WO2018051219A1

WO2018051219A1 - Cosmetic applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2018051219A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/055426
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea Perego; Osvaldo BONACINA
Original assignee: Myc Packaging Innovation Co. Ltd.; Myc Packaging Europe S.R.L.
Priority date: 2016-09-15
Filing date: 2017-09-08
Publication date: 2018-03-22
Also published as: IT201600092827A1

Abstract

There is provided a cosmetic applicator (1) comprising a support (2) defining a longitudinal axis (2a), a main plane (2b), perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2a) and a transversal axis (2c) slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis (2a), and a movable body (3) compliantly constrained to the support (2), wherein said movable body (3) is rotatable with respect to the support (2) about the transversal axis (1c) and comprises at least one application tip (4).

Description

DESCRIPTION

COSMETIC APPLICATOR

The present invention relates to a cosmetic applicator of the type specified in the preamble of the first claim.

In particular, the present invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic products, such as a mascara, a blusher, a lip gloss, a lipstick, an eyeliner, a kajal, an eyeshadow, a gloss, a foundation, a corrector, a serum, a cream, a skincare product, an eye cream or a skin care product.

As known, the packaging used for cosmetic products in liquid or cream state consists of a vessel housing the product and a cap which can be engaged to the vessel in closed configuration by means of a pressure closure.

In particular, the cosmetic products in cream/liquid state have a vessel consisting of a base body, on which the cosmetic product is arranged and a casing, defining a containing chamber of the base body and of the cosmetic product. The casings commonly known may further comprise kinematic means for extracting and using the cosmetic product or may have applicators, for example.

The applicators, when present, are characterized by a generally rigid, but sometimes flexible, load-bearing structure on the top of which a spongy body or a brush or yet a soft brush is arranged.

The top of the applicator is thus intended to collect a cosmetic product for its application and use by a user.

The described prior art comprises some major drawbacks.

In particular, the commonly known applicators have a single application mode depending on what is encompassed on the top of the applicator itself. Indeed, a spongy body is intended, for example, for particular, distinct cosmetic uses. There are cosmetic products including more cosmetics inside, as described in US- B-2370414 and US-B-195391 1 , however they are very complicated, expansive and breakable.

Another important drawback is that the shapes and size of the applicators cannot be modified and therefore are often not very versatile with reference to the possible uses for which a cosmetic is intended.

Indeed, for example, a greater accuracy may be required during the application, which can be achieved with small-sized soft brushes, or a larger application surface may be required for more extended body parts.

Finally, a further drawback is that the applicators of the prior art are oriented along a reference axis mostly centered on the (generally cylindrical) axis of the casing which either contains it or to which it is constrained.

This feature may cause difficulties during the application because the grip of the casing and the direction of application are integral.

For example, with specific reference to an eyeliner, it may be necessary to incline the cosmetic to such an extent as to completely obstruct the view of the eye with respect to a mirror, with consequent possible drawbacks, such as incorrect application.

In this situation, the technical task underlying the present invention is to devise a cosmetic applicator capable of substantially overcoming the mentioned drawbacks. In the scope of said technical task, it is an important object of the invention to obtain a cosmetic applicator which can ensure various application methods of a cosmetic. It is another important object of the invention to provide a cosmetic applicator which is versatile and substantially adapted to allow, for example, both an accurate application and a more extended and more approximate application of a possible cosmetic.

In conclusion, it is another technical task underlying the present invention to devise an applicator which allows to apply a cosmetic more easily.

The technical task and the specified objects are achieved by the applicator claimed in appended claim 1. Preferred embodiments are described in the appended claims. The features and advantages of the invention will be explained in the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows applicator 1 in closed configuration;

Fig. 2 shows applicator 1 in a first configuration;

Fig. 3 is applicator 1 in a second configuration.

In the present invention, measurements, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when associated with words such as "about" or other similar words, such as "almost" or "substantially", are to be understood as short of errors of measurement or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors, and above all, short of a minor divergence from the value, measurement, shape or geometric reference to which it is associated. For example, such words, if associated with a value, preferably indicate a divergence not higher than 10% of the value itself.

Moreover, when used, words such as "first", "second", "upper", "lower", "main" and "secondary" do not necessarily identify an order, a relationship priority or a relative position but may be simply used to distinguish different components more clearly.

With reference to the Figure, the cosmetic applicator according to the invention is globally indicated by reference numeral 1. Applicator 1 comprises a support 2 and a movable body 3 defining a secondary axis 3a

Support 2 further defines a longitudinal axis 2a, a main plane 2b, and a transversal axis 2c.

The main plane 2b is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2a, while the transversal axis 2c is slanted with respect to said longitudinal axis 2a.

Preferably, the transversal axis 2c is encompassed within the main plane 2b and is thus itself perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 2a.

Support 2 is preferably a substantially cylindrical body, centered along the main axis 2a, within which a cavity is obtained.

The cavity is such as to define substantially a U-shape, for example.

However, support 2 could consist of two spaced apart bars.

Support 2 thus comprises a base 20 and constraint means 21.

Base 20 is preferably a portion adapted to be integrally constrained to a cap 5. For example, cap 5 may be a common cap for cosmetics intended to house an applicator and be grasped by a user.

Therefore, cap 5 may contain a hollow cylindrical container, also centered along the main axis 2a and constrained to base 20 by means of constraints, such as, for example, fitting or guide-threaded coupling.

However, the constraints which integrally engage base 20 and cap 5 may be joints of any type known from the current state of the art.

The cap 5 also may be in one piece or may comprise a plurality of components. For example, the cap 5 may alternatively comprise an applicator, for example eye kajal or mascara or other types, located on the opposite side with respect to the base 20 and may be closed by a second cap. In another configuration, the cap 5 can be a hollow cylinder suitable for housing two bases on opposite sides.

Preferably, the constraint means 21 are means adapted to constrain compliantly the support 2 and the movable body 3.

Therefore, the constraint means 21 may correspond to a hinge adapted to allow the rotation of the movable body about the transversal axis 2c.

Preferably, the constraint means 21 are arranged at the forked ends of support 2 and have pins coplanar with respect to the main plane 2b present on two arms of support 2, preferably U-shaped.

Alternatively, the pins could be replaced by a bar joining the two arms of the U- shaped support 2 in which the bar is thus aligned with the transversal axis 2c. Considering support 2 as the whole of the two bars instead, the constraint means 21 may be arranged at two symmetric ends with respect to the main axis 2a.

The constraint means 21 may also comprise stop means to allow the stop of the movable body 3 in a plurality of stable equilibrium positions. Preferably stable equilibrium positions where the secondary axis 3a of the movable body 3 is aligned to the main axis 2a. Said constraint means 21 are preferably of the snap type and known for themselves 2a. For example, the stop means may comprise protrusions and countershaped seats or the like, as known to the skilled person. In such a case, or in other cases, preferably, the constraint means 21 allow to the movable body 3, in respect of the support 2, exclusively the rotation around the transversal axis 2c, in particular there are not any means allowing the translation along the main axis 2a.

Movable body 3, compliantly constrained to support 2, defines a secondary axis 3a. It is preferably substantially a rod centered along the secondary axis 3a and comprises at least one application tip 4.

For example, application tip 4 is a common non-consumable cosmetic application tip, and therefore may be a spongy body or yet a soft brush or a brush according to the cosmetic employed. Non-consumable means that it does not include inside a cosmetic product.

Application tip 4 may further be of fine type, allowing greater accuracy, or of larger size to allow depositing the cosmetic on a larger skin surface.

Preferably, the movable body 3 comprises a plurality of application tips 4, and more specifically two.

For example, the two application tips 4 are arranged at opposite ends of the movable body 3 and aligned along said secondary axis 3a and are of different type or material, such as, for example, a fine soft brush and a larger size porous body. Preferably, the size of the movable body 3 is such as to be at least partially contained within the cavity defined by support 2.

Therefore, for example, the movable body 3 is constrained by means of the constraint means 21 at the side surface of the rod mainly constituting the movable body.

The movable body 3 is further constrained in central position and has a through hole at the constraint portion adapted to be coupled to the pins or the bar preferably forming the constraint means 21 and thus centered along the transversal rotation axis 3c.

Therefore, the movable body 3 may rotate about the transversal axis 3c, thus varying the direction of the secondary axis 3a by rotating.

Applicator 1 thus preferably defines an axial configuration and a rotated configuration. The axial configuration is defined when the secondary axis 3a of the movable body 3 is aligned with the main axis 2a, while the rotated configuration is defined when the secondary axis 3a of the movable body 3 is misaligned with the main axis 2a. In particular, in the axial configuration, the movable body 3 of applicator 1 is preferably aligned with support 2 and a first portion 30 of the movable body 3, e.g. corresponding to mid body, is encompassed within the cavity of support 2. Therefore, a first application tip 40 remains substantially included within the volume described by support 2.

On the contrary, a second portion 31 of the movable body 3 remains outside support 2, and thus a second application tip 41 is immediately available for use by a user. As mentioned, the movable body 3 may be rotated with respect to the transversal axis 2c preferably passing through the placement points of the constraint means 21 , i.e. for example the pins.

Upon rotation, the applicator passes to the rotated configuration and the movable body may be advantageously rotated at different angles. The constraint means 21 , and in particular the stop means, are such as to allow the movable body to be locked in the chosen configuration, and thus the aforesaid constraint means 21 are preferably adapted to lock the rotation of body 3 by friction, while allowing the movement of the movable body 3 with the simple operation of a user's fingers. Once a rotation corresponding to 180° has been performed, for example, the second portion 31 of body 3 is encompassed within the cavity of support 2 and the second application tip 41 is therefore unusable.

Conversely, for example, the first portion 30 of the movable body 3 is outside support 2 and therefore the first application tip 40 can be used.

Therefore, applicator 1 allows to switch the type of application tip 4 passing simply, for example, from a first application tip 40 to a second application tip 41 and vice versa.

Moreover, the rotation of the movable body 3 is preferably allowed in both senses of rotation, clockwise and counterclockwise.

All rotated configurations allow to use the application tips 4, the axial configuration being equal.

During the step of applying, for example for skin surfaces which cannot be easily reached with the conventional grips, the movable body 3 can be rotated so as to arrange an application tip 4 in the desired direction, or more precisely the secondary axis 3a can be oriented either perpendicularly or with a desired incidence with respect to the surface on which to apply a cosmetic.

Applicator 1 may further be arranged within any casing for cosmetics adapted to house the structure.

For example, support 2 may be constrained to cap 5 mentioned above by means of base 20.

For example, cap 5 may be couplable to at least a containing body 6.

Thus, for example, the containing body 6 is a hollow container, preferably couplable with cap 5, adapted to contain at least one cosmetic inside and adapted to allow the housing of the applicator 1 inside. The cosmetic is preferably inside a cup or something like that and supported by elastic means, such as a steel spring, which allow to have the cosmetic always in contact with the applicator tip when the device is closed.

The containing body 6 may therefore present an internal reservoir suitable to accommodate cosmetic products within its volume. Such a reservoir can coincide with the inner surface of the containing body 6 or may be moved along the longitudinal axis 2a within the containing body 6.

The motion may, for example, be ensured by means such as springs that push the cosmetic product against the application tip 4.

Alternatively said means may consist of a pair of magnets, one of which bound to the bottom of the containing body 6 and the other to the movable reservoir, of the same polarity and therefore repelling one another.

Cap 5 and the containing body 6 can be closed in a closed configuration, e.g. by means of guide-threading coupling means or by means of magnetic and/or metal rings or yet other.

Cap 5 may further be constrained not compliantly to support 2.

Alternatively, cap 5 may have guides or extraction means inside, such as springs or threaded guides or yet other, adapted to axially move support 2 with respect to the cap 5 itself along the main axis 2a.

For example, support 2 may be contained only in part within cap 5 and preferably constrained at base 20, or support 2 may be compliantly constrained to cap 5 and thus display a configuration of use, in which the support is nearly entirely included in cap 5, and a switching configuration, in which support 2 is nearly entirely extracted so as to release at least the cavity of support 2 from the cap and allow to switch, i.e. rotate, the application tips 4 by moving the movable body 3.

The operation of applicator 1 described above is as follows in structural terms. It also defines a new method.

Considering applicator 1 constrained within a casing for cosmetics consisting of a cap 5 and a containing body 6, a user may open the casing and use the application tip 4, already impregnated with a cosmetic present, for example, in the containing body 6, positioned externally to the cavity and thus at the outer end of the movable body 3.

If it is necessary to angle the application tip further, and thus vary the direction of the secondary axis 3a, the user may manually actuate body 3 either clockwise or counterclockwise to seek the preferred rotated configuration.

If one desires to switch the application tip and pass to a different type of tip, the movable body can be rotated to the axial configuration comprising the desired tip 4 in position external to the cavity of support 2.

For example, if one desires to use the first application tip 40, the movable body 3 can be rotated and the secondary axis 3a can be aligned with the main axis 2a so that the second portion 31 and thus the second application tip 41 remain within the cavity defined by support 2. In such a manner, in addition to the hinge defined at the constraint means 21 , the first portion 30 and the first tip 40 are aligned with the main axis 2a, but external to support 2.

Now, being the first tip 40 ready for use, the first tip 40 can be set down on a cosmetic so as to impregnate it and make it immediately available for use.

Applicator 1 according to the invention achieves important advantages.

Indeed, applicator 1 surprisingly allows to switch the application tip of one or more cosmetics, and thus allows to vary the application method thereof by varying the application tip type.

Moreover, another advantage is that the accuracy of application can be modified, e.g. allowing to switch from narrower application tips 4 to broader ones.

Last but not least, a further advantage is that the application angle of the cosmetic can be easily varied without needing to grip applicator 1 , e.g. by means of cap 5, in inconvenient and disadvantageous manner, above all with reference to the application of cosmetics around the eyes. Indeed, the direction of the secondary axis 3a can be varied with simple gestures which can be performed by any user and the application tip 4 can be set to any angle.

The invention is susceptible of variants included in the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims.

In such a scope, all the details can be replaced by equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions may be varied.

Claims

C LA I M S

1. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) comprising:

- a support (2) defining a longitudinal axis (2a), a main plane (2b), perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (2a) and a transversal axis (2c) slanted with respect to said longitudinal axis (2a),

- a movable body (3),

- constraint means (21 ) constraining compliantly said movable body (3) to said support (2),

and characterized in that:

- said movable body (3) is rotatable with respect to said support (2) about said transversal axis (2c) and comprises a plurality of non-consumable application tips

(4) ,

- said movable body (3) defines a secondary axis (3a) and comprises two of said application tips (4) being arranged at the opposite ends of said movable body (3), - wherein said support (2) comprises a base (20) constrained to the inside of a cap

(5) , said cap (5) being couplable, when in the closed configuration, to a containing body (6),

- said containing body (6) being adapted to house at least part of said applicator (1 ) and comprising at least one cosmetic product.

2. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said transversal axis (2c) is arranged on said main plane (2b).

3. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of said applicator tips (4).

4. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said support (2) is substantially U-shaped.

5. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said constraint means (21 ) comprise stop means suitable to allow the stop of the movable body (3) in a plurality of stable equilibrium positions, wherein said secondary axis (3a) of said movable body (3) is aligned to the main axis (2a).

6. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said constraint means (21 ) allow to said movable body (3), in respect of said support (2), exclusively the rotation around the transversal axis (2c).

7. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) according to at least one proceeding claim, defining an axial configuration and a rotated configuration, said axial configuration being defined when said secondary axis (3a) of said movable body (3) is aligned with said main axis (2a) and said rotated configuration being defined when said secondary axis (3a) of said movable body (3) is misaligned with said main axis (2a).

8. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said support (2) comprises a cavity containing at least part of said movable body (3) when said applicator (1 ) is in axial configuration.

9. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein said application tips (4) arranged on said movable body (3) are of mutually different type.

10. A cosmetic applicator (1 ) according to at least one preceding claim, wherein there are at least two of said application tips (4) chosen from a spongy body, a soft brush or a brush.