially equal to 5.9mm, for example.

The core 15 'extends here, along said main axis X, to a height of the order of 4mm, less than the height h25' of the tank 25 ', since said branches 22' join said core 12 'by by means of fastening lugs marked 26 ', 27' in FIG. 5. These attachment lugs 26 ', 27' allow the junction of said branches 22 'on the core 12' in the vicinity of the sleeve 14 'and in the vicinity of the distal end 16 'of the core 12'. Said fixing tabs 26 ', 27' are advantageously derived from material of the core 12 'and said branches 22'; they provide flexibility to said branches 22 '. On the other hand, the fixing lugs 26 ', 27' are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the applicator tip. The fixing lugs 27 'situated in the vicinity of the distal end 16' of said core 12 ', thus form, with said distal end 16', an additional reservoir 17 'of cosmetic product (see FIG. 5). It should be noted, as an alternative not excluded from the invention, that said branches 22, 22 'have a flocking on their surface, said flocking including cotton. Flocking allows better retention of cosmetic product and a softer feel. Said flocking may be present on the entire surface of said branches both at their inner and outer faces or only at their outer face.

FIG. 6 illustrates an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container 50 comprising a body 51 forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator comprising an applicator tip 10, 10 'such as one of those which come from to be described.

For the sake of precision, FIG. 6 illustrates in particular the applicator tip 10 described in the context of the first embodiment above. This illustration is not limiting and said applicator assembly may include any other applicator tip, in particular that described in the context of the second embodiment and illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5.

Thus, as shown in Figure 6, the applicator is adapted to be fixed on the container 50, so that the applicator is housed inside the tank. The applicator tip 10, 10 'is thus immersed in the cosmetic product identified in FIG. 6.

Figure 6 also illustrates the sleeve 14, 14 'in a configuration in which it is assembled with a rod 40 of the applicator. Said rod 40 allows, among other things, a manipulation of said applicator tip 10, 10 '. More specifically, the applicator comprises a plug 70 adapted to be handled by the user and said rod 40 advantageously extends from the plug 70. It should be noted here that said plug 70 is formed of a head 71 made of material with the rod 40, and a cap 72 mounted by force and held in position on said head 71 of rod 40 with internal counter-forms intended to cooperate with shapes formed on said head 71. Said hood 72 is rigid. The term "rigid", not deformable neither at atmospheric pressure, nor at a pressure exerted by the fingers of a user. It is with the aid of said cover 72 that the user manipulates the applicator tip 10, 10 'of the invention, in particular because said cover 72 prints the movement that the user gives him to the head 71 of the rod 40, which itself transmits this movement to the sleeve 14, 14 'with which it is assembled. Said cap 70 is intended to be removably attached to a neck 52 belonging to the container 50 (see Figure 6 for the assembled version and Figure 7 for the exploded version). It should be noted that said sleeve 14, 14 'and said rod 40 each have a substantially cylindrical shape and a principal direction of longitudinal extension coincides with said main direction X.

It should also be noted that the assembly between the sleeve 14, 14 'and said rod 40 is a recess. FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the applicator assembly of FIG.

Said FIG. 7 illustrates said container 50 in detail. In particular, said neck 52 comprises an opening through which the cosmetic product can be extracted, and a wiper 60, intended to be fixed inside said neck 52. It is also visible in FIG. 7 that the wiper 60 comprises a wringing orifice 61 configured to scrape the excess cosmetic product on the rod 40 and the applicator tip 10, 10 'as they pass therethrough. Said wiper comprises, for its scraping function, an elastomeric material which has, in particular, a hardness of between about 80 Shore A and about 40 Shore D. Said elastomeric material is, for example, a polystyrene-bpoly (ethylene-butylene) -b-polystyrene (SEBS).

In addition, the wiper orifice 61 is advantageously of cylindrical shape; this choice is not limiting and any other form of orifice 61 may be chosen for the wiper 60 without departing from the scope of the invention. The diameter d61 of said wiping orifice will advantageously be chosen in relation to the diameter D of the rod 40 and of the applicator tip 10, 10 'from which it scrapes the surplus of embedded product. More specifically, the diameter d61 of said wiper orifice 61 is substantially the same as that of the rod 40. Said wiper orifice 61 may have a plurality of slots, in particular radial, at its end facing the reservoir of the container 50, in particular two slots, for example diametrically opposed, or four slots, for example at 90 ° from each other. Said slots provide additional elasticity to the wiper which can then have a diameter d61 less than that D of the rod 40 of the applicator, such slots also being possible with wiper having a diameter d61 substantially identical to that D of the rod of the applicator. On the other hand, said rod is able to be circumscribed in a substantially cylindrical envelope of diameter D and said application zone 20, 20 'is able to be circumscribed inside a substantially cylindrical envelope of diameter d (see Figure 7). Said diameters D and d are linked by the following formula: 0.625 <D / d <1.125. The ratio D / d may in particular be between 0.94 and 1. By way of example, in the context of the first embodiment, a diameter D of the order of 7.5 mm will be chosen for a diameter d of the order of 8mm. The diameter d61 of the wiper orifice 61 will also be of the order of 7.5 mm. In the context of the second embodiment, it will be chosen, for example, a diameter D of the order of 8mm and a diameter d of the order of 8mm. The diameter d61 of the wiper orifice 61 will then be of the order of 8 mm. It should be noted that the diameter D of rod 40 may be between 5mm and 8mm and the diameter d61 of the wiper 61 between 4.8mm and 8mm, this without departing from the scope of the invention.

The diameter d61 of the wiper orifice 61, advantageously provided substantially equal to that of the rod 40, has the advantage of optimizing the scraping of the product on the applicator tip 10, 10 'and, in particular, of optimize the scraping of the product on the application zone 20, 20 'of said applicator tip 10, 10'. This also has the advantage of not pre-constraining the application zone 20, 20 'during the passage thereof through said wiper 60 and thus to preserve it; this while ensuring that the rod 40 is well cleaned. It should be noted that the invention advantageously relates to said applicator assembly, the reservoir of the container 50 of which is filled with a cosmetic product, said product being in particular intended for making up the lips of a user. . By way of example, said applicator tip 10, 10 'will have a height H of between 14 mm and 20 mm (see FIG. 7) measured between the proximal ends 13, 13' and distal ends 16, 16 'of the core 12, 12' along the main direction X. By way of example, said applicator tip 10, 10 'will have a height h between 4.5mm and 9mm (see Figure 6) when assembled to the rod 40. In other words once assembled to the rod, the sleeve 14, 14 'of said applicator tip 10, 10' is no longer visible because embedded in said rod 40, in particular at the free end thereof, said free end being opposite the head of said rod 71. The applicator tip 10, 10 'visible then consists of the single application zone 20, 20' and is the height h of said application zone 20, 20 ' , measured along the main direction X, which is between 4.5mm and 9mm.

It should also be noted that alternative embodiments are of course possible. In particular, it is also conceivable, in an exemplary embodiment not illustrated here, that the application zone 20, 20 'is articulated with respect to said sleeve 14, 14', in particular by means of a restriction provided along the 12, 12 '.

Claims (15)

REVENDICATIONS1. An applicator tip (10, 10 ') for a cosmetic product comprising a core (12, 12'), said core (12, 12 ') having a main direction of longitudinal extension, said main axis (X), said applicator tip (10) , 10 ') further comprising an application area (20, 20') defined by a plurality of legs (22, 22 ') projecting from said web (12, 12'), said legs (22, 22) ') each having two ends (23, 23', 24, 24 ') connected to the core (12, 12'), so as to form a reservoir (25, 25 ') suitable for carrying cosmetic product, said zone application device (20, 20 ') being able to undergo elastic deformation when subjected to external stress so as to restore a dose of the cosmetic product contained in said reservoir (25, 25'). 2. Applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to the preceding claim, wherein said branches (22, 22') join said core (12, 12 ') at the same level. An applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said legs (22, 22') are designed to form a casing having a substantially cylindrical or spherical shape. An applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said legs (22, 22') are adapted to bend towards said main axis (X) when undergoing said external stress and to resume their position when said external constraint ceases. 5. Applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (12, 12') has a cross section to the main axis (X) whose dimensions evolve along said axis principal (X). 6. Applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to the preceding claim, wherein the dimensions of said cross section decreases at said application area (20, 20'). The applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to claim 5, wherein the dimensions of said cross section increase at said application area (20, 20'). An applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said web (12, 12') and said legs (22, 22 ') are moldings. 9. Applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to the preceding claim, wherein said core (12, 12') and said branches (22, 22 ') are mutually material. An applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to any of claims 8 or 9, wherein said web (12, 12') and said legs (22, 22 ') comprise an elastomeric material. 11.Appliquer comprising a rod (40), and an applicator tip (10, 10 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, said applicator tip (10, 10') being fixed on said rod (40). 12.Appliquer according to the preceding claim, wherein said rod (40) has a main direction of longitudinal extension coincides with said main axis (X) of the applicator and a cross section of substantially constant dimensions and shape along said axis main (X), said rod (40) being able to be circumscribed in a substantially cylindrical envelope of diameter D, said application zone (20, 20 ') being able to be circumscribed inside a substantially cylindrical envelope of diameter d, said diameters D and d being linked by the following formula: 0.625 <D / d <1.125. 13. applicator assembly for cosmetic product, comprising: - a container (50) comprising a body (51) forming a reservoir for containing the cosmetic product, and - an applicator according to any one of claims 11 or 12 adapted to be fixed on the container (50), so that the applicator tip (10, 10 ') is housed inside the tank. 14. Applicator assembly according to the preceding claim, wherein the container (50) further comprises a neck (52) defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be extracted, and a wiper (60) fixed inside said neck (52), the applicator assembly further comprising a plug (70) adapted to be attached to the neck (52), said stem (40) extending from said plug (70), said applicator tip ( 10, 10 ') being attached to a free end of said shank (40), said squeezer (60) comprising a squeezing orifice (61) configured to scrape the excess cosmetic product onto the shank (40) and onto the squeegee (40). applicator tip (10, 10 '), the diameter (d61) of said wringing orifice (61) being substantially the same as that of the shank (40). 15. Applicator assembly according to any one of claims 13 or 14, wherein the cosmetic product is intended for the makeup of the lips of a user.