Toilet – Hair device – Eyelash or eyebrow
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-21
2003-04-01
Wilson, John J. (Department: 3732)
Toilet
Hair device
Eyelash or eyebrow
C132S317000, C132S320000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06539950
ABSTRACT:
The present invention pertains to applicators, and methods of using such applicators, for applying a product. In particular, the present invention is directed toward an applicator for the application of a product, such as a cosmetic product for example, to the eyelashes or eyebrows. The invention also relates to an applicator system including the applicator and a container for containing the product to be applied. Applicators including a comb having a single row of teeth aligned along a straight line have been used to apply a make-up product. Spaces between the teeth may be filled with product when the applicator is extracted from the container.
In order to form product reservoirs which permit such a conventional applicator to be used without having to reload the makeup product onto the applicator too frequently, the teeth typically are fairly widely spaced from one another. The spacing between two consecutive teeth generally is significantly greater than the diameter of an eyelash. This configuration has the drawback of not allowing the eyelashes to be gripped by the comb very well. Thus, these conventional applicators are not able to properly smooth the product deposited at the surface of the lashes and are not capable of satisfactorily lengthening and curling the eyelashes. Moreover, these conventional comb-like applicators often are not suitable for applying pasty or relatively low viscosity products.
Application DE-A-25 59 273 discloses a brush comprising rows of bristles connected to a support. The bristles of each row have fairly widely spaced portions connected to the support and located alternately on each side of a central line.
Application EP-A-0 474 934 discloses a brush including a number of rows of elements oriented radially, said rows being axially offset with respect to each other.
In one aspect of the present invention, an applicator is provided for applying a product, for example a make-up product to the eyelashes, which is capable of satisfactorily gripping the eyelashes while at the same time holding fairly large reservoirs of product on the applicator. Another aspect of the invention includes providing an applicator capable of applying a product containing fibers such that the applicator orients the fibers substantially parallel to the eyelashes as the product is applied.
Preferably, these aspects are achieved by an applicator having an application element including at least one row of consecutive teeth disposed alternately at least partially on opposite sides of a geometric separation surface. At least two consecutive teeth, and preferably a plurality of consecutive teeth, have portions substantially contiguous with one another. As described in more detail below, the alternate disposition of consecutive teeth on opposite sides of a geometric separation surface preferably provides one or more product reservoirs defined by groups of consecutive teeth.
The expression “substantially contiguous portions” as used throughout the specification and claims should be understood as meaning that an eyelash inserted between the consecutive teeth in a plane substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the application element is prevented from moving freely between the portions due to the proximity of the portions to one another. In other words, when the application element is placed in contact with the eyelashes such that it extends substantially transversely to the eyelashes, an eyelash entering between consecutive teeth having portions substantially contiguous with one another will be prevented from moving freely between the portions and gripped due to the proximity of the portions to one another. The gripping of the substantially contiguous portions could occur at any position along the length of the consecutive teeth. In addition, the substantially contiguous portions can be close enough to one another so that passage of an eyelash between parts of the consecutive teeth is prevented. Although “substantially contiguous portions” encompasses portions contacting or overlapping with one another, “substantially contiguous portions” are not required to contact one another as long as an eyelash is prevented from moving freely between the portions. The exact dimensions for the substantially contiguous spacing could be selected based on a number of factors, such as the average diameter of eyelashes and the particular type of product being applied.
As mentioned above, the substantially contiguous portions provide a gripping of an eyelash. This gripping allows a product to be spread in a substantially uniform manner along substantially the entire length of an eyelash. When the applicator is used to apply mascara, such substantially uniform application along substantially the entire length of the eyelashes makes the eyelashes appear to be lengthened. The gripping of the eyelashes by the substantially contiguous portions also allows the eyelashes to be rearranged by moving the applicator. For example, when the eyelashes are gripped, rotation of the applicator could provide corresponding curling of the gripped lashes.
In one embodiment, the at least two consecutive teeth have substantially contiguous roots. The roots also may be contacting or overlapping. In another embodiment, the at least two consecutive teeth have portions, which may be upper portions, contacting one another. In yet another embodiment, the at least two consecutive teeth have overlapping portions. A plurality of consecutive teeth also may have substantially contiguous portions.
The expression “overlapping portions” as used herein should be understood as meaning portions covering one another when the application element is observed from the side or face-on, or which, at a minimum, cover one another only via an edge or point of contact.
One aspect of the invention includes two adjacent teeth offset on the same side of the geometric separation surface being spaced apart without touching one another.
Unlike the brush described in application DE-A-25 59 273 having relatively widely spaced bristles that do not prevent the eyelashes from freely moving between the bristles, in one aspect of the present invention, the eyelash preferably engages in an interstice essentially in the form of a notch formed between the at least two consecutive teeth and is gripped between these two teeth. The eyelash may even be prevented from passing entirely between the teeth forming the notch and reaching a base portion which the teeth may be disposed on. The eyelash becomes firmly gripped by the teeth because of the substantially contiguous portions and the applicator may be able to lengthen the eyelash and smooth the product thereon achieving an overall improved make-up effect.
In addition, unlike the brush described in application EP-A-0 474 934, in the another aspect of the present invention, portions of three consecutive teeth in the row of consecutive teeth preferably define at least part of a volume configured to contain the product.
Thus, the applicator of the invention is preferably capable of both containing an amount of product sufficient for application without the need to reload too frequently and of firmly gripping the eyelashes to promote lengthening, curling, and spreading the product thereon.
Furthermore, by altering the geometry of the teeth and their configuration, it is easily possible to form volumes containing either more or less product between the teeth, as may be desired.
The spacing between two adjacent teeth on one side of the geometric separation surface may, for example, be greater than or equal to half the width of the tooth offset on the other side of the geometric separation surface. Thus, it may be possible to hold a substantial amount of product between the teeth.
In an embodiment according to the invention, at least two consecutive teeth have overlapping faces extending in a direction parallel to a length of the application element. This may include roots of the teeth overlapping when the application element is observed from the side.
According to another aspect of the invention, at least one i
Doan Robyn Kieu
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner LLP
L'Oreal (S.A.)
Wilson John J.
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