FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an applicator assembly comprising at least two applicator elements and an associated applicator.

More particularly, the invention relates to a retractable dual cosmetic product applicator for use with, in particular, mascara.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Mascara applicators typically comprise a central stem having a handle on one end and brush bristles on the other. The handle is typically threadably secured to a container holding mascara cosmetic product, with the stem and the bristles being accommodated within the mascara cosmetic product. When needed, the handle is removed from the container, thereby removing the bristles loaded with mascara. The bristles may then be used to apply the loaded mascara to a person's lashes to achieve a volumizing effect. In certain instances, however, a user may wish to utilize a second brush, which does not contain mascara to complete the make-up effect initiated by the mascara-loaded bristles by, for example, separating the lashes. At present, a separate brush would be used to achieve this, which is cumbersome. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a retractable dual cosmetic product applicator with at least two applicator element types, the at least two applicator element types allowing a user to achieve a variety of make-up effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To that purpose, the invention proposes an applicator arrangement for a cosmetic product, comprising:

- a stem;

- first and second applicator elements, fitted to the stem; and

- a sleeve adapted to accommodates the stem, the sleeve being movable with respect to the stem between a first position, in which the second applicator element is shielded by the sleeve, and a second position, in which the second applicator element is revealed so that both the first applicator element and the second applicator element are accessible.

Preferred but non-limiting embodiments of the applicator arrangement of the invention are the following:

- it further comprises a handle fitted to the sleeve so that the sleeve and handle are movable with respect to the stem, and that pulling the handle reveals the second applicator element;

- the stem includes a first end that terminates in an abutment tip element;

- the sleeve is adapted to abut against the abutment tip element in the first position; - the first applicator element comprising an application surface and the second applicator element comprising a comb that is shielded by the sleeve in the second position;

- the application surface is constituted by an external surface of an end of the stem and the comb is made of plastic material;

- the sleeve comprises a cut-out which is in register with the first applicator element when the sleeve is in the first position so as to reveal the first applicator element; and

- it further comprises a stopper formation adapted to limit the movement of the sleeve along the stem.

In accordance with a second aspect, the invention also proposes an applicator for a cosmetic product, comprising:

- a container for storing the cosmetic product, and

- an applicator arrangement in accordance with the invention, wherein the applicator arrangement) is removably secured to the container so that :

- when the applicator arrangement is secured to the container, the sleeve is in the first position wherein the first applicator element extends into the container so as to be exposed to, and thereby receive, cosmetic product and the second applicator element is shielded from the cosmetic product, and

- when the applicator arrangement is removed from the container, the sleeve is in the second position, so that the second applicator element is revealed and both the first applicator element and the second applicator element are accessible.

Preferred but non-limiting embodiments of the applicator of the invention are the following: - the container further comprises an opening and a wiper element secured to the opening, adapted to slidingly accommodate the sleeve;

- the wiper element comprises a first end secured to the opening and a second end, opposed to the first end, and adapted to scrape excess cosmetic product from the sleeve and the first applicator element as they slide past the second end of the wiper element;

- the second end of the wiper element is tapered;

- the stem of the applicator arrangement includes a first end that terminates in an abutment tip element,

- the wiper element further comprises an inner protrusion adapted to cooperate with the abutment tip element as the applicator arrangement is being removed from the container in order for the sleeve to pass from the first position to the second position; and

- the applicator arrangement further comprises a handle fitted to the sleeve so that the sleeve and handle are movable with respect to the stem, and wherein the handle and the container include formations adapted to prevent the handle from rotating about the container when the application arrangement is secured to the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figures 1 and 2 show cross-sectional front and side views of a container and applicator arrangement for a cosmetic product, according to an example embodiment, the applicator arrangement being shown fully inserted into the container so that a first applicator element is exposed to cosmetic product housed within the container;

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the area demarcated by numeral "1" in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 shows a part cross-sectional, perspective view of the container and applicator arrangement shown in Figures 1 to 3;

Figures 5 and 6 show cross-sectional front and side views of the container and applicator arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, the applicator arrangement being shown in a first semi-removed configuration in which an abutment element at the end of a stem from which the first applicator element extends temporarily engages a wiper element;

Figure 7 shows a detailed view of the area demarcated by numeral "5" in Figure 5;

Figure 8 shows a part cross-sectional, perspective view of the container and applicator arrangement shown in Figures 5 to 7;

Figures 9 and 10 show cross-sectional front and side views of the container and applicator arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, the applicator arrangement being shown in a second semi-removed configuration in which a sleeve is moved with respect to the stem so as to reveal a second applicator element;

Figure 11 shows a detailed view of the area demarcated by numeral "9" in Figure 9;

Figure 12 shows a part cross-sectional, perspective view of the container and applicator arrangement shown in Figures 9 to 11 ;

Figures 13 and 14 show cross-sectional front and side views of the container and applicator arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 2, the applicator arrangement being shown fully removed from the container;

Figure 15 shows a detailed view of the area demarcated by numeral "13" in Figure 13;

Figure 16 shows a part cross-sectional, perspective view of the container and applicator arrangement after the applicator arrangement has been fully removed from the container; and Figures 17 and 18 show external front and side views of the container and applicator arrangement after the applicator arrangement has been fully removed from the container;

Figure 19 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the wiper element;

Figure 20a shows a perspective view of a stem in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figures 20b to 20c show perspective views of a detail of the stem of Figure 20a;

Figure 20d shows a bottom view of a stem in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 21a shows a perspective view of a detail of an embodiment of the sleeve;

Figure 21b shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the sleeve; and

Figure 22a and 22b show perspective views of details of an embodiment of the applicator arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The applicator 10

Referring to the figures, a dual applicator 10 for a cosmetic product 12 is disclosed. The applicator 10 comprises a container 14 for storing the cosmetic product 12. The container 14 defines an opening 16 (as best shown in Figures 13, 14, and 15 to 18), which is closed by a handle 34.

The applicator 10 further comprises an applicator arrangement 18 removably secured to the container 14, which in turn includes a stem 20 having a first end 22 and a pair of opposed applicator elements 24, 26 fitted to its first end 22 and a hollow sleeve 32 to slidingly accommodate the stem 20.

The sleeve 32

The handle 34 is fitted to the sleeve 32, for example by snap fit or casting, so that the sleeve 32 is fixed to and jointly moves with the handle 34.

The stem 20 is movable with respect to the sleeve 32.

In particular, the sleeve 32 is movable with respect to the stem 20 between a first position and a second position. Viewed from the applicator arrangement 18, the stem 20 is actually movable along the sleeve 32 and the handle 34.

In the first position, as best shown in Figures 1 , 3 and 4, the applicator arrangement 18 is secured to the container 14 and the first applicator element 24 is exposed to the cosmetic product 12 within the container 14 so as to receive the cosmetic product 12 when the applicator arrangement 18 is inserted into the container 14. In that position, the second applicator element 26 is shielded from the cosmetic product 12 by the sleeve 32 so as to prevent contact between the second applicator element 26 and the cosmetic product 12 stored into the container 14.

In the second position, as best shown in Figures 13, 15 and 16, the applicator arrangement 18 is removed from the container 14, and the stem 20 moved along the sleeve 32 (for example by pulling on the end 22 of the stem 20) so that the second applicator element 26 is revealed. The both applicators 24, 26 are thus now accessible and ready for use.

The sleeve 32 can comprise guiding ribs 33 adapted to cooperate with corresponding guiding grooves 23 of the stem 20 (or vice versa) in order to longitudinally guide the sleeve 32 along the stem 20 during its movement of the sleeve 32 with respect to the stem 20. In accordance with an embodiment, since the applicator elements 24, 26 are fitted on opposite sides of the first end 22 of the stem 20, the sleeve 32 comprises a cut-out 36, arranged in register with the first applicator element 24 when the sleeve 32 is in the first position, so as to expose the first applicator element 24 to the cosmetic product 12 through the cut-out 36 when the applicator arrangement 18 is coupled to the container 14 and allow its loading with the cosmetic product 12.

The stem 20

As aforementioned, the end 22 of the stem 20 comprises a pair of opposing applicator elements 24, 26.

In accordance with a first embodiment illustrated in figures, a first 24 of the pair of applicator elements comprises a product application means 28,29, while a second 26 of the pair of applicator elements comprises a comb 30, which can be made of fibers and/or plastic material.

Preferably, the comb is in plastic material.

The product application means 28,29 can be a bristle brush, and is generally used for a volumizing effect. It can be made of fibers and/or plastic material, but preferably of fibers.

Alternatively, in accordance with a second embodiment illustrated in figures 20a to 20d and 22a, the product application means is merely constituted by the surface 29 of the end 22 of the stem 20. As a consequence, when applicator 10 is closed, the stem 20 extends inside the container 14 and is plunged into the cosmetic product 12, while when extracted from the container 14, the application surface 29 of the stem 22 is loaded with cosmetic product 12 and can be used as if it was a conventional bristle brush.

Surprisingly, the Applicant observed that the use of an application surface 29 instead of the conventional bristle brush followed by the carding with the comb 30 provided excellent results in terms of separation of the lashes and uniformity of application.

The application surface 29 can be flat, curved in order to be capable of loading more cosmetic product 12, or have any shape adapted to better apply the cosmetic product onto the lashes. Furthermore, it can be constituted by the stem 20 as such or be coated with a material adapted to enhance the loading of cosmetic product or facilitate its application on the lashes.

The two applicator elements 24, 26 can thus provide two different makeup effects. In particular, the comb 30, because it is shielded within the container 14, does not come in contact with the cosmetic product 12. The comb 30 is used at application time to separate the lashes. The product application means 28,29 are, in both embodiments, in contact with the cosmetic product 12 so as to be loaded with the product 12 and are used at application time to apply product 12 onto the lashes.

In addition, the stem 20 can comprise a notch 37 extending from the first applicator arrangement 24, and adapted to facilitate the application of cosmetic product 12 with the first applicator arrangement 24 by a user. Besides, the stem 20 can further comprise a gasket seal 22a that extends transversally to a main axis of the stem 20 and is adapted to seal the chamber 22b formed by the sleeve 32 and the stem 22 when the sleeve 32 is in the first position and shields the second applicator element 28.

The gasket seal 22a can be, for example, a rigid tongue whose shape and material is adapted to seal the chamber 22b.

In the illustrated figures, the gasket seal 22a is integral with the stem 22, and its shape corresponds to the shape of the opening of the chamber 22b. In an embodiment, the stem 20 terminates in an abutment tip element 40 adapted to engage an element of the container 14 in order to prevent the stem 20 from sliding with respect to the sleeve 32. The abutment tip element 40 can be constituted by lateral lugs 40a, 40b, a continuous ring extending around the end 22 of the stem 20, or any other protrusion adapted to engage a corresponding element of the container 14.

Then, when the sleeve 32 is in the first position, it can abut against the abutment tip element 40 and the gasket seal 22a (see figure 22b). Therefore, when the sleeve 32 is in its second position and the applicator arrangement 18 is pushed inside the container 14 in order to completely close the applicator 10, the sleeve 32 pushes on the stem 20 via the abutment tip element 40 and the gasket seal 22a. Additional features include a stopper formation defined within the handle

34 so as to limit the extent of travel of the sleeve 32 along the stem 20. For example, as illustrated in Figures 20a, 20c, 20d and 21 a, the stopper formation can comprise a hook 48 fitted to the second end 21 of the stem 20, and adapted to cooperate with an insert 49 located in the sleeve 32. For example, the insert 49 can be constituted by a solid element, which can be integral with the sleeve 32. The solid element 49 can further comprise a slope or a cavity in order to improve the cooperation of the hook 48 with the insert 49.

The container 14

The container comprises a storing part connected to a neck 46 forming its opening 16.

In the accompanying drawings, the storing part of the container 14 is ellipticaliy-shaped, and comprises two identical curved shelves 14a, 14b fitted together along their edges. The curved shelves 14a, 14b can be made of one single piece of material.

The neck 46 is then fitted to the shelves 14a, 14b by any conventional means, such as laser beam welding or ultrasonic welding.

The container 14 further comprises a wiper element 38, which is inserted in the opening 16 (see Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 13 and 14) and is adapted to slidingly accommodates the applicator arrangement 18 when the applicator arrangement is coupled to the container 14.

A first end 38a of the wiper element 38 is secured to the opening 16 of the container, while a second end 38b of the wiper element 18 extends towards the cosmetic product 12.

The second end 38b of the wiper element 38 is adapted to scrape excess cosmetic product 12 from the sleeve 32 and the first applicator element 28 as they slide past this end 38b of the wiper element 38. To that purpose, in the illustrated embodiments, the second end 38b of the wiper element 38 is tapered.

The wiper element 38 can be cast directly on the neck 46 of the container 14 or fixed to it.

As shown in Figures 5 to 12, the wiper element 38 further comprises an inner protrusion 38c, which is adapted to cooperate with the abutment tip element 40 and be temporarily engaged when the applicator arrangement 18 is extracted from the container 14.

To that purpose, the inner protrusion 38c may comprise for example one or several protrusions, an annular rib, and so on. In the figures, the inner protrusion 38c comprises two opposing protrusions 38c which are associated with lateral lugs 40a, 40b of the abutment tip element 40.

Operation of the applicator 10 In accordance with the invention, by pulling the handle 34 in one movement, the second applicator element 26 will automatically be revealed after the applicator arrangement 18 has been removed from the container 14.

In figures 1 to 4, the applicator 10 is closed. The sleeve 32 is therefore in its first position and shields the second applicator element 28. Then, in one gesture, the mere pulling of the handle 34 sequentially causes:

1. the applicator arrangement 18 to slide through the opening 16 of the container 14 (Figures 5 to 8),

2. the sleeve 32 to slide along the stem 20, which is retained by the wiper element 38 (Figure 9 to 12), and

3. the stem 20 to slide through the opening 16 of the container 14.

During opening of the applicator 10, the applicator arrangement is removed from the container 14, and the stem 20 and the sleeve 32 slide together along the wiper element 38. When the abutment tip element 40 contacts the inner protrusion 38c of the wiper element 38, the inner protrusion 38c then temporarily blocks the abutment tip element 40 (and thus the stem 20) in position but not the sleeve 32, which is slidingly mounted to the stem 20.

In Figures 5 to 8, the applicator arrangement 18 is shown in this configuration, wherein it is partly removed.

By further extracting the applicator element 18 from the container 14, the sleeve 32 is progressively extracted from the container 14 and moves from the first position to the second position, thereby progressively revealing the second applicator element 26.

In Figures 9 to 12, the sleeve 32 is shown retracted away from stem 20, and reveals the second applicator element 26.

Finally, when the sleeve 32 reaches its second position, the stopper formation 48, 49 prevents any additional translation of the sleeve 32 along the stem 20. By further pulling on the handle 34, the abutment tip element 40 disengages from the wiper element 38, so that the stem 20 can be extracted from the container 14.

In that configuration, illustrated in figures 15 to 18, the applicator arrangement 18 is thus separated from the container 14, and both of the applicator elements 24 and 26 are accessible.

In accordance with an embodiment, the abutment tip element 40 is made of a material such that it may be squeezed by the inner protrusion 38c through the wiper element 38 to enable the stem 20 to be completely extracted from the container 14 when the sleeve 32 reaches its second position.

However, in a preferred embodiment, at least the inner protrusion 38c of the wiper element 38 is made of deformable material, such as silicon, so that it is the inner protrusion 38c which is squeezed by the abutment tip element 40 when the sleeve 32 reaches it second position. In that case, the abutment tip element 40 can be either deformable or rigid.

When refitting the applicator arrangement 18 to the container 14, the process described above is simply reversed.

The first end 22 of the stem 20 is inserted into the container 14 through the opening 16 until the abutment tip element 40 contacts the inner protrusion 38c of the wiper element 38 so that the stem 20 is blocked in position with respect to the container. The applicator element 18 is then in the configurations shown in Figures 9 to 12.

By further pushing on the applicator arrangement 18 inside the container 14, the sleeve 32 then slides along the stem 20, thereby progressively covering the second applicator element 26 until said applicator element 26 is completely shielded. The applicator element 18 is then in the configuration shown in Figures 5 to 8. The abutment tip element 40 and/or the inner protrusion 38c (depending on the embodiment) may then be squeezed by pushing on the applicator arrangement 18 to completely close the applicator 10.

In addition, the dimensions and the constitutive materials of the stem 20 and the sleeve 32 are chosen so that the second applicator element 26 is only revealed when the applicator arrangement 18 is removed from the container 14.

Conversely, when the sleeve 32 is in the second position, the second applicator element 26 cannot be shielded under the weight of the stem 20 by merely reverting the applicator arrangement 18 upside down: an external force, preferably by pushing the abutment tip element 40 against the wiper element 38, is necessary.

In that purpose, the stem 20 can further comprise a retaining member 25, such as a packing seal made of a deformable material. The packing seal 25 is then adapted to prevent the stem 20 from shielding by sliding back inside the sleeve 32, as well as stabilizing the stem in use when the sleeve 32 is in the second position.

In the enclosed drawings, the packing seal 25 is ring-shaped and completely surrounds the stem 20 in order to uniformly stabilize the stem 20 with respect to the sleeve 32. It is located on the stem so that, when the sleeve 32 reaches its second position, it is adjacent to the end of the sleeve 32 (see figure 22a). However, this embodiment is not limitative: the packing seal 25 could also be located anywhere along the stem 20 or be discontinuous, as long as it remains in contact with the sleeve 32 when the sleeve 32 reaches the second position and resists to a fortuitous movements of the sleeve 32 relative to the stem 20. For example, the packing seal could consist of ribs made of a deformable material that extend longitudinally along the stem 20. Preferably, the shapes and the respective materials of the inner protrusion 38c, the packing seal 25 and the stopper formation 48, 49 are chosen so that:

- during the extraction or the insertion of the applicator arrangement 18, when the abutment tip element 40 contacts the inner protrusion 38c, the force applied by the packing seal 25 on the abutment tip element 40 is stronger than the resistance implied by the packing seal 25 between the stem 20 and the sleeve 32; and

- when the sleeve 32 is in the second position, the force applied by the stopper formation 48, 49 is stronger than the deformation resistance of the wiper element 38 and the abutment tip element 40, so that one of the wiper element and the abutment tip element squeezes in order to allow the extraction of the stem 20 from the wiper element 38. Preferably, in order to protect the applicator arrangement 18 and the wiper element 38 from deteriorations, the applicator 10 comprises means adapted to prevent rotation of the applicator arrangement 18 about the container

14, and incite the user to open the applicator by merely pulling on the handle 34.

Figures 6, 10, 14, 17 and 18 show exemplary embodiments wherein the handle 34 and the container 14 have complementary formations 42, 44 respectively, so that the applicator arrangement 18 is secured to a neck 46 of the container 14 using a releasable snap fit arrangement.

In addition, any non-circular shape of the neck 46 and/or the container 14 and the handle 34 can prevent the user from opening the applicator 10 by rotating the handle 34 with respect to the container 14, such as the elliptical shape of the applicator which is illustrated in the drawings.

Besides, the neck 46 can also comprise a shoulder (not shown in the figures) adapted to further prevent rotation of applicator arrangement 18 about the container 14. The present invention thus provides a unitary dual cosmetic product applicator with at least two applicator element types, one of which carries cosmetic product and another one of which does not contact the cosmetic product, the at least two applicator element types allowing a user to achieve a variety of make-up effects.