This invention relates to a cosmetic product applicator, of the type comprising: a support extending along an longitudinal axis; an element for applying a cosmetic product on keratin fibers, in particular eyelashes or eyebrows, with the application element being disposed along the longitudinal axis and comprising a plurality of projecting elements extending radially; a heating element comprising a resistive wire extending along the longitudinal axis; with the application element and the heating element being attached to the support.

By "cosmetic product", we mean, in the sense of this invention, a product as defined in Regulation (EC) N° 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009, relating to the cosmetic products.

The cosmetic product intended to be applied by the applicator according to the invention is in particular in the form of a powder, a compacted solid, or a fluid such as a liquid. The product is advantageously a product intended to be placed on the keratin fibers of a user, such as the eyelashes or the eyelids. The product is for example a makeup product such as a mascara.

It is known to apply a makeup product such as a mascara using a heating element, intended to curve and/or extend the eyelashes. The document FR2996109 describes for example an applicator of the aforementioned type, wherein the resistive wire is disposed between the projecting elements of the brush, in such a way as to apply the mascara, comb and heat the eyelashes in a single gesture.

Such an applicator requires integrating the heating wire into the mascara brush, which is expensive and difficult to implement. This invention has for purpose to obtain at a lesser cost such an applicator of a cosmetic product, in particular mascara.

For this purpose, the invention has for object an applicator of the aforementioned type, wherein the plurality of projecting elements is disposed outside an angular portion about the longitudinal axis, with the resistive wire being disposed in said angular portion.

According to particular embodiments of the invention, the applicator comprises one or several of the following features taken in isolation or in any technically possible combination:

- an angle of the angular portion is between 30° and 210°, preferably between 60° and 180°;

- the resistive wire comprises a portion that can be accessed from the outside of the applicator and able to enter into contact with the keratin fibers; the accessible portion of the resistive wire is flush with an external surface of the support;

the resistive wire is folded in the shape of a pin, forming an elbow and two substantially parallel arms;

- the support and/or the application element are attached to a rod extending along the longitudinal axis;

- the rod is extended by a gripping element;

- the heating element comprises an electrical energy source housed in the gripping element and connected to the heating wire.

The invention also relates to a method for producing an applicator such as described hereinabove, including successively the following steps: assembly of the heating wire with the longitudinal support; assembly of the longitudinal support with the rod by inserting the longitudinal support into a notch formed longitudinally on the rod; assembly of the application element with the rod and/or with the longitudinal support.

Preferably, the method comprises, prior to the step of assembling the application element, a connection step between the electrical energy source and the heating wire.

The invention also relates to a method for producing applicators such as described hereinabove, comprising successively the following steps: manufacture of a plurality of identical sets, with each set comprising the support assembled to the heating element and to the rod; assembly of a first of said sets with a first application element and of a second of said sets with a second application element. Preferably, the first and the second application elements are different from one another.

The invention will be easier to understand in view of the following description, provided solely as a non-restricted example and with reference to the drawings, wherein:

- figure 1 is a perspective view of a cosmetic product applicator according to an embodiment of the invention;

- figure 2 is a front view of the applicator of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 is a partial exploded view, in perspective, of the applicator of figures 1 and 2.

The applicator 10 shown in figure 1 comprises a rod 12, extending along a longitudinal axis 14. A first end 16 of the rod 12 along the axis 14 is connected to a gripping element 18, allowing a user to grip the applicator 10.

A second end 20 of the rod 12 is connected to a support 22, extending along the axis 14. The support 22 is integral with a resistive wire 24 that is part of a heating element The second end 20 of the rod 12 is also connected to an cosmetic product application element 28, here a mascara brush 28.

The rod 12 preferably has a cylindrical shape, in particular cylindrical of revolution as in the embodiment shown in figures 1 to 3. As seen in figure 3, a lateral surface 30 of the rod 12 comprises a notch 32 extending parallel to the axis 14 from the first end 16. The notch 32 is extended along the axis 14 by a tubular cavity 34, which extends inside the rod 12 to the second end 20.

On the first end 16, a front surface 36 of the rod 12 is disposed according to a plane orthogonal to the axis 14. A blind hole 38 opens onto the front surface 36.

The support 22 comprises a first portion 40 and a second portion 42, aligned along the axis 14. The first portion 40 has a shape complementary to that of the notch 32 of the rod 12.

The second portion 42 comprises two grooves 44 parallel to the axis 14. Optionally, the second portion 42 further comprises a row of combing pins 46, disposed between the grooves 44, parallel to the axis 14.

On a side opposite the grooves 44 and the pins 46, the second portion 42 comprises a projecting lug 48.

The resistive wire 24 of the heating element 26 is folded in the shape of a pin, forming an elbow 50 and two substantially parallel arms 52. The arms 52 of the pin are disposed in the grooves 44 of the support 22, with the elbow 50 being located at a front end of the second portion 42. The arms 52 of the pin can be accessed from the outside of the applicator 10 and can come into contact with a surface of the body such as eyelashes or eyebrows. More precisely, the arms 52 are flush with an external surface of the second portion 42 over the entire length thereof.

Each one of the arms 52 is extended by a section 53 for electrical connection, passing through the inside of the support 22. Each section 53 is connected to a conducting wire 54 of the heating element 26. The wires 54 pass through the notch 32 and in the tubular cavity 34. One end of the wires 54 is connected to an electrical energy source (not shown) such as a battery, housed in the gripping element 18. Preferably, the heating element 26 comprises a means of actuation (not shown) such as a switch, located on the gripping element 18, allowing a user to supply the heating wire 24 with electricity.

It is considered the set 55 formed by the support 22, the heating element 26, the rod 12 and the gripping element 18, i.e. the applicator 10 not yet provided with the brush 28.

The mascara brush 28 comprises a body 56 of extended shape, disposed along the axis 14. The brush 28 further comprises a plurality of projecting elements 58, extending radially from the body 56. The projecting elements 58 are intended for the application of the mascara and/or the brushing of the eyelashes/eyebrows. The projecting elements 58 are advantageously separation/combing teeth.

A length of each projecting element is for example between 0.1 mm and 3 mm. Advantageously, the projecting elements 58 are from a single piece with the body 56.

As can be seen in figure 2, the plurality of projecting elements 58 is disposed outside an angular portion 60 about the axis 14. The angular portion 60 forms an angle a, preferably between 30° and 210°, more preferably between 60° and 180°.

Inside the angular portion 60, the body 56 comprises a notch 62 able to cooperate with the lug 48 of the support 22.

Opposite a front end 64, the body 56 comprises a pin 66 able to be inserted into the blind hole 38 of the rod 12.

The method of mounting the applicator 10 shall now be described. First of all, the heating wire 24 is assembled with the support 22 by the insertion of the arms 52 into the grooves 44. A first end of each conducting wire 54 is then welded to an arm 52. A second end of each conducting wire 54 is then inserted into the tubular cavity 34 of the rod 12. The second end of each conducting wire 54 is then connected to the electrical energy source (not shown) housed in the gripping element 18.

The first portion 40 of the support 22 is inserted into the notch 32 of the rod 12. The second portion 42 is left projecting in relation to the rod 12 according to the axis 14. The first portion 40 and the rod 12 are integral, for example via gluing.

According to an alternative, the rod 12 is molded on the first portion 40 of the support 22, on the heating wire 24 and on the conducting wires 54. According to this alternative, the conducting wires 54 are for example introduced into a sheath before the molding step, with the sheath then forming a wall of the tubular cavity 34.

Finally, a brush 28 is assembled to the support 22 and to the rod 12. More precisely, the pin 66 of the brush 28 is inserted into the blind hole 38 of the rod 12 and the lug 48 of the support 22 is inserted into the notch 62 of the body 56. Glue is possibly added in order to make integral the brush 28 with the support 22 and with the rod 12.

As the projecting elements 58 of the brush 28 are at a distance from the heating wire 24, the brush 28 can be assembled to the applicator 10 in the last step of the method for manufacturing said applicator. It is as such possible to manufacture in large quantities the set 55, i.e. the applicator 10 devoid of the brush 28. To each set 55 is then added a brush 28, chosen from among several different models according to the application desired. Sets 55 from the same batch can therefore be assembled to several types of brushes 28 for different uses. A method of using the applicator 10 comprises for example the following steps: a user grips the applicator 10 via the gripping element 18. The user soaks the brush 28 in a cosmetic product such as a mascara, then passes the brush 28 over her eyelashes in order to comb them and to coat them with the product. Then, the user turns the gripping element 18 between her fingers in order to position the heating wire 24 across from her eyelashes. The user actuates the switch (not shown) located on the element 18 in order to heat the wire 24 and then passes the wire 24 over her eyelashes. The action of the heat curves the eyelashes and dries the mascara. In the case where the support 22 is provided with combing pins 46, said pins prevent the eyelashes from sticking together during the heating step.