DEVICE FOR APPLYING A FLUID OR PASTY PRODUCT TO KERATINOUS FIBRES

Abstract

A device for applying a fluid and/or pasty product to keratinous fibers. The device includes an elongate core extending along a longitudinal axis XX and at least one supple flexible wand oriented longitudinally and inset at least at a first point onto the longitudinal core, the core and the at least one wand being obtained by injection molding in a single piece. The core is made of a first plastic material and the at least one wand is made of at least one second plastic material.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of applicators for applying a fluid or pasty product to keratinous fibers such as eyelashes or eyebrows. Specifically, the applicators covered by the invention make it possible to apply a cosmetic, make-up or skincare product to the hair, eyelashes or eyebrows. It can also be used to apply a cosmetic product to the skin of an individual.

In a known fashion, these applicators essentially comprise two elements: a core with an elongate shape on which at least one row of teeth or pins or projections is arranged. This is the easiest way to produce applicators of this type.

PRIOR ART

Many documents that disclose products of this type are known, and they aim, above all, to make it possible to load and then apply the appropriate product in an easy, straightforward and reliable manner, with a uniform result. In the field in question, such an applicator is said to need to perform a function of loading, a function of separating, a function of defining or even a function of curving.

A make-up brush having a mounting on which bristles are regularly and individually implanted has already been known for some time now, for example from the teaching of document FR 2 505 633. According to one feature of this invention, the mounting and the bristles (or pins or projections) are formed by injection of a single moldable material.

For illustrative purposes, document FR 2,850,549 discloses a brush for applying a product to keratinous fibers, including a core supporting bristles, at least one portion of which extends in a curled manner.

Document FR 2,902,984 further discloses an applicator including a core and at least two rows of teeth each oriented differently relative to an outer surface of the core. This type of applicator aims to improve the application of a product, in particular in terms of penetration of the teeth between the eyelashes or others, of smoothing of the product on the eyelashes, and of separating same.

Document EP 1,593,320 is also known, describing a mascara applicator made up of a plurality of parts which are movable relative to one another and, in particular, a supporting member in which an adjustment element can slide axially. This mobility makes it possible to change the distance between the two ends of a deformable portion of the support element. It is the actual user who modifies the distance between the two ends and thus the outer volume of the applicator which comprises portions that are radially deformable under the action of the adjustment element. Thus, this prior art does not disclose at least one supple wand forming a block with the longitudinal core and inset at least at two points onto said longitudinal core.

Patent application FR 2,506,581 A1 is also known, which discloses a make-up brush of the same type as those disclosed above, made up of a plurality of parts which are movable relative to one another.

Also known from French patent FR 2,963,215 is an applicator device which makes it possible to adjust and/or control the suppleness of the teeth that form same; this device thus is made up of one core and a plurality of rows of pins; a first series of pins extends from the core to a longitudinal wand while a second series of pins has a first end connected to the wand and a second free end. This type of applicator makes it possible to adjust and/or control the suppleness of the teeth (or pins). However, such an applicator lacks radial suppleness; its radial deformability is very low, and this is a drawback when it needs to pass through an annular element referred to as wiper placed at the exit of the container of the product to be applied. Indeed, the “load”, i.e. the amount of product picked up by the device, is not optimal and may be insufficient for correct application to the eyelashes using such a known device.

The prior art also includes European patent application EP 11,817,345, which describes a device for applying a fluid or pasty product to keratinous fibers, comprising an elongate core extending along a longitudinal axis XX, which is made of a plastic material and is obtained by injection in a single piece; said device also comprises at least one supple, flexible wand oriented longitudinally and inset at least at one first point and one second point onto said longitudinal core, so as to provide at least one bending area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis XX. Pins or projections may advantageously be provided on the core and/or the supple wands. The bending obtained with said applicator is interesting; however, only the geometric difference makes it possible here to change said bending, since this device is made of a single plastic material, molded by injection.

Thus, there are limits to the technical features obtained with this type of applicator; in addition, the rheology of the plastic material used limits the possible geometries for the pins (or projections) present on the core and on the supple wands; similar geometries and dimensions should be provided over the entire applicator. This is a notable technical drawback, as will be understood upon reading the advantages provided by the present invention.

As regards the applicators made of two different materials, patent application EP 2,676,781 A1 is known, showing an applicator having a core made of two materials, on which pins made of the same two materials are stood on end. The claimed manufacturing method is relatively complex, so that only specific and determined shapes and geometries can be produced with such a method. In no case is it contemplated to form supple wands, as in application EP 11,817,345, with such a method.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and, in particular, to propose a multi-material applicator according to which the core is made of a first plastic material, and flexible wands are made of one or more other materials.

The invention thus relates to a device for applying a fluid and/or pasty product to keratinous fibers, comprising an elongate core extending along a longitudinal axis XX and at least one supple, flexible wand oriented longitudinally and inset at least at one first point onto the longitudinal core, the core and said at least one wand being obtained by injection in a single piece.

According to a first aspect of the invention, the core is made of a first plastic material and said at least one wand is made of at least one second plastic material.

A person skilled in the art chooses the plastic material, or thermoplastic polymer, that is best suited to the needs and which displays good behavior during the injection and molding phases. In particular, the chemical nature and the hardness of the plastic material can be adapted to the cosmetic composition to be applied to the keratinous fibers, or to the skin of the user.

According to one embodiment of the invention, said at least one supple wand is inset near a first end of the core and/or near a second end of the core.

More particularly, the device comprises at least one first supple wand formed from a second plastic material and at least one second supple wand formed from a third plastic material.

Interestingly, the applicator device also comprises projections (or pins) provided on and originating from the core and/or said at least one wand. Very interestingly, the applicator according to the invention can have pins made of different materials and originating from the core and flexible wands, respectively. The plastic materials that make up the device according to the invention have a direct relationship with the capacity of the associated cosmetic composition, the behavior of which is thus differentiated.

The projections preferably have an elongate shape and are oriented substantially radially with respect to the longitudinal axis XX.

According to a specific embodiment of the invention, said at least one supple wand is made up of two elongate portions belonging to the same longitudinal plane, the two portions being curved, substantially parallel to one another and inset onto the core, together at least at one point. Longitudinally “reinforced” wands are thus provided.

Said two elongate portions of the supple wand are preferably inset together at two points near each end of the core.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, said projections can be provided on at least one of said wands and be petal-shaped in a front view.

Furthermore, one of the ends of the core can be provided with projections made of a second plastic material.

Moreover, the minimum hardness difference between the material constituting the core and the one or more materials constituting said at least one wand is 5 Shore A or 5 Shore D.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the core has substantially an elongate feather shape along the XX axis, and said wand is capable of spreading a cosmetic composition onto the skin via an outer longitudinal edge, the core and the wand being arranged substantially in the same longitudinal plane. The outer edge of the wand makes it possible, in particular, to spread a composition onto the skin of a user; here the wand serves as an eye-liner; here the core comprises projections stood on end on the outer surface thereof, preferably perpendicular to said surface. The projections are capable of spreading a suitable composition onto keratinous fibers such as the eyelashes. A device is produced here which fulfils at least two functions: spreading at least one composition onto the skin and onto keratinous fibers.

According to the invention, said at least one supple wand is inset at the two ends thereof, has a convex shape and is provided with a concave reinforcement belonging to the same longitudinal plane.

Furthermore, said at least one wand can have a corrugated shape. One or more corrugations (or waves) can constitute said corrugated shape. Linear segments juxtaposed and oriented in at least two directions can constitute at least one of said flexible wands.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following description, in reference to the appended figures, which show:

FIG. 1, a perspective view of an applicator device according to a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1A, a front view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2, a perspective view according to a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2A, a front view of the device according to FIG. 2;

FIG. 3, a side view of the device according to a third embodiment;

FIGS. 4 to 10 are diagrams showing side views of applicator devices provided with elongate wands having different shapes;

FIG. 11 is a side view of a bi-material applicator comprising a single flexible elongate wand, made up of a double arch;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a tri-material applicator comprising a plurality of double-arch-type elongate wands;

FIG. 13 is a variant of FIG. 12, which shows a plurality of double-arch-type wands, each of which is bi-material;

FIG. 14 is a view of a bi-material applicator having a plurality of flexible wands provided with petal-shaped pins;

FIG. 14A is a front view of the applicator of FIG. 14;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a variant of the embodiment of FIG. 14;

FIGS. 16 and 17 show a variant of a substantially feather-shaped applicator according to the length thereof.

For further clarity, identical or similar elements will be identified by identical reference signs in all the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the invention, according to which the applicator device comprises a core 1, for example cylindrical and elongate according to a longitudinal axis XX, as well as a flexible, supple wand 2 oriented longitudinally. Here, the wand 2 is inset at two points onto the core 1: at a first point near a first end 10 of the core 1, and at a second point near the second end 11 of the core 1. The first end can also be referred to as “proximal end” in this text, while the second end 11 of the core 1 can be referred to as “distal end”. The applicator according to FIG. 1 also comprises pins 13, 23 that are elongate and stood on end on the core 1 as well as on the wand 2. The pins 13, 23 are preferably oriented radially in relation to the core 1; the number thereof is chosen by a person skilled in the art, as is the density and the length thereof. These parameters are chosen, in particular, as a function of the nature of the cosmetic composition (or fluid and/or pasty product) to be applied.

FIG. 1A shows, in front view from the distal end 11, such an applicator device. This figure also shows that the distal end 11 is here somehow covered with a spherical continuation 20 from which pins originate. The presence of pins on the sphere 20 is optional, as is the presence of pins 13 on the core 1. At least pins 23 originating from the wand 2 are provided.

Remarkably, the core 1 and said wand 2 are made of different plastic materials, and are obtained by injection in one piece. A thermoplastic polymer having good behavior during the injection and unmolding phases is advantageously chosen by a person skilled in the art. This feature makes it possible to adapt the chemical nature and the hardness of the polymer to the behavior of the cosmetic composition to be applied. In particular, the wettability and adhesion behavior of the composition or formula on the core and the pins differs according to the chemical nature of the applicator. Since each type of chemical formula has a specific viscosity and surface tension, it has a given behavior with respect to a given plastic material. The material used for manufacturing the applicator by molding, depends on and direct affects the capacity of the chemical composition to “wet” and “adhere to” the surface thereof. In particular, the chemical composition is more or less retained on the surface of the applicator, according to the nature of this surface. This effect is very important when it is known that the applicator is intended to pass regularly through a wiper, a kind of ring placed on the neck of the container of the chemical composition. With each passage, a certain amount of composition remains attached to the applicator while another amount is trapped inside the container.

By way of illustration, the first plastic, used for the core 1, is a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) material such as SEBS (polystyrene-b-poly(ethylenebutylene)-b-polystyrene) or PP/EPDM (ethylene-propylene-diene-monomer); the second plastic material, used for the flexible wand, is a TPE such as Hytrel (™) or belongs to the PE (polyethylene) family. Obviously, the pins 13 originating from the core 1 are made of the first material, and the pins 23 originating from the flexible wand 2 are made of the second material. It is thus possible to provide different pin geometries for the flexible wand 2 and for the core 1. This feature can be contemplated and is compatible with conventional rheology rules; this possibility does not exist if the applicator is molded from a single material, as in the prior art. A certain and decisive advantage therefore results from using a plurality of plastic materials for manufacturing an applicator according to the invention by molding as a single part.

As will be explained below, the pins have an elongate shape; multiple shapes can be contemplated without departing from the scope of the invention. The pins are not necessarily straight; they can be curved, all curving in the same direction or not. The can also be hook-shaped.

The hardness difference between the first plastic material, used for the core 1 and the second plastic material, used for the supple wand 2, is between 5 Shore A and 5 Shore D. For illustrative purposes, the first plastic material has a hardness of 70 Shore A and the second plastic material has a hardness of 90 Shore A.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment which differs from that of FIG. 1 by the number of flexible wands 2 provided: two flexible wands are provided here, arranged in the same longitudinal plane, i.e. with an angular separation of 180°. According to this example, the two wands have the same shape and the same size. FIG. 2A clearly shows this symmetrical arrangement with regard to a longitudinal plane. Each wand 2 is made of the same material, different from that of the core 1.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment according to which two wands 2 with convex shape are provided, each inset near one end 10, 11 of the core. The wands belong to a longitudinal plane. Straight pins 13 originate from the core 1, while curved pins 23 originate from each flexible wand 2. The straight pins 13 can also have a planar surface located in a shared longitudinal plane.

FIGS. 4 to 10 schematically show variants of flexible wands 2; thus, it can be understood that the flexible wands can be inset not only at both ends of the core, but also at one or two additional points.

FIG. 4 shows two wands 2: one 2A inset at both ends and at one intermediate point; the second one 28 inset at both ends and at two intermediate points.

FIG. 5 shows an example in which a single wand 2C is provided, substantially inset at each end. The wand 2C has a corrugated shape, with three corrugations along the length thereof.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment with two wands 2D, 2E which extend in the same longitudinal plane, with an angular separation of 180°. Each wand 2D, 2E has a straight main portion which extends substantially along the XX axis, and two portions which extend substantially perpendicular to the main portion. The advantage of this example of an embodiment lies in that:

FIG. 7 shows a single flexible wand 2F having a substantially longitudinal main portion, and two perpendicular portions which are each inset near one end 10, 11 of the core 1.

FIG. 8 relates to an applicator provided with two flexible wands 2G, 2H, belonging substantially to the same longitudinal plane; the wand 2G has a corrugated portion which extends parallel to the longitudinal axis XX, and two perpendicular portions or tabs which are connected to each end of the corrugated portion and each inset onto the core 1. The wand 2H has a convex curvature and is inset substantially at the same points as the wand 2G.

FIG. 9 has an applicator provided with flexible wands 21 each inset at one point onto the core 1; specifically, here, each wand 21 is attached near one end 10, 11 of the core; each flexible wand is, furthermore, free at the second end thereof. This creates higher flexibility than in the preceding examples, due to the fact that the ends of each wand 21 are left free. A longer or shorter longitudinal space is thus provided; a person skilled in the art determines this dimensional parameter according to the circumstances. This longitudinal space can be of the order of 10% of the length of the core 1.

FIG. 10 shows an example that differs from that of FIG. 9 by the longitudinal arrangement of the flexible wands 2J: three flexible wands 2J are inset at a single point onto the core 1, and free at the second end thereof. Another flexible wand is inset at both ends thereof. Insets are provided near each end 10, 11 of the core, as are intermediate insets.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment according to which a supple wand 2 is made up of two elongate portions 21, 22 belonging to the same longitudinal plane. The two elongate portions which extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis XX are substantially parallel to one another and are inset together at two points. The two inset points are close to each end 10, 11 of the core 1. Here a double arch is provided, mechanically reinforced relative to a single arch. This arrangement is interesting when seeking to create an intermediate cavity under the arches which will make it possible to trap the formula (or composition). This makes it possible to manage the capacity for loading the applicator as a function of the viscosity of the formula.

Without departing from the scope of the invention, it is possible to provide a single inset point for the two elongate portions 21, 22, or more than two inset points.

Obviously, in every case, the core 1 is made of a first material and the wands 2 are made of at least one second material.

FIG. 12 relates to an embodiment which differs from that of FIG. 11 by having a larger number of elongate portions 21, 22 or pairs. Here, six pairs of elongate portions are counted, each pair being distributed at regular angles. In addition, here it has been chosen to include a third plastic material, which is different from both the first material and the second plastic material. The core is made of a first plastic material; three pairs of elongate portions are made of a second plastic material while three pairs of elongate portions are made of a third plastic material. It is thus possible to obtain different effects and thus different technical functions around the applicator. During the make-up gesture, the user rotates the applicator about the XX axis when the applicator comes into contact with the eyelashes. Thus, the eyelashes come into contact with pins that have different hardness and feel in alternation.

FIG. 13 further shows another possible combination for the plastic materials of the flexible elongate portions 21, 22. The flexible elongate portions 21, 22 which form one pair, i.e. which are substantially superimposed in a longitudinal plane, are here formed respectively of a second plastic material and a third plastic material.

Furthermore, the number of pairs is variable, chosen by the person skilled in the art.

FIG. 14 relates to an embodiment according to which the core 1 is provided with pins 13 oriented radially and distributed longitudinally over a plurality of rows. This is not compulsory elsewhere. The applicator of FIG. 14 also comprises two flexible wands 2, each inset near one end 10, 11 of the core 1. The flexible wands 2 are curved and convex. They are also provided with a concave longitudinal reinforcement 25 belonging to the same plane. Furthermore, the flexible wands 2 are here provided with petal-shaped projections 23 in a front view. FIG. 14A clearly shows this arrangement, by said front view. It is understood that the two flexible wands 2 are arranged diametrically opposite one another, and provided with petal-shaped projections 23. It can also be seen in the example of FIG. 14A that six rows of projections 13 originating from the core are provided, arranged symmetrically relative to a longitudinal plane. This embodiment is chosen when seeking to provide two different functions in the same applicator (brush/comb). The brush is made of the portion without an arch (core 1 provided with pins 13) and the comb is made up of the portion in which the pins 23 are supported by an arch 2. The two arches 2, with an angular separation of 180° relative to one another, meaning that the user only needs to rotate it through 180° to reach the comb position.

FIG. 15 is a variant of FIG. 14 in the sense that it shows an angular alternation of rows of flexible wands 2 provided with petals 23 and rows of pins 13. This provides an overall more rigid applicator. Four rows of petal-shaped pins 23 are obtained here, associated with four rows of pins 13 originating from the core 1.

FIG. 16 depicts an alternative according to which a flexible wand 2 without projections is provided; in addition, an elongate core 1 is provided along the longitudinal axis XX, substantially in the shape of a feather. The wand 2 and, specifically, the outer edge 26 thereof make it possible to spread a cosmetic product onto the skin of the user, in the fashion of a “liner”. Projections or pins 13 are provided on the core 1; the pins 13 are preferably oriented perpendicularly to the outer surface of the core 1. The wand 2 and the core 1 are provided in the same longitudinal plane as shown in the perspective view of FIG. 17, with an overall elongate and flat shape of the applicator.

Claims

1.-13. (canceled)

14. A device for applying a fluid and/or pasty product to keratinous fibers, comprising an elongate core extending along a longitudinal axis and at least one supple wand oriented longitudinally and inset at least at one first point onto the longitudinal core, the core and the at least one supple wand formed by injection as a single piece, wherein the core is made of a first plastic material, the at least one supple wand is made of at least one second plastic material and a minimum hardness difference between the first plastic material and the at least one second plastic material is 5 Shore A or 5 Shore D.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one supple wand is inset near a first end of the core and/or near a second end of the core.

16. The device according to claim 14, further comprising at least one second supple wand formed from a third plastic material.

17. The device according to claim 14 further comprising projections provided on and originating from the core and/or from the at least one supple wand.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein the projections have an elongate shape and are oriented substantially radially in relation to the longitudinal axis.

19. The device according to claim 14 wherein the at least one supple wand is formed of two elongate and curved portions lying in an identical longitudinal plane, the two portions being substantially parallel to one another and inset onto the core, together at least at one point.

20. The device according to claim 19, wherein the two elongate portions of the supple wand are inset together at two points near each end of the core.

21. The device according to any claim 17, wherein the projections are provided on at least one of the supple wands and are petal-shaped in a front view.

22. The device according to claim 15, wherein one of the ends of the core is provided with projections made of a second plastic material.

23. The device according to claim 14, wherein the core has substantially an elongate feather shape along the longitudinal axis and the at least one supple wand is configured to spread a cosmetic composition onto skin via an outer longitudinal edge, and wherein the core and the at least one supple wand are arranged substantially in the same longitudinal plane.

24. The device according to claim 15, wherein the at least one supple wand is inset at the two ends thereof, has a convex shape, and is provided with a concave reinforcement belonging to the same longitudinal plane.

25. The device according to claim 14, wherein the at least one supple wand has a corrugated shape.