WO2011073955A1

WO2011073955A1 - A vibrator applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2011073955A1
Application number: PCT/IB2010/055920
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Louis Gueret
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2009-12-18
Filing date: 2010-12-17
Publication date: 2011-06-23
Also published as: FR2954059B1; CN102655783A; FR2954059A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vibrator applicator (2) for applying a composition to the skin or the lips, the applicator comprising: • a grip portion (11) that houses a vibration source; and • an applicator portion (10) that is arranged to come into contact with the skin or the lips via at least one application face (10a); both the grip portion and the applicator portion presenting a generally flat shape, each with a greatest width (w) that is at least three times the greatest thickness.

Description

A VIBRATOR APPLICATOR

The present invention relates to vibrator

applicators for applying a makeup or a care-product composition to human keratinous materials such as the skin, for example.

Various vibrator applicators are known from

application WO 2006/090343 and US 2006/0265821. KR 2004 0034055 describes a make-up device.

There exists a need for novel vibrator applicators that make it possible to diversify still further the conditions for applying a makeup or a care-product composition, in particular to the skin.

First exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a vibrator applicator for applying a composition to the skin or the lips, the applicator comprising:

^. a grip portion that houses a vibration source; and

^. an applicator portion that is arranged to come into contact with the skin or the lips via at least one application face;

both the grip portion and the applicator portion presenting a generally flat shape, each with a greatest width that is at least three times, better four times, the greatest thickness.

The width and the thickness are measured in a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis extending between the ends of the applicator that are distal and proximal relative to the user.

The application face may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Such an applicator may be made with small thickness, thereby making it possible to house it in a flat casing, for example .

The applicator may also present an application face that is relatively large.

By way of example ·, the cross-section of the

applicator portion is of shape that is generally rectangular, kidney-shaped, or oblong, and may optionally include openings .

An applicator of the invention is particularly suited to applying a makeup, by enabling the user to determine easily the amount of pressure that is exerted on the zone being treated.

The applicator may be made with a thickness that is less than or equal to 15 millimeters (mm) , or even less than or equal to 12.5 mm, or less than or equal to 10 mm.

Other exemplary embodiments of the invention also provide a vibrator applicator for applying a composition to the skin or the lips, the applicator comprising:

. a grip portion that houses a vibration source and that presents a generally flat shape;, and

· an applicator portion having an application face that is defined by a flexible material that is arranged to come into contact with the skin or the lips and that extends continuously between the grip portion and the distal end of the applicator.

The term "flexible material" should be understood to mean a material that is capable of deforming easily on coming into contact with the skin or the lips, e.g. a. foam, flocking, a paint brush, a felt, a flexible

membrane made of elastomer.

The following applies equally well to both of the above-mentioned exemplary embodiments ,

The applicator may include reinforcement that extends inside the applicator portion or on the side of the applicator portion remote from the application face.

The grip portion may include a housing that is open towards the distal end of the applicator, and the

applicator portion may be engaged, in part, in the housing.

The applicator portion and the grip portion may be flat along a common flatness plane.

The grip portion may be defined by a rigid

thermoplastic material. The above-mentioned reinforcement may contribute to transmitting vibration well away from the grip portion, even though, by its very nature, the applicator portion presents damping properties that do not favor the transmission of vibration without attenuation.

The reinforcement may be made by being molded integrally with a portion of the grip portion that defines at least part of a grip surface for the user. This may simplify manufacture of the applicator.

The reinforcement may be plane or it may have a shape that is not plane, e.g. slightly convex or

undulating. The reinforcement may include openings.

The reinforcement may be flexible enough to flex in visible manner during application. In a variant, the reinforcement need not flex in visible manner during application .

The applicator portion may be fastened in removable manner to the applicator, so as to make it possible to remove it for cleaning, for example. Alternatively, the applicator portion may be fastened in non- removable manner .

Thus, the applicator portion may be fastened in removable manner to the grip portion. When reinforcement is present, the applicator portion and the reinforcement may be mounted in removable manner on the grip portion, the reinforcement optionally being outside the applicator portion.

The applicator portion, also referred to as the applicator member, may comprise a block of foam, e.g. having open cells, said block of foam possibly being flocked or treated at its surface by abrasion. The applicator portion may be formed of a flexible material, as mentioned above.

The foam may be adhesively-bonded to the

reinforcement or fastened thereto by some other means, e.g. by heat- sealing . The applicator portion may also be free relative to the reinforcement. The reinforcement need not be fastened to the applicator portion over the entire area of its face facing the applicator portion.

The reinforcement may extend over the back of the block of foam or other applicator member, being narrower than the visible portion of the block of foam or other applicator member, and having a distal end that is situated set back from the distal end of the block of foam or other applicator member. The reinforcement may have a face remote from the applicator portion that is visible.

The grip portion may comprise a casing made out of two portions that are assembled one on the other. Where appropriate, the two portions may be interconnected via a hinge .

In some exemplary embodiments, the applicator portion may be held between the two portions of the casing.

The applicator may include a control member, also referred to as a switch, that triggers operation of the vibration source, the control member preferably being situated on a main face of the grip portion. By way of example, the switch may be situated on the same side as the application face of the applicator portion or on the opposite side.

The control member may comprise an actuator button, in particular a lever, that is molded integrally with one of the portions of the casing, and possibly molded integrally with the reinforcement.

The vibration source may include a casing, and the control member may include a button that is molded integrally with the casing.

The applicator portion need not include any

openings, in plan view in a direction that is

perpendicular to the flatness plane.

The casing of the vibration source may be molded integrally with the grip portion, e.g. being constituted by the grip portion. The vibration source may be fastened in removable manner in a housing of the grip portion. By way of example, the housing opens out into a main face of the grip portion. The vibration source may be contained in a casing that is generally flat, e.g. generally figure- eight shaped, and that is received in the above-mentioned housing.

The vibration source may be fastened in removable manner in the grip portion by being received in the thickness of the grip portion, and possibly by being received in its entirety in the thickness of the grip portion.

The invention also provides a unit comprising:

. an applicator as defined above;

· a casing that presents a housing for. receiving the applicator; and

. a composition contained in the casing and for taking with the applicator and/or a composition comprised in the applicator portion of the applicator. .

The applicator may be removable from the housing.

The composition may be a cosmetic, e.g. make-up, and/or care product .

The casing may be of shape that is flat, e.g. of thickness that is less than or equal to 20 mm.

The invention also provides a method of cosmetic treatment by means of an applicator as defined above. The applicator portion may be deformed during

application, e.g. with flexing of the distal portion of the applicator portion that extends beyond the

reinforcement if present, the flexing taking place in a direction away from the application face. During application, the slope of the reinforcement relative to the skin lies in the range 1° to 60°, for example. The reinforcement may optionally flex during application.

The applicator portion may be moved over the skin in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the width of the applicator, with the reinforcement facing in the opposite direction to the direction of advance, if the reinforcement is present.

In other exemplary embodiments, and independently or in combination with the above, the invention provides a vibrator applicator comprising:

^. a grip portion that houses a vibration source and that presents a generally flat shape; and

. an applicator portion of shape that is flat, preferably along the same flatness plane as the grip portion.

The applicator may include reinforcement that is more rigid than the applicator portion, that is fastened to the grip portion, and that extends over the back of the applicator portion or inside said applicator portion.

In other exemplary embodiments, and independently or in combination with the above, the invention also

provides a vibrator applicator comprising:

^. a grip portion that houses a vibration source; - an applicator portion that is suitable for

applying a composition to the skin or the lips, and that is elongate along a longitudinal axis of the applicator; and

. a reinforcement that is more rigid than the applicator portion, that is fastened to the . grip portion, and that extends over the back of the applicator portion.

In these exemplary embodiments of the invention, although a flat shape for the grip portion and/or for the applicator portion is not essential, it is preferred.

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 perspective view showing an example of a packaging and applicator device made in accordance with the invention;

. Figure 2 shows the applicator of the Figure 1 device in isolation,- • Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the applicator

• Figure 4 is a side view of the applicator as seen looking along arrow IV in Figure 2 ;

· Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing a variant embodiment of the applicator;

• Figures 6 to 10 are views similar to Figure 4, showing variant embodiments of the applicator;

• Figures llA and 11B show examples of how component elements of the vibration source can be arranged inside the applicator;

• Figure 12 shows a variant embodiment of the vibration-source motor in isolation;

• Figure 13 is a plan view showing a variant embodiment of the applicator;

• Figure 14 shows the vibration source in isolation, after its casing has been opened;

^. Figures 15 and 16 are plan views showing variant embodiments of the applicator;

· Figure 17 is a side view of a variant embodiment of the applicator;

• Figure 18 shows the possibility of mounting the applicator on a handle;

• Figures 19 and 20 show examples of packaging and applicator devices made in accordance with the invention;

• Figure 21 is a rear side view showing a variant embodiment of the applicator;

• Figure 22 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section showing a variant applicator;

· Figure 23 shows a variant applicator;

^. Figure 24 shows a fragmentary longitudinal section of an embodiment of the applicator of Figure 23; and

• Figure 25 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing an example of a packaging and applicator device made in accordance with the invention. Figure 1 shows a casing 3 that includes at least one composition P for application to human keratinous materials by means of an applicator 2.

By way of example, the composition P is contained in a dish, e.g. a metal dish, that is not visible and that is received in a base 4 of the casing 3, with said base being of greatest thickness E.

By way of example, the composition P is a foundation that has been cast or compacted, a blusher, or an eyeshadow. The composition P may contain pigments, e.g. pigments based on iron oxides.

The base 4 may include, a housing 5 for receiving the applicator 2, the housing 5 being provided in its bottom wall with a ventilation grid 6, for example.

The presence of ventilation within the casing enables the applicator to dry out if used with water.

As shown, the casing 3 may be provided with a hinged lid 8 having an inside face 9 that is reflective or provided with a mirror, for example.

In a variant, the composition P is cast directly into a housing of the . base 4.

In another variant that is not shown, the lid 3 may be completely separate from the_. base 4, e.g. being fastened thereto by snap- fastening, by friction, or by screw- fastening . The lid 3 may also be hinged on the base in some other way.

The applicator 2 comprises an applicator member 10, also referred to as an applicator portion, and a grip ^' portion 11 that incorporates a vibration source that enables the applicator member 10 to be subjected to vibration while the applicator 2 is being used for applying the composition P to keratinous materials.

The applicator 2 includes a control member 13 that enables the user to trigger the operation, of the

vibration source. For example, the vibration source operates while the user is pressing on the control member Figure 25 shows another embodiment of casing 3.

In the embodiment shown, the opening 303 enables the introduction of the applicator member 10 in the housing 5. The housing 5 may have a cross -section that is similar to that of the applicator member 10.

The applicator member 10 is for example a foam, flocked or not. The inside face 9 of the lid 8 may be provided with a mirror M as shown.

With reference to Figures 2 to 4 , it can be seen that the applicator 2 includes reinforcement 20 over the back of the applicator member 10, covering part of its rear main face. The term "main faces of the applicator member 10" means its large faces, when the applicator . member presents a generally flat shape, as shown.

In Figure 4, it can be seen that the applicator member 10 and the grip portion are flat along a common plane S .

By way of example, the reinforcement 20 is formed by an extension of a wall 21 of a casing 22 of the

applicator 2, the casing 22 being formed, for example, by assembling together two portions, namely a first or

"bottom" portion 21 and a second or "top" portion 24 that may be fastened to the bottom portion 21 in various ways, e.g. by heat- sealing, by adhesive, by snap-fastening, or by some other means . The two portions are possibly interconnected via a film-hinge. By way of example, the reinforcement 20 is parallel to the plane S.

The applicator member 10 may be engaged, in part, between the bottom and top portions 21 and 24.

By way of example, the applicator member 10 is engaged inside the casing 22 over a distance that is greater than or equal to 3 mm.

When the applicator 2 is observed from below, as in Figure 3 , in a direction that is perpendicular to the reinforcement 20, the reinforcement 20 may be situated so as to be set back from the peripheral edge 30 of the applicator member, e.g. set back by a distance t that is greater than or equal to 1 mm, or even greater than or equal to 3 mm, or greater than or equal to 5 mm. In this way, contact between the reinforcement and the skin is avoided during use .

The applicator member 10 may be fastened to the grip portion 11 in various ways, in particular as a function of the way in which the applicator member 10 is made.

When the applicator member 10 includes or is

constituted by a foam, e.g. a foam that is flocked on its surface and that has cells that are open, semi-open, or closed, the applicator member 10 may be adhesively-bonded to the bottom portion 21 of the casing 22, e.g.

adhesively-bonded to the inside face of the reinforcement 20. The adhesive need not cover all of the face of the reinforcement 20 facing the applicator member 10.

Alternatively, the applicator member 10 may be fastened to the grip portion 11 by some other means, as described below.

By way of example, the applicator member 10 is a foam or a felt made of latex, nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) , styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) ., silicone,

polyurethane (PU) hydrogel, polyether, polyester, PU.

The shape of the applicator member, in particular when it is constituted by a foam, may be obtained by cutting out, and then possibly machining. For example, the applicator member may be cut out with a rectangular shape, and then machined so as to round its corners, e.g. so as to give the applicator member a rounded outline, e.g. a semi-circular outline.

The reinforcement may be made of polyethylene (PE) , polypropylene (PP) , polyamide, polyoxymethylene {POM) , polyvinyl chloride {PVC) , or other thermoplastic or thermoplastic elastomer materials.

In general, the thickness of the reinforcement 20 lies in the range 0.3 mm to 3 mm, for example. The visible length L of the applicator member 10 is greater than or equal to 20 mm, for example. By way of example, the thickness of the applicator is less than or equal to 15 mm, being 11 mm, for example. By way of example, the greatest visible width w of the applicator member 10 is greater than or equal to 30 mm, or even greater than or equal to 40 mm. The same may apply for the greatest width W of the grip portion.

The reinforcement 20 may present a generally

rectangular shape with rounded corners, as shown in

Figure 3. In a. variant, the reinforcement 20 may present some other shape, e.g. a semi -circular shape, as shown in Figure 5.

The vibration source may be made in various ways and may comprise an electric motor driving an off-center flyweight in rotation, and an energy source comprising at least one battery, e.g. a button battery.

Figure 23 shows an embodiment of applicator 2_.

wherein the applicator member 10 comprises a product P to be applied.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 23, the product P may be comprised in a recess of the applicator member 10.

The product P may be in solid form, in particular in the form of a cake of product. The cake of product may. be of any form when seen in plan view, for e.g.: circular, oblong, oval or polygonal. The cake of product may, in particular, be a foundation.

The applicator member 10 may be a foam and

optionally include flocking at its surface.

The applicator 2 shown in Figure 23 may optionally comprise a reinforcement.

Figure 24 shows the recess 200 of the applicator member 10 wherein the product P is present.

The thickness e₁ of the product P may be at least lmm, better at least 2mm, better at least 5mm.

The bottom part 201 of the recess 200 may, as shown, be flat when viewed in longitudinal cross -section. In a not shown variant, the bottom part 201 may present a slope or a non-zero curvature when viewed in longitudinal cross-section.

Figure 11A shows an embodiment of an applicator 2 after the casing 22 has been opened, i.e. the top portion 24 of the casing 22 has been removed.

In this embodiment, it can be seen that the

applicator member 10 may be engaged inside the casing 22 over a distance d that is relatively long, e.g. greater than or equal to 5 mm, or greater than or equal to 8 mm, or even greater.

The opening of the casing.22, through which the applicator member 10 projects, may be of generally rectangular shape, of width corresponding substantially to the thickness e of the applicator member 10.

The vibration source may comprise an electric motor 40 and at least one electric battery 41 for electrically powering the electric motor. By way of example, the electric motor 40 is a disk motor as described in application FR 08/06489. The speed of rotation of the motor may lie in the range 2500 revolutions per minute {rpm) to 20000 rpm, for example. The motor 40 and the battery 41 may be disposed on either side of a

longitudinal axis X of the applicator 2, as shown in Figure 11A. The motor 40 and the battery 41 may equally well be disposed one behind the other along the

longitudinal axis X, as shown in Figure 11B.

In Figures 11A and 11B, it can be seen that the battery 41 may have a face that is in contact with a conductive blade 44. The blade 44 may be connected, via an electric wire, to one terminal of the motor 40. The other terminal of the motor may be connected, via an electric wire, to a conductive blade that is secured to a lever of the control member 13 that , by way of example , comprises a lever that is molded integrally with the top portion 24 of the casing 22. When the user actuates the lever of the control member 13, the metal blade 44 comes to bear against a terminal of the battery and closes the electrical circuit, thereby connecting the battery to the motor .

In Figures 11A and 11B, it can be seen that the bottom portion 22 of the casing may, where appropriate, be made with portions in relief 46 that come to hold the applicator member 10.

As shown in Figure 12, the disk motor may be replaced by an axial motor that includes a shaft driving an off-center fly-weight 47 about an axis of rotation R. The axis of rotation may be parallel or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the device.

Figure 13 shows a variant embodiment in which the vibration source is received in a housing 50 of the grip portion 11. The vibration source may be mounted in removable manner in the grip portion. In order to make it easier to remove the removable source, an orifice may be provided in the bottom of the housing 50, through which orifice an ejector tool may pass for ejecting the vibration source, e.g. the tip of a pencil. The

vibration source may be received, in its entirety in the thickness of the grip portion 11.

By way of example, the grip portion 11 is made as a single part by molding.

By way of example, the vibration source is contained in a casing 53, e.g. comprising two portions 54 and 55 that are interconnected via a hinge 56, in particular a film-hinge,, as shown in Figure 14. The casing may be generally figure-eight shaped, defining two cavities containing the battery and the motor respectively.

In Figures 13 and 14, it can be seen that the casing 53 of the vibration source may be of various shapes.

The lever of the control member 13 is molded integrally with a portion 55 of the casing, for example.

The casing 53 may be fastened in the grip portion 11 in optionally-removable manner, e.g. by clamping or by snap- fastening . The top portion 55 of the casing 53 may be fastened to the bottom portion 54 in optionally-permanent manner, a non-permanent closure being preferable so as to make recycling easier.

In Figure 2, it can be seen that the control member

13 may be situated on the same side of the applicator as the grip member, i.e. on the side remote from the reinforcement 20. Thus, the application face 10a is situated on the same side as the control member 13.

In a variant, as shown in Figure 6, the control member 13 is situated on the same side as the

reinforcement 20.

The reinforcement 20 may be outside the applicator member .10, as shown in Figures 4 and 6.

In a variant, as shown in Figure 7, the

reinforcement 20 is inside the applicator member 10, the applicator member being hollow, for example, and the reinforcement 20 extending inside the applicator member 10.

When the applicator member 10 is hollow in

particular, the reinforcement 20 may contribute to fastening the applicator member 10 to the applicator, as shown in Figure 8.

For example, at its connection with the grip portion 11, the reinforcement 20 may present a portion in relief

70 that is suitable for fastening the applicator member

10 to the applicator by snap-fastening.

For example, the reinforcement 20 is connected to the grip portion 11 via a thin portion, and the

applicator member 10 includes, for example, a rim 72 that is suitable for snap- fastening in a groove that is formed by the thin zone.

In the embodiment in Figure 8, the applicator member

10 may include flocking 74 at its surface.

In a variant, as shown in Figure 9, the applicator member 10 is constituted by flocking 75 that is fastened directly on the reinforcement 20, e.g. on the two main faces thereof, or, in a variant , on only one of its faces.

In the variant embodiment in Figure 10, the

applicator member 10 is pinched between the top and bottom portions 22 and 24 of the grip portion, the top and bottom portions being suitable for presenting respective rims 80 and 81 that come to hold the

applicator member 10. The applicator member 10 may thus become pinched between the reinforcement 20 and the top and bottom portions 22 and 24. This makes it possible for the applicator member 10 to be fastened in removable manner, said applicator member being capable of being removed after the grip portion has been opened.

In a variant, the reinforcement 20 may be outside the applicator member, and the applicator member 10 may be pinched between the portions 22 and 24, without the reinforcement 20 being interposed therebetween.

Figure 22 shows a variant embodiment of the

applicator, in which embodiment the applicator member 10 comprises an elastomer membrane in the form of a flat sleeve that is closed at its distal end, defining an inside space 10c. The membrane may optionally be^' flocked and may be fastened to the grip portion 11 by snap- fastening or by some other means .

The applicator 2 may be of various shapes, in particular it may have an outline that is circular or substantially circular when observed from above, as shown in Figure 15. The outline of the reinforcement 20 may be substantially similar in shape to the outline of the applicator member 10.

Where appropriate, the applicator member 10 may include heat-sealing 90 at its periphery, and that may contribute to stiffening it. In the presence in

particular of such heat-sealing 90, the reinforcement 20 may be inside the applicator member 10, in which event the applicator member may comprise two portions that are disposed on each of the main faces of the reinforcement 20 and that are heat-sealed to each other at their peripheries. Alternatively, the reinforcement 20 may be outside the applicator member 10.

The applicator member 10 may be constituted by a paint brush, as shown in Figure 17, having bristles that may be longer than the reinforcement 20, or by a felt.

In the embodiment in Figure 18, the applicator 2 is designed to be mounted in a handle 100 that thus

constitutes the grip portion 11 of the applicator 2, or that may constitute an extension of the grip portion 11 when the casing of the applicator 2 is inserted only in part into the handle.

Where appropriate, the handle 100 may include a notch 110 enabling the user to actuate the switch 13 while the applicator 2 is in place in the handle 100.

Figure 19 shows the possibility of housing the composition P in a pot 120 that is provided with a removable lid 121 that co-operates with the body of the pot by screw- fastening, for example. By way of example, the applicator 2 is received in a housing 130 that is formed in the body of the pot, e.g. beneath the

composition P, as shown. The housing may include a side opening 131, making it possible to access the applicator so as to remove it from the device.

In the variant shown in Figure 20, the applicator is housed in a compartment 140 of a closure member 121, its lid being capable of including a closure member 150 that is connected to the body of the lid, e.g. via a hinge.

In Figure 21, it can be seen that the reinforcement 20 may include openings. For example, the reinforcement 20 includes a central slot 20e, as shown. Where

appropriate, the edge of the reinforcement 20, whether or not it includes openings, may be decorated, as shown.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments shown. In particular, the various characteristics of the embodiments shown may be combined together within variants that are not shown.

For example, the location of the switch may be changed in any of the embodiments shown.

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

Claims

A vibrator applicator (2) for applying a composition to the skin or the lips, the applicator comprising:

• a grip portion (11) that houses a vibration source ; and

• an applicator portion (10} that is arranged to come into contact with the skin or the lips via at least one application face (10a);

both the grip portion and the applicator portion presenting a generally flat shape, each with a greatest width (W; w) that is at least three times the greatest thickness (E; e) .

An applicator according to claim 1 having:

• a grip portion (11) housing a vibration source and presenting a generally flat shape; and

• an applicator portion (10) having an application face (10a) that is defined by a flexible material that is arranged to come into contact with the skin or the lips and that extends continuously between the grip portion (11) and the distal end of the applicator.

An applicator according to claim 1 or claim 2 , including reinforcement (20) that extends inside the applicator portion or on the side of the applicator portion remote from the application face (10a) .

An applicator according to claim 3, the reinforcement (20) being made by being molded integrally with a portion (21) of the grip portion (11) that defines at least part of a grip surface for the user.

5. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the applicator portion (10) comprising a block of foam. An applicator according to claim 4 and claim 5, the foam being adhesively-bonded or heat-sealed to the reinforcement (20) .

An applicator according to any one of claims 4 to 6 , the reinforcement (20) extending over the back of the block of foam, being narrower than the visible portion of the block of foam, and having a distal end that is situated set back from the distal end of the block of foam .

An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 7 the grip portion (11) comprising a casing made out two portions (21, 24) that are assembled one on the other.

An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 8 , the grip portion including a housing that is open towards the distal end of the applicator, and the applicator portion being engaged, in part, in the housing .

An applicator according to claim 8 and claim 9, the applicator portion being held between the two portions of the casing that define said housing.

An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 10, including a control member (13) that triggers

operation of the vibration source, the control member being situated on a main face of the grip portion.

An applicator according to claim 8 and claim 11, the control member (13) comprising an actuator button, in particular a lever, that is molded integrally with one of the portions of the casing.

13. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 12, the applicator portion (10) not including any

openings, in plan view in a direction that is

perpendicular to the application face.

14. An applicator according to claim 3, the reinforcement (20) being fastened to the applicator portion (10) over less than the entire area of its face facing the applicator portion.

15. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the applicator portion and the grip portion being flat along a common flatness plane.

16. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the grip portion being defined by a rigid

thermoplastic material.

17. An applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the vibration source being fastened in removable manner in the grip portion, being received in the thickness of the grip portion,

18. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the applicator portion (10) being all in one piece and in particular not being constituted by a plurality of bristles.

19. An applicator according to any preceding claim, the applicator portion (10) comprising a cosmetic and/or care product to be applied, said product being in particular in cake form.

20. An applicator according to the preceding claim, the applicator portion (10) comprising a recess (200) in which the product (P) is present.

21. A unit comprising: .

• an applicator (2) as defined in any preceding claim;

• a casing (3) that presents a housing (5) for receiving the applicator (2) ; and

• a composition {P) contained in the casing and f taking with the applicator and/or a composition (P) comprised in the applicator portion (10) of the applicator (2) .

22. A unit according to the preceding claim, the

applicator (2) being removable from the housing (5)

23. A cosmetic and/or care method comprising applying a cosmetic and/or care product to the skin or the lip with an applicator (2) according to any of one of claims 1 to 20.

24. A method according to the preceding claim, the

vibration source subjecting the applicator portion. (10) to vibration during the application of the product to the skin or the lips.