Cosmetic product application brush with a flexible handle

Abstract

Cosmetic product application brush with deformable handle. The invention relates to a cosmetic product application brush (1) comprising a handle (2) and a tuft of bristles (3) fixed within the handle (2) and comprising a concealed portion (32) extending inside the handle (2) and an exposed portion (33) extending outward from the handle (2), wherein the lateral wall (21) of the handle (2) comprises a conforming portion (25) that is elastically deformable, so as to allow the shape of the cross-section of the exposed portion (31) of the bristle tuft (3) to be continuously varied by elastic deformation of the conforming portion (25) of the handle (2). Figure for the abstract: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Cosmetic product application brush with a deformable handle

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of cosmetic product application brushes.

[0002] A cosmetic product is in particular a product as defined in Regulation 20 EC No 1223 / 2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council dated 30 November 2009 on cosmetic products.

[0003] Such brushes are used in particular for picking up and applying powdered cosmetic products to the skin, for example, makeup products, whether compacted or not, such as eyeshadows, blushes, foundations, or the like. Such brushes can also be used for picking up and applying skincare cosmetic products with a texture other than powder, such as creams, gels, or waxes.

[0004] More specifically, the invention relates to a cosmetic product application brush incorporating a handle, intended to be grasped by the user to manipulate the brush, and a tuft of bristles fixed to the handle and whose shape can be modulated so as to adapt to different cosmetic product applications, in particular depending on the body area on which the cosmetic product is intended to be applied and / or the nature of the cosmetic product applied.

[0005] In this field, various brush designs are known that allow the shape of the hair tuft, and in particular its cross-section, to be varied in a sequential manner to adapt to the user's needs, depending on whether the user intends to apply a cosmetic product to a large body surface, such as a cheek for the application of a base layer of foundation or blush of a certain shade, or a more precise application of a cosmetic product to a smaller body surface, such as a cheekbone, a chin, a forehead, the median edge of the nose or the contour of the eyes for the application of foundation or blush of a lighter shade, in order to carry out an operation called "contouring", in other words, sculpting the face by playing on the effects of shadows and light.

[0006] Documents FR3070583 and FR3111776, in the name of the Applicant, thus propose cosmetic product application brushes comprising an elongated handle and a tuft of bristles fixed to one end of the handle, and implementing a bristle tuft shaping device comprising an annular element plastically formable, arranged in a fixed manner around the tuft of hair, so that the cross-section of said tuft of hair adopts a shape corresponding to the shape of the cross-section of the deformable element, conferred by the user by plastic deformation of the deformable element.

[0007] Although such brushes allow the bristles to be shaped into different forms to suit the user's intended applications, they have the drawback that the modulation of the bristle cross-section cannot be performed continuously without interrupting the makeup application sequence. Indeed, with such a brush design, changing the shape of the plastically deformable element requires the user to interrupt the application of cosmetic product between a first application phase, requiring a certain bristle cross-section, and a second application phase requiring a different bristle cross-section, in order to properly conform the deformable element.

[0008] Furthermore, in the brushes according to these documents FR3070583 and FR3111776, the annular conformation element of the cross section of the tuft of hair is arranged substantially at the foot of the tuft of hair, that is to say near its junction with the handle, so that there is a risk that the cross section of the tuft of hair at the level of its free end does not correspond faithfully to the shape of the cross section conferred by the user to the annular conformation element.

[0009] A cosmetic product application brush is also known from document EP3487355, comprising a relatively flat gripping portion, or handle, and a tuft of bristles fixed to one face of the gripping portion. In the brush according to this document, the gripping portion may be made of an elastically flexible material, so that it can be folded back on itself and thus give the tuft of bristles a convex or concave shape depending on the applications intended by the user.

[0010] Thus, in the brush according to this document EP3487355, it is the shape of the longitudinal section of the tuft of hair that can be modulated to define on it areas of application of product more or less extensive depending on the curvature imparted to the gripping portion and transmitted to the tuft of hair.

[0011] The brush according to this document EP3487355 therefore does not allow the cross-section of the tuft of hair to be varied continuously in order to adapt its shape to the different applications envisaged by the user.

[0012] There is therefore a need to provide a cosmetic product application brush comprising a handle and a tuft of bristles, the cross-sectional shape of which can be modulated faithfully, precisely and continuously during a product application sequence, to adapt to the different applications envisaged by the user.

[0013] To this end, the present invention proposes a cosmetic product application brush comprising: - a handle extending along a longitudinal axis between a bottom and an opening, said handle having a lateral wall extending from the bottom and defining a cavity between said bottom and said opening; - a tuft of hair fixed in the cavity of the handle, extending along the longitudinal axis between a fixing end and a free end and comprising a hidden portion extending inside the cavity and an exposed portion extending outwards from the opening; in which the handle cavity includes a housing for fixing the tuft of hair located opposite the bottom and a chamber for shaping the cross-section of the tuft of hair extending between the housing for fixing and the opening; and in which the side wall of the handle includes a conforming portion surrounding the conforming chamber and elastically deformable, so as to be able to continuously vary the shape of the cross-section of the exposed portion of the tuft of hair by elastic deformation of the conforming portion of the handle.

[0014] Thanks to these features, the invention provides a cosmetic product application brush in which the cross-sectional shape of the bristle tuft can be modulated as desired in a faithful, precise, and continuous manner, that is, without requiring an interruption of the application sequence between two application phases in which the bristle tuft has different cross-sectional shapes to adapt to the user's needs. Furthermore, thanks to the brush according to the invention, the modulation of the cross-sectional shape of the bristle tuft can be carried out without the user's fingers coming into contact with the bristle tuft, thus limiting the risk of contamination, particularly bacterial contamination, and improving the cleanliness of the brush during use.

[0015] Indeed, the implementation within the brush handle of a chamber for shaping the cross-section of the bristle tuft, within which is understood a masked portion of the bristle tuft, combined with the making of the shaping portion of the handle's lateral wall, which surrounds this shaping chamber, from an elastically deformable material, advantageously provides a brush that allows the shape of the bristle tuft's cross-section to be modulated hygienically, precisely, and continuously as desired by elastic deformation of the shaping portion of the handle. With the brush design according to the invention, the edge of the shaping portion of the lateral wall of the handle defines the shape of the cross-section of the opening from which the exposed portion of the tuft of hair extends and acts on a substantially median peripheral line of the tuft of hair, forming the boundary between the masked portion and the exposed portion, so that the shape conferred to the opening by deformation of the conformation wall of the handle is faithfully and precisely transmitted and transposed to the tuft of hair.

[0016] Thus, thanks to the arrangements of the brush according to the invention, a user can grasp the handle of the brush, for example, by resting the bottom of it on the palm of his hand or suspended between his fingers resting on the lateral wall of the handle, with the bottom away from his palm, and act continuously by means of one or more of his fingers on the conformation portion of the lateral wall of the handle to deform it as desired and make the tuft of hair adopt the desired cross-section.In particular, by doing so, a user will be able to make the cross-section of the tuft of hair adopt a circular shape, for example suitable for applying product to large body areas, a teardrop or egg shape, with a thinned area suitable for more precise application of product to small body areas, a substantially flattened shape, such as an oblong shape, especially for applying product in a flat area, or a triangular shape with rounded edges or a multilobed shape, such as a trilobed shape, which can be particularly advantageous in the context of applying a cosmetic product in liquid form, such as a liquid foundation.

[0017] Advantageously, when the tuft of hair is fixed in the cavity of the handle, the periphery of the tuft of hair is in contact with the inner surface of the shaped portion of the handle, at least at the edge defining the opening of the handle and preferably over the entire shaped portion of the handle. By outer surface or inner surface, in particular of the shaped portion of the side wall of the handle, is meant here the surface radially outer or radially inner with respect to the longitudinal axis of the handle.

[0018] More specifically, the tuft of hair alone, in its unmounted configuration—that is, when it is not fixed inside the handle cavity but the attachment ends of its hairs are joined together, for example by gluing or an added element, to form the attachment end of the tuft of hair—has a first cross-sectional shape, for example, a circular shape. Furthermore, still in its unmounted configuration, the tuft of hair has, at the boundary between the axial portion intended to form the portion concealed inside the handle cavity and the axial portion intended to form the portion exposed and protruding from the handle opening when the tuft of hair is fixed therein, a first cross-sectional area, expressed for example in mm². Furthermore, the opening of the handle, in its undeformed state, has a second cross-sectional shape, preferably substantially identical to the first cross-sectional shape of the tuft of hair, for example, circular. In addition, the opening of the handle, again in its undeformed state, has a second cross-sectional area, expressed, for example, in mm².

[0019] Preferably, the cross-section of the handle opening in the undeformed state of the conformation portion, or second cross-section, is less than or equal to the cross-section of the tuft of hair in the unmounted configuration, at the boundary between the axial portion intended to form the portion hidden inside the handle cavity and the axial portion intended to form the portion exposed in projection from the handle opening when the tuft of hair is fixed in it, or first cross-section.Thanks to these arrangements, the tuft of hair is in contact in the radial direction with the inner surface of the portion of the handle conformation, at least at the edge defining the opening of the handle and preferably over the entire axial length of the portion of the handle conformation, or even is pre-compressed in the radial direction, at least locally and at least at the opening of the handle, when the tuft of hair is fixed inside the cavity of the handle.As a consequence of the above, when fixed inside the handle, the tuft of hair has at the boundary between the portion hidden inside the cavity of the handle and the portion exposed in projection from the opening of the handle, in other words at the level of the opening of the handle, a density of hair, expressed for example in number of hairs per mm2, greater than the density of the tuft of hair in unmounted configuration, at the boundary between the axial portion intended to form the portion hidden inside the cavity of the handle and the axial portion intended to form the portion exposed in projection from the opening of the handle when the tuft of hair is fixed in it.Thus, when the tuft of hair is fixed in the cavity of the handle, its periphery is held by the conformation portion of the handle, at least at the opening, and, where appropriate, the tuft of hair is subjected to pre-compression in the radial direction, at least at the opening of the handle, so that the maintenance of the integrity of the geometry of the tuft of hair over time is improved.

[0020] Furthermore, thanks to the arrangement of the brush according to the invention, when the tuft of bristles is fixed in the cavity of the handle, it is possible to go from a cross-section of a tuft of bristles of a given shape, in particular circular, in the undeformed state of the portion of the handle's conformation, the tuft of bristles having at least a certain density at the opening of the handle, to a cross-section of a tuft of bristles of substantially identical shape, in particular circular, when the portion of the shape of the handle has been deformed in a suitable manner, the tuft of hair having at least at the opening of the handle a density greater than the density of the tuft of hair in the undeformed state of the portion of the shape of the handle, by relative tightening of the hairs constituting the tuft of hair, at least at the opening of the handle.

[0021] Thus, thanks to the aforementioned arrangements of the brush according to the invention, a user will be able to easily and continuously adapt the shape and density, possibly heterogeneous according to the characteristics of the deformation forces applied on the conformation portion of the handle, of the cross-section of the tuft of hair, at least at the level of the opening of the handle, to the type of application and the area of ​​application desired, as well as to the nature and texture of the cosmetic product applied.

[0022] According to an advantageous arrangement, the tuft of hair having a maximum length measured along the longitudinal axis between the fixing end and the free end, the masked portion of the tuft of hair having a length measured along the longitudinal axis between the fixing end and the opening of the handle, said length of the masked portion is preferably greater than or equal to 25%, and in particular close to 50%, of said maximum length of the tuft of hair.

[0023] Thus, in the brush according to the invention, the fact that the bristle tuft has a portion concealed inside the handle representing a significant fraction of the total length of the bristle tuft allows, in addition to reinforcing the aforementioned advantages in terms of hygiene during use and precision in defining the shape of the cross-section of the bristle tuft, for limiting the phenomenon of erratic widening of the latter over time, resulting from repeated pressure of the bristle tuft against body surfaces and ultimately penalizing the precision of application, as well as the lifespan of the brush. Indeed, concealing a substantial length of the bristle tuft within the handle allows the integrity of the bristle tuft's geometry to be preserved over time through repeated use.Furthermore, thanks to these features, the user has a large gripping area on the brush handle, allowing easy deformation of the shaped portion to modulate the cross-sectional shape of the bristle tuft, without their fingers risking coming into contact with it.

[0024] Preferably, the masked portion of the hair tuft having a length measured along the longitudinal axis between the attachment end and the handle opening, the conforming chamber having a length measured along the longitudinal axis greater than or equal to 50%, and in particular close to 60%, of the length of the masked portion of the hair tuft. Thanks to these arrangements, it is ensured that the deformation of the conformable portion of the handle is faithfully transposed to the cross-section of the tuft of hair, at least at the level of the opening of the handle.

[0025] Advantageously, the handle is made entirely of an elastically deformable material, in particular silicone and / or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The industrial manufacturing of the handle is thus simplified.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the brush according to the invention, the end for fixing the tuft of hair is fixed, for example by gluing, inside a cup comprising a base and a peripheral wall defining together an open cavity for receiving the tuft of hair, said cup being received in the housing for fixing the handle.

[0027] Preferably, in this embodiment, the housing for fixing the tuft of hair defined in the handle comprises a bearing surface extending transversely to the longitudinal axis and on which the bottom of the cup rests and a locking surface coming into contact, or at least opposite, the front edge of the peripheral wall of the cup to prevent the cup from being extracted from the handle through the opening and to ensure the fixing of the tuft of hair in the handle.

[0028] Thanks to these features, particularly when the handle is made entirely of elastically deformable material, the bristle tuft can be easily secured inside the handle by snapping the cup containing the bristle tuft into the designated slot in the handle. Furthermore, with such a design, the bristle tuft can be replaced with a new one after a certain number of uses, while retaining the handle portion of the brush, thus contributing to a sustainable design approach or allowing for interchangeability with bristle tufts exhibiting different characteristics. This snap-fit ​​attachment of the bristle tuft within the handle also promotes the brush's recyclability at the end of its life by facilitating the separation of elements of different chemical compositions.

[0029] Alternatively, it may be provided that the tuft of hair is directly fixed, for example by gluing its fixing end, inside the fixing housing of the handle.

[0030] In one embodiment of the brush according to the invention, the bearing surface of the bristle tuft attachment housing is formed by a shoulder extending inward in the radial direction and provided on the inner surface of the handle's side wall, at an axial distance from the bottom. Such a design is particularly suited to handle shapes that taper towards the bottom, in order to attach the bristle tuft at an axial height within the handle that is optimal for obtaining a bristle tuft with the desired density in the undeformed state of the handle, preferably higher to the density of the tuft of hairs in the unmounted state in the handle, and whose cross-sectional shape can be easily modulated.

[0031] Alternatively, the bearing surface of the bristle tuft attachment housing is formed directly by the bottom of the handle. Such a design is particularly suited to handle shapes that are substantially cylindrical along the longitudinal axis, and makes it possible to limit the axial height of the handle, thereby reducing its overall size, without altering the aforementioned benefits and performance of the brush according to the invention.

[0032] In either of the aforementioned variants, the locking surface of the housing for fixing the tuft of hair is preferably formed by a recess extending outwards in the radial direction and provided on the inner surface of the side wall of the handle.

[0033] Preferably, the cup is fixed by snapping and / or gluing in the fixing housing of the tuft of hair.

[0034] In one embodiment of the brush according to the invention, the shaping chamber flares out towards the opening of the handle. Such a design of the handle's shaping chamber is particularly advantageous when a sparse tuft of bristles, i.e., one with a relatively low bristle density, is desired when mounted in the handle, adapted to a particular cosmetic product to be applied and / or the desired application result, especially in the case of applying a finishing powder or a highlighting cosmetic product using the brush according to the invention. Such a flared shape of the shaping chamber, which the lateral wall of the handle can also follow, particularly at the shaping portion, can also meet brush design requirements.

[0035] Advantageously, the outer surface of the handle's side wall has a textured relief, at least on the shaping portion. This provides the user with a visual and / or tactile indication of the shaping portion, allowing them to adjust the cross-sectional shape of the bristle tuft, thus improving the ergonomics and intuitiveness of the brush. Furthermore, depending on the chosen relief pattern, it can create areas of lesser thickness on the shaping portion of the handle, promoting the elastic flexibility of this portion.

[0036] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, accompanied by non-limiting examples of its implementation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0037] [Fig. 1] represents in perspective a cosmetic product application brush according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig.2] illustrates the brush according to the invention in longitudinal section along the plane of section P of [Fig.l];

[0039] [Fig.3] illustrates in longitudinal section the handle alone of the brush of figures 1 and 2;

[0040] [Fig.4] illustrates in longitudinal section the tuft of hairs and its receiving cup of the brush of figures 1 and 2;

[0041] [Fig.5] illustrates in longitudinal section a phase of assembly of the tuft of hair equipped with its receiving cup in the handle of the brush in figures 1 and 2;

[0042] [Fig.6] is a view analogous to that of [Fig.2] illustrating in longitudinal section a variant of the implementation of the brush according to the invention;

[0043] [Fig.7] and [Fig.8] illustrate a top view of a brush according to the invention, respect tively in the undeformed state and in the deformed state of the tuft of hair under the effect of antagonistic radial forces applied on the conformable portion of the handle;

[0044] [Fig. 9] and [Fig. 10] are views analogous to those of Figures 7 and 8, illustrating in top view of a brush according to the invention, respectively in the undeformed state and in the deformed state of the tuft of hair under the effect of off-center antagonistic forces applied on the conformable portion of the handle;

[0045] [Fig. 11] and [Fig. 12] are views similar to those of figures 7-8 and 9-10, illustrating in top view a brush according to the invention, respectively in the undeformed state and in the deformed state of the tuft of hair under the effect of concentric forces, angularly separated by 120°, applied on the conformable portion of the handle;

[0046] [Fig.1] illustrates in perspective a cosmetic product application brush 1 according to the invention, comprising a handle 2, intended to be grasped and manipulated by a user, and a tuft of bristles 3 extending at least partially out of the handle 2.

[0047] When the tuft of hair 3 is attached to the handle 2, the tuft of hair 3 and the handle 2 extend along a common longitudinal axis X, forming the longitudinal axis X of the brush 1.

[0048] In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the handle 2 and the tuft of hair present at rest, that is to say when neither of these two elements is subjected to any external force, a circular cross-section in any plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X.

[0049] Alternatively, the handle 2 and / or the tuft of hair 3 could be provided to have, at rest, a different cross-sectional shape, such as an oval, an oblong, a round or square shape, or other. It could also be provided that the handle 2 and the tuft of hair 3 have different cross-sectional shapes at rest, for example, a round cross-section for the handle and a circular cross-section for the tuft of hair 3.

[0050] As can be seen in [Fig. 1], the portion of the tuft of hairs 3 extending outward from the handle 2 along the longitudinal axis X, or exposed portion of the tuft of hairs 3, presents a general frustoconical shape and forms a product application surface that is convex around this longitudinal axis X.

[0051] Fig. 2 represents the brush 1 illustrated in Fig. 1, in longitudinal section along plane P visible on this [Fig.1] and details the internal structure of brush 1.

[0052] As can be seen in this [Fig.2], the handle 2 extends along the longitudinal axis X between a bottom 20 and an opening O and has a lateral wall 21. The lateral wall 21 extends between the bottom 20 and the opening O of the handle 2 and defines a cavity 22 within it, intended to house a part of the tuft of hairs 3, or masked portion of the tuft of hairs 3.

[0053] More specifically, and as is particularly apparent in this [Fig.2], the tuft of hairs 3 is fixed in the cavity 22 of the handle 2 by extending along the longitudinal axis X between a fixing end 30 and a free end 31, forming the product application surface.

[0054] The tuft of hairs 3 thus presents, when fixed on the handle 2, a masked axial portion 32 extending inside the cavity 22 of the handle 2 and an exposed axial portion 33 extending outwards from the opening O of the handle 2.

[0055] As can be seen in particular in Figures 2 and 3, the cavity 22 of the handle 2 has a fixing housing 23 for the tuft of hairs 3, located opposite the bottom 20 of the handle 2, and a conforming chamber 24 for the cross-section of the tuft of hairs 3 extending axially between the fixing housing 23 and the opening O of the handle 2.

[0056] According to the invention, the side wall 21 of the handle 2 includes a conformation portion 25 surrounding and delimiting in the circumferential direction the conformation chamber 24 of the cavity 22 of the handle 2. This conformation portion 25 is advantageously elastically deformable, so that a user is able to continuously vary, without interruption of the application sequence, the shape and dimensions of the cross-section of the exposed portion 33 of the tuft of hair 3 by elastic deformation of the conformation portion 25 of the handle 2.

[0057] In the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 to 5, the mounting housing 23 of the handle 2 is substantially cylindrical, centered on the longitudinal axis X, and the shaping chamber 24 of the handle 2 has a general frustoconical shape, centered on the longitudinal axis X and flaring out towards the opening O of the handle 2.

[0058] Alternatively, and as illustrated in [Fig.6] showing a variant embodiment of the brush according to the invention, the fixing housing 23 of the handle 2 and the shaping chamber 24 of the handle 2 can both be made in substantially cylindrical shape, centered on the longitudinal axis X.

[0059] In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the handle 2 of the brush 1 is monobloc, that is to say made in one piece, in one and the same elastically deformable material, in order in particular to give the conformation portion 25 an elastic deformation capacity when it is subjected to external forces applied by the user to modulate the shape of the cross section of the tuft of hair according to its application needs.

[0060] The handle 2 can thus be made entirely of elastically deformable material, in particular silicone, this material giving the handle 2 elastic deformation capacity, as well as a soft, pleasant feel for the user. Alternatively, the handle 2 could be made of any other material that can be elastically deformed by hand by a user, such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), in particular thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), for example, those marketed by Kraiburg®.

[0061] Alternatively, the handle 2 could be made in several parts attached one on top of the other and made of different materials, provided that the conformation portion 25 of the side wall 21 of the handle 2 is made of an elastically deformable material.Thus, it could be envisaged that the handle 2 has a first part, forming the base 20 and a lower part, connected to the base 20, of the lateral wall 21, this first part being made of a material, in particular a plastic material, not elastically deformable and giving a certain rigidity, a certain structural strength to the handle, and a second part, connected, for example by overmolding, welding, gluing or by mechanical attachment, to the lower part of the lateral wall 21 of the handle and made of a material elastically deformable, so as to form the conformation portion 25 of the handle which can be elastically deformed to make the cross-section of the exposed portion of the tuft of hair adopt the desired shape.

[0062] According to an advantageous arrangement, the outer surface of the side wall 21 of the handle has a textured relief, at least at the level of the shaping portion 25, so as to indicate by a tactile and visual sensation to the user the portion of the handle 2 on which he can act to shape as desired the cross-section of the exposed portion 33 of the tuft of hair 3.

[0063] With particular reference to Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, the attachment end 30 of the tuft of hair 3 is fixed inside a receiving cup 4 for the tuft of hair 3. This cup 4, in particular made of metal, such as aluminum or of a relatively hard plastic, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), has a base 40 and a peripheral wall 41 together defining an open cavity 42 adapted to receive the tuft of hair 3. Advantageously, the attachment end 30 of the tuft of 3 is received and fixed by gluing inside the open cavity 42 of the cup 4.

[0064] Alternatively, it could be envisaged that the hair attachment ends constituting the tufts of hair 3 are joined together by any suitable means, for example by gluing or by fusion, so as to form together the fixing end 30 of the tuft of hair 3, this fixing end 30 then being directly fixed, for example by gluing, in the fixing housing 23 of the handle 2.

[0065] As can be seen in particular in figures 2 to 6, the mounting housing 23 of the handle 2 includes a bearing surface 230 extending transversely to the longitudinal axis X on which rests the bottom 40 of the receiving cup 4 for the tuft of hair 3. The mounting housing 23 of the handle 23 further has a locking surface 231 adapted to come into contact with the front edge of the peripheral wall 41 of the cup 4 to prevent the latter from being extracted axially out of the handle 2, through the opening O and to ensure, with the bearing surface 230, the retention in the axial direction and the fixing of the tuft of hair 3 in the handle 2.

[0066] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 5, the bearing surface 230 of the fixing housing 23 of the tuft of hair 3 is formed by a shoulder extending inwards in the radial direction and provided on the radially inner surface of the side wall 21 of the handle 2, this recess extending in the embodiment illustrated in these Figures 1 to 5 at a distance from the bottom 20 of the handle 2.

[0067] Alternatively, and as illustrated in the embodiment visible in [Fig.6], the bearing surface 230 of the fixing housing 23 of the tuft of hair 3 is directly formed by the bottom 20 of the handle, and more specifically by the inner surface of the bottom 20 of the handle 2.

[0068] Furthermore, in either of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 1 to 5 on the one hand and in [Fig.6] on the other hand, the locking surface 231 of the fixing housing 23 of the tuft of hair 3 is formed by a recess extending outwards in the radial direction and provided on the radially inner surface of the lateral wall 21 of the handle 2.

[0069] According to an advantageous arrangement, and in particular when the handle 2 is made entirely of an elastically deformable material, the cup 4, receiving the tuft of hair 3, is fixed by snapping into the fixing housing 23 that the handle 2 presents.

[0070] Indeed, and as illustrated in [Fig. 5] representing an assembly phase of the set formed by the cup 4 and the tuft of hair 3 in the cavity 22 of the handle 2, the cup 4 and the shaping chamber 24, as well as the receiving housing 23 for the tuft of hair 3 provided in the handle 2, are advantageously dimensioned so that the cup 4 can be inserted axially through the opening O of the handle 2 towards its bottom 20, pass through the shaping chamber 24, elastically deform in the radial direction the lateral wall 21 of the handle 2 when the bottom 40 of the cup 4 reaches the axial height of the notch 231 of the fixing housing 23, and continue its insertion towards the bottom 20 of the handle 2, with the peripheral wall 41 of the cup 4 sliding against the edge of the notch of the fixing housing 23, until the bottom 40 of the cup 4 comes into contact with the bearing surface 230 of the fixing housing 23; having arrived in this position, the peripheral wall 41 of the cup 4 is no longer in contact with the edge of the notch of the fixing housing 23 and the lateral wall 21 of the handle 2 returns elastically inwards in the radial direction, so that the notch 231 comes into contact, or at least opposite, the front edge of the peripheral wall 41 of the cup 4 and prevents the extraction of the cup 4 through the opening O, thus ensuring the fixing of the tuft of hairs 3 in the handle 2.

[0071] Alternatively or in addition, the cup 4 is fixed by gluing in the fixing housing 23 of the handle 2, in particular by interposing a layer of glue between the bottom 40 of the cup 4 and the bearing surface 230 of the fixing housing 3 defined in the handle 2.

[0072] According to an advantageous arrangement, and as seen in particular in Figures 2 and 6, when the tuft of hairs 3 is fixed in the cavity 22 of the handle 2, the periphery of the tuft of hairs 3 is in contact with the inner surface of the conformation portion 25 of the handle 2, at least at the edge 250 defining the opening O of the handle 2 and preferably, as illustrated in the aforementioned figures, over the entire axial length 1 of the conformation portion 25 of the handle 2.

[0073] The tuft of hair 3 alone, that is to say before its mounting inside the cavity 22 of the handle 2, but possibly equipped with its receiving cup 4, as illustrated for example in Figures 4 and 5, has a first cross-sectional shape, such as a circular shape. Furthermore, still in its unmounted configuration, the tuft of hair 3 has, at the boundary between the axial portion intended to form the concealed portion 32 inside the cavity of the handle and the axial portion intended to form the exposed portion 33 protruding from the opening O of the handle 2 when the tuft of hair 3 is fixed therein, a first cross-section or area, expressed for example in mm².

[0074] Furthermore, the opening O of the handle 2, in the undeformed state of the conformational portion 25, has a second cross-sectional shape, preferably substantially identical to the first cross-sectional shape of the tuft of hair, for example, circular. In addition, the opening O of the handle 2, again in the undeformed state of the conformational portion 25, has a second cross-sectional area, expressed for example in mm².

[0075] Preferably, the cross-section of the opening O of the handle 2 in the undeformed state of the conformation portion 25, or second cross-section, is less than or equal to the cross-section of the tuft of hairs 3 in the undeformed configuration mounted, at the boundary between the axial portion intended to form the concealed portion 32 inside the cavity 22 of the handle 2 and the axial portion intended to form the exposed portion 33 projecting from the opening O of the handle 2 when the tuft of hairs 3 is fixed therein, or first cross-section. Thus, in the mounted state in the handle 2, the tuft of hairs 3 is held, or even compressed in the radial direction, by the conformational portion 25 of the handle 2, at least at the level of the edge 250 defining the opening O of the handle 2 and preferably, as illustrated in the aforementioned figures, along the entire axial length 1 of the conformational portion 25 of the handle 2.

[0076] With further reference to Figures 2 and 6, when mounted in the cavity 22 of the handle 2, the tuft of hair 3 has a maximum length L, measured along the longitudinal axis X between its attachment end 30 and its free end 31.

[0077] Furthermore, and as mentioned above, the tuft of hairs 3 in the mounted state in the cavity 22 of the handle 2, has a masked portion 32 inside the handle 2, formed by the axial parts of the tuft of hairs 3 received in the fixing housing 23 and in the shaping chamber 24 of the handle 4, and an exposed portion 33 extending along the longitudinal axis X projecting from the opening O of the handle 2.

[0078] The masked portion 32 of the tuft of hairs 3 has a length of 1m measured along the longitudinal axis X between the fixing end 30 and the opening O and the exposed portion 33 has a length measured along the longitudinal axis X between the opening O of the handle 2 and the free end 31 of the tuft of hairs.

[0079] Preferably, the length 1m of the masked portion 32 of the hair tuft 3 is chosen and dimensioned to be greater than or equal to 25%, and in particular close to 50%, of the maximum length L of the hair tuft 3. Thanks to the fact that the hair tuft 3 has a masked portion 32 inside the handle 2 representing a non-negligible fraction of the total length L of the hair tuft 3, the precision in defining the shape of the cross-section of the hair tuft 3 by deformation of the conformation portion 25 is improved and the phenomenon of erratic flare of the latter over the course of uses, resulting from repeated pressure of the hair tuft 3 against body surfaces and ultimately penalizing the precision of application, as well as the life of the brush, is limited.Indeed, concealing a significant length of the bristle tuft 3 within the handle 2 helps to preserve the integrity of the bristle tuft 3's geometry over time and with repeated use.

[0080] Furthermore, the length 1 of the conforming chamber 24 is chosen and dimensioned to be greater than or equal to 50%, and in particular close to 60%, of the length 1m of the masked portion 32 of the tuft of hair 3, so as to ensure that the deformation of the conformable portion 25 of the handle 2 is even more faithful transposed to the cross-section of the tuft of hairs 3, at least at the level of the opening O of the handle 2.

[0081] Thanks to the aforementioned arrangements of the brushes which are the subject of the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the user has a cosmetic product application brush, the shape of the cross-section of the tuft of hairs 3 can be modulated at will in a faithful, precise and continuous manner, that is to say without requiring interruption of the application sequence between two application phases in which the tuft of hairs 3 has different cross-sections to adapt to the user's needs.

[0082] Indeed, the implementation within the handle 2 of the brush of a conforming chamber 24 of the cross-section of the tuft of hairs 3, within which is understood a masked portion 32 of the tuft of hairs 3, combined with the making in elastically deformable material of the conforming portion 25 of the lateral wall 21 of the handle 2 which surrounds this conforming chamber 24, makes it advantageous to have a brush which allows the shape of the cross-section of the tuft of hairs 3 to be modulated at will, precisely and continuously by elastic deformation of the conforming portion 25 of the handle 2.With the brush design according to the invention, the edge 250 of the confirmation portion 25 of the side wall 21 of the handle 2 defines the shape of the cross-section of the opening from which the exposed portion 32 of the tuft of hair 3 extends and acts on a substantially median peripheral line of the tuft of hair 3, forming the boundary between the masked portion 32 and the exposed portion 33, so that the shape conferred to the opening O of the handle 2 by deformation of the conformation wall 25 of the handle is faithfully and precisely transmitted and transposed to the tuft of hair 3.

[0083] Thus, thanks to the brush 1 according to the invention, a user will be able to easily and continuously switch from a given configuration of the tuft of hairs 3, in which it has a certain cross-sectional shape, to another configuration of the tuft of hairs 3, in which it has a different cross-sectional shape and / or hair density at the opening O of the handle 2, by a simple and direct action of one or more of his fingers elastically deforming the conformation portion 25 of the handle 2, and, in so doing, adapt to his needs in terms of areas and / or nature of product to be applied the cross-sectional shape of the tuft of hairs 3.

[0084] Figures 7 to 12 illustrate different configurations of hair tuft 3 and different cross-sectional shapes of hair tuft 3 that can be adopted with a brush according to the invention, under the effect of elastic deformation forces applied by a user on the conformation portion 25 of the handle.

[0085] Figures 7, 9 and 11 illustrate a brush 1 according to the invention in a configuration initial, resting position, that is, when no external force is applied by the user on the portion of conformation 25 of the handle 2.

[0086] As seen previously, in this resting configuration of the brush according to the illustrated embodiments, the handle 2 and the tuft of hairs 3 have circular cross-sections.

[0087] Starting from the rest configuration illustrated in [Fig.7], when a user applies opposing radial forces to the portion of the handle 25, as indicated by the arrows Fl in [Fig.7], this portion of the handle 25 will deform to adopt a substantially oval or ellipsoidal shape, and this oval or ellipsoidal shape will be faithfully and precisely reflected, transmitted, transposed to the tuft of hair 3, as illustrated in [Fig.8].

[0088] When the user ceases to apply the forces Fl, the brush 1 will return to its resting configuration and the conformation portion of the handle 2, as well as the tuft of bristles 3, will again adopt their shape in resting configuration, in this case a circular shape, as illustrated in [Fig.7].

[0089] Starting from the rest configuration illustrated in [Fig.8], when a user applies off-center antagonistic forces to the portion of the handle 25 indicated by the arrows F2 in [Fig.8], this portion of the handle 25 will deform to adopt substantially an egg shape and this egg shape will be faithfully and precisely reflected, transmitted, transposed to the tuft of hair 3, as illustrated in [Fig. 10].

[0090] When the user ceases to apply the forces F2, the brush 1 will return to its resting configuration and the conformation portion of the handle 2, as well as the tuft of hairs 3, will again adopt their shape in resting configuration, in this case a circular shape, as illustrated in [Fig.8].

[0091] Starting from the rest configuration illustrated in [Fig. 11], when a user applies concentric forces, angularly separated by 120°, to the portion of the handle 25, indicated by the arrows F3 on [Fig. 11], this portion of the handle 25 will deform to adopt a substantially trilobal shape, or trilobed shape, and this trilobal shape will be faithfully and precisely reflected, transmitted, transposed to the tuft of hairs 3, as illustrated in [Fig. 12].

[0092] When the user ceases to apply the forces F3, the brush 1 will return to its resting configuration and the conformation portion of the handle 2, as well as the tuft of bristles 3, will again adopt their shape in resting configuration, in this case a circular shape, as illustrated in [Fig.10].

[0093] Although in the preceding examples of use of the brush according to the invention, a return to the resting configuration of the handle 2 and the tuft of bristles 3 has been described between two different deformed configurations of the conformation portion 25 and of the tuft of hair, thanks to the arrangements of the brush according to the invention, the shape of the cross-section of the tuft of hair 3 can be continuously modulated by adapting the intensity and direction of the forces applied to the conformation portion 25 of the handle 2, without interruption of the sequence of application of cosmetic product, and in particular without having to release or put down the handle 2 of the brush and / or to completely modify the gripping method and the gripping areas of the handle of the brush 2.

[0094] Thus, a user grasping the brush 1, in particular suspended between his fingers, with the bottom 20 of the handle 2 opposite or resting against the palm of his hand, will be able to advantageously pass continuously the portion of conformation 25 and, consequently, the tuft of hairs 3 from one cross-sectional shape to another.

[0095] By way of example, during the same continuous sequence of application of cosmetic product, a user may start from a brush 1 in rest configuration, as illustrated in [Fig.7], in which the conformation portion 25 and the tuft of hairs 3 have a circular cross-section, for example particularly suitable for the application of cosmetic product, in particular in powder form, such as a powder foundation, on large body areas, such as the cheeks, for the application of a base layer.

[0096] The user can then apply the forces Fl to make the conformation portion 25 and the tuft of hair 3 adopt a substantially oval or ellipsoidal cross-sectional shape, as illustrated in [Fig.8], particularly suitable for the flat application of cosmetic product, and then modify the forces that he applies on the conformation portion 25 to impart the forces F2 to the conformation portion 25 and make the conformation portion 25 and the tuft of hair 3 adopt a substantially egg-shaped cross-section, as illustrated in [Fig. 10], which can be advantageous in the context of a more precise application using the refined part of the egg to apply cosmetic product to smaller body areas.

[0097] Starting from this configuration illustrated in [Fig. 10], the user can once again modify the forces that he applies to the conformation portion 25 to impart, for example, the forces F3 to the conformation portion 25 and make the conformation portion 25 and the tuft of hairs 3 adopt a cross-section substantially in the shape of a trilobe, as illustrated in [Fig. 12].

[0098] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the various configurations mentioned above and the conformation portion 25 and the tuft of hairs 3 of the brush according to the invention may adopt an infinite number of cross-section shapes adapted to the needs of the user.

Claims

Demands

1. Cosmetic product application brush (1) comprising: - a handle (2) extending along a longitudinal axis (X) between a base (20) and an opening (0), said handle having a lateral wall (21) extending from the base (20) and defining a cavity (22) between said base (20) and said opening (0); - a tuft of bristles (3) fixed in the cavity (22) of the handle (2), extending along the longitudinal axis (X) between a fixing end (30) and a free end (31) and comprising a concealed portion (32) extending inside the cavity (22) and an exposed portion (33) projecting from the opening (O);in which the cavity (22) of the handle (2) includes a fixing housing (23) for the tuft of hair (3) located opposite the bottom (20) and a shaping chamber (24) for the cross-section of the tuft of hair (3) extending between the fixing housing (23) and the opening (O), and in which the side wall (21) of the handle (2) includes a shaping portion (25) surrounding the shaping chamber (24) and elastically deformable, so as to be able to continuously vary the shape of the cross-section of the exposed portion (33) of the tuft of hair (3) by elastic deformation of the shaping portion (25) of the handle (2).;

2. Brush (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tuft of hair (3) has a maximum length (L) measured along the longitudinal axis (X) between the attachment end (30) and the free end (31) and wherein the hidden portion (32) of the tuft of hair (3) has a length (1m) measured along the longitudinal axis (X) between the attachment end (30) and the opening (O) of the handle, said length (1m) of the hidden portion (32) being greater than or equal to 25%, and in particular close to 50%, of said maximum length (L) of the tuft of hair (3).

3. Brush (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein, the concealed portion (32) of the bristle tuft (3) having a length (1 m) measured along the longitudinal axis (X) between the attachment end (30) and the opening (O) of the handle (2), the shaping chamber (24) has a length measured along the longitudinal axis (X) greater than or equal to 50%, and in particular close to 60%, of the length (1 m) of the concealed portion (32) of the bristle tuft hairs.

4. Brush (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the handle is made entirely of an elastically deformable material, in particular silicone.

5. Brush (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the attachment end (30) of the tuft of hair (3) is fixed inside a cup (4) comprising a bottom (40) and a peripheral wall (41) together defining an open cavity (42) for receiving the tuft of hair (4), said cup (4) being received in the attachment housing (23) of the handle (2).

6. Brush (1) according to claim 5, wherein the fixing housing (23) of the tuft of hair (3) defined in the handle (2) comprises a bearing surface (230) extending transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) and on which rests the bottom (40) of the cup (4) and a locking surface (231) coming into contact, or at least opposite, the front edge of the peripheral wall (41) of the cup (4) to prevent the cup (4) from being extracted out of the handle (2) through the opening (O) and to ensure the fixing of the tuft of hair (3) in the handle (2).

7. Brush (1) according to claim 6, wherein the bearing surface (230) of the fixing housing (23) of the tuft of hair (3) is formed by a shoulder extending inwards in the radial direction and provided on the inner surface of the side wall (21) of the handle (2), at an axial distance from the bottom (20), or directly from the bottom (20) of the handle (2).

8. Brush (1) according to any one of claims 6 or 7, wherein the locking surface (231) of the fixing housing (23) of the tuft of bristles (3) is formed by a recess extending outwards in the radial direction and provided on the inner surface of the side wall (21) of the handle (2).

9. Brush (1) according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the cup (4) is fixed by snapping and / or gluing in the fixing housing (23) of the tuft of hair (3).

10. Brush (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 in which the outer surface of the side wall (21) of the handle (2) has a textured relief, at least at the conformation portion (25).

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