Applicator device for applying a cosmetic, applicator element therefor, and cosmetic unit comprising the applicator device

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator device for a cosmetic applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, comprising at least two applicator elements having application units, wherein the applicator elements are designed as one-piece plastic parts and one or more applicator elements are arranged axially consecutively along a longitudinal axis L of the applicator device, wherein the application units of the applicator elements form application unit fields, each spanning an enveloping volume, wherein at least two enveloping volumes of applicator elements arranged next to one another are in contact with each other forming an overlapping zone, or overlap each other at least partially. The invention further relates to an applicator element for forming an applicator device, to a cosmetic applicator, and to an applicator element of an applicator device.

1 . A cosmetics applicator, in particular a mascara applicator, comprising:
 an applicator device comprising at least two applicator elements that comprise application organs;   each of the applicator elements being configured as a single-piece plastic part that includes a base part from which the application organs branch off, and the base part includes a through opening for plugging the base part onto a carrier part, with at least two applicator elements being disposed axially successively along a longitudinal axis of the applicator device;   the application organs of the applicator elements forming application organ areas that each span an enveloping volume, wherein at least two enveloping volumes of adjacently disposed applicator elements overlap and form an overlap zone, which is formed rotationally symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis, in such a way that the application organs within the overlap zone delimit a reservoir volume that is limited by the application organs and a partial area of base parts of the applicator elements.   
     
     
         2 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the overlap zone is formed of enveloping volumes of two adjacent applicator elements and constitutes an intersection of these enveloping volumes. 
     
     
         3 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 2 , wherein the overlap zone, as an intersection of the enveloping volumes of adjacent applicator elements, has a disc-shaped three-dimensional shape with a constant and/or uniform thickness corresponding to an overlap length. 
     
     
         4 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 2 , wherein the overlap zone, as an intersection of the enveloping volumes of adjacent applicator elements, has a wedge-shaped three-dimensional shape. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the overlap zone is disposed in an eccentrically offset manner with respect to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the overlap zone has an overlap length which, in case of touching, equals 0 mm, and in case of overlapping, is 0 mm≦X≦5 mm. 
     
     
         8 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 7 , wherein the overlap length is variable in a radial direction of the applicator device. 
     
     
         9 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 2 , wherein the overlap zone extends merely over a part of a circumferential direction of the applicator device and no touching/overlapping of the enveloping volumes takes place in at least one other region. 
     
     
         10 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 2 , wherein the enveloping volumes of the applicator elements provide the same percentage as regards volume with regard to the formation of the overlap zone. 
     
     
         11 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 2 , wherein, with respect to the percentage of the total volume of an enveloping volume, two adjacent enveloping volumes contribute to the formation of the overlap zone to different extents. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein a carrier part for accommodating at least one applicator element is provided, and the carrier part and at least one applicator element are configured as a single piece. 
     
     
         14 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the applicator elements is configured as a plastic injection-molded part, in particular as a single or multi-component injection-molded part or as a 3-D printed component consisting of plastic. 
     
     
         15 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one applicator element is seated on the carrier part in such a manner that the at least one applicator element is rotatable about the longitudinal axis relative to another applicator element. 
     
     
         16 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the application organs are located radially peripherally around a base part of the applicator element in rows, with the application organs of at least one row standing perpendicularly on the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         17 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein rows of application organs include an acute angle with the longitudinal axis, in particular an angle between 30° and 90°. 
     
     
         18 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the carrier part comprises an accommodating portion for accommodating applicator elements and at least one annular bead-like or nose-like projection for at least axially fixing the applicator elements relative to the carrier part, wherein the at least one annular bead-like or nose-like projection engages grooves upon assembly, or is at least force fit with the at least one applicator element in an assembled state. 
     
     
         19 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 18 , wherein the at least one annular bead-like or nose-like projection fixes the applicator elements in a rotation-proof manner, the at least one annular bead-like or nose-like projection being a cross section of the accommodating portion deviating from a cylindrical cross section or a force fit of the applicator elements on the carrier part. 
     
     
         20 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 19 , wherein the cross section is polygonal or oval. 
     
     
         21 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein central axes of the application organs of two applicator elements forming the overlap zone include an angle, the angle being between 20° and 130°. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the base part comprises at least one thickened region, the bristles branching off from the thickened region and branching off perpendicularly from an outer surface of the applicator element. 
     
     
         24 . The cosmetics applicator device according to any one  claim 1 , wherein the applicator device is constructed of at least two different applicator elements. 
     
     
         25 . The cosmetics applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator elements differ with regard to length, hardness, geometry of the application organs or the covering with application organs. 
     
     
         26 - 38 . (canceled)