Applicator for cosmetic product, method for the production of such an applicator and container capable of containing such an applicator

Abstract

An applicator for cosmetic product and method for making the applicator, the applicator having a core and a plurality of fibres. The core extends in a main direction, the fibres being distributed along the core, between a proximal end and a distal end opposing one another in the main direction, forming an envelope which has at least two longitudinal slots. The fibres form the bottom of the slots having a first radial extension, the slots extending so as to define, in the region of the distal end, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which from the core is less than or equal to the first radial extension. A container may contain such an applicator.

1 . Applicator for cosmetic product, in particular for mascara, comprising a core and a plurality of fibres projecting from said core, said core extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, referred to as the main direction, said fibres being distributed along the core, over a substantial portion of the length thereof between a proximal end and distal end opposing one another in said main direction, said fibres forming an envelope with the free ends thereof, said envelope extending in said main direction whilst having at least two longitudinal slots, said slots having, in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, a trapezoidal shape, thus defining slots having two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse angles with said bottom, said bottom being flat, the fibres forming the bottom of the slot having a radial extension from said core, which is referred to as the first radial extension, said slots extending over a portion of said main direction so as to define, in the region of the distal end of said applicator, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which from the core is less than or equal to said first radial extension. 
     
     
         2 . Applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein said envelope extends, between said proximal and distal ends, over a length, referred to as the envelope length and marked L, said slots extending over a length, referred to as the slot length and labelled l, said two lengths L and l being linked by the formula: 0.5≦l/L≦0.9. 
     
     
         3 . Applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein said slots have substantially the same cross section with respect to said main direction at all points of the portion of said main direction in which they extend. 
     
     
         4 . Applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein said lateral edges form an angle which is substantially a right angle therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . Applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the apex of said trapezium, forming said bottom, has a length, between the two lateral edges, which is substantially equal to 2.5 mm. 
     
     
         6 . Applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the region without any slots in the region of the distal end of said applicator is formed by fibres of a first type, whereas the rest of the envelope is formed by fibres of a second type. 
     
     
         7 . Applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein said envelope has an extremum in the main direction, in particular from the proximal end to the distal end of the core. 
     
     
         8 . Applicator according to  claim 7 , wherein said extremum is a maximum. 
     
     
         9 . Applicator according  claim 1 , wherein said envelope has a portion in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, said portion having a shape which has an axial symmetry with respect to an axis which is perpendicular to said main direction, said axis being contained in said transverse plane. 
     
     
         10 . Applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein said envelope has three slots, said slots being at a regular distance from one another about said main direction with an angular space which is substantially equal to a 120° angle. 
     
     
         11 . Applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein said envelope has four slots, said slots being at a regular distance from one another about said main direction with an angular space which is substantially equal to a 90° angle. 
     
     
         12 . Applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein said envelope is curved in the main direction (X), in particular from the proximal end to the distal end of the core. 
     
     
         13 . Applicator according to  claim 12 , wherein said envelope is substantially convex. 
     
     
         14 . Method for producing an applicator for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, said method comprising:
 a step of positioning a plurality of fibres between longitudinal portions of a pin, then   a first step of twisting said pin to form a twisted pin having fibres extending radially about said pin, the ends of said fibres forming an envelope which extends in a longitudinal extension direction about said pin, referred to as the main direction, then   a step of cutting the fibres, so that said envelope has at least two longitudinal slots, said slots having, in a plane which is transverse to said main direction, a trapezoidal shape, thus defining slots having two lateral edges and a bottom, said lateral edges forming obtuse angles with said bottom, said bottom being flat, the fibres forming the base of the slots having a radial extension from said core, which is referred to as the first radial extension, said slots extending over a portion of said main direction so as to define, in the region of the distal end of said applicator, a region with no slots, which is defined by fibres, the radial extension of which from the core is less than or equal to said first radial extension.   
     
     
         15 . Container for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, which is capable of containing an applicator according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . Container for cosmetic product, in particular mascara, which is obtained according to the method of  claim 14 .