Patent ID: 7967519

Claim:
A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising: a receptacle for containing a substance; an applicator including a stem with a free end; an applicator element attached to the free end of the stem; and a wiper member for wiping the applicator element, wherein (a) the wiper member includes a split portion, the split portion including an annular bead, under the condition that the applicator element is outside of the wiper member and inside the receptacle such that the applicator element is not in contact with the wiper member, an outside diameter of the annular bead is larger than an outside diameter of the applicator element, wherein the outside diameter of the applicator element is measured from a radially outermost point on the applicator element to a diametrically opposite radially outermost point on the applicator element, (b) the split portion extends over less than a height of the wiper member and has a wall that includes at least one slot extending to the free end of the wiper member, the slot being defined by opposing faces of the wall, the slot passing through an entire thickness of the wall, (c) the split portion has, in a plane in which an inside cross-section thereof is at a minimum, an outside cross-section that is greater than a maximum cross-section of the applicator element, (d) the split portion deforms radially outward when the applicator element passes therethrough, and (e) when the wiper member is not engaged with the applicator element, the opposing faces of the wall are in substantial contact.