COSMETIC PRODUCT APPLICATOR INCLUDING HELICAL FURROWS AND COSMETIC ITEM INCLUDING SUCH AN APPLICATOR

Abstract

A cosmetic product applicator including a straight stick extending according to a main axis with a longitudinal direction, the stick including an external surface over which furrows are formed. Over at least one longitudinal portion of the stick, the external surface of the stick includes at least two helical furrows, one of the two furrows having a right-hand pitch and the other one having a left-hand pitch, the furrows meeting several times over the longitudinal portion of the stick, such an applicator having furrows with opposite pitches improving combing and separating of the eyelashes (or other hairs) when applying a cosmetic product. The presence of furrows having opposite pitches allows for an efficient use of the applicator both with the right hand and with the left hand, with an identical or similar make-up quality. The applicator is well-suited to be used in a “mascara pen” type mascara item.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of cosmetic product applicators, and in particular applicators for mascara.

2. Description of the Invention

A mascara item of, or “mascara”, conventionally comprises a case, a mascara reservoir and an applicator element. The applicator element includes a gripping portion and an applicator per se, which is generally in the form of a brush. In a known manner, the applicator brush may include a lid or cap adapted to seal the reservoir when not applying mascara and which could form the gripping area of the applicator brush.

There are conventionally several types of applicators: those of the “bottle brush” type, injected ones and those manufactured by additive manufacturing (sometimes called “additive manufacture”). Additive manufacturing designates the methods of manufacturing by addition or aggregation of material.

An applicator of the bottle brush type includes a brush that comprises bristles formed by fibres trapped in a twisted metal wire forming the core of the applicator. An injected applicator is generally made of a single piece and includes bristles or teeth, made of plastic material for example, generally called protuberances. An applicator manufactured by additive manufacturing is also generally made integrally in one-piece and may be formed, for example, from a powder of thermoplastic polymers via a process implementing, for example, powder fusion by laser.

Regardless of the form and the embodiment of a known mascara applicator, the principle of application of mascara consists in loading the applicator with a product (mascara) contained in the reservoir, extracting the applicator from said reservoir, whose protrusions are loaded with the product, and carrying out the application on the user's eyelashes and eyebrows.

For simplicity, mention will be made, in the rest of the present document, of a mascara applicator, yet without excluding the use of the applicator for another similar cosmetic product. Similarly, only eyelashes are mentioned, yet without excluding a use of the product and of the applicator to the user's eyebrows. Finally, a user is mentioned in a broad sense, which, of course, also includes a female user.

Unless stated otherwise, the expressions “about” and “in the range of” refer to the given value more or less 20%. Unless stated otherwise, all mentioned value ranges should be understood without the bounds included.

Alternatively to the above-described applicators, some applicators have been developed in the form of a stick having at its surface cavities or reliefs enabling mascara retention.

The document EP3302166 discloses a cosmetic product applicator in the form of a support forming a grip with a cylindrical section or other. The support is aperture so as to define a toothing forming application elements. Thus, the support forms an application comb including teeth. The teeth are partially peripheral and are disposed according to at least one longitudinal row of parallel teeth, for example two diametrically opposite longitudinal rows. The inter-teeth spaces define spaces for loading and applying the cosmetic product.

Nevertheless, the capacity of cosmetic product retention by this applicator is limited. Furthermore, this applicator imposes an accurate and complex gesture on the user, the eyelashes having to be combed by one of the sides of the applicator, with a result in terms of eyelash separation and cosmetic product application that depend on the angular orientation of the applicator.

The document U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,787 discloses a cosmetic product applicator in the form of a threaded metal stick. The threads that the stick bears define recesses which are used in loading the cosmetic product. Nevertheless, the capacity of this applicator to comb and separate the eyelashes turns out to be limited. Besides, the result is not consistent, depending on whether the applicator is used with the right hand or with the left hand.

While such a general configuration of the applicator, in the form of a stick, for example metallic, has proven to be advantageous for some applications explained in detail later on, the known applicators having this configuration in the prior art may be improved.

SUMMARY

Thus, the present invention aims to provide a cosmetic product applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, which solves all or part of the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, the invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator including a straight stick extending according to a main axis with a longitudinal direction, the stick including an external surface over which furrows are formed. The stick is cylindrical and straight. In this applicator, over at least one longitudinal portion of the stick, the external surface of the stick includes at least two helical furrows, one of said two furrows having a right-hand pitch and the other one of said furrows having a left-hand pitch, the furrows meeting several times over said longitudinal portion of the stick. Each furrow of the applicator forms an angle (a) comprised between 88° and 50° with respect to the main axis.

In particular, the applicator may include exactly two, three, four, five or six furrows.

The fact that the stick is cylindrical and straight should, of course, be understood as referring to the general shape of the stick, without considering the furrows it includes. In other word, the envelope defined by the surface of the stick is cylindrical and straight.

The furrows formed at the surface of the stick form a space for loading the applicator with the cosmetic product. Furthermore, by the helical configuration of the furrows, with at least one furrow that meets at least one furrow because of opposite pitches, substantially lozenge-like shapes and/or shapes featuring sharp transverse ridges are formed at the surface of the stick. These patterns create obstacles which considerably improve combing and separation of the eyelashes (or other hairs) when applying the cosmetic product, in particular in comparison with an applicator that would have parallel helical furrows.

Furthermore, the presence of furrows having opposite pitches (at least one furrow with a right-hand pitch and at least one furrow with a left-hand pitch) allows for an effective use of the applicator both with the right hand and with the left hand, with an identical or similar make-up quality.

Each furrow of the applicator may form an angle (a) comprised between 85° and 67°, and more preferably between 85° and 82° with respect to the longitudinal main axis.

In some embodiments, the stick is axisymmetrically cylindrical and has a diameter comprised between 2 mm and 8 mm, preferably in the range of 3 mm.

At least one furrow of the applicator may have a variable pitch.

The angle formed by the furrows, with respect to the direction of application, is also important for the obtained quality of application. Indeed, the eyelashes should get in the furrows during application, get loaded with mascara, and come out form the furrows easily when desired.

One angle range allows achieving satisfactory results, namely between 88° and 50° with respect to the longitudinal direction, i.e. between 2° and 40° with respect to the transverse direction (which is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction). In particular, good results have been obtained between 85° and 67° with respect to the longitudinal direction (namely between 5° and 23° with respect to the longitudinal direction). The best results have been obtained with furrows forming an angle comprised between 85° and 82° with respect to the longitudinal main axis, namely between 5° and 8° with respect to the transverse direction. The angle values indicated hereinabove correspond, for an axisymmetric cylindrical stick with a diameter of 3 mm, to a pitch comprised between 0.3 mm and 8 mm and to preferred pitch values comprised between 0.8 mm and 4 mm, and more particularly between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm. Thus, the pitch of the furrows could be adapted to the diameter (and more generally to the dimensions) of the used stick. The pitch concept should be understood in general as the longitudinal distance covered by a furrow when it completes one turn around the stick, regardless of the shape of the cross-section of the stick.

For an applicator whose stick is axisymmetrically cylindrical, the relationship between the pitch P and the angle of the helix denoted s, with respect to the transverse direction is given by the equation:

TAN(β)=P/(π·D)

with TAN referring to the Tangent function and D the diameter of the stick.

Henceforth, knowing the diameter D of the stick and while keeping the desired helix angle β fixed (for example knowing that α(°)=90−β(°)), the pitch P can be easily determined.

Of course, the selected pitch could depend on the dimensions of the formed furrows: for example, the pitch should be larger than the width of the furrows.

The furrows may have identical or different pitches. Advantageously, the pitch of each furrow is located in the ranges indicated hereinbefore. The pitch of each furrow may be fixed or variable. By “variable pitch”, it should be understood a pitch whose value evolves according to the longitudinal position on the stick. A variable pitch allows achieving different make-up effects in different longitudinal areas of the applicator.

The helical furrows may extend in a rectilinear manner over a helix. Alternatively, at least one helical furrow may extend according to a sinusoidal trajectory, undulating over a helix.

The manner in which a helical furrow extends over the helix which defines it allows modulating the obtained make-up effect. A rectilinear furrow trajectory, i.e. with no bending over the helix that defines the furrow, corresponds to the most obvious embodiment. A trajectory that undulates over the helix that defines the furrow may improve combing and separation of the eyelashes. Furthermore, the edges of the furrows may have irregularities, for example indentations, which improve hooking of the applicator with respect to the eyelashes.

Each furrow may have a width, at the surface of the stick, comprised between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm.

Each furrow may have a depth comprised between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably comprised between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm.

The dimensions of the furrows are selected so as to allow containing the selected volume of the product, for example the desired volume of mascara for making up the eyelashes of an eye. These dimensions should also enable the passage of one, or of a limited number, of eyelashes per furrow. In particular, it is possible to size each furrow so that it could accommodate a maximum number of only one to five eyelash(es) at once, for example a maximum number of three eyelashes at once.

The furrows may have a triangular, square, rectangular, flared, or rounded, cross-section, for example semi-circular. The furrows may have a cross-section that includes a bottom having a restricted section forming a cavity with a restricted section which extends along the furrow. The furrows may have a cross-section that includes a bottom having a ridge which extends along the furrow.

Different cross-sections of furrows may be used with different effects which are explained hereinafter with reference to the detailed description of some embodiments of the invention.

The cosmetic product applicator may further include at least one striation formed at the surface of the stick, the at least one striation being longitudinal or helical with a pitch greater than or equal to that of the furrows. For example, the applicator may include exactly one, two, three, or four striations. Each striation may have a cross-section whose surface area is comprised between one fifth and half the surface area of the cross-section of each furrow.

The striations allow modulating and/or increasing the different effects of the furrows. They form an additional volume for receiving the product, but above all, they allow making the cosmetic product load even over the surface of the applicator. They multiply the anfractuosities and reliefs present at the surface of the stick. Thus, the combining effect and the separation effect are increased.

The applicator may include a longitudinal portion with a smooth end. Such a configuration makes the applicator compatible with a cosmetic item, in particular a mascara item, of the applicator pen type.

Thus, the invention also relates to a cosmetic item including a reservoir containing a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic product, a guide tube extending according to the longitudinal direction in said reservoir, and an applicator as described hereinabove, mounted movable in longitudinal translation in said guide tube between a retracted position in which the applicator is entirely or partially contained in the guide tube and a deployed position in which a portion of the applicator that is contained in the guide tube in the retracted position projects from one end of the guide tube, the stick having an end longitudinal portion having a constant and identical cross-section, within a functional clearance margin, to the cross-section of the guide tube, the guide tube including at least one aperture enabling the passage of the cosmetic product from the reservoir towards the applicator.

The cosmetic product applicator may be made of metal, plastic, ceramic, Bakelite, glass, or paper.

The use of metal allows making parts with a very high accuracy, depending on the considered metal by machining or three-dimensional printing starting from metal powder (followed, where necessary, with a grinding machining). In particular, the applicator may be made of stainless steel or aluminium (or aluminium alloy). The obtained part is high-quality and durable: it is less likely to be deteriorated over time. An applicator made of plastic may be made, in particular by injection moulding. The applicator may be made of ceramic, which is aesthetic, light, and barely sticks to mascara. Finally, an applicator made of compressed paper, i.e. of compressed paper at very high pressure may be obtained. This manufacturing type allows providing a single-use, disposable, applicator which can be used in testing systems or “testers”, for example in stores, samples, etc.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages, aims and particular features of the present invention will arise from the following non-limiting description of at least one particular embodiment of the devices and methods objects of the present invention, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an example of an applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial detail view of the applicator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of various possible distributions of the furrows formed at the surface of applicators in accordance with various embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a first example of a furrow cross-section that could be implemented in the context of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a second example of a furrow cross-section that could be implemented in the context of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a third example of a furrow cross-section that could be implemented in the context of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a fourth example of a furrow cross-section that could be implemented in the context of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a fifth example of a furrow cross-section that could be implemented in the context of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a sixth example of a furrow cross-section that could be implemented in the context of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a seventh example of a furrow cross-section that could be implemented in the context of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a schematic and partial three-dimensional view of an applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic and partial three-dimensional view of an applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a schematic and partial three-dimensional view of an applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a schematic and partial three-dimensional view of an applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of a cosmetic item including an applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a schematic sectional view of a cosmetic item including an applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 represents an example of an applicator 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

The applicator 1 is generally in the form of stick 2 which is rectilinear. The stick 2, shown only partially in FIG. 1, extends according to a main axis (A) whose direction is conventionally so-called longitudinal.

The stick 2 includes a longitudinal portion P over which recessed portions are formed enabling mascara retention. In the shown example, the stick also includes a longitudinal portion with an end E which is smooth, i.e. whose surface has no patterns. The longitudinal portion E, with a small length in the embodiment of FIG. 1, may be longer or, on the contrary, inexistent, according to various embodiments of the invention.

The patterns formed over a longitudinal portion P include two helical furrows 3. In particular, a first helical furrow 31 has a right-hand pitch whereas a second helical furrow 32 has a left-hand pitch.

A helix with a right-hand pitch, or dextrorotatory helix, corresponds to a helix which, when observed vertically, rises from left to right. Conversely, a helix with a left-hand pith, or levorotatory helix, corresponds to a helix which, when observed vertically, rises from right to left.

The term furrow generally refers to an open groove or slot, formed at the surface of the stick 2 according to a given trajectory, and possibly having a constant or variable cross-section.

By the presence of furrows and, where appropriate, other recessed patterns, the surface S of the stick corresponds in the longitudinal portion P (and more generally in the entire stick) to the external envelope of the stick, considered in the absence of recessed patterns. Hence, the surface S is the surface of the straight cylinder (axisymmetric, elliptical or prismatic) which defines the stick 2, whether it consists of an axisymmetric straight cylinder, an elliptical cylinder, a straight prism having a polygonal cross-section (triangular, square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc.) or more generally any cylinder.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, and as shown in the detail view of FIG. 2, the first furrow 31 and the second furrow 32 have a substantially square section. The first furrow 31 and the second furrow 32 are herein formed according to helices having pitches with the same value, although opposite to one another (respectively “to the right” and “to the left”). The first furrow 31 and the second furrow 32 meet several times in the longitudinal portion P. This results in the formation, between the furrows, of substantially lozenge-like shapes 4. These shapes, which result from the matter present between the furrows, include ridges 41 at the intersections between two furrows.

The anfractuosities formed by the furrows enable one or more eyelash(es) to fit therein whereas the relief shapes resulting from the formation of the furrows, and in particular the ridges 41, favour the separation and combing of the eyelashes, which improves the make-up quality.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, each of the first furrow 31 and second furrow 32 forms an angle α with respect to the main axis A and the longitudinal direction which is comprised between 88° and 50°. More specifically, the angle α corresponds to the angle formed between the main axis A and the tangent (at the intersection with said main axis A) to the orthogonal projection of the furrow in a plane passing through the main axis A. The acute angle that is thus formed is then considered. More particularly, it has been noticed that good results are obtained for an angle α comprised between 85° and 67°, in particular between 85° and 75°, with the best results obtained with an angle α comprised between 85° and 82°. For an axisymmetric cylindrical stick with a 3 mm diameter, an angle α between 88° and 50° substantially corresponds to a pitch comprised between 0.3 mm and 8 mm, an angle α between 85° and 67° substantially corresponds to a pitch comprised between 0.8 mm and 4 mm, an angle α of 75° substantially corresponds to a pitch of 2.5 mm, and an angle α between 850 and 82° substantially corresponds to a pitch comprised between 0.8 mm and 1.2 mm.

The pitch of the furrows may be adapted, according to the dimensions of the used stick, to obtain the desired angle α. Thus, to obtain a given angle α, the pitch should be larger for a stick with a large diameter than for a stick with a small diameter. The pitch of each furrow may be different from the pitches of the other furrows, but each furrow forms an angle α with respect to the main axis A, fixed or longitudinally variable, advantageously located in the aforementioned ranges of values.

Furthermore, although the applicator of FIG. 1 includes one single portion P including furrows, it is possible in the context of the present invention to provide for an applicator including several longitudinal portions P including furrows. The different portions may then differ by the number of the furrows, their arrangement, their pitch, their section, etc.

FIG. 3 illustrates, three configurations of furrows, given as mere examples, which could be used in the invention. For each example, the cross-section of a stick 2 which is axisymmetrically cylindrical is shown. The position, at the considered cross-section, and the orientation of each furrow, are shown by an arrow. For example, the considered section may correspond to one end of the portion IP, i.e. to the starting point f the furrows. The example to the left is an applicator including two furrows with opposite pitches, and may for example correspond to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2. The example represented at the centre of FIG. 3 is an applicator including three furrows, with an even angular distribution of the furrows in the considered cross-section (each furrow is positioned at 120° from the other two), two furrows having a left-hand (or respectively right-hand) pitch, the third furrow having a right-hand (or respectively left-hand) pitch. The example shown to the right of FIG. 3 is an applicator including four furrows, with an even angular distribution of the furrows in the considered cross-section (each furrow is positioned at 90° from the other two). The furrows alternate angularly (at the considered section) between a furrow having a right-hand pitch ad a furrow having a left-hand pitch.

Thus, FIG. 3 illustrates the variety of possible applicator configurations in the context of the present invention, according to the pursued application properties. In particular, for a mascara intended to increase the volume of the eyelashes (so-called “volumising”), an applicator including many markedly dug furrows is well suited. For a mascara primarily intended to separate the eyelashes (so-called “separator”), an applicator including few slightly dug furrows is well suited.

FIGS. 4 to 10 show various cross-sections of furrows that could be used in the context of the present invention. By cross-section of the furrow, it refers of course to the section of the considered furrow itself, independently of the stick, it therefore consists of the section of the furrow, considered transversely to its local direction of extension; it does not consist of the cross-section of the stick.

As represented in FIG. 4, the furrow 3 may have a rounded shape, for example semi-circular. In the case of a furrow with a semi-circular section, the width L of the furrow at the surface S of the stick 2 is twice its depth F measured between the surface S and the bottom of the furrow, i.e. the point of the cross-section of the furrow the farthest from the level of the surface S. The rounded shape of the cross-section of the furrow 3 may be oval like, ellipse arc like, or formed by a succession of arcs having several radii. This kind of rounded section is relatively simple to make, forms a large volume for loading the applicator with a cosmetic product, and allows easily receiving one or more eyelash(es).

For example, the width L of the furrow may be comprised between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm. The depth F of the furrow may be comprised between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, preferably comprised between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm. These values apply to all of the embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 represents the cross-section of another example of a furrow. According to this embodiment, the furrow 3 also has a rounded section, formed by a succession of arcs, but the bottom of the furrow has a restricted section. This restricted section, which forms a cavity with a restricted section along the bottom of the furrow 3, may thus be described as a small furrow itself formed at the bottom of the furrow. The height H of this restricted section 301 may be in the range of 0.1 mm. The same applies to the width of the restricted section 1. The “restricted” concept should, of course, be understood with regards to the other dimensions, in particular the width L, of the section of the furrow 3. The restricted section 301 results in a given hooking and a given guidance of the eyelash at the bottom of the furrow, which improves the elongation effect of the eyelash by the mascara. Furthermore, it has been noticed that a furrow including a cross-section with a restricted section at its bottom allows having two distinct effects upon successive passes of the applicator: the first passes enable loading the eyelashes with mascara, and the next passes enable separation thereof.

FIG. 6 represents the cross-section of another example of a furrow. According to this embodiment, the furrow 3 has a generally trapezoidal section (herein isosceles) whose bottom is rounded. The rounded bottom corresponds to the fact that the small base of the trapezium is replaced by a rounded, concave, shape. This shape allows containing a large amount of product, and enables a good penetration of the eyelashes in the applicator, thereby increasing combing thereof.

FIG. 7 represents the cross-section of another example of a furrow. The furrow 3 of FIG. 7 differs from that of FIG. 6 essentially in that the bottom of the furrow includes a crest 302. The crest 302 is central in the shown example, but may take on other positions in other embodiments. The crest 302 may have a crest height H′ in the range of 0.1 mm. The crest 302 increases the separation effect on the eyelashes that get into the furrow 3.

FIG. 8 represents the cross-section of another example of a furrow. The furrow 3 of FIG. 8 includes a rounded trapezoidal portion, like the furrow described with reference to FIG. 6, and further includes a restricted section at its bottom, like the furrow described with reference to FIG. 5. The restricted section 301 herein has a trapezoidal shape (in this case isosceles) with a rounded bottom. The height H of this restricted section 301 may be in the range of 0.1 mm. The same applies to the width of the restricted section 1. This section allows cumulating the effects of the furrows of FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 9 represents the cross-section of another example of a furrow. The cross-section of the furrow 3 is triangular, for example shaped as an isosceles, and possibly equilateral, triangle. Making this type of furrows is relatively easy, in particular by machining using tools with very small dimensions yet relatively conventional.

FIG. 10 represents the cross-section of another example of a furrow. The cross-section of the furrow 3 is rectangular, and possibly square. In comparison with a triangular furrow, the volume of the furrow is considerably increased (typically doubled). Making such a furrow is complex, but this furrow allows reaching excellent make-up results.

In all embodiments, it is preferable to avoid the section of the furrows forming undercut angles. Besides, making such a furrow configuration would be very complex, but also and above all this would form areas from which it would be difficult to completely extract the mascara (or another cosmetic product) during application. Furthermore, the eyelashes would get in the furrows with difficulty, and once therein would come out with excessive difficulty.

Furthermore, in all embodiments, the furrows 3 may include smooth edges or having indentations or irregularities, which improve hooking of the applicator on the eyelashes, and therefore extension thereof and combing thereof.

Moreover, the surface condition in the furrows may be suited to best hold the mascara or another cosmetic product. For this purpose, a high roughness promotes the retention of the product.

FIGS. 11 to 14 show, according to partial views, the portions P of applicators in accordance with different embodiments of the present invention.

Each of FIGS. 11 to 14 shows a portion of a cosmetic product applicator formed on the base of an axisymmetric circular stick 2.

In the embodiment of FIG. 11, two furrows 3 are formed at the surface of the stick 2, namely a first furrow 31 having a right-hand pitch and a second furrow 32 having a left-hand pitch. The embodiment shown in FIG. 11 is similar to that shown in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 2, except that each furrow 3 has a substantially semi-circular cross-section. Like in the embodiment of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the formation of the furrows 3 results in the creation of substantially lozenge-like shapes 4 at the surface of the stick 2. These shapes, have sharp ridges 41, curved because of the rounded section of the furrows 3, at the intersections between two furrows.

The pitch of the first furrow and that of the second furrow being opposite to one another but with the same value (or with close values), the applicator of FIG. 11 may be used indifferently with the right hand or with the left hand, and by rotating it, when applying the cosmetic product, indifferently in either direction about the main axis A.

In the embodiment of FIG. 12, like that one of FIG. 11, two furrows 3 are formed at the surface of the stick 2, namely a first furrow 31 having a right-hand pitch and a second furrow 32 having a left-hand pitch. The difference with the embodiment of FIG. 11 lies essentially in the pitch of the furrows 3, which is less than the pith of the furrows of FIG. 11. This results in that the volume formed by the furrows for receiving a cosmetic product is larger. Also, and above all, this results in the creation of ridges 41 in a larger number, which improves the separation of the eyelashes.

In the embodiment of FIG. 13, two furrows 3 are formed at the surface of the stick 2, namely a first furrow 31 having a right-hand pitch and a second furrow 32 having a left-hand pitch. The first furrow and the second furrow have a substantial depth in comparison with the diameter of the stick 2, and a small pitch, so that they are broadly superimposed and barely leave matter at the surface S of the stick 2. The volume generated to retain the cosmetic product is large, and the thin shapes 4 which are thus generated have a good capability to separate the eyelashes. Furthermore, a striation 5 is formed in addition to the furrows. In general, a striation 5 corresponds to an open groove or slot, possibly having a constant or variable cross-section, this cross-section having a surface substantially smaller than that of a furrow. For example, the surface of the section of a striation may be two to five times smaller than that of the section of a furrow. Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, a striation is either longitudinal or helical. In the case of a helical striation, its pitch is advantageously greater than or equal to the pitch of the furrows.

One or more striation(s) may be formed on the applicator, regardless of the configuration of the furrows.

The striations 5 multiply the anfractuosities and reliefs present at the surface of the stick 2. Thus, the combining effect and the separation effect are increased.

The embodiment of FIG. 14 corresponds to an embodiment wherein several furrows and striations have been formed, resulting in an applicator with a complex shape forming a large volume for the retention of a cosmetic product and enabling significant separation, combing and elongation of the eyelashes.

As indicated hereinbefore, various materials may be considered to make the applicator 1. In particular, the applicator may be made of stainless steel, aluminium or of an aluminium alloy, ceramic, plastic in particular polymer, glass, or pressed paper. Depending on the material and the configuration of the applicator, it may be made by machining, three-dimensional printing, injection, compression, and possibly by one of these processes followed by machining (for example to straighten the shape of the applicator).

In particular, the stick (or more generally the applicator) is made of an appropriate material in one-piece.

FIG. 15 shows a cosmetic item, namely a mascara item, including an applicator in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. According to the shown embodiment, the cosmetic item has an oblong shape similar to that of a pen. Thus, the cosmetic item includes a main body 6, at one end of which a lid 7 is attached or butted, which is optional. The main body externally includes a barrel 8 sealed by a cap 9, the barrel 8 and the cap 9 forming a sleeve 10 forming part of the main body 6. The cosmetic item extends according to the longitudinal extension general direction, according to which the applicator 1 is also disposed as described with reference to FIG. 16. The optional lid 7 is not shown in the embodiment of FIG. 16.

As shown in the section shown in FIG. 16, the cosmetic item includes a reservoir 11, forming a volume able to contain a cosmetic product and which has a cylindrical general shape. One end of the reservoir 11 is sealed by an endpiece 12, which forms sealing with the inner walls of the reservoir 11. The reservoir 11 is crossed longitudinally by a guide tube 13. The cosmetic item also includes an applicator 1.

The applicator 1 is mounted movable in longitudinal translation relative to the guide tube 13. In the present embodiment, the applicator 11 is mounted fixed relative to the main body. In turn, the reservoir 11 is mounted movable in translation (or movable according to a combined translational and rotational movement) relative to the main body 6.

Hence, the reservoir 11 could take on a projected position with respect to the main body 10 in which a portion of the reservoir 11 is not contained in the main body, and a retracted position in the main body in which a larger portion of the reservoir is contained in the main body than in its projected position.

In the embodiment shown as example, the cosmetic item is configured so that the applicator 1 takes on a retracted position when the reservoir is in the projected position (which corresponds to the position shown in FIG. 16). In this retracted position, the applicator is retracted in the cosmetic item in that it is entirely or almost entirely included within the volume of the reservoir 11 and the main body 6.

When the reservoir 11 is brought in its retracted position in the main body 6, the applicator takes on its deployed position, in which it partially projects from the guide tube 13 and the reservoir 6, in a position enabling the application of the cosmetic product present on the longitudinal portion P of the applicator 1.

Loading the portion P of the applicator 1, which includes the furrows, with the cosmetic product is carried out through one or more aperture(s) 14 formed in the wall of the guide tube 13.

Depending on the position and the shape of the aperture(s) 14, this loading may be carried out when the applicator is in the retracted position and/or upon a passage of the portion P of the applicator 1 opposite the aperture 14 when the reservoir is brought in the retracted position, which places the applicator in the deployed position.

A device for pressurising the cosmetic product may be used, for example including a plunger 15 pushed by an elastic device such as a compression spring.

When an applicator 1 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is used in a cosmetic item such as that one shown in FIG. 15 and that one shown in FIG. 16, the applicator includes a longitudinal portion with a smooth end E, which avoids a cosmetic product leakage at the end of the guide tube 13. An insert positioned at the tip of the applicator may also improve this sealing.

Of course, the applicator developed in the context of the present invention may be used in many other types of cosmetic items. In particular, it may be used in a conventional mascara item, including a reservoir in which is soaked the applicator which is connected to a lid forming a gripping element of the applicator and which enables extraction thereof from the reservoir.

In some embodiments, the applicator provided in the invention may also be particularly interesting in the context of a “single” use, in particular as a tester in a retail store or accompanying a cosmetic product sample. This concerns in particular the applicators obtained by paper pulp compression.

Thus, the present invention allows obtaining an optimised cosmetic product applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, which is in the form of a stick including over one portion of its surface patterns enabling the retention and the application of the product. The formation of the patterns implementing the intersection of at least two helical furrows with opposite pitches, the eyelash elongation, separation and combing effects of the applicator can be improved in comparison with the similar applicators known in the prior art. In particular, this is enabled by the creation of relief shapes, between the furrows, which improve these effects. The configuration of the furrows, in particular the angle that each furrow forms with respect to the planes transverse to the applicator (which is reflected by the pitch of the helix of the furrows) and the cross-section of each furrow can be selected according to the pursued effects, the product volume that should be loaded on the applicator, etc. Furthermore, at least in some embodiments of the invention, the applicator can be used with the right hand and with the left hand with a satisfactory application quality in both cases. The applicators considered according to the present invention can be made in various materials and according to various manufacturing processes. They are suitable for various applications, and are in particular well-suited to be used in a mascara pen type cosmetic item.

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A cosmetic product applicator comprising:

a straight stick extending according to a main axis with a longitudinal direction;

the stick including an external surface over which furrows are formed;

the stick beings cylindrical and straight; and

over at least one longitudinal portion of the stick the external surface of the stick includes at least two helical furrows;

a first of said two furrows having a right-hand pitch, and a second of said furrows having a left-hand pitch;

the furrows meeting several times over said longitudinal portion of the stick, each furrow forming an angle comprised between 88° and 50° with respect to the main axis.

20. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, further comprising:

exactly two, three, four, five, or six furrows.

21. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

each furrow forms an angle comprised between 85° and 67° with respect to the main axis.

22. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

each furrow forms an angle comprised between 85° and 82° with respect to the main axis.

23. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

the stick is axisymmetrically cylindrical and has a diameter comprised between 2 mm and 8 mm.

24. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

the stick is axisymmetrically cylindrical and has a diameter comprised in the range of 3 mm.

25. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

at least one furrow has a variable pitch.

26. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

wherein the helical furrows extend in a rectilinear manner over a helix.

27. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

at least one helical furrow extends according to a sinusoidal trajectory, undulating around a helix.

28. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

each furrow has a width, at the surface of the stick, comprised between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

29. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

each furrow has a width, at the surface of the stick, comprised between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm.

30. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

each furrow has a depth comprised between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

31. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

each furrow has a depth comprised between 0.3 mm and 0.8 mm.

32. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

the furrows have a triangular, square, rectangular, flared, or rounded cross-section.

33. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

the furrows have a semi-circular cross-section.

34. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

the furrows have a cross-section that includes a bottom having a restricted section forming a cavity with a restricted section which extends along the furrow.

35. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

the furrows have a cross-section that includes a bottom having an edge which extends along the furrow.

36. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, further comprising:

at least one striation formed at the surface of the stick, the at least one striation being longitudinal or helical with a pitch greater than or equal to that of the furrows.

37. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 36, further comprising:

exactly one, two, three, or four striations.

38. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 36, wherein:

each striation has a cross-section whose surface area is comprised between one fifth and half the surface area of the cross-section of each furrow.

39. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

the applicator includes a longitudinal portion with a smooth end.

40. A cosmetic item comprising:

a reservoir containing a liquid or semi-liquid cosmetic product;

a guide tube extending according to the longitudinal direction in said reservoir; and

an applicator according to claim 19 mounted movable in longitudinal translation in said guide tube between a retracted position in which the applicator is entirely or partially contained in the guide tube and a deployed position in which a portion of the applicator that is contained in the guide tube in the retracted position projects from one end of the guide tube, the stick having an end longitudinal portion having a constant and identical cross-section, within a functional clearance margin, to the cross-section of the guide tube, the guide tube including at least one aperture enabling the passage of the cosmetic product from the reservoir towards the applicator.

41. The cosmetic product applicator according to claim 19, wherein:

said applicator being made of metal, plastic, ceramic, Bakelite, glass, or paper.