Patent Publication Number: US-7722276-B2

Title: Applicator device for applying a substance

Description:
This non-provisional application claims the benefit of French Application No. 04 52378 filed on Oct. 20, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/628,534 filed on Nov. 18, 2004, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   The present invention relates to an applicator device for applying a substance, for example, a cosmetic or a skincare product. 
   The term “cosmetic substance” as used in the context of the present invention means a substance as defined in the Jun. 14, 1993 EEC Directive 93/35 modifying EEC Directive 76/768. 
   BACKGROUND 
   French patent FR 2 800 041 discloses a packaging and applicator device including an applicator member fastened on a spring support. The spring support has compressibility that is greater than the compressibility of the applicator member, so that the spring support compensates for the applicator member being compressed excessively, thereby preventing too much substance from being expelled, where necessary. 
   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0129016 discloses an applicator device including a block of foam that has thinner zones making it possible to increase compressibility of the block of foam. The block of foam may be covered by a skin of stiff plastics material or elastomer. 
   European patent application EP 1 230 869 discloses an applicator comprising a first block of foam having a tubular shape, inside which a second block of foam is disposed, the second block of foam being stiffer than the first block of foam. 
   Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,452 discloses an applicator including a multilayer structure defining an application surface. An element made of polyurethane foam is disposed beneath the multilayer structure so as to impart a convex shape thereto. A valve is provided for the purpose, when the applicator is not in use, of closing a passage through which the substance flows toward the application surface when the applicator is in use. 
   Like the exemplary applicator device described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0129016, some applicator devices include an applicator member that is compressed by a closure cap during storage. 
   SUMMARY 
   In the long term, such compression may reduce the ability of the applicator member to return to an initial shape thereof. 
   Such a decrease in the elasticity of the applicator member may be particularly troublesome when the substance which is applied thereby affects the shape memory properties of the applicator member, for example, because of relatively high viscosity and/or because of the presence in the substance of certain compounds, such as polymers, that are capable of stiffening the applicator member. 
   Such a drawback makes it inadvisable to use relatively flexible materials to make the applicator member, whereas such materials are desirable to offer a sensation of softness during application. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention seek to further improve devices including an applicator member that is deformable at least in part. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide an applicator device for applying a substance, the device comprising: an inside space containing a supply of substance; an applicator member comprising a cellular material that deforms at least in part during application, and an application surface configured to apply the substance; a handle secured to the applicator member, the applicator member comprising at least one portion fastened relative to the handle; a housing configured to receive the applicator member at least in part, the housing communicating in a permanent manner with the inside space containing the supply of substance; and a resilient return member configured to exert thrust on the applicator member toward the application surface. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the thrust may be exerted at least when the applicator member is compressed to a certain degree during normal use and/or when the housing receiving the applicator member is closed. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member may allow the applicator member to return to an initial shape thereof, for example, when the housing is opened, or after the applicator member has been pressed against a zone to be treated. 
   If desired, in exemplary embodiments the applicator member may be made of a fairly flexible material, such as a foam made of nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), polyurethane, or polyether, for example. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the applicator member is porous and returns to a shape corresponding to a non-compressed state, pores of the applicator member may tend to expand, thereby making it easier to load the applicator member with substance, and thereby increasing flexibility of the applicator member. 
   In addition, the resilient return member, for example, in exemplary embodiments in which the resilient return member is disposed at least in part in a recess of the applicator member, may be configured to assist in holding the applicator member on a support thereof. Where appropriate or desired, this may simplify fastening the applicator member onto a remainder of the device. 
   In exemplary embodiments, at least part of the applicator member may be elastically deformable, and, for example, may be elastically compressible. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the application surface and the portion of the applicator member that is secured relative to the handle may be configured so as to become closer to each other while the applicator member is being compressed in use and/or when the housing receiving the applicator member is closed. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member may be compressed when the applicator member is not in use and when the housing is open. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member may be configured to work in compression. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member may comprise a spring, such as a helical spring, for example, a single or double helix, with turns that optionally touch when the housing is closed. In other exemplary embodiments, the spring may comprise a conical spring or may be in the shape of bellows, this list not being limiting. The spring may be made of metal and/or plastics material, for example. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member may comprise a cellular material, such as a foam, which may be permeable to the substance and which may include good ability to return to an initial shape thereof. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member and the applicator member may be made of different materials, the applicator member being made of a material that imparts softness during application. The resilient return member may advantageously include the ability to return to an initial shape thereof after the member has been compressed to a greater degree than the applicator member. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the device includes a support carrying the applicator member, the resilient return member may be fastened on said support. In other exemplary embodiments in which the device includes a support carrying the applicator member, the resilient return member may be made integrally as a single piece with said support, for example, by molding plastics material, so that the device includes a smaller number of parts. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member may include biocidal properties. Such properties may be linked, for example, to the presence in and/or on the resilient return member of metallic salts, for example, silver, aluminum, or copper salts, or ferric oxides. Thus, an amount of preservatives in the substance may thus be reduced, where appropriate or desired. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the device may include a closure cap configured to close the housing. The cap may be configured to optionally compress the applicator member when the housing is closed by the cap. For example, the cap may be configured to compress the applicator member, at least in part, when the housing is closed by the cap at least in part. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the cap does not compress the applicator member in the closed position, the resilient return member may nevertheless be useful for returning the applicator member into an initial configuration thereof after the applicator member has been squeezed against a zone to be treated. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the receptacle of the device may define the inside space containing the supply of substance. In such exemplary embodiments, the receptacle may further define the handle secured to the applicator member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the receptacle may include a support carrying the applicator member. The support may advantageously include at least one orifice configured to enable substance to pass from the inside space to the applicator member. 
   For example, the receptacle need not include a valve associated with said orifice. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the support may include a chimney communicating with the orifice and extending at least in part into the housing that receives the applicator member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the chimney may be configured to serve as a guide to the resilient return member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the chimney may form an annular space in a recess of the applicator member, with the resilient return member extending at least partially in said annular space. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the resilient return member comprises a spring, said spring may be disposed around the orifice and may include an inside diameter that is substantially equal to a diameter of said orifice. In other exemplary embodiments, the inside diameter of the spring may be greater than the diameter of the orifice. In other exemplary embodiments, the inside diameter of the spring may be greater than an outside diameter of the chinney. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the closure cap may define the handle secured to the applicator member. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the device includes a receptacle containing a supply of substance, the receptacle may include a perforated wall that defines the housing in which the applicator member is received at least in part. The perforated wall may include one or a plurality of orifices. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the applicator member is secured to the closure cap, said closure cap may be loaded with substance merely by disposing the applicator member in the housing of the receptacle, without having to fasten the cap onto the receptacle, for example, by screw-fastening or snap-fastening. The resilient return member may be configured to enable the applicator member to return, in the non-compressed state, to a relatively tall height, for example, taller than a depth of the housing of the receptacle. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the applicator member may comprise a foam, and the applicator member may be intrinsically permeable to the substance. The applicator member may optionally include at least one through orifice, for example, a slot or a hole, that opens to the application surface so as to make it easier for the substance to arrive thereon. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the applicator member may be a single piece. In other exemplary embodiments, the applicator member may comprise different materials. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the applicator member may include a recess including an end wall, the resilient return member being configured to exert thrust on the end wall toward the application surface. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the recess may include a wall having a shape selected from: a cylindrical shape, a frustoconical shape, a conical shape, a truncated spherical shape, or a rounded shape, for example, substantially an egg shape. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the resilient return member comprises a cellular material, the resilient return member may comprise a tubular wall that may extend over substantially an entire height of the recess, for example. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member may be in permanent contact with the applicator member and/or may extend at least in part into the recess of the applicator member. 
   Where appropriate or desired, the applicator member may include at least one groove, for example, an annular groove, that extends substantially transversally to a direction in which the applicator member is compressed in use. The groove may form a preferred compression zone making it possible to prevent the applicator member from being over compressed, and thereby preventing too much substance from being expelled. 
   In a non-compressed state thereof, the applicator member may comprise various forms, for example, including a height that is greater than a largest transverse dimension thereof. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member may optionally be fastened to the applicator member. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the device includes a support carrying the applicator member, the support may include an outer skirt, for example, a skirt configured to co-operate in a sealing manner with a closure cap and surrounding the applicator member at least in part. In a non-compressed state, the applicator member may include a height that is greater than a height of the skirt, for example, at least 2% greater, at least 5% greater at least 10% greater, or even at least 20% greater. 
   Because in exemplary embodiments the resilient return member allows the applicator member to return to an initial shape thereof after the resilient return member has been compressed, the application surface may be located, at the moment of application, relatively far from a he top edge of the skirt. Thus, while the applicator member is being compressed against a zone to be treated to apply the substance, the top edge of the skirt need not come into contact with said zone, thereby increasing comfort in application. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the applicator member in the compressed state, when the cap is closed, may include a height that is substantially equal to a height of the outer skirt which surrounds the applicator member. The height of the applicator member in the compressed state, when the cap is closed, may be reduced by at least 2%, for example, and in particular by at least 5%, 10%, or 20% compared to the height thereof in the non-compressed state. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the applicator member may comprise at a bottom portion an annular wall of thickness that decreases toward a bottom end of the applicator member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the substance may comprise a cosmetic, for example, for applying to skin or for treating hair, or may comprise a skincare product. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the substance may include a polymer. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide a cosmetic or skin treatment method comprising: providing an applicator device as defined above; loading the applicator member with substance; and applying the substance to a zone to be treated, foe example, to skin, using the applicator member, for example, by compressing the applicator member. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the device comprises a receptacle and a cap configured to be fastened thereon, for example, by screw-fastening or snap-fastening, with the applicator member being secured to the cap, the applicator member may be loaded with substance without fastening the cap onto the receptacle. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide an applicator device for applying a substance, the device comprising: an inside space containing a supply of substance; an applicator member that is deformable at least in part, and comprising: an application surface configured to apply the substance; and a recess including an end wall; a housing configured to receive the applicator member at least in part; a closure cap configured to close the housing, said housing communicating, when the closure cap is in a closed position, with the inside space containing the supply of substance; and a resilient return member configured to exert thrust on the end wall of the recess of the applicator member toward the application surface. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the resilient return member does not extend in the entire space formed by the recess. 
   For example, in exemplary embodiments in which the resilient return member comprises a cellular material, said cellular material may extend in a portion only of the space formed by the recess. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide an applicator device for applying a substance, such as a cosmetic, the device comprising: an applicator member that is deformable at least in part, and comprising: an application surface configured to apply the substance; and a recess; and a spring, such as a helical spring, housed at least in part in the recess of the applicator member, and configured to exert thrust on the applicator member toward the application surface. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide an applicator device for applying a substance, such as a cosmetic, the device comprising: an applicator member that is deformable at least in part, and comprising: an application surface configured to apply the substance; and a recess having a substantially cylindrical shape that is circularly cylindrical or not; and a resilient return member, such as a spring, for example, a helical spring, housed at least in part in the recess, and configured to exert thrust on the applicator member toward the application surface, for example, during relaxation of the resilient return member. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide an applicator device for applying a substance, such as a cosmetic, the device comprising: an applicator member made of an elastically compressible cellular material, and comprising: an application surface configured to apply the substance; and a recess; a housing configured to receive the applicator member at least in part; a closure cap configured to close said housing at least when the applicator member is disposed in the housing; and a resilient return member, such as a spring comprising turns, for example, a helical or frustoconical spring, housed at least in part in the recess, and configured to exert thrust on the applicator member toward the application surface, for example, during relaxation of the resilient return member. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention may provide an applicator device for applying a substance, the device comprising: an applicator member that is deformable at least in part, and including an application surface configured to apply the substance; a housing configured to receive the applicator member at least in part to load the applicator member with substance; a closure cap arranged to close the housing, the applicator member being secured to the closure cap; and a resilient return member configured to exert thrust on the applicator member toward the application surface, for example, during relaxation of the resilient return member. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the device comprises a receptacle containing a supply of substance, the housing may comprise a bottom wall fixed relative to the receptacle. For example, the housing may comprise a non-displaceable, for example, a non-slidable, wall, relative to the receptacle. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the volume of the housing closed by the closure member may be invariable, for example, independent from a quantity of product contained in the receptacle. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various details of the present invention may will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are diagrammatic and fragmentary axial-section views of an exemplary applicator device, respectively closed and open; 
       FIGS. 3 to 7  are diagrammatic and fragmentary axial-section views of other exemplary applicator devices; 
       FIG. 8  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary axial-section view of another exemplary applicator device; and 
       FIG. 9  is a diagrammatic and fragmentary axial-section view of an exemplary applicator member of the exemplary device of  FIG. 8 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1  shows an exemplary applicator device  1  including a receptacle  2  of axis X, including an inside space  3  containing a supply of substance P. 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the substance P may comprise a cosmetic or a skincare product for applying to skin. Alternatively or additionally, the substance P may comprise a haircare product. For example, the substance P may be a liquid or a powder. 
   The receptacle  2  may comprise a body  4  provided with a neck  5  of axis X, on which a support  6  may be fastened. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the neck  5  may include an annular groove  8  in which an assembly skirt  9  of the support  6  may be snap-fastened. Said support further may include a sealing lip  10  that comes to bear on an inside wall of the neck  5 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the support  6  may include a transverse wall  12  that is substantially perpendicular to the axis X, and to which a bottom of an outer tubular skirt  23  may be connected. 
   The wall  12  and the outer skirt  23  may define a housing  29  in which an applicator member  14  may be secured. A bottom of the applicator member  14  may include an annular portion  13  that is positioned relative to the receptacle  2  and that is secured to the wall  12  by adhesive or heat sealing, for example. 
   The receptacle  2  may define a handle for the applicator member  14 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the applicator member  14  may be made of compressible foam, for example, polyurethane, and may include a blind recess  15  opening to a bottom face thereof. 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the recess  15  may be substantially circularly cylindrical of axis X. 
   Alternatively, the recess may include a different shape, for example, a frustoconical shape, a truncated spherical shape, or a rounded shape, such as an egg shape. 
   A wall  16  of the recess  15 , defining the end wall extending substantially transversally to the axis X, may close a top of the recess  15  and may also define at least a fraction of the application surface  25 , for example, a top of the application surface  25 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown consideration, the applicator member  14  may further include a peripheral annular groove  26  extending transversally to the axis X. 
   The support  6  may include a chimney  17 , for example, a circularly-cylindrical chimney of axis X, extending into the recess  15  and communicating in a permanent manner with the inside space  3  via an orifice  22 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the chimney  17  may be configured to serve as a guide to a resilient return member  19  extending into the annular space  18  formed around the chimney  17  in the recess  15 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the resilient return member  19  may comprise a helical spring working in compression. 
   The spring  19  may be distinct from the support  6 , being fastened thereon as shown, or may be made integrally as a single piece with said support (not shown). 
   The spring  19  may be made of plastics material or metal, and may possibly include biocidal properties, for example, by incorporating metallic salts, such as copper, silver, or aluminum salts, or ferric oxides. 
   In exemplary embodiments in which the spring  19  is made of plastics material, said plastics material may be be selected from the following non-limiting list: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyoxymethylene (POM), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Alternatively, the spring  19  may be made of elastomer, nitrile, latex, ethylene-propylene terpolymer rubber (EPDM), or some other material, such as thermoplastic, and may possibly include reinforcement. 
   The spring  19  may bear at a first end against the end wall  16  of the applicator member  14 , and at a second end, remote from the first, against the support  6 . 
   The applicator device  1  may include a closure cap  30  that is suitable for being fastened onto the support  6 , for example, by snap-fastening or screw-fastening. 
   The cap  30  may include a sealing lip  31  that is configured to bear against an inside wall of the outer skirt  23  when the cap  30  is in the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   In the closed position, the applicator member  14  may be compressed and the height thereof may be substantially equal to the height of the outer skirt  23 , for example. The spring  19  may also be compressed. 
   When the cap  30  is removed from the receptacle  2 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , the applicator member  14  may relax and is allowed to expand under action of the spring  19 , which bears against the end wall  16 . 
   The applicator member  14  may be loaded with substance P by turning the device  1  upsidedown or by shaking the device  1  so that the substance P flows through the chimney  17  toward the applicator member  14 . The body  4  may also include elastically deformable walls that enable the user to reduce a volume of the inside space  3  so as to cause the substance P to be expelled through the chimney  17 . The receptacle  2  may also be fitted with a pump (not shown), which, when actuated, causes substance to be expelled toward the applicator member  14 . 
   To apply substance P to skin, the user, after having loaded the applicator member  14  with substance, may bring the application surface  25  into contact with a region to be treated. During application, the applicator member  14  may be squeezed a little. When the device  1  is removed, the applicator member  14  may relax with the help of the spring  19 . 
   At the moment of application, the application surface  25  may remain relatively far from the top edge  27  of the outer skirt  23 , thereby preventing the skirt  23  from coming into contact with the skin. 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the bottom of the applicator member  14  that is adjacent to the secured portion  13  may include an annular wall with substantially constant thickness, as measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis X. 
   In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the bottom of the applicator member  14  may include an annular wall of thickness, as measured in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis X, that decreases toward the stationary portion  13 , thereby increasing the deformability of the applicator member in the axial direction. 
   The recess  15  may include a shape other than cylindrical. 
     FIG. 4  shows an exemplary applicator element with a recess  15 ′ including a frustoconical shape of axis X, housing a conical spring  19 ′. 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the applicator member  14  may include an orifice  38  passing therethrough, for example, a slot, so as to allow the substance to flow toward the application surface  25 . 
   Naturally, such an orifice  38  need not exist in all embodiments. 
   Where appropriate or desired, the end wall  16  of the recess  15  may include a substantially planar annular shoulder  28  that is perpendicular to the axis X, as shown in  FIG. 5 . An insert  31  may be disposed against the shoulder  28 , and the spring  19  may come to bear against said insert  31 . If desired, the insert  31  may be made integrally as a single piece with the spring  19 . 
     FIG. 6  shows an exemplary device  1 ′ constituting another exemplary embodiment. 
   The device  1 ′ may include a support  6 ′ that differs from the above-described support  6  by the fact that the support  6 ′ does not include a chimney  17  extending over a main portion of the height of the recess  15 , the chimney  17  being omitted, for example, or as shown, being replaced by an annular rib  17 ′ of small height. 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 6 , the device  1 ′ may include an applicator member  14 ″ that differs from the above-described applicator member  14  by the fact that the applicator member  14 ″ does not include a peripheral annular groove  26 , and by the fact that applicator member  14 ″ may include a recess  15 ″ including a side wall with a rounded or truncated spherical shape, for example, an egg shape. 
   The exemplary device  1 ′ may include a spring  19  that is no longer directly in contact with the applicator member  14  as in the exemplary device  1 , but bears against an insert  35  disposed against the end wall  16  of the recess of the applicator member  14 ″. 
   It is contemplated that the device may include a resilient return member other than a spring. 
     FIG. 7  shows an exemplary applicator device  1 ″ that is substantially similar to the exemplary device  1  described above, and may include a resilient return member  36  made of a cellular material, and including a tubular shape, for example, such as a substantially circularly-cylindrical shape of axis X, extending over substantially the entire height of the recess  15 , for example. 
   The resilient return member  36  and the applicator member  14  may advantageously be made of different materials, with a stiffer material being selected for the resilient return member  36 . 
   It is contemplated that the applicator member may be secured to the closure cap, which thus defines a handle for the applicator member. 
     FIG. 8  shows an exemplary applicator device  40  constituting another exemplary embodiment. 
   The exemplary device  40  may include a receptacle  41  including an inside space  42  containing a substance P. 
   The receptacle  41  may comprise a body  43  provided with a neck  44  of axis X, onto which an insert  46  may be mounted. The insert  46  may comprise a dish  48  that defines a housing  49 , and an assembly skirt  50  surrounding the dish  48 , which enables the insert  46  to be fastened onto the neck  44 . 
   The dish  48  may comprise a perforated wall  53  through which there passes at least one orifice, or a plurality of orifices  54  as in the exemplary embodiment shown, and an outer skirt  56  that is threaded on an outside thereof, which enables a closure cap  58  to be fastened by screw-fastening. Alternatively, the dish  48  and the cap  58  may be configured to enable some other form of fastening, for example, snap-fastening. 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cap  58  may include a sealing lip  60  configured to bear against an inside surface of the skirt  56 , when the cap  58  is fastened on the receptacle  41 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cap  58  may carry an applicator member  62  that is made of foam, for example, polyurethane foam. 
   The applicator member  62  may include a portion  70  that is secured to the inside face of the top wall  61  of the cap  58 , for example, by adhesive or heat sealing. 
   The applicator member  62  may include a recess  63  of axis X, closed at a bottom thereof by an end wall  65 . A resilient return member  64  may be disposed in the recess  63  and may bear against the end wall  65 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, the resilient return member  64  may comprise a helical spring working in compression. Alternatively (not shown), the resilient return member may comprise a foam that fills the entire recess, for example. 
   A plurality of peripheral annular grooves  66  that are parallel to one another and transverse to the axis X may be formed in the applicator member  62 , so as to form zones of preferred deformation. 
   The applicator member  62  may include an application surface  67  configured to apply the substance. 
   When the closure cap  58  is fastened on the receptacle  41 , the applicator member  62  may be compressed in the housing  49 , with the application surface  67  bearing against the perforated wall  53 . 
   To load the applicator member  62  with substance P, it is possible firstly to fasten the cap  58  onto the receptacle  41 , and then to turn the receptacle  41  upsidedown or to shake the receptacle  41 , so as to enable substance P to flow toward the application surface  67 , via the orifices  54 . 
   In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is also possible to load the applicator member  62  without fastening the cap  58  onto the receptacle  41 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , when the cap  58  is removed from the receptacle  41 , the applicator member  62  may include a height along the axis X that is relatively tall, so that the application surface  67  may easily be brought into contact with the perforated wall  53  of the dish  48 , without having to screw the cap  58  onto the receptacle  41 . 
   To apply substance P to skin, the user may use the cap  58  as a handle for the applicator member  58 . 
   Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. 
   For example, the resilient return member, such as the spring  19 , need not be disposed in a recess of the applicator member, but may be disposed around a portion of said applicator member, the resilient return member coming to bear on an outer shoulder of the applicator member, for example. 
   Throughout the description, including in the claims, the expression “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with the expression “comprising at least one”, unless specified to the contrary. 
   Although various details of the present invention herein have 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.