The subject of the present invention is an end piece for massaging the skin, to be used with or without a cosmetic composition being applied beforehand, and in particular useful for the cosmetic treatment of the face. In particular, this end piece is particularly advantageous in the field of cleansing the skin, and in particular in deep cleansing for removing impurities from the pores of the skin. It may also be useful in applications for cleansing the body. It is also conceivable for such massaging end pieces likewise to be used within the scope of household functions, such as for cleaning dishes or the maintenance of leather products, such as leather goods or shoes.

The expression "cosmetic product" is understood to mean a product as defined in Council Directive 93/35/EEC of 14 June 1993.

In the prior art, there are known massaging end pieces comprising a mount, the surface of which is provided with spikes, the whole being produced as a single moulding. The mount is generally planar, and the spikes rise from one side of the mount. On the other side of the mount, the end piece comprises means for gripping it, such as rings or protrusions that are able to engage with the fingers.

Also known are massaging end pieces which are mounted on the end of a packaging and application device and which have massaging reliefs . In this case, they may be mounted so as to act as an application surface for the product contained in the device, or may also be arranged so as to allow massaging independently of any function of applying said product.

In the technical field of toothbrushes, the operation of which has the objective of avoiding the formation of dental plaque, there are known particular brushing heads, in particular those described in documents W09628994 and WO9901054. Dental plaque is characterized by the formation on the surface of the tooth enamel of a material that promotes the proliferation of bacteria, leading to the occurrence of tooth decay. Dental plaque has a very hard structure and can be removed by the use of a scaler at the dentist's. The abrasive force developed by the use of prior art toothbrushes contributes to the erosion of this dental plaque. They are thus very abrasive.

Within the scope of cleansing the surface of the face, massaging end pieces which are soft but nevertheless effective for obtaining clean skin, without imperfections, having a uniform complexion and without redness, are desired. To this end, the objective of cleansing the face, in particular for greasy skin or skin prone to acne, is to avoid the proliferation of bacteria, such as P. acnes in the pores of the skin. For what is known as normal to dry skin, the main objective of cleansing the face is to remove dead skin.

Generally, there exists a need to increase the cleansing power of massaging end pieces. In particular, the cleansing power is characterized by an ability to effectively deep cleanse the pores of the skin and then to push the impurities towards the outside of the skin. In order to remove the impurities, users apply water to the face in order to wash the impurities off the face. Alternatively, they may also use an end piece to swab the face and collect said impurities on the swab. Even if, advantageously, the face is deep cleansed by using at the same time a suitable cosmetic composition, before, during or afterwards, there exists a need to improve the hand movements in relation to this cleansing, and the result of the cleansing finally obtained.

There also exists a need to provide low cost massaging end pieces, in order that they can be attached to any device for packaging a cosmetic composition, in particular when these devices contain active agents for cleansing the face.

There also exists a need for a massaging end piece, the operation of which enables different levels of cleansing of the skin.

There also exists a need for a massaging end piece suited to the hollows and reliefs of a face, in order to enable the cheekbones to be cleansed as well as the sides of the nose.

There also exists a need for a massaging end piece which encourages the foaming of a product already applied to the skin, by encouraging the incorporation of air into the film of product deposited, and thus the formation of bubbles. Encouraging the product to foam makes a contribution to effective deep cleansing since it makes it easier for the massaging end piece to slide over the entire surface of the skin.

The object of the invention is to solve all or some of the problems identified above by providing a massaging end piece comprising a substrate and massaging elements standing on this substrate, the massaging elements comprising a first group of standing elements, of which at least one element has a first cross section, this first cross section, which is defined in a region of attachment to the mount, having a form that is inscribable in a circle, characterized in that said massaging end piece comprises a second group of standing elements, of which at least one element has a second cross section, this second cross section being defined in a region of attachment to the mount such that it has a length that is at least two times greater, in particular at least ten times greater, than a thickness of this same second section, the circle having a diameter that is less than this length.

With two types of standing elements on the surface of the mount, synergy is created between the elements, this synergy thus contributing towards better cleansing of the skin than that obtained by massaging end pieces that comprise only one type of standing elements. The advantage provided by the standing elements of the second group is that they provide an effective contact surface with the skin which is much larger than the effective contact surface provided by the elements of the first group.

Advantageously, each group comprises at least three, and preferably at least five, standing elements. Specifically, the more standing elements there are, the more the synergy can be observed.

For example, the elements of one and the same group are implanted over a surface that has an area smaller than or equal to that of a surface in which the elements of the other of the two groups are implanted. In particular, the implantation surface of the elements of the second group is larger than that of the elements of the first group. The implantation density of elements on each of these surfaces may be variable from one surface to the other. Similarly, the average distance found between adjacent elements on one and the same surface may be different from that found on the other of the surfaces.

According to the invention, the massaging end piece may have two unique surfaces. However, as an alternative, it may also have more than two different surfaces.

In particular, the second cross section may extend along a curve. For example, this curve may be characterized by a mean radius of curvature which is, for example, at least greater than 30 mm and better still at least greater than 45 mm. The curved shape gives the standing element a certain rigidity, especially when the thickness is small. In particular, the elements of the second group can be produced with a variable length. It is possible to choose to reduce the mean radius of curvature, the longer the length of the second cross section is. In the case in which the second section is curved, the substrate may have an approximately oval surface, such that the major diameter of the oval is approximately parallel to the curve formed by this second cross section.

In particular, the second cross sections of the elements of the second group can extend along lines that each have a concavity facing the centre of the surface on which the elements stand.

Different levels of cleansing can thus be achieved by simply modifying the way in which the end piece is held, while preserving the same hand movements in relation to the skin. Specifically, this simple manipulation will bring about a position of the massaging elements, and in particular those of the second group, which is completely different in relation to the skin. By means of a back-and-forth hand movement over the skin, the simple reorientation of the elements of the second group in relation to the skin can provide a different type of cleansing.

For example, in the first group, all of the elements of this group may have the same cross section at their respective base.

Advantageously, in order to make it easier for the standing elements to bend, the latter may have a cross section that decreases in size between the cross section in the region of attachment and their free ends. Thus, the standing elements are more flexible at their free ends than at their bases.

According to a particular embodiment, the applicator may comprise an implantation of massaging elements having axial symmetry about an axis at right angles to the substrate. It thus makes no difference if the user decides to operate the massaging end piece with his left hand or his right hand.

For example, the surface of the substrate on which the elements stand is planar. In this case, the cross section of the elements at their region of attachment to the mount corresponds to the section produced on the plane of the surface of the substrate.

In order to be more particularly suited to the reliefs found on the surface of the face, a surface passing through the free ends of each of the standing elements defines a concavity.

Advantageously, another subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising a container, a member for closing the container and such a massaging end piece according to the invention. More particularly, in such a device, the applicator may comprise at least one orifice that is able to be put into fluidic communication with the contents of the container so as to enable the product to be dispensed at the substrate and to be spread by the standing elements. In such a configuration, the massaging end piece may be secured to the closing member.

The invention will be understood better from reading the following description and with reference to the accompanying figures. These are only presented by way of non-limiting indication of the invention. In the figures:

- Figure 1 shows a perspective top view of a massaging end piece according to a first embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 shows a top view of the end piece from Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a part of a packaging and application device according to the invention, comprising the massaging end piece from Figure 1 ;

- Figure 4 shows a longitudinal section view of a member for closing the device from Figure 3, this closing member being provided with the massaging end piece;

- Figure 5 shows a perspective top view of a massaging end piece according to a second embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 6 shows a top view of the end piece from Figure 5;

- Figure 7 shows a perspective top view of a massaging end piece according to a third embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 8 shows a top view of the end piece from Figure 7;

- Figure 9 shows a perspective top view of a massaging end piece according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 10 and 1 1 show top views of variant embodiments of the massaging end piece from Figure 9;

- Figure 12 shows a top view of a massaging end piece according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

- Figures 13 and 14 show perspective views of variant embodiments of the massaging end piece from Figure 12;

- Figures 15 and 16 show top views of variant embodiments of a massaging end piece according to a sixth and a seventh embodiment, respectively. Figure 1 shows a massaging head 1 according to the invention. The head 1 comprises a substrate 2. As seen from above, the substrate 2 has a surface 3 on which massaging elements 4 stand. The surface 3 has an approximately oval shape having a major diameter D1 and a minor diameter D2. The major diameter D1 is for example between 20 and 50 mm. The minor diameter D2 is for example between 15 and 40 mm.

The surface 3 could alternatively have any other type of geometric shape, namely square, round, rectangular, etc.

The surface 3 is planar. The ratio of the minor diameter D2 to the major diameter D1 is for example between 0.6 and 0.8. According to one particular embodiment, this ratio is approximately equal to 0.72.

The massaging head 1 is for example produced as a single moulding. It is non-porous. It may be produced from any thermoplastic material, for example from SEBS, a silicone, latex, a natural rubber, a material having improved slip, butyl, EPDM, a nitrile, a thermoplastic elastomer "TPE", a polyester elastomer, a polyamide elastomer, a polyethylene elastomer or a vinyl elastomer, a polyolefin such as PE or PP, in particular low density PE, PVC, EVA, PS, SIS, PET, POM, PU, SAM, PA or PMMA. Such materials have rapid drying characteristics when they are wetted on the surface, on account in particular of suitable surface tension characteristics. It is possible in particular to use the materials known under the trade names Teflon ^® , Hytrel ^® , Cariflex ^® , Alixine ^® , Santoprene ^® , Pebax ^® and Pollobas ^® , this list not being limiting. The material used to produce the applicator member may contain a softening agent and/or a bactericidal agent, such as silver ions, for example.

Among the standing massaging elements, a distinction is drawn between a first group 5 in which all the elements have a cross section, considered in the plane of the surface 3, having an identical shape. In the example, all the standing elements of this group 5 have a section that is inscribable in one and the same circle having a diameter D3. In the example, all the elements of this group 5 have a circular section having a diameter of the order of 1.3 mm. They are all frustoconical and have a rounded free end. Among the elements of this first group 5, there may be elements having different heights, the height being measured along their main axis of extension in the direction of their free ends. This main axis of extension is approximately perpendicular to the surface 3. All the elements of the first group 5 have a height greater than 1 mm, and preferably less than 15 mm. In particular, in the example shown, all the elements of this first group 5 have the same height of the order of 8 mm.

The group 5 comprises elements implanted on the surface 3 at two locations 6 and 7 respectively forming two portions of an oval. These two portions 6 and 7 of an oval are opposed about an axis of symmetry of the surface 3. This axis of symmetry rises perpendicularly from the surface 3 and passes through a centre 8 of the surface 3. These portions 6 and 7 of an oval extend along the major diameter D1 . These portions 6 and 7 of an oval represent angular sectors having an angle a of less than 90°.

Each portion of an oval comprises at least ten or so standing elements, and in the example about forty standing elements.

At its minimum, the distance 9 between two adjacent elements is not zero. The distance 9 is for example greater than or equal to 0.4 mm. It is for example of the order of 0.55 mm.

The elements of the first group 5 are implanted in a grid arrangement having columns arranged perpendicularly to the lines, the lines being parallel to the major diameter D1 and the columns being parallel to the minor diameter D2.

One and the same distance is defined between two adjacent elements of one and the same column and one and the same distance is defined for two adjacent elements in one and the same line, within this first group 5.

The elements of the first group 5 are spaced apart from the elements of the second group 1 1 by portions 10 without any reliefs. These portions 10 without reliefs extend in a radial strip more or less from the centre 8. The elements of the second group 1 1 stand at two axially opposed locations 12 and 13. These locations 12 and 13 also form portions of ovals. These portions of an oval each cover an angular sector β of the order of 90°.

Each standing element of this second group 1 1 has a second cross section having an elongate shape at the plane of the surface 3. A length for this second cross section corresponding to the length L of the path produced along the main axis of extension of this cross section is thus defined, and a thickness 14 of this defined section perpendicularly to this path.

According to the invention, the length L is at least two times, or even at least ten times greater than the thickness 14. In particular, the thickness 14 is of the order of 1 mm and the length L may be between 2 and 30 mm, preferably between 5 and 25 mm.

According to the invention, the diameter D3 inside which the cross section of an element of the first group 5 is inscribed is always less than the length L of each element of the second group 1 1 . In particular, the diameter D3 may be two times, preferably ten times, less than the length L of the shortest element of the second group. Alternatively, the diameter D3 may be 20 times, better still 50 times, or even 150 times smaller than the length L of the longest element of the second group.

Thus, the elements of the second group 1 1 may also be called cleansing strips. These strips remain standing on the surface 3 and have sufficient flexibility to bend easily when they are pressed against the skin. The strips are deformed simply by being pressed against the skin, and deformation is at a maximum when the movement bringing them into contact with the skin is perpendicular to their length.

The path produced is preferably a curve. Preferably, this curve has a mean radius of curvature that is constant over the entire path. The mean radius of curvature of each second cross section of this second group 1 1 is determined as a function of the projected distance Dp of the element in question, the projection being carried out at right angles to a main axis of extension of the second section. The mean radius of curvature thus satisfies the following equation and its value is of the order of:

0.8 X Dp + 5.4

In this case, the length L of each second cross section is greater than its projected distance Dp.

The elements of the second group all have a curved second cross section, such that the concavity of the curve faces the centre 8 of the surface 3.

The elements of the second group extend continuously over the entire sector of an oval in which they are implanted. These elements could also be discontinuous according to an embodiment which is not shown.

The second group 1 1 comprises five elements each standing respectively on portions of an oval, or a total of ten elements.

The standing elements in question are those which have a height greater than 1 mm. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 3, the elements of the second group have different heights. For example, the tallest elements of the second group 1 1 have the same height as the elements of the first group 5. In particular, the closer the elements of this second group are implanted to the centre 8, the shorter they are. Their height is determined between 5 and 15 mm, and preferably between 6.33 and 8 mm. The height of the elements of this second group decreases progressively from the outer perimeter of the surface 3 in the direction of the centre 8. Thus, the free ends of these standing elements define a concave surface which is particularly well-suited to the reliefs of the face.

As is shown in Figure 4, the massaging end piece 1 is secured to a closing member 15 intended to engage with a container 16, Figure 3. The container 16 is surmounted by a hoop 17 that is fitted around a neck of the container 16 in such a way that the closing member 15 is mounted such that it can move in relation to the hoop. Thus, depending on the angular position of the closing member on this hoop, a product contained in the container 16 can be dispensed selectively.

In particular, the massaging head comprises an orifice 18 that opens out at the surface 3. In particular, this orifice 18 is located at the centre 8.

The container 16 has a main axis of extension Y and the closing member is mounted such that it can rotate essentially about this axis of extension. A rotation through 180° moves it from the open configuration, in which there is fluidic communication between the inside of the container and the surface 3, to a closed position, in which the product contained in the container 16 is prevented from being dispensed.

The massaging end piece 1 is for example obtained by being overmoulded on the closing member 15 produced beforehand as a single moulding. Since the closing member 15 is intended to be mounted on the hoop 17 by snap-fastening, it is preferably produced from a thermoplastic material such as polypropylene.

The surface 3 of the massaging end piece 1 is inclined in relation to the axis Y, and for example has an inclination at an acute angle of the order of 45° to the axis Y.

In all the variant embodiments of a massaging end piece according to the invention which will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 16, the same references will be used to denote the same features.

The second embodiment, shown in Figures 5 and 6, differs from the first embodiment in that the two portions of ovals 12 and 13 are arranged at two axially opposite ends in relation to the major diameter D1 on the surface 3. Another difference in this second embodiment is that the portions 10 without reliefs form a border that rises continuously from the surface 3 around each of the portions of an oval 6, 7, 12 and 13, respectively. Another difference in this second embodiment compared with the first embodiment is that the elements within the first group are no longer implanted in a grid arrangement but along curved lines that each have a curvature facing the centre 8.

According to the third and fourth embodiments, a first difference from the first embodiment relates to the surfaces in which the first group 5 and the second group 1 1 are respectively implanted. Here, the elements of the first group 5 are implanted in the surface 3 over a "T"-shaped area.

In the third embodiment, the elements of the second group 1 1 have the difference, with respect to the first embodiment, both of being all the same height and of having second cross sections that extend approximately along the major diameter D1 .

In the fourth embodiment, the elements of the second group 1 1 have the difference, with respect to the first embodiment, both of being all the same height and of having second cross sections that extend approximately along the minor diameter D2. In the variant shown in Figure 10 of this fourth embodiment, the variant relates to the location of the orifices 20 that enable communication with the inside of the container 15. In Figure 10, the orifices 20 form slots between the different elements of the second group 1 1 and thus extend approximately parallel to the minor diameter D2. In the other variant of this fourth embodiment, the orifices 20 form slots between the lines of elements of the first group 5 and then extend approximately parallel to the major diameter D1 . Between these two variants of the fourth embodiment, a difference also relates to the density of implantation of the elements in the surface 3. The implantation of elements within one and the same group is more dense if there are no slots, such as 20, formed therein.

According to the fifth embodiment, the main difference from the first embodiment relates to the implantation of the first and second groups at the surface 3. They each form a plurality of strips in which respective rows of elements stand, the rows of elements of the first group alternating with those of the second group. These rows are not rectilinear. They extend in curves approximately along the major diameter D1 . In particular, in this fifth embodiment, the elements of the first group have an octagonal section.

As is shown in the variants in Figures 13 and 14 of this fifth embodiment, the height of the elements of the second group can be more or less high. According to Figure 13, the height of the elements of the second group 1 1 is approximately half that of the elements of the first group 5. According to Figure 14, the height of the elements of the second group 1 1 is very slightly less than that of the elements of the first group 5.

As is shown in Figure 15, which shows a sixth variant embodiment of a massaging head, the particular feature of this sixth embodiment is that it has, within the second group, elements having cross sections in the form of both closed 21 and open 22 curves.

As is shown in Figure 16, which shows a seventh variant embodiment of a massaging head 1 , the particular feature of this seventh embodiment is that it has, within the second group, both elements having cross sections in the form of closed curves 21 , thus having an annular section, and elements having cross sections in the form of open curves 22.

As is shown in Figure 16, which shows a seventh variant embodiment of a massaging head 1 , the particular feature of this seventh embodiment is that it has elements of the first group having cross sections in the form of a ring at the surface 3, the standing element of the first group 5 then being a hollow tube.

In the entire description, the term "of the order of" should be considered as being synonymous with "within bounds defined at + and -10%, respectively, and in particular + and -5% of", unless specified to the contrary.

In the entire description, the expression "comprising a" should be considered as being synonymous with "comprising at least one", unless specified to the contrary.