APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING A COSMETIC PRODUCT

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the skin, notably the eyelids, comprising an applicator member, the latter having, on its external surface, an indentation and a substantially flat main facet situated between the indentation and the distal end of the applicator member, the width of the main facet increasing with increasing distance from the indentation, at least along a major part of the length of the main facet.

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the skin, in particular to the eyelids, and to a corresponding makeup method.

In order to draw a line on the eyelids, it is known practice to use makeup pencils.

Devices for making up the eyelids that comprise a reservoir containing the product to be applied and a flexible applicator member for applying the product, wherein the applicator member is separate from the reservoir, are also known, in particular from Patent Applications FR-A-2 633 256 and FR-A-2 412 287. In these devices, the applicator member is formed by a plastic tip which can be flocked or made of felt so as to retain product, or else by a tip comprising capillary grooves. The applicator member can also be in the form of a fine brush.

A device comprising a reservoir and an applicator member having a tip, wherein the latter is supplied with the product from the container by pressure exerted on the walls of the latter, is also known, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,989.

With such devices, the user applies the tip loaded with product to one side of the eyelid, moving it as far as the other end, so as to draw a line in the same way as with a pencil.

However, it is relatively difficult to draw a regular line, notably with a constant thickness, along the entire length of the line. This is because the user tends to press on the tip with a variable force while drawing the line, and so the tip is squashed to a greater or lesser extent against the eyelid. Consequently, the width of the surface of the tip in contact with the eyelid, and thus that of the line drawn, varies. In the case of a fine brush, it is also quite difficult to obtain a fine line which is regular.

Moreover, it is very difficult to draw an identical line on both eyelids, since the user never presses in quite the same way. Specifically, the user is obliged either to change hands for each eyelid, with the result that the less skilful of the hands is used, or to use the same hand for both eyelids and to carry out two different movements.

Other types of applicator have been described for applying eyeliner compositions to the eyelids with specific hand movements.

Application WO 99/55187 discloses a device for application to the skin, which is in the form of a pad having the shape of the desired design. The pad is supplied with cosmetic product by application of pressure to a reservoir.

Patent Application EP 1 669 003 describes a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising a container containing the product to be applied and a surface that delimits an opening, supplied with product from the container, and making it possible to form a design on the skin, notably on the eyelids, without being moved over the skin.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,255 discloses an applicator for the eyelids, comprising two arms that are spaced apart at their distal end and are connected together by a stabilizing element that forms an application surface, the latter coming into contact with the skin, deforming to form the desired design in a single application.

Patent Application EP 1 466 540 relates to a device for applying and packaging a product which is in two parts that are connected together by a flexible applicator that comes into contact with the skin, one of the parts forming a reservoir that contains the cosmetic product, and the other of the parts forming a cap for closing off an opening in the reservoir.

WO 2012/001347 discloses an eyeliner applicator comprising an applicator member that is connected to the handle via a flexible portion.

DE 10 2008 063 063 relates to a pencil for applying a liquid product.

JP 2015-047360 discloses an applicator having an applicator member that is connected to the handle through a link portion configured for allowing rotation of the applicator along an axis parallel to the application surface of the applicator member.

U.S. 2012/0037180 describes an applicator of eyeliner having a multi-layer structure.

Finally, Patent Application U.S. 2007/0017544 describes an applicator for the lips, the skin or the nails, comprising a flat applicator face and an indentation adjacent to this applicator face.

These devices do not make it possible to obtain a great variety of different makeup results, do not adapt fully to the morphology of users' eyes and/or do not make it possible to produce particular effects, notably at the outer corner of the eye, in particular an upward flick that ends in a point.

There is a need to further improve makeup devices, in particular for the eyelids, and notably to benefit from a device that adapts to the morphology of users' eyes while making it possible to obtain, if desired, a symmetrical makeup result on both eyes, and making it possible to easily finish off the line produced. There is also interest in a device that is capable of producing a rising outer flick effect at the outer corner of the eyes.

The invention aims to meet all or some of these needs by proposing an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the skin, notably the eyelids, comprising an applicator member, the latter having, on its external surface, an indentation and a substantially flat main facet situated between the indentation and the distal end of the applicator member, the width of the main facet increasing with increasing distance from the indentation, at least along a major part of the length of the main facet.

Preferably, towards its distal end, the applicator member narrows in its thickness. For example, the applicator member has a thickness of between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, notably 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm, at its distal end.

The shape of the applicator member allows effective and precise application of the cosmetic product. The shape of the applicator member also makes it possible, if desired, to draw lines with different thicknesses in order to vary the effect obtained, for example by using the main facet or the side of the applicator member.

The main facet combined with the indentation makes it possible to have an application surface of which the width of the extent in contact with the skin is relatively independent of the pressure applied by the user.

The detachment formed by the indentation makes it possible to clearly define the application zone by creating a clean boundary between the application surface formed by the main facet and the rest of the applicator.

The indentation is different from an opening in the applicator member for dispensing a product to be applied.

Preferably, the applicator member does not present any discontinuity in the indentation. For example, junction of two separately formed parts of the applicator is not situated within the length of the indentation. Preferably, the applicator member is molded in one piece, i.e. the indentation being molded integrally with the main facet.

Preferably, the main facet extends as far as the distal end. This allows precise application.

The width of the main facet may increase monotonically along its entire length. In one variant, the width of the main facet increases with increasing distance from the indentation and then decreases towards the distal end. In this case, the width of the main facet can pass through a maximum.

Preferably, the applicator member has, starting from an abscissa on its longitudinal axis corresponding to the proximal end of the main facet, a width which increases or remains substantially constant along at least a part of the length of the applicator member.

Preferably, the width of the main facet is less than or equal, along its entire length, to the width of the applicator member. It is for example substantially equal to the width of the applicator member towards the distal end of the applicator member.

The main facet may extend from the indentation. For example, the indentation is bordered on one side by the main facet and is formed, starting from this side, by a set-back surface of the applicator.

In this case, the indentation can be connected to the main facet, notably by a ridge or a point. This makes it possible to clearly delimit the application surface, this contributing to the precision of application.

In one variant, the main facet extends from a non-zero distance from the indentation. This distance, measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, is for example less than half the length of the indentation, and preferably less than one third of the length of the indentation, for example less than one sixth of the length of the indentation.

Preferably, the indentation does not extend as far as the proximal end of the applicator member.

The main facet may have a droplet-shaped or polygonal, notably pentagonal or triangular, overall shape in front view.

For example, the main facet has two rectilinear edges in front view that diverge at the distal end of the applicator member and form an angle β of preferably between 2° and 45°, better still between 10° and 40°, even better still between 10° and 30°, between one another

The two edges may have a rounded shape at the proximal end of the main facet.

In one variant, the main facet has two edges having a substantially parabolic shape along at least a part of its length extending from its proximal end, in front view.

The applicator member may have, on its face away from the main facet, a surface that forms the back of the applicator tip. This back surface may have one or more cone or cylinder portions.

This back surface may have a recess, for example defined by an indentation.

The back surface may have a flat secondary facet.

Preferably, this secondary facet extends along a length, measured parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, which is less than or equal to that of the main facet.

Preferably, the secondary facet extends as far as the distal end of the applicator member.

The width of the secondary facet may increase towards the distal end of the applicator member.

The secondary facet may be symmetrical to the main facet with respect to a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

Preferably, the applicator member comprises, as seen along the longitudinal axis, facing the distal end of the applicator member, an end facet that connects the main facet to the back surface, at least partially.

The end facet is for example in the form of a strip. It may have a width, between the back surface and the main facet, which is constant or decreases with increasing distance from the distal end of the applicator member.

The end facet may be flat or curved.

With the applicator member extending along a longitudinal axis, the main facet may extend along an axis inclined at an angle a, preferably between 0° and 60°, better still between 0° and 45°, even better still 2° and 25°, relative to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member. This inclination may make it easier to apply the product to the skin, allowing the hand to be at a distance from the surface of the skin to be made up, in particular from the face.

The main facet may or may not be passed through by the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

Preferably, in side view, the longitudinal axis of the main facet and the indentation form an angle η of between 60° and 180°, better still between 90° and 180°, between one another.

The indentation may extend through an angular sector of between 90° and 180° around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip.

In one variant, the indentation extends all around the longitudinal axis of the applicator tip and has a constant or non-constant cross section about said axis.

The indentation may have a rounded shape in side view. The thickness of the applicator member at the indentation is preferably between 0.5 mm and 10 mm, better still between 1 mm and 5 mm.

The applicator member may comprise, on its proximal side, a mounting end piece, it being possible for the latter to extend along the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

The mounting end piece may be in the form of a cylinder of revolution and be received in a handle or reservoir.

The applicator member may be made of a porous material, notably felt.

The applicator member may be made of a mixture of polyamide and polyurethane resin, or of polyolefin, notably of polyethylene.

The applicator member may be shaped by machining, in particular by grinding or laser machining.

The applicator member may be made of elastomer, in particular of SEBS or of polyester, for example Hytrel®.

The applicator member, in particular the main facet, may be at least partially flocked.

The applicator may comprise a handle that is provided at its end with the applicator member.

The handle may be hollow and form a reservoir containing the product to be applied. As indicated above, the applicator member may comprise, on its proximal side, a mounting end piece, the latter preferably being inserted at least partially, and better still entirely, into an opening in the handle and extending at least partially into the reservoir.

The applicator member may be overmoulded on, or moulded together with, the handle.

The end of the handle may be attached to the side of the applicator member away from that of the main facet.

The applicator may comprise a closure cap that is attached removably to the handle and covers the applicator member.

The handle may be rectilinear. In a variant, the handle is curved, its longitudinal axis notably being bent in a plane.

The length of the main facet, measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, is preferably between 3 mm and 20 mm, better still between 5 mm and 15 mm.

The maximum width l_max of the main facet is preferably less than or equal to 10 mm, better still between 2 mm and 5 mm.

Another subject of the invention is an assembly comprising an applicator according to the invention, as defined above, and a container containing the product to be applied, preferably an eyeliner. The container may be separate from the applicator.

The invention also relates to a makeup method comprising the step of applying a cosmetic product, preferably an eyeliner, to the skin with the applicator according to the invention. This method may comprise the step of applying the cosmetic product to the eyelids.

The product may be applied by dabbing the skin, notably the eyelids, with the applicator. In a variant, a line can be drawn on the skin, notably the eyelids, with the applicator.

A line can be drawn with the applicator, preferably with the longitudinal axis of the main facet positioned substantially parallel to the edge of the eyelid, the distal end being oriented towards the outside of the face, or the applicator being inclined slightly upwards at the end of the line so as to extend the line with a flick towards the outside of the face.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting implementation examples thereof, and with reference to the appended drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an applicator member according to the invention,

FIG. 2 is a front view along the arrow II of the applicator member from FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a side view along the arrow III of the applicator member from FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a variant applicator member according to the invention,

FIG. 5 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 of another variant applicator member according to the invention,

FIG. 6 is an axial view of the applicator member from FIG. 5 along the arrow VI,

FIG. 7 is a view of the applicator member from FIG. 5 along the arrow VII, and

FIGS. 8 and 9 are views similar to FIGS. 5 and 7 of a variant applicator member according to the invention.

It can be understood that a side view as illustrated in FIGS. 3, 5 and 8 refers to a view observed in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member and parallel to the main facet thereof.

A front view as illustrated in in FIGS. 2, 7 and 9 refers to a view observed in a direction perpendicular to the direction according to which a side view of the applicator member is observed and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member and allows observing the main facet thereof.

FIG. 1 shows an applicator 2 according to the invention, comprising a handle 5 and an applicator member 10 extending along a longitudinal axis X.

Preferably, the handle 5 is rectilinear, but it may also be curved. The handle 5 may extend in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member.

The handle 5 may be hollow and contain the cosmetic product to be applied. The handle 5 thus acts as a reservoir.

The applicator member 10 may be porous so as to allow the cosmetic product to reach the surface used for application, in particular by capillary action.

In a variant, the applicator is moulded in one piece with the handle and used to pick up the cosmetic product to be applied from a reservoir separate from the applicator.

The applicator member 10 is made for example of a porous material, notably a felt.

The applicator member 10 may be made of a mixture of polyamide and polyurethane resin, or of polyolefin, notably of polyethylene.

The applicator may comprise a closure cap, not shown, that is attached to the handle 5 and thus covers the applicator member 10.

As illustrated more particularly in FIGS. 1 to 4, the applicator member 10 has, on its external surface, an indentation 12 and a main facet 20 extending from the indentation 12 as far as the distal end 25 of the applicator member 10.

The width l of the main facet 20 increases with increasing distance from the indentation and reaches a maximum l_max before decreasing towards the distal end 25 of the applicator tip 15, as can be seen in FIG. 2. Starting from a given abscissa on the longitudinal axis X, the width l of the main facet 20 is equal to the width L of the applicator member 10.

The greatest width l_max of the main facet 20 is preferably less than or equal to 10 mm, better still between 2 mm and 5 mm.

The length D of the main facet, measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member 10, is for example between 3 and 20 mm, better still between 5 mm and 15 mm.

Preferably, the main facet 20 is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis X. The main facet 20 extends along an axis Z that forms an angle α of preferably between 0 and 60°, better still between 0 and 45°, even better still between 2° and 45°, with the axis X.

The main facet 20 may be passed through by the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member, as illustrated in FIG. 3, or not, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 8.

Preferably, the main facet 20 is symmetrical with respect to its axis Z. The main facet 20 may be droplet-shaped, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In the variants illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9, the main facet 20 has a substantially triangular shape, having two rectilinear main edges 35a and 35b that diverge towards the distal end 25 of the applicator member 10.

The indentation 12 and the main facet 20 form a ridge 13 between one another, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. Preferably, the ridge 13 is rectilinear, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

Preferably, the facet 20 and the indentation 12 form an angle η of between 30° and 145°, better still between 80° and 130°, between one another at their junction, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

At a distance from its proximal and distal ends, the indentation 12 may comprise a ridge 16 that extends in a direction parallel to the ridge 13.

The indentation 30 may have, in side view, a shape that is at least partially rounded at the rear, as illustrated in FIG. 3. In the rear rounded part 17, the indentation 12 has for example a radius of curvature r of between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, better still between 1 mm and 2 mm.

As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the applicator member 10 comprises an end facet 42 connecting a part of the main facet 20 that is situated on the side of the distal end 25 of the applicator member 10 to a surface 43 that forms the back of the applicator member 10. The back surface 43 may comprise an indentation 24, the bottom 18 of which is offset with respect to that 19 of the indentation 12 along the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member.

In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9, the main facet 20 extends from a non-zero distance m from the indentation 12. This distance m, measured in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member, is for example between 0.5 and 1.5mm.

The main facet 20 has a substantially triangular shape, having two rectilinear main edges 35a and 35b that start from the proximal end 34 of the main facet 20 and diverge towards the distal end 25 of the applicator member 10.

The main facet 20 also comprises an end edge 35c at the distal end 25 of the applicator member 10, which is rectilinear and has a length equal to l_max.

The edges 35a and 35b form an angle β of between 2 and 45°, better still between 5 and 45°, even better still between 15° and 30°, between one another. Preferably, the edges 35a and 35b are symmetrical with respect to the axis Z.

Preferably, the main facet 20 has a rounded tip at its proximal end 34.

In one variant, the edges 35a and 35b form a parabola near the proximal end 34 of the main facet 20, as can be seen in FIG. 9.

The width L of the applicator member may be constant along the entire length D of the main facet 20, as illustrated in FIG. 7, or increase, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In these examples, the width l of the main facet 20 is strictly less than the width L of the applicator member 10 along the entire length D of the main facet 20. The spacing therebetween may, however, be very small at the end 25 of the applicator member 10, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

Towards its distal end, the applicator member 10 narrows in its thickness e. The thickness e of the applicator member 10 at the distal end 25 is for example between 0.1 mm and 1.5 mm, preferably between 0.8 and 1 mm.

The back face 43 of the applicator member 10 may comprise a secondary facet 41 that extends along a length S, preferably less than D, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 7.

The secondary facet 41 may be symmetrical to the main facet 20 with respect to the plane containing the axis X and parallel to the edge of the end 35c of the main facet 20, as can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The secondary facet 41 forms, in side view as illustrated in FIG. 5, an angle γ with the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member 10. γ is equal to α in the example illustrated. In a variant, the angles α and γ may be different.

The angle (γ+α) is preferably between 5° and 25°.

The main facet 20 is connected to the secondary facet 41 by the end facet 42 via the end edge 35c of the main facet and an end edge 41c of the secondary facet 41, as can be seen in FIG. 6. The end facet 42 has a flat shape. The width h of the end facet 42 is substantially constant between the end edges 35c and 41c.

In this example, the indentation 12 extends all around the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member 10 and thus forms an annular groove which extends, inter alia, over the back surface 43 thereof.

In the variant illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the back surface 43 of the applicator member has, in side view, a change in concavity. The back surface has a recess 24.

The applicator member may comprise a mounting end piece 23, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 to 9.

The mounting end piece 23 preferably has a shape substantially in the form of a cylinder of revolution, preferably with a chamfer 50 at its end to make it easier to introduce into the opening in the handle 5.

The diameter E of the mounting end piece 23 is for example between 2 and 20 mm, notably between 2 and 10 mm.

The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described, the characteristics of which can be combined with one another as parts of variants which are not illustrated.

It is possible in particular to have a curved handle containing the product to be applied, the applicator having an applicator member made of a porous material or an applicator comprising a feed duct for the product.

Claims

1. Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the skin; comprising an applicator member, the latter having, on its external surface, in side view, an indentation and a substantially flat main facet situated between the indentation and the distal end of the applicator member, the width of the main facet, in front view, increasing with increasing distance from the indentation, at least along a major part of the length of the main facet.

2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the main facet extends as far as the distal end.

3. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the width of the main facet increases with increasing distance from the indentation along a first part of the length of the main facet and then decreases towards the distal end of the applicator member.

4. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the width of the main facet increases along the entire length of the latter with increasing distance from the indentation.

5. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member extends along a longitudinal axis, the main facet extending along an axis inclined at an angle α relative to the longitudinal axis, the angle α being between 0 and 60°.

6. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the main facet extends from the indentation.

7. Applicator according to claim 6, wherein the recess is connected to the main facet by a ridge or a point, the longitudinal axis of the main facet and the indentation forming an angle η of between 30° and 145° between one another at their junction.

8. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the main facet extends from a non-zero distance from the indentation.

9. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the main facet has two substantially rectilinear edges in front view that diverge towards the distal end of the applicator and form angle β of between 10° and 40° between one another.

10. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the indentation has a rounded shape along at least a part of its length in side view.

11. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member has, on its face away from the main facet, a surface that forms the back of the applicator member.

12. Applicator according to claim 11, wherein the back surface has a recess.

13. Applicator according to claim 11, wherein the back surface comprises a secondary facet.

14. Applicator according to claim 11, wherein the applicator member comprises an end facet that at least partially connects the main facet to the back surface.

15. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the width of the main facet is less than the width of the applicator member along the entire length of the main facet.

16. Applicator according to claim 1, comprising a handle that is provided at its end with the applicator member, wherein the handle is hollow and forms a reservoir containing the cosmetic product, the applicator member comprising, on its proximal side, a mounting end piece, the mounting end piece of the applicator member being inserted at least partially into an opening in the handle and extending at least partially into the reservoir.

17. Assembly comprising an applicator according to claim 1 and a container containing the product to be applied, the container notably being separate from the applicator.

18. Assembly according to claim 17, the container being separate from the app