CN111093427A

CN111093427A - Cosmetic applicator

Info

Publication number: CN111093427A
Application number: CN201880059420.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 卡米尔·施赖伯; 奥德丽·赛尼恩
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2017-09-12
Filing date: 2018-09-12
Publication date: 2020-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2038-09-12
Also published as: EP3681337A1; FR3070843B1; US20200405041A1; WO2019053078A1; FR3070843A1; CN111093427B

Abstract

The invention relates to a packaging and application device comprising-a container containing a composition to be applied, -an applicator (3) for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, the applicator comprising ○ a core (9), ○ being attached to at least one element (10) of the core, each element comprising a central part (12) mounted on the core and at least one application member carried by the central part, a composition collecting surface being formed by the proximity between two different parts of the same application member or between two different parts of two adjacent application members, the gaps (e) between these parts being sufficiently small to enable a bridge of composition to be formed by surface tension at the gaps, these parts being located at a distance greater than or equal to 0.5mm from the central part.

Description

Cosmetic applicator

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, having an applicator member consisting of a core and a plurality of elements attached to the core, each element having a central part mounted on the core and at least one application member carried by the central part.

Background

Patent US 8899241B 2 discloses a first applicator of this type. For example, the core is constituted by a metal hairpin folded on itself and twisted, or by a shaft with a non-circular cross-section, the central part being crossed by one or more openings with a corresponding shape.

Patent US 9591916B 2 discloses a further example of this type of applicator, the central part being in the form of a disc which can be made with complementary reliefs which allow it to be positioned in a predetermined angular orientation with respect to each other. The application member consists of a simple spike or, in a variant, a spike having short branches along about one third of its length. In a further variant, the application member is in the form of tabs, the thickness of which decreases in the direction of the radially outer edge of the element, these tabs being flat in the same plane as the central part. The tabs may be provided with concentric stripes having a small depth around the axis of the core, or with small-sized protrusions or depressions, so as to create a surface roughness.

There is a need to further improve applicators of this type, in particular in order to have a good ability to load the eyelashes or eyebrows with a cosmetic composition, while having satisfactory properties of combing and separating the eyelashes.

Disclosure of Invention

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention aims to meet this need and relates to a packaging and application device comprising a container containing a cosmetic composition to be applied and an applicator for applying the cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, the applicator comprising:

-a core part,

-at least one element attached to the core, each element comprising a central part mounted on the core and at least one spreading member carried by the central part, a composition collecting surface being formed by the proximity between two different portions of the same spreading member or between two different portions of two adjacent spreading members, the gap between these portions being sufficiently small to enable a bridge of composition to be formed at the gap by surface tension, these portions being located at a distance greater than or equal to 0.5mm from the central part.

Advantageously, the cosmetic composition intended to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows is a mascara composition. Mascara compositions usually have a function at 25 ℃ in particular with the aid of Rheomat

A machine-measured viscosity of more than 5 pas, in particular between 5 and 50 pas.

Such mascara compositions generally comprise a solid content (generally in an amount greater than or equal to 35% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition), a pulverulent colorant (in particular one or more pigments, in particular one or more metal oxides, such as one or more iron oxides) and advantageously a film-forming polymer. The mascara composition may also generally comprise one or more waxes, in particular in a total amount of between 5% and 40% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

Within the scope of the present invention, the applicator is particularly suitable for applying relatively viscous or viscous mascara compositions. This is because a mascara composition having a relatively high viscosity will remain particularly well on the composition collecting surface by the surface tension between different portions of the same application member, or by the surface tension between two portions between two adjacent application members spaced apart by a small gap, and the mascara composition will not pass through the gap, or will pass through the gap only slightly under its own weight.

The invention makes use of the fact that the elements can be manufactured separately in order to form irregularities thereon, which is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve on conventional injection-moulded brushes, wherein the application member is moulded in one piece with the core in thermoplastic, taking into account the problems associated with demoulding.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, according to the teaching of document US 8899241B 2 or its equivalent FR 2900319, the core has a longitudinal axis and each element is threaded onto the core along its longitudinal axis before the core is twisted, the core and said element (in particular the core and the central part of said element) being mechanically connected so as to substantially prevent the element from freely pivoting on the core.

Such a mechanical connection without the possibility of relative rotation of the core and the element(s) threaded on the core before twisting can be obtained by means of a core in which: the core is made in the form of an elongated element of plastically deformable material and has a non-circular (for example polygonal (such as square, rectangular, triangular, etc.), elliptical, multilobal, etc.) cross-section in the non-twisted state, said core passing through a hole of complementary cross-section provided in the central part of each element.

In a variant, the core comprises two wires made of plastically deformable material, for example two metal wires, optionally connected together at one of their ends by being made of a single wire folded in the shape of a hairpin, and the mechanical connection is obtained by passing the wires of the core in the untwisted state into two holes, preferably of complementary shape, provided in the central part of each of said elements, said mechanical connection having no possibility of relative rotation of the core and of the element(s) passed on said core before twisting.

The core carrying the component(s) is twisted so as to obtain a helical expansion of the application member along the longitudinal axis of the core. The expression "the core is twisted" means here that the core carrying the element(s) is subjected to torsion, for example by imparting on one part thereof a rotational movement about the longitudinal axis of the core (for example in a clockwise direction), while the other part of the core remains rotationally fixed or is subjected to a movement in the opposite direction (for example in a counterclockwise direction). The torsional force is realized to exert a plastic deformation on the core, so that the core assumes its twisted shape in a stable and determined manner as soon as the torsional force ceases to be exerted on the core.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above for ensuring that there is no possibility of relative rotation between the core and the element, in particular between the core and the central part of the element, but extends to all equivalent techniques known to those skilled in the art for producing such connections.

If desired, the above-mentioned distance of greater than or equal to 0.5mm from the central component, at which distance different portions of the same application member or of two adjacent application members extend, may be greater than or equal to 0.75mm, greater than or equal to 1mm, greater than or equal to 1.25mm, greater than or equal to 1.5mm, greater than or equal to 1.75mm, greater than or equal to 2mm, greater than or equal to 2.25mm, greater than or equal to 2.5mm, or even greater than or equal to 2.75mm or 3 mm. The distance is measured radially from the central member. The distance may be measured between a surface of the central member and a straight line joining two opposing regions of the different portions, the two opposing regions of the different portions having a distance e or less. In particular, the straight line joining the closest points of approach of said opposite portions may be at least at said distance from the central part.

The gap between the portions may be less than or equal to 0.3mm, better less than or equal to 0.2mm, even better less than or equal to 0.1 mm. The width of the gap may be selected to be large enough to allow eyelashes to pass through, while small enough to allow a bridge of composition to be formed by surface tension after the applicator is removed from the container. Thus, a preferred range of the gap may be 0.1mm and 0.3 mm.

The expression "different portions of the same application member" is understood to mean the portions separated by air in the absence of the composition. In other words, the gaps between the parts are formed by air in the absence of the composition.

The invention makes it possible to collect the composition in a region where the eyelashes are easily accessible, at a radial distance from the central part, and to load the eyelashes with the composition without having to introduce the eyelashes deeply into the applicator part.

The invention makes it possible, as it were, to "raise" the level of the composition on the applicator member by providing a surface suitable for collecting the composition at a radial distance from the central member.

By adjusting the shape of the application member and its compactness, an almost closed cavity can be made in the applicator part, which cavity can collect the composition. The invention can exploit the fact that the presence of an element initially separate from the core makes it possible to manufacture said element with a shape such as: these shapes are difficult, if not impossible, to mold on conventional injection molded brushes.

An almost closed cavity is understood to mean that at a non-zero radial distance from the central part, adjacent application members are close together at a distance of less than or equal to 0.3mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm. The spacing is measured at least 0.5mm from the central member.

For example, adjacent application members have a succession of pointed arches starting from the core and defining teeth, two of which are close enough together to form, by their part extending from the tooth closest to the central part, an almost closed cavity between two adjacent application members.

The application member(s) may be solid or hollow. When the application member is hollow, the cavity of the application member makes it possible to collect the product by surface tension, increasing the autonomy of the applicator and/or increasing the loading capacity of the applicator without losing any capacity to separate and comb the eyelashes. The maximum dimension of the cavity is preferably at least 0.2mm, more preferably at least 0.5 mm.

The application member having a shape suitable for separation and combing can be easily manufactured, and the application member has a sufficient number to obtain a satisfactory makeup effect. As mentioned above, the fact that the elements can be manufactured separately makes it possible to manufacture an application member having such a shape: this shape is difficult, if not impossible, to achieve on conventional injection molded brushes where the application member is molded in one piece with the core due to problems associated with demolding.

If desired, the invention makes it possible to manufacture a wide and hollow application member by manufacturing the application member by means of a strand of material surrounding a cavity, the application member being capable of being loaded with a relatively large amount of composition while maintaining a certain amount of flexibility, the strand of material preferably being contained in a plane.

Any shape may be imparted to the bundle, particularly a constant or non-constant cross-section around the perimeter of the cavity, depending on the desired characteristics. The strands may be given a positionally narrower shape, if desired, in order to impart greater flexibility thereto. The strands of material have, for example, a thickness of 0.04mm around at least one quarter of the perimeter of the cavity they define (better at least half of this perimeter, or even three quarters or all of this perimeter)²And 1mm²Cross section in between. The presence of the cavity gives the hollow application member greater flexibility to pass through the wiping member to which the container is fitted, from which the composition is removed.

The maximum width of the particularly hollow application member, measured perpendicularly to its axis of extension, is for example greater than or equal to 0.5mm, preferably between 0.5mm and 5mm, better still between 1mm and 2 mm.

Preferably, the central part of the element and the application member are made in one piece by moulding a thermoplastic material, in particular a thermoplastic material made of the same material. Each element mounted on the core may have between 4 and 24 application members.

The element may have a hollow application member, the cavity of which has a closed contour, thereby contributing to an improved mechanical integrity of the application member, since the application member can be manufactured without a free strand of material.

Thus, it is possible to obtain an applicator member that can be both highly loaded with product and that has, due to its mechanical strength, a good ability to comb and separate the eyelashes.

The cavity formed by the hollow application member may also be almost closed, i.e. the strand of material defining the cavity is interrupted over a short distance, instead of extending through a closed loop.

The fact that the applicator is made of separate elements, such as elements that are demoulded along the axis of the central part, which is the general direction along which the core passes through the central part, can be parallel to the axis along which the cavity passes through the application member, makes it possible to easily provide the cavity of the hollow application member with various shapes and/or to form an almost closed cavity of various shapes between the hollow application members. If desired, the demolding can take place with elastic deformation of the application member, in particular when the axis of the cavity is oriented perpendicularly to the radius.

In an exemplary embodiment, the hollow spreading member has a strand of material extending through the complete ring. The bundle of material has a substantially constant cross-section, for example around a substantial part of the circumference of the ring or even around the entire circumference of the ring.

The ring may extend entirely at a distance from the central part, and this may have the following advantages: forming the storage zone of the product at a position relatively far from the core in the radial direction (for example at a position greater than 3mm from the surface of the central part) constitutes a significant difference compared to the following brushes produced by injection moulding a plastic material with simple spikes: in these known brushes, then, the storage zone of the product is closed at the base of the spikes and at a small radial distance from the core.

In an exemplary embodiment, the ring forms an enlarged head for the application member and is coupled to the central part by means of legs, which are significantly smaller than the width of the head. For example, such an enlarged head may be harpoon-shaped, which has the additional advantage of improving the capture of the eyelashes on the applicator and thus the ability of the applicator to control the eyelashes, in particular in order to curl the eyelashes in the manner desired by the user. The legs may be single bundle legs or, as a variant, multiple bundle legs. The height of the legs, measured along the extension axis of the application member, which axis is preferably radial, may be greater than the height of the head. The presence of the single bundle of legs may impart greater flexibility to the application member when greater flexibility is desired.

When the cavity of the hollow application member extends over a large part of the radial dimension of the application member, in particular over almost the entire height thereof, excluding the thickness of the strands of material forming the loop, this tends to increase the amount of product contained in the application member and can benefit from a storage area for the product over almost the entire height of the application member.

The width of the cavity measured in the circumferential direction (i.e., perpendicular to the median radius) may be constant or variable. When the width varies, it can be chosen to vary according to the desired makeup effect, so as to collect more or less product at the desired distance from the core.

In a variant embodiment, the hollow application member is toothed on its outer periphery. For example, the teeth are formed by a series of pointed arches that are concave towards the outside. For example, the application member has the overall shape of a leaf of Chinese ilex. The teeth present at the periphery of the application member can promote the catching of the eyelashes and also form reliefs suitable for collecting the product at a radial distance from the central part of the element.

In a variant embodiment, the application member has two lateral arches linked by a top arch, preferably the lateral arches and the top arch form teeth at their points of intersection. These teeth may help comb and separate the eyelashes. The top arch may be concave towards the outside, in which case the recess formed by the top arch makes it possible to collect the product at a radial distance from the central part. The lateral arches may be concave in opposite directions to form a cavity therebetween. The application member may have a shape widening towards the outside with distance from the central part.

The device according to the invention may therefore have one or more of the following features, considered alone or in combination:

-said gap (e) may be less than or equal to 0.3 mm;

the application member may have an enlarged head, the gap (e) may be formed between two consecutive heads;

each application member may have a harpoon shape;

the application members may be toothed, the teeth being formed by a succession of pointed arches which are concave towards the outside, the gaps (e) being formed between the teeth of two adjacent application members;

-the application members may each have two lateral arms joined at their ends by an arch forming a tooth at their point of intersection, the gap (e) being formed between the teeth of two adjacent application members;

-each application member may have the overall shape of a V with an elbow at the end of the V, the element preferably comprising alternating first and second application members, the first application member having the overall shape of a V with the first application member of a V having an elbow oriented substantially perpendicular to the median plane for the first application member, the second application member having an elbow oriented towards the central part, the gap (e) being formed between the end of the elbow of one of the application members and the arm of the adjacent application member;

the element may comprise a plurality of application members each having a leg attached to the central part and extending at one end through a portion, in particular a portion in the shape of a slot, defining a laterally open recess, the gap (e) being defined between the portion and an adjacent application member;

said portion may extend radially towards the outside by means of a radial arm;

the element may have application members, each having a central arm and two lateral arms forming a V-shape, extending respectively on each side of the central arm, the gap (e) being defined between the lateral arms of two adjacent application members;

the element may comprise alternating first and second application members, the first application member having the overall shape of an arrow with its tip facing outwards, the second application member having the overall shape of an arrow with its tip facing towards the central part, the head of the first application member being further away from the central part than the head of the second application member, the gap (e) being defined between two adjacent application members, in particular between the base of one application member in the shape of an arrow facing towards the central part (the one application member being widest at the base) and the leg of an adjacent application member in the shape of an arrow facing outwards;

the element may comprise spreading members each having two arms diverging away from the central part, the two arms carrying enlarged heads at their ends, the gap (e) being formed between the enlarged heads of two adjacent spreading members;

the element may comprise application members, each having a central arm and two V-shaped lateral arms extending on each side of the central arm, respectively, these lateral arms each being provided at their ends with an enlarged head, the gap (e) being defined between the enlarged head of one application member and the central arm of that one application member;

the extension axes (Y) of the application members of the elements may be coplanar;

at least one application member of an element is flat in a plane, and in particular each application member of the same element may be flat in a flat plane common to all application members of said element.

Independently of the above or in combination with the above, another subject of the invention is an applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, the applicator comprising:

-a core part,

-at least one element attached to the core, each element comprising a central part mounted onto the core and at least one application member carried by the central part, a composition collecting surface being formed by the proximity between two different portions of the same application member or between two different portions of two adjacent application members, the gap (e) between these portions being less than or equal to 0.3mm, these portions being located at a distance greater than or equal to 0.5mm from the central part.

The applicator may have all or some of the features set out above. In particular, the gap between said portions may be less than or equal to 0.2mm, better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm. As mentioned above, the width of the gap may be selected to be large enough to allow eyelashes to pass through, while being small enough to allow the formation of a bridge of composition by surface tension after removal of the applicator from the container. Therefore, the preferable range of the gap may be 0.1mm and 0.3 mm.

Another subject of the present invention is a method for the cosmetic treatment of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, in particular for making up the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising the following steps: applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes by means of the applicator according to the invention.

Drawings

The invention may be better understood by reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the invention and by examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 shows a schematic partial view of an example of a packaging and application device according to the invention,

figure 2 shows independently an exemplary applicator part of an applicator made according to the invention,

figure 3 shows independently the elements for manufacturing the applicator part shown in figure 2,

fig. 4 shows an example of a core on which components can be mounted, showing the core before mounting the components and twisting,

figures 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 19 are views of a variant embodiment similar to that of figure 3,

fig. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 show applicator parts manufactured with the elements in fig. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 and 19, respectively, and

fig. 21 to 31 show a variant embodiment.

Detailed Description

The packaging and application device 1, which is shown schematically and partially in fig. 1, has a container 2 containing the composition to be applied and an applicator 3 for applying the composition.

The container 2 has a body, which is provided, for example, with a threaded neck 4 as shown, to which neck 4 the applicator 3 can be fastened when the device 1 is not in use.

A wiping member (not shown in the figures) is secured in the neck of the container in the usual manner. The wiping member may be a flexible lip having a tapered, wavy or other shape.

The applicator 3 has an applicator part 5 for applying a composition, this applicator part 5 being mounted at one end of a stem 6, the other end of the stem 6 being carried by a gripping member 7, the gripping member 7 also constituting, in the example in question, a closure member for the container 2, this closure member being designed to be fastened to the neck 4.

The applied composition may consist of any cosmetic product intended for making up or for caring for the eyelashes and/or eyebrows. Preferably, the composition is a mascara. The composition may include, inter alia, a pigment, such as iron oxide, dispersed in an aqueous or non-aqueous medium. Preferably, the container has a capacity of between 5ml and 30 ml.

Fig. 2 shows an example of an applicator part 5 made up of a plurality of individual elements 10, one of which has been shown separately in fig. 3.

Preferably, the applicator member 5 is manufactured according to the teachings of patent US 8899241B 2. Thus, the elements 10 are mounted on the core 9, the core 9 holding the elements 10 in a stacked manner and fixedly relative to each other. As shown in fig. 4, the core 9 is, for example, a twisted core made of a metal wire folded in the form of a hairpin.

In a variant, the core may be constituted by two separate wires positioned in a substantially parallel manner, like the arms of the hair clip shown in fig. 4, on which the element 10 is threaded and then twisted.

The element 10 has a hole 11, the hole 11 being schematically shown in figure 3 for passing the

arms

9a and 9b of the core through the hole 11 before twisting of the core.

For the sake of clarity of the drawing, the core 9 is not shown in fig. 2, while in fig. 3 only the hole 11 through the central part 12 is shown.

In the example in question, the elements 10 are identical, but it would not depart from the scope of the invention if differently shaped elements 10 were stacked on the core 9 inside the applicator part 5.

As can be seen in fig. 3, each element 10 has an application member 20 and an application member 30, the

application members

20 and 30 engaging the eyelashes or eyebrows when the applicator 3 is in use. In the example in question, the application members 20 are hollow and alternate in the circumferential direction with solid application members 30.

In this example, the application element 20 and the application element 30 have the same outer shape, but if the outer shapes are different, this does not depart from the scope of the invention.

The central part 12 is in the form of a flat disc, the holes 11 for the passage of the

arms

9a, 9b of the core 9 being arranged symmetrically with respect to the axis X of the element 10, which may be the axis of symmetry for the central part 12.

The surface of the central part 12 to which the application member is coupled may be cylindrical in shape, rotating about the axis X, but other shapes are also possible.

In the example shown, the application member 20 and the application member 30 each have a flat shape in a plane coinciding with the flat plane of the central part 12, which is perpendicular to the axis X and to the longitudinal axis Z of the applicator part 5.

The hollow application members 20 alternate with solid application members 30, in the example in question there are four hollow application members 20 arranged at 90 degrees to each other.

The cavity 14 of each hollow application member 20 is formed by a bundle of material 63, which bundle of material 63 describes a closed curve constituting the enlarged head 60, which ring is coupled to the central part 12 by means of the legs 61.

In the example shown, the enlarged head 60 has the overall shape of a harpoon, which, for the hollow application member 20, has a top arch 65 and a bottom arch 66, the top arch 65 having a substantially parabolic shape convex towards the outside, the bottom arch 66 being concave towards the central part 12 and having a smaller curvature than the top arch 65.

The cavity 14 has a radial dimension which is therefore maximum on the axis of extension Y of the application member and decreases towards the top of the elbow formed by the intersection between the

arches

65 and 66.

At this point of intersection, the enlarged head 60 defines teeth 65 oriented in a direction away from the axis Y and towards the central part, this orientation helping to catch more eyelashes introduced into the applicator part 5.

In the example shown, the distance e between the enlarged heads 60 of two

adjacent application members

20, 30 on the element 10 is relatively small and smaller than the distance between the legs 61 at the base thereof. Thus, the enlarged heads 60 are relatively close together. The distance e may be between 0.1mm and 0.3mm, which is large enough to allow eyelashes to enter the space 69 between the two legs under the enlarged head 60.

When the spacing e is sufficiently small, preferably less than or equal to 0.3mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1mm, a nearly closed cavity is formed in the space 69 between the application member 20 and the application member 30, in which cavity the composition can collect. In the example in question, this almost closed cavity extends as far as the central part 12. The composition bridge may be formed by surface tension between the enlarged heads 60.

The small gap e tends to retain a certain amount of the composition outside the application member 20 and the application member 30 within the recess 68, which recess 68 is formed between the convex surfaces defining the top of the head 60. This may allow the eyelashes to more easily access the composition loaded by the applicator member 5.

The applying member 20 or the applying member 30 may have a height h and a width l satisfying the relationship 0.5h ≦ l ≦ 2 h.

The straight line joining the areas of the opposite parts which are closest together, that is to say where the gap e is smallest, is located at a distance u of more than 0.5mm from the central part 12.

As mentioned above, in order to manufacture the applicator member 2, according to the teaching of patent US 8899241B 2, the elements 10 are threaded onto the core 9, and the core 9 is then twisted. The number of elements 10 is for example between 2 and 100, better still between 5 and 15.

To manufacture the component 10, the component 10 may be molded in a suitable mold such that demolding takes place along the axis X.

In this case, the presence of the cavity 14 inside the hollow application element 20 does not in any way hinder the demoulding.

In general, any thermoplastic material can be used for the molding element 10, regardless of the shape of the central part 12 and of the application member coupled thereto. In particular, polyolefins or thermoplastic elastomers of the SEBS type, for example, can be used.

The element 10 may also be made of non-thermoplastic materials, such as metal or ceramic materials.

During twisting of the core, the elements 10 can undergo a rotation relative to one another, so as to produce a progressive angular offset between the elements along the core, which, where appropriate, can produce a helical groove in the applicator member 5.

When the applicator is in use, the composition can collect in the cavity 14 and, by virtue of the proximity of the enlarged heads 60, between the enlarged heads 60, in particular in the recesses 68 formed between the arches 65 of two adjacent enlarged heads 60. The composition present in these depressions 68 is accessible to the eyelashes at a distance from the central member 12. Thus, the eyelashes do not have to be deep into the brush to load the product.

A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 and of the element 10 for manufacturing the applicator part 5 will now be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6.

In the example in fig. 5, the element 10 comprises only a hollow application member 20, which differs from the examples in fig. 2 and 3, in which there is an alternation of application members of different nature in the circumferential direction.

All the application members 20 are identical and each has a toothed shape. The cavity 14 is defined by a strand 80 of material that describes a series of pointed arches that are concave toward the outside, forming teeth at the point of intersection between the two arches. More specifically, in the example shown, the bundle 80 describes, starting from the central part 12, a first pointed arch 81, which first pointed arch 81 is coupled to a second arch 82, forming a first tooth 86, which second arch 82 is itself coupled to a third arch 83, forming a tooth 84.

Each application member 20 has a symmetrical shape with respect to its extension axis Y.

The two arches 83 form, at their point of intersection, a tooth 85 defining the vertex of the hollow application member 20 and lying on the axis of extension Y.

Thus, each of the applying members 20 has the overall shape of a leaf of Chinese ilex. In this example, the cavity 14 extends over substantially the entire height of the smearing member 20, minus the thickness occupied by the bundle of material 80. Thus, the height m of the cavity, measured along the extension axis Y (i.e. along the radius in the example in question), is greater than or equal to half the height h. There is for example the following relationship between l and h: l is more than or equal to 0.5h and less than or equal to 2 h.

Fig. 5 shows that the gap e existing between two adjacent application members at the teeth 86 is relatively small, and is preferably less than or equal to 0.3mm, and may in particular be between 0.1mm and 0.3 mm. The distance u measured radially between the central part 12 and the line joining the apexes of the teeth 86 of two adjacent application members 20 is greater than 0.5mm, for example about 0.6mm in the example shown.

In the example shown, the application members 20 substantially meet at their base where the bundle of material 80 is coupled to the central component 12. The fact that the teeth 86 of adjacent application members are relatively close together makes it possible to form a product storage zone between the first arches 81 of two adjacent application members, in a relatively restricted space 90 which communicates with the outside only through a relatively narrow opening 91 of width e. The space 90 constitutes an almost closed cavity.

The arches 82 extending on either side of this narrow opening 91 define a product collection surface at a non-zero radial distance from the central member 12. Thus, the user has a product storage area in the space 94 into which eyelashes can be introduced while benefiting from the teeth formed at the intersection between the different arches in order to grip the eyelashes.

All the recesses formed by the different arches form a corresponding number of depressions that can collect the product, increasing the loading capacity of the applicator part 5.

A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 will now be described with reference to fig. 7 and 8.

In this example, the element 10 has only a hollow application member 20, the hollow application member 20 defining a corresponding number of cavities 14.

Each application member 20 is formed by two lateral arches 100, which lateral arches 100 are joined at their distal ends by a top arch 101, the lateral arches 100 and the top arch 101 being concave towards the outside. The

arches

100 and 101 form teeth 102 at their point of intersection. The application member 20 is formed from a bundle of material 105.

Product can collect in the depression of the top arch 101, the bottom of which is set back from the apex of the tooth 102 along the extension axis Y. The product may also be collected in the cavity 14 formed by the strand 105. The opposite lateral arches 100 of two adjacent application members 20 define between each other a space 111 in which the product can also collect. This space communicates with the outside through a narrow opening 112, which opening 112 leads out between two teeth 102 of two adjacent application members 20.

The fact that the opening 112 is narrow, with a width e preferably less than or equal to 0.3mm, improves the retention of the product between the hollow application members 20.

Thus, the application member 20 illustrated in fig. 7 makes it possible to collect the product in the cavity 14 and also in the depression of the top dome 101.

The teeth 102 facilitate the capture of the eyelashes thanks to their oblique orientation with respect to the extension axis Y. Finally, when eyelashes can be introduced into the space 111, the relatively small interval e between the adjacent applying members 20 also helps to catch the eyelashes.

In the example shown, the lateral arches 100 of two adjacent spreading members meet at their bases. The number of application members 20 is equal to eight.

As shown in fig. 8, the element 10 may be angularly offset within the applicator member 5 about its longitudinal axis Z, due to the twisting of the core.

In the example in fig. 9 and 10, the element 10 comprises alternating

application members

30a and 30b, which

application members

30a and 30b follow each other in a circumferential direction around the central part 12.

The application member 30a and the application member 30b each have a V-shaped overall shape, with two diverging arms 140 towards the outside for the element 30a and two diverging arms 150 for the element 30 b. For example, the opening angle k' of Vs is between 15 ° and 60 °, better between 30 ° and 45 °.

The arm 140 is curved towards the outside at its distal end and has two ends 141, the two ends 141 being oriented perpendicularly to an extension axis Y, which is the symmetry axis of the application member and coincides with a radius.

The arms 150 are likewise bent at their distal ends, but at a greater angle than the arms 140, so that each of the ends 151 formed by the elbows forms an acute angle c with a corresponding portion 152 of the arm, which corresponding portion 152 is coupled to the central component 12.

The arms 140 meet at their bases. As does the arm 150.

Thus, the application member 30a and the application member 30b each form two concave-convex portions capable of improving the catch of eyelashes during the makeup application.

Catching with the application member 30b is particularly evident due to the orientation of the end 151.

In the example shown, the gap e between the free end of one portion 151 and the adjacent arm 140 of the adjacent application member 30a is small, and preferably less than 0.3mm, better still less than 0.2mm, or even less than 0.1mm, so that the two

application members

30a and 30b form between each other an almost closed cavity 156 capable of collecting a certain amount of composition.

The

portions

141 and 151 may also define between each other a space open to the outside and containing the composition, which, due to its viscosity, can be retained between said portions. The collection of the composition at a relatively large radial distance from the central member allows the eyelashes to more easily access the composition.

As in the above example, the element 10 is angularly offset on the applicator member, due to the twisting of the core, as shown in fig. 10.

In the example of fig. 11 and 12, each element 10 of the applicator member 5 has a succession of identical application members 160, for example 14 application members.

Each spreading member 160 has a leg 161 extending along an extension axis Y and has four elbows 162 to 165 in succession, each elbow being at a right angle in the example in question.

Elbow 162 points clockwise, elbow 163 points outward, elbow 164 points counterclockwise, and elbow 165 points outward.

The elbow 163 and the elbow 164 form a groove 167 in the shape of a trough, the bottom of the groove 167 being defined by a section 168 of the application member.

The distal portion of the application member is defined by a section 169 parallel to section 168 and perpendicular to section 170, section 170 forming elbow 162 with leg 161.

Section 169 is offset relative to leg 161 toward section 168.

The gap e between the

elbows

162 and 163 of two successive application members on the element 10 is relatively small and much smaller than the distance between the legs of these application members and the base of the application members, in particular preferably smaller than 0.3mm, better still smaller than 0.2mm, even better still smaller than 0.1 mm. Thus, each leg 161 forms, together with a section 168 directed from one of the application members to the other application member, a nearly closed cavity 166, within which cavity 166 the composition can collect.

The recess 167 allows the formation of a composition reservoir radially away from the central member, allowing the mascara to be loaded without having to immerse the eyelashes deeply into the applicator member.

The segment 172 defining the elbow 164 with the distal segment 169 also makes it possible to maintain the composition on the surface radially remote from the central component 12.

Furthermore, the notch formed by the continuous elbow 162 to elbow 164 forms a kind of hook which enables improved capture of the eyelashes on the applicator part 5.

The distal section 169 makes it possible to benefit from having a surface with a high capacity for separating the eyelashes, since the distal section makes it easier to introduce the eyelashes between the applicator members.

Various modifications can be made to this example, in particular as regards the shape of the grooves described above, which in a variant can be V-shaped, in which case the number of elbows is reduced to three. In other variations, the number of elbows is greater.

In the variant embodiment in fig. 13 and 14, each application member 220 has a central arm 221 provided with an enlarged head 222 at its end, and two lateral arms 223 arranged on each side of the central arm 221 and diverging towards the outside. The lateral arms 223 are formed by simple spikes.

Arms

221 and 223 meet at their bases.

The divergence angle g between the axes of the lateral arms 223 is for example between 15 ° and 60 °, better between 30 ° and 45 °.

The angle g and the length of the lateral arms 223 may be chosen such that the ends of the lateral arms 223 are close enough together to be considered as forming an almost closed cavity 225 together with the central part 12, the gap e between said ends preferably being less than or equal to 0.3mm, or even less than or equal to 0.2mm or 0.1 mm.

As the lateral arms 223 come closer together, the adjacent lateral arms 223 of two successive spreading members 220 of the element 10 may help to keep a certain amount of composition at the ends of the arms 223 at a radial distance from the central part 12.

The gap e between two adjacent lateral arms 223 protruding from two consecutive spreading members 220 is less than 0.3mm, better less than 0.2mm, even better less than 0.1 mm.

For example, there is the following relationship between the total length of the central arm, measured at the apex of the head 222, and the height of the lateral arms, measured along the extension axis Y: j >1.4k, better j >1.5k, and preferably 1.4k < j <3 k.

The presence of the head 222 creates a discontinuity 224 at its base that can improve the capture of the eyelashes by the applicator component.

Between the central arm and each lateral arm there is also a V-shaped groove open towards the outside, into which the eyelashes can be introduced, which can help to grip the eyelashes in order to spread the composition on their surface.

As shown in fig. 14, the elements 10 may be angularly offset along the applicator member 5 due to the twisting of the core 9.

The variant embodiment in fig. 15 and 16 has application members 230 and application members 240 alternating in the circumferential direction.

The application member 230 is in the shape of an outwardly facing arrow, while the application member 240 is in the shape of an inwardly facing arrow.

Thus, each application member 230 has a leg 231 (by means of which it is coupled to the central part 12) and a head 232 having a shape tapering towards the outside, so that at the junction of the head 232 with the leg a discontinuity 232 is formed, which discontinuity 232 can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the extension axis Y of the application member 230.

In this example, the flat portion of the head 232 is parallel to the flat plane of the central member 12.

For example, the discontinuity 233 is located more than half way along the length of the application member from the central member 12.

The spreading member 240 has radial arms 241, which radial arms 241 are connected to an enlarged base 243 in the form of an arrow pointing towards the central part 12.

Discontinuities 244 are formed at the intersection of arms 241 and base 243, and these discontinuities 244 are oriented perpendicular to axis Y.

Due to the discontinuity 233 formed by the head 232, the application member 230 can grip the eyelashes. The tapered shape of the applicator member 230 ensures good penetration of the eyelashes between the applicator members.

Each head 232 and the adjacent radial arm 241 form a guide against which the eyelashes can be pressed when they are introduced into the applicator part 5, which can guide the eyelashes until they pass through the respective discontinuity 233, the gap between the head 232 and the radial arm 241 preferably being sufficient to allow the eyelashes to pass through.

The discontinuities 244 allow the composition to be collected at a distance from the central member 12 in an area where the eyelashes are more accessible than the surface of the central member 12.

The gap e between the base 243 of the application member 240 and the leg 231 of the adjacent application member 230 is small enough, preferably less than or equal to 0.3mm, so as to form an almost closed cavity 250, which cavity 250 is located in the space extending along the legs 231 and the base 243 between the central part 12 and the edge of the discontinuity 244.

Such a cavity 250 allows the composition to collect over the surface of the central member 12. The distance between the base of the leg 231 and the open end of the base 243 at the central member 12 may be greater than the spacing e, such that the cavity 250 narrows as one moves away from the central member 12.

For example, the difference between the height t at which the discontinuity 233 is situated with respect to the central part 12 and the height u at which the discontinuity 244 is situated, measured along the axis of extension Y of the application member 230 in question, is between 0mm and 5mm, better still between 0.5mm and 2.5mm, for example about 1 mm.

As shown in fig. 16, the elements 10 may be angularly offset along the applicator member due to the twisting of the core 9.

A variant embodiment will now be described with reference to fig. 17 and 18, in which each application member 180 has the overall shape of a V, with two arms 181 diverging outwards, with converging bases and provided at the ends with an enlarged head 182 in the form of a circular disc.

For example, the divergence angle d between the axes of the arms 181 is between 15 ° and 60 °, better still between 30 ° and 45 °.

Each head 182 and the arm 181 coupled thereto form a discontinuity 183, which discontinuity 183 may improve the capture of eyelashes by the applicator assembly 5.

When the gap e between the heads 182 that are close together of two consecutive spreading members 180 is sufficiently small, preferably less than or equal to 0.3mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1mm, said heads 182 can form an almost closed cavity 187, which cavity 187 is delimited on the inside by the central part 12, on the sides by the arms 181, and on the outside by the heads 182.

The head 182 may contain a load of composition on its exterior-facing surface, thereby increasing the amount of composition available on the exterior surface of the applicator member 5. In particular, the composition may collect in a recess 188, the recess 188 being formed between two heads 182 of successive application members that are close enough together to form a bridge of composition by capillary action.

As shown in fig. 18, the elements 10 may be angularly offset along the applicator member due to the twisting of the core 9.

The exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 19 and 20 has an application member 200 formed by three arms, namely a central arm 201 and two diverging lateral arms 202, the central arm 201 extending along the extension axis Y of the application member 200, the central arm 201 being the longest and being formed by a simple spike, the two lateral arms 202 being offset from the central arm 201 as they move away from the central part 12, and each lateral arm 202 being provided at its end with an enlarged head 203, for example disc-shaped or spherical.

The length j of the central arm 201 is greater than the height k of the lateral arms 202 measured at the apex of the head 203. For example, j >1.4k, more preferably j >1.5k, preferably 1.4k < j <3 k.

The angle of divergence f between the axes of the arms 202 is for example between 15 ° and 60 °, better between 30 ° and 45 °.

For example,

arms

201 and 202 meet at their bases.

The gap e between each head 203 and the central arm 201 is small enough to form a nearly closed cavity 205 capable of collecting a quantity of composition.

Furthermore, due to the proximity between the head 203 and the central arm 201, the composition may collect on top of the head 203 on either side of the central arm 201. Thus, when eyelashes are introduced into the applicator part 5, the eyelashes may be pressed against the head 203 and loaded with the composition. It is also possible to introduce eyelashes between the heads 203 of two adjacent application members 201, the distance between the heads 203 of the two adjacent application members 201 being farther from the central arm than the heads 203. The presence of the arm 202 provided with a head may improve the catch of the applicator part 5 on the eyelashes, thanks to the discontinuity formed at the base of the head, where the head is coupled to the arm, which tends to hold the eyelashes.

Fig. 21-30 show an application member 300 comprising two portions 302, the two portions 302 cooperating to form an unclosed loop. At the junction of the two portions 302, the two portions 302 fit without contacting each other, such as forming a gap 305 between the two portions 302. As shown, the two portions 302 are separated by a distance e. As shown in fig. 21-30, the two portions 302 may have surfaces with complementary shapes at their junctions. The complementary shapes may be planar surfaces as shown in fig. 21 and 28, complementary shapes with undulations as shown in fig. 22 and 30, convex and concave shapes as shown in fig. 29, triangular complementary shapes as shown in fig. 26 and 27, rectangular complementary shapes as shown in fig. 23 and 24, and tailored complementary shapes as shown in fig. 25.

In fig. 21 to 25, 27 to 28, and 30, a gap 305 is provided at the distal end of the application member 300. As a variation shown in fig. 26 and 29, the gap 305 may be between the distal end of the spreading member 300 and the base of the spreading member 300, such that the portions 302 have different lengths.

The application member 300 may comprise a relief on at least one of said two portions 302, as shown in fig. 28, or a protrusion 307, as shown in fig. 27, or flocking, as shown in fig. 30.

Fig. 31 shows the spreading member 400, the spreading member 400 comprising an unclosed ring 402 open at one of its ends and teeth 404 extending below the unclosed ring 402. The tip 406 of the tooth 404 and the unclosed ring 402 are spaced apart from each other by a distance e. When pressure is applied to the unclosed ring 402, the ring 402 may contact the teeth 404 to prevent deformation thereof.

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

For example, the number of application members may be different in each example.

Different core elements 10 can be stacked, the core elements 10 being made of different materials (in particular materials having different hardnesses), for example, and/or the core elements 10 having differently shaped spreading members.

The core may be given a curvature such that the applicator member extends along a curved longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A packaging and application device comprising:

-a container containing a composition to be applied,

-an applicator (3) for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, the applicator comprising:

○ a core part (9),

○ is attached to at least one element (10) of the core, each element comprising a central part (12) mounted on the core and at least one spreading member carried by the central part, a composition-collecting surface being formed by the proximity between two different parts of the same spreading member or between two different parts of two adjacent spreading members, the gap (e) between these parts being sufficiently small to enable a bridge of composition to be formed at the gap by surface tension, these parts being located at a distance of greater than or equal to 0.5mm from the central part.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the gap (e) is less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

3. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the application member has an enlarged head (60), the gap (e) being formed between two consecutive heads (60).

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein each application member has the shape of a harpoon.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the application member is toothed, the teeth being formed by a succession of pointed arches (81, 82, 83) which are concave towards the outside, the gap (e) being formed between the teeth (86) of two adjacent application members.

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the application members each have two lateral arms (100), the two lateral arms (100) being joined at their ends by an arch (101) so as to form a tooth (102) at their point of intersection, the gap (e) being formed between the teeth (102) of two adjacent application members.

7. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein each application member has the overall shape of a V with an elbow at the end of the V, the element (10) preferably comprising alternating first (30a) and second (30b) application members, the first application member (30a) having the overall shape of a V with an elbow oriented substantially perpendicular to the median plane for the first application member, the second application member (30b) having an elbow oriented towards the central part (12), the gap (e) being formed between the end of one of the application members and the arm of the adjacent application member.

8. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the element (10) comprises a plurality of application members each having a leg (161), the legs (161) being attached to the central part and extending at one end by a portion, in particular a portion in the shape of a slot, defining a laterally open recess (167), the gap (e) being defined between the portion and an adjacent application member.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein said portion extends radially towards the outside by means of a radial arm (169).

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the element (10) comprises an application member (220) having a central arm (221) and two lateral arms (223) forming a V-shape, respectively, extending on each side of the central arm (221), the gap (e) being defined between the lateral arms of two adjacent application members (220).

11. Device according to either of claims 1 and 2, wherein the element (10) comprises alternating first (230) and second (240) application members, the first application member (230) has the overall shape of an arrow, the tip of the arrow of the first application member being oriented towards the outside, the second application member (240) having the overall shape of an arrow, the tip of the arrow of the second application member being oriented towards the central part, the head of the first application member is farther from the central part than the head of the second application member, said gap (e) is defined between two adjacent application members, in particular between the widest base of one application member in the shape of an arrow towards the central part and the leg of an adjacent application member in the shape of an arrow towards the outside.

12. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the element (10) comprises application members each having two arms (181) diverging away from the central part, which carry enlarged heads (182) at their ends, the gap (e) being formed between the enlarged heads (182) of two adjacent application members.

13. Device according to any one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the element (10) comprises an application member (200) having a central arm (201) and two V-shaped lateral arms (202) extending on each side of the central arm, respectively, which lateral arms are each provided at their ends with an enlarged head (203), the gap (e) being defined between the enlarged head (203) of one application member and the central arm (201) of said one application member.

14. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the axes of extension (Y) of the application members of an element (10) are coplanar.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one application member of an element (10) is flat in a plane, and in particular each application member of the same element (10) is flat in a flat plane common to all application members of said element (10).

16. Applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, in particular for a device according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising:

-a core (9),

-at least one element (10) attached to the core, each element comprising a central part (12) mounted on the core and at least one application member carried by the central part, a composition collecting surface being formed by the proximity between two different portions of one and the same application member or between two different portions of two adjacent application members, the gap (e) between these portions being less than or equal to 0.3mm, these portions being located at a distance from the central part greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.

17. Method for the cosmetic treatment of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, in particular for making up the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising the step of applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes by means of a device according to any one of claims 1 to 15 or an applicator according to claim 16.