EP1917883B1 - Applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes or eyebrows - Google Patents

Abstract

The applicator (3) has a rod (4) with a longitudinal axis (X) and including an elastically deformable flexible portion (20) that bends during application and/or whirling. An application element (5) is fixed to the flexible portion of the rod and has a twisted core and bristles (11) transversally extending to the axis of the rod. The portion is adjacent to an end (4a) of the rod and includes a housing in which the application element is inserted. The rod has a rigid proximal part whose length is larger than that of a rigid distal part. The portion is overmolded on a rigid part of the rod. An independent claim is also included for a method for cosmetic treatment using an applicator.

Description

The present invention relates to applicators intended for applying a makeup or care product to keratinous fibers, and more particularly, but not exclusively, eyelashes or eyebrows.

The invention relates to an applicator comprising a rod and an applicator element disposed at one end of the rod.

Mascara applicators having a relatively rigid shaft are known.

We also know by the request US 6,305,861 applicators having a relatively thin rod, being of small section over a large part of its length, and thus having a high flexibility. This flexibility of the stem can affect the accuracy of makeup under certain conditions of application. In addition, such rods may not be wiped satisfactorily when used with certain types of wiper members, for example with annular lip.

We still know by the request of FR-A-2,759,872 an applicator having a flat handle with a retreint.

Moreover, the demand FR 2,705,876 discloses an applicator having a stem provided with a necking being positioned facing a wiper member. The restraint does not confer flexibility during the application.

US 2006/0042647 A1 discloses a mascara applicator having a stem having a flexible portion and supporting an applicator member. The latter comprises a housing arranged to receive a support portion connected to the rod. The application member is rotatable, in an exemplary implementation. The presence of the housing forces to realize the application organ in a specific way.

EP 1 247 472 discloses a curved container arranged to receive an applicator having a flexible rod.

There is a need to further improve the applicators for the makeup of keratin fibers, especially eyelashes or eyebrows, and to have a new applicator that is comfortable and easy to use.

The present invention aims in particular to meet this need.

• une tige ayant un axe longitudinal et comportant au moins une portion flexible élastiquement déformable pouvant fléchir lors de l'application et/ou à l'essorage,
• un élément d'application fixé à la tige, comportant des poils ou dents s'étendant transversalement à l'axe longitudinal de la tige.

The subject of the invention is an applicator for applying a product to keratinous fibers, in particular eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising:

• a rod having a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one elastically deformable flexible portion that can flex upon application and / or spin,
• an applicator element attached to the shaft, having bristles or teeth extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the shaft.

The invention allows precise makeup.

The presence of the flexible portion provides softness to the application, even with a relatively rigid application element such as a comb for example or with a brush having relatively firm bristles.

Since the rod connects to a gripping member, the flexible portion may also allow, at the exit of the applicator element of the receptacle containing the product, the applicator element to form an angle with the dispenser member. thus allowing the applicator element to remain more easily aligned with the longitudinal axis of the container containing the product. When it is provided with a wiper member, the spinning of the application element can be improved with a more homogeneous distribution of the product on the application element.

The flexible portion also allows the user to tilt the gripping member relative to the container, in a natural gesture, when removing the application member.

The resistance of the product on the eyelashes or the eyebrows can slow down and deform the application element, which accumulates by deforming the elastic energy. The return of elastic energy thus accumulated when the applicator element relaxes when reaching the end of the eyelashes or eyebrows can give an acceleration and an additional movement likely to improve the elongation and the separation of the eyelashes or eyebrows.

The flexible portion can also reduce the risk of hard contact between the eye and the application member.

By "elastically deformable", it should be understood that the flexible portion has a certain shape memory. The expression "elastically deformable" must be understood in a broad sense and covers in particular the case where the flexible portion resumes elastically, after having been deformed, a position which is not strictly identical to its initial position, taking into account, for example the nature of the material used to make the flexible portion and the shape thereof.

By "rigid part", it is necessary to understand a part that does not deform substantially to the application. A rigid part may undergo a slight overall deformation in the event of stress exerted with the fingers on it, for example.

The flexible portion is for example capable of bending to change the orientation of the entire application element over more than 30 °, for example.

The flexibility of the flexible portion can come from its shape and / or the material or materials used to achieve it.

stem

By "rod" is meant the assembly formed by the flexible portion or portions and the rigid portion or portions of the rod.

The rod extends axially between the gripping member and the application element. The length of the rod is measured between the end adjacent to the applicator element and that of connection to the gripping member, for example the end where the rod connects to a transverse plate, within the grasping organ.

The flexible portion may extend along a rectilinear longitudinal axis or not, this axis being for example in the extension of that of the application element.

The flexible portion may be made by molding, for example by injection of thermoplastic material. The flexible portion may especially not be stamped. The flexible portion may be made by overmolding on a rigid portion of the rod. Alternatively, the flexible portion can be attached to the rest of the rod by snapping, gluing, screwing, insertion by force or crimping. The rod may comprise a rigid portion with at least one housing for receiving at least one fixing portion of the flexible portion on this rigid portion. Alternatively, the flexible portion may comprise at least one housing for receiving at least one fixing portion of the rigid portion of the rod on the flexible portion. The fixing portion of the flexible portion may have an enlarged head or a necking to improve the retention by the rigid portion of the rod in case of crimping.

The flexible portion of the rod can be mounted on the remainder of the rod and / or on the application element hot or cold, in particular due to its deformability, or be overmolded on the rest of the rod.

The flexibility of the flexible portion can be chosen according to the properties desired for the application, for example by the choice of the constituent material or materials, in particular their Shore hardness. The hardnesses of the materials of the flexible portion of the rod and the adjacent rigid portion of the rod may be different.

The flexible portion may be made in at least partially of a material from the following list: elastomeric material, thermoplastic, thermoplastic elastomer, LDPE, PVC, PU, thermoplastic elastomer polyesters, especially copolymers of butene terephthalate and polytetramethylene oxide esterified glycol, Hytrel ^® , EPDM, PDM, EVA, SIS, SEBS, SBS, latex, silicone, nitrile, butyl, polyurethane, polyether amide block, polyester, this list not being limiting.

The flexible portion may be made of a material whose hardness is for example between 25 Shore A and 80 Shore D, or even between 40 Shore A and 70 Shore D.

The total apparent length 1 of the flexible portion is for example between 10 and 35 mm.

A larger external transverse dimension of the flexible portion is for example between 2 and 10 mm.

The flexible portion may be magnetizable, for example comprising a charge of magnetic particles or magnetic fibers.

The flexibility of the flexible portion may vary depending on the cross section and the profile of the flexible portion.

The flexible portion may have a solid or hollow cross section and of varied shape, for example of a shape chosen from the following list: polygonal, square, rectangular, triangular, circular, non-circular, oblong, oval, elliptical, crenellated, d-shaped star, with one or more grooves, annular or axial.

The flexible portion may be symmetrical in revolution about the longitudinal axis of the rod.

The flexible portion may have a necking, if any. This shrinkage may be annular. Thus, in exemplary embodiments, the flexible portion of the rod is diabolo-shaped or has a crenellated annular groove.

The flexible portion of the rod may still be non-symmetrical of revolution. Such a shape may make it possible to obtain a flexibility of the rod which is variable according to the direction of inclination of the applicator element with respect to its initial configuration. The flexible portion of the rod may in particular have a generally elongated cross section. The gripping member may comprise at least one finger receiving zone, in particular a flat or a cell, which may extend generally substantially parallel to a larger axis of a transverse cross-section. the flexible portion. The gripping member may have a shape symmetrical revolution favoring the grip of the applicator with a predefined orientation.

The flexible portion may be symmetrical with respect to a median plane.

The flexible portion may have a larger transverse dimension, for example an outer diameter of the flexible portion, equal to a larger transverse dimension of the rod, for example an outer diameter of the rod. Alternatively, the flexible portion may have a larger transverse dimension greater than a larger transverse dimension of the rod. In another variant, the flexible portion may have a larger transverse dimension smaller than a larger transverse dimension of the rod.

The flexible portion can be flocked, at least partially, which allows it to load product and be used to apply the product on eyelashes or eyebrows, for example. The flocked portion may be magnetic or magnetizable, which may allow it for example to exert an action on the product before and / or after the application, for example to lengthen the eyelashes when the product contains pigments or magnetic charges.

The apparent portion of the flexible portion may be thinner than its scope for attachment in the rigid portion of the rod.

The rod may comprise a single flexible portion, the rest of the rod being rigid, that is to say not substantially deforming during application.

The rod may be cylindrical of revolution or substantially cylindrical of revolution, at least over most of its length. The rod may for example be other than flat in a plane. The rod may for example have a length much greater than its width, for example more than twice or more than three times, better more than five times greater than its width.

The rod can be rigidly connected to the gripping member. Alternatively, a joint may be present between the rod and the gripping member.

The flexible portion may be disposed at a first end of the rigid portion of the stem and may be adjacent to the applicator member.

The flexible portion may include a housing to allow the attachment of the applicator element, in particular to receive a portion of the applicator element, for example the core of the applicator element.

The rod may comprise a rigid upper half, the flexible portion being located in the lower half of the rod, thus being close to the applicator element.

The flexible portion of the shank may deform upon application to allow the applicator member to tilt substantially relative to the proximal rigid portion of the shank.

Whatever the manner in which the rod is made, the flexible portion may be configured so that the whole of the applicator element can be reversibly inclined during application, for example more than 10 ° more preferably 15 °, more preferably 30 °, or even more than 45 ° or 60 °, with respect to an initial rest configuration in which the applicator element and the rod are for example substantially aligned.

In exemplary embodiments, the core of the applicator member may not visibly deform when the flexible portion deforms to change the orientation of the applicator member relative to the rod.

The rigid part or parts of the rod may have a solid or hollow cross-section of a shape chosen from the following list: circular, non-circular, oblong, oval, elliptical, polygonal, square, rectangular, triangular, kidney-shaped, crenellated, star-shaped, with one or more grooves. A circular cross section may be preferred.

The proximal and distal portions may be made of the same material, or at least partially in two different respective materials.

The rigid part (s) of the rod may be made of a thermoplastic material, in particular one of the materials selected from the following list: HDPE, LDPE, linear PE, PT, PP, POM, PA, PET, PBT, this list n not being limiting.

The end of the rod to which the applicator element is attached may comprise a housing for fixing the applicator element. The housing can be formed in the flexible portion. A rigid portion of the rod may also include a housing for fixing the flexible portion thereon. The two housings can be of identical shape and size, at least before the fixing of the applicator element or the flexible portion, which can make it possible to easily remove the flexible portion to use the directly attached application element. at the rigid part of the stem.

Especially in the case where the housing for fixing the applicator element is formed in the flexible portion, this housing can be configured to allow the attachment of application elements having fastening portions of different sizes. The size and shape of the housing may be variable, for example due to the deformability of the material of the flexible portion.

The flexible portion may comprise a tip which is fixed in a housing of the rigid part of the rod by "crimp", that is to say a deformation of the wall defining the housing.

The end of the rod to which the applicator element is connected can be chamfered in order to facilitate the introduction of the applicator into the container, and in particular the passage of the wiper member. In an exemplary embodiment, it is the flexible portion which is chamfered. The stem may include a rigid portion that is un-chamfered at its end adjacent to the flexible portion.

The rigid portion of the rod and the flexible portion are preferably of close transverse dimensions to promote the spin, for example of the same diameter.

The rod may comprise at its second end a fixing portion on the gripping member, for example a tip intended to be inserted by force and / or snapped into the gripping member. The tip may include a tubular skirt with a tray at its base. The rod can still be molded with the gripping member.

The gripping member may be arranged to seal a container containing the product to be applied.

The gripping member may comprise fixing means on the container, for example a thread or at least one annular snap-fitting bead.

Application element

The applicator element may extend along a longitudinal axis which may not be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the rod. The two axes may for example be substantially merged or form between them an angle strictly less than 90 °.

The applicator element may comprise a rod attachment part, the length of which is preferably less than the length of the flexible portion, these lengths being measured along the longitudinal axis of the rod.

The applicator element may comprise a core that is stiffer than the flexible portion of the rod.

According to an example of a particularly advantageous implementation of the invention, the application element comprises a twisted core. By "twisted core" is meant a core having at least two strands of a twisted wire. The core can be single twisted, having only two son twisted together, be double twisted, having two twisted twisted together to enclose hair, each twist encircling itself or not hair.

One advantage of using such a soul is that most mascara brushes on the market are made with such a soul.

The core is non-rotatable relative to the rod about the longitudinal axis of the rod.

When the core has two strands of a twisted wire, the strands can be twisted with a step to the left or with a step to the right.

The wire forming the strands may have a diameter of between 0.35 and 1 mm, for example.

The use of a metal core can allow, if necessary, a better holding of the core in the flexible portion, through a mounting force, hot or cold.

The envelope surface of the applicator element may have a non-circular cross section in at least one point of its length. The cross section of the envelope surface of the applicator element, in at least one point of its length, may have a general shape chosen from the following list: non-circular, polygonal, in particular triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal or hexagonal , oblong, in particular oval or lenticular, or other.

For at least one cross section of the envelope surface, the core may define a center of symmetry of this section. The core may further be eccentric within the cross section of the envelope surface at at least one point of the length of the applicator member.

The envelope surface may be of non-constant cross section over most of the length of the application member.

The application element may have at least one concave face. The applicator element may have at least one convex face, of radius of curvature, when viewed in cross section, greater than the length of the longerest hair extending from the core in this secti on cross.

The core of the applicator element may comprise a substantially rectilinear portion capable of forming an angle with the longitudinal axis of the rod less than 20 °.

The core may have a free end, opposite the rod, which may be the point of the soul furthest from the longitudinal axis of the rod. The free end of the core may be located at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the lower rod to 7.5 mm.

Fur

The applicator may comprise bristles having a larger transverse dimension of between 6.5 / 100 and 40/100 mm, for example.

The bristles may be full or hollow, of circular section or not.

The bristles may or may not come into contact with the flexible portion.

The applicator may comprise at least one bristle made of an elastically deformable material, such as an elastomer for example.

The applicator may comprise at least one bristle comprising a compound, for example particulate or otherwise, to improve the sliding of the hair on the keratin fibers, or on the contrary intended to create a surface roughness and increase the adhesion of the fibers .

The applicator may comprise a mixture of bristles.

The applicator may comprise bristles having different diameters.

The applicator may comprise at least one hair having at least one corrugation, and may in particular comprise at least two bristles each comprising at least one periodic pattern having at least one corrugation, at least two periodic patterns being different. The two different periodic patterns may belong to two distinct hairs or the same hair, and the corrugations may have different shapes, for example a sawtooth shape or a sinusoidal shape, or different amplitudes, or ripples. different spatial frequencies. The expression "periodic motif" designates, within a hair, a part of it that reproduces substantially, periodically, along the hair.

The applicator may have bristles made otherwise than by injection molding with the core, and the applicator member may include at least one portion having curved bristles extending in a direction directed from the core by example as described in the application US 2004/0168698 . By "extending in an oriented manner" it should be understood that the curved hairs extend with a general orientation which is defined during the manufacture of the applicator element and not with a totally random orientation. The bristles may in particular be oriented in the same circumferential direction around the core. The bristles of the applicator member may be curved by contact with a hot surface, including a surface in relative motion relative to the applicator member.

The applicator element may comprise at least two deformed bristles for example caught between two adjacent turns, these bristles having a removal of material or crushing at least one point of their length from the core and extending non-radially towards outside from this point, as described in the application US 2004/0240926 . Each deformed hair may comprise two rectilinear portions forming a bend between them. The two straight portions may have the same section cross. Any deformed bristles may define elbows all located substantially at the same distance from the core.

The application element may comprise for example between 5 and 80 hairs per turn, or between 15 and 40, in particular between 10 and 50 hairs per turn. The application element may also have between 5 and 20 hairs per turn only. The number of hairs per turn corresponds to the number of hair ends counted by a fixed observer during a 180 ° rotation of the applicator element around its core.

The applicator may comprise twisted bristles, for example as described in the patent US 6,390,708 .

The application element can be vibrated either by a generator mounted in the applicator, in particular on the gripping member, removably or not, or by an external vibrating element mounted on a finger of the user, for example.

Packaging and application devices

The invention further relates to a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product comprising an applicator as defined above and a container containing the product to be applied.

The device may further comprise a wiper member arranged to wring the applicator element out of the container. This wiper member may be fixed in the neck of the container.

The wiper member may comprise a lip made of elastomer or polyethylene, or alternatively may comprise a block of foam, for example split in the middle thereof. The wiper member may also be devoid of a porous material.

The wiper member may be adjustable, in particular to allow adjustment of the size of the wiper orifice.

The product is used to make or care for eyelashes or eyebrows. It may be for example mascara.

The product can be liquid or pasty.

The gripping member may close the container in a sealed manner, and for example screw on the neck of the container.

• les figures 1 et 2 sont des vues schématiques en élévation, avec coupe axiale partielle, d'un exemple de dispositif de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention,
• la figure 1A est une vue analogue à la figure 1 d'une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 3 représente de manière schématique et partielle, en coupe axiale, l'applicateur du dispositif des figures 1 et 2,
• les figures 4 à 10 et 10A à 10E sont des vues analogues à la figure 3 de variantes de réalisation,
• la figure 11 est une coupe transversale de la portion flexible d'une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 12 est une vue en élévation d'une variante d'applicateur,
• la figure 13 est une vue analogue à la figure 3 d'une variante de réalisation,
• les figures 14 à 23 illustrent des exemples de sections transversales de la surface enveloppe de brosses, parmi d'autres,
• les figures 24 à 32 représentent partiellement des variantes de réalisation de brosses,
• les figures 33 et 34 représentent respectivement des âmes torsadées à pas à gauche et à droite,
• la figure 35 représente schématiquement une âme double formée par l'enroulement de deux âmes élémentaires torsadées,
• les figures 36 à 53 représentent divers exemples de sections transversales de poils,
• la figure 57 représente en vue de côté un poil ondulé, et
• les figures 55 à 58 représentent de manière schématique et partielle des exemples de poils.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• the Figures 1 and 2 are schematic views in elevation, with partial axial section, of an exemplary packaging and application device according to the invention,
• the Figure 1A is a view similar to the figure 1 an alternative embodiment,
• the figure 3 represents schematically and partially, in axial section, the applicator of the device of the Figures 1 and 2 ,
• the FIGS. 4 to 10 and 10A to 10E are similar views to the figure 3 variants of embodiment,
• the figure 11 is a cross-section of the flexible portion of an embodiment variant,
• the figure 12 is an elevational view of an applicator variant,
• the figure 13 is a view similar to the figure 3 an alternative embodiment,
• the Figures 14 to 23 illustrate examples of cross-sections of the brush envelope surface, among others,
• the Figures 24 to 32 partially represent variants of embodiments of brushes,
• the Figures 33 and 34 respectively represent twisted souls with left and right steps,
• the figure 35 schematically represents a double core formed by the winding of two twisted elementary cores,
• the Figures 36 to 53 represent various examples of cross sections of bristles,
• the figure 57 represents in side view a wavy pile, and
• the Figures 55 to 58 show schematically and partially examples of bristles.

We have shown on Figures 1 to 3 a packaging and application device 1 comprising a container 2 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, for example mascara, and an applicator 3 comprising a rod 4 provided at its distal end 4a with an applicator element 5 and connected at its proximal end to a gripping member 6 also constituting the closure cap of the container 2. The latter is equipped with a wiper member 7, for example constituted by an elastomer piece inserted in the neck 8 of the container. The wiper member 7 may be conventional or not, or even be adjustable.

The gripping member 6 is arranged to seal the container 2 at the end of its screwing on the neck 8, in a manner known per se.

In the example illustrated, the wiper member 7 defines a wiping orifice 9 of circular cross section, the diameter of which corresponds substantially to that of the rod 4, the latter being in the illustrated example of a circular cross-section. at least on all its part engaged in the container.

The rod 4 has, in the example considered, a straight longitudinal axis X, which coincides substantially with the axis of the neck 8 of the container 2 when the applicator 3 is in place thereon.

The rod 4 comprises a flexible portion 20, extending in the example described in Figures 1 to 3 from the distal end 4a of the rod 4, and a rigid portion 4g.

In the example shown in Figures 1 to 3 , the flexible portion 20 is of circular cross section, of diameter equal to that of the rest of the rod 4.

The flexible portion 20 is made of a softer material than that in which the rigid portion 4g is made, for example a material from the following list: elastomeric material, thermoplastic, thermoplastic elastomer, LDPE, PVC, Hytrel ^® , EPDM, EVA, SIS, SEBS, latex, silicone, nitrile, butyl, polyurethane, polyether amide block.

The rigid portion 4g is for example made of a polyolefin.

The rigid portion is for example made of POM with an outer diameter of 4 mm and a length of 25 to 50 mm.

The flexible portion 20 provides flexibility to the rod 4, useful in particular when the applicator element 5 is removed from the container 2, as shown in FIG. figure 2 .

In this figure, it can be seen that when the application element 5 is removed from the container 2, even if the user pulls on the application element 5 obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container 2, the element application 5 can retain through the flexibility of the flexible portion 5 an orientation substantially coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the container 2 during passage through the wiper member 7.

In this way, the quality of the spin of the application element 5 is preserved in terms of its regularity and the distribution of the product, so that the application can be made in good conditions.

Furthermore, at the time of application, the contact between the application element 5 and the eyelashes or eyebrows can be relaxed and the elasticity of the flexible portion can be beneficial for the application of the product, the lengthening and separation of eyelashes or eyebrows, as explained above.

In the example considered, the applicator element is a brush comprising a core 10 formed by two twisted metal strands, this core 10 having a proximal portion fixed in a housing of the rod 4, for example being forcibly inserted in this housing. housing, as shown on the figure 3 .

The core 10 carries bristles 11 held by clamping between the turns of the core 10 and extending substantially radially from the core.

The flexible portion 20 may be fixed in various ways on the rigid portion 4g, for example being forcibly inserted into a housing 22 of the rigid portion 4g of the rod 4, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3 .

On the other hand, the flexible portion 20 comprises a housing 24 for receiving a fixing portion of the application element 5, and in particular in the example illustrated in FIG. figure 3 , one end of the soul 10.

We see on the figure 3 that the housings 22 and 24 have the same size and the same shape, which can allow the removal of the flexible portion 20 and the insertion of the core 10 in the housing 22 of the rod 4 in the case where the flexible portion 20 would not be necessary which can lead to economies of scale.

Of course, various modifications can be made to the applicator and in particular to the applicator element and to the flexible portion without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Fixing the flexible portion 20 to the rest of the rod can be done in various ways.

The flexible portion may for example comprise a housing 25 for receiving a male fastening portion of the rigid portion 4g, as shown in FIG. figure 4 .

The flexible portion 20 may be overmolded on the rigid portion 4g or vice versa, or be crimped in the housing 22 of the rod 4, as shown in FIG. figure 5 .

Moreover, the shape of the flexible portion 20 may be other than cylindrical, as illustrated in FIG. figure 6 .

The flexible portion 20 may for example comprise a chamfered end, as illustrated in FIG. figure 6 , which can facilitate the retraction of the applicator 3 into the container 2.

The flexible portion 20 may also comprise a thinned portion, for example in the form of a diabolo, as illustrated in FIG. figure 7 , or with a crenellated annular groove 20k, as illustrated in FIG. figure 8 .

The exemplary embodiment of the figure 8 is particularly advantageous because it allows to use a material that is not too soft while having a good angular deflection for the application element.

The flexible portion has two zones of preferential deformation, the first at the groove 20k and the second at the base 20g of the nozzle engaged in the rigid portion. In this example, the apparent surface of the flexible portion adjacent to the rigid portion is in continuity with it, having the same diameter.

The flexible portion 20 may also be inserted only partially into the housing 22, as shown in FIG. figure 9 , and an annular groove may be formed, if necessary, in front of the end of the rigid portion 4g of the rod, the width of this groove depending on the degree of depression of the fixing portion of the flexible portion in the rigid part of the stem.

The flexibility of the flexible portion may be solely due to the choice of a material constituting it, or be due to both the choice of a material and its shape.

A thinned form, as illustrated on Figures 7 to 9 , can confer more flexibility.

It is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the flexible portion 20 has a greater transverse dimension greater than a larger transverse dimension of the rest of the rod 4, as illustrated in FIG. figure 10 .

We have shown figure 10A a variant in which the flexible portion 20 has an apparent portion 20A which has a smaller transverse dimension than that of the adjacent portion of the rigid portion 4g.

The flexible portion may be made if necessary with a flange 20b abutting against the adjacent axial end of the rigid portion 4g.

We illustrated at the figure 10b the possibility of making the flexible portion 20 with a variable profile between the portion of the flexible portion 20 for fixing the application member 5 and that for fixing in the rigid portion 4g. In the example illustrated, the flexible portion comprises for example a plurality of annular ribs 20c separated by annular grooves 20d defining areas of smaller diameter, which can increase the flexibility of the flexible portion 20. It can also be seen in this figure that the portion of the flexible portion 20 for fixing on the rigid portion 4g may comprise at the end an enlarged head 20e which is retained in a housing 300 of the rigid portion 4g by crimping the rigid portion 4g, so as to form an indentation 301 inwards.

We illustrated at the Figure 10C the possibility for the flexible portion to have a portion 20f for fixing on the adjacent rigid portion 4g, a retreint 20g can accommodate indentation from the crimping of the rigid portion 4g.

In general, as illustrated, the flexible portion may be made with a shrink 20w located axially between the portion of the flexible portion for fixing the applicator element on the flexible portion and the portion of the flexible portion. used for fixing on the rest of the rod.

The figure 10D represents the stem of the Figure 10C during flexion of the flexible portion 20. It can be seen in this figure that not only the flexible portion 20 can deform at its annular retreint but also that the part serving to fix the rigid part of the rod can stretch, a space 310 may appear externally between the flexible portion and the end of the rigid portion 4g.

The figure 10E illustrates the possibility of producing the flexible portion 20 with a central portion 20i intended to be engaged in a corresponding housing of the rigid portion 4g and an outer tubular skirt 20h intended to cover a tubular skirt 312 formed around the housing receiving the central portion 20i . This can allow to have a continuity of outer diameter between the rigid portion 4g and the flexible portion 20 at the connection thereof to the rigid portion 4g.

The outer cross section of the flexible portion may also be other than circular, in particular at least one point of its length.

The flexible portion may for example comprise, as illustrated in FIG. figure 11 , one or more grooves 28 extending axially, promoting the balance of pressures between the inside and the outside of the container 2 during insertion and removal of the applicator 3 of the container 2.

In another variant, the flexible portion may have a cross section other than circular shape chosen for example from the following list: polygonal, square, rectangular, triangular, non-circular, oblong, oval, elliptical, star-shaped or with one or more throats. Similarly, the rest of the rod may have a cross section of shape chosen from the same list.

The cross sections of the flexible portion 20 and the remainder of the rod may be the same or different without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the examples just described, the flexible portion 20 defines the distal end 4a of the rod 4, but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention if it is otherwise.

For example, we illustrated at the figure 12 an exemplary embodiment in which the flexible portion 20 is disposed between a rigid distal portion 4b of the rod and a rigid proximal portion 4c of the rod.

Moreover, in all the examples which have just been described, the rod has been shown with a longitudinal axis X rectilinear, but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention if it is otherwise.

For example, we illustrated at the figure 13 an embodiment in which the longitudinal axis X of the rod 4 is curved.

The curvature of the longitudinal axis X of the rod 4 may be due to the curved shape of the flexible portion 20, or to the curved shape of a rigid portion of the rod 4.

The curved shape may be due to the more or less complete insertion of a curved fixing portion of the flexible portion 20 in the housing 22 of the rigid part of the rod 4.

On the other hand, the applicator element may have a circular cross-sectional envelope surface or may have another shape in at least one point along its length, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 14 to 23 , for example triangular as illustrated on the figure 14 .

The application element can be given various other cross sections, for example square as illustrated in FIG. figure 15 , pentagonal or hexagonal as shown respectively on the Figures 16 and 17 .

The application element may comprise at least one plane or concave face. The applicator element may, for example, have a circular cross-sectional envelope surface with at least one flattened surface 30, as illustrated in FIG. figure 18 , with at least one concave side 32 as shown in FIG. figure 19 , or with at least one convex side 34, as shown in FIG. figure 20 . In this last figure, it can be seen that the application element may have an envelope surface of oblong, in particular lenticular, cross section.

In the cross-section examples illustrated in Figures 14 to 20 , the cross section is represented centered with respect to the soul. Alternatively, the core may also be eccentric with respect to the cross-section of the envelope surface at at least one point of the brush, as illustrated in FIGS. Figures 21 to 23 . On the figure 21 , the cross section is square, rectangular on the figure 22 and oblong on the figure 23 . Whatever its shape, the cross section may be centered or eccentric with respect to the core.

The envelope surface E may be of constant circular cross-section over most of the length of the applicator element, or even over its entire length

As a variant, the envelope surface may have at least one portion whose cross section varies, for example homothetically, for example decreasing in the direction of the free end of the applicator element.

In another variant, the transverse section E of the envelope surface of the applicator element may pass through at least one extremum between its two axial ends, for example a maximum or a minimum, or both, as can be see on the figure 24 . In this figure, the cross section passes through a minimum 40 and two maxima 41, 42.

In another variant, the envelope surface of the applicator element is unsymmetrical with respect to a median plane perpendicular to the core, for example as illustrated in FIG. figure 25 . In this example, the application element is made from a blank on which facets 50 have been cut.

The longitudinal axis Z of the core 10 of the application element 5 may coincide with the longitudinal axis X of the rod 4, or alternatively be distinct. For example, we illustrated at the figure 26 an exemplary embodiment in which the core of the application element extends along an axis Z forming an angle δ with the axis X. The angle may for example be between 1 ° and 15 °.

In the embodiments which have just been described, the core of the application element 5 is rectilinear, but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention if it is otherwise.

For example, we illustrated to Figures 27 to 29 three embodiments in which the core of the application element is curved. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in figure 27 , the application element has a flat face and a concave face. In the example of the figure 28 , the applicator element has a plane face 50 and a convex face, and in the example of the figure 29 the application element has two planar faces 50.

In the example shown in figure 30 , the applicator element comprises a core 10 curved over at least a part of its length and an envelope surface E not symmetrical with respect to a median plane perpendicular to the core. In addition, the angle between the axis X and the axis of the soul is, in any point of the soul, less than 90 °. The free end of the application element is non-aligned with the X axis.

In the example shown in figure 27 , the application element 5 has a free end 52 constituting the point of the application element furthest from the longitudinal axis X.

In this example, the core of the applicator element extends along a longitudinal axis Z on the same side of a plane containing the axis X.

In another variant illustrated in figure 31 , the applicator element is curved around at least two axes C ₁ , C ₂ not parallel to each other. The axes C ₁ and C ₂ extend in directions that can be for example perpendicular.

In the variant illustrated in figure 32 , the application element is made from a blank in which notches 55 have been cut.

The notches have an outwardly convex shape in cross-section, but it is within the scope of the present invention when the notches have a concave outward cross-sectional shape.

In the examples just described, the core consists of a twisted wire in which the bristles are held.

The strands of the soul can be twisted left or right.

It is particularly advantageous to use a left-handed brush. On the figure 33 , there is shown a brush with a twisted soul on the left and on the figure 34 a twisted soul on the right. The path of the plies N defined by the ends of the bristles has been schematized by dotted lines, these plies forming an angle β with a plane perpendicular to the core. We can usefully refer to the European patent EP 611 170 .

The soul can still be a double soul, formed by two elementary souls twisted together, as illustrated in figure 35 . Each elementary soul may comprise two strands twisted together and enclosing hairs. The two elementary cores may each be constituted by a branch of a single twisted core folded U-shaped, the two branches being twisted together.

In one application element made according to the invention, it is possible to use all kinds of bristles, and in particular bristles having a circular or other than circular cross section. In particular, it is possible to use a mixture of bristles of different natures or a mixture of bristles of different lengths, of the same nature or not.

The illustrated application elements are for example made with bristles of circular section with a diameter of between 6.5 hundredths of a millimeter and 40 hundredths of a millimeter.

Hair having a cross-sectional shape may be one of the shapes shown in Figures 36 to 53 schematically, for example a circular shape with a flat as illustrated in FIG. figure 36 flattened as shown in figure 37 , star-shaped, for example in the form of a cross as illustrated in figure 38 or three branches as shown on the figure 39 , U-shaped as shown in FIG. figure 40 , of H as shown in figure 41 , of T as shown in figure 42 , from V as shown in figure 43 , a recessed form, for example circular as shown in FIG. figure 44 or square as shown in the figure 45 , forming branches, for example flake-shaped as illustrated in FIG. figure 46 , of prismatic section, for example triangular as shown in FIG. figure 47 , square as shown in figure 48 or hexagonal as shown in the figure 49 , or an oblong, in particular lenticular shape as shown in FIG. figure 50 , or hourglass-shaped as shown in the figure 51 . Hair having articulated portions relative to one another can be used as shown in FIG. figure 52 . It is also possible to use bristles having at least one capillary groove 60, as illustrated in FIG. figure 53 .

The bristles 11 which are retained between the twisted strands of the core may have, before placement between the strands of the core, a rectilinear shape or not, for example a wavy shape as illustrated in FIG. figure 54 .

The bristles may be treated to form balls 61 at their ends as shown in FIG. figure 55 , or forks 62 as shown in FIG. figure 56 .

Flocked hairs can be used as illustrated in figure 57 or else bristles made by extrusion of a plastic material having a charge of particles 64, for example particles of a moisture-absorbing material, in order to impart micro-relief to the surface of the bristles, as illustrated in FIG. figure 58 , or give them magnetic or other properties.

The bristles can still be made with a material having properties promoting sliding.

The bristles may be natural or synthetic and for example be made of a material selected from: PE, PA, in particular PA6, PA6 / 6, PA 6/10 or PA-6/12, HYTREL ^®, PEBAX ^®, silicone, PU, this list n not being limiting.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described.

The application of the product may for example be carried out by means of a vibrating applicator.

The applicator comprises, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, a vibration generator 320 (also called vibrating source) which is, for example, integral with the gripping member 6, which can be fixed thereto removably or not.

Such a vibration generator is described in the application for French patent FR 2 882 506 .

The vibrations can make it possible to obtain a better separation of the eyelashes and in the case of the use of a composition comprising fibers, a better orientation thereof and / or an ease of sampling. During sampling, the applicator element may be subjected to vibrations from the vibrating source, which may make it possible to obtain, if necessary, a more homogeneous product load on the applicator element.

The flexible portion 20 can amplify the vibrations transmitted to the application element 5.

The flexible portion 20 may in particular be made to resonate at the vibration frequencies of the vibrating source 320, which can be used to amplify the amplitude of these vibrations.

When the container has a wiper member through which the applicator member is removed, the applicator member may or may not be subject to vibration as it passes through the wiper member, thereby may allow to obtain a spin of the application element different from that which exists in the absence of vibration of the application element. The user can thus for example choose between at least two degrees of dewatering of the applicator element, depending on whether the applicator element vibrates or not at the time of the crossing of the wiper member.

The product may also be applied by means of a device for assisting the application of the product, this device comprising means for removable attachment to at least one finger, a hand or a wrist, or being held in the hand, and a vibrating source for producing variations.

• un élément d'application destiné à l'application d'un produit sur les cils ou les sourcils,
• une tige à une extrémité de laquelle est fixé l'élément d'application,
• un organe de préhension fixé à l'extrémité opposée de la tige,

la tige se caractérisant par le fait qu'elle est réalisée avec deux tronçons réalisés dans des matériaux présentant des duretés différentes, le tronçon réalisé dans le matériau de moindre dureté étant de préférence adjacent à l'élément d'application. Ce dernier peut être une brosse à âme métallique torsadée.Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is an applicator comprising:

• an application element for applying a product to the eyelashes or the eyebrows,
• a rod at one end of which is fixed the application element,
• a gripping member attached to the opposite end of the rod,

the rod being characterized in that it is made with two sections made of materials having different hardnesses, the section made in the material of lesser hardness preferably being adjacent to the application element. The latter may be a twisted metal core brush.

The invention further relates, in another aspect, a vibrating source and an applicator as defined above.

The expression "having one" shall be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one", unless the opposite is specified.

Claims (30)

1. An applicator (3) for applying a composition (P) to keratinous fibers, in particular the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator comprising:

   · a stem (4) having a longitudinal axis (X) and comprising at least one elastically-deformable flexible portion (20) that is suitable for flexing during application and/or wiping, a rigid portion (4g); and

   · an applicator element (5) that is fastened to the stem (4),

   the flexible portion (20) being adjacent to a first end (4a) of the rigid portion of the stem, the applicator element (5) being fastened to the flexible portion (20), characterized by the fact that the applicator element (5) comprises a twisted wire core and bristles (11) that extend transversally to the longitudinal axis of the stem,
   the flexible portion comprising a housing (22), and a part of the core of the applicator element being inserted into the housing.
2. An applicator according to claim 1, the stem (4) presenting a top half that is non-flexible, the flexible portion (20) being situated in the bottom half of the stem.
3. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the stem (4) comprising a single flexible portion (20), the remainder of the stem being rigid.
4. An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible portion (20) is molded.
5. An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible portion (20) is overmolded on a rigid portion of the stem.
6. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the flexible portion (20) is fastened to the remainder of the stem by snap-fastening, by screw-fastening, by adhesive, by force-fitting, or by crimping.
7. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the rigid portion (4g) has at least one housing (22) for receiving at least one fastener portion for fastening the flexible portion (20) on the adjacent portion of the stem.
8. An applicator according any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the flexible portion (20) comprises at least one housing (25) for receiving at least one fastener portion for fastening the rigid portion of the stem on the flexible portion.
9. An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible portion (20) is circularly symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the stem.
10. An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible portion (20) is not circularly symmetrical about the longitudinal axis of the stem.
11. An applicator according to any preceding claim, wherein the flexible portion (20) has a greatest transverse dimension which is equal to a greatest transverse dimension of the stem.
12. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flexible portion (20) has a greatest transverse dimension which is greater than a greatest transverse dimension of the stem.
13. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the flexible portion (20) has a greatest transverse dimension which is less than a greatest transverse dimension of the stem.
14. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the flexible portion (20) presents a narrowing.
15. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the flexible portion comprising an annular groove located between an end of the core and the end of the rigid portion of the stem adjacent to the flexible portion.
16. An applicator according to the preceding claim, the flexible portion comprising an endpiece inserted in a housing of the stem, the groove and the base of the endpiece constituting two zones of preferred deformation for the flexible portion, when the applicator member is inclined relative to a rest position of the applicator member.
17. An applicator according to claim 1, the flexible portion having an apparent diameter equal to the apparent diameter of the adjacent rigid portion, at least in a zone of the flexible portion located in the continuity of the rigid portion.
18. An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stem comprises one or more rigid portions made of at least one thermoplastic material.
19. An applicator according to the preceding claim, the thermoplastic material(s) being selected from the following list: HDPE; LDPE; linear PE; PP; PT; POM; PA; PET; and PBT.
20. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the flexible portion (20) being made of a material from the following list: elastomer, in particular thermoplastic elastomer; LDPE; PVC; PU; thermoplastic elastomer polyester; EPDM; PDM; EVA; SIS; SEBS; SBS; latex; silicone; nitrile rubber; butyl; polyurethane; polyether block amide; and polyester.
21. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the core of the applicator element being more rigid than the flexible portion (20) of the stem.
22. An applicator according to any preceding claim, in which the core is not rotatable relative to the stem around the longitudinal axis of the stem.
23. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the flexible portion being at least partially flocked.
24. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the core (10) comprising two twisted strands of a wire.
25. An applicator according to any preceding claim, in which the stem (4) is connected to a handle (6) that is arranged in such a manner as to close, in leaktight manner, a receptacle (2) containing the composition (P) for application.
26. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the stem comprising a rigid portion of thermoplastic material, of diameter that is greater than or equal to 2.5 mm.
27. A Kit comprising a vibration generator (320) and an applicator according to any preceding claim, the flexible portion being configured to resonate with the vibration frequencies from the vibration generator that is integrated in the applicator or that is brought into contact therewith.
28. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 26, the flexible portion comprising a material of shore hardness that lies in the range 25 on the shore A scale to 70 on the shore D scale.
29. A packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the device comprising an applicator (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 26 or claim 28, and a receptacle (2) containing the composition for application.
30. A cosmetic treatment using an applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 26 or claim 28, in which a composition is applied on the applicator element by modifying the angle formed between the applicator element and the stem by deforming the flexible portion.

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