U.S. patent application number 15/757800 was filed with the patent office on 2019-08-15 for brush for applying a product to the eyelashes or eyebrows.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. The applicant listed for this patent is L'OREAL. Invention is credited to Alain BERHAULT, Eric CAULIER, Audrey THENIN.
Application Number | 20190246771 15/757800 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54366400 |
Filed Date | 2019-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190246771 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BERHAULT; Alain ; et
al. |
August 15, 2019 |
BRUSH FOR APPLYING A PRODUCT TO THE EYELASHES OR EYEBROWS
Abstract
The present invention relates to a brush for applying a product
to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising: --a core, notably a
twisted core, that extends along a curved longitudinal axis, and
--bristles that are held by the core, the core comprising a portion
(43) carrying bristles that has a proximal end (40a) intended to be
fixed to a stem and a distal end (40b), the bristles having free
ends that define an envelope surface, the envelope surface having,
before the core is curved, at least one first facet (60) and at
least one second facet (45) which are different from one
another.
Inventors: |
BERHAULT; Alain; (Le Pre
Saint Gervais, FR) ; CAULIER; Eric; (Ferrieres,
FR) ; THENIN; Audrey; (Meudon, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
L'OREAL |
Paris |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
Paris
FR
|
Family ID: |
54366400 |
Appl. No.: |
15/757800 |
Filed: |
September 2, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
September 2, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2016/070755 |
371 Date: |
March 6, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/1053 20130101;
A46B 9/021 20130101; A46B 3/18 20130101; A45D 2034/002 20130101;
A45D 34/045 20130101; A45D 40/265 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A45D 40/26 20060101
A45D040/26; A46B 9/02 20060101 A46B009/02; A45D 34/04 20060101
A45D034/04; A46B 3/18 20060101 A46B003/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 8, 2015 |
FR |
1558314 |
Claims
1: Brush for applying a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows,
comprising: a core that extends along a curved longitudinal axis,
and bristles that are held by the core, the core comprising a
portion carrying bristles that has a proximal end intended to be
fixed to a stem and a distal end, the bristles having free ends
that define an envelope surface, the envelope surface having,
before the core is curved, at least one first facet and at least
one second facet which are different from one another.
2: Brush according to claim 1, wherein the first facet is disposed
in the hollow of the curvature of the core.
3: Brush according to claim 1, wherein the second facet is smaller
than the first facet.
4: Brush according to claim 1, which comprises at least two second
facets.
5: Brush according to claim 4, wherein the two facets are
symmetrical to one another with respect to a plane containing the
longitudinal axis of the core.
6: Brush according to claim 1, wherein the first and second facets
form a triangle when the brush is viewed in cross section.
7: Brush according to claim 6, wherein the first and/or second
facets, or both facets, are delimited by an edge oriented
perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the stem at the
proximal end of the portion of the core carrying the bristles.
8: Brush according to claim 1, wherein the width of the first facet
decreases in the direction of the distal end of the portion of the
core carrying the bristles.
9: Brush according to claim 1, wherein the envelope surface has,
before the core is curved, an at least partially frustoconical or
ogival overall shape.
10: Brush according to claim 1, wherein the envelope surface
comprises a distal frustoconical portion having a cross section
that decreases towards the free end of the core.
11: Brush according to claim 1, wherein the envelope surface
comprises a cylindrical central portion situated between a distal
frustoconical portion and a proximal frustoconical portion.
12: Brush according to claim 1, wherein the envelope surface has at
least one cross section of circular shape situated at the distal
end.
13: Brush according to claim 12, wherein the distal end of the core
is situated on the longitudinal axis of a stem to which it is
attached.
14: Brush according to claim 1, wherein the core is fixed by its
proximal end to a stem.
15: Packaging and application device comprising a container
containing a product to be applied and a brush according to claim
1.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to brushes for applying a
cosmetic product to the eyelashes or eyebrows, notably a makeup or
care product, for example mascara, and to packaging and application
devices comprising such a brush.
[0002] A large number of applicators, in which the brush comprises
a core formed by two arms of a metal wire that are twisted together
and grip bristles, are known. Since the bristles used are generally
the same length, once the branches are twisted, the brush has an
envelope surface in the form of a cylinder of revolution. Such a
cylinder of revolution form has limited effectiveness in terms of
loading the eyelashes with product and separation.
[0003] Efforts have thus been made to give the envelope surface
more complex shapes so as to form on the brush, after wiping, zones
that are more heavily laden with product, making it possible to
properly load the eyelashes, and zones that are less heavily laden
or are laden little, these being usable to separate the eyelashes.
Finding the shape that results in the optimum makeup result
requires numerous tests, since many factors come into play.
[0004] In addition, it is economically advantageous for the brush
to be able to be manufactured quickly and easily.
[0005] Numerous brushes have been proposed, with notches machined
in the longitudinal direction of the core.
[0006] The patent applications EP 1 236 419, EP 1 236 420 and EP 1
236 421 disclose mascara brushes that can comprise substantially
flat facets parallel to the core, having a generally oval contour.
In those applications, the facets of one and the same brush are all
identical.
[0007] In the applications EP 0 832 580 and EP 0 842 620, the
cutouts made are symmetrical to one another.
[0008] The patent application FR 2 916 950 discloses a mascara
brush having a rectilinear longitudinal axis and a polygonal cross
section, along at least a part of its length.
[0009] FR 3 007 630 discloses a mascara brush having a rectilinear
longitudinal axis and comprising facets that are disposed such that
the brush comprises hollows alternating with reliefs around the
core.
[0010] There is a need to make the application of makeup easier
along the entire row of eyelashes, and notably at the corner of the
eye.
[0011] There is also a need to improve brushes, notably to benefit
from brushes that are capable of satisfactorily making up the
eyelashes and eyebrows, by providing a sufficient load of product
and satisfactory combing.
[0012] The invention aims to meet all or some of these needs and
therefore the subject thereof, independently or in combination with
the above, according to one of its aspects, is a brush for applying
a product to the eyelashes and/or eyebrows, comprising: [0013] a
core, notably a twisted core, that extends along a curved
longitudinal axis X, and [0014] bristles that are held by the core,
the core comprising notably a portion carrying bristles that has a
proximal end intended to be fixed to a stem and a distal end, the
bristles having free ends that define an envelope surface, the
envelope surface having, before the core is curved, at least one
first facet and at least one second facet which are different from
one another.
[0015] The first facet may be disposed in the hollow of the
curvature of the core. It is thus possible to form a region that
can make it possible to constitute a larger reserve of product in
the curvature of the core.
[0016] The second facet provides different makeup characteristics
on account of its different location and its different shape.
[0017] The term "facet" denotes a cutout in the envelope surface of
the brush, delimited by visible edges. A facet is preferably
defined by a generatrix extending in a plane perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the core and moving along a directrix, for
example coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the core. A facet
may be flat or non-flat, having for example an outwardly concave or
convex curvature. Such a curvature can depend on the shape of the
generatrix, be it rectilinear or curved. In a variant, the
curvature of the facet can vary, the latter being for example
wavy.
[0018] The expression "facets that are different from one another"
should be understood as meaning that the first and second facets
differ from one another by at least one of their width, length,
depth, distance from the core, and inclination with respect to the
core.
[0019] The second facet may be smaller than the first facet. The
term "smaller" means that at least one of its width and/or its
length and/or its depth is smaller than the width and/or length
and/or depth of the first facet.
[0020] In a variant or additionally, the distance of the second
facet from the core may be greater than the distance of the first
facet from the core. Thus, the second facet may be farther away
from the core than the first facet, and thus be subjected to more
vigorous wiping on passing through the wiping member.
[0021] The area taken up by the second facet may differ from that
taken up by the first facet by more than 10%, that is to say that
|S.sub.1-S.sub.2|/S.sub.1.gtoreq.0.1, where S.sub.1 is the area of
the first facet and S.sub.2 the area of the second facet.
|S.sub.1-S.sub.2|/S.sub.1.gtoreq.0.2, or even
|S.sub.1-S.sub.2|/S.sub.1.gtoreq.0.3 is possible. As seen from the
longitudinal axis of the core in cross section, each first or
second facet preferably extends about the axis over an angular
extent of less than 120.degree.. This ensures that each facet is
located on one side of the brush.
[0022] The brush may comprise at least two second facets. The two
second facets may be smaller than the first facet. The two second
facets may be symmetrical to one another with respect to a plane
containing the longitudinal axis of the core. The first and second
facets may form a triangle when the brush is viewed in cross
section.
[0023] The first and/or second facet, or both facets, may have a
width which increases in the direction of the proximal end of the
portion of the core carrying the bristles, along at least a portion
of the length of the facet, or even along the entire length of the
facet.
[0024] The first and/or second facet, or both facets, may have a
width which decreases in the direction of the distal end of the
portion of the core carrying the bristles, along at least a portion
of the length of the facet.
[0025] The width l of a facet may decrease along its entire length
measured along the longitudinal axis of the core, or else along
only a portion of the latter. The width l of the facet may decrease
along at least half of its length L.sub.2, or even along at least
2/3 of its length L.sub.2, better still along at least 3/4 of its
length L.sub.2. The width l of the facet may increase and then
decrease, and then increase again, or else decrease and then
increase, towards the distal end of the portion of the core
carrying the bristles.
[0026] The widest part of the facet may be situated closer to the
proximal end than to the distal end of the portion of the core
carrying the bristles, better still by less than a third, or even
less than a quarter of the length L of the portion of the core
carrying the bristles, with respect to the proximal end.
[0027] In one exemplary embodiment, the width l of the first facet
decreases in the direction of the distal end of the portion of the
core carrying the bristles.
[0028] The first and/or the second facet may extend along the
entire length L of the portion of the core carrying the bristles,
or else along only a part of the latter, for example along at least
50% of this length L, better still at least 60%, or even at least
70%. The facet may extend along less than 95% of the length L of
the portion of the core carrying the bristles, or along less than
90%, or even along less than 80%.
[0029] The first facet may notably extend along the entire length L
of the portion of the core carrying the bristles.
[0030] The second facet(s) may extend along less than 90% of the
length L of the portion of the core carrying the bristles, or along
less than 80%, or even along less than 70%.
[0031] The first and/or the second facet, or both facets, may
notably extend as far as the proximal end of the portion of the
core carrying the bristles.
[0032] The first and/or second facets, or both facets, may be
delimited by an adge oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal
axis of the stem at the proximal end of the portion of the core
carrying the bristles. The presence of such an edge makes it
possible to improve the precision of makeup application, and in
particular can make it easier to make up the eye, notably the
corner of the eye, and even more particularly the inside corner of
the eye.
[0033] The width of the first facet may decrease in the direction
of the distal end of the portion of the core carrying the
bristles.
[0034] The width of the second facet(s) may decrease in the
direction of the distal end of the portion of the core carrying the
bristles.
[0035] The first and/or second facets may extend parallel to the
longitudinal axis X of the core. This means that the facets are
each made in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the
core, before the latter is curved. It is possible for the envelope
surface not to have facets that are not parallel to the
longitudinal axis X of the core.
[0036] In a variant or additionally, the envelope surface may
define at least one facet that extends longitudinally and is
inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis X of the core in the
direction of the distal end. It may be the first and/or the second
facet, or even a third facet.
[0037] The term "inclined" should be understood as meaning that a
general direction of the facet forms an angle with the longitudinal
axis of the core when the core of the brush is straightened for the
purposes of observation. The generatrix defining the corresponding
facet may notably move along a directrix that is not parallel to
the longitudinal axis of the core, notably rectilinear and forming
an angle with the latter, or curved.
[0038] At least one of the first and second facets may be inclined
in the direction of the distal end of the core. This means that the
inclination of the facet with respect to the longitudinal axis of
the core is such that the facet becomes closer to the longitudinal
axis of the core towards the distal end of the brush, when the core
of the brush is straightened for the purposes of observation. All
the facets of the brush may be inclined in the direction of the
distal end. It is possible for the brush not to have a facet
inclined in the direction of the proximal end.
[0039] In a variant or additionally, at least one of the first and
second facets may be inclined in the direction of the proximal end
of the core. This means that the inclination of the facet with
respect to the longitudinal axis of the core is such that the facet
becomes closer to the longitudinal axis of the core towards the
proximal end of the brush, when the core of the brush is
straightened for the purposes of observation. All the facets of the
brush may be inclined in the direction of the proximal end. It is
possible for the brush not to have a facet inclined in the
direction of the distal end.
[0040] The facet may be inclined at an angle .alpha. of between 5
and 35 degrees, better still between 10 and 20 degrees, with
respect to the longitudinal axis of the stem when the core of the
brush is straightened for the purposes of observation. This means
that the facet has a directrix D which is rectilinear and inclined
at said angle .alpha. with respect to the longitudinal axis X of
the stem, when the core of the brush is straightened for the
purposes of observation. The facet is formed by the movement of a
generatrix along this directrix D. The generatrix may for example
extend along the rotation axis of a tool for cutting the facet,
which may have a cylindrical shape and move along the directrix D
during cutting.
[0041] The envelope surface may have, before the core is curved, an
at least partially frustoconical or ogival overall shape. This can
make it possible to have regions on the envelope surface that are
situated at different distances from the core and are thus wiped
differently. The most loaded regions can be used to load the
eyelashes with product and the less loaded regions can be used to
separate the eyelashes.
[0042] The envelope surface may comprise a distal frustoconical
portion having a cross section that decreases towards the free end
of the core. The angle .beta. of the cone with respect to the
longitudinal axis X may have a value of between 5 and 35 degrees,
better still between 10 and 20 degrees. The distal frustoconical
portion may extend along a length greater than a quarter of the
length L of the portion of the core carrying the bristles, better
still more than a third of the length L of the portion of the core
carrying the bristles, even better still more than half the length
L of the portion of the core carrying the bristles.
[0043] The envelope surface may have at least one cross section
having a not entirely polygonal shape, notably having an at least
partially circular shape, notably having a circular shape at the
distal end. The expression "at the distal end" means that said at
least one cross section is closer to the distal end than the
proximal end of the portion of the core carrying the bristles, in
other words less than 1/2 L from the distal end of the portion of
the core carrying the bristles and more than 1/2 L from the
proximal end of the portion of the core carrying the bristles,
where L is the length of the portion of the core carrying the
bristles measured between its proximal end and its distal end. Said
at least one cross section may be less than a third, or even less
than a quarter of the length L from the distal end of the portion
of the core carrying the bristles. In absolute terms, the length L
may be between 15 mm and 45 mm, better still between 20 mm and 40
mm, for example between 25 mm and 35 mm.
[0044] It is possible for the brush not to have a distal end in the
form of a point. It may have a not entirely prismatic shape, at
least at its distal end.
[0045] The circular cross section may be made at a point on the
core that is situated less than 1/3 L from the distal end of the
portion of the core carrying the bristles and more than 2/3 L from
the proximal end of the portion of the core carrying the bristles.
The circular cross section may be made at a point on the core that
is situated less than 1/4 L from the distal end of the portion of
the core carrying the bristles and more than 3/4 L from the
proximal end of the portion of the core carrying the bristles.
[0046] It is possible for the brush not to have any cross section
with a rectangular shape, notably at its distal end.
[0047] The core may be curved along the entire length of the
portion of the core carrying the bristles. The curvature of the
core may be constant or variable. The radius of curvature is for
example between 20 and 60 mm. Since the brush is curved, it can be
loaded more in the hollow and comb and separate better on the
convex side. The distal end of the core may be situated on the
longitudinal axis Y of a stem to which the brush is attached.
[0048] The brush may comprise at least one cross section with a
prismatic, notably substantially triangular, overall shape, this
cross section being notably situated close to the proximal end of
the portion of the core carrying the bristles. The cross section
with a prismatic overall shape may be situated closer to the
proximal end than to the distal end of the portion of the core
carrying the bristles, better still less than a third, or even less
than a quarter of the length L of the portion of the core carrying
the bristles, with respect to the proximal end.
[0049] The brush may comprise a proximal frustoconical portion at
its proximal end, the frustoconical portion widening with
increasing distance from the proximal end of the portion of the
core carrying the bristles. In one embodiment, the first and/or
second facet, or both facets, extend over the proximal
frustoconical portion.
[0050] The brush may also comprise a cylindrical central portion
situated between the distal frustoconical portion and the proximal
frustoconical portion. In one embodiment, the first and/or second
facet, or both facets, cover the cylindrical central portion. Each
facet stops for example shortly before or at the same level as the
frustoconical portion.
[0051] The brush may be chamfered at its proximal and/or distal
ends. In one exemplary embodiment, the brush is chamfered at its
distal and proximal ends.
[0052] Facet By virtue of the facet(s), the brush according to the
invention is notably able to store more product along a part of its
length so as to provide an additional load of product to the
eyelashes and/or eyebrows.
[0053] The first facet may have a length L.sub.2 where
L.sub.2.gtoreq.L/2, L being the length of the portion of the core
carrying the bristles. Preferably, the length L.sub.2 of the first
facet is such that L.sub.2.gtoreq.2/3L. In one exemplary
embodiment, L.sub.2 is equal to L. This makes it possible to have a
first facet which extends along a great majority of the length of
the core carrying the bristles, thereby making it possible notably
to obtain the desired effect on most of the eyelashes with minimum
hand movements.
[0054] The second facet(s) may have a length L.sub.3 where
L.sub.3.gtoreq.L/2.
[0055] The first facet may have a width l that is constant along at
least a portion of its length L.sub.2. The width l of the first
facet may be between 1 mm and 4 mm, better still between 1.5 mm and
3.5 mm.
[0056] The facet(s) may have, in cross section, a flat bottom or an
outwardly convex bottom.
[0057] The envelope surface, apart from the facets, may be
cylindrical. The envelope surface, apart from the facets, may be a
surface of revolution.
[0058] The envelope surface may be symmetrical with respect to the
longitudinal axis X of the core. In a variant, the envelope surface
does not exhibit axial symmetry.
[0059] The core of the brush is fixed preferably by its proximal
end to a stem. The stem may be fixed at its other end to a closure
cap of a container.
[0060] Preferably, the core is a twisted core. The expression
"twisted core" should be understood as meaning a core formed by
twisting together two arms of a metal wire in a conventional
manner.
[0061] Device
[0062] A further subject of the invention is a packaging and
application device comprising: [0063] a container containing a
product to be applied, [0064] a brush according to the
invention.
[0065] The container may be provided with a wiping member for
removing the excess product present on the stem and on the brush.
This wiping member comprises for example a lip made of an
elastomeric material, defining a wiping orifice which is preferably
of circular section, the diameter of which corresponds
substantially to that of the stem.
[0066] Manufacturing Method
[0067] A further subject of the invention is a method for
manufacturing a brush according to the invention, comprising the
steps of: [0068] producing a brush blank having a rectilinear core,
notably having a twisted core, notably having an envelope surface
that has, before the core is curved, a non-cylindrical shape,
preferably a rotationally symmetrical shape, notably an at least
partially frustoconical or ogival overall shape, [0069] cutting the
bristles so as to obtain facets according to the invention, and
[0070] curving the core.
[0071] Preferably, the core is curved at the first facet such that
the first facet is disposed in the hollow of the curvature of the
core.
[0072] The core is curved for example in a median plane of the
first facet.
[0073] The facet(s) can be formed by moving a cutting tool both
along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the core and
along an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the
core.
[0074] In a variant or additionally, the facet(s) can be formed by
moving a cutting tool about an axis perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the core, notably an axis parallel to the
facet.
[0075] The cutting tool preferably has a rotation axis parallel or
perpendicular to the facet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0076] The invention may be better understood from reading the
following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary
embodiments thereof and from examining the appended drawing, in
which:
[0077] FIG. 1 shows an example of a packaging and application
device according to the invention, in schematic and partial
longitudinal section,
[0078] FIG. 2 is a side view of an example of a brush according to
the invention,
[0079] FIG. 3 is a view of the brush from FIG. 2 before the core is
curved,
[0080] FIG. 4 is a view along the arrow IV,
[0081] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIGS. 3 and 4 of a blank
of the brush from FIG. 2,
[0082] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a variant brush
according to the invention,
[0083] FIGS. 8 and 9 are views along the arrows VIII and IX,
respectively, before the core is curved,
[0084] FIG. 10 is a view along the arrow X, and
[0085] FIGS. 11 and 12 are views similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 of a
blank of the brush from FIG. 7.
[0086] In the rest of the description, identical elements or
elements having identical functions bear the same reference signs.
Their description is not repeated for each of the figures, only the
main differences between the embodiments being mentioned.
[0087] The packaging and application device 1 shown in FIG. 1
comprises a container 2 containing a product P to be applied to the
eyelashes or eyebrows and an applicator 3 which may be fixed
removably to the container 2 in the example in question. The
product P comprises, for example, one or more pigments, in
particular an iron oxide. It is for example a mascara.
[0088] The applicator 3 comprises a stem 5 of longitudinal axis Y,
which stem 5 is provided at a distal end 5a with a brush 10
according to the invention and is provided at the other end with a
gripping member 11, which likewise forms a cap for closing the
container 2 in a sealed manner. As can be seen notably in FIG. 1,
the latter comprises a body 13 which is provided at the top with a
threaded neck 14 onto which the gripping member 11 can be screwed
in order to close the container 2 in a sealed manner. In a variant,
the applicator can be fixed to the container in some other way.
[0089] The neck 14 may accommodate, as illustrated, a wiping member
20 which is for example inserted into the neck 14. This wiping
member 20 comprises a lip 26 that defines a wiping orifice having a
diameter adapted to that of the stem 5.
[0090] The brush 10 can be fixed, in a conventional manner, in a
seat provided at the distal end 5a of the stem 5, which is
advantageously made of a thermoplastic material. The brush 10
comprises a twisted metal core 40 comprising a portion 43 carrying
bristles 41. The core is fixed at a proximal end 40a in the
corresponding housing of the stem 5 by a portion that does not have
bristles, it being possible for said portion to have a length of
around 8 mm. The portion 43 of the core carrying the bristles has a
free end 40b.
[0091] The free ends of the bristles 41 define, as illustrated in
FIG. 2, an envelope surface S of the brush 10. The bristles 41
extend along a length L of the core of preferably between 25 mm and
35 mm, for example equal to 30 mm.
[0092] The core 40 is formed conventionally by two arms of a metal
wire folded in a U-shape, the bristles 41 being held between the
turns of the core 40. The diameter of the metal wire is for example
between 0.1 and 1 mm. The diameter of the bristles is for example
between 0.06 and 0.35 mm.
[0093] The core 40 of the brush 10 according to the invention is
curved, extending along a curved longitudinal axis X. It is curved
in a plane P which, in the example described, is a plane that
contains the longitudinal axis X and is perpendicular to a first
facet 60 which will be described below. This plane P is a plane of
symmetry for the brush. The brush is curved along the entire length
of the portion 43 and the distal end 40b of the core is situated on
the longitudinal axis X and on the longitudinal axis Y of the
stem.
[0094] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6, the envelope
surface S comprises a first facet 60 which extends, before the core
is curved, and as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, parallel to the
longitudinal axis X of the core and along a length L.sub.2 equal to
the length L of the portion of the core carrying the bristles.
After the core has been curved, the first facet 60 is disposed in
the hollow of the curvature of the core, as illustrated in FIG.
2.
[0095] The core is curved in a plane P which is the plane of FIG.
2, said plane P being perpendicular to a plane Q of the facet 60.
The plane P is a median plane of the first facet.
[0096] The first facet 60 has a width l which decreases in the
direction of the distal end 40b of the portion 43 of the core
carrying the bristles.
[0097] The envelope surface S also comprises two second facets 45
which are symmetrical to one another with respect to a plane P
containing the longitudinal axis of the core and form a triangle
with the first facet 60 when the brush is viewed in cross
section.
[0098] In the example described, the three facets 45 and 60 extend
longitudinally and are flat, each extending in a plane parallel to
the longitudinal axis X of the core.
[0099] These second facets 45 are different from the first facet
60. They differ therefrom by way of their length L.sub.3 which
corresponds to around 60% of the length L of the portion 43 of the
core carrying the bristles. Their width e is also less than the
width l of the first facet 60.
[0100] Moreover, the depth of the two second facets 45 is less than
the depth of the first facet 60. In other words, the distance
d.sub.2 of the second facet 45 from the core is greater than the
distance d.sub.1 of the first facet 60 from the core, as can be
seen in FIG. 4. Thus, the second facet 45 is farther away from the
core than the first facet 60.
[0101] The facets 45 have a width l which decreases in the
direction of the distal end 40b of the portion 43 of the core
carrying the bristles.
[0102] The first facet 60 and the two second facets 45 are
delimited in part by an edge 50 that is perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis X of the core and is situated at the proximal end
40b. In the example described, the facets 45 and 60 do not meet at
their proximal end. The cross section of the brush has a
substantially triangular shape at the proximal end 40a of the
brush.
[0103] As seen from the longitudinal axis of the core in cross
section, each first facet 60 or second facet 45 respectively
extends about the axis X over an angular extent .gamma..sub.1 and
.gamma..sub.2 of less than 120.degree..
[0104] The envelope surface S has at least one cross section with a
circular shape. In the example described, this circular cross
section is situated close to the distal end 40b.
[0105] The envelope surface S has, before the core is curved, a
partially frustoconical overall shape, as can be seen in FIGS. 5
and 6, in which the blank of the brush from FIG. 2 has been
illustrated. More specifically, the envelope surface comprises a
distal frustoconical portion 51 having a cross section that
decreases towards the free end of the core, a proximal
frustoconical portion 53 having a cross section that decreases
towards the proximal end of the core, and a cylindrical central
portion 52 situated between the distal frustoconical portion 51 and
proximal frustoconical portion 53.
[0106] The angle .beta. of the cone of the distal frustoconical
portion 51 with respect to the longitudinal axis X may have a value
of around 15.degree..
[0107] The maximum radius R of the envelope surface S,
corresponding to the radius of the smallest cylinder of revolution
in which the brush is inscribed, is between 3 mm and 6 mm, for
example 4.5 mm.
[0108] In the variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 12, the
brush 10 has an overall shape, apart from the facets 45 and 60,
with a convex profile. It can be seen that the blank of this brush,
before the formation of the facets and before the core is curved,
which is illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12, has a partially ogival
shape.
[0109] This variant embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 12 also
differs from the above by the presence of two third facets 65
situated in continuation of the facets 45, the length of which is
L-L.sub.3 and the width of which increases towards the distal end
40b of the brush.
[0110] Moreover, the facet 60 is situated in this example at 450 to
the facets 45 and 65 with respect to the longitudinal axis X.
[0111] Generally, the envelope surface can comprise a different
number of facets and it is possible for the latter not to be
identical to one another and/or distributed evenly around the core
40.
[0112] The ends 40a and 40b of the envelope surface S can be
chamfered. This can make it easier for the brush 3 to pass through
the wiping member 20. The chamfer at the distal end and the chamfer
at the proximal end can be different. The chamfer at the distal end
can, notably, be less inclined than that at the proximal end. In a
variant, it is possible for the brush not to have such chamfers at
the end.
[0113] The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments
which have just been described, the characteristics of which may be
combined with one another as parts of variants which are not
illustrated.
* * * * *