Toilet – Hair device – Eyelash or eyebrow
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-11
2004-01-27
Robert, Eduardo C. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Hair device
Eyelash or eyebrow
C132S200000, C132S317000, C132S320000, C132S151000, C015S188000, C015S207200, C401S122000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06681777
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device and method for applying a product to keratinous material, such as hair, for example, eyelashes or eyebrows, or fingernails. The product may be a make-up product such as a mascara or nail varnish, and/or a care product. The invention also relates to an applicator assembly equipped with such a device.
Applicators in the form of brushes or combs, comprising a support, generally rigid, on which elements intended to apply the product, particularly ones in the form of teeth, bristles, tufts of bristles or other reliefs capable of forming a reserve of product and of restoring it to the surface to be treated when the applicator is engaged with the latter are known. Such applicator elements may in particular be molded, injection overmolded or stapled onto the support.
In general, such combs or brushes are relatively small in size and, as a result, are relatively rigid during application. Thus, such applicators may be relatively aggressive to the surface to be treated, particularly when zones located near highly sensitive areas, such as the eyes, are to be treated. Furthermore, because of this rigidity, such applicators have a tendency, when it comes to spreading out the deposited product, to remove a substantial part thereof, which may make it very difficult to apply a relatively thick coat of product.
Hence, an optional aspect of the invention may include providing a device for applying a product to keratinous material, such as hair, for example, eyelashes or eyebrows, or fingernails, which, during application, may be flexible and comfortable.
Another optional aspect of the invention may include providing an applicator that may be relatively simple and economical to produce.
Yet another optional aspect of the invention may include providing a device for applying a make-up product and that may allow a great many different make-up looks.
Yet another optional aspect of the invention may include providing an applicator device that may permit a sufficient quantity of product to be deposited during application.
The device and method of applying product to keratinous material described herein may optionally address some or all of the problems discussed above with reference to conventional applicator devices. It should be understood that the invention could be practiced without performing one or more of the optional aspects and/or advantages described above. Certain other optional aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description.
According to a first optional aspect, the invention may include a device for applying a product to keratinous material, for example, the eyelashes, eyebrows, or fingernails. The device may comprise a support made of a first material and a mounting member coupled to the support. The mounting member may be made of a second material having a rigidity lower than a rigidity of the first material. The device also may comprise at least one row of applicator elements on the mounting member. The at least one row of applicator elements may be configured to apply the product to the keratinous material. The mounting member may be configured to pivot with respect to the support when at least some of the applicator elements contact the keratinous material during application of the product. The mounting member may optionally be configured to pivot elastically with respect to the support about an articulation formed by a portion of the mounting member. The articulation may be optionally oriented longitudinally to the row.
Within the meaning of the present application, the rigidity of a material can be defined as the flexural modulus (i.e., modulus of elasticity) of the material, which can be determined by testing under the conditions defined, for example, in standard NF T 51-001. A difference in rigidity between the first and second materials may make it possible to produce a structure that has different rigidities in different directions. This may yield certain optional advantages, particularly when the device is intended to be incorporated into a packaging and applicator assembly of the type comprising a wiper intended to have at least a portion of the applicator device pass through it. What may happen is that the “relatively rigid” support may provide the applicator device with stability sufficient to pass relatively easily through the wiper member, and also to permit the applicator device to be laden relatively uniformly with product over substantially all of its length upon being withdrawn from the wiper member.
During application, the pivoting of the mounting member and the at least one row of applicator elements with respect to the support may result in a reduction in the pressure exerted by the applicator elements on the keratinous material to be treated. This may provide greater comfort during application. Furthermore, because of the reduced pressure of the applicator elements against the surface being treated, it may be possible to deposit a thicker coat of product on the keratinous material.
In addition, when applying product, particularly when applying make-up to the eyelashes, the end of the application movement may be accompanied by an acceleration associated with the elastic return generated by the articulation. Such acceleration may make it possible to obtain better curling of the lashes and/or better lengthening. Finally, in the case of a device for applying a product, particularly a make-up product, to the eyelashes or eyebrows, such an articulated mounting may permit cleaner application. This may reduce the risk of soiling the skin with the product near the eyebrows.
According to another optional aspect of the invention, a device for applying a product to keratinous material may comprise a support associated with an end of the handling member and a mounting member having at least a portion coupled to the support. The mounting member may be configured to pivot about an axis substantially non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the support. The device may further comprise at least one row of applicator elements on the mounting member. The at least one row of applicator elements may be configured to apply the product to the keratinous material. The mounting member may be configured to pivot with respect to the support when at least some of the applicator elements contact the keratinous material during application of the product. Optionally, the mounting member may be configured to pivot about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support.
In yet another optional aspect of the invention, a device for applying a product to keratinous material may comprise a support and a mounting member coupled to the support. At least a portion of the mounting member may be less rigid than the support. The device also may comprise at least one row of applicator elements on the mounting member. The at least one row of applicator elements may be configured to apply a product to keratinous material. The mounting member may be configured to pivot about an axis substantially non-perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the support when the applicator elements contact the keratinous material during application of the product. Optionally, the mounting member may be configured to pivot about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support. At least the portion of the mounting member that is less rigid than the support may have a cross-section that is smaller than other portions of the mounting member. Also, the less rigid portion optionally forms a hinge member configured to permit the mounting member to pivot about the support.
Yet another optional aspect of the invention may include a device for applying a product to keratinous material comprising a stem having a longitudinal axis and a support coupled to the stem. The support may have a longitudinal axis that is substantially non-perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem. The device also may comprise a mounting member having at least a portion pivotably coupled to the support, and at least one row of a
Comstock David C.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
L'Oreal (S.A.)
Robert Eduardo C.
LandOfFree
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