Abstract:
In an embodiment, an applicator includes an external sheath and an internal rod extending through and beyond a first end of the external sheath. A first end of the internal rod may be coupled to a plurality of axial members that extend between the first end of the internal rod and the first end of the external sheath. By actuating a knob coupled to the internal rod, the distance between the first end of the internal rod and the first end of the external sheath may be adjusted. By adjusting the distance, the configuration of the axial members may be adjusted and this adjustment may modify the amount of product that may be stored between the axial members.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to French Application No. 0513368 filed Dec. 27, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     a) Field of the Invention 
     The invention concerns the field of applicators for fluid or pasty products, typically applicators of cosmetic products such as mascaras. 
     b) Description of the Prior Art 
     A large number of mascara applicators are already known. These applicators, which are designed to cooperate with a container forming a reservoir for mascara, typically comprise:
     a) a cap adapted to seal said container and to serve as means for gripping said applicator,   b) an axial rod,   c) and a brush,
 
said rod being fixedly connected to said cap at one of its ends, and with said brush at the other one of said ends, said brush comprising a metallic twist binding a plurality of bristles.
   

     With respect to said brush, a large number of models of brushes are already known. 
     Thus, the brushes described in the following French Patents are known: FR 2 505 633, FR 2 605 505, FR 2 607 372, FR 2 607 373, FR 2 627 068, FR 2 627 363, FR 2 637 471, FR 2 637 472, FR 2 650 162, FR 2 663 826, FR 2 668 905, FR 2 675 355, FR 2 685 859, FR 2 690 318, FR 2 701 198, FR 2 706 749, FR 2 715 038, FR 2 745 481, FR 2 748 913, FR 2 749 489, FR 2 749 490, FR 2 753 614, FR 2 755 693, FR 2 774 269, FR 2 796 531, FR 2 796 532, FR 2 800 586. 
     The brushes described in the following U.S. Patents are also known: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,733,425, 4,861,179, 5,357,987, 5,595,198, 6,241,411, 6,427,700. 
     On the one hand, in view of the permanent evolution of mascara formulations, there is a need for developing new applicators which can be used to apply these formulations, and which are typically adapted to each now formulation. 
     On the other hand, for the persons who use these formulae, there is the requirement that they must rely on a wide range of applicators to obtain different effects, for example different loading levels of product to be applied for the applicator, and/or different effects in combing eyelashes. 
     In addition, there is an increasing requirement to incorporate new technical functions in the applicators, in order to respond to the needs of the persons using them, as well as to be distinct from the “bottom-of-the-line” products for which the production may be shifted to cheap labor countries. 
     Finally, in the field of cosmetic products, there is a permanent demand for new products, in order for example to customize the products, whether we are concerned with the formulations, the applicators or also wrappings in general, to the extent that replacement of the products becomes an absolute commercial requirement, to the risk of disappearing from the market place. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the invention, the applicator for a fluid or pasty cosmetic product, has an axial direction and comprises an axial rod that is fixedly connected, at its so-called lower end, with an application means provided with means for retention of said cosmetic product, and at its so-called upper end, with means for manually grabbing said applicator. 
     It is characterized in that:
     a) said axial rod is a co-axial rod comprising a central rod and an external sheath, said central rod comprising a rod portion that is coaxial with said external sheath and a so-called free rod portion which is not covered with said central rod,   b) said application means comprises a plurality of N axial members providing an inner space there between, wherein N varies from 2 to 8, said axial elements being fixedly connected, at their upper ends, with said external sheath at the bottom end thereof, and at their lower ends, with said rod portion at the bottom end thereof,   c) said grabbing means comprises a so-called fixed grabbing portion and a knob which is rotatably fixedly connected to said central rod, a manual rotation of said knob according to an angle α with respect to said fixed portion causing a relative rotation of said lower ends with respect to said upper ends and thus a twist of said axial elements, in such a manner that it is possible for example to modify at will the volume of said inner space and thereby the quantity of said cosmetic product held back by said application means.   

     Following rotation of said knob, the applicator according to the invention makes it possible to more or less tighten said axial members, and to modify the inner space so as to operate on the quantity of cosmetic product held back in said application means, as well as on the external volume of said application means. 
     Since said applicator is typically a part of a dispenser comprising a reservoir containing said cosmetic product, for example a mascara, the person using the applicator can operate the knob, either when the applicator acts together with the reservoir, said application means dipping into said cosmetic product, before being removed from the reservoir, said application means then passing through wringer, or once the applicator has been separated from the container, and possibly during make-up. 
     Thus, the person using the applicator disposes of a means for modifying the applicator all along the make-up, depending on the type of effect it is desired to be obtained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       All the figures relate to the invention. 
       For reasons of clearness of the figures, all the elements or members represented in the figures have not been hatched. 
         FIGS. 1   a  to  1   h  relate to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1   a  is a side view in perspective of the applicator. 
         FIG. 1   b  is a side view in perspective of the reservoir which is adapted to operate jointly with the applicator in order to constitute the dispenser. 
         FIG. 1   c  is a side view in perspective of the dispenser in closed position. 
         FIG. 1   d  is a cross-section of the dispenser along line D-D of  FIG. 1   c.    
         FIG. 1   e  is an axial cross-section of the dispenser along line E-E of  FIG. 1   c.    
         FIG. 1   f  is an enlarged view of the part of  FIG. 1   e  that is surrounded by a rectangle illustrated in dotted line, indicated by “f”. 
         FIG. 1   g  is an enlarged view of the part of  FIG. 1   e  that is surrounded by a rectangle illustrated in dotted line, indicated by “g”. On this figure, the upper end of the application means is an upper end that is ratchetly engaged in the lower end of the external sheath. 
         FIG. 1   h  is a cross-section view in the transverse plane H-H of  FIG. 1   g , which is a plane that is perpendicular to an axial direction, Illustrating the case where the application means comprises three axial members oriented at 120° with respect to the axial direction. 
         FIGS. 2   a  to  2   e  illustrate various embodiments and representations of axial members formed of a support that fixedly connects a plurality of radial members having a space there between, allowing for a sampling of the product and its later application. 
         FIG. 2   a  illustrates the case where the radial members are parallel to one another and are offset with respect to the support. 
         FIG. 2   b  illustrates the case where all the radial members are not parallel to one another. 
         FIG. 2   c  illustrates the case where the radial elements are parallel to one another and are centrally aligned with respect to the support. On the right portion of  FIGS. 2   b  and  2   c , by way of illustration, two types of projections or sections of radial members, of circular shape or in the shape of an oval, are represented. 
         FIG. 2   d  corresponds to  FIG. 2   c  and is a simplified representation thereof. 
         FIG. 2   e  is another simplified representation of an axial member showing a curve, as in the case of  FIG. 1   g.    
         FIGS. 3   a  to  4   b  relate to another embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 3   a  is an axial section of the applicator. 
         FIG. 3   b  is a side view in perspective which illustrates the torsion of the axial members, two only having been illustrated, one in the front in full line, one in the back in dotted line. 
         FIG. 3   c  is an enlarged view of the lower part of  FIG. 3   a , surrounded by a rectangle in dotted lines. 
         FIG. 3   d  is a cross-section along line D-D of  FIG. 3   c  showing the presence of four axial members spaced 90° from one another. 
         FIG. 4   a  is a cross-section view of the dispenser comprising the applicator of  FIG. 3   a  and the reservoir represented in axial section of  FIG. 4   b.    
         FIGS. 5   a  to  7   c  illustrate various embodiments of application means or of members of applications means, in axial section. 
         FIG. 5   a  and  5   b  illustrate an embodiment in which said application means constitute a one-piece member comprising said upper collar at its upper end, and said lower collar at its lower end. 
         FIG. 5   a  illustrates the cooperation of the bottom end of the external sheath with said upper collar through a ratchet engagement and rotary joint operation means and the joint operation of said bottom end of said free rod portion with said lower collar, through a ratchet engagement and rotary cooperation means. 
         FIGS. 5   c  and  5   d  are respectively similar to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b . They differ in that said upper collar is a collar that is distinct from said axial members. In this embodiment, he application means constitute a one-piece member comprising a lower collar at its lower end. 
         FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b  are respectively similar to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b . They differ in that the lower collar is a collar that is distinct from he axial members. In this embodiment, the application means constitutes a one-piece member comprising an upper collar at its upper end. 
         FIGS. 6   c  and  6   d  are respectively similar to  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b . They differ in that the upper collar is a collar that is distinct from the axial members. In this embodiment, the application means constitutes a one-piece member with the external sheath. 
         FIGS. 7   a  and  7   b  are respectively similar to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b . They substantially correspond to the embodiment of  FIG. 1   g , the free rod portion having a bottom end defining a male part that is ratchetly engaged in the collar constituting a female part. In this embodiment, the application means defines a one-piece member comprising a lower collar at its lower end. 
         FIG. 7   c  illustrates the bottom part of the co-axial rods, the external sheath comprising an annular part at its bottom end, which is intended to operate jointly with the upper ends. 
         FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b  are respectively similar to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b . They differ in that the application means and said central rod constitute a one-piece member. 
         FIGS. 8   c  and  8   d  are respectively similar to  FIGS. 5   c  and  5   d . They differ in that the application means and the central rod constitute a one-piece member. 
         FIGS. 9   a  to  9   c  illustrate an embodiment of application means comprising a plurality of annular members which are fixed to the free rod portion, each annular member comprising an annular part surrounding a portion of the free rod, and a radial part defining a comb tooth. 
         FIG. 9   a , which corresponds to  FIG. 3   c , is a front lateral view In perspective. 
         FIG. 9   b  is an axial cross-section B-B, along the axial direction, of  FIG. 9   a.    
         FIG. 9   c  is a cross-section C-C, which is perpendicular to the axial direction of  FIG. 9   a.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     According to the invention, and as illustrated on  FIG. 3   c , the free rod portion  221  can extend to an axial height H which substantially corresponds to the axial height of the application means  3 . 
     As illustrated for example on  FIG. 3   c , the axial members  30  may have at their upper ends  300  a so-called upper connecting means  5 . 
     The upper connecting means  5  may be a so-called upper ring  50  possibly rotatably connected to external sheath  23 , at its bottom end  230 . 
     As illustrated for example on  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , upper collar  50  may be a collar  50 ′ which constitutes a one-piece molded member of plastic material  7 ,  7   a  with the plurality of axial members  30 , upper collar  50 ′ comprising an axial ratchet engagement means  51  with external sheath  23 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5   c  and  5   d , the upper collar  50  may be a collar  50 ″ which operates jointly with external sheath  23  at its bottom end  230 , in a manner to block the upper ends  300  of the axial members  30  and to rotatably connect the upper ends  300  to the external sheath  23 . 
     As illustrated for example on  FIG. 3   c , the axial members  30  may provide at theirs lower ends  301  a so-called lower connection means  6 , so as to rotatably cooperate with the free rod portion  221  at its bottom end  222 . 
     The lower connection means  6  may be a so-called lower collar  60 , connected, possibly rotatably, to the free rod portion  221 , typically through an axial ratchet engagement means  61 . 
     As illustrated on  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the lower collar  60  may be a collar  60 ′ defining a one-piece molded member of plastic material  7   b  with the plurality of axial members  30 . 
     As illustrated on  FIGS. 6   a  and  6   b , the lower collar  60  may be a collar  60 ″ that acts together with the free rod portion  221  at its bottom end  222 , in a manner to block the lower ends  301  of the axial members  30  and to rotatably connect lower ends  301  to the free rod portion  221 . 
     On  FIGS. 6   a  to  6   d , the collar  60 ″ acts together with the lower ends  301 ,  301 ′ through ratchet engagement means. 
     However, according to another variant, the lower collar  60  could also constitute a crown that surrounds the ends  301 , in a similar manner to the left part of  FIG. 7   a  in which the annular portion  231  operates jointly with the upper ends  300 . 
     As illustrated on  FIG. 5   b , the plurality of axial members  30  may define with upper  50  and lower  60  collars, a one-piece molded member of plastic material  7   c.    
     As illustrated on  FIGS. 8   a  to  8   d , the plurality of axial members  30  may constitute a one-piece molded member  7   d ,  7   d ′ of plastic material with the free rod portion  221 . 
     As illustrated on  FIGS. 6   c  and  6   d , the plurality of axial members  30  may, through upper ends  300 , define with external sheath  23  a one-piece molded member  7 ,  7   e  of plastic material. 
     According to the invention, the rod portion  220  which is coaxial with the external sheath  23 , and said free rod portion  221  may typically have a same diameter. However, the rod portion  220  which is coaxial with the external sheath  23  and the free rod portion  221 , may not have the same diameter, only rod portion  220  which is coaxial with external sheath  23  being cylindrical, in a manner to allow for said manual rotation. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1   f , the fixed part  40  and the external sheath  23  constitute a one-piece member  11  which is molded and is made of plastic material and comprising a horizontal part  110  and a peripheral skirt  111  comprising a lower interiorly threaded part  112  and an upper part  113  that is capable of operating jointly with knob  41  typically by means of a head  42  defining a one-piece member  12  with the central rod  22 , the head typically comprising an annular skirt  420  that is coaxial with upper part  113 . 
     According to the invention, knob  4  can operate jointly with fixed part  40  by joint action of a helical ramp and a lug that moves in ramp, said manual rotation of knob  41  by an angle α with respect to the fixed part  40  leading, in addition to the relative rotation of upper ends  300  with respect to lower ends  301 , to an axial movement of the central rod  22  with respect to external sheath  23 , an angular rotation by an angle+α leading to a forward axial movement which has a tendency to exert an axial tension on the axial members  30 , a reverse angular rotation by an angle−α leading to a rearward axial movement tending to exert a compression on the axial members  30 . Since this embodiment can easily be deducted from the embodiment represented on  FIG. 1   f , it has not been illustrated on a distinct figure. 
     As illustrated on  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   e , axial member  30  may comprise an axial support  31  and a plurality of n radial members  32  fixedly connected to axial support  31 , wherein n varies from 5 to 30. 
     The n radial members  32  may be regularly spaced along axial height H. According to the invention, N may vary from 3 to 5. 
     As illustrated on  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   c , the plurality of axial members  30  may, before the rotation, constitute a substantially cylindrical cluster  33  of members that are parallel to one another and substantially parallel to the free rod portion  221  which is not covered with external sheath  23 . 
     As illustrated on  FIGS. 5   a  to  8   d , the plurality of axial members  30  may, before the rotation, constitute a cluster  33 ′ which bulges out at the level of its central part, in the manner of a spindle. 
     As illustrated on  FIGS. 9   a  to  9   c , the application means  3  may comprise a plurality of annular members  8  which are fixedly connected to the free rod portion  221 , the annular members  8  comprising an annular part  80  and a radial part  81  typically defining at least one comb tooth. 
     Another object of the invention consists of a dispenser  9  for a cosmetic product comprising a rerservoir  90  which is capable of containing the cosmetic product, typically a mascara, and provided with a threaded neck  91  that operates jointly with the manual gripping means  4  of applicator  1  according to any one of claims  1  to  21 , the fixed part  40  of the manual gripping means  4  comprising a thread capable of operating jointly with the threaded neck  91  by screwing/unscrewing, the neck possibly comprising a wringer  92  for the application means  3 . Such a dispenser  9  has been illustrated on  FIG. 4   a.    
     EXAMPLES OF EXECUTION 
     All the figures constitute examples of execution. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS 
     
         
         Applicator . . .  1 
       Axial direction . . .  10     One-piece member  40 + 23  . . .  11 
           Horizontal part . . .  110     Peripheral skirt . . .  111     Inwardly threaded part . . .  112     Upper part . . .  113     
           
     
         Axial rod of  1  . . .  2   
         Co-axial rod . . .  2 ′
       Bottom end . . .  20     Top end . . .  21     Central rod . . .  22 
           Rod portion coaxial to  23  . . .  220     Free rod portion . . .  221     Bottom end of  221  . . .  222     
           External sheath . . .  23 
           Bottom end . . .  230     
           
     
         Application means . . .  3 
       Axial member . . .  30 
           Upper end . . .  300 ,  300 ′   Lower end . . .  301     
           Axial support of  30  . . .  31     Radial member . . .  32     Cluster of  30  . . .  33 ,  33 ′   
     
         Manual gripping means . . .  4 
       Fixed part of  4  . . .  40     Knob connected to  22  . . .  41     Head connected to  22  . . .  42 
           Annular skirt connected to  41  . . .  420     
           
     
         Upper connection means of  300  to  23  . . .  5 
       Upper collar . . .  50 ,  50 ′,  50 ″   Catch means of  50  &amp;  23  . . .  51     
     
         Lower connection means of  301  to  221  . . .  6 
       Lower collar . . . .  60 ,  60 ′   Catch means of  60  &amp;  221  . . .  61     
     
         One-piece molded member of  3  . . .  7   
         Upper collar  50  and plurality of  30  . . .  7   a    
         Lower collar  60  and plurality of  30  . . .  7   b    
         Collars  50  &amp;  60  and plurality of  30  . . .  7   c    
         Plurality of  30  &amp;  22  . . .  7   d ,  7   d ″   
         Annular member fixedly connected to  221  . . . .  8 
       Annular part . . .  80     Radial part defining a comb tooth . . .  81     
     
         Dispenser . . .  9 
       Container . . .  90     Neck . . .  91     Wringer . . .  92