FR3026283A1 - APPLICATOR OF A COSMETIC, MAKE-UP OR CARE PRODUCT, ON LASHES AND / OR EYEBROWS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product (P) to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising a molded applicator member (8) comprising: a core (10) ) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) and having two opposite longitudinal grooves rotating about said longitudinal axis (X) progressing along it, and - pins (18) carried by the core (10).

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, for example mascara. The invention also relates to devices comprising a container, containing the product to be applied and provided with a wiper member, and the applicator. Application FR 2 918 547 discloses an applicator whose core has a groove having a V-shaped profile. Application WO 2009/141098 describes an applicator having annular applicator surfaces disposed on a core so as to form a helix.

There is a need to further improve the applicators for the application of a product, especially mascara, on the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, in order to improve their performance, and more particularly to promote the creation on the body of the eye. application of more product-laden areas, which allow easy makeup and fast and abundant loading of eyelashes and / or eyebrows, while keeping an applicator easy to manufacture.

The invention aims to meet this objective and has the object, according to one of its aspects, an applicator for applying a cosmetic product, makeup or care, on the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising a body of molded application comprising: a core extending along a longitudinal axis and having two opposite longitudinal grooves rotating about said longitudinal axis progressing along it, and pins carried by the core. The invention makes it possible to obtain, on the applicator member, particularly along the grooves, at least one reservoir zone, which is not emptied of its contents during the extraction of the applicator, thus providing, after spinning, a surplus of product over the entire length of the soul and from all sides. This surplus of product allows, from the first application, a significant and satisfactory load of product of the eyelashes and / or eyebrows. The disposition of the grooves forms a twist on the soul. The applicator according to the invention is thus easy to manufacture, because molded, and its soul reproduces the appearance of that of a twisted brush with metal strands. In the invention, the molded strands rotate around each other and provide the opposite grooves. The invention makes it possible to create, if desired, a hair organization different from the known applicators. During make-up, the grooves are gradually emptied of their contents, in particular thanks to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows that penetrate them. The latter are thus suitably covered with product without the user having to frequently recharge the applicator by reintroducing it into the container. The shape and arrangement of the pins and grooves can be chosen depending on the desired makeup effect. One can play on the depth of the grooves to adjust the level of product load of the applicator after spinning. By "longitudinal axis of the soul" is meant the line joining the set of centroids of the cross sections of the soul. The longitudinal axis may be a central axis or an axis of symmetry for the core, especially when the core has a circular cross section or generally polygonal regular shape. The longitudinal axis of the core may be rectilinear or curved and may be contained in a plane, which may be a plane of symmetry for some or all cross sections of the soul. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the core is rectilinear.

By "pin" means an individualizable projecting element intended to come into engagement with the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows. Core and Grooves Preferably, each groove is continuous along the longitudinal axis of the core, being unbroken along its entire length. In a variant, at least one groove is interrupted over part of its length. The applicator member may be devoid of grooves along part of its length. Nevertheless, preferably, each groove extends substantially over the entire length of the portion of the core which carries the pins, extending in particular from the proximal end of the core at its distal end.

Each groove may extend for less than one full turn around the longitudinal axis of the core. Preferably, however, each groove extends over more than one full turn about the longitudinal axis of the core, for example performing a little more than two complete revolutions around the core. Each groove preferably rotates in the same direction about the longitudinal axis of the core, for example in the clockwise direction when the soul is observed from its proximal end to its distal end.

The opposite grooves are preferably, at each point of the length of the core, diametrically opposite, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core. They may be symmetrical to each other, in cross section, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core.

The core advantageously has a cross section, taken perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, in the general shape of "8". The grooves of the core may extend helically around the longitudinal axis of the core. By "extending helically," it should be understood that the grooves follow the path of a helix around the longitudinal axis of the core.

The grooves preferably each have a constant helix pitch along the longitudinal axis of the core. The opposite grooves advantageously have the same pitch of the helix. The helix angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core may be between 30 ° and 60 °. The angle is preferably constant for the entire helix.

In a variant, at least one groove of the core has a variable helix pitch along the longitudinal axis of the core. The depth of the grooves may be between 0.075 mm and 1 mm, better between 0.1 mm and 0.9 mm. "Depth of a groove" means the distance, measured in a cross-sectional plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the web between the bottom of the groove and a line tangent to the core and resting on that on either side of the groove. The depth of the grooves of the core is advantageously constant over their entire length. In a variant, the depth of at least one groove of the core is variable along the longitudinal axis of the core.

The width of the grooves at mid-depth may be between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, better between 0.15 mm and 0.8 mm. Pincers The core and the pins can be molded in the same material, or alternatively can be made in at least two different materials.

The core and / or the pins are preferably made of a thermoplastic material.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the pins are made by overmolding on the core. The pins are advantageously arranged on the applicator member in a plurality of rectilinear longitudinal rows. The pins may also be arranged in circumferential rows, called pin rings, each formed by pins having the same axial position on the longitudinal axis of the core. The implantation of the pins may be such that the angle a1 around the longitudinal axis of the core, between two consecutive rings of pins, is non-zero, preferably being equal to half the angular pitch fi between two consecutive pins. of a crown. In a variant, two consecutive first spur crowns along the longitudinal axis of the core are identical, the following two consecutive crowns being angularly offset by the same non-zero angle a2 with respect to said first rings, preferably equal to half angular pitch fi between two consecutive pins 15 of a ring. The angle a2 is preferably equal to the angle ai. The pins may be indifferently located in the grooves or out of the grooves of the core, and may or may not follow the apparent movement of the core obtained through the grooves. At least one pin may extend from the core along an axis of elongation perpendicular to the surface of the core at the point of connection of the pin to the core. Preferably, the spikes each extend from the core along an axis of elongation perpendicular to the surface of the core, at the point of connection of the spikes to the core. Alternatively, the axis of elongation of the pins forms an angle different from 90 ° with the surface of the core at the point of connection of the pins to the core. By "spike elongation axis" is meant an axis that passes through the centroids of the cross sections of the spike. The height of at least one pin, measured from the core, may be between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, or even between 0.75 mm and 2 mm. By "height of a pin" is meant the distance measured along the axis of elongation of the pin between its free end and its base by which it is connected to the core. Preferably, the height of the spikes varies, for example monotonically, as one moves along the longitudinal axis of the core. In a variant, the height of the pins is constant along the longitudinal axis of the core.

The pins may be of flattened cross section, that is to say that they have, over at least a portion of their height, a cross section, taken perpendicular to their direction of elongation, which is of elongate shape according to a plane of flattening, that is to say wider than thick. The plane of flattening of the pins can form with the longitudinal axis of the core an angle of between 60 ° and 120 °, being preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core. In a variant, the plane of flattening of the pins forms a zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the core. Some pins of the applicator, or all the pins, may have a thickness of between 0.3 mm and 0.85 mm, or even between 0.5 mm and 0.75 mm. By "thickness of a pin" is meant the largest transverse dimension of the pin, in section, perpendicular to the axis of elongation of the pin. This larger transverse dimension is in particular a diameter when the pin has a cross section of circular or semicircular shape. The pimples can be of any shape. The pins may have a cylindrical or tapered shape, especially conical, semi-conical, frustoconical or pyramidal, including hexagonal base. The pins preferably have an asymmetric shape, each having a first face having a first shape, in particular a flat shape, and a second face having a second shape, for example non-planar, in particular rounded. In a variant, the pins have, in front view, an asymmetrical shape and an outwardly convex edge, and tapering over at least a portion of their height away from the core and having a decreasing width. towards said convex edge. The cross section of the pins may be substantially semicircular shape, said half-moon, or semi-elliptical, or be other, for example hexagonal.

At least one pin may be terminated by a rounded free end, particularly hemispherical. The pins may differ from each other by at least one of their shape, thickness, height, orientation, color and / or material. The free ends of the pins of the applicator member define an envelope surface of the applicator member, which is for example cylindrical of revolution over at least part of its length and which may have various shapes, of longitudinal axis rectilinear or not. The envelope surface of the applicator member is advantageously rotationally symmetrical around the longitudinal axis of the core, in particular having a general peanut shape. The envelope surface may be of greater transverse dimension substantially constant over at least a portion of the length of the applicator member, in particular over more than half of the portion of the core carrying the pins. The envelope surface may also have a cross section that varies over all or part of the length of the applicator member. The cross section of the envelope surface may for example admit one or more extrema and for example at least one local minimum and two local maxima. The cross section of the envelope surface admits for example, especially in the case where the envelope surface has a general shape of peanut, a local minimum at a point corresponding substantially to the middle of the apparent length of the applicator member. Applicator According to an exemplary implementation of the invention, the applicator member is molded within a mold formed by assembling a plurality of shells. The applicator may comprise a rod carrying at one end the applicator member and being attached at a second end to a gripping member. The core may be solid, being for example molded with a fixing end to the rod of the applicator.

The applicator member may be fixed on the rod by snapping, gluing, welding, crimping, stamping, stapling, forced insertion, cold or hot, for example by mounting in a housing of the rod. Alternatively, the rod can be received in a housing provided in the core. The rod and the applicator member may also be molded in one piece, in the same thermoplastic material or not. The pins may be made of a material more or less rigid than a material used to make the rod of the applicator to which the core is connected. The applicator member may comprise a mounting piece integrally molded with the core, which may optionally include one or more narrowed portions to improve applicator flexibility and flexibility. application.

The core may extend along a longitudinal axis making in at least one point of its length a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the rod to which is fixed the core. The applicator member may be bent at its connection to the rod. The rod may comprise a first portion, rigid, extended distally by a second portion, more flexible, for example elastomer, carrying the applicator member. The applicator may comprise between 60 and 680 pins, for example between 80 and 480 pins. The apparent length of the applicator member may be between 9 mm and 35 mm, more preferably between 15 mm and 27 mm. Application Device The invention further relates to a device for packaging and applying a product to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising an applicator as defined above and a container containing the product. The gripping member of the applicator may constitute a cap for closing the container. The container may comprise a wiper member adapted to dewater the rod and the applicator member. The product is preferably a mascara. The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. a schematic view in elevation, with partial longitudinal section, of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 represents, in perspective, the application member of the FIG. 1, - Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the core of the applicator member of Figure 2, taken in isolation, - Figure 4 is a front view of the applicator member of the FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, of an alternative embodiment of an applicator member according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a device 1 for packaging and application made according to the invention, comprising an applicator 2 and an associated container 3 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, for example mascara or a care product.

The container 3 comprises, in the example considered, a threaded neck 4 and the applicator 2 comprises a closure cap 5 arranged to be fixed on the neck 4 in order to close the container 3 tightly in the absence of use , the closure cap 5 also constituting a gripping member for the applicator 2. The applicator 2 comprises a rod 7 of longitudinal axis Y, which is connected at its upper end to the closure cap 5 and, at its lower end , to an applicator member 8. The latter comprises a core 10 carrying pins 18, extending from the core 10 and all around thereof. The container 3 also comprises a wiper member 6, for example inserted into the neck 4.

This wiper member 6, which may be arbitrary, comprises in the example in question a lip arranged to dewater the rod 7 and the applicator member 8 when the applicator 2 is removed from the container 3. The lip defines an orifice de essage 6a of diameter adapted to that of the rod. The wiper member 6 may be made of elastomer.

The wiper member 6 may comprise a wiping orifice 6a of circular shape, possibly with slots. The diameter of the wiping orifice 6a of the wiper member 6 is for example between 2.5 and 6 mm, being for example of the order of 3.5 mm or 5 mm. The wiper member 6 may optionally comprise corrugations, allowing the wiper orifice to expand more easily when the applicator member 8 passes. The wiper member may also be adjustable, optionally. In the example shown, the rod 7 has a circular cross section but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the rod 7 has a different section, the fixing of the cap 5 on the container 3 can then be performed otherwise than by screwing, if necessary. The wiper member 6 is adapted to the shape of the rod 7 and that of the applicator member 8, where appropriate.

Preferably and as in the example considered, the longitudinal axis Y of the rod 7 is rectilinear and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place thereon, but it does not leave the of the present invention when the rod 7 is non-rectilinear, forming for example a bend.

The rod 7 may comprise, where appropriate, an annular necking on its portion which is positioned opposite the lip of the wiper member 6, so as not to mechanically stress it excessively during storage. The rod 7 to which is attached the applicator member 8 may be at least partially, especially entirely flexible, in particular near the application member 10. Fixing the applicator member 8 on the rod 7 can be done by any means and in particular be done by force fitting, latching, gluing, welding stapling or crimping, in a corresponding housing provided at the end of the rod 7. The applicator member 8 may comprise, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a tip 9 for fixing it in a corresponding housing of the rod 7. Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the core 10 is of elongate shape along a longitudinal axis X, which is rectilinear in the example described. The longitudinal axis X may be central, as illustrated. The apparent length H of the applicator member 8 is for example between 15 mm and 27 mm. In the examples shown, the pins 18 extend from the core 10 each along an axis of elongation W perpendicular to the surface of the core, at the point of connection of the pin 18 to the core 10. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the core 10 has two diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves 13 and 14 rotating about its longitudinal axis X while progressing along it and extending respectively along longitudinal axes Ti and Tz. In the example described, the grooves 13 and 14 extend helically around the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, over the entire length of the core 10. In the examples shown, the grooves 13 and 14 present each a helical pitch to the right and constant along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, and have the same pitch helix.

The angle y between the longitudinal axis of a groove 13 or 14 and the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 is preferably the same for each groove. This angle y can be between 30 ° and 60 °, being equal to 45 ° in the examples considered. The grooves 13 and 14 are continuous, being uninterrupted over their entire length. In a variant not shown, at least one groove 13 or 14 is interrupted over part of its length. In the examples shown, the grooves 13 and 14 extend over a little more than two complete revolutions around the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, from its proximal end 11 to its distal end 12.

As seen in Figure 3, the core 10 has a cross section, taken perpendicular to its longitudinal axis X, in the general shape of "8". In the examples of Figures 2 and 5, the depth lm of the grooves 13 and 14 is constant over their entire length, and the grooves 13 and 14 have the same depth at each point of the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

The depth h, grooves 13 and 14 is for example between 0.1 mm and 0.9 mm. In the examples of Figures 2 and 5, the width of the grooves 13 and 14 is constant and the grooves 13 and 14 have the same width at each point of the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

The width / grooves 13 and 14, at mid-depth, is for example between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm. In the examples described, the pins 18 are arranged on the applicator member 8 according to a plurality of rectilinear longitudinal rows 17, 19, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the implantation of the pins 18 may be such that the angle α1 around the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, between two consecutive rings 20 and 21 of pins 18, each formed by pins 18 occupying the same axial position on the longitudinal axis X of the web 10, being non-zero, being for example equal to half the angular pitch fi between two consecutive pins of a ring.

In a variant shown in FIG. 5, two first rings 23, 24 of consecutive pins 18 along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 are identical, the two following consecutive crowns 25, 26 being angularly offset at the same angle no2 a2 with respect to said first rings 23, 24, preferably equal to half the angular pitch fi between two consecutive pins 18 of a ring. In the example described, the angle a2 is equal to the angle ai. The studs 18 are, in the examples considered, of flattened transverse section along a flattening plane Z, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. The pins 18 can further be thinned, in side view, in the direction of their free end 28, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 4. The pins 18 can also be narrowed towards their free end 28, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5.

As illustrated, the height hp of the spikes 18 may vary as one moves along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10. The height of the spikes 18 may decrease towards the distal end 12 of the core 10, to facilitate the engagement in the container 3. The height of the pins 18 can also decrease when one approaches the rod 7, so as to facilitate the crossing of the wiper member 6 by the organ 8 during the removal of the applicator 2 from the container 3. The height hp of the pins 18 is for example between 0.5 mm and 3 mm. The width lp of a pin 18, in front view, may be less than or equal to 0.85 mm, better less than or equal to 0.7 mm. The thickness ep of the pins 18 is for example between 0.3 mm and 0.85 mm. The pins 18 may have various shapes. In the examples considered, and as visible in particular in Figure 4, the pins 18 are of semiconic shape, each having a first face 18a having a planar shape, and a second face 18b having a rounded shape. The pins 18 are further terminated by a hemispherical free end 28. The invention is however not limited to a particular form of pins. In the examples considered, the free ends 28 of the pins 18 define an envelope surface S of the applicator member 8, of rectilinear longitudinal axis and coincident with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, symmetrical of revolution around said axis X, in particular in the form of a peanut, as can be seen in particular in FIG. 5. The envelope surface S has, in the examples illustrated, a transverse section which varies over the entire length of the applicator member 8, admitting in particular a local minimum at a point substantially corresponding to the middle of the apparent length H of the applicator member 8. The spikes 18 are made, in the examples under consideration, in one piece by molding thermoplastic material with the soul 10.

It is possible to use for molding the applicator member 8 any thermoplastic material, relatively rigid or not, for example SEBS, a silicone, a latex, a reinforced slip material, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester, polyamide, polyethylene or vinyl elastomer, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA, PMMA. It is also possible to use a ceramic, for example based on alumina, a resin, for example of the urea-formaldehyde type, possibly a graphite-laden material. The materials known under the trade names Teflon, Hytrel, Cariflex, Alixine, Santoprene, Pebax and Pollobas can be used, this list not being limiting.

To use the device 1, the user unscrews the closure cap 5 and extracts the applicator member 8 from the container 3. After passing through the applicator member 8 of the wiper member 6, a certain amount of product P remains in the grooves 13 and 14, creating product tanks along the entire length of the core 10 and on all sides, for satisfactorily loading eyelashes and / or eyebrows product P. Of course the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, the characteristics of which can be combined within non-illustrated variants. The applicator member 8 may be vibrating, that is to say that it may be applied to it during application, combing or sampling of the product P, for example as described in application WO 2006 / 090,343. In another variant, the applicator member 8 may be rotatable, that is to say it may be driven in a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, for example during the application, combing or removal of the product P.

In another variant, the applicator member 8 may be heating, that is to say comprise a heating element for heating the keratinous fibers, the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, and / or the pins 18 and / or the core 10 of the applicator member 8.

It is also possible that the application member 8 is vibrating, rotating and heating, or only vibrating and rotating, or only vibrating and heating, or only rotating and heating, or only vibrating or only turning or heating only.

The applicator member 8 may comprise any bactericidal agent such as silver salts, copper salts, preservatives and at least one preservative agent for the product P. The core 10 and / or the pins 18 may furthermore , comprising particles, for example a filler, in particular a magnetic, bacteriostatic or moisture-absorbing compound, or a compound intended to create on the surface of the spikes 18 a roughness or to promote the sliding of the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows on pimples. At least one of the core 10 or a pin 18 can be flocked, receive any hot or mechanical treatment, and / or comprise particles, for example a filler, in particular to improve the sliding of the application member on eyelashes and / or eyebrows.

The phrase "comprising one" shall be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", and "between" means inclusive, unless the contrary is specified.

Claims (13)

REVENDICATIONS1. Applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product (P) to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising a molded applicator member (8) comprising: - a core (10) extending according to a longitudinal axis (X) and having two opposite longitudinal grooves (13,14) rotating about said longitudinal axis (X) while progressing along it, and - pins (18) carried by the web (10). 2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the grooves (13, 14) of the core (10) extend helically around the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10). 3. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the grooves (13, 14) of the core (10) each have a constant helical pitch along the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10). 4. Applicator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the grooves (13, 14) of the core (10) have the same pitch of helix. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the grooves (13, 14) of the core (10) are continuous along the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10), extending in particular from the proximal end (11) of the core (10) to its distal end (12). 6. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the grooves (13, 14) being diametrically opposed. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (10) has a generally "8" -shaped cross-section. 8. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the depth (ha) of the grooves (13, 14) of the core (10) is constant over their entire length. 9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pins (18) are arranged in a plurality of rectilinear longitudinal rows (17, 19). 10. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pins (18) have a first face (18a) having a first shape, especially flat, and a second face (18b) having a second shape, in particular rounded. 11. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pins (18) are arranged in spike crowns, two consecutive rings (20, 21) along the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10). being angularly offset by a non-zero angle (ai), in particular equal to half the angular pitch (fi) between the pins (18) of a ring. 12. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the pins (18) are arranged in pintle crowns, two consecutive first rings (23, 24) along the longitudinal axis (X) of the soul. (10) being identical, the following two consecutive rings (25, 26) being angularly offset by the same angle (a2) non-zero with respect to said first rings (23, 24). 13. Device (1) for packaging and applying a product (P) to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, comprising an applicator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims and a container (3), containing the product (P) and comprising a wiper member (6).