Applicator System

Abstract

An applicator system comprises a container and an applicator. The container is configured to contain a substance to be applied using the applicator. The container is further configured to support the applicator in an accessible orientation in use. For example, the container can comprise a first chamber that is open at an end thereof. The first chamber can be arranged to receive and locate at least an active end of the applicator therein and to hold the applicator in the accessible orientation in use. The container can also comprise a second chamber that is arranged to receive and hold therein the substance to be contacted by the active end of the applicator in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An applicator system comprising a container and an applicator, the container being configured to contain a substance to be applied using the applicator, the container being further configured to support the applicator in an accessible orientation in use, wherein the container comprises:
 a first chamber that is open at an in-use upper end thereof, the first chamber arranged to receive and locate at least an active end of the applicator therein and to hold the applicator in the accessible orientation in use;   a second chamber that is open at an in-use upper end thereof, the second chamber arranged to receive and hold therein the substance to be contacted by the active end of the applicator in use; and   a lid that is configured to close the open upper end of the second chamber to enclose the substance therein in use, the lid being further configured such that, when it closes the open upper end of the second chamber, it does not close the open upper end of the first chamber, whereby the applicator is able to remain in the accessible orientation.   
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the applicator is elongate, and wherein the first chamber and the applicator each have a configuration such that an opposite end of the applicator is able to protrude from and beyond the first chamber open end when the active end is located at a base of the first chamber. 
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber and the applicator each have a configuration such that the applicator is generally able to stand within the first chamber. 
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the active end of the applicator is configured for contacting, retaining and applying the substance held in the container. 
     
     
         5 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first chamber is one or both of:
 adjacent to the second chamber;   surrounded by the second chamber.   
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the second chamber defines a volumetric annulus around the first chamber, whereby the first chamber is defined as tubular. 
     
     
         7 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the lid is hinge-connected to an external wall of the container, and is able to pivot between closed and open positions. 
     
     
         8 . A system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the lid is held closed by a catch located at the in-use upper end of the container, the catch configured for manual activation to become released from the lid, whereby the lid is able to pivot away from the closed position. 
     
     
         9 . A system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the catch is configured to retain a depressible push-button therewithin, the depression of which causes a latch of the catch to be released from the lid, whereby the lid is able to pivot away from the closed position. 
     
     
         10 . A system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the lid is spring-loaded whereby, once the catch is released from the lid, the spring causes the lid to pivot to the open position. 
     
     
         11 . A system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the catch is formed as part of a component that is arranged to be mounted at the upper end of the container. 
     
     
         12 . A system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the component comprises a first ring formation that is able to be affixed, such as by being screw-mounted, to the container upper end, with the catch extending inwardly of the first ring formation and overlying the second chamber. 
     
     
         13 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the catch comprises a catch formation that is integrally formed with the first ring formation to extend inwardly thereof to overlie the second chamber in use, with the depressible push-button and latch being retained within the catch formation. 
     
     
         14 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the component further comprises a second ring formation that is able to locate at and surround the open upper end of the first chamber when the first ring formation is affixed to the container upper end, with the catch extending between and joining the first ring formation to the second ring formation. 
     
     
         15 . A system as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the component for the container upper end further comprises an external mounting for the hinge of the lid. 
     
     
         16 . A container for use with the system as set forth in  claim 1 , the container comprising:
 a first chamber that is open at an in-use upper end thereof, the first chamber arranged to receive and locate at least an active end of an applicator therein and to hold the applicator in an accessible orientation in use;   a second chamber that is open at an in-use upper end thereof, the second chamber arranged to receive and hold therein a substance to be contacted by the active end of the applicator in use; and   a lid that is configured to close the open upper end of the second chamber to enclose the substance therein in use, the lid being further configured such that, when it closes the open upper end of the second chamber, it does not close the open upper end of the first chamber, whereby the applicator is able to remain in the accessible orientation in use.   
     
     
         17 . A container as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the first chamber is one or both of:
 adjacent to the second chamber; 
 surrounded by the second chamber. 
 
     
     
         18 . A container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the second chamber defines a volumetric annulus around the first chamber, whereby the first chamber is defined as tubular. 
     
     
         19 . A container as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the lid is hinge-connected to an external wall of the container, and is able to pivot between closed and open positions. 
     
     
         20 . A container as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein the lid is held closed by a catch located as the in-use upper end of the container, the catch configured for manual activation to become released from the lid, whereby the lid is able to pivot away from the closed position.