Applicator, a packaging and applicator device including such an applicator, a method of manufacturing such an applicator, and a machine for manufacturing such an applicator

Abstract

An applicator for applying a cosmetic or a skin care product may include a stem including at least one stamped portion forming a joint, and an applicator member disposed at a first end of the stem.

1 . An applicator for applying a cosmetic or a skin care product, the applicator comprising: 
 a stem including at least one stamped portion comprising a joint; and    an applicator member disposed at a first end of the stem.    
   
   
       2 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem includes at least two hinge-forming stamped portions.  
   
   
       3 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stamped portion is not circularly symmetrical.  
   
   
       4 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem is symmetrical about a mid-plane thereof.  
   
   
       5 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one stamped portion is situated in a half of the stem adjacent to the applicator member.  
   
   
       6 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem includes at least one stamped bead, the bead comprising a lateral projection on the stem.  
   
   
       7 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem includes at least one stamped portion including at least one opening.  
   
   
       8 . An applicator according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one opening is disposed between two branches interconnecting stem segments that are situated on either side of the stamped portion.  
   
   
       9 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stamped portion comprises a bottom wall extending along a line that is not perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the stem.  
   
   
       10 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem includes at least two stamped portions of different shapes.  
   
   
       11 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem includes at least two stamped portions including bottom walls that extend along lines that are not parallel.  
   
   
       12 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem includes at least two stamped portions of a same profile when the stem is observed in a direction that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis thereof.  
   
   
       13 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one stamped portion includes at least one projection of material that is situated on at least one flank of a stem segment that is connected to the stamped portion.  
   
   
       14 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one stamped portion includes a longitudinal cross-section of generally rectangular shape.  
   
   
       15 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one stamped portion includes a longitudinal cross-section of generally triangular shape.  
   
   
       16 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein a shape of a cross-section of the stem is selected from: circular, non-circular, oblong, oval, elliptical, polygonal, square, rectangular, kidney-shaped, notched, star-shaped and with one or more grooves.  
   
   
       17 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stem comprises a thermoplastic material.  
   
   
       18 . An applicator according to  claim 17 , wherein the thermoplastic material is selected from: HDPE, LDPE, linear PE, PP, POM, PA, PET, and PBT.  
   
   
       19 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator member comprises at least one of: a bundle of bristles, felt, a flocked coating, and a foam.  
   
   
       20 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator member comprises a bundle of bristles.  
   
   
       21 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator member comprises a flocked endpiece.  
   
   
       22 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , further comprising a handle fastened to a second end of the stem.  
   
   
       23 . An applicator according to  claim 21 , wherein a shape of the handle is not circularly symmetrical.  
   
   
       24 . An applicator according to  claim 23 , wherein the handle includes at least one reception zone configured to receive a finger.  
   
   
       25 . An applicator according to  claim 24 , wherein the handle comprises at least one of a flat and an indent that generally extends substantially parallel to a long axis of a cross-section of the stamped portion.  
   
   
       26 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the stamped portion is configured to limit a degree to which stem segments situated on either side of the stamped portion pivot relative to each other.  
   
   
       27 . A packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic composition, the device comprising an applicator according to  claim 1 , and a receptacle containing a cosmetic composition to be applied.  
   
   
       28 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the receptacle contains a nail composition.  
   
   
       29 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the composition comprises at least one of an eyeliner, an eyeshadow, and a lip composition.  
   
   
       30 . A device according to  claim 27 , further comprising a wiper member.  
   
   
       31 . A device according to  claim 27 , wherein the receptacle is closed in a leaktight manner.  
   
   
       32 . A method of manufacturing an applicator as defined in  claim 1 , the method comprising stamping at least one portion of the stem including the applicator member, so as to form the at least one stamped portion comprising the joint.  
   
   
       33 . A method according to  claim 32 , wherein the stem is stamped at ambient temperature.  
   
   
       34 . A method according to  claim 32 , wherein the stem is hot stamped.  
   
   
       35 . A machine for manufacturing a cosmetic applicator as defined in  claim 1 , the machine being configured to receive a stem, and comprising a die configured to stamp the stem so as to form a joint on the stem.