APPLICATOR END PIECE FOR COSMETIC PRODUCT, ASSOCIATED APPLICATOR AND APPLICATOR ASSEMBLY

- ALBEA SERVICES

An applicator end piece for a cosmetic product extends along a longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main direction (X). The applicator includes a core extending from a stationary end towards a free end and forming a cavity, and a first segment of the core surrounds at least one second segment of the core. The free end of the core being movable along a path delimited by said first segment.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to French Application No. 2213626, filed Dec. 16, 2022, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an applicator end piece for a cosmetic product, an applicator and an associated applicator assembly.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing such an applicator end piece.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

Applicator assemblies for cosmetic products are known, for example for cosmetic products intended to be applied to the lips of a user. Said applicator assemblies comprise a container containing the cosmetic product and an applicator adapted to be removably attached to the container.

The container generally comprises a body, the body comprising walls defining a reservoir in which the cosmetic product is contained, and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be removed. The applicator generally comprises a cap adapted to be attached to the neck, a stem extending from the cap and an applicator end piece attached to a free end of the stem.

When the cap is attached to the neck, the stem and the applicator end piece extend inside the reservoir. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir.

To use the applicator, the user removes the cap from the neck and extracts the applicator from the container.

The known applicator end pieces generally have a spatula-shaped area intended to come into contact with the portions to be made up, in particular to load them with cosmetic product. However, the spatula-shaped area usually only allows for a local application of cosmetic product, for example, to one lip at a time. The spatula has also a not very comfortable rigidity when a pressure is applied to the portion to be made up.

The present invention aims to provide an applicator end piece allowing to make-up a large area of a user, for example both lips, in a single application, while maintaining a comfort of use during the make-up.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention thus concerns an applicator end piece for a cosmetic product extending along a longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main direction, and comprising a core extending from a stationary end towards a free end and forming a cavity,

    • a first segment of the core surrounding at least a second segment of the core,
    • the free end of the core being movable along a path delimited by said first segment.

In other words, the applicator end piece comprises a core with a flexibility due to the mobility of the free end. This flexibility provides a comfort when applying the cosmetic product.

This flexibility also allows to vary the volume of the cavity, for example when passing through the opening of the reservoir containing the cosmetic product. The result is an optimised wiping.

The volume of the cavity can also be varied during the application of the cosmetic product, so that the user can choose the amount of cosmetic product released during the application by varying the pressure exerted on the make-up surface.

In addition, as the free end of the core is movable but on a path delimited by said first segment, the wiping is limited and a sufficient quantity of cosmetic product remains in the cavity to be able to apply make-up to the entire desired surface without having to dip the applicator back into the reservoir.

This also allows to protect the movable free end from damage as it passes through the wiper.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

    • the core has at least one application portion,
    • the core comprises a single branch,
    • the core defines an application portion,
    • the cavity is flat,
    • the cavity is open,
    • the cavity is continuous,
    • the first segment comprises a ring serving as a lateral abutment for the free end,
    • the second segment acts as a cooperating abutment for the free end during said path,
    • the ring surrounds the free end,
    • the ring surrounds the stationary end,
    • the core has at least one return delimiting the cavity,
    • the cavity has a variable volume,
    • the displacement of the free end varies the volume of the cavity,
    • the core crosses at at least one crossing point,
    • the at least one crossing point is obtained by helically winding the core on itself,
    • the first segment is located at the level of the stationary end,
    • the first segment is located at the level of the free end,
    • the applicator end piece comprises a sleeve intended to be assembled to a stem, the sleeve being continuous with the stationary end of the core,
    • the ring acts as a sleeve,
    • the cavity has a predefined shape,
    • the core is at least partly textured,
    • the applicator end piece is a monolithic part obtained without assembly and/or deformation and by additive manufacturing.

The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

    • a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and
    • an applicator end piece as described above adapted to be attached to the container, such that the applicator end piece is housed inside the reservoir.

According to various embodiments of the invention, which may be taken together or separately:

    • said container comprises an opening adapted to cooperate with a closure cap,
    • said closure cap is linked to said handling stem of the applicator end piece,
    • said opening is a neck through which the cosmetic product can be extracted.

The invention further relates to the applicator assembly, the container of which is filled with cosmetic product. Advantageously, the cosmetic product is viscous, pasty or liquid. Preferably, the product is intended for making up the lips of a user.

The invention finally relates to a method for manufacturing an applicator end piece for a cosmetic product as described above.

The method comprises:

    • a step of elaborating a digital model of the applicator end piece;
    • a step of manufacturing the applicator by means of the digital model.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention will be better understood, and other characteristics and advantages thereof will become apparent in the course of the detailed description which follows, of at least two examples of embodiment of the invention given by way of purely illustrative and non-limiting examples, with reference to the annexed schematic drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of an applicator end piece according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a first example of embodiment of an applicator end piece according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second example of embodiment of an applicator end piece in a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a third example of embodiment of an applicator end piece according to a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of an applicator assembly according to the invention comprising the applicator end piece of FIGS. 1 and 2.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

By convention, the longitudinal direction in the figures corresponds to that of the main axis X of an applicator end piece or of an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, and the “radial” or “transverse” direction is orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, the invention relates to an applicator end piece 1 for a cosmetic product extending along a longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main direction X, and comprising a core 3 extending from a stationary end 3a towards a free end 3b and forming a cavity 5.

The cosmetic product is a fluid product, in particular a product intended to be applied to the lips of a user.

According to the invention, a first segment 7 of the core 3 surrounds at least one second segment 9 of the core 3, and the free end 3b of the core 3 is movable along a path delimited by said first segment 7.

In other words, the applicator end piece 1 comprises a core 3 that is flexible due to the mobility of the free end 3b. This flexibility provides a comfort when applying the cosmetic product.

This flexibility also means that the volume of the cavity 5 can be varied, for example when passing through an opening in a container 11 containing the cosmetic product. The result is an optimised wiping.

The volume of the cavity 5 can also be varied during the application of the cosmetic product, so that the user can choose the amount of cosmetic product released during the application by varying the pressure exerted on the make-up surface.

The cavity therefore has a variable volume

In addition, as the free end 3b of the core 3 is movable but on a path delimited by said first segment 7, wiping is limited and a sufficient quantity of cosmetic product remains in the cavity 5 to be able to apply make-up to the entire desired surface without having to dip the applicator back into the reservoir.

This also allows to protect the movable free end 3b as it passes through the opening of the container 11 so as to prevent damage.

The cavity 5 thus has a variable volume which varies according to the displacement of the free end 3b of the core 3.

The cavity 5 is also a cosmetic product reserve. This allows to have a storage volume of cosmetic product directly on the applicator end piece 1, providing enough cosmetic product for make-up application.

Advantageously, the core 3 has at least one application portion 13. By “application portion” we mean a portion of the applicator end piece 1 which is capable of retaining cosmetic product when brought into contact with it, and then releasing it when applied to the surface to be made up.

On the other hand, the applicator end piece 1 may comprise a sleeve 15. The sleeve 15 is intended to be assembled to a stem 17 to form an applicator 19. The sleeve 15 extends from the core 3 in the opposite direction to that pointing towards the distal end of the applicator end piece 1.

Advantageously, the sleeve 15 is continuous with the stationary end 3a of the core 3.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, the core 3 defines a single branch with a return 21.

In other words, the core 3 is folded on itself so that the stationary end 3a and the free end 3b join, here at the level of the sleeve 15.

In other words, the core 3 has at least one curvature 23 which allows the core 3 to fold in on itself.

The free end 3b and the stationary end 3a can cooperate to limit the mobility of the free end 3b of the core 3.

The return 21 also allows the core 3 to define the cavity 5. In other words, the core 3 defines the contours of the cavity 5.

The fact that the core 3 is formed from a single branch makes it possible to simplify manufacturing, particularly compared to an applicator comprising several branches.

Furthermore, this also makes it possible to have a dependence of the first and second segments 7, 9 on each other during the mobility of the free end 3b. In other words, the mobility of the free end 3b is reflected on the entire applicator end piece 1 and not on a single zone or portion or area.

Advantageously, the cavity 5 is flat and through-going.

In other words, the core 3 defines a longitudinal plane in which the cavity 5 is located, comprising two openings on either side of this longitudinal plane.

Advantageously, the applicator end piece 1 thus has two opposite faces located on either side of the longitudinal plane in which the cavity 5 is located. Each of these faces facilitates the application of the cosmetic product but also the distribution of the product cosmetic stored in cavity 5.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first embodiment of an applicator end piece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

In this first embodiment, the core 3 extends from the stationary end 3a connected to the sleeve 15 towards the free end 3b, folding so that the free end 3b joins the stationary end 3a.

The sleeve 15 is embedded in the stem 17 of the applicator 19.

In addition, the core 3 has three curvatures 23 to form a question mark-shaped cavity 5.

The applicator end piece 1 thus has a wide application portion 13 located at the level of the distal portion of the applicator end piece 1.

In this first embodiment, the free end 3b corresponds to the first segment 7 and comprises a ring 25 surrounding the second segment 9, in this case the stationary end 3a.

The ring 25 thus acts as a lateral abutment for the free end 3b, which abuts against the second segment 9 of the core 3. The lateral movement of the free end 3b is limited.

Advantageously, the stationary end 3a ends in a ball 27 located between the ring 25 of the free end 3b and the sleeve 15.

The ball 27 allows to protect the sleeve 15 from cosmetic products that could run down and dirty the stem 17 or even the fingers of the user.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of an applicator end piece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

As with the first embodiment, this second embodiment extends from the stationary end 3a connected to the sleeve 15 towards the free end 3b, folding so that the free end 3b joins the stationary end 3a to form a question mark-shaped cavity 5.

On the other hand, the free end 3b corresponds to the second segment 9 of the core 3 which is surrounded here by a ring 25 located at the level of the stationary end 3a of the core 3.

The ring 25 is extended by the solid sleeve 15 designed to be embedded into the stem 17 of the applicator 19.

The sleeve 15 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the ring 25.

In this way, the ring 25 forms a housing 29 into which the free end 3b is inserted, limiting its path, particularly its lateral mobility.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a third embodiment of an applicator end piece 1 for a cosmetic product according to the invention.

This third embodiment differs from the second embodiment in the length of the ring 25.

In this embodiment, the ring 25 is elongated and extends so as to form the sleeve 15 intended to be embedded into the stem 17 of the applicator 19. In other words, the ring 25 acts as sleeve 15.

FIGS. 7 to 9 illustrate examples of embodiment of the applicator end piece 1, in particular examples of the shape of the applicator end piece 1, according to a fourth embodiment.

In these examples, the core 3 extends from the stationary end 3a connected to the sleeve 15 towards the free end 3b, folding and rolling helically on itself so that the free end 3b joins the stationary end 3a to form a cavity 5.

In this way, the core 3 crosses at at least one crossing point 31 and has a helical winding. In other words, the at least one crossing point 31 is obtained by a helically winding of the core on itself.

As in the second embodiment, the free end 3b corresponds to the second segment 9 of the core 3 which is surrounded here by a ring 25 located at the level of the stationary end 3a of the core 3.

The ring 25 is extended by the solid sleeve 15 designed to be embedded into the stem 17 of the applicator 19.

The sleeve 15 has a smaller diameter than the diameter of the ring 25.

In this way, the ring 25 forms a housing into which the free end 3b is inserted, limiting its path, particularly its lateral mobility.

In the first example of embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the core has a single return 21 comprising a curvature 23.

This first example of embodiment therefore has an application portion 13 located at the distal end of the rounded applicator end piece 1. In other words, the cavity 5 is drop-shaped, with a tip pointing towards the sleeve 15 and the rounded area opposite.

In addition, the core 3 has a flattened cross-section at the level of the rounded application portion 13. This gives a larger application surface so you can apply make-up over a wider area.

In the second example of embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the core has a single return 21 with a tip shape.

This second example of embodiment therefore has an application portion 13 located at the distal end of the applicator end piece 1 with a tip shape. In other words, the cavity 5 has two opposing tips, a first tip directed towards the sleeve 15 and a second distal tip opposite.

This second distal tip provides a precision application area.

Moreover, the core 3 also has a flattened cross-section at the level of the second distal tip. This gives a larger application surface so you can apply make-up over a wider area.

In the third example of embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the core has a return 21 comprising two curvatures 23 and a hollow.

This third example of embodiment therefore has an application portion 13 located at the distal end of the applicator end piece 1, comprising two curvatures 23 and a hollow. In other words, the cavity 5 is heart-shaped, with the tip pointing towards the sleeve 15 and the two curvatures 23 facing away from it.

Advantageously, the cavity 5 can have a predefined shape as shown here, but can also have any other shape that the manufacturer and/or the user wishes, even complex shapes.

The applicator end piece 1 can thus have an application portion with an original shape, possibly with precision areas and wider application areas.

Advantageously, the core 3 is at least partly textured.

For example, it may be a flocking applied to the surface of the core 3, as shown in FIG. 9, in which the entire application portion 13 is flocked. The flocking comprises cotton or nylon, for example. The flocking ensures a good cosmetic product retention and a soft feel.

According to other variants, the surface of the core 3 may comprise grooves, in particular of small depth, in particular 200 to 300 micrometres, so as to confer a surface state whose roughness is modified compared with a smooth surface.

Advantageously, the applicator end piece 1 is a single monolithic part obtained without assembly and/or deformation. In other words, the applicator end piece 1 is not obtained by assembly and/or deformation.

Assembly is understood here as the fact of putting together, joining at least two isolated elements, but does not exclude the possibility of several steps.

Preferably, the applicator end piece 1 described above is obtained by an additive manufacturing method.

Additive manufacturing method means a manufacturing method by adding material, generally computer assisted. Such a manufacturing method is also referred to as three-dimensional printing or 3D printing.

Advantageously, the use of three-dimensional printing can allow an applicator end piece 1 to be produced in a single step from a single piece of continuous material comprising a core 3 forming a cavity 5 and extending from a stationary end 3a towards a free end 3b which is movable over a delimited path. Such an applicator end piece 1 could prove very complex or even impossible to obtain, particularly in a single piece, by a conventional injection moulding method, in particular without assembly or deformation of at least one portion of the applicator end piece 1. The applicator end piece 1 can thus be produced directly and in a single manufacturing operation. In addition, this technique allows to eliminate the need for complex molds.

In addition, the use of three-dimensional printing can allow the manufacturer and/or the user to choose the shape of the cavity 5 of the applicator end piece 1. In this way, the manufacturer and/or the user can choose the shape they want, such as the shapes illustrated here, but also any other shape, even complex ones.

Alternatively, it may be envisaged that the three-dimensional printing is used to form the applicator end piece 1 with the sleeve 15 and/or the stem 17.

Various additive manufacturing technologies known to the person skilled in the art can be used. In particular, this may include:

    • Fused deposition modeling (FDM),
    • Selective laser melting (SLM),
    • Selective laser sintering (SLS),
    • Electron beam melting (EBM),
    • Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA), or
    • Laminated object manufacturing (LOM).

Preferably, these are sintering and/or stereolithography technologies.

The invention further relates to a method for manufacturing an applicator end piece 1 as described above. The method comprises:

    • a step of elaborating a digital model of the applicator end piece 1;
    • a step of manufacturing the applicator end piece 1 by means of the digital model.

The digital model is a computer file that corresponds to a virtual model of the applicator end piece 1. To obtain this, the applicator end piece 1 is first modeled to obtain a CAD model which is then converted into a suitable format such as an .STL file. The file is then processed on an additive manufacturing machine. When the digital model is read, it is divided into a number of layers depending on the desired accuracy. Preferably, the layers correspond to a cross-sectional are of the applicator end piece 1, i.e., a cross-section of the applicator end piece 1 taken in a plane perpendicular to the main direction X.

The suitable materials for manufacturing the applicator end piece 1 by three-dimensional printing are polyamides, light-sensitive resins, polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP).

FIG. 10 illustrates an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

    • a container 11 comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and
    • an applicator end piece 1 adapted to be attached to the container 11, so that the applicator end piece 1 is housed inside the reservoir. It is thus immersed in the cosmetic product.

FIG. 10 also shows the sleeve 15 assembled with the stem 17 of the applicator 19, also referred to as the handling stem 17.

Among other things, the stem 17 is used to handle said applicator end piece 1. More specifically, the applicator comprises a cap 33 adapted to be manipulated by the user and the stem 17 advantageously extends from the cap 33.

It should be noted here that the cap 33 is formed by a head made of the same material as the stem 17, and by a cover force-fitted and held in position on the stem head 17 by means of internal counter-forms intended to cooperate with shapes made on the head. The cover is rigid. “Rigid” means not deformable either by atmospheric pressure or by pressure exerted by the fingers of a user. It is by means of said cover that the user manipulates the applicator of the invention, in particular because the cover imparts the movement that the user gives it to the head of the stem 17, which itself transmits this movement to the sleeve 15 with which it is assembled.

The cap 33 is intended to be removably attached to an opening belonging to the container 11. Said opening is here the neck 35 through which the cosmetic product can be extracted.

It should be noted that the sleeve 15 and the stem 17 each have a substantially cylindrical shape and a main direction of longitudinal extension coincident with the main direction X.

Here, the assembly between the sleeve 15 and the stem 17 is an embedding. Alternatively, the applicator end piece 1 may be over-molded onto or through the stem 17 or obtained in one single piece, for example by additive manufacturing.

The container 11 comprises a wiper 37, intended to be attached to the inside of said neck 35.

The wiper 37 comprises a wiping orifice configured to scrape the excess cosmetic product off the stem 17 and the applicator end piece 1 as they pass through it.

In particular, the mobility of the free end 3b allows an efficient wiping of the applicator end piece 1, and in particular the cosmetic product stored in the cavity 5.

In addition, as the free end 3b of the core 3 is movable but on a path delimited by said first segment 7, wiping is limited and a sufficient quantity of cosmetic product remains in the cavity 5 to be able to apply make-up to the entire desired surface without having to plunge the applicator back into the container 11.

This also allows to protect the movable free end 3b as it passes through the wiper 37 to prevent damage.

So, as well as having an application surface with an original shape, possibly with precision areas and wider application areas, the applicator end piece 1 is designed so that wiping is optimised when it is extracted from the container 11. In other words, the quantity of cosmetic product that the applicator end piece 1 can take on board is optimised when it is extracted from said container 11.

Advantageously, the applicator assembly can be obtained in whole or in part by three-dimensional printing.

To achieve further advantageous effects, the embodiments may be combined without leaving the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An applicator end piece for a cosmetic product extending along a longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main direction (X), and comprising a core extending from a stationary end towards a free end and forming a cavity,

a first segment of the core surrounding at least one second segment of the core,
the free end of the core being movable along a path delimited by said first segment.

2. The applicator end piece according to claim 1, wherein the first segment comprises a ring serving as a lateral abutment for the free end.

3. The applicator end piece as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second segment acts as a cooperative abutment for the free end during said path.

4. The applicator end piece according to claim 1, wherein the core has at least one return delimiting the cavity.

5. The applicator end piece according to claim 4, wherein

the cavity has a variable volume, a displacement of the free end causing the volume of the cavity to vary.

6. The applicator end piece according to claim 1, wherein the core crosses at least one crossing point.

7. The applicator end piece according to claim 6, wherein the at least one crossing point is obtained by helically winding the core on itself.

8. The applicator end piece according to claim 1, wherein the first segment is located at a level of the stationary end.

9. The applicator end piece according to claim 1, wherein the first segment is located at a level of the free end.

10. The applicator end piece according to claim 1, wherein the applicator end piece comprises a sleeve intended to be assembled to a stem, the sleeve is continuous with the stationary end of the core.

11. The applicator end piece according to claim 10, wherein the first segment comprises a ring, which serves as the sleeve.

12. The applicator end piece according to claim 1, wherein the cavity has a predefined shape.

13. The applicator end piece according to claim 1, wherein the core is at least partly textured.

14. The applicator end piece according to claim 1, wherein the applicator end piece is a monolithic part obtained without assembly and/or deformation and by additive manufacturing.

15. An applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:

a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and
an applicator end piece for the cosmetic product according to claim 1 adapted to be attached to the container, so that the applicator end piece is housed inside the reservoir.

16. A method for manufacturing an applicator end piece for a cosmetic product according to claim 1, the method comprising:

a step of elaborating a digital model of the applicator end piece;
a step of manufacturing the applicator end piece by means of the digital model.
Patent History
Publication number: 20240197057
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 14, 2023
Publication Date: Jun 20, 2024
Applicant: ALBEA SERVICES (Gennevilliers)
Inventor: Yann CRAPET (Gennevilliers)
Application Number: 18/539,846
Classifications
International Classification: A45D 34/04 (20060101);