The present invention relates to a device for packaging and applying a product, in particular a cosmetic makeup and/or care product designed to be applied to keratin fibres.

Keratin fibres are understood to mean fibres such as the hair or eyelashes, including false hair or false eyelashes .

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

In particular, devices for packaging and applying mascara to the eyelashes are known in the prior art. Mascara is understood to mean a composition designed to be applied to the eyelashes. It may be a composition for making up the eyelashes, a composition for cosmetically treating the eyelashes, an eyelash make-up base, or a composition known as a "top coat" designed to be applied over a first layer which has already been applied to the eyelashes.

These devices are presented mainly in two forms depending on the texture of the mascara. If the mascara is solid, it is presented in a shallow dish of large diameter so as to make it easier to take the product up from the surface via the dish's large opening. By contrast, when the mascara is liquid, it is contained in an elongate container having a neck of small diameter. The neck is designed so that the closure means for closing off the neck bears a means for applying the product, which can be inserted in the container when not in use so as to be placed in contact with the product.

In particular, solid mascaras are known from documents US 2 007 245 and FR 2 833 163. The known solid mascaras must be broken down using water prior to their application to the eyelashes. Specifically, the purpose

of wetting them is to dissolve at least some of the surface of the cake of mascara in such a way that the product acquires, at least at the surface, a pasty consistency which can be taken up by a brush and then transferred to the eyelashes using this brush. Said brush is generally packaged in the same case as the dish, and is first impregnated with water before being brought into contact with the cake of mascara.

The problem with these "cake mascaras" relates to their complexity of use, the need for a source of water and the fact that their packaging quickly gets messy. The need for a source of water to wet the mascara restricts the use of the mascara. Moreover, packaging such a mascara cake separately from its brush is bulky.

Also known from document FR 2 529 765 are devices designed to contain liquid mascaras. When the product is already in liquid form there is no need for prior preparation, and it can be taken up directly using the applicator element - a brush, as appropriate - and transferred straight to the eyelashes. These devices, although they work well, have the drawback that access to the product is difficult, thus preventing the container from being emptied optimally. Moreover, given the number of parts used in such devices, formulating a product which is compatible with each of these parts is difficult.

Devices for applying wax directly to locks of hair are known from documents US-2477245 and US-3683942. These devices are bulky and do not allow the product to be applied without a combing step. These devices are integrated in such a way that the two actions of coating the fibres and combing are concomitant. There is a need for a new way of styling and applying product to the hair.

Moreover, documents US-2755606 and US-1851859 disclose means for combing the hair which coat the hair with a liquid product as it is combed. These devices may leak liquid and it is difficult to regulate the amount of product dispensed, such that it can be dangerous for a user to use these kinds of devices on the eyelashes.

There is a need for a new way of applying a product to the eyelashes, by means of a compact, user-friendly and inexpensive packaging and application device.

Thus, according to one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a device for packaging and applying a product, in particular a product for application to keratin fibres, comprising

- a gripping means

- a support connected to the gripping means

- a stick of product borne by the support, the stick having a longitudinal axis and an application surface in contact with which the product is dispensed, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of applicator elements projecting from the support and arranged in at least one row extending laterally against the application surface, in such a way that before first use, the application surface has, in a cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis, a portion protruding from an envelope surface of the cross section of the support and of at least one of the applicator elements.

According to the invention, the cross-sectional plane transverse to the longitudinal axis of the applicator means, cuts through, on the one hand, the applicator means and on the other hand, the support at at least one of the applicator elements which project therefrom. Preferably, a sectional plane passing through a free end of an applicator element is selected.

The envelope surface of the cross section of the support and of said projecting applicator element is defined in said sectional plane and corresponds to the surface of the smallest convex polygon, with no concavity, inside which is inscribed the cross section of the support and of said at least one applicator element. This smallest convex polygon defines the convex enclosure of the cross section of the support and of said at least one applicator element.

Stick is understood to mean a stick shape, generally comprising at least one cylindrical portion, such that it retains its predetermined shape without stress, at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. A product packaged in stick form is self-supporting, preferably for at least 60 seconds. Generally, sticks are obtained by hot-casting the product.

Advantageously, the product may be a solid composition, in particular one which can disintegrate without wetting. A product which can disintegrate without wetting means a composition which can be applied without wetting and which is capable, at ambient temperature, of forming a deposit which adheres to and covers a substrate, in particular keratin fibres, and more particularly the eyelashes, when they are brought directly into contact with one another, without the need for prior preparation, in this case without the need to bring the composition into contact with an aqueous phase beforehand, unlike cake mascaras which disintegrate in water and must be partially dissolved before being be applied to the keratin fibres and forming a deposit which adheres to and covers them. The composition which can disintegrate without wetting according to the invention may be taken up, transferred and spread.

For example, the product may be a solid composition having a hardness of between 500 and 18 200 Pa, in

particular between 900 and 10 000 Pa, and more particularly between 1800 and 8200 Pa. Such a hardness produces a composition which is sufficiently rigid to be presented in the form of a stick while having a sufficiently "soft" texture to allow easy application to the eyelashes, in particular to allow the substance to be deposited by bringing it directly into contact with the eyelashes, without exerting pressure on the row of eyelashes.

The method used to determine the hardness of a cosmetic composition according to the invention is the "cheese wire" method. To this end, a stick of said composition whose hardness must be determined is prepared. The stick is obtained by casting a composition in an aluminium mould placed for 45 minutes at -28 ⁰ C and then demoulded and packaged in a packaging item, in particular a pen, and then stored at a temperature of 2O ⁰ C for 24 hours prior to the measurement. A rigid tungsten wire 250 μm in diameter is advanced relative to the stick at a speed of 100 mm/minute, so as to cut the stick transversely using said wire. The hardness measured corresponds to the maximum shearing force exerted by the wire on the stick at 20 ⁰ C, this force being measured using a DFGS2 dynamometer sold by Indelco-Chatillon. The measurement is repeated six times. The average of the six values read using the abovementioned dynamometer, denoted Y, is given in grams. This average is converted to Pascal using the following equation to obtain the hardness value of the stick:

(Y x 10-3 x 9.8) /surface area of the cross section of the stick (in m ² )

In the case of a cylindrical stick of circular section, the surface area of the cross section is equal to p * R2, R being the radius of the stick expressed in metres.

Preferably, the hardness of the compositions according to the present invention is such that the compositions are self-supporting while also being easy to break down in order to form a deposit on the surface of the keratin fibres with which they are brought into contact.

The protruding portion of the application surface may comprise at least one convex portion. For example, the product stick may be cylindrical.

In the case where the support comprises a longitudinal axis, then the latter is preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis of the product stick.

The row of applicator elements may also extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the product stick.

In particular, the applicator elements may be moulded as a single piece with the support, from a thermoplastic .

In particular, at least one free end of an applicator element is tapered, particularly in the form of teeth or bristles.

More particularly, the row may be uniform and comprise a series of identical applicator elements spaced apart regularly all along the row.

The applicator elements may be configured in such a way as to extend against at least one portion of the product stick while following its outer periphery locally. The applicator elements may project from two opposite edges of the support, on either side of the outer periphery of the product stick.

For example, the applicator elements may partially cover the application surface over an angular arc of less than 60°, preferably less than 45°.

According to one particular embodiment, the support may comprise two lateral rows of applicator elements extending on either side of the application surface, in such a way that the application surface partially protrudes from the volume delimited between these two rows.

In particular, the support may comprise a plane of symmetry.

The application surface may comprise a longitudinal end which projects beyond the support. Thus, a portion of the longitudinal periphery of the product stick extends alongside the row of applicator elements, while a longitudinal end of the stick also offers an application surface. In this case, the user can first of all apply the portion of the longitudinal periphery against her row of eyelashes to be coated, and then finish off the application using the longitudinal end. The product stick is preferably considerably longer than its diameter is wide.

The device may comprise a means for retaining the product stick against the support.

The device may comprise a closing means able to engage with either the gripping means and/or the support in such a way as to enclose the product stick in a preferably sealed volume.

For example, this closing means may comprise a longitudinal window and be rotatable about the product stick from a first position in which the application surface is concealed to a second position in which the application surface is accessible.

The gripping means may itself comprise a longitudinal axis, the latter then being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the stick, for example.

The product stick may be movable relative to the gripping means. In particular, the stick may comprise two portions which can be rotated with respect to one another so as to move the product stick, in translation or in rotation, relative to the gripping means.

The product stick may also be movable relative to the support, in particular so as to offer new application surfaces as the device is used.

According to another of its aspects, the invention also relates to a device for packaging and applying a makeup and/or care product for keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes, comprising: i) a support which is elongate along a longitudinal axis; ii) an application surface which is at least partially convex, extending partially in contact with a face of the support and oriented along said longitudinal axis, the application surface consisting of said product or being capable of being supplied with the latter, in particular by impregnation; and iii) a plurality of applicator elements, in particular in the form of teeth or bristles, arranged in at least one row extending along said longitudinal axis, on at least one side of said application surface, and projecting from said face of the support over a height such that at least part of the application surface extends from the support, in a direction parallel to the height of the applicator elements, beyond a free end of at least some of the applicator elements.

This application surface may consist of at least part of a lateral surface, and more particularly longitudinal surface, of a solid stick of said product placed on said face of the support. Alternatively, this application surface may be a porous surface or a surface with at least one hole through it, supplied with said product.

The applicator elements may be arranged in two rows projecting from said face on either side of the application surface.

According to yet another of its aspects, the invention also relates to a device for packaging and applying a make-up and/or care product for keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes, comprising: i) a support which is elongate along a longitudinal axis; ii) an application surface which is at least partially convex placed on a face of the support along said longitudinal axis, the application surface possibly consisting of at least part of the lateral surface of a solid stick of said product, said stick being in contact with the support; and iii) a plurality of applicator elements, in particular in the form of teeth -or bristles, arranged in at least one row extending along said longitudinal axis, on at least one side of said application surface, and projecting from said face of the support.

The product presented on said face of the support may be one which can disintegrate without wetting. It may thus have a hardness of between 500 and 18 200 Pa, in particular between 900 and 10 000 Pa, and more particularly between 1800 and 8200 Pa, this hardness being measured by the method described above.

In particular, before first use, the applicator means may have, in a cross section transverse to the longitudinal axis, a portion protruding from an envelope surface of the cross section of the support.

The applicator elements may in particular project from said face of the support over a height such that at least part of the application surface extends from the support beyond a free end of at least some of the applicator elements.

The present invention also relates to a method for making up and/or caring for keratin fibres, in particular the eyelashes, which consists in applying a make-up and/or care product to said fibres using a device according to at least one of the abovementioned aspects .

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a device according to the invention, in which the product is first cast in the form of a stick and then placed on the support.

The invention will be more clearly understood on reading the following description and studying the figures which accompany it. These are provided merely by way of non-limiting example of the invention. The figures show:

- Figure 1: a perspective profile view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention; - Figure 2: a truncated longitudinal section through a device according to Figure 1 without its applicator means; - Figure 3: a view in cross section of a device according to the invention along the sectional plane A-A shown in Figure 1;

- Figures 4 to 9: views in cross section of variant embodiments of the device according to the invention/

- Figures 10a to 1Od: part views of variants of longitudinal profiles of rows of applicator elements of devices according to the invention;

- Figures 11 to 13: perspective views of various embodiments of a device according to the invention.

Figure 1 shows a packaging and application device 1 according to the invention. The device 1 comprises a gripping means 2 which holds a support 3 having an applicator means 4. This applicator means 4 extends along a longitudinal axis X. The device 1 comprises a row 5 of applicator elements extending laterally along ¹ the applicator means 4. This row 5 of applicator elements projects from the support 3.

The applicator means 4 comprises an application surface

6 which can be brought into contact with keratin fibres without any part of the support 3 being brought into contact with said keratin fibres.

The applicator means 4 of figure 1 is cylindrical and extends directly in contact with an internal face 7 of the support 3, this internal face 7 having a concave surface extending longitudinally against the outer periphery of the applicator means 4. The row 5 of applicator elements 9 projects from a longitudinal side edge 8 of the face 7. The row 5 extends longitudinally against the outer periphery of the applicator means. The application surface β is accessible beyond the free ends 10 of the applicator elements 9 and also in the spaces between applicator elements such as 9.

In this example, the internal face 7 covers part of the length of the cylindrical applicator means 4 over an angular arc of between 20° and 90°, and preferably of

around 60°. The applicator elements 9 form portions of arcs locally adjacent to the outer periphery of the applicator means, these arc portions locally covering the cylindrical applicator means over an angular arc of between 20° and 90°, and preferably of around 60°.

The applicator elements 9 are, in Figure 1, all identical and are tapered towards their free end 10. As a variant (not shown) , the applicator elements within a same row may be different to one another.

The longitudinal sectional plane of Figure 2 corresponds also to a sectional plane along a plane of symmetry of the support 3 at least. This sectional plane also corresponds to a plane of symmetry of the gripping means 2.

The gripping means 2 is in this case in the form of a hollow element closed off by an end wall 11 at one axial end (axial in relation to the axis X, which in this case also corresponds to the longitudinal axis of the gripping means 2) . At a second axial end (in relation to the axis X) , this hollow element comprises an opening 12 for receiving and retaining the support 3 therein.

The support 3 is for example designed in such a way as to be at least partially inserted in this opening 12 so as to engage the retention means 13 provided on the outer periphery of a skirt 14 of this support 3 with complementary interaction means 15 provided on the inner periphery of the longitudinal wall 16 forming said hollow element.

Around the skirt 14, the support 3 comprises a flange 16 designed to abut against an edge of the opening 12 once the retention means 13 is engaged in the complementary interaction means 15.

The retention means 13 is for example in the form of an annular band forming a bulge over the outer periphery of the skirt 14. In this case, the complementary interaction means 15 is in the form of two annular lips designed to hold said band between them. Preferably, the retention means 13 is designed so as to be engaged irreversibly, i.e. such that it cannot be detached manually, in the complementary interaction means 15.

The axis X also corresponds in this case to the longitudinal axis of the support 3. The skirt 14 lies parallel to this axis X. The support 3 comprises a transverse wall 17 from which the skirt 14 projects in a first direction, and from which a tongue 18, which presents said internal face 7, projects in the opposite direction.

The internal face 7 thus has a second longitudinal side edge 19, opposite and in particular parallel to the first edge 8. A second row 20 of applicator elements 21 projects from this second edge 19. In the embodiment shown, the rows 5 and 20 are symmetrical to one another.

The tongue 18 and its two rows, 5 and 20 respectively, form a receptacle in the form of a cylinder comprising a longitudinal opening, this opening being defined between the free ends of the applicator elements of each of the rows. As this receptacle is designed to receive the applicator means 4, the application surface 6 is in particular accessible via this longitudinal opening. The applicator elements can interact with the outer periphery of the applicator means 4 to hold it in contact with the tongue 18.

The applicator means 4 is also held at a first longitudinal end at the transverse wall 17. Said wall may for example have means able to interact with the applicator means 4. According to the embodiment shown,

a second skirt 22 which can locally encircle the applicator means 4 projects from the transverse wall 17.

The support 3 may comprise another retention means 23 for the applicator means 4, presented in particular at an axial end 24 of the support 3. These retention means 23 may take the form of a ring which can locally encircle the outer periphery of the applicator means 4. In particular, the applicator means 4 may, as shown in Figure 1, project beyond the axial end 24 of the support 3 so as to have an axial end 50 forming an extension of the application surface 6.

To protect the application surface 6 and the applicator means 4 when not in use, as shown in Figure 2, a removable closure cap 25 can be fitted over the support 3, and for example retained on said support. The closure cap 25 is in particular provided to ensure a sealed closure. The closure cap 25 is for example retained by snap-fitting by virtue of the interaction between an annular bulge 26 on the outer periphery of the second skirt 22 which can interact with a complementary relief made on the inner periphery of said cap.

Preferably, the gripping means 2, the support 3 and the closure cap 25 are each obtained as a single piece by moulding a thermoplastic. The support 3 and the applicator elements projecting from it may also be obtained as a single piece by moulding. In particular, they may be made of a polyolefin.

The applicator means 4 is preferably a separate part attached to the support 3. It is for example slid along the axis X inside the retention means 23 until it abuts against the transverse wall 17 and interacts with the second skirt 22.

According to a first embodiment, the applicator means 4 takes the form of a stick of product, this product stick lying along the longitudinal axis X and having a circular section, for example, in the case shown in Figure 1.

The product stick is self-supporting at least when it is placed in the support 3. In other words, when it is placed therein the product does not flow between the applicator elements of the rows 5 and 20.

To retain it more effectively on the support 3, when it is placed therein, the product stick is slightly forced inside the second skirt 22 which for example has an inner periphery which has a smaller section than the stick.

In particular, as can be seen in Figure 3, the product stick 4 has a circular section, considered transversely to the axis X. The diameter of this stick is for example between 5 and 15 mm. It is preferably around 8.3 mm in diameter. In this example, the support 3 and the rows 5 and 20 cover the product stick over essentially half its section. Specifically, along this sectional plane, the free ends 10 of the applicator elements of the rows 5 and 20 are located essentially on a straight line passing through the centre of the circular section of the stick. Therefore, the application surface 6 extends beyond the free ends of the applicator elements.

If we define, for a given cross-sectional plane, the envelope surface of the corresponding cross section of the support 3 and of the applicator element (s) 9 projecting therefrom, this envelope surface, delimited by the smallest convex polygon P inscribing this section, comprises at least one side 27 connecting the free ends of the applicator elements, in such a way that in the embodiment described above, a transverse

semi-circular portion 28 of the cross section of the applicator means 4 protrudes from this envelope surface. The application surface 6 is in particular delimited by the periphery of this portion 28 where it presents a section in an arc of a circle and hence a convex portion.

In the case where the applicator means 4 corresponds to a product stick then the application surface 6 is defined by the outer accessible periphery of the product stick. As the device according to the invention is used, the amount of product decreases, the shape of the outer periphery of the stick and therefore the application surface 6 change. In the invention, the application surface 6 is considered before the device 1 is first used.

As a variant, the applicator means 4 may take the form of a porous element impregnated with product. In this case, the application surface 6 remains constant throughout the lifetime of the product. In this eventuality, the porous element is inherently permeable to the product, and may be supplied continuously with said product which may be stored in a reservoir of the device. This reservoir may for example in this case be housed inside the gripping means and comprise a supply channel passing through the transverse wall 17. To facilitate release of the product held in the porous element, the latter may be elastically deformable so as to allow its constituent pores to deform and thus release said product.

In this variant, the applicator means 4 is preferably made as an open-cell or semi-open-cell foam. Alternatively, the applicator means may comprise a channel opening out at the application surface 6. This channel is then preferably in fluid communication with the abovementioned supply channel.

Generally, the product is applied to a surface to be coated using the device 1 via a relative movement between the application surface β and the surface to be coated, so as to cause, when the applicator means 4 is a product stick, said product to disintegrate and be applied in the form of a deposit in at least one layer on said surface.

According to variant embodiments of the device 1, as shown in Figure 4, the support 3 may comprise a single row of applicator elements such as 5 extending laterally on only one side of the applicator means 4. In this case, the internal face 7 is flat, and the applicator means is cylindrical with a truncated ovoid base so as to come into contact with the flat internal face 7 via its flat longitudinal face. The application surface 6 is curved and extends mainly between the free ends 10 of the applicator elements of the single row 5 and the opposite side edge 19 of the internal face 7.

In the sectional plane transverse to the longitudinal axis X selected so as to pass through a free end 10 of an applicator element 9, the internal face 7 being flat, the height hi of this applicator element 9 measured from said internal face 7 is less by at least one third, preferably by at least half, than a height h2 corresponding to a maximum height of the application surface 6 measured from this same internal face 7.

Figure 8 corresponds to a variant embodiment of Figure 4 in which the support 3 comprises a single row of applicator elements 5, and for which the internal face 7 is convex in such a way that the cross section of the applicator means 4 is crescent-shaped. The outer periphery of the crescent forms the convex application surface 6. In this embodiment, the applicator means 4 comprises a portion 28 which protrudes from the envelop surface of such a support, and in particular projects beyond the side 27 of such an envelope surface.

According to another variant embodiment (Figure 5) , the device 1 comprises two rows, 5 and 20 respectively, of applicator elements projecting from the support 3, and as in Figure 4 the internal face 7 is flat and the applicator means 4 has, seen in cross section, a truncated ogival shape whose tip protrudes from one side 27 of the envelope surface of said support 3. In this embodiment, the height hi of the applicator elements represents between 50% and 90% of the height h2 corresponding to the maximum height of the ogival applicator means 4.

According to the variant embodiment of Figure 6, the cross section of the applicator means 4 is square, and the applicator elements project in two parallel rows on either side of the applicator means 4, perpendicular to the flat internal face 7, and parallel to two opposite faces of this applicator means 4.

Figure 7 corresponds to a variant embodiment in which the support 3 is configured as in Figures 1 to 3, but in which the internal face 7 is flat and is opposite a convex external face 29 of the tongue 18. Therefore, the applicator means 4 has a truncated circular cross section so as to be adapted to and bear against the internal face 7.

In Figure 9, according to another variant embodiment of the invention, the device 1 comprises two applicator means, 4a and 4b respectively, arranged such that the internal face 7 bears a first applicator means 4a while the external face 29 bears the second applicator means

4b. The internal and external faces 7 and 29 are opposite one another, preferably parallel and optionally flat.

In this case, the two rows of applicator elements project in opposite directions from the support 3, in

such a way that the first row 5 extends laterally with respect to the second applicator means 4b while the second row 20 extends laterally with respect to the first applicator means' 4a. Such a device makes it possible to have applicator means for applying products which are optionally different, and for example complementary, as part of the same make-up.

In particular, in Figure 9, the applicator elements of the first row 5 extend essentially obliquely with respect to the support 3, this row may extend essentially in a plane making a first acute angle, preferably of less than 90°, with the external face 29. Likewise, the applicator elements of the second row 20 may extend essentially obliquely with respect to the support 3, this row 20 for example possibly extending essentially in a plane making a second acute angle, for example different to the first acute angle, preferably of less than 90°, with the internal face 7.

The device according to the invention is used to coat the eyelashes by bringing the application surface 6 into direct contact with said eyelashes so as to coat them with product without exerting excessive pressure on said eyelashes, the product disintegrating without wetting, merely on contact with the eyelashes.

The coated eyelashes are then separated by bringing at least one row of applicator elements into contact with said eyelashes. The applicator elements of a row may be different in shape from one another, they may also extend in different directions while remaining aligned in a row at least at the point where they are attached to the tongue 18.

In particular, Figures 10a to 1Od show different profiles of rows of applicator elements, seen in profile orthogonally to the longitudinal axis X.

In Figure 10a, the applicator elements 9 are in the form of teeth with a rectangular profile and a width 1 of between 0.2 mm and 3 mm, and more particularly of around 1 mm, and a length L of between 3 mm and 10 mm, and more particularly of around 5 mm. A space e between two consecutive teeth is regular and is between 0.5 mm and 3 mm, and more particularly around 1.5 mm. The free ends 10 of these applicator elements form a ledge.

In Figures 10b and 10c, the applicator elements are in the form of teeth with a rectangular profile, in particular in the form of an equilateral triangle. A base B of such an applicator element is between 1 mm and 5 mm, and more particularly around 2 mm, and its height H relative to this base is in particular between 3 mm and 10 mm, and more particularly around 5 mm. The free ends 10 of these applicator elements are tapered.

In Figure 10b, the base of an applicator element is at a distance of 1 mm to 3 mm from the applicator element next to it in the row. By contrast, in Figure 10c, the bases of consecutive applicator elements are adjacent to one another.

In Figure 1Od, each applicator element is formed by a tuft of bristles projecting from the tongue 18. The tufts of bristles may be implanted, attached for example by adhesive, or alternatively the tongue 18 may be overmoulded around these tufts.

In a variant not shown, the row 5 of applicator elements may be formed of a brush obtained by twisting two metal strands around one another, these two strands trapping a layer of bristles between them in such a way that the ends of the various bristles of the layer are arranged in two spirals. Such a brush may be retained on the support so that it lies against one of the external side edges of the tongue 18.

According to another embodiment, for example shown in Figure 11, the gripping means 2 has a longitudinal axis Y orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X of the applicator means 4 and the rows 5 and 20. The support 3 comprises two edges in an arc of a circle, 30 and 31 respectively, shaped so as to interact with the applicator means 4 to hold it on the support 3. With these edges 30 and 31 extending between the longitudinal ends of each of the rows in this example, the gripping means and the support 3 are obtained as a single piece by moulding.

Figure 12 shows another device according to the invention in which the gripping means extends along a longitudinal axis Y neither parallel nor orthogonal to the longitudinal axis X. In particular, this gripping means 2 lies mainly in a plane.

In Figure 13, another variant embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention is shown. In this variant, the support 3 does not have rows of applicator elements, but instead the closure cap 25 is mounted so as to rotate on the support 3. In this case, the closure cap comprises a longitudinal window 32 which can be positioned opposite the external face 29 of the tongue 18 in the closed position and can be positioned opposite the application surface 6 when the device is placed in the use position. For example, this window 32 comprises applicator elements. These applicator elements may extend in two rows 33 and 34, projecting towards the inside of the window from longitudinal side edges of said window 32.

In the example shown in Figure 13, the applicator elements of the first row join up with the applicator elements of the second row.

According to another variant of the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 (not shown) , the closure cap 25 may

also have a longitudinal window so as to allow or prevent access to the application surface. In this case, the closure will be sealed also between the periphery of said window and the external face 29.

To improve the yield of product released by such a device, the device 1 could also be adapted so that the applicator means can move relative to its support. For example, the applicator means 4 can be rotated about the axis X, by being mounted on a rotating shaft which passes through the transverse wall 17, for example.

To reduce the overall size of the device such as 1 according to the invention, the support 3 and the applicator means 4 retained therein may be movable relative to the gripping means 2. They may for example be mounted in such a way that the support 3 can retract inside the gripping means in a closed position, the closure cap 25 then interacting with the gripping means 2 to ensure closure. The mechanism for bringing the support 3 from its retracted position to its exposed position for example consists of moving parts of the gripping means 2 in rotation or translation relative to one another.

Throughout the description, the phrase "comprising/having a" should be considered as a synonym for "comprising/having at least one" unless specified otherwise .