EP3078297B1 - Cosmetic-product applicator and related applicator unit - Google Patents

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product and an associated applicator assembly.

State of the art

Applicator assemblies for cosmetic products, in particular for cosmetic products intended to be applied to the eyelashes, such as mascara, are known, comprising a container containing the cosmetic product and an applicator suitable for being removably attached to the container.

The container generally comprises a body, the body comprising walls defining a reservoir in which the cosmetic product is contained, and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be extracted.

The applicator assembly generally includes a cap adapted to be attached to the neck, a stem extending from the cap and an applicator attached to a free end of the stem. The applicator includes a core and a plurality of protuberances extending from the core.

When the stopper is fixed on the neck, the rod and the applicator extend inside the tank. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir.

To use the applicator, the user detaches the cap from the neck and extracts the applicator from the container.

It is known to produce applicators by molding. An advantage of molded applicators is that they allow great freedom, in particular of shape. They can be molded by injection of plastic material, they are then commonly called “plastic brushes”. The document US2013276812 discloses a cosmetic product applicator according to the preamble of claim 1.

Summary of the invention

An object of the present invention consists in proposing an applicator with molded protuberances making it possible to obtain different makeup effects.

• une âme s'étendant suivant un axe X principal d'extension longitudinale et ayant deux extrémités ;
• une pluralité de protubérances s'étendant en saillie à partir de l'âme et étant moulées avec l'âme.

Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, as defined in claim 1, comprising:

• a core extending along a main axis X of longitudinal extension and having two ends;
• a plurality of protuberances projecting from the core and being molded with the core.

This applicator is mainly characterized in that the core has a plurality of depression zones for storing product, alternating with zones of prominences for combing eyelashes, succeeding each other axially along its X axis, the depression zones consisting of cylindrical sections.

The plastic brush of the invention thus proposes a particular architecture of the core which offers specific advantages for the distribution of mascara, all along the brush, for example concerning functions such as loading or combing. This arrangement improves the eyelash thickening, eyelash lengthening and/or eyelash separation effects induced by the application of mascara using the brush of the invention.

The existence of cylindrical sections makes it possible to create large load zones, unlike the fine grooves present in the prior art.

Preferred embodiments are specified in the dependent claims.

• l'âme consiste en une succession de tronçons sphériques correspondant aux zones de proéminences, en alternance avec les tronçons cylindriques correspondant aux zones de dépression, des zones de stockage du produit étant localisées autour des tronçons cylindriques.
• tous les tronçons sphériques ont des dimensions identiques ;
• tous les tronçons cylindriques ont des dimensions identiques ;
• selon l'invention, l'applicateur présente une enveloppe externe et une enveloppe interne imbriquées l'une dans l'autre, lesdites enveloppes étant formées par les extrémités libres des protubérances, l'enveloppe interne présentant, à partir de l'axe d'extension X, une extension radiale qui est plus faible que l'extension radiale de l'enveloppe externe.
• les enveloppes interne et externe sont crénelées le long de l'axe X, avec des creux et des reliefs localisés respectivement au niveau des zones de dépression et des zones de proéminences de l'âme.
• le ratio du diamètre défini par l'enveloppe externe entre les zones de dépression et les zones de proéminences est compris entre 0.55 et 0.85, de préférence 0.75.
• le ratio du diamètre défini par l'enveloppe interne entre les zones de dépression et les zones de proéminences est compris entre 0.75 et 0.95, de préférence 0.85.
• les protubérances des enveloppes interne et externe sont réparties par rangées longitudinales d'allure parallèle à l'axe X.
• une rangée de protubérances sur deux forme l'enveloppe interne, l'autre rangée de protubérances formant l'enveloppe externe.
• selon l'invention, lesdites protubérances sont toutes inclinées par rapport à une direction perpendiculaire à l'axe X.
• selon l'invention, aucune protubérance n'est inclinée perpendiculairement à l'axe X.
• selon l'invention, les protubérances d'une même rangée ont toutes la même inclinaison.
• selon l'invention, les protubérances formant l'enveloppe externe sont inclinées vers une première extrémité de l'âme, dite extrémité distale, et les protubérances formant l'enveloppe interne sont inclinées vers une deuxième extrémité libre de l'âme, dite extrémité proximale.
• les protubérances formant l'enveloppe externe présentent une longueur, depuis une base située au niveau de l'âme jusqu'à leur extrémité libre, plus importante que les protubérances formant l'enveloppe interne.
• que les rangées adjacentes sont en quinconce l'une par rapport à l'autre selon la direction de l'axe X.
• lesdites rangées sont espacées radialement autour de la périphérie de l'âme selon une distance angulaire constante.
• les protubérances présentent chacune une surface plane.
• les protubérances sont positionnées de sorte que des surfaces planes de deux protubérances adjacentes sont orientées selon le même sens giratoire.
• chaque protubérance a une forme de demi-cône dont le diamètre diminue en direction de son extrémité libre.
• chaque protubérance se termine par une excroissance au niveau de son extrémité libre.
• chaque protubérance se termine par une excroissance en forme de demi-sphère au niveau de son extrémité libre.
• les protubérances formant l'enveloppe externe sont reliées aux tronçons cylindriques via un rail de rigidification.

According to different embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

• the core consists of a succession of spherical sections corresponding to the zones of prominences, alternating with the cylindrical sections corresponding to the zones of depression, product storage zones being located around the cylindrical sections.
• all the spherical sections have identical dimensions;
• all the cylindrical sections have identical dimensions;
• according to the invention, the applicator has an outer casing and an inner casing nested one inside the other, said casings being formed by the free ends of the protrusions, the inner casing having, from the axis of extension X, a radial extension which is smaller than the radial extension of the outer shell.
• the internal and external envelopes are crenellated along the X axis, with hollows and reliefs located respectively at the level of the zones of depression and the zones of prominences of the core.
• the ratio of the diameter defined by the outer envelope between the areas of depression and the areas of prominences is between 0.55 and 0.85, preferably 0.75.
• the ratio of the diameter defined by the internal envelope between the areas of depression and the areas of prominences is between 0.75 and 0.95, preferably 0.85.
• the protrusions of the inner and outer casings are distributed in longitudinal rows parallel to the X axis.
• one row of protrusions out of two forms the inner envelope, the other row of protrusions forming the outer envelope.
• according to the invention, said protuberances are all inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the axis X.
• according to the invention, no protuberance is inclined perpendicularly to the X axis.
• according to the invention, the protuberances of the same row all have the same inclination.
• according to the invention, the protrusions forming the outer envelope are inclined towards a first end of the core, called the distal end, and the protuberances forming the inner envelope are inclined towards a second free end of the core, called the proximal end .
• the protuberances forming the outer casing have a length, from a base situated at the level of the core to their free end, greater than the protrusions forming the inner casing.
• that the adjacent rows are staggered with respect to each other in the direction of the X axis.
• said rows are radially spaced around the periphery of the core at a constant angular distance.
• the protrusions each have a flat surface.
• the protrusions are positioned so that flat surfaces of two adjacent protrusions are oriented in the same direction of rotation.
• each protrusion has the shape of a half-cone whose diameter decreases towards its free end.
• each protuberance ends in a protrusion at its free end.
• each protuberance ends in a protrusion in the shape of a half-sphere at its free end.
• the protrusions forming the outer casing are connected to the cylindrical sections via a stiffening rail.

• un récipient comprenant un corps formant un réservoir destiné à contenir un produit cosmétique, et
• un applicateur selon l'une des revendications précédentes adapté pour être fixé sur le récipient, de sorte que l'applicateur est logé à l'intérieur du réservoir.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

• a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain a cosmetic product, and
• an applicator according to one of the preceding claims adapted to be fixed on the container, so that the applicator is housed inside the reservoir.

Presentation of figures

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective légèrement inclinée d'un applicateur selon l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue agrandie d'une vue de face de l'extrémité libre de l'applicateur selon la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de haut de l'applicateur selon la figure 1 ;
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon l'axe B-B repéré sur la figure 3 ;
• la figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon l'axe A-A repéré sur la figure 4.

Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the description which follows, which is purely illustrative and not limiting and must be read in conjunction with the appended figures, among which:

• the figure 1 is a slightly tilted perspective view of an applicator according to the invention;
• the figure 2 is an enlarged view of a front view of the free end of the applicator according to the figure 1 ;
• the picture 3 is a top view of the applicator according to the figure 1 ;
• the figure 4 is a sectional view along the BB axis marked on the figure 3 ;
• the figure 5 is a sectional view along the axis AA marked on the figure 4 .

detailed description

The invention relates to an applicator 1 for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core 2 extending along a main direction of longitudinal extension, called the axis of extension and marked X on the figure 1 .

Core 2 has a first end, called proximal end 5, suitable for being fixed to an applicator stem (not shown) by a sleeve 3 extending said core 2, and a second free end, called distal end 6.

The applicator 1 further comprises a plurality of protrusions 4 which project from the core 2 along directions substantially radial to the axis of extension X. Each protrusion 4 has a base located at the level of the core 2 and a free end. Said sleeve 3 has no protrusions.

On the other hand, the associated applicator assembly comprises a container (not shown). Said container, in accordance with the invention, generally comprises a wiper fixed inside its neck to limit the quantity of product on the protuberances 4 during the passage of the applicator therethrough.

The applicator 1 advantageously forms a brush which is capable of being coated with product.

The protrusions 4 will preferably be made from the material of the core 2. Thus, the core 2 and the protrusions 4 can be molded in a material based on LDPE (low density polyethylene). Other materials may also be used, namely the “EXACT” material from ExxonMobil or the “HYTREL” material from Dupont, or a mixture of these materials. Thus the protrusions 4 are all made of the same material.

The core 2 according to the invention is not of constant section. Indeed, the core 2 is made up of a superposition of zones of prominence for combing the eyelashes composed of spherical sections 11 alternating with zones of depression for the storage of product composed of cylindrical sections 12. In the example presented , the core 2 comprises five spherical sections 11, and four cylindrical sections 12. The proximal 5 and distal 6 ends of the core 2 are composed of a spherical section 11.

As depicted in figure 5 , the distance I between two spherical sections 11 is identical along the axis X of the core 2. This distance I is between 4 and 6 mm, preferably 5.1 mm. The length of a spherical section 11 corresponds approximately to twice the length of a cylindrical section 12.

The spherical sections 11 have a maximum diameter d1 less than the diameter d2 of the cylindrical sections 12. The minimum diameter of the spherical sections 11 corresponds to the diameter d2 of the cylindrical sections 12. The maximum diameter d1 of the spherical sections 11 advantageously corresponds substantially to the diameter of the container wringer.

Consequently, when the core 2 is wrung, the product loaded around the spherical sections 11 will be evacuated into the container, while the product loaded around the cylindrical sections 12 will remain stored there, advantageously forming a reservoir of product at the level of each cylindrical section 12.

The free ends of the protrusions 4 form an outer envelope 13 and an inner envelope 14 nested one inside the other, and illustrated in particular in picture 3 in top view of the applicator 1. The radial extension, from the X axis, of the inner casing 14 is smaller than the radial extension of the outer casing 13.

These casings 13, 14 have a circular section whose diameter increases as a spherical section 11 passes and decreases as a cylindrical section 12 passes. These casings 13, 14 are therefore wave-shaped in the direction of the axis X. More precisely, these envelopes 13, 14 are crenellated, and have hollows 15 at the level of the cylindrical sections 12, and reliefs 16 at the level of the spherical sections 11, as illustrated in figures 4 and 5 .

Advantageously, these recesses 15 positioned around the cylindrical storage sections 12 thus allow the user to have easy access to the product storage areas, in order to be able to load the eyelashes. Once loaded, the eyelashes can be combed thanks to the protuberances 4 forming the reliefs.

The combination between the existence of product storage areas on the core 2 and the presence of recesses 15 to facilitate access to the product is quite advantageous.

The average diameter of the outer casing 13 (respectively inner 14) at the level of a zone of prominence 11 is for example 7.9mm (respectively 6mm).

The average diameter of the outer casing 13 (respectively inner 14) at the level of a depression zone 12 is for example 6 mm (respectively 5.1 mm).

The ratio of the diameter defined by the outer envelope 13 between the areas of depression 12 and the areas of prominences 11 is between 0.55 and 0.85, preferably 0.75.

The ratio of the diameter defined by the internal envelope 14 between the zones of depression 12 and the zones of prominences 11 is between 0.75 and 0.95, preferably 0.85.

As illustrated in figure 2 , the protrusions 4 are arranged in a plurality of rows 7 extending parallel to the direction of the axis X. The adjacent rows 7a, 7b are offset from each other in the direction of the axis X The protrusions 4 are thus positioned staggered relative to each other. The figure 2 shows the offset y between the bases of two proximal protuberances 4a, 4b belonging to adjacent rows 7a, 7b. This staggered positioning makes it possible to avoid the formation of localized clusters, whereas the ideal is to have a homogeneous distribution of the product between the rows 7 and between the protuberances 4. Thus, the homogeneous distribution of the protuberances 4 with this offset between the rows 7 favors the homogeneous distribution of the product on the applicator 1, and therefore on the eyelashes of the user.

In the same way, the rows 7 are spaced radially around the periphery of the core 2 according to a constant angular distance α, which also favors the homogeneous distribution of the product on the applicator 1. As illustrated in picture 3 , the angular sector α between two adjacent rows 7a, 7b is constant all around the core 2. The brush preferably comprises 12 rows 7 of protrusions 4 each spaced apart by an angle a of 30°.

According to the invention, one row 7a out of two participates in the formation of the outer envelope 13, and the other row 7b participates in the formation of the inner envelope 14. protrusions 4a belonging to the rows 7a forming the outer casing 13 have a length, measured from a base starting from the core 2 to a free end, which is greater than the protrusions 4b belonging to the rows 7b forming the inner casing 14.

The protrusions 4a forming the outer casing 13 are connected to the cylindrical sections 12 by stiffening rails 17 in order to make them less flexible in the product storage areas, to facilitate the loading of the product on the eyelashes.

The protuberances 4 of the same row 7 have several lengths, in order to create the hollows 15 and the reliefs 16 of the corresponding envelope 13, 14, depending on the variable diameter of the core 2.

The invention has another feature, in that all the protrusions 4 of the applicator 1 are inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the axis X. More precisely, the protrusions 4 of the same row 7 all have the same inclination. The protrusions 4a of the rows 7a forming the outer envelope 13 are inclined towards the distal end 6 of the core 2, while the protrusions 4b of the rows 7b forming the inner envelope 14 are inclined towards the proximal end 5 of the core 2. Consequently, two adjacent rows 7a, 7b have different inclinations of protrusions 4a, 4b.

These inclinations towards the proximal end 5 and towards the distal end 6 are in particular represented respectively in figures 4 and 5 . In the example chosen, the angle of inclination β of the protrusions 4b, 4a forming the inner envelope 14 and the outer envelope 13 respectively, relative to a straight line perpendicular to the axis X, is respectively negative and positive, and of the same value, of the order of 15°.

The advantage provided by these inclinations and these variations in length of the protrusions 4 is felt when applying the mascara to the eyelashes. Indeed, the protuberances 4b directed towards the opposite of the free end 6 of the brush and which define the internal envelope 14, will allow easy access to the storage areas of the product on the brush and a loading of the product on the eyelashes, while the protrusions 4a directed towards the free end 6 of the brush and forming the outer envelope 13, follow the general movement of the brush during makeup, and will grip and stretch the eyelashes in order to best spread the product on the eyelashes and to comb them at the same time. This creates an eyelash lengthening effect. The distribution of these protuberances 4 in rows 7 makes it possible to improve the performance of separation of the eyelashes, which thus adds to the lengthening of the eyelashes.

On the other hand, to facilitate the manufacturing operations of such an applicator 1, the protrusions 4 may have a semi-circular section. They therefore preferably each have a flat surface 10. Said protrusions 4 are here positioned so that the flat surfaces 10 of two adjacent protrusions 4 are oriented in the same direction of rotation around the core 2, as illustrated in figure 2 and 3 .

In addition, the protuberances 4 will preferably have the shape of a half-cone 8 whose diameter decreases towards its free end, and ends in a shape of a half-sphere 9 at its free end. This half-sphere 9 allows a better grip of the eyelash with the brush.

It should be noted, again, that soul 2 is full. However, it may be hollow without this departing from the scope of the invention.

As a reminder, the invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container (not shown) comprising a body forming a reservoir containing the cosmetic product, and an applicator 1 as previously described, adapted to be fixed on the container, so that the applicator 1 is housed inside the reservoir. Said applicator 1 is fixed, for example, to the end of a rod (not shown), itself fixed to a cap (not shown) advantageously screwed to the container. After assembly, the sleeve 3 is located in the stem and the proximal end 5 of the core 2 forms the visible proximal end of the applicator 1.

Claims (11)

1. An applicator 1 for a cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising:

   - a solid core 2 extending along a main longitudinal extension axis X and having two ends 5, 6;

   - a plurality of projections 4 protruding from the core 2 and being moulded with the core 2;

   the core 2 having a plurality of vacuum zones 12 for the product storage, alternating with prominence zones 11 for the eyelash combing, succeeding one another axially along its axis X, said vacuum zones 12 consisting of cylindrical sections 12,

   characterised in that the applicator has an outer envelope 13 and an inner envelope 14 nested one inside the other, said envelopes 13, 14 being formed by free ends of the projections 4, the inner envelope 14 having, from the axis of extension X, a radial extension which is smaller than the radial extension of the outer envelope 13,

   and in that said projections 4 are all inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the axis X, the projections 4 of the same row 7 all having the same inclination and the projections 4a forming the outer envelope 13 being inclined towards a first end 6 of the core, the so-called distal end 6, and the projections 4b forming the inner envelope 14 are inclined towards a second free end 5 of the core, the so-called proximal end 5.
2. The applicator according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the core 2 consists of a succession of spherical sections 11 corresponding to the prominence zones 11, alternating with cylindrical sections 12 corresponding to the vacuum zones 12, storage zones of the product being located around the cylindrical sections 12.
3. The applicator according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the inner 14 and outer 13 envelopes are crenelated along the axis X, with hollows 15 and reliefs 16 located respectively at the level of the vacuum zones 12 and the prominence zones 11 of the core 2.
4. The applicator according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the ratio of the diameter defined by the outer envelope 13 between the vacuum zones 12 and the prominence zones 11 is between 0.65 and 0.85, preferably 0.75.
5. The applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the ratio of the diameter defined by the inner envelope 14 between the vacuum zones 12 and the prominence zones 11 is between 0.75 and 0.95, preferably 0.85.
6. The applicator according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the projections 4 of the inner 14 and outer 13 envelopes are distributed in longitudinal rows 7 parallel to the axis X.
7. The applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that one row 7b of projections 4b forms the inner envelope 14, the other row 7a of projections 4a forming the outer envelope 13.
8. The applicator according to the preceding claim, characterised in that the projections 4a forming the outer envelope 13 have a greater length, from a base at the level of the core 2 to their free end, than the projections 4b forming the inner envelope 14.
9. The applicator according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterised in that the adjacent rows 7 are staggered with respect to each other in the direction of the axis X.
10. The applicator according to one of claims 6 to 9, characterised in that said rows 7 are radially spaced around the periphery of the core 2 by a constant angular distance.
11. An applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

    - a container comprising a body forming a reservoir for containing the cosmetic product, and

    - an applicator 1 according to one of the preceding claims adapted to be fixed to the container, so that the applicator 1 is housed inside the reservoir.

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