FR2866215A1 - COSMETIC APPLICATOR - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a product (V), in particular to the nails, comprising: a bundle of bristles comprising at least two kinds of bristles and / or bristles of non-circular cross-section and / or non-bristles; rectilinear, - a rod supporting the bundle of bristles, - a sheath forming with the rod, over at least a portion of its length, a space for constituting a reserve of product.

Description

2866215 1

  The present invention relates to cosmetic applicators.

  Various applicators for the application of a product to the nails, comprising a mixture of bristles, have been proposed. European patent application EP-A-0 556 081 describes a brush for applying a nail polish comprising a mixture of bristles of different diameters. Also known from European patent application EP-A-0 651 955, a brush for applying a nail polish, comprising two kinds of bristles having different mechanical properties, so as to form relatively large spaces between the bristles.

  Moreover, US Pat. No. 4,841,996 describes an applicator device for a liquid product, in particular nail polish, comprising reserve means capable of storing product in order to feed the bristles of the brush when the latter is removed from the body. container containing the product.

  There is a need to further improve the performance of an applicator for the application of a product on a region of the body or face, particularly on the nails, and the invention aims in particular to meet this need.

  According to one of its aspects, the present invention relates to an applicator for applying a product, particularly to the nails, comprising: a bundle of bristles comprising at least two kinds of bristles and / or bristles of non-circular cross-section and / or non-rectilinear hairs, in particular wavy hairs, a rod supporting the bundle of bristles, a sheath arranging with the rod over at least a part of its length a space making it possible to constitute a reserve of product.

  By at least two kinds of bristles are meant bristles which may differ in composition and / or size and / or shape, in particular their longitudinal profile and / or their cross-section.

  The presence of at least two kinds of bristles and / or bristles of non-circular section in the bristle bundle can increase the capillary retention force of the bristle bundle, compared to a bundle of bristles that would be constituted with only the same kind ordinary hairs of circular section.

  Thanks to the invention, the autonomy of the applicator can be increased without this being done to the detriment of the quality of application, due to the presence of a part of the stock of product formed by the space provided between at least the sheath and the stem and the presence on the other hand of at least two kinds of bristles and / or bristles of non-circular section in the bundle of bristles. The latter can avoid, thanks to its capillary retention capacity, that the product contained in the space formed between the sheath and the stem does not flow too quickly to the area to be treated.

  The invention thus makes it possible to regulate the restitution of the product stored by the applicator and to increase the autonomy while retaining the possibility of producing quality makeup.

  The composition of the hair bundle may depend on the rheology of the product.

  The use of a mixture of bristles may make it possible to adapt the applicator relatively easily to the rheology of the product, for example by adjusting the relative proportion of each kind of bristles in the bundle.

  The invention can allow, if necessary, to use less viscous formulas without fearing too much product flow, thanks to the capillary retention provided by the bundle of bristles.

  At least two kinds of bristles of the bundle may each have a number of bristles which represents for example at least 2%, better 5%, of the total number of hairs of the applicator, or even at least 10%, 20%, 30% or 40%. Where appropriate, the applicator may comprise two kinds of bristles in substantially equal proportions.

  The bundle of bristles may comprise, for example, at least two kinds of bristles whose properties are such that it creates an abundance of the bundle and that this forms multiple intervals between the bristles, where the product is likely to be retained by capillarity .

  The bundle of bristles may comprise at least two bristles having different dimensions, in particular different lengths and / or different sections. The relative difference in section and / or length between the hairs can reach more than 10%, or even more than 20% or 30%, for example. The longer hairs may for example have a length greater than 10% greater than that of the shortest hairs. The larger hairs may have a larger transverse dimension, for example a diameter, more than 15% greater than that of the finer hairs.

  The bundle of bristles may comprise at least one corrugated hair and one straight hair.

  The beam may also comprise corrugated hairs of different periodic patterns. The expression "periodic pattern" designates a part of the hair which reproduces substantially, periodically, along the hair. A periodic pattern exhibiting at least one undulation can be determined by three components, namely its shape, for example sinusoidal or sawtooth, its amplitude, that is to say its overall dimensions measured in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal general direction. hair, and its spatial frequency, that is to say the number of patterns reproduced per unit length of hair. The same pattern can be repeated several times over the entire length of the hair. A pile may have a single pattern or less of a single pattern.

  A periodic pattern of a hair may comprise at least one undulation and / or at least one load and / or at least one cross-sectional variation of the pile and / or a notch and / or other reliefs.

  The bundle of bristles may comprise, for example, wavy hairs having different patterns and / or frequencies.

  The hair bundle may comprise at least one hair having properties promoting sliding.

  The sheath can save with the rod only or with the bristles and the stem, the space to store the product. The space between the sheath and the rod can be arranged in such a way that the product tends to be held in this space by capillarity. Where appropriate, the space may be, at least in places, relatively wide, with an interval of more than 2 mm for example between the inner surface of the sheath and the portion of the rod or the bundle of bristles opposite.

  Preferably, the sheath has at least one lateral opening communicating with the space between the sheath and the rod, so as to allow the entry of product and / or the entry and exit of air into this space, which facilitates the filling of the product space and the product flow out of the space towards the bristles. This lateral opening advantageously has a section greater than 5 mm 2, better 9 mm 2, better still 16 mm 2, or even 20 mm 2 or 25 mm 2.

  The sheath can be rigid or flexible. The sheath may in particular be made of a material different from that of the rod. Alternatively, the sheath can be made of the same material.

  The sheath may comprise an inner surface and / or a totally smooth outer surface, at least over a portion of its length. The sheath may in particular be internally devoid of bead or annular groove. The sheath may for example be internally smooth and the rod have reliefs such as streaks or other asperities. Alternatively, the inner surface of the sheath may include reliefs such as for example streaks.

  The sheath can be attached to the shaft by stapling or otherwise. The sheath can for example be glued or welded to the rod. The sheath can still be retained by friction and / or snap on the rod. The sheath can be made monolithically with the rod, for example by injection or overinjection of material.

  The sheath may have a circular or oblong cross section, depending for example on whether the cross section of the rod is circular or oblong. The sheath can still have a circular cross section while the rod is of oblong section and vice versa. The outer section of the sheath may be constant or not.

  The sheath may have a variable inner section, varying for example from a circular section to an oblong section. The sheath may have a decreasing inner section when approaching the bundle of bristles. The cross sections of the sheath and the rod may be, where appropriate, substantially homothetic, for example both oblong for at least part of their length.

  The sheath may have a free edge adjacent to the bundle of bristles, which is entirely circular or not. The sheath may for example comprise, at a free end, a recess for example to center the flow of the product on the applicator element and / or to facilitate the flow of the product to the applicator element.

  The rod may have a circular or oblong cross section over at least part of its length. The rod may in particular have a shape tending to channel the product flowing along the rod to a predefined region of the bundle of bristles. This may allow for example to further improve the application accuracy.

  The rod may have, at least near its end adjacent to the bundle of bristles, a cross section having an outer contour having at least one concavity. In this case, the bundle of bristles may for example be fixed in a housing of an end portion of the rod, this housing having an opening of oblong cross section along an axis of greater length. The aforementioned concavity can be located substantially, when the rod is observed in cross section, at mid-length along the axis of greater length of the housing. The rod may comprise, if necessary, a wall of varying thickness around the housing.

  The rod may comprise at least one groove extending along at least a portion of the rod, or two grooves located for example opposite to one another. This or these grooves can help guide the flow of the product present along the rod.

  The bundle of bristles may have a substantially rectangular, circular or other cross section.

  Preferably, the free end of the sheath is at or near the bristles of the bristle bundle.

  The movements of the bundle of bristles and / or the shaft during application may, if necessary, create local variations in the interval between the shaft and the sheath and / or between the latter and the bundle of bristles, which can act on the product flow.

  When the bundle of bristles is flat, it may for example be oriented with its major axis in cross section oriented substantially parallel or perpendicular to a lateral opening of the sheath. The orientation may be other.

  Independently or in combination with the foregoing, the invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to an applicator for applying a product, comprising: an application element other than a brush, a rod supporting the element application, - a sheath forming with the rod over at least a portion of its length a space for constituting a reserve of product.

  The application element may in particular be a felt tip or a flocked tip. The special features mentioned above can be applied to such an applicator.

  Independently or in combination with the foregoing, another aspect of the invention is an applicator for applying a product, comprising: an application element, for example a bundle of bristles; rod supporting the applicator element, - a sheath forming with the rod over at least a part of its length a space for constituting a reserve of product, the sheath having at least one lateral opening of dimensions allowing the entry of product in the aforementioned space, in particular a lateral opening of more than 5 mm2 of section.

  Such an applicator may be received in a container which has a neck at least partially enlarged opposite this lateral opening, in order to facilitate the circulation of the product towards the latter. This widening of the neck is for example obtained by making the neck with a shoulder. The distance between the lateral opening and the wall opposite the enlarged collar is, for example, greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.

  According to another of its aspects, the invention also relates to a device for applying a product, especially to the nails, this device being characterized by the fact that it comprises a container containing the product to be applied and one of the applicators as defined above.

  The device may comprise a closure cap supporting the rod, and the container may comprise a threaded neck, the closure cap then having a threaded mounting skirt, arranged to screw on the neck.

  The device may or may not have a wiper.

  The neck may have a free edge that can form a sharp edge, to facilitate the spinning of the applicator element. The rod may comprise a plate having an annular groove into which the aforementioned ridge engages.

  The closure cap may have a length greater than that of the stem and / or greater than that of the container. In the case where the closure cap is also a gripping member, a relatively large length of the closure cap can increase comfort at the application and bring a new gesture.

  The neck may for example have a relatively large height. This can reduce the risk of fouling of the neck thread by dried product. A long neck may also, if necessary, allow the realization of the closure cap with a sufficient length of the mounting skirt to conceal the one or more lateral openings made in the sheath.

  The sheath may have a radial clearance with the container when the applicator is in place on the container, in particular a clearance greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.

  In this case, the sheath may have at its upper end an outer diameter less than the inside diameter of the neck.

  The invention may be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a product application device on the nails, the container being closed, - Figure 2 is a schematic view of the device of Figure 1, the container being open, - Figure 3 is a longitudinal section FIG. 4 represents in isolation, in schematic axial section, the rod and the sheath of FIG. 3, application element removed, FIG. 5 represents in isolation and schematically the sheath of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a bottom view along line VI of FIG. 4; FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the end of the pile bundle of the device of FIGS. 1 to 3; FIG. 8 is a partial longitudinal section of FIG. an alternative embodiment in in which the rod is made monolithically with the sheath, - Figure 9 shows, schematically and partially, a bundle of bristles having at least two bristles having different profiles, - Figures 10 and 11 represent separately, so schematic and partial, corrugated hairs, viewed from the side, - Figures 12 to 28 show various examples of cross sections of bristles, among others, - Figures 29 to 33 show examples of hair end, - Figure 34 shows, in axial section, schematically and partially, a rod supporting a bundle of bristles and a sheath, the latter providing with the shaft only a space for retaining product, - Figure 35 represents in isolation and schematically a sheath having at its distal end a notch, - Figure 36 is an elevational view of an exemplary embodiment in which the sheath surrounds a tig Fig. 37 is a cross-section according to XXXVII-XXXVII of Fig. 36; Figs. 38 and 39 illustrate the possibility of making the rod and the sheath with complementary reliefs; Fig. 40 shows schematically, in cross-section, a stem having two concavities on the outside, the bristles being not shown, - FIG. 41 represents the rod of FIG. 40 surrounded by the sheath, - FIGS. 42 to 48 are views similar to FIG. 40, showing other examples of rods, FIGS. 49 to 54 are diagrammatic cross-sectional views of exemplary housing shapes for receiving the bundle of bristles, FIGS. 55 to 58 illustrate different profiles of end for the bundle of bristles, - Figures 59 to 61 schematically show some examples of bundles of bristles having, in cross section, different contours, FIG. 62 is a partial and schematic longitudinal section illustrating the possibility of producing the sheath with reliefs on its inner surface; FIG. 63 is a diagrammatic and partial view, in axial section, of an alternative embodiment of the neck of the receptacle; FIGS. 64 and 65 schematically represent other examples of devices according to the invention, FIG. 66 is a partial longitudinal section illustrating the possibility of making the container with an enlarged collar, FIG. 67 is a longitudinal section. partial illustration illustrating the possibility of providing the container with a wringing member, - Figure 68 is a partial longitudinal section of a variant embodiment of the rod, - Figures 69 and 70 illustrate two ways to position a clip used to fixing the bundle of bristles in the corresponding housing of the rod, and - Figure 71 illustrates the possibility of replacing the bundle of bristles by another application element.

  The packaging and application device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 comprises a container 2 and an applicator 3, removably attached to the container 2.

  The container 2 contains in the example described a nail varnish V, but it is not beyond the scope of the present invention when the product present in the container 2 is another cosmetic or care product.

  The container 2 may be made of any material compatible with the product contained inside and for example in a material chosen from the group consisting of: glass, metal, plastic, especially Barex, polyolefins, especially polyethylene , polyethylene ethylvinyl alcohol / polycarbonate (PE / EVOH / PC) or polyethylene / ethylvinyl alcohol / nylon (PE / EVOH / NYLON), this list not being limiting.

  In the example considered, the container 2 comprises, in the upper part, a neck 4 of longitudinal axis Y, provided with an external thread 9, on which can be screwed a mounting skirt 17 of a closure cap 5. The latter also serves as a gripping member for the applicator.

  The length of the closure cap 5 may for example be greater than that of the container 2.

  The applicator 3 comprises, below, a rod 6 having an end portion 7 supporting a bundle 10 of bristles 11 comprising at least two kinds of bristles. The rod 6 has an upper end 8 for fixing in the closure cap 5, snap and / or friction, for example. The tip 8 comprises in the example considered a plate 90 which can be arranged to abut against the upper end edge of the neck 4 when the closure cap 5 is screwed down.

  A tubular sheath 15 carried by the rod 6 surrounds it. In the example considered, the sheath 15 extends downwardly beyond the rod 6 and partially surrounds the bristles 11, as can be seen in FIG.

  An annular space 20 is provided between the inner surface 16 of the sheath 15, the rod 6 and the bristles 11.

  The sheath 15 comprises at least one lateral opening 21 communicating with the aforementioned annular space 20 and opening outwardly opposite the mounting skirt 17. Preferably, the mounting skirt 17 is long enough to mask the lateral opening or openings 21 in order to to improve the aesthetics. Alternatively (not shown), the one or more side openings 21 could open out of the mounting skirt 17 and be visible.

  The sheath 15 is flexible in the example shown, but it could be rigid without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The sheath 15 may be made of a material different from that of the rod 6, transparent or not, and has a circular cross section in the example shown. The rod 6 also has in the example considered a circular section and has, above, an enlarged portion 26 connected to the tip 8. The sheath 15 is applied to this enlarged portion 26.

  The sheath 15 can be fixed on the rod 6 for example by means of at least one staple 41 inserted into the widened portion 26, as seen in FIG. 4. It is not beyond the scope of the present invention if the staple 41 is disposed at another location of the sheath 15, or if the sheath 15 is otherwise secured to the shank 6, for example by gluing, welding, crimping, snapping or otherwise. In particular, the sheath 15 may be made in a monolithic manner with the rod 6, for example in the same material, as shown in FIG. 67. In this figure, the possibility of making more than one opening has also been illustrated. lateral 21 on the sheath 15, for example two diametrically opposed openings 21.

  Referring to Figure 4, it can be seen that the rod 6 has in its end portion 7 a housing 25 arranged to receive the bundle 10 of bristles 11.

  The latter can be fixed, for example by stapling, to the bottom of this housing 25, the bundle 10 of bristles being for example folded in half and fixed at mid-length by a clip not shown, introduced into the bottom of the housing 25. The bristles can be fixed otherwise than by stapling on the rod, the latter being for example surinjected on the bristles or the bristles stuck on it.

  The lateral opening 21 has for example a polygonal section, in particular square or rectangular, as can be seen in FIG. 5. The section of the lateral opening 21 is advantageously large enough for the product V to be able to flow easily through. The section of the lateral opening or the sum of the sections of the lateral openings exceeds for example 5 mm 2, better 9 mm 2, better still 16 mm 2, or even 20 or 25 mm 2. In the example, the side opening 21 is substantially 5 mm side.

  Prior to application, the container may be shaken with the closure cap in place, which may have the effect of causing more product V to enter the space 20.

  When the applicator 3 is separated from the container 2, the product V remains contained in the space 20, as can be seen in FIG. 3. The bundle 10 exhibiting increased capillary retention due to the use of two kinds of hair, it avoids the product V contained in the space 20 to flow too brutally to the application. The applicator 3 can thus have a relatively large autonomy, allowing, for example, to apply the varnish to a nail in a single layer, without having to plunge the applicator 3 into the receptacle 2.

  The bundle of bristles may comprise at least two bristles 11 having different mechanical properties, in particular different mechanical flexural behavior, which may make it possible to obtain a bundle of ventilated bristles, with intervals between the hairs capable of retaining hair. produced by capillarity.

  The bristle bundle may also include bristles with a non-circular cross-section, having increased product retention.

  In the example of Figure 7, the bundle 10 of bristles 11 comprises at least two bristles having different diameters.

  Alternatively or additionally, the bundle 10 of bristles 11 may comprise at least two corrugated bristles having different corrugation patterns, by their shape, their spatial frequency and / or their amplitude, as illustrated in FIG. 9.

  There are shown in Figures 10 and 11 two examples of wavy hairs. The hair of Figure 10 has a substantially sinusoidal shape, while the hair shown in Figure 11 has a sawtooth shape.

  The beam 10 may also comprise corrugated hairs and straight hairs, for example between 20 and 40% of wavy hairs and between 60 and 80% of straight hairs, for example about 30% of wavy hairs and about 70% of straight hairs.

  The bristles 11 used may have a circular cross section or the like, and in particular comprise at least one capillary groove. The bristles 11 may, when their cross section is noncircular, be twisted. The bristles may for example comprise at least one helical groove.

  In particular, it is possible to use bristles having, in cross section, one of the shapes shown in FIGS. 12 to 28 schematically, for example a circular shape with a flat as illustrated in FIG. 12, flattened as illustrated in FIG. 13, with stars, for example in the form of a cross as illustrated in FIG. 14 or with three branches as illustrated in FIG. 15, of U as represented in FIG. 16, of H as represented in FIG. 17, of T as represented in FIG. 18, of V as shown in Figure 19, a recessed shape, for example circular as shown in Figure 20 or polygonal, especially square as shown in Figure 21, forming branches as shown in Figure 22, a polygonal section, for example triangular as illustrated in FIG. 23, square as illustrated in FIG. 24, or hexagonal as represented in FIG. 25, an oblong shape, in particular a lenticular shape as shown in FIG. shown in Figure 26 or hourglass-shaped as shown in Figure 27. It is also possible to use bristles having hinged portions relative to each other, as shown in Figure 28.

  The bristles 1 1 may, if necessary, undergo a heat treatment for example to form at their end a ball 31 as shown in Figure 29 or mechanical for forming forks 32, as shown in Figure 30.

  The bristles 11 may optionally have a tapered tip, as shown in Figure 31.

  It is also possible to use flocked bristles 11 as illustrated in FIG. 32, or bristles 11 made by extrusion of a plastic material comprising a charge of particles 33, as illustrated in FIG. 33. The latter can increase, for example, the roughness of the bristles. hair and improve the retention of the product.

  Where appropriate, the bristles 11 may have magnetic or other properties.

  All combinations of bristles 11 are of course possible.

  The bristles can be made at least for the most part in synthetic materials chosen for example from polyolefins, in particular polyethylene, polyamides, in particular PA6, PA6 / 6, PA6 / 10, PA6 / 12 or PA11, for example RILSAN , HYTREL-PEBAX polymer and other thermoplastic polymers.

  At least some bristles 11 may be made of a material having properties promoting sliding, for example RILSAN or PA6 / 12 loaded with molybdenum disulfide, graphite or polytetrafluoroethylene, including TEFLON, this list is not limiting.

  The space 20 can be formed between, on the one hand, the sheath 15 and, on the other hand, the rod 6 and the bristles 11. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 34, the sheath 15 can provide a space 20 with the rod 6 only, the sheath 35 not extending downward beyond the end portion 7 of the rod 6 and not surrounding the bundle 10.

  As illustrated in FIG. 35, the sheath 15 may have a notch 40, in particular a V-shaped notch, at its lower part 18. This notch may for example help to center the flow of the product over a predefined region of the application element.

  The cross section of the rod 6 may be circular, as shown in Figure 6, but it may of course have other forms.

  The rod 6 can thus, as illustrated in Figures 36 and 37, have an oblong cross section over at least part of its length from its lower end.

  The sheath 15 may have in the upper part a circular cross section, adapted for attachment to the enlarged portion 26, cylindrical of revolution, of the rod 6, and in the lower part a non-circular cross section adapted to the shape of the rod 6.

  The sheath 15 can provide at its lower end with the rod 6 and / or the beam 10 a relatively narrow gap 60. This interval 60 may follow the outline of the rod 6. During the application, the width of the gap 60 may vary, in particular increase locally, following the movements of the bundle 10 of bristles 11 and / or following the flexion of the rod 6, which can help regulate and / or facilitate the flow of the product V contained in the space 20 to the bristles 11.

  In order, if necessary, to facilitate the angular positioning of the sheath 15 relative to the rod 6 during the assembly of the sheath 15 on the rod 6, complementary reliefs 61 and 62 can be made respectively on the rod 6 and the sheath 15.

  The relief 62 is for example in the form of a protruding boss on the enlarged portion 26 of the rod 6, of triangular contour, while the relief 61 is in the form of a notch made in the thickness of the sheath 15, opening on its inner surface and on its upper end, also triangular profile.

  The seal could be obtained otherwise still, for example by pressing a conical portion of the applicator against the neck of the container, this conical portion being for example present under the plate 90 When the housing 25 which receives the bundle 10 of bristles has a non-symmetrical shape of revolution, for example an oblong shape, the bundle of bristles can be fixed in this housing by a clip 64 which can be oriented, relative to the major axis X of the housing, perpendicular thereto as illustrated in FIG. FIG. 70 or parallel to it as illustrated in FIG. 71. The orientation of the clip 64 in the housing 25 can contribute to making the beam 10 more or less divergent.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 40 to 48, the rod 6 may comprise, on at least part of its length and in particular on its end portion 7, at least one concavity 46. The housing 25 may have an opening of rectangular cross section , of elongated shape along the X axis, as shown in FIG. 40. The thickness of material e surrounding the housing 25 may not be constant. In Figure 40, the rod 6 has two opposing concavities 46. These concavities can channel the flow of the product to a median region of the applicator element.

  In Figure 41, there is shown the sheath 15 leaving a space 20 with the rod 6 around the entire periphery thereof. This space 20 may have a dimension that varies throughout the periphery of the rod 6. In particular, the dimension of the space 20 may be greater than the level of the concavities 46, which may allow to build larger product reserves in this location. Apart from the concavities 46, the outer contour of the rod 6, when the latter is observed in cross section, may be convex.

  The shape of the housing 25 and / or that of the end portion 7 of the rod 6, in which the housing 25 is made, can be modified.

  By way of example, there is shown in FIGS. 42 to 54 different end portion shapes, among others.

  It can be seen in FIG. 42 that the rod 6 may have only one concavity 46.

  It can be seen in FIG. 43 that the opening of the housing 25 may have a non-rectangular cross-section, for example substantially elliptical.

  It can be seen in FIG. 44 that the opening of the housing 25 may have a cross section defining two light concavities 25c directed outwards on the long sides, these two concavities 25c being, for example, less pronounced than those formed outside the the stem 6.

  It can be seen in FIG. 45 that the concavities 46 may be relatively narrow, for example to further improve the channeling of the product towards the mid-length of the housing 25.

  It can be seen in FIG. 46 that the concavities 46 may have, in cross section, a substantially triangular profile.

  In FIG. 47, it is illustrated that the thickness and the wall of the housing 25, near the longitudinal ends thereof, may be less than the thickness e2 of the wall substantially at the mid-length of the housing 25. The thickness and may, where appropriate, correspond to a minimum. A small thickness and can provide a housing 25 having a dimension along the X axis larger, which allows to obtain a very wide brush or able to expand easily.

  Figure 48 illustrates the possibility of having concavities 46 having different shapes.

  Regardless of the possible presence of one or more concavities 46, the end portion 7 of the rod 6 can be made with different cross sections at the housing 25 for receiving the bundle of bristles 10.

  FIGS. 49 to 54 show different examples of transverse sections of the end portion 7 of the rod 6 and of the housing 25.

  The cross section of the end portion 7 may in particular be oval or elliptical as illustrated in FIG. 49, polygonal as illustrated in FIGS. 51 and 52, in particular square or rectangular, kidney shaped as illustrated in FIG. 53, starred as illustrated in FIG. Figure 54 or crenelated as shown in Figure 50.

  The length of the bristles of the bundle 10 may be chosen such that the free ends of the bristles 11 are substantially contained in the same plane, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Y of the rod 6, as illustrated in FIG. 57.

  As a variant, the free ends of the bristles 11 of the bundle 10 may be located along a non-planar surface C, for example convex on the opposite side to the rod 6, as illustrated in FIG. 55.

  In another variant, illustrated in FIG. 56, the free ends of the bristles of the bundle 10 are located substantially along a flat surface extending obliquely with respect to the Y axis of the rod.

  The housing 25 receiving the bundle 10 of bristles 11 may have, as illustrated in Figure 57, a constant cross section, which allows for example to obtain a brush whose bristles are relatively tight. By providing the housing 25 with an outwardly diverging shape, as illustrated in FIG. 58, the bristles 11 are allowed to move further apart and form a wider beam 10.

  The bundle of bristles 11 may have different cross-sectional shapes. In Figure 59, the brush is flat, in Figure 60, the brush is round and in Figure 61, the cross section of the beam 10 has a curved shape to better match the curvature of the nail.

  FIG. 62 illustrates the possibility of producing the sheath with reliefs 92 on its inner surface, such as, for example, annular ridges.

  The neck 4 which is devoid of wiper has at its upper end a free edge, which may be flat or have a sharp edge 56, as shown in Figure 63.

  The presence of a sharp edge can make it possible to seal the container by coming into contact with a lower face 57 of the tip 8 of the rod 6. On the other hand, the user can, by removing the applicator 3 of the container 2, drain the bundle 10 loaded with product on the free edge 55 of the neck 4. With the sharp edge 56, the product will flow inside the container 2. The sharp edge 56 can present different forms.

  Where appropriate, when the neck has a sharp edge 56, it is possible to realize on the lower face 57 of the plate 90 of the nozzle 8 a groove 66 in which the edge 56 engages, as illustrated in FIG. can further improve the tightness of the closure of the container.

  The container 2 containing the product to be applied may have a different shape without departing from the scope of the present invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 64 and 65.

  In Figure 64, the container 2 has a conventional shape, and may contain a ball for homogenizing the product V. In Figure 65, the container 2 has a diabolo shape, with an outer section decreasing from the bottom towards the center then widening again upwards.

  The closure cap 5 may also have a different shape without departing from the scope of the present invention, in particular that substantially conical illustrated in Figure 65.

  The neck 4 may be made with a shoulder giving it an enlarged shape, in order to provide additional space, between the inner surface of the container 2 and the sheath 15 at the opening 21, as illustrated in FIG. the filling of the space 20 with penetrating product through the opening 21. The width of this space is for example greater than 1.5 mm.

  In the example of FIG. 66, the neck 4 has been made with an enlarged lower part 4a, forming with the sheath 15 an annular space 69 wider than that existing between the sheath 15 and the upper part 4b of the neck 4, which carries the thread 9.

  In use, the product V can gain the lateral opening 21 by circulating through the passage 69, especially when the user shakes upwardly the container 2.

  FIG. 67 illustrates the possibility of making the container 2 with a wiper member 72, for example inserted in the neck 4 and bearing by a rim 73 against the upper end of the neck 4.

  The wiper member 72 may comprise an annular lip 73 which is applied when the container 2 is closed on the outer surface of the sheath 15 above the lateral opening 21.

  Although the invention advantageously applies to an applicator element constituted by a brush, the invention also has advantages when the bundle of bristles 10 is replaced by an applicator element 80 other than a brush, for example a flocked tip, a foam tip or a felt tip as shown in Figure 71.

  The invention is not limited to the embodiments which have just been described, and it is possible in particular to combine the characteristics of the different embodiments with one another, and in particular the bundle of bristles can be replaced by another element. in particular in FIGS. 1, 8, 34, 36, 64, 65, 66 and 67.

  Throughout the description, including the claims, the phrase having one is to be understood as being synonymous with the phrase having at least one unless otherwise specified.

Claims (44)

CLAIMS,   An applicator (3) for applying a product (V), in particular to the nails, comprising: a bundle (10) of bristles (11) comprising at least two kinds of bristles and / or hairs of non-circular cross-section and / or non-rectilinear hairs, - a rod (6) supporting the bundle (10) of bristles (11), - a sheath (15) arranging with the rod (6), over at least a part of its length, a space (20) for constituting a stock of product.   2. Applicator comprising: - an application element (80) other than a brush, a rod (6) supporting the application element, - a sheath (15) arranged with the rod on at least a portion of its length a space to constitute a reserve of product.   3. Applicator comprising: an applicator element (10; 80), for example a bundle (10) of bristles, a rod (6) supporting the applicator element, - a sheath (15) arranged with the rod on at least a part of its length a space (20) for constituting a stock of product, the sheath having at least one lateral opening (21) of more than 5 mm2 section.   4. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the bundle (10) of bristles comprises at least two bristles (11) having different compositions.   5. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the bundle (10) of bristles comprises at least two bristles (11) having different dimensions, including different lengths and / or larger transverse dimensions.   6. Applicator according to claim 5, characterized in that the longest hairs have a length greater than 10% greater than that of the shortest hairs.   7. Applicator according to claim 5, characterized in that the larger hairs have a greater transverse dimension greater than 15% greater than that of the finest hairs.   8. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the bundle (10) of bristles (11) comprises at least two bristles (11) having different shapes, including longitudinal profiles and / or different cross sections.   9. Applicator according to claim 8, characterized in that the bristles (11) have different longitudinal profiles.   10. Applicator according to claim 8, characterized in that the bristles (11) have different cross sections.   11. Applicator according to claim 8, characterized in that the bundle of bristles has straight bristles and wavy bristles.   12. Applicator according to claim 11, characterized in that the bundle (10) comprises between 60 and 80% of straight hairs, in particular about 70%, and between 20 and 40% of wavy hairs, in particular about 30%.   13. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that at least two kinds of bristles of the bundle each have a number of bristles which represents at least 2% of the total number of bristles of the applicator.   14. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the sheath (15) only house with the rod (6) a space (20) for retaining the product.   15. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the sheath (15) provides with the bristles (11) and the rod (6) a space (20) for retaining product.   16. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath (15) comprises at least one opening (21) lateral communicating from the outside with the space (20) between the sheath (15) and the rod (6).   17. Applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the opening (21) extends over at least 9 mm 2, better still at least 16 mm 2.   18. Applicator according to claim 16, characterized in that the opening (21) extends over at least 20 mm 2, in particular about 25 mm 2.   19. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the space (20) between the sheath (15) and the rod (6) is arranged in such a way that the product can be retained in said space ( 20) by capillarity.   20. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath (15) is rigid.   21. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 19, characterized in that the sheath (15) is flexible.   22. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath (15) is made of a material different from that of the rod (6).   23. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the sheath (15) is made of the same material as the rod (6).   24. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath (15) has an inner surface (16) completely smooth.   25. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the sheath (15) has an inner surface having at least one relief (92).   26. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath (15) is fixed on the rod (6) by stapling.   27. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheath (15) has a circular cross section.   28. Applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that the sheath (15) has on at least a portion of its length an oblong cross section.   29. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheath (15) comprises, at a free end, a notch (40).   30. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the rod (6) has, at least in the vicinity of an end adjacent to the bundle (10) of bristles (11), a cross section having an outer contour having at least a concavity (46).   31. Applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the bundle (10) of bristles (11) is fixed in a housing (25) of an end portion (7) of the rod (6), the housing (25) having an oblong cross-sectional opening along an axis (X) of greater length, the concavity (46) being located substantially, when the rod (6) is observed in cross-section, at mid-length along the axis (X) housing.   32. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rod (6) has two concavities (46) located opposite to each other.   33. Applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheath (15) has a variable inner cross section.   34. An applicator according to claim 33, characterized in that the sheath (15) has a circular inner cross section at an axial end and flattened at the opposite axial end.   35. Device (1) for the application of a product, in particular on the nails, characterized in that it comprises a container (2) containing the product to be applied and an applicator (3) as defined in the any of the preceding claims.   36. Device according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a closure cap (5) supporting the rod (6) and in that the container (2) has a neck (4) threaded, the capsule of closure (5) being arranged to screw on the neck.   37. Device according to one of claims 35 and 36, characterized in that it is devoid of wiper.   38. Device according to one of claims 35 and 36, characterized in that it comprises a wiper (72).   39. Device according to any one of claims 35 to 36, characterized in that the neck (4) has a free edge (55) forming a sharp edge (56).   40. Device according to any one of claims 35 to 37, characterized in that the closure cap (5) has a length greater than that of the rod (6).   41. Device according to any one of claims 35 to 40, characterized in that the sheath (15) comprises at least one lateral opening (21) of more than 9 mm2 section and in that the container has a collar widened at least partially opposite this lateral opening, to facilitate the flow of the product to this side opening.   42. Device according to claim 41, characterized in that the distance between the lateral opening (21) and the wall facing the enlarged collar is greater than or equal to 1.5 mm.   43. Device according to claim 35, characterized in that the sheath has a radial clearance with the container when the applicator is in place on the container, in particular a play greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.   44. Device according to claim 43, characterized in that the sheath 5 has at its upper end an outer diameter less than the inner diameter of the neck.