The present invention relates to applicators intended for the application of a makeup or care product to keratin fibres, and more particularly, but not exclusively, the eyelashes or eyebrows.

The invention relates to an applicator comprising a wand and an applicator element disposed at one end of the wand.

Mascara applicators having a relatively rigid wand are known.

Also known, from the application US 6 305 861, are applicators having a relatively thin wand having a small section along a large part of its length and thus having high flexibility. This flexibility of the wand can hamper the precision of the makeup application under certain application conditions. In addition, such wands cannot be wiped satisfactorily when they are used with certain types of wiping member, for example having an annular lip.

Also known, from the patent application FR-A-2 759 872, is an applicator comprising a flat handle having a narrowing.

Furthermore, the application FR 2 705 876 discloses an applicator having a wand provided with a narrowing that is positioned next to a wiping member. The narrowing does not confer flexibility during application.

Also known, from the application EP 1 917 883, is an applicator comprising a flexible portion. However, the core of the applicator element inserted into a housing in the flexible portion can be detached under 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.

The document DE102006005616, which describes an inter-dental brush, is known, but this brush is not suitable for application of cosmetic product and cannot be joined to a container so as to close it in a sealed manner.

The document FR2916328, which describes a cosmetic product applicator comprising a twisted core and a plastics portion extending along the entire length of the applicator, is known. This plastics portion of the applicator holds the core in a crimped manner in a housing of a flexible part of the wand to which the applicator is joined. This type of applicator in multiple parts is expensive to produce and it is complex to fit it on the wand.

The document DE10354774, which describes a method of producing an applicator mounted on a wand comprising a portion improving the grip, is known.

The document WO2009153753, which describes a cosmetic product applicator, in which the core of the applicator element is fixed in a housing in a rigid holding element housed in a spring connected to a wand, is known. This type of applicator in multiple parts is expensive to produce, it is complex to fit it on the wand and the stiffness of the spring is difficult to control.

There is a need to further improve applicators for applying makeup to keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes or eyebrows, and to have a new applicator which is reliable, comfortable and easy to use.

The present invention aims in particular to meet this need.

The subject of the invention is an applicator for applying a product to keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising:

a rigid wand having a longitudinal axis and comprising at least one elastically deformable flexible portion adjacent to a first end of the wand,

an applicator element having a rigid twisted core and bristles extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the wand, a part of the core being secured to the flexible portion.

According to the invention, a rigid holding element is fixed to the flexible part such that at least one cross section of the applicator comprises a section of the core of the applicator element, a section of the holding element positioned around the section of the core, and a section of the flexible portion positioned around the section of the core.

The invention allows precise application of makeup.

The presence of the flexible portion brings softness to the application, even with a relatively rigid applicator element such as a comb, for example, or with a brush having relatively firm bristles.

The presence of the holding element allows the applicator element to be held in all use conditions of the applicator.

Thus, the core of the applicator element may be fixed in a housing of the flexible portion, the holding element being positioned around the part of the flexible portion having the core fixed in the housing, or the core of the applicator element may be fixed in a housing of the rigid holding element, a part of the flexible portion being positioned around the holding element.

In the first case, if the flexible portion swells, this swelling will be limited towards the outside by the rigid holding element, which will force the swelling to take place towards the inside, tightening the core even further and preventing the latter from detaching.

In the second case, the core is held directly on the rigid holding element and the swelling of the flexible portion has no effect on the holding of the core.

Since the wand is connected to a gripping member, when the applicator element is removed from the container containing the product, the flexible portion can allow the applicator element to form an angle with the gripping member, thereby allowing the applicator element to remain more easily aligned with the longitudinal axis of the container containing the product. When said container is provided with a wiping member, the wiping of the applicator element can be improved, with more homogeneous distribution of the product on the applicator element.

The flexible portion also allows the user to incline the gripping member with respect to the container, by way of a natural hand movement, during the removal of the applicator element.

The resistance of the product on the eyelashes or eyebrows can slow down and deform the applicator element, which accumulates elastic energy as it deforms. The return of the elastic energy accumulated in this way when the applicator element relaxes on arriving at the end of the eyelashes or eyebrows can accelerate a supplementary movement that is likely to improve the elongation and separation of the eyelashes or eyebrows.

The flexible portion can also reduce the risk of hard contact between the eye and the applicator element.

The expression "elastically deformable" should be understood as meaning that the flexible portion 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 flexible portion, 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 flexible portion and the shape thereof. The expression "rigid part" should be understood as meaning a part which does not significantly deform during application. A rigid part can undergo a slight overall deformation in the event of a force exerted thereon by the fingers, for example.

The flexible portion is for example capable of bending in order to modify the orientation of the whole of the applicator element over more than 30°, for example.

The flexibility of the flexible portion can originate from its shape and/or the material or materials used to produce it.

The term "wand" designates the whole formed by the fiexible portion or portions and the rigid part or parts of the wand.

The wand extends axially between the gripping member and the applicator element. The length of the wand is measured between the end adjacent to the applicator element and the end for joining to the gripping member, for example the end where the wand is joined to a transverse plate, inside the gripping member.

The flexible portion may extend along a rectilinear or non-rectilinear longitudinal axis, this axis being for example in line with that of the applicator element.

The flexible portion may be produced by moulding, for example by injection- moulding of thermoplastic material. It is possible in particular for the fiexible portion not to be embossed. The flexible portion may be produced by overmoulding on a rigid part of the wand. Alternatively, the fiexible portion may be fixed to the rest of the wand by snap- fastening, adhesive bonding, screwing, force-fitting or by crimping. The wand may comprise a rigid part having at least one housing for receiving at least one part for fixing the flexible portion to this rigid part. Alternatively, the fiexible portion may comprise at least one housing for receiving at least one part for fixing the rigid part of the wand to the flexible portion. The fixing part of the flexible portion may have an enlarged head or a narrowing in order to improve the retention by the rigid part of the wand in the case of crimping.

The fiexible portion of the wand may be mounted on the rest of the wand and/or on the applicator element hot or cold, in particular by virtue of its deformability, or else be overmoulded on the rest of the wand and/or the applicator element.

The flexibility of the flexible portion 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 flexible portion may be produced at least partially from a material from the following list: elastomeric material, thermoplastic, thermoplastic elastomer, LDPE, PVC, PU, thermoplastic polyester elastomers, in particular copolymers of butene terephthalate and esterified polytetramethylene oxide glycol, Hytrel ^® , EPDM, PDM, EVA, SIS, SEBS, SBS, latex, silicone, nitrile, butyl, polyurethane, poly ether-block-amide, polyester, this list not being limiting.

The flexible portion may be produced with a material having a hardness of between 25 Shore A and 80 Shore D, or even between 40 Shore A and 70 Shore D.

The total visible length / of the flexible portion is for example between 10 and 35 mm.

A larger external transverse dimension of the flexible portion is for example between 2 and 10 mm.

The flexible portion may be magnetizable, having for example a filler made of magnetic particles or of magnetic fibres.

The flexibility of the flexible portion may vary depending on the cross section and on the profile of the flexible portion.

The flexible portion may have a solid or hollow cross section having a varied shape, for example a shape chosen from the following list: polygonal, square, rectangular, triangular, circular, non-circular, oblong, oval, elliptical, crenellated, star-shaped, having one or more annular or axial grooves.

The flexible portion may have a rotationally symmetrical shape about the longitudinal axis of the wand.

The flexible portion may have a narrowing, if need be. This narrowing may be annular in shape. Thus, in exemplary embodiments, the flexible portion of the wand is in the form of a diabolo or has an annular groove in the form of a notch.

The flexible portion of the wand may also have a shape which is not rotationally symmetrical. Such a shape may make it possible to obtain variable flexibility of the wand in the inclination direction of the applicator element with respect to its initial configuration. The flexible portion of the wand may in particular have a cross section having a generally elongate shape. The gripping member may have at least one region for receiving a finger, in particular a flattened portion or a hole, which may extend generally approximately parallel to an axis of greatest dimension of a cross section of the flexible portion. The gripping member may have a shape which is not rotationally symmetrical, promoting the gripping of the applicator in a predefined orientation.

The flexible portion may be symmetrical with respect to a mid-plane.

The flexible portion may have a greatest transverse dimension, for example an outside diameter of the flexible portion, equal to a greatest transverse dimension of the wand, for example a outside diameter of the wand. Alternatively, the flexible portion may have a greatest transverse dimension greater than a greatest transverse dimension of the wand. Alternatively again, the flexible portion may have a greatest transverse dimension smaller than a greatest transverse dimension of the wand.

The visible part of the flexible portion may be thinner that its support that serves to fix it in the rigid part of the wand.

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

This holding element may be positioned in a housing in the flexible portion or, alternatively, around the flexible portion.

The holding element may be overmoulded with the flexible portion. The holding element may be produced from at least one thermoplastic material, preferably chosen from the following list: acetate, HDPE, LDPE, linear PE, PP, PT, POM, PA, PET, PBT, PS. The holding element may be snap-fastened to or bi- injection-moulded with the flexible portion.

The holding element may be contained entirely in the flexible portion, that is to say that no part of the holding element protrudes beyond the outside of the flexible portion.

It is possible for the holding element to extend only at the portion of the core that does not have bristles.

The inner wall of the holding element may be smooth or have protrusions.

The holding element may comprise at least one element for retaining on the flexible portion. For example, the retaining element may be a flange, a fin or any other elements extending radially away from the outer surface of the holding element.

The flexible portion may also comprise at least one means for axially blocking the holding element. For example, a radial protrusion of material at the free end of the flexible portion may form an abutment that serves as a means for axially blocking the holding element. The wand 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 wand may for example be other than flattened in a plane. The wand may for example have a length much greater than its width, for example more than two times, or even more than three times, preferably more than five times greater than its length.

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

The flexible portion may comprise a housing to allow the fixing of the applicator element, in particular to receive a part of the applicator element, for example of the core of the applicator element.

The flexible portion of the wand may deform during application in order to allow the applicator element to be inclined substantially in relation to the rigid part of the wand.

Regardless of the manner in which the wand is produced, the flexible portion may be configured such that the whole of the applicator element can be inclined in a reversible manner during application, for example by more than 10°, preferably 15°, more preferably 30°, or even more than 45° or 60°, with respect to an initial rest configuration in which the applicator element and the wand are for example approximately aligned.

In implementation examples, it is possible for the core of the applicator element not to deform visibly when the flexible portion deforms in order to modify the orientation of the applicator element in relation to the wand.

The rigid part of the wand 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 may be preferred.

The rigid part of the wand 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.

A housing for fixing the applicator element is formed in the flexible portion. This housing may be configured to allow the fixing of applicator elements having fixing parts of different sizes. The size and shape of the housing may be variable, for example by virtue of the deformability of the material of the flexible portion. The end of the wand to which the applicator element is joined may be chamfered in order to make it easier to introduce the applicator into the container, and in particular to pass the wiping member. In one exemplary embodiment, it is the flexible portion which is chamfered, and in another example it is the free end of the holding element projecting from the flexible portion.

The rigid part of the wand and the flexible portion preferably have similar transverse dimensions in order to promote wiping, for example the same diameter.

At its second end, the wand may comprise a part for fixing to the gripping member, for example an end piece intended to be force-fitted and/or snap-fastened into the gripping member. The end piece may comprise a tubular skirt having a plate at its base. The wand may also be moulded in one piece with the gripping member.

The gripping member may be arranged so as to close in a sealed manner a container containing the product to be applied.

The gripping member may comprises means for fixing to the container, for example a screw thread or at least one annular snap-fastening bulge.

The applicator element may extend along a longitudinal axis, it being possible for this longitudinal axis not to be perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the wand. The two axes may for example be approximately coincident or form an angle strictly less than 90°.

The applicator element may comprise a part for fixing to the wand, the length of which is preferably less than the length of the flexible portion, these lengths being measured along the longitudinal axis of the wand.

The applicator element may comprise a core more rigid than the flexible portion of the wand.

Alternatively, the core may comprise two twisted strands of a metal wire, it being possible for the strands to be twisted with a left-hand or right-hand thread.

The wire forming the strands may have a diameter of between 0.35 and 1 mm, for example.

The fixing part may, in this case, be a portion of the core without bristles, this portion being intended to be inserted into a corresponding housing in the flexible portion of the wand or into the holding element. That end of the core that is intended to be inserted into the corresponding housing may be rectilinear.

The envelope surface of the applicator element may have a non-circular cross section at at least one point along its length. The cross section of the envelope surface of the applicator element, at at least one point along its length, may have a general shape chosen from the following list: polygonal, in particular triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal or hexagonal, oblong, in particular oval or lenticular, or some other shape.

For at least one cross section of the envelope surface, the core may define a centre of symmetry of this section. The core may also be off-centre within the cross section of the envelope surface at at least one point along the length of the applicator element.

The envelope surface may have a non-constant cross section along the major part of the length of the applicator element.

The applicator element may have at least one concave face. The applicator element may have at least one convex face, having a radius of curvature, when it is viewed in cross section, greater than the length of the longest bristle extending from the core in this cross section.

The core of the applicator element may comprise an approximately rectilinear portion that can form an angle of less than 20° with the longitudinal axis of the wand.

The core may have a free end, opposite the wand, which may form the point of the core furthest from the longitudinal axis of the wand. The free end of the core may be located at a distance of less than 7.5 mm from the longitudinal axis of the wand.

The material of the applicator element may be chosen in order to adapt the flexibility of the latter to the desired use. It may for example be chosen such that the applicator element is sufficiently flexible.

The fixing part may be an end part which is for example cylindrical, has no teeth or bristles and is intended for example to be inserted into a corresponding housing in the wand or into the holding element.

The applicator may comprise bristles having a greatest transverse dimension of between 6.5/100 and 40/100 mm, for example.

The bristles may be solid or hollow and have a circular or non-circular section.

It is possible for the bristles to come or not to come into contact with the flexible portion. The applicator may comprise at least one bristle made from an elastically deformable material, such as an elastomer, for example.

The applicator may comprise at least one bristle comprising a component, for example a particulate or other component, that improves the sliding of the bristle on the keratin fibres, or on the contrary intended to create surface roughness and to increase the attachment of the fibres.

The applicator may comprise a mixture of bristles.

The applicator may comprise bristles having different diameters.

The applicator may comprise at least one bristle having at least one undulation, and may in particular comprise at least two bristles each comprising at least one periodic pattern having at least one undulation, at least two periodic patterns being different. The two different periodic patterns may belong to two separate bristles or to one and the same bristle, and the undulations may have different shapes, for example a sawtooth shape or a sinusoidal shape, or else different amplitudes, or else undulations having different spatial frequencies. The expression "periodic pattern" designates, within a bristle, a part of the latter that repeats more or less, in a periodic manner, along the bristle.

The applicator may comprise bristles that are produced in some other way than by injection-moulding with the core, and the applicator element may comprise at least one portion that comprises curved bristles that extend in an oriented manner from the core, for example as described in the application US 2004/0168698. The expression "that extend in an oriented manner" should be understood as meaning that the curved bristles extend with a general orientation that is defined during manufacture of the applicator element and not with a completely random orientation. The bristles can in particular be oriented in the same circumferential direction around the core. The bristles of the applicator element can be curved by contact with a hot surface, in particular a surface in relative motion with respect to the applicator element.

The applicator element may comprise at least two bristles that are deformed, for example held between two adjacent turns, these bristles having a removal of material or a compressed region at at least one point along their length from the core and extending non-radially towards the outside starting from this point, as described in the application US 2004/0240926. Each deformed bristle may comprise two rectilinear portions that form an elbow between each other. The two rectilinear portions may have the same cross section. All of the deformed bristles may define elbows that are all located more or less at the same distance from the core.

The applicator element may comprise for example between 5 and 80 bristles per turn, or even between 15 and 40, in particular between 10 and 50 bristles per turn. The applicator element may also comprise only between 5 and 20 bristles per turn. The number of bristles per turn corresponds to the number of ends of bristles counted by a stationary observer during a rotation through 180° of the applicator element about its core.

The applicator may comprise twisted bristles, for example as described in the patent US 6 390 708.

The applicator element 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.

Another subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising an applicator as defined above and a container containing the product to be applied.

The device may also comprise a wiping member disposed so as to wipe the applicator element as it is removed from the container. This wiping member may be mounted in the neck of the container.

The wiping member may comprise a lip made of elastomer or of polyethylene, or alternatively comprise a block of foam, for example slit in its middle. The wiping member may also not comprise any porous material.

The wiping member may be adjustable, in particular to be able to adjust the size of the wiping orifice.

The product is used for making up or caring for the eyelashes or eyebrows. It may be for example mascara.

The product may be liquid or pasty.

The gripping member may close the container in a sealed manner, and for example be screwed onto the neck of the container.

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: - Figures 1 and 2 are schematic elevation views, in partial axial cross section, of an example of a packaging and application device according to the invention,

- Figure 3 schematically and partially shows, in axial cross section, the applicator of the device from Figures 1 and 2,

- Figures 4 to 10 and 10A to 10E are views similar to Figure 3 of variant embodiments of the invention,

- Figure 11 is a cross section through the flexible portion of one variant embodiment,

- Figure 12 is a detail view of Figure 6,

- Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 3 of one variant embodiment,

- Figures 14 to 23 illustrate examples of cross sections through the envelope surface of brushes, among other things,

- Figures 24 to 32 partially show variant embodiments of brushes,

- Figures 33 and 34 respectively show twisted cores having left-hand and right-hand threads,

- Figure 35 schematically shows a double core formed by the winding of two twisted basic cores,

- Figures 36 to 53 show various examples of cross sections through bristles,

- Figure 54 shows a side view of an undulating bristle,

- Figures 55 to 58 schematically and partially show examples of bristles,

- Figures 59 to 69 illustrate variant embodiments of the applicator, and

- Figures 70 to 72 illustrate variant embodiments of holding elements for an applicator according to the invention.

Figures 1 to 3 show a device for packaging and application 1, comprising a container 2 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes or eyebrows, for example mascara, and an applicator 3 comprising a wand 4 provided at its distal end 4a with an applicator element 5 and connected at its proximal end to a gripping member 6 that also forms the closure cap of the container 2. The latter is provided with a wiping member 7, made for example of a piece of elastomer inserted into the neck 8 of the container. The wiping member 7 may or may not be conventional, or even be adjustable.

The gripping member 6 is arranged to close the container 2 in a sealed manner when it has been screwed fully onto the neck 8, in a manner known per se. The wiping member 7 defines, in the example illustrated, a wiping orifice 9 having a circular section, the diameter of which corresponds approximately to that of the wand 4, the latter having, in the example illustrated, a circular cross section at least in the entire part fitted into the container.

In the example in question, the wand 4 has a rectilinear longitudinal axis X which is approximately coincident with the axis of the neck 8 of the container 2 when the applicator 3 is in place on the latter.

The wand 4 comprises a rigid part 4g and a flexible portion 20 extending from the distal end 4a of the wand 4.

In the example illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, the flexible portion 20 has a circular cross section having a diameter the same as that of the rest of the wand 4.

The flexible portion 20 is produced from a material that is more flexible than the material of which the rigid part 4g is made, for example a material from the following list: elastomeric material, thermoplastic, thermoplastic elastomer, LDPE, PVC, Hytrel ^® , EPDM, EVA, SIS, SEBS, latex, silicone, nitrile, butyl, polyurethane, polyether-block- amide.

The rigid part 4g is made for example of a polyolefin.

The rigid part is made for example of POM having an outside diameter of 4 mm and a length of from 25 to 50 mm.

The flexible portion 20 gives flexibility to the wand 4, this being useful in particular when the applicator element 5 is removed from the container 2, as illustrated in Figure 2.

In this figure, it can be seen that when the applicator element 5 is removed from the container 2, even if the user pulls the applicator element 5 obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the container 2, the applicator element 5, by virtue of the flexibility of the flexible portion 20, can retain an orientation approximately coincident with the longitudinal axis of the container 2 as it passes through the wiping member 7.

In this way, the quality of wiping of the applicator element 5 is preserved with respect to its regularity and to the distribution of the product, such that the application can be carried out under good conditions.

Furthermore, at the time of application, the contact between the applicator element 5 and the eyelashes or eyebrows can be softened and the elasticity of the flexible portion can prove to be beneficial for the application of the product, the elongation and separation of the eyelashes or eyebrows, as explained above.

According to the invention, the applicator element is a brush comprising a core 10 formed by two twisted metal strands, this core 10 having a proximal portion fixed in a rigid holding element 70 positioned around the flexible portion 20 of the wand 4, the core being for example force-fitted into a housing 24 of the flexible portion 20, as illustrated in Figure 3.

With reference to Figure 3, the flexible portion comprises an annular groove on its outer wall and the holding element 70 is a tubular sleeve mounted in a clamped manner in this groove so as to surround the part of the flexible portion 20 comprising the housing that receives the core 10 of the applicator element 5. In this way, this part of the flexible portion can no longer deform or swell radially outwards. On the contrary, swelling takes place towards the inside in the housing that receives the core, clamping the latter more tightly in order to hold it under all conditions of use.

With reference to Figure 12, the holding element 70 is a cylindrical sleeve that extends along the longitudinal axis X. The inside diameter of the holding element 70 is approximately the same as the diameter of the envelope of the portion of the core 10 force- fitted into this holding element 70. The holding element 70 is produced by overmoulding the flexible portion 20 around the holding element 70.

The holding element 70 is produced from at least one rigid thermoplastic material, preferably chosen from the following list: acetate, HDPE, LDPE, linear PE, PP, PT, POM, PA, PET, PBT, PS.

In this example, the holding element is cylindrical, but it may also have other shapes, for example a conical shape, and have other sections, for example an oval or polygonal section. Similarly, the thickness of the holding element can be non-constant, for example in order to be off-centre with respect to the longitudinal axis of the wand.

Thus, the applicator has at least one cross section which comprises a section of the holding element, a section of the flexible portion and a section of the core of the applicator element, in the example in Figure 12 the core being surrounded by the holding element, which is in turn surrounded by the flexible portion. The core 10 of the applicator element 5 has bristles 11 that are held by clamping between the turns of the core 10 and extend approximately radially from the core.

The flexible portion 20 can be fixed to the rigid part 4g in various ways, being, for example, force-fitted into a housing 22 in the rigid part 4g of the wand 4, as illustrated in Figure 3.

Of course, various modifications can be made to the applicator and in particular to the applicator element, to the holding element and to the flexible portion without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The flexible portion 20 can be fixed to the rest of the wand in various ways.

The flexible portion can for example comprise a housing 25 for receiving a male fixing part of the rigid part 4b, as illustrated in Figure 4.

The flexible portion 20 may also be overmoulded on the rigid part 4g or vice versa, or be held in the housing 22 in the wand 4 by crimping, as illustrated in Figure 5.

Furthermore, the shape of the flexible portion 20 may be other than cylindrical, as illustrated in Figure 6.

The flexible portion 20 may for example comprise a chamfered end, as illustrated in Figure 6, thereby making it easier to insert the applicator 3 into the container 2.

The flexible portion 20 may also comprise a thinned-down portion, for example in the form of a diabolo, as illustrated in Figure 7, or having an annular groove in the form of a notch, as illustrated in Figure 8.

It is also possible for the flexible portion 20 to be only partially inserted into the housing 22, as illustrated in Figure 9, and an annular groove can be formed, if need be, in front of the end of the rigid part 4g of the wand, the width of this groove depending on the degree of insertion of the fixing part of the flexible portion into the rigid part of the wand.

The flexibility of the flexible portion can be solely due to the choice of material of which it is made, or else be due both to the choice of material and its shape.

A thinned-down shape, as illustrated in Figures 7 to 9, can confer greater flexibility. When the flexible portion 20 has a greatest transverse dimension greater than a greatest transverse dimension of the rest of the wand 4, as illustrated in Figure 10, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Figure 10A shows a variant in which the flexible portion 20 comprises a visible part 20A which has a smaller transverse dimension than that of the adjacent portion of the rigid part 4g.

The fiexible portion may be produced, if need be, with a flange 20b that butts against the adjacent axial end of the rigid part 4g.

Figure 10B shows the possibility of producing the flexible part 20 with a variable profile between the part of the flexible portion 20 that serves to fix the applicator element 5 and the one that serves for fixing in the rigid part 4g. In the example illustrated, the flexible portion comprises for example a plurality of annular ribs 20c separated by annular grooves 20d defining regions of smaller diameter, and this can increase the flexibility of the flexible portion 20. It can also be seen from this figure that the part of the flexible portion 20 that serves for fixing to the rigid part 4g may comprise at its end an enlarged head 20e which is retained in a housing 300 in the rigid part 4g by crimping the rigid part 4g so as to form an indentation 301 towards the inside.

Figure IOC illustrates the possibility for the flexible portion to have a part 20f that serves for fixing to the adjacent rigid part 4g, a narrowing 20g being able to receive an indentation made by the crimping of the rigid part 4g.

In a general manner, as illustrated, the flexible portion may be produced with a narrowing 20w located axially between the part of the flexible portion that serves for fixing the applicator element to the flexible portion and the part of the flexible portion that serves for fixing to the rest of the wand.

Figure 10D shows the wand from Figure IOC during bending of the flexible portion 20. It can be seen from this figure that not only the flexible portion 20 can deform at its annular narrowing, but also that the part that serves for fixing the rigid part of the wand may stretch, it being possible for a space 310 to appear on the outside between the flexible portion and the end of the rigid part 4g.

Figure 10E illustrates the possibility of producing the fiexible portion 20 with a central part 20i intended to be inserted into a corresponding housing in the rigid part 4g, and an external tubular skirt 20h intended to cover a tubular skirt 312 formed around the housing that receives the central part 20i. This may make it possible to have continuity of the outside diameter between the rigid part 4g and the flexible portion 20 at the connection between the latter and the rigid part 4g.

The external cross section of the flexible portion may also be other than circular, in particular at at least one point along its length.

The flexible portion may for example comprise, as illustrated in Figure 11 , one or more axially extending grooves 28, favouring balancing of the pressures between the inside and the outside of the container 2 during the insertion and removal of the applicator 3 into and from the container 2.

In a further variant, the flexible portion may have a cross section other than circular, having a shape chosen for example from the following list: polygonal, square, rectangular, triangular, non-circular, oblong, oval, elliptical, kidney-shaped, star-shaped or having one or more grooves. Similarly, the rest of the wand may have a cross section having a shape chosen from the same list.

The cross sections of the flexible portion 20 and of the rest of the wand can be identical or different without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Furthermore, in all of the examples which have just been described, the holding element has been shown in the form of a cylindrical sleeve, but if it has some other shape, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

In a variant shown in Figure 59, the holding element 70 is in the form of a sleeve. The holding element 70 is located inside a housing in the flexible portion 20. This configuration is obtained for example by overmoulding the flexible portion on the holding element. At its end that receives the applicator element 5, the holding element 70 comprises an end portion 71 having a greatest diameter that is for example approximately the same as the diameter of the flexible portion, protruding from the flexible portion. This end portion 71 thus defines the free end of the wand. At the end opposite its end portion, the holding element comprises a flange that forms an element 72 for axially retaining the holding element with respect to the flexible portion. This flange that forms an axial retaining means 72 is for example visible on the holding element 70 shown in Figure 70. Other flanges forming axial retaining means 72 can be disposed along the entire length of the holding element as is shown in Figure 60. With reference to Figure 61, the holding element 70 differs from that in Figure 59 in that it does not comprise an enlarged end portion. The end portion of the holding element is covered by the flexible portion located axially beyond the holding element, preventing the latter from detaching from the flexible portion.

With reference to Figure 62, the holding element 70 differs from that in Figure

59 in that it comprises protruding elements 73 instead of the flange 72. These protruding elements 73 extend radially more or less in a transverse plane in order to be positioned in passages 26 in the flexible portion 20 in order to form axial retaining elements in rotation about the axis X. These protruding elements 73 are also visible on the holding element in Figure 71.

The retaining element can also be fins 74 extending radially along the holding element 70 as is shown in Figure 72.

With reference to Figure 63, the holding element 70 in the flexible portion 20 is spherical so as to be mounted in a rotary manner in the housing 24 in the flexible portion. The applicator element 5 is then free to rotate with respect to the wand 4 of the applicator.

In the variants shown in Figures 59 to 63, the rigid holding element located inside the flexible portion ensures that the core of the applicator element 5 is held in spite of the variations in shape of the flexible portion on account of its deformation or swelling in contact with the product.

In the variant shown in Figure 64, the flexible portion comprises an annular groove on its outer wall and the holding element 70 is a tubular sleeve mounted in a clamped manner in this groove so as to surround the part of the flexible portion 20 comprising the housing that receives the core 10 of the applicator element 5. In this way, this part of the flexible portion cannot deform or swell radially and the dimensions of the housing receiving the core remain constant or narrow in order to hold the core in all conditions of use. The rigid part of the wand comprises an embossed portion for holding the flexible portion in the housing in the rigid part of the wand.

With reference to Figure 65, the holding element 70 differs in particular from the one in Figure 64 in that it comprises a closed end portion provided with an orifice for the core 10 of the applicator to pass through in order to be fixed in the housing in the flexible portion. With reference to Figure 66, the holding element juts out from the annular groove on the external wall of the flexible portion. It may also assume a form that promotes cleaning of the wiping member 7.

With reference to Figure 67, the tubular holding element 70 comprises a protrusion on its inner wall engaging with a recess in the flexible portion. Any other type of internal protrusion is also conceivable. The wand 4 comprises an end that can be snap- fastened into a receiving region of the flexible portion.

With reference to Figure 68, the tubular holding element 70 is embossed onto the flexible portion 20.

With reference to Figure 69, the thickness of the tubular holding element 70 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 flexible portion.

In the variants shown in Figures 59 to 67, the flexible portion 20 comprises a narrowing 2ow located axially between the part of the flexible portion that comprises the holding element and the part of the flexible portion that serves for fixing to the rest of the wand.

Furthermore, in all of the examples that have just been described, the wand has been shown with a rectilinear longitudinal axis X, but if it differs therefrom, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

By way of example, Figure 13 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which the longitudinal axis X of the wand 4 is curved.

The curvature of the longitudinal axis X of the wand 4 can be due to the curved shape of the flexible portion 20 or else to the curved shape of the rigid portion of the wand 4.

The curved shape can be due to the more or less complete insertion of a curved fixing part of the flexible portion 20 into the housing 22 in the rigid part of the wand 4.

Furthermore, the applicator element may have an envelope surface having a circular cross section or have a different shape in cross section at at least one point along its length, as illustrated in Figure 14 to 23, for example a triangular shape as illustrated in Figure 14. Various other cross sections can be given to the applicator element, for example a square cross section as illustrated in Figure 15, or a pentagonal or hexagonal cross section as illustrated respectively in Figures 16 and 17.

The applicator element may comprise at least one planar or concave face. The applicator element may, for example, comprise an envelope surface having a circular cross section having at least one flat 30, as illustrated in Figure 18, having at least one concave side 32, as illustrated in Figure 19, or having at least one convex side 34, as illustrated in Figure 20. In this last figure, it can be seen that the applicator element can have an envelope surface having an oblong, in particular lenticular, cross section.

In the examples of cross sections illustrated in Figures 14 to 20, the cross section is shown centred with respect to the core. Alternatively, the core can also be off- centre with respect to the cross section of the envelope surface at at least one point on the brush, as illustrated in Figures 21 to 23. In Figure 21, the cross section has a square shape, it is rectangular in Figure 22 and oblong in Figure 23. Regardless of its shape, the cross section can be centred or off-centre with respect to the core.

The envelope surface E may have a constant circular cross section along the major part of the length of the applicator element, or even along its entire length.

Alternatively, the envelope surface may have at least one portion in which the cross section varies, for example in a homothetic manner, for example decreasing in the direction of the free end of the applicator element.

As a further variant, the cross section E of the envelope surface of the applicator element may pass through at least one extreme between its two axial ends, for example a maximum or a minimum, or even both, as can be seen in Figure 24. In this figure, the cross section passes through a minimum 40 and two maxima 41, 42.

In another variant, the envelope surface of the applicator element is asymmetrical with respect to a mid-plane perpendicular to the core, for example as illustrated in Figure 25. In this example, the applicator element is produced from a blank into which facets 50 have been cut.

The longitudinal axis Z of the core 10 of the applicator element 5 may be coincident with the longitudinal axis X of the wand 4, or alternatively be separate therefrom. By way of example, Figure 26 illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which the core of the applicator element extends along an axis Z that is at an angle δ to the axis X. The angle may for example be between 1° and 15°.

In the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, the core of the applicator element 5 is rectilinear, but if it differs therefrom, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

By way of example, Figures 27 to 29 illustrate three exemplary embodiments in which the core of the applicator element is curved. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in Figure 27, the applicator element has a planar face and a concave face. In the example in Figure 28, the applicator element has a planar face 50 and a convex face, and in the example in Figure 29, the applicator element has two planar faces 50.

In the example illustrated in Figure 30, the applicator element comprises a core 10 that is curved along at least a part of its length and an asymmetrical envelope surface E with respect to a mid-plane perpendicular to the core. In addition, the angle between the axis X and the axis of the core is less than 90° at any point along the core. The free end of the applicator element is not aligned with the axis X.

In the example illustrated in Figure 27, the applicator element 5 has a free end 52 that forms the furthest point of the applicator element from the longitudinal axis X.

In this example, the core of the applicator element extends along a longitudinal axis Z on one side of a plane containing the axis X.

In another variant illustrated in Figure 31 , the applicator element is curved about at least two axes Ci, C ₂ that are not parallel to each other. The axes Ci and C ₂ extend in directions that can be perpendicular, for example.

In the variant illustrated in Figure 32, the applicator element is produced from a blank into which notches 55 have been cut.

In cross section, the notches have a shape which is convex towards the outside, but when the notches have a concave shape towards the outside in cross section, this does not depart from the scope of the present invention.

In the examples which have just been described, the core is formed by a twisted metal wire in which the bristles are held.

The strands of the core can be twisted to the left or to the right.

It is particularly advantageous to use a brush having a left-hand thread. Figure 33 shows a brush having a core twisted to the left, and Figure 34 shows a core twisted to the right. Dashed lines schematically indicate the path of the layers N defined by the ends of the bristles, these layers being at an angle β to a plane perpendicular to the core. Reference could usefully be made to the European patent EP 611 170.

The core may also be a double core formed by two basic cores twisted together, as illustrated in Figure 35. Each basic core may comprise two strands that are twisted together and surround the bristles. The two basic cores may each be formed by an arm of a single twisted core folded in a U-shape, the two arms being twisted together.

Use can be made in an applicator element produced in accordance with the invention of all sorts of bristles, in particular bristles having a cross section which is circular or other than circular. Use can in particular be made of a mixture of bristles of different natures, or a mixture of bristles of different lengths, of the same or different natures.

The applicator elements illustrated are produced for example with bristles having a circular section with a diameter of between 6.5 hundredths of a millimetre and 40 hundredths of a millimetre.

Use can be made of bristles having in cross section one of the shapes shown schematically in Figures 36 to 53, for example a circular shape having a flat as illustrated in Figure 36, flattened as illustrated in Figure 37, star-shaped, for example in the shape of a cross as illustrated in Figure 38 or having three arms as illustrated in Figure 39, in a U- shape as illustrated in Figure 40, an H-shape as illustrated in Figure 41, a T-shape as illustrated in Figure 42, a V-shape as illustrated in Figure 43, a hollowed-out shape, for example a circular shape as illustrated in Figure 44 or square shape as illustrated in Figure 45, forming branches, for example in the shape of a flake as illustrated in Figure 46, having a prismatic section, for example a triangular section as shown in Figure 47, square section as shown in Figure 48 or hexagonal section as shown in Figure 49, or else an oblong shape, in particular a lenticular shape as shown in Figure 50, or in the form of an hourglass as shown in Figure 51. Use can be made of bristles having parts that are hinged with respect to one another, as shown in Figure 52. Use can also be made of bristles having at least one capillary groove 60, as illustrated in Figure 53.

The bristles 11 which are retained between the twisted strands of the core may have, before being placed between the strands of the core, a rectilinear or non-rectilinear shape, for example an undulating shape as illustrated in Figure 54. The bristles can be subjected to a treatment that aims to form at their ends balls 61 as illustrated in Figure 55, or forks 62 as illustrated in Figure 56.

Use can be made of flocked bristles as illustrated in Figure 57 or else bristles produced by extrusion of a plastics material containing a filler of particles 64, for example particles of a moisture-absorbing material, in order to confer a micro-relief on the surface of the bristles, as illustrated in Figure 58, or to give them magnetic or other properties.

The bristles may also be produced with a material having slip-promoting properties.

The bristles may be natural or synthetic and for example be produced from a material chosen from: PE, PA, in particular PA6, PA6/6, PA6/10 or PA6/12, Hytrel ^® , Pebax ^® , silicone, PU, this list not being limiting.

The invention is not limited to the examples illustrated. The features of the various examples can in particular be combined as parts of variants which are not illustrated.

The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", unless specified to the contrary.