Patent Publication Number: US-2017360185-A1

Title: Applicator device for applying flowable product across a complex surface

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to the field of cosmetics and particularly to make-up and cosmetic treatment of the face. More particularly the present invention relates to application of cosmetic and/or care product, in fluid or paste form, to the face, but also to other parts of the body, complex in shape. 
     The invention is of particular value as soon as it is a question of applying such a product, easily and effectively, to complex surfaces such as the lips. Complex surfaces imply non-planar surfaces, displaying for instance in space a succession of concave and convex curves. 
     Furthermore, when they cooperate with a reservoir featuring a neck equipped with a small-diameter circular orifice, said applicators must be sufficiently flexible and elastic in order to pass through the circular orifice, where they distort and subsequently recover their initial shape, while retaining the product in fluid or liquid form that needs to be applied to the complex outer surface. 
     STATE OF THE ART 
     Many applicators have already been proposed; a large number thereof relate to application of paste-like product to keratinous fibres such as eyelashes or eyebrows. The problems are not exactly the same however when it is a question of applying such a product easily, uniformly and effectively to complex surfaces. 
     By way of an illustration, the applicator device described in document EP 0 875 169 allows application of mascara to eyelashes or eyebrows in two different ways; superficially by means of a substantially cylindrical first area and deeply by means of a distal area of the applicator, tapered in the manner of a paintbrush. Several volumetric shapes are illustrated in this document, all suitable for applying mascara to eyelashes or eyebrows. 
     Also known is document US 2005/0217691 for applying mascara to keratinous fibres. This applicator features various shapes allowing an excellent surface to volume ratio for retention of the product. Arches and/or lamellas allow such an effect. 
     Patent application FR 2 969 470 furthermore relates to an applicator of paste-like product to keratinous fibres, comprising an elongated core made in one piece with a set of supple and flexible rods, embedded at each of their ends in the core. This arrangement is particularly suitable for applying mascara; it makes it possible to load a maximum amount of paste-like product and above all retain it effectively despite passage through the dewatering outlet of the container. 
     Furthermore, “gloss” (or paste-like product) applicator devices are known, such as those described for example in document U.S. Pat. No. 7,866,906. In this document, the applicator is required to take paste-like product enclosed in a container sealed by an orifice and pass through this orifice loaded with product in order to apply the latter to the lips of the female user. In order to accomplish this, the applicator in itself comprises at least two flexible branches defining between them an orifice or reservoir of product. This orifice is a single orifice and the branches are flocked, i.e. they display a rough outer surface. The overall external volume defined by the applicator is tapered towards its distal portion. This type of applicator finally lacks flexibility and its main characteristic lies in the flocking of its outer surface. This flocking, which involves fixing microfibres to all or part of the outer surface of the applicator, represents a manufacturing stage in itself, which incurs a cost. 
     Furthermore, the microfibres generated by flocking and present on the surface of this type of applicator make these applicators not very hygienic, as they encourage retention and local development of bacteria. This aspect, which is highly negative, represents a considerable drawback of all applicators equipped with flocked surfaces. 
     Also known is an applicator according to application WO 2013/153528 which discloses a slender, flat cosmetic product applicator, therefore comprising two main application surfaces, at least three openings defined by four longitudinal, transversal or oblique branches. Different geometries corresponding to this definition are illustrated; hence, what is involved here is a flat applicator, wherein one or the other of its flat main surfaces allows application of the product. This arrangement and this essentially flat geometry are not well suited to applying a paste-like product to complex surfaces. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention aims to solve the drawbacks of the prior art and particularly propose an applicator of fluid, liquid or paste-like product, in the cosmetic or care field that allows application of the product to complex surfaces while maintaining an optimum load of product despite passage through a small-diameter orifice. 
     For this purpose, a first aspect of the invention proposes an applicator device for applying a fluid or paste-like product of make-up and/or care type to a complex surface of the human body, the overall outer shape of which is elongated and axisymmetrical around an axis XX; according to the invention, the overall outer shape comprises a first convex volume connected to a second convex volume by an area with a cross-section smaller than the largest cross-section of the first and/or second volume; this device comprises at least one flexible longitudinal arch embedded in at least one point of a core extending along the axis XX, wherein said at least one arch is capable of defining with the core a product reservoir of variable volume, capable of obtaining a product pumping action. 
     Longitudinal arch implies a slender element extending substantially along the longitudinal axis XX of the device. 
     The product pumping action is not obtained in the prior art of the field in question, i.e. for applying fluid or paste-like product to complex surfaces. Thus, newly and inventively, the present invention allows in particular treatment of or make-up application to the lips or any other complex surface of this type. In particular, the overall curved shape of the applicator allows adaptation to various different shapes for application. 
     Preferably, the device is in one piece. 
     Furthermore, the device according to the invention may comprise a tapered tip provided at one of its longitudinal ends. This tip allows for example tracing of outlines with greater precision. 
     Advantageously, the device comprises several arches spaced radially around the core. Several arches commonly means between two and thirty-six arches. 
     According to a particular embodiment of the invention, said at least one arch has a wave shape along axis XX. 
     Advantageously, said core comprises an additional volume to the volume externally defined by said at least one arch, wherein said volume represents between 5% and 95% of the total volume of the device. Naturally, the whole has the overall outer shape defined above. The additional volume may be full or partially full of material. 
     According to a characteristic of the invention, the applicator device furthermore comprises spikes projecting opposite from the outer surface of said at least one arch and/or the core. This characteristic improves the hold of the product on the applicator. Projecting spikes implies any elevation or protrusion, preferably elongated, projecting outside the outer surface of the arches and/or of the core. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention, the device comprises at least one arch embedded in one point and at least one arch embedded in two points of the core. Many combinations can obviously be realised on this basis; the person skilled in the art will choose depending on the specific application case. 
     More specifically, said at least one arch is embedded in at least one longitudinal end of the core; such an arch therefore displays a cantilever highly favourable to the product pumping action. 
     According to yet another characteristic of the invention, said embedded arches have a length of between 70% and 95% of the total length of the device. 
     In accordance with the invention, said arches embedded in a point have a free end oriented towards the interior of the volume of the device. This aspect reduces the risks of having such arches bend or even break during certain handling operations. 
     Preferably, said spikes extend perpendicularly to the surface in which they are embedded. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the device may be single-component or dual-component, obtained by moulding, with or without addition of material. 
     According to the invention, the applicator device may be obtained by a process of injection, dual-injection, co-injection, moulding, overmoulding, compression, casting, stereolithography, arrangement of material and/or addition of at least one layer of material. 
     Furthermore, it may be made of a thermoplastic material, of vulcanisable elastomer or any technically equivalent material. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be clear from reading the following description, made in reference to the appended figures, which show: 
         FIG. 1A , a perspective view of a first form of applicator according to a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 1B , a front view of the first form of applicator; 
         FIG. 1C , a top view of the first form of applicator; 
         FIG. 1D , a side view of the first form of applicator; 
         FIG. 2A , a perspective view of a second form of applicator according to a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2B , a front view of the second form of applicator; 
         FIG. 2C , a top view of the second form of applicator; 
         FIG. 2D , a side view of the second form of applicator; 
         FIG. 3A , a perspective view of a third form of applicator according to a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3B , a front view of the third form of applicator; 
         FIG. 3C , a top view of the third form of applicator; 
         FIG. 3D , a side view of the third form of applicator; 
         FIG. 4A , a perspective view of a fourth form of applicator; 
         FIG. 4B , a perspective view of an end of the applicator according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4C , a longitudinal cross-section along AA of  FIG. 4A ; 
         FIG. 5A , a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the applicator; 
         FIG. 5B , a perspective of the end of the fifth embodiment of the applicator according to the invention; 
         FIG. 6A , a detailed perspective view of an applicator according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 6B , a front view of the applicator according to  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6C , a side view of an applicator according to  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 6D , a cross-section along AA of  FIG. 6C ; 
         FIG. 7A , a detailed perspective view of an applicator according to the first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 7B to 7E , cross-sections along AA of  FIG. 7A , for several variant embodiments; 
         FIG. 8A , a detailed perspective view of an applicator according to the second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 8B , a cross-section along AA of  FIG. 8A ; 
         FIG. 9 , a perspective view of an applicator device according to the invention, arranged on an applicator element; 
         FIG. 10 , a perspective view of an applicator device according to another embodiment of the invention, arranged on an applicator device; 
         FIG. 11A , a detailed view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, having spikes; 
         FIG. 11B , a side view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 11A ; 
         FIG. 12A , a detailed perspective view of the device according to another embodiment of the invention, having spikes; 
         FIG. 12B , a side view of the device illustrated in  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 13A , a detailed perspective view of an embodiment of the invention, equipped with spikes; and 
         FIG. 13B , a side view of the device according to  FIG. 13A . 
     
    
    
     For greater clarity, identical or similar features are identified by identical reference signs in all the figures. 
     DETAILLED DESCRIPTION OF ONE EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1A  therefore illustrates a first geometrical shape of an applicator device according to the invention. Its overall outer shape is elongated and axisymmetrical around an axis XX. This overall shape comprises a first convex volume  1  connected to a second convex volume  2  by a finer area  3  in that its cross-section is smaller than the largest cross-section of the first  1  and second  2  convex volume. This form comprises a number of variants, illustrated in  FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A . This form has been designed in order to perfectly mould to so-called complex surfaces, i.e. non-planar and defined by curves. These are volumetric shapes allowing in particular the user who rotates the device around the axis XX to apply the product evenly to the curved surface. 
     According to the embodiment in  FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D , the overall outer shape of the device resembles that of a peanut; this shape is particularly suitable for applying product to the lips; the first  1  and second  2  volumes are substantially of the same size. A tapered part or tip  4  is preferably provided at the distal end of the device. Distal end means the end longitudinally arranged opposite the end capable of receiving the rod  5  of a means for grasping the applicator device. The person skilled in the art can taper the tip  4  according to a chosen angle that may, without going beyond the ambit of the invention, be rounded. 
     A second embodiment of the invention with regard to the overall outer shape is illustrated in  FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D . According to this option, two different half-volumes are present: the first corresponds to a half-volume of the first embodiment, which therefore will not be explained further; the second half-volume comprises an axially rounded section arranged substantially in the finest part  3 . This design will preferably be chosen for applying the product to the lips.  FIG. 2B  clearly shows this difference in the half-volumes. 
       FIGS. 3   a,    3 B,  3 C and  3 D show a third embodiment, of an overall curved shape, which is clearly visible in  FIG. 3D . Complex shapes can be achieved if the device is obtained by moulding, with or without addition of material. As will be explained further below, the device may be single-component or dual-component, depending on the technical constraints. 
       FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C  show a more precise example: it can in fact be seen in these FIGS. that the applicator device particularly comprises at least one flexible longitudinal arch  10 ,  11  embedded in at least one point  101 ;  111 ,  112  on a core  15 . Core is to be understood as the solid volume constituting the device to the exclusion of the arch(es)  10 , 11 . The core extends longitudinally, along the axis XX. 
     The elastic arches may be of two types: either embedded in the core  15  at two points; preferably and as illustrated, both these points are positioned at each end of the arch  11  in question. The embedding point(s) may be situated at other locations without going beyond the ambit of the invention. According to another type, the arches  10  are embedded at a single point  101 ; this point is particularly situated at one of the end of the arch  10 , which is thus arranged cantilevered on the core  15 . This type of arch  10  is thus provided with greater stability. The arches  10 ,  11  are in themselves elongated and fine (length to thickness ratio on the order of 10/1) in order to intrinsically possess a certain flexibility. The chosen material contributes to flexibility; a thermoplastic material, a vulcanisable elastomer or any technically equivalent material for example is selected. 
     In order to impart the overall outer shape characteristic of the invention, the arch(es)  10  and  11  have a wave shape along the axis XX. 
     In  FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C , the device comprises an arch  10  embedded at a single point  101  and a plurality of arches  11  embedded at two points  111 ,  112 . 
     In  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the device comprises several cantilevered arches  10 , radially surrounded by arches  11  embedded at both their ends  111 ,  112 . 
     The arches  10 ,  11  define with the core  15  a product reservoir of variable volume, capable of obtaining a pumping action of the product present in said reservoir. The reservoir is defined in this case by the volume between the arches  10 ,  11  and the core  15 . Since the arches are flexible, their distortions cause a variation in the volume of the reservoir, i.e. a pumping action of the fluid or paste-like product. 
     The person skilled in the art will choose, depending on different parameters, the number and distribution of the arches  10 , 11 . 
       FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D  illustrate an embodiment according to which the arches are all of the type  11 , i.e. embedded at two points  111  and  112 . The arches  11  are identical to one another and are distributed in a cylindrical half-volume; they are regularly distributed angularly as clearly shown in  FIGS. 6B and 6D . The second half-volume  6  may be full of or empty of material, at the choice of the person skilled in the art. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates a specific example in which a single arch  11  is provided, embedded at both its ends. Furthermore,  FIGS. 7B to 7E  represent, via diagrammatic cross-sections, different variants corresponding to different locations of the arches;  FIG. 7B  is a cross-section of the device according to  FIG. 7A , along section AA. According to  FIG. 7C , provision is made for three substantially identical arches, placed side by side in a narrow angular sector (on the order of 90°). According to  FIG. 7D , provision is made for three arches; they are not identical in shape and in particular, one is thicker and therefore stiffer than the other. Once again, the person skilled in the art will select the shape most appropriate to the intended application. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  correspond to an embodiment in which all the arches  11  are of a type embedded at each of their ends. They are regularly distributed angularly and are of different shapes. Although this concept seems difficult to implement, the technologies currently available allow easy, mass manufacture. 
       FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate and applicator element comprising an applicator device according to the invention. It can be clearly seen that the device cooperates with the rod  5  and is carried by its end opposite a container closure cap-type means of grasping, known per se. According to  FIG. 9 , the device has a peanut-like overall outer shape and comprises cantilevered arches  10  (three in number) angularly surrounded by arches  11 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , it can be seen that the device furthermore comprises spikes  12  projecting opposite from the outer surface from which they emerge; the spikes  12  may be present on the outer surface of one or several arches  10 ,  11  and/or on the outer surface of the core  15 , more particularly in this case of the half-volume  6 . 
       FIGS. 11A and 11B  refer to an embodiment comprising arches  11  and a half-volume  6 ; spikes are regularly distributed over the outer surface of the half-volume  6 , thereby allowing better retention of the product; they furthermore provide a rough surface, for exfoliation and/or cleaning of the skin for example. 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  show an alternative embodiment according to which the spikes are distributed over the arches  11 . An action of retention of the product on the arches is sought here. 
       FIGS. 13A and 13B  illustrate a solution in which both the arches  11  and half-volume  6  are equipped with spikes  12 . This technical solution, although more difficult to implement than the others owing to the precision that it requires, is however highly interesting in that it combines the advantages of the other solutions. 
     Other combinations of the characteristics described above may be conceived and implemented by the person skilled in the art without going beyond the ambit of the invention.