Packaging and applicator device for applying a substance, in particular a cosmetic

• US 20050214058A1
• Filed: 03/16/2005
• Published: 09/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Rousselet, Guilhem
• Granted Patent: US 7,350,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/126
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper

Abstract

A device for applying a substance may include: a receptacle for containing the substance, the receptacle including an opening at a top end; a wiper member engaged in part in the opening and including a collar extending beyond the top end of the receptacle, the collar including an outer peripheral surface; and an applicator including: an applicator element; a handle; and a stem connecting the applicator element to the handle, the handle including a tubular mounting skirt configured to be fastened on the receptacle for closing the receptacle, the mounting skirt being monolithic with the stem, the mounting skirt coming into sealing contact with the peripheral surface of the collar when the receptacle and the applicator are in a closed position.

Claims

1. A device for applying a substance, the device comprising:

a receptacle for containing the substance, the receptacle including an opening at a top end;

a wiper member engaged in part in the opening and comprising a collar extending beyond the top end of the receptacle, the collar including an outer peripheral surface; and

an applicator comprising;

an applicator element;

a handle; and

a stem connecting the applicator element to the handle, the handle comprising a tubular mounting skirt configured to be fastened on the receptacle for closing the receptacle, the mounting skirt being monolithic with the stem, the mounting skirt coming into sealing contact with the peripheral surface of the collar when the receptacle and the applicator are in a closed position.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting skirt is connected to a transverse wall of the handle, the transverse wall being situated remote from the collar of the wiper member when the receptacle and the applicator are in the closed position.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein the transverse wall defines a top surface of the handle.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle comprises a neck in which at least part of the wiper member is engaged.

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the collar comprises a rim covering at least part of the outside of the receptacle.

6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the collar does not include a rim covering at least part of the outside of the receptacle.

7. A device according to claim 1, wherein contact between the wiper member and the mounting skirt is made only at the peripheral surface of the collar.

8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral surface defines at least one annular lip configured to be applied in a sealed manner against the mounting skirt.

9. A device according to claim 8, wherein the peripheral surface of the collar comprises two annular lips configured to be applied in a sealed manner against the mounting skirt.

10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the collar comprises a groove between the two annular lips.

11. A device according to claim 1, wherein the collar comprises a rounded peripheral edge.

12. A device according to claim 4, wherein the mounting skirt is configured to be screwed on the neck of the receptacle.

13. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting skirt is configured to be snap-fastened on the receptacle.

14. A device according to claim 1, wherein the collar includes a maximum outside diameter that is greater than an outside diameter of the top end of the receptacle.

15. A device according to claim 14, wherein the mounting skirt includes an inside surface with at least a portion that comes into contact with the peripheral surface of the collar when the receptacle and the applicator are in the closed position, said portion including a diameter that is not greater than the maximum outside diameter of the collar.

16. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting skirt includes an inside surface having at least a portion that is substantially conical, diverging toward the receptacle and coming into contact with the wiper member when the receptacle and the applicator are in the closed position.

17. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting skirt is configured in such a manner that clamping between the mounting skirt and the wiper member becomes tighter as the applicator is being fastened on the receptacle.

18. A device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper member presents a maximum outside radius that is at least 0.1 mm greater than an inside radius of a corresponding portion of the mounting skirt that comes into contact with the wiper member when the receptacle and the applicator are in the closed position.

19. A device according to claim 1, wherein the stem has a circular cross-section of substantially constant diameter.

20. A device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper member comprises an elastomer material.

21. A device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper member comprises a polyolefin.

22. A device according to claim 21, wherein the wiper member comprises polyethylene.

23. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting skirt comprises a polyolefin.

24. A device according to claim 23, wherein the mounting skirt comprises polypropylene.

25. A device according to claim 1, wherein the mounting skirt comprises polyoxymethylene.

26. A device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper member comprises a wiper lip defining a circular orifice of diameter matching a diameter of the stem to be wiped.

27. A device according to claim 26, wherein a diameter of the orifice defined by the wiper lip is not greater than a diameter of a portion of the stem that is in contact therewith when the device is closed.

28. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator element comprises a brush.

29. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator element comprises a comb.

30. A device according to claim 1, wherein the applicator element comprises a foam endpiece.

31. A device according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle contains a cosmetic.

32. A device according to claim 31, wherein the receptacle contains mascara.

33. A device according to claim 5, wherein an outside top portion of the receptacle comprises an annular setback configured to receive at least part of the rim of the collar.

34. A device according to claim 1, wherein an inside surface of the mounting skirt comprises a rib configured to come into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the collar when the applicator is in the closed position.