DEVICE FOR APPLYING A COSMETIC OR SKIN CARE PRODUCT Technical field

The present invention relates to a device for applying a cosmetic or skin care product. Purely by way of non-limiting example, it could be used for the application of mascara or lipstick or the like.

Background art

Solutions are known comprising a mascara applicator comprising a container and a cap from which a product application brush projects. The cap is removable from the container and the brush can thereby be used for the application of the mascara.

When the cap is applied to the lid, the brush protrudes in the container. The connection means of the cap to the container can be of various kinds, for example magnetic or snap.

Disclosure of the invention

In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose an application device which allows a practical, ergonomic and fast application.

The technical task set and the objects specified are substantially attained by an application device comprising the technical features as set out in one or more of the accompanying claims.

Brief description of the drawings

Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of an application device, as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

- figure 1 shows a perspective view of a device for applying a cosmetic or skin care product according to the present invention;

- figure 2 shows a sequence of steps for extracting the applicator from the device of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 shows an exploded view of the device of figure 1 ; - figures 4 and 5 show sectional views of the device of figure 1 ;

- figure 6 shows a sectional view of the device of figure 1 in a different configuration relative to figure 5.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the appended drawings, reference number 1 denotes an application device of a product. Such a product is advantageously a cosmetic or skin care product. Typically such a product is a product which is applicable on a person's face.

For example, the product can be a mascara, a lipstick, etc.

Suitably, the device 1 comprises/extends in a stick. Suitably, the application device 1 comprises:

- a chamber 2; the chamber 2 suitably defines a product reservoir; the chamber 2 can therefore also be defined as a housing means;

- a product applicator 3 movable between a first and a second configuration.

In the second configuration the applicator 3 is more extracted from the chamber 2 relative to the first configuration. Typically the applicator 3 is not completely removable from the chamber 2.

In particular, in the second configuration (see figure 6) the applicator 3 is in an operating configuration in which it can be used to apply the product to a user.

In the first configuration (see figure 5), the applicator 3 is in a rest configuration inside the chamber 2. Thereby, the applicator is protected from contaminations and shocks, but the risk of dirtying things or people is also prevented.

The device 1 comprises a movement means 4 for moving the applicator 3 between the first and the second configuration. The movement means 4 comprises a magnetic interaction means 40 between: i) a movable slider 41 , outside the chamber 2 and operable by a user; and ii) the applicator 3. The slider 41 is movable/slidable with respect to the chamber 2. The slider 41 and the applicator are two distinct elements.

A movement of the slider 41 therefore corresponds to a movement of the applicator 3 (the two being connected by the magnetic interaction). In particular, a movement in a direction of the slider 41 corresponds to a same movement of the applicator 3. A movement of the slider 41 by a predetermined distance corresponds to a movement of the applicator 3 for the same distance (and advantageously also with the same sense and direction as already mentioned above).

The slider 41 magnetically interacts with the applicator 3 without ever coming into direct contact with the applicator 3. At least one wall of the chamber 2 is always interposed between the two.

The slider 41 moves along a predefined stroke. Such a stroke is linear. Suitably the stroke of the slider is less than 10 centimetres in length, preferably less than 7 centimetres. This is to facilitate ergonomics and favour the movement of the slider 41 even with only the thumb of one hand.

The slider 41 is slidable outside the chamber 2 between a first and a second position (see figure 2 from left to right, where the leftmost image corresponds to the first position and the rightmost image corresponds to the second position). The slider 41 always remains outside the chamber 2 and does not project therein even partially. The first and the second position are end-stroke positions. The first and the second position of the slider 41 correspond to the first and the second configuration of the applicator 3, respectively.

The slider 41 moving between the first and the second position moves parallel to a direction 43 of extraction/insertion of the applicator 3 with respect to the chamber 2.

Suitably the slider 41 moves between the first and the second position by translation. Suitably the device 1 comprises a constraining means which leaves only a degree of freedom to the movement of the slider 41 . The slider 41 is annular and surrounds (preferably 360°) at least one portion of the chamber 2. Moving between the first and the second position, the slider 41 always surrounds a portion of the chamber 2. For example, figure 5 shows the first position of the slider 41 and the first configuration of the applicator 3. Figure 6 shows the second position of the slider 41 and the second configuration of the applicator 3.

The applicator 3 advantageously has a main extension along one direction. Such a direction is advantageously parallel to the direction of extraction/insertion of the applicator 3 relative to the chamber 2.

The device 1 advantageously comprises a casing 5 which wraps the chamber 2. Such a casing is suitably a grip. The casing 5 comprises a slot 50 which allows a user to access the slider 41 and move it between the first and the second position. The slot 50 is typically a loop. The slider 41 could possibly extend outside the casing 5, passing through the slot 50. It is thereby more easily operable by a user. The slot 50 can also define a guide means of the slider between the first and the second position. The slot 50 has a main extension direction along a direction parallel to that of extraction of the applicator 3 from the chamber 2. Suitably there is an annular gap between the casing 5 and the chamber 2. Suitably a portion of the slider 41 is counter-shaped to a section of the annular gap. The slider 41 is intended to move in said annular gap along its stroke. The slider 41 slides, remaining in contact internally with the chamber 2 and externally with the casing 5.

Advantageously, the device 1 comprises a cap 6 which allows to occlude/free an access hole 60 to the chamber 2. The applicator 3 is advantageously partially removable from the chamber 2 through such a hole 60. Suitably, the device 1 comprises an annular scraper 7 through which at least a section of the applicator 3 transits, passing from the first to the second configuration 1 . The scraper 7 is preferably placed at the hole 60. This allows for example to permit a correct dosage and a proper distribution of the product on the applicator 3 (for example in the case of the mascara illustrated in the appended drawings the bristled elements of the brush on which the product accumulates come into contact with the scraper 7 passing from the first to the second configuration). The cap 6 is constrained/part of the casing 5. The cap 6 is suitably movable independently of the applicator 3. Suitably, the cap 6 is of the open and close type. For example, the cap 6 is hinged to the casing 5.

Advantageously the magnetic interaction means 40 can comprise: -a first element 401 solidly constrained to the slider 41 ;

-a second element 402 solidly constrained to the applicator 3.

At least one of said first and second element 401 , 402 is a first permanent magnet, the other is a second magnet or a body (for example metallic) which magnetically interacts with the first magnet.

Advantageously, the second element 402 is integrated in a base 30 of the applicator 3. Suitably, the second element 402 is a cylindrical or prismatic element. For example the base 30 is a support from which a brush extends for the application of the product.

Suitably the first and the second element 401 , 402 are always paired in any position of the slider 41 along its stroke. Therefore, they are at the same distance from the hole 60 or from a bottom of the chamber 2 or in any case from one end of the stick.

Possibly the magnetic interaction means 40 can comprise a third element 403 solidly constrained to the slider 41 . Advantageously in this case the first and the third element 401 , 403 are both permanent magnets and the second element 402 is interposed solidly to the applicator 3 therebetween. In this case also the second element 402 is magnetic and the face of the first element 401 facing the second element 402 has opposite polarity relative to the face of the third element 403 facing the second element 402. In fact, the second magnetic element 402 has a first surface facing the first element 401 and a second surface facing the third element 403. The first and the second surface of the second magnetic element 402 have opposite polarities. Suitably the base 30 has an orthogonal section in the direction of extraction/insertion of the applicator 3 which is counter-shaped relative to the chamber 2. In the preferred solution, the base 30 of the applicator 3 is not completely extractable from the chamber 2, but remains confined therein. Consequently also the applicator 3 is not removable.

The present invention also relates to a method for opening a device for applying a cosmetic or skin care product. Such a method is suitably implemented by a device 1 having one or more of the features described previously. The method comprises the step of at least partially extracting an applicator 3 of the product from a chamber 2.

The step of extracting the applicator 3 comprises the step of moving a slider 41 relative to the chamber 2 according to a first direction. The slider 41 is outside the casing 2. The slider 41 , moving according to the first direction, drags the product applicator 3 by magnetic interaction, extracting it at least in part from the chamber 2 in which it is located.

Suitably the step of moving the slider 41 occurs along a direction of extraction of the applicator from the chamber 2. Advantageously the movement of the slider 41 occurs between a first stroke end and a second stroke end. When the slider 41 is at the first stroke end, the applicator 3 is advantageously entirely inside the chamber 2. When the slider 41 is at the second stroke end, the applicator 3 is in the position of maximum extraction from the chamber 2. The movement of the slider 41 occurs by manual movement, with the user directly operating the slider. Suitably the step of moving the slider 41 is preceded by the step of opening a cap 6 which occludes a passage hole 60 of the applicator 3.

A method for closing the device 1 can then comprise the step of reintroducing the applicator 3 into the chamber 2. Also in this case the movement of the slider 41 in the direction opposite that of extraction causes a dragging by magnetic interaction between the slider 41 and the applicator 31 . The extraction and reintroduction of the applicator 3 into the chamber 2 can thus occur by means of the same slider 41 (which is manually moved).

The present invention achieves important advantages.

Firstly, the dispenser 1 is extremely ergonomic and allows a quick and practical opening. In particular, application is possible using only one hand and without the need to rest the dispenser 1 .

The invention as it is conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept characterised thereby. Further, all the details can be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. In practice, all the materials used, as well as the dimensions, can be any whatsoever, according to need.