Applicator for applying a composition to keratinous materials and including a source of vibration
The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to human keratinous materials or for adding finishing touches to makeup, the applicator comprising: a vibration source including a vibration generator that vibrates at a frequency lying in the range 1 Hz to 500 Hz, a handle, a stem carried by the handle and an applicator or finishing member for coming into contact with keratinous materials.
1. An applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to human keratinous materials or for adding finishing touches to makeup, the applicator comprising:
a vibration source including a vibration generator that vibrates at a frequency lying in the range 1 Hz to 500 Hz;
a handle,
a stem carried by the handle; and
an applicator or finishing member carried by the stem for coming into contact with keratinous materials;
the stem further comprising a flexible first portion via which vibration travels along a shortest path between the vibration generator and the applicator or finishing member, the first portion being in contact with at least one second portion for vibration inlet or outlet;
the first portion being at a shorter distance from the applicator or finishing member than from the vibration generator; the first portion being interposed between second and third portions made out of materials that are harder than the first portion.
2. An applicator according to claim 1 , the vibration source being above the stem.
3. An applicator according to claim 1 , the second portion being fitted on the first portion.
4. An applicator according to claim 1 , the second portion being molded in contact with the first portion.
5. An applicator according to claim 1 , the handle constituting a closure cap for the receptacle containing the composition to apply.
6. An applicator according to claim 1 , the material from which the first portion is made being selected from: polyolefins; PVCs; EVA; Pebax®; nitrile rubbers; butyl rubbers; silicone rubbers; latexes, thermoplastic alloys; polyamides; and acetal.
7. An applicator according to claim 1 , the first portion including a housing for receiving a fastener endpiece for fastening the applicator or finishing member on the first portion.
8. An applicator according to claim 1 , the first portion including at least one annular groove.
9. An applicator according to claim 1 , the first portion including at least one recess opening out onto its lateral surface.
10. An applicator according to claim 1 , the first portion including at least one through opening.
11. An applicator according to claim 10 , the through opening being of axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem.
12. An applicator according to claim 10 , the through opening comprising at least one slot.
13. An applicator according to claim 1 , the applicator or finishing member extending along a longitudinal axis that does not coincide with the longitudinal axis of a proximal portion of a support to which the applicator or finishing member is connected.
14. An applicator according to claim 1 , the first portion extending along a longitudinal axis that coincides with the longitudinal axis of a proximal portion of a support to which the applicator or finishing member is connected.
15. An applicator according to claim 1 , the first portion extending along a longitudinal axis that does not coincide with the longitudinal axis of an adjacent portion of the support.
16. An applicator according to claim 1 , the first portion presenting a shape that is not axially symmetrical.
17. An applicator according to claim 1 , the first portion being undulated or helicoïdal.
18. An applicator according to claim 1 , the applicator or finishing member being a brush or a comb for applying a composition to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, or for adding finishing touches to makeup on the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows.
19. An applicator according to claim 1 , the vibration source comprising a ring for mounting on a finger of a user.
20. An applicator according to claim 1 , the vibration source being housed at least partially in the handle.
21. A method of applying a cosmetic composition to human keratinous materials or for adding finishing touches to makeup, the method comprising:
bringing a surface of an applicator or finishing member as defined in claim 1 that is being subjected to vibration coming from a vibration source into contact with keratinous materials.