Device for applying a fluid or paste product to keratin fibres

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator device for a fluid or paste-type product on keratin fibers, comprising an elongated central core extending along a longitudinal axis XX, at least one row of elongated pins comprising a first end embedded on the core and a second free end.According to the invention, at least one of the pins is delimited by a flat face coinciding with a longitudinal plane of the device, called reference plane P, which extends radially with respect to the core, said at least one pin comprises a first zone (22) embedded on the core and of substantially constant cross-section, and a second zone (23) of variable cross-section located substantially in the longitudinal extension of said first zone (22), the second zone (23) comprising at least a first portion (231) juxtaposed and in the extension of the first zone (22), and a second portion (232) juxtaposed overlapping with the first portion (231) according to said reference plane P.

Description

DOMAINE TECHNIQUE DE L'INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to the field of applicators for fluid or pasty cosmetic products, such as mascara. The invention relates more specifically to the device or means for applicating the cosmetic product. ETAT DE LA TECHNIQUE ANTERIEURE

[0002] Many mascara applicators are already known in the prior art. The application device itself may be, for example, an elongated brush with a central core from which a set of bristles or spikes protrude. The bristles are based on old technology: a twisted metal wire holds the bristles, which are protruded transversely. An example of an application is illustrated in US patent US 5,611,361.

[0003] More recently, the application device is in the form of a brush comprising a series of studs embedded on the longitudinal core of the brush. The assembly is molded from plastic. An application device thus forms, with a suitable reservoir into which it can be inserted, a cosmetic product dispenser. Applications FR 2 810 860 and WO 2011 / 045770 show some examples of applicators derived from this concept. An example of an applicator according to the preamble of the claim is known from EP1767119A1.

[0004] The disadvantages of the application devices, or brushes, of the prior art are that the spikes do not allow the cosmetic product to be correctly transferred from the reservoir to the spikes, and the product to be properly applied to the keratin fibres, to lengthen, thicken and / or separate them.

[0005] One solution envisaged by the prior art to improve the mascara loading of brushes consists of using pins having a flat face to collect the mascara while the non-flat face participates in the separation of the eyelashes. Document EP 1 872 682 describes such a brush; the pins are arranged in rows parallel to the longitudinal axis of the brush and all the pins in a row have their flat face on the same side: the flat faces are aligned while the non-flat faces are on the same side of the line. The user of the brush therefore prints a movement of the brush in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the brush, while rotating it.

[0006] Brushes of this type are not as effective as they used to be because the flat sides do not help separate the lashes and the non-flat sides do not help with mascara loading. With this type of brush, the user is therefore forced to make several strokes over their lashes while reversing the movement of the brush to ensure they collect enough mascara.

[0007] Somewhat differently, patent application EP 1611 817 discloses a mascara application device comprising a longitudinal support, a first and a second row of spikes made monolithically with the support, embedded on the same side of the support and extending over more than a quarter of the length of the support. The teeth (or spikes) extend on either side of a geometric surface called a separation surface formed in two non-parallel directions and surfaces. The spikes are erected from a flat face of the support, and they are arranged in a staggered pattern on either side of the separation surface. Thus, when applying mascara, the back and forth movement imparted to the brush does not allow for optimal distribution of the load or appropriate separation of the eyelashes.

[0008] Patent application FR 2 930 875 is also known, which describes a cosmetic product applicator device comprising a longitudinal core supporting several rows of spikes having a flat face and projecting radially from the core. The spikes are distributed in at least one row parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core, such that in the same row the spikes are positioned alternately on either side of a central line (or plane) of the row, with their flat face facing the inside of the row. According to a characteristic of the invention, the flat faces of the spikes in the same row extend perpendicular to the core and are aligned, and they are oriented in both rotating directions around the core.

[0009] Même If this solution brings a certain improvement compared to the prior art, the modularity of the load is not obtained favorably. In addition, the separation of the eyelashes remains perfectible.

[0010] Development therefore appears necessary, particularly in terms of the shape of each spike. Each spike must contribute to improving, alone or in combination with other spikes, both the product load and the separation of the eyelashes or keratin fibers. EXPOSE DE L'INVENTION

[0011] The invention aims to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art, particularly with regard to the loading of cosmetic product and the separation of eyelashes.

[0012] To do this, the invention proposes a device for applying a fluid or pasty type product to keratin fibers, comprising a central core of elongated shape which extends along a longitudinal axis XX, at least one row of elongated spikes comprising a first end embedded on the core and a second free end, the spikes and the core being formed in a single piece.According to the invention, at least one of the pins is delimited by a first flat face merged with a longitudinal plane of the device, called reference plane P, which extends radially with respect to the core, and by a second flat face forming with said first flat face an angle of approximately 180°; furthermore, said at least one pin comprises a first zone embedded on the core and of substantially constant cross-section, the second zone comprising at least a first juxtaposed portion and in the extension of the first zone, and a second juxtaposed portion overlapping with the first portion according to said reference plane P.

[0013] These characteristics, which constitute a precise technical definition of the shape and individual and / or reciprocal arrangement of the pins, improve the functions stated above.

[0014] Advantageously, not in accordance with the invention, the shape and / or arrangement of two pins successively implanted along the axis XX, is capable of creating at least one distal opening between them. Said distal opening can be open towards the free end of the pin, in the general shape of a tuning fork.

[0015] Not in accordance with the invention, the shape and / or arrangement of two pins successively implanted along the XX axis is capable of creating a second opening between them. Depending on the option envisaged, the distal opening and the second opening may be separate or communicating.

[0016] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the invention, at least two of the pins constituting a row have an identical orientation.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the invention, at least two of the pins constituting a row have a different orientation.

[0018] Furthermore, the distance measured along the XX axis between two successive pins can be negative, zero or positive, less than approximately 2 mm. This distance is easily adapted to the particular case considered.

[0019] According to the invention, the first and second faces form an angle of approximately 180° between them, and the second zone comprises at least a first juxtaposed portion in the extension of the first zone, and a second juxtaposed portion overlapping with the first portion according to said reference plane P.

[0020] More specifically, said first portion comprises a first bulge; the second portion comprises a second bulge oriented differently from said first bulge.

[0021] According to another alternative of the invention, said second portion of the second zone has a U shape which extends substantially parallel to said reference plane, on the other side of said reference plane P relative to the first portion.

[0022] In addition, the second zone of the spike(s) may extend according to a succession of concave and convex curvatures.

[0023] Outside the scope of the invention, at least one of the spikes comprises at least one protrusion resulting from a bulge and / or a convexity. BREVE DESCRIPTION DES FIGURES

[0024] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate: there figure 1 , a perspective view of an applicator device according to a first mode not in accordance with the invention, the figure 1A , a side view of said applicator; the figure 1B , a top view of said applicator; the figure 2A , a side view of an applicator according to a second mode not in accordance with the invention; the figure 2B , a top view of the second mode not in accordance with the invention; the figure 3A , a side view of an applicator according to a third mode not in accordance with the invention; the figure 3B , a top view of the third mode not in accordance with the invention; the figures 4A, 4B et 4C show a spike respectively in perspective, from the side and from above, according to a variant not in accordance with the invention; the figures 5A, 5B et 5C show a spike respectively in perspective, from the side and from above, according to another variant not in accordance with the invention; the figures 6A, 6B et 6C show an arrangement of two spikes respectively in perspective, from the side and from above, according to a variant not in accordance with the invention; the figures 7A, 7B et 7C show an arrangement of two spikes respectively in perspective, from the side and from above, according to a variant not in accordance with the invention; the figures 8A, 8B et 8C show an arrangement of two spikes respectively in perspective, from the side and from above, according to a variant not in accordance with the invention; the figures 9A, 9B et 9C concern a variant of the spikes of the figures 5 ; THE figures 10A et 10B show a variant of spikes in accordance with the invention; the figure 11 shows an arrangement of spikes in rows, seen from the side; the figure 11A illustrates the same arrangement, seen from above; the figure 11B is a detail of the figure 11A ; there figure 12 shows an arrangement of another form of spikes, in rows, seen from the side; the figure 12A illustrates the same arrangement, seen from above; the figure 12B is a detail of the figure 11A ; THE figures 13A, 13B, 13C illustrate different longitudinal gaps between two successive spikes; the figure 14 is a perspective of an applicator device according to one of the embodiments not in accordance with the invention; the figure 15 is a side view of an applicator device according to another embodiment of the invention; the figure 15A is a front view of an applicator device according to the figure 15 ; there figure 15B , is a detailed view of the pins making up an applicator according to the figures 15 et 15A ; there figure 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a spike according to the invention; figure 16A is a side view of the spike of the figure 16 , and the figure 16B is a top view of the spike according to the figure 16 ; and the figure 17 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a spike; the figure 17A a side view of the spike of the figure 17 , and the figure 17B is a top view of the spike according to the figure 17 .

[0025] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical reference signs throughout the figures.

[0026] In the remainder of this text, “applicator” or “applicator device” or even “application device” are used to define the same technical means. DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE D'UN MODE DE REALISATION

[0027] There figure 1 shows the principle of the invention which therefore relates to a device for applying a fluid or pasty type product to keratin fibers such as eyelashes. In a known manner, this device comprises an elongated core 1 which extends along a longitudinal axis XX; the cross-section of the core may or may not be constant. At least one row of pins or protuberances 2, of generally elongated shape, comprise a first end 20 embedded on the core 1 and a second free end 21; the pins 2 and the core are advantageously formed in a single piece, in particular from plastic from a mold. The application device is of generally elongated shape and its external volume can take different forms: cylindrical, truncated cone, peanut-shaped or other; the person skilled in the art chooses it according to the specific case. figures 1A et 1B show a substantially cylindrical exterior volume; the figure 2A a peanut-shaped exterior; figure 3A a wavy shape.

[0028] According to the invention and as illustrated for example in the figures 4 à 13 , at least one of the pins is delimited by a first flat face 200 merged or substantially merged with a plane P called longitudinal or reference which extends radially with respect to the core 1. The figure 1 clearly shows plane P; this figure also illustrates a row of pins 2 which have a face merged with plane P.

[0029] The (or at least one of the) pins 2 are further defined and delimited by a second flat face 210 forming with the first flat face 200 an angle of between approximately 10° and 180°. The various figures which follow show the possible angles, which are chosen, determined, calculated by the person skilled in the art.

[0030] Furthermore, at least one spike 2 comprises a first zone 22 embedded on the core 1; this zone corresponds to the embedding 21 and it has a substantially constant cross-section, preferably in the form of a portion of a circle; this is the “foot” or the anchoring of each spike on the core 1. In the longitudinal extension of the first zone 22, a second zone 23 is considered which can have various shapes, as illustrated in particular but not exhaustively in the appended figures.

[0031] According to the figures 4A, 4B, 4C the first 200 and the second 210 faces of the pin considered form a right angle between them, as clearly shown in figure 4C The second zone 23 here has a first swollen portion - or first bulge - 231 juxtaposed and in the extension of the first zone 22, and a second swollen portion - or second bulge - 232 in the extension of the first bulge 231.

[0032] THE figures 5A et 5B relate to an embodiment which differs from that of the figures 4 in that the second swollen portion 232 has a recess 233 at the level of the distal part 21 of the spike. figure 5B further differs by the angle between the two faces 200, 210 of the spike: this angle is here approximately 45°. This spike is therefore thinner and, all other things being equal, more flexible than that illustrated by the figures 4 .

[0033] THE figures 6A, 6B et 6C illustrate the reciprocal arrangement of two adjacent pins, as well as their intrinsic shape. Unlike the pin of the figures 5A, 5B et 5C , the shape of each spike comprises two recesses 233 and 234, substantially in the extension of one another. These recesses are capable of forming two openings 235, 236 in the extension of one another, with an appropriate reciprocal arrangement of two successive spikes.

[0034] The faces 200 and 210 are here oriented at 90° to each other, although this orientation may be different without departing from the scope of the invention. The two pins 2 have a different orientation, at 180°.

[0035] THE figures 7A, 7B, 7C show a shape of the second zone 23 close to that of the figures 6 , but with a substantially constant cross-section. This shape allows, by a chosen and appropriate arrangement, to form between two longitudinally juxtaposed pins, a large opening 230 elongated and closed at the distal end 21.

[0036] A variant of the embodiment of the figures 7A, 7B, 7C is represented on the figures 8A, 8B et 8C The difference lies in the opening 230 which is not closed at the distal end 21. A sort of tuning fork here constitutes the second zone 23 which benefits from an interesting flexibility both to serve as a product reservoir and to retain and guide the keratin fibers.

[0037] THE figures 9A, 9B et 9C relate to spikes 2 of the type presented above to which is added a lug or outgrowth 24 originating from a bulge and / or a convexity 232. Here again, this geometry is of interest for improving the guidance of the keratin fibers. Furthermore, it is advantageous here to form an opening 236, at the distal end of two juxtaposed spikes.

[0038] THE figures 10A et 10B illustrate a spike 2 which can be produced in two ways: either by the juxtaposition in contact of two spikes whose first 200 and second 210 faces form an angle of 90° between them; or by a single spike whose first and second faces form an angle of 180°. In both options, two bulges 231, 232 are provided at the level of the second zone 23, and these two bulges come from the flat zone(s) 200, 210. The bulges are oriented at 180° to each other; they have a contact surface merged with a reference plane P.

[0039] THE figures 11, 11A et 11B show an embodiment according to which the pins 2 are delimited by a first flat face 200 and a second flat face 210 forming between them an angle of approximately 45°. The second zones 23 of the pins are formed by a succession of concave and convex curvatures. The arrangement of two adjacent pins is such that a difference E of approximately 0.01 mm can be measured along the longitudinal axis XX of the applicator device. The orientation of two adjacent pins is not the same since the second flat faces 210 are located alternately on either side of the longitudinal reference plane P, while the first faces 200 belong to the reference plane P. This arrangement makes it possible to form in space two substantially distinct openings 235, 236.

[0040] THE figures 12, 12A, 12B present an embodiment which differs from that of the figures 11, 11A et 11B by the longitudinal implantation gap E between two pins. This gap is approximately ten times larger, so that the openings 235, 236 are not closed. The person skilled in the art chooses the most appropriate version.

[0041] THE figures 13A, 13B et 13C show three possible gaps between two longitudinally adjacent pins 2. According to the figure 13A , two adjacent pins have a maximum overlapping surface at the level of their first flat faces 200; according to the figure 13B , the overlapping surface is approximately half of the first 200 flat surfaces; according to the figure 13C , only a small portion of the contact surface is provided.

[0042] There figure 14 illustrates by a perspective a preferred embodiment.

[0043] An interesting aspect of this embodiment concerns the distal openings 236 formed by two successive spikes 2, on several rows of spikes. These openings 236 serve as a reservoir for the fluid or pasty product. Such reservoirs are easily filled with product since they are arranged on the periphery of the volume occupied by the application device; the openings being moreover formed by two free ends of spikes, they are particularly flexible, which is interesting for the repeated passages of the applicator devices through the wipers - small discs placed at the neck of the container.

[0044] THE figures 15, 15A et 15B relate to a solution where the second portion of the second zone 23 of the spike has a U shape whose apex is juxtaposed with the first zone 22 at the level of a longitudinal plane P. The figure 15A clearly shows this arrangement. According to the figures 15 et 15A , several rows of pins (six) as described above are provided, radially spaced on the core. Other types of pins 2 may be provided on a core 1, for example radially interposed between the U-shaped pins. The figure 15B shows in more detail a pin 2 as described above.

[0045] An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figures 16, 16A et 16B . According to these figures, the spike comprises a first zone 22 embedded on the core, as already defined; the spike further comprises a second zone 23 here defined by a first part 231 whose two faces form an angle of 180° and belong to the reference plane P. The part 231 is located in the longitudinal extension of the first zone 22 and it is juxtaposed with overlap in the plane P with a second part 232, distal part, which projects on the other side of the plane P, as shown in particular by figure 16B . The part 232 has an opening or closed loop at its distal end (not referenced but corresponding to the opening 236 of the other embodiments of the spikes). In other words, the spike is here “distributed” on either side of the plane P. It has all the characteristics and advantages of the other embodiments of the invention.

[0046] THE figures 17, 17A et 17B relate to an embodiment close to that illustrated by the figures 16 The essential difference lies in the shape of the second part 232, which here corresponds to a distally open hook. This embodiment, more flexible than that of the figures 16, 16A, 16B , will therefore be chosen by the person skilled in the art when greater flexibility is required. The distal opening 236 is open here since it is defined by the hook 232.

[0047] Without departing from the scope of the invention, the variants of the figures 16 et 17 could be made by two pins whose flat faces 200, 210 form an angle of 90° between them, and whose faces 210 not belonging to the reference plane P, are joined.

[0048] Furthermore, the number of rows of pins preferably varies from one to twenty-four, with pins and pin arrangements identical or not. In particular, as shown in the figure 2B , the spikes can all be oriented in the same way on the same row or on all the spikes constituting the application device; the spikes can also have different orientations, for example alternating on either side of the longitudinal plane P.

[0049] Other non-essential modifications may be provided either on the intrinsic shape of the spikes, or on their orientation and / or reciprocal arrangement, without departing from the scope of the invention. Of course, the applicator device according to the invention may have spikes from the different embodiments according to the invention and in particular illustrated and described above.

[0050] Naturally, the professional knows how to size the pins, the gaps between the pins, as well as the core in order to meet the required technical requirements.

Claims

1. An applicator device for a product of the fluid or viscous type on keratin fibres, comprising: - an elongate-shaped central core (1) that extends along a longitudinal axis XX, and - at least one row of elongate spikes (2) comprising a first end (20) embedded on the core and a second free end (21), the spikes (2) and the central core (1) being formed in a single piece, least one of the spikes being delimited by a first flat face (200) coincident with a longitudinal plane of the device, referred to as the reference plane P, that extends radially vis-à-vis the central core (1), and by a second flat face forming with said first flat face an angle of approximately 180°, and said at least one spike (2) comprising: - a first region (22) embedded on the central core (1) and with a substantially constant cross-section, and - a second region (23) with a variable cross-section situated substantially longitudinally in line with said first region (22), the second region (23) comprising at least one first portion (231) juxtaposed with and in line with the first region (22), and a second portion (232) juxtaposed so as to overlap with the first portion (231) along said reference plane P.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the first portion (231) includes a face belonging to the plane P, the second portion (232) projecting from the other side of the plane P.

3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said first portion (231) comprises a first bulge, and the second portion (232) comprises a second bulge oriented differently from said first bulge.

4. A device according to claim 1 to 3, characterised in that the second portion (232) of the second region has an opening (236).

5. A device according to claim 4, characterised in that the second portion (232) of the second region (23) has a U shape that extends substantially parallel to said reference plane, on the other side of said reference plane P in relation to the first portion, the U shape partly delimiting the opening (236).

6. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that the second portion (232) of the second region (23) has a closed loop that extends substantially parallel to said reference plane, on the other side of said reference plane P in relation to the first portion, the closed loop delimiting an opening (236).

7. A device according to claim 2, characterised in that the second portion (232) of the second region (23) has the shape of a distally open hook that extends substantially parallel to said reference plane, on the other side of said reference plane P relative to the first portion, the open hook shape partly delimiting an opening (236).

8. A device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that at least two of the spikes (2) constituting a row have identical orientation.

9. A device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that at least two of the spikes (2) constituting a row having a different orientation.

10. A device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the distance measured along the axis XX between two successive spikes may be negative, zero or positive, less than approximately 2 millimetres.

11. A device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the second region of the spike or spikes extends in a succession of concave and convex curvatures.

Images