Abstract:
The applicator ( 1 ) intended for the application of a cosmetic product, such as mascara, on a part ( 20 ) of the human body ( 2 ), has an axial direction ( 10 ) and is characterized in that it comprises a device ( 6 ) for transferring the cosmetic product towards the part ( 20 ) of the human body, the device ( 6 ) being manually operable and allowing to produce an electrical field when applying the cosmetic product. 
     Advantages: facilitates transfer of the product during its application, improves the ergonomics of the application.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (a) Field of the Invention 
   The invention concerns the field of applicators for fluid or pasty products, typically applicators for cosmetic products, such as mascara. 
   (b) Description of the Prior Art 
   A large number of mascara applicators are already known. 
   These applicators, which are adapted to operate jointly with a container forming a reservoir for mascara, typically comprise:
         a) a cap adapted to seal said container and to be used as a means for prehension of said applicator,   b) an axial rod,   c) and an applying means.       

   The applying means may consist of a brush, the rod being fixed to the cap at one of its ends and to the brush at the other end thereof, the brush comprising a metallic twist fixedly holding a plurality of bristles. 
   With respect to the brush, a large number of types of brushes are already known. 
   Thus, known are the brushes described in French Patents FR 2 505 633, FR 2 605 505, FR 2 607 372, FR 2 607 373, FR 2 627 068, FR 2 627 363, FR 2 637 471, FR 2 637 472, FR 2 650 162, FR 2 663 826, FR 2 668 905, FR 2 675 355, FR 2 685 859, FR 2 690 318, FR 2 701 198, FR 2 706 749, FR 2 715 038, FR 2 745 481, FR 2 748 913, FR 2 749 489, FR 2 749 490, FR 2 753 614, FR 2 755 593, FR 2 774 269, FR 2 796 531, FR 2 796 532, FR 2 800 586. 
   Also known are the brushes described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,733,425, 4,861,179, 5,357,987, 5,595,198, 6,241,411, 6,427,700. 
   The applying means may also be made of a molded member of plastic material, as illustrated in French Patent 2 868 264 in the name of the Applicant. 
   Problems Raised 
   On the one hand, in view of the permanent evolution of mascara compositions, new applicators must be provided to allow for the application of these compositions, and which are typically adapted for each new composition. 
   On the other hand, for the users, there is also the necessity to be provided with a wide range of applicators in order to obtain different make-up effects, for example different levels of content of the applicator with the product to be applied and/or different effects when combing the eyelashes. 
   In addition, more and more it is required to incorporate new technical functions in the applicators, to answer the needs of the users, as well as to provide a distinction with “bottom-of-the-line” products whose production may be relocated to countries where labor cost is low. 
   Moreover, it is important to ease the manual steps involved with the make-up and to improve its ergonomics. 
   Finally, in the field of cosmetic products, there is a permanent demand for new products, for example in order to personalize the products, whether we are concerned with compositions, applicators or also wrappings in general, to the extent that replacement of the products becomes an absolute commercial necessity, otherwise one will disappear from the market. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the invention, the applicator adapted for applying a cosmetic product, such as mascara, on a part of the human body, has an axial direction and comprises:
         a) a manual prehension means,   b) an axial rod oriented along the axial direction,   c) an applying means,
 
the axial rod being fixedly connected to the manual prehension means at its so-called upper end, and to the applying means at its so-called lower end, and is characterized in that it comprises a device for transferring the cosmetic product towards the above-mentioned part of the human body, disposed at least in part in the manual prehension means. The device is manually operable and allows to produce an electrical field between the applying means and the above part of the human body when applying the cosmetic product on the above part of the human body, by formation of an electrical circuit that travels through the human body between the hand catching the manual prehension means and the above part of the human body.
       

   This applicator solves the problems raised. Indeed, the transfer device which is associated with this applicator makes it possible:
         on the one hand, to use all sorts of compositions of cosmetic products which may vary in a wide range of viscosity,   on the other hand, when the device is manually operated, to obtain make-up effects which are different than those obtained with traditional applicators, the applicator according to the invention making it possible to obtain traditional effects when the device is not in operation,   in addition, to thus provide the applicators with new technical functions which answer the needs of users, and which distinguish the applicators according to the invention from the so-called “bottom of the line” applicators,   moreover, to ease the manual steps involved during make-up and to improve its ergonomics,   and finally, to contribute to satisfy the permanent demand for new products, in order for example to personalize the products.       

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     All the figures relate to the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic view of an applicator  1  according to the invention, represented when it is in use, applicator  1  comprising a manual prehension means  3 , a transfer device  6  comprising a voltage generator  60  which is manually operable and is disposed in the manual prehension means, an axial rod  4  and an applying means  5 . The manual prehension means  3  has been illustrated when in contact with fingers  21 , while applying means  5  has been illustrated while in contact with eyelashes  20 , 20 ′ on which make-up is to be applied, in a manner to constitute a closed external electrical circuit  62 . 
       FIG. 2  is similar to  FIG. 1  and illustrates a preferred embodiment of transfer device  6  comprising a direct current generator  60 ′, direct current generator  60 ′ comprising for example a supply of low voltage electrical power  63 , a high voltage generator  64  fed by supply  63  and a control device  65 . 
       FIG. 3  is axial cross-section view of an applicator  1  taken along axial direction  10 , applicator  1  comprising the transfer device  6  according to  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is similar to  FIG. 3  and illustrates an embodiment which is a variant of applicator  1 . 
       FIG. 5   a  is a side view of an applicator  1  in which the switch  61  of the transfer device  6  is a lateral switch  61   a  mounted on the skirt  32  of outer shell  30 , and in which the applying means  5  is a brush  50  comprising a plurality of bristles  51  which are fixed by means of a metallic twist  52  whose upper end is fixed to axial rod  4 , 4 ′ at its lower end  41 . 
       FIG. 5   b  is similar to  FIG. 5   a  and differs therefrom in that the switch  61  of the transfer device  6  is an axial switch  61   b  which is placed on the head  31  of the outer shell  30 , and in that the applying means  5  is a molded member of plastic material  53  comprising a plurality of radial projections  531  adapted to catch the product, and an axial series of comb teeth  531  adapted to comb the eyelashes. 
       FIG. 5   c  is a side view of a closed dispenser  7  comprising a body  70  intended to contain the cosmetic product, and which is sealed by means of applicator  1 . 
       FIG. 5   d  is an axial cross-section view along axial direction  10  of the body  70  of  FIG. 5   c.    
   

   DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   According to an embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 :
         a) the manual prehension means  3  may comprise an outer shell  30 , typically an electrically conductive shell  30 ′,   b) the axial rod  4  may be an electrically conductive axial rod  4 ′,   c) the applying means  5  may, at least in part, be an electrically conductive applying means  5 ′,   d) the transfer means  6  may comprise a voltage generator  60  mounted inside outer shell  30 , and typically a switch  61  which is manually operable, a terminal  600  of generator  60  being connected to the electrically conductive axial rod  4 ′, and the other terminal  601  being connected to the electrically conductive outer shell  30 ′ or possibly to switch  61 , the switch then being in this case an electrically conductive switch  61 ′, in a manner that, when the manual prehension means  3  of applicator  1  is caught by the fingers  21  of a hand of any user of applicator  1 , applying means  5  is contacted with that part of the human body  20 , for example the face, which is intended to receive the cosmetic product, typically eyelashes, when the product is mascara, an electrical field can be formed between that part of the human body  20  and applying means  5 , 5 ′, through the external electrical circuit  62  closed by the human body through a so-called upstream contact  620  between finger  21  of the hand and the prehension means  3 , and through a so-called downstream contact  621  between that part of the human body  20  and applying means  5 , 5 ′, the electrical field providing and facilitating a transfer of the product from the applying means  5 , 5 ′ towards that part of the human body  20 .       

   The electrically conductive axial rod  4 ′ may be selected from: a metallic rod, a molded rod of plastic material which is made electrically conductive at the surface thereof typically by metallization, and an electrically conductive rod of plastic material. 
   According to an embodiment of applicator  1  illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5   a,  the applying means  5 , 5 ′ may be made of a brush  50  comprising a plurality of bristles  51  which are fixedly mounted on a central metallic twist  52 , the metallic twist being fixed to the axial rod  4 , 4 ′ at its lower end  41 . 
   The plurality of bristles  51  may be a plurality of electrically conductive bristles  51 ′. 
   The plurality of electrically conductive bristles  51 ′ may be prepared by metallization of non electrically conductive bristles. 
   Eventually, the plurality of electrically conductive bristles  51 ′ may be prepared from a plurality of electrically conductive fibers which are cut in length. 
   According to another embodiment of applicator  1  illustrated in  FIG. 5   b,  the applying means  5 , 5 ′ may comprise a molded member of electrically conductive plastic material  53 , the molded member  53  typically comprising a plurality of radial projections  530  adapted to catch the product. 
   The electrically conductive molded member  53  may be prepared by metallization of a non electrically conductive member of plastic material. 
   Eventually, the electrically conductive molded member  53  may be prepared by molding an electrically conductive member of plastic material. 
   Typically, the means for manual prehension  3  may comprise the manually operable switch  61 , 61 ′, in a manner to be able to activate/disable the transfer device  6 , switch  61 , 61 ′ comprising a movable member  610 , typically an electrical contact guide which is accessible to the hand and thus can be manually moved, possibly when the product is applied on that part of the human body. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 ,  5   a  and  5   b,  prehension means  3 , typically outer shell  30 , 30 ′, may comprise a head  31  and a lateral skirt  32 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 5   a,  switch  61 , 61 ′ may be a lateral switch  61   a  in which the movable member  610  is disposed on skirt  32  of the manual prehension means  3 . 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 5   b,  switch  61 , 61 ′ may be an axial switch  61   b  in which the movable member  610  is disposed on head  31  of the manual prehension means  3 . 
   Typically, voltage generator  60  is a generator of direct current  60 ′. 
   Direct current generator  60 ′ may show a voltage between its terminals, between the plus (+) terminal  600  and the minus (−) terminal, that varies between 300 volts and 1000 volts, and preferably from 500 volts to 800 volts, and typically of 600 volts. 
   The (+) terminal  600  may be electrically connected to the axial rod  4 , 4 ′, the (−) terminal being connected to the electrically conductive outer shell  30 ′, in a manner to constitute a ground when any user manually grabs the electrically conductive outer shell  30 ′. 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  4 , the direct current generator  60 ′ may comprise a supply of low voltage electrical power  63  and a high voltage generator  64  which is fed by the low voltage electrical supply  63 , typically consisting of an electrical battery  63  whose voltage varies from 1.5 volt to 24 volts. 
   Advantageously, the high voltage generator  64  may be associated with a control device  65 , typically controlled by means of switch  61 , through which an electrical field cannot be produced, on the double condition that the external electrical circuit  62  is closed, the applying means  5 , 5 ′ being in contact with the part of the human body  20  by producing downstream contact  621 , and that switch  61  is manually operated, all this to thus prevent any risk of formation of an electrical arc between the applying means  5 , 5 ′ and the above part of the human body  20 . 
   For example, control device  65  may comprise a device for measuring the resistance of the external electrical circuit  62 , external electrical circuit  62  being considered closed when its resistance is lower that a predetermined resistance value. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the outer shell  30  may be formed by the electrically conductive outer shell  30 ′. 
   The electrically conductive outer shell  30 ′ may be selected from: a metallic shell, a shell molded with plastic material which is made electrically conductive on its surface typically by metallization, and an electrically conductive plastic shell. 
   As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the prehension means  3  may comprise switch  61  which is manually operable through a manual reversible pressure on the movable member  610 , typically through a return spring  611 , and the movable member  610  may be an electrically conductive movable member  610 ′, all in a manner to constitute upstream contact  620  by simultaneously providing for the closing of the external electrical circuit  62  and an activation of switch  61 , outer shell  30  possibly being made of an electrically conductive material. 
   On  FIG. 4 , the outer shell  30  is not an electrically conductive outer shell  30 ′. 
   According to the invention, the impedance of high voltage generator  64  ranges from 1 to 20 MΩ, i.e. from 10 6 Ω(ohms) to 20.10 6 Ω, and preferably from 5 MΩ to 15 MΩ, and typically 10 MΩ. 
   Another object of the invention is provided by an applicator dispenser  7  comprising a body  70  defining a container  71  provided with a typically threaded neck  72  comprising a wringer  73 , and an applicator  1  according to the invention. The manual prehension means  3  of applicator  1  defines a cap adapted to operate together with neck  72  by screwing, to seal body  70 . 
   In this applicator dispenser  7 , container  71  and manual prehension means  3 , typically skirt  32  of the manual prehension means  3  may typically have a same exterior cross-section, with a diameter or larger transverse dimension D. In closed position, applicator dispenser  7  has a shape factor H/D at least equal to 4, H being the height of applicator dispenser  7  in closed position thereof. 
   This common external cross-section may typically be round, oval or square. 
   EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS 
   Applicators  1  according to  FIGS. 2 to 5   b  were produced. 
   The electrical sketch of the transfer device  6  that was used has been illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
   This transfer device  6  comprises:
         a supply of low voltage electrical power  63 ,   a high voltage generator  64  adapted to produce a voltage of 600 Volts,   a control device  65  for the high voltage generator  64 , fed with the supply of low voltage electrical power  63 , the device being provided with different link terminals, for example with a link  650  defining an upstream contact member  620 , and measuring and control links  652 , 652 ′ connecting control device  65  to high voltage generator  64 ,   a switch  61  comprising a movable member  610  which is manually reachable, and typically a return spring  611 .       

   Control device  65  is used somewhat as a filter between switch  61  and voltage generator  60 , typically a high voltage generator  64 . Indeed, activation of switch  61  will only power up the axial rod  4 , 4 ′ if one condition is fulfilled, namely if the applying means  5 , 5 ′ is in contact with the part of the body  20  on which transfer of the cosmetic product should take place. 
   Among others, a means to check whether this condition is fulfilled consists in measuring the resistance or the capacitance of the electrical circuit comprising external electrical circuit  62  and the so-called internal electrical circuit comprising electrically conductive axial rod  4 ′ and the electrically conductive applying means  5 ′. 
   In the applicator  1  according to  FIG. 3 , the manual prehension means  3  comprises, as an external shell  30 , an electrically conductive exterior shell  30 ′ in which skirt  32  comprises a lateral switch  61   a  provided with a movable member  610  constituting a push button outwardly positioned substantially in the extension of skirt  32 . 
   On this figure, the electrically conductive members  30 ′, 61   a,   4 ′ have been illustrated with the same type of hatching. 
   The grounding terminals  631 , 641 , 651  of the main members  63 , 64 , 65  which constitute the transfer device  6  have been connected to the exterior shell  30 ′. 
   The manual prehension means  3  comprises an insulating threaded insert  33  constituting an insulating ring which makes it possible to assemble the upper end  40  of rod  4 , 4 ′ through a manual prehension. 
   In the applicator  1  according to  FIG. 4 , which is similar to that of  FIG. 3 , the exterior shell  30  is not electrically conductive. Only the movable member  610  of switch  61 , 61 ′, 61   a  is an electrically conductive movable member  610 ′, in a manner to thus constitute the upstream contact  620 , the grounding terminals  631 , 641 , 651  of the main members  63 , 64 , 64  which constitute the transfer device  6  then being connected to the electrically conductive movable member  610 ′ . 
   Applicators  1  according to the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and according to  FIG. 5   a,  were thus produced in which the applying means is a brush  50  and in which the switch  61  is a lateral switch  61   a.  Applicators  1  similar to the preceding ones, were also produced, except that the applying means is a molded member  53  as schematically illustrated in  FIG. 5   b.    
   Applicators  1  according to the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and according to  FIG. 5   b,  were also produced, in which switch  61  and the applying means constitute a molded member  53  and in which switch  61  is an axial switch  61   b,  the movable member  610  of switch  61  being disposed leveled with head  31 . Applicators  1  similar to the preceding ones were also produced, however in this case the applying means is a brush  50 . 
   ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
   The applicator  1  according to the invention offers the double possibility, for the user, to simultaneously have at his disposal, a conventional applicator and an applicator with assisted product transfer, through the electrical field provided during application of the product on the selected part of the body, and typically on the eyelashes in the case of mascara. 
   Potentially, all the already known types of applying means may be rendered electrically conductive through known methods, and they can be used according to the present invention, so that the field of application of the present invention is extremely wide. 
   List of Parts 
   
       
       Applicator . . .  1 
       Axial direction . . .  10     
     
       Human body . . .  2 
       Part of human body . . .  20     Eyelashes . . .  20 ′   Finger of a hand . . .  21     
     
       Means of manual prehension . . .  3 
       Outer shell . . .  30     Electrically conductive shell . . .  30 ′   Head of  3 ,  30 ,  30 ′ . . .  31     Skirt of  3 ,  30 ,  30 ′ . . .  32     Typically threaded insulating insert . . .  33     
     
       Axial rod . . .  4   
       Electrically conductive axial rod . . .  4 ′
       Upper end . . .  40     Lower end . . .  41     
     
       Applying means . . .  5   
       Electrically conductive applying means . . .  5 ′
       Brush . . .  50     Plurality of bristles of  50  . . .  51     Plurality of electrically conductive bristles . . .  51 ′   Metallic twist of  50  . . .  52     Molded member of plastic material . . .  53 
           Radial projection . . .  530     Comb teeth . . .  531     
           
     
       Transfer device . . .  6 
       Voltage generator . . .  60     Direct current generator . . .  60 ′
           Terminals of generator . . .  600 ,  601     (+) Terminal . . .  600     (−) Terminal or ground . . .  601     
           Switch . . .  61     Electrically conductive switch . . .  61 ′   Lateral switch . . .  61   a      Axial switch . . .  61   b  
           Movable member . . .  610     Electrically conductive movable member . . .  610 ′   Return spring . . .  611     
           External electrical circuit . . .  62 
           Upstream contact . . .  620     Downstream contact . . .  621     
           Supply of electrical power of  60 ′ . . .  63     Electrical battery . . .  63 ′
           (+) Terminal . . .  630     (−) Terminal or ground . . .  631     
           High voltage generator of  60 ′ . . .  64 
           (+) Terminal . . .  640     (−) Terminal or ground . . .  641     
           Control device . . .  65 
           Upstream contact terminal  520  . . .  650     Ground terminal . . .  651     Measuring or control terminal . . .  652 ,  652 ′   
           
     
       Applicator dispenser . . .  7 
       Body . . .  70     Container of  70  . . .  71     Threaded neck . . .  72     Wringer . . .  73