Application device, system, and method

• US 7,066,674 B2
• Filed: 10/18/2001
• Issued: 06/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yu, Justine R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LE, HUYEN D
• Application Number:
  US09/981,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20020057938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,713 Days
• Field of Search: 401123-127, 401128-130, 401/118, 401/119, 401/120
• US Class Current: 401/125
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/1018 comprising a pad, i.e. a cushion-like mass of soft material, with or without gripping means
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 2200/25 Kits
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/04 Appliances specially adapted for applying liquid, e.g. using roller or ball
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/042 using a brush or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/045 connected to the cap of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 11/026 Membranes separating the content remaining in the container from the atmospheric air to compensate underpressure inside the container
• CPC Class Codes: B05B 15/30 Dip tubes

Abstract

A device for applying at least one product comprising at least one receptacle configured to contain a product and a removable unit defining a substantially enclosed space. The removable unit may be configured to be removably positioned on the at least one receptacle. The device further may comprise at least one application element configured to be housed within the substantially enclosed space defined by the removable unit when the application element is not in use for applying product and may be configured to be loaded with product from the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle. The application element also may comprise at least one surface configured to apply the loaded product, the at least one surface facing the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle during loading of the application element with the product.

Claims

1. A device for applying at least one product, the device comprising:

at least one receptacle configured to contain a product, the receptacle comprising a housing;

a cosmetic or care product contained in the at least one receptacle;

a removable unit defining a substantially enclosed space and not including a dip tube, at least part of the removable unit being configured to be removably received in the housing, the removable unit being configured to be removed from the housing while the unit defines the substantially enclosed space;

a first wall defining a bottom portion of the removable unit and a second wall extending across a neck of the receptacle housing; and

at least one application element configured to be housed within the substantially enclosed space defined by the removable unit when the application element is not in use for applying product, the application element being further configured to be loaded with product from the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle,

wherein the application element comprises at least one surface configured to apply the loaded product, the at least one surface facing the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle during loading of the application element with the product, wherein the bottom portion is located within the housing when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the at least one application element is porous.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one application element is configured to hold a reserve of product.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the removable unit comprises a first portion and second portion that are removably engageable with one another.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the first portion and second portion are removably engageable by screw fastening.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein the first portion and second portion are engageable in a substantially leakproof manner.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion includes a sealing member.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the sealing member is chosen from a sealing skirt and a sealing gasket configured to press in a substantially leakproof manner against at least the other of the first portion and the second portion.

9. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one application element is secured to one of the first portion and the second portion.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the portion to which the at least one application element is secured is configured as a handle member configured to be held during application of the product.

11. The device of claim 9, wherein the portion to which the at least one application element is secured defines an orifice configured to permit flow of product therethrough for loading the at least one application element when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle.

12. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one application element is configured to be separated from the first and second portions during application of the product.

13. The device of claim 12, further comprising a handle member configured to be held during application of product via the at least one application element.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the at least one application element comprises a portion forming the handle member.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the portion forming a handle member is configured to be compressed when the first portion and the second portion are engaged with one another and to expand when the first portion and the second portion are removed from one another.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the removable unit comprises an endpiece configured to cooperate with a portion of the receptacle.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the endpiece is configured to cooperate with one of a valve, a pump, and a neck portion associated with the receptacle.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the endpiece is configured to cooperate with one of a valve and a pump on the receptacle and wherein the removable unit is configured to move relative to the receptacle so as to actuate said one of the pump and the valve.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle defines an orifice for flowing product into the removable unit when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle, and wherein the device further comprises a sealing member configured to establish a substantially leakproof connection between the removable unit and the orifice.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the removable unit further

comprises a valve configured to open to permit an amount of product to flow from the receptacle into the removable unit while the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the valve is further configured to close at least when the removable unit is removed from the receptacle.

22. The device of claim 20, wherein the removable unit comprises a first portion and a second portion configured to be removably engaged with one another, and wherein the valve is one of overmolded and fixed by snap fastening on one of the first and second portions.

23. The device of claim 1, wherein the removable unit comprises a wall defining at least one orifice configured to flow product therethrough.

24. The device of claim 23, wherein the wall comprises the first wall.

25. The device of claim 23, further comprising a pad configured to be disposed between the at least one application element and the orifice when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the pad is porous.

27. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one application element is made of a non-compressible material.

28. The device of claim 27, wherein the application element is made of a sintered material.

29. The device of claim 27, wherein the application element is made of a material chosen from sintered polyethylene, PVC, EVA, polyamide, and brass.

30. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one application element is made of a compressible material.

31. The device of claim 30, wherein the application element is made of an elastically deformable material.

32. The device of claim 30, wherein the application element is made of a material chosen from a foam of polyurethane, a foam of polyester, a foam of polyether, a foam of PVC, a foam of NBR, a felt, and a multilayer composite.

33. The device of claim 1, wherein at least part of the at least one application element is one of flocked, comprises a woven surface fabric, and comprises a non-woven surface fabric.

34. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a wall for guiding movement of the removable unit while it is placed in position on the receptacle.

35. The device of claim 1, further comprising one of a pump and a valve for dispensing product from the receptacle into the removable unit.

36. The device of claim 35, wherein the one of the pump and the valve is configured to be actuated by the removable unit.

37. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle defines an orifice configured to be in flow communication with the product in the receptacle.

38. The device of claim 37, further comprising a cock configured to substantially prevent flow communication through the orifice when the removable unit is removed from the receptacle.

39. The device of claim 1, the housing is provided with a lid configured to close the housing when the removable unit is removed from the receptacle.

40. The device of claim 39, wherein the lid is hingedly connected to the receptacle.

41. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle further comprises a dispensing member on a portion of the receptacle separate from a portion on which the removable unit is configured to be positioned, the dispensing member being configured to dispense product from the receptacle.

42. The device of claim 41, wherein the dispensing member is a pushbutton actuator.

43. The device of claim 41, wherein the dispensing mechanism is positioned on the same side of the receptacle as the removable unit.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the dispensing mechanism and the removable unit are positioned on a top portion of the receptacle.

45. The device of claim 41, wherein the dispensing mechanism is positioned on a different side of the receptacle than the removable unit.

46. The device of claim 45, wherein the dispensing mechanism and the removable unit are positioned on substantially opposite sides of the receptacle.

47. The device of claim 45, wherein the dispensing mechanism and the removable unit are positioned substantially along a longitudinal axis of the receptacle.

48. The device of claim 41, wherein the dispensing mechanism is configured to dispense product from the receptacle independent from loading of the at least one application element with the product.

49. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing includes at least one relief portion for cooperating with the removable unit so as to substantially prevent rotation of the removable unit relative to the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle.

50. The device of claim 1, further comprising a dip tube configured to extend within the receptacle.

51. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one application element occupies a portion of the space when the product is not loaded therein and is configured to expand within the space upon being loaded with product.

52. The device of claim 1, wherein the removable unit is configured to be placed in a closed position in which access to the space is substantially prevented and an open position in which access to the space is permitted.

53. The device of claim 52, wherein the at least one application element is configured to be compressed when the removable unit is in the closed position and to expand when the removable unit is in the open position.

54. The device of claim 53, wherein a portion of the application element forms a handle member upon expansion.

55. The device of claim 1, wherein the removable element further comprises a hinged lid portion, the at least one application element being attached to the hinged lid portion.

56. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is configured to independently receive the removable unit and a removable dispensing mechanism for dispensing product from the receptacle.

57. The device of claim 56, further comprising the dispensing mechanism.

58. The device of claim 57, wherein the dispensing mechanism comprises a push-button actuator.

59. The device of claim 1, wherein the product is perfume.

60. The device of claim 1, wherein the product is configured to be applied to one of skin, hair, fingernails, and toenails.

61. The device of claim 1, wherein a length of the removable unit is less than a length of the receptacle.

62. The device of claim 1, wherein the application element is not immersed in product contained in the receptacle when the removable unit is received in the housing.

63. The device of claim 1, wherein the removable unit is separated from the product contained in the receptacle when the removable unit is received in the housing.

64. A device for applying at least one product, the device comprising:

a removable unit defining a substantially enclosed space and not including a dip tube, at least part of the removable unit being configured to be removably received in a housing of a receptacle containing a product, the removable unit being configured to be removed from the housing while the unit defines the substantially enclosed space; and

at least one nonbristled application element configured to be received within the substantially enclosed space, the at least one application element being further configured to be loaded with product from the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle,

wherein the at least one application element comprises at least one surface configured to apply the loaded product, the at least one surface facing the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle during loading of the at least one application element with product, and

wherein the removable unit is separated from the product contained in the receptacle when the removable unit is received in the housing.

65. An application system comprising:

the device of claim 64; and

at least two receptacles, each of the at least two receptacles comprising a housing in which said at least part of the removable unit is configured to be independently removably received.

66. The application system of claim 65, wherein the at least two receptacles are held by a common support or housed in a common box.

67. The application system of claim 65, wherein each of the at least two receptacles contains product differing from product contained in another of the at least two receptacles.

68. The device of claim 64, wherein at least part of the application element comprises flocking.

69. The device of claim 64, wherein the application element is configured to apply the product in the receptacle to one of skin, hair, fingernails, and toenails.

70. The device of claim 64, wherein the at least one application element is connected to a portion of the removable unit.

71. The device of claim 64, further comprising a valve configured to control product flow between the receptacle and the removable unit.

72. The device of claim 64, wherein the application element is not immersed in product contained in the receptacle when the removable unit is received in the housing.

73. The device of claim 64, wherein a length of the removable unit is less than a length of the receptacle.

74. A method of loading an application device, comprising:

providing a removable unit defining a space and at least one application element configured to be received within the space;

selecting at least one receptacle from a plurality of receptacles containing differing products;

positioning the removable unit on the at least one selected receptacle; and

flowing product from the at least one selected receptacle into the removable unit so as to load the at least one application element with at least the product from the at least one selected receptacle.

75. The method of claim 74, further comprising placing the at least one loaded application element in contact with a surface so as to apply the loaded product to the surface.

76. The method of claim 74, further comprising removing the removable unit from the selected receptacle after loading the at least one application element with the product.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising carrying the removable unit away from the receptacle.

78. The method of claim 74, further comprising opening the removable unit so as to permit access to at least one surface of the application element configured for applying the loaded product.

79. The method of claim 74, wherein the selecting comprises selecting more than one receptacle from the plurality of receptacles containing differing products.

80. The method of claim 79, further comprising positioning the removable unit on each of the selected receptacles one at a time and flowing product from each of the selected receptacles into the removable unit.

81. The method of claim 80, further comprising placing the at least one application element into contact with a surface so as to apply the loaded product to the surface prior to positioning the removable unit on another of the selected receptacles and flowing the product from the other selected receptacle into the removable unit.

82. The method of claim 79, wherein the plurality of receptacles contain products having differing scents.

83. The method of claim 79, wherein at least one of the plurality of receptacles contains an active agent.

84. The method of claim 74, wherein the at least one application element comprises at least one surface configured to apply the loaded product, the at least one surface facing the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle during loading of the application element with product.

85. The method of claim 74, wherein the removable unit defines a substantially enclosed space.

86. The method of claim 74, wherein the removable element comprises a first portion configured to engage with a portion of the at least one selected receptacle and a second portion configured to cooperate with the first portion, and the at least one application element is secured to the second portion.

87. A method of loading an application device, comprising:

providing a device comprising;

a removable unit defining a substantially enclosed space and not including a dip tube, at least part of the removable unit being configured to be removably received in a housing of a receptacle containing a product, the removable unit being configured to be removed from the housing while the unit defines the substantially enclosed space; and

at least one application element configured to be received within the substantially enclosed space, the at least one application element being further configured to be loaded with product from the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle,

wherein the at least one application element comprises at least one surface configured to apply the loaded product, the at least one surface facing the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle during loading of the at least one application element with product;

selecting at least one receptacle from a plurality of receptacles containing differing products;

positioning the removable unit on the at least one selected receptacle; and

flowing product from the at least one selected receptacle into the removable unit so as to load the at least one application element with at least the product from the at least one selected receptacle.

88. The method of claim 87, further comprising placing the at least one loaded application element in contact with a surface so as to apply the loaded product to the surface.

89. The method of claim 87, further comprising removing the removable unit from the selected receptacle after loading the at least one application element with the product.

90. The method of claim 89, further comprising carrying the removable unit away from the receptacle.

91. The method of claim 87, further comprising opening the removable unit so as to permit access to at least one surface of the application element configured for applying the loaded product.

92. The method of claim 91, further comprising positioning the removable unit on each of the selected receptacles one at a time and flowing product from each of the selected receptacles into the removable unit.

93. The method of claim 92, further comprising placing the at least one application element into contact with a surface so as to apply the loaded product to the surface prior to positioning the removable unit on another of the selected receptacles and flowing the product from the other selected receptacle into the removable unit.

94. The method of claim 87, wherein the selecting comprises selecting more than one receptacle from the plurality of receptacles containing differing products.

95. The method of claim 94, wherein the plurality of receptacles contain products having differing scents.

96. A device for applying a product, the device comprising:

a removable unit defining a substantially enclosed space and not including a dip tube, at least part of the removable unit being configured to be removably received in a housing of a receptacle containing a product, the removable unit comprising a first portion configured to removably engage with a the housing of the receptacle, and a second portion configured to cooperate with the first portion so as to place the removable unit in one of a closed position so as to substantially restrict access to the space and an open position so as to permit access to the space, the first portion being configured to be removed from the housing together with the second portion in the closed position; and

at least one application element configured to be received in the substantially enclosed space when the application element is not in use for applying product,

wherein the at least one application element is secured to the second portion or separated from the first portion and the second portion,

wherein the device further comprises a cosmetic or care product to be applied using the at least one application element, and

wherein the removable unit is separated from the product contained in the receptacle when the removable unit is received in the housing.

97. The device of claim 96, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be separated from one another when the removable unit is in the open position.

98. The device of claim 96, wherein at least a portion of the at least one application element is porous.

99. The device of claim 96, wherein the at least one application element is configured to hold a reserve of product.

100. The device of claim 96, wherein the first portion and the second portion are removably engageable with one another via one of screw-fastening and snap-fastening.

101. The device of claim 96, wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to cooperate with one another in a substantially leakproof manner when the removable unit is in the closed position.

102. The device of claim 101, wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes one of a sealing skirt and a sealing gasket configured to press in a substantially leakproof manner against at least the other of the first portion and the second portion.

103. The device of claim 96, wherein the application element is secured to the second portion.

104. The device of claim 103, wherein the second portion is configured as a handle member configured to be held during application of the product via the at least one application element.

105. The device of claim 103, wherein the second portion is hingedly connected to the first portion.

106. The device of claim 103, wherein the second portion is configured to be separated from the first portion.

107. The device of claim 103, wherein the first portion defines an orifice configured to permit flow of product for loading the at least one application element when the removable unit is received in the housing.

108. The device of claim 96, wherein the at least one application element is separated from the first and second portions.

109. The device of claim 108, further comprising a handle member configured to be held during application of product via the at least one application element.

110. The device of claim 108, wherein the at least one application element comprises a portion forming the handle member.

111. The device of claim 110, wherein the portion forming the handle member is configured to be compressed when the removable unit is in the closed position and to be uncompressed when the removable unit is in the open position.

112. The device of claim 96, wherein the removable unit comprises an endpiece configured to cooperate with a portion of the receptacle.

113. The device of claim 112, wherein the endpiece is configured to cooperate with one of a valve, a pump, and a neck portion associated with the receptacle.

114. The device of claim 112, wherein the endpiece is configured to cooperate with one of a valve and a pump associated with the receptacle, and wherein the removable unit is configured to move relative to the receptacle so as to actuate one of the pump and the valve.

115. The device of claim 96, wherein the receptacle defines an orifice for flowing product into the removable unit, and wherein the device further comprises a sealing member configured to establish a substantially leakproof connection between the removable unit and the orifice.

116. The device of claim 96, wherein the removable unit further comprises a valve configured to open to permit an amount of product to flow from the receptacle into the removable unit while said at least part of the removable unit is received in the housing.

117. The device of claim 116, wherein the valve is further configured to close at least when said at least part of the removable unit is removed from the housing.

118. The device of claim 116, wherein the valve is one of overmolded and fixed by snap fastening on the first portion of the removable unit.

119. The device of claim 96, wherein the first portion of the removable unit comprises a wall defining at least one orifice configured to flow product therethrough.

120. The device of claim 119, wherein the wall defines a bottom of the space when said at least part of the removable unit is received in the housing.

121. The device of claim 120, further comprising a pad configured to be disposed between the at least one application element and the orifice when said at least part of the removable unit is received in the housing.

122. The device of claim 121, wherein the pad is porous.

123. The device of claim 96, wherein the at least one application element is made of a non-compressible material.

124. The device of claim 123, wherein the application element is made of a sintered material.

125. The device of claim 123, wherein the application element is made of a material chosen from sintered polyethylene, PVC, EVA, polyamide, and brass.

126. The device of claim 96, wherein the at least one application element is made of a compressible material.

127. The device of claim 126, wherein the at least one application element is made of an elastically deformable material.

128. The device of claim 127, wherein the at least one application element is made of a material chosen from a foam of polyurethane, a foam of polyester, a foam of polyether, a foam of PVC, a foam of NBR, a felt, and a multilayer composite.

129. The device of claim 96, wherein at least part of the at least one application element is one of flocked, comprises a woven surface fabric, and comprises a non-woven surface fabric.

130. The device of claim 96, wherein the at least one application element occupies a portion of the space when the product is not loaded therein and is configured to expand within the space upon being loaded with product.

131. An application system comprising:

the device of claim 96; and

at least one receptacle comprising a housing in which said at least part of the removable unit is configured to be removably received, the at least one receptacle being configured to contain a product to be applied.

132. The system of claim 131, wherein the at least one receptacle comprises a plurality of receptacles configured to contain different products.

133. The system of claim 132, wherein the plurality of receptacles are one of held by a common support and housed in a common box.

134. The application system of claim 131, wherein each of the at least two receptacles contains product differing from product contained in another of the at least two receptacles.

135. The device of claim 96, wherein the product is configured to be applied to one of skin, hair, fingernails, and toenails.

136. A device for applying a product, the device comprising:

a receptacle;

a removable unit defining a substantially enclosed space and being configured to be removably positioned on the receptacle, the removable unit comprising a first portion configured to removably engage with a portion of the receptacle, and a second portion configured to cooperate with the first portion so as to place the removable unit in one of a closed position so as to substantially restrict access to the space and an open position so as to permit access to the space; and

at least one application element configured to be received in the substantially enclosed space when the application element is not in use for applying product,

wherein the at least one application element is secured to the second portion or separated from the first portion and the second portion,

wherein the device further comprises a cosmetic or care product to be applied using the at least one application element,

wherein the receptacle includes a dispensing member on a portion of the receptacle separate from a portion on which the removable unit is configured to be positioned, and

wherein when the removable unit is positioned on the portion of the receptacle on which the removable unit is configured to be positioned, the dispensing member is capable of dispensing product without loading the removable unit.

137. A method of loading an application device, comprising:

providing a device comprising;

a removable unit defining a substantially enclosed space and not including a dip tube, at least part of the removable unit being configured to be removably received in a housing of a receptacle containing a product, the removable unit comprising a first portion configured to removably engage with the housing of the receptacle, and a second portion configured to cooperate with the first portion so as to place the removable unit in one of a closed position so as to substantially restrict access to the space and an open position so as to permit access to the space, the first portion being configured to be removed from the housing together with the second portion in the closed position; and

at least one application element configured to be received in the substantially enclosed space when the application element is not in use for applying product,

wherein the at least one application element is secured to the second portion or separated from the first portion and the second portion,

wherein the device further comprises a cosmetic or care product to be applied using the at least one application element;

selecting at least one receptacle from a plurality of receptacles containing differing products;

positioning the removable unit on the at least one selected receptacle; and

flowing product from the at least one selected receptacle into the removable unit so as to load the at least one application element with at least the product from the at least one selected receptacle.

138. The method of claim 137, further comprising placing the at least one loaded application element in contact with a surface so as to apply the loaded product to the surface.

139. The method of claim 137, further comprising removing the removable unit from the selected receptacle after loading the at least one application element with the product.

140. The method of claim 139, further comprising carrying the removable unit away from the receptacle.

141. The method of claim 137, further comprising opening the removable unit so as to permit access to at least one surface of the application element configured for applying the loaded product.

142. The method of claim 137, wherein the selecting comprises selecting more than one receptacle from the plurality of receptacles containing differing products.

143. The method of claim 142, further comprising positioning the removable unit on each of the selected receptacles one at a time and flowing product from each of the selected receptacles into the removable unit.

144. The method of claim 143, further comprising placing the at least one application element into contact with a surface so as to apply the loaded product to the surface prior to positioning the removable unit on another of the selected receptacles and flowing the product from the other selected receptacle into the removable unit.

145. The method of claim 142, wherein the plurality of receptacles contain products having differing scents.

146. A device for applying at least one product, the device comprising:

a removable unit defining a substantially enclosed space and being rigid such that the substantially enclosed space does not have a variable volume, the removable unit being configured to be removably positioned on a receptacle containing a product and being configured to be removed from the receptacle while the unit defines the substantially enclosed space; and

at least one nonbristled application element configured to be received within the substantially enclosed space, the at least one application element being further configured to be loaded with product from the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle,

wherein the at least one application element comprises at least one surface configured to apply the loaded product, and

wherein the removable unit is separated from the product contained in the receptacle when the removable unit is received in the housing.

147. The device of claim 146, wherein at least part of the application element comprises flocking.

148. The device of claim 146, further comprising a valve configured to control product flow between the receptacle and the removable unit.

149. The device of claim 146, wherein the application element is not immersed in product contained in the receptacle when the removable unit is received in the housing.

150. The device of claim 146, wherein the application element is configured to apply product from the receptacle to one of skin, hair, fingernails, and toenails.

151. A device for applying at least one product, the device comprising:

a removable unit comprising a first portion and a second portion configured to be releasably connected together to define a substantially enclosed space, the removable unit being configured to be removably positioned on at least one receptacle containing a product, the removable unit being configured to be removed from the receptacle while the unit defines the substantially enclosed space; and

at least one nonbristled application element configured to be housed within the substantially enclosed space defined by the removable unit when the application element is not in use for applying product, the application element being further configured to be loaded with product from the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle,

wherein the application element comprises at least one surface configured to apply the loaded product, and

wherein the removable unit is separated from the product contained in the receptacle when the removable unit is received in the housing.

152. The device of claim 151, wherein a length of the removable unit is less than a length of the receptacle.

153. The device of claim 151, wherein the application element is configured to apply product from the receptacle to one of skin, hair, fingernails, and toenails.

154. The device of claim 151, wherein the at least one application element is connected to a portion of the removable unit.

155. The device of claim 151, further comprising a valve configured to control product flow between the receptacle and the removable unit.

156. The device of claim 151, wherein the application element is not immersed in product contained in the receptacle when the removable unit is received in the housing.

157. The device of claim 151, further comprising a first wall defining a bottom portion of the removable unit and a second wall extending across a neck of the receptacle housing.

158. The device of claim 151, wherein at least part of the application element comprises flocking.

159. A device for applying at least one product, the device comprising:

at least one receptacle configured to contain a product, the receptacle comprising a housing;

a cosmetic or care product contained in the at least one receptacle;

a removable unit defining a substantially enclosed space and not including a dip tube, at least part of the removable unit being configured to be removably received in the housing, the removable unit being configured to be removed from the housing while the unit defines the substantially enclosed space;

at least one application element configured to be housed within the substantially enclosed space defined by the removable unit when the application element is not in use for applying product, the application element being further configured to be loaded with product from the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle; and

a valve configured to control product flow between the receptacle and the removable unit,

wherein the application element comprises at least one surface configured to apply the loaded product, the at least one surface facing the receptacle when the removable unit is positioned on the receptacle during loading of the application element with the product.