Abstract:
The present invention provides an applicator comprising:
       a handle member;   a stem connected via a hinge to the handle member; and   an applicator element disposed at a first end of the stem and configured to apply makeup on keratinous fibers;   the stem including a maneuverable portion enabling the direction in which it points relative to the handle member to be modified, the maneuverable portion extending at least in part between the hinge and a second end of the stem opposite from its first end.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims the benefit of French patent application number 02-07060, filed Jun. 7, 2002; French patent application number 02-07061, filed Jun.7, 2002; U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/388,308, filed Jun. 14, 2002; and U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/388,309, filed Jun. 14, 2002, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (i) Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to applicators comprising a handle member, a stem connected via a hinge to the handle member, and an applicator element disposed at one end of the stem. 
   (ii) Description of Related Art 
   Such applicators, which are suitable for applying a cosmetic, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,026,823. 
   Other applicators are described in: U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,282, U.S. Pat. No. 2,173,959, U.S. Pat. No. 4,396,029, U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,328, FR 2 701 196, U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,755, FR 1 395 217, U.S. Pat. No. 4,428,388, U.S. Pat. No. 3,185,291, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,989. 
   Amongst the above-mentioned patents, FR 1 395 217 describes a nail varnish applicator having a deformable capsule. The capsule comprises a flexible portion and a rigid portion, the rigid portion including a screw thread enabling it to be screwed onto the neck of a flask. The flexible portion, which may be spherical in shape or a bellows, is secured to a brush and enables the user, by pushing down on the flexible portion, to push down the brush so as to enable it to reach the bottom of the flask and wipe over it so as to be effective in picking up any pigments that have become deposited thereon in order to put them back into suspension. 
   Applicators including an applicator element having a non-rectilinear longitudinal axis are also known, in particular for applying makeup to the eyelashes or the eyebrows. Given the shape of the applicator element, difficulties can arise when the applicator element is loaded with makeup by being inserted into a receptacle through a wiper. In order to avoid impeding such insertion, the angle formed by the applicator element relative to the stem which supports it must not be too great. Unfortunately, it can be desirable to have an applicator element that is more steeply inclined relative to the stem for ergonomic reasons and/or to make a wider variety of makeup results possible, for example. 
   SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   A particular object of the invention is to propose a novel applicator, in particular for the lips, the eyelids, the eyebrows, the eyelashes, or the hair, which is more ergonomic and/or which enables new makeup effects to be obtained. 
   In one of its aspects, the invention provides an applicator comprising:
         a handle member;   a stem connected via a hinge to the handle member;   an applicator element disposed at a first end of the stem and configured to apply makeup on keratinous fibers, for example, the eyelashes, the eyebrows, or the hair; and   a maneuverable portion enabling the direction in which it points relative to the handle member to be modified, said maneuverable portion extending at least in part between the hinge and a second end of the stem opposite from its first end.       

   Such an applicator can enable the direction in which the applicator element is pointing relative to the handle member to be modified in use, so as to have a non-zero angle between the axis of the applicator element and an axis of the stem, but without thereby giving rise to difficulty in introducing the applicator into a receptacle containing the makeup for application and provided with a wiper, since such insertion can be performed, for example, while the stem is substantially on the axis of the handle member. When the applicator element is non-rectilinear in shape, the angle of incidence between the applicator element and the handle member can be increased at the time of use without it being necessary to give the applicator element an inclination of a kind that would impede insertion into the receptacle. The fact of inclining the stem relative to the handle member also makes it possible to hold the handle member further away from the face, when making up the eyelashes or the eyebrows, thus making it easier to apply makeup to the eyelashes or the eyebrows with the axis of the stem pointing substantially vertically. 
   In another of its aspects, the invention provides an applicator comprising:
         a handle member;   a stem connected via a hinge to the handle member, the hinge being configurable to prevent perceptible axial and/or lateral displacement at the hinge of the stem relative to the handle member;   an applicator element of any kind disposed at a first end of the stem; and   a maneuverable portion enabling the direction in which the stem is pointing relative to the handle member to be modified, said maneuverable portion being capable of extending at least in part between the hinge and a second end of the stem, opposite from the first end.       

   In the absence of any perceptible axial and/or lateral displacement at the hinge of the stem relative to the handle member can enable the applicator element to be positioned accurately at the location where the makeup is to be applied. 
   In another of its aspects, the invention provides an applicator comprising:
         a handle member;   a stem connected to the handle member via a hinge placed inside the handle member;   an applicator element of any kind disposed at a first end of the stem; and   a maneuverable portion enabling the direction in which the stem is pointing relative to the handle member to be modified, said maneuverable portion being capable of extending at least in part between the hinge and a second end of the stem, opposite from its first end.       

   The fact of placing the hinge inside the handle member can make the applicator more compact and easier to hold in the hand. 
   In examples of applicators made in accordance with the invention, the handle member may comprise a body provided with an inside thread. 
   The handle member may comprise a body having the maneuverable portion passing through one end thereof. At said end, the body may have an end wall provided with an opening through which the maneuverable portion passes. This end wall may be generally outwardly convex in shape. 
   The above-mentioned opening may comprise at least one slot, which slot may serve to guide the movement of the maneuverable portion. The slot may extend, where appropriate, over at least a portion of the side surface of the handle member. By way of example, the opening may have at least two slots of longitudinal axes that are substantially mutually perpendicular, for example. The slot(s) may have edges defining at least one hard point during displacement of the maneuverable portion, e.g. by means of at least one projection. Where appropriate, the hard point may make it easier to hold the maneuverable portion in a predetermined position. 
   The applicator, e.g. its end wall, may include at least one reference mark, e.g. graduations, enabling the user to identify more easily the direction in which the stem is pointing relative to the handle member. 
   The maneuverable portion may include a cover configured to cover the handle member at least in part. By way of example, the cover may have a face that is generally concave towards the handle member. 
   The maneuverable portion may be covered at least in part by a sheath, e.g. a sheath having at least one flexible region. In particular, the flexible region may include a bellows. 
   The maneuverable portion may be completely covered by the sheath. 
   The sheath may be entirely flexible, e.g. being made out of an elastomer, e.g. butyl nitrile, ethylene-propylene diene monomer (EPDM), silicone, or latex, this list not being limiting. 
   The sheath may be applied to the handle member, or in a variant it may be made integrally with the handle member by molding, e.g. by being injected thereover. 
   The outside shape of the sheath may be axially symmetrical, e.g. presenting a circular cross-section over at least a fraction of its length. 
   The outside shape of the sheath may privilege deformation thereof in one or more directions. For example, the sheath may thus present a cross-section that is oblong over at least a fraction of its length. 
   The sheath may have a wall which may be of greater or lesser thickness. For example the sheath may have a wall of thickness, at least in some places, that is of the same order of magnitude as the thickness of a wall of the handle member. 
   The sheath may also have a wall that is relatively thick, in particular when the sheath is made of a cellular material. 
   For example, the sheath may comprise a block of foam provided with a recess or at least with a slot in which the second end of the stem is engaged. Such a block may be fixed to one end of the body of the handle member, e.g. by heat-sealing or by adhesive. 
   The sheath may contribute to sealing the closure of a receptacle onto which the applicator is placed while not in use. 
   The hinge may include a brake in order to brake the movement of the stem relative to the handle member. The brake may exert braking action regardless of the position of the stem relative to the handle member. In a variant, the brake may alternatively exert braking action only in at least one predetermined position of the stem relative to the handle member. 
   The hinge may be made in various ways, for example it may allow the stem to move about one axis, two axes, or an infinity of axes. 
   For example the hinge may comprise a ball-and-socket joint which may have a seat that is rigid or flexible. A rigid seat may make it possible, optionally, to obtain better sealing of the closure of the receptacle by virtue of better contact between a sealing member of the stem and the receptacle, for example. 
   In a variant, the hinge may comprise a pin, e.g. a metal pin, about which the stem can pivot. The stem may alternatively include a cylindrical portion serving as a pivot. 
   The hinge may also include at least one flexible wall, e.g. a disk, through which the stem passes, said wall extending between the stem and the handle member. In an embodiment, the hinge comprises at least one block of elastically deformable material, e.g. a foam, through which the stem passes. 
   The applicator may be configured in such a manner that the stem continues to point in the direction imparted thereto by the user after the user has released the maneuverable portion. 
   The applicator may alternatively include a resilient return member suitable for returning the stem to point in a predetermined direction when the user releases it, e.g. in order to bring its axis into alignment with that of the handle member. The return member may be constituted, for example, by an element constituting the hinge. The return member may be constituted by a sheath as described above. 
   The stem may include a sealing member configured to bear in substantially leaktight manner against a surface of a receptacle on which the applicator is fitted when not in use. By way of example, the sealing member may comprise a disk and/or a frustoconical portion. 
   The applicator element may present a longitudinal axis that is optionally rectilinear. 
   The applicator element may present a longitudinal axis that forms a non-zero angle with the axis of the stem. This non-zero angle may be formed between the axis of an end portion of the stem adjacent to the applicator element, and the axis of a proximal portion of the applicator element, adjacent to the stem. The non-zero angle may also be formed between the axis of an end portion of the stem adjacent to the applicator element, and the axis of a distal portion of the applicator element, remote from the stem. 
   The applicator element may be non-rectilinear, or the stem and the applicator element need not extend entirely along a single rectilinear axis. Under such circumstances, and by way of example, the applicator element of the stem may extend in a plane, and the stem may be capable of pivoting only in said plane. The longitudinal axis of the applicator element may also extend out from the pivot plane of the stem. 
   The applicator element may include bristles and/or teeth extending transversely, e.g. perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the applicator element. 
   The applicator element may comprise a mascara brush, in particular a brush having a core made of two twisted-together branches of a metal wire, the bristles extending substantially radially from the core. 
   The applicator element may also comprise a comb configured to apply makeup to the keratinous fibers, e.g. the eyelashes or the eyebrows. 
   The applicator element may be made with serrations, for example. 
   The applicator element may be made by injecting a plastics material, for example. 
   In a variant embodiment, the applicator element may comprise a paintbrush type brush, for example a brush for applying nail varnish. 
   The applicator element may also comprise a foam, a sponge, a felt, or a flocked endpiece, e.g. configured to apply makeup to the lips or the eyelids. The applicator element may be flocked. 
   The applicator element may be suitable for retaining the makeup by capillarity. 
   The invention also provides a packaging and applicator device for a cosmetic, the device comprising a receptacle containing the cosmetic and an applicator as defined above. 
   The applicator may be configured to close the receptacle. 
   The receptacle may include a wiper. The wiper may serve to return the stem into a position of zero inclination when the applicator is put back on the receptacle. 
   The receptacle and the applicator may be configured in such a manner that the stem of the applicator is prevented from pivoting relative to the receptacle when the applicator is in place thereon. 
   Sealed closure of the receptacle may be obtained by sealing means that are situated, on moving along the axis of the hinge, above the hinge, around the hinge, or beneath the hinge. 
   The invention also provides a method of applying makeup on a portion of the body or the face, in particular on the eyelashes or the eyebrows, the method comprising the following steps:
         loading an applicator element with makeup, the applicator element being present at one end of a stem connected in hinged manner to a handle member having an axis; and   modifying the direction in which the stem points relative to the handle member by manually exerting thrust oriented transversely to the axis of the handle member on a maneuverable portion adjacent to the second end of the stem opposite from its end carrying the applicator element.       

   In the event that the applicator element is configured to apply makeup on keratinous fibers, for example the eyelashes and/or the eyebrows, the method may comprise the following steps:
         making up the keratinous fibers with the stem in a substantially horizontal position and at a first inclination of the relative to the handle member, said first inclination being zero, for example; and   making up the keratinous fibers with the stem substantially vertical and at a second inclination relative to the handle member, the second inclination being different from the first.       

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic axial section view of a device for applying makeup to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, made in accordance with the invention; 
       FIG. 2  shows the applicator of the  FIG. 1  device in isolation after the stem has been pivoted relative to the handle member; 
       FIG. 3  shows the  FIG. 2  applicator being used for making up the eyelashes, the stem being oriented substantially vertically; 
       FIG. 4  shows the  FIG. 2  applicator being used for making up the eyelashes with the stem being oriented substantially horizontally; 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are diagrams showing two examples of brushes suitable for use as the applicator element, the brushes being shown prior to having their cores curved; 
       FIG. 7  is a view analogous to  FIG. 1  showing a device in which the applicator element is constituted by a brush having a rectilinear longitudinal axis; 
       FIGS. 8 to 11  show various examples of other applicators; 
       FIG. 12  shows a portion of a curved stem; 
       FIG. 12A  is a cross-section of an applicator element including serrations; 
       FIGS. 13 to 15  show various examples, amongst others, of how the hinge can be made; 
       FIG. 16  is a fragmentary side view of an applicator constituting a variant embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 17  is an end view seen looking along arrow XVII of  FIG. 16 ; 
       FIGS. 18 and 19  are views analogous to  FIG. 17 , showing various embodiments; 
       FIGS. 20 to 27  are views showing portions of other examples of applicators; 
       FIG. 28  is a section on XVIII of  FIG. 27 ; 
       FIGS. 29 to 31  show other examples of hinges; and 
       FIG. 32  shows an embodiment of a hinge with serrations. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows a device  1  for applying makeup P to the eyelashes or the eyebrows, e.g. mascara, the device comprising an applicator  2  shown on its own in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and a receptacle  3  containing the makeup P and on which the applicator  2  can be fixed in substantially leaktight manner when not in use. In conventional manner, the receptacle  3  may have a threaded neck  4 , as shown in  FIG. 1 , with a wiper  5  being fixed inside the threaded neck, the wiper being made out of elastomer, for example, and possibly comprising a flexible lip that is generally conical in shape. 
   In the example shown, the applicator  2  comprises a rectilinear stem  6  of axis X together with a handle member  7  of axis Y that also serves as a closure cap for the receptacle  3 , being provided for this purpose with an inside thread  8  configured to screw onto the neck  4 . 
   The stem  6  has a sealing member  9  configured to co-operate with the opening of the receptacle  3  when the applicator  2  is in place thereon, as can be seen in  FIG. 1 . By way of example, this sealing member  9  can comprise a frustoconical portion  9   a  fitted at its top end with a collar  9   b  configured to bear against the top edge of the wiper  5 . The wiper defines a wiping orifice  5   a  inside the receptacle, which orifice can be circular when the portion of the stem for wiping is circular in section, and it can match the diameter thereof. By way of example, in a variant, the sealing member may comprise no more than the frustoconical portion or a disk, or it may have some other shape, for example it may include a sealing skirt. Particularly when it comprises a disk, the sealing member may include a bead of elastomer material. 
   The handle member  7  comprises a generally tubular body  14  made of a rigid plastics material, for example, presenting an outside shape that is circularly symmetrical about the axis Y in the example shown, said body  14  defining an opening  15  at axial end enabling it to be engaged on the neck  4  of the receptacle  3 , and defining an opening  16  at its opposite end for passing a maneuverable portion  18  of the stem  6 , which portion serves to determine the direction in which the stem points relative to the handle member  7 . 
   The stem  6  is connected in hinged manner to the handle member  7  so that the angle ii formed between the axis X of the stem  6  and the axis Y of the handle member  7  can be modified by the user while the applicator  2  is in use, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
   The applicator  2  may have a hinge, e.g. in the form of a ball-and-socket joint, comprising a generally spherical portion  10  formed on the stem  6  together with a socket or seat  11  of complementary shape inside the handle member  7 . Such a joint may optionally allow the stem  6  to turn about its own axis X relative to the handle member  7 , while preventing perceptible axial and lateral movement of the stem  6  relative to the handle member  7  at the hinge. 
   In the example, the socket  11  is defined by a wall  12  of the handle member which connects at a top end to an inwardly-directed rim  13  of the body  14 . 
   At its end opposite to the maneuverable portion  18 , the stem  6  is provided with an applicator element  20  which may optionally come into contact with the bottom of the receptacle when the applicator is in place, and which is constituted by a mascara brush, for example. 
   In conventional manner, the brush may comprise a core made of two twisted-together branches of metal wire with bristles projecting substantially radially therefrom. 
   The direction in which the stem  6  points relative to the handle member  7  can be changed without touching the portion of the stem which is inserted into the receptacle when the applicator is in place thereon, and thus avoiding nay risk of the user dirtying the fingers. 
   In addition, the maneuverable portion  18  of the stem  6  may enable the user to become aware of a change in the direction in which the applicator element is pointing relative to the handle member while applying makeup, by acting on the maneuverable portion  18 . 
   The stem may be maneuvered using one hand while applying makeup. 
   The brush may present a core that is not rectilinear, as is the case in the example of  FIGS. 1 to 3 , or that is rectilinear, as is shown in  FIG. 7 . 
   It may be advantageous to ensure that the applicator element  20  and the stem  6  do not both extend along the same straight line, and in particular to ensure that the applicator element presents a longitudinal axis that is curvilinear. 
   In the example of  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the brush  20  presents a core that is curved, the proximal portion  21   a  of the core  21  adjacent to the stem being connected thereto substantially along the axis X, with the distal portion  21   b  of the core  21  pointing in a direction Z that forms an angle i with the axis X. 
   The angle formed between the direction Z and the axis Y of the handle member  7  may correspond to the sum of the angles i and ii, thus making it possible, for example, to apply makeup to the eyelashes while the stem of the applicator is pointing upwards, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
   While making up with the stem of the applicator pointing upwards, the angle between the stem and the handle member may be quite large, so as to make it possible to hold the handle member away from the face, thereby making it easier to apply makeup. 
   When the applicator is used with the stem substantially horizontal, the direction in which the stem points may be substantially zero relative to the axis of the handle member, for example, as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   The applicator may be configured in such a manner that the stem conserves the direction in which it is caused to point once the maneuverable portion  18  has been released, so that the user does not need to continue applying pressure on the maneuverable portion in order to keep the stem inclined relative to the axis of the handle member. 
   In a variant, and as described below, the applicator may be configured in such a manner as to return the stem so to point in a predetermined direction relative to the axis of the handle member once the maneuverable portion  18  has been released. 
   When the applicator is in place on the receptacle, co-operation of the stem and, where appropriate, of the sealing member  9  with the receptacle and in particular with the wiper member  5  may have the effect of preventing the maneuverable portion  18  from tilting perceptibly relative to the handle member, contrary to that which is described, for example, for the device of French patent No. 1 395 217. 
   The applicator element  20  at the end of the stem  6  may be constituted in various ways, and in particular by brushes having a core that is off-center and/or a core that is curved, and presenting, prior to the core being curved, a shape of the kind shown for example in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
   These figures show two brush blanks, prior to the core being curved and prior to the core  21  being implanted in the stem  6 . 
   It can be seen that in each of these two examples the core  21  is entirely rectilinear prior to being implanted in the stem. 
   Dashed lines show the shape of the core after it has been curved. 
   In the example of  FIG. 5 , the blank presents an envelope surface in the form of two truncated cones around its longitudinal axis. 
   The total length of the portion  20   a  of the brush that carries the bristles is, for example, about 26 millimeters (mm). The largest diameter of the blank may be slightly greater than 7 mm, while the end diameters thereof may be close to 4 mm. The total length of the core  21  may be slightly greater than 35 mm, for example. 
   The core  21  may be curved while keeping the portion that is implanted in the stem  6  rectilinear so as to give the free portion a radius of curvature that is close to 60 mm, for example. 
   The free end of the core may be offset from the axis of the rectilinear portion implanted in the stem by a distance d that may be about 4.5 mm, for example. 
   Prior to the core being curved, the general shape of the blank of  FIG. 6  may be substantially a fish-shape with a substantially frustoconical front portion  20   b  and a body  20   c  that is circularly symmetrical, being defined in longitudinal section by two opposite circular edges  20   d  and  20   e  that are outwardly concave, each having a radius of curvature of about 52 mm. The diameter of the brush in the vicinity of its rear end plane  20   f  may be about 7.5 mm, for example, and its diameter in the vicinity of its front end plane  20   g  may be about 5 mm, for example. The blank of  FIG. 6  is transformed into the final brush by curving the portion of its core that carries the bristles, so as to have a radius of curvature which is constant as in the example shown, and which is about 53 mm. 
   The end of the portion of the brush carrying the bristles, adjacent to the portion which is implanted in the stem, may form a small angle as shown in  FIG. 6  relative to the axis of the portion implanted in the stem  6 . The distance d whereby the free end portion of the core is offset may be about 2.4 mm, for example. 
   It is also possible to use applicator elements that have a flocked endpiece  30 , e.g. for making up an eyelid, as shown in  FIG. 8 , or a flocked endpiece  40  for making up the lips, as shown in  FIG. 9 , or a paintbrush type brush  50  for applying varnish to the nails, as shown in  FIG. 10 . It is also possible to use a comb  60  as shown in  FIG. 11 . Other examples of non-limiting combs are described in applications EP1 169 941, EP 1 070 465, EP 1 070 468, EP 1 070 467, in particular. It is also possible to use a felt tip or a foam, as shown in  FIG. 12 . 
   In this figure, it can be seen that the stem  6  need not be entirely rectilinear and may comprise, for example, a bent portion  6   a.    
   The applicator element may include serrations when observed in cross-section, as can be seen in  FIG. 12A , and it may be made by injection-molding a plastics material. 
   The various applicator elements may optionally extend along the same straight line as the stem. 
   In the example of  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the maneuverable portion  18  of the stem  6  is made integrally with the remainder of the stem, e.g. by molding a plastics material. 
   It would not go beyond the ambit of the present invention for the maneuverable portion  18  to be constituted by a separate piece fitted to the remainder of the stem  6 , for example by being inserted at one end in a housing  61  of the spherical portion  10 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . 
   The hinge connecting the stem  6  to the handle member  7  may be constituted by means of a piece that is fitted to the remainder of the handle member  7 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . In this figure, it can be seen that the socket  11  is formed in the piece  63  which is fixed to the remainder  64  of the handle member, e.g. by snap-fastening. 
   In  FIG. 14 , it can also be seen that the opening in the handle member  7  through which the maneuverable portion  18  projects may be defined by outwardly-diverging edges  65 . 
   The wall  12  which defines the socket  11  of the ball-and-socket joint may extend, for example, at least in part outside the handle member  7 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . 
   The maneuverable portion  18  may be provided with a cover  66  serving to cover at least part of the wall  12  of the socket  11  with little or no clearance, the cover  66  optionally presenting a concave face  67  directed towards the wall  12  as in the example shown. 
   At one axial end, the handle member  7  may have an end wall  69 , as shown in  FIG. 16 , with one or more slots through which the maneuverable portion  18  passes. 
   In the example of  FIG. 16 , the end wall  69  has two slots  70  and  71 , of respective axes F 1  and F 2  that are mutually perpendicular, and of width that corresponds substantially to the diameter of the maneuverable portion  18 , said portion be capable of moving in the slots when the stem  6  is inclined relative to the handle member  7 . 
   The presence of the slots  70  and  71  can reduce the range of movements available to the stem  6  relative to the handle member  7  to the directions of the axes F 1  and F 2 . 
   In the example shown, the end wall  69  is generally outwardly convex. At least one of the above-mentioned slots, for example both slots  70  and  71 , may include at least one projection  73 , e.g. a pair of projections  73  facing each other so as to create a hard point against passage by the maneuverable portion  18 , thereby making it possible to contribute to holding the maneuverable portion  18  in a predetermined position, e.g. in abutment against an axial end of one of the slots. 
   In the example of  FIG. 18 , the user can thus bring the maneuverable portion  18  into one of five predefined positions, namely a central position in which the portion  18  lie at the intersection between the slots  70  and  71 , and the inclination of the stem  6  relative to the axis Y is substantially zero, and four end positions in each of which the maneuverable portion  18  is in abutment against one of the axial ends of the corresponding slot. Position is changed between the central position and the end positions by going through a hard point associated with the presence of the projections  73 . 
   By way of example, if it is desired that the stem  6  should be capable of pivoting about a single axis only, then the handle member  7  need have only one slot  70 , as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
   When the stem pivots in one plane only, the applicator element may present a longitudinal axis that is curved, extending in said plane. 
   The handle member may have at least one reference mark  77  enabling the user to identify the position of the maneuverable portion  18  relative to the handle member. For example, the handle member may have a plurality of graduations. 
   The maneuverable portion  18  may be covered by a sheath, which may be made in various ways. By way of example, the sheath may contribute to sealing the receptacle. 
     FIG. 20  shows a sheath  80  made by overmolding an elastomer onto a portion  81  of the body of the handle member  7 . 
   By way of example, the sheath may be made with folds  82  as shown in  FIG. 21 , the folds  82  constituting, for example, a bellows giving the sheath flexibility in all directions so as to enable the stem  6  to be maneuvered. 
   In the examples of  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the outside shape of the sheath is generally circularly symmetrical about the axis Y of the handle member  7 , but it would not go beyond the ambit of the present invention to give the sheath a shape that is not circularly symmetrical, optionally for the purpose of defining one or more privileged directions in which the maneuverable portion can be moved. 
   By way of example,  FIG. 22  shows a sheath  90  presenting two opposite surfaces  91  that are substantially plane, against which the user can press to change the inclination of the stem  6  relative to the handle member  7 . 
   One of these surfaces  91  may optionally include a message  92  in order to encourage the user to press thereon. 
   As applies to the sheath shown in  FIG. 22 , the sheath may be given a shape that serves to limit angular displacement of the stem  6  to displacement about a single axis. 
   In the example of  FIG. 22 , the flexibility of the sheath  90  in the displacement direction M of the maneuverable portion  18  that is substantially perpendicular to the surfaces  91  encourages the stem to pivot about an axis K that is substantially parallel to the surfaces  91 , whereas the greater stiffness of the sheath  90  in the direction of the axis K tends to prevent pivoting of the stem about an axis perpendicular to the axis K. 
   The socket of the ball-and-socket joint may be formed by a wall that is integrally formed by being molded out of the same material as the sheath, e.g. for the purpose of braking displacements of the stem by generating more friction. 
   By way of example,  FIG. 23  shows an example of a sheath  100  having a bottom portion  94  which is snap-fastened on a rim  95  of the handle member. The bottom portion  94  defines the socket  11  in which the spherical portion  10  of the stem  6  is contained. 
   The sheath engaged on the maneuverable portion  18  may optionally have no portion that is fixed relative to the handle member. 
   The maneuverable portion  18  may be free inside the sheath to enable relative displacement, and in particular axial displacement, of the maneuverable portion  18  relative to the sheath while modifying the inclination of the stem. 
   The maneuverable portion  18  may also not be free relative to the sheath, for example in order to generate constraints tending to return the stem into a rest position in which the axis X coincides substantially with the axis Y. 
   Where appropriate, the sheath may constitute a resilient return member for returning the stem to a position of zero inclination when at rest. 
   The sheath may also comprise a block of cellular material fixed to the body of the handle member. 
   By way of illustration,  FIG. 24  shows a sheath constituted by a block  102  of elastically deformable foam fixed via one face  103  to an end wall  104  of the handle member by heat-sealing or by adhesive. 
   The block  102  includes a recess  105  opening out in the face  103  and in which the maneuverable portion  18  is received. 
   In a variant, the recess  105  may be replaced by one or more slots  106 , e.g. two slots in a cross-configuration, as shown in  FIG. 25 . 
   The sheath may also be made out of the same material as the handle member, for example being connected by means of a film hinge to the handle member, as shown in  FIG. 26 . 
   This figure shows a sheath  108  made integrally with the handle member  7  by molding, and connected to the handle member via a film hinge  107 . 
   The central region of the film hinge  107  is interrupted so as to allow the maneuverable portion  18  to pass through. 
   Means other than a ball-and-socket joint may be used for making the hinge between the stem and the handle member. 
   By way of example,  FIGS. 27 and 28  show a hinge comprising a pin  110 , e.g. a metal pin, having an axis T on which the stem  6  is engaged, which may include, for example, an enlarged portion  111  having plane faces substantially perpendicular to the axis T and pierced by an opening  112  for passing the pin  10 . The pin may be fixed in diametrically opposite studs  113  of the handle member. The handle member may include an external covering  114 , e.g. made of metal, which is fixed to its body  115  and which also serves to retain the pin  110  in the studs  113 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 29 , it is also possible to make the hinge of the stem by replacing the spherical portion with a cylindrical portion  116 , for example so as to allow the stem to pivot only about the axis W of said cylindrical portion, which axis extends perpendicularly to the axis X of the stem. This cylindrical portion  116  may be received at its axial ends in housings  117  that are open towards the end  15  of the handle member so as to enable the cylindrical portion  116  to be snap-fastened in the housings  117  when the maneuverable portion  18  is inserted into the corresponding opening of the handle member. 
   The hinge may also be made by using a wall or a block made of deformable material. 
   By way of example,  FIG. 30  shows a hinge comprising a block  120  of cellular material, e.g. an elastically deformable foam, which is fixed to the inside of the handle member body, e.g. by heat-sealing or by adhesive. The stem  6  passes through an opening  121  in the block  120 , e.g. a slot, and it may have portions in relief  123  and  124  disposed on either side of the block  120 , these portions in relief being large enough to hold the block  120  between them while the stem  6  is being manipulated by the user in order to change the direction in which it is pointing. 
   A simple disk  130 , e.g. made of elastomer, can also be used, as shown in  FIG. 31 , the disk being heat-sealed, for example, in a rim  131  of the handle member surrounding the opening through which the maneuverable portion  18  projects. 
   The spherical portion  10  of the stem engaged in the socket  11  may have portions in relief  135 , e.g. serrations as shown in  FIG. 32 , for co-operating with complementary portions in relief  136  formed in the wall  12  of the socket so as to brake the movement of the stem and/or so as to enable it to be held stationary more easily in one or more predetermined angular positions. In a variant, the portions in relief  135  and  136  may be replaced by at least one bead of elastomer material for generating additional friction between the stem and the handle member. 
   Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The characteristics of various embodiments may, for example, be combined with one another in order to constitute new embodiments in accordance with the invention. 
   Throughout the description, the expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless specified to the contrary. 
   An applicator made in accordance with the invention need not be used with a receptacle into which the applicator is inserted while not in use. The applicator element may be loaded with makeup, for example by being brought into contact with a cake of makeup.