Patent Publication Number: US-10314380-B2

Title: Applicator for cosmetic product and associated applicator assembly

Description:
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, French Patent Application 1360435 filed Oct. 25, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
     The invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product and an associated applicator assembly. 
     There are known applicator assemblies for cosmetic product, in particular a cosmetic product intended to be applied to the eyelashes such as mascara, comprising a container containing the cosmetic product and an applicator suitable for being attached removably to the container. 
     The container generally comprises a body, the body comprising walls delimiting a reservoir in which the cosmetic product is contained, and a neck defining an opening through which the cosmetic product can be taken out. 
     The applicator assembly generally comprises a cap suitable for being attached to the neck, a rod extending from the cap and an applicator attached to a free end of the rod. The applicator comprises a core and a plurality of protrusions or bristles extending from the core. 
     When the cap is attached to the neck, the rod and the applicator extend inside the reservoir. The applicator is immersed in the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir. 
     In order to use the applicator, the user separates the cap from the neck and takes the applicator out of the container. 
     Furthermore, it is known that users who wish to apply cosmetic product to their eyelashes will wish to refine the anticipated effect by using other cosmetic applicators. For example, the applicator assembly intended for the eyelashes is often accompanied, in a user&#39;s make-up bag, by:
         a piece of felt allowing the outline of the eyes to be emphasised; and/or   an applicator for make-up for the eyelids (generally a brush).       

     In order to limit the number of applicators, mascara brushes provided at their end with end pieces having a tapered shape have already been proposed. However, the make-up effects obtained are limited. 
     The present invention aims to solve the following problem: to propose an applicator that simplifies the application of eye make-up by limiting the number of applicators, while offering a wide range of make-up options. 
     Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for cosmetic product comprising a core, a plurality of protrusions projecting from the core to form a brush, and a spatula situated in the continuation of the core. 
     The advantage associated with the applicator of the invention lies in the possibility offered to users of applying a cosmetic product to their eyelashes, their eyelids, and around their eyes, doing so with the aid of a single applicator. This is because the applicant has noted that adding a spatula in the continuation of an applicator for eyelashes overcomes the disadvantage of changing the applicator for each desired effect (eyelashes, eyelids, outline of the eyes), this being done with a natural set of movements that allows a great variety of make-up. 
     An additional effect associated with the applicator according to the invention consists of the saving of cosmetic product. This is because users load the applicator of the invention only once and can subsequently take advantage of all the options that it offers, without having to reload it. 
     According to different embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:
         said spatula is configured to bend;   the core has a first end, known as the proximal end of the core, and a second end, known as the distal end of the core;   the core extends in a longitudinal direction, known as the main axis of extension;   the spatula has a first end, called the proximal end of the spatula, and a second end, called the distal end of the spatula;   the spatula extends from the distal end of the core, in the direction of the main axis of extension;   the distal end of the spatula is free;   the proximal end of the spatula and the distal end of the core merge into one another;   the core has, along the main axis of extension, a first height H, from its proximal end to its distal end;   the spatula has, from its proximal end to its distal end, along the same main axis of extension, a second height h;   said heights H and h are such that 0.1≤h/H≤0.5;   the spatula has at least a first applicator face;   said first applicator face extends along the same main axis of extension;   the first applicator face has grooves;   said grooves are oriented transversely to the main axis of extension;   said grooves are substantially rectilinear;   said grooves are substantially curved;   the first applicator face is curved slightly inward;   the first applicator face is plane;   the spatula comprises a second applicator face;   the first and second applicator faces are symmetrical relative to a plane passing through the main axis of extension, called the facial plane;   the spatula comprises lateral surfaces connecting its applicator faces;   said lateral surfaces have a curved profile, preferably convex;   the spatula has a substantially rectangular transverse section;   the distance separating the applicator faces of the spatula diminishes from the proximal end of the spatula to its distal end;   the distance separating the applicator faces of the spatula is constant;   the distal end of the spatula forms substantially a point in said facial plane, in such a way as to provide a particularly precise region for applying cosmetic product;   said applicator faces have an ovoid profile;   the core is solid;   the core is of plastics material;   the protrusions are of plastics material;   the spatula is of plastics material;   the protrusions and the spatula are of the same material;   the spatula is fitted to the core;   the spatula is overmoulded onto the core;   the protrusions and/or the spatula form a single piece with the core;   the core has a boundary portion, in particular a flared portion, forming a base of the spatula;   said boundary portion, in particular said flared portion, carries at least some of said protrusions, called distal protrusions;   the distal protrusions form an envelope in the shape of a truncated ogee;   the protrusions are arranged in a plurality of rows;   said rows follow substantially helical lines, said lines being laid out on the surface of the core, from its proximal end to its distal end;   said rows are straight, parallel to the main axis of extension of the core;   said rows are inclined relative to the main axis of extension of the core while being parallel to one another.       

     The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for cosmetic product, comprising: a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator, as described above, suitable for being attached to the container, so that the applicator is accommodated inside the reservoir. 
     According to different embodiments of the invention, which can be taken together or separately:
         said container comprises a wiper;   the spatula is configured to brush past the wiper in a plurality of separate zones;   said separate zones are situated in the facial plane, either side of the main axis of extension;   the distance separating said separate zones is close to an internal diameter of the wiper.       

    
    
     
       The invention will be better understood, and its other aims, details, features and advantages will become more clearly apparent in the detailed explanatory description that follows, of at least one embodiment of the invention given as a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. 
       In these drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a view in elevation of an embodiment of an applicator according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view of the applicator shown in  FIG. 1  after rotation through 90°; 
         FIG. 3  is a detailed view of part of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a view in cross section in the plane of cross section A-A referenced in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed view of part of another embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is a view in elevation of a cross-section of a container having a wiper. 
     
    
    
     The drawings illustrate an applicator for cosmetic product according to the invention comprising a core  12 , a plurality of protrusions  30  projecting from the core  12 , and a spatula  20  situated in the continuation of the core  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , the core  12  has a first end, called the proximal end  14  of the core, and a second end, called the distal end  16  of the core. The core  12  extends in a longitudinal direction of extension, called the main axis of extension, and referenced X in  FIGS. 1 to 3 and 5 . 
     The distal end  16  of the core  12  can be considered to be the zone situated just downstream of the last protrusions  30  going towards the spatula  20 . The proximal end  14  of the core  12  can be considered to be the zone situated just upstream of the first protrusions  30  or, as here, the zone corresponding to a stop ring. 
     The spatula  20  also has a first end, called the proximal end  24  of the spatula, and a second end, called the distal end  26  of the spatula. The distal end  26  of the spatula is free. 
     The spatula  20  here extends from the distal end  16  of the core, in particular in the direction of the main axis of extension X. In other words, the proximal end  24  of the spatula  20  and the distal end  16  of the core  12  merge into one another as indicated by boundary portion  40 . 
     In another embodiment, not illustrated, the core  12  can have a flared portion at its distal end  16 , said flared portion of the core  12  forming a base for the spatula  20 . In this embodiment too, the spatula can advantageously extend along the main axis of extension X of the core  12 . 
     The core  12  will preferably have a transverse section that is substantially constant from its proximal end  14  to its distal end  16 , at least as far as its flared portion. As shown in  FIG. 4 , this transverse section will be substantially circular. 
     It should be noted that the core  12  of the applicator according to the invention, and the protrusions  30  that project from the core  12 , form a brush  10 . 
     As referenced in  FIG. 2 , the core  12  has, along the main axis of extension X, a first height H, while the spatula has, along the same main axis of extension, a second height h. Said heights H and h are such that 0.1≤h/H≤0.5. For example, the height H can be approximately 21 mm and the height h approximately 8 mm. 
     In the embodiment shown partially in  FIG. 5 , the applicator will have a height H of approximately 18 mm and a height h of approximately 6 mm. 
     Furthermore, it is interesting to note that the spatula  20  is configured to bend. Specific parameters may advantageously play a part in this bending:
         the particular technical form of the spatula  20 ; namely, two broad applicator faces F 1 , F 2  and two thin lateral faces L 1 , L 2 ; and/or   grooves  22  provided on the applicator faces F 1 , F 2 .       

     Moreover, the particular technical form of the spatula  20  makes it possible to define, at its distal end  26 , a shape that is substantially pointed, so as to offer a particularly precise region for applying cosmetic product. 
     The spatula  20  here has two applicator faces F 1 , F 2 . These faces F 1 , F 2  extend, like the spatula  20 , along the main axis of extension X. One of these faces, the face F 1 , is shown in detail in  FIG. 3 . They have, for example, an ovoid outline. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , these faces F 1 , F 2  are arranged symmetrically relative to a plane P, called the facial plane. This plane P can be seen in  FIG. 3  (it is also the plane of the sheet of paper). 
     In order to connect the applicator faces F 1 , F 2 , the spatula  20  has lateral surfaces L 1 , L 2 . These lateral surfaces L 1 , L 2  can have a curved profile, preferably convex. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), these lateral surfaces L 1 , L 2  are rectilinear. 
     The distance separating said applicator faces F 1 , F 2  of the spatula is arranged so that it decreases, from the proximal end  24  to the distal end  26  of the spatula  20 . For example, the distance between said faces F 1 , F 2  is approximately 2.8 mm at the proximal end  24  and approximately 0.6 mm at the distal end  26 . It is in this way that the sharpened or pointed zone at the free end  26  of the spatula  20  is defined, in particular in the facial plane P. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , the distance separating said faces F 1 , F 2  is constant, and is approximately 0.6 mm. 
     Furthermore, as mentioned above, and as illustrated in detail in  FIG. 3 , the applicator faces F 1 , F 2  have grooves  22 . Said grooves  22  are oriented transversely to the main axis of extension X. They could also, in alternative embodiments (not shown) be oriented obliquely to the main axis of extension X, or even cover only a discrete portion of said applicator surfaces F 1 , F 2 ; they could be substantially rectilinear, or even have an undulated profile. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 to 4 , said grooves are substantially curved. 
     The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5  corresponds to rectilinear grooves  22 , the grooves  22  made in the surface of the first applicator face F 1  being offset, or staggered, relative to the grooves  22  made in the surface of the second applicator face F 2 . In other words, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , said grooves  22  will be distributed differently over each of the applicator faces F 1 , F 2 , said faces therefore not being symmetrical relative to the facial plane P, given the difference in the positioning of their grooves  22 . Thus, the thickness of material along the main axis of extension X is substantially constant along the length of the spatula  20 , from its proximal end  24  to its distal end  26 . 
     The distribution of the grooves  22  of the first applicator face F 1  relative to the distribution of the grooves  22  of the second applicator face F 2  is such that it plays a part in making the spatula flexible and resilient. 
     In addition to the fact that they play a part in the bending of the spatula  20 , said grooves  22  allow a fraction of cosmetic product to be retained on said applicator faces F 1 , F 2  when the applicator according to the invention is loaded, this being done without said product being absorbed. This is because the grooves  22  create channels in which the formula is retained. In other words, the grooves  22  retain a fraction of cosmetic product by virtue of their technical form and not because of any porosity of the material of the spatula  20 , said spatula being preferably made of a non-porous material. 
     The applicator according to the invention is particularly advantageous because it allows cosmetic product to be applied to emphasise the outline of the users eyes, this being effected by virtue of the lateral surfaces L 1 , L 2  and/or by virtue of the point made at the distal end  26  of the spatula  20 . Without needing to be reloaded, the applicator of the invention also allows cosmetic product to be applied to the user&#39;s eyelids in order to obtain the effect of an eyeshadow, this being done with the aid of the applicator faces F 1 , F 2 . Still without needing to be reloaded, the applicator of the invention, by virtue of the brush formed by the core  12  and the protrusions  30 , allows product to be applied to the users eyelashes without applying cosmetic product to the user&#39;s nose. This is because the spatula  20  will be dimensioned in such a way that it does not come into contact with the user&#39;s nose when said user uses the applicator of the invention to apply make-up to her or his lashes. 
     It should be noted that the spatula  20  can be flexible in any plane secant to the facial plane P, preferably in any plane that includes the main axis of extension X and which is substantially orthogonal to said facial plane P. 
     One of the advantages associated with the flexibility of the spatula  20  consists of producing the same soft effect on the users eyelids as a brush. In order to further increase this effect, said spatula can take the form of fingers. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , as can be seen in  FIG. 2 , the applicator faces F 1 , F 2  are slightly incurved, preferably concave. They are generated by a straight line orthogonal to the main axis of extension X. 
     As for the protrusions  30 , these project from the core  12 . They are arranged in a plurality of rows which extend over the entire periphery of the core  12  (see  FIG. 4 ). 
     The rows here have the feature of being inclined relative to the main axis of extension X. More precisely, said rows here follow substantially helical lines, said lines being laid out on the surface of the core  12 , from its proximal end  14  to its distal end  16 . 
     The rows can also be parallel to the main axis of extension X (alternative embodiment not shown). 
     The rows can also be inclined relative to said axis X, while being parallel to one another. 
     The radial separation between said rows around the periphery of the core  12  is made in accordance with a constant angular distance. Said angular distance will be within the interval [20°; 45°]; it will be approximately 30°. The embodiment shown here has ten rows, this number of rows varying according to the chosen angular distance between said rows. 
     It should be noted that the protrusions  30  of two adjacent rows are aligned axially relative to one another. They can also be offset axially relative to one another (alternative embodiment partially shown in  FIG. 5 ). 
     Over a same axial portion, the rows have the same number of protrusions  30 , to within one protrusion  30  more or less, for example twenty protrusions  30 . 
     Furthermore, said protrusions  30  have, preferably, a semicircular section. In other words, the protrusions  30  each have a plane surface  34 . 
     The protrusions are here positioned so that the plane surfaces  34  of two adjacent protrusions  30  of two different rows are oriented in the same gyratory direction around the core  12  (see  FIG. 4 ). In other words, the protrusions are positioned so that the plane surfaces  34  of two adjacent protrusions  30  are oriented in the same gyratory direction, in particular a gyratory direction identical to that of said helical rows in the case of the helical rows illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
     The term “gyratory direction” is understood to mean the gyratory direction observed by a person looking at the applicator of the invention from a point adjacent to the free distal end  26  of the spatula  20 . Thus, no plane face  34  is opposite another plane face  34 . 
     The moulding of said protrusions  30  with the core  12  will therefore be easy, because it allows the use of sliding mould cores that are simple in shape, all having substantially the same shape, and which are all oriented radially in the same direction. 
     The protrusions  30  will advantageously be rectilinear and furthermore, can be substantially tapered from their base to their free end. 
     Said protrusions  30  will all have substantially the same length. In other words, the distance between the radial periphery of the core  12  and the free end of the protrusions  30  will be substantially the same for all the protrusions  30  that the applicator comprises. An exception is made here, however, for the protrusions  31 ,  32 ,  33 , called distal protrusions, that is to say, the protrusions  31 ,  32 ,  33  that extend close to the spatula  20 . 
     These distal protrusions  31 ,  32 ,  33  form an envelope E 2  in the shape of a truncated ogee (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), while the protrusions  30  that extend between the proximal end  14  of the core and the distal protrusions  31 ,  32 ,  33  form a substantially cylindrical envelope E 1  (see  FIGS. 2 and 4 ). 
     The advantage associated with the ogee-shaped envelope E 2  lies in the ease of maneuvering the applicator through the neck of the container from which it is taken. 
     In an embodiment not shown, the protrusions  30  will differ in height from one row to another. 
     Furthermore, the protrusions  30  will preferably be moulded using the same plastic as the core  12 , or even forming a single piece with the core  12 . The same applies to the spatula  20 . Thus, said protrusions  30 , like the spatula  20  described above, will form a single piece with the core  12 . For example, the core  12 , the protrusions  30  and said spatula  20  can be moulded in a material based on LDPE (low-density polyethylene). Other materials can be used, namely the material “Exact” from ExxonMobil or the material “Hytrel” from Dupont, or a mixture of these materials. Yet other materials can be used, for example: thermoplastic elastomers (TPE), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), styrene-butadiene styrene (SBS) copolymers and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), or even polyamide (PA). 
     The core will preferably be solid. 
     According to alternative embodiments, not shown, the spatula  20  could also be fitted to the core  12 , by adhesion, by snap-fitting, by press-fitting, by friction-fitting, with the aid of an additional part, by screwing, or even be overmoulded onto the core. This makes it possible to provide a spatula  20  made in a material with different mechanical properties from the material in which the core  12  and/or the protrusions  30  will be made, or even in a different colour. 
     The invention also relates to an applicator assembly for cosmetic product, comprising: a container  50  comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product (not shown), and an applicator, as described above, suitable for being attached to the container, so that the applicator is accommodated inside the reservoir. Said applicator is attached, for example, to the end of a rod, the rod itself being attached to a cap that is, advantageously, screwed to the container. 
     It should be noted that after fitting, the cylindrical coupling  15  is situated in the rod and the proximal end  14  of the core  12  corresponds to the distal end of the rod. On this subject, said applicator can comprise a cylindrical coupling  15 , provided in the continuation of the proximal end of the core  12  (see  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). Said cylindrical coupling  15  here extends from the stop ring  14 . 
     In addition, to prevent the applicator from being overloaded with cosmetic product, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the container  50  can comprise a wiper  54 , attached to the interior of the neck  52 . When the user takes the applicator out of the container, the applicator slides inside the wiper. The wiper wipes off excess cosmetic product on the rod and on the applicator. 
     The wiper thus makes it possible to regulate the amount of product present on the applicator and prevents excessive application of cosmetic product to the eyelashes. 
     It should be noted that the spatula  20  according to the invention is configured to brush past the wiper in a plurality of separate zones. “Brush past” is understood to mean: to come into proximity, with or without contact. In other words, there is a slight play, or even a slight friction, between the spatula  20  and the wiper, for example originating in a difference in dimensions of less than 1 mm, or 0.5 mm, or even 0.2 mm. 
     In this way, an effect of shearing off the residual cosmetic product situated on the spatula  20  is obtained. The applicator assembly proposed thus makes it possible to limit the presence at the free end of the applicator of residual cosmetic product, which remains in the container by virtue of the shearing. The applicator remains clean and the cosmetic product can be applied to the eyelashes with suitable precision and without overloading. 
     Said separate zones are situated in the facial plane P, on either side of the main axis of extension: they are the extremums of the lateral faces L 1 , L 2  described above; in other words, these are the zones where the external dimension of the spatula  20  is at a maximum d 20  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     The distance separating said separate zones is similar to an internal diameter of the wiper. For example, said external dimension d 20  can be approximately 5 mm and the internal diameter of the wiper can be approximately 5.3 mm. This means, for example, that the play existing between the spatula  20  and the wiper, at least in proximity to said zones intended to brush past the wiper, is 0.15 mm. 
     It should also be noted that variants are of course possible. In particular, it is also conceivable, in additional embodiments, that the applicator has a flat core or even a core with a polygonal section, and/or a curved core. 
     The alternative and additional embodiments presented above can be combined with one another, without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, they are not limiting.