Packaging and Applicator Device Including a Wiper Member

• US 20090028627A1
• Filed: 06/29/2006
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/06/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis
• Granted Patent: US 8,221,015 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/122
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/046 comprising a wiper
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/265 connected to the cap of the container
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising: a receptacle (2) for containing the substance; an applicator member (4); and a wiper member (7) secured to the receptacle (2) to wipe the applicator member (4) as the applicator member (4) leaves the receptacle (2), the wiper member (7) including at least one undulating wiper lip (17) with a radially inner free edge defining the orifice through which the applicator member (4) passes, undulations of the wiper lip (17) enabling the wiper lip to deploy under thrust from the applicator member (4).

Claims

1-24. -24. (canceled)

25. A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising:

a receptacle for containing the substance;

an applicator member; and

a wiper member secured to the receptacle for wiping the applicator member as the applicator member leaves the receptacle, the wiper member having at least one undulating wiper lip with a radially inner free edge defining an orifice through which the applicator member passes, undulations of the wiper lip enabling the wiper lip to deploy under thrust from the applicator member.

26. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper lip is more flexible than at least a portion of the applicator member that comes into contact therewith.

27. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper member has 2 to 12 undulations.

28. A device according to claim 25, in which the undulations are distributed irregularly.

29. A device according to claim 25, in which the undulations are distributed regularly.

30. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper lip generally occupies a midplane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the device.

31. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper lip generally occupies a cone oriented towards the outlet from the receptacle.

32. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper lip generally occupies a cone oriented towards the bottom of the receptacle.

33. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper lip is of constant thickness in the circumferential direction at a given distance from the longitudinal axis of the device.

34. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper lip is of varying thickness, being thinner closer to its free edge.

35. A device according to claim 25, in which the orifice of the wiper lip is circular.

36. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper member is made of at least one of the materials in the following list:

optionally vulcanized elastomer, silicone, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, EPDM, thermoplastic elastomer, SIS, SEBS, polyester thermoplastic elastomer, PE, PET, PA, PVC, and PS.

37. A device according to claim 25, in which the receptacle comprises a neck and the wiper member includes an assembly skirt serving to secure the wiper member in the neck.

38. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper member is overmolded on a neck of the receptacle.

39. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper member is overmolded on a support part.

40. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper member is secured to the neck of the receptacle by clamping between the receptacle and a support part.

41. A device according to claim 25, in which the wiper member is secured to a ring mounted on a neck of the receptacle.

42. A device according to claim 25, in which the applicator member comprises at least one of:

an optionally-twisted brush, a comb, a tuft of bristles, a paint brush, a spatula, flocking, a foam, and felt.

43. A device according to claim 25, in which the receptacle contains at least one of:

a cosmetic, make-up or care product, a mascara, lipstick, lip gloss, foundation, nail varnish, eye shadow, eye liner, and blush.

44. A device according to claim 25, comprising an applicator having a stem with the applicator member secured to one end thereof.

45. A device according to claim 25, in which the receptacle closes in leaktight manner.

46. A device according to claim 25, in which the perimeter of the free edge is strictly greater than the perimeter of the orifice when observed in projection from above.

47. A device according to claim 25, in which at least one undulation of the wiper lip extends along a line that is not concentric about the longitudinal axis of the device, and preferably all of the undulations are not concentric.

48. A device according to claim 25, in which the free edge of the wiper lip does not extend entirely in a plane in the absence of stress.