U.S. patent application number 15/638288 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-04 for applicator assembly for a cosmetic product.
The applicant listed for this patent is ALBEA SERVICES. Invention is credited to Yann CRAPET.
Application Number | 20180000227 15/638288 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56855689 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180000227 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CRAPET; Yann |
January 4, 2018 |
APPLICATOR ASSEMBLY FOR A COSMETIC PRODUCT
Abstract
An applicator assembly for a cosmetic product capable of
occupying two positions including an opened position and a closed
position is described herein. The applicator assembly includes a
bottle without a neck, a wiper intended to scrape the excess
cosmetic product from an applicator, and assembly means including
at least one positioning means and at least one means for retaining
the wiper in position on the bottle, the assembly means being
intended to interact, at the proximal end of the bottle, so as to
prevent a withdrawal movement of the wiper when the applicator
passes into the bottle. As well, the inner surface of the wiper is
designed to be in direct contact with the applicator when the
applicator assembly passes from an opened position to a closed
position and the wiper includes the assembly means.
Inventors: |
CRAPET; Yann; (Fremecourt,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ALBEA SERVICES |
Gennevilliers |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
56855689 |
Appl. No.: |
15/638288 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 34/046 20130101;
A46B 2200/1046 20130101; A46B 9/021 20130101; A45D 40/265 20130101;
A45D 40/267 20130101; A46B 3/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26; A46B 9/02 20060101 A46B009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 29, 2016 |
FR |
1656055 |
Claims
1. An applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, said assembly
being capable of occupying two positions, an opened position and a
closed position, said applicator assembly comprising: a bottle
without a neck, said bottle comprising a body intended to contain
the cosmetic product, said body extending in a main direction of
longitudinal extension, and comprising a first distal end, and an
opposite second proximal end in the main direction, and comprising
a side wall positioned between the distal end and the proximal end,
said side wall having an outer surface and an inner surface, a
wiper comprising a wiping hole, said wiper being intended to scrape
the excess cosmetic product from an applicator via the wiping hole
when the applicator assembly passes from the closed position to the
opened position, said wiper having an outer surface and an inner
surface, assembly means comprising at least one positioning means
and at least one means for retaining said wiper in position on the
bottle, said assembly means being intended to interact, at the
proximal end of the bottle, so as to prevent a withdrawal movement
of the wiper when the applicator passes into the bottle, said inner
surface of the wiper being in direct contact with the applicator
when the applicator assembly passes from an opened position to a
closed position, and said wiper comprising the assembly means.
2. The applicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
positioning means is a flange on the upper part of the wiper
intended to interact with the proximal end of the bottle, and
wherein the position-retaining means is in the form of at least two
fins projecting in the region of the wiping hole, the two fins
being intended to be folded over between the outer surface of the
wiper and the inner surface of the bottle in order to ensure that
the wiper is retained in position in the bottle.
3. The applicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
positioning means is a flange on the upper part of the wiper
intended to interact with the proximal end of the bottle, and
wherein the position-retaining means has at least one technical
shaping projecting on the outer surface of the wiper, this
technical shaping being complementary to at least one aperture
positioned on the top of the proximal end of the body of the
bottle.
4. The applicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
positioning means and the position-retaining means are in the form
of a fin that both rests on the upper part of the wiper and
comprises a curved end, said curved end being intended to interact
with a complementary part provided in the region of the outer
surface of the side wall of the body of the bottle.
5. The applicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
assembly means is a threaded/tapped assembly to allow the wiper to
be screwed to the proximal end of the bottle.
6. The applicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the
position-retaining means is in the form of an intermediate part
intended to press and wedge the wiper against the inner surface of
the side wall of the body of the bottle.
7. The applicator assembly according to claim 1, wherein the body
of the bottle is in two parts, said two parts, namely a head and a
trunk, being separate parts that are joined together by welding or
clipping.
8. The applicator assembly according to claim 7, wherein there is a
seal between the two parts.
9. The applicator assembly according to claim 7, wherein the wiper
is positioned in the region of the head of the bottle.
10. The applicator assembly according to claim 1, further
comprising: an applicator, and a cap, intended to keep the cosmetic
product applicator inside the body when the applicator assembly is
in the closed position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(a) to French Patent Application Serial Number 1656055,
filed Jun. 29, 2016, the entire teachings of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to an applicator assembly for
positioning and retaining a wiper in a bottle without a neck, the
bottle being intended to contain a cosmetic product and more
particularly, to an applicator assembly for a flexible wiper.
Statement of the Related Art
[0003] Cosmetic product applicator assemblies are known that
include an applicator which is capable of being detachably attached
to a bottle containing the cosmetic product.
[0004] The bottle generally includes a cap and a body.
[0005] The cap is capable of being attached to the body of the
bottle in such a way as to ensure sealed closure of a cosmetic
product container located inside the body of the bottle.
[0006] As regards the body, it generally includes two regions,
namely a bottom region and a throat region.
[0007] The bottom region has walls delimiting a container which
contains the cosmetic product. The body is closed in the region of
a first end, referred to as the distal end, by a bottom wall, and
opened in the region of a second end, referred to as the proximal
end, opposite the first end. The body further includes a side wall
that is positioned between the distal and proximal ends so as to
completely delimit the container.
[0008] The throat region defines an opening through which the
cosmetic product can be removed. The opening in the body of the
bottle is located in the throat region and therefore in the
vicinity of the proximal end. This region generally includes
opening and closing means, these means being capable of cooperating
with complementary opening and closing means located in the region
of the cap in order to attach and close the cap in a sealed manner
on the body of the bottle. When the throat region has
cross-sectional dimensions that are smaller than those of the cross
section of the bottom region of the body of the bottle, it is
referred to as a neck of the bottle. In other words, there is a
neck when the dimensions of the throat region are reduced compared
with the dimensions of the bottom region.
[0009] In order to prevent the applicator from being overloaded
with cosmetic product, the bottle further includes a rigid or
flexible wiper that is attached in the region of the neck and
extends towards the inside of the container. When the user inserts
the applicator into the container and/or removes it therefrom, the
applicator slides within the wiper. The wiper thus scrapes the
excess cosmetic product from the rod and the applicator end piece.
The wiper therefore makes it possible to control the amount of
product which is on the applicator end piece and prevents an
excessive amount of cosmetic product from being applied to the
application surface.
[0010] Nowadays, wipers and particularly flexible wipers are held
in place in the region of the neck by various attachment means on
both sides in the region of the neck, the wiper and the bottle
itself.
[0011] However, bottles which do not have a neck do exist. For
these bottles without a neck, it proves difficult to position and
retain the wiper in place in the throat region. Indeed, the absence
of a neck would remove several attachment points required for
positioning and retaining the wiper in place in the throat region
of the bottle. The absence of these attachment points may in
particular cause the wiper to move and more particularly to rise up
into the throat region of the bottle when the applicator is removed
from the bottle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] One of the objects of the invention is therefore to position
and retain a wiper in place in a bottle without a neck.
[0013] The invention therefore relates to an applicator assembly
for a cosmetic product, the assembly being capable of occupying two
positions, an opened position and a closed position. The applicator
assembly includes a bottle without a neck. The bottle includes a
body intended to contain the cosmetic product, and extends in a
main direction of longitudinal extension, referred to as the main
direction. The body includes a first end, referred to as the distal
end, and an opposite second end in the main direction, referred to
as the proximal end, and includes a side wall positioned between
the distal end and the proximal end, the side wall having an outer
surface and an inner surface. The assembly also includes a wiper
including a wiping hole and intended to scrape the excess cosmetic
product from an applicator via the wiping hole when the applicator
assembly passes from the closed position to the opened position,
the wiper having an outer and an inner surface.
[0014] The assembly yet further includes assembly means consisting
of at least one positioning means and at least one means for
retaining the wiper in position on the bottle, the assembly means
being intended to interact, at the proximal end of the bottle, so
as to prevent a withdrawal movement of the wiper when the
applicator passes into the bottle.
[0015] According to the invention, the inner surface of the wiper
is designed to be in direct contact with the applicator when the
applicator assembly passes from an opened position to a closed
position.
[0016] The applicator assembly according to the invention makes it
possible to position and retain a wiper, more particularly a
standard type of wiper, on a bottle without a neck. This means
that, despite the absence of a neck on bottles for cosmetic
products, it is possible to position and retain a standard wiper in
place such that it can correctly function as an applicator wiper,
i.e. it can scrape excess cosmetic product from the applicator when
it is being removed from the container of the bottle, without
however the wiper leaving the bottle.
[0017] Indeed, when they interact with the proximal end of the
bottle, the assembly means (otherwise known as the "attachment
means") positioned on the wiper, in particular the positioning
means and the means for retaining the wiper in position, make it
possible to position and retain the wiper in place in the bottle
without a neck. Therefore, the invention makes it possible to
prevent a withdrawal movement of the wiper when the applicator
passes into the bottle.
[0018] The expression "positioned on the wiper" means that the
assembly means, in particular the positioning means and the means
for retaining the wiper in position, are integral parts of the
wiper. In other words, the assembly means are integral with the
structure of the wiper itself, and form just one single part with
the wiper. In other words again, the assembly means are formed in
one piece with the wiper. Again, in other words, the assembly means
are not additional and separate parts of the wiper that need to be
attached and/or bonded in order to ensure that the wiper is
positioned and/or retained in position in the bottle without a
neck. Again, in other words, the wiper includes the assembly
means.
[0019] "Withdrawal movement of the wiper" means that the unit
formed by the wiper and the assembly means is withdrawn from the
bottle when the applicator is passing into the bottle. In other
words, this is not just a withdrawal of some of the structural
elements of the wiper, in particular fins which are initially
oriented towards the bottom of the bottle and would be folded
towards the opening in the bottle when the applicator is passing
therethrough.
[0020] According to various embodiments of the invention, which can
be taken together or separately: [0021] the wiper is a flexible
wiper, [0022] the positioning means and the means for retaining the
wiper in position are separate from one another, [0023] the
positioning means is a flange on the upper part of the wiper
intended to interact with the proximal end of the bottle, and the
position-retaining means is in the form of at least two fins
projecting in the region of the wiping hole, the two fins being
intended to be folded over between the outer surface of the wiper
and the inner surface of the bottle in order to ensure that the
wiper is retained in position in the bottle, [0024] the
position-retaining means is a flange on the upper part of the wiper
intended to interact with the proximal end of the bottle, and the
position-retaining means has at least one technical shaping
projecting on the outer surface of the wiper, this technical
shaping being complementary to at least one aperture positioned on
the top of the proximal end of the body of the bottle, [0025] the
flange is circular, [0026] the positioning means and the means for
retaining the wiper in position are combined, [0027] the
positioning means and the position-retaining means are in the form
of a fin that both rests on the upper part of the wiper and
includes a curved end, the curved end being intended to interact
with a complementary part provided in the region of the outer
surface of the side wall of the body of the bottle, [0028] the
assembly means is a threaded/tapped assembly to allow the wiper to
be screwed to the proximal end of the bottle, [0029] when this is a
threaded/tapped assembly, the threading is located on the outer
surface of the wiper and is intended to interact with the tapping
located on the inner surface of the side wall of the body of the
bottle, [0030] the position-retaining means is in the form of an
intermediate part intended to press and wedge the wiper against the
inner surface of the side wall of the body of the bottle, [0031]
the body of the bottle is in two parts, the two parts, namely a
head and a trunk, being separate parts, [0032] the body of the
bottle is in two parts, the two parts, namely a head and a trunk,
being made of different materials, [0033] when the bottle is in two
parts, the two parts are joined together by welding or clipping,
[0034] a seal is provided between the two parts, i.e. between the
head and the trunk, [0035] when the bottle is in two parts, the
wiper is positioned in the region of the head of the bottle.
[0036] The invention also relates to a cosmetic product applicator
assembly may include:
[0037] an applicator, and
[0038] a cap, intended to keep the cosmetic product applicator
inside the body when the bottle is in the closed position.
[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 schematic
drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0040] FIG. 1a is a longitudinal sectional view through a bottle
body known from the prior art, the bottle body comprising a
neck,
[0041] FIG. 1b is a longitudinal sectional view through a bottle
body according to the invention, the bottle body not comprising a
neck,
[0042] FIG. 1c is a longitudinal sectional view through an
applicator assembly according to the invention, comprising a wiper
as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, supplemented with an applicator and a
cap,
[0043] FIG. 2a is a slightly inclined perspective isometric view of
a first example of a wiper according to the invention, while FIG.
2b is a longitudinal sectional view through a first embodiment of
the applicator assembly according to the invention,
[0044] FIGS. 3a to 9a are slightly inclined perspective isometric
views of additional examples of a wiper according to the invention,
while FIGS. 3b to 9b are longitudinal sectional views through
additional embodiments of the applicator assembly according to the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0045] As regards the different structures and their reference
signs in the drawings, the same reference numeral will be used for
each identical structure. However, this reference sign will be
preceded by a different multiple of one hundred depending on the
embodiment. For example, the applicator assembly is denoted by 100
in FIG. 1b, 200 in FIG. 2b, 300 in FIG. 3b, and so on, and the same
applies to all the structures and drawings.
[0046] FIG. 1a shows a bottle F from the prior art. In a general
manner, this bottle F includes a body that is intended to contain a
cosmetic product. This body extends in a main direction of
longitudinal extension X.sub.1 and has a bottom wall at one of its
ends, an opening (defined by what is known as a bottle throat) at
the opposite end in the main direction, and a side wall positioned
between the two ends. The body further includes shoulders E, i.e. a
reduction in the dimensions of the in the region of the upper part
thereof, so as to make it possible to form a neck G to which a cap
(not shown) will be attached using opening and closing means
located on the neck G and on the cap. In other words, the upper
part of the body of the bottle F from the prior art is provided
with a shoulder E that makes it possible to thus reduce the
dimensions d.sub.1' of the opening in the bottle F compared with
the dimensions D.sub.1' of the body and to thus form the neck G
(d.sub.1'<D.sub.1').
[0047] The invention itself relates to an applicator assembly 100
for a cosmetic product P that is capable of occupying two
positions, an opened position and a closed position.
[0048] "Opened position" means the position that the applicator
assembly occupies when a cap 90 is detached from a body 112 of the
bottle 110 without a neck. In contrast, "closed position" means the
position that the bottle occupies when the cap 90 is attached to
the body 112 of the bottle 110 without a neck.
[0049] The applicator assembly 100 includes a bottle 110 without a
neck.
[0050] A bottle 110 "without a neck" means that, by contrast with
the standard, above-described bottles from the prior art, the body
112 of the bottle 110 without a neck does not include a shoulder in
the region of the upper part, or in other words in the region of
its throat Z.sub.c, as shown in FIG. 1b. Taking the specific
example of a body 112 and throat 111 of a bottle without a neck
that are each cylindrical in the main direction X.sub.3 and have a
circular cross section, the diameter d.sub.1 of the throat 111 will
have the same dimensions as the diameter D.sub.1 of the body 112 of
the bottle 110 (d.sub.1=D.sub.1). In other words, the dimension of
the circular cross section of the throat 111 will be constant and
not narrowed over the entire upper part of the body 112, also
referred to as the throat region Z.sub.c, of the bottle 110 without
a neck. The bottle according to the invention advantageously does
not include a neck.
[0051] According to the invention, the bottle 110 without a neck
includes a body 112 that is generally intended to contain a
cosmetic product P. As shown in FIG. 1b, the body 112 of the bottle
110 without a neck extends in a main direction of longitudinal
extension, referred to as the main direction and denoted by X.sub.3
in FIG. 1b to 9b (the axis X.sub.2 merges with the axis X.sub.3
when the wiper is positioned so as to be mounted in the body of the
bottle). In order to delimit the container (not shown), which, more
precisely, contains the cosmetic product P, the body 112 has a
bottom wall at a first end, referred to as a distal end 113, an
opening (defined by the throat 111 of the bottle 110) at a second
opposite end in the main direction, referred to as the proximal end
114, and a side wall 115 positioned between the distal end 113 and
the proximal end 114, the side wall 115 having an outer surface 116
and an inner surface 117.
[0052] The body 112 is advantageously a rigid part. "Rigid" means
unable to be deformed either by atmospheric pressure or by a force
exerted by the fingers of a user. The cross section of the body can
be of any shape, in particular polygonal or circular. Preferably,
the cross section thereof is circular.
[0053] The body 112 is, for example, based on a plastics material,
in particular polypropylene. The body is formed, in particular, by
means of injection or injection blow moulding. The body can be
decorated, in particular by means of metallisation or by other
means.
[0054] Two general regions can be defined on the body 112 of the
bottle 110 without a neck: a throat region Z.sub.c or upper part of
the body or head, located closer to the proximal end of the body of
the bottle, and a bottom region Z.sub.f or lower part of the body
or trunk, located closer to the distal end of the body of the
bottle. The throat region Z.sub.c generally includes opening and
closing means 118 intended to interact with complementary means on
a cap so as to open and close the bottle 110 without a neck, as
shown in FIG. 1b. In a variant, the opening and closing means 119
on the body 112 of the bottle 110 without a neck may be located in
the bottom region Z.sub.f of the bottle or, in other words, at a
distance from the throat region Z.sub.c.
[0055] The throat region Z.sub.c and the bottom region Z.sub.f may
be formed in one piece from plastics material (see FIGS. 2b, 3b,
4b, 5b and 6b). In a variant, the throat region Z.sub.c and the
bottom region Z.sub.f may be formed by separate parts and then
joined together by welding or clipping, with a seal being inserted
between the two parts (see FIGS. 7b, 8b and 9b).
[0056] As shown in FIG. 1c, the applicator assembly 100 also
includes a wiper 120 (shown here by the wiper from the embodiment
in FIGS. 2a and 2b) comprising a wiping hole 122, the wiper 120
being intended to scrape the excess cosmetic product P from an
applicator 80, via the wiping hole 122, when the bottle passes from
the closed position to the opened position. Indeed, in order to
prevent the applicator 80 from being overloaded with cosmetic
product P, the applicator assembly 100 includes a wiper 120 that is
attached to the proximal end 114 of the body 112 and extends
towards the inside of the container.
[0057] When the user removes the applicator 80 from the container,
the applicator 80 slides through the wiper 120. The wiper, via its
wiping hole 122, scrapes excess cosmetic product P from the
applicator, i.e. from a rod 82 and an applicator end piece 84
attached thereto. The wiper 120 thus makes it possible to control
the amount of product which is present on the applicator end piece
84 and prevents an excessive amount of cosmetic product P from
being applied to the application surface.
[0058] The wiper 120 has an outer surface 124 and an inner surface
126. According to the invention, the inner surface of the wiper 120
is designed to be in direct contact with the applicator when the
bottle passes from the opened position to the closed position, or
vice versa. In other words, the outer surface 124 and inner surface
126 are two faces of the same part, which has a single thickness,
this being the thickness of the material that forms the wiper. In
other words again, the wiper 120 is a single mechanical part,
produced to have just one material thickness.
[0059] Advantageously, the wiper is "flexible". "Flexible" means
that the wiper is relatively malleable and can potentially fold and
deform easily, whether this is before it is inserted into the
throat region Z.sub.c of the bottle, at the point of insertion or
when the applicator is passing therethrough. In contrast, the
"rigid" wiper is inserted by force into the throat region Z.sub.c
of the bottle such that it can no longer be deformed at all
thereafter. Therefore, the present invention provides fewer
advantages for the "rigid" wiper, given its nature.
[0060] The applicator assembly 100 also includes assembly means
consisting of at least one positioning means and at least one means
for retaining the wiper 120 in position on the bottle 110, the
assembly means being intended to interact, at the proximal end 114
of the bottle 110, so as to prevent a withdrawal movement of the
wiper 120 when the applicator 80 passes into the bottle 110.
[0061] The assembly means, in particular the positioning means and
the means for retaining the wiper 120 in position, are integral
parts of the wiper 120. In other words, the assembly means are
integral with the structure of the wiper itself, and form just one
single part with the wiper. In other words again, the assembly
means are formed in one piece with the wiper. Again, in other
words, the assembly means are not additional and separate parts of
the wiper that need to be attached and/or bonded in order to ensure
that the wiper is positioned and/or retained in position in the
bottle 110 without a neck. Again, in other words, the wiper
includes the assembly means. Since the assembly means are directly
integrated in the wiper, this reduces the number of parts and the
production costs of the applicator assembly.
[0062] The positioning means and the means for retaining the wiper
in position may be separate from one another.
[0063] In a first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the
positioning means is a flange 230 on the upper part of the wiper
220 intended to interact with the proximal end 214 of the bottle,
and the position-retaining means is in the form of at least two
fins 232 projecting in the region of the wiping hole 222, the two
fins 232 being intended to be folded over between the outer surface
224 of the wiper and the inner surface 217 of the bottle in order
to ensure that the wiper 220 is retained in position in the bottle
210.
[0064] As the position-retaining means, the number of fins 232 may
vary. This number may be between two and eight. More preferably,
this number is five, as shown in FIG. 2a.
[0065] At rest, the fins 232 extend radially relative to the main
axis. The diameter formed by the fins 232 at rest is greater than
that of the flange 230 of the wiper 220.
[0066] In a second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b, the
position-retaining means is a flange 340 on the upper part of the
wiper 320 intended to interact with the proximal end 314 of the
bottle, and the position-retaining means has at least one technical
shaping 342 projecting on the outer surface 324 of the wiper 320,
this technical shaping 342 being complementary to at least one
aperture 344 positioned on the top of the proximal end 314 of the
body 312 of the bottle 310.
[0067] The technical shaping 342 is a bead of material. At the
point at which the wiper 320 is inserted into the bottle 310, the
bead of material is clipped by force into the aperture 344
positioned at the proximal end 314 of the body 312 of the bottle
310 such that the wiper 320 is retained in position and can no
longer come out of the aperture 344 again.
[0068] Advantageously, the flange in the first and second
embodiments is circular.
[0069] The positioning means and the means for retaining the wiper
in position can also be combined. In other words, the positioning
means and the means for retaining the wiper in position are the
same part. In other words again, the same piece is used both as a
positioning means and as a position-retaining means.
[0070] In a third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the
positioning means and the position-retaining means are in the form
of a fin 450 that both rests on the upper part of the wiper 420 and
includes a curved end 452, the curved end 452 being intended to
interact with a complementary part 454 provided in the region of
the outer surface 416 of the side wall of the body 412 of the
bottle 410.
[0071] The curved end 452 is advantageously flexible so as to fit
closely to the complementary part 454 or groove provided in the
region of the outer surface 416 of the side wall of the body 412 of
the bottle 410.
[0072] In a fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5a and 5b, the
assembly means is a threaded/tapped assembly 560 to allow the wiper
520 to be screwed to the proximal end 514 of the bottle 510.
Indeed, in this embodiment, the threading 562 is located on the
outer surface 524 of the wiper 520 and is intended to interact with
the tapping 564 located on the inner surface 517 of the side wall
of the body of the bottle 510.
[0073] In a fifth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b, the
position-retaining means is in the form of an intermediate part 670
intended to press and wedge the wiper 620 against the inner surface
617 of the side wall of the body 612 of the bottle 610. More
particularly, the wiper 620 is first positioned at the proximal end
614 of the body 612 of the bottle 610, or in other words in the
throat region Zc. Indeed, a flange 630 makes it possible to seat
the wiper 620 at the proximal end 614 of the body 612 of the bottle
610. Once the wiper 620 is positioned, it is retained in position
by being wedged against the inner surface 617 of the bottle 610 by
means of an intermediate part 670, the intermediate part being in
contact with the inner surface 626 of the wiper 620.
[0074] The intermediate part 670 may be made of any type of
material having a rigidity that allows the wiper 620 to be wedged
against the inner surface 617 of the bottle 610. This material also
has to be compatible with the cosmetic product P, since when the
applicator 80 passes the part, this material is in contact with the
cosmetic product P. In particular, the intermediate part 670 may be
made of plastics material, such as polyoxymethylene (POM) or
polypropylene (PP).
[0075] The present invention may also be adapted to bottles of
which the body is designed in two parts. As shown in FIGS. 7b, 8b
and 9b, the body 712, 812, 912 of the bottle 710, 810, 910 is in
two parts; the two parts, a head Z.sub.c and a trunk Z.sub.f, are
separate parts.
[0076] When the body of the bottle is in two parts, the two parts,
namely a head and a trunk, may be made of different materials.
Bi-injection may be used to manufacture bottles having this type of
two-part design.
[0077] When the bottle 710, 810, 910 is in two parts, the two parts
are joined together by welding or clipping. Advantageously, a seal
(not shown) is provided between the two parts, i.e. between the
head Z.sub.c and the trunk Z.sub.f.
[0078] When the bottle is in two parts, the wiper 720, 820, 920 is
positioned in the region of the head Z.sub.c of the bottle.
[0079] More particularly, FIGS. 7a and 7b show an applicator
assembly 700 in which the wiper 720 is positioned and retained in
position in the region of the head Z.sub.c of the bottle 710 as a
result of it being obtained by overmoulding or bi-injection. Once
the overmoulding or bi-injection of the wiper 720 and the head
Z.sub.c of the bottle has taken place, the head Z.sub.c is joined
to the trunk Z.sub.f of the bottle 710 by welding or clipping, as
described above.
[0080] FIGS. 8a and 8b show an applicator assembly 800 of which the
positioning means is a flange 873 on the upper part of the wiper
820 intended to interact with the proximal end 814 of the bottle,
and the position-retaining means has at least one circular groove
874 made in the outer surface 824 of the wiper 820, this groove 874
receiving a complementary circular protrusion 875 positioned on the
inner surface 817 of the side wall 815 of the head Z.sub.c of the
body 812 of the bottle, in order to thus ensure that the wiper 820
is retained in position in the bottle 810.
[0081] FIGS. 9a and 9b shown an applicator assembly 900 of which
the positioning means is the interaction between at least one
longitudinal groove 976 and at least one technical shaping 977. The
longitudinal groove 976 extends in the main direction X.sub.3 on
the inner surface 917 of the side wall 915 of the head Z.sub.c of
the body of the bottle 910, while the technical shaping 977
projects on the outer surface 924 of the wiper 920. The groove 976
is therefore intended to interact with the technical shaping 977 in
order to position the wiper 920 on the bottle. The
position-retaining means is located in the end position of the
technical shaping 977 in the groove 976. Indeed, in the end
position, the wiper is manipulated in order to bring about
rotation. This also results in rotation of the technical shaping
977, such that the shaping remains wedged against a stop 978, the
stop 978 protruding from the extension of the inner surface 917 of
the side wall 915 of the head Z.sub.c of the body of the bottle.
Therefore, the interaction of the technical shaping 977 with the
stop 978 ensures that the wiper 920 is retained in position in the
bottle. In other words, this is a rotating bayonet system.
[0082] The wiper, which is in particular made of rubber, is also
designed so as to interact with the cap 90 in order to ensure
sealed closure of the bottle 110 in the closed position. More
particularly, sealing of the bottle is ensured by the compression
of the wiper between the proximal end 114 of the body 112 and the
cap 90 in the closed position of the bottle 110.
[0083] The invention also relates to an applicator assembly 100 for
cosmetic product P, further comprising an applicator 80, and a cap
90, intended to keep the cosmetic product applicator 80 inside the
body 112 when the bottle 110 is in the closed position (FIG.
10).
[0084] The cap 90 can be manipulated by a user and is intended to
keep a cosmetic product applicator 80 inside the body 112 when the
bottle 110 is in the closed position.
[0085] The cap 90 is advantageously rigid. The cap has an inner
surface 92, an outer surface 94 and a solid part 96 in its
interior. The cross section of the cap can be of any shape, in
particular polygonal or circular. Preferably, the cross section
thereof is circular.
[0086] The cap 90 is, for example, based on a plastics material, in
particular polypropylene. The cap is formed, in particular, by
means of injection or injection blow moulding. The cap can be
decorated, in particular by means of metallisation or by other
means.
[0087] The bottle 110 further includes opening and closing means
98, 118 that are located on the cap 90 and on the body 112 of the
bottle 110, the opening and closing means 98, 118 being designed to
interact with one another so as to ensure that the bottle 110 is
kept in the closed position.
[0088] More particularly, the opening and closing means 98, 118 are
located on the inner surface 92 of the cap 90 and on the side wall
115 of the body 112 of the bottle 110. Even more particularly, the
opening and closing means 118 are located on the outer surface 116
of the side wall 115 of the body 112 of the bottle 110.
[0089] The opening and closing means 98, 118 include a screw
system, the screw system comprising a tapped part located on the
inner surface 92 of the cap 90 and a threaded part located on the
outer surface 116 of the side wall 115 of the body 112 of the
bottle 110.
[0090] In a variant, the opening and closing means 98, 118 include
a bayonet system (not shown). The cap 90 can in particular have a
protrusion on the inner surface 92 thereof, which protrusion is
inserted in a cam track (with or without rotation) located on the
outer surface 116 of the side wall 115 of the body 112 of the
bottle 110. In a variant, the protrusion and the cam track can be
inverted, i.e. the protrusion would be located on the outer surface
116 of the side wall 115 of the body 112 of the bottle 110, and the
cam track would be located on the inner surface 92 of the cap
90.
[0091] Alternatively, the opening and closing means 98, 118 include
a clip system (not shown), also referred to as a snap system. For
this purpose, the cap 90 can in particular include an annular
groove on the inner surface 92 thereof, in which groove a ring
located on the outer surface 116 of the side wall 115 of the body
112 of the bottle 110 is inserted. In a variant, teeth and/or slots
may be used.
[0092] According to the invention, the sealing is also ensured both
by the interaction of the closing means 118 located in region of
the body 112 of the bottle with the complementary means located in
the region of the cap 90 of the bottle, and, when the cap 90 has
been attached to the body 112 of the bottle using the
above-mentioned closing means, by the interaction of the cap 90 and
the wiper 120.
[0093] The applicator 80 generally includes an axial rod 82 and an
applicator end piece 84. The axial rod 82 extends in a main
direction of longitudinal extension, in this case the main
direction X.sub.3, and includes two opposing ends. On account of
its end referred to as the upper end, the axial rod 82 is designed
so as to rigidly connect the applicator to the cap 90. Moreover, by
means of its lower end or free end, the axial rod 82 is designed to
be attached to the applicator end piece 84. Since the applicator is
generally rigidly connected to the cap 90, the applicator forms
therewith a means for gripping the applicator. When the cap 90 is
attached to the body 112 of the bottle 110, i.e. when the bottle
110 is in the closed position, the axial rod 82 and the applicator
end piece 84 extend inside the body 112 of the bottle 110. The
applicator is thus immersed in the cosmetic product P contained in
the container. In order to use the applicator 80, the user detaches
the cap 90 from the body 112 and removes the applicator from the
container. The bottle is then in the opened position.
[0094] The rod 82 is advantageously rigid. The rod may be slightly
deformed, in particular curved, under the effect of the forces
applied while applying make-up, as a result of the elongate shape
of the rod. The rod 82 is, for example, based on a plastics
material, in particular polypropylene.
[0095] Depending on the intended uses, the applicator end piece 84
may be a mascara brush, a brush for applying eyeliner, a lip balm
spatula, or something else. Indeed, although it is in particular
provided for applying mascara or eyeliner, the invention can also
be used for any other kind of cosmetic product, in particular lip
balm.
[0096] The materials used for the applicator end piece 60 can be
selected from the group comprising vegetable fibres (for example:
cotton, rayon, cellulose), fibres made of a thermoplastic material
(for example: polyamide, polyester, nylon), fibres made of an
elastically deformable thermoplastic material (for example:
elastomers, thermoplastic elastomers, vulcanised elastomers), a
"sinter", and a foam (for example: polyurethane, polyethylene,
polyvinyl chloride, polyether, NBR (natural rubber), SBR (synthetic
rubber)). A "sinter" means a product obtained by consolidation,
under the action of heat, of a more or less compact granular
agglomerate, with or without fusion of one or more of the
components thereof. In particular, any type of applicator end piece
84 that forms a mascara brush can be used here, whether the end
piece is moulded or twisted and whether it has a straight or curved
core.
[0097] Moreover, the alternatives set out above can be combined
without departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *