Patent Publication Number: US-2017354237-A1

Title: Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin fibers

Description:
This invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin fibers, in particular on eyelashes or eyebrows. 
     A “cosmetic product” means any composition such as defined in directive 93/35/EEC in the Jun. 14, 1993 Council. 
     More precisely, this invention relates to an applicator comprising a cosmetic product on human keratin fibers, comprising: a gripping handle, said handle extending substantially along a first main axis; and an application rod, with a first end of said application rod being connected to an end of the gripping handle along the first axis, with a second end of the application rod comprising a heating receiving area, with said receiving area extending substantially along a second axis coplanar with the first axis, said receiving area able to receive a support for a mass of cosmetic product. 
     Such an applicator is for example described in document EP 2 298 115. 
     In order to prevent the handle from coming into contact with the face during the application of the cosmetic product, it is advantageous to carry out an application rod that comprises a portion included between said handle and the receiving area. The handle is as such separated from the face. 
     However, when the rod is heating, such a portion must be configured to limit the risks of burns to the face of the user during the application of the product. 
     Document WO2006/043544 describes a mascara applicator that comprises a non-heating bent rod, extended by a heating applicator. 
     Moreover, document U.S. Pat. No. 3,343,551 describes an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to human keratin fibers, having a bent rod in such a way as to tilt the receiving area with respect to the handle. Such a configuration does however oblige the user to hold the applicator in a manner that is unusual for this type of product, which complicates the makeup operations. 
     This invention has for purpose to supply an applicator for applying a cosmetic product, optimized in terms of ergonomics and safety. 
     To this effect, the invention relates to an applicator of the aforementioned type, in which the application rod comprises a first and second substantially coplanar elbows, said two elbows being adjacent to one another and arranged between the gripping handle and the receiving area, said two elbows being of opposite convexities, with the receiving area being configured as such to be arranged closer to the face of a user than the rest of the application rod and the handle. 
     According to further advantageous aspects of the invention, the applicator comprises one or several of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:
         the second axis is substantially parallel to the first axis, said first and second axis being spaced apart by a non-zero distance on the receiving area;   the first and second elbows are substantially arranged in a plane formed by the first and the second axis;   the second axis passes through a first and through a second ends of the receiving area, and the receiving area has a curvature between said first and second ends;   the curvature of the receiving area has a convexity oriented towards the first axis;   the application rod comprises a heating portion outside of the receiving zone.   the applicator further comprises a unit for applying a cosmetic product, said unit for applying comprising: a support able to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the application rod, and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support;   the applicator comprises a two units for applying a cosmetic product, with each unit for applying comprising: a support able to be removably attached to the heating receiving area of the application rod, and a mass of cosmetic product carried by said support, with the supports and/or masses of cosmetic product of the two units for applying being different.       

    
    
     
       The invention will be easier to understand in view of the following description, provided solely as a non-restricted example and with reference to the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an applicator according to the state of the art; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial top view of an applicator according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a partial top view of an applicator according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an element of the applicators of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     
    
    
       FIG. 1  shows an applicator  10  according to the state of the art, in particular described in document EP 2 298 115. The applicator  10  comprises a gripping handle  12  extending mainly along a longitudinal axis  14 . The applicator  10  further comprises an application rod  16 , that extends the handle  12  along the axis  14 . 
     The rod  16  comprises a heating electrical resistance, connected to a source. The heating is for example actuated by means of a switch  17  located on the handle  12 . 
     A unit for applying  18  is removable mounted on the application rode  16 . The unit for applying  18  comprises a support  20 , for example made of a plastic material, threaded onto an end of the rod  16 . The unit for applying  18  further comprises a mass  22  of cosmetic product, carried by the support  20 . 
       FIG. 2  shows, as a detailed view, an applicator  30  according to a first embodiment of the invention. The applicator  30  is particularly intended to apply a cosmetic product on the eyelashes of a user. 
     The applicator  30  comprises a gripping handle  12 , similar to the handle of the applicator  10  of  FIG. 1 . The handle  12 , shown partially, extends primarily along a first axis  14 . The applicator  30  further comprises an application rod  36 , comprising an electrical means of heating. 
     It is considered an orthonormal base (X, Y, Z), with the axis  14  being parallel to the direction X. 
     The handle  12  contains an autonomous source of energy, for example an electric battery, that makes it possible to supply the means of heating of the rod  36 . The heating is for example actuated using a switch located on the handle  12 . 
     The application rod  36  comprises or consists of a heating electrical resistance. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the rod  36  comprises a metal tubular casing  38 , for example made of stainless steel, containing an electric insulating core (not shown), said core being traveled through by a resistive electrical conductor (not shown) extending over the entire length of the tube  38 . 
     The heating electrical resistance has for example a rated power between 0.5 and 2 W and makes it possible to reach a temperature greater than 50° C., for example a temperature of 70° C. for an ambient temperature of 20° C. 
     The rod  36  is substantially contained in a plane (X, Y) and extends the handle  12  along the axis  14 . More precisely, the rod comprises a first straight portion  40 , extending along the axis  14  from an end of the handle  12 . The first portion  40  is adjacent to a second portion  42  in the shape of an elbow, with the rod  36  moving away from the axis  14  on said elbow  42 . 
     A median line  44  is considered describing the trajectory of the rod  36  in the plane (X, Y). 
     The second bent portion  42  is adjacent to a third portion  46 , also bent. The elbows  42 ,  46  are of opposite convexities, describing the shape of an S. A limit between the second portion  42  and the third portion  46  is marked by a first point of inflection  48  of the median line  44 . 
     Preferably, the second portion  42  and the third portion  46  have radii of curvature that are substantially equal. For example, an average radius of curvature of the second portion  42  is between 75% and 125% of a an average radius of curvature of the third portion  46 . 
     The third portion  46  is adjacent to a fourth portion  50 , comprising an end  52  of the rod  36  opposite the handle  12 . As shall be detailed in what follows, the fourth portion  50  forms a receiving area of a unit for applying a cosmetic product. 
     A limit between the third portion  46  and the fourth portion  50  is marked by a second point of inflection  54  of the median line  44 . The fourth portion  50  extends substantially along a second axis  56 , with the second axis passing through the second point of inflection  54  and through the end  52  of the median line  44 . 
     Preferably, the second axis  56  is substantially parallel to the first axis  14 . More preferentially, the second axis  56  and the first axis  14  form an angle less than or equal to 15° in the plane (X, Y). 
     According to an embodiment, the fourth portion  50  is slightly curved, in such a way as to hug the edge of an eyelid. A suitable radius of curvature for the fourth portion  50  is for example greater than 20 mm. 
     Preferentially, as in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a convexity of the fourth portion  50  is oriented towards the first axis  14 . The third portion  46  and the fourth portion  50  are then of opposite convexities. 
     Due to the presence of the elbows  42 ,  46 , the fourth portion/receiving area  50  is separated from the first axis  14 , by a minimum non-zero distance  58  according to the direction Y. 
       FIG. 3  shows, as a detailed view, an applicator  60  according to a second embodiment of the invention. The applicator  60  is similar to the applicator  30  of  FIG. 2  and the common elements are designated hereinafter by the same reference numbers. 
     As in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the applicator  60  comprises a handle  12  and an application rod  36 . An end  52  of said rod, opposite the handle  12 , is part of a receiving area  50  that can receive a unit for applying a cosmetic product. The receiving area  50  is separated from the axis  14  of the handle  12 , by a distance  58  equivalent to that of  FIG. 2 . 
     The only difference between the embodiments of  FIGS. 2 and 3  resides in the shape of the rod  36  in the plane (X, Y). More precisely, in an embodiment of  FIG. 3 , the elbows  42 ,  46  have a radius of curvature that is lower than in the embodiment of  FIG. 2 . A distance  62  along X between the points of inflection  48 ,  54  is in particular lower for the applicator  60  than for the applicator  30 . The modulation of the radii of curvature of the elbows  42 ,  46  as such makes it possible to vary a distance between the handle  12  and the receiving area  50 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a unit  68  for applying a cosmetic product, similar to the unit  18  shown in  FIG. 1  and described in document EP 2 298 115. The unit for applying  68  is able to be part of an applicator  30  or  60  such as shown in  FIG. 2  or in  FIG. 3 . 
     The unit for applying  68  extends substantially along a longitudinal axis  69 . The unit for applying  68  comprises a support  70  made of plastic and a mass  72  of cosmetic product, carried by the support  70 . 
     The support  70  has the shape of a tubular sleeve, in order to be able to be threaded onto the rod  36  on the level of the receiving area  50 . An internal section of the support  70  is substantially complementary with that of a section of the metal casing  38 , on the receiving area  50 . 
     Preferably, the support  70  comprises a longitudinal slot  74 , which allows said support to be deformed elastically by hugging the shape of the receiving area  50 . In this case, an internal section of the support  70  when idle is slightly less than a section of the receiving area  50 . 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the support  70  is slightly curved in a plane containing the longitudinal axis  69 . The support  70  can as such hug the curvature of the receiving area  50  such as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The slot  74  is located on the side of the convexity of the curvature. 
     On the side of the concavity of the curvature, the support  70  comprises a series of transversal ribs  76  that delimit recesses  78 . The mass  72  of cosmetic product is secured to the support  70  of the side of said concavity, with the cosmetic product being in particular received in the recesses  78  between the ribs  76 . 
     The cosmetic product forming the mass  72  is for example a makeup composition for eyelashes having a property that varies according to the temperature. Said property is for example a flowing nature, in particular from d max ≧ to 5 mm, with d max  being determined according to the protocol described in paragraphs [0120] to [0127] of document EP 1 955 610. 
     The cosmetic product forming the mass  72  is for example a composition comprising at least one reversible polymer that is solid at ambient temperature. The term “solid” designates a product that does not flow under the effect of gravity at 20° C. Preferably, the cosmetic product has a melting temperature greater than or equal to 50° C., for example close to 54° C. 
     Preferentially, the support  70  carries a mass  72  comprising between 10 mg and 100 mg of product, more preferentially between 20 mg and 50 mg of product, even more preferentially about 30 mg of product. This quantity is in particular suited for a single use, making it possible for example to apply makeup to one or two lashes. 
     The unit for applying  68  is for example manufactured according to a method of injection molding in two steps, such as described in document WO2011/131907. 
     A method for using an applicator  30  or  60  such as described hereinabove shall now be described. First of all, a user assembles a unit for applying  68  to the receiving zone  50 , by threading in particular the support  70  onto the end  52  of the rod  36 . The unit for applying  68  is arranged on the receiving zone  50  in such a way that the mass  72  of cosmetic product is located inside the curvature of said receiving area  50 . 
     The user then presses on the switch  17  of the gripping handle  12 , in such a way as to supply with electricity the resistance forming the rod  36 . The temperature of the metal temperature  38  increases, provoking the softening or the melting of the mass  72  of cosmetic product. 
     By holding the applicator  30  or  60  by the handle  12 , the user then brings the receiving area  50  closer to the eyelashes to which makeup is to be applied. So that the curvature of the receiving area  50  substantially hugs the shape of the edge of the eyelid, the user positions his eye on the side of the concavity of said receiving area  50 , the second axis  56  being substantially arranged perpendicularly to a plane of symmetry of the face. In the  FIGS. 2 and 3 , such a plane of symmetry is a plane (Y, Z). 
     In this position, the receiving area  50  is closer to the face of the user than the rest of the rod  36 , in particular than the first portion  40  located near the handle  12 . 
     As such, in the case where the rod  36  is heated over its entire length by the electrical resistance of the applicator  30  or  60 , the user does not risk burning her nose or the temple with the portion  40 , during the application of the cosmetic product on here eyelashes. 
     In particular, the user can, without the risk of becoming burned, hold the handle  12  substantially perpendicularly to a plan of symmetry of the face. Such a position of the handle is conventional for the application of mascara on the eyelashes and therefore does not force the user to adopt an unusual gesture. On the contrary, with an applicator with a straight application rod, the user should tilt the handle with respect to this conventional position, in order to prevent any contact of a heated area with her face. 
     The dimensions of the elbows  42  and  46 , as well as the distance  58 , are in particular chosen in such a way as to make it possible to prevent discomfort with the nose during the use. The first portion  40  is as such separated from the nose during the application of the cosmetic product, while still maintaining the second axis  56  perpendicular to a plane of symmetry of the face. 
     After use, the user easily removes the unit for applying  68  from the rod  36 , via an inverse movement from the movement for assembling. In case of need, a new unit for applying  68  is then assembled to the rod  36 . Such a change in the unit for applying can be carried out without waiting for the rod  36  to cool. 
     The applicator  30  or  60  described hereinabove is for example marketed in the form of a kit, comprising on the one hand a unit formed by the handle  12  and the rod  36 , and on the other hand one or several units for applying  68 . 
     According to a first alternative, all of the units for applying  68  from the same kit are identical. According to another alternative, two units for applying  68  of the same kit comprise a different support  70  different and/or a different mass  72  of cosmetic product. 
     Alternatively to the marketing in the form of a kit, the applicator  30  or  60  described hereinabove is marketed in the form of a unit formed by the handle  12  and the rod  36 , such as shown in  FIG. 2  or in  FIG. 3 . The units for applying  68  cosmetic product are then marketed separately.