Cosmetic Applicator, A Makeup Kit Including Such an Applicator, and Use of Such a Kit
A cosmetic applicator comprising: a sheath that extends along a longitudinal axis to a free end; a handle that is connected to the sheath; a central stem that extends along the longitudinal axis to a free end, the central stem and the sheath being slidably mounted relative to each other; and an applicator head that is situated at the free end of the central stem, the sheath forming, at its free end, a wiper member that is adapted to wipe the applicator head. The sheath further presents, at its free end, at least one recess that passes radially therethrough and that opens out axially. The length of the stem is adapted so that the applicator head is capable of facing a recess portion on being wiped by the wiper member.
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More particularly, the invention relates to a cosmetic applicator comprising:
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- a sheath that extends along a longitudinal axis to a free end;
- a handle that is connected to the sheath;
- a central stem that extends along the longitudinal axis to a free end, the central stem and the sheath being slidably mounted relative to each other; and
- an applicator head that is situated at the free end of the central stem, the sheath forming, at its free end, a wiper member that is adapted to wipe the applicator head.
Such cosmetic applicators provided with a slidable stem are known, e.g. from U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,763 that describes a telescopic mascara applicator.
Such applicators, in which the stem is extended out from the sheath in its working position, but is retracted while in its rest position, make it possible to protect the stem while it is not being used. However, the use of such applicators, having a stem that passes from a retracted rest position to a working position in which the applicator head lies outside the sheath, does not propose selectively wiping the applicator head. In addition, the state of the applicator head degrades very quickly as a result of being in the retracted position inside the sheath for a long time.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA particular object of the present invention is to mitigate that drawback.
To this end, according to the invention, the sheath further presents, at its free end, at least one recess that passes radially therethrough and that opens out axially, and the length of the stem is adapted so that at least a portion of the applicator head is capable of facing at least a portion of said at least one recess on being wiped by the wiper member.
By means of these provisions, the stem is wiped on being retracted, except in the recess, thereby allowing a quantified and localized excess of cosmetic to remain on the applicator head.
In various embodiments of the invention, one or more of the following provisions may also be used, which provisions may be considered independently or in combination:
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- the sheath is mounted in non-movable manner relative to the handle, and the central stem is mounted in slidable manner relative to the sheath;
- the central stem is mounted in non-movable manner relative to the handle, and the sheath is mounted in slidable manner relative to the central stem;
- at its free end, the sheath presents two recesses that pass radially therethrough and that open out axially, the two recesses being disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis;
- the recess presents a shape making it possible to distribute the cosmetic specifically over one or more localized zones of the applicator head;
- the wall of the sheath presents a variation in thickness in the vicinity of the recess;
- the applicator head is slidably mounted in the sheath between a working position in which the applicator head is situated outside the sheath, and a retracted position in which the applicator head is retracted inside the sheath;
- the handle is provided with an actuator that enables the applicator head to change position between a first position in which the applicator head is in its working position, and a second position in which the applicator head is in its retracted position;
- in this configuration, the actuator further includes a resilient member that is situated in the handle and that is connected to one of the elements from among the central stem and the sheath;
- the resilient member is in its rest position when the applicator head is in its working position, and is in its stressed position when the applicator head is in its retracted position;
- the applicator head further includes a magnet and/or magnetic or magnetizable particles;
- the applicator head presents projecting and/or hollow portions in relief.
In addition, the invention also provides a makeup kit comprising a reservoir containing a cosmetic for application, and a cosmetic applicator as described above. The handle of the cosmetic applicator may also form a stopper for the reservoir, and the reservoir may further include a wiper member that is adapted to wipe the sheath.
The applicator head may further include a magnet and/or magnetic or magnetizable particles when the cosmetic is a powder including magnetic or magnetizable particles.
The invention also provides the use of such a makeup kit for applying a cosmetic to a surface, e.g. to the lips, to the nails, and/or to keratinous fibers (eyelashes, eyebrows, hair, . . . ), or to any other part of the human body that requires it.
The use of an applicator of the invention comprises the following steps. The applicator head is dipped beforehand into the reservoir of cosmetic so as to load the applicator head with cosmetic, that is unless the applicator head is already stored in part in the reservoir, in direct contact with the cosmetic. In a second step, the user retracts the applicator head into the sheath so as to wipe off any surplus cosmetic except in the recess, prior to extending the head out from the sheath so as to be ready to make up a surface with the cosmetic that is selectively distributed over the applicator head.
The invention can be well understood and its advantages appear better on reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention shown by way of non-limiting example. The description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:
In the different figures, the same references designate elements that are identical or similar.
The applicator head 12 is slidably mounted in the sheath 16 between a working position, as shown in
More precisely, the free end 14a of the central stem 14 is situated in the vicinity of the free end 16a of the sheath 16 in the working position (
At its free end 16a, the sheath 16 forms a wiper member 17 that is adapted to wipe the applicator head 12 while said applicator head is passing from its working position to its retracted position. Specifically, in its working position (
The stem 14 of the cosmetic applicator 10 shown in
By means of such arrangements, it is thus possible to make wiping completely reproducible. It is also possible to be unaffected by the shapes of the section of the applicator head 12 and of the section of the wiper member 17 of the sheath 16, so as to limit the phenomenon of wear, in particular when the sections of the applicator head 12 and of the wiper member 17 of the sheath 16 are different, or when the sections are identical but not circular. It is possible to be unaffected by the way in which the applicator head 12 enters into the wiper member 17 of the sheath 16 only when both sections are identical and circular.
By way of example (not shown), for an applicator head 12 and a wiper member 17 of sections that are triangular, it is not possible for the applicator head 12 to be wiped in reproducible manner and/or for wear to be avoided with a conventional applicator, since the user cannot choose easily, if at all, between the only three orientations that are possible for a triangle to penetrate into another triangle if it is desired to avoid subjecting the vertices of the triangle to more thorough wiping.
By means of this embodiment of the applicator of the invention in which the orientation of the applicator head 12 may be determined selectively relative to the wiper member 17 of the sheath 16, it is thus possible to wipe the applicator head 12 in reproducible manner while limiting wear, or even to wipe selectively the vertices of the applicator head 12 of triangular section so that said vertices constitute “combing” zones since they are less heavily loaded with cosmetic, with the other portions constituting “loading” zones since they are more heavily loaded with cosmetic.
This embodiment thus makes it possible to wipe the applicator head 12 in differential manner, enabling certain zones of said applicator head 12 to be wiped selectively and in different ways. In addition, with this embodiment, it is possible to position the loading zone(s) created on the applicator head 12 by the recess(es) 20, 21, as described below, relative to grip means that are positioned on the handle 18. Comfortable use is thus made easier, since there is no need to orientate the applicator 10 in order to put the applicator head 12 in a desired position that depends on the way the grip means are held. It is also possible to orientate the applicator head 12 selectively, depending on the shape of its section, optionally in combination with the position of the cosmetic loading zone(s) on the applicator head 12.
Whatever the embodiment (movable applicator head 12 or movable sheath 16), the sheath 16 further presents, at its free end 16a, and as shown in
Each recess 20 creates a rupture zone of the wiper member 17. The sheath 16 and the central stem 14 extend along the longitudinal axis X-X in cylindrical manner, the wiper member 17 being formed at the periphery of the free end 16a of the sheath 16, as shown better in
More precisely, the dimensional characteristics of the space 22 available between the applicator head 12 and the sheath 16 have a direct impact on the wiping of the applicator head 12. It should be understood that the narrower the space 22 the greater the wiping.
The recess 20 preferably extends longitudinally along the axis X-X, and may also have various shapes depending on the desired application. In
Thus, the recess 20 may be of various shapes so as to define a portion 12c that is not wiped by the sheath 16 (i.e. a portion that is more heavily loaded with cosmetic), which portion optionally presents a width l that is substantially constant along the axis X-X.
For example,
The recess 20 may also be of stepped shape, possibly combined with the flared shape as shown in
In addition, as shown in
Specifically, as shown in
Specifically, as shown in
It should be observed that the position(s) of the recess(es) 20, 21 in the sheath 16 and their shape characteristics may be combined so as to adapt the capacities of the applicator to the desired makeup effect.
In order to pass the applicator head 12 from one position to the other, the cosmetic applicator is preferably provided with an actuator that is connected to the central stem 14. Specifically, as shown in
The actuator 26 is movable between a first position, as shown in
The slot 24 may be bayonet shaped, as shown in
When the applicator head 12 is movable relative to the handle 18, the actuator 26 is connected directly to the central stem 14, as shown in
However, when the sheath 16 is movable, the actuator 26 is connected directly to the sheath 16, as shown in
A resilient member 28 may be provided for this purpose and also so as to return the actuator 26 towards the working position.
Specifically, as shown better in
In order to ensure that the stem 14 slides in stable manner within the sheath, the trailing end 14b of the stem 14 may be provided with a sleeve 35 that is adapted firstly to slide inside the chamber 30, and secondly to receive some of the turns of the spring 28—specifically, a few of them.
The leading end 18a of the chamber 30 also forms an abutment for the sleeve 35. The sheath 16 thus extends between its free end 16a and the leading end 18a of the chamber. Thus, the stem 14 may slide substantially coaxially within the sheath 16.
When the sheath 16 is movable relative to the handle 18, as shown better in
In order to ensure that the sheath 16 slides in stable manner around the stem 14, the handle may be provided with a central pin 32 that enables the stem 14 to be fastened to the handle 18.
Furthermore, the trailing end 16b of the sheath 16 may be provided with a sleeve 35 that is adapted firstly to slide inside the chamber 30, and secondly to receive some of the turns of the spring 28—specifically, a few of them. The leading end 18a of the chamber 30 also forms an abutment for the sleeve 35.
The presence of the spring 28 makes it possible to simplify the slot 24, and as a result, it no longer requires a bayonet shape as shown in
In addition, the applicator head 12 may be of any kind. In particular, it may be a brush made up of a rigid metal core and of bristles, a brush made of molded and/or injection-molded plastics material optionally provided with bristles (not shown in the figures), or a flocked endpiece. It may also be made of metal. If made of metal, the applicator head 12 is preferably helically shaped, such as a screw thread as shown in the figures and seen better in detail in
In another variant, the applicator head 12 may present portions in relief (projections and/or hollows); specifically, as shown in
The makeup kit may also be in the form of a cylindrical reservoir that extends along the longitudinal axis X-X, in which configuration the handle 18 of the applicator 10 may form a stopper for the reservoir 42, and is arranged so that the applicator head 12 dips into the cosmetic 38 for application, when the handle 18 closes the reservoir 42, as shown in
Such a makeup kit is particularly for applying makeup to the lips, the nails, or keratinous fibers, in particular the eyelashes, and enables the cosmetic, in particular mascara, to be measured out appropriately and applied accurately.
The cosmetic applicator may preferably be used in the following way.
Starting from a makeup kit as shown in
The user then retracts the applicator head into the sheath 16 by means of the actuator 26 so as to wipe off any surplus cosmetic 38 by means of the wiper member 17. In order to do this, the user slides the actuator 26 towards its second position (as shown in
The user may then coat cosmetic onto the surface that it is desired to cover, e.g. the lips, the nails, or any type of keratinous fibers, e.g. such as the eyelashes 46, as shown in
In order to coat the eyelashes 46, the user preferably begins by using the portion 12c that is the more heavily loaded with cosmetic 38, and continues by spreading the cosmetic over the eyelashes 46 by means of the previously wiped portion 12d of the applicator head 12. During these operations, the actuator 26 makes it easy for the user to locate the position of the portion 12c of the applicator head 12 that is loaded with cosmetic, since they are preferably in alignment with each other along the longitudinal axis X-X.
When the cosmetic applicator 10 includes an applicator head 12 that also includes a magnet 13, the applicator head 12 is also loaded with cosmetic 38 by magnetic attraction. Preferably, the cosmetic 38 includes iron oxides (Fe3O4), or an analogous ingredient, that impart the desired magnetic properties thereto. Advantageously, the cosmetic includes nacres containing said iron oxides or the like.
In this particular embodiment, a makeup kit may advantageously be used to make up a surface with a cosmetic 38 in the form of a magnetic or magnetizable powder, said powder being held on the applicator head by attraction. Such a makeup kit is particularly appropriate for applying a magnetic makeup to the eyelashes in powder form, after the surface of the eyelashes has been coated with a first cosmetic 38, such as a mascara.
In addition and in general, a makeup kit of the invention is particularly adapted to depositing a second cosmetic 38 to a surface that has already received, in full or in part, a first cosmetic 38.
For example, a first mascara is applied to the eyelashes by means of a known applicator of the prior art (or by means of a second applicator of the invention), then decorative effects are made by means of a makeup kit of the invention, which kit is particularly adapted to perform an application that is very localized, e.g. such as finishing touches.
For the makeup kit shown in
Claims
1. A cosmetic applicator comprising:
- a sheath that extends along a longitudinal axis to a free end;
- a handle that is connected to the sheath;
- a central stem that extends along the longitudinal axis to a free end, the central stem and the sheath being slidably mounted relative to each other; and
- an applicator head that is situated at the free end of the central stem, the sheath forming, at its free end, a wiper member that is adapted to wipe the applicator head;
- wherein the sheath further presents, at its free end, at least one recess that passes radially therethrough and that opens out axially; and
- wherein the length of the stem is adapted so that at least a portion of the applicator head is capable of facing at least a portion of said at least one recess on being wiped by the wiper member.
2. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the sheath is mounted in non-movable manner relative to the handle, and the central stem is mounted in slidable manner relative to the sheath.
3. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the central stem is mounted in non-movable manner relative to the handle, and the sheath is mounted in slidable manner relative to the central stem.
4. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein, at its free end, the sheath presents two recesses that pass radially therethrough and that open out axially, said recesses being disposed symmetrically about the longitudinal axis.
5. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the wall of the sheath presents a variation in thickness in the vicinity of the recess.
6. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator head is slidably mounted in the sheath between a working position in which the applicator head is situated outside the sheath, and a retracted position in which the applicator head is retracted inside the sheath.
7. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein said handle is provided with an actuator that enables the applicator head to change position between a first position in which the applicator head is in its working position, and a second position in which the applicator head is in its retracted position.
8. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 7, wherein the actuator further includes a resilient member that is situated in the handle and that is connected to one of the elements from among the central stem and the sheath.
9. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 8, wherein the resilient member is in its rest position when the applicator head is in its working position, and is in its stressed position when the applicator head is in its retracted position.
10. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator head further includes a magnet and/or magnetic or magnetizable particles.
11. A cosmetic applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator head present portions in relief.
12. A makeup kit comprising a reservoir containing a cosmetic for application, and a cosmetic applicator according to claim 1.
13. A makeup kit according to claim 12, wherein the handle of the cosmetic applicator forms a stopper for the reservoir, and wherein the reservoir may further include a wiper member that is adapted to wipe the sheath.
14. A makeup kit according to claim 12, wherein the applicator head further includes a magnet and/or magnetic or magnetizable particles, and wherein the cosmetic is a powder including magnetic or magnetizable particles.
15. Use of a makeup kit according to claim 12 for applying a cosmetic to a surface.
Type: Application
Filed: May 17, 2011
Publication Date: Jun 28, 2012
Applicant: LVMH RECHERCHE (Saint Jean de Braye)
Inventors: Jean-Francois Tranchant (Marigny-les-Usages), Marc Chevalier (Franconville)
Application Number: 13/109,628
International Classification: A45D 40/24 (20060101); A46B 11/00 (20060101);