WO2011004341A2

WO2011004341A2 - A device including an applicator for applying eyeliner

Info

Publication number: WO2011004341A2
Application number: PCT/IB2010/053133
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Louis Gueret
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2009-07-09
Filing date: 2010-07-08
Publication date: 2011-01-13
Also published as: WO2011004341A3; ES2556377T3; FR2947702A1; FR2947702B1; EP2451308B1; EP2451308A2; US20120132222A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a packaging and applicator device (1} for applying a cosmetic composition (P), the device comprising: • an applicator (3) comprising: • a stem (32); and • an applicator endpiece (35) that is carried by the stem (32); and - a container (2) containing the composition for application, and comprising: • a body ( 4 ); • an outer neck (14) for fastening the applicator (3) on the container (2); and • an inner sleeve (20) that is molded integrally with the neck, the sleeve comprising first and second portions (21 and 22) that extend consecutively towards the bottom wall (6) of the container, with a change in slope between the two portions, the first portion (21) extending without contact with the stem (32), and the second portion (22) coming into leaktight contact with at least one of the applicator endpiece (35) and the distal half of the stem (32) when the applicator is in place on the container.

Description

A DEVICE INCLUDING AN APPLICATOR FOR APPLYING EYELINER

The present invention relates to packaging and applicator devices for applying a cosmetic composition, and more particularly to packaging and applicator devices for applying an eyeliner or a tattoo composition, in particular compositions for drawing a line on the eyelids .

Applicator devices for applying eyeliner generally comprise a container containing the liquid eyeliner, and an applicator that is provided with an applicator tip and that has a stem that is engaged in the container when said container is closed. That type of device poses two problems. Firstly, it is necessary to ensure that, in normal conditions of use, the liquid cannot normally escape from the container, in particular by wetting the portion of the stem that is not engaged inside the container, and secondly the applicator tip should be loaded with enough composition to enable the applicator to be used for a satisfactory amount of time before being returned to the receptacle.

Application FR 2 603 780 describes a packaging and applicator device for applying an eyeliner, the device comprising a container containing the composition for application, and an applicator that is suitable for being screw- fastened on the container. The container comprises a tubular body that is closed at its bottom and that is provided with an opening at its top, in which opening there is fastened an insert that, at its top, includes a neck on which the applicator is screw- fastened. The insert carries a wiper member that is made out of an elastomer material. The wiper member comprises: an outer skirt that bears against the insert, between said insert and a wall of the body of the container; an inner chimney that is engaged inside the insert; and a sealing lip that is cone-shaped, extending the insert downwards, having an orifice that passes therethrough, and in which the applicator tip of the applicator comes to be engaged when said applicator is in place in the container.

Patent EP 0 354 823 Bl describes a device in which the insert includes a sleeve made with a threaded neck, the sleeve comprising a first cone-shaped portion that is connected by means of a shoulder to a second cone-shaped portion that comes to face the applicator tip. The stem includes an annular gasket that is formed by a separate washer that bears against the shoulder when the applicator is in place.

Application WO 93/01734 discloses a device in which the insert mounted in the body of the container carries a sealing member.

Patent application EP 1 336 353 Al describes applicator devices for applying eyeliner.

Devices sold under the trade name REVLON COLORSTAY^® are also known that comprise: a container having a body that is made integrally with the neck of the container; and a wiper member that is inserted into the neck and that is made as a single part out of thermoplastic material, the wiper member including a portion that is snap- fastened in the neck and that is extended downwards by a portion of narrower inside section that is configured to wipe the stem of the applicator. The wiper member is made with a constriction that defines an inner lip for wiping the stem.

The invention seeks to improve still further packaging and applicator devices for applying a cosmetic composition, in particular so as to simplify their manufacture, while preserving satisfactory performance in terms of makeup application and leaktightness .

In exemplary embodiments the invention achieves this by means of a packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic composition, in particular eyeliner, the device comprising:

• an applicator comprising:

• a stem,- and - an applicator endpiece that is carried by the stem; and

• a container containing the composition for application, and comprising:

■ a body;

^■ an outer neck for fastening the applicator on the container; and

^■ an inner sleeve that is molded integrally with the neck, the sleeve comprising first and second portions that extend consecutively towards the bottom wall of the container, with a change in slope between the two portions. The first portion extends without contact with the stem, and the second portion comes into contact, in particular leaktight contact, with at least one of the applicator endpiece and the distal half of the stem when the applicator is in place on the container.

The change in slope may occur by forming an edge or a rounded wall.

The inner sleeve is situated below the outer neck. The inner sleeve may extend facing the inside surface of the body. An annular groove may be formed inside the body, around the sleeve.

Both the sleeve and the neck may form parts of an insert fitted on the container. The insert may be molded entirely out of a single material. In a variant, the sleeve is molded with at least one portion of the body of the container.

The distal half of the stem designates that half of the stem that is adjacent to the distal end of the stem, and that is obtained by halving the visible length of the stem when observed perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis .

Leaktightness may be obtained with the second portion, and the first portion makes it possible to create a capillary break avoiding any surplus of composition being taken away by the applicator when it is removed from the container. The first portion is advantageously converging, in particular cone-shaped, and the same applies for the second portion. The slope of the first portion may lie in the range 10° to 35°, in particular in the range 20° to 25°, e.g. about 23°. The slope of the second portion may lie in the range 0.5° to 9°, e.g. in the range 1° to 3°, in particular about 2°. The slope of the second portion may be less steep than the slope of the first portion. This may make it easier to obtain axial contact of greater axial extent, and, where appropriate, to obtain better sealing.

The second portion may come into contact with the stem only. In a variant, the second portion comes into contact with the applicator endpiece only. Still in a variant, the second portion comes into contact with both of them.

The bottom of the sleeve may be open. The sleeve may have the stem or the endpiece passing therethrough.

The neck may be threaded, and the applicator may be arranged to be screw- fastened on the neck. Other fastener means may be provided, e.g. snap- fastening the applicator on the neck, or retaining it by friction.

The stem may be terminated by a distal portion that is cone-shaped or tapered in some other way, thereby making it easier to obtain leaktight contact with the second portion, where appropriate.

The applicator endpiece may be fastened in various ways to the stem.

The stem may be crimped on the applicator endpiece. The applicator endpiece may include a portion that is engaged in a housing of the stem.

The distal end of the stem need not project beyond the distal end of the sleeve when the applicator is in place on the container.

The stem may include a hole for allowing air to escape, in particular in the event of increased pressure, and for facilitating loading by capillarity, where appropriate. The hole may open out into the housing of the stem that receives the applicator endpiece, and it may be positioned above a zone where the sleeve contacts the stem and/or the applicator endpiece.

The axial dimension of the second portion may lie in the range 1 millimeter (mm) to 20 mm, in particular in the range 4 mm to 6 mm, e.g. about 5 mm.

The applicator endpiece may be elastically deformable, and may deform in visible manner on use, in order to draw a line on the eyelids .

The applicator endpiece may be made with one or more applicator tips, each having a free end that makes it possible to draw a line. The applicator endpiece may be arranged to draw two lines simultaneously, where appropriate.

The applicator endpiece may optionally be of shape that is circularly symmetrical.

The applicator endpiece may comprise at least one axial groove .

The width of the axial groove may, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, decrease towards the head of the applicator endpiece.

In a variant, the width of the axial groove may approximately be uniform.

The length of the axial groove may be greater than or equal to 25 %, for example 50 %, of the total length of the applicator endpiece.^'

The axial groove may not be a through opening.

The axial groove may have a bottom at a depth that varies according to the axial position along the endpiece, for example decreasing towards the head of the endpiece .

The endpiece may, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, be provided with two opposite grooves, opening on opposite faces of the endpiece.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the endpiece may comprise a cylindrical portion in contact with the stem and having substantially the same diameter as the stem. When the applicator is in place on the container, this cylindrical portion may advantageously come into contact with one of the first or second portions to provide leaktightness .

The applicator endpiece makes it possible to draw a line of width that differs as a function of its orientation relative to the surface over which it is moved. To this end, the applicator endpiece may present a shape that is not circularly symmetrical.

Where appropriate, the handle portion may be open at its proximal end. Mounting the handle portion on the neck need not in itself provide leaktight closing from the outside, with it being possible for sealing to be obtained by means of the stem and/or the applicator endpiece. Thus, by way of example, sealing may be obtained by means of the applicator endpiece, the stem, and/or the handle portion.

With the exception of the applicator endpiece, the applicator may be made out of a polyolefin, e.g. polypropylene. Both the container and the insert may be made out of a polyolefin, e.g. out of the same material, e.g. polypropylene. Thus, the insert need not be made out of an elastomer,

The body of the container may be made out of a transparent material .

The stem of the applicator may be made as a single part out of thermoplastic material, e.g. a polyolefin, in particular polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) ; polyamide (PA) ; polyoxymethylene (POM) ; polystyrene (PS) ; or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) .

The handle portion or the stem may include sealing means that co-operate with the neck. The sealing means may be a cone-shaped surface that is formed on the stem or the handle portion and that comes into contact with the neck or a sealing skirt.

In the vicinity of its distal end, the stem may include a sealing bead that bears against the sleeve, such a bead being of thickness lying in the range 0.5 mm to 1 mm, for example.

The handle portion may be made with a shape that is not circularly symmetrical, and the applicator endpiece may be fastened in angularly- identified manner relative to the handle portion, in particular when the applicator endpiece is not itself circularly symmetrical, e.g. as when it is possible, depending on its orientation, to draw a fine line or a thick line, a single line or multiple lines. The handle portion may include indicator means for indicating the position of the applicator relative to the skin, e.g. a flat. The applicator may also include a visual indicator such as a shape or a sign, informing the user of the orientation of the applicator endpiece.

The level of the composition is preferably situated below the sleeve, so as to reduce any risk of leakage in the event of increased pressure.

The sleeve need not have a shoulder that is oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the sleeve. Sealing may be achieved other than by the stem bearing axially against such a shoulder. The stem of the applicator need not have a separate washer, unlike the stem described in EP 0 354 823 Bl.

The stem may present a cross-section that may be smaller or greater than the section of the bottom opening of the sleeve.

Other exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide a method of applying makeup to the eyelids, wherein a device as defined above is used.

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 longitudinal section of a packaging and applicator device made in accordance with the invention;

• Figure 2 shows a detail of Figure 1 ;

^■ Figures 3A to 3C are views similar to Figure 2 of variant embodiments;

■ Figures 4A to 4M show variant embodiments of applicator tips, with Figure 4B being a view as seen looking along IV of Figure 4A;

• Figures 5A to 5C show ways in which the applicator tip may be fastened to the stem of the applicator;

• Figures 6A to 6G show variant embodiments of the applicator, with Figure 6D being a cross-section on VI-VI of Figure 6C;

• Figure 7A shows a fragmentary longitudinal section of a variant embodiment of a packaging and applicator device of the invention;

- Figure 7B shows a container in isolation and made in accordance with a variant embodiment of the invention;

• Figure 7C is a diagrammatic cross-section of the body of the Figure 7B container;

■ Figure 8 shows a variant embodiment of a container;

■ Figure 9 shows a variant embodiment of the distal portion of the stem of the applicator ;

• Figures 10, 1OA and 1OB are elevation views of variant devices,- and

Figure 11 is an elevation view of the device of Figure 1OA where the applicator has been removed from the container.

Figure 1 shows a packaging and applicator device 1 comprising a container 2 containing a cosmetic P for application, e.g. an eyeliner, and an applicator 3 that is suitable for fastening in removable manner on the container 2.

The applicator 3 is separate from the container 2 while the composition P is being applied.

The composition P is preferably liquid, and may contain pigments such as iron oxides or carbon black and an alcohol, or some other solvent, for example.

The container 2 includes a body 4 that is closed at its bottom by a bottom wall 6, and that is open at its top. By way of example, the body 4 is made of a thermoplastic material by injection-molding or by injection blow-molding.

An insert 10 is fastened in the top opening of the body, e.g. by snap-fastening .

As shown, the insert 10 may include a tubular fastener skirt 11 that co-operates with a portion in relief 12 formed on the inside surface of the body 4. By way of example, the skirt 11 may include an annular groove that snap- fastens on a bead formed on the inside surface of the container body.

The insert 10 is formed with a neck 14 that enables the applicator 3 to be fastened on the container. In the embodiment shown, the neck 14 includes an external thread 15, and the applicator 3 is arranged to be screw- fastened on the thread, said applicator including an internally- threaded mounting skirt 37 for this purpose.

On its surface that comes to face the mounting skirt 11 of the insert 10, the container 2 may include axial ribs, and the mounting skirt 11 may include corresponding grooves, or vice versa, so as to prevent the insert 10 from moving on the body 4. In a variant, the insert 10 may also be heat-sealed onto the container.

The insert 10 may include a collar 17 that bears against the top end 18 of the body 4, as shown.

In accordance with the invention, the insert 10 is made with an inner sleeve 20 that is open axially at its bottom end. The sleeve 20 includes two successive portions 21 and 22 that, in the embodiment under consideration, are cone-shaped around the longitudinal axis X of the container, and diverge upwards, forming respective angles at the apex a_± and a₂ relative to the axis X, as shown in Figure 2.

The portions 21 and 22 extend at a distance from the side wall of the body 4. Thus, an annular groove is formed between the sleeve 20 and the body 4.

In the variant shown in Figure 3C, the sleeve includes more than two successive portions of different slopes, e.g. three portions 21, 22, and 25. The last portion 25 may be substantially circularly cylindrical of axis X, as shown.

It can be seen in Figure 3C that the stem 32 may come into contact with the second portion 22 and that the endpiece may come into contact with the sleeve, e.g. at the junction between the second and third portions.

As shown, the first portion 21 may be connected to a transverse wall 23 of the insert, at the base of the neck 14, which insert extends perpendicularly to the axis X and, at its periphery, defines the collar 17. The inside surface 24 of the first portion 21 may extend, without a step, in the extension of the inside surface of the neck 26, as shown.

The applicator 3 includes a handle portion 30 and a stem 32 that is connected at its proximal end to the handle portion 30, and that carries at its distal end, an applicator endpiece 35.

The applicator endpiece 35 is used to apply composition P and may include a flocked coating and/or one or more capillary grooves, in particular for increasing the quantity of composition stored by the applicator and/or for channeling the flow of composition P towards the distal end of the applicator endpiece.

By way of example, the applicator endpiece 35 includes a single applicator tip, as shown in Figure 1.

The applicator endpiece 35 may comprise a foam, a felt, a flocked body, in particular a body made of PE, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) , or polyurethane (PU) .

At its distal end, the stem 32 may present a bevel 32a.

In the embodiment in Figure 1, the stem 32 is fitted on the handle portion 30, said stem including, e.g. at its proximal end, a mounting skirt 36 that is force- fitted and/or snap- fastened in an adapted housing of the handle portion 30.

The inside surface 24 of the first portion 21 need not have any projection- forming portion in relief on its inside surface that faces the stem 32.

A change in slope is formed, without a step, at the junction 29 of the first and second portions 21, 22.

In the embodiment under consideration, the applicator endpiece 35 comes into contact with the inside surface 40 of the second portion 22.

In the embodiment under consideration, the stem 32 comes to bear against the inside surface 40 of the second portion 22.

The inside surface 24 of the first portion 21 does not itself come into contact with the stem 32.

It can be seen in Figure 1 that the distal end 32b of the stem 32 does not project beyond the bottom of the sleeve 20, unlike the applicator endpiece 35.

In variants not shown, it is only the stem 32 or the applicator endpiece 35 that comes into leaktight contact with the inside surface 40 of the second portion.

When the container is standing on a horizontal plane surface, the level of the composition in said container need not reach the applicator endpiece, thereby reducing the risk of composition leaking in the event of increased pressure in the container. The level of the composition preferably also remains below the distal end of the sleeve 20.

The applicator endpiece 35 and/or the stem 32 bearing against the second portion 22 make it possible to form a closure that avoids the composition flowing into the space 43 formed between the stem 32 and the sleeve 20, when the container is closed.

The slope a₂ may be greater than Q₁ as shown in Figure 2. In a variant, as shown in Figure 3A, the angle αi is greater than the angle α₂. The slope «i or Ci₂ is defined as being the half-angle at the apex of the cone having a generator line that creates the inside surface 40 or 24, respectively.

When the applicator is in place on the container, the distance e between the stem 32 and the inside surface 24 of the first portion 21 may be greater than or equal to 0.5 mm at all points.

By way of example, the axial dimension C₁ of the first portion 21 is greater than the axial dimension P₂ of the second portion 22. By way of example, f.₂ lies in the range 1 mm to 20 mm, in particular in the range 4 mm to

6 mm, e.g. 5 mm .

As shown in Figure 2, the second portion 22 may come into contact with the applicator endpiece 35 via its distal end 46.

The applicator endpiece 35 may also come into contact with the second portion 22 over a height d measured along the longer axis X, as shown in Figure 3A.

Regardless of the embodiment of the inner sleeve 20 and of the applicator endpiece 35, it is possible to have a contact height d between the applicator endpiece 35 and the second portion 22 that lies in the range 0.2 mm to

5 mm, for example.

The applicator endpiece 35 may include a cone-shaped portion 50 that has the same slope as the second portion 22, so as to enable contact to take place over a relatively long distance.

Figure 3B shows the possibility of the applicator endpiece 35 coming into contact with the inside surface 40 of the second portion 22 via a portion 55 adjacent to the stem 32. This makes it possible to create an annular space 56 between the applicator endpiece 35 and the inner sleeve 20, in which space composition P may accumulate before the applicator is removed.

Figure 3B also shows the possibility of the second portion 22 not being cone-shaped, but having an inside surface 40 that is circularly cylindrical around the axis X₁ for example.

As shown in Figure 3A, the stem 32 of the applicator may present a cross- section that is greater than the bottom opening of the second portion 22, or greater than the inside section of the sleeve at the junction of the first and second portions. The stem 32 may also present a bottom section, as shown in Figure 3B. In this figure, it can be seen that the section of the stem is smaller than the bottom opening of the sleeve,

The applicator endpiece 35 may be made with various shapes, and, as shown in Figure 4C for example, with a circularly- symmetrical cone shape around the axis X.

In a variant, as shown in Figure 4M, the applicator endpiece 35 may be cylindrical-shaped and provided with a rounded head 60. The rounded head 60 may, for example, be substantially hemispherical as shown in Figure 4M.

As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the applicator endpiece 35 may also be made with a head 60 that is flat along a plane S that is parallel to the plane in Figure 4A, e.g. having a thickness w measured perpendicularly to the plane that is constant over a nonzero distance along the axis X. When the head 60 is observed perpendicularly to the plane S, as in Figure 4A, the applicator endpiece may present a constriction 62 between its portion 64 for connection to the stem 32, and the head 60 that presents a shape passing via a maximum of width s .

The applicator endpiece may alternatively be made with a fork 67 at its end, as shown in Figure 4D . Other examples of applicator endpieces having multiple tips are described in EP 1 336 353 Al.

Figure 4E shows an example of an endpiece 35 comprising an applicator tip that is flocked.

The applicator endpiece 35 may alternatively comprise an applicator tip comprising a bundle of fibers, as shown in Figures 4F and 41. Figure 4F represents a felt tip whereas Figure 41 represents a brush tip. The distal end of the applicator endpiece may present a generally beveled shape, as shown in Figure 4G. In particular, the beveled shape may be obtained by means of a plurality of projections of decreasing length, as shown, or, in a variant, by a single applicator tip having an end face that is beveled.

As shown in Figure 4H, the housing 49 of the stem 32 receiving the applicator endpiece 35 may include a vent 39 that may, for example, open out, as shown, to face the portion of the applicator endpiece 35 that is inserted into the stem. In a variant not shown, the vent 39 opens out into a portion of the housing 49 that is situated above the applicator endpiece 35.

Whatever the embodiment of the applicator endpiece 35 considered, the applicator endpiece 35 may comprise at least one axial groove 200 as shown in figures 4J to 4L.

The width z of the groove 200 may, as represented in figures 4J and 4L, decrease towards the head 60.

In a variant, whatever the shape of the applicator endpiece 35, the width z of the axial groove 200 may approximately be uniform as shown in figure 4K.

The length I₃ of the axial groove 200 may be greater than or equal to 25 %, for example 50 %, of the total length I₄ of the applicator endpiece 35 as shown for example in Figure 4L.

Figures 4J and 4L do not show axial grooves 200 that extend over the head 60. In a variant, the axial groove 200 may extend over the head 60, for example over a disc- shaped head.

The head 60 of the applicator endpiece 35 may be disc-shaped or ball-shaped as shown in Figure 4L. When the head 60 of the applicator endpiece 35 is disc-shaped, the disc may be facing forward on a same side as the groove 200.

The groove 200 may not be a through opening.

The groove 200 may have a bottom at a depth that varies according to the axial position along the endpiece 35, for example decreasing towards the head 60.

The endplece 35 may, in an exemplary embodiment of the invention, be provided with two opposite grooves 200, opening on opposite faces of the endpiece 35.

In particular, the presence of the vent 39 enables air to escape in the event of increased pressure inside the container, in particular in the event of leaktight contact between the portion of stem 32 that is situated below the vent 39 and the sleeve 20. Air may possibly flow through the applicator endpiece when the porosity of said endpiece allows it, or through a mounting clearance that exists between the applicator endpiece and the housing of the stem that receives it.

The applicator endpiece 35 may be mounted on the stem 32 in various ways, without going beyond the ambit of the present invention.

For example, and as shown in Figure 5A, the applicator endpiece 35 may be made with a mounting portion 70 that is inserted into a housing 71 of the stem 32. The stem 32 may be stamped in its portion that overlies the mounting portion 70, so as to form a constriction 73 that participates in holding the applicator endpiece 35 on the stem 32.

The applicator endpiece 35 may alternatively be molded onto a fastener portion in relief 76 that is formed at the end of the stem 32, as shown in Figure 5B .

The stem 32 may be hollow and the applicator endpiece may include a shouldered rear portion 80 that comes to bear against a shoulder 81 in the proximity of the distal end of the stem 32.

The applicator endpiece 35 may alternatively be bonded, heat-sealed, or stapled on the stem 32.

The applicator endpiece 35 may be made with a flocked coating 90 or without a flocked coating, in particular as a function of the makeup effect that is desired.

In addition, the endpiece 35 may comprise a cylindrical portion 201 in contact with the stem 32 and having substantially the same diameter as the stem 32.

This cylindrical portion 201 may come into contact with one of the first or second portions to advantageously provide leaktightness when the applicator is in place on the container.

Figures 6A to 6G show variant embodiments of the applicator .

In the embodiment in Figure 6A, the stem 32 is molded integrally with the handle portion 30, with an annular sealing lip 92 that comes to bear against the inside surface of the neck of the container, and with an internally-threaded mounting skirt 93 that is configured to be screw- fastened on the neck 14. As shown, it can be seen that the stem 32 may extend over more than half the length of the handle portion, and that the stem may be connected to the handle portion in the proximity of the proximal end thereof .

The stem 32 may be connected to the handle portion 30 in the vicinity of the proximal end 94 thereof.

The handle portion 30 may be made with at least one opening 100, as shown in Figure 6B.

The handle portion 30 may alternatively be made with one or more fins 102, as shown in Figures 6C and 6D.

The handle portion 30 may be made with ribs or steps, as shown in Figure 6E in particular, so as to avoid too much thickness of material.

The stem 32 may be made with sealing means 110, as shown in Figure 6F. By way of example, the sealing means 110 include a cone-shaped surface, as shown, that may bear in leaktight manner against the neck of the container, for example.

The stem 32 may be made with a constriction 120, as shown in Figure 6G₇ that may impart more flexibility to the stem 32 during application. The constriction may be a flattening of the stem in one direction, so as to impart more flexibility to the stem in that direction, without changing the flexibility of the stem in a perpendicular direction. In a variant, the constriction 120 is formed by an annular groove that increases the flexibility of the stem 32 in any direction.

As shown in Figure 7A, the container may be made with ribs 105 that are transverse to the longitudinal axis X. Similar ribs 106 may be made on the applicator 3.

The insert 10 may be fastened on bodies 4 of various shapes . An economy of scale may thus be achieved by fabricating the same insert for containers of various shapes .

The body 4 may include a series of radial fins 108, as shown in Figures 7B and 7C.

Figure 8 shows the possibility of molding the sleeve 20 integrally with the body 4. The container may then include a bottom wall 6 that is fitted on the body 4 and that is, for example, fastened thereon by snap- fastening, heat-sealing, adhesive, or screw- fastening, amongst others possibilities.

As shown in Figure 9, the stem 32 of the applicator may include an annular bead 32d for coming into contact with the second portion 22 of the sleeve, e.g. in leaktight manner. By way of example, the bead 32d may project over thickness e lying in the range 0.5 mm to

1 mm relative to the adjacent surface of the stem 32 that may be circularly cylindrical.

An assembly formed of an applicator and of an insert may be mounted on a container in removable manner, and once the composition has been used up, the container may be replaced by a new full container that optionally has the same appearance. In a variant, the applicator may also be used on a new container once the composition contained in the initial container has been used up.

Numerous shapes are possible for the container and the applicator.

The envelope surface of the container may present a shape having a constriction at mid-height, as shown in Figure 10.

Whatever the embodiment of the device 1, the envelope surface of the container 2 may comprise a cylindrical part 300 as shown in Figures 1OA, 1OB and 11,

Moreover, as shown in Figures 1OA, 1OB and 11, the width of the envelope surface of the container 2 may decrease towards the neck 14.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. Characteristics from the variant embodiments described above, may be combined together within embodiments that are not shown.

The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless specified to the contrary.

Claims

1. A packaging and applicator device (1) for applying a cosmetic composition (P) , the device comprising:

• an applicator (3) comprising:

■ a stem (32) ; and

■ an applicator endpiece (35) that is carried by the stem (32) ; and

• a container (2) containing the composition for application, and comprising:

^■ a body (4) ;

• an outer neck (14) for fastening the applicator (3) on the container (2) ; and

• an inner sleeve (20) that is molded integrally with the neck, the sleeve comprising first and second portions (21 and 22) that extend

consecutively towards the bottom wall (6) of the container, with a change in slope between the two portions, the first portion (21) extending without contact with the stem (32) , and the second portion

(22) coming into leaktight contact with at least one of the applicator endpiece (35) and the distal half of the stem (32) when the applicator is in place on the container.

2. A device according to claim 1, the first portion (21) being cone-shaped.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, the second portion (22) being cone-shaped.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, the second portion (22) coming into contact with the stem (32) .

5. A device according to any preceding claim, the second portion (22) coming into contact with the applicator endpiece (35) .

6. A device according to any preceding claim, the neck (14) being threaded.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, the stem (32) being terminated by a distal portion (32a) that is cone-shaped.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, the distal end (32b) of the stem not projecting beyond the distal end of the sleeve (20) when the applicator is in place on the container .

9. A device according to claim 2, the slope (αi) of the first portion (21) lying in the range 10° to 35°, in particular about 23°.

10. A device according to claim 3, the slope {a₂} of the second portion (22) lying in the range 0.5° to 9°, in particular about 2°.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, the axial dimension (P₂) of the second portion (22) lying in the range 1 mm to 20 mm.

12. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the stem (32) being connected to a handle portion (30) of the applicator and being made integrally with a mounting skirt (93) that is arranged to fasten on the neck, the stem (32) extending over more than half the length of the handle portion.

13. A device according to claim 12, the stem (32) being connected to the handle portion in the proximity of the proximal end thereof.

14. A device according to any preceding claim, the composition (P) being an eyeliner or a tattoo

composition.

15. A device according to any preceding claim, the

endpiece (35) comprising an axial groove (200) .

16. A device according to the preceding claim, the length (I₃) of the axial groove (200) being greater than or equal to 25 %, for example 50 %, of the total length (I₄)of the applicator endpiece (35) .

17. A device according to any preceding claim, the

endpiece (35) comprising a cylindrical portion (201) in contact with the stem (32) and having substantially the same diameter as the stem (32) .

18. A method of applying makeup to the eyelids, wherein a device as defined in any preceding claim is used to draw a line on the eyelids.