WO2017212123A1 - Applicator device for applying a fluid or pasty product to keratin fibres - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator device for applying a product of the fluid or pasty type to keratin fibres, comprising a central core (1) of elongate shape which extends along a longitudinal axis XX, at least one row of elongate spikes (2) that comprise a first end (20) embedded in the core and/or in a flexible stem (3) embedded in the central core at two points, and a second, free end (21), the spikes (2), the stem(s) (3) and the core (1) being integral, i.e. formed in one piece. According to the invention, all or some of the spikes are part of a row having a surface (a) belonging to a plane (b) curved in a spiral about the axis XX.

Description

 FLUID OR PASTY PRODUCT APPLICATOR DEVICE ON

 KERATIN FIBERS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of applicators of cosmetic product fluid or pasty, mascara type. The invention relates more specifically to the device or means of application of the cosmetic product.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

 [0002] In the prior art, a large number of mascara applicators are already known. The application device itself may be for example an elongate brush, having a central core from which are bristled a set of bristles or pins. The hairs are old technology: a twisted wire retains bristles that are bristles transversely. An exemplary application is illustrated in US Pat. No. 5,661,361.

More recently, the application device is in the form of a brush comprising a series of pins embedded on the longitudinal core of the brush. The whole is molded in plastic material. An application device thus forms with a suitable reservoir in which it is insertable, a cosmetic product dispenser. The applications FR 2 810 860 and WO 201 1/045770 show some examples of applicators resulting from this concept.

The disadvantages of the application devices, or brushes, of the prior art are that the pins do not make it possible correctly to transfer the cosmetic product from the reservoir to the pins, and an appropriate application of the product to the keratinous fibers. to lengthen, thicken and / or separate them.

A solution envisaged by the prior art to improve the mascara load of the brushes is to use spikes having a flat face to collect the mascara while the non-planar face participates in the separation of the eyelashes. EP 1 872 682 discloses such a brush; the pins are arranged according to rows parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush and all the pins of a row have their flat face on the same side: the flat faces are aligned while the non-planar faces are on the same side of the line. The user of the brush thus prints a movement of the brush in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the brush, while rotating it.

Brushes of this type do not have maximum efficiency because the eyelash fringe having by nature a curved geometry, when the user prints a rotary movement with the brush, the rows of spikes are not placed optimally in front of the eyelashes. The transfer to the load in mascara. With this type of brush, the user is therefore forced to make several passes on her eyelashes while reversing the rotational movement of the brush to make sure to recover a sufficient load of mascara.

In a somewhat different way, the patent application WO2009 / 141098A1 discloses an application device whose applicator has several rows of pins rising from the top of a twisted blade around the main core. The pins, when the user prints a slight rotation to the device, quickly lose contact with the eyelashes, which are positioned on a bang with a complex curvature. Even if the blade carrying the pins evolves along the body in the manner of a spiral, the pins remain aligned on a line parallel to the main axis of the applicator device. This is not satisfactory.

Also known is the patent FR2969470B1 which discloses a cosmetic product applicator device comprising an elongated core extending along a longitudinal axis XX. The device further comprises at least one flexible and flexible rod oriented longitudinally and recessed into at least a first and second point on said core. This flexible rod carries pins. These pins are positioned in the direction of the longitudinal axis XX. These pins remain aligned on the same line parallel to the main axis XX of the applicator device. The pins, when the user prints a slight rotation to the device, quickly lose contact with the eyelashes, they being positioned on a fringe complex curvature. Even if this solution provides some improvement vis-à-vis the prior art, the transfer of the load is not achieved regularly and quickly; this is therefore a significant disadvantage.

Also known is the patent FR2982466B1 which describes an applicator device of a fluid or pasty product on keratinous fibers, comprising a core or a technically equivalent element, elongate and extending along a first longitudinal axis XX. A plurality of elongated barbs extend along a second longitudinal axis YY; the pins have an organized roughness, defined by a plurality of simple or combined geometric micro-shapes, said shapes being made in relief positive or negative vis-à-vis said outer surface of the pins.

Development and improvement therefore appear necessary especially at the level of the organization of rows of pins. The orientation of the rows of pins must contribute to improve both the product load, and the separation of eyelashes or keratin fibers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

 The invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art and in particular to provide an application device capable of capturing a maximum volume of cosmetic product when in contact with it, while keeping this product even after the passage (s) through the wiper; the wiper is a small piece disposed on the mouth of the fluid container, able to remove the surplus of cosmetic product captured by the applicator itself.

The invention therefore relates to an applicator device of a product of fluid or pasty type on keratinous fibers, comprising an elongate central core which extends along a longitudinal axis XX, at least one row of elongated pins including a first end embedded in the core and / or on a flexible rod embedded in two points on the central core, and a second free end, the pins, the rod or rods and the core being integral, that is to say say formed into one piece. To do this is proposed according to a first aspect of the invention the characteristic that all or part of the pins forming part of a row have a surface (a) belonging to a plane (b) spiral curve around the axis XX. By spiral curved plane means a curved plane: longitudinally and externally defined by a first spiral wound around the longitudinal axis XX; longitudinally and internally defined by a second spiral. The curved plane is a virtual plane, here used to define geometrically the characteristic elements of the invention. More specifically, said spiral plane (b) is further defined between a first and a second transverse axes Y, Y 'whose angular offset varies between 1 ° and 720 °.

The characteristic surfaces of the pins and the spiral plane (b) to which they belong are used to guide the eyelashes accurately and harmoniously, while capturing a maximum volume of cosmetic product and keeping it after passage through the wiper.

[0018] Interestingly, said at least one flexible rod has a spiral shape forming part of said spiral plane defined above.

Moreover, all or part of said pins each have at least one recess or negative relief defined by the spiral plane.

In addition, all or part of said pins each have at least one positive relief or protuberance. This protuberance makes it possible to increase the bearing area of the cosmetic product.

These characteristic elements of the invention allow the pins to have a face and / or a recess and / or a protuberant prop (s) to retain the makeup formula always well positioned in front of the eyelashes when the user performs the makeup gesture. Advantageously when the user prints a slight rotational movement to the device, the row of pins generally positioned in a spiral, is always well positioned against eyelashes or other keratin fibers to make up or to treat. The cosmetic product retained on the inner surface of the pin or in the recesses positioned thereon will be transferred directly to the keratinous fibers without the user having to modify and correct the position of the device in front of the eyelash fringe.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the device comprises several rows of pins substantially arranged according to several different spiral planes.

Said pins may have different heights depending on their location on the core and / or on a flexible rod.

Advantageously, said pins may have embedded bases of larger size than their free ends, and are preferably contiguous. A kind of continuous blade can thus be formed, whose main internal surface belongs to a spiral curved plane. Furthermore, the device may comprise several longitudinal zones having different pin arrangements, at least one of said zones being provided with pins aligned along the axis XX.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least one flexible rod over a first portion of its length, and studs implanted on the core on a second portion of its length.

According to another embodiment of the invention, said flexible rods form a first assembly and a second assembly, the rods of said first assembly being embedded at a distal end of the core and substantially in the middle of the core, the rods of the second set being embedded substantially in the middle of the core and at a proximal end of the core.

Interestingly, the monoblock device is injection molded multi-material, preferably by bi-material injection or tri-materials. Preferred materials are for example a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoplastic elastomeric polymer or a vulcanizable rubber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

 Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying figures, which illustrate: - Figure 1, a perspective view of the applicator device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 2, a side view showing the surface (b) spiral curve associated with the pins;

 Figure 3 is a front view of the curved surface (b);

- Figure 4, a perspective showing a row of pins arranged according to the invention;

 Figure 5 is a diagram showing the outer development of the spiral curved surface;

 Figure 6a, a side view showing the arrangement of several rows of pins;

 Figure 6b, a front view showing the arrangement of several rows of pins according to Figure 6a;

 Figure 7A, a diagram showing a row of spikes leaning against the spiral curved surface;

- Figure 7B, a view of a pin provided with recesses according to the invention; Figure 7C, a view of a pin of Figure 7B, at a first angle; Figure 7D, a view of a pin of Figure 7B, at a second angle; Figure 8 is a three-dimensional view of a row of pins;

 Figure 9 is a view of a pin according to an alternative embodiment;

- Figure 10, a view of a pin according to another embodiment;

 Figure 1 1, a perspective view of an applicator device according to another embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12A, a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 12; Figure 13 is a side view of a specific embodiment of the invention; Figure 14 is a perspective side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

 Figure 15 is a simplified perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention with specific pins;

FIG. 16, an embodiment of the invention comprising pins on both flexible rods and on the core, arranged according to the invention;

 FIG. 17A, a side view of an applicator device comprising flexible rods carrying pins according to the invention;

 Fig. 17B, an enlarged fragmentary view of Fig. 17A;

- Figure 18, an embodiment similar to that of Figures 17A and 17B; Figure 19 is a side view of an applicator device according to the invention, bi-materials;

 Figure 20 is a side view of a bi-material applicator device;

 Figure 21, a side view of a device according to the invention consists of three different materials.

For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

 FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary applicator device of a product of fluid or pasty type on keratinous fibers, comprising in particular a central core 1 of elongated shape along an axis XX, preferably of constant section, although this characteristic not required. It is favorably envisaged to provide a conical core 1, with a conicity of between 0.05 ° and 15 °, illustrated in FIG. 2 by the angle alpha.

At least one row of elongated pins 2 is provided. The pins have a first end 20 embedded on the core 1, and a second end 21 free. The pimples can have various forms and varied as will be understood from reading the rest of this text. The number of rows of pins varies between 1 and 36, in the usual way. The useful length of such applicator may be between 5 and 35 mm for the specific treatment of eyelashes or eyebrows, and between 5 and 120 mm for the treatment of other keratinous fibers. The pins usually have a length of between 0.5 mm and 7 mm. Of course this applicator device is monobloc; it can be obtained in different ways: by molding in mono-injection, bi-injection or tri-injection; the monobloc applicator according to the invention can also be obtained by adding material, by machining, by compression. The usable materials may be a thermoplastic polymer or a thermoplastic elastomeric polymer or a vulcanizable rubber. These materials may comprise a charge of mineral, metallic, chemical or organic material.

Figure 2 shows schematically an applicator device comprising a row of pins 2 embedded on the core 1 and having a surface or face belonging to a curved plane b spiral around the longitudinal axis XX. As will be described hereinafter, the pins may have various shapes; they must, however, always have a face belonging to the curved plane b.

Figure 3 gives another view of the virtual plane on which are somehow backed all or part of the pins 2 of a row. According to Figure 3, the pins are embedded on a flexible rod 3 itself embedded in two points on the central core 1. Of course the pins are free at their second end 21.

FIG. 4 shows a row of frustoconical pins 2, one face of which belongs to the curved spiral plane b which is more visible in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 5 is an illustrative diagram of the spiral d serving as a directional vector at the spiral plane b; we see very well the spiral here deployed, which serves as a guide for the so-called spiral plane b which is defined between a first transverse axis Y and a second transverse axis Y '. According to this figure, the angular offset between Y and Y 'is 720 ° or two complete turns. A lower angle can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention, at least 1 °. Figures 6a and 6b respectively show a side view and in front view, an embodiment of the invention: two spiral planes are provided here, which intersect substantially in the middle of the length of the applicator device.

FIG. 7A as well as FIGS. 7B, 7C and 7D highlight a particular form of pins which are adapted to the implementation of the invention. More specifically, the pins 2 which are here embedded on a flexible rod 3 forming part of the spiral plane b, have at least one hollow recess or relief, negative relief. The pins 2 have a generally conical shape whose widest base is embedded on a flexible rod 3. In this cone is provided here two recess 22, 23. The recesses are located at two different altitudes of the pin 2. The recesses 22, 23 are from flat cuts belonging to the spiral plane b. The recesses 22, 23 make it possible to capture the product of fluid or pasty type, to retain it effectively.

Figure 8 shows only a row of pins 2 as arranged in space. Characteristically, their faces a are arranged in the spiral plane b visible in FIG. 7A in particular.

FIG. 9 shows another form of pins 2 having embedded bases 20 of larger size than their free ends 21. Such pins also have a flattened shape, and an a surface belonging to the spiral plane b. These pins are preferably arranged contiguous so as to form together a kind of blade.

Figure 10 illustrates another form of pin according to the invention, which comprises a protuberance or positive relief 24. The protuberance 24, here substantially flat, can be oriented substantially at right angles to the face or surface has already defined.

Figure 1 1 illustrates an embodiment where the pins 2 are embedded on rods 3 themselves embedded at one end of the device (distal or proximal) and substantially in the middle of the length of the core 1. A half row is thus formed; the other half of row is formed by pins 2 embedded on the core 1. This so-called mixed solution is interesting because it is stiffer only a solution with arches, all things being equal.

Figures 12 and 12A correspond to an embodiment in which the pins 2 all have protuberances 24, as defined above in relation to Figure 10. The pins 2 are directly connected to the core 1 and their geometry meets the characteristics defined above, especially as regards their connection with the spiral plane b.

Figure 13 shows an embodiment in which the rows of pins 2 having a surface in the plane b, extend over a portion of the length of the core 1; more specifically the length concerned is around the middle of the total length of the applicator. At both ends of the applicator device, the pins are aligned and have for example planar faces belonging to longitudinal planes.

Figure 14 is a variant of Figure 13; it differs in the presence of a single end zone equipped with flat-faced spikes in longitudinal planes.

Figure 15 illustrates the embodiment where flattened pins, shown in Figure 9, are provided. Several series of blades formed by such pins 2 are clearly seen. FIG. 16 corresponds to a mixed solution that is to say where the device comprises pins 2 implanted on both flexible rods 3 and on the soul 1.

Figures 17A and 17B show a solution according to which the pins are all implanted on flexible rods 3. The flexible rods 3 form two groups: the first extends over substantially half the length of the device; the second extends over the other half of the length of the device. The flexible rods of one group are placed in the extension of the flexible rods of the other group.

Figure 18 differs from Figure 17 by the implantation of the pins that are not all stemmed, but also the core 1. Figures 19, 20 and 21 relate to so-called multi-material embodiments because they are formed of several materials, obtained as indicated above.

Claims

Applicator device for a product of fluid or pasty type on keratinous fibers, comprising an elongate central core (1) extending along a longitudinal axis XX, at least one row of elongate pins (2) comprising a first end (20) embedded in the core and / or on a flexible rod (3) embedded in two points on the central core, and a second free end (21), the pins (2), the rod or rods (3) and the core (1) being integral, that is to say formed in one piece, characterized in that all or part of the pins forming part of a row have a surface (a) belonging to a curved plane (b) spiral around the XX axis. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that said spiral plane is defined between a first (Y) and a second (Υ ') transverse axes whose angular offset varies between 1 ° and 720 °.  Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said at least one flexible rod (3) has a spiral shape forming part of said spiral plane (b).  Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that all or part of said pins each have at least one recess or negative relief (22, 23) defined by the spiral plane.  Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that all or part of said pins each have at least one positive relief or protuberance (24).  Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises several rows of pins substantially arranged in several different spiral planes. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises several longitudinal zones having different pin arrangements, at least one of said zones being provided with pins aligned along the axis XX. 8. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said pins (2) have different heights according to their implantation on the core (1) and / or on a flexible rod (3).  9. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that said pins have embedded bases (20) of larger size than their free ends (21), and are preferably contiguous.  10. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it comprises at least one flexible rods (3) on a first portion of its length, and studs implanted on the core on a second portion of its length.  1 1. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said flexible rods (3) form a first assembly and a second assembly, the rods of said first assembly being embedded at a distal end of the core and substantially in the middle of the core. , the rods of the second set being embedded substantially in the middle of the core and at a proximal end of the core.  12. Device according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that it is molded by multi-material injection, preferably by bi-material or tri-material injection.