METHOD OF APPLICATION OF THE PRODUCT

This invention relates to a device for applying a cosmetic product for keratinous fibers, of the type comprising: a heating support comprising a gripping device and a heating element aligned according to a longitudinal axis, the heating element comprising a metal sheath; and an application member comprising a sleeve extending along the longitudinal axis, the sleeve being able to thread itself around the metal sheath of the heating support, said sleeve defining a plurality of through-openings intended to place in contact the cosmetic product with said metal sheath, the application member further comprising a plurality of separating/combing elements extending radially from the sleeve, the through-openings being aligned according to a plurality of first rows, the separating/combing elements being aligned according to a plurality of second rows, each one of the first and second rows extending according to a generating line of the sleeve.

In particular, the heating element of the heating support comprises a resistive wire located inside the sheath and in thermal contact with an inner wall of the sheath. As a variant or in addition, the heating element can comprise a plurality of discrete heating resistances distributed along and around the longitudinal axis, and in thermal contact with an inner wall of the sheath.

For the purposes of this invention, the term "cosmetic product" refers to a product as defined in Regulation (EC) No. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the November 30, 2009 Council on cosmetic products.

The cosmetic product intended to be applied by the aforementioned device for application is able to be placed on the keratinous fibers of a user such as the eyelashes. The product is for example a makeup product such as a mascara.

The cosmetic product is advantageously in fluid form, i.e. comprised of a more or less viscous liquid or by a powder.

It is known that a makeup product such as a mascara can be applied using a heating application device, intended to curve and/or extend the eyelashes. Document WO 2016174102 describes a heating application device of the type mentioned above onto which an applicator member is shrink fitted in the form of a comb.

One of the technical and safety constraints in the development of this type of heating device is that the metal sheath intended to come into contact with the mascara and the eyelashes must be brought to a temperature of about 65°C - 70°C. In this temperature range, the cosmetic product is sufficiently heated to effectively line the eyelashes, the risks of a burn for the user being however limited. In order to bring the cosmetic product to a temperature that is as close as possible to the temperature of the metal sheath, document WO 2016174102 mentioned hereinabove describes the presence of access openings to said sheath, arranged on a side of the application member.

However, this type of application device can still be improved. The presence of an asymmetric application member requires dexterity by the user to put the application device into the best position relative to the eyelashes, to optimize application of the cosmetic product. The application device also has to be dipped into the reservoir very frequently in order to pick up more cosmetic product.

To this effect, application FR1662539, not yet published, describes an application member comprising through-openings and separating/combing elements regularly spaced over the entire periphery of said application member.

One purpose of this invention is to obtain a heating application device that enables optimized application of the cosmetic product onto the eyelashes.

To this effect, the invention has for object an application device of the aforementioned type, in which the first and second rows are distributed in an alternating manner around the longitudinal axis, with each first row forming with each adjacent second tow a non-zero angle with respect to said longitudinal axis.

Such a configuration allows in particular for a less-restrictive choice in the number of separating/combing elements of the sleeve, according to the desired effectiveness of the separation of the eyelashes.

According to further advantageous aspects of the invention, the application device comprises one or several of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

- the through-openings have an elongated shape extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis;

- at least one first row comprises several aligned through-openings, two adjacent openings being separated by a bridge of material, a total length formed by the bridge(s) of material of said first row being less than or equal to 30%, preferably less than or equal to 20% and more preferably less than or equal to 10%, of a total length formed by the through-openings of said first row;

- the at least one first row comprises a number of aligned through-openings between two and five;

- the separating/combing elements of each second row are arranged in axial offset with the separating/combing elements of each adjacent second row; - the separating/combing elements comprise a first and a second groups, a radial dimension of the separating/combing elements of the first group being greater than a radial dimension of the separating/combing elements of the second group;

- each second row comprises separating/combing elements chosen only from the first group or only from the second group;

- the separating/combing elements of the first group and of the second group are distributed in an alternating manner about the longitudinal axis.

The invention furthermore relates to a packaging and application assembly comprising a reservoir of cosmetic product and an application device such as described hereinabove, the application member of said application device being able to be plunged into the reservoir in order to collect the cosmetic product.

The invention also relates to a method for applying the cosmetic product onto a keratin fiber, particularly an eyelash, including the following steps: putting into contact of the application member of an application device such as described hereinabove, with a fluid cosmetic product, in such a way as to load the through-openings with said fluid cosmetic product; activation of the heating element; displacement of the application device according to a movement of rotation about the longitudinal axis and/or according to a movement of translation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis; passage of a keratin fiber in a through opening and loading the cosmetic product onto the keratin fiber, combing and pulling of the keratin fiber by means of separating/combing elements located on either side of the through-opening.

The invention will be easier to understand in view of the following description, provided solely as a non-restricted example and with reference to the drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 is a lateral partial cross-section view of a packaging and application assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention, comprising a cosmetic product application member; and

- figures 2, 3 and 4 are respectively a lateral view, a longitudinal cross-section view and a transversal cross-section view of the application member of figure 1 .

Figure 1 shows a packaging and distribution assembly 10 for a cosmetic product.

The assembly 10 is intended to package a cosmetic product, in particular a cosmetic product for make-up and/or care, in particular a mascara. The applicator 10 is also intended to apply said cosmetic product on the keratin fibers of a user, in particular the eyelashes or the eyelids.

The assembly 10 comprises a reservoir 12 and an application device 13.

Preferably, said reservoir 12 and said application device 13 are provided with means (not shown) for assembly to one another, for example of the threading/tapping type. The reservoir 12 defines an internal volume (not shown) able to receive a quantity of cosmetic product.

The application device 13 comprises a heating support 14 and an application member 16, assembled permanently or removably to said heating support. The application member 16 is shown as a cross-section in figure 1 .

The heating support 14 has an elongated shape extending substantially along a longitudinal axis X. The heating support 14 in particular comprises a sleeve 18 and a heating element 20, aligned according to the axis X. The sleeve 18 is shown as a cross- section in figure 1 . A so-called distal end 22 of the sleeve 18 is assembled to a so-called proximal end 24 of the heating element 20.

The applicator 20 is able to heat the cosmetic product and/or the keratin fibers of the user, in particular the eyelashes or the eyelids. In particular, the heating element 20 comprises a tubular metal sheath 26, substantially cylindrical in shape, preferentially cylindrical of revolution. The sheath 26 is respectively opened and closed on the proximal end 24, and on the opposite distal end 28, of the heating element 20.

The heating element 20 further comprises a resistive wire 30, located inside the sheath 26 in such a way as to be in thermal contact with an inner wall of said sheath. The resistive wire 30 is extended into the sleeve 18 and is connected to a source of electrical energy (not shown), for example of the battery type. Said battery is preferably housed in the sleeve 18. Preferably, the battery is connected to a switch (not shown), carried by the sleeve 18 and which makes it possible to power with energy the resistive wire 30.

The heating support 14 is preferably similar to the heating support described in document WO 2016174102.

The application member 16 is illustrated in more detail in figures 2 to 4.

Advantageously, the applicator member 16 is formed in a single piece. It is made from a thermoplastic or metallic material. For example, the applicator member 16 is made from one or several materials chosen from the following list: a silicone, latex, a reinforced sliding material, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, polyamide, polyethylene or vinyl, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PL), SAM, PA, PMMA. For example, the applicator member 1 1 may be made from known materials under the Teflon®, Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax®, Pollobas® trademarks.

The application member 16 comprises a sleeve 40, substantially cylindrical, and a plurality of separating/combing elements 42, 44 extending radially protruding from the sleeve 40. The sleeve 40 extends along the longitudinal axis X between a proximal mounting portion 50 and a rounded distal portion 52. The sleeve 40 further comprises an intermediate portion 54, of cylindrical shape, located between the proximal mounting portion 50 and the distal portion 52.

The sleeve 40 defines an internal cavity 56 extending along the longitudinal axis X.

The internal cavity 56 comprises an open end and a closed end, respectively located on the proximal mounting portion 50 and on the distal portion 52.

On the proximal mounting portion 50, the internal cavity 56 has a shape 58 that is complementary with the distal end 22 of the sleeve 18, in such a way as to be able to nest onto said distal end 22.

On the distal portion 52 and on the intermediate portion 54, the internal cavity 56 has a shape that is substantially complementary with that of the sheath 26 of the heating element 20. The sleeve 40 is as such able to be threaded on said sheath, as shown in figure 1 .

The intermediate portion 54 of the sleeve 40 comprises a plurality of through- openings 60, placing radially in communication the internal cavity 56 with the outside of the sleeve 40.

The through-openings 60 are intended to place in contact the cosmetic product with the sheath 26 of the heating element 20, received in the internal cavity 56. In particular, the through-openings 60 are configured to be loaded with cosmetic product when the application 16 is plunged into the reservoir 12. A suitable cosmetic product therefore has a fluid form, in order to be housed by flowing in the through-openings 60.

The through-openings 60 are aligned according to a plurality of first rows 62 arranged around the longitudinal axis X. Each first row 62 extends according to a generating line of the cylinder formed by the intermediate portion 54 of the sleeve 40.

Preferably, the first rows 62 are regularly distributed about the longitudinal axis X, two adjacent first rows forming the same angle a (figure 4) with respect to said longitudinal axis. Preferably, the number of first rows 62 is between six and fourteen. In the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, the through-openings 60 form ten first rows 62, the angle a being equal to 36°.

Preferably, all of the through-openings 60 of the same first row 62 have an elongated shape extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X.

According to an embodiment (not shown), at least one first row 62 is formed from a single through-opening 60 which extends substantially over an entire length of the intermediate portion 54. According to another embodiment, such as the one of figures 1 to 4, at least one first row 62 comprises several aligned through-openings 60, two adjacent openings being separated by a bridge of material 64. Such an embodiment facilitates the manufacture of the application member 16 and improves its solidity.

Preferably, at least one first row 62 is formed from a number of aligned through- openings 60 between two and five. For example, said first row comprises three openings 60 separated by two bridge of material 64.

Preferably, all of the through-openings 60 of the same first row 62 have identical dimensions. Likewise, preferably, all of the bridges of material 64 of the same first row 62 have identical dimensions. In the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, the through-openings 60 and the bridges of material 64 of the same first row 62 have respectively the same first length and the same first length d ₂ (figure 3) along X.

Advantageously, the bridges of material 64 occupy a total length that is largely less than the total length occupied by the through-openings 60, in such a way as to optimize the load capacity with cosmetic product. As such, the sum of the lengths of the bridges of material of the same first row 62 is preferably less than or equal to 30%, more preferably less than or equal to 20%, furthermore preferably less than or equal to 10%, of the sum of the lengths of the through-openings of said first row. In the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, we thus have (2 ^* d ₂ )/(3 ^* di) = 18.3% approximately.

Preferably, the edges of the through-openings 60 are chamfered in such a way that said through-openings have a flared shape from the internal cavity 56 to the outside of the sleeve 40. The chamfering favors the loading with cosmetic product of the keratin fibers as close as possible to the heating element 20.

Preferably, as in the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, all of the first rows 62 have an identical configuration, i.e. each first row 62 is the image of any of the other first rows according to an angle rotation n*oc about the longitudinal axis X, n being an integer.

The separating/combing elements 42, 44 are aligned according to a plurality of second rows 70 arranged around the longitudinal axis X. Each second row 70 extends according to a generating line of the cylinder formed by the intermediate portion 54 of the sleeve 40.

The first 62 and second 70 rows are distributed in an alternating manner around the longitudinal axis X. Each first row forms with each adjacent second row a non-zero angle β (figure 4) with respect to said longitudinal axis. In particular, contrary to the device described in application FR1662539, the separating/combing elements 42, 44 are located at a distance from the first rows 62 formed by the openings 60.

Preferably, the first 62 and second 70 rows are distributed regularly about the longitudinal axis X, in such a way that the angle β is equal to a/2. The number of second rows 70 is equal to the number of first rows 62 and preferably between six and fourteen. In the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, the number of second rows 70 is equal to ten.

The separation/combing elements 42, 44 may for example be formed from pins projecting outwards from the sleeve 40. Each of these pins is tapered towards a free end.

Preferably, at least one second row 70 is formed from a number of separating/combing elements 42, 44 between fifteen and thirty. Preferably, as in the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, all of the separating/combing elements 42, 44 of the same second row 70 are spaced by the same distance d ₃ .

Preferably, the separating/combing elements 42, 44 comprise a first and second groups. A radial dimension η of the separating/combing elements 42 of the first group is greater than a radial dimension r ₂ of the separating/combing elements 44 of the second group (figure 4). For example, the ratio r ₂ /r ₁ is between 40% and 60%. An advantage associated with such a configuration is that it encourages the user to press better on the eyelashes with the application member 16, generating a spatula effect.

Preferably, each second row 70 comprises separating/combing elements 42 or 44 chosen only from the first group or only from the second group. All of the separating/combing elements of the same second row 70 are as such preferably identical.

Preferably, the separating/combing elements 42 of the first group and 44 of the second group are distributed in an alternating manner about the longitudinal axis X.

in the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, the separating/combing elements 42 or 44 of the same group are aligned axially. More precisely, each second row 70 is the image of any of the other second rows formed of separating/combing elements 42 or 44 of the same group, along an angle rotation 2n*oc about the longitudinal axis X, n being an integer.

On the other hand, the separating/combing elements 42 or 44 of each second row 70 are ranged according to an axial offset d ₄ with the separating/combing elements 44 or 42 of each adjacent second row, of which said separating/combing elements do not belong to the same group. The axial offset d ₄ is for example between d ₃ /3 and d ₃ /2.

This axial offset of the separation/combing elements 42, 44 forms successive baffles around which the keratin fibers pass during application. The keratin fibers thus become curved to pass between the separation/combing elements 42, 44. The keratin fibers are also slowed by the separation/combing elements 42, 44 so that that they pick up cosmetic product as they dip into the through openings 60 containing the cosmetic product at optimum temperature. A method for using an application assembly 10 of a cosmetic product such as described above will now be described. The user grasps the sleeve 18 of the application device 13 such as shown in figure 1 and dips the application member 16 into the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir 12. The cosmetic product fills via capillarity the through- openings 60 of the application member 16.

The user activates the switch of the application device 13 in order to power with energy the heating element 20. The temperature of the sheath 26 then increases, up to a value preferably between 50 °C and 70 °C. The cosmetic product received in the through- openings 60 is as such heated to the desired temperature.

Then, user then rotates and/or translates the application device at the keratin fibers. Each keratin fiber is loaded with cosmetic product at the optimum temperature in the through-openings 60, then is combed and pulled along a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

The application process can be repeated successively by the user. The user can reload cosmetic product onto the application device 13 between each repetition or after several repetitions of the process, by dipping it into the product reservoir 12.

The application device 13 such as described hereinabove comprises an application member 16 that is simple to use. The cosmetic product can be applied without needing to look for a particular angular position of the applicator member 16 relative to the keratin fibers. The applicator member 16 also reloads the cosmetic product more efficiently. The endurance of the application device 13 is thus improved and the user does not need to reload cosmetic product onto said application device frequently.

In addition, the application device 13 has through-openings 60 distributed over the entire periphery of the application member 16. The cosmetic product can as such be applied at a temperature that is as close as possible to the temperature of the sheath 26 of the heating element 20.

Furthermore, the layout of the separation/combing elements 42, 44 enables an optimum separation, combing and pulling of the keratin fibers.