EP2685866B1 - Applicator for applying a product to the eyelashes, comprising supports fixed to a wand - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to applicators for applying a product to the eyelashes, in particular mascara.

It is known to produce the brush of a mascara applicator by means of supports stacked one after the other on the applicator rod, as described for example in the applications FR-2 906 692 , US2010 / 0037911 and US2007 / 0062552 . Each support carries one or more protuberances and, by cooperation of forms between the support and the rod, can be placed in different angular positions around the axis of the latter.

An object of the invention is to provide a new type of brush, in particular to provide more possibilities for their design and improve their properties.

For this purpose, there is provided according to the invention an applicator for applying a product on the eyelashes according to claim 1. Thus, by choosing the arrangement of the successive supports, it is possible to make brushes of various configurations. In particular, it is possible to use on the brush areas that are denser in the form of protuberances than others, to choose the position of each other or their difference in density. The low density areas collect a lot of mascara which they form reserves for application. On the contrary, the denser areas favor the coating of the eyelashes, the combing and their separation by avoiding the appearance of packets.

In addition, the feet that constitute the ends cause a discontinuity in the succession. In the arrangement of the successive supports, this discontinuity makes it possible, for a number of equal supports, to increase the number of dense zones and zones that are not very dense with protuberances or to increase the degree of relative density of the dense zones. There is therefore an additional parameter for the design of the brush, which makes it possible to multiply the configurations of possible brushes and to obtain brushes which, in particular in connection with the composition which they serve to apply, offer improved properties , in particular to promote a good effect of separation and combing or covering each lash to give it volume. The succession may be such, for example, that the feet define a curve, in particular of a conventional and recognizable type, the aforementioned ends forming a discontinuity or a break in this curve.

Preferably, in the or each succession, at least two of the feet are located at respective positions along the axis different from each other.

Thus distributed, the feet promote the separation and combing eyelashes, especially when the user itself gives a rotational movement to the brush around its axis during the application of mascara.

In one embodiment, in at least one of the groups, the feet form a helix.

Such a curve regularly distributes the feet in different planes perpendicular to the axis of the rod to further increase the effect of combing and separation and thus reduce the risk of appearance of packets.

In another embodiment, in at least one of the groups, the feet form a sinusoid.

This embodiment allows both to have a good distribution of the feet in different planes perpendicular to the axis and to generate dense areas at the extremums of the sinusoid.

In one embodiment, the two supports or at least two contiguous supports among the supports are the image of one another by a translation parallel to the axis.

In another embodiment, the two supports or at least two contiguous supports among the supports are the image of each other by the compound of a translation parallel to the axis and a rotation around the axis on a non-multiple angle of 360 °.

It can be provided that the rotation takes place on an angle less than 180 ° and in the same direction as the or each propeller.

It can be provided on the contrary that the rotation takes place at an angle less than 180 ° and in a direction different from that of the or each helix.

In one embodiment, the two supports or at least two contiguous supports among the supports are the image of one another by a rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis of the rod.

Advantageously, in each support or at least one of the supports, the number of groups forming a succession is greater than or equal to two, the groups forming, for example, helices.

Each of these features allows, depending on the configuration of the or successions, to obtain a greater or lesser number of dense zones and to give the latter a more or less pronounced density. However, these different brush configurations are obtained using the same support model, at least for the supports concerned by this isometry.

Preferably, each protuberance of the or each group extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis.

Such an arrangement promotes combing and separation of eyelashes from each other during use.

Preferably, each support is configured so that it has no plane of symmetry parallel to the axis, or no plane of symmetry.

Advantageously, each support is configured so that there is no rotation around a non-multiple angle of 360 ° such that the support is the image of itself by this rotation.

Thus, by rotating the support around the axis of the rod, we do not find the same arrangement of the protuberances before having made a complete turn to the support. Each orientation of the support relative to the rod is therefore associated with a different configuration of protuberances and specific to this orientation. An additional degree of freedom is therefore obtained for the design of the brush.

Preferably each support is configured such that there is no rotation around a non-multiple angle of 360 ° such that the support is the image of itself by this rotation. According to the invention, the supports being mounted on an arm of the rod, the arm and each support are arranged to allow the support to be immobilized on the arm in a choice position among at least two different predetermined relative angular positions around the arm. axis, the number of protuberances of the support being not divisible by the number of different positions.

This characteristic is one of the implementation modalities of the previous one.

Advantageously, on each support, the protuberances are at least four in number, two of the at least protuberances being identical to each other and different from two other protuberances at least.

Thus, on the same support, some protuberances promote the accumulation of product while others promote the combing and separation of the eyelashes.

It can be expected that, on each support, at least two of the protuberances are made of respective different materials, in particular having different hardnesses.

Indeed, the protuberances made of hard material have a stronger separator than the others. Those of less hard material tend to be more loaded in product. We thus obtain these two types of functions within the same support. By changing the arrangement of the successive supports, the configuration of the product reserve zones and the eyelash separation zones can again be chosen here.

Also provided according to the invention an assembly for applying a product on the eyelashes, which comprises a product reservoir and an applicator according to the invention.

• la figure 1 est une vue en coupe axiale d'un ensemble selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 est une vue en élévation de l'applicateur de l'ensemble de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle de la brosse de l'applicateur de la figure 2 ;
• les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues respectivement en perspective et en plan de l'un des supports de la brosse de la figure 3 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue développée d'un tronçon du noyau de la brosse de la figure 3 montrant l'implantation des pieds des protubérances ; et
• les figures 7 à 13 sont des vues analogues à la figure 6 montrant des brosses selon d'autres modes de réalisation, la figure 12 étant complétée par un schéma montrant la disposition des supports successifs autour de l'axe.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the following description of several embodiments given as non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is an axial sectional view of an assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;
• the figure 2 is an elevation view of the applicator of the entire figure 1 ;
• the figure 3 is a partial view of the brush of the applicator of the figure 2 ;
• the Figures 4 and 5 are views respectively in perspective and in plan of one of the supports of the brush of the figure 3 ;
• the figure 6 is a developed view of a section of the brush core of the figure 3 showing the implantation of the feet of the protuberances; and
• the Figures 7 to 13 are similar views to the figure 6 showing brushes according to other embodiments, the figure 12 being completed by a diagram showing the arrangement of the successive supports around the axis.

First embodiment

We illustrated at the figure 1 a set 2 for the application of a product 4 on the eyelashes, or even the eyebrows. Product 4 is in this case mascara. The assembly 2 comprises a reservoir 6 comprising the product, generally cylindrical in shape and extended in the upper part by a neck 8 having a larger diameter smaller than the largest diameter of the reservoir. The assembly 2 comprises an applicator 10, also shown in FIG. figure 2 , which comprises a rod 12 having at one end a brush 14 and at the other end a gripping member 16 which also serves as a stopper for the reservoir 6 when this member is screwed onto the neck of the reservoir as shown in FIG. figure 1 . In this position, the rod 12 passes through the neck 8 and the brush is immersed in the product 4 included in the reservoir. The neck carries at its lower end a wiper 18, for example in flexible material, the function of which is to rid the brush excess product when extracting the applicator out of the tank.

The assembly has a longitudinal axis 20 which forms a general axis of symmetry of revolution of the assembly in general and the applicator in particular, in particular of its rod 12 and its brush 14.

The brush 14 has been illustrated in more detail at figure 3 . The rod 12 carries an extension in the form of an arm 21, coaxial with the rod but of smaller diameter so that the rod forms a shoulder at the birth of the arm. The rod and the arm can be formed in one piece or as two separate parts fitted into one another.

The brush is formed at least over a greater part of its length by annular supports 22 stacked and threaded onto the arm 21 following each other in the direction of the axis 20. The successive supports are in contact with each other. with the others by their axial end faces, each support being contiguous to its two neighbors. The supports are in this case identical to each other. Each support comprises in the present example a core 24, in this case in the form of a disc thus having two upper 26 and lower 28 end faces and a cylindrical lateral face 30 with a circular section in a plane perpendicular to the axis 20.

Each support 24 is coaxial with the axis 20. It is traversed right through by a hole 32 of axis 20 having in a plane perpendicular to this axis a non-circular profile, in this case square. The arm 21 has a profile complementary to that of the orifice 32, also square here. Thanks to the complementary form between the arm and the orifice 32, the support 22 can be threaded onto the arm by occupying any one of the four different predetermined angular positions of the support around the axis 20 relative to the arm. these positions being separated from each other by a quarter turn. The stack of supports is in axial support against the shoulder formed at the junction of the rod 12 and the arm 20 which extends. Other modes of construction are possible

Each support 22 comprises protrusions forming here respective fibers, which are in this case of two types and which respectively denote as bristles 34 and teeth 36. In the present example, each support 22 comprises thirteen fibers, divided into ten identical bristles 34 and three identical teeth 36. The bristles 34 and the teeth 36 have the same length here. In addition, each fiber extends here in a direction radial to the axis 20 and in a plane perpendicular to this axis. In this embodiment as in the following, the bristles 34 are more numerous and thinner than the teeth 36.

Each of the bristles 34 has a main trunk 32 of generally conical or frustoconical shape, the diameter of the cone narrowing as one moves away from the support 24. Each bristle 34 further comprises one or more branches 36, in the species two in number, on either side of the trunk, and extending from an area of the trunk 32 distant from the core 24, each in a direction tending to move away from the core 24 and towards two adjacent fibers. The two branches extend here so that the branches and the trunk are in the same plane perpendicular to the axis 20. Such a protuberance shape is sometimes referred to as a snowflake shape.

The teeth 36 are in this case constituted by a rectilinear cylindrical trunk with a circular section in a plane perpendicular to its longitudinal direction and whose free end is rounded in the form of a sphere portion.

In the present example, the fibers 34 and 36 are evenly distributed around the axis 20 when the support is observed in axial view as on the figure 5 . It follows that, if we consider the only geometric axes of each fiber in plan view, these axes are equidistant from each other about the axis 20 with respect to which they are radial.

In this case, the teeth 36 are not contiguous to each other and are separated from each other by several bristles 34, in this case at least three. In this example, we identify the position of the fibers as on the dial of a clock and are numbered in the direction of the needles from noon, 1 to 13. The bristles 34 occupy on the figure 5 locations at 13 °, 70 °, 98 °, 126 °, 182 °, 210 °, 236 °, 262 °, 317 ° and 345 °, respectively. The teeth 36 occupy positions located at 40 °, 153 ° and 290 °.

We have just detailed the arrangement of the fibers in plan view as on the figure 5 . We will now present their arrangement along the axis 20 as shown in figures 3 , 4 and 6 . The foot 40 denotes the end of each fiber through which it is connected to the core 24. figure 6 is a cylindrical or developed projection of the cores of a section of the brush formed by four successive supports 22. The feet of the bristles 34 have been illustrated by white circles and those of the teeth 36 by solid black squares. The axis 20 thus corresponds to the vertical direction in this figure while the horizontal direction corresponds to the circumference of each core 24.

On the figure 6 as on the following, there is shown for each support 22 a grid which comprises thirteen horizontal lines, one per fiber, not counting the end lines which correspond to the faces of the core 24. It also comprises thirteen vertical lines, one per fiber, without counting the line the more to the right, confused in fact with the one located the most left.

In this embodiment, all the fibers of the support are arranged so that the feet 40 form a regular succession around the axis 20. It is in this case a helical succession which, once developed as on the figure 6 , takes the form of a rectilinear succession inclined with respect to the vertical and horizontal directions. It is all the fibers 34, 36 of the support 22 which serve to define this helix. It follows that in each support, the fibers extend in respective planes perpendicular to the axis all different from each other. In particular, each vertical or horizontal line of the grid intercepts a single fiber.

Thus, a configuration such as the support 22 is obtained, among others when it is seen in plan as on the figure 5 , has no plane or axis of symmetry, for example, which is parallel to the axis 20 and in particular radial to the latter. In addition, there is no rotation, for example around the axis 20, non-multiple angle of 360 ° and such that the support 22 can be the image of itself by this rotation. In addition, the number of fibers, here equal to thirteen, is not divisible by the number of positions, here four, that the support can occupy on the arm about the axis. In this respect, it is useful to choose a number of fibers which is a prime number as is the case here.

The feet of the bristles 8 and 9 constitute ends of the propeller on the figure 4 and from the right on the figure 6 . This is the nearest hairs respectively to the axial end faces of the core 24. The helix and the succession end at each of these feet. The succession therefore has a break or a discontinuity when passing directly from one to the other of the two hairs concerned. These two hairs extend towards the reader on the figure 4 .

In addition, in this embodiment, the successive supports 22 of the brush occupy homologous positions along the axis 20. More precisely, each support 22 is the image of its immediate neighbor by an isometry consisting of a translation along the axis 20. In addition, the propellers of the supports 22 extend in continuity from one another to form a helix which extends over the entire length of the brush. The vertical lines of the grids are in the extension of each other.

The lower ends of the helices, the numbered bristles 8, are therefore aligned parallel to the axis 20. It is the same for their high ends 9. It is seen in particular on the figure 6 . More generally, in this embodiment, each leg of the support 22 is aligned with all corresponding feet (i.e., bearing the same number) of the other supports, so that on the leg Brush formed by the supports, is formed rows parallel to the axis 20 and having the same number of fibers. There are thus rows formed integrally of bristles 34 and rows formed integrally of bristles 36. Within each row, the fibers are regularly spaced apart from each other.

In this embodiment, the areas 44 densest fiber are formed by the helical successions of each support 22 while the less dense areas are formed by the spaces 42 formed between these successions. The dense areas are therefore relatively sparsely populated and the low density areas occupy a relatively large area on the brush.

It can be provided, as is the case here, that an end portion of the brush is formed otherwise than by a succession of supports 22, for example by means of a tip carrying bristles, made of a single injection piece, having a diameter narrowing towards the free end of the brush, and attached to the arm 21.

Second embodiment

A second embodiment of the assembly according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. figure 7 . It is distinguished from the previous only by the arrangement of the supports 22 relative to each other, these supports being identical to those of the first mode. Indeed, in this second mode, the supports 22 are arranged so that each support is offset by a quarter of a turn compared to that which precedes in the succession. In other words, each support is the image of the previous one by an isometry which is composed of a translation along the direction of the axis 20, over a length equal to that of the support, with a rotation around this axis , in this case a quarter turn. The direction and the angle of rotation are the same throughout the brush so that the brush has a periodicity equal to four supports 22 along its axis. In addition, the direction of rotation is the same as the direction of the helix of each support.

Unlike the previous one, the brush thus obtained does not consist of rows of fibers parallel to the axis and having the same number of fibers. Indeed, no fiber of one of the supports 22 is aligned with the fibers of the next support in the succession. It is also the same with the vertical lines of their grid. In addition, the positions located at 90 °, 180 °, 270 ° and 360 ° around the axis of the brush have been identified with straight lines in dotted lines.

In particular, as we see on the figure 7 , the upper end of the helix of one of the supports 22 is not followed immediately by the low end of the propeller of the next support, creating a space in a horizontal direction. This creates also open areas 42 able to form product reserves. On the other hand, zones 44 are created that are relatively dense in fibers between the successive helices in the axial direction.

With a brush according to the embodiment of the figure 7 , the result obtained in terms of makeup depends more strongly on the type of gesture made with the brush by the user than in the embodiment of the figure 6 .

Third embodiment

We illustrated at the figure 8 a third embodiment which differs from the preceding only in that the direction of rotation used for the offset of the supports 22 around the axis 20 relative to each other is contrary to the direction of the propeller defined by the feet of each support, the angle of rotation, 90 °, being unchanged. It follows that the upper end 9 of the helix of each support extends forward, with reference to the direction of rotation of the helix, with respect to the lower end of the helix of the support located immediately at the -above. It is noted here that the situation is the same as if we kept the direction of rotation of the previous embodiment by taking a rotation angle of 270 °.

We see in particular on the figure 8 that the subset of the three fibers numbered 11, 10 and 9 at the high end of the helix is very close in the axial direction of that of the three fibers numbered 8, 7 and 6 at the lower end of the helix of the next support.

A group of six fibers is thus formed which are relatively close to one another and whose feet form a parallelogram. This is a particularly dense area 44 or fiber packed and which is able to provide a pronounced effect of separation and combing eyelashes. We see that the four supports 22 of the figure 8 provide three zones 44 of this type in total. In this configuration, the brush, however, still includes large areas 42 free of fibers and thus forming product reserves.

Fourth embodiment

In the fourth embodiment of the figure 9 the supports 22 are different from those of the previous embodiments. Indeed, this time, the feet 40 define not one but two regular successions around the axis, each of these successions having two ends formed by two of the feet. Each end terminates the corresponding succession. In this case, the two successions each have a helix shape, the two propellers having not even and even direction of rotation. In addition, each foot is part of one of the estates. In this case, the support 22 has in plan view a configuration identical to that of the support 22 of the figure 5 described with reference to the first mode. Seven consecutive fibers around the axis form the first succession and the six others form the second. The first propeller has a low end formed by the hair 34 numbered 8 and an upper end formed by the tooth 36 numbered 2. The second helix has its lower end formed by the numbered hair 1 and its upper end formed by the hair 34 numbered 9 Thus, in the circumferential direction, the first succession ends before the second begins.

In addition, in this case, the lower ends 8 and 1 of the two helices extend in two planes perpendicular to the axis 22 which are adjacent to each other. It is the same for the following feet of each propeller two by two ,. Thus, it increases the chances for each eyelash to meet two or more fibers during the application of mascara. Indeed, it is common that the user performs the application by imparting a rotational movement to the brush about its axis 20, for example 120 °. Such an angle of rotation is sufficient for each eyelash to meet at least two fibers during its contact with the brush. In addition, thanks to the configuration of this brush, these two fibers may be two bristles 34, a tooth 36 and a hair 34 in this order or a hair 34 and a tooth 36 in this order.

Moreover, in the same way as in the embodiment of the figure 8 the supports 22 are arranged offset relative to one another by means of a rotation about the axis 20 of a quarter turn in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation of the two propellers of each support. With these opposite directions of rotation, the upper end of the helix formed by seven adjacent fibers with the low end of the helix formed by six fibers on the next support, so that the brush has relatively dense areas 44 fiber and areas 42 low density.

Fifth embodiment

A fifth embodiment is illustrated at figure 10 identical in many respects to the previous one. In particular, the two successions are respective propellers with the same pitch and the same direction of rotation and the support 22 presents in plan view a configuration identical to that of the figure 5 . But it is no longer seven consecutive fibers around the axis that form the first succession and the six others that form the second. Indeed, starting from the lowest fiber, numbered 8, and traveling the support in the circumferential direction, the fibers are alternately part of the first and second propellers. The first helix is thus formed by the fibers numbered 8 (low end of the succession), 6, 4, 2, 13, 11 and 9 (high end of the succession) and the second by those numbered 7 (low end of the succession ), 5, 3, 1, 12 and 10 (upper end of the succession). The group of fibers forming the first helix extends below and opposite that forming the second helix with reference to the vertical axial direction. Each fiber is aligned with no other in the vertical and / or horizontal directions. It is therefore possible in particular to make the support 22 by molding with two mold parts relatively movable in the axial direction without encountering any problem of undercut.

Areas 44 are relatively dense in fibers and those 42 are not dense.

Sixth embodiment

A sixth embodiment is illustrated at figure 11 . Each support 22 still has a configuration identical to that of the figure 5 . However, the succession of all the feet of the support this time defines a broken zigzag line consisting of two consecutive rectilinear sections around the axis. The period of the line does not correspond to the perimeter of the face 30 of the core 24. The line also has two ends ending the succession and which form minima to the fibers numbered 8 and 9. It goes through a single maximum to the numbered fiber 2. The supports are new ones offset by a quarter turn around the axis. The contrast between the dense areas 44 and low density 42 is here particularly pronounced because of the fact that the maximum of each adjacent line with the minima of the line of the adjacent support. Apart from the maximum numbered 2, each fiber of a section extends on the same horizontal line as one of the other section. The two fibers therefore pass in the same place among the eyelashes during a rotational movement of the brush during makeup.

Seventh embodiment

A seventh embodiment is illustrated at figure 12 . Each support 22 still has a configuration identical to that of the figure 5 . However, the succession of all the feet of the support this time defines a curve that is similar to a sinusoid. The period of the latter corresponding not at the perimeter of the face 30 of the core 24, the sinusoid is incomplete. It thus presents as the previous successions two ends ending the succession. The sinusoid covers in this case a range from 0 to 270 °, these angles being those of the sine function and not those measured around the axis 20. The sinusoid begins with its minimum which forms the lower end and which is constituted by the hair 34 numbered 9. It passes through a maximum and a new minimum respectively formed by the bristles 34 numbered 13 and 5 respectively and ends with the end formed by the numbered hair 8.

In addition, the supports are arranged so that each support occupies a configuration returned or inverted with respect to the support which is contiguous thereto. In other words, each support is the image of the preceding in the succession by a rotation of 180 ° about an axis perpendicular to the axis 20 and extending in the plane forming the interface between the supports.

In addition, the axes of rotation or turning are not all parallel to each other. We illustrated at the figure 10 the configuration of the four successive supports by distinguishing four quadrants 1, 2, 3 and 4 on each support. Also included is the axis of rotation 50 associated with the two lowest supports in the succession. It passes through the axis of the tooth numbered 5. The axis of rotation 52 makes it possible to pass from the second to the third support and passes through the axis of the pile numbered 1. The axis of rotation 54 makes it possible to pass from the third to the fourth axis. support and passes through the axis of the tooth numbered 5.

The dense areas 44, situated between the sinusoidal portions facing each other, and the low-density zones 42, in the convex regions delimited by each sinusoid, are again well contrasted.

Moreover, as we see on the figure 10 some planes perpendicular to the axis 20 do not intercept any fiber. Other planes each intercept a single fiber, others intercept two and others three. These three fibers may be three bristles 34 or two teeth 36 and one bristle 34. In addition, in the embodiment of the figure 9 , the spacing between the fibers of the same plane, in the circumferential direction, was relatively regular and moreover relatively constant from one plane to another. That is not the case here. Thus some fibers of the same plane are relatively close to each other while others are very far apart. And when the plane includes three fibers, two are closer to each other than to the third. Thus, some sections of the brush along its axis are more conducive to product loading while others are more conducive to combing and separation of the eyelashes.

Eighth embodiment

The figure 13 illustrates an eighth embodiment. The supports 22 are identical to each other and have the configuration of the figure 5 with the exception of the two absent fibers as indicated below. The supports are the image of one another by an isometry formed of a translation and a rotation of a quarter of a turn, as on the figure 11 . All the fibers of each support form a curve such as a portion of sinusoid or a broken line. The curve is increasing so that the fibers are located farther and farther from the underside of the support as one travels the support in the circumferential direction. However, the fibers numbered 1 and 12 are missing, their location being left empty. Only the fibers numbered from 8 to 2 thus form a regular succession of which the fibers 8 and 2 are the ends ending this succession. The fibers numbered 13, 11, 10 and 9 are out of this succession. There are still dense areas 44 and low density 42.

In all these embodiments, the supports 22 are made by molding separately from each other.

In the present example, the teeth 36 have greater rigidity than the bristles 34 so that the bristles are more flexible than the teeth. The bristles may be made of a material having a shore hardness d of between 30 and 45 and the teeth 36 in a material having a shore hardness d of between 30 and 75, and for example equal to 45. It may be sufficient to provide a difference of 5 in terms of shore hardness d between the hairs and the teeth. We can also give them the same hardness.

The bristles 34 and the teeth 36 are here made of different materials. In this case, it is a thermoplastic elastomer polyester such as a Hytrel reference material marketed by Dupont.

The rotational movement that the user gives to the brush during makeup results in the eyelashes being treated sometimes by dense areas, sometimes by less dense areas, that is to say sometimes by areas promoting combing, sometimes by highly charged areas in product. In addition, they sometimes meet rigid fibers, sometimes flexible fibers.

Knowing that the geometry of a brush and its properties often only completely provide their advantages with certain types of product formulations, the invention makes it possible to increase the number of possible configurations for the brush and thus to more easily obtain the brush adapted to each type of formula.

The core 24 may have a height in the direction of the axis 20 between 0.5 and 5 millimeters and for example equal to 1 millimeter. The total diameter of the support is in this case equal to 7.5 millimeters. It can be understood for example between 5 and 15 millimeters.

Of course, we can bring to the invention many changes without departing from the scope thereof.

The arm and the orifice of each support 22 may be given a shape different from a square in a plane perpendicular to the axis. It can be a polygonal or crenellated form. In the case where the supports can occupy different predetermined angular positions around the axis, this number can be equal to 2, 3, 4 or 5 or greater. One can even give the arm and the orifice of each support 22 a circular shape in a plane perpendicular to the axis by providing between them an adjustment ensuring a frictional immobilization of the support 22 on the arm. In this case, one can choose the angular position of the support on the arm around the axis 20 among an infinity of possibilities. The same is true for the relative position of the successive supports 22. The cylindrical external face 30 of the core does not necessarily have a circular shape in a plane perpendicular to the axis 20. This shape can be polygonal, for example square, or elliptical.

It can be provided that at least one of the protuberances of the support extends in a plane that is not perpendicular to the axis 20.

It can be expected that the bristles 34 have greater rigidity than the teeth 36. More generally, the rigidity of a fiber can be provided by the choice of its section or that of the material that constitutes it. In this regard, it is found that fine and hard hairs have a good combing action of the eyelashes whereas large and flexible teeth, in comparison, load strongly in product.

Although examples have been described in which the number of teeth was equal to three, it is possible to vary this number and for example to take it equal to 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. Preferably, each support is provided with number of teeth less than the number of hairs. The latter is for example between 7 and 15.

Although this is not the case here, hair and teeth can be given different lengths.

It is possible to put on the arm supports 22 different from each other.

The succession formed by the protuberances can take for example a configuration of parabola, ellipse or staircase.

It may be provided to give different shades to the hair and teeth.

It can be provided that each support 22 carries at least three protuberances different from each other in at least one aspect: length, material, hardness, etc. It is also possible that all the protuberances of the support 22 are identical to each other.

An applicator may be provided in which, on each support, each protuberance extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis and at least two of the feet are located at respective positions along the axis different from each other. other, and this without a group of at least four consecutive feet of the support forms a regular succession around the axis with two feet of the group constituting two ends ending the succession.

Claims (16)

1. Applicator (10) for applying a product (4) to the eyelashes, comprising a wand (12) and a brush (14) comprising at least two independent supports (22) mounted on an arm (21) of the wand (12) and aligned along an axis (20) of the wand, each support carrying protuberances (34, 36) having respective feet (40), at least one group of four consecutive feet at least of each support forming a regular succession around the axis, two of the feet of the group forming two ends terminating the succession, the arm (21) and each support (22) being arranged so as to allow the support to be immobilised on the arm in a position to be chosen amongst at least two different predetermined relative angular positions about the axis, the applicator being characterised in that the number of protuberances (34, 36) of each support is not divisible by the number of different positions.
2. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein, in the or each succession, at least two of the feet (40) are located at respective positions along the axis (20) different from each other.
3. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in at least one of the groups, the feet (40) form a spiral.
4. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in at least one of the groups, the feet (40) form a sine wave.
5. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two supports or at least two adjacent supports (22) amongst the supports are the image of each other by a translation parallel to the axis (20).
6. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two supports or at least two adjacent supports (22) amongst the supports are the image of each other by the composition of a translation parallel to the axis (20) and a rotation about the axis through an angle which is not a multiple of 360°.
7. Applicator according to claims 3 and 6, wherein the rotation takes place through an angle of less than 180° and in the same direction as the or each spiral.
8. Applicator according to claims 3 and 6, wherein the rotation takes place through an angle of less than 180° and in a direction different from that of the or each spiral.
9. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two supports or at least two adjacent supports (22) amongst the supports are the image of each other by a rotation about an axis perpendicular to the axis (20) of the wand.
10. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein, in each support (22) or at least one of the supports, the number of groups forming a succession is greater than or equal to two, the groups forming for example spirals.
11. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein each protuberance (34, 36) of the or each group extends in a plane perpendicular to the axis.
12. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein each support (22) is configured so that it has no plane of symmetry parallel to the axis (20) and preferably no plane of symmetry.
13. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein each support (22) is configured so that there is no rotation about the axis (20) of an angle that is not a multiple of 360° such that the support is the image of itself by this rotation, each support (22) preferably being configured so that there is no rotation through an angle that is not a multiple of 360° such that the support is the image of itself by this rotation.
14. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein, on each support, there are at least four protuberances (34, 36), at least two (34) of the protuberances being identical to each other and different from at least two other (36) of the protuberances.
15. Applicator according to at least any one of the preceding claims, wherein, on each support, at least two (34, 36) of the protuberances are made from respective different materials, having in particular different hardnesses.
16. Assembly (2) to apply a product on the eyelashes, characterised in that it comprises a product container (6) and an applicator (10) according to at least any one of the preceding claims.

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