JP7553491B2 - Wipers for applicators of liquid or paste products - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an assembly for applying a liquid or pasty product, and more particularly to a wiper for an applicator of a liquid or pasty product. Such a wiper can be used in particular in the field of cosmetics.

For example in the field of make-up or cosmetics, it is known to use various applicators suitable for products to be applied to the body or face, for applying liquid or pasty products. Generally, most of these applicators comprise an application member attached to the end of a stem. The application member is inserted into a container containing the cosmetic product in order to impregnate the application member with the cosmetic product, and is then withdrawn from the container in order to continue the application in detail. In order to remove the excess product adhering to the application member from the application member, a wiper is generally provided at the neck of the container. For example, the present applicant's WO 2016/156742 describes a wiping device particularly suitable for mascara brushes, which makes it possible to spread the mascara on the brush and to push back the excess mascara on the brush towards the container.

While such devices are satisfactory, other types of wipers may be more suitable for other products or applicators. In particular, depending on the type and viscosity of the product to be applied, and the shape of the applicator member, droplets may remain on the end of the applicator member despite the action of the wiper. Such droplets may cause the formation of unaesthetic lumps on the surface of the body part, or may even fall off the applicator before they can be applied, causing a stain on the surrounding area. Thus, a new type of wiper is needed.

International Publication No. WO 2016/156742

To this end, the present disclosure relates to a wiper for an applicator of a liquid or pasty product, comprising an attachment part configured to attach the wiper to an opening of a container capable of receiving said product, and a tubular wiping sleeve connected to the attachment part, the wiping sleeve being more flexible than the attachment part, the end of the wiping sleeve opposite the attachment part forming a chamfered annular lip relative to the direction of withdrawal of the applicator through the wiper.

The attachment portion is configured to attach the wiper to an opening in the container. It will be understood that this is an opening through which the applicator can be inserted into and withdrawn from the container to impregnate the applicator with the product contained in the container. The wiper can be attached to the container such that as the applicator is withdrawn through the opening, the applicator also passes through the wiper.

Furthermore, the shape of the wiper, in particular the tubular shape of the wiping sleeve, limits how the applicator passes through the wiper. The shape of the wiper therefore essentially determines the insertion and withdrawal directions of the applicator through the wiper, in particular taking into account the conventional shapes and dimensions of the applicator. The insertion direction and the withdrawal direction are generally collinear, and these terms are used interchangeably below, unless expressly specified otherwise or in accordance with the context. For example, the withdrawal direction may substantially coincide with the axis of the wiper or the axis of the wiping sleeve, with the geometry of the wiper and the conventional configuration of the applicator allowing at most a limited movement around this axis.

The term "sleeve" is understood to mean a tubular element. In contrast to a washer, a sleeve has a larger dimension along the axis of the tube compared to its thickness transverse to this axis. For example, the dimension of the wiping sleeve along the axis may be between 5 mm (millimeters) and 20 mm. For example, the thickness of the wiping sleeve transverse to the axis may be between 0.3 mm and 2 mm.

A lip formed at one end of the wiping sleeve defines an orifice for the applicator to pass through the wiper. The orifice is chamfered and inclined relative to a plane perpendicular to the withdrawal direction and/or relative to a plane perpendicular to the axis of the wiper or even the axis of the sleeve. For simplicity, the term "chamfered lip" is used below.

In the wipers described above, the flexibility of the wiping sleeve and the lip provided with a chamfer interact to better wipe the applicator, i.e. due to the chamfered shape of the lip, as the applicator passes over the wiping sleeve along the withdrawal direction, the distal part of the lip rubs the end of the applicator, depending on the deformation of the entire wiping sleeve, and removes drops of product that would otherwise remain on the applicator. Furthermore, due to its flexibility, the wiping sleeve can deform or adapt as much as possible to the shape of the applicator to be wiped. According to one possible operation, as the applicator passes over, the wiping sleeve can deform inwards, so as to follow the shape of the applicator as closely as possible and to displace excess product into the interior of the container; this particular type of deformation is sometimes known as the "sock effect".

At the same time, due to the fact that the attachment portion is less flexible than the wiping sleeve, the wiper can be effectively maintained attached to the container as the applicator passes over the wiper.

In some embodiments, the wiping sleeve comprises a frustoconical portion tapering towards a lip, the lip being defined by the end of the frustoconical portion. For example, the frustoconical portion can be defined by a cone with a tip angle between 40° and 140°, or between 45° and 120°. The axis of the cone can be inclined relative to the axis of the wiper, which allows the position and orientation of the orifice to be precisely defined. The presence of the frustoconical portion improves the ability of the wiping sleeve to deform to obtain a sock effect. Furthermore, the inclined walls of the wiping sleeve are advantageous in directing excess product wiped by the wiper towards the container.

In some embodiments, the lip defines, in cross section, a convex orifice. A convex orifice is an orifice such that for any two points in the orifice, the line segment joining those two points is entirely contained within the orifice. This facilitates deformation of the lip and allows the lip to better rub the applicator. For example, the orifice may be circular or elliptical.

In some embodiments, the wiping sleeve includes a wall adjacent the lip, the wall having a thickness less than 0.7 mm, preferably less than 0.5 mm. Optionally, the wall thickness may be greater than 0.1 mm, preferably greater than 0.3 mm. This allows for easy deformation of the wall and lip.

In some embodiments, the wall has a hardness between 30 and 60 Shore A, regardless of its thickness.

In some embodiments, the lip is contained in a plane that forms an angle with the withdrawal direction of between 10° and 80°, preferably between 20° and 70°, preferably between 30° and 60°, preferably about 45°.

In some embodiments, the attachment portion is made of a first material and the wiping sleeve is made of a second material that is less hard and/or stiff than the first material. This allows for easier deformation of the wiping sleeve and prevents damage to the applicator. Hardness can be measured on the Shore or Vickers scales. Stiffness can be measured using Young's modulus.

In some embodiments, the maximum length of the wiping sleeve in the withdrawal direction (more specifically, the length of the aforementioned frustoconical portion excluding the portion where the wiping sleeve is fastened to the mounting portion) is greater than the maximum inner radius of the wiping sleeve across said direction. These features allow the wiping sleeve to deform all the way to the most central portion of the applicator, which enhances wiping effectiveness.

In some embodiments, the orifice defined by the lip has a diameter between 2 and 8 mm, preferably between 3 and 7 mm, more preferably between 4 and 6 mm, preferably about 5 mm. This dimension is preferably measured in the plane of the orifice, which is flat or essentially flat. If the orifice is not circular but is any shape, for example elliptical or oval, the diameter of the orifice may refer to any dimension of the orifice, such as the maximum and/or minimum dimension of the orifice, or any dimension of the orifice.

The present disclosure further relates to an assembly for applying a liquid or pasty product, comprising a container having an opening, an applicator having a stem provided with an application member, and a wiper as defined above attached to the opening of the container. Preferably, the wiper is attached to the container such that the wiping sleeve is located further inside the container than the attachment portion. This allows for better preservation of the product in the container.

In some embodiments, the minimum inner diameter of the wiping sleeve transverse to the withdrawal direction is smaller than the diameter of the cross section of the stem. Thus, when the stem is located in the orifice, at least a portion of the wiping sleeve can clamp the stem and scrape the product along the stem. Depending on the shape of the wiping sleeve, the minimum inner diameter of the wiping sleeve transverse to the withdrawal direction can be reached at the level of the lip or at the portion of the wiping sleeve remote from the lip.

In some embodiments, the applicator member is eccentric with respect to the axis of the stem or the orifice is eccentric with respect to the pull-out direction. The axis of the stem generally coincides with the pull-out direction. When the wiper orifice is central with respect to the pull-out direction, the fact that the applicator member is eccentric allows it to cooperate more closely with the wiping sleeve, in particular with one side of the lip. This allows for a greater deformation of the wiping sleeve when the applicator passes through, and therefore increases the effectiveness of the wiper. This cooperation can also be obtained if the wiper orifice is eccentric with respect to the pull-out direction, in which case the applicator member may be aligned with the axis of the stem.

In some embodiments, the application member has a recess in its cross section. This recess can act as a reservoir for the product. In particular, the lip of the wiper, which is deformed and stretched taut around the application member, does not enter the reservoir-forming recess and can therefore retain excess product. The excess product can be gradually brought to the application member as the applicator is used, thus avoiding overly frequent refilling of the applicator.

In some embodiments, the applicator has at least one dimension that is larger than the stem in a direction transverse to the stem. Thus, wiping of the applicator member occurs more closely than wiping of the stem. Moreover, the applicator member is more likely to cause deformation due to the sock effect of the wiping sleeve, even if the stem does not cause such deformation. This results in better wiping.

The invention and its advantages will be better understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of an embodiment given as a non-limiting example. This description refers to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wiper according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the wiper of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the plane III-III of FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the wiper of FIG.

FIG. 5 illustrates the wiper of FIG. 3 attached to a container and cooperating with an applicator according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the applicator of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the applicator taken along the plane VII-VII of FIG.

A wiper according to one embodiment is described with reference to Figures 1-4. Unless expressly stated otherwise or apparent from the context, in the assemblies disclosed herein, the wiper 10 is described at rest, i.e., in the absence of any forces that would cause deformation perceptible to the naked eye.

1 shows a perspective view of a wiper 10 adapted to wipe an applicator of a liquid or paste-like product. As shown, the wiper 10 has a generally tubular or even annular shape centered on an axis X. The axis X of the wiper 10 defines an axial direction, which is also the direction in which the applicator is withdrawn through the wiper 10. A radial direction is a direction perpendicular to and cutting this axis X. Similarly, an axial plane is a plane that contains the axis X of the wiper, and a radial plane is a plane perpendicular to this axis X. A circumference extends as a circle that belongs to the radial plane and whose center belongs to the axis X of the wiper. A tangential or circumferential direction is a direction that is tangent to the circumference and perpendicular to the axis X of the wiper, but does not pass through the axis X.

Unless otherwise specified or out of scope, the adjectives "inner" and "outer" are used in reference to the radial direction, such that the inner portion of an element is closer along the radial direction to the axis X of the wiper than the outer portion of the same element.

As already shown, the wiper 10 comprises a mounting portion 20 and a wiping sleeve 30.

In this embodiment, the mounting portion comprises a body 28. The body 28 is annular about an axis X, here substantially cylindrical, and has rotational symmetry.

In this embodiment, the mounting portion 20 typically includes a flange 22 at the axial end of the body 28 opposite the wiping sleeve 30, here projecting radially outward. As shown in FIG. 5, the flange 22 forms an axial stop for engaging the mounting portion 20 with the opening 56 of the container 50. The flange 22 may be annular.

The attachment 20 further comprises, in this embodiment, a seam 24 that projects radially outwardly of the body 28 at a portion of the body 28 located between the wiping sleeve 30 and the flange 22. As shown in FIG. 5, the seam 24 is intended to cooperate with the neck 54 of the container 50, for example by tightening or latching, to hold the attachment 20 to the neck 54 of the container 50.

More generally, therefore, it will be understood that the attachment portion 20 is configured to attach the wiper 10 to the opening 56 of the container 50. In this case, the attachment portion cooperates with an edge of the opening 56, here the neck 54, to keep the wiper 10 housed inside the opening 56, here the neck 54, at least over a majority of it, or all of it as shown. In this way, when the applicator 60 is inserted or withdrawn through the opening 56, it also passes through the wiper 10.

The mounting portion 20 may take other forms than those described above, for example, it may take the form of one or more mounting lugs.

The wiping sleeve 30 is connected to the mounting portion 20 at the axial end of the mounting portion 20 opposite the flange 22.

In this embodiment, the wiping sleeve 30 comprises a fastening portion 32. The fastening portion 32 is annular about the axis X and has substantial rotational symmetry.

In this embodiment, the fastening portion 32 extends by a wall 34, here substantially frustoconical about the axis X. The wall 34 may be solid, in the sense that it does not have any radial openings. The wall 34 may taper in the axial direction from the fastening portion 32 until it reaches the opposite end of the wall 34, which forms a lip 38. The lip 38 is thus located at the opposite end of the wiping sleeve 30 from the mounting portion 20. The lip 38 is annular and extends uninterruptedly around the axis X. The lip 38 therefore defines an orifice 40 for the passage of the applicator. As previously mentioned, the wiping sleeve 30 is therefore tubular. In this case, the axis of the wiping sleeve 30 is collinear with the axis X of the wiper 10.

As mentioned above, the orifice 40 is chamfered with respect to the withdrawal direction of the applicator through the wiper 10. In this case, the withdrawal direction is collinear with the axis X of the wiper 10, and the lip 38 and the orifice 40 are inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the axis X of the wiper, as is evident from FIG. 3. The lip 38 may be contained in a plane, as in this embodiment, or may be substantially contained in a plane, in which case the plane that substantially contains the lip 38 is called the mid-plane. Typically, the withdrawal direction C and the plane of the lip 38 (or the mid-plane of the lip 38, if applicable) form an angle A between them that is different from 90°, preferably different from 0°, for example between 10° and 80°, for example about 45° as shown.

The chamfered lip 38 has a proximal end 38a, which is the portion of the lip 38 closest to the mounting portion 20, and a distal end 38b, which is the portion of the lip 38 furthest from the mounting portion 20.

The orifice 40 may be circular in the plane in which it resides. For example, the orifice may be a disk with a diameter of 5 mm. Due to its inclination, the opening appears elliptical in a view across the axis X, as shown in FIG. 2. Conversely, the orifice 40 may be elliptical in the plane of the orifice 40, and the orthogonal projection of such an ellipse along the axis X may or may not be circular, and in this embodiment, a circle is considered to be visible from a view similar to that of FIG. 2. More generally, the orifice 40 may be convex. It should be recalled that a convex shape is one in which if any two points belong to this shape, then the line segment connecting these two points also belongs to this shape.

The wall 34 can be dimensioned such that the maximum length L of the wiping sleeve 30, or of the wall 34, in the withdrawal direction X, is greater than the maximum inner radius R of the wiping sleeve 30 transverse to this direction X, as shown in FIG. 3. This allows the distal end 38b of the lip 38 to deform inwardly to reach a portion relatively close to the axis X, as will be described below.

It should further be noted that the wall 34 is made thinner compared to the fastening portion 32, thereby giving the wall 34 a relatively high degree of flexibility for achieving wiping, and giving the fastening portion 32 a relatively high degree of stiffness for successful connection with the mounting portion 20. For example, the wall 34 may be at least twice as thin as the fastening portion 32, or may be at least three times as thin. Moreover, the wall 34 here has a substantially constant thickness.

The fastener 32 and the wall 34 meet at a joint 33. In this embodiment, the joint 33 provides a continuous transition between the fastener 32 and the wall 34. The joint 33 can define at least one of the following changes: a change in the shape of the wiping sleeve 30 (from a generally cylindrical shape of the fastener 32 to a generally frusto-conical shape of the wall 34), a change in the thickness of the wiping sleeve 30 (a reduction of the thickness between the fastener 32 and the wall 34 by at least a factor of two), and a change in the flexibility of the wiping sleeve 30 (here essentially related to the change in thickness).

As shown in FIG. 4, the mounting portion 20 is a separate part from the wiping sleeve 30 in this embodiment. In this case, the mounting portion 20 is made of a first material, and the wiping sleeve 30 is made of a second material that is less hard and/or stiff than the first material. Thus, the wiping sleeve 30 is more flexible than the mounting portion 20. For example, the mounting portion 20 can be made of at least one of the following materials: low density polyethylene and high density polyethylene. Furthermore, the wiping sleeve 30 can be made of an elastomer, typically a thermoplastic elastomer. The material of the wiping sleeve 30 can be selected such that its hardness is between 30 and 60 Shore A.

The mounting portion 20 and the wiping sleeve 30 can be connected to each other by any known suitable means, for example by assembly. Furthermore, the wiping sleeve 30 can be found in the extension of the mounting portion 20. In this embodiment, the wiping sleeve 30 is manufactured first, and then the mounting portion 20 is overmolded onto the wiping sleeve 30. Overmolding, as known per se, forms a chemical bond between the mounting portion 20 and the wiping sleeve 30. In order to further reduce the risk of separation of the mounting portion 20 of the wiping sleeve 30, independently of the above, one or more mechanical engagements can be provided between the mounting portion 20 and the wiping sleeve 30. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the axial engagement is made possible here by an additional annular radial rib, while the circumferential engagement is made possible here by the cooperation of the dog 36 of the wiping sleeve and the opening 26 corresponding to the mounting portion 20. It should be noted that the dog 36 and the opening 26 have radial and circumferential components. However, it is considered possible to provide only one or the other. A system for engaging the wiping sleeve 30, i.e., ribs and dogs 36, should rather be provided on the fastening portion 32 so as not to interfere with the wiping function of the wall 34.

However, according to another embodiment, the attachment part 20 and the wiping sleeve 30 can form two parts of one and the same piece. In this case, the difference in flexibility between the attachment part 20 and the wiping sleeve 30 can be obtained by a difference in thickness or any other method recognized as suitable by a person skilled in the art.

Figure 5 shows diagrammatically in cross section an assembly for applying a liquid or pasty product, comprising a container 50, an applicator 60 and the wiper 10 described above. Here, the container is a bottle, comprising a body 52 and a neck 54 defining an opening 56. More generally, any container having an opening can be used. As mentioned above, the wiper 10 is attached to the opening 56 of the container 50. More precisely, in this case, the wiper 10 is attached inside the neck 54, which is therefore received in a shoulder stop formed between the body 28 and the flange 22 of the attachment 20.

The applicator 60 comprises a stem 62 with an application member 64, here provided at one end of the stem 62. In this embodiment, the application member 64 has the general shape of a drop of water when viewed from the side, the tip of the drop being located on the opposite side of the stem 62. However, other shapes are possible for the skilled person to choose. Furthermore, the application member 64 is eccentric with respect to the axis Y of the stem, as can be seen in FIG. 6. The composition of the application member 64 can be arranged to absorb the liquid or pasty product contained in the container 50, for example the application member 64 can at least partially comprise a porous material. Alternatively or additionally, the application member 64 can be flocked.

Next, the cooperation between the applicator 60 and the wiper 10 during the operation of pulling the applicator 60 out of the container 50 will be described with reference to Figures 5 and 7.

In the initial position, the applicator 60 is inserted into the container 50 so that the wiper 10 cooperates with the stem 62. In particular, the smallest internal diameter D of the wiping sleeve 30 transverse to the withdrawal direction X can be smaller than the diameter of the cross section of the stem 62. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the smallest internal diameter D corresponds to the smallest diameter of the orifice 40 projected parallel to the withdrawal direction X. In this way, the wiping sleeve 30 is not only able to scrape off the product remaining on the stem 62, but furthermore, the deformation of the wiping sleeve 30 around the stem 62 has the effect of centering the stem 62 with respect to the wiper 10 so that the withdrawal direction X is collinear with the axis Y of the stem.

Gradually, as the applicator 60 is withdrawn in the withdrawal direction X, the lip 38 of the wiper 10 comes into contact with the applicator member 64. In this embodiment, the applicator member 64 has a lateral dimension that is larger than the lateral dimension of the stem 62 and therefore necessarily larger than the minimum inner diameter D of the wiping sleeve. The lip 38 can therefore adequately rub against the applicator member 64.

Depending on the relative orientation between the applicator member 64 and the lip 38, the proximal end 38a of the lip 38 can be inverted toward the inside of the wiping sleeve 30 and/or the distal end 38b of the lip 38 can be inverted toward the inside of the wiping sleeve 30. The inner part of the lip 38 between the proximal end 38a and the distal end 38b has a more or less inverted position depending on the position of the proximal end 38a and the distal end 38b. In this way, different degrees of sock effect can be obtained. An example of a variation of the lip 38 and the wiping sleeve 30 is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 5.

When the distal end 66 or tip of the applicator member 64 reaches the orifice 40, the cooperation between the wiping sleeve 30 and the applicator member changes, and mainly the proximal end 38a comes into contact with the applicator member 64, due to the chamfered lip 38. The deformation of the lip 38 at the proximal end 38a pulls the distal end 38b towards the proximal end 38a, due to the distribution of forces along the lip 38. The taut distal end 38b is thus brought closer to the axis X of the wiper 10, which allows it to scrape off any drops of product that may form on the end of the applicator member 64. In this way, the applicator member 64 is wiped correctly.

Figure 7 shows that, as already indicated, the applicator member 64 may comprise, in cross section, a recess 68, which here is shaped by the very shape of the applicator member 64. As shown in Figure 7, when the applicator member 64 passes through the opening 40, the lip 38 deforms around the applicator. The lip 38, whose cross section is shown diagrammatically in dotted lines in Figure 7, is taut and therefore does not penetrate into the recess 68. Thus, the product reserve can be kept in the applicator member 64 itself.

Although the description refers to certain exemplary embodiments, modifications can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various embodiments shown/described above may be combined in further embodiments. The present specification and drawings are therefore to be considered in an illustrative and not a restrictive sense.

Claims (12)

A wiper (10) for an applicator of a liquid or pasty product, comprising:
a mounting part (20) configured to mount the wiper (10) to an opening (56) of a container (50) capable of containing the liquid or pasty product, and a tubular wiping sleeve (30) connected to the mounting part (20), the wiping sleeve (30) being more flexible than the mounting part (20), the end of the wiping sleeve (30) opposite the mounting part (20) forming an annular lip (38), the lip (38) defining an orifice inclined with respect to a withdrawal direction (X) of the applicator through the wiper (10) ,
The wiper (10) , wherein the orifice (40) is eccentric with respect to the withdrawal direction (X) . The wiper of claim 1, wherein the wiping sleeve (30) comprises a frustoconical portion tapering toward the lip (38), the lip (38) being defined by an end of the frustoconical portion. The wiper of claim 1 or 2, wherein the wiping sleeve (30) has a wall (34) adjacent the lip (38), the wall (34) having a thickness of less than 0.7 mm. The wiper according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the wiping sleeve (30) comprises a wall (34) adjacent the lip (38), the wall having a hardness between 30 and 60 Shore A. A wiper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lip (38) defines, in cross section, a convex orifice (40). A wiper according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lip (38) is contained in a plane that forms an angle between 10° and 80° with the pulling direction (X). The wiper according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the mounting portion (20) is made of a first material and the wiping sleeve (30) is made of a second material having a hardness lower than that of the first material. the wiping sleeve (30) comprises a frusto-conical portion tapering toward the lip (38), the lip (38) being defined by an end of the frusto-conical portion;
The wiper according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the maximum length (L) of the frusto-conical portion of the wiping sleeve (30) in the pulling direction (X) is greater than the maximum inner radius (R) of the wiping sleeve (30) transverse to said direction. A wiper as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the orifice (40) defined by the lip (38) has a diameter between 2 and 8 millimeters. An assembly for applying a liquid or pasty product comprising a container (50) having an opening (56), an applicator (60) having a stem (62) provided with an application member (64), and a wiper (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 attached to the opening (56) of the container (50). The application assembly of claim 10, wherein the minimum inner diameter (D) of the wiping sleeve (30) transverse to the withdrawal direction (X) is smaller than the cross-sectional diameter of the stem (62). The applicator assembly of claim 10 or 11, wherein the applicator member (64) is aligned with the axis of the stem (62).

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