WO2015071818A1

WO2015071818A1 - Eyeliner applicator pen

Info

Publication number: WO2015071818A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/065931
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Berhault; Audrey THENIN
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2013-11-12
Filing date: 2014-11-10
Publication date: 2015-05-21
Also published as: FR3012946B1; FR3012946A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an eyeliner applicator pen, comprising a reservoir containing the eyeliner and an internally porous applicator end piece (20) that has an elongate shape and is fed with eyeliner from the reservoir, the end piece having an applicator tip (22) that has at its end a median facet (30) intended to come into contact with the skin, this median facet having a variable width.

Description

Eyeliner applicator pen

The present invention relates to an eyeliner applicator pen.

It is known practice to make up the eyelid or the eyebrows by drawing a line of eyeliner with the aid of an applicator provided to this end.

Among known eyeliner applicators, some comprise a container provided with a threaded neck on which there can be fixed a closure cap which carries a stem provided at its end with an applicator end piece that is generally produced by injection- moulding thermoplastic material with a flocked coating. A wiping member is usually positioned in the neck in order to wipe off the stem and reduce the quantity of product taken when the applicator is withdrawn. Such a device may make it necessary to dip the end piece into the product a number of times during use, and this can prove relatively tiresome under certain circumstances.

Applicator pens, which are more practical to use, are also known. However, the performance of these pens is sometimes inferior to that which it is possible to obtain with complex shapes of known applicator end pieces that are produced by injection- moulding. Or by machining a felt tip.

FR 2 933 281 describes an eyeliner applicator comprising a stem and an applicator end piece that is carried by the stem, is able to deform during use and makes it possible, depending on the orientation selected, to draw two lines with different thicknesses.

FR 2 836 031 discloses an eyeliner applicator having at least two tips. Furthermore, numerous applicators with more or less complex shapes for applying a composition other than eyeliner to the nails, the lips or the skin have been proposed. For example, the patent EP 1 164 889 Bl discloses a nail varnish applicator brush that defines multiple application faces. Such an applicator is completely unsuitable for producing a fine and precise line of eyeliner on the eyelid.

The invention aims to further improve applicator pens for applying eyeliner and meets this aim by virtue of an eyeliner applicator pen, comprising a reservoir containing the eyeliner and an internally porous applicator end piece that has an elongate shape and is fed with eyeliner from the reservoir, the end piece having an applicator tip that has at its end a median facet intended to come into contact with the skin, this median facet having a variable width. By virtue of the invention, the user can easily vary the width of the line during application, depending on the result to be achieved, by bringing that portion of the applicator facet that has the desired width into contact with the skin, while moving the pen over the skin.

The median facet may be symmetrical with respect to a median plane and the width of the facet is then measured perpendicularly to this plane.

The median facet preferably has a width that varies along at least half of its length, better still along its entire length.

When its width is at a maximum, the median facet has for example a width of between 0.05 and 4 mm.

In particular when the median facet has a contour with a lenticular shape in top view, its length, measured between its two opposite ends where its width is zero, is for example between 1 and 8 mm.

The applicator end piece is preferably made of felt, that is to say it comprises fibres that are oriented longitudinally and bonded together. The product may diffuse by capillary action within the applicator end piece on account of its porosity.

The fibres may be fibres made of thermoplastic material, in particular acrylic polymer, polyester or polyamide.

The fibres may have a linear density of less than 1 denier, preferably between 0.5 and 0.9 denier, in particular 0.7 denier (or around 9 micrometres). The fibres may be made of Nylon®.

Preferably, the median facet is defined by a surface which is developable, in particular planar or cylindrical. It is possible for the median facet not to extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the end piece.

It is possible for the applicator end piece not to have a tip in the form of a cone of revolution or not to have a hemispherical end at its distal end. The applicator end piece may have a single tip that projects forwards, unlike some known end pieces such as those disclosed in FR 2 836 031.

It is possible for the applicator end piece not to have any perforations, or cavities or indentations in its surface that are used for application, and in particular not on the median facet. Thus, it is possible for the applicator end piece not to have a widened head.

It is possible for the applicator end piece not to have any outwardly concave ridge at its end, or any striations or grooves. It is possible for the applicator end piece to have only outwardly convex or planar surfaces. The applicator end piece is other than a brush. The applicator end piece preferably has a symmetrical shape with respect to a longitudinal median plane for the end piece, which may also be a longitudinal median plane for the body of the pen. The longitudinal axis of the end piece may be coincident with the longitudinal axis of the pen.

The end piece is preferably in the shape of a cylinder of revolution at its base.

The median facet may be planar or non-planar, and when it is non-planar, it has for example a profile which is at least in part circular when viewed in at least one direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end piece. The median facet may have at least a part of its surface which is cylindrical.

When the median facet is planar, the angle of its plane with respect to the longitudinal axis of the end piece may be between 20 and 90°.

The median facet may have a width that decreases to zero at only one of its ends, which may coincide with the distal end of the end piece. As a variant, the median facet has a width that decreases to zero at two opposite ends.

The median facet may be delimited by the intersection of a plane and a cylinder of the same axis as the longitudinal axis of the end piece.

The median facet may also be defined by the intersection of a non-planar surface and a cylinder of the same axis as the longitudinal axis of the end piece.

The median facet may be delimited laterally at least partially by two straight or elliptical, and preferably intersecting, ridges. These ridges may each be defined by the intersection of a plane with a cylinder of revolution of the same axis as the longitudinal axis of the end piece. These lateral facets may be planar and have respective intersecting ridges. The angle at their intersection, in top view along the axis of the end piece, may be between 5 and 90°.

The median facet may be delimited by the intersection of a cylinder of the same axis as the longitudinal axis of the end piece and a cylinder of perpendicular axis, or by the intersection of a cylinder of the same axis as the longitudinal axis of the end piece and a curved surface both convex about a first axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end piece and convex about a second axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end piece and to the first axis.

The median facet may be delimited by the intersection of a plane and a surface of revolution about the longitudinal axis of the end piece. The median facet may be delimited by the intersection of a plane and a conical or ogival, in particular ellipsoidal, parabolic or spherical, surface of the same axis as the longitudinal axis of the end piece, or of a plane and a surface formed by the meeting of two portions of ogives that are symmetrical with one another.

The median facet may also be delimited by the intersection of a cylindrical surface and an ogival surface.

The median facet may have a lenticular shape in top view.

The median facet may have a planar surface or a surface that is cylindrical about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the end piece.

The median facet may have a shape conferred on it by machining.

The median facet may be delimited by ridges around its entire perimeter. As a variant, it is possible for the median facet not to be delimited by a ridge around a part of its periphery, for example at the proximal end of the end piece.

The median facet may be the only facet on the end piece.

A further subject of the invention is a process for making up the eyelid, comprising the step of applying eyeliner to the eyelid with the aid of an applicator pen according to the invention.

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

Figure 1 schematically shows an elevation view of an example of an applicator pen according to the invention,

Figure 2 shows an elevation view of the applicator end piece of the pen from Figure 1 on its own,

Figure 3 is a side view along III of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a top view along IV of Figure 2,

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the end piece from Figures 2 to 4 on its own,

Figures 6 to 11 show perspective views of further examples of applicator end pieces on their own,

Figures 12 to 17 each show elevation views of the end pieces from Figures 6 to 11, Figures 18 to 23 each show side views of the end pieces from Figures 6 to 11, and

Figures 24 to 29 each show top views of the end pieces from Figures 6 to 11.

The applicator pen 10 shown in Figure 1 has a body 11 which defines a reservoir containing the product to be applied, in this case eyeliner. The latter contains for example water, pigments, in particular iron oxide, colorants and polymers.

The capacity of the reservoir is for example between 1 and 6 ml.

The applicator pen 10 may also comprise, as illustrated, a closure cap 12 which is fixed on the body 11 for example by snap-fastening, screwing or friction.

The body 11 carries an applicator end piece 20 according to the invention, shown in Figures 2 to 5, which may be fixed to the body 11 by any suitable means and which is for example force-fitted into a corresponding housing provided at the upper end of the body 11.

The end piece 20 is preferably made of felt.

The end piece 20 has a base 21 which serves to fix it to the body 11, and a tip 22 which serves for application by coming into contact with the skin in order to deposit thereon eyeliner which impregnates the felt of the end piece.

The end piece 20 is fed with product through its proximal end and the product can diffuse longitudinally in the end piece until it reaches the portion intended to come into contact with the skin.

In accordance with the invention, the tip 22 has a median facet 30 of variable width w, which is intended for applying the product.

The end piece 20 is elongate along a longitudinal axis X which is coincident with the longitudinal axis of the body 11 of the applicator pen 10, and the width w is in this case measured perpendicularly to the axis X and parallel to the plane of Figure 2.

The width w decreases in the direction of the free end 29 of the end piece 20.

The base 21 of the end piece 20 is in the shape of a cylinder of revolution about the axis X, but other shapes are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention, in particular a cylindrical shape with a non-circular cross section.

As illustrated, the end piece 20 preferably has a symmetrical shape with respect to a median plane of symmetry M, perpendicular to the plane of Figure 2.

In the example in Figures 2 to 4, the facet 30 is planar, at an angle β with the axis X, and delimited laterally by two planar lateral facets 23. Ridges 31 are formed at the junction of the median facet 30 and the lateral facets 23. These ridges 31 converge in the direction of the distal end 29 of the end piece 20 and define said end at their intersection. These ridges 31 are each defined by the intersection of a cylinder of axis X and the oblique plane of the corresponding lateral facet 23. The facet 30 is perpendicular to the plane M.

The inclination of the two planar lateral facets 23 gives the end of the end piece a shape that narrows over a height h of for example between 6 and 12 mm, better still between 8 and 10 mm, being for example equal to 9 mm.

By comparison, the length / of the cylindrical base 31 of the end piece 20 is for example between 25 and 35 mm, being equal for example to 30 mm.

The angle a that the ridges 31 make in top view, as in Figure 4, is for example between 5 and 90°, being for example equal to 20°.

The height /, measured along the axis X, of the median facet 30 in side view is for example between 4 and 4.5 mm, being for example equal to 4.3 mm.

The width w at the base of the facet 30 is for example between 0 and 4 mm, being for example equal to 0 mm.

The diameter at the base of the end piece 20 is for example between 4 and 6 mm and is for example 5 mm. The length d of the facet 30 is for example between 2 and 8 mm.

During use, the user can draw a line of eyeliner that is more or less thick depending on whether only the end 29 comes into contact with the skin, while the end piece 20 is moved in a direction parallel to the median plane M, or whether a larger portion of the facet 30 also comes into contact with the skin.

The end piece 20 shown in Figures 6, 12, 18 and 24 has a median facet 30 which is planar.

The angle β that the plane of the facet 30 makes with the perpendicular to the axis X is between 30 and 50°, and is for example 40°.

The end piece narrows when viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis X, as in Figure 12, the external surface of the end piece being formed in the upper part, apart from the facet 30, by the meeting of two portions of ogival surfaces that are symmetrical with one another with respect to the plane M.

In top view, the facet 30 has a lenticular shape, as can be seen in Figure 24, with two opposite ends 32 where its width is zero. The width w is measured perpendicularly to the axis X and to the plane of Figure 18.

The end piece 20 according to the variant in Figures 7, 13, 19 and 25 has a median facet 30 which is planar and perpendicular to the axis X. The end piece 20 narrows when viewed from the side, the median facet 30 being delimited by two ridges which each correspond to the intersection of the plane of the facet 30 with a developable surface.

The median facet 30 has a lenticular shape in top view, with two opposite ends 32 where its width w is zero. The width w of the facet 30 passes through a maximum in the median plane M.

The end piece 20 according to the variant in Figures 8, 14, 20 and 26 has a median facet 30 which is planar and angled at an angle c to the perpendicular to the axis X, for example between 30 and 60°, for example equal to 40°.

The facet 30 extends along a length d which is for example between 1 and 3 mm, being for example equal to 2 mm.

The tip of the end piece 20 has a conical shape of axis X, apart from the facet 30.

The diameter at the base of the end piece 20 is between 2.5 and 4 mm, being for example around 3 mm.

It can be seen in Figure 20 that it is possible to provide a chamfer 23 at the proximal end of the end piece in order to make it easier to fit on the body 11.

In the example in Figures 9, 15, 21 and 27, the median facet 30 is delimited by the intersection of an external surface similar to the one in the example of Figures 7, 13, 19 and 25, which extends around the facet 30, and a cylindrical surface of axis Y perpendicular to the axis X.

The facet 30 has two opposite ends 32 where its width w is zero. The ends 32 are set back from the distal end 29 of the end piece, defined by the apex of the facet 30 in Figure 21.

In the example in Figures 10, 16, 22 and 28, the median facet 30 extends between two inclined lateral facets 27 that meet along a ridge 28 perpendicular to the axis X, which also defines the distal end of the end piece. These lateral facets 27 have a contour that corresponds to the intersection of a cylinder of axis X and a plane, for their lower part, and to the intersection of a plane and a cylinder of axis Z perpendicular to the axis X, for their upper part, apart from the ridge 28. Thus, the median facet 30 becomes very narrow towards the distal end 29 of the end piece. The ridges 31 laterally delimiting the facet 30 are portions of ellipse that are convex one towards the other.

The end piece in Figures 11, 17, 23 and 29 has an overall shape similar to the one in Figures 10, 16, 22 and 28. In the preceding example, in Figure 22, the end piece 20 has an upper ridge 28 which is perpendicular to the axis X over a distance g greater than 0.5 mm, for example 0.8 mm.

In the example in Figure 23, the ridges 31 delimiting the lateral facets 27 are elliptical as far as their end that intersects the generatrix W of the cylindrical surface of the end piece 20.

In order to use the applicator pen 1 from the examples in Figures 6 to 1 1, the user moves the median facet 30 in contact with the skin by inclining the axis X to a greater or lesser extent with respect to the skin, depending on the width of the line to be drawn.

The invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. In particular, it is possible to further modify the shape of the end piece without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, a chamfer can be provided at the proximal end of the end piece in all of the examples illustrated where this is not already present.

The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one".

Claims

1. Eyeliner applicator pen (1), comprising a reservoir containing the eyeliner and an internally porous applicator end piece (20) that has an elongate shape along a longitudinal axis (X) and is fed with eyeliner from the reservoir, the end piece having an applicator tip (22) that has at its end a median facet (30) intended to come into contact with the skin, this median facet having a variable width (w),

- the median facet (30) being non-planar, or

- the median facet (30) being delimited laterally by two planar lateral facets (23, 27) that are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (X), or

- the median facet (30) being delimited by the intersection of a plane and a conical or ogival surface of the same axis as the longitudinal axis (X) of the end piece, or

- the median facet (30) being delimited by the intersection of a plane and a surface formed by the meeting of two portions of ogives that are symmetrical with one another.

2. Pen according to Claim 1, wherein the median facet is delimited laterally by two planar lateral facets that are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (X).

3. Pen according to Claim 1, wherein the median facet (30) is delimited by the intersection of a plane and a conical or ogival, in particular ellipsoidal, parabolic or spherical, surface of the same axis as the longitudinal axis (X) of the end piece, or of a plane and a surface formed by the meeting of two portions of ogives that are symmetrical with one another.

4. Pen according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the end piece (20) is made of felt.

5. Applicator pen according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the facet (30) and preferably also the end piece (20) have a symmetrical shape with respect to a longitudinal median plane (M).

6. Applicator pen according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the end piece (20) is in the shape of a cylinder of revolution at its base (21).

7. Applicator pen according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the median facet (30) is planar.

8. Applicator pen according to Claim 7, wherein the angle (c) of the plane with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) is between 20 and 90°.

9. Applicator pen according to any one of Claims 1 and 4 to 6, wherein the median facet (30) is non-planar, and is preferably developable.

10. Applicator pen according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the median facet (30) has a width (w) that decreases to zero at only one of its ends.

11. Applicator pen according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, wherein the median facet (30) has a width (w) that decreases to zero at two opposite ends (32).

12. Applicator pen according to any one of Claims 1 and 4 to 6, wherein the median facet (30) is delimited laterally at least partially by two straight or elliptical, and preferably intersecting, ridges (31).

13. Applicator pen according to Claim 12, wherein the ridges intersect and the angle (a) is between 5 and 90° in top view along the axis of the end piece at their intersection.

14. Pen according to any one of Claims 1 and 4 to 6, wherein the median facet (30) is delimited by the intersection of a plane and a surface of revolution about the longitudinal axis (X) of the end piece.

15. Process for making up the eyelid, comprising the step of applying eyeliner with the aid of an applicator pen (1) as defined in any one of the preceding claims.