EP1236420A1 - Brush for applying a product on keratinous fibres - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator comprises a rod with a brush at one end. The portion of the rod adjacent to the brush has an axis (Y) and the brush comprises a core (11) from a portion of which bristles extend. The core is curved over a part of its length and the angle between the rod axis and the core axis is less than 90o and the brush free end is not aligned with the rod axis.

Description

The present invention relates to a brush for applying a product. cosmetic or care on keratin fibers, in particular for applying mascara on the eyelashes.

The invention also relates to a makeup device comprising such a brush.

We know many brushes formed by the helical winding of two branches of a metallic wire around tufts of hair extending radially from of the core, these branches being fixed in a rod made of plastic, integral a cap for closing the container containing the product to be applied.

The free ends of the bristles define an envelope surface, which can present multiple forms.

Is thus known from French patent application FR-A-2 605 505 a brush with rectilinear core, having several lateral faces and on each lateral face a notch extending over substantially the entire length of the brush, each notch having in cross section a concave profile outwards. Such notches define between them ridge areas. The axis of the soul is confused with that of the rod. During applying the product by means of such a brush, the latter being driven in rotation around the axis of the rod, the eyelashes successively meet lateral faces having an identical shape.

European patent application EP-A-0 663 161 describes a brush having a straight core and on its lateral faces notches concave towards the outside. Edges of these notches belong to an envelope surface having the general shape of two trunks of cone joined by their base.

We know from the European patent application EP-A-0 792 603 a brush having a rectilinear core and a cylindrical portion in which one or more are made several notches whose width passes by a maximum when one moves according to the axis of the brush.

We also know from French patent application FR-A-2 755 593 a brush having a non-rectilinear core, extending in a plane of curvature. The surface brush envelope has at least part of its length a section transverse of elongated shape along an axis of greater length, parallel to the plane of curvature. The two halves of the envelope surface of the brush located on both sides of the plane of curvature are symmetrical with respect to the latter.

We know from French patent applications FR-A-2,749,489 and FR-A-2 749 490 other brushes with curved core. The cross section defined by the bristles of these brushes varies homothetically from one end to the other of the brush. That is, if we compare two cross sections of the brush taken in half different places the length of it, one of the sections is an enlargement of the other, i.e. the ratio of dimensions from one section to another is constant whatever the orientation around the axis of the soul. These brushes are also produced at from a blank having an envelope surface symmetrical with respect to a median plane perpendicular to the core.

US Patent 5,937,870 describes a brush which has a cross section defined by the hairs, having an elongated shape over at least part of its length. This brush has an envelope surface having two halves symmetrical with respect to the plane of curvature of the soul.

US Patent 5,876,138 describes a brush with a rectilinear core having a shape general fish.

Patent application DE-A-4,205,935 describes a bent-core brush, of constant, circular cross-section.

Patent application FR-A-2 798 276, which is an intermediate document, describes a device comprising a brush with a curved core, the free end of which is not situated in line with the stem, to improve product removal. The brush presents a cross section which varies monotonically from the end of the linked brush to the rod towards its free end.

The present invention aims to further improve existing brushes and the quality of the makeup obtained, in particular in terms of product loading, elongation, bending, penetration of the hairs into the eyelashes and separation of these latter.

• l'âme est courbe sur au moins une partie de sa longueur,
• la surface enveloppe définie par les poils de la brosse définie par les poils est non symétrique par rapport à un plan (P) médian perpendiculaire à l'âme,
• l'angle entre l'axe (Y) et l'axe de l'âme en tout point de celle-ci est toujours inférieur à 90°,
• la brosse présente une extrémité libre non alignée avec l'axe (Y),
• la section transversale, définie par les poils de la brosse varie de manière non monotone d'une extrémité de la brosse à l'autre.

A subject of the invention is, among others, a device for applying a product to keratin fibers, in particular for applying mascara to the eyelashes, comprising a rod provided at one end with a brush. , the portion of the rod adjacent to the brush having an axis (Y). The brush has a core having a portion from which bristles extend, also called a "stacked" portion. This device can be characterized by the fact that it has at least one of the following characteristics:

• the core is curved over at least part of its length,
• the envelope surface defined by the bristles of the brush defined by the bristles is not symmetrical with respect to a median plane (P) perpendicular to the core,
• the angle between the axis (Y) and the axis of the core at any point thereof is always less than 90 °,
• the brush has a free end which is not aligned with the axis (Y),
• the cross section, defined by the bristles of the brush varies non-monotonously from one end of the brush to the other.

By non-monotonically varying cross-section, it should be understood that the cross section of the brush is not constant over the entire length of the brush and does not vary in a strictly increasing or strictly decreasing manner from one end of the brush to the other. The fact that, in a brush according to the invention, the cross section defined by bristles varies in a non-monotonous manner may be due to example of the shape of the blank from which the brush is made, this blank can for example have an extremum diameter at a distance from each end of the brush, or the presence of one or more notches, among others.

In a particular embodiment, the brush is produced from a rough rectilinear core, the stacked portion having a non-symmetrical envelope surface by relative to a median plane perpendicular to the core, the blank having a non-rectilinear edge when viewed in profile in a direction perpendicular to the web, this edge having been at least partially straightened by the curvature given to the core of the blank during the brush making.

The new brush according to the invention makes it possible to obtain a quality of very satisfactory makeup, thanks to the fact that the soul is curved and that it presents, when viewed from the side in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the stem, a profile which varies when it is rotated about the axis of the rod.

The brush provides good lash care and allows also to obtain a non-uniform spin, leading to charged areas unevenly in product.

Thus, the user can have a larger amount on the brush of product allowing to add locally to the eyelashes of the product if necessary during makeup, without having to plunge the brush back into the container, and on the other hand bristles lightly loaded with product, which can advantageously be used to separate the eyelashes, especially the small eyelashes at the end of the eyelid.

Starting from a brush according to the invention, one can return for the needs of the observation to the draft used to make it by fully straightening the soul, that is to say by making it completely rectilinear.

By "curve" is meant "not straight", so that a line broken is a curved line within the meaning of the present invention.

According to another aspect of the invention, the curvature is not constant.

The fact that the curvature is not constant over the length of the brush means that the radius of curvature (which can be infinite) is not the same at least at two points different along the brush. The brush may thus have a more curvature important on the side of its free end than on the side of the rod for example, or have a straight or substantially straight portion and a curved portion, which this is the case in particular when the core of the brush has a straight part engaged in the stem and the hairs are supported by a curvilinear part, of constant curvature or no.

In a particular embodiment, the cross section of the brush according to the invention passes through at least one extremum between its two axial ends.

This extremum can be a maximum or a minimum and the cross section of the brush can in particular pass through a maximum and a minimum between its two axial ends, which is the case in particular when the blank from which the brush is carried out has a general shape of fish.

In a particular embodiment, the blank has an envelope surface having a symmetrical shape of revolution.

The blank used to make the brush according to the invention may still not present an envelope surface having a symmetrical shape of revolution but simply an axial symmetry with respect to the axis of the core, for example.

The cross section of the envelope surface of the blank may have a variant shape, over at least part of the length of the brush, for example over more than third of its length, homothetically. In other words, if we compare two brush cross sections taken in two different places the length of this one, one of the sections is an enlargement of the other, that is to say that the ratio of dimensions from one section to another is constant regardless of the orientation around the axis of soul.

The core of the blank can be bent at least around an axis extending outside of the midplane of the draft. An edge of the blank which is made more straight due to the curvature given to the core can be located in the distal or proximal part of the brush, i.e. in the first or second half of the length of the brush from its free end. The aforementioned non-rectilinear edge of the blank may lie substantially in the first or last third of the brush, from its free end. This edge no straight can be concave outward or alternatively convex outward. When the non-straight edge is concave towards the outside, it is for example substantially in the last third of the brush. This is particularly the case when the draft presents a general form of fish. When the non-straight edge is convex towards the outside, it is for example in the first third of the brush. It's the case especially when the blank has a general shell or buoy shape.

In a particular embodiment, the non-rectilinear edge of the blank is defined at least partially by a distal ogival-shaped end portion of the brush, the brush body having a frustoconical shape with a cross section decreasing from this distal end part, over at least part of the length of the brush, in the direction of the rod to which the core is connected.

In another particular embodiment, the non-rectilinear edge of the blank is defined by the area surrounding the junction between a distal end portion of the brush, frustoconical in shape, converging towards the free end of the brush and the body of the brush, also of frustoconical shape, converging towards the rod to which it is connected blade.

In another particular embodiment, the blank having the general shape of a fish, the non-straight edge of the blank is defined by the area around the junction between the proximal end portion forming the tail of the fish and the body of the brush.

In another particular embodiment, the brush being produced from a blank having the shape of a diabolo, the non-rectilinear edge of the blank is defined by the angle returning to the junction of the two truncated cones.

In another particular embodiment, the blank having the shape of a balloon rugby comprising at least one facet or notch, the non-straight edge is defined by the notch or is located in the vicinity of one end of the notch or the facet.

The non-straight edge of the blank is advantageously deformed, following the curvature given to the core, so as to lie at least partially and substantially in the axis of the adjacent edge of the brush body, when the latter is observed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rod.

The core can be a twisted core, with steps to the left or to the right, in particular with steps on the left as described in French patent application FR-A-2 701 198.

In a left-hand brush, the branches of the core are twisted in turning to the left to form turns which, seen along the axis of the core from the end fixed in the rod, rotate clockwise as you progress from the rod to the free end of the brush.

The core is advantageously curved, when the brush is to the left, so as to reduce the inclination of the helical layers formed by the bristles with respect to the axis of the rod as one moves away from the rod, which improves the separation of the eyelashes at the ends of the eyelid, increasing the angle between the eyelashes and said layers.

We can also play on the curvature given to the soul, when the latter is to the right, so as to orient the hairs in a desired direction.

The core can be produced other than by twisting two branches of a wire metallic, the bristles being able to be implanted or molded on other supports.

The hairs can be natural or synthetic, and their ends can undergo any known type of treatment, for example to form rounded heads or forks.

The brush may include bristles of different lengths, in particular short hairs contained in the volume delimited by the envelope surface defined by the free ends of large bristles.

The brush may include a mixture of bristles.

The bristles used can be of any kind, in particular being hollow bristles, with capillary groove, flat or twisted, or with preferential deformation zone.

The invention is not limited to a brush whose core is curved around a single axis.

In particular, the core can be curved around two non-parallel axes between them.

In this case, the axis of the soul is not entirely contained in a single plane of curvature.

The axes around which the soul is curved can extend in directions perpendicular or not, and being intersecting or not.

a) réaliser une ébauche à âme rectiligne, notamment ayant une section transversale variant de manière non monotone d'une première extrémité de la brosse à une deuxième extrémité, l'ébauche ayant une surface enveloppe non symétrique par rapport à un plan médian P perpendiculaire à l'âme,

b) incurver l'âme de manière à ce que la première extrémité de la brosse ne soit pas alignée avec l'axe de la partie rectiligne de l'âme adjacente à la deuxième extrémité, et à ce que l'angle formé entre l'axe de la partie rectiligne de l'âme et l'axe en tout point de la partie incurvée de l'âme soit inférieur à 90°.

The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a brush, comprising the following steps:

a) producing a blank with a rectilinear core, in particular having a cross section varying non-monotonously from a first end of the brush to a second end, the blank having an envelope surface that is not symmetrical with respect to a median plane P perpendicular to blade,

b) bending the core so that the first end of the brush is not aligned with the axis of the rectilinear part of the core adjacent to the second end, and so that the angle formed between the axis of the rectilinear part of the core and the axis at any point of the curved part of the core is less than 90 °.

a) réaliser une ébauche à âme rectiligne ayant une section transversale non constante, et sur au moins une partie de la longueur de l'ébauche, un bord non rectiligne lorsque l'ébauche est observée de profil dans une direction perpendiculaire à l'âme,

b) incurver l'âme de manière à diminuer la courbure dudit bord non rectiligne de l'ébauche, lorsque la brosse est observée dans la même direction que précédemment.

In a particular implementation, the method comprises the following steps:

a) producing a blank with a rectilinear core having a non-constant cross section, and over at least part of the length of the blank, a non-rectilinear edge when the blank is observed in profile in a direction perpendicular to the core,

b) bending the core so as to reduce the curvature of said non-rectilinear edge of the blank, when the brush is observed in the same direction as above.

The blank may or may not be symmetrical in revolution and present for example a general form of shell, buoy, fish, diabolo or rugby ball.

At least one facet or notch can be made on the front blank to bend the soul, in step b) above.

At least three such facets or notches can be produced, in order to give the brush, in cross section and over at least part of its length, a shape general triangular.

We can for example give the maximum curvature to the core at the level of the swollen part of the blank when the latter has a general shape of shell or buoy, in order to raise the distal end part of the blank, with the effect of straighten a non-rectilinear upper edge of the bulged part of the blank and accentuate the curvature of its diametrically opposite lower edge.

We can also for example give the maximum curvature to the soul at level of the narrowest part of the blank when the latter has a shape general of fish or diabolo, in order to raise the proximal end part of the blank, with the effect of further digging the upper concave edge upwards the rough and flatten its lower edge, diametrically opposite, concave down.

The curvature given to the core can generally have the effect of example of pushing back a convex or concave face of the brush to make it substantially straight, especially substantially parallel to the axis of the rod.

When the curvature given to the core has the effect of straightening a concave face or convex in order to make it substantially straight, this curvature can be performed around an axis contained in a median plane for said face.

The core can be curved around two axes not parallel to each other, as indicated above.

The blank produced in step a) can be left-hand.

The invention also relates to a brush obtained by means of such a method.

• une tige ayant deux extrémités opposées, et
• une partie formant brosse raccordée à une extrémité de la tige, cette extrémité ayant un axe longitudinal et la partie formant brosse ayant une extrémité libre qui n'est pas alignée avec l'axe longitudinal de l'extrémité de la tige,
• la partie formant brosse ayant une âme, au moins une portion de l'âme étant incurvée de telle sorte qu'une ligne tangente à l'âme en un point quelconque de l'âme ne soit pas perpendiculaire audit axe longitudinal,
• la partie formant brosse comportant en outre des poils se raccordant à l'âme, les poils ayant des extrémités définissant une surface enveloppe ayant une section transversale qui varie sur une partie au moins de sa longueur, la surface enveloppe étant non symétrique par rapport à un plan médian de la surface enveloppe, perpendiculaire à l'âme.

The invention also relates to a device for applying a product to keratin fibers, comprising

• a rod having two opposite ends, and
• a brush part connected to one end of the rod, this end having a longitudinal axis and the brush part having a free end which is not aligned with the longitudinal axis of the end of the rod,
• the brush part having a core, at least a portion of the core being curved so that a line tangent to the core at any point of the core is not perpendicular to said longitudinal axis,
• the brush portion further comprising bristles connecting to the core, the bristles having ends defining an envelope surface having a cross section which varies over at least part of its length, the envelope surface being non-symmetrical with respect to a median plane of the envelope surface, perpendicular to the core.

The invention also relates to a makeup device comprising a brush as defined above.

Such a makeup device may in particular comprise a container containing a reserve of product, for example mascara, an applicator provided with a end of a gripper and at the other end of the brush, this applicator can preferably be fixed tightly on the container, when screwing the gripping member on the container for example, the brush being able to plunge into the product, preferably liquid, contained in the container, the latter being additionally provided of a wringer.

• les figures 1 à 4 représentent divers exemples d'ébauches à partir desquelles peuvent être réalisées des brosses conformes à l'invention,
• les figures 5 à 8 représentent des brosses conformes à l'invention, obtenues respectivement à partir des ébauches représentées sur les figures 1 à 4,
• la figure 9 représente l'ébauche de la figure 1 sur laquelle ont été réalisées des facettes,
• la figure 10 est une section transversale selon X-X de la figure 9,
• la figure 10A est une section transversale selon X-X illustrant une variante de réalisation à encoches,
• la figure 11 représente l'ébauche de la figure 2 sur laquelle ont été réalisées des facettes,
• la figure 12 est une section transversale selon XII-XII de la figure 11,
• la figure 13 représente la brosse de la figure 3 sur laquelle ont été réalisées des facettes,
• la figure 14 est une section transversale selon XIV-XIV de la figure 13,
• la figure 15 représente l'ébauche de la figure 4 sur laquelle ont été réalisées des facettes,
• la figure 16 est une section transversale selon XVI-XVI de la figure 15,
• la figure 17 représente l'ébauche de la figure 9 après courbure de l'âme,
• la figure 18 représente l'ébauche de la figure 11 après courbure de l'âme,
• la figure 19 représente l'ébauche de la figure 13 après courbure de l'âme,
• la figure 20 représente l'ébauche de la figure 15 après courbure de l'âme,
• la figure 21 représente la brosse de la figure 8, à l'âme de laquelle on a fait subir une deuxième torsion,
• la figure 22 représente un dispositif de conditionnement et d'application équipé d'une brosse conforme à l'invention,
• la figure 23 représente de manière schématique la brosse de la figure 6, avec l'âme torsadée à gauche, en cours d'application de produit sur les cils,
• la figure 24 représente les différents angles entre une nappe hélicoïdale, un cil et l'axe de l'âme,
• la figure 25 est une vue analogue à la figure 24, représentant partiellement et isolément une âme torsadée à droite,
• la figure 26 illustre une section transversale à crans,
• la figure 27 représente de manière schématique une brosse ayant une forme générale de diabolo, avant courbure de l'âme,
• la figure 28 représente de manière schématique une brosse ayant une forme générale de ballon de rugby, comportant une encoche, avant courbure de l'âme,
• les figures 29 et 30 illustrent l'utilisation de la brosse de la figure 6 pour le maquillage des cils,
• la figure 31 illustre la réalisation d'un coude sur l'âme à proximité de la tige,
• la figure 32 représente une portion de l'âme pour illustrer l'angle formé par la direction de l'âme avec l'axe de la tige, et
• les figures 33 et 34 représentent deux exemples d'ébauches avec en trait discontinu la courbure donnée à l'âme.

The invention will be better understood on reading the detailed description which follows, of various examples of implementation, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• FIGS. 1 to 4 represent various examples of blanks from which brushes according to the invention can be made,
• FIGS. 5 to 8 represent brushes according to the invention, obtained respectively from the blanks shown in FIGS. 1 to 4,
• FIG. 9 represents the blank of FIG. 1 on which facets have been produced,
• FIG. 10 is a cross section along XX of FIG. 9,
• FIG. 10A is a cross section along XX illustrating an alternative embodiment with notches,
• FIG. 11 represents the blank of FIG. 2 on which facets have been produced,
• FIG. 12 is a cross section along XII-XII of FIG. 11,
• FIG. 13 represents the brush of FIG. 3 on which facets have been produced,
• FIG. 14 is a cross section along XIV-XIV of FIG. 13,
• FIG. 15 represents the blank of FIG. 4 on which facets have been produced,
• FIG. 16 is a cross section along XVI-XVI of FIG. 15,
• FIG. 17 represents the blank of FIG. 9 after the curvature of the core,
• FIG. 18 represents the blank of FIG. 11 after the curvature of the core,
• FIG. 19 represents the blank of FIG. 13 after the curvature of the core,
• FIG. 20 represents the blank of FIG. 15 after the curvature of the core,
• FIG. 21 represents the brush of FIG. 8, the core of which has been subjected to a second twist,
• FIG. 22 represents a packaging and application device equipped with a brush according to the invention,
• FIG. 23 schematically represents the brush of FIG. 6, with the core twisted to the left, during the application of product to the eyelashes,
• FIG. 24 represents the different angles between a helical sheet, an eyelash and the axis of the core,
• FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24, showing partially and in isolation a core twisted to the right,
• FIG. 26 illustrates a notched cross section,
• FIG. 27 schematically represents a brush having a general shape of a diabolo, before the curvature of the core,
• FIG. 28 schematically represents a brush having a general shape of a rugby ball, comprising a notch, before the curvature of the core,
• FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate the use of the brush of FIG. 6 for making up the eyelashes,
• FIG. 31 illustrates the production of an elbow on the core near the rod,
• FIG. 32 represents a portion of the core to illustrate the angle formed by the direction of the core with the axis of the rod, and
• Figures 33 and 34 show two examples of blanks with a broken line the curvature given to the core.

FIG. 5 shows a brush 10 in accordance with a first example of implementation of the invention.

This brush 10 comprises, in a manner known per se, a core 11 produced in twisting two lengths of wire.

Hair not shown is caught between the turns of the soul, so conventional.

For the sake of clarity, only the surface has been shown in FIG. 5 envelope defined by the free ends of the bristles of large dimension.

The core 11 is fixed at one end to a rod 13 of axis Y.

The rod 13 is for example made of plastic and the core 11 inserted at force in a housing located at the end thereof.

To make the brush 10, we start from a blank shown in FIG. 1, having an envelope surface in the general shape of shells.

The envelope surface of the blank of Figure 1 is symmetrical in revolution around the axis X of the core 11, straight, and not symmetrical with respect to a plane P median, cutting the web 11 at mid-length of the blank.

The bulged part of the brush passes through a maximum diameter at a circle 14 of larger diameter.

The distal end portion 15 of the brush has an ogival shape and the body 16 of the brush a frustoconical shape, the diameter of body 16 decreasing in direction of the rod 13 until it is at least at an end circle 17.

The upper edge of the blank of Figure 1 has a first portion rectilinear 18a extending along the body 16 between the circles 14 and 17, and a second rounded portion 18b, delimiting the distal end portion 15 above, in the form quarter-ellipse in the example shown.

The regions of the portions 18a and 18b which surround the circle 14 constitute a edge 18c not straight.

To make the brush 10, the core 11 is subjected to a twist around an axis perpendicular to the plane of Figure 1, so as to straighten the distal end portion 15 of the blank, which has the effect of flattening the edge 18c, which becomes substantially straight and in the axis of the portion 18a, as can be seen in FIG. 5.

The brush 10 is not symmetrical in revolution around the axis Y of the rod 13.

The ends of the bristles of the brush 10 located on the edge side 18c are more eccentric with respect to the axis Y of the rod 13 than those located diametrically at the opposite.

There is thus obtained on the brush 10, after removing the container and spinning, a greater reserve of product at the edge 18d located substantially in the Y axis rod 13 and a more vigorous spin at the edge 18c, which facilitates the make-up, allowing the user to apply the product locally to the eyelashes if necessary, by removing it from the least wrung out part of the brush, and separating the eyelashes using the hairs least loaded with product.

The direction of the core, at any point along its length, made with the Y axis of the rod, an angle α which is always less than 90 °, as illustrated in FIG. 32.

The core may not be covered with hair over the entire length of its part extending out of the stem.

Thus, the core may include, as seen in Figure 1, a portion curvilinear 11a on which the bristles are connected and which is separated from the rod by a straight portion 11b, devoid of bristles and at least partially implanted in the stem. The core therefore does not have a constant curvature. The curved portion 11a can have a constant curvature or not.

FIG. 6 shows a brush 20 which is obtained from the blank of Figure 2, in the form of a buoy.

This outline has a generally symmetrical shape of revolution around the axis X of the core 11, rectilinear, and an envelope surface formed by the union of two trunks of cones joined by their base, which constitutes a circle 13 larger diameter.

The upper edge of the blank of Figure 2 is formed by the union of generators 22a and 22b of the trunks of cones, and the region surrounding the circle 13 more large diameter constitutes a non-straight edge 22c.

The envelope surface of the blank of Figure 2 is non-symmetrical by relative to a median plane P cutting the core 11 at mid-length of the blank.

To make the brush 20 from the blank of Figure 2, we give a curvature to the core 11 so as to bring the portions 22a and 22b substantially in alignment with each other, which also has the effect of increasing the curvature of the lower edge, diametrically opposite.

The core 11 is bent for example with a constant radius of curvature on the portion 11a around an axis perpendicular to the plane of Figure 2, located on the edge side upper of the draft. The core 11 has, in its entirety, a non-constant curvature, the portion 11b being rectilinear.

Note in Figure 6 that the edge 22c has become substantially straight.

FIG. 7 shows a brush 30 produced from the blank of the Figure 3, in the shape of a fish.

The envelope surface of this blank is symmetrical in revolution around the axis X of the core 11, straight, and not symmetrical with respect to the median plane P intersecting the core 11 at mid-length of the blank.

The blank of FIG. 3 comprises a body 32 whose diameter is maximum at a circle 31 of larger diameter.

The distal end portion 33 which extends in front of the larger circle diameter 31 has an ogival shape.

The proximal end portion 34 of the blank is connected to the body 32 by a narrowed portion 36.

The lower edge 37 of the blank forms at this narrowed part 36 a concave hollow down.

To make the brush 30, a certain curvature is given to the core 11 of the blank of FIG. 3 so as to flatten the lower edge 37 and make it less hollow, even straight as in the example illustrated.

The upper edge 38 diametrically opposite the narrowed portion 36 takes a greater curvature due to the torsion of the core 11.

The portion 32a of the lower edge of the body 32 adjacent to the narrowed portion 36a was also straightened due to the curvature given to the soul.

FIG. 8 shows a brush 40 obtained from the blank shown in Figure 4.

The envelope surface of this blank has a general shape of a fish, symmetrical of revolution around the axis X of the core 11, rectilinear.

The distal end portion 41 of the blank is of frustoconical shape.

The body 42 of the blank is, in its region adjacent to the circle 43 more large diameter, frustoconical.

The body 42 is connected to the proximal end portion 44 of the blank by a narrowed portion 45.

The lower edge 46 of the narrowed part 45 is concave downwards.

We go from the blank of Figure 4 to the brush 40 giving some curvature to the core 11 so as to flatten the lower edge 46 to make it otherwise straight and in the extension of a generator 42a of the body 42, at least noticeably less deep than it was initially.

The curvature given to the core 11 has the effect of further digging the edge upper 47 of the narrowed part 45, diametrically opposite the lower edge 46.

One or more of the blanks in Figures 1 to 4 can be made facets or notches before bending the soul.

By way of example, FIG. 9 shows the blank of FIG. 1 on which three substantially flat facets 19 have been produced, giving the body of the blank, in cross section, a general triangular shape as shown in Figure 10.

The facets 19 are in the example of FIG. 9 substantially planar, parallel to the X axis of the core.

Alternatively, they could be replaced by notches 19 'having in cross section a concave shape towards the outside, as illustrated in FIG. 10A, or by notches having a concave profile towards the outside when the brush is observed in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the rod, the profile of the notch being able to be a arc of a circle for example.

There is shown in Figure 11 the blank of Figure 2 on which we produced three substantially flat facets 29, giving the body of the blank a shape general triangular in cross section.

There is shown in Figure 13 the blank of Figure 3 on which we made three substantially flat facets 39, giving the body of the blank a shape general triangular in cross section.

FIG. 15 shows the blank of FIG. 4 on which we have produced three substantially flat facets 49.

Whereas in the example of FIG. 13, the facets 39 extend only on the body of the brush, in the example of FIG. 15, the facets extend over the entire length of the blank, including on its proximal end portion.

FIGS. 17 to 20 show the brushes obtained by subjecting the sketches of Figures 9, 11, 13 and 15 respectively, the same transformation as for go from the blanks of figures 1 to 4 to those of the brushes of figures 5 to 8.

In the examples of FIGS. 17 to 20, the plane of curvature of the core can be substantially perpendicular to facet 19, 29, 39 or 49 which is located diametrically at the opposite of the straight edge which has been straightened. The plane of curvature of the core 11 can also be a median plane of symmetry for a facet.

In all the examples which have just been described, the core 11 is bent around an axis only.

Without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is possible to bend the core around two or more axes, parallel or not, perpendicular or not, intersecting or not.

By way of example, there is shown in FIG. 21 the brush of FIG. 8 to which was subjected to a second twist around a bending axis C parallel to the plane of FIG. 21, that is to say parallel to the plane of curvature of the brush of FIG. 8.

Due to this additional curvature, the core 11 no longer extends in a single plane of curvature, which can improve the ergonomics of the brush.

FIG. 22 shows a device 100 for conditioning and application which includes a brush according to the invention.

The rod 13 is fixed to a cap 101 which serves both as a gripping member and of leaktight closure member of the container 102 containing the product to be applied to the lashes.

The container 102 has an externally threaded neck 103, inside which is attached a wringer 104 which can be of any known type, being preferably adapted to wipe the rod 13 out of the container.

It is possible to have at least one application surface substantially on the brush. parallel to the rod, for example.

It should be noted that it is particularly advantageous to start with a brush. step to the left, as will be explained with reference to Figures 23 and 24.

In Figure 23, there is shown the brush of Figure 6 with a twisted core to the left.

The path of the layers N defined by the ends of the bristles, these sheets making an angle ν with a plane perpendicular to the core.

It will be noted on examining FIG. 23 that the angle of the plies N with respect to the axis Y of the rod 13 decreases when one approaches the free end of the brush, which makes it possible to preserve a relatively large angle i between the eyelashes H at the end of the eyelid and the layers N, making it possible to separate the eyelashes well.

Of course, the invention is not limited to a core twisted to the left and one may use a right twisted core, partially shown in Figure 25.

It is possible to make notches on a brush according to the invention, as illustrated in Figure 26. In this figure, we see that the brush has been machined so as to form on at at least part of its length from the recesses 110 on its surface, with flanks substantially radial.

FIG. 27 shows a blank 120 in the general shape of a diabolo, defining when viewed from the side a non-straight edge 121 intended to be straightened thanks to the curvature given locally to the core, at the level of the smallest diameter of the brush.

FIG. 28 shows a blank 130 having a shape general rugby ball, having a notch 131.

This notch 131, concave, can be made substantially planar by the curvature given to the soul.

FIGS. 29 and 30 illustrate the use of the brush of FIG. 6 for eyelash makeup. One side of the brush can be used to make up the eyelashes located at tip of the eyelid while the opposite side of the brush can be used when make-up of the eyelashes located at the opposite end of the eyelid.

We can bend the core 11 of a brush as described above very near the rod 13, as illustrated in Figure 31, in order to modify the ergonomics, if necessary.

FIGS. 33 and 34 show two front brush blanks curvature of the core and implantation of the core in the rod.

We can see that the core 11 is, for each of these examples, entirely straight before implantation in the stem.

The shape of the core after curvature has been shown in broken lines.

In the example of FIG. 33, the blank has a bitronconical envelope surface around the X axis of the soul.

The total length of the portion 11a which carries the bristles is for example of around 26 mm.

The largest diameter of the blank can be slightly greater than 7 mm while the end diameters can be close to 4 mm. The total length of the core 11 may be slightly greater than 35 mm.

The core can be curved while keeping the portion 11b straight, to give at the portion 11a a radius of curvature close to 60 mm.

The free end of the core may be offset from the axis of the rectilinear part 11b with a distance d which can be of the order of 4.5 mm.

FIG. 34 shows another example of a blank which, before curvature of the core, a general shape of fish with a front part 180 substantially frustoconical and a symmetrical body 181 of revolution, delimited in longitudinal section by two opposite circular edges 182 and 183, concave outward, having a radius of curvature of the order of 52 mm. The diameter of the brush at the end plane rear 185 may be of the order of 7.5 mm and that at the front end plane 186 of around 5 mm.

We go from the blank in Figure 34 to the final brush by bending the portion 11a of the core supporting the bristles, with a radius of curvature which in the example illustrated is constant, of the order of 53 mm, the end of the portion 11a adjacent to the portion 11b which can form a slight angle, as illustrated, with the axis of the portion 11b. The distance d from which the free end of the core is offset may be of the order 2.4 mm.

In the figures, we could exaggerate the curvature of the core, in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention.

It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the curvature is more weak, being adapted for example to that of the eyelid.

The core can also be curved in S in the same plane of curvature.

We understand that we can achieve thanks to the invention a brush capable of undergo an inhomogeneous spin, with a distal end portion offset from the the axis of the rod.

A brush according to the invention can prove to be particularly ergonomic.

Thanks to the invention, it is also possible to obtain a brush having faces of different shapes to obtain multiple effects.

Claims (41)

Device for applying a product to keratin fibers, in particular for applying mascara to the eyelashes, comprising a rod provided at one end with a brush, the portion of the rod adjacent to the brush having an axis ( Y), the brush comprising a core (11a, 11b) having a portion (11a) from which the bristles extend, device characterized in that : the core is curved over at least part of its length, the envelope surface defined by the bristles is non-symmetrical with respect to a median plane (P) perpendicular to the core, the angle between the axis (Y) of the rod and the axis of the core at any point of the latter is less than 90 °, and the brush has a free end which is not aligned with the axis (Y) of the rod. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cross section of the brush, defined by the bristles of the brush, varies non-monotonously from one end of the brush to the other. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the brush is produced from a blank with a straight core, not symmetrical with respect to a median plane perpendicular to the core, having a non-straight edge (18c; 22c ; 37; 46) when viewed in profile in a direction perpendicular to the core, this edge having been straightened at least partially by the curvature given to the core during the manufacture of the brush. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cross section of the brush passes through at least one extremum between its two axial ends. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said extremum is a maximum. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that said extremum is a minimum. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that its cross section passes through a maximum and a minimum between its two axial ends. Device according to claim 3 and optionally any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said non-rectilinear edge (18c; 22c; 37; 46) is located in the first or last third of the blank. Device according to claim 3 and optionally any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said non-rectilinear edge (37; 46) is concave towards the outside. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said non-rectilinear edge (37; 46) is located in the last third of the blank. Device according to claim 3 and optionally any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the said non-rectilinear edge (18c; 22c) is convex towards the outside. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the said non-rectilinear edge (18c; 22c) is located in the first third of the blank. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the said non-rectilinear edge (18c) is defined at least partially by a distal end portion (15) of ogival shape of the brush, the body (16) of the brush having a cross section decreasing from this distal end part, over at least a portion of the length of the brush, towards a rod (13) to which the core (11) is connected. Device according to Claim 3, characterized in that the said non-rectilinear edge (22c) is defined by the zone surrounding the junction between a distal end portion of the brush, of frustoconical shape, converging towards the free end of the brush and the body of the brush, also frustoconical, converging on a rod (13) to which the core (11) is connected. Device according to Claim 3, the blank having the shape of a fish, characterized in that the said non-straight edge (37; 46) is defined by the zone surrounding the junction (36; 45) between the end part proximal (34; 44) forming the tail of the fish and the body (32; 42) of the brush. Device according to claim 3, the blank having the shape of a diabolo, characterized in that said non-straight edge is defined by the angle returning to the junction of the two truncated cones. Device according to claim 3, the blank having the shape of a rugby ball, comprising at least one facet or notch, characterized in that said non-rectilinear edge is defined by the notch or is situated in the vicinity of one end of the notch or facet. Device according to one of Claims 13 to 17, characterized in that the said non-rectilinear edge (18c; 22c; 37; 46) of the blank has been deformed, following the curvature given to the core, so as to be located at least partially and substantially in the axis of the adjacent edge (18a; 22b; 32a; 42a) of the body of the brush. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush is produced from a blank having a symmetrical shape of revolution. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush is produced from a blank having an axial symmetry with respect to the axis (X) of the core. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush is produced from a blank and by the fact that the core (11) of the blank has been bent at least around an axis extending outside the median plane (P) of the blank. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush is with a twisted core, in particular to the left. Device according to claim 22, characterized in that the core is not left-hand and in that the core is curved so as to reduce the inclination of the helical sheets (N) formed by the ends of the bristles with respect to to the axis of the rod as one moves away from the rod. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush comprises bristles of different lengths, in particular shorter bristles contained in the volume delimited by the envelope surface defined by the bristles of larger dimension. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush is produced from a blank comprising at least one facet (19; 29; 39; 49) substantially planar, and in particular three substantially planar facets giving the blank, over at least part of its length, a cross section of generally triangular shape. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the core (11) is curved at least around two axes which are not parallel to each other. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the brush has notches in cross section, over at least part of its length. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the curvature of the core (11a, 11b) is not constant. Device according to claim 28, characterized in that the core comprises a curvilinear part (11a) and a rectilinear part (11b) implanted in the rod. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a container (102) containing a reserve of product, a wringer (104) and an applicator provided at one end with a gripping member (101) and at the other end of the brush. Method for manufacturing a brush for applying a product to keratin fibers, comprising the following steps: a) producing a blank with a rectilinear core, in particular having a cross section varying non-monotonously from a first end of the brush to a second end, the blank having an envelope surface that is not symmetrical with respect to a median plane (P) of the envelope surface perpendicular to the core, b) bending the core so that the first end of the brush is not aligned with the axis of the straight part (11b) of the core adjacent to the second end, and so that the angle formed between the axis of the rectilinear part of the core and the axis at any point of the curved part of the core is less than 90 °. Method according to claim 31, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) making a blank with a straight core, in particular having a non-constant cross section, and over at least part of the length of the blank, a non-straight edge (18c; 22c; 37; 46) when the blank is observed in profile in a direction perpendicular to the core, b) bending the core (11) so as to reduce the curvature of said non-rectilinear edge of the blank. Method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the blank is symmetrical in revolution. Method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the blank has a general shell shape (fig. 1). Method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the blank has a general shape of a buoy (fig. 2). Method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the blank has a general shape of a fish (fig. 3; fig. 4). A method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the blank has a general form of diabolo. Method according to claim 31 or 32, characterized in that the blank has a general shape of a rugby ball, with at least one facet or notch. Method according to any one of Claims 31 to 38, characterized in that at least one facet (19; 29; 39; 49) or notch (19 ') is formed on the blank before bending the core (11) in step b), and in particular three such facets or notches. Method according to any one of Claims 31 to 39, characterized in that the core is curved around two axes which are not parallel to each other. Method according to one of claims 31 to 40, characterized in that the core is left-hand.

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