WO1997028717A1 - Applicator pad, particularly for cosmetics - Google Patents

Abstract

An applicator pad, particularly for cosmetics, is disclosed. The pad includes a flexible base (1) with an operative surface (2) having projections (3) that consist of flexible blades (5) and at least one intermediate rib (5) so that an amount of material may be collected therebetween prior to application, particularly on the skin. Said pad may be used, e.g., to collect and apply on the skin a compressed powder or a relatively viscous liquid.

Description

"Applicator pad especially for cosmetic products".

The present invention essentially relates to an applicator pad, in particular for cosmetic products which are, for example, in the form of a more or less compacted pulverulent material, a more or less viscous liquid, or a paste.

Applicator pads have already been proposed which consist of a more or less flexible support, the active face of which carries projecting elements such as more or less flexible, long and dense fibers.

However, very often such pads do not allow a uniform and controlled withdrawal of the product to be applied. Consequently, when the product consists of compacted powder for example, the application to a surface, such as the skin, of the product retained randomly on the tampon, is generally not regular or satisfactory.

Applicator pads of the foam type are also known, that is to say made of a cellular material capable of receiving product which is then applied to the skin. But, here again, there are the same drawbacks as above, namely that the "filling" of the tampon remains random, and that the application to the skin of the product retained by the tampon does not allow a homogeneous and regular distribution of said product.

In general, we find the above drawbacks with all of the applicator pads currently known.

Also, the present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks by proposing a new applicator pad whose structure is such that the distribution of the material removed and applied to the skin remains uniform, controlled and completely satisfactory for the user.

To this end, the subject of the invention is an applicator pad, in particular for cosmetic products which are for example in the form of a pulverulent material, a more or less viscous liquid or a paste, and of the type comprising a flexible support, the active face of which carries projecting elements, characterized in that said projecting elements consist of flexible and more or less spaced lamellae capable of collecting between them a certain quantity of product taken up by said lamellae, before its application.

This buffer is further characterized in that the aforementioned lamellae are substantially parallel or converging.

According to another characteristic of this applicator pad, the strips each extend along a plane substantially orthogonal to that of the active face of the support and between these strips is provided at least one rib which has the shape of a dihedron in cross section.

According to an exemplary embodiment, one of the faces of the dihedral arises at the root or in the vicinity of the root of the lamellae, while the other face of the dihedral is orthogonal to the plane of the active face of the flexible support.

It will also be specified here that the height of the ribs relative to the flexible support is less than that of the slats.

The height and thickness of the slats can be respectively between approximately 0.1 - 1 mm and 0.02 - 0.2 mm, the maximum height and width of the ribs can be respectively between approximately 0.05 - 0, 9 mm, and the distance between two strips can be between approximately 0.2 and 2 min. It is therefore already understood from the above that the applicator pad according to this invention will include an active face forming a microstructure.

According to another embodiment, the elements projecting from the active face of the flexible support have the form of quarter spheres with two substantially orthogonal faces, one of which is integral with the flexible support and the other of which constitutes an active face capable of '' ensure the removal of the product and its retention between said quarters of sphere, before the application of said product.

The aforementioned quarter spheres will thus be oriented on the flexible support that their aforementioned active faces are all parallel to one another or else only some of them are parallel while being orthogonal to the active faces of the other quarter spheres.

According to yet another embodiment, the elements projecting from the active face of the flexible support each have the form of a polyhedron capable of ensuring the removal of the product and its retention between the polyhedra, before its application.

Each polyhedron may include at least one face substantially orthogonal to the aforementioned flexible support and / or a free and high end, the most distant from said support, constituted by a vertex or an edge of the polyhedron.

The protruding elements of the active face of the flexible support may also each have the shape of a cone or a pyramid whose base is integral with said flexible support and whose top, truncated or not, allows the removal of the product which is retained between said cones or pyramids before its application.

According to yet another embodiment, the elements projecting from the active face of the flexible support can each have the shape of a cylinder or a prism straight or oblique, one end of which is secured to the flexible support and the other end of which is free, allows the product which is retained between said cylinders or prisms to be withdrawn before its application.

It will also be specified here that the height of the projecting elements of the flexible support and constituted by quarter spheres, polyhedra, cones, pyramids, cylinders or prisms, will preferably be between approximately 0.05 and 1.5 mm.

An applicator pad meeting one and / or the other of the above characteristics could of course constitute the active part of an applicator device of any type.

The invention also relates to the use of an applicator pad according to this invention for the application to the skin (this term having to be understood in its most general sense and including in particular the nails) of a cosmetic product having for example in the form of a more or less compacted pulverulent material or a more or less viscous liquid, such as a paste, a cream, nail varnish or the like.

However, other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better in the detailed description which follows and refers to the appended drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an applicator pad in accordance with the principles of this invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates, in perspective, a variant of an applicator pad according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a view in vertical section of an applicator pad similar to that shown in FIG. 1. Figures 4, 5 and 6 respectively illustrate, in perspective, three variants of another embodiment of the applicator pad according to this invention.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the applicator pad according to this invention.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the applicator pad according to this invention.

Figure 9 is still a perspective view of another embodiment of the applicator pad according to the invention.

As can be seen in all the figures, an applicator pad, in particular a cosmetic product in accordance with the invention essentially comprises a flexible support 1, the active face 2 of which carries a plurality of projecting elements 3 which may have various shapes.

These projecting elements 3 advantageously allow the withdrawal of a certain quantity of product somewhat dosed by accumulation in the spaces between said projecting elements. This object will be achieved by rubbing or scraping a compacted powder for example or a paste for cosmetic use in particular. It will also be possible to achieve this goal with a viscous liquid and in particular less "solid" than a paste, due to the fact that the active face 2 of the flexible support 1 with its projecting elements 3 constitutes a microstructure capable of retaining said fluid and deliver it to the skin for example, as explained in detail below.

In short, the product sampled and retained in a somewhat metered and controlled manner between the projecting elements 3 can be advantageously distributed in a homogeneous, controlled and satisfactory manner by application of the buffer on the skin in particular. The applicator pad according to this invention could constitute a single integral piece obtained by molding an elastomeric material such as for example polyurethane, latex, silicone or the like. The flexibility or suppleness of the support 1 may be identical to or different from that of the projecting elements 3. Also, this applicator pad may be made of a single elastomeric material, or else of two elastomeric materials constituting the support 1 and the elements respectively. protruding 3, it being understood that the assembly will once again constitute a microstructure particularly suitable for allowing the removal and application in particular to the skin of any cosmetic products.

According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the elements 3 projecting from the active face 2 of the support 1 are constituted by a plurality of flexible and spaced lamellae 4 capable of collecting between them a certain amount of product.

As clearly appears in FIGS. 1 and 3, the lamellae 4 are parallel and each extend along a plane which is substantially orthogonal to that of the active face 2 of the flexible support 1.

In the variant of FIG. 2, the flexible strips 4 are not parallel, but convergent, which can in certain cases facilitate the application and the distribution of the product on the skin in particular.

Between the flexible strips 4 which are parallel or converging, there is provided a projecting element of another shape constituting a rib 5 which has substantially the shape of a dihedron in cross section, as can be seen in FIG. 3.

One 5a of the two faces of the dihedral constituting each rib 5 arises in the vicinity of the root of the lamellae 4, as is clearly shown in FIG. 1 where a small space between lamella and rib exists. The face 5a can also, without departing from the scope of the invention, arise at the very root of each lamella 4, as has been shown in FIG. 3. As for the other face 5b of the dihedral constituting each rib 5, we see , according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, that it is substantially orthogonal to the plane of the active face 2 of the flexible support 1.

Returning to FIG. 3, it can be seen that the height i of the ribs 5 relative to the active face 2 of the flexible support 1 is, according to the embodiment shown, less than the height h of the strips 4.

More precisely, the height h of the flexible strips 4 must be between approximately 0.1 and 1 mm, while the thickness e of these strips 4 can be between approximately 0.02 and 0.2 mm.

The height i of the ribs 5 may be between approximately 0.05 and 0.9 mm. Likewise, the maximum width 1 of the ribs 5 may be between approximately 0.05 and 0.9 mm.

Finally, the distance d between two strips 4 may be between approximately 0.2 and 2 mm.

Therefore, according to a preferred embodiment, the above parameters for the applicator pad shown in Figures 1 to 3 will have the following values: h = 0.3 mm; e = 0.05 mm; i = 0.2 mm; 1 = 0.25 mm; and d = 0.75 mm.

Thus, as we understand, the microstructure constituted by all of the lamellae 4 and dihedral-shaped ribs 5 will allow appropriate retention of any product as well as a controlled application of this product according to a film of regular thickness. . It will be observed that the flexible strips 4 being more flexible than the ribs 5, the latter may somehow take over strips 4 to ensure correct removal of the product to be collected between said strips.

In the embodiment of Figures 4 to 6, we see that the projecting elements 3 each have substantially the shape of a quarter sphere with two substantially orthogonal faces, one of which 6 is integral with the flexible support 1, coming from for example of material with it, and the other 7 of which constitutes an active face capable of ensuring the removal of the product and its retention between said quarter spheres, before the product is applied in a regular and controlled manner, as explained previously.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, it can be seen that the quarter spheres are arranged on the flexible support 1 in parallel alignments, the active faces 7 of all the quarter spheres also being all mutually parallel.

In the variant of FIG. 5, the active faces 7 are also all parallel, but here, the quarter spheres are distributed in staggered rows on the active face 2 of the flexible support 1.

In the variant of FIG. 6, the quarter spheres are oriented in different ways to form:

lines LI, L2, L3, L4 which are substantially parallel and consist of quarter-spheres with the same orientation, that is to say of which the active faces 7 are all parallel;

- Lines L5, L6, L7 of quarter spheres which are parallel, and of which all the active faces 7 are also parallel but face the active faces 7 of the quarter spheres forming the lines LI, L2, L3, L4 mentioned above; and - Groups of quarter spheres marked 8 in FIG. 6 and whose orientation is such that their active faces 7 are orthogonal to the active faces of the quarter spheres forming the lines LI to L7.

Of course, one could perfectly foresee, without departing from the scope of the invention, a symmetrical or non-symmetrical or even random distribution of the quarter-spheres, other than that shown in FIG. 6.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the elements 3 projecting from the active face 2 of the flexible support 1 are constituted by small bosses in the form of polyhedron 9.

According to the embodiment shown, each polyhedron 9 has a face 10 substantially orthogonal to the plane of the flexible support 1, it being understood that said polyhedron can perfectly comprise several faces such as 10 orthogonal to the flexible support 1, without departing from the scope of the invention. Also, each polyhedron 9 comprises, according to the example shown, a free and high end, namely an end which is the furthest from the active face 2 of the support 1, which is constituted by a vertex 11 or an edge 12 of the polyhedron 9.

Thus, the vertices 11 and / or the edges 12 of the polyhedra 9 will contribute to a homogeneous filling of cosmetic product, for example in the spaces between said polyhedra, as well as to a fully satisfactory application of this product on the skin.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the elements 3 projecting from the flexible support 1 each have the shape of a small pyramid 13 the top of which can be truncated or not, and the base of which is integral with the flexible support 1. Although this is not shown, the projecting elements 3 could also take the form of a truncated cone or not, without departing from the scope of the invention. In this order of idea, the cones or pyramids 13 could form any pattern on the flexible support 1.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the elements 3 projecting from the flexible support 1 each have here the shape of a straight prism, one end of which is integral with said support 1 and the other end of which is free, allows the removal of a cosmetic product for example, which product can be retained between said prisms 14, before being applied to the skin in particular.

Instead of the prisms 14, it is perfectly possible to use another form of projecting element, such as for example a cylinder shape. Also, the cylinders or prisms 14 could be straight, as shown, or oblique.

It will also be observed with respect to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9, that the projecting elements 3, that is to say the quarter of a sphere, the polyhedra 9, the pyramids 13 or the prisms 14 which, again once, only constitute examples of shape for said projecting elements 3, will have a height of between approximately 0.05 and 1.5 mm. In other words, the active face 2 of the flexible support 1 constitutes a microstructure capable of taking and applying in a homogeneous and controlled manner, any product the consistency or viscosity of which may be variable.

Such a microstructure can be obtained by a micro-EDM process for manufacturing a mold making it possible to obtain the tampon by molding, or by another method of shaping the mold, or else by an adequate combination of processes for making extremely small impressions corresponding to the structure of the molded stamp. The applicator pad according to this invention can of course be part of an applicator of any type and can be used to apply, for example, a cosmetic product to any part of the skin of a human being.

Of course, as explained above, the present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described and illustrated which have been given only by way of example.

This is how one could provide small orifices in the tampon, to ensure communication with a reservoir of product associated with the tampon, such as for example nail varnish. Furthermore, the pad can allow the application of any products, such as paints for example.

Thus, the invention includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the claims which follow.

Claims

claims 1. Applicator pad, in particular for cosmetic products which are, for example, in the form of a pulverulent material, a more or less viscous liquid or a paste, and of the type comprising a flexible support (1), the active face (2) carries projecting elements (3), characterized in that said projecting elements (3) consist of flexible and more or less spaced lamellae (4) capable of collecting between them a certain quantity of product taken by said lamellae, before its application. 2. Applicator pad according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned lamellae (4) are substantially parallel or converging. 3. Applicator pad according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the strips (4) each extend along a plane substantially orthogonal to that of the active face (2) of the flexible support (1) and between these strips is provided. at least one rib (5) which has the shape of a dihedral in cross section. 4. Applicator pad according to claim 3, characterized in that one (5a) of the faces of the dihedral arises at the root or in the vicinity of the root of the lamellae (4) while the other face (5b) of the dihedron is orthogonal to the plane of the active face (2) of the flexible support (1). 5. Applicator pad according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the height .es ribs (5) relative to the active face (2) of the flexible support (1) is less than that of the lamellae (4). 6. Applicator pad according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the height (h) and the thickness (e) of the strips (4) are respectively between approximately 0.1 - 1 mm and 0.02 - 0.2 mm, height (i) and width maximum (1) of the rib (5) are respectively between approximately 0.05 - 0.9 mm, and the distance (d) between two strips (4) is between approximately 0.2 and 2 mm. 7. Applicator pad, in particular for cosmetic products which are for example in the form of a pulverulent material, a more or less viscous liquid or a paste, and of the type comprising a flexible support (1), the active face (2) carries projecting elements (3), characterized in that said projecting elements (3) have the shape of quarter spheres with two substantially orthogonal faces, one of which (6) is integral with the flexible support ( 1) and the other (7) of which constitutes an active face capable of ensuring the removal of the product and its retention between said quarters of the sphere, before its application. 8. Applicator pad according to claim 7, characterized in that the aforementioned quarter spheres are thus oriented on the flexible support (1), that their active faces (7) are all parallel to one another or else only some of them are parallel while being orthogonal to the active faces (7) of the other quarters of the sphere. 9. Applicator pad, in particular for cosmetic products which are for example in the form of a pulverulent material, a more or less viscous liquid or a paste, and of the type comprising a flexible support (1), the active face (2) carries projecting elements (3), characterized in that said projecting elements (3) each have the form of a polyhedron (9) capable of ensuring the removal of the product, before its application. 10. Applicator pad according to claim 9, characterized in that each polyhedron (9) comprises at least one face (10) substantially orthogonal to the aforesaid flexible support (1) and / or a free and high end, the most remote from said support, constituted by a vertex (11) or an edge (12) of the polyhedron (9). 11. Applicator pad, in particular for cosmetic products which are for example in the form of a pulverulent material, a more or less viscous liquid or a paste, and of the type comprising a flexible support (1), the active face (2) carries projecting elements (3), characterized in that said projecting elements (3) have the shape of a cone or a pyramid (13) whose base is secured to the flexible support (1) and whose top, truncated or not, allows the removal of the product which is retained between said cones or pyramids (13) before its application. 12. Applicator pad, in particular for cosmetic products which are, for example, in the form of a pulverulent material, a more or less viscous liquid or a paste, and of the type comprising a flexible support (1), the active face (2) carries projecting elements (3), characterized in that said projecting elements (3) each have the shape of a cylinder or of a straight or oblique prism (14) or one of whose ends is secured to the flexible support (1) and the other end of which is free allows the removal of the product which is retained between said cylinders or prisms (14), before its application. 13. Applicator pad according to one of claims 7 to 12, characterized in that the height of the aforementioned projecting elements (3, 9, 13, 14) is between about 0.05 and 1.5 mm. 14. Applicator device of any type and the active part of which consists of an applicator pad according to any one of claims 1 to 13. 15. Use of an applicator pad according to any one of claims 1 to 13 for the application to the skin of a cosmetic product having for example in the form of a more or less compacted pulverulent material or a more or less viscous liquid.