Patent Application
20250107617
This application claims priority to French Application No. 2310462, filed Sep. 23, 2023, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
The invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, and an associated applicator assembly.
The mascara applicators can be made from fibrous elements held between the longitudinal parts of a twisted metal pin called a core. These applicators are commonly known as “twisted brushes”. The ends of the fibrous elements usually form envelopes along an axis of longitudinal extension of the brush. Although it is easy to give a curved shape to the core of these twisted brushes, they have, however, due to their manufacturing method, a cylindrical shaped envelope that offers few possibilities in terms of make-up effects.
The mascara applicators can also be obtained by injection moulding of plastic. Typically, these applicators comprise a core and a plurality of protrusions formed from the core and extending from a proximal end connected to the core to a free distal end. These applicators are commonly known as “plastic brushes”. The plastic brushes can be given original shapes to create special make-up effects.
However, there is still a need to improve mascara applicators, in particular to obtain applicators that provide sufficient load of cosmetic product and good cosmetic product restitution, while retaining flexibility and ease of application of the cosmetic product.
The invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product, comprising:
The oblong shape creates an applicator comprising several sides, one of which comprises the concave curvature.
In this way, the combination of the single-sided curvature and the oblong shape of the cross-section of the envelope surface improves the applicator's accessibility to the area to be made up. The user can bring the applicator as close as possible to this area without being hindered. This makes it easier to apply the cosmetic product.
Advantageously, the protrusions arranged on the first side and on an opposite second side have a greater average height than the protrusions located on opposite third and fourth sides adjacent to the first and second sides.
The short protrusions located on either side of the applicator and on either side of the curvature allows to limit the load of cosmetic product with respect to an applicator without protrusions on these two sides. In addition, the reduced height of the protrusions on either side of the curvature also reduces the risk of being obstructed when applying the cosmetic product and, once again, allows the applicator to be brought as close as possible, making application easier.
Advantageously, the core comprises a first rectilinear proximal portion at an angle with respect to the sleeve, referred to as the first rectilinear portion, and a second adjacent portion having the concave curvature, referred to as the second curved portion.
The combination of the proximal rectilinear portion and the adjacent curved portion allows to combine the flexibility and rigidity of the applicator needed to provide a good makeup effect on the lashes to bring a volume effect and good separation of the lashes.
In addition, the rectilinear portion has an inclination with respect to the sleeve, allowing the curved part to be moved away from the sleeve so as to make it more accessible for applying the cosmetic product. In this way, the curved portion is as close as possible to the area to be made up and the user can apply the cosmetic product without being hindered, for example by the sleeve.
According to various embodiments, which may be taken together or separately:
The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising:
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for the understanding of which reference is made to the attached drawings in which:
In the embodiment shown in
The term “protrusions 7a, 7b extending projectingly from the core 5” means that the protrusions 7a, 7b comprise a base located at the core 5 and which extend towards the opposite free end. Advantageously, the protrusions 7a, 7b come from the material of the core.
The envelope surface E corresponds to the surface constructed from the free end of the protrusions along the axis Y and around the core.
This includes in particular a plastic applicator 1 obtained, for example, by moulding, such as injection moulding, or by additive synthesis.
Advantageously, at least the core 5 and the protrusions 7a, 7b form a single piece, i.e. a single monolithic part. In other words, the core 5 and protrusions 7a, 7b are obtained without assembly.
Assembly is understood here as the fact of putting together, joining at least two isolated elements, but does not exclude the possibility of several steps.
The core 5 is shown solid. However, it can be hollow without going beyond the scope of the invention.
The proximal end 5a is extended by the sleeve 3, which has no protrusions. The sleeve 3 is designed to cooperate with a rod 9.
The distal end 5b has a rounded surface with no protrusions.
Alternatively, the distal end 5b may have protrusions 7a, 7b.
According to the invention, the main axis Y is entirely contained in one plane and comprises a single concave curvature towards a first side 11a.
In addition, according to the invention, the envelope surface E has a cross-section along the main axis Y of continuous oblong shape over the entire length of the core 5 and of decreasing surface area from the proximal end 5a to the distal end 5b.
The oblong shape of the envelope surface E visible in
Thus, the combination of the curvature of a single side and the oblong shape of the cross-section of the envelope surface E improves the accessibility of the applicator 1 to the area to be made up. The user can bring the applicator 1 as close as possible to this area without being hindered. This makes it easier to apply the cosmetic product.
Advantageously, the core 5 comprises a first rectilinear proximal portion forming an angle α with respect to the sleeve 3, referred to as the first rectilinear portion 13a, and a second adjacent portion having a concave curvature, referred to as the second curved portion 13b.
The combination of the proximal rectilinear portion 13a and the adjacent curved portion 13b allows to combine the flexibility and rigidity of the applicator advantageous for a good make-up effect on the lashes to provide a good volume effect and good separation of the lashes.
In addition, the rectilinear portion 13a has an inclination with respect to the sleeve 3, allowing the curved portion 13b to be moved away from the sleeve 3 so as to make it more accessible for application of the cosmetic product. In this way, the curved portion 13b is as close as possible to the area to be made up and the user can apply the cosmetic product without being hindered, for example by the sleeve 3.
Advantageously, the protrusions, known as long protrusions 7a, arranged on the first side 11a and on an opposite second side 11b, have a greater average height than the protrusions, known as short protrusions 7b, located on opposite third and fourth sides 11c, 11d adjacent to the first and second sides 11a, 11b.
Average height means that along the main axis Y, in a plane transverse to the main axis Y, the protrusions 7a on the first and second sides 11a, 11b have greater heights than the protrusions 7b on the third and fourth sides 11c, 11d.
The oblong shape provided by the difference in height of the protrusions 7a, 7b and others creates an applicator 1 comprising several sides 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, one side (first side 11a) of which comprises the curvature of the curved portion 13b.
The short protrusions 7b located on either side of the applicator 1 and on either side of the concave curvature allows to limit the load of cosmetic product with respect to an applicator without protrusions on these two third and fourth sides 11c, 11d. In addition, the reduced height of the protrusions 7b on either side of the concave curvature also reduces the risk of being obstructed when applying the cosmetic product and, once again, allows the applicator 1 to be brought as close as possible, making application easier.
In this way, the oblong cross-section of the envelope surface E has a large diameter in the plane in which the concave curvature lies and a small diameter in a direction perpendicular to this plane.
The envelope surface E thus has a generally frustoconical shape, with the small cross-section of the frustum formed at the distal end 5b of the core 5 and the large cross-section of the frustum formed at the proximal end 5a of the core 5, close to the sleeve 3.
Advantageously, the main axis Y of the core 5 does not cross the longitudinal axis X of the sleeve 3. In other words, the majority of the core 5 is at a distance from the longitudinal axis X.
Preferably, the first rectilinear portion 13a extends from the proximal end 5a of the core 5 towards the middle of the core 5, for example over a length of between 10 and 15 mm as illustrated here.
Advantageously, the angle α between the sleeve 3 and the first rectilinear portion 13a is between 5 and 30°, preferably between 10 and 20°, and even more preferably between 10 and 15°, as illustrated here.
As illustrated in this embodiment, advantageously, the second curved portion 13b extends over a length of between 10 and 15 mm. The second curved portion 13b thus comprises a single vertex 15 or inflection point located on a section extending between the middle of the core 5 and the distal end 5b. Preferably, the vertex 15 is located ⅔ of the way along the core 5 from the proximal end 5a. In this way, the vertex 15 of the second curved portion 13b improves the accessibility of the protrusions 7a, which are brought forward and to which there is nothing to prevent access. The user can therefore bring the applicator 1 as close as possible to the area to be made up without being hindered.
Advantageously and as illustrated in this embodiment, the core 5 also comprises a third rectilinear distal portion adjacent to the second curved portion 13b, referred to as the third rectilinear portion 13c.
Preferably, the third rectilinear portion 13c of the core 5 extends over a length of between 1/20 and ⅕ of the length of the core 5, and more preferably between 1/20 and 1/10 of the length of the core 5.
Like the first rectilinear portion 13a, the third rectilinear portion 13c can form an angle β with respect to the sleeve 3, as is the case in the embodiment illustrated here. Preferably, the angle β between the sleeve 3 and the third rectilinear portion 13c is between 10 and 45°, or even between 20 and 40° and more preferably between 25 and 35°.
This improves the availability of the distal end 5b of the applicator 1, in particular by moving it away from the second curved portion 13b.
In the illustrated embodiment, the core 5 has a decreasing surface cross-sectional area from the proximal end 5a to the distal end 5b. In particular, here the cross-section is circular, decreasing in diameter from the proximal end 5a to the distal end 5b. The result is an applicator 1 whose envelope surface E is frustoconical, creating a thin distal end 5b, for example for precision application of the cosmetic product.
In this embodiment, the protrusions 7a, 7b extend in a direction at an angle with respect to a direction perpendicular to the surface of the core 5. Preferably, the angle is less than 20°, or even less than 10°, more preferably less than 5°.
In other words, the protrusions 7a, 7b are inclined with respect to the surface of the core 5, so that it forms a sort of helix around it. The particular orientation of the protrusions 7a, 7b improves and facilitates the application of the cosmetic product and its restitution on the surface to be made up.
In another non-illustrated embodiment, the protrusions 7a, 7b extend, for example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the core 5, i.e. radially to the core 5. In other words, the protrusions 7a, 7b protrude in a direction substantially normal to the main axis Y, known as the radial direction.
The protrusions 7a, 7b are arranged in the form of longitudinal rows 17 extending along the main axis Y, i.e. substantially parallel to the main axis Y.
Here, the applicator 1 comprises ten longitudinal rows 17 of protrusions 7a, 7b.
The longitudinal rows 17 of protrusions 7a, 7b are uniformly distributed around the core 5. In other words, the protrusions 7a, 7b of each longitudinal row 17 are arranged at equal angular distance from the protrusions 7a, 7b of the longitudinal rows 17 adjacent to them.
In addition, the protrusions 7a, 7b of two adjacent longitudinal rows 17 are offset from each other along the main axis Y.
In this way, the protrusions 7a, 7b and also the storage areas between the protrusions 7a, 7b for cosmetic products are evenly distributed around the periphery of the core 5.
In another embodiment not shown, the protrusions 7a, 7b can be arranged in the form of longitudinal rows 17 winding helically around the core 5.
In the illustrated embodiment, the average height of the protrusions 7a in the longitudinal rows 17 on the first side 11a is substantially identical to the average height of the protrusions 7a in the longitudinal rows 17 on the second side 11b.
Similarly, the average height of the protrusions 7b of the longitudinal rows 17 of the third side 11c is substantially identical to the average height of the protrusions 7b of the longitudinal rows 17 of the fourth side 11d.
In addition, the average height of the protrusions 7a of the longitudinal rows 17 of the first side 11a and the second side 11b is greater than the average height of the protrusions 7b of the longitudinal rows 17 of the third side 11c and the fourth side 11d.
The result is an applicator 1 with four sides 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d: first and second sides 11a, 11b with long protrusions 7a and third and fourth sides 11c, 11d with short protrusions 7b. The first side 11a comprises the concave curvature and the second side 11b comprises the vertex 15 of the second curved portion 13b.
In the embodiment illustrated here, particularly in
In this embodiment, the protrusions 7a, 7b are also arranged in radial rows 19. The protrusions 7a, 7b of two consecutive radial rows 19 have an angular offset. In this way, the protrusions 7a, 7b and also the cosmetic product storage areas are evenly distributed around the core 5. Advantageously, and as illustrated here, the protrusions 7a, 7b show a decrease in height along the core 5 from the proximal end 5a to the distal end 5b. In particular, the decrease of the protrusions 7a, 7b is rectilinear. The distal end 5b of the core 5 is thus narrower than the proximal end 5a, to allow, for example, more precise and meticulous application of the cosmetic product, particularly in places that are not easily accessible, such as the corner of the eye.
The protrusions 7a, 7b, for example, are globally frustoconical. “Globally frustoconical” means that the cross-section of the protrusions 7a, 7b increases or decreases progressively from the base towards the free end of the protrusions 7a, 7b. Preferably, the base of the protrusions 7a, 7b has a larger cross-section than the free end of the protrusions 7a, 7b.
The protrusions 7a, 7b also each have a half-moon-shaped section forming a flat surface, and are positioned so that the flat surfaces of the protrusions 7a, 7b face in the same rotational direction.
It should also be noted that the applicator 1 advantageously forms a brush.
The invention also relates to an applicator assembly 21 for a cosmetic product, comprising the container 23 comprising a body 25 forming a reservoir for containing the cosmetic product (not shown), and an applicator 1, as previously described, adapted to be fixed to the container 23, so that the applicator 1 is housed inside the container 23, i.e. the reservoir. The applicator 1 is attached, for example, to a proximal end of the rod 7, which is itself attached to a cap 27 advantageously screwed to the container 21.
Advantageously, the container comprises a wiper 29 fixed inside the container 23, in particular in the neck 31 or the opening orifice of the container 23.
Advantageously, the internal diameter of the wiper 29 is substantially identical to the maximum diameter of the envelope surface E of the applicator 1.
Thus, passing the applicator 1 through the wiper 29 not only allows excess cosmetic product to be removed, but also homogenizes the distribution of the cosmetic product along the core 5.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2310462 | Sep 2023 | FR | national |
