FR3026618A1 - PARTIALLY FLOCKED PICOTS APPLICATOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a cosmetic applicator comprising an applicator member (8) defined by at least two elongated application elements (19), - each application element (19) is defined by a base (22) and a top (20), - the application elements (19) are flocked on a portion only (11) of their length (L) from their top (20), - the largest dimension of the base (22) is between 0.2 mm and 1.3 mm.

Description

The present invention relates to applicators and devices for packaging and applying at least one cosmetic or dermatological product, other than those intended for makeup or for the care of eyelashes and eyebrows. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Application members having an application face consisting of a flocked membrane are known. In use, these application members are relatively difficult to clean. In addition, the accuracy of application is not always satisfactory.

Application US 2003/0235454 teaches an applicator comprising several application elements that can be flocked in whole or in part. Applicators comprising an application element flocked at its end are also known from FR 2 947 702, FR 2 933 281, US 6 386 781. FR 2 976 164 discloses an application member defined by at least two elements of application of elongated form. The application elements are flocked over a portion of their length from their top. The ratio of the length of the flocked portion to the total length of an application element is preferably between 1/5 and 1/2. The application elements are spaced apart at their apex by a distance of at least 1.5 mm. The largest dimension of an application member at its base is between 1.5 mm and 10 mm. EP 826 323 discloses an applicator member defined by at least two elongated application members. The application elements can be flocked over a portion of their length from their top. The ratio of the length of the flocked portion to the total length of an application member may be approximately deduced from the figures. It is 3/4 for Figure 3 and 1/2 for Figure 4. The spacing of the application elements between them at their top is not specified. Similarly, the width of an application element at its base is not mentioned. There is a need to further improve the applicators and devices for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, for example to bring efficiency, sensoriality and / or precision to the application, and / or to facilitate the cleaning of the applicator.

There is also a need for an applicator capable of gradually feeding the selected body area, in order to provide uniform application of the cosmetic product and homogeneous drying. Finally, there is a need for an applicator capable of retaining enough cosmetic product to prevent the user from taking several times for a single makeup. The cosmetic product may especially be a nail polish, a gloss or an eyeshadow. The subject of the invention is thus a cosmetic applicator comprising an applicator member defined by at least two elongated application elements, - each application element is defined by a base and a vertex, - the application elements are flocked over only a portion of their length from their apex, - the largest dimension of the base is between 0.2 mm and 1.3 mm. The applicator according to the invention is intended for applying a cosmetic product to the skin, such as the eyelids or the contour of the eye, the nails or the lips. Thanks to the invention, the product circulates better along the application elements. The product reaches more easily than with a known applicator the flocked portion of the application elements. The accuracy of the application is increased, especially in the case of a nail polish or in the case of other cosmetic or dermatological products.

The applicator according to the invention provides a remarkable comfort during the application, because of the particular choice of the largest dimension of the base of each application element. Indeed, the application elements are sufficiently wide at their base to not stick to each other. They remain independent to better follow the curve of the skin, including eyelids or the contour of the eye, nails or lips. They are also thin enough at their base to allow precision makeup, especially around the nails or lips. Main definitions The application member has the longitudinal axis X axis. An application element has the longitudinal axis Y axis.

The application elements may be straight Y longitudinal axis or have a curvilinear shape. To determine if an application element is "flocked on only a portion of their length from their top", an axial section of the applicator element is made along its longitudinal axis Y. Next, it is determined on this section, if the application element can be decomposed into: - a non-flocked section, and - a flocked section. If the non-flocked section is located between the base of the application element and the flocked section, it is said that the application element is "flocked over only a portion of its length from its top". If the non-flocked section is located between the top of the application element and the flocked section, the application element does not meet the definition that it is "flocked over only a portion of its length from its summit.

The "top" of an application element is the point of intersection between its longitudinal axis Y and the surface defining its free end. The "base" of an application element is the implantation surface of the application element on a support. It is also the area of contact between the support and the application element. At its base, the application element emerges from the support. It becomes apparent. The application element can also be glued to the support at its base. To determine the "largest dimension of the base of each application member", a cross section of the application member perpendicular to the Y axis is made at the base. The two points on the edge of the base, which are the farthest possible from each other, are then determined on this section. We draw a line connecting these two points. The width of the segment connecting these two points is called the largest dimension of the base of the application element. For example, if the cross section of the applicator element is circular, the largest dimension of the applicator element is the diameter of the circle. If the cross section of the applicator element is square, the largest dimension of the applicator element is the diagonal of the square. Application Elements The application elements may each be symmetrical with revolution or not, around their longitudinal axis Y. Advantageously, the longitudinal axes Y of the application elements are parallel.

This arrangement is specially adapted to makeup. The application members may be arranged with a variable or regular spacing on the support, for example with a constant spacing in two perpendicular directions or a gap varying in the direction of the periphery. The application elements may be arranged in parallel or concentric rows.

The total length L of an application element is measured along its longitudinal axis Y from its base to its top. The length L is measured before flocking. The total length L is the apparent length of the application element before flocking. The application elements may be flexible to the point of being able to flex significantly during normal use of the applicator, due to their length and / or the material in which they are made. The application elements may be injection molded of a thermoplastic material, in particular an elastomer. The portion of the application elements covered with the flock hairs may be in the same material as the rest of the application element or not, and be more flexible or not. The cross-section of the applicator element, along its flocked portion, may be different from the section of the applicator element along its non-flocked portion. Advantageously, the apices of the two application elements are spaced apart by a distance of between 0.5 mm and 2 mm. The "center of a base" is defined as the point of intersection between the longitudinal axis Y of the application element and the base of the application element.

The distance between the center of the bases of two adjacent application elements may or may not be different from that between the vertices of these same application elements. The total length L of the application elements may be between 3 and 20 mm, being for example between 5 and 10 mm.

The length of the flocked portion lf is measured between the axial ends of the flocking coating, at the base of the flock hairs. It can vary between application elements. More preferably, more than half of the application elements are defined by a ratio f / L is between 0.6 and 0.98, and more preferably between 0.7 and 0.85. The non-flocked portion of the application elements may be deformed or not during normal use of the applicator. The application elements may be parallel at rest, being for example perpendicular to a support carrying the application elements. In a variant, the application elements have longitudinal axes Y diverging at rest, being for example perpendicular to each other, or arranged in a V or fan. The application elements may have different or identical total lengths. More generally, the application elements can be of any shape in elevation and of any shape in section, and cross or not when the applicator is observed in elevation for at least one direction of observation. Preferably, the applicator elements are tapered or have a ball, fork or fork shape at their end. Application elements may have an enlarged head at their apex. The envelope surface defined by the free ends of the application elements may be flat, convex or concave outwards, or beveled. This envelope surface may have a form of revolution or not. The applicator elements may be molded in one piece with a carrier, which may define a gripping surface and / or serve to close a container and / or be arranged to attach to a container. At least two application elements of an applicator according to the invention can be flocked with different densities of bristles and / or with flock bristles 25 of thickness, length, section, hardness, diameter and / or or of a different nature. Application elements can be flexible. The application elements can be washable, for example with water. Preferably, the largest dimension of the base of each applicator element is between 0.4 mm and 1.0 mm, and preferably between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm. Advantageously, the application member comprises between 5 and 60 application elements, preferably between 15 and 25 application elements. considered. 6 different. This amount of application element is optimal for the application Preferably, the application elements have total lengths L The applicator is better suited to narrow surfaces. Flock coating Flocking can be symmetrical with or without revolution, and be present on each or only part of the application elements.

The flock hairs can be glued to the application elements by an adhesive resistant to all the solvents commonly used in cosmetic compositions and resistant to washing with water, the adhesive being of solvent or aqueous type, for example acrylic or latex . The glue can be deposited by dipping or coating, for example, in order to keep a flocking level constant from one application element to another.

The length of the flock hairs may be between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, being for example between 0.5 mm and 1 mm. The flock hairs present on the same application element may be identical or of different diameter, section and / or length, or may be made of different materials.

The flock hairs of two adjacent applicator elements can interpenetrate. In a variant, the flock hairs of two adjacent application elements do not interpenetrate. The length / f of the flocked portion may be different for at least two application elements.

The flock hairs may be locally perpendicular to the surface of the application member to which they are connected. Applicator The applicator may include a closure member of a container, defining a gripping surface for the applicator. The applicator member may be fixed or removable relative to the gripping surface.

The applicator member may be molded with a rod or attached thereto. The application elements may be present at the di stale end of the rod. The applicator member may comprise one or more product dispensing orifices, for example at least one orifice formed at its center, opening between the bases of the application elements. The applicator can be mounted on containers of any shape, for example pen, pot, bottle, provided with any dispensing system, for example open neck, with or without a flow reducer, pump , valve, open / closed distribution system, optionally allowing to distribute a predetermined dose of product, and / or any applicator, for example roll-on type. The applicator can be mounted on the container by various means, which can be snapped or screwed onto the container, for example on its neck, on its bottom or on a closure member of the container. The applicator may be arranged to cap the container at rest, be mounted astride the container or otherwise engaged on the container. Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product comprising: a container containing the product to be applied, and an applicator according to the invention, such as defined above.

The use of an applicator according to the invention can be used for makeup or make-up removal of the face, for cleaning the skin, for applying a product to the body or face, for example a sun or make-up product. . In particular, the cosmetic product may be a gloss, an eye shadow or a nail polish.

The invention thus also relates, in another of its aspects, to a cosmetic process for making up, removing make-up or cleaning human keratin materials, in particular the skin, in which a cosmetic product is applied to the said materials. using the applicator according to the invention, as defined above. During the application, the user can flex the application elements, when they are sufficiently deformable. The treated surface may only be in contact with the flock hairs.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. in axial section, schematic and partial, an example of a packaging device and application according to the invention, - Figure 2 is an axial section, schematic and partial, of an applicator according to the invention, taken in isolation, - the FIG. 3 illustrates the different parameters defining the application elements; FIGS. 4 to 10 illustrate various examples, in cross-section, of application elements; FIG. 11 represents, in isolation, in front view and in axial section; , schematically and partially, an example of an applicator according to the invention, - Figure 12 shows, in isolation, in side view and in axial section, schematic and partial, the applicator of Figure 11, - Figure 13 shows, in isolation, in pers Diagram of top, schematic and partial, the applicator of Figure 11. The device 1 for packaging and application partially shown in Figure 1 comprises a container 2 having a longitudinal axis X coincides with the longitudinal axis of the applicator . The container 1 contains, in its interior space 6, a product P to be applied to human keratin materials, in particular on the skin, lips or nails and an applicator 3 which makes it possible to apply the product P. The container 2 comprises a body 72 which may or may not be deformable by the user. The container 2 is for example made by injection molding of a rigid thermoplastic material. Alternatively, the container is made of glass or metal. In general, it is possible to use for producing the body of the container 2, any known thermoplastic material, in particular a polyolefin, for example polyethylene or polypropylene, a polyamide, especially RILSAN®, PET, POM or PS. . The wall of the container 2 may be transparent or not. It is also possible to make the body of the container 2 with a flexible wall, if necessary.

The applicator 3 comprises in the example described a rod 7, at the distal end of which is disposed an applicator member 8. The latter can be attached to the rod 7 or alternatively be at least partially molded of a alone holding with the latter. The applicator 3 is for example as illustrated in FIG. 2, the rod 7 being connected, on the side opposite the applicator member 8, to a closing member 5 of the container 2, which also defines a surface of gripping 17 for the user. In the example described, the applicator member 8 is fixed relative to the gripping surface 17. In a variant, the applicator member 8 is removable relative to the gripping surface 17.

The container 2 may contain, as illustrated in Figure 1, a mixing member 10, for example a ball. In the example shown, the applicator member 8 comprises five elongate application elements 19 made by molding thermoplastic material, monolithically or otherwise with the rod 7, and spaced apart at their base and their top in the example shown. For each application element 19, the largest dimension d of the base is equal to 0.55 mm. The application elements 19 comprise a flocking coating 21, arranged in tufts, only from their apex 20 and on a portion 11 only of their length L, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The length / f of the The flocked portion of the application elements 19 may or may not vary for the same application member 8. The non-flocked portion of the application elements 19 promotes the flow of the product P between the application elements 19 while the flocking 21 allow the makeup or cleaning of the treated area. In the same tuft of flock hairs on an applicator member 19, the diameter, length, section, hardness, thickness and / or nature of the flock hairs 21 may be different. The flock hairs 21 make it possible to partially fill at least the space between two adjacent application elements 19. For this purpose, a symmetrical form of revolution, for example hemispherical, may be given to each of the tufts of flock 21.

The application elements 19 may have any shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 7. Nevertheless, the presence of a rounded end is advantageous, in that it promotes a hemispherical distribution of the flock hairs 21 at the end of the application element 19.

In FIG. 3, the parameters defining the application elements 19 are reported. The application elements 19 have a rounded conical shape at the end. FIGS. 4 to 10 show examples of the base 22 of the application element 19. These figures are transverse sections perpendicular to the Y axis of an application element 19 at the junction between the element 19 and its support. The application elements 19 may have bases 22 of any shape, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 10, for example circular (FIG. 4) or not, oval (FIG. 6), in particular elliptical, polygonal, in particular triangular (FIG. 5). , square (Figure 7), rectangular (Figure 8), or cruciform (Figures 9 and 10).

FIG. 11 represents an example of the applicator member 8 according to the invention, in longitudinal section of the applicator member along its axis X. In the illustrated example, the applicator member 8 comprises seven elements 19 of elongated application, made by molding thermoplastic material, monolithically or not with the support 9, and spaced apart at their base 22 and at their apex 20 in the example shown. In the longitudinal section plane shown, the application elements 19 are distributed symmetrically with respect to the axis X of the applicator member 8. FIG. 12 shows the possibility for the application elements 19 of have seven elongate application members 19 distributed non-symmetrically with respect to the X axis. The length L of the application elements 19 may vary within the same applicator 3, as illustrated in FIGS. 11. In these examples, the longitudinal axes Y of the application elements 19 are parallel, the application elements 19 being perpendicular to a support 9.

The applicator 8 may define a line or surface joining the vertices of the applicator members 19 which extends obliquely, giving the applicator a beveled shape, due to a difference in length between the applicator elements. 19, as shown in Figure 13. This beveled shape allows easier and more enjoyable application of the cosmetic product. It is particularly suitable for nail polish brushes, brushes for gloss or eyeshadow. To use the device according to the invention, the user, after having separated the applicator 3 from the container 2, takes the desired quantity of product P and can spread it by means of the applicator 3. Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described. In particular, it is possible to combine the characteristics of the various exemplary embodiments illustrated in variants that are not shown. The application elements 19 may have a different shape. Their implantation on the support 9 or the rod 7 may be different. Flocking can also, for example, be different. The expression "having one" shall be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (9)

REVENDICATIONS1. Cosmetic applicator comprising an applicator member (8) defined by at least two elongate application elements (19), - each application element (19) is defined by a base (22) and a vertex (20) - the application elements (19) are flocked on a portion only (11) of their length (L) from their top (20), - the largest dimension (d) of the base (22) is included between 0.2 mm and 1.3 mm. 2. Applicator according to claim 1, the apices of the two application elements (19) being spaced apart by a distance (w) between 0.5 and 2 mm. 3. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the applicator member (8) comprising between 5 and 60 application elements (19). 4. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the longitudinal axes (Y) of the application elements (19) being parallel. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the application members (19) having different total lengths (L). 6. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the application elements (19) being of tapered shape. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, more than half of the application elements being defined by a ratio / fi, between 0.6 and 0.98, and even more preferably between 0.7 and 0.85. , lf being the length of the flocked portion (11). 8. A device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product comprising: - a container (1) containing the product (P) to be applied, and - an applicator (3) according to any one of the preceding claims. 9. A cosmetic process for making up, removing make-up or cleaning human keratin materials, in particular the skin, in which a cosmetic product (P) is applied to the said materials using the applicator (3) according to one of the following: any of claims 1 to 7.