Digital applicator

Abstract

The applicator, typically an applicator of a cosmetic, includes a) an attachment element ( 2 ) designed to be temporarily and reversibly fixed to a finger ( 4 ) of a hand or end phalanx ( 40 ) of the finger ( 4 ), and b) an application member ( 3 ) fixed to the the temporary attachment element and chosen particularly as a function of the nature of the cosmetic to be applied, so as to form a digital applicator ( 1 ) of the cosmetic.

1 . Applicator, typically an applicator of a cosmetic, comprising a) an attachment means ( 2 ) designed to be temporarily and reversibly fixed to a finger ( 4 ) of a hand or end phalanx ( 40 ) of the finger ( 4 ), and b) an application means ( 3 ) fixed to the said temporary attachment means and chosen particularly as a function of the nature of the said cosmetic to be applied, so as to form a digital applicator ( 1 ) of the said cosmetic, and in which  
     1) the said attachment means forms a single piece, typically a moulded plastic part,  
     2) the said attachment means ( 2 ) forms a finger cap or sheath ( 22 ) with a side opening ( 221 ) on part of its length so as to form flexible edges or walls ( 220 ).  
   
   
       2 . Applicator according to  claim 1  in which the said application means ( 3 ) is a removable application means ( 30 ), so that the said application means can be chosen not only as a function of the nature of the said cosmetic, but also as a function particularly of the fineness of the application, but without needing to change the said attachment means ( 2 ).  
   
   
       3 . Applicator according to  claim 2  in which the said removable application means ( 30 ) comprises an assembly means ( 31 ), typically a standard end piece ( 310 ), that will cooperate with a corresponding assembly means ( 23 ), typically a sleeve ( 230 ) fixed to the said attachment means ( 2 ).  
   
   
       4 . Applicator according to  claim 3  in which the said assembly means ( 23 ) and ( 31 ) typically comprise click fitting means ( 231 ,  311 ) for manual changing of the said removable application means ( 30 ).  
   
   
       5 . Applicator according to  claim 1  in which the said attachment means ( 2 ) comprises or forms a front opening ( 25 ) typically at one of its so-called “near” ends ( 20 ), into which the said finger end phalanx ( 40 ) can be inserted into the said attachment means ( 2 ) by an axial movement along an axial direction A, in the same way as a thimble fits onto a finger, so that it is temporarily fixed to any type of finger and typically to the end phalanx of the index finger or the middle finger, its other so-called “far” end ( 21 ) being fitted with the said application means ( 3 ), possibly by the assembly means ( 23 ).  
   
   
       6 . Applicator according to  claim 1  in which the said sheath ( 22 ) has an upper recess ( 24 ) symbolically and typically in the form of a nail, and typically towards its far end so as to make the nail ( 41 ) of the said end phalanx ( 40 ) visible, and thus to guide a person using the said applicator ( 1 ) on how to use the applicator.  
   
   
       7 . Applicator according to  claim 1  in which the said attachment means ( 2 ) has a variable section and, typically includes flexible tabs ( 222 ) at its near end ( 20 ) and a finger cap portion ( 223 ) at its far end ( 21 ) so as to hold the said applicator ( 1 ) in place on the said finger ( 4 ).  
   
   
       8 . Applicator according to  claim 1  in which the said attachment means ( 2 ) comprises ( 2 ) at least one element ( 27 ,  28 ) with two branches forming a spring with a typically “U” shaped profile, the said branches comprising at least ends that can be elastically separated.  
   
   
       9 . Applicator according to  claim 8  in which the said element with two branches is an element ( 27 ) in which the two branches ( 270 ) are typically parallel to an axial plane, and in which the base ( 271 ) is fixed to the said assembly means ( 23 ) or the said application means ( 3 ), the two branches of the said “U” shaped element forming a front opening ( 25 ) through which the said finger end phalanx can be inserted by an axial movement along an axial direction A, like a thimble that fits on a finger, so as to be temporarily fixed to any type of finger and typically an end phalanx of a finger such as the index finger or the middle finger, its other so-called “far” end carrying the said application means.  
   
   
       10 . Applicator according to  claim 8  in which the said element with two branches is an element ( 28 ) fixed to a support ( 29 ) carrying the said attachment means ( 23 ) or the said application means ( 3 ) at its far end ( 21 ), the two branches ( 280 ) of the said “U” shaped element forming a side opening ( 26 ) and a front opening ( 25 ) enabling reversible attachment of the said applicator on the said finger, either through a lateral movement along the lateral direction L typically by click fitting, or an axial movement along the axial direction A, the two branches ( 280 ) typically being in a plane perpendicular to the said axial direction A.  
   
   
       11 . Applicator according to  claim 1  in which the said attachment means ( 2 ) has a variable section, either as such over all or part of its length, or following an axial or lateral stress so as to be adapted to any finger diameter.  
   
   
       12 . Applicator according to  claim 1  in which the said application means ( 3 ) comprises a specific applicator ( 32 ) chosen as a function of the nature of the said cosmetic and in order to apply it, typically fixed to the said assembly means ( 31 ) or to the said standard end piece ( 310 ), and typically chosen from an absorbent or cellular material, or a brush with a determined section and profile, typically with a circular and tapered section, so as to have a small diameter end and thus enable precise application of the said cosmetic.  
   
   
       13 . Applicator according to  claim 12  in which the said specific applicator ( 32 ) has a predetermined suppleness or flexibility.  
   
   
       14 . Applicator according to  claim 1  in which the said attachment means ( 2 ) comprising the said assembly means ( 23 ) and typically the said sleeve ( 230 ) or the said orifice ( 232 ) is typically a single piece metal or plastic part.  
   
   
       15 . Use of the applicator ( 1 ) according to  claim 1  for application of a cosmetic, including a sample of the said cosmetic, the said cosmetic typically being in solid or semi-solid form such as a powder or paste, and preferably a lipstick or eye shadow.  
   
   
       16 . Applicator assembly comprising the said applicator ( 1 ) according to  claim 2  and a series of N removable application means ( 30 ), typically differing in their section, profile, flexibility or suppleness, where N typically varies from 2 to 6, in which each of the removable application means includes the same assembly means ( 31 ), typically the same standard end piece ( 310 ) designed to cooperate with the assembly means ( 23 ), typically the sleeve ( 23 ) of the attachment means ( 2 ).  
   
   
       17 . Assembly according to  claim 16 , typically packaged in a packaging, and comprising at least one cosmetic, the said applicator and the said application means being adapted for application of the said cosmetic.  
   
   
       18 . Applicator according to  claim 2  in which the said attachment means ( 2 ) comprises or forms a front opening ( 25 ) typically at one of its so-called “near” ends ( 20 ), into which the said finger end phalanx ( 40 ) can be inserted into the said attachment means ( 2 ) by an axial movement along an axial direction A, in the same way as a thimble fits onto a finger, so that it is temporarily fixed to any type of finger and typically to the end phalanx of the index finger or the middle finger, its other so-called “far” end ( 21 ) being fitted with the said application means ( 3 ), possibly by the assembly means ( 23 ).  
   
   
       19 . Applicator according to  claim 3  in which the said attachment means ( 2 ) comprises or forms a front opening ( 25 ) typically at one of its so-called “near” ends ( 20 ), into which the said finger end phalanx ( 40 ) can be inserted into the said attachment means ( 2 ) by an axial movement along an axial direction A, in the same way as a thimble fits onto a finger, so that it is temporarily fixed to any type of finger and typically to the end phalanx of the index finger or the middle finger, its other so-called “far” end ( 21 ) being fitted with the said application means ( 3 ), possibly by the assembly means ( 23 ).  
   
   
       20 . Applicator according to  claim 4  in which the said attachment means ( 2 ) comprises or forms a front opening ( 25 ) typically at one of its so-called “near” ends ( 20 ), into which the said finger end phalanx ( 40 ) can be inserted into the said attachment means ( 2 ) by an axial movement along an axial direction A, in the same way as a thimble fits onto a finger, so that it is temporarily fixed to any type of finger and typically to the end phalanx of the index finger or the middle finger, its other so-called “far” end ( 21 ) being fitted with the said application means ( 3 ), possibly by the assembly means ( 23 ).