EP2198743B1 - Applicator for applying a product to keratinous materials - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care product to keratin materials, in particular keratinous fibers, for example eyelashes and / or eyebrows, and a packaging device comprising such an applicator.

The invention is also concerned with a method of manufacturing such an applicator.

We know for example by the requests EP 1 932 444 , EP 1 726 234 , US 2006/0272667 and EP 1 630 249 applicators having two or more different application faces, differing in particular by the implantation of the teeth on a core or by the envelope surface defined by the free end of the bristles held in the core. Each of these different application faces can make it possible to make a different make-up depending on the face used.

However, such applicators have the disadvantage of not allowing the user easy identification of the application face used and there is a significant risk for the user not to use the application face adapted to the makeup desired when positioning the applicator relative to the surface to be made up.

It is known from the patent application US 2008/0066251 a toothbrush having a single useful face, and an indicator of the position of certain tufts of loose hairs relative to other tufts of hair, to allow different brushing of the teeth in the morning and evening.

In the patent application EP 1,593,320 a setting member is provided to act on the gap between first and second ends of a deformable portion of the applicator, which may further include an indication facilitating a predetermined adjustment of that spacing. This indication may appear on the gripping member.

Finally, in the patent application EP 1 452 111 , the applicator comprises a base portion and a gripping portion rotatable relative to the base portion to change its orientation relative to the latter, to obtain different makeup gestures and to change the angle of attack during the application.

It is known from the patent application EP 1745717 , an applicator with a gripping member which comprises a finger receiving zone.

There is a need to make it possible to improve the identification of the chosen application face in the case where the applicator has several different application faces, in order to facilitate the making of the make-up.

The invention also aims to allow the user to make different makeup according to his needs, in a simple and safe.

In exemplary embodiments, the subject of the invention is an applicator for applying a product according to claim 1.

• un organe d'application du produit configuré pour appliquer du produit sur les cils, sourcils ou les lèvres,
• un organe de préhension de l'applicateur, s'étendant selon un axe longitudinal de l'organe de préhension,
• une tige reliant l'organe d'application et l'organe de préhension, s'étendant selon un axe longitudinal de la tige,

l'axe longitudinal de l'organe de préhension étant d'orientation non réglable par rapport à l'axe longitudinal de la tige, et l'organe d'application ayant une position angulaire repérée par rapport à l'organe de préhension, des moyens de repérage étant présents à cet effet sur l'organe de préhension.The invention further relates, in exemplary embodiments, to an applicator for applying a cosmetic, make-up or care product to keratin materials, in particular eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising:

• a product application member configured to apply product to the eyelashes, eyebrows or lips,
• a gripping member of the applicator, extending along a longitudinal axis of the gripping member,
• a rod connecting the applicator member and the gripping member, extending along a longitudinal axis of the rod,

the longitudinal axis of the gripping member being of non-adjustable orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the rod, and the applicator member having an angular position marked with respect to the gripping member, means locating being present for this purpose on the gripping member.

The applicator comprises at least two application faces marked on the gripping member.

The applicator according to the invention facilitates the obtaining of satisfactory makeup, even in cases where the user is inexperienced.

The invention advantageously makes it possible to help the user in the use of the applicator and to allow him to choose the orientation of the applicator member with respect to the surface to be made without doing it at random.

The applicator member may be devoid of axial symmetry with respect to a longitudinal axis of the applicator member. On the other hand, the applicator member may comprise, where appropriate, one or more planes of symmetry. The envelope surface defined by the free ends of application elements may be without axial symmetry.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the application member defines at least two different application faces.

The application member may comprise two or more application faces, for example may have only two application faces located opposite to each other. The application member may also comprise three or more application faces, contiguous. The application faces extend along the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

Generally speaking, the term "application face" means a longitudinal zone of the applicator member extending angularly, continuously around the longitudinal axis, for example at least 45.degree., For example about 180.degree. , or on another angular sector, for example between 45 ° and 210 °, or 60 ° and 210 ° depending on the number of application faces. First and second application faces may be delimited by a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the core, for example a median plane for the core, which may be a median plane of symmetry for the core. The application member may comprise two halves made differently, in particular of different implantations.

The application faces are intended to come into contact with the keratin materials during the application of the product. Different application faces, that is to say having different properties, can make different make-up.

The application faces may extend longitudinally over a length of less than 4 cm.

The application member may have only two application faces opposite each other. Within the same application face, the elements used for the application can be the same and for example be arranged within rows with a spacing that is the same for all the rows associated with this application face.

An application face corresponds to one side of the applicator member. The faces of applications may be distributed around the core of the applicator member, being equal parts or not.

In general, the applicator member may be unsymmetrical with respect to a median plane situated between its application faces.

The applicator member may comprise a core and application elements, for example teeth or bristles, carried by the soul. The teeth may for example be arranged in one or more rows on the soul. By "hair" or "tooth" is meant an individualizable projecting element. The bristles or teeth may be made by molding thermoplastic material, for example in the same material as the region of the core that carries them. The terms "hair" or "tooth" are interchangeable, although the term "tooth" is usually used to refer to the application elements of an enforcement body made by molding, and the term "hair" is usually used to designate the application elements of a twisted core brush.

By "different application faces", it is to be understood that the application faces differ from one another or from each other by at least one of the core and the application elements. They can differ for example by the arrangement on the core of the application elements, the shape, the length, the thickness, the shape of a cross-section, the material of the application elements, a possible treatment received by the application elements, the arrangement in the row of application elements, the number of application elements in a row, the number of application elements on an application face, the row arrangement between them, and / or by the shape of the soul, the shape of a cross section of the soul, the shape of a longitudinal section of the soul, the length, the thickness of the soul.

The two application faces of the applicator member may for example differ in the shape of the envelope surfaces defined by the free ends of their respective application elements. The envelope surface may for example be flatter for one side than it is for the other.

At least two application faces may differ from each other other than by the concavity or convexity of their envelope surface.

At least two application faces may differ from each other after having straightened the longitudinal axis of the axis when it was curved.

The applicator member may comprise two different opposing application faces, or three different application faces, for example arranged in a triangle, or even four different application faces, or even more.

The applicator member may comprise a twisted core retaining bristles and / or a core made by molding bearing teeth.

The markers make it possible to inform the user about the orientation of the applicator member with respect to the eyes of the user, and / or with respect to the gripping member, and consequently with respect to the hand of the user. user.

The locating means are situated elsewhere than on the applicator member, for example on the rod or on the gripping member.

By "mark", it is necessary to understand one or more indications allowing the user to differentiate two different positions at least from the applicator with respect to his hand and / or his eyes.

The marker may for example comprise one or more alphanumeric characters, numbers, letters, icons, symbols, graduations, or a shape, in relief or in a hollow or at least one zone of the surface of the organ. with a surface condition, a color or a different feel. The marker may for example be embossed.

The marker may for example be constituted by a half of the gripping member, the latter being for example two-colored or having two portions having different surface aspects, one being for example frosted and the other glossy.

At least one marker can be made by printing, for example by screen printing, or be made otherwise.

Alternatively or additionally, the locating means may be defined by the shape of the gripping member. In certain embodiments of the invention, the gripping member may also be non-symmetrical of revolution, in particular non-cylindrical of revolution.

The shape of the gripping member may allow positioning of the fingers and the thumb on the gripping member, for example on flats of the latter, to cause the user to easily and intuitively grasp the applicator to position easily compared to the surface to be made up.

The gripping member may for example comprise a flat, and may be flattened in a plane which may for example be parallel or perpendicular to a median plane for the applicator member. This median plane can for example separate two different application faces of the application member. The marker may be the flat.

This median plane may for example be for the application member a plan for separating two regions of the core of the applicator member, for example each made of a different material or each having two implantations of elements of different application. The implantation of the application elements on the same region of the core can be constant. By "implantation", it is necessary to understand the number of rows of teeth, the number of teeth in rows, the orientation of the teeth within the rows, the device of the teeth in the row, the spacing between the rows, the orientation of the rows with respect to the longitudinal axis among others.

The gripping member may comprise one or two flats in the case where the applicator member comprises two different application faces, or three flats in the case where the applicator member has three different application faces. or even four flats in the case where the applicator member comprises four or more different application faces, for example as many flats as different application faces of the applicator member.

The rod may be connected at a first end to the applicator member. At a second end the rod can be connected to a body of the gripping member which defines the gripping surface, or alternatively to a fixing cap configured to be latched or forced into the body of the gripping member .

At least one of the links between the applicator member and the stem, the stem and the possible fixing cap, and the possible fixing cap and the body of the gripping member may comprise a polarizer or a completely different shape not completely symmetrical revolution to ensure the angular positioning of the two elements considered during their assembly.

At least one of the rod, a tip of the applicator member for attachment to the rod, or a tip of the rod for attachment to the gripping member may for example comprise a polarizer , which may for example be formed by a non-circular cross section, for example comprising a groove or a flat, to allow indexing between the applicator member and the gripping member.

The shape of the cross section of at least one of the rod, the tip of the applicator member, or the tip of the rod, may for example be circular with a groove or one or two flats , or polygonal, for example triangular or square.

The tip of the applicator member or the tip of the rod or the rod are intended to cooperate with a corresponding recess formed in the rod, in the attachment cap or in the gripping member, to allow the positioning of the applicator member relative to the marking means present on the gripping member.

The rod may be circular in cross section over at least a major part of its length, or over its entire length.

In some embodiments, the gripping member may comprise a rotatable portion relative to a base portion. The base portion may be secured to the rod and the applicator member, the rotatable portion being movable relative to the applicator member. The locating means, for example the marks, may be located on the base part and / or on the rotating part.

The marking means, for example the marks, may be located on one of the two parts, an additional positioning indicator located on the other of the two parts being positioned opposite the selected reference mark, by rotation of the rotating part relative to at the basic part.

The additional indicator can be arranged on the rotating part or on the base part.

It may be for example an arrow, a window or a notch to designate the reference selected during the rotation of the rotating portion relative to the base portion.

The orientation of the rotatable portion of the gripping member may not change the orientation of the applicator member with respect to the base portion.

Rotation of the rotating part relative to the base part can be done in the opposite direction of the rotation necessary to open the container containing the product, the direction of unscrewing being for example opposite. The two parts can be configured so that the user can turn the rotating portion relative to the base portion in one direction, so as not to open the container inadvertently by selecting the marker.

The rotating and basic parts may for example each extend along a longitudinal axis, the two longitudinal axes being parallel to each other, or even merging, being for example merged with a longitudinal axis of the gripping member, in particular whatever the degree of rotation of the rotating part relative to the base part.

At least one of the rotating part and the base part of the gripping member may comprise an abutment or a detent device for positioning the rotary part relative to the base part in at least two positions. corresponding to at least two different application faces.

One of the rotary portion and the base portion may for example be non-cylindrical of revolution, for example comprising one or more flats as described above. Rotation can encourage the user to position the flat or flats relative to the reference and relative to the desired application face.

The applicator member may comprise a twisted core retaining bristles. In the case of a twisted core brush, an application face may correspond to an edge of the envelope surface defined by the end of the bristles of the applicator member, or by the ends of the bristles present between two edges. successive when one turns around the soul.

Twisted core brushes are conventionally manufactured by introducing between two branches of a wire folded on itself bristles and then twisting the branches, which causes the ends of the bristles to extend in helical layers.

In the case where the applicator member comprises a twisted core retaining bristles, the fact that the applicator member is devoid of axial symmetry means that an envelope surface defined by the end of the bristles retained in the core twisted is devoid of axial symmetry. The absence of axial symmetry is not attributed to the fact that the bristles retained in the twisted core have, by the fact of twisting the core, a helical distribution.

The envelope surface of the brush may be non-symmetrical of revolution about the longitudinal axis of the core, made rectilinear for the purposes of observation, if any.

The applicator member can be made by molding, for example by injection.

Alternatively or additionally, the applicator member may comprise a core, for example made by molding, for example by injection of thermoplastic material, carrying a flocking.

The core may be flexible, being configured to deform when pressed against the surface to be made up, or the passage of a wiper member. Alternatively, the core may be substantially rigid.

The applicator member can be molded in one piece with the rod.

The applicator member may comprise a part which is overmolded, the teeth being for example overmolded on the core, for example in a different material, for example by bi-injection.

In certain examples of implementation of the invention, the applicator member may comprise first rows of teeth extending longitudinally from a first application face and second rows of teeth extending longitudinally to from a second application face.

At least half of the first rows may have a number of teeth per row that differs from that of at least half of the second rows.

All the first rows, carried by the first region, may have the same number of teeth each and every second row, carried by the second region, may also have each the same number of teeth, the number n ₁ of teeth of the first rows being different from that n ₂ of the second rows. For example, n ₁ / n ₂ ≥1,3 or even n ₁ / n ₂ ≥1,5 or n ₁ / n ₂ ≥1,8, or even 2.

Within each supported row of the first or second application face, the teeth may be substantially contiguous, the spacing between two consecutive teeth being for example less than or equal to 0.1 mm. The spacing is the smallest gap between the outer surfaces of two consecutive teeth at their base.

Each row of teeth may have perfectly aligned teeth. In a variant, each row of teeth comprises a succession of teeth arranged in a staggered configuration.

The number m ₁ of teeth of the first application face may be greater than the number m ₂ of teeth of the second application face, with for example m ₁ / m ₂ greater than or equal to 1.3, or even m ₁ / m ₂ greater than or equal to 1.5, see m ₁ / m ₂ greater than or equal to 1.75 or 2.

The first rows of teeth may comprise, for example, more teeth per row than the second rows.

The first rows of teeth may have teeth having a thickness different from those of the teeth of the second rows.

In some examples of implementation of the invention, at least half of the teeth carried by the first support surface may have a thickness e ₁ and a length ₁ and at least half of the teeth carried by the second application face may have a thickness e ₂ and a length l ₂ , with e ₁ ≠ e ₂ and l ₁ ≠ l ₂ .

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the teeth of the first rows differ from the teeth of the second rows by at least one of their shape, length, thickness, material, hardness, spacing in the row and / or orientation in the row.

In general, for all the application members, the soul may not support other rows of teeth than the first and second rows.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, most, if not all, of the teeth extending from a first application face differ from most, if not all, of the teeth extending to from a second application face, at least one of their shape, length, thickness, material, hardness, spacing in the row and / or orientation in the row.

In examples of applicators according to the invention, the user can apply the product with the first application face or the second application face, depending on the desired makeup, after identifying the face used, or applying the produced with a marked application face and comb the eyelashes or eyebrows with the other application face. It is thus possible to choose the application face to be used depending on the makeup step, namely the loading into product of the eyelashes, the separation, the elongation or the curling of the eyelashes. One can obtain, with a single applicator, a large variety of different make-up.

In general, by "longitudinal axis" of the soul, it is necessary to understand the line which joins the barycentres of the transverse sections of the soul. The longitudinal axis may, in certain cases, be a central axis, or even an axis of symmetry for the core, especially when the core has a cross section in the general shape of a regular or circular polygon. The longitudinal axis may be rectilinear or curved. The soul may be central, that is to say that all the teeth extend from the soul outwards, all around the soul.

The core is internal to the rows of teeth and can be centered or eccentric to rows of teeth.

The applicator member may be molded in a single material. The first and second regions of the soul from which extend the first and second rows of teeth to define the application faces can be made in the same material, or alternatively in different materials, including materials having different colors, which can further facilitate the identification of the face used, if this is desired by the user. The gripping member comprises, for example, marks of the same colors respectively as the application faces. Both materials may belong to the same family of polymers. The two materials may have for example the same chemical nature but different hardnesses. For example, the two materials may both be polyester thermoplastic elastomers, e.g., HYTREL ^® brand, or polyether block amide PEBAX ^®. When the applicator member is made of two materials, these two materials may have, for example, different mechanical properties, in particular in terms of hardness, one of the materials being softer than the other, for example, or having different colors. The material of either or both of the application faces may be of a different hardness for the core and the teeth.

The teeth of the first rows of teeth and the teeth of the second rows of teeth may be made of the same material, or alternatively, in different materials.

The teeth of the first rows of teeth and the first region of the core defining a first application face may be made of the same material. The teeth of the second rows of teeth and the second region of the core defining a second application face may be made of the same material. The teeth of the first rows of teeth may be made of a material different from at least a portion of the first region of the core.

At least one of the first region and the second region may have a substantially constant cross section as one moves along the longitudinal axis, in particular at least a portion of the length of the body member. application.

Alternatively, at least one of the first region and the second region may have a variable cross section as one moves along the longitudinal axis.

The core and / or regions of the core may have, over at least a portion of their length, a cross section of shape chosen from the following list: circular, semicircular, elliptical, semi-elliptical, polygonal, triangular, square , rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, octagonal, semi-polygonal. This shape can vary as one moves along the longitudinal axis of the soul.

The first rows of teeth may be images of each other by rotation about the longitudinal axis of the core, for example by rotation of the same angle between two adjacent rows or alternatively by rotation of an angle that is not always constant, but is for example multiple of a given angular step. The second rows of teeth can be images of each other by rotation around the longitudinal axis of the core, a constant angle or not.

• une âme allongée selon un axe longitudinal, comportant des première et deuxième régions opposées s'étendant selon l'axe longitudinal,
• des rangées de dents ayant une longueur inférieure à 1,8 mm, supportées par la première région, définissant une première face d'application,
• des rangées de dents ayant une longueur supérieure à 1,8 mm, supportées par la deuxième région, définissant une deuxième face d'application, l'une au moins des première et deuxième faces d'application étant repérée sur l'organe de préhension.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the applicator thus comprises:

• an elongated core along a longitudinal axis, having first and second opposed regions extending along the longitudinal axis,
• rows of teeth having a length of less than 1.8 mm, supported by the first region, defining a first application face,
• rows of teeth having a length greater than 1.8 mm, supported by the second region, defining a second application face, at least one of the first and second application faces being marked on the gripping member.

In general, the ends of the teeth of the first rows of teeth may define a first half-envelope surface of the applicator, the ends of the teeth of the second rows of teeth defining a second half-surface envelope of the applicator, the first and second half-envelope surfaces having different shapes, for example.

One of the two half-surfaces of the applicator shell may have a larger transverse dimension, for example a diameter, less than 5.5 mm. The other of the two envelope half-surfaces may have a larger transverse dimension, for example a diameter, of between 5.7 and 10 mm, for example about 6.5 to 7 mm.

At least one row of teeth may be disposed on the core differently from another row of teeth, the two rows differing by at least one of: the length of the teeth, the spacing of the teeth in the row, the implantation of the teeth in the row, the number of teeth in the row, the thickness of the teeth measured perpendicular to their direction of elongation, the material forming the teeth, the shape of the teeth, the shape of the cross section of the teeth .

The teeth of the first rows of teeth may be spaced apart by a first distance, the teeth of the second rows of teeth may be spaced apart by a second spacing, the first distance being different from the second gap, especially lower.

The teeth of the first rows of teeth may have a thickness less than the thickness of the teeth of the second rows of teeth. The widths of the teeth are measured at the same distance from the core, for example at a zero distance from the core, that is to say at the base of the teeth.

The teeth of the first rows of teeth may have a thickness less than that of the teeth of the second rows and be made of a material harder than the teeth of the second rows. Conversely, the teeth of the first rows may have a lower thickness and be made of a softer material than the teeth of the second rows.

The teeth of the first rows of teeth and the teeth of the second rows of teeth may not be arranged in the same way in the row with respect to the soul.

The majority of the teeth of the applicator may have a thickness of between 0.2 and 0.5 mm, or between 0.5 and 0.65 mm. By "thickness of a tooth" is meant the largest cross section of the tooth. In the first case, that is to say when the thickness is between 0.2 and 0.5 mm, the teeth are relatively thin and can also be relatively flexible when the material in which they are made is a material. flexible. In the second case, that is to say when the thickness is between 0.5 and 0.65 mm, the teeth are thicker and can be more rigid.

The choice of the thickness of the teeth may be made for example depending on the type of makeup sought and / or the nature of the eyelashes to be treated and / or the rheology of the product to be applied.

The applicator may comprise only teeth whose thickness is between 0.2 and 0.5 mm or alternatively only teeth whose thickness is strictly greater than 0.5 mm and less than 0.65 mm, or even both. The teeth having a certain thickness may for example be mixed with the teeth having another thickness or, alternatively, the teeth having a certain thickness may be grouped in one region of the applicator member while the teeth having another thickness are grouped together in another region of the applicator member, for example opposed to the first.

By "tooth length" is meant the distance measured along the direction of elongation of the tooth between the free end of the tooth and its base by which it is connected to the core. The length of a tooth is measured from the core of the applicator member.

The teeth of a region of the applicator member may all have the same length, possibly with the exception of the teeth located in the vicinity of each of the two ends of the applicator member.

The applicator may comprise between 150 and 500 teeth, for example.

The teeth may be as indicated above arranged in rows extending along the longitudinal axis of the core. By "row" is meant a succession of teeth generally located on the same side of the soul and succeeding each other as we progress along the soul. The applicator may comprise for example at least three rows of teeth extending along the longitudinal axis, for example between 3 and 20 rows of teeth.

All the rows of teeth of the first application face may comprise teeth substantially joined within the same row. It may be the same teeth of the second rows of the second application face.

Each application face marked on the applicator member may comprise at least three rows of teeth extending along the longitudinal axis, the number of rows being for example distributed in halves between the application faces. The first or second application face may comprise for example between 3 and 8 rows of teeth.

A row of teeth extending along the longitudinal axis may have at least three teeth of the same length. Within a row of teeth, the number of teeth may be between 6 and 60 approximately, especially between 10 and 50 approximately. At least one row of teeth may extend along a rectilinear axis, which may or may not be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core. At least two teeth of at least one row may have different or identical lengths. At least two teeth of at least one row may have different or identical shapes. At least one tooth of at least one row may have a generally tapered shape towards its free end. At least one tooth may be tapered, frustoconical, or pyramidal. At least one tooth of one of the rows may have a different shape than a tooth of another row.

When the soul is observed along its longitudinal axis, two teeth of a row may extend at their base in directions which form between them a first angle and two teeth of another row may extend to their base in directions which form between them a second angle, the first and second angles being equal or different.

Within each row, the teeth may be evenly spaced along the longitudinal axis of the row or grouped in groups of two or more teeth, the spacing between the teeth of a group along the longitudinal axis of the row. the row being for example less than the spacing between two groups of adjacent teeth of this row.

By playing on the geometry of the teeth and their spacing, it is possible to form more or less important cavities between the teeth, such cavities can be loaded product. It is thus possible to make a row of teeth capable of loading with a substantial amount of product, without this row of teeth losing its ability to grip the eyelashes.

Two rows of teeth may be made of different respective materials. On the other hand, the teeth of a row of teeth can be made of different materials, for example hardnesses or different colors.

At least two successive teeth of a row may be contiguous or non-contiguous to their base, all the teeth of the row being for example non-contiguous, respectively contiguous, at their base. The spacing between the teeth, measured at the base of the teeth and not between the axes of the teeth, may be between 0 and 1.2 mm within a row, for example between 0.01 and 1 mm. When the teeth are joined at their base, the spacing between the teeth measured at the base of the teeth is zero.

At least two teeth can define, when the applicator is observed side perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, a V-shaped groove.

Teeth in one row and teeth in another row may extend in different directions.

The teeth of a row may have substantially aligned bases, namely that the centers of the bases of three consecutive teeth are substantially on the same line.

The core may comprise a plurality of longitudinal faces, and the applicator may comprise rows of teeth each extending from one of the longitudinal faces of the core.

One or more of the longitudinal faces of the core may define an application face. The teeth of at least one row can be connected to the corresponding longitudinal face of the core on the same side of a median longitudinal line of this longitudinal face of the core.

The teeth may have bases that are not centered on the longitudinal face of the soul to which they are connected.

The bases of the teeth of a row can be aligned or arranged in staggered rows. In the case of a staggered arrangement, a plurality of consecutive teeth of the row may be shifted at least partially alternately on either side of a geometric separation surface, which may be flat. The consecutive teeth may be entirely offset alternately on either side of the geometric separation surface. By "completely offset", it should be understood that the geometric separation surface does not cross the teeth, being at most tangential to them.

All the teeth of each row can be shifted alternately on either side of a geometric separation surface associated with the row. Alternatively, the teeth can be shifted on either side of the geometric separation surface, not alternately, but in groups of teeth, for example in groups of two or three teeth.

As a further variant, the teeth may be shifted not on either side of a surface, but arranged in a pattern repeating along the longitudinal axis of the row, each pattern comprising for example three or four teeth, for example aligned in a line extending obliquely to the axis of the row.

Two consecutive teeth of a row may not be the image of one another by a simple translation, especially when the teeth have a non-circular shape in cross section.

At least two consecutive teeth of a row of teeth may have first faces having the same first shape, for example flat, at least at the level of the lower portion of the tooth, for example, and second faces having the same second shape, for example not flat, in particular rounded. The first faces can be oriented in the same direction of rotation around the soul, that is to say all be directed in the same clockwise or anti-clockwise direction, when the soul is observed along its longitudinal axis.

The applicator may comprise rows of teeth in which the teeth have first faces of the same shape, for example flat, alternately rotated in a gyratory direction about the longitudinal axis of the core and in the other. Such an arrangement of the teeth may facilitate their manufacture by using mold shells whose joint planes are longitudinal median planes for the rows.

The first faces of the teeth, especially when they are flat, can be connected substantially perpendicular to the corresponding face of the soul, at least for some teeth of the row. At least one tooth, or all teeth, may have a flat face parallel to its direction of elongation.

The cross section of at least one tooth, or even of each tooth, may be substantially semicircular or semi-elliptical in shape, for example in the form of a D, or still be another. At least one tooth may have a circular, elliptical, polygonal, in particular triangular, square, rectangular, octagonal, parallelogram, diamond or oval cross section. This can give it a better ability to deform in a preferred direction.

At least one tooth may have at least one relief. Such a feature can improve the adhesion of the product to the tooth.

The cross section of the tooth can decrease homothetically away from the core, for example more than half the length of the tooth. Two teeth may be of different shapes, for example of different cross sections, or of different longitudinal sections. At least one tooth may be frustoconical in shape. At least one tooth may be cylindrical.

The teeth may be rectilinear or not, extending for example each along an axis of elongation for the tooth which is rectilinear, or curve or corrugated. By "longitudinal axis of the tooth" is meant an axis that passes through the centroids of the cross sections of the tooth.

The free ends of the teeth may define an envelope surface that may extend along a longitudinal axis forming a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the core.

The envelope surface may be of greater transverse dimension, for example of diameter, substantially constant over at least a portion of the length of the applicator member.

The envelope surface may be in the form of peanut, rugby ball, frustoconical, or two half-farms selected from those mentioned above, contiguous to one another in a diametral plane containing the longitudinal axis of the soul, for example a portion in the form of a half-ball rugby contiguous to a frustoconical portion.

The rows of teeth may extend on the core each along a longitudinal axis of the row. The longitudinal axis of the row is a central axis for the tooth bases of the row, being the line passing through the centers of the tooth bases in the case of strictly aligned teeth, or the axis passing through the geometric separation surface. in the case of staggered teeth.

The longitudinal axis of a row being considered on the surface of the core, two longitudinal axes of two successive rows when moving around the longitudinal axis of the core can be angularly separated from a lower angle at 80 °, for example of the order of 60 °, or even less than 50 °, for example of the order of 45 ° at least. The distribution of the longitudinal axes of the rows on the surface of the core may be substantially regular, with a substantially constant spacing between them, equal to a predefined value ± 20%, better 10%, even better 5%.

The applicator member may comprise a tooth-free zone between two rows of the first region or the second region, these two rows supported by the same region being for example spaced apart by a double interval of the interval. between the other rows carried by the same region of the soul.

When moving along the core about the longitudinal axis of the core, for example, a tooth can be found every 360 ° / n, with n between 3 and 20, better between 4 and 16, even better between 6 and 10.

The applicator member may not include a part extending angularly over more than one eighth of a turn without a tooth.

The teeth may for example extend in at least six different directions around the longitudinal axis of the core.

The teeth may extend along an axis of elongation perpendicular to the surface of the core to which they are connected, or alternatively non-perpendicular, making a non-zero angle with the normal to the soul at the base of the teeth.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the teeth are made by molding or overmoulding with the core.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the eyelashes can be loaded into product in contact with the core. The soul can participate actively in the application of the product on the eyelashes, which offers more freedom in the choice and arrangement of teeth.

At least one tooth of a row may extend, at least at the portion connecting to the core, or over its entire length, in a first direction Z ₁ , perpendicular to the longitudinal face of the core. which the tooth connects or makes a small angle with the normal, for example less than 10 °, better 5 °. A consecutive tooth of the row may extend from the same face of the core in a second direction Z ₂ , at least at the portion connecting to the core, or over its entire length, at an angle α with the first direction, when the soul is observed along its longitudinal axis. All the teeth of the various rows can be made as well.

Substantially half of the teeth of a row may extend parallel to the first direction Z ₁ . The angle α between the directions Z ₁ and Z ₂ can be between 5 and 80 °.

The teeth may be connected perpendicular to the core or at an angle to the normal to the core, so that all the teeth are oriented relative to the core in the same direction of rotation when the soul is observed according to its longitudinal axis. The application member may thus be devoid of teeth oriented in opposite gyratory directions. For example, when the core is viewed from its distal end, all the obliquely extending teeth may be oriented counterclockwise.

The core may comprise at least one flat longitudinal face. As a variant, the core may comprise at least one non-planar longitudinal face, being for example at least partially concave or convex.

The soul may have a variable profile when viewed perpendicular to its longitudinal axis. The core may in particular have a transverse dimension reaching a minimum in a central portion of the core, along its longitudinal axis.

At least one tooth, preferably each tooth of a row or of the applicator, can extend from a corresponding non-planar longitudinal face of the core, substantially perpendicular to a plane tangent to the core. level of this tooth. For example, in the case of a cylindrical core of circular cross section, the teeth may extend radially.

The core may have a concave or convex longitudinal face in cross section, the concavity or convexity of which may vary as one moves along the longitudinal axis of the core.

The core may have at least one face from which teeth extend, the face having a variable width as one moves along the longitudinal axis of the core.

The core may have a substantially constant cross section at least over a portion of its length. The soul can still have a variable cross section. The cross section of the core may pass through an extremum substantially mid-length of the core, this extremum being for example a minimum. This can give the soul increased flexibility and allow to define an envelope area of variable section along the applicator member, especially when the length of the teeth is constant in a row, at least over a portion of the length of the enforcement body.

Alternatively, the length of the teeth may vary as one moves along the row, so that the cross-section of the core and the cross-section of the envelope surface of the applicator member defined by the ends free teeth are not homothetic.

The envelope surface of the applicator member may present at a first location on the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, a first substantially polygonal cross-section and, at a second location on the longitudinal axis, a second section. substantially polygonal cross-section, at least a first vertex of the first cross-section being connected to at least a second vertex and a third vertex of the second cross section by respective ridges, the first and second vertices being angularly offset about the axis longitudinal of the applicator member, at least one of the first and second transverse sections being centered on the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

The soul may have a longitudinal twisted face. The applicator member may have a helical distribution of the teeth on the core, pointing to the right or to the left when progressing towards the distal end of the applicator member.

The applicator may comprise a single row of teeth per longitudinal side of the core.

The length of a row, or all the rows, may be between 10 and 45 mm, especially between 15 and 35 mm, or even between 20 and 30 mm, being for example about 25 mm.

The core may extend along a longitudinal axis making at at least one point of its length a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of a rod to which is fixed the core. The core can be bent at its connection to the rod.

The core may comprise a recess in which is engaged a support portion, for example metal or plastic. The core may be configured to be fixed to this support or to be free in rotation or translation relative to this support.

Alternatively, the portion of the core that supports the teeth may be full. The core may comprise only a housing at one of its ends to allow its attachment to a rod connected to a gripping member.

The core may have a larger transverse dimension, measured perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, for example a diameter between 1.2 and 3 mm.

The teeth can be made in one piece with the core, for example by molding, in particular by injection. The mold can be formed of several shells. The number of shells can be equal to the number of rows of teeth.

The applicator member may be formed by monoinjection of material or over injection, preferably in a thermoplastic material, which may be elastomeric. It can for example be made by injection into a mold pierced on the sides, so as to make the teeth. The applicator member can also be produced by bi-injection, for example simultaneous injection, of two materials in the same mold.

The teeth may be made of a material more or less rigid than a material used to make the rod of the applicator to which the core is connected.

At least one of the core and an application member may have magnetic properties. These can be due for example to a load of magnetic particles, for example ferrites, dispersed in the plastic material of the core and / or the application element.

At least one of the core and an application element can be flocked and / or comprise a load, intended for example to improve sliding.

The core may be constituted by an insert on the rod of the applicator. The core may be attached to the applicator rod by inserting a tip extending the apparent portion of the core in a housing provided at the end of the rod. Alternatively, the core may comprise a longitudinally extending housing in which the rod is inserted.

In another variant, the core may be made by molding plastic material in one piece with the rod of the applicator.

The core may be made of a plastic material more or less flexible than that used to make the rod of the applicator.

The diameter of the rod may for example be between 3 and 3.5 mm.

The applicator may be devoid of metal, which may allow its passage in a microwave oven.

Where appropriate, the core may be recessed internally, and for example comprise at least one channel for feeding the product through the applicator member.

• un organe d'application du produit, dépourvu de symétrie axiale par rapport à un axe longitudinal de l'organe d'application,
• un organe de préhension de l'applicateur,

l'organe d'application comportant au moins une face d'application ayant une position angulaire repérée sur l'organe de préhension, voire au moins deux faces d'application différentes ayant une position angulaire repérée sur l'organe de préhension.The subject of the invention is, independently or in combination with the foregoing, an applicator for applying a cosmetic, make-up or care product to keratin materials, in particular eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising:

• a product application member, devoid of axial symmetry with respect to a longitudinal axis of the applicator member,
• a gripping member of the applicator,

the applicator member comprising at least one application face having an angular position marked on the gripping member, or even at least two different application faces having an angular position marked on the gripping member.

The gripping member may have a longitudinal axis of non-adjustable orientation relative to a longitudinal axis of a rod connecting the applicator member and the gripping member.

Device

The invention further relates to a device for packaging and applying a product on keratinous fibers, in particular eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising an applicator as defined above, and a container containing the product. The gripping member of the applicator may constitute a cap for closing the container.

The gripping member may be configured to seal the container containing the product to be applied. This container may comprise a wiper member, which may be adapted to wring the rod and the applicator member.

The product may be a mascara, for example a water-resistant mascara, black or other color, or an eyelash or eyebrow care product or a lipstick, a lip gloss, a gloss or, a care product for the lips.

The applicator can be used with a vibration generator. For example, there may be a motor for generating vibrations at the end of the gripping member.

The vibration generator may be mounted on the gripping member, where appropriate, in a manner marked with respect to a mark on the gripping member.

The subject of the invention is also a plurality of applicators as defined above, gathered on a display stand, for example in a shop, in which the applicator members of each of the applicators all have the same angular position relative to the means locating the corresponding gripping member.

Makeup process

The invention also relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to a process for making up eyelashes or eyebrows by means of an applicator as defined above in which the user positions the locating means facing him. .

Positioning the locating means may include the step of selecting a marker, the locating means having a plurality of markers, and positioning the selected marker in front of it.

The user can turn facing himself the mark indicating the desired application face, which can cause the positioning of the application face relative to the surface to make up adequate. The user can in particular place the marker in front of his eyes in a natural way.

Manufacturing process

The invention further relates, independently or in combination with the foregoing, to a method of manufacturing an applicator as defined above.

During the manufacture of the applicator, it is possible to identify the angular position of the applicator member with respect to the gripping member before associating the latter, so as to obtain the positioning of the means of location appropriate relative to to the applicator member and in particular to the different application faces of the applicator member.

The indexing can for example be obtained through a keying.

It is also possible to identify the angular positioning of the applicator member and the gripping member by image analysis and / or detection of a mark present on at least one of the applicator member, the rod or grasping organ.

Alternatively, the mounting of the applicator member on the gripping member and the indexing of the applicator member with respect to the locating means can be done by hand, visually.

• la figure 1 est une vue schématique en élévation, avec coupe longitudinale partielle, d'un exemple de dispositif réalisé conformément à l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente isolément, de côté, l'organe d'application de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue selon III de la figure 2,
• la figure 3a illustre l'utilisation du dispositif de la figure 1,
• les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues selon IV et V de la figure 1,
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues analogues à la figure 4 de variantes de réalisation,
• la figure 8 est une vue en éclaté d'une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 8a est une section transversale d'une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 8b est une coupe longitudinale selon VIII de la figure 8a,
• les figures 9 à 15 sont des coupes transversales, schématiques et partielles, de variantes de réalisation,
• les figures 16 à 18 sont des coupes transversales, schématiques et partielles, de variantes de réalisation d'organes d'application,
• les figures 19 à 28 sont des coupes transversales, schématiques et partielles, de variantes de réalisation,
• les figures 29, 30, 32, 34 et 36 illustrent de manière schématique et partielle des arrangements de dents,
• les figures 31, 33 et 35 sont des vues en perspective partielle de variantes de réalisation,
• les figures 37 à 41 sont des coupes transversales de dents,
• la figure 42 est une vue en perspective d'une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 43 est une vue analogue à la figure 2 d'une autre variante,
• les figures 44 à 48 représentent de manière schématique des surfaces enveloppe d'autres variantes de réalisation,
• la figure 49 est une coupe longitudinale partielle d'une variante de réalisation,
• les figures 50a à 50d sont des vues de côté et en perspective de variantes de réalisation,
• la figure 51 est une vue de côté d'une variante de réalisation,
• les figures 52 et 53 sont des exemples de fils pouvant être utilisés pour fabriquer l'âme de la brosse de la figure 51,
• les figures 54A à 54F sont des sections transversales d'exemples de poils pouvant être utilisés pour fabriquer la brosse,
• les figures 55 à 63 et 59a représentent, en section transversale, différents exemples de surfaces enveloppe de la brosse,
• les figures 64 à 72 représentent, en vue de côté, des exemples de surfaces enveloppe pour la brosse,
• les figures 74 à 78 illustrent des variantes de réalisation d'éléments d'application,
• la figure 79 est une coupe transversale, schématique et partielle, d'une variante de réalisation de l'organe d'essorage, et
• les figures 80 et 81 représentent des détails de variantes de réalisation de la tige.

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 figure 1 is a schematic view in elevation, with partial longitudinal section, of an exemplary device produced according to the invention,
• the figure 2 stands alone, aside, the enforcement body of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a view according to III of the figure 2 ,
• the figure 3a illustrates the use of the device of the figure 1 ,
• the Figures 4 and 5 are views according to IV and V of the figure 1 ,
• the Figures 6 and 7 are similar views to the figure 4 variants of embodiment,
• the figure 8 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment,
• the figure 8a is a cross section of an alternative embodiment,
• the figure 8b is a longitudinal section along VIII of the figure 8a ,
• the Figures 9 to 15 are cross-sections, schematic and partial, of alternative embodiments,
• the Figures 16 to 18 are schematic and partial cross-sections of variant embodiments of application members,
• the Figures 19 to 28 are cross-sections, schematic and partial, of alternative embodiments,
• the Figures 29, 30, 32 , 34 and 36 schematically and partially illustrate tooth arrangements,
• the figures 31 , 33 and 35 are partial perspective views of alternative embodiments,
• the Figures 37 to 41 are cross sections of teeth,
• the figure 42 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment,
• the figure 43 is a view similar to the figure 2 another variant,
• the Figures 44 to 48 schematically represent envelope surfaces of other embodiments,
• the figure 49 is a partial longitudinal section of an alternative embodiment,
• the Figures 50a to 50d are side and perspective views of alternative embodiments,
• the figure 51 is a side view of an alternative embodiment,
• the Figures 52 and 53 are examples of wires that can be used to make the soul of the brush the figure 51 ,
• the Figures 54A to 54F are cross sections of examples of bristles that can be used to make the brush,
• the Figures 55 to 63 and 59a represent, in cross-section, different examples of envelope surfaces of the brush,
• the Figures 64 to 72 represent, in side view, examples of envelope surfaces for the brush,
• the Figures 74 to 78 illustrate alternative embodiments of application elements,
• the figure 79 is a cross section, schematic and partial, of an alternative embodiment of the wiper member, and
• the Figures 80 and 81 represent details of alternative embodiments of the rod.

Representatives Figures 1 to 5 a packaging and application device made according to the invention, comprising an applicator 2 and an associated container 3 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes and / or the eyebrows, for example mascara or a care product.

The container 3 comprises, in the example considered, a threaded neck 4 and the applicator 2 comprises a closure cap 5 arranged to be fixed on the neck 4 in order to close the container 3 tightly in the absence of use , the closing cap 5 also constituting a gripping member for the applicator 2.

The closure cap 5 has an outer body visible on the figure 1 , defining the gripping surface by which the user can grasp the applicator 2.

The closure cap 5 has a flat part 5a visible on the figure 1 , as well as a second flat surface 5a opposite to the first, not visible on the figure 1 but visible on Figures 4 and 5 in side view.

The closure cap 5 further comprises two pins 5b for informing the user on the orientation of the applicator 2 relative to the hand of the user when the latter grip the applicator 2 by the gripping member.

The user can in particular have his thumb and forefinger on each of the two flats 5a and position one of the two pins 5b facing him.

In the example described, each of the two marks 5b has a different color, illustrated by points of different sizes in the area of the mark.

In the example shown in figure 1 , each of the marks 5b is located on either side of the flat 5a with respect to the longitudinal axis Y of the applicator 2, but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention if it is otherwise and if by example or markers are located in the extension of a flat or on a flat.

The applicator 2 comprises a rod 7 of longitudinal axis Y, which is connected at its upper end to the closure cap 5 and, at its lower end, to an applicator member 8.

The container 3 also comprises a wiper member 6, inserted in the neck 4.

This wiper member 6, which may be arbitrary, comprises in the example in question a lip 9 arranged to dewater the rod 7 and the applicator member 8 when the applicator 2 is removed from the container 3. The lip 9 defines a wiper orifice of diameter adapted to that of the rod.

In the example shown, the rod 7 has a circular cross section but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the rod 7 has a different section, the fixing of the cap 5 on the container 3 can then be performed otherwise than by screwing, if necessary. The wiper member 6 may be adapted to the shape of the rod 7 and that of the applicator member 8, if appropriate.

In the example considered, the longitudinal axis Y of the rod 7 is rectilinear and coincident with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place thereon, but it is not beyond the scope of this invention when the rod 7 is non-rectilinear, forming for example a bend.

The rod 7 may comprise, where appropriate, an annular necking on its portion which is positioned opposite the lip 9 of the wiper member 6, so as not to mechanically stress it excessively during storage .

Referring to Figures 2 and 3 it can be seen that the applicator member 8 comprises a central core 10 of elongated shape, extending along a longitudinal axis X.

The core 10 has a first region 10a and a second region 10b opposite the first, the regions 10a and 10b each extending along the longitudinal axis X of the core.

In the example considered, the core 10 has on the majority of its length a polygonal cross section, the sides of which define longitudinal faces 15. The longitudinal axis X is central.

The longitudinal faces 15 are for example six in number, the cross section of the core being substantially hexagonal. Each of the regions 10a, 10b occupies in the example considered one half of the core, each defining three of the longitudinal faces 15, the regions 10a and 10b being symmetrical to one another with respect to a median plane containing the longitudinal axis X of the soul.

On each of these longitudinal faces 15 is connected in the illustrated example a single row 17 of teeth 18.

The applicator member 8 defines two sides of the application A _1, A ₂ the first support surface A ₁ being formed by the region 10a of the core 18a and the teeth carried by the region 10a of the core, and the second application face A ₂ being formed by the region 10b of the core and the teeth 18b which are connected thereto.

The rows 17 of teeth 18 comprise first rows 17a of teeth 18a extending from the first region of the core 10a and the second rows 17b of teeth 18b extending from the second region 10b of the core. . The rows 17a define the first application face A ₁ of the applicator member and the rows 17b define the second opposite face A ₂ .

In the example described, the two application faces A ₁ and A ₂ are opposite with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the applicator member.

The two application faces A ₁ and A ₂ are furthermore different, and the applicator 2 is configured in such a way that the positioning of each of the marks 5b corresponds to one of the application faces A ₁ and A ₂ .

The positioning of the marks 5b may correspond exactly to one of the faces A ₁ , A ₂ , a mark being for example disposed in the middle of the angular extent of the corresponding application face, or alternatively slightly offset, for example an angle α which may be small, for example less than 45 °, as illustrated in FIG. figure 3a .

When the user places the chosen mark in front of his eyes, the application face can thus be slightly offset relative to the iris of the eye, but better placed relative to the eyelash fringe, which can further facilitate the makeup gesture.

In the example shown in Figures 1 to 5 , the application faces A ₁ and A ₂ differ in particular in the shape of the envelope surface defined by the free ends of the teeth 18. The shape of the envelope surface of the application face A ₂ is of semi-cylindrical shape, while the shape of the envelope surface of the application face A ₁ is in the form of half-peanut.

This form of the envelope surface is due to that of the core, in the example described the region 10b being flat, and being convex in the middle for the region 10a.

The faces 15 of the region 10a of the core may be concave as illustrated in the central part, the concavity being for example centered on a median plane of the core 10 cutting it substantially mid-length.

The concavity of the longitudinal faces 15 may be formed by a narrowing of the cross section of the core 10.

In addition, the application faces A ₁ and A ₂ differ in the length of the teeth carried by each of the regions 10a and 10b of the core.

The teeth 18a carried by the region 10a of the core are longer than the teeth 18b carried by the region 10b of the core.

Finally, the rows 17a and 17b also differ by spacing the teeth 18a, 18b in the row, the teeth 18a being further apart in the rows 17a than the teeth 18b in the rows 17b. In this way, the applicator member has a larger number of teeth 18b than teeth 18a, although the number of first rows 17a is equal to the number of second rows 17b.

Of course, each of the application faces A ₁ , A ₂ could differ by other characteristics or could differ only by one of the real characteristics described above, namely the shape of the envelope surface, linked or not to the shape of the soul, the length of the teeth or the spacing of the teeth in the row.

To use the device 1, the user can unscrew the closure cap 5 and extract the applicator member 8 from the container 3.

After passing through the applicator member 8 of the wiper member 6, a certain amount of product remains on the applicator member, for example between the rows 17 and between the teeth 18 of these rows and may be applied to the eyelashes or eyebrows by the user.

When the user grasps the applicator 2 by the gripping member formed by the closure cap 5 by applying his fingers to the flats 5a, he is made to position one of the pins 5b facing him, depending on the makeup desired, as illustrated on one of the Figures 4 or 5 .

In doing so, it automatically positions one of the application faces A ₁ or A ₂ corresponding to the selected mark 5b facing the surface to be made up.

The user can choose the face of the application member used according to the desired makeup. In an embodiment variant illustrated in figure 7 , the closure cap is devoid of flats 5a, being for example cylindrical of revolution.

In another embodiment variant illustrated in FIG. figure 6 , the closure cap 5 has a rotatable portion 52 rotatable relative to a base portion 51. In the example described, the rotating portion 52 defines the free end of the cap 5 and comprises the flats 5a. The base portion 51 takes the form of a ring bearing the pins 5b associated to the position of contact surfaces A ₁ and A _2.

The user can rotate the rotatable portion 52 relative to the base portion 51 so as to position the flats 5a appropriately.

Such a configuration may advantageously lead the user to pay attention to the indexing of the applicator member with respect to the gripping member.

In addition, the rotatable portion 52 may include an indicator of its position relative to the base portion 51, for example in the form of an arrow 53 arranged to designate the selected mark 5b. The rotation of the rotating part 52 makes it possible to position this indicator 53 opposite the reference mark 5b selected.

Alternatively, an applicator provided with a rotatable portion and a base portion could also be devoid of flat 5a.

In another variant, the applicator 2 could be devoid of an indicator 53.

During the manufacture of the applicator 2, the positioning of the application faces A ₁ , A ₂ relative to the reference 5b can be achieved by hand, by a simple observation, or automatically, for example by the presence of striations 57 on the gripping member 5, as shown in FIG. figure 8 .

The applicator member 8 and the rod 7 may for example be connected to the closure cap 5, either directly to the outer body or to a fixing cap 56 intended to be inserted into the body of the closure cap 5, as illustrated. to the figure 8 .

In addition, the core 10 is extended, in the example in question, from its proximal side, by a cylindrical tip 14 which allows its attachment to the rod 7, as illustrated in FIG. figure 8 . Fixing may in particular be by force fitting, latching, gluing, welding or crimping in a housing provided at the end of the rod. Alternatively, the rod can be inserted into a housing provided in the core.

The core 10 can also be made in one piece by molding material with the rod 7 or with a housing in which the rod 7 is inserted.

Finally, the rod 7 can be made in one piece with the attachment cap 56 or be inserted by force into a housing formed therein or have a fixing end 58 in the latter, as shown in FIG. figure 8 .

Given the indexing required between the positioning contact surfaces A _1, A ₂ and 5b pins, it is preferable that the applicator member, the rod, the eventual fixing cap and the base portion of the closure cap 5 in the case where it also comprises a rotating part, are not rotatable relative to each other.

For this purpose, the cooperation by force insertion of the various elements may be sufficient, the optional endpiece 14, the rod 7, the optional end piece 58 of the rod 7 being of circular cross section, as illustrated in FIG. figure 9 , or at least one of the tip 14, the rod 7 and any end piece 58 of the rod 7 may be of non-circular cross section to serve as a key.

At least one of the tip 14, the rod 7 and the tip 58 of the rod 7 may be of triangular cross section, as shown in FIG. figure 10 square as shown in figure 11 , hexagonal as shown in figure 12 or any polygonal shape, or to include a flat part as illustrated in FIG. figure 13 , two flats as shown in figure 14 or a groove, as shown in figure 15 .

In addition, the possible fixing cap 56 cooperates in the example illustrated with the cap 5 by a fastening thread 59 illustrated in FIG. figure 8 .

As a variant, the fixing cap 56 can cooperate with the base portion 51 of the cap 5 with a polarizer 56a, the base portion 51 being fastened to the rotational part by snap-fastening as illustrated in the drawings. Figures 8a and 8b .

The teeth 18 are made in the example considered in one piece by molding thermoplastic material with the core 10.

Can be used to mold the applicator member 8 a relatively rigid thermoplastic material or not, for example SEBS, a silicone, latex, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a polymer-based acetate, a styrene-based polymer, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester, polyamide, polyethylene or vinyl elastomer, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, PET, POM , PA or PMMA. Use may in particular materials known under the trademark Hytrel ^{®, ®} Cariffex, Alixzne ^®, Santoprene ^®, Pebax ^®, this list is not exhaustive.

In another example, the application faces A ₁ , A ₂ may differ in the material used, half of the application member corresponding to the first region and the teeth supported by it being moldable in a first material which is, for example, Hytrel ^® of 47 ShA hardness, while the other half is molded into a other material, e.g., Hytrel ^® hardness of 63 ShA, the two materials being for example different colors.

The applicator member 8 can also, if necessary, be made by molding, stamping or machining a metal material.

The teeth and the soul can be made in different materials.

The applicator member 8 may comprise, at its distal end 12, a head which is tapered forwards in order to facilitate the retraction of the applicator 2 into the receptacle 3. The height of the teeth 18 may decrease in proximity to the head 12, along a distal transition portion 13a, as shown in FIG. figure 2 .

The height of the teeth 18 may also decrease along a proximal transition portion 13b in the direction of the rod 7, so as to facilitate the crossing of the wiper member 6 by the applicator member 8 during removal. of the applicator 2.

The head 12 may be symmetrical in revolution or may comprise radial fins, as shown in FIG. figure 2 .

In the following, we will describe more precisely an example of a configuration of a row 17 of teeth 18, this description being equally valid, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, for the rows 17a of the first region 10a that for the rows 17b of the second region 10b.

Each row 17 of teeth 18 comprises a first set 20 of first teeth connecting at an angle α _Z1 with the normal to the corresponding face 15 of the core 10, and a second set of teeth 30 connecting obliquely to this face 15. by making an angle α _Z2 with this normal.

The teeth 18 of the first set of teeth 20 are straight, extending in a direction Z ₁ substantially perpendicular to the face 15, the angle α _Z1 being relatively small, for example less than 10 °, or even 5 °.

The teeth 18 of the second set of teeth 30 are also straight in the example considered, extending in a direction Z ₂ forming an angle α with the direction Z ₁ . The angle α may for example be between 20 and 80 °.

We can see on the figure 3 each row comprises teeth having a face connecting perpendicularly to the corresponding longitudinal face 15 of the core 10.

In the example described, the teeth 18 of each row 17 are arranged in staggered rows. Two consecutive teeth 18 of each row 17 are shifted alternately on either side of a geometric separation surface S, this surface S being for example a bisecting plane of the angle α.

The teeth of the first set 20 are arranged on one side of this geometric separation surface S while those of the second set 30 are arranged on the other side thereof, when the core 10 is observed along its longitudinal axis.

Within each row 17, the bases of the teeth of the first set 20 and the second set 30 are non-aligned, since respectively located entirely on either side of the geometric separation surface S.

The teeth of the first set 20 and the second set 30 do not overlap, in the illustrated example, when the applicator member is viewed from the side, in a direction perpendicular to the X axis, as shown in FIG. figure 2 .

Moreover, the directions Z ₁ and Z ₂ of the teeth 18 of the first 20 and second 30 sets of teeth do not intersect the longitudinal axis X of the core, the teeth being eccentric relative to this axis.

We can see on Figures 2 and 3 that at each tooth 18 of the first set 20 of a row 17 may be associated a respective tooth of the first set 20 of another row 17, occupying substantially the same axial position along the axis X of the core, the passage from one tooth to the other being effected by a rotation around the X axis of a sub-multiple of 360 °, in this case 60 °. It is the same for each tooth 18 of the second set 30.

The oblique teeth 18 of the different rows are oriented in the same direction of rotation around the soul, namely the clockwise direction on the figure 3 .

It is understood that all combinations of regions and associated teeth are possible to achieve a large number of different applicators, with a reduced number of half-molds assembled by two to form the molding cavity.

Of course, it is not beyond the scope of the invention when the applicator member comprises a different number of application faces, A ₁ , A ₂ , ... A _n , then being generally shaped envelope surface for example circular, as illustrated in the figure 16 , triangular as illustrated in figure 17 or square as shown in the figure 18 . The applicator member 8 may comprise, for example, three application faces A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ , four application faces A ₁ , A ₂ , A ₃ , A ₄ or more.

In the example which has just been described in preference to Figures 1 to 5 , the core has six longitudinal faces and has a cross section of hexagonal shape.

In general, the core may comprise any number of longitudinal faces, all the characteristics described above being applicable independently of the number of longitudinal faces.

Each application face may be defined by one or more longitudinal faces of the core and the teeth attached thereto.

The core may have a circular cross section, as illustrated in FIG. figure 19 , or oval as illustrated on the figure 20 , or triangular, octagonal, square or pentagonal, as illustrated respectively on the Figures 21, 22, 23 and 24 .

The core 10 may also have two halves of different shapes, as illustrated in FIG. figure 25 , the cross sections of the first region 10a and second region 10b being different. In the example shown in figure 25 they are both circular but of different radii. In the example shown in figure 26 one is circular and the other triangular. In the example shown in figure 27 both are triangular and in the example shown in figure 28 one is triangular, the other is rectangular.

An applicator member 8 according to the invention may comprise more than two exposed teeth per longitudinal face when the core is observed along its longitudinal axis, and may comprise, in addition to the first and second teeth 18 of the assemblies 20 and 30, one or several additional teeth 18 making for example an angle β greater than α with the direction Z ₁ , or extending perpendicularly to the face of the corresponding core.

It is not beyond the scope of the present invention if the teeth of the second set of teeth 30 are not inclined with respect to the longitudinal face 15 of the core to which they are connected and that the directions Z ₁ and Z ₂ are parallel for each row 17.

In the examples which have just been described, the teeth of the first 20 and second sets of teeth 18 are arranged in staggered rows, their bases not being aligned.

It may be otherwise and the bases of the teeth 18 may be aligned, as illustrated in FIG. figure 29 , the same line L parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 intersecting all the bases of the aligned teeth of the row, this line constituting the longitudinal axis L of the row.

Moreover, we have illustrated on this figure 29 rows in which the teeth are spaced differently and have a different thickness.

In the example of the figure 30 one row has aligned teeth and the other row has teeth arranged in staggered rows.

Two consecutive teeth of a row may define, when the applicator is observed perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, a V-shaped groove, as illustrated in perspective at the figure 31 .

Two consecutive teeth of a row can still form a V when the applicator member is observed along its longitudinal axis, as illustrated in FIG. figure 32 .

We see on Figures 33 and 34 that the applicator may comprise within a row of patterns of four teeth, the two of the middle form a V. The four teeth succeed one another as one moves along the longitudinal axis of the row.

In the example shown on the Figures 35 and 36 row 17 comprises patterns of three teeth including two teeth V with a tooth disposed between them.

Within each row, the teeth can be gathered in groups of teeth, for example in pairs. Of course, the teeth can be grouped together in pairs, the spacing between the groups of teeth within the same row being regular or not, and in particular greater than the average spacing between the teeth within a group.

In the example considered, each tooth 18 has a first longitudinal face 40 of planar shape and a second longitudinal face 41 of rounded shape, in particular convex.

Alternatively, at least one tooth may have a circular cross section, as illustrated in FIG. figure 37 , or triangular, as illustrated on the figure 38 , or diamond, as shown on the figure 39 , or else formed of two contiguous triangles of different size, as illustrated on the figure 40 , or triangular with a groove, as shown in figure 41 .

Within a row 17, the consecutive teeth 18 may each have a first face which is substantially flat. The opposite side of the tooth may present by example a half-cone or half-pyramid shape. The teeth 18 may be alternately oriented with their faces towards the median plane of the row and towards the outside of the row. Such an arrangement of the teeth may facilitate the molding of the row of teeth, all the teeth having their face turned in the same direction being molded by the same shell of the mold while all the other teeth of the row, which have their face turned in the opposite direction, are molded by another shell of the mold. These two mold shells come into contact with each other.

The teeth 18 may be more or less joined within the row. The teeth 18 may in particular be substantially touching, touching or having a small spacing between them, for example a spacing less than or equal to 0.1 mm at their base.

Two consecutive teeth in a row may cross each other when the row is observed along its longitudinal axis L.

Alternatively, two consecutive teeth of a row may intersect when the row is observed perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, the two intersecting teeth being respectively oriented towards the proximal end and towards the distal end of the body. 'application.

In an alternative embodiment, the longitudinal faces 15 of the core 10 are twisted, as illustrated in FIG. figure 42 that is, the corresponding side performs at least one rotation towards the distal end of the core.

The core 10 may be deformed at the time of demolding by a rotation of the tip 14, or alternatively in the mold.

The longitudinal axis X of the core 10 may coincide with the longitudinal axis Y of the rod 7, but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention if it is otherwise, and by way of example, illustrated at the figure 43 an alternative embodiment in which the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 forms an angle γ ₁ with the longitudinal axis Y of the stem. Such a configuration can improve the application by facilitating the handling of the applicator.

The core may extend along a non-rectilinear longitudinal axis X. We illustrated at the figure 44 an alternative embodiment in which the core extends along a longitudinal axis X curve.

In another variant, illustrated in figure 45 , the envelope surface E has a cross section that passes through a minimum. The X axis coincides with the Y axis.

In the variant illustrated in figure 46 the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 is rectilinear and the envelope surface E has an ovoid shape.

In another variant, illustrated in figure 47 the free end of the teeth 18 defines an envelope surface E which extends generally along a longitudinal axis W forming an angle γ ₂ with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, the applicator member being able to be qualified as 'eccentric.

The variant of the figure 48 differs from that of figure 38 by the shape of the envelope surface E, which has a cross section that passes through a minimum.

The application member may also have various other forms of envelope surface E.

In addition to the forms previously described, the applicator member may have an envelope surface E of generally frustoconical shape, which may be centered on the longitudinal axis X of the core of the applicator member, which axis may also coincide with the longitudinal axis Y of the rod 7.

The core 10 may also have a generally frustoconical shape, or a cylindrical shape of revolution, or another form.

The axis of the envelope surface E may not be confused with that of the core, being for example parallel to it. For example, on the side of the face A ₁ of the applicator member, there may be a greater number of rows of teeth extending longitudinally parallel to the axis X than on the side of the opposite face A ₂ and / or rows having a greater number of teeth within each row and / or teeth having thicknesses different from those of the teeth carried by the opposite region of the core.

For example, the side of the face A _{1 may} have teeth having a greater length than those on the side of the face A ₂ , with for example a number of teeth per longitudinal row which is different for each of the faces A ₁ and A ₂ .

There may be a greater number of rows of teeth on the side of the face A ₂ , the teeth on this side of the face A ₂ being for example finer than those on the side of the face A ₁ , with for example a larger one number of teeth within each row.

In general, all the previously described forms can define two or more application faces A ₁ , A ₂ , ... A _n , as explained previously.

The rows 17 may comprise different numbers of teeth, one of the rows being for example shorter than another row.

The teeth can all be connected to the core in a direction contained in a plane perpendicular to the X axis. It may be otherwise, and teeth may be inclined towards the distal or proximal end.

In the variant embodiment illustrated in figure 49 , the core comprises a recess in which is engaged a support portion 60, for example metal or plastic. The core may be configured to be fixed to this support portion 60 or to be free in rotation or translation relative to the support portion 60.

The choice of the face of the applicator member used for makeup can lead to different makeup.

The teeth of at least one row may have different heights, for example through an extremum between the extreme teeth of the row.

At least one of the teeth 18 of the rows 17 may have a non-smooth surface condition, for example molded striations or asperities linked for example to the presence of a load in the plastic, or flocking.

We have illustrated Figures 50a to 50d two embodiments in which the closure cap 5 has two flats 5a diametrically opposed on a rotatable portion 52 of the closure cap 5, a fixed portion 51 having two pins 5b each consisting of a colored area, each of a different color, and diametrically opposed.

The rotating portion 52 of the closure cap 5 further comprises a window 130 being placed above a mark 5b, the user can thus observe the color of the mark through the window.

In the embodiment of Figures 50a and 50b this window is constituted by a notch formed in an outer wall of the rotary part 52 of the closure cap 5.

In the embodiment of figures 50c and 50d the window 130 is formed in a tongue attached to the rotating part 52 and overlapping the fixed part 51.

Before opening the device, the user rotates the rotary portion 52 relative to the fixed portion 51 to place the window 130 facing the desired mark 5b, then opens the container 3 and proceeds to the application of the product by positioning the selected marker visible in the window 130 facing itself.

The markers may be invisible when they do not appear in the window, as in the embodiment of the Figures 50a and 50b , or on the contrary visible, as in the embodiment of the figures 50c and 50d , so the landmarks may not always be apparent.

In another variant, the applicator member may comprise a brush, for example a twisted brush as illustrated in FIG. figure 51 , having a twisted core 10 having bristles 18.

The core 10 can be fixed in various ways on the rod 7, being for example inserted in a housing of the rod 7, formed at the end thereof. The rod 7 may have a circular cross section.

The two branches of the core 10 may belong to a folded wire on itself, as illustrated in FIG. figure 52 . The wire used may be a wire of constant circular section, for example of diameter between 0.35 and 0.9.

Where appropriate, the wire used may have a varying diameter and / or surface irregularities, as illustrated in FIG. figure 53 . This can help to break the effect of turn on the brush, that is to say, give a distribution of the ends of the bristles more homogeneous.

The ends of the bristles 18 may optionally be ground.

The bristles used may have a cross section which may be arbitrary, for example circular, as shown in FIG. Figure 54A , hollow, of any section, in particular circular, as illustrated in Figure 54B flattened, in particular rectangular, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 54C , cross as shown in the figure 54D , with one or more capillary grooves as illustrated in FIG. figure 54E or with one or more portions hinged to each other as shown in FIG. figure 54F other sections are of course still possible, as described in the patent publications of the same inventor.

The diameter of a hair is considered to be that of the smallest circle in which the section fits. The bristles may have a diameter that varies along their length, in which case the diameter retained is the average diameter.

The bristles may be straight or have a wavy shape.

The bristles may be made of any material and in particular a synthetic material, for example thermoplastic, for example a polyolefin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, PET, POM, PA, PS, this list not being limiting.

From one application face to another, the color of the hair may be the same or different.

From one application face to another, the section of the bristles may be of the same shape or of different shape.

From one application face to another, the material in which the bristles are made may be the same or not.

All the bristles of the brush may in particular be made of the same material.

The brush may be subjected to various treatments, in particular to modify the shape of its envelope surface, in particular to give it a non-symmetrical shape of revolution around the longitudinal axis of the core, in order to define its different application faces. ₁ A ₁ , ... A _n .

For example, the following Figures 55 to 63 different examples of cross-sections for the envelope surface E of the brush, the latter being conventionally defined by the geometric surface resting on the free ends of the bristles.

A brush of conventional shape is of cylindrical surface of revolution, possibly with a frustoconical portion at the front, the side opposite the rod.

The envelope surface E of the brush may, over at least a portion of the length of the brush, for example over more than a quarter of the length of the portion of the core carrying the bristles, have a circular section as illustrated in FIG. figure 55 , a polygonal section, regular or not, for example substantially triangular as illustrated in FIG. figure 56 , hexagonal as shown in figure 57 , or rectangular as shown in figure 58 .

Within a cross-section, the core may be centered or eccentric, as illustrated in Figures 59 and 59a .

The envelope surface E of the brush may still have a cross section in the form of a drop of water, more or less high, as illustrated in FIG. Figures 60 and 61 .

One or more notches may be formed on one or more faces of the brush as shown in FIG. figure 62 .

Notches can be formed on the brush as shown in FIG. figure 63 . Other forms of envelope surface are possible, as described for example in the publications of the applicant designating the same inventor.

The brush may be made with an envelope surface whose diameter varies along the longitudinal axis of the brush, and for example passes through an extremum as illustrated in FIG. figure 64 .

Alternatively, the diameter of the bristles may decrease with increasing the diameter of the brush, over a portion of at least the length thereof, to benefit even more flexible bristles.

On the figure 65 , there is shown a brush having a generally peanut-shaped envelope surface with two extrema, for example maxima, near its proximal and distal ends.

We have shown figure 66 a brush whose section of the envelope surface increases from its distal end towards the proximal end. The brush can still have a general shape of ball, as illustrated in FIG. figure 67 or ovoid, as illustrated in figure 68 .

The core may extend with its longitudinal axis X centered for all sections of the brush or, alternatively, eccentric, as illustrated in FIG. figure 69 .

The brush may still have a longitudinal section of rectangular shape, as illustrated in FIG. figure 70 or fish-shaped as shown in the figure 71 , or in the form of shells as illustrated in figure 72 .

The application faces may be defined by a stop defined by the envelope surface of the brush, or by one of the faces of the latter.

The application member may be subjected to any treatment intended to modify the end of the application elements, for example to create different application faces, the treatment may be aimed at forming a ball at the end of the bristles. as shown in Figure 174 or to form forks as shown in Figure figure 75 .

In the presence of a ball at the end of the bristles, the diameter of the hair that is retained is that before the treatment that led to the formation of the ball.

The application elements can be heat-treated to curl the application elements, as shown in FIG. figure 76 or beat the brush in the case where the applicator member comprises a brush to create a weakened area on the bristles which changes the orientation, in particular to break the effect of turn, as shown in the figure 77 .

The application elements may have, at their free end, a relief or a particular shape, for example a hook, as shown in FIG. figure 78 . The hook may extend for example transversely, parallel or obliquely to the longitudinal axis X of the core. To obtain the ball, it is possible for example to heat the applicator member so as to melt the end of the application elements. To obtain the forks or the hooks, it is possible for example to grind the application member.

The applicator member may be made of a plastics material comprising magnetic particles. The magnetic field created by such particles, which can be magnetizable and / or magnetized, can exert for example an effect on the eyelashes and / or interact with magnetic fibers or pigments that would be present in the product.

The wiper member may be made differently, for example comprising a block of foam, which can be split. The wiper member may for example be as described in the patent applications or patents US 2005/0028834 , US 2005/0175394 , US 2004/0258453 , US 6,375,374 , US 6,328,495 , whose contents are incorporated by reference.

The wiper lip 9 may advantageously be corrugated, having a radially inner free edge defining a passage opening 122 of the applicator member, as illustrated in FIG. figure 79 . The wiper lip 9 may comprise corrugations 120 extending around the orifice 122. The wiper member 9 may comprise a number of corrugations 120 of between 3 and 12, for example.

The wiper lip 9 may extend generally in a cone converging toward the bottom of the container, generatrix G at an angle i with the axis K of the container. In a variant, the wiper lip 9 may extend generally along a median plane perpendicular to the K axis or generally along a convergent cone towards the outlet of the receptacle.

The wiper member can still be adjustable, if necessary.

The rod 7 to which the core is attached may be at least partially, in particular entirely, flexible, in particular near the applicator member. The rod may for example comprise at least one flexible element 80 as illustrated in FIG. figure 80 , or for example at least one elastomer element, or have a shape conferring flexibility, for example at least one notch 81 as illustrated in FIG. figure 81 . The flexible element or elastomer may for example be flocked and / or also used for the application of the product.

Vibration may be applied to the applicator member during application, combing or removal of the product, for example as described in the application. WO 2006/090343 .

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, the characteristics of which can be combined within non-illustrated variants.

In particular, it is possible to produce the applicator member with other forms of envelope surface.

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

The expression "between" means included limits.

Claims (15)

1. An applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic or care product, comprising:

   - an applicator member (8) for applying the product, defining at least two different applicator faces (A1, A2, ... An) that are configured to apply the composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows;

   - a handle (5) of the applicator, extending along a longitudinal axis of the handle; and

   - a stem (7) connecting the applicator member and the handle, extending along a longitudinal axis of the stem;

   the longitudinal axis of the handle having a non-adjustable orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the stem, the applicator comprising marker means (5b) not on the applicator member itself and to be positioned facing the user during application, the applicator member having a predefined angular position relative to the marker means, such that the positioning of the applicator given by the marker means corresponds to the use of a predefined applicator face,
   the applicator being characterized in that the marker means include several marks (5b), the positioning of each of the marks (5b) corresponding to one of the applicator faces (A1, A2, ... An).
2. The applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the applicator member comprises a core (10) and applicator elements (18) carried by the core, the applicator faces differing from one another in at least one of the core and the applicator elements.
3. The applicator according to one of the two immediately preceding claims, wherein the applicator faces differ by at least one of: their disposition on the core of the applicator elements; their shape; their length; their thickness; the cross-sectional shape or material of the applicator elements; treatment possibly received by the applicator elements; the arrangement of the applicator elements in rows; the number of applicator elements in a row; the number of applicator elements on an applicator face; the arrangement of the rows relative to one another; and/or the shape of a cross-section of the core; the shape of a longitudinal section of the core; the length, thickness of the core or the shape of an envelope surface defined by the free ends of the applicator elements of each of the applicator faces of the applicator member.
4. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator member comprises two different opposite applicator faces.
5. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator member comprises three different applicator faces, in particular disposed as the sides of a triangle, or even four or more different applicator faces.
6. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator member comprises a twisted core that retains bristles, and/or a core that is made by molding and that carries teeth.
7. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the markers make it possible to inform the user about the orientation of the applicator member relative to the handle, comprising one or more characters that are alphanumeric, numeric, letters, icons, symbols, graduations, or an indented or projecting shape in relief, or at least one zone of the surface of the handle having a different surface state, color and/or feel.
8. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle is not circularly symmetrical, in particular not circularly cylindrical.
9. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle comprises a flat (15a), in particular being flat along a mid-plane for the applicator member and separating two opposite applicator faces thereof.
10. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the stem (17), an end-piece (14) of the applicator member for fastening the applicator member to the stem, and an end piece (58) of the stem for fastening the stem to the handle, comprises polarizing means or a shape that is not entirely circularly symmetrical, so as to index the applicator member relative to the handle.
11. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the handle comprises a rotary portion (52) that is suitable for turning relative to a base portion (51) of the handle.
12. The applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the marker means are situated on one of the two portions, with an additional positioning indicator (53) that is situated on the other of the two portions being suitable for being positioned facing the marker means, by turning the rotary portion relative to the base portion.
13. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the applicator member not being axially symmetrical relative to a longitudinal axis of the applicator member.
14. A method of manufacturing an applicator as defined in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator member is mounted with a predefined orientation about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle.
15. A method of applying makeup to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by means of an applicator as defined in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the marker means are positioned facing the user.

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