Method for producing an applicator, and applicator

A method for producing an applicator for applying fluid or pasty media, comprising the steps of:

• forming a flexible tube out of thermoplastic plastic material;
• inserting the flexible tube into a mold;
• forming a container with a closed bottom from the flexible tube in the mold by expanding the flexible tube;
• at least partially filling the container located in the mold with the fluid or pasty medium;
• separating the container from a portion of the flexible tube locate outside of the mold to form an opening in the container at an upper side of the container;
• placing an application element through the opening and at least partially into the container through the opening in the container into a usage position of the application element in which the application element has a feed section extending into an interior of the container and a delivery section extending outside of the container such that the application element provides the medium for application outside of the container through capillary action, the application element having a sleeve-shaped retaining element at a transition between the feed section and the delivery section, the retaining element having a radially projecting collar on the outer cylindrical outside surface of the retaining element;
• affixing the application element to the container in both axial directions thereof while simultaneously forming a closure of the container enclosing the delivery section by movable mold parts of the mold molding a neck section of the container on the radially projecting collar of the retaining element;
• and
• forming a predetermined breaking point between the neck section and the closure and above the radially extending collar for removal of the closure for an initial use of the application element while maintaining the affixing of the application element to the container in both of the axial directions.