AN APPARATUS FOR APPLYING A COSMETIC PRODUCT Technical field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for applying a cosmetic product.

Prior art

Apparatuses for applying mascara are known comprising a container containing the cosmetic product that can be occluded by a cap. A stem that protrudes into the container is associated with the cap. An applicator is placed at one end of the stem. When the cap is applied to the container, the stem is in contact with the cosmetic product present in the container. By removing the cap from the container, the stem can be extracted and the applicator can thus be placed in contact with the body or anyway with the surface concerned. The container is elongated between a first end in which a bottom is present and a second end at which a scraper, that defines a passage narrowing, is assembled on the container. In this manner, during extraction of the stem, the excess cosmetic product is retained in the container.

Object of the invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to provide an apparatus for applying a cosmetic product which allows costs and production and assembly times to be optimized.

A further accessory object is to facilitate disposal of the apparatus after use. The technical task set and the objects specified are substantially attained by an apparatus for applying a cosmetic product comprising the technical features as set out in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of an apparatus for applying a cosmetic product, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: - figure 1 shows a lateral view of an application apparatus according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a section view along the plane A-A of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 shows a detail of figure 2;

- figures 4 and 5 show components of the apparatus of figure 2.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the accompanying figures, the reference number 1 denotes an apparatus for applying a cosmetic product, for example mascara, lip gloss, eyebrow gel, etc.

This apparatus 1 comprises a container 2 containing the cosmetic product defining a mouthpiece 21 . The mouthpiece 21 enables the product to enter and exit the container 2. Suitably, the container 2 has just one mouthpiece 21.

The container 2 is for example made of plastics, in particular polypropylene. However, it could also be made of other materials. The container could be transparent or opaque.

The container 2 advantageously has an elongated shape between the mouthpiece 21 and an opposite bottom 25.

Preferably, the apparatus 1 is “disposable” (in the sense that once the cosmetic product is finished, the container is not normally refilled).

The apparatus 1 comprises a closing element 3 closing the mouthpiece 21 . The closing element 3 is suitably applied removably to an end of the container 2 (for example by a threaded connection or with a deformable joint element). The element 3 thus defines a cap.

The apparatus 1 comprises a stem 30 that extends from the closing element 3. Appropriately, the stem 30 extends in a cantilevered manner from the closing element 3. Advantageously, but not necessarily, the stem 30 is made as a single piece with the closing element 3 (so they are not assembled but they form a monolithic single body). In an alternative solution that is not illustrated the stem 30 and the closing element 3 could be two reciprocally assembled bodies. The apparatus 1 comprises an applicator 4 for applying the cosmetic product. The applicator 4 is associated with the stem 30. In particular, the applicator 4 is placed at one end of the stem 30. The stem 30 thus extends between the closing element 3 and the applicator 4. In particular, the stem 30 connects the closing element 3 and the applicator 4. The applicator 4 is usually a distinct body from the stem 30 and assembled therewith. The applicator 4 can be of various types: for example, it could comprise a spongy element or comprise bristles (that advantageously branch out in various directions starting from a central support that engages the stem 30 -see figures 2 and 5-).

In a closed configuration of the apparatus 1 , the stem 30 protrudes into the container 2, enabling the applicator 4 to come into contact with the cosmetic product present in the container 2.

In one operating configuration, the stem 30 is extracted from the container 2 to apply the cosmetic product. The cosmetic product can thus be applied by means of the applicator 4 to a surface, for example to the body of a person.

The container 2 defines a scraper 20 that defines a narrowing 200 that enables the stem 30 to be extracted from the container 2, limiting a possible excess of the product present on the applicator 4.

The scraper 20 is made as a single piece with the container 2. The scraper 20 is a monolithic single body with bordering parts of the container 2 (or more in general with the container 2). It is not therefore assembled therewith. The scraper 20 is made of the same material as the remaining parts of the container 2.

Suitably, the container 2 is obtained by extrusion and blowing in a mould. Suitably, lateral splits of the mould have an annular protrusion that protrudes inside a moulding cavity to define the narrowing 200.

The narrowing 200 defines a passage section 201 that is orthogonal to an extraction direction 5 for extracting the stem 30 from the container 2.

Suitably, this extraction direction 5 is parallel to a main extension direction of the container 2. The extraction direction 5 for extracting the stem 30 is parallel to the main extension direction of the stem 30 in the closed configuration.

The applicator 4 has at least one flexible portion 40 having overall dimensions considered orthogonally to said extraction direction 5 which are greater than said passage section 201 .

Preferably, the orthogonal passage section 201 of the narrowing 200 has an area comprised between 10 mm ² and 40 mm ² . Preferably, the passage section 201 has a diameter comprised between 4 and 6 millimetres.

Suitably, the narrowing 200 comprises two annular zones 202, 203 that join in an intermediate connecting zone 204. This intermediate connecting zone 204 defines the passage section 201 . It in fact defines the narrowest part of the container 2 that meets the applicator 4 during extracting from or inserting into the container 2.

Suitably, the stem 30 has a section (considered orthogonally to the main extension direction) that is substantially counter-shaped to the passage section 201 . Preferably, the stem 30 has a section that is orthogonal to the main extension, which is substantially constant. Possibly, the difference in diameter between the stem 30 and the passage section 201 is less than 1 millimetre.

Suitably, in the closed configuration the distance between the narrowing 200 and the mouthpiece 21 is less than the distance between the applicator 4 and the mouthpiece 21 .

The mouthpiece 21 defines a passage area 210, which is orthogonal to the direction of extraction of the stem 30, greater than the passage section 201 defined by the narrowing 200. Suitably, the passage area 210 of the mouthpiece is 2 to 4 times greater than the passage section 201 .

In the preferred solution, the apparatus 1 coincides only and exclusively with the joining of three components:

-the container 2 (which is suitably a single monolithic piece);

-the closing element 3 made as a single piece with the stem 30 (and which suitably define, in combination, a monolithic single piece); -the applicator 4 associated with the stem 30 (which could consist of the assembly of several pieces).

The container 2, the stem 30 and the closing element 3 are made of the same material. This facilitates disposal of the product in accordance with waste-sorting criteria.

In the preferred solution, the narrowing 200 is spaced apart from the mouthpiece 21. Suitably, the narrowing 200 and the mouthpiece 21 are spaced apart by at least 10 millimetres.

The container 2, between said mouthpiece 21 and said narrowing 200, comprises a storage tank 22 for storing excess product intercepted by the scraper 20 when the applicator 4 is inserted inside the container 2. Further, the storage tank facilitates reinsertion of the applicator 4 into the container 2 (defining a lead-in). The closing element 3 wraps externally at least a part, preferably all, of the storage tank 22.

The container 2 on an outer surface 220 of the storage tank 22 has connecting means for connecting to the closing element 3. Typically, on the outer surface 220 there is a thread 23 for connecting with the closing element 3.

The closing element 3 comprises a base 31 that, in the closed configuration, faces the mouthpiece 21. Suitably, the stem 30 extends starting from the base 31.

The closing element 3 comprises an annular portion 32 that extends from the base 31 . In particular, the annular portion 32 defines the side of the cap. The annular portion 32 extends from the perimeter of the base 31 . The annular portion 32 is substantially shaped like the side of a cylinder. The annular portion 32 comprises a thread intended to couple with the thread 23 obtained on the storage tank 22.

In the closed configuration, the annular portion 32 protrudes away from the mouthpiece 21 beyond said narrowing 200. Suitably, the annular portion 32 surrounds a part of the stem 30. Suitably, the base 31 comprises a protruding ring 310 that makes a seal on the container 2 (at the mouthpiece 21 ). This protruding ring 310 comprises a flat portion in the zone intended to form a seal on the container 2 (i.e. on the head). The protruding ring 310 has two diverging sides that move away from the flat portion.

The container 2 comprises a shrinkage 24. The narrowing 200 advantageously extends from the shrinkage 24. Between the shrinkage 24 and the mouthpiece 21 , the narrowing 200 extends. In the closed configuration, the annular portion 32 surrounds the shrinkage 24. Suitably, the annular portion 32 contacts the shrinkage 24 in the closed configuration or anyway has at least one portion having a radial distance of less than 1 millimetre. In this manner, the shrinkage 24 would contribute to supporting possible flexing acting on the closing element 3, so that the flexing would not entirely weigh down on the narrowing 200. The shrinkage 24 thus permits structural reinforcing.

As exemplified in figure 3, the external diameter of the closing element 3 is substantially the same as or less than the maximum diameter of the container 2. The thickness of the annular portion 32 is substantially equal to the difference between the maximum radius of the container 2 and the shrinkage 24 radius.

The present invention achieves important advantages.

First of all, it enables the components of the application apparatus to be optimized. In this manner, assembly is easier and faster. Further, production costs are optimized.

A further advantage is linked to promoting recycling of components after use.

The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterised thereby. Further, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any whatsoever, according to need.