대표
청구항
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1. A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising:a receptacle for containing the substance;at least one housing in flow communication with the receptacle, the at least one housing being configured to receive an applicator element and comprising a side wall and an end wall; andat least one applicator element for applying the substance, the at least one applicator element being compressible and comprisinga first portion configured to abut the end wall when the at least one applicator element is at least partially received in the at...
1. A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising:a receptacle for containing the substance;at least one housing in flow communication with the receptacle, the at least one housing being configured to receive an applicator element and comprising a side wall and an end wall; andat least one applicator element for applying the substance, the at least one applicator element being compressible and comprisinga first portion configured to abut the end wall when the at least one applicator element is at least partially received in the at least one housing and the first portion is in an uncompressed configuration,a second portion comprising at least one recess, the second portion being configured to abut the end wall when the at least one applicator element is at least partially received in the at least one housing and the first portion is in a compressed configuration, anda peripheral portion configured to abut the side wall when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a truncated cone when the second portion is in an uncompressed configuration. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the second portion forms a depression when the second portion is in an uncompressed configuration. 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element further comprises a face having a central region,the second portion being located on the central region. 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element further comprises a sealing member configured to close the at least one housing in a sealed manner when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the at least one housing. 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion substantially surrounds the second portion. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the peripheral portion is configured to seal against the side wall of the at least one housing. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the end wall has a portion with at least one orifice configured to supply the at least one application element with substance. 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the end wall comprises a plurality of orifices configured to supply the at least one applicator element with the substance. 10. The device of claim 1, wherein the second portion is configured to be compressed in an axial direction when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one applicator element is configured to contact substantially the entire end wall when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing. 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element further comprises a lid, the lid being configured to be secured to the at least one housing by rotation and to provide a handle. 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element further comprises a lid, the lid being configured to be secured to the at least one housing by translation and to provide a handle. 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element comprises at least one depressed portion defined by a groove. 15. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one applicator element comprises a plurality of parallel grooves. 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element comprises a plurality of depressed portions arranged in a grid configuration. 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element comprises a plurality of bosses. 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element comprises a single recessed region. 19. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element has a diameter of at least about 20 millimeters. 20. The device of claim 19, wherein the at least one applicator element has a diameter of at least about 30 millimeters. 21. The device of claim 20, wherein the at least one applicator element has a diameter of at least about 40 millimeters. 22. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element comprises an open-cell foam. 23. The device of claim 1, wherein the end wall is substantially planar. 24. The device of claim 1, wherein the end wall is substantially concave when viewed from an interior of the at least one housing. 25. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion is radially symmetrical in shape. 26. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises regions having different heights in the uncompressed configuration, and wherein the regions having different heights abut the end wall in the compressed configuration when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing. 27. The device of claim 1, wherein the interior of the at least one housing is separated from the substance by the end wall. 28. The device of claim 1, wherein the end wall is fixed with respect to the receptacle. 29. The device of claim 1, further comprising a pump for delivering substance into the at least one housing. 30. The device of claim 1, wherein the substance is supplied to the at least one applicator element by capillary action. 31. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element is configured such that the substance is drawn into the at least one housing as the at least one applicator element is removed from the housing thereby creating a suction effect. 32. The device of claim 1, wherein the first portion is configured to be in a compressed configuration when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing and to expand as the at least one applicator element is removed from the at least one housing, thereby drawing a supply of the substance into the at least one housing. 33. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is configured to elastically deform, and wherein a supply of the substance is delivered into the at least one housing upon compression of the receptacle. 34. The device of claim 8, wherein the at least one applicator element and the end wall are configured to define a cavity in fluid communication with the at least one orifice when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the housing. 35. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one applicator element has the compressed configuration when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the at least one housing. 36. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle contains a care product for application to skin. 37. The device of claim 36, wherein the care product comprises one of a lotion and a cream. 38. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle contains cosmetic product. 39. The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle contains one of a lip care product and a lip make-up product. 40. The device of claim 1, wherein the device comprises two housings and two applicator elements. 41. The A method of applying a substance to skin, the method comprising:providing a substance in the receptacle of the device of claim 1;delivering a supply of the substance from the receptacle to the at least one applicator element;removing the at least one applicator element from the at least one housing; andapplying the substance to the skin. 42. The method of claim 41, wherein delivering the supply of the substance to the at least one housing comprises drawing the supply of the substance into the at least one housing as the peripheral portion of the at least one applicator element slides on the side wall thereby creating a suction effect. 43. The method of claim 41, wherein the at least one applicator element expands as the at least one applicator element is removed from the at least one housing. 44. The method of claim 41, wherein the substance is a care product comprising one of cream and lotion. 45. The method of claim 41, wherein the delivering of the supply of the substance comprises activating a pu mp. 46. The A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising:a receptacle for containing the substance;at least one housing comprising a side wall and an end wall, the at least one housing being configured to receive an applicator element;at least one applicator element comprisinga first portion configured to abut the end wall when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing, anda peripheral portion configured to abut the side wall when the at least one applicator element is at least partially received in the at least one housing; anda substantially enclosed cavity defined at least partially by the end wall and the at least one applicator element when the at least one applicator element is at least partially received in the at least one housing, the substantially enclosed cavity being between the end wall and the at least one applicator element. 47. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one applicator element is frustoconical-shaped. 48. The device of claim 46, wherein the peripheral portion comprises a chamfered portion. 49. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one applicator element comprises a tip, and wherein the cavity substantially surrounds the tip. 50. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one applicator element has the shape of a truncated cone when the at least one applicator element is in the uncompressed configuration. 51. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one applicator element further comprises a sealing member configured to close the at least one housing in a sealed manner when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the at least one housing. 52. The device of claim 46, wherein the peripheral portion is configured to seal against the side wall of the at least one housing. 53. The device of claim 46, wherein the end wall comprises at least the orifice configured to supply the at least one applicator element with the substance. 54. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one applicator element further comprises a lid, the being configured to be secured to the at least one housing by rotation and to provide a handle. 55. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one applicator element further comprises a lid, the lid being configured to be secured to the at least one housing by translation and to provide a handle. 56. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one applicator element comprises an open-cell foam. 57. The device of claim 46, wherein the end wall is substantially concave when viewed from an interior of the at least one housing. 58. The device of claim 46, wherein the first portion is radially symmetrical in shape. 59. The device of claim 46, wherein the interior of the at least one housing is separated from the substance by the end wall. 60. The device of claim 46, wherein the end wall is fixed with respect to the receptacle. 61. The device of claim 46, wherein the substance is supplied to the at least one applicator element by capillary action. 62. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one applicator element is configured such that the substance is drawn into the at least one housing as the at least one applicator element is removed from the at least one housing thereby creating a suction effect. 63. The device of claim 46, wherein the first portion is configured to be in a compressed configuration when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing and to expand as the at least one applicator element is removed from the at least one housing, thereby drawing a supply of the substance into the at least one housing. 64. The device of claim 46, wherein the receptacle is configured to elastically deform, thereby delivering a supply of the substance to the at least one housing upon compression of the receptacle. 65. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one applicator element has an uncompressed configuration when the at least one applicat or element is not received in the at least one housing and a compressed configuration when the at least one applicator element is received in the at least one housing. 66. The device of claim 46 wherein the receptacle contains one of a lip care product and a lip make-up product. 67. The A method of applying a substance to skin, the method comprising:providing a substance in the receptacle of the device of claim 46;delivering a supply of the substance from the receptacle to the at least one applicator element;removing the at least one applicator element from the at least one housing; andapplying the substance to the skin. 68. The method of claim 67, wherein the delivering of the supply of the substance to the at least one housing comprises drawing the supply of the substance into the at least one housing as the peripheral portion of the at least one applicator element slides on the side wall thereby creating a suction effect. 69. The method of claim 67, wherein the at least one applicator element expands as the at least one applicator element is removed from the at least one housing. 70. The A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising:a receptacle for containing the substance;at least one housing capable of being in flow communication with the receptacle, the at least one housing being configured to receive an applicator element and comprising at least one end wall, the at least one housing being fixed axially with respect to the receptacle; andat least one applicator element comprising a first portion defining an applicator surface and a second portion defining a handle portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are formed from separate materials, the at least one applicator element and the at least one end wall defining a substantially enclosed cavity therebetween such that the at least one applicator element substantially surrounds the substantially enclosed cavity when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the at least one housing. 71. The device of claim 70, wherein the at least one end wall comprises at least one orifice configured to provide flow communication between the at least one housing and the receptacle. 72. The A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising:a receptacle for containing the substance;at least one housing comprising an end wall, the housing being configured to be in flow communication with the receptacle and being configured to receive an applicator element, the housing being axially fixed with respect to the receptacle;at least one applicator element comprising a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion, at least the first portion being configured to abut the end wall when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the at least one housing; anda substantially enclosed cavity defined in the housing at least partially between the end wall and the second portion of the applicator element when the at least one applicator element is at least partially received in the at least one housing and the first portion abuts the end wall,wherein the at least one housing and the at least one applicator element are configured such that the substance in the receptacle is drawn into the at least one housing as the at least one applicator element is removed from the housing, thereby creating a suction effect. 73. The A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising:a receptacle for containing the substance;at least one housing comprising an end wall, the housing being configured to be in flow communication with the receptacle and being configured to receive an applicator element, the housing being axially fixed with respect to the receptacle;at least one applicator element comprising a first portion and a second portion adjacent to the first portion, at least the first portion being configured to abut the end wall when the at least one applicator el ement is at least partially received in the at least one housing; anda substantially enclosed cavity defined in the housing at least partially between the end wall and the second portion of the applicator element when the at least one applicator element is at least partially received in the at least one housing and the first portion abuts the end wall,wherein the receptacle and the housing are maintained in flow communication when the at least one applicator element is not received in the housing. 74. The device of claim 73, wherein the cavity is defined in the housing when the applicator element is fully received in the housing. 75. The device of claim 73, wherein the cavity is defined in the housing when the applicator element is partially received in the housing, and wherein the first and second portions contact the end wall when the applicator element is fully received in the housing. 76. The device of claim 73, wherein the applicator element is formed of open cell foam, and wherein the cavity is larger than the open cells of the foam. 77. The device of claim 73, wherein the end wall of the housing comprises a recess, and wherein the cavity is formed between the second portion and the recess. 78. The device of claim 77, wherein the second portion of the applicator element comprises at least one recess, and wherein the cavity is defined between the recess in the end wall and the recess in the applicator element. 79. The device of claim 73, wherein the second portion of the applicator element comprises at least one of at least one recess and at least one truncated portion, and wherein the cavity is defined between the end wall and said at least one recess and at least one truncated portion. 80. The device of claim 73, wherein the applicator element is formed of a compressible material, and wherein the first portion is compressed to a greater degree than the second portion when the applicator element is fully received in the housing. 81. The device of claim 73, wherein the applicator element is mounted to a cap having screw threading configured to mate with corresponding screw threading associated with at least one of the housing and the receptacle. 82. The device of claim 81, wherein the applicator element is fully received in the housing when the screw threadings are tightened together. 83. The device of claim 73, wherein the housing further comprises a side wall and wherein the applicator element further comprises a peripheral portion configured to abut the side wall when the applicator element is at least partially received in the housing. 84. The device of claim 83, wherein the side wall defines at least one orifice providing flow communication between the housing and the receptacle. 85. The device of claim 73, wherein the end wall defines at least one orifice providing flow communication between the housing and the receptacle. 86. The A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising:a receptacle for containing the substance;at least one housing capable of being in flow communication with the receptacle, the at least one housing being configured to receive an applicator element and to secure a cap onto the at least one housing, the at least one housing comprising at least one end wall and being fixed axially with respect to the receptacle; andat least one applicator element, the at least one applicator element and the at least one end wall defining a substantially enclosed cavity therebetween such that the at least one applicator element substantially surrounds the substantially enclosed cavity when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the at least one housing. 87. The A device for packaging and applying a substance, the device comprising:a receptacle for containing the substance;at least one housing capable of being in flow communication with the receptacle, the at least one housing being configured to receive an applicator element and comprising at least one end wa ll extending to the middle of the at least one housing, the at least one end wall not being movable, and the at least one housing being fixed axially with respect to the receptacle; andat least one applicator element, the at least one applicator element and the at least one end wall defining a substantially enclosed cavity therebetween such that the at least one applicator element substantially surrounds the substantially enclosed cavity when the at least one applicator element is received at least partially in the at least one housing.
