WIPER FOR A CONTAINER CONTAINING A PRODUCT, IN PARTICULAR A COSMETIC PRODUCT

Abstract

The wiper is intended to equip a container containing a product, in particular a cosmetic product. The wiper comprises a tubular coupling body (12), a wiping member (14) that is supported by the coupling body and defines a wiping orifice (16) with a passage section smaller than that of the coupling body, and at least one retaining bulge (18) protruding towards the outside from the coupling body. Said retaining bulge (18) has an outside diameter greater than or equal to the axial distance between the wiping orifice (16) of the wiping member and a frontal end face (12a) of the wiper which is situated axially on the side of said retaining bulge. The coupling body (12) comprises axially, between the frontal face (12a) and a bearing (face 18a) of said retaining bulge that is oriented axially towards the wiping member (14), at least one end portion (20) having a thickness that decreases in the direction of the frontal face (12a).

Claims

1. Wiper intended to equip a storage container containing a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a tubular coupling body, a wiping member that is supported by the coupling body and defines a wiping orifice with a passage section smaller than that of the coupling body, and at least one retaining bulge protruding towards the outside from the coupling body, the coupling body comprising axially, between a frontal end face of the wiper that is situated axially on the side of said retaining bulge and a bearing face of said retaining bulge that is oriented axially towards the wiping member, at least one end portion having a thickness that decreases in the direction of the frontal end face, characterized in that said retaining bulge has an outside diameter greater than or equal to the axial distance between the wiping orifice of the wiping member and the frontal end face of the wiper, said retaining bulge being disposed axially at a distance from the frontal end face, the frontal end face being set back transversely towards the inside with respect to said retaining bulge.

2. Wiper according to claim 1, wherein the end portion of the coupling body has a thickness that decreases gradually.

3. Wiper according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the end portion of the coupling body is at a minimum at least at the frontal end face.

4. Wiper according to claim 1, wherein the transverse space requirement of the coupling body is defined by said retaining bulge.

5. Wiper according to claim 1, wherein the transverse space requirement of the coupling body is defined by a bearing flange of said body that extends obliquely from the frontal end face of the wiper.

6. Wiper according to claim 1, wherein the coupling body has an outer surface from which said retaining bulge extends, said outer surface not having a point of inflection at least between said retaining bulge and the frontal end face.

7. Wiper according to claim 1, wherein the coupling body has, between the frontal end face and said retaining bulge, an outside diameter greater than the outside diameter of said body between said retaining bulge and the wiping member.

8. Wiper according to claim 1, wherein the bearing face of said retaining bulge extends radially.

9. Wiper according to claim 1, wherein the bearing face of said retaining bulge extends obliquely on the side of the wiping member.

10. Wiper according to claim 1, wherein said retaining bulge has an annular shape.

11. Wiper according to claim 1, which is made in one piece, in particular by moulding.

12. Device for packaging and applying a product, in particular a cosmetic product, comprising a storage container for said product that is equipped with a neck, an applicator that is provided with at least one applicator member and mounted in a removable manner between a withdrawing position in which said applicator member is situated inside the storage container and an application position in which the applicator is separated from said container, and a wiper according to any one of the preceding claims, which is fixed inside the neck of the storage container, the wiper being passed through by said applicator member of the applicator when said applicator is separated from the storage container, said retaining bulge of the wiper being engaged in at least one groove in the neck of the storage container, the frontal end face of the wiper being axially set back inside the neck with respect to a frontal end face of said neck.

13. Device according to claim 12, wherein the width of the frontal end face of the wiper is less than or equal to the outside diameter of the distal end of the applicator member of the applicator.

14. Device according to claim 12, wherein the outside diameter of the applicator member (46) of the applicator is greater than the inside diameter of the coupling body of the wiper, and less than the inside diameter of the neck of the storage container.

Description

[0044] The present invention will be understood better from studying the detailed description of embodiments that are given by way of entirely non-limiting examples and are illustrated by the appended drawings, in which:

[0045] FIG. 1 is a face-on view of a wiper according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0046] FIG. 2 is a view in cross section on the axis II-II in FIG. 1,

[0047] FIG. 3 is a view in cross section of a packaging and application device equipped with the wiper in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a closed position,

[0048] FIG. 4 is a detail view of FIG. 3,

[0049] FIG. 5

[0050] FIG. 6 are detail views of the device in FIG. 3, showing the introduction of an applicator into a container of said device,

[0051] FIG. 7 is a face-on view of a wiper according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention,

[0052] FIG. 8 is a view in cross section on the axis VIII-VIII in FIG. 7,

[0053] FIG. 9 is a view in cross section of a wiper according to one exemplary embodiment, and

[0054] FIG. 10 is a view in cross section of a wiper according to another exemplary embodiment.

[0055] FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wiper, denoted by the overall reference numeral 10, which is intended to equip a storage container for a product, in particular a cosmetic product.

[0056] The wiper 10 has a longitudinal axis X-X′. The wiper 10 is shown in a position presumed to be vertical.

[0057] In the following description, the directions “axial” and “transverse” are defined with reference to an orthonormal frame of reference, which comprises: [0058] a vertical axis X directed from bottom to top, [0059] a horizontal axis Y perpendicular to the vertical axis X, and [0060] a horizontal axis Z perpendicular to the axes X and Y.

[0061] The axial direction is defined with reference to the vertical axis X and the transverse direction is defined with reference to a plane perpendicular to the vertical axis X and containing the axes Y and Z.

[0062] The wiper 10 comprises a tubular body 12, of longitudinal axis X-X′, for coupling in the neck of the associated container, and a wiping member 14 extending from said body. The wiping member 14 has a frustoconical shape here. The wiping member 14 delimits a wiping orifice 16 having a passage section smaller than that of the body 12. The wiper 10 also comprises a retaining bulge 18 protruding radially from the coupling body 12.

[0063] The body 12, the wiping member 14 and the bulge 18 are formed integrally. In other words, the body 12, the wiping member 14 and the bulge are made in one piece. The wiper 10 is made in one piece, in particular by moulding. By way of indication, the wiper 10 may be made, for example, from rigid material, for example PE, PP, PET, etc.

[0064] The coupling body 12 of the wiper extends along the axis X-X′. The axis X-X′ forms an axis of elongation of the body 12. The body 12 is delimited axially by an upper frontal end face 12a. The frontal face 12a forms an upper frontal face of the wiper 10. The frontal face 12a is situated axially on the opposite side from the wiping member 14 with respect to the bulge 18. The frontal face 12a extends transversely here.

[0065] In the illustrated embodiment, the body 12 has a circular cross section. In a variant, the body 12 may have a section that is polygonal, in particular square, or an oval section.

[0066] Since the body 12 has a circular cross section in this example, in the following description the term “transverse” is equivalent to the term “radial”.

[0067] The wiping member 14 axially continues the body 12. The wiping member 14 axially continues the body 12 on the opposite side from the radial frontal face 12a. The wiping member 14 extends radially towards the inside and axially downwards. The wiping member 14 is delimited axially by a lower frontal end face 14a. The frontal face 14a forms a lower frontal face of the wiper 10. The frontal faces 12a, 14a delimit the axial height of the wiper 10. The wiping orifice 16 opens out onto the frontal face 14a.

[0068] The bulge 18 of the wiper is provided to bear axially against the associated storage container and to couple the wiper 10, as will be described in more detail below.

[0069] The bulge 18 protrudes radially towards the outside from the outer surface 12b of the coupling body. The bulge 18 extends from the outer surface 12b.

[0070] The bulge 18 is situated axially at a distance from the frontal face 12a of the body, i.e. at a non-zero axial distance from the frontal face 12a. The bulge 18 is delimited axially by a lower bearing face 18a and by an upper retaining face 18b on the opposite side from the bearing face 18a. The bearing face 18a is radial here. In a variant, the bearing face 18a could extend obliquely downwards. The retaining face 18b has a rounded shape here. In a variant, the retaining face 18b could be radial. The retaining face 18b is oriented axially towards the frontal face 12a of the body. The upper retaining face 18b of the bulge is situated axially at a distance from the frontal face 12a of the body. The bearing face 18a is oriented axially towards the wiping member 14.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the bulge 18 has an annular shape. Alternatively, the bulge 18 could be discontinuous in the circumferential direction. In one variant, it could also be possible to provide at least two, upper and lower, retaining bulges that are spaced apart axially one beneath the other, the upper bulge remaining axially at a distance from the frontal face 12a of the coupling body.

[0072] The bulge 18 has an outside diameter D.sub.ext which is greater than or equal to the axial distance H.sub.1 between the wiping orifice 16 of the wiping member and the frontal face 12a of the coupling body.

[0073] In the illustrated embodiment, the passage section of the wiping orifice 16 is constant. On the side of the wiping orifice 16, the axial distance H.sub.1 is measured taking as reference the frontal face 14a onto which it opens out. Alternatively, if the passage section of the wiping orifice 16 is variable, the axial distance H.sub.1 is measured taking as reference the zone of the wiping orifice that has the smallest diameter.

[0074] The coupling body 12 of the wiper may have an inside diameter D.sub.int that is greater than or equal to the axial distance H.sub.1. The inside diameter D.sub.int of the coupling body 12 is measured on a cylindrical zone of said body. The inside diameter D.sub.int may for example be measured axially at the bulge 18. The inside diameter D.sub.int is generally referred to as the “well diameter” of the wiper.

[0075] The coupling body 12 comprises axially, between the bulge 18 and the frontal face 12a of said body, an end portion 20 that has a thickness that varies along its length. The thickness of the end portion 20 decreases in the direction of the frontal face 12a of the tubular body. The thickness of the end portion 20 is at a minimum in the zone connected to the frontal face 12a. In other words, the thickness of the end portion 20 is at a minimum at the frontal face 12a. The thickness of the end portion 20 decreases gradually in the direction of the frontal face 12a. The end portion 20 is bevelled. The end portion 20 has a frustoconical shape here and flares towards the outside.

[0076] In the illustrated embodiment, the end portion 20 of decreasing thickness extends over the entire zone of the tubular body 12 that is situated axially between the bulge 18 and the frontal face 12a. The end portion 20 is delimited axially by the frontal face 12a. Alternatively, in this zone situated axially between the bulge 18 and the frontal face 12a, the tubular body 12 could, for example, have a portion of constant thickness continued by the end portion 20. In this case, the end portion 20 would also be delimited axially by the frontal face 12a. In another variant, it could be possible to provide for the end portion 20 to be continued by a portion of constant thickness, the latter being delimited by the frontal face 12a.

[0077] The frontal face 12a of the wiper is set back towards the inside with respect to the bulge 18, considering the transverse or radial direction. The outer surface 12b of the coupling body extends purely axially. In other words, the outer surface 12b is straight. Only the bulge 18 protrudes radially from the outer surface 12b of the coupling body. The outer surface 12b has no reliefs apart from the bulge 18. The radial space requirement of the coupling body 12 is defined by the bulge 18. At its upper end, the coupling body 12 does not have a radial flange protruding towards the outside from the outer surface 12b of the body. More generally, the outer surface 12b does not have a point of inflection.

[0078] In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling body 12 has a first outside diameter between the frontal face 12a and the bulge 18, that is to say in this case in the end portion 20. The coupling body 12 has, between the bulge 18 and the zone connected to the wiping member 16, a second outside diameter, which is less than the first outside diameter.

[0079] In this example, the outer surface 12b therefore has a stepped shape with an axial zone of large diameter axially above the bulge 18 and an axial zone of small diameter axially beneath the bulge. Alternatively, it could be possible to provide a coupling body 12 having only one outside diameter.

[0080] FIG. 3 illustrates a device 30 for packaging and applying a cosmetic product P, which comprises a storage container 32 that contains said product and is equipped with the wiper 10, and an applicator 34 for the product.

[0081] The container 32 extends along a longitudinal, in this case vertical, geometric axis 36. The axis 36 of the container is coaxial with the axis X-X′ of the wiper 10. The container 32 delimits, on the inside, an internal reservoir 38 for storing the cosmetic product P. The container 32 comprises a lower end forming a bottom and an opposite, open end forming a neck 40. The neck 40 is separated from the perimeter of the container by an annular shoulder. The free upper edge of the container 32 delimits an access opening for accessing the reservoir 38. More specifically, the neck 40 delimits this opening.

[0082] In the illustrated embodiment, the container 32 has a circular cross section. In a variant, the container 32 may have a section that is polygonal, in particular square, or an oval section.

[0083] The applicator 34 comprises a stem 42, a gripping member 44 secured to the stem, and an applicator member 46 mounted at the free end of this stem.

[0084] The gripping member 44 of the applicator is configured to form a cap that is able to removably close the container 32. In order to provide removable mounting on the container 32, the gripping member 44 comprises in this case a thread that engages with an exterior thread on the neck 40 of the container. Alternatively, it is possible to provide other types of removable fastening, for example clip-fastening.

[0085] The applicator member 46 is fastened to the stem 42 on the opposite side from the gripping member 44. The axis 43 of the stem 42 is coaxial with the axis 36 of the container in the position mounted on the container. In FIG. 3, the applicator member 46 has been shown schematically.

[0086] The applicator member 46 may be, for example, a moulded mascara brush or one that is formed from twisted arms between which bristles are held. Alternatively, the applicator member 46 may be provided for the application of other types of product than mascara, for example gloss or an eyeliner. The applicator member 46 may therefore have forms other than those of a brush or a comb, for example the form of a straight or curved applicator tip, a foam, a felt, a flocked end piece, a frit, a woven material, a sponge, etc.

[0087] The applicator member 46 has an outside diameter D.sub.46 which may be constant or variable along its length, as is the case in the exemplary embodiment illustrated. In the latter case, the value of the outside diameter D.sub.46 varies between a minimum value and a maximum value.

[0088] The wiper 10 is mounted in the neck 40 of the container. As is illustrated more clearly in FIG. 4, in the mounted position, the bulge 18 of the wiper engages in a groove 50 provided in the inner surface of the neck 40 of the associated storage container and couples the wiper to the container.

[0089] The groove 50 is delimited axially by a bearing face 50a, which is radial here, against which the bearing face 18a of the bulge of the wiper bears axially, and by an upper retaining face 50b opposite the bearing face 50a. The retaining face 50b bears against the retaining face 18b of the bulge of the wiper. The retaining face 50b has a frustoconical shape here. In a variant, the retaining face 50b could be radial.

[0090] The inside diameter of the neck 40 of the container axially beneath the groove 50 is less than or equal to that above the groove 50.

[0091] In the mounted position, the wiper 10 is housed entirely in the container 32. The frontal face 12a of the tubular body of the wiper is offset axially towards the inside with respect to an upper frontal end face 40a of the neck of the container. The upper frontal face 40a of the neck of the container is left entirely free by the wiper 10. The upper part of the inner surface of the neck that is adjacent to this frontal face 40a is also left entirely free by the wiper 10.

[0092] The bulge 18 and the end portion 20 of the tubular body of the wiper are entirely housed in the neck 40 of the container. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the tubular body 12 of the wiper is entirely housed in the neck 40 of the container. The wiping member 14 extends both in the neck 40 and in the reservoir 38 of the container.

[0093] When the gripping member 44 is in the position in which the container 32 is closed, which also corresponds to a position for withdrawing the product by means of the applicator member 46, a part of the stem 42 and a part of said applicator member 46 are situated inside the reservoir 38 of the container. The stem 42 of the applicator passes through the wiper 10.

[0094] Upon each use, the user detaches the gripping member 44 of the applicator from the container 32 and withdraws the applicator 34 therefrom, using an axial withdrawing movement. During this withdrawing movement, excess product loaded on the applicator member 46 is removed as it passes through the wiper 10, and in particular through the wiping orifice 16.

[0095] The inside diameter of the wiping orifice 16 is less than the maximum value of the outside diameter D.sub.46 of the applicator member 46. The inside diameter of the wiping orifice 16 is chosen depending on the desired degree of wiping of the applicator member 46. The inside diameter of the wiping orifice 16 may also be less than the minimum value of the outside diameter D.sub.46 of the applicator member 46.

[0096] In the illustrated embodiment, the maximum value of the outside diameter D.sub.46 of the applicator member 46 is also greater than the inside diameter D.sub.int of the tubular body 12 of the wiper. In a variant, provision could be made for the maximum value of the outside diameter D.sub.46 of the applicator member 46 to be less than the inside diameter D.sub.int of the tubular body 12 of the wiper. The maximum value of the outside diameter D.sub.46 of the applicator member 46 is less than the inside diameter of the neck 40 of the container.

[0097] After use, when the applicator 34 is returned into the container 32, as is illustrated in FIG. 5, the entry of the applicator member 46 of the applicator into the neck 40 of the container is easier and there is no radial interference therebetween. In FIG. 5, the direction of introduction of the applicator 34 is illustrated by the arrow F.

[0098] There is a radial clearance 51 between the applicator member 46 of the applicator and the neck 40 of the container during this introduction. The applicator member 46 comes into radial contact with the wiper 10 in a zone which is axially spaced apart from the frontal face 40a of the neck. As a result, any deposition of product on the frontal face 40a of the neck and fouling of this face is avoided.

[0099] Moreover, if the user introduces the applicator 34 in an inclined manner with respect to the axis 36 of the container, as is shown in FIG. 6, the risk of the applicator member 46 catching on the upper frontal face 12a of the wiper is limited on account of the bevelled end portion 20, which allows a smaller thickness of the tubular body 12 at the frontal face 12a.

[0100] To this end, the width of the upper frontal face 12a of the wiper is advantageously less than or equal to the value of the outside diameter of the distal end of the applicator member 46.

[0101] The wiper 10 illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, in which identical elements bear the same references, differs mainly from the first example by way of the shape of the lower bearing face 18a of the bulge, and by way of the design of the wiping member 52.

[0102] The bearing face 18a of the bulge extends obliquely on the side of the wiping member 52, i.e. downwardly. The groove in the neck of the container, in which the bulge 18 is engaged, has a bearing face of corresponding shape.

[0103] The oblique orientation of the bearing face 18a of the bulge promotes the retention of the wiper 10 in the neck of the container. This orientation may for example be provided when the wiper 10 is made of a flexible material, a nitrile rubber for example. It remains possible, however, to provide such an orientation of the bearing face 18a of the bulge when the wiper is made from a rigid material.

[0104] The wiping member 52 of the wiper extends from the coupling body 12. The wiping member 52 extends radially towards the inside and is situated axially at a distance from a lower frontal end face 12c axially on the opposite side from the upper frontal face 12a. In this example, the frontal faces 12a, 12c delimit the axial height of the wiper 10.

[0105] The wiping member 52 is in the form of a wavy annular lip here, the inner edge of which delimits a circular wiping orifice (not visible) having a passage section smaller than that of the coupling body 12.

[0106] In this example, the wiper 10 also comprises an annular flange 54 that continues the outer surface 12b of the coupling body and extends obliquely upwards. The flange 54 is provided so as to form a stop that is able to come to bear axially against the shoulder of the container separating the neck 40 thereof from its perimeter.

[0107] In this example, the outside diameter D.sub.ext of the bulge 18 is also greater than or equal to the axial distance H.sub.1 between the wiping orifice of the wiping member and the frontal face 12a of the coupling body. The inside diameter D.sub.int of the coupling body 12 of the wiper is greater than or equal to the axial distance H.sub.2 between the bulge 18 and the flange 54.

[0108] In each of the examples above, the bulge 18 is situated axially at a distance from the frontal face 12a of the body.

[0109] The exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, in which identical elements bear the same references, differ respectively from the examples in FIGS. 2 and 8 in that the bulge 18 of the wiper extends axially as far as the frontal face 12a of the coupling body. The bulge 18 continues the frontal face 12a radially towards the outside. The retaining face 18b of the bulge and the frontal face 12a of the coupling body are coplanar.