Device for packaging and applying a substance, the device including a wiper member

• US 20040258453A1
• Filed: 05/20/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/27/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis
• Granted Patent: US 7,967,519 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/118
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper

Abstract

The present invention provides a device (1) for packaging and applying a substance (P), in particular a cosmetic or a care product, the device comprising:

a receptacle (2) for containing the substance (P);

an applicator (4) including an applicator element (7); and

a wiper member (3) for wiping the applicator element (7),

the device being characterized by the fact that the wiper member (3) includes a longitudinally split annular portion (12) having a wall including at least one slot extending to a free end (3a) of the wiper member (3), the slot passing through the entire thickness of said wall, said split portion (12) presenting, in a plane where its inside cross-section is at a minimum, an outside cross-section that is greater than the greatest cross-section of the applicator element (7), the split portion (12) deforming radially outwards when the applicator element passes through.

Claims

1. A device (1) for packaging and applying a substance (P), in particular a cosmetic or a care product, the device comprising:

a receptacle (2) for containing the substance (P);

an applicator (4) including an applicator element (7); and

a wiper member (3) for wiping the applicator element (7),

the device being characterized by the fact that the wiper member (3) includes a longitudinally split annular portion (12) having a wall including at least one slot (14) extending to a free end (3a) of the wiper member (3), the slot passing through the entire thickness of said wall, said split portion (12) presenting, in a plane where its inside cross-section is at a minimum, an outside cross-section that is greater than the greatest cross-section of the applicator element (7), the split portion (12) deforming radially outwards when the applicator element passes through.

2. A device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) of the wiper member (3) includes at least one portion in relief projecting radially outwards, in particular a bead (13) or at least one rib (19) placed level with a slot (14).

4. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is made of an elastically deformable material of hardness lying in the range 15 on the Shore A scale to 40 on the Shore D scale.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is made out of one of the following materials:

silicone elastomer;

EPDM;

nitrile rubber;

butyle rubber;

latex;

thermoplastic elastomer;

PU;

PE;

PVC;

EVA;

SIS;

SBS;

SEBS;

Hytrel®

, Pebax®

.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) includes at least two longitudinal slots (14), or at least three longitudinal slots, in particular more than four longitudinal slots, better more than six or eight longitudinal slots.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) includes slots (14) that are regularly distributed around the circumference of the split portion (12).

8. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) includes at least one slot (14) of length measured along the longitudinal axis of the wiper member (3) that lies in the range 2 mm to 15 mm.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wiper member (3) at rest and in the absence of an applicator element (7) presents axial symmetry, and in particular an outside envelope that is generally in the form of a body of revolution.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) presents an inside cross-section that is circular, oval, or polygonal, in particular square or triangular.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that at least over a certain distance, the inside cross-section of the split portion (12) tapers on approaching the free end (3a) of the split portion.

12. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is secured to a fixing portion (17) mounted on the receptacle (2), and in particular engaged in a neck (8) of the receptacle (2).

13. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the fixing portion (17) has a collar (11) at one end for bearing axially against the end edge of the neck (8) of the receptacle (2).

14. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the split portion and the fixing portion are made as a single piece by molding material.

15. A device according to claim 13, characterized by the fact that the split portion is made as one part, and the fixing portion constitutes another part, with the two parts being secured to each other.

16. A device according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the two parts are made of different materials.

17. A device according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized by the fact that the fixing portion (17) is made of one of the following materials:

polyolefins, in particular PE or PP;

POM;

PA;

PET.

18. A device according to claim 15, characterized by the fact that the two parts are assembled together by one of the following techniques:

mechanical assembly;

adhesive;

heat-sealing;

overmolding.

19. A device according to any one of claims 15 to 18, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is constituted by a fraction of a part that covers the fixing portion (17).

20. A device according to claim 18, characterized by the fact that the split portion (12) is made in a part which includes a fixing portion arranged to be mechanically assembled with the fixing portion (17) by snap-fastening.

21. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wiper member includes an annular bead above the split portion for snap-fastening inside the receptacle.

22. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that at least one slot presents a cross-section that diverges radially outwards, and in particular is V-shaped.

23. A device according to claim 22, characterized by the fact that the slot presents facing faces (14a, 14b) that are flocked.

24. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the wiper member includes a groove (25) in its outside surface above the split portion (12).

25. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the cross-section of the applicator element (7) is not circular over at least a fraction of its length.

26. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator element (7) includes a coating of flocking.

27. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator element (7) is constituted by one of a brush and a comb, the applicator element (7) being arranged to apply a substance to the eyelashes or the eyebrows.

28. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the substance is for application to keratinous fibers or is for application to the lips or to the eyelids.

29. A device according to any preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the applicator (4) comprises a stem (6) having the applicator element (7) fastened to the end thereof.

30. A device according to the preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the stem (6) comprises a first portion with a first cross-section and a second portion (6a) with the second cross-section smaller than the first, said second portion being positioned in the split portion (12) of the wiper member when the applicator (4) is in place on the receptacle (2).

3. A device according to either preceding claim, characterized by the fact that the thickness of the wall of the split portion (12) lies in the range 0.5 mm to 8 mm, preferably in the range 0.8 mm to 6 mm.