EP1852034B1 - Packaging and application assembly - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to packaging and application assemblies for applying a product to the nails.

Nail polish and nail care products are usually applied using brushes made by stapling a tuft of hair at the end of a stem.

Such brushes most often offer satisfaction for liquid consistency products.

On the other hand, for more viscous products, the conventional brushes do not give good results because the bristles form on the surface of the product streaks which persist during drying.

French patent 1,409,201 discloses an applicator whose handle is curved and made of an elastically deformable material, so as to allow the user to exert a slight pressure on the sides of the handle to tighten or enlarge the opening of the bundle of bristles, in order to to adapt to the width of the treated nail. This applicator has the disadvantage mentioned above.

Some packaging and application packages with hairless applicators have been proposed.

The European patent application EP 0 916 282 A1 thus discloses an applicator having an applicator element having a curved shape, intended to be housed in a container provided with a wiper member formed at least in part by a porous material elastically deformable. The presence of the wiper makes it difficult for the user to dose the amount of product removed by the applicator.

French patent 2,836,029 describes devices for making a makeup called "french manicure ", which consists of depositing a white product at the end of nail varnish to mimic the white of the nails. The applicators disclosed in this patent are not intended to completely treat nails.

French patent 1,174,544 discloses an applicator comprising a rod provided at one end with a flat blade whose distal edge is rectilinear. In the absence of use, the stem is inserted into a narrow-necked container.

The publication WO 2006/068857 discloses a device for making up the nails, comprising several blades of different sizes joined by a central portion.

There is a need to benefit from a new applicator more particularly suitable for the application of a product having a viscous consistency.

According to a first of its aspects, the invention thus relates to a packaging and application assembly according to claim 1 and an applicator according to claim 26. Preferably, the flexible blade is curved so as to define an applicator face generally concave and may have a convex distal edge when observed from above.

According to another of its aspects, the invention also relates to an applicator for taking a product contained in a container and applying it to the nails, comprising a curved flexible blade having an applicator face defining a developable surface, for example cylindrical.

According to another of its aspects, the invention thus also relates to an applicator for taking a product contained in a container and applying it to the nails, comprising a curved flexible blade defining a generally concave applicator face and having a convex distal edge when observed from above.

• un tel applicateur, et
• un récipient contenant un produit à appliquer sur les ongles, notamment un récipient configuré pour permettre le prélèvement du produit sans passer au travers d'un organe d'essorage.

The invention further relates to a packaging and application assembly comprising:

• such an applicator, and
• a container containing a product to be applied to the nails, in particular a container configured to allow the sampling of the product without passing through a wiper member.

The characteristics presented above apply to the applicator considered in isolation as well as to the assembly comprising the applicator and the container.

The invention can allow the user to accurately measure the amount of product removed by the applicator, given the consistency of the product and / or the manner in which the product is taken.

The curved shape of the flexible blade can in particular facilitate the removal of the product.

In addition, the absence of hair bundle avoids the formation of streaks during the deposit of the product on the nail.

Finally, the shape of the blade can facilitate application to the nails and can quickly achieve quality makeup.

The viscosity of the product is measured at 25 ° C. using a RHEOMAT 180 viscometer (LAMY company) equipped with a mobile MS-R1, MS-R2, MS-R3, MS-R4 or MS-R5, chosen depending on the consistency of the product, running at 200 rpm ^-1 . The measurement is performed after 10 minutes of rotation.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the flexible blade has a completely smooth applicator face.

The flexible blade may comprise reliefs on the longitudinal sides of the applicator face, for example ribs. These reliefs can, by pressing on the finger and / or on the sides of the nail, allow to remove at least a portion of the applicator face from a predefined distance of the nail, which can facilitate the formation of a product deposit of controlled thickness.

In an exemplary implementation of the invention, the flexible blade defines opposed bearing surfaces for the fingers, so as to allow the user to modify as desired the curvature of the applicator face by tightening more or less the soft blade between his fingers. These bearing surfaces may be defined, for example, by wings extending on either side of an upper wall of the blade, which defines the back.

The flexible blade may have a non-constant thickness, for example to allow increased flexibility during use. This can reduce the pressure exerted by the blade on the nail and improve the comfort of the makeup and the quality of it.

When the flexible blade has an upper wall defining the back with wings disposed on either side of the upper wall, the latter may have a thickness of material smaller than the wings. When applied, the top wall can bend more easily. In a variant, the wings have a thicker wall than the back. This can make it easier to deform the distal edge of the blade by pressing the wings, transmitting the effect better. The user can more easily control the deformation of the distal edge. This can further help to move the finger support area further away from the one carrying the product.

The flexible blade can be connected to a handle, for example via a thicker portion which can be full and of circular cross section or other. The flexible blade can be made in one piece with the handle.

The flexible blade may be made of an elastomeric thermoplastic or in any other material that can give the blade a certain flexibility and is compatible with the possible solvent (s) contained in the product.

The flexible blade may be made of an elastically deformable material having a hardness of 25 to 60 Shore A, for example.

The flexible blade may be made optionally in a flexible metal or in a complex comprising several layers of different materials, laminated together or joined by overinjection.

The flexibility of the blade can, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, be such that the blade is flattened substantially when pressed against a flat surface.

The blade may comprise in at least some parts reinforcement for reinforcing and / or a load of fibers.

As mentioned above, the flexible blade advantageously has a convex distal edge, when observed from above. The distal edge has, for example, at its apex, a radius of curvature of between 4 and 20 mm.

The flexible blade may have a generally symmetrical shape with respect to a longitudinal median plane.

The flexible blade can be flocked, if necessary.

The applicator may comprise a handle on which the blade is fixed. Alternatively, the flexible blade can be made with a gripping portion formed by molding and / or cutting with it. The longitudinal axis of the blade can be confused with the longitudinal axis of the handle or the gripping portion or make a non-zero angle therewith.

When a handle is used, the flexible blade can be fixed immovably on the handle, removably or not.

The applicator may comprise, where appropriate, a device for adjusting the curvature of the applicator face, which may or may not be configured to serve as a gripping member.

Thus, the flexible blade can be adjustably attached to the aforementioned handle. The handle and the flexible blade can cooperate to allow the user to vary the shape of the applicator face, for example to adapt to the shape of the treated nail and / or the consistency of the product.

When the applicator has a handle and the blade is movable relative to the handle, it can be arranged to constrain the blade more or less according to its position on the handle.

At least one of the blade and the handle may comprise reliefs allowing adjustment in increments of the curvature of the applicator face. Alternatively, the adjustment can be made continuously.

The handle may optionally comprise a movable adjustment member whose displacement is accompanied by a modification of the curvature.

The modification of the curvature of the applicator face may result from a stress exerted laterally on two opposite outer sides of the blade, for example, and / or a more or less significant stretching thereof.

The stress can be exerted on the blade by the handle or by another adjusting member, for example a ring engaged on the blade and movable axially relative thereto. By moving the ring on the blade, it can be more or less tight and curvature correspondingly.

The blade can be perforated. This can increase the visibility of the nail during makeup and / or allow a possibility of mounting the blade on a handle so as to modify simply the curvature of the applicator face. The blade may be perforated, having a blade between two opposite edges of the opening.

The handle may be arranged to allow more or less stretching the blade between two opposite edges of the opening.

The blade can be made, if necessary, in a transparent material, which can improve the visibility of the nail during use.

Advantageously, the blade is made of a material which facilitates its cleaning, for example a polymer on which the product adheres little, for example a silicone polymer.

The applicator may comprise two applicator faces of different dimensions, these applicator faces being for example defined by two flexible blades arranged end to end. The user can then choose the blade he wants to use for the application and use the other blade as a gripping part. The two blades can be made in one piece by molding material or cutting a sheet, followed by a possible shaping.

The applicator may be single use or not.

The assembly can be proposed to the user with several applicators corresponding for example to the number of uses expected, given the amount of product contained in the container.

The applicators may be separated from one another or proposed for use with at least two applicators integral with the same support. This can facilitate, if necessary, the manufacture and packaging, the applicators being for example molded and / or pre-cut with the support and separated from the support by the user as and when the uses.

For example, several applicators may be pre-cut on a sheet proposed to the user with a container containing the product, for example in a common packaging.

When several applicators are integral with the same support, the applicators may be identical and correspond for example to several successive uses or be different, being intended for example respectively to the nails of the feet and those of the hands.

The container may comprise a lid defining a housing for at least partially receiving at least one applicator in the absence of use.

This housing may extend, optionally, along an oblique axis relative to the axis of the container, to increase the stability of the assembly.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, a nail makeup method according to claim 23.

In such a process, before or after the sampling of the product, the user can adapt the blade curvature to that of the nail, either by exerting a direct action on the blade, or by acting on a curvature adjusting member .

Another object of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, an applicator for applying a product to the nails, comprising a flexible blade defining a concave applicator face, the blade being provided on its longitudinal sides with reliefs intended to to come to bear on the nail and / or the finger during the application, to allow the applicator side to arrange with the nail a gap of predefined thickness. The reliefs are for example ribs extending on the longitudinal sides of the applicator face. The reliefs can help contain the product on the applicator side, if any.

Another object of the invention is, according to another of its aspects, an applicator for applying a product to the nails, comprising a flexible blade defining an applicator face, this blade having an upper wall and two wings arranged on either side. this upper wall, the upper wall having a material thickness different from that of the wings, in particular lower.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to an applicator for applying a product to the nails, comprising a flexible blade and a handle on which the blade is fixed in an adjustable manner, the blade and the handle cooperating so as to allow depending on the position of the blade on the handle to change the curvature of the applicator face.

• une lame souple définissant une face applicatrice,
• un organe de réglage de la courbure de la face applicatrice.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to an applicator for applying a product to the nail, comprising:

• a flexible blade defining an applicator face,
• an adjustment member of the curvature of the applicator face.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, an applicator for applying a product to the nails, comprising a flexible blade defining an applicator face, this flexible blade being made in one piece with a gripping portion. The flexible blade is for example made by cutting a sheet material or by molding material with the gripping portion. The gripping portion may optionally define an applicator face.

The invention further relates, in another of its aspects, to an applicator for applying a product to the nails, comprising a flexible blade defining an applicator face, this flexible blade being perforated, the applicator face extending at least partially from on both sides of this opening.

• un récipient comportant un produit à appliquer sur l'ongle,
• un applicateur pourvu d'une lame souple pour prélever le produit dans le récipient et l'appliquer sur les ongles, le récipient comportant un couvercle de fermeture ou un support logé dans le récipient, pourvu d'un logement dans lequel peut être reçue au moins partiellement la lame souple en l'absence d'utilisation.

Another subject of the invention, according to another of its aspects, is a packaging and application assembly comprising:

• a container comprising a product to be applied to the nail,
• an applicator provided with a flexible blade for taking the product into the container and applying it to the nails, the container having a closure lid or a holder accommodated in the container, provided with a housing in which at least partially the flexible blade in the absence of use.

This housing is for example defined by a chimney into which can be inserted the flexible blade in the absence of use, the flexible blade being for example integral with a handle which extends out of the housing. The housing can still be defined by the inside of a closure cap which is itself provided with a lid. The support may be arranged to bear on the upper end of the container. The closure member can press the support at its periphery, to contribute to the sealing of the closure, for example.

• la figure 1 est une coupe longitudinale, schématique, d'un exemple d'ensemble de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention,
• la figure 2 représente isolément et partiellement l'applicateur, observé de côté,
• la figure 3 représente isolément et partiellement l'applicateur, observé de dessus,
• la figure 4 est une section transversale selon IV-IV de la figure 3,
• la figure 5 illustre le prélèvement du produit avec l'applicateur,
• la figure 6 illustre l'application sur l'ongle,
• la figure 7 illustre la possibilité qu'a l'utilisateur de modifier la courbure de la face applicatrice,
• la figure 8 est une vue analogue à la figure 4 d'une variante de réalisation,
• la figure 9 est une section transversale de l'applicateur de la figure 8 au cours de l'application du produit sur l'ongle,
• la figure 10 est une vue analogue à la figure 4 d'une variante de réalisation,
• les figures 11 à 14 représentent, de manière schématique, en vue de dessus, d'autres exemples d'applicateurs,
• les figures 15 et 16 représentent, en perspective, de manière schématique, d'autres exemples d'applicateurs,
• les figures 17 à 20 représentent d'autres exemples d'ensembles de conditionnement et d'application selon l'invention,
• la figure 21 représente un autre exemple d'applicateur,
• la figure 22 représente, de manière schématique, en perspective, une variante de réalisation de l'applicateur,
• la figure 23 est une vue de face de l'applicateur de la figure 22,
• la figure 24 est une vue de côté de l'applicateur de la figure 22,
• la figure 25 est une coupe longitudinale selon XXV-XXV de la figure 23,
• la figure 26 est une vue axiale de l'applicateur de la figure 22 depuis l'extrémité de la lame souple,
• la figure 27 représente, en vue de dessus, une variante de réalisation de l'applicateur,
• la figure 28 est une vue de dessous de l'applicateur de la figure 27,
• la figure 29 représente l'applicateur de la figure 27, observé de côté,
• la figure 30 est une coupe selon XXX-XXX de la figure 29,
• la figure 31 est une vue, en perspective, de l'applicateur de la figure 27, et
• la figure 32 représente partiellement le bord libre de la lame souple d'une variante de réalisation d'applicateur.

The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description, non-limiting examples of implementation thereof, and on examining the appended drawing, in which:

• the figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal section of an exemplary packaging and application assembly according to the invention,
• the figure 2 represents in isolation and partially the applicator, observed from the side,
• the figure 3 represents in isolation and partially the applicator, observed from above,
• the figure 4 is a cross section along IV-IV of the figure 3 ,
• the figure 5 illustrates the sampling of the product with the applicator,
• the figure 6 illustrates the application on the nail,
• the figure 7 illustrates the possibility for the user to modify the curvature of the applicator face,
• the figure 8 is a view similar to the figure 4 an alternative embodiment,
• the figure 9 is a cross section of the applicator of the figure 8 during the application of the product on the nail,
• the figure 10 is a view similar to the figure 4 an alternative embodiment,
• the Figures 11 to 14 schematically, in top view, other examples of applicators,
• the Figures 15 and 16 represent, in perspective, schematically, other examples of applicators,
• the Figures 17 to 20 represent other examples of packaging and application assemblies according to the invention,
• the figure 21 represents another example of an applicator,
• the figure 22 represents, schematically, in perspective, an alternative embodiment of the applicator,
• the figure 23 is a front view of the applicator of the figure 22 ,
• the figure 24 is a side view of the applicator of the figure 22 ,
• the figure 25 is a longitudinal section along XXV-XXV of the figure 23 ,
• the figure 26 is an axial view of the applicator of the figure 22 from the end of the flexible blade,
• the figure 27 represents, in top view, an alternative embodiment of the applicator,
• the figure 28 is a bottom view of the applicator of the figure 27 ,
• the figure 29 represents the applicator of the figure 27 , observed from the side,
• the figure 30 is a cut according to XXX-XXX of the figure 29 ,
• the figure 31 is a perspective view of the applicator of the figure 27 , and
• the figure 32 partially represents the free edge of the flexible blade of an embodiment of applicator.

The assembly 1 represented at figure 1 comprises an applicator 2 and a container 3 containing a product P to be applied to the nails, which may have a viscosity greater than 0.3 Pa.S.

The product P may for example have a gelled consistency during storage and be thixotropic.

In the example, the applicator 2 comprises a handle 5 and a flexible blade 6 for the application of the product P on the nails.

The container 3 comprises a reservoir body 8 and a cover 9 having a chimney defining a housing 10 for receiving the blade 6 in the storage configuration, as shown in FIG. figure 1 .

The lid 9 may comprise a sealing member 11 such as a seal, a skirt or a cap, in order to obtain a tight closure of the container 3 in the absence of use.

The housing 10 may have a longitudinal axis Y which is at an angle with the axis X of the tank body 8 so as to improve the stability of the assembly 1.

In the example, the blade 6 is connected to the handle 5 which is hollow via a thicker end portion 13, solid and circular cross section. The end portion 13 can be made to substantially close the opening of the housing 10 when the applicator 2 is in place. The end portion 13 may be made of the same material as the flexible blade 6.

In a variant illustrated in figure 20 , the handle 5 is made in one piece by molding material with the blade 6.

The blade 6 comprises, in the example, an upper wall 16 defining the back of the blade and two flanges 18 connecting to the wall 16, the latter and the flanges 18 together defining an applicator face 15 of generally concave shape. The applicator face 15 may define, in exemplary embodiments of the invention, a developable surface.

As can be seen on the figure 3 , in the example considered the distal edge 20 of the blade 6 is rounded in top view, having at its apex 24 a radius of curvature r which is for example between 4 and 20 mm. The blade 6 may be symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal median plane.

The height h of the wings 18 may increase progressively from the top of the distal edge 20 to the handle 5, as can be seen on the figure 2 , passing for example by a point of inflection 23 which may be closer to the top 24 than to the handle 5.

The upper wall 16 can be made, as can be seen on the figure 4 , with a reduced material thickness, so as to have increased flexibility.

In a median region of the blade located substantially midway between the apex 24 of the distal edge 20 and the handle 5, the applicator face 15 may have, as illustrated in FIG. figure 4 , a curved shape of substantially constant curvature radius R, for example between 4 and 20 mm, for example of the order of 7 mm.

Where appropriate, the r and / or R rays can be infinite, the blade having for example a distal edge rectilinear and perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and / or being flat.

The back of the blade may be substantially rectilinear and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the handle 5, to the thick portion 13. The applicator face 15 may be substantially cylindrical generatrix parallel to the axis of the handle.

The blade 6 may be made by molding a thermoplastic material, in particular a thermoplastic elastomer, the curved shape coming from molding. The blade 6 may optionally be reinforced at least in places with a reinforcement or a load of fibers.

Set 1 can be used as follows.

The user opens the container 3 and takes the product P through the applicator 2 through the opening of the body 8. Preferably, the latter is made with a relatively wide neck 27, so as to facilitate this operation. The diameter of the neck 27 is for example greater than or equal to 2 cm.

For sampling, the user can tap the product with the blade 6, the concavity thereof being directed towards the product P. Alternatively, the user can use the blade 6 as a spoon, its concavity being oriented generally upwards. If necessary, the user can wipe the excess product taken from the edge of the neck 27.

Then, the user can bring the applicator face 15 into contact with the nail O, as illustrated in FIG. figure 6 and apply the product by moving the distal edge 20 from the lunula towards the free edge of the nail.

During the application, the upper wall 16 may optionally curvature, becoming concave on the opposite side to the applicator face 15, and the wings 18 may be deformed to accompany the deformation of the upper wall 16.

Where appropriate, as illustrated in figure 7 , the user can press with his fingers on the wings 18 so as to modify the curvature of the applicator face 15 and / or the distal edge 20 in particular to adapt the shape of the applicator face 15 and / or that of the distal edge 20 to the treated nail.

The invention is not limited to the example which has just been described.

The blade 6 may comprise, on its longitudinal sides 8, ribs 29 projecting on the applicator face 15, as illustrated in FIG. figure 8 .

These ribs 29 may extend parallel to the longitudinal axis of the blade 6.

The presence of the ribs 29 can make it possible to arrange between the applicator face 15 and the nail O, as illustrated in FIG. figure 9 , a gap 32 of substantially uniform thickness, in order to more easily obtain a regular deposit of product.

In the variant illustrated in figure 10 , the upper wall 16 is thicker than the wings 18.

The blade 6 can be made with very different shapes and the applicator 2 may or may not include a handle on which the blade is attached.

The blade 6 may for example initially be made without curvature, it may possibly come from its mounting on a suitable handle or its manipulation by the user during the application.

In the examples of Figures 11 to 14 the applicator does not have a sleeve manufactured separately and the blade 6 is made in one piece by molding material with a gripping portion 36. The blade 6 can be made to be flat or curved at rest.

The distal edge 20 can be made with a more or less rounded or even rectilinear shape, as a function, for example, of the size of the nail to be made up, as illustrated on the drawings. Figures 11 and 12 . The blade 6 may in particular have, at least a portion of its length, between its longitudinal sides, a width which increases towards the distal edge 20.

Where appropriate, the applicator 2 may comprise a blade 6 at each of its ends.

In the example of the figure 13 the two blades 6 are made in one piece, for example by molding material, with different shapes so as to allow the treatment of a greater variety of nails.

In use, one of the blades 6 serves as a gripping part for the user.

The blade 6 may comprise an aperture 37, as illustrated in FIG. figure 14 , which can increase the visibility of the nail during makeup and can also reduce the amount of product taken by the applicator.

When the blade 6 is secured to a handle, the mounting of the blade 6 on the handle can be performed so as to allow adjustment of the curvature of the applicator face 15.

In the example of the figure 15 , the handle 5 has two legs 38 which force the blade 6 to curl. The latter may be similar to that of the example of the figure 14 , comprising an opening 37, in which the handle 5 can engage, the tabs 38 coming for example to be applied on the outer side of the wings 18.

The blade 6 can bear against the handle 5 by a proximal portion 39 opposite to the distal edge 20.

The handle 5 may comprise a finger 42 provided with a notch in which the edge of the opening of the blade 6 can engage.

The handle 5 may comprise notches 44 which allow more or less stretch the blade 2 on the handle 5, these notches 44 being for example bosses between which can engage the proximal portion 39 of the blade 6. The blade 6 is stretched between the notch of the finger 42 and the notch 44 selected.

In the example of the figure 16 , an adjusting member 60 in the form of a ring engaged on the blade 6, being displaced thereon, more or less to curve the applicator face 15.

A plurality of blades 6 may be proposed to the user, for example being pre-cut in a sheet 71 of a flexible material, as illustrated in FIG. figure 17 .

The user can detach a blade 6 and mount it on the handle 5 before taking the product into the container.

The assembly 1 may be provided with several blades of different shapes or identical, possibly for single use, in the same package.

The assembly 1 represented at figure 18 comprises a container 3 which is in the form of a large-necked pot.

The applicator 2 can be housed in a housing 10 of a closure cap 82 of the container. This housing 10 can be closed by a cover 83.

In the example of the figure 19 the product is contained in a container 3 which is in the form of a flexible tube provided with a plug 91. To take the product, the user presses on the tube and places the neck outlet 92 of the tube above the applicator face, to deposit the product.

In the example of the figure 20 , the blade 6 is contained in a housing 101 of a support 100 disposed inside the container 3.

A lid 102 closes the container 3 and the housing 101. The support 100 may comprise an annular rim 105 bearing on the upper end of the container 3. The lid may comprise a rod 104 sealingly press on the rim 105 .

Many modifications can still be made to the invention.

The applicator may be, if necessary, at least partially made with paper fibers, in a woven or a nonwoven, optionally impregnated with a polymeric material compatible with the product P. The flexible blade can still be made in a metal, in particular a material having a shape memory, or even in a low-porosity foam or covered with a skin on the side of the applicator side or in a paper or cardboard, optionally film-coated. The blade may comprise, if necessary, a reinforcement, for example a metal reinforcement or a woven or synthetic reinforcing fibers.

In alternative embodiments of the invention, an applicator made according to the invention is used so as to produce a so-called French manicure makeup, in which a white-colored composition is deposited along the free edge of the nail. .

For this purpose, any of the applicators described above may be modified so as to have, when viewed from above, a concave free edge, as illustrated in FIG. figure 32 . The blade can define an expandable application surface.

In the variant illustrated in Figures 22 to 26 , the blade 6 is made in one piece with the hollow handle 5 by molding an elastomeric thermoplastic material. This is, for example, Santoprene® 82 8135med from the company EXXON MOBIL, which is a mixture of SBS-SEBS of Shore Shore A hardness or of Engage® 8137 from the company SAFIC ALCAN DOW which is an ethylene octene of hardness Shore 57 Shore A.

Where appropriate, as illustrated in figure 23 , the flexible blade 6 can be made with a recess 200, which can increase the flexibility of the blade and in particular to allow it to deform at the application when the user presses with his distal edge against the nail.

The recess 200 may have, for example, a generally triangular shape, the base 201 of the triangle may be rectilinear or curvilinear, for example circular when the distal edge of the blade is circular, the same center of curvature possibly.

The blade 6 can be made with a thickness of material less than the handle 5, as seen in particular on the figure 25 , the handle 5 being for example made with a thickness of material at least twice that of the blade, the material thickness of the blade being for example less than or equal to 1 mm, for example of the order of 0.5 mm while that of the handle is greater than or equal to 1 mm.

Decorative ribs 203 can be made on the handle as shown in the drawings. Figures 22 to 24 .

The applicator face of the blade may define a developable application surface, for example cylindrical.

In the example of Figures 28 to 31 , the applicator comprises two flexible blades 6 at each of its ends, these flexible blades being of different sizes and / or different profiles so as to make two different make-up and / or makeup two nails of different sizes.

In the example considered, one of the blades has a distal edge 20 which is shorter and of smaller radius of curvature than that of the other blade, so as to be able to apply the composition to smaller nails. The two flexible blades 6 are joined by a connecting portion 205 which can serve as a gripping means, the user can during the application also grasp the unused flexible blade to use it as a handle.

The connecting portion 205 may have a certain deformability that allows the user to change the angle α between the back of the flexible blades 6, the angle α being for example about 130 ° at rest.

The radius of curvature of the smallest flexible blade 6 in the cutting plane of the figure 30 , measured on the outer surface of the blade, is for example between 6 and 7 mm, the thickness of the blade 6 being for example about 0.7 mm.

The width l, measured in plan view, the distal edge of one of the blades is for example between 8 and 9 mm and the width l 'of the other distal edge is for example between 10 and 11 mm.

The connecting portion 205 is for example formed with a back 220 and two side walls 221, as can be seen on the figure 28 , the walls 221 being inflected from one another in a median region.

The phrase "having one" should be understood as being synonymous with "having at least one" and "between" implies that the boundaries are included.

Claims (39)

1. A packaging and applicator kit (1), comprising:

   - an applicator (2) for taking the composition contained in the receptacle and applying it to the nails, including a flexible blade (6) defining an application face (15),

   the kit being characterized in that it includes a receptacle (3) containing a viscous product (P) for application to the nails, and of viscosity that is not less than 0.3 Pa.s, and being configured to allow the product to be removed without passing through a wiping member.
2. The kit according to claim 1, the flexible blade (6) being curved and defining an application face (15) that is generally concave.
3. The kit according to one of the preceding claims, the flexible blade including portions in relief (29) on the longitudinal sides of the application face.
4. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, the flexible blade defining opposite bearing surfaces for the fingers, so as to enable the user to modify the curvature.
5. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, the flexible blade presenting a thickness that is not constant.
6. The kit according to claim 5, the blade including a rear side that is situated between wings that are thicker than the rear side.
7. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, the flexible blade being connected, via a thicker portion (13), to a handle (5).
8. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, the flexible blade (6) being made of a thermoplastic elastomer.
9. The kit according to claim 1, the flexible blade presenting a distal edge (20) that is convex when observed from above.
10. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the flexible blade being made integrally with a handle portion (36) .
11. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the applicator including a handle (5) onto which the blade is fastened.
12. The kit according to the preceding claim, the flexible blade being fastened in stationary manner on the handle.
13. The kit according to claim 11, the flexible blade being fastened in adjustable manner on the handle.
14. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, the applicator including an adjustment member for adjusting the curvature of the application face (15).
15. The kit according to claim 14, the adjustment member (5) being configured so as to serve as a handle.
16. The kit according to the preceding claim, the applicator including a handle (5) and the blade being movable relative to the handle, the latter being arranged in such a manner as to stress the blade depending on its position on the handle, so as to make it possible to adjust the curvature of the application face.
17. The kit according to claim 16, at least one of the blade and of the handle including portions in relief (44), enabling the curvature of the application face to be adjusted incrementally.
18. The kit according to any one of claims 1 to 17, the blade including a hole.
19. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, the applicator including two blades (6) of different dimensions.
20. The kit according to claim 14, the adjustment member including a ring (60) that is engaged on the blade and that is axially movable relative thereto.
21. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, the receptacle including a lid that defines a housing (10) for receiving at least the flexible blade when not in use.
22. The kit according to any one of the preceding claims, including a plurality of applicators.
23. A method of applying makeup to the nails, including the following steps:

    - taking the product, presenting a viscosity that is not less than 0.3 Pa.s., from a receptacle, configured to allow the product to be removed without passing through a wiping member, using the blade (6) of an applicator as defined in any one of the preceding claims, and

    - applying the product, using the application face (15) of the blade.
24. The method according to claim 23, the product being white in color and being deposited so as to produce a "French Manicure" effect.
25. The method according to claim 23 or 24, in which, before or after the composition is taken, the user adapts the curvature of the blade to the curvature of the nail being treated.
26. An applicator (6) for applying a product to the nails, comprising a curved flexible blade (6) defining an application face (15) that is generally concave,
    the blade comprising an upper wall while defining the rear side with wings arranged on either side of this upper wall, said upper wall presenting a thickness that it smaller than at the wings,
    the applicator being characterized in that the blade is flexible.
27. The applicator according to claim 26, the flexible blade (6) being made of an elastomer material having hardness on the Shore A scale lying in the range 25 to 60.
28. The applicator according to claim 26 or 27, the flexible blade (6) being made integrally with a handle by molding.
29. The applicator according to claim 26 or 27, comprising two flexible blades (6).
30. The applicator according to claim 29, the two blades having rear sides that form an angle (α) between them.
31. The applicator according to claim 30, the angle (α) lying in the range 110° to 150°.
32. The applicator according to any one of claims 29 to 31, the two blades being joined together via a hollow connection portion (205) having two side walls that are formed extending the longitudinal sides of the blades.
33. The applicator according to claim 32, the two side walls (221) being bent towards each other.
34. The applicator according to any one of the preceding claims, the application face defining a developable application surface.
35. The applicator according to claim 34, the application surface being cylindrical.
36. The applicator according to any one of claims 26 to 35, the rear side of the blade having a recess passing therethrough.
37. The applicator according to claim 36, the recess presenting a generally triangular shape with a base beside the distal edge of the blade.
38. The applicator according to any one of claims 26 to 37, the distal edge of the blade being generally convex when observed from above.
39. The applicator according to any one of claims 26 to 37, the distal edge of the blade being generally concave when observed from above.

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