Abstract:
An applicator device for a liquid, pasty, gel-like, wax-like or powder product comprising a working region having a metal mesh, wherein the metal mesh has a weave with twill bonds.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention concerns an applicator device for a liquid, pasty, gel-like, wax-like or powder product, comprising a working region having a metal mesh. 
   An applicator device of the kind set forth above is known, for example from French patent No 925 899. 
   The known applicator device however is not satisfactory from the haptic point of view. In addition, it is not possible with the known applicator device for the product which is to be applied to be satisfactorily distributed over a surface to which it is to be applied. 
   The object of the invention is to develop the applicator device of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, in such a way that it is improved in terms of the haptic aspect and also in regard to distribution of the product. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the invention, in an applicator device of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, the object is attained wherein the metal mesh has a weave with a twill bond. 
   More specifically it has surprisingly been found that a metal twill weave, in contrast to other metal meshes, produces an excellent tactile haptic feel on the skin and that it is possible to achieve excellent distribution of relevant products on the skin by means of a metal twill weave. 
   In accordance with the invention a mesh width of the weave is preferably between 0.02 mm and 0.2 mm, further preferably between 0.05 mm and 0.09 mm. That dimensioning is advantageous on the one hand in respect of the haptic aspect and also in respect of the distribution properties. In addition the preferred mesh width entails advantages in particular when the product is to be conveyed through the meshes into the working region. 
   Further advantages are enjoyed when the mesh comprises a wire of a thickness of between 0.02 mm and 0.15 mm, preferably between 0.04 mm and 0.1 mm. 
   In accordance with the invention the weave is preferably annealed and/or calandered, whereby application of the product takes place in a particularly soft and gentle fashion. 
   The weave in accordance with the invention is preferably under tension. That has advantages in particular in regard to the haptic aspect and also in regard to the uniformity of application of the product. 
   In that respect in accordance with the invention the applicator device preferably has a carrier on which the weave is taut. 
   In this connection it is further preferred that, in that region which carries the tension of the weave, the carrier has a modulus of elasticity of at least 800 N/mm 2  and preferably less than 1100 N/mm 2 , particularly preferably 1000 N/mm 2  or less. That configuration is of great advantage in particular when the weave is applied to the carrier by deep drawing. 
   In accordance with the invention, for the same reason it is preferred that, in that region which carries the tension of the weave, the carrier is of a wall thickness of at least 0.3 mm and preferably less than 4 mm, particularly preferably less than 1.5 mm, in particular 0.8 mm or less, more specifically measured transversely with respect to the tensioning direction. 
   Particularly having regard to the fact that the weave is fitted over the carrier, the carrier in accordance with the invention is preferably of a contour which is arcuate in section, in a region delimiting the working region. That reliably prevents damage to the weave (for example by virtue of tearing) when it is being fitted over the carrier. 
   In a further preferred feature in a region delimiting the working region the carrier has a bevel, preferably in the range of between 0.15 mm and 2.5 mm. Such a bevel is particularly advantageous in regard to the fact that the product is to be uniformly applied and distributed. More specifically, without such a bevel, there is the danger that the applicator device pushes the product in front of it, for example when rubbing it in, instead of distributing it uniformly. 
   As already indicated above in accordance with the invention it is particularly preferred that the weave is turned inside out over the carrier and a holder holds the weave on the carrier. That affords an overall particularly simple construction. 
   Particularly in the case of a rotationally symmetrical carrier the holder is preferably embodied in the form of a ring. 
   Finally in accordance with the invention it is particularly preferred for the weave to comprise a wire with a nickel content of between 2% and 16%. Such a nickel content is advantageous in particular in regard to the deep drawing operation already referred to above. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be described in greater detail hereinafter by means of a preferred embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
     The single FIGURE is a diagrammatic view in longitudinal section of an applicator device according to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The applicator device illustrated in the drawing includes a bottle-like container  10  for receiving a product which is to be applied, in this case for receiving lip rouge in pasty form. Fitted on the container  10  is a carrier  12  on to which a metal twill weave  14  is fitted under tension. The weave  14  is held under tension on the carrier  12  by a ring  18 . The tension is a tension in the direction of the main plane of the weave  14 , which results from a deep drawing operation for fitting the weave  14  over the carrier. 
   As is conventional in relation to lipsticks, the applicator device illustrated in the drawing has a flattened working region  20  which is angled with respect to the longitudinal axis. The edge of the carrier  12 , which delimits the working region  20  and which is identified in the drawing by references  22 . 1  and  22 . 2  is rounded off so that no damage occurs when the weave  14  is being fitted over the carrier. In addition it is bevelled. 
   The applicator device illustrated in the drawing is produced as follows: a metal twill weave is calandered and fitted over the carrier  14  by a deep drawing operation. Thereupon the ring  18  is applied in order to maintain the tension resulting from the deep drawing operation. That provides that the weave  14  remains smooth in particular in the working region  20 . Any folds which are caused by the deep drawing operation are concealed by the ring  18 . 
   The container  10  is elastic. When it is compressed cosmetic product disposed in the interior of the container, that is to say for example lip rouge, is conveyed into the working region through an outlet opening  16  and the meshes of the weave  14 . The lip rouge can be distributed on the skin by means of the working region in a particularly desirable manner or a product with a dermatological action can be rubbed in. 
   The features of the invention disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawing can be essential for implementing the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and also in any combinations.