Packaging and application device with adjustable wiping

• US 7,455,468 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2006
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Gueret, Jean-Louis H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak; David J
• Application Number:
  US11/611,617
• Publication Number:
  US 20070141862A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 401/122, 401126-130, 132/317
• US Class Current: 401/126
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 34/047 with adjustable wiping action
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/268 with adjustable wiping action

Abstract

The device includes a container and an applicator including a rod connected at a first end to a gripping member and to an application element at a second end. The device further includes a first wiping member disposed in the container and including a deformable portion configured to wipe the application element during extraction of the application element from the container. The device includes a movable adjustment member that limits deformation of the deformable portion during passage of the application element through the deformable portion. Deformation of the deformable portion is less limited by the adjustment member when the adjustment member is in a second position than when the adjustment member is in a first position. The adjustment member typically limits deformation of the deformable portion without substantially constraining the deformable portion when the deformable portion is un-deformed by either the application element or rod, irrespective of a position of the adjustment member.

Claims

1. A device for packaging and application of a cosmetic, comprising:

a container containing a product;

an applicator including a rod connected at a first end to a gripping member and connected at a second end, opposite the first end, to an application element;

a first wiping member disposed in the container and including a deformable portion configured to wipe the application element during extraction of the application element from the container; and

an adjustment member, movable in relation to the first wiping member between at least first and second positions and arranged proximate to the deformable portion of the first wiping member in the first position such that

deformation of the deformable portion is limited by the adjustment member during passage of the application element through the deformable portion,

deformation of the deformable portion is less limited by the adjustment member when the adjustment member is in the second position than when the adjustment member is in the first position, and

the adjustment member limits deformation of the deformable portion without substantially constraining the deformable portion when the deformable portion is un-deformed by either the application element or rod, irrespective of a position of the adjustment member.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein deformation of the deformable portion is not limited by the adjustment member when the adjustment member is in the second position.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is configured to deform without stretching circumferentially during passage of the application element.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is configured to deflect in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the container during passage through it of the application element.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member includes a limiting element configured to be positioned in proximity to or in contact with the deformable portion so as to limit the deformation of the deformable portion during passage through the deform able portion of the application element.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is configured to be coupled to the container in a removable manner.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment member is configured to be coupled, in a removable manner, to the gripping member.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein the adjustment member includes an internally threaded mounting skirt configured to be threaded onto the container;

and

an externally threaded neck configured to thread into the gripping member.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the rod includes a throat located in a position adjacent to the deformable portion when the applicator is in place on the adjustment member and the deformable portion is fixed on the container.

10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member is coupled permanently to the container while being movable axially and rotationally in relation to the container.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the adjustment member includes a slot, into which extends a raised part attached to the container, and the slot is inclined so as to convert a rotational movement of the adjustment member relative to the container into an axial movement relative to the container.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion includes at least one wiper slot.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion includes a plurality of fins.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion includes a corrugated lip.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the application element includes a brush.

16. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member includes a cross-section through which the application element passes, and the cross-section is larger than an opening defined by the first wiping member.

17. The device according to claim 16, wherein an internal diameter of the cross-section is larger than an internal diameter of the first wiping member.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment member includes a cross-section provided for passage of the application element, and the cross-section is smaller than an opening defined by the first wiping member.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein the cross-section has an internal diameter smaller than an internal diameter of the opening defined by first wiping member.

20. The device according to claim 1, wherein the application element deforms the deformable portion of the first wiping member during passage through the deformable portion.

21. The device according to claim 20, wherein the deformable portion is configured to increase a size of a passage area without stretching as the application element passes through the passage area.

22. The device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion defines a passage area for the application element with a diameter smaller than a diameter of the rod.

23. The device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion defines a passage area for the application element with a diameter at least as large as a diameter of a throat of the rod.

24. The device according to claim 1, wherein the deformable portion is funnel-shaped with respect to a longitudinal axis of the container.

25. The device according to claim 24, wherein a largest opening of the deformable portion is closer to the first end of the rod than a smallest opening of the deformable portion when the applicator is inside the container.

26. The device according to claim 1, wherein the application element includes a non-circular cross-section.

27. The device according to claim 1, wherein the application element extends along a longitudinal axis which is off-center in relation to a longitudinal axis of the rod.

28. The device according to claim 1, wherein the application element extends along a longitudinal axis forming a non-zero angle with a longitudinal axis of the rod.

29. The device according to claim 1, wherein the application element is hollow.

30. The device according to claim 29, wherein the application element is configured to deform during passage through the first wiping member.

31. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first wiping member is the only component in the device configured to wipe the application element.

32. The device according to claim 1 further comprising a second wiping member.

33. The device according to claim 32, wherein the second wiping member includes the adjustment member, and the adjustment member includes a wiping lip.

34. The device according to claim 33, wherein the wiping lip includes a circular free edge and the deformable portion defines an opening with a diameter smaller than or equal to an inside diameter of the wiping lip.

35. The device according to claim 34, wherein the second wiping member includes a wiping ring mounted on the adjustment member.

36. The device according to claim 35, wherein the wiping ring includes an internal channel with a diameter smaller than or equal to an inner diameter of the deformable portion.

37. The device according to claim 1, wherein the product is configured to be applied on at least one of eyelashes and eyebrows.

38. The device according to claim 1, wherein the product is configured to be applied on at least one of a lip of a user and skin of a user.

39. The device according to claim 38, wherein the product is configured to be applied on eyelids of a user.

40. A device for packaging and application of a cosmetic, comprising:

a container containing a product;

an applicator including a rod connected at a first end to a gripping member and connected at a second end, opposite the first end, to an application element;

a wiping member disposed in the container and including a deformable portion configured to wipe the application element during extraction of the application element from the container; and

means for adjusting amounts of deformation of the deformable portion, movable in relation to the wiping member between at least first and second positions and arranged proximate to the deformable portion of the wiping member in the first position such that

deformation of the deformable portion is limited by the means for adjusting during passage of the application element through the deformable portion,

deformation of the deformable portion is less limited by the means for adjusting when the means for adjusting is in the second position than when the means for adjusting is in the first position, and

the means for adjusting limits deformation of the deformable portion without substantially constraining the deformable portion when the deformable portion is un-deformed by either the application element or rod, irrespective of a position of the means for adjusting.