WO2016046723A1

WO2016046723A1 - Applicator for applying a cosmetic or care product

Info

Publication number: WO2016046723A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/057255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Caulier; Alexis LEONARD
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2014-09-22
Filing date: 2015-09-21
Publication date: 2016-03-31
Also published as: EP3197314B1; FR3025986B1; FR3025986A1; EP3197314A1; ES2894739T3

Abstract

Applicator for applying a cosmetic or care product, having an application surface for applying the product to human keratin materials, in particular the skin, the applicator comprising: - a first part (10) made of a plastics material, and a second part (20) made of a metal material, at least partially defining the application surface, comprising a rounded portion (29) and tabs (21) crimped to the first part (10).

Description

"Applicator for applying a cosmetic or care product"

The present invention relates to the cosmetic or dermatological treatment of the skin, optionally with a supply of cold, and also to the application of a cosmetic, makeup or care product thereto.

Patent Application US 2013/0121745 relates to an applicator that allows a degree of thermal storage.

An applicator having an application surface for treating a region of the skin which is defined by a material having thermal, behaviour that allows it to supply cold to the skin is also known from Patent Application FR 2 894 460. Such an applicator can contain a liquid or a compressed gas that allows the supply of cold. Given the presence of the liquid or the compressed gas, such an assembly has a relatively complex structure.

Patent Application US 2012/0219345 and International Application WO 2011/053031 relate to a lipstick applicator comprising a magnetic material intended to interact with a magnetic material in the neck of the container, in order to help the user to guide the applicator towards the mouth of the container.

There is a need for a simple and practical applicator that is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and optionally allows a supply of cold.

Thus, a subject of the invention, according to one of its aspects, is an applicator for applying a cosmetic or care product, having an application surface for applying the product to human keratin materials, in particular the skin, the applicator comprising:

- a first part made of a plastics material, and

- a second part made of a metal material, at least partially defining the application surface, comprising a rounded portion and tabs crimped to the first part.

The presence of two parts made of different materials makes it possible to create contrasting sensations on the skin for the user during application, if desired. The rounded portion of the metal part can in particular supply a sensation of freshness during application.

The second part is kept secured to the first part by crimping, The crimping allows the two parts of the applicator to be secured together without welding. The second part is deformed permanently during assembly by pressing, thereby keeping it secured to the first part. Preferably, there is no adhesive bonding, thereby facilitating manufacturing. The second part is mounted on the first part in a non-removable manner, and the separation of the first and second parts requires at least partial destruction of the applicator, or at the very least degradation thereof. The application of the product during normal use of the applicator does not require separation of the first and second parts.

The applicator preferably has an elongate overall shape, along a longitudinal axis

X.

The greater part, or even all, of the application surface can be defined by the second part. It can in particular be defined by the second part to an extent of greater than 50%, or even greater than 60%, better still greater than 70%, or even greater than 80%. The rest of the application service can be defined, by the first part, for example by portions of the first part which extend between the tabs of the second part, in the circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

The ratio L/l between the length L and the width / of the applicator can be between 1.5 and 5, or even between 2 and 4, and can be for example around 2.5. The maximum width I of the applicator can be between 5 and 20 mm, or even between 7 and 15 mm, and is for example around 10 mm. This may be the greatest diameter of the applicator. The total length L of the applicator (first part and second part secured together) can be between 15 and 70 mm, or even between 20 and 50 mm, and is for example around 25 mm.

The second part may be produced by cutting out and stamping a sheet of metal material. The second part may be symmetrical with respect to a plane, better still with respect to an axis, which is preferably coincident with the longitudinal axis of the applicator. The first part may also be symmetrical with respect to a plane, better still with respect to an axis, which is preferably coincident with the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

The rounded portion of the second part defines the free end of the applicator. This rounded portion may have a partially spherical shape or have a non-spherical shape, being slightly flattened. The term "flattened" means that the radius of curvature at the apex of the rounded portion is greater than the radius of curvature of the rounded portion at a point other than the apex of the rounded portion. It may be flattened in a flattening plane that extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the applicator. In a cross section containing the longitudinal axis of the applicator, the rounded portion may have a semi-elliptical shape, with a major axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator, or a parabolic shape. The radius of curvature at the apex of the rounded portion may be between 2 and 10 mm.

The tabs of the second part engage with the first part in order to join the first and second parts together. These tabs can be deformed during the crimping of the second part to the first. The number of tabs can be between 2 and 8, and is for example 4 or 6. The tabs may have a lobed shape and a free end in the form of a portion of the circle, for example.

^■ The first part may have indentations for receiving the tabs of the second part. The number of indentations may be the same as the number of tabs. The contour of these indentations may correspond substantially to that of the tabs of the second part.

The indentations may be separated by bosses. The number of bosses may be the same as the number of tabs of the second part. The number of indentations may be the same as the number of bosses, the bosses being disposed in alternation with the indentations. Thus, the first part may have a multilobed contour corresponding substantially to the tabs of the second part.

In the circumferential direction, a tab of the second part, then a boss of the first part, then another tab of the second part, and so on, are encountered successively.

The first part may be hollow or solid. It may comprise a rounded portion defining its free end, which is covered by the second part, more particularly by the rounded portion of the second part. Its shape preferably corresponds to that of the rounded portion of the second part. Thus, the rounded portion of the first part may have a partially spherical shape or have a non-spherical shape, being slightly flattened. It may be flattened in a flattening plane that extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the applicator. In a cross section containing the longitudinal axis of the applicator, the rounded portion may have a semi- elliptical shape, with a major axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator, or a parabolic shape.

The first part may comprise a conical shoulder close to its free end, situated at the base of the rounded portion of the first part. This shoulder may serve as a stop during the crimping of the second part to the first part, in order to correctly position this second part. The gradient of this conical shoulder with respect to the longitudinal axis of the applicator may be between 1 and 45°. The radius of the first part measured at the base of this shoulder perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the applicator may be between 0.1 and 1 mm. The indentations can have a variable width, with a maximum width e_m of for example between 4 and 7 mm. The width e of an indentation can reach its maximum e_m closer to the distal end of the indentation than its opening. The length p of an indentation may be between 2 and 10 mm.

The maximum width / of the applicator may be defined by the first part. The first part may determine the greatest diameter of the applicator.

The applicator may comprise an end piece for fixing the first part to a gripping member, for example comprising a stem that is attached to a handle, which may define a closure cap for a container.

The fixing end piece may comprise a groove intended to engage with a corresponding bulge on the gripping member in order to make it possible to keep the fixing end piece on the gripping member by snap-fastening or pressing. Any other appropriate fixing means can also be used, for example adhesive bonding or welding.

The first part can be made of a plastics material chosen from the following list, which is not limiting: thermoplastic materials, in particular elastomeric thermoplastics, polyolefins, in particular PP, PE, polyacetal, or TPE.

The second part can be made of a metal material chosen from the following list, which is not limiting: aluminium and alloys thereof, stainless steel, or Zamac.

The thickness of the metal material is compatible with the crimping thereof. The thickness of the metal material is preferably less than or equal to 0.5 mm. and is preferably between 0.2 and 1 mm.

The first part may comprise a flocked coating. The flocking may be deposited on the first part before the second part is crimped to the first part. The second part may cover at least one flocked portion of the first part, in particular when the first part is flocked continuously in the circumferential direction. The flocking may comprise bristles with a length of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm and with a diameter of between 3 and 4 dtex. These may be bristles of polyamide, in particular PA 6.6.

The second part may comprise a polished surface or, by contrast, not have a polished surface, having for example surface roughnesses, for example ridges or dimples or bosses of microscopic size. The second part may comprise a flocked coating.

Another subject of the invention is a packaging and application device comprising an applicator as defined above and a container for storing the cosmetic or care product. The container may comprise means for fixing the applicator to the container.

The container containing the product may or may not comprise a member for wiping the applicator.

The cosmetic or care product may be a makeup product such as a foundation, a concealer, a lip gloss, a lipstick, a balm, or a care product such as a deodorant or antiperspirant. The product may be liquid, a gel or have a pasty consistency. It may contain one or more pigments and/or one or more active ingredients.

It is intended to be applied to the skin or the mucous membranes of the face or the body, for example the lips, the eyelids, or the corner of the eye, this list not being limiting.

The application surface is not, according to the invention, defined by a mass of product, but by the first and/or second parts, these coming into contact with the skin during application.

Another subject of the invention is a makeup method for applying a cosmetic or care product to human keratin materials, in particular the skin, comprising the following steps of:

- dipping an applicator as described above into a container containing the product,

- applying the product by bringing the application surface into contact with the human keratin materials, in particular the skin.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

- Figure 1 is a side view, along the arrow A in Figure 3, of an applicator produced in accordance with the invention,

- Figure 2 is a view of another side, along the arrow B in Figure 3, - Figure 3 is a face-on view of this applicator, viewed along its longitudinal axis X, along the arrow C in Figure 2,

- Figures 4 and 5 are a side view of the second part of the applicator in Figures 1 to 3, along the arrow D in Figure 6, and a partial longitudinal section therethrough, respectively,

- Figure 6 is a face-on view along the arrow E in Figure 4,

- Figure 7 is a perspective view of the first part of a variant applicator embodiment,

- Figure 7a is a view similar to Figure 2 of a variant embodiment,

- Figure 8 is an elevation view of another variant applicator embodiment,

- Figure 9 is a longitudinal section,

- Figure 10 is a view of detail F in Figure 8, and

- Figure 1 1 illustrates an applicator in accordance with the invention associated with a container containing the product.

Figures 1 to 6 illustrate an applicator 1 for applying a cosmetic or care product in accordance with the invention. It may also comprise a gripping member and optionally be associated with a container for storing the cosmetic or care product, the container being able to comprise means for fixing the applicator to the container. This applicator I comprises a first part 10 made of a plastics material, and a second part 20 made of a metal material.

The first 10 and second 20 parts define an application surface 2 for applying the product to the skin. In the example described, given the respective shape of the first 10 and second 20 parts, the application surface 2 is defined essentially by the second part 20, and in particular by a rounded portion 29 thereof defining the free end of the applicator 1.

The second part 20 is kept secured to the first part 10 by crimping. To this end, in the exemplary embodiment described, the second part 20 comprises tabs 21 that are constricted by pressing onto the first part 10, these tabs 21 preferably defining, as illustrated, a multilobed proximal edge for the second part 20. The first part 10 comes into contact with the perimeter 22 of said lobed tabs 21. There are four tabs 21, bu there could of course be a different number thereof. In the example in question, the tabs 21 have a free end defined, by a portion of the circle, for example having a radius of curvature of around 1.5 mm. The first part 10 comprises bosses 1 1 that form indentations 12 between one another. There are four bosses 11, the same as the number of lobed tabs 21. The number of indentations 12 is the same as the number of bosses 1 1, the bosses 11 being disposed in alternation with the indentations 12. Each lobed tab 21 of the second part 20 is inserted into an indentation 12 of the first part 10. The number of indentations 12 of the first part 10 is the same as the number of lobed tabs 21 of the second part 20.

The tabs 21 form notches 23 between one another, said notches 23 engaging with the bosses 1 of the first part. These notches 23 have a maximum width e_m of around 3 mm. The maximum e_m of the width e of a notch 23 is situated closer to the bottom of the notch than to its opening. A notch 23 also comprises a portion of reduced width e_r situated close to its opening. This reduced width e_r may be around 0.5 mm. The depth p of a notch 23, measured from its bottom to its opening, is around 7 mm.

The applicator 3 has an elongate overall shape, being elongate along a longitudinal axis X. The ratio L/l between the length L and the width / of the first part and the second part that are secured together is around 2.5. The maximum width / is around 10 mm. The total length L of the first part and the second part that are secured together is around 26 mm.

The second part 20 is produced by stamping a sheet of metal material . The metal sheet may have a thickness of around 0.3 mm. The second part 20 is shaped such that it has axial symmetry. The first part 10 may also have axial symmetry.

The applicator comprises an end piece 3 for fixing the first part to a gripping member 50, shown by way of dotted lines in Figure 1. Said gripping member may comprise a stem or be in the form of a stem that extends in continuation of a shoulder 38 of the first part 10 that is situated at the base of the fixing end piece 35, as illustrated.

The fixing end piece may have a width l_e measured perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the applicator of between 2 and 5 mm. This is its greatest diameter in this case. The fixing end piece comprises a groove 36 intended to engage with a corresponding bulge on the gripping member in order to make it possible to keep the fixing end piece on the gripping member by snap-fastening. Any other appropriate fixing means could also be used, for example adhesive bonding, welding or crimping. The total length Le of the end piece may be between 5 and 10 mm. The rounded portion 29 defining the free end of the applicator may have a partially spherical shape or be slightly flattened. It may be flattened in a flattening plane that extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the applicator, as in the example described. In a cross section containing the longitudinal axis of the applicator, the rounded portion may have a semi-ell iptical shape.

The first part 10 comprises a rounded portion 19 defining its free end, visible in Figure 7, which is covered by the second part, more particularly by the rounded portion 29 of the second part 20. Its shape preferably corresponds to that of the rounded portion 29 of the second part. Thus, the rounded portion of the first part may have a partially spherical shape or have a non-spherical shape, being slightly flattened. It may be flattened in a flattening plane that extends perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the applicator. In a cross section containing the longitudinal axis of the applicator, the rounded portion may have a semi-elliptical shape.

The first part 10 comprises a conical shoulder 30 close to its free end, also visible in Figure 7, which is di sposed at the end of bosses 1 1 on the first part 10 and which surrounds the rounded portion 19 of the first part 10. The gradient a of this conical shoulder with respect to the longitudinal axis of the applicator is around 60°. The radius of the first part measured at the base of this shoulder perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the applicator is around 0.1 mm.

The applicator in Figure 7 differs from the one in Figures 1 to 6 in that it does not have a shoulder 38 at the base of the end piece 35. Specifically, there is no fixing of the applicator in this case.

In another variant embodiment, illustrated in Figures 8 to 10, the first part comprises an end piece 35 which does not have a groove. It then has a greater length. In this case, the total length Le of the end piece may be between 30 and 50 mm, and be for example 45 mm. The length L - L_e of the applicator not including the end piece may be between 10 and 30 mm, or even between 12 and 25 mm, and may be for example around 15 to 18 mm. This end piece can serve directly for gripping the applicator, which may not have a gripping member separate from the first part. The width U measured perpendicularly to a longitudinal axis of the applicator may in this case be between 2 and 10 mm.

In a variant embodiment, the applicator comprises flocking disposed on the first and/or second part. By way of illustration, such flocking 45 of the first part has been shown in Figure 7a. The second part may optionally also comprise a flocked coating, which has for this reason been shown by way of dotted lines in Figure 7a. The flocking 45 of the first part 10 may be partially covered by the second part 20.

The exemplary embodiments of applicators 1 which have just been described can in all cases be associated with a container 9 containing the product, as illustrated in Figure 1 1.

The invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. The second part of the applicator can for example comprise ribs of microscopic size that are not visible in the figures.

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

Claims

1. Applicator ( 1 ) for applying a cosmetic or care product, having an application surface for applying the product to human keratin materials, in particular the skin, the applicator comprising:

- a first, part (10) made of a plastics material, and

- a second part (20) made of a metal material, at least partially defining the application surface, comprising a rounded portion (29) and tabs (21) crimped to the first part (10).

2. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the second part (20) is produced by cutting out and stamping a sheet of metal material.

3. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the thickness of the metal material is less than or equal to 0.5 mm, and is in particular between 0.2 and 0.4 mm.

4. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the rounded portion (29) defines the free end of the applicator.

5. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the rounded portion (29) has a non-spherical shape, being in particular slightly flattened.

6. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the tabs (21) have a lobed shape.

7. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (10) carries bosses (1 1) that form indentations ( 2) between one another.

8. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein, a tab (2 ) of the second part (20) is inserted into an indentation (12) of the first part (10).

9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (10) is solid.

10. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (10) comprises a conical, shoulder (30) close to its free end.

1 1. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, w¾erein a maximum width (/) of the applicator (1) is defined by the first part (10).

12. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises an end piece (35) for fixing the first part to a gripping member.

13. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first part (10) comprises a flocked coating (45).

14. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the flocking (45) of the first part (10) is partially covered by the second part (20).

15. Packaging and application device comprising an applicator (1) according to any one of the preceding claims and a container (9) for storing the cosmetic or care product.

16. Malieup method for applying a cosmetic or care product to human keratin materials, in particular the skin, comprising the following steps of:

- dipping an applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 14 into a container containing the product,