WO2014013448A1

WO2014013448A1 - Applicator brush

Info

Publication number: WO2014013448A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/055873
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eric Caulier; Marine Roualdes; Christian MARSAN; Denis Befve
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2012-07-20
Filing date: 2013-07-17
Publication date: 2014-01-23
Also published as: FR2993440B1; FR2993440A1

Abstract

Applicator brush comprising: -a bundle of bristles, and -a moulded stem having an elongate cross section at least along a part of its length, the stem comprising a housing moulded in one piece with the stem, in which the bundle of bristles is fixed and which opens at a distal end of the stem through an opening having a cross section without axial symmetry about the longitudinal axis of the housing, at least one cross section of the housing as moulded, defining at least one dihedron which is open towards the inside and/or at least one dihedron which is open towards the outside of said housing.

Description

"Applicator brush"

The present invention relates to cosmetic applicators and more particularly, but not exclusively, those intended for the application of a product to the nails, eyelids, lips or hair, preferably a nail varnish or a lipstick or lip gloss.

The European patent applications 1 462 023, 1 477 083, 1 504 691, 1 733 644 and the patents US 5 588 447 and 6 033 143 disclose applicator brushes.

The European patent EP 0 651 955 discloses a nail varnish applicator comprising a stem and bristles fixed in a housing in the stem, this housing having an elongate cross section. In the examples illustrated in the patent, the opening in the housing has, in cross section, a contour which is homothetic with that of the stem, is kidney-shaped or has two main sides that are slightly concave towards the outside. The thickness of the wall surrounding the housing is constant.

The application FR 2 893 237 describes a bundle of bristles held in a housing defined by a punched wall.

JP-4-28812 discloses a nail varnish applicator, the stem of which has a plurality of longitudinal grooves distributed in a more or less uniform manner over its entire periphery.

The patent EP 1 407 685 describes an applicator, the stem of which has grooves located opposite one another, extending along at least a part of the stem and facilitating the flow of the product on the stem towards a more or less central region of the brush.

There exists a need to facilitate the application of a product to the nails, in particular, and for spreading it more precisely.

Moreover, the applicator brushes can be produced with bristles having different natures or in variable quantities, depending on the application characteristics desired. There exists a need to create novel application effects.

There are also exists a need to provide, if necessary, an applicator brush comprising a relatively wide bundle of bristles, in particular for covering the surface of the nail.

The invention makes it possible to meet all or part of these needs. According to one of its aspects, a subject of the invention is an applicator brush comprising:

at least one bundle of bristles, and

a moulded stem having an elongate cross section at least along a part of its length,

the stem comprising a housing moulded in one piece with the stem, in which the bundle of bristles is fixed and which opens at a distal end of the stem through an opening having a cross section without axial symmetry about the longitudinal axis of the housing, at least one cross section of the housing as moulded defining at least one dihedron which is open towards the inside and/or at least one dihedron which is open towards the outside of said housing.

A stem having an elongate cross section is understood as meaning that said stem has, over at least a part of its length, in particular in the region of the housing, a cross section having an elongate shape, the largest dimension of which, is for example, at least one and a half times larger, or two times larger, than its smallest dimension.

The invention makes it possible to obtain a bundle of bristles having good application behaviour, in particular as far as the spreading of the product is concerned.

The use of a stem and of a housing which are moulded is particularly advantageous because moulding makes it possible to precisely define the shape of the housing and to reproduce it faithfully, depending on the particular effects desired, in particular the number and shape of dihedrons.

A dihedron which is open towards the inside of the housing or a dihedron which is open towards the outside of the housing thus creates a particular zone within the bundle of bristles.

A dihedron which is open towards the inside of the housing tends to generate an edge which is suitable for applying the product with precision for finishing touches or details for example, while a dihedron which is open towards the outside of the housing tends to form a hollow zone which is able to retain more product and makes it possible to reload the applicator less frequently.

The vertices of the dihedrons as moulded can be rounded, or even cut off, in order to make it easier to mould the housing and/or manufacture the mould. The housing may have a number of dihedrons which are open towards the inside and/or a number of dihedrons which are open towards the outside of the housing.

The housing has for example between two and five dihedrons which are open towards the outside. The housing may have for example between two and nine dihedrons which are open towards the inside.

Each dihedron defines, for example, in cross section, two sides of the opening in the housing, each dihedron having a length greater than or equal to 0.35 mm, or greater than 0.5 mm, or even greater than or equal to 0.6 mm.

The shape and thickness of the bundle of bristles depend on the shape of the housing, in particular its opening. The invention thus makes it possible advantageously to obtain different application effects depending on the shape and dimensions of the housing.

The shape of the housing conditions the manner in which the bristles extend out of the stem and thus has an impact on the application characteristics.

The housing may have a distal portion having a constant cross section or a cross section that flares towards the opening.

The housing may have a cross section that flares towards the opening, it being possible for this widening to be realized depending on the divergence desired for the bristles.

The bundle of bristles may be folded in two in the housing and fixed in the latter by means of a clip.

The longitudinal axis of the housing may be coincident with the longitudinal axis of the stem.

The stem may have, at least in a distal part, a cross section having an external contour without an edge and/or without any concavity; thus, when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, the product flows along the stem in a homogeneous manner around the stem and thus reaches the bundle of bristles in a uniform manner.

It is possible for the external contour of the stem not to have, along the entire length of the stem, any concavity in cross section. It may be convex and have, if necessary, at least one flat side.

The stem may have a contour without a longitudinal edge along its entire length. In exemplary embodiments, the stem has, along some or all of its length, an elongate cross section having an external contour having at least one edge and/or at least one concavity. The stem has, for example, in particular in the region of the housing, a rectangular cross section.

The external contour of the stem may have, at least in its end part in the region of the housing, an elongate shape in cross section, for example along a longest axis X parallel to the major axis of the opening in the housing.

The distal end portion of the stem advantageously has an oval cross section, in particular in the form of an ellipse.

The distal end portion of the stem may have, in cross section, at least one side which is convex towards the outside, for example in the form of a circular arc.

The distal end portion of the stem may have two opposite sides which are convex towards the outside and are connected by two planar faces. The planar faces are preferably parallel to the longitudinal axis Z of the housing.

The stem may have a wall of variable thickness around the housing.

In one particular embodiment, the opening comprises a dihedron having a small angle a, in particular of between 2° and 20°, which is open towards the inside, giving a part of the bundle of bristles a lower density of bristles suitable for creating yet further effects.

By virtue of the invention the product can be spread under good conditions in order to create the desired effects, the quantity of product reaching the edges of the brush being reduced, the hollows in the brush forming a reserve of product and the long sides allowing regular application.

The opening has a cross section without axial symmetry about the longitudinal axis of the housing, thereby making it possible to create zones having different application behaviours within the bundle of bristles.

It is possible for the opening not to have any portion that repeats at least once by rotation about the longitudinal axis of the housing.

The opening in the housing may be elongate along a major axis.

The opening may have at least partly a polygonal shape, in particular an irregular polygonal shape. During application, the ends of the bristles tend to align and the bristles are spaced apart. In particular when the opening in the housing has a polygonal shape, the bundle of bristles preserves a suitable density of bristles at the end, while obtaining a greater application width, whereas in the case of a conventional straight brush, the spacing apart of the bristles results in a loss of density.

The opening may be symmetrical with respect to its longest axis X or, in another variant, with respect to an axis Y perpendicular to X.

The use of a symmetrical opening facilitates the manufacturing of the stem as well as the fitting of the bundle of bristles. The hand movements of the user during application are also improved by the symmetry of the opening, or of the applicator, by providing the possibility of the same effects on the right-hand and left-hand sides, for example.

The opening may have two end portions which each have a short side, having a length for example of between 0.3 and 0.7 mm.

The end portions of the opening may each define two or three short sides.

The opening may define a central portion, in particular having at least one long side. The long side has for example a length of between 1 and 5 mm, or between 2 and 3 mm.

The short sides of the opening generate narrow faces of the bundle of bristles, while the long sides generate wide faces.

The median axes of the end portions may define an angle β between one another of between 60° and 150°, or between 80° and 130°.

The opening can thus have a bowed shape.

In one variant embodiment, the central portion of the opening defines three dihedrons which are open towards the outside of the housing, the opening having in particular a W shape.

These examples combine the advantages of the short and long sides, the reserves of product and the edges created in the region of the bundle of bristles.

The applicator may be symmetrical with respect to a mid-plane, for example with respect to a mid-plane parallel to the longest axis X of the opening, when the latter has an elongate shape or, in a variant, with respect to a mid-plane perpendicular to the axis X. The projected length of the opening is defined as being the length of the projection of the opening along the axis X. The length of the opening is for example between 2 and 7 mm.

The projected width of the opening is defined as being the length of the projection of the opening along the axis Y, perpendicular to the axis X. The projected width of the opening is for example between 0.5 and 3 mm.

The distance between two successive vertices of dihedrons which are open towards the outside, separated by a dihedron which is open towards the inside, is for example between 1.5 and 3.5 mm, or between 2 and 2.5 mm.

The distance between two successive vertices of dihedrons which are open towards the inside, separated by a dihedron which is open towards the outside, is for example between 1.5 and 3.5 mm, or between 1.8 and 2.5 mm.

The "developed median length" of the opening is defined by the length of the median curve of the opening. The "developed length" of the opening is for example between 2 mm and 14 mm.

The mid-line of the opening may be rectilinear.

The mid-line of the opening may form a broken line.

The ratio between the developed median length and the projected length of the opening is for example between 1 and 3.

The ratio between the projected length of the opening and its projected width is for example between 1 and 7.

The width of the opening in the housing for a given position on the mid-line, defined as the distance between two opposite sides of the opening measured between two symmetrical points belonging respectively to said sides on the segment intersecting in its middle the mid-line at the given position, may vary along the axis X, being for example less than or equal to 2 mm, in particular between 0.6 and 1.8 mm, particularly between 0.8 and 1.5 mm.

The average width, defined as the half- sum of the minimum and maximum widths, is for example between 0.6 and 2 mm.

The opening may be narrow and tapered, having a length greater than or equal to five times, or greater than six times, its average width. The opening may have at least one long side; a "long side" denotes a side having a length greater than the greatest width of the opening, in particular between 1.5 times and 3 times greater.

The maximum depth of the housing may be between 5 mm and 8 mm, particularly between 5.5 and 7.5 mm.

The wall of the stem, around the longitudinal ends along the axis X of the housing, may be relatively thin.

The stem may be wider than the stems usually used. It may have a section with an elongate shape having a largest transverse dimension greater than or equal to 5 mm, or greater than or equal to 6 mm. The largest transverse dimension is for example between 3 mm and 9 mm, particularly in the case of a nail varnish applicator.

The largest transverse dimension of that portion of the stem that is immersed in the product contained in the container, when the applicator is positioned on the latter and when the stem is vertical and the bristles are directed downwards, may be less than or equal to 9 mm.

The stem may be fixed on a closing member of the container; as a variant, the stem is produced in one piece by moulding plastics material with a closing member of the container.

Another subject of the invention is a device for packaging and applying a cosmetic product, comprising an applicator according to the invention, as defined above, and a container containing the product to be applied.

The latter may be a product to be applied to the nails, for example a nail varnish or a care product for the nails. The brush applicator may constitute a nail varnish brush.

As a variant, the product to be applied may be a foundation, an eyeliner or a composition to be applied to the lips, a lip colour or a lip gloss for example.

The invention may be better understood from reading the following detailed description of non-limiting implementation examples thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic and partial axial section through a packaging and application device in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 shows the stem and the bristles of the device from Figure 1 in isolation,

Figure 3 schematically shows the distal end of the stem from Figure 2, Figures 4A to 6A show a view of the stem in cross section in the region of the opening in the housing receiving the bristles, in examples of applicators according to the invention,

Figures 4B to 6B show, in section, a cross section through the stem in the region of the housing, without the bristles, from the examples in Figures 4A to 6A,

Figure 7 shows the distal end of the stem from Figures 4 A and 4B in isolation and in axial section,

Figure 8 A is a view similar to Figure 7 of the variant embodiment from Figures 5A and 5B,

Figure 8B shows another view in axial section of the distal end of the stem from Figures 5A and 5B in isolation,

- Figures 9 to 13 schematically and partially show examples of bundles of bristles,

Figures 14 to 23 schematically show examples of cross sections through bristles in accordance with the invention, and

Figure 24 schematically shows an example of an undulated bristle in elevation.

Figures 1 to 3 show a packaging and application device 1 comprising a container 2 containing a product P to be applied, preferably a nail varnish, and a brush applicator 3 comprising a stem 4 extended at its distal end 4d by a bundle of bristles 6 for applying the product.

In cross section, the stem 4 has a contour with an elongate shape, without an edge or concavity along its entire length. A stem having, at least in a part, a cross section having an external contour having at least one edge and/or at least one concavity does not depart from the scope of the invention.

The apparent length L of the bristles 6, protruding from the stem 4, is for example between 4 and 20 mm, or between 12 and 14 mm.

The applicator 3 preferably comprises a large number of bristles, particularly between 200 and 3600, specifically around 880 bristles in the example in question. The section of at least one bristle 6 is for example more or less constant along the entire apparent length of the bristle, but various bristles may be used, as explained in detail below.

The bristles 6 carried by the stem have for example in cross section a largest dimension strictly less than 2/100 mm, preferably between 3/100 mm and 6/100 mm, for example around 5/100 mm.

At least one bristle 6 may have a non-tapered free end, and for example none of the bristles of the brush applicator have been ground in order to taper their ends. At its proximal end 9, the stem has a fastening member 10 intended to be inserted into a gripping member 15 which also forms a closing member of the container.

The fastening member 10 has an end piece 11 intended to be snap-fastened or force-fitted into the gripping member 15. A collar 12 can make it possible to obtain a sealed closure of the container 2, by coming into abutment against the upper surface of the neck 16 of the container 2.

Of course, the stem 4 can be fastened in the gripping member 15 in some other way without departing from the scope of the present invention, for example by snap- fastening.

The stem 4 can also be produced in one piece with the gripping member 15. The latter may be provided internally, as illustrated, with a thread 18 enabling it to be screwed onto the neck 16 of the container 2.

In the example in Figures 1 to 3, the bristles 6 are received in a housing 22 formed at the distal end 4d of the stem 4. The bundle of bristles 6 may particularly be fastened in the housing 22 by means of a clip 25, as illustrated in Figure 3, or by any other appropriate means, particularly by adhesive bonding, welding, crimping, punching of the stem and/or by clamping.

The distal part 4d of the stem 4 may be produced with different cross sections in the region of the housing 22 intended to receive the bristles 6.

In a preferred embodiment, the stem 4 has an elongate cross section, at least in its distal part, and may have, as illustrated in Figures 4A-B, two planar faces 4a, for example parallel to an axis X, connected to two sides 4b having a semicircular contour.

In one variant, the distal part of the stem 4 has an oval or elliptical cross section, as illustrated in Figures 5 A and B. The external contour of the stem 4 may, as in the examples illustrated in Figures 4A-B and 5 A-B, be symmetrical with respect to the plane XZ and with respect to a mid-plane YZ, the axis Y being perpendicular to the axis X.

The housing 22 may have a cross section with an elongate shape along an axis X perpendicular to the longitudinal axis Z of the stem 4.

The cross section of the opening 20 has no axial symmetry.

The housing 22 may, as in the variants in Figures 4A-B and 5A-B, be symmetrical with respect to the mid-plane YZ.

In Figures 4 A-B to 6 A-B, it can be seen that the thickness of the material surrounding the housing 22 is not constant.

The dihedrons which are open towards the inside 46 of the housing 22 generate edges 65 in the region of the bundle of bristles, facilitating more precise deposition of product.

The opening 20 in the housing has shapes which are varied depending on the desired effect.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 4A, the housing 22 has a succession of dihedrons 45 which are open towards the outside and create, in the region of the bundle 60 of bristles 6, reserves of product, thereby limiting the necessity to reload the applicator.

The opening 20 has two end portions that each define three short sides, the median axes of the end portions defining an angle β between one another equal to around 90°.

In the example in Figure 6A, the median axes of the end portions of the opening 20 define an angle β between one another of close to 120°.

Figure 5A illustrates an opening 20 which is symmetrical about the axis X and is in the overall shape of an isosceles triangle, the vertex of which, which defines a dihedron which is open towards the inside at an angle a of less than 20°, may be cut off as illustrated for reasons of ease of moulding. The long sides 20d correspond to wide faces of the bundle 60 of bristles 6 which facilitate extensive deposition, while the short end sides 20a create narrow faces intended for more precise application.

This exemplary embodiment has, as illustrated in Figures 5A and 8A, an opening 22 having a projected length L₀ of 4.6 mm, a width of between l_mi_n 0.3 mm and lmax 1 -2 mm with a width l_med equal to 0.7 mm in the region of the mid-plane YZ. Each cross section of the opening may have a number of sides which are parallel in pairs.

In the examples illustrated in Figures 4B and 6B, the housing 22 has a succession of portions 41, 42, 43, 44 delimited by faces 41b, 42b, 43b, 44b which are parallel to the longitudinal axis Z and parallel to one another in pairs. The "developed length" L_M of the opening measured along the median curve M of the opening 20 is greater than the length L₀ of the opening, this translating into a larger surface area of the bundle of bristles and the possibility of loading more product.

The widths of each portion, measured perpendicularly to the median M, are identical, for example equal to 0.9 mm in the examples illustrated.

The housing 22 of the example illustrated in Figure 4B has four portions 41 , 42, 43, 44 which all have the same length 1 which corresponds to the thickness of the bundle of bristles in the region of the opening. In one particular embodiment, the housing 22 has at least two perpendicular contiguous faces, as illustrated in Figure 4A by the faces 41b and 44b which are perpendicular to the contiguous faces 40a.

Figure 6B illustrates a variant in which the housing 22 has a bowed cross section 40 and three portions 41, 42 and 43.

A larger number of portions and/or a different width between the portions do not depart from the scope of the invention.

The housings 22 illustrated in Figures 7 and 8A-B comprise a distal part 22a having a constant cross section and a proximal part 22b having facets 23 and having a cross section which decreases progressively with increasing distance from the opening, in order to define the bottom 26 of the housing 22. This part having a reduced section makes it easier to retain the bundle of bristles in the housing 22.

Depending on the shape given to the housing 22, a wider or less wide bundle of bristles may be obtained.

In a variant which is not illustrated, the housing has a part which flares in the direction of the opening therein, this part making it possible to give the brush a widened shape. In particular, the housing may be arranged such that the width, measured parallel to the axis X, of the bundle of bristles 6 is, at its free end, greater than the width of the stem in the region of the housing, in order therefore to obtain a relatively wide brush. Any desired shape can be given to the end of the bundle of bristles 6, for example by cutting the bundle to shape when the bristles are in place on the stem. The free end of the bristles 6 can be cut to shape such that the end of the applicator is rectilinear as illustrated in Figure 9, being perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stem 4, or having a concave curved shape as illustrated in Figure 10, a convex shape as illustrated in Figure 11, a bevelled shape as illustrated in Figure 12, or else a shape cut to a point as illustrated in Figure 13.

The free ends of the bristles may describe approximately a circular arc, having a radius of curvature R of between 2 and 15 mm for example, particularly of between 4 and 10 mm.

The bristles 6 may have very different natures and it is possible in particular to use bristles having one of the cross sections illustrated in Figures 14 to 25.

This may be, for example, a hollow cross section having a circular contour, as illustrated in Figure 14, a solid cross section having a circular contour, as illustrated in Figure 15, a polygonal cross section, as illustrated in Figures 16 to 18, for example square, triangular or rectangular, or an elongate cross section, for example having an elliptical or oval contour, as illustrated in Figure 19, or a flattened cross section, as illustrated in Figure 20.

As a variant, the bristles 6 may have at least one capillary groove, as illustrated in Figures 21 to 23, the bristles having for example a cross section having an overall circular shape, as illustrated in Figure 21, or a V shape, as illustrated in Figure 22, or a cross shape, as illustrated in Figure 23.

The bundle of bristles 6 may comprise only identical bristles, or as a variant a mixture of bristles having different shapes, sections and/or dimensions, in particular a diameter, and/or materials.

At least one bristle may be undulated, as illustrated in Figure 24.

At least one bristle may be manufactured by extrusion of material. The bristles may consist of at least one plastics material, for example chosen from the following list: PA 6.12, polyester, Rilsan^®, polyamide, polyether, polyamide- block-ether, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacetate, polyethylene terephthalate. Additives modifying the surface finish and the surface tension may be incorporated into the material of the bristles, for example slip additives, for example molybdenum disulfide, PTFE, graphite.

The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which have just been described, and it is possible particularly to combine the characteristics of the various embodiments with one another. For example, any of the shapes of bundles of bristles from Figures 9 to 13 can be combined with any of the shapes of bristles from Figures 14 to 23.

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

Claims

1. Applicator brush (3) comprising:

a bundle (60) of bristles (6), and

- a moulded stem (4) having an elongate cross section (40) at least along a part of its length,

the stem comprising a housing (22) moulded in one piece with the stem, in which the bundle of bristles is fixed and which opens at a distal end of the stem through an opening (20) having a cross section without axial symmetry about the longitudinal axis of the housing (Z),

at least one cross section of the housing as moulded, defining at least one dihedron which is open towards the inside (46) and/or at least one dihedron which is open towards the outside (45) of said housing.

2. Applicator brush according to Claim 1 , the opening (20) in the housing (22) having a polygonal cross section.

3. Applicator brush according to either of Claims 1 and 2, the stem (4) having, at least in a distal part, a cross section having an external contour without an edge and/or without any concavity.

4. Applicator brush according to either of Claims 1 and 2, the stem (4) having, at least in a part, a cross section having an external contour having at least one edge and/or at least one concavity.

5. Applicator brush according to one of Claims 1 to 4, the bundle (60) of bristles having an external shape having edges (65).

6. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, which is symmetrical with respect to a mid-plane, preferably a mid-plane parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z) of the stem (4).

7. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the opening in the housing being elongate along a major axis (X) in cross section.

8. Applicator brush according to the preceding claim, the length of the opening along the major axis (X) being between 2 and 7 mm.

9. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the opening being symmetrical with respect to an axis Y perpendicular to the longest axis X of the opening.

10. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the opening having two end portions defining at least one short side, having a length for example of between 0.3 and 0.7 mm.

11. Applicator brush according to the two preceding claims, the median axes of the end portions defining an angle β between one another of between 60° and 150°, or between 80° and 130°.

12. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the average width of the opening being between 0.6 and 2 mm.

13. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the opening having a length greater than or equal to five times, better still greater than six times, its average width.

14. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the housing

(22) having a distal part (22a) having a constant cross section corresponding to the opening.

15. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the cross section of the housing (22) defining between two and five dihedrons which are open towards the outside and/or between two and nine dihedrons which are open towards the inside.

16. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the housing (22) having a proximal part (22b), having a cross section which decreases progressively with increasing distance from the opening, defining the bottom (26) of the housing.

17. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the housing

(22) having at least one cross section which has a bowed, W-shaped or wedge-shaped overall shape.

18. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, a distal end portion of the stem having, in cross section, at least one side which is convex towards the outside, in particular in the form of a circular arc.

19. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the external contour of the stem having at least one flat side in cross section.

20. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the stem (4) having an elongate cross section (40) in the region of the housing (22).

21. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, the housing (22) having a succession of portions (41, 42, 43, 44) delimited by faces (41b, 42b, 43b, 44b) parallel to the longitudinal axis (Z) of the stem.

22. Applicator brush according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stem (4) is connected to a gripping member (15) designed to close a container (2) containing the product to be applied, in particular provided with a thread.

23. Packaging and application device (1) comprising:

a container (2) containing a composition (P) to be applied, chosen from a nail varnish, a foundation, an eyeliner or a composition to be applied to the lips,

an applicator brush (3) as defined in any one of the preceding claims.