EP3119239B1 - Applicator for cosmetic product and associated applicator assembly - Google Patents

Description

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

Applicator assemblies are known for a cosmetic product, in particular for a cosmetic product intended to be applied to the eyelashes such as mascara, comprising a container containing the cosmetic product and an applicator adapted to be 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 stopper adapted to be attached to the neck, a rod extending from the stopper, and an applicator attached to a free end of the rod. The applicator includes a core and a plurality of protrusions or bristles extending from the core, which protrusions can be molded with the core.

When the cap is attached to the neck, the rod and the applicator extend inside the reservoir. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir.

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

To prevent the applicator from being too loaded with cosmetic product, the container generally comprises a wringer, fixed inside the neck. When the user extracts the applicator from the container, the applicator slides inside the wringer. The wringer scrapes the excess cosmetic product off the shaft and the applicator. The wiper thus makes it possible to adjust the quantity of product present on the applicator and prevents excessive application of cosmetic product to the eyelashes. The wiper in particular limits the amount of product on the protuberances which extend over a great length from the core. The applicators comprising such protuberances are then used for combing the eyelashes.

After several uses of the applicator, that is to say after several passes of the applicator through the wiper, an accumulation of the cosmetic product, such as mascara, is observed at the level of the side walls of the reservoir and at the bottom. wringer level.

This quantity of cosmetic product accumulated on the side walls of the reservoir or of the wiper is then inaccessible to the applicator and is therefore not used. To overcome this, it is known from the prior art to modify certain elements of the applicator assembly, in particular the structure of the rod. By way of example, there are applicator assemblies having a rigid rod provided with a ball joint for tilting the applicator or a flexible portion between the rod and the applicator.

According to the prior art, the structures making it possible to scrape the side walls of the reservoir have either an articulation between the rod and the applicator, or an articulation at the level of the rod itself. In addition, the applicators (brushes) of these structures are not suitable for coming into contact with the rigid walls of the reservoir. In fact, the mechanical stresses exerted between the applicator and the rigid wall cause deterioration of the applicator, for example the deformation of the metal core of a brush carrying the fibers of the brush. In addition, these structures are expensive because they require a large number of parts and additional manufacturing steps.

The documents WO 2009/053922 and FR 2918 547 disclose applicators for cosmetic product illustrative of the state of the art.

An aim of the present invention therefore consists in providing an applicator allowing the recovery of a maximum of cosmetic product without damaging the applicator.

• une âme ayant un axe longitudinal (X) et présentant une première extrémité, dite extrémité proximale, et une deuxième extrémité libre, dite extrémité distale, et
• une pluralité de protubérances moulées avec l'âme, lesdites protubérances s'étendant en saillie à partir de l'âme et présentant une base située au niveau de l'âme et une extrémité libre,

l'âme comprenant au moins une zone de flexion entre son extrémité distale et son extrémité proximale, ladite âme présentant une section transversale dont le diamètre varie avec l'axe longitudinal (X), le diamètre le plus petit se situant au niveau du centre de la zone de flexion, ladite zone de flexion présentant un diamètre minimum dans une portion de la brosse située à plus de la moitié de la longueur totale de la brosse, selon l'axe longitudinal (X), en partant de l'extrémité proximale, le diamètre de l'âme étant plus élevé au centre de la partie proximale qu'au centre de la partie distale de ladite âme.Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product comprising:

• a core having a longitudinal axis (X) and having a first end, called the proximal end, and a second free end, called the distal end, and
• a plurality of protrusions molded with the core, said protrusions projecting from the core and having a base located at the level of the core and a free end,

the core comprising at least one flexion zone between its distal end and its proximal end, said core having a cross section whose diameter varies with the longitudinal axis (X), the smallest diameter being situated at the level of the center of the flexion zone, said flexion zone having a minimum diameter in a portion of the brush located at more than half of the total length of the brush, along the longitudinal axis (X), starting from the proximal end, the diameter of the core being higher at the center of the proximal part than at the center of the distal part of said core.

In other words, the applicator according to the invention comprises at least one flexion zone intrinsic to the core.

The applicator according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it is better suited to recovering the cosmetic product left on the walls of the reservoir and at the level of the wiper. It also has an economic interest linked to the fact that the applicator as such can be stored / used longer without being damaged and also that a greater quantity of cosmetic product is ultimately available to the user, before having to buy a new applicator set of the cosmetic product in question. Finally, such an applicator according to the invention does not require a complex ball or joint system increasing the number of parts of the applicator assembly, the manufacturing cost and the assembly time.

• l'âme comprend plus d'une zone de flexion,
• la zone de flexion permet à la partie distale de l'âme de pivoter, lors de l'application d'une contrainte sur l'applicateur, définissant ainsi au moins un axe de pivotement (Y) par rapport à l'axe longitudinal (X) de l'âme,
• la zone de flexion permet de fléchir la partie distale de l'âme d'une position de repos substantiellement alignée avec l'axe longitudinal (X) de l'âme jusqu'à une position de flexion comprise entre 1° et 45° par rapport à l'axe X, lors de l'application d'une contrainte sur l'applicateur,
• la zone de flexion permet à la partie distale de revenir à une position de repos substantiellement alignée avec l'axe longitudinal (X) de l'âme après l'arrêt d'une contrainte appliquée sur l'applicateur,
• la zone de flexion est adjacente à la partie proximale et à la partie distale,-la zone de flexion est située à équidistance entre l'extrémité proximale et l'extrémité distale de l'âme,
• l'âme est en matériau plastique,
• les protubérances sont en matériau plastique,
• l'âme et les protubérances sont moulées dans un même matériau,
• la section transversale de ladite âme est circulaire,
• les protubérances sont agencées en une pluralité de rangées R1-R12 qui s'étendent parallèlement à l'axe d'extension longitudinal (X) de l'âme, le nombre de rangées pouvant être inférieur ou supérieur à 12,
• les rangées adjacentes (par exemple, R1 et R2) sont décalées l'une par rapport à l'autre,
• les protubérances d'une rangée (R1) s'écartent angulairement des protubérances d'une autre rangée (R2), au niveau de leur base au moins,
• la longueur des protubérances, à partir de leur base située au niveau de l'âme jusqu'à leur extrémité libre, est la même, ou au contraire n'est pas la même, pour l'ensemble des protubérances que comprend l'applicateur,
• l'âme est prévue pleine,
• l'âme peut être creuse,
• l'applicateur forme une brosse.

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

• the core includes more than one flexion zone,
• the flexion zone allows the distal portion of the core to pivot, upon application of a stress on the applicator, thus defining at least one pivot axis (Y) with respect to the longitudinal axis (X ) of soul,
• the flexion zone allows the distal part of the core to be flexed from a rest position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis (X) of the core to a flexed position of between 1 ° and 45 ° with respect on the X axis, when applying a stress on the applicator,
• the flexion zone allows the distal part to return to a rest position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis (X) of the core after stopping a stress applied to the applicator,
• the flexion zone is adjacent to the proximal part and to the distal part, the flexion zone is located equidistant between the proximal end and the distal end of the core,
• the core is in plastic material,
• the protrusions are made of plastic material,
• the core and the protuberances are molded from the same material,
• the cross section of said core is circular,
• the protuberances are arranged in a plurality of rows R1-R12 which extend parallel to the longitudinal extension axis (X) of the core, the number of rows possibly being less than or greater than 12,
• adjacent rows (for example, R1 and R2) are offset from each other,
• the protuberances of one row (R1) deviate angularly from the protuberances of another row (R2), at least at their base,
• the length of the protuberances, from their base located at the level of the core to their free end, is the same, or on the contrary is not the same, for all of the protuberances that the applicator includes,
• the soul is foreseen full,
• the soul can be hollow,
• the applicator forms a brush.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly (not illustrated) for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a reservoir (60) intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator (10) according to the invention, adapted to be fixed. on the container, so that the applicator (10) is housed inside the reservoir (60).

The invention will be better understood, and other aims, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will emerge more clearly in the course of the detailed explanatory description which follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given to by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings.

• la figure 1 est une vue en élévation d'un exemple de réalisation d'un applicateur selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une vue de l'applicateur en position de repos (traits pleins) et en position de flexion lors de l'application d'une contrainte sur l'applicateur (traits pointillés),
• la figure 3 représente une vue de l'applicateur en position de flexion dans le réservoir,
• la figure 4 représente une vue de l'applicateur en position de flexion au niveau de l'essoreur.

On these drawings:

• the figure 1 is an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,
• the figure 2 is a view of the applicator in rest position (solid lines) and in flexion position during the application of a stress on the applicator (dotted lines),
• the figure 3 represents a view of the applicator in flexion position in the reservoir,
• the figure 4 shows a view of the applicator in flexion position at the level of the wiper.

The figure 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an applicator (10) for a cosmetic product according to the invention, which comprises a core (12) extending along a longitudinal axis X and a plurality of protuberances (40) molded with the core, said protrusions projecting from the core and having a base located at the level of the core and a free end. The core (12) has a cross section, that is to say a section made in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal extension axis (X) of said core (12), of circular shape. The core also has a first end, called the proximal end (22) and a second end, called the distal end (32), said core comprising at least one flexion zone (50) between its distal end (32) and its proximal end. (22). The flexion zone (50), during the application of a stress on the applicator, makes it possible to flex the part of the core located between the flexion zone (50) and the distal end (32), called distal part (35), without modifying the orientation of the part of the core located between the proximal part (22) and the flexion zone (50), called the proximal part (25), with respect to the longitudinal axis ( X), as shown in dotted lines on the figure 2 .

The figure 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an applicator (10) for a cosmetic product according to the invention when the applicator (10) is flexed at the level of the flexion zone (50) in the reservoir (60), the distal part (35 ) of the core (12) thus being able to scrape the walls of the reservoir (60) using the protuberances (40) associated with this part of the core.

The figure 4 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an applicator (10) for a cosmetic product according to the invention when the applicator (10) is flexed at the level of the flexion zone (50) at the level of the wiper (70), the part distal (35) of the core (12) can thus be used to clean the wiper (70) using the protuberances (40) associated with this part of the core.

According to the invention, a so-called “ rest ” position is understood to mean a position in which no stress is applied to the applicator and therefore that the distal part (35) and the proximal part (25) of the applicator (10) are aligned along the longitudinal axis X. A so-called "bending" position means a position in which the applicator is subjected to the application of a stress, thus creating an angle between the part. distal (35) and the proximal part (25) of the applicator (10).

Thanks to the flexion zone of the core, the distal part (35) of the core (via its associated protuberances) allows the user, during the application of a stress on the applicator, to recover a maximum cosmetic product both at the level of the internal walls of the reservoir and at the level of the wiper, without damaging the applicator. Although not illustrated, the proximal part (25) of the core (via its associated protuberances) can also contribute to the recovery of said product.

Thus according to the invention, the applicator (10) for a cosmetic product comprises a core (12) having a longitudinal axis (X) and having a first end, called the proximal end (22), and a second free end, called the distal end. (32), as well as a plurality of protuberances (40), said core comprising at least one flexion zone (50) between its distal end (32) and its proximal end (22).

According to the invention, the flexion zone (50) is adjacent to the proximal part (25) and to the distal part (35). Thus, each of the ends of the flexion zone (50) coincides either at one end of the distal part (35) or at one end of the proximal part (25).

According to the invention, the core of the applicator has a circular cross section. According to the invention, the diameter of this cross section varies with the longitudinal axis (X), knowing that this diameter is greater at the center of the proximal part (25) than at the center of the distal part (35) of said core and that the smallest diameter is at the level of the center of the zone flexion (50). Indeed, said bending zone (50) is the longitudinal portion of the core whose cross section with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) is minimal.

This larger cross-sectional diameter of the proximal part (25) of the core allows better stability of the applicator (10) and contributes in particular to the fact that the distal part (35) can return to a basic position which is substantially aligned. in the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (12) after stopping the stress applied to the applicator, in other words after the use of said applicator. Furthermore, the fact that the smallest section diameter is located at the flexion zone precisely makes it possible to obtain the desired flexibility and the “elastic” return of the distal part of the applicator to a rest position, contributing thus to the resolution of the technical problem that the present invention seeks to solve.

Furthermore, the fact that the proximal part (25), unlike the distal part (35) or the flexion zone (50), combines the greatest length along the longitudinal axis (X) and the greatest diameter of section, makes it possible to reinforce the stability of the applicator (10) as well as the return to a basic position of the distal part (35), as described in the previous paragraph.

Of course, the shape of the cross section of the core is not limiting in itself. Although it is described here as being circular, it could also be elliptical, square, rectangular, triangular or any other polygonal shape, for example.

• une partie proximale (25), située entre l'extrémité proximale (22) et la zone de flexion (50), cette partie proximale présentant une forme généralement ovale et une longueur (L_p), selon l'axe longitudinal (X), comprise entre 5 et 20 mm, avec une section transversale (ou diamètre, D_p) mesurée au centre longitudinal de ladite partie proximale (25) comprise entre 3 et 7 mm, plus préférentiellement entre 4 et 6 mm et encore plus préférentiellement 5 mm de diamètre,
• une partie distale (35), située entre l'extrémité distale (32) et la zone de flexion (50), cette partie distale présentant une forme généralement ovale et une longueur (L_d), selon l'axe longitudinal (X), comprise entre 5 et 20 mm, avec une section transversale (ou diamètre, D_d) mesurée au centre longitudinal de ladite partie distale (35) comprise entre 1 et 5 mm, plus préférentiellement entre 2 et 4 mm et encore plus préférentiellement 3 mm de diamètre, et
• une zone de flexion (50) située entre l'extrémité proximale (22) et l'extrémité distale (32) de l'âme, cette zone de flexion présentant une longueur (L_f), selon l'axe longitudinal (X), comprise entre 1 et 3 mm, avec une section transversale (ou diamètre, D_f) mesurée au centre longitudinal de ladite zone de flexion (50) comprise entre 0.6 et 2.6 mm, plus préférentiellement entre 1 et 2 mm et encore plus préférentiellement 1.6 mm de diamètre.

As represented in figure 1 , the core (12) extends along a longitudinal axis X and comprises:

• a proximal part (25), located between the proximal end (22) and the flexion zone (50), this proximal part having a generally oval shape and a length (L _p ), along the longitudinal axis (X), between 5 and 20 mm, with a cross section (or diameter, D _p ) measured at the longitudinal center of said proximal part (25) between 3 and 7 mm, more preferably between 4 and 6 mm and even more preferably 5 mm in length diameter,
• a distal part (35), located between the distal end (32) and the flexion zone (50), this distal part having a generally oval shape and a length (L _d ), along the longitudinal axis (X), between 5 and 20 mm, with a cross section (or diameter, D _d ) measured at the longitudinal center of said distal part (35) between 1 and 5 mm, more preferably between 2 and 4 mm and even more preferably 3 mm in diameter, and
• a flexion zone (50) located between the proximal end (22) and the distal end (32) of the core, this flexion zone having a length (L _f ), along the longitudinal axis (X), between 1 and 3 mm, with a cross section (or diameter, D _f ) measured at the longitudinal center of said flexion zone (50) between 0.6 and 2.6 mm, more preferably between 1 and 2 mm and even more preferably 1.6 mm of diameter.

According to the invention, all the diameters are extremes for the section diameter of the zone or of the part concerned. For the flexion zone (50), the section diameter located at the center of this zone, along the longitudinal axis (X), is the minimum diameter. As regards the distal (35) and proximal (25) parts, the cross-sectional diameter located at the center of one or the other of these parts, along the longitudinal axis (X), is the maximum diameter.

The flex zone (50) intrinsic to the core allows the distal portion (35) of the core (12) to pivot, upon application of stress to the applicator, thereby defining at least one axis of pivoting (Y) with respect to the longitudinal axis (X) of the web (12) (see figure 2 ). This pivoting of the distal part of the applicator contributes in particular to the protection of the structure of the applicator during the recovery of the cosmetic product at the level of the internal walls of the reservoir as well as at the level of the wiper.

The flexion zone (50) also allows the distal portion (35) of the core (12) to be flexed from a rest position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (12) to a flexion position of between 1 ° and 45 ° relative to the X axis, during the application of a stress on the applicator.

Finally, the flexion zone (50) also allows the distal part to return to a rest position substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (12) after stopping a stress applied to the applicator (after the use of said applicator).

This pivoting, this bending and this return to a rest position of the distal part of the core are all actions made possible thanks to the flexibility of the core at the level of the bending zone, this flexibility being conferred thanks in particular to the elasticity of the material with which the applicator is made, but also thanks to the dimensions of the core, as described above.

The flexion zone (50) intrinsic to the core is one in number. However, it is also conceivable, in an additional exemplary embodiment, for the number of flexion zones to be greater than one.

The flexion zone (50) is located equidistant between the proximal end (22) and the distal end (32) of the core (12). However, it is also conceivable, in a further exemplary embodiment, for the flexion zone to be located elsewhere at the level of the core, either more towards the proximal end (22) or more towards the distal end (32). According to a preferred embodiment, said bending zone (50) has a minimum diameter in a portion of the brush located at more than half of the total length (L _t ) of the brush, along the longitudinal axis (X) , starting from the proximal end (22).

Table 1, which follows, presents four particular embodiments according to the invention: TABLE 1: Proximal part (25) Flex zone (50) Distal part (35) Total brush length Length * (L _p ) Diameter * at center (D _p ) Length * (L _f ) Diameter * at center (D _f ) Distance * between center diameter and proximal end (22) Length * (L _d ) Diameter * at center (D _d ) L _t * L _t / 2 * 1 13.0 4.5 2.0 1.5 14.0 12.0 3.0 27.0 13.5 2 16.0 5.0 2.0 1.6 17.0 12.0 4.0 30.5 15.3 3 14.0 4.0 2.0 1.6 15.0 12.0 2.5 27.5 13.8 4 15.0 5.0 3.0 1.6 16.5 12.0 3.0 30.5 15.3 * All measurements are in millimeters (mm).

The protrusions (40) are molded with the core (12). In other words, the protuberances can be made from material with the core (12) or else molded onto the core (12). The core (12) and the protuberances (40) will be molded in plastic material. For example, the core (12) and the protuberances (40) may be molded from a material based on LDPE (low density polyethylene). Other materials could still be used, namely the “EXACT” material from ExxonMobil or the “HYTREL” material from Dupont or a mixture of these materials.

This makes it possible to create a core and protuberances with original shapes. It is thus possible to produce, directly and by a single molding operation, the complex shape which will give its characteristics to the core (12).

The protrusions (40) are preferably arranged in a plurality of rows R1-R12 which extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of extension (X) of the core (12). However, it is also possible, in an additional exemplary embodiment, for the number of rows to be less than or greater than 12.

In one embodiment, said adjacent rows (eg, R1 and R2) are offset from each other.

In another embodiment, the protuberances (40) of one row (R1) move away angularly from the protuberances (40) of another row (R2), at least at their base.

In an additional exemplary embodiment, it is conceivable that the length of the protuberances (40), from their base located at the level of the core (12) to their free end, either the same, or on the contrary not be not the same for all of the protuberances that the applicator includes.

It should be noted that the core (12) is planned full. It is also possible, in another embodiment not shown, for the core (12) to be hollow.

It should be noted that the applicator (10) advantageously forms a brush.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above, adapted to be attached to the container, so that the applicator is housed inside the tank.

Claims (8)

1. Applicator (10) for a cosmetic product comprising:

   - a core (12) having a longitudinal axis (X) and presenting a first end, called proximal end (22), and a second free end, called distal end (32), and

   - a plurality of protrusions (40) moulded with the core, said protrusions extending from the core and having a base located at the core and a free end,

   the core comprising at least one bending zone (50) between its distal end and its proximal end, said core having a cross-section whose diameter varies with the longitudinal axis (X), the smallest diameter being at the centre of the bending zone (50),
   said applicator being characterized in that said bending zone (50) has a minimum diameter in a portion of the brush located at more than half of the total length (L_t) of the brush, along the longitudinal axis (X), starting from the proximal end (22), the diameter of the core being higher at the centre of the proximal part (25) than at the centre of the distal part (35) of said core.
2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the bending zone (50) is adjacent the proximal part (25) and the distal part (35).
3. Applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said bending zone (50) is located a distance of 13 mm from the proximal end (22) of the core (12).
4. Applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said bending zone (50) is located a distance of 14 mm from the proximal end (22) of the core (12).
5. Applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said bending zone (50) is located a distance of 15 mm from the proximal end (22) of the core (12).
6. Applicator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said bending zone (50) is located a distance of 16 mm from the proximal end (22) of the core (12).
7. Applicator according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the core (12) has a circular cross-section.
8. Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:
   a container comprising a body forming a reservoir (60) intended to contain the cosmetic product, and

   - an applicator (10) for a cosmetic product according to one of claims 1 to 7, adapted to be fixed to the container, so that the applicator (10) is housed inside the reservoi r.

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