Easy-fit wiping device

• US 7,186,044 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Issued: 03/06/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Original Assignee: L'Oreal SA
• Inventors: Bailly, Christian
• Primary Examiner(s): Manahan; Todd E.
• Application Number:
  US10/175,398
• Publication Number:
  US 20020195117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,720 Days
• Field of Search: 132/218, 132/8, 132/317, 132/216, 222/386, 222/386.5, 222/389, 222/563, 222/567, 222/321.9, 401/121, 401/122, 401/207, 401/126, 401/128, 401/129, 277/607, 277/615, 277/644, 277/648, 277/649, 411/509, 411/510, 411/913, 220/783, 220/787, 220/789, 220/389, 220/DIG.10, 151/03, 152/36, 152/46, 151/21
• US Class Current: 401/122
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 40/267 comprising a wiper

Abstract

A wiping device for a container containing a product to be applied by an applicator. The wiping device includes a wiping member and a coupling member configured to couple the wiping device to the container. The coupling member includes a member capable of flexing, bending or moving with respect to the body. In a preferred form, the coupling member wiping device can resist the introduction of the wiping device into the container somewhat less than the coupling member resists the extraction of the wiping device from the container.

Claims

1. A wiping device configured to be inserted in a container, comprising:

a body with two ends, each end defining an opening configured to receive an applicator;

a wiping portion on an inner surface of said body and configured to wipe said applicator when said applicator passes through said body; and

a coupling member configured to couple the wiping device to the container, wherein;

said coupling member includes a flexible lip on the exterior surface of the body,

said flexible lip has a first end attached to the body at a joining region and a second end which is free, and

said first end having a surface which faces said body and which is connected to said body at an acute angle so that said flexible lip exhibits, during an introduction of the wiping device into the container, a resistance substantially less than a resistance exhibited during extraction of the wiping device from the container,

after the wiping device is mounted on the container, the flexible lip is in a flexed position and an outer dimension of said flexible lip is greater in said flexed position than in an unflexed position.

2. The wiping device according to claim 1, wherein said angle is from 30°

to 60°

.

3. The wiping device according to claim 2, wherein said angle is from 35°

to 55°

.

4. The wiping device according to claim 3, wherein said angle is about 45°

.

5. The wiping device according to claim 1, wherein the flexible lip is annular around said body.

6. The wiping device of claim 1, wherein:

said body has a first end and a second end,

said wiping portion is positioned between said first end and said second end,

said flexible lip is coupled to said body at a joining region, and

said wiping portion is positioned between said first end and said joining region.

7. The wiping device of claim 1, further comprising said applicator inserted into the openings of said ends of said body.

8. The wiping device of claim 7, wherein said lip is an annular lip.

9. The wiping device of claim 1, wherein said wiping member comprises a lip extending from said inner surface of said body.

10. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a cosmetic product;

a wiping device according to claim 1; and

said applicator being immersed in said cosmetic product,

wherein said applicator is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator.

21. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a product;

a wiping device according to claim 6; and

said applicator member immersed in said product,

wherein said applicator member is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator member is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator member.

22. The unit according to claim 21, wherein the container comprises a body separated from a neck by a shoulder, a free edge of the neck delimiting an opening near which said wiping device is mounted.

23. The unit according to claim 22, wherein, when the wiping device is mounted on the container, the flexible lip abuts against the shoulder.

24. The unit according to claim 23, wherein, when the wiping device is mounted on the container, the flexible lip is elastically stressed.

25. The unit according to claim 21, wherein the applicator member is secured, via a connecting element, to a grasping member configured to removably plug said opening.

26. The unit according to claim 21, wherein the applicator member is one of an applicator for eyelashes or eyebrows, an eyeliner, a brush, a block of foam, a frit, a pen and a felt.

11. A wiping device configured to be inserted in a container, comprising:

a body with two ends, each end defining an opening configured to receive an applicator member;

a wiping portion on an inner surface of said body and configured to wipe said applicator member when said applicator passes through said body; and

a coupling member configured to couple the wiping device to the container, wherein;

said coupling member includes a flexible lip on the exterior surface of the body,

said flexible lip has a first end attached to the body at a joining region and a second end which is free, and

wherein the exterior surface of the body has, facing the flexible lip, a depression so as to reduce the resistance of said flexible lip to the introduction of the wiping device into the container.

12. The wiping device according to claim 11, wherein the body comprises a tubular element having a first end facing a bottom wall of the container, and a second end at the opposite end to the first end.

13. The wiping device according to claim 12, wherein said joining region is spaced from said first end of the body.

14. The wiping device according claim 12, wherein the wiping portion is formed of an interior edge of the tubular element, said interior edge being a non-zero distance away from said first end.

15. The wiping device according to claim 14, wherein said interior edge is situated axially between the first end and said joining region, a non-zero distance away from the joining region.

16. The wiping device according to claim 14, wherein said interior edge comprises the free edge of an annular lip inclined towards the first end.

17. The wiping device according to claim 12, wherein the second end of the tubular element forms a rim configured to bear against an edge of the container delimiting an opening thereof.

18. The wiping device according to claim 11, wherein at least the wiping portion and the flexible lip are made of an elastically deformable material.

19. The wiping device according to claim 18, wherein said elastically deformable material is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic and cross-linked elastomers.

20. The wiping device according to claim 18, wherein said elastically deformable material is selected from the group consisting of EPDMs, natural rubbers, nitrile, butyl and silicone elastomers.

27. The wiping device of claim 11, wherein in the absence of stress, said flexible lip makes an acute angle with the body so as to exhibit, during an introduction of the wiping device into the container, a resistance substantially less than a resistance exhibited during extraction of the wiping device from the container.

28. A wiping device configured to be inserted in a container, comprising:

a body with two ends, each end defining an opening configured to receive an applicator;

a wiping portion on an inner surface of said body and configured to wipe said applicator member when said applicator passes through said body; and

a coupling member configured to couple the wiping device to the container, wherein;

said coupling member includes a flexible lip on the exterior surface of the body,

said flexible lip has a first end attached to the body at a joining region and a second end which is free, and

said first end having a surface which faces said body and which is connected to said body at an acute angle so that said flexible lip exhibits, during an introduction of the wiping device into the container, a resistance substantially less than a resistance exhibited during extraction of the wiping device from the container,

wherein the exterior surface of the body has, facing the flexible lip, a depression so as to reduce the resistance of said flexible lip to the introduction of the wiping device into the container.

29. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a cosmetic product;

a wiping device according to claim 28; and

said applicator being immersed in said cosmetic product,

wherein said applicator is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator.

30. A wiping device configured to be inserted in a container, comprising:

a body;

a wiping portion; and

a coupling member configured to couple the wiping device to the container, wherein;

said coupling member includes a flexible lip on the exterior surface of the body,

said flexible lip has a first end attached to the body at a joining region and a second end which is free, and

in the absence of stress, said flexible lip makes an acute angle with the body so as to exhibit, during an introduction of the wiping device into the container, a resistance substantially less than a resistance exhibited during extraction of the wiping device from the container, wherein;

said coupling member and the wiping portion are made of a first material, which is elastically deformable, and

an upper portion of said body is made of a second material, different from the first material.

31. The wiping device according to claim 30, wherein the second material includes a poly0lefin.

32. The wiping device according to claim 30, wherein said second material includes a polypropylene or a polyethylene.

33. The wiping device according to claim 30, wherein, after the wiping device is mounted on the container, the flexible lip is in a flexed position and an outer dimension of said flexible lip is greater in said flexed position than in an unflexed position.

34. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a cosmetic product;

an applicator immersed in said cosmetic product; and

a wiping device according to claim 30;

wherein said applicator is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator.

35. A wiping device to be inserted in a container, comprising:

a body with two ends, each end defining an opening configured to receive an applicator;

a wiping member on an inner surface of said body and configured to wipe said applicator when said applicator passes through said body; and

at least one bendable member protruding from an outer surface of said body, said bendable member having a surface which faces said body and which is connected to said body at an acute angle when said bendable member is unbent,

after the wiping device is mounted on the container, the bendable member is in a bent position and an outer dimension of said bendable member is greater in said bent position than in an unbent position.

36. The wiping device of claim 35, comprising at least two bendable members protruding from said outer surface of said body, each of said at least two bendable members having a surface which faces said body and which is connected to said body at an acute angle when said bendable members are unbent.

37. The wiping device of claim 35, comprising at least three bendable members protruding from said outer surface of said body, each of said at least three bendable members having a surface which faces said body and which is connected to said body at an acute angle when said bendable members are unbent.

38. The wiping device of claim 35, wherein said bendable member forms an outer skirt around said body.

39. The wiping device of claim 38, wherein said outer skirt is coupled to said body at a region positioned at a distance from an end of said body.

40. The wiping device of claim 35, wherein:

said bendable member is movable from said unbent position to a first bent position which is closer to said body than said unbent position, and

an outer dimension of said bendable member is greater in said unbent position than in said first bent position.

41. The wiping device of claim 40, wherein:

said bendable member is movable from said unbent position to a second bent position which is further away from said body than said unbent position, and

said outer dimension of said bendable member is smaller in said unbent position than in said second bent position.

42. The wiping device of claim 35, wherein:

said body has a first end and a second end, and

said wiping member is positioned between said first end and said second end.

43. The wiping device of claim 42, further comprising a protruding member protruding from said second end.

44. The wiping device of claim 42, wherein:

said bendable member is coupled to said body at a joining region, and

said wiping member is positioned between said first end and said joining region.

45. The wiping device according to claim 35, wherein the bendable member is annular around said body.

46. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a cosmetic product;

a wiping device according to claim 35; and

said applicator being immersed in said cosmetic product,

wherein said applicator is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator.

47. A wiping device comprising:

a body with two ends, each end defining an opening configured to receive an applicator;

a wiping member on an inner surface of said body and configured to wipe said applicator when said applicator passes through said body; and

at least one bendable member protruding from an outer surface of said body so as to form an acute angle with said body when said bendable member is unbent,

wherein said body defines an indentation having a form compatible with said bendable member.

48. The wiping device according to claim 47, wherein the wiping device is configured to be inserted in a container and, after the wiping device is mounted on the container, the bendable member is in a bent position and an outer dimension of said bendable member is greater in said bent position than in an unbent position.

49. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a cosmetic product;

a wiping device according to claim 47; and

said applicator being immersed in said cosmetic product,

wherein said applicator is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator.

67. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a cosmetic product;

a wiping device according to claim 48; and

said applicator being immersed in said cosmetic product,

wherein said applicator is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator.

50. A wiping device comprising:

a body with two ends, each end defining an opening configured to receive an applicator;

a wiping member on an inner surface of said body and configured to wipe said applicator when said applicator passes though said body; and

at least one bendable member protruding from an outer surface of said body so as to form an acute angle with said body when said bendable member is unbent,

wherein said body defines an indentation in which said bendable member is positioned when said bendable member is bent against said body.

51. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a cosmetic product;

a wiping device according to claim 50; and

said applicator being immersed in said cosmetic product,

wherein said applicator is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator.

52. A wiping device configured to be mounted on a container, said wiping device comprising:

a body;

a wiping member; and

at least one movable member protruding from an outer surface of said body, wherein;

when said wiping device is inserted in said container, said movable member is movable from a first position to a second position which is closer to said body than said first position, and

an outer dimension of said movable member is greater in said first position than in said second position,

wherein, after said wiping device is mounted on said container, said movable member is in a third position which is further away from said body than said first position,

said outer dimension of said movable member is smaller in said first position than in said third position, and

the outer surface of the body has, facing the movable member, a depression configured to receive said movable member in said second position.

53. The wiping device of claim 52, further comprising a member protruding from an end of said body.

54. The wiping device of claim 53, wherein an outer dimension of said member protruding from said end of said body is smaller than said outer dimension of said movable member in said first position.

55. The wiping device of claim 54, wherein said outer dimension of said member protruding from said end of said body is greater than said outer dimension of said movable member in said second position.

56. The wiping device according to claim 52, wherein the movable member is annular around said body.

57. The wiping device of claim 52, wherein:

said body has a first end and a second end,

said wiping member is positioned between said first end and said second end,

said movable member is coupled to said body at a joining region, and

said wiping member is positioned between said first end and said joining region.

58. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a cosmetic product;

an applicator immersed in said cosmetic product; and

a wiping device according to claim 52,

wherein said applicator is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator.

59. A wiping device comprising:

a body with two ends, each end defining an opening configured to receive an applicator;

a wiping member on an inner surface of said body and configured to wipe said applicator when said applicator passes through said body; and

at least one movable member protruding from an outer surface of said body, wherein;

said movable member is movable from a first position to a second position which is closer to said body than said first position,

an outer dimension of said movable member is greater in said first position than in said second position,

said body has a first end and a second end,

said wiping member is positioned between said first end and said second end,

said movable member is coupled to said body at a joining region, and

said wiping member is positioned between said first end and said joining region.

60. The wiping device of claim 59, wherein an outer dimension of said first end is smaller than said outer dimension of said movable member in said second position.

61. The wiping device of claim 60, further comprising a member protruding from said second end.

65. An applicator unit comprising:

a container containing a cosmetic product;

a wiping device according to claim 59; and

said applicator being immersed in said cosmetic product,

wherein said applicator is configured to pass through said wiping device when the applicator is withdrawn from the container, so as to remove excess product from the applicator.

62. The wiping device of 61, wherein said outer dimension of said first end is smaller than a outer dimension of said member protruding from said second end.

63. The wiping device of claim 62, wherein said outer dimension of said member protruding from said second end is smaller that said outer dimension of said movable member in said first position.

64. The wiping device of claim 63, wherein said outer dimension of said member protruding from said second end is greater than said outer dimension of said movable member in said second position.

66. A wiping device comprising:

a body with two ends, each end defining an opening configured to receive an applicator;

a wiping member on an inner surface of said body and configured to wipe said applicator when said applicator passes through said body; and

at least one bendable member protruding from an outer surface of said body, said bendable member having a surface which faces said body and which is connected to said body at an acute angle when said bendable member is unbent,

wherein the outer surface of the body has, facing the at least one bendable member, a depression configured to receive said bendable member when said bendable member is bent against said body.