The present invention relates to packaging and applicator devices for applying a
cosmetic composition, and more particularly, but not exclusively, for applying a
foundation.
In general, cosmetic compositions consisting of a care product and/or of makeup
for the skin, and more particularly for the face, are applied by depositing one or more dabs
of composition on one or more localized zones of the face, the deposit(s) then being
spread using a finger or a sponge so as to cover the entire surface of the face.
This conventional application method does not make it possible to guarantee the
composition is of sufficiently uniform thickness over all of the zones of the face.
Generally, the zones on which the composition was initially dabbed, benefit from
composition that is thicker. In contrast, the zones of the face furthest from those zones are
coated in composition more thinly. This lack of uniformity is generally visible in the
makeup effect, and is not appreciated by the user when a natural look is desired.
It has also been proposed to apply liquid foundations using applicators comprising
a block of foam that, during application, may be secured to a reservoir containing the
composition, or in variants, may be separate therefrom.
Patents FR 985 064 and FR 1 524 192, and applications FR 2 882 505 and
US 2006/027072 disclose packaging and applicator devices each comprising an applicator
roller that is secured to a reservoir containing the composition for application.
Patent 1 281 338 describes an applicator with an applicator roller that is constituted
by the composition itself.
Application FR 2 903 584 discloses an eyeliner applicator including an applicator
wheel that makes it possible to draw a relatively fine line on the skin. The wheel may be
loaded with composition on bringing it into contact with the composition prior to
application.
There exists a need to improve still further packaging and applicator devices for
applying a cosmetic composition.
The invention achieves this by means of a packaging and applicator device for
applying a cosmetic composition, the device comprising:
• a casing housing at least one composition, preferably in solid-cake form; and
• an applicator including at least one applicator roller that turns about an axis of
rotation for moving over the composition along a rolling direction, the overall dimension
of the applicator, measured along the axis of rotation being less than or equal to a
dimension of the composition, measured perpendicularly to the rolling direction of the
applicator roller over the composition.
By means of the invention, the applicator roller may be loaded easily with
composition, which composition may also be applied easily, while achieving a deposit that
is relatively uniform.
The term "roller" should be understood to mean that the length of the surface that
comes into contact with the composition and that is used for application, as measured
along the axis of rotation, is greater than the greatest diameter of said surface, and, by way
of example, is more than 1.5, or even more than 2 or 3 times the diameter.
The term "solid composition" should be understood to mean a composition of high
consistency that preserves its shape during storage, and that, unlike "fluid compositions",
does not flow under its own weight. Preferably, as indicated above, the composition is in
the form of a solid cake. In variants, it is semi-solid, in particular creamy.
The fact that the dimension of the applicator, measured along the axis of rotation,
is less than or equal to the dimension of the composition, measured perpendicularly to the
rolling direction of the applicator member on the composition, makes it possible for the
applicator to penetrate deeper into the casing as the composition is used up.
The applicator roller may roll directly in contact with the cake of composition,
without any intermediate grid or mesh. In a variant, the composition is taken through a
grid or a mesh that lies on the composition. In this situation, the applicator roller rolls
over the grid or the mesh that may penetrate deeper into the housing containing the
composition, as said composition is used up.
Preferably, the dimension of the composition, measured along the rolling direction,
is greater than or equal to a circumference of the applicator roller in a zone of said
applicator roller that comes into contact with the composition while the applicator is being
loaded with composition. In particular, the dimension may be greater than or equal to
twice said circumference. This enables the applicator roller to perform at least one
complete revolution on rolling over the composition, and thus enables the user to load the
entire working surface of the applicator roller with composition that is relatively uniform
in a single pass over the composition, moving said roller from one end of the composition
to the other.
The applicator may be made in various ways. Preferably, the applicator includes
lugs and the applicator roller turns between the lugs. The applicator includes a handle.
The handle may be molded out of plastics material integrally with the lugs.
The casing may include a housing for receiving the applicator when not in use.
The bottom of the housing may have at least one ventilation hole passing therethrough.
The housing may be configured in such a manner as to orientate the applicator to
slope upwards when the casing lies on a horizontal plane surface. Thus, the user may take
hold of the applicator more easily on opening the casing.

In a particular embodiment, the housing includes two ramps against which the
applicator may bear when it lies in the housing, the ramps making it possible to orientate
the applicator to slope upwards. In particular, the presence of ramps may enable a
ventilation grid to be provided in the bottom of the housing, extending between the ramps.
A gap may exist between the handle and the grid that is sufficient to enable the housing
containing the applicator to be properly ventilated.
In an embodiment of the invention, the casing is configured to hold the applicator
roller away from a lid of the casing when the lid is closed, in the event of the casing being
turned upsidedown.
For example, the casing may include two abutments under which the above-
mentioned lugs of the applicator are engaged in such a manner as to avoid the applicator
roller coming into contact with a lid when said lid is closed. This makes it possible, when
the casing is turned upsidedown, to avoid transferring composition onto the inside face of
the lid, which could be troublesome, in particular when the lid is made out of a transparent
material.
The handle of the applicator may have a dimension, along a direction that is
perpendicular to the axis of rotation, that is sufficient to hold the applicator in the housing
against any movement of said applicator in a direction that is perpendicular to the axis of
rotation, or at the very least to limit its movement to a stroke that is not sufficient to enable
the applicator to escape from the above-mentioned abutments. The applicator may also be
held in some other way.
The composition may be any cosmetic, makeup, or care product composition, e.g.
being cast or compacted.
In particular, the composition may be cast or compacted in a dish that is fitted in a
housing of the casing. The term "cast composition" means a mass of composition having
cohesion that is provided by solidification of at least one of its components during
manufacture. The composition may be hot cast in a dish and solidification may result
from it cooling.
When the composition is cast, it may shrink, on cooling or on drying, so that the
composition initially has a top surface that is not completely plane, with a small
depression.
In longitudinal section, the profile of the roller may have a shape that matches the
shape of the surface of the composition on first use, so as to enable the application surface
to be loaded uniformly as from first use, and in particular so as to avoid any greater
quantity of composition being deposited close to the edges. The surface of the roller that
is used for application may be circularly cylindrical, or a little egg-shaped.

In another of its aspects, the invention also provides a method of applying a
cosmetic composition, in which method a device as defined above is used.
In another of its aspects, and independently or in combination with the above, the
invention also provides a packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic
composition, the device comprising:
• a casing housing a composition; and
• an applicator including an applicator roller that turns about an axis of rotation for
moving over the composition along a rolling direction, the applicator being received in a
housing of the casing;
the housing being configured in such a manner as to orientate the applicator to
slope upwards when the casing lies on a horizontal plane surface.
The housing may include two ramps against which a handle of the applicator may
bear when the applicator lies in the housing, the ramps making it possible to orientate the
handle to slope upwards. The bottom of the housing may include a ventilation grid that
extends between the ramps.
In another of its aspects, and independently or in combination with the above, the
invention also provides a packaging and applicator device for applying a cosmetic
composition, the device comprising:
• a casing including a lid and housing a composition; and
• an applicator comprising:
• two lugs; and
• an applicator roller that is disposed between the lugs and that turns about
an axis of rotation for moving over the composition along a rolling direction;
the casing being configured to hold the applicator roller away from the lid of the
casing when the lid is closed, in the event of the casing being turned upsidedown. By way
of example, the casing may include two abutments under which the lugs of the applicator
may be engaged in such a manner as to avoid the applicator roller coming into contact
with the lid when said lid is closed and the casing is turned upsidedown. The lid may be
transparent at least in part.
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 a diagrammatic perspective view from above showing an embodiment
of a packaging and applicator device made in accordance with the invention;
• Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the Figure 1 device, without the
composition dish;
• Figure 3 is a cross section of the Figure 2 casing;

• Figure 4 shows a detail IV of Figure 3;
• Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of the Figure 1 casing;
• Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 showing a variant embodiment;
• Figure 7 is a plan view showing the variant embodiment in Figure 6;
• Figure 8 shows a face view of the applicator shown in isolation;
• Figure 9 is a plan view of the cake of composition in its dish; and
• Figure 10 shows a variant of an applicator.
The packaging and applicator device 1 shown in Figures 1 to 5 comprises a casing
2 and an applicator 3 that is suitable for being removed by the user from the casing 2 in
order to apply composition.
The casing 2 includes a base 4, e.g. of generally rectangular outline when observed
from above, on which a lid 5 is hinged, e.g. about a pivot axis that is parallel to a long side
of the base 4, as shown. The lid 5 may be hinged on the base 4 in known manner, by
means of two hinges 95.
The device 1 also includes a tray 8 that is fastened in the base 4, e.g. by snap-
fastening, and that receives a mass of cosmetic composition P, e.g. in the form of a cast or
compacted cake. The base 4 may be made with fastener portions in relief 98, and the tray
8 may include corresponding tabs 99 that are adapted to snap-fasten in the portions in
relief.
The lid 5 is advantageously made out of a transparent thermoplastic material.
By way of example, the cosmetic composition P is selected from amongst makeup
for making up the skin or the lips, in particular a foundation, but may also be a care
product or a self-tan. The composition P may also be a sunscreen preparation or a
deodorant.
By way of example, the dish 11 is a dish that is pressed out of metal, and it is of
substantially rectangular shape, as shown.
The dish 11 is received in a housing 13 of the tray 8 of corresponding shape,
specifically of generally rectangular outline having rounded corners.
The dish 11 may be fastened in various ways in the housing 13 of the tray 8, e.g.
being bonded in the housing. Said housing may include a rib 14 for compensating for the
thickness of a thread of adhesive disposed in the bottom of the housing 13 so as to ensure
that the dish 11 is held in place.
Beside the first housing 13, the casing 2 includes a second housing 16 for receiving
the applicator 3 when said applicator is not in use.
By way of example, and as shown, the housing 16 is defined by an opening in the
tray 8, and separated from the housing 13 by a partition 17.

In the embodiment under consideration, the bottom of the housing 16 is defined by
the base 4 and includes a ventilation grid 19.
The tray 8 may include a clasp 20 that is molded integrally with the tray 8, for
example, and that may come into engagement with a fastener tab 22 of the lid 5 so as to
close said lid.
The base 4 may include a recess 24 for housing the clasp 20 when the tray 8 is
fastened thereon. The tray 8 may be metal-plated on its visible top face.
As shown in Figure 8, the applicator 3 includes a handle 30 that presents a flat
shape, preferably with a recess 31 on each of its main faces, so as to make it easier to grip.
The handle 30 is extended at its distal end by two lugs 32 that are molded
integrally therewith, and that serve as bearings for turning an applicator roller 40 about an
axis of rotation X. By way of example, and as shown, the axis X is orientated
perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the handle 30. The flat direction may be
parallel to the axis X.
The applicator roller 40 comprises a hollow applicator portion 41 through which a
support pin 42 passes, said support pin having ends with shoulders at 44, as can be seen in
Figure 8, and that are engaged in holes passing through the lugs 32. In a variant, the holes
receiving the ends of the support pin may be blind. In this situation, the ends of the
support pin need not have shoulders.
By way of example, the applicator portion 41 is made out of a foam having open or
closed cells, but other materials may be suitable, e.g. elastomer or sintered materials. The
surface that is used for application may be flocked, where appropriate, or may include
fibers resulting from subjecting the foam to an abrasive treatment.
The support pin 42 may be made out of thermoplastic material, in particular out of
the same material as the material that is used to make the handle 30 and the lugs 32.
Beside the applicator roller 40, the handle 30 may include two walls 46 that flare
apart from each other on going towards the applicator roller 40, the walls 46 defining, in
part, the recesses 31 on each of the main faces of the handle 30.
In order to load the applicator roller 40 with composition P, the user rolls it over
the cake of composition, moving along an axis Y that is perpendicular to the axis of
rotation X, and that is parallel to the long side of the cake of composition P in the
embodiment under consideration. The direction Y is advantageously parallel to the long
side of the casing 4, so as to make it easier to use the applicator with one hand while
holding the casing with the other.
The overall dimension W of the applicator 3, measured between the outside faces
of the lugs 32, is less than the dimension L of the cake of composition P, measured
between the facing inside faces 67 of the dish 11, in a direction that is perpendicular to the

axis X, thereby making it possible for the applicator to penetrate into the dish 11 without
the lugs 32 hindering such penetration, as the cake of composition P is used up. By way
of example, |L-W| < 1 millimeters (mm).
The greatest perimeter of the roller 40, in a zone of the applicator portion 41 that
comes into contact with the cake of composition P while the applicator is being loaded
with composition, is advantageously less than the dimension M of the dish 11, measured
between its facing inside faces 60 along the axis Y, so as to enable the applicator roller 40
to turn through at least one complete revolution when the user moves it along the axis Y
from one side of the dish 11 to the other, e.g. from left to right or vice versa in Figure 1.
Preferably, the distance M is at least twice the greatest circumference of the
applicator roller 40, so that the applicator turns at least twice in contact with the cake of
composition P when the user moves it over the cake of composition.
In the embodiment under consideration, the surface 101 that is used for application
is circularly cylindrical of axis X, of diameter d, and thus preferably d < 2M/7t.
By way of example, the diameter d is about 10 mm, and the length M lies in the
range 50 mm to 60 mm. By way of example, the distance L lies in the range 40 mm to
50 mm, as does the width W. By way of example, the length V of the surface 101 lies in
the range 32 mm to 36 mm.
In addition, in order to make it easier to take hold of the applicator 3 on opening
the casing 1, said casing advantageously includes a housing 16, as shown, with two ramps
70 that are disposed on the longitudinal sides of the tray 8, and, as can be seen in particular
in Figure 5, that are orientated to slope upwards away from the cake of composition P.
The angle of the ramps 70 relative to the horizontal lies in the range 10° to 20°, for
example.
The casing 1 may include a recess 72 on its side situated remote from the cake of
composition P, so as to make it easier to engage a finger in order to take hold of the handle
30 of the applicator. By way of example, the user may lift up the handle 30 with the index
finger, while the roller 40 is substantially stationary, then take hold of the handle 30, lifted
up in this way, between the thumb and the index finger.
The slope of the ramps 70 may be selected in such a manner that the end 73 of the
handle 30, that is remote from the applicator roller 40 is situated in the vicinity of, or even
in contact with, the inside face of the lid 5 when the casing is closed, and that may
contribute to holding the applicator 3 in place in the housing 16 when the casing is closed,
or, at the very least, may contribute to reducing any movement of the applicator inside its
housing when the casing is turned upsidedown.
The casing 1 may include abutments 80, formed with the tray 8 in the embodiment
under consideration, under which the lugs 32 of the applicator 3 are engaged when said

applicator is in place in the housing 16, thereby making it possible to avoid the applicator
roller 40 coming into contact with the lid 5 when the casing 1 is closed and turned
upsidedown, so as to avoid soiling the lid.
The abutments 80 may be formed by the top wall 84 of the tray 8 extending
towards the inside of the housing 16. The spacing between the abutments 80 and the
bottom of the housing 16 advantageously corresponds substantially to the width of a lug
32.
In order to hold the lugs 32 under the abutments 80, the dimension of the handle
30, measured perpendicularly to the axis of rotation X, may be selected in such a manner
that the handle 30 comes to bear against the tray side wall 89 that defines the housing 16
on the side remote from the cake of composition P. The handle 30 may also come into
contact with the lid 5 when said lid is closed, or may be situated a short distance from the
lid, e.g. less than 1 mm therefrom.
Where appropriate, the presence of the ramps 70 may also make it possible to take
hold of the applicator by sliding it outwards over the ramps 70 through a distance that is
sufficient for the handle to overhang the side of the casing and enable the user to take hold
of it between two fingers.
During application, the applicator roller 40 may turn without sliding over the skin.
A plurality of successive passes may be performed at a single location, e.g. depending on
the intensity of color that is desired. During successive passes, the user may change the
rolling direction a little, so as to blend in the edges of the deposit of composition, where
appropriate.
Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.
In particular, it is possible to replace the two ramps 70 by a sloping grid 100, as
shown in Figure 6, the grid 100 possibly being made integrally with the tray 8, or
independently thereof and fitted in the base 4.
It is also possible to make the casing 1 without abutments 80, as shown in Figure 7.
The applicator may include more than one roller, e.g. two rollers disposed one
behind the other, or in line with each other. The casing may house two different
compositions contained in respective dishes, for example.
The applicator roller 40 may alternatively be connected to the handle 30 on one
side only, as shown in Figure 10.
A grid or a mesh may possibly be disposed in the housing receiving the
composition, so as to limit the quantity of composition that is loaded on the applicator
roller while it is moving in said housing, over the grid or mesh. A grid or mesh may be
useful in particular when the composition is semi-solid, e.g. creamy.

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

WE CLAIM ;
1. A packaging and applicator device (1) for applying a cosmetic composition, the
device comprising:
• a casing (2) housing at least one composition (P), in particular in solid-cake form;
and
• an applicator (3) including at least one applicator roller (40) that turns about an
axis of rotation (X) for moving over the composition along a rolling direction (Y), the
overall dimension (W) of the applicator, measured along the axis of rotation (X)
being less than or equal to a dimension (L) of the composition (P), measured
perpendicularly to the rolling direction (Y) of the applicator roller (40) over the
composition (P).
2. A device according to claim 1, the dimension (M) of the composition, measured along
the rolling direction (Y), being greater than or equal to a circumference of the
applicator roller in a zone (101) that comes into contact with the composition while
the applicator is being loaded with composition.
3. A device according to the preceding claim, the dimension (M) of the composition,
along the rolling direction (Y), being greater than or equal to twice said
circumference.
4. A device according to any preceding claim, the applicator including lugs between
which the applicator roller turns, the applicator including a handle (30) that is
preferably molded out of plastics material integrally with the lugs (32).
5. A device according to any preceding claim, the casing including a housing (16) for
receiving the applicator (3) when not in use.
6. A device according to the preceding claim, said housing (16) being configured in
such a manner as to orientate the applicator to slope upwards when the casing (2) lies
on a horizontal plane surface.
7. A device according to the preceding claim, said housing (16) including two ramps
(70) against which the applicator may bear when it lies in the housing (16), the ramps
(70) making it possible to orientate the applicator to slope upwards.

8. A device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, the bottom of the housing (16) having
at least one ventilation hole passing therethrough.
9. A device according to claim 7 and claim 8, the bottom of the housing including a
ventilation grid (19) that extends between the ramps (70).
10. A device according to any preceding claim, the casing being configured to hold the
applicator roller (40) away from a lid (5) of the casing when the lid is closed.
11. A device according to any preceding claim, including claim 4, the casing (2)
including two abutments (80) under which the lugs (32) of the applicator are engaged
in such a manner as to avoid the applicator roller coming into contact with a lid (5) of
the casing when said lid is closed, in the event of the casing being turned upsidedown.
12. A device according to any preceding claim, including claim 5, the applicator
including a handle (30) having a dimension, along a direction that is perpendicular to
the axis of rotation (X), that is sufficient to hold the applicator in the housing against
any movement in the direction that is perpendicular to the axis of rotation.
13. A device according to any preceding claim, the composition (P) being in the form of a
solid cake, in particular a cake that is cast.
14. A device according to any preceding claim, the profile, in longitudinal section, of the
applicator roller (40) matching the profile of the surface of the composition on first
use.
15. A method of applying a cosmetic composition to the skin by means of a device as
defined in any preceding claim, wherein the applicator is moved over the
composition, in particular in the form of a solid cake, so as to load it with
composition by rolling the applicator roller over the surface of the composition, and
wherein the roller loaded in this way with composition is then applied to the skin.

The present invention relates to a packaging and applicator device for applying a
cosmetic composition, the device comprising:
• a casing housing at least one composition, in particular in solid-cake form; and
• an applicator (3) including at least one applicator roller (40) that turns about an
axis of rotation for moving over the composition along a rolling direction, the overall
dimension of the applicator, measured along the axis of rotation being less than or equal to
a dimension of the composition, measured perpendicularly to the rolling direction of the
applicator roller (40) over the composition.