Abstract:
Applicator ( 1 ) for a cosmetic product, typically a mascara, comprising an application means ( 4 ) having an axial core ( 40 ) which is unitary with axial rod ( 3 ) at its lower part ( 31 ) and a stack ( 41 ) of a plurality of N elements which cooperate with axial core ( 40 ) through a typically central orifice ( 50 ) allowing the axial core ( 40 ) to extend therethrough, characterized in that: the elements are elements E ( 5 ) lacking complete rotation symmetry, and the axial core ( 40 ) and the plurality of elements E ( 5 ) operate jointly with an angular orientation means for elements E ( 5 ) with respect to axial direction ( 10 ), in a transverse plane ( 11 ) which is perpendicular to the axial direction ( 10 ), in a manner that each element E i  ( 5 ) is rotatably connected with axial core ( 40 ) and has a predetermined angular orientation α i  with respect to the axial core ( 40 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    (a) Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention concerns the field of cosmetic product applicators, typically cosmetic products for eye make-up, such as for example mascaras. 
         [0003]    (b) Description of Prior Art 
         [0004]    A great number of mascara applicators are already known. 
         [0005]    These applicators, which are intended to be used with a container defining a reservoir for the mascara, typically comprise:
       a) a cap adapted to seal said container and to be used as prehension means for said applicator,   b) and axial rod,   c) and a brush,   said rod being unitary with said cap at one of its ends, and with said brush at its other end,   said brush comprising a metallic twist to which a plurality of bristles are fixed.       
 
         [0011]    With respect to said brush, a very large number of embodiments of brushes are already known. 
         [0012]    Thus, the brushes described in the following French Patents are known: FR 2 505 633, FR 2 605 505, FR 2 607 372, FR 2 607 373, FR 2 627 068, FR 2 627 363, FR 2 637 471, FR 2 637 472, FR 2 650 162, FR 2 663 826, FR 2 668 905, FR 2 675 355, FR 2 685 859, FR 2 690 318, FR 2 701 198, FR 2 706 749, FR 2 715 038, FR 2 745 481, FR 2 748 913, FR 2 749 489, FR 2 749 490, FR 2 753 614, FR 2 755 593, FR 2 774 269, FR 2 796 531, FR2 796 532, FR2 800 586. 
         [0013]    Also known are the brushes described in the following U.S. patents: U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,425, U.S. Pat. No. 4,861,179, U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,987, U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,198, U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,411, U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,700. 
         [0014]    Also known are mascara applicators made of a molded member of plastic material, as described for example in the Patent FR 2 868 264 filed by the Applicant. 
         [0015]    Also known are applicators comprising a stack of elements in the form of discs, as described for example in Japanese Utility Model No.: 55-172107, and in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,345,626 and 2002/0059942. 
         [0016]    Even though the applicators formed with a molded member of plastic material constitute an advantageous alternative to the use of traditional brushes, they however raise many problems. 
         [0017]    Indeed:
       on the one hand, injection molding requires the very costly production of injection molds, which can only be justified if one is sure to be able to market large numbers of products,   on the other hand, the time required to launch such applicators is very long, taking into account particularly the delay required for producing molds.       
 
         [0020]    There is thus a need to be able to rapidly produce a wide variety of applicators, in particular in view of adapting them to the evolutions of cosmetic product formulations, as well as to the needs expressed by the users, without having to launch the production of costly molds, which are all the more difficult to amortize, that the production series are short and that the life span of the products is short. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    According to the invention, the applicator for a cosmetic product, typically a mascara, comprises:
       a) a prehension means typically defining a cap for a container adapted to contain said cosmetic product,   b) an axial rod having an axial direction,   c) means for applying said cosmetic product,
 
said axial rod being unitary with said prehension means at its upper end, and with said applying means at its lower end.
       
 
         [0025]    In this applicator, said applying means comprises an axial core which is unitary with said axial rod at its lower end, and a stack of a plurality of N elements cooperating with said axial core through a typically central orifice allowing said axial core to pass therethrough, said stack being axially fixed to said axial core through an axial assembling means. 
         [0026]    It is characterized in that:
       1) said elements are elements E which are lacking in total rotational symmetry,   2) said axial core and said plurality of elements E cooperate with a means for angularly orienting said elements E with respect to said axial direction in a transverse plane which is perpendicular to said axial direction, so that each element E i  of rank i in said stack, wherein ranges from 1 to N, is unitary in rotation with said axial core and provides a predetermined angular orientation α i  with respect to said axial core.       
 
         [0029]    This applicator answers the problems raised. Indeed, it allows the manufacturer of applicators, as this will appear still more clearly in the description which follows, to manufacture a very wide variety of applicators which are adapted to various needs, by utilizing a very limited number of elements E. This is made possible by playing around for example with the angular orientation of each element E as a function of its rank i in said stack. 
         [0030]    According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said angular orientation means comprises the cooperation of a plurality of p axial ribs and/or grooves, a plurality of so-called exterior p axial ribs and/or grooves of said axial core cooperating with a plurality of so-called interior complementary p axial ribs and/or grooves formed inside said central orifice of each element E i , said ribs and/or grooves being angularly spaced with respect to said axial direction, by an angle of 360°/p, in a manner that any element E i  of said stack may be oriented according to a distinct angular position α ij  selected from the possible p angular positions α j  wherein j ranges from 1 to p. The number of p axial ribs and/or grooves is advantageously higher than or equal to 5 in order to obtain a sufficient number of possible angular orientations, and preferably p varies between 6 and 24. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    All the figures relate to the invention. 
           [0032]      FIGS. 1   a  to  1   d  are views concerning elements E  5  of stack  41  of applying means  4  for applicator  1 . 
           [0033]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  relate to a same element E  5  comprising 12 radial projections  53  which are regularly disposed with respect to the axial direction and which define a plurality of so-called symmetrical projections  54 ,  54   a.    
           [0034]      FIG. 1   a  is a side view in perspective. 
           [0035]      FIG. 1   b  is a view from above. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 1   c  and  1   d  relate to a same element E  5  comprising projections  53 ,  53   b  which are upwardly oriented with respect to a transverse median plane  11  of element E  5 , and projections  53 ,  53   c  which are downwardly oriented with respect to this plane  11 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 1   c  is a side view. 
           [0038]      FIG. 1   d  is a side view in perspective. 
           [0039]      FIG. 1   e  illustrates an inter-crossing of projections  53  of two consecutive elements  5  and  5 ′ of a portion of stack  41 , the projections  53   c  of element  5 ′ represented in dotted line being downwardly oriented and angularly offset with respect to projections  53   b  which are upwardly oriented towards the element  5  illustrated by a hatched surface. 
           [0040]      FIGS. 2   a  to  2   d  illustrate another embodiment of the invention. 
           [0041]      FIG. 2   a  is a perspective side view of a portion of applicator  1  in which the applying means  4  comprises 12 identical elements E  5  defining stack  41 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 2   b  is a perspective view of an element E  5  of stack  41 . 
           [0043]      FIG. 2   c  is an axial cross-section view of a portion of applicator  1 . 
           [0044]      FIG. 2   d  is a cross-section along line C-C of  FIG. 2   c  in a transverse plane which is perpendicular to axial direction  10 . 
           [0045]      FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c  are partial transverse cross-sections taken along transverse plane E-E of  FIG. 1   e  which illustrate 3 embodiments of angular orientation means  42  of an element E  5  with respect to axial core  40 . 
           [0046]    In  FIG. 3   a , axial core  40  comprises an exterior groove  401 , typically an axial groove, which cooperates with an interior rib  500  formed inside the central orifice  50 . 
           [0047]    In  FIG. 3   b , inversely, axial core  40  comprises an exterior rib  400 , typically an axial rib, which cooperates with an interior groove  501  formed inside central orifice  50 . 
           [0048]    In  FIG. 3   c , the axial core  40  comprises a series of exterior ribs  400  and grooves  401  which cooperate with a series of interior grooves  501  and ribs  500  formed inside the central orifice  50  of each element E  5 . 
           [0049]      FIGS. 4   a  to  4   f  illustrate the case where core  40  is a core  40   a  defining a single-piece member with rod  3 , core  40   a  having an end  43 ,  43   a  defining a flexible peripheral part  430   a  allowing to assemble stack  41  on core  40   a  by means of an axial snap. 
           [0050]      FIG. 4   a  is an axial cross-section view of a portion of applicator  1  comprising a stack  41  of 22 elements  5 . 
           [0051]      FIG. 4   b  is a partial transverse cross-section taken along transverse plane A-A of  FIG. 4   a.    
           [0052]      FIG. 4   c  is a view of a cross-section of an element  5  taken along an axial plane. 
           [0053]      FIG. 4   d  is a partial transverse cross-section of element  5  of  FIG. 4   c  taken along transverse plane C-C of  FIG. 4   c.    
           [0054]      FIG. 4   e  is an axial cross-section view of core  40 , 40   a  which is unitary with rod  3  at its lower end  31 . 
           [0055]      FIG. 4   f  is a transverse cross-section of the core  40 , 40   a  of  FIG. 4   e  taken along the transverse plane E-E of  FIG. 4   e , which illustrates the case where each element E  5  may take any one of 8 distinct angular positions α. 
           [0056]      FIGS. 5   a  to  5   f  illustrate other embodiments of the invention. 
           [0057]      FIG. 5   a  is an axial cross-section of an element E  5  in which the peripheral part  52  is inclined while forming an angle β, which is different than 90°, with axial direction  10 , in a manner to define a stack  41  including a plurality of so-called inclined  54   c  projections  54 . 
           [0058]      FIG. 5   b  is a view from above of the element E  5  of  FIG. 5   a.    
           [0059]      FIG. 5   c , which is similar to  FIG. 5   b , represents an element E  5  in which one of the radial projections  53  is a typically rigid radial projection  53   e  in a manner to define a comb tooth, the other projections being flexible projections  53   d.    
           [0060]      FIG. 5   d  represents a partial axial cross-section of a stack of two elements E  5  of  FIG. 5   c  taken along axial plane C-C of  FIG. 5   c.    
           [0061]      FIG. 5   e  is a schematic representation of the case where the rigid projections  53   d , represented by their extremity, define an axial alignment, all the elements E  5  being stacked over one another with the same angular orientation. 
           [0062]      FIG. 5   f , which is similar to  FIG. 5   e , represents the case where the rigid projections  53   d , represented by their extremity, define a helix, all the elements E  5  being stacked over one another with an angular increment of an angle α corresponding to an angle having 360°/p. 
           [0063]      FIG. 5   g  represents an axial cross-section of a portion of a stack  41  comprising an alternation of two different elements E  5 . 
           [0064]      FIG. 5   h , which is similar to  FIG. 5   g , corresponds to a different embodiment according to which one of the elements E  5  comprises a peripheral portion  52  comprising a plurality of hollowed portions  534 . 
           [0065]      FIG. 5   i  is a transverse cross-section H-H of an element  5  of  FIG. 5   h.    
           [0066]      FIGS. 6   a  to  6   e  illustrate an embodiment of applicator which is different from the one illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a  to  4   f . In this embodiment, the axial core  40  is an axial core  40   b  comprising an upper part defining a handle member  44  coupling with rod  3 , rod  3  comprising a blind hole  32  at its lower end to achieve the above coupling. 
           [0067]      FIG. 6   a  is similar to  FIG. 4   a.    
           [0068]      FIG. 6   b  represents an axial cross-section of the sub-assembly formed by assembling stack  41  over axial core  40   b , before assembling it on rod  3 . 
           [0069]      FIG. 6   c  represents an axial cross-section, of the lower end  31  of rod  3  comprising a blind hole  32  at its lower end, adapted for assembling it with the sub-assembly of  FIG. 6   b.    
           [0070]      FIG. 6   d  is an axial cross-section of axial core  40   b , this core comprising a lower end  43 , 43   b  having a transverse cross-section which is typically related to central part C  51 , so that, as indicated by an arrow, the stack  41  must be assembled on core  40   b  by slipping over the elements E  5  through the upper part defining the handle member  44 . 
           [0071]      FIG. 6   e  represents an axial cross-section of stack  41  opposite axial core  40   b  immediately before assembling same over core  40   b.    
           [0072]      FIGS. 7   a  to  7   c  illustrate other embodiments of elements E  5  according to the invention. 
           [0073]      FIG. 7   a  represents an axial cross-section of an element E  5  in which the peripheral part  52  is inclined by an angle β, each radial projection  53  typically having a base or heel  530  having an axial height which is shorter than height E c  of central part  51 . 
           [0074]      FIGS. 7   b  and  7   c , which are similar, represent two types of stack portions  41  made of 3 elements E  5 . 
           [0075]    In  FIG. 7   b , stack  41  is a regular stack  41   a  made of identical elements E  5 , while on  FIG. 7   c , in alternation, an element E  5  has been rotated 180° so as to constitute an alternating stack  41   b  defining a completely different application means. 
           [0076]      FIGS. 8   a  to  8   e  illustrate another embodiment of element E  5  according to the invention, comprising a so-called axial plurality  54   e  of radial projections  53  of small thickness in an axial plane. 
           [0077]      FIG. 8   a  is a view from above. 
           [0078]      FIG. 8   b  is an axial cross-section. 
           [0079]      FIG. 8   c  is a side view. 
           [0080]      FIG. 8   d  represents a view of the end  531  of a radial projection  53 . 
           [0081]      FIG. 8   e  is a side view of a portion of a stack  41  of 2 elements  5 , one having been rotated 45° with respect to the other one. 
           [0082]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  represent an axial cross-section, respectively of an applicator  1  according to the invention, and a dispenser applicator  6  which comprises the applicator  1  of  FIG. 9   a.    
           [0083]      FIG. 10  is a partial schematic representation of a device  7  for the automatic production of applicators  1  according to the embodiment of  FIGS. 6   a  to  6   e . According to this process the structure of stack  41  is stored in a computer, each element E i  or rank i of this stack being defined by its nature or its model, the latter to be selected, as illustrated by way of example among 4 models identified M A  to M D , and by its own orientation α i . As schematically illustrated in this figure, the element E i  is first selected, after which, it is oriented before being slipped over said core  40 , 40   a , 40   b . According to a variant of this process, stack  41  could first be formed, after which it could be mounted as a whole on core  40 , 40   a , 40   b.    
           [0084]      FIG. 11 , which is similar to  FIG. 10 , illustrates the case in which stack  41  is a stack  41 ′ in which two consecutive elements  5  are separated by an intermediate member I  8  which may be selected among many types (I A , I B , I C ). 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0085]    According to the invention, the angular orientation means may comprise the cooperation of a plurality of p ribs and/or axial grooves, a plurality of so called external axial p ribs  400  and/or grooves  401  of axial core  40  cooperating with a plurality of so called internal additional axial p ribs  500  and/or grooves  501  formed inside the central orifice  50  of each element E i    5 , the ribs and/or grooves being angularly spaced with respect to axial direction  10  by an angle of 360°/p, in a manner that any element E i    5  of stack  41  could be oriented according to a distinct angular position α ij  selected from the possible p angular positions α j , wherein j varies from 1 to p. 
         [0086]    Coupling of each element  5  with axial core  40  by rotation has been illustrated particularly in  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c  and  4   b.    
         [0087]    The number p of axial ribs and/or grooves is advantageously higher than or equal to 5 in order to obtain a sufficient number of possible angular orientations. Number p preferably varies between 6 and 24, and more particularly between 10 and 18. 
         [0088]    As illustrated for example in  FIGS. 1   e  and  4   c , the element E i    5  of the stack may comprise a central part C  51 , identified C i , typically an annular central part, which is operatively connected with axial core  40 , in a manner to define the axial assembling means and the angular orientation means, and a peripheral part P  52  identified as P i  adapted for allowing a sampling of a portion of the cosmetic product. 
         [0089]    Typically, all the elements E±5 of stack  41  may comprise a same central part C i    51  and a same peripheral part P i    52 . Indeed, axial core  40  generally has a transverse cross-section that is constant along its entire height. 
         [0090]    According to an embodiment of the invention, all the elements E i  of stack  41  may comprise a same central part C i    51 , at least two elements E  5  of stack  41  having a peripheral part P  52  which differs in its intrinsic shape and/or its angular orientation. 
         [0091]    However, as illustrated in  FIGS. 5   g  and  5   h , at least two elements E  5  of stack  41  may comprise neither a same central part C  51 , nor a same peripheral part P  52 . 
         [0092]    According to another embodiment of the invention, stack  41  may be formed by an alternation of elements  5  E 1  and E 2  which are distinct from one another through central part C  51  and/or peripheral part P  52 . 
         [0093]    As illustrated for example in  FIGS. 1   b ,  5   b , peripheral part P  52  of element E  5  may comprise or constitute a plurality of n radial projections  53 , which are typically regularly angularly spaced according to the axial direction through an angle equal to 360°/n. 
         [0094]    The number n of radial projections may be identical to the number p of distinct angular positions, this number n ranging from 6 to 24, preferably from 10 to 18. 
         [0095]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1   b , the plurality  54  of radial projections  53  may be a so-called symmetrical plurality  54   a , the n radial projections  53  being all identical, element E  5  having a rotational symmetry of the n order. 
         [0096]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5   c , the plurality  54  may be a so-called non symmetrical plurality  54   b , the n radial projections  53  not being all identical so that element E  5  does not have a rotational symmetry of the n order. 
         [0097]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , the plurality  54  may be a so-called inclined plurality  54   c , at least one of the n radial projections  53  of the peripheral part  52  of element  5  being disposed or oriented outside transverse plane  11  by defining an angle β which is different than 90° and varies between 60° and 120°. 
         [0098]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1   c  and  1   d , at least part of the plurality ( 54 ) of n radial projections  53  of the peripheral part  52  of element E  5  may constitute an alternation of radial projections ( 53 ), one projection defining with the axial direction an angle higher than 90° and which is typically between 90° and 120°, the adjacent projection defining with the axial direction an angle smaller than 90° and which is typically between 60° and 90°, so as to constitute a so-called alternating plurality  54   d.    
         [0099]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 8   a  to  8   e , the plurality of n radial projections  53  of peripheral part  52  of element E  5  may be a so-called axial plurality  54   e , radial projections  53  having a relatively small thickness in an axial plane comprising the axial direction  10 . 
         [0100]    According to the invention, the number N of elements E i  may range from 8 to 30, and typically from 12 to 24. 
         [0101]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4   a , the stack  41  may have a height H which typically varies from 10 mm to 50 mm, height H corresponding to the sum of the axial thicknesses E c  of the central parts C i    51 , the height H being equal to the product N.E c  when the central parts C i    51  have identical axial thicknesses E c . 
         [0102]    At least one radial projection of the plurality of projections may be a flexible projection  53   d , flexible projection  53   d  having either an axial and/or transverse thickness which gradually decreases from its base to constitute a junction with the central surface part up to its extremity that is the most remote from the axial direction, or a thinned down part defining a hinge. 
         [0103]    The flexible projection  53   d  may be a flexible transverse projection. Its transverse thickness E T  typically gradually decreases from its base  530  to define a junction with central part  51  up to its extremity  531  that is most remote from axial direction  10 . Its axial thickness E A  possibly remains constant. However, as illustrated in  FIG. 8   a , this thickness E T  may remain substantially constant along the entire radial length of the projection as long as it is sufficiently small to ensure a sufficient flexibility to the radial projection  53 . 
         [0104]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7   a , flexible projection  53   d  is an axially flexible projection, its axial thickness E A  gradually decreasing from its base  530  to constitute a junction with said central part  51  up to its extremity  531  that is most remote from axial direction  10 , its transverse thickness E T  possibly remaining constant. 
         [0105]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5   i , the radial projection  53  may comprise, typically along is upper  532  and/or lower  533  axial surface, at least one hollowed part  534 , so as to increase the holding capacity of application means  4  for the cosmetic product, and/or to increase the flexibility of the axial projection  53 . 
         [0106]    According to the invention, elements E  5  may be articles of plastic material formed by molding or by machining. 
         [0107]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4   a  to  4   f , axial core  40  and axial rod  3  may constitute a molded member of plastic material, which is typically rigid, the junction between the rod and the axial core defining a shoulder  33  constituting a so-called upper abutment for the first element E 1    5  of stack  41 , so as to define an upper part of the axial assembling means. This molded member of plastic material is typically a single-piece member. 
         [0108]    In this case, the axial core  40  may be provided at its lower end  43  with a so-called lower abutment for the last element E N    5 , the lower abutment typically comprising a radial member  43   a  allowing an axial irreversible snapping of stack  41  on axial core  40 , so as to define a lower part of the axial assembling means. 
         [0109]    According to another embodiment, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 6   a  to  6   e , the axial core  40  may comprise a coupling handle member  44  at its upper part, the coupling handle member cooperating with a blind hole  32  of axial rod  3  at its lower end  31 , axial core  40  forming at its lower end  43  a so-called lower abutment for the last element E N    5 , the lower abutment typically comprising a radial member  43   b  defining a lower abutment or stop for stack  41 . 
         [0110]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7   a  to  7   c , element E  5  may be a so-called asymmetrical element E′, because of a lack of symmetry with respect to a transverse plane, so that a turning around of element E′ with respect to the axial direction leads to an element E′R which is not superposable over element E′, in a manner to thus constitute, from a same element E′, a large number of distinct applicators. 
         [0111]    Indeed, by way of example, the stack portion of  FIG. 7   b  may be written E′-E′-E while the stack portion of  FIG. 7   c  may be written E′-E′ R -E′. It is consequently possible to obtain a very large number of distinct arrangements by combining elements E′ and E′ R . 
         [0112]    Stack  41  may be a stack  41 ′ in which two consecutive elements ( 5 ) are separated by an intermediate member I  8 , intermediate member I  8  having a transverse cross-section that is typically closely related to the transverse cross-section of central part  51  of elements  5 . 
         [0113]    This intermediate member  8  is an insert member that is disposed between two consecutive elements E i  and E i+1 . This intermediate member  8  may be an axially compressible member. 
         [0114]    As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , various types of intermediate members  8  may be used. 
         [0115]    Another object of the invention is provided by the process of manufacturing an applicator  1  according to the invention. 
         [0116]    In this process:
       1) there is provided or produced by plastic material molding, at least one model M of element E  5 , and typically a plurality of models M k  of elements E  5 , wherein k typically varies from 1 to 10, and possibly at least one model of intermediate member I  8 ,   2) there is provided or produced by plastic material molding, a molded member comprising axial core  40  and possibly the axial rod,   3) stack  41  of the plurality of N elements E  5  is produced, each element E i  of rank i in the stack being selected with respect to model M ik  selected for rank i among the k models M, with respect to its distinct angular orientation α ij  selected among the p possible angular orientations α ij , and possibly with respect to its orientation in the case of a so-called asymmetrical element E′ i .       
 
         [0120]    The stack  41  of the plurality of N elements E  5  may be formed before being fixedly mounted on axial core  40 . 
         [0121]    The stack  41  may be prepared automatically and at high rate through a device  7  allowing to simultaneously produce from 10 to 100 stacks per minute, device ( 7 ) comprising a supply of the k models M, with means for selecting, for element E i  of rank i of the stack, the predetermined model M ik  and for orienting same according to predetermined angular orientation α ij , stack ( 41 ) being either directly produced on axial core  40 , or before being assembled with axial core  40 . 
         [0122]    As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , device  7  comprises a control device  70  typically comprising a computer memory adapted for storing information with respect to stack  41 , each element E i  of stack  41  being defined in particular by the type of model M k  and its angular orientation α j . 
         [0123]    Another object of the invention is an applicator dispenser  6  comprising an applicator  1  according to the invention, or obtained by the process according to the invention, and a body  60  defining a container for the cosmetic product, the body  60  comprising a neck  61  typically provided with a wiper  62  for the application means, the prehension means  2  of applicator  1  defining a cap  2 ′ adapted to cooperate by screwing with neck  61  so as to seal same. 
         [0124]    Such a dispenser applicator  6  has been illustrated in  FIG. 9   b.    
         [0125]    Another object of the invention consists of an applicator assembly comprising an applicator  1  according to the invention, or obtained by the process of the invention, and at least another plurality of elements E′, the means for axially assembling the applicator  1  comprising the stack of elements E  40 , being a reversible axially assembling means, so as to permit replacement of at least part of stack E  40  by at least part of stack E′  40 ′, stack E′  40 ′ being distinct from stack E  40 . 
         [0126]    Thus, in particular, any user will have the choice of adapting the shape of his brush to his present needs. 
       EXAMPLES 
       [0127]    All the figures constitute examples of preferred embodiments. 
         [0128]    Elements E  5  were molded with PE or PP, as well as with an elastomer. 
       ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0129]    In view of the forever increasing requests for all kinds of applicators, the invention allows the industrial production of a large variety of applicators in a manner to comply with the needs of the users of cosmetic products. 
         [0130]    In view of the need to rapidly comply with any request, the invention constitutes an industrial answer, bearing in mind the possibility of producing the applicators of the invention at high rate, and even in the case of the production of a limited number of applicators. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 LIST OF REFERENCE MARKS 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Applicator 
                  1 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Axial direction 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Transverse plane perpendicular to 10 
                 11 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Prehension means 
                  2 
               
               
                   
                 Cap 
                     2′ 
               
               
                   
                 Axial rod 
                  3 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Upper part 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Lower part 
                 31 
               
               
                   
                 Blind hole cooperating with 44 
                 32 
               
               
                   
                 Shoulder defining abutment 
                 33 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Means of application 
                  4 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Axial rod 
                 40, 40a, 40b 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Exterior axial rib 
                 400  
               
               
                   
                 Exterior axial groove 
                 401  
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Stack of elements E, E′ 
                 41, 41′  
               
               
                   
                 Stack of identical elements E 
                  41a 
               
               
                   
                 Stack of different elements E 
                  41b 
               
               
                   
                 Means for angular orientation of 40-41 
                 42 
               
               
                   
                 Lower end of 40 
                 43, 43a, 43b 
               
               
                   
                 Handle member for coupling 40 to 3 
                 44 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Element E 
                  5 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Central orifice 
                 50 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Interior axial rib 
                 500  
               
               
                   
                 Interior axial groove 
                 501  
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Central part C 
                 51, 51a 
               
               
                   
                 Peripheral part P 
                 52 
               
               
                   
                 Radial projection of 52 
                 53 
               
               
                   
                 Projection oriented according to 11 
                  53a 
               
               
                   
                 Projection oriented towards top of 11 
                  53b 
               
               
                   
                 Projection oriented towards bottom of 11 
                  53c 
               
               
                   
                 Flexible projection 
                  53d 
               
               
                   
                 Rigid projection 
                  53e 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Base of 53 
                 530  
               
               
                   
                 End of 53 
                 531  
               
               
                   
                 Upper axial surface 
                 532  
               
               
                   
                 Lower axial surface 
                 533  
               
               
                   
                 Hollowed part 
                 534  
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Plurality of projections 53 
                 54 
               
               
                   
                 Symmetrical plurality 
                  54a 
               
               
                   
                 Non symmetrical plurality 
                  54b 
               
               
                   
                 Inclined part 
                  54c 
               
               
                   
                 Alternated plurality 
                  54d 
               
               
                   
                 Axial plurality 
                  54e 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Dispenser applicator 
                  6 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Body of 6 
                 60 
               
               
                   
                 Neck of 60 
                 61 
               
               
                   
                 Wiper 
                 62 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Automatic device 
                  7 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Control device 
                 70 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Insert member I 
                  8