U.S. patent application number 14/908324 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for applicator for a cosmetic product & associated applicator assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is ALBEA SERVICES. Invention is credited to Mark Edmondson, Anne Rutigliano, Camille Schreiber, Osvaldo Uresti.
Application Number | 20160174688 14/908324 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49474636 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160174688 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schreiber; Camille ; et
al. |
June 23, 2016 |
Applicator for a Cosmetic Product & Associated Applicator
Assembly
Abstract
The invention relates to an applicator (10) for a cosmetic
product, comprising a core (12) having a first end, referred to as
the proximal end (13), and a free second end, referred to as the
distal end (16), and a plurality of protuberances (30) that project
from the core (12), said protuberances (30) being arranged in a
plurality of rows, the protuberances of at least one of said rows,
referred to as the first row, decreasing progressively in length
from said distal end (16) towards a central part of the applicator
(10) before increasing progressively in length from said central
part towards said proximal end (13), while an opposite variation in
the length of the protuberances occurs in each of the two rows,
referred to as second rows, that are adjacent to the first row(s).
The invention also relates to an associated applicator
assembly.
Inventors: |
Schreiber; Camille; (Paris,
FR) ; Rutigliano; Anne; (Maisons-Laffitte, FR)
; Uresti; Osvaldo; (Paris, FR) ; Edmondson;
Mark; (Courgains, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALBEA SERVICES |
Gennevilliers |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
49474636 |
Appl. No.: |
14/908324 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
July 24, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/065986 |
371 Date: |
January 28, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/129 ;
132/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/265 20130101;
A46B 2200/1053 20130101; A46B 9/021 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26; A46B 9/02 20060101 A46B009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 2, 2013 |
FR |
1357742 |
Claims
1. Applicator for a cosmetic product, comprising: a core having a
first end, referred to as a proximal end, and a second, free end,
referred to as a distal end, and a plurality of protrusions
projecting from the core, wherein said protrusions are moulded with
the core and are arranged in a plurality of rows (R1-R12) which
extend in the direction of extension of the core, and wherein the
protrusions of at least one of said rows, referred to as the first
row (R1), progressively decrease in length from said distal end
towards a central portion of the applicator and then progressively
increase in length from said central portion towards said proximal
end while the length of the protrusions varies in the opposite
manner in each of the two rows, referred to as second rows (R2,
R12), adjacent to said first row(s) (R1).
2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first rows (R1, R3,
R5, R7, R9, R11) alternate with the second rows (R2, R4, R6, R8,
R10, R12) around the entire core.
3. Applicator according toy claim 1, wherein said rows (R1-R2) are
parallel to an axis of the core.
4. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said rows (R1-R12) are
radially spaced around the periphery of the core at a constant
angular distance.
5. Applicator according to claim 4, wherein said angular distance
is 30.degree..
6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein each of the rows
(R1-R12) has a wave-shaped profile (V1, V2), the waves (V1) of the
first rows (R1, R3, R5, R7, R9, R11) being in antiphase with a wave
(V2) of the second rows (R2, R4, R6, R8, R10, R12).
7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions have a
semi-circular cross section.
8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions each
have a planar surface.
9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions are
positioned such that planar surfaces of two adjacent protrusions
are oriented in the same rotational direction.
10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core has a
constant cross section.
11. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core comprises a
centre and ribs extending longitudinally along the centre.
12. Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising: a
receptacle comprising a body which forms a container intended to
contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator according to claim
1, that is capable of being attached to the receptacle such that
the applicator is housed within the container.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator and
to an associated applicator assembly.
[0002] Applicator assemblies for cosmetic products, in particular
for cosmetic products to be applied to the eyelashes, such as
mascara, comprising a receptacle containing the cosmetic product
and an applicator capable of being removably attached to the
receptacle, are known.
[0003] The receptacle generally comprises a body, the body
comprising walls delimiting a container in which the cosmetic
product is contained, and a neck defining an opening through which
the cosmetic product can be removed.
[0004] The applicator assembly generally comprises a cap suitable
for being attached to the neck, a rod extending from the cap, and
an applicator attached to a free end of the rod. The applicator
comprises a core and a plurality of protrusions or bristles
extending from the core.
[0005] When the cap is attached to the neck, the rod and the
applicator extend within the container. The applicator is immersed
in the cosmetic product contained in the container.
[0006] To use the applicator, the user detaches the cap from the
neck and removes the applicator from the receptacle.
[0007] To prevent the applicator from being overloaded with
cosmetic product, the receptacle generally comprises a wiper,
attached to the interior of the neck. When the user removes the
applicator from the receptacle, the applicator slides within the
wiper. The wiper scrapes off the excess cosmetic product on the rod
and on the applicator.
[0008] The wiper thus makes it possible to control the amount of
product which is on the applicator and prevents an excessive amount
of cosmetic product from being applied to the eyelashes.
[0009] The wiper in particular limits the amount of product present
on the protrusions. Two parameters interact for this purpose: the
internal diameter of the wiper and the radial extension of the
protrusions.
[0010] Thus, the desired amount of product on the protrusions when
leaving the wiper results from the compromise between the internal
diameter of the wiper and the radial extension of the
protrusions.
[0011] Moreover, it is known that the regions having protrusions
having a shorter radial extension promote the loading of the
applicator, whereas the regions having protrusions having a longer
radial extension promote the combing of the eyelashes for a given
wiper.
[0012] The problem addressed by the present invention is that of
proposing an applicator that allows a high degree of overlapping
between loading regions and combing regions.
[0013] Therefore, the invention relates to an applicator for a
cosmetic product, comprising a core having a first end, referred to
as a proximal end, and a second, free end, referred to as a distal
end, and a plurality of protrusions projecting from the core.
[0014] According to the invention, said protrusions are moulded
with the core and are arranged in a plurality of rows extending in
the direction of extension of the core, the protrusions of at least
one of said rows, referred to as the first row, progressively
decreasing in length from said distal end towards a central portion
of the applicator and then progressively increasing in length from
said central portion towards said proximal end, while the length of
the protrusions varies in the opposite manner in each of the two
rows, referred to as second rows, adjacent to said first
row(s).
[0015] The proposed applicator is advantageous in that it has
loading regions that are discretely distributed, are staggered and
alternate with combing regions in order to allow the eyelashes to
be loaded with the cosmetic product at the same time as being
combed. This applicator is all the more advantageous since it
allows these simultaneous functions over both the entire
circumference and entire length thereof.
[0016] According to various embodiments of the invention, which may
be taken together or separately: [0017] said rows are parallel to
an axis of the core; [0018] the first rows alternate with the
second rows around the entire core, which allows the product to be
uniformly applied on the entire circumference of the applicator,
loading regions, which are discretely distributed, alternating with
the combing regions in a staggered manner. [0019] the protrusions
of the first rows are axially offset from the protrusions of the
second rows, [0020] said rows are radially spaced around the
periphery of the core at a constant angular distance, [0021] said
angular distance is 30.degree., [0022] the core is made of plastics
material, [0023] the protrusions are made of plastics material,
[0024] the core and the protrusions are moulded from the same
material, [0025] each of the rows has a wave-shaped profile, [0026]
the waves of the first rows are in antiphase with a wave of the
second rows, [0027] the protrusions have a semi-circular cross
section, [0028] the protrusions each have a planar surface, [0029]
the protrusions are positioned such that planar surfaces of two
adjacent protrusions are oriented in the same rotational direction,
[0030] the protrusions each extend along a normal to the axis of
the core, [0031] the protrusions are rectilinear, [0032] the core
has a constant cross section, [0033] the core has a ribbed profile,
[0034] the core comprises a centre and ribs extending
longitudinally along the centre, [0035] the core has four regularly
spaced longitudinal ribs, [0036] the core is solid, [0037] the
applicator forms a brush.
[0038] The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a
cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle having a body which forms
a container intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an
applicator as described above that is capable of being attached to
the receptacle such that the applicator is housed within the
container.
[0039] The invention will be better understood, and its other aims,
details, features and advantages will become clearer in the
following detailed explanatory description of at least one
embodiment of the invention given as a purely illustrative and
non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying
diagrammatic drawings.
[0040] In these drawings:
[0041] FIG. 1 is an elevation of an applicator according to the
invention,
[0042] FIG. 2 is a cross section along line D-D shown in FIG.
1,
[0043] FIG. 3 is a cross section along line A-A shown in FIG.
1,
[0044] FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 1,
[0045] FIG. 5 is a cross section along line B-B shown in FIG.
4.
[0046] The invention, as shown in the figures, relates to an
applicator 10 for a cosmetic product, comprising a core 12 having a
first end, referred to as a proximal end 13, which is capable of
being attached to an applicator rod by means of a cylindrical
coupling 14 extending said core 12, and a second, free end,
referred to as a distal end 16. Said cylindrical coupling 14 allows
the applicator 10 to be attached.
[0047] The applicator 10 further comprises a plurality of
protrusions 30 projecting from the core 12.
[0048] The protrusions 30 are moulded with the core 12. In other
words, the protrusions 30 may be integrally formed with the core 12
or over-moulded on the core 12.
[0049] The protrusions 30 are arranged in a plurality of rows
R1-R12 extending in the direction of extension of the core 12. The
rows R1-R12 are all parallel to an axis of the core 12, in
particular the longitudinal axis of extension thereof (reference
sign X in FIG. 1).
[0050] The protrusions 30 of at least one of said rows, referred to
as the first row R1, progressively decrease in length from said
distal end 16 towards a central portion 15 of the applicator 12 and
then progressively increase in length from said central portion 15
towards said proximal end 13. In other words, the length of the
protrusions 30 may change linearly, or in accordance with other
variation profiles, from one protrusion 30 to another, for example
by successive stages of at least two protrusions 30 having the same
length.
[0051] The length of the protrusions 30 varies in the opposite
manner in each of the two rows, referred to as second rows R2, R12,
adjacent to said first row(s) R1. In this way, the a make-up effect
is achieved that is advantageous in that the central portion of the
row R1, which forms a loading region, is located between two
combing regions that are each situated on an adjacent row R2, R12.
In other words, the charging regions alternate with the combing
regions in a staggered manner around the entire applicator of the
invention and along the entire length thereof.
[0052] FIG. 1 is an overall view of the alternation between the
first rows R1, R3, R5, R7, R9, R11 and the second rows R2, R4, R6,
R8, R10, R12 around the entire core 12. The rows R1-R12 are shown
in FIG. 4, which, as a reminder, is a plan view of FIG. 1. In other
words, in this example, the applicator comprises only rows of the
first and the second type alternating with one another.
[0053] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the rows R4-R12 are radially
spaced around the periphery of the core 12 at a constant angular
distance. This angular distance may vary from one embodiment to
another. In the embodiment shown here, the angular distance is
30.degree.. In other words, there are twelve rows R1-R12.
[0054] FIG. 3 shows one of the first rows R1. As set out above,
each of the first rows R1, R3, R5, R7, R9, R11 has protrusions, or
teeth 31, the length of which progressively decreases from the
distal end 16 towards the central portion 15 of the applicator 12
and then progressively increases from the central portion 15
towards the proximal end 13. In other words, the free end of the
teeth 31 defines a first envelope, or first wave V1, which is
firstly convex in the region of the distal end 16, then concave in
the region of the central portion 15 and then convex again in the
region of the proximal end 13. The first wave V1 is substantially
identical to all of the first rows R1, R3, R5, R7, R9, R11.
[0055] The maximum size D31 of this first wave is in the region of
the distal end 16 and in the region of the proximal end 13. This
first wave V1 has a minimum size d31 in the region of the central
portion 15 of the core 12. The maximum D31 and minimum d31 sizes
follow the following formula:
1 < D 31 d 31 .ltoreq. 4. ##EQU00001##
[0056] Maximum or minimum size means the distance between the
longitudinal axis of extension of the core X and the free end of a
protrusion, in other words the radial extension of the
protrusions.
[0057] FIG. 5 shows one of the second rows R2. Each of the second
rows R2, R4, R6, R8, R10, R12 has protrusions, or teeth 32, the
length of which progressively increases from the distal end 16
towards the central portion 15 of the applicator 12 and then
progressively decreases from the central portion 15 towards the
proximal end 13. In other words, the free end of the teeth 32
defines a second envelope, or second wave V2, which is firstly
concave in the region of the distal end 16, then convex in the
region of the central portion 15 and then concave again in the
region of the proximal end 13. The second wave V2 is substantially
identical to all of the second rows R2, R4, R6, R8, R10, R12.
[0058] The maximum size D32 of this second wave V2 is in the region
of the central portion 15 of the core 12, while the minimum size
d32 of this second wave V2 is in the region of the distal end 16
and in the region of the proximal end 13. The maximum D32 and
minimum d32 sizes follow the following formula:
1 < D 32 d 32 .ltoreq. 4. ##EQU00002##
[0059] Moreover, the maximum sizes D31, D32 of the first and the
second wave V1, V2, respectively, follow the following formula:
0.8 .ltoreq. D 32 D 31 .ltoreq. 1.2 . ##EQU00003##
[0060] The minimum sizes d31, d32 follow the following formula:
0.8 .ltoreq. d 32 d 31 .ltoreq. 1.2 . ##EQU00004##
[0061] In this case, the envelope of each of said first and second
rows is undulated or sinusoidal, out of phase and advantageously in
antiphase.
[0062] In other words, each of rows R1-R12 has a wave-shaped
profile V1, V2. More particularly, the waves V1 formed by the first
rows R1, R3, R5, R7, R9, R11 are in antiphase with the wave V2
formed by the second rows R2, R4, R6, R8, R10, R12.
[0063] Furthermore, as already mentioned, in this case the
applicator 10 does not have rows of teeth which would define, by
the free end thereof, a wave that is different from the two waves
V1, V2 that have just been described.
[0064] It should be noted that, along the axis X, there are at
least two orthogonal planes of said axis X, in which the
protrusions 30 of the rows R1-R12 have a substantially identical
radial extension, said planes do not include the proximal end 13 or
the distal end 16.
[0065] It should also be noted that, in the region of the proximal
13 and distal 16 ends, the protrusions 30 of the two adjacent rows
have different radial extensions.
[0066] As described at the outset, the receptacle of the applicator
assembly according to the invention generally comprises a wiper
which is attached to the interior of the neck thereof in order to
limit the amount of product on the protrusions 30, in particular on
those protrusions having the greatest radial extensions. These
protrusions thus serve to comb the eyelashes, whereas the teeth
having the shortest radial extension, which are only wiped to a
small extent, serve to load the eyelashes with product.
[0067] Therefore, the effect associated with the alternation of two
types of wave V1, V2 around a core 12 of the type according to the
invention is particularly advantageous. In a single action of
rotating the applicator about the longitudinal axis thereof, the
effect allows the user to benefit from loading regions, namely
regions having the minimum size d31, d32, and from eyelash combing
regions, namely regions having the maximum size D31, D32.
[0068] In other words, the loading and combing regions are in
succession around the core 12 of the applicator 10 and are in the
form of waves V1, V2 that are in antiphase along the entire length
of the core.
[0069] Again, in other words, the loading and combing regions are
in succession and axially and angularly staggered along and around
the axis X of the applicator 10.
[0070] The applicator 10 therefore comprises rows R1-R12 of
protrusions 30, the size D31, D32 of which may be large. Therefore,
in order to be used in conjunction with a standard-format
receptacle, the core 12 should have a relatively small diameter d12
(see FIG. 2).
[0071] However, in order to maintain a rigidity that is sufficient
for the function of the core, the core 12 can have a ribbed
profile, which, in this case, is in the form of longitudinal ribs
17 that are regularly spaced around a centre of the core as shown
in FIG. 2. The core 12 also has a constant cross section along the
longitudinal extension axis thereof.
[0072] The example shown in FIG. 2 includes four longitudinal ribs
17, but this number may vary. Therefore, the core 12 has at least
one longitudinal rib 17. The cross section of said rib(s) is
substantially in the shape of omega (.OMEGA.). Said cross section
is produced in a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis
X of the core 12.
[0073] The applicator of the invention has a further advantage. It
allows the user's eyelashes to be separated in a remarkable manner,
and this can be promoted by the following feature: the teeth 31 of
the first rows R1, R3, R5, R7, R9, R11 are axially offset from the
teeth 32 of the second rows R2, R4, R6, R8, R10, R12.
[0074] On the other hand, in order to simplify the processes for
manufacturing such an applicator 10, the protrusions 30 may have a
semi-circular cross section. In this way, they preferably each have
a planar surface (see FIG. 4). In this case, said protrusions 30
are positioned such that the planar surfaces of two adjacent
protrusions are oriented in the same rotational direction about the
core 12. In order to further simply the processes for
manufacturing, the protrusions 30 are preferably rectilinear and
each extend along a normal to an axis of the core 12.
[0075] The protrusions 30 are preferably integrally formed with the
core 12. For example, the core 12 and the protrusions 30 may be
moulded from a material based on LDPE (low-density polyethylene).
Other materials may also be used, namely the material "Exact" from
ExxonMobil or the material "Hytrel" from Dupont, or a mixture of
these materials.
[0076] It should be noted that the applicator 10 advantageously
forms a brush.
[0077] The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a
cosmetic product, comprising a receptacle having a body which forms
a container containing the cosmetic product, and an applicator as
described above that is capable of being attached to the receptacle
such that the applicator is housed within the container. Said
applicator 10 is attached, for example, to the end of a rod, the
rod itself being attached to a cap that is advantageously screwed
to the receptacle. After assembly, the cylindrical coupling 14 is
positioned in the rod and the proximal end 13 of the core forms the
visible proximal end of the applicator.
[0078] It should also be noted that variants are of course
possible. In particular, in an additional embodiment, the
applicator of the invention comprises a different number of rows,
which is either lower (for example 8 rows) or higher (for example
16 rows).
* * * * *