US20110142525A1

US20110142525A1 - Applicator, in particular mascara applicator, pigment compound stick therefor, and cosmetic product

Info

Publication number: US20110142525A1
Application number: US12/960,455
Authority: US
Inventors: Renato Ancorotti; Franco LUCÁ
Original assignee: Geka GmbH
Current assignee: Geka GmbH
Priority date: 2009-12-04
Filing date: 2010-12-03
Publication date: 2011-06-16
Also published as: DE102009057567A1; EP2329741A1; JP2011115592A; CN102090776A

Abstract

The invention relates to a mascara applicator (1) for applying a pigment compound to eyelashes, having a grip (2) and a housing section (3) extending from the grip (2) for accommodating a stock of pigment compound, with the stock of pigment compound embodied in the form of a pigment compound stick (4) that is able to move in relation to the housing section (3) and is composed of a pigment compound that is solid at least in the stored state; the applicator (1) is embodied so that it is possible to bring the eyelashes to which the pigment compound is to be applied intentionally into direct contact with the pigment compound stick (4) so that pigment compound is loaded onto them.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, a pigment compound stick therefor, and a mascara product having the mascara applicator and/or at least one pigment compound stick.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

DE 10 2008 016 213 A1 has disclosed an applicator device for applying a cosmetic, which is in particular intended to be a mascara.
This mascara is stored in the form of a stick of solid mascara compound and is pushed by a spring out of the applicator handle into the heating device in the applicator head. This heating device melts the tip of the stick completely, which is at first glance perfectly acceptable in and of itself.
The molten material thus obtained is conveyed through fine ducts downstream of the melting zone (the patent application refers to them as “passageways 17”) into the base region of a row of teeth. Since the prestressing spring force of the as yet unmelted mascara stick exerts pressure on the molten mascara, the molten mascara emerges continuously from the fine ducts into the base region of the teeth, thus wetting the teeth. In practice, the diameter of the fine ducts must be correspondingly small since otherwise, an excess of molten mascara would be rapidly pushed into the region of the teeth, which in this case form a comb and quite clearly replace the bristles that are otherwise found in such an applicator. Consequently, the actual wording of DE 10 2008 016 213 A1 is that the molten mascara “diffuses . . . via” the passageways. This emphasizes the very small diameter of the passageways 17 downstream of the melting zone that convey the molten mascara from the melted stick to the teeth.
This applicator device has the disadvantage that due to uneven heating/warming of the solid mascara compound, the outside of the applicator is only unevenly wetted along its longitudinal span. This therefore yields a likewise unsatisfactory application result.
In addition, the narrow passageways, whose small diameters clearly contribute to controlling the flow of molten mascara, cause problems, namely by becoming easily clogged.
Furthermore, after the application procedure, the molten mascara is not always wiped completely away from the interstices between the teeth and thus from the outlet openings. This, too, can lead to a clogging of the individual openings when a reheating occurs and the molten mascara is pressed out again so that here, too, an uneven wetting of the teeth and of the interstices between the teeth may result.
Because mascara compound that has been melted remains in the outer region of the applicator head and is not completely wiped away, there is thus always a residue of mascara compound in the region of the applicator head, which may possibly lead to unwanted soiling of other objects, e.g. in the event that a cap inadvertently slips off. When unused for long periods, inevitable encrustations can also occur that are difficult to remove.
It is incidentally worth noting the disadvantage that in the event of a failure of the heating device, e.g. due to a dead or defective battery, the above-described applicator is by design no longer usable since it is no longer possible for molten mascara to emerge from its narrow passageways once the molten mass has fallen below a certain temperature.
The object of the invention, therefore, is to disclose a mascara applicator that is simple and reliable to use and also permits an improved application of mascara compound to the eyelashes.
Undesirable soiling or encrustations should preferably be avoided.
Preferably, it should be possible to easily adjust the applicator individually to user requirements, e.g. to individually adjust it to eyelash types and to the user's desired types of cosmetic application to the eyelashes.
Preferably, it should be possible to use it even if a heating device is not present or not functioning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned object is attained by a mascara applicator and by a pigment compound stick.
The applicator according to the invention has a grip and a housing section extending from the grip; the grip can optionally be an integral component of the housing. The housing section serves to accommodate a stock of pigment compound.
The stock of pigment compound is embodied in the form of a pigment compound stick that is able to move in relation to the housing section. The pigment compound stick is composed entirely or to a significant degree of a pigment compound that is solid at least in the stored state; further details are given below.
In addition, the applicator is embodied so that the eyelashes to which the pigment compound is to be applied can be intentionally brought into direct contact with the pigment compound stick, namely so that they are loaded with pigment compound. The applicator according to the invention thus features the fact that until it is transferred to the eyelashes, the mascara compound being loaded onto the eyelashes remains on the surface of the pigment compound stick and then is stripped directly from the surface of the pigment compound stick in the course of being loaded onto the respective eyelash. The passageways with distinctly small diameters, which are used for dispensing and conveying the mascara compound to the actual place to which it is applied, thus no longer need to be provided. The fact that a part of the surface of the pigment compound stick from which the eyelashes take their load may possibly be covered with eyelash-guiding devices with open spaces between them large enough so that the eyelashes are in fact divided and combed, but are nevertheless able to advance until they come into direct contact with the surface of the pigment compound stick (by moving through the above-mentioned open spaces) does not conflict with the invention.
The term “solid pigment compound” means at least that the pigment compound stick is inherently dimensionally stable, at least up to a temperature of 30° C. and even better up to a temperature of 37° C., i.e. gravity does not cause it to independently spread by anything more than an insignificant amount, and—at least thanks to the support element associated with and/or attached to it—the stick is an essentially self-supporting stick, which, after removal from its sales/protective/transport packaging can be inserted without additional aid into the applicator and in the latter, can be slid as a unit in the direction toward the application zone. A pigment compound adjusted in this way can, in specific instances, be already in a position to coat eyelashes that are drawn across its surface, without an additional supply of heat.
Preferably, the melting point of the pigment compound stick is above 40° C., ideally is approximately 50° C. A corresponding formulation produces a pigment compound stick that is preferable to use and whose pigment compound is still solid at approximately 25° C. so that the pigment compound stick can be slid as a unit out of the housing and back into the housing and can withstand considerable forces—such as shear and bending forces—that occur during the application process and are often contingent on the fact that the pigment compound stick constitutes the actual applicator and therefore to all intents and purposes, replaces an otherwise customarily provided mascara brush.
The basic recipe for a pigment compound—from which it is possible to manufacture pigment compound sticks that correspond along general lines to the pigment compound sticks according to the invention—and the essential adjustment parameters of such a pigment compound are known from the patent application cited at the beginning. Based on this and with the aid of experiments that are customary in the art, the person of ordinary skill in the art can, without particular difficulty, manufacture a solid pigment compound stick that corresponds precisely to the individual requirements of the present invention.
In the context of the invention, a pigment compound is understood to be any compound that has the above-described consistency and is in a position to tint and/or impart volume and shape to eyelashes, regardless of whether or not it contains pigments in the narrower sense. Preferred compounds do contain pigments in the narrower sense.
An essential advantage of the applicator according to the invention lies in the fact that the mascara compound provided for loading the eyelashes remains on the pigment compound stick until it is actually used. By contrast with the above-described prior art, therefore, even if the user is interrupted while preparing to apply the product and discontinues the application procedure before the readied mascara compound can be applied to the eyelashes, this does not pose a problem. This is because with the mascara compound according to the invention, the preparation for application occurs directly on the pigment compound stick and not at a location separate from it, in which case difficulties arise when the compound is not applied promptly.
In addition, the applicator according to the invention, in the region of its actual application zone, is embodied in an extremely simple fashion and thus has a corresponding degree of operational reliability and most notably, does not have a significant tendency to clog.
The fact that the eyelashes are coated in direct contact with the pigment compound stick allows for the possibility of embodying the applicator so that—as compared to the above-mentioned prior art—it can be applied to the eyelashes by the user in a wide variety of ways, giving the user a large amount of flexibility during use.
Preferably the applicator is embodied so that its pigment compound stick can be moved at least partway out of the housing. Preferably, the pigment compound stick can be moved back into the housing in the opposite direction after the application.
The applicator is preferably embodied so that for purposes of applying the pigment compound, the eyelashes can be brought into direct contact with (at least) one circumference surface, i.e. the outer surface of the pigment compound stick extending around the longitudinal axis of the stick. The surface that can be brought into direct contact with the eyelashes is preferably—at least locally—contoured so that it has raised regions and/or recesses.
From an application standpoint, the pigment compound stick of an applicator embodied in this way essentially replaces the mascara brushes commonly used to apply mascara and can therefore be used in the usual way—as a rule, the pigment compound stick thus generally functions simultaneously as an applicator or applicator component.
As a result of the contouring in at least some areas of the pigment compound stick, the pigment compound stick as such produces a combing and/or separating effect. Ideally, the pigment compound stick is constructed in a fashion similar to a disc applicator, i.e. essentially corresponds to one of the known applicators whose brush zone is replaced by a number of complete or suggested disc profiles arranged one after another in the longitudinal direction.
In the context of another preferred embodiment, the pigment compound stick has integrated devices, which are for combing and/or separating the eyelashes and are advantageously embodied either in the form of helical, at least partially circumferential grooves similar to a thread or preferably in the form of parallel-extending, at least partially circumferential grooves, which are ideally incorporated into the outer surface on the outer circumference of the pigment compound stick.
Preferably, the grooves have recesses that taper toward the groove bottoms and/or raised areas that taper conically in cross-section as they extend radially outward.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the pigment compound stick is associated with a support structure that moves together with the pigment compound stick relative to the housing (3) when the pigment compound stick is advanced toward the application zone or when the pigment compound stick is slid out from the housing.
According to another embodiment, the applicator has a heating device that causes at least some regions of the pigment compound stick to locally melt before use of the applicator. In this way, a zone is produced in which the compound of the pigment compound stick is transformed into a state in which it is able to favorably wet the eyelashes coming directly into contact with it while the rest of the pigment compound stick remains solid. Preferably, the pigment compound of the melted surface is only heated to the point that it essentially still has a creamy consistency, i.e. it does not run in response to the influence of gravity, at least for the duration of the application (fixed at 180 seconds). Apart from that, the surface is at most heated to a radial depth of essentially a maximum of 5/10 mm—or better, essentially less than or equal to 3/10 mm—until the pigment compound liquefies.
In this connection, a melting exclusively at the surface level is preferable so that the pigment compound stick, even in its heat-affected region underneath the already melted surface retains a core of still-solid pigment compound that provides support. This core can be the sole supporting core or can cooperate with an actual supporting core composed of a different material. The latter embodiment is preferable.
Preferably, the heating device is situated so that it externally encompasses the pigment compound stick in a starting position.
In the context of one of a number of different preferred embodiments, it is possible for a supporting core of the pigment compound stick to be embodied in the form of a heating element or for the support structure to be part of the heating device. The latter is particularly advantageous in a support structure situated on the outside or relatively close (0.5 to approximately 2 mm) beneath the outer surface of the pigment compound stick, since this specifically melts the surface that is available for the application procedure.
Preferably, the pigment compound stick is embodied as replaceable so that an applicator with a high-quality feed mechanism and/or a heating device for the pigment compound stick can be implemented without a priori negatively affecting the market success of the product.
Preferably, the applicator has a built-in shaping device—in the best instance, one that is a component of the housing (3)—by means of which the outer contour of the pigment compound stick can be initially shaped or an existing outer contour can be reshaped. In this way, even with continuous use, the pigment compound stick does not lose its combing and/or separating ability.
In a preferred applicator, the heating device is situated in the region of the distal end of the housing. The effective heating length of the heating device is shorter than the length of the pigment compound stick. In an embodiment of this kind, the preponderance of the stored stick remains “fresh” for a long time, i.e. is not subjected to various unnecessary heating cycles before being used.
Preferably, the heating device is electrically operated. Ideally, an activation sensor is provided, which activates the heating element when a protective cap of the applicator is removed.
The object of the invention is also attained by a pigment compound stick composed of solid pigment compound, which is provided for use in an applicator according to the invention; the pigment compound stick has a region, which, after the pigment compound stick is installed in the applicator, can be intentionally moved directly into contact with the eyelashes to which the pigment compound is to be applied so that the eyelashes are loaded by means of this direct contact with the pigment compound.
Preferably, the pigment compound sticks according to the invention are embodied so that they have one or more defining characteristics, which are described for such a pigment compound stick in the claims targeting the applicator or which—in connection with the description of the applicator—are disclosed for the pigment compound stick that is built into it.
The invention will be explained below by way of example in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1 a-1 d show a first embodiment of the applicator according to the invention, embodied in the form of a mascara applicator.

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show a first embodiment of the pigment compound stick according to the invention for use in an applicator according to the invention.

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show a second embodiment of the applicator according to the invention, with a second embodiment of the pigment compound stick according to the invention.

FIGS. 4 a-4 d show a third embodiment of the applicator according to the invention embodied in the form of a mascara applicator, with a third embodiment of a pigment compound stick according to the invention.

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show an applicator according to the invention, with an actuating mechanism embodied in the form of a rotary mechanism.

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b show an applicator according to the invention, with an actuating mechanism embodied in the form of a push/push mechanism.

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b show an applicator according to the invention, with an actuating mechanism embodied in the form of a sliding mechanism.

FIGS. 8 a-8 c show another embodiment of the cosmetic applicator according to the invention, having shaping/reshaping devices for a pigment compound stick.

FIGS. 9 a-9 h show another embodiment of the cosmetic applicator according to the invention, with an alternatively equipped shaping device for the pigment compound stick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An applicator 1 according to the invention (FIGS. 1 a through 1 d) has a grip 2 and a housing section 3 extending away from the grip 2 in a longitudinal direction 100 for accommodating pigment compound, e.g. mascara pigment compound. In the present embodiment, the housing section 3 is formed jointly by the feed screw sleeve 8 and the heating element 10 (which has an external casing here). The pigment compound is embodied in the form of a pigment compound stick 4 and has a pigment compound that is solid at customary ambient temperatures. Customary ambient temperatures are understood, for example, to mean a range between 20° C. and 35° C. In this exemplary embodiment, the term “solid” is understood to mean that the pigment compound stick is inherently dimensionally stable during customary use conditions of the mascara applicator so that an inherently dimensionally stable oblong structure in the form of a stick is provided, which preferably is self-supporting or is lent sufficient rigidity by a support structure. The housing section 3 has a distal end 5 pointing away from the grip region 2 and a grip end 6. In at least some sections, the housing section contains a guide sleeve 3 a that is supported so that it is able to move in rotary fashion relative to the housing section 3. Over virtually its entire length, this guide sleeve has a guide slot 7, which is embodied as open in the region of the distal end 5 of the housing. Surrounding the guide sleeve 3 a, a feed screw sleeve 8 is provided, whose inside surface oriented toward the guide sleeve 3 a is equipped with a helical feed screw groove 9. In the region of the distal end 5 of the housing section, particularly axially after the guide sleeve 3 a in the longitudinal direction 100, a heating element 10 is provided, which externally encompasses the pigment compound stick 4 over a heating length 1. The heating length 1 is preferably shorter than the overall length of the pigment compound stick 4 and is selected so that it is possible to heat a section of customary length required for the application of mascara. Between the heating element 10 of a heating device and the pigment compound stick 4, preferably a radial gap is provided that lies approximately in the range between 0.3 mm and 1 mm. This should prevent a direct contact between the pigment compound stick 4 and the heating element 10. Preferably, this takes into account the fact that in the preponderance of cases, the heating element causes the pigment compound stick to “sweat” rather than actually causing it to melt.
The heating element 10 is embodied as electrically operable and is electrically connected to a control circuit 12 and an energy source 13, e.g. a button cell. The heating element 10, the control circuit 12, and the energy source 13 form a heating device. The control circuit 12 and the energy source 13 embodied here in the form of a button cell are preferably situated in the grip 2.
In the grip, the pigment compound stick 4 is secured in a guide support 11. The guide support 11 is situated in an axially movable fashion in the guide sleeve 3 a and has at least one engaging pin 11 a that reaches through the guide slot 7 in the guide sleeve 3 a and engages in the feed screw groove 9. The feed screw sleeve 8 is supported so that it is able to rotate relative to the grip 2 around a longitudinal axis 101 of the applicator 1, whereas the guide sleeve 3 a is connected to the grip 2 for co-rotation therewith. A protective cap 14 is provided, which can be slid over the feed screw sleeve 8 and with an end oriented toward the grip, can actuate a switch 15 of the control circuit 12. When the protective cap 14 is in place, the heating element 10 is switched off so that no energy is consumed. After removal of the protective cap 14, the heating element 10 is activated via the control circuit 12 so that at least a subregion of the longitudinal span of the pigment compound stick 4 is melted at least at the surface level—preferably only to a small degree so that the profiling of the pigment compound stick essentially experiences no evening out due to the melting as such because the fins, which will be explained in greater detail immediately hereafter, despite the heating, each retain a core region of essentially unheated pigment compound that provides a supporting function. Through rotation of the grip 2 relative to the feed screw sleeve 8, the pigment compound stick 4 can be extended from its stowed position shown in FIGS. 1 a through 1 d along the longitudinal direction 100 out from the guide sleeve 3 a, passing through the heating element 10, so that a free distal end 16 of the pigment compound stick 4, which can be intentionally brought into contact with the eyelashes to be loaded, with the pigment melted at least at the surface level, is available for the application of the pigment compound onto the eyelashes—in particular here, the circumference surface of this free end 16 is available to be brought into contact with the eyelashes. The pigment compound stick 4 itself serves as an applicator for the pigment compound.
In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 a through 1 d, the pigment compound stick 4 has a multitude of grooves 17 extending parallel to one another and around the entire circumference, forming recesses. This leaves behind a multitude of fins 18, which form raised areas of the pigment compound stick 4 and exert a combing and separating action on the eyelashes.
It is also conceivable, in lieu of or in addition to circumferential grooves, to advantageously provide a profiling of the pigment compound stick 4 in the form of notches that extend only partway around the stick. In the notch bottom (not shown), the notches can extend in a line or coaxial to the center axis of the pigment compound stick 4.
It is also advantageous to embody the recesses and raised areas of the pigment compound stick 4 in the form of a corrugation or knurling. With regard to the surface structure, i.e. the profiling of the pigment compound stick 4, it is particularly preferable to provide at least some areas with elongated recesses that can catch the eyelash hairs in order to apply pigment compound.
The pigment compound stick here also has a support structure in the form of a supporting core 19, preferably composed of a rigid material. For example, the supporting core 19 is composed of plastic, metal, or ceramic.
The guide support 11 is embodied as essentially cup-shaped; at an end of the pigment compound stick 4 oriented toward the grip, the pigment compound stick is provided with a cylindrical section 20 that is secured in the guide support 11 (also see FIGS. 2 a and 2 b).
A pigment compound stick 4 according to the invention of the type used in an applicator 1 according to the invention as shown in FIGS. 1 a through 1 d is shown in detail in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b. By contrast with the above-described embodiment, the supporting core 19, as shown in FIG. 2 b, can also be embodied in the form of an internally situated heating element 10 and at its end oriented toward the grip 2, can have sliding contacts 21 by means of which electrical energy can be supplied via corresponding strip conductors in the housing 3 and in the concrete case, in the guide sleeve 3 a, to the supporting core 19 embodied in the form of a heating element 10. When the pigment compound stick 4, the guide support 11, and the supporting core 19 embodied in the form of the heating element 10 are in the assembled state, the sliding contacts 21 come to rest in grooves 22 of the guide support 11 in which the sliding contacts 21 are secured in form-locked fashion in the circumference direction relative to the guide support 11.
FIGS. 3 a and 3 b show another embodiment of the applicator 1 according to the invention and the pigment compound stick 4 according to the invention; the basic design of the applicator 1 is similar to the design of the applicator 1 according to the embodiments in FIGS. 1 a through 1 d. Consequently, the discussion below in connection with FIGS. 3 a and 3 b will address only the essential differences between the embodiments; otherwise, statements made in connection with the first exemplary embodiment also apply to this second exemplary embodiment, provided that the structural differences do not expressly conflict with them.
The pigment compound stick 4 is composed of solid pigment compound embodied in a solid form without an internal supporting core 19 and as an outer contour, has a helical groove 17 extending around it circumferentially like a thread. Consequently, in this embodiment as well, the pigment compound stick 4 or more precisely stated, its lateral circumferential contour, has a multitude of raised regions and recesses so that the pigment compound stick 4 itself can be used as a mascara applicator. In this embodiment as well, the heating element 10 is situated distally, after the guide sleeve 3 along the longitudinal direction, and has a through opening for the pigment compound stick 4.
In the embodiment according to FIGS. 3 a and 3 b and also in the above-described embodiments, it is naturally also possible to embody the longitudinal span of the heating element 10 so that the pigment compound stick 4 can be heated over virtually its entire longitudinal span. To this end, it is possible, for example, to embody the guide sleeve 3 a as heatable at least in those regions along the longitudinal direction 100 in which the pigment compound stick 4 is situated, aside from the guide support 11. This makes it possible in particular to achieve the fact that even a pigment compound stick 4 that has already become somewhat shorter due to wear begins to melt at the surface level in the required regions before being extended out from the guide sleeve 3 a, without these regions first being slid into the region of the heating element 10.
FIGS. 4 a through 4 b are schematic, simplified depictions of another embodiment of the applicator 1 according to the invention and of a pigment compound stick 4 according to the invention. The structure of this applicator also largely corresponds to that of the embodiments according to FIGS. 1 a through 1 d. Consequently, the discussion below in connection with FIGS. 4 a through 4 d will also address only the essential differences between the embodiments; otherwise, statements made in connection with the first exemplary embodiment also apply to this third exemplary embodiment, provided that the structural differences do not expressly conflict with them.
The actuating mechanism for sliding the pigment compound stick 4 relative to the housing 3 corresponds to the mechanism of the embodiment described above.
In this embodiment of the pigment compound stick 4 according to FIGS. 4 a through 4 d, it has a core stick 22 composed of solid mascara pigment compound. The core stick 22 is essentially embodied in the form of a cylindrical rod and has an essentially smooth outer circumference surface 23. The end of the core stick 22 oriented toward the grip is supported in the guide support 11. Situated around the core stick 22, an external support structure 25 is provided, which is mechanically connected to the core stick 22 and together with it, can be moved in and out of the guide sleeve 3 a and housing 3. The external support structure 25 can, for example, be embodied in the form of a single-threaded or multi-threaded wire helix or helical spring in which neighboring coils 26 leave an open space between themselves so that eyelashes to be pigment-treated can touch the outside of the core stick 22 between the coils 26.
Particularly in an embodiment as a two-threaded helix structure, it is useful for the ends of the wires that form the helix structure to be connected to each other in the region of the distal end of the support structure and for them to be connected to the control circuit 12 in the region of the grip end of the support structure. In this case, it is particularly advantageous to embody the support structure 25 as heatable, i.e. particularly in the form of a heating coil in order, by means of the externally situated support structure 25, to assure a melting at least at the surface of the core stick 22 before use of the applicator 1.
Other possible embodiments of the support structure can, for example, be a tubular sleeve that encompasses the pigment compound stick 4 and is equipped with openings. The openings can, for example, be embodied in the form of slits or window-like openings.
FIGS. 5 a and 5 b show an applicator 1 according to the invention with the pigment compound stick 4 retracted (FIG. 5 a) and with the pigment compound stick 4 extended (FIG. 5 b); the retracting and extending of the pigment compound stick 4 take place by means of a rotary mechanism of the type that has already been described in connection with the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments.
Another embodiment of the applicator 1 according to the invention shown in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b is provided with a push/push mechanism similar to a ballpoint pen mechanism for actuating the pigment compound stick 4. For this purpose, the bottom of the grip 2 is provided with an actuating button 30 that causes the pigment compound stick 4 to extend when the button 30 is pushed in the direction of the arrow 31. When the actuating button 30 is pressed again, a spring mechanism retracts the pigment compound stick 4 back into the applicator 1.
In lieu of the push/push mechanism according to FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, it is also possible to provide a slide mechanism (see FIGS. 7 a and 7 b), in which the outside of the applicator 1 is provided with a sliding button that is coupled to the pigment compound stick 4 so that the latter can be slid in and out by sliding the sliding button 32 one way and the other.
Another embodiment of the applicator 1 according to the invention (FIGS. 8 a through 8 c) has a shaping device 40 for the pigment compound stick 4. The shaping device 40 has two shaping halves 42, 43 that can be pivoted in relation to each other around an axis 41. The axis 41 is preferably perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 101 of the applicator 1. On the inside, the shaping halves 42, 43 have a negative form 44 of the outer contour of the pigment compound stick 4. By folding the two shaping halves 42, 43 together in the direction of the arrow 46, the negative form 44 can be transferred to the pigment compound stick 4. After the shaping halves 42, 43 are folded open in the direction opposite the arrow 46, the pigment compound stick 4 is able to move freely in the longitudinal direction 100 and can be extended by means of the above-described actuating mechanism.
A shaping device 40 of this kind is suitable both for initially impressing a smooth, cylindrical outer wall of a pigment compound stick 4 with a negative form and for reshaping an existing outer circumference contour of the pigment compound stick 4 whose circumferential contour has been blurred, for example by wear during application of the pigment compound.
The shaping device 40 or more precisely, its shaping halves 42, 43, can suitably be embodied as heatable. As a result, the shaping device is easily able to transfer the negative form 44 to the pigment compound stick 4 without exerting a large amount of force. By means of the full-coverage or virtually full-coverage contact of the shaping halves 42, 43 against the pigment compound stick 4, it is able to successfully melt the surface of the contoured outer circumference surface of the pigment compound stick 4 in a uniform, definite way, with a low energy expenditure or heating energy. A pressing of the shaping halves 42, 43 against the pigment compound stick 4 can, for example, occur by means of an inner contour of the protective cap 14 that is adapted to the outer contour of the shaping halves 42, 43 so that when the protective cap 14 is put in place, the shaping halves 42, 43 are pressed against the pigment compound stick 4, thus causing the shaping procedure to occur. In an embodiment of this kind, it is also possible in a suitable fashion to use pigment compound sticks 4 with smooth, essentially cylindrical outer circumference surfaces since the shaping of the pigment compound stick 4 or more precisely of its outer contour, with raised regions and recesses, occurs by means of the shaping device 40, which is situated in the applicator 1.
Another embodiment of the applicator 1 according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 9 a through 9 h. The design of this applicator also corresponds to that of the above-described applicators and therefore that which has been disclosed above also applies to this applicator, provided that nothing to the contrary is described below. The shaping device 40 of this applicator is embodied so that it forms a kind of grating through which the pigment compound stick 4 is pressed so that the grating impresses it with an outer contour having raised regions and recesses.
In the present instance, the consistency of the pigment compound stick 4 is designed so that the forces that can be exerted by the feeding device (described in greater detail above) that is built into the applicator are able to push the pigment compound stick 4 through the grating, but even after this, the pigment compound stick 4 remains inherently stable enough, for example, to form ribs 141 that are spaced apart from one another and extend out from the grating in the form of cantilever beams, but without being deformed to more than an insignificant degree by the force of gravity, which requires that the heating device, if provided, at least be able to make the compound plastically deformable in the required regions, without melting it completely.
In lieu of this, the ribs 141 are dimensionally stable so that they can preferably be used in comb-like fashion as an applicator in order to provide a coating of dye/cosmetic to the eyelashes that come into contact with them—as a rule because the eyelashes strip this dye/cosmetic from the rib-like structure of the pigment compound stick.
In a suitable embodiment, the feed device and the consistency of the pigment compound stick 4 are embodied so that after the application procedure, the ribs 141 can be retracted back through the grid into the interior of the applicator 1 in order to be stored there for the next application.
In the ideal case, the elements constituting the grating are heated, usually—but not exclusively—by virtue of a heating element being integrated into these elements themselves.
The shaping device 40 functions in a particularly effective manner if it is beveled at an angle. This angled beveling is clearly shown in the figures. It means that the grating through which the pigment compound stick 4 is pushed narrows continuously toward the distal end, as a rule in triangular fashion. Such an angled beveling has a positive impact on application properties and makes it possible to vary the applicator in numerous ways since the pigment compound stick 4 can be used in positions in which it is “pushed out” by different distances, either in “fully extended positions” of different lengths or also in an only partially extended position, in which it does not protrude distally beyond the distal end of the grating, but instead protrudes from the grating only in its lateral region.
As a rule, the angled beveling also makes it possible to retract the pigment compound stick 4 cleanly back into the applicator housing since possible excess material (deformed/crushed areas) of the pigment compound stick 4 is stripped/shorn off at the bevels and can then be wiped off as soon as the pigment compound stick 4 has been fully retracted.
All of the above-mentioned embodiments are described as preferred embodiments when equipped with a heating device 10. All the same, even without a heating device 10 or in the event of a failure of an existing heating device 10, for example due to a dead battery or a malfunction in the control circuit, the applicator 1 can in fact be used in a limited but still satisfactory fashion since even without the presence of a heating device, the pigment compound stick 4 can be extended and retracted, thus permitting an application, albeit with more difficulty, of mascara compound onto the eyelashes.
A heating device can be completely eliminated if the formulation of the pigment compound stick is selected so that at ambient temperatures that are customary during use of the applicator 1, a sufficient amount of pigment compound can be rubbed onto the eyelashes while nevertheless assuring a sufficient inherent rigidity and dimensional stability of the pigment compound stick 4.
For the sake of completeness, it should also be noted that for the present, protection is also being claimed for the dependent claims as such, without the defining characteristics ensuing from the claims on which they depend.

Claims

1. A mascara applicator (1) for applying a pigment compound to eyelashes, having a grip (2) and a housing section (3) extending from the grip (2) for accommodating a stock of pigment compound, with the stock of pigment compound embodied in the form of a pigment compound stick (4) that is able to move in relation to the housing section (3) and is composed of a pigment compound that is solid at least in the stored state, characterized in that the applicator (1) is embodied so that it is possible to bring the eyelashes to which the pigment compound is to be applied intentionally into direct contact with the pigment compound stick (4) so that pigment compound is loaded onto them.

2. The applicator as recited in claim 1, characterized in that it is possible to move the pigment compound stick (4) at least partway out of the housing section (3), preferably in such a way that it is possible to bring the eyelashes into direct contact with a circumference surface (23) of a free end (16) of the pigment compound stick (4) in order to apply the pigment compound; in addition, the surface with which it is possible to bring the eyelashes into direct contact is preferably—at least locally—contoured so that it has raised regions and/or recesses.

3. The applicator as recited in claim 2, characterized in that the circumference surface (23) of the pigment compound stick has integrated devices for combing and/or separating the eyelashes, preferably embodied either in the form of helical, at least partially circumferential grooves (17) similar to a thread or ideally in the form of parallel-extending, at least partially circumferential grooves (17).

4. The applicator as recited in claim 3, characterized in that the grooves (17) have recesses that taper toward the groove bottoms and/or the raised areas of the pigment compound stick (4) taper conically in cross-section as they extend radially outward.

5. The applicator as recited in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pigment compound stick is associated with a support structure (25) that moves together with the pigment compound stick relative to the housing (3) when the pigment compound stick (4) is advanced toward the application zone or when the pigment compound stick (4) is slid out from the housing (3).

6. The applicator as recited in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator has a heating device (10, 12, 13), which, before use of the applicator (1), causes at least some regions of the pigment compound stick (4) surface to melt, preferably with the melting occurring exclusively at the surface level.

7. The applicator as recited in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device (10, 12, 13) is situated so that it externally encompasses the pigment compound stick (4) in a starting position.

8. The applicator as recited in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a supporting core (19) of the pigment compound stick (4) is embodied as a heating element (10).

9. The applicator as recited in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the support structure (25) is part of the heating device (10, 12, 13).

10. The applicator as recited in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pigment compound stick (4) is embodied as replaceable.

11. The applicator as recited in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the applicator has a built-in shaping device (40), which is preferably a component of the housing (3) and by means of which it is possible to initially shape the outer contour of the pigment compound stick or to reshape an existing outer contour.

12. The applicator as recited in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device (10, 12, 13) is situated in the region of the distal end (5) of the housing (3) and the effective heating length (1) of the heating device is shorter than the length of the pigment compound stick (4).

13. The applicator as recited in one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the heating device (10, 12, 13) is electrically operated and an activation sensor is provided, which activates the heating element (10) when a protective cap (14) of the applicator (1) is removed.

14. A pigment compound stick composed of a pigment compound that is solid at least at room temperature (describe) for use in an applicator as recited in one of claims 1 through 12, characterized in that the pigment compound stick (4) has a region that it is possible, after installation of the pigment compound stick into the applicator, to intentionally move directly into contact with the eyelashes to which the pigment compound is to be applied so that the eyelashes are loaded by means of this direct contact with the pigment compound.

15. The pigment compound stick as recited in claim 14, characterized in that the pigment compound stick (4) has one or more of the defining characteristics disclosed for the pigment compound stick as such in one or more of claims 1 through 13.

16. A mascara product having an applicator (1) as recited in one of claims 1 through 13 and/or having at least one pigment compound stick (4) as recited in one of claims 14 through 15.