The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, and also relates to a packaging and application device and to a corresponding method for making up the eyelashes and/or eyebrows.

Application FR 2 868 264 describes an applicator comprising an applicator member comprising a central branch, two curved longitudinal branches extending one on each side of the central branch and each forming a cavity with the central branch and a plurality of spheres extending into the cavities and making the connection between the longitudinal branches and the central branch. Such an applicator does not allow the eyelashes and/or eyebrows to be separated during application of the product and exhibits stiffness, particularly as a result of the presence of the central branch, that makes application uncomfortable.

Application EP 1 169 941 relates to an applicator for applying cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows comprising two branches extending from a stem and forming between them an opening. The branches comprise between them curved bridges of material extending over and under the opening, the bridges of material being provided with a transverse row of spikes.

There is in general a need for a new applicator capable of applying makeup to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows satisfactorily, while at the same time offering sufficient autonomy and being comfortable to use.

The invention meets this need using an applicator for applying a cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising an applicator member extending along a longitudinal axis and comprising:

- at least two branches joined together at their two ends and between them defining a cavity,

- at least one bridge of material extending at least partially into the cavity between the two branches and bearing at least two spikes arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction.

What is meant by "extending between the two branches" is that the bridge of material joins these two branches together. What is meant by "arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction" is that the bases of the two spikes have different abscissa values along the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

The presence of spikes arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction allows good separation of the eyelashes and/or eyebrows during application of makeup.

The presence of a bridge of material in the cavity allows this cavity to be compartmentalized so that the applicator can be loaded with a large quantity of product so that the applicator does not need to be reloaded with product too often during making-up, and to allow the lashes to be adequately loaded with product.

The presence of the cavity between the branches, apart from forming a reserve of product, makes it possible to have an applicator member that is flexible, this making it easier to apply the cosmetic product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows and improving the comfort of application.

In some embodiments, the two spikes are aligned longitudinally, which means to say are situated on one and the same axis parallel to or coincident with the longitudinal axis of the applicator member. As an alternative, the two spikes are offset from one another transversely to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

Preferably, the applicator is molded in one piece.

Preferably, the applicator comprises at most two branches joined together at their two ends and defining a cavity between them.

Preferably, the bridge of material or, better still, the applicator member, is symmetrical with respect to a plane containing the longitudinal axis of the applicator member. Such symmetry makes it easier to obtain a makeup effect that is identical on both eyes.

Preferably, the bridge of material is centered on the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

Preferably, the bridge of material is solid.

The bridge of material may be of elongate shape along the longitudinal axis of the applicator member. This makes it possible to have a larger area of contact with the eyelashes and/or eyebrows during the application of the cosmetic product. The bridge of material may have a length, measured along the longitudinal axis of the applicator member, of between 1 mm and 7 mm, in particular substantially equal to 4 mm.

The bridge of material may have a thickness of between 2 mm and 7 mm, in particular substantially equal to 4 mm. For preference, the thickness of the bridge of material is greater than the thickness of the branches so the bridge of material projects on each side of the cavity, thereby making it easier for the eyelashes and/or eyebrows to come into contact with the bridge of material.

Preferably, the bridge of material comprises a central portion connected to the branches by relatively slender lateral webs of material. The webs of material preferably have a thickness less than the thickness of the branches. Such webs of material notably make it possible to create reserves of cosmetic product between the central portion and the branches. The lateral webs may be flexible, making it possible to give the central portion elastic mobility with respect to the branches and thus improving comfort of application, notably when applying cosmetic product to the eyebrows. This also improves the wiping of the applicator member, the deformation notably reducing the forces of insertion and extraction through the wiper.

Preferably, the two spikes extend from the central portion of the bridge of material.

Preferably, the bridge of material, notably the central portion thereof, is at least partially ovoid, toric or spherical in shape.

Preferably, the bridge of material, notably the central portion thereof, is of convex, notably oval, cross section.

Preferably, the bridge of material, notably the central portion thereof, has no absence of material between the two spikes.

Preferably, the applicator member comprises a plurality of bridges of material, notably between 2 and 8 bridges of material, extending between the two branches into the cavity and each bearing at least two spikes arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction.

The bridges of material may be aligned along the longitudinal axis and spaced apart by a distance of between 3 mm and 10 mm, in particular substantially equal to 5 mm.

The bridges of material may be devoid of connections between them. At least two of the bridges of material may be identical.

The two spikes may have different orientations, notably diverging from one another. As an alternative, the two spikes are mutually parallel.

The or each bridge of material, preferably the or each corresponding central portion, may bear more than two spikes, preferably between 4 and 40 spikes, better still between 10 and 30 spikes.

Preferably, the spikes of the bridge or bridges of material extend in a plurality of longitudinal rows of spikes.

Preferably, when viewed from above, the spikes of the bridge or bridges of material of one and the same longitudinal row all extend in one and the same plane containing or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

Preferably, the spikes of the bridge or bridges of material that are adjacent and in the same longitudinal row have different orientations. In particular, the spikes borne by one same bridge of material may have orientations that diverge, in cross section on a longitudinal plane of section, on account of the convex shape of the surface to which they are connected.

Preferably, the two branches each bear a plurality of spikes.

The spikes of the branches and/or of the bridge or bridges of material may take the form of longitudinal rows of longitudinally aligned spikes, the longitudinal rows extending about the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

Preferably, the applicator member is made of thermoplastic material, notably by molding or by injection-molding.

Preferably, the two branches are concave toward the cavity.

Preferably, the cavity is elongate along the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

The width of the cavity, measured transversely to the longitudinal axis, may be between 1 mm and 5 mm, in particular substantially equal to 3 mm.

The length of the cavity, measured along the longitudinal axis, may be between 8 mm and 25 mm, in particular substantially equal to 18 mm.

The cavity may be pear-shaped elongate along the longitudinal axis of the applicator member. Another subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising:

a reservoir containing the cosmetic product to be applied, and an applicator according to the invention.

The cosmetic product may comprise one or more pigments, notably at least an iron oxide. It is preferably a mascara.

The reservoir may be separable from the device. The stem may be mounted on a closure cap of the reservoir containing the product to be applied, such that the applicator member can be inserted into the reservoir in order to be loaded with cosmetic product.

Preferably, the reservoir comprises a wiping member suitable for wiping the stem and the applicator member, notably comprising a wiping lip.

A further subject of the invention is a method for making up the eyelashes and/or eyebrows with the aid of a device according to the invention, comprising the step of applying the cosmetic product with the aid of the applicator. During making-up, the eyelashes may be brought into contact with the spikes borne by the bridge or bridges of material.

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

figure 1 is a schematic view, in longitudinal section, of a packaging and application device according to the invention,

figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of an applicator according to the invention,

figure 3 is a view on III, that is to say a view from above, of the applicator of figure 2,

- figure 4 is a view on IV, that is to say a side view, of the applicator of figures 2 and 3,

figure 5 is a view on V, that is to say a rear view, of the applicator of figures 2 to 4, and

figure 6 is a view on VI, that is to say a front view, of the applicator of figures 2 to 4. Figure 1 shows a packaging and application device 1 produced in accordance with the invention, having an applicator 2 and an associated container 3 containing a product P to be applied to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, for example mascara or a care product.

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

The applicator 2 has a stem 7 of longitudinal axis Y, which is attached at its upper end to the closure cap 5 and at its lower end to an applicator member 8 according to the invention. The container 3 has a wiping member 6, for example inserted into the neck 4.

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

The diameter of the wiping orifice 6a is, for example, between 2.5 and 6 mm.

The wiping lip 6 may optionally have waves, allowing the wiping orifice 6a to widen more easily when the applicator member 8 passes through.

In the example illustrated, the stem 7 has a circular cross section, but it would not constitute a departure from the scope of the present invention if the stem 7 had a different cross section, it then being possible to fix the cap 5 on the container 3 in some other way than by screwing, if necessary.

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

If need be, the stem 7 may have an annular narrowing in its portion that is positioned opposite the wiping lip, so as not to mechanically stress the latter unduly during storage. The stem 7, to which the applicator member 8 is fixed, may also be at least partially, and in particular completely, flexible, notably in the vicinity of the applicator member.

In order to mold the application member 8, use can be made of any thermoplastic material which is or is not relatively rigid, for example SEBS, a silicone, latex, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer, a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefm such as PE or PP, PVC, EVA, PS, SEBS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA or PMMA. It is possible notably to use the materials known under the trade names Teflon®, Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax® or Pollobas®, this list not being limiting.

The applicator member 8, depicted on its own in figures 2 to 6, comprises a proximal end piece 20 for attaching it to the stem 7, from which there extend two branches 22 connected at their two ends and forming between them a cavity 24 into which at least one bridge of material 26, in this instance four bridges of material 26, extend(s). The applicator member 8 extends along a longitudinal axis X.

The length e of the end piece along the longitudinal axis X is preferably between 5 mm and 10 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 7 mm.

The cavity 24 extends along the longitudinal axis X and it is elongate in the direction of the axis X. It may be pear-shaped, as illustrated. The greatest width k of the cavity 24, measured transversely to the longitudinal axis X, may be between 1 mm and 5 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 3 mm. The length C of the cavity 24 along the longitudinal axis may be between 8 mm and 25 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 18 mm. The bridges of material 26 extend between the two branches 22 and each comprise a central portion 32 connected to each of the branches by a lateral web of material 34. The central portions 32 may be ovoid in shape, elongate along the longitudinal axis X, and may have a cross section of substantially oval shape.

Preferably, the length q of the bridges of material along the longitudinal axis X is between 1 mm and 7 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 4 mm. The central portions 32 are preferably centered transversely along the longitudinal axis X and extend on each side of the branches 22, out of the cavity 24, when viewed from the side, as visible in figure 4. Specifically, the maximum thickness p of the bridges of material 26, measured perpendicular to the plane N formed by the lateral webs of material 34, is preferably greater than the maximum thickness b of the branches 22. The maximum thickness p of the bridges of material may be between 2 mm and 7 mm, in particular substantially equal to 4 mm. The maximum thickness b of the branches may be between 1 mm and 7 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 3 mm.

The central portions 32 bear a plurality of spikes 28 extending on each side of the branches 22, and of the cavity 24, with respect to the plane N formed by the lateral webs of material 34. The spikes 28 are organized on the central portions 32 in longitudinal rows. The spikes 28 of each longitudinal row are aligned longitudinally and may all extend in a corresponding plane Mi to M ₃ containing the longitudinal axis X, as is illustrated in figure 5 Two adjacent spikes 28 of the same longitudinal row may be oriented differently, as is visible in figure 4. As an alternative, the spikes of one and the same longitudinal row have the same orientation, advantageously perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

The layout of the spikes 28 on each side of the cavity 24 may be identical. In the example illustrated, the spikes 28 of the bridges of material 26 have a circular cross section. It is possible for this not to be the case and for example for the spikes 28 to have a cross section that is polygonal, notably triangular, square, hexagonal or oval or even a combination of these shapes.

The spikes 28 of adjacent longitudinal rows may be arranged in a staggered configuration. As an alternative, they are aligned or arranged in some other way.

The applicator member 8 depicted in the figures comprises three bridges of material 26a exhibiting identical central portions and one bridge of material 26b near the distal end 30 of the applicator member 8 that is smaller in size by comparison with the other bridges of material 26, notably of smaller width and length. As an alternative, the bridges of material are all identical or all different. The bridges of material 26 may be spaced apart by a distance d measured between the centers of inertia of the bridges of material 26 along the longitudinal axis X of between 3 mm and 10 mm, and in particular substantially equal to 5 mm.

In the example illustrated, the branches 22 extend such that they are centered on a plane N containing the longitudinal axis X and are concave toward the cavity 24. As an alternative, the branches 22 exhibit portions of different concavity toward the cavity 24 and do not extend in such a way as to be centered on any particular plane.

The branches 22 may exhibit a plurality of spikes 40 distributed over the entireties of their surfaces outside of the cavity 24. The spikes 40 are organized in longitudinal rows distributed about the longitudinal axis X. The spikes 40 of one same longitudinal row may be aligned and have the same orientation when viewed face-on. The spikes 40 of adjacent longitudinal rows may be arranged in a staggered configuration. As an alternative, they are aligned or arranged in some other way.

In the example illustrated in the figures, the spikes 40 have a semi-circular cross section. As an alternative, the spikes 40 have a cross section that is circular, polygonal, notably triangular, square, hexagonal or oval or even a combination of these shapes.

The branches 22 may comprise spikes 40 aligned with the longitudinal rows of spikes 28.

The applicator member may be symmetrical with respect to the plane M ₂ illustrated in figures 5 and 6.

The two branches 22 preferably, as illustrated, form a rounded end at the end of the applicator member 30.

The invention is not limited to the examples that have just been described. In particular, the cavity, the bridges of material and the branches may have another shape.