WO2013153525A1

WO2013153525A1 - Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashed and/or eyebrows

Info

Publication number: WO2013153525A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/052870
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Louis Gueret
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2012-04-11
Filing date: 2013-04-11
Publication date: 2013-10-17
Also published as: FR2989254B1; FR2989254A1

Abstract

Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising: -a stem (7), -a moulded applicator member (12) fixed to the stem, comprising a body (14) and teeth extending from the body, -a brush (9) comprising a twisted core (10) and bristles (11) extending from the core, and -an element (20) for holding the brush (9) on the moulded applicator member (12), said element (20) being disposed such that at least one cross section of the applicator comprises simultaneously a cross section of the core of the brush, a cross section of the holding element and a cross section of the moulded applicator member.

Description

Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, and also to a packaging and application device comprising such an applicator. The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing such an applicator.

Very many applicators comprising a stem and, at one end of the latter, a brush for applying the product, wherein the brush comprises a core formed from two arms of a metal wire that are twisted together and grip the bristles, are known.

Applicators comprising a moulded applicator member supported on a central rigid core or comprising a hollow body held on a stem by a rigid and large head are also known. The bristles near the free end of such moulded applicator members are not necessarily suitable for applying makeup to the corner of the eye and to small eyelashes, insofar as they can be quite short and too spaced apart to load the eyelashes without forming lumps and cannot make it possible to easily reach the poorly accessible eyelashes.

International Application WO 96/29905 discloses applicators having spherical elements threaded onto a core which has at its free end an additional tool for combing the eyelashes. In that application, the spherical elements do not have teeth and cannot help in combing and separating the eyelashes.

Patent FR 2 155 192 discloses a mascara brush comprising a fine brush at its free end opposite the stem, the core of the brush being inserted into the base of the fine brush.

Application FR 2 948 542 describes a mascara applicator comprising a brush having a twisted core fixed to a stem, an end piece comprising teeth being fixed to the free end of said brush.

Application FR 2 762 494 describes an applicator member having reliefs and at its distal end a tip mounted on the applicator member itself.

Application US 2006/0042647 describes a mascara applicator, the stem of which has a flexible portion at its end, the applicator member being fixed to said flexible portion.

Also known, from Patent Application EP 1 917 883, is an applicator comprising a flexible portion. However, the core of the brush inserted into a housing in the flexible portion can be detached in certain cases of use, in particular when the flexible portion swells in contact with the cosmetic product, the housing receiving the core then no longer being sufficiently tight to hold the applicator element.

Application FR 2 916 328 describes a mascara brush withatwisted core and a fitted element with portions of teeth being circumferentially spaced and separated by the bristles extending from the twisted core. The fitted element is fixed to the twisted core by threading the latter through or by being fixed on to the latter via a relative displacement with regard to the latter.

Application EP 1 161 896 discloses a device for applying a product to keratinous material, comprising a support and a mounting member coupled to the support. The mounting member, configured to pivot with respect to the support, carries at least one row of application elements on a face opposite to the dorsal face.

Application EP 1 935 279 describes a mascara applicator with an application member including a core secured or made monolithically with a rod and an outer casing defining an inner cavity in which the core is inserted, the outer casing being fixed to the rod and to the core, by being sandwiched between the core and a portion of the rod.

There is a need to further improve applicators for applying makeup to the eyelashes or eyebrows, in order in particular to improve the performance of said applicators, and to have a new applicator which is reliable, comfortable and easy to use and which allows various makeup effects.

There is also a need to benefit from an applicator which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, providing great modularity with regard to possible makeup results while making it possible to avoid the need to use a large number of moulds to manufacture it.

There is in particular an interest in benefiting from the advantages of a moulded applicator member which is able to afford sufficient precision to allow the application of makeup to the corners of the eye and small eyelashes.

The invention aims to respond in full or in part to these needs and relates, according to one of its aspects, to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising:

- a stem, - a moulded applicator member fixed to the stem, comprising a body and teeth extending from the body,

- a brush comprising a twisted core and bristles extending from the core, and

- an element for holding the brush on the moulded applicator member, said element being disposed such that at least one cross section of the applicator comprises simultaneously a cross section of the core of the brush, a cross section of the holding element and a cross section of the moulded applicator member.

The expression "cross section" denotes a section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

The invention makes it possible to apply makeup precisely and to obtain various makeup effects. The brush having a twisted core can make it possible to apply product to eyelashes that are difficult to reach. The brush can also make it possible to separate or curl certain eyelashes after application of the product by way of the moulded applicator member. An applicator according to the invention makes it possible to work on the eyelashes located at the extremities of the eye in order to draw them outwards and thus to create a more wide-eyed look.

The invention provides a hybrid applicator for creating very varied makeup results depending on the choice of implantation of the bristles of the brush and the arrangement of the teeth of the moulded applicator member.

Moreover, the presence of the holding element allows the brush to be held on the rest of the applicator in all use conditions of the applicator.

Holding element

The holding element may have a tubular shape so as to define a sleeve. Other shapes are conceivable.

The holding element may provide a clamping effect on the proximal end of the twisted core and on the moulded applicator member.

The holding element may be located, in the cross section in question, between the core and the moulded applicator member. The holding element may comprise a housing which receives the proximal end of the twisted core. Thus, the core of the brush may be fixed in a housing of the holding element, a part of the moulded applicator member being positioned around the holding element. In this case, the core is held directly by the holding element and any swelling of the moulded applicator member has no effect on the holding of the core.

Alternatively, the holding element may be located, in the cross section in question, around the moulded applicator member. The core may be in contact with the moulded applicator member. The twisted core may pass through the holding element. Thus, the core of the brush may be fixed in a housing in the moulded applicator member, the holding element being positioned around that part of the moulded applicator member that has the core fixed in the housing. In this case, if the moulded applicator member swells, this swelling will be limited towards the outside by the holding element, which will force the swelling to take place towards the inside, tightening the core even further and preventing the latter from detaching from the rest of the applicator.

The holding element is preferably produced from a material more rigid than a material of the moulded applicator member. The holding element may comprise at least one of the materials from the following list: acetate, HDPE, LDPE, linear PE, PP, PT, POM, PA, PET, PBT, PS, this not being limiting. The holding element may be produced with a material having a hardness for example greater than 70 Shore D, better still greater than 80 Shore D.

The term "rigid" should be understood as meaning that the holding element does not substantially deform on application. A rigid holding element can undergo a slight overall deformation in the event of a force exerted thereon by the fingers, for example.

The moulded applicator member may be produced from a flexible material, chosen in particular from the following list: elastomeric material, thermoplastic, thermoplastic elastomer, PE, LDPE, PP, POM, PVC, PU, thermoplastic polyester elastomers, in particular copolymers of butene terephthalate and esterified polytetramethylene oxide glycol, Santoprene^®, Hytrel^®, EPDM, PDM, EVA, SIS, SEBS, SBS, latex, silicone, nitrile, butyl, polyurethane, poly ether-block-amide, polyester, this list not being limiting. The moulded applicator member may be produced with a material having a hardness for example between 25 Shore A and 80 Shore D, or even between 40 Shore A and 70 Shore D. This flexible material may be a material that swells under the effect of a solvent contained in the product to be applied, for example a hydrocarbon solvent. The flexibility of the moulded applicator member may be chosen depending on the properties desired for application, for example by virtue of the choice of material or materials of which it is made, in particular their Shore hardness.

The moulded applicator member may be produced from an elastically deformable material. The expression "elastically deformable" should be understood as meaning that the moulded applicator member has a certain shape memory. The expression "elastically deformable" should be understood to have a broad meaning and covers in particular the case in which the moulded applicator member, after having been deformed, returns by elasticity to a position which is not strictly identical to its initial position, taking into account, for example, the nature of the material used to produce the moulded applicator member and the shape thereof. Preferably, the applicator member is elastically deformable and returns exactly to its shape after a deformation to which it is likely to be subjected during normal use of the applicator.

In some implementation examples, the core of the brush may not deform visibly when the moulded applicator member is deformed.

The holding element may have teeth, or alternatively not have teeth. The teeth may be as described hereinbelow in connection with the moulded applicator member. They may have a shape identical to or different from those of the moulded applicator member. The teeth of the holding element may be produced from a material more rigid than a material of the teeth of the moulded applicator member. Thus, proceeding along the longitudinal axis of the applicator from the free end of the applicator, it is possible to encounter in succession the bristles carried by the brush, rigid teeth of the holding element, and flexible teeth of the moulded applicator member, and then the stem.

The holding element may be overmoulded with the moulded applicator member. The holding element may also be snap-fastened to or formed by two-shot injection moulding with the moulded applicator member. Preferably, the holding element is not screwed to the moulded applicator member. The inner surface of the holding element may be smooth or have protrusions. The outer surface of the holding element may be smooth or have protrusions. The holding element may comprise at least one element for retaining in the moulded applicator member. For example, the retaining element is a flange, a fin or any other protruding element.

The moulded applicator member may also comprise at least one means for axially blocking the holding element. For example, a radial protrusion of material at one end of the moulded applicator member may form an abutment that serves as a means for axially blocking the holding element.

Preferably, the holding element is an independent member and is neither part of the stem, nor of the moulded applicator member nor of the core holding the bristls.

The moulded applicator member may be located between the stem and the brush. The brush defines the free end of the applicator. Proceeding along the longitudinal axis of the applicator from the free end of the applicator, the bristles carried by the brush, the moulded applicator member, and then the stem are encountered in succession.

Stem

The stem supporting the moulded applicator member extends along a longitudinal, preferably rectilinear, axis.

The moulded applicator member may be fixed to the stem for example by snap-fastening, stapling, force-fitting, adhesive bonding, overmoulding, pressing, crimping, screwing, in a cold or hot state.

The stem may comprise a first, rigid portion that is extended on the distal side by a second, more flexible portion, for example made of elastomer, carrying the moulded applicator member. The stem may thus have an elastically deformable distal portion. This distal portion is for example formed by an end piece attached to the rest of the stem, which can be produced from a more rigid material than the end piece. The end piece may have one or more annular grooves which give it more flexibility.

The holding element in the current invention is notably a different element from the distal portion of the stem. In particular, it should not be confused with, said end piece if the latter exists.

The holding element, unlike the end piece, may not be attached to the rest of the stem by force fitting, over moulding or screwing. Better still it is not in direct contact with the stem.

The stem may have a constant cross section along its longitudinal axis. Alternatively, it may have a visible portion that has a variable cross section, for example varying over more than half of its length and passing through at least one maximum at a non-zero distance from the ends of the visible portion, as described in International Application WO 2011/051852. The stem may be in the form of a cylinder of revolution or approximately in the form of a cylinder of revolution, at least along the major part of its length. The stem is for example other than flattened in a plane. The stem may for example have a length much greater than its width, for example more than two times, or even more than three times, better still more than five times greater than its width.

The stem may have a solid or hollow cross section having a shape chosen from the following list: circular, non-circular, oblong, oval, elliptical, polygonal, square, rectangular, triangular, kidney-shaped, crenellated, star-shaped, having one or more grooves. A circular cross section is preferred.

The stem is preferably produced by injection-moulding thermoplastic material, for example POM. The first rigid portion of the stem or the stem may be produced from a thermoplastic material, in particular one of the materials chosen from the following list: HDPE, LDPE, linear PE, PT, PP, POM, PA, PET, PBT, this list not being limiting.

The first rigid portion of the stem and the elastically deformable distal portion, when they exist, preferably have similar transverse dimensions in order to promote wiping, for example the same diameter.

At a second end opposite the first end, the stem may be connected to an applicator gripping member which may constitute a cap for closing, in a sealed manner, a container containing the product to be applied.

The stem may be connected rigidly to the gripping member. Alternatively, there is a hinge between the stem and the gripping member.

The stem may extend along a longitudinal axis that is coincident with a longitudinal axis of the twisted core and of the moulded applicator member. Alternatively, the stem may extend along a longitudinal axis that forms a non-zero angle with a longitudinal axis of the twisted core and of the moulded applicator member. The body of the moulded applicator member may extend along a longitudinal axis that forms an angle, at at least one point along its length, with the longitudinal axis of the stem to which it is fixed. The body of the moulded applicator member may be bent at its attachment to the stem. The core may be bent at its attachment to the moulded applicator member, and then extend, for example, in a rectilinear manner. The longitudinal axis of the moulded applicator member may be rectilinear, or alternatively not rectilinear, for example curved. It may form a single curve, or alternatively a plurality of curves, for example two.

The longitudinal axis of the core may be rectilinear, or alternatively not rectilinear, for example curved. It may form a single curve, or alternatively a plurality of curves, for example two.

Proceeding along the longitudinal axis of the applicator, the length taken up by the moulded applicator member may be equal to, greater than or less than the length taken up by the brush. Preferably, the length of the moulded applicator member is greater than the length of the brush, the latter being used, for example, essentially for applying makeup to the eyelashes at the extremities. The length of the brush may for example be less then 2/3 of the length of the moulded applicator member.

Brush having a twisted core

The thread which is used to produce the core and is preferably a metal wire may have a diameter ranging from 0.2 to 2 mm, better still between 0.35 and 1.5 mm for example, or even between 0.4 and 1 mm. It is preferably folded in a U shape and then twisted on itself over the bristles to be gripped. The metal wire may be sheathed in plastics material.

The core may be twisted with a left-hand or right-hand thread, in particular a left-hand thread as described in French Patent Application FR-A-2 701 198. In a brush having a left-hand thread, the arms of the core are twisted by turning towards the left in order to form turns which, as seen along the axis of the core from the end fixed in the stem, turn in the clockwise direction from the stem towards the free end of the brush.

The brush may have between 5 and 70 bristles per turn, counted over 180° around the axis of the core. The bristles may have a diameter of between 3/100 and 35/100 of a mm, or even between 6/100 and 30/100 of a mm.

The free ends of the bristles of the brush define an envelope surface which may, if necessary, extend along a longitudinal axis that is coincident with that of the stem and/or with that of the core, or alternatively form a non-zero angle with the longitudinal axis of the core and/or the longitudinal axis of the stem. The envelope surface is defined as being the surface which is based on the free ends of the bristles. The envelope surface may have any shape, having for example a polygonal, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, oval, oblong, lozenge-shaped or kidney-shaped cross section.

The brush may have an envelope surface having a cross section that decreases in size towards the distal end of the brush.

The envelope surface of the brush may have a cross section, at its proximal end adjacent to the moulded applicator member, that has approximately the same dimensions as the envelope surface of the moulded applicator member at its distal end. Thus, the envelope surface of the brush may lie substantially in the continuity of the envelope surface of the moulded applicator member. At the junction of the envelope surfaces, the slopes of the envelope surfaces of the moulded applicator member and of the brush may be substantially the same when the applicator is viewed in a longitudinal section plane.

The envelope surface of the brush may have at its end the shape of a portion of a ball having a diameter greater than a largest diameter of the moulded applicator member.

The bristles of the brush may rest against the distal end of the moulded applicator member. This reduces the risk of an excess of product accumulating between the moulded applicator member and the brush. The bristles that rest against the moulded applicator member may have a length, measured from the core, greater than the diameter of the largest circle circumscribing the body of the moulded applicator member.

The bristles may be natural or synthetic, and their ends may be subjected to any type of known treatment, in order for example to form rounded heads or forks. The brush may comprise a mixture of bristles. The bristles used may be of any nature, in particular bristles having a solid, circular section, or hollow bristles, having a capillary groove, which are flat or twisted, or else having a region of preferred deformation. The bristles may undergo a treatment after being manufactured, for example a mechanical or thermal treatment, allowing the formation of balls or forks at their ends. Some bristles of the brush may thus have a ball at their free end. The bristles and/or the moulded applicator member may be flocked. The bristles may be treated so as to minimize the turn effect resulting from the twisting of the core.

The bristles of the brush may have any section, hollow or solid. They may be produced from elastomer, in particular Hytrel^®. The length of the brush, measured between the distal end of the moulded applicator member and the distal end of the brush, is for example between 2 and 20 mm.

Moulded applicator member

The body of the moulded applicator member may have no longitudinal through-passage.

The applicator may comprise a single moulded applicator member, that is to say a moulded applicator member moulded in one piece, or alternatively may comprise a plurality of moulded applicator members, for example two or three, disposed in succession. In the case where the applicator comprises a plurality of moulded applicator members disposed in succession, these applicator members may be produced from different materials.

The moulded applicator member may comprise a housing into which the core penetrates. In a variant, the core is force-fitted into the moulded applicator member. In a further variant, the moulded applicator member is overmoulded on the core.

The free ends of the teeth of the moulded applicator member define an envelope surface which may, if necessary, extend along a longitudinal axis that is coincident with that of the stem and/or with that of the core, or alternatively form a nonzero angle with the longitudinal axis of the core and/or the longitudinal axis of the stem. The envelope surface is defined as being the surface which is based on the free ends of the teeth.

With the twisted brush having an envelope surface and the moulded applicator member having an envelope surface, the two envelope surfaces may continue one another without forming a discontinuity. Alternatively, it is possible for them not to continue one another, thereby forming a discontinuity.

The envelope surface of the moulded applicator member may have any shape, having for example a polygonal, square, rectangular, hexagonal, octagonal, oval, oblong, lozenge-shaped or kidney-shaped cross section. The envelope surface may have a substantially rotationally symmetrical shape, for example substantially in the shape of a cylinder of revolution.

The cross section of the moulded applicator member may pass through at least one extreme. The moulded applicator member may have an envelope surface having a cross section that decreases in size towards the proximal end of the moulded applicator member.

The expression "longitudinal axis of the body" denotes the line connecting all of the centres of mass of the cross sections of the body. The longitudinal axis may be a central axis, or even an axis of symmetry for the body, in particular when the body has a circular cross section or a cross section in the general shape of a regular polygon. The longitudinal axis of the body 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 body.

Teeth and rows of teeth

The term "tooth" denotes an individualizable protuding element supported by the body and intended to come into engagement with the eyelashes.

The teeth may be disposed in rows of teeth. The expression "row of teeth" refers to a set of teeth disposed along an axis of the row. The set of teeth forming the row may extend from one end of the moulded applicator member to the other, or else in a more limited manner over only a portion of a length of the body that is measured along its longitudinal axis, for example between 1/4 and 3/4 of the length of the body. The moulded applicator member may comprise an even or odd number of rows, for example at least five, at least six, at least seven, at least eight, at least nine or at least ten rows of teeth, or even eleven or twelve. Preferably, the moulded applicator member comprises an even number of rows.

A row may comprise at least five teeth, better still at least eight teeth, even better still at least ten teeth, more preferably at least 15 teeth, disposed along the axis of the row. The applicator may have between 75 and 500 teeth, for example. Within a row of teeth, the number of teeth may be between 6 and 60, in particular between 10 and 50.

A row of teeth may be single or multiple, or double. Within a row, the teeth may be disposed in a V shape or in accordance with any other implantation.

The expression "single row" denotes a row of teeth in which the teeth are aligned along an axis of the row, which may be parallel or approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

The expression "multiple row" refers to a row of teeth that is composed of teeth that are circumferentially offset with respect to one another along the longitudinal axis of the body, while being in succession along the longitudinal axis of the body. The multiple row may be considered to be one row or a plurality of single rows disposed side by side. The multiple row may be a double row, a triple row or a quadruple row, for example.

The expression "double row" refers to a row of teeth that is composed of teeth disposed on either side of a geometric separation surface, the teeth being in succession along an axis of the row that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. It is possible for the teeth in the double row to form two rows of single teeth, each of the rows of single teeth extending along a longitudinal axis of the single row and extending in each case on one side of the geometric separation surface of the double row.

The expression "row of teeth in a V shape" is understood as meaning two single rows of teeth that are parallel to one another, the teeth in one row having the same axial position as the teeth in the other row along the longitudinal axis of the support and forming a notch between one another.

Two rows may differ from one another, for example by way of the implantation of the teeth in the row. The moulded applicator member may comprise different rows disposed in alternation or opposite one another. The expression "implantation of the teeth in the row" is understood as meaning the disposition on the core of the teeth in the row, with respect to the longitudinal axis of the core, that is to say the spacing between the teeth, the axial position of the teeth in the row, the circumferential position of the teeth in the row. Examples of implantation are, for example, implantation in a single row, in a multiple row, in a V shape, in staggered rows.

Teeth in two different rows may have a different spacing. The "spacing" of the teeth in a row refers to the distance between the elongation axes of two consecutive teeth in a row along the longitudinal axis of the body. In the case of straight and parallel teeth, the spacing is measured between the peaks.

The length of the teeth in at least one row may vary, for example in a monotonous manner, within one row along the longitudinal axis of the body. For example, along the longitudinal axis of the body, the length of the teeth within at least one row may increase between the proximal end and a first abscissa and then remain substantially constant between this first abscissa and a second abscissa before decreasing between this second abscissa and the distal end. For example, the length of the teeth within at least one row may have two maxima.

Two teeth in two different rows having the same abscissa measured along the longitudinal axis of the body may have approximately the same length, and better still all of the teeth have the same abscissa or the same length.

Some teeth, or even all of the teeth, may have a semi-circular, or semi- elliptical, cross section. A shape with a flat part, such as a semi-circular or semi-elliptical shape, may make it easier to remove the moulded applicator member from the mould, the flat part being coincident with the joint face.

At least one tooth may have a circular cross section, with or without a flat part, or a non-circular, flattened, or star-shaped cross section, for example in the shape of a cross or having a number of arms, in the shape of a U, H, T or V, a hollowed-out shape, for example a circular or square shape, forming branches, for example in the shape of a flake, a prismatic shape, for example a triangular, square or hexagonal shape, an oblong shape, in particular a lenticular shape, or an hourglass shape, a polygonal shape which is or is not regular, in particular a square, rectangular, octagonal, parallelogram, lozenge or oval shape. At least one tooth may have at least one relief in order to improve the adhesion of the product to the tooth. The cross section of the tooth may decrease homothetically the further it becomes from the body, along for example more than half the length of the tooth.

Some teeth of the applicator, or even all of the teeth, may have a thickness measured at their base, that is to say at the attachment point of the teeth to the body, of between 0.2 and 0.8 mm, or even between 0.3 and 0.5 mm. The expression "thickness of a tooth" denotes the greatest transverse dimension of the tooth in a section perpendicular to the elongation axis of the tooth. The thickness of the teeth may be chosen for example depending on the type of makeup result to be achieved and/or on the nature of the eyelashes and/or on the rheology of the product.

The teeth may have any shape. The teeth may have a cylindrical or tapered shape, in particular a frustoconical or pyramid shape. At least one tooth may have an at least partially frustoconical profile, for example which ends with a rounded free end, such that the cross section of the tooth decreases from its base in the direction of its free end.

At least two teeth may define a V-shaped groove when the applicator is viewed from the side perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis. At least two consecutive teeth in a row of teeth may have first longitudinal faces that have the same first shape, for example a planar shape, in particular at least in a lower portion of the tooth, and second longitudinal faces that have the same second shape, for example a non-planar, in particular rounded, shape. The first faces may be oriented in the same direction of rotation around the body, that is to say may all be directed in the same clockwise or anticlockwise direction when the body is viewed along its longitudinal axis.

The first faces of the teeth, in particular when they are planar, may be attached in an approximately perpendicular manner to the corresponding face of the body, at least in the case of some of the teeth in the row.

At least one tooth, or even each tooth, may have a planar face parallel to its elongation direction.

Some teeth may cross.

The teeth may be rectilinear or not rectilinear, each extending for example in a tooth elongation direction which is rectilinear, or else curved, for example wave-shaped.

The teeth may extend in at least four different directions around the longitudinal axis of the body.

The teeth may extend from the body in a radial manner, that is to say along an elongation axis that passes through the longitudinal axis of the body, or perpendicularly to the surface of the body, or else at an angle of between 0 and 90° with the latter.

At least one tooth in a row may extend, at least in its portion that is attached to the body, or even along its entire length, in a first direction Z_{l s} which is perpendicular to the longitudinal face of the body to which the tooth is attached or at a small angle with respect to the normal to said surface of the body, for example less than 10°, better still than 5°. One tooth in a consecutive row or in the same row in the case where the latter is a multiple row, for example an angled row, may extend, from the same face of the body, in a second direction Z₂, at least in the portion which is attached to the body, or even along its entire length, at a non-zero angle a with respect to the first direction, when the body is viewed along its longitudinal axis. The angle a between the directions Z_\ and Z₂ may be between 5 and 80°. The length of a row may be between about 10 and 45 mm, in particular between 15 and 35 mm, or even between 20 and 30 mm, and is for example around 25 mm.

The body may have a cross section having a constant or non-constant shape along the longitudinal axis of the core, along for example at least half, or even three quarters or all of the length of the second portion of the core carrying the moulded applicator member. The section may for example vary homothetically. Proceeding from the proximal end towards the distal end of the moulded applicator member, the cross section of the body may for example increase or decrease in size monotonously. Proceeding from the proximal end towards the distal end of the moulded applicator member, the cross section of the body may have one extreme, for example a minimum or an absolute maximum.

The body may have a non-circular cross section over the greater part of its length. The body may have a shape which is or is not rotationally symmetrical overall. It is possible for it not to have the shape of a cylinder of revolution and not to have reliefs other than the teeth. Over at least a portion of its length, the body may have a cross section having a shape selected from the following list: circular or non-circular, semicircular, elliptical, oblong, semi-elliptical, polygonal, square, hexagonal, octagonal, semi- polygonal. This shape may vary along the longitudinal axis of the body.

The body may have a variable profile when viewed perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis. The body may in particular have a transverse dimension that reaches an extreme approximately half-way along its length. This can give the body increased rigidity or flexibility and can make it possible to define an envelope surface having a variable section along the moulded applicator member, in particular when the length of the teeth is constant within a row, at least over a portion of the moulded applicator member.

The body may have, in at least one cross-sectional plane, an axis of symmetry which is for example the major axis of the cross section.

The body and the teeth may be moulded from the same material, or alternatively may be produced from at least two different materials. A part of the body and the teeth may for example be produced from a first material, and another part of the body and the teeth may be produced from a second material, which is for example more flexible or harder than the first material or else is a different colour. The body is for example formed from one or more thermoplastic materials, which may be elastomeric. The moulded applicator member may be produced by any known method, such as injection moulding, two-shot injection moulding, and also protrusion, in which one material is injected through at least a part of the body so as to form the teeth. In implementation examples of the invention, the teeth are produced by moulding or overmoulding with the body. The teeth may, for example, be produced by protrusion.

The moulded applicator member may be disposed on the stem at any desired angular orientation or alternatively at a predefined angular orientation, for example with respect to the brush when the latter has an envelope surface having a non-circular cross section and/or with respect to the gripping member.

The moulded applicator member may be curved. It may be moulded without a curvature and be curved while it is being fixed to the stem.

The moulded applicator member and the brush may both have an envelope surface having a circular cross section, or alternatively both have a non-circular cross section. In this case in particular, the moulded applicator member may be disposed in an angularly indicated manner with respect to the brush, for example in order that the major axes of the cross sections are contained in one and the same plane.

Device

According to another of its aspects, the invention also relates to a device for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising:

- a container containing the product, and

- an applicator according to the invention, as defined above.

The container may be equipped with a wiping member which is connected to the container or moulded in one piece therewith and is optionally adjustable. The wiping member may be of any suitable type, being flexible or rigid, with one or two stages.

The wiping member defines a wiping orifice through which the brush and the moulded applicator member pass when these are withdrawn from the container, the diameter of the wiping orifice preferably being between 2.5 and 5.5 mm, for example around 4 mm. The expression "diameter of the wiping orifice" should be understood as meaning that of the largest circle inscribed in the wiping orifice. The wiping orifice may be circular or not circular. It may for example form waves or teeth or else comprise radial slots or slots which are at a tangent to the orifice. The wiping orifice may be matched to the largest diameter of the part of the stem inserted into the container when the latter is closed.

The moulded applicator member and the brush may be connected by the stem to a gripping member, the gripping member possibly comprising means for indicating the position of the moulded applicator member and/or of the brush with respect to the user, in particular allowing the user to identify a possible rotation of the applicator with respect to the user.

The gripping member of the applicator may serve as a cap for closing the container. The container and the closure cap may be configured so as to ensure the leaktightness of the closure of the container. They may for example engage by screwing.

The product may be a makeup or care product, in particular a mascara, for example a water-resistant mascara or else a mascara that is resistant to rubbing.

The moulded applicator member and the brush may be designed to stir the product in the container. A maximum cross section of the envelope surfaces of the moulded applicator member and of the brush may take up at least 70% of the internal section of the container at least along a portion of the path covered by the moulded applicator member and the brush during their removal from the container. The height of this portion is preferably at least equal to twice the length of the moulded applicator member and the brush, being for example between two and ten times the length of the moulded applicator member and the brush, as described in International Application WO 2009/153753.

The device may be configured such that the moulded applicator member and the brush are spaced apart from the internal surface of the container by a distance of less than 1.5 mm, better still than 0.5 mm, when the applicator is in place on the container in a storage position.

Makeup method

According to another of its aspects, the invention also relates to a method for applying makeup to the eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising the step of applying a product to the eyelashes or eyebrows with the aid of an applicator according to the invention, as defined previously. The invention thus relates to a method for applying makeup to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows with the aid of an applicator as defined above, comprising the following steps:

- the cosmetic product is applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows with the aid of one of the brush and the moulded applicator member, in particular the moulded applicator member, and

- the other of the brush and the moulded applicator member, in particular the brush, is used to load product onto the eyelashes in the corner of the eye, to separate the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, or to curl the eyelashes.

Description of the figures

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof, and with reference to the attached drawing, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic elevation view, in partial longitudinal section, of an example of a device produced in accordance with the invention,

- Figure 2 shows the applicator from Figure 1 on its own, in partial longitudinal section,

- Figure 3 is a schematic and partial longitudinal sectional view of the applicator from Figures 1 and 2,

- Figure 3a is a schematic and partial cross-sectional view on III-III of the applicator from Figures 1 to 3,

- Figures 3b to 3f are views similar to Figure 3a of variant embodiments,

- Figures 4 to 6 and 4a to 4k are schematic and partial longitudinal sections through variant embodiments,

- Figures 41 to 4n are perspective views of variant embodiments of the holding element,

- Figures 7a to 7i and 8a to 8c are schematic and partial longitudinal sections through variant embodiments,

- Figures 9a and 9b show side views of variant embodiments of the stem,

- Figures 10, 10a and 10b show examples of wiping members, and

- Figures 11a and l ib illustrate examples of arrangements for increasing the flexibility of the applicator member. Figure 1 shows a packaging and application device 1 produced in accordance with the invention, comprising 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 product is for example a mascara. The product may comprise iron oxides or other pigments. The product P may comprise a hydrocarbon solvent or silicone solvent.

In the example in question, the container 3 comprises a threaded neck 4 and the applicator 2 comprises a gripping member 5 that also forms a closure cap designed to be fixed to the neck 4 in order to close the container 3 in a sealed manner when it is not being used.

The applicator 2 comprises a stem 7 having a longitudinal axis Y, which is attached at its upper end to the gripping member 5 and, at its lower end, to an applicator member 8.

The applicator member 8 comprises firstly a brush 9 having a twisted core 10 and secondly a moulded applicator member 12 which comprises a body 14 carrying teeth 18, and also a element 20 for holding the brush on the moulded applicator member. In the example described, the holding element 20 is disposed such that at least one cross section of the applicator comprises simultaneously a cross section of the core of the brush, a cross section of the holding element and a cross section of the moulded applicator member, as illustrated in Figure 3 a.

The holding element is produced from a material more rigid than a material of the moulded applicator member.

The container 3 also comprises a wiping member 6, which is for example inserted in the neck 4. In the example in question, this wiping member 6, which may have any form, comprises a lip 6a which is arranged so as to wipe the stem 7 and the applicator member 8 when the applicator 2 is withdrawn from the container 3. The lip 6a defines a wiping orifice having a diameter matched to that of the stem.

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 on the latter, 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 comprise an annular narrowing on its portion that is positioned opposite the lip 6a of the wiping member 6, so as not to unduly stress the latter mechanically during storage.

The applicator member 8 can be fixed to the stem in particular by force-fitting, in particular by snap-fitting, adhesive bonding, welding or crimping, of one end 12a of the moulded applicator member 12 in a corresponding housing 7a provided at the end of the stem 7.

The brush 9 comprises bristles 1 1 , the free ends of which define the envelope surface of the brush. The bristles 11 extend from the core 10. The brush may be cylindrical or alternatively have a variable profile when viewed perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis, being for example lenticular, or drop-shaped, or even frustoconical with a possible bevel at the end. As a further alternative, it may be peanut-shaped or ball-shaped. When the brush is viewed in cross section, the core may be central, as illustrated in Figure 2. Alternatively, the core may be off-centre in the cross section of the brush.

In one alternative, use can be made, to produce the core, of a double metal wire which is itself twisted in order to grip the bristles, thereby making it possible to make the distribution of the free ends of the bristles more random. It is also possible to form the brush by twisting together two twisted cores, each of which bears bristles.

The body 14 comprises a housing 14a that receives one end the twisted core 10 in order to allow the brush 9 to be fixed. The moulded applicator member 12 is located between the stem 7 and the twisted brush 9.

The body 14 has an elongate shape, extending along a longitudinal axis X. As in the example in question, the body 14 may have along the majority of its length a polygonal cross section, the sides of which define the longitudinal faces 15. The body 14 may have a hexagonal cross section, as illustrated more particularly in Figure 3 a.

Alternatively, the body 14 of the moulded applicator member may have a cross section of any shape, for example circular as illustrated in Figure 3b, or polygonal, in particular rectangular, as illustrated in Figure 3c, triangular as illustrated in Figure 3d, or square as illustrated in Figure 3e, or even having teeth extending in continuation of an adjacent side, as illustrated in Figure 3f.

The length of the teeth 18 may decrease towards the stem 7 so as to make it easier for the applicator member 8 to pass the wiping member 6 when the applicator 2 is withdrawn from the container. It is also possible for the length of the teeth 18 to decrease or not decrease towards the distal end of the body 14.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 3a, the holding element is located, in the cross section in question, between the core and the moulded applicator member, and the holding element 20 comprises a housing 21 which receives a free end 10a of the twisted core 10.

Furthermore, in this exemplary embodiment, the holding element is retained on the moulded applicator member by virtue of an element for retaining on the moulded applicator member, which has the form of an annular groove 23 that engages with a corresponding annular bulge 14b formed in the housing 14a of the support 14 of the moulded applicator member 12.

Alternatively, the inner and outer surfaces of the holding element may be smooth and the holding element may be retained by a means for axially blocking the holding element present on the moulded applicator member. In the example illustrated in Figure 4, a radial protrusion of material 22 at the distal end of the moulded applicator member forms an abutment that serves as a means for axially blocking the holding element.

As a further alternative, the holding element is located, in the cross section in question, around the moulded applicator member, as illustrated by way of example in Figures 5 and 6. In these examples, the core 10 of the brush 9 is in contact with the moulded applicator member 12. In the example illustrated in Figure 6, the holding element comprises teeth, whereas in the example illustrated in Figure 5, it has no teeth.

In the variant shown in Figure 4a, the holding element 20 is in the form of a sleeve. The holding element 20 is located inside a housing in the moulded applicator member. This configuration is obtained for example by overmoulding the moulded applicator member on the holding element. At its distal end, the holding element 20 comprises an end portion 25 having a largest diameter that is for example approximately the same as the diameter of the body 14 of the moulded applicator member, protruding out of the latter. At the end opposite its end portion 25, the holding element comprises a flange that forms an element 26 for axially retaining the holding element. This flange that forms an axial retaining element 26 is for example visible on the holding element 20 shown in Figure 41. Other flanges that form axial retaining elements 26 can be disposed along the entire length of the holding element as is shown in Figure 4b.

With reference to Figure 4c, the holding element 20 differs from that in Figure 4a in that it does not comprise an enlarged end portion. The holding element is substantially covered by the moulded applicator member extending longitudinally beyond the holding element, preventing the latter from detaching.

With reference to Figure 4d, the holding element 20 differs from that in Figure 4a in that it comprises protruding elements 27 instead of the flange 26. These protruding elements 27 extend radially more or less in a transverse plane in order to be positioned in passages in the moulded applicator member in order to form axial retaining elements in rotation about the axis X. These protruding elements 27 are also visible on the holding element in Figure 4m.

The retaining element can also be fins 28 extending radially along the holding element 20 as is shown in Figure 4n.

With reference to Figure 4e, the holding element 20 is spherical so as to be mounted in a rotary manner in the housing 14a in the moulded applicator member.

In the variants shown in Figures 4a to 4e, the rigid holding element located inside the moulded applicator member ensures that the core 10 is held in spite of the variations in shape of the moulded applicator member on account of its deformation or swelling in contact with the product.

In the variant shown in Figure 4f, the body 14 of the moulded applicator member comprises an annular groove on its outer wall and the holding element 20 is a tubular sleeve mounted in a clamped manner in this groove so as to surround the part of the body 14 comprising the housing 14a that receives the core 10. In this way, this part of the body 14 can no longer deform or swell radially and the dimensions of the housing 14a receiving the core 10 remain constant or narrow in order to hold the core in all conditions of use.

With reference to Figure 4g, the holding element 20 differs in particular from the one in Figure 4f in that it comprises a closed end portion provided with an orifice for the core 10 of the brush to pass through in order to be fixed in the housing 14a in the body 14. With reference to Figure 4h, the holding element juts out from the annular groove on the external wall of the body 14. It may thus assume a form that promotes cleaning of the wiping member.

With reference to Figure 4i, the tubular holding element 20 comprises a protrusion on its inner wall engaging with a recess in the body 14. Any other type of internal protrusion may also be conceivable.

With reference to Figure 4j, the tubular holding element 20 is pressed onto the body 14 of the moulded applicator member 12.

With reference to Figure 4k, the thickness of the tubular holding element 20 is variable, for example in order to obtain a convex or concave inner surface in order to obtain better fixing of the holding element to the moulded applicator member 12.

In the following text, for the sake of simplicity of the exposition, the envelope surface E₂ of the moulded applicator member denotes the envelope surface defined simultaneously by the teeth of the moulded applicator member itself and by any teeth of the holding element, when the latter has teeth.

The envelope surface Ei of the brush and the envelope surface E₂ of the moulded applicator member may continue one another without forming a discontinuity, as illustrated in Figures 7b, 7c, 7d and 7i in particular, where the tangent to the envelope surface has an inclination which continues without a discontinuity on passing from the brush to the moulded applicator member.

Alternatively, they may form a discontinuity, as illustrated in Figures 7a and 8a, for example. In these examples, the slope of the envelope surface undergoes a change in inclination on passing from the brush to the moulded applicator member.

Proceeding along the longitudinal axis of the applicator 2, the length P₂ taken up by the moulded applicator member may be greater than the length Pi taken up by the brush, as illustrated in Figures 3, 7a, 7e, 7f, 7h and 7i.

Alternatively, the length P₂ taken up by the moulded applicator member may be equal to the length Pi taken up by the brush, as illustrated in Figures 7b and 7g.

As a further alternative, the length P₂ taken up by the moulded applicator member may be less than the length Pi taken up by the brush, as illustrated in Figures 7c and 7d. Furthermore, the envelope surface Ei of the brush and the envelope surface E₂ of the moulded applicator member may have any shape, as illustrated in Figures 7a to 7i. The envelope surface Ei of the brush may be ball-shaped, as illustrated in Figure 7h. It may widen towards the moulded applicator member, as illustrated in Figures 7d, 7e, 7g and 7i, or also widen in the direction of the free end, as illustrated in Figure 7f, or even have a minimum, as illustrated in Figure 7c. Similarly, the envelope surface E₂ of the moulded applicator member may be ball-shaped, as illustrated in Figure 7g. Alternatively, it may have a minimum, as illustrated in Figure 7e.

In the examples which have just been described with reference to Figures 1 to 7i, the applicator extends along a rectilinear longitudinal axis X.

Alternatively, the applicator may extend along a non-rectilinear longitudinal axis X. Figures 8a and 8b illustrate two variant embodiments in which the core extends along a curved longitudinal axis X. In the example in Figure 8a, the axis is curved around a single geometric axis of curvature, and in the example in Figure 8b, the axis is curved around two geometric axes of curvature.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 8c, the moulded applicator member is rectilinear and the twisted core of the brush is curved.

In order to mould the applicator member 12, use can be made of a thermoplastic material which is or is not relatively rigid, in particular flexible, for example SEBS, a silicone, latex, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefm such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, PET, POM, PA or PMMA, PV, SIS or SEBS. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Hytrel^®, Cariflex^®, Alixine^®, Santoprene^®, Pebax^®, this list not being limiting. The applicator member may also be produced from metal.

In the example in question, the teeth 18 are produced in one piece by being moulded from thermoplastic material with the body 14. The teeth 18 and the body 14 may be produced from different materials, if need be.

At least one of the teeth 18 may have a non-smooth surface state, for example ridges produced by moulding or projections linked, for example, to the presence of a filler in the plastics material. The moulded applicator member may be produced from a plastics material comprising magnetic particles. The magnetic field created by such particles, which may be magnetizable and/or magnetized, can interact with magnetic fibres or pigments which may be present in the product.

The moulded applicator member may be produced with flocking, the latter extending for example only over the teeth or only over the core.

At their free ends, the teeth may have a relief or a particular shape, for example a fork, a ball or a hook. The hook may extend for example transversely, parallel or obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the core. In order to obtain the balls, it is possible for example to heat the moulded applicator member so as to melt the ends of the teeth. In order to obtain the forks or hooks, the moulded applicator member may be treated mechanically, for example ground, and thus the ends of the teeth abraded.

The applicator member 8 may comprise any bactericidal agent, such as silver salts, copper salts, preservatives and also at least one product preservative, such as parabens or other preservatives.

The core and/or the body and/or the bristles and/or the teeth 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 on the surface of the tooth or of a bristle or to help the eyelashes to slide on the teeth. At least one of the core, the body, a bristle and a tooth may be flocked, receive any heat treatment or mechanical treatment, and/or comprise particles, for example a filler, in order in particular to improve sliding.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the stem 7 has a circular cross section, but if the stem 7 has a different section, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention, it then being possible for the gripping member 5 to be fixed to the container 3 in some other way than by screwing, if necessary. The wiping member 6 is matched to the shape of the stem 7 and to that of the applicator member 8, if need be.

The stem may have a constant cross section along its longitudinal axis, for example a circular cross section.

Alternatively, the visible portion of the stem may have a maximum over a section that extends along more than a quarter of the length of the visible portion of the stem, or along more than a third, or along more than half the length of the visible portion of the stem, or along the entire length of the visible portion. This maximum may be singular, as illustrated in Figure 9a, and the cross section of the visible portion of the stem may increase and then decrease in size along its longitudinal axis.

Alternatively, the stem may comprise two maxima, as illustrated in Figure 9b. The wiping member may comprise a wiping orifice having a circular, oval, square or triangular cross section. The wiping member may comprise one or more slits, the slit or slits being radial, as illustrated in Figure 10a, or at a tangent to the orifice, as illustrated in Figure 10b.

The wiping member may be produced in some other way, for example comprise a block of foam, which may be split. The wiping member may also, for example, be as described in Patent Applications US 2005/0028834, US 6328495, US 6375374, US 2004/0258453 and US 2005/0175394.

In particular, the wiping member may be rigid or made of elastomeric material.

The wiping lip 6a may advantageously be wave-shaped, having a radially internal free edge defining a passage orifice 122 for the applicator member, as illustrated in Figure 10. The wiping lip 6a may comprise undulations 120 that extend around the orifice 122. The wiping lip 6a may comprise a number of undulations 120 of between 3 and 12, for example.

The wiping lip 6a may extend generally in the form of a cone converging in the direction of the bottom of the container, having a generatrix G that is at an angle i with the axis K of the container. Alternatively, the wiping lip 6a may extend generally in a mid- plane perpendicular to the axis K or else generally in the form of a cone converging in the direction of the outlet of the container.

The wiping member may also be adjustable, if need be.

The stem 7 to which the core is fixed may be at least partially, in particular entirely, flexible, for example close to the applicator member. The stem may for example comprise at least one flexible element 80, as illustrated in Figure 11a, for example made of elastomer and/or having a shape that confers flexibility, for example at least one notch 81, as illustrated in Figure l ib. The applicator may able to vibrate, that is to say that it is possible to apply vibrations thereto during application, combing or picking up of product, for example as described in Application WO 2006/090343.

It may be set into vibration either by a generator fitted in the applicator, in particular on the gripping member, in a removable or non-removable manner, or by a external vibrating element fitted on a finger of the user, for example. A vibration generator is described in French Patent Application FR 2 882 506. The vibrations may make it possible to obtain better separation of the eyelashes and, when a composition comprising fibres is used, better orientation of the latter and/or easier uptake.

As a further alternative, the applicator may be heated, that is to say comprise a heating and/or rotary element.

It is also possible for the applicator member to be able to vibrate and to be heated or only to be able to vibrate or only to be heated or only to be able to rotate.

When the applicator is able to rotate, the gripping member may house an electric motor for rotating the stem. It may be advantageous for the moulded applicator member to be mounted such as to be able to rotate on the twisted core in the event of high torque. This may make it possible to avoid making the stem detachable.

Of course the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, the characteristics of which can be combined within variants that are not illustrated.

The term "between" is understood as including the limits, unless otherwise specified. The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least".

Claims

1. Applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising:

- a stem (7),

- a moulded applicator member (12) fixed to the stem, comprising a body (14) and teeth (18) extending from the body,

- a brush (9) comprising a twisted core (10) and bristles (11) extending from the core, and

- an element (20) for holding the brush (9) on the moulded applicator member (12), said element (20) being disposed such that at least one cross section of the applicator comprises simultaneously a cross section of the core of the brush, a cross section of the holding element and a cross section of the moulded applicator member.

2. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the holding element is located, in the cross section in question, between the core and the moulded applicator member.

3. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the holding element comprises a housing which receives the proximal end of the twisted core.

4. Applicator according to Claim 1 , wherein the holding element is located, in the cross section in question, around the moulded applicator member.

5. Applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the twisted core passes through the holding element.

6. Applicator according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the core is in contact with the moulded applicator member.

7. Applicator according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the holding element has teeth.

8. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element is produced from a material more rigid than a material of the moulded applicator member.

9. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the holding element comprises at least one of the materials from the following list: acetate, HDPE, LDPE, linear PE, PP, PT, POM, PA, PET, PBT, PS.

10. Applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the moulded applicator member is produced from a flexible material, chosen in particular from the following list: elastomeric material, thermoplastic, thermoplastic elastomer, PE, LDPE, PVC, PU, thermoplastic polyester elastomers, in particular copolymers of butene terephthalate and esterified polytetramethylene oxide glycol, Santoprene^®, Hytrel^®, EPDM, PDM, EVA, SIS, SEBS, SBS, latex, silicone, nitrile, butyl, polyurethane, poly ether-block-amide, polyester.

11. Device for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising:

- a container (3) containing the product, and

- an applicator (2) according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Device according to the preceding claim, comprising a wiping member

(6).