Cosmetic applicator for applying a cosmetic composition to keratinous fibers such as eyelashes or eyebrows

Abstract

A cosmetic applicator ( 3 ) for applying a composition (P) to human keratinous fibers, notably eyelashes or eyebrows, is provided. The cosmetic applicator ( 3 ) comprises: —A stem ( 5 ) having at least a rectilinear portion extending along a rectilinear axis (Y), —a brush ( 10 ) at one end of the stem ( 5 ), the brush comprising: —a curved core ( 43 ) having a distal end ( 46 ) and defining a convex side and an opposite concave side, the distal end of the core being offset from the rectilinear axis (Y) of the stem on the convex side of the core, —application members ( 41 ) supported by the core ( 43 ).

1 . A cosmetic applicator for applying a composition to human keratinous fibers, notably eyelashes or eyebrows, comprising:
 a stem having at least a rectilinear portion extending along a rectilinear axis,   a brush at one end of the stem, the brush comprising:   a curved core having a distal end and defining a convex side and an opposite concave side, the distal end of the core being offset from the rectilinear axis of the stem on the convex side of the core,   application members supported by the core.   
     
     
         2 . The applicator of  claim 1 , the stem being rectilinear along its entire length. 
     
     
         3 . The applicator of  claim 1 , the core being a twisted wire core. 
     
     
         4 . The applicator of  claim 1 , the core being non rectilinear over its entire length from the stem to its distal end. 
     
     
         5 . The applicator of  claim 4 , the core extending along a longitudinal axis of substantially constant radius of curvature from the stem to the distal end of the core. 
     
     
         6 . The applicator of  claim 5 , the radius of curvature being greater or equal to 34 mm and less or equal to 47 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The applicator of  claim 1 , the longitudinal axis of the core extending in a plane, preferably a midplane for an envelope surface of the brush defined by the application members. 
     
     
         8 . The applicator of  claim 1 , the application members defining an envelope surface of non-circular cross section along at least part of its length. 
     
     
         9 . The applicator of  claim 8 , the envelope surface defining at least one facet of flat or recessed cross section on the convex side of the core. 
     
     
         10 . The applicator of  claim 7 , the cross section of the envelope surface having a plurality of rectilinear segments connected by circular arcs. 
     
     
         11 . The applicator of  claim 8 , the cross section being of substantially triangular contour, with an apex preferably situated in a midplane for the envelope surface. 
     
     
         12 . The applicator of  claim 1 , the tilt angle between the rectilinear axis of the rectilinear portion of the stem and a straight line joining the distal end of the core to the distal end of the rectilinear portion of the stem ranging from 0.5 to 10°, better 0.6 to 8°, preferably from 0.7° to 5.7° and more preferably from 2° to 4.5°. 
     
     
         13 . The applicator of  claim 1 , the offset being not less than 0.5 mm and no greater than 2.5 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The applicator according to  claim 1 , the application members being bristles or spikes that extend around the core. 
     
     
         15 . A device for applying a cosmetic composition on keratinous fibers, comprising:
 a container containing said composition, comprising a wiper member and,   an applicator as defined in  claim 1 .   
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15 , the wiper member and the brush being configured so that when the applicator is withdrawn from the container along said rectilinear axis, application members situated on the convex side of the core, at an axial position less than 3 mm along the longitudinal axis of the core from the proximal end of the bristle portion of the brush, first contact the wiper member. 
     
     
         17 . A method for manufacturing a brush for use in an applicator as defined in  claim 1 , comprising:
 machining a twisted wire core brush with a rectilinear core to form at least one planar or recessed face of an envelope surface defined by the free ends of the bristles, the core having a proximal portion for fixing into a stem and a bristle carrying portion,   deforming the core to impart to the bristle carrying portion a curved shape with a convex side and a concave side, the distal end of the core being offset from the longitudinal axis of the proximal portion on the convex side of the core.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , the core being deformed along a plane of curvature, the machining comprising forming three planar facets of the envelope surface, giving the envelope surface a substantially triangular shape in cross section, an apex lying in the plane of curvature of the core. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , the machining comprising forming a frustoconical head portion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , the planar facets intersecting the frustoconical head portion. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 17 , the deforming of the core comprising imparting the bristle carrying portion a constant curvature then tilting the core at the junction of the bristle carrying portion with the proximal portion, or vice versa. 
     
     
         22 . A method for manufacturing a brush for use in an applicator as defined in  claim 1 , comprising injection molding the core and the application members in at least one plastics material. 
     
     
         23 . A method for making up human keratinous fibers, comprising applying a cosmetic composition to said fibers using an applicator as defined in  claim 1 .