WO2015124481A1

WO2015124481A1 - Applicator for a cosmetic product and associated applicator assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2015124481A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/052873
Authority: WO
Inventors: Camille Schreiber; Anne Rutigliano; Yann Crapet
Original assignee: Albea Services
Priority date: 2014-02-24
Filing date: 2015-02-11
Publication date: 2015-08-27
Also published as: BR212016019428U2; FR3017782A1; EP3110289B1; EP3110289A1; CN206150790U; US20170013942A1; FR3017782B1

Abstract

The invention concerns an applicator (10) for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core (12) that extends in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the extension axis (X), and a plurality of protuberances (31, 32) projecting radially from the core (12), said protuberances (31, 32) being moulded from the same material as the core (12). The plurality of protuberances (31, 32) forms at least one row of plates (31) aligned around the core (12) at a same transverse section of the core (12), referred to as a radial row of plates (R31), so as to form angular gaps (37) between said plates (31). The invention also relates to an associated applicator assembly.

Description

Applicator for cosmetic product and associated applicator assembly

The invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product and an associated applicator assembly.

Cosmetic product applicator assemblies are known, in particular for a cosmetic product intended to be applied to eyelashes such as mascara, comprising a container containing the cosmetic product and an applicator adapted to be removably attached to the container.

The container generally comprises a body, the body comprising walls defining a reservoir in which the cosmetic product is contained, and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be extracted.

The applicator assembly generally includes a cap adapted to be attached to the neck, a stem extending from the plug and an applicator attached to a free end of the stem. The applicator includes a core and a plurality of protuberances extending from the core for loading and combing the mascara eyelashes.

When the cap is fixed on the neck, the rod and the applicator extend inside the tank. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir.

To use the applicator, the user detaches the neck cap and extracts the applicator from the container.

The present invention aims to solve the following problem: to provide an applicator that allows the loading of eyelashes consistently.

Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core extending in a main direction of longitudinal extension, called the extension axis, and a plurality of protuberances projecting radially from the soul, said protuberances being molded in continuity of material with the soul.

According to the invention, the plurality of protuberances form at least one row of plates aligned around the core at the same cross-sectional area. the soul, said radial row of trays, so as to form angular gaps between said trays.

The advantage associated with the applicator of the invention lies in the ability to load the eyelashes of the user into a cosmetic product, this in a consistent manner, in particular thanks to the trays and their particular arrangement around the soul. Indeed, the succession of trays within a same radial row, around a polygonal core, allows the formation of retention zones for the cosmetic product at the angular gaps provided between said trays. In other words, the interstices, which have a substantially concave shape, rounded or not, serve as a reservoir for cosmetic product.

Another advantage of the invention resides in the production of the trays in continuity of material of the core, which makes it possible to simplify the manufacture of the applicator and to better control the rigidity of the trays.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

the protuberances each extend according to a normal to the axis of extension,

the core has a proximal end and a distal end,

the protuberances are distributed along said core over a substantial part of its length from the distal end, in particular to its proximal end,

the core and the protuberances are molded in plastic material,

- the cross section of the core has the shape of polygon with ⁿ sides, with 3 <"10 ≤ _j particular <n≤e _j in particular n = 6 sides, that is, a hexagonal shape,

the cross section of the core is of substantially constant shape and angular orientation along the axis of extension,

the radial row or rows comprise ⁿ trays,

said plates protrude, each, from one side of the cross section of the core, said trays have a base and a free end, said base extending along the entire side of the cross-section of the web from which said tray protrudes,

the plates have a substantially triangular shape, from their base to their free end, preferably rounded,

a plurality of radial rows of trays succeed one another along the axis of extension,

the applicator of the invention comprises protuberances which are in the form of teeth, said teeth being located between the plates, said tooth-shaped protuberances are also derived from material of the core,

said teeth are rectilinear,

said teeth each have a semicircular shaped section, a flat surface, and are positioned so that two adjacent teeth of the same radial row are staggered along a line substantially parallel to the axis of extension , the plane surfaces of said two teeth being each oriented in an opposite direction of rotation,

a plurality of said teeth form at least one row of teeth aligned around the core on the same cross section of the core, called the radial row of teeth,

a plurality of radial rows of teeth succeed one another along the axis of extension,

x radial rows of trays alternate, along the axis of extension, with F radial rows of teeth, χ and ^■ respecting the formula

1 <x, y <3

2 radial rows of trays alternate systematically and successively, along the axis of extension, with ² radial rows of teeth,

the dimensions of the cross section of the core are narrowed at the radial rows of trays relative to the dimensions of said cross section at the radial rows of teeth,

the soul is full, the applicator forms a brush.

The invention also relates, advantageously, to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above, adapted to be fixed on the container, of so that the applicator is housed inside the tank.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given to As a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

On these drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an applicator according to the invention, the view being isometric and slightly inclined,

FIG. 2 is a view from above of the applicator illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the applicator illustrated in the two previous figures.

The invention relates to an applicator 10 for a cosmetic product, especially for mascara, comprising a core 12 which extends in a main direction of longitudinal extension, called the extension axis and marked X in FIGS. 2 and 3.

The applicator 10 according to the invention also comprises a plurality of protuberances 31, 32 projecting radially from the core 12, said protuberances 31, 32 being molded in continuity of material with the core 12. In other words, the protuberances 31, 32 are derived from material with the core 12. As a reminder, this has the advantage of simplifying the manufacture of the applicator 10 according to the invention. This also has the advantage of better controlling the rigidity imparted to said protuberances 31, 32.

The core 12 and the protuberances 31, 32 can thus be molded from a material based on LDPE (low density polyethylene). Other materials may still be used, namely the "EXACT" material of ExxonMobil or the "HYTREL" material of Dupont, or a mixture of these materials. As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the core 12 has a proximal end 13 and a distal end 1 6. The proximal end 13 is able to be fixed to an applicator rod (not represented) by a sleeve 14 extending said core 12; said sleeve 14 does not have any protuberances.

It should be noted that the core 12 advantageously has a cross section of polygonal shape. More specifically, the cross section of the core 12 has a regular polygon shape with straight sides. Preferably, the type of shape and / or the angular orientation of said transverse section of the core 12 is substantially constant, from its proximal end 13 to its distal end 1 6. By this is meant that although the cross section of the core 12 may have a surface of variable dimension along the core 12, it keeps the same type of contour and / or the same angular orientation.

For example, said cross section is hexagonal and it does not have an angular offset from said distal end 1 6 to said proximal end 13.

In the following, a radial row of protuberances 31, 32 will be understood to mean a row of protuberances 31, 32 arranged around the core 12, in the same plane orthogonal to the axis of extension X, said plane cutting the core 12 according to a section which is here substantially circular.

A portion 31 of said protuberances are in the form of trays and thus define what will be called thereafter at least one radial row of trays R31.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated here, the core 12 is of hexagonal cross section and thus has six longitudinal faces. The trays 31 project, each, from one side of the cross-section of the core 12, and whereas each plate 31 has a base 33 extending along the entire cross-sectional side of the web. 12 core from which said plate 31 protrudes, there will be six trays 31 per radial row R31, in the particular embodiment shown here. This example is not limiting and, when the core 12 has more or less longitudinal faces, namely a number ⁿ of longitudinal faces, with 3 < ⁾ i ≤ lo _; then the radial rows R31 of trays 31 each comprise the corresponding number of trays 31.

On the other hand, the succession of trays 31 within the same radial row R31 leads to the formation of angular gaps 37 between them. Indeed, said plates 31 have a shape that does not widen from their base 33 at their free end 35 (see Figure 2). In particular, the shape of the trays 31 is triangular. This means that the trays 31 protruding from the "faces of the core 12 do not overlap or even angularly apart from each other. In particular, in the same radial row R31, a plate 31 does not overlap the plates 31 which are directly adjacent thereto. This means that spaces 37 are created between the plates 31 of the same radial row R31, said spaces 37 preferably defining substantially concave zones, rounded or not, between them. The interstices 37 of a radial row R31 are therefore, around the radial periphery of the core 12, in the angular spaces which are not occupied by the plates 31 of said radial row R31. In other words, the plates 31 of the same radial row R31 leave empty areas of material, said interstices 37, which serve as a cosmetic product reservoir and which confer their load capacity to the radial rows of trays R31. Thus, when an applicator 10 according to the invention is extracted from the container (not shown) in which it is maintained between two uses, a significant amount of cosmetic product is embedded between the plates 31 of each radial row R31.

Indeed, the wiper (not shown) located at the outlet of the container scrapes the cosmetic product present on the trays 31. However, thanks to the interstices 37 existing between said plates 31, a significant amount of cosmetic product remains embedded on said applicator 10, between the trays, amount of product which is then ready to be returned to the eyelashes of a user.

In addition, the applicator 10 according to the invention advantageously comprises a second type of protuberances 32 which are in the form of teeth 32. Said teeth 32 are located between the plates 31, more precisely between the rows of trays R31. In the manner of the radial rows of trays R31, said teeth 32 preferentially also form radial rows, called radial rows of teeth 32 and referenced R32 in Figure 3. Said teeth 32 are, for example, provided rectilinear.

The teeth of the same radial row of teeth are here positioned in two sub-rows, the teeth of the same sub-row being in the same plane orthogonal to the soul and the sub-rows lying on the right and left. another of the same common plane, orthogonal to the soul. The teeth of one of the sub-rows are tangent below said common plane and the teeth of the other sub-row are tangent superior to said common plane. In other words, the teeth of one of the sub-rows are offset axially relative to the teeth of the other sub-row. The radial rows of teeth may succeed one another by having such a common plane between their sub-rows located vis-à-vis.

These teeth 32 here have a semi-circular section and each have a flat surface. They are positioned so that two teeth 32 of the same radial row R32, angularly adjacent but belonging to distinct sub-rows, have a planar surface facing each other, that is to say each oriented in a opposite direction of rotation. . Said teeth 32 facing each other, said adjacent teeth, are, for example, on either side of a longitudinal edge of the core.

Each tooth 32 protrudes and extends radially orthogonal to the side of the cross section of the core 12 from which said tooth 32 is derived, so as to create a gap between the flat surfaces of two teeth 32 adjacent to each other. the other.

In addition to the power loading radial rows of R31 trays described above, the trays 31 also allow to group the eyelashes of a user. However, said trays 31 do not allow to separate the eyelashes from each other. The function of separating the eyelashes from each other, or combing end of the eyelashes, is advantageously provided by the rows of teeth R32. Thus, said teeth 32 impart to the applicator 10 of the invention a capacity to comb eyelashes that the latter would not have if it consisted solely of radial rows of trays R31. This is why, as can be seen in FIG. 3, it has been planned to make follow, along the extension axis X, radial rows of trays R31 and radial rows of teeth R32. The associated advantage lies in the possibility of loading the eyelashes of the user with cosmetic product through the trays 31, while painting them, thanks to the teeth 32, and this all along the applicator 10 of the invention because the succession of the two types of radial rows R31, R32 is done axially.

In particular, radial rows of trays R31 alternate, along the axis of extension X, with radial rows of teeth R32, x and y respecting the formula 1 <x, y 3 3. In the embodiment illustrated here, without being limiting, at least two radial rows of trays R31 systematically and successively alternate, along the axis of extension, with at least one, in particular two, radial rows of R32 teeth.

Providing radial rows of trays in the form of pairs, that is to say two radial rows of trays without radial row of teeth interposed, has the advantage of further improving the charging power of the brush. The area between each plate of the same pair will indeed be protected by the upper plate, that is to say the tray wrung first when the user leaves the applicator of the container, at the moment when said zone passes to through the wringer.

This alternation of radial rows of trays R31 and radial rows of teeth R32 makes it possible to define axial zones, referenced respectively Z1 and Z2 in FIG. 3. These axial zones Z1, Z2 respectively correspond to the locations of the core 12 which bear said radial rows R31, R32.

The core 12 of the applicator 10 of the invention can be refined in the zones Z1 carrying the radial rows of trays R31, as well as in their axial vicinity, this in comparison with the dimensions that will present the core 12 in the zones Z2 bearing the radial rows of R32 teeth. The associated advantage consists in conferring an increased bending capacity on the trays 31. Indeed, the plates 31 having more material than the teeth 32, they are less able to flex axially than are the teeth 32. Decrease the dimensions of the cross section of the core 12 in the zones Z1 carrying the radial rows plates R31 makes it possible to increase substantially the radial extension of said plates 31 - distance between the base 33 of said plates and their free end 35 - and thus, to make them more flexible axially. The purpose is to prevent the radial rows of trays R31 present resistance too high when they pass through the wiper. In other words, the aim is to prevent the radial rows of trays R31, when they reach the level of the wiper, block and lead to a withdrawal - respectively a re-insertion - sequenced and difficult of the applicator 10 out of - respectively in - its container.

On the other hand, as can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the trays 31 and the teeth 32 are here distributed along said core 12 over a substantial part of its length from the distal end 1 6, and only on the whole radial periphery of the soul 12.

Alternatively, said plates 31 and said teeth 32 are distributed over only a portion of the radial periphery of the core 12 (embodiment not shown) to obtain additional makeup effects, and / or complementary to those described right here.

In addition, it should be noted that the plates 31 and the teeth 32 extend, for example, each according to a normal to the axis of extension X.

It should also be noted that the trays have in particular a rounded or convex end at their free end.

It should be noted, again, that the soul is preferentially full.

On the other hand, the trays 31 and the teeth 32 form an envelope E, in particular defined by their periphery (see FIG. 3). Said envelope E has a substantially frustoconical shape, especially between said proximal ends 13 and distal 1 6. The cone frustum formed by said envelope E has, for example, a circular cross section in the vicinity of the proximal end 13 having a diameter between 6.5mm and 9.5mm, in particular substantially equal to 8mm and a circular cross section, in the vicinity of the distal end 1 6, whose diameter is between 3.5mm and 5.5mm, in particular substantially equal to 4,5mm. The frustoconical shape of the envelope E then has the advantage of facilitating the passage of the applicator 10 through the wiper, during its reinsertion into the container, in particular after use. It should also be noted that the applicator 10 forms a brush, commonly known as a "mascara brush".

As a reminder, the invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container (not shown) comprising a body forming a reservoir containing the cosmetic product, and an applicator 10 as previously described, adapted to be fixed on the container, so that the applicator is housed inside the tank. Said applicator 10 is fixed, for example, to the end of a rod, itself attached to a plug (not shown) advantageously screwed to the container. After assembly, the sleeve 14 is located in the rod and the proximal end 13 of the core forms the visible proximal end of the applicator.

It should also be noted that variant embodiments are of course possible. In particular, in a further example of embodiment, the radial rows of protuberances 31, 32 are angularly offset in order to give at least one helical orientation to the envelope E formed by the free ends of said protuberances 31, 32. In other words, it is possible to to provide that the radial rows of teeth R32 successively adjacent are offset angularly relative to each other, while the radial rows of trays R31 are angularly set along the axis of extension X. It is also possible to envisage that it is the opposite: radial rows of trays R31 successively adjacent along the axis angularly offset with respect to each other, while the radial rows of teeth R32 are angularly set along the axis of extension X. It is still possible to provide an angular offset at each radial row of trays and / or teeth, one with respect to the be along the axis.

Claims

claims

1. An applicator (10) for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core (12) extending in a main direction of longitudinal extension, called the extension axis (X), and a plurality of protuberances (31, 32) making projecting radially from the core (12), said protuberances (31, 32) being molded in material continuity with the core (12), characterized in that the plurality of protuberances (31, 32) form at least one row of trays (31) aligned around the core (12) at the same cross section of the core (12), said radial row of trays (R31), so as to form angular gaps (37) between said trays (31).

2. Applicator (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein said plates (31) project, each from one side (33) of the cross section of the core (12), and have a base (33). ) and a free end (35), said base (33) extending along the entire side (33) of the cross section of the core (12) from which said plate (31) protrudes.

An applicator (10) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the cross section of the core (12) has an n-sided polygon shape, with 3 ≤ n ≤ 10, the radial row or rows (R31) having n trays (31).

An applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-section of the core (12) is of substantially constant shape and angular orientation along the extension axis (X).

5. Applicator (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the plates (31) have a substantially triangular shape, their base (33) at their free end (35).

An applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of radial rows of trays (R31) follow one another along the extension axis (X).

An applicator (10) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising protuberances in the form of teeth (32), said teeth (32) being located between the trays (31).

8. Applicator (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein said teeth (32) each have a semicircular shaped section, a flat surface, and are positioned so that two adjacent teeth (32) of the same radial row (R32) are staggered along a line substantially parallel to the axis of extension (X), the planar surfaces of said two teeth (32) being each oriented in an opposite direction of rotation.

An applicator (10) according to any one of claims 7 or 8, wherein a plurality of said teeth (32) form at least one row of teeth (32) aligned around the core (12) on the same cross section of the core (12), said radial row of teeth (R32), a plurality of radial rows of teeth (R32) succeeding one another along the axis of extension (X).

10. Applicator (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein χ radial rows of trays (R31) alternate, along the extension axis (X), with> ⁷ radial rows of teeth (R32), x and y respecting the formula 1≤ xy≤ 3.

The apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 9 or 10, wherein the dimensions of the cross-section of the web (12) are narrowed at the radial rows of trays (R31) with respect to the dimensions of said cross section at the radial rows of teeth (R32).

12. Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and - An applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims adapted to be fixed on the container, so that the applicator (10) is housed inside the tank.