TYPICALLY SPHERICAL APPLICATOR TIP FOR APPLICATION

OF COSMETIC PRODUCTS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the invention

The invention concerns the field of applicators for cosmetic products, typically make-up products for the eyes and lips.

(b) Description of Prior Art

A very large number of applicators of all kinds, in particular in the field of skin and eye care, and particularly of the eyes, with mascara applicators, are already known.

There applicators, which are adapted to operate jointly with a container defining a reservoir for mascara, typically comprise: a) a cap adapted to seal the container and to be used as prehension means for the applicator, b) and axial rod, c) and a brush, the rod being unitary with the cap at one of its ends, and with the brush at the other end thereof, the brush comprising a metallic twist on which a plurality of bristles are fixedly mounted.

With respect to the brush, a very large number of embodiments of brushes are already known.

Thus, the brushes described in the following French Patents are known: 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 the following U.S. Patents: US 4,733,425, US 4,861,179, US 5,357,987, US 5,595,198, US 6,241,411, US 6,427,700.

Also known is French Patent FR 2 868 264 which, instead of brushes, discloses longitudinal applicators which are molded with plastic material and provide tips intended to be fixedly connected at one end of an axial rod, the other end being fixedly connected to a prehension means.

On the one hand, molded brushes and applicators of the prior art do not allow to provide all the make-up shades desired, with all the sharpness hoped for, since the face is all but a flat surface to be covered with a decorative or protective coating.

On the other hand, there is a need for new molded brushes and applicators in order to provide new make-up effects. Indeed, the possibilities of causing variation in the nature of molded brushes and applicators are dependent in particular on the known processes of manufacture.

Finally, in the field of make-up, there is a requirement for permanently renewing the offer of products by placing new products on the market in order to meet new needs or those which are not satisfied to this day.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the applicator tip, adapted to be mounted at one so-called lower end of a rod of an applicator of cosmetic products, the other so-called upper end of the rod being unitary with a manual prehension means for the applicator, comprises: a) an application means comprising a typically rigid core and a plurality of typically flexible projections, the plurality of projections being adapted to hold a portion of the cosmetic product when the applicator tip is dipped into the cosmetic product, b) an axial handle member having an axial direction and comprising an upper end adapted to be fixedly mounted on the lower end of the rod through a fixation means, and operatively connected, through its lower

1. end, with the core, the handle member and the core typically constituting a single-piece member, the assembled rod and axial handle member typically having the axial direction, and characterized in that: i) the core and the handle member constitute a plastic material molded part; ii) the application means comprises a plurality of N projections of plastic material, the plurality of projections and the molded portion typically constituting a single-piece molded member;

iii) the applicator tip having, along the axial direction, a length L ₀ ranging from 10 mm to 30 mm, the application means having a length Li ranging from 4 mm to 15 mm and the axial rod having a length L ₂ ranging from 6 mm to 15 mm, wherein L ₀ = Li + L ₂ ; iv) the application means having a transverse width T, viewed in a transverse plane that is perpendicular to the axial direction, that varies as a function of the axial distance L ranging from 0 to Li, the function T = f(L) having a maximum value Ti for the transverse width when L is between 0.3.Li and 0.7.Li.

The applicator tips according to the invention make it possible to solve the problems raised. Indeed, they have a geometrical configuration which is distinct, in particular through its shape and size, from those of the molded brushes and applicators of the state of the art, which makes it possible in particular to produce a great make-up sharpness even in the lesser accessible parts of the face.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the core is a core which substantially defines a truncated sphere with radius R, the truncation of the sphere corresponding to the junction between the core and the handle member. This rounded shape of the core advantageously makes it possible to obtain an applicator tip having a rounded surface of envelope without hollows that are too deep between the projections. As a matter of fact, hollows which are too deep could cause an accumulation of too much cosmetic product due to the fact that it is difficult to combine an applicator having a rounded surface of envelope with an efficient wiper. Thus, in view of the shape of this core, it is possible to obtain a rounded surface of envelope with projections of substantially identical sizes so that the

properties of the projections, for example softness, are homogenous, which allows for a homogenous application of the cosmetic product.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Figure Ia is a perspective view of an applicator tip according to the invention.

Figure Ib is a side view of the same applicator tip.

Figure Ic is an axial cross-section taken along line A-A of figure Ib.

Figure Id is a side view, on a true scale, of the applicator tip of Figure Ia whose axial length L ₀ is 16 mm.

Figure 2a is a perspective view of another embodiment of applicator tip according to the invention, ^' as a single-piece member.

Figure 2b is a side view of the applicator illustrated in Figure 2a.

Figure 2c is an axial cross-section taken along axial plane A-A of figure 2b.

Figure 2d is a side view, on a true scale, of the applicator tip of figure 2a whose axial length L ₀ is 17 mm.

Figure 2e is a transverse cross-section view taken along transverse plane B- B of figure 2b.

Figure 2f is a transverse cross-section view taken along transverse plane C-C of figure 2b.

Figure 3 a is a side view of yet another embodiment of applicator tip according to the invention, as a single-piece molded member.

Figure 3b is a partial axial cross-section view taken along line A-A of figure 3a.

Figure 3 c is a side view, on a true scale, of the applicator tip of Figure 3 a whose axial length L ₀ is 18.2 mm.

Figure 4a is a side view of yet another embodiment of applicator tip according to the invention, as a single-piece molded member.

Figure 4b is another side view after 90° rotation of the applicator tip of Figure 4a.

Figure 4c is a front view of the applicator tip of Figure 4a.

Figure 4d is a cross-section view of an applicator provided with an axial rod which is unitary at its lower end with a tip according to the invention.

Figure 5 a is a side view of yet another embodiment of an applicator tip according to the invention, as a single-piece molded member.

Figure 5b is a side view after 90° rotation of the applicator tip of Figure 5a.

Figure 5c is a front view of the applicator tip of Figure 5a.

Figure 6a is a lateral side view of the blank of an applicator tip according to the invention, expanded in longitudinal direction.

Figure 6b is a lateral view from above of the blank of Figure 6a obtained by 90° rotation of the blank of figure 6a.

Figure 6c is a side view, similar to figure Ic, of the tip of Figure 6a obtained by folding the blank along a median plane.

Figure 7a is a partial lateral side view of a blank of an applicator tip according to the invention which is a variant of the blank of Figure 6a.

Figure 7b is a lateral view from above of the blank of figure 7a.

Figure 7c is a partial view of a molded member obtained by folding the

I, blank of Figure 7a to define a tip as assembled at the end of a rod illustrated in dotted line.

Figure 7d is a cross-section taken along transverse plane C-C of figure 7c.

Figure 7e is a partial view from above of a blank with three arms.

Figure 7f is a cross-section taken along plane E-E of figure 7e.

Figure 7g which is similar to figure 7d, is a transverse cross-section view of the handle member of the molded member formed by folding the blank of Figure 7e.

Figure 7h is a partial view from above of a blank with four arms.

Figure 7i is a cross-section view taken along plane H-H of figure 7h.

Figure 7j is a transverse cross-section view of the handle member of the molded member formed by folding the blank illustrated in Figure 7h.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

All the figures of the drawings relate to the invention.

Figures Ia to Ie, 2a to 2f, 3 a to 3 c, and 4a to 4c relate respectively to four different embodiments of applicator tips 1,1" constituting single-piece molded members 6.

With reference to Figure 4d it will be seen that there is illustrated an applicator 2 provided with an axial rod 20 which is unitary at its lower end 23 with a tip 1 according to the invention. On this Figure, there is schematically illustrated in dotted lines a container 70 which is typically associated with applicator 2 and contains the cosmetic product to be applied, in a manner to constitute a dispenser applicator 7. The neck 71 of such a container 70 is generally provided with a wiper (not illustrated in Figure 4d).

With reference to Figures 5a to 5c which are respectively similar to figures 4a to 4c, it will be seen that they relate to another embodiment of applicator tip 1 defining a single-piece molded member 6.

Figures 6a to 7j illustrate an embodiment of the production of an applicator tip 1,1" defining a single-piece molded member 6 in which an expanded blank 8 is produced by molding, and the blank is folded upon itself to constitute single-pieced molded member 6.

Figures 6a to 6c illustrate the case of a blank 8,8a with two arms 80,80a. With reference to Figure 6c it will be seen that tip 6,6a is obtained by folding blank 8,8a along a median plane 84 through a thinned down portion 82 of a central portion 81 defining a hinge. In this embodiment, the central portion 81 corresponds to portion 85 of the blank adapted to constitute the application means 3" after folding.

Figures 7a to 7c schematically illustrate a variant of the production of Figures 6a to 6c, in which blank 8a is a blank 8a' with two arms 80' in which the flexible portion defining a hinge 82 is formed in portion 86 of the blank which is adapted to constitute the handle member 4.

With particular reference to Figure 7c it will be seen that molded member 6a' is obtained by folding the blank of Figure 7a to define tip 1" which has been illustrated at the end of rod 20, shown in dotted line.

Figures 7e to 7g relate to the case where blank 8 is a blank 8b with three arms 80b in which the central portion 81 comprises three thinned down portions 82b disposed as an isosceles triangle.

Figures 7h to 7j, which are respectively similar to Figures 7f to 7g, relate to the case where blank 8 is a blank 8c with four arms 80c in which the central portion 81 comprises four thinned down portions 82c disposed as a square.

According to the invention, the maximum value Ti of the transverse width may be between 0.7.Li and 1.3.Li.

As can be seen particularly in figure 3a, the value of Ti is near Li, so that the application means 3,3" has a surface of envelope corresponding substantially to a truncated sphere.

The function T = f(L) may have, at least in an axial plane comprising axial direction 10, a so-called first minimum value ti for L = 0, L being taken as equal to 0 at the so-called lower end 33 of application means 3 and a so- called second minimum value t ₂ for L = Li, wherein L is taken as Li at the portion of the application means 3 adjoining the lower end 41 of handle member 4, the first minimum value ti being typically equal to 0, the second minimum value t ₂ corresponding substantially to the transverse overloading of handle member 4, typically to its diameter D, so as to constitute a so- called "ball shaped" application means 3,3".

According to an embodiment of the invention, and as illustrated for example in figure Ic, core 30 and handle member 4 may constitute a molded portion

60,600,601, which is typically rigid, and is made of plastic material, and application means 3 may be an application means 3" comprising a plurality 61 of N projections of plastic material 62, the plurality 61 of projections and the molded portion 60 typically constituting a single-piece molded portion 6 made of at least one plastic material, so that tip 1 is a tip 1" made of molded plastic material.

The projections 62 may be so-called radial projections 63 disposed perpendicularly with respect to the core.

The radial projections 63 may be of truncated shape, in which case each projection comprises a free end 630 and an end 631 that is unitary with core 600, the free end 630 having a transverse cross-section which is smaller than that of the end 631 which is unitary with core 600.

The application means 3" may comprise N radial projections 63, wherein N ranges between 20 and 100', and typically between 30 and 80.

The radial projections 63 may have a length r' which extends from 1.5 mm to 3.5 mm, typically from 2 mm to 3 mm, and preferably r' is equal to 2.5 mm.

Core 600 may be a core 600' constituting a substantially truncated sphere of radius R, the truncatio of the sphere corresponding to the junction of core 600' and handle member 601.

As illustrated for example in figure 3 a, handle member 601 may have a larger transverse dimension D, typically a diameter D, which typically ranges from 2 to 5 mm, and preferably from 2.5 to 4.5 mm.

As illustrated for example in figures 4a and 4b, the radial projections 63 may constitute a plurality of axial alignments 64, the number of axial alignments 64 ranging from 5 to 15, and typically from 8 to 12.

The embodiment of tip 1,1" of figures 4a to 4c comprises 10 axial alignments, as this will appear in figure 4c.

As illustrated in figure Ie, the radial projections 63 may constitute a so- called hexagonal arrangement 65, each radial projection 63 being typically surrounded with six radial projections 63 symmetrically disposed at the vertices of a regular hexagon.

As illustrated in figures ^' 2a to 3c, the projections 62 may be so-called transverse projections 66, these transverse projections 66 being disposed in a plurality of n transverse planes which are typically perpendicular to the axial direction, in which case n varies between 5 and 20 and preferably between 8 and 15.

As illustrated in figures 3a and 3b, the transverse projections 66 may be so- called circular projections 66', each circular projection 66' defining a typically flexible circular tongue which extends over 360°.

As illustrated in figures 2a to 2d, each transverse projection 66 of a same transverse plane may typically comprise a plurality of N' projections 66" which are typically symmetrical with respect to axial direction 10, in which n' is between 3 and 6, and is typically equal to 4.

Each projection 66" may define an angular sector of angle α smaller than 360°/n', as illustrated in figure 2f, wherein n = 4.

As illustrated in figure 3 a, handle member 4,601 comprises two portions of different cross-section: a so-called lower portion 42 having a transverse cross-section which typically approaches that of the rod, and a so-called upper portion 43 having a reduced cross-section, in a manner to be adapted to be operatively associated with rod 2 through its lower tubular end 230, typically by snapping or welding.

As illustrated in figures 6a to 7j, in the process for manufacturing a tip according to the invention, a blank 8 of tip constituting a single-piece member may be produced by molding, typically by injection or injection- compression, the tip comprising n arms 80 which are articulated with respect to a central portion 81 comprising or constituting at least one hinge 82, in a manner to constitute the single-piece tip 6 by folding arms 80, wherein n typically varies from 2 to 4.

According to an embodiment illustrated in figures 7a to 7j, the central portion 81 comprising or constituting at least one hinge 82 may be located at the upper end of the handle member.

The case of a blank 8,8a' with two arms 80a' has been illustrated in figures 7a to 7d.

The case of a blank 8,8b with three arms 80b has been illustrated in figures 7e to 7g.

The case of a blank 8,8c with four arms 80c has been illustrated in figures 7h to 7j.

As illustrated in figures 6a to 6c, the central portion 81 comprising or defining at least one hinge 82 may be located at the lower end 33 of the application means, and typically at the lower end 67 of the core 600 of the molded member.

Another object of the invention is provided by an applicator 2 for cosmetic products, typically mascaras, comprising an applicator tip 1,1" according to the invention, the applicator 2 comprising a rod 20 typically having the axial direction 10, rod 20 being fixedly connected, at its so-called lower end 23, to the applicator tip 1,1", and at its so-called upper end 22, to a means of manual prehension 21.

Such an applicator has been illustrated in figure 4d.

Another object of the invention is provided by a dispenser applicator 7 of cosmetic products, typically mascaras, comprising an applicator 2 according to the invention which is operatively associated with a container 70 adapted to contain the cosmetic product, the container 70 comprising a typically

threaded neck 71, typically provided with a wiper, the typically exteriorly threaded neck 71 being operatively associated with the prehension means 21 constituting an interiorly threaded plug 21 to seal neck 71.

EXAMPLES

I) Tips 1,1" constituting single-piece molded members 6 of plastic material, according to figures Ia to 5c, were manufactured by molding.

Tests were made with PE and with an elastomer, however any plastic material that can be molded for allowing to simultaneously constitute an axial handle member 4 which is relatively rigid to make sure that the tip 1 is fixedly mounted on rod 20 of applicator 2 and an application means 3,3" comprising a plurality of relatively flexible projections 31, may be used.

To manufacture these tips by molding, the process described in figures 6a to 7j was used, in particular whenever this was required by the stripping stresses.

1-1) The tip 1,1" according to figures Ia to Ie was produced.

This applicator tip has an axial length L ₀ of 16 mm.

Its application means 3,3" comprises a plurality of hexagonally arranged 65 projections 61. The core 600,600' constitutes a truncated sphere 3.5 mm in diameter, the plurality of projections 61 lying in a truncated sphere 8 mm in

diameter. The projections 61 are substantially truncated and have a base 631, 0.6 mm in diameter and a rounded end 630.

Its handle member 4 comprised an upper portion 43 3 mm in diameter adapted to be operatively associated with a blind hole formed at the end of the rod 20, as illustrated in figure 4d, and a lower portion 43, 4 mm in diameter.

1-2) In a similar manner, the tip 1,1" according to figures 2a to 2f was prepared.

In this tip, the core 600 and the handle member 4 are hollow, and the projections 31 define a plurality of transverse projections 66, each projection comprising four symmetrical projections 66" forming sectors of angle α equal to about 60°.

1-3) In a similar manner, the tip 1,1" according to figures 3a to 3b was prepared.

In this case, the transverse projections 66 are circular transverse projections 66'.

1-4) In a similar manner, the tip 1,1" according to figures 4a to 4c was prepared.

In this tip, the plurality of projections 61 constitutes axial alignments 64 - 10 axial alignments.

1-5) In a similar manner, the tip 1,1" according to figures 5a to 5c, and which is closely similar to that of figures 4a to 4a, was prepared. This tip has a lower end 33 which is free of projections 31.

These tips 1,1" were assembled with rods 20 to constitute applicators 2, which are essential elements for dispenser applicators 7 of cosmetic products, in particular make-up products for the eyes, such as mascaras, or make-up products for the lips, or also for the nails.

In use, it was noted that these tips 1,1" provided a fine sharpness of application. In addition, they made it possible to sample only a relatively limited quantity of cosmetic products, which appeared advantageous with respect to the service life of the distributor applicator and the stability in time of the cosmetic product.

LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS

Applicator tip 1, 1"

Axial direction 10

Cosmetic product applicator 2

Rod of 2 20

Manual prehension means of 2 21

Threaded plug 21'

Upper end of 20 unitary with 21 22

Lower end of 20 unitary with 21 23

Tubular part operatively associated with 43 230

Means 1 and 4 for cooperating with 20 24

Application means of 1 3

Application means of 6 3"

Typically rigid core 30

Plurality of projections 31

Unitary projection of 31 32

Lower end of 3, 3" 33

Axial handle member of 1 4

Upper end of 4 operatively associated with 20 40

Lower end of 4 operatively associated with 3 41

Lower part operatively associated with 3 42

Upper part operatively associated with 20 or 230 43

Single-piece molded member constituting 1" 6

Molded part constituting 30 + 4 60

Portion of 60 defining core 30 600

Core in shape of truncated sphere 600'

Portion of 60 constituting handle member 4 601

Plurality of projections 61

Projection of 61 62

Radial projection 63

Axial alignment of 63 64

Hexagonal alignment 65

Transverse projection 66

Circular transverse projection 66'

Typically symmetrical projection 66"

Lower end of 6 67

Dispenser applicator 7

Container 70

Neck 71

Blank of 1, 1", 6 8

Arm of 8 80, 80a, 80b, 80c

Central portion 81

Thinned down portion defining hinge 82, 82a, 82b, 82c

Median plane of 8 83

Longitudinal direction of expanded blank 84

Portion of 8 adapted to constitute 3' 85

Portion of 8 adapted to constitute 4 86