Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US8122895?dq=5708422
Timestamp: 2017-01-23 01:54:02
Document Index: 692774291

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n16', 'Application No. 60', '§119', 'Application No. 07', 'Application No. 08', 'Application No. 08', 'Application No. 07', 'Application No. 07']

Patent US8122895 - Applicator for applying a composition to the eyelashes - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inPatentsThe present invention relates to an applicator for applying a composition to keratinous fibers, the applicator comprising: a stem; a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, the distal end of the applicator being defined by the core or by at least one applicator element; applicator elements carried...http://www.google.com/patents/US8122895?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US8122895 - Applicator for applying a composition to the eyelashesAdvanced Patent SearchTry the new Google Patents, with machine-classified Google Scholar results, and Japanese and South Korean patents.Publication numberUS8122895 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 12/078,582Publication dateFeb 28, 2012Filing dateApr 2, 2008Priority dateApr 2, 2007Fee statusPaidAlso published asEP1977661A1, EP1977661B1, US20080251093Publication number078582, 12078582, US 8122895 B2, US 8122895B2, US-B2-8122895, US8122895 B2, US8122895B2InventorsJean-Louis H. GueretOriginal AssigneeL'oreal S.A.Export CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (56), Non-Patent Citations (12), Referenced by (6), Classifications (7), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetApplicator for applying a composition to the eyelashes
US 8122895 B2Abstract
The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a composition to keratinous fibers, the applicator comprising: a stem; a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, the distal end of the applicator being defined by the core or by at least one applicator element; applicator elements carried by the core; the applicator elements extending in at least three different directions around the core; wherein the applicator elements define an envelope surface that increases, and then decreases, on going towards the distal end of the applicator, and defines a peak ridge; the total length qmax along the longitudinal axis of the envelope surface being less than or equal to twice the greatest diameter dmax of the cross-section of the envelope surface; and the angle α formed by the slopes of the envelope surface on either side of the peak ridge in at least one longitudinal section being greater than 120°.
a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, a distal end of the applicator being defined by the core or by at least one applicator element;
applicator elements carried by the core;
the applicator elements extending in at least three different directions around the core;
wherein the applicator elements define an envelope surface that increases, and then decreases, on going towards the distal end of the applicator, and defines a peak ridge;
a total length qmax along the longitudinal axis of the envelope surface being less than or equal to twice a greatest diameter dmax of the cross-section of the envelope surface;
an angle α formed by slopes of the envelope surface on either side of the peak ridge in at least one longitudinal section being greater than 120°; and
the core being a twisted wire core having the applicator elements carried along a length of the twisted wire core or being molded with the applicator elements that present a height that varies.
2. An applicator according to claim 1, with qmax≦1.75 dmax.
3. An applicator according to claim 1, with qmax≦1.5 dmax.
4. An applicator according to claim 1, with qmax≦1.25 dmax.
5. An applicator according to claim 1, the envelope surface having a shape factor rmin/rmax that is greater than 0.7, at least in a transverse plane containing the peak ridge.
6. An applicator according to claim 1, the angle α being greater than or equal to 130°.
7. An applicator according to claim 1, a greatest radius rmax measured at the peak ridge being greater than or equal to 3 mm.
8. An applicator according to claim 1, the core being a twisted core, and the applicator elements being constituted by bristles.
9. An applicator according to claim 8, the core having a left-handed twist.
10. An applicator according to claim 8, the core having a right-handed twist.
11. An applicator according to claim 8, the core carrying the applicator elements on a portion having a number of turns lying in the range 7 to 12.
12. An applicator according to claim 1, the core not being twisted.
13. An applicator according to claim 12, the applicator elements being integrally molded with the core.
14. An applicator according to claim 1, the applicator elements being fitted to the core.
15. An applicator according to claim 1, the envelope surface having a cross-section of outline that is circular, at least in part.
16. An applicator according to claim 15, the envelope surface having at least one cross-section that is completely circular.
17. An applicator according to claim 16, the envelope surface having a cross-section that is completely circular, at least in a plane containing the peak ridge.
18. An applicator according to claim 1, the envelope surface defining a radius r having a length that varies in non-linear manner between a proximal end of the envelope surface and the peak ridge.
19. An applicator according to claim 1, the envelope surface defining a radius r having a length that varies in non-linear manner between the peak ridge and the distal end of the envelope surface.
20. An applicator according to claim 1, the envelope surface, when observed from the side, having a rounded profile on either side of the peak ridge.
21. An applicator according to claim 1, the envelope surface presenting a distal portion that is at least partially spherical, to within 20%.
22. An applicator according to claim 1, the envelope surface presenting a proximal portion or a distal portion that is cylindrical.
23. An applicator according to claim 1, the core comprising a visible first portion that does not carry any applicator elements and that extends between a stem to which the core is connected and a second portion of the core carrying the applicator elements, the length of the first portion being greater than or equal to 5 mm.
24. An applicator according to claim 23, the length of the second portion carrying the bristles lying in the range 6.5 mm to 15 mm.
25. An applicator according to claim 1, a distance from a transverse plane containing the peak ridge to the distal end of the applicator being less than or equal to 12 mm.
26. An applicator according to claim 1, the peak ridge being at a distance rmax lying in the range 2.5 mm to 7.5 mm from the axis of the core.
27. An applicator according to claim 1, a portion of the core that does not carry applicator elements having an axis that is not rectilinear.
28. An applicator according to claim 1, the envelope surface being a surface of revolution.
29. An applicator according to claim 1, the envelope surface not being a surface of revolution.
30. An applicator according to claim 1, a portion of the core that carries the applicator elements not being rectilinear.
32. An applicator according to claim 1, the length of the portion of the core carrying the applicator elements lying in the range 6.5 mm to 15 mm.
33. An applicator according to claim 1, the applicator elements being magnetizable.
34. An applicator according to claim 1, the applicator elements including a mixture of bristles.
35. An applicator according to claim 1, the applicator elements overlapping when the applicator is observed perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis.
36. An applicator according to claim 1, the applicator elements being disposed along the longitudinal axis with spacing that varies, in particular for a comb or for an injection-molded brush.
37. An applicator according to claim 1, the applicator elements being in alignment, or being disposed in a staggered configuration.
an applicator as defined in claim 1.
39. A device according to claim 38, the composition being contained in a receptacle comprising a top and a bottom.
40. A device according to claim 39, the receptacle including a wiper member for wiping the applicator while it is being removed from the receptacle.
41. A device according to claim 40, the length of the applicator elements being long enough to ensure that, while the applicator is passing through the wiper member, the applicator elements are flattened towards the distal end of the applicator and cover the distal end of the applicator.
42. A method of applying makeup to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, the method comprising the steps consisting in loading the bristles of an applicator as defined in claim 1 with a composition for application to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, then in bringing the bristles thus loaded with composition into contact with the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows.
43. A method according to claim 42, the eyelashes being made up with at least the bristles of the applicator that are situated axially along the core between the peak ridge and the distal end of the applicator.
44. A method according to claim 42, in which, during application, the user turns the applicator about its own axis. Description
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/913,889, filed Apr. 25, 2007, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application also claims benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to French Patent Application No. 07 54214, filed Apr. 2, 2007, the contents of which are also incorporated by reference.
The invention relates more particularly to applicators comprising a core and applicator elements that are supported by the core, such applicators also being referred to as brushes or combs.
The brushes most commonly used for applying mascara to the eyelashes have an envelope surface of generally elongate shape, and seek to make up as many eyelashes as possible simultaneously.
European patent application EP 1 649 777 discloses brushes that are relatively short, having bristles that define an envelope surface that is biconical. The angle defined by the slopes of the envelope surface on either side of the peak ridge is relatively acute, being less than 120°.
French patent FR 2 715 038 discloses brushes having an envelope surface that is biconical with one or more plane faces.
FR 2 906 116 and US 2008/0060669 disclose flocked applicators.
JP 2002-172019 discloses a brush of constant section, provided at its end with a flocked endpiece having a diameter that is less than the diameter of the brush.
FR 2 906 115 discloses a spherical applicator. This citation is not an admission that the contents of this application is prior art under 35 USC 102.
There exists a need to make it easier to apply makeup, and to enable makeup to be applied relatively freely, providing different effects where appropriate.
a stem; a core that extends along a longitudinal axis; applicator elements carried by the core, the distal end of the applicator being defined by the core or by at least one applicator element; the applicator elements extending in at least three different directions around the core and defining an envelope surface that increases until it reaches a peak ridge, and then decreases in cross-section on going towards the free end of the applicator; the total length qmax along the longitudinal axis of the envelope surface being less than or equal to twice the greatest diameter dmax of the cross-section of the envelope surface, better 1.75 times the greatest diameter, still better 1.5 times or 1.25 times the greatest diameter; and the angle α formed by the slopes of the envelope surface on either side of the peak ridge in at least one longitudinal section being greater than 120°, better greater than 130°, still better greater than 135°. The term “diameter dmax” should be understood to mean the transverse dimension of the envelope surface, even when the cross-section does not present a circular outline.
The term “total length qmax” should be understood to mean the total length of the envelope surface defined by the applicator elements, measured along the longitudinal axis of the core. For a brush, for example, the total length qmax may be the length of the core carrying the bristles.
Such an applicator makes it possible to act on the eyelashes or on the eyebrows with multiple orientations of the stem relative to the set of eyelashes, by means of the envelope surface having a shape that defines a ball or a similar shape.
By way of example, the multiple orientations may comprise orientations that are 180° apart, or even more, e.g. being more than 300° apart. For an applicator having a twisted core, the eyelashes may be brushed perpendicularly to the turns or in alignment with said turns, for example.
At least two applicator elements, or even at least three, may extend in at least two different directions from the core, better at least three directions.
The core may extend along a longitudinal axis which is rectilinear or curved. In case the longitudinal axis is curved, its orientation may vary of at least 90°.
By way of example, the number of applicator elements lies in the range 100 to 1500 for a brush having a twisted core, and in the range 20 to 150 for a comb or an injection-molded brush.
The envelope surface may define a cross-section of outline that is circular, at least in part, e.g. of outline that is circular over at least 180° around the core, or even completely circular, at least one point along the length of the core, in particular at its peak ridge, or over at least a fraction of the length of the core, e.g. over the entire length of the portion of the core carrying the bristles.
The envelope surface may define at least one radius having a length that varies in non-linear manner between the proximal end of the envelope surface and the peak ridge, e.g. varying along an arc of a circle or of any curve other than a straight line. The term “radius” means the line segment leaving the core perpendicularly to its axis and having an end that belongs to the envelope surface.
The envelope surface may define at least two radii that are parallel to axes X1 and X2 that are perpendicular to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the applicator, with the lengths of the radii, as a function of position along the longitudinal axis, varying non-linearly, e.g. along an arc of a circle, on at least one side of the peak ridge.
The envelope surface may increase, and then decrease, over at least 180° around the core, better 270° around the core, e.g. 360° around the core.
The envelope surface may present a distal portion that is at least partially spherical, e.g. to within 20%. In other words, for a spherical surface having a radius rmean measured from a center point, each point of said portion of the envelope surface is situated at a distance from the center point that lies in the range 0.8 rmean to 1.2 rmean.
The core, in particular when it is twisted, may comprise a visible first portion that does not carry any applicator elements and that extends, in particular axially, between a stem to which the core is connected and a second portion of the core carrying the applicator elements, the length of the first portion being greater than or equal to 5 mm, for example. The length of the second portion carrying the applicator elements, in particular the bristles, lies in the range 6.5 mm to 15 mm. The number of turns in the portion of the core carrying the applicator elements may, for example, be greater than or equal to 7, e.g. lying in the range 7 to 12.
The greatest diameter of the envelope surface may be greater than the diameter at the proximal and/or distal end by at least the value of the greatest radius rmax, for example.
The applicator elements may extend in at least two non-parallel directions, in particular on opposite sides of the core.
The applicator elements may extend in more than four different directions around the core, being angularly spaced apart in pairs by more than 45°.
The applicator elements may be in alignment, or they may be disposed in a staggered configuration.
The length of the applicator elements may be long enough to ensure that, while the applicator is passing through the wiper member, the applicator elements are flattened towards the distal end of the applicator and cover the distal end of the applicator.
The portion of the core that does not carry applicator elements may optionally be rectilinear, or not.
The envelope surface may optionally be a surface of revolution, or not.
The portion of the core carrying the applicator elements may optionally be rectilinear, or not.
the composition for application to keratinous fibers; and an applicator as defined above. The composition may be contained in a receptacle that may include a wiper member for wiping the applicator while it is being removed from the receptacle.
The invention also provides a brush for applying a composition to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, the brush comprising:
a twisted core; bristles carried by the core on a number of turns of the core lying in the range 7 to 12; and the bristles defining an envelope surface that increases, and then decreases, on passing through a greatest diameter that is greater than or equal to 2.5 mm, better greater than or equal to 3 mm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the envelope surface of the brush of the FIG. 1 device;
FIGS. 8 to 12 show other variant embodiments of the applicator;
FIG. 13 shows the stem being made with a flexible portion;
FIG. 14 shows another example of a packaging and applicator device constituting an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 15 shows the angle formed at the peak ridge between the slopes of the envelope surface for the FIG. 2 brush;
FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal section showing another example of a packaging and applicator device constituting an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 17 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary view of the end of the FIG. 16 applicator;
FIG. 18 is a cross-section on XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal section of the FIG. 16 applicator;
FIGS. 20 and 21 show examples of fastening the core on the stem;
FIG. 22 shows a variant embodiment of the applicator; and
FIG. 23 shows an applicator constituting an embodiment of the invention passing through the wiper member; and
FIGS. 24 to 26 show a few examples of embodiment characteristics of the applicator elements.
The packaging and applicator device 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a receptacle 2 and an applicator 3 comprising a stem 4 of axis X and of diameter dstem, that is provided at one end with a brush 5, and that is connected at its opposite end to a handle 7 that also constitutes a closure member for closing the receptacle 2. The receptacle includes a threaded neck 11 on which the handle 7 can be screwed in leaktight manner, but said receptacle could be made in some other way. Preceptacle may correspond to the distance between the top of the receptacle and the internal surface of the bottom of the receptacle.
A wiper member 8 can be mounted in the neck 11 as shown, and, in the embodiment under consideration, includes a flexible lip 9 for wiping the stem 4 and the brush 5 while being removed from the receptacle 2. df corresponds to the distance between the internal surface of the bottom of the receptacle and the lower end of the wiper member.
In the embodiment under consideration, the brush 5 includes a twisted core 10 formed, for example, by a wire folded in a U-shape and twisted in one direction in order to clamp bristles between the turns formed in this way, which bristles may be made of a natural or synthetic material. By way of example, the wire presents a diameter lying in the range 0.35 mm to 1.2 mm, e.g. a diameter of about 0.45 mm, with said wire being made of stainless steel, for example. dcore corresponds to the diameter in which the cross section of the core is inscribed.
The free ends of the bristles 12 of the brush 5 define an envelope surface E that is shown in a diagrammatic perspective view in FIG. 2.
In the embodiment under consideration, the envelope surface E is a surface of revolution and presents a cross-section that varies, e.g. comprising, towards the distal end of the core 21, two portions 23 and 26 that are substantially hemispherical and are connected together via an edge 30 defining a peak ridge where the radius r, i.e. the distance from the envelope surface E to the axis Y of the core 10, is at its greatest for the entire envelope surface E.
By way of example, the portion 23 makes it possible to pass from an envelope surface diameter that is about 5 mm, for example, to a diameter that is about 10 mm, for example, over a distance along the core that is about 5 mm, for example.
By way of example, the portion 26 makes it possible to pass from a diameter of about 10 mm to a diameter of about 5 mm over a length of about 5 mm.
The cross-section of the brush increases, and then decreases, on moving from the proximal end to the distal end of the envelope surface, along at least two axes X1 and X2 that are perpendicular to each other, as shown in FIG. 2.
In the embodiment under consideration, the distance along the axis Y between the proximal end 53 of the envelope surface E and the free end 21 of the core 10 is about 11 mm, for example, and the distance l from the transverse plane containing the peak ridge 30 to the transverse plane containing the free end 21 of the core is about 6 mm, for example.
The distance i between the transverse plane containing the peak ridge 30 and the distal end of the envelope surface is about 5 mm, for example.
The angle α formed between the slopes 40 and 41 of the envelope surface that are respectively situated on either side of the peak ridge 30 is significantly greater than 120°, as can be seen in FIG. 15.
As shown in FIG. 15, each slope 40 or 41 is defined by the straight line that passes via the peak ridge of the envelope surface E, and that fits as closely as possible to the outline of the envelope surface in a longitudinal-section plane, over a distance of 1 mm along the axis Y, on the corresponding side of the peak ridge.
In the example of a biconical envelope surface, the slopes are respectively the slopes of the two cone portions. In the example of a spherical envelope surface that is symmetrical about the plane containing the peak ridge 30, the angle α is closer to 1800.
In the embodiment in FIG. 2, the shape factor of the brush, in the transverse plane containing the peak ridge 30, is equal to 1, the envelope surface E presenting a circular outline centered on the axis Y of the core 21.
As shown in FIG. 7B, the applicator can also include at least one ridge 51 that extends over less than 90°, for example, around the axis Y. The ridge 51 can be formed at the junction of two facets 110 and 111 which can, for example, be inscribed in a circle C defining the outline of the portion of the envelope surface opposite from the ridge 51.
The ridge can taper to a greater or lesser extent depending on the inclination of the facets 110 and 111, and can widen to a greater or lesser extent depending on the distance between said facets.
The angle α between the slopes at the peak ridge is however relatively large, in particular greater than 120°, so as to resemble the shape of a ball.
At the distal end, the diameter of the envelope surface E in this embodiment, or in other embodiments, is greater than or equal to 4 mm, for example.
In the embodiment in this figure, the envelope surface E defines a maximum cross-section of radius rmax over a distance t before decreasing towards the free end of the core. By way of example, the middle of this portion of radius rmax is situated at a distance l from the free end 21, which distance is such that the ratio l/rmax is less than 1.5. The length is greater than or equal to 1 mm, for example.
The core 10 can also be curved along its bare portion 60, as shown in FIG. 12. In this embodiment, the portion of the core carrying the bristles is rectilinear, and forms an angle γ with the longitudinal axis X of the stem, that lies in the range 1° to 300, for example. In a variant not shown, the angled portion can also be situated flush with the stem 4.
As shown in FIG. 13, the stem 4 can include a portion 70 of increased flexibility that is suitable for flexing when the applicator is brought into contact with the eyelashes and/or when the applicator passes through the wiper member 8 on being removed from the receptacle 2.
By way of example and as shown in FIG. 14, the device can include a second applicator that is secured to the applicator 3 by means of a bushing 80, for example.
Variant embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to FIGS. 16 to 22, in which the applicator elements are integrally molded with the core and extend in a plurality of directions around the core.
FIG. 16 thus shows a variant embodiment of the packaging and applicator device, in which the applicator includes an injection-molded brush 5 at the end of the stem 4.
In the example shown in FIGS. 16 to 19, each of the applicator elements extend in rectilinear manner, with some being oriented towards the distal end of the applicator, the applicator thus including applicator elements that are connected to the core in a direction that is not perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y of the core.
The term “core” should be understood in a broad sense, and encompasses a core having a shape that is substantially spherical, for example, as shown.
As shown in FIG. 18, the envelope surface E can present, over at least a fraction of its length, a cross-section of outline that is circular, at least in part. In a variant not shown, the envelope surface can present, over at least a fraction of its length, a cross-section that is polygonal, e.g. having more than five sides.
The applicator can include applicator elements 12 that extend in more than four directions about the axis of the core, better that extend in at least eight directions about the axis Y of the core, in particular more than eight directions.
In the variant shown in FIG. 22, the applicator elements present a height that varies, such that their free ends define the profile desired for the envelope surface E. By way of example, the core 10 is elongate in shape, e.g. cylindrical, as shown.
By way of example, the stem 4 includes a housing 37 that is provided with a portion in relief 38 for snap-fastening a proximal portion 35 of the core 10, said proximal portion being provided with a complementary snap-fastener portion in relief, e.g. in the form of a groove, as shown in FIG. 20. In a variant, as shown in FIG. 21, the stem 4 is made with a distal portion 40 that is fastened in a housing 41 formed at the proximal end of the core 10.
In some embodiments, when the applicator is loaded with composition on being inserted into a receptacle through a wiper member, the bristles of the applicator can flex towards the distal end on removal of the applicator. Some bristles can be sufficiently long and close enough to the distal end 21, so that, by flexing, they cover the shortest bristles situated closest to the distal end. While flexing on passing through the wiper member, the free ends of some bristles can substantially reach the distal end of the core along the axis Y, as shown in FIG. 23, e.g. they can extend beyond the end.
For example, any of the brushes in FIGS. 8 to 12 could be made with a core that extends along a longitudinal axis that is curved.
The bristles could be natural or synthetic, and could, for example, be fabricated in a material selected from: polyethylene (PE); polyamide (PA), in particular PA6, PA6/6, PA6/10, or PA6/12; HYTREL®; PEBAX®; silicone; and polyurethane (PU); this list not being limiting.
The applicator could include a mixture of bristles, the applicator elements, whether formed of bristles or of teeth, could overlap when the applicator is observed perpendicularly to the axis Y, as shown in FIG. 24.
Within any one row, the applicator elements could be in alignment, or they could be disposed in a staggered configuration, as shown in FIG. 26.
The applicator elements, in particular when they are teeth or bristles that are integrally molded with the core, could extend along the longitudinal axis with spacing that is constant or that varies, as shown in FIG. 25.
The expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one” unless specified to the contrary. The expression “lying in the range” should be construed as including their limits.
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No. 12/078,581.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS8777503Oct 23, 2008Jul 15, 2014L'orealApplicator for combing the eyelashes or the eyebrows or for applying a composition theretoUS8944714Oct 23, 2008Feb 3, 2015L'orealApplicator for combing the eyelashes and/or eyebrows or for applying a composition theretoUS9427075Oct 23, 2008Aug 30, 2016L'oreal S.A.Applicator for combing the eyelashes or the eyebrows or for applying a composition theretoUS20100303533 *Oct 23, 2008Dec 2, 2010Jean-Louis GueretApplicator for combing the eyelashes or the eyebrows or for applying a composition theretoUS20100310295 *Oct 23, 2008Dec 9, 2010Jean-Louis Gueretapplicator for combing the eyelashes and/or eyebrows or for applying a composition theretoUS20100310296 *Oct 23, 2008Dec 9, 2010Jean-Louis GueretApplicator for combing the eyelashes or the eyebrows or for applying a composition thereto* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification132/218International ClassificationA45D40/26Cooperative ClassificationA45D40/267, A46B9/021, A46B2200/1053European ClassificationA45D40/26C2A, A46B9/02ALegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionJun 25, 2008ASAssignmentOwner name: L OREAL S.A., FRANCEFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:GUERET, JEAN-LOUIS H.;REEL/FRAME:021184/0150Effective date: 20080425Aug 12, 2015FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services