Applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, such as mascara, and corresponding applicator

• US 5,722,436 A
• Filed: 07/12/1996
• Issued: 03/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sanofi
• Original Assignee: Sanofi
• Inventors: Vandromme, Michel, Pileur, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancene, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): Philogene, Pedro
• Application Number:
  US08/633,780
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• Field of Search: 132/218, 132/317, 132/318, 132/313, 132/320, 401/128, 401/129, 401/122, 401/126, 401/127
• US Class Current: 132/218
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper

Abstract

An assembly for the storage and application of a cosmetic product. The assembly includes: a body which is provided with an opening and includes a reservoir capable of containing the product; an applicator capable of coming into contact with the product and of being charged with a given amount thereof and retaining structure for ridding the applicator of excess product. The applicator has a rod carrying a product-application structure which is to apply the product, the structure for retaining the product being connected to the body and/or to the rod. The field of use of the invention is that of cosmetics, more especially that of "mascaras" to be applied to eyelashes.

Claims

1. Applicator for a cosmetic product, the applicator having an axis and comprising:

at least one axial rod;

a structure for the application of the product, which structure is carried by the rod and comprises adjacent surfaces for the application of the product;

manoeuvring means for adjusting the axial spacing between the application surfaces in order to optimise the action of the applicator and the amount of product to be applied, wherein the application structure also comprises;

at least one first member defining the surfaces for applying the product and, connected thereto,

at least one second, resiliently deformable member for adjusting the axial spacing of the surfaces from one another, under the action of the manoeuvring means.

2. Applicator according to claim 1, characterised in that:

the first member comprises a filamentary structure to which bristles for the application of the product are attached; and

the second member comprises a tubular block which is resiliently deformable axially and on which the filamentary structure is arranged; and

the rod comprises two parts which are movable with respect to one another and are formed by a first axial rod, about a first portion of which is arranged a second, hollow, axial rod and about a second portion of which is arranged the resiliently deformable tube which is interposed and retained for its axial adjustment between the second, hollow, rod and a bulging portion arranged at a free end of the first rod.

3. Applicator according to claim 2, characterised in that the tubular block comprises at least one peripheral groove in which the filamentary structure is arranged, for its axial adjustment.

4. Applicator according to claim 1, characterised in that the first member is substantially devoid of spring capacity.

5. Applicator according to claim 3, characterised in that the second, adjusting member also comprises open peripheral cavities for charging with product.

6. Applicator according to any one of claim 3, characterised in that the peripheral groove of the tubular block is in the shape of a helix.

11. Applicator according to claim 2, characterised in that the first member is substantially devoid of spring capacity.

12. Applicator according to claim 3, characterised in that the first member is substantially devoid of spring capacity.

13. Applicator according to claim 4, characterised in that the second, adjusting member also comprises open peripheral cavities for charging with product.

14. Applicator according to claim 11, characterised in that the second, adjusting member also comprises open peripheral cavities for charging with product.

15. Applicator according to claim 12, characterised in that the second, adjusting member also comprises open peripheral cavities for charging with product.

16. Applicator according to claim 4, characterised in that the peripheral groove of the tube is in the shape of a helix.

17. Applicator according to claim 11, characterised in that the peripheral groove of the tube is in the shape of a helix.

18. Applicator according to claim 12, characterised in that the peripheral groove of the tube is in the shape of a helix.

19. Applicator according to claim 5, characterised in that the peripheral groove of the tube is in the shape of a helix.

20. Applicator according to claim 13, characterised in that the peripheral groove of the tube is in the shape of a helix.

21. Applicator according to claim 14, characterised in that the peripheral groove of the tube is in the shape of a helix.

22. Applicator according to claim 15, characterised in that the peripheral groove of the tube is in the shape of a helix.

7. Assembly for the storage and application of a cosmetic product, this assembly having an axis and comprising:

a body provided with an opening and including a reservoir capable of containing the product;

an applicator capable of coming into contact with the product and of being charged therewith, this applicator comprising;

at least one rod;

a structure for the application of the product, which structure is carried by the rod and comprises adjacent surfaces for the application of the product;

manoeuvring means for adjusting the axial spacing between the application surfaces in order to optimise the action of the applicator and the amount of product to be applied; and

product-retaining means, which are connected to the body and/or to the rod, for ridding the applicator of excess product, wherein the application structure comprises;

at least one first member defining the surfaces for applying the product and, connected thereto;

at least one second, resiliently deformable member for adjusting the axial spacing of the surfaces from one another, under the action of the manoeuvring means.

8. Assembly according to claim 7, characterised in that the retaining means comprise a define for drying the application structure and for cleaning the rod, the device being arranged and retained inside the body and comprising a first and a second portion for retaining the product, which portions are spaced axially from one another, and having an internal passage capable of receiving the applicator in a sliding manner.

9. Assembly according to claim 8, characterised in that the device for drying and cleaning is mounted to be axially slidable in the body and has a cross-section which can be varied between a first state where the second portion of the device is at a radial distance from the applicator and a second state where the second portion is locally in contact with the applicator, under the effect of a narrowed portion of the internal cross-section of the body.

10. Assembly according to claim 9, characterised in that the second portion of the drying and cleaning device comprises resiliently deformable tabs which extend substantially parallel to the axis of the assembly, in the first state, and are inclined relative to that axis, in the second state, with radial play for adaptation to the diameters of the rod and of the application structure.