COSMETIC APPLICATOR

Abstract

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 comprising a strand of material comprising at least one elbow that defines a composition collection surface.

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 comprising a strand of material comprising at least one elbow that defines a composition collection surface.

2. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strand of material forms at least one concavity that is open toward the outside and situated at a non-zero radial distance from the central part.

3. The applicator as claimed in claim 2, wherein the strand of material describes, starting from the central part, a first elbow for forming an enlarged base, which is continued by a portion defining a groove.

4. The applicator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the groove is U-shaped.

5. The applicator as claimed in claim 3, wherein said portion is attached to an arch which forms the top of an enlarged head of the application member.

6. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application member has a strand of material which describes at least one groove, a first elbow at a right angle, a second elbow at a right angle toward the outside, a third elbow at a right angle toward the elongation axis of the leg, and a fourth elbow at a right angle toward the outside, a distal portion of the application member being straight and eccentric with respect to the elongation axis of the leg.

7. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application member has an enlarged head comprising two arches that form elbows at their meeting point, one of the arches defining a composition collection surface.

8. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application member has a strand of material of toothed shape, comprising a succession of pointed arches that are concave toward the outside.

9. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application member has two lateral arms that are joined at their end by an arch, forming elbows.

10. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application member is in the shape of an arrowhead, comprising a strand of material comprising a succession of pointed arches that are convex toward the outside.

11. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application member has the overall shape of a V with elbows at the ends of the V, and a second application member comprising elbows oriented toward the central part.

12. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the application member has a strand of material bent in a V-shape, forming two arms that diverge radially toward the outside.

13. The applicator as claimed in claim 12, wherein the application member has an X-shaped head joined to the central part by a radial arm.

14. The applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongation axes of the application members of an element are coplanar.

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

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

17. A packaging and application device comprising: a container containing the composition to be applied, an applicator as claimed in claim 1.

18. A method for the cosmetic treatment of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, notably for making them up, comprising the step of applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes with the aid of an applicator as claimed in claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0069] The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting exemplary embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a schematic and partial view of an example of a packaging and application device according to the invention,

[0071] FIG. 2 shows the applicator part of an example of an applicator produced in accordance with the invention, on its own,

[0072] FIG. 3 shows an element used to produce the applicator part shown in FIG. 2, on its own,

[0073] FIG. 3A shows a variant application member, on its own,

[0074] 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,

[0075] FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27 are views similar to FIG. 3 of variant embodiments of the element,

[0076] FIGS. 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26 and 28 show the applicator parts produced with the elements in FIGS. 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25 and 27, respectively, and

[0077] FIGS. 29 to 36 show various embodiments of the application member.

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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. The applicator 3 has 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] The applicator part 5 is preferably produced in accordance with the teaching of the patent U.S. Pat. No. 8,899,241 B2. The elements 10 are thus mounted on a core 9 that holds them in a stacked manner and securely 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] 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.

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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.

[0089] 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.

[0090] 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.

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] This elongation axis Y is, in the example illustrated, an axis of symmetry for the application member, and coincides with a radius.

[0094] 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.

[0095] 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 longitudinal axis Z of the applicator part 5.

[0096] The application members 20 and 30 substantially meet at their base, where they are joined to the central part 12.

[0097] 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.

[0098] 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.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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 hl2 h. For example, 1 mm<l<6 mm and 2 mm<h<8 mm.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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. 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.

[0104] In order to produce the applicator part 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.

[0105] In order to manufacture the elements 10, they can be molded in a suitable mold such that demolding takes place along the axis X.

[0106] 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.

[0107] It is also possible to produce the element 10 from a non-thermoplastic material, for example a metal or ceramic material.

[0108] 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. 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.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] A first set of variant embodiments of application members and elements 10 having a hollow application members 20 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 12.

[0112] 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.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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. The bottom arch 66 and the top arch 65 meet, forming elbows 67. Product can notably collect on the outer surface of the top arches 65, in the recess formed between two adjacent heads. Product can also collect in the cavity 14, notably at the elbows or in the vicinity of the arches 65 and 66, thereby favoring the retention of product by surface tension.

[0115] The cavity 14 has a radial dimension which is at its maximum on the elongation axis Y and which decreases towards the meeting point between the arches 65 and 66.

[0116] At this meeting point, the enlarged head 60 defines teeth 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.

[0117] 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.

[0118] 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.

[0119] 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 hl2 h.

[0120] FIG. 6 shows that the elements 10 can be disposed by being stacked and by forming helical furrows on account of the twisting of the core.

[0121] 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. 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.

[0122] All of the application members 20 are identical and each have a toothed shape with numerous of elbows which define a corresponding number of teeth on the outer side thereof. 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.

[0123] Each application member 20 has a shape that is symmetric with respect to its elongation axis Y.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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 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 hl2 h, where l denotes the greatest transverse dimension of the application member, measured perpendicularly to the elongation axis Y.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] The arches 82 which extend on either side of this narrow opening 91 define a space 94 in which the product can collect at a non-zero radial 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.

[0129] 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.

[0130] The end arches 83 each define a cavity 89 that is open in a direction T that makes a relatively small angle y with the elongation axis Y, y being less than or equal to 30, such that the cavity 89 is open substantially radially toward the outside. In the example illustrated, the direction T coincides with a median axis for the cavity 89, which is also the axis of symmetry for this cavity. The orientation of the cavity 89 makes it easier for the eyelashes to access the product that has collected inside. This access is even easier when the cavity 89 is present at the periphery of the applicator part 5, such that the eyelashes do not have to pass far into the applicator part in order to be loaded with product.

[0131] FIG. 8 shows that the elements 10 can be angularly offset about the longitudinal axis of the applicator part on account of the twisting of the core.

[0132] A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0133] In this example, the element 10 only has hollow application members 20 that define a corresponding number of cavities 14.

[0134] 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, at their meeting points elbows of which the outer sides define teeth 102. The application member 20 is formed by a strand of material 105.

[0135] The top arch 101 defines a cavity 109 that is open in a direction T which coincides with the elongation axis Y of the application member 20 and is also a median axis of symmetry for the application member 20.

[0136] 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 elongation 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.

[0137] The fact that the opening 112 is narrow improves the retention of product between the hollow application members 20.

[0138] 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.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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.

[0141] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the elements 10 can be angularly offset on account of the twisting of the core.

[0142] 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, elbows being formed at the meeting points of these arches.

[0143] 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.

[0144] 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 form a recess 129.

[0145] In the example in FIG. 11, the hollow application members 20 meet at their base.

[0146] The elements 10 can be angularly offset on account of the twisting of the core, as illustrated in FIG. 12.

[0147] In the examples which have just been described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 12, the application members 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 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 20.

[0148] 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 application members are each in a form flattened in a plane which contains a radius and the axis X of the central part 12.

[0149] 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.

[0150] 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.

[0151] The element 10 has for example 18 application members, half of which are hollow.

[0152] FIG. 14 illustrates the angular offset between the application members caused by the twisting of the arms 9a and 9b of the core.

[0153] In the example in FIGS. 15 and 16, the application members 20 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.

[0154] In the example in FIGS. 17 and 18, 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.

[0155] 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.

[0156] 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.

[0157] The interruption 130 can provide greater flexibility, if necessary allow the eyelash to access the cavity 14 delimited by the strand of material 44, and can also promote the filling of the cavity 14 with the product when the applicator part 5 is in the container.

[0158] 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.

[0159] 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.

[0160] This is for example the case in the examples in FIGS. 5 to 9, described above, when the gap e between the adjacent application members at for example the enlarged heads 60 or the teeth 86 or 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. 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. This can make it easier for the eyelashes to access the composition with which the applicator part 5 is loaded.

[0161] In these examples in FIGS. 5 and 7, at least some of the application members between which these almost closed cavities are formed are hollow.

[0162] Variant embodiments without hollow application members 20 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 21 to 28.

[0163] In the example in FIGS. 21 and 22, 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.

[0164] 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 of the Vs is for example between 15 and 60, better still between 30 and 45.

[0165] 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.

[0166] 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.

[0167] The arms 140 meet at their base. The same goes for the arms 150.

[0168] 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.

[0169] Catching is particularly pronounced with the application members 30b on account of the orientation of the end portions 151.

[0170] 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.

[0171] 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 radial distance from the central part makes it easier for the eyelashes to access the composition.

[0172] In the example in FIGS. 23 and 24, each element 10 of the applicator part 5 has a succession of identical application members 160, for example 14 thereof.

[0173] 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.

[0174] The elbow 162 is directed in the clockwise direction, the elbow 163 toward the outside, the elbow 164 in the counterclockwise direction, and the elbow 165 toward the outside.

[0175] The elbows 163 and 164 form a groove 167, the bottom of which is defined by a segment 168 of the application member.

[0176] 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.

[0177] The segment 169 is offset toward the segment 168 with respect to the leg 161. 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.

[0178] 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.

[0179] The groove 167 makes it possible to form a reserve of composition radially away from the central part, thereby allowing the eyelashes to be loaded without the latter having to be dipped deeply into the applicator part.

[0180] 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.

[0181] 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.

[0182] 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.

[0183] Various modifications can be made to this example, notably with regard to the shape of the abovementioned groove, 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. A variant embodiment of the applicator part 5 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26.

[0184] In this example, the element 10 only has solid application members 30.

[0185] Each application member 30 has a radial arm 300, provided at its end with an X-shaped head 301, having two inner arms 302 that are oriented at 90 to one another toward the central part 12, and two outer arms 303 that are oriented at 90 to one another toward the outside.

[0186] The center of the X is situated on the elongation axis Y of the application member 30.

[0187] The length s of the arms 302 and 303 is for example between 0.1 and 3 mm, this length being able to be identical or different for the different arms of the head 301.

[0188] In the example in question, the arms 302 and 303 extend at an angle of about 45 to the elongation axis.

[0189] The inner arms 302 form hooks suitable for gripping the eyelashes introduced into the applicator part. Their reentrant orientation makes it possible to readily catch the eyelashes.

[0190] The outer arms 303 define an elbow at their meeting point and a cavity 305 that is open toward the outside, in which the composition can collect by surface tension while remaining easily accessible for the eyelashes. The bottom of the cavity 305 is situated at a distance q from the central part 12 of for example between 0.5 and 7.5 mm, better still between 1 and 6 mm.

[0191] The ratio q/h, where h is the total height of the application member, is preferably greater than or equal to 25%, better still greater than or equal to 50%.

[0192] The elements 10 can be angularly offset about the longitudinal axis Z of the core, on account of the twisting of the latter.

[0193] The element 10 shown in FIG. 27 has an alternation of application members 400 and 410 in the circumferential direction, about the central part 12.

[0194] The application members 400 are constituted of radial arms having a cross section that decreases toward their free end, the elongation axis Y of which is coincident with a radius.

[0195] The application members 410 have an enlarged base 403 with a triangular shape when viewed along the axis X of the central part 12, said enlarged base 403 meeting the base of the adjacent radial arms 400 at the central part 12.

[0196] Two V-shaped arms 405 are attached to the vertex of the base 403, these arms 405 extending in continuation of the sides 403a of the base 403 and forming at their meeting point an elbow and between one another a cavity 408 that is open toward the outside. The arms 405 extend symmetrically to one another with respect to the elongation axis Y.

[0197] The depth n of this cavity, measured along the elongation axis Y, is for example greater than or equal to 0.1 mm, better still greater than or equal to 0.5 mm.

[0198] The ratio n/h, where h denotes the total height of the application member, is for example between 25% and 50%.

[0199] The distance h-n from the bottom of the cavity 408 to the surface of the central part 12 is for example between 1.9 mm and 7.9 mm, better still between 1.5 mm and 4 mm.

[0200] The composition can collect in the cavity 408 at a nonzero radial distance from the surface of the central part 12.

[0201] FIG. 28 illustrates the angular offset between the elements 10 on account of the twisting of the core.

[0202] FIG. 29 shows an application member 500 that comprises a strand of material that forms a loop. The strand of material comprises two lateral legs 502 that are joined by a top arm 504 at their distal end. The top arm 504 comprises an undulated form that forms a cavity 506 in which the product can accumulate. The undulated form defines at least one elbow.

[0203] The embodiment of FIG. 30 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 29 in that the strand of material forms an unclosed loop. In the illustrated example, the loop is open at one of its junctions to the core. In a variant, the loop is open anywhere else on the strand of material, for example in the top arm as illustrated in FIG. 31.

[0204] In the embodiment of FIG. 29, the lateral legs 502 are straight. However, as illustrated on FIG. 31, they could have an undulated form. In this case, the top arm could not be in an undulated form.

[0205] FIG. 32 displays a further embodiment in which the strand of material 600 comprises a hook 602 at its extremity and a protruding relief 604 on its side. The hook defines an elbow and the hook and the protruding relief define a surface 606 that can accumulate product.

[0206] FIG. 33 displays an application member 700 has a P form, the loop of the P 702 being unclosed. In the loop of the P 702 define an elbow and the product can accumulates therein.

[0207] The embodiment of FIG. 34 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 33 in application member 800 is in the form of an A with a short leg 802 that is not connected to the core. The loop of the A 804 is closed or not. The loop of the A 804 could be hollow or not. The short leg 802 and the loop 804 form between them an elbow that can accumulated product.

[0208] FIG. 35 displays an application member 900 comprising a central arm 902 and two lateral arms 904 extending from the central arm. The extremity of the central arm 902 is enlarged. The lateral arms 904 and the central arm 902 define between them an elbow that can accumulate product.

[0209] FIG. 36 illustrated an application member 1000 that comprises a central arm 1002 and two lateral arms 1004 extending from the extremity of the central arm 1002. The application member 1000 can have the form of a mushrooms. The lateral arms 1004 and the central arm 1002 define between them an elbow that can accumulate product.

[0210] 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.

[0211] 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.

[0212] The core can be given a curvature, such that the applicator part extends along a curved longitudinal axis.

[0213] 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.