U.S. patent application number 10/914168 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for packaging device.
This patent application is currently assigned to L'OREAL. Invention is credited to De Laforcade, Vincent.
Application Number | 20050040067 10/914168 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34198572 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050040067 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
De Laforcade, Vincent |
February 24, 2005 |
Packaging device
Abstract
A packaging device includes a plurality of applicators and a
support for receiving the applicators. A support includes a
plurality of spacers disposed between the applicators. Two
consecutive spacers are interconnected at one end in a hinged
manner. A support is formed as a single piece by molding a plastic
material.
Inventors: |
De Laforcade, Vincent;
(Rambouillet, FR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OLIFF & BERRIDGE, PLC
P.O. BOX 19928
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22320
US
|
Assignee: |
L'OREAL
Paris
FR
|
Family ID: |
34198572 |
Appl. No.: |
10/914168 |
Filed: |
August 10, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60502964 |
Sep 16, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/438 ;
206/233; 206/493 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/10 20130101;
B65D 81/22 20130101; B65D 57/00 20130101; B65D 83/0811
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/438 ;
206/233; 206/493 |
International
Class: |
B65D 069/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 20, 2003 |
FR |
03 10055 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A packaging device, comprising: a plurality of applicators; and
a support for receiving the applicators; wherein: the support
comprises a plurality of spacers disposed between the applicators;
two consecutive spacers are interconnected at one end in a hinged
manner; and the support is a single piece of a molded plastic
material.
2. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the plastic material is
a polyolefin.
3. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein two consecutive spacers
are interconnected by a film hinge.
4. The packaging device of claim 1, comprising a receptacle, the
support being situated inside the receptacle.
5. The packaging device of claim 4, wherein the receptacle
comprises a body and a lid, the lid being releasably secured to the
body.
6. The packaging device of claim 5, wherein the lid is configured
to be secured to the body in a leak-tight manner.
7. The packaging device of claim 5, wherein the receptacle
comprises a threaded neck and the lid is configured to be screwed
onto the neck.
8. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein each applicator is
impregnated with at least one substance.
9. The packaging device of claim 8, wherein the substance is a
liquid or a powder.
10. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the applicators are
impregnated by a substance filling the receptacle.
11. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein at least one
applicator has two faces impregnated by different substances.
12. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers are
arranged to prevent contact between faces of the applicators
carried by the support.
13. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the support is
arranged to cooperate with the receptacle to prevent the support
from being completely removed from the receptacle.
14. The packaging device of claim 13, wherein the support comprises
a base portion arranged to pass through an opening of the
receptacle by deforming elastically and to prevent the support from
being completely removed from the receptacle.
15. The packaging device of claim 14, wherein when the support is
in a storage configuration, the support stands on a bottom of the
receptacle via the base portion of the support.
16. The packaging device of claim 14, wherein the base portion
comprises a plurality of elastically deformable tabs.
17. The packaging device of claim 14, wherein each tab comprises a
portion extending radially outwards, the portion being extended
downwards by a chamfered bottom portion making the support easier
to insert into the receptacle.
18. The packaging device of claim 16, wherein the receptacle
comprises a neck defining a shoulder at a bottom end, the tabs
abutting against the shoulder to retain the support inside the
receptacle.
19. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers comprise
plates.
20. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers are of a
transverse size that is smaller than a transverse size of the
applicators.
21. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers extend
substantially parallel to one another and in a substantially
equidistant manner when the support is in a storage
configuration.
22. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers are
configured so that when the support is in a storage configuration,
at least one applicator extends beyond a spacer that is contiguous
with the applicator.
23. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the spacers are
arranged such that when the support is in a storage configuration,
at least one applicator extends beyond the spacer on a side remote
from a hinged side.
24. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises
from ten to thirty applicators.
25. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the applicators are
disk-shaped.
26. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the applicators have a
thickness in a the range of from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.
27. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises
a top portion connected in a hinged manner to an adjacent
spacer.
28. The packaging device of claim 27, wherein the top portion is
provided with a handle member.
29. The packaging device of claim 28, wherein the handle member is
in the form of an outwardly-directed tongue.
30. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises
a top portion having a transverse size that is greater than a
transverse size of the spacers, and a transverse size that is
slightly greater than a transverse size of the applicators.
31. The packaging device of claim 27, wherein the top portion
completely covers an underlying applicator.
32. The packaging device of claim 27, wherein the top portion has
an opening passing therethrough.
33. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein two consecutive
spacers are configured to prevent flattening of an applicator
placed between the spacers.
34. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein the support comprises
a trunk carrying the spacers and all the spacers extend from a same
side of the trunk.
35. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein all of the spacers are
identical.
36. The packaging device of claim 1, wherein each spacer comprises
two ends and wherein the two ends of the spacers are vertically
superimposed when the device is in a storage configuration.
37. A method of treating skin, mucous membranes, nails or hair with
the packaging device of claim 1, comprising: causing at least one
spacer to pivot relative to another spacer to bring an applicator
situated between the two spacers into a position enabling the
applicator to be taken; and taking the applicator and applying a
cosmetic with the applicator.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein prior to taking the applicator,
the support is extracted in part from a receptacle that enables
applicators to be packaged hermetically or to be impregnated with
the cosmetic.
39. A method of manufacturing the packaging device of claim 1,
comprising: obtaining a filler station with a support comprising a
plurality of spacers interconnected at one end in a hinged manner;
and inserting applicators between the spacers.
40. The method of claim 39, wherein inserting applicators is
performed by spacing apart two consecutive spacers so that they
form an upwardly-open V-shape, and causing an applicator to slide
vertically between the consecutive spacers.
41. The method of claim 40, wherein the applicators for insertion
between the spacers are stacked in a dispenser provided with a
pusher enabling the applicators to be pressed one by one against a
transfer member.
42. The method of claim 41, wherein the transfer member comprises a
roller that is driven in rotation.
43. The method of claim 39, wherein during filling the support
comes to bear against a holder member, and a base portion of the
support is moved vertically to cause or accompany movement of the
support relative to the holder member.
44. The method of claim 39, wherein the support is inserted in a
folded-up state into a receptacle.
45. The method of claim 44, wherein the support is configured to
pass through an opening of the receptacle by elastically-deforming
a base portion.
46. The method of claim 44, wherein the receptacle is filled at
least in part with a liquid and is closed hermetically.
47. A packaging device, comprising: a receptacle; a plurality of
applicators; and a support for receiving the applicators; wherein:
the support comprises a plurality of spacers having one end and
being disposed between the applicators; two consecutive spacers are
interconnected at one end in a hinged manner; and the support
comprises a base portion arranged to go through an opening of the
receptacle by deforming elastically and to prevent the support from
being completely removed from the receptacle.
48. The device of claim 43, wherein the two consecutive spacers are
interconnected by a film hinge.
49. The device of claim 47, wherein the receptacle comprises a
threaded neck and a lid, the lid being arranged to be screwed onto
the neck.
50. The device of claim 47, wherein each applicator is impregnated
with at least one substance.
51. The device of claim 50, wherein the substance is a liquid or a
powder.
52. The device of claim 47, wherein the applicators are impregnated
by a substance filling the receptacle.
53. The device of claim 47, wherein at least one applicator has two
faces, each face being impregnated by a different substance.
54. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers are configured to
prevent contact between faces of applicators carried by the
support.
55. The device of claim 47, wherein when the support is in a
storage configuration, the support stands on a bottom of the
receptacle via the base portion of the support.
56. The device of claim 55, wherein the base portion comprises a
plurality of elastically-deformable tabs.
57. The device of claim 56, wherein each tab comprises a portion
extending radially outwards, the portion being extended downwards
by a chamfered bottom portion and facilitating insertion of the
support into the receptacle.
58. The device of claim 56, wherein the receptacle comprises a neck
defining a shoulder at a bottom end, the tabs abutting against the
shoulder to retain the support inside the receptacle.
59. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers comprise
plates.
60. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers are of a transverse
size that is smaller than a transverse size of the applicators.
61. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers extend
substantially parallel to one another and in a substantially
equidistant manner when the support is in a storage
configuration.
62. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers are arranged in
such a manner that when the support is in a storage configuration,
at least one applicator extends beyond a spacer contiguous with the
applicator.
63. The device of claim 47, wherein the spacers are arranged such
that when the support is in a storage configuration, at least one
applicator extends beyond the spacer on a side remote from a hinged
side.
64. The device of claim 47, wherein the device comprises from ten
to thirty applicators.
65. The device of claim 47, wherein the applicators are
disk-shaped.
66. The device of claim 47, wherein the applicators have a
thickness of from 0.5 mm to 3 mm.
67. The device of claim 47, wherein the support comprises a top
portion connected in a hinged manner to an adjacent spacer.
68. The device of claim 67, wherein the top portion is provided
with a handle member.
69. The device of claim 68, wherein the handle member is in the
form of an outwardly-directed tongue.
70. The device of claim 67, wherein the top portion presents a
transverse size that is greater than a transverse size of the
spacers and a transverse size that is greater than a transverse
size of the applicators.
71. The device of claim 67, wherein the top portion completely
covers an underlying applicator.
72. The device of claim 67, wherein the top portion has an opening
passing therethrough.
73. The device of claim 47, wherein two consecutive spacers are
configured to prevent flattening of an applicator placed between
the spacers.
74. The device of claim 47, wherein the support comprises a trunk
carrying the spacers and wherein all the spacers extend from the
same side of the trunk.
75. The device of claim 47, wherein all of the spacers are
identical.
76. The device of claim 47, wherein each spacer comprises two ends
and the two ends of the spacers are vertically superimposed when
the device is in a storage configuration.
77. A method for treating skin, mucous membranes, nails or hair
using the packaging device of claim 47, comprising: causing at
least one spacer to pivot relative to another spacer to bring an
applicator situated between the two spacers into a position
enabling the applicator to be taken; and taking the applicator and
applying a substance by means of the applicator.
78. The method of claim 77, wherein prior to taking an applicator,
the support is extracted in part from a receptacle that enables
applicators to be packaged hermetically or that enables applicators
to be impregnated with the substance.
79. A method of manufacturing the packaging device of claim 47,
comprising: obtaining a filler station with a support comprising a
plurality of spacers interconnected at one end in a hinged manner;
and inserting applicators between the spacers.
80. The method of claim 79, wherein inserting applicators is
performed by spacing apart two consecutive spacers so that they
form an upwardly-open V-shape and causing an applicator to slide
vertically between the two consecutive spacers.
81. The method of claim 80, wherein the applicators are stacked in
a dispenser provided with a pusher enabling the applicators to be
pressed one by one against a transfer member.
82. The method of claim 81, wherein the transfer member comprises a
roller that is driven in rotation.
83. The method of claim 79, wherein, during filling, a trunk of the
support comprising hinges interconnecting the spacers comes to bear
against a holder member, and the base portion of the support is
moved vertically to cause or accompany movement of the support
relative to the holder member.
84. The method of claim 79, wherein the support is inserted in a
folded-up state into a receptacle.
85. The method of claim 84, wherein the support is configured for
passing through an opening of the receptacle by
elastically-deforming a base portion.
86. The method of claim 84, wherein the receptacle is filled at
least in part with a liquid and is closed hermetically.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of French Application
No. 03 10055 filed on Aug. 20, 2003 and U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/502,964 filed on Sep. 16, 2003, the entire
disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to devices for packaging
applicators such as, for example, applicators in the form of
flexible disks of non-woven or other materials.
[0003] Such applicators are known in particular from U.S. Pat. Nos.
2,983,369, 4,765,482 and 5,894,927.
[0004] In U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,369, each applicator is provided with
a central opening and applicators are stacked on a rod of a support
that is immersed in a receptacle containing a liquid. The support
is provided with a handle enabling it to be extracted from the
receptacle. With such a device, a user can find it quite difficult
to take hold of only one applicator at a time. In addition, there
is a non-negligible risk of the contaminating applicators that have
not yet been used.
[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,765,482 and 5,894,927 describe devices that
are fairly similar and that present the same drawbacks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In various exemplary embodiments, a packaging device may
comprise: a plurality of applicators; and a support for receiving
the applicators, the support comprising a plurality of spacers
disposed between the applicators, two consecutive spacers being
interconnected at one end in a hinged manner.
[0007] The presence of spacers makes it easier for a user to take
hold of an applicator, and also decreases the risk of contaminating
unused applicators that are still present on a support. The risk of
applicators sticking together is also reduced or even
eliminated.
[0008] In various exemplary embodiments according to this
invention, it is possible to avoid contact between two consecutive
applicators, which can be useful, for example, for two-sided
applicators, e.g., applicators having different substances on
opposite faces that should not come into contact during
storage.
[0009] In various exemplary embodiments, the fact that spacers are
interconnected at one end in a hinged manner may make it easier to
put applicators into place between the spacers.
[0010] In various exemplary embodiments, two consecutive spacers
are interconnected by a film hinge.
[0011] In various exemplary embodiments, a support is made as a
single piece by molding a plastic material such as, for example, a
polyolefin.
[0012] In various exemplary embodiments, a device includes a
receptacle into which a support can be inserted, for example when a
device is in a storage configuration.
[0013] Exemplary receptacles may comprise, for example, a body and
a lid arranged to be removably fixed on the body, for example in a
leak-tight manner.
[0014] Exemplary receptacles may be useful for protecting
applicators from contamination and may improve conservation of
applicators placed inside such receptacles. For example,
receptacles may enable applicators to be conserved in a moist
atmosphere.
[0015] In various exemplary embodiments, a receptacle may include a
threaded neck and a lid may be arranged to be capable of being
screwed onto the neck. Assembling a lid on a body in such manner
can make it easier to obtain leak-tight closure.
[0016] Exemplary applicators may be impregnated with at least one
substance, for example a cosmetic or a care product, which may be
in liquid or powder form.
[0017] In various exemplary embodiments, substances impregnating
applicators may or may not be a liquid filling a receptacle.
[0018] In various exemplary embodiments, at least one applicator
may include two faces that are impregnated with different
respective substances. In some such embodiments, spacers may be
arranged in such a manner as to avoid contact between faces of
different applicators carried by a support. For example, an
applicator having two faces impregnated with different substances
may comprise two outer layers that are separated by an intermediate
layer that is impermeable.
[0019] In various exemplary embodiments, supports may be arranged
to cooperate with receptacles in such a manner as to make it
impossible for a support to be fully extracted from a receptacle.
For example, when a receptacle is filled with liquid, such an
arrangement can serve to reduce the risk of splashing a liquid
outside a receptacle.
[0020] In various exemplary embodiments, supports may include a
base portion arranged to go through an opening in a receptacle by
deforming elastically, and thereafter to prevent a support from
being able to be removed completely from a receptacle. A base
portion may present a maximum transverse size, in particular a
maximum diameter, that is greater than a smallest transverse size
of a top portion of a receptacle, for example a smallest diameter
of a neck.
[0021] In various exemplary embodiments, supports may rest via a
base portion against a bottom of a receptacle, when a support is in
a storage configuration.
[0022] In various exemplary embodiments, a base portion may
comprise a plurality of elastically-deformable tabs.
[0023] In some such embodiments, each tab may comprise a portion
extending radially outwards that is extended downwards by a
chamfered bottom portion for facilitating insertion of a support
into a receptacle.
[0024] In various exemplary embodiments, when a receptacle has a
neck that defines a shoulder at its bottom end, tabs may come into
abutment against a shoulder in order to retain a support inside a
receptacle.
[0025] Spacers may be made in various ways and, for example,
spacers may be in the form of optionally-perforated plates
presenting a transverse size which may be less than or greater than
that of applicators. The term "transverse size" refers to a
dimension measured perpendicularly to an axis about which a spacer
pivots.
[0026] Spacers may extend substantially parallel to one another and
spacers may be substantially equidistant from one another when a
support is in a storage configuration.
[0027] Spacers may be arranged in such a manner that when a support
is in a storage configuration, at least one applicator may extend
beyond a spacer that is contiguous therewith and, for example,
extends beyond a spacer from a side remote from a hinged side.
[0028] In various exemplary embodiments, packaging devices may
contain a wide variety of numbers of applicators depending, for
example, on the purpose of an applicator. A number of applicators
may lie in a range of, for example, from ten to thirty.
[0029] Applicators may be formed a variety of shapes and, for
example may be disk-shaped, thereby enabling them to be packaged in
a receptacle comprising a body having a circularly-cylindrical side
wall and a lid that is screwed onto the body of the receptacle.
[0030] In various exemplary embodiments, applicators may also be of
a shape other than disk-shaped. For example, applicators may be
oval or polygonal (e.g., square or rectangular).
[0031] In various exemplary embodiments, a thickness of an
applicator depends on the nature of the substance the applicator is
to apply and on a surface to be treated. For example, a thickness
of an applicator may lie in a range of from 0.5 millimeters (mm) to
3 mm.
[0032] In various exemplary embodiments, a support may include a
top portion connected in a hinged manner to an adjacent spacer, the
top portion advantageously being provided with a handle member,
e.g., in the form of an outwardly-directed tongue. A top portion
may in particular present a transverse size that is greater than
that of spacers and a transverse size that is slightly greater than
that of applicators.
[0033] The term "transverse size" refers to a dimension measured
perpendicularly to an axis about which a top portion pivots.
[0034] When a support is in a storage configuration in a
receptacle, a top portion may be used to extract the support in
part from the receptacle and, for example, to bring the support
into a configuration for presenting applicators in which spacers
may form unequal angles between one another.
[0035] In various exemplary embodiments, a top portion may present
an outline that is circular or otherwise, and a top portion may
cover an underlying applicator completely or in part. A top portion
may be pierced by an opening, for example in its central
region.
[0036] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention also
include an applicator support comprising a plurality of spacers
connected to one another at one end and made as a single piece by
molding a plastic material.
[0037] In various exemplary embodiments, a support may include a
trunk comprising a succession of segments interconnected by film
hinges, each having a spacer connected thereto.
[0038] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention
include a packaging device comprising: a receptacle; a plurality of
applicators; and a support for receiving the applicators, the
support comprising a plurality of spacers disposed between the
applicators, two consecutive spacers being interconnected at one
end in hinged manner, the support including a base portion arranged
to go through an opening of the receptacle by being deformed
elastically and subsequently to prevent the support from being able
to leave the receptacle completely.
[0039] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention
include a method of treating, for example cosmetically, skin,
mucous membranes, nails or hair, using a packaging device as
described above, the method comprising: causing at least one spacer
to pivot relative to another spacer so as to bring an applicator
situated between said two spacers into a position enabling it to be
taken; and taking the applicator and applying a cosmetic by means
of the applicator.
[0040] In various exemplary embodiments, prior to an applicator
being taken, a support may be extracted partially from a receptacle
that enables applicators to be stored hermetically and/or to be
impregnated by a substance that is to be applied.
[0041] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention
include a method of manufacturing a packaging device as described
above, the method comprising: presenting a filler station with a
support comprising a plurality of spacers interconnected at one end
in hinged manner; and inserting applicators between the
spacers.
[0042] In various exemplary embodiments, methods according to the
present invention may be performed by spacing apart two consecutive
spacers so that they form an upwardly-open V-shape, and then
sliding an applicator between the spacers vertically.
[0043] Applicators for insertion between spacers may be stacked in
a dispenser provided with a pusher enabling applicators to be
applied one by one against a transfer member, e.g., constituted by
a roller driven in rotation.
[0044] In various exemplary embodiments, dispensers may be placed
above a support that is to be filled with applicators, applicators
being stacked horizontally in a dispenser.
[0045] In various exemplary embodiments, during filling, a trunk of
a support which includes hinges connecting spacers together may
bear against a holder member of rounded shape so as to make it
easier to spread spacers out in a fan configuration.
[0046] In various exemplary embodiments, during filling, a support
may be moved relative to a holder member so as to present empty
spaces formed between two consecutive spacers in succession beneath
a dispenser, thereby allowing an applicator to be deposited in each
space presented in this way.
[0047] In various exemplary embodiments, a base portion of a
support may be moved vertically so as to cause and/or accompany
movement of a support relative to a holder member.
[0048] In various exemplary embodiments, once a support has been
filled, it may be inserted in a folded-up state into a receptacle.
A support may, for example, be pushed into a receptacle with
sufficient force to enable the support to pass through an opening
in a receptacle by elastically deforming a base portion of the
support.
[0049] In various exemplary embodiments, after a support is
inserted in a folded-up state into a receptacle, where appropriate,
the receptacle may be filled at least in part with a liquid and
closed hermetically.
[0050] For a better understanding of the invention as well as other
aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the
following drawings and descriptions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0051] Various exemplary embodiments of the invention will be
described in detail with reference to the following figures,
wherein:
[0052] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic axial section view of an exemplary
packaging device;
[0053] FIG. 2 is a plan view looking along arrow II shown in FIG.
1, after the lid has been removed;
[0054] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an exemplary applicator in
isolation;
[0055] FIG. 4 is a view on a larger scale showing an implementation
detail of the device shown in FIG. 1;
[0056] FIGS. 5 to 9 are sequential section views showing use of an
exemplary device;
[0057] FIGS. 10 to 14 are sequential section views showing
manufacture of an exemplary device;
[0058] FIGS. 15 and 16 are plan views showing exemplary embodiments
of a support;
[0059] FIGS. 17 and 18 are plan views showing exemplary embodiments
of an applicator; and
[0060] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary and diagrammatic section of an
exemplary two sided applicator.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0061] The packaging device 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises a support
10 and a receptacle 20 having the support 10 placed inside it.
[0062] The receptacle 20 comprises a body 21 of longitudinal axis
X, provided at its top end with a neck 22 having an outside thread,
onto which a lid 23 can be screwed so as to close the receptacle 20
substantially hermetically.
[0063] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the body 21 of the
receptacle presents a circularly-cylindrical side wall 21a about
the axis X and a bottom wall 21b, being made by molding, for
example, a plastic material or glass.
[0064] At its bottom end, the neck 22 co-operates with the side
wall 21a to form an angular shoulder 24.
[0065] The support 10 has a base portion 11 to which there is
connected a trunk 15 extending substantially parallel to the axis X
when the support is in place inside the receptacle 20 in a storage
configuration.
[0066] The trunk 15 carries a plurality of spacers 12 which, in a
storage configuration, extend substantially perpendicularly to the
axis X. In various exemplary embodiments, the spacers 12 can all
extend from the same side of the trunk 15. In some such
embodiments, the spacers 12 may be superimposed exactly on one
another in a vertical direction, all being substantially
identical.
[0067] The trunk 15 is connected at its top end to a top portion 13
provided with a handle member 14. In the embodiment shown in FIG.
1, the handle member 14 is in the form of an upwardly-directed
tongue.
[0068] The base portion 11 comprises a plate 19 extending
perpendicularly to the axis X and extended downwards by a plurality
of tabs 18, each including a portion 18a that is bent radially
outwards and a bottom end 18b that is chamfered.
[0069] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the spacers 12 are in the
form of plates each having a free end 12a that tapers and each
connected via its opposite end 12b to the trunk 15. The ends 12a
and 12b of the spacers may be vertically superimposed when the
device is in a storage position.
[0070] Devices may comprise a plurality of rectilinear segments 16
each connected perpendicularly to a corresponding spacer 12, except
for the first segment 16 from the bottom which is connected
perpendicularly to the plate 19 of the base portion 11.
[0071] The segments 16 are interconnected by film hinges 17 so that
two consecutive spacers 12 are connected together by a hinged
connection.
[0072] The top portion 13 is also connected to the trunk 15 via a
film hinge 17.
[0073] When the support 10 is moved upwards in the receptacle 20,
the tabs 18 of the base portion 11 come into abutment against the
shoulder 24, thereby holding the support 10 inside the
receptacle.
[0074] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the support 10 is made as
a single piece by molding a plastic material.
[0075] The applicators 30 are disposed between the spacers 12, with
another applicator 30 being disposed beneath the top portion 13, as
can be seen in particular in FIG. 4.
[0076] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the applicators 30
present a circular outline 31, as shown in FIG. 3, with the
diameter of the applicators 30 being slightly smaller than the
inside diameter of the neck 22 of the receptacle, in the example
described.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 1, the applicators 30 may be larger in size
than the spacers 12, such that a portion 32 of each applicator
extends beyond the spacers 12.
[0078] Nevertheless, the top portion 13 is advantageously of a size
that allows it to cover the underlying applicator 30 in full,
including the portion 32 thereof which projects beyond the
corresponding spacer 12.
[0079] In a storage position, the spacers 12 may all extend
parallel to one another. Two consecutive spacers may be configured
to avoid flattening an applicator 30 placed between them, in
particular in the vicinity of their ends 12b, and in particular
when in a storage position or while taking hold of an
applicator.
[0080] The device 1 can be used as follows.
[0081] The user can remove the lid 23, as shown in FIG. 5, and can
lift the top portion 13 in the direction of arrow F, as shown in
FIG. 6.
[0082] When the top portion 13 is raised, the support 10 can also
rise along the axis X, as shown in FIG. 7, with this upward
movement optionally being made easier by the trunk 15 bearing
against one side of the neck 22. Thus, pivoting the top portion 13
while the trunk 15 is bearing against the neck 22 can lead to the
remainder of the support 10 rising relative to the receptacle and
can lead to the support 10 taking up a fan-shaped configuration
outside the receptacle, thereby making it easier to take hold of an
applicator.
[0083] A user can take the applicator 30 situated immediately
beneath the top portion 13, and then as more and more applicators
are used, the user can take the following applicators 30 so as to
reach, for example, the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 in which a
plurality of spaces 42 between the spacers 12 are empty, although
some applicators 30 still remain between the spacers situated
inside the receptacle 20. When the last applicator 30 is taken, as
shown in FIG. 9, the base portion 11 comes to bear, for example,
against the shoulder 24 while the remainder of the support 10
presents a fan-shaped configuration.
[0084] While the user is taking an applicator 30, the risk of
touching an adjacent applicator 30 is reduced.
[0085] In addition, each applicator 30 can slide relatively easily
over the underlying spacer 12 such that it is easy to take hold of
an applicator 30 without it being necessary to pinch the applicator
30 between fingernails.
[0086] Finally, when the receptacle 20 is filled with a liquid, the
fact that the support 10 can be extracted in part from the
receptacle enables the user to avoid dipping fingers into the
liquid.
[0087] The packaging device may be manufactured as follows.
[0088] After being made in one-piece by molding a plastic, the
support 10 is presented empty to a filler station, as shown in FIG.
10.
[0089] The trunk 15 may rest against a holder member 40 including a
rounded top surface 41.
[0090] The top portion 13 of the support may be oriented
substantially vertically so that the space 42 between the top
portion and the adjacent spacer 12 takes on an upwardly-open
V-shape.
[0091] The filler station includes a dispenser 45 housing a
horizontal stack of applicators 30 and including a pusher 46
enabling the applicators 30 to be pushed along arrow P against a
transfer member 47. In various exemplary embodiments, a transfer
member is in the form of a roller which, by revolving, causes the
applicator 30 that is in contact therewith to move downwards into
the corresponding space 42 situated vertically below. As filling
progresses, the base portion 11 of the support 10 is moved upwards,
thereby enabling the trunk 15 to move over the rounded surface 41
of the holder member 40 and enabling the remaining empty spaces 42
to be presented in succession vertically beneath the dispenser 45,
with the support 10 taking up a fan-shaped configuration while it
is being filled, as shown in FIG. 11.
[0092] Once all of the applicators 30 are in place between the
spacers 12, the support 10 can be closed up so that the spacers 12
are substantially parallel to one another, and then turned
upside-down, as shown in FIG. 12, so as to enable the support 10 to
be inserted into the body 21 of the receptacle 20.
[0093] During this insertion, the tabs 18 on the base portion 11 go
through the neck 22 while deforming elastically in a
radially-inward direction, as shown in FIG. 13.
[0094] Thereafter, the receptacle can be turned right side up and
filled, for example, with a liquid that is to impregnate the
applicators 30, after which the lid 23 is put into place, as shown
in FIG. 14.
[0095] In various exemplary embodiments, a receptacle is not filled
with any liquid, the applicators being impregnated with at least
one substance prior to being put into place between the spacers
12.
[0096] Naturally, the invention is not restricted to the exemplary
embodiments described above.
[0097] In particular, the shape of the top portion 13 of the
support 10 can be modified, for example it need not cover the
underlying applicator 30 in full, as is shown in FIG. 15, where the
top portion 13 presents two opposite straight sides.
[0098] In various exemplary embodiments, it is possible to form the
top portion 13 with a central opening 49, as shown in FIG. 16.
[0099] In various exemplary embodiments, it is possible to form
applicators to have a shape that is not circular. For example,
applicators 30 may be square in shape, as shown in FIG. 17, or
rectangular, as shown in FIG. 18.
[0100] In various exemplary embodiments, applicators 30 may be
include a variety of structures. For example, applicators may
include at least one layer of a woven or non-woven fabric, a layer
of foam or a layer having a coating of flocking.
[0101] In various exemplary embodiments, applicators 30 may be made
as a multilayer structure, e.g., comprising two outer layers 51 and
52 for containing different substances and an intermediate layer 53
that is impermeable and situated between the outer layers. The
presence of spacers 12 makes it possible to avoid contact between a
layer 52 of one applicator 30 and a layer 51 of an adjacent
applicator 30. Such an arrangement is advantageous, for example,
when substances contained in layers 51 and 52 are incompatible.
[0102] While this invention has been described in conjunction with
the exemplary embodiments and examples outlined above, various
alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or
substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may
be-presently unforeseen, may become apparent to those having at
least ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, the exemplary
embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to
be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore,
the invention is intended to embrace all known or later developed
alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or
substantial equivalents.
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