U.S. patent application number 15/569805 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-24 for flocked applicator.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. The applicant listed for this patent is L'OREAL. Invention is credited to Eric CAULIER, Marcel SANCHEZ.
Application Number | 20190021479 15/569805 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54366259 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-24 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190021479 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SANCHEZ; Marcel ; et
al. |
January 24, 2019 |
FLOCKED APPLICATOR
Abstract
The present invention relates to an applicator (20) for applying
a cosmetic product, having at least one application surface (22)
covered, at least partially, with a flocked coating (23) comprising
a set of fibers held on said application surface by an adhesive
(26). According to the invention, the adhesive is colored.
Inventors: |
SANCHEZ; Marcel; (Aulnay
Sous Bois, FR) ; CAULIER; Eric; (Ferrieres,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
L'OREAL |
Paris |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
Paris
FR
|
Family ID: |
54366259 |
Appl. No.: |
15/569805 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
April 22, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/FR2016/050951 |
371 Date: |
September 14, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 9/005 20130101;
A45D 40/265 20130101; A46B 2200/1053 20130101; A46B 9/06 20130101;
A45D 34/046 20130101; A45D 40/26 20130101; A45D 34/04 20130101;
A46B 3/02 20130101; A45D 40/267 20130101; A46B 9/021 20130101; A45D
34/042 20130101; A46B 2200/1046 20130101; A45D 33/36 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/06 20060101
A46B009/06; A45D 34/04 20060101 A45D034/04; A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26; A46B 3/02 20060101 A46B003/02; A46B 9/02 20060101
A46B009/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 30, 2015 |
FR |
1553924 |
Claims
1. Applicator (20, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108) for applying a
cosmetic product, having at least one application surface (22, 61,
62) covered at least partially with a flocked coating (23, 71, 72)
comprising a set of fibers held on said application surface by an
adhesive (26), the adhesive, after drying, being colored, and the
applicator being characterized in that the flocked coating
comprises colorless and/or translucent fibers.
2. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that said
applicator comprises at least two flocked regions having at least
two different colors.
3. Applicator according to claim 2, characterized in that the two
flocked regions comprise flocking fibers that have different
application characteristics.
4. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized
in that the application surface is entirely covered with a flocked
coating.
5. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized
in that the application surface comprises at least one flocked part
that forms a pattern (63, 64, 65, 66, 67).
6. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the application surface comprises reliefs
(24, 25).
7. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the adhesive is colored with the aid of at
least one pigment.
8. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the adhesive is colored with the aid of at
least one colorant.
9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims,
characterized in that the applicator is a fine brush, a brush, a
foam or a sponge.
10. Method for manufacturing an applicator according to any one of
the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises the steps
of: at least partially coating at least one surface of an
applicator with colored adhesive; spraying a flocking material on
said surface, said method optionally comprising a prior step of
adding a coloring element to an adhesive having notably a white or
colorless base.
11. Assembly (100) for packaging and applying a cosmetic product
(P), comprising a reservoir (30) intended to contain said cosmetic
product, a free edge (33) of which delimits an opening (34), a
closure member (50) provided to close the opening of the reservoir
in a removable manner, and an applicator (20) according to any one
of claims 1 to 10, said applicator being mounted on the closure
member so as to be movable between a first position, known as the
pick-up position, in which the applicator is situated inside the
reservoir and is able to be brought at least partially into contact
with the cosmetic product, and a position, known as the application
position, in which the applicator can be brought into contact with
a part of the human body.
12. Assembly according to claim 11, characterized in that the
cosmetic product is a transparent formulation, said transparent
formulation being able to be slightly tinted.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an applicator for applying
a product, notably a cosmetic product, comprising at least one
application surface covered with a flocked coating comprising a set
of fibers held on the applicator by an adhesive.
[0002] The expression "cosmetic products" is understood to mean any
product as defined in Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European
Parliament and Council of 30 Nov. 2009 relating to cosmetic
products.
[0003] In the field of cosmetics, and in particular of makeup, it
is common to use applicators which have an application surface
flocked with the aid of fibers, notably for applying a mascara, an
eyeliner, a lip gloss etc.
[0004] The flocking consists in covering a surface by spraying. To
this end, the surface to be flocked is coated with adhesive and
then the coating material, in this case a set of fibers, is sprayed
in the direction of said surface. The adhesive retains the fibers
and, after drying, keeps them on the surface thus flocked.
[0005] A flocked application surface has notably advantages in
terms of gentleness of application. It is possible to choose
particular characteristics of the flocking fibers depending on the
cosmetic product intended to be applied by the flocked
applicator.
[0006] The fibers used for the flocking of cosmetic applicators are
generally colorless and/or translucent.
[0007] As a result, it is difficult to satisfactorily make the most
of these applicators, in particular when the flocking is partial
and the applicator has several different application surfaces,
notably flocked and non-flocked surfaces.
[0008] In particular, when the applicator is a foam or a sponge
which is not entirely flocked, it may be difficult for the user to
know which face of the applicator the flock is situated on or to
differentiate between two regions having different flocking.
[0009] Moreover, when the applicator is a fine brush or a brush
made notably of plastics material, thermoplastic, glass or metal,
the flocked coating does not draw the user's attention very well.
This is particularly the case when it is dipped into a transparent
or translucent formulation such as an oil, a gloss or a serum.
[0010] A first solution consists in using colored fibers.
[0011] The document FR283893 thus describes a device for applying a
cosmetic product, the flocked coating of which can be made up of
fibers of different colors.
[0012] However, during the application of the cosmetic product,
some of the fibers can come away from the adhesive and remain stuck
to the user's skin. Therefore, it remains preferable to use
translucent fibers rather than colored fibers.
[0013] The present invention aims to respond to this problem.
[0014] One of the objects of the invention is thus to provide an
applicator for applying a cosmetic product, the flocked coating of
which is visually enhanced without changing the nature of the
fibers that are conventionally used.
[0015] The present invention aims to achieve these objectives and,
to this end, proposes an applicator for applying a cosmetic
product, having at least one application surface covered, at least
partially, with a flocked coating comprising a set of fibers held
on said application surface by a colored adhesive, said applicator
being characterized in that the flocked coating comprises colorless
and/or translucent fibers.
[0016] A colored adhesive is understood to mean an adhesive that is
colored after drying. Thus, the adhesive known as "white" adhesive
that is commonly used is not considered to be a colored adhesive
since it becomes colorless after drying. By contrast, if the
adhesive retains its white color after drying, it could be
considered to be colored within the meaning of the present
application.
[0017] Preferably, an adhesive having a color different than that
of the application surface will be preferred.
[0018] Thus, by using a colored adhesive, it is possible to obtain
a flocked coating, the visually distinctive character of which is
independent of the fibers used, in particular if the fibers are
colorless and/or translucent.
[0019] Moreover, the use of a colored adhesive on an application
surface that is likewise colored makes it possible to obtain a
resultant color due to the optical mixing of the two colors.
[0020] Advantageously, the applicator comprises at least two
flocked regions having at least two different colors. In
particular, the flocked regions belong to different application
surfaces. Providing different colors makes it possible to further
improve the distinctive character of each of said flocked
regions.
[0021] Preferably, the two flocked regions comprise flocking fibers
that have different application characteristics. Different
application characteristics are understood notably to be a
different fiber density, hardness, length or thickness.
[0022] According to a first preferred embodiment, the application
surface is entirely covered with a flocked coating having a colored
adhesive.
[0023] Alternatively or in a complementary manner on another
application surface, said application surface comprises at least
one flocked part that forms a pattern.
[0024] In particular, the application surface can contain several
flocked regions. This makes it possible to realize a decoration on
the application surface.
[0025] A "pattern" is understood to be a graphic element, often
repeated, that serves as a main theme in the decoration of an
object; and also logos.
[0026] It is thus possible to customize the applicator with the
image of the brand without impairing its application function(s).
For example, the pattern can be chosen from a dot, a star, a wave
or a series of letters. The pattern can be at least one basic
pattern, or a combination of basic patterns, repeated and/or
disposed specifically, in a regular or irregular manner, so as to
form a larger pattern.
[0027] Advantageously, the application surface has reliefs.
[0028] "Reliefs" are understood to be, for example, variations in
depth, concavities, ribs or grooves on the application surface, and
any combination thereof.
[0029] The relief(s) can notably be punctiform and/or extend over
at least a part of the application surface. In particular, the
relief(s) extend(s) over a periphery of the application
surface.
[0030] Specifically, it has been found surprisingly that the
presence of reliefs makes it possible to obtain particular optical
effects, notably in terms of variation in intensity of the color.
This is because, when the region(s) of the application surface that
is/are intended to be flocked is/are coated with adhesive, a
greater or smaller quantity of adhesive is trapped by the reliefs
depending on whether the relief is recessed or protrudes. A greater
quantity of adhesive trapped in a recessed relief makes it possible
to obtain greater intensity of color, while, by contrast, a smaller
quantity of adhesive present on a protruding relief results in
lower intensity of color.
[0031] For example, the flocked coating can be constituted of
fibers of polyamide, notably of nylon PA 6.6, of polyacrylic, of
polyester, of cotton or of cellulose.
[0032] Besides the fact that, when some fibers come away from the
adhesive layer and stick to the keratin fibers (notably body hair,
the eyelashes or hair), the lips or the skin of the user, they are
not visible, it has been found that the use of such translucent
fibers results in a particular optical effect.
[0033] Without wishing to be tied to any one theory, the applicant
considers the translucent character of the fibers, and consequently
their capacity to transmit light, to result in diffusion through
the fibers of the light reflected by the layer of colored
adhesive.
[0034] It follows that the layer of adhesive, even slightly
colored, makes it possible to obtain a particularly intense
distinctive effect.
[0035] Furthermore, it has also be found that this effect is
accentuated when the applicator is impregnated with the cosmetic
formulation to be applied, in particular when the cosmetic
formulation is itself transparent or translucent.
[0036] Advantageously, the adhesive used is an epoxy polymer. This
allows rapid and very resilient adhesion which exhibits good
resistance to moisture and to high temperatures. Optionally, the
adhesive used can be a polyurethane elastomer.
[0037] The adhesive used can contain a white or colorless base.
Advantageously, the adhesive can contain a white base which becomes
transparent once dry. This makes it possible to reflect light and
to obtain a better visual effect.
[0038] According to one embodiment, the adhesive is colored with
the aid of at least one pigment.
[0039] According to another embodiment, the adhesive is colored
with the aid of at least one colorant.
[0040] According to a first embodiment variant, the applicator can
be a fine brush or a brush, having a conical or cylindrical,
straight or curved shape. It can be made in particular of plastics
material, thermoplastic, glass or metal.
[0041] According to a second embodiment variant, the applicator can
be made of a porous material, for example a foam or a sponge. The
applicator can have a circular, elliptical, rectangular or
triangular shape.
[0042] The present invention also relates to a method for
manufacturing an applicator according to the invention,
characterized in that it comprises the steps of: at least partially
coating at least one surface of an applicator with colored
adhesive; spraying a flocking material on said surface, said method
optionally comprising a prior step of adding a coloring element to
an adhesive having notably a white or colorless base.
[0043] The flocking can be realized using different techniques
known to a person skilled in the art, for example by pressure
spraying, electrostatically or by a combination of the two methods
mentioned.
[0044] According to one embodiment variant, the flocked application
surface can be partially colored. This makes it possible to realize
particular decorations.
[0045] The present invention furthermore relates to an assembly for
packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising a reservoir
intended to contain said cosmetic product, a free edge of which
delimits an opening, a closure member provided to close the opening
of the reservoir in a removable manner, and an applicator according
to the invention.
[0046] Preferably, the applicator is mounted on the closure member
so as to be movable between a first position, known as the pick-up
position, in which the applicator is situated inside the reservoir
and is able to be brought at least partially into contact with the
cosmetic product, and a position, known as the application
position, in which the applicator can be brought into contact with
a part of the human body. The closure member bearing the applicator
thus also constitutes a member for gripping the latter.
[0047] According to one embodiment, the applicator can be molded
with the closure member.
[0048] According to another embodiment, the applicator can be
attached mechanically to the gripping member by crimping.
[0049] According to one embodiment, the reservoir has a wiping
member, disposed on the wall of said reservoir in the region of the
opening. This makes it possible notably to wipe the flocked coating
during the withdrawal of the applicator.
[0050] The cosmetic product can be a transparent or translucent
formulation.
[0051] Advantageously, the cosmetic product can be an oil, a gloss
or a serum.
[0052] The invention will be understood better from studying the
following detailed description with reference to the appended
drawing, in which:
[0053] FIG. 1 is a view in longitudinal section of a first
embodiment of a packaging and application assembly comprising an
applicator according to the invention;
[0054] FIG. 1a is an enlarged depiction of the applicator of the
embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0055] FIG. 2a is a depiction, before flocking, of an application
surface having cavities according to a first embodiment
variant;
[0056] FIG. 2b is a depiction, after flocking and in cross section,
of the application surface in FIG. 2a;
[0057] FIG. 3 is a depiction, before flocking, of an application
surface having cavities according to a second embodiment
variant;
[0058] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of an applicator according
to the invention;
[0059] FIG. 4a shows a side view of the applicator shown in FIG.
3;
[0060] FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of an applicator according
to the invention;
[0061] FIG. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of an applicator according
to the invention;
[0062] FIG. 7 shows a fifth embodiment of an applicator according
to the invention;
[0063] FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment of an applicator according
to the invention;
[0064] FIG. 9 shows a side view of a seventh embodiment of an
applicator according to the invention.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 1, a packaging and application assembly 100
comprises a cylindrical reservoir 30 which is closed by a bottom
31. Alternatively, the reservoir can have some other shape, notably
that of a square prism.
[0066] On the opposite side from the bottom 31, the reservoir 30 is
extended by a neck 32, a free edge 33 of which defines an opening
34. The neck 32 bears an external thread that is able to cooperate
with a corresponding internal thread on a cylindrical closure
member 50 provided to close the reservoir 30 in a leaktight
manner.
[0067] Fastened in the closure member 50 is a stem 10, to one end
of which an applicator 20 is secured. Thus, the closure member 50
serves as a member for gripping and for handling the applicator 20.
The stem 10 has a radial extension 11 situated inside the closure
member 50, the diameter of which is substantially identical to the
outside diameter of the neck 32, said extension being fastened to
the closure member 50. When the closure member 50 is screwed onto
the neck 32 of the reservoir, the applicator 20 is dipped in the
product P contained in the reservoir.
[0068] Fitted in the neck 32 is a wiping member 40, for example in
the form of a glove finger, which has, on the reservoir side, a
circular wiping lip 41. On the opposite side, this glove finger 40
comprises a collar 42, which extends radially outward and rests on
the neck 32 of the reservoir. In the assembled position of the
assembly 100, the radial extension 11 of the stem 10 bears on the
collar 42, thereby acting as a seal. The wiping member 40 is
constituted of an elastomer or thermoplastic material, which may be
chosen from among the thermoplastic elastomers and the natural or
synthetic rubbers.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 1a, the applicator 20 comprises a support
21, of axis X, in the form of a cylinder of revolution. The support
21 is formed in continuation of the stem 10, which itself extends
along the axis X. If need be, it is possible to provide a support
21 of axis X, which forms a nonzero angle with the axis of the stem
10. The support 21 is advantageously obtained by molding in one
piece with the stem 10. Alternatively, the support 21 can be
attached to the stem 10 mechanically, notably by crimping,
snap-fastening, adhesive bonding or welding. The outer surface of
the support 21 forms an application surface 22 of the flocked
coating.
[0070] This surface 22 is covered with a flocked coating comprising
fibers which can be fibers of polyamide, for example of nylon, in
particular of nylon PA 6.6, of polyacrylic, of polyester, of cotton
or of cellulose.
[0071] The flocking fibers are held on the application surface 22
by a colored adhesive. Moreover, the application surface 22 of the
support 21 can have reliefs, as illustrated in FIGS. 2a, 2b and 3.
Thus, these reliefs make it possible to retain a quantity of
adhesive 26 which varies over the application surface 22 as a
whole.
[0072] FIGS. 2a and 2b describe an application surface 22
containing a series of circular cavities 24 distributed over the
entire application surface 22.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 3, the application surface 22 can contain
ribs 25.
[0074] The invention is not limited to the examples of reliefs
given above. Specifically, the application surface 22 can have
different types of reliefs, recessed or protruding, punctiform or
distributed around the periphery of the surface 22, singly or in
combination. In order to produce such an applicator 20, first of
all the support 21 is formed, for example by molding it with the
stem 10. Next, the external surface 22 of the support 21 is coated
with a liquid or pasty adhesive 26, for example an adhesive which
can be of the elastomer, vinyl or acrylic epoxy type. The
application surface is coated with adhesive either by dipping or by
spraying the adhesive by way of a spray gun.
[0075] The support 21 thus impregnated is then exposed to a set of
fibers 23 which are retained by the adhesive. The fibers 23 are
thus held on the application surface 22 and form a flocked coating
covering the application surface.
[0076] The flocking can be realized using different techniques
known to a person skilled in the art, for example by pressure
spraying, electrostatically or by a combination of the two methods
mentioned. When they are electrostatically charged, these fibers
are suspended in the air and are deposited on the impregnated
surface of the support by electrostatic attraction. As a result, in
most cases, these fibers are oriented substantially perpendicularly
to the impregnated surface. Any excess fibers are then removed by
suction.
[0077] According to another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 4a,
an applicator 103 comprises a support 60 having a partially flocked
application surface 61 and comprising several flocked regions.
[0078] The support 60 has a circular cross section. Alternatively,
the support 60 can have an elliptical, rectangular or triangular
cross section.
[0079] The support 60 is made of a porous material, for example a
foam or a sponge. In particular, the support 60 constitutes the
base of an applicator for foundation.
[0080] Each flocked region has the overall shape of a circle or a
dot 63. The set of flocked regions, repeating this same basic
pattern, forms a general dot pattern. The dots 63 are not
necessarily all identical and can have for example different
diameters (this not being shown).
[0081] FIGS. 5 to 9 show embodiment variants of the applicator in
FIG. 4. More specifically, FIGS. 4 to 8 differ by way of the shape
of the flocked application surface.
[0082] Thus, the applicators 104 and 105 comprise a repetition of a
star pattern 64 and a wave pattern 65, respectively, on the
application surface 61.
[0083] According to one embodiment variant, FIG. 7 shows an
applicator 106 having a flocked application surface with a single
central pattern 66. The pattern 66 forms a logo.
[0084] According to another embodiment variant, FIG. 8 shows an
applicator 107 having a flocked application surface combining a
pattern, in this case a dot 63, that is repeated over the surface
61 and is associated with a second, central pattern 67 that is
constituted of a series of letters or forms a logo.
[0085] According to another embodiment, FIG. 9 shows a side view of
an applicator 108 having two application surfaces 61 and 62 that
are situated on either side of a median plane and are covered by
flocked coatings 71 and 72, respectively. In FIG. 9, the fibers of
the flocked coating 72 have different application characteristics
than those of the flocked coating 71. In this case, the fibers of
the flocked coating 72 are longer than the fibers of the flocked
coating 71. Alternatively, the fibers of the flocked coatings can
differ from one surface to the other by way of their density or
their thickness. In order to distinguish between them, the
application surfaces 61 and 62 can be coated with adhesives of
different colors. The pattern of the flocked coating can be the
same on both surfaces or it can vary from one surface to the
other.
[0086] Alternatively, each surface 61, 62 can be entirely flocked
and/or not have patterns.
[0087] The invention is not limited to the examples cited in the
description. Specifically, the flocked regions can have different
shapes than those of the patterns described in the figures.
* * * * *