Abstract:
A device for applying a cosmetic composition including magnetic or magnetizable particles, said applicator device comprising handle means and an applicator head including an applicator surface and a magnetic device suitable for generating a magnetic field, and the applicator head further including a setback forming a reservoir suitable for containing said cosmetic composition, said reservoir being located in the applicator surface and having a bottom. The bottom of the reservoir is movable relative to the applicator surface by an adjuster device associated with the applicator head.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under the Paris Convention and 35 USC §119 to French Application No. 09 54537, filed on Jul. 2, 2009. 
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The invention relates to an applicator device for the purpose of applying a cosmetic composition that includes particles that are magnetic or magnetizable, and it also relates to an assembly including the applicator device. The invention relates to applying cosmetic compositions that have a wide range of viscosities, and it therefore also covers applicator devices for applying cosmetic compositions that are pasty. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Document EP-1 129 640 discloses an applicator device including handle means and an applicator head having a magnetic device suitable for generating a magnetic field and having an applicator surface that is generally porous. 
     Such an applicator device makes it possible to take a cosmetic composition that includes magnetic particles from a container and to apply the composition to the eyelashes, the lips, or the skin. Nevertheless, such a device does not enable a film of composition to be deposited under good conditions for preserving glossiness, in particular. 
     Furthermore, document FR-2 889 921 discloses both an assembly including a non-magnetic applicator for use in a first step to apply magnetic particles that also have optical properties in terms of reflecting and/or diffracting light, such as certain nacres, for example, and also a magnetic device that is suitable for imparting a determined orientation to the magnetic particles in a second step in order to obtain the looked-for visual effect. 
     Furthermore, document EP-1 726 235 discloses an applicator device for applying a cosmetic composition including magnetic or magnetizable particles, said applicator device including handle means and an applicator head having a magnetic device suitable for generating a magnetic field, said applicator head having an applicator surface and also including a setback forming a reservoir suitable for containing the cosmetic composition, said reservoir being disposed in the applicator surface and having a bottom. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     An object of the invention is to make it easier both to apply the composition and also to improve the deposition of magnetic or magnetizable particles on keratinous fibers in order to obtain the visual effect that is created by the cosmetic composition when it includes magnetic particles having an optical effect by reflecting and/or diffracting light. 
     To this end, in accordance with the invention, the bottom of the reservoir is movable relative to the applicator surface by an adjuster device connected to the applicator head. 
     Thus, it is easy to deposit the desired quantity of cosmetic composition while simultaneously orienting the magnetic or magnetizable particles while they are being deposited so as to obtain the looked-for optical effect in more effective manner. In particular, when the cosmetic composition is a liquid in which the particles can be moved under the action of a magnetic field, the present invention enables a film to be deposited on a film with better quality and with a final appearance effect that is generally better. This type of applicator device is also better adapted to compositions having a drying time that is short and therefore unsuitable for obtaining the optical effect after the composition has been applied, unlike devices of the prior art. In addition, the quantity (thickness) of the composition that the user seeks to deposit may be adapted by adjusting the depth of the reservoir. 
     Naturally, it should be understood that the user has different positions available for adjusting the position of the bottom of the reservoir relative to the applicator surface, and that the adjuster device (when the user is not taking any action on the adjuster device) holds the bottom of the reservoir (in the adjustment position selected by the user acting on the adjuster device) relative to the applicator surface (independently of the quantity of composition contained in the reservoir). 
     According to an additional characteristic in accordance with the invention, the applicator surface preferably extends all around the reservoir. 
     This makes it even easier to deposit the cosmetic composition uniformly with its magnetic particles well oriented. 
     According to another additional characteristic, the bottom of the reservoir is preferably set back from the applicator surface by a distance that is substantially constant. 
     The deposit of the cosmetic composition is thus further improved, thereby contributing to producing a more satisfactory appearance effect. 
     According to another characteristic in accordance with the invention, the applicator surface is preferably concave. 
     Application of the cosmetic composition on the surface of the body is thus better controlled. 
     According to an additional characteristic, and preferably, the adjuster device includes a stud that slides in a groove having notches. 
     This solution is simple, effective, and easy to use for placing and holding the bottom of the reservoir in the desired position relative to the applicator surface. 
     In various embodiments, the applicator device may advantageously have one and/or more of the following provisions: 
     the magnetic device is made of a ferromagnetic material or of a material including magnetic or magnetizable particles suitable for generating a magnetic field; 
     the magnetic device constitutes the bottom of the reservoir; and 
     the magnetic device generates a magnetic field in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the application surface. 
     The invention also provides an assembly comprising both the above-specified applicator device and a container provided with a cap for closing the container, said container containing a cosmetic composition that includes magnetic or magnetizable particles. 
     In various embodiments, the assembly may advantageously have one and/or more of the following provisions: 
     the magnetic or magnetizable particles included in the cosmetic composition are movable so as to be oriented under the effect of a magnetic field and also have optical properties in terms of reflecting and/or diffracting light that differ depending on the orientation that is imparted thereto by the magnetic device; and 
     the applicator device comprises a holder stem extending in a long direction between a proximal end and a distal end, the applicator head being held at the distal end of the handle device and the cap closing the container is held at the proximal end of said handle stem. 
     The invention also provides a method of applying makeup using the above-specified assembly. In accordance with the invention, the cosmetic composition including the magnetic or magnetizable particles is applied and the magnetic or magnetizable particles are simultaneously oriented under the effect of the magnetic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention appear from the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows an assembly in accordance with the invention including an applicator device; 
         FIG. 2  shows the applicator device in perspective; 
         FIG. 3  shows a portion of the applicator device in section on the line marked III-III in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows the applicator device in section on the line marked IV-IV in  FIG. 3 ; and 
         FIG. 5  shows a variant of the applicator device in accordance with the invention, this view corresponding to  FIG. 3 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  shows an assembly  10  essentially comprising an applicator device  1  and a container  2  containing a cosmetic composition  4 , in particular mascara, the composition including magnetic particles. 
     As shown in particular in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the applicator device  1  essentially comprises a handle stem  12 , an applicator head  14 , and a cap  28 . In the embodiment shown, the cap  28  is integral with the handle stem  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the container  2  has a neck  6  through which the applicator device  1  is adapted to be inserted into the container  2  and on the outside of which the cap  28  is suitable for screw-fastening to close the container  2 . In addition, the container  2  is provided with a wiper device  8  located close to the neck  6  in order to remove excess cosmetic composition  4  that is to be found on the applicator device  1  prior to its extraction from the container  2 . The wiper device  8  is constituted by a relatively flexible material that closes the neck  6  and that deforms elastically when the applicator head  14  passes through. In the embodiment shown, the wiper device  8  is constituted by a flexible foam. In a variant, the wiper device could be constituted by bristles or by any other means suitable for performing an analogous function. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the handle stem  12  extends in a long direction X between a proximal end  12   a  and a distal end  12   b . It is long and thin and has a section that is substantially constant going along the long direction X. The cap  28  is formed integrally with the proximal end  12   a  of the stem  12 , while the applicator head  14  is secured to the distal end  12   b  of the handle stem  12 . 
     The applicator head  14  comprises a holder  15  and a magnet  16 . In the embodiment shown, the holder  15  is formed integrally with the handle stem  12  and the cap  28 . The holder  15  is generally prismatic in shape, substantially cylindrical with generator lines extending in an elevation direction Z that is perpendicular to the long direction X. The holder  15  extends along the elevation direction Z from a base  24  to an applicator surface  18 . The base  24  is rectangular and elongate in the long direction X. The base  24  extends the handle stem  12  without forming any step relative to the handle stem  12 . Thus, in a transverse direction Y that is perpendicular to the long direction X and to the elevation direction Z, the base  24  has a width that is equal to the width of the handle stem  12 . 
     The holder  15  of the applicator head  14  is not exactly cylindrical, but it tapers slightly, having a truncated pyramid shape with its section perpendicular to the elevation direction Z becoming smaller on going towards the applicator surface  18 . 
     The holder  15  has a housing  34  defined at its periphery by an enclosure  26  in which the magnet  16  is placed. The applicator surface  18  extends to the free end of the enclosure  26 , all around a reservoir  20 , and the magnet  16  has a surface  22  facing out from the housing  34  and set back in the elevation direction Z from the applicator surface  18 . This surface of the magnet  16  defines the bottom  22  of the reservoir  20  which is otherwise defined by the enclosure  26  and the applicator surface  18 . 
     The applicator surface of the holder  15  may be covered in a flexible material, advantageously a material having a modulus of elasticity of less than 300 megapascals (MPa) at 20° C. This deposit of flexible material forms annular “lips”, which are preferably made of silicone, for the purpose of smoothing the free edges of the enclosure  26 . Reference may be made to document FR-2 901 458 for more ample information. 
     The applicator surface  18  is concave and curved in the long direction X. The bottom  22  of the housing  20  is also concave and curved in the long direction X. The bottom  22  extends at a distance d from the applicator surface  18 , and the distance d is substantially constant along the long direction X. 
     The distance d is adjustable by means of a screw  30  extending in the elevation direction Z, passing through the holder  15  and screwed into the magnet  16 . The screw  30  has a head  30   a  and an annular groove in which a resilient retaining ring  30   b  is received. The screw  30  is held to the holder  15  by its head  30   a  and by the resilient retaining ring  30   b.    
     By taking hold of the head  30   a  of the screw  30  in order to turn it around the elevation direction Z, the user can vary the distance d, in other words the user can vary the depth of the reservoir  20  at will. Preferably, the distance d lies in the range 1 millimeter (mm) to 5 mm. By adjusting the height d, the user is thus capable of adapting the applicator device as a function of the intended application (mascara, nail varnish, lipstick, eye shadow, etc.) and as a function of the rheological characteristics of the composition (most particularly its viscosity). 
     Thus, in particular for a cosmetic composition  4  that is liquid, the user can reliably deposit a film on a film. 
     The cosmetic composition  4  may also be a powder or some other appropriate cosmetic composition. When the cosmetic composition is a powder, the applicator device  1  enables free powder to be stored effectively in the reservoir  20  and to be concentrated over a small area for application purposes. 
     The holder  15  also has two main outside surfaces  19  on its outside that extend in the long direction X and in the elevation direction Z. 
     The cosmetic composition  4  preferably includes iron oxides (Fe 3 O 4 ) that give it magnetic properties, or some analogous ingredient. Advantageously, the cosmetic composition includes nacres containing said iron oxides or the like. 
     The magnet  16  is preferably a permanent magnet that generates a magnetic field in the elevation direction Z. 
       FIG. 5  shows a variant of the applicator device  101 . Elements of the applicator device  101  that correspond to elements of the applicator device  1  have the same reference numerals plus 100. 
     The applicator device  101  has a handle stem  112  and an applicator head  114 . The applicator head  114  has a holder  115  and a magnet  116 . The holder  115  extends along the elevation direction Z from a base  124  to an applicator surface  118  that is elongate in the long direction X. 
     The holder  115  has a housing  134  defined peripherally by an enclosure  126 , and the magnet  116  is placed therein. The applicator surface  118  extends at the free end of the enclosure  126  all around a reservoir  120 , and the magnet  116  has a surface  122  facing out from the housing  134  and set back at a distance d in the elevation direction Z from the applicator surface  118 . This surface of the magnet  116  defines the bottom  122  of the reservoir  120 , which is otherwise defined by the enclosure  126  and by the applicator surface  118 . The applicator surface  118  and the bottom  122  of the housing  120  are plane in the embodiment shown. 
     The magnet  116  is carried by a slider  142  secured to the magnet  116  and suitable for sliding in the housing  134  in the elevation direction Z. The enclosure  126  has a groove  138  both receiving a stud  136  secured to the slider  142  and having notches  140  for holding the stud  136 , and thus for holding the magnet  116  set back from the applicator surface  118  by the selected distance d. 
     For reasons of appearance, the housing  134  is closed at the base  124  by a cover  144 . 
     Naturally, the invention is not limited in any way to the embodiment described above by way of non-limiting illustration. Thus, although not preferred, instead of extending all around the reservoir  20 , the applicator surface  18  need only extend along one or more edges of the reservoir. 
     In addition, instead of being concave and curved like the applicator surface  18 , the bottom  22  of the reservoir  20  could have a serrated surface, e.g. having a section in the long direction X that is of sinusoidal shape, or comprising a succession of triangles, or the like. Such a shape encourages retention of the composition in the reservoir  20 . 
     The applicator surface  18  could include slots in the elevation direction Z so as to form a kind of mascara comb for application to the eyelashes. 
     The cap  28  and the handle stem  12  could be separate from each other, the applicator device then being held directly by the user gripping the handle stem  12  at its proximal end  12   a , after removing the cap  28 . 
     In addition, the magnet  16  could be replaced by a part having the same shape but no magnetic properties, with the magnetic field being created by magnetic particles that are dispersed in the holder  15 .