METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A COSMETIC PRODUCT APPLICATOR, COSMETIC PRODUCT APPLICATOR AND COSMETIC PRODUCT DISPENSING DEVICE COMPRISING SUCH AN APPLICATOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001]The invention relates to the field of fluid or paste cosmetic product applicators such as those for a mascara type product.

[0002]The invention has more specifically for object a method for manufacturing a cosmetic product applicator, a cosmetic product applicator and a cosmetic product dispensing device.

PRIOR ART

[0003]Mascara type fluid or paste cosmetic product dispensing devices are generally used until the cosmetic product that they contain is all used up. Once empty the complete dispensing devices are generally discarded and can come to clog disposal systems. With the aim of more durable application of these devices and the applicators that they include it would be of interest to facilitate recycling thereof.

[0004]Indeed, present-day dispensing devices comprise many different components, generally five components (bottle, cap, rod, applicator, wiper) made of different materials from each other, such as elastomers and thermoplastics, in order to obtain the expected properties of these elements, notably in terms of rigidity and elasticity. Because of this, if there were a desire to recycle these dispensing devices this would be particularly complicated because of the different materials used that would have to be separated in order to recycle them separately.

[0005]Although there exist manufacturing methods that enable reduction of the number of elements constituting the applicator or the number of materials used, such as those taught by the documents FR 3003736 A1, US 2016/051032 A1, US2021030487 A1, these methods are not totally satisfactory since using different materials to manufacture the applicators makes recycling the dispensing devices described therein difficult.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

[0006]The invention aims to remedy at least some of the problems mentioned hereinabove and the invention therefore has for object enabling the provision of an applicator assembly that allows facilitated recycling.

[0007]The invention also has for object facilitating the manufacture of the applicator assembly in order to limit the number of assembly steps that are generally employed in prior art methods.

[0011]With such a method of manufacture the applicator assembly is manufactured in a single step and without it being necessary to employ an assembly step. This therefore facilitates manufacture of the applicator assembly. Furthermore, the brush and the cap/rod element being made of compatible materials in terms of recycling, the treatment (recycling) of the applicator assembly is facilitated since no dismantling step is needed. Such dismantling, which is proscribed in order to enable this treatment, is moreover prevented by the fact that the cap/rod element and the brush are formed in one piece. Because of this, recycling the applicator assembly made by such a method is particularly favorable compared to prior art applicator assemblies.

[0012]By two-material manufacturing techniques is meant techniques that enable manufacture in one step of one or more elements from at least two different materials. These manufacturing techniques notably comprise co-molding, overmolding in one step, and co-extrusion. It will be noted that in accordance with the present invention said materials can be different materials obtained from the same resin having different hardnesses or colors or from resins in the same class of materials that can be recycled.

[0013]By compatible in terms of recycling is meant that the presence of these materials in the same object does not interfere with recycling them. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention each of the first and second materials can therefore be selected in one of the classes including polyethylene terephthalates and polypropylenes, which are known not to interfere with recycling.

[0014]The second end of the rod may include a tensioner, the core extending at least in part around the tensioner.

[0015]Such a tensioner makes it possible to increase and to modulate the stiffness of the brush as a function of the characteristics required for application of the cosmetic product.

[0018]Such an applicator assembly in accordance with the invention has the advantage of facilitating recycling it since the rod/cap element can be recycled with the brush and any risk of separation of the rod/cap element and the brush is prevented because of the formed in one piece configuration of said applicator assembly.

[0019]The second end can include at least one recess in the brush, said recess preferably being a through-opening.

[0020]With such a recess the locking together of the brush and the second end is improved since the brush has a portion housed directly in the second end. The second end can include a tensioner, the core extending at least in part around the tensioner.

[0021]Such a tensioner makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the brush and to adjust it by adapting the geometry of the tensioner.

[0022]The tensioner can extend along a longitudinal axis of the rod and have a reinforcing portion extending in at least one direction relative to said longitudinal axis and over at least a part of its length.

[0023]Such a reinforcing portion makes it possible to increase the rigidity of the brush in a direction of interest and therefore enables mechanical adaptation of the brush as a function of the cosmetic product applied and the geometry of the brush. The reinforcing portion can have a section varying along the longitudinal axis.

[0024]Such a varying section enables variation of the mechanical characteristics of the brush and its bristles along the brush. It is therefore possible to refine precisely the mechanical characteristics of the brush over its entire length.

[0025]The tensioner can further include at least one second reinforcing portion extending in at least one other radial direction relative to said longitudinal axis, the tensioner preferably including a third reinforcing portion extending in a radial direction different from the radial direction and the other radial direction.

[0026]Such reinforcing portions enable fine adjustment of the mechanical behavior of the brush during application of the cosmetic product.

[0027]The tensioner can include at least one central portion extending along a longitudinal axis of the rod and at least one second row of bristles projecting from said central portion.

[0028]Such bristles of the second row have mechanical characteristics distinct from those of the bristles arranged directly on the brush since they are made of a distinct material (the first material). It is therefore possible to provide more than one type of bristle on the brush in order to obtain the required characteristics for application of the cosmetic product.

[0029]It will be noted that such a central portion forms a tensioner body and said bristles of the second row can of course extend directly from said central portion, that is to say the body, or indirectly from said central portion, extending from a reinforcing portion itself extending from said central portion.

[0030]At least some of the bristles of the second row project through the core. At least some of the bristles of the second row are extended by a respective bristle of the brush, said bristle being included or not included in the first row of bristles.

[0031]These two distinct types of configuration of the bristles of the second row offer the brush distinct characteristics. The mechanical characteristics allowed for the bristles with an applicator assembly according to the invention are therefore particularly wide.

[0036]Such a device benefits from the advantages linked to the cosmetic product applicator assembly that it includes.

[0037]The cosmetic product dispensing device may further include a cap adapted to close the skirt of the rod/cap element on the side opposite the rod. Apart from possible closure of the skirt when the latter has no hermetic wall, such a cap enables enclosure of the cosmetic product applicator assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038]The present invention will be better understood upon reading the description of embodiments given by way of non-limiting indication only with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0039]FIG. 1 depicts a cosmetic product dispensing device including an applicator assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0040]FIGS. 2A to 2D respectively depict a perspective view of the applicator assembly of the cosmetic product dispensing device, a perspective view of a cap of the applicator assembly, a perspective view of a bottle of the cosmetic product dispensing device and a closer view in longitudinal section of the product dispensing device showing the arrangement at the level of the neck of the bottle of the applicator assembly, the wiper and the cap,

[0041]FIGS. 3A and 3B respectively depict a perspective view and view in longitudinal section of an applicator assembly according to a first embodiment of the invention,

[0042]FIGS. 4A and 4B respectively depict a view in longitudinal section of a rod/cap element and a brush of the applicator assembly depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the rod/cap element and the brush having been artificially detached from one another for purposes of illustration,

[0043]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the rod/cap element depicted in FIG. 4A,

[0044]FIGS. 6A to 6C respectively depict a perspective view, a view in longitudinal section and a view in lateral section at the level of the brush of an applicator assembly according to a second embodiment in which the rod/cap element is provided with a comb.

[0045]FIGS. 7A to 7C respectively depict a perspective view in section, a view in longitudinal section and a view in lateral section at the level of an extension of a rod/cap element of the applicator assembly from FIGS. 6A to 6C artificially separated from the brush,

[0046]FIGS. 8A to 8C respectively depict a perspective view, a view in longitudinal section and a view in lateral section at the level of the brush of an applicator assembly according to a third embodiment in which the rod/cap element is provided with a tensioner,

[0047]FIGS. 9A and 9B respectively depict a perspective view and a view in longitudinal section of the rod/cap element of the applicator assembly depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0048]FIGS. 10A and 10B respectively depict a perspective view and a side view of a rod/cap element of an applicator assembly according to a variant of the third embodiment in which the tensioner is of reduced length, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0049]FIGS. 11A and 11B respectively depict a side view and a view in lateral section at the level of the tensioner of a rod/cap element of an applicator assembly according to a fourth embodiment in which the tensioner includes a first reinforcing portion, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0050]FIGS. 12A to 12C respectively depict a perspective view, a side view and a view in lateral section at the level of the tensioner of a rod/cap element of an applicator assembly according to a fifth embodiment in which the tensioner includes two reinforcing portions extending radially away from each other, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0051]FIGS. 13A to 13C respectively depict a perspective view, a side view and a view in lateral section at the level of the tensioner of a rod/cap element of an applicator assembly according to a sixth embodiment in which the tensioner includes two reinforcing portions extending radially at 120° to each other, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0052]FIGS. 14A to 14C respectively depict a perspective view, a view in longitudinal section and a view in lateral section at the level of the brush and of the tensioner of an applicator assembly according to a seventh embodiment in which the tensioner includes three reinforcing portions at 120° to one another and one of which portions has a section that varies in the longitudinal direction of the rod/cap element,

[0053]FIGS. 15A to 15D respectively depict a perspective view, a side view, a closer side view of the tensioner and a view in lateral section at the level of the tensioner of the rod/cap element of the applicator assembly as depicted in FIGS. 14A to 14C, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0054]FIGS. 16A and 16B respectively depict a perspective view and a closer side view of the tensioner of a rod/cap element of an applicator assembly according to a variant of the applicator assembly according to the seventh embodiment in which two reinforcing portions of the tensioner include orifices, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0055]FIGS. 17A to 17D respectively depict a perspective view, a view in longitudinal section, a closer view in longitudinal section at the level of the free end of the brush and a lateral section at the level of the brush of an applicator assembly according to an eighth embodiment in which the tensioner includes three reinforcing portions at 120° to one another, a reinforcing portion including a row of bristles that are extended by respective bristles of the brush,

[0056]FIGS. 18A to 18C respectively depict a perspective view, a view in longitudinal section and a view in lateral section at the level of the tensioner of a rod/cap element of the applicator assembly depicted in FIGS. 17A to 17D, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0057]FIG. 19 depicts a closer view in longitudinal section at the level of the brush of an applicator assembly according to a variant of the ninth embodiment in which the brush includes alternating classic bristles at the level of the row of bristles that extend bristles of the reinforcing portions,

[0058]FIGS. 20A and 20B respectively depict a view in longitudinal section and a view in lateral section of an applicator assembly according to a tenth embodiment in which the tensioner includes three reinforcing portions at 120° to one another each provided with a respective row of bristles,

[0059]FIGS. 21A and 21B respectively depict a perspective view and a front view of a rod/cap element of the applicator assembly depicted in FIGS. 20A and 20B, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0060]FIGS. 22A to 22D respectively depict a perspective view, a closer perspective view of the brush, a closer view in longitudinal section of the brush and a view in lateral section at the level of the brush of an applicator assembly according to an eleventh embodiment in which the tensioner includes a row of bristles extending through a core of the brush,

[0061]FIGS. 23A to 23C respectively depict a view in perspective, a side view and a view in lateral section at the level of the tensioner of a rod/cap element of the applicator assembly depicted in FIGS. 22A to 22D, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0062]FIGS. 24A to 24C respectively depict a perspective view, a side view and a view in section at the level of the brush of an applicator assembly according to a twelfth embodiment in which a second end of the rod includes a row of bristles forming a comb with the brush that extends over only a radial portion of the second end opposite said comb,

[0063]FIGS. 25A to 25C respectively depict a perspective view, a side view and a view in lateral section at the level of the second end of the rod of a rod/cap element of the applicator assembly depicted in FIGS. 24A to 24C, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0064]FIGS. 26A to 26D respectively depict a perspective view, a side view, a closer side view at the level of an end of the brush and a view in lateral section at the level of the brush of an applicator assembly according to a twelfth embodiment in which an end of the tensioner includes bristles,

[0065]FIGS. 27A to 27D respectively depict a perspective view, a view from above, a closer view from above of an end of the tensioner and a view in lateral section at the level of the tensioner of the rod/cap element of the applicator assembly depicted in FIGS. 26A to 26D, the rod/cap element having been artificially detached from the brush,

[0066]FIGS. 28A to 28C respectively depict a perspective view, a side view and a view in lateral section at the level of the brush of an applicator assembly according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention in which the tensioner includes an arcuate portion including a row of bristles,

[0067]FIGS. 29A to 29C respectively depict a perspective view, a side view and a view in lateral section at the level of the tensioner of the rod/cap element of the applicator assembly depicted in FIGS. 28A to 28C,

[0068]FIGS. 30A to 30C respectively depict a perspective view, a side view and a view in lateral section at the level of the brush of an applicator assembly according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention in which the tensioner includes a longitudinal wall including notches in order to form a comb, said longitudinal wall projecting through the brush,

[0069]FIGS. 31A to 31C respectively depict a perspective view, a side view and a view in lateral section at the level of the tensioner of the rod/cap element of the applicator assembly depicted in FIGS. 30A to 30C.

[0070]Identical, similar or equivalent parts in the various figures bear the same reference numbers in order to facilitate going from one figure to another.

[0071]To make the figures more legible, the various parts represented in the figures are not necessarily represented to a uniform scale.

[0072]The various possibilities (variants and embodiments) must be understood as not being mutually exclusive and can be combined with one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

[0073]FIG. 1 depicts a cosmetic product dispensing device 1 including an applicator assembly 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0081]The brush 120 and the second end 114 according to the invention are formed in one piece.

[0082]FIG. 2D shows that the skirt 111 has a circular cylindrical shape with an open base. The skirt includes a central wall from which the rod 112 extends and said central wall therefore coincides with a first end of the rod 112. The central wall separates the skirt 111 into a first part 111A in which the rod 112 extends and a second part 111B opposite the first part 111A of the skirt 111 and therefore the rod 112. The first part 111A of the skirt 111 is configured to cooperate with the neck 210 of the bottle 20 and therefore in this first embodiment includes two radial ribs 113 intended to cooperate with a thread 23 of the neck in order to provide a bayonet closure. As shown in FIG. 2C the bottle therefore comprises two threads 23 (or guides) for guiding and immobilizing the ribs 113 of the skirt 111 during installation of the applicator assembly 10 onto the bottle in accordance with the bayonet closure principle.

[0083]The second part 111B of the skirt 111 includes a groove intended to enable fixing of the cap 30 in order to close the second part of the skirt 111. In a variant of this first embodiment the dispensing device 1 need not include a cap 30 since the closure of the bottle 20 is obtained by means of the central wall 115.

[0084]Accordingly, if the dispensing device 1 according to the invention includes only four elements, in accordance with one possibility of the invention it can include only three elements. Such a possibility is allowed by the applicator assembly 10 according to the invention which enables production of a single component formed in one piece comprising the cap (the skirt 111), the rod 112 and the brush 120. Note moreover that the cap 30 can provide an enclosure for the applicator assembly 10 and therefore carry a logo, a pattern or decorative elements.

[0085]FIGS. 3A and 3B specifically depict an applicator assembly 10 according to this first embodiment. The rod 112 extends from the central wall 115 and is coaxial with the skirt 111. The central wall 115 therefore coincides with a first end of the rod 112. The second end 114 of rod 112 and the brush 120 are the formed in one piece.

[0086]In order to provide continuity between the brush 120 and the rod 112, as shown in FIG. 4A the second end 114 can have a smaller section than the rest of the rod 112, here taking the form of a flat at the second end 114. Likewise, in order to favor locking together of the brush 120 and the second end 114, the second end 114 can include an opening 114A, preferably a through-opening, this opening or recess being seen in FIG. 5 in particular. Complementing the flat at the level of the second end, the brush 120 itself has an end 121A comprising a complementary flat and an extension penetrating the opening 114A. The applicator assembly therefore features continuity between the rod 112 and the brush 120.

[0087]As shown in FIG. 4B the brush 120 extends from the second end 114 and includes a core 121 and a plurality of rows of bristles 122 extending from the core 121. The core 121 has an end 121A of complementary shape to the second end 114. It will be noted that in the configuration of this first embodiment the brush includes an arcuate portion 123 and an extension 124 each of which includes a row of bristles 122. Of course, such a configuration of the brush 120 is shown by way of non-limiting example only.

[0088]In the context of the invention the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 are respectively made of a first polymer material and a second polymer material that are compatible in terms of recycling. Thus according to one possibility of the invention each of the first and second materials may be selected in one of the classes of materials that can be recycled from polyethylene terephthalates and polypropylenes. Likewise, in accordance with one possibility of the invention at least the first material and/or the second material can be a polymer material at least in part produced from biomass or a material from a source of post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR), or even a hybrid material part of which is made from biomass and another part of which comes from a source of post-consumer recycled plastic. It will also be noted that if the first and second materials both consist of only one polymer it is of course possible without departing from the scope of the invention to envisage one or both of the first and second materials including one or more minority components, such as a charge, complementing one or more majority polymers. This minority component or these minority components can preferably be selected in such a manner as not to interfere with recycling the first and second materials.

[0089]Of course, in the context of the present invention if the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 must be made of polymer materials that are compatible in terms of recycling the other elements of the dispensing device 1 are preferably made of materials having the same compatibility. In this way it is not necessary to separate these elements when the dispensing device 1 is recycled. Thus according to one possibility of the invention the rod/cap element 110, the bottle 20 and the cap 30 may all three be made of the first material or of materials of the same type as the first material (in the case of the bottle 20 and the cap 30) and the brush 120 and the wiper 40 can be made of the second material or of materials of the same type as the second material (in the case of the wiper 40).

[0092]FIGS. 6A and 6B depict, notably in the form of a view in lateral section in the case of FIG. 6B, an applicator assembly 10 according to a second embodiment in which the rod 112 includes at its second end 114 an extension 116 extending in line with the rest of the rod 112 and including a row of bristles 118. An applicator assembly 10 according to this second embodiment therefore differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the first embodiment in that the rod 112 includes at its second end 114 the extension 116.

[0093]As shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C, in this second embodiment the second end 114 includes the extension 116 that extends over most of the length of the brush 120. With the exclusion of the part of its bristles projecting from the core 121, the extension 116 is housed in the core 121. The comb formed by the rows of bristles 118 participates in the application of the cosmetic product, providing greater rigidity than the bristles 122 of the brush. In this way the person using the cosmetic product dispensing device 1 has access to two types of comb, depending on the required type of cosmetic product application.

[0094]Likewise, the extension 116 provides significant stiffening of the brush 120 since most of the volume of the core is occupied by the extension 116. It will be noted that, to enable such stiffening of the brush 120 at the same time as favoring good locking together of the brush to the second end 114, the second end 114 has, starting from the rest of the rod 112 in a direction away from the skirt 111, and as shown in FIG. 7A, a smaller first section including the opening 114A and the flat that is extended by a rounded second section forming said extension 116 and including the row of bristles 118. This rounded shape of the second section, shown in FIG. 7B, enables good rigidity despite a tapered shape of the combination of the brush 120 and the second end in a direction away from the skirt 118.

[0095]The method of manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according to this second embodiment differs from a method manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according to the first embodiment in that during the step of forming the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the rod/cap element 110 formed includes the extension 116.

[0096]FIGS. 8A to 8C depict an applicator assembly 10 according a third embodiment which includes at the second end of the rod/cap element 110 a tensioner 117 accommodated in the core 121 of the brush 120. An applicator assembly 10 according to this third embodiment differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the first embodiment in that it includes at the second end of the rod/cap element 110 a tensioner 117 accommodated in the core 121 of the brush 120.

[0097]By tensioner there is meant hereinabove and in the rest of the present document an element of the rod 110 configured to enable control of the flexibility/rigidity of the brush, that is to say to produce the tension/rigidity of the brush. Such a tensioner is therefore intended to be accommodated in the core 121 of the brush 120 in order to furnish a framework of the brush 120 without occupying a major part of the volume of the core, as is the case in the extension 116 according to the second embodiment. As can be seen in FIG. 8C, a tensioner 117 according to the invention therefore generally has in a lateral section of the brush 120 an area that is less than one half or even one third that of the core 121.

[0098]In this third embodiment and as depicted in FIGS. 9A and 9B the rod 112 is extended at its second end 114 by the tensioner 117. Apart from the presence of the tensioner 117 the second end 114 has a configuration similar to the second end 114 of an applicator assembly according to the first embodiment. As FIG. 8B shows the tensioner 117 extends over most of the length of the brush 120, here over approximately three-quarters of its length. As will be seen and discussed in the context of the variant of the present embodiment depicted in FIGS. 10A and 10B, such an extension of the tensioner 117 is shown by way of illustration and can vary as a function of the required rigidity characteristics of the brush 120.

[0099]The tensioner 117 has a rounded section with a substantially semicircular shape. In the present embodiment the semicircular section of the tensioner 117 has a diameter less than half the diameter of the rod 111 between these two ends 114. With such a diameter the tensioner 117 has a height in the FIG. 9A view that is less than one quarter of the diameter of the rod 111 between the two ends 114. Of course, these values are given by way of example only. Generally speaking, the lateral dimension of the tensioner 117 excluding any reinforcing portions is between 5% and 60% of the maximal lateral dimension of the rest of the rod, even between 10% and 50% or between 20% and 40% of the maximal lateral dimension of the rest of the rod.

[0100]Likewise, if the tensioner 117 can advantageously have as in the present embodiment a rounded section, such as a substantially semicircular shape, there can also be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention the tensioner 117 having some other section. It is also shown in subsequent embodiments that if in the present embodiment the tensioner 117 has a constant lateral section over its entire length it is perfectly feasible to envisage the tensioner 117 having a section varying over its length as a function of the required rigidity characteristics of the brush 120.

[0101]A method for manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according to this third embodiment differs from the method of manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according to the first embodiment in that during the step of forming the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the rod/cap element 110 formed includes the tensioner 117.

[0102]FIGS. 10A and 10B depict an applicator assembly 10 according to a variant of the third embodiment in which the tensioner 117 has a reduced length. Thus in this variant the tensioner extends over a length substantially equal to one third of the length of the brush 120. In the context of the present invention the brush 120 therefore has a lower rigidity than a brush 120 according to the third embodiment.

[0103]According to the invention the tensioner 117 can have a length between that of the brush 120 and a zero length, that is to say it can have the configuration of the first embodiment in which no tensioner 117 is provided.

[0108]In this way it is possible to adapt the rigidity of the brush 120 as a function of the properties required for optimized application of the cosmetic product.

[0109]According to a fourth embodiment depicted in FIGS. 11A and 11B such a tensioner 117 can include a reinforcing portion 117A in order to provide increased rigidity in a particular direction, such as a direction of the brush including a row of bristles. An applicator assembly 10 according to such an embodiment therefore differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the third embodiment in that the tensioner includes a reinforcing portion 117A.

[0110]It can therefore be seen in FIG. 11B that the tensioner 117 has the reinforcing portion 117A on its lower part in the form of a wall extending from the rest of the tensioner 117, that is to say the semicircular section body of the tensioner. In the present embodiment such a reinforcing portion 117A enables increased rigidity in the extension direction of the wall and retention of relative flexibility in the direction perpendicular to this extension direction. In the present embodiment the reinforcing portion 117A extends from the body of the tensioner 117 over a height substantially equal to one third of the diameter of the tensioner 117, that is to say of the diameter of the semicircle forming its lateral section. This value is given by way of example only and the reinforcing portion 117A can have a different extension height without departing from the scope of the invention. This extension height can therefore be for example between 10% and 50% of the diameter of the tensioner 117, even between 20% and 40% of that diameter. In the present embodiment the width of said reinforcing portion 117A is substantially equal to one-sixth of the diameter of the tensioner 117, that is to say the diameter of the semicircle forming its lateral section. Of course, it is perfectly feasible to envisage other values without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0111]Likewise, if in the present embodiment the reinforcing portion 117A extends the entire length of the tensioner 117 it can equally well be envisaged that without departing from the scope of the invention the reinforcing portion 117A extends over only part of the length of the tensioner 117.

[0112]Note equally that such a reinforcing portion enables reduction of the thickness of the core 121 at the level of said reinforcing portion 117A and therefore limitation of the influence of the core 121 on the row of bristles 122 formed facing the reinforcing portion 117A. The row of bristles 122 facing the reinforcing portion 117A formed in this way has an increased hardness compared to rows of bristles for which the core has a thickness that has not been reduced.

[0113]An applicator assembly 10 according to this fourth embodiment can be manufactured by a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according to the third embodiment in that during the step of forming the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the tensioner 117 includes the reinforcing portion 117A.

[0114]FIGS. 12A and 12B depict a rod/cap element 110 of an applicator assembly 10 according to a fifth embodiment in which the tensioner 117 includes two reinforcing portions 117A, 117B extending radially away from each other. An applicator assembly 10 according to this fifth embodiment therefore differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the fourth embodiment in that the tensioner 117 includes a second reinforcing portion 117B extending radially away from the reinforcing portion 117A, which becomes a first reinforcing portion 117A.

[0118]An application assembly 10 according to this fifth embodiment can be manufactured by a method of manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 differing from the method of manufacture of the fourth embodiment in that during the step of forming the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the tensioner 117 includes the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B.

[0119]FIGS. 13A to 13C depict a cap/rod element 110 of an application assembly 10 according to a sixth embodiment in which the tensioner 117 includes first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B extending radially at 120° to one another. An applicator assembly 10 according to this sixth embodiment differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the fifth embodiment in that the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B extending radially at 120° from the circular portion of the tensioner 117 and the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B have identical dimensions.

[0120]An arrangement of first and second reinforcing portions 110 with such a configuration of the tensioner 117 offers good rigidity in the two extension directions of the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B.

[0121]An applicator assembly 10 according to this sixth embodiment can be manufactured using a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according to the fifth embodiment in that during the step of forming the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B extend radially at 120° from the circular portion of the tensioner 117.

[0122]FIGS. 14A to 14C depict an applicator assembly 10 according to a seventh embodiment in which the tensioner 117 includes three reinforcing portions 117A, 117B, 117C at 120° to one another, one of these reinforcing portions 117C having an extension height of the rod/cap element 110 varying along the longitudinal direction. An applicator assembly 10 according to this seventh embodiment differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the sixth embodiment in that there is a third reinforcing portion 117C at 120° to the first and second reinforcing portions and this third reinforcing portion 117C has an extension height varying along the tensioner 117.

[0123]Indeed, it can be seen in FIGS. 15A to 15D that the third reinforcing portion 117C has an extension height varying along the tensioner going from a zero height to a maximal height substantially equal to that of the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B. Such a varying extension height of the reinforcing portion 117C enables a thickness of the core 121 of the brush 120 varying at the level of the row of bristles 122 facing this reinforcing portion 117C. This results in a sensation of the hardness of the bristles 122 varying along said row, the bristles 122 of which the core 121 has a small thickness (maximal extension height) having a reduced freedom of depression and therefore a sensation of increased hardness compared to those for which the core 121 has a high thickness (and therefore a maximal freedom of depression).

[0124]It will be noted that the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B have a maximal height all along the tensioner 117, the rows of bristles 122 facing these two reinforcing portions 117A, 117B producing for the same reason a sensation of increased hardness compared to the bristles 122 of the brush offset from the reinforcing portions 117A, 117B, 117C.

[0125]An applicator assembly 10 according to this seventh embodiment can be manufactured by a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according to the sixth embodiment in that during the step of formation of the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the tensioner 117 includes the first, second and third reinforcing portions 117A, 117B, 117C associated with said seventh embodiment.

[0126]FIGS. 16A and 16B depict a rod/cap element 10 of an applicator assembly 110 according to a variant of the seventh embodiment in which the first and second portions 117A, 117B each include three through-orifices, no reference number. An applicator assembly 110 according to this variant of the seventh embodiment therefore differs from an applicator assembly 110 according to a seventh embodiment only in that the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B include said through-orifices.

[0127]Such through-orifices make it possible to favor the locking of the brush 122 onto the first and second portions 114 of the rod/cap element 110. It will of course be noted that in the context of the present invention and in all the embodiments described which include a tensioner 117 including one of more reinforcing portions 117, 117A, 117B, 117C it is perfectly feasible to envisage some or all of these reinforcing portions 117, 117A, 117B, 117C including one or more through-orifices.

[0128]An applicator assembly 10 according to this variant of the seventh embodiment may be manufactured using a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according to the seventh embodiment in that during the step of formation of the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B each include three through-orifices.

[0129]FIGS. 17A to 17D depict an applicator assembly 10 according to an eighth embodiment in which the tensioner 117 includes three reinforcing portions 117A, 117B, 117C at 120° to one another, a reinforcing portion 117C including a row of bristles that are extended by a respective bristle of the brush. An applicator assembly 10 according to this eighth embodiment differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the seventh embodiment in that the third reinforcing portion 117C has a constant extension height and the third reinforcing portion 117C includes a row of bristles 122 forming a comb.

[0130]In a configuration similar to that of the extension 116 described in the context of the second embodiment at least the one reinforcing portion 117C may therefore include a row of bristles 118. As shown in FIG. 17D in this ninth embodiment the brush 120 itself includes a row of bristles 122 that extend the bristles of the third reinforcing portion. The brush 120 therefore includes some “hybrid bristles” with a core stiffened by the bristles 118 of the third reinforcing portion 117C.

[0131]Likewise, as shown in FIG. 17D the brush 120 also includes two rows of bristles with an increased sensation of hardness facing the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B.

[0132]An applicator assembly 10 according to this ninth embodiment can be manufactured using a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacturing an applicator 10 according to the eighth embodiment in that during the step of formation of the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the third portion has a constant extension height and includes bristles 118 and the brush includes a row of bristle 122 including “hybrid” bristles as described hereinabove.

[0133]FIG. 19 depicts in a closer view in section at the level of the brush 120 an applicator assembly 10 according to a variant of the ninth embodiment in which the brush 120 includes at the level of the row of bristles 122 that extend bristles of the third reinforcing portion 117C alternating classic bristles 122. An applicator assembly 10 according to this variant embodiment therefore differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the ninth embodiment only by the presence in said row of such alternating classic bristles 122.

[0134]As FIG. 19 shows the row of bristles 122 of the brush at the level of the third extension 117C includes alternating hybrid bristles 122, that is to say bristles with the core stiffened by a bristle 118 of the third extension 117C, and classic bristles 122, that is to say bristles not housing a bristle 118 of the third reinforcing portion 117C.

[0135]An applicator assembly 10 according to this variant of the ninth embodiment can be manufactured using a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according to the ninth embodiment in that during the step of formation of the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the brush 120 includes at the level of the row of bristles 122 that extend the bristles of the third reinforcing portion 117C alternating classic bristles 122.

[0136]FIGS. 20A and 20B depict an applicator assembly 10 according to a tenth embodiment in which the tensioner 117 includes three reinforcing portions 117A, 117B, 117C at 120° to one another and each of these three reinforcing portions 117A, 117B, 117C includes a row of bristles 118 that extend it. An applicator assembly 10 according to the tenth embodiment differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the ninth embodiment in that the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B also include a respective row of bristles 118 that extend them.

[0137]Indeed, it can be seen in FIG. 20B that in this tenth embodiment the bristles 118 of the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B have a configuration similar to that of the bristles 118 of the third reinforcing portion 117C described in the context of the ninth embodiment. Thus in accordance with what has been described hereinabove with reference to the ninth embodiment the brush 120 includes for each of the rows of bristles of the first, second and third reinforcing portions 117A, 117B, 117C a respective row of bristles 122 that extend said bristles. The brush 120 therefore includes for each of the reinforcing portions 117A, 177B, 117C “hybrid bristles” with the core stiffened by the bristles 118 of these reinforcing portions 117A, 177B, 117C. An applicator assembly 10 according this tenth embodiment can be manufactured using a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacture according to the ninth embodiment in that during the step of formation of the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 each of the first, second and third reinforcing portions 117A, 117B, 117C includes bristles 118 and the brush 120 includes for each of the reinforcing portions 117A, 177B, 117C “hybrid bristles” with the core stiffened by the bristles 118 of these reinforcing portions 117A, 177B, 117C.

[0138]FIGS. 22A to 22D depict an applicator assembly 10 according to an eleventh embodiment in which the tensioner 117 includes a row of bristles extending through a core of the brush. An applicator assembly 10 according to this eleventh embodiment therefore differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the ninth embodiment in that the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B have reduced extension heights and the brush 120 does not include a row of bristles 122 facing the third reinforcing portion 117C, the bristles of the reinforcing row projecting from the core 121.

[0139]In this eleventh embodiment, in accordance with a possibility similar to that of the extension 11 described in the context of the second embodiment, the bristles 118 therefore project from the core 121 and are therefore intended to participate directly in dispensing the cosmetic product. As already described in the context of the second embodiment the applicator assembly therefore includes two types of bristles 118, 122, bristles of high hardness linked to the first material and flexible bristles by virtue of the use of the second material. The arrangement of the bristles 118 at the level of the third reinforcing portion 117C is shown in FIGS. 23A to 23C.

[0140]An applicator assembly 10 according to this eleventh embodiment can be manufactured using a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacture according to the ninth embodiment in that during the step of the formation of the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 each of the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B has a reduced extension height and the brush 120 does not include bristles 122 at the level of the third reinforcing portion 117C, the bristles 118 of the third reinforcing portion 117C projecting through the core 121 of the brush 120.

[0141]FIGS. 24A to 24D depict an applicator assembly 10 according to a twelfth embodiment in which one end of the tensioner 117 includes bristles 118E. An applicator assembly 10 according to the twelfth embodiment differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the fifth embodiment in that one end of the tensioner includes bristles 118E.

[0142]As shown in FIGS. 25A to 25D in this twelfth embodiment the tensioner 117 has at its end opposite the skirt 111 bristles 118E that extend it. It will be noted that in this twelfth embodiment the bristles 118E are arranged in a plane that is defined by the truncation of the semicircle of the lateral section of the tensioner 117. The five bristles 118E are distributed with a regular angular spacing.

[0143]An applicator assembly 10 according to this twelfth embodiment can be manufactured using a method of manufacture that differs from a method of manufacture according to the fifth embodiment in that during the step of formation of the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the tensioner 117 includes at its end the bristles 118E.

[0144]FIGS. 26A to 26D depict an applicator assembly 10 according to a thirteenth embodiment in which the tensioner 116 has at its end opposite the skirt 111 bristles 118E that extend it with a three-dimensional distribution. An applicator assembly 10 according to the thirteenth embodiment differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the twelfth embodiment in that the bristles 118E at the end of the tensioner have a three-dimensional distribution.

[0145]In fact it can be seen in FIGS. 27A to 27D and in particular in FIG. 27C that the bristles extend in line with the rest of the tensioner in an expanded manner, that is to say with a three-dimensional distribution.

[0146]An applicator assembly 10 according to this thirteenth embodiment can be manufactured using a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacture according to the twelfth embodiment in that during the step of formation of the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the tensioner 117 has the bristles 118E at its end with a three-dimensional distribution.

[0147]Of course, if as shown in the various embodiments from the eighth embodiment the tensioner 117 can make it possible to provide a support for the bristles 118, 118E equally well as stiffening bristles associated with the bristles 122 of the brush 120 as complementary bristles for application of the cosmetic product, a tensioner 117 according to the invention can equally provide a support for other elements of the brush 120 such as an arcuate portion 119 or a comb provided by a secondary reinforcing portion 117B, as described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 28 to 31C.

[0148]Thus FIGS. 28A to 28C depict an applicator assembly 10 according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention in which the tensioner 117 includes an arcuate portion 119 including a row of bristles 118. An applicator assembly 10 according to this fourteenth embodiment differs from an applicator assembly 10 according to the fifth embodiment in that the tensioner 117 includes an arcuate portion 119 in addition to the first and second reinforcing portions 117A, 117B.

[0149]As shown in FIGS. 28B and 28C the arcuate portion 119 extends along a curved line between the two ends, no reference number, of the brush 120, starting from the rest of the tensioner 117, that is to say the body of the tensioner 117, being made of the first material. Thus it can be seen in FIGS. 28C and 29C that the arcuate portion 119 extends facing the second reinforcing portion 117B. As shown in FIGS. 29A and 29B the arcuate portion includes a row of bristles 118 opposite the rest of the tensioner 117, that is to say the body of the tensioner 117. Since they are made of the first material the bristles 118 of the row on the arcuate portion generally have an increased rigidity compared to the bristles 122 of the brush. It will be noted that the arcuate portion 119 and the bristles 118 that it includes have a configuration similar to that taught in the document US2019014895 A1.

[0150]An applicator assembly 10 according to this fourteenth embodiment can be manufactured using a method of manufacture differing from a method of manufacturing an applicator assembly 10 according the fifth embodiment in that during the step of formation of the rod/cap element 110 and the brush 120 the tensioner 117 includes an arcuate portion 119 according to the fourteenth embodiment.

[0151]FIGS. 30A to 30C depict an applicator assembly 10 according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention in which the tensioner 117 includes in the second reinforcing portion 117B a comb, no reference number, provided by notches, no reference number, in said second reinforcing portion 117B. An applicator assembly 10 according to this fifteenth embodiment differs from an assembly according to the fifth embodiment in that the second reinforcing portion 117B projects from the core 121 of the brush 120 and includes notches over at least the height portion projecting from the core 121 so that said second reinforcing portion 117B includes said comb projecting from the core 121.

[0152]It can be seen in figurers 31A to 31C that the second reinforcing portion 117B has an extension height relative to the rest of tensioner 117, that is to say the tensioner body, that decreases in a direction from the skirt 111 to the second end 114. The notches are regularly distributed over the entire length of the second reinforcing portion 117B and are formed to a constant depth in said reinforcing portion 117B. The part of the second reinforcing portion 117B projecting from the core 121 therefore forms a comb espousing the frustoconical general shape of the brush 120 according to this fifteenth embodiment.

[0153]Of course, such a shape of the second reinforcing portion 117B and the notches is shown by way of example and it is therefore perfectly feasible without departing from the scope of the invention to envisage the second reinforcing portion 117B having a constant extension height over the entire length of the tensioner or the notches having alternating first and second depths.