Coating implements with material supply – Supply container and independent applicator – With means for removing surplus material from tool
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-21
2002-05-21
Huson, Gregory L. (Department: 3751)
Coating implements with material supply
Supply container and independent applicator
With means for removing surplus material from tool
C401S121000, C401S118000, C401S129000, C015S207200
Reexamination Certificate
active
06390708
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to an application device equipped with a number of bristles for applying, to a surface such as the skin and its superficial growths, a product of liquid to pasty or pulverulent consistency, for example, a cosmetic or dermatological product. The invention also relates to an application system containing the product and equipped with such an application device.
The present invention can also relate generally to an application system having a reservoir containing the product and equipped with an open end to which a cap is removably attached. The cap acts as a handle, or element for grasping. The cap is secured to an application element, generally by way of a wand, so that when the assembly is closed, the application element remains immersed in the product.
The reservoir is, for example, intended to contain either a make-up product or dermatological product, for example, a mascara, a liquid lipstick, an eyeliner, a powder of the blusher type, nail varnish, or a hair treatment. A dose of this product is withdrawn using such an application device and is applied to the surface that is to be treated.
Many application devices of this type have been proposed in the past with a view toward applying mascara to the eyelashes, varnish to the nails, powder to the cheeks, or dye to the hair.
It is known from FR-A-2,607,372 to produce an applicator in the form of a mascara brush including bristles, each having at least one straight capillary groove at its surface running in a straight line along its entire length. The capillary grooves constitute sites which hold reserves of mascara, allowing swift and effective transfer of the mascara onto the eyelashes at the time of application with a view toward uniform application of the make-up.
In addition, it is known from FR-A-2,759,872 to produce a mascara applicator for eyelashes, comprising a handle of roughly flat profile bearing an application element having of a number of bristles embedded in a first end of the handle in an arrangement that is perpendicular to a plane passing through the handle. The bristles may have a section (or cross-section) in the shape of a cross, a semicircle, or an S. Thus, the bristles have, one or two straight grooves, respectively, at their surface.
Furthermore, FR-A-2,687,055 discloses a nail varnish applicator which has a tuft made of two types of bristles, which bristles may exhibit at least one longitudinal capillary groove.
Another source, WO 97/10374, describes a method of manufacturing twisted fibres of non-circular cross-section obtained by twisting monofilaments about their central axes. The cross-section of the monofilaments is not a cylinder of revolution. This document quotes fibres of oval or polygonal cross-section or monofilaments which have a core with at least one rib extending in a helix about the core of the filament. Such fibres are twisted after extrusion. This document describes the use of these fibres for various kinds of abrasive or cleaning brushes, or alternatively, for toothbrushes.
Although these conventional applicators are, on the whole, satisfactory, it has become desirable to have an application device which makes it possible to achieve a make-up effect which is both very heavy and very uniform, and which dispenses a greater capacity of product than the known applicators. The problem is that the above-mentioned applicators may have the drawback of losing a significant proportion of their load of product, particularly when the application element is subjected to a wringing-out operation prior to application. This drawback can be even more significant when the grooves or capillary grooves of the bristles are scraped along their entire length during this wringing-out operation.
Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide an applicator which, particularly after wringing-out, has a substantial reserve of product. Specifically, the invention is directed to controlled application of the product, regardless of the region of the application element that is brought into contact with the support that is to be treated. An applicator of this kind is suited, in particular, for the application of make-up to the eyelashes or eyebrows, the lips, the skin, or the nails, or to a hair or dermatological treatment.
Another object of the invention is to provide an applicator which remains simple and economical to manufacture and practical to use. Furthermore, when the product that is to be applied is relatively fluid, the object of the invention is to gain better control over the speed at which the product flows during application.
Another subject of the invention pertains to an applicator for applying mascara to eyelashes, which is capable of applying make-up very evenly to the eyelashes. More particularly, one of the subjects of the invention includes a mascara brush with bristles capable of being laden more heavily with mascara than a conventional mascara brush.
Indeed, the present inventor has observed that the intersection of the lashes with bristles which have a helical groove, with which a mascara brush is equipped, hugs the shape of all of the lashes of an eyelid. Unlike the brushes of the prior art, a brush such as this causes the entire surface of each eyelash to be coated fully and more uniformly. Thus, when the user applies the brush to her eyelashes, she loads the base of the lashes with mascara across the entire width of the eyelid. Thereafter, twisting the brush about its central axis, she gradually releases the mascara loaded into the groove or grooves of the bristles over the entire surface of each eyelash, combing the lashes out and separating all the eyelashes along their entire length. A brush such as this makes it possible to obtain a make-up effect which is simultaneously heavy, uniform, lengthening and curling.
Yet another object of the invention includes a brush for applying a varnish to the nails, and having controlled-flow properties.
It should be understood that the invention could still be practiced without performing one or more of the objects and/or advantages described above. Still other objects will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.
To achieve those and other advantages, and in accordance with the purposes of the invention, as broadly described herein, the invention includes an application device for applying a cosmetic product, including a stem and an application element on the stem. The application element includes a plurality of bristles configured to apply a cosmetic product. The plurality of bristles include at least one first bristle having a surface with at least one helical groove extending over at least a portion of its length.
Another aspect of the present invention provides an application device where the first bristle additionally includes a cross-section with at least one hollow portion. The hollow portion may be formed on the surface of the first bristle or inside the first bristle.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the plurality of bristles include at least one second bristle having a cross-section with at least one hollow portion. Again, the hollow portion may be formed on the surface of or inside the second bristle. The second bristle may optionally include a helical groove extending over at least a portion of its length.
According to another aspect of the invention, the plurality of bristles include a plurality of first bristles having a surface with at least one helical groove extending over at least a portion of a length of each of the first bristles. In a further aspect the plurality of bristles include a plurality of bristles each having a cross-section with at least one hollow portion. In another aspect, at least one of the bristles having a cross-section with at least one hollow portion also includes at least one helical groove extending over at least a portion of its length. Alternatively, the plurality of bristles having a cross-section with at least one hollow portion may not have a helical groove extending over at least a portion of its length.
In yet another aspect, the plurality of bri
Huson Gregory L.
L'Oreal
Le Huyen
LandOfFree
Application device and system having helical-grooved... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Application device and system having helical-grooved..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Application device and system having helical-grooved... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2820334