Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to eyelashes or eyebrows

Abstract

Applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to eyelashes or eyebrows. Applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic composition to eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising an application member (3), said member comprising: a core (9), a plurality of individual elements (10) attached to the core (9), each individual element (10) comprising a nucleus (12) engaged on the core (9) and at least one application element (30) carried by the nucleus (12), the nucleus (12) of at least one of the individual elements (10) having on one face (13) at least one projecting relief (40) adapted to engage in a correspondingly shaped recess (50) provided on the face (15) opposite the nucleus (12) of the adjacent individual element (10). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 2

Description

Title of the invention: Applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to eyelashes or eyebrows technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to applicators for applying a cosmetic composition to eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising an application member composed of a core and a plurality of individual elements attached to the core, each individual element comprising a nucleus engaged on the core and at least one application element carried by the nucleus. Previous technique

[0002] US patent 8 899 241 B2 discloses an applicator of this type. The core is, for example, made up of a metal pin folded back on itself and twisted or of an axis of non-circular cross-section, the core being traversed by one or more openings of corresponding shapes.

[0003] Other examples of applicators of this type are described in applications WO2019053078, WO2019053080, WO2019053081, WO2019053084 and WO2019053087.

[0004] There is a need to further perfect applicators of this type, in particular to improve their performance, especially in terms of ergonomics and / or product loading, and to allow, where appropriate, the achievement of particular makeup effects. Description of the invention

[0005] The invention aims to meet this need and achieves this by means of an applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising an application element, said element comprising:

[0006] - a soul,

[0007] - a plurality of individual elements reported on the soul, each individual element comprising a core engaged on the core and at least one application element carried by the core,

[0008] the core of at least one of the individual elements having on one face at least a protruding relief capable of engaging in a correspondingly shaped housing provided on the face opposite the core of the adjacent individual element.

[0009] First, the presence of the protruding reliefs prevents the cosmetic composition from being trapped in interstitial areas near the core, or limits this risk. The invention thus makes it possible to reduce or even avoid the formation of composition traps that could form between adjacent individual elements.

[0010] Furthermore, the protruding ridges allow for the creation of composition reservoirs at a certain radial distance from the core, accessible to the eyelashes and / or eyebrows. Consequently, the applicator's autonomy and its capacity to hold cosmetic product are increased.

[0011] Depending on the desired effect, the gap between the elements, and therefore the volume of the reservoirs, can be chosen to accumulate more or less of the composition between the elements. The gap between the individual elements is advantageously adjustable. Depending on the pressure applied to the stacking of the individual elements along the longitudinal axis of the core, particularly during manufacturing, this gap can be greater or lesser. In particular, the higher the pressure, i.e., the tighter the individual elements, the smaller the gap.

[0012] Furthermore, depending on the shape given to the complementary reliefs, it is possible to confer more or less freedom of movement to the elements, and in particular to position the individual elements with a predefined orientation relative to each other. It is thus possible to obtain application members with more or less complex shapes, with portions that can be spun in a non-homogeneous manner, as will be described later. In particular, the complementary reliefs can be given a shape that allows the elements to pivot relative to each other around an axis of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the application member. Such relative pivoting makes it possible to give one or more curvatures to the core, in the same plane or in different planes, and / or curvatures in the same or opposite directions.This pivoting may only occur during manufacturing, with the applicator subsequently retaining the shape given to it during manufacturing, given the clamping between the individual elements. Alternatively, the applicator remains conformable by the user. Soul

[0013] The applicator may include a rod to which the application member is attached.

[0014] By "longitudinal axis of the core", we mean the line joining all the barycenters of the cross sections of the core. The longitudinal axis may be a central axis, or even an axis of symmetry for the core.

[0015] In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the core is straight.

[0016] The longitudinal axis can be confused with the longitudinal axis of the rod supporting the application member.

[0017] Alternatively, the longitudinal axis of the core forms a non-zero angle with the axis of the rod. This angle can be between 1° and 30°, for example, and in particular close to 10°.

[0018] In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the core is non-rectilinear.

[0019] By "non-rectilinear", it is understood that the soul exhibits a change of direction between its proximal end and its distal end.

[0020] The longitudinal axis of the core can be bent. The core comprises, for example, a the proximal portion is straight, and has at least one bend between this proximal portion and the distal end of the core.

[0021] The longitudinal axis of the core may be curved. The longitudinal axis may have one or more curvatures. The curvature of the core may be constant or variable.

[0022] The fact that the curvature is not constant over the length of the application member means that the radius of curvature is not the same at least at two different points along the application member.

[0023] The core can thus have a greater curvature on the side of its distal end than on the side of the stem for example, or have a straight or substantially straight portion and a curved portion.

[0024] The fact that the longitudinal axis of the core has one or more curvatures makes it possible to obtain an inhomogeneous composition loading of the application elements thanks to the fact that at least some parts of the application member are offset with respect to the axis of the rod and therefore with respect to the axis of a wringer through which the application member passes when it is extracted from the container.

[0025] This allows the user to have a reservoir of product on the application device, enabling them to locally load the eyelashes and / or eyebrows with an additional amount of the product. It also allows the user to have more vigorously wrung-out sections on the application device, which are effective for separating eyelashes, particularly the small eyelashes located at the outer corners of the eyelid.

[0026] Furthermore, the curvature(s) presented by the longitudinal axis of the core can also be adjusted in order to improve the ergonomics and precision of use of the applicator, in particular by being adapted to the curvature of the eye for an application of mascara on the eyelashes or of the eyebrow arch for example.

[0027] The longitudinal axis of the soul may or may not be contained in a plane.

[0028] The longitudinal axis can be curved around at least one axis of curvature.

[0029] The longitudinal axis of the core can be curved around at least two axes of curvature.

[0030] The axes of curvature may be coplanar. These axes of curvature may be parallel or intersecting.

[0031] The axes of curvature may be non-coplanar. The axes of curvature may or may not intersect.

[0032] The free end of the core, opposite the rod, can be eccentric with respect to the axis of the rod.

[0033] If desired, the application member can be made such that the end of the core is eccentric with respect to the axis of the rod, and that when the application member passes through the wringer, it deforms as it passes through the wringer and, once it has passed through the wringer, returns to its initial configuration by performing a This movement can shear off any drop of product that may be present at the tip of the brush. This reduces the risk of a drop of product remaining on the free end of the applicator, which could be problematic during application.

[0034] The core can be twisted, in particular made with two strands twisted together. This results in a helical arrangement of the application elements along the longitudinal axis of the core. This allows for specific makeup effects with good combing and separation of the eyelashes.

[0035] During the twisting of the core, the cross-section of the individual elements in contact with it is subjected to shear stress. The presence of the protruding features increases this cross-section and thus limits the effects of shear at the junction of the core and the individual elements. Individual elements

[0036] The applicator may comprise a number of individual elements between 2 and 50, preferably between 10 and 40.

[0037] Preferably, the core of at least one individual element, preferably of each individual element, has on one of its faces the protruding relief, and on the other, opposite face, the correspondingly shaped housing.

[0038] The face with the raised relief may correspond to the front face of the individual element. By "front face", we mean the face of the individual element directed towards the distal end of the application member, that is to say towards the end opposite to the stem.

[0039] The face presenting the housing may correspond to the rear face of the individual element.

[0040] By "rear face", we mean the face of the individual element oriented towards the proximal end of the application organ, i.e. towards the rod.

[0041] The core of each individual element may comprise a peripheral portion surrounding a central portion, the central portion preferably having the raised relief on one of its faces. Preferably, the central portion has the aforementioned raised relief on one of its faces and the correspondingly shaped housing on the opposite face.

[0042] The peripheral part may be contoured, in front view, of general circular shape.

[0043] The peripheral part can be flat, in particular in the form of a flattened ring.

[0044] Alternatively, the peripheral part may be contoured, in front view, of general polygonal shape, and for example hexagonal.

[0045] The face of the core exhibiting the protruding relief may include an annular surface at the peripheral part which has a slope in cross-section at a non-zero angle with respect to a plane perpendicular to a central axis of the element. Said face may be slightly conical around the central part.

[0046] The peripheral part can have a thickness, preferably constant, of between 0.5 mm and 5 mm, preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm, for example of the order of about 1.2 mm. Relief

[0047] The projecting relief may include one or more openings for the passage of the web, in particular having only two openings, preferably with axes parallel to each other and to the central axis of the element, for example arranged symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the element. Providing openings in the projecting relief, in the case of a twisted web, limits the shearing effects that these openings are likely to undergo during the twisting of the web, as explained above.

[0048] The protruding relief can occupy at least 10% of the corresponding face, better at least 20%, even better at least 30%, for example in the order of about 50%.

[0049] The projecting relief may include at least one portion convex outwards, preferably rounded, in particular an envelope of symmetrical shape of revolution around the axis of the element.

[0050] Thus the relief can present, in side view, a profile in the shape of an arc of a circle or an ellipse, as well as in longitudinal section.

[0051] Preferably, the longitudinal section of the relief has a constant radius of curvature. This radius of curvature can be between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm, for example, approximately 1.2 mm. Alternatively, this radius of curvature is variable, notably larger at the apex of the corresponding face.

[0052] The outwardly convex rounded portion may have an external surface in the shape of a spherical, ellipsoidal, or parabolic cap, preferably in the shape of a spherical cap. The outwardly convex portion can thus have a general dome shape.

[0053] The apex of the outwardly convex area can be located in a median plane of the core.

[0054] The projecting relief may be solid. The projecting relief may thus have no discontinuity in material other than any openings necessary for the passage of the core.

[0055] The projecting relief may also be discontinuous. The projecting relief may comprise at least two outwardly convex portions, in particular each of rounded shape, with a gap between them.

[0056] The projecting relief may, for example, comprise a plurality of sectors, these sectors being, for example, inscribed within a dome-shaped envelope surface, in particular spherical, ellipsoidal, or parabolic. The inclusion of sectors may confer more axial deformability to the individual element, the sectors being able for example to deform by bending and coming closer together when the individual elements are axially pressed against each other.

[0057] When the relief comprises a plurality of sectors, each of these may have the shape of a portion of a dome or even the shape of an orange segment. The dwelling

[0058] The housing preferably has a shape complementary to that of the protruding relief.

[0059] The housing may have at least one rounded portion concave outwards.

[0060] Preferably, the portion concave outwards is rounded. The portion concave outwards can thus present a longitudinal section in the shape of a portion of a circle or ellipse.

[0061] The contour of the longitudinal section of the housing may have a constant or variable radius of curvature, in particular larger at the top of the corresponding face.

[0062] The apex of the outwardly concave portion can be located in a median plane of the core.

[0063] The housing, in particular the outwardly convex portion, can occupy at least 10% of the face of the corresponding core, better at least 20%, even better at least 30%, for example about 50% of the face of the corresponding core. Ball joint

[0064] The outwardly convex, rounded portion of the individual element may have a shape complementary to that of the outwardly convex, rounded portion of the adjacent individual element. Preferably, the convex and concave rounded portions have a substantially identical radius of curvature.

[0065] Preferably, the convex rounded portion and the concave rounded portion of two successive individual elements form a ball joint.

[0066] By "ball joint" between two successive individual elements, it is understood that the only degrees of kinematic freedom allowed between the two individual elements are rotations of one of the elements relative to the other element about at least one axis of rotation, preferably about two orthogonal axes of rotation. In particular, the ball joint may allow rotation about two axes of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the web. Before web assembly and / or web twisting, the two elements of the ball joint may allow rotation about the longitudinal axis of the assembly.

[0067] The presence of such a ball joint between the successive individual elements provides a large number of possibilities for shaping the application member, particularly in manufacturing, which makes it easier to obtain an application device adapted to the makeup one is trying to achieve.

[0068] Preferably, the ball joint allows an angular deflection of between 0.5° and 5° around at least one of its axes of rotation, in particular an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the web. Application elements

[0069] Each individual element preferably comprises a plurality of application elements extending radially from the periphery of the core.

[0070] The application elements are preferably distributed over substantially the entire perimeter of the core, in particular according to a regular angular distribution.

[0071] The application elements may have a circular or polygonal cross-section, among other possibilities.

[0072] Preferably, the application elements are bristles. For example, they have a cross-section that decreases towards their free end. This allows for good separation of the eyelashes.

[0073] Each individual element may comprise a number of application elements between 4 and 24.

[0074] Preferably, the core and the application elements of an individual element are made in one piece by molding of thermoplastic material, in particular in the same material.

[0075] The applicator may comprise individual elements of different kinds, for example made of different materials, in particular of different hardnesses.

[0076] The applicator may include individual elements of different geometries, in particular with regard to the shape and / or dimensions of their peripheral part and / or the shape and / or arrangement of their application elements. Cosmetic composition

[0077] Advantageously, the cosmetic composition intended to be applied to the eyelashes and / or eyebrows is a mascara composition. A mascara composition typically has a viscosity at 25°C greater than 5 Pa.s, in particular between 5 Pa.s and 50 Pa.s, especially when measured using a Rhéomat RM100® device.

[0078] Such a mascara composition typically comprises a dry extract, generally in an amount greater than or equal to 35% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, a powdered coloring material, in particular one or more pigments, notably one or more metal oxides, for example one or more iron oxides, and advantageously a film-forming polymer. A mascara composition may also typically comprise one or more waxes, in a total amount in particular between 5 and 40% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition. position. Manufacturing process

[0079] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing an applicator according to the invention, comprising the following steps:

[0080] a) threading the individual elements onto a straight core along its longitudinal axis, the core and each individual element, in particular the core and the core of the individual element, being mechanically linked to prevent the individual element from pivoting freely on the core,

[0081] b) optionally, twist the core,

[0082] c) bend the web around at least one axis of curvature, in particular around an axis of curvature perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the web.

[0083] In step a), the mechanical connection without possibility of relative rotation of the core and the individual element(s) before twisting can be obtained by means of a core, made in the form of an elongated element in plastically deformable material and having a non-circular cross-section (for example polygonal, such as square, rectangular, triangular, etc..., oval, multilobed, ...) in the untwisted state, threaded through an orifice of complementary cross-section provided in the core of each of the elements.

[0084] Alternatively, the core comprises two branches made of plastically deformable material, for example metal strands, possibly connected to each other at one of their ends by being made from a single wire folded into a pin, and the mechanical connection without possibility of relative rotation of the core and of the element(s) threaded onto it before twisting is obtained by threading the branches of the core in the untwisted state into two orifices, preferably of complementary shapes, provided in the core of each of the elements.

[0085] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments previously described for ensuring mechanical connection without possibility of relative rotation between the core and the element, in particular between the core and the nucleus of the element, but extends to all technical equivalents known to a person skilled in the art for achieving such a connection.

[0086] Step b) may involve subjecting the core to a torsion so as to impart a plastic deformation to the core, so that the latter adopts its twisted shape in a stable and definitive manner once this torsional effort ceases to be exerted on it.

[0087] In step c), the core can be curved around an axis of curvature.

[0088] In step c), the core can be curved around at least two axes of curvature. Step c) may therefore include: i. To bend the soul around a first axis, ii. To curve the soul around a second axis.

[0089] Steps i) and ii) can be carried out simultaneously or successively.

[0090] The applicator may have a non-constant curvature along its length at the end of step i) and before step ii), and in particular may comprise a straight portion and a curved portion or two straight portions connected by a bend. Step ii) may thus consist of curving a straight portion around the second axis of curvature.

[0091] The invention also relates to a conditioning and application device comprising: - a container containing the composition to be applied, - an applicator according to the invention.

[0092] The invention further relates to a cosmetic treatment method for eyelashes and / or eyebrows, in particular for applying makeup to them, comprising the step of applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows using an applicator according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0093] The invention will be better understood upon reading the detailed description that follows, the non-limiting examples of its implementation, and upon examination of the accompanying drawing, on which:

[0094] [Fig-1] Fig. 1 represents schematically and partially an example of conditioning and application device according to the invention,

[0095] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] shows in isolation an example of an applicator made in accordance with the invention,

[0096] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] represents in isolation the application element of [Fig.2],

[0097] [Fig.4] the [Fig.4] represent in isolation an individual element used to realize the application member of the [Fig.3],

[0098] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a longitudinal section of the individual element of [Fig.4],

[0099] [Fig.6] is a longitudinal section of the application member of [Fig.3],

[0100] [Fig.7] is a detail of [Fig.6],

[0101] [Fig.8] is a view analogous to [Fig.2], of a variant of the applicator,

[0102] [Fig.9], [Fig.10] and [Fig.11] are views analogous to [Fig.2] of a variant of the applicator,

[0103] [Fig. 12] illustrates an example of mounting the individual elements on the core,

[0104] [Fig. 13] is a variant of the core on which the elements can be mounted and of individual elements, the core being represented before assembly of the elements, and

[0105] [Fig. 14] represents a variant of an individual element. Detailed description

[0106] The conditioning and application device 1 schematically and partially represented in [Fig.1] comprises a container 3 containing the composition F to be applied, and an applicator 3 for applying this composition.

[0107] The container 3 has, in the example considered, a threaded neck 4 and the applicator 2 has a gripping member 5 which also constitutes a closing cap for the container 3. This is arranged to attach to the neck 4 in order to close the container 3 in a leak-proof manner when not in use.

[0108] Container 3 can still be made in another way.

[0109] The applicator 2 comprises a rod 7 with longitudinal axis Xt, which connects at its upper end to the closing cap 5 and, at its lower end, to an application member 8 according to the invention.

[0110] The container 3 also includes a wringer 6, for example inserted in the neck 4.

[0111] The wringer 6, which can be any type, includes in the example considered a lip arranged to wring the rod 7 and the application member 8 when the applicator 2 is removed from the container 3. The lip defines a wringing orifice 6a of diameter adapted to that of the rod.

[0112] The wringer 6 can be made of elastomer.

[0113] The wringer 6 may include a circular wringing orifice 6a, even slit-like.

[0114] The diameter of the spin orifice 6a of the spin element 6 is for example between 2.5 and 6 mm.

[0115] The wringer 6 may optionally include undulations, allowing the wringing orifice to widen more easily when the application member 8 passes through.

[0116] The spin-drying unit can still be adjusted, if necessary.

[0117] In the illustrated example, the rod 7 has a circular cross-section, but this does not depart from the scope of the present invention if the rod 7 has a different cross-section, as the cap 5 can then be attached to the container 3 by a means other than screwing. The wringer 6 is adapted to the shape of the rod 7 and to that of the application member 8.

[0118] In the example considered, the longitudinal axis Xt of the rod 7 is straight and coincides with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place on it, but we do not depart from the scope of the present invention when the rod 7 is not straight, forming for example a bend.

[0119] The rod 7 may, where appropriate, include an annular constriction on its portion which is positioned opposite the lip of the wringer 6, so as not to mechanically stress the latter excessively during storage.

[0120] The rod 7 to which the application member 8 is attached can be at least partially, in particular entirely, flexible, particularly in the vicinity of the application member.

[0121] The attachment of the application member 8 to the rod 7 is done by any means and in particular by force mounting, snap-fitting, gluing, welding, stapling or crimping, in a corresponding housing provided at the end of the rod 7.

[0122] The composition F that is applied may consist of any cosmetic product intended for makeup or the care of eyelashes and / or eyebrows. Preferably, it is mascara. Composition F may, in particular, include pigments, such as iron oxides, dispersed in an aqueous or anhydrous medium. The container capacity is preferably between 5 and 30 mL.

[0123] Figures 2 and 3 show an example of an applicator 3 with an application member 8 according to the invention. The application member 8 is made up of individual elements 10, one of which is shown in isolation in Figures 4a to 4c.

[0124] As illustrated, the elements 10 are mounted on a core 9 which holds them stacked. This core 9 is, for example, made from a metal wire bent into a hairpin shape, as in the illustrated example. To this end, the individual elements 10 have openings 11 for the passage of the arms 9a and 9b of the core. It does not depart from the scope of the invention if the core is made differently, in particular in the form of an elongated element made of a plastically deformable material and having a non-circular cross-section, and if each individual element 10 is threaded onto the core through a single opening with a cross-section chosen so as not to rotate on the core, for example of a complementary shape, as shown in [Fig. 13].

[0125] Each individual element 10 comprises, as can be seen in figures 4a, 4b and 4c, a core 12 having on its front face 13 a raised relief 40 and on its rear face 15 a housing 50. The core 12 comprises a peripheral part 14 surrounding a central part 16.

[0126] As can be seen in [Fig. 6], the projecting relief 40 of an individual element engages in the housing 50 of the adjacent individual element. The arrangement of the projecting reliefs 40 and the corresponding housings 50 allows the creation of an annular gap 20 between the facing faces 13 and 15 at the level of the peripheral parts 14, this gap having a maximum width j.

[0127] The maximum width j is for example between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, preferably between 0.1 mm and 1 mm, and for example close to 0.2 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, this annular gap 20 results from the fact that the front face 13 has, at the level of the peripheral part 14, an annular surface 13a which has in section a slope of angle c with respect to a plane K perpendicular to the central axis Y of the element, as illustrated.

[0128] In other words, the front face 13 is slightly conical around the protruding relief 16.

[0129] Alternatively, the front face 13 is flat and the gap 20 results from the spacing of the individual elements due to the fact that the individual elements 10 are less tightly packed. In this case, the top of the protruding relief 40 does not come into contact with the bottom of the housing 50.

[0130] The set 20 allows the formation of composition F reserves at a certain radial distance from the core, namely in the illustrated example from junction 38 between the relief 40 and the peripheral part 14.

[0131] The presence of the play 20 allows an angular displacement of amplitude d which can be substantially equal to the angle c, because in the position of maximum displacement the surface 13a comes against the surface 15a of the front face 15 at the level of the peripheral part 14, the two surfaces 13a and 15a being preferably substantially parallel at the level of the line of contact.

[0132] It can also be seen that the protruding reliefs 40 form an obstacle preventing the composition from being trapped in interstitial areas close to the core.

[0133] The peripheral part 14 has a contour, in front view, of generally circular shape. The peripheral part may, where appropriate, have a diameter D of between 2 and 10 mm, preferably between 3 and 6 mm, for example of approximately 4.5 mm.

[0134] In the illustrated example, the peripheral part 14 is in the form of a flattened ring in a plane perpendicular to a central axis Y of the individual element, which can be an axis of symmetry for the core 12. The peripheral part 14 has a thickness of between 0.5 and 5 mm, preferably between 1 and 3 mm, for example on the order of about 1.2 mm.

[0135] The central part 16 has on its front face the protruding relief 40 and on its rear face the housing 50.

[0136] The projecting relief 40 has a rounded portion convex outwards. The projecting relief has a dome shape, as is particularly visible in [Fig. 4]. As illustrated, the dome can correspond substantially to a hemispherical cap, and can occupy approximately between 40% and 60% of the front face of the core 12 in projection.

[0137] The protruding relief 40 has a maximum thickness H, relative to the edge of the core 12, of between 0.5 and 3 mm, for example on the order of 1 mm.

[0138] The openings 11 for the passage of the branches 9a, 9b of the core 9 are arranged in the central part 16 symmetrically with respect to the Y axis of the element 10. The holes 11 pass through the protruding relief 40.

[0139] The housing 50 has a shape complementary to that of the projecting relief 40. In the illustrated example, it includes a rounded portion concave outwards, in the form of a spherical cavity of revolution around the X axis of the element 10.

[0140] The convex rounded portions 40 and concave rounded portions 50 have substantially equal radii of curvature rc; rb. This radius of curvature is, for example, between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm, for example, in the order of approximately 1.2 mm.

[0141] As illustrated in [Fig.7], the outwardly convex and concave rounded portions of two successive application elements form a ball joint.

[0142] Preferably, the ball joint has an angular deflection d between 0.5° and 5° around at least one axis of rotation perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the web (and to the plane of the [Fig.7]).

[0143] In the example considered, the projecting relief 40 is solid. Alternatively, the projecting relief 40 comprises a plurality of sectors 45, as illustrated in [Fig. 14]. The sectors 45 are inscribed within a spherical dome-shaped envelope surface.

[0144] Each individual element 10 comprises application elements 30 carried by the core 12. These engage with the eyelashes or eyebrows when using the applicator 3. The application elements 30 in this example have the same pin shape.

[0145] The surface of the core 12 on which the elements are connected is cylindrical in shape and of revolution around the Y axis.

[0146] In the illustrated example, the longitudinal axis X is straight and coincides with the axis Xt of the rod 7.

[0147] The longitudinal axis X of the core can be curved, as in the example illustrated in figures 8, 9 and 11.

[0148] In the example of [Fig. 8], the longitudinal axis X of the web 9 is curved about an axis of curvature CL

[0149] This axis Cl is contained in the example described in a median plane of the soul 9.

[0150] The longitudinal axis X has a radius of curvature rl of, for example, between 100 mm and 200 mm, preferably between 150 mm and 170 mm. In the illustrated example, the radius of curvature rl is constant, but it does not depart from the scope of the invention if the radius of curvature rl of the web 9 is variable along its length.

[0151] As can be seen in Figures 8 and 11, the distal end 9c of the core 9 is eccentric with respect to the X axis of the rod 7.

[0152] The distal end 9c of the core 9 can be eccentric by a distance l between 1 mm and 5mm mm from the Xt axis of the rod.

[0153] The shape of the application organ 8 results in it being wrung out in an inhomogeneous manner.

[0154] More specifically, the eccentric region 9f of the furthest from the axis Xt will be spun relatively vigorously while the diametrically opposite region 9d will be spun less vigorously because it is very close to the axis Xt.

[0155] The user thus has on the same applicator both a large reserve of product, useful for making local applications of product on the eyelashes, and a well-wrung part allowing for combing and separating the eyelashes.

[0156] It should also be noted that when the product is applied to the eyelashes by imparting a rotational movement to the application member around the axis Xt of the rod 7, an oscillation occurs in the application elements of the eccentric region 9f, transverse to the axis Xt, which can facilitate their penetration between the eyelashes and improve the support of the latter.

[0157] In the example illustrated in [Fig. 9], the longitudinal axis X of the web 9 is curved about two axes C'1 and C2. As illustrated, the web 9 is curved in an S-shape about these two parallel axes. In the example considered, the web 9 has two curves with different orientations f1 and f2. The two curves have substantially the same radius of curvature, but the invention remains valid even if the radii of curvature are different.

[0158] Due to the curvature of the core, the application member according to the invention, when observed in a direction perpendicular to the axis Xt of the rod 7, has a profile which varies, so that the application member has regions capable of performing different actions on the eyelashes.

[0159] In the illustrated example, the longitudinal axis of the core is contained in a plane, but we do not depart from the scope of the invention if the axis of the core comprises two portions not contained in the same plane.

[0160] To produce the applicators described above, the elements are first threaded onto the straight core 9, as illustrated in [Fig. 12]. The resulting elements have no possibility of rotation, as can be seen in [Fig. 3]. An applicator is thus obtained as illustrated in [Fig. 2].

[0161] To obtain the applicator of [Fig.8], the core 9 of the application member of [Fig.3] is subjected to a torsion around the axis Cl which is here oriented perpendicularly to the plane of the figure.

[0162] To obtain the applicator of [Fig.9], the straight web 9 is subjected to a torsion around the two axes C'i and C2.

[0163] The invention is not limited to an applicator comprising a non-twisted core.

[0164] Figures 10 and 11 show application elements conforming to examples of implementation of the invention, the core of which 9 is twisted.

[0165] Fig. 10 illustrates an example of an application member 8 having a straight twisted core.

[0166] In comparison with [Fig.2], we see that the twisting gives the application member a helical expansion of the application members along the longitudinal axis of the core 9.

[0167] The application member illustrated in [Fig.1 1] is similar to that of [Fig.8] with a twisted core.

[0168] To produce the applicators described in Figures 10 and 11, before applying the twisting around the aforementioned axes, we twist the soul 9.

[0169] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described.

[0170] For example, the number of application elements may be different.

[0171] Individual elements 10 which are not identical can also be stacked on the core, for example being made of different materials, in particular of different hardnesses, and / or with different shapes.

[0172] The geometry of the individual elements may be different, in particular with regard to the shape and / or dimensions of their peripheral part, and / or the shape or arrangement of their application elements.

[0173] The core can be given curvatures different from those described above.

[0174] Protruding reliefs can also be provided on the rear face of the elements in individual units and the housing units on the front of them.

[0175] The projecting reliefs may have an external surface in the shape of a spherical cap, less than a hemisphere for example between R and R / 2 in height, R being the radius of the sphere.

Claims

Demands

1. Applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic composition to eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising an application member (3), said member comprising: - a core (9), - a plurality of individual elements (10) attached to the core (9), each individual element (10) comprising a core (12) engaged on the core (9) and at least one application element (30) carried by the core (12), the core (12) of at least one of the individual elements (10) having on one face (13) at least one projecting relief (40) capable of engaging in a correspondingly shaped housing (50) provided on the face (15) opposite the core (12) of the adjacent individual element (10), the projecting relief (40) comprising at least one rounded portion convex outwards and in the shape of a cap, the housing (50) comprising at least one rounded portion concave outwards.

2. Applicator according to claim 1, the convex rounded portion being substantially spherical, the convex and concave rounded portions preferably having a substantially identical radius of curvature.

3. Applicator according to one of claims 1 and 2, the convex rounded portion and the concave rounded portion forming a ball joint.

4. Applicator according to claim 3, the ball joint having an angular travel (d) between 0.5° and 5°.

5. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (9) being curved around at least one axis of curvature (Cl).

6. Applicator according to any one of claims! to 5, the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (9) being curved around at least two axes of curvature (C' 1 ; C2).

7. Applicator according to claim 6, the axes of curvature being coplanar.

8. Applicator according to claim 6, the axes of curvature being non-coplanar.

9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the core of each individual element comprising a peripheral portion surrounding a central portion, the central portion preferably having on one face the raised relief, the central part preferably having on one of its faces the raised relief and on the other opposite face the correspondingly shaped housing.

10. Applicator according to claim 9, the peripheral part being flattened in shape.

11. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the core being a core comprising two strands twisted together.

12. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the face (13) of the core (11) having the raised relief (40) having an annular surface (13a) at the level of the peripheral part (14), said annular surface (13a) having in section a slope of angle (c) non-zero with respect to a plane perpendicular (K) to a central axis (Y) of the individual element (10).

13. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the application elements being distributed over substantially the entire perimeter of the core, in particular according to a substantially regular angular distribution.

14. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the raised relief comprising a plurality of sectors, in particular at least two outwardly convex portions, in particular of rounded shape.

15. A method of manufacturing an applicator according to any one of the preceding claims with connection to claim 5, comprising the following steps: a) threading the individual elements onto a straight core along its longitudinal axis, the core and the individual element, in particular the core and the core of the individual element, being mechanically linked to substantially prevent the individual element from pivoting freely on the core, b) optionally, twisting the core, c) bending and / or curving the core around at least one axis of curvature.

16. Packaging and application device comprising: - a container containing the composition to be applied, - an applicator as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14.

17. A cosmetic treatment method for eyelashes and / or eyebrows, in particular for applying makeup, comprising the step of applying a com- cosmetic positioning on the eyelashes using an applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 14.