Product applicator and packaging unit comprising such applicator

Abstract

A sandwich-type product applicator ( 1 ) includes a support ( 2 ) defining an applicator portion ( 4 ) and a gripping portion ( 6 ). The support is semi-rigid and the gripping portion is covered, at least in part, by a layer ( 16 a ) of a first soft spongy material. The flexibility of the first material is greater than the flexibility of the support.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:  
     
         1 . A sandwich-type product applicator comprising: 
 a flexible support defining an applicator portion and a gripping portion; and    at least one layer of a first soft spongy material covering the gripping portion, the flexibility of said first material being greater than the flexibility of the support.    
     
     
         2 . An applicator according to    claim 1    wherein the support has at least two parallel sides.  
     
     
         3 . An applicator according to    claim 1    including at least one layer of second soft spongy material covering at least a part of the applicator portion.  
     
     
         4 . An applicator according to    claim 3    wherein said first and second materials are identical.  
     
     
         5 . An applicator according to    claim 4    wherein the first spongy material is fixed to at least a first side of the support.  
     
     
         6 . An applicator according to    claim 5    wherein the second spongy material is fixed to said first side of the support.  
     
     
         7 . An applicator according to    claim 4    wherein said first material is fixed to two parallel sides of the support.  
     
     
         8 . An applicator according to    claim 4    wherein said second material is fixed to two parallel sides of the support.  
     
     
         9 . An applicator according to    claim 3    wherein at least one of said first and second materials is a multilayer material.  
     
     
         10 . An applicator according to    claim 3    wherein at least one of said first and second materials is flocked.  
     
     
         11 . An applicator according to    claim 3    wherein at least one of the first and second materials is covered by a fabric.  
     
     
         12 . An applicator according to    claim 3    including at least one cutout traversing the support and the first and second materials.  
     
     
         13 . An applicator according to    claim 3    wherein at least one of said first and second materials is made of foam.  
     
     
         14 . An applicator according to    claim 1    having a median axis parallel to said sides, wherein said applicator portion and said gripping portion are symmetrical relative to the median axis.  
     
     
         15 . An applicator according to    claim 1    wherein the support is strip-shaped.  
     
     
         16 . An applicator according to    claim 1    in the form of a puff.  
     
     
         17 . An applicator according to    claim 3    wherein the layers of the first and second materials have edges which are neither compressed nor welded by compression.  
     
     
         18 . An applicator according to    claim 1    cut from a sheet of multilayer materials.  
     
     
         19 . A product packaging unit comprising: 
 a container having a product reservoir; and    an applicator positionable in said container and comprising a flexible support defining an applicator portion and a gripping portion, and at least one layer of a first soft spongy material covering the gripping portion, the flexibility of said first material being greater than the flexibility of the support.    
     
     
         20 . A product packaging unit for make-up comprising: 
 a compact provided with a receptacle containing a make-up product; and    an applicator comprising a flexible support defining an applicator portion and a gripping portion, and at least one layer of a first soft spongy material covering the gripping portion, the flexibility of said first material being greater than the flexibility of the support.    
     
     
         21 . A product packaging unit for make-up according to    claim 20   , wherein said compact has a lid and receptacle which are pivotally connected together, said applicator being sandwiched between the lid and the receptacle.  
     
     
         22 . A packaging unit according to    claim 20    wherein the make-up product is chosen from loose powders, cheek blushers, eye-shadows, eye-liners and nail care products.