This non provisional application claims the benefit of French
Application No. 06 05831 filed on June 28, 2006 and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/837,620 filed on August 15, 2006.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a
cosmetic, makeup, or a care product to the eyelashes or the
eyebrows, the applicator including an applicator member comprising
at least one row of teeth disposed on a core.
The invention also relates to a packaging and applicator
device comprising such an applicator and a receptacle for containing
the composition for application.
The invention also relates to a cosmetic treatment using such
an applicator.
BACKGROUND
Numerous applicators of the above-mentioned type are known, in
particular from applications EP-A-1 070 465, EP-A-1 070 466,
EP-A-1 070 467, EP-A-1 070 468, WO 01/05272, WO 01/05273,
EP-A-1 611 817, EP 1 632 149, and US 2007/0033759.
Publication EP-A-1 611 817 discloses an applicator including a
core, on each of the longitudinal faces of which there are connected
two rows of teeth extending in respective directions that are not
parallel to each other. Each row comprises teeth that are disposed
in a staggered configuration on opposite sides of a geometrical
separation surface that extends along the row. The teeth of a row
present plane faces that are directed towards the corresponding
geometrical separation surface.
Publication EP-A-1 070 468 describes applicators having teeth
that extend substantially flush with an adjacent face of the core.
Publication US 2007/0033759 describes an applicator including
a core having two opposite longitudinal faces that carry rows of
teeth that extend radially.
SUMMARY
The invention seeks to improve still further applicators for
applying a composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, in
particular in terms of the ability of the teeth to penetrate into
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the eyelashes, smoothing the composition on the eyelashes, and
separating said eyelashes.
In addition, some applicators having teeth that are not radial
need to be made out of thermoplastic materials that are relatively
flexible since the teeth need to be able to flex during unmolding.
However, in some circumstances more rigid teeth could be desirable,
e.g. for passing with less deformation through a wiper member, and
for carrying a greater load of composition. The invention also
seeks to make it possible, if necessary, to make the applicator
member by molding a thermoplastic material that is relatively hard.
In one of its aspects, the invention provides an applicator
for applying a composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the
applicator comprising:
• an elongate core that extends along a longitudinal axis; and
• at least one row of teeth, better at least two rows of that
teeth, that is/are connected to the core, in particular to
respective and different longitudinal faces of the core, the or each
row of the at least two rows comprising:

• a first set of first teeth that are connected to the
longitudinal face of the core and that form a first angle with the
normal that may be zero or small; and
• a second set of second teeth that are connected to the
corresponding longitudinal face of the core and that form a second
angle with the normal, the core being observed along its
longitudinal axis;
• the second angle being greater than the first angle;
and/or
• at least one first tooth of the first set and at least
one second tooth of the second set having free ends that are
situated at different distances from the longitudinal axis of the
core.
The term "longitudinal axis" should be understood as the line
that joins the barycenters (centers of gravity) of the cross-
sections of the core. In some circumstances, the longitudinal axis
may be a central axis, or even an axis of symmetry for the core, in
particular when the core presents a cross-section that has the
general shape of a regular polygon.
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In one of its aspects, the invention also provides an
applicator for applying a composition to the eyelashes or the
eyebrows, the applicator comprising:
• an elongate core that extends along a longitudinal axis; and
• at least one row of teeth, better at least two rows of that
teeth, that is/are connected to the core, in particular to
respective and different longitudinal faces of the core, the or each
row of the at least two rows comprising:

• a first set of first teeth that are connected to the
longitudinal face of the core and that form a first angle with the
normal that may be zero or small; and
• a second set of second teeth that are connected to the
corresponding longitudinal face of the core and that form a second
angle with the normal, the core being observed along its
longitudinal axis;
• the second angle being greater than the first
angle;
and/or
• at least one first tooth of the first set and at
least one second tooth of the second set having free ends that are
situated at different heights relative to the face of the core to
which the teeth are connected.
The second angle may be greater than the first.
A first tooth of the first set and a second tooth of the
second set of each of the at least two rows may have free ends that
are situated at different distances from the longitudinal axis of
the core.
A second tooth of the second set may be offset laterally on
the core relative to at least one first tooth of the first set, such
that their respective free ends are spaced apart angularly by an
angle that is strictly greater than 0°, about the longitudinal axis
of the core. The angle may be greater than 1°, better 5°, still
better 10°.
At least two successive teeth of the first set of first teeth
and/or of the second set of second teeth may have heights that are
different or equal.
The teeth of the second set may have a height that is greater
than the height of the teeth of the first set.
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The core may have a cross-section that varies in geometrically
similar manner along its longitudinal axis. For example, it may
increase over a first portion of the core, from a head of the
applicator towards a proximal end of the core, then decrease and
increase over a second portion of the core, passing through a
minimum, and decrease once again over a third portion of the core,
from the proximal end of the second portion to an endpiece of the
applicator.
By way of example, the applicator may include 30 to 60 teeth
on each of its longitudinal faces, e.g. about 42 teeth.
Each of the second teeth may have a face that forms an angle
with the normal to the face to which a tooth of the second set of
second teeth is connected that lies in the range 25° to 30°.
By way of example, at a location along the longitudinal axis
of the core, the applicator may include 10 to 15 teeth over 360°
about the longitudinal axis of the core.
In the cross-section plane under consideration, when the
longitudinal face under consideration is straight, the normal to the
face is defined as being the perpendicular to said face.
In the cross-section plane under consideration, when the
longitudinal face is curvilinear between two ends that belong to the
longitudinal edges of the face, the normal is defined as being the
perpendicular to the chord that connects said two ends.
When the longitudinal axis is rectilinear, the cross-section
is perpendicular to the axis.
When the longitudinal axis is curvilinear, the cross-section,
at any point along the core, is perpendicular to the tangent to the
axis at that point.
In an embodiment of the invention, some teeth are connected
via a surface of the tooth that is oriented obliquely or
perpendicularly relative to the longitudinal face of the core, and
others are connected via a surface of the tooth that is oriented
obliquely, thereby making it possible to have teeth having lengths
that are similar, while their free ends are at different distances
from the core.
When observed in cross-section, the envelope surface of the
applicator member may thus be non-circular, and when turned about
the core, it may pass alternately from a distance to the core that
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is greater than a mean radius to a distance to the core that is less
than the mean radius, and vice versa, for example.
The envelope surface may have a conical or pyramidal shape at
at least an end of the core, for example the end that connects to
the stem. The envelope surface may be conical or pyramidal diverging
when going away from the stem starting from the stem.
The fact that the free ends of the teeth are not all situated
at the same distance from the longitudinal axis may improve the
ability of the teeth to penetrate into the eyelashes, in particular
while the applicator is being turned relative to the eyelashes
during application.
By adapting the shape of the teeth and their spacing, it is
possible to establish cavities of greater or small size between the
teeth, such cavities being suitable for being loaded with
composition. It is thus possible to make a row of teeth that is
capable of being loaded with a substantial quantity of composition,
but without the row of teeth losing its capacity to grip the
eyelashes.
In embodiments of the invention, the teeth may be made
relatively easily by molding or overmolding with the core.
The applicator may be made with a disposition of teeth on the
core that makes it easier for the eyelashes to come into contact
with said core, which may present a surface state that is perfectly
defined, which is not always true of a conventional brush having a
twisted core.
In an embodiment of the invention, the eyelashes may be loaded
with composition that is in contact with the core. The core may
thus participate in active manner in applying composition to the
eyelashes, thereby offering more freedom in the choice and the
arrangement of the teeth.
The term "row" means a succession of teeth that are generally
situated on the same side of the core, and that succeed one another
along the core.
The teeth of at least one row may be connected to the
longitudinal face of the corresponding core on the same side of a
middle longitudinal line of the longitudinal face of the core.
The teeth of the first and/or second set of teeth may be
substantially straight.
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The teeth may have bases that are not centered on the
longitudinal face of the core to which they are connected.
The bases of the teeth in a row may be in alignment, or they
may be disposed in a staggered configuration. For a staggered
configuration, a plurality of consecutive teeth of the row may be
offset at least in part, alternately on opposite sides of a
geometrical separation surface. The consecutive teeth may be offset
completely, alternately on opposite sides of the geometrical
separation surface. The term "offset completely" should be
understood as the geometrical separation surface not passing through
the teeth, being a tangent to said teeth at the closest.
All of the teeth of each row may be offset alternately on
opposite sides of a geometrical separation surface that is
associated with the row.
Two consecutive teeth of a row need not be images of each
other simply shifted in translation, in particular when the cross-
sections of the teeth are non-circular in shape.
The teeth of the above-mentioned first and second sets may be
disposed in alternation within at least one row.
At least two consecutive teeth of a row of teeth may have
first faces both having a common first shape, e.g. plane, in
particular at least at the bottom portion of the tooth, and second
faces both having a common second shape, e.g. not plane, in
particular rounded. The first faces may all face in the same
direction around the core, i.e. they may all face clockwise or
anticlockwise, when the core is observed along its longitudinal
axis.
The first faces, in particular when they are plane, may extend
substantially flush with a longitudinal face of the core, which
longitudinal face is adjacent to the longitudinal face to which the
teeth are connected. Such a disposition makes it easier to mold the
applicator member.
The first faces of the teeth, in particular when they are
plane, may be connected substantially perpendicularly to the
corresponding face of the core, at least for some teeth in the row.
The cross-section of at least one tooth, or even of each
tooth, may be of substantially semi-circular or semi-elliptical
shape, or it may be of still some other shape.
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At least one tooth of a row may extend, at least at its
portion that is connected to the core, or even over its entire
length, along a first direction Z1, perpendicular to the
longitudinal face of the core to which the tooth is connected, or
forming a small angle with the normal, e.g. less than 10°, better
5°. A consecutive tooth of the row may extend from the same face of
the core along a second direction Z2, at least at the portion that
is connected to the core, or even over its entire length, forming an
angle a with the first direction, when the core is observed along
its longitudinal axis.
Substantially half of the teeth of a row may extend parallel
to the first direction Z1. The angle a between the directions Z1 and
Z2 may lie in the range 5° to 80°.
At least two consecutive teeth of a row need not be touching.
At least two consecutive teeth of the row may be separated by a non-
zero distance that is measured along the longitudinal axis of the
row, the distance lying in the range 0.01 millimeters (mm) to 1 mm.
The core may include a plurality of longitudinal faces, as
mentioned above, and the applicator may include rows of teeth, each
extending from one of the longitudinal faces of the core.
The teeth may be attached perpendicularly to the core or they
may be attached at an angle such that all of the teeth face in the
same direction around the core, when the core is observed along its
longitudinal axis. The applicator member may thus not have teeth
that face in opposite directions around the core. For example, when
the core is observed from its distal end, all of the teeth that
extend obliquely may face in the clockwise direction.
The applicator may include a single row of teeth per
longitudinal face of the core.
By way of example, the applicator may include 2 to 10 rows in
all, in particular 3 to 8 rows, having an even number of rows, for
example.
The length of a row may lie in the range about 10 mm to 45 mm,
in particular in the range 15 mm to 35 mm, or even in the range
20 mm to 30 mm, e.g. being about 25 mm.
When the core is observed along its longitudinal axis, it is
possible to pass from one row to another by turning the core about
its longitudinal axis through an integer sub-multiple of 360°, e.g.
8

turning through 360°/n, where n is an integer that lies in the range
2 to 8, for example.
In a cross-section plane, the core may present axial symmetry,
in particular about its longitudinal axis.
The core may extend along a longitudinal axis that is
rectilinear. In a variant, the core may extend along a longitudinal
axis that is curved. The core may extend along a longitudinal axis
that, at at least one point along its length, forms an angle with
the longitudinal axis of a stem to which the core is fastened. The
core may be bent where it connects to the stem.
The free ends of the teeth may define an envelope surface that
extends along a longitudinal axis that forms a non-zero angle with
the longitudinal axis of the core.
The core may include at least one longitudinal face that is
plane. In a variant, the core may include at least one longitudinal
face that is not plane, e.g. being concave or convex, at least in
part.
At least one tooth, or even each tooth of a row or of the
applicator, may extend from a corresponding non-plane longitudinal
face of the core in a manner that is substantially perpendicular to
a plane that is tangential to the core at said tooth.
The core may include a longitudinal face that is concave or
convex in cross-section, and that has concavity or convexity that
may vary along the longitudinal axis of the core.
The core may include a longitudinal face that is twisted.
The applicator may include teeth of different heights or of
the same height. The height of the teeth may lie in the range
0.5 mm to 4 mm, in particular in the range 0.7 mm to 3 mm, or even
in the range 1 mm to 2 mm. Within a row of teeth, the number of
teeth may lie in the range about 6 to 60, in particular in the range
about 10 to 45, e.g. lying in the range 40 to 45.
At least one row of teeth may extend along a rectilinear axis
that may optionally be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the
core.
At least two teeth of at least one row may present lengths
that are different or identical. At least two teeth of at least one
row may present shapes that are different or identical. At least
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one tooth of at least one row may present a general shape that
tapers towards its free end.
When the applicator includes a plurality of rows of teeth, at
least one tooth of one of the rows may present a shape that is
different from a tooth of another row. At least one tooth of a row
may present a length that is different from the length of another
tooth of said row, in particular a consecutive tooth, for example.
When the core is observed along its longitudinal axis, two
teeth of a row may extend at their bases in directions that form a
first angle between them, and two teeth of another row may extend at
their bases in directions that form a second angle between them, the
first and second angles being equal or different.
Within each row, the teeth may be spaced-apart evenly along
the longitudinal axis of the row, or they may be grouped together in
groups of two or more teeth, the distance between the teeth of one
group along the longitudinal axis of the row being less than the
distance between two adjacent groups of teeth of said row.
Initially, the teeth may be separate from the core, and then
fastened to said core so as to form the applicator. In a variant,
the teeth may be made integrally with the core, e.g. by molding, in
particular by injection-molding. The teeth may be formed by
monoinjecting material or by overinjecting, preferably using a
thermoplastic material which may be elastomeric.
The teeth may be made of a material that is more rigid or less
rigid than a material that is used to make the stem of the
applicator to which the core is connected.
At least one of the core and a tooth may present magnetic
properties. By way of example, the magnetic properties may result
from a filler of magnetic particles that are dispersed in the
plastics material of the core and/or of the tooth.
At least one of the core and a tooth may be flocked and/or may
include a filler for improving sliding, for example.
The core may be constituted by a separate piece that is fitted
to the stem of the applicator. In a variant, the core may be made
integrally with the stem of the applicator by molding a plastics
material
10

The core may be made of a plastics material that is more
flexible or less flexible than the plastics material that is used to
make the stem of the applicator.
The core may present a cross-section that is substantially
constant, at least over a fraction of its length. The core may also
present a cross-section that varies. The cross-section of the core
may pass through an extremum that is substantially mid-way along the
core, the extremum being a minimum, for example. This may impart
increased flexibility to the core, and makes it possible to define
an envelope surface of section that varies along the applicator
member.
Over at least a fraction of its length, the core may present a
cross-section having the shape of a polygon that is optionally
regular, and that is preferably regular, e.g. triangular,
rectangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, or octagonal, the sides
corresponding to the longitudinal faces of the core possibly being
straight or slightly concave or convex.
The core may thus present a cross-section that is not circular
over the major portion of its length.
The core may be fastened to a first end of the stem of the
applicator. The core may be fastened to the stem of the applicator
by inserting an endpiece that extends the visible portion of the
core into a housing formed at the end of the stem. In a variant,
the core may include a housing that extends longitudinally, and into
which the stem is inserted.
Irrespective of how the core is connected to the stem, said
stem may be provided with a handle that may be configured so as to
close, in leaktight manner, a receptacle containing the composition
for application. The receptacle may include a wiper member that may
be adapted to wipe the stem and the applicator member.
The applicator need not contain any metal, thereby making it
possible to put it in a microwave oven.
Where appropriate, the core may have a hollow inside, and it
may include at least one hole enabling the composition to pass
through the applicator member.
In another of its aspects, and independently or in combination
with the above, the invention also provides an applicator
comprising:
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• a core that extends along a longitudinal axis and that
presents a plurality of longitudinal faces; and
• a single row of teeth that extend from each of at least two
longitudinal faces of the core, in particular from each longitudinal
face of the core, at least one first set of first teeth of said row
having a surface that is connected obliquely or perpendicularly to
the corresponding longitudinal face of the core, and at least one
second set of second teeth of said row having a surface that is
connected obliquely to the same longitudinal face of the core, when
said core is observed along its longitudinal axis.
At least one first tooth of the first set and at least one
second tooth of the second set may be connected to the corresponding
longitudinal face of the core in different directions. The teeth of
the first set of teeth may be substantially straight.
Independently or in combination with the above, the invention
also provides an applicator for applying a composition to the
eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator comprising:
• a core that extends along a longitudinal axis and that
presents at least two longitudinal faces; and
• at least two rows of teeth on two respective longitudinal
faces of the core, the teeth having first longitudinal faces that
are plane over substantially their entire height, and second
longitudinal faces, on a side opposite from the first faces, that
are not plane, the plane first longitudinal faces facing in the same
direction around the core.
Independently or in combination with the above, the invention
also provides an applicator for applying a composition to the
eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator comprising:
• a core that extends along a longitudinal axis and that
includes at least two longitudinal faces; and
• at least two rows of teeth on the core, each extending from
a longitudinal face of the core;
• a plurality of consecutive teeth of a row being offset, at
least in part, alternately on opposite sides of a geometrical
separation surface, each of the teeth of the plurality including a
first face having a common shape, the first faces facing in the same
direction around the core, two consecutive teeth of the plurality
12

having longitudinal axes that form a non-zero between them, when the
core is observed along its longitudinal axis.
In another of its aspects, the invention also provides an
applicator including an applicator member having a core that is
elongate along a longitudinal axis, and that has a cross-section
that is polygonal over at least a fraction of its length, at least
one row of teeth being connected to a longitudinal face, the row
including at least one tooth having a face that extends in the plane
of the adjacent longitudinal face, and a tooth that extends
obliquely, when the core is observed along its longitudinal axis.
The invention also provides a packaging and applicator device
for applying a composition to keratinous fibers, in particular the
eyelashes or the eyebrows, the device comprising any one of the
applicators as defined above, and a receptacle containing the
composition.
The receptacle may include a wiper member.
The invention also provides a method of applying makeup to the
eyelashes or the eyebrows by means of an applicator as defined
above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention can be better understood on reading the
following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof,
and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which:
• Figure 1 is a diagrammatic elevation view, partially in
longitudinal section, showing an example of a device constituting an
embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 2 is a side view showing the Figure 1 applicator
member in isolation;
• Figures 3 and 4 are cross-sections on III-III and IV-IV
respectively in Figure 2;
• Figure 5 is a cross-section of a tooth on V-V in Figure 4;
• Figure 6 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary perspective view
of the Figure 2 applicator member;
• Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a variant
embodiment;
• Figures 8 and 9 are cross-sections on VIII-VIII and IX-IX
respectively in Figure 7;
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• Figure 10 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary perspective view
of the Figure 7 applicator member;
• Figures 11 to 15 are cross-sections similar to Figure 3 of
variant embodiments;
• Figure 16 is a fragmentary side view of a longitudinal face
of the applicator constituting a variant embodiment;
• Figure 17 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a variant
embodiment;
• Figure 18 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal
section of the Figure 17 applicator member;
• Figure 19 is a view similar to Figure 18 showing a variant
embodiment;
• Figure 20 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary cross-section on
XX-XX in Figure 19;
• Figure 21 is a perspective view of a variant embodiment;
• Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing another
variant;
• Figures 23 and 24 are diagrams of the envelope surfaces of
other variant embodiments;
• Figure 25 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary axial of a
variant embodiment of the wiper member;
• Figures 26 to 28 show variant embodiments of the teeth;
• Figure 29 is a fragmentary cross-section similar to Figure 3
of a variant embodiment;
• Figure 30 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a variant
embodiment of the applicator member;
• Figure 31 is an axial view as seen looking along XXXI in
Figure 30;
• Figure 32 is a longitudinal section on XXXII-XXXII in
Figure 31;
• Figure 33 shows a detail XXXIII of Figure 32;
• Figure 34 is a cross-section on XXXIV-XXXIV in Figure 30;
• Figure 35 is a cross-section on XXXV-XXXV in Figure 30;
• Figure 36 is a cross-section on XXXVI-XXXVI in Figure 30;
• Figure 37 is a cross-section of the base of a tooth,
• Figures 38 to 42 show in diagrammatic manner envelope
surfaces of other variant embodiments, and
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• Figures 43 and 44 show details of variant embodiments of the
stem.
MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Figure 1 shows a packaging and applicator device constituting
an embodiment of the invention, the device comprising an applicator
2 and an associated receptacle 3 containing a composition P for
application to the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, e.g. mascara or a
care product.
In the embodiment under consideration, the receptacle 3
includes a threaded neck 4, and the applicator 2 includes a closure
cap 5 that is arranged so as to be fastened on the neck 4 in order
to close the receptacle 3 in leaktight manner when not in use, the
closure cap 5 also constituting a handle for the applicator 2.
The applicator 2 includes a stem 7 of longitudinal axis Y,
which stem is connected at its top end to the closure cap 5 and at
its bottom end to an applicator member 8.
The receptacle 3 also includes a wiper member 6 that is
inserted in the neck 4.
Although, the wiper member 6 could be of any kind, it includes
a lip 9 that is arranged so as to wipe the stem 7 and the applicator
member 8 while the applicator 2 is being removed from the receptacle
3.
In the embodiment shown, the stem 7 presents a cross-section
that is circular, but it is not beyond the ambit of the present
invention for the stem 7 to present some other section, it then
being possible, where necessary, for the cap 5 to be fastened on the
receptacle 3 other than by screw-fastening. The wiper member 6
could be adapted to the shape of the stem 7 and to the shape of the
applicator member 8, where appropriate.
In the embodiment under consideration, the longitudinal axis Y
of the stem 7 is rectilinear and coincides with the longitudinal
axis of the receptacle 3 when the applicator 2 is in place on said
receptacle, but it is not beyond the ambit of the present invention
for the stem 7 to be non-rectilinear, forming a bend, for example.
Where appropriate, the stem 7 can include an annular
constriction over its portion that comes to be positioned level with
15

the lip 9 of the wiper member 6, so as to avoid mechanically
stressing said lip unduly during storage.
With reference to Figures 2 to 4, it can be seen that the
applicator member 8 includes a core 10 of elongate shape that
extends along a longitudinal axis X.
In the embodiment under consideration, the core 10 presents,
over the majority of its length, a cross-section that is polygonal
with sides that define longitudinal faces 15 that are substantially
plane. The longitudinal axis X is central.
In the embodiment shown, a single row 17 of teeth 18 is
connected to each of the longitudinal faces 15.
In the embodiment under consideration, the teeth 18 are made
integrally with the core 10 by molding a thermoplastic material.
In order to mold the applicator member 8, it is possible to
use a thermoplastic material that is optionally relatively rigid,
e.g. styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS); a silicone rubber;
butyl rubber; ethylene-propylene-terpolymer rubber (EPDM); a nitrile
rubber; a thermoplastic elastomer; a polyester, polyamide,
polyethylene, or vinyl elastomer; and also a polyolefin such as
polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP); polyvinyl chloride (PVC);
polystyrene (PS); polyethylene terephthalate (PET); polyoxymethylene
(POM); polyamide (PA); or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). In
particular, it is possible to use materials known under the trade
names Hytrel®, Cariflex®, Alixine®, Santoprene®, Pebax®, this list not
being limiting.
Where appropriate, the applicator member 8 can also be made by
molding a metal material or by machining.
The teeth and the core can be made of different materials.
The configuration of the teeth can facilitate molding by means
of a mold comprising a plurality of shells that are respectively
associated with different longitudinal faces 15, the shells being
capable of moving apart from one another by being displaced radially
outwards during unmolding.
The use of such shells makes it possible to avoid the teeth
being unduly stressed mechanically during unmolding, and can enable
a relatively-rigid thermoplastic material to be used in order to
make the applicator member. The use of such a material can be
desirable in order to increase the load of composition and/or to
16

improve the way in which the composition is smoothed onto the
eyelashes.
At its distal end 12, the applicator member 8 can include a
head that tapers towards the front, so as to make it easier to put
the applicator 2 back into the receptacle 3. The head tapering
towards the front may reduce the risk of product accumulation on the
applicator member 8. The height of the teeth 18 can reduce on
moving closer to the head 12 along a distal transition portion 13a,
as shown in Figure 2.
The height of the teeth 18 can also reduce along a proximal
transition portion 13b towards the stem 7, so as to make it easier
for the applicator member 8 to pass through the wiper member 6 while
the applicator 2 is being removed.
The head 12 can be circularly symmetrical or it can include
radial fins as shown in Figure 2.
In the embodiment under consideration, the core 10 is
extended, at its proximal end, by a cylindrical endpiece 14 that
enables it to be fastened on the stem 7. In particular, fastening
may be performed by snap-fastening, adhesive, heat sealing, or
crimping. The core 10 can also be molded integrally with the stem 7
or with a housing in which the stem 7 is inserted.
In the embodiment described, the longitudinal faces 15 are
four in number, as can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the cross-section
of the core being substantially square.
Each row 17 of teeth 18 comprises a first set 20 of first
teeth that are connected to the corresponding face 15 of the core 10
and that form an angle αzi with the normal, and a second set 30 of
second teeth that are connected obliquely to the face 15 and that
form an angle αZ2 with the normal. The angles αz1 and αz2 are
measured in the plane of the cross-section that passes through the
middle of the base of the tooth under consideration. At this point,
the plane in question is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of
the core when said axis is rectilinear, and it is perpendicular to
the tangent to the axis when said axis is curvilinear.
The teeth 18 of the first set of teeth 20 are straight,
extending along a direction Z1 that is substantially perpendicular
to the face 15, the angle αZ1 being relatively small, e.g. less than
10°, or even 5°.
17

In the embodiment under consideration, the teeth 18 of the
second set of teeth 30 are also straight, extending along a
direction Z2 and forming an angle a with the direction Z1.
The angle a can lie in the range 20° to 80°, for example.
In Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that each row comprises
teeth each having a surface that is connected perpendicularly to the
corresponding longitudinal face 15.
In the embodiment described, the teeth 18 of each row 17 are
disposed in a staggered configuration. Two consecutive teeth 18 of
each row 17 are offset alternately on opposite sides of a
geometrical separation surface S, the surface S being a bisector
plane that bisects the angle a, for example.
The teeth of the first set 20 are disposed on one side of the
geometrical separation surface S, while the teeth of the second set
30 are disposed on the other side of said geometrical separation
surface S, when the core 10 is observed along its longitudinal axis.
Within each row 17, the bases of the teeth of the first set 20
and of the second set 30 are not in alignment, since they are
respectively situated entirely on opposite sides of the geometrical
separation surface S.
In the embodiment shown, the teeth of the first set 20 and of
the second set 30 do not overlap, when the applicator member is
observed from the side along a direction that is perpendicular to
the axis X, as shown in Figure 2.
When the core is observed along its longitudinal axis, as in
Figure 3, the free ends 18a of the teeth of the first set of teeth
20 are disposed beyond a mean circle C that is centered on the
longitudinal axis X of the core, while the free ends 18b of the
teeth of the second set 30 are disposed inside the circle. Thus,
the free ends of the teeth of the applicator member 8 are not all at
the same distance from the longitudinal axis of the applicator
member.
Such a configuration makes it possible to improve the ability
of the teeth 18 to penetrate into the eyelashes or the eyebrows, and
it can improve the application of makeup or make application easier.
In addition, the directions Z1 and Z2 of the teeth 18 of the
first and second sets 20 and 30 of teeth do not intersect the
18

longitudinal axis X of the core, the teeth being off-center relative
to said axis.
It should be understood on examining Figure 3 in particular
that the invention makes it possible to have teeth having free ends
that are not all situated at the same distance from the longitudinal
axis, and teeth that are relatively long if so desired, which can be
advantageous for smoothing the eyelashes and for enabling the
applicator to be loaded with composition.
It can be seen in Figures 2 to 4 that, in the embodiment
shown, each tooth 18 of the first set 20 of a row 17 can be
associated with a respective tooth of the first set 20 of another
row 17, substantially occupying the same axial position along the
axis X of the core, the passage from one tooth to another being
performed by turning about the axis X through a sub-multiple of
360°, in this event 90°. The same applies for each tooth 18 of the
second set 30.
The oblique teeth 18 of the various rows face in the same
direction around the core, i.e. the clockwise direction in Figures 3
and 4. In the embodiment under consideration, each tooth 18
includes a first longitudinal face 40 of plane shape and a second
longitudinal face 41 of rounded shape, in particular of convex
shape, as can be seen in Figure 5.
At least two consecutive teeth 18 of a row 17, and in the
embodiment described all of the teeth of each row 17, have their
first faces 40 having the same shape and their second faces 41
having the same shape, all of the first faces 40 facing in the same
direction around the core 10, i.e. the anti-clockwise direction in
Figures 3 and 4.
In the embodiment described, the first faces 40 of the teeth
of the first set 20 of each row 17 extend in the plane of an
adjacent face 15 of the core. In addition, the first faces 40
extend perpendicularly to the face 15 to which the teeth in question
are connected.
The angle 6 between the faces 40 and 41 of two consecutive
teeth of a same row 17 is about 38°, for example, when the core is
observed along its longitudinal axis, as in Figure 4.
The free ends 18a, 18b of the teeth 18 of each set, when
projected perpendicularly onto the corresponding longitudinal face
19

15, can lie in the proximity of the adjacent faces 15, as can be
seen in Figure 2.
The free ends 18a and 18b of the teeth of a row 17 can be
situated substantially at the same height relative to the
corresponding longitudinal face 15.
In addition, the bases of the consecutive teeth of each row 17
can optionally be touching, when the applicator member is observed
from the side. In the embodiment under consideration, the bases are
spaced apart slightly.
The core can include any number of longitudinal faces, with it
being possible for any of the above-described characteristics to
apply regardless of the number of longitudinal faces.
By way of example, Figures 7 to 10 show a variant embodiment
in which the core 10 is of hexagonal cross-section and includes six
longitudinal faces 15, a single row 17 of teeth 18 being connected
to each of the longitudinal faces 15, such that the applicator
includes six row 17 in all.
This embodiment also differs from the embodiment shown in
Figures 1 to 6 by the fact that the teeth 18 of the first set of
teeth 20 each include a plane face 40 that extends perpendicularly
to the corresponding longitudinal face 15 of the core, but that does
not extend in the plane of an adjacent longitudinal face 15.
In the embodiment in Figures 7 to 10, each row 17 includes
teeth having plane faces 40 that face perpendicularly to the
corresponding longitudinal face 15 of the core 10.
The free ends of the teeth are not situated at the same
distance from the longitudinal axis X of the core 10, the free ends
of the teeth that slope obliquely relative to the corresponding
longitudinal face being further away from the axis X than the free
ends of the other teeth.
Figure 11 shows a variant embodiment in which the core 10
includes only two opposite longitudinal faces 15 from which there
extend respective rows of teeth 17. In this embodiment, the core
presents a square cross-section. The two rows are symmetrical about
the longitudinal axis X.
In the embodiment in Figure 12, the cross-section of the core
10 is triangular, the core 10 presenting three longitudinal faces 15
and three corresponding rows 17 of teeth 18.
20

An applicator member 8 of the invention can include more than
two visible teeth per longitudinal face, when the core is observed
along its longitudinal axis, as shown in Figure 13.
In this embodiment, in addition to the first and second teeth
18 of the sets 20 and 30, the applicator member 8 includes one or
more additional teeth 18 that form an angle (3 with the direction Z1
that is greater than the angle a, for example.
The additional teeth 18 constitute a third set 130 of teeth,
and they can alternate with the teeth of the first and/or second set
20 and/or 30 of teeth along the row 17, for example. In a variant,
the additional teeth 18 can constitute an additional row that
extends parallel to the row 17.
The teeth of the third set 130 of teeth can extend in the same
direction around the longitudinal axis of the core, as the teeth of
the second sets 30 of the various rows, as shown.
In another variant, teeth of the applicator member need not
all be oriented in the same direction around the core.
By way of example, Figure 13A shows an applicator member in
which one of the second sets of teeth 30 extends around the core in
a direction that is opposite to the direction in which the other
second sets of teeth extend around the core 10.
It is not beyond the ambit of the present invention for the
teeth of the second set 30 of teeth not to slope relative to the
longitudinal face 15 of the core to which they are connected, as in
the variant shown in Figure 14.
In this embodiment, the directions Zi and Z2 are parallel for
each row 17. The length of the teeth of the first set 20 is close
to the length of the teeth of the second set 30. Nevertheless, in
view of the fact that the teeth of the first set 20 are offset
laterally relative to the teeth of the second set 30, and that the
teeth are not disposed symmetrically about a mid-plane containing
the axis X, the ends 18a of the teeth of the first set 20 of teeth
are further away from the axis X than the ends 18b of the teeth of
the second set 30.
The teeth of the second set are offset from the teeth of the
first set sufficiently for their free ends 18b to be spaced apart
angularly from the free ends 18a of the other teeth of the row by an
21

angle e about the axis X, the angle e possibly being strictly non-
zero, e.g. being greater than 1°, or 5°, or 10°, or even 15°.
In a variant not shown, the teeth of the first sets 20 in
Figure 14 can be replaced by the teeth of the first sets 20 in
Figure 13.
In another variant, all of the teeth, both those of the first
set 20 and those of the second set 30, can extend with surfaces that
are not perpendicular to the longitudinal face 15 to which they are
connected, as shown in Figure 15, the core presenting a hexagonal
cross-section in this embodiment. The teeth can face in the same
direction around the core, in this event the clockwise direction in
Figure 15.
In the embodiments described above, the longitudinal axis X of
the core constitutes an axis of symmetry of the core 10, given that
the core has a cross-section that is a regular polygon, in
particular square, hexagonal, or triangular.
Still in the embodiments described above, the teeth of the
first and second sets 20 and 30 of teeth 18 are disposed in a
staggered configuration, with their bases not being in alignment.
This could be otherwise and the bases of the teeth 18 could be
in alignment, as shown in Figure 16, on a common line that is
parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10 intersecting all
of the bases of the aligned teeth of the row.
The longitudinal faces 15 of the core 10 need not be plane,
e.g. they could be concave or convex over at least a fraction of
their length.
By way of example, Figures 17 to 20 show embodiments in which
the core 10 includes longitudinal faces 15 that are concave at least
in part, the concave shapes being centered on a mid-plane of the
core 10, e.g. intersecting said core substantially half-way along.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 17 and 18, the teeth 18
extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the core 10,
when the applicator member 8 is observed perpendicularly to said
applicator member, and in the embodiment in Figures 19 and 20, the
teeth 18 do not extend perpendicularly to the axis X of the core 10,
but perpendicularly to the corresponding longitudinal face 15.
The concave shapes of the longitudinal faces 15 can be formed
by a narrowing of the cross-section of the core 10.
22

In a variant embodiment, the longitudinal faces 15 of the core
10 are twisted, as shown in Figure 21, i.e. the corresponding side
turns through at least one turn towards the distal end of the core.
The core 10 can be deformed on unmolding by turning the
endpiece 14, or, in a variant, it can be deformed in the mold.
The longitudinal axis X of the core 10 can coincide with the
longitudinal axis Y of the stem 7, but it is not beyond the ambit of
the present invention for this to be otherwise, and, by way of
example, Figure 22 shows a variant embodiment in which the
longitudinal axis X of the core 10 forms an angle y1 with the
longitudinal axis Y of the stem. Such a configuration can improve
application by making it easier to manipulate the applicator.
The core can extend along a longitudinal axis X that is not
rectilinear. Figure 23 shows a variant embodiment in which the core
extends along a longitudinal axis X that is curved. When observed in
longitudinal section, as on figure 23, the envelope surface E may
comprise on a side of the axis X a first outline 54 extending
substantially in the same direction as axis X, and on the opposite
side of axis X a second outline 55 that may have a same curvature or
a different curvature.
In the variant shown in figure 38, the envelope surface E has
a cross section that goes through a minimum. The axis X coincides
with axis Y. In the variant shown in figure 40, the longitudinal
axis X of core 10 is rectilinear and the envelope surface E has an
ovoidal shape.
In another variant, shown in Figure 24, the free ends of the
teeth 18 define an envelope surface E that extends generally along a
longitudinal axis W that forms an angle Y2 with the longitudinal
axis X of the core 10, where such an applicator could be said to be
excentric.
The variant of figure 41 differs from the variant of figure 24
by the shape of the envelope surface E, which shows a cross section
that goes through a minimum. The longitudinal axis X of the core 10
may be rectilinear and make an angle with the longitudinal axis Y of
the stem 7, as shown in figure 42, the surface envelope E having for
example a non constant cross section, for example going through a
minimum.
23

In order to use the device 1, the user can unscrew the closure
cap 5 and remove the applicator member 8 from the receptacle 3.
After the applicator member 8 has passed through the wiper
member 6, a certain quantity of composition remains between the rows
17 and between the teeth 18 of the rows, and can be applied to the
eyelashes or the eyebrows by the user. The relatively large number
of teeth and their disposition on the applicator member make it
possible to apply makeup neatly. The wiping movement used to apply
makeup to the eyelashes or the eyebrows can be accompanied by the
applicator member being turned about the axis X. The obliquely-
oriented teeth can be oriented towards the eyelashes when applying
makeup.
Figures 30 to 37 relate to a variant embodiment of the
applicator member.
In this embodiment, the core 10 presents a hexagonal cross-
section that varies in size but not in shape.
The section increases over a first portion λl, from the head 12
towards the proximal end, the first portion λ1 having, for example,
a length that lies in the range 3 mm to 5 mm, e.g. close to 4.3 mm,
the distance between two opposite faces 15 increasing from 1.9 mm to
2.9 mm, for example.
The cross-section decreases and increases over a second
portion λ2, passing through a minimum, each face 15 presenting, in
longitudinal section over said portion, a circularly-arcuate
profile, as can be seen in Figure 32, the length of the portion λ2
lying, for example, in the range 18 mm to 19 mm, e.g. close to
18.6 mm. The minimum of the cross-section is substantially mid-way
along the portion 12, for example.
Then the core 10 decreases from the proximal end of the
portion λ2 to the endpiece 14, the length of this portion λ3 lying,
for example, in the range 2 mm to 3 mm, e.g. close to 2.5 mm.
The distance between two opposite faces 15 of the core 10 at
the junction between the portions λ2 and λ3 lies, for example, in the
range 2 mm to 3 mm, e.g. equal to 2.9 mm.
By way of example, the angular variation v1 in the direction of
the longitudinal axis of the teeth over the portion λ2 shown in
Figure 32, between two successive teeth of a same set, is 0.8° ± 1'
of arc, and, between two adjacent teeth that belong respectively to
24

the second and first sets of teeth, is equal to v2, v2 being 0.5° ±
1' of arc, for example.
By way of example, the radius of curvature R of the
longitudinal faces 15 over the portion λ2 lies in the range 80 mm to
95 mm, e.g. close to 87 mm.
The height of the teeth varies over the portion λl, with
heights that lie in the range 1 mm to 2 mm, for example, with height
H1 being 1 mm, for example, for the teeth that are adjacent to the
head 12, and increasing to heights H2 of 1.1 mm, H3 of 1.1 mm, H4 of
1.4 mm, H5 of 1.6 mm, H6 of 1.8 mm, and H7 of 2 mm, for example, for
the successive teeth that are situated in the portion λl, as shown
in Figure 30.
For the portion λ3, the height of the teeth decreases, e.g.
from height H11 equal to 1.8 mm to height H8 equal to 1 mm, the
heights of the intermediate teeth H10 and H9 being equal to 1.45 mm
and 1.25 mm respectively, for example.
By way of example, the endpiece 14 presents a diameter that
lies in the range 2 mm to 3 mm, e.g. 2.2 mm, and, by way of example,
a length that lies in the range 6 mm to 8 mm, e.g. 7 mm, the
diameter of the endpiece 14 being 2.2 mm at its proximal end and
2.4 mm at its distal end, for example.
By way of example, the tips of the teeth that are adjacent to
the endpiece 14 are situated at a distance of about 0.375 mm from
the endpiece 14.
By way of example, the applicator member can include six rows,
each having 42 teeth, each row including the teeth of the two
alternating sets, the teeth within a row having successive flanks
18d that are perpendicular to the corresponding face of the core, as
can be seen in Figure 34, and successive flanks 18e that form an
angle α'Z2 with the normal to the corresponding face of the core, as
can be seen Figure 35. By way of example, the angle α'z2 lies in the
range 25° to 30°, being about 27.9° in the embodiment shown.
In Figure 34 and by way of example, the height Hzi of the teeth
18a lies in the range 2 mm to 3 mm, e.g. being 2.15 mm, and in
Figure 35 and by way of example, the height Hz2 of the teeth 18b lies
in the range 2 mm to 3 mm, e.g. being 2.2 mm.
The teeth 18b that extend obliquely relative to the normal to
the corresponding face of the corresponding core present a height
25

that is, for example, greater than the teeth 18a that are connected
to the face at a smaller angle.
With reference to Figure 37, it can be seen that the base of a
tooth 18 extends axially, for example, over a distance n that lies
in the range 0.5 mm to 0.6 mm, e.g. about 0.55 mm, and in the
circumferential direction it extends over a distance c that lies in
the range 0.5 mm to 0.6 mm, e.g. about 0.55 mm.
By way of example, a tooth 18 presents a plane longitudinal
face 18d or 18e that extends into the proximity of its free end, and
on its opposite side, a convex face with a cross-section that is
substantially semi-elliptical.
The end of a tooth can be rounded with a radius of curvature r
of 0.1 mm, for example, when the applicator member is observed in a
direction that is perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, as in
Figure 33, and with a radius of curvature r' that is 0.2 mm, for
example, when the tooth is observed in cross-section, as in
Figures 34 and 35.
The axial pitch p1 between two adjacent teeth on the portion λ1
is 0.6 mm, for example, and said pitch can be the same on the
portion λ3.
The maximum diameter of the circle C enveloping the applicator
member, as shown in Figure 31, lies in the range 7 mm to 8 mm, e.g.
being about 7.6 mm.
Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments
described above, the characteristics of which can be combined
together within variants not shown.
The teeth of at least one row could present different heights,
passing through an extremum between the extreme teeth of the row,
for example.
At least one of the teeth 18 of the rows 17 could present a
surface state that is not smooth, e.g. having ridges as a result of
molding or roughness linked to the presence of a filler in the
plastics material, for example.
The applicator member could be made with a plastics material
that includes magnetic particles. The magnetic field created by
such particles, that could be magnetizable and/or magnetized, could,
for example, exert an effect on the eyelashes and/or interact with
magnetic fibers or pigments that are present in the composition.
26

The applicator member could be made with flocking, said
flocking extending over the teeth only, for example.
At their free ends, the teeth could present respective
portions in relief or a particular shape, e.g. a fork, a hook, or a
bead, as shown in Figures 26 to 28. By way of example, the hook
could extend transversally, parallel, or obliquely relative to the
longitudinal axis X of the core.
The rows 17 could include different numbers of teeth, with one
of the rows being shorter than another, for example.
Within each row, the teeth could be grouped together, e.g. in
groups of two. Naturally, the teeth could be grouped together other
than in pairs, the spacing between the groups of teeth within the
same row optionally being uniform, and in particular greater than
the average spacing between the teeth within a group.
All of the teeth could be connected to the core along a
direction that is contained in a plane that is perpendicular to the
axis X. This could be otherwise, and teeth could slope towards the
distal or proximal end.
The wiper member could be made in some other way, e.g. it
could comprise a block of foam that could be slotted. The wiper
member could be as described in patent applications FR 2 856 559,
EP-A-1 046 358, EP-A-1 050 231, EP-A-1 481 607, and EP-A-1 561 394,
for example.
The wiper member could also be as described in application
WO 2007/004156, including at least one undulating wiper lip having a
radially-inner free edge defining an orifice 122 through which the
applicator member can pass, as shown in Figure 25. The wiper member
may be flexible and capable of deforming in extension and in
bending. The wiper lip 9 could include undulations 120 that extend
around the orifice 122. The number of undulations 120 of the wiper
lip 9 could lie in the range 3 to 12, for example.
The wiper lip 9 could extend generally along a cone that
converges towards the bottom of the receptacle, and that has a
generator line G forming an angle i. with the axis X of the
receptacle. In a variant, the wiper lip 9 could extend generally
along a mid-plane that is perpendicular to the axis X, or it could
even extend generally along a cone that converges towards the outlet
of the receptacle.
27

The wiper member could also be adjustable, where appropriate.
In a variant, the core 10 could include longitudinal ribs 50,
as shown in Figure 29, that enable it to be stiffened. The makes it
possible to use a relatively flexible material, for example, to make
the applicator member.
Flexible teeth could enable less composition to be stored on
the applicator member after the applicator member 8 has passed
through the wiper member 6, whereas more rigid teeth could enable a
larger amount to be stored. Choosing the flexibility of the teeth
makes it possible to control the amount of composition that is
loaded on the applicator member, regardless of the kind of wiper
member and regardless of the composition itself.
In variant embodiments of the invention, the free ends of the
teeth of at least one row could be situated at the same distance
from the longitudinal axis of the core. By way of example, such
variants could take the arrangements of teeth and the shapes of core
of the above-described figures, the lengths or slopes of the teeth
being different so as to have free ends that are situated at the
same distance from the longitudinal axis.
The stem 7 to which the core is fixed may be at least
partially, for example entirely, flexible. The stem may for example
comprise at least one flexible element 80 as shown in figure 43, or
for example at least one elastomer element, or having a shape
providing flexibility, for example at least one notch as shown on
figure 44.
The term "comprising a" should be understood as being
synonymous with the term "comprising at least one" unless specified
to the contrary.
The expression "lying in the range" should be construed as
including the limits of the range.
Although the present invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention
as defined by the appended claims.
28

WE CLAIM:
1. An applicator for applying a composition to the eyelashes or the
eyebrows, the applicator comprising:
• an elongate core that extends along a longitudinal axis; and
• at least two rows of teeth that are connected to respective
and different longitudinal faces of the core, each row of the at
least two rows comprising:

• a first set of first teeth that are connected to the
corresponding longitudinal face of the core and that form a first
angle with the normal; and
• a second set of second teeth that are connected to the
corresponding longitudinal face of the core and that form a second
angle with the normal, the core being observed along its
longitudinal axis;
• the second angle being greater than the first
angle;
and/or
• at least one first tooth of the first set and at
least one second tooth of the second set having free ends that are
situated at different distances from the longitudinal axis of the
core.
2. An applicator according to claim 1, the second angle being
greater than the first angle;
3. An applicator according to claim 1, at least a first tooth of the
first set and a second tooth of the second set of each of the at
least two rows having free ends that are situated at different
distances from the longitudinal axis of the core.
4. An applicator according to claim 1, at least a second tooth of
the second set being offset laterally on the core relative to at
least one first tooth of the first set, such that their respective
free ends are spaced apart angularly by an angle that is strictly
greater than 0°, about the longitudinal axis of the core.
29

5. An applicator according to claim 4, the angle being greater than
1°, better 5°, still better 10°.
6. An applicator for applying a composition to the eyelashes or the
eyebrows, the applicator comprising:

• a core that extends along a longitudinal axis and that
presents a plurality of longitudinal faces; and
• a single row of teeth that extend from each of at least two
longitudinal faces of the core, in particular from each longitudinal
face of the core;
• at least one first set of first teeth of said row having a
surface that is connected obliquely or perpendicularly to the
corresponding longitudinal face of the core, and at least one second
set of second teeth of said row having a surface that is connected
obliquely to the same longitudinal face of the core, when said core
is observed along its longitudinal axis, at least one first tooth
and at least one second tooth being connected to the corresponding
longitudinal face of the core in different directions.

7. An applicator according to claim 6, the first teeth are connected
obliquely to the corresponding longitudinal face of the core.
8. An applicator according to claim 6, the first teeth are connected
perpendicularly to the corresponding longitudinal face of the core.
9. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the teeth of at
least one row are connected to the longitudinal face of the
corresponding core on the same side of a middle longitudinal line of
the longitudinal face of the core.

10. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the teeth of the
first and/or second set of teeth are substantially straight.
11. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the bases of the
teeth in at least one row are disposed in a staggered configuration.
30

12. An applicator according to claim 11, in which the teeth of the
first set and the teeth of the second set are disposed in
alternation within at least one row.
13. An applicator according to claim 1, in which at least two
consecutive teeth of a row have first faces both having a common
first shape, and second faces both having a common second shape, the
first faces all facing in the same direction around the core.
14. An applicator according to claim 13, in which the first faces
are plane.
15. An applicator according to claim 14, in which the first faces
extend substantially flush with a longitudinal face of the core,
which longitudinal face is adjacent to the longitudinal face to
which the teeth are connected.
16. An applicator according to claim 12, in which the first faces
extend substantially perpendicularly to the corresponding
longitudinal face of the core.
17. An applicator according to claim 1, in which at least one tooth
of a row presents a surface that extends substantially
perpendicularly to the face of the core to which the tooth is
connected.
18. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the core includes a
plurality of longitudinal faces, and the applicator includes rows of
teeth on the core, each row of teeth extending from one of the
longitudinal faces.
19. An applicator according to claim 1, including 2 to 10 rows.
20. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the core extends
along a longitudinal axis that is rectilinear.
21. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the core extends
along a longitudinal axis that is curved.
31

22. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the core extends
along a longitudinal axis that forms an angle with a longitudinal
axis of a stem to which the core is fastened.
23. An applicator according to claim 22, in which the core is bent
where it connects to the stem.
24. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the free ends of
the teeth define an envelope surface that extends along a
longitudinal axis that forms a non-zero angle with the longitudinal
axis of the core.
25. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the core includes
at least one longitudinal face that is plane.
26. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the core includes
at least one longitudinal face that is not plane, in particular
being concave or convex at least in part.
27. An applicator according to claim 26, in which the core presents
at least one longitudinal face that is twisted.
28. An applicator according to claim 1, including teeth of different
heights.
29. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the teeth are made
integrally with the core by molding, in particular by molding
plastics material.
30. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the teeth are made
of a material that is more rigid than a material that is used to
make a stem of the applicator to which the core is connected.
31. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the teeth are made
of a material that is less rigid than a material that is used to
make a stem of the applicator to which the core is connected.
32

32. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the core is made of
a plastics material that is more flexible than the plastics material
that is used to make a stem of the applicator to which the core is
connected.
33. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the core is made of
a plastics material that is harder than the plastics material that
is used to make a stem of the applicator to which the core is
connected.
34. An applicator according to claim 1, in which the core is
fastened to a first end of a stem that is connected at a second end,
remote from the first, to a handle.
35. An applicator according to claim 1, the first angle lying in the
range 0 to 10°.
36. An applicator according to claim 1, the angle between the
directions along which the first and second teeth are connected to
the core lying in the range 5° to 80°.
37. An applicator according to claim 1, the first teeth having a
surface that extends in the plane of an adjacent longitudinal face
of the core.
38. An applicator according to claim 1, the first and second teeth
not having a surface that extends parallel to an adjacent
longitudinal face of the core, when said core is observed along its
longitudinal axis.
39. An applicator according to claim 1, the second teeth having a
height that is greater than the height of the first teeth.
40. An applicator according to claim 1, two successive teeth of the
first set of first teeth and/or of the second set of second teeth
having heights that are different.
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41. An applicator according to claim 1, the core having a cross-
section that varies in geometrically similar manner along its
longitudinal axis.
42. An applicator according to claim 41, the core having a cross-
section that increases over a first portion of the core, from a head
towards a proximal end of the core, then decreases and increases
over a second portion of the core, passing through a minimum, and
decreases once again over a third portion of the core from the
proximal end of the second portion to an endpiece.
43. An applicator according to claim 1, the core having a cross-
section of polygonal shape.
44. An applicator according to claim 1, the applicator including 30
to 60 teeth on each of its longitudinal faces.
45. An applicator according to claim 1, each of the second teeth
having a face that forms an angle with the normal to the face to
which the tooth is connected that lies in the range 25° to 30°.
46. An applicator according to claim 1, the cross-section of the
core being hexagonal.
47. An applicator according to claim 1, including, at a location
along the longitudinal axis of the core, 10 to 15 teeth over 360°
about the longitudinal axis of the core.
48. A packaging and applicator device for applying a composition to
the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the device comprising an applicator
according to claim 1, and a receptacle containing the composition.
49. A device according to claim 48, in which the receptacle includes
a wiper member.
50. A device according to claim 49, the wiper member including an
undulating lip.
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35
51. A device according to claim 1, the envelope surface of the
applicator comprising a proximal or distal portion of fruster,
conical or pyramidal shape.

The present invention relates to an applicator for applying a
composition to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the applicator
comprising:
• an elongate core that extends along a longitudinal axis; and
• at least two rows of teeth that are connected to respective
and different longitudinal faces of the core, each row of the at
least two rows comprising:

• a first set of first teeth that are connected to the
corresponding longitudinal face of the core and that form a first
angle with the normal; and
• a second set of second teeth that are connected to the
corresponding longitudinal face of the core and that form a second
angle with the normal, the core being observed along its
longitudinal axis;
• the second angle being greater than the first
angle;
and/or
• at least one first tooth of the first set and at
least one second tooth of the second set having free ends that are
situated at different distances from the longitudinal axis of the
core.