Toilet – Hair device – Eyelash or eyebrow
Reexamination Certificate
2001-07-12
2002-12-17
Manahan, Todd E. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Hair device
Eyelash or eyebrow
Reexamination Certificate
active
06494215
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to a device for applying a product to keratinous fibers, for example to eyelashes, eyebrows, moustaches, hair or other similar fibers. Such a device may be suitable for applying a make-up product, such as a mascara or the like, to eyelashes or eyebrows, and/or a care product.
The present invention also may relate to brushes, sometimes referred to as “twisted brushes.” Such twisted brushes may be obtained by arranging bristles between two branches of wire, which may be configured as a hairpin, and then twisting the two branches of the wire about its axis. The twisted wire forms a double helix (i.e., one helix for each wire branch). The turns of the helix, depending on the direction of twisting of the wire, may rise either from the left to the right or from the right to the left when the brush is observed vertically from the front. The first type of twisting, i.e., wherein the turns rise from the left to the right, makes it possible to obtain a brush sometimes referred to as a “left-hand brush”. Such a brush is described in EP 0 611 170 in the name of the present Applicant. The second type of twisting, i.e., wherein the turns rise from the right to the left, makes it possible to obtain a brush sometimes referred to as a “right-hand brush”. Such twisted brushes generally comprise a “bristled” portion defining an application element. This bristled portion may be extended by a “non-bristled” portion of the twisted wire, referred to herein as the “tail” of the brush. The tail may be used for fastening the device to a stem, which may be connected to a handling member for gripping the device.
The present invention also relates to applicator devices obtained by molding, such as molding thermoplastics, including, for example, polyethylenes or polypropylenes. Such molded devices also may comprise a “tail” for fastening the device to a stem. Alternatively, the tail itself may form the stem. Applicator devices may also be obtained by machining, casting, or stamping, and materials other than thermoplastics maybe used.
In some conventional applicator devices, the cross-section of the application element is substantially centered with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tail. Thus, regardless of the angular position of the device, at any given axial position of the device, the distribution of the product around the device may be substantially uniform. However, during application, it may be found that from time to time, for a given area of the keratinous fibers, for example, eyelashes on the eyelid, there may be too much product and it may be desirable to be able to spread the product to other areas. Conversely, from time to time the user may not have enough product in one place and would like to add to it. To apply the product properly, therefore, may require manipulations of the brush with respect to the eyelashes or other keratinous fibers. Such manipulations may require some practice by the user.
FR-A-2 715 038 describes a structure having one or more cut faces. According to certain embodiments, the structure comprises a single cut face which may or may not be parallel to the axis of the brush tail. Such a cut face extends over a major part of the brush. The brush terminates in an end portion in the form of a truncated cone which does not define any face bounded by two longitudinal edges. Alternatively, the brush comprises two cut faces parallel to the brush tail axis. In the end, the resulting structure is relatively symmetrical about the brush tail axis.
FR 2 605 505 describes a twisted brush, forming the subject of a series of cutting operations so as to define a plurality of faces which are either parallel to the brush tail axis or are all inclined in the same direction, especially in the direction of a free end of the brush. In each case, the structure thus formed is symmetrical about the brush tail axis.
Another type of brush, obtained by molding, is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,403,624. The brush described in this document comprises a row of tines whose free end forms a beveled edge. These tines are intended for combing the eyelashes. Other tines are oriented radially about a portion of the brush axis and used for applying the product. The profile for loading the product, because of the configuration of the brush, is relatively binary and no way progressive. Only the radially oriented tines on an angular portion of the brush can be used effectively to apply the product.
EP-A-0 410 821 describes a twisted brush whose cross-section rotates from one end of the brush to the other, so that peak lines are defined and define at least one helix at the surface of the brush. The faces defined by the brush are either parallel to the brush tail axis or inclined in the same direction.
It is one of the optional objects of the present invention to produce a device for applying a product to keratinous fibers, such as the eyelashes or eyebrows, for example, that solves, completely or partly, the problems discussed above with reference to the devices of the prior art.
In particular, it is an optional object of the invention to produce a device for applying a product to keratinous fibers, for example to the eyelashes or eyebrows, which may be relatively simple to use and may require a shorter learning phase for the user as compared to conventional devices.
It is another optional object of the invention to produce an application device, such as for mascara or other care products, that may make it possible over at least part of a length of the application element to obtain an amount of product that varies according to the angular position on the application element. The amount of product also may vary along the application element in at least one gradual profile.
It is another optional object of the invention to produce an application device which may make it possible to apply the desired amount of product and to separate the fibers to be treated with substantially the same movement, or with a movement that is continuous with the movement intended for applying the product.
It is yet another optional object of the invention to produce an application device which may allow for progressive coating of the fibers to be treated. With respect to the eyelashes such progressive coating may assist in lengthening and/or curling them.
Yet more optional objects may appear in the following detailed description.
The devices and methods of dispensing described herein may optionally solve some or all of the problems discussed above with reference to conventional dispensing devices and methods. It should be understood that the invention could be practiced without performing one or more of the optional objects and/or advantages described above. Certain other optional aspects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description which follows.
According to a first optional aspect of the invention, a device for applying a product to keratinous fibers comprises a tail having a longitudinal axis X and an application element extending from an end of the tail. The application element comprises at least a first face and a second face. Each of the faces may be delimited by two longitudinal edges and may extend over at least part of a length of the application element. The first face may form with the axis X a first non-zero angle &agr; having a vertex oriented toward a first end of the application element, and the second face may form with the axis X a second non-zero angle &bgr; having a vertex oriented toward a second end of the application element. The second end may be opposite to the first end.
Thus, for example, the first non-zero angle &agr; may comprise an opening turned toward the tail of the application device. The second non-zero angle &bgr; in this example may have an opening turned away from the tail of the application device, and also from the opening of the first angle &agr;. In other words, the vertex of the angle &agr; is turned toward one end of the application device and the vertex of the angle &bgr; is turned toward an opposite end of the application device as t
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
L'Oreal (S.A.)
Manahan Todd #E.
LandOfFree
Device, assembly, and method for applying a product to... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Device, assembly, and method for applying a product to..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Device, assembly, and method for applying a product to... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2970113