Applicator for cosmetic products

An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the stem comprises a distal portion (12) extending from the first end (5), and a proximal portion (13) extending from the second end (8), the length of the proximal portion being shorter than the length of the distal portion, the distal and proximal portions being interconnected by the flexible portion (11).

An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the length of the distal portion is longer than the length of the proximal portion by a factor of 1.5, better 1.7, better still at least 2.

An applicator according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized by the fact that the flexible portion is configured in such a manner that the distal portion of the stem can be reversibly tilted during application through an angle of more than 30°, better more than 45°, or even 60°, relative to an initial position in which the distal portion and the proximal portion are substantially in alignment.

An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the flexible portion (11) extends over less than one-third of the total length of the stem, and better over less than one-fourth.

An applicator according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that, in cross-section, the flexible portion (11) of the stem presents a largest dimension lying in the range 0.2 mm to 1.5 mm, and in particular in the range 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flexible portion (11) of the stem is circularly symmetrical.

An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the flexible portion (11) of the stem presents a cross-section that is generally elongate in shape.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the handle member (9) is not circularly symmetrical in shape, encouraging the applicator to be held with a predefined orientation.

An applicator according to the two preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the handle member includes at least one finger-receiving zone (26), in particular a flat or an indentation, which extends substantially parallel to a major axis of a cross-section of the flexible portion.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flexible portion (11) includes at least one opening, in particular at least one opening disposed between two bridges of material (28) interconnecting the distal and proximal portions of the stem.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that a cross-section of the stem, in particular of its distal portion, presents a shape selected from the following list:

• circular, non-circular in particular oblong, oval, elliptical, polygonal, in particular square, rectangular, kidney-shaped, crenellated, star-shaped, with one or more grooves.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flexible portion and at least one of the distal and proximal portions are made out of different materials.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that at least one of the proximal, distal, and flexible portions of the stem is made out of a thermoplastic material, in particular out of one of the materials selected from the group constituted by:

• PE, PP, POM, PA, PET, PBT.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the applicator member comprises at least one of the following elements:

• a bundle of bristles, a felt, a coating of flocking, a foam.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the applicator member (6) comprises a bundle of bristles.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the stem includes at its second end a fastener member on the handle member.

An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the fastener member comprises an endpiece (15, 16) for being inserted by force-fit and/or by snap-fastening in the handle member.

An applicator according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the endpiece comprises a tubular skirt (15) with a collar (16) at its base.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the handle member includes means for fastening on a receptacle, in particular a thread.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flexible portion extends at least in part inside the handle member.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flexible portion extends substantially entirely inside the handle member.

An applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the flexible stem is sufficiently flexible to enable the stem to come into contact with an edge of the handle member when the stem is inclined.

A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device being characterized by the fact that it comprises an applicator (3) according to any one of the preceding claims and a receptacle (2) for containing the substance for application.

A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the substance is for application to the nails, in particular a nail varnish or a care product for the nails.

A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the handle member (9) of the applicator (3) constitutes a cap for closing the receptacle.