EP1005806B1 - Use of an applicator element to apply a product to the skin and of a package comprising such an applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator (2) consists of a holder (4) in the form of a container cap, and a flexible tip (8) of a deformable elastic material which tapers towards its rounded free end (8b). The tip has two flat sides (10) and concave (9a) and convex (9b) curved edges with different radii of curvature. When withdrawn from the container the tip passes through a slitted wiper which removes any excess product.

Description

The invention relates to a use of an application member for the application of a product, especially cosmetic or dermatological, on a surface such as the skin, as well as a use of an application set containing said product and equipped with such implementing body.

The assembly targeted by the present invention is of the type comprising a reservoir containing the product and provided with an open end to which is attached, removable manner, a plug acting as a gripping member. Cap is secured to the applicator member, generally via a rod, so that the application member, in the closed position of the assembly, plunges into permanence in said product.

The reservoir is intended, in particular to contain a dermatological product, a makeup product or specific body treatment, and more especially the face, such as a liquid foundation, a blush, a eye shadow. More specifically, the application member is designed for the application of a treatment product the signs of aging of the such as wrinkles and fine lines, and signs of fatigue, especially those of face, neck or décolleté.

Many products have been proposed in the past for the purpose of erasing or to fade the manifestations of skin aging. More recently, in Patent applications FR-A-2 758 083 and FR-A-2 759 084, the applicant has describes new products for the treatment of aging and fatigue, based on "tensors" particularly effective. When aging, the skin has a micro-relief of less and less regular and has lines and wrinkles.

In the case of tensors, they are compounds that can tend to skin and, by this tension effect, smooth the skin and reduce it, or even disappear, immediately, wrinkles and fine lines. These products have a particular texture and have fast drying properties.

The direct application of this kind of products using the fingers is not suitable. Indeed, even with the lightest massage, the friction of the finger is enough to break the texture of the product.

• déposer la juste quantité nécessaire de produit,
• avoir une géométrie en adéquation avec la surface à traiter,
• être flexible, souple et doux, compte tenu de la sensibilité de la peau du contour de l'oeil, et de la fragilité de la texture du produit,
• étaler le produit rapidement, notamment en un seul trait, avant le séchage du produit.

The problem thus posed by the present invention consists in providing an application member capable of:

• deposit the right amount of product,
• have a geometry in adequacy with the surface to be treated,
• be flexible, flexible and soft, given the sensitivity of the skin around the eye, and the fragility of the texture of the product,
• spread the product quickly, especially in a single stroke, before drying the product.

The areas of the face particularly targeted by the invention are the wrinkles of the around the eyes, such as the crow's feet on the outer corner of the eyes, the dark circles and bags under the eyes, wrinkles at the corners of the lips, etc.

Document EP-0,832,580 discloses a brush for application a cosmetic product on the eyelashes.

Document FR-A-2 506 580 discloses a flat, flexible, shaped applicator spatula for the application of a makeup product. This applicator, intended for to be loaded into a very fluid product, by capillarity, is not usable for the products covered by the present invention. Moreover, its shape is not particularly adapted for the application of said products on the areas of the body covered by the invention.

Thus, is it a first object of the present invention to provide an organ application adapted to the treatment of the skin, especially facial areas above.

A second object of the invention consists of an application member adapted to make the application as soft as possible on the skin, while ensuring a great precision of application.

Another subject of the invention consists of an applicator member capable of treating selectively a single wrinkle, or a "bundle" of wrinkles.

Yet another object of the invention is a set of applications comprising a supply of treatment product and provided with such an applicator member.

The application set according to the invention is intended to be transported in a user's handbag, where it can be used for the renewal of treatment during the day, especially during the trip.

Also, the present invention relates to a use of an application member for the application a product cosmetic or healthcare products, in particular a product with a fragile texture and / or fast drying properties on the skin, the applicator member having a gripping element and an element application, integral with the gripping element, said application element being flexible, and having at least a substantially flat first face of which the width in a direction perpendicular to an axis of elongation of the gripping element decreases towards a free end located opposite said element of the first face being delimited by two lateral edges, one of which at least is concave. Thus, when the enforcement body is of product, the first face can serve as application surface. The side edge of concave shape is suitable, especially to the shape of the lower part of the eyes. For this purpose, advantageously, said concave lateral edge has a radius of curvature between 16 mm and about 30 mm.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term "flexible" designates the ability of the application element to bend, in response to a constraint, and return by elasticity in its initial form, when the constraint ceases. Flexibility such a material can be characterized by its flexural modulus. Usually, the materials envisaged by the invention have a flexural modulus at most equal to 200 MPa (flexion Young's modulus). Flexibility can result from the nature of the material forming said applicator element and / or its configuration.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, one of the lateral edges is concave shape, the other of said side edges being of convex shape. In this case, the two side edges may have different radii of curvature. Advantageously, the radius of curvature of the convex lateral edge is greater than radius of curvature of the concave lateral edge. Alternatively, both edges lateral can be concave.

Thus, the user, grasping the gripping element by the right hand, applies the plane face to an area to be treated, located for example below the right eye, the concave edge of the applicator element conforming to the edge of the lower eyelid.

To be able to perform the same treatment on the lower part of the left eye, using the same hand or the left hand, the second face of the application element, opposed to the first, is also preferably substantially flat.

Preferably, at least the free end of the application element is of a shape rounded. In this case, the curvature of this free end has a radius from about 1 mm to about 3 mm.

As for the application element, it can be made of natural rubber or synthetic material, especially polyurethane or thermoplastic elastomer. he may be made of closed cell or semi-open cell foam, or have a flocking coating. Advantageously, the application element has an average thickness of between about 1 mm and about 3 mm.

Thanks to the choice of these materials and the thickness of the application element, it has such flexibility that, by flush with the skin, a portion of the corresponding face of the application element applies tangentially to the surface of the skin, without causing significant deformation thereof.

According to a preferred embodiment, the application element has a length of about 20 mm, measured along the axis of the gripping element. Advantageously, this gripping element is connected to the application element by a small diameter rod, which makes the manipulation of the organ easier to apply.

Advantageously, the application element has an average width approximately 7 mm measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the element grasping. This width is adapted to cover the essential part of wrinkled areas targeted.

In practice, the application member is associated with a reservoir intended to contain a produced, for example an anti-wrinkle treatment product, thus constituting a application set. This tank has an open end defining an opening on which is removably attached an element of closing. Advantageously, this closure element consists of a cap, generally cylindrical, constituting the gripping element, solidary of the application element described above.

To be able to ensure a correct dosage of the product and its homogeneous distribution on the application element, advantageously, a wiper member is provided, located in the vicinity of the open end of the tank. This wiper member is suitable for dose the amount of product taken by said application member. Of preferably, this wiper member is made of an elastomeric material and has at least one slot extending over a substantial portion of the section of the wiper member. In storage position of the assembly, the bearing rod the application element passes through said slot.

According to one embodiment, the wiper member may comprise a plurality slits intersecting near the center of the wiper member. According to one interesting aspect of the invention, each end of the slot (s) can be extend by at least one portion oriented in a direction different from the axis of the corresponding slot. In particular, each end ends with a "V" portion, centered on the axis of the corresponding slot and whose apex is adjacent to the corresponding slot. The free ends of the "V" portion can be oriented opposite the corresponding slot, or rotated to the corresponding slot. The opening angle of the "V" slot can be between 30 ° and 180 °, and preferably between 30 ° and 90 °.

Alternatively, each end of a slot ends with an opening, the shape is advantageously circular. Typically, the diameter of this opening is of the order of 1 mm.

The application member which has just been described can be used, in particular for the application of a product capable of treating wrinkles and fine lines, particularly of the outline eyes and commissures of the lips, based on a product containing tensor agents of the kind mentioned above.

Other objects of the invention will appear in detail on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention, given as a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, shown in the drawing Annex.

• la figure 1 représente une vue en coupe axiale d'un ensemble d'application conforme à l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue agrandie de l'organe d'application de l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3a représente une vue agrandie de dessus, d'un organe d'essorage selon un premier mode de réalisation
• la figure 3b représente une vue en coupe axiale de l'organe d'essorage de la figure 3a ;
• la figure 4a représente une vue agrandie de dessus, d'un organe d'essorage selon un second mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 4b représente une vue en coupe axiale de l'organe d'essorage de la figure 4a ;
• la figure 5 représente une vue agrandie de dessus, d'un organe d'essorage selon un troisième mode de réalisation ;
• la figure 6 illustre l'application d'un produit antirides sur le visage, à l'aide de l'organe d'application conforme à l'invention.

On this drawing :

• Figure 1 shows an axial sectional view of an application assembly according to the invention;
• Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the applicator member of the assembly of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3a represents an enlarged view from above, of a wiper member according to a first embodiment
• Figure 3b shows an axial sectional view of the wiper member of Figure 3a;
• FIG. 4a represents an enlarged view from above, of a wiper member according to a second embodiment;
• Figure 4b shows an axial sectional view of the wring member of Figure 4a;
• FIG. 5 represents an enlarged view from above, of a wiper member according to a third embodiment;
• Figure 6 illustrates the application of an anti-wrinkle product on the face, using the application member according to the invention.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, we see an application set 1, of axis X, for the application of a product P and equipped with an application member 2. The organ application 2 comprises a closure cap 4, adapted to be fixed, by screwing, on the neck 21 of a bottle 20 of cylindrical shape, also serving as an element of gripping. The bottle 20 forms a reservoir containing the product P, of consistency liquid to pasty or gelled. The neck 22 has an external thread 23 adapted to cooperate with a complementary thread 5 made on the lower portion to inside the plug 4. The plug 4 has a generally cylindrical shape elongated, allowing easy handling. The plug 4 is provided with a rod 6 emerging from the lower side of the plug 4. This rod 6 has a lower end 6a on which is fixed, for example by gluing, casing or heat sealing an application element 8.

The applicator element has two ends, a first end 8a adjacent to the rod 6, and a second end 8b free. Both ends have a rounded shape, the radius of curvature R ₄ of the first end 8a being larger than the radius of curvature R ₃ of the second end 8b free. According to the example, R ₄ is about 4 mm, R ₃ being about 1 mm. The distance between the two ends 8a and 8b, measured along the X axis, is about 20 mm.

The two ends 8a, 8b are separated from each other by two edges 9a, 9b. The edge 9a is concave and has a radius of curvature R ₁ . The edge 9b is convex and has a radius of curvature R ₂ . In the illustrated embodiment, R ₁ is greater than R ₂ . This makes it possible to obtain good convergence of the lateral edges 9a, 9b towards the free end 8b.

R ₁ is adapted to the curvature of the lower eyelid of the eye. Typically, R ₁ is of the order of 20 mm. R ₂ is of the order of 16 mm. The average distance / separating the two lateral edges 9a and 9b, measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis X of the rod is of the order of 7 mm. In its widest portion, the applicator element 8 has a width of about 8 mm.

The application element has two main faces 10, substantially flat and parallel to each other. The distance between these two surfaces defines the thickness of the application element, this thickness being chosen as a function of the flexibility of the material used for producing said applicator element 8. Generally, this thickness is between about 1 mm and about 3 mm.

The material constituting the application element 8 is an elastic material deformable, especially in flexion. It can be chosen from rubbers natural or synthetic, and preferably from elastomers thermoplastics. Advantageously, an elastomer foam is chosen with closed or semi-open cells. Optionally, the surface of the element application 8 can be flocked which increases its capacity to retention in product P, and thus to increase its autonomy.

The neck 21 of the bottle has a free circular edge 22 defining an opening 24. In this opening, is mounted a wiper member 26 (Figure 1) formed of an elastically deformable material. The wiper member is in the form of shape of a thin membrane and has a circular edge peripheral 27, resting on the free edge 22 of the neck of the bottle. The central portion 25 of the wiper member is shaped in bowl whose bottom is turned towards the reservoir 20. The wiper member has one or more slots 28 (FIG. 3a, 3b), 28a-28d (Figures 4a, 4b). When multiple slots are present, these intersect in a central point C. In storage position, this (or these) slot (s) is (are) crossed by the rod 6.

As can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b, only one straight slot 28 is made, whose end portions 29 are extended by two branches 30a, 30b disposed at "V" and defining therebetween an angle of about 60 °.

Figures 4a and 4b show another embodiment of an organ 28b, in which the bottom 25 is provided with four slots 28a-28d is cutting at the center C of the membrane. In a similar way to the realization of the slot of Figure 3a, the slots 28a-28d shown in Figures 4a and 4b have an end portion 29 extended by two branches 30a, 30b in shape of a "V".

The structure of the slots with their terminal part in "V" allows an opening in flexibility of the edges of the slot 28, 28a-28d during the extraction or during the introduction of the applicator element 8 into the bottle 20. On the other hand, the edges of the slot (s) ensure a correct spread of the product P on the element during the extraction of the application member, removing any excess of product P and ensuring a homogeneous distribution on the application surface 10.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a wiper member 28c, according to which the bottom 25 is provided with four slots 28a-28d intersecting at the center C of the membrane, similarly to the realization of the slots of the Figure 4a. Each slot 28a-28d shown in Figure 5, has two parts terminals formed by an opening 29a. Typically, each opening 29a is circular and has a diameter of about 1 mm.

Figure 6 illustrates the application of an anti-wrinkle product using the organ application 2 according to the invention, on the wrinkled areas of the eye contour Y and commissures of the lips Z. By slightly applying just the free end 8b of the application element, it is possible to spread the product P on a single wrinkle, ensuring a smooth and precise smoothing of the product on the wrinkle concerned, without excess product deposit at the edge of the wrinkle. The application of the product is carried out smoothly without altering the texture of the product. In this mode of application, the user holds the applicator member so that an angle of about 30 ° to 60 ° is formed between the stem 6 and the surface of the skin.

To treat a wrinkled surface of greater extent, for example the wrinkled area below the eye, the applicator element 8 is applied with a bearing force more important than in the previous case. This causes a flexion of the element of application, so that a larger, and in particular larger, area of the application element comes into contact with the skin. In this case, the surface 10 of the application element comes into contact with the skin tangentially. In following the area to be treated with the application element, a spreading of the produces just in the depths of wrinkles, where, by action of the tensor agent present in the product, it occurs, after drying, a fading, or even a erasing wrinkles.

The shape of the application element is particularly suitable for the treatment of dark circles below the eyes. The spreading of the product can be carried out of a single operation. Thus, a first face of the application element serves to the application of the product on dark circles of the right eye using the right hand, while the other side comes into application on the dark circles of the left eye, serving as the left hand.

Claims (25)

1. Use of an application member (2) for the application of a cosmetic or care product (P), in particular a product having a fragile texture or quick-drying properties, to the skin, the application member including a gripping element (4) and an application element (8), integral with the said gripping element (4), the said application element being flexible, and having at least a first substantially planar face (10), the width of which in a direction perpendicular to an axis (X) of extension of the gripping element (4) decreases in the direction of a free end (8b) located opposite the said gripping element, the said first face being delimited by two lateral edges (9a, 9b), at least one of which is of concave form.
2. Use according to Claim 1, characterized in that the material that constitutes the application element (8) is an elastically deformable material.
3. Use according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the application element (8) comprises a second face (12) opposite the first (10), the said second face being substantially planar.
4. Use according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that since one (9a) of the lateral edges is of concave form, the other (9b) of the said lateral edges is of convex form.
5. Use according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the two lateral edges have different radii of curvature (R₁, R₂).
6. Use according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the two lateral edges (9a, 9b) are of concave form.
7. Use according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the said concave lateral edge (9a) has a radius of curvature (R₁) of between 16 mm and approximately 30 mm.
8. Use according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at least the free end (8b) is of rounded form.
9. Use according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the curvature of the free end (8b) of the application element has a radius (R₃) of between approximately 1 mm and approximately 3 mm.
10. Use according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the application element (8) is made from natural or synthetic rubber, from foam, particularly from polyurethane, or from thermoplastic elastomer.
11. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application element (8) has a length (L) of approximately 20 mm measured along the axis (X) of extension of the gripping element (4).
12. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application element (8) has a mean length (1) of approximately 7 mm measured in a direction perpendicular to the axis (X) of the gripping element (4).
13. Use according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the application element (8) has a mean thickness of between approximately 1 mm and approximately 3 mm.
14. Use of an application assembly (1) including a reservoir (20) intended to contain a product (P) and a free edge (22) of which delimits an opening (24) over which a closure element (4) is removably fastened, the said closure element being integral with an application element (8), characterized in that the application element is in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.
15. Use according to Claim 14, characterized in that a drying member (26, 26a, 26b) is arranged in the vicinity of the opening (24) and is capable of metering the quantity of product (P) taken up by the said application element (8).
16. Use according to Claim 15, characterized in that the drying member (26, 26a, 26b) consists of an elastomeric material and has at least one slit (28, 28a-28d) extending over a substantial part of the section of the drying member.
17. Use according to Claim 16, characterized in that the drying member (26b) comprises a plurality of slits (28a-28c) intersecting in the vicinity of the centre (C) of the drying member.
18. Use according to Claim 17, characterized in that each slit (28, 28a-28d) extends along an axis, each end (29) of the slit or slits extending via at least one portion (30a, 30b) oriented in a different direction from the axis of the corresponding slit.
19. Use according to Claim 17 or 18, characterized in that each end (29) ends in a "V"-portion centred on the axis of the corresponding slit and the apex of which is adjacent to the corresponding slit.
20. Use according to Claim 19, characterized in that the free ends of the "V"-portion are oriented away from the corresponding slit.
21. Use according to Claim 19, characterized in that the free ends of the "V" are oriented in the direction of the corresponding slit.
22. Use according to one of Claims 19 to 21, characterized in that the angle of opening of the "V" is between 30° and 180° and preferably between 30° and 90°.
23. Use according to Claim 17, characterized in that each slit (28a-28d) extends along an axis, each end of the slit or slits consisting of an opening (29a).
24. Use according to Claim 23, characterized in that the opening (29a) has a diameter of approximately 1 mm.
25. Use of an application member (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, for the application of a product (P) suitable for treating wrinkles, particularly of the contour area of the eyes (Y) and of the corners of the mouth (Z).

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