Applicator for applying a composition to keratinous materials

Abstract

An applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup, or care product composition, the applicator comprising: an applicator member for applying the composition and defining at least two different applicator faces that are configured to apply the composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows; a handle of the applicator, extending along a longitudinal axis of the handle; and a stem connecting the applicator member and the handle, extending along a longitudinal axis of the stem; the longitudinal axis of the handle being of orientation that cannot be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the stem, the applicator including marker means not on the applicator member itself, the marker means being for positioning to face the user during application, the applicator member having a predefined angular position relative to the marker means, such that the positioning of the applicator given by the marker means corresponds to using a predefined applicator face.

1 . An applicator for applying a cosmetic, makeup, or care product composition, the applicator comprising:
 an applicator member for applying the composition and defining at least two different applicator faces that are configured to apply the composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows;   a handle of the applicator, extending along a longitudinal axis of the handle; and   a stem connecting the applicator member and the handle, extending along a longitudinal axis of the stem;   the longitudinal axis of the handle being of orientation that cannot be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the stem, the applicator comprising marker means not on the applicator member itself, the marker means being for positioning to face the user during application, the applicator member having a predefined angular position relative to the marker means, such that the positioning of the applicator given by the marker means corresponds to using a predefined applicator face.   
   
   
       2 . An applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the applicator member comprises a core and applicator elements carried by the core, the applicator faces differing from each other, or from one another, in at least one of the core and the applicator elements. 
   
   
       3 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the different applicator faces differ concerning the applicator elements in at least one of: their disposition on the core; their shape; their length; their thickness; their cross-sectional shape or material; treatment possibly received thereby; their arrangement in their rows; their number in a row; their number on an applicator face; the arrangement of their rows relative to one another; and the shapes of envelope surfaces defined by the free ends of the applicator elements of each of the applicator faces of the applicator member; and/or concerning the core in at least one of: its shape; the shape of a cross-section thereof; the shape of a longitudinal section thereof; its length; its thickness. 
   
   
       4 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator member comprises two different opposite applicator faces. 
   
   
       5 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator member comprises three different applicator faces, in particular disposed as the sides of a triangle, or even four or more different applicator faces. 
   
   
       6 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator member comprises a twisted core that retains bristles, and/or a core that is made by molding and that carries teeth. 
   
   
       7 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the marker means comprise at least one marker that makes it possible to inform the user about the orientation of the applicator member relative to the handle, in particular a marker comprising: one or more characters that are alpha-numeric, numeric, letters, icons, or symbols; graduations; or an indented or projecting shape in relief; or at least one zone of the surface of the handle having a different surface state, color, and/or feel. 
   
   
       8 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is not circularly symmetrical, in particular not circularly cylindrical. 
   
   
       9 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a flat, in particular being flat along a mid-plane for the applicator member and separating two opposite applicator faces thereof. 
   
   
       10 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the stem, an endpiece of the applicator member for fastening the applicator member to the stem, and an endpiece of the stem for fastening the stem to the handle, comprises polarizing means or a shape that is not entirely circularly symmetrical, so as to index the applicator member relative to the handle. 
   
   
       11 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a rotary portion that is suitable for turning relative to a base portion of the handle. 
   
   
       12 . An applicator according to the preceding claim, wherein the marker means are situated on one of the two portions, with an additional positioning indicator that is situated on the other of the two portions being suitable for being positioned facing the marker means, by turning the rotary portion relative to the base portion. 
   
   
       13 . An applicator according to  claim 1 , the applicator member not being axially symmetrical relative to a longitudinal axis of the applicator member. 
   
   
       14 . A method of manufacturing an applicator as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the applicator member is mounted with a predefined orientation about its longitudinal axis relative to the handle. 
   
   
       15 . A method of applying makeup to the eyelashes or the eyebrows by means of an applicator as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the marker means are positioned facing the user.