COSMETIC APPLICATOR

Abstract

An applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows including a core, at least one element attached to the core, each element including a central part fitted onto the core and at least one application member carried by the central part, this application member being hollow and comprising at least one cavity passing through it in one direction and having a closed or almost closed contour when viewed in this direction, and/or at least two adjacent application members forming at least one almost closed cavity between one another.

Claims

1. An applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising: a core, at least one element attached to the core, each element comprising a central part fitted onto the core and at least one application member carried by the central part, this application member being hollow and comprising at least one cavity passing through it in one direction and having a closed or almost closed contour when viewed in this direction, and/or at least two adjacent application members forming at least one almost closed cavity between one another.

2. The applicator according to claim 1, comprising at least one hollow application member, the cavity having a closed contour.

3. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the hollow application member has a strand of material extending through a complete loop.

4. The applicator according to claim 3, wherein the loop extends entirely at a non-zero distance from the central part.

5. The applicator according to claim 4, wherein the loop forms an enlarged head that is joined to the central part by a leg that is less wide than the head.

6. The applicator according to claim 5, wherein the head has the overall shape of a harpoon.

7. The applicator according to claim 5, wherein the head has the overall shape of a harpoon, almost closed cavities are being formed between two consecutive application members, the distance between the heads being less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

8. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the hollow application member has a base and a head that are linked by a stem that is narrower than the base and the head.

9. The applicator according to claim 8, wherein the head and the base form between one another at least one groove that is open in the circumferential direction.

10. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the hollow application member is toothed at its periphery.

11. The applicator according to claim 10, wherein the teeth are formed by a succession of pointed arches that are concave toward the outside.

12. The applicator according to claim 11, wherein almost closed cavities are formed between the teeth of two consecutive application members, the distance between these teeth being less than or equal to 0.3 mm.

13. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the hollow application member widens toward the outside, being formed by two lateral arches linked by a top arch, the lateral and top arches forming teeth at their meeting point.

14. The applicator according to claim 13, wherein the top arch is concave toward the outside.

15. The applicator according to claim 13, wherein the top arch is concave toward the outside, almost closed cavities are being formed between two consecutive application members, the distance between the teeth being less than or equal to 0.3 m.

16. The applicator according to claim 2, wherein the hollow application member is multilobed at its periphery.

17. The applicator according to claim 16, wherein the lobes are formed by a succession of pointed arches that are convex toward the outside.

18. The applicator according claim 16, wherein the lobes are formed by a succession of pointed arches that are convex toward the outside, the application member being in the shape of an arrowhead.

19. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the hollow application member has a strand of material extending through an incomplete loop closed by the central part.

20. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the hollow application member has a radially outer edge that is convex toward the outside.

21. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application members meet at their base.

22. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein at least one element has, in the circumferential direction, an alternation of hollow application members and solid application members.

23. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between the application members at their base is greatest at their base.

24. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the spacing between the application members is smallest at their base.

25. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the elongation axes of the application members are coplanar.

26. The applicator according claim 1, wherein at least one application member of an element is flattened in a plane.

27. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the application members of an element have their flattening plane oriented in a plane containing the axis of the central part.

28. The applicator according to claim 1, wherein the hollow application member has a shape that is symmetric with respect to a median plane containing the elongation axis of the application member and perpendicular to the flattening plane.

29. A packaging and application device having: a container containing the composition to be applied, an applicator according to claim 1.

30. A method for the cosmetic treatment of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising the step of applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes with the aid of an applicator according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0075] The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

[0076] FIG. 1 shows a schematic and partial view of an example of a packaging and application device according to the invention,

[0077] FIG. 2 shows the applicator part of an example of an applicator produced in accordance with the invention, on its own,

[0078] FIG. 3 shows an element used to produce the applicator part shown in FIG. 2, on its own,

[0079] FIG. 4 shows an example of a core on which the elements can be mounted, the core being shown before the mounting of the elements and twisting,

[0080] FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34 are views similar to FIG. 3 of variant embodiments,

[0081] FIGS. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31 and 33 show the applicator parts produced with the elements in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 and 34, respectively,

[0082] FIGS. 35 to 60 represent variants of an application member of the applicator according to the invention.

[0083] The packaging and application device 1 shown schematically and partially in FIG. 1 has a container 2 containing the composition to be applied and an applicator 3 for applying this composition.

[0084] The container 2 has a body which is provided for example, as illustrated, with a threaded neck 4 to which the applicator 3 can be fastened when the device 1 is not being used.

[0085] A wiping member (not visible in the figure) is secured in the neck of the container, in the usual manner. It may be a flexible lip with a conical, wavy or other shape.

[0086] The applicator 3 comprises an applicator part 5 which is used for applying the composition, this applicator part 5 being mounted at one end of a stem 6, the other end of which is carried by a gripping member 7 that also constitutes, in the example in question, a closure member for the container 2, being designed to be fastened to the neck 4.

[0087] The composition which is applied may be constituted by any cosmetic product intended for making up or for caring for the eyelashes and/or eyebrows. Preferably, it is mascara. The composition may notably include pigments, such as iron oxides, dispersed in an aqueous or anhydrous medium. The capacity of the container is preferably between 5 and 30 ml.

[0088] FIG. 2 shows an example of an applicator part 5 produced from individual elements 10, one of which has been shown on its own in FIG. 3.

[0089] The applicator part 5 is preferably produced in accordance with the teaching of the patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B1, as described below. The elements 10 are thus mounted on a core 9 that holds them in a stacked manner and secures them relative to one another. This core 9 is for example a twisted core, produced from a metal wire folded into the form of a hairpin, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0090] In a variant, the core may be constituted by two separate metal wires that are positioned in a substantially parallel manner like the arms of the hairpin illustrated in FIG. 4, onto which the elements 10 are threaded and which are then twisted.

[0091] The elements 10 have holes 11, which are shown schematically in FIG. 3, for the arms 9a and 9b of the core to pass through before the latter is twisted.

[0092] For the sake of clarity of the drawing, the core 9 has not been shown in FIG. 2, and the holes 11 passing through the central part 12 are only shown in FIG. 3.

[0093] In the example in question, the elements 10 are identical, but it would not constitute a departure from the scope of the present invention if elements 10 of different shapes were stacked on the core 9 within the applicator part 5.

[0094] As can be seen in FIG. 3, each element 10 has hollow application members 20 which engage with the eyelashes or eyebrows while the applicator 3 is being used. In the example in question, these hollow application members 20 alternate circumferentially with solid application members 30.

[0095] The application elements 20 and 30 have, in this example, the same exterior shape, but it would not constitute a departure from the scope of the present invention if the exterior shapes were different.

[0096] The central part 12 is in the form of a flattened disk, the holes 11 for the arms 9a, 9b of the core 9 to pass through being disposed symmetrically relative to an axis X of the element 10, which may be an axis of symmetry for the central part 12.

[0097] In the example illustrated, the element 10 has three hollow application members 20 which alternate with three solid application members 30, the hollow application members 20 being disposed at 120 degrees to one another about the axis X of the element 10.

[0098] The application members 20 or 30 have an enlarged head 40 linked to a base 41 by a stem 42 that is less wide than the head and the base. The head 40 forms with the base 41, on the outside, a groove 45 on each side of the elongation axis Y of the application member 20. The head is wider than the base 41.

[0099] This elongation axis Y is, in the example illustrated, an axis of symmetry for the application member, and coincides with a radius.

[0100] The surface of the central part 12, to which the application members are joined, may be in the shape of a cylinder of revolution about the axis X, but further shapes are possible.

[0101] In the example illustrated, the application members 20 and 30 each have a flattened shape in a plane which is coincident with the flattening plane of the central part 12, this plane being perpendicular to the axis X and to the axis Z of the applicator part 5.

[0102] The application members 20 and 30 substantially meet at their base, where they are joined to the central part 12.

[0103] The application members 20 are formed by a strand of material 44 which extends through a loop that is closed by the central part 12. More particularly, this strand of material 44 is joined to the central part 12, forming a first elbow 51, which forms one of the sides of the enlarged base 41. The strand 44 continues beyond the elbow 51 with a U-shaped portion 52 that defines the groove 45 on one side of the application member 20 and then continues in the form of an arch 53, convex toward the outside, which forms the top of the enlarged head 40 of the application member 20.

[0104] The enlarged head 40 has, on the opposite side from the arch 53, edges 54 which are oriented toward the axis Y and toward the arch 53. The groove 45 has edges that converge slightly toward the opening thereof, the bottom of the groove 45 being substantially flat for example, as illustrated.

[0105] The fact that the groove 45 is delimited by edges which converge away from the bottom thereof further improves the retention of the composition within said groove by the surface tension effect.

[0106] Each application member 20 or 30 has a relatively squat shape, with a height h, measured between the vertex of the application member and the central part, which is substantially of the same order of magnitude as the width l of the application member, measured perpendicularly to the elongation axis Y. For example, 0.5 h≤l≤2 h. For example, 1 mm<l<6 mm and 2 mm<h<8 mm.

[0107] The cavity 14 defined inside the strand of material 44 makes it possible to collect the composition within the applicator part 5 in spite of the passage through the wiping member on exiting the container 2.

[0108] Product can also collect in the grooves 45 formed between the head and the base of the application members 20 and 30, this collection of composition taking place at a non-zero radial distance from the central part 12. It is thus easier for the eyelashes and eyebrows to access the composition, since they do not have to be introduced as far as the central part 12 to be loaded with composition.

[0109] The protruding parts formed by the lateral ends of the enlarged heads are suitable for catching the eyelashes, and this can improve the controlling thereof by the applicator part, in order for example to curl them or spread the composition over the surface thereof.

[0110] The relatively wide base of the application members 20 and 30 gives them good stability with respect to forces which can be exerted while the applicator part 5 is being used, notably on passing through the wiping member or for applying the composition to the eyelashes and eyebrows. The cavity 14 helps to confer flexibility for passing through the wiping member.

[0111] In order to produce the applicator parts 2, the elements 10 are threaded onto the core 9 and then the latter is twisted, as per the teaching of the patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2. The number of elements 10 is for example between 2 and 100, better still between 5 and 15.

[0112] In order to manufacture the elements 10, they can be molded in a suitable mold such that demolding takes place along the axis X.

[0113] In such a case, the presence of the cavity 14 within the hollow application elements 20 does not hamper demolding in any way. In general, any thermoplastic material can be used to mold the elements 10, regardless of the shape of the central part 12 and of the application members joined thereto. It is possible notably to use a polyolefin or a thermoplastic elastomer, for example of the SEBS type.

[0114] It is also possible to produce the element 10 from a non-thermoplastic material, for example a metal or ceramic material.

[0115] During the twisting of the core, the elements 10 can undergo rotation relative to one another, such that a progressive angular offset is created between the elements, along the core, this being able, if appropriate, to create helical furrows in the applicator part 5.

[0116] In a variant, when the elements 10 are mounted on a non-twisted core, for example one that is constituted by a shaft of non-circular cross section, the central parts 12 have an opening with a corresponding shape, so as to allow the central parts to be mounted on the shaft without rotation relative thereto. The elements 10 can be disposed on the core with their final orientation, with a possible angular offset of each element with respect to its neighbors, such that the hollow application members 20 of two successive elements 10 are angularly offset through 30 degrees, meaning that an application member 20 or 30 is positioned angularly in the gap that exists between two application members of the neighboring element.

[0117] If appropriate, it is possible to produce the central parts 12 with complementary reliefs which cooperate so as to make it easier to position one element 10 in a predefined angular position about the longitudinal axis of the core relative to the adjacent elements 10.

[0118] The depth p of the groove 45 is for example greater than or equal to 0.2 mm and the width w of the opening of the groove is for example between 0.2 and 3 mm.

[0119] The strand of material 44 can have a cross section which is substantially constant around the entire contour of the application member 20, between its ends that are joined to the central part 12. The cross section of the strand 44 is for example around 0.25 mm.sup.2.

[0120] Variant embodiments of application members and elements 10 having a hollow application members 20 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 22.

[0121] In the variant in FIGS. 5 and 6, each element 10 has an alternation of hollow application members 20 and solid application members 30, there being four hollow application members 20 in the example in question, which are disposed at 90 degrees to one another.

[0122] The cavity 14 of each hollow application member 20 is formed by a strand of material 63 which describes a closed curve constituting an enlarged head 60, this loop being joined to the central part 12 by a leg 61.

[0123] In the example illustrated, the enlarged head 60 has the overall shape of a harpoon with a top arch 65, which has a substantially parabolic shape that is convex toward the outside, and a bottom arch 66, which is concave toward the central part 12 and has less of a curvature than the top arch 65.

[0124] The cavity 14 has a radial dimension which is thus at its maximum on the elongation axis Y and which decreases towards the meeting point between the arches 65 and 66.

[0125] At this meeting point, the enlarged head 60 defines teeth 65 which are oriented in a direction away from the axis Y and toward the central part, this orientation helping to catch more of the eyelashes which are introduced into the applicator part 5.

[0126] In the example illustrated, the distance e between the enlarged heads 60 of two adjacent application members 20, 30 on the element 10 is relatively small and less than the distance between the legs 61 at their base. The enlarged heads 60 are thus relatively close together. This distance e may be between 0.1 and 0.3 mm, being large enough to allow an eyelash to pass into the space between two legs 61 under the enlarged heads 60.

[0127] When the spacing e is sufficiently small, that is to say less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm, another cavity 69, which is almost closed, where the composition can also collect by surface tension, is formed between the application members 20 and 30. This almost closed cavity 69 extends as far as the central part 12 in the example in question.

[0128] In the same way as for the example in FIG. 3, it is possible to have a height h and a width l of the application member which satisfy the relationship 0.5 h≤l≤2 h.

[0129] FIG. 6 shows that the elements 10 can be angularly offset on account of the twisting of the core.

[0130] A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 and of the elements 10 with which the latter is produced will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0131] In the example in FIG. 7, the element 10 only has hollow application members 20, unlike the examples in FIGS. 3 and 5, where there is an alternation of application members of different natures in the circumferential direction.

[0132] All of the application members 20 are identical and each have a toothed shape. The cavities 14 are delimited by a strand of material 80 which describes a succession of pointed arches, which are concave toward the outside, teeth being formed at the meeting point between two arches. More particularly, in the example illustrated, the strand of material 80 describes, starting from the central part 12, a first pointed arch 81, which is joined to a second arch 82, forming a first tooth 86, this second arch 82 itself being joined to a third arch 83, forming a tooth 84.

[0133] Each application member 20 has a shape that is symmetric with respect to its elongation axis Y.

[0134] At their meeting point, the two arches 83 form a tooth 85, which defines the vertex of the hollow application member 20 and is situated on the elongation axis Y.

[0135] Each application member 20 thus has the overall shape of a holly leaf. In this example, the cavity 14 extends over substantially the entire height h of the application member 20, less the thickness taken up by the strand of material 80. The height m of the cavity, measured along the elongation axis Y, that is to say along a radius in the example in question, is thus greater than or equal to half the height h. There is for example the following relationship between l and h 0.5 h≤l≤2 h.

[0136] FIG. 7 shows that the gap e which exists between two adjacent application members, at the teeth 86, is relatively small and for example less than or equal to 0.3 mm, and may notably be between 0.1 and 0.3 mm.

[0137] In the example illustrated, the application members 20 substantially meet at their base, where the strands of material 80 are joined to the central part 12. The fact that the teeth 86 of the adjacent application members are relatively close together makes it possible to form, between the first arches 81 of two adjacent application members, reserves of product in a relatively confined space 90 which only communicates with the outside through a relatively narrow opening 91, of width e. The space 90 constitutes an almost closed cavity within the meaning of the invention, when the width e is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

[0138] The arches 82 which extend on either side of this narrow opening 91 define a product collection surface at a non-zero distance from the central part 12. The user thus has a reserve of product in this space 94, where the eyelashes can be introduced, while benefiting from teeth formed at the meeting point between the different arches in order to grip the eyelashes.

[0139] All of the concavities formed by the different arches form a corresponding number of indentations in which product can collect, thereby increasing the loading capacity of the applicator part 5.

[0140] FIG. 8 shows that the elements 10 can be angularly offset on account of the twisting of the core.

[0141] A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0142] In this example, the element 10 only has hollow application members 20 that define a corresponding number of cavities 14.

[0143] Each application member 20 is formed by two lateral arches 100 that are joined at their distal end by a top arch 101, the lateral arches 100 and the top arch 101 being concave toward the outside. The arches 100 and 101 form teeth 102 at their meeting points. The application member 20 is formed by a strand of material 105.

[0144] The product can collect in the concavity of the top arch 101, the bottom of which is set back from the vertex of the teeth 102 along the elongate axis Y. Product can also collect in the cavity 14 formed by the strand of material 105. The facing lateral arches 100 of two adjacent application members 20 define a space 111 between one another, in which product can also collect. This space communicates with the outside through a narrow opening 112, this opening 112 leading out between the two teeth 102 of the two adjacent application members 20.

[0145] The fact that the opening 112 is narrow improves the retention of product between the hollow application members 20.

[0146] The application members 20 of the example in FIG. 9 thus make it possible to collect product in the cavity 14, and also in the recess of the top arch 101.

[0147] The teeth 102 favor the catching of the eyelashes on account of their oblique orientation relative to the elongation axis Y. Finally, the relatively small spacing between the adjacent application members 20 also helps the eyelashes to catch, the latter being able to be introduced into the space 111.

[0148] In the example illustrated, the lateral arches 100 of two adjacent application members meet at their base. The number of application members 20 is equal to eight.

[0149] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the elements 10 can be angularly offset on account of the twisting of the core.

[0150] In the example in FIGS. 11 and 12, the hollow application members 20 have the overall shape of an arrowhead, with a strand of material 120 which has a succession of pointed arches that are convex toward the outside.

[0151] The application members 20 each have a shape that is symmetric with respect to their respective elongation axis Y. The strand of material successively describes, starting from the central part 12, a first arch 121, a second arch 122 and a third arch 123. The two arches 123 meet, forming a tooth at the vertex of the application member 20.

[0152] The arches 121 and 122 form, at their meeting point, away from the cavity 14, a recess 128 which can accommodate the composition. The same goes for the arches 122 and 123, which define a recess 129 at their meeting point.

[0153] In the example in FIG. 11, the hollow application members 20 meet at their base.

[0154] The elements 10 can be angularly offset on account of the twisting of the core.

[0155] In the examples which have just been described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 12, the hollow application members 20 each have a flattened shape in the flattening plane of the central part 12, and have a thickness, measured along the axis X of the central part 12, which is less than or equal to the thickness of the latter. The application members 20 can be given a different orientation without departing from the scope of the present invention, as will now be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 22.

[0156] In the examples in these figures, each element 10 has a central part 12 that is thicker than in the above-described examples, and the hollow application members 20 are each in a form flattened in a plane which contains a radius and the axis X of the central part 12.

[0157] In the example in FIGS. 13 and 14, the elements 10 each have an alternation of hollow application members 20 and solid application members 30 with the same shape as those in the example in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0158] However, in this example, the application members are more numerous and do not meet at their base, the spacing between two consecutive application members in the circumferential direction being for example greater than the thickness of one application member.

[0159] The element 10 has for example 18 application members, half of which are hollow.

[0160] FIG. 14 illustrates the angular offset of the elements 10 from one element 10 to the next on account of the twisting of the core.

[0161] In the example in FIGS. 15 and 16, the application members 20 and 30 are identical to those in the example in FIGS. 5 and 6. The disposition thereof on the central part 12 is identical to that in the example in FIG. 13.

[0162] In the example in FIGS. 17 and 18, the application members 20 are identical to those in the example in FIGS. 11 and 12. The disposition thereof on the central part 12 is identical to that in the example in FIG. 13.

[0163] In the example in FIGS. 19 and 20, the application members 20 are identical to those in the example in FIGS. 7 and 8. The disposition thereof on the central part 12 is identical to that in the example in FIG. 13.

[0164] In the example in FIGS. 21 and 22, the application members 20 are identical to those in the example in FIGS. 9 and 10. The disposition thereof on the central part 12 is identical to that in the example in FIG. 13.

[0165] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described.

[0166] For example, the hollow application members can be given yet other shapes, and notably they can be produced with at least one bridge of material on the inside to form two interior cavities.

[0167] In the examples which have just been described, the hollow application members define closed cavities. It is possible to produce the hollow application members with almost closed cavities. By way of example, FIG. 3A shows an example of such a hollow application member 20, the outer contour of which is substantially identical to that of a hollow application member 20 of the example in FIG. 3 apart from an interruption 130 to the strand of material 44, this interruption having a width e less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

[0168] An almost closed cavity can have the advantage of allowing eyelashes to pass through the interruption 130 and/or to confer greater flexibility on wiping.

[0169] In the example illustrated, the interruption 130 is positioned at the vertex of the application member, but could be positioned elsewhere, for example at the connection to the central part 12. This is for example the case in the examples displayed in FIGS. 35 to 47. The interruption 130 could be also positioned at a non-zero distance from the central part 12, between the central part 12 and the vertex of the application member as illustrated in FIGS. 56 and 57.

[0170] Reference is now made to FIGS. 35 to 47.

[0171] As illustrated, the cavity 14 of the hollow application member 20 is formed by a strand of material 300 which describes an almost closed loop, this loop being joined to the central part 12 by a leg 301.

[0172] As illustrated in FIG. 35, the strand of material 300 has a substantially constant cross section around the entire perimeter of the loop. In a variant, it may have a non-constant cross section. For example, a section that tapers towards the free end of the loop, as displayed in FIG. 36.

[0173] FIGS. 37 and 47 disclose a further example of a strand of material 300 having a non-constant cross section. In this example, the strand of material 300 has both wide base and free end, for example with a frustoconical shape.

[0174] In some embodiments, at least a portion of the strand of material 300 may be provided with a plurality of reliefs 302 over at least a surface thereof, as will now be described with reference to FIGS. 40 to 47.

[0175] In the example of FIG. 40, the reliefs are present over the external surface 301 of the top part of the application member. In this example, the reliefs 302 consist of a plurality of identical periodic patterns. Each one of the patterns has a rectangular shape 304. In a variant, these reliefs 302 are present over the entire external surface of the application element as illustrated in FIG. 41.

[0176] FIGS. 45 and 46 illustrate an example of embodiment in which annular grooves 402 are formed in the application member. Such grooves may define a recess which can accommodate the composition.

[0177] Furthermore, the strand of material 300 may have an undulating shape 502 over a portion of the application member 20, for example over its top part 503 as illustrated in FIGS. 42 and 43. The undulating portion may comprise a plurality of sinusoidal periodic patterns.

[0178] FIG. 44 displays an example in which the undulating shape consists on a succession of broken lines 601.

[0179] The contact with the central part can be flat or can be limited to a single point as disclosed in FIG. 39.

[0180] In this example, a simple spike is present inside the cavity formed by the strand of material. This spike may help to avoid deformation of the strand of the material and increase the loading capacity of the applicator.

[0181] Further examples of almost closed loops are disclosed in FIGS. 48 to 55. In these examples, the interruption 130 is positioned at the vertex of the application member 20. This interruption defines two distinct arms 701 and 702 of the application member. In the examples of figures, the two arms have a top end presenting a complementary shape.

[0182] Furthermore, the application member may have one or more protuberances. For example, the protuberance (s) may extend from at least one transverse plane of the application member as illustrated in FIGS. 54 and 55.

[0183] In a further example, at least a portion of the lateral parts 801 and 803 may be provided with a plurality of reliefs over at least a surface, external and/or internal surface, thereof. In the example of FIG. 53, the reliefs are present over both internal and external surfaces of the laterals parts.

[0184] The reliefs may consist of furrows, slots, grooves, striations, lumps, etc. Such reliefs may be of uniform dimensions, or may have varying dimensions. Typically, the depth of the reliefs may range from 0.1 mm to 3 mm, and preferably from 0.5 mm to 2 mm.

[0185] FIG. 58 illustrates another embodiment in which the hollow application member has a strand of material extending through an incomplete loop closed by a leg 1101 in such a way that it forms a P-shaped member. The cavity 14 defined inside the strand of material makes it possible to collect the composition within the applicator part. It is thus easier for the eyelashes and eyebrows to access the composition, since they do not have to be introduced as far as the central part 12 to be loaded with composition.

[0186] FIG. 59 displays a further example where the strand of material 300 has a substantially P-shape. The strand of material 300 comprises a first arm 1101 extending upward from the central part 12 along an axis T.sub.1, an arch 1202 which is connected to the upper end of the first arm 1101 and which is convex towards the outside, a third arm 1203 which is connected to both the arch 1202 and the first arm 1201, this third arm 1203 has a rounded edge where it connects with the arch 1202, and extends along an axis T.sub.2, and a fourth arm 1204 which is connected to the arch and extending downward along an axis T.sub.3 at a non-zero distance from the central part 12.

[0187] The axis T.sub.2 and T.sub.3 form an angle g.sub.2 therebetween. This angle may be comprised between 30° and 160°, better still between 60° and 120° preferably 90°.

[0188] Preferably, the axe T.sub.1 coincides with the elongation axis Y of the application member.

[0189] The arms 1201 and 1203 form together with the arch 1202 a closed cavity 1208 where product can collect at non-zero distance from the central part.

[0190] Additionally, the arms form an almost closed cavity to increase the loading capacity of the applicator.

[0191] The gap e between the free end of the arm 1204 and the central part 12 is less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

[0192] In a variant, as illustrated in FIG. 60, the application element is not hollow and exhibits an external surface with a shape identical to the one shown in FIG. 59.

[0193] Almost closed cavities can also be formed between two adjacent application members of one and the same element 10, when these have portions that are sufficiently close together away from their base.

[0194] This is for example the case in the examples in FIG. 5, 7 or 9, described above, when the gap e between the adjacent application members at for example the enlarged heads 60, the teeth 86 or the teeth 102 is sufficiently small, namely less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm.

[0195] A small gap e can also tend to retain a certain quantity of composition outside the application members, for example in the recess 68 formed between the convex surfaces defining the top of the heads 60 in the example in FIG. 5, or in the space 94 in the example in FIG. 7. This can make it easier for the eyelashes to access the composition with which the applicator part 5 is loaded.

[0196] In these examples in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9, at least some of the application members between which these almost closed cavities are formed are hollow.

[0197] Variant embodiments without hollow application members 20 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 24 to 34.

[0198] In the example in FIGS. 24 and 25, the element 10 has an alternation of application members 30a and 30b which follow one another in the circumferential direction around the central part 12.

[0199] The application members 30a and 30b each have the overall shape of a V, with two diverging arms 140 toward the outside for the element 30a and two diverging arms 150 for the element 30b. The opening angle k′ of the V is for example between 15 and 60°, better still between 30 and 45°.

[0200] The arms 140 are bent toward the outside at their distal end and have two end portions 141 that are oriented perpendicularly to the elongation axis Y, which is an axis of symmetry for the application member and is coincident with a radius.

[0201] The arms 150 are likewise bent at their distal end, but at a greater angle than the arms 140, such that the end portions 151 formed by the elbows each form an acute angle c with the corresponding portion 152 of the arm which is joined to the central part 12.

[0202] The arms 140 meet at their base. The same goes for the arms 150.

[0203] The application members 30a and 30b thus each form two reliefs that are able to improve the catching of the eyelashes during make-up application.

[0204] Catching is particularly pronounced with the application members 30b on account of the orientation of the end portions 151.

[0205] In the example illustrated, the gap e between the free end of one portion 151 and the adjacent arm 140 of the neighboring application member 30a is small and less than 0.3 mm, better still less than 0.2 mm, even better still less than 0.1 mm, such that two application members 30a and 30b form, between one another, an almost closed cavity 156 that is able to collect a certain amount of composition.

[0206] The portions 141 and 151 can also define, between one another, a space that leads to the outside and contains composition, the latter being able to be retained between said portions on account of its viscosity. This collection of composition at a relatively large distance from the central part makes it easier for the eyelashes to access the composition.

[0207] As in the above-described examples, the elements 10 can be angularly offset from one element 10 to the next on account of the twisting of the core.

[0208] In the example in FIGS. 25 and 26, each element 10 of the applicator part 5 has a succession of identical application members 160, for example 14 thereof.

[0209] Each application member 160 has a leg 161 which extends along the elongation axis Y, and has four successive elbows 162 to 165, each at a right angle in the example in question.

[0210] The elbow 162 is directed in the counterclockwise direction, the elbow 163 toward the outside, the elbow 164 in the clockwise direction, and the elbow 165 toward the outside.

[0211] The elbows 163 and 164 form a groove 167, the bottom of which is defined by a segment 168 of the application member.

[0212] The distal portion of the application member is defined by a segment 169 which is parallel to the segment 168 and perpendicular to the segment 170, which forms the elbow 162 with the leg 161.

[0213] The segment 169 is offset toward the segment 168 with respect to the leg 161.

[0214] The gap e between the elbows 162 and 163 of two consecutive application members on the element 10 is relatively small, and is much less than the distance between the legs of these application members and their base.

[0215] When the gap e is less than 0.3 mm, better still less than 0.2 mm, even better still less than 0.1 mm, the legs 161 form, with the segment 168 which is directed from one of the application members toward the other, an almost closed cavity 166 in which the composition can collect.

[0216] The groove 167 makes it possible to form a reserve of composition away from the central part, thereby allowing the eyelashes to be loaded without the latter having to be dipped deeply into the applicator part.

[0217] The segment 172 which defines, with the distal segment 169, the elbow 164 also makes it possible to retain the composition on a surface radially away from the central part 12.

[0218] Moreover, the notch formed by the succession of elbows 162 to 164 forms a kind of hook that is able to improve the catching of the eyelashes on the applicator part 5.

[0219] The distal segments 169 make it possible to benefit from a surface having a high capacity for separating the eyelashes, since they make it easier to introduce the eyelashes between the application members.

[0220] Various modifications can be made to this example, notably with regard to the shape of the abovementioned notch, which may be V-shaped in one variant, in which case the number of elbows is reduced to three. In other variants, the number of elbows is higher.

[0221] A variant embodiment in which the application members 180 each have the overall shape of a V, with two arms 181 diverging toward the outside, having bases that meet, and being provided at the end with enlarged heads 182 in the form of disks, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 27 and 28.

[0222] The angle d of divergence between the axes of the arms 181 is for example between 15 and 60°, better still between 30 and 45°.

[0223] Each head 182 forms, with the arm 181 to which it is joined, a discontinuity 183 which makes it possible to improve the catching of the eyelashes with the applicator part 5.

[0224] The close-together heads 182 of two consecutive application members 180 can, when the gap e between them is sufficiently small, i.e. less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm, form an almost closed cavity 187, which is delimited on the inner side by the central part 12, on the sides by the arms 181, and on the outer side by the heads 182.

[0225] Finally, the heads 182 can receive a certain load of composition on their surface that faces towards the outside, thereby increasing the quantity of composition available on the outer surface of the applicator part 5. In particular, the composition can collect in the recesses 188 formed between two heads 182 if the latter are sufficiently close together for a bridge of composition to form by capillary action.

[0226] In a similar way to the above-described exemplary embodiments, the elements 10 can be angularly offset on the applicator part 5 on account of the twisting of the core.

[0227] The exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 29 and 30 has application members 200 that are each formed by three arms, namely a central arm 201, which extends along the elongation axis Y of the application member 200, is longest and is formed by a simple spike, and two diverging lateral arms 202, that deviate from the central arm 201 away from the central part 12 and are each provided at their end with an enlarged head 203, for example in the form of a disk or ball.

[0228] The length j of the central arm 201 is greater than the height k of the lateral arms 202 measured at the vertex of the head 203. For example, j>1.4 k, better still j>1.5 k, and preferably 1.4 k<j<3 k.

[0229] The angle f of divergence between the axes of the arms 202 is for example between 15 and 60°, better still between 30 and 45°.

[0230] The arms 201 and 202 meet, for example, at their base.

[0231] The gap e between each head 203 and the central arm 201, when it is sufficiently small, i.e. less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm, even better still less than or equal to 0.1 mm, can make it possible to form an almost closed cavity 205 that is able to collect a certain amount of composition.

[0232] Moreover, the composition can collect on the top of the heads 203, on either side of the central arm 201. Thus, when an eyelash is introduced into the applicator part 5, it can press against the head 203 and be loaded with composition. It can also be introduced between the heads 203 of two adjacent application members 201 that are spaced further apart than the heads 203 are from the central arm. The presence of the arms 202 provided with heads makes it possible to improve the catching of the eyelashes by the applicator part 5, by virtue of the discontinuity formed at the base of the head, where it is joined to the arm, which tends to retain the eyelash.

[0233] The elements 10 can be angularly offset on account of the twisting of the core.

[0234] In the variant embodiment in FIGS. 31 and 32, each application member 220 has a central arm 221 provided at its end with an enlarged head 222, and two lateral arms 223 that are disposed on each side of the central arm 221 and diverge toward the outside. The lateral arms 223 are formed by simple spikes. The arms 221 and 223 meet at their base.

[0235] The angle g of divergence between the axes of the lateral arms 223 is for example between 15 and 60°, better still between 30 and 45°.

[0236] This angle g and the length of the lateral arms 223 can be chosen such that their ends are sufficiently close together for them to be considered to form, with the central part 12, an almost closed cavity 225.

[0237] When they are close together, the adjacent lateral arms 223 of two consecutive application members 220 of an element 10 can help to retain a certain amount of composition at the end of the arms 223, at a radial distance from the central part 12.

[0238] These arms 223 can be separated by less than 0.3 mm, better still 0.2 mm or less, even better still 0.1 mm or less.

[0239] For example, there are the following relationships between the total length of the central arm, measured at the vertex of the head 222, and the height of the lateral arms, measured along the elongation axis Y: j>1.4 k, better still j>1.5 k, and preferably 1.4 k<j<3 k.

[0240] The presence of the head 222 creates a discontinuity 224 at its base, which is able to improve the catching of the eyelashes by the applicator part.

[0241] Between the central arm and each lateral arm there is also a V-shaped groove that is open toward the outside, into which an eyelash can be introduced, which can help to take hold of the eyelash in order to spread the composition on its surface.

[0242] The elements 10 are angularly offset on the applicator part 5 on account of the twisting of the core 9.

[0243] The variant embodiment in FIGS. 33 and 34 has an alternation of application members 230 and 240 in the circumferential direction.

[0244] The application members 230 are in the shape of an outwardly facing arrow, while the application members 240 are in the shape of an inwardly facing arrow.

[0245] Each application member 230 thus has a leg 231 by which it is joined to the central part 12 and a head 232 with a shape that tapers toward the outside, forming, at its connection to the leg, discontinuities 232 which can be oriented substantially perpendicularly to the elongation axis Y of the application member 230.

[0246] The flat part of the head 232 is in this example parallel to the flattening plane of the central part 12.

[0247] The discontinuities 233 are for example situated more than half-way along the length of the application member starting from the central part 12.

[0248] The application members 240 have a radial arm 241 which is joined to an enlarged base 243 in the form of an arrowhead directed toward the central part 12.

[0249] Discontinuities 244 are formed at the meeting point of the arm 241 and the base 243, these discontinuities 244 being oriented perpendicularly to the axis Y.

[0250] The application members 230 make it possible to grip the eyelashes by virtue of the presence of the discontinuities 233 formed by the head 232. The tapered shape of the application members 230 ensures good penetration of the eyelashes therebetween.

[0251] Each head 232 and the adjacent radial arm 241 form a sort of guide against which an eyelash can press when it is introduced into the applicator part 5, which can guide them until they cross the corresponding discontinuity 233, the gap between the head 232 and the radial arm 241 being preferably sufficient to allow the passage of an eyelash.

[0252] The discontinuities 244 allow the collection of composition at a distance from the central part 12, in a more easily accessible zone for the eyelashes than the surface of the central part 12.

[0253] When the gap e between the base 243 of an application member 240 and the leg 231 of an adjacent application member 230 is sufficiently small, notably less than or equal to 0.3 mm, better still less than or equal to 0.2 mm or even 0.1 mm, an almost closed cavity 250 can be created in the space extending between the central part 12 and the edge of the discontinuity 244 along the leg 231 and the base 243.

[0254] Such a cavity 250 makes it possible to collect composition above the surface of the central part 12. The distance between the base of the leg 231 and the origin of the base 243 at the central part 12 may be greater than the spacing e, such that the cavity 250 narrows away from the central part 12.

[0255] The difference between the height t at which the discontinuities 233 are situated with respect to the central part 12, measured along the elongation axis Y of the application member 230 in question, and the height u at which the discontinuities 244 are situated, is for example between 0 and 5 mm, better still between 0.5 and 2.5 mm, being for example around 1 mm.

[0256] The elements 10 may be angularly offset on the applicator part on account of the twisting of the core.

[0257] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. For example, the number of application members may be different in each of the examples.

[0258] For example, it is possible to stack on the core elements 10 which are not identical, being made for example of different materials, notably with different hardnesses, and/or having application members with different shapes.

[0259] The core can be given a curvature, such that the applicator part extends along a curved longitudinal axis.

[0260] The elements 10 can be produced with holes 11 positioned differently on the central part 12, such that it is possible to thread the elements 10 onto the core while offsetting them angularly.