JP6700431B2 - Applicator for applying liquid cosmetics - Google Patents

Description

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

  The expression "cosmetics" is understood to mean any product defined in Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council on cosmetics 30 November 2009.

  The applicator is more particularly intended for the application of cosmetics to human keratin surfaces such as skin, lips or nails. The cosmetic product may in particular be a care or make-up product, for example a liquid foundation, a nail varnish, a lipstick, a cream, an oil, a hair care product and the like.

  Generally, the applicator comprises an applicator member mounted to the gripping member, the applicator member defining an applicator surface intended to contact a user's body surface.

  The gripping member may in particular be the cap of the reservoir, the application member being filled with the cosmetic product from the outside or from the reservoir itself (eg a pen applicator) and the application member being supplied with the cosmetic product from the inside.

  The applicator member is attached to the gripping member by a holding and fastening element that includes a housing for receiving and holding a fastener or leg of the applicator member.

  The retaining element may be attached to the gripping member or made in one piece with the gripping member.

  In particular, the applicator member is a foam or a deformable, especially compressible, elastomeric applicator member.

  As an example, it is possible to cite Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 which are documents describing such an applicator.

  Documents such as Patent Document 1 and particularly FIG. 2 describe an applicator including a grip portion on which a coating film is mounted. To this end, the gripping part has a mounting skirt that defines a housing for receiving the fastening part of the membrane. The fastening portion of the membrane is fixed, for example by being adhesively bonded or welded to the inner or outer surface of the mounting skirt, or in a detachable manner, for example by friction fitting, snap fastening or pressure fitting, Held on a wearing skirt.

  The document US Pat. No. 5,697,058 describes an application element fastened to a cover by a mounting skirt in which the application element is adhesively bonded, welded or snap fastened.

  The document US Pat. No. 6,037,037 describes an applicator that comprises a reservoir forming a gripping member and having an intermediate element, inside which the application member is housed and retained.

  To this end, the intermediate element defines an inner cylindrical housing having a side wall and a substantially flat lateral wall forming the bottom of the housing.

  The housing of the intermediate element communicates with the interior of the reservoir via a passageway through a hollow shaft extending along the longitudinal axis of the housing.

  The applicator member is mounted inside the housing around the hollow shaft. The applicator member is in the form of a block of porous material, typically foam, which is at least partially elastically compressible.

  The application member is fastened to the inside of the housing of the intermediate element, preferably in a detachable manner, in particular by adhesive bonding or snap fastening.

  It has been found that systems for mounting applicators are not entirely satisfactory.

  In particular, when the application member is adhesively bonded to the mounting element, there is a tendency for the adhesive to undergo a chemical change, especially when it comes into contact with some cosmetics or some of the cosmetic compounds (especially when the cosmetic contains volatile compounds). I know this is possible. After a certain period, the holding of the applicator element is no longer optimally ensured.

  Furthermore, the cosmetic applicator is subject to a large number of front, rear, left and right movements, which can cause the fasteners to wear and become brittle.

  Therefore, it is generally preferred to utilize mechanical retention fastening, as described in the references cited above.

French Patent No. 2962890 French Patent No. 2814651 French Patent No. 2832297

  However, there is an improved mechanical fastening solution that can also prove that such mechanical fastening is inadequate and that allows the applicator member to withstand the forces applied, especially lateral or tensile forces. is necessary.

  Moreover, mechanical fastening methods are generally relatively complex and there is a need for simpler fastening systems that make assembly easier.

  The present invention aims to achieve all or some of these objects, and in order to achieve this object, in the form of a block of deformable material intended to contact the body surface of the user. An applicator member defining an applicator surface, the applicator member being attached to the gripping member by at least one retention and fastening system comprising at least one peripheral skirt defining a housing for receiving a mounting foot of the applicator member with the end wall. An applicator for applying cosmetics, comprising: the applicator member, wherein the retaining and fastening system compresses a portion of the mounting leg located at a non-zero distance from a base surface of the mounting leg. At least one complementary clamping ring, the base surface being oriented toward an end wall of the retention and fastening system when the applicator member is disposed in the housing of the retention and fastening system. We propose an applicator, characterized in that the ring has at least one clip fastening means which can cooperate with at least one complementary clip fastening means of the peripheral skirt of the holding and fastening system.

  Therefore, by providing an additional clamping ring that can be attached to the skirt by clip fastening, the assembly is considerably easier and the ring only needs to be inserted into the housing until the ring is clipped onto the skirt. Support the application member.

  The clamping ring may be removable to allow for possible replacement of the applicator member with the same, eg new, or different applicator member.

  Further, the tightening ring compresses only a portion of the mounting leg of the applicator member, slightly away from the base of the mounting leg.

  As a result, the mounting leg has a reduced, compressed section of cross section and a larger, uncompressed or weakly compressed base section of cross section. The uncompressed or weakly compressed base portion resists movements in the withdrawal direction of the longitudinal component, including movements of the lateral movement of the applicator member from the ring, thus tightening and retaining the applicator member. It has a wider cross section, which contributes significantly.

  Moreover, the compression of a part of the mounting leg of the application member increases the friction between the mounting leg and the ring, and this increase in friction also contributes to the overall retention.

  According to a first variant, the application member is made of foam, preferably a block of foam.

  According to a second variant, the application member is made of an elastomeric material, preferably a block of elastomer. In particular, it is also possible to use, for example, a coating element made of silicone.

  Depending on the supply of cosmetic product to the application member and the desired filling of the product, the application member can have more or less open pores, if desired. Alternatively, if the product is not required to diffuse into or through the applicator member, the material used can have closed pores or even be non-porous.

  In an advantageous complementary manner, the application member has an application surface that is at least partially flocked or even completely flocked.

  Advantageously, the compression level is at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, or even at least 30%, relative to the cross section of the application member in its uncompressed or weakly compressed state within the housing. In order to maintain good capillary action of the applicator member and good comfort on application, it is appropriate not to over-compress the legs of the applicator member. To this end, the compression level is preferably below 40%, or even below 35%.

  The compression level can be changed depending on the compressibility of the material of the application member.

  In particular, the compression level is such that when inserted into a housing for receiving the mounting legs of the applicator so as to be clipped therein, a reduction in the cross section of said housing, and thus a partial application member. It depends in particular on the thickness of the clamping ring, which leads to a good compression.

  In an advantageous complementary manner, the end wall of the holding and fastening system comprises at least one tooth which can enter into the base surface of the leg of the application member. The teeth serve to fasten the applicator member by limiting lateral movement, in particular rotational movement.

  In an advantageous complementary manner, the clamping ring has an end which is preferably intended to be oriented towards the end wall of the holding and fastening system, said end being the mounting foot of the applicator member. And at least a partial peripheral radial shoulder capable of engaging at least a partial peripheral complementary slot in.

  The presence of such a shoulder that can enter into a corresponding slot made in the mounting leg of the applicator member allows the retention and fastening of the applicator member to be further enhanced. This is because the shoulder that enters the slot acts as a stop that prevents any longitudinal movement of the applicator member. The stopper also limits the movement of the lateral movement.

  Preferably, the peripheral radial shoulder has a surface intended to be oriented towards the end wall of the holding and fastening system and is able to enter into the corresponding surface of the peripheral slot in the application member. It has at least one connecting tooth.

  With respect to the end wall, the teeth serve to limit any lateral movement and especially any rotation of the application member within the housing of the application member. Retention is particularly effective in combination with the teeth on the end wall.

  According to a preferred embodiment, the slot in the mounting leg of the application member is located approximately in the middle of the mounting leg. Preferably, the slot is located 30-60% of the height of the mounting leg relative to the base of the mounting leg.

  In a complementary manner, the end wall of the holding and fastening system extends at least partially through the fastening ring approximately perpendicular to the end wall and into a corresponding cavity in the mounting leg of the applicator member. Has at least one, especially central, spike.

  Thus, by providing spikes, especially in the center, compression and tightening of the applicator member in the ring is further enhanced.

  Preferably, the spike extends the full length of the tightening ring and completely penetrates the tightening ring.

  Preferably, the spikes on the end wall project from the skirt of the retention and fastening system. Such a feature helps limit the amplitude of movement of the applicator member.

  It should be noted that when the cosmetic product is dispensed from the inside of the applicator member, the spikes are hollow and may serve as a cannula for delivering the product.

  Advantageously, the tightening ring extends over approximately half the height of the mounting foot of the applicator member. Preferably, the tightening ring extends over at least 40% of the height of the mounting leg. Preferably, the tightening ring extends up to 90% of the height of the mounting leg.

  This keeps a relatively large uncompressed or weakly compressed portion of the mounting leg while ensuring a relatively large compressed portion of the mounting leg to ensure good retention of the applicator member. Allows you to have.

  The invention also relates to an assembly for packaging and applying liquid cosmetics, which comprises both a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product (P) to be applied and an applicator according to the invention. .

  According to the first embodiment, the gripping member forms a sealing cap for the reservoir, and the applicator includes a storage position in which the gripping member seals the reservoir and the coating member is arranged inside the reservoir, and a gripping position. The member can be separated from the reservoir and the applicator member can move to and from the application position withdrawn from the reservoir.

  According to a second embodiment, the gripping member is connected to the reservoir in a non-removable manner and the application member is arranged outside the reservoir and is in fluid communication with the internal space of the reservoir containing the cosmetic product. .

  The present invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a packaging and application assembly including an applicator according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic vertical sectional view of an application member included in the assembly of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical cross-sectional view of a tightening ring for mounting and tightening the application member of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic top view of the ring of FIG.

  The assembly 1 includes a main body 2 that forms a reservoir 3 that stores a cosmetic product P to be applied, and an applicator 4 that includes the application member 5 mounted on the gripping member 41.

  The body 2 has a free upper edge 21 which bounds the opening 22 of the reservoir 3. More specifically, the opening 22 is located at the free upper end of the neck 24 of the body 2.

  The body 2 has rotational symmetry. The opening 22 has a circular cross section. Obviously, other shapes are possible.

  At the opening 22, the body 2 has a housing 7 capable of receiving the applicator member 5, said housing 7 being at least partially bounded by the dividing wall 8 with the reservoir 3.

  The dividing wall 8 has at least one through orifice 9 in direct fluid communication with the reservoir 3.

  The dividing wall 8 may be attached to the reservoir 3 as shown, or may be molded as an integral part of the body of the reservoir.

  In this case, the dividing wall 8 is supported by a ring 60 that surrounds the opening 22.

  The ring 60 may be attached to the body 2 by any means, in particular by clip fastening or adhesive bonding. Ring 60 may or may not be removable.

  In this case, the ring 60 can engage the neck 24.

  To this end, the ring 60 comprises an outer peripheral wall 61 and an inner peripheral wall 62 which together define a mounting skirt.

  The mounting skirt also provides leak resistance to the product.

  At the top, the applicator 4 comprises a gripping member 41 on which the applicator 5 is mounted.

  The gripping member 41 forms a lid and is releasably engageable with the upper peripheral wall 63 of the ring 60, thereby sealing the reservoir 3 in a leaktight manner. More specifically, the peripheral wall 63 of the ring 60 has external threads that can engage complementary internal threads of the gripping member 41.

  When not in use, the applicator member 5 is received in the housing 7 when the grip 41 is screwed into the ring 60 (FIG. 1).

  Therefore, in the applicator 4, the holding position where the gripping member 41 seals the reservoir 3 and the coating member 5 is arranged inside the reservoir, and the gripping member 41 is separated from the reservoir 3 and the coating member 5 is located in the reservoir 3. It can be moved to and from the application position withdrawn from.

  The applicator member 5 is itself shown in FIG.

  The application member 5 is a block of porous material, for example a block of foam, having open pores in particular.

  In particular, the application member 5 is made from a polyurethane foam, especially of the S90 type (DIN 4102-9 standard). Such materials are deformable and especially compressible.

  More specifically, the applicator member 5 has a head 51 that defines an applicator surface 50 intended to contact the user's body surface, and is adapted to attach the applicator member 5 to the gripping member 41. It is extended by the intended legs 52. The coating surface 50 is flocked.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting leg 52 has a length of approximately 11 mm. The diameter is equal to or slightly larger than about 11 mm (in this case 11.3 mm).

  The coating member 5 has an overall shape that is axially symmetric with respect to the central axis of the longitudinal direction. The head 56 has a conical overall shape. The leg portion 52 has a substantially cylindrical cross section.

  The head 51 has a base with a cross section that is slightly larger than the cross section of the legs 52, and thus allows the applicator member to be placed in the applicator member retention and fastening system described below. Note that it has a shoulder 57 intended for This shoulder 57 makes it possible in particular to better hold the applicator member.

  It should also be noted that the applicator member 5 has a central cutout 59 along the leg 52 which is intended to insert the spike 44 of the retention and fastening system, as described below.

  The mounting leg 52 also has a peripheral slot 58. The slot 58 in the mounting leg portion 52 of the coating member 5 is located substantially in the middle of the mounting leg portion 52. The slot has a thickness of about 1 mm.

  Here, the mounting of the coating member 5 on the grip portion will be described.

  The gripping member 41 comprises a holding and mounting system for the applicator member 5, which comprises a peripheral skirt 42 which, together with the end wall 43, defines a housing for receiving the mounting legs 52 of the applicator member 5.

  The housing for receiving the mounting leg 52 has a shape complementary to the mounting leg 52, in this case specifically a cylindrical shape.

  The housing for receiving the mounting leg 52 has an internal cross section that is substantially the same as the cross section of the mounting leg 52. In this case, the inner diameter of the cylindrical skirt 42 is substantially equal to the outer diameter of the mounting leg 52. Therefore, unless there is additional stress, the mounting leg 52 is not radially compressed and can be easily inserted into the housing.

  The end wall 43 of the retention and fastening system has at least one central spike 44 extending generally orthogonal to the end wall 43. The central spike 44 is intended to engage a notch 59 in the applicator member 5.

  The spikes 44 extend for a length sufficient for the spikes 44 to protrude from the skirt 42.

  Note that the spike 44 has a generally constant cross section along its length. However, the spike 44 has a slightly frustoconical free end for easier insertion into the cutout 59 in the applicator member 5.

  The end wall 43 has a set of teeth 45 located circumferentially away from the central spike 44.

  According to the present application, the retaining and fastening system also comprises a fastening ring 70, which is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 itself.

  The tightening ring 70 has a substantially cylindrical shape. The ring 70 is intended to be inserted inside the skirt 42 and has an outer diameter substantially the same as the inner diameter of the skirt 42 in order to achieve this end.

  The tightening ring 70 is intended to be retained inside the skirt 42 by clip fastening. To this end, the clamping ring 70 has a clip fastening groove 71 on the outer circumference which is intended to engage the inner circumferential rib 46 of the skirt 42. Of course, the opposite configuration is also possible.

  As mentioned above, the compression of the applicator member 5 is essentially determined by the wall thickness of the tightening ring 70, ie the difference between the inner cross section of the tightening ring 70 and the outer cross section of the tightening ring 70.

  The difference between the inner cross section of the tightening ring 70 and the outer cross section of the tightening ring 70 is at least 20%, preferably at least 30%. According to the illustrated embodiment, the difference is about 32%-35%.

  The clamping ring 70 has an end intended to be oriented towards the end wall 43 of the holding and fastening system, said end being in a complementary slot 58 in the application member mounting leg 52. It has at least a partial peripheral radially inner shoulder 72 that is engageable.

  The shoulder 72 has a surface intended to be oriented towards the outside of the tightening ring 70, and more specifically towards the end wall 43 of the holding and fastening system. This surface of the shoulder 72 has a set of connecting teeth 75, similar to the teeth 45 on the end wall 43, which can enter into the corresponding surface of the peripheral slot of the applicator member 5.

  Like the teeth 45, the teeth 75 are located on the periphery of the shoulder 72. The teeth 75 are arranged such that the teeth 75 are located opposite the teeth 45 on the end wall 43 when the clamping ring 70 is fitted.

  Opposite the shoulder 72, the clamping ring 70 has an open second end. In this case, this end of the clamping ring 70 is intended to come into contact with the shoulder 57 under the application head 51 of the application member 5.

  The coating member 5 is fitted to the gripping member by the following method.

  First, the coating member 5 is joined to the tightening ring 70.

  To this end, the mounting leg 52 of the applicator member 5 is compressed and inserted through the clamping ring 70 via the open end opposite to the shoulder 72.

  The mounting leg 52 is pulled through the tightening ring 70 until the shoulder 72 enters into the corresponding slot 58 in the applicator member 5.

  The teeth 75 on the shoulder then enter the inner surface of the slot 58.

  Thus, the clamp ring 70 extends between the applicator member slot 58 and the shoulder 57 and compresses a corresponding portion of the mounting leg 52.

  The base of the mounting leg 52, which lies between the slot 58 and the free end of the mounting leg 52, projects from the clamping ring and is not compressed by the clamping ring.

  Then, the assembly of the application member 5 and the tightening ring 70 is simply inserted into the housing of the grip portion 43 defined by the skirt 42 and the end wall 43.

  More specifically, the application member is inserted until the base end of the mounting leg 52 contacts the end wall 43. The tooth 45 then enters the base surface of the mounting leg 52.

  The tightening ring 70 is partially inserted into the tightening ring 70 until the tightening ring 70 is clipped onto the skirt 42.

  Upon insertion, the central spike 44 enters into a corresponding notch 59 in the applicator member to help retain the assembly.

  Thus, while the tightening ring 70 is being fitted to the applicator member 5, the applicator member 5 is compressed with a compressed intermediate portion and uncompressed or weakly compressed to help hold the applicator member 5 longitudinally. And a base portion.

  Insertion of the central spike 44 into the notch 59 also enhances compression of the applicator member in the tightening ring while the assembly formed by the applicator member 5 and the tightening ring 70 is mated.

  The central spike 44 also contributes to good retention of the assembly, and in particular to limiting movement movement.

  The base portion of the applicator member 5 is held between the spike 45 on the end wall 43 and the spike 75 supported by the shoulder 72 of the clamp ring 70 to prevent the applicator member 5 from rotating.

  Therefore, holding the coating member 5 with respect to the gripping member 4 is optimal while remaining relatively simple in terms of assembly.

  According to a second embodiment (not shown), the gripping member is connected to the reservoir in a non-detachable manner and the application member is arranged outside the reservoir and inside the reservoir containing the cosmetic product. Be in fluid communication with the space. Such packaging and dispensing assemblies are particularly shown in the references cited above. The cosmetic product can advantageously be delivered through a hollow central spike 44 that forms a distribution cannula.

Claims (10)

An applicator (4) for applying cosmetics, comprising an applicator member (5) intended to contact a user's body surface and defining an application surface (50) in the form of a block of deformable material. And
A housing for receiving the mounting leg of the front Symbol applying member (52), at least one holding comprising a housing defined de end wall even without least in (43) co one of the peripheral skirt (42) And an applicator (4) in which the applicator member (5) is attached to the gripping member (41) by a fastening system,
The retaining and fastening system comprises at least one complementary clamping ring (70) capable of compressing a portion of the mounting leg located at a non-zero distance from a base surface of the mounting leg,
When the front Symbol applying member is disposed within the housing of the retention and fastening system, wherein the base surface is disposed in a direction toward the end wall of the retaining and fastening system, said complementary clamping ring, wherein that it have at least one clip coupling groove (71) or circumferential ribs may be at least one complementary clip fastening the peripheral ribs (46) or grooves cooperating with the peripheral skirt of the holding and fastening system The applicator (4) characterized.   The end wall (43) of the holding and fastening system comprises at least one tooth (45) that can enter into the base surface of the mounting leg (52) of the application member (5). The applicator (4) according to claim 1, wherein Said complementary clamping ring (70) having an end intended to be oriented towards said end wall (43) of said retaining and fastening system,
At least a partial peripheral radial shoulder (72) whose ends can engage at least a partial peripheral complementary slot (58) in the mounting leg (52) of the applicator member (5). The applicator (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that:   The peripheral radial shoulder (72) has a surface intended to be oriented towards the end wall (43) of the holding and fastening system, and the peripheral edge of the applicator member (5). 4. Applicator (4) according to claim 3, characterized in that it has at least one connecting tooth (75) which can enter into the corresponding surface of the complementary slot (58).   Application according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the peripheral complementary slots (58) in the mounting leg (52) of the application member (5) are located approximately in the middle of the mounting leg. Ingredient (4). The end wall (43) of the retaining and fastening system extends at least partially through the complementary clamping ring (70) substantially perpendicular to the end wall and of the applicator member (5). Having at least one, especially central, spike (44) that can enter into a corresponding cavity (59) in said mounting leg (52),
The spikes, before Symbol retention and the fastening element, characterized in that projecting from the peripheral skirt (42), applicator according to any one of claims 1-5 (4).   7. The complementary fastening ring (70) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it extends over approximately half of the height of the mounting leg (52) of the application member (5). The applicator (4) according to item 4.   Comprising both a body forming a reservoir (3) intended to contain the cosmetic product (P) to be applied and an applicator (4) according to any one of claims 1 to 7. Assembly (1) for packaging and applying liquid cosmetics. Said gripping member (41) forms a sealing cap for said reservoir (3),
The applicator (4) has a storage position in which the grip member seals the reservoir and the applicator member (5) is disposed inside the reservoir, and the applicator member is separated from the reservoir and the applicator member is provided. The packaging and application assembly (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that it is movable to and from the application position withdrawn from the reservoir. The gripping member is non-removably connected to the reservoir,
9. Packaging and application assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the application member is arranged outside the reservoir and is in fluid communication with the interior space of the reservoir containing the cosmetic product.

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