U.S. patent application number 16/644027 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-04 for cosmetic applicator.
The applicant listed for this patent is Oreal L. Invention is credited to Camille Schreiber, Audrey Thenin.
Application Number | 20210059392 16/644027 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005241294 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210059392 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Schreiber; Camille ; et
al. |
March 4, 2021 |
COSMETIC APPLICATOR
Abstract
An applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the
eyelashes or eyebrows, including a core, at least one element
attached to the core, each element including a central part fitted
onto the core and at least one application member carried by the
central part, this application member having at least one
protruding relief for catching the eyelashes that is formed by an
enlarged head, by a bent or toothed portion, preferably having, in
the case of a toothed portion, teeth that protrude by at least 0.2
mm with respect to the portion to which they are joined.
Inventors: |
Schreiber; Camille; (Clichy,
FR) ; Thenin; Audrey; (Clichy, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
L;Oreal |
Paris |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005241294 |
Appl. No.: |
16/644027 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
September 12, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2018/074652 |
371 Date: |
March 3, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46D 1/0253 20130101;
A46B 2200/1053 20130101; A46D 1/0292 20130101; A46B 9/021 20130101;
A45D 40/265 20130101; A46D 1/0238 20130101; A45D 40/264
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A46B 9/02 20060101
A46B009/02; A45D 40/26 20060101 A45D040/26; A46D 1/00 20060101
A46D001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 12, 2017 |
FR |
1758405 |
Claims
1. An applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the
eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising: a core, at least one element
attached to the core, each element comprising a central part fitted
onto the core and at least one application member carried by the
central part, this application member having at least one
protruding relief for catching the eyelashes that is formed by an
enlarged head, by a bent or toothed portion.
2. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catching
relief is defined by an enlarged head.
3. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the catching
relief is defined by a head in the shape of an arrow.
4. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the catching
relief is defined by a head in the shape of a mushroom.
5. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the catching
relief is defined by a head with a circular contour.
6. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catching
relief is defined by a strand of material which describes at least
one slot.
7. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the head has a
circular contour in at least one plane.
8. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the head is
cross-shaped.
9. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catching
relief is defined by a bent portion of the application member.
10. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the catching
relief is defined by a tooth formed at the meeting point of two
pointed arches that are concave toward the outside.
11. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application
member has a strand of material which describes at least one
slot.
12. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application
member has two arms that diverge away from the central part, at
least one bearing a catching relief.
13. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application
member has the overall shape of a V with elbows at the ends of the
V.
14. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the element has
an alternation of a first application member having the overall
shape of an arrow, the tip of which is directed toward the outside,
and a second application member having the overall shape of an
arrow, the tip of which is directed toward the central part, the
head of the first application member being further away from the
central part than the head of the second application member.
15. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application
member has a central arm provided at its end with an enlarged head,
and two V-shaped lateral arms that are shorter than the central
arm.
16. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application
member has a leg and an enlarged head having an outer edge that is
convex toward the outside and an inner edge that is concave toward
the central part and has less of a curvature than the convex
edge.
17. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application
member has a base and a head that are linked by a stem that is less
wide than the base and the head, forming at least one groove.
18. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongation
axes of the application members are coplanar.
19. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one
application member of an element is flattened in a plane.
20. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application
members of an element have their flattening plane oriented in a
plane containing the axis of the central part.
21. A packaging and application device having: a container
containing the composition to be applied, an applicator as defined
in any claim 1.
22. A method for the cosmetic treatment of the eyelashes and/or
eyebrows, comprising the step of applying a cosmetic composition to
the eyelashes with the aid of an applicator as claimed in claim
1.
23. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enlarged head
has, in the case of a toothed portion, teeth that protrude by at
least 0.2 mm with respect to the portion to which they are
joined.
24. The applicator as claimed in claim 11, wherein the strand of
material has a leg which is attached radially to the central part,
a first elbow substantially at a right angle, a second elbow
substantially at a right angle toward the outside, a third elbow
substantially at a right angle toward the elongation axis of the
leg, and a fourth elbow substantially at a right angle toward the
outside, the distal portion of the application member being
straight and eccentric with respect to the elongation axis of the
leg.
25. The applicator as claimed in claim 13, wherein the element has
an alternation of a first application member having the overall
shape of a V with elbows oriented substantially perpendicularly to
a median plane for the application member, and a second application
member having elbows oriented toward the central part.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to applicators for applying a
cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, having an
applicator part made up of a core and a plurality of elements
attached to the core, each element having a central part fitted
onto the core and at least one application member carried by the
central part.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0002] The patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2 discloses a first
applicator of this type. The core is constituted for example by a
metal hairpin folded on itself and twisted, or by a shaft of
non-circular cross section, the central part being passed through
by one or more openings with corresponding shapes.
[0003] The patent U.S. Pat. No. 9,591,916 B2 discloses further
examples of applicators of this type, the central parts being in
the form of disks that can be produced with complementary reliefs
which allow them to be positioned with a mutually predefined
angular orientation. The application members are constituted of
simple spikes or, in a variant, of spikes that have short offshoots
about a third of the way along their length. In further variants,
the application members are in the form of tabs, the thickness of
which decreases in the direction of the radially outer edge of the
element, these tabs being flattened in one and the same plane as
the central part. The tabs may be provided with concentric
striations about the axis of the core, of small depth, or bosses or
indentations of small size, forming a surface roughness.
[0004] There is a need to further improve applicators of this type,
notably in order to have a good capacity for loading the eyelashes
or eyebrows with cosmetic composition, while having satisfactory
properties of curling the eyelashes and spreading the composition
over the surface thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this aim
by virtue of an applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to
the eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising: [0006] a core, [0007] at
least one element attached to the core, each element comprising a
central part fitted onto the core and at least one application
member carried by the central part, this application member
comprising at least one protruding relief for catching the
eyelashes that is formed by an enlarged head, by a bent or toothed
portion, preferably having, in the case of a toothed portion, teeth
that protrude by at least 0.2 mm with respect to the portion to
which they are joined.
[0008] Advantageously, the cosmetic composition intended to be
applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows is a mascara composition.
A mascara composition conventionally has a viscosity greater than 5
Pas, notably between 5 Pas and 50 Pas, at 25.degree. C., in
particular measured with the aid of a Rheomat RM100.RTM.
machine.
[0009] Such a mascara composition conventionally comprises a solids
content, generally in an amount greater than or equal to 35% by
weight relative to the total weight of the composition, a
pulverulent colorant, in particular one or more pigments, notably
one or more metal oxides, for example one or more iron oxides, and
advantageously a film-forming polymer. A mascara composition may
also conventionally comprise one or more waxes, in a total amount
of in particular between 5 and 40% by weight relative to the total
weight of the composition.
[0010] The invention makes use of the fact that said elements can
be produced separately so as to form reliefs thereon which would be
difficult, if not impossible, to realize on conventional in
brushes, in which the application members are molded in one piece
of thermoplastic material with the core, on account of the problems
associated with demolding.
[0011] In one particularly preferred embodiment, in accordance with
the teaching of the document U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2 or its
equivalent FR 2 900 319, the core has a longitudinal axis and each
element is threaded onto the core along its longitudinal axis
before the core is twisted, the core and the element, in particular
the core and the central part of the element, being mechanically
connected in order to substantially prevent the element from
pivoting freely on the core.
[0012] Such a mechanical connection with no possibility of relative
rotation of the core and the element(s) threaded onto the latter
before twisting can be obtained by means of a core produced in the
form of an elongate element that is made of plastically deformable
material and has a non-circular (for example polygonal, such as
square, rectangular, triangular, etc., oval, multilobed, etc.)
cross section in the non-twisted state, said core being threaded
through an orifice of complementary cross section provided in the
central part of each of the elements.
[0013] In a variant, the core comprises two wires made of
plastically deformable material, for example two metal wires,
optionally joined together at one of their ends by being produced
from a single wire folded into the form of a hairpin, and the
mechanical connection with no possibility of relative rotation of
the core and the element(s) threaded onto the latter before
twisting is obtained by threading the wires of the core in the
non-twisted state into two orifices, preferably with complementary
shapes, provided in the central part of each of the elements.
[0014] The core carrying the element(s) is then twisted so as to
obtain a helical spread of the application members along the
longitudinal axis of the core. The expression "the core is twisted"
means here that the core, carrying the element(s), is subjected to
torsion, realized for example by imparting on one of its parts a
rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the core (for
example in the clockwise direction), while the other parts of the
core remain rotationally fixed, or are subjected to a movement in
the opposite direction (for example in the counterclockwise
direction). This torsional force is realized so as to impart a
plastic deformation on the core, such that the latter takes on its
twisted shape in a stable and definitive manner once this torsional
force stops being exerted on it.
[0015] The present invention is not limited to just the
above-described embodiments for ensuring the mechanical connection
with no possibility of relative rotation between the core and the
element, in particular between the core and the central part of the
element, but rather extends to all technical equivalents known to a
person skilled in the art for producing such a connection.
[0016] The catching relief provided on the application member makes
it possible to more easily control the eyelashes that come into
contact with the applicator part in order to curl them or to spread
the product over their surface for example.
[0017] The application member may be hollow and have a cavity that
makes it possible to collect product by surface tension and thus to
increase the autonomy of the applicator and/or to increase the
loading capacity of the applicator, without otherwise losing any
capacity for separating and combing the eyelashes. This cavity
preferably has a greatest dimension of at least 0.2 mm, better
still at least 0.5 mm. The application members can be produced
easily with a shape suitable for separation and combing and in
sufficient numbers to obtain a satisfactory makeup effect. The
invention makes it possible to produce wide application members
that are capable of being loaded with a relatively large amount of
composition while retaining a certain amount of flexibility, if
desired, by producing them with the aid of a strand of material
which surrounds the cavity, this strand preferably being contained
in a plane.
[0018] The strand of material can be given any shape depending on
the desired characteristics, and notably a constant or non-constant
cross section around the perimeter of the cavity. The strand of
material can be given a shape that is narrower in places, if need
be, in order to confer greater flexibility thereon. The strand has
a cross section, which is notably square, of for example between
0.04 and 1 mm.sup.2 around at least a quarter of the perimeter of
the cavity that it delimits, better still at least half this
perimeter, or even three quarters or all thereof. The presence of
the cavity gives the hollow application members greater flexibility
in order to pass the wiping member with which the container from
which the composition is taken is equipped.
[0019] The strand of material can comprise at least a portion with
a variable curvature.
[0020] The strand of material can comprise at least a slope
discontinuity that forms an elbow.
[0021] The greatest width of the notably hollow, application
members, measured perpendicularly to their elongation axis, is for
example greater than or equal to 0.5 mm, being preferably between
0.5 and 5 mm, better still between 1 and 2 mm.
[0022] Preferably, the central part and the application members of
an element are produced in one piece by molding thermoplastic
material, notably from the same material. Each element which is
mounted on the core can have between 4 and 24 application
members.
[0023] The element may have hollow application members, the cavity
of which has a closed contour, thereby helping to improve the
mechanical integrity of the application member, since the latter
can then be produced without a free strand of material.
[0024] It is thus possible to obtain application members which are
both highly loadable with product and have a good capacity for
combing and separating the eyelashes on account of their mechanical
strength.
[0025] The fact that the applicator is produced with separate
elements makes it possible to easily give the cavity of the hollow
application members various shapes, the element being for example
demolded along the axis of the central part, which is the general
direction in which the core passes through the central part, this
axis being able to be parallel to an axis along which the cavity
passes through the application member. If need be, notably when the
axis of the cavity is oriented perpendicularly to a radius,
demolding can be carried out with elastic deformation of the
application member.
[0026] An applicator according to the invention can have one or
more of the following characteristics, considered in isolation or
in combination: [0027] the catching relief may be defined by an
enlarged head; [0028] the catching relief may be defined by a head
in the shape of an arrow; [0029] the catching relief may be defined
by a head in the shape of a mushroom; [0030] the catching relief
may be defined by a head with a circular contour, notably in the
form of a disk or ball; [0031] the catching relief may be defined
by a strand of material which describes at least one slot; [0032]
the head may have a circular contour in at least one plane; [0033]
the head may be cross-shaped; [0034] the catching relief may be
defined by a bent portion of the application member; [0035] the
catching relief may be defined by a tooth formed at the meeting
point of two pointed arches that are concave toward the outside;
[0036] the application member may have a strand of material which
describes at least one slot, notably having a leg which is attached
radially to the central part, a first elbow substantially at a
right angle, a second elbow substantially at a right angle toward
the outside, a third elbow substantially at a right angle toward
the elongation axis (Y) of the leg, and a fourth elbow
substantially at a right angle toward the outside, the distal
portion of the application member being straight and eccentric with
respect to the elongation axis of the leg; [0037] the application
member may have two arms that diverge away from the central part,
at least one bearing a catching relief, preferably both arms
bearing a catching relief at their end; [0038] the application
member may have the overall shape of a V with elbows at the ends of
the V, the element preferably having an alternation of a first
application member having the overall shape of a V with elbows
oriented substantially perpendicularly to a median plane for the
application member, and a second application member having elbows
oriented toward the central part; [0039] the element may have an
alternation of a first application member having the overall shape
of an arrow, the tip of which is directed toward the outside, and a
second application member having the overall shape of an arrow, the
tip of which is directed toward the central part, the head of the
first application member being further away from the central part
than the head of the second application member; [0040] the
application member may have a central arm provided at its end with
an enlarged head, notably with a circular contour, and two V-shaped
lateral arms that are shorter than the central arm; [0041] the
application member may have a leg and an enlarged head having an
outer edge that is convex toward the outside and an inner edge that
is concave toward the central part and has less of a curvature than
the convex edge; [0042] the application member may have a base and
a head that are linked by a stem that is less wide than the base
and the head, forming at least one groove, preferably having facing
edges that converge toward one another away from the bottom of the
groove; [0043] the elongation axes (Y) of the application members
may be coplanar; [0044] at least one application member of an
element may be flattened in a plane, and notably each application
member may be flattened in a flattening plane, common to all the
application members of the element; [0045] the application members
of an element may have their flattening plane oriented in a plane
containing the axis (X) of the central part, the application member
preferably having a shape that is symmetric with respect to a
median plane containing the elongation axis (Y) of the application
member and perpendicular to the flattening plane.
[0046] A further subject of the invention is a packaging and
application device having: [0047] a container containing the
composition to be applied, [0048] an applicator according to the
invention.
[0049] A further subject of the invention is a method for the
cosmetic treatment of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, notably for
making them up, comprising the step of applying a cosmetic
composition to the eyelashes with the aid of an applicator
according to the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] The invention may be better understood from reading the
following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary
embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in
which:
[0051] FIG. 1 shows a schematic and partial view of an example of a
packaging and application device according to the invention,
[0052] FIG. 2 shows the applicator part of an example of an
applicator produced in accordance with the invention, on its
own,
[0053] FIG. 3 shows an element used to produce the applicator part
shown in FIG. 2, on its own,
[0054] FIG. 4 shows an example of a core on which the elements can
be mounted, the core being shown before the mounting of the
elements and twisting,
[0055] FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 are
views similar to FIG. 3 of variant embodiments,
[0056] FIGS. 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 16, 20, 23, 25, 27 and 29 show the
applicator parts produced with the elements in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 12,
13, 15, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 respectively, and
[0057] FIGS. 31 to 37 shows variant embodiment of the application
member.
[0058] The packaging and application device 1 shown schematically
and partially in FIG. 1 has a container 2 containing the
composition to be applied and an applicator 3 for applying this
composition.
[0059] The container 2 comprises a body which is provided for
example, as illustrated, with a threaded neck 4 to which the
applicator 3 can be fastened When the device 1 is not being
used.
[0060] A wiping member (not visible in the figure) is secured in
the neck of the container, in the usual manner. It may be a
flexible lip with a conical, wavy or other shape.
[0061] The applicator 3 comprises an applicator part 5 which is
used for applying the composition, this applicator part 5 being
mounted at one end of a stem 6, the other end of which is carried
by a gripping member 7 that also constitutes, in the example in
question, a closure member for the container 2, being designed to
be fastened to the neck 4.
[0062] The composition which is applied may be constituted by any
cosmetic product intended for making up or for caring for the
eyelashes and/or eyebrows. Preferably, it is mascara. The
composition may notably include pigments, such as iron oxides,
dispersed in an aqueous or anhydrous medium. The capacity of the
container is preferably between 5 and 30 ml.
[0063] FIG. 2 shows an example of an applicator part 5 produced
from individual elements 10, one of which has been shown on its own
in FIG. 3.
[0064] The applicator part 5 is preferably produced in accordance
with the teaching of the patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2, as
described below. The elements 10 are thus mounted on a core 9 that
holds them in a stacked manner and securely relative to one
another. This core 9 is for example a twisted core, produced from a
metal wire folded into the form of a hairpin, as illustrated in
FIG. 4.
[0065] In a variant, the core may be constituted by two separate
metal wires that are positioned in a substantially parallel manner
like the arms of the hairpin illustrated in FIG. 4, onto which the
elements 10 are threaded and which are then twisted.
[0066] The elements 10 have holes 11, which are shown schematically
in FIG. 3, for the arms 9a and 9b of the core to pass through
before the latter is twisted.
[0067] For the sake of clarity of the drawing, the core 9 has not
been shown in FIG. 2, and the holes 11 passing through the central
part 12 are only shown in FIG. 3.
[0068] In the example in question, the elements 10 are identical,
but it would not constitute a departure from the scope of the
present invention if elements 10 of different shapes were stacked
on the core 9 within the applicator part 5.
[0069] As can be seen in FIG. 3, each element 10 has hollow
application members 20 which engage with the eyelashes or eyebrows
while the applicator 3 is being used. In the example in question,
these hollow application members 20 alternate circumferentially
with solid application members 30.
[0070] The application elements 20 and 30 have, in this example,
the same exterior shape, but it would not constitute a departure
from the scope of the present invention if the exterior shapes were
different.
[0071] The central part 12 is in the form of a flattened disk, the
holes 11 for the arms 9a, 9b of the core 9 to pass through being
disposed symmetrically relative to an axis X of the element 10,
which may be an axis of symmetry for the central part 12.
[0072] In the example illustrated, the element 10 has three hollow
application members 20 which alternate with three solid application
members 30, the hollow application members 20 being disposed at 120
degrees to one another about the axis X of the element 10.
[0073] The application members 20 or 30 have an enlarged head 40
linked to a base 41 by a stem 42 that is less wide than the head
and the base. The head 40 forms with the base 41, on the outside, a
groove 45 on each side of the elongation axis Y of the application
member 20. The head is wider than the base 41.
[0074] This elongation axis Y is, in the example illustrated, an
axis of symmetry for the application member, and coincides with a
radius.
[0075] The surface of the central part 12, to which the application
members are joined, may be in the shape of a cylinder of revolution
about the axis X, but further shapes are possible.
[0076] In the example illustrated, the application members 20 and
30 each have a flattened shape in a plane which is coincident with
the flattening plane of the central part 12, this plane being
perpendicular to the axis X and to the axis Z of the applicator
part 5.
[0077] The application members 20 and 30 substantially meet at
their base, where they are joined to the central part 12.
[0078] The application members 20 are formed by a strand of
material 44 which extends through a loop that is closed by the
central part 12. More particularly, this strand of material 44 is
joined to the central part 12, forming a first elbow 51, which
forms one of the sides of the enlarged base 41. The strand 44
continues beyond the elbow 51 with a U-shaped portion 52 that
defines the groove 45 on one side of the application member 20 and
then continues in the form of an arch 53, convex toward the
outside, which forms the top of the enlarged head 40 of the
application member 20.
[0079] The enlarged head 40 has, on the opposite side from the arch
53, edges 54 which are oriented toward the axis and toward the arch
53. The groove 45 has edges that converge slightly toward the
opening thereof, the bottom of the groove 45 being substantially
flat for example, as illustrated.
[0080] The fact that the groove 45 is delimited by edges which
converge away from the bottom thereof further improves the
retention of the composition within said groove by the surface
tension effect.
[0081] Each application member 20 or 30 has a relatively squat
shape, with a height h, measured between the vertex of the
application member and the central part, which is substantially of
the same order of magnitude as the width l of the application
member, measured perpendicularly to the elongation axis Y. For
example, 0.5 h.ltoreq.l.ltoreq.2 h. For example, 1 mm<l<6 mm
and 2 mm<h<8 mm.
[0082] The cavity 14 defined inside the strand of material 44 makes
it possible to collect the composition within the applicator part 5
in spite of the passage through the wiping member on exiting the
container 2.
[0083] Product can also collect in the grooves 45 formed between
the head and the base of the application members 20 and 30, this
collection of composition taking place at a non-zero radial
distance from the central part 12. It is thus easier for the
eyelashes and eyebrows to access the composition, since they do not
have to be introduced as far as the central part 12 to be loaded
with composition.
[0084] The protruding parts formed by the lateral ends of the
enlarged heads are suitable for catching the eyelashes, and this
can improve the controlling thereof by the applicator part, in
order for example to curl them or spread the composition over the
surface thereof.
[0085] The relatively wide base of the application members 20 and
30 gives them good stability with respect to forces which can be
exerted while the applicator part 5 is being used, notably on
passing through the wiping member or for applying the composition
to the eyelashes and eyebrows. The cavity 14 helps to confer
flexibility for passing through the wiping member.
[0086] In order to produce the applicator part 2, the elements 10
are threaded onto the core 9 and then the latter is twisted, as per
the teaching of the patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2, The number
of elements 10 is for example between 2 and 100, better still
between 5 and 15.
[0087] In order to manufacture the elements 10, they can be molded
in a suitable mold such that demolding takes place along the axis
X.
[0088] In such a case, the presence of the cavity 14 within the
hollow application elements 20 does not hamper demolding any way.
In general, any thermoplastic material can be used to mold the
elements 10, regardless of the shape of the central part 12 and of
the application members joined thereto. It is possible notably to
use a polyolefin or a thermoplastic elastomer, for example of the
SEBS type.
[0089] It is also possible to produce the element 10 from a
non-thermoplastic material, for example a metal or ceramic
material.
[0090] During the twisting of the core, the elements 10 can undergo
rotation relative to one another, such that a progressive angular
offset is created between the elements, along the core, this being
able, if appropriate, to create helical furrows in the applicator
part 5.
[0091] In one variant, the elements 10 are mounted on a non twisted
core, for example one that is constituted by a shall of
non-circular cross section, and the central parts 12 have an
opening with a corresponding shape, so as to allow the central
parts to be mounted on the shaft without rotation relative thereto.
The elements 10 can be disposed on the core with their final
orientation.
[0092] If appropriate, it is possible to produce the central parts
12 with complementary reliefs which cooperate so as to make it
easier to position one element 10 in a predefined angular position
about the longitudinal axis of the core relative to the adjacent
elements 10.
[0093] The depth p of the groove 45 is for example greater than or
equal to 0.2 mm and the width w of the opening of the groove is for
example between 0.2 and 3 mm.
[0094] The strand of material 44 can have a cross section which is
substantially constant around the entire contour of the application
member 20, between its ends that are joined to the central part 12.
The cross section of the strand 44 is for example around 0.25
mm.sup.2.
[0095] A first set of variant embodiments of application members
and elements 10 having hollow application members 20 will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.
[0096] In the variant in FIGS. 5 and 6, each element 10 has an
alternation of hollow application members 20 and solid application
members 30, there being four hollow application members 20 in the
example in question, which are disposed at 90 degrees to one
another.
[0097] The cavity 14 of each hollow application member 20 is formed
by a strand of material 63 which describes a closed curve
constituting an enlarged head 60, this loop being joined to the
central part 12 by a leg 61.
[0098] In the example illustrated, the enlarged head 60 has the
overall shape of a harpoon with a top arch 65, which has a
substantially parabolic shape that is convex toward the outside,
and a bottom arch 66, which is concave toward the central part 12
and has less of a curvature than the top arch 65.
[0099] The cavity 14 has a radial dimension which is thus at its
maximum on the elongation axis Y and which decreases towards the
meeting point between the arches 65 and 66.
[0100] At this meeting point, the enlarged head 60 defines teeth 65
which are oriented in a direction away from the axis Y and toward
the central part, this orientation helping to catch more of the
eyelashes which are introduced into the applicator part 5.
[0101] In the example illustrated, the distance e between the
enlarged heads 60 of two adjacent application members 20, 30 on the
element 10 is relatively small and less than the distance between
the legs 61 at their base. The enlarged heads 60 are thus
relatively close together. This distance e may be between 0.1 and
0.3 mm, being large enough to allow an eyelash to pass into the
space between two legs 61 under the enlarged heads 60.
[0102] When the spacing e is sufficiently small, that is to say
less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to
0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm, another
cavity 69, which is almost closed, where the composition can also
collect by surface tension, is formed between the application
members 20 and 30. This almost closed cavity 69 extends as far as
the central part 12 in the example in question.
[0103] In the same way as for the example in FIG. 3, it is possible
to have a height h and a width l of the application member which
satisfy the relationship 0.5 h.ltoreq.l.ltoreq.2 h.
[0104] FIG. 6 shows that the elements 10 can be angularly offset on
account of the twisting of the core.
[0105] A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 and of the
elements 10 with which the latter is produced will now be described
with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0106] In the example in FIG. 7, the element 10 only has hollow
application members 20, unlike the examples in FIGS. 3 and 5, where
there is an alternation of application members of different natures
in the circumferential direction.
[0107] All of the application members 20 are identical and each
have a toothed shape. The cavities 14 are delimited by a strand of
material 80 which describes a succession of pointed arches, which
are concave toward the outside, teeth being formed at the meeting
point between two arches. More particularly, in the example
illustrated, the strand of material 80 describes, starting from the
central part 12, a first pointed arch 81, which is joined to a
second arch 82, forming a first tooth 86, this second arch 82
itself being joined to a third arch 83, forming a tooth 84.
[0108] Each application member 20 has a shape that is symmetric
with respect to its elongation axis Y.
[0109] At their meeting point, the two arches 83 form a tooth 85,
which defines the vertex of the hollow application member 20 and is
situated on the elongation axis Y.
[0110] Each application member 20 thus has the overall shape of a
holly leaf. In this example, the cavity 14 extends over
substantially the entire height h of the application member 20,
less the thickness taken up by the strand of material 80. The
height m of the cavity, measured along the elongation axis Y, that
is to say along a radius in the example in question, is thus
greater than or equal to half the height h. There is for example
the following relationship between l and h 0.5 h.ltoreq.l.ltoreq.2
h.
[0111] FIG. 7 shows that the gap e which exists between two
adjacent application members, at the teeth 86, is relatively small
and for example less than or equal to 0.3 mm, and may notably be
between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.
[0112] In the example illustrated, the application members 20
substantially meet at their base, where the strands of material 80
are joined to the central part 12. The fact that the teeth 86 of
the adjacent application members are relatively close together
makes it possible to form, between the first arches 81 of two
adjacent application members, reserves of product in a relatively
confined space 90 which only communicates with the outside through
a relatively narrow opening 91, of width e. The space 90
constitutes an almost closed cavity when the width e is less than
or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even
better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm.
[0113] The arches 82 which extend on either side of this narrow
opening 91 define a product collection surface at a non-zero
distance from the central part 12. The user thus has a reserve of
product in this space 94, where the eyelashes can be introduced,
while benefiting from teeth formed at the meeting point between the
different arches in order to grip the eyelashes.
[0114] All of the concavities formed by the different arches form a
corresponding number of indentations in which product can collect,
thereby increasing the loading capacity of the applicator part
5.
[0115] FIG. 8 shows that the elements 10 can be angularly offset
with respect to one another, on account of the twisting of the
core.
[0116] A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
[0117] In this example, the element 10 only has solid application
members 30.
[0118] Each application member 30 has a radial arm 300, provided at
its end with an X-shaped head 301, having two inner arms 302 that
are oriented at 90.degree. to one another toward the central part
12, and two outer arms 303 that are oriented at 90.degree. to one
another toward the outside.
[0119] The center of the X is situated on the elongation axis of
the application member 30.
[0120] The length s of the arms 302 and 303 is for example between
0.1 and 3 mm, this length being able to be identical or different
for the different arms of the head 301.
[0121] In the example in question, the arms 302 and 303 extend at
an angle of about 45.degree. to the elongation axis.
[0122] The inner arms 302 form hooks suitable for gripping the
eyelashes introduced into the applicator part. Their reentrant
orientation makes it possible to readily catch the eyelashes.
[0123] The outer aims 303 define between one another a cavity 305
that is open toward the outside, in which the composition can
collect by surface tension while remaining easily accessible for
the eyelashes. The bottom of the cavity 305 is situated at a
distance q from the central part 12 of for example between 0.5 and
7.5 mm, better still between 1 and 6 mm.
[0124] The ratio q/h, where h is the total height of the
application member, is preferably greater than or equal to 25%,
better still greater than or equal to 50%
[0125] The elements 10 are angularly offset within the applicator
part on account of the twisting of the core.
[0126] The variant embodiment in FIGS. 11 and 12 has an alternation
of application members 230 and 240 in the circumferential.
direction.
[0127] The application members 230 are in the shape of an outwardly
facing arrow, while the application members 240 are in the shape of
an inwardly facing arrow.
[0128] Each application member 230 thus has a leg 231 by which it
is joined to the central part 12 and a head 232 with a shape that
tapers toward the outside, forming, at its connection to the leg,
discontinuities 233 which can be oriented substantially
perpendicularly to the elongation axis Y of the application member
230.
[0129] The flat part of the head 232 is in this example parallel to
the flattening plane of the central part 12.
[0130] The discontinuities 233 are for example situated more than
half-way along the length of the application member starting from
the central part 12.
[0131] The application members 240 have a radial arm 241 which is
joined to an enlarged base 243 in the form of an arrowhead directed
toward the central part 12.
[0132] Discontinuities 244 are formed at the meeting point of the
arm 241 and the base 243, these discontinuities 244 being oriented
perpendicularly to the axis Y.
[0133] The application members 230 make it possible to grip the
eyelashes by virtue of the presence of the discontinuities 233
formed by the head 232. The tapered shape of the application
members 230 ensures good penetration of the eyelashes
therebetween.
[0134] Each head 232 and the adjacent radial arm 241 form a sort of
guide against which an eyelash can press when it is introduced into
the applicator part 5, which can guide them until they cross the
corresponding discontinuity 233, the gap between the head 232 and
the radial arm 241 being preferably sufficient to allow the passage
of an eyelash.
[0135] The discontinuities 244 allow the collection of composition
at a distance from the central part 12, in a more easily accessible
zone for the eyelashes than the surface of the central part 12.
[0136] When the gap e between the base 243 of an application member
240 and the leg 231 of an adjacent application member 230 is
sufficiently small, notably less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better
still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or
equal to 0.1 mm, an almost closed cavity 250 can be created in the
space extending between the central part 12 and the edge of the
discontinuity 244 along the leg 231 and the base 243.
[0137] Such a cavity 250 makes it possible to collect composition
above the surface of the central part 12. The distance between the
base of the leg 231 and the origin of the base 243 at the central
part 12 may be greater than the spacing e, such that the cavity 250
narrows away from the central part 12.
[0138] The difference between the height t at which the
discontinuities 233 are situated with respect to the central part
12, measured along the elongation axis Y of the application member
230 in question, and the height u at which the discontinuities 244
are situated, is for example between 0 and 5 mm, better still
between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, being for example around 1 mm.
[0139] In the examples which have just been described with respect
to FIGS. 3 to 11, the application members each have a flattened
shape in the flattening plane of the central part 12, and have a
thickness, measured along the axis X of the central part 12, which
is less than or equal to the thickness of the latter. The
application members can be given a different orientation without
departing from the scope of the present invention, as will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 20.
[0140] In the examples in these figures, each element 10 has a
central part 12 that is thicker than in the above-described
examples, and the application members each have a flattened shape
in a plane which contains a radius and the axis X of the central
part 12.
[0141] In the example in FIGS. 13 and 14, the elements 10 each have
an alternation of hollow application members 20 and solid
application members 30 with the same shape as those in the example
in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0142] However, in this example, the application members are more
numerous and do not meet at their base, the spacing between two
consecutive application members in the circumferential direction
being for example greater than the thickness of one application
member.
[0143] The element 10 has for example, 18 application members, half
of which are hollow.
[0144] FIG. 14 shows that an angular offset can be induced by the
twisting of the arms 9a and 9b of the core.
[0145] In the example in FIGS. 15 and 16, the application members
20 and 30 are identical to those in the example in FIGS. 5 and 6.
The disposition thereof on the central part 12 is identical to that
in the example in FIG. 13.
[0146] In the example in FIGS. 17 and 18, the application members
20 are identical to those in the example in FIGS. 11 and 12. The
disposition thereof on the central part 12 is identical to that in
the example in FIG. 13.
[0147] in the example in FIGS. 19 and 20, the application members
20 are identical to those in the example in FIGS. 7 and 8. The
disposition thereof on the central part 12 is identical to that in
the example in FIG. 13.
[0148] The hollow application members can be given yet other
shapes, and notably they can be produced with at least one bridge
of material on the inside to form two interior cavities.
[0149] In the examples which have just been described, the hollow
application members define closed cavities. It is possible to
produce the hollow application members with almost closed cavities.
By way of example, FIG. 3A shows an example of such a hollow
application member 20', the outer contour of which is substantially
identical to that of a hollow application member 20 of the example
in FIG. 3 apart from an interruption 130 to the strand of material
44, this interruption having a width e less than or equal to 0.3
mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still
less than or equal to 0.1 mm.
[0150] An almost closed cavity can have the advantage of allowing
an eyelash to pass through the interruption 130 and/or to confer
greater flexibility on wiping.
[0151] in the example illustrated, the interruption 130 is
positioned at the vertex of the application member, but could be
positioned elsewhere, for example at the connection to the central
part 12.
[0152] Almost closed cavities can also be formed between two
adjacent application members of one and the same element 10, when
these have portions that are sufficiently close together away from
their base.
[0153] This is for example the case in the examples in FIGS. 5 and
7, described above, when the gap e between the adjacent application
members at for example the enlarged heads 60 or the teeth 86 is
sufficiently small, namely less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better
still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or
equal to 0.1 mm.
[0154] A small gap e can also tend to retain a certain quantity of
composition outside the application members, for example in the
recess 68 formed between the convex surfaces defining the top of
the heads 60 in the example in FIG. 5. This can make it easier for
the eyelashes to access the composition with which the applicator
part 5 is loaded.
[0155] In these examples in FIGS. 5 and 7, at least some of the
application members between which these almost closed cavities are
formed are hollow.
[0156] Further variant embodiments without hollow application
members 20 will now be described with reference.
[0157] In the example in FIGS. 23 and 24, the element 10 has an
alternation of application members 30a and 30b which follow one
another in the circumferential direction around the central part
12.
[0158] The application members 30a and 30b each have the overall
shape of a V, with two diverging arms 140 toward the outside for
the element 30a and two diverging arms 150 for the element 30b. The
opening angle k' of the V is for example between 15 and 60.degree.,
better still between 30 and 45.degree..
[0159] The arms 140 are bent toward the outside at their distal end
and have two end portions 141 that are oriented perpendicularly to
the elongation axis Y, which is an axis of symmetry for the
application member and is coincident with a radius.
[0160] The arms 150 are likewise bent at their distal end, but at a
greater angle than the arms 140, such that the end portions 151
formed by the elbows each form an acute angle c with the
corresponding portion 152 of the arm which is joined to the central
part 12.
[0161] The arms 140 meet at their base. The same goes for the arms
150.
[0162] The application members 30a and 30b thus each form two
reliefs that are able to improve the catching of the eyelashes
during make-up application.
[0163] Catching is particularly pronounced with the application
members 30b on account of the orientation of the end portions
151.
[0164] In the example illustrated, the gap e between the free end
of one portion 151 and the adjacent arm 140 of the neighboring
application member 30a is small and less than 0.3 mm, better still
less than 0.2 mm, even better still less than 0.1 mm, such that two
application members 30a and 30b form, between one another, an
almost closed cavity 156 that is able to collect a certain amount
of composition.
[0165] The portions 141 and 151 can also define, between one
another, a space that leads to the outside and contains
composition, the latter being able to be retained between said
portions on account of its viscosity. This collection of
composition at a relatively large radial distance from the central
part makes it easier for the eyelashes to access the
composition.
[0166] As in the above-described examples, the elements 10 can be
angularly offset from one element 10 to the next on account of the
twisting of the core.
[0167] In the example in FIGS. 25 and 26, each element 10 of the
applicator part 5 has a succession of identical application members
160, for example 14 thereof.
[0168] Each application member 160 has a leg 161 which extends
along the elongation axis Y, and has four successive elbows 162 to
165, each at a right angle in the example in question.
[0169] The elbow 162 is directed in the clockwise direction, the
elbow 163 toward the outside, the elbow 164 in the counterclockwise
direction, and the elbow 165 toward the outside.
[0170] The elbows 163 and 164 form a groove 167, the bottom of
which is defined by a segment 68 of the application member.
[0171] The distal portion of the application member is defined by a
segment 169 which is parallel to the segment 168 and perpendicular
to the segment 170, which forms the elbow 162 with the leg 161.
[0172] The segment 169 is offset toward the segment 168 with
respect to the leg 161.
[0173] The gap e between the elbows 162 and 163 of two consecutive
application members on the element 10 is relatively small, and is
much less than the distance between the legs of these application
members and their base.
[0174] When the gap e is less than 0.3 mm, better still less than
0.2 mm, even better still less than 0.1 mm, the legs 161 form, with
the segment 168 which is directed from one of the application
members toward the other, an almost closed cavity 166 in which the
composition can collect.
[0175] The groove 167 makes it possible to form a reserve of
composition away from the central part, thereby allowing the
eyelashes to be loaded without the latter having to be dipped
deeply into the applicator part.
[0176] The segment 172 which defines, with the distal segment 169,
the elbow 164 also makes it possible to retain the composition on a
surface radially away from the central part 12.
[0177] Moreover, the notch formed by the succession of elbows 162
to 164 forms kind of hook that is able to improve the catching of
the eyelashes on the applicator part 5.
[0178] The distal segments 169 make it possible to benefit from a
surface having a high capacity for separating the eyelashes, since
they make it easier to introduce the eyelashes between the
application members.
[0179] Various modifications can be made to this example, notably
with regard to the shape of the abovementioned notch, which may be
V-shaped in one variant, in which case the number of elbows is
reduced to three. In other variants, the number of elbows is
higher.
[0180] A variant embodiment in which the application members 180
each have the overall shape of a V, with two arms 181 diverging
toward the outside, having bases that meet, and being provided at
the end with enlarged heads 182 in the form of disks, will now be
described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28.
[0181] The angle of divergence between the axes of the arms 181 is
for example between 15 and 60.alpha., better still between 30 and
45.degree..
[0182] Each head 182 forms, with the arm 181 to which it is joined,
a discontinuity 183 which makes it possible to improve the catching
of the eyelashes with the applicator part 5.
[0183] The close-together heads 182 of two consecutive application
members 180 can, when the gap e between them is sufficiently small,
i.e. less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal
to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm, form an
almost closed cavity 187, which is delimited on the inner side by
the central part 12, on the sides by the arms 181, and on the outer
side by the heads 182.
[0184] Finally, the heads 182 can receive a certain load of
composition on their surface that faces towards the outside,
thereby increasing the quantity of composition available on the
outer surface of the applicator part 5. In particular, the
composition can collect in the recesses 188 thrilled between two
heads 182 if the latter are sufficiently close together for a
bridge of composition to form by capillary action.
[0185] In a similar way to the above-described exemplary
embodiments, two consecutive elements can be angularly offset on
account of the twisting of the core.
[0186] The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 has
application members 200 that are each formed by three arms, namely
a central arm 201, which extends along the elongation axis Y of the
application member 200, is longest and is formed by a simple spike,
and two diverging lateral arms 202, that deviate from the central
arm 201 away from the central part 12 and are each provided at
their end with an enlarged head 203, for example in the form of a
disk or ball.
[0187] The length j of the central arm 201 is greater than the
height k of the lateral arms 202 measured at the vertex of the head
203. For example, j>1.4 k, better still j>1.5 k, and
preferably 1.4 k<j<3 k.
[0188] The angle f of divergence between the axes of the arms 202
is for example between 15 and 60.degree., better still between 30
and 45.degree..
[0189] The arms 201 and 202 meet, for example, at their base.
[0190] The gap e between each head 203 and the central arm 201,
when it is sufficiently small, i.e. less than or equal to 0.3 mm,
better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less
than or equal to 0.1 mm, can make it possible to form an almost
closed cavity 205 that is able to collect a certain amount of
composition.
[0191] Moreover, the composition can collect on the top of the
heads 203, on either side of the central arm 201. Thus, when an
eyelash is introduced into the applicator part 5, it can press
against the head 203 and be loaded with composition. It can also be
introduced between the heads 203 of two adjacent application
members 201 that are spaced further apart than the heads 203 are
from the central arm. The presence of the arms 202 provided with
heads makes it possible to improve the catching of the eyelashes by
the applicator part 5, by virtue of the discontinuity formed at the
base of the head, where it is joined to the arm, which tends to
retain the eyelash.
[0192] The elements 10 can be angularly offset within the
applicator part on account of the twisting of the core.
[0193] In the variant embodiment in FIGS. 21 and 22, each
application member 220 has a central arm 221 provided at its end
with an enlarged head 222, and two lateral arms 223 that are
disposed. on each side of the central arm 221 and diverge toward
the outside. The lateral arms 223 are formed by simple spikes. The
arms 221 and 223 meet at their base.
[0194] The angle g of divergence between the axes of the lateral
arms 223 is for example between 15 and 60.degree., better still
between 30 and 45.degree..
[0195] This angle g and the length of the lateral arms 223 can be
chosen such that their ends are sufficiently close together for
them to be considered to form, with the central part 12, an almost
closed cavity 225.
[0196] When they are close together, the adjacent lateral arms 223
of two consecutive application members 220 of an element 10 can
help to retain a certain amount of composition at the end of the
arms 223, at a radial distance from the central part 12.
[0197] The gap e between the arms 223 can be less than 0.3 mm,
better still 0.2 mm or less, even better still 0.1 mm or less.
[0198] For example, there are the following relationships between
the total length of the central arm, measured at the vertex of the
head 222, and the height of the lateral arms, measured along the
elongation axis Y: j>1.4 k, better still j>1.5 k, and
preferably 1.4 k<j<3 k.
[0199] The presence of the head 222 creates a discontinuity 224 at
its base, which is able to improve the catching of the eyelashes by
the applicator part.
[0200] Between the central arm and each lateral arm there is also a
V-shaped groove that is open toward the outside, into which an
eyelash can be introduced, which can help to take hold of the
eyelash in order to spread the composition on its surface.
[0201] Two consecutive elements 10 may be angularly offset on
account of the twisting of the core.
[0202] In the embodiment of FIGS. 31, 32 and 36, the application
member 300 comprises a central arm 302 and two lateral arms 304
extending laterally from the central arm 302 toward the end of the
application member. The lateral arms 304 protrude from the central
arms 302 and can catch the eyelashes. They form with the central
arm 302 an enlarged head. The lateral arms 304 form elbows with the
central arm 302. The central arm 302 can comprise an enlarged
portion 306 as illustrated in FIGS. 32 and 36. The lateral arms 304
can extend from the enlarged portion, as illustrated in FIG. 32, or
not, as illustrated on FIG. 36.
[0203] In the embodiment of FIG. 33, the applicator member 400
comprises a arm 402 extending from the applicator element and an
enlarged head 404 at the end of the arm 402 extending only on one
side of the application member. The enlarged head 404 comprises a
protruding relief 406 extending toward the application element from
the enlarged head. Such enlarged head 404 and protruding relief 406
form a relief to catch the eyelashes.
[0204] FIG. 34 displays an application member 500 comprising at its
end a hook 402 to catch the eyelashes. The hook is formed by an
elbow of the application member 500. The application member 500 can
comprise as illustrated a protrusion 504 in a hook form extending
laterally from the side of the application member 500.
[0205] FIG. 35 shows an application member 600 that comprises a
central arm 602 and two arms 604 extending laterally from the end
of the central arm 602 toward the central part. The arms 604 form
an enlarged head that is configured to catch the eyelashes.
[0206] In the embodiment of FIG. 37, the application member 700
forms a loop 702 comprising protruding reliefs 704 on its surface
to the outside of the applicator. The reliefs 704 can catch the
eyelashes. The loop 702 is illustrated as a closed loop. However,
the loop could comprise an opening.
[0207] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that
have just been described. For example, the number of application
members may be different in each of the examples.
[0208] For example, it is possible to stack on the core elements 10
Which are not identical, being made for example of different
materials, notably with different hardnesses, and/or having
application members with different shapes.
[0209] The core can be given a curvature, such that the applicator
part extends along a curved longitudinal axis.
[0210] The elements 10 can be produced with holes 11 positioned
differently on the central part 12, such that it is possible to
thread the elements 10 onto the core while offsetting them
angularly.
* * * * *