Cosmetic applicator for attaching fibers to human keratin materials

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator for attaching fibers to human keratin materials, including a number n of fibers borne by a support member that are separable from the support member during the attachment, the n fibers having a portion extending in front of the support member before the separation of the support member, and the n fibers including at least one group of at most m fibers connected together outside the support member, with m<n and m>1.

1 . A cosmetic applicator for attaching fibers to human keratin materials, comprising a number n of fibers borne by a support member that are separable from the support member during the attachment, these n fibers having a portion extending in front of the support member before separation of the support member, these n fibers comprising at least one group of at most m fibers connected together outside the support member, with m<n and m>1. 
     
     
         2 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , the m fibers being connected together at their end. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , at least two of the m fibers being connected together by gluing, welding or melting. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least two of the m fibers are formed by folding a single filament. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein, in at least one group, the fibers are connected together by an element external to the fibers. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the number m of fibers in at least one group is exactly equal to two. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , at least one portion of the fibers having a nonzero curvature. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least two fibers have different nonzero curvatures. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the unbonded ends of at least two of the m fibers are kept at least 1 mm apart from one another on the support member. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , the groups of fibers being aligned with one another on the support member over at least one row. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support member temporarily retains fibers by a mechanical system comprising one or more parts that can be moved relative to one another, the mechanical system being configured to move from a configuration for retaining fibers to a configuration for releasing fibers of groups, the force to be exerted on these groups of fibers in order to release them from the applicator being greater in the retaining configuration than in the releasing configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the support member of the fibers comprises at least one channel into which a fiber of a group is inserted, this channel being defined by at least one portion that, in cross section, entirely surrounds the fiber and has at least one end-of-travel stop that limits the insertion of the fiber. 
     
     
         13 . A method for attaching fibers to an area of human keratin materials, using an applicator as claimed in  claim 1 , the method comprising the following steps:
 a) applying a first adhesive composition to at least one portion of the fibers and/or to said area,   b) bringing at least one group of fibers borne by the support member into contact with said area,   c) moving the support member away from said area so that the fibers adhere to said area.   
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said area is constituted by keratin fibers chosen in the group consisting of eyelashes, eyebrows, body hair, hair fibers, and/or by the eyelid, the skin of the face, the scalp or the skull.