Device for conditioning and applying a product to the lips

Abstract

Lip conditioning and application device Device (1) for conditioning and applying a cosmetic (P), makeup or skincare product to the lips, comprising: an applicator (2) having an application member (10), and a container (3) containing the product (P) to be applied, the application member (10) having: - a support portion (11) extending from the proximal end (13) of the application member (10), and - an application portion (12) generally curved around at least one axis of curvature (Z), having a front face (12b) generally concave outwards and whose perimeter extends in front of the support portion (11), with a transverse dimension, measured parallel to the axis of curvature (Z), which decreases, over at least part of its length, towards the distal end (14) of the application member (10),the application portion (12) being partially superimposed on said support portion (11) and having a free portion (12a) extending to the distal end (14) of the application member (10). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Device for conditioning and applying a product to the lips technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to devices and applicators for applying a cosmetic, makeup or skincare product to the lips. Previous technique

[0002] It is known to make up or care for the lips by applying a liquid product using an applicator designed for this purpose and previously dipped into a container containing the product.

[0003] Among these applicators, some comprise a container with a neck onto which a closing cap can be attached. This cap carries a stem with an application element at its end, generally made by injection molding of thermoplastic material. A wiping element is usually placed in the neck to wipe the stem and reduce the amount of product collected when the applicator is removed.

[0004] These application organs are generally thinner at their distal end than at their proximal end, which can provide too much flexibility and make the applicator inefficient for precise application when applying lip makeup.

[0005] International application WO 2020 / 032309 describes a lip gloss applicator comprising a support portion and an application portion, connected at one end of the support portion. The support portion is made of a rigid material, such as metal, while the application portion is made of a flexible material, which allows for a pleasant and firm application when using the applicator, but makes the manufacture of the applicator more complex. Description of the invention

[0006] There is therefore a need to improve applicators for applying a product to the lips, in particular to have an applicator that is not complex to manufacture, precise when applying the product and pleasant and easy to use.

[0007] The invention aims to achieve this objective and relates, according to one of its aspects, to a device for conditioning and applying a cosmetic, makeup or skincare product to the lips, comprising:

[0008] - an applicator comprising an application element, and - a container containing the product to be applied,

[0009] the application element comprising:

[0010] - a support portion extending from the proximal end of the organ application, and

[0011] - an application part generally curved around at least one axis of curvature, having a front face generally concave outwards and whose perimeter extends in front of the support part, with a transverse dimension, measured parallel to the axis of curvature, which decreases, over at least part of its length, towards the distal end of the application member, the application part being partially superimposed on said support part and having a free portion extending to the distal end of the application member.

[0012] The application device according to the invention provides a degree of flexibility and suppleness, thanks to the tapered free portion of the application part at the distal end, as well as greater rigidity and resistance during makeup application thanks to the support part. The sensory experience is thus provided not by the flexibility of the material or a difference in materials between the support and application parts, but by the specific shape of the application part.

[0013] Thanks to the curved shape of the application part, which offers more application surface and fits the upper or lower lips, the invention makes it possible to obtain, despite a relatively tapered tip, performance in terms of coverage, ease of use, precision and comfort that cannot all be obtained with a non-curved shape, as in known applicators.

[0014] The rigidity provided by the support part, opposite the curved application part, allows for increased precision by maintaining a consistent movement during application. Application section

[0015] The application part is advantageously disposed at a non-zero distance from the proximal end of the application member, this distance being in particular between 0.2 mm and 1.4 mm, and in particular equal to 1.2 mm.

[0016] The portion of the application part superimposed on the support part may have two branches approaching each other towards the distal end of the application member and, after joining, forming said free portion extending projecting from the support part. The application part may thus have an inverted Y shape in front view, that is, when the applicator is viewed along its longitudinal axis, in the direction of its distal end, with the portion of the application part superimposed on the support part partially obscuring the latter.

[0017] The length of each of the branches of the application part, measured along the longitudinal axis of the application member, can be between 3 mm and 5 mm.

[0018] In one variant, the application part does not have branches.

[0019] The application part comprises a portion superimposed on the support part, this portion advantageously presenting in side view a relief and an adjacent hollow of shapes adapted to a hollow and a relief of the support part, said reliefs and hollows of the support and application parts having in particular rounded edges.

[0020] The ratio between the largest transverse dimension of the application part and the smallest transverse dimension of the application part can be between 3.3 and 3.8.

[0021] The cross-section of the free portion of the application part can be flattened along an axis parallel to the axis of curvature.

[0022] By "axis of curvature", one should understand an axis which contains a center of curvature of the longitudinal axis of the application part. There may be only one axis of curvature if the longitudinal axis of the application part is a portion of a circle, or several axes of curvature if the curvature is more complex, the application surface however generally remaining concave towards the front, i.e. on the side where the lips are when using the applicator.

[0023] The length of the application part, measured along the longitudinal axis of the application member, can be between 10 mm and 13 mm.

[0024] The ratio between the length of the application part and the length of the support part can be between 1.4 and 2.

[0025] The largest transverse dimension of the application part is advantageously equal to the largest transverse dimension of the support part. Supporting part

[0026] Preferably, the support part has a transverse dimension which increases towards the distal end of the application organ.

[0027] The distal end of the support part may be eccentric with respect to an axis of the proximal end of the application member, in particular coinciding with the longitudinal axis along which the application member extends.

[0028] The support portion may comprise two branches extending away from each other in a front view towards the distal end of the application member, these two branches of the support portion being connected in particular at the proximal end of the application member. The length of each of the branches of the support portion, measured along the longitudinal axis of the application member, may be between 3.5 mm and 5.8 mm.

[0029] The two arms of the support portion advantageously begin to move away from each other at a non-zero distance from the proximal end of the application member, this distance being in particular between 0.5 mm and 1.2 mm. The support portion can thus have a V-shape in view from below, that is to say when the applicator is viewed along its longitudinal axis, in the direction of its distal end, with the support portion partially obscuring the application portion.

[0030] A recess can be formed in the front view between the two arms of the application part and the two arms of the support part. In an embodiment, the application member is without a recess.

[0031] In one variant, the support part does not have branches.

[0032] The support part can be connected to a fixing tip of the application member in a housing of a rod of the applicator, the support part extending along a longitudinal axis oblique to the longitudinal axis of the tip, corresponding to the longitudinal axis of the application member.

[0033] The length of the support part, measured along the longitudinal axis of the application member, can be between 4 mm and 7 mm.

[0034] The total length of the application member, measured along its longitudinal axis, can be between 10.2 mm and 14.4 mm.

[0035] The application part can be made of the same material as the support part, in particular thermoplastic elastomer, an applicator surface of the application part being in particular covered with flocking or micro studs.

[0036] The product can then diffuse by capillary action within the application organ, due to its porosity, and the latter can be permanently fixed on a container holding the product.

[0037] The application part and the support part can be molded in one piece. Device and applicator

[0038] The distal end of the application organ is advantageously eccentric with respect to an axis of the proximal end of the application organ, in particular coinciding with the longitudinal axis along which the application organ extends.

[0039] The invention relates more particularly to applicators made of plastic, in particular by injection molding. The applicator element can be made of thermoplastic material, in particular by injection molding. The stem can be made of thermoplastic material, in particular by injection molding.

[0040] The longitudinal axis of the rod can be straight.

[0041] The applicator may also include a gripping member disposed at the proximal end of the rod.

[0042] The product to be applied may be cosmetic, makeup or skincare, intended for application on the lips, in particular lip gloss or lipstick, advantageously in liquid form.

[0043] The applicator's gripping member can be used to close the container. The gripping member and the container can be configured to achieve a leak-proof seal. Brief description of the drawings

[0044] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, the non-limiting examples of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawing, on which:

[0045] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] schematically represents, with partial longitudinal section, an example of a conditioning and application device according to the invention,

[0046] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial perspective view of the application member of the [Fig.l],

[0047] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic and partial side view of the organ application of [Fig.1],

[0048] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a schematic and partial front view of the organ application of [Fig.1],

[0049] [Fig. 5] [Fig. 5] is a schematic and partial view from below of the organ application of [Fig. 1], and

[0050] [Fig. 6] [Fig. 6] illustrates an example of the use of a conditioning device and application according to the invention. Detailed description

[0051] Figure 1 illustrates a conditioning and application device 1 comprising a container 3 containing a product P to be applied to the lips and an applicator 2 for applying it.

[0052] In this example, the container 3 has a neck 4 which receives a wringing element 6, in a manner known per se. The wringing element 6 is, for example, snapped into the neck 4 or fixed therein by any other means.

[0053] The wringing element 6 is for example a wringing element comprising a wringing lip made of elastomer 6a, the inner diameter of which corresponds substantially to the outer diameter of the rod 7.

[0054] Alternatively, since the applicator stem according to the invention does not have any relief, hollow or protruding, on its outer surface, the wringing element may advantageously have a rigid wringing lip 6a, and in particular made of a material having a rigidity greater than that of an elastomeric material, whose inner diameter corresponds substantially to the outer diameter of the stem 7. The extraction of the applicator from the reservoir equipped with the wringing element is thus carried out smoothly for the user, who feels only limited resistance to this extraction movement and without any hard point throughout the stroke of the stem through the wringing lip.

[0055] The applicator 2 comprises a gripping member 5, which also serves as a closing cap for the container 3, and carries a stem 7, extending along a longitudinal axis X, provided at its distal end, opposite the gripping member 5, with a application element 10 extending along a longitudinal axis Y.

[0056] In the illustrated example, the rod 7 has a circular cross-section, but we do not depart from the scope of the present invention when the rod 7 has a different cross-section.

[0057] Preferably, and as in the example considered, the longitudinal axis X of the rod 7 is straight and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place on it, but we do not depart from the scope of the present invention when the rod 7 is not straight, forming for example a bend.

[0058] The rod 7 may, where appropriate, include an annular constriction on its portion which is positioned opposite the lip of the wringing member 6 when the applicator 2 is fixed on the container 3, so as not to mechanically stress it excessively during storage.

[0059] In addition, the stem can be smooth on its outer surface, without any relief or hollow, which is more aesthetic and facilitates the wringing of the applicator.

[0060] The application member 10 may include, as illustrated in [Fig.2], an end piece 9 allowing its attachment in a corresponding housing of the rod 7, the end piece 9 extending along the same longitudinal axis Y as the application member.

[0061] The fixing of the application member 10 in this housing of the rod 7 can be done by any means and in particular by force mounting, snap-fitting, gluing, welding, stapling or crimping.

[0062] Figure 2 shows an example of an application member 10 according to the invention, taken in isolation.

[0063] The application member 10 is fixed to the distal end of the rod 7, and comprises a support portion 11 and an application portion 12. The support portion 11 extends from the proximal end 13 of the application member 10. In the example shown, as seen in [Fig. 3], the support portion 11 extends along a longitudinal axis T oblique to the longitudinal axis Y of the tip 9, and the distal end 14 of the application member 10 is eccentric with respect to an axis U of its proximal end 13, just as the distal end 1 of the support portion 11 is eccentric with respect to the axis U of the proximal end 13 of the application member 10.

[0064] The application part 12 is partially superimposed on said support part 11 and has a free portion 12a extending to the distal end 14 of the application member 10. Preferably and as shown, the portion 12c of the application part 12 superimposed on the support part 11 has two branches 12d and 12e approaching each other in the direction of the distal end 14 of the application member 10 and, after joining, forming said free portion 12a extending in projection relative to the support part 11.

[0065] As shown in [Fig. 3], the application portion 12 is generally curved around at least one curvature axis Z, extending perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis Y of the application member. The application portion 12 thus has a front face 12b that is generally concave outwards and whose periphery extends forward of the support portion 11.

[0066] In the illustrated example, the cross-section of the free portion 12a of the application part 12 is flattened along an axis parallel to the curvature axis Z.

[0067] Preferably and as shown, the portion 12c of the application part 12 superimposed on the support part 11 has a relief 15 and an adjacent hollow 16 of shapes adapted to a hollow 17 and a relief 18 of the support part 11, said reliefs and hollows of the support and application parts having rounded edges in the example considered.

[0068] In this example, the applicator surface of the application part 12 is covered with a flocking F. In an unshown variant, the applicator surface of the application part 12 can be covered with micro dots.

[0069] The application portion 12 has a transverse dimension, measured parallel to the curvature axis Z, which decreases along its entire length in the example considered, towards the distal end 14 of the application member 10, as shown in [Fig. 4]. The length lba of each of the arms of the application portion 12, measured along the longitudinal axis of the application member, can be between 3 mm and 5 mm.

[0070] As shown in [Fig.5], the supporting part has a transverse dimension which increases towards the distal end 14 of the application member 10.

[0071] Preferably, and as in the example considered, the support portion 11 comprises two branches 1a and 11b extending away from each other towards the distal end 14 of the application member 10, said two branches of the support portion being connected at the proximal end 13 of the application member 10 and each having a length 1bs between 3.5 mm and 5.8 mm, for example, 5.2 mm. The two branches 1a, 11b of the support portion 11 advantageously begin to extend away from each other at a non-zero distance from the proximal end 13 of the application member 10, this distance being, for example, between 0.5 mm and 1.2 mm.

[0072] A recess 19 is formed in front view between the two branches 12d, 12e of the application part 12 and the two branches 1la, 11b of the support part 11.

[0073] The application part 12 is advantageously disposed at a non-zero distance from the proximal end 13 of the application member 10, this distance da being for example between 0.2 mm and 1.4 mm, and in particular equal to 1.2 mm.

[0074] In the example considered, the total length H of the application member 10 is The length La of the application portion 12 is between 10.2 mm and 14.4 mm, for example, equal to 13 mm; the length La of the application portion 12 is between 10 mm and 13 mm, for example, equal to 11.8 mm, and the length Ls of the support portion 11 is between 4 mm and 7 mm, for example, equal to 5.8 mm. The ratio between the length La of the application portion 12 and the length Ls of the support portion 11 can thus be between 1.4 and 2.

[0075] Preferably and as seen in [Fig.4], the largest transverse dimension Da of the application part 12 is equal to the largest transverse dimension Ds of the support part 11.

[0076] The ratio between the largest transverse dimension of the application part 12 and the smallest transverse dimension of the application part can be between 3.3 and 3.8.

[0077] A user can use the device 1 according to the invention by removing the application element 10 from the container 3 using the gripping element of the applicator 2, and pressing the applicator surface of the application part 12, thus loaded with product P, onto each of their upper and lower lips, as illustrated in [Fig. 6]. As explained, the free portion of the application part provides flexibility during use, as indicated by the arrow, and thus allows for satisfactory lip makeup and / or care.

[0078] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0079] For example, in alternative embodiments, the support and / or application parts may take other forms, such as a flat shape, a corrugated shape, or a dome shape.

Claims

Demands

1. Device (1) for conditioning and applying a cosmetic product (P), makeup or skincare product, to the lips, comprising: - an applicator (2) having an application member (10), and - a container (3) containing the product (P) to be applied, the application member (10) having: - a support portion (11) extending from the proximal end (13) of the application member (10), and - an application portion (12) generally curved around at least one axis of curvature (Z), having a front face (12b) generally concave outwards and whose perimeter extends in front of the support portion (11), with a transverse dimension, measured parallel to the axis of curvature (Z), which decreases, over at least part of its length, towards the distal end (14) of the application member (10),the application portion (12) being partially superimposed on said support portion (11) and having a free portion (12a) extending to the distal end (14) of the application member (10).

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the portion (12c) of the application part (12) superimposed on the support part (11) has two branches (12d, 12e) approaching each other in the direction of the distal end (14) of the application member (10) and, after joining together, forming said free portion (12a) extending in projection relative to the support part (11).

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the support part (11) has a transverse dimension which increases in the direction of the distal end (14) of the application member (10).

4. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end (14) of the application member (10) is eccentric with respect to an axis (U) of the proximal end (13) of the application member (10).

5. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end (11) of the support part (11) is eccentric with respect to an axis (U) of the proximal end (13) of the application member (10).

6. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the application part (12) comprises a portion (12c) superimposed on the support part (11), this portion having in side view a relief (15) and a hollow (16) adjacent of shapes adapted to a hollow (17) and a relief (18) of the support part (11), said reliefs and hollows of the support and application parts having in particular rounded edges.

7. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support part (11) has two branches (1a, 11b) extending away from each other in the direction of the distal end (14) of the application member (10), these branches of the support part (11) being in particular connected at the proximal end (13) of the application member (10).

8. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support part (11) is connected to a fitting (9) for fixing the application member (10) in a housing of a rod (7) of the applicator (2), the support part (11) extending along a longitudinal axis (T) oblique to the longitudinal axis (Y) of the fitting (9).

9. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio between the length (La) of the application part (12) and the length (Ls) of the support part (11) is between 1.4 and 2.

10. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the largest transverse dimension (Da) of the application part (12) is equal to the largest transverse dimension (Ds) of the support part (11).

11. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio (Da / Ds) between the largest transverse dimension (Da) of the application part and the smallest transverse dimension (Ds) of the application part is between 3.3 and 3.

8.

12. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length (La) of the application part (12) is between 10 mm and 13 mm.

13. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length (Ls) of the support part (11) is between 4 mm and 7 mm.

14. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cross-section of the free portion (12a) of the part application (12) is flattened along an axis parallel to the curvature axis (Z).

15. Device according to any one of claims 7 to 14, wherein a recess (19) is formed in front view between the two arms (12d, 12e) of the application part (12) and the two arms (1a, 11b) of the support part (11).

16. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the application part (12) is made of the same material as the support part (11), in particular of thermoplastic elastomer, an applicator surface of the application part being in particular covered with a flocking (F) or micro studs.

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