WO2018104164A1

WO2018104164A1 - Applicator for cosmetic product, and associated applicator assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2018104164A1
Application number: PCT/EP2017/081148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yann Crapet
Original assignee: Albea Services
Priority date: 2016-12-08
Filing date: 2017-12-01
Publication date: 2018-06-14
Also published as: CN110049696A; FR3059877B1; FR3059877A1; EP3551007B1; CN110049696B; US20190328123A1; EP3551007A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an applicator (10) for a cosmetic product, comprising a core (11) extending along a main longitudinal extension direction (X), referred to as main direction, and a plurality of protrusions (12) projecting from the core (11), the core (11) comprising a plurality of flexible zones (13a, 13b) arranged in succession along the main direction (X), at which zones the core (11) is thinned according to a thinning axis (14a, 14b) substantially orthogonal relative to the main direction (X) so as to form two cavities (15a, 15b) that are radially opposed relative to said main direction (X), the applicator (10) comprising at least one flexible zone (13a, 13b) having a thinning axis (14a, 14b) that is angularly offset relative to the thinning axis (14b, 14a) of a flexible zone (13b, 13a) adjacent thereto.

Description

Applicator for cosmetic product and associated applicator assembly

The invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product and an associated applicator assembly.

Cosmetic product applicators are known, in particular intended to be applied to eyelashes such as mascara, comprising a core extending in a main longitudinal direction and a plurality of protuberances distributed along the core and projecting from said core. .

Conventionally, the applicator comprises areas having a greater flexibility in order to obtain, in these areas, a greater precision during the application of the cosmetic product. For this, it is for example known to assign to these areas protuberances of greater length and therefore greater flexibility.

Such protuberances are effective for combing the eyelashes, in particular because they make it possible to separate the eyelashes from each other and to lengthen them, during the application of the cosmetic product.

However, such protuberances are often too dewatered, when the applicator is extracted from the container comprising the cosmetic product and the neck provided with a wiper said container squeezes the plurality of protuberances of said applicator. The longer protuberances are therefore often insufficiently loaded with cosmetic product so that after application of the cosmetic product, the eyelashes may lack volume.

The present invention aims to provide an alternative solution to create areas of flexibility along the applicator.

Thus, the invention relates to an applicator for a cosmetic product comprising a core extending in a main longitudinal extension direction, said main direction, and a plurality of protuberances protruding from the core.

According to the invention, the core comprises a plurality of zones of flexibility successively arranged along the main direction, at which the core is thinned along a substantially orthogonal axis of thinning by to the main direction so as to form two cavities radially opposite with respect to said main direction, the applicator comprising at least one zone of flexibility having a thinning axis angularly offset with respect to the axis of thinning of a zone of flexibility that is adjacent to it.

The zones of flexibility provided on the core make it possible to give flexibility to the protuberances arranged at the level of said zones of flexibility without it being necessary to play along the length of said protuberances. Thus, it is possible to apply the cosmetic product more precisely in the areas of flexibility, while ensuring that the protuberances are sufficiently loaded cosmetic product. In other words, the protuberances that are at these areas do not have to be too long to provide the desired flexibility. In other words, the protuberances that are at these areas do not have to be extended to provide the desired flexibility.

This makes it possible to comb the lashes while giving them volume, during the application of the cosmetic product.

Moreover, the cavities made by thinning the core at said zones of flexibility form tanks for a cosmetic product. This also helps to ensure sufficient load protuberances, when applying the cosmetic product.

In addition, the fact of angularly shifting, from one zone of flexibility to another, the thinning achieved at said zones of flexibility has the effect of obtaining, in the main direction, a flexible core around different axes of flexion . This has the advantage of not requiring a user to give the applicator a specific initial orientation before applying the cosmetic product. In other words, the user does not have to learn a new gesture to use this applicator. According to different embodiments, which can be taken together or separately:

the applicator comprises a succession of zones of flexibility having axes of thinning which are angularly offset with respect to each other; the applicator comprises an alternation of first zones of flexibility whose axes of thinning are parallel to each other and second zones of flexibility whose axes of thinning are parallel to each other and offset angularly with respect to the axes of thinning of the first zones flexibility;

a soft zone of two, in the main direction, is a first soft zone and in which a soft zone on two, in the main direction, is a second soft zone;

the offset angle formed between the axes of thinning of the first zones of flexibility and the axes of thinning of the second zones of flexibility is between 45 and 135 °, preferably of the order of 90 °;

areas of flexibility are located on a discrete portion of the main direction of the soul;

the core comprises, in the main direction, a proximal portion dipped by a sleeve without protuberances, a distal portion opposite the proximal portion along the main direction and a medial portion connecting the proximal portion and the distal portion;

the areas of flexibility are localized near the distal portion of the soul;

the cavities of the zones of flexibility are symmetrical with respect to a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis of thinning associated with said zone of flexibility and comprising the principal direction;

the cavities have a concave shape in the main direction;

the core comprises a free end in the vicinity of the distal portion, said free end having, in the main direction, a shape comprising an inclined pan so as to limit the cluster of cosmetic product on said free end;

the free end of the core comprises a zone of flexibility at which said free end is thinned along a thinning axis substantially orthogonal to the main direction, so as to form two radially opposite cavities with respect to the main direction;

the axis of thinning of the zone of flexibility of the free end is angularly offset with respect to the axis of thinning of the zone of flexibility which is adjacent thereto; the protuberances extend radially with respect to the main direction;

the plurality of protuberances is distributed in rows extending along the main direction;

a pitch between the protuberances of a row of protuberances is between 0.6 and 1.5 mm, preferably of the order of 1.25 mm;

the rows of protuberances are distributed uniformly around the main direction;

the protuberances of two adjacent rows are offset relative to one another in the main direction

the protuberances each comprise a free end;

the free ends of the plurality of protuberances together define a frustoconical envelope;

the casing has a maximum diameter of between 4 and 10 mm, preferably between 5 and 8 mm;

a length of the protuberances, defined between the main direction and the free end of the protuberances, varies from one row of protuberances to another;

a length of the protuberances, defined between the main direction and the free end of the protuberances, varies within the same row of protuberances;

the protuberances are globally frustoconical;

the protuberances each have a section in the form of a half-ellipse;

the protuberances each comprise a flat surface;

the protuberances are positioned so that the plane surfaces of the protuberances are oriented in the same direction of rotation;

- The protuberances come from matter with the soul;

- the soul is full;

the applicator forms a brush. The invention also relates, advantageously, to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a reservoir intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator as described above configured to move relative to the container between a closure position of the assembly in which the applicator is attached to the container and the applicator is housed inside the reservoir, and an open position of the assembly in which the applicator releases the container and the applicator is disposed outside the reservoir.

The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, features and advantages thereof will become more clearly apparent in the following detailed explanatory description of at least one embodiment of the invention given to As a purely illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

On these drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of an example of an applicator for a cosmetic product according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view from below of the applicator illustrated in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a front view of the applicator illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a slightly inclined isometric view of the applicator illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3;

- Figures 5a and 5b are sectional views of the applicator, in two different places: see reference A-A (Figure 5a) and B-B (Figure 5b) in Figure 2.

FIG. 6 is a view of an example of an applicator assembly according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 4 and 5a, 5b show an applicator 10 for cosmetic product according to one embodiment of the invention. The cosmetic product is especially intended to be applied to eyelashes such as mascara.

The applicator 10 comprises a core January 1 extending in a direction of longitudinal main extension X, said main direction X, and a plurality of protuberances 12 protruding from the core January 1. The term "protuberances projecting from the soul" that the protuberances 12 comprise a base located at the core 1 1 and extending towards an opposite free end 24.

The core 1 1 further comprises a plurality of zones of flexibility 13a, 13b sequentially arranged along the main direction X, at which level the core 1 1 is thinned along a thinning axis 14a, 14b substantially orthogonal to the main direction X so as to form two cavities 15a, 15b radially opposite to said main direction X. (see Figures 1, 2 and 4).

In other words, at each zone of flexibility 13a, 13b, the core 1 1 is thinned along a thinning axis 14a, 14b. This thinning is performed along the axis of thinning 14a, 14b, both on one side than the other of the main direction X thus forming the two cavities 15a, 15b. In other words, at each zone of flexibility 13a, 13b, the core 1 1 is thinned in a generally symmetrical manner on either side of the main direction X.

In this way, the core 1 1 is more flexible at the cavities 15a, 15b of the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b, this flexibility being transmitted to the protuberances 12 arranged at said cavities 15a, 15b in particular to apply the cosmetic product more precisely at these areas of flexibility 13a, 13b. Thus, it is possible to locally increase the accuracy of the applicator 10 without increasing the length of the protuberances 12 to increase the flexibility and therefore without losing the cosmetic load on said protuberances 12. The applicator 10 thus allows both comb the eyelashes and give them volume, when applying the cosmetic product. In addition, the cavities 15a, 15b form reservoirs of cosmetic product, thus making it possible to further load the protuberances 12 into a cosmetic product in order to give the eyelashes more volume when applying said cosmetic product. At least one of the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b has a thinning axis 14a, 14b angularly offset around the main direction X, with respect to the axis of thinning 14b, 14a of a zone of flexibility 13b , 13a which is adjacent to it. The term "angularly offset" means that said thinning axes 14a, 14b together form a non-zero offset angle and strictly less than 180 °. The offset angle α is visible in FIGS. 3 and 4. The term "angularly offset" also means that said thinning axes 14a, 14b are not parallel to each other. In this way, the core 1 1 has areas of flexibility 13a, 13b which can each bend about an axis 22, said transverse axis, orthogonal to the main direction X and the axis of thinning 14a, 14b associated said flexible zone 13a, 13b, these transverse axes 22 may be different from a flexible zone 13a, 13b to another. Thus, it is not necessary to give the applicator 10 a specific initial orientation before applying the cosmetic product, the applicator 10 being flexible, along the core 1 1, around several transverse axes 22. The user of the applicator of the invention therefore does not have to adapt his usual gestures.

The soul 1 1 is here represented full. It may however be hollow without departing from the scope of the invention.

The core 1 1 comprises, in the main direction X, a proximal end 16 extended by a sleeve 17 devoid of protuberances and a distal end 18 opposite to the proximal portion 16. The sleeve 17 is intended to cooperate with a rod (not shown ). The distal end 18 comprises a free end 20. The free end 20 has for example a flat surface 21 arranged perpendicularly to the main direction X. The free end 20 is devoid of protuberances 12.

In a variant, the free end 20 may have protuberances 12.

The core 11 may comprise a succession of zones of flexibility 13a, 13b having thinning axes 14a, 14b which are angularly offset relative to one another, around the main direction X.

The core 1 1 comprises for example an alternation of first zones of flexibility 13a whose thinning axes 14a are parallel to each other and second zones of flexibility 13b whose thinning axes 14b are parallel to each other and offset angularly relative to each other. to the thinning axes 14a of the first zones of flexibility 13a, around the main direction X (FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5a and 5b).

By way of example, a zone of flexibility out of two, along the main direction X, is a first zone of flexibility 13a and a zone of flexibility out of two, along the main direction X, is a second zone of flexibility 13b. Other patterns of first and second zones of flexibility 13a, 13b can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, it will be possible to have a succession of at least two first zones of flexibility 13a with one or more second zones of flexibility 13b.

The offset angle α between the thinning axes 14a, 14b of the first and second zones of flexibility 13a, 13b is for example between 45 and 135 °. Preferably, the offset angle α is of the order of 90 ° (FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5a and 5b). In other words, the core 1 1 preferably comprises an alternation of zones of flexibility 13a, 13b having thinning axes 14a, 14b orthogonal to each other.

This is illustrated by means of FIGS. 5a and 5b, each of which illustrates a section of the core 11 along the main direction X, in two distinct locations along this direction X - see FIG. 2 for the positioning of FIG. the cutting axis AA (Figure 5a) and that of the BB section (Figure 5b). Figure 5a illustrates a substantially rectangular shaped section, the largest side extends along the axis 14b; while Figure 5b illustrates a substantially rectangular section, the largest side extends along the axis 14a, these two axes here being orthogonal.

The zones of flexibility 13a, 13b may be located on a discrete portion of the main direction X of the core January 1. In other words, the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b can be located on only part of the core 1 1. The zones of flexibility 13a, 13b are for example localized on a portion of the core 1 1 (embodiments not illustrated here).

For example, they can be located on the first portion P1 of the core 1 1, which extends from the distal end 18 of the core 1 1 to the proximal end 16 the core 1 1 over a distance not exceeding half the length of the web 1 1 (see Figure 2 for the reference of the areas P1, P2 and P3).

They can also be located on the second portion P2 of the core 1 1, which extends between the distal end 18 of the core 1 1 and the proximal end 16 the core 1 1 over a distance not exceeding half the length of the soul 1 1.

They may also be located on the third portion P3 of the core 11, which extends from the proximal end 16 of the core 11 towards the distal end 18 of the core 11 over a distance n not exceeding half the length of the soul 1 1. They may also result from a combination of the above examples, without departing from the scope of the invention; namely, be localized on the first and second portions P1, P2, on the first and third portions P1, P3 and / or on the second and third portions P2, P3.

The cavities 15a, 15b formed by the thinning of the core 1 1 are for example symmetrical with respect to a plane substantially orthogonal to the thinning axis 14a, 14b which is associated with them and comprising the main direction X.

The cavities 15a, 15b may also be concave along the main direction X.

The cavities 15a, 15b may also have a polygonal shape, for example triangular or square or rectangular, along the main direction X. The edges of the cavities 15a, 15b may also be attenuated by filleting or rounding.

The cavities 15a, 15b for example have a maximum dimension along the transverse axis 22 associated therewith, said transverse dimension D _T , equal to the maximum diameter d _max of the core 1 1 (Figure 1). In this way, the cavities 15a, 15b each form a groove extending along the transverse axis 22 which is associated with them, which is open at each of its ends along said transverse axis 22. This increases the flexibility of the core 1 1 at the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b.

The cavities 15a, 15b of the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b may be of equal maximum dimension along the main direction X, maximum dimension called longitudinal dimension D _u . The longitudinal dimension D _u of the cavities 15a, 15b of the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b is for example between 1.5 and 15mm. The longitudinal dimension Du is preferably of the order of 1 .8 mm.

As a variant, the longitudinal dimension D _u of the cavities 15a, 15b of the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b may vary from one zone of flexibility to another.

In addition, the cavities 15a, 15b of the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b may have the same depth along the axis of thinning 14a, 14b which is associated. As a variant, the depth of the cavities 15a, 15b of the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b may vary from one zone of flexibility to another.

The free end 20 of the core January 1 has for example, along the main direction X, a shape comprising an inclined pan, or even a generally pointed shape. This makes it possible to limit the accumulation of cosmetic product at the level of said free end 20 and thus to prevent the nose of the user from being soiled during the handling of the applicator 10.

For this, the free end 20 of the core 1 1 may itself comprise a zone of flexibility 13c at which said free end 20 of the core 1 1 is thinned along a thinning axis substantially orthogonal to the main direction X, so as to form two cavities 15c radially opposite with respect to said main direction X (Figure 3).

The zone of flexibility 13c of the free end 20 has a thinning axis angularly offset with respect to the axis of thinning 14a of the zone of flexibility 13a which is adjacent thereto. The zone of flexibility 13c of the free end 20 preferably has a thinning axis substantially orthogonal to the axis of thinning 14a of the adjacent zone of flexibility 13a.

The two cavities 15c formed at the free end 20 of the core 1 1 have for example a longitudinal dimension D _L 2 smaller than that of the cavities 15a, 15b of the other zones of flexibility 13a, 13b. Said longitudinal dimension D _L 2 will be between 0.1 and 3mm.

It may also be in the form of a rounded end, beveled, straight and / or bevelled, this without departing from the scope of the invention.

The protuberances 12 extend for example radially relative to the main direction X. In other words, the protuberances 12 project in a direction substantially normal to said main direction X, said radial direction. The plurality of protuberances 12 is for example distributed in rows 23 extending along the main direction X. The rows 23 of protuberances 12 are particularly visible in FIG. 3. The applicator 10 comprises, for example, twelve rows 23 of protuberances 12. A pitch p between the protuberances 12 of the same row 23 is for example between 0.6 and 1.5 mm. The pitch p between the protuberances 12 of the same row is preferably of the order of 1 .25 mm. Each row 23 may further have the same pitch p between its protuberances 12 (Figure 1).

The rows 23 of protuberances 12 are, for example, evenly distributed around the main direction X. In other words, the protuberances 12 of each row 23 are arranged at equal angular distance from the protuberances 12 of the rows 23 which are adjacent to them.

The protuberances 12 of each row 23 are for example arranged at an angular distance of rad rad with respect to the protuberances 12 of the rows 23 which are adjacent thereto.

The protuberances 12 of two adjacent rows 23 are for example offset relative to each other along the main direction X.

The protuberances 12 of a row 23 may further be shifted by the same distance along the main direction X, relative to the protuberances 12 of the two rows 23 adjacent thereto.

The protuberances 12 of a row 23 on two are for example offset by the same distance along the main direction X, relative to the protuberances 12 of the rows 23 adjacent thereto. The protuberances of a row 23 of two may further be shifted, or staggered along the main direction X, relative to the protuberances 12 rows 23 adjacent thereto.

It is interesting to note that the free ends 24 of the protuberances 12 together define an envelope E.

The envelope E has for example a generally frustoconical shape.

Preferably, the small section of the truncated cone formed by the envelope E is arranged facing the free end 20 of the core January 1, while the large section of the truncated cone formed by the envelope E is arranged opposite the free end 20 of the core 1 1. The envelope has for example a maximum diameter of between 4 and 10 mm, preferably between 5 and 8 mm.

The length L of the protuberances 12, defined between the main direction X and the free end 24 of the protuberances 12, varies from one row 23 of protuberances 12 to another. The term "length L of the protuberances 12", the radial extension of the protuberances between the axis X of the core 1 1 and the free end protrusion "(see Figure 1). The length L is for example between 2.0 and 5.0mm and more particularly between 2.5 and 4.0mm.

The length L of the protuberances 12 of a row 23 on two are, on average, less than the length L of the protuberances 12 of the rows 23 which are adjacent thereto.

The length L of the protuberances 12 may also vary within the same row 23 of protuberances 12.

The length L of the protuberances 12 of the same row 23 increases for example as one moves away from the free end 20 of the core January 1.

The protuberances 12 are for example globally frustoconical. The term "globally frustoconical" means that the section of the protuberances 12 increases or decreases progressively from the base towards the free end 24 of said protuberances 12. Preferably, the base of the protuberances 12 is larger than the free end 24 of said protuberances 12.

The protuberances 12 each further have a section of half-ellipse shape - for example half-oval - forming a flat surface 25, and are positioned so that the flat surfaces 25 of the protuberances 12 are oriented in the same direction of rotation.

The core 11 may comprise protuberances 12 projecting from the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b of the core 11.

No protuberance 12 may alternatively extend from one, more or all of the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b of the core January 1.

The protuberances 12 are for example derived from material of the core 1 1. The core 11 may be a molded core, in particular of plastics material. Blade

11 and the protuberances 12 are for example molded together. The protuberances

12 may alternatively be overmolded on the core 12. The core 1 1 and protuberances 12 may be molded of a material based on LDPE (or "low density polyethylene"). Other materials may be used, namely the material "EXACT" marketed by the company ExxonMobil or the material "HYTREL" marketed by the company Dupont de Nemours, or a mixture of these materials. The maximum diameter of _my x of the core 1 1 is for example between 2 and

6mm.

It will be understood that the areas of flexibility 13a, 13b have a particular advantage, when the core 1 1 has a large maximum diameter d _my x, including a maximum diameter d _max between 4 and 6mm. Such souls 1 1 will be named in the following description "large diameter cores".

Large-diameter cores 1 1 are of interest because protuberances 12 protruding therefrom are generally shorter, for the same envelope diameter E as a core 1 1 of smaller maximum diameter d _max , so that with 1 1 large diameter souls, it is possible to attack the eyelashes of the user from the root and therefore to load more cosmetic product, when applying the cosmetic product. Large-diameter cores 1 1 thus make it possible to give volume to the eyelashes of the user.

Large diameter cores 1 1 are also interesting because they can accommodate a greater number of rows of protuberances 12 around the main direction X, and thus improve the combing and therefore the separation of the eyelashes of the user, when the application of the cosmetic product.

The large-diameter cores 1 1 however tend to be more rigid because of their large maximum diameter d _max , so that the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b counterbalance this tendency by giving them more flexibility and thus increasing the the precision with which the cosmetic product is applied to the eyelashes of the user.

If necessary, the protuberances 12 protruding from the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b of cores 1 1 large diameter are also longer and therefore more flexible, without the maximum diameter of the envelope E is increased, so that said protuberances 12 allow, in complementarity with the zones of flexibility 13a, 13b, to improve the combing of eyelashes of the user and therefore the separation and the elongation of said eyelashes, during the application of the cosmetic product.

It should be noted, too, that the applicator 10 advantageously forms a brush.

It should be noted, again, that the invention also relates to an applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a reservoir R intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator 10 as described above configured to move relative to the container between a closed position of the assembly in which the applicator 10 is fixed on the container and the applicator 10 is housed inside the tank, and an open position of the assembly in the applicator 10 releases the container and the applicator is disposed outside the reservoir (see Figure 6).

It should also be noted that variant embodiments are of course possible. In particular, it is also conceivable, in additional exemplary embodiments, not illustrated here, that:

- The core 1 1 further comprises third zones of flexibility whose thinning axes are parallel to each other and offset angularly with respect to the thinning axes 14a, 14b of the first and second zones of flexibility 13a, 13b;

the core 11 comprises an alternation of first zones of flexibility 13a, second zones of flexibility 13b and third zones of flexibility;

one soft zone out of three, along the main direction X, is a first soft zone 13a, one soft zone out of three, along the main direction X, is a second soft zone 13b and a flexible zone out of three, following the main direction X, is a third zone of flexibility.

the thinning axes 14a, 14b of the first, second and third zones of flexibility 13a, 13b respectively form between them an offset angle α of the order of 60 °.

Claims

1. An applicator (10) for a cosmetic product comprising a core (1 1) extending in a main longitudinal extension direction (X), said main direction, and a plurality of protuberances (12) projecting from the core ( 1 1), the core (1 1) comprising a plurality of zones of flexibility (13a, 13b) sequentially arranged along the main direction (X), at which the core (1 1) is thinned along an axis for thinning (14a, 14b) substantially orthogonal to the main direction (X) so as to form two cavities (15a, 15b) radially opposite to said main direction (X), the applicator (10) comprising at least one zone of flexibility (13a, 13b) having a thinning axis (14a, 14b) offset angularly with respect to the axis of thinning (14b, 14a) of a zone of flexibility (13b, 13a) which is adjacent.

2. Applicator (10) according to claim 1, comprising an alternation of first zones of flexibility (13a) whose thinning axes (14a) are parallel to each other and second zones of flexibility (13b) whose axes of thinning (14b) are parallel to each other and angularly offset relative to the thinning axes (14a) of the first zones of flexibility (13a).

3. Applicator (10) according to claim 2, wherein a soft zone on two, in the main direction (X), is a first zone of flexibility (13a) and in which a soft zone on two, in the direction principal (X), is a second zone of flexibility (13b).

An applicator (10) according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the offset angle (a) formed between the thinning axes (14a, 14b) of the first and second zones of flexibility (13a, 13b) is between 45 and 135 °, preferably of the order of 90 °.

5. Applicator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the zones of flexibility (13a, 13b) are located on a discrete portion of the main direction (X) of the core (1 1).

6. Applicator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein:

- the core (1 1) comprises, in the main direction (X), a proximal portion (16) extended by a sleeve (17) devoid of protuberances (12), a distal portion (18) opposite to the proximal portion ( 16) along the main direction (X) and a medial portion connecting the proximal portion (16) and the distal portion (18);

- The zones of flexibility (13a, 13b) are located in the vicinity of the distal portion (18) of the core (1 1).

7. Applicator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cavities (15a, 15b) of the zones of flexibility (13a, 13b) are symmetrical with respect to a plane substantially orthogonal to the axis of thinning (14a, 14b) associated with said soft zone (13a, 13b) and including the main direction (X).

8. Applicator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein:

the core (1 1) comprises a free end (20) in the vicinity of the distal portion (18), said free end (20) having, in the main direction (X), a shape comprising an inclined face so as to limiting the cluster of cosmetic product on said free end (20).

An applicator assembly for a cosmetic product, comprising a container comprising a body forming a reservoir (R) intended to contain the cosmetic product, and an applicator (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, configured to move relative to the container between a closed position of the assembly in which the applicator (10) is fixed on the container and the applicator is housed inside the reservoir, and an open position of the assembly in which the applicator (10) releases the container and the applicator (10) is disposed outside the reservoir.