Patent ID: 7618207

Claim:
A device for packaging and applying a product, including: (a) a container holding a product; and (b) an applicator device including: (i) an applicator element which includes an application surface suitable for the application of said product, wherein the applicator element is designed to be placed in fluid communication with the container, and wherein the applicator element includes a first part and a second part with the first part including the application surface, and further wherein the second part includes a free end at a perimeter thereof, and wherein said second part includes a first surface and a second surface, and said first part projects from said first surface at a location spaced from the perimeter of the second part, and wherein the first part and the second part are formed as a single, one-piece element; (ii) a first member including an aperture through which the applicator element extends, wherein the application surface of the first part of the applicator element projects beyond a first side of the aperture, and wherein a second side of the aperture is opposite the first side; and (iii) a second member forming a recess which receives therein the second part of the applicator element projecting beyond the second side of said aperture, wherein the first member is connected to the second member by a hinge designed to pivot about an axis of rotation so as to allow the first member to move relative to the second member between a first position in which the second part is held between the first and second members and a second position in which the applicator element is detachable, and wherein in the first position said first surface of the second part of the applicator directly faces the first member and the second surface directly faces the second member to retain the second part of the applicator between the first and second members, wherein the device includes means to selectively close off said container.