U.S. patent application number 15/120860 was filed with the patent office on 2017-03-09 for applicator for cosmetic product and associated applicator assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is ALBEA SERVICES. Invention is credited to Camille Schreiber.
Application Number | 20170065059 15/120860 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50513324 |
Filed Date | 2017-03-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170065059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schreiber; Camille |
March 9, 2017 |
Applicator for Cosmetic Product and Associated Applicator
Assembly
Abstract
An applicator for cosmetic product in particular for mascara,
having a core (12) extending in a main direction of longitudinal
extension, referred to as the main axis (X). The core (12) is
obtained by moulding. The applicator (10) has a depressed region
(20) extending along the main axis (X), so as to form a reservoir
(20) capable of containing the cosmetic product. The reservoir (20)
extends angularly between two distinct edges (22, 22') of width l
and is configured to allow a majority portion of an eyelash to be
level with, or even be immersed in said depressed region (20).
Inventors: |
Schreiber; Camille; (Paris,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALBEA SERVICES |
Gennevilliers |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
50513324 |
Appl. No.: |
15/120860 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2015 |
PCT Filed: |
February 24, 2015 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2015/053793 |
371 Date: |
August 23, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/005 20130101;
A46B 2200/106 20130101; A45D 40/265 20130101; A46B 9/021
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26; A46B 9/00 20060101 A46B009/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 24, 2014 |
FR |
1451465 |
Claims
1. Applicator for cosmetic product, in particular for mascara,
comprising a core extending in a main direction of longitudinal
extension, referred to as the main axis (X), said core being
obtained by moulding, characterised in that said applicator
comprises a depressed region (20) extending along said main axis
(X), so as to form a reservoir capable of containing the cosmetic
product, said reservoir extending angularly between two distinct
edges of width l and being configured to allow a majority portion
of an eyelash to be level with said depressed region.
2. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein said width
l complies with the following formula: l.gtoreq.3 mm.
3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the depressed region
extends in a curve (24).
4. Applicator according claim 1, wherein the depressed region is
blind.
5. Applicator according to claim 1, having an elongated shape
comprising two large opposed faces (F1, F2) connected to one
another laterally by two edges (L1, L2), the depressed region
belonging to at least one of the two large faces (F1, F2), referred
to as a load face, said load face (F1, F2) having a width L, said
widths l and L being connected by the following formula:
0.3.ltoreq.l/L.ltoreq.0.7
6. Applicator according to claim 5, wherein said load face (F1, F2)
is substantially convex.
7. Applicator according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of
protrusions projecting from the core, on at least one angular
portion of its radial periphery.
8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the protrusions project
from the depressed region.
9. Applicator according to claim 7, wherein the protrusions project
continuously from the depressed region and on at least a proportion
of the remainder of the core.
10. Applicator according to claim 7, comprising protrusions, over a
height H of its radial periphery, said height H being measured
along the main axis (X), and the depressed region having a height h
also measured along the main axis (X), said two heights H and h
being connected by the following formula:
0.5.ltoreq.h/H.ltoreq.0.9
11. Applicator according claim 7, wherein the plurality of
protrusions is a plurality of ribs projecting from the radial
periphery of the core, transversely to the main axis (X).
12. Applicator according to claim 11, wherein said ribs are axially
distant.
13. Applicator according to claim 11, wherein said ribs are
produced from the material of the core.
14. Applicator assembly for cosmetic product, comprising: a
container comprising a body forming a receptacle intended to
contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator according to claim
1 adapted to be fixed to the container, so that the applicator
accommodated inside the receptacle.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product
and an associated applicator assembly.
[0002] There are known applicator assemblies for cosmetic product,
including for cosmetic product intended to be applied to the
eyelashes such as mascara, comprising a container containing the
cosmetic product and an applicator adapted to be removably fixed to
the container.
[0003] The container generally comprises a body, the body
comprising walls delimiting a receptacle in which the cosmetic
product is contained, and a neck defining an opening whereby the
cosmetic product can be taken out.
[0004] The applicator assembly generally comprises a cap adapted to
be fixed to the neck, a rod extending from the cap and an
applicator fixed to a free end of the rod in order to load the
eyelashes with cosmetic product and comb them.
[0005] When the cap is fixed to the neck, the rod and the
applicator extend inside the receptacle. The applicator is immersed
in the cosmetic product contained in the receptacle.
[0006] In order to use the applicator, the user detaches the cap
from the neck and takes the applicator out of the container. When
the applicator is taken out, it is wiped by a wiper arranged inside
the receptacle, at the neck.
[0007] One aim of the present invention is to propose an applicator
that allows optimised loading of the user's eyelashes with cosmetic
product.
[0008] Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic
product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core extending in
a main direction of longitudinal extension, referred to as the main
axis, said core being obtained by moulding.
[0009] According to the invention said applicator comprises a
depressed region extending along said main axis, so as to form a
reservoir capable of containing the cosmetic product, said
reservoir extending angularly between two distinct edges of width l
which is designed to allow a majority portion of an eyelash to be
level with said depressed region, or even to be immersed in said
depressed region. This means that, for a given angular position of
the applicator, a majority portion of an eyelash is in contact with
the product contained in the depressed region, without the user
needing to rotate the brush. Said width l is measured in a
transverse plane between the two points of the edges cutting said
plane.
[0010] The applicator of the invention is particularly advantageous
because it comprises a reservoir which, when it contains cosmetic
product, allows a large proportion of the eyelashes to be loaded
continuously. This is because said reservoir is of a width that
enables the eyelashes to be in contact with the product, as a
single bloc.
[0011] Thus, the user of such an applicator will find it
particularly advantageous to load a majority portion of her
eyelashes with a single passage of the applicator without needing
to reload the applicator in its container.
[0012] In other words, the applicator according to the invention is
configured to promote the transfer of the cosmetic product, with
which it can be loaded, onto the user's eyelashes.
[0013] According to different embodiments of the invention, which
can be taken together or separately: [0014] said width l complies
with the following formula: l>3 mm, at at least one point, or
even throughout the length of said reservoir; [0015] the depressed
region extends in a curve, in particular in a helix; [0016] the
depressed region is blind; [0017] the depressed region has a depth
that changes progressively, in particular a depth substantially
equal to 1 mm at its maximum; [0018] said applicator has an
elongated shape comprising two large opposed faces connected to one
another laterally, in particular by two edges, referred to as
lateral edges; [0019] the depressed region belongs to at least one
of said two large faces, referred to as a load face; [0020] said
load face has a width L measured in said orthogonal direction, in
particular between said two lateral edges; [0021] said widths land
L are connected by the following formula: 0.3.ltoreq.l/L.ltoreq.0.7
[0022] said widths land L are connected by the formula:
l=0.5.times.L [0023] said load face is substantially convex; [0024]
the applicator according to the invention comprises a plurality of
protrusions projecting from the core, on at least one angular
portion of its radial periphery; [0025] the protrusions project
from the depressed region; [0026] the protrusions project
continuously from the depressed region and on at least a proportion
of the remainder of the core; [0027] the applicator comprises
protrusions over a height H of its radial periphery, said height H
being measured along the main axis; [0028] the depressed region has
a height h also measured along the main axis; [0029] said two
heights H and h are connected by the following formula:
[0029] 0.5<h/H.ltoreq.0.9 [0030] said two heights H and h are
connected by the formula: h=0.7.times.H [0031] the plurality of
protrusions is a plurality of ribs projecting from the radial
periphery of the core, transversely to the main axis; [0032] said
ribs are axially distant; [0033] the core is of plastic material;
[0034] said ribs are produced from the material of the core; [0035]
said ribs are moulded continuously in a single piece with the core;
[0036] said ribs extend over the whole radial periphery of the
core; [0037] the core has a transverse section of a shape elongated
in a direction perpendicular to said main axis; [0038] the
transverse section of the core is an ellipse; [0039] the core is
solid; [0040] the core is rigid; [0041] the applicator forms a
brush.
[0042] The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for
cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming
a receptacle intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an
applicator, as described above, adapted to be fixed to the
container, so that the applicator is accommodated inside the
receptacle.
[0043] The invention will be better understood, and its other aims,
details, features and advantages will become more clearly apparent
in the detailed explanatory description that follows, of at least
one embodiment of the invention given as a purely illustrative and
non-restrictive example, with reference to the accompanying
diagrammatic drawings.
[0044] In these drawings:
[0045] FIG. 1 is an isometric view, slightly inclined, of an
embodiment of an applicator according to the invention;
[0046] FIG. 2 is a frontal view of the applicator of FIG. 1;
[0047] FIG. 3 is a view from above of the applicator shown in FIGS.
1 and 2;
[0048] FIG. 4 is a side view of the applicator shown in the
preceding drawings.
[0049] The invention relates to an applicator 10 for cosmetic
product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core 12 extending
in a main direction of longitudinal extension, referred to as the
main axis and referenced X in FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0050] The core 12 is obtained by moulding, preferably of a plastic
material, for example an LDPE-based (low-density polyethylene)
material. Other materials can also be used, namely the material
"EXACT" from ExxonMobil or the material "HYTREL" from Dupont, or a
mixture of these materials.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the applicator 10 of the
invention comprises a depressed region 20 extending along said main
axis X. This depressed region forms a reservoir 20 that
advantageously allows a not inconsiderable amount of cosmetic
product to be loaded; for example when said applicator 10 is taken
out of the receptacle, inside which it is arranged between two
uses.
[0052] The core 12 of the applicator 10 according to the invention
has a transverse section in a direction substantially perpendicular
to the main axis X, referred to as the orthogonal direction, which
is of elongated shape. A transverse section of the core 12 of
elongated shape means a transverse section whose shape is longer
than it is wide. The transverse section of the core 12 is thus, for
example, oval in shape, without necessarily being an actual
ellipse. However, said transverse section is advantageously
elliptical, or similar to an ellipse that has a large radius
included in the range between 3 mm and 5 mm and a small radius
included in the range between 1 mm and 3 mm. In particular, said
ellipse has a large radius substantially equal to 3.5 mm and a
small radius substantially equal to 2 mm, at at least one point on
the main axis X.
[0053] Preferably, notwithstanding the presence of the depressed
region 20, the type of shape and/or the angular orientation of said
transverse section of the core 12 is substantially constant, from
its proximal end 13 to its distal end 16. This means that, although
the transverse section of the core 12 can have an area of variable
dimension along the length of the core 12, it retains the same type
of contour and/or the same angular orientation.
[0054] Consequently, as shown in FIG. 3, the applicator 10 of the
invention also has an elongated shape. In other words, said
applicator 10 comprises two large opposed faces F1, F2 connected to
one another by two lateral edges L1, L2. FIGS. 1 and 2
advantageously show one of said large faces F1, F2, while FIG. 4
shows both.
[0055] FIG. 4 makes it possible, in particular, to show the
presence of a reservoir 20, 20' on each of the large faces F1, F2
that the applicator 10 of the invention comprises. In the text that
follows, said large faces F1, F2 will be referred to as load faces
F1, F2. It should be noted that each of the load faces F1, F2 has a
width L. This width L is measured in said orthogonal direction, in
particular between said two lateral edges L1, L2 which can be, as
here, the edges of the envelope defined by the applicator. Said
width L is thus included in the range between 6 mm and 10 mm, and
in particular is substantially equal to 7 mm.
[0056] Furthermore, as can be seen particularly in FIG. 2, the
reservoir 20 extends angularly between two distinct edges 22, 22'
of a width l, measured in a transverse plane between the two points
of said edges cut by the plane. Said width l complies with the
following formula: l.ltoreq.3 mm, at at least one point, or even
along the entire length of said reservoir 20. For example, said
width l will be substantially equal to 3.5 mm.
[0057] This means, in relation to the width L defined above, that a
relationship can be established between said widths 1 and L, in
particular through the following formula:
0.3.ltoreq.l/L.ltoreq.0.7. Advantageously, said widths l and L will
be connected by the formula: L=0.5.times.L. The reservoir 20 can
thus be described as a broad reservoir relative to the dimensions
of the applicator 10 of the invention.
[0058] Thus, the applicator 10 of the invention makes it possible,
during use thereof, for the user's eyelashes to be level with, or
even to be immersed in, the broad reservoir 20 and thus for them to
be loaded over a major proportion of their length, without any need
to pass the applicator 10 over the eyelashes several times
consecutively, because the eyelashes are properly loaded after the
first passage of said applicator 10.
[0059] The reservoir 20 can extend in a curve 24 (see FIG. 1),
which has the advantage of promoting the transfer of the cosmetic
product onto the user's eyelashes. This is because said form of a
curve 24 gives the reservoir 20 the shape of a helical groove, said
shape helping to cause the eyelashes to dip into said reservoir 20.
In other words, the curve 24 in which the reservoir extends does
not follow the longitudinal axis of the core. It is, for example, a
curve substantially helical in shape.
[0060] It should be noted that the reservoir 20 is blind. In
addition, its depth changes along the main axis X. Said depth can,
for example, be substantially equal to 1 mm, in particular at its
maximum depth. It will be recalled that the small diameter of the
ellipsoid shape of the transverse section of the core 12 is
included in the range between 2 mm and 6 mm; for example,
substantially equal to 4 mm. This means that the reservoir 20, at
least at its maximum, has a substantial depth relative to the
transverse dimensions of the core 12. For this reason, said
reservoir 20 can be loaded with a not inconsiderable amount of
cosmetic product.
[0061] It should be further noted that the load faces F1, F2 are
substantially convex, in particular in the embodiment illustrated
here. Alternatively, said faces F1, F2 are planar, without this
departing from the scope of the invention (embodiment not shown).
This is because the applicator 10 of the invention can have load
faces F1, F2 and lateral faces L1, L2 connecting them, said load
faces F1, F2 being planar, convex or concave, without this
departing from the scope of the invention, as long as at least one
of the load faces F1, F2 comprises a reservoir 20 as described
here.
[0062] The applicator 10 of the invention also comprises, here, a
plurality of protrusions. These protrusions are, preferably, ribs
30 projecting from the radial periphery of the core 12,
transversely to the main axis X, in particular on an angular
portion of said radial periphery. Advantageously, said ribs 30 have
a radial extension, that is, a height measured in the direction
orthogonal to the main axis X, between the radial periphery of the
core 12 and the periphery of said ribs 30, which is included in the
range between 0.1 mm and 0.7 mm, or even substantially equal to 0.3
mm.
[0063] Furthermore, said ribs 30 are preferably axially distant.
This means that they are distant from one another, along the main
axis X, here by a distance P included in the range between 0.3 mm
and 1.8 mm (see FIG. 4). Said distance P is, for example,
substantially equal to 0.6 mm. In other words, said ribs 30 form
grooves between one another, said grooves being shallow relative to
a cosmetic applicator. Such a feature has the advantage of further
improving the loading of the eyelashes because it facilitates good
access by the eyelashes to the product contained in the grooves.
With deeper grooves, the product at the bottom of the grooves is
more difficult to reach.
[0064] Advantageously, said ribs and/or said grooves are present at
the depressed region or regions.
[0065] Preferably, the height and width dimensions of said ribs
and/or said grooves is constant over their entire angular extent,
this being so even in the portion or portions provided with a
depressed region.
[0066] The embodiment illustrated here shows ribs 30 that extend
over the entire radial periphery of the core 12 (see FIG. 1). In
addition, FIG. 4 illustrates the fact that said ribs 30 also
project from the reservoir 20, 20' of each of the load faces F1,
F2. Thus, the applicator 10 has the advantage of guiding the user's
eyelashes while also loading them with cosmetic product, whether
this is at the lateral edges L1, L2 of the applicator 10, the load
faces F1, F2 and/or the reservoir or reservoirs 20, 20'.
[0067] Said ribs 30 are advantageously produced from the material
of the core 12 in order to facilitate the manufacture thereof.
[0068] Alternatively, the protrusions 30 are teeth, or even plates,
also produced from the material of the core 12 (embodiments not
shown).
[0069] Furthermore, as can be seen particularly in FIG. 2, the
applicator 10 of the invention comprises ribs 30 over a height H of
its radial periphery, while the reservoir 20 extends over a height
h, said heights H and h being measured along the main axis X. These
two heights H and h are connected by the following formula:
0.5.ltoreq.h/H.ltoreq.0.9, and, preferably, by the formula:
h=0.7.times.H. As an example, the height H can be substantially
equal to 25 mm, while the height h will be substantially equal to
18 mm.
[0070] It should be noted that the elongated shape of the section
of the core 12 advantageously has a direction of elongation that is
substantially the same direction as the direction of elongation of
the elongated shape of the transverse section of the applicator 10.
Giving substantially the same direction of elongation to the core
12 and to the applicator 10 makes it possible to have ribs 30 whose
stiffness is even better controlled.
[0071] In addition, this makes it possible, by a simple inclination
of the applicator 10 of the invention about its main axis X, to
move said applicator 10 towards the roots of the user's
eyelashes.
[0072] Thus, the applicator 10, through the use of a long portion
of its elongated shape (the load faces F1, F2), allows the
eyelashes to be guided between the ribs 30 and to be loaded with
cosmetic product by bathing in at least one reservoir 20, 20' and,
furthermore, through the use of a thinner portion of said elongated
shape (the lateral faces L1, L2), allows access to the roots of
said eyelashes.
[0073] It will be recalled that the invention also relates to an
applicator assembly for cosmetic product, comprising a container
(not shown) comprising a body forming a receptacle containing the
cosmetic product, and an applicator 10 as previously described,
adapted to be fixed to the container, so that the applicator is
accommodated inside the receptacle. Said applicator 10 is fixed,
for example, to the end of a rod (not shown), the rod itself being
fixed to a cap (not shown) advantageously screwed to the container.
The core 12 has, in addition, a first end, referred to as the
proximal end 13, and a second end, referred to as the distal end
16, opposite the proximal end 13 along the main axis X.
[0074] The proximal end 13 of the core 12 can be fixed to the rod
of the applicator 10 by a sleeve 14 extending said core 12. After
fitting, the sleeve 14 is situated in the rod and the proximal end
13 of the core forms the visible proximal end of the applicator.
Said sleeve 14 does not have ribs.
[0075] Furthermore, the ribs 30 form an envelope E, already
mentioned, in particular an envelope defined by their periphery
(see FIG. 2). In addition, at the lateral edges L1, L2 of the
applicator 10, said envelope E has at least one convex shape, in
particular between said proximal 13 and distal 16 extremities, and
preferably an oval shape. This has the advantage of facilitating
the passage across the wiper, both when the applicator 10 is taken
out of the reservoir, and also when it is reinserted in the
container, in particular after use.
[0076] In addition, the core 12 of the applicator will
advantageously be rigid. This means that a mechanical stress
exerted by the user's fingers on said core 12 will not result in
the deformation of said core. In other words, the core 12 is not
configured to bend, neither about nor along the main axis X, in
particular when the user exerts a reasonable force above, for
example using her fingers.
[0077] It should further be noted that the applicator 10 here has a
protuberance 18 of material at its distal end 16, which can be seen
particularly in FIG. 1. This protuberance 18 of material allows the
user's nose to be protected when the distal end 16 of said
applicator comes into contact with it. This protuberance 18 of
material also makes it possible to limit the unwanted deposition of
cosmetic product at the end of the applicator when the applicator
is taken out of the container that accommodates it.
[0078] It should also be noted that the applicator forms a brush,
advantageously a mascara brush.
[0079] It should be noted that variants are of course possible. In
particular, in an additional embodiment (not shown), the ribs 30
extend only over an angular portion of the radial periphery of the
core 12. This means that it is possible to provide, on the
remaining angular portion, protuberances projecting from the core
12. For example, it is then possible to provide, on an angular
portion of the radial periphery of the core 12, protuberances that
are shaped as teeth, or plates, of the same material as the core
12. It is also possible to provide protuberances in the form of
fibres attached to the core 12. The associated advantage lies
mainly in the possibility of producing make-up effects
supplementary and/or complementary to those presented above.
* * * * *