Assembly for packaging and applying a product, especially a cosmetic product

• US RE38,698 E1
• Filed: 12/12/2000
• Issued: 02/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Joulia, Gerard
• Primary Examiner(s): Walczak, David J.
• Application Number:
  US09/734,184
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: 401/4, 401/130, 401/126, 401/129, 366/130, 366/309
• US Class Current: 401/4
• 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 34/048 with stirring means
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 13/002 portable during use, e.g. hand-held B05C17/00553 takes precedence, whisks comprising mixing wires A47J43/1087
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 13/0022 Small portable bottles, flasks, vials, e.g. with means for mixing ingredients or for homogenizing their content, e.g. by hand shaking
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 15/00681 at the top of the receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 7/00558 provided with brushes, sieves, grids, chains or springs B01F7/00408 takes precedence

Abstract

An assembly (1) for packaging and applying a product, especially a cosmetic product, includes a reservoir (2) formed of a body (3) surmounted by a neck (12) having a free edge which delimits an opening (18) and a cap element (17) capable of removably capping the opening (18). The cap element (17) forms a member by which to grasp an applicator (22), secured to a first end (21) of a connecting member (20) whose second end (19) is secured to the cap element (17). When the cap element (17) is in the closed position, the applicator (22) lies inside the reservoir (2) so that it can withdraw some of the product. The neck (12) is of axis Y, distinct from the axis X of the body, and mounted so that it is free to rotate with respect to the said body (3).

Claims

1. An assembly for packaging and applying a product, especially a cosmetic product, comprising:

a body defining a reservoir with a closed bottom, said body having a first longitudinal axis;

a neck provided on said body, said neck having a free edge which defines an opening of said neck, said neck having a longitudinal axis distinct from said first axis of the body, said neck rotatably mounted to said body;

and being formed by a mounting ring rotatably mounted on said body, said mounting ring being attached to said body at a position closer to said opening than it is to said closed bottom; and

a cap element configured to removably close said opening of said neck, said cap element including an applicator.

2. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1, wherein said cap element comprises a member by which to grasp said applicator, secured to a first end of a connecting member whose second end is secured to said applicator.

3. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1, wherein said applicator is arranged such that when said cap element is in the closed position, said applicator lies inside the reservoir and in contact with a portion of said product.

4. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1, wherein said neck comprises a mounting ring which is free to rotate on an opening formed by a free edge of the body of the reservoir.

5. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 4 1, wherein said mounting ring comprises, means for wringing out the applicator when the applicator is extracted from the reservoir, provided about said longitudinal axis of said neck.

6. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 4 1, wherein said mounting ring includes reliefs configured to make said ring easier to rotate with respect to the body.

7. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 5, wherein said mounting ring includes reliefs configured to make said ring easier to rotate with respect to the body.

8. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 4 1, wherein said mounting ring includes reliefs provided on a radially outer surface of said mounting ring.

9. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1, wherein the said neck is snap-fitted on said body.

10. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 2, wherein the said neck is snap-fitted on said body.

11. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 3, wherein the said neck to snap-fitted on said body.

12. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 4 1, wherein the said mounting ring is snap-fitted on said body.

13. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a rotational stop placed between said neck and said body, said rotational stop configured to limit the rotational movement of the neck with respect to the body, to a predetermined angular range.

14. A packaging assembly according to claim 13, wherein said predetermined angular range is approximately 360°

.

15. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 13, wherein said cap element and said neck are configured such that when said the cap element is rotated in an unscrewing direction, said neck is caused to rotate with respect to the body over said predetermined angular range until said neck contacts said stop, then said cap element is caused to unscrew from said neck;

and wherein said cap element and said neck are configured such that when said cap element is rotated in an screwing direction, opposite to the unscrewing direction, said cap element is caused to be screwed onto the neck and said neck is caused to turn with respect to the body over said predetermined angular range until said neck contacts said stop.

16. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 15, wherein said cap and said neck are configured such that a torque needed to unscrew said cap exceeds a torque needed to turn said mounting ring with respect to said body.

17. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal axis of said neck is spaced from said longitudinal axis of said body such that said applicator is proximate to the interior walls of the body of the reservoir.

18. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1, wherein said longitudinal axis of said neck is spaced from said longitudinal axis of said body such that said applicator is substantially in contact with the interior walls of the body of the reservoir.

19. A packaging and applications assembly according to claim 1, wherein said applicator comprises at least one of a spatula, a brush with axial or radial bristles, a block of foam, or a felt tip.

20. A packaging and application assembly according to claim 1, wherein said product, comprises at least one of a mascara, a foundation, an eyeshadow, a styling gel and a lip color.