Apparatus for storing and applying a product

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus ( 10 ) for storing and applying a product (P). The apparatus ( 10 ) comprises (i) an applicator ( 100 ) for applying the product (P), comprising: a shank ( 110 ) having a longitudinal center axis (X 1 ); and an applicator tip ( 120 ) that is mounted on a distal end ( 110 a ) of the shank ( 110 ). The apparatus ( 10 ) also comprises (ii) a container ( 200 ) for storing the product (P), comprising: a longitudinal center axis (X 2 ); atop opening ( 210 ) orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis (X 2 ); a tubular peripheral wall ( 220 ) that defines the top opening ( 210 ); and a bottom ( 230 ) that faces the top opening ( 210 ) and closes a lower end of the tubular peripheral wall ( 220 ). The tubular peripheral wall ( 220 ) and the bottom ( 230 ) cooperatively define a space (V) for storing the product (P). The applicator ( 100 ) and the container ( 200 ) are configured: (i) to be able to couple with each other such that the applicator tip ( 120 ) is located in the space (V) of the container ( 200 ) and the applicator ( 100 ) seals off the container ( 200 ); and (ii) to be separable from each other such that the applicator ( 100 ) can be used for application of the product (P) with the applicator tip ( 120 ). The container ( 200 ) further comprises a wiper ( 240 ) protruding inward from the tubular peripheral wall ( 220 ) towards the longitudinal center axis (X 2 ) of the container ( 200 ).

1 . An apparatus for storing and applying a product (P), comprising:
 an applicator for applying the product (P), comprising:
 a shank having a longitudinal center axis (X 1 ); and 
 an applicator tip that is mounted on a distal end of the shank, and 
   a container for storing the product (P), comprising:
 a longitudinal center axis (X 2 ); 
 a top opening orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis (X 2 ); 
 a tubular peripheral wall that defines the top opening; and 
 a bottom that faces the top opening and closes a lower end of the tubular peripheral wall, 
 wherein the tubular peripheral wall and the bottom cooperatively define a space (V) for storing the product (P), 
   wherein the applicator and the container are configured:
 to be able to couple with each other such that the applicator tip is located in the space (V) of the container and the applicator seals off the container; and 
 to be separable from each other such that the applicator can be used for an application of the product (P) with the applicator tip, and 
   wherein the container further comprises a wiper protruding inward from the tubular peripheral wall towards the longitudinal center axis (X 2 ) of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is made of plastic, and wherein the wiper is integrally formed on the tubular peripheral wall of the container by integral molding. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the wiper extends circumferentially around the longitudinal center axis (X 2 ) of the container such that it forms a side surface of a virtual truncated cone whose diameter decreases toward the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises: a tubular member forming the tubular peripheral wall; and a plug member forming the bottom, and wherein the plug member is fitted in a lower opening of the tubular member so as to close the lower opening. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator and the container are configured so as to be able to couple with each other by snap fitting. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the shank comprises: an elongated main body; and an insert mounted on a distal end of the elongated main body, and wherein the applicator tip is fixedly held by the insert. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein the insert comprises: a base portion embedded within the elongated main body; and a nose portion protruding from the elongated main body, and wherein the applicator tip is mounted on the insert so as to protrude from a distal end of the nose portion. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the applicator and the container are configured such that when the applicator and the container are coupled with each other, the insert of the shank of the applicator is fully received in the container. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the wiper is configured such that the distal end of the nose portion of the insert moves through the wiper, and the distal end of the nose portion of the insert makes contact with the wiper all around. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein the shank of the applicator has a circular cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis (X 1 ) of the shank, and wherein the container has a circular cross-section orthogonal to the longitudinal center axis (X 2 ) of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer diameter (D 1 ) of a distal end of the elongated main body that makes contact with the container when the applicator and the container are coupled with each other is substantially the same as the outer diameter (D 2 ) of a top opening side end of the container. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein the outer diameter of the elongated main body of the shank of the applicator gradually decreases toward its proximal end, and wherein the outer diameter of the container is substantially constant. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein at least one annular rib extending circumferentially around the longitudinal center axis (X 1 ) of the shank is formed on the outer surface of the insert of the shank, and wherein at least one annular groove extending circumferentially around the longitudinal center axis (X 2 ) of the container is formed on the inner surface of the tubular peripheral wall of the container, and wherein when the applicator and the container are coupled with each other, the annular rib of the shank fits into the annular groove of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the applicator tip is composed of compacted artificial fibers or compacted natural fibers. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the product (P) to be stored in the container is a fluid cosmetic product.