US20220000203A1

US20220000203A1 - Cosmetic applicator for attaching fibers to human keratin materials

Info

Publication number: US20220000203A1
Application number: US17/295,380
Authority: US
Inventors: Henri Samain; Franck Giron
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2018-12-21
Filing date: 2019-12-20
Publication date: 2022-01-06
Also published as: FR3090302A1; WO2020128047A1; EP3897263A1; CN113163887A

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator for attaching fibers to human keratin materials, including a number n of fibers borne by a support member that are separable from the support member during the attachment, the n fibers having a portion extending in front of the support member before the separation of the support member, and the n fibers including at least one group of at most m fibers connected together outside the support member, with m<n and m>1.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a cosmetic applicator for attaching fibers to human keratin materials, in particular to the eyelashes, the eyebrows, the hair fibers, the skin, the eyelids, the scalp. The invention also relates to a method for attaching fibers to an area of human keratin materials.

PRIOR ART

Many people want to give their eyes greater impact, and to do that, increase the number of eyelashes. Solutions exist such as strips of false eyelashes or small strands of false eyelashes. However, these solutions give an artificial appearance.
Another solution consists in going to a specialized institute in order to have individual fibers stuck on. The operator attaches a first eyelash, using tweezers and a first fiber at the end of which she puts a drop of quick-setting glue (generally ethyl cyanoacrylate). She brings the fiber into contact with another eyelash, waits for the glue to set and then releases the tweezers. The attachment of a fiber takes around 1 minute. Thus, to attach 50 fibers to each row of eyelashes, the operation lasts around 2 hours. The treatment is arduous for the operator who must concentrate for 2 hours. It is also very expensive because of the time spent. Thus, this solution is not suitable for many people, who have neither the time nor the means to undertake it.
Furthermore, another problem may arise for the case of attaching curved fibers. Specifically, when the individual fibers are deposited on the eyelashes, if these fibers are curved, they may turn around and be glued to the row of eyelashes without any alignment with the eyelashes. Even if the fibers are parallel to one another, they are not parallel to the natural eyelashes. The result obtained is unattractive.
EP 2 891 420 relates to a device for dispensing artificial eyelashes, comprising a housing equipped with a dispensing region, a carrier to which a plurality of artificial eyelashes is fixed, a movement mechanism capable of being actuated to cause movement of the carrier in order to convey the artificial eyelashes towards the dispensing region and to allow the artificial eyelashes to exit through said dispensing region, said eyelashes being oriented transversely to an axis of extension of the carrier, at least when they are passing through said dispensing region.
WO 2013/171232 relates to a device for dispensing artificial eyelashes, including a housing provided with a dispensing opening, a carrying strip onto which a plurality of artificial eyelash units are attached, and a movement mechanism capable of being actuated to cause the strip to move in order to convey the artificial eyelash units toward the dispensing opening and enable the artificial eyelash units to exit through the dispensing opening.
There is a need to have a quick and inexpensive solution for attaching fibers to human keratin materials which makes it possible to position the fibers substantially aligned with the neighboring human keratin fibers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Applicator
The present invention thus relates, according to one aspect, to a cosmetic applicator for attaching fibers to human keratin materials, comprising a number n of fibers borne by a support member so as to be able to separate, from the support member during the attachment, these n fibers having a portion extending in front of the support member before the separation of the support member, these n fibers comprising at least one group of at most m fibers connected together outside the support member, with m<n and m>1.
Owing to the invention, there is an applicator that makes it possible to group at least one portion of the fibers into groups of at least two fibers connected together. This makes it possible to prevent the fibers from turning around during the attachment. The fibers deposited can thus be aligned with the natural fibers, for example the eyelashes.
The m fibers are preferably connected together at their end.
At least two of the m fibers can be connected together by gluing, welding or melting.
At least two of m fibers can be formed by folding a single filament. In this case, the filament just needs to be folded in order to obtain a group of two fibers.
In at least one group, the fibers may be connected together by an element external to the fibers. This external element is then added to the fibers of the group in order to connect them. It may be a U-shaped link, to the arms of which the fibers of the group are attached.
The number m of fibers in at least one group, better still in each group, is preferably exactly equal to two. In this case and in the case where the fibers are connected together at their end, the shape of each group of two fibers may have a V shape, the connection between the two fibers being point-shaped at the connected end of the fibers, or a U shape with a non-point-shaped connection at the connected end of the fibers.
In exemplary embodiments, the number m of fibers in the at least one group is comprised between 2 and 10.
In exemplary embodiments, the applicator comprises a number n of fibers borne temporarily by a support member; these n fibers have a portion extending in front of the support member when borne by the support member; these n fibers comprise several groups of at most m fibers connected together in each group outside the support member, with m<n and m>1; the groups are only linked together by the support member and may adhere to said human keratin materials by at least one bonded end of the fibers.
At least one portion of the fibers may have a nonzero curvature. In particular, all the fibers may have a nonzero curvature.
At least two fibers, in particular within the same group, may have different nonzero curvatures. Conversely, at least two fibers, in particular within the same group, may have similar nonzero curvatures.
At least one portion of the fibers may have zero curvature and be straight.
The bonded ends of two groups of fibers may intersect.
The bonded ends of the groups are preferably aligned on a line, which can be straight or curvilinear, or on a plane which can be planar or curved.
The unbonded ends of at least two of the m fibers are advantageously kept at least 1 mm apart from one another on the support member. In this case, and when the fibers are connected together by an element external to the fibers, and when they have similar nonzero curvatures, then they are substantially parallel to one another, the external element making it possible to spread out the connected ends of the fibers by the same distance as the separation distance of the fibers at the unbonded ends thereof.
The distance between the unbonded ends of the fibers when they are borne by the support member is preferably substantially the same as the distance between the unbonded ends of the fibers after attachment to the human keratin materials.
The groups are preferably only linked together by the support member.
The support member may temporarily retain the fibers by a mechanical system comprising one or more parts that can be moved relative to one another, the mechanical system being configured to move from a fiber-retaining configuration to a fiber-releasing configuration, the force to be exerted on these fibers in order to release them from the application member being greater in the retaining configuration than in the releasing configuration.
As a variant, the support member of the fibers comprises at least one channel into which a fiber is inserted, this channel being defined by at least one portion that, in cross section, entirely surrounds the fiber and has at least one end-of-travel stop that limits the insertion of the fiber.
Method
Another subject of the invention, according to another aspect, is a method for attaching fibers to an area of human keratin materials, using a cosmetic applicator as defined above, the method comprising the following steps:

- a) applying a first adhesive composition to at least one portion of the fibers and/or to said area,
- b) bringing at least one group of fibers borne by the support member into contact with said area,
- c) moving the support member away from said area so that the fibers adhere to said area.

Said area is for example constituted by keratin fibers such as eyelashes, eyebrows, body hair, hair fibers, and/or by the eyelid, the skin of the face, the scalp or the skull.
The at least one group may adhere to said area by at least one bonded end of the fibers.
The method may further comprise the step consisting in applying a second adhesive composition to at least one portion of the fibers adhering to said area.
All the steps of the method can be carried out by the user, which is an advantage in terms of cost. Another advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the operation can be carried out by an expert since, despite the additional cost that this imposes, the long wear property obtained (which may for example extend to 15 days) makes it possible to keep the cost at a moderate level, relative to the time that the result lasts.
The method may comprise the step consisting in drying the first adhesive composition after step a) of applying the first adhesive composition. In this case, the drying step may have a duration of between 30 s and 20 min, in particular between 1 min and 10 min, or even between 1 min and 5 min. Step b) may be carried out only after the at least partial drying of the first adhesive composition.
The method may comprise the step consisting in combing at least one portion of the fibers adhering to said area, if need be, during the setting of the second adhesive composition.
The method may comprise the step consisting in depositing a makeup composition on the eyelashes and/or eyebrows of said area and the added fibers, in particular a mascara. This step advantageously takes place at the end of the method, after attachment of the fibers.
The method may comprise the step consisting in curling all or some of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows of said area and the added fibers, in particular using a heating device. This step advantageously takes place at the end of the method, after attachment of the fibers, for example just after applying the second adhesive composition, if need be.
In the implementation of the method according to the invention, the fibers, the first adhesive composition, the second adhesive composition and the applicator may be as defined below.
Assembly
Another subject of the present invention, according to another of its aspects, is an assembly for carrying out the method as defined above, comprising, in particular within one and the same packaging device, the first adhesive composition, the cosmetic applicator and optionally the second adhesive composition.
The assembly may further comprise at least one of the following accessories: a mascara applicator, an eyelash curler, an eyelash and/or eyebrow comb or any other care or makeup accessory for eyelashes or eyebrows.
The assembly may be contained in one and the same packaging that is hermetically sealed before use.
In the assembly according to the invention, the fibers, the first adhesive composition, the second adhesive composition and the applicator may be as defined below.
Fibers
The term “fiber” should be understood according to the invention as meaning an object of length L and of diameter D such that L is greater than D and preferably very much greater than D, D being the diameter of the circle in which the greatest cross section of the fiber is inscribed. In particular, the ratio L/D (or aspect ratio) is chosen in the range of values from 3.5 to 2500, preferably from 10 to 1000, better still from 20 to 500.
The fibers may be chosen from natural fibers and synthetic fibers, in particular polyamide, for example Nylon®, fibers.
The fibers may be inorganic or organic. They may be long, or short, individual or organized, for example braided, and hollow or solid. They may have any shape, for example curved or substantially rectilinear, preferably curved. They may in particular have a cross section that is circular or polygonal (square, hexagonal or octagonal). In particular, their unbonded end may be blunted and/or smoothed to prevent injury.
The fibers may be those used in the manufacture of textiles, in particular silk fibers, cotton fibers, wool fibers, flax fibers, cellulose fibers extracted in particular from wood, from plants or from algae, rayon fibers, polyamide (Nylon®) fibers, viscose fibers, acetate fibers, in particular rayon acetate fibers, acrylic polymer fibers, in particular polymethyl methacrylate fibers, or poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) fibers, polyolefin fibers and in particular polyethylene or polypropylene fibers, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) fibers, glass fibers, silica fibers, carbon fibers, in particular carbon fibers in the form of graphite, polytetrafluoroethylene (such as Teflon®) fibers, insoluble collagen fibers, polyester fibers, polyvinyl chloride fibers or polyvinylidene chloride fibers, poly(vinyl alcohol) fibers, polyacrylonitrile fibers, chitosan fibers, polyurethane fibers, polyethylene phthalate fibers, or fibers formed from a mixture of polymers such as those mentioned above, for example polyamide/polyester fibers.
The fibers may be human fibers.
Moreover, the fibers may be surface-treated and/or covered with a protective layer or a layer intended to give them a color.
Use may be made of flame-retardant acrylic fibers of the “Kanekalon” brand.
The fibers are for example those sold under the reference Minke-props SKINTEX Flock ref. 590502.
It is possible to use identical fibers or, as a variant, a mixture of fibers that differ from one another in terms of their length, their cross section, their material, their shape and/or their cross section. The use of fibers with different lengths may impart greater naturalness. The same goes for a mixture of colors. In one particular embodiment, the applicator may have a mixture of fibers of different colors. The colors of the fibers may be mixed in an organized or random manner. Different colors or combinations of colors in the fibers may be employed without departing from the scope of the invention. Fibers that produce special effects, such as transparent fibers and/or shiny fibers, may also be included. This may create novel esthetic effects on the eyelashes.
The fibers may have a length of between about 0.5 mm and 20 mm.
The fibers have for example a largest diameter of between about 20 μm and 200 μm, in particular between about 50 and 200 μm. The diameter may or may not be constant along the fiber. The fibers may have a tapered shape.
The weight or yarn count of the fibers is generally given in denier or decitex and represents the weight in grams per 9 km of yarn. The fibers have for example a unitary yarn count of between 0.1 and 100 denier, preferably between 1 and 70 denier, and better still between 5 and 60 denier.
Applicator
The applicator is advantageously configured so that the support member temporarily retains the groups of fibers before attaching them. The support member is provided so that the fibers it bears adhere to the first adhesive composition when in contact therewith and detach from the support member.
Applicator Comprising at Least One Channel
The applicator comprises a support member temporarily bearing at least one group of fibers to be attached to human keratin materials, in particular for filling out and/or lengthening eyelashes and/or eyebrows. The support member may comprise at least one channel into which a fiber of a group is inserted, this channel being defined by at least one portion that, in cross section, entirely surrounds the fiber and has at least one end-of-travel stop that limits the insertion of the fiber.
In this case, the applicator advantageously comprises a plurality of channels, at least some of which accommodate a fiber, in particular between 2 and 50 channels, better still between 10 and 50 channels. The applicator may comprise a plurality of channels, only some of which accommodate a fiber, as desired depending on the areas of eyelashes or eyebrows to be filled out or lengthened. As a variant, all the channels accommodate a fiber.
The internal diameter of each channel is preferably greater than a largest diameter of the fiber that it contains. Preferably, the ratio D_c/D_fbetween the diameter D_cof the channel and the largest diameter D_fof the fiber is between 1.5 and 10. When the ratio D_c/D_fis greater than 10, the applicator preferably has a means for holding each fiber. This holding means makes it possible for the fibers not to slide in an uncontrolled manner in the channels. The holding means may have a narrowed portion of the channel such that, at the narrowed portion, the ratio D_c/D_fis less than 10. The holding means may also have an activatable system that grips the fibers in a part of the channel. The holding means may also have a non-stick material disposed in the channel, along all or part of its length.
The channels may be formed in an elastomeric material, in particular a material with a Shore A hardness of 0 to 50, preferably of 8 to 40.
The elastomeric material gives the applicator flexibility such that a user can grip or deform the applicator in order to hold the fibers, then release the pressure or the torsion in order to allow the fibers to move and leave their respective channels. The elastomeric material can be chosen from the group consisting of a silicone such as Platsil Gel silicone from the company Polytec, rubbers derived from vinyl polymerization with crosslinking, thermoplastic elastomer polymers TPEs, constituted generally of chains having two blocks such as polyurethane TPEs (with an isocyanate block and an ether/ester block), TPE-Es (with a polyester block and a polyether block), TPE-Cs (with a polyamide block and a polyether block), TPE-Ss (with a styrene block and a polybutadiene or polyisoprene or polyethylene block). Such a material makes it advantageously possible to obtain a feel with a non-stick effect, this retaining at least a little of the fiber in the channel, such that it does not slide accidentally out of the channel, without otherwise requiring adhesive for this retention. This retention is preferably entirely relative, making it possible to easily remove the fiber from the channel when desired.
At least one channel may be closed, in cross section, along its entire length.
At least one channel may be open, in cross section, along a portion of its length less than its total length and around a portion of its circumference less than its total circumference.
At least some of the channels may have the same shape. In particular, all the channels of the applicator may have the same shape.
At least some of the channels may have different shapes.
The channels may or may not have the shape of the fibers. If the ratio D_c/D_fis less than 3, the channels preferably have the same shape as the fibers. On the other hand, if the ratio D_c/D_fis greater than 10, the channels preferably have a different shape from that of the fibers. The difference in shape may hold the fibers so as to prevent them from sliding naturally, in particular under the effect of gravity.
The channels may be defined by tubes. In this case, the applicator preferably has at least one link connecting the tubes together. This link constitutes for example a flexible articulation between the tubes so as to make it possible to modify the orientation of a tube with respect to an adjacent tube. As a variant, the link is realized so as to limit the movement between the tubes, or even to prevent movement between the tubes. The link may make it possible to join the tubes together by snap-fastening.
In one particular embodiment, the channels are formed in a monolithic part. The end-of-travel stop may be formed by a portion of this part.
Each channel preferably accommodates a single fiber of a group, when it accommodates one.
The fiber(s) may protrude from the channel, through an open outlet thereof, by a length greater than or equal to 1 mm, it being possible for this length to be different for two different fibers. The connection between fibers of the same group of fibers is formed in this length outside of the channel.
The channels are disposed for example in a fan shape, in particular when they are formed in a monolithic part or when they are formed by tubes that are connected together.
The end-of-travel stop may be movable relative to the outlet of the channel through which the fiber emerges. The end-of-travel stop is formed for example by a portion of a monolithic part in which the channels are formed, as mentioned above. It may be adjustable, if appropriate.
The applicator may have several channels that are substantially identical to one another and distributed uniformly, for example disposed in a fan shape, each channel accommodating a fiber. This configuration is particularly recommended for rows of eyelashes that are sparse in terms of eyelashes.
For incomplete rows of eyelashes, with one or more bare areas, the applicator can be in different forms. For example, the applicator may have a width such that it only covers a part of the row of eyelashes. As a variant, the applicator may cover the entire row with a plurality of channels, only some of which contain a fiber, however, next to one or more bare areas of the row of eyelashes. Alternatively, the applicator may cover the entire row with a plurality of channels, each of which is filled with a fiber, the applicator having a means for making only the fibers that will be added to the row, at the bare areas of the row, protrude from the channels. As a variant, the applicator may cover the entire row with a plurality of channels, each of which is filled with a fiber, the applicator having a means for preventing the channels that will not be next to a bare area of the row of eyelashes from being freed. In another variant, the applicator may cover the entire row with a plurality of channels, each of which is filled with a fiber, the applicator having a means for preventing the fibers that will not be next to a bare area of the row of eyelashes from being freed. Among the means that can be used to prevent this release, it is possible to block the fibers by gripping the fibers for example, or by introducing a dot of glue into the tubes. In another embodiment, the applicator may cover the entire row with a number of channels limited to those that will be next to a bare area of the row of eyelashes during the implementation of the process.
Fiber-Retaining Applicator
As a variant, the support member of the applicator may temporarily retain groups of fibers, in particular by gluing, by friction or by a mechanical system.
Such a mechanical system may comprise one or more parts that can be moved relative to one another, for example the arms of tweezers or the turns of a spring, the mechanical system being configured to move from a fiber-retaining configuration to a configuration for releasing fibers of groups, the force to be exerted on these fibers in order to release them from the applicator being greater in the retaining configuration than in the releasing configuration.
The mechanical system comprises for example a spring that grips the fibers between its turns, in the retaining configuration, the spring being able to be stretched in order to open the turns and release the fibers. The fibers may be retained between the turns of the spring, the fibers being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spring. The spring may be manually activated between the retaining and releasing configurations. The spring may comprise ends attached to manually-activated actuating levers. As a variant, the spring is compressed or released along its longitudinal axis which may be the longitudinal axis of the applicator, the applicator comprising for example a push button and two stops near the two ends of the spring, one stop preferably being movable along the longitudinal axis during the actuation of the push button, the other stop preferably being immobile.
As a variant, the fibers may be retained on the applicator by at least one material, the mechanical strength of which is degraded by a stimulus, the method consisting in subjecting the applicator to this stimulus so as to reduce the force to be exerted on the fibers in order to release them from the applicator, the exposure to the stimulus taking place before and/or during the contact of the fibers with the first adhesive composition present on the eyelashes or eyebrows or hair fibers. The stimulus is for example thermal, said material then preferably comprising a wax, in particular beeswax, candelilla wax or paraffin wax. As a variant, the stimulus is chemical and comprises the exposure of the applicator to a solvent of said material, preferably water.
The fibers may be placed on the applicator by an electrostatic flocking method.
The fibers may detach completely from the applicator during the implementation of the method. As a variant, the fibers may comprise a base at the first end portion that remains trapped by the applicator and a releasable portion that is released. In this case, the fibers may comprise a predefined area that is mechanically weakened or sensitive to a stimulus that makes it possible to mechanically weaken it, in particular a thermal or chemical stimulus, the force to be exerted in order to give rise to the separation of the releasable portion from the root being lower than the adhesive force for adhesion of the releasable portion to the first adhesive composition. The predefined area may be located at the same location along the length of the fiber for all the fibers. As a variant, this is not the case, which makes it possible, after release, to have fibers of variable length, capable of imparting different esthetic effects to the eyelashes.
The fibers may be retained on the applicator by a multiple holding system, comprising a first holding system that releases the fibers for an exerted force lower than the adhesive force for adhesion of the fibers to the first adhesive composition, and a second holding system that ensures, when combined with the first, the retention of the fibers up to a force greater than the adhesive force for adhesion of the fibers to the first adhesive composition, the second system being modified during the use of the applicator for applying the fibers to the first adhesive composition so as to bring the force to be exerted in order to give rise to the release of the fibers to a value lower than the adhesive force for adhesion of the fibers to the first adhesive composition. The modification may comprise the exposure of the second holding system to a thermal or chemical stimulus.
The applicator may retain the fibers so that the latter detach from the applicator when a tensile force equal to 15 mN, or even equal to 20 mN, is exerted thereon.
First Adhesive Composition
The first adhesive composition is advantageously provided to allow the adhesion of the fibers to an area of human keratin materials such as the skin, the eyelid, the scalp or to the keratin fibers.
The first adhesive composition is advantageously suitable for application to the eyelashes and eyelids, the skin, the scalp, and also for cosmetic use.
The first adhesive composition comprises or is constituted of an adhesive material.
Within the meaning of the present invention, the term “material” means a polymer or a polymeric system that may comprise one or more polymers of different natures. This adhesive material may be in the form of a polymer solution or a dispersion of polymer particles in a solvent. This adhesive material may also contain a plasticizer. This adhesive material must have a certain tackiness defined by its viscoelastic properties.
The adhesive materials according to the invention may for example be chosen from pressure sensitive adhesives, for instance those cited in the “Handbook of Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Technology”, 3rd edition, D. Satas.
The adhesive material may be chosen from acrylic polymers or copolymers.
The pressure sensitive adhesive materials may be chosen from acrylic polymers, in particular copolymers of acrylate and methacrylate, pressure sensitive adhesives based on rubber or based on styrene copolymers, such as styrene-isoprene-styrene (SIS) and styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) copolymers, for example.
Examples of acrylic copolymers that may be suitable are available commercially under the brands EASTAREZ 2010, 2020 and 2050 (Eastman Chemical Co.), ACRONAL V210 (BASF), MOWILITH LDM 7255, REVACRYL 491 (Clariant) and FLEXBOND 165 (Air Products). As a preferred example of acrylic copolymers, the use of the acrylates/ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer sold by DAITO KASEI KOGYO under the name Daitosol 5500GM may be mentioned.
The first adhesive composition may be chosen from the adhesive composition for eyelashes from the DUO® eyelash adhesive range, sold by American International Industries, and Daitosol 5500 GM from DAITO KASEI KOGYO.
Commercial examples of polymeric rubbers that may be suitable are known under the brands RICON 130 polybutadiene (Atofina Sartomer) and ISOLENE 40 polyisoprene (Elementis).
Examples of polyurethane-based adhesives that may be suitable are available under the brands SANCURE 2104 (Noveon) and VYLON UR 1400 (Toyobo Vylon).
Examples of vinyl acetate copolymers that may be suitable are available commercially under the brands PVP/VA 6-630 (International Specialty Products) and FLEXBOND 149 (Air Products).
Examples of vinyl alcohol/vinyl acetate copolymers are available commercially under the brands CELVOL 107 (Celanese) and ELVANOL 50-42 (DuPont).
Mention may also be made of the block or statistical copolymers comprising at least one monomer or a combination of monomers of which the resulting polymer has a glass transition temperature lower than ambient temperature (25° C.), these monomers or combinations of monomers being able to be chosen from butadiene, ethylene, propylene, isoprene, isobutylene, a silicone, and mixtures thereof. Examples of such materials are block polymers of the styrene-butadiene-styrene, styrene-(ethylene-butylene)-styrene or styrene-isoprene-styrene type, such as those sold under the trade names “Kraton” from Kraton or “Vector” from Dexco Polymers.
The adhesive materials according to the invention may also comprise tackifying resins, such as rosins or rosin derivatives such as hydrogenated rosins, rosin esters, hydrogenated rosin esters, terpenes, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon-based resins, phenolic resins, styrene resins and coumarone-indene resins. Mention will also be made of the compounds such as shellac, sandarac gum, dammar resins, elemi gum, copal resins, benzoin, and gum mastic.
The silicone resins, which are crosslinked polyorganosiloxane polymers, may also be mentioned.
The nomenclature of silicone resins is known under the name “MDTQ”, the resin being described depending on the different siloxane monomer units that it comprises, each of the letters M, D, T and Q characterizing a type of unit.
Among these resins, mention may be made in particular of the siloxysilicate resins, which may be trimethylsiloxysilicates of formula [(CH₃)₃XSiXO]_xX(SiO_4/2)_y(MQ units) in which x and y are integers ranging from 50 to 80, lipodispersible film-forming polymers in the form of non-aqueous dispersions of polymer particles, also referred to as NADs.
Use may be made, as non-aqueous dispersion of hydrophobic film-forming polymer, of dispersions of particles of a grafted ethylenic polymer, preferably an acrylic polymer, in a liquid oily phase for example, in the form of surface-stabilized particles dispersed in the liquid fatty phase. The dispersion of surface-stabilized polymer particles may be manufactured as described in the document WO 04/055081.
Mention may also be made of dispersions of C₁-C₄alkyl (meth)acrylate polymer particles stabilized by a stabilizing agent chosen from isobornyl (meth)acrylate polymers, as described in the document WO 2015/091513.
Use may also be made of UV reactive adhesives.
As examples, use may be made of the (acrylic latex) adhesive Cream Blend 331 from Pros-Aide or the (soluble sulfopolyester polymer) adhesive AQ1350 from Eastman Chemical.
Application of the First Adhesive Composition
The adhesive composition may be applied in the form of a continuous film on the eyelashes, eyebrows, hair fibers, and/or on the eyelid, the scalp, the skin, in particular when the density of the fibers on the applicator is not too high.
As a variant, the first adhesive composition is applied by creating non-adhesive areas between the adhesive areas, which makes it possible to control the density and the distribution of the fibers that remain attached to the eyelashes, eyebrows or hair fibers.
Use may be made of an adhesive applicator that transfers the first adhesive composition. In particular, the assembly according to the invention may comprise an adhesive applicator for applying the first adhesive composition to the eyelashes. In this case, the adhesive applicator comprises for example a flocked end piece. The adhesive applicator may be shaped to match that of the roots of the eyelashes. In this particular case, the hand movement is simple, since all that is necessary is to move the adhesive applicator into the vicinity of the row of eyelashes and then allow contact in order to deposit adhesive material on the root of the eyelashes. The adhesive applicator may also comprise for example a pen that dispenses the first adhesive composition or an applicator that cooperates with a container containing the first adhesive composition, for example an applicator provided with a fine brush or with a flocked thermoplastic end piece.
Second Adhesive Composition
The second adhesive composition may be chosen from the group consisting of glues, in particular glues that react without the need to create a mixture, such as alkyl cyanoacrylate, with it being possible for the alkyl to be an ethyl or octyl (such as n-octyl or 2-octyl) or butyl (such as isobutyl) group, solvent glues, for example isoprene, or glues with mixing at the time of use, such as two-component glues, for instance involving an epoxide-functional resin and a polymerizing agent, such as 1,4,7,10-tetraazadecane, or the glues used with a thermal activation, in particular wax and in particular esters of acid and cetyl alcohol or glues based on a polymer with a crosslinkable function such as free methacrylate or free acrylate.
The glues may be used in packagings that allow premature setting, in particular the reactive glues.
The second adhesive composition is preferably chosen from glues of cyanoacrylate type and derivatives, for example an (alkyl) cyanoacrylate glue, in particular an alkyl cyanoacrylate with a C₂-C₈alkyl chain, for example of ethyl, (iso)butyl or octyl cyanoacrylate type.
The second adhesive composition preferably comprises a cyanoacrylate type glue, for example tinted black.
The second adhesive composition is for example Loctite Super-glue 3 Power Flex gel, based on ethyl cyanoacrylate sold by Henkel, or Dermabond glue based on octyl cyanoacrylate sold by Ethicon.
The second adhesive composition is advantageously deposited on a first portion of the length of the fibers, preferably less than half the length of the fibers, on the side where the fibers adhere to the keratin materials, for example to the natural eyelashes or to the eyelid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be understood better from reading the following description of nonlimiting embodiments thereof, and with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 schematically shows, in perspective, an example of an applicator according to the invention,

FIG. 2 schematically shows an example of a group of fibers for an applicator, for example for the applicator of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 schematically shows the implementation of a step of the method according to the invention,

FIG. 4 schematically shows the implementation of another step of the method according to the invention,

FIG. 5 is a photograph illustrating an eyelid and eyelashes fitted with fibers after implementation of the method according to the invention,

FIG. 6 schematically shows another example of a group of fibers for an applicator according to the invention,

FIG. 7 schematically shows, in perspective, another example of an applicator according to the invention, comprising groups of fibers according to FIG. 6,

FIG. 8 schematically shows, in perspective, another example of an applicator according to the invention, comprising groups of fibers according to FIG. 6,

FIG. 9 schematically shows, in side view, another example of an applicator according to the invention, comprising groups of fibers according to FIG. 6,

FIG. 10 schematically shows, in perspective, another example of an applicator according to the invention, comprising groups of fibers according to FIG. 6,

FIG. 11 schematically shows an example of an assembly according to the invention,

FIG. 12 schematically shows, partially and in perspective, another example of an applicator according to the invention,

FIG. 13 schematically shows, partially and in perspective, another example of an applicator according to the invention, and

FIG. 14 schematically shows, partially and in perspective, another example of an applicator according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the rest of the description, identical elements or elements having equivalent functions bear the same reference signs. Their description is not repeated for each of the figures, only the main differences between the embodiments being indicated.
FIG. 1 illustrates an applicator 1 in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, for attaching fibers to human keratin materials, in particular the eyelashes, the eyebrows, the hair fibers and/or the eyelids, the skin of the face, the skull or the scalp.
The support member 10 of the applicator 1 has at least one channel 30 into which a fiber 2 is inserted. In this example, the support member 10 comprises several channels 30 which are substantially identical to one another and distributed uniformly, each channel 30 comprising a fiber 2. The support member 10 forms a monolithic part, made of elastomeric material, of substantially trapezoidal shape, with the channels 30 arranged in a fan. The support member 10 internally comprises hollows that form the channels 30 and forms end-of-travel stops 50 at the end of the channels 30, inside the support member 10 that limit the insertion of the fiber 2, carried out in the monolithic part. Each channel 30 is defined by at least one portion 40 that, in cross section, entirely surrounds the fiber 2.
Each channel 30 has, on the opposite side from the stop 50, an open outlet 70 through which the fiber 2 that it contains passes. The fibers 2 protrude from the outlets 70 by a length that can vary from one fiber to another, of the order of about 1 mm or 2 mm. The internal diameter of each channel 30 is greater than the largest diameter of the fiber 2 that it contains.
In this example, the channels 30 are closed in cross section along their entire length.
The fibers 2 are made of silk in this example. The fibers 2 have a largest diameter of between about 50 and 200 μm.
The support member 10 has a gripping part 60 beyond the stops 50, on the opposite side from the outlets 70 of the channels 30.
The applicator 1 comprises a number n of fibers 2 borne temporarily by the support member 10. These n fibers 2 have a portion 3 extending in front of the support member 10 when borne by the support member 10, as illustrated. These n fibers 2 comprise at least one group 8 of at most m fibers 2 connected together outside the support member 10, with m<n and m>1. In the example illustrated, the number m=2 exactly and all the fibers are connected in pairs.
Still in this example, the m fibers 2 are connected together at their end 5. At least two of the m fibers, in this example, all the m fibers, are connected together by gluing, by welding, by melting and/or at least two of the m fibers are formed by folding a single filament 6, as is the case for the fibers 2 visible in FIG. 2. Specifically, the group 8 in this figure is formed by a single filament 6, folded in two to form two fibers 2 connected together at their end 5. They form a V with curved arms.
In this example again, the fibers 2 have nonzero curvatures, substantially different from one another for at least one portion of them.
Within the support member 10, the unbonded ends 7 of at least two of the m fibers 2 are kept apart from one another by at least d=1 mm.
The support member 10 may be used for the implementation of the method described below.
A first step of this process for attaching fibers 2 to an area of human keratin materials, for example to eyelashes and/or an eyelid, consists in applying a first adhesive composition to said area, for example a PSA adhesive to the eyelid P. A second step, illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, consists in bringing fibers 2 borne by the applicator 1 into contact with the first adhesive composition. Then, in a third step, the applicator 1 is moved away from said area, so that the groups 8 of fibers 2 adhere, via at least one bonded end portion 5 of the fibers, to said area. The result visible in the photograph of FIG. 5 is obtained.
In a possible fourth step, a second adhesive composition, for example a cyanoacrylate-based fixing glue, is deposited on at least a portion of the fibers 2 adhering to said area.
The method may also comprise a step that follows the first step, of drying the first adhesive composition for a time that may be between 1 min and 5 min.
After the optional fourth step of depositing the second adhesive composition, it is possible to provide a step of combing at least a portion of said fibers 2 adhering to said area, during the setting of the second adhesive composition, if necessary.
The method may also comprise additional steps, at the end of the method, consisting in applying a cosmetic product on the eyelashes or eyebrows, in particular a mascara and/or in applying an eyelash curler and/or in carrying out a heat treatment to curl the eyelashes.
The fibers 2 of a group 8 may be connected together by other means. FIG. 6 shows a group of two fibers 2 which are connected together by an element 15 external to the fibers, in particular a link. They form a U with arms that are substantially parallel to one another and curved. The distance between the fibers 2 at their connected ends 5 is substantially equal to the distance between the fibers 2 at their unbonded ends 7. This distance is maintained on the applicator 1 illustrated in FIG. 7, which bears them.
In this example, the support member 10 retains the groups 8 of fibers 2 by their unbonded ends 7, for example via an adhesive present on the surface 16 of the support member 10. The groups 8 are uniformly distributed over several rows on the surface 16 of the support member 10. The gripping portion 60 is a handle. The fibers 2 do not cross one another. All the groups 8, as in the previous example, comprise two fibers.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the groups 8 of fibers 2 are arranged in staggered rows on the surface 16.
In the examples of FIGS. 7 and 8, the surface 16 of the support member 10 is flat. In the example of FIG. 9, the surface 16 is curved, concave toward the fibers 2.
In the example of FIG. 10, the surface 16 is flat but the groups 8 of fibers are arranged along a curved line L on this surface. This can make it possible to adapt to the curvature of the row of eyelashes.
FIG. 11 shows an example of an assembly according to the invention, comprising, in particular within the same packaging device, for example in a hermetically sealed package, the first adhesive composition A contained in a container 150, the applicator 1 with the support member 10 bearing the fibers 2 to be attached and the second adhesive composition B contained in a container 42.
The first adhesive composition A is for example chosen from the adhesive composition for eyelashes from the DUO® eyelash adhesive range, sold by American International Industries, or the one referred to as Daitosol 5500 GM, an acrylates/ethylhexyl acrylate copolymer sold by DAITO KASEI KOGYO. Another suitable first adhesive composition may also be used.
In this nonlimiting example, the container 150 comprises a reservoir 32 of the first adhesive composition A, and also a cap 33 equipped with a stem 34 bearing an application element 35 at a free end. A wiping member 36 is arranged in the neck 37 surmounting the reservoir 32.
The second adhesive composition B may be contained in a similar or different container 42.
The second adhesive composition B may be the Loctite Super-glue 3 Power Flex gel, sold by Henkel.
The applicator 1 comprises in this example a gripping portion 60 and a support member 10 with the support surface 16 to which the unbonded ends 7 of the fibers 2 are temporarily connected via groups 8 of at least two fibers.
The first adhesive composition A, the second adhesive composition B and the applicator 1 may be offered for sale separately.
The assembly may also comprise a cosmetic product such as a mascara in a reservoir of a container containing a mascara brush or comb, a mechanical or heated eyelash curler, a comb or a brush and other accessories for treating eyelashes or eyebrows or hair fibers.
The applicator 1 may also be different without departing from the scope of the invention.
FIG. 12 shows another example of an applicator 1 comprising a stem 101 extending along a longitudinal axis X and, at one end of the stem 101, not visible here, a push button which controls, at the other end 102 of the stem 101, the opening or closing of a spring 45 located on the stem 101, parallel to the axis X. The unbonded ends 7 of the fibers 2 of groups 8 are held between the turns of the spring 45 in the closed position of the spring 45, as illustrated in FIG. 12. When the push button is activated, the spring 45 is moved into the open state which makes it possible to release the groups 8 of fibers 2.
In FIG. 12, the applicator 1 also comprises a spring 45, positioned perpendicular to the axis of tweezers 46 and 47, at one end 48 thereof. Bringing the tweezers 46 and 47 together at one end of the tweezers opposite the end 46 makes it possible to move the turns of the spring 45 apart so as to release the groups 8 of fibers 2. In contrast, in the spread-apart position of the end of the tweezers opposite the end 46, the fibers 2 are held between the turns of the spring 45, as illustrated.
FIG. 14 illustrates yet another example of an applicator 1 comprising the support member 10, represented without the groups of fibers. In this example, the applicator 1 comprises a plurality of tubes 105 connected together by articulations 280, forming the channels 30 each intended to contain a fiber, like the applicator 1 of FIG. 1. All the channels 30 or some of them may be closed, except for the outlet 70. All the channels 30 or some of them may be partially open, in cross section, comprising an open zone over a portion of their cross section. The articulations 280 may be flexible in order to arrange the tubes 105 in a fan shape.
The invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. In particular, the method may be carried out for attaching fibers to the eyebrows or to the scalp.

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator for attaching fibers to human keratin materials, comprising a number n of fibers borne by a support member that are separable from the support member during the attachment, these n fibers having a portion extending in front of the support member before separation of the support member, these n fibers comprising at least one group of at most m fibers connected together outside the support member, with m<n and m>1.

2. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the m fibers being connected together at their end.

3. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, at least two of the m fibers being connected together by gluing, welding or melting.

4. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two of the m fibers are formed by folding a single filament.

5. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein, in at least one group, the fibers are connected together by an element external to the fibers.

6. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the number m of fibers in at least one group is exactly equal to two.

7. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, at least one portion of the fibers having a nonzero curvature.

8. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two fibers have different nonzero curvatures.

9. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the unbonded ends of at least two of the m fibers are kept at least 1 mm apart from one another on the support member.

10. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, the groups of fibers being aligned with one another on the support member over at least one row.

11. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member temporarily retains fibers by a mechanical system comprising one or more parts that can be moved relative to one another, the mechanical system being configured to move from a configuration for retaining fibers to a configuration for releasing fibers of groups, the force to be exerted on these groups of fibers in order to release them from the applicator being greater in the retaining configuration than in the releasing configuration.

12. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support member of the fibers comprises at least one channel into which a fiber of a group is inserted, this channel being defined by at least one portion that, in cross section, entirely surrounds the fiber and has at least one end-of-travel stop that limits the insertion of the fiber.

13. A method for attaching fibers to an area of human keratin materials, using an applicator as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising the following steps:

a) applying a first adhesive composition to at least one portion of the fibers and/or to said area,

b) bringing at least one group of fibers borne by the support member into contact with said area,

c) moving the support member away from said area so that the fibers adhere to said area.

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein said area is constituted by keratin fibers chosen in the group consisting of eyelashes, eyebrows, body hair, hair fibers, and/or by the eyelid, the skin of the face, the scalp or the skull.