EP3236803B1

EP3236803B1 - Applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows

Info

Publication number: EP3236803B1
Application number: EP15817863.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Davide Manici; Audrey THENIN; Alain Berhault; Eric Caulier
Original assignee: LOreal SA
Current assignee: LOreal SA
Priority date: 2014-12-23
Filing date: 2015-12-23
Publication date: 2023-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-23
Also published as: CN107105871B; KR20200091487A; FR3030204A1; KR20170101949A; KR102255086B1; CN107105871A; JP2018500101A; EP3236803C0; EP3236803A1; WO2016102656A1; US20170360179A1; FR3030204B1; JP6531175B2; ES2953914T3

Description

The present invention relates to applicators for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to human keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, in particular mascara, and to packaging and application devices having a container containing the product to be applied and the applicator.
In a manner known per se, these applicators have a stem and an applicator member at the end thereof. The stem can extend along a rectilinear or non-rectilinear longitudinal axis. The applicator member may have a core that extends along a rectilinear or non-rectilinear longitudinal axis, and may extend in line with the stem or form an elbow therewith. These configurations provide the user with different holds and possible uses, making it possible to vary the makeup effects.
Patent US 3 343 551 and application WO 99/22782 disclose applicators that have an elbow between an applicator member and a stem extending along a rectilinear longitudinal axis.
Application FR 2 738 466 describes an applicator having a curved stem and an applicator member extending along a rectilinear longitudinal axis, in line with the curvature of the stem, or forming an elbow therewith.
Applications EP 1 752 066 and EP 2 084 987 disclose applicators with both rectilinear stem and applicator member.
Application JP 2008 044860 discloses a mascara applicator member comprising hollow short fibers.
Applications FR 2 831 033 and JP 58 88912 disclose applicators having a stem that extends along a longitudinal axis and a curved applicator member.
Application WO 2010/125188 describes a mascara applicator comprising a rectilinear stem and a rectilinear application member which does not lie on the same axis than the one of the stem, an oblique rectilinear portion bonding them.
JP H05 1411 U and JP 2006 271477 disclose further applicators.
There is a need to further improve applicators for applying a product to human keratin fibres, in order to improve the performance thereof and more particularly to allow an effective hold and to provide an ergonomic applicator, so as to encourage easy application of makeup and giving the user various possible effects.
The invention aims to meet this objective and the subject thereof, according to one of its aspects, is an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to human keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, according to the claim 1. Further embodiments are provided in the dependent claims.
The stem is thus advantageously curved on the distal side in a particular curvature direction with respect to said longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion, the applicator member extending in an opposite direction to this direction of curvature.
The stem can thus form an elbow at the point at which it is attached to the applicator member. This elbow forms a clearance between the stem and the applicator member, giving an ergonomic shape and an advantageous geometry to the applicator. It is thus easy and intuitive to use it to apply the product.
The invention offers the user simple management of the makeup effect, since they can hold the applicator in various ways depending on the region of application of the product. They can in particular reach the eyelashes situated at the external and internal corners of the eye, without being hampered by the stem coming into contact with their cheek, as with some known applicators.
The applicator according to the invention additionally allows very different makeup application angles compared with known applicators.
Finally, the load of product on the applicator can also help in the making up of the small eyelashes at the corner of the eye, since the application elements carried by the core at the proximal and distal ends of the applicator member can be wiped more that those situated mid-way along the applicator member.
The expression "longitudinal axis of an element" denotes the line connecting all of the centres of mass of the cross sections of the element extending along said axis. The longitudinal axis may be a central axis, or even an axis of symmetry for said element, in particular when the latter has a circular cross section or a cross section in the overall shape of a regular polygon. The longitudinal axis may be contained in a plane, which may be a plane of symmetry for some or even for all of the cross sections of said element.

Stem and applicator member

Preferably, the rectilinear portion of the stem extends along at least half the length thereof, in particular along at least two thirds of the length thereof.
The curved portion of the stem may extend along an arc of a circle having a constant radius of curvature. In one variant, the curved portion of the stem extends along an arc of a circle with a variable radius of curvature.
The cross section of the curved portion of the stem may narrow, along at least a part of the length thereof, in the direction of the distal end of the stem.
The distance between the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem and the longitudinal axis of the curved portion of the stem advantageously reaches a maximum at the point at which the applicator member is attached to the stem. This maximum may be between 1.5 mm and 5.5 mm, better still between 2.65 mm and 4.5 mm.
The distance between the longitudinal axis of the core and the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem advantageously passes through a minimum at a point of the core that is situated at a distance from the proximal and distal ends thereof, in particular between one third and two thirds of the length of the core, and then increases preferably in the direction of the distal end of the core, in particular until the maximum of the distance between the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem and the longitudinal axis of the curved portion of the stem is reached.
The core of the applicator member advantageously extends along a different longitudinal axis from the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem and from the longitudinal axis of the curved portion of the stem.
In a preferred embodiment, the longitudinal axis of the core of the applicator member is curvilinear, extending in particular along at least a part of its length along an arc of a circle having a constant radius of curvature. In one variant, the longitudinal axis of the core of the applicator member extends, along at least a part of its length, along an arc of a circle with a variable radius of curvature.
The user can position the recessed part of the applicator member towards the eye in order to apply the product to the eyelashes. The core advantageously extends along a longitudinal axis which forms, at at least one point along its length, a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem.
In one variant, the core of the applicator member extends along a rectilinear longitudinal axis.
When the longitudinal axis of the core of the applicator member is curvilinear, the ratio |R_1-R₂|/R₁ of the difference in absolute value between the radius of curvature R₁ of the curved portion of the stem and that R₂ of the core to the radius of curvature of the curved portion of the stem is between 0.1 and 3, better still between 0.2 and 1.6. The radii of curvature of the curved portions of the stem and of the core of the applicator member are preferably substantially the same.
A tangent to the core of the applicator member may be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem.
The angular offset between the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem and a straight line that passes on the one hand through the distal end of the stem and on the other hand intersects this axis at the location at which the stem starts to curve, may be between 5° and 55°, better still between 10° and 45°.
The distal end of the core and the distal end of the stem may be situated on one and the same straight line parallel to the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem.
The core may extend on the same side of the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem as the distal end of the stem.
The distal end of the core may be off-centre with respect to the proximal end of the stem.

Core and application elements

The applicator member advantageously has application elements that are carried by the core and are disposed all around the latter in a plurality of longitudinal rows.
The expression "application element" denotes an individualizable projecting element intended to come into engagement with the human keratin fibres.
These application elements can be spikes, blades or arches.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the core of the applicator member has a cross section, taken perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, with a triangular overall shape. In variants, the core has a cross section with a different shape, in particular a circular shape. The largest transverse dimension of the core may be between 1.6 mm and 5 mm.
The core may have three faces, a first face carrying at least one longitudinal row of application elements, and second and third faces each carrying at least one longitudinal row of application elements, in particular two rows, the core carrying for example an additional longitudinal row of application elements which is situated on a ridge between the second and third faces.
The axis of each longitudinal row is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core.
The number of longitudinal rows may be even. There may be at least six longitudinal rows of application elements in total.
The first face of the core may carry at least two longitudinal outer rows of application elements enclosing a longitudinal central row of application elements which is in particular offset axially with respect to said two outer rows. The expression "axially offset longitudinal row" should be understood as meaning that the application elements of the same rank in the outer rows do not occupy the same position along the longitudinal axis of the core as those in the central row.
The application elements in the two outer rows may be spikes having a semi-conical shape, and those in the central row may be spikes having a pyramid shape.
The application elements on the second and third faces of the core and on the ridge between the latter may be spikes with a conical shape.
In one variant, the first face of the core carries a single longitudinal row of application elements in the form of blades, each extending in particular transversely to the longitudinal axis of the core.
These application elements in the form of blades may have reinforcements on their sides extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core.
In one variant, the core may carry application elements in the form of blades that extend through more than half a turn about its longitudinal axis, for example a complete turn, and form rings.
In variants, some or all of the application elements are spikes having any other shape, in particular a cylindrical or tapered, frustoconical or pyramid shape, in particular having a hexagonal base. In a further variant, some or all of the application elements are spikes that have, in front view, a non-symmetrical shape and an outwardly convex edge, narrow over at least a part of their height away from the core and have a width that decreases towards said convex edge.
The cross section of the application elements, in particular of the spikes, may have a substantially circular, semi-circular (referred to as a half moon), elliptical or semielliptical shape, or may also be, for example, polygonal, in particular hexagonal.
At least one application element may be terminated by a rounded, in particular hemispherical, free end, the radius of curvature of which may be between 0.04 mm and 0.2 mm
The abovementioned spikes on the second and third faces of the core and on the ridge between the latter may be disposed around the longitudinal axis of the core in circumferential rows of application elements, two consecutive circumferential rows along the longitudinal axis of the core being offset angularly by a non-zero angle, in particular equal to half the angular pitch between the application elements of a circumferential row.
The spacing between the application elements in the longitudinal rows on the second and third faces and on the ridge between the latter may be greater than the spacing between the application elements in the longitudinal rows on the first face, in particular twice as great. The expression "spacing between the application elements in a longitudinal row" should be understood as meaning the spacing between two application elements of ranks n and n+1, measured along the longitudinal axis of the row, between the two respective median planes of the two application elements.
Within one and the same longitudinal row, the spacing between two application elements, in particular two spikes, of ranks n and n+1, may be between 0.25 mm and 3 mm, better still between 0.65 mm and 2.2 mm.
The disposition and the shape of the application elements along the faces of the core of the applicator member provide the user with different makeup effects depending on the faces used. The user can use the first face to load the eyelashes with product, and the rest of the applicator member to separate and curl the eyelashes.
At least one application element may extend from the core along an elongation axis locally perpendicular to the surface of the core at the point at which the application element is attached to the core. Preferably, the application elements each extend from the core along an elongation axis locally perpendicular to the surface of the core at the point at which the application elements are attached to the core. This elongation axis may be radial.
In a variant, the elongation axis of the application elements forms an angle other than 90° with the surface of the core at the point at which the application elements are attached to the core.
The height of the application elements may vary from one longitudinal row to another. When the first face of the core carries at least two longitudinal outer rows of application elements enclosing a longitudinal central row of application elements, the height of the application elements in the longitudinal rows on the first face may be greater than that of the application elements in the longitudinal rows on the second and third faces and on the ridge between the latter. When the first face of the core carries a single longitudinal row of application elements in the form of blades, the height of these application elements is smaller than that of the application elements in the longitudinal rows on the second and third faces and on the ridge between the latter. In one variant, the application elements are all the same height from one longitudinal row to another.
The height of at least one application element, better still each application element or the majority of application elements, may be between 0.15 mm and 3.75 mm, better still between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm. The expression "height of an application element" denotes the distance measured along the elongation axis of the application element between its free end and its base by way of which it is attached to the core.
The height of the application elements may be constant along the longitudinal axis of the core. In one variant, the height of the application elements varies, for example in a monotonous manner, along the longitudinal axis of the core. Within one longitudinal row, the height of the application elements can decrease in the direction of the distal end of the core, in particular along at least half the visible length of the applicator member.
The application elements may have a width of between 0.15 mm and 1.2 mm, better still between 0.35 mm and 0.85 mm. The expression "width of an application element" denotes the largest transverse dimension of the application element, in section, along the longitudinal axis of the core.
When the first face of the core carries a single longitudinal row of application elements in the form of blades, these application elements may have a length, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the core, of between 0.5 mm and 4 mm, better still between 1 mm and 3.5 mm.
The free ends of the application elements of the applicator member define an envelope surface of the applicator member, which has for example the overall shape of a crescent moon in side view.
The envelope surface of the applicator member may have a largest transverse dimension that is substantially constant along at least a part of the length of the applicator member, in particular along more than half the part of the core that carries the application elements.
The core and the application elements can be moulded from one and the same material, or in a variant they can be made from at least two different materials.
The core and/or the application elements are preferably made of a thermoplastic material, in particular from an elastomeric thermoplastic material.
In one variant, the applicator member is a brush with a twisted core. In this case, the core of the applicator member may have at least two arms of a wire that is folded on itself, said arms being twisted together, defining turns, and bristles can be held between the turns of the core.

Applicator

The stem may be fixed at a second end to a gripping member.
The applicator member may be moulded, being produced in particular by biinjection-moulding or mono-injection-moulding with the stem.
The applicator member may be fixed to the stem by force-fitting, fitting in a cold state or fitting in a hot state, overmoulding, pressing, crimping, screw-fastening, in particular when the applicator member is a brush with a twisted core, the core preferably being inserted into a pre-existing housing in the stem after it has been manufactured. In variants, the applicator member is fixed to the stem by snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding, stapling, for example by an end piece of the applicator member being mounted in a housing in the stem. In a further variant, the stem is received in a housing provided in the core.
The core of the applicator member may be solid, being for example moulded with an end piece for fixing to the stem of the applicator.
The application elements may be made of a material that is more or less rigid than a material used to produce the stem of the applicator to which the core is attached.
The stem may have a first, rigid portion that is extended on the distal side by a second, more flexible portion, for example made of elastomer, that carries the applicator member.
The visible length of the applicator member may be between 14 mm and 35 mm, better still between 19 mm and 28 mm.
The applicator may have between 50 and 680 application elements, better still between 70 and 420 application elements.

Application device

A further subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to human keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator according to the invention and a container containing the product to be applied.
The gripping member of the applicator may constitute a cap for closing the container.
The container preferably has a wiping member suitable for wiping the stem and the applicator member, having a wiping lip.
The product is preferably a mascara.
The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of a non-limiting implementation example thereof, and with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view, in partial longitudinal section, of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention,
Figure 2 shows a perspective side view of the applicator member and the stem of the device from Figure 1 on their own,
Figure 3 shows a perspective front view of the applicator member and the stem of the device from Figure 1 on their own,
Figure 4 shows a perspective top view of the applicator member and the stem of the device from Figure 1 on their own,
Figure 5 shows a perspective bottom view of the applicator member and the stem of the device from Figure 1 on their own,
Figure 5A shows a detail of the applicator member from Figure 5, and
Figure 6 shows a perspective side view of a variant embodiment of an applicator member according to the invention, on its own.

Figure 1 shows a packaging and application device 1 produced in accordance with the invention, having an applicator 2 and an associated container 3 containing a product P to be applied to human keratin fibres, in particular to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, for example mascara or a care product.
The container 3 has, in the example in question, a threaded neck 4 and the applicator 2 has a closure cap 5 designed to be fixed on the neck 4 so as to close the container 3 in a sealed manner when it is not in use, the closure cap 5 also forming a gripping member for the applicator 2.
The latter has a stem 7, which is attached at its proximal end 12 to the closure cap 5 and, at its distal end 11, to an applicator member 8, having a core 10 that extends along a longitudinal axis X, which is central in the example described.
The container 3 also has a wiping member 6, inserted into the neck 4.
This wiping member 6, which may be of any suitable type, has, in the example in question, a lip designed to wipe the stem 7 and the applicator member 8 when the applicator 2 is withdrawn from the container 3. The lip defines a wiping orifice 6a having a diameter adapted to that of the stem 7. The wiping member 6 may be made of elastomer. The wiping orifice 6a has for example a circular shape.
In the example illustrated, the stem 7 has a circular cross section, but if the stem 7 has some other section, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention, it then being possible to fix the cap 5 on the container 3 in some other way than by screwing, if necessary. The wiping member 6 is adapted to the shape of the stem 7 and to that of the applicator member 8, if appropriate.
Preferably, and as in the example in question, the stem 7 has a rectilinear portion 7a that extends along a rectilinear longitudinal axis Y along about two thirds of the length of the stem, and a curved portion 7b that extends along a curvilinear longitudinal axis Z.
As shown in particular in Figure 2, the distance d_t between the longitudinal axis Y of the rectilinear portion 7a of the stem 7 and the longitudinal axis Z of the curved portion 7b of the stem 7, measured perpendicularly to said axis Y, increases advantageously in the direction of the distal end 11 of the stem 7, reaching a maximum D_t at the point at which the applicator member 8 is attached to the stem 7, in particular between 1.5 mm and 5.5 mm, better still between 2.65 mm and 4.5 mm.
Preferably, and as in the example in question, the distance d_o between the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 of the applicator member 8 and the longitudinal axis Y of the rectilinear portion 7a of the stem 7, measured perpendicularly to said axis Y, decreases by going away from the distal end 11 of the stem 7, along a part of the length of the applicator member 8.
The stem 7 thus advantageously forms an elbow at its distal end 11.
Preferably, and as in the example described, the curved portion 7b of the stem 7 extends along an arc of a circle having a constant radius of curvature R₁.
The cross section of the curved portion 7b of the stem 7 narrows advantageously in the direction of the distal end 11 of the stem 7, as can be seen in Figure 2.
The longitudinal axis Y of the rectilinear portion 7a of the stem 7 may be coincident with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in position thereon.
If need be, the stem 7 may have an annular narrowing at its portion that is positioned opposite the lip of the wiping member 6, so as not to mechanically stress the latter unduly during storage.
The applicator member 8 may be moulded, being produced for example by biinjection-moulding or mono-injection-moulding with the stem 7.
The applicator member 8 may have an end piece 9 for fixing it in a corresponding housing of the stem 7.
The applicator member 8 may be fixed in this housing of the stem 7 by any means, and in particular by force-fitting, snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding, stapling or crimping.
Preferably, and as in the example in question, the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 of the applicator member 8 is curvilinear, as can be seen in Figure 2, extending along an arc of a circle having a constant radius of curvature R₂. The radii of curvature R₁ and R₂ of the curved portion of the stem and of the core of the applicator member are substantially the same in the example described.
Preferably, and as in the example in question, the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 forms a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis Y.
As can be seen in particular in Figure 2, the distance d_o between the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 and the longitudinal axis Y of the rectilinear portion 7a of the stem 7 advantageously passes through a minimum D_o at a point of the core 10 that is situated at a distance from its proximal 14 and distal 13 ends, mid-way along its length in the example in question, and then increases in the direction of the distal end 13 of the core 10, for example until the maximum D_t is reached again.
A tangent T to the core 10 of the applicator member 8 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis Y of the rectilinear portion 7a of the stem 7, in particular the tangent to the domed part 8a of the applicator member 8 when the latter is curved, as illustrated in Figure 2.
The angular offset γ between the longitudinal axis Y of the rectilinear portion 7a of the stem 7 and a straight line D that passes through the distal end 11 of the stem 7 and this axis Y, at the location 7c at which the stem 7 starts to curve, may be between 5° and 55°, better still between 10° and 45°.
The distal end 13 of the core 10 and the distal end 11 of the stem 7 are situated, in the example described and as shown in Figure 2, on a straight line D_p that is parallel to the longitudinal axis Y of the rectilinear portion 7a of the stem 7.
The core 10 may extend on the same side of the longitudinal axis Y as the distal end 11 of the stem 7, as can be seen in particular in Figure 2.
As shown in Figure 2, the distal end 13 of the core 10 may be off-centre with respect to the proximal end 12 of the stem 7.
In the example in Figures 1 to 5A, the core 10 carries application elements in the form of spikes 18, 16, 15 and/or 19 extending from the core 10 and all around the latter in a plurality of longitudinal rows. The axis of each longitudinal row of application elements is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.
The visible length H of the applicator member 8 is for example equal to 26.5 mm.
In the example illustrated, the application elements 18, 16, 15 and 19 each extend from the core 10 along an elongation axis W perpendicular to the surface of the core, at the point at which the application elements are attached to the core 10.
As can be seen in particular in Figure 3, the core 10 of the applicator member 8 has, in the example in question, a cross section, taken perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis X, with a triangular overall shape, the core 10 having three faces 21, 22, 23.
The first face 21 may carry three parallel longitudinal rows 31, 32, 33 of application elements 16, 15, two longitudinal outer rows 31, 33 of which enclose a longitudinal central row 32 which is offset axially with respect to said two outer rows 31, 32, as can be seen particularly in Figure 5.
As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the second and third faces 22, 23 of the core 10 may each carry two longitudinal rows 34, 35, 37, 38 of application elements 18, the core 10 carrying an additional longitudinal row 36 of application elements 18 which is situated on a ridge 24 between the second and third faces 22, 23.
As can be seen in Figure 4, the application elements 18 on the second and third faces 22, 23 of the core 10 and on the ridge 24 between the latter may be disposed around the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 in circumferential rows of application elements 18, two consecutive circumferential rows 41, 42 along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 preferably being offset angularly by a non-zero angle, in particular equal to half the angular pitch between the application elements 18 of a circumferential row 41.
The application elements 18, 16 and 15 may have various shapes. In the example in question, and as can be seen in particular in Figures 4 and 5A, the application elements 18 belonging to the second and third faces 22, 23 and to the ridge 24 have a conical shape, the application elements 16 belonging to the outer rows 31, 33 on the first face 21 have a semi-conical shape, and the application elements 15 belonging to the central row 32 on the first face 21 have a pyramid shape.
The spacing S_p1 between the application elements 18 in the longitudinal rows on the second and third faces 22, 23 and on the ridge 24 between the latter is greater, in the example in question, than the spacing S_p2 between the application elements 16, 15 in the longitudinal rows on the first face 21, in particular twice as great.
The height of the application elements 16, 15 in the longitudinal rows 31, 32, 33 on the first face 21 is greater, in the example described, than that of the application elements 18 in the longitudinal rows 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 on the second and third faces 22, 23 and on the ridge 24 between the latter, as can be seen in Figure 3. In one variant that is not illustrated, the application elements 18, 16 and 15 are all the same height from one longitudinal row to another.
In the example in question, the height of the application elements 18, 16 and 15 is constant along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, within each longitudinal row. In one variant that is not illustrated, the height of the application elements 18, 16 and 15 varies along the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.
The height of the application elements 18, 16 and 15 may be between 0.5 mm and 2.5 mm.
In the variant shown in Figure 6, the first face 21 of the core 10 carries a longitudinal row 39 of application elements 19 in the form of blades, each extending transversely to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.
These application elements 19 have, in the example described, reinforcements 19a on their sides extending transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis X.
The height of these application elements 19 it is advantageously less than that of the application elements 18 in the longitudinal rows 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 on the second and third faces 22, 23 and on the ridge 24 between the latter.
In the examples in question, the free ends 28 of the application elements 18, 16, 15 and/or 19 define an envelope surface S of the applicator member 8, having a longitudinal axis that is coincident with the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, is not symmetrical about said axis X and has the overall shape of a crescent moon, in side view as in Figure 2.
The application elements 18, 16, 15 and/or 19 are made, in the example in question, in one piece with the core 10 by moulding thermoplastic material.
In order to mould the applicator member 8, use can be made of any thermoplastic material which is or is not relatively rigid, for example SEBS, a silicone, latex, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA or PMMA. It is also possible to use a ceramic, for example based on alumina, a resin, for example of the urea-formaldehyde type, and possibly a material containing graphite as filler. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Teflon^®, Hytrel^®, Cariflex^®, Alixine^®, Santoprene^®, Pebax^® and Pollobas^®, this list not being limiting.
In one variant that is not shown, the applicator member 8 is a brush with a twisted core. In this case, the core 10 of the applicator member 8 may have at least two arms of a wire that is folded on itself, said arms being twisted together, defining turns, and bristles can be held between the turns of the core 10.
In order to use the device 1, the user unscrews the closure cap 5 and withdraws the applicator member 8 from the container 3. The user can use the first face 21 to load the eyelashes and/or eyebrows with product P, and the rest of the applicator member 8 to separate and curl the eyelashes and/or eyebrows. By virtue of the elbow that exists between the stem 7 and the applicator member 8, the user can in particular reach the eyelashes situated at the external and internal corners of the eye, without being hampered by the stem 7 touching their cheek.
Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments that have just been described.
The applicator member 8 may be able to vibrate, that is to say it is possible to apply vibrations thereto during application, combing or picking up of the product P, for example as described in application WO 2006/090343 .
In a further variant, the applicator member 8 may be heated, that is to say have a heating element for heating the keratin fibres, the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, and/or the application elements 18, 16, 15 and/or 19 and/or the core 10 of the applicator member 8.
The applicator member 8 may comprise any bactericidal agent such as silver salts, copper salts, preservatives and at least one preservative for the product P.
The core 10 and/or the application elements 18, 16, 15 and/or 19 may, furthermore, comprise particles, for example a filler, in particular a compound which is magnetic, bacteriostatic or absorbs moisture, or else a compound intended to produce roughness on the surface of the application elements 18, 16, 15 and/or 19 or to help the eyelashes and/or eyebrows to slide on the application elements. At least one of the core 10 and an application element 18, 16, 15 or 19 may be flocked, or undergo any heat or mechanical treatment.
The expression "having a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", and "between" is understood as including the limits, unless specified to the contrary.

Claims

Applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product (P) to human keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having a stem (7) and, at the distal end (11) thereof, an applicator member (8) having a core (10) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X),
wherein the stem (7) has a rectilinear portion (7a) that extends along a rectilinear longitudinal axis (Y) and a curved portion (7b) that extends along a curvilinear longitudinal axis (Z),

the distance (d_t ) between the longitudinal axis (Y) of the rectilinear portion (7a) of the stem (7) and the longitudinal axis (Z) of the curved portion (7b) of the stem (7), measured perpendicularly to said axis (Y), increasing in the direction of the distal end (11) of the stem (7), along at least a part of the length of the curved portion (7b), and

the distance (d_o ) between the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10) and the longitudinal axis (Y) of the rectilinear portion (7a) of the stem (7), measured perpendicularly to said axis (Y), decreasing by going away from the distal end (11) of the stem (7), along at least a part of the length of the applicator member (8), characterised by

the distance between the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10) and the longitudinal axis (Y) of the rectilinear portion (7a) of the stem (7) passing through a minimum (D_o ) at a point of the core (10) that is situated at a distance from the proximal (14) and distal (13) ends thereof.
Applicator according to Claim 1, wherein the rectilinear portion (7a) of the stem (7) extends along at least half the length thereof, in particular along at least two thirds of the length thereof.
Applicator according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the curved portion (7b) of the stem (7) extends along an arc of a circle having a constant radius of curvature (R₁).
Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the cross section of the curved portion (7b) of the stem (7) narrows, along at least a part of the length thereof, in the direction of the distal end (11) of the stem (7).
Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance (d_t ) between the longitudinal axis (Y) of the rectilinear portion (7a) of the stem (7) and the longitudinal axis (Z) of the curved portion (7b) of the stem (7) reaches a maximum (D_t) at the point at which the applicator member (8) is attached to the stem (7), this maximum distance being in particular between 1.5 mm and 5.5 mm, better still between 2.65 mm and 4.5 mm.
Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10) and the longitudinal axis (Y) of the rectilinear portion (7a) of the stem (7) passes through a minimum (D_o ) at a point of the core (10) that is situated between one third and two thirds of the length of the core (10), and then preferably increases in the direction of the distal end (13) of the core (10).
Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10) is curvilinear, extending in particular along at least a part of its length along an arc of a circle having a constant radius of curvature (R₂).
Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the ratio (|R₁-R₂|/R₁) of the difference in absolute value between the radius of curvature (R₁) of the curved portion (7b) of the stem (7) and that (R₂) of the core (10) to the radius of curvature (R₁) of the curved portion (7b) of the stem (7) is between 0.1 and 3, better still between 0.2 and 1.6.
Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (10) extends on the same side of the longitudinal axis (Y) of the rectilinear portion (7a) of the stem (7) as the distal end (11) of the stem (7).
Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distal end (13) of the core (10) is off-centre with respect to the proximal end (12) of the stem (7).
Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the applicator member (8) has application elements (18, 16, 15, 19) that are carried by the core (10) and are disposed all around the latter in a plurality of longitudinal rows (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39).
Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (10) has three faces (21, 22, 23), a first face (21) carrying at least one longitudinal row (31, 32, 33, 39) of application elements (16, 15, 19), and second and third faces (22, 23) each carrying at least one longitudinal row (34, 35, 37, 38) of application elements (18), in particular two rows, the core (10) carrying in particular an additional longitudinal row (36) of application elements (18) which is situated on a ridge (24) between the second and third faces (22, 23).
Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the first face (21) of the core (10) carries two longitudinal outer rows (31, 33) of application elements (16) enclosing a longitudinal central row (32) of application elements (15) which is offset axially with respect to said two outer rows (31, 33), the application elements (16) in the two outer rows (31, 33) having in particular a semi-conical shape, and the application elements (15) in the central row (32) having in particular a pyramid shape.
Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein the first face (21) of the core (10) carries a longitudinal row (39) of application elements (19) in the form of blades, each extending in particular transversely to the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10).
Device (1) for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product (P) to human keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims and a container (3) containing the product (P).