Packaging and applicator device including a coupling member enabling two receptacles to be united

• US 20050019084A1
• Filed: 07/02/2003
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis
• Granted Patent: US 7,077,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/25
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/06 in combination with other toiletry or cosmetic articles
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/24 Casings for two or more cosmetics
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/262 using a brush or the like

Abstract

The present invention provides a packaging and applicator device comprising: at least two receptacles each containing one of a cosmetic and a care substance and each comprising a body and a removable closure cap; and at least one coupling member capable of uniting the two receptacles in line with each other, the coupling member being at least partially elastically deformable and comprising at least one housing configured to receive at least part of one the at least two receptacles and enabling it to be fixed to the coupling member.

Claims

1. A packaging and applicator device, comprising:

at least two receptacles each containing one of a cosmetic and a care substance and each comprising a body and a removable closure cap; and

at least one coupling member capable of uniting the two receptacles in line with each other, the coupling member being at least partially elastically deformable and comprising at least one housing configured to receive at least part of one of the at least two receptacles and enabling it to be fixed to the coupling member.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member comprises a housing configured to receive and releasably hold by friction the closure cap of one of the at least two receptacles.

3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member comprises at least one housing configured to receive and releasably hold by friction the body of one of the at least two receptacles.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member presents elasticity enabling it to adapt to the shape of the bodies or the caps of the receptacles it receives.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is constituted by a single molded piece of elastomer.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member has an outside surface that is non-slip.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member comprises a foam.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein, when no receptacle is engaged therein, the coupling member presents an outside surface that is substantially cylindrical.

9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes a portion in the form of a bellows.

10. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member has two axial ends and wherein, when no receptacle is engaged therein, the coupling member has an outside surface having a cross-section that passes through a minimum between the two axial ends.

11. A device according to claim 1, including two housings and wherein one of the housings includes an opening that is larger than the other housing.

12. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one housing includes an internal arrangement allowing air to be evacuated while the receptacle is being inserted into said housing.

13. A device according to claim 12, wherein the internal arrangement comprises at least one spline parallel to the direction in which the receptacle is inserted into the housing.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes at least one side orifice opening out into a housing.

15. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes at least one abutment against which at least one receptacle can come to bear at the end of being inserted into the coupling member.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member includes two housings separated by a wall.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one housing includes an inside surface having projections or ribs.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is transparent or translucent.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member is configured to produce varying optical effects that are visible from the outside.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein the substances contained in the two receptacles are different.

21. A device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the receptacles houses an applicator member.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the applicator member is secured to the closure cap.

23. A coupling member for coupling two receptacles together, the coupling member comprising a tubular body defining two housings at axially opposite ends, each housing being configured to enable at least part of a receptacle to be engaged therein and held by friction, and wherein the housings are not in communication.

26. A coupling member according to claim 23, one of the receptacles housing an applicator, the coupling member being configured to constitute a handle member during application.

29. A method of applying makeup, the method comprising:

applying makeup with an applicator member secured to at least one of a closure cap and a body of a receptacle, the at least one of a cap and a body being held at least partially in releasable manner in a coupling member according to claim 23.

24. A coupling member for coupling two receptacles together, the coupling member comprising a tubular body defining two housings at axially opposite ends, each housing being configured to enable at least part of a receptacle to be engaged therein and held by friction, and wherein the coupling member includes at least one end-of-insertion abutment for at least one of the receptacles, the abutment being disposed between the housings, said abutments being made other than as a setback in the body.

27. A coupling member according to claim 24, one of the receptacles housing an applicator, the coupling member being configured to constitute a handle member during application.

30. A method of applying makeup, the method comprising:

applying makeup with an applicator member secured to at least one of a closure cap and a body of a receptacle, the at least one of a cap and a body being held at least partially in releasable manner in a coupling member according to claim 24.

25. A coupling member for coupling two receptacles together, the coupling member comprising a tubular body defining two housings at axially opposite ends, each housing being configured to enable at least part of a receptacle to be engaged therein and held by friction, and wherein the coupling member is made of elastomer.

28. A coupling member according to claim 25, one of the receptacles housing an applicator, the coupling member being configured to constitute a handle member during application.

31. A method of applying makeup, the method comprising:

applying makeup with an applicator member secured to at least one of a closure cap and a body of a receptacle, the at least one of a cap and a body being held at least partially in releasable manner in a coupling member according to claim 25.