U.S. patent application number 14/908428 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-30 for applicator for a cosmetic product and associated applicator assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is ALBEA SERVICES. Invention is credited to Camille Schreiber, Osvaldo Uresti.
Application Number | 20160183663 14/908428 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49474638 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160183663 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schreiber; Camille ; et
al. |
June 30, 2016 |
Applicator for a Cosmetic Product and Associated Applicator
Assembly
Abstract
The invention relates to an application (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 moulded together
with the core (12), wherein the core (12) has a central part (11)
and ribs (17) extending between its proximal end (13) and its
distal end (16) from the central part (11). The invention also
relates to an associated applicator assembly.
Inventors: |
Schreiber; Camille; (Paris,
FR) ; Uresti; Osvaldo; (Paris, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALBEA SERVICES |
Gennevilliers |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
49474638 |
Appl. No.: |
14/908428 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
July 24, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2014/065988 |
371 Date: |
January 28, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
401/129 ;
132/216 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 40/265 20130101;
A46B 9/021 20130101; A46B 2200/1053 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 |
1357747 |
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, said protrusions being moulded with the
core, wherein the core has a centre and ribs extend, from the
centre, between the proximal end and distal end of said core, all
or some of said protrusions extending from said ribs.
2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core has a constant
cross section from its proximal end to its distal end.
3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ribs extend from
the proximal end to the distal end of the core.
4. Applicator according claim 1, wherein the ribs are moulded with
the core.
5. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ribs are parallel
to an axis (X) of the core.
6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ribs have a round
cross section.
7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the core is solid.
8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said protrusions have a
substantially circular cross section.
9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the ribs are radially
spaced around the periphery of the core at a constant angular
distance.
10. 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 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. The radial extension of a protrusion means the
distance between the axis of longitudinal extension of the core and
the free end of the protrusion.
[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.
[0012] However, nowadays the applicators comprising protrusions
intended for promoting a combing effect on the eyelashes are used
with cores of large diameter. The associated wiper thus has a large
diameter and as a result so too does the receptacle intended for
receiving said wiper. Consequently, the associated applicator
assembly has a much higher external diameter than is desired
aesthetically for this type of product.
[0013] One option for reducing this drawback is to reduce the
diameter of the core of the applicator. This causes another
disadvantage--that of reducing the rigidity of the core of the
applicator.
[0014] An object of the present invention is to propose an
applicator which comprises protrusions for permitting a combing
effect on the eyelashes, has a sufficiently rigid core, and does
not lead to the use of excessively large receptacles.
[0015] 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, said
protrusions being moulded with the core.
[0016] According to the invention, the core has a centre and ribs
which extend, from the centre, longitudinally between the proximal
end and the distal end of said core.
[0017] The applicator according to the invention solves the stated
problem by proposing a core that can be relatively thin whilst
guaranteeing the rigidity desired for the function that said core
must carry out, namely that of bearing the protrusions for
permitting a combing effect on the eyelashes without bending when
cosmetic product is applied to the eyelashes of a user.
[0018] According to various embodiments of the invention, which may
be taken together or separately: [0019] all or some of said
protrusions extend from said ribs, [0020] said protrusions are
distributed in different rows, which are oriented longitudinally,
[0021] the core has a constant cross section from its proximal end
to its distal end, [0022] the ribs extend from the proximal end to
the distal end of the core, [0023] the ribs are moulded with the
core, [0024] the ribs are parallel to an axis of the core, [0025]
the ribs have a round cross section, [0026] the core is solid,
[0027] the core is made of plastics material, [0028] the
protrusions are made of plastics material, [0029] the core and the
protrusions are moulded from the same material, [0030] the centre
has a substantially circular cross section, [0031] the ribs are
radially spaced around the periphery of the centre at a constant
angular distance, [0032] said angular distance is in the range of
from 0.degree. to 180.degree., and is preferably 90.degree., [0033]
the protrusions have a semi-circular cross section, [0034] the
protrusions each have a planar surface, [0035] the protrusions are
positioned such that planar surfaces of two adjacent protrusions
are oriented in the same rotational direction, [0036] the
applicator forms a brush.
[0037] 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.
[0038] 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.
IN THESE DRAWINGS
[0039] FIG. 1 is schematic perspective view of an embodiment of an
applicator according to the invention,
[0040] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
[0041] FIG. 3 is a cross section along the axis A-A shown in FIG.
1.
[0042] The invention relates to an applicator 10 for a cosmetic
product, comprising a core 12 having a first end, referred to as a
proximal end 13, and a second, free end, referred to as a distal
end 16, and a plurality of protrusions 30 projecting from the core
12. The core 12 is also extended in this case by a cylindrical
coupling 14 for attaching the applicator 10, extending from the
proximal end 13 of the core 12.
[0043] Said 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.
[0044] In the embodiment shown here, the core 12 has a centre 11
and ribs 17. These ribs 17 extend from the centre 11 of the core
12, between the proximal end 13 and the distal end 15 of said core
12 (see FIG. 1).
[0045] The protrusions 30 preferably extend from the ribs 17 (see
FIG. 2). Said protrusions can also extend directly from the centre
11 of said core 12. In addition, the protrusions 30 are distributed
in different rows, which are oriented longitudinally.
[0046] In fact, the protrusions 30 are arranged in a plurality of
rows R1-R12 extending in the direction of extension of the core 12,
marked X in FIG. 1. The rows R1-R12, which can be seen in FIG. 2,
are all parallel to an axis of the core 12, in particular the
longitudinal extension axis thereof X.
[0047] The rows R1-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.
[0048] In the embodiment described here, the ribs 17 are parallel
to the longitudinal extension axis X of the core 12.
[0049] FIGS. 2 and 3 show these ribs 17 in detail. It can thus be
seen that in this case said ribs have a round cross section. More
specifically, the cross section of said ribs 17 is substantially in
the shape of omega (.OMEGA.).
[0050] "Cross section" is understood to be any cross section
produced in a plane that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X
of the core 12.
[0051] In FIG. 3, it is particularly clear that said ribs 17 are
distributed around the centre 11 of the core 12. More specifically,
the ribs 17 are radially spaced around the periphery of the centre
11 at a constant angular distance. In the embodiment shown here,
the angular distance is 90.degree.. In other words, there are four
of said ribs 17.
[0052] It is completely possible to provide a different angular
spacing between said ribs, which would result in the number thereof
being reduced or increased. However, said angular distance remains
within the range of between 0.degree. and 180.degree..
[0053] The core 12 can thus have sufficient rigidity for its
function, owing to the longitudinal ribs 17 that are regularly
spaced around the centre 11 of the core 12.
[0054] A cross section of the centre 11 has a substantially
circular shape, the diameter d11 of which is in the range of
between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, preferably exactly 1.5 mm (see FIG. 3). The
maximum size of this cross section occupied by the ribs 17 is in
the shape of a circle of a diameter d17 which is within the range
of between 1.5 and 3.5 mm, preferably exactly 2.8 mm.
Advantageously, the ratio
11 17 ##EQU00001##
is between 0.4 and 0.7, d11 and d17 being measured in the same
unit.
[0055] In the embodiment being described here, the core has a
substantially constant cross section from its proximal end 13 to
its distal end 16.
[0056] Furthermore, the core 12 is moulded in plastics material, as
are the protrusions 30, which are preferably moulded using the same
plastics material as the core 12 or even are integrally formed with
the core 12.
[0057] For example, the core 12 and the protrusions 30 can be
moulded in 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.
[0058] The core 12 is provided so as to be solid. It is also
possible, in another embodiment which is not shown, for the core 12
to be hollow.
[0059] The ribs 17 belonging to the core 12 are moulded in one
single operation.
[0060] On the other hand, in order to simplify the processes for
producing 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. 2). 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 addition, in order to further simplify the production
processes, the protrusions 30 are preferably rectilinear and each
extend along a normal to an axis X of the core 12.
[0061] It should be noted that the applicator 10 advantageously
forms a brush.
[0062] It should also be noted that the ribs 17 of the core 12
according to the invention do not permit cosmetic product to be
applied to the eyelashes.
[0063] 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.
[0064] The ribbed, in particular cruciform, core according to the
invention thus has the advantage of providing greater rigidity than
that of a cylindrical core, whilst having constant dimensions.
[0065] The receptacle has a neck of which the diameter, in
particular the internal diameter, is limited. This prevents large
applicators from being used and justifies the use of an applicator
having a ribbed, in particular cruciform, core because normally the
rigidity is achieved by increasing the diameter of cylindrical
cores, to the detriment of the length of the radial extension of
the protrusions.
[0066] It should also be noted that variants are of course
possible. In particular, it is also conceivable in an additional
embodiment for the applicator to have a curved core.
* * * * *