Cosmetic applicator with cavity supported by support arms

Abstract

The invention relates to a cosmetic device having a longitudinal axis (X), comprising an applicator having an applicator portion (16) comprising at least one internal main cavity (11) laterally delimited by a first lateral portion (12) and a second lateral portion (13) elongated along corresponding longitudinal axes extending parallel to a plane (M) forming a non-zero angle (a) with the axis (X) of the end piece (18), and axially delimited by a distal portion (14) and a proximal portion (15), a main arm (30) having a longitudinal axis (Y) connecting the outer edge of the proximal portion (15) to the fastening end piece (18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to apparatus for packaging and applying beauty or care products. This can be, for example, cosmetic or care products such as lipstick, lip gloss, concealer, foundation, and eyeshadow.

[0002] More generally, beauty products are those defined as in European Regulation (EC) 1223 / 2009 of 30 November 2009 of the European Parliament and the Council on beauty products. Background Technology

[0003] European Patent EP 0 792 602-B1 discloses a product applicator having a flexible support forming an applicator portion, which is at least partially covered with at least one layer of sponge material. This applicator differs from conventional applicators, which have an applicator component disposed at the end of a rod, and in which the applicator component is loaded with product by immersion in a container optionally provided with a wiping component.

[0004] US Patent 6,120,202 discloses an apparatus for simultaneously producing two decorative patterns on a nail, the apparatus having an applicator having two rods, each rod having an applicator component at one end, the applicator component having a circular cutout.

[0005] European patent application EP 0 875 169-A1 discloses an applicator having an applicator component with a flocked foam block at one end. The lateral surface of the applicator component is striped.

[0006] European Patent EP 0 824 329-B1 describes a packaging and application device having a wiping member at least partially made of a honeycomb material. In one exemplary embodiment, the applicator member is in the form of a hollow body having a cavity capable of accommodating a product reservoir.

[0007] French patent application FR 2 771 077 similarly describes a packaging and application device having a wiping member at least partially made of an elastically deformable porous material. In one exemplary embodiment, the applicator member has slots that are narrow enough to make it difficult for the wiping member to reach them, thereby enabling a product reserve to be retained within the applicator member after wiping.

[0008] Furthermore, European patent EP 1 053 695-B1 discloses an applicator having applicator components that can deform upon passing over a wiping member. The application surface is relatively narrow, and the comfort during application is not entirely satisfactory.

[0009] European patent application EP 0 693 263-A1 discloses an applicator having a rod with an applicator member consisting of a ring arranged at one end of the rod, the two ends of which are connected to the rod. This applicator is more specifically designed for applying nail polish, and the rod exhibits flexibility similar to that of the applicator member.

[0010] US Patent Application US 2002 / 0005209 discloses an applicator for applying a product to eyelashes or eyebrows, the applicator having arms that are joined together at their ends and carrying protruding elements that can be assembled.

[0011] US Patent 4,974,980 discloses an application element whose cross-section is inscribed within the cross-section of the rod when viewed along its longitudinal axis. In other words, the application element does not protrude laterally beyond the rod.

[0012] Patent application FR 3066683 discloses an application element with an inner cavity having a closed profile and a lateral notch.

[0013] Application WO 201891819 describes an application element having two lateral arms and a central arm, the two lateral arms defining a cavity. The central arm has a widened portion and a narrowed portion.

[0014] The purpose of this invention is to provide a novel applicator for the careful application of cosmetics, which is comfortable to use and can store a relatively large amount of product. Summary of the Invention

[0015] This invention relates to a cosmetic device for packaging and application, the cosmetic device having a longitudinal axis X, the cosmetic device comprising: - an applicator having a rod supporting an application element that is at least partially elastically deformable, and the applicator having an applicator portion including at least one internal main cavity laterally defined by a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion, and axially defined by a distal portion and a proximal portion connecting the first lateral portion and the proximal portion together, the application element being provided with a fastening end member fitted in the rod, the fastening end member having a longitudinal axis X; - a container containing the product to be applied, the application element being able to be contained in the container when not in use, the container having an opening through which the application element can pass when removed from the container, the first lateral portion and the second lateral portion being elongated along their respective longitudinal axes, the longitudinal axes extending parallel to a plane forming a non-zero angle with the axis X of the end member, and a main arm having a longitudinal axis connecting the outer edge of the proximal portion to the fastening end member, the internal main cavity having a closed profile in at least one plane.

[0016] The applicator of the device according to the invention has an application area that is transferred to a main cavity at a distance from the end piece and the rod. Manual operation differs from conventional applicators because the product area is supported by a main arm that separates the main cavity and the end piece, allowing for greater flexibility of the applicator during cosmetic application. The accuracy of cosmetic application is improved by metering the formulation by tilting the cavity relative to the axis of the end piece.

[0017] Main Definitions

[0018] “ Cross-section of a component with axis X " is the cross section perpendicular to the axis X of the component.

[0019] "The longitudinal axis of a component" refers to the line connecting all the centroids of the component's cross-section.

[0020] Preferred embodiment

[0021] Preferably, the application element according to the invention has one or more of the following features, used alone or in combination:

[0022] The application element has a first support arm and a second support arm. The first support arm has a longitudinal axis A, and the second support arm has a longitudinal axis B. The first and second support arms are located on opposite sides of a main arm. The first support arm connects the first outer edge of a first lateral portion to a fastening end, and the second support arm connects the second outer edge of a second lateral portion to a fastening end. The support arms provide flexibility to the applicator for better application of cosmetics.

[0023] - The main arm, together with the first support arm and a portion of the first lateral portion, defines a first internal cavity, and the main arm, together with the second support arm and a portion of the second lateral portion, defines a second internal cavity. The first and second internal cavities can store cosmetic products while holding the main internal cavity in its displaced position.

[0024] - At least one of the first and second support arms has a dimension in a section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the first support arm or the longitudinal axis B of the second support arm that is smaller than the dimension of the main arm in a section perpendicular to axis Y, particularly the width or height. These dimensions improve the flexibility of the applicator.

[0025] - The application element has a shape that is symmetrical with respect to the midplane, and in particular with respect to the midplane of the longitudinal axis of the rod to which the application element is attached. Cosmetic application is intuitive and easier.

[0026] - The internal main cavity is a through cavity. This makes it easier for users to pick up and distribute the product. This is because the internal main cavity is open on both sides opposite the application element, with at least one side used for product application.

[0027] - The first lateral portion has a first segment and a second segment, which preferably form a first obtuse angle β between them, and the second lateral portion has a third segment and a fourth segment, which preferably form a second obtuse angle γ between them. The user can easily use the edge surface of the applicator to distribute the product.

[0028] - The components are molded as a single piece. This manufacturing method is fast and reliable.

[0029] - Viewed from above along the longitudinal axis Y perpendicular to the main arm, the internal main cavity extends internally along a length less than half the length of the applicator portion.

[0030] - The internal width of the main cavity is greater than the width of the first and second lateral portions connected together. The applicator is thin for precise product application.

[0031] - The product is designed for use on cosmetic mucous membranes, skin, or nails. Attached Figure Description

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying illustrative and partial drawings, in which:

[0033] [ Figure 1 [This is a top view of the flocking application element according to the present invention.]

[0034] [ Figure 2 ]yes Figure 1 Side view of the applicator in the middle.

[0035] [ Figure 3 ] is from Figure 1 An inclined three-dimensional view of one side of the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

[0036] [ Figure 4 ] is from Figure 1 An inclined three-dimensional view of the other side of the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

[0037] [ Figure 5 ]yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of the applicator in the image.

[0038] [ Figure 6 It does not have flocking. Figure 1 A top view of the applicator in the image. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The packaging and application device according to the invention, for example, has a container containing a product P to be applied and an applicator having a rod, a gripping member being provided at a first end of the rod, the gripping member also constituting a cap for sealing the container in a sealed manner, and an application element 6 being provided at the other end of the rod, the application element having a longitudinal axis X and a rear face 20.

[0040] The container has a neck at its upper part, in which the wiping component is assembled.

[0041] The gripping component is screwed onto the neck, but alternatively, it can be attached in some other way, such as by snap-fit ​​fastening.

[0042] exist Figure 1 In the example, the outer surface of the application element 6 is flocked, but the invention is not limited to a particular surface covering. The application element 6 may be, for example, unflocked or have at least partially covered on its surface with other coverings besides flocking, such as woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, foam, or exhibiting embossing (e.g., grid pattern).

[0043] In the examples shown, such as Figure 1 As can be seen, the application element 6 has an overall shape that is symmetrical with respect to the intermediate symmetry plane M, and has an end piece 18 and an application part 16.

[0044] The applicator portion 16 is provided with an internal main cavity 11, which is laterally defined by a first lateral portion 12 and a second lateral portion 13, and axially defined by a distal portion 14 and a proximal portion 15, which connect the first lateral portion 12 and the second lateral portion 13 together.

[0045] The applicator section 16 is provided with a main arm 30, which has a longitudinal axis Y, the longitudinal axis being in Figures 3 to 5 The application is curved, although the longitudinal axis Y can also be straight. The main arm 30 connects the end piece 18, which has the longitudinal axis X, to the internal main cavity 11. The main arm preferably has a tapered shape to increase the flexibility of the applicator.

[0046] The first lateral portion 12 and the second lateral portion 13 are along their corresponding longitudinal axes Z and W ( Figure 6 () is elongated, and these longitudinal axes extend approximately parallel to plane M, as can be Figure 2 and Figure 5 As can be seen, this makes the angle α with respect to the axis X of the end member 18, for example, between 5° and 60°, preferably between 10° and 40°, and more preferably between 20° and 30°.

[0047] The first lateral portion 12 in the figure has a first segment 35 and a second segment 36, which form a first angle β of approximately 120° with respect to each other. The second lateral portion 13 has a third segment 37 and a fourth segment 38, which form a second angle γ with respect to each other, which is symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal axis of the internal cavity 11.

[0048] The shapes of the distal portion 14 and the proximal portion 15 will be advantageously chosen to allow easy passage through the opening of the container.

[0049] In the example discussed, the lateral portions 12 and 13 converge toward each other in the direction of the distal portion 14, and the cavity 11 has a generally rhomboid shape when viewed from the front view of the application element 6.

[0050] Cavity 11 extends, for example, along length a inside, such as Figure 6 As can be seen, it extends, in particular, along half the length b of the applicator portion 16.

[0051] The size of cavity 11 can be selected depending on the degree of deformation required to pass through the opening of the container and on the amount of product intended to be optionally (especially by capillary action) retained in cavity 11 after the applicator has been removed from the container.

[0052] exist Figure 6 It is evident that the width b of the application element 6 is greater than the minimum diameter of the wiping member 8, causing the application element 6 to deform as it passes through the wiping member. The internal width c of the internal main cavity 11 is greater than the width of the first lateral portion 1 and the second lateral portion 13 connected together.

[0053] The presence of product P in cavity 11 increases the autonomy of the applicator and can also improve comfort during application by making it easier for the applicator to slide on the treated surface.

[0054] Product P is intended, for example, to be applied to the lips, and the user can deposit the product on the lips, for example, by bringing the rear surface 20 of the application element 6 into contact with the lips. In the example discussed, when the application element 6 is viewed extending forward with the lateral portions 12, 13, the rear surface 20 corresponds to the rear side surface.

[0055] During application, the thickness of the deposited product can vary depending on the surface of the application element 6 that is in contact with the treatment area, which allows the user to change, for example, the gloss of the cosmetic.

[0056] When the application element 6 is applied flat, the product P present in the cavity 11 can be deposited, and the surface loaded with product P that comes into contact with the lips can be relatively large, making it possible to apply makeup to the lips fairly quickly.

[0057] If necessary, the application can be made only at the end of the distal portion 15 to, for example, define the contour.

[0058] The application element 6 can be fastened to the rod 4 in a variety of different ways.

[0059] The rod and application element can be made of plastic materials, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, acetal resin, polyester, polyester-based resin, and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). They can be completely flexible, for example, made of elastomers such as EPDM, silicone, or latex, but this list is not limiting.

[0060] End piece 18 is, for example, glued, clamped, or welded to the rod. The rod may also be rolled onto the end piece.

[0061] The main cavity 11 is connected to the end piece 18 via the main arm 30 and two support arms, namely a first support arm 31 having a longitudinal axis A and a second support arm 32 having a longitudinal axis B, located on either side of the main arm 30. The cross sections of the support arms perpendicular to their longitudinal axes A and B are smaller than the cross section of the main arm 30 to impart a degree of flexibility to the support arms, which facilitates cosmetic application by causing the applicator portion 16 to pivot.

[0062] The main arm 30, together with the first support arm 31 and a portion of the first lateral portion 12, defines a first internal cavity 33, and the main arm 30, together with the second support arm 32 and a portion of the second lateral portion 13, defines a second internal cavity 34.

[0063] The application elements can be molded as a single piece, produced through molding or secondary molding, and optionally flocked.

[0064] The invention is not limited to the described embodiments. For example, the cavity may have any other shape or the support arms may be positioned differently.

Claims

1. A cosmetic device for packaging and application, the cosmetic device having a longitudinal axis X, the cosmetic device comprising: - an applicator having a stem supporting an at least partially elastically deformable application element (6) and having an applicator portion (16) comprising at least one internal main cavity (11) laterally delimited by a first lateral portion (12) and a second lateral portion (13) and axially delimited by a distal portion (14) and a proximal portion (15) joining together the first lateral portion (12) and the second lateral portion (13), the application element (6) being provided with a fastening endpiece (18) fitted in the stem, the fastening endpiece having the longitudinal axis X; - a container containing a product to be applied, the application element being able to be housed in the container when not in use, the container having an opening through which the application element can pass when it is taken out of the container, wherein the first lateral portion (12) and the second lateral portion (13) are elongated along respective longitudinal axes extending parallel to a plane M forming a non-zero angle (a) with the longitudinal axis X of the fastening endpiece (18) and a main arm (30) having a longitudinal axis Y connects an outer edge of the proximal portion (15) to the fastening endpiece (18), the internal main cavity (11) having a closed profile in at least one plane, and wherein the device has a first support arm (31) having a longitudinal axis A and a second support arm (32) having a longitudinal axis B, the first support arm and the second support arm being located on either side of the main arm (30), the first support arm (31) connecting a first outer edge of the first lateral portion (12) to the fastening endpiece (18) and the second support arm (32) connecting a second outer edge of the second lateral portion (13) to the fastening endpiece (18).

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein, The main arm (30) and the first support arm (31) and a portion of the first lateral portion (12) define a first internal cavity (33) and the main arm (30) and the second support arm (32) and a portion of the second lateral portion (13) define a second internal cavity (34).

3. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, At least one of the first support arm (31) and the second support arm (32) has a dimension, in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis A of the first support arm or to the longitudinal axis B of the second support arm, which is smaller than a dimension of the main arm (30) in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y, the dimension being a width or a height.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The application element (6) has a shape which is symmetrical with respect to a median plane containing the longitudinal axis of the stem to which the application element is connected.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The internal main cavity (11) is a through cavity.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first lateral portion (12) has a first section (35) and a second section (36) forming a first obtuse angle (β) between each other, and the second lateral portion (13) has a third section (37) and a fourth section (38) forming a second obtuse angle (γ) between each other.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The application element (6) is integrally molded.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The internal main cavity (11) extends internally for less than half the length of the applicator portion (16) as seen from above, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y of the main arm (30).

9. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The internal width of the internal main cavity (11) is greater than the width of the first lateral portion (12) and the second lateral portion (13) joined together.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein, The product is intended for making up the mucous membranes, the skin or the nails.

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