COSMETIC COMPOSITION TO THE EYELASHES

An object of the present invention is to propose a device for applying a cosmetic composition to the

eyelashes or to the eyebrows, and/or for adding finishing touches to makeup.

Applicators are known that include an applicator member having a configuration that may be changed by the user, e.g. as a function of the kind of composition to be applied or of the kind of makeup effect to be achieved.

Application EP 0 610 107 and application WO 96/08180 disclose applicators that include bristles that are held between two twisted strands, and means for modifying its shape .

There exists a need to improve still further known devices for applying makeup and/or for adding finishing touches thereto, in particular so as to make it possible to vary the disposition of applicator elements of the device in simple and effective manner when the applicator elements are molded integrally with the core that carries them.

An object of the invention is to satisfy this need, and in exemplary embodiments, it achieves this by means of a device for applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or to the eyebrows, and/or for adding finishing touches to makeup, said device comprising:

^• an applicator member, comprising:

^• a helical core that is made, at least in part, by molding plastics material; and

· at least one applicator element that is carried by the core and that projects relative to the core ;

^• a control member;

^• a transmission member that is connected to the control member and that extends, at least in part, inside the core, said transmission member causing the core to deform when it is subjected to movement relative to at least one portion of the core, under the effect of the user actuating the control member.

The term "helical" core means a core that follows a generally helically-shaped path of pitch that is constant or that varies from one turn to another, of optionally- constant diameter, of optionally-constant turn shape, i.e. a path that, over at least the major fraction of the core, advances along the longitudinal axis of the core while turning around said longitudinal axis.

The deformation of the core makes it possible to modify the configuration relative to applicator elements that are carried by the various turns, while the device is being used. Among other possibilities, it is thus possible to apply makeup in different ways to different zones of a set of eyelashes or of eyebrows.

Where appropriate, deformation of the core may enable the composition for application to be distributed better over the applicator elements, when the shape of the core is modified after being loaded with composition. For example, when the deformation of the core corresponds to an axial shortening of said core, composition may be forced towards the applicator elements by the turns that move closer together.

When the applicator member is used within an

applicator that may be loaded with composition by being inserted into a container including a wiper, the quantity of composition that is present on the core after passing through the wiper may vary depending on the degree of elongation of the core while it is being wiped. By way of example, a lengthening of the core may be accompanied by a reduction in the greatest outside diameter of the envelope surface of the applicator member, thereby causing it to be wiped less thoroughly by a wiper orifice of diameter that is less than or equal to the greatest diameter of said envelope surface.

Preferably, the core carries applicator elements that are constituted by teeth that are molded with the core. By way of example, the teeth are made integrally with the core out of the same material as the core, or, in a variant, they may be over-molded on said core out of a different material. The teeth may be stiff to a greater or lesser extent, and, where appropriate, they may be flocked. The teeth may be molded through the core, thanks to apertures of the core. The teeth and the core may be molded in thermoplastics material. A mold may be used for the teeth and the core.

In other exemplary embodiments, the applicator member includes only a single applicator element that extends continuously along at least a fraction of the length of the core, the single applicator element

possibly being in the form of a helical blade.

The transmission member may be configured to move one end of the core relative to the other end. One end of the core may be stationary relative to said

transmission member. By way of example, the transmission member moves the distal end of the core.

The end of the core that is moved by the

transmission member may be fastened to the transmission member. In a variant, the end of the core that is moved by the transmission member is not secured to the

transmission member, but is driven by the transmission member during movement thereof, said transmission member coming to bear against an end of the core, thereby transmitting its movement thereto.

At a given moment during use of the device, the core may have optionally-touching turns.

The applicator member may include bridges of

material that connect consecutive turns of the core together in pairs. By way of example, two consecutive turns are connected together by two bridges of material that, in a cross-section, are spaced apart angularly by 180° around the longitudinal axis of the core, or by three bridges of material that, in said section, are spaced apart angularly by 120° around the longitudinal axis of the core. The invention is not limited to a particular number of bridges of material connecting two consecutive turns.

The bridge (s) of material make(s) it possible to avoid too great a longitudinal movement of the turns relative to one another, also referred to as a

"concertina movement of the turns", while said turns are passing through the wiper member. The bridge (s) of material may be made out of a material that is flexible enough to allow the core to deform when the user acts on the control member, as explained above.

The device may include a hollow stem that covers the transmission member over at least a fraction of its length, the transmission member being movable through the hollow stem. The core may include an end that does not move relative to the hollow stem. By way of example, the transmission member is received inside the hollow stem with clearance that is not zero and that is less than 2 millimeters (mm) , preferably less than 1 mm, so that the clearance allows said transmission member to move, while making it difficult for the composition to flow. The outside section of the hollow stem is preferably circular, of diameter that is adapted to be wiped by the above-mentioned wiper. In variants, the transmission member may be made in such a manner as to be able to turn inside the optionally-hollow stem.

When the user actuates the control member, the transmission member is subjected to movement relative to the portion of the core that is fastened to the hollow stem, the relative movement causing the core to deform as a result of its end that is not fastened to the hollow stem being moved.

Several types of relative movement are possible. Actuating the control member may cause at least a fraction of the core to turn, without the control member moving axially relative to the hollow stem. By way of example, such turning leads to a change in the diameter of the turns of the core.

In a variant, actuating the control member causes at least a fraction of the core to move axially relative to the hollow stem, without turning the core relative to the hollow stem or to the control member. For example, the transmission member is moved axially without turning relative to the hollow stem, and one of the ends of the core is moved axially relative to the other end without one end turning relative to the other about the

longitudinal axis of the hollow stem. It is also

possible for one end of the core to be prevented from moving axially relative to the transmission member, while being free to turn relative to said transmission member, such that the transmission member being turned and moved axially as a result of the control member being actuated causes the core to move only axially. In this

configuration in particular, the transmission member may move while being screwed on or off in another element of the device.

Still in a variant, actuating the control member causes at least a fraction of the core to turn and to move axially relative to the hollow stem. In particular, this is the situation when the transmission member is screwed on or off, as mentioned above.

When the transmission member is subjected to

movement relative to said at least one portion of the core, under the effect of the user actuating the control member, it may cause the length of the core to be

modified and/or the pitch between two turns of the core to be modified and/or the diameter of the turns of the core to be modified. The term "diameter" of a turn should be understood to mean the diameter of the circle that circumscribes the turn, when observed along the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

The transmission member may include a first tubular sealing skirt that comes into sealing contact with a second tubular sealing skirt of the hollow stem, thereby contributing to sealing the device, in particular when the transmission member may be turned relative to the hollow stem. In a variant, a sealing gasket, preferably an O-ring, is interposed between two facing surfaces that are movable with the hollow stem and with the

transmission member respectively.

The device includes a grip portion that may be defined, at least in part, by the control member. The grip portion may receive an end of the transmission member .

The device may include a heater member that is disposed, at least in part, at the height of the

applicator member. With such positioning, the heater member faces at least a fraction of the turns of the core. The deformation of the core under the effect of an action exerted by the user on the control member may force the composition through spaces that are present between the turns, which composition has previously been subjected to the heat of the heater member.

By modifying the pitch between the turns, the user may optionally also make it easier for the eyelashes to access the space inside the core, and that may be useful when the space contains a heater member or any other element that is useful for application, e.g. a supply of composition or a porous material loaded with composition.

The heater member may be situated inside the

transmission member, around said transmission member, or may even be carried by the hollow stem.

The device may include at least one vibration source that is disposed in such a manner as to transmit

vibration to the applicator member, in particular along the longitudinal axis of the device. The applicator member may oscillate, in particular axially, while applying makeup to the eyelashes.

The device may include a motor that is configured to move at least a portion of the device in turning and/or axially. By way of example, the motor is a motor that is configured to move the transmission member, e.g. in periodic or reciprocating manner.

When the motor moves the hollow stem and the

transmission member, the motor may in particular be configured to function in at least one of the following two modes.

In a first operating mode, the hollow stem and the transmission member are turned at the same speed. In this mode, the axial or transverse dimension of the core may remain constant while it is turning, unless the user takes action to modify said dimension. In a second operating mode, the hollow stem and the transmission member turn at different speeds in such a manner as to cause the transmission member to move relative to the portion of the core that is connected to the hollow stem, thereby causing the core to deform automatically while it is turning, changing the configuration of the device. By way of example, this makes it possible to modify the pitch between the turns in periodic manner.

The core may be configured to come directly into contact with the transmission member, in at least one configuration of the device. By way of example, contact takes place over a fraction of the length of the core, or over at least half of its length, or over all of said length. By way of example, the core thus presents an inside diameter that is equal to the outside diameter of the portion of the transmission member that is engaged inside the core. By way of example, the configuration is a rest configuration in which the core is stored inside the container containing the composition. In a variant, the core may come directly into contact with the

transmission member only during use for applying the composition, and after deformation. By way of example, the core is in contact with the transmission member in an extreme position of said transmission member, and the action of the user on the control member, causing the diameter of the turns being increased, may move the core away from the transmission member.

The core may have a left-hand twist or a right-hand twist .

The device may include locking means making it possible to hold the core in a given deformation. The core may be resilient enough to urge the control member to bear in a locked position. Thus, the core may perform two functions, namely: firstly to support the applicator elements; and secondly to act as resilient return means for bringing the control member into the locked position after an action by the user on the control member in order to move said core.

Such a resilient return is particularly advantageous when the control member may turn in order to modify the setting of the applicator member.

The locked position may correspond to preventing the control member from turning.

In order to modify the setting, the user moves the control member axially against the return action of the applicator member, and may turn the control member so as to set the applicator member. Once the control member is released, it returns into its locked position and

maintains the angular position into which it has been put by the user. Locking may be performed by a surface of the control member bearing axially against another surface of the applicator.

The locking means may be self-releasing, i.e.

unlocking may occur automatically when a predefined condition is satisfied, e.g. the device is put back into place in the container. This makes it possible to avoid subjecting the core to excessive mechanical stress while being stored in the container.

Other exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide a packaging and applicator assembly for applying a cosmetic composition, the assembly comprising: ^• a container containing the composition for application; and

^• an applicator device as defined above for applying a cosmetic composition.

The composition is for application to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, preferably being mascara.

The assembly advantageously includes a wiper member that is configured to wipe the hollow stem of the device when said device is removed from the container. Such a wiper member may possibly contribute to the sealing of the receptacle when closed.

Other exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide a method of applying a cosmetic composition to the eyelashes or to the eyebrows, and/or of adding finishing touches to makeup by means of a device as defined above, the device comprising:

^• an applicator member, comprising:

^• a helical core that is made, at least in part, by molding plastics material; and

· at least one applicator element that is carried by the core and that projects relative to the core ;

^• a control member; and

^• a transmission member that is connected to the control member and that extends, at least in part, inside the core;

wherein the control member is actuated so as to cause the transmission member to move relative to at least one portion of the core, so as to deform the core, and wherein said device is used so as to apply

composition and/or so as to add finishing touches to the makeup. The movement may be an axial movement and/or a turning movement.

By way of example, the core is deformed in such a manner that said core presents a length and/or a pitch between turns and/or a turn size that is adapted to the composition for application and/or to the makeup effect that is to be achieved.

Deformation may take place prior to the composition being applied to the eyelashes. In a variant,

deformation takes place during application.

The device may include locking means that are configured to hold the core in a deformation given by the user. By way of example, the locking means make use of friction and/or co-operation between the shapes of two elements of the device. The method may include the step consisting in setting the configuration of the device prior to applying composition and/or to adding finishing touches to makeup. By way of example, the locking means are actuated automatically after the user has put the device into the desired configuration.

In a variant, the method may include the step consisting in turning the hollow stem and the

transmission member at the same speed or at different speeds by means of at least one motor. By way of example, this makes it possible to vary the configuration of the applicator member automatically while applying makeup, e.g. in periodic or alternating manner.

The method may also include the step consisting in subjecting the applicator member to vibration during application, in particular to axial vibration, and/or to heat .

The invention can be better understood on reading the following description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:

^• Figure 1 is a longitudinal section view of a packaging and applicator assembly in a first embodiment of the invention;

^• Figure 2 shows, in isolated manner, the

transmission member of the Figure 1 assembly;

^• Figure 3 shows, in isolated manner, an element of the Figure 1 assembly; ^• Figure 4 is a front view of the applicator member of the Figure 1 assembly;

^• Figures 5 to 10 show applicator members and transmission members in various embodiments of the invention;

^• Figure 11 is a diagrammatic cross-section view showing means for holding the applicator member in a particular deformation;

^• Figures 12 and 13 are diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal sections showing other means for holding the applicator member in a particular deformation;

^• Figure 14 is a view similar to the view in

Figure 5 of an applicator member and of a transmission member in another embodiment of the invention;

· Figures 15 and 16 are fragmentary views of devices in other embodiments of the invention;

^• Figure 17 is a diagram showing a motor in an embodiment of the invention; and

^• Figures 18 to 26 are diagrammatic cross-sections showing applicator members in other embodiments of the invention .

Figure 1 shows an assembly 1 in a first embodiment of the invention, the assembly comprising an applicator 2 that is configured to apply a cosmetic composition, e.g. mascara P contained in a container 3, to a set of

eyelashes or of eyebrows. In the embodiment described, the applicator 2 extends along a longitudinal axis.

As can be seen, the applicator 2 may be configured to be put into place on the container 3, so as to act as a closure member for closing the container. The

container may include a neck 4 that may be provided with a thread 5.

A wiper member 6, e.g. made out of elastomer, is fastened onto the neck 4, the wiper member 6 including a wiper lip 7. The wiper member 6 may be fastened onto the neck 4 by snap-fastening by means of an annular bead 8a that is engaged on a shoulder at the base of the neck 4, a collar 8b bearing against the edge of the neck 4.

In the embodiment in Figure 1, the device 2 includes an applicator member 10 that is disposed at the distal portion of the applicator.

The applicator member 10 is made by molding plastics material (s) . In a variant shown in Figure 18, the applicator member 10 is made by over-molding plastics material (s) onto a reinforcement wire 12 that is

preferably made of metal and/or elastically-deformable .

The applicator member 10 includes a helical core 9 that carries a plurality of applicator elements 11 that, in the embodiment shown, are teeth that are made by molding integrally with the core 9, preferably out of the same material. In a variant, the teeth 11 are over- molded on the core 9, the teeth 11 being made out of a plastics material that presents stiffness that is greater than or less than the stiffness of the core 9.

As shown in Figures 19 to 21, the core 9 may be of cross-section that is circular, polygonal, e.g. square or hexagonal, or of some other shape.

When the core 9 presents a polygonal cross-section, teeth 11 may extend on at least one side of said

polygonal section, over the entire width of the core, as shown in Figure 23, or over less than the entire width, as shown in Figure 22.

The pitch p between two consecutive turns disposed along the core may be non-zero and less than 10 mm, preferably lying in the range 0.8 mm to 3 mm, the pitch being measured along the core. The pitch p is measured between the centers of the core portions defining facing surfaces of the turns, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member. In a rest configuration of the applicator member 10, the spacing between two consecutive turns of the core 9 may lie in the range 0.5 mm to 1 mm, the spacing being measured between the facing surfaces of the turns, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member.

In cross-section, the core may carry a single tooth only, as in the embodiments shown in Figures 18 to 23.

In a variant, as shown in Figures 24 and 25, the core may carry a plurality of teeth in cross-section, e.g. two or three. The teeth may optionally be of the same shape, and they may present edges that are touching or spaced-apart .

As shown in Figure 25, the teeth 11 may include an edge 100 that faces the outside of the core 9, and an edge 101 that faces the other tooth 11, said edge 101 comprising a rectilinear portion 102 and a curved portion 103, such that the inside space E defined between two teeth that are carried by the core 9 on a given cross- section has a width defined between two facing edges 101 that is smaller at its end closed by the core 9 than at its end that is open.

In variants that are not shown, the core may include at least one portion having a cross-section that carries a single tooth only, and at least one other portion having a cross-section that carries a plurality of teeth, e.g. two or three.

The teeth may present a shape that tapers. In a variant, the teeth may be cylindrical, conical,

frustoconical , pyramid shaped, or in the shape of a truncated pyramid. The teeth may comprise a portion of width that is constant, and a portion having a width that increases towards the core.

Where appropriate, the teeth may be fastened to the core, e.g. being secured to a fastener portion that is engaged on the core.

In another variant that is not shown, the teeth are replaced by a helical blade that extends along at least a fraction of the core 9.

As shown in Figure 4, the teeth 11 may be oriented in different directions. By way of example, the teeth may extend over the entire periphery of the axis X of the applicator, being distributed uniformly. By way of example, the teeth may be connected perpendicularly to the helical core 9. By way of example, the teeth 11 may be contained locally in the plane of the helix. In a variant, the applicator member 10 may include teeth only in an angular sector that is less than 360° around the axis X. In this configuration, the teeth preferably extend outwards from the applicator member.

In the embodiment in Figure 4, the applicator member

10 includes six rows of teeth that are disposed over its periphery, but the invention is not limited to a

particular number of rows of teeth. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, each of the teeth 11 projects outwards relative to the core 9 by the same height, e.g. lying in the range 0.5 mm to 5 mm, preferably lying in the range 1 mm to 2 mm. The greatest transverse dimension d of the core 9 may lie in the range 0.05 mm to 1 mm, e.g. being about 0.1 mm.

As can be seen below, and in a variant, the teeth 11 may present different heights.

As can be seen in Figure 26, in which the teeth 11 have not been shown for the purpose of clarity, the applicator member 10 may include one or more bridges of material 105 that extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator member 10 and that connect consecutive turns of the core 9 together in pairs. By way of example, two consecutive turns are connected together by two bridges of material 105 that are spaced apart angularly by 180° in a cross-section of the core 9.

By way of example, the bridges of material 105 are made out of an elastomer material. The bridges of material 105 may be made out of a material that is more flexible than the material of the helical core. The bridges of material 105 need not carry teeth. The bridges of material are flexible enough to allow the core to twist.

By way of example, the core 9 has a left-hand twist or a right-hand twist. The term "left-hand twist" should be understood to mean that from the distal end to the proximal end of the applicator member, the core 9 turns in the counter-clockwise direction when observed along its axis.

In the embodiment in Figure 1, the core 9 is coupled at its distal end 13 to the distal end 14 of a

transmission member 15, the transmission member 15 being shown in greater detail in Figure 2. The transmission member 15 extends along the longitudinal axis X and may include a transmission pin 16 that is configured to be inserted inside the core 9, the pin 16 extending up to the distal end 14 that may be flat in shape. In the embodiment shown, at its other longitudinal end 17, the transmission member 15 includes a tubular portion 18 that is connected to the pin 16. The tubular portion 18 may extend between the end 17 and an end that is formed by a first tubular sealing skirt 37 having a purpose that is described below.

The tubular portion 18 may be surrounded externally by a rim 19 that may be made integrally with the tubular portion 18. An annular groove 60 may be formed between the tubular portion 18 and the rim 19.

As shown in Figure 1, the tubular portion 18 may be slotted over at least a fraction of its periphery. A locking tab 46 having a purpose that is described below may extend into the slot 47.

The distal end 14 of the transmission member 15 may be coupled to the end 13 of the core 9 by any means, e.g. by heat-sealing, by adhesive, by interfitting, by

interfering shapes, by clamping, by plastic deformation, by crimping, by friction, by molding, by over-molding, or by snap-fastening the core 9 on the transmission member 15, at its end 14. As can be seen in Figures 1 and 3, the device 2 also includes a hollow element 20 that, along the axis X, successively includes a hollow stem 21 and a tube portion 22.

As can be seen in Figure 1, a housing is formed inside the hollow stem 21, the dimensions of the housing being such that the pin 16 of the transmission member 15 can be received inside the hollow stem 21, with or without clearance.

As shown in Figure 1, the tube portion 22 may internally receive the tubular portion 18 of the

transmission member 15, and may present transverse dimensions that enable it to be disposed in the groove 60 between said tubular portion 18 and the rim 19 of the transmission member 15, when the hollow element 20 and the transmission member 15 are assembled together.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the tubular portion 22 may include an annular bead 24, said annular bead being received in an annular groove 25 that is formed in the rim 19. Thus, the tubular portion 22 may turn without being axially shifted relative to the transmission member 15.

On its inside wall in the proximity of its end 27 adjacent to the hollow stem 21, the tubular portion 22 includes a thread that co-operates with the thread 5 of the neck 4 so as to close the device 2 on the container 3. At the same end 27, the outside wall of the tubular portion 22 may be provided with a bead 28.

As shown, the hollow stem 21 may also include an end 30 onto which an end 32 of the core 9 is fastened. This fastening may correspond to constraining the end 32 of the applicator member 10 to turn with the hollow element 20. Such constraint may be obtained by any means, e.g. by heat sealing, by interfering shapes, by crimping, by friction, by snap-fastening, or by over-molding the core 9 onto the hollow stem 21. In order to enhance coupling, the core 9 may present two zones of different materials, the zones being

obtained by over-molding.

Furthermore, the hollow stem 21 may be terminated at its end 38 remote from its end 30, by a second tubular sealing skirt 39 that co-operates with the first skirt 37 of the transmission member, so as to provide a leaktight connection between the transmission member 15 and the hollow element 20. Where appropriate, the connection may make use of a sealing gasket, e.g. an O-ring, that is interposed between the two skirts 37 and 39.

As shown, the applicator 2 may also include a cap 40 that is configured to be put into place around the tubular portion 22. By way of example, at one of its ends, the cap 40 includes an annular groove 41 in which the bead 28 is snap-fastened, and which prevents the hollow element 20 from moving relative to the cap 40.

The applicator 2 also includes a control member 43 that, in the embodiment described, is a knurled wheel that turns relative to the cap 40. By way of example, the knurled wheel 43 extends the cap 40, said cap and the knurled wheel 43 together defining a grip portion in the embodiment described. The knurled wheel 43 is coupled to the rim 19 of the transmission member 15, such that turning the knurled wheel 43 causes the rim 19, and consequently the entire transmission member 15, to move relative to the hollow element 20. Such movement enables the core 9 to deform, given that the end 13 of the applicator member 10 fastened to the pin 16 is moved, while its end 32 fastened to the hollow stem 21 does not move .

The transmission member 15 may be configured in such a manner that turning the knurled wheel 43 causes the pitch between two turns of the core 9 to be lengthened or shortened and/or causes the length of the core 9 to be lengthened or shortened, depending on the turning

direction . In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the pin 16 extends beyond the distal end 13 of the core, the pin 16 including a return portion 50 that carries applicator elements 51.

Although in the embodiment in Figures 5 and 6 the teeth 11 are of the same height, the invention is not limited thereto. Thus, as can be seen in Figures 9 and 10, the height of the teeth may vary in non-monotonic manner along the core 9. By way of example, the height of the teeth may be at a minimum at both longitudinal ends of the core, and may vary until it reaches a maximum substantially mid-way along the core 9. Groups of teeth of the same height may be disposed along the axis X on the core 9. The heights of the teeth 11 may be such that the envelope surface defined by the free ends of the teeth 11 is substantially spherical, for example.

In the embodiments described above, the core 9 is mounted in permanent manner around the pin 16 of the transmission member 15, being fastened to said

transmission member via its distal end 13.

In a variant, the pin 16 may present a rest position in which it does not extend through the core 9. By way of example, at rest, the pin 16 presents a curved shape, the pin being constrained to occupy a rectilinear

position when it lies inside the hollow stem 21. When the pin 16 is moved through the core 9, it returns to its curved shape, causing the applicator member 10 to deform by curving, as shown in Figure 8.

The applicator 2 may include locking means making it possible to hold the applicator member in a given

deformation .

The above-mentioned locking tab 46 co-operates with grooves or slots that are formed in the tubular portion 22 so as to form said locking means. The tab 46 is urged resiliently against the groove and bends resiliently, passing from one groove to the other when the knurled wheel 43 is moved from one locked position to another. In the embodiment in Figure 11, the locking means comprise portions in relief that are formed on facing faces of the knurled wheel 43 and of the remainder of the grip portion 40, the portions in relief comprising beads 60 and hollows 61, for example.

The locking means may be configured to emit a noise and/or a tactile sensation when the applicator 2 is locked in a configuration in which the core 9 is

deformed .

One or more visual markers may be associated with each of the configurations, the visual marker (s) being carried by the knurled wheel 43 and/or by the remainder of the grip portion 40, for example. By way of example, the visual marker (s) may be graduations, numbers, or letters.

Another example of locking means is shown in

Figures 12 and 13. In this example, the knurled wheel 43 includes one or more notches 65 that can be engaged on one or more detents 61 that are formed on the cap 40 that, in this embodiment, coincides with the tubular portion 22. The detents prevent the knurled wheel 43 from turning when they are engaged in the notches 65.

When the device is removed from the container 3, the knurled wheel 43 may be urged to bear against the

detents, advantageously by the resilience of the

applicator member 10 that is resiliently interposed axially between the end 14 of the pin 16 and the hollow stem 21.

The above-described locking means may be designed to pass into an unlocked configuration, e.g. in automatic manner, when the applicator is put into place in the container 3 that contains the composition for

application. The applicator may thus be returned

automatically into a rest configuration in which no deformation is exerted on the applicator member 10 as a result of the control member. By way of example, in order to provide automatic unlocking, the applicator 2 in Figures 12 and 13 may be made so that the knurled wheel 43 is raised when said applicator is put into place on the container 3, said raising of the knurled wheel causing it to be disengaged from the detents and allowing it to turn freely so as to accompany the return of the applicator member 10 to its rest position.

In order to raise the knurled wheel 43, the end 14 of the pin 16 comes into abutment against the bottom of the container 3 while the applicator 2 is being put into place on the container 3.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

As shown in Figure 14, a heater member 70 may be integrated in the device 2. By way of example, the heater member is housed inside the pin 16, in the

proximity of the end 14 of the transmission member 15, so as to be able to heat the composition that is loaded on the applicator 2. By way of example, the heater member

70 is a heater resistor that is powered by an independent and optionally-rechargeable electrical energy source.

In a variant, or in combination with the above, the applicator 2 may, as shown in Figure 15, include a vibration source 80, e.g. at the grip portion. By way of example, the vibration source 80 comprises a fly-weight that is off-center relative to an axis and that rotates about said axis, the fly-weight being configured to cause the device to vibrate substantially axially.

In a variant, or in combination with the above, the applicator 2 may, as shown in Figure 16, include a motor 90, e.g. at the grip portion. In the embodiment shown, the motor 90 is secured to the knurled wheel 43 and it is configured to turn the knurled wheel 43 and the

transmission member 15 about the axis X.

In a variant, as shown in very diagrammatic manner in Figure 17, the motor 90 is configured to turn temporarily, firstly the transmission member 15 and secondly the hollow element 20 at different speeds of rotation .

By way of example, the motor 90 is coupled to the hollow element 20 directly, and is coupled to the

transmission member directly or via gearing 91. In a first operating mode, the motor 90 is coupled to the transmission member 15 directly, without the use of the gearing 91, the transmission member 15 and the hollow element 20 thus turning at the same speed of rotation.

In a second operating mode, the transmission member 15 is driven by the motor 90 via the gearing 91, so that the transmission member 15 and the hollow element 20 turn at different speeds, so as to cause the core 9 to deform. The two above-described operating modes may optionally alternate during a period of motor operation.

In a variant that is not shown, the hollow element and the transmission member are driven by two distinct motors that are controlled by a common control circuit, said circuit being configured to cause each of the motors to rotate selectively at different speeds.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

By way of example, the knurled wheel 43 may be replaced by a ratchet mechanism that transforms an action of pressing a pushbutton or of sliding a slider into a turning movement that is transmitted to the core, the control member being a pushbutton with a ratchet, for example .

The applicator 2 may be used as a finishing tool for adding finishing touches to makeup, the composition being applied by means of another applicator.

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