Cosmetic accessory comprising an active portion made of elastomeric styrene

The present invention relates to cosmetic accessories for the skin or hair, having a surface to be moved in contact therewith. The term "skin" denotes the skin of the face, body or scalp.

The expression "cosmetic product" is understood in particular to mean a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14 June 1993.

According to the invention, a "cosmetic accessory" is a tool suitable for preparing a body surface for a cosmetic treatment. This tool may help a user to massage or heat the body surface in order to relax it. Where appropriate, this tool may hold onto or grip the skin in order to reposition it while relieving initial stresses. It is generally used without cream, prior to the application thereof. It may also prepare the body surface, in order to lead to a better efficacy of a product.

Application WO 03/068128 discloses a container equipped with reliefs enabling the user to massage the skin. The container is arranged in order to dispense the product through an opening located between the reliefs. However, the reliefs are exposed to the product, which facilitates the gliding thereof over the skin while reducing the efficacy of the massage.

Also known from FR 2 950513 is a container, of the type comprising:

- a hollow wall that internally defines a reservoir of cosmetic product, the hollow wall externally defining a housing for receiving a cosmetic accessory;

- a cosmetic accessory intended to be received in a removable manner in the receiving housing, the cosmetic accessory having at least one part that is more flexible than the hollow wall. It is in particular attached to the reservoir by a suction pad.

It may prove relatively difficult to effectively massage the skin with this accessory.

Indeed, the latter is provided instead for cleansing the pores. Furthermore, the attachment of the accessory to the housing is not optimal.

Known from FR 2 885 779 are cosmetic devices comprising:

- a container that contains a product to be applied to the skin and that has a product-dispensing area,

- a container closure system, comprising a first side facing the product- dispensing area in which device the closure system comprises, on a second side opposite the first, a treatment area that has reliefs and/or a surface finish enabling the user to massage and/or cleanse the skin, including the scalp, for example prior to the application of the product.

In this document FR 2 885 779, the treatment area may be defined at least partially by an optionally removable added-on part of the closure system.

The part that bears the reliefs and/or that defines the aforementioned surface finish may comprise attachment means, in particular at its periphery, for example an annular lip arranged in order to engage in a corresponding groove of the closure system.

The attachment means may be arranged in order to enable attachment via friction, glueing, welding, screwing, snap fastening or magnetic attachment, inter alia.

The use of this device may prove difficult for massaging an area of the body, especially the face. Indeed, this device was not designed to hold onto, prepare and lift the skin.

There is a need to benefit from an accessory capable of preparing the skin in order to promote the action of the product, which is simple to manufacture, easy-to-use and which remains clean.

In particular, this accessory must be able:

- to facilitate the holding and gripping of facial skin and muscles,

- to reposition facial skin,

- to heat and relax facial muscles and tissues,

- optionally, to prepare the skin for a care product or a makeup product.

The invention is aimed at meeting all or some of these requirements and thus one subject of the invention is, according to one of its aspects, a cosmetic accessory comprising:

- an active portion intended to come into contact with a body surface,

a gripping portion,

the active portion comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric polymer with a styrene unit and having a hardness between 20 Shore A and 35 Shore A, preferably between 25 Shore A and 33 Shore A.

According to the invention, the Shore A hardness is measured according to the

DIN 53505/ISO868 standard. Owing to the thermoplastic elastomeric polymer with a styrene unit, the user henceforth has an accessory that is very particularly suitable for precise and effective massaging. The user may use the accessory in order to lift the skin and grip it, without damaging it. Handling of the accessory is easy.

The thermoplastic elastomeric polymer that defines the active portion makes it possible to give the device according to invention real comfort during use. It makes it possible to increase the treatment options, owing in particular to the increased deformability of the active portion, which makes it possible to closely follow the unevennesses of the face. The active portion may make it possible to easily reach the sides of the nose for example. The use of the elastomer material thus makes it possible not to make the active portion too harsh with respect to the skin. The massage is both gentle and effective.

Moreover, the manufacture is easy.

Owing to the invention, the user also benefits from a hygienic accessory, due to the use of a synthetic material that is easily washable. The one-part structure of the active portion of the accessory in accordance with the invention may also make it possible to facilitate the cleaning thereof.

The term "length" denotes the longitudinal direction of the application member and the term "width" denotes the perpendicular direction.

The invention also relates to a cosmetic device comprising:

- a container that contains a product to be applied to the skin and that has a product-dispensing area,

- a closure system of the container,

- a cosmetic accessory comprising :-

- an active portion intended to come into contact with a body surface,

- a gripping portion,

the active portion comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric polymer with a styrene unit and having a hardness between 20 Shore A and 35 Shore A, preferably between 25 Shore A and 33 Shore A.

Thus, the cover may, for example, be positioned on the closure system. Depending on the method of attaching the accessory to the closure system, the latter may even be repositioned on the cover, for example if the attachment is magnetic. The repositioning may even be facilitated if the cover is provided with a ramp that limits the movement of the accessory, defining a housing for the latter.

Advantageously, the container closure system comprises a first side facing the product-dispensing area, the closure system comprising, on a second side opposite the first, the cosmetic accessory according to the invention.

The closure system advantageously prevents any communication between the dispensing area and the accessory.

The absence of communication between the product contained in the container and the accessory makes it possible to keep it clean and to have a relatively high degree of friction, if desired, between the treatment area and the skin, which may improve, for example, the massaging action.

The invention may also make it possible to avoid a potential problem of incompatibility between the product and the accessory.

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is a cosmetic process comprising the massaging of a body surface with the accessory defined previously.

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is a cosmetic process comprising:

(i) the provision of a device comprising:

- a container that contains a product to be applied to the skin and that has a product-dispensing area,

- a container closure system,

- a cosmetic accessory comprising :- - an active portion intended to come into contact with a body surface,

- a gripping portion,

the active portion comprising a thermoplastic elastomeric polymer with a styrene unit and having a hardness between 20 Shore A and 35 Shore A, preferably between 25 Shore A and 33 Shore A.

(ii) the massaging of a body surface with the accessory,

(iii) the removal of the closure system and the application of the product to said surface. The process according to the invention may be performed at home. The results come close to a salon treatment.

ACTIVE PORTION: MATERIAL

According to the invention, the active portion comprises a thermoplastic elastomer comprising styrene units.

More advantageously, the active portion comprises the styrene-ethylene/butylene- styrene polymer (SEBS, CAS number 66070-58-4) or the styrene-isoprene-butadiene- styrene polymer (SIBS, CAS number 132778-07-5).

These polymers have properties of optimal flexibility, elasticity and adhesion for lifting the facial muscles and tissues.

More advantageously, said copolymer belongs to the family of THERMOPLAST ® K TFTHT elastomers sold by KRAIBURG TPE GmbH.

In this family, the following elastomers are in particular chosen:

THERMOPLAST ® K TF3THT

THERMOPLAST ® K TF4THT

THERMOPLAST ® K TF5THT

THERMOPLAST ® K TF6THT

THERMOPLAST ® K TF7THT

THERMOPLAST ® K TF8THT.

This type of material comprises, in addition, the advantage of being non-tacky and virtually transparent. It is flexible, elastic and its surface ideally adheres to the skin.

Moreover, their mechanical properties make them particularly advantageous for a gentle massaging application. Indeed, their mechanical strength characteristics make them especially suitable for lifting the skin or the muscles without breaking.

Advantageously, the active portion has:

- a density between 0.5 g/cm ³ and 1 g/cm ³ , measured according to the standard DIN 53479 (or DIN EN ISO 1183-1 :2004).

- a tensile strength between 2 N/mm ² and 3 N/mm ² , measured according to the standard DIN 53504/ IS037.

- an elongation at break between 500% and 700%, measured according to the standard DIN 53504/ IS037. - a 100% modulus between 0.6 and 0.75 MPa, measured according to the standard DIN 53504/ISO37.

- a 200% modulus between 0.9 and 1.05 MPa, measured according to the standard DIN 53504/ISO37.

- a 300%) modulus between 1.2 and 1.4 MPa, measured according to the standard

DIN 53504/ISO37.

ACTIVE PORTION: STRUCTURE

The active portion is for example defined by a plate that connects to the gripping portion. The latter has a longitudinal axis and the plate may extend parallel to this axis.

The active portion may be bare. It may also comprise roughnesses, for example spikes, grooves or holes. The active portion may for example be striated. Such roughnesses may make it possible to favor the preparation of the skin. The presence of spikes may make it possible to provide more of the heating and gripping effect. The active portion may for example comprise between 50 and 5000 spikes or striations, for example around 500. The spikes are made from a single part by molding of material with the active portion.

The active portion may have a shape, when observed from the front, for example chosen from the following list: circular, oval, elliptical, lobed, for example trilobed or quadrilobed, flower-shaped and polygonal.

The width of the active portion is, advantageously, between 25 and 100 mm, and preferably between 50 and 80 mm. This larger dimension is for example a diameter.

The height of the active portion is, advantageously, between 25 and 100 mm, and preferably between 50 and 80 mm. This larger dimension is for example a diameter.

The thickness of the active portion is, advantageously, between 10 and 4 mm, and preferably between 9 and 6 mm.

These dimensions are optimal for massaging the whole of the face. The accessory preferably has a flattened shape. A flattened shape of the body of the accessory is advantageous in that it tends to elongate the face with the passage of the accessory and may lead to its contour being restructured. GRIPPING PORTION

The gripping portion may be configured in order to be grasped directly and ergonomically with the fingers. In other words, the user's fingers come directly into contact with the gripping portion during use.

The gripping portion may have a convex contour or, as a variant, an at least partially concave contour. It may, as a variant or additionally, be pierced.

Advantageously, the active portion and the gripping portion are bi- injection molded.

Thus, the accumulation of bacteria or waste between the active portion and the gripping portion is avoided. The accessory is more hygienic. The cleaning thereof is facilitated.

Advantageously, the gripping portion comprises polypropylene. This embodiment is particularly advantageous. Indeed, polypropylene can be bi-injection molded with thermoplastic elastomers comprising styrene units.

The gripping portion may be made of a thermoplastic material, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefm such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, PET, POM, PA, PMMA or PEBA. It is possible in particular to use a material known under the trade names HYTREL ^® , CARIFLEX ^® , ALIXINE ^® , SANTOPRENE ^® or PEBAX ^® , this list not being limiting. It may also be made of metal or of a composite material.

Advantageously, the gripping portion comprises a male relief suitable for engaging in a female relief of the active portion.

MEANS OF ATTACHMENT BETWEEN THE ACCESSORY AND A DEVICE The accessory may comprise means of attachment to a device, especially to its periphery, for example an annular lip arranged in order to engage in a corresponding groove of the closure system.

Advantageously, the attachment means may be arranged in order to enable attachment via friction, spot glueing, spot welding, screwing, snap fastening or magnetic attachment.

Advantageously, the accessory is held on the closure system by magnetic attachment means.

Thus, the accessory may be firmly attached to a cosmetic device. Advantageously, the product contained in the container is a care product or makeup product.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting illustrative embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 illustrates a side profile, in perspective, of a cosmetic accessory in accordance with the invention,

- figure 2 is another side profile of the accessory from figure 1 ,

- figure 3 is yet another side profile of the accessory from figure 1,

- figure 4 is an example of a schematic and partial view, in longitudinal section, of the joining zone between the gripping portion and the active portion,

- figure 5 is another example of a schematic and partial view, in longitudinal section, of the joining zone between the gripping portion and the active portion,

- figure 6 is a top view of the accessory from figure 1 ,

- figure 7 is a schematic and partial top view, in longitudinal section, of the accessory before attachment of the reinforcement,

- figure 8 is another schematic and partial view, in longitudinal section, of the accessory before attachment of the reinforcement,

- figure 9 is a schematic and partial view of the accessory, along cross section AA,

- figure 10 is a schematic and partial top view of the reinforcement,

- figure 11 is a schematic and partial side view of the reinforcement, - figure 12 is another schematic and partial front view of the accessory, along cross section BB,

- figure 13 illustrates a profile, in perspective, of a cosmetic device in accordance with the invention, the accessory being in the rest position on the cover,

- figure 14 illustrates a profile, in perspective, of a cosmetic device in accordance with the invention, the accessory being in the usage position,

- figures 15 to 18 illustrate the use of the accessory according to the invention:

figures 15 and 16 illustrate the use of the accessory for the lower region of the face,

figure 17 illustrates the use of the accessory for the middle region of the face, and

figure 18 illustrates the use of the accessory for the forehead region of the face.

An accessory 1 according to the invention is represented in figures 1 to 3. It is overall in the shape of a disk. It has axial symmetry with respect to its longitudinal axis X. It comprises a gripping portion 2 and a plate defining an active portion 3. The diameter D of the plate 3 is for example 72 mm. The thickness e of the plate 3 is for example less than or equal to 10 mm. It may vary between 5 mm and 8 mm.

The active portion forms a deformable disk of outwardly curved shape.

The active portion 3 is made as a single part from a thermoplastic elastomer material comprising styrene units. This material is THERMOPLAST ® K TF3THT sold by KRAIBURG TPE GmbH. The characteristics of this material are:

Hardness 30 Shore A DIN 53505/ISO868

Density 0.88 g/cm ³ DIN 53479

or ( DIN EN ISO 1183- 1 :2004)

Tensile strength 2.1 N/mm ² DIN 53504/ISO37

Elongation at break 580% DIN 53504/ISO37

100% modulus 0.69 MPa DIN 53504/ISO37

200% modulus 0.97 MPa DIN53504/ISO37

300% modulus 1.24 MPa DIN53504/ISO37

The active portion 3 is flexible, elastic and its surface adheres to the skin. It is perfectly suitable for lifting the facial muscles and tissues.

The gripping portion 2 juts out at the back of the plate 3, i.e. on the side opposite the active portion.

The gripping portion 2 is composed of polypropylene. It is covered with a reinforcement 4 made of galvanized ABS (ABS: acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene).

The gripping portion 2 may be grasped between two fingers, for better ergonomics.

Figures 4 to 9 illustrate the joining of the gripping portion 4 and the active portion 3. The joining is carried out by bi- injection molding of the gripping portion 2 and the active portion 3. In the examples represented, the gripping portion 2 comprises a male relief 21 suitable for engaging in a female relief 31 of the active portion 3.

In figure 4, the gripping portion 2 comprises a relief 21 suitable for engaging in a central opening 31 of the active portion 3 for attaching the two portions to one another.

In figure 5, the relief 21 comprises a coupling tooth suitable for engaging in a corresponding housing 31 of the active portion 3 in order to keep the two portions in the configuration where they are superposed.

In figure 9, the relief 21 comprises three snap-fastening clips: a bead 27, a groove 28 and an end tab 29. There is then the benefit of a particularly robust device between the active portion 3 and the gripping portion 2. The join between the two portions is visible. It defines a step 23 that delimits a housing 40 for the reinforcement 4. The height of the step 23 is practically equal to the thickness of the reinforcement 4. It is between 0.1 mm and 1 mm.

Figure 6 shows a top view of the assembly from figure 4. The gripping portion 2 is separated from the active portion 3 by the ramp 41 formed at the join between the two portions. The ramp 41 is intended to jam the reinforcement 4 against the active portion. It comprises a radially inner face 42 that may bear against the reinforcement 4 in order to wedge the latter on top of the gripping portion 2.

The active portion 3 comprises striations 61 in order to better grip the skin and the muscles. It could also be free of striations. It has an apex 62 of rounded shape that may also help to grip the skin and muscles.

Figure 7 and 8 show the presence of lips on the gripping portion 2. Transverse lips 49, lateral lips 43 and radial lips 46 are observed. The lips may flex when the reinforcement 4 is put in place. They tend to oppose a friction force by bracing during the engagement of the reinforcement 4. On the contrary, they rub against the reinforcement 4 when the latter aims to disengage itself.

Figures 10 to 12 illustrate an example of reinforcement 4. In the example represented, the reinforcement 4 is flat, which gives it a certain flexibility. It has, in a front view, a substantially semicircular shape. The reinforcement 4 comprises a recess 51 that engages over the gripping portion 2 in order to cover it completely.

In the exemplary embodiment from figures 11 and 12, the reinforcement 4 comprises a protruding relief 52 that forms a blocking element. This relief 52 makes it possible to achieve a mechanical coupling between the gripping portion 2 and the reinforcement 4.

In figures 13 and 14, the accessory 1 is associated with a container 9 that contains the product in order to form an assembly 10. The container 9 comprises a glass containing product, for example a care product or makeup product. The container is sealed by a cover 7.

The accessory 1 may rest in a housing 8 made in the outer surface of the cover. It is held in the housing 8 by a magnetic attachment. Specifically, the cover 7 comprises a magnet in order to retain the steel- weighted gripping portion 2. The shape and the dimensions of the housing 8 are complementary to those of the accessory 1. The housing 8 is limited by a peripheral bead 81 which retains the accessory 1. In other words, the bead forms a ramp which ensures that the accessory 1 is held in position while facilitating the gripping of this accessory.

Figures 15 to 18 illustrate the use of the accessory for the face.

In order to use the accessory, a person dangles it by the gripping portion 2. The skin of the face is massaged with one side of the accessory 1. In particular, if the accessory has one smooth side and one striated side, the striated side is chosen. The massaging is carried out with dry firm movements in order to grip the skin and reposition it.

The use of the accessory for the lower region of the face is represented in figures 15 and 16.

The accessory 1 (massaging disk) may be used on bare and perfectly cleansed skin, before the application of a care cream for example. Its flexible material makes it possible to perfectly grasp the skin for a massaging effect. The striated side may be laid against the face, before carrying out the following firm and short movements. The accessory is grasped by the gripping portion 2 and the active portion 3 is brought into contact with the various regions of the face.

Region 1 : Neck and facial contours (figures 15 and 16).

- Move down along the neck on each side.

- Starting from the chin, make upward movements following the line of the facial contours.

- Repeat this gesture 3 times on each side of the face while lengthening the movements. Region 2: Cheekbones (figure 17).

- Starting from the corner of the mouth, make short upward movements up to above the cheekbone. The eye contour area can be avoided.

- Repeat this gesture 3 times on each side of the face finishing at the temples.

Region 3: Forehead (figure 18).

- Starting from the inter-eyebrow space, make short upward movements up to the forehead.

- Repeat this gesture 3 times on each side of the face finishing at the hairline.

The accessory 1 is designed to give a lifting effect during the period of use. A care cream, especially an anti-aging cream, can then be applied.

The invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described, the characteristics of which may be combined with one another as parts of variants which are not illustrated. In particular, the surface of the accessory may be smooth or rough. The gripping portion may adopt any other form. The attachment between the two portions may be achieved in any other manner.

The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", unless specified to the contrary.