U.S. patent application number 12/796417 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-23 for applicator for cosmetic product.
This patent application is currently assigned to Alcan Packaging Beauty Services. Invention is credited to Patrick Lhoyer, Nicholas Thorne.
Application Number | 20100319720 12/796417 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41719418 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100319720 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thorne; Nicholas ; et
al. |
December 23, 2010 |
APPLICATOR FOR COSMETIC PRODUCT
Abstract
An applicator (10) for a cosmetic product is provided, which
comprises: a first array of applicator elements fastened to a first
elongated core (14) including a distal end (16) and a proximal end
(18), the first array of applicator elements including free ends
(20) defining a first applicator profile; a second array of
applicator elements fastened to a second elongated core (24)
including a distal end (26) and a proximal end (28), the second
array of applicator elements including free ends (30) defining a
second applicator profile; said first and second elongated cores
(14, 24) being essentially rectilinear and arranged essentially
side by side, and a connector (31) adapted to be fastened to the
distal ends (16, 26) of the first and second elongated cores (14,
24) so as to bring the distal ends of the cores together.
Inventors: |
Thorne; Nicholas; (Seyssins,
FR) ; Lhoyer; Patrick; (Mouy, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BANNER & WITCOFF, LTD.
TEN SOUTH WACKER DRIVE, SUITE 3000
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Alcan Packaging Beauty
Services
Gennevilliers
FR
|
Family ID: |
41719418 |
Appl. No.: |
12/796417 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/218 ;
300/21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/021 20130101;
A45D 40/265 20130101; A46B 9/028 20130101; A45D 34/045 20130101;
A46B 2200/1053 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/218 ;
300/21 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26; A46D 3/04 20060101 A46D003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 8, 2009 |
FR |
0902758 |
Claims
1. An applicator for a cosmetic product, comprising a first array
of applicator elements fastened to a first elongated core including
a distal end and a proximal end, the first array of applicator
elements including free ends defining a first applicator profile,
characterized in that the applicator also comprises a second array
of applicator elements fastened to a second elongated core
including a distal end and a proximal end, the second array of
applicator elements including free ends defining a second
applicator profile, said first and second elongated cores being
essentially rectilinear and arranged essentially side by side, and
a connector adapted to be fastened to the distal ends of the first
and second elongated cores so as to bring the distal ends of the
cores together.
2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the proximal ends
of the first and second elongated cores can be connected to the rod
of a sleeve.
3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first and the
second arrays of applicator elements deploy over 180.degree. around
the first and the second elongated cores, respectively, such that
when the first and second elongated cores are arranged side by
side, an applicator profile of 360.degree. is defined around the
first and second cores.
4. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first and
second applicator profiles vary along the lengths of the first and
second elongated cores, respectively.
5. The applicator according to claim 4, wherein the first and
second applicator profiles vary radially around lengths of the
first and second elongated cores, respectively.
6. The applicator according to claim 1, comprising at least one
additional array of applicator elements fastened to at least one
additional elongated core, each additional elongated core having a
distal end and a proximal end, and each additional array of
applicator elements including free ends defining additional
applicator profiles.
7. The applicator according to claim 6, wherein the first, second
and additional arrays of applicator elements deploy around
elongated first, second and additional cores, respectively, such
that when the cores are arranged side by side, an applicator
profile of 360.degree. is defined around said first, second and
additional cores.
8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the connector
comprises an applicator end allowing a precise application of the
cosmetic product.
9. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator
element selected from a group consisting of fibers and applicator
teeth.
10. A method for manufacturing an applicator for a cosmetic product
comprising: providing a first array of applicator elements fastened
to an essentially rectilinear first elongated core including a
distal end and a proximal end, the first array of applicator
elements including free ends defining a first applicator profile;
and characterized in that it also comprises: providing a second
array of applicator elements fastened to an essentially rectilinear
second elongated core including a distal end and a proximal end,
the second array of applicator elements including free ends
defining a first applicator profile; arranging the cores
essentially side by side; and fastening of a connector to the
distal ends of the first and second elongated cores so as to bring
the distal ends of the cores together.
11. The method according to claim 10, comprising connecting the
proximal ends of the first and second elongated cores to a rod of a
sleeve.
12. The method according to claim 10, comprising trimming the first
and second arrays of applicator elements, such that the first and
the second arrays of applicator elements deploy over 180.degree.
around the first and the second elongated cores, respectively, such
that when the cores are arranged side by side, an applicator
profile of 360.degree. is defined around the first and the second
cores.
13. The method according to claim 10, comprising: providing at
least one additional array of applicator elements fastened to at
least one additional elongated core, each core having a distal end
and a proximal end, each provided with an array of additional
applicator elements including free ends defining additional
applicator profiles; and arranging all of the cores essentially
side by side and the fastening of the connector to the distal ends
of the cores so as to bring the distal ends of the cores
together.
14. The method according to claim 13, comprising trimming the
first, second and additional arrays of the applicator elements,
such that when the cores are arranged side by side, an applicator
profile of 360.degree. is defined around the first, second and
additional cores.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of
French Patent Application No. 0902758, filed Jun. 8, 2009, which
application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and
made part hereof.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention concerns a cosmetic applicator for a
cosmetic product, such as a mascara.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Applicators for cosmetic products generally comprise a core
ending with an array of fibers defining a brush allowing the
application of the cosmetic product. This array of fibers has a
particular performance in the application of cosmetic products,
related to the nature and arrangement of the fibers.
[0004] The general idea consists of providing more than one array
of fibers, with the aim of varying and improving the performance of
the application of the product, is not new. For example, the
applicator described in document US2008163885 entitled "Dual
Hemisphere Cosmetic Brush" is produced by forming two brushes at
the ends of a rod with continuously twisted fibers, each brush
having fibers with different characteristics. Each brush is trimmed
to the core of twisted wires in order to eliminate 180.degree. of
the brush, such that by bending the core of twisted wires in the
middle, the two trimmed brushes can be brought one together in
order to form a 360.degree. brush made up of the two 180.degree.
brushes. The result is a cosmetic applicator brush with two
different fiber characteristics on each half of the applicator
brush.
[0005] The arrangement described in document US2008163885 does,
however, have a certain number of flaws. For example, the costs of
manufacturing such a product are too high for the manufacture of
that product to be implemented and practiced. Moreover, the
physical limitations related to the length of the core of twisted
wires currently available poses another problem. For example, this
product requires a core of twisted wires with a length between 60
and 70 mm in order to be able to provide a brush with a length of
25 mm, as well as sufficient space between the two brushes in order
to allow the resulting bent rod to be inserted in a support. Such
lengths of twisted wire rods do not exist, the maximum length
currently available being about 45 mm, which would subsequently
lead to a brush with a length of 15 mm, which is too short. Thus,
to be able to manufacture this brush, it would be necessary to
design and build a new machine, which is cost prohibitive.
[0006] Another limitation of the applicator for cosmetic product
described in document US2008163885 lies in the fact that, as a
single core length of twisted wires is bent to bring the end
brushes together, the resulting brush is limited to two different
types of brush fibers, each deploying over 180.degree. around the
core of twisted wires.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0007] One aspect of the present invention is therefore to provide
an applicator for mascara making it possible to resolve the
drawbacks of the applicator described in document US2008163885. In
particular, one aspect of the present invention is to provide an
applicator for cosmetic product, simply and profitably, which
includes 2, 3 or more different brush fibers around its core, with
the idea of varying and improving the application performance of
the cosmetic product.
[0008] A first aspect of the present invention consists of
providing an applicator for cosmetic product comprising: [0009] a
first array of applicator elements fastened to an essentially
rectilinear first elongated core including a distal end and a
proximal end, the first array of applicator elements including free
ends defining a first applicator profile; [0010] a second array of
applicator elements fastened to an essentially rectilinear second
elongated core including a distal end and a proximal end, the
second array of applicator elements including free ends defining a
second applicator profile; said first and second elongated cores
(14, 24) being arranged essentially side by side, and [0011] a
connector adapted to be fastened to the distal ends of the first
and second elongated cores so as to bring the distal ends of the
cores together.
[0012] In one embodiment, the proximal ends of the first and second
elongated cores can be connected to the rod of a sleeve.
[0013] In one embodiment, the first and the second arrays of
applicator elements deploy over 180.degree. around the first and
second elongated cores, respectively, such that when the cores are
arranged side by side, an applicator profile of 360.degree. is
defined around the first and second cores.
[0014] In one embodiment, the first and second applicator profiles
vary along the respective lengths of the first and second elongated
cores.
[0015] In one embodiment, the first and second applicator profiles
vary radially around lengths of the first and second elongated
cores, respectively.
[0016] In one embodiment, the applicator comprises at least one
additional array of applicator elements fastened to at least one
additional elongated core, each core having a distal end and a
proximal end, each provided with an additional array of applicator
elements including free ends defining additional applicator
profiles.
[0017] In one embodiment, the first, second and additional arrays
of applicator elements deploy around elongated cores referred to as
first, second and additional, respectively, such that when the
cores are arranged side by side, an applicator profile of
360.degree. is defined around the first, second and additional
cores.
[0018] In one embodiment, the connector comprises an applicator end
allowing a precise application of the cosmetic product.
[0019] In one embodiment, the applicator elements comprise fibers
and application teeth.
[0020] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a
method for manufacturing an applicator for cosmetic product is
provided, the method comprising: [0021] providing a first array of
applicator elements fastened to an essentially rectilinear first
elongated core including a distal end and a proximal end, the first
array of applicator elements including free ends defining a first
applicator profile; [0022] providing a second array of applicator
elements fastened to an essentially rectilinear second elongated
core including a distal end and a proximal end, the second array of
applicator elements including free ends defining a second
application profile; [0023] arranging the cores essentially side by
side; and [0024] fastening a connector to the distal ends of the
first and second elongated cores so as to bring the distal ends of
the cores together.
[0025] In one embodiment, the method comprises connecting the
proximal ends of the first and second elongated cores to a rod of a
sleeve.
[0026] In one embodiment, the method comprises trimming the first
and second arrays of applicator elements, such that the first and
the second arrays of applicator elements deploy over 180.degree.
around the first and second elongated cores, respectively, such
that when the cores are arranged side by side, an applicator
profile of 360.degree. is defined around the first and second
cores.
[0027] In one embodiment, the method comprises providing at least
one additional array of applicator elements fastened to at least
one additional elongated core, each core having a distal end and a
proximal end, and each additional array of applicator elements
possessing free ends defining applicator profiles, the method
comprising the arrangement of all of the cores essentially side by
side and the fastening of the connector to the distal ends of the
cores, so as to bring the distal ends of the cores together.
[0028] In one embodiment, the method comprises trimming the first,
second and additional arrays, respectively, of the applicator
elements, such that when the cores are arranged side by side, an
applicator profile of 360.degree. is defined around the first,
second and additional cores.
[0029] A third aspect of the present invention consists of
providing an applicator for a cosmetic product comprising at least
three elongated cores arranged side by side, each elongated core
defining a distal end and a proximal end and being provided with an
array of applicator elements defining applicator profiles for the
application of the cosmetic product.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an applicator for cosmetic
product, according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIGS. 2A to 2D diagrammatically illustrate the steps
involved in the manufacture of an applicator as shown in FIG.
1;
[0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a connector able to be
used in the applicator shown in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIGS. 4A to 4F illustrate side views of several applicator
profiles varying in terms of the length that can be assumed by the
applicator shown in FIG. 1;
[0034] FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate other side views of applicator
profiles varying in terms of the length that can be assumed by the
applicator shown in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 6 illustrates another side view of an applicator
profile varying in terms of the length that can be assumed by the
applicator shown in FIG. 1; and
[0036] FIGS. 7A to 7D illustrate cross-sectional views from the end
of several applicator profiles varying radially that can be assumed
by the applicator shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] In reference to FIG. 1, an applicator 10 for cosmetic
product comprises a first array of applicator elements 12 fastened
to a first elongated core 14, generally of twisted wires. The first
elongated core 14 includes a distal end 16 and a proximal end 18,
the first array of applicator elements 12 including free ends 20
defining a first applicator profile.
[0038] The applicator 10 also comprises a second array of
applicator elements 22 fastened to a second elongated core 24 also
including a distal end 26 and a proximal end 28. The second array
of applicator elements 22 includes free ends 30 defining a second
applicator profile.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second
elongated cores 14 and 24 are essentially straight elements,
arranged side by side. The use of such straight or rectilinear
cores enables to obtain an increased length, while the applicators
according to the state of the art are made of twisted cores, which
leads to a major restriction in the length of the applicator
10.
[0040] A connector 31 can be fastened to the distal ends 16, 26 of
the first and second elongated cores 14, 24. Thus, when the cores
14, 24 are arranged essentially side by side, as shown in FIG. 1,
the distal ends of the cores 14, 24 are brought together. The
connector 31 can be fastened to the distal ends 16, 26 by thermo
welding or can be clamped or forcibly placed.
[0041] In one embodiment, the proximal ends 18, 28 of the first and
second elongated cores 14, 24 can be connected to a rod 32 of a
sleeve 34.
[0042] In one embodiment, the first and second arrays of applicator
elements 12, 22 deploy over about 180.degree. around the first and
second elongated cores 14, 24, respectively. Thus, when the cores
14, 24 are arranged side by side, as shown in FIG. 1, an applicator
profile of 360.degree. is defined around the first and second cores
14, 24.
[0043] Considering FIGS. 2A to 2D now, and according to a second
aspect of the present invention, a method for manufacturing the
applicator 10 of FIG. 1 is shown. The method comprises the
provision of a first array of applicator elements 12 fastened to a
first elongated core 14 including a distal end 16 and a proximal
end 18. As mentioned above, the first array of applicator elements
12 includes free ends 20 defining a first applicator profile.
[0044] The method also comprises the provision of a second array of
applicator elements 22 fastened to a second elongated core 24
including a distal end 26 and a proximal end 28. As mentioned
above, the second array of applicator elements 22 includes free
ends 30 defining a second applicator profile.
[0045] In the same way as for FIG. 1, the first and second
elongated cores 14 and 24 as illustrated in FIGS. 2A to 2D are
essentially straight or rectilinear elements, arranged side by
side.
[0046] In one preferred embodiment, the method comprises trimming
the first and second arrays of applicator elements 12, 22, such
that the first and second arrays of applicator elements 12, 22
deploy over 180.degree. around the first and second elongated cores
14, 24, respectively. This trimming can be done in a number of
known manners, but is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2B by scissors
38. Thus, after the trimming, the cores can be arranged side by
side, as shown in FIG. 2C, so as to define an applicator profile of
360.degree. around first and second cores 14, 24.
[0047] The method ends with the fastening of the connector 31 to
the distal ends 16, 26 of the first and second elongated cores 14,
24 so as to bring the distal ends 16, 26 of the cores 14, 24
together, then to connect the proximal ends 18, 28 to the first and
second cores 14, 24 to the rod 32 of a sleeve 34.
[0048] In one embodiment, the connector 31 comprises an applicator
end 40 in the form of protruding fibers, allowing a precise
application of the cosmetic product. Such a connector 31 is for
example illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus, the connector 31 can be
manufactured such that it is an application tool itself, for
example by being flocked or including brush fibers. The applicator
end 40 can be used, for example, for the corner of a user's eyes,
for precise application or combing.
[0049] In FIG. 1, the first and second applicator profiles are
shown as being pointed from the proximal ends 18, 28, towards the
distal ends 16, 26. It is, however, clear that it is possible to
provide a number of different applicator profiles varying along the
lengths of the first and second elongated cores 14, 24 to meet a
specific function. These will now be briefly described in reference
to FIGS. 4A to 4F, 5A to 5C and 6.
[0050] FIG. 4A illustrates an applicator profile 42 pointed at the
distal end on one of the cores, and an applicator profile 44
pointed at the distal and proximal ends on the other core.
[0051] FIG. 4B illustrates an applicator profile 46 pointed at the
distal end on one of the cores, and a curvilinear applicator
profile 48 on the other core.
[0052] FIG. 4C illustrates an applicator profile 50 pointed at the
distal end on one of the cores, and a rectangular applicator
profile 52 on the other core.
[0053] FIG. 4D illustrates an applicator profile 54 pointed at the
distal and proximal ends on one of the cores, and a curvilinear
applicator profile 56 on the other core.
[0054] FIG. 4E illustrates a rectangular applicator profile 58 on
one of the cores, and a pointed applicator profile 60 at the distal
end and in the form of a half-arrow at the proximal end on the
other core.
[0055] FIG. 4F illustrates a pointed applicator profile 62 at the
distal end on one of the cores, and an applicator profile 64 in
half-arrow form at the distal end on the other core.
[0056] FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C illustrate side views of a mascara brush
wherein each of the applicator profiles is adapted to the
application of mascara on the eyelashes of either the user's right
or left eye. In particular, FIG. 5A illustrates an applicator
profile 66 widening toward the distal end on one of the cores, and
an applicator profile 68 narrowing toward the distal end on the
other core. FIG. 5B illustrates a pointed applicator profile 70 at
the proximal end on one of the cores, and a pointed applicator
profile 72 at the distal end on the other core. Lastly, FIG. 5C
illustrates an applicator profile 74 in the form of a half-arrow
pointing toward the distal end on one of the cores, and an
applicator profile 76 in the form of a half-arrow pointing toward
the proximal end on the other core.
[0057] FIG. 6 shows still another side view of an applicator
profile varying in terms of the length that can be adopted by the
applicator shown in FIG. 1, i.e. a pointed applicator profile shown
in FIG. 1, i.e. a pointed applicator profile 78 at the distal end
on one of the cores, and a serrated applicator profile 80 on the
other core. In this embodiment, for example, the applicator
elements with the narrowest sections 82 of the profile 80 can
differ from the applicator elements with the widest sections 84 of
the profile 80.
[0058] Moreover, referring now to FIGS. 7A to 7D, the first and
second applicator profiles can vary radially around lengths of the
first and second elongated cores 14, 24, respectively. These
figures will now be briefly described.
[0059] FIG. 7A illustrates a semi-circular applicator profile 86 on
one of the cores, and a triangular applicator profile 88 on the
other core.
[0060] FIG. 7B illustrates a semi-circular applicator profile 90 on
one of the cores, and a semi-circular applicator profile 92 of
smaller diameter on the other core.
[0061] FIG. 7C illustrates a semi-circular applicator profile 94 on
one of the cores, and a rectangular applicator profile 96 on the
other core.
[0062] Lastly, FIG. 7D illustrates a semi-circular applicator
profile 98 on one of the cores, and an offset semi-circular
applicator profile 100 of smaller diameter on the other core.
[0063] It is clear that it is possible to provide a combination of
applicator profiles varying both lengthwise and radially around the
lengths of the first and second elongated cores 14, 24.
[0064] In one embodiment, the applicator 10 can include at least
one additional array of applicator elements fastened to at least
one additional elongated core, in addition to the first and second
applicator element arrays 12, 22 previously described. Each
additional core will include a distal end and a proximal end, each
with an additional array of applicator elements including free ends
defining additional applicator profiles.
[0065] In this embodiment, the so-called first, second and
additional arrays of applicator elements deploy around elongated
cores called first, second and additional, respectively, such that
when the cores are arranged side by side, an applicator profile of
360.degree. is defined around the so-called first, second and
additional cores. Consequently, the manufacturing method described
above must be slightly modified so as to house the additional array
of applicator elements. In particular, the method will include the
arrangement of all of the cores essentially side by the side and
the fastening of the connector to the distal ends of the cores so
as to bring the distal ends of the cores together.
[0066] Moreover, the method will include trimming the so-called
first, second and additional applicator element arrays, such that
when the cores are arranged side by side, an applicator profile of
360.degree. is defined around the so-called first, second and
additional cores. Thus, for example, in the case of 3 cores, the
first, second and third applicator element arrays will for example
be trimmed so as to each deploy over 120.degree. around each core,
such that when they are grouped together, together they form the
required 360.degree. applicator profile. Likewise, in the case of 4
cores, the first, second, third and fourth applicator element
arrays will for example be trimmed such that each deploys over
90.degree.. It is considered that 4 cores will be sufficient to
provide the required cosmetic product application performance.
[0067] For applicators comprising 3 or 4 cores, it is preferable to
use a relatively finer stainless steel wire, in order to prevent
the final assembled applicator from being too massive.
[0068] Thus, the applicator element arrays can be trimmed such
that, once brought together by the connector 31, they do not deploy
over the entire 360.degree.. Thus, for example, it is possible to
trim 3 applicator element arrays over 3 cores, to 90.degree.. This
would leave 3 empty zones of 30.degree. between the applicator
elements in which the mascara could be trapped, thereby providing a
load effect during application of the mascara.
[0069] The applicator elements generally consist of fibers, as
shown in the figures, but can also assume the form of applicator
teeth that are generally injection molded from a plastic
material.
[0070] Lastly, the applicator 10 can be part of a rotating mascara
device, of the type covered by simultaneously pending European
application number 08356132.4. This arrangement would make it
possible to treat the eyelashes progressively, such that over the
course of the rotation of the brush, the various applicator
profiles successively come into contact with the eyelashes. Thus,
simply by keeping the applicator rotating, the eyelashes are for
example loaded, brushed, loaded, etc., depending on the
characteristics of each applicator profile present in the
applicator. Once the rotation is done, the applicator end 40 can be
used to complete the application as necessary, as described
above.
[0071] The present invention thus provides an applicator for
cosmetic product which can be provided with 2, 3 or more different
types of brush fibers around its core, with the idea of varying and
improving the performance of the application of the cosmetic
product. Those cores typically have a rectilinear shape, and can be
arranged side by side.
[0072] Thus, instead of manufacturing a double brush that is then
trimmed then bent into shape, as described in document
US2008163885, the present invention involves the manufacture of
individual brushes that are then assembled. In particular, no new
machine equipment for brushes is necessary. Thus, the principle of
the assembly used according to the invention makes it possible to
use more than two brushes to produce a multi-zone applicator, as
described above.
* * * * *