Applicator, and a packaging and dispenser device including such an applicator

• US 20050249539A1
• Filed: 05/09/2005
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Habatjou, Jacques
• Granted Patent: US 7,467,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/127
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/265 connected to the cap of the container
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/1053 Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/106 Cosmetics applicator specifically for mascara including comb like element
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 9/021 arranged like in cosmetics brushes, e.g. mascara, nail polish, eye shadow

Abstract

An applicator may include a support with a longitudinal axis. The support may include a stem, and a deformable portion including a first end and a second end, the deformable portion being arranged to deform elastically in a radial direction when a distance between the first and second ends is varied. The applicator may also include an applicator member fitted to the deformable portion between the first and second ends and extending continuously around the deformable portion. An adjuster element may be provided that is movable about at least the axis relative to the support and that is arranged to adjust the distance between the first and second ends of the deformable portion.

Claims

1. An applicator comprising:

a support with a longitudinal axis, the support comprising;

a stem; and

a deformable portion including a first end and a second end, the deformable portion being arranged to deform elastically in a radial direction when a distance between the first and second ends is varied;

an applicator member fitted to the deformable portion between the first and second ends and extending continuously around the deformable portion; and

an adjuster element that is movable at least along the longitudinal axis relative to the support and that is arranged to adjust the distance between the first and second ends of the deformable portion.

5. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the adjuster element is turnable relative to the support.

6. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the support and the adjuster element cooperate by screw engagement.

7. An applicator according to claim 5, wherein the adjuster element comprises a thread configured to co-operate with a complementary thread provided on the support.

8. An applicator according to claim 7, wherein the support comprises an internally threaded surface in a region of the first end.

9. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a handle member and an internally threaded surface in a region of said handle member.

10. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the adjuster element comprises a control member that projects from the support.

11. An applicator according to claim 10, wherein the control member projects from the support in a region of the second end.

12. An applicator according to claim 10, wherein the control member projects from the support in a region of a handle member of the support.

13. An applicator according to claim 12, wherein the control member cooperates with the handle member.

14. An applicator according to claim 13, wherein the control member is configured to be screwed on the handle member.

15. An applicator according to claim 13, wherein the control member is snap fitted on the handle member.

16. An applicator according to claim 13, wherein the control member is turnable relative to the handle member.

17. An applicator according to claim 13, wherein the control member is movable relative to the handle member in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the applicator.

18. An applicator according to claim 13, wherein the adjuster element comprises a stem that is not entirely rotationally symmetrical and is secured in a housing in the control member.

19. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion comprises at least one longitudinally extending strip.

20. An applicator according to claim 19, wherein the deformable portion comprises a plurality of strips distributed equally about the longitudinal axis of the support.

21. An applicator according to claim 19, wherein, in an unused position, the strips are substantially in a shape of a portion of a cylinder.

22. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the support comprises a shoulder on which the applicator member is arranged to bear when the distance between the first and second ends decreases.

23. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member is molded as a single piece of an elastically deformable material.

24. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein a surface envelope of the applicator member, when not deformed, has a cross-section selected from circular, polygonal, square and triangular.

25. An applicator according to claim 23, wherein the surface envelope of the applicator member has a cross-section that passes through an extremum between axial ends thereof when not deformed.

26. An applicator according to claim 25, wherein said extremum is a maximum.

27. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the applicator member comprises a plurality of applicator elements engaged on the support.

28. An applicator according to claim 27, wherein said applicator elements comprise disks.

29. An applicator according to claim 28, wherein the plurality of disks comprises larger-diameter disks alternating with smaller-diameter disks.

30. An applicator according to claim 28, wherein the disks include faces that are at least one of flat, tapered, concave, and convex.

31. An applicator according to claim 27, wherein at least one of the plurality of applicator elements comprises an elastically deformable spacer that presses against an adjacent applicator element of the plurality of applicator elements.

32. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the support and the applicator member are made at least in part out of a same material.

33. An applicator according to claim 32, wherein said material comprises an elastomeric material.

34. An applicator according to claim 33, wherein the support comprises a handle member at one end of the stem.

35. An applicator according to claim 34, wherein the handle member comprises a cap for closing a receptacle containing a substance to be applied.

36. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein a largest transverse dimension of the applicator member varies by a factor of 1 to 1.25 when the deformable portion passes from a zero deformation state to a maximum deformation state.

37. An applicator according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is formed monolithically with the stem.

38. A device for packaging and dispensing a substance, comprising:

a receptacle containing a substance; and

an applicator according to claim 1.

39. A device according to claim 38, further comprising a wiper member.

40. A device according to claim 39, wherein the wiper member has a smallest inside cross-section that is circular in shape.

41. A device according to claim 38, wherein the substance comprises at least one of a cosmetic, makeup, a mascara and a care product.

2. An applicator comprising:

a support with a longitudinal axis, the support comprising;

a stem; and

a deformable portion including a first end and a second end, the deformable portion being arranged to deform elastically in a radial direction when a distance between the first and second ends is varied;

a plurality of disks fitted between the first and second ends of the deformable portion; and

an adjuster element that is movable at least along the longitudinal axis relative to the support and that is arranged to adjust the distance between the first and second ends of the deformable portion.

3. An applicator comprising:

a support with a longitudinal axis, the support comprising;

a stem; and

a deformable portion including a first end and a second end, the deformable portion being arranged to deform elastically in a radial direction when a distance between the first and second ends is varied;

an applicator member disposed between the first and the second ends; and

an adjuster element that is movable at least along the longitudinal axis relative to the support and that is arranged to adjust the distance between the first and second ends of the deformable portion, the adjuster element being configured to be driven by a user by a control member located at an end of the applicator member.

4. An applicator according to claim 3, wherein the applicator member is fitted to the deformable portion of the support.

42. A method of applying a substance comprising:

providing an applicator comprising;

a support comprising;

a stem with a longitudinal axis; and

a deformable portion including a first end and a second end, the deformable portion being arranged to deform elastically in a radial direction when a distance between the first and second ends is varied;

an applicator member fitted between the first and second ends and extending continuously around the deformable portion; and

an adjuster element that is movable relative to the support and that is arranged to adjust the distance between the first and second ends of the deformable portion; and

adjusting the adjuster element to bring the applicator member into a predetermined configuration.