FR3111779A1 - Cosmetic product application device - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for applying cosmetic product This device (10) comprises: a handle (12) extending longitudinally, the handle (12) having a front face (22) and at least one side edge (26); a product application head (16), comprising a base (60) intended to be removably mounted in the handle (12) and a product application member (62) projecting with respect to the base (60 ). The handle (12) delimits a housing (14) for receiving the head (16), the housing (14) emerging in the side edge (26) via a side opening for inserting the head (16) into the handle ( 12) and emerging in the front face (22) through a front opening (48), the base (60) extending opposite the front opening (48) when the head (16) is received in the housing (14 ). Figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Cosmetic product application device

The present invention relates to a cosmetic product application device, comprising:

- a handle extending longitudinally, the handle having a front face and at least one side edge;

- a product application head, comprising a base intended to be removably mounted in the handle and a product application member protruding from the base.

Such a device is intended in particular for applying a cosmetic product for making up, caring for or coloring a body surface of a user.

By “cosmetic product”, is meant more generally within the meaning of the present invention, a product as defined in EC Regulation No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, dated November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

The device is in particular intended for the application of make-up product both on large surfaces, such as the cheeks, or on more precise surfaces, for example for applying make-up, for contouring or even underlining.

The application of make-up on a body surface generally requires the use of various brushes and the implementation of distinct gestures, which depend on the targeted surface and the desired effect for the user.

For example, it is sometimes necessary to place a makeup product over a large surface, in particular on the cheeks, in particular to apply a foundation. On the other hand, some applications are much more precise, for example to lighten an area that has already been made up. In addition, the user can choose a particular gesture, for example frontal or lateral, or a tuft shape adapted to the effect she wishes to obtain, for example a round section, oval on the right.

The user must therefore have a large number of separate cosmetic brushes to carry out all these operations.

This is cumbersome and expensive, since each type of application and/or each gesture corresponds to a particular brush.

To partially overcome this problem, US2006/0123955 describes cosmetic brushes having a handle and interchangeable heads which are capable of being clipped between two tabs located at the end of the handle. The method of attachment of the interchangeable heads imposes their geometry, generally longitudinal, which does not allow significant variation in the gestures used by the user.

In addition, the attachment of the head to the legs is not always robust, and may lead the user not to apply certain gestures, in particular frontal application gestures.

An object of the invention is to provide an application device suitable for applying cosmetic product to make-up areas of various extents, with varied application gestures, the application device being inexpensive, compact and robust.

To this end, the subject of the invention is a device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the handle delimits a housing for receiving the head, the housing opening out into the side edge via a side opening for inserting the head into the handle and opening into the front face via a front opening, the base extending opposite the front opening when the head is received in the housing.

Thanks to the presence of the housing emerging both in the edge of the handle and through its front face, it is possible to mount in a very robust way various application heads, while allowing application on various areas, with different gestures. This is achieved at lower cost and space, since only one handle is required.

According to a variant, the handle has a rear face, the housing opening out of the handle through a rear opening located in the rear face, the base extending opposite the rear opening when the head is received in the housing.

The rear opening on the back side of the handle further increases the possibilities of gestures and the type of head that can be mounted on the handle.

According to variants:

• the handle includes a peripheral region defining the periphery of the housing, the peripheral region being advantageously located at a distal end of the handle;
• the peripheral region has a C shape around the housing;
• the angular extent of the peripheral region around an axis perpendicular to the front face taken at the center of the housing is greater than or equal to 160°, and in particular greater than or equal to 180°.

The advantageously C-shaped peripheral part delimiting the housing ensures very reliable retention of the head in the housing, while providing access to numerous surfaces of the head, making it possible to dispose of the product application members on various regions. of the head. The device thus offers many possibilities of use.

We thus obtain a clipping / snap-fastening of the head in the handle, complementary (to reinforce the hold of the head in the handle) or alternative (to reduce the production costs) to a retaining assembly by snap-fastening implementing the projection of the the head and the housing in the handle.

According to variants:

• the peripheral region has a peripheral surface delimiting the housing opposite the lateral insertion opening and a front protruding edge delimiting the front opening, protruding with respect to the peripheral surface, the base being arranged in lateral support on the front protruding edge when the head is received in the housing;
• the peripheral region has a rear protruding flange defining the rear opening, the rear protruding flange protruding from the peripheral surface, the base being slidably mounted between the rear protruding flange and the front protruding flange, the rear protruding flange, the flange front projection and the peripheral surface defining in section a U-shaped profile.

The presence of a protruding edge further reinforces the robustness of the fixing of the head in the handle, and allows its guidance when inserting the head into the handle.

According to variants:

• the device includes a retaining assembly for the head in the housing, the retaining assembly including a retaining projection projecting from the base, and a retaining opening in the handle adapted to receive the retaining projection when the head is received in the housing.
• the retaining assembly comprises at least one member for latching the retaining projection integral with the handle.

The presence of a restraint assembly also provides additional robustness to the fixing of the head in the handle, which provides access to gestures generating significant forces. The presence of a snap tab prevents any inadvertent dislodging of the head from the handle, especially during transport or use.

According to variants:

• the retaining opening opens outside the handle, opposite the side insertion opening, the retaining projection partially projecting outside the handle through the retaining opening when the head is received in the accommodation;
• the restraint assembly includes a patch on the handle, delimiting the retention opening.

The presence of a retaining opening opening outside the handle, possibly delimited by a piece attached to the handle, makes it possible to easily extract the head, when it needs to be replaced.

According to variants:

• the base comprises a front surface and an edge surface, the head comprising:

* a plurality of product applicator members projecting from the front surface to extend through and/or beyond the front opening when the head is received in the housing, or/and

* a plurality of product application members protruding from the edge surface to extend through and/or beyond the side insertion opening when the head is received in the housing;

• the product application members are bristles and form a tuft projecting from the front surface and/or projecting from the edge surface.

As a variant, the product applicator member comprises a block of material, in particular of a cellular material, such as a block of polymer foam or sponge, such as a polyurethane (PU) foam, or a foam or elastomer sponge, such as nitrile rubber foam (NBR), one or even a styrene-butadiene foam (SBR).

According to another variant, the block of material can also be in the form of a solid element made of a flexible material, such as a silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.

According to yet another variant, the product applicator members are teeth made of a flexible material, such as a silicone or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material.

According to a variant, the tuft protruding from the front surface has a hemispherical shape, a cylindrical shape or a frustoconical shape and/or in which the tuft protruding from the edge surface has a C shape.

As a variant, the product applicator member or members, in particular the tuft or tufts of hair, may have any other external shape making it possible to modulate the application of the cosmetic product, in particular of the make-up product, in particular in terms of coverage and / or restitution, such as a frustoconical shape, a parallelepipedal shape, an ogive shape, a pointed shape or other.

The handle can thus be used with product application heads having very varied configurations, for example product application members projecting only through the front face, product application members projecting only on the slice, or both combined. This offers the possibility of applying the cosmetic product in a very specific way or on the contrary on large surfaces. In addition, the front or side application gestures can be applied preferentially by using either the application members emerging through the side opening or those emerging through the front opening. The number of make-up possibilities is therefore high. In addition, the specific tuft shapes favor this application.

According to an advantageous arrangement, an additional product application head intended to be mounted in place of the head, the head advantageously having at least one product application member projecting through and/or beyond the lateral insertion opening when the head is mounted in the housing, the additional head having at least one product application member projecting through and/or beyond the front opening when the additional head is received in the housing in place of the head.

The interchangeability between the product application head and the or each additional head multiplies the possibilities of different uses, while limiting cost and size.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, taken from three-quarter face, of a first device for applying product according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view of a product application head of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged partial view of the handle of the device of Figure 3, taken at the level of the housing for receiving the head of Figure 2, the head having been detached from the handle;

Figure 4 is a view of the handle of Figure 1 in which an additional head has been arranged to replace the head of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 of the additional head inserted into the handle.

In what follows, the term "proximal" is generally understood as closer to the hand of the user, when the user holds the device in his hand and the term "distal" is understood as further from the user's hand, when the user holds the device in his hand.

A first device 10 for applying cosmetic product according to the invention is represented in FIG. 1.

The device 10 is intended in particular for the application of a cosmetic care product, a cosmetic coloring product, or preferably, a cosmetic makeup product on a body surface of a user.

The cosmetic product is for example a make-up product, such as a foundation, a make-up, a blush, a base or “primer”, a contouring product, or even an underlining product. The cosmetic product can also be another type of makeup and/or care product, such as an eyebrow makeup and/or care product.

As a variant, the cosmetic product can be a care product, in particular skin care product, such as a cream, a serum, a scrub product or even a mask;

In particular, the cosmetic product may be in powder form, in liquid form, in the form of a cream or gel or other.

The device 10 is intended for the application of cosmetic product on an extended surface of the user, such as the cheeks, the chin or the forehead, and/or on more precise specific zones, by using different application gestures.

As illustrated by FIG. 1, the device 10 comprises a handle 12 delimiting a housing 14, and a cosmetic product application head 16, removably mounted in the housing 14. In this example, the device 10 further comprises a retaining assembly 17 of the head 16 in the handle 12.

Referring to Figure 1, the handle 12 extends in this example longitudinally, along an axis A-A 'shown vertical in Figure 1. It extends between a proximal end 18 intended to be gripped by the user and a distal end 20 intended to receive the head 16.

The handle 12 defines a front face 22 intended to be placed opposite the user and an opposite face 24. It has, between the front face 22 and the opposite face 24, a first lateral edge 26 (on the left in FIG. 1 ) and a second lateral edge 28 (on the right in FIG. 1).

In this example, the handle 12 is made in one piece, in other words made from a single material. It is for example made of wood, metal, in particular stainless steel or aluminum, or plastic material, in particular thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) , Polypropylene (PP) or Polyethylene (PE), or thermosetting plastic. Alternatively, provision may be made for the handle to be made from two or more materials, such as those listed above.

As illustrated by FIG. 1, the handle 12 comprises a rod 30 intended to be grasped by the user, and a region 32 in the form of a hook defining a periphery of the housing 14. The region 32 will be designated in the following by the term “peripheral region”.

In this example, the rod 30 has a length greater than the length of the peripheral region 32, the lengths being taken in projection on the longitudinal axis A-A'.

The rod 30 is here tapered at the proximal end 18.

The peripheral region 32 has a general C-shape opening into the first lateral edge 26.

The angular extent of the peripheral region 32, taken around a central axis B-B', perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A' and to the front face 22 is greater than or equal to 160°, and is in particular comprised between 160° and 250°.

In a particular embodiment, the angular extent of the peripheral region 32, taken around a central axis B-B', perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A-A' and to the front face 22 is greater than or equal to 180°, in particular between 180° and 220°, and in particular close to 200°, as illustrated in particular in Figures 1, 3 and 4.

As visible in Figure 3, the peripheral region 32 extends around the axis B-B 'between a first proximal edge 34 and a second distal edge 36 also visible in Figure 3. It delimits an inner peripheral surface 38, extending around the axis B-B',

In this example, the peripheral region 32 defines a front projecting flange 40, a and a rear projecting flange 42. The flanges 40, 42 project from the peripheral surface 38 towards the central axis B-B', respectively at the level of the front face 22 and at the level of the rear face 24.

In this example, the peripheral region 32 also delimits a through passage 44 opening into the housing 14 in the peripheral surface 38 and opening at the rear into the second side edge 28.

The housing 14 is defined by the peripheral region 32. It is delimited radially away from the central axis B-B' towards the second edge 24 by the peripheral surface 38. It is delimited towards the front face 22 by the rim front projection 40 and towards the rear face 24 by the rear projection rim 42.

The peripheral region 32 thus has, in section along a median plane passing through the central axis B-B′, a U-shaped profile shape, the bottom of the U being determined by the intersection between the median plane and the peripheral surface 38, and the arms of the U being determined by the intersection between the median plane and each protruding edge 40, 42.

Thus, the U-section thus formed at the periphery of the housing 14 guides the head 16 during its insertion into the housing 14.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the housing 14 opens into the first lateral edge 26 through a side opening 46 for inserting the head 16 into the housing 14. It also opens into the front face 22 through a front opening 48 delimited at its periphery by the front protruding rim 40 and in the rear face 24 by a rear opening 50 delimited at its periphery by the rear protruding rim 42.

Referring to Figure 2, the head 16 comprises a base 60 intended to be removably inserted into the housing 14 and at least one product application member 62, preferably a plurality of product application members 62 protruding from base 60.

The base 60 has a shape partially complementary to that of the housing 14. It thus has a front surface 64, a rear surface 66 located opposite the front surface 64 and an edge surface 68 connecting the front surface 64 to the surface. rear 66.

The thickness of the base 60, taken between the front surface 64 and the rear surface 66 is advantageously substantially equal to the width of the housing 14, taken between the front projecting edge 40 and the rear projecting edge 42.

In this specific example, the front surface 64 and the rear surface 66 are substantially planar. They are parallel to each other. They each have a substantially circular outline.

In Figure 2, each applicator member 62 projects radially from the edge surface 68. In this example, the applicator members 62 are bristles, and form a tuft 70.

Tuft 70 protrudes from edge surface 68 over a portion of the periphery of base 60 intended to protrude through side opening 46 when head 16 is inserted into housing 14.

In this example, the tuft 70 has a thickness less than the thickness of the edge surface, and a length greater than its thickness. It is thus able to allow a fine application of product on the body surface.

In FIG. 2, the tuft 70 extends between a distal edge 72 and a proximal edge 74 with a substantially C-shape. It flares out at its proximal edge 74 and at its distal edge 72.

The head 16 is mounted to move relative to the handle 12, between a free position, disposed away from the handle 12, outside the housing 14 (see Figure 2), and a position mounted in the handle 12, received in the housing 14 (see figure 1).

In the mounted position, the edge surface 68 is inserted into the housing 14, between the projecting edges 40, 42, to be placed opposite the peripheral surface 38. The base 60 projects partially out of the housing 14, at the beyond the proximal edge 34 and the distal edge 36 of the peripheral region 32. The application members 62 also project out of the housing through the side opening 46 and/or beyond the latter to be accessible for the application of product to the body surface of the user.

In the mounted position, the front surface 64 and the rear surface 66 of the base 60 are placed respectively opposite the front opening 48 and the rear opening 50. Thus, these surfaces 64, 66 are accessible through the front opening 48 and through the rear opening 50.

They are wedged respectively on the front projecting rim 40 and on the rear projecting rim.

The retaining assembly 17 comprises a retaining projection 80, integral with the base 60 of the head 16 and a retaining opening 82, intended to receive the retaining projection 80 in the mounted position. In this example, the retaining opening 82 is defined in a mounting part 84 attached to the handle 12 in the through-passage 44. The mounting part 84 comprises at least one snap-fastening member 86, preferably two locking members. ratchet 86 opposed.

The retaining projection 80 projects away from the applicator member 62, when the latter is placed on the edge surface 68, as in the example of FIG. 2.

The retaining projection 80 is intended to be inserted into the housing 14 together with the base 60 of the head 16, to reach the retaining opening 82.

Referring to Figure 2, the retaining projection 80 defines at least one transverse groove 88 intended to receive a latching member 86 to lock the head 16 in position in the housing 14.

In this example, the retainer 84 comprises an open cage 90, force-fitted in the through-passage 44, and a base 92 placed against the second side edge 28 to partially block the through-passage 44.

Latching members 86 project towards housing 14 from base 92. Base 92 defines a through hole 94 through which retaining projection 80 is adapted to project outwardly beyond the second side edge 28 when the head 16 occupies its mounted position.

Thus, in the mounted position, each latching member 86 fits into a corresponding latching groove 88 and locks the retaining projection 80 integral with the base 60 in position.

The free end of the retaining projection 80 protrudes out of the handle beyond the second side edge 28 through the through hole 94. It is capable of being pushed by a user of the device 10 to release the head 16 and possibly replace it with an additional head 16A.

An example of additional head 16A is described in FIG. 5. This additional head 16A is similar to head 16 represented in FIG. 2. It differs from head 16 represented in FIG. product application 62 protrudes from front surface 64 of base 60.

In this example, a plurality of product applicator members 62 protrude from the front surface 64. Preferably, these applicator members 62 are bristles that form a tuft 70 projecting from the front surface 64.

In the example shown in Figure 5, the tuft 70 is hemispherical. Alternatively, the tuft 70 is conical or cylindrical.

When the additional head 16A is inserted into the housing 14 in the mounted position, as illustrated by FIG. 4, each application member 62 protrudes from the front surface 64. At least part of the application members 62 form protrudes through the front opening 48 to allow frontal application of product.

The operation of the device 10 according to the invention will now be described.

Initially, a device 10 comprising the handle 12, a head 16, and at least one additional head 16A is provided to the user.

The heads 16, 16A are in their disassembled position. The handle 12 is in the configuration shown in Figure 3, with the housing 14 without head 16, 16A.

When the user wishes to perform a fine application of product, with a lateral application gesture, he grasps the head 16. He then inserts the base 60 of the head 16 into the housing 14 by guiding the base 16 between the projecting front rim 40 and the rear protruding edge 42.

He pushes the head 16 into the housing 14 until the retaining projection 80 engages the retaining opening 92. This being done, each snap member 86 engages in a groove 88, which locks retaining projection 80 in position within retaining aperture 82 and hence head 16 within housing 14.

The free end of the retaining projection 80 protrudes out of the handle 12 beyond the second side edge 28, as shown in Figure 1.

The user then grasps the stem 30 of the handle 12 and applies the cosmetic product using the applicator members 62 projecting through and/or beyond the lateral insertion opening 46. As indicated above , this makes it possible to implement a lateral application gesture, on small surfaces, for example to reinforce a contour, a color or to apply a highlighter.

If, on the contrary, the user wishes to apply a larger quantity of product on a larger surface, he replaces the head 16 with the head 16A. To this end, it applies a pushing force to the retaining projection 80 to dislodge each snap member 86 from the groove 88 in which it is retained. This causes the base 60 of the head 16 to move outward from the housing 14.

He then extracts the base 60 of the head 16 from the housing 14 and grabs the base 60 of the head 16A. He then inserts the head 16A into the housing 14, as previously described, until the retaining projection 80 of the head 16A locks in the retaining opening 82, advantageously by cooperation of each snap-fastening member 86 with a snap groove 88.

The product application members 62 of the head 16A protrude through the front opening 48, allowing frontal application gestures, and application over an extended area of the body surface.

As illustrated in the preceding figures, the device 10 according to the invention is therefore able to easily allow the implementation of very diverse make-up routines, for example by using different application gestures, such as a frontal gesture or a lateral gestures, or affecting make-up areas of variable extent.

This is obtained thanks to a single handle 12, capable of interchangeably receiving heads 16, 16A of various structures which make it possible to choose the mode of makeup, and the desired precision.

The device 10 is also very reliable in operation, since the housing 14 made in the handle 12, opening laterally and also frontally, very robustly accommodates heads 16 having application members 62 with varied positions and orientations. .

In a variant (not shown), the head 16 comprises both a plurality of applicator members 62 projecting from the edge surface 68 to extend through or beyond the lateral opening of insert 46, and applicator members 62 projecting from front surface 64 to extend through or beyond front opening 48.

Advantageously, it further comprises product application members 62 protruding from the rear surface 66 to extend through or beyond the rear opening 50.

In yet another variant, the or each product application member 62 is not a hair but is, for example, a barb or a tooth.

In yet another variant, the device 10 has no mounting part 84 attached to the handle. The retaining opening 82 and the or each latching member 86 are made in one piece with the handle 12.

In yet another variant, the device 10 is devoid of a retaining assembly 17 of the head 16 in the housing 14 having a retaining projection 80 projecting from the base 60, and a retaining opening 82 provided in the handle 12. The restraint is then ensured by the peripheral region 32, in particular when its angular extent is greater than or equal to 160°, and in particular greater than or equal to 180°.

Claims (15)

Device (10) for applying a cosmetic product, comprising:
- a handle (12) extending longitudinally, the handle (12) having a front face (22) and at least one side edge (26);
- a product application head (16), comprising a base (60) intended to be removably mounted in the handle (12) and a product application member (62) projecting relative to the base ( 60);
characterized in that the handle (12) delimits a housing (14) for receiving the head (16), the housing (14) opening out into the lateral edge (26) via a lateral opening (46) for inserting the head (16) in the handle (12) and emerging in the front face (22) through a front opening (48), the base (60) extending opposite the front opening (48) when the head (16) is received in the housing (14). Device (10) according to Claim 1, in which the handle (12) has a rear face (24), the housing (14) opening out from the handle (12) through a rear opening (50) located in the rear face (24 ), the base (60) extending opposite the rear opening (50) when the head (16) is received in the housing (14). Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the handle (12) comprises a peripheral region (32) defining the periphery of the housing (14), the peripheral region (32) being advantageously located at a distal end of the handle (12). Device (10) according to claim 3, wherein the peripheral region (32) has a C-shape around the housing (14), Device (10) according to one of Claims 3 or 4, in which the angular extent of the peripheral region (32) around an axis (B-B') perpendicular to the front face (22) taken at the center of the housing (14) is greater than or equal to 160°, and in particular greater than or equal to 180°. Device (10) according to any one of Claims 3 to 5, in which the peripheral region (32) has a peripheral surface (38) defining the housing (14) opposite the lateral insertion opening (46 ) and a front projecting edge (40) delimiting the front opening (48), projecting with respect to the peripheral surface (38), the base (60) being arranged in lateral support on the front projecting edge (40) when the head (16) is received in the housing (14). Device (10) according to Claim 6, taken in combination with Claim 2, in which the peripheral region (32) has a rear projecting flange (42) delimiting the rear opening (50), the rear projecting flange (42) forming projecting from the peripheral surface (38), the base (60) being slidably mounted between the rear projecting flange (42) and the front projecting flange (40), the rear projecting flange (42), the front projecting flange (40 ) and the peripheral surface (38) defining in section a U-shaped profile. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a retaining assembly (17) of the head (16) in the housing (14), the retaining assembly (17) comprising a retaining projection (80) projecting from the base (60), and a retaining opening (82) in the handle (12) adapted to receive the retaining projection (80) when the head (16) is received in the housing (14 ). Device (10) according to Claim 8, in which the retaining assembly comprises at least one snap-fastening member (86) of the retaining projection (80) integral with the handle (12). Device (10) according to any one of Claims 8 or 9, in which the retaining opening (82) opens outside the handle (12), opposite the side insertion opening (46 ), the retaining projection (80) partially projecting out of the handle (12) through the retaining aperture (82) when the head (16) is received in the housing (14). Device (10) according to any one of Claims 8 to 10, in which the retaining assembly (17) comprises a part (84) attached to the handle (12), delimiting the retaining opening (82). A device (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the base (60) includes a front surface (64) and an edge surface (68), the head (16) including:
- a plurality of product applicator members (62) projecting from the front surface (64) to extend through and/or beyond the front opening (48) when the head (16 ) is received in the housing (14), or/and
- a plurality of product applicator members (62) projecting from the edge surface (68) to extend through and/or beyond the side insertion opening (46) when the head (16) is received in the housing (14). Device (10) according to Claim 12, in which the product application members (62) are bristles and form a tuft (70) projecting with respect to the front surface (64) and/or projecting with respect to the edge surface (68). Device (10) according to Claim 13, in which the tuft (70) projecting with respect to the front surface (64) has a hemispherical shape, a cylindrical shape or a frustoconical shape and/or in which the tuft (70) forming projecting from the wafer surface (68) is C-shaped. Device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims comprising an additional product application head (16A) intended to be mounted in place of the head (16), the head (16) advantageously having at least one product application (62) projecting through and/or beyond the side insertion opening (46) when the head (16) is mounted in the housing (14), the additional head (16A) having at least one product applicator member (62) projecting through and/or beyond the front opening (48) when the additional head (16A) is received in the housing (14) instead of the head (16).