WO2018104386A1

WO2018104386A1 - Hybrid applicator for applying a product, notably a cosmetic product, to keratin fibres

Info

Publication number: WO2018104386A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/081689
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alain Berhault; Camille SHREIBER
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2016-12-08
Filing date: 2017-12-06
Publication date: 2018-06-14
Also published as: FR3059876A1

Abstract

Hybrid applicator for applying a product, notably a cosmetic product, to keratin fibres The applicator comprises a stem (12) and an applicator head (14) comprising at least one brush (18) provided with a core (22) and bristles (24) which are fastened to the core and which form a first applicator member. The applicator head (14) also comprises at least one second applicator member 20) produced by moulding at least one plastics material and comprising application elements (28) disposed axially between said first applicator member and the stem. The core (22) of the brush is fastened to the stem (12), the second applicator member (20) being mounted around said core.

Description

Hybrid applicator for applying a product, notably a cosmetic product, to keratin fibres

The present invention relates to a hybrid applicator for applying a cosmetic product.

The expression "cosmetic product" is understood to mean a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 relating to cosmetic products.

The invention is particularly suitable for the application of a cosmetic product, such as a makeup product, for example to keratin fibres, and notably for the application of mascara.

Mascara is understood to be a composition intended to be applied to the eyelashes or eyebrows. It may notably be a makeup composition for the eyelashes or eyebrows, a makeup base for the eyelashes, known as "base coat", a composition to be applied over mascara, known as "top coat", or a composition for the cosmetic treatment of the eyelashes or eyebrows.

Conventionally, an applicator comprises at least one applicator member that defines an application surface intended to come into contact with the part of the body to be treated. The applicator member has a main body or core, of generally elongate shape, which is able to carry application elements that project from said core.

The applicator also comprises a stem which is secured to a gripping member and at the end of which the applicator member is fastened. The gripping member is generally provided to close off, in a sealed manner, the opening of the container containing the cosmetic product to be applied.

Different types of applicator member for eyelashes or eyebrows exist, for example applicator members known as "fibre" applicator members or those known as "moulded" applicator members. The "fibre" applicator members are generally formed by two twisted arms of a metal wire forming a core and comprise tufts of bristles held between these arms. The "moulded" applicator members are obtained at least partially by moulding at least one thermoplastic material, for example an elastomer material.

In the field of makeup, it may be advantageous to have an applicator which, for making up one and the same surface, provides two application characteristics, one for example for applying the product, the other for finishing or, in the case of mascara for the eyelashes, one of the surfaces being for applying the product, the other for separating the eyelashes after application.

To this end, the patent EP-Bl-1 475 013 (Kim) discloses an applicator which is provided with a first applicator member comprising a brush having a core secured to the stem of said applicator and bristles extending around this core over a limited angular segment, and with a second applicator member made in the form of a comb mounted around the core of the brush and equipped with teeth that extend in the angular region left free by the bristles.

A hybrid applicator of similar design is also described in the patent application WO-A2-2010/129818 (HCP Packaging).

Such applicators have the major drawback of imposing use hand actions that require a degree of care and skill for making up the eyelashes and then separating them after application.

In order to remedy this drawback, it is possible to provide a hybrid applicator of the type illustrated in Figure 6 of the patent application FR-A1-2 762 494 (L'Oreal). This applicator comprises a first moulded applicator member secured to the stem of said applicator, and a second applicator member constituted by a brush which is equipped with bristles and disposed axially next to the first applicator member. The core of the brush is force-fitted into a blind hole made in a front face of the first moulded applicator member.

Having these two members axially next to one another makes it easier to use the moulded applicator member to apply the product to the eyelashes, and to use the brush to separate the eyelashes after application or to make up the corner of the eye or any other surface that is difficult to reach.

However, to obtain the assembly of the applicator head on the stem of the applicator, it is necessary to secure the first moulded applicator member to the stem and fasten the brush core in the blind hole made in this first applicator member.

It will thus be understood that there is a need to make it easier to assemble hybrid applicators comprising at least two different and adjacent applicator members.

The subject of the invention is an applicator for applying a product to keratin fibres, notably to eyelashes, comprising a stem and an applicator head comprising at least one brush provided with a core and bristles which are fastened to the core and which form a first applicator member. The applicator head also comprises at least one second applicator member produced by moulding at least one plastics material and comprising application elements disposed axially between said first applicator member and the stem.

According to one general feature of the invention, the core of the brush is fastened to the stem. According to another general feature, the second applicator member is mounted around the core of the brush.

Mounting the second applicator member around the core of the brush makes it possible to assemble the applicator head by simply pushing said second member axially against the bristles of the brush. The applicator head assembled in this way can then be fastened easily to the stem of the applicator by the portion of the core of the brush which protrudes beyond the second applicator member.

Furthermore, there is no axial overlap between the part of the bristles of the brush forming the first applicator member, i.e. the first active surface of the applicator head, and the second moulded applicator member, along the longitudinal axis of the core of the brush. This makes the hand actions for using the applicator easier.

According to one advantageous design, the second applicator member is held axially along the core of the brush by the bristles of said brush on one side and by axial contact with the stem on the opposite side.

This arrangement is particularly advantageous inasmuch as one instance of fastening to the stem of the applicator, in this case the fastening of the core of the brush, makes it possible to obtain axial locking of the applicator members with respect to said stem. In an alternative design, it remains possible, however, to provide for the second applicator member to be fastened to the stem.

In one embodiment, the second applicator member comprises a body provided with a through-opening, inside which the core of the brush extends axially, the application elements being carried by the body and protruding from said body.

The through-opening in the body of the second applicator member may advantageously be configured to favour the retention by friction of the second applicator member on the core of the brush. To this end, according to a first design, the through-opening in the body of the second applicator member may be dimensioned such that said body is mounted tightly on the core of the brush. According to a second alternative design, the through-opening in the body of the second applicator member comprises at least one local narrowing extending radially inwards and in factional contact with the core of the brush. According to one advantageous arrangement of this second design, the narrowing(s) of the body of the second applicator member are dimensioned such that said body of the second applicator member is mounted tightly on the core of the brush via said narrowing(s).

The application elements may be able to retain on their surface the product to be applied, to transport it and to release it onto the surface to be treated. The application elements may comprise spikes and/or points and/or ridges and/or bosses and/or fins.

In one advantageous embodiment, the core of the brush may be fastened removably to the stem. Such fastening of the core makes it possible to change the moulded applicator member, if necessary, for another moulded applicator member with a different design, for example depending on the desired application characteristic of the product. The core of the brush may be fastened in a hole in the stem.

In a particular design of the core of the brush, the latter comprises at least two arms which are twisted at least partially together, the bristles being held between said arms.

In one particular embodiment, at least a portion of the bristles of the brush is folded in the direction of the core. In this way, the bristles can be oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core of the brush. According to a first design, the second applicator member may be shaped so as to fold said portion of the bristles. According to an alternative second design, the applicator may also comprise a sleeve mounted around the core of the brush for folding the bristles. Such a sleeve may be interposed radially at least in part between the core of the brush and the second applicator member.

The core of the brush preferably extends in continuation of the stem of the applicator. According to a particular design, the brush is aligned axially with the second applicator member. In a variant, it is possible to provide an arrangement in which the elongation axis of the brush forms a non-zero angle with the elongation axis of the second applicator member.

The invention also relates to a device for packaging and applying a product, notably a makeup product, comprising a container for storing the product and an applicator as defined above. The device may also comprise a closure member for the container, which carries the stem of the applicator. The invention also relates to a method for making up the eyelashes or eyebrows by means of the applicator, in which the product is applied with one of the applicator members with the core in an orientation parallel, or perpendicular, with respect to the eyelashes or eyebrows, and then the eyelashes or eyebrows are combed, after application, with the other applicator member with the core in an orientation perpendicular, or parallel, to said eyelashes or eyebrows.

The present invention will be understood better from studying the detailed description of embodiments that are given by way of entirely non-limiting example and are illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a front view of an applicator according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 2 is a detail view in cross section of the applicator in Figure 1 ,

- Figures 3 and 4 are detail views in cross section of applicators according to second and third exemplary embodiments of the invention, and

- Figure 5 is a detail view in cross section of an applicator according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows an applicator, designated by the overall reference numeral

10, which is intended to allow the application of a cosmetic product depending on the different application characteristics of the product.

The product to be applied may be, for example, a cosmetic product such as a makeup or care product, and notably mascara intended to be applied to the eyelashes or eyebrows of a user.

The applicator 10, of longitudinal axis X-X', is shown in a position presumed to be vertical. The applicator 10 comprises a stem 12, of longitudinal axis X-X', and an applicator head 14 carried by the stem. The longitudinal axis of the applicator head 14 is coincident with the axis X-X' of the stem 12.

The applicator 10 also comprises a gripping member 16 fastened to the stem

12 axially on the opposite side from the applicator head 14. The gripping member 16 is configured, for example, to be fitted on a container (not shown) containing the cosmetic product to be applied, so as to close it in a sealed manner. The gripping member 16 comprises a mounting skirt designed to be fastened on the container, for example to be screwed onto a neck of the container. The neck of the container may carry a wiper for the stem 12 and for the applicator head 14. The applicator head 14 is situated inside the internal volume of the container when the gripping member 16 is mounted thereon.

The stem 12 and the gripping member 16 may be produced in one piece, for example by moulding a plastics material, to which the applicator head 14 is then attached. Alternatively, it is possible to provide for the stem 12 to be fastened to the gripping member 16 by any other appropriate means, for example by adhesive bonding, screwing, etc.

The stem 12 comprises an upper first end to which the gripping member 16 is fastened, and an opposite lower second end to which the applicator head 14 is fastened. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the stem 12 has a circular cross section. Alternatively, the stem 12 may have other profiles in cross section, for example polygonal, such as square, rectangular or hexagonal, or oval, etc.

The applicator head 14 comprises a brush 18 forming a first applicator member, and a second moulded applicator member 20 obtained by moulding at least one thermoplastic material. The second applicator member 20 and the brush 18 are disposed from upstream to downstream with respect to the stem 12 of the applicator.

As illustrated more clearly in Figure 2, the brush 18 comprises a core 22 and a plurality of tufts or bunches of bristles 24 fastened to the core. The core 22 extends axially through the second applicator member 20 and is fastened directly to the stem 12. The second applicator member 20 is mounted on the core 22. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the core 22 is coaxial with the stem 12 and with the axis X- X'.

The core 22 comprises two arms (not referenced) which are twisted along the axis X-X' and between which the bristles 24 are held. The bristles 24 extend radially with respect to the core 22. The two arms of the core 22 may for example be produced from one and the same metal wire which is folded on itself in the form of a pin before being twisted. The bristles 24 extend through the arms so as to protrude on two distinct sides of the core 22. By way of indication, a bristle 24 may be for example cylindrical, with a diameter of between 15 and 35 hundredths of a millimetre. The bristles 24 may be solid or hollow. While the arms of the core 22 are being twisted, the bunches of bristles 24 spread out between the arms so as to form a substantially homogeneous layer in the axial and circumferential direction. The bristles 24 may all be identical to one another, or be formed from a collection of bunches of different types of bristle, for example with different diameters, shapes and cross sections. The bristles 24 are made, for example, of synthetic or natural material, notably of polyamide.

The bristles 24 are disposed at the free end of the core 22, which is in this case the lower end in the position of the applicator which is illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The opposite end of the core 22, which protrudes axially from the second applicator member 20, is fastened to the stem 12. To this end, a blind hole 12a is made in the lower end of the stem 12, inside which the upper end of the core 22 is accommodated. Preferably, the core 22 is fastened removably to the stem 12, in this case by being jammed in the hole 12a in the stem. It is possible to provide some other type of removable fastening, for example by screwing or by clip-fastening. In a variant, it is also possible to provide for the stem 12 to be fastened in a non-removable manner, for example by adhesive bonding, welding, crimping, hot insertion, etc.

The second moulded applicator member 20 is mounted around the core 22 of the brush, being disposed axially between the bristles 24 of said brush and the stem 12. The core 22 carries the moulded applicator member 20. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the second applicator member 20 comprises a body 26 provided with a longitudinal through-opening 26a, inside which the core 22 of the brush extends, and a plurality of application elements 28 protruding from said body. The body 26 may have a circular, elliptical, polygonal, etc., profile in cross section. Advantageously, the opening 26a may be dimensioned such that the body 26 is mounted tightly on the core 22 of the brush. In a variant, it remains possible, however, to provide a slight radial clearance between the opening 26a in the body and the core 22 of the brush.

The application elements 28 are produced in the form of spikes in this case. The application elements 28 may have other shapes, for example teeth and/or points and/or ridges and/or bosses and/or fins, etc. The application elements 28 may for example be disposed on the body 26 in the form of rows, each row being able to comprise application elements that are aligned or arranged in a staggered configuration along said body. The application elements 28 may be arranged in any other type of arrangement. By way of indication, the height of the application elements 28 may be between 1 and 6 mm. The application elements 28 may have an equal height or have a variable height along the axis X-X'. It is also possible to provide application elements that differ from one another by way of at least one of their shape, thickness, height, orientation, colour and/or material. The body 26 and the application elements 28 may be moulded from one and the same plastics material, or in a variant they can be made from at least two different plastics materials. One part of the body 26 and of the application elements 28 may for example be made from a first plastics material, and another part of the body 26 and of the application elements 28 may be made from a second plastics material which is for example more flexible or harder than the first material. The application elements 28 may for example be produced in one piece by moulding together with the body 26 or by being overmoulded on said body, or be fastened to the body by any appropriate means, for example by adhesive bonding, flocking, crimping, etc.

By way of indication, in order to mould the second applicator member 20, use can be made of any plastics material which is or is not relatively rigid, for example SEBS, a silicone, latex, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefm such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA or PMMA.

The second applicator member 20 equipped with the application elements 28 can be loaded with product to be applied and release it onto the user's eyelashes, while the bristles 24 of the brush which form the first applicator member of the applicator head can be used to separate the eyelashes after application or to make up the corner of the eye or any other surface that is difficult to reach.

Starting from the stem 12 of the applicator, the second moulded applicator member 20 and then the bristles 24 are disposed successively on the core 22 of the brush. There is no axial overlap between the bristles 24 of the brush and the moulded applicator member 20 along the longitudinal axis X-X' of the core 22. The moulded applicator member 20, which is mounted around the core 22, is held axially on said core by the bristles 24 and by the stem 12. The moulded applicator member 20 is thus held axially by the axial contact between the bristles 24, on one side, and by the axial contact with the stem 12, on the other side. The moulded applicator member 20 is interposed axially between the bristles 24 and the stem 12. Such mounting is advantageous inasmuch as no fastening means is specifically provided to lock the moulded applicator member 20 in position.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the previous example in that the moulded applicator member 20 also comprises a base 30 that extends the axial end of the body 26 and is accommodated in the hole 12a in said stem. The base 30 and the body 26 are in one piece.

In this exemplary embodiment, the hole 12a in the stem has a stepped shape with a small-diameter part inside which the core 22 of the brush is fastened and which is continued by a large-diameter part that opens out at the end of the stem and inside which the base 30 of the moulded applicator member is fitted. In this exemplary embodiment, the core 22 and the moulded applicator member 20 are fastened to the stem 12.

The exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 4, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the first example described in that the moulded applicator member 20 has an increased axial dimension which is suitable for folding the bristles 24 of the brush towards the core 22. The moulded applicator member 20 overlaps the base of the bristles 24 extending from the core 22. The applicator member 20 is locked axially in position on the side of the bristles 24 in this case by being jammed on these bristles.

A portion of the bristles 24 of the brush extends in an oblique direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core 22, and the other portion of the bristles extends substantially in a direction parallel to said axis.

In an analogous manner to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the applicator head 14 of the applicator makes it possible to independently use the moulded applicator member 20 for applying the product to the eyelashes and the bristles 24 for separating the eyelashes after application.

Moreover, given the orientation of the bristles 24, the applicator 10 makes it possible to have two different makeup effects, with two different hand actions.

For example, to apply product to the eyelashes, the product can be deposited by the moulded applicator member 20 with the core 22 of the brush oriented parallel to the eyes and to the eyelashes, and then, after application, the eyelashes can be combed by the bristles 24 with the core oriented perpendicularly to the eyes and to the eyelashes.

In order to make up the eyebrows, the bristles 24 can be used to apply the product with an orientation of the core 22 of the brush perpendicular to the eyebrows, and then the moulded applicator member 20 can be used to comb them with an orientation of the core 22 of the brush parallel to the eyebrows. The exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs from the exemplary embodiment in Figure 2 in that the longitudinal through-opening 26a in the body 26 of the second applicator member comprises a plurality of local narrowings 32 that extend radially inwards and come into factional contact with the core 22 of the brush. The narrowings 32 are in the form of bulges. The narrowings 32 may be continuous or discontinuous in the circumferential direction.

Preferably, the narrowings 32 are shaped so as to extend inside gaps formed by the twisting of the arms of the core 22, as is illustrated in Figure 5. This thus favours the retention of the second applicator member 20 on the core 22 of the brush by diametric interference. In a variant, it remains possible, however, to provide only factional contact in the radial direction between the narrowings 32 of the body 26 and the core 22 of the brush. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the narrowings 32 have a triangular shape in cross section. Alternatively, it is possible to provide other shapes, for example circular, square, etc.

According to one advantageous arrangement of this exemplary embodiment, the narrowings 32 of the body 26 of the second applicator member 20 are dimensioned such that said body 26 of the second applicator member 20 is mounted tightly on the core 22 of the brush via said narrowings 32.

By virtue of the invention, an applicator of simple and economic design that is easy to assemble is provided, said applicator allowing different application characteristics of a product with easy use hand actions.

Claims

1. Applicator for applying a product to keratin fibres, notably to eyelashes, comprising a stem (12) and an applicator head (14) comprising at least one brush (18) provided with a core (22) and bristles (24) which are fastened to the core and which form a first applicator member, the applicator head (14) also comprising at least one second applicator member (20) produced by moulding at least one plastics material and comprising application elements (28) disposed axially between said first applicator member and the stem, characterized in that the core (22) of the brush is fastened to the stem (12), the second applicator member (20) being mounted around said core.

2. Applicator according to Claim 1 , wherein the second applicator member

(20) is held axially along the core (22) of the brush by the bristles (24) of said brush on one side and by axial contact with the stem (12) on the opposite side.

3. Applicator according to Claim 1, wherein the second applicator member (20) is fastened to the stem (12).

4. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second applicator member (20) comprises a body (26) provided with a through- opening (26a), inside which the core (22) of the brush extends axially, the application elements (28) being carried by the body and protruding from said body.

5. Applicator according to Claim 4, wherein the through-opening (26a) in the body (26) of the second applicator member is dimensioned such that said body is mounted tightly on the core (22) of the brush, or wherein the through-opening (26a) in the body (26) of the second applicator member comprises at least one local narrowing (32) extending radially inwards and in factional contact with the core (22) of the brush.

6. Applicator according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the application elements (28) comprise spikes and/or points and/or ridges and/or bosses and/or fins.

7. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (22) of the brush is fastened removably to the stem (12).

8. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (22) of the brush is fastened in a hole (12a) in the stem.

9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (22) of the brush comprises at least two arms which are twisted at least partially together, the bristles (24) being held between said arms.

10. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of the bristles (24) of the brush is folded in the direction of the core (22) of the brush.

11. Applicator according to Claim 10, wherein the second applicator member (20) is shaped so as to fold said portion of the bristles (24).

12. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (22) of the brush extends in continuation of the stem (12).

13. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the brush (18) is aligned axially with the second applicator member (20).

14. Device for packaging and applying a product, notably a makeup product, comprising a container for storing the product, and an applicator (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is able to be inserted into the internal volume of the container in order to be loaded with product.

15. Device according to Claim 14, wherein the applicator (10) comprises a closure member (16) for the container, which carries the stem (12).