packaging and application kit and method

This invention relates to a device for application of a cosmetic product for keratin fibers, particular for eyelashes, to be dipped into a reservoir of cosmetic product, of the type including:

- a heating support comprising a gripping device and a heating element along a longitudinal X axis from the gripping device, the heating element being provided with a metal sheath,

- an applicator member comprising a sleeve extending along the longitudinal X axis, the sleeve being designed to fit around the sheath, the applicator member comprising a plurality of separation/combing elements extending laterally and projecting from the sleeve, the sleeve defining a plurality of through openings to bring the cosmetic product into contact with the metal sheath of the heating support.

In particular, the heating element of the heating support also 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 of the heating support may 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 application device according to the invention is in particular in the form of a powder, a compacted solid, or a fluid such as a liquid. The product is advantageously a product intended to be placed on the keratin fibers of a user, such as the eyelashes. The product is for example a makeup product such as a mascara.

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 FR3035576 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 security constraints that are important in the development of this type of heating mascara is that the heating element that will come into contact with the mascara and potentially the eyelashes (in this case the sheath) must be at about 65°C - 70°C firstly to heat the cosmetic product sufficiently so that it is in its efficient range, and secondly to limit risks of burning the eyelashes, eyebrows or other parts of the user's body.

It is known that access openings to this hot element through the application comb can be provided, to bring the cosmetic product as close to the temperature of the heating element as possible.

However, this type of application device can still be improved. The presence of an asymmetric comb 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.

One purpose of the invention is to obtain an application device that is easy to use and that enables optimum application of the cosmetic product onto the eyelashes.

To achieve this, the purpose of the invention is an application device of the type mentioned above, in which for any axial plane passing through the longitudinal X axis, the sleeve comprises at least one first separation/combing element and defines at least one first through opening on a first side of the axial plane, the sleeve comprising at least one second separation/combing element and defining at least one second through opening on a second side of the axial plane.

Thus, with the device according to the invention, it is easy for the user to apply mascara without needing to search for a particular position of the application device relative to the eyelashes because the separation/combing elements and the through openings are distributed all around the applicator member. The applicator member of the application device according to the invention also enables better endurance in use without needing to reload the application device repeatedly by dipping it into the product reservoir.

According to one advantageous aspect of the invention, the separation/combing elements are aligned along a first plurality of rows, the through openings being aligned along a second plurality of rows, said rows in the first plurality and said rows in the second plurality being distributed around the longitudinal X axis, each row extending along a generating line of the sleeve.

The presence of rows of combing/separation elements and rows of through openings optimizes application of the cosmetic product onto the keratin fibers by improving the capacity of the applicator member so that it can hold more cosmetic product and improving the separation/combing performances of keratin fibers.

Depending on the variant, the applicator member comprises at least one first series of rows of separation/combing elements along which the separation/combing elements are separated from each other by a first constant distance di and at least one second series of rows of separation/combing elements along which the separation/combing elements are separated from each other by a second constant distance d ₂ , d ₂ being greater than di .

As a variant, the applicator member comprises rows of separation/combing elements belonging to the first series of rows, alternating with rows of separation/combing elements belonging to the second series of rows.

As a variant, the separation/combing elements of a row belonging to the second series of rows are staggered from the separation/combing elements of the adjacent row belonging to the first series of rows.

As a variant, at least one row of separation/combing elements and one row of through openings extend along the same generating line of the sleeve, so as to have separation/combing elements alternating with through openings along said generating line.

The arrangement of the separation/combing elements, particularly staggered, creates a tortuous path, a baffle for the keratin fibers, making it easier to load the cosmetic product by slowing fibers during combing/separation. The separation/combing elements guide the fiber towards a through opening so that it can pick up the cosmetic product.

According to one variant, the cross-section of the through openings is such that the largest dimension extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis.

The keratin fibers thus dip as close to the heating element as possible and become loaded with cosmetic product heated to the optimum temperature.

As a variant, the cross-section of the through openings is diamond shaped, said diamond shape having its largest diagonal extending along a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis.

The diamond shape of the through opening optimizes the number and the size of the through openings on the applicator member. It also improves the layout and the number of separation/combing elements on the applicator member. It enables improved dipping of the fiber in the cosmetic product.

Depending on the variant, the through openings have a first cylindrical projection Pi on an inner wall of the sleeve and a second cylindrical projection p ₂ on an outer wall of the sleeve , the first projection p^ having an area smaller than the area of the second projection p ₂ . As a variant, the dimension of the first projection p^ along the longitudinal X axis is a _! and the dimension along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis is b _{1 ;} and the dimension of the second projection p ₂ along the longitudinal X axis is a ₂ and the dimension along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis is b ₂ , the ratio a ₂ /ai being larger than the ratio b ₂ /bi . The through openings are flared outwards towards the outside surface of the applicator member. This facilitates loading of the cosmetic product onto the keratin fibers at the optimum temperature, the keratin fibers then easily "dipping" inside the reserves of cosmetic product formed by the through openings as close to the heating element as possible.

Another purpose of the invention is a packaging and application kit comprising:

- a reservoir of cosmetic product,

- an application device like that defined above, the applicator member being designed to be dipped into the reservoir to collect the cosmetic product.

The packaging and application kit according to the invention is particularly well adapted to a user's needs, because it includes the application device and the reservoir of cosmetic product into which the applicator member can be dipped.

Another purpose of the invention is a method for applying the cosmetic product onto a keratin fiber, particularly an eyelash, including the following steps:

- grip an application device like that defined above;

- activate the heating element,

- collect the cosmetic product in a reservoir, the cosmetic product accumulating inside the through openings,

- apply a rotation movement about the longitudinal X axis of the application device and/or a translation movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis,

- pass a keratin fiber in a through opening and load the cosmetic product onto the keratin fiber,

- comb and pull the keratin fiber along a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis using the separation/combing elements on each side of the through opening.

The invention will be easier to understand after reading the following description, provided solely as a non-limitative example and with reference to the appended drawings, on which:

Figure 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of an application device according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view on a vertical median plane of the application device according to the invention,

Figures 3 and 4 are lateral views of the applicator member of the application device in Figure 1 .

- Figure 5 is a longitudinal view on plane V in Figure 3; Figures 6 and 7 are views of the front end and the back end respectively of the applicator member in Figure 3, and

Figure 8 is a diagrammatic cross-section on plane VIII of the applicator member in Figure 3,

Figures 1 to 8 show a partial view of an application device 10 according to the invention. The application device 10 will be combined with a reservoir 1 1 of cosmetic product to form a packaging and application kit.

The application device 10 is designed to apply a cosmetic product, in particular a cosmetic makeup and/or care product and especially a mascara, on the keratin fibers of a user, in particular the eyelashes or the eyebrows.

The application device 10 comprises an applicator member 12. It also comprises a heating support 14 on which the applicator member 12 is assembled either permanently or removably.

The heating support 14 has an elongated shape, extending substantially along a first longitudinal X axis. The heating support 14 in particular comprises a gripping member 18 in the form of a sleeve arranged along the longitudinal X axis. The heating support 14 also comprises a heating element 20, capable of heating the cosmetic product and/or the keratin fibers of the user, in particular the eyelashes or the eyebrows.

The gripping element 18 comprises a proximal portion (not shown) and an adjacent distal portion 22, along the longitudinal X axis. Opposite the proximal portion, the distal portion 22 comprises a distal end 24. Said distal end 24 comprises a mechanism for assembly of the applicator member 12.

The distal portion 22 of the gripping element 18 is formed in a single piece, and in particular is made from a thermoplastic material. The distal portion 22 has a shape of revolution about the longitudinal X axis. An inner wall of the distal portion 22 has a cylindrical shape, defining a tubular cavity 26 that passes through said distal portion 22 along the longitudinal X axis.

An outer wall of the distal portion 22 comprises a shoulder 28 axially delimiting the distal end 24. The outside diameter of said distal end 24 is less than the outer diameter of the rest of the distal portion 22.

As described below, the applicator member 12 can be press fitted onto the distal end 24, abutting axially against the shoulder 28.

The heating element 20 comprises a tubular metal sheath 38, substantially cylindrical in shape, preferentially cylindrical of revolution. The tubular metal sheath 38 is for example made from stainless steel, in particular from 316 stainless steel. For example, the outside diameter of the sheath 38 is about 2 mm and its axial length is about 40 mm. In this case the sheath 38 extends along the first longitudinal X axis

The tubular metal sheath 38 comprises a proximal portion 42 and a distal portion 44, adjacent along the longitudinal X axis. The proximal portion 42 is arranged inside the gripping element 18 and the distal portion 44 forms an axial protrusion with respect to the distal end 24 of the gripping device 18.

A proximal end 46 of the tubular sheath 38 is open. A distal end 48 of said sheath 38 is preferably closed. The sheath 38 is in particular manufactured using a deep drawing method or is made from an open tube provided with a shutter at its distal end 48. Alternatively, the distal end is open.

In this example, the proximal portion 42 of the sheath 38 is inserted into the distal portion 22 of the handle18. The tubular cavity 26 of the distal portion 22 prolongs the tube formed by the sheath 38, along the longitudinal X axis.

The heating element 20 also comprises a resistive assembly 50 as can be seen on Figure 1 .

The resistive unit 50 comprises a rod 52, that can be inserted into the tubular metal sheath 38. Preferably, the rod 52 is made from an electrically insulating material such as a plastic. Alternatively, the resistive unit 50 does not have a support 52.

The resistive unit 50 also comprises a resistive wire 54 wound around the rod 52. The resistive wire 54 is for example made of Nichrome with a diameter of 0.14 mm.

Preferably, the resistive wire 54 is wound around an entire length of the rod 52. Advantageously, the resistive wire 54 is wound in the form of a double helix around the rod 52, in such a way that two ends 56 of said wire extend into the gripping element 18 from a proximal end 58 of the rod 52.

The rod 52 is inserted into the tubular metal sheath 38, in such a way that the resistive wire 54 is in thermal contact with an inner wall of said sheath. Preferably, the wire 54 is glued to the inner wall of the sheath 38, using a glue that allows for good thermal conduction between said wire 54 and the sheath 38.

The resistive unit 50 also comprises a temperature sensor 60, arranged on the rod 52 and a thermal contact with the inner wall of the sheath. The sensor 60 is for example an NTC thermistor.

The heating element 20 also comprises a source of electrical energy (not shown), housed in the proximal portion of the gripping element 18. The ends 56 of the resistive wire 54 extend into the tubular cavity 26 of the gripping element 18 and are connected to said electrical energy source, which thus supplies energy to the wire 54. Advantageously, the energy source is connected to a switch located on the surface of the proximal portion of the gripping device 18.

Preferably, the heating element 20 also comprises an electronic regulation device (not shown), housed in the proximal portion of the gripping device 18. Such an electronic device comprises for example an electronic board to which the temperature sensor 60 is connected. Such an electronic device makes it possible in particular to limit the temperature measured by the sensor 60 to a determined range. Such a range is for example defined between 50°C and 70°C. The risks of burns of a user are thus limited.

The applicator member 12 is illustrated in more detail on Figures 3 to 7.

Advantageously, the applicator member 12 is formed in a single piece. It is made from a thermoplastic or metallic material. For example, the applicator member 12 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 applicator member 12 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 135 applied on the heating element 20 and a plurality of separation/combing elements 137 projecting laterally from the sleeve 135. The sleeve 135 defines a plurality of through openings 139 in said sleeve 135, that will bring the cosmetic product into contact with the heating element 20.

As can be seen on Figures 1 and 2, the sleeve 135 defines an elongated internal cavity 143. The internal cavity 143 has an open proximal end 145 (Figure 7) and a closed distal end 147 (Figure 6). At the proximal end 145, the shape of the internal cavity 143 is complementary to the distal end 24 of the gripping device 18.

The sleeve 135 comprises a proximal assembly portion 150A on the distal portion 22 of the gripping element 18, a rounded distal portion 150B and an intermediate portion 150C located between the proximal portion 150A and the distal portion 150B.

The proximal assembly portion 150A in this case is tubular around the longitudinal X axis. It advantageously comprises an attachment element 149 to the assembly mechanism supported on the distal portion 22 of the gripping element 18. In this example, the assembly mechanism comprises an annular protrusion (not shown) and the attachment element 149 is composed of a circumferential groove into which the annular protrusion fits.

The through openings 139 are distributed circumferentially around the longitudinal

X axis. Thus, for any axial plane passing through the longitudinal X axis, the applicator member 12 defines at least one first through opening 139 of a first side of the axial plane, and defines at least one second through opening 139 of a second side of the axial plane.

The through openings 139 form cosmetic product traps into which the keratin fibers will dip during application. The keratin fibers pick up cosmetic product heated to the optimum usage temperature by the heating element 20 dipping into the through openings as close to the heating element as possible.

As can be seen on Figures 3 to 5, the through openings 139 are aligned in a plurality of rows 149 distributed circumferentially around the longitudinal X axis. Each row 149 extends along a generating line of the sleeve 135.

In the embodiment shown on Figures 3 to 5, the through openings 139 are aligned in a number of rows 149 equal to between four and twelve, for example six. The number of through openings 139 per row 149 is between five and fifteen, for example three rows 149 comprise nine through openings 139 and three rows 149 comprise eight through openings 139.

For example, the through openings 139 may be spaced at a constant pitch p along a row 149. The pitch p is advantageously identical in each of the rows 149. For example, the through openings 139 are spaced at a pitch of between 0.8 mm and 1 .2 mm, typically 1 mm.

In this example, the through openings 139 of each row 149 are offset in the longitudinal direction from the through openings 139 of the adjacent rows 149. The through openings 139 are thus staggered from one row 149 to the next.

This particular arrangement prevents one keratin fiber form passing directly from one through opening 139 to the next during application of the cosmetic product, particularly during rotation of the application device 10 relative to the keratin fibers.

Advantageously, the cross-section of the through openings 139 is such that the largest dimension extends along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis.

In the example shown in Figure 3, the cross-section of the through openings 139 is in the shape of a diamond.

Thus, the diamond shape optimizes the number and the size of through openings 139 on the applicator member 12. This increases the load of cosmetic product on the applicator member 12.

As a variant, the cross-section of the through openings 139 is an arbitrary polygon such as a square or a rectangle. As another variant, the cross-section of the through openings 139 is circular or elliptical in shape and comprises at least one circular, elliptical or curved portion. In the example illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, the diamond-shaped section of the through opening 139 has its largest diagonal extending approximately along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis.

As a result of this characteristic, keratin fibers can dip into the through openings 139 while remaining very close to the heating element 20 and thus pick up cosmetic product heated to the optimum temperature.

Advantageously, the through openings 139 have a first cylindrical projection p-i on an internal surface of the sleeve 135 that can be seen on Figure 5, the area of which is less than the area of a second cylindrical projection p ₂ on the external surface of the sleeve 135 that can be seen on Figure 4.

The edges 151 of the through openings 139 are thus chamfered so that the through openings 139 are flared outwards from the internal surface to the external surface of the sleeve 135.

Advantageously, the dimensions of the first cylindrical projection and the second cylindrical projection p ₂ along the longitudinal X axis are a _! and a ₂ respectively, and along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis are and b ₂ respectively, such that the a ₂ /ai ratio is more than the b ₂ /bi ratio. As can be seen on Figure 2, the chamfer on the large diagonal of the diamond is longer than the chamfer on the small diagonal of the diamond. Thus, the through opening 139 is more flared between the internal surface and the external surface of the sleeve 135 along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis.

The chamfer on the edges 151 of the through opening 139 facilitates picking up cosmetic product on keratin fibers very close to the heating element 20.

The separation/combing elements 137 are circumferentially distributed around the longitudinal X axis. Thus, for any axial plane passing through the longitudinal X axis, the applicator member 12 comprises at least one first separation/combing element 137 on a first side of the axial plane, and comprises at least one second separation/combing element 137 on a second side of the axial plane.

The separation/combing elements 137 are aligned along a plurality of rows 153, 155 distributed circumferentially around the longitudinal X axis. Each row 153, 155 of separation/combing elements 137 extends along a generating line of the sleeve 135. The application device 10 according to the invention comprises a number of rows 153, 155 equal to between eight and eighteen, for example twelve.

The separation/combing elements 137 may for example be formed from pins projecting outwards from the sleeve 135. Each of these pins is tapered towards a free end. The length of the separation/combing elements 137 may for example be between 1 mm and 5 mm, typically 3 mm.

The applicator member 12 comprises at least a first plurality of rows 153 of separation/combing elements 137 along which the separation/combing elements 137 are at a spacing from each other equal to a first constant distance di . The applicator member 12 also comprises a second plurality of rows 155 of separation/combing elements 137 along which the separation/combing elements 137 are at a spacing from each other equal to a second constant distance d ₂ . According to the invention, the distance d ₂ is greater Thus, the density of the separation/combing elements 137 in rows 153 is higher than it is in rows 155.

In the embodiment described, the application device 10 comprises between four and ten rows 153, for example six rows 153 for which the separation/combing elements

137 are spaced at a distance equal to between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, for example 0.5 mm.

The application device 10 comprises between four and ten rows 155, for example six rows 155 for which the separation/combing elements 137 are spaced at a distance d ₂ equal to between 0.2 mm and 2 mm, for example 0.5 mm.

As can be seen on Figures 3 and 4, the applicator member 12 comprises rows 153 of separation/combing elements 137 in the first plurality of rows 153 alternating with rows 155 of separation/combing elements 137 in the second plurality of rows 155. Preferably, the separation/combing elements 137 in one row 155 are staggered in relation to the separation/combing elements 137 in the adjacent row 153.

Advantageously, the rows 155 of separation/combing elements 137 and the rows

149 of through openings 139 extend along the same generating line of the sleeve 135, so as to have separation/combing elements 137 alternating with through openings 139 along said generating line.

As can be seen on Figure 3, each combing/separation element 137 in a row 155 is placed axially facing a through opening 139 of an adjacent row 149. Advantageously, the combing/separation element 137 is axially located in the middle of the through opening 139.

At least two successive separation/combing elements 137 in one row 153 are axially located facing a through opening 139 on each side of the through opening 139, defining a guiding interstice 156 towards the opening 139. Advantageously, a combing/separation element 137 in one row 155 is placed facing the interstice 156. Thus, the combing/separation elements 137 are distributed on the sleeve 135 along two spirals with opposite pitches, interlacing the transverse openings 139. The separation/combing elements are at uniform spacings along a spiral.

This particular implantation of separation/combing elements 137 forms successive baffles around which the keratin fibers pass during application. The keratin fibers thus become curved to pass between the separation/combing elements 137. The keratin fibers are also slowed by the separation/combing elements 137 so that that they pick up cosmetic product as they dip into the through openings 139 containing the cosmetic product at optimum temperature.

The manner of operation of a packaging and application kit making use of an application device 10 according to the invention will now be described with reference to Figures 3 and 7.

In a first step, the user picks up an application device 10 according to the invention, as described above. More specifically, the user grips the gripping device 18 of the application device 10 fixed onto the reservoir 1 1 with the applicator member 1 1 dipping into the cosmetic product. She or he activates the switch on the surface of the gripping device 18. The electrical energy source then powers the heating element 20, under the control of the electronic regulation device, to heat the heating element 20 to a temperature between 50°C and 70°C.

The user then dips the applicator member 12 into the reservoir 1 1 of cosmetic product. The cosmetic product spreading into the through openings 139 of the applicator member 12 is then heated in contact with the heating element 2 to the required temperature, between 50°C and 70°C.

The user then extracts the application device 10 from the reservoir 1 1 and rotates and/or translates the application device at the keratin fibers.

As a variant, the heating element 20 is not supplied with electrical energy until after the application device 10 has been extracted from the reservoir 1 1 , with the cosmetic product in place on the applicator member 10, in particular in the through openings 139, especially to avoid subjecting the cosmetic product contained in the reservoir 1 1 to a superfluous heating/cooling cycle.

As illustrated on Figures 3 and 8, the keratin fiber 157 is guided by two separation/combing elements 137 in a row 153 towards the large diagonal of a through opening 139 to pick up cosmetic product at optimum temperature.

The keratin fiber 157 is then combed and pulled along a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis passing between two separation/combing elements 137 in an adjacent row 153 and passing around a separation/combing element 137 in a row 155.

The application process can be repeated successively by the user. The user can reload cosmetic product onto the application device 10 between each repetition or after several repetitions of the process, by dipping it into the product reservoir.

Thus, the application device 10 according to the invention has the advantage of having an easy-to-use applicator member 12. The cosmetic product can be applied without needing to look for a particular angular position of the applicator member 12 relative to the keratin fibers. The applicator member 12 also reloads the cosmetic product more efficiently. The endurance of the application device 10 is thus improved and the user does not need to reload cosmetic product onto the application device frequently.

Furthermore, in order to apply the cosmetic product at a temperature as close as possible to the temperature of the heating element 20, the applicator member 12 of the application device 10 according to the invention has through openings 139 distributed around the entire periphery of the applicator member 12. The large number and the special shape of the through openings 139 allow the keratin fibers to dip as deeply as possible, into the through opening 139, as close to the heating element 20 as possible along the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal X axis to pick up cosmetic product onto the fibers as efficiently as possible.

The layout of the separation/combing elements 137 relative to the through openings 139 enables optimum separation, combing and pulling of the keratin fibers.