Abstract:
A packaging and applicator device may include: a body; a block of fluidizable substance that is stationary relative to the body while the substance is in a solid state, the block of substance projecting beyond the body to define at least one surface that defines an applicator surface; and a reshaper member that is positionable on the body to co-operate therewith to define at least one cavity, the reshaper member reshaping the applicator surface by allowing the substance to flow into the at least one cavity when fluidized by supplying heat, the substance retaining a shape of the cavity when the substance returns to the solid state after cooling.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This non-provisional application claims the benefit of French Application No. 04 04674 filed on Apr. 30, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/572,482 filed on May 20, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to packaging and applicator devices, for example, for making up skin, mucous membranes, nails or hair.  
         [0003]     Known devices for packaging and dispensing lipsticks or deodorants comprise a body housing a stick of substance and a mechanism for displacing the stick of substance relative to the body to compensate for wear as the stick of substance is used up. The drive mechanism is relatively expensive and an applicator surface of the stick of substance never regains its original shape.  
         [0004]     Makeup pencils are also known that comprise a wood or plastics body into which the substance is cast to form the “lead.” During use, the “lead” becomes worn and a user must resort to a pencil sharpener to reshape the “lead,” which risks breaking the “lead” or weakening the “lead” for subsequent use.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     Known blushers, lip colors, or eye shadows that are slightly domed for direct application to skin suffer from a disadvantage of losing their initial shape relatively rapidly; once shape has been lost, application may no longer be as accurate as desired.  
         [0006]     The invention aims, for example, to overcome such disadvantages.  
         [0007]     Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a packaging and applicator device comprising: a body; a block of fluidizable substance that is stationary relative to the body while the substance is in a solid state, said block of substance projecting beyond the body to define at least one surface comprising an applicator surface; and a reshaper member for reshaping the applicator surface. The reshaper member may be positionable on the body to co-operate therewith to define at least one cavity into which the substance may flow when fluidized by supplying heat. The substance thus may retain a shape of the cavity when the substance returns to the solid state after cooling.  
         [0008]     The term “fluidizable” should not be construed in a narrow sense, and encompasses any possibility of softening a substance under the effect of heat which is sufficient to allow the substance to flow into said cavity to reshape the applicator surface thereof.  
         [0009]     The term “solid state” means the state of the substance at ambient temperature (about 20° C.) under normal conditions of use.  
         [0010]     The term “stationary relative to the body” means that the device has no drive mechanism for displacing the block of substance axially relative to the body when the substance is at ambient temperature, such as, for example, known screw mechanisms in certain deodorants or lipsticks.  
         [0011]     In exemplary embodiments, the reshaper member may be arranged to allow the body of the device to remain vertical as the substance flows into the cavity. For example, the reshaper member may be arranged to rest in a stable manner on a horizontal flat surface.  
         [0012]     In exemplary embodiments, the reshaper member may be arranged to engage on an outside of the body. For example, the reshaper member may also act as a member for closing the body, at an applicator surface end thereof, for example, to protect the applicator surface when not in use. The reshaper member may optionally be configured to be fastened on the body on an end opposite the applicator surface, which may, for example, reduce a risk of losing the reshaper member while the substance is being applied.  
         [0013]     In exemplary embodiments, the body may include an inside surface in contact with the substance. The inside surface may comprise at least one portion in relief that opposes slipping of the substance inside the body when the substance is in the solid state. Said portion in relief may comprise a constriction or serration, for example.  
         [0014]     In exemplary embodiments, the body may include an inside cross-section that tapers or flares toward the applicator surface, for example, decreasing or increasing in internal cross-section toward the applicator surface.  
         [0015]     In exemplary embodiments, the reshaper member may comprise at least two portions to define cavities with different shapes, for example, configured to reshape the applicator surface into different respective shapes, depending on which portion the user selects to co-operate with the body of the device. This may afford the user the opportunity to choose between a plurality of shapes of the applicator surface, depending on the type of makeup being applied.  
         [0016]     In exemplary embodiments, the reshaper member may comprise one housing to reshape the applicator surface and another housing to enclose the body. The other housing may not act to reshape the applicator surface. The other housing may, for example, co-operate with the one housing to close around the body.  
         [0017]     If appropriate or desired, the body may include more than one opening configured to allow the substance to flow therethrough when fluidized by applying heat, for example, during reshaping of the applicator surface.  
         [0018]     In exemplary embodiments, the body may include at least one eccentric opening configured to allow the substance to flow therethrough when fluidized by applying heat, for example, during reshaping of the applicator surface.  
         [0019]     If necessary or desired, the body of the device may be packaged in a package such as a case with a portion that act as the reshaper member. For example, the reshaper member may comprise a package configured to house the body of the device.  
         [0020]     In exemplary embodiments, a quantity of substance contained in the body of the device is sufficient to allow at least one reshaping operation. For example, the quantity may be sufficient to allow at least two reshaping operations.  
         [0021]     A temperature to which the substance is heated for reshaping the applicator surface may, for example, depend on a nature of the substance and a rate at which a missing portion thereof may fill in the cavity defined by the reshaper member.  
         [0022]     For example, the substance may comprise an anhydrous formulation that behaves reversibly as a function of temperature. The substance may contain at least one compound that coagulates, plasticizes, or hardens on returning to ambient temperature.  
         [0023]     For example, the substance may comprise a blusher, a lipstick, or an eye makeup substance. Such examples are non-limiting, the invention being applicable to any cosmetic or dermatological care product, for example.  
         [0024]     In exemplary embodiments, the body of the device and the reshaper member may be configured to withstand a rise in temperature necessary to fluidize the substance and reshape the applicator surface. For example, the body and the reshaper member may be configured to withstand a temperature of about 120° C. in the absence of mechanical stresses.  
         [0025]     In exemplary embodiments, the reshaper member may be made so as to facilitate unmolding of the applicator surface. A material of which the reshaper member is made may be provided to this end. The reshaper member may, for example, be made of polypropylene (filled or otherwise), polystyrene, polyamide, such as Nylon®, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), elastomers, or silicones, such examples being non-limiting.  
         [0026]     In exemplary embodiments, the reshaper member may be made of at least two different materials, one of which may be elastically deformable. The reshaper member may, for example, be made with a bottom formed of an elastically deformable material, such as silicone, to facilitate unmolding, with a remainder being formed of a non-elastomeric material, such as polypropylene.  
         [0027]     In exemplary embodiments, the reshaper member may include a vent, for example, to facilitate filling the cavity.  
         [0028]     In exemplary embodiments, opposite the reshaper member, the body may include an opening to allow pressure equalization.  
         [0029]     Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method of reshaping an applicator surface in a device comprising: a body, a block of liquefiable substance contained in a solid state in the body, said block of substance projecting beyond the body to define at least one surface for application; and a reshaper member for reshaping the applicator surface, said reshaper member being positionable on the body to co-operate therewith to define at least one cavity, the method comprising: after the block of substance has been used at least once, positioning the reshaper member on the body; heating the substance to allow the substance to flow into the cavity; and allowing the substance to cool with the reshaper member positioned on the body, the substance retaining a shape of the cavity on resuming the solid state after cooling.  
         [0030]     In exemplary embodiments, the substance may be heated by exposing the substance to microwave radiation, for example, for a period in a range of about 10 seconds to about 5 minutes. Alternatively, in exemplary embodiments, the substance may be heated by exposing the substance to heat generated by an electrical resistance. The substance may be heated to a temperature of more than about 80° C., for example.  
         [0031]     In exemplary embodiments, the cavity into which the substance flows may be selected from a number of cavities as a function of a desired shape with which the applicator surface is to be endowed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0032]     The invention may be better understood from the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and from the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a packaging and applicator device;  
         [0034]     FIGS.  2  to  4  illustrate reshaping of an applicator surface of the device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0035]     FIGS.  5  to  7  are diagrammatic longitudinal cross-sectional views showing exemplary embodiments of a body of the device;  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing an exemplary device in which the reshaper member may also act as a closure cap;  
         [0037]      FIG. 9  shows, in isolation, an exemplary reshaper member for reshaping the applicator surface into two predetermined shapes, as selected by a user;  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is a diagrammatic perspective view of an exemplary package that allows the applicator surface to be reshaped;  
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the package of  FIG. 10 , taken along XI-XI in  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0040]      FIG. 12  shows another exemplary embodiment of a packaging and applicator device;  
         [0041]      FIG. 13  illustrates wear on the applicator surface of the device of  FIG. 12 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 14  illustrates the device before reshaping the applicator surface;  
         [0043]      FIG. 15  illustrates the device of  FIG. 14  after reshaping the applicator surface;  
         [0044]     FIGS.  16  to  18  are diagrammatic cross-sectional views showing other exemplary embodiments of packaging and applicator devices;  
         [0045]      FIG. 19  illustrates an exemplary body of the device with an eccentric opening for substance outflow;  
         [0046]      FIG. 20  illustrates an exemplary body of the device with a plurality of openings for substance outflow;  
         [0047]      FIG. 21  illustrates an exemplary reshaper member comprising at least two different materials; and  
         [0048]     FIGS.  22  to  24  show exemplary portions in relief for retaining substance in the body in the form of a screen, a helical thread, and a porous structure, respectively.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0049]     An exemplary packaging and applicator device  1  shown in  FIG. 1  may comprise an applicator member  10  and a reshaper member  20 . The applicator member  10  may comprise a body  12  that is elongate along a longitudinal axis X, for example, and a block of fluidizable substance  13  that extends beyond one end of the body  12  to define an applicator surface  14 .  
         [0050]     In this exemplary embodiment, the applicator member  10  may constitute a pencil. Prior to first use, the applicator surface  14  may have a generally pointed shape.  
         [0051]     An end  15  of the body  12  adjacent to the applicator surface  14  may be substantially conical, converging toward the applicator surface  14 . The body  12  may be open at an opposite end  16 , for example. For example, the substance  13  may be cast into the body  12  via the opposite end  16  during manufacture of the device  1 .  
         [0052]     In this exemplary embodiment, the reshaper member  20  may be in a general shape of a cap comprising a tubular skirt  21  that connects at a lower end thereof to a bottom portion  22 , as shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , for example.  
         [0053]     In this exemplary embodiment, the skirt  21  may be cylindrical and centered about the axis X. The skirt  21  may include an inside diameter that is adapted to an outside diameter of the body  12 , for example, so that the skirt  21  fits on the body  12  with a small amount of interference.  
         [0054]     The reshaper member  20  may define a cavity  24 , defined radially by the skirt  21  with a bottom portion  25  providing a shape corresponding to that with which the applicator surface  14  is to be endowed when reshaped.  
         [0055]     Before first use, the applicator surface  14  may have a shape that corresponds to that of the bottom  25  of the cavity  24 . The substance  13  may advantageously be initially cast into the body  12  while the reshaper member  20  was in position thereon, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0056]     After being used one or more times, the applicator surface  14  may become worn due to transfer of substance onto the treated surface and may, for example, obtain a flattened shape shown in  FIG. 3 . To reshape the applicator surface  14 , the user may insert the applicator member  10  into the reshaper member  20  until the end  15  axially abuts against the reshaper member  20 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . As shown, a void remains above the bottom  25  of the cavity  24 .  
         [0057]     The user may then apply heat, with the applicator member and the reshaper member  20  disposed vertically as shown, for example, by placing the assembly in a microwave oven. A duration of heating depends on several factors such as a power of the oven and natures of the body, the device and the substance.  
         [0058]     The substance  13  may be heated to a temperature higher than about 80° C., for example. The body  12  of the applicator member  10  and the reshaper member  20  may be configured to withstanding the temperature to which the substance is heated.  
         [0059]     The applicator member  10  and the reshaper member  20  may be made so as to be compatible with use in a microwave oven. For example, the applicator member  10  and the reshaper member  20  may avoid inclusion of any metal or metallization which could deteriorate or damage the oven being used.  
         [0060]     Properties of the substance  13  may be such that, when heated to a sufficient temperature, the substance  13  fluidizes and flows under gravity into the cavity  24  to match the shape of the bottom  25 , for example, as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0061]     The user may then allow the substance  13  to cool, to allow the substance  13  to solidify. Cooling may, for example, be accomplished in ambient air or by placing the assembly in a refrigerator or a freezer. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a level of the substance  13  inside the body  12  drops due to outflow thereof into the cavity  24  during reshaping of the applicator surface  14 . Outflow may be facilitated by an air pressure equalization, for example, made possible by the end  16  of the body  12  being open.  
         [0062]     Once the substance  13  has resumed the solid state, the user may once again use the applicator member  10 , with the applicator surface  14  having regained a suitable or desired shape, corresponding to that of the bottom  25 .  
         [0063]     Such operation may be repeated as many times as allowed by a quantity of substance  13  contained in the body  12 . A maximum volume of substance  13  that flows out on each reshaping of the applicator surface  14  into the cavity  24  may, for example, correspond to less than half of an initial volume of the block of substance  13 , preferably less than a third, a quarter, a fifth, or a tenth thereof.  
         [0064]     Each time the applicator surface  14  is reshaped, heating of the substance may be sufficient to exert a germicidal or bactericidal action on the applicator surface  14 , which may serve to reduce or even dispense with preservatives in the substance.  
         [0065]     To reduce a risk of the block of substance  13  slipping relative to the body  12  when the substance is in the solid state, an inside surface  17  of the body  12  may be provided with at least one portion in relief, which may be a hollow or a projection, for example, as shown in  FIGS. 5, 6  and  22  to  24 .  
         [0066]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the inside surface  17  may be provided with serrations  18  extending across the longitudinal axis X. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the inside surface  17  may include a constriction  19  formed, for example, by an annular bead  31  that projects radially inward. The invention contemplates other portions in portion in relief as well. For example, at least one screen  61  may be provided, as shown in  FIG. 22 . Alternatively or additionally, a helical thread  62  may be provided, as shown in  FIG. 23 . Alternatively or additionally, a porous structure  63  may be fitted in the body  12 , as shown in  FIG. 24 . For example, the porous structure  63  may comprise a foam or a sponge, and may occupy a greater or lesser amount of space inside the body  12 , depending, for example, on a viscosity of the substance  13 . The inside surface  17  may also be made with a suitable roughness.  
         [0067]     It is also possible to provide the inside surface  17  with a cross-section that is not constant, for example, a cross-section that decreases toward the end  15 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , or conversely, increases toward the end  15  (not shown).  
         [0068]     If appropriate or desired, the inside surface  17  may be made with a cross-section that increases or decreases toward one end of the body  12  and also provided with at least one portion in relief to encourage retention of the substance  13 .  
         [0069]     The reshaper member  20  may act as a closure cap to protect the applicator surface  14  when not in use, for example, as shown in FIGS.  1  to  4 . Alternatively or additionally, the reshaper member  20  may include a second portion defining a cavity  32  that differs from the portion defining the cavity  24 . The second portion may serves only to receive the body  12  when not in use, the cavity  24 , but not the cavity  32 , being the suitable for reshaping the applicator surface  14 . In such case, the cavity  32  may, for example, be sufficiently wide to avoid contacting the reshaper member  20  with the applicator surface  14 , as shown in  FIG. 8 , the end  15  of the body  12  bearing axially, for example, against a shoulder  33  of the reshaper member  20  associated with the cavity  32 .  
         [0070]     If appropriate or desired, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the reshaper member  20  may define two cavities  24  and  24 ′ having respective bottoms  25  and  25 ′ that are arranged to reshape the applicator surface  14  into different shapes, for example, one shape that is more pointed than the other. The user may then select one of the cavities  24  or  24 ′ that is suitable for a desired application, for example, to deposit substance on a broad surface or, in contrast, to make an outline.  
         [0071]     As shown in  FIG. 9 , for example, the cavities  24  and  24 ′ may open in opposite directions. However, such a configuration is not the only possibility.  
         [0072]      FIG. 9  also shows that the reshaper member  20  may be made with at least one vent  60  that facilitates evacuation of air contained in the cavity  24 ,  24 ′ while being filled. The vent  60 , for example, be in the form of a groove.  
         [0073]     The reshaper member  20  may, if appropriate or desired, and as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , be in the form of a package comprising a closing lid  37  and a bottom portion  36  with, for example, a housing  35  that is configured to receive the applicator member  10  when not in use and defines at least one cavity, for example, three cavities  24 ,  24 ′ and  24 ″, to receive the applicator member  10  during reshaping of the applicator surface  14 .  
         [0074]     The cavities  24 ,  24 ′ and  24 ″ may include respective bottoms  25 ,  25 ′ and  25 ″ with different shapes, for example, to allow different applicator surface shapes to be formed, such as points with different tapers.  
         [0075]     The applicator member  10  may differ from a pencil. For example,  FIG. 12  shows an exemplary embodiment in which the applicator member  10  includes a broader applicator surface  14  than in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0076]     The body  12  of the applicator member  10  in this exemplary embodiment may comprise a tubular portion  40  that is connected at a bottom thereof to a flange  41  that is directed radially outwardly. As shown, the flange  41  may be provided with an edge  42  that is directed toward the end  16  of the applicator member  10  remote from the applicator surface  14 .  
         [0077]     As shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 12 , a shape of the applicator surface  14  may be substantially part spherical with a periphery that is, for example, substantially half a width of the flange  41 . A rib  43  may extend the flange  41  radially inward from the tubular portion  40  and may form a portion in relief, for example, that improves a grip of the block of substance  13  in the solid state in the body  12 .  
         [0078]     As shown, the body  12  may comprise a one-piece plastics molding. However, the present invention contemplates the body  12  being made by assembling a plurality of elements that have been made independently as well.  
         [0079]     The reshaper member  20  may comprise a wall  46  in the form of a cup. The wall  46  may define a cavity  24  with a bottom  25  having a shape that is to be restored to the applicator surface  14 .  
         [0080]     A periphery of the wall  46  may be connected to a tubular skirt  47  via which the reshaper member  20  may rest on a horizontal surface disposed between the wall  46  and the skirt  47 , with an axis of the cavity  24  disposed vertically. The skirt  47  may be extended upward by a rib  48  that, by cooperating with the edge  42 , may center the applicator member  10  on the reshaper member  20 , as shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0081]     During use, the applicator surface  14  may lose the initial shape, as shown in  FIG. 13 . To reshape the applicator surface  14 , the applicator member  10  may be positioned over the reshaper member  20 , as shown in  FIG. 14 . Then the assembly may be heated, for example, in a microwave oven, to allow the substance  13  to fluidize and flow into the bottom  25  of the cavity  24 . The applicator surface  14  may become reshaped in contact with the bottom  25  of the cavity  24 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , a level of the substance  13  in the body  12  is reduced following reshaping. The block of substance  13  may set on cooling, and thus may retain the shape of the bottom  25  of the cavity  24 .  
         [0082]     Contact between the flange  41  and the wall  46  may contribute to preventing substance from leaking out while the substance is in the fluid state. Specific sealing means may be provided, such as at least one sealing lip or gasket formed of a particular material, such as, for example, an elastomer.  
         [0083]     The present invention contemplates that the applicator member  10 , as well as the reshaper member  20 , may be made in a variety of manners.  
         [0084]     For example,  FIG. 16  shows an exemplary applicator member  10  intended for application to a broad surface, for example, to a human body. The applicator surface  14  may possibly comprise a domed oblong shape, for example.  
         [0085]     In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 , the body  12  of the applicator member  10  may be relatively short, for example, when the substance  13  comprises a blusher.  
         [0086]     In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 , the substance  13  may, for example, be intended for application to lips.  
         [0087]     The body  12  may include a single opening  45  through which the substance  13  may flow when in the fluid state to allow the applicator surface  14  to be reshaped. Said opening  45  may be centered on a longitudinal axis of the applicator member  10 . Such axis may be an axis of symmetry, for example. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the opening  45  may be eccentric with respect to a longitudinal axis of the body  12 .  
         [0088]     The applicator member  10  may also include a plurality of openings  45  through which the substance  13  may flow during reshaping of the applicator surface  14 , as shown in  FIG. 20 .  
         [0089]     As shown in  FIG. 21 , the reshaper member  20  may be made of at least two materials with different hardness, for example, an elastomer and a non-elastomer, to facilitate unmolding, for example.  
         [0090]     One of the materials may define at least the bottom of the cavity, while the other material may form a remainder of the reshaper member.  
         [0091]     The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above; for example, characteristics of the various embodiments described may be combined together.  
         [0092]     The substance may be heated to fluidize the substance in a manner other than by placing the applicator member in a microwave oven, for example, by exposing the substance to heat generated by an electrical resistance. Such electrical resistance may be external to the applicator member or, if appropriate or desired, may be integrated in the applicator member. In such embodiments, the reshaper member may comprise a source of electrical energy and means for establishing electrical contact with the resistance incorporated in the applicator member, so that positioning the applicator member on the reshaper member allows or automatically causes an electric current to flow in the resistance, heating the substance and reshaping the applicator surface.  
         [0093]     Throughout the description, the expression “comprising a” should be understood to be synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless otherwise indicated.  
         [0094]     Although the present invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.