WO2010073202A1

WO2010073202A1 - An applicator and a packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic or care-product composition, in particular a skin-cleansing composition

Info

Publication number: WO2010073202A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/055850
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Louis Gueret
Original assignee: L'oreal
Priority date: 2008-12-23
Filing date: 2009-12-18
Publication date: 2010-07-01
Also published as: FR2940027A1; FR2940025A1

Abstract

A packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic or care-product composition, in particular a skin-cleansing composition, the device comprising: • a container (2) containing the composition; • a pump or a valve for taking the composition contained in the container; and • an applicator (10) that is suitable for being loaded with composition from the container and for being detachable therefrom, the applicator comprising a support (11), a vibration source (12), and an applicator member (13).

Description

AN APPLICATOR AND A PACKAGING AND APPLICATOR DEVICE FOR APPLYING A COSMETIC OR CARE-PRODUCT COMPOSITION, IN PARTICULAR A SKIN-CLEANSING COMPOSITION

The present invention relates to applicators and to packaging and applicator devices for applying a cosmetic or care-product composition, in particular a skin- cleansing or makeup-removal composition, and comprising a vibration source.

Application WO 2006/090343 discloses a method of applying makeup by means of a vibrating applicator.

Patent application EP 1 920 676 relates to a device for helping to apply a composition to keratinous materials, which device does not have a reserve of composition, but includes removable fastener means for removably fastening to a finger, and a vibration source making it possible to produce vibration.

Patent application EP 1 842 520 relates to a cosmetic-treatment vibrator device including a damper element for damping vibration transmitted to the hand of the user.

Massage appliances including a vibration source are also known from patent application FR 2 531 335, from the utility model DE 20 2004018653, from patent GB 846639, and from US patents Nos. 7 282 036, 5 187 827, and 6 139 553.

Conventionally, makeup is removed using a makeup remover that is impregnated in a wipe or in a disk made of cotton wool or a non-woven fabric.

There exists a need to improve still further applicators and packaging and applicator devices comprising a vibration source.

There also exists a need to propose to consumers, novel cleansing or makeup-removal methods.

The invention seeks to satisfy at least one of those needs.

In exemplary embodiments, the invention provides a packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic or care-product composition, in particular a skin- cleansing composition, the device comprising:

• a receptacle containing the composition; and

• a pump or a valve for taking the composition contained in the container; and

• an applicator that is suitable for being loaded with composition from the container and for being detachable therefrom, the applicator comprising a support, a vibration source, and an applicator member. The presence of the vibration source may improve the spread of composition on the applicator member and on the zone being treated, e.g. by promoting the formation of foam, and in addition may make it possible to reach application zones that are difficult to get at, thereby better removing any makeup residues.

The invention further makes it possible to associate a given applicator member with a given composition, e.g. as a function of the region of the body from which makeup is being removed, or as a function of skin type. The device may comprise a pump or a valve for taking the composition contained in the container. The presence of a pump or of a valve makes it possible to avoid the composition dropping back into the container once said composition has been dispensed, and polluting the composition that is contained therein.

Furthermore, the composition may thus be dispensed in small quantities, which may be advantageous so as not to waste the composition, and so as not to apply too much composition to the skin. In addition, the applicator member may be configured to absorb only a small quantity of composition.

The pump may optionally have an air inlet. The device may comprise a dip tube. The container may be of variable volume, e.g. comprising a pouch having a flexible wall, or, in a variant, a piston. Applicator member

The applicator member may have a proximal end for assembling to the support or the vibration source, and an opposite, distal end that is configured to come into contact with the skin, the applicator member having, along an axis interconnecting its proximal and distal ends, a first dimension that is less than or equal to the greatest dimension of the applicator member perpendicularly to said axis. The applicator member may be held in removable manner on the remainder of the applicator, in particular on the support.

The term "removable" should be understood to mean that the applicator member may be detached from the remainder of the applicator, and in particular from the support, in simple, easy, and rapid manner, so that it may be detached after each use in order to be cleaned, for example. In a variant, the applicator member may be thrown away after it has been used one or more times, and a new applicator member may be used each time or every n. times. The removability of the applicator member also makes it possible to use different applicator members as a function of the zones of the body being cleansed and the user's skin type. The applicator member may be separated from the support by hand, without using a tool.

The applicator member may be disposed between the container containing the composition and the vibration source when the applicator is in place on the container, in particular in a storage position or in a position in which the applicator member is loaded with composition.

The applicator member may be configured to apply the composition and to massage the zone on which the composition is applied. In preferred manner, the composition is taken in a central portion of the applicator member.

The applicator member makes it possible to dispense the composition by capillarity onto the zone being cleansed, e.g. the face, thereby making it possible to optimize deposition of the composition and its cleansing action .

An applicator member may come into contact with a relatively large area of skin, e.g. an area greater than or equal to 5 square centimeters (cm²) .

The applicator member may be of shape that is generally flat along a flattening plane that may be perpendicular to the axis interconnecting its proximal and distal ends. It may be of outline that is circular or polygonal, e.g. hexagonal or octagonal, when observed along said axis. The axis interconnecting its proximal and distal ends may be a longitudinal axis of the device.

The first dimension of the applicator member may be less than half, or even one-third, or even one-fourth, or even one-fifth, of the second dimension of the applicator member, measured transversally to the first dimension.

The applicator member may be non-porous.

The applicator member may be made, at least in part, by molding, e.g. out of a plastics material, e.g. an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer.

By way of example, the applicator member may be in the form of a membrane that may, for example, be flexible, e.g. molded out of a plastics material, e.g. elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer. Said membrane may be washable.

The surface of the applicator member for contacting the skin during use may be defined, at least in part, by a woven fabric, a non-woven fabric, a felt, a foam, an elastomer, or a sintered element.

The surface may comprise portions in relief, in particular bristles or spikes and/or flocking.

The portions in relief may be configured to retain the composition by capillarity. By way of example, the portions in relief may be configured to have a peeling effect. By way of example, the portions in relief may have a greatest dimension of about 1.5 mm to 2 mm, for example.

The portions in relief may be covered by flocking.

By way of example, the portions in relief may comprise bristles, e.g. bristles of diameter lying in the range 6 tenths to 10 tenths of a millimeter. The bristles may behave elastically. At least two bristles may be made out of different materials. The bristles may be fastened by adhesive, by being stapled, by being mounted by melting, or, in a variant, by being molded on. The bristles or spikes may extend along a longitudinal axis of the device.

The applicator member may comprise a zone that comprises bristles that are relatively fine and that are disposed relatively close together, making it possible to form a retainer zone for retaining the composition by capillarity, e.g. in a central zone of the applicator member .

The applicator, the applicator member, the membrane, and/or the possible flocking may be magnetic or magnetizable .

The applicator need not be provided with a twisted support .

The applicator member need not be provided with a core, such as an applicator core for applying a composition to the eyelashes.

The applicator member may comprise portions in relief, e.g. hollows or grooves, enabling the foam to expand when the applied composition is a foaming composition.

The applicator member may be porous, at least in part, or it may even be entirely porous. The applicator member may be very open-textured, and that may promote expansion of the foam when the composition is a foaming composition. The applicator member may comprise foam, e.g. having cells that are open or half open, in particular made out of a material that is elastically deformable.

The applicator member may comprise an annular groove between the distal end and the proximal end, in particular when it comprises a foam body. This may impart more flexibility to the applicator member.

The foam may comprise a network of filamentary walls, e.g. being made out of a material selected from the following list: polyurethane, polyether, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) , this list not being limiting.

The foam may present hydrophilic properties, in particular incorporated hydrophilic properties, and at least one water-absorbent compound, e.g. a polyacrylate . When the foam presents hydrophilic properties and possibly contains water-absorbent compounds, the fact that the foam presents a surface state that is not smooth may further enhance its affinity for compositions containing water.

The applicator member may have been subjected to antibacterial treatment.

The applicator member may have abrasive properties, and, by way of example, it may comprise abrasive particles.

The applicator member in place on the support may possibly be repositionable on the remainder of the applicator, in particular on the support. It may comprise an adhesive layer making it possible to detach it from the support and to stick it back on or elsewhere, either immediately or subsequently.

The applicator member may be supplied independently of the remainder of the device. When the applicator member comprises an adhesive layer, said layer may be protected before first use by a removable protection, e.g. made of siliconed paper or plastics film treated with a non-stick material. The applicator member may be made available to the user in an individual pouch or with other applicator members packaged together in a single packaging, e.g. by being stacked. In a variant, the applicator members may be provided in a roll, being disposed on a strip made out of paper or out of non-stick plastics material, each applicator member comprising an adhesive layer so as to adhere to the strip while waiting to be used on the applicator . The applicator members may be made at low cost and may be renewed easily, contrary to the remainder of the device .

The applicator member may comprise an applicator first portion defining the distal end that is configured to come into contact with the skin, e.g. an optionally- porous membrane, and a holding second portion, e.g. a flexible part, defining the proximal end for assembling to the support, and that is held on the remainder of the applicator, e.g. on the support of the applicator. The applicator and holding portions may be made out of different materials. By way of example, the second portion may comprise lugs and open-work cavities so as to enable the composition to flow and so as to promote the formation of foam when the composition is a foaming composition.

The applicator member may be held on the remainder of the applicator, in particular on the support, by friction or by snap-fastening.

In a variant, it may be held on the remainder of the applicator, e.g. on the support, by adhesive, e.g. like a sticker .

In a variant, the applicator member need not be removable, in particular when it is made, at least in part, by molding. It may be washable. In particular, the vibration source may comprise a leaktight casing so as to enable the applicator to be cleaned as a whole. Support

The support may be flexible, at least in part, thereby making it possible to improve comfort in application and to match the contours of the zone being treated, e.g. the face.

The support may be molded, at least in part, out of a flexible material, e.g. an elastomer or a thermoplastic elastomer .

The support may comprise open-work cavities promoting drying of the applicator, and in particular of the applicator member. The vibration source may be removable so as to make it possible to wash the remainder of the applicator, and in particular the applicator member, after application. The open-work cavities may enable air to flow between the outside and an inner cavity defined by the applicator that is in place on the container .

The applicator member may adhere to the support only over a fraction of its surface, or, in a variant, over all of its surface.

The support may comprise a flexible membrane for receiving the applicator member.

In a variant, the support may comprise lugs for receiving the applicator member, said lugs being separated by openings enabling the composition to flow and promoting the formation of foam.

The support may also comprise a frame, e.g. in the shape of a ring that is flexible.

The applicator member may be fastened to the support via a hinge.

The applicator member may come directly into contact with the vibration source, itself held on the support, so as to promote the transmission of vibration between the vibration source and the applicator member. The support may serve as the handle for the applicator . The applicator may be separated from the container during application. The applicator may constitute a closure cap for closing the container containing the composition. To this end, the applicator may include means that enable it to be fastened on the container, e.g. a mounting skirt that is threaded or that is arranged so as to snap-fasten on the container or be held by friction on said container.

The applicator may be fitted on the container in a storage position, being held on said container in non- leaktight manner. Fastening the applicator on the container in non-leaktight manner makes it possible to promote drying of the applicator member after application and after said applicator member has been replaced on the container.

The container may be refillable with composition.

Composition

The composition may be a fluid, a gel, a cream, or a cream gel. By way of example, it may be a milk of the cleansing-milk type for removing makeup. The composition may be water.

The composition may comprise agents, e.g. nourishing agents, tightening agents, anti-wrinkle agents, whitening agents, scrubbing agents, antibacterial agents.

The applicator member may be pre-impregnated with a composition, e.g. comprising one or more humidity- absorbing compounds, and may preferably contain in the range 0.2% to 60% by weight of a humidity-absorbing compound, preferably in the range 0.5% to 40%, the compound being selected, for example, from: polyacrylates; silicas, e.g. colloidal silicas; cotton fibers; starches; alginates; calcium or magnesium carbonates; viscose; cellulose; lyophylisates; this list not being limiting.

In addition to humidity-absorbing compounds, the applicator member may advantageously comprise one or more substances capable of reducing the adhesive power and enabling the applicator member to burst on contact with the solvent so as to facilitate the release of the active agent (s) . Amongst such substances, and by way of example, mention may be made of substances that are substantially inert, such as microbeads or a powder of an inert compound, e.g. the polyamide powder known under the trade name Orgasol.

The applicator member may comprise one or more active agents selected from the following list: vitamin C; vitamin A; vitamin F; glycerine; laponite; wetting agents; collagen; salicylic acid; tio acid; aromatic essential oils; colorants; caffeine; anti-oxidants; free- radical scavengers; moisturizing agents; depigmenting agents; liporegulators; anti-acne agents; anti-dandruff agents; anti-aging agents; softeners; anti-wrinkle agents; keratolitics; anti-inflammatory agents; fresheners; healing agents; vascular protectors; antibacterial agents; anti-fungal agents; antiperspirants; deodorants; skin conditioners; anesthetics; immunomodulators; and nourishing agents; this list naturally not being limiting.

The applicator member may also comprise magnetizable particles for improving microcirculation. When the applicator member is pre-impregnated with composition, the composition contained in the container may be water, or, in a variant, may contain agents and be other than pure water.

The device may comprise a pump or a valve for taking the composition contained in the container. The presence of a pump or of a valve makes it possible to avoid the composition dropping back into the container once said composition has been dispensed, and polluting the composition that is contained therein. Furthermore, the composition may thus be dispensed in small quantities, which may be advantageous so as not to waste the composition, and so as not to apply too much composition to the skin. In addition, the applicator member may be configured to absorb only a small quantity of composition.

The pump may optionally have an air inlet. The device may comprise a dip tube. The container may be of variable volume, e.g. comprising a pouch having a flexible wall, or, in a variant, a piston.

Vibration source The vibration source may be held on the remainder of the applicator, and in particular on the support of the applicator in optionally-removable manner. In particular, the vibration source may be fastened to the support in removable manner. This makes it possible to separate it from the remainder of the applicator after application, so as to make it possible to clean the remainder of the applicator, e.g. the applicator member only or the applicator member and the support. In a variant, the vibration source may be permanently fastened on the support.

The vibration source may be configured to generate vibration, e.g. sinusoidal vibration, e.g. of frequency lying in the range 0.5 Hertz (Hz) to 1000 Hz, or even in the range 1 Hz to 500 Hz, better in the range 10 Hz to 300 Hz, e.g. in the range 50 Hz to 200 Hz. The frequency may vary as a function of location or of the pressure with which vibration is transmitted. Vibration may be produced intermittently or continuously. The vibration that is produced may depend on the applicator member or on the composition being applied.

The vibration source may comprise a vibration generator comprising a motor, e.g. a disk-shaped motor, driving a fly-weight in rotation, in particular an off- center fly-weight. The vibration generator may be of some other kind, e.g. piezoelectric, electromechanical, electromagnetic, or eccentric. The vibration generator may also comprise a motor that rotates a toothed wheel in contact with an elastically-deformable blade like a rattle.

The speed of rotation of the motor may lie in the range 50 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 20000 rpm, in particular in the range 2000 rpm to 20000 rpm. The speed of rotation of the motor may lie in the range 4500 rpm to

10000 rpm, for example.

The voltage used may lie in the range 1.5 volts (V) to 3 V, for example. The vibration source may comprise an electricity source, e.g. a 1.5 V battery. The vibration source may comprise batteries that are removable and replaceable.

By way of example, the motor may be arranged in such a manner that when it is connected to a 1.5 V battery, it rotates at a speed lying in the range 50 rpm to

20000 rpm.

The use of a button battery may turn out to be advantageous for reducing the bulkiness of the device.

When using a button battery and a disk-shaped motor, the battery and the motor may be face-to-face, side-by-side, or the face of one may face the edge of the other.

The vibration source may comprise a control member for controlling its operation. The control member may be triggered by pressing it. The control member may be disposed in such a manner that it is pressed when the user takes hold of the device or the applicator. The control member may present momentary contact, the operation of the vibration source ceasing as soon as the control member is released. The device may define a storage position for the vibration source, in which the vibration source is not actuated.

The vibration source may comprise a case that houses the electric motor, an electric switch for switching the motor ON, and at least one optionally-rechargeable battery. The motor may be contained in a metal casing with the off-center fly-weight, the casing being disk shaped, for example. Where appropriate, the casing may serve to power the motor electrically. The motor or said casing may be mounted on a damper made of elastomer, which damper enables vibration to be transmitted at the fundamental frequency and to be filtered at any harmonic frequency.

The vibration produced may be oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the device and/or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the applicator. In a variant, the vibration may be oriented substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the device and/or perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the applicator.

The vibration source may comprise an adjuster member enabling the user to adjust the frequency and/or the amplitude of the vibration produced. By way of example, the amplitude of the vibration of the applicator member during application may be less than or equal to 5 mm, better less than or equal to 3 mm, microvibration of the applicator being preferable to vibration of greater amplitude .

The vibration source may be held on the applicator while the composition is being applied.

The shape of the support serving as a handle may be adapted to the shape of the vibration source, so as to improve the direct transmission of vibration between the vibration source and the applicator member.

The device according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may be used without the vibration source, or at least without said vibration source in operation.

Kit

The invention also provides a kit comprising, within packaging, at least one container containing a composition, a support, a vibration source, and a plurality of applicator members, each for associating with the support and with the vibration source, so as to form a device in accordance with the invention.

At least two applicator members may be identical or different. The user may select one of the applicator members as a function of the zone being cleansed, or of skin type, or even of the composition contained in the container .

Cleansing method The invention also provides a method of cleansing the skin, in which method an applicator is used that comprises a support, a vibration source, and an applicator member, the applicator member being suitable for being held in removable manner on the support or for being fastened by adhesive to said support, on a container containing a composition for application, in order to take the composition therefrom. While the composition is being taken, the vibration source may be actuated so that the composition is taken in the presence of vibration. In a variant, the composition may be taken without vibration, the vibration source being switched OFF.

When the container is fitted with a pump or with a valve, said pump or said valve is actuated in order to begin taking the composition.

Finally, the composition is applied to the region of the body that is to be cleansed, e.g. the face, with the vibration source being switched ON or OFF, in order to apply the composition in the presence or absence of vibration.

In exemplary embodiments, the invention provides a packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic or care-product composition, in particular a skin- cleansing composition, the device comprising: • a container containing the composition; and

• an applicator that is suitable for being loaded with composition from the container and that is detachable therefrom, the applicator comprising a support, a vibration source, and an applicator member having a proximal end for assembling to the support or to the vibration source, and an opposite, distal end that is configured to come into contact with the skin; the applicator member having, along an axis interconnecting its proximal and distal ends, a first dimension that is less than or equal to the greatest dimension of the applicator member perpendicularly to said axis; and the applicator member being held in removable manner on the remainder of the applicator, in particular on the support .

• a container containing the composition; and

• an applicator that is suitable for being loaded with composition from the container and being detachable therefrom, the applicator comprising a support, a vibration source, and an applicator member, the applicator member being bonded to the support.

In exemplary embodiments, the invention provides an applicator for applying a cosmetic or care-product composition, in particular for cleansing the skin, said applicator being suitable for loading with composition from the container, the applicator comprising a support, a vibration source, and an applicator member, the applicator member being bonded to the support.

The invention can be better understood on reading the following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: • Figure 1 is an elevation view, partially in longitudinal section, showing an example of a packaging and applicator device made in accordance with the invention;

^• Figure 2 is a diagrammatic and fragmentary perspective view of the Figure 1 applicator; • Figures 3 and 4 are views from below showing variant embodiments of applicator members in accordance with the invention;

^• Figures 5 to 8 are diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal sections of applicator members in accordance with the invention;

^• Figures 9 to 13, 13a, 13b, 13c, and 14 are diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal sections of applicators in accordance with the invention;

^• Figures 15 to 18 are diagrammatic and fragmentary views from below showing applicator members in accordance with the invention;

^• Figures 19 and 20 are diagrammatic and fragmentary views showing the storage of a plurality of applicator members ; • Figure 21 shows a kit in accordance with the invention; and

^• Figures 22 to 24 are diagrammatic and fragmentary longitudinal sections of variant embodiments of devices in accordance with the invention. Figure 1 shows a packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic or care-product composition, in particular a skin-cleansing or makeup-removal composition, in accordance with the invention.

The device 1 comprises a container 2 containing the composition P, e.g. a cleansing milk or a cleansing lotion for removing makeup, the container 2 being fitted with a pump or valve 3 and a dip tube 4 shown by dashed lines, and the device also includes a hollow body 5 for being moved axially along the longitudinal axis X of the device, said body being pressed down against the pump or valve 3 so as to cause the composition P contained in the container 2 to be dispensed. The pump or the valve may be of any known type. The container 2 is shown diagrammatically and the invention is not limited to any particular size or shape of container.

The device 1 further comprises an applicator 10 for being received on the hollow body 5, which applicator is shown in perspective and in isolation in Figure 2. The applicator is detachable from the container for applying the composition, and needing to be put back on the container in order to be loaded with composition. The applicator comprises a support 11, a vibration source 12, and an applicator member 13 having a proximal end 14 for assembling to the support 11, and an opposite, distal end 15 that is configured to come into contact with the skin. The applicator member has, along an axis interconnecting its proximal and distal ends 14, 15, i.e. the longitudinal axis X of the device, a first dimension £ι that is less than or equal to half of a second dimension I₂ measured perpendicularly to the axis, the second dimension being the greatest transverse dimension of the applicator member.

Furthermore, the applicator member is held in removable manner on the remainder of the applicator, in particular on the support. In the embodiment described, the applicator member

13 is snap-fastened on the support 11 by means of a snap- fastener ring 18.

In the embodiment described, the applicator member 13 further includes portions in relief 19 that, in the embodiment described, are distributed regularly over its entire surface, and that all have the same dimension.

Naturally, other configurations could be envisaged, and, by way of example, the applicator member 13 could include portions in relief 19 that are closer together in a central portion of the applicator member 13, as shown in Figure 3, or, in a variant, that have different sizes, e.g. different widths, as shown in Figure 4, in which some portions in relief 19 are larger than other portions in relief 19. Portions in relief 19 may also differ in: their shapes; their cross-sections or their longitudinal sections; their lengths measured from their bases; or indeed their materials.

The applicator member 13 may be held on the remainder of the applicator, in particular on the support, by snap-fastening, as shown in the Figure 1 embodiment, or by adhesive, including for this purpose an adhesive layer 20 on its proximal end 14, as shown in Figure 5.

The adhesive layer 20 may be of a kind that makes it possible to detach the applicator member 13 easily from the remainder of the applicator, e.g. after it has been used one or more times, and possibly to clean it and replace it on the remainder of the applicator ready for subsequent use. The adhesive may be sensitive to pressure, in other words it may be a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) . Before first use, the adhesive layer 20 may be covered by a protective membrane 21 that may be a single piece, as shown in Figure 6, or it may be made of two portions that are superposed, at least in part, as shown in Figure 7. In the embodiments described above, the applicator member 13 includes portions in relief 19, but it would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention for the applicator member to have no portions in relief 19, e.g. having a distal end 15 for application that is substantially flat, as shown in Figure 8.

The applicator member 13 may be fastened in various ways to the remainder of the applicator 10, and in particular to the support 11.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the support 11 includes a flexible membrane 25 onto which the applicator 13 may be bonded. The membrane may be undulating, as shown in Figure 9, or, in a variant, may be relatively plane. The membrane may extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the device. It may contact the applicator member via the crests of the undulations. Alternatively, the applicator member need not have an adhesive layer, and may include an annular circumferential groove that enables it to be snap- fastened in an annular tab 26 of the support 11, constituting a fastener frame. Still in a variant, the frame may be in the form of an annular part 27 of the support 11, as shown in Figure 11. The annular part 27 defines an inside space that makes it possible to promote the formation of foam, when the composition is a foaming composition. The support 11 may alternatively include lugs 28, e.g. lugs of cylindrical shape, or, in a variant, of annular shape, onto which the applicator 13 may be bonded. The lugs 28 may form between them spaces that make it possible to promote the formation of foam. The applicator member 13 may be bonded onto the lugs 28, as shown in Figure 12, or, in a variant, may be held on said lugs by means of a hinge 29, as shown in Figure 13. In this event, the proximal end 14 for assembling to the support 11 is the end opposite from the application end.

Furthermore, the support 11 may include one or more open-work cavities 30, as shown in Figures 2, 12, and 13 that make it possible to promote drying of the applicator, and in particular the applicator member 13, and possibly the support 11. To this end, the applicator 10 may be disposed upside down, i.e. with the applicator member 13 facing upwards after application, so as to encourage it to dry.

In a variant, the applicator member may also comprise a foam, as shown in Figure 13a, fastened to the support via a holding ring 31. The foam may be in the form of a solid block, as shown, or it may be hollow in its center.

Still in a variant, the applicator member may include flocking, as shown in Figure 13b. In the embodiment shown, the applicator member comprises a foam, but, in a variant, it could be molded, e.g. out of a plastics material, e.g. out of elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer .

Still in a variant, the applicator member may be molded out of a plastics material, e.g. elastomer or thermoplastic elastomer, as shown in Figure 13c.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in Figure 13c, the applicator member is not smooth, being configured to store the composition by capillarity by means of the roughness of its application surface. The roughness may also make it possible to impart a peeling effect to the applicator member. The roughness may have a size lying in the range 1.5 mm to 2 mm, for example.

In all of the embodiments described above, the applicator member 13 is held directly on the support 11, but it would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention if this were otherwise, e.g. if it were held on the vibration source 12, itself held in the support 11. By way of example, Figure 14 shows an embodiment in which the applicator member 13 comprises a first portion 13a defining the application surface, and a second portion 13b for fastening the applicator member 13, said second portion being constituted in the embodiment described by a flexible part that is held on the vibration source 12. In the embodiment described, the second portion 13b includes lugs and spaces between the lugs, enabling the composition to flow and promoting the formation of foam when the composition is a foaming composition . In all of the embodiments described above, the outline of the applicator member, taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the device, is circular, as shown in Figure 15, but it would not be beyond the ambit of the present invention if this were otherwise. The outline of the applicator member, taken perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis X of the device, may be of some other shape, e.g. polygonal, e.g. square as shown in Figure 16, hexagonal as shown in Figure 17, or even octagonal as shown in Figure 18, etc.

One or more applicator members may be provided with the device. When a plurality of applicator members are provided, said applicator members may be disposed on a strip 40, as shown in Figure 19, each applicator member being fastened to the strip 40 via its adhesive layer.

In a variant, the applicator members may be stored in a stack, e.g. in a container 41, as shown in

Figure 20. They may be stacked directly on top of one another, or each may be stored in an individual envelope, or they may be stored in envelopes in small quantities, e.g. in fives. Still in a variant, the device may be supplied in the form of a kit, with a kit 45 possibly comprising a container 2, a support 11, a vibration source 12, and a plurality of optionally-different applicator members 13, as shown in Figure 21. The device may comprise a dip tube, as shown in the Figure 1 embodiment, or, in a variant, it may include a tube 48 having a flexible wall, as shown in the Figure 22 embodiment, the volume of the tube decreasing as the composition is dispensed, and the flexible-walled tube being contained in the container 2 having a rigid wall including an air-inlet orifice 50.

In a variant, the device 1 may include a piston 51 that rises in the container 2 including an orifice 50, so as to enable air to be admitted, said piston rising as the composition P is dispensed, as shown in Figure 23.

Still in a variant, the composition may be dispensed into a first housing of the hollow body 5 receiving the applicator 10, the container 2 fitted with the pump or the valve 3 being removed from a second housing of the hollow body 5 so as to dispense the composition into the first housing of the hollow body 5, as shown in Figure 24. In a second step, the composition may be taken by the applicator 10 from the first housing of the hollow body 5 by using the applicator member.

The expression "comprising a" should be understood as being synonymous with "comprising at least one" unless specified to the contrary.

Claims

1. A packaging and applicator device (1) for applying a cosmetic or care-product composition, in particular a skin-cleansing composition, the device comprising: • a container (2) containing the composition;

• an applicator (10) that is suitable for being loaded with composition from the container and for being detachable therefrom, the applicator comprising a support (11), a vibration source (12), and an applicator member (13) .

2. A device according to the preceding claim, wherein the applicator member is of shape that is generally flat along a flattening plane.

3. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the applicator member is of outline that is circular or polygonal.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the applicator member defines an applicator surface for contacting the skin during use, which surface is defined, at least in part, by a woven fabric, a non- woven fabric, a felt, a foam, a sintered element, or an elastomer, and/or comprises portions in relief, in particular bristles or spikes and/or flocking.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the applicator member is held in removable manner on the support or on the vibration source.

6. A device according to the preceding claim, wherein the applicator member (13) is held on the support (11) by friction or by snap-fastening or by adhesive, in particular like a sticker.

7. A device according to any one of the two preceding claims, wherein the applicator member in place on the support is repositionable on the support, in particular it comprises an adhesive layer (20) making it possible to detach it from the support and to stick it back on or elsewhere.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support is flexible, at least in part, in particular being molded, at least in part, out of a flexible material .

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises open-work cavities (30) promoting drying of the applicator member.

10. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises a frame (26; 27) .

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises lugs (28) for receiving the applicator member.

12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the support comprises a flexible membrane (25) for receiving the applicator member.

13. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the applicator member comprises an applicator first portion (13a) defining a distal end (15) that is configured to come into contact with the skin, and a holding second portion (13b) defining a proximal end (14) for assembling to the support, the applicator and holding portions being made out of different materials .

14. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the applicator is fitted on the container in a storage position, being held on said container in non- leaktight manner.

15. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein the vibration source is removable.