WO2021078779A1

WO2021078779A1 - Cosmetic product applicator and associated conditioning and application device

Info

Publication number: WO2021078779A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/079585
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ludovic Calas; Marcel Sanchez
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2019-10-23
Filing date: 2020-10-21
Publication date: 2021-04-29
Also published as: FR3102350B1; FR3102350A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator (16), comprising: - a rod (45), extending substantially along a main axis (32); and - an application head (80), integral with an axial end (54) of the rod; the application head comprising: - an inner core (46), formed integrally with the rod; and - an outer tip (42), overmolded on the inner core. The outer tip of the application head covers the inner core entirely; and the inner core and the outer tip are respectively formed from a first (43) and a second (44) separate materials, a transmittance of the second material being strictly greater than a transmittance of the first material over the entire visible light spectrum.

Description

TITLE: Cosmetic product applicator and associated conditioning and application device

The present invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator, of the type comprising: a rod, extending substantially along a main axis; and an application head, integral with an axial end of the rod; the application head comprising: an inner core, formed integrally with the rod; and an outer tip, overmolded on the inner core.

Such an applicator, as described for example in the document FR3026281 , is particularly intended for applying the cosmetic product on a keratinous surface of a user, such as the lips, skin, or nails. The cosmetic product is for example a care product.

More generally, "cosmetic product" means a product as defined in EC Regulation no. 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of November 30, 2009, relating to cosmetic products.

The aim of the present invention is that of proposing an applicator suitable for readily embodying alternative presentations of a conditioning device comprising such an applicator.

For this purpose, the invention relates to an applicator of the aforementioned type, wherein: the outer tip of the application head covers the inner core entirely; and the inner core and the outer tip are respectively formed from a first and a second separate materials; a transmittance of the second material being strictly greater than a transmittance of the first material over the entire visible light spectrum.

"Transmittance" of a material means a fraction of light flux passing through the material with respect to an incident light flux. "Light flux" means a visible light flux. The transmittance corresponds to the transparency of the material.

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

- the inner core includes a first portion having a first maximum radial dimension; and the inner core further comprises a second portion, axially adjacent to the first portion opposite the rod, said second portion having a second maximum radial dimension, greater than the first maximum radial dimension;

- the inner core further includes an end portion forming an end of said core, opposite the rod; - the second portion of the inner core has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a front face, opposite the first portion; and the inner core further includes at least one truncated stud connecting the end portion and said front face, a base of said truncated stud being adjacent to said front face;

- the axial end of the rod has at least one notch extending axially, the outer tip being overmolded on said notch;

- the first material is chosen from thermoplastic elastomers, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyolefins;

- the second material is chosen from silicone and the derivatives thereof and thermoplastic elastomers.

The invention further relates to a device for conditioning and applying a fluid cosmetic product, comprising: a reservoir, an applicator as described above and a gripping member assembled with the rod opposite the application head, the device comprising means for the removable assembly of the reservoir and the gripping member, such that in an assembled configuration, the applicator is received inside the reservoir.

"Fluid" particularly means a cosmetic product that is liquid or viscous, or optionally in gel form.

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

- the reservoir includes an outer wall transparent or translucent to visible light;

- the reservoir contains a fluid cosmetic product, transparent or translucent to visible light.

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

[Fig 1] figure 1 is a schematic partial cross-section view of a conditioning and application device according to an embodiment of the invention, comprising an applicator according to an embodiment of the invention;

[Fig 2] figure 2 is a side view of the applicator of figure 1 ; and

[Fig 3] figure 3 is a partial view of the applicator of figures 1 and 2.

Figure 1 shows a conditioning and application device 10 for a fluid cosmetic product. The device 10 particularly comprises a reservoir 12, a gripping member 14 and an applicator 16. The reservoir 12 comprises an outer wall 20, a neck 22 and a squeezing device 24.

The outer wall 20 defines an internal volume 26, intended to contain a dose of fluid cosmetic product 28. Preferably, the outer wall 20 is formed from a material at least partially transparent to visible light, enabling an external observer to view the internal volume 26 and the cosmetic product 28.

The neck 22 connects the internal volume 26 to the outside of the reservoir 12. The neck 22 comprises assembly means with the gripping member 14, for example a threading 30.

The squeezing device 24, for example in the form of a flexible skirt, is disposed inside the neck 22.

The gripping member 14 and the applicator 16 are integral with one another and aligned along a main axis 32.

The gripping member 14 includes means (not shown) of removable assembly with the threading 30 of the neck, between an assembled configuration (not shown) and a separated configuration seen in figure 1. In the assembled configuration, the gripping member closes the neck 22 and the applicator 16 is disposed in the internal volume 26 of the reservoir.

An end of the gripping member 14, opposite the applicator 16 includes a base surface 34, substantially planar and perpendicular to the main axis 32. Preferably, the device 10 in the assembled configuration is intended to be stored with the base surface 34 oriented downwards, the reservoir 12 being above the gripping member 14.

The applicator 16, shown on its own in figure 2, includes a main body 40 and a tip 42, integral with one another.

Preferably, the main body 40 is formed from a piece of a first material 43. Preferably, the tip 42 is formed from a piece of a second material 44, different from the first material 43. As will be described hereinafter, the tip 42 is overmolded on a part of the main body 40.

The main body 40, shown on its own in figure 3, includes a rod 45 and a core 46, adjacent along the main axis 32.

The rod 45 includes a main part 50 and an assembly part 52, adjacent along the main axis 32.

The main part 50 is substantially cylindrical and extends along the main axis 32. An end 53 of the main part 50, opposite the assembly part 52, is configured to be assembled with the gripping member 14. The assembly part 52 has a flared shape with respect to the main part 50, up to an assembly surface 54 substantially perpendicular to the main axis 32. The assembly part 52 has for example a truncated shape, the surface 54 having substantially the shape of a disc.

Hereinafter in the description, an orthonormal base (X, Y, Z) associated with the applicator 16 is considered, the main axis 32 being parallel with Z.

The assembly part 52 includes at least one notch 56 extending axially from the assembly surface 54. In the embodiment shown, the assembly part 52 includes two notches 56 symmetrical with one another with respect to a plane (X, Z) passing through the main axis 32.

Along the main axis 32, the core 46 extends from the assembly surface 54 and comprises successively: a connection portion 60; a support portion 62, a hinge portion 64 and an end portion 66.

The connection portion 60 is adjacent to the assembly surface 54 and has a first maximum dimension 70, perpendicularly to the main axis 32.

The support portion 62 is adjacent to the connection portion 60 and has a second maximum dimension 72, perpendicularly to the main axis 32. The second maximum dimension 72 is greater than the first maximum dimension 70.

In the embodiment shown, each of the connection 60 and support 72 portions has a substantially cylindrical shape of axis 32, the junction between said portions 60, 62 forming a shoulder 73.

Opposite the connection portion 60, the support portion 62 includes a front surface 74, substantially planar and perpendicular to the main axis 32.

The hinge portion 64 extends from the front surface 74. Preferably, the hinge portion 64 is formed from at least one truncated stud 76 the widest end whereof is adjacent to the front surface 74. In the embodiment shown, the hinge portion 64 comprises two substantially identical truncated studs 76 disposed side by side on the front surface 74.

The end portion 66 forms an end of the core 46 opposite the assembly surface 54. The end portion 66 is integral with the thinnest end or the or each truncated stud 76 of the hinge portion 64. The end portion 66 preferably has a decorative or ornamental shape.

The first material 43 forming the main body 40 is preferably a polymer type plastic material. More preferentially, the first material 43 is chosen from thermoplastic elastomers such as Hytrel®, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene. The tip 42 is overmolded on the core 46. More specifically, the core 46 and the assembly surface 54 described above are entirely covered with second material 44.

Furthermore, the tip 42 includes tabs 78 overmolded in the notches 56 of the rod 45.

The tip 42 and the core 46 form an application head 80 of the applicator 16. Said application head 80 has a substantially ogive-shaped outer surface. Opposite the assembly surface 54, the application head 80 includes an application zone 82, substantially planar or slightly concave and disposed obliquely with respect to the main axis 32.

The second material 44 forming the tip 42 is a flexible plastic material, of elastomer type. Furthermore, the second material 44 is transparent or translucent to visible light, such that an external observer can distinguish the core 46 inside the tip 42.

More specifically, a transmittance of the second material 44 is strictly greater than a transmittance of the first material 43 over the entire visible light spectrum.

Preferentially, the second material 44 is chosen from silicone and the derivatives thereof and thermoplastic elastomers.

Preferably, the applicator 16 is manufactured using a bi-injection method: the main body 40 is formed in a first mold (not shown) by hot injection of first material 43, followed by a cooling. Then, in a second mold (not shown), the second material 44 is overmolded on the core 46 and on the notches 56 to form the tip 42.

The applicator 16 thus obtained is then attached to the gripping member 14. The assembly thus formed is assembled with the reservoir 12 filled with fluid cosmetic product 28, to arrive at the conditioning and application device 10 described above.

The fluid cosmetic product 28 is preferably a composition that is liquid, viscous or in gel form. Preferably, the fluid cosmetic product 28 is transparent or translucent to visible light.

Thus, in the assembled configuration of the device 10, an external observer can distinguish the ornamental end portion 66 of the core 46 inside the tip 42 and the reservoir 12.

In particular, when the fluid cosmetic product 28 is an oil-based composition, the diffraction effect renders the tip 42 less visible, for a better visibility of the end portion 66 in the reservoir 12.

A method of using the conditioning and application device 10 will now be described. Starting with the assembled configuration, a user unscrews the gripping member 14 from the neck 22 and extracts the applicator 16 from the reservoir 12. When the application head 80 traverses the squeezing device 24, the latter scrapes the cosmetic product 28 remaining on said head, except at the level of the application zone 82 which remains loaded with product. The user then applies said application zone 82 on a keratinous surface such as the skin, in order to deposit the cosmetic product 28 thereon.

The presence of the core 46 inside the tip 42 confers a certain rigidity to the application head 80. However, the truncated shape of the studs 76 of the hinge portion 64 enables the core 46 to be flexible so as to accompany an elastic deformation of said application head 80.

The presence of the shoulder 73 prevents the tip 42 from being detached from the main body 40 during the use of the applicator 16. Similarly, the tabs 78 overmolded in the notches 56 enhance the durability of the main body 40 / tip 42 assembly. The applicator 16 as described above makes it possible to readily vary the appearance of said applicator 16 and the associated device 10. Indeed, the ornamental shape of the end portion 66 of the core 46 is readily adapted without fundamental modifications of the method of manufacturing the applicator 16.

In particular, the second mold of the method of manufacturing by bi-injection, described above, can be used for several different shapes of the end portion 66.

The shape of the hinge portion 64, particularly the number of truncated studs 76, is also adapted according to the shape of the end portion 66 and/or the flexibility sought for the core 46. For example, the number of truncated studs 76 of the hinge portion 64 is between one and five.

Claims

1. Cosmetic product applicator (16), comprising:

- a rod (45), extending substantially along a main axis (32); and

- an application head (80), integral with an axial end (54) of the rod; the application head comprising:

- an inner core (46), formed integrally with the rod; and

- an outer tip (42), overmolded on the inner core; the applicator being characterized in that:

- the outer tip of the application head covers the inner core entirely; and

- the inner core and the outer tip are respectively formed from a first (43) and a second (44) separate materials, a transmittance of the second material being strictly greater than a transmittance of the first material over the entire visible light spectrum.

2. Cosmetic product applicator according to claim 1 , wherein:

- the inner core (46) includes a first portion (60) having a first maximum radial dimension (70); and

- the inner core further comprises a second portion (62), axially adjacent to the first portion opposite the rod (45), said second portion having a second maximum radial dimension (72), greater than the first maximum radial dimension.

3. Cosmetic product applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the inner core (46) further includes an end portion (66) forming an end of said core, opposite the rod (45).

4. Cosmetic product applicator according to claim 3 taken in combination with claim 2, wherein the second portion (62) of the inner core has a substantially cylindrical shape and includes a front face (74), opposite the first portion; and the inner core further includes at least one truncated stud (76) connecting the end portion (66) and said front face, a base of said truncated stud being adjacent to said front face.

5. Cosmetic product applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the axial end (54) of the rod has at least one notch (56) extending axially, the outer tip being overmolded (78) on said notch.

6. Cosmetic product applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first material (43) is chosen from thermoplastic elastomers, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyolefins.

7. Cosmetic product applicator according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the second material (44) is chosen from silicone and derivatives thereof and thermoplastic elastomers.

8. Conditioning and application device (10) for a fluid cosmetic product (28), comprising: a reservoir (12), an applicator (16) according to one of the preceding claims and a gripping member (14) assembled with the rod (45) opposite the application head (80), the device comprising means (30) for the removable assembly of the reservoir and the gripping member, such that in an assembled configuration, the applicator is received inside the reservoir.

9. Conditioning and application device according to claim 8, wherein the reservoir includes an outer wall (20) transparent or translucent to visible light.

10. Conditioning and application device according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the reservoir (12) contains a fluid cosmetic product (28), transparent or translucent to visible light.