Wiper for a cosmetic applicator

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic products. An applicator for a container of cosmetic products, of the type consisting of a cylindrical crown from which a truncated cone extends from one end, a rib being provided outside the cylindrical crown and the truncated cone, characterized in that a longitudinal sequence of at least two radially deformable blades (12) extends from the inner surface of the cylindrical crown and the truncated cone.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of cosmetic applicators, and more particularly, to an improved scraper for use in cosmetic applicators. Background Technology

[0002] As is well known, cosmetic formulas for lips and eyes are placed in containers and sold in a way that is designed to keep the ingredients separated from the external environment in the best possible way and for as long as possible, in order to reduce any risk of contamination of the product after it comes into contact with air and heat.

[0003] For this purpose, the container typically consists of a main cylindrical body, closed at the top except for an opening coinciding with a neck whose diameter is reduced relative to the container's own. The container includes a port with engaging and retaining structures, and a complementary structure on the surface of the lid corresponds to this structure. Typically, one end of the stem remains engaged with the lid, while the other end is provided with an applicator for cosmetic materials. This applicator has different shapes and characteristics depending on the surface it is intended to engage. For example, bristle applicators are typically provided for applying mascara to eyelashes, while "brush-type" applicators, or more generally "pointed" applicators (e.g., flocked), are used for applying cosmetics to the lips.

[0004] During the static phase, the applicator is immersed in the liquid, causing overload of material on the applicator surface. To reduce the risk of excessive material deposition in the area of ​​interest and to reduce the risk of air passing through the cap and contaminating the cosmetic material provided inside the container, a scraper is provided—typically press-fitted inside the neck—that is, an article consisting of a cylindrical body with a flange at one end and a truncated conical cone (with a perforated bottom) at the other end.

[0005] While the problem of loading sufficient amounts of cosmetic ingredients onto the applicator remains particularly prominent, the structure of the scraper has been the subject of numerous patent applications over the years, aimed at addressing various issues. Several solutions of particular interest have been identified in a large body of literature.

[0006] Document KR20200135235A1 relates to a container equipped with a scraper. Specifically, this document discloses a container for cosmetics that includes a scraper capable of preventing excessive adhesion of cosmetics to the dotted portion of a dropper and facilitating the extraction and retraction of the spoon-shaped portion. KR'235 discloses a scraper for a dropper applicator, the scraper consisting of multiple longitudinal ribs, wherein the individual rib portions are separated from each other; in addition, an annular portion including a slit is provided. KR'235 does not solve the problem of loading an appropriate amount of cosmetic ingredients onto an applicator with bristles or a sponge-like structure.

[0007] Document KR20170093674A1 discloses a device for cleaning lip gloss and mascara, and more specifically, a device for cleaning lip gloss and mascara that prevents the contents of the lip gloss or mascara from spilling or becoming contaminated or remaining attached to the opening of the container when a sponge is removed from or inserted into a container such as lip gloss or mascara. KR'674 discloses a scraping member installed inside a container for cosmetic ingredients in a manner known per se. This scraping member may optionally be provided with an internal peripheral protrusion to accommodate a second scraping member.

[0008] Document KR10-2313212 relates to a cosmetic container that, among other components, includes a scraper having a structure with multiple inwardly protruding fins adapted to clean a rod with an applicator mounted thereon by bending it at its channel. The fins have different lengths to form a double scraping surface, one on the fin and one at the end hole.

[0009] However, this solution cannot guarantee the recovery of the material deposited along the squeegee, which risks compromising the quality of the product to be applied, as it is actually more susceptible to the effects of air and external media than the material left in the reservoir.

[0010] In addition, in line with recent trends in combating waste, there is an increasing demand for applicators to be dispensed with the appropriate amount of material to minimize the risk of waste.

[0011] Finally, over time, different types of applicators with varying morphologies and materials have been developed to allow cosmetic materials to be deposited most effectively, for example, on the face or lips. Therefore, it is necessary to design scrapers that can conform to the contours of the applicator, regardless of the traditional structural limitations imposed by the rigid structure of the container. Summary of the Invention

[0012] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a scraper that, on the one hand, keeps the applicator clean when it is ready to perform its task, protects the applicator from contamination by excess material deposited thereon, thereby recovering substances deposited on the scraper that tend to deposit along the inner wall of the scraper itself, and on the other hand, the scraper is manufactured in a manner that can accommodate the most diverse cross-sections and shapes.

[0013] This objective is achieved by a scraper having the features defined in claim 1, while the dependent claims describe preferred features of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Further features and advantages of the invention will in any event become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are given by way of non-limiting example only and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 A perspective view of an embodiment of the scraper according to the present invention is shown; Figure 2 As shown Figure 1 Side view of the scraper in the image; Figure 3 A bottom view of the scraper according to the present invention is shown; Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the scraper according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Figure 1 The scraper 1 shown in the figure consists of a cylindrical crown 2 and a truncated cone 3 extending from one end of the cylindrical crown 2. Reinforcing and retaining ribs 4 are provided on the outer surfaces of the cylindrical crown 2 and the truncated cone 3.

[0016] Inside, a cylindrical crown 5 is provided, having a diameter smaller than that of the free surface 2a of the cylindrical crown 2. An inclined surface 6 connects the free surface 2a of the crown 2 to the inner crown 5. The crown 5 has a finite height, and the internal contour of the scraper 1 is widened into a groove 7, from which a funnel 8 extends.

[0017] according to Figure 2 and Figure 3 The construction of the joint surface of the scraper relative to the neck of the container associated with the scraper 1 is clear, namely, the specific morphology of the rib 4 that forms the joint between the body and the neck of the container and the retaining surface, as well as the size and type of the joint formed between the cylindrical crown 2 and the opening of the container for inserting the applicator into the reservoir.

[0018] In addition, according to Figure 2 The symmetrical contour of the ribs allows for the identification of the area that engages with the neck surface of the container and the weight-reduction area, and also allows the body of the scraper 1 to undergo elastic deformation as the applicator passes through it.

[0019] In the same way, in Figure 3 In this context, the relationship between the structure with alternating ribs 4 and the central hole 9, which facilitates the movement of the applicator, becomes apparent. The distal region of the scraper 1 is also clearly identifiable, consisting of a truncated conical crown 10 branching from a truncated cone 3 and having a more pronounced cone shape than the truncated cone 3. The truncated conical crown 10 then connects at its innermost end to another distal truncated conical crown 11 with a larger angle. In particular, the innermost crown 11 is substantially horizontal.

[0020] at last, Figure 4 A cross-section of the scraper 1 according to the invention is shown: the elements described so far are substantially fully identifiable here, namely a truncated cone 3, the upper end of which terminates at a cylindrical crown 2, which in turn terminates at a top surface 2a, the cylindrical crown internally providing a thickened portion consisting of a cylindrical crown 5—which reduces the diameter of the groove provided in the scraper 1 for receiving the applicator, and is identifiable along the longitudinal axis, albeit according to an irregular profile—and also provides a truncated conical surface 6 extending from the free surface 2a of the cylindrical crown 2, a groove 7 between the cylindrical crown 5 and a funnel 8, and a central cavity 9 extending from the funnel 8 until it is confined by the truncated conical crown 11.

[0021] However, compared to the previous figures, Figure 4 The cross-section also shows a labyrinthine structure, which is essentially composed of a longitudinal sequence of at least two radial blades 12 with a basic horizontal angle, the radial blades 12 reducing the passage of the central cavity 9, while at the end of the funnel 8, the central cavity 9 is kept at the same diameter between one blade and the other.

[0022] In the illustrated embodiment, the scraper is made of two components to meet different structural requirements: a rigid material element (located at the top and not shown in the figures, as it does not contain any additions compared to conventional scraper solutions) for engaging and abutting the neck of the container, and a flexible material element with a central perforation adapted to ensure proper elasticity of the elements engaging with the applicator (i.e., blade 12 and truncated conical crown 11), while facilitating proper placement of the material on the applicator during the removal phase.

[0023] However, scrapers made entirely of flexible materials or entirely of rigid materials can be provided.

[0024] Compared to conventional smooth, continuous walls, the wall arrangement for engagement with the applicator comprises a series of blades 12, thus allowing adjustment of the amount of cosmetic on the applicator: the blades 12 interfere with the bristles or surface of the applicator, removing excess material. The specific structure of the blades, separated by gaps, allows the distal portions of the blades themselves to move correctly when the applicator engages with them: in fact, the distal portions bend as the applicator passes through (bending upwards upon removal and downwards upon insertion), thus effectively forming a wall conforming to the shape of the applicator itself, thereby achieving the desired versatility of the shape presented by the scraper, obtaining a substantially continuous wall on one side and a contrasting surface on the other. In this way, a universal scraper suitable for various types of applicators is obtained.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, blade 12 is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. However, in any other embodiment, angled blades may be provided instead of horizontal blades, with the tilt angle varying from 1° to 80°.

[0026] Therefore, a scraper has been manufactured that meets the intended purpose: on the one hand, it can reduce the amount of excess cosmetic on the applicator, thereby recovering the initially received material that is not needed for the current application; and on the other hand, it can adapt to any shape of applicator tip and properly scrape and clean it. In fact, due to its specific morphology and elasticity, the blades can wrap around and interfere with any contour that mates with them, resulting in a significant performance improvement compared to conventional scraper sections located at the end of the scraper body.

[0027] However, it should be understood that the present invention should not be construed as limited to the specific arrangement shown above (which constitutes only an exemplary embodiment of the invention), but can have various variations, all of which are within the scope of what can be achieved by those skilled in the art, and thus do not depart from the scope of protection of the invention itself as defined by the appended claims.

[0028] In particular, other embodiments are possible, in which the scraper 1 may have a different shape than those described so far, providing a different profile for the body 2 where the scraping actually occurs, for example by providing a more rounded shape, or they may have a linear shape. A truncated conical structure has been preferred for greater versatility when combined with various types of applicators.

[0029] Based on the description, it should be understood that the blades 12 have a fundamental function in the structure and operation of the scraper. It should be noted that, in order to achieve its intended purpose, the device is therefore constructed such that at least two blades 12 are required, but there is no maximum limit to the number of blades that can be provided; the number depends on the length of the scraper and the applicator.

[0030] Other variations may exist, which are not listed here, but have the same inventive scope as the solutions defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A scraper (1) for a cosmetic container, comprising the following components: A cylindrical crown (2) and a truncated cone (3) extending from one end of the cylindrical crown (2) are provided with reinforcing and retaining ribs (4) on the outside of the cylindrical crown (2) and the truncated cone (3), characterized in that a longitudinal sequence of at least two elastically deformable radial blades (12) extends from the inner surface of the cylindrical crown (2) and the truncated cone (3).

2. The scraper (1) for a cosmetic container according to claim 1, characterized in that, A cylindrical crown (5) with a diameter smaller than that of the free surface (2a) of the cylindrical crown (2) is provided along the inner surface of the cylindrical crown (2), and an inclined surface (6) connects the free surface (2a) of the crown (2) to the inner crown (5).

3. The scraper (1) for a cosmetic container according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inner contour of the scraper (1) is widened relative to the inner ring (5) to form a groove (7), and a funnel (8) extends from the groove (7).

4. A scraper (1) for a cosmetic container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The rib (4) forms the joint and retaining surface between the body and the neck of the cosmetic container.

5. The scraper (1) for a cosmetic container according to claim 4, characterized in that, The symmetrical lines of the ribs form an area that engages with the neck surface of the container and a weight-reducing area, which allows the scraper body (1) to elastically deform as the applicator passes through.

6. The scraper (1) for a cosmetic container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The end region of the scraper (1) includes a truncated conical crown (10) branching from the truncated cone (3), which has a more pronounced cone shape than the truncated cone (3), and the truncated conical crown (10) then connects at its innermost end to another truncated conical crown (11) with a larger angle.

7. The scraper (1) for a cosmetic container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The radial blade (12) is at an angle between 1° and 80° relative to the longitudinal axis.

8. The scraper (1) for a cosmetic container according to claim 6 or claim 7 of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The terminal crown (11) has a substantially horizontal angle.

9. A scraper (1) for a cosmetic container according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The scraper (1) is made of a single flexible material component.

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