Packaging and applicator device

• US 20040202502A1
• Filed: 01/30/2004
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis
• Granted Patent: US 7,399,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/129
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/045 connected to the cap of the container
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper

Abstract

A device includes a flask having a threaded neck and an applicator. In embodiments, the applicator includes a stem, an applicator element disposed at a first end of the stem, and a closure cap supporting the stem at a second end of the stem opposite from the first end. The closure cap may have a threaded portion arranged to screw onto the neck. The closure cap may include a ring releasably connected to the threaded portion and arranged to be capable of remaining secured to the neck during removal of the applicator from the flask.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a flask comprising a threaded neck; and

an applicator comprising;

a stem;

an applicator element disposed at a first end of the stem; and

a closure cap supporting the stem at a second end of the stem opposite from the first end, said closure cap comprising a threaded portion arranged to screw onto the neck;

wherein the closure cap comprises a ring releasably connected to the threaded portion and arranged to be capable of remaining secured to the neck during removal of the applicator.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the threaded portion comprises an insert and an outer cap.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the ring and the outer cap are made monolithically by molding a plastics material, the ring and the outer cap being connected together by at least one breakable bridge of material.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the ring has at least one first portion in relief that enables the ring to be snap-fastened on at least one second portion in relief on the neck.

5. A device according to claim 4, wherein the second portion in relief comprises an annular bead and the first portion in relief comprises at least one of an annular bead and teeth projecting from a radially inner surface of the ring.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the ring is made at least in part together with the threaded portion by molding a plastics material.

7. A device according to claim 6, wherein the ring is connected to the threaded portion by at least one breakable bridge of material.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the ring is fitted on the threaded portion.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the ring has a portion in relief configured to co-operate by mutual engagement with the threaded portion.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the neck comprises at least one first anti-rotation portion in relief and the ring comprises at least one second anti-rotation portion in relief arranged to co-operate with the first portion in relief so as to prevent the ring from turning relative to the neck during unscrewing of the closure cap and cause separation of the threaded portion from the ring.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the first anti-rotation portion in relief is arranged to enable the second anti-rotation portion in relief to go past the first anti-rotation portion on initial screw fastening of the closure cap on the flask.

12. A device according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second anti-rotation portions in relief comprises a ramp that facilitates movement of the first and second anti-rotation portions in relief past each other.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the neck comprises a base and a cylindrical surface at the base.

14. A device according to claim 13, wherein the neck comprises a frustoconical surface at the base, the frustoconical surface flaring toward a body of the flask.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the flask has a shoulder at a base of the neck.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the flask has a surface arranged to come into contact with the ring and preventing the ring from moving.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the ring comprises an inner surface comprising at least one spline.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein the flask is made of glass.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein the flask is made of a plastics material.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein a capacity of the flask is not greater than about 10 ml.

21. A device according to claim 1, wherein a capacity of the flask is not greater than about 8 ml.

22. A device according to claim 1, wherein a capacity of the flask is in a range of about 5 ml to about 7 ml.

23. A device according to claim 1, wherein the stem is visible when the applicator is withdrawn from the flask and the closure cap is observed in a direction perpendicular to an axis thereof.

24. A device according to claim 21, wherein a visible length of the stem plus a length of the applicator element is not less than about 25 mm.

25. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator element comprises a brush having bristles, and wherein a visible length of a free portion of the bristles of the brush is not less than about 12 mm.

26. A device according to claim 1, wherein the flask contains a substance for application to nails.

27. A device according to claim 1, wherein a length of the stem is equal to a height of the neck to within about 30%.

28. A device according to claim 1, wherein a length of the applicator element is equal to a height of the flask body to within about 30%.

31. A method for applying a substance to a portion of the human body, comprising:

dispensing the substance to at least one of the body and the face with the device as defined in claim 1.

32. A method according to claim 31, wherein dispensing the substance comprises dispensing a care product.

33. A method according to claim 31, wherein dispensing the substance comprises dispensing a cosmetic.

34. A method according to claim 31, wherein dispensing the substance comprises dispensing a nail varnish.

35. A method according to claim 31, wherein dispensing the substance comprises:

loading the applicator element with substance from the flask; and

removing the applicator element from the flask.

36. A method according to claim 31, further comprising applying the substance to at least one of nails, eyelashes, eyebrows, skin and lips.

29. A method of manufacturing a packaging and applicator device, the method comprising:

screwing an applicator onto a flask having a threaded neck, the applicator comprising;

a stem;

an applicator element disposed at a first end of the stem; and

a closure cap to which the stem is secured at a second end of the stem opposite from the first end, said closure cap having a threaded portion arranged to be screwed onto the neck, the closure cap comprising a base and a ring at the base that is releasably connected to the threaded portion, the neck and the ring having shapes that co-operate so as to retain the ring on the neck when the threaded portion is unscrewed.

30. A method of manufacturing a packaging and applicator device, the method comprising:

screwing a threaded insert, to which an applicator element is secured, onto a flask comprising a threaded neck; and

fitting an outer cap on the insert, the outer cap being releasably connected to a ring, the outer cap and the insert remaining secured to each other when the insert is unscrewed, the neck and the ring comprising shapes configured so as to retain the ring on the neck when the insert is unscrewed.