U.S. patent application number 15/067400 was filed with the patent office on 2016-09-22 for applicator for cosmetic product, method for the production of such an applicator and container capable of containing such an applicator.
The applicant listed for this patent is ALBEA SERVICES. Invention is credited to Camille SCHREIBER, Pauline UHLEN.
Application Number | 20160270513 15/067400 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53008773 |
Filed Date | 2016-09-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160270513 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
UHLEN; Pauline ; et
al. |
September 22, 2016 |
Applicator for cosmetic product, method for the production of such
an applicator and container capable of containing such an
applicator
Abstract
An applicator for cosmetic product and method for making the
applicator, the applicator having a core and a plurality of fibres.
The core extends in a main direction, the fibres being distributed
along the core, between a proximal end and a distal end opposing
one another in the main direction, forming an envelope which has at
least two longitudinal slots. The fibres form the bottom of the
slots having a first radial extension, the slots extending so as to
define, in the region of the distal end, a region with no slots,
which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which from the
core is less than or equal to the first radial extension. A
container may contain such an applicator.
Inventors: |
UHLEN; Pauline;
(Levallois-Perret, FR) ; SCHREIBER; Camille;
(Paris, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALBEA SERVICES |
Gennevilliers |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
53008773 |
Appl. No.: |
15/067400 |
Filed: |
March 11, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 3/18 20130101; 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 |
Mar 16, 2015 |
FR |
1552156 |
Claims
1. Applicator for cosmetic product, in particular for mascara,
comprising a core and a plurality of fibres projecting from said
core, said core extending in a main longitudinal extension
direction, referred to as the main direction, said fibres being
distributed along the core, over a substantial portion of the
length thereof between a proximal end and distal end opposing one
another in said main direction, said fibres forming an envelope
with the free ends thereof, said envelope extending in said main
direction whilst having at least two longitudinal slots, said slots
having, in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, a
trapezoidal shape, thus defining slots having two lateral edges and
a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse angles with said
bottom, said bottom being flat, the fibres forming the bottom of
the slot having a radial extension from said core, which is
referred to as the first radial extension, said slots extending
over a portion of said main direction so as to define, in the
region of the distal end of said applicator, a region with no
slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which
from the core is less than or equal to said first radial
extension.
2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope extends,
between said proximal and distal ends, over a length, referred to
as the envelope length and marked L, said slots extending over a
length, referred to as the slot length and labelled l, said two
lengths L and l being linked by the formula:
0.5.ltoreq.l/L.ltoreq.0.9.
3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said slots have
substantially the same cross section with respect to said main
direction at all points of the portion of said main direction in
which they extend.
4. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said lateral edges form
an angle which is substantially a right angle therebetween.
5. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the apex of said
trapezium, forming said bottom, has a length, between the two
lateral edges, which is substantially equal to 2.5 mm.
6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the region without any
slots in the region of the distal end of said applicator is formed
by fibres of a first type, whereas the rest of the envelope is
formed by fibres of a second type.
7. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope has an
extremum in the main direction, in particular from the proximal end
to the distal end of the core.
8. Applicator according to claim 7, wherein said extremum is a
maximum.
9. Applicator according claim 1, wherein said envelope has a
portion in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, said
portion having a shape which has an axial symmetry with respect to
an axis which is perpendicular to said main direction, said axis
being contained in said transverse plane.
10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope has
three slots, said slots being at a regular distance from one
another about said main direction with an angular space which is
substantially equal to a 120.degree. angle.
11. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope has four
slots, said slots being at a regular distance from one another
about said main direction with an angular space which is
substantially equal to a 90.degree. angle.
12. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein said envelope is
curved in the main direction (X), in particular from the proximal
end to the distal end of the core.
13. Applicator according to claim 12, wherein said envelope is
substantially convex.
14. Method for producing an applicator for cosmetic product, in
particular mascara, said method comprising: a step of positioning a
plurality of fibres between longitudinal portions of a pin, then a
first step of twisting said pin to form a twisted pin having fibres
extending radially about said pin, the ends of said fibres forming
an envelope which extends in a longitudinal extension direction
about said pin, referred to as the main direction, then a step of
cutting the fibres, so that said envelope has at least two
longitudinal slots, said slots having, in a plane which is
transverse to said main direction, a trapezoidal shape, thus
defining slots having two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral
edges forming obtuse angles with said bottom, said bottom being
flat, the fibres forming the base of the slots having a radial
extension from said core, which is referred to as the first radial
extension, said slots extending over a portion of said main
direction so as to define, in the region of the distal end of said
applicator, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the
radial extension of which from the core is less than or equal to
said first radial extension.
15. Container for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, which is
capable of containing an applicator according to claim 1.
16. Container for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, which is
obtained according to the method of claim 14.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to French Application
Serial No. 1552156, filed Mar. 16, 2015, which is hereby
incorporated by reference.
FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product,
in particular for mascara, to a method for the production of such
an applicator, and to a container capable of containing such an
applicator.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Mascara applicators can be formed by injection-moulding
plastics material, they are thus commonly referred to as "plastics
brushes". They can also be obtained from fibrous elements held
between the longitudinal portions of a twisted pin; they are thus
commonly referred to as "fibre brushes". Applicators for mascara
have a core, or central portion, and spikes extending radially
about said core. The ends of said spikes usually form envelopes in
a main longitudinal extension direction of said brush. The spikes
of fibre brushes are commonly referred to as "the fibres".
[0004] Plastic brushes from the prior art have distributions of
spikes about the core which make it possible to produce complex
envelopes which facilitate make-up application. With regard to
fibre brushes, such features appear to be more difficult to
achieve, unless drawing upon operations of cutting fibres in
trajectories which are difficult to implement.
SUMMARY
[0005] The invention proposes producing an applicator equipped with
fibres, the ends of which form a complex envelope, having
advantageous features in terms of make-up application, whilst
remaining relatively simple to achieve.
[0006] Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic
product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core and a
plurality of fibres projecting from said core, said core extending
in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main
direction, said fibres being distributed along the core, over a
substantial portion of the length thereof between a proximal end
and a distal end opposing one another in said main direction, said
fibres forming an envelope with the free ends thereof.
[0007] According to the invention, said envelope extends in said
main direction, having at least two longitudinal slots, said slots
having, in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, a
trapezoidal shape, said trapezium being in particular isosceles,
thus defining slots having two lateral edges and a bottom, said
lateral edges forming obtuse angles with said bottom, said bottom
being flat, the fibres forming the bottom of the slots having a
radial extension from said core, which is referred to as the first
radial extension, said slots extending over a portion of said main
direction so as to define, in the region of the distal end of said
applicator, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the
radial extension of which from the core is less than or equal to
said first radial extension.
[0008] The invention thus provides an applicator which has slots
over the periphery of the envelope formed by the fibres of which it
is composed. This has the advantage of dragging a user's eyelashes
due to an effect of catching said lashes with the regions located
between the slots. In this way, a user's eyelashes are thus
lengthened, curled and/or combed effectively. Furthermore, the
slots are used to contain the cosmetic product and the user's
eyelashes are thus satisfactorily loaded with product.
[0009] The applicator from the invention has the additional
advantage of having, at the end, at the distal end thereof, a
region which is used for precise make-up application, in particular
because the fibres have a small radial extension there.
[0010] The use of a fibre brush additionally allows a greater
density of fibres than with the spikes of plastics brushes.
[0011] According to different embodiments of the invention, which
can be taken together or separately: [0012] said envelope extends,
between said proximal and distal ends, over a length, referred to
as the envelope length and marked L, said slots extending over a
length, referred to as the slot length and labelled l, said two
lengths L and l being linked by the formula:
0.5.ltoreq.l/L.ltoreq.0.9 [0013] said slots have substantially the
same cross section with respect to said main direction at all
points of the portion of said main direction in which they extend,
[0014] said lateral edges form an angle which is substantially a
right angle therebetween, [0015] the apex of said trapezium,
forming said bottom, has a length, between the two lateral edges,
which is substantially equal to 2.5 mm. [0016] the region without
any slots in the region of the distal end of said applicator is
formed by fibres of a first type, whereas the rest of the envelope
is formed by fibres of a second type, [0017] said envelope has an
extremum in the main direction, in particular from the proximal end
to the distal end of the core, [0018] said extremum is a maximum,
[0019] said envelope has a portion in a plane which is transverse
to said main direction, said portion having a shape which has an
axial symmetry with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to
said main direction, said axis being contained in said transverse
plane, [0020] said envelope has three slots, said slots being at a
regular distance from one another about said main direction with an
angular space which is substantially equal to a 120.degree. angle,
[0021] said envelope has four slots, said slots being at a regular
distance from one another about said main direction with an angular
space which is substantially equal to a 90.degree. angle, [0022]
said envelope is curved in the main direction, in particular from
the proximal end to the distal end of the core, [0023] said
envelope is substantially convex, [0024] said core consists of a
twisted rod, [0025] said proximal end of the core is extended by a
portion of the rod with no fibres, [0026] the applicator forms a
brush.
[0027] The invention also relates to a method for producing an
applicator for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, said method
comprising: [0028] a step of positioning a plurality of fibres
between longitudinal portions of a pin, then [0029] a first step of
twisting said pin to form a twisted pin having fibres extending
radially about said pin, the ends of said fibres forming an
envelope which extends in a longitudinal extension direction about
said pin, referred to as the main direction, then [0030] a step of
cutting fibres, in such a way that said envelope has at least two
longitudinal slots, said slots having, in a plane which is
transverse to said main direction, a trapezoidal shape, said
trapezium being in particular isosceles, thus defining slots having
two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse
angles with said bottom, said bottom being flat, the fibres forming
the base of the slots having a radial extension from said core,
which is referred to as the first radial extension, said slots
extending over a portion of said main direction so as to define, in
the region of the distal end of said applicator, a region with no
slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which
from the core is less than or equal to said first radial
extension.
[0031] The applicator produced in this manner has the advantage of
having a distribution of fibres, the ends of which form a complex
envelope about the core thereof by drawing upon operations which
remain simple to implement by means of a cutting step.
[0032] According to different embodiments of the invention, which
can be taken together or separately: [0033] said twisted pin is
kept rectilinear, [0034] said cutting-out is controlled
digitally.
[0035] The invention also relates to a container for cosmetic
product, in particular mascara, which is capable of containing an
applicator of the type described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] The invention will be better understood, and other aims,
details, features and advantages thereof will become clearer
throughout the following detailed explanatory description of at
least one embodiment of the invention given by way of purely
illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the
accompanying schematic drawings, in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is an isometric, slightly tilted view of a first
embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,
[0038] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the applicator from FIG. 1,
[0039] FIG. 3 is an isometric, slightly tilted view of a second
embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,
[0040] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the applicator from FIG. 3,
[0041] FIG. 5 is an isometric, slightly tilted view of a third
embodiment of an applicator according to the invention,
[0042] FIG. 6 is a plan view of the applicator from FIG. 5.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0043] As shown in the drawings, the invention relates to an
applicator 10 for cosmetic product, in particular for mascara. Said
applicator 10 is particularly suitable for applying make-up to a
user's eyelashes and/or eyebrows. It comprises a core 11 and a
plurality of fibres projecting from said core 11. The core is in
particular a core formed from twisted strands, in particular two
twisted strands, between which the fibres are held. The strands
are, for example, made of metal. Said applicator 10 advantageously
forms a fibre brush.
[0044] Said core 11 extends in a main longitudinal extension
direction, referred to as the main direction X, said fibres being
distributed along the core 11, over a substantial portion of the
length thereof between a proximal end 12 and a distal end 13
opposing one another in said main direction X. A substantial
portion is understood to mean the majority of the length of the
core 11.
[0045] The core 11 consists of a twisted rod and the proximal end
12 thereof is extended by a portion of the rod with no fibres 15,
also referred to as the sleeve 15. Said sleeve 15 is advantageously
intended to join said brush 10 to a rod, which is itself connected
to a means allowing the user to handle the assembly, for example a
cap (assembly not shown here).
[0046] Said fibres form an envelope E1-E3 with the free ends
thereof.
[0047] According to the invention, said envelope E1-E3 extends in
said main direction X, having at least two longitudinal slots
21-23.
[0048] In this case, the envelope E1 from FIG. 1, showing a first
embodiment, has an extremum in the main direction X, which is
substantially midway between the proximal end 12 and the distal end
13 of the core 13. Since said extremum is a maximum, the envelope
E1 can thus be described as a bullet-shaped envelope.
[0049] The envelope E2 from FIG. 3 is, itself, curved in the main
direction X, giving it a substantially convex overall profile
(second embodiment).
[0050] The envelope E3 from FIG. 5, showing a third embodiment, is
close to that of the envelope E1 from FIG. 1.
[0051] It should be noted that the invention is not limited to the
examples of envelopes E1-E3 shown here, and that all other envelope
shapes are conceivable, without departing from the scope of the
invention.
[0052] According to the invention, said slots 21-23 have, in a
plane which is transverse to said main direction X, a trapezoidal
shape. "Longitudinal slots" are understood to mean slots 21-23
which follow the main direction X. In other words, slots 21-23
which have longitudinal extensions in parallel with said main
direction X. Furthermore, "trapezoidal shape" is understood to mean
a trapezium which is open to the outside.
[0053] In addition, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, said
trapezium is for example isosceles. In other words, the slots 21-23
have two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming
obtuse angles a2 with said bottom, in other words, angles a2 which
are greater than a 90.degree. angle. Said obtuse angles a2 are
inside the trapezium; they are defined in particular between the
sides of the trapezium and the smaller apex of said trapezium.
[0054] The lateral edges and the bottom are formed by the free ends
of the fibres.
[0055] Between the slots 21-23, the free ends of the fibres define
a surface S which advantageously ensures the combing of the lashes.
Said surface S connects a lateral edge of a slot to a lateral edge
of an adjacent slot. In cross section, said surface S is curved
(see FIGS. 2, 4 and 6).
[0056] Said slots 21-23 are thus comparable to cuts made in the
surface of a frustoconical shape. Said cuts have no bottom, or
planar base, and no lateral surfaces, or lateral edges.
[0057] In this case, said bottom is flat and the fibres forming
said bottom have a radial extension e21-e23, from said core 11
which will be referred to in the following as first radial
extension e21-e23.
[0058] Said slots 21-23 additionally extend over a portion of said
main direction X so as to define, in the region of the distal end
13 of said applicator, a region 14, 14' with no slots, which is
defined by fibres, the radial extension e14, e14' of which from the
core 11 is less than or equal to said first radial extension
e21-e23.
[0059] The region 14, 14' with no slots is advantageously intended
for precise application of make-up, for example to portions which
are difficult for the user to reach. Said region 14, 14' will be
referred to here as end piece 14, 14'. The fibres forming said
region have a radial extension which is less than or equal to the
radial extension e21-e23 of the other fibres forming the brush 10;
they are thus more rigid.
[0060] This reinforces the function of the end piece 14, 14' which
is dedicated to delicate and detailed application of make-up.
[0061] In addition, the end piece 14, 14' can be formed by fibres
of a first type, whereas the rest of the envelope E1-E3 will be
formed by fibres of a second type. "Type of fibres" is understood
to mean fibres of different natures, in particular in terms of
diameter, material, and shape, hollow or solid, or even colour.
[0062] For example, the fibres in the first and second embodiments
shown--see FIGS. 1 to 4--will be solid fibres at the end piece 14,
having a diameter of approximately 7 mils, whereas those forming
the rest of the envelope E1, E2 will be hollow fibres, having a
diameter of approximately 6 mils.
[0063] The fibres used in the case of the third embodiment--see
FIGS. 5 and 6--will be solid fibres having a diameter of
approximately 5 mils; in this case, a single type of fibre will be
used for the envelope E3 and the end piece 14'.
[0064] These examples can advantageously be combined.
[0065] This makes it possible to provide different effects in terms
of make-up application, for the same brush, by varying the types of
fibres in said main direction X.
[0066] In addition, the end piece 14, 14' makes it possible to
prevent the presence of cosmetic product residue at the end of the
brush 10. The end piece 14, 14' will collect the cosmetic product,
in particular in the case of mascara, rather than let it accumulate
at the end of the brush 10.
[0067] Said envelope E1-E3 will extend over a length, referred to
as the envelope length and marked L. Said slots 21-23 will extend
over a length, referred to as the slot length and labelled l, said
two lengths L and l being linked by the formula:
0.5.ltoreq.l/L.ltoreq.0.9.
[0068] For example, said length L will be approximately 28 mm, more
specifically approximately 27.7 mm.
[0069] Said length l can be of between 10 and 18 mm.
[0070] In addition, the end piece 14 will have a length, labelled t
in FIGS. 1 to 4, which will be approximately 6 mm--in the case of
the two first embodiments. In these two cases, the end piece 14 is
clearly defined by fibres of a different type from those used for
the rest of the envelope E1-E3.
[0071] In the case of the third embodiment, the end piece 14' is
rather defined from the location where the slots stop, due to the
reduction in the radial extension of the fibres towards the distal
end 13. The reduction in the radial extension of the fibres is due,
in this case, to the bullet shape of the envelope E3.
[0072] The end piece 14', in FIG. 5, will have a length t' which is
greater by one or several millimetres with respect to the end piece
14 from the two first embodiments.
[0073] The end piece 14, 14' is advantageously provided to be
relatively large, in particular in terms of the longitudinal
extension in the main direction X. For example, the following
formula will be complied with: 4 mm.ltoreq.t,t'.ltoreq.8 mm in
order to give said end piece 14, 14' a tangible existence, owing to
the significant length thereof.
[0074] It should be noted that said slots 21-23 will have
substantially the same cross section with respect to said main
direction X at all points of the portion of said main direction X
in which they extend. This means that, although the dimensions of
this trapezium change in said main direction X, said trapezium
remains substantially isosceles at all points of said slot
21-23.
[0075] In addition, as can be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6, the lateral
edges of said slots 21-23, which are produced by the in particular
isosceles sides of said trapeziums, form an angle a1 which is
substantially a right angle therebetween.
[0076] It can also be seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 that the apex of
said trapeziums, forming the bottoms of said slots 21-23, has a
length f21-f23 which is substantially equal to 2.5 mm. This value
can vary between 1.5 and 3.5 mm without departing from the scope of
the invention.
[0077] The slots 21-23 dimensioned in this manner advantageously
make it possible to be effectively involved in the function of
loading the brush 10 from the invention with cosmetic product.
[0078] In addition, said envelope E1-E3 will have, in particular in
the place where it has slots 21-23, a portion in a plane which is
transverse to said main direction X which has an axial symmetry
with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to said main
direction X, said axis being contained in said transverse plane.
Said axis is labelled Y in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6.
[0079] In the case of the first and second embodiments, said
envelope E1, E2 has three slots 21, 22. Said slots 21, 22 will be
at a regular distance from one another about said main direction
with an angular space which is substantially equal to a 120.degree.
angle. This has the advantage of creating containers for cosmetic
product--the slots 21, 22--over the periphery of said envelope E1,
E2, said containers being regularly distributed about the core
11.
[0080] In the case of the third embodiment, the envelope E3 will
have four slots 23, said slots 23 being at a regular distance from
one another about said main direction with an angular space which
is substantially equal to a 90.degree. angle. This has the same
advantage as regular distribution of containers for cosmetic
product over the periphery of the envelope E3.
[0081] This number of 3 or 4 containers, or slots 21-23, is
non-limiting, and it is also possible to provide a different number
of slots 21-23 without departing from the scope of the invention.
There can be two slots 21-23, which are diametrically opposed on
either side of the core 11, or even 5 and 8 slots, which are
regularly distributed about the core 11, without departing from the
scope of the invention.
[0082] It should be noted that said slots 21-23 are produced so as
to be hollow with respect to the surface of the envelopes E1-E3,
with a flat bottom. It should also be noted that the fibres at the
highest radial extensions form the majority of the brush 10 and
that the slots 21-23 are distributed in a point-wise manner over
the surface of the envelopes E1-E3 that they form.
[0083] The outer diameter DE1-DE3 of said envelopes E1-E3 will be,
for example, between 7.5 and 11 mm, in particular approximately 9.3
mm, or even 9.5 mm.
[0084] The radial extension e21-e23 of the fibres forming the
bottom of said slots 21-23 will also be between 3 and 4 mm, more
particularly approximately 3.3 mm. As a reminder, "radial
extension" is used to refer to the distance between the main
direction X and the free end of the measured fibres.
[0085] In addition, the diameter d14, d14' of the end piece 14, 14'
can vary between 4 and 6 mm. For example, the diameter d14, d14'
will be approximately 4.9 mm.
[0086] The invention also relates to a method for producing an
applicator for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, for example
that which has just been described.
[0087] Said method firstly comprises a step of positioning a
plurality of fibres between longitudinal portions of a pin (not
shown). The fibres are distributed in such a way that said
longitudinal portions pass substantially through the middle of each
of said fibres.
[0088] Said fibres can be of different types, as mentioned above,
in particular in order to define a specific end piece 14 (see the
first and second embodiments).
[0089] The following step of said method is a first step of
twisting said pin to form a twisted pin having fibres extending
radially thereabout. The ends of said fibres thus form an envelope
E1-E3 extending in a longitudinal extension direction about said
pin. The fibres are distributed in the form of helices of fibres as
a result of the twisting of the pin.
[0090] Said twisting step can be replaced with a first step of
twisting leading to a cylindrical envelope, followed by a first
cutting step to form said envelopes E1-E3, having an extremum or
having a curved profile, in particular between said proximal and
distal ends thereof.
[0091] The step which follows is a step of cutting the fibres, so
that said envelope E1, E3 has at least two longitudinal slots
21-23, said slots 21-23 having, in a plane which is transverse to
said main direction X, a trapezoidal shape, said trapezium being in
particular isosceles, thus defining slots 21-23 having two lateral
edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse angles a2
with said bottom, said bottom being flat, the fibres forming the
bottom of the slots 21-23 having a radial extension e21-e23 from
said core 11, which is referred to as the first radial extension
d21-d23, said slots 21-23 extending over a portion of said main
direction X so as to define, in the region of the distal end of
said applicator 10, a region with no slots, which is defined by
fibres, the radial extension e14, e14' of which from the core 11 is
less than or equal to said first radial extension e21-e23.
[0092] It should be noted that said twisted pin is kept
rectilinear.
[0093] In an embodiment which is not shown, it can also be curved
after said step of cutting the fibres to form said slots 21-23.
[0094] It should be noted that the invention also relates to a
container for cosmetic product (not shown), which is capable of
containing a brush of the type described above.
[0095] It should also be noted that the embodiments shown in FIGS.
1 to 6 can advantageously be combined in order to combine the
effects in terms of make-up application, or even in order to obtain
new ones.
* * * * *