Cosmetic applicator

• US 5,876,138 A
• Filed: 02/23/1996
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Bratlie, Steven A.
• Application Number:
  US08/606,280
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 401/122, 401/129, 132/218, 15/206
• US Class Current: 401/129
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 3/18 the bristles being fixed on or between belts or wires
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/021 arranged like in cosmetics brushes, e.g. mascara, nail polish, eye shadow

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator such as a mascara applicator is provided including a container for the cosmetic. The container includes a constriction at its upper part, forming a wiper, and a cap fitted with a rod having at its end a brush which dips into the container as it passes through the constriction. The rod has, above the brush, an elastically deformable cleaning element whose diameter is at least substantially equal to the diameter of the constriction. The portion of the rod located between the cleaning element and the brush allows the pressures prevailing inside and outside the container to be substantially balanced before the brush engages the constriction when it is withdrawn.

Claims

1. A cosmetic applicator, such as a mascara applicator, comprising:

a container for the cosmetic including an upper part and a constriction with a first diameter forming a wiper disposed at said upper part; and

a cap fitted with a rod having an end and a brush, said brush having a body for receiving and applying the cosmetic, said brush disposed at said end that dips into said container as it passes through said constriction when said container is closed, a first portion of the rod adjacent to said cap having a second diameter, said rod including;

an elastically deformable cleaning element disposed above said body of the brush and having a diameter at least substantially equal to said first diameter of said constriction;

a second portion of the rod having a diameter that is less than the first diameter and that is equal to or less than said second diameter, said second portion being located between said cleaning element and said body of the brush to space said cleaning element from said body of the brush;

wherein said second portion and the cleaning element are positioned to allow pressures prevailing inside and outside said container to be substantially balanced before said body of the brush engages said constriction when it is withdrawn.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning element comprises a brush.

3. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning element comprises a flexible diaphragm made of an easily deformable material.

4. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein said flexible diaphragm includes at least one perforation.

5. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said body of the brush has a substantially greater diameter than said diameter of said constriction.

6. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said cleaning element is positioned a sufficient distance above said body of the brush to deform downward when passing through said constriction.

7. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said body of the brush has a shape selected from the group consisting of a cylindrical, frustroconical, double-frustroconical and a rounded profile that tapers at both ends.

8. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said body of the brush and said cleaning element are integral and include a tail portion having a width greater than said diameter of said constriction, a head portion having a diameter greater than said diameter of said constriction and a connecting portion disposed between said head portion and said tail portion having a diameter smaller than said diameter of said constriction.

9. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said body of the brush comprises a periphery, an axis and tufts of bristles disposed at said periphery in lines parallel to said axis.

10. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein said body of the brush comprises a periphery, an axis and tufts of bristles disposed at said periphery in helical lines.

11. The applicator according to claim 1, further comprising a capsule inserted in said upper portion of said container.

12. The applicator according to claim 11, wherein said capsule is disposed above said constriction and has an inside diameter that tapers until it is equal to said diameter of said constriction.