Cosmetic product applicator with holes

Abstract

The applicator (12) for applying an eyelash cosmetic includes a core (20) comprising a cavity and lateral holes (24) connecting the cavity to the outside of the core. The holes are arranged in a staggered fashion.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to cosmetic product applicators.

[0002] A mascara product, or simply "mascara," typically consists of a mascara reservoir and an applicator. There are two main types of applicators: spoolie and injected. A spoolie applicator is a brush with bristles made of fibers encased in a twisted metal wire that forms the core of the applicator. An injected applicator is a single piece with bristles or teeth made of plastic. While such applicators provide satisfactory results for the user, they are always looking for new or improved makeup effects, as well as greater application comfort. Improvements include better lash separation, enhanced lengthening and / or curling, and different makeup effects depending on the individual lash's position within the lash line.

[0003] US2014 / 0016985 discloses an example of a cosmetic product applicator that includes a brush, this brush having a core and radial protrusions. The core may be hollow and may have diamond-shaped openings.

[0004] One aim of the invention is therefore to improve cosmetic product applicators.

[0005] The invention is disclosed in the claims.

[0006] For this purpose, the invention provides a cosmetic product applicator for eyelashes, comprising a core having a cavity and lateral orifices connecting the cavity to the exterior of the core, the orifices being arranged in a staggered pattern. At least some of the orifices have at least one external chamfer contiguous to an external face of the core.

[0007] Thus, the orifices and cavity can fill with makeup product when the applicator is immersed in a reservoir designed for this purpose. Then, during application, the product coating the applicator is deposited onto the eyelashes. However, product is also gradually discharged from the orifices. This can occur as the eyelashes rub against the orifices. It can also result, if necessary, from the bending and / or compression of the core, which then behaves somewhat like a sponge. Indeed, the orifices reduce the rigidity of the core and give it greater flexibility. Naturally, this flexibility depends on the dimensions and the material(s) chosen for the core.

[0008] Advantageously, the core has a cylindrical shape.

[0009] Although the invention can be implemented with a non-cylindrical core, for example, a core with bulges along its length, it is advantageous to give the core a cylindrical shape. Indeed, such a shape ensures even loading of makeup product along the applicator and facilitates achieving uniform makeup thanks to good product distribution along the lash line.

[0010] Advantageously the core has a shape such that any section of the core in a plane perpendicular to a principal axis of the applicator is convex.

[0011] Although the invention can be implemented with a core that does not have this characteristic, it is advantageous because it offers a uniform loading of product all around the applicator and facilitates makeup by promoting a uniform deposit of the product on the eyelashes.

[0012] Preferably, at least some of the orifices have a larger axis parallel to the main axis of the applicator.

[0013] Advantageously, the orifices form crowns extending in planes perpendicular to the principal axis of the applicator, at least some of the orifices having high and low apexes along their longest axis, the high apex of at least one of the orifices being closer to a distal end of the applicator than the low apex of at least one orifice of a successive upper crown.

[0014] Preferably, the soul has a shape with rotational symmetry.

[0015] Advantageously, the orifices form rings extending in planes perpendicular to a principal axis of the applicator, a distance between two orifices of a ring being less than a larger dimension of one of the two orifices along the plane of the ring.

[0016] Preferably, the orifices form rows parallel to a principal axis of the applicator, with a distance between two orifices in a row being less than a larger dimension of one of the two orifices along the principal axis.

[0017] It can also be predicted that at least some of the openings will have a polygonal shape.

[0018] Advantageously, at least some of the openings are diamond-shaped.

[0019] This shape is particularly suitable for a staggered arrangement of orifices since it allows for optimization of the arrangement of orifices on the wall of the core.

[0020] Preferably, at least some of the orifices are identical, preferably all the orifices are identical.

[0021] Preferably, each orifice having a smaller cross-section with a normal direction oriented towards the cavity, the set of the smaller cross-sections of the orifices occupying less than half of a surface area of ​​a wall of the core.

[0022] Thus, the orifices occupy a relatively small surface area on the applicator. This strengthens the core wall and preserves the robustness of the applicator.

[0023] In one variant, the orifices extend over a section of the applicator forming less than half of the applicator's length.

[0024] It can then be predicted that the applicator includes protrusions over more than half of the applicator's length.

[0025] Thus, the product replenishment effect during application only occurs on this section. The user therefore has access to areas on the remaining section(s) of the applicator that are less saturated with product, allowing them to comb and shape the lashes while depositing relatively little product.

[0026] Advantageously, each orifice extends over less than 20% of a turn of the core, preferably less than 15% of a turn, for example less than 10% of a turn.

[0027] This prevents eyelashes from passing through the openings during application. Therefore, the openings are not responsible for combing and separating the lashes. These dimensions also enhance the applicator's durability.

[0028] As mentioned above, at least some of the openings have an external chamfer.

[0029] Thus, this chamfer facilitates the product's exit from the orifices and its contact with the eyelashes during makeup application.

[0030] Preferably, the applicator includes protrusions, all of which extend fully out of the orifices.

[0031] Thus, the openings are completely free to receive and then dispense the product during makeup application. And the protrusions, which largely contribute to coating the lashes with the product, do not interfere with the openings.

[0032] Advantageously, at least some of the diamond-shaped orifices are surrounded by eight protrusions: four protrusions extending opposite the four vertices of the orifice and four protrusions extending opposite the midpoints on each side of the orifices.

[0033] Preferably, the protrusions form rows parallel to a main axis of the applicator, with at least some of the rows having different numbers of protrusions.

[0034] Preferably, the protrusions form rings perpendicular to a main axis of the applicator, with at least some of the rings having different numbers of protrusions.

[0035] These two characteristics, concerning the varying numbers of protrusions in the rows or crowns, allow for areas within the rows or crowns to be more heavily loaded with makeup product than others. This creates localized reservoirs for the product, improving the coating of the lashes without compromising the combing effect provided by other, denser areas of the rows or crowns.

[0036] Preferably, the applicator is a single piece.

[0037] This could include an applicator manufactured by additive synthesis as explained below.

[0038] The invention also provides for a cosmetic article comprising a cosmetic product reservoir and an applicator according to the invention.

[0039] The invention also provides a method for manufacturing such an applicator by additive synthesis, comprising the following steps: obtaining data relating to the applicator; and additive synthesis of the applicator using the data.

[0040] The advantage of this manufacturing method is that it allows the production of applicators with a complex structure, which would be difficult or even impossible to produce by injection, particularly given the existence of certain undercut parts.

[0041] Various additive manufacturing processes known to those skilled in the art can be used to manufacture the invention. Examples include selective laser sintering (SLS) and stereolithography (SLA). An example of a manufacturing process for a cosmetic product applicator by additive manufacturing is described in application WO 2008 / 113939 filed by the applicant.

[0042] The invention also provides for a computer file comprising data suitable for use by a computer program to control the implementation of the process according to the invention.

[0043] The invention also provides for an electronic recording medium comprising, in recorded form, data enabling the implementation of such a process.

[0044] The invention also provides a method for making such a file available for download on a telecommunications network.

[0045] We will now present an embodiment of the invention and a variant, given by way of non-limiting examples and supported by the attached figures, in which: there figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a cosmetic article according to an embodiment of the invention, the figure 2 is a side view of an applicator of the article of the figure 1 with its stem and the reservoir cap, the figure 3 à 6 are larger-scale views of the applicator of the figure 2 , there figure 7 is an end view of the applicator of the figure 3 , there figure 8 is a view of the applicator's soul figure 3 laid out on a plan, and the figure 9 is a view analogous to the figure 3 showing a variant embodiment of the applicator according to the invention.

[0046] A first embodiment of the cosmetic article according to the invention is illustrated in figures 1 à 8 .

[0047] Article 2 comprises a bottle 4 having a reservoir for a cosmetic product 6, which in this case is mascara. The bottle has a neck 8 at its upper part, the diameter of which is less than the largest transverse dimension of the bottle 4. The article includes a wiper 10, for example frustoconical in shape, fixed inside the neck 8.

[0048] The article includes an applicator 12 fixed to the end of a rod 14, which has a cap 16 at its other end. The article is configured so that the cap 16 can be screwed onto the neck 8 in a position where the distal end of the rod 14 and the entire applicator 12 are immersed in the product 6. This configuration is illustrated in the figure 1 The article is then closed.

[0049] We will now describe in more detail the applicator 12. The latter has a longitudinal axis 18 which coincides with that of the rod 14, the cap 16 and the whole of article 2.

[0050] The applicator includes a core or body 20. The core has a general shape with rotational symmetry about the axis 18.

[0051] The core comprises a wall with an external face 22, which is cylindrical in shape. Furthermore, the core is shaped such that any cross-section of the core in a plane perpendicular to the axis is convex. The external face 22 has a cross-section perpendicular to the axis that is generally circular in shape. The core thus has a general shape resembling a sleeve or tube.

[0052] The core 20 is hollow. The wall also has an internal face that is cylindrical with a circular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the axis 18. The core thus defines a cavity. This cavity is sealed at both axial ends of the core, as can be seen in particular at the figure 3 .

[0053] The wall of the soul is perforated. It thus presents openings or orifices 24 which are through-holes so that each one puts the cavity of the soul in communication with the exterior of the soul.

[0054] All the orifices are identical in this case. They have the shape of a polygon, a quadrilateral, and even a rhombus. The rhombus is arranged so that its longest diagonal is parallel to the axis 18, so that its shortest diagonal extends along the circumferential direction of the core.

[0055] As can be seen in particular on the figures 5 et 6 Each orifice is chamfered. It thus presents a first chamfer, the external or main chamfer 26, contiguous to the external face 22 of the core. This chamfer is itself extended towards the interior of the orifice by a second chamfer 26, or internal chamfer. The portion of the orifice following this second chamfer is therefore the one with the smallest cross-section among the various cross-sections of the orifice. This cross-section is taken in a plane perpendicular to the radial direction to the axis 18. This latter direction is therefore oriented towards the cavity. In other words, this cross-section has a normal direction oriented towards the cavity and the axis.

[0056] The number of the 24 orifices and their dimensions are chosen so that all these smaller sections occupy less than half of the total surface area of ​​the outer face of the core. This is what can be observed, for example, at the figure 8 on which the soul has been fictitiously unrolled in a plane. In other words, the lateral area of ​​the soul is occupied mainly by the solid parts of face 22 and not by the orifices 24.

[0057] Furthermore, the dimensions of each opening are chosen so that it extends over less than 20% of a turn of the core, preferably less than 15% of a turn, for example, less than 10% of a turn. In this case, the shorter diagonal of the rhombus, which constitutes its longest dimension along the circumferential direction, is in a ratio of 4 to 45 with respect to the total circumference of the core, such that this dimension extends over 8.89% of a turn of the core. These measurements are taken in this case on the inner edge of the outer chamfer, so that if the same measurement is taken on the smallest section of the opening, the aforementioned ratio is even smaller. If the measurement is taken on the outer edge of the outer chamfer, the ratio becomes 6 to 45, or approximately 13.3%.

[0058] The orifices 24 are arranged in straight rows parallel to the axis 18. Furthermore, they are arranged in rings of orifices around the axis 18, with the orifices in each ring extending in the same plane. In addition, the orifices are staggered. Thus, the orifices in a row are offset by half a unit along the axis relative to those in the two adjacent rows, a unit being defined as the distance between the centers of two adjacent orifices in the same row. Similarly, the orifices in a ring are offset by half a unit along the circumferential direction relative to those in the two adjacent rings, a unit being defined as the distance between the centers of two adjacent orifices in the same ring.

[0059] In this case, all the rows have seven orifices, 24 in total. The number of rows is 10. The number of rings is 14, and each ring has five orifices. Therefore, the total number of orifices is 70.

[0060] Of course, this number is not exhaustive. It can be expected that the number of openings will more generally be between 15 and 280, or even between 30 and 140, or even between 60 and 90.

[0061] The arrangement of the rows and rings, and the dimensions of the 24 orifices, are chosen so that the rhombuses also form helical rows. Furthermore, in each helical row, two opposite sides of the rhombuses are collinear. And if we consider any group of four orifices closest to each other, their centers form a rhombus with the same proportions as the rhombus of each individual orifice.

[0062] We can therefore see that the openings form a trellis and a mesh.

[0063] For example, we could give the rhombuses diagonals of length 0.9 mm x 0.4 mm.

[0064] The applicator also includes protrusions 30, which in this case form bristles. All the protrusions extend from the outer face 22, and none extend into any of the openings 24, not even from any of the chamfers. Except in a distal end area of ​​the applicator where the protrusions are shorter, all the protrusions of the applicator are the same length. This length is more than 80% of the core diameter and, more generally, is greater than 50% of this diameter.

[0065] The protuberances 30 all extend in a radial direction to the axis 18, being perpendicular to this axis.

[0066] The protuberances are arranged in the following way.

[0067] On the figure 8 The ten rows of holes were numbered from 1 to 10 from left to right.

[0068] In row 1, a protrusion 30 extends between each pair of consecutive rhombuses in the row. However, the protrusion extends at a distance from the ends of these rhombuses. It is, on the other hand, contiguous to the ends of the adjacent rhombuses in the two adjacent rows.

[0069] In the next row, number 2, the arrangement of the 30 protrusions is identical.

[0070] In row #3, there are two protuberances 30 extending between each pair of consecutive rhombuses in the row, and each protuberance is contiguous to one of the rhombuses considered.

[0071] In rows number 4, the arrangement of the protuberances is identical.

[0072] In rows 5, 6, 9 and 10, the arrangement is identical to that of rows 1 and 2.

[0073] In rows #7 and #8, the arrangement is identical to that of rows #3 and #4.

[0074] Furthermore, the other 30 protrusions, which we will call here intercalated protrusions, are arranged between the sides opposite the adjacent rhombuses of two rows. Thus, for each pair of sides considered, there is a protrusion contiguous to these two sides. These secondary protrusions form rings of protrusions extending in the same plane perpendicular to the axis 18 and not including any of the other protrusions.

[0075] Because of this arrangement, the protuberances form straight rows parallel to axis 18, some rows having the same number of protuberances and others not. Thus, in each of rows 1 and 2, there are seven protuberances. There are 14 in rows 3 and 4. There are also 14 in each of the intercalated rows of protuberances. And there are a total of 18 rows of protuberances here.

[0076] How does he see it particularly on the figure 7 Thanks to this arrangement, these rows are evenly distributed around the axis.

[0077] Similarly, these 30 protuberances form rings extending in respective planes perpendicular to axis 18, some rings having the same number of protuberances and others not. Thus, each ring of intercalated protuberances comprises 10 protuberances. In the other rings, there are sometimes two, sometimes three protuberances. And here, there are a total of 42 rows of 30 protuberances.

[0078] Naturally, all these figures concerning the number of orifices per row and per ring and the number of protrusions per row and per ring are not limiting and many other configurations are conceivable.

[0079] This applicator is a single piece. For example, it is made of plastic.

[0080] The item is used for applying eyelash or eyebrow makeup. When not in use, the item is in the configuration of the figure 1 with the applicator 12 immersed in the mascara 6 from the reservoir. The cavity of the applicator is filled with mascara as are the orifices 24.

[0081] To use the product, the user unscrews the cap 16 and then removes the applicator 12 from the reservoir. During this removal, the applicator is squeezed through the squeezer 10 to remove excess mascara. This squeezing removes excess product from the protrusions 30 but largely preserves the product in the orifices 24 and in the cavity.

[0082] The user then places the applicator on the eyelashes to apply the mascara. The product coating the protrusions is thus gradually transferred to the eyelashes. During this movement, some of the product in the orifices is transferred by capillary action to face 22 and the protrusions. In addition, the eyelashes may pass over the surface of the orifices to be directly loaded with mascara. Because the applicator's dimensions and material are chosen to give it a certain degree of flexibility, the applicator undergoes reflex and contraction movements of its cross-section, which also draws more product out of the cavity to the orifices and then out of the core. Therefore, it is not necessary to frequently refill the applicator with mascara by dipping it into the reservoir.The 24 openings and the cavity work together to continuously feed mascara to the 30 protrusions and the lashes as it is applied. In this respect, the applicator acts somewhat like a sponge, dispensing mascara from its openings as the mascara is applied. Furthermore, the rows of protrusions also comb and separate the lashes to prevent clumping. They ensure even coating of the lashes with mascara, contributing to a lengthening and volumizing effect.

[0083] In the variant of the figure 9 , applicator 20 differs from that of the figure 3 solely due to the fact that the orifices are present only in small portions of the applicator. Thus, the applicator is devoid of orifices over more than half of its length, with the orifices extending only in the distal end section.

[0084] This section has a length I1 which represents less than half the total length L of the applicator. The lower part of the applicator on the figure 9 is not taken into account for this total length because it is inserted into the end of the stem and therefore does not contribute to the makeup.

[0085] In the distal end section, moreover, the 24 orifices do not extend around the entire circumference of the applicator. The orifices are arranged on a small number of cylindrical sectors, four in this case, and regularly distributed around the axis 18. On the sector that is visible on the figure 9Thus, nine orifices (24) are distinguished. The applicator therefore comprises only 36 orifices in this particular case. More generally, such an applicator could include a number of orifices ranging from 15 to 140, for example. The arrangement and number of protrusions, however, remain unchanged. Naturally, it would also be possible to modify the number and / or arrangement of the protrusions.

[0086] In this variant, the product replenishment effect provided by the orifices 24 and the cavity is reserved for the distal end section of the applicator, while the applicator includes protrusions 30 over most of its total length L. This results in an applicator that is more heavily loaded with mascara at the reservoir outlet and during application on the distal end section equipped with orifices than on the rest of the applicator, which also has protrusions 30 but no orifices 24.

[0087] The applicators shown above are manufactured in one piece. More specifically, these applicators are manufactured using additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing.

[0088] Any suitable material can be used to make these applicators. This could be a plastic, for example, a polyamide, such as polyamide 1102 or PEBA 2301, or an ABS-type resin, or even a powdered metal like stainless steel or titanium. Polyamide 11 (polyundecanamide, nylon 11, PA 11, sometimes called "French nylon"), a thermoplastic polymer from the aliphatic polyamide family, could be chosen.

[0089] The material can be rigid but should preferably be elastically flexible. Ideally, the material, in combination with the applicator's shape characteristics, should provide a degree of flexibility.

[0090] It is worth noting that a mascara applicator is generally less than 20 mm long.

[0091] Several additive manufacturing processes can be used to create an applicator like the one described above. These include selective laser sintering of powdered material and stereolithography (SLA). In this case, selective laser sintering is used, as this process has the advantage of allowing the fabrication of objects with complex shapes.

[0092] The applicator is initially designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software. An STL file containing the applicator's design data is then exported. This data determines the applicator's shape. Other standard file formats for additive manufacturing can also be used.

[0093] This file is then processed by software provided by the manufacturer of the machine used for additive manufacturing. This software slices the file into sections, resulting in approximately one hundred digital images in SLI or BFF format. Each image corresponds to a layer of the model to be printed, that is, a section of the applicator taken in a plane perpendicular to the applicator's longitudinal axis. This data is then transmitted to the printer so that it can produce the applicator.

[0094] Once the synthesis is complete, treatments can be applied to the applicator in order, for example, to improve its appearance.

[0095] Of course, many modifications can be made to the invention without going out of its scope.

[0096] The applicator can be given a shape that is not cylindrical, whose cross-section is not circular, and / or which is not a shape with rotational symmetry. The cross-section of the applicator could, for example, be elliptical.

[0097] The 24 orifices will not necessarily be quadrilateral or even polygonal in shape. They could, for example, be circular or square. Some of the orifices of the same applicator according to the invention may have different shapes from one another.

[0098] Although the applicators shown here have a general rectilinear shape, it is possible to give them a non-rectilinear shape, for example a curved or wavy shape.

[0099] Although the aforementioned applicators have been presented as comprising identical protrusions 30 forming hairs, it is also possible to foresee that these protrusions form teeth or that the applicator includes protrusions forming hairs and others forming teeth.

Claims

1. Applicator (12; 32) for applying a cosmetic product for the eyelashes, comprising a core (20) that has a cavity and lateral orifices (24) placing the cavity in communication with the exterior of the core, the orifices being disposed in a staggered manner, characterized in that at least some of the orifices (24) have at least one external chamfer (26) contiguous with an external face (22) of the core (20).

2. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the core (20) has a shape such that any section of the core in a plane perpendicular to a main axis (18) of the applicator is convex.

3. Applicator according to either one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the orifices (24) have a longer axis parallel to a main axis (18) of the applicator.

4. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the orifices form rings extending in planes perpendicular to the main axis (18) of the applicator, at least some of the orifices (24) having top and bottom vertices along their longer axis, the top vertex of at least one of the orifices being closer to a distal end of the applicator than the bottom vertex of at least one orifice of a higher successive ring.

5. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the orifices form rings extending in planes perpendicular to a main axis (18) of the applicator, a distance between two orifices (24) of a ring being less than a larger dimension of one of the two orifices in the plane of the ring.

6. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the orifices form rows parallel to a main axis (18) of the applicator, a distance between two orifices (24) of a row being less than a larger dimension of one of the two orifices along the main axis (18).

7. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the orifices (24) have a polygonal shape.

8. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the orifices (24) have a rhombus shape.

9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least some of the orifices (24) are identical, preferably all of the orifices (24) being identical.

10. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, each orifice (24) having a smaller section having a normal direction oriented in the direction of the cavity, the smaller sections of the orifices, as a whole, occupying less than half of a surface area of a wall of the core (20).

11. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the orifices (24) extend over a segment of the applicator forming less than half a length of the applicator, the applicator preferably comprising protuberances (30) along more than half the length of the applicator.

12. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each orifice (24) extends over less than 20% of a circumference of the core, preferably less than 15% of a circumference, for example less than 10% of a circumference.

13. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises protuberances (30), all the protuberances extending entirely outside the orifices (24).

14. Applicator according to Claims 8 and 13, wherein at least some of the orifices that have a rhombus shape are surrounded by eight protuberances: four protuberances extending next to the four vertices of the orifice and four protuberances extending next to the midpoints of each side of the orifices.

15. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises protuberances (30) forming rows parallel to a main axis (18) of the applicator, at least some of the rows having different numbers of protuberances from one another.

16. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises protuberances (30) forming rings perpendicular to a main axis (18) of the applicator, at least some of the rings having different numbers of protuberances from one another.

17. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the applicator being in one piece.

18. Cosmetic article (2) comprising a cosmetic product reservoir and an applicator according to any one of the preceding claims.

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