Abstract:
A device for applying a substance includes: a body that defines a housing having a bottom; an applicator arranged to be received in the housing and to rest at least in part on the bottom thereof; and a housing closure member movable relative to the body between an open position that allows access to the applicator, and a closed position that prevents access to the applicator. The closure member includes a portion arranged to push the applicator at least in part out from the housing when the closure member passes from the closed position to the open position.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of French Application No. 03 06120 filed on May 21, 2003 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/477,749 filed on Jun. 12, 2003, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein. 

   FIELD OF INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to devices for applying substances, such as cosmetics or other care products, such a device comprising a body defining a housing and an applicator arranged to be received in the housing when not in use. 
   BACKGROUND 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,319 describes a powder compact comprising a body and a drawer that moves relative to the body and serves to contain an applicator constituted by a powder puff. In a bottom thereof, the drawer has a mirror on which the applicator rests. Such a device has the particular drawback that the applicator is liable to leave powder on the mirror. In addition, the drawer can become completely separated from the body of the compact, which can impede use thereof under certain circumstances. 
   European patent application No. 1,277,418 discloses a packaging and dispenser device including a screen through which the substance is taken. In one example, the applicator is housed above the screen and is thus stored in a hermetically closed environment, thereby making it possible to prevent the applicator from drying out between two applications. 
   British patent No. 1,212,209 discloses a device having a plurality of compartments that are hinged relative to one another. No provision is made for housing an applicator. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,083 describes a device which, like the subject matter of the foregoing British patent, does not include an applicator. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,533 relates to a powder compact including a pivoting drawer in which an applicator is housed. A mirror is carried by a lid for closing a housing that contains the substance. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a novel device which, for example, is practical to use, occupies little space, is reliable in operation, and/or is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a device for applying a substance, the device comprising: a body that defines a housing having a bottom; an applicator arranged to be received in the housing and to rest at least in part on the bottom thereof; and a housing closure member movable relative to the body between an open position that allows access to the applicator, and a closed position that prevents access to the applicator, said closure member comprising a portion arranged to push the applicator at least in part out from the housing when the closure member passes from the closed position to the open position. In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may be pushed out from the housing by a portion of the closure member which moves in the housing when the closure member goes from the closed position to the open position. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention, such as described above, make it easier to take hold of the applicator when the closure member is in the open position. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a device for applying a substance, the device comprising: a body that defines a housing; an applicator arranged to be received in the housing; and a mirror that is movable relative to the body and is arranged to enter into the housing, said mirror having a reflecting face that faces away from the applicator when the mirror is entered into the housing. 
   In exemplary embodiments of the invention, such as described above, the reflecting face of the mirror does not come into contact with the applicator, and is therefore not likely to be dirtied by the applicator. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the mirror may be carried by a member for closing the housing that contains the applicator. 
   In exemplary embodiments of the invention, it is also possible to reduce the risk of substance being spattered onto the mirror by retracting the mirror into a housing that is not designed to receive the substance, unlike devices in which the mirror is fixed to an inside face of a lid for closing the compact and thus faces the supply of substance. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the closure member may be advantageously hinged to the body, for example, ensuring that the closure member is held captive thereby. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the mirror may be fixed to the closure member, with the reflecting face of the mirror facing upward when the device is in an in-use position. In exemplary embodiments, the closure member may include a setback, for example, of a circularly cylindrical shape, in which the mirror is secured. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the closure member may include a side wall which is arranged so as to define a portion of an outside surface of the device when the closure member is in the closed position. Such a side wall may extend over only a fraction of a circumference of the closure member, leaving a passage through which the applicator can pass at least in part when the closure member is moved from the open position to the closed position. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the portion of the closure member which serves to push the applicator out from the housing when the closure member is moved from the closed position to the open position may be constituted, for example, by one end of the side wall, said one end possibly being situated, for example, substantially opposite a bearing surface for a user relative to an axis about which the closure member can pivot, thereby enabling the user to move the closure member from the closed position to the open position. For example, the bearing surface may be defined by at least one step in the side wall. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the closure member may advantageously include at least one portion in relief arranged to snap-fasten with the body when the closure member is in the closed position. This portion in relief may be constituted, for example, by a projection on the side wall. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the closure member may include an inside partition arranged to reduce the ability of the applicator to move inside the housing when the closure member is in the closed position. This inside partition may, for example, be of a shape that matches substantially a shape of a fraction of an outline of the applicator when the closure member is in the closed position. For example, the shape may be substantially arcuate in a plane perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the closure member. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the side wall of the closure member may be connected to a top wall which may serve, where appropriate, to support the mirror. Said top wall may possibly extend generally perpendicularly to the pivot axis of the closure member when the closure member is hinged to the body of the device. The side wall and the top wall may be made integrally, i.e., monolithically, by molding a plastics material, for example, together with projections that serve to pivot the closure member when the closure member is fixed in a hinged manner to the body of the device. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the closure member need not have a bottom wall facing the top wall, so that the applicator can rest on the bottom of the housing. The body of the applicator device may include, for example, on a top portion thereof, a portion in relief that enables the device to be assembled with a device for packaging a substance. For example, the substance may be a cosmetic, such as rouge or foundation makeup such that the assembled devices form a conditioning and applicator assembly. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the applicator device may be fixed, for example, to a part of the packaging device which defines a bottom of a housing containing the substance. The substance may be contained directly in the housing or may be contained in a cup disposed in the housing. 
   In exemplary embodiments, in addition to the portion in relief for engaging the packaging device, the applicator device may further include at least one portion in relief for preventing rotation so as to prevent the applicator device from turning relative to the packaging device. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the applicator may be constituted by a powder puff. For example, the powder puff may comprise foam, or even possibly flocked foam. 
   In exemplary embodiments, the packaging device may include a lid for closing a housing that contains the substance. Said lid may possibly be arranged to be screwed on, or to pivot about a hinge. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a packaging and applicator assembly comprising an applicator device as described above together with a packaging device on which the applicator device is fixed, for example, in a releasable manner. 
   Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a method of preparing makeup, comprising selecting a packaging device from a plurality of packaging devices and assembling the selected packaging device with an applicator device as described above. For example, a user may select a substance having a particular color and may associate said substance with the applicator device, which can subsequently be reused with some other substance. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a diagrammatic perspective view of a packaging and applicator assembly according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic axial section view of the assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic perspective view of the assembly of  FIG. 1  after the closure lid has been removed and after the housing that contains the applicator has been opened; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of the packaging device of the assembly of  FIG. 2 , shown in isolation; 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of the applicator device of the assembly of  FIG. 2 , shown in isolation; 
       FIGS. 7 to 9  are diagrammatic and fragmentary cross section views taken along VII-VII of  FIG. 2  illustrating how the applicator moves when the closure member goes from the closed position to the open position; and 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  are diagrammatic axial section views analogous to  FIG. 2 , illustrating a packaging and applicator assembly according to second and third exemplary embodiments of the invention, respectively. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
   The term “care products” is used to generically refer to any substance that is used to effect one or more external body conditions, such as conditions of the skin, hair and nails. For example, such substances include, but are not limited to, treatment products, such as sunscreen, moisturizer and/or medicaments, cleansing products and cosmetic products, such as makeup products, or any other known or later developed product that may be applied to the body. 
     FIGS. 1 to 4  show a packaging and applicator assembly  10  comprising a packaging device  11  and an applicator device  12  which are assembled to each other, the assembly  10  possibly being releasable, as is the case in the first exemplary embodiment shown. 
   The packaging device  11  is shown in isolation in  FIG. 5 , whereas the applicator device  12  is shown in isolation in  FIG. 6 . 
   The packaging device  11  comprises a base  20 , a lid  21  arranged to be screwed onto the base  20 , and a screen  23  carried by a ring  24  suitable for moving relative to the base  20  along an axis Y. The ring  24  co-operates with a wall  25  of the base  20  that extends transversely to the axis Y to define a housing  26  suitable for containing a substance P for application. As shown, the housing  26  is closed on top by the screen  23 . The ring  24  can move downward as substance is taken from the housing  26 . A device with a moving screen that is similar to that shown in  FIG. 5  is described in the above-mentioned European patent application No. 1,277,418 A1 in the name of the Applicant, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   In a bottom portion and at a periphery thereof, the base  20  includes an outside skirt  27  having a groove  28  on a radially inside face thereof. The groove  28  serves a function that is described below. 
   The base  20  also has an inside skirt  30 , concentric with the outside skirt  27 , connected on top to the transverse wall  25 , and having at least one projection  31  formed on a radially inside surface thereof. The purpose of the at least one projection  31  is likewise explained in greater detail below. In the first exemplary embodiment, there are four projections  31  uniformly distributed angularly about the axis Y. 
   The applicator device  12  comprises a body  40  that defines a housing  41  for receiving an applicator  80 , and a closure member  50  hinged to the body  40  about a pivot axis X. The pivot axis X is parallel to the axis Y of the packaging device  11 , in the first exemplary embodiment, once the packaging and applicator devices  11  and  12  have been assembled together. 
   The body  40  has a bottom wall  42  with a top face  43  that defines a bottom of the housing  41 . In a storage position, the applicator  80  has a bottom face thereof resting entirely against the top face  43 , for example, as shown in the first exemplary embodiment. 
   The body  40  also has a top wall  44  which is parallel to the bottom wall  42  and which is connected thereto by a side wall  45  that extends, for example, around the axis Y over an angular sector that is slightly smaller than 180°, as shown in the first exemplary embodiment, in particular in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . 
   A tubular skirt  46  is connected at a bottom thereof to the top wall  44 . The skirt  46  is provided at a periphery thereof with a bead  47  arranged to snap into the groove  28  of the packaging device  11 , so as to hold the packaging and applicator devices  11  and  12  together when assembled. 
   A second tubular skirt  48 , concentric with and disposed inside the first tubular skirt  46 , is also connected at a bottom end thereof to the top wall  44 . The second tubular skirt  48  is arranged to engage inside the inside skirt  30  of the packaging device  11  and includes notches  49  into which the projections  31  can be engaged, so that the applicator device  12  is prevented from turning relative to the packaging device  11  when assembled. 
   The top and bottom walls  44  and  42  include recesses  51  and  52  along the axis X in which respective projections  53  and  54  carried on a pin  67  of the closure member  50  can engage so as to hinge the closure member  50  relative to the body  40 . 
   The closure member  50  has a top wall  56  which extends perpendicularly to the axis X. The top wall  56  is connected to a top of a side wall  57  which, when the closure member  50  is in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 , serves to define a portion of the outside surface of the assembly  10 . 
   The top and side walls  56  and  57 , in the first exemplary embodiment, are made integrally, i.e., monolithically, with the pin  67  and the projections  53  and  54 , for example, by molding a plastics material. 
   The side wall  57  extends substantially along a circular arc, as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , having a first end portion  59  and a second end portion  61 . The second end portion  61  includes a step  62  and a setback  63  that enable a user to move the closure member  50  between the closed and open positions. 
   As shown in  FIG. 9 , the second end portion  61  is terminated by a tongue  64  provided with a tooth  65  arranged to snap against a corresponding portion in relief  66  on an inside face of the side wall  45  of the body  40 , whenever the closure member  50  is in the closed position. 
   The top wall  56  has a housing  69  which opens on a top face thereof and which receives a mirror  70  whose reflecting face  71  faces upward, i.e., away from the applicator  80 . The mirror  70  takes up a position immediately beneath the top wall  44  of the body  40  when the closure member  50  is in the closed position. 
   The closure member  50  also comprises an inside partition  73  made integrally, i.e., monolithically, with the top wall  56  in the first exemplary embodiment. 
   The inside partition  73  is generally circularly arcuate in shape, concentric with the side wall  57 , and arranged to bear against the applicator  80  when the closure member  50  is in the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 7 , so as to prevent the applicator  80  from moving in the housing  41 . 
   As the closure member  50  does not have a bottom wall, the applicator  80  can rest directly against the bottom wall  42  of the body  40 . A passage  76  is defined between the end portions  59  and  61  of the side wall  57 . 
   The assembly  10  can be used as follows. 
   It is assumed that the closure member  50  is initially in the closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , for example. 
   The user unscrews the lid  21 , thereby allowing access to the substance P contained in the housing  26 . 
   Thereafter, the user causes the closure member  50  to pivot toward the open position by moving the closure member  50  along arrow F shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . As the closure member  50  pivots, the closure member  50  presses via an edge of the second end portion  59  against the applicator  80  so that the applicator is pushed toward the opening of the housing along arrow S, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the applicator  80  sliding on the bottom  43 . 
   Once the closure member  50  has reached the open position, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the applicator  80  projects slightly beyond the bottom wall  42 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , thus making it easier for the user to take hold of the applicator  80 . The reflecting face  71  of the mirror  70  is disengaged and the user can make use thereof to monitor application of the substance P by the applicator  80 . 
   After use, the user can replace the applicator  80  in the housing  41  and can close the housing  41  by causing the closure member  50  to pivot in a direction opposite to arrow F. 
   In storage, the reflecting face  71  of the mirror  70  is isolated from the applicator  80  by the top wall  56 , and is therefore not likely to be dirtied by the applicator  80 . 
   In addition, in the first exemplary embodiment, the applicator  80  is stored in the housing  41  in a non-sealed manner, given that the closure thereof is not hermetic. Thus, the applicator  80  can dry out if the applicator  80  has, for example, inadvertently received a splash of liquid during making up. This makes it possible to reduce the risk of bacteria proliferating. 
   Naturally, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiment described above. For example, the packaging device  11  and/or the applicator device  12  could be made differently. 
   In a second exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 , the packaging device is made with a lid  21  which is connected to the base  20  via a hinge  90 . The hinge  90  may be constituted, for example, by a film hinge. 
   In a third exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , the substance P is contained in a cup  91  and access to the substance P does not take place through a screen. 
   Throughout the description, including in the claims, the term “comprising a” should be understood as being synonymous with “comprising at least one”, unless specified to the contrary. 
   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.