Applicator for liquid or paste products
The applicator addresses uneven mascara application by using pins with concavities for product retention and tapered edges for distribution, ensuring even lash separation and distribution.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PARFUMS CHRISTIAN DIOR SA
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
Existing mascara applicators fail to adequately separate eyelashes and ensure homogeneous distribution of cosmetic products, leading to clumping and uneven application.
An applicator design featuring first pins with concavities for product retention and second pins with tapered edges for even distribution, arranged in specific patterns to facilitate uniform application.
The applicator effectively separates eyelashes and ensures homogeneous distribution of the cosmetic product, providing easy and effective application with minimal clumping.
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: Applicator for liquid or paste product technical field
[0001] The present description relates to the field of cosmetics, and more particularly to an applicator for liquid or paste products. Such an applicator allows a user to apply a product, for example a cosmetic product such as mascara, to the skin or to keratin fibers such as eyelashes, eyebrows, or hair. Previous technique
[0002] There are many types of applicators for liquid or paste products. For example, document WO 2020 / 025862 describes a mascara applicator consisting of a core with bristles that are at least partially flexible, designed to avoid pricking the user's skin and to ensure good product distribution. In practice, however, such an applicator does not sufficiently separate the eyelashes and can lead to clumping of mascara.
[0003] Furthermore, document WO 2014 / 195914 describes a mascara applicator with asymmetrical and rigid teeth. Such an applicator allows the eyelashes to be combed by grouping them into small, distinct clumps. However, the distribution of cosmetic product obtained using such an applicator could be improved, since the teeth alone do not ensure a homogeneous distribution of the product on the eyelashes.
[0004] The invention aims at least to partially remedy these drawbacks. Description of the invention
[0005] For this purpose, the present description relates to an applicator for liquid or pasty product, comprising a core which extends in a longitudinal direction and from which protrude first and second pins, the first pins forming concavities to receive the liquid or pasty product and the second pins a first section and thinning circumferentially from the first section to a second section forming an edge, in which at least one group of first pins is adjacent to at least one group of second pins in the circumferential direction.
[0006] The liquid or paste product may be a cosmetic, aesthetic, or skincare product, for example, mascara, balm, cream, etc. For the sake of brevity, the liquid or paste product to be applied will also be referred to as the formula. Subsequently, for better readability without sacrificing generality, the application of the formula to eyelashes will be used as an example, but other keratin fibers or other surfaces are of course also considered for receiving the formula using the proposed applicator.
[0007] The longitudinal direction along which the core extends principally may be straight or not, for example, curved. The longitudinal direction may follow the core axis itself, defined by the core's neutral fiber, that is, the line connecting the centroids of successive cross-sections of the core. A radial direction is a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and intersecting the core axis. Similarly, a longitudinal plane is a plane containing the core axis, and a radial plane is a plane perpendicular to the core axis. A circumference is understood as a circle belonging to a radial plane and whose center lies on the core axis. A tangential or circumferential direction is a direction tangent to a circumference; it is perpendicular to the core axis but does not pass through the core axis.
[0008] Unless otherwise specified, the adjectives inside and outside are used with reference to a radial direction so that the inside part of an element is, along a radial direction, closer to the axis of the core than the outside part of the same element.
[0009] The first and second spikes protrude from the core. They may or may not have come from matter with the core. They may extend transversely with respect to the core, that is to say, present at least one non-zero component in the radial direction and / or in the circumferential direction.
[0010] For the purposes of this description and unless otherwise indicated, the mention of a "first" element, such as a first pimple or a first edge, does not necessarily imply the existence of a "second" element, nor, where applicable, any order relation between the first and second elements. Typically, first pimples are pimples of a first type, while second pimples are pimples of a second type, and so on. Thus, ordinal qualifiers are used in this context solely for the purposes of clarity and identification, without prejudging any particular characteristics. Similarly, and conversely, the mention of a higher-ranking element (third, etc.) does not in any way imply that lower-ranking elements, such as a possible second element, exist and / or possess the characteristics that may have been described elsewhere.
[0011] For the sake of brevity, the mention of picots without specifying an ordinal qualifier refers to the first picots or the second picots depending on the context, or, failing that, to both the first and second picots indiscriminately. The same applies to the third picots introduced below.
[0012] For the purposes of this presentation, the properties presented in relation to the picots may apply collectively to all the picots or individually to all or part of the picots, in particular to each of the picots.
[0013] The first pins form concavities to receive the formula. A given concavity can be formed by a single first pin, or by several first pins together, or between one or more first pins and the core. The concavity exploits the surface tension exerted on the formula to retain a greater quantity of it.
[0014] The second pins taper from a first section to a second section forming an edge. A section refers to a localized portion of the second pin. The fact that the second section forms an edge (also called the second edge) implies that the second section is located at a circumferential endpoint of the second pin, while the first section may form the opposite edge (also called the first edge) or be located in an intermediate portion of the second pin. The first edge and the second edge may be symmetrical or different. Ideally, the second pins taper from the first section to the second edge in a monotonic and / or continuous manner. For example, the longitudinal thickness of the first section is greater than the longitudinal thickness of the second edge. The thinner second edge may be located on the side of the first pins that is adjacent to the second pins.
[0015] Because a group of first bristles is adjacent to at least one group of second bristles in the circumferential direction, a user of the applicator can, with a single circumferential rotation of the applicator, apply the formula successively with first and second bristles. While the first bristles, thanks to their concavity, deliver a good amount of formula, the second bristles engage the eyelashes with their second tapered edge and comb them evenly, while distributing the formula homogeneously. Thus, the proposed applicator, thanks to its different types of bristles, allows for easy and effective application of the formula.
[0016] In certain embodiments, the first and second pins are arranged in respective rows. A row refers to an alignment of pins in a straight, curved, or piecewise defined direction, for example, without an inflection point or, conversely, comprising one or more meanders. In one embodiment, the rows may have a non-zero component in the longitudinal direction. For example, the rows may extend purely or substantially in the longitudinal direction, or helically around the core. However, straight rows parallel to the longitudinal direction provide a uniform coating result.
[0017] Several successive rows of studs can be provided in the circumferential direction, for example one or more rows of first studs followed by one or more rows of second studs, and so on. Each row can form one of the groups of bristles mentioned previously. The at least one row of first bristles and / or the at least one row of second bristles may or may not be equidistant from each other in the circumferential direction. The rows may extend over the entire usable portion of the applicator. By way of example, the at least one row of first bristles and the at least one row of second bristles may be of the same length in the longitudinal direction and / or arranged side by side in the circumferential direction.
[0018] In certain embodiments, the first or second pins of the same row have the same orientation. The orientation of a pin refers to its position relative to its possible rotations, taking as a reference the surface of the core on which the pin is embedded. For example, the first pins of the same row may all have their respective concavities facing the same direction. In another example, the second pins of the same row may all have their respective second edges facing the same direction. This facilitates the application process, ensuring that the application is uniform within the same row.
[0019] In certain embodiments, the spacing between the first bristles of the same row differs from the spacing between the second bristles of the same row. The spacing refers to the distance between two consecutive bristles in a row. In these embodiments, the difference in spacing introduces an offset between the first and second bristles, which allows for more even combing of the lashes, as one row can potentially break up clumps that would otherwise be created by the other row. The spacing can be constant when the bristles in the same row are equidistant, or variable when the distance between two consecutive bristles varies. Furthermore, an offset between the first and second bristles could also be achieved without a difference in spacing.
[0020] In certain embodiments, the spacing between the first pegs in the same row is greater than the spacing between the second pegs in the same row, for example by a factor strictly between 1 and 2. In other words, the first pegs in the same row can be spaced further apart than the second pegs in the same row. This ensures a good balance between the application of the formula by the first pegs and the ability of the second pegs to distribute it.
[0021] In certain embodiments, along one of the rows, the radial height of the first and / or second pins has a local minimum in an intermediate portion of said row. The radial height is defined as the distance between the axis of the core and the distal, generally free, end of the pins, regardless of the outer surface of the core on which the pins are mounted. For example, the pins may be shorter in the intermediate portion and longer at the The ends of the row can be made up of a core of constant thickness, or the pins can be of the same length and implanted on a thinner core in the middle section and a thicker one at the ends. Intermediate configurations are of course also considered.
[0022] The first and second adjacent circumferentially raised studs may have the same radial height or different radial heights, depending on the desired effect.
[0023] In these embodiments, the local minimum height defines a hollow shape, sometimes called a figure-eight or hourglass shape if it has a single hollow and is rotationally symmetrical. This shape allows more formula to be released in the middle portion, thus enabling faster formula loading of the eyelashes. Furthermore, this elegant, optionally symmetrical shape is intuitive and ergonomic to apply.
[0024] In certain embodiments, the first bristles include at least one flexible portion, preferably in their proximal part. The proximal portion may refer to the base of the first bristle that connects to the core, and / or a portion of the first bristle located between the core and the distal part. In particular, the flexible portion is more flexible than the second bristles, or even, where applicable, than the distal part of the first bristles. Thanks to these arrangements, a formula pumping effect is achieved when the first bristles come into contact with the eyelashes, which promotes the transfer of formula from the applicator to the eyelashes. Furthermore, the flexible portion allows the bristle to deform in order to avoid pricking the user's skin.
[0025] In certain embodiments, the concavities are formed by the proximal portion of the first bristles. The proximal part of the first bristles thus acts as a reservoir for the formula, which allows the distal part of the first bristles, in contact with the cilia, to deposit a sufficient but even layer of formula.
[0026] In certain embodiments, the second pins have a first edge and taper from the first edge to the second, circumferentially opposite edge formed by the second section. In these embodiments, the second pins are delimited, in the circumferential direction, by a first edge and a second edge opposite to each other. A straight line connecting the first edge and the second edge thus forms an angle of at most 60°, preferably at most 45°, preferably at most 30°, preferably at most 10° with a circumferential direction.
[0027] In some embodiments, the second pins have their second edge more swollen than their first edge. The second edge, thinner than the first edge, may be swollen in a direction other than that in which it is thinned; for example, if the second edge is thinned to have a longitudinal thickness less than that of the first section (or even, where applicable, the first edge), it may The second edge is more swollen than the first edge in the circumferential direction when viewed from the proximal to the distal end. The second edge may be convex, while the first edge may be less convex, for example, straight or even concave. The increased swollenness of the second edge allows for a more gradual penetration of the eyelashes, and therefore a better separation effect.
[0028] In some embodiments, the second set of bristles tapers from their proximal end to their distal end. This tapering, which can be monotonous and / or continuous, also allows for a more gradual penetration of the eyelashes, and therefore a better separation effect.
[0029] In certain embodiments, two first pins circumferentially adjacent to each other protrude from the core in different, preferably opposite, orientations. These two first pins circumferentially adjacent may, where applicable, belong to two successive rows of first pins. Two orientations are said to be different if the first pins in question are obtained, relative to each other, by a rotation of at least 30°, preferably at least 45°, around at least one axis of the pin. Two orientations are said to be opposite if the first pins in question are obtained, relative to each other, by a rotation of approximately 180° (for example, between 135° and 225°) around at least one axis of the pin. Different orientations of the first pins, and a fortiori opposite ones, allow for variation in the position of the concavities. This ensures that the adjacent rows of first pegs provide a homogeneous distribution of the formula.
[0030] In certain embodiments, the core terminates longitudinally with an end bearing third bristles extending in a general direction having a non-zero longitudinal component. Such an end may allow the user to use the brush transversely (for example, vertically instead of horizontally for eyelashes) to perform finishing touches to their formula application.
[0031] In some embodiments, the third pins are different from the first pins. For example, the third pins may have all or some of the characteristics of the second pins. Brief description of the drawings
[0032] Other features and advantages of the object of this presentation will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the attached figures.
[0033] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an applicator according to one embodiment.
[0034] Fig. 2 is a side view of the applicator of Fig. 1 along direction II.
[0035] Fig. 3 is a front view of the applicator of Fig. 1 along direction III. Detailed description
[0036] An applicator 10 according to one embodiment is shown with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The applicator 10 is an applicator for applying a liquid or paste product, also called a formula, to a part of the body, preferably to the keratin fibers of a user. For the sake of brevity and without loss of generality, the use of the applicator 10 as a mascara applicator for eyelashes will be detailed below, but as detailed previously, other uses are possible both for the formula to be applied and for the part of the body that receives it.
[0037] To facilitate its handling, the applicator 10 may be provided with a handle 12. The handle 12 may be self-contained or configured to be mounted on a gripping rod, not shown. Such a handle 12 is known as such.
[0038] The applicator 10 also includes a core 14 extending along a longitudinal direction X. The longitudinal direction X is here rectilinear but could be curved, for example. Furthermore, the core 14 has a cylindrical shape with a circular base, but it could be non-cylindrical, for example conical or more generally of variable thickness, and / or have a non-circular base, for example elliptical, polygonal or otherwise.
[0039] The core 14 comprises an end 16 opposite the handle 12 and a useful part 18 included between the handle 12 and the end 16. The end 16 will be described later.
[0040] The first pins 20 and the second pins 30 protrude from the core 14, in particular from its functional portion 18. The pins 20, 30 may or may not be formed from the same material as the core 14, for example, overmolded onto the core 14. For example, the core 14 may be made of a plastic such as a polyester-based thermoplastic elastomer (for example: DuPont's Hytrel 45D - registered trademarks; a styrene-free thermoplastic elastomer; a bio-based plastic; a polysiloxane), while the pins may be made of the same material as the core 14 or of another material, for example, from among the materials mentioned above. The hardness of the material used may be between 45 Shore A and 75 Shore D.
[0041] The first pins 20 form concavities 22 to receive the formula. The concavities 22 are hollows or recesses in which the formula can be housed and, by surface tension, held in place. The concavity is preferably open so as to allow the formula to move outwards along the first pin 20.
[0042] As can be seen from figures 1 and 2, the first pins 20 can include a half-arch shape whose interior forms a concavity 22. Other shapes are of course envisaged to form a concavity 22, for example J, L, T shapes, etc.
[0043] In this case, the concavity 22 is formed by a single first pin 20, so that each first pin 20 defines such a concavity 22. According to an example, each The concavity 22 can be formed by the proximal portion 24 of a first pin 20, the proximal portion 24 assuming the aforementioned half-arch shape. In this case, the proximal portion 24 is anchored to the web 14 in the radial direction and curves progressively, here in the longitudinal direction X. A symmetrical shape is also envisaged: the proximal portion 24 could be anchored to the web 14 with a non-zero longitudinal component at its base, and curve progressively so as to decrease its longitudinal component to become essentially radial.
[0044] Furthermore, other configurations are still possible: the proximal portion 24 could curve, alternatively or in addition, in the circumferential direction. Furthermore, the proximal portion 24 could be anchored in the web 14 at an angle to a radial direction; then, the angle formed between the first pin 20 and the web 14 would induce the presence of a concavity formed between the first pin 20 and the web 14, independently of the shape of the proximal portion 24. According to other examples, the concavity 22 can be formed between two first pins 20 that are close to each other and inclined to each other in such a way as to form, together, a hollow shape constituting a concavity.
[0045] The first pins 20 may include a distal portion 26 which may optionally be straight. In this case, the distal portion 26 extends in the radial direction from the end of the proximal portion 24 opposite the core 14. The junction between the proximal portion 24 and the distal portion 26 may form an angle, for example between 45° and 165°, preferably between 70° and 110°.
[0046] Furthermore, the first bristles 20 may include at least one flexible portion. In this case, the flexible portion may be the proximal portion 24, the distal portion 26, or the junction between the proximal portion 24 and the distal portion 26. The distal portion 26 may, however, be made more rigid than the flexible portion in order to properly comb the eyelashes during the passage of the applicator 10.
[0047] The first pins 20 can taper from their proximal end 24a to their distal end 26a, preferably in a monotonous and / or continuous manner. This allows for good anchoring in the core 14 while providing a fine tip for precise formula application.
[0048] The distal portion 26 can be offset, longitudinally and / or circumferentially, from the point where the proximal portion is anchored in the web 14, i.e. from the proximal end 24a.
[0049] The second spikes 30 have a first section and taper circumferentially from the first section towards, or even to, a second section forming a second edge 34. In cross-section along a tangential plane, the second spikes 30 may have a tapered shape, for example substantially triangular or trapezoidal. In the embodiment shown, without loss of In general, the first section is formed by a first edge 32 circumferentially opposite to the second edge 34.
[0050] In this case, the first edge 32 may be flat, for example, contained in a radial plane. The first section may have a longitudinal thickness that varies in the radial direction (see [Fig. 1]), for example, tapering from its proximal end 36 to its distal end 38. In some embodiments, the proximal end 36 widens from its anchoring point in the web 14 to a maximum thickness. Having a widening proximal end 36 allows, particularly when the second pin 30 is relatively long, a certain degree of flexibility relative to the web 14 while maintaining its intrinsic rigidity.
[0051] The second edge 34 can have a thickness substantially zero, that is to say, take the form of an edge, optionally rounded, as shown in figures 1 and 2.
[0052] Furthermore, the second edge 34 may be more bulging than the first edge 32, particularly in the circumferential direction: the circumferential distance between the two points of the second edge 34 that are circumferentially farthest from each other is greater than the circumferential distance between the two points of the first edge 32 that are circumferentially farthest from each other. For example, in the circumferential direction, the second edge 34 may have a bulge. By comparison, the first edge 32 may, as mentioned above, be flat.
[0053] Furthermore, the second pins 30 can generally be flat, that is, extend more in the radial and circumferential directions than in the longitudinal direction, or, in other words, extend primarily along radial planes. In particular, the maximum circumferential width of a second pin 30 can be greater, for example, at least 1.5 or 2 times greater, than the maximum longitudinal thickness of the second pin 30.
[0054] As illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, several first pins 20 and several second pins 30 are provided on the web 14 and are organized into groups, in this case into respective rows which may or may not extend along the longitudinal direction X. Thanks to the fact that at least one group of first pins 20 is adjacent to at least one group of second pins 30 in the circumferential direction, a sufficient and homogeneous application of the formula can be obtained.
[0055] In this case, the applicator comprises on its useful part 18 a pattern formed by three rows of first bristles 20 and one row of second bristles 30. This pattern can be repeated in the circumferential direction, in this case once (i.e., two occurrences of the pattern). Of course, a different ratio of rows of first bristles 20 and rows of second bristles 30 could be adopted, and the chosen pattern could be implemented a different number of times: either once, or three times or more.
[0056] Figure 2 more clearly illustrates the orientation of the bristles 20, 30 within the different rows. On the one hand, it can be assumed that the first bristles 20 and / or second bristles 30 of the same row have the same orientation. Figure 2 clearly shows that the first bristles 20, which are aligned in the longitudinal direction X and thus form a row, have concavities 22 that are all open on the same side. In particular, the portions of the first bristles 20 that define the concavities 22, i.e., here the proximal portions 24, are defined in planes that are parallel to each other (in this case, even coincident). Similarly, but independently, the distal portions 26 are parallel to each other and aligned in the same longitudinal plane, which allows for precise combing of the eyelashes during the passage of the applicator 10.
[0057] Fig. 2 also shows that the second pins 30, which are aligned in the longitudinal direction X, and thus form a row, have their respective chords (the straight segment connecting the first edge 32 and the second edge 34) all parallel to each other.
[0058] Conversely, it can be provided that two circumferentially adjacent first bristles 20, for example belonging to two consecutive rows, protrude from the core 14 in different, preferably opposite, orientations. This is particularly visible in [Fig. 2]: the upper half of [Fig. 2] shows a row of first bristles 20A with their concavity 22 facing the end 16 of the core 14, while in the adjacent row shown in the background, the first bristles 20B have their concavity 22 facing the handle 12. This can result, as illustrated, in a misalignment between the distal parts 26 of the different rows of first bristles 20A, 20B. This difference in orientation, especially when the orientations are opposite as illustrated, makes it possible to form a network that processes the cilia precisely and completely.
[0059] The pins 20, 30 may be equidistant or not within the same row. Figure 2 also shows that the spacing of the pins 20, 30 may vary from one row to another. In this case, the spacing may be the same from one row to the next of the first pins 20. However, the spacing between the first pins 20 of the same row may be different from the spacing between the second pins 30 of the same row. This results in the first pins 20 being offset from the second pins 30. Typically, the spacing between the first pins 20 of the same row may be greater than the spacing between the second pins 30 of the same row: thus, along segment S of Figure 2, parallel to the rows, there are seven first pins 20 and eight second pins 30.
[0060] Figure 2 also illustrates the fact that the radial height H of the pins 20, 30 can vary along a row. Although this is illustrated for the first pins 20B, it can also apply, alternatively or in addition, to other rows of first pins 20 as well as to the second pins 30, it being specified that, as illustrated in Figure 3, the radial height H of the pins is defined by an envelope E which can be circular around the axis of the core 14. In other words, pins 20, 30 located in the same longitudinal position have the same radial height. The envelope E circumscribes the parts radially outside the first pins 20 and second pins 30.
[0061] In this case, the radial height H may exhibit a local minimum in an intermediate portion of the row concerned. The dashed lines in [Fig. 2] illustrate the evolution of the envelope E along the longitudinal direction, and it is clear that the envelope E follows a figure-eight or hourglass shape.
[0062] In this embodiment, the radial height difference H is obtained by varying the length of the pins 20, 30. In particular, the distal portion 26 of the first pins 20 is left unchanged from one pin 20 to the next, and the proximal portion 24 is lengthened or shortened as required. Furthermore, the distal end 38 of the second pins 30 is left unchanged from one second pin 30 to the next, and the lengthening of the second pins 30 is provided at the proximal end 36.
[0063] With further reference to [Fig. 1], as previously mentioned, the core 14 terminates longitudinally in an end 16 bearing third pins 40. The third pins 40 can be grouped in rows like the first pins 20 and / or second pins 30; however, given the limited space at the end 16, the number of rows may be less. Thus, as shown in [Fig. 3], the working portion 18 has eight equally spaced rows of pins 20 and 30, while the end 16 has only four equally spaced rows of third pins 40. Of course, these numbers can be adjusted by those skilled in the art according to their needs.
[0064] The third pins 40 can extend in a general direction having a non-zero longitudinal component. For example, the third pins 40 can be inclined with respect to the first pins and / or the second pins 30. The third pins 40 can be anchored perpendicularly on the end 16 of the web 14, which end 16 can be domed, here in the form of a cap.
[0065] The third pegs 40 may be identical, in whole or in part, to the first pegs 20 and / or the second pegs 30. In the illustrated example, the third pegs 40 are different from the first pegs 20, but may have the characteristics of the second pegs 30. In other examples, the third pegs 40 may be different from the first 20 pins and the second 30 pins, for example in the shape of cones.
[0066] The third bristles 40 may be shorter or, as shown in [Fig. 2], the same length as or longer than the first bristles 20 and / or the second bristles 30 that are longitudinally adjacent to them. The fact that the third bristles 40 protrude from the envelope E makes it easier to use them for precise makeup touch-ups.
[0067] The present applicator 10 can be used with a formula having a viscosity between 150,000 cps (Centipoise) and 680,000 cps, and preferably between 350,000 cps and 600,000 cps.
[0068] Although the present description refers to specific embodiments, modifications may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention. For example, although a number of features have been presented as being purely longitudinal, radial, or circumferential, it is possible, depending on the context, to deviate from these directions and add other components, including up to angles of 45°.
[0069] Furthermore, although the first section of the second set of pins 30 is formed by the first edge 32 in the described example, alternatively, the first section could designate an intermediate section of the second set of pins 30, located strictly between the first edge 32 and the second edge 34. For example, instead of a triangular or trapezoidal tangential section, the second set of pins 30 could have a parallelogram or rhombus tangential section, in which the second set of pins thins both from the first section towards the second edge 34 and from the first section towards the first edge 32. In these embodiments, the first section can form the section of the second set of pins 30 with maximum thickness. In the extreme case, the first edge 32 and the second edge 34 could be symmetrical to each other in order to perform an application independent of the direction of rotation of the applicator.
[0070] Furthermore, individual features of the various embodiments illustrated or mentioned can be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Claims
Demands
1. Applicator (10) for liquid or paste product, comprising a core (14) extending along a longitudinal direction (X) and from which protrude first pins (20) and second pins (30), the first pins (20) forming concavities (22) to receive the liquid or paste product and the second pins (30) having a first section and tapering circumferentially from the first section to a second section forming an edge (34), in which at least one group of first pins (20) is adjacent to at least one group of second pins (30) in the circumferential direction.
2. Applicator according to claim 1, wherein the first pins (20) and the second pins (30) are arranged in respective rows, optionally wherein the first pins (20) or second pins (30) of the same row have the same orientation.
3. Applicator according to claim 2, wherein the pitch between the first pins (20) of the same row is different from the pitch between the second pins (30) of the same row, preferably greater than the pitch between the second pins (30) of the same row.
4. Applicator according to claim 2 or 3, wherein, along one of the rows, the radial height (H) of the first pins (20) and / or the second pins (30) has a local minimum in an intermediate portion of said row.
5. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first pins (20) comprise at least one flexible part, preferably in their proximal portion (24).
6. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the concavities (22) are formed by the proximal portion (24) of the first pins (20).
7. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second pins (30) have a first edge (32) and taper from the first edge (32) to the second, circumferentially opposite edge (34) formed by the second section.
8. Applicator according to claim 7, wherein the second pins (30) have their second edge (34) more swollen than their first edge (32).
9. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second pins (30) taper from their proximal end (36) to their distal end (38).
10. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein two first pins (20A, 20B) circumferentially adjacent to each other protrude from the core in different orientations, preferably opposite.
11. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the core (14) terminates longitudinally with an end (16) bearing third pins (40) extending in a general direction having a non-zero longitudinal component, and optionally wherein the third pins (40) are different from the first pins (20).