APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR FLUID PRODUCT

• US 20110129287A1
• Filed: 07/10/2009
• Published: 06/02/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aptar France S.A.S (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Valois SAS (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lecoutre, Jean-Paul
• Granted Patent: US 8,684,615 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/130
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper

Abstract

A fluid applicator device, comprising: a fluid reservoir (1) including a neck (11) defining an inside wall (12) defining an opening (10); a fastener collar (2) that is assembled in sealed manner on the neck (11) of the reservoir, the collar (2) defining an orifice (24); and a closure member (3) that is capable of closing the orifice (24) of the collar (2), the closure member including a fluid extractor and/or applicator element (31) that extends through the orifice of the collar and into the reservoir (1); the collar having wiper means (25) formed integrally therewith for wiping the extractor and/or applicator element (31) while it is being removed from the reservoir; the device being characterized in that the wiper means (25) are movable between an initial position prior to being assembled on the neck, and a final position after being assembled on the neck, the wiper means (25) being constrained in the final position by the neck (11) of the reservoir.

Claims

1. A fluid applicator device, comprising:

a fluid reservoir (1) including a neck (11) defining an inside wall (12) defining an opening (10);

a fastener collar (2) that is assembled in sealed manner on the neck (11) of the reservoir, the collar (2) defining an orifice (24); and

a closure member (3) that is capable of closing the orifice (24) of the collar (2), the closure member including a fluid extractor and/or applicator element (31) that extends through the orifice of the collar and into the reservoir (1);

the collar having wiper means (25) formed integrally therewith for wiping the extractor and/or applicator element (31) while it is being removed from the reservoir;

the device being characterized in that the wiper means (25) are movable between an initial position prior to being assembled on the neck, and a final position after being assembled on the neck, the wiper means (25) being constrained in the final position by the neck (11) of the reservoir.

2. An applicator device according to claim 1, wherein said collar (2) and said closure member (3) are made integrally by being connected together via a bridge of material (23) that breaks during first use.

3. An applicator device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper means (25) are constrained in the final position by the inside wall (12) of the neck.

4. An applicator device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper means (25) comprise a plurality of tabs (26) that are movable radially inwards towards the extractor and/or applicator element (31) by contact with the neck.

5. An applicator device according to claim 4, wherein the tabs (26) define top junction ends (261) and bottom free ends (262), the free ends (262) being movable radially inwards by the tabs pivoting about the junction ends (261).

6. An applicator device according to claim 5, wherein each tab (26) includes an outer cam profile (263) in the proximity of its junction end (261), the cam profile (263) coming into engagement with the inside wall (12) of the neck so as to cause the free end (262) of the tab to pivot inwards.

7. An applicator device according to claim 5, wherein the free ends (262) of the tabs (26) are separated from one another by slots (27) in their initial position, and are substantially touching in their final position, so as to co-operate with one another to define a wiper ring (260).

8. A device according to claim 2, wherein the inside wall (12) of the neck includes an inner inlet bevel (14) for initiating the movement of the wiper means (25) from their initial position to their final position.

9. An applicator device according to claim 1, wherein the collar (2) includes a sealing skirt (21) that is capable of coming into sealing contact with the inside wall (12) of the neck, the wiper means (25) being formed integrally to extend the skirt (21).

10. An applicator device according to claim 1, wherein the orifice (24) of the collar (2) is defined by a peripheral edge (200) that is connected via said bridge of material (23) to a junction surface (310) of the extractor and/or applicator element (31), said peripheral edge (200) coming into sealing contact against a sealing surface (312) of said extractor and/or applicator element (31) after said bridge of material (23) has been broken.