WO2018114493A1

WO2018114493A1 - Assembly for packaging and applying a product, comprising an applicator provided with a massaging member

Info

Publication number: WO2018114493A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/082505
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcel Sanchez
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2016-12-20
Filing date: 2017-12-13
Publication date: 2018-06-28
Also published as: FR3060273A1

Abstract

Applicator (22) for applying a product, notably a cosmetic product, comprising a base (24); and a product applicator member (26) protruding from the base (24), the applicator member (26) comprising a product application tongue (30) that delimits a cavity (32); and a massaging member (34) that is disposed in said cavity (32) and delimits, together with said application tongue (30), at least one product retention space (32a, 32b). The massaging member (34) is connected to a distal end portion (30c) of the application tongue (30) and extends towards the base (24).

Description

Assembly for packaging and applying a product, comprising an applicator provided with a massaging member

The present invention relates to the field of devices for applying a product, notably to the lips of a user. More particularly, the product may be a cosmetic or care product, notably a makeup product, for example a lipstick, a lip gloss or a care product.

The present invention also relates to the massaging of the product application zone.

The term "cosmetic product" is understood, notably within the meaning of the present invention, to mean a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and Council of 30 November 2009 relating to cosmetic products.

The document FR 2 989 256 - Al (L'Oreal) describes a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product to the lips, comprising a container containing the product to be applied, an application device comprising a gripping member, a stem secured to the gripping member and an applicator member fastened to one end of the stem. The applicator member comprises at least three apertures made between at least four members that protrude from the stem.

Such an applicator member has, notably, the drawback of it not being possible to massage the product application zone.

With this in mind, the document FR 3 003 735 - Al (L'Oreal) discloses a cosmetic product applicator comprising a base that is able to be fastened to a stem secured to a gripping member, a product application tongue delimiting a cavity and a massaging member situated in the cavity. The massaging member comprises a connecting rod protruding from the base and comprising a protuberance protruding vertically at the second end of the connecting rod. The application tongue and the connecting rod are able to move relative to one another.

However, in the event of mechanical load on the end of the application tongue, for example by pressure on a zone of the epidermis for the purpose of applying the product, the upper end of the application tongue is elastically deformed, while the connecting rod remains stationary with respect to the application tongue. Under these conditions, the product application area is thus limited to the distal end of the application tongue and does not allow satisfactory application of the product to be obtained.

Therefore, there is a need to improve applicators comprising a massaging member in order to improve the precision of application of the product.

The subject of the invention is an applicator for applying a product, notably a cosmetic product, comprising a base; and a product applicator member protruding from the base. The applicator member comprises a product application tongue that delimits a cavity, and a massaging member that is disposed in said cavity and delimits, together with the application tongue, at least one product retention space.

The massaging member is connected to a distal end portion of the application tongue and extends towards the base while leaving a longitudinal clearance between said base and said massaging member, on the opposite side from the fastening of the massaging member to the distal end portion of the tongue.

The "distal end portion" is understood to be the portion situated at an opposite end of the application tongue from the end connected to the base.

Thus, by virtue of the fastening of the massaging member to the distal end portion of the tongue, in the event of a mechanical load on the distal end portion of the application tongue, the massaging member follows the movement of the application tongue. As a result, the contact area of the applicator with the zone to be treated is increased compared with conventional applicators. The application of the product is improved in this way.

In addition, it is possible to massage the zone to which the product is applied, thereby promoting the penetration of the product.

Advantageously, the massaging member also comprises at least one protuberance, forming a massaging element, protruding from the application tongue.

Said protuberance is situated, for example, on the opposite side from said distal end portion of said application tongue and protrudes at least partially from the cavity. Thus, the protuberance comes into contact with the zone to be treated before the product contained in the cavity is applied, thereby allowing the zone to be treated to be massaged before the application of the product, thereby promoting the penetration of the product.

Advantageously, the application tongue comprises two lateral arms that are connected by the distal end portion, the massaging member having a connecting portion comprising a first end secured to the distal end portion and a second end situated closer to the base than the first end.

The two lateral arms may have a concave shape converging towards the end portion.

The cavity is substantially elongate and allows the product to be applied to be retained.

In one embodiment, the massaging member also comprises at least one connecting segment that extends laterally in the product retention space between a lateral side of the connecting portion and one of the lateral arms of the application tongue.

The connecting segment is situated, for example, on the side of the second end of the connecting portion.

Thus, the second end of the connecting portion is not detachable from the application tongue. The connecting portion and the application tongue are therefore not able to move with respect to one another, and so the connecting portion follows the movement of the application tongue in the event of mechanical loads by the user. The deformation of the application tongue at the same time as the connecting portion with respect to the base allows better application of the product to be obtained.

According to another embodiment, the massaging member comprises two connecting segments that each extend laterally in the product retention space in each case between a lateral side of the connecting portion and an arm of the application tongue.

In other words, a first connecting segment extends between one side of the connecting portion and one of the lateral arms of the application tongue and a second connecting segment extends laterally in the second space between one side of the connecting portion and the other lateral arm of the application tongue. Each of the connecting segments is situated at the second end of the connecting portion, on the opposite side from the distal end portion of the application tongue.

According to another embodiment, the massaging member comprises two protuberances that form two massaging elements and protrude from either side of the thickness of the application tongue.

For example, the protuberances each have a hemispherical overall shape. According to one embodiment, the base extends along a first longitudinal axis and the product applicator member extends along a second longitudinal axis, forming an angle with the first longitudinal axis.

The angle a may be between 0° and 35°, inclusive, and preferably equal to 12.2°.

The massaging member may extend along said second longitudinal axis towards the base.

For example, the lateral arms of the application tongue are symmetrical with respect to the second longitudinal axis.

The protuberance(s) protrude(s), for example, from one of the faces of the application tongue along a transverse axis perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis.

The applicator may be produced in one piece, for example by injection- moulding a plastics material.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an application device comprising a stem carrying an applicator as described above and a gripping member secured to said stem, the base of said applicator being mounted on the stem, on the opposite side from the gripping member.

According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an assembly for packaging and applying a product, notably a cosmetic product, comprising at least one container which delimits at least one internal volume containing said product and at least one free edge of which defines an opening for accessing the internal volume, the assembly comprising at least one application device for applying said product as described above, the applicator of said application device being able to be inserted at least partially into said internal volume of the container.

Further aims, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description, which is given only by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly for packaging and applying a product, comprising an applicator according to one exemplary embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is an enlarged front view of the applicator in Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 is a side view of the applicator in Figure 2; and

- Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on the axis IV-IV in Figure 2. An assembly 10 for packaging and applying a cosmetic product is illustrated in Figure 1.

The product to be applied may be, for example, a cosmetic product, for example a makeup or care product, to be applied, for example, to the skin, and notably the lips of a user. However, the product to be applied could be some other cosmetic or care product, for example a product for making up the cheeks, or a makeup product such as a concealer or a care product.

As illustrated in Figure 1, the assembly 10 for packaging and applying a product comprises a container 12 delimiting an internal volume 14 containing said product, and an application device 16 or applicator for said product.

The container 12 extends along a first longitudinal overall axis Χ1-Χ , shown in a position presumed to be vertical.

The body of the container 12 is provided with a closed upper end 12a forming a bottom and with a lower end 12b forming a free edge of said container that is provided with an opening (not referenced), opposite the upper end 12a, allowing access to the internal volume 14 containing the product. In a variant, provision could be made for the body of the container to comprise a neck provided with an opening.

The application device 16 extends along the longitudinal overall axis Χ1-ΧΓ and comprises a gripping member 18, a stem 20 secured to the gripping member 18 and an applicator 22 fastened to an opposite end of the stem from the end fastened to the gripping member 18.

The gripping member 18 forms a leaktight closure member that closes off the opening of the container 12 in the rest position. In this rest position, the applicator 22 is located in the internal volume 14 of the container 12. Provision could be made for the gripping member to comprise for example a skirt configured to be screwed onto a thread provided on the neck of the container.

The packaging and application assembly 10 may also have a wiping member fastened, for example, at the open end 12b of the container.

The stem 20 comprises a first end fastened to the applicator 22 and a second end fastened to the gripping member 18. In the example illustrated, the stem 20 has a circular cross section more or less along its entire length. In a variant, other shapes could be provided for the cross section of the stem, for example a polygonal shape, such as a square or rectangular shape, or an oval shape, etc. The stem 20 may be solid or hollow. The stem 20 and the gripping member 18 may be produced in one piece, for example by injection moulding a plastics material, to which the applicator 22 is then attached. Provision could be made for the stem to be fastened to the gripping member by any other means, for example by adhesive bonding, screwing, etc.

The applicator 22 comprises a base 24 able to be inserted into the stem 20 and a product applicator member 26 protruding from an opposite end of the base 24 from the end secured to the stem. The base 24 has an axisymmetric overall shape about the longitudinal axis Xl-Χ . As illustrated, the base 24 has a cylindrical overall shape. The base 24 and the stem 20 are secured together.

The applicator 22 comprises a body covered substantially over its entire surface with flocking (not shown in the figures). In a variant, provision could be made for the applicator member not to have flocking.

The applicator 22 may be produced in one piece, for example by injection- moulding a plastics material, for example thermoplastic elastomer, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, nitrile, silicone, etc.

The applicator 22 is produced, at least partially, from a material that is less stiff than the material of the stem 20. The applicator member 26 is produced, at least partially, from a material that is less stiff than the material of the base 24. Thus, the applicator member 26 is flexible with respect to the stem, and notably with respect to the base fastened in the stem. The flexibility of the applicator member improves the comfort of applying the product to the zone to be treated.

As illustrated in Figure 3, the applicator member 26 extends along a second longitudinal axis X2-X2', forming an angle a with the first longitudinal axis Χ1-Χ of the base 24. The angle a is between 0° and 35°, and preferably equal to 12.2°.

The applicator member 26 also has an overall shape that is flattened and elongate along the second longitudinal axis X2-X2'. The applicator member 26 comprises a front face 28a and an opposite rear face 28b, each of the front face and the rear face being able to come into contact with a body surface of the user.

As illustrated more clearly in Figure 2, the applicator member 26 comprises an application tongue 30 protruding from the base 24 along the second axis X2-X2' and comprising two lateral arms 30a, 30b, which are symmetrical with respect to the second axis X2-X2', and a distal end portion 30c which is situated on the opposite side from the base 24. The application tongue 30 comprises a proximal end portion (not referenced) extending from the base 24 and the distal end portion 30c forming the free end of said application tongue 30. The lateral arms 30a, 30b and the distal end portion 30c delimit a substantially elongate cavity 32 along the second axis X2-X2', for retaining the product to be applied. The two lateral arms 30a, 30b have a concave shape converging towards the end portion 30c.

The applicator member 26 also comprises a massaging member 34 that is situated in the cavity 32 and extends longitudinally along the second axis X2-X2' towards the base 24. The massaging member 34 is connected to the distal end portion 30c of the application tongue 30.

The application tongue 30 and the massaging member 34 jointly delimit, in the cavity 32, two product retention spaces 32a, 32b.

The massaging member 34 comprises a connecting portion 36 protruding from the end portion 30c of the application tongue 30 towards the base 24 along the second axis X2-X2'. The connecting portion 36 thus comprises a first end 36a secured to the end portion 30c of the application tongue 30 and a second end 36b situated closer to the base 24 than the first end 36a.

The massaging member 34 also comprises two protuberances 38a, 38b, of hemispherical overall shape, that protrude in each case from one of the faces of the connecting portion 36 along a transverse axis Y-Y' perpendicular to the second longitudinal axis X2-X2' of the applicator member. The protuberances 38a, 38b are situated on the opposite side from said end portion 30c of said application tongue 30, close to the second end 36b of the connecting portion, and each form a massaging element. In other words, the protuberances 38a, 38b are not centred on the application tongue 30. The protuberances 38a, 38b protrude partially from the cavity 32, on either side of the thickness of the application tongue 30.

The massaging member 34 also comprises two connecting segments 40a, 40b.

A first connecting segment 40a extends laterally in the first space 32a between one side of the connecting portion 36 and one of the lateral arms 30a of the application tongue 30 and a second connecting segment 40b extends laterally in the second space 32b between one side of the connecting portion 36 and the other lateral arm 30b of the application tongue 30. The connecting segments 40a, 40b are situated at the second end 36b of the connecting portion 36, close to the massaging elements 38a, 38b, and form retaining members of the connecting portion 36. Thus, the second end 36b of the connecting portion 36 is not detachable from the application tongue 30. By virtue of the double connection between the massaging member 34 and the application tongue 30, on the side of the distal end portion 30c of the application tongue, for the one part, and on the opposite side from this distal end portion, for the other part, the massaging member 34 and the application tongue 30 are not able to move with respect to one another. The massaging member 34 thus follows the movement of the application tongue 30 in the event of mechanical loads by the user. This improves the precision of application of the product.

By virtue of the connection between the massaging member 34 and the distal end portion 30c of the application tongue, in the event of a mechanical load on the end of the application tongue, for example by pressure on the zone to be treated, the massaging member 34 also comes into contact with the zone to be treated. The contact area of the application member formed by both the application tongue and the massaging member allows the application of the product to be improved.

By virtue of the applicator according to the invention, the application of the product is more precise. In addition, the application zone of the product is massaged at the same time as the application, this promoting the penetration of the product.

Claims

1. Applicator (22) for applying a product, notably a cosmetic product, comprising:

- a base (24); and

- a product applicator member (26) protruding from the base (24),

- the applicator member (26) comprising a product application tongue (30) that delimits a cavity (32); and a massaging member (34) that is disposed in said cavity (32) and delimits, together with said application tongue (30), at least one product retention space (32a, 32b),

characterized in that the massaging member (34) is connected to a distal end portion (30c) of the application tongue (30) and extends towards the base (24).

2. Applicator according to Claim 1, wherein the massaging member (34) also comprises at least one protuberance (38a), forming a massaging element, protruding from the application tongue (30).

3. Applicator according to Claim 2, wherein said protuberance is situated on the opposite side from said distal end portion (30c) of said application tongue (30) and protrudes partially from the cavity (32).

4. Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the application tongue (30) comprises two lateral arms (30a, 30b) that are connected by the distal end portion (30c), the massaging member (34) having a connecting portion (36) comprising a first end (36a) secured to the distal end portion (30c) and a second end (36b) on the opposite side from the first end and situated closer to the base (24) than the first end (36a).

5. Applicator according to Claim 4, wherein the massaging member (34) also comprises at least one connecting segment (40a, 40b) that extends laterally in the product retention space (32a, 32b) between a lateral side of the connecting portion (36) and one of the lateral arms (30a, 30b) of the application tongue (30).

6. Applicator according to Claim 5, wherein the connecting segment (40a, 40b) is situated on the side of the second end (36b) of the connecting portion (36).

7. Applicator according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the massaging member (34) comprises two connecting segments (40a, 40b) that each extend laterally in the product retention space (32a, 32b) in each case between a lateral side of the connecting portion (36) and the application tongue (30).

8. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the massaging member (34) comprises two protuberances (38a, 38b) that form two massaging elements and protrude from either side of the thickness of the application tongue (30).

9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base (34) extends along a first axis (Xl-Χ ) and the product applicator member (26) extends along a second axis (X2-X2'), forming a non-zero angle (a) with the first axis (Χ1-Χ ).

10. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein there is a longitudinal clearance between said base (24) and said massaging member (34), on the opposite side from the fastening of the massaging member (34) to the distal end portion of the tongue (30).

11. Application device (16) comprising a stem (20) carrying an applicator (22) according to any one of the preceding claims and a gripping member (18) secured to said stem (20), the base (24) of said applicator (22) being mounted on the stem (20), on the opposite side from the gripping member (18).

12. Assembly (10) for packaging and applying a product, notably a cosmetic product, comprising at least one container (12) which delimits at least one internal volume (14) containing said product and at least one free edge (12b) of which defines an opening for accessing the internal volume, the assembly (10) comprising at least one application device (16) for applying said product according to Claim 10, the applicator (22) of said application device being able to be inserted at least partially into said internal volume (14) of the container.