WO2015092586A1

WO2015092586A1 - Applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows

Info

Publication number: WO2015092586A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/066503
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marcel Sanchez
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2013-12-17
Filing date: 2014-12-02
Publication date: 2015-06-25
Also published as: FR3014656A1; US20170020266A1; EP3082500A1; FR3014656B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to an applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member (8) having: - a core (10) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), and - at least one bow (13) of which the ends are attached to the core (10), said bow carrying application elements and extending in a twist around the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10), the distance between the bow (13) and the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10), measured perpendicularly to the core (10), being variable along the core and passing through a maximum away from the ends for attaching the bow (13) to the core (10).

Description

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

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, for example mascara.

The invention also relates to devices having a container which contains the product to be applied and is provided with a wiping member, and the applicator.

Applicators having arms that carry application elements and form one or more openings between one another are known from the applications EP 1 726 234 and EP 1 169 941.

The application US 2008/0245382 relates to an applicator having helical arms that carry application elements, which alternate with helical sections that carry bristles.

The applications FR 2 962 015 and FR 2 943 226 furthermore describe applicators having a twisted core.

The application FR 2 936 691 describes an applicator having a twisted kernel that carries application elements which are present prior to the twisting of the kernel.

The application FR 2 958 129 discloses an applicator having a drive system for bringing a core that carries moulded application elements from a rest configuration, in which the core is not twisted, into a configuration in which it is twisted. This applicator is relatively complex to produce and it is fairly large on account of the presence of the drive system.

There is a need to further improve applicators for applying a product, in particular mascara, to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, in order to improve the performance thereof, and more particularly to promote the creation on the applicator member of zones that are more heavily laden with product, which allow easy application of makeup and rapid and abundant loading of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, while allowing different makeup effects.

There is also a need to circumvent current limitations in methods for manufacturing such applicators. A subject of the invention, according to one of its aspects, is an applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member having:

a core that extends along a longitudinal axis, and

at least one bow of which the ends are attached to the core, said bow carrying application elements and extending in a twist around the longitudinal axis of the core,

the distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the core, measured perpendicularly to the core, being variable along the core and passing through a maximum away from the ends for attaching the bow to the core.

By virtue of the twist and the variable spacing between the core and the bow, the invention makes it possible to obtain, on the applicator member, between the core and the bow, at least one zone that forms a reservoir and which acquires a surplus of product after wiping. Said surplus of product allows the eyelashes and/or eyebrows to be loaded with a large and satisfactory amount of product from the first application. Said eyelashes and/or eyebrows can then be easily separated using the application elements carried by the bow.

A further subject of the invention is a method for manufacturing an applicator according to the invention. This method may comprise steps in which:

two portions connected by at least one bow that carries application elements are moulded, and

a rotation is imposed on one of the portions with respect to the other such that the bow extends in a twist around a longitudinal axis of the applicator.

This manufacturing method makes it possible to alleviate the tricky problem of demoulding twisted components. Specifically, the two portions and the bow are first of all moulded without a twist and the two portions are then rotated with respect to one another.

The bow can thus take up a rest configuration, in which it is rectilinear and not twisted, and a twisted configuration. Advantageously, the bow is initially contained in one and the same diametric plane as the axis of the two portions that it connects following moulding.

By virtue of the step of twisting following moulding, it is possible to produce applicators having different configurations from one and the same mould. The bows thus have a greater or lesser spacing from the core, thereby making it possible to have applicators that afford more or less definition on application and different makeup effects.

The expression "distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the core^'" denotes the distance, measured along the longitudinal axis of the core and perpendicularly thereto, between the longitudinal axis of the core and that face of the bow that does not carry the application elements and faces the core.

The expression "longitudinal axis of the core" denotes the line connecting all of the centres of mass of the cross sections of the core. The longitudinal axis may be a central axis, or even an axis of symmetry for the core, in particular when the core has a circular cross section or a cross section in the overall shape of a regular polygon. The longitudinal axis of the core may be rectilinear or curved and may be contained in a plane, which may be a plane of symmetry for some, or even for all of the cross sections of the core. Preferably, the longitudinal axis of the core is rectilinear.

The expression "application element" denotes an individualizable projecting element intended to come into engagement with the eyelashes and/or eyebrows.

Core and bow

The twist in the bow results from an angular offset, about the longitudinal axis of the core, between the ends for attaching the bow to the core.

The angular offset can be between 30° and 360°, better still between 30° and 180°. The twist in the bow thus extends through less than one complete revolution around the longitudinal axis of the core.

In one variant, the angular offset, about the longitudinal axis of the core, between the ends for attaching the bow to the core is greater than or equal to 180°, better still greater than or equal to 360°.

The twist in the bow can run in the clockwise or anticlockwise direction from the proximal end to the distal end of the applicator member.

The direction of the twist can be such that the applicator is advantageously inserted into a container, containing the product to be applied, in the direction of the twist, thereby facilitating its insertion. By contrast, the applicator is advantageously removed from the container in the opposite direction to the direction of the twist, thereby allowing it to be more rigid with respect to the product and allowing more effective mixing of the latter before it is picked up. The distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the core may increase, from the distal end for attaching the bow to the core, until it reaches a maximum located approximately halfway between the ends for attaching the bow to the core, and then decrease again towards the proximal end for attaching the bow to the core.

In the twisted configuration, the greatest distance between the bow and the longitudinal axis of the core may be between 1 mm and 5 mm, better still between 2 mm and 3 mm.

The length of the bow, in its rest configuration, is greater than the spacing along the longitudinal axis of the core between the ends for attaching the bow to the core, in the twisted configuration of the applicator member. The bow has a length at rest that makes it possible to obtain the desired angular offset for producing the twist and makes it possible to have the desired change in distance between the bow and the core.

The ratio between the length of the bow and the spacing along the longitudinal axis of the core between the ends for connecting the bow to the core, in the twisted configuration of the applicator member, may be between 1.5 and 3, better still between 1.5 and 2.

The largest cross section of the bow is preferably smaller than the smallest cross section of the core, and is in particular at least 2 times smaller. The bow is thus more deformable than the core, which is more rigid.

The largest cross section of the bow may be between 0.5 mm² and 1.5 mm², better still between 0.8 mm² and 1.2 mm².

The largest cross section of the core may be between 2 mm² and 9 mm², better still between 3 mm² and 6 mm².

The bow may have a cross section with a circular or non-circular, for example polygonal, in particular hexagonal or rectangular, or elliptical, shape.

The core may have a cross section, taken perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, with a circular or non-circular, for example polygonal, in particular hexagonal or rectangular, or elliptical, shape, or in the shape of a cross with three, four or more arms. The core may be hollow or solid.

The length of the core may be between 15 mm and 30 mm.

The core advantageously carries a plurality of bows, in particular between two and ten bows. This makes it possible to obtain a number of zones that form reservoirs and/or a wide zone that forms a reservoir, acquiring a surplus of product following wiping of the applicator member.

In this case, the bows can be identical to one another through a rotation of 360°/n around the longitudinal axis of the core, n being the number of bows.

The core may carry application elements that extend therefrom and are disposed in particular in one or more longitudinal rows. The user can access the application elements of the core by virtue of the bending of the flexible bow(s) during application.

The application elements of the core may serve to load the eyelashes and/or eyebrows with product by virtue of the zone that forms a reservoir, and the application elements of the bow(s) can make it possible to separate the eyelashes and/or eyebrows by combing them.

The core is preferably a central core. When the core carries a plurality of bows, the longitudinal axis of the core is advantageously located equidistantly from the bows along its entire length, all around its longitudinal axis.

When the core carries a plurality of bows, at least two bows may each have proximal ends and distal ends for connecting to the core which are offset axially along the longitudinal axis of the core.

The core may have two portions that are joined together by any means, in particular by friction, snap-fastening, welding, adhesive bonding, stapling, stamping or insertion. One of the portions of the core may have an end piece that is not in the form of a cylinder of revolution and is intended to be inserted into a complementary housing formed in the other portion.

The ends of the bow(s) are connected respectively to these two portions. The two portions of the core are advantageously joined together following rotation with respect to one another in order to create the twist in the bow. The joining together of the two portions of the core makes it possible to form a continuous core and keep the applicator in the desired twisted state. In order to maintain this twisted state, the two portions of the core can be prevented from being released from one another by any means, for example by the use of portions that have cross sections which are not rotationally symmetrical, or by the use of at least one portion that has ridges on its part intended to engage with the other portion. In one variant, the core has a metal insert, this insert being in particular overmoulded, preferably along its entire length, with a thermoplastic material in which at least a part of the core that carries the bow and/or the bow is produced. The metal insert may have a circular section, being for example cylindrical, or a non-circular section, for example a rectangular or U-shaped or L-shaped section. An insert with a non-circular section makes it possible to improve the anchoring of the material on the insert.

In a further variant, the core has two metal arms that are intended to be twisted together and are able to grip bristles, in the same way as conventional mascara brushes referred to as twisted-core mascara brushes. In this case, the two portions which are made of thermoplastic material and to which the ends of the bow are attached are advantageously gripped by said arms following twisting. The twisted arms keep said portions angularly offset with respect to one another so as to create twists in the bows. The two metal arms may be separate or form part of a U-shaped pin. The two portions may have any shape that is compatible with their being retained by the twisted arms.

The core, the bow(s) and the application elements of the core and/or of the bow(s) may be moulded from one and the same material, or in a variant be made from at least two different materials.

A part of the core, the bow(s) and the application elements of the core and/or of the bow(s) may for example be made from a first material, and another part of the core, the bow(s) and the application elements of the core and/or of the bow(s) may be made from a second material which is for example more flexible or harder than the first material.

The core and/or the bow(s) and/or the application elements of the core and/or of the bow(s) may be made from a thermoplastic or thermosetting elastomeric material.

Application elements

The height of the application elements of a bow may vary, for example in a monotonous manner, along the bow. For example, along the bow, the height of the application elements may increase between the proximal end for attaching the bow to the core and a first abscissa, then remain approximately constant between this first abscissa and a second abscissa before decreasing between this second abscissa and the distal end for attaching the bow to the core.

In one variant, the application elements of a bow are the same height. The application elements of the bow may differ from one another by way of at least one of their shape in cross section, thickness, maximum distance from the longitudinal axis of the core, orientation, colour and/or material.

Some application elements of the bow, or even all the application elements, may have a thickness measured at their base, that is to say at the point at which the application elements are attached to the bow, of between 0.5 and 2 mm, or even between 0.9 and 1.2 mm. The expression "thickness of an application element' denotes the largest transverse dimension of the application element, in section, perpendicularly to its elongation axis. It is a diameter when the application element has a cylindrical or conical overall shape. The expression "elongation axis of the application element' denotes an axis which passes through the centres of mass of the cross sections of the application element.

The application elements of the bow may be any shape. The application elements may have a cylindrical or tapered, in particular conical, frustoconical or pyramidal shape. At least one application element may end with a rounded, in particular hemispherical, free end.

At least one application element may extend from the bow along an elongation axis perpendicular to the surface of the bow at the point at which the application element is attached to the bow. Preferably, all of the application elements extend from the bow along an elongation axis perpendicular to the surface of the bow at the point at which the application elements are attached to the bow.

The same goes for the application elements carried by the core, if appropriate.

Each bow may have between 10 and 50 application elements, for example between 15 and 25 application elements.

The core may have between 10 and 50 application elements, for example between 15 and 30 application elements.

In the variant in which the core of the applicator member has a twisted-core brush, the application elements carried by the core are bristles held between the turns of the core.

The height of at least one application element of the bow, measured from the bow, may be between 1 mm and 3 mm.

The height of at least one application element of the core, measured from the core, may be between 1 mm and 3 mm. The expression "height of an application element' denotes the distance measured along the elongation axis of the application element between its free end and its base by way of which it is connected to the bow or to the core.

Applicator

The applicator may have a stem that carries the applicator member at a first end and is fixed to a gripping member at a second end.

The core may be moulded with an end piece for fixing to the stem of the applicator.

The applicator member may be fixed to the stem by snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding, crimping, pressing, stapling, force-fitting, fitting in a cold state or fitting in a hot state, for example by being mounted in a housing in the stem. In a variant, the stem may be received in a housing provided in the core.

It is also possible for the stem and the applicator member to be moulded or not to be moulded in one piece and from the same thermoplastic material.

The applicator member may have a mounting end piece that is moulded in one piece with the core and may have, if appropriate, one or more narrowed portions that improve the flexibility of the applicator and the smoothness of application.

The core may extend along a longitudinal axis which, at at least one point along its length, forms an angle with the longitudinal axis of the stem to which the core is fixed. The applicator member may be angled at its attachment to the stem.

The stem may have a first, rigid portion that is extended on the distal side by a second, more flexible portion, for example made of elastomer, that carries the applicator member.

A largest transverse dimension of the core may be smaller than, larger than or equal to a largest transverse dimension of the stem. The largest transverse dimension of the core may be between 2 mm and 3 mm.

The visible length of the applicator member may be between 15 mm and 30 mm.

Application device

A further subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator according to the invention and a container containing the product.

The gripping member of the applicator may form a cap for closing the container. The container may have a wiping member suitable for wiping the stem and the applicator member.

The largest transverse dimension of the envelope surface of the applicator member that is defined by the application elements of the bows is advantageously larger than the diameter of the circle inscribed in the wiping orifice. The bow deforms on passing the wiping member, while the applicator is being withdrawn from the container.

The product contained in the container is preferably a mascara.

Manufacturing method

The two portions connected by the bow(s) may be moulded, only being connected together by the bow(s), and are then joined together following relative rotation of the portions with respect to one another about the longitudinal axis of the core.

In one variant, the two portions are moulded together and then separated, in particular by cutting, and joined back together following relative rotation of the portions.

In a further variant, the two portions are overmoulded on a metal insert and the insert is deformed in torsion when the two portions are rotated with respect to one another.

In one variant, the core has two twisted metal arms that are able to grip bristles, in the same way as conventional mascara brushes referred to as twisted-core mascara brushes. Two portions made of thermoplastic material are advantageously gripped by said arms following twisting, the ends of the bow being attached to these portions.

The two portions may extend along one and the same rectilinear longitudinal axis, or may form an angle after being joined together.

The features mentioned above for the applicator apply to the device and to the manufacturing method.

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

Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view, in partial longitudinal section, of an exemplary packaging and application device produced in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the applicator member from Figure 1 on its own,

Figure 3 is a front view of the applicator member from Figure 2, Figures 4A to 4C illustrate steps in the manufacture of an applicator member according to the invention,

Figures 5A and 5B illustrate steps in the manufacture of a variant embodiment of an applicator member according to the invention,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2 of an applicator member according to the invention while it is being manufactured,

Figure 7 A shows a view in longitudinal section of a variant embodiment of the applicator member according to the invention,

Figure 7B shows a detail of the applicator member from Figure 7A, following assembly,

Figures 8, 9 and 11 show variant embodiments of applicator members according to the invention, before rotation of those portions of the core to which the bows are attached,

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view on X-X in Figure 9,

Figure 12 is an exploded view of a variant embodiment of an applicator member according to the invention, before rotation of those portions of the core to which the bows are attached.

Figure 1 shows a packaging and application device 1 produced in accordance with the invention, having an applicator 2 and an associated container 3 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, for example mascara or a care product.

The container 3 has, in the example in question, a threaded neck 4 and the applicator 2 has a closure cap 5 designed to be fixed on the neck 4 so as to close the container 3 in a sealed manner when it is not in use, the closure cap 5 also forming a gripping member for the applicator 2.

The applicator 2 has a stem 7 of longitudinal axis Y, which is attached at its upper end to the closure cap 5 and at its lower end to an applicator member 8. The latter has a core 10 that extends along a longitudinal axis X.

The container 3 also has a wiping member 6, for example inserted into the neck

4.

This wiping member 6, which may be any wiping member, has, in the example in question, a lip designed to wipe the stem 7 and the applicator member 8 when the applicator 2 is withdrawn from the container 3. The lip defines a wiping orifice 6a having a diameter adapted to that of the stem.

In the example illustrated, the stem 7 has a circular cross section, but if the stem 7 has some other section, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention, it then being possible to fix the cap 5 on the container 3 in some other way than by screwing, if necessary. The wiping member 6 is adapted to the shape of the stem 7 and to that of the applicator member 8, if appropriate.

Preferably, and as in the example in question, the longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7 is rectilinear and coincident with the longitudinal axis of the container 3 when the applicator 2 is in place thereon, but if the stem 7 is not rectilinear, forming for example an elbow, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

If need be, the stem 7 may have an annular narrowing at its portion that is positioned opposite the lip of the wiping member 6, so as not to mechanically stress the latter unduly during storage.

The applicator member 8 may be fixed to the stem 7 by any means, and in particular by force-fitting, snap-fastening, adhesive bonding, welding, stapling or crimping, in a corresponding housing provided at the end of the stem 7.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the applicator member 8 may have an end piece 9 for fixing it in a corresponding housing in the stem 7, optionally in an aligned manner. A shoulder may be provided between the core 10 and the fixing end piece 9. The length 4 of the end piece 9 may be between 6 mm and 9 mm.

In a variant, the stem 7 may be inserted into a housing provided in the core 10. The core 10 may also be produced in one piece with the stem 7 by being moulded together therewith.

With reference to Figure 2, it can be seen that the core 10 has a shape that is elongate along the longitudinal axis X, which is rectilinear in the example described.

As in the example in question, the core 10 may have a circular cross section along the majority of its length. The longitudinal axis X may be central, as illustrated. Other cross-sectional shapes are possible, however.

The length of the core may be between 15 mm and 30 mm.

The visible length H of the applicator member 8 may be between 15 mm and 30 mm, and is around 23 mm in the example illustrated. The stem 7, to which the applicator member 8 is fixed, may be at least partially, and in particular completely, flexible, in particular in the vicinity of the applicator member.

As illustrated in Figure 2, the applicator member 8 has a plurality of bows 13 of which the ends are attached to the core 10 and which each extend in a twist around the longitudinal axis X of the core 10.

The bows 13 carry application elements 18.

The core 10 may carry between two and ten bows 13, for example 9 bows in the examples in Figures 1 to 3 and 6, two bows in the examples in Figures 4A to 4C, 7A and 7B, 9 and 11, and three bows 13 in the example in Figure 8. In the variant shown in Figures 5 A and 5B, the core 10 carries a single bow 13.

The distance D between each bow 13 and the longitudinal axis of the core 10 is variable along this axis and passes through a maximum, for example halfway between the ends for attaching the bows to the core.

The method for manufacturing an applicator 2 according to the invention has the steps in which two portions 14 and 15 of the core 10 that are connected by bows 13, as shown in Figure 4A, are moulded, and a rotation is imposed on one of the portions with respect to the other such that the bows 13 are deformed and each extend in a twist around the longitudinal axis X, as shown in Figures 4B and 6.

The two portions 14 and 15 are then joined together following this relative rotation.

In the examples in Figures 4B, 5 A or 6, the portion 15 has an end piece 22 intended to be fixed in a complementary housing (not visible) formed in the portion 14, for example by welding or by adhesive bonding. It is possible for the end piece 22 and the complementary housing not to be in the form of cylinders of revolution, the end piece 22 being intended to be inserted into said complementary housing.

In the example in Figures 7A and 7B, the portion 14 has a projecting relief 24 intended to be snap-fastened into a hollow relief 25 in the portion 15 in order to join together said portions by snap-fastening.

In the example in Figure 8, the portion 14 is joined to the portion 15 by stapling. The twist in the bows 13 results from an angular offset of angle a, about the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, between the ends 11 and 12 for attaching the bows 13 to the core 10.

The angle a may be between 30° and 360°, being for example equal to 180° in the example in Figures 4A to 4C.

In the variant shown in Figure 5B, the angular offset a is greater than or equal to 180°, for example greater than or equal to 360°.

In the examples illustrated, the direction of the twist in the bows 13 is in the clockwise direction, starting from the distal attaching end 1 1 to the proximal attaching end 12.

As can be seen in particular in Figure 2, the distance D between the bows 13 and the core 10 increases, starting from the distal attaching end 11, until it reaches a maximum D_m located, in the example in question, approximately halfway between the ends 11 and 12 for attaching the bows 13 to the core 10, and then decreases again towards the proximal attaching end 12.

In the twisted configuration of the applicator member 8, the greatest distance D_m between the bow 13 and the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 may be between 1 mm and 5 mm.

As shown in Figure 2, a set 20 of bows 13 may have distal ends 11 and proximal ends 12 for attaching to the core 10 that are axially offset with respect to those of another set 21 of bows 13.

The length L_a of the bow 13 in its rest configuration, shown in Figure 5 A, is greater than the distance L_p between the ends 1 1 and 12 for attaching the bow 13 to the core 10, in the twisted configuration.

The ratio L_a/L_p may be between 1.5 and 3.

In the examples described, the largest cross section of each bow 13 is smaller than the smallest cross section of the core 10, being in particular at least 2 times smaller.

The largest cross section of each bow 13 may be between 0.5 mm² and 1.5 mm². The largest cross section of the core 10 may be between 2 mm² and 9 mm².

In the examples in Figures 1 to 4C and 6, the bows 13 have a cross section, taken perpendicularly to the axis of the twist, having a rectangular shape. In the example in Figures 5 A and 5B, the bow 13 has a circular cross section. In the examples described, the core 10 has a cross section, taken perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis X, having a circular shape. However, the invention is not limited to one particular shape of cross section of the core and bow.

In the examples shown, the application elements 18 on the bows 13 each extend from the latter along an elongation axis perpendicular to the surface of the corresponding bow, at the point at which the application element 18 is attached to the bow 13. In one variant which is not shown, the elongation axis of at least one application element 18 forms an angle other than 90° with the surface of the bow 13 at the point at which the application element is attached to the bow.

The height of the application elements 18 on a bow 13 may be constant along the entire length of the bow and may be identical from one bow to another. In a variant which is not shown, the height of the application elements 18 can vary within one bow and/or from one bow to another.

The height of the application elements 18 on the bows 13 is for example between 1 mm and 3 mm.

The thickness e_p of the application elements 18, measured at their base, visible in Figure 6, is for example between 0.5 mm and 2 mm.

The application elements 18 carried by the bows 13 may have various shapes. In the examples in Figures 1 to 4C, 6 and 8, the application elements 18 have a pyramidal shape.

In the examples in Figures 5 A, 5B and 9 to 11, the application elements 18 have a tapered shape. However, the invention is not limited to a particular shape of application elements 18.

A bow 13 may have between 10 and 50 application elements 18, for example around 20 application elements.

As shown in particular in Figures 5 A and 5B, the core 10 may carry application elements 19 that extend therefrom in a number of longitudinal rows 30, 31.

In the examples shown, the application elements 19 on the core 10 each extend from the latter along an elongation axis perpendicular to the surface of the core 10, at the point at which the application element 19 is attached to the latter. In one variant which is not shown, the elongation axis of the application elements 19 forms an angle other than 90° with the surface of the core 10 at the point at which the application elements are attached to the core.

In the examples in question, the height of the application elements 19 is constant along the entire length of the core, within one longitudinal row and from one row to another. In a variant which is not shown, the height of the application elements 19 can vary within one row and/or from one row to another. The height of the application elements 19 is for example between 1 mm and 3 mm.

The application elements 19 on the core 10 may have various shapes. In the examples in question, the application elements 19 have a tapered shape. However, the invention is not limited to a particular shape of application elements 19 carried by the core 10.

The core 10 may have between 10 and 50 application elements 19, for example around 15 application elements.

In the example in Figures 9 and 10, the core 10 has a metal insert 23 which is overmoulded with a thermoplastic material in which a part 26 of the core 10 and the bows 13 is produced. The insert 23 is then subjected to torsion in order to angularly offset the ends for attaching the bows to the part 26 and to create the twist in the bows 13.

The cross section of the insert 23 is preferably non-circular, so as to improve the anchoring thereof within the part 26 surrounding it.

In the variant shown in Figure 11, the core 10 has two arms 27, 28 twisted from a U-shaped metal wire that grip bristles 19, in the same way as conventional mascara brushes referred to as twisted-core mascara brushes.

As shown in Figure 12, two portions 14, 15 made of thermoplastic material are intended to be gripped by the arms 27 and 28 after they have been twisted. The bows 13 are attached to these portions. The arms 27, 28 keep the portions 14, 15 angularly offset with respect to one another so as to create the twists in the bows 13.

In the examples which have just been described, the portions 14 and 15 of the core 10 extend along one and the same rectilinear axis. In a variant that is not shown, the two portions of the core 10 form a non-zero angle following assembly.

In order to mould the applicator member 8, use can be made of any thermoplastic material which is or is not relatively rigid, for example SEBS, a silicone, latex, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA or PMMA. The hardnesses of these materials may be between 50 Shore and 90 Shore. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Teflon^®, Hytrel^®, Cariflex^®, Alixine^®, Santoprene^®, Pebax^® and Pollobas^®, this list not being limiting.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, the characteristics of which may be combined with one another as parts of variants which are not illustrated.

The applicator member 8 may comprise any bactericidal agent such as silver salts, copper salts, preservatives and at least one preservative for the product P.

The core 10 and/or the application elements 18 may furthermore comprise particles, for example a filler, in particular a compound which is magnetic, bacteriostatic or absorbs moisture, or else a compound intended to produce roughness.

The expression "having cT should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one", and "between" is understood as including the limits, unless specified to the contrary.

Claims

1. Applicator (2) for applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator member (8) having:

a core (10) that extends along a longitudinal axis (X), and at least one bow (13) of which the ends (11, 12) are attached to the core

(10), said bow carrying application elements (18) and extending in a twist around the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10),

the distance (D) between the bow (13) and the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10), measured perpendicularly to the core (10), being variable along the core and passing through a maximum (D_m) away from the ends (1 1, 12) for attaching the bow (13) to the core (10).

2. Applicator according to Claim 1, wherein the twist in the bow (13) results from an angular offset (a), about the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10), between the ends (11, 12) for attaching the bow (13) to the core (10).

3. Applicator according to Claim 2, wherein the angular offset (a) is greater than or equal to 360°.

4. Applicator according to Claim 2, wherein the angular offset (a) is between 30° and 360°, in particular between 30° and 180°.

5. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance (D) between the bow (13) and the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10) increases, from the distal end (1 1) for attaching the bow (13) to the core (10), until it reaches a maximum (Dm) located preferably approximately halfway between the ends (11, 12) for attaching the bow (13) to the core (10), and then decreases again towards the proximal end (12) for attaching the bow (13) to the core (10).

6. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the greatest distance (Dm) between the bow (13) and the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10) is between 1 mm and 5 mm.

7. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the length (L_a) of the bow (13) is greater than the spacing (L_p) between the ends (11, 12) for attaching the bow (13) to the core (10), in the twisted configuration of the applicator member (8).

8. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the ratio (L_a/L_p) is between 1.5 and 3.

9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the largest cross section of the bow (13) is smaller than the smallest cross section of the core (11), and is preferably at least 2 times smaller.

10. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (10) carries a plurality of bows (13), preferably between two and ten bows (13).

11. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein at least two bows (13) each have proximal ends (12) and distal ends (11) for connecting to the core (10) which are offset axially along the longitudinal axis (X) of the core (10).

12. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (10) carries application elements (19) that extend therefrom and are disposed in particular in a number of longitudinal rows.

13. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the core (10) has two portions (14, 15) to each of which one end of the bow (13) is attached, the two portions (14, 15) being joined together by any means, in particular by friction, snap- fastening, welding, adhesive bonding, stapling, stamping or insertion.

14. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein one of the portions (14, 15) of the core (10) has an end piece that is not in the form of a cylinder of revolution and is intended to be inserted into a complementary housing formed in the other portion (14, 15).

15. Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the core (10) has a metal insert (23), this insert being in particular overmoulded with a thermoplastic material in which at least a part (26) of the core (10) that carries the bow (13) and/or the bow (13) is produced.

16. Applicator according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the core (10) has two twisted metal arms (27, 28) that grip two portions (14, 15) made of thermoplastic material to which each end of the bow (13) is respectively attached.

17. Device (1) for packaging and applying a cosmetic, makeup or care, product (P) to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, having an applicator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims and a container (3) containing the product (P) and having a wiping member (6).

18. Method for manufacturing an applicator (2) according to any one of Claims 1 to 16, wherein:

two portions (14, 15) connected by at least one bow (13) that carries application elements (18) are moulded, and

a rotation is imposed on one of the portions with respect to the other such that the bow (13) extends in a twist around a longitudinal axis (X) of the applicator (2).

19. Manufacturing method according to the preceding claim, wherein the two portions (14, 15) are moulded, only being connected together by the bow (13), and are then joined together following relative rotation of the portions with respect to one another about the longitudinal axis (X).

20. Manufacturing method according to Claim 18, wherein the two portions (14, 15) are moulded together and then separated, in particular by cutting, and joined back together following relative rotation of the portions.

21. Manufacturing method according to Claim 18, wherein the two portions (14, 15) are overmoulded on a metal insert (23) and the insert is deformed in torsion when the two portions are rotated with respect to one another.

22. Manufacturing method according to Claim 18, wherein the core (10) has two twisted metal arms (27, 28) that grip two portions (14, 15) made of thermoplastic material to which each end of the bow (13) is respectively attached.